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UPDATE: Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was arrested on Wednesday for two counts of official oppression and two counts of tampering with a witness.

Franklin is currently being held at the Van Zandt County Detention Center

ORIGINAL STORY: RAINS COUNTY – An East Texas judge is accused of threatening a defendant, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, alleges that Justice of the Peace Jenkins Franklin threatened Coby Wiebe to enter a guilty plea in a criminal case over which he had no jurisdiction, saying, “I heard you have a problem with me, boy. You take that deal, boy — or dead men can’t testify.” Two days later, the defendant entered a no-contest plea in a felony case. Continue reading UPDATE: East Texas judge arrested for oppression, witness tampering

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department is looking for a suspect identified in a string of burglaries at two oil change businesses in Texas and one in Arkansas.

Surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex captured two men carrying a safe while running from one of the businesses, Texarkana PD said. Authorities identified one suspect as Jaquavion Williams and issued felony warrants for his arrest. Williams told detectives he would turn himself in, but that did not happen.

Police are asking for those with information about William’s whereabouts to call them at 903-798-3116 or contact Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP. People with information can stay anonymous and possibly earn a $1,000 reward.

TYLER — Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was involved in a leadership assessment while working in the Vatican, that lead to Bishop Joseph Strickland’s removal from the Diocese of Tyler in 2023 according to our news partner KETK.

The Vatican Dicastery for Bishops performed a formal investigation of Strickland looking into his social media use and diocesan management. Strickland, who served at the Diocese of Tyler for 11 years, faced criticism on several posts including a tweet that said Pope Francis was “undermining the Deposit of Faith.”Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson conducted the investigation and concluded that Strickland’s tenure in office should not continue.

Pope Francis, known for his more progressive values, was open about his concerns with conservatives being in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Strickland opposed Francis’ stance on LGBTQ Catholics and having women in governance, according to the Associated Press. Continue reading Pope Leo XIV helped remove Bishop Strickland from Diocese

GOLDEN OAKS – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a woman was attacked by a pack of dogs in Golden Oaks Wednesday night and had to be airlifted to a local hospital.

Around 8:41 p.m., Payne Springs Fire Rescue volunteers received a call about a woman who was attacked by a pack of dogs and experienced traumatic injuries, officials said. When volunteers arrived, they requested UT Health Air 1 launch to the Gun Barrel City Fire helicopter pad.

The woman’s condition is unknown at this time.

HENDERSON COUNTY – A man arrested in Gun Barrel City has been sentenced to life in prison after multiple grams of illegal drugs were found inside his vehicle, according to our news partner KETK.

Jeffrey Lee Sharp was arrested in October 2023 during a routine traffic stop. According to officials, during the stop an investigator smelled marijuana coming from Sharp’s car, which led him to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search a clear baggie that contained multiple baggies with methamphetamine and a bag of marijuana.

During the court hearing, the jury heard testimony stated that Sharp was a habitual offender, which extended his sentence. Sharp was previously sentenced to 35 years in prison for delivery of a controlled substance and was on parole at the time of his arrest. Continue reading Henderson County man sentenced to life in prison

WASHINGTON — Congressman Nathaniel Moran from East Texas introduced the No Tax on Overtime Act on Tuesday which would allow for up to 300 hours of qualified overtime compensation. According to our news partner KETK, the deduction means the first 300 hours of overtime worked is tax free within a taxable year. A press release from the Moran House website said the bill will also remove 100% of income taxes on a 50% overtime pay premium for over 90 million hourly workers. For people who work time and a half, this means the half part of that pay will be tax free.

This legislation is directed toward those who make up to $100,000 and couples who make a combined $200,00, the release said. President Trump supports the bill as a long time advocate for policy that helps working class Americans. Continue reading Rep. Moran introduces No Tax on Overtime Act

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in a residential neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.

According to our news partner KETK, the shooting occurred around 1:30 p.m. outside a home near Wilson and Culverhouse streets. The suspects were seen driving a gray four door Nissan sedan according to Lufkin PD. Nobody was injured during the shooting and officials believe this was a targeted incident. Witnesses were unable to identify a suspect and Lufkin PD is still seeking information. Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 639-TIPS or contact the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 633-0359.

TYLER – Tyler City council will call a vote to amend an ordinance, establishing a hazard area by the six runways at Tyler Pounds. The predicted areas to be impacted the most are outlined in black, but the final decision will be made by the FAA according to our news partner KETK.

Business owners within the heavily restricted area are confused about what they can have on their property. If the ordinance were to pass, the FAA would restrict various building heights, frequencies, lighting concerns, and business that could attract birds to the area.

The vote will be taken by city council, May 28.

AUSTIN – According to our news partner KETK, Texas House of Representative passed a bill sponsored by Republican State Rep. Cody Harris of Palestine on Tuesday to help rural hospitals and preserve access care across East Texas.

In 2019, Harris said they created a tool to help smaller counties work together to fund Medicaid through local participation programs. This bill will extend this ‘life-saving’ program and give rural communities the stability they need to keep their secure and care available close to home.

Harris said he is proud to carry HB 3505 and fight for the future of rural healthcare in Texas.

HOUSTON COUNTY – UPDATE: Graphic Warning: The following contains graphic content that some might find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that an affidavit from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office sheds new details on the murder of a 16-year-old who was found near a riverbank with his left hand missing in early May.

Officials believe Michael Ortiz was killed on April 29 in the area of Mt. Olive Baptist Church on County Road 4020 in Crockett.

During the investigation, an eyewitness told the Crockett Police Department that she saw Emmanuel “Manny” Mata, two juveniles and Edgar Hernandez, including his 2012 Ford Mustang, at the Mt. Olive Church on the night of the murder.

“On the night of April 29, the witness states that once she heard his [2012 Ford Mustang] she left her residence and made her way to the church,” the affidavit said. “Once she arrived at the church, she was met by the two minors and Mata. All three men stated that she needed to get out of there, and she didn’t want to be part of what was going on.” Continue reading UPDATE: Houston County murdered teen found dead in river

SMITH COUNTY – According to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, county officials are looking at future jail needs, but say there are no current plans to expand or seek bond funding.

County Judge Neal Franklin said the presentation of of a jail feasibility study is only to prepare for the future.

“This is something that I felt like we needed to present,” Franklin said. “There are no bond plans – let me make that really clear. There is no plan on putting a November bond election for any jail or anything in fact.”

The study looks at population growth, inmate trends, and the county’s current jail setup. Based on those findings, it projects future needs and how those could be met with new construction. The current capacity across the downtown and North Jail is 1,092 beds. According to the study, the county may need between 1,400 and 1,500 beds in the future. Continue reading Smith County Jail reviews future needs

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the City of Frankston said the city has nearly 25 homes with trees toppled on them and one injury as a result of severe weather.

East Texas was slammed with severe weather Tuesday afternoon that caused quite a scare for people in Frankston. Even though the storm has passed, the damage has left its mark on the community. At one Frankston home, more than five trees fell directly on top of the roof.

The Frankston Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Gerald Hall said the path of the storm is quite noticeable in the city.

In a separate neighborhood, one person went to the hospital with a broken ankle after a tree fell on the person’s home. Continue reading Severe weather leaves extensive damage across East Texas

TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that an 18-wheeler is jackknifed at I-20 mile marker 553 eastbound, and blocking the right lane, according to the Lindale Fire Department.

Traffic is down to one lane, and drivers are encouraged to slow down and use caution during severe weather.

TYLER — With severe weather hitting East Texas Tuesday afternoon, electric utilities and cooperatives are reporting power outages. Our news partner KETK has a county by county power outage list, you can see it here.

HALLSVILLE – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking answers in relation to a murder that occurred in 2013 in Hallsville and has yet to be solved, according to our news partner KETK.

51-year-old Lillian Desiree Descoteau’s body was found by two truck drivers near FM 450 ramp onto IH-20, just south of Hallsville on October 7, 2013, according to officials.

“She had been sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled. Descoteau’s body was only clothed in a light blue pullover, a white bra and a shiny diamond stud earring in one ear,” DPS said.

Descoteau had lived in several states across the country, including Alaska, Colorado, Ohio, Georgia and lastly Irving, Texas, where she worked as a commercial driver for a brief period. Continue reading Police offer $6k for information in 2013 cold case murder

KILGORE – The Kilgore Fire Department said that the U.S. 259 Bypass in front of Forest Home Baptist Church in Kilgore is closed after a major accident Tuesday morning.

According to officials, the Kilgore Fire and Rescue Unit is on scene of a major motor vehicle accident and the roadway will be closed for an extended amount of time.

The department encourages people to find an alternate route of travel.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) is hosting meetings this week to discuss a proposed extension of Toll 49 out to US Route 271. According to our news partner KETK, the meetings will present members of the public with an opportunity to learn about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process which is the next step towards extending Toll 49 to US Route 271 from State Highway 110.

The project team will be available to answer any comments or questions the public may have on potential impacts of the expansion.

The meetings will be in-person and online from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday at the Tyler Rose Garden Center at 420 Rose Park Dr. in Tyler and the Longview Exhibit Center at 1123 Jaycee Dr. in Longview.

Visit the NETRMA website here.

AUSTIN – House Bill 2109, which aims to stop the Marvin Nichols Reservoir, has passed through committee but still needs to be heard on the Texas State House floor to be voted on.

According to our news partner KETK, East Texas supporters of the bill are encouraging everyone to call members of the Texas State House Calendar Committee to put HB 2109 on the schedule to be heard. Organizers said it is a bipartisan issue that affects everyone.

HB 2109 passed out of the Natural Resources Committee on April 23 but the Calendar Committee has decide when to allow it to be heard by May 15. The 57-year-old plan could flood up to 200,000 acres of land, leaving homes and schools to be moved. The possibility of the project coming to fruition has paralyzed hardworking East Texans like Casey Conway.

The last day for House bills to be considered on the floor is May 16 at midnight, but Conway fears it will not be chosen. Continue reading Stop Marvin Nichols Reservoir bill passes, but needs push

UPDATE: The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that Hyemin “Katherine” Wee was found dead in a wooded area near the Garden Valley Golf Resort at around 3:45 p.m. on Monday.

Wee was the subject of a search on Monday morning after she was last seen on Sunday. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators are the scene where she was found and they don’t suspect foul play as of Monday evening.

Smith County Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Judge Danny Brown performed an inquest at the scene and has ordered an autopsy. Sheriff Larry Smith thanked the International ALERT Academy and law enforcement personnel for helping to find Wee.

SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing woman last seen on Sunday. Continue reading UPDATE: Smith County woman found dead near Golf Resort

MABANK – According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for injury to an elderly individual, assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest in Mabank on Tuesday, April 29. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by KETK, a sheriff’s office deputy responded to a reported assault at a home on Zuni Street in Mabank at around 3:25 a.m. on Tuesday.

When the deputy arrived at the scene, he met with Forrest Outcalt, 40 of Mabank, on the porch of the home. The affidavit described that Outcalt told the deputy he had been in an argument with his roommate about him not paying bills on time. Outcalt stated he then went outside to leave the argument when his roommate followed him out and attacked him.

The affidavit reports that Outcalt told the deputy he was so scared by his roommate that he slapped him in the face. The deputy then spoke with Outcult’s roommate, an 82-year-old man. Continue reading Man arrested for slapping 82-year-old, assaulting officer

UPDATE: Kaufman County has issued a $10,000 reward for information leading to McEuen’s capture, according to our news partner KETK.

The sheriff’s office said they believe Trevor McEuen has left the Van Zandt County area. McEuen had been living with his family in Van Zandt County before he removed his ankle monitor and went on the run. The sheriff’s office said they the public should not be in fear of their safety.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s office is searching for a man who was due in court on Monday for a murder charge in Kaufman County.

According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and other local agencies are near U.S. Highway 80 east of Grand Saline searching for Trevor McEuen. Around 5:33 a.m. on Monday, McEuen removed his ankle monitor and left his home hours before he was due in court on a murder charge in Kaufman County, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office said. Continue reading Authorities issue $10,000 reward for fugitive murder suspect

TEXARKANA – A Dallas man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. Emmanuel Robles, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on May 5, 2025.

According to information presented in court, between 2019 and 2021, Robles conspired with others to bring methamphetamine to East Texas for distribution. During this time, Robles distributed more than 1.5 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. Robles admitted to providing controlled substances to another co-conspirator in July 2019; August 2019; September 2019; October 2019; December 2019; January 2020; February 2020; March 2020; and April 2020. Continue reading Man sentenced to 10 years for meth trafficking

TYLER – The City of Tyler will show appreciation for outstanding public servants during Public Service Recognition Week from May 5 through May 9. All City of Tyler non-emergency offices and facilities will be closed Friday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an interdepartmental event. However, essential and emergency functions will continue. Celebrated since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week is a nationwide public recognition campaign honoring the men and women who serve as federal, state, county and local government employees. 

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing woman last seen on Sunday, according to our news partner KETK.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they received a missing persons call on Sunday at around 11:30 p.m. Deputies responded to an area near Garden Valley Golf Course, where they found the missing person’s vehicle.

Hyemin “Katherine” Wee is described as an Asian woman, 5 feet 2 inches, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials said she could be wearing a black or dark gray V-neck T-shirt. Wee has made recent suicidal statements.

“At this time, multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments are in the area searching for Hyemin Wee,” Smith County officials said. “The search area includes Garden Valley Golf Course, the surrounding wooded areas and residential areas. This has been an ongoing effort since early this morning and will continue throughout the day.”

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-566-6600 or call 911.

LONGVIEW – Our news partner, KETK, reports that East Texans were able to gain and provide some insight about the federal budget.

East Texas Congressional representative Nathaniel Moran hosted a budget workshop in Tyler and Longview this past week to hear from residents. The workshops were held to give Moran an opportunity to hear from East Texans about their opinions on the federal budget, and how they believe it should be managed.

The congressman emphasized what these kinds of events mean to him. “It’s one of my favorite things to do. Every time I learn something, so I can be their voice in Washington DC,” Moran said.

With Trump’s proposed cut to nearly $6 billion from the education budget and return the power to the state, Rep. Moran spoke about how he agrees with the proposal.

“Return the power to our local school districts and get the federal government out of our government,” Rep. Moran said.

The budget workshop took place on May 1 in Tyler and again on May 2 in Longview, giving residents of both cities a chance to voice their opinions on the federal budget and giving Moran a chance to answer any questions that may arise.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s office is searching for a man who was due in court on Monday for a murder charge in Kaufman County.

According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and other local agencies are near U.S. Highway 80 east of Grand Saline searching for Trevor McEuen, who has removed his ankle monitor, and was due in court Monday for a murder charge in Kaufman County.

Officials said that Kaufman County has an active warrant for bail revocation for capital murder. Authorities are asking East Texans if they see anything suspicious in the area to contact 911 and not to attempt to apprehend McEuen.

“The sheriff’s office is working to ensure the safety of all citizens in Van Zandt County,” the sheriff’s office said.