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MARSHALL-According to our news partner KETK, Marshall police are investigating a threat a local business received via email that bombs were planted in Marshall. Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth said, “The police department is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to thoroughly search and investigate any potential threat in the area,”. Carruth urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to authorities. Authorities say their investigation is ongoing.

LONGVIEW – Longview man and former city council candidate was arrested on Monday for invasive visual recording after he was indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Bernd “Dutch” Deblouw, 38, was arrested following an indictment and in August 2022. He was arrested for possession with intent to promote child pornography. Deblouw, the owner of Longview I.T. has served the city in multiple capacities, according to his campaign website, including as the president of the zoning board of adjustment. He had been previously employed by the Longview Fire Department and in his campaign listed public safety as a key issue. He was released from the Gregg County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond.

TYLER – A Bullard woman was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to stealing over $7,000 from a youth nonprofit. Misty Adair, 47 of Bullard, pleaded guilty on March 31 in Smith County to felony theft of property after being arrested in May for misapplying funds from the Youth for Agriculture account into her personal account. She was sentenced on Thursday to four years deferred adjudication, community service of 120 hours and was ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined. According to her Smith County arrest warrant, Adair told detectives in April 2022 the hotel bills, restaurants, Suddenlink and Asurion Wireless charges to the Youth for Agriculture account happened because she confused the debit card. Adair was indicted for theft of property in Smith County on Dec. 1, and on Thursday was indicted in Henderson County for theft of property from a second organization.

SMITH COUNTY – On Thursday, a woman was arrested for stealing from her employer in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Tina Marie Barber, 39, Tyler, was reportedly caught on camera stealing from her employer. Detective Sabrina Rodgers with the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Barber for theft of property with a previous conviction. Barber was booked into the Smith County Jail with a bond set at $4,000. The investigation continues.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating an overnight shooting that left one man injured. According to a Longview PD Facebook post, officers were called to a home on 13th Street around 10:00 Wednesday night and found a victim with a gunshot wound. The unnamed victim was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Additional details were not available. Detectives continue to gather information and ask anyone with information to contact LPD (903) 237-1110.

TYLER — A bittersweet Wednesday for the St. James CME church community. The church has been a pillar in the Black community for 102 years was demolished. Many people lined up to see the 1920s structure one last time, according to our news partner KETK. It’s becoming more and more real as you see it come down and the walls fall down,” said Pastor Brian Lightner. Thanks to the generosity from the East Texas community, the church received the money that they needed to take down the building. “Due to the report from this TV station and going out into the community and the community responded in kind,” said Lightner. Continue reading First historically Black church in Tyler demolished after 102 years

LONGVIEW — There has been a rise in train derailments nationwide lately. To be ready to respond to similar cases like what we’ve seen the past few months, crews from across the U.S. are in East Texas training. It’s run by the Longview Fire Department, which is one of just a few training courses in the nation to educate workers, according to our news partner KETK. “Trinity Industries is one of the largest tank car manufacturers in the world, and they have two manufacturing plants in Longview…so that kind of puts us as a unique school,” said training section chief for the Longview Fire Department Andy Parker. Continue reading Longview train derailment training is one of few in the country

TYLER — A man died after a construction incident near the Hollytree neighborhood entrance in Tyler on Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Fire Marshal Paul Findley said a construction crew was building a retaining wall near 610 West Grande Boulevard when an excavator slid and fatally struck one of the workers. Fire officials responded to the medical call of a crush injury at 10:30 a.m. and cleared the scene by 10:50 a.m. Tyler Police Department also responded to the scene.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated assault of public servant. Jonathan Lizarraga-Romero was sentenced Wednesday in the 114th District Court of Smith County. The charges stem from a high-speed chase that Lizarraga-Romero led several law enforcement agencies on across Smith and Cherokee Counties in April 2022. After officials cornered Lizarraga-Romero in a Tyler apartment complex, he shot at police as they attempted to arrest him. Lizarraga-Romero was facing a life sentence and pleaded guilty to the charges. He asked the jury to determine an appropriate punishment. After a two day trial, the jury sentenced Lizarraga-Romero to 30 years in prison.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person, Mark Horner, 63. Horner is described as approximately 300 lbs. and standing at 6′ tall, with brown hair, and a gray beard, and walks with a cane. He was last seen wearing an unknown-colored button-up shirt with a tie, slacks, and glasses. Horner was last seen leaving his home Tuesday morning. He’s said to be driving a black 2018 Nissan Rogue with Texas license plate RFJ2817. Contact Longview Police with any information (903) 237-1170.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve adding three new election precincts and adjusting other precinct boundaries to comply with Texas Election Code. The proposed changes stem from population growth in some areas, other areas being annexed by the City of Tyler or City of Lindale, and changes needed after redistricting, Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said. Smith County’s election precincts will grow from 72 to 75. All three precincts being split are Republican, Ms. Allcon said. The precinct boundaries are required to be reviewed every two years. The changes approved by Commissioners Court on Tuesday will become effective January 1, 2024. Continue reading Changes to election precinct boundaries approved

HARRISON COUNTY — A 19-year-old man was arrested on Monday after attempting to flee Harrison County authorities during a traffic stop. The sheriff’s office said a deputy was at a stop sign at FM 451 and FM 9 when he observed a car with multiple traffic violations and conducted a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, when the deputy approached the car, the driver, identified as Dakota Stone, 19, of Waskom, “drove off reaching speeds over 100 mph.” According to officials, Stone drove to the driveway of his home and ran from the deputy before he was arrested. A search of Stone’s car found a .40 caliber Glock with an extender magazine. Stone was booked into the Harrison County Jail for evading arrest with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a weapon and on two misdemeanor warrants that had been issued for his arrest.

TYLER – A Lindale man was sentenced on Monday to six months in state jail for arson after pleading guilty to setting clothes on fire inside a Tyler Walmart. According to an arrest warrant, Tyler police and the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene at the Walmart on Highway 64 on Dec. 9, 2020 where it was reported a young man had set clothes on fire and left the store. Tiko Porter, 25 of Lindale, was later identified as the person seen in surveillance footage and the warrant said he was seen near the rack of clothes and moments later “smoke and fire can be seen rising up from the clothes and the rack.” Continue reading Man sentenced to 6 months in state jail for 2020 arson at Tyler Walmart

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court ratified a resolution Tuesday, proclaiming April 13, 2023, as “John Sims Day” in Smith County, in honor of the veteran radio newsman who was laid to rest last Thursday. “This community was his family,” KTBB Account Executive Lonnie Johnson said in Commissioners Court. “It was always obvious but upon his death, it became even more obvious.” Since 1998, Sims served as news anchor and editor at KTBB radio. His career in radio spanned 46 years, with 43 of those in East Texas. He died March 31, 2023, after he was struck by a vehicle while walking near his home. His memorial service was held April 13, at First Christian Church. Continue reading Commissioners Court approves “John Sims Day” in Smith County

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department arrested a 24-year-old man in connection to a 2022 murder case. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Longview detectives served a murder warrant on Preston Wade Graham, of Gladewater. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a murder charge. Bond has not yet been set. On Oct. 10, officials responded to a call in the area of Baxley Lane regarding an assault. Arriving officers found an injured victim inside a residence. The victim was taken to a local hospital and died the following day. According to online records, Graham’s criminal history includes, evading arrest, theft of property and DWI.

TYLER — Elizabeth Gomez, assistant principal of Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, has been named the new principal at Bonner Elementary School. “It means so much to me to continue to grow here at home in Tyler ISD,” Gomez said. “I have had the pleasure to meet many wonderful mentors on my journey from student to educator and administrator, and those experiences will guide me to create a positive impact at Bonner Elementary.” Gomez joined Tyler ISD in 2015 as a classroom teacher at Bell Elementary School. In 2019, she moved into an administrative role at the district, serving as a Bilingual/ESL Instructional Specialist. Gomez became assistant principal at Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School in 2020. Continue reading Tyler ISD names new elementary school principal

BULLARD — A new principal for Bullard High School has been named. Chad Bentley was approved by the Bullard ISD Board of Trustees during the April regular monthly board meeting Monday evening, April 17. According to a news release from the district, Mr. Bentley comes to Bullard from Canyon Lake High School in Comal ISD, where he has served as assistant principal and interim academic dean since 2020. Before his administrative role in Comal ISD, he served in Malakoff ISD as fine arts coordinator from 2013 to 2020 and head band director from 2012 to 2016. He has also served as head band director at Cayuga High School and assistant band director at Eustace High School. Continue reading Bullard ISD announces new high school principal

TYLER – A Grand Prairie man charged in the death of Smith County deputy Lorenzo Bustos has requested a change of venue to Cherokee County. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Nyabuto, 21 of Grand Prairie, asked for the change of venue after being indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer on Oct. 13, 2022. Nyabuto’s request for change of venue to a Cherokee County court has not been granted and the earliest the decision could come is at the next hearing on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The state prosecutors are currently waiting on more info from DPS and they’ve made no offers to Nyabuto yet.

CHANDLER – After several reports of parked cars getting their windows bashed in, Chandler Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the culprits. According to our news partner KETK, on the north side of Highway 31, police said that during the night or early morning hours several neighbors had their windows broken on cars parked “at several locations.” In addition to those incidents, CPD report isolated issues involving juveniles committing offenses during the night across the city. Police ask that anyone with video cameras check their footage to see if they can catch anyone walking through the area. “Chandler officers will be diligently working neighborhoods and speaking to anyone out walking after dark,” police said.

TYLER – Keep Tyler Beautiful is inviting artists to submit artwork for their 100th Beauty and the Box. The Beauty and the Box program began in 2016 to transform utilitarian traffic boxes into works of art by local artists. According to our news partner KETK, the programs pilot began with only 10 boxes located in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District but has now grown to 95 vinyl-wrapped traffic cabinets across the City of Tyler. Keep Tyler Beautiful is asking artists to submit artwork for the 100th box with the theme centered around “all things Keep Tyler Beautiful.” The winning artist of this century-mark box will earn a $250 stipend from Keep Tyler Beautiful.

TYLER — The City of Tyler reopened Noble E. Young park on Saturday after making some upgrades. The grand opening was held on Saturday; visitors and the city celebrated the improvements. Changes include new restrooms, art murals, a new walking trail, outdoor gym, bike park, new picnic tables, benches and pavilions, according to our news partner KETK. “This is one of the things I wanted to do and I promised my constituents that when I got elected that this was one of the parks that I wanted to see renovated and I’m glad to see it finally come to fruition,” said Broderick McGee, City of Tyler councilman. The community development block grant program provided funding for the new park upgrades.

TYLER – Tyler Police and Fire departments met at Tyler Park for their fifth annual Battle of the Badges softball game on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler PD’s crimes against children unit detective Ryan Caldwell created the program five years ago following his 4-year-old nephew’s type one diabetes diagnosis. “So the winner has bragging rights for the year and everything we make through raffle sales or anything, all the proceeds go to Tyler Type One Diabetes Foundation,” Caldwell said. Caldwell said the game is always a good time.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches woman was booked in to Nacogdoches County Jail on Friday on the charge of capital murder of a person under 10 years old. According to our news partner KETK, Hanna Ruth Moses, 33 of Nacogdoches, was arrested and booked on Friday, March 15. Moses is awaiting trial and has not had a bond amount set yet. We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

TRINITY COUNTY – Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace shared on Facebook that he was bit by an alligator on Friday night. Wallace said the alligator grabbed into his flesh and went into a death roll while he was attempting to capture it. Wallace was apparently able to subdue the creature but not before he and another Trinity County resident suffered several cuts. According to our news partner KETK, Wallace says the alligator was relocated safely into a pond after its capture. Continue reading Trinity County Sheriff attacked by alligator

SMITH COUNTY — Congressman Nathaniel Moran gave an East Texas welcome to the group of 60 Christians from the Mayflower Church out of China Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the welcome event was held at the South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler. Pastor Chris Legg opened the event with a prayer before welcoming Moran to the stage. “It is a blessing to be here today and this is the most important thing I think we’re going to see happen in East Texas today, this week, possibly this month and year,” Moran said. After sharing scripture from the Bible, Moran wanted to leave the attendees of the event with three thoughts. Continue reading Welcome event for Chinese Christian asylum seekers in Smith County

TYLER – East Texas native Miranda Lambert has been nominated for five Academy of Country Music Awards, including a record-breaking 17th Female Artist of the Year nomination. This year, Lambert has been nominated for Entertainer Of The Year, Female Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year twice and Artist-Songwriter Of The Year. Lambert’s 17th Female Artist of the Year nomination breaks Reba McEntire’s record of 16 nominations for the award. “Palomino”, Lambert’s ninth studio album, has earned her two nominations for Album of the Year this year for being the artist and being one of the albums producers. Continue reading Miranda Lambert breaks Reba McEntire’s ACM nomination record

TYLER – A new date has been set in a jury trial for a Jacksonville man charged in the 2021 deadly shooting at the New Orleans Flavors Daiquiri in Tyler. A pre-trial hearing was held on Friday for Jaderick Willis, 23 of Jacksonville, and his jury trial has been set for April 24. He was indicted for murder on Sept. 9, 2021. According to an arrest affidavit, a fight in the parking lot prompted the shooting which resulted in the death of Tylsha Brown who was at the daiquiri shop to celebrate her 46th birthday. Willis was also injured in the shooting, and originally listed as a victim by police before he was later arrested and charged with murder. A second man arrested in the shooting, Dycorrian Lofton, 24 of Jacksonville, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The jury trial for Willis had previously been scheduled for Aug. 29, 2022 before it was delayed.

TYLER — Contractors will replace a traffic signal pole at South Broadway Avenue and West Southwest Loop 323 on Sunday, April 16. The signal will be without power from 7:30 to 11 a.m. while crews work to replace the pole hit by a tractor-trailer on Tuesday morning. The Tyler Police Department will be on the scene to direct traffic. Southbound traffic on South Broadway Avenue will not be able to turn right onto West Southwest Loop 323. The westbound turn lane will be closed along with two westbound lanes of West Southwest Loop 323. Drivers can expect lane closures and traffic delays in the area. The City of Tyler urges drivers to use caution and obey the direction of the Tyler Police Department officers directing traffic. Motorists are encouraged to plan extra time into their drive and take an alternate route to avoid the area.