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TYLER – Hector Garza held an event in downtown Tyler Tuesday to kick off his candidacy for Smith County Democratic Party chair. According to his Facebook page, Garza will “open all financials to inspection and engage in fundraising.” Garza said he would add meaning and purpose back into “a fractured and mismanaged local party.” According to our news partner KETK, current Chair Michael Tolbert was the subject of some controversy within the party earlier this year. Several members joined in an unsuccessful resolution calling for Tolbert’s resignation.

TYLER — East Texas business owner Joe McDaniel has officially announced his candidacy for Rep. Louie Gohmert’s U.S. House District 1 seat. According to our news partner KETK, McDaniel made the announcement Tuesday through his candidate page on Facebook. McDaniel, of Kilgore, says he’s running as a “Conservative Republican” and intends to represent East Texas as a member from the community, saying that he is not a part of the “political bubble” of Smith County. McDaniel is joined in the GOP primary race by Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran, former Gohmert staffer Aditya Atholi of Center, and John Porro of Dallas.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help finding a missing woman. According to a news release, on December 1, the sheriff’s office received a report of a missing person from CR 1118, north of Lake Placid Road, in the southwest portion of the county. The caller, who is the daughter of the missing individual, identified her mother as Dian (Bragg) Godwin, 72. She said that on November 29, Godwin walked away from her residence in an unknown direction. She further stated that this was not unusual and that her mother frequently walked away from the residence but would return to her home within a day or two. Dian Godwin has also been known to walk for hours at a time throughout Tyler. Dian Godwin has now been missing for over a week and has not been seen or heard from by family members. Continue reading Authorities seek missing woman

LONGVIEW — Registration for the Longview Fire Department’s annual Ambulance Subscription Program for 2022 closes soon. Since 2009, the fire department has offered the program to help offset the rising cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to a news release. With the typical cost associated with EMS transports averaging $800 to $1,000 per response, the program limits any out-of-pocket EMS expenses to $70/year. To subscribe for 2022, the deadline to register is December 31, 2021. Click this link for more details.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday will conduct the final public hearing on its new redistricting plan based on 2020 Census data before voting to adopt the plan. That’s according to a news release following months of compiling and reviewing information and ideas about the process. The meeting gets underway at 9 a.m. at City Hall. Click here for more information.

TYLER — The omicron variant of COVID-19 hasn’t turned up in East Texas yet, but local health authorities are keeping a watchful eye. NET Health’s George Roberts says UT Health Science Center at Tyler has been sending samples to the state periodically, and state health officials are keeping an eye on things as well. Roberts also says local authorities are monitoring the situation elsewhere in the state and nation, and around the world, with their minds on how it may apply to the East Texas region. This week’s dashboard shows no radical changes in the East Texas COVID landscape since the last report. Roberts continues to sound the call for vaccinations. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A 13-year-old boy was injured after being shot in the face over the weekend by a 10-year-old family member. According to our news partner KETK, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting that happened off of State Highway 21 W. Deputies said the boy was injured after the 10-year-old picked up a .380 semi-automatic handgun that had been left unattended. While playing with the gun in a back bedroom, the 10-year-old unintentionally discharged the gun, hitting the 13-year-old in the cheek, deputies said. The bullet exited the victim beneath the ear. Deputies and emergency medical personnel went to the home around 7:00 Sunday evening after 911 dispatchers received a call about a shooting. Continue reading Sheriff: Teen injured after ‘accidental shooting’ by 10-year-old family member

GILMER — 48-year-old Joseph Paul Price of Gladewater gets 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in a Gilmer courtroom to eight counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Officials with the Upshur County DA’s Office say the dates of offense were between March and May of last year. The child was eight years old at the time. Price waived his right to appeal and will be required to register as a sex offender if he is ever paroled, according to a news release.

TYLER – Jeffrey Noblitt has been appointed the new vice president of marketing at The University of Texas at Tyler, effective Jan. 1, 2022. In a prepared statement, UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun pointed to Noblitt’s “more than 20 years of experience in higher education, publishing and journalism.” Calhoun says Noblitt “has led award-winning teams to build powerful brands and advance institutions through strategic integrated marketing communications.” Noblitt’s expertise will help UT Tyler access new markets, engage new audiences, and enhance the university’s overall reputation and distinction, Calhoun added in a press release. Noblitt has been the associate vice president for marketing and communications at California State University, Northridge since 2013.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2204. The work will be between Bus. US 259 and the US 259 Bypass east and westbound. Expect left lane closures with flaggers present. Tyler maintenance will have a crew performing base failure repairs on FM 848 near the intersection at Spur 248. A second crew will be on FM 2813 performing bridge work. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — An off-duty Nacogdoches police officer was arrested by Texas DPS for driving while intoxicated on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Aburto, 30, was arrested Sunday morning around 7:45 a.m. after Nacogdoches Combined Communications Center received a call of a person asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle in Douglass, blocking the road. Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Deputies were the first to arrive, followed by Texas DPS. They learned that the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was an off-duty Nacogdoches Police Officer. Aburto was booked into the Nacogdoches County Law Enforcement Center on a single charge of DWI and was placed on suspension until the completion of an internal investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Police 911 services are experiencing technical issues which are causing it to go up and down. AT&T is working to resolve the issue but they don’t have an eta on repairing it. If you call 911 and get a busy signal, immediately call their non-emergency number 903-531-1000. 911 is working intermittently but again, if you get a busy signal when you call 911, please call 903-531-1000 for assistance. Information will be updated once the issue is resolved.

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department is investigating an auto-pedestrian, hit-and-run fatal crash that happened on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 1:30 a.m. a man was attempting to cross the intersection of North Timberland Drive at Paul Avenue when he was struck by a car that did not stop. After the crash, witnesses came out of the Whataburger and saw the victim lying in the road, and called 911. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead 20 minutes after the crash. A witness said they believed the vehicle that hit the man was a gray or silver Chevy Impala and that the vehicle appeared to pull into a Valero gas station down the street near the incident. Continue reading Lufkin police investigating auto-pedestrian, hit-and-run fatal crash

TYLER — A Tyler-based doctor is weighing in after President Biden laid out plans to increase access for people wanting to be vaccinated or get a booster shot. Dr. David Lakey is a member of the Texas COVID-19 Task Force and says vaccination is important even for people who have dealt with a case of COVID. Lakey says, “I had COVID last Christmas…and I went ahead and got immunized…When I look at the data related to the level of antibodies, they’re much higher in individuals that have been immunized than individuals…that had just natural disease. And if you had both natural disease and immunization…the levels are very high.” Lakey says the number of COVID patients in hospitals is decreasing except in the El Paso area and the Panhandle.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Commissioner Neal Franklin announced his candidacy for county judge on Friday. This comes just a day after current Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran announced that he is running for Congress to potentially fill Louie Gohmert’s seat. According to our news partner KETK, Franklin was elected to the Commissioners Court in November 2020, and currently serves Precinct 1. According to a press release, Franklin has over 30 years of leadership experience in the fire and EMS fields. He has served as Tyler Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator for more than seven years. As General Manager of East Texas Medical Center EMS, Franklin oversaw all or part of 15 counties in East Texas; managing more than 500 employees. Continue reading Smith County Pct. 1 Commissioner announces candidacy for county judge

TYLER — Workforce Solutions East Texas was awarded a grant for future excellence in innovation during the recent 24th annual Texas Workforce Conference in Houston. According to a news release, the Texas Workforce Commission awarded WSET and the South Texas, Northeast Texas, Gulf Coast, and North Texas Workforce Development Boards each a $200,000 grant. These funds will allow each board to create permanent programs, building upon some best innovative practices initiated and implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the release. WSET’s award was received for a new program launched in 2020 entitled Rural, Set, Go!, which kicked off a series of rural economic development forums to seek input from local employers, businesses, and community members on rural economic and workforce development issues. Click here for more details.

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Police Department is searching for a suspect or suspects after windows of businesses were vandalized with what is presumed to be a BB gun or pellet gun. According to our news partner KETK, the presumed vandals have been nicknamed the “BB gun bandits” and have been causing problems for numerous businesses across the city since around Nov. 1, including the Jacksonville Public Library. It has been reported that the strikes come in the middle of the night, with random businesses targeted. Police said more than 20 windows have been damaged and the total damage costs have stacked up to more than $20,000. Regarding possible leads, a silver Jeep Liberty has been captured on video at the scene of one of the vandalism sites. Continue reading Police: “BB gun bandits” still on the loose

TYLER – Republican Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran Thursday officially announced that he is running to fill Rep. Louie Gohmert’s seat in Congress. According to our news partner KETK, he spoke from The Plaza Tower in downtown Tyler at 10 a.m. ahead of a trip to Longview for a similar speech at 2 p.m. “Today, a new adventure begins. Today, I announce my candidacy to serve Northeast Texas as its representative to the United States Congress in Texas House District Number One,” Moran said. He was joined by several community figures, including Sheriff Larry Smith and State Sen. Bryan Hughes. “In politics, there’s workhorses and show ponies. Let me tell you, he’s a work horse,” Hughes said. In his speech, Moran praised Gohmert’s service in his time in office and thanked him for his work. Continue reading Moran announces Congressional run

BEN WHEELER — On Monday, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to call about a shooting on VZ CR 4814 in the Ben Wheeler area of Van Zandt County. According to our news partner KETK, when deputies arrived on the scene, they met with a witness who then told them that a male victim had been shot by a neighbor, said the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office. Upon further investigation, a suspect was identified as Shane David Baronet. The deputies later located and arrested Baronet while the victim was flown by helicopter to a Tyler hospital. The victim’s condition is currently described as extremely critical, said the sheriff’s office. Baronet is being held on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with a bond set at $150,000.

TYLER/LONGVIEW — The Christmas season begins in earnest Thursday evening in Tyler and Longview. The annual Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade kicks off at 6 p.m., culminating in the tree lighting ceremony on T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza. The ceremony’s centerpiece is a 20-foot Leyland Cypress tree from Merkert Tree Farm in Beckville. The tree will be lit by the 2022 Miracle Child, three-year-old Corbin Robinson (pictured), representing the Children’s Miracle Network at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System. There will also be entertainment during the event from the Tyler ISD Elementary District Choir and Souled Out Jazz Orchestra. Parking is free and available at the Fair Plaza Garage on S. College Ave. Continue reading Tyler, Longview kick off Christmas season

TYLER – A former Smith County detention officer pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon to having an improper sexual relationship with an inmate and was sentenced to four years’ deferred adjudication. According to our news partner KETK, 26-year-old Amanda Megrail, a Lindale native, was arrested in September 2020 after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. At the time, she was placed on administrative leave without pay. Deferred adjudication gives one the opportunity to keep the conviction off their criminal record if they follow the terms of the plea deal. According to an arrest affidavit, Megrail admitted to having sexual relations with the inmate on at least three different occasions.

TYLER — A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler police received a call about the incident around 6:30 p.m. The pedestrian reportedly left Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on Troup Highway and was attempting to cross the roadway, not in a designated crossing area, and was hit by a car in the northbound outside lane. The pedestrian has been identified as Malcolm Johnson, 35, from Tyler. He was transported to UT Health on Beckham by EMS where he died from his injuries. No charges are pending for the driver of the vehicle.

TYLER — CHRISTUS Health revealed on Tuesday who was selected as their 2022 Miracle Child. According to our news partner KETK, 3-year-old Corbin Lance Robinson is receiving the special recognition, and he will make his debut at the 2021 Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade. Robinson will also light the city’s Christmas tree on Thursday Dec. 2 at the T.B. Butler Foundation Plaza in downtown. Every year, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CHRISTUS choose a Miracle Child to represent them for a year. Dania and Craig Robinson welcomed their baby boy after 37 weeks. Continue reading 2022 CHRISTUS Miracle Child revealed

MARSHALL — Two Marshall men are behind bars in connection with a shooting that left six people injured. Just after 2 a.m. on Nov. 6, police responded to reports of multiple shots fired on South Alamo Blvd. More than 200 people were believed to be on-scene when the shooting started. The two suspects have been identified as Brandon Bernard Richardson, 30 and Raphael Perignon Hendrix, 31. Four of the victims were hospitalized after the shooting, including one that was flown to Tyler in critical condition. Richardson was detained shortly after the shooting. Hendrix turned himself in on Monday. Richardson was charged with deadly conduct and interfering with public duties while Hendrix has been charged with six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County hosted their second annual “Tyler Gives” online fundraiser on Nov. 30, which fell on International Giving Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the event was aimed at meeting local needs for the organizations 26 non-profit partners as a gift for the end of the year. More than 550 individuals came together last year and raised over $168,000 online in a matter of hours. This year, they raised over $200,000. United Way and Tyler Gives sponsors, Express Employment Professionals and Specialized Recruiting Group, are providing a $75,000 match this year. Last year, they matched the first $50,000 given, which they reached only 13 minutes after the donation went live. This year, they reached $75,000 within 6 minutes of the donation portal opening. Continue reading United Way of Smith County raised over $200,000 for Giving Tuesday

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Authorities said a man led them on a high-speed chase from East Texas to Dallas after he allegedly stole a car at gunpoint in Van Zandt County. According to our news partner KETK, Tommy McArthur Jones III was arrested on Monday. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call about the carjacking at the Loves Truck Stop in Van around 11:30 a.m. Law enforcement responded and set up multiple units along I-20 westbound to find the stolen vehicle, which was a 2020 white Nissan Sentra. A sheriff’s deputy and Precinct 4 Constable found the vehicle and began following it. They attempted to stop the car, but Jones drove faster to avoid apprehension, said the sheriff’s office. Continue reading Man arrested following carjacking, high-speed chase

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran will give a campaign announcement Thursday in both Tyler and Longview. According to our news partner KETK, after Congressman Louie Gohmert announced his run for Texas Attorney General, Moran made his intentions known that he was “exploring the possibility” of running for Congress on Nov. 9. Moran is expected to give a campaign announcement on Thursday, Dec. 2 at both the Plaza Tower in Tyler at 10 a.m. and the Gregg County Courthouse at 2:30 p.m. Continue reading Judge Moran to give campaign announcement on Thursday

MARSHALL – Harrison County Sheriff Brandon Fletcher announced Monday afternoon that he “does not foresee… an arrest being made” in a hunting accident that killed an 11-year-old girl Saturday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Daisy Grace Lynn George was shot by her father with a high-powered rifle just east of Hallsville in what Fletcher called “a tragic accident.” Though authorities had requested a care flight, all helicopters had been grounded due to inclement weather. Continue reading Sheriff: No arrest anticipated in hunting accident

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Commissioners Court Monday officially accepted the resignation of Precinct 2 Constable William “Billy” Fort, effective Dec. 31. According to our news partner KETK, Fort was arrested Oct. 12 for DWI while he was in a department car. He was pulled over into a Brookshire’s parking lot and was “swerving in and out of all lanes… almost striking another vehicle,” according to officials. While he was talking with police, Fort admitted to taking Xanax and a muscle relaxer. He then failed three sobriety tests. In his resignation letter, Fort called Precinct 2 “the Best Precinct in the Best County in the Best State of the Best Nation on this Earth,” adding that he regrets the circumstances surrounding his resignation.