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RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas Man has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a member of his family every week for 10 years. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Alton Flanagan, 51 of Mount Enterprise, was first arrested by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 2 after one of his family members revealed that he was sexually assaulting her once a week from when she was 13 to 22 years old, according to his arrest affidavit.

After his arrest, Flanagan was interviewed at the sheriff’s office and admitted to sexually assaulting the victim. Flanagan was then charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, prohibited sexual conduct, and sexual performance by a child under 14 years old.

Assistant Rusk County and District Attorney Tiffany T. Conner said a jury found Flanagan guilty in this case on Oct. 23. According to Conner, Flanagan has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or probation. Continue reading Man gets life in prison for sexually abusing family member

SMITH COUNTY – Here is a story with a happy ending. On September 19, Smith County Animal seized 22 Italian Greyhounds, 19 Whippets and three Poodles from a residence in rural Troup. Officers believed these dogs were part of a puppy mill operation. Smith County Animal Control kept the dogs and treated and cared for them until the dogs had healed from their abuse. On October 22, the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation, based in Austin, drove to Tyler, and picked up all 44 dogs. The foundation said they had a waiting list of people ready to adopt the dogs. For more information about Smith County Animal Control, go here.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partners at KETK report a New Boston man was taken into custody early Thursday morning following a series of armed robberies at local convenience stores, according to the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD).

Around 1:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the CEFCO convenience store at 100 Alexander Road after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. The suspect, described as a Black male dressed entirely in black and wearing a black face mask, allegedly entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money. Police said the man fled the scene in a white four-door passenger car.

While investigators were still processing the CEFCO scene, a second call came in reporting an attempted robbery at the Tiger Mart located at 2511 W. Ferguson Road. The suspect description and getaway vehicle matched those from the earlier incident, according to Mount Pleasant PD. Continue reading Suspect nabbed for triple robbery in Mount Pleasant

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens about scam phone calls using fear tactics to steal money. Scammers often pose as law enforcement officers or bank representatives, claiming victims have warrants or suspicious activity on their accounts.

According to a news release from the Tyler Police Department, in recent reports, suspects impersonated members of Homeland Security, Tyler PD, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, even using names of real employees and spoofed phone numbers. Victims were threatened with arrest unless they sent money for bonds, fines, or fees—often through gift cards, Green Dot cards, or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) ATMs.

Other scams involve callers pretending to be from banks or credit card companies, asking for personal or account information and directing victims to transfer money to “secure accounts.” Continue reading Ongoing scam threats prompt warning from police

TYLER — As the federal government shutdown continues, food banks across East Texas are ramping up emergency response efforts to support families who have missed paychecks and are impacted by a potential disruption in SNAP benefits. According to our news partner KETK and Feeding Texas, more than 3.5 million Texans participate in the SNAP program to help put food on their tables. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, those who rely on SNAP benefits may not receive their November benefits on schedule.

Feeding Texas estimates that at least 126,000 Texans could be affected each day that SNAP payments are delayed.

“When you consider that the vast majority of SNAP recipients are children, seniors, and people with disabilities, the stakes become painfully clear,” Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said. “These are our neighbors, our grandparents, our kids. A delay in benefits isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating. It means empty pantries, skipped meals, and added stress for families already living on the edge.” Continue reading Texas food banks boost aid as shutdown affects SNAP

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a new educational program called ‘TexasWorks’ was launched Wednesday at Premier High School in Tyler, East Texas, offering tuition-free high school diplomas and career certifications for adults aged 18 to 50. The program aims to equip adults with the skills needed for high-demand jobs.

“They’re also going to earn an industry-based certification. So that could be in drone and in aviation.” Dr. Elizabeth Camarena, Superintendent of TexasWorks said. “We also have a certification in cybersecurity that we’re launching and plenty of others, including business and entrepreneurship, business and finance and also security.”

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and spoke about the importance of programs like ‘Texas-Works’ in building a skilled workforce to support the booming industries in East Texas. With the launch of ‘Texas-Works’, adults in East Texas have new opportunities to advance their education and career prospects, contributing to the region’s economic growth.

TYLER – U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran met with members of the Tyler Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Wednesday, showing support for federal workers affected by the government shutdown. According to our news partner KETK, Moran announced earlier this week he would waive his congressional salary due to the shutdown that has left hundreds without a paycheck for the last month.

The Congressman said during this visit, “The men and women of TSA are still showing up every day to keep our skies safe, even as they go without pay. That kind of commitment reflects the very best of our public servants and deserves our very best efforts to fully re-open. After returning from DC this week, I sat down with them and brought some breakfast tacos to thank them for their hard work, to remind them that as long as they aren’t getting paid, I won’t take a paycheck, and to reaffirm that their families and concerns are critically important to me.”

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to keep the government closed for the 13th time. Sixty votes are needed to advance a measure to reopen the government, but Democrats have held firm on their healthcare demands.

TROUP – Our news partners at KETK report that a structure fire in Troup left a home completely engulfed in flames, but the quick thinking and heroic actions of 20-year-old Takavion Lydia prevented any fatalities. Takavion Lydia was playing basketball down the street when he saw smoke coming from a home that belonged to one of his relatives. Once Lydia arrived at the house, he found it entirely engulfed in flames, but after he saw a man pressing his hand against the window, he jumped into action. Lydia punched a hole in the window, helping his relative escape from the home, and believes he did sprain his hand after hitting the glass. The woman in the house was able to get out on their own. Continue reading Man saves relative from house fire in Troup

HENDERSON COUNTY – 35-year-old Chaz Taelor White was found guilty of murder for the the killing of Alexis Garoutte that took place on April 21, 2023. Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a possible shooting on Sailfish Drive in Mabank. Garroutte was then found dead in the home slumped in the passenger seat of a black Dodge Ram. While with investigators, White reportedly gave six different stories. He eventually confessed to firing an AK-47 towards the Dodge Ram that was located at a nearby house. It was also revealed that White gave the weapon to his wife to get rid of it. White continued to confess, stating to authorities he used and dealt drugs, including methamphetamine. Henderson County 392nd District Court Judge Scott McKee handed down the life sentence. The judge also heard that White had “SS” lightning bolt tattoos, which are commonly linked to white supremacist prison gangs. After the murder, White tattooed a gun on the side of his head, as well as a bullet alongside his wife’s name.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Texas Governor Gregg Abbott needed less than a month to secure a replacement for the retired Billy Byrd, as Billy Wallace of Gladewater will now be serving as the Upshur Criminal District Attorney. Our news partners at KETK report that he currently holds the title of first assistant for the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Wallace will start his tenure as district attorney on Nov. 1, and his term will end on Dec. 31, 2026, or upon the election of a duly appointed successor.

GLADEWATER – A vehicle pursuit in Gladewater led to a man being taken to a local hospital after crashing his car into two trees on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Gladewater Police Department and our news partner KETK, two officers attempted to pull over Deyron Smith, who had outstanding felony warrants. Smith refused to pull over, leading officials on a pursuit into Upshur County.

During the pursuit, Smith lost control of his vehicle on Crabtree Road and struck two trees, resulting in extensive damage to his car and injuries to himself. After crashing his vehicle, Smith was taken to a local hospital. During a search of his vehicle, 2.8 grams of black tar heroin were allegedly found inside his car. Smith was subsequently charged with two counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

LUFKIN – Following a Lufkin City Council member’s decision to vacate his seat, three Lufkin residents are currently seeking to fill his position in the November elections. According to our news partner KETK, Councilman Brent Watkins, who currently serves in Ward 3, recently announced that he will be vacating his seat to run for mayor of Lufkin in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Those looking to fill Watkins’s seat on the city council include Kimberly Abeldt, Misty Ledesma, and Lin Lentz. Watkins will be looking to replace current Lufkin Mayor Hicks, who has been in office since 2021. Hicks announced earlier this year that he will not be seeking a third term.