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PALESTINE — Palestine Mayor Dana Goolsby is officially out of office after the city council voted to accept her resignation earlier this week. According to our news partner KETK, Goolsby’s term was set to run until May 2023, but she said that stepping down was the “biggest act of love” she could show her community. In a prepared statement, Goolsby claimed, “The ability to effectively lead the City was stripped from me in August of 2021. I have been assaulted, harassed, threatened, demeaned, and most recently I have been accused of assault.” She did not offer specific details about a potential investigation or how the claims originated. Click here to read Goolsby’s full statement. An election will be held in May to fill her position.

BROWNSBORO — A Brownsboro firefighter and his family lost their home in a fire Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the Brownsboro Fire Department is asking for the community’s help to support the family. Firefighters were paged out to a house fire Tuesday afternoon — and upon arrival realized that the house belonged to one of their own, Robert Mitchell. Mitchell was just awarded the Rookie of the Year award at a banquet Saturday night. Mitchell said he kicked in the front door to make sure his wife and kids were not in the house. Mitchell’s colleagues came up with a plan, with his permission, to accept donations. You can find more details here.

HENDERSON — Henderson ISD approves two retention incentives of $2,000 each for all full-time employees. According to our news partner KETK, officials say it’s an effort to retain teachers and incentivize them to stay on and come back for another year. The last two years have been hard for East Texas school districts. Employees had to take time off due to COVID; some even had to lose their pay. Along with an incentive for this school year, Henderson ISD full-time staff members who continue employment next year will receive an additional $2,000 in September, making it a total of $4,000. The Tyler and Longview ISDs also provided stipends and incentives to teachers and staff.

LONGVIEW — The juvenile suspect in Saturday night’s murder at Marshall’s City Park was captured without incident in Longview around 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to police. In a news release, the Marshall Police Department thanks a lengthy list of agencies for assisting in the capture. Police say the United States Marshals Service, the Longview Police Department, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office worked in cooperation with the Harrison County Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force and Marshall Police Department Detectives.

LONGVIEW — At a time when officials say it’s crucial to improve community relationships, the Longview Police Department says it expanded its capabilities in its community engagement efforts by launching a customer service technology platform this week. According to a news release, this new technology enhances the department’s customer service capabilities by sending text messages to victims of crimes and 9-1-1 callers. It also collects community feedback via an electronic survey after police contact. The software provides 9-1-1 callers with text updates on their calls for service. Callers can receive a message that the call has been received and if there are any officer delays. Click here for additional information.

TYLER — The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators has named Tyler High School business teacher Sharmecia Jackson its Teacher of the Year. Jackson will now move on to national competition. According to a news release, each year, TABSE “recognizes distinguished individuals who have made local and state contributions to the education of African American educators and learners.” Officials say Jackson was nominated for “her dedication to her students in and out of the classroom.” Jackson responded, “Words cannot explain how elated I felt to receive this coveted award,” as quoted in the release.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler’s R2 designation has been affirmed by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. According to a news release, the Carnegie classification indicates UT Tyler is a university with very high research activity. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas, according to the release. The designation “is quite a milestone for UT Tyler,” said Senior Vice President for Research Dr. Steven Idell as quoted in the release. “It recognizes the high-quality research in which our faculty and students are engaged and represents a landmark for expanding those efforts.” Officials say following the unification of UT Tyler with UT Health Science Center at Tyler, the combined research qualified UT Tyler for an R2 designation.

TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott visited the Villa outside Tyler Tuesday night and spoke about the Texas economy, the border, and the fentanyl crisis in the state. According to our news partner KETK, Abbott gave a keynote address after 7 p.m. at the Smith County Republican Party Lincoln Reagan Dinner. The event was part of the Keep East Texas Red Fundraiser that benefits the local Republican Party. “Every year that I have been governor, Texas has been the number one state in the U.S. as the best state for doing business. Every year that I have been governor, Texas has received the Governor’s Cup. The Governor’s Cup goes to the governor of the state that ranks number one in the U.S. for economic development and new jobs created from that economic development,” said Abbott.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a double homicide and apparent suicide following a shooting at the LaQuinta Inn on south Broadway Tuesday night. According to Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, just before 10pm, officers were called to the hotel following reports of shots fired. Officers found a Hispanic man and woman shot multiple times in their car. Witnesses said they saw the gunman flee the scene after the shooting. Investigators tracked the alleged shooter to a home outside Smith County city limits and found the alleged suspect dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Erbaugh said that all names of those involved are being withheld pending family notification.

LONGVIEW — Southbound McCann Road just north of Loop 281 in Longview now has a lane closure for curb repairs and sidewalk installation. Officials say work will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily and is expected to be completed by this Friday. Click here for an aerial view of the closure.

MARSHALL — Detectives with the Marshall Police Department seek a juvenile on charges of murder, engaging in organized criminal activity, and riot participation in connection with a Saturday night homicide at City Park. According to a news release, while police are unable to name the suspect due to age, the juvenile’s family and members of the community know whom police are trying to locate. Police say they are hopeful that the suspect will voluntarily surrender, but if anyone has information about where the juvenile is located, they are asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall Harrison County Crimestoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — The numbers tell the story. Among other things, new case numbers are down in the NET Health survey area on the latest COVID dashboard. NET Health’s George Roberts says the same goes for hospital patient figures, which fell to 200 from the 242 reported last Thursday. Community spread levels are dropping as well. Roberts anticipates the numbers continuing to go down over the next couple of weeks — and he hopes the area will be through with the spread of the omicron variant in the next few weeks. But the entire area remains in the substantial spread category, so Roberts repeats his advice to get your vaccination and stay home when you’re sick. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

EAST TEXAS — The Chapel Hill, Brownsboro, and Mineola ISDs join other school districts calling bond elections for this May. Chapel Hill trustees unanimously voted to call a bond totaling $125,240,000, targeting improvements for all campuses. According to a news release, the package has two propositions, which include a new Junior High campus, a new Career and Technology Education facility, a Multipurpose Activity Center, a new Transportation and Operations facility, and other facility improvements to all existing schools. You can learn more here. Continue reading Bond elections set in Chapel Hill, Mineola, Brownsboro

LONGVIEW — The Longview ISD Board of Trustees is calling for a $227 million bond election to address various facility needs and campus improvements, according to a release. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved the election order for four bond propositions during their Feb. 14 regular meeting. If approved by voters on May 7, the propositions will fund significant renovations to the Longview High School campus, a new Career & Technical Education facility, an Extracurricular Events Center, a new Early Childhood campus, and various other repairs and facility updates. Continue reading Longview ISD Board calls for $227 million bond election

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office says it has identified the suspect in the deaths of Jakari Hogan and Ronnie Pearson January 30 on Highway 79 at the Cherokee/Rusk County line. Authorities say they have obtained a capital murder arrest warrant for 20-year-old Devon “Nooney Bug” Harris of Shreveport. Harris is considered armed and dangerous and is believed to be in the Shreveport area. Any leads should be reported to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 683-2271 or your local law enforcement agency. The sheriff’s office and Crime Stoppers are offering a reward for any information leading to Harris’s arrest.

MARSHALL (AP/Staff) – The Texas Attorney General is suing Facebook parent Meta. The lawsuit, filed and announced in Marshall, claims the social media giant has been unlawfully collecting biometric data on Texans for commercial purposes, without their informed consent. Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday filed the lawsuit that claims Facebook has been storing millions of biometric identifiers from photos and videos people upload to its service. Biometric identifiers can be retina or iris scans, voice prints, or a record of hand and face geometry. Monday also kicked off early voting in a primary election in Texas, where Paxton faces several GOP challengers in the wake of his top deputies reporting him to the FBI for alleged corruption.

TYLER — Tyler police officers remained on scene at a traffic incident in which a dump truck hit a pole causing power lines to be down in the roadway at Pointe N. Dr./WNW Loop 323. As of late Monday afternoon, east and westbound lanes remained closed from Pointe N. Dr. to Hwy 69. Officers took on the task of directing traffic. Police asked that you avoid this area until the lines could safely be removed from the road.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew on FM 2015 at IH 20 for base repair. This will be under one-way traffic with flaggers present. In Gregg County, maintenance crews are scheduled to perform base repairs on FM 449, eastbound and westbound from FM 2751 to the county line. Expect one lane closure and flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for the full rundown of roadwork around the district.

LOS ANGELES — Palestine native and longtime NFL running back Adrian Peterson was arrested for domestic violence in Los Angeles on Super Bowl Sunday. That’s according to our news partner KETK, the New York Post, and TMZ. Peterson was arrested at LAX over a domestic dispute with his wife, Ashley, as they were on their way out of Los Angeles, the New York Post reported. The New York Post said that the report stated the alleged incident occurred on an aircraft, which was forced to turn around on the runway and return to the gate due to the severity of the verbal and physical altercation between Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. Continue reading Adrian Peterson arrested for domestic violence

MARSHALL — Marshall police are investigating a homicide after a teenager was fatally shot in the city on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officials received calls on Feb. 12 that a person was shot at City Park at 200 Pope St. Marshall police and paramedics arrived at the scene and found a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to his neck. The teenager was later pronounced dead at the location. The Marshall Police Department’s Criminal Investigators and Crime Scene Detectives began a homicide investigation. Detectives worked all night and continue to look into the incident. No arrests have been made. Continue reading Teen killed in shooting at Marshall park

FLINT — A man was shot by Smith County Sheriff’s deputies early Sunday morning after he allegedly pointed a gun at officers. According to our news partner KETK, the incident happened early Sunday morning in Flint on Highway 69 in a parking lot. At that time a deputy responded to a call of a firearm discharge. They encountered 25-year-old Jackson Lee Davis of Flint. Reports say Davis had a book in one hand and an unidentified object in the other. As backup arrived for the responding deputy who was attempting to communicate with the suspect, Davis allegedly threw the book at the deputy. Continue reading Officer involved shooting injures a Smith County man

TYLER — Smith County offers plenty of opportunities as early voting gets underway in the March 1 primaries. There are five early voting locations in the county, including The Hub, The Heritage Building, Noonday Community Center, Lindale Masonic Lodge, and Whitehouse United Methodist Church. Early voting times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, February 14-18; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. p.m. Saturday, February 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 20; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, February 22-25. There will be 35 Voting Centers for people to cast their ballots on Election Day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. Smith County residents will be able to vote at any of the Voting Centers, no matter which precinct they live in. Click here for more details.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department released photos of two men they say robbed two separate Family Dollar stores February 7th. According to our news partner KETK, the two men in the photos, one wearing a black hoodie, the other an orange hoodie, left in a white SUV. Authorities say the men are armed and dangerous. If encountered, call Tyler Police.

MABANK — A woman was killed Tuesday after deputies were called to a home responding to a domestic violence call, according to Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix. In a brief phone interview with our news partner KETK, Hendrix said deputies responded to a home in the Mabank area around 10 p.m. A 911 caller had reported possible gunshots and that it was potentially a family violence situation. Hendrix said that when deputies arrived there was a 38-year-old woman, whose name was not released, firing a gun in front of the home. They gave her verbal commands to drop her gun. At some point, the woman reportedly fired in the direction of the officers. Hendrix then said the woman pointed her weapon directly at a deputy and he fired his gun at her. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Sheriff: Woman killed after firing shots at deputies

TYLER — It’s getting better, but the pandemic is still far from over. That’s the word from NET Health’s George Roberts, who points out that positive case and hospital numbers continue trending downward in his agency’s area. He adds that omicron deaths have potentially plateaued statewide. But Roberts notes that the number of cases in the area is still substantial. He says vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick continue to be the best moves you can make. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER — Two more suspects in the catalytic converter thefts from January 28th in Tyler have been identified, and one has been arrested. Police say Andre Tyrell Pete, 25, has been arrested in the Houston area and booked into the Harris County Jail. He will be transported back to Smith County. Both suspects are from Houston; Darius Reggie, 20, is still wanted. Both face charges of aggravated assault of a public servant, engaging in organized criminal activity, evading arrest/detention and 4 counts of theft of material. DeAnthony Brown, who is already in jail, had five more charges added: engaging in organized criminal activity with a $250,000 bond and 4 counts of theft of material. If you have any information, call Tyler police at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Continue reading Additional suspects identified, one arrested in catalytic converter theft case

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Chandler man who was indicted for his involvement in a 2020 fatal crash was sentenced 12 years to prison. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Taylor Collins, 20, was arrested for three counts of intoxication manslaughter after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed into an East Texas couple that was expecting their first child together on Oct. 25, 2020.  23-year-old LeAnna Hester was driving south on FM 315, near Coffee City when she was struck head-on by Collins, said DPS. Hester who was expecting was pronounced dead at the scene, and Blake Stanford, 24, who was in Hester’s car was taken to a local hospital in Tyler where he later died. Continue reading Chandler man sentenced 12 years for fatal crash

EAST TEXAS — Workforce Solutions East Texas has announced five new Access Point partner locations. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours. The new locations are in Henderson, Gilmer, Palestine, Carthage, and Pittsburg. Click here for more details.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees voted during a board workshop Thursday to call a school bond election for May 7. According to a news release, the proposal was developed by the administration and presented to the board to balance campus capacity, address aging buildings, and increase safety and security. Bond 2022 will ask voters to consider an $89 million package for the construction of Hubbard Middle School and Early College High School. The new Hubbard campus would replace the existing 55-year-old campus. The new Early College High School would be located next to TISD’s Career and Technology Center. Continue reading Tyler ISD trustees call bond election for May