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SMITH COUNTY — At their budget workshop for the 2025 fiscal year on Wednesday, the Smith County Commissioner’s Court verbally agreed to add 10 new detention officer jobs in the county. According to our news partner KETK, the move comes after years of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office having to go over budget on overtime because of a need for additional staffing at the Smith County Jail and elsewhere.

“Each year, knowing what we spent the year before, we’ve found less and less overtime,” Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. “The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result.”

At the workshop, Smith presented data that showed how the sheriff’s office reportedly had $300,000 budgeted for overtime and ended up spending $1,019,020 in 2020. Similarly, in 2021, they had even more overtime budgeted with $450,000 and they ended up spending $1,525,436. Continue reading County intends to hire 10 new detention officers

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department arrested a man on Friday for allegedly attempting to rob the First Convenience Bank inside of Walmart. According to our news partner KETK, officers were dispatched to the First Convenience Bank inside of the Walmart Supercenter at approximately 3:41 p.m. on Friday following reports of a robbery in progress.

According to officials, a male subject entered the bank and demanded a large amount of money from an employee at the bank. The subject allegedly stated that he would use force if the employee did not comply, the employee was able to text a relative stating that they were being robbed, after which a 911 call was made. Continue reading Palestine man arrested for bank robbery inside Walmart

NACOGDOCHES – According to our news partner KETK, the arrest documents of seven East Texans charged with capital murder reveal the events leading up to their arrests and a plan to steal drugs. Documents state that police were called to a trailer park on California Street at around 9:15 p.m. due to numerous calls about gunshots heard in the area. Officers reportedly entered a trailer home that had been hit multiple times by gunfire to check on the occupants welfare. That is where officials found 18-year-old Angel Bonilla dead.

The affidavit said one of the occupants was taken to a local hospital by two others and claimed that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Based on the arrest documents, it is believed four people including Bonilla were residing at the California Street home when two of the suspects entered to conduct a drug transaction.

“A total of three individuals are believed to have been struck by gunfire during the homicide,” Nacogdoches PD said. Continue reading Plan to steal drugs leads to 7 charged with capital murder

POLK COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, the Polk County District Attorney’s Office will be seeking the death penalty for the man accused of killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in February. A trial date for Don Steven McDougal has not been set as the case is still an open investigation. McDougal is facing one charge of capital murder for Cunningham’s death. Officials said a final decision will be made once all evidence has been received.

He is charged with capital murder because Audrii was under 15, and because the killing allegedly occurred while he was committing the felony of kidnapping her.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said McDougal was a family friend of the Cunningham’s and lived on their property in a camper. On Feb. 15, McDougal left with Audrii in his 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with the supposed plan of dropping her off at the school bus stop outside of the subdivision. Continue reading Death penalty for man accused of killing Audrii Cunningham

HENDERSON COUNTY – An East Texas teenager was arrested for child sex crimes on Monday and arrest documents reveal several victims came forward according to our news partners at KETK. On July 31, Henderson County officials issued an arrest warrant for Jordan Smith, 18 of Athens, for indecency with a child, aggravated assault of a child, prostitution and solicitation and displaying harmful material to a minor. According to the affidavit, investigators learned from a 14-year-old victim that he and another child were shown pornographic videos by Smith and they were all drinking alcohol. Smith reportedly admitted on July 25 that he bought vodka and he and the victims drank it in his room. Continue reading Athens 18-year-old charged with child sex crimes

EAST TEXAS – Residents who were affected by the storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding this spring
have until Aug. 15 to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, San Jacinto, Rusk, Sabine, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties designated for federal disaster assistance and who incurred storm-related loss or damage between April 26 – June 5, have one week left to apply. Continue reading FEMA assistance deadline is one week away

TYLER — Painted Tree Boutiques is coming soon to the City of Tyler where the former Bed Bath & Beyond was located. According to our news partner KETK, the boutique offers a one-of-a-kind retail experience with home decor, fashion and gifts but with a twist. The boutique will reportedly have hundreds of shops all under the same roof, creating a big way to shop small. “From the shop owners to the staff, everyone at Painted Tree Boutiques fosters togetherness,” the boutique’s website said. “It’s about supporting local entrepreneurs and giving the local community a treasure trove of delightful things.”

This will be the store’s first East Texas location with over 12 in the state. The boutique will be located at the Cumberland Mall on 8970 S Broadway Ave, Suite 144 but when it will open has not been released at this time. Small business owners and sellers can now open their own shop at Painted Tree Boutiques by visiting their website or calling 844-762-3342. Continue reading Former Bed Bath & Beyond building to house hundreds of shops

TYLER – While turning 25 this year, Texas’ sales tax holiday has not lost any of its luster. The tax-exempt weekend has saved Texans millions of dollars annually on clothing, footwear and school supplies heading into the school year. From its inception in 1999, when the Comptroller’s office estimated $32.6 million in combined state and local sales tax savings, Texas’ oldest sales tax holiday has saved shoppers an estimated $1.8 billion to date on qualified items priced below $100. That includes a projected $143.4 million in state and local sales tax savings during this year’s holiday, Aug. 9-11. Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org. As long as the item is sold during the designated days, you can get the tax break on items purchased in stores and online, or by phone, mail, custom order and other means. Continue reading Tax Free Weekend turns 25

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Eustace man was arrested on Tuesday following a traffic stop in Mabank where officials found suspected methamphetamine and distribution items according to our news partners at KETK. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said at around 4:57 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan minivan at the 700 block of SH 198 in Mabank. Officials identified the driver as 41-year-old Michael Mark Grubbs. A K-9 unit was used on the vehicle, where the K-9 reportedly gave a positive alert for narcotics. The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and reportedly found a magnetic box with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, a scale and baggies. The sheriff’s office claimed the items were used to package and distribute the drugs. Grubbs was arrested for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was taken to the Henderson County Jail and is awaiting arraignment.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Two people died in a head-on collision Monday night 12 miles from Palestine according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Department of Public Safety, at around 11:08 p.m. a Toyota Tundra was travelling south on State Highway 19 when it veered into the northbound lane hitting a truck tractor towing a trailer head-on. The driver of the Tundra, identified as 21-year-old Abimael Santillian and passenger 19-year-old Tanner Perez, both of Palestine, were pronounced dead at the scene. DPS said they both were not wearing seatbelts. The driver of the truck tractor was not injured, a release said. Addition information is unavailable at this time as the investigation is ongoing, DPS said.

SMITH COUNTY — Two people were arrested on Monday in connection to Dollar General thefts, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK,  around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Whitehouse police officers responded to a theft at a Dollar General on Highway 110, but the suspects had already fled in a black pickup truck, the sheriff’s office said.

Officials said about 20 minutes later, a theft was also reported at the Dollar General on FM 2493 in Flint.

“It was quickly determined that both thefts involved the same male and female suspect who entered the store and filled grocery carts full of merchandise and then exited,” Smith County official said. “Smith County Property Crimes Investigators had been monitoring the radio traffic of these two thefts due to the ongoing nature of similar thefts in the past few weeks. They quickly responded and developed a known suspect vehicle and license plate from surveillance video.” Continue reading Two arrested following Dollar General thefts

CASS COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a former Atlanta ISD teacher and coach was convicted on four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student on Aug. 2. The Cass County Criminal District Attorney said Taureaus Alvaro Maxwell, 31, a former teacher and coach at Atlanta ISD has been convicted on four counts of indecency with a child by contact and four counts of improper relationship between educator and student. He will now start a 60-year sentence in prison and will have to pay a $10,000 fine on each charge.

The DA’s office said that evidence showed that on April 10, 2023, two students from Atlanta High School outcried to school administration about sexual abuse and online solicitation by Maxwell. The student reportedly said Maxwell requested that he add him on Snapchat where Maxwell sent multiple “snaps” throughout the year. The DA’s office said that the student testified that pictures Maxwell sent where inappropriate and stated things such as “take those clothes off” and “I want videos of the ones when you’re out of the shower.” Continue reading Former East Texas coach convicted of inappropriately touching students

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department is currently investigating a shooting on Hubbard Drive that has left one person with life-threating injuries. Longview Police Public Information Officer Brandon Thornton said the shooting took place around 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the 100 block of Hubbard Drive. Thornton said the person injured was taken to a local hospital and police are actively investigating.

This is a developing story, we will have more details as they are released.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman is dead after a verbal argument led to a driver ‘intentionally’ hitting her. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD were called in an “accident” with injuries on 3100 Letourneau Drive. When officers arrived, they found 40-year-old Teleka Levy-Williams of Longview, with significant injuries. She was taken to a hospital where she later died.

Police found out in the their investigation that Levy-Williams death wasn’t an accident. They learned she had been intentionally struck by a vehicle after an argument. Law enforcement identified the driver of the vehicle as 34-year-old Nadio Hughes of Longview. Hughes was charged with murder and is in the Gregg County Jail where she is being held on a $150,000 bond.

Longview Police asks anyone with additional information on the case to contact them at 903-237-1110 provide information online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

PRICE — Our news partners at KETK report a former Carlisle ISD security guard has been arrested, the district said on Monday in a release. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department notified the school district on Monday that a security guard employed at the school last year and “were planning to use this year” had been detained, Carlisle ISD said. The security guard was reportedly not an employee for the district but rather contracted through a “separate private security agency.” “He will no longer be assigned to our school district moving forward, effective immediately,” Carlisle ISD said. The school district said they will not release the identity or charges of the security guard at this time.

TYLER – Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats throughout August with a donation of six white towels or six fleece blankets. The towels and blankets will be used for animals at the Shelter. Blankets that are 50″ x 60″ are preferred to fit a pet’s kennel. 

The basic dog adoption fee is $120 and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption, or submit an application, visit the Tyler Animal Services webpage. 
 
The Tyler Animal Shelter is located at 4218 Chandler Highway, across from EQ Autoworks. For more information, call (903) 535-0045.

CANTON – The City of Canton Fire Department confirmed that several power poles near Highways 243 and 198 are down after being hit by a 18-wheeler on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around noon with no injuries reporting. Oncor reports 847 customers are currently without power. They expect to be fully restored by 8 p.m. on Monday night.

MARSHALL – A Marshall man has been arrested and charged in connection with federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Cameron Deshun Payton, 22 was named in a three-count indictment in the Eastern District of Texas in June 2024, charging him with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Payton appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Payne in late July 2024, and was ordered to be detained until trial.

“In June, I announced Operation Texas Kill Switch, a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as switches,” stated U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “As promised, my office and our law enforcement partners will find these devices and take them off of the streets.”
Continue reading Marshall man charged with federal firearms violations

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, the Sulphur Springs Police Department is reporting that Taylor Rianna Casper was found safe after being reported missing on Sunday.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Sulphur Springs Police Department is searching for a 23-year-old autistic woman who went missing near Garret Drive and Highway 11 West on Sunday.
Taylor Rianna Casper is 23-years-old, weighs 160 pounds and was last seen wearing a red jacket and blue jeans. Casper reportedly was last seen walking away from a residence on Garret Drive off of Highway 11 West. Sulphur Springs PD said that Casper doesn’t have her phone. They’ve asked anyone with information about Casper to call Sulphur Springs PD at 903-885-7602.

WINONA – Smith County Emergency Services District #2 officials said that one person has died and four others were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 155 near Winona on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened on Highway 155 just north of Interstate 20 at around 4:55 p.m. According to Smith County ESD 2, there were two people entrapped and another person who died when crews arrived on the scene. Four people were then reportedly taken by EMS to a local hospital.

Winona Volunteer Fire Department, the Department of Public Safety and Smith County ESD 2 engines 122,128,127,Chief 127,BC2 T127 and B127.

OVERTON- A car was hit by a train on the railroad crossing at N. Commerce Street and E. Henderson Street, according to our news partner KETK. The crash occurred early Sunday morning. Overton Volunteer Fire Department also reported that there were no injuries. Information regarding the driver of the vehicle as well as a motive behind the car being on the tracks have not been released. The Overton Police Department, Overton Volunteer Fire Department and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.

EAST TEXAS – Schools across Gregg and Smith counties are preparing for the new school year! The Tyler Morning Telegraph has put together a list of important information before the first bell rings:
Continue reading Local ISDs preparing for new school year

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Two Chinese nationals were arrested with $250,000 worth of gold bars after a traffic stop on I-20 on Thursday. Our news partners at KETK report that the arrests stemmed from a traffic stop in Wills Point. The driver was identified as 25-year-old Chen, Weijian. Due to a language barrier, Hughes asked Chen to go to his patrol vehicle and speak to him via a translation app. During an interview, Wills Point PD Sgt. Charlie Hughes reported that he had reason to suspect criminal activity. Chen claimed he was heading to Dallas and also claimed he went to Florida to “play.” 46-year-old Lin Wenqiang, the passenger in the vehicle, gave consent to a search but seemed hesitant. A search then revealed a bag located behind the driver’s seat on the floorboard.
Continue reading Quarter-million dollars of gold seized, two arrested

PALESTINE – Palestine Economic Development has announced that crews started the second phase of the Downtown Revitalization project recently. According to our news partner KETK, many of the utilities in the city, like water pipes were originally installed in the early 1900s. They have never been replaced, only repaired over time.

Mary Ann Admire, City of Palestine Main Street coordinator said, “We are incredibly excited to be progressing on the Downtown Revitalization Project, which will replace utilities, sidewalks, and streets in the Central Business District. We are so grateful to the City leadership for their vision and determination to make downtown safe and accessible.”
Continue reading Phase two of downtown Palestine development started