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MABANK – Firefighters from Payne Springs Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene of a home burning in the Hidden Hills Harbor near Mabank on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the single-wide trailer was totally engulfed when the first Payne Springs Fire Rescue crew arrived at the scene. When a second crew arrived a short time later, officials said the fire was able to be extinguished. The home’s heavy metal roof required Henderson County Precinct 2 to respond to the scene with a backhoe. Gun Barrel City Fire Department, Long Cove Fire Department, Log Cabin Fire Department, Malakoff Fire Department, the Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office, UT Health EMS and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.

Payne Springs Fire Rescue said one adult and two children were treated for minor injuries by EMS. They were all reportedly released before the firefighters cleared the scene.

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report East Texas nonprofits are raising awareness during National Human Trafficking Prevention month this January. Local nonprofits including Unbound Now, Selah Life Choices and 4Kids4Families all share the same mission to help human trafficking victims in a time of need. According to Unbound Now, human trafficking occurs when a person is forced, tricked or manipulated into providing labor or sexual service for someone else’s financial gain. Unbound Now Advocacy Coordinator Maria Villarreal said 50 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking with Texas being second for most cases reported. Continue reading East Texas nonprofits raise awareness of human trafficking

GLADEWATER – Our news partners at KETK says the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said they have one person in custody after Union Grove High School received “extensive damage” last night. According to the sheriff’s office, surveillance camera footage from the school shows someone dressed in black damaging the building and a trophy case at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday. Union Grove ISD said several exterior doors, trophy cases, televisions, a set of restrooms and water fountains were also damaged. Continue reading Union Grove High School vandalized

HAWKINS – Our news partners at KETK report that a Hawkins man has turned himself into the Wood County Jail after he allegedly posted the cellphone number of a Hawkins city council woman on Facebook. Todd Eddington runs the Crooked Wood County “Justice” System Part III page on Facebook. On Dec. 10, arrest documents allege that he used the page to share the cellphone number of Hawkins city councilwoman Eleta Taylor. Taylor then reportedly requested that Eddington take the number down from the page because of safety concerns. Eddington’s response to her request was quoted in an affidavit for his arrest that was obtained by KETK. Continue reading Hawkins man arrested for posting council member’s phone number

Tyler – Tyler Independent School District announces that students in the Advanced Animal Science/Livestock Production class at the Career & Technology Center will construct their own anaerobic digesters in an engaging hands-on activity designed to demonstrate how organic waste can be converted into renewable energy. Continue reading CTC students explore renewable energy

TYLER – The Tyler Parks and Rec is hosting a public meeting on Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. regarding the development of Stewart Park, located at 2713 N. Frankston Hwy. This meeting’s purpose is to display the proposed amenities and address any concerns or questions that residents may have. Continue reading Tyler Parks and Rec invites community to discuss Stewart Park development

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that an East Texas man was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Thursday for aggravated assault against a public servant. During Jacob Brian Williams’ hearing, the court heard testimony that on Sept. 30, 2022 Gun Barrel City Officers were dispatched to America’s Best Value Inn and Suites after a man was reported entering rooms at the hotel. Once officers arrived, they found Williams hidden behind a dumpster who appeared to be under the influence. When approached, Williams answered yes when asked if he had weapons in his possession. Officials said when officers attempted to pat Williams down, he became aggravated and eventually got into an altercation with the officers. Williams reportedly began to kick and hit an officer before ripping the body cam off one officer and causing serious injury to him after hitting him over the head multiple times. Continue reading Man who seriously injured officers sentenced to 18 years

GLADEWATER — An East Texas teacher has resigned after statements she made at 17-years-old resurfaced, according to our news partners at KETK. Gladewater ISD announced on Thursday that Hollie Tefteller, an AG teacher, is no longer employed with the school district as the statements made when she was a student in 2015 “were perceived as racially insensitive, understandably caused concern among members of our community.” Tefteller granted permission for the district to share this context to promote transparency. The school said she deeply regrets her past actions, taking full responsibility and acknowledged the impact these statements had. Continue reading East Texas teacher resigns after ‘racially insensitive’ statements resurface

SMITH COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that though Smith County is not under a burn ban, Smith County Emergency Services District 2 is now advising residents against any outdoor burning following an increase of grass fires. According to Nikki Simmons with Smith County ESD2, firefighters responded to six grass or wildland fires on Thursday and nine on Friday not including any structure fires. Due to wind conditions, officials now advise against any outdoor burning. Continue reading Smith County firefighters respond to 15 grassfires in two days

CHEROKEE COUNTY – On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving an Assault in progress on County Road 3308. Two (2) victims were identified, one being sexually assaulted and both being robbed at gunpoint. The suspect was identified as Michael Deshon Thompson, who fled into the woods upon the Deputy’s arrival. THOMPSON was located and taken into custody by Deputies on the scene. Continue reading Cherokee County man arrested for assault

CHEROKEE COUNTY – On Sunday, January 19, 2025, The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving a Sexual Assault of a child. The suspect in the incident was identified as Irving Charles Williams Jr. On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, a warrant was issued by 2nd District Judge Chris Day. Williams was taken into custody by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office CID and SIU divisions for the offense of Sexual Abuse of a Child-Continuous Victim under 14. During Williams Jr arrest, he was found to have two (2) firearms in his possession and an additional charge of Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon. WILLIAMS is currently being housed in the Cherokee County Jail. Williams was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy setting his bonds at $1,000,000 for sexual assault to a child under 14, and $20,000 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said an 87-year-old man is dead after his home caught on fire on Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County fire crews were sent to the unidentified man’s home on FM 2908 and Old Kilgore Highway, east of Tyler around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. The press release from the county said when firefighters arrived, flames already had gone through the roof of the man’s home. Fire crews extracted the 87-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Although the fire was put out, the house is considered a total loss. The Fire Marshall’s office said while they don’t expect any foul play, they will still investigate for the cause of the fire. The name of the decreased is being withheld until an autopsy can be performed.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman has been arrested after a Thursday traffic stop revealed she reportedly had meth and hydrocodone in her truck.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, officers including a K-9 unit, conducted a traffic stop at around 5:45 p.m. in the 6200 block of Clear Creek Road in Mabank on a black Dodge Ram truck driven by Natasha Ann Longbine. During the traffic stop, an open air sniff of the vehicle was conducted by K-9, Valco, who gave a positive alert for narcotics, initiating a search of the vehicle. “During the search, deputies and investigators were informed by Natasha that she was concealing hydrocodone on her person,” the police department said. “As the search continued Deputy Rodriguez located suspected marijuana inside of the vehicle.”

An officer witnessed Longbine lean on the front passenger side of the vehicle, and reach into the patrol vehicle’s wheel wells. Officers then found a small black zipper bag with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine and baggies used for packaging and distribution of narcotics.

Longbine was arrested for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana and tampering or fabricating with physical evidence.

TYLER- Lance Phillips, the son of a Smith County elected official, is seeking to change the location of his upcoming trial due to family prominence. Phillips, 41, of Tyler, is charged with the assault of a peace officer or judge for accusations related to a County Commissioners Court meeting on April 2nd, where he was held in contempt of Court and removed.

Phillips’ attorney asked that the trial, which was set for February 4, 2025, to be postponed so that he may gather evidence to support a venue change. The lawyer cited that Lance Phillips’ parents (former Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner, Terry Phillips, and current Smith County Clerk, Karen Phillips) are notable figures in the county, as well as the amount of news reports and views of videos involving Lance and his family. The hearing to address the venue change and other issues will be held on February 26th.
Continue reading Lance Phillips seeks to change trial venue