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TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott recently reappointed a Tyler woman to the state Dental Review Board. Amanda Richardson is a registered dental hygienist, professor and instructional designer at Tyler Junior College. According to our news partner KETK, she is a member of the American Dental Education Association, East Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association, Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. She got her associate degree in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Tyler Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Texas Women’s University and a Master of Science in Human Resource Development from the University of Texas at Tyler. The Texas Dental Review Board serves on “informal settlement conference panels” to decide “whether an informal disposition of a contested case against a license holder is appropriate and make recommendations for the disposition of the complaint or allegation.”

HENDERSON COUNTY — An Athens man was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly impersonated a Winnsboro police officer and was reported to have been following female high school students for a few days. According to our news partner KETK, an arrest affidavit reports Dallas Browning, 26 of Athens, approached Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse at the Henderson County Livestock Show on March 22, identified himself as a police officer and told Hillhouse he had seen a jail trustee “place some tobacco in his pants.” The affidavit said Hillhouse also saw Browning tell a detention officer that he was a police officer and worked the nightshift for the Winnsboro Police Department. Continue reading Athens man arrested for impersonating a police officer

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A woman was indicted by a Van Zandt County grand jury earlier this month, and is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a local church. According to our news partner KETK, Donna Cory Drake was indicted on a second-degree felony charge of theft from a non-profit. The non-profit is named in the indictment as Lakeside Baptist Church where she is accused of taking between $30,000 to $150,000 between October 2018 and September 2022. Drake was arrested for the charge from her indictment on Friday, and was released the same day after posting a $10,000 bond. Second-degree felonies carry a penalty range of two to 20 years.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler will be helping to develop space farming. UT Tyler has received a $100,000 grant from NASA to study how plants react to different types of stress in space. The technology used by Dr. Shawana Tabassum, electrical engineering assistant professor and chief investigator, is similar to a fitness watch, but for plants. The goal is to help astronauts grow fresh produce on deep-space missions and eventually to grow produce on the Moon or on Mars. UT Tyler will collaborate on the project with Texas A&M. Project activities will be conducted at the A&M Agrilife Research facility in College Station.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Texas Attorney General’s office has released the custodial death reports for two women who died at the Cherokee County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, Aiydasani Mahogany Bryant, 21, was being held on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge when she collapsed in a medical cell at 8:41 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2023, according to a report. The report said correctional officers entered her cell two minutes later at 8:43 p.m. to try and get her off of the ground. Bryant was helped to her feet before reportedly falling to the ground again. At that point, correctional officers reportedly sat her up and called for EMS, who arrived and spoke with her. Continue reading State report reveals deaths of two East Texas jail inmates

UPSHUR COUNTY — A body was found Monday morning by a roofing crew at a residence in Upshur County. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a dead body call at a residence on Airstrip Road in the southwest portion of the county. Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said roofing crew members arrived at the scene to do a job at the location and found the body, later identified as Timothy Allen Caffey, 66, of Gilmer. Officials said the house where he was found was his own residence. “Evidence at the scene clearly indicated that Mr. Timothy Caffey was the victim of a homicide,” the sheriff’s office said. Caffey shared his residence with his son, Michael Timothy Caffey, 45, of Gilmer. Continue reading Homicide investigation underway following discovery of body

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation is continuing to host a virtual public meeting regarding the six-lane widening project on FM 2493, more commonly known as Old Jacksonville Highway, with an in-person option set for Tuesday. Officials encourage you to participate and share your comments on improving safety and mobility along the highway from Loop 323 to FM 2813. The virtual public meeting remains available through Wednesday, April 12. The in-person public meeting will be held in a come-and-go format March 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the Regional Training and Development Complex on the Tyler Junior College West Campus. Click this link for all the details.

TYLER — The railroad crossing on E. Line St. between Spring and Center Avenues in Tyler will be closed for maintenance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. Officials say Union Pacific Railroad and the City of Tyler Streets Department will be doing routine maintenance on the railroad crossing and the roadway near the intersection. Detours will be in place at North Spring and North Center. The City of Tyler urges drivers to use caution and obey all traffic signs and detours in the area.

MARSHALL — The Texas A&M Forest Service is conducting a controlled burn in Harrison County, northeast of Marshall, and officials say wind conditions have caused smoke to hover within Marshall’s city limits. Authorities say this will be a two-day controlled burn. Representatives from the Forest Service have indicated that workers will complete the burn Tuesday after ceasing operations Monday.

TYLER — Portions of the roadways at the South Broadway Avenue and Grande Boulevard intersection will be closed nightly beginning March 29. Officials say lane closures are needed while contractors work on sewer lines in the area. Contractors will be working at night to minimize the impact on traffic, according to a news release. The construction is scheduled for March 29 through March 31 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers can expect traffic delays in the area. The City of Tyler urges motorists to use caution and obey all traffic signs in the area.

MARSHALL — The East Texas Council of Governments last week honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community, according to a news release. The awards were handed out at ETCOG’s 103rd Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting at Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall. Top first responders, the Citizens of the Year, and the Corporate Citizen of the Year were recognized, along with recipients of honors for statesmanship and committee service. Click here for the full report.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College will host its 12th annual “50 Gallon Challenge” Monday-Friday, March 27-31, at various TJC locations. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and a Carter BloodCare water bottle, and will be entered to win prizes each day. Since TJC and Carter BloodCare teamed up for the “50 Gallon Challenge” 12 years ago, the event has raised more than 500 gallons of the blood and potentially saved more than 13,000 lives, according to a news release. “Tyler is a very giving community, and we rely on their support to help us reach this big goal,” said TJC Director of Student Life Lauren Tyler as quoted in the release. “Each year we’ve held the blood drive, we’ve had great support from our students, faculty and staff and the great people of Tyler.” Click this link for more information.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of March 27. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a ditch maintenance crew on FM 850 at various locations. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Once complete, the crew will move to FM 15 for mill operations and leveling. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance, with assistance from Special Crews, will be conducting fog seal operations on FM 2011, from FM 2087 to SH 322. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers and a pilot car. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

AUSTIN – A Flint resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game 200X Cash Blitz. According to a news release, the ticket was purchased at Uncle’s 130203 in Midland. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 200X Cash Blitz offers more than $145 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.68, including break-even prizes, according to the release.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police Department announced that officers shot a man in downtown Marshall on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they received reports about a man who was dressed in a trench coat and walking in the middle of the road carrying a rifle, around 11:23 p.m. on Saturday. According to Marshall PD, the responding officers found the man, Shimon Faggett, 43, and repeatedly asked him to drop what they thought was a rifle. The officers then shot Faggett after he allegedly pointed what turned out to be a replica weapon at them, officials said. Continue reading Officer-involved shooting in Marshall under investigation

TYLER – A 2023 report said that recreational fishing created $117.9 million in business for Texas’ first congressional district. According to our news partner KETK, this includes Texarkana, Longview and Tyler. The American Sportfishing Association’s 2023 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts report shows 110,100 district one anglers made $117.9 million in purchases support over 1,310 jobs throughout the district. Across Texas, 4,313,700 anglers spent $4.6 billion on fishing, supporting 51,380 Texas fishing jobs, meaning that Texas has the second largest recreational fishing industry in the United States, according to the American Sportfishing Association. ASA said the report’s data is based upon angler participation and spending from 2021 data.

KARNACK – The Texas Department of Public Safety says a suspect died following an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The suspect’s name was not immediately released. Authorities said deputies were called Thursday due to a fight on Lotta Road in Karnack and that led to the officer-involved shooting. The sheriff asked the Texas Rangers to investigate, which is part of law enforcement protocol. Authorities said they will share more information when it becomes available.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has re-scheduled a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park. The event, previously set for April 6, will now be held Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. According to a news release, the purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

TYLER — Two people are arrested and jailed in a double homicide in Tyler. Police say Aaron Johnson, 20, is charged with capital murder with a $2,000,000 bond. Nicholas Hudson, 18, faces two counts of murder, each with a $1,000,000 bond. Authorities say police responded to the Royal Crest Apartments on Sybil Lane Thursday night and found a vehicle in the parking lot with two people dead of multiple gunshot wounds. They were later identified as Donovan Dodd, 19, and Ladarius Jackson, 17, both from Athens. A short time later, police got a call from another victim on Park Place who had been shot at the apartment complex. Police now say that person was Aaron Johnson, who was taken to the hospital and released before police announced his capital murder charge. We’ll provide further details as they come in.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 188, east of the Emerald Bay Lake subdivision, is back open to drivers after a bridge was replaced. According to a news release, County Engineer Frank Davis said contractor Reynolds & Kay completed the bridge replacement and paving. Officials say work crews will remain in the area over the next two to three weeks to install the guard rail and stripe the pavement. The portion of the road that was closed since February 27 was located between FM 344 and FM 346. A narrow bridge was replaced with a concrete box culvert.

COFFEE CITY — The Coffee City Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding William Andrew Wilson, 31, who they said uses several different names. According to our news partner KETK, CCPD said he is wanted on several charges and uses the names Andrew William Wilson, Anthony George Bush, and “any other names he comes up with on the fly.” Police said they responded to a disturbance at the Lake Palestine Motor Inn on March 15 around 11:30 a.m. Wilson allegedly assaulted a woman at the motel and left the scene before officers arrived, CCPD said. A warrant was then issued for assault causing bodily injury-family violence. Continue reading Coffee City police searching for man accused of assault, evading arrest

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is unveiling three new restroom murals by local artists at two parks. Two murals were completed on the softball side of Lindsey Park on Spur 364. They were painted by local artist Dallas Rose. She is scheduled to complete two companion murals on the soccer side of the park later this year. The restroom at Pollard Park on Amherst Drive had a mural painted by Dace Kidd. The mural features a variety of colorful roses. All three murals were completed in February. “The Pollard Park mural is the ninth restroom mural completed since 2019, said Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator Erin Garner as quoted in a news release. “Keep Tyler Beautiful’s goal is to cover all Tyler park restrooms with murals in the next few years as part of our ongoing mission for beautification.” Continue reading Keep Tyler Beautiful unveils new restroom murals at two parks

RUSK COUNTY — The scene of a major fatal wreck in Rusk County has finally been cleared after hours of work. One person was reported dead after the crash on U.S. Highway 259 and FM 850 between Henderson and Kilgore Thursday morning involving a tractor trailer tanker truck that officials said was “leaking large amounts of what appears to be some type of oil product.” According to our news partner KETK, officials said another car struck debris from the initial crash, and they urged drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes. According to the Crims Chapel VFD, multiple fire and rescue agencies responded to the crash around 6:50 a.m. where it was reported that an 18-wheeler was on top of another vehicle with entrapment. DPS reported the tanker truck to be leaking an “oil product” around 6:55 a.m., according to Crims Chapel VFD, and TxDOT was requested to the area. Continue reading Major fatal wreck cleared in Rusk County

EMORY — Officials in Rains County said the body of a missing autistic child was recovered in a pond on the property from which he disappeared. The search ended around 9 p.m. Thursday. The child’s name was Miguel, and he was non-verbal. Our news partner KETK first reported the search earlier Thursday evening, and officials said tracking dogs were brought in.

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank is having its say as the Feeding Texas network, made up of 21 food banks across the state, calls on state legislators to address hunger on college campuses in a virtual day of advocacy. According to a news release, the inability to afford basic needs is the number one reason cited by community college students for not completing their education. Even with tuition aid, 38% of students at two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year universities experience hunger, according to a recent #RealCollege survey. “We know that some college students in our area are skipping meals and only eating once a day because it’s difficult for them to afford food and pay for school,” said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank, as quoted in the release. “It’s difficult to pay attention in class when you are hungry.” Continue reading Food banks urge legislators to fight college hunger, improve graduation rates

TYLER — The 64th Annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail runs through April 9 following a 10 a.m. kickoff Friday at the home of Joan Pyron on West Dobbs Street in Tyler. According to a news release from Visit Tyler, “residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take time to stroll through these picturesque gardens, join in on one of the many community events, and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the spring.” As quoted in the release, Visit Tyler Vice President of Tourism & Servicing Susan Travis said, “This is the time of year where Tyler comes alive with colors. Everyone loves getting out in the spring in Tyler.” Along with the azaleas and spring flowers, the Trail will include a variety of activities for the whole family including art shows, festivals, historic home tours, live entertainment, plays, and more. For more information and a full list of events, visit this link.

SHERMAN – An ophthalmology provider group with offices in East Texas has agreed to pay $2,902,505 to resolve False Claims Act allegations. Federal officials name Arlington Ophthalmology Association, PLLC, d/b/a Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers (“K&E”). According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Texas, officials say the company offered and paid kickbacks to optometrists to induce referrals of patients who were candidates for cataract surgery in violation of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. K&E has offices in Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Southlake, Mount Pleasant, and Gun Barrel City.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park, according to a news release. The event will be Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

ATHENS – A Waxahachie man was sentenced to consecutive life sentences for multiple charges involving the abuse of four East Texas children. According to our news partner KETK, the case began in Ellis County on a child porn tip and found its way to Henderson County, where the sentences were assessed. Jacob Tyler Weatherholtz, 34, drew two consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, an additional life sentence for a separate offense of aggravated assault of a child, and 20 years in prison for indecency with a child. Officials say two girls had been sexually abused by Weatherholtz starting when they were around five years of age, and a young male had been sexually abused as well. A fourth victim was also identified, who officials said was under the age of one at the time of the sexual abuse. Continue reading Man gets consecutive life sentences for sexual assault of East Texas children