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WHITEHOUSE — In a statement released to Whitehouse ISD parents on Wednesday, the district said a sinkhole that developed at Whitehouse High School September 14 has been repaired and the main drive is open. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Normal student parking resumes Thursday. School officials also remind parents that students are only to be dropped off at the designated drop off at the front of the school and not in the student parking lot. The sinkhole developed on the Main Campus Drive just beyond the guard gate, and a detour became necessary.

LUBBOCK — A traveling memorial to those who died in Vietnam went on display Wednesday at Texas Tech’s Memorial Circle. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is based in Bullard. The organization has tributes to people who served in each war and conflict since World War I. The group says it’s a chance for people who have not seen the wall in Washington, D.C, to find closure and recognition. Texas Tech’s interim director of military and veterans programs says the tribute is a celebration of freedom and an opportunity to educate present and future generations on the sacrifice made by those whose names are on the wall. The wall stays on display at Texas Tech through Sunday, travels to other parts of the country, and then returns to Texas in November with stops in Kingsville and Denton.

BULLARD – The Bullard Police Department said their Facebook account was hacked early Wednesday morning and an “extremely explicit video” had been uploaded to their page. According to our news partner KETK, Chief of Police Jeff Bragg said immediate action was taken, and an investigation found “that an account manager’s account had been illegally hacked, and the video was uploaded by an outside source.” A thorough administrative inquiry is being conducted in an attempt to prevent this type of incident from happening again, according to the department, and they ask anyone who receives a suspicious request from the department’s Facebook to contact police immediately. “Cybercrimes are one of the fastest growing crimes in America,” Bragg said. “The Bullard Police Department will always strive to maintain the highest security regarding social media websites and platforms.”

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair opens Friday for its 106th year, and preparations and crews are getting ready for the big event. According to our news partner KETK, crews are working around the construction for the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center to bring the same family fun East Texans expect, year after year. For John Sykes, president of the East Texas State Fair, this particular week is on his mind year-’round. “There’s nothing like it in East Texas and frankly we are the largest event between Tulsa, and Houston and Shreveport and Dallas,” said Sykes. Since 1912, the fair has unfolded on the fairgrounds, offering delicious food, exciting attractions, thrilling rides and of course, award-winning livestock in all shapes and sizes. Continue reading Preparations underway for East Texas State Fair’s 2022 return

TYLER — The City of Tyler expects the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center to be complete by March 2023, according to our news partner KETK. The $28 million project will transform the Tyler Rose Complex by adding the city’s new conference center. City officials are excited and say the W.T. Brookshire convention center will be state-of-the-art. “Inside it’s going to be transformed and state of the art to a much more and efficient convention center,” said Deputy City Manager, Stephanie Franklin. The center replaces Harvey Hall which was built in the 1970s and the new building will add flexibility for events. Continue reading Newest Rose Complex addition expected to be complete March 2023

QUITMAN – A Quitman middle schooler was arrested by police after threatening to bring a firearm to school, according to the superintendent. According to our news partner KETK, Superintendent Rhonda Turner said the student made threats on Monday to bring a gun to school the next day and that the district immediately contacted law enforcement after hearing about the threats. “Let me be clear, there was no weapon on school property at any time,” Turner said. “However, we take each threat seriously.” Turner said an arrest was made Monday evening by Quitman police.

SMITH COUNTY – A safe full of family mementos, firearms, money, and more was stolen from a Smith County residence last week. According to our news partner KETK, the family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in the case. Sheriff Larry Smith said items in the safe included firearms, a Rolex watch, two wedding rings, a 1984 Baylor class ring with emeralds and small diamonds, numerous James Avery items, and cash. According to Smith, the items carry a huge sentimental value to the family, since most of the stolen property belonged to deceased spouses. Continue reading Reward offered in theft of safe full of family mementos

TYLER – Two pre-dawn shootings Tuesday in Tyler have left one man and a juvenile injured according to Tyler police, who are seeking leads in both cases. According to our news partner KETK, officials said police responded to a call at around 1:30 a.m. on N. Bois D’Arc Avenue near the 25th Street intersection, where they reported finding a juvenile male shot. There was evidence of multiple shell casings, and officials said it is believed there were multiple people involved. Police said they have no suspect information at this time, and the minor has undergone surgery to remove the bullet. He is expected to recover, according to officials. Continue reading Police seek leads in overnight shootings

TYLER — 29 Tyler ISD teachers have qualified to be nominated for a TOP Teacher Designation based on the 2021-2022 school year. According to a news release, a TOP (Tyler Optimal Performance) Teacher is a teacher at one the district’s current Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) campuses who has met stringent criteria such as student growth metrics, teacher observation data, attendance, and student surveys. Nine Tyler ISD teachers were approved for designations in the 2020-2021 school year. Click here for more details.

TYLER — Smith County is looking for a new fire marshal and emergency management coordinator. The Commissioners Court Tuesday accepted the resignation of Jay Brooks, who is wrapping up his second tour of duty in that post. Brooks (pictured) says he will be leaving to take a position as a software developer in the private sector. The court also accepted the earlier-announced resignation of Precinct 5 Constable Jeff McClenny, who will become police chief in San Augustine ISD. Both departures are effective October 1. Also stepping down: Smith County Law Librarian Kara Kennedy, effective September 30, due to health reasons.

TYLER — The race to be the next governor of Texas is heating up, and depending on the polls you follow, it’s tightening up as well. Governor Abbott saw his poll numbers jump 2 points over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke between August and September, according to the latest survey out of The University of Texas at Tyler. Abbott now holds a 9-point lead over O’Rourke among registered voters in Texas. One reason for the bump, Governor Abbott’s $46-million dollar campaign war chest is nearly double that of O’Rourke’s. UT Tyler Political Scientist Mark Owens.says, “If we’re talking about bringing people together and less polarization, or about the sake of our schools, the election is going to be a lot closer between Abbott and O’Rourke then compared to whether we’re talking about securing the border or reducing crime.” Continue reading UT Tyler poll shows slight jump in Abbott’s numbers

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD reached a $2.5 million settlement with 10 families of students who were allegedly abused at J. L. Everhart Elementary, attorneys announced Monday. According to our news partner KETK, from at least August 2019 to October 2021, 10 special needs children reportedly suffered abuse and discrimination by teachers and administrators at JL Everhart Elementary. Families of the children hired attorneys Shane McGuire of the McGuire Firm, PC and Geoff Hoover of Sorey & Hoover, LLP, who helped to secure a $2.5 million settlement. $250,000 of that money will go to each injured child. Continue reading Longview ISD reaches $2.5 million settlement following abuse allegations

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Office and deputy voter registrars are joining forces to conduct voter registration locations throughout Smith County Tuesday for National Voter Registration Day. As quoted in a news release, Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said, “It is important that people are registered to vote in local, state and national elections, so they can use their voice in who is elected into office.” Chief Deputy Elections Administrator Edna Morris added, “It is also an opportunity to educate the voters on how to register and sign up for mail-in ballots,” also as quoted in the release. Morris said elections office workers and registrars will additionally focus on reminding voters to update their addresses on their voter registration if they have recently moved. Click here for more information.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The body of a missing Athens man was recovered on Nevada’s Mt. Charleston over the weekend. Rock Stanley, 75, was found Saturday morning according to a Facebook post by his family and by Red Rock Search and Rescue. According to our news partner KETK, the Clark County Coroner’s Office has since officially identified Stanley. Stanley was last seen Aug. 23 around 5 a.m. His family said he left for a hike on Mount Charleston and never came back. According to Stanley’s son, he had texted his brother early in the morning on the 23rd, saying he got lost on the trail and that he was trying to backtrack. Nobody heard from him after that. Red Rock Search and Rescue led five searches with volunteers looking for Stanley while he was missing. Stanley and his wife were visiting Las Vegas from Athens on a yearly trip.

TYLER – A San Antonio man pleaded guilty Monday to his role in a fatal 2020 shooting on Vance Street in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Trey Barreau, 25, pleaded guilty to burglary of habitation and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He had been previously indicted for murder but pleaded guilty to burglary for his role in the shooting. Barreau is the fourth and final co-defendant to be convicted for charges related to the shooting. Of his co-defendants, two were convicted for murder and another also pleaded guilty to burglary.  The four men were arrested after a shooting that killed 21-year-old Draveon McCullough. According to officers at the time, McCullough knocked on Kobe Warthsaw’s door on Vance Street and a fight started. Warthsaw went to trial for the shooting in May and was sentenced to 40 years for murder. The three other co-defendants pleaded guilty to their roles in the shooting.

LONGVIEW – After 21 months of searching, Longview’s Mobberly Baptist Church has welcomed a new lead pastor. According to our news partner KETK, this comes after the death of former Senior Pastor Glynn Stone in March 2020 after a fatal one-vehicle crash. “In the 18 years of being a pastor, this has been the warmest and kindest welcome that we’ve ever received from a church. There is just a sense of excitement,” said new pastor Andrew Hebert. He was previously a lead pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo since 2016. Hebert is the sixth pastor in Mobberly’s 84-year history.

WELLS – It has been two years since a five-week-old infant went missing in Cherokee County. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office said there are no new leads on the Armaidre Argumon case. The baby disappeared on Sept. 18, 2020. He was last seen in on Old Forest Road in Wells at his grandmother’s home, said officials. An Amber Alert was issued for the child and later discontinued. DeAndre Argumon and Amanda Doss are the child’s parents. “Amanda says she was not here, but Dre says he gave the baby to Amanda. Neither parent has custody, my aunt, who is baby Dre’s grandmother, has custody,” said Deandre’s cousin, Jakeih Argumon in 2020. Continue reading Cherokee County infant still missing two years later

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were arrested Sunday night after an attempted traffic stop led to a pursuit through East Texas, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Our news partner KETK reports, officials said deputies in Harrison County attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a stolen car from Dallas on I-20. When the vehicle refused to stop, officials said a pursuit began and continued west in Gregg and Smith counties. The vehicle eventually turned back eastbound, and officials said the pursuit continued into Louisiana until Greenwood Police spiked the car near the Louisiana Visitor Center. Officials said a foot pursuit began and shortly after Reginald Sanders, 22 of Shreveport, and Shauntavia Newson, 23 of Lancaster, were arrested. “Sanders was wanted out of multiple agencies in the DFW area, stemming from numerous robbery investigations,” officials said.

FRANKSTON — The Texas High School Bass Association is using the season’s first tournament for all nine divisions across Texas to raise money for the family of Cooper Reid, a Troup High School football player who was injured in their homecoming game, according to our news partner KETK. “Just to honor one of our anglers you know, and the family needs some help, so you know throughout the 10 years of THSBA there has been different instances of that. And if we have an opportunity that we can do to help a family of one of our anglers then we take those opportunities,” said Riley Fitzgerald, Texas High School Bass Association. Reid is a part of the Troup fishing team, and as a way to say thank you for all the support the family has received, they passed out BBQ plates. Continue reading High school fishing tournament raises funds for Cooper Reid

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee is holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m., in the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies and will additionally consider receiving a presentation on Statewide Safety Task Force recommendations from the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Residents can review the agenda here. Residents can contact the MPO through the department’s online contact form or by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5. Continue reading MPO Transportation Policy Committee meeting scheduled for Sept. 22

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District beginning Monday. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. You’re urged to slow down and pay attention in work zones. On Tuesday, Longview maintenance will begin mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be performing pavement repairs on Spur 248 from Loop 323 to Old Omen Rd. Continue reading TxDOT’s weekly roadwork update

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County officials say a Jacksonville man was arrested after a pursuit involving a stolen four-wheeler, and they claim he’s responsible for numerous thefts. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were patrolling the area of CR 1519 when they reported seeing a man riding a four-wheeler. Officials said when they tried to stop him, the man fled south on FM 768. The four-wheeler reached speeds of 60 mph and was traveling on the wrong side of the road, according to authorities. The pursuit reportedly continued until the suspect “attempted to turn down a trail and flipped his four-wheeler.” After the four-wheeler crashed, officials said the man fled on foot into the woods, where he was apprehended by a deputy. The four-wheeler was found to have been stolen from Palestine. Authorities say Anthony Henderson, 38, was arrested on felony charges of theft and evasion.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct 5 Constable Jeff McClenny is resigning his position for a job opportunity to serve as police chief of a school district. “As most of you may know, I have resigned from office as Constable Precinct 5 of Smith County,” McClenny said. “This decision was the hardest, yet the easiest. My wife is a School Administrator at West Sabine ISD and it has created a distance barrier. I was presented with an opportunity to interview and was offered the Police Chief’s position at San Augustine ISD. McClenny has been Precinct 5 Constable, which serves the Lindale and Hideaway area, for six years. His resignation is effective October 5. After McClenny leaves office, the Smith County Commissioners Court will appoint an interim Constable to serve the remainder of his term. Continue reading Smith County Constable leaving Precinct 5 for job opportunity

TYLER — 32-year-old Robert Harrison Johnson IV has been indicted for arson for allegedly causing a fire that killed his half-brother last May. According to our news partner KETK, officials responded to a home on Smith County Road 1113 for a structure fire with a man trapped inside the residence. Jack McKenzie Ross, 35, who was both mentally and physically disabled, died after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. At the time, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reported that Ross’s brother was able to escape the fire before responders arrived. Continue reading Man indicted for arson in fire that killed his disabled brother

MARSHALL – An East Texas law enforcement agency is cited after a major human smuggling network was taken down as part of a joint task force, according to a statement released Tuesday by the United States Department of Justice. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was among a list of law enforcement agencies the DOJ attributed as giving substantial assistance toward the investigation that led to eight indictments. The operation, a part of Joint Task Force Alpha, included the arrest of eight alleged human smugglers whose indictments were unsealed this week in the Southern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the network was allegedly led by 31-year-old Erminia Serrano, also known as The Boss Lady.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler College of Engineering is ranked 42nd nationwide by U.S. News and World Report as noted on the publication’s Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (no doctorate) list published this week. According to a news release, the College of Engineering has been on a steady climb up the publication’s top 100 list for four consecutive years, rising this time from last year’s ranking of 75. For the second consecutive year, UT Tyler is the highest ranked Texas public institution for undergraduate engineering programs with no doctorate.

LONGVIEW – Amtrak’s Texas Eagle service has started up again after some rail workers and railway owners came to a deal on Thursday. The service, which stops in Longview, Marshall, and Mineola twice a day, was stopped on Wednesday before a potential strike on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari expected normal operations to start Friday morning, meaning the Texas Eagle starting in San Antonio and arriving in Longview Saturday morning. Amtrak’s employees weren’t a part of the strike, but Amtrak trains run on rail lines owned by other companies that operate in Longview, like Union Pacific.

LONGVIEW — The Region 4 Sabine Regional Flood Planning Group (Sabine RFPG) is requesting public review and comment of the Draft 2023 Sabine Regional Flood Plan (RFP). The public comment meeting for the Draft 2023 Sabine RFP will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 26th, at the Longview Exhibit Center on Jaycee Drive. A recording of the presentation given at the public comment meeting will be made available for public viewing after the public meetings are held. Click here for more details.