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TYLER – Lance Phillips, son of Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips and former Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips, was sentenced to seven years probation on Wednesday for assaulting a peace officer, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

In May, Lance was found guilty of assaulting a police officer during an incident at a 2023 Smith County commissioner’s court meeting. After he was found guilty, Lance told KETK that he planned to appeal the verdict in this case.

“If I lose, then I will immediately file my appeal to the higher court, and go as high as necessary to get the rule of law to be enforced,” Lance told KETK in May. “There will be tons of case law that has Lance Phillips vs. Neal Franklin of Smith County. The result will help 35 million Texans who may want to speak in a public meeting.” Continue reading Lance Phillips gets seven years probation for assault

SMITH COUNTY – A 17-year-old died on Sunday when they were ejected from their vehicle during a high-speed chase on Highway 31, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies started pursuing a vehicle seen driving at 124 miles per hour on Highway 31 West at around 1:36 a.m. on Sunday. The deputies eventually caught up with the vehicle on Pleasant Hollow Road, where it had crashed.

The 17-year-old driver, Joel Munoz, was ejected from the vehicle along with a passenger. Officials said that Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene while the passenger was taken to a local hospital to be treated.

AUSTIN – Just 8 days after he execution hearing for death row inmate Robert Roberson of Palestine, his attorneys are asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) to stay his execution set for this fall in his case involving the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.

Our news partner KETK had the opportunity to speak with Roberson’s Attorney, Gretchen Sween, Thursday morning about her reaction to the execution date being set and the two motions filed in the CCA.

On July 16, Roberson’s hearing led the Smith County District Court Judge Austin Reeve Jackson to order his execution to be set for 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2025. “The ruling was very disappointing, and that’s why we are now turning around to stop the execution date that we thought shouldn’t have been set in the first place,” Sween said.
“But we were grateful to be able to have a hearing, and that the judge made an effort to get Roberson there. I think it was evident there’s a lot of interest in what’s going on in this case.” Continue reading Robert Roberson’s attorney asks Court of Appeals for stay of execution

SMITH COUNTY – A hearing-impaired woman from outside of Texas adopted two puppies from the Smith County Animal Shelter that she and her family share a special connection with. according to our news partner KETK.

In June, the animal shelter rescued two three-month-old puppies, Anjali and Amiya, who were found abandoned on County Road 1142. After rescuing the puppies, it became apparent that both dogs were deaf.

Within days of saving the dogs, the shelter posted pictures of them on Deaf Dogs Rock, a website that showcases deaf dogs available for adoption. Nozomi Tomita, who lives in Massachusetts, viewed the dogs online and felt an instant connection, as she and her family are deaf. Continue reading Hearing-impaired family adopts deaf puppies in Texas

TATUM – The Tatum Police Department is searching for a woman part of the ‘felony lane gang’ who has entered three Texas banks using stolen identities from vehicle burglaries in Tatum, according to our news partner KETK.

Tatum PD said that this woman has gone to three Vera Bank locations from Mt. Pleasant south to Lufkin, presenting stolen identifications and banking information from a string of vehicle burglaries.

The suspect is not believed to be from the area; the gang she is associated with operates in Texas but is based out of Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

Two of the co-conspirators have been identified, but police are asking for the public’s assistance in finding the suspect who is wanted for many criminal charges. If anyone has information about this case, they are encouraged to contact Sergeant B. Jones at 903-803-3583.

TYLER — More Tyler homes will soon benefit from drainage improvements as the City adds Kidd Drive and Downing Street to the 2025 Structure Flooding Project. Recurring flooding has impacted three homes and several nearby properties. According to a city news release, on Wednesday, July 23, the City Council approved a Master Services Agreement for $42,300 with The C.T. Brannon Corporation for the design and construction phase services to Kidd Drive and Downing Street as part of the 2025 Structure Flooding Projects.

The City learned about stormwater issues in the area, and in 2018, a drainage study identified solutions to the problem. However, repairs were delayed due to challenges involving private property. The City continued monitoring the area until flooding began affecting homes, not just yards. Continue reading City expands 2025 structure flooding project

PALESTINE — Eighty-one jobs are at risk at Peraton’s Palestine balloon operation center due to the impending expiration of its contract with NASA according to our news partner KETK.

Peraton’s contract with NASA for balloon operations at the NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine is set to expire on Sept. 30. If the company does not receive a contract extension or a re-award by that date, or within 14 days thereafter, it may be forced to lay off a significant portion of its workforce. The potential layoffs and their timing are based on current information, which is subject to change. Any developments, such as a contract extension or adjustments in government or operational needs, could alter the timeline or scale of the layoffs.

“Depending on government and operational requirements, layoffs in connection with the ending of the contract may come in stages, depending upon the need for workers as Peraton moves toward conclusion of operations under the contract,” the company stated. Continue reading 81 jobs in Palestine at risk pending NASA decision

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a 30-page federal lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas against Eastman Chemical Company in Longview.

People who live near the facility are claiming health issues, including several cancer diagnoses, due to exposure to the company’s emissions. Four of the six people suing Eastman claim their cancer fights happened as a result of the companies’ high level of dangerous emissions. Eastman’s Longview facility opened in the 1950’s and processes raw chemicals like ethane and propane, that are ultimately used to create plastics. This process reportedly results into the release of thousands of pounds of ‘ethylene oxide’ into the air in Longview every year.

The colorless and odorless gas, also known as EtO, is a component in anti freeze, plastics and adhesives.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) puts EtO gas in their highest risk category, saying it can cause breast cancer in women and lymphoid cancer in men. From 1987 to 2022, Eastman self-reported that it released more than 565,000 pounds of EtO out of their Longview facility. Continue reading Longview chemical plant sued by residents with cancer

SMITH COUNTY – A major traffic accident has occurred on Interstate 20 just west of State Highway 155, according to a press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s office.

All westbound traffic on I-20 is shut down due to an 18-wheeler blocking all lanes. Traffic is being diverted onto Hwy 155, which has caused westbound traffic to back up all the way to US Hwy 271. Drivers are urged to avoid the area, if possible. First responders are on scene, along with DPS, handling the collision.

TYLER – Following the passing of House Bill 2, which provides public schools in Texas with additional funds and resources, our news partner KETK reports that several school districts across East Texas have permitted raises for their teachers.

During a meeting on Monday, the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2026 Budget and Compensation Structure, which will increase the salary for all Tyler ISD teachers and provide them with a substantial raise.

“We’re incredibly appreciative that the Legislature was able to get House Bill 2 across the finish line,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “This means a $2,500 or even $5,000 raise for many of our teachers in Tyler ISD, which is a major step forward in valuing their work and commitment.” Continue reading East Texas schools boost teacher pay after House Bill 2

SMITH COUNTY – A homicide investigation is underway following a stabbing in Tyler. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:00 Wednesday morning, deputies responded to a house on Lucky Avenue, where a man was found dead inside. The victim has been identified as Seth Ford Stone, 42, of Tyler. His body was transported to Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas for autopsy.

The suspect in the case was identified as Kenneth Maison Homan, 38, of Tyler. Smith County Investigators presented an arrest affidavit to the Honorable 475th State Judicial District Judge Taylor Heaton who issued a murder warrant for Homan. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $1,000,000.

TYLER – Planned Parenthood in Tyler is now closed as all in-clinic services ended at the center on July 17.

All Tyler area patients will still have access to services by making a tele-med appointment. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas talked about transitioning Tyler area services to telehealth options after serving nearly 75,000 patients last year.

“For 90 years, Texans have relied on Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas for essential sexual and reproductive healthcare and education,” Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas said. “This year, we made the strategic decision to transition healthcare services in the Tyler area to tele-health via the Greater Texas Virtual Health Center and close our health center on Turtle Creek Drive for in-person appointments.” Continue reading Planned Parenthood in Tyler closes

WOOD COUNTY — Perryville Volunteer Fire Chief Daniel Charles Alexander was arrested earlier this month for theft of service after failing to work on a construction project that was already paid for, an affidavit said.

According to our news partner KETK, Alexander signed a contract to construct a 40×40 shop building for the victim in exchange for $38,796 on March 19. The victim said Alexander wrote the size of the building as 30×40 in the contract, an affidavit said. The victim contacted Alexander to explain that the size of the building was incorrect and Alexander responded by adding $10,443 to the quoted price of the job due to the change in size, according to the affidavit.

The contact was not formally changed and both parties settled during a verbal agreement. Continue reading East Texas fire chief accused of stealing from client