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SMITH COUNTY – A Washington nonprofit, dedicated to honoring fallen officers, stopped in Smith County Monday with a travel memorial. According to our news partner KETK, the organization is called, Beyond The Call of Duty. The Spokane, Washington based group has one mission. To honor men and women across the United States who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. Their travel memorial is called “End of watch, ride to remember.”

During this year’s memorial, Lorenzo Bustos, a Smith County deputy that was killed while conducting a traffic stop in 2022, was honored. Bustos is one of 245 peace officers that died in 2022.
Continue reading Nonprofit visits Smith County to honor fallen deputy

SMITH COUNTY – Since the first round of severe storms pummeled East Texas on May 13, Smith County emergency officials have fielded more than 1,000 calls for help. During this time, the county has had the services of two volunteer groups to assist residents with personal property damage: Team Rubicon and the Texas Baptist Men. Both groups helped in cleaning up damage.

Smith County and FEMA are working to open a Disaster Recovery Center. This will located downtown, at The Hub. There FEMA representatives will be able to help those in getting resources in person. County officials say they will announce when FEMA is ready to open the center.

Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said in a release, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.”

You can get more information by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-336.

HAWKINS – The city of Hawkins approved a new police chief at a council meeting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, he is Paul Holland. Holland has been in law enforcement for 32 years. Holland previously served at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Dallas Police Department.

Hawkins has seen a lot of turnover in it’s city government recently. The mayor and mayor pro-tem resigned in January. In March, the municipal court judge, the police chief and two police officers resigned.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The body of a missing man from Crockett was found in southern Henderson County on Saturday, according to our news partner KETK. Patrick White Sr., 53 of Crockett, was initially reported missing on June 5 and was last heard from on June 2. Then on Saturday, June 15 at 8:44 p.m. his body was found in southern Henderson County.

On Thursday, June 13, Deshayon Maurice Knight (pictured) was arrested for capital murder in connection to White’s death after White’s pick-up truck was found and processed for evidence.

White’s body was sent for autopsy. The autopsy has reportedly already taken place and was attended by members of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers.

WILLS POINT – A Wills Point man that was accused of murdering his elderly mother pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Gerald Wayne Powell was sentenced to 25 years on Thursday with 1,144 days credit that he’s already served.

In April of 2021, Van Zandt County law enforcement was notified by Powell’s sister that he had killed a family pet and that he was planning to kill their mother. Law enforcement reported that they surrounded Powell’s home and began negotiations with him using a bullhorn and phone.

According to the former Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Powell claimed that he was heavily armed and would harm law enforcement. Hendrix said that during the negotiations they learned that lived with his mother, was a veteran and claimed to be suffering from PTSD. Law enforcement reported that Powell eventually surrendered himself and they discovered his 91-year-old mother shot to death in the home afterward.

ATHENS — Former Coffee City Police Chief JohnJay Portillo was in the Henderson County 3rd District Court for a hearing on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the hearing was held after Portillo’s attorney asked Judge Mark Calhoon for more time before a trial, to come to an agreement with the state. If a deal isn’t reached, Portillo could be on trial as soon as Oct. 21 or 22. Portillo was arrested back in December of 2023 on six charges of tampering/false entry on a government record. Portillo’s arrest came two months after the deactivation of the Coffee City Police Department and Portillo’s termination as chief.

“At the end of the day, there’s always discovery that could come out, there’s continuing investigations, breakdown in communications sometimes occur and then they pick back up in negotiations so, we’ll see,” said Justin Weiner, attorney for Portillo.

Weiner added that he’s proud to be representing Portillo.

“I’m very proud to represent John and very proud of the criminal justice system and hope that it works out the right way, that it typically does,” Weiner said.

KILGORE — Kilgore College announced their new freshman, the Rangerettes of the 85th line. The group chosen will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 68. According to our news partner KETK, the new selection announcement was made at Kilgore College’s Dodson Auditorium.

The Rangerettes will be under the direction of Dana Blair, Shelley Wayne and Angela Aulds, and they welcomed these new members: Bethany Plog, Addison Schmidt, Karsyn Guillory, Ashlynn Hines, Samantha Foughty, Jordan Reynolds, Rosie Adams, Alyssa McBain, Hallayah Hayes, Chloe Bonner, Brooklyn Hunter, Rachel Holcombe, Maddi Riley, Jillian Curtis, Halle Moore, Hailey Pitman, Brinly Lewis, Karissa Kinnon, Grace Stephens, Emily Landry, Ashlee Pham, Kailey Adams, Darcy Macmanus, Penelope Robles, Laynie Taylor, Molly Gajeske, Codi Keng, Emma Summers, Ella Byers, Mallory Craft, Lynzee Walker and Blair Davis

The Rangerettes are known for their high kicks and jump splits. The organization is known worldwide, as they’ve entertained millions. As part of their 85th anniversary, the Rangerettes will perform at London New Year’s Parade Day Parade.

For more information you can visit the Rangerette website.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police department reported a hit-and-run crash and a series of attempted home entries, resulting in one man dead after allegedly trespassing in a home. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department said on Sunday at approximately 12:38 a.m. there was a hit-and-run crash reported in the area of George Richey and Fenton Road. Police reported that when they arrived to the scene of the crash there was one person trapped in an SUV and a witnesses said the other driver ran. 20 minutes after the crash, police received a call regarding a man that attempted to enter a home in the 3600 block of Stracener Road. The caller said that the man fled after a resident confronted him with a firearm. Longview Police said that several minutes later they received a call from the 3600 block of Clemens Road that someone had entered a home and was shot by a resident. Continue reading Man shot after entering Longview home

CASS COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report one person is dead and two others are injured after a shooting inside a pickup truck in Cass County. According to the sheriff’s office, on Friday night the shooting was reported around 9 p.m. on US 59 near Linden. There were a total of four people in the white Ford pickup truck traveling southbound on the highway, and officials said it is alleged that “one of the occupants pulled out a gun, resulting in a fight over the weapon which led to several shots being fired.” Three people in the backseat were injured from the gunfire, and according to authorities, Christopher Escobar, of Elsa, was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading One dead, two injured after shooting inside pickup truck

WILLS POINT – Our news partners at KETK report a Wills Point man who was accused of murdering his elderly mother pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration on Thursday. According to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s office, Gerald Wayne Powell was sentenced to 25 years on Thursday with 1,144 days credit that he’s already served. In April of 2021, Van Zandt County law enforcement was notified by Powell’s sister that he had killed a family pet and that he was planning to kill their mother. Law enforcement reported that they surrounded Powell’s home and began negotiations with him using a bullhorn and phone.

According to the former Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Powell claimed that he was heavily armed and would harm law enforcement. Hendrix said that during the negotiations they learned that lived with his mother, was a veteran and claimed to be suffering from PTSD.

Law enforcement reported that Powell eventually surrendered himself and they discovered his 91-year-old mother shot to death in the home afterward.

SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, June 20.

TYLER — Two suspects wanted in a Mississippi murder were arrested in Tyler Friday. According to tour news partner KETK and the Vicksburg Post, Devonte Gary, 27, died after being shot on June 6 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace reportedly said that four people were arrested in connection to the shooting. Willie Johnson, 24, and Wilmar Johnson, 23, were arrested in Tyler on Friday, according to Smith Jail records.

Wilmar Johnson has been charged with murder and drive by shooting, with bond set at $6 million. Willie Johnson has been charged with murder, with bond set at $1 million.

Pace reportedly said that two other men, Calbert “Calbo” Cosby, 22, and Jermaine “Bones” Johnson, 45, were both arrested in Memphis on Friday in connection to the shooting. Pace reportedly said that the shooting was targeted and not random.

TYLER — TJC has earned Military Friendly Gold status for 2024-25, furthering its mission to provide veterans, their families and the military community with opportunities to fulfill their future goals.

TJC achieved the gold recognition in the large community college category as one of only 21 institutions nationwide that achieved this status. TJC also ranked in the Top 10 schools among military spouses.

More than 1,800 schools across the nation participated in the 2024-25 survey performed by VIQTORY, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine. Colleges earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Of the more than 8,800 schools nationwide, more than 1,800 schools participated in this year’s survey, with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard. Continue reading Tyler Junior College earns Military Friendly Gold status

KILGORE –

UPDATE: The City of Tyler said on Friday that curbside recycling will be paused beginning June 17 until further notice and accounts will not be charged for the duration of the pause. “Rivers Recycling was the current material recovery facility used by the City of Tyler to accept and repurpose curbside recycled materials,” city officials said.

After Wednesday night’s massive fire in Kilgore, officials explained that the flames are still burning and will continue to burn for the next five to seven days according to reporting by KETK. The fire broke out at Rivers Recycling just north of Kilgore, near Interstate 20 on FM 1252. The flames broke out Wednesday evening around 6 p.m. after everyone at the site had left for the day. “No workers or anybody was present when we were out. Tremendous amount of fire load in the building because it’s a recycling plant, so they have a lot of cardboard, plastics,” Kilgore Fire Marshal Ryan Riley said. Continue reading Kilgore recycle center fire could burn for days

TYLER – Petra Hawkins has won the Tyler City Council District 2 runoff, according to Smith County unofficial voting results. Hawkins won with 52.7% and 508 votes to Stephen Dinger’s 47.3% and 456 votes.

The runoff election was held after Dinger, Hawkins and Dexter Floyd each failed to reach a majority of the vote during the May elections. Dinger originally won 45.65%, Hawkins had 36.52% and Dexter Floyd had 17.83% back in May.

TYLER – Unofficial results show that Petra Hawkins has defeated Stephen Dinger and Dexter Floyd in a Tyler City Council District 2 runoff election. Hawkins won with 52.7% and 508 votes to Stephen Dinger’s 47.30% and 456 votes.

HENDERSON, Texas – Yet another east Texas school district will be searching for a new superintendent as the Henderson ISD announced that Dr. Thurston Lamb is reportedly resigning from his position as Henderson ISD superintendent according to a meeting agenda and our news partners at KETK. Lamb joined the district as superintendent back in 2019 and previously worked at school districts in Garland, Richardson, DeSoto, Duncanville, Plano and Crowley. In 2022, he was named the Region 7 superintendent of the year. No reason or motive was immediately given regarding Dr. Lamb’s resignation.

ATHENS – An Athens man has been sentenced to 60 years in state prison after he was found guilty of murder for a 2021 Frankston hostage situation. According to our news partner KETK, Marco Matthew Gonzales, 38, was shot and killed on the front porch of a home near County Road 309 before Robert Mason Eckert, 38, retreated inside and took hostages. Eckert was then arrested after the hostage situation was brought to an end safely. Later, he was indicted on charges of capital murder, aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER – The Tyler Fire Department put out a fire at the Broadway Salvation Army thrift store on Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters responded to 633 N Broadway at around 7 p.m. where there was a heavy fire on the outside of the building. Officials said the fire mostly started in the fenced in area where donations are dropped off and traveled inside but was contained by sprinklers. Tyler Fire Battalion Chief David Admire Jr. said the building sustained some structural and water damage on the inside but it is not a total loss.

“Four or five sprinkler heads went off and they were able to control the interior fire,” Admire said. The Tyler Fire Department said no one was at the location at the time of the fire and it will be investigated.

UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – After allegedly scamming an elderly Upshur County resident out of more than $70,000, a man was arrested on Wednesday by officials. According to our news partner KETK, 85-year-old man was contacted on June 9 by someone claiming to be with the Securities and Exchange Commission and was coerced to pay them after being told about multiple warrants. The Upshur County Sheriffs Office said in a statement that the vitim paid $70,000 to Davan Patel, 38 of Melissa, who was arrested after going to the victim’s home to collect the money. Patel was taken to the Upshur County Jail and was charged with theft against the elderly with bond set at $1 million.

WHITE OAK, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that after almost a year at the position, White Oak ISD superintendent William Paul has resigned. According to a release from the district and a Friday afternoon board meeting, Paul and the district reached an agreement that allowed Paul to “pursue other interests.” The district also said the search for his replacement will begin soon.

TYLER – Officials from the City of Tyler have announced multiple road closures for this weekend’s Juneteenth Parade which is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. The parade will start at the intersection of Glenwood Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr.(MLK) Boulevard traveling east on MLK until it reaches North Border Avenue. It will end at the intersection of 32nd Street and North Broadway Avenue. The city also provided a map of the parade’s route and a list of road closures which can he found here: Continue reading City of Tyler announces Juneteenth Parade routh

TYLER – The East Texas Anti-Gang Center – Tyler (TAG) conducted a “proactive investigative enforcement operation” in the Tyler area on Wednesday according to our partners at KETK. According to a release, the operation was proactive enforcement intended to target “criminal street gang activity.”Eleven people were arrested as a result of the operation. Continue reading Anti-gang operation in Smith County leads to 11 arrests

TYLER — The nation’s largest evangelical community, the Southern Baptist Convention, ended a two-year fight on Wednesday night rejecting a proposal that would ban women from becoming pastors in the church. Our news partners at KETK report that Lindale’s First Baptist Church Pastor Tom Buck said the 20 year doctrine is true to scripture, that women can lead ministry but not hold the pastoral office in any capacity. Continue reading Local reaction to SBC rule on women pastors

TYLER — Curbside recycling collection will stop on Monday, June 17, until further notice. This change is due to a structure fire at Rivers Recycling in Kilgore. The facility sustained significant damages and will be closed for repairs. Rivers Recycling was the current material recovery facility used by the City of Tyler to accept and repurpose curbside recycled materials.

Any material collected from residential and commercial curbside recycling customers that continue to utilize the recycle cart will be taken to the landfill with the regular municipal waste collected. If the cart will continue to be used, it should be set out on its regular schedule. Continue reading Curbside recycling in Tyler paused due to recycling center fire

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Gov. Greg Abbott is allowing the Texas and U.S. flags in Van Zandt County to be lowered at half-staff in honor of a county commissioner who died during severe storms. Longtime Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. died on June 3 after a tree fell onto his car while he was driving at night.

According to our news partner KETK, Van Zandt County will be allowed to lower the flags to half-staff beginning June 17 in honor of the life and public service of Melton. Flags should be returned to full-staff by sunrise on June 19, Abbott said.

“The First Lady and I extend prayers of comfort for the Melton family during their time of grief and urge all Texans to remember and honor Commissioner Melton’s service to his community as a dedicated elected official and to his country as a United States Marine who was awarded a Purple Heart and a Navy Commendation Medal for Valor,” Abbott said.

The governor said individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions in the surrounding area may fly flags at half-staff.

LONGVIEW – After a long discussion Thursday evening and a vote, the Longview City Council unanimously approved a proposed bio-mining facility. According to our news partner KETK, the plant will be located on 2120 East Loop 281 and operated by Mint Innovation. There, the company will extract valuable metals like gold and copper from old devices that ended up in the trash.

During public comment, several people expressed concerns over the environmental impact the facility could pose. Specifically, the chemicals that will be used. The final decision will come from Mint Innovation, which is considering the City of Longview and other cities for their second facility.

“I’m a byproduct of Flint, Michigan,” one speaker said. “Was born and raised there. I in good conscience could not sit here and by the side and not say anything.” Continue reading Longview unanimously approves biomining facility

TYLER – Smith County Officials awarded veteran volunteers with Team Rubicon with the Smith County Community Hero Award Thursday after the group worked for nearly a week helping a dozen residents cleanup storm damage. County Judge Neal Franklin and Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore presented the group with the award Thursday morning before they left to return to their various homes around Texas and other states.

About 15 volunteers from Team Rubicon worked Saturday, June 8, through Wednesday, June 12. The team helped 12 residents clean up large tree debris in the Tyler, Flint and Chapel Hill communities.Team Rubicon is a nonprofit, veteran-led disaster response and humanitarian organization.

Team Rubicon’s services were free to the homeowners. They are funded by donations and grant funding. For more information about Team Rubicon, visit their website.

TYLER – A Tyler man was found guilty of sexual assault after a jury trial, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month. According to our news partner KETK, Vincente Zavaleta, 45 of Tyler, was originally arrested in March 2023 in connection to a cold case investigation involving the sexual assault and kidnapping of women going back more than 10 years. Zavaleta was linked to the 2012 case he has now been convicted of after a DNA profile was linked to him, and investigators said the victim gave a description of a truck used in the crime that reportedly matched the description of a truck linked to Zavaleta. His jury trial began on June 4, and he separately has been indicted for sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping in connection to a case from 2016. Zavaleta’s sentencing has been set for July 16.