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TYLER — A Tyler nurse has been recognized by Ardent Health Services with the 2023 Nurse of the Year Award. Rachel Carney, RN, is nurse in the renal/urology unit at UT Health Tyler. Presented annually by UT Health Tyler’s parent company, the award recognizes an outstanding nurse for their compassion, skill and willingness to go the extra mile in caring for others. Rachel’s DAISY Award nomination came from a patient who had a lengthy hospital stay following surgery.  “In addition to helping with my medical needs, she talked me through several days of severe physical and psychological discomfort and helped me with things I never expected I would need help with, including bathing, changing my linens and shaving my beard,” the DAISY nomination read. “She even talked me through a borderline nervous breakdown and called to check on me during a well-earned day off. I felt like I was being taken care of by a loved one. I can’t express how much that meant to me.” Carney said she was shocked to receive the award. “I don’t do this for awards, I just try to do my job,” she said. Continue reading UT Health Tyler nurse earns award for excellence

HENDERSON — Tyler Pipe had a grand opening Monday for its new transload facility at the Henderson Industrial Park. According to our news partner KETK, the purpose of the center is to transfer goods from one mode of transportation to another until they reach their destination. With Henderson’s location to railways, officials feel the transload facility is a good fit for Tyler Pipe.
Continue reading Tyler Pipe has grand opening in Henderson

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Jury Duty has been cancelled for Election Day Tuesday November 7. If you have received a jury summons to appear on Tuesday, you do not have to report to the Smith County Courthouse and there is no action required from you. For more information click here.

PANOLA COUNTY – A man was arrested on Tuesday in Panola County after officials said he had barricaded himself inside his grandmother’s home with a gun, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Sheriff Cutter Clinton, a caller reported around 3:45 p.m. that a man, identified as Bradley Clakley, “had assaulted his grandmother and chased her to the neighbor’s house with a gun.” The caller reportedly told authorities Clakley went back to his grandmother’s house and was inside with a gun. Clinton said the sheriff’s office responded to the scene on CR 407 in the Antioch community, blocked off the area and began to negotiate with him. Continue reading Man in custody after standoff in Panola County

KILGORE — Kilgore Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection to local construction fraud. Ignacio “Nacho” Terrones faces charges of misapplication of trust funds in construction fraud. Terrones is believed to be the subject of “several similar investigations in other cities and counties,” according to authorities. Authorities say Terrones was given the opportunity to turn himself in over the weekend, but failed to do so. Several other warrants have been issued against him as well. Kilgore Police said they do not want the public to approach or attempt to apprehend him. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or Kilgore Police Department Detective Joshua Sims at 903-218-6907 or email [email protected].

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) has partnered with KSA Engineers, as part of a national initiative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to inventory the types of materials of all customers’ water service lines in the City’s distribution system by October 16, 2024. The inventory is an important step in protecting public health and minimizing the risk of lead entering drinking water from service pipes and fixtures in people’s homes. As part of this plan, TWU asks customers to complete a survey to identify the water service line material on their property. A customer’s water service line connects the water meter to their house or business and is their responsibility to maintain or replace. The material will be either PVC, copper, galvanized steel, or lead. Lead service lines were banned in 1986 because of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act amendments. If a home or business was built after 1989, the property is unlikely to have a lead service line. Continue reading Water customers asked to complete survey

NACOGDOCHES — A jury in Hawaii has convicted a couple of stealing the identities of babies who died in Texas. The former Nacogdoches couple, Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, are in their mid-60s. They assumed the identities of Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, two infants who died and were buried in central Texas near Burnet in the late ’60s. Primose and Morrison were accused in the trial of adopting the false identities in 1987 when they lost their home to foreclosure and had other serious debt problems. When they’re sentenced in March, the couple each face up to 19 years in prison on federal charges of conspiracy, passport fraud and identity theft.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been indicted for shooting a man on Oct. 8, 2022. Kendrick Bell, 29,  was reportedly charged after he shot someone by “firing several rounds into the victim’s car where he was seated.” According to our news partner KETK, a deputy from Smith County answered a call regarding a black Chrysler parked in front of the caller’s house. On his way to the address, a dispatcher notified the deputy of a shooting and that the suspect had fled the scene. Authorities said the shooting began due to a money dispute that occurred one day prior to the shooting. A crime scene analyst found the suspect’s driver’s side mirror cover that belonged to a 2010-2015 Camaro. On Oct. 14, a sergeant located the suspect vehicle at a Walmart on Loop 323 and conducted a felony stop. Continue reading Suspect indicted in 2022 shooting

TYLER — A Tyler man was indicted on two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was accused in two separate road rage shooting incidents in June. According to our news partner KETK, Ashton Smith, 21 of Tyler, was arrested earlier this year after officials at the time reported two shootings on June 2 and June 13 near the intersection of FM 16 and FM 14 in northern Smith County. The two unrelated callers reportedly told authorities they were shot by a Black man in a black Jeep SUV, and the shootings were linked after investigators reviewed security footage. One of the victims allegedly told authorities the incident stemmed from road rage. Continue reading Suspect indicted in separate road rage incidents

TYLER – A 22-year-old woman was indicted for criminally negligent homicide in the 2021 death of a Tyler High volleyball player. Talia Smith, of Tyler, was indicted on Sept. 28 in the May 1, 2021 crash that lead to the death of 18-year-old Patrianna Pettigrew. Smith’s indictment states that she caused the crash due to her failure to control speed, making an unsafe lane change, passing another vehicle at a high rate of speed, operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner, and passing a vehicle when it was unsafe to do so. Pettigrew was declared dead at the site of the collision, while Smith was transported to the hospital in a critical state. She was subsequently discharged and apprehended for her involvement in the crash. Smith was able to secure her release from the Smith County Jail on the same day by posting a bond of $15,000. Smith’s next court date is Nov. 20.

SMITH COUNTY – All fire and hazmat crews have been cleared from an early Tuesday morning gas spill caused by an 18-wheeler accident on Loop 323, between Lavender Road and Farm-to-Market Road 14 in Tyler. According to Smith County Fire Marshall Chad Hogue the eastbound lanes of Loop 323 are open, while the westbound lanes are still closed. TxDot is still active at the spill area.

FLINT (AP) — American service members are twice as likely as civilians to take their own lives. For decades, discussions of suicide prevention skirted fraught questions about firearms. But some families who’ve lost a loved one to suicide want to talk openly. They believe if the United States wants to get serious about addressing an epidemic of suicide, it must find a way to respect a veteran’s right to own a gun, but keep it out of their hands on their darkest days. One mother who lost her 25-year-old son to suicide says the military must do more to keep guns away from its soldiers in crisis. She leaned out of the tent at a small-town summer festival, hoping someone would stop to ask about her tattoos, her T-shirt, the framed pictures of her son on a table in the back of the booth. Barbie Rohde has made herself a walking billboard for this cause. She feels called to say the words, as much as they sometimes rattle the people who stop at her booth: “veteran suicide.” Continue reading Veterans more likely than most to kill themselves with guns

TYLER – East Texas will experience cold weather throughout the next few days and most people will use their heaters for the first time in many months. KETK reports that temperatures will get as low as the mid-30s through the next few days and experts are advising people to use their heaters correctly. “This time of the year it is very common for everyone to use space heaters,” said Tyler’s Fire Marshal. Hooton said the way to prevent fires is by putting heaters in safe locations. Hooton advises people not to use extension cords for their space heaters as they can get too hot. People who have plants outside should bring them inside if they want them to survive. They need to be covered with blankets, light plastic. Once the weather starts to rise back up to the 60s and 70s late this week, the plants can go back outside.

WHITEHOUSE – According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested in Whitehouse for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday. Deputies responded to a County Road 2183 residence around 11:30 p.m. When they arrived deputies were reportedly told that Alejandro Guebara was inside the residence with a shotgun. A woman told officials that Guebara allegedly put the shotgun to her head and threatened her. When deputies approached the residence they began to try and talk to him but officials said he fled out the back window into the woods behind the home. Neighbors informed officials that a gunshot had been heard inside the home before they arrived. Whitehouse PD, Troup PD and TPWD Game Warden assisted in trying to find Guebara. He was found and arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threat of a family/household, evading arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a parole violation warrant.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety said that one person is dead after an ATV and vehicle crashed on State Highway 21 on Saturday night. Our news colleagues at KETK report that around 9 p.m. on Saturday, a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe was travelling southwest on State Highway 21 when a 2007 Honda ATV turned State Highway 21 west. According to Texas DPS, the driver of the Tahoe had limited visibility and could not see the ATV clearly. The Tahoe and the ATV collided and the driver of the ATV, Ronterreal Mumphrey, 36 of Alto, was ejected from the ATV. Mumphrey was pronounced dead at UT Health in Tyler. The driver of the Tahoe was taken to a hospital in Jacksonville. DPS is continuing to investigate the crash.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrest of an East Texas man in connection with a Canton shooting incident on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. On Sunday, Canton police and Van Zandt County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of shots fired at an address on State Highway 64 near Canton. Officials reportedly found a male standing outside shooting a firearm and at one point he allegedly shot in the direction of officers. No one was injured. Richard Homer, 64, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and disorderly conduct discharging firearm and has since bonded out on a $100,000 combined bond, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER – A former Tyler ISD teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday to sexual assault of a child and having an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, authorities arrested 29-year-old Andre Jefferson of Tyler in February when the grandparent of a middle school student’s friend saw messaging between about her relationship with Jefferson.
Continue reading Ex-Tyler teacher sentenced to 10 years for sex assault

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK the Texarkana Police Department are looking for a suspect they believe killed three people and injured three others in a mass shooting at a party Saturday night. Officials said a fistfight broke out between two men at the party in a backroom of a business in the 700 block of North Stateline Avenue around 9 p.m. Officers said at least two men pulled out rifles and started shooting. One man died at the scene. Another man and a woman died overnight in the hospital. Three other victims, two men and a woman, suffered life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Police are searching for a suspect, 20-year-old Breoskii Warren. The TAPD asks that anyone with information on this case or where Warren might be to call them at (903) 798-3116 or submit an anonymous tip to Texarkana Crime Stoppers at (903) 793-STOP.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that two women were found dead in the 100 block of South Stone Street around 4:04 p.m. on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK officers were conducting a welfare check when they found the two women dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Officials believe this to be an isolated incident. The Nacogdoches PD criminal investigation division is on the scene and the public is asked to avoid the area.

LUFKIN – The City of Lufkin said that they’re searching for a suspect who robbed the Bigs convenience store at the corner of Loop 287 and Highway 94 west on Thursday. According to the Lufkin Police Department, a man carrying an umbrella and wearing a skeleton mask entered the store around 8:40 p.m. and set a revolver on the counter. According to our news partner KETK he reportedly demanded cash from the store clerk. He left with an unreported amount of cash. Officials added that there was no one else in the store and that the clerk was uninjured. The suspect is described as 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 8 inches and wearing a black skeleton mask, black gloves, a black hoodie and gray sweatpants with three black lines on the side. He also carried a “conspicuous-looking umbrella,” according to a press release. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356 or Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS to remain anonymous.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK Pine Tree ISD is asking voters to pass a proposed $55 million bond on the Nov. 7 election ballot. The proposed bond would fund numerous projects throughout the district. Full list can be found here. The school board called for the bond election at their meeting on Aug. 14. To learn more about their projects visit the Pine Tree ISD Bond 2023 website online.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department have identified a suspect for putting graffiti on the New Jerusalem Baptist Church. According to our news partner KETK, the suspect is identified as 49-year-old Ronald Cunningham of Tyler. Cunningham was contacted by law enforcement and issued a citation for criminal mischief.

NACOGDOCHES – From his desk, Steve Bartlett can see Nacogdoches’ historic downtown, beautiful if worn down by centuries of residents who have called this place home. Uneven sidewalks are difficult for residents with mobility issues to navigate. And tightly-crowded roads present unsafe conditions for drivers. Underground, water flows through 100-year-old lines repaired in bits and pieces with PVC pipe. The infrastructure is beyond its useful life and has reached a point where patchwork repairs no longer suffice. “We’re the ‘oldest town’ in Texas and have the oldest infrastructure in Texas,” Bartlett, the city’s director of public works, said, referring to the town’s motto. City leaders in this East Texas town of 32,137 people — which traces its first settlement to 1716 and its first government to 1779 — are asking residents to approve a series of propositions this election that would allow them to borrow $44 million for capital improvements according to reporting in the Texas Tribune. Continue reading Nacogdoches asking voters for $44 million

ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said that they found more than 39 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that Lt. Wes Waggoner and Sgt. Chris Carrol with the ACSO attempted to make traffic stop on a Nissan Titan following a violation on Highway 59 north of Lufkin. In the course of trying to stop the Nissan, a Ford F-150 pickup truck came from behind Carrol and Waggoner’s vehicle and passed in front of them, swerving of the highway and almost causing a crash. After avoiding being hit, officials said the two deputies interviewed the driver of the Nissan. Minutes later, the press release said that a Department of Public Safety K-9 trooper showed up and the K-9 conducted a open-air sniff test. Continue reading 39 pounds of cocaine seized during traffic stop

TYLER — A Tyler doctor was temporarily suspended by the disciplinary panel of the Texas Medical Board on Oct. 24. According to our news partner KETK, Kenneth D. Haygood was temporarily suspended after violating a June 2023 Final Order which restricted him from seeing female patients. The order stated that he needed to complete multiple continuing medical education courses and pass exams, in addition to paying a $5,000 administrative penalty. According to the Texas Medical Board, Haygood did not get consent before doing a physical exam of a female patient, and inappropriately discussed the encounter with the patient’s family via text message “in an attempt to intimidate them as witnesses.” A temporary suspension hearing with notice will be held as soon as possible with 10 days notice to Haygood. Continue reading Local doctor temporarily suspended following violation

TYLER – FBI Dallas officials visited Tyler to discuss increasing reports of hate crimes in East Texas according to our news partners at KETK. On Wednesday, the FBI Dallas division officials and local authorities were at T.R Griffith Park in Tyler to discuss the impact hate crimes have on East Texas. According to the FBI, law enforcement agencies reported more than 11,000 incidents involving over 13,000 victims of hate crimes in 2022. “We’ve definitely seen an uptick in hate crime reporting,” said Chad Yarbrough, Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Dallas Field. Anti-African American, anti-Jewish and anti-gay are the top three and with the tension in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, there’s been a rise in threats. Continue reading FBI: East Texas named hot spot for hate crimes