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TYLER – Smith County District Clerk Penny Clarkston resigned from her position on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Clarkston said in a letter to Smith County Judge Neal Franklin, the resignation is due to personal family reasons. The resignation takes effect immediately. Earlier this month, Clarkston lost in the Republican primary elections for district clerk. Gaye Boynton won the candidacy with 67.12%.

Clarkston was previously booked into the Smith County Jail for civil contempt of court on two accounts. In July 2024, she allegedly did not hand over information related to a capital murder case. In October 2024, Clarkston reportedly yelled at jurors and physically blocked exit doors.

TYLER — A wanted sex offender out of Cass County was arrested on March 20 in Tyler following a coordinated search involving multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies. According to our news partner KETK, the Hughes Springs Police Department said that, Travion Holloman was previously convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child but failed to comply with annual sex offender registration requirements.

A warrant for Holloman was issued in July 2025 out of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

On March 4, the police department contacted the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division (DPS CID) to assist in locating Holloman. DPS CID coordinated with the DPS Homeland Security Division, the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Task Force, who were able to locate Holloman in Tyler and take him into custody without incident.

Holloman also had additional outstanding warrants from several counties for probation violation related to the sexual assault case, evading arrest and possession of marijuana.

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department is warning residents about a fraudulent document circulating in the community that falsely claims to be a court notice and attempts to collect payments.

According to our news partner KETK, officials said the fake “Notice of Default” appears to come from a municipal court and may include a QR code directing recipients to submit payment. Authorities emphasized that the document is a scam designed to create urgency and pressure individuals into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

Police urged residents not to scan the QR code, send payments or provide any personal or financial details in response to the notice.

“These notices are not legitimate,” the department said, adding that scammers are relying on fear and confusion to exploit victims.

Officials advised anyone who receives such a document to disregard it and instead verify any court-related matters directly with their local court. The department encouraged residents to report any suspicious documents to local law enforcement.

MARSHALL – A Marshall man found guilty of murder and other charges related to a deadly shooting in 2024 was given a 35-year prison sentence on Monday. Curtis White, Jr., 19, started his 35-year prison sentence on Monday after being found guilty in the 71st District Court of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and deadly conduct discharge of a firearm.

According to our news partner KETK, White was fined $10,000. On July 16, 2024, at approximately 11:50 a.m., a maroon car pulled up beside a white Nissan that was stopped at a red light on East Grand in Marshall. This led to the shooting. Before leaving the scene, White, the driver of the maroon car, fired into the Nissan, hitting the driver and a passenger.

The driver was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the passenger, Markel May, 20, died at the scene. White was taken into custody at the Harrison County Jail on a $1.2 million bond.

TYLER – A man was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Monday, more than a year after he was arrested for allegedly dousing his girlfriend in gasoline and setting a Tyler house on fire. Following a report of a burning home, the Tyler Fire and Police Departments arrived at the 3300 block of Shady Trail on November 18, 2024, at approximately 3:37 a.m.

Our news partners at KETK report that Gregory Bargaineer, 67, entered the Smith County Jail twenty minutes later “to turn himself in for throwing gasoline on his girlfriend,” according to arrest records.

The body of Bargaineer’s alleged girlfriend, Marilyn Mceachin, was discovered on the floor close to the remains of a bed after the fire department extinguished the flames. Investigators were informed by Bargaineer that the victim had served him with an eviction notice the previous week. Continue reading Man sentenced for arson/murder

SMITH COUNTY -The Smith County Commissioners Court approved a resolution Tuesday, proclaiming March 24, 2026, as “Grace Community School Girls’ Soccer Day” to recognize the team winning the state championship.

The soccer team won the TAPPS All-Around State Championship on March 4, 2026. It was the second time in three years that they brought home the state title.
The girls were joined by dozens of family members and friends for the recognition in Commissioners Court.
Continue reading Grace girls soccer team honored

WHITEHOUSE — The City of Whitehouse is set to discuss joining ICE’s 287(g) program during Tuesday’s city council meeting. Council members will consider and potentially take action on entering the agreement after the Department of Homeland Security invited the city to participate in the task force.

According to our news partner KETK, joining the program would give local officers the authority, under ICE supervision, to arrest individuals who are in violation of federal immigration laws. Officials emphasized that this would not change their current arrest procedures or alter day?to?day operations. If approved, the city estimates it could receive up to $1.1 million within the first 12 months.

Under the task force model, participating officers can exercise limited immigration authority while performing routine duties, such as determining a person’s immigration status during a traffic stop or DUI checkpoint and sharing that information with ICE. Officers may also assist directly in ICE?led operations.

SMITH COUNTY – Two men have died after a shooting happened at a club in Smith County on Sunday morning. Smith County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 Derrick Choice told our news partner KETK that he was called out to the Exotic Social Club on State Highway 64 at around 8 a.m. on Sunday to assist at the scene of a fatal shooting. Continue reading Update on fatal club shooting

WASKOM – Interstate 20 eastbound has reopened after it was blocked due to an 18-wheeler crashed in Waskom on Monday. The Waskom Police Department said an 18-wheeler and a vehicle crashed on I-20 eastbound near mile marker 633 at around 3:26 p.m. According to Waskom PD, all eastbound traffic is currently being directed onto the exit 633 on-ramp.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler named Dr. Jenifer Chilton as the dean of the School of Nursing. Chilton has served as interim dean since 2025, according to a UT press release.

“A longtime and highly respected member of our School of Nursing faculty, she has served as interim dean, providing steady leadership,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Dr. Chilton brings a spirit of innovation and collaboration, along with a deep commitment to the university’s mission.”

Chilton first served as a preceptor for UT Tyler community health students in 2004 and became a clinical instructor in 2007. Starting in 2021, Chilton served as the associate dean for academic affairs, playing a key role in advancing the school’s academic mission, improving student outcomes and fostering a collaborative environment for faculty and staff. Continue reading School of nursing announces new dean

Tyler – Where Tyler police officers will train to serve and protect East Texas is about to be on full display. On Thursday, April 9, at 4 p.m., the Tyler Police Department will host a grand opening for its new Police Training Facility, located at 2520 East Commerce Street. The event will give the public an opportunity to explore the space and connect with Tyler police officers.

The Tyler Police Department, which includes 204 sworn officers, has developed a culture of expertise, with nearly half of its officers serving as certified trainers. The department launched its in-house police academy in 2021 to expand training capabilities.
Continue reading Tyler PD academy grand opening April 9

HOPKINS COUNTY — Months after a video surfaced of an East Texas breeder shooting a dog, a federal investigation revealed deplorable conditions at her unlicensed facility — charges that could send her to prison for up to 20 years. According to our news partner KETK, an indictment delivered from a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on Monday names Kristine Michelle Hicks, 51, of Cumby and charged her with acting as an unlicensed animal dealer and four counts of wire fraud.

Hicks’ appearance in federal court comes after being arrested on Dec. 21, 2025, for a social media video depicting her allegedly shooting at a dog three times and leaving it for dead, spurring an investigation into her breeding facilities.
Continue reading Dog breeder faces federal charges

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriffs Office has issued a Scam Alert. The White Collar Crime Division of the Smith Couty Sheriff’s Office is actively monitoring and documenting impersonation and Bitcoin scams targeting families of jailed inmates. 

The pattern used centers on fraudulent claims of bond?related ankle monitor fees, directed payments through Bitcoin ATMs, and the misuse of Smith County law enforcement identities, Smith County Sheriff’s Officials reported on Monday. Victims receive unsolicited phone calls and/or text messages from individuals claiming to be with Smith County Pretrial Services, the Smith County Jail, or a lieutenant or deputy with the Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Scam Alert: Bitcoin scam

SMITH COUNTY — The dome has been installed on top of the new Smith County Courthouse. Overnight, the 56,000-pound lower portion of the dome was installed. Hoar Construction officials monitored wind conditions throughout the weekend and were able to install it during the early morning hours of Monday, March 23. After 8 a.m., they installed the 16,000-pound upper portion.

A 900-ton mobile crane — one of the largest cranes of its kind and reportedly the second largest crane on wheels in the United States — was used, said Fletcher Rives assistant project manager for Hoar Construction.

“This milestone represents a major step forward in the restoration and brings the courthouse closer to completion,” Rives said. Continue reading Courthouse dome installed

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 129 will be closed Monday and Tuesday, March 23-24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between CR 146 and CR 113. Smith County Road and Bridge crews will be installing cross culverts under this section of the road.

The Texas Department of Transportation will be closing CR 436 at its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 16 on Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This road will be closed for the tie-in of CR 436 to the new elevation of FM 16.

Smith County has an interactive map that shows what County Roads are closed. It can be found by clicking here. Go to the “How Do I” tab at the top of the page, select view and then click on “County Road and Office Closures.”

PALESTINE – The Anderson County Tax Office will be closed on Monday after a vehicle crashed into the office on Sunday. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating how the vehicle crashed into the tax office, which is located at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex.

According to our news partner KETK, no injuries have been reported at this time. A specific time and date for when the office will reopen has not been announced.

MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — The city of Marshall has restored full water capacity following a water main break. Restoring full water capacity is the process that allows the resin beads in a water tank to remove hard water minerals. While the city has made progress, permanent repairs to the damaged pipe are still needed, and crews are working to stabilize the system.

Residents are still encouraged to limit water use until the repairs are completed. The boil water advisory for Marshall was lifted by the city at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.

An Emergency Burn Ban remains in effect. Residents are reminded that all outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice.

WASKOM – Waskom ISD is in mourning after superintendent Christopher Guastella died in a single-vehicle crash in Shreveport. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 21, around 1:25 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 20 West and Bert Kouns Industrial Loop. According to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office and our news partner KETK, Guastella, 51, of Waskom, was traveling westbound near Exit 8 of Bert Kouns when his vehicle left the road.

Guastella was taken to Ochsner LSU Health, where he was later pronounced dead. According to SPD, preliminary findings suggest that Guastella may have experienced a medical emergency prior to leaving the roadway.

Guastella leaves behind his wife, Jen Guastella, who serves as the Director of State and Federal Programs at Waskom ISD, and their two children. He had more than 17 years of experience in education, including more than a decade in leadership roles. Continue reading Superintendent dies in single-vehicle crash

EAST TEXAS — Due to high winds and dry conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Shreveport is warning of an elevated fire threat across East Texas into the weekend. The NWS is reporting high winds near 10 to 20 miles per hour with relative humidity values as low as 35-45% on Friday that will last until Saturday. The conditions maintain ongoing and dry fuels outdoors are favorable for wildfire growth.

Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and any activities that involve open sparks or flames. All wildfires should be reported to local law enforcement as soon as possible, the NWS said.

The advisory was issued for NWS Shreveport’s entire four state region, which includes East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest and South-central Arkansas and Northern and Central Louisiana.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is increasing officer presence on Stone Road after two vehicles crashed on Wednesday, leaving two people injured. The crash in east Kilgore happened in front of the Dollar General near the intersection of Highway 259. Law enforcement said the collision was caused by dangerous speeds, when a vehicle towing a trailer rear-ended another vehicle as it was attempting to turn into the store and pushed it into oncoming traffic.

Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter told KETK News that in the month of February there were 15 speeding stops on Stone Road, and more than 200 in all of 2025. The speed limit on Stone Road drops from 50 to 45, but many residents feel like drivers go much faster.

The hope is that the additional police presence can slow drivers down, but that the changes shouldn’t stop there. Kilgore PD confirmed that both drivers involved in Wednesday’s crash are recovering.

ANDERSON COUNTY — A $16 billion natural gas project is headed to East Texas following a Thursday meeting between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marking one of the region’s largest energy investments in recent years. East Texas Rep. Cody Harris, whose district includes Anderson County—the planned site of the new natural gas generation hub—said the project would create roughly 3,000 long term, high paying jobs and give local taxing entities room to lower property taxes.

According to our news partner KETK, the jobs will be high paying positions and since the project is entirely within their school tax district, it will generate a significant boost for their education funding.

The $16 billion Anderson County natural gas project is a part of a larger $550 billion that the United States and Japan negotiated in 2025. As part of the deal, Japan will invest $550 billion into projects across the United States in exchange for a reduced 15% tariff on all U.S. imports of Japanese products, rather than the 25% tariff that President Trump proposed in July 2025. Continue reading Agreement brings major energy project

RUSK COUNTY — The man accused in the killing of a Rusk County woman has waived extradition in Arkansas and is expected to be returned to Texas soon to face charges, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities confirmed that the case is rooted in domestic violence, with family members confirming several instances of violence. While investigators are not releasing specific details about what led up to the murder, According to our news partner KETK, a concerned family member contacted law enforcement after becoming worried about the victim’s safety.

Deputies were dispatched to conduct a welfare check at a home off County Road 3122 on Wednesday afternoon. When deputies arrived, they knocked repeatedly but received no answer. They then forced entry into the home and discovered the victim, identified as Amanda Thompson, deceased inside.

Investigators quickly identified a suspect who had left the residence shortly before deputies arrived. Surveillance footage helped authorities determine the vehicle he was driving, and they were able to obtain his phone number. Tracking data indicated he was traveling toward Arkansas. Continue reading Suspect waives extradition in murder hearing

LUFKIN – A man was arrested on Sunday after more than 11 pounds of marijuana were found during a traffic stop in Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), said a DPS trooper did a traffic stop on a 2021 Kia at around 1:30 a.m. in Lufkin on U.S. Highway 59. The officer searched the vehicle found around 11.5 pounds of marijuana in bags during the stop.

An unidentified 27-year-old man from Moulton was arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana. He is in the Angelina County Jail. The investigation is being continued by DPS and local law enforcement.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is searching for a suspect who shot at a man on Thursday afternoon. According to Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the shooting occurred at the intersection of North Border Avenue and Morris Street at around 4:20 p.m. The suspect, who reportedly knew the victim, shot at him and the victim’s vehicle from with in a nearby residence.

The victim sustained minor injuries from the shooting and was transported to a local hospital for treatment by EMS. Erbaugh said the department is following leads and the case is still under investigation.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been given 10 years in prison for violating his parole from a 2021 dog attack case after he was found guilty of a 2024 dog attack case in February. Martin Gilbert Rodriguez was found guilty of a 2024 fatal dog attack on Feb. 11 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. When 46-year-old Kenneth Pierson was killed in the 2024 dog attack, Rodriguez was on probation from a non-fatal dog attack that happened in 2021.

According to our news partner KETK, Rodriguez’s probation for his 2021 attack by dog causing serious injury case was revoked in light of his Feb. 11 sentence. Rodriguez was then given an amended 10-year prison sentence for that 2021 case.

His 10-year sentence will be served after the completion of his 15-year sentence which started on Feb. 22.

LUFKIN — An AI-technology company based out of Nevada entered a purchase and sale agreement with Jefferson Enterprise Energy, LLC for a 132-acre property in Lufkin, according to a filing from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The purchase of the property cost the AI-company, 1606 Corp., a total of $11,168,864, consisting of $7 million in cash that must be paid at closing on April 15. Included in the purchase are associated development rights, improvements and equipment.

A press release filed with the SEC said the property has a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, which is capable of supporting large-scale data center infrastructure.

1606 Corp. believes the purchase of the site is “attractive” for potential partnerships with data center operators looking to develop new data centers in the area.

MARSHALL – The City of Marshall remains in a full-scale water emergency as crews continue struggling to repair a major break in one of the city’s largest water transmission lines.

Efforts to fully restore water service across the city are progressing more slowly than expected. Current water demand continues to exceed production capacity.

Water production resumed at 11:45 p.m.,Thursday, March 19. However, the system-wide loss during the shutdown has changed the timeline for full restoration. As of this morning, water service is expected to return to normal operational levels by approximately 6 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 21.

Most residents should now have access to water for essential needs, including hygiene, toilet flushing, hand-washing, and food preparation with boiled water.

Residents are strongly urged to conserve water to allow the system to recover and return to normal operational levels. The Stage 4 Emergency Status, Outdoor Burn ban, and Boil Water Notice all remain in e

TROUP – Troup City Council has decided to call off their May 2 elections, calling two city council seat elections and the mayor’s race. The city council unanimously decided to declare Mayor Jeff Hale, Council Place 2 Nelson Darden and Council Place 4 Susan Adams as the winners in their individual races since they’re all running unopposed following the recent primary elections.

Since the three candidates are running unopposed, the council decided there would be no need to go ahead with the May 2 election. The City of Lufkin also recently cancelled their May 2 election for similar reasons.