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QUITMAN – A custodial death report has identified a man who was shot and killed by Mineola Police Department officers on Dec. 22 in Quitman and given new details of the incident. According to our news partner KETK, the report says Robert Allen Vancleave, 55, was shot after officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle. Officers reported they initially tried to stop Vancleave because of reports of theft from the Walmart on NE Loop 564 in Mineola. Store employees provided a description of the alleged thief’s vehicle that was leaving the parking lot, according to the report. Officers then tried to stop Vancleave’s vehicle. The report said during the stop Vancleave allegedly tried to hit one of the officers with his vehicle. Continue reading Officials identify man shot, killed by Mineola PD in Quitman

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office reports that after being missing for over a day, 77-year-old Retha Pauls has been found. She had last been seen Wednesday around 7 p.m. at a home on Tryon Road near the Williams Road intersection in Longview. Officials say Pauls suffers from a medical condition and requires medication.

CHANDLER – Three people were taken to a local hospital for treatment Friday morning after a five-car crash involving an 18-wheeler that struck the Chandler City Hall and Community Center, causing damage to the building. According to our news partner KETK, police say a car was traveling southbound on Sawmill Road across Highway 31 around 6:10 a.m. when it was hit by an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on the highway. The crash caused both vehicles to go into the parking lot of city hall, according to police, hitting three other unoccupied cars in the parking lot before crashing into the side of the building that houses the economic development corporation. Continue reading Three injured, building damaged after 18-wheeler crashes into Chandler Community Center

TYLER — The queen of the 90th Texas Rose Festival is Laura Elaine Bryan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Arnold Bryan. The All Saints Episcopal School graduate and SMU sophomore was introduced Thursday evening along with her court and the festival theme, “The Story of Film.” Laura’s family has been involved with the festival since 1973 — she herself was an attendant to the queen in 2010. Laura says she’s honored to be chosen — and really looking forward to the big event. She tells KTBB, “I think the festival really just brings everyone together…It’s such a staple of Tyler, and it’s one of the first things people ask me about when I say I’m from here.” Continue reading New queen looks forward to Rose Festival

LINDALE – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a reported runaway identified as Alannis Skye Loving. According to a news release, the father reported that his daughter had run away from their home on County Road 431 near Lindale. The report was made on October 18, 2022, and several leads on her whereabouts have proved to be unreliable, according to officials. The father has made contact with Skye by text in the recent past. Skye is a white female, 16 years of age, 5’2”, 125 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She is not on any medications and does not suffer from any physical or mental illness. It was also reported that Skye frequently runs away from home and does have friends in the Lindale area. If you have any information as to Skye’s whereabouts, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

AUSTIN (KRLD/Staff) — State Representative Cody Harris of Palestine has been busy in the days leading up to the legislative session. One bill he has filed would protect the due process rights of law enforcement officers. House Bill 799 would prevent what Harris refers to as “anti-police district attorneys and law enforcement agencies” from placing officers on the so-called Brady list, a public database that tracks police misconduct. Harris told the Corsicana Daily sun this bill is designed to “stop these radical DAs and reinstate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of law enforcement officers.” Harris said HB 799 would limit the use of unsubstantiated information concerning a law enforcement officer and the officer’s role as a witness in a criminal proceeding. Continue reading Palestine lawmaker files two bills

KILGORE – Six years after its filing, a lawsuit alleging improper collection of tax revenues against Kilgore ISD has reached a preliminary settlement, according to the district. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit requested relief and a refund of taxes totaling $4 million that were collected after the district repealed the local optional homestead exemption in 2015 when the Texas Legislature was working to make the exemption mandatory. According to our news partner KETK, the district said in its statement that Kilgore ISD taxpayers should soon expect to receive “first notices containing information regarding the class action settlement details.” Continue reading Kilgore ISD agrees to settlement offer in 2016 tax revenue lawsuit

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful’s beautification program Beauty and the Box has sponsored and wrapped three new traffic boxes in residential areas. Officials say historically, the program has focused on wrapping traffic boxes in non-residentially zoned areas, but as the program continues, those boxes are limited. By expanding into wrapping residential boxes, Beauty and the Box can make more boxes available to be wrapped while continuing its mission of beautification, according to a news release. The three new boxes are at Loop 323 and New Copeland Road, Broadway Avenue and Rice Road, and the Front Street/Lyons Avenue intersection. Additionally, three other boxes have been wrapped in non-residential areas. Check this link for more information.

TYLER – A Smith County Jail inmate faces three new charges after a reported escape, chase, and break-in incident. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy Chappelle, 41, was charged with escape while arrested/confined felony and two counts of burglary of habitation. The man was initially booked into jail for a criminal mischief charge. His bond total is now $1.38 million. Officials earlier reported that Chappelle escaped Tuesday while being transported to a different location and was eventually arrested the same day after breaking into two houses. A detention officer was transporting Chappelle from the north jail to the central jail around 1 p.m. Continue reading Charges and bond announced in reported escape/chase/break-in incident

TYLER — Smith County deputies are searching for two men who led law enforcement on a chase in Smith County on Wednesday. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects were driving a stolen truck with a flat bed trailer that were both taken from the Dallas area. According to our news partner KETK, the chase happened around 3:40 p.m. During the incident, the truck crossed a median on Interstate 20 near Santa Land. Santa Land closed on Wednesday, their last day of the season, while law enforcement looked for the two men. The suspects are still at large.

KILGORE – Records show one of two people convicted of capital murder in the notorious 1983 Kilgore KFC killings has died in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Darnell Hartsfield and his cousin Romeo Pinkerton were convicted of abducting the five victims from the restaurant on Sept. 23, 1983, driving them to a remote oil field in Rusk County and shooting them to death. According to a report, Hartsfield died of a massive hemorrhagic stroke while serving his life sentence, and it “could not be determined” whether his death was caused by a pre-existing condition or a condition developed after his imprisonment. The report says Hartsfield died on May 4, 2022 while with medical staff. Continue reading Man convicted in 1983 Kilgore KFC deaths dies while serving life sentence

TYLER — The East Texas Crisis Center has temporarily closed its emergency shelter after pipes burst during December’s Arctic blast, causing extensive damage. The situation came at an especially inopportune time — with the facility being evacuated Christmas Eve. Executive Director Lana Peacock says for now, they’re sending clients to other facilities, in East Texas if possible — but as far away as Dallas and Shreveport if necessary. She says there’s a tear-down and build-back process involved, with no time frame just yet on when things will be back up to speed. Continue reading Crisis Center temporarily closes shelter after pipes burst

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is challenging Tyler area artists of all ages to create unique artwork for the Recycled Art Contest. This year’s theme is “Don’t Trash Texas!” Artists are invited to create original artwork using recycled materials such as bottle caps, plastic, metal, paper, and more, according to a news release.  The top three winners in each category will have their artwork displayed at the Great Tyler Cleanup on April 1, where they will receive a certificate and a Brookshire’s gift card of $5, $10 or $20. Submissions will be accepted no later than Friday, March 3, at 5 p.m. Click here for more details.

TYLER — A 19-year-old man has been arrested after a shooting on Rhones Quarter Road just after 3:00 Tuesday afternoon. Responding officers found a 41-year-old man in an ambulance receiving treatment for a single gunshot wound to the back. Officers were told that the shooter had left the scene in a vehicle… that vehicle, occupied by the suspect and a family member, was located in the Texas Bank parking lot. The suspect was arrested without incident. He has been named as Jacob Wayne Gore of Tyler. Police say he is in the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with a $250,000 bond. The victim was taken to the hospital and is said to be in stable condition. He has been identified as Dalton Morgan of Henderson.

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TYLER – An inmate who escaped while being transported to a different location was arrested Tuesday after breaking into two houses, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. A detention officer was transporting inmate Timothy Chappelle, 41, from the north jail to the central jail around 1 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, he was inside a law enforcement vehicle, and authorities said he escaped when the car stopped on Gentry Parkway and Parkdale Drive in Tyler. The inmate reportedly kicked out a back window and barricade. The sheriff’s office says Chappelle then ran north and broke into two houses near Wisteria Drive. The detention officer called for other law enforcement, and the inmate was captured quickly again on Wisteria Drive, according to authorities. Continue reading Officials: Inmate arrested after escaping, breaking into two houses

LONGVIEW – The body found in Longview on Monday has now been identified as a 34-year-old man by the name of Paul Stebbins II. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found in a vacant lot across from the former Johnny Cace’s restaurant on East Marshall Avenue. Longview Police Public Information Officer Brandon Thornton said police are continuing to investigate and no further information was immediately available.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 2. In Smith County, 
Tyler maintenance will have a crew on US 271 performing fog seal, from Gentry Parkway to FM 2015. Expect lane closures. A second crew will be performing base repairs on FM 206. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Gregg County, sidewalk installation continues on South Loop 281 from Fairmont St. to SH 300 (Gilmer Road). There will be shoulder closures as well as some lane closures as needed. Slow down and watch for workers. Expect delays. Check this link for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Officials have identified the man killed in a December 27 Upshur County fire as David Anthony Johnson, 54, of Diana. The sheriff’s office says he lived in the house that caught fire. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they received a call of a house fire on Hawk Road around 7 a.m. after a neighbor observed the fire and called 911. “The home was destroyed,” authorities reported. “Responders located a deceased person in the debris of the home.” An autopsy was ordered. “The cause of the fire is undetermined, but there is currently no evidence of foul play,” authorities added.

TYLER — The Children’s Park of Tyler has some unfortunate news to share — and sadly, it’s not without precedent. According to its Facebook page, “It is with a sad and heavy heart to share this as we start out 2023, but we will have to take down our Christmas lights a month earlier than originally planned. You have the rest of this week to visit them before St Nic’s takes them down next weekend. Unfortunately, the thieves came back last week and stole even more than the first time [a few days before Christmas]…Now our board will be looking into possibly adding preventative security measures in the park so we can keep a better eye on things. Click here for more details, including how you can support the Children’s Park.

TYLER — The U.S. Congress began its new term Tuesday, but Nathaniel Moran will have to wait to become Texas District 1’s first new congressman in 18 years. Such action cannot be taken until a new speaker of the House is chosen, and that didn’t happen Tuesday. Moran, a former Smith County judge, won the seat in November by a wide margin. Once he takes office, what will be his top priorities? “The recession of the economy and border security by far are the top two issues people want us to address in Congress,” said Moran, on election night of 2022. Local party leaders said the Republican congressman has to be ready to hit the ground running. “It has to be determined which committee he gets on and that’s really gonna dictate a lot of what he’s going to be able to push forward as a freshman legislature,” said Smith County Republican Party Chair David Stein. Continue reading Moran awaits swearing-in

TYLER/LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS welcomes its first two babies of 2023 at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd in Longview and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Tripp Moore was born in Longview at 4:32 a.m. New Year’s Day. Tripp’s parents are Colton Moore & Shauna Nicol. Ellison Elizabeth came into the world in Tyler at 10:38 a.m. January 1, welcomed by parents Gunner Land & Avery Humphrey.

TYLER — The National Weather Service Office in Shreveport has predicted severe thunderstorms for Tyler and the surrounding area beginning Monday, Jan. 2. Damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall were deemed possible. The City of Tyler streets and stormwater crews will respond and intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out and other public facilities may be compromised. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1, stay on the line and DO NOT HANG UP until your call is answered. Answer all questions and follow instructions. The Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications, including traffic signal issues. Continue reading National Weather Service anticipates severe weather

TYLER — The City of Tyler announced that there would be no trash collection on Monday, Jan. 2. According to officials and our news partner KETK, trash collection will start up again on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The routes that are normally collected on Mondays will be collected on Tuesday and the routes that are collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday. Thursday’s routes will be collected on Thursday, Jan. 5 as usual as well as Friday’s on Jan. 6. The Downtown Recycle Center, closed on Monday, Jan. 2, reopens on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

TYLER — UT Health Tyler celebrated a very special birthday on New Years Day. Edgar Espinoza Jr. was born at 5:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, making him the hospital’s first baby of the year. According to our news partner KETK, after ringing in the New Year with their family, the Espinoza’s did not know the hospital was going to be the first stop. “When we got home it was just instant back to back, just non-stop, pretty consistent contractions,” said the father, Edgar Espinoza Sr. When they arrived at the emergency room, the UT Health staff cheered mom on. “It actually did help and I remember as soon as he was born, I was like, so is he the first baby? And she said for sure here,” said the mother, Jessenia Espinoza. Junior came three weeks early and there were no complications during the birth. Continue reading UT Health Tyler welcomes their first baby born in 2023

ATHENS – It’s the latest wrinkle in a recurring scam around the area. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about scammers who are pretending to be with the sheriff’s office. According to our news partner KETK, officials said people got phone calls on Thursday that told them they have missed court, and they are being asked to send money so a warrant won’t be issued for them. The sheriff’s office said they will not call people if they owe the county money and said these scammers are not with the sheriff’s office. “If you receive these calls please hang up the phone and do not send any money to them,” the sheriff’s office said in a prepared statement.

GLADEWATER — In celebration of its 150th anniversary, the City of Gladewater will kick off its sesquicentennial celebration in January of 2023 with a series of monthly events that will run through December 2023. According to a news release, the celebration will commence with Night at the Museum on Saturday, January 21st, at The Gladewater Museum, on Pacific Ave. Organizers say this event will feature unique displays, including Caddo artifacts, railroad memorabilia, and the TEXANA Book Collection, and special guest speakers. “We wanted to do something special to honor Gladewater’s 150th anniversary,” said Kevin Clark, President of the Gladewater 150th Committee, as quoted in the release. “We want the entire community to get involved in this year-long celebration and have included events for everyone in the family.” Click here for more information.

WASHINGTON – The University of Texas at Tyler was awarded a federal grant totaling $262,537 to support partnerships between local schools and institutions of higher education that are training counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to provide school-based services. That announcement came Friday from U.S. Senator John Cornyn. According to a news release, the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration program. The program was recently authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law on June 25. This targeted legislation addresses specific concerns that have led to recent mass shootings, including the need for additional mental health services and school safety resources, according to the release. Continue reading Cornyn: UT Tyler to receive $262K for additional mental health resources

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, in partnership with R&K Distributors, is preparing to provide a “Safe-Ride-Home” on New Year’s Eve. For the 16th consecutive year, Longview Transit will give free rides to anyone within the Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10. The curb to curb service will be available to any destination within the city limits of Longview. The service is offered to the general public, including individuals that have had a couple of drinks or those that simply do not want to drive that evening. Longview Transit encourages riders to schedule trips in advance, if possible. Advanced reservations are now being taken. Click here for further details.

JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville man by the name of Ryan Donald Hoskins has been missing since Nov. 25. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Hoskins was last seen leaving 153 Fulton St. in Jacksonville on the morning of Nov. 25 after getting into a fight with his girlfriend. He reportedly left the residence in a white Chevy Suburban with a “profile sticker” on the right bumper. The vehicle was found abandoned on County Road 4405. Hoskins was wearing jeans, a white shirt, a hoodie, a hat, and tennis shoes. He also has several tattoos. On his chest is a heart organ, on his arm/shoulder area is a devil and an angel, his forearm has the quote “Never Give Up,” and on his right upper arm is a Bible verse from the book of Psalms. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department via phone at 903-586-2546 or dial 911.