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SMITH COUNTY — Former Smith County deputy constable Derrick Pernell Holman of Jacksonville has been found not guilty of theft by a Smith County jury. In 2021, Holman was originally charged with theft, abuse of official capacity and official oppression along with Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris and Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks who were all accused of stealing cash, electronics, jewelry and more from a property while at work. Another charge of official oppression is considered to be an unadjudicated pending trial, according to the 241st District Court. According to judicial records, Holman was also arrested on Friday, June 3, 2022 for a bond violation and released the same day after posting a $60,000 combined bond.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Precinct 2 Commissioner Steven Norton pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, following his arrest in August 2022. According to our news partner KETK, Norton was sentenced to 365 days in jail probated for 12 months, a $2,500 fine which includes reimbursement for DPS and ambulance fees, 20 hours of community service, a DWI class and a breathalyzer ignition lock, Cherokee County Attorney Dana Young said. He was arrested on Aug. 12, 2022, and charged with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest after allegedly becoming aggressive with a DPS state trooper and refusing a blood alcohol test, documents said. The arrest happened after a Chick-Fil-A employee reported that they were concerned for a customer in the drive-thru and said they could smell alcohol on him. Continue reading Commissioner pleads guilty to DWI

HARRISON COUNTY – A man was arrested after authorities said he was illegally smuggling individuals across the country. According to our news partners at KETK, on Wednesday morning, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for several traffic violations. When the deputy approached, he reportedly saw seven people in the vehicle. After further investigation, authorities said it was discovered that the driver, Christopher Vasquez, was “illegally smuggling individuals across country.” Vasquez was arrested for six charges of smuggling of persons, monetary gain charges, no driver’s license, following too closely, obstructed view, no insurance and obstructed license plate. The other occupants of the vehicle were arrested for not wearing a seatbelt.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – About 110 kilos of liquid methamphetamine were seized on Tuesday 500 feet from a school in Rusk according to our news partner KETK. The sheriff’s office said the seizure was a part of a joint investigation with Jacksonville police and Homeland Security Investigations. The meth carries a street value of about $500,000 and was found by investigators in a storage building on Eagle Drive in an investigation into a drug trafficking organization. The DEA and Lone Star Hazmat were contacted by the sheriff’s office to assist in the seizure and decontamination of the items. “This investigation is still ongoing at this time, and more information will be released on a later date,” Sheriff Brent Dickson said in a release.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Troup man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a shooting Tuesday. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on CR 4625, where they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter, Dylan Bright, 26, was still at the scene and was detained. The victim was flown to a Tyler hospital and is said to be stable. Deputies determined that Bright shot the victim twice. He was booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Additional details were not available.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter will host a Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, August 26. Clear the Shelters is an annual nationwide pet adoption campaign. To celebrate, Smith County Animal Control is offering free dog adoptions for the entire month of August, in exchange for a donation of white washcloths, white towels or blankets. Adoptions will also come with a voucher for a rabies vaccination and spay/neuter. Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Coordinator Amber Greene said they are planning a family fun day at the shelter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 26, which will include food trucks, Kona Ice and dozens of vendors. The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson Street in downtown Tyler. For more information, call 903-266-4303 or click here. To view the dogs currently available at the shelter, click here.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is among the fastest-growing public doctoral universities in the nation, according to the latest Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac. UT Tyler is ranked No. 7 in the 2023 publication and one of only five Texas universities to make this year’s top 15. This is the third consecutive year UT Tyler has made the list. “UT Tyler is excited to continue growing to meet the educational needs of our community, and we thank the UT System Board of Regents and our supporters for their support in helping us grow,” said UT Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. Continue reading UT Tyler one of the fastest-growing universities in the Nation

TYLER — A man accused of kidnapping a woman has been arrested in Tyler. Ngosi Williams, 40, was found inside a residence on Fannin Ave. Tuesday afternoon. The victim, Amy Teutsh, 24, was found inside the residence and was taken to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Around 3:00 Tuesday morning, Smith County deputies responded to a report of a kidnapping on County Road 1185. Teutsh was reportedly abducted from the residence by her boyfriend, Williams, who allegedly put her in the trunk of a dark colored sedan. Witnesses said Williams got into the car with three other men and headed towards Tyler. A kidnapping warrant was issued for Williams by Judge Austin Reeve Jackson. Williams was booked into the Smith County Jail. He’s been charged with aggravated kidnapping and theft of property with bonds totaling $800,000.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to approve the sale of the voter-approved general obligation courthouse bonds after receiving five competitive bids. Specialized Public Finance Inc. competitively bid the Limited Tax Courthouse Bonds, which will net the county $160 million to pay for construction of the new courthouse. Closing on the sale is set for September 21, 2023. Steven Adams, managing director of Specialized Public Finance Inc., gave a brief presentation to the Commissioners Court, and reaffirmed that Smith County’s high rating of AA+ helped the County attract competitive bidders. “Five bids are really good for a bond issuance of this size,” Adams said. Continue reading Smith County Commissioners approve sale of courthouse bonds

TYLER — The U.S. Labor Department files suit against a Tyler manufacturing company. The suit against Tyler Pipe alleges violations of federal whistleblower protections. The unidentified complainant said he was having respiratory problems and asked to wear a respirator while operating a five-story furnace. The suit alleges the company did not respond. The complainant obtained a respirator belonging to the company and started wearing it. When the company safety supervisor saw him, he reprimanded him, reassigned him to shoveling gravel and then fired him. OSHA found that Tyler pipe was guilty of federal whistleblower protection violations.

WOOD COUNTY — One suspect remains at large following an hours-long manhunt in Wood County Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the search was called off as of 11 p.m. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said the unknown suspect had set a wooded area on fire before feeling from law enforcement. The suspect is believed to have been picked up by a vehicle and no longer in the area. The fire was quickly put out by Hawkins Fire. Heightened law enforcement had been in the area of County Road 3600 searching for two wanted men. One of the men, wanted on a parole violation and listed as a violent subject, was arrested around 7:30 Monday night.

MINEOLA — The Mineola Country Club is “a total loss,” according to the Fire Marshal, after a fire broke out early Monday morning, our news partner KETK reports. “When the first crews first got here, most of the structure was involved in the fire at that time,” said Mineola Fire Marshal David Madsen. Officials said the call came in around 12:30 a.m., and crews arrived at the scene on State Loop 564 just before 1 a.m. and it took about three to four hours to put out. The golf course and swimming pool weren’t touched by the flames, but officials said everything else was affected by the fire. Continue reading Cause of Mineola Country Club fire under investigation

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department charged three people in connection to the February murder of a U.S. Army veteran in his home. 61-year-old Warren Edward Rogers was found dead with a gunshot wound in a residence in the 1600 block of West Mims Street on Feb. 6. Tyler-Smith County Crime stoppers and his family offered rewards earlier this month for anyone that gave information. On Friday, TPD got capital murder warrants on three suspects: Herbert Simpson – $1,000,000 bond, Stephanie Brasher – $1,000,000 bond, Anthony Taylor – $1,000,000 bond Continue reading Tyler Police charge 3 with capital murder of a veteran

LAKE PALESTINE — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died on Sunday after being ejected from a boat which hit a pillar under the State Highway 155 bridge on Lake Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, the man crashed just north of the Henderson County line, officials said. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens arrived at the scene and later found the man’s body underwater. The Parks and Wildlife Department is handling the investigation.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK Tyler police are reporting that one person was injured after a shooting happened in the 2700 block of Donnybrook Avenue around 7:55 p.m. on Saturday. According to Tyler PD, the shooting was reported by the person who was shot. Officers suspect that the shooting may have been an accident, a Tyler PD spokesperson said. The injured person was alert and awake and was transported to a local hospital to be treated, according to authorities.

TYLER – The National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana has issued a Red Flag Warning for northeast Texas, northern Louisiana on Wednesday, Aug. 23. This means extreme fire conditions will be present in the area because of strong winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, according to NWS. The warning will be in effect for the following counties and parishes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday: Smith County, TX, Gregg County, TX, Harrison County, TX, Cherokee County, TX, Rusk County, TX, Panola County, TX, Nacogdoches County, TX, Shelby County, TX, Angelina County, TX , San Augustine County, TX, Sabine County, TX. According to our news partner KETK the warning extends to all areas near and south of the I-20 corridor of northeast Texas and northern Louisiana. Winds of 10 to 15 mph, a relative humidity of 20% to 25% and temperatures of 103 to 107 degrees mean that “Rapid ignition and spread of wildfires is possible,” according to NWS. Continue reading NWS issues Red Flag Warning for East Texas

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has announced the name of the driver who died in a crash on South Broadway Avenue near Loop 49 on Friday. According to our news partner KETK the driver was Austin Durrett, 36 of Jacksonville. He was driving north on South Broadway Avenue when officials said he attempted to pass traffic on the southbound shoulder and hit another vehicle. According to Tyler PD, the black Toyota Durrett was driving rolled several times. Officials said Durrett was dead at the scene and that his family has been notified. The other vehicles driver was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

TRINITY COUNTY – Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace released a statement saying that the cause of the Ghost Branch fire has been ruled as an “Undetermined but cannot rule out Incendiary” case. “With all natural and normal causes ruled out, we feel that there could have been foul play involved. We are asking anyone with any information to please call either TCSO at 936-642-1424 or to call in anonymously and be eligible for a cash reward call Trinity County Crime Stoppers at 936-639-8477,” said Wallace. The fire started on Monday and burned up to 300 acres in Trinity County before it was extinguished.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — On Tuesday Aug. 15, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was asked to locate Ray Lewis Stafford, an alleged suspect in a murder case in Modesto, California. The cold case revolves around the vanishing of Susan Robin Bender, a 15-year-old who disappeared on April 25, 1986. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, deputies found Stafford at his home close to Wills Point. Stafford was taken into custody and is being held at the Van Zandt County Justice Center on charges of murder with special circumstances until officials in California take him into custody. The case remains under investigation by the Modesto Police Department in California.

TYLER — A Tyler man was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in a crash that killed 20-year-old Tamyra Campbell in September 2021. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Hardy Jr., 28, was convicted for hitting a parked car at the intersection of Plantation Drive and Spring Branch Drive, causing a crash that killed his passenger. Initial investigation into the crash revealed that Hardy was driving a black Dodge Charger with Campbell as his passenger. He was indicted in February 2022. According to the 475th District Court, the punishment phase will begin Friday morning.

TYLER – Congressman Nathaniel Moran officially announced the kickoff of his re-election campaign Thursday morning on The Square in downtown Tyler. Moran assumed the seat Jan. 3 that was previously held by longtime Rep. Louis Gohmert. In an interview with KTBB, he was asked what was on the legislative docket for the balance of his term. He said, “Border security, election integrity, energy independence, broadband bills, a lot of bills that impact East Texas. And, we want to see not only are they filed, but they pass the house, pass the senate and are signed into law.”
Continue reading U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran announces re-election bid

TYLER – ERCOT is asking Texans to voluntarily reduce electricity use due to extreme temperatures. The Voluntary Conservation Notice is in effect Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to ERCOT, The Voluntary Conservation Notice is part of ERCOT’s Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS), alerting the public of grid conditions. Last week, ERCOT extended a “weather watch” through Friday because of “high temperatures, high electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves.” ERCOT is requesting “all government agencies, including city and county offices, to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.” ERCOT set a new, all-time, unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW on Aug. 10.
Continue reading ERCOT asks Texans to reduce electricity use

HOPKINS COUNTY – A man has been arrested for several felony child sex related charges after an investigation by Hopkins and Franklin County officials. On Tuesday, according to our news partners at KETK, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said they received reports of children at risk of “serious harm, adult actor(s) actively involved in child exploitation including online activities.” An investigation was opened immediately and with the information received, authorities said they were able to determine a possible location of the suspect in Franklin County. Hopkins County investigators went to the location and officials said they were able to identify the suspect outside the residence. The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Billy Joe Truss and authorities said Truss was detained without any further risk to the victims or the community. Continue reading Man arrested for felony child sex crimes

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, in collaboration with eight local colleges and universities, gathered for the Early Assurance Program Signing Day on August 16. “This is a significant milestone for UT Tyler School of Medicine and our partnering colleges,” said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “The Pathways program reflects our commitment to recruiting local talent and promoting excellence in medical education. Through this program, we are creating a pathway for East Texas students to pursue a career in medicine.” Continue reading UT Tyler School of Medicine launches Early Assurance Program

LONGVIEW – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd has earned the Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology. According to our news partner KETK, its the first time the hospital has achieved this honor and one of only 262 hospitals to be recognized in the United States. The Chief of Cardiology, Dr. Chris McClish said, “This is a tremendous honor and achievement for the community and patients of the Longview region. To be recognized by the American College of Cardiology highlights the tremendous effort by our associates and demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality, comprehensive cardiac care.”
Continue reading CHRISTUS Good Shepherd earns nationwide award

KILGORE – During a traffic stop, a man with several warrants was arrested after allegedly attempting to run from police while being in possession of methamphetamines. According to our news partner KETK, on Aug. 12, an officer with the Kilgore Police Department said he saw Tucker Thedford as a passenger in a vehicle and recognized him as a suspect that had several warrants for his arrest including a parole warrant. After Thedford resisted, an officer was able to place him in handcuffs but police said he attempted to run away from the officer before shortly being caught. Thedford was reportedly found to be in possession of approximately 8.1 grams of meth and was taken to the Gregg County Jail on the warrant charges along with resisting arrest, search or transport and possession of a controlled substance.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two people were arrested in connection to a drug trafficking organization in Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department conducted a three-month investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization at a residence on County Road 4303 in Jacksonville. As a result of that investigation, authorities issued arrest warrants for Drew Clark Sr. and Latona Durrett for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Continue reading 2 arrested for Cherokee County drug trafficking

LONGVIEW – A driver was hospitalized after a two-vehicle wreck rollover wreck in Longview according to our news partners at KETK. On Tuesday around 3 p.m., the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department (WHVFD) responded to reports of a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of FM 449 and Will Smith Road. The wreck involved a truck that rolled over off the side of the road. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital by Christus EMS. A WHVFD rescue vehicle, one CAFS truck, two DPS units and five personnel responded to the scene to assist.

TYLER — Smith County residents summoned to appear for Smith County Jury Duty are being asked to change where they park during construction of the County’s parking garage. For many years, jurors have parked in the large lot on East Ferguson Street but now, those reporting for duty are being asked to park in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208. S. College Avenue. The walking distance from the parking garage to the Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Broadway Avenue, is 733 feet, while the parking lot on Ferguson Street is 852 feet from the Courthouse. It is free to park in the Fair Plaza Garage on all four floors, except for the reserved spaces. Jurors are asked to park on the third and fourth floors. Continue reading Smith County jury parking to move during construction