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RUSK COUNTY — A woman was arrested on Saturday after deputies found her to be the passenger of a 12-year-old behind the wheel during a traffic stop, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, around 11 p.m. deputies stopped a vehicle on County Road 201 for reckless driving.

“During the traffic investigation a 12-year-old juvenile was found to be operating the motor vehicle with an adult later identified as Holly Riehl, 39 of Henderson, seated in the front passenger seat,” officials said.

The child was found on top of a cushion and jacket to better see over the vehicle’s steering wheel, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office said Riehl was found in possession of an open alcohol container and deputies observed as she attempted to discard a plastic bag of cocaine. Rusk County Child Protective Services was called and the child was released at the scene to a family member, the sheriff’s office said. Continue reading Adult passenger of child driver arrested after alcohol, drugs found

QUTIMAN  – Former Quitman Police Department captain Terry Bevill won a $21.35 million verdict in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the City of Quitman on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from Bevill’s representatives shows Bevill filed the suit against four elected officials, David Dobbs, who served as Mayor of Quitman in 2017, Tom Castloo, the former Wood County Sheriff, Jim Wheeler, former district attorney and Jeff Fletcher, a former state district court judge for Wood County.

Bevill’s lawsuit alleged he was wrongfully fired in 2017 for submitting an affidavit stating that he believed Wood County couldn’t be a fair place to have the trial of David McGee, a Wood County jail administrator who was allegedly arrested for trying to get an inmate, who he was reportedly sexually involved with, released by tampering with government records. Continue reading Former police captain awarded millions in verdict against city

Update: Henderson ISD calls student’s previous diagnosis of bacterial meningitis false alarm. In a Facebook post Monday, HISD said further investigation by state health authorities and additional lab results determined the student, who is recovering, does not have bacterial meningitis.

HENDERSON — Henderson Independent School District officials announced that a student contracted bacterial meningitis and families should take proactive measures to ensure safety. According to our news partner KETK, the district said  they were notified that a high school student has a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis, an infection that affects the brain and spinal cord which can be life-threatening. Henderson ISD is asking families to join in their efforts to ensure safety and health of all students.

Bacterial meningitis spreads though close contact such as sneezing, coughing and drink sharing, the district said. Early symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, severe headache and nausea. Continue reading Update: Henderson ISD calls student’s previous diagnosis of bacterial meningitis false alarm

RUSK COUNTY – A Henderson woman was arrested on after deputies found her to be the passenger of a 12-year-old behind the wheel during a traffic stop, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle late Saturday night, September 14, on County Road 201 in Henderson for reckless driving.

Officers found 39-year-old Holly Riehl of Henderson in the front passenger seat. However, operating the vehicle was a 12-year-old child. The juvenile was seated on a cushion and jacket to better see the steering wheel and control console. The sheriff’s office said Riehl was found in possession of an open alcohol container and deputies saw she attempted to toss a plastic bag of cocaine.
Continue reading Rusk County woman arrested for alcohol, drugs, child endangerment

TYLER – Jerry Thomas, from Rusk, was awarded $4.5 million in a lawsuit after an accident that cost him his hand, according to our news partner KETK. In a release from the office of Daniel Gibbins, the lead attorney for Thomas, the lawsuit against Antonio Munoz Asseradero LLC over safety concerns at the sawmill found that unsafe working conditions were the cause of an accident that resulted in the loss of Thomas’ hand.

“This verdict reflects the seriousness of Jerry Thomas’s injury and the negligence that caused it,” Gibbins said. “Justice has been served for Mr. Thomas, and we are proud to have helped him secure the compensation he needs to rebuild his life after this tragic incident.”

TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is again hosting Movies in the Park this fall. The Parks Department has shown 134 movies to date. The Movies in the Park program is a free movie for families and individuals to enjoy at Bergfeld Park, located at 1510 S. College Ave, Faulkner Park, located at 410 Cumberland Rd, and the Tyler Rose Garden, located at 420 Rose Park Dr. Three movies will be hosted starting Oct 5. Come out and see these classics!

Movies in the Park fall schedule:
Bergfeld Park Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. – Hocus Pocus, rated PG.
Faulkner Park Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. – Bad News Bears, rated PG-13.
Tyler Rose Garden (Queen’s Court) Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. – Elf, rated PG.

The Movies in the Park program is made possible in part through sponsors with the Tyler Parks and Rec department. The fall season sponsors include Southside Bank, and more sponsors are needed!

For more information or questions, please contact Tyler Parks and Rec at (903) 531-1374 or visit TylerParksandRec.com.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – A Tennessee man who led Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a multi-county pursuit Tuesday morning was found with a firearm and marijuana. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, a deputy attempted to pull over a speeding 2020 Toyota at around 7:15 a.m. on US 259 near Central Heights school zone. The driver identified as 41-year-old Christopher Michael Chaney, of Ashland City, Tennessee, fled and reached speeds of 120 mph, the sheriff’s office said.

Nacogdoches Police Department officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers reportedly assisted in the pursuit as Chaney continued to flee toward Garrison on U.S. 59. Continue reading Tennessee man leads deputies on multi-county pursuit

SMITH COUNTY — Nearly a decade after her son was killed, a Tyler Mother is still looking for answers. For eight years, Mary Moore, mother of Steven Ray Smith who was killed in September of 2016, has been searching and hoping for answers. “I can’t sleep at night because I miss him,” Moore said. “It’s the worst thing that a mother can feel, like a black hole in your heart.”

According to our news partner KETK, in 2016 Aisha McGee and Steven Smith were shot to death outside of a now closed club in northwest Tyler. Tyler police officer Andy Erbaugh served as one of the responding detectives on the case. “On September 18th, 2016, at around 2:44 in the morning,” Erbaugh said. “No witnesses except for one stayed on scene and we found that two people had been shot and killed.”

He said unfortunately they still don’t have a suspect, leaving the families lost for answers. Continue reading Tyler mother seeks answers 8 years after son’s death

LINDALE – Lindale’s only newspaper, the Lindale News and Times, is coming back to the town in print and online with a new name, the Lindale News. According to our news partner KETK, the good news about the Lindale News comes after the former owner and publisher, Jim Bardwell, announced that the paper was closing down after 124 years but now its being saved thanks to a nonprofit from Irving.

Bardwell has reportedly donated the intellectual property rights to the paper to the Irving based nonprofit news organization, Rambler Texas Media. Rambler’s publisher John Starkey and the Lindale Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday and announced that Rambler will be continuing the Lindale Times’ 124 years of history.

“THE LINDALE NEWS LIVES ON! Today John Starkey stopped by our office with hot off the press newspapers. We are excited that Rambler Texas Media has come to town to help us continue to promote events, organizations, and our community.”
Lindale Chamber of Commerce Continue reading Lindale newspaper returning to print and online

TYLER – A jury found Mytrez Woolen, 25, guilty of killing Starrville Methodist Church pastor Mark McWilliams on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, after deliberating for roughly three hours, the jury returned the verdict. The trial started on Monday and both sides made their closing arguments Thursday morning. Woolen was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Woolen was accused of hiding out in the church overnight in January 2021 after running from police, then shooting the pastor, grazing his wife with a bullet and shooting another parishioner several times. He pleaded not guilty to capital murder in April 2021.

LONGVIEW — Workforce Solutions East Texas has announced the relocation of its workforce center to the Park Place Shopping Center just west of Gilmer Road, at 1905 W. Loop 281, Suite 40. The business hours will be Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Longview Workforce Center will open on October 1, 2024.

Workforce Solutions East Texas provides no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the East Texas area. The new facility is 25,712-square-feet. The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board approved entering a five-year lease term with five one-year extension options.

The current Workforce Solutions East Texas, Longview office at 209 S. Center Street will be closed from September 23 to 30, 2024, to prepare for the move. During this time, staff will serve customers virtually by calling 1-844-ETWORKS.

TYLER – Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) invites Tyler residents to bring their family and friends to help cleanup community parks during Park Service Day. This year, the event will be hosted at the Tyler Senior Center, 1915 Garden Valley Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Park Service Day is an event where each September volunteers take on beautification and restoration projects. This year’s projects includes giving the interior of the Senior Center a fresh coat of paint, updating the flower beds out front, building a retention wall at Fun Forest Park, repainting the safety signs and steps at the Fun Forest pool, and adding a mural to the restroom area.
Continue reading Keep Tyler Beautiful hosts Park Service Day

SMITH COUNTY – The arrest documents of a Tyler man who led deputies on a motorcycle chase Tuesday morning depict an aggravated robbery days before. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Charles Griffith was arrested after evading deputies and on an active warrant. Police were called to a home on Highway 271 where the caller claimed multiple men broke into her house, and Griffith pointed it at her. The other people attempted to steal her TV. The following Tuesday, authorities began pursuing Griffith while on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. An affidavit reported he even went into oncoming traffic to avoid police. After an on-foot chase, police were able to detain Griffith and find a digital scale, a medical vial, a pill bottle with three white pills inside, a water bottle, blue candy, a wallet, a pink lighter, a rubber hose and a plastic bag with 120 grams of methamphetamine in a backpack. Griffith was booked into the Smith County Jail and charged for aggravated robbery, evading arrest with a vehicle and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held on a combined bond of $1,850,000.

RUSK COUNTY, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that a recent spike in vehicle burglaries in Rusk County has forced local authorities to ask the public for help. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) received several reports of vehicles being burglarized Wednesday night just south of Henderson. Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said patrol deputies began compiling the reports for investigators in the southern part of the county, but with no further leads, they need the public’s help. The vehicle in question was described as a white Ford 4-door truck. Anyone with information is being urged to contact sheriff’s office or report via the Rusk County Crime Stoppers online tip form.

TYLER – On Wednesday, the hearing regarding more than 50 dogs that were found in terrible conditions took place in Tyler. According to our news partners KETK, the courtroom was overflowing with people and more spilling out into the hallway. They were all there in support of the animals found living in horrible conditions. Nearly 60 dogs were seized from a Smith County property belonging to the two brothers in court, Kerry and Michael Jones.

It was their first day in court after the discovery was made by law enforcement. A defense attorney asked for a delay, explaining that he and the other brother’s legal representative were just hired that day and needed time to review evidence and consult with his client. The prosecution presented no objection and the judge granted a continuance.

The almost 60 dogs will remain in the custody of the Smith County Animal Control, Nicholas Pet Haven, and Spence and White Veterinary Hospital for the time being. Continue reading Hearing for suspects of alleged dog fighting ring gets delayed

PITTSBURG, Texas – Here’s a feel good story: Tortilla the tortoise has been returned with the help of local animal control to its family in Pittsburg. Our news partners at KETK report that on Wednesday morning, officials made an announcement that they found an “unusual pet.” It took less than three hours for the owners to identify their hard-shelled family friend, and Tortilla, the African Spurred Tortoise, returned home.

OVERTON – The former Overton City Secretary and Municipal Court Clerk was arrested for using city funds for personal use by purchasing gasoline for her boat according to our news partners at KETK. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Katherine McCandless for felony theft on Sept. 16 and her bond was set at $10,000. According to the Overton Police Department, they were made aware of an unauthorized charge on their city fuel credit card on Sept. 10 and began investigating. In their investigation, police determined McCandless used the fuel card to purchase a 40 gallons of gasoline pumped into her personal recreational boat. Police said that McCandless made 20 unauthorized charges on the fuel card between June 5 and Aug. 19, totaling to $1,192.64. Rusk County Jail records indicate McCandless has posted bail.

CARTHAGE – The Carthage Police Department is trying to find answers after a man was found dead under an unoccupied tow truck, according to our news partners at KETK. Carthage PD said they were notified of a crash at 11:22 p.m. on Tuesday in the 800 block of S. Adams Street “involving an out-of-county tow truck and a passenger car.” Officers reportedly found both vehicles unoccupied, and found “the apparent tow truck driver” dead under the tow truck. The Carthage Fire Department helped work the scene and Texas DPS were contacted to help reconstruct the crash. Police are still investigating and the identity of the victim has not been released at this time.

GLADEWATER – Our news partners at KETK report the City of Gladewater said due to a water main break Wednesday morning portions of the city will not have water. Gladewater ISD officials said all students will be released early at 1 p.m. due to the S. Main Street water main break. City officials said they will provide updates as soon as they receive them on their Facebook page.

PALESTINE – According to our news partner KETK, a group of advocates for a Palestine man on death row filed a petition on Tuesday to stop his execution just 30 days before he is expected to be put to death. They argue the science used to sentence him is questionable. It’s been 21 years since Robert Roberson was convicted of murdering his two-year-old daughter Nikki. Experts who have studied or are involved with this case say she died of other causes. Nikki dealt with medical issues long before her death, including breathing apnea spells that started before the age of one.

“The death of Robert’s daughter Nikki was not a crime. It was a tragedy,” said one of Roberson’s attorneys, Gretchen Sween.

“My testimony helped convict him of murder and send him to death row, but for all the years since, I have believed that justice was not done,” one of the lead investigators on this case, Brian Wharton, said. Continue reading Palestine man, facing death penalty, files for clemency

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has died after a Monday night pedestrian car accident. According to our news partner KETK, 62-year-old Johnny Ray Johnston died about 7:50 Monday night. Police said that Johnston was walking on Alpine Road, about one block from Ed’s concrete construction, when he was hit by a Ford SUV going south. Reports said that Johnston failed to yield the right of way when he walked into the roadway where he was hit by the SUV. Johnston was taken to a hospital where died from his injuries.

CARTHAGE – A 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly trespassing on a Carthage ISD campus with an airsoft rifle on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the 17-year-old was arrested by Cathage Police and charged with making a terroristic threat, criminal trespass and public intoxication and was booked into the Panola County Jail.

Police said they got a call at before school opened Tuesday morning, that a suspicious man was seen at the Carthage High School campus. Officers responded and talked to Campbell, who is not a Carthage ISD student. Police described him as “agitated and seemed to be intoxicated.”

Campbell had a backpack containing a gas mask, a long gun and multiple magazines. Police said the rifle was determined to be a brightly colored airsoft rifle.

The case remains under investigation by city, state and federal law enforcement.

TITUS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report a 19-year-old woman is facing terroristic threat charges after allegedly making a threat against a school. The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said the FBI notified them of a potential threat made against an educational institution by a person believed to reside in the county. Investigators identified the suspect as Adriana Orona who was arrested on charges of terroristic threat, a third degree felony. Orona is being held at the Titus County Jail and is awaiting arraignment.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County deputies captured a robbery suspect after a motorcycle pursuit Tuesday morning. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a motorcyclist around 7:30 a.m. Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, 34-year-old Charles Griffith, was caught on Pearl Street. Griffith was arrested on an aggravated robbery warrant and charged with evading arrest with a vehicle and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held on a combined bond of $1,850,000 at the Smith County Jail.

CASS COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that an East Texas District Attorney’s Office has addressed recent school threats in their community. The Cass County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department addressed the recent school threats and hoaxes in the community including Sulphur Springs, Gilmer and Texarkana.

“We want to reassure the public that each of these incidents is being thoroughly investigated and we remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Cass County residents,” the Cass County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to the DA, the first incident occurred on Thursday morning when rumors of a threat to schools were being shared on social media included Snapchat. Law enforcement conducted house visits and interviews to determine if any credible threats had been made. The DA’s office said no imminent threat was identified but law enforcement agencies increased their presence in and around schools as a precaution. Continue reading East Texas DA office releases statement after school threats