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LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview nursing home employee was arrested on March 20 after she reportedly left a patient tied to the bed for more than five hours. According to an affidavit, Simone Monique Barnes, was charged with unlawful restraint after exposing the victim to substantial risk of serious injuries. The victim, who is 55-years-old, has a history of falling and is unable to care for herself independently, records indicate.

On March 11, the Medical Fraud Control Unit of the Texas Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation against Barnes. According to the affidavit, investigators learned that the victim was found tied to her bed at around 8:15 a.m. on March 6. Black leggings were tied to both of the victims legs, keeping her restrained to her bed, however officials said the victim did not sustain any injuries.

Once the patient was discovered, a manager was notified and took pictures of the victim in the restraints before releasing her. The manager then sent the pictures along with a written statement from the victim to investigators. Continue reading Longview nursing home employee arrested after tying resident to bed

MARSHALL – In a Monday night neeting, the Marshall City Council has named Melissa Byrne Vossmer as the new City Manager. Vossmer has been serving as interim City Manager since October 2024.

Vossmer has built a lengthy career with city manager posts in Lago Vista and Angleton, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Mary of the Plains College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Vossmer said in a press release from the city, “I am excited to officially step into this role. Working with Marshall’s dedicated staff and residents, I’ve discovered we have much to be grateful for here. We will keep working side by side, building on our progress, and finding new ways to strengthen and invest in Marshall’s future.”

Vossmer added, that she is committed to maintaining an open-door policy with residents in regards to city matters.

TEXARKANA – A Texarkana man was arrested after he allegedly used a mini four-wheeler to run into multiple Tesla vehicles on Tuesday. According to the Texarkana Police Department and our news partner KETK, officers received a report from the Golden Palace on Summerhill Road where surveillance footage captured a man on a mini four-wheeler intentionally ramming a parked Tesla at full speed. Officials said that officers were searching for the suspect while another report came in regarding damage to a Tesla in the Lowe’s parking lot.

Shortly after, officers spotted the suspect riding the four-wheeler near Summerhill and New Boston Road. After officers stopped the suspect, he initially gave a false name, but officers quickly identified him as Demarkeyun Marquize Cox, 33 of Texarkana. Cox was arrested and booked into the Bi-State Jail in Bowie County. Continue reading Suspect arrested for damaging Tesla

LONGVIEW – Making his mark one mile at a time, our news partner, KETK reports that Kyndal Ray Edwards is taking a journey across America and shining a light on a topic people have a hard time talking about.

A walking testimony, Edwards started his journey in prison, knowing that he wanted to change his life and walk for a cause bigger than himself.

“I want to shed some light on it and let people know that there is hope,” Edwards said.

In order to raise awareness for mental health Edwards will be walking across all four corners of the lower 48 states of America. Continue reading Longview man walks across America raising awareness for mental health

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Officials have located the body of a man they believe has been missing since January. This is the second body found as part of the missing persons investigation. According to our news partner KETK, the Lufkin Police Department discovered a body they believe to be Michael Allen in the 5900 block of Old Tyler Road in Nacogdoches County. Allen’s family has been notified, however, officials said the body has been sent for an autopsy to confirm the identity.

In February, officials said they found the body of another man, which they believe to be 79-year-old Robert Saxon, who was reported missing at the same time Allen was. The body was found in Sabine Parish, La. Despite it being more than a month since the first body was discovered, the Lufkin Police Department said they are still pending autopsy results to officially identify the body.

At this time, the Lufkin Police Department said John Wayne McCroskey is a suspect and is being questioned. He is being held in the Angelina County Jail on unrelated charges.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Tyler Police Department is warning residents of scammers pretending to be local or federal law enforcement in order to ask victims for money. A victim of a scammer recently reported the incident to the Tyler PD stating that she received a call from somebody claiming to be a U.S. Marshal. The victim was instructed to pay money and received an additional call from someone claiming to be a member of the Tyler PD and told her she would be arrested if she did not pay the money.

The Tyler PD released a statement claiming that they would never ask anyone to pay them money over the phone. Continue reading Tyler police warns residents of scammers impersonating officers

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an elderly man has died after falling from a ladder while trimming trees Monday afternoon. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, around 4:30 p.m., deputies responded to a home in the Chapel Hill area off of Highway 64, where they found 76-year-old Bobby Finley dead in his yard.

Officials said Finley was standing on a ladder while trimming a tree in his yard with a chainsaw when a limb he cut fell into the ladder, knocking him to the ground. The sheriff’s office believes Finley hit his head and back area when he fell to the ground, ultimately causing his death.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – An Edgewood man was arrested after deputies reportedly found illegal narcotics inside his vehicle. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, on March 17, a Van Zandt County criminal interdiction deputy saw a vehicle committing multiple moving violations and initiated a traffic stop.

The deputy saw multiple indicators that the people in the vehicle were possibly concealing something illegal. A Wills Point PD K9 unit performed a search around the vehicle, and officers were alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics. During the search, officials said suspected meth was located on Timothy Dwayne Henson of Edgewood. Continue reading Van Zandt County man arrested for meth found in vehicle

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the fourth annual “Sources of Strength” Retreat is expected to host over 200 students from 11 different high schools from all over East Texas this week.

Next Step Community Solutions, a Texas-based nonprofit, will host this retreat on Wednesday at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler. Sources of Strength is a peer-led suicide prevention program. The evidence-based conference-style retreat will feature different groups and adult leaders that will rotate through sessions.

“Each year we are able to bring more students together and celebrate all that they’ve accomplished over the past school year while also teaching them new ways to grow,” Sources of Strength program manager Adriana Gonzalez said. Continue reading Retreat to educate students on suicide prevention

RUSK – The Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Thrift Store is used to giving to people but over the past few weeks the nonprofit said they’ve had several thefts from the donation center in Rusk. Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Rusk Police Department has posted several photos of nine different thieves, and seven of them have been identified with assistance from the public.

“The donations are sold here in the thrift store, and then the proceeds are used to buy food for our food pantry and that feeds the community,” Good Samaritan Public Relations, Lana Z said. “So, when those donations are being stolen, it’s taking the funds that we are able to buy food for.” Continue reading Food Pantry in Rusk dealing with thefts

HENDERSON COUNTY – A $2 million bond has been set for an East Texas man arrested for allegedly killing his sister Monday in Henderson County. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the shooting of 30-year-old Samantha Moore in the Bonita Point subdivision just outside of Gun Barrel City. Moore was transported to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries.

According to our news partner KETK, deputies learned Moore’s brother, John Tyler Clague, 37 of Mabank, had shot her and fled the home. Investigators learned that Clague had been taken to a home in the Harbor Point subdivision. Continue reading East Texas man accused of killing his sister

GREGG COUNTY — The Greater Longview United Way, LANFest and CableLynx Broadband are teaming up to host the inaugural East Texas Gamer Con this Friday and Saturday, according to our news partner KETK.

“Gaming has the power to bring people together, and through ETX Gamer Con, we’re channeling that connection into meaningful community support,” said Dr. Evan Dolive, the executive director of the Greater Longview United Way. “When you participate in this event, you’re not just playing games – you’re helping provide meals to families in need, supporting after-school programs for our youth, and ensuring our neighbors have access to vital health services.”

The convention’s lineup consists of the following exciting activities: Continue reading First ever East Texas Gamer Con coming to Longview

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County couple has been arrested after a 9-year-old girl accused her stepfather of sexually assaulting her, according to our news partner KETK. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office became aware of the case on March 12 after a CPS worker reported a 9-year-old girl was reportedly being touched inappropriately by her stepfather, Damian Francisco.

The incidents were reported to have occurred in the family’s home in Tyler. The CPS worker was alerted to the case after the victim, records indicate, told teachers at her school that her stepfather had touched her inappropriately.

Following the report, the victim was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) where a forensic interview was conducted. The affidavit stated that the victim cried for the first portion of the interview and claimed that her mother told her that it was her fault they had to do the interview. The victim said the mother threatened she and her siblings may not see her again. Continue reading Couple arrested after stepfather accused of sexually assaulting stepdaughter

GUN BARREL CITY – According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting that happened near Gun Barrel City on Monday. The shooting happened near Bonita Point which is just outside of Gun Barrel City in Henderson County. Officials identified the man they were searching for as John Clague. The sheriff’s office reported that the body of Clague’s sister was found dead on Monday.

Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said Clague was in a travel trailer on a property in the Harbor Point subdivision. The tactical team responded to the property to try and contact Clague. He then allegedly tried to run from the trailer but was apprehended by a K9 unit. Hillhouse said that EMS was checking out Clague for injuries before he gets transported to the Henderson County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the University of Texas System Police Department at Stephen F. Austin State University has received a $150,000 grant to fund equipment and training.

The Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Foundation, a nonprofit that assists agencies serving in Nacogdoches, awarded the grant. The $150,000 grant will cover at least 30 duty tourniquets with carriers, along with two automated external defibrillators for new patrol vehicles.

Korey Kahle, a lecturer of computer science at SFA, has been the head of the foundation since it began in March 2022. Recently, the foundation also helped Cason Snider, who was injured in a Nacogdoches County two-vehicle crash in 2017.

WOOD COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Wood County woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison after “repeatedly striking” a woman with a metal pole.

According to the Wood County District Attorney’s Office, around 10:30 p.m. on April 6, 2023, Ruby Dee Isaacs and three other people arrived at the victim’s home uninvited, holding weapons including a knife, machete, pepper spray and a homemade metal pole with a sprocket attached to the end.

Officials said that after a verbal dispute, Issacs repeatedly struck the victim in the face and body with the metal pole. The attack caused serious injuries to the victim’s face, requiring several stitches in her chin and staples in her forehead. Continue reading Wood County woman sentenced to 30 years for assault

CENTER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 12-year-old from Center ISD accomplished an impressive feat during the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this week by selling a market barrow pig for a record $501,000.

Dallas Martinez, who is currently in the sixth grade, was named Junior Market Barrow Grand Champion and sold his championship market barrow pig for $501,000, which breaks the previous record by over $100,000.

Martinez has been competing in major stock shows since he was 9-years-old. The student’s father, Berto Martinez, is a member of the Center ISD faculty working for the maintenance department.

TYLER — The University of Oxford Somerville College Choir concert at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler Tuesday night has been canceled. Due to the fire at Heathrow Airport last week, the group was not able to make their flight.

NEW LONDON, Texas – The West Rusk County Consolidated ISD is once again looking at voters to pass a proposed bond totaling $23,404,459. The funds would be used to build a new elementary school. This bond comes after voters rejected the district’s last two attempted bonds which aimed to fix aging or broken infrastructure, including mold and water damage, in the district’s schools. The district’s bond page breaks down what the new elementary school campus would feature, including a new music room and a multi-purpose gymnasium with a stage.
Continue reading West Rusk CCISD proposes bond for new school

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a contracted medical employee working at the Smith County Jail for allegedly bringing pills to an inmate according to our news partner KETK. Jessica Riley, 41 of Tyler, was working in the jail as a medication tech when she was arrested at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Officials said an investigation was started after investigators were given information claiming that Riley had been illegally dispensing controlled substances to an inmate.

The sheriff’s office said that investigators were able to review video that allegedly showed Riley passing something to an inmate from her medical cart.

Officials then searched the cell of Tyirese Ladale Dews, 24 of Tyler, who was arrested for the unrelated charge of promoting prostitution on March 6. Two tablets of Seroquel were found inside the bunkbed in Dews’ cell, according to a press release. Continue reading Smith County Jail medication tech arrested for delivering pills

UPDATE: The Carthage Police Department has arrested the suspect accused of hitting a 5-year-old child with their car on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the suspect, Jhavorry Crayton, was found in Longview on Thursday afternoon and was arrested. Crayton was taken to the Gregg County Jail and charged with collision involving injury, evading arrest and tamper or fabricating with physical evidence.

The child injured in the crash was identified to KETK as 5-year-old Jude Brown. Jude is now out of the hospital but will need surgery. Continue reading UPDATE: Suspect in hit-and-run that injured child arrested

MARSHALL (AP) — George Foreman, the fearsome heavyweight who lost the “Rumble in the Jungle” to Muhammad Ali before his inspiring second act as a 45-year-old champion and a successful businessman, died Friday night. He was 76. Foreman’s family announced his death on social media.

“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand- and great-grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility and purpose,” his family wrote.

A native Texan, Foreman began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist who inspired fear as he climbed to the peak of the heavyweight division by stopping Joe Frazier in 1973. His formidable aura evaporated only a year later when Ali pulled off one of the most audacious victories in boxing history in Zaire, baiting and taunting Foreman into losing his belt in one of the greatest fights ever staged. Continue reading Marshall native and heavyweight champ George Foreman, dies at 76

TRINITY – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, a 71-year-old man died on Friday morning in a fire that burned a mobile home in Trinity.

Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said James Barber, 71 of Trinity, died in a mobile home fire that happened on Clemons Street at around 5 a.m. on Friday.

According to Wallace, Trinity County law enforcement is investigating the cause of the fire.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that several counties across East Texas are seeing a higher risk of fires due to recent high winds and dry weather.

“Some of this is from people either just burning trash or trying to do controlled burns that get out of control with the current wind conditions that we’re experiencing,” South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief David Birdsong said. He says the high call numbers are already putting a strain on their crews and resources.

“We’re doing what’s called emergency staffing. What that means is we have individuals that are willing to come in and staff the stations and be ready at a moment’s notice.” Continue reading East Texas fire departments taking extra precautions

NACOGDOCHES -Our news partner, KETK, reports that charges have been upgraded for a 17-year-old accused of shooting a man in Nacogdoches on Thursday.

Nacogdoches PD said officers responded to N. Popp Street at around 1 p.m. on Thursday after residents reported hearing the sound of gunshots. When they arrived, officers found a man who had been shot at least two times in the front yard of a home. The man was able tell them about the shooting before he was taken out of town by EMS for treatment. The victim, now identified as Gerber Panteleon-Palencia, 33, of Nashville was taken to a Tyler hospital for surgery, but passed away from his injuries. He was visiting family in Nacogdoches when the shooting took place.

Hernan Cuarenta, 17 of Nacogdoches, was originally charged with aggravated assault and theft of a firearm. Those charges have now been upgraded to first-degree murder.Cuarenta being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail. Continue reading UPDATE: Nacogdoches Teen charged with first-degree murder