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AUSTIN – Three of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders have been arrested, including an East Texan. According to a DPS news release, Billy Ray Dake, 47, of Harleton, was arrested in Wichita Falls Nov. 1, the same day he was added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Dake had been wanted since May 17, when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office also issued a warrant for his arrest on Aug. 27, for failure to register as a sex offender. Dake had been convicted in 1992, 2011, and 2018 on charges dating to an incident involving a 5-year-old boy. He was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison but was released on parole in November 2019. The other offenders recently captured are from Odessa and Corpus Christi.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday holds its final public hearing on local redistricting. Wednesday is also the final day to submit alternate plans. Mayor Don Warren reminds you that certain criteria must be followed for such plans, and he says you can find that information online. He tells us the process has gone well so far, with a couple of prior public hearings along with a pair of recent open houses. The council gathers at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Final action on the new council district layout is planned for December 8. Click here for more information.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD will lift their mask mandate beginning Nov. 20. According to our news partner KETK, the rescinding of the mandate is due to the ongoing decline in COVID-19 cases in the district. After Nov. 20, students, staff, and visitors will no longer be required to wear face coverings at district facilities or events. Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said the decision was based solely on the data and facts available to the district. According to data presented during Monday’s LISD Board of Trustees meeting, there are only 13 active student cases and only 5 active staff cases which is less than 1% of the LISD community. Continue reading Longview ISD to lift mask mandate

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Three men arrested in connection to the quadruple murder in New Summerfield have been indicted by a grand jury on capital murder charges, according to our news partner KETK. Jesse Pawlowski, 20, Dylan Welch, 21, and Billy Phillips, 37, were indicted on Oct. 6. They were detained on July 21, and are accused of the deadly shooting of four people in a trailer home near New Summerfield. The three men each received a bond of $1 million. Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said the shooting happened due to a robbery over clothes and guns. John Clinton, 18, Amanda Bain 39, Ami Hickey, 39, and Jeff Gerla, 47, were killed in the incident.

TYLER – The Texas Art Education Association announced Tyler ISD Director of Fine Arts Sandra Newton as the TAEA Administrator of the Year. “It is my honor, pleasure, and I am beyond joyful to serve the teachers and students of Tyler ISD,” Newton said in a news release. According to the release, TAEA recognized Newton “for her significant contributions to TAEA and arts education on the state, local, and national levels.” Newton received her award during the award ceremony and reception November 5 in Round Rock. Newton co-hosts “The Art Connection of East Texas,” heard Saturday mornings on KTBB. Tyler ISD has also received the TAEA District of Distinction for the third consecutive year. This distinction places Tyler ISD in the top 4% of visual art programs in Texas, according to the release.

TYLER — A second Tyler man has been indicted for capital murder stemming from a May shooting that left one dead. According to our news partner KETK, 27-year-old Dakevian Scroggins is accused in the killing of Christopher Frank Eiglebiger. He was shot in front of a home on Crosby Street behind CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Scroggins was on the run for more than two months after the shooting and was placed on the Texas DPS 10 Most Wanted list. He was arrested in late July. Also charged for the murder is 23-year-old Zaccheus Dunn. He was caught just two days after the shooting. Under Texas law, both men could be facing the death penalty. A decision for either of them has yet to be announced by Smith County DA Jacob Putman. Neither defendant has a set court date. They are both being held in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Saying “It has been an extraordinary time for everyone,” Tyler ISD officials will be giving a retention stipend to eligible employees in December. Provided they were hired before November 1, 2021, teachers and nurses will get $1,000, other professionals will receive $750, and $500 will go to paras and manual trades workers. The move was recently approved by school trustees. According to a news release, school officials want the employees “to know that we appreciate their dedication and hope they will stay with us long term.” The stipend is from the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds the district received to help with a variety of areas, including retention of employees.

TYLER — A Tyler case that saw multiple young men charged with beating a friend unconscious in March for being a “snitch” has had its first sentence handed down. According to our news partner KETK, 17-year-old Jesus Tinoco pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to four years in prison. The victim had reportedly called police after a man got into an argument with the victim’s sister, whom the man had been dating. Police ended up arresting the man on an outstanding warrant. The victim was later lured to Hillside Park, where the beating occurred. The cases of the other beating suspects remain pending, though one was arrested in July for capital murder in an unrelated case.

TYLER — A Tyler man was charged with manslaughter on Friday stemming from an October wreck on Loop 323. According to our news partner KETK, Jose Esparza, 23, has been charged with the death of a passenger in his car after a high-speed, three-car wreck in front of Mercados restaurant on October 14. According to a warrant obtained by KETK News, police were called to the scene at 8:45 p.m. Police determined that Esparza was driving westbound in a black corvette with a passenger named Pablo Avila. Esparza ran into the back of a white F250 at “a high rate of speed.” Continue reading Tyler man charged with manslaughter for October wreck on Loop 323

SMITH COUNTY — Crews get busy on a couple of Smith County road projects, and officials have issued an advisory about an ongoing project. Contractors resumed major roadwork Monday on County Road 463, also known as Wood Springs Road, in the Lindale area. Along with that, they began work Monday on reconstruction of County Road 448, also known as Sky Ranch Road, outside of Lindale. Officials additionally remind you that a portion of Smith County Road 3101, or Barber Road, will remain closed until November 22 for improvements. Click here for more information.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. Longview maintenance plans to continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2204 in Kilgore between the US 259 Bypass and US 259 Business. Tyler maintenance crews plan to dig base failures at various locations on US 271 from Loop 323 to Harris Creek Bottom. Click here for the full rundown.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted a ceremony Saturday at Liberty Hall to unveil a new Half Mile of History marker honoring the League of Women Voters – Tyler/Smith County. According to a news release, LWV-T/SC, founded in 1950, “is recognized as a preeminent non-partisan grassroots public interest organization, producing guides for voters and get-out-the-vote activities. LWV-T/SC was nominated for its role in empowering residents to participate in American democracy.” According to the release, “The goal of the Half Mile of History program is to pay tribute to people, places, organizations, and events that have contributed to the rich history of Tyler and Smith County. The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler.”

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall are investigating a predawn Saturday incident in which six people were shot, including one who was critically injured. Police say they got numerous 9-1-1 calls about the incident during an event in the 500 block of South Alamo Blvd. According to a news release, “Responding officers arrived at a chaotic scene with shots still being actively fired and located multiple gunshot victims. Over two hundred patrons were believed to be at the event at the time of the shooting.” Two victims have been discharged, and three others were listed in stable condition. Anyone with leads is asked to contact Sgt. Phillips at (903) 935-4543 or the Marshall Police Department at (903) 935-4575. If you have information but want to remain anonymous you may call the Marshall/Harrison County Crimestoppers at (903) 935-9969 or use the P3 mobile app.

LIVINGSTON — A former CHRISTUS nurse convicted of capital murder has been moved to a Southeast Texas prison to start his sentence. According to our news partner KETK, 37-year-old William George Davis was moved to the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, a facility that houses the state’s male death row inmates. Davis was found guilty October 19 by a Tyler jury and was sentenced to death shortly after that. An appeal is automatic in the case. Prosecutors said he killed patients at Tyler’s Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital by injecting them with air.

TYLER — With kids aged 5 through 11 now eligible for COVID-19 shots, NET Health’s George Roberts says things are off to a good start at Tyler’s Majesty Event Center, where his troops are ready to see you. He spoke to us late Friday morning, saying almost twenty people had already taken advantage of the new opportunity — and encourages more people to do likewise. Roberts advises you to contact your medical provider if you have any questions about the vaccine. He remains cautiously upbeat about declining COVID numbers in East Texas, continuing to sound the call for everyone to get vaccinated.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety has added Saturday appointment availability at select commercial driver license offices for customers needing to apply for, renew, replace, or upgrade their Texas CDL. In East Texas, customers can go to offices in Canton and Kilgore. Participating offices will offer a limited number of appointments on Nov. 6, 13, and 20. Click this link for a full list of the offices, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers wishing to make Saturday appointments will need to book an appointment for a specific day and time. You can do that by clicking here. Upon arrival at the driver license office, customers can check in at the kiosk inside or from their mobile device. Customers can only check in up to 30 minutes before their appointment time.

MARSHALL — An East Texas man pleaded guilty on Thursday to distribution of information relating to explosives and destructive devices. According to our news partner KETK, Beau Daniel Merryman, 20, of Jefferson, had online conversations with undercover FBI employees between September and October 2019. Merryman gave officials detailed instructions on how they could make improvised explosive devices, such as pipe bombs and pressure-cooker bombs. He also stated that the IEDs should be used to target federal law enforcement and critical infrastructure, like electrical substations, which are high-voltage electric system facilities. Continue reading East Texas man pleads guilty to distributing bomb making instructions to undercover agent

TYLER — The Smith County Tax Office has mailed out 177,175 property tax statements, according to a Thursday news release. Officials say payments can be made more easily than ever this year. Scanning the QR code on your statement will take you directly to the payment page on your account. “I think it will be a game changer in how people pay their property taxes,” Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said in the news release. If you have not yet received your property tax statement, contact the Tax Office at 903-590-2920. Click here for more information.

LINDALE — Lindale ISD evacuated several campuses due to a gas leak Thursday. By mid-afternoon, LISD said in in a Facebook statement that the gas leak was stopped. But streets one block in every direction from the intersection of College and Braziel were due remain shut down until the gas company advises it’s safe. According to our news partner KETK, College Street Elementary, Lindale Early Childhood Center, and Alternate Education Program students and staff were all evacuated to the LISD Performing Arts Center. Buses were taking people to and from the PAC. School hours remained normal. LISD reported earlier Thursday morning that the city hit a gas line near College Street, which prompted two nearby campuses to keep all students and staff indoors. They then decided to evacuate the campuses to the PAC.

TYLER — Following the CDC’s approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, UT Health East Texas is prepared to begin administering vaccines to children starting Friday. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines will be offered without an appointment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at UT Health East Texas Physicians North Campus Tyler – Family Medicine, located on the second floor of the Riter Center on US Highway 271. The vaccine is one third the dose of what is given to those 12 and older, and it is administered as a two-dose series, three weeks apart.

TYLER — An Arlington man accused of shooting his boyfriend near Tyler State Park after finding child porn on his phone has had his trial delayed due to being quarantined twice for COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, 52-year-old Robert Price earlier rejected multiple plea deals from prosecutors. Price allegedly shot and killed 32-year-old Nathaniel Snell in July 2020 after finding the pornography. The shooting happened at State Park Gas Station on FM 14. The next proceeding in the case is set for December 6, but it was not immediately clear if a hearing would be conducted on that date or if the trial would begin.

SMITH COUNTY — Four people went to the hospital following a school bus-pickup crash Thursday morning near lake Palestine. According to the DPS investigator’s preliminary report, a Bullard ISD bus was traveling westbound on FM-344, turning south onto SH-155. The driver of a pickup was traveling northbound on SH-155 and struck the turning bus on its left driver’s side, causing the bus to roll onto its right side. There were two children on the bus as well as a bus monitor and the bus driver. The bus driver was transported to UT-Health East Texas – Tyler in stable condition. The children were transported by their parents from the scene to Christus Trinity Mother Frances – Tyler. The driver of the pickup truck was transported to UT-Health East Texas – Tyler. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Legacy High School sent out a message to parents Wednesday stating that despite vague online rumors of a school shooting threat, there does not appear to be a danger to the campus at this time. According to our news partner KETK, a Snapchat post suggested there would be a school shooting, but Tyler Legacy Principal Kristen Walls said in the statement that the post in question does not refer to Tyler Legacy, nor does it appear to have originated from a Legacy student. The post does not mention any particular school in Tyler or the state of Texas. Continue reading Notice sent to Tyler Legacy parents after rumor of shooting threat

TYLER — The Pfizer COVID vaccine is fully approved for ages 5 through 11 and is being provided by NET Health at the Majesty Event Center on West Bow Street in Tyler. The clinic is open 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In making the announcement Wednesday, NET Health officials asked that you bring your health insurance card when you come to receive your COVID vaccine. “Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine is a different product than its vaccine for adolescents and adults,” says Dr. Paul McGaha, Smith County Medical Authority, in a news release. “The adolescent/adult Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine should not be used to vaccinate individuals five to 11 years of age.” Click here for more details.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the final redistricting plan that establishes new boundaries for the County Commissioners Court Precinct lines based on the 2020 Census data. That comes after two workshops and three public hearings on the topic. The plan includes changes in boundary lines on the west and east sides of Smith County and leaves the County with an 8.04 percent deviation from the largest populated precinct to the smallest, according to a news release. Find details by clicking this link.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews have completed repairs to the bridge on County Road 230, between Arp and Chapel Hill, after a car accident caused major damage. The road was opened back up to drivers Wednesday morning. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said the wreck took out the guardrails and damaged the wooden deck of the bridge, which had to be replaced. It is the south bridge over Lake Tyler East on CR 230, between Highway 64 East and Farm-to-Market Road 345.

TYLER — The Tyler-based R.W. Fair Foundation is donating $4 million so students in the inaugural class at UT Tyler’s Medical School can get free tuition for all four years of study. The announcement from the foundation’s Bob Garrett came Wednesday in a news conference streamed live by our news partner KETK. 40 students will be in the class. Garrett said, “This gift provides us with the rare opportunity to combine all the pillars of our mission into a single focus that will, first, help address some of the worst measurable health outcomes in our state, particularly in rural East Texas.” Garrett was introduced by UT Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, who termed the announcement “incredible.” Eltife thanked the foundation on behalf of the Regents — noting, “To our knowledge, we have never had a medical school launched in the state of Texas that received legislative approval in the very first session requested.”

EAST TEXAS — Tuesday was election day and Texas voter had the opportunity to vote on eight constitutional amendments for the state, each of which were passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Texas House and Senate. According to our news partner KETK, many counties also held elections for local offices and measures. Continue reading Election results across East Texas

SMITH COUNTY — The $45 million Smith County Road Bond passed with 62.4 percent of the vote Tuesday, November 2, 2021, according to complete but unofficial voting totals. Smith County ballots showed 6,759 people, or 62.4 percent voted for the issuance of bonds for road and bridge construction and major improvements. There were 3,962 people, or 36.58 percent, who voted against the bond. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he was proud of what Smith County has done so far in the Road and Bridge Bond Program and is excited to see it continue. “In 2017, the voters approved the first phase of our Road and Bridge Bond, and since that time, we have worked to improve about 200 miles of roadway,” Moran said. Continue reading Smith County road bond approved by voters