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LONGVIEW — Longview Transit and R&K Distributors are partnering up to provide free rides to anyone within Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve. The “Safe-Ride-Home” initiative is back for the tenth year, providing curb-to-curb pickup and scheduled ride services to anyone from 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. Whether riders have had a couple drinks or simply do not want to drive that night, the free rides make transportation easier and safer for everyone in the Longview area.

Start the year off safe and schedule your free ride at 903-753-2287 or at http://www.longviewtransit.com starting Dec. 27, at 8 a.m.

TYLER – State environmental regulators have cited the Parkside development in Tyler for violating the Texas Water Code after determining that unauthorized stormwater runoff from the construction site flowed directly into the lake at Faulkner Park. The Parkside development is a Genecov Properties, Inc. project currently under construction by Genecov West Mud Creek, LLC. The site is located on the southwest side of the intersection of Cumberland Road and South Broadway Avenue in Tyler.

According to our news partner KETK, the 600,000-square-foot project is planned to extend high-profile retailers, entertainment venues and restaurants from South Broadway Avenue to Tyler’s Faulkner Park. Four TCEQ investigators inspected the site between Sept. 3 and Oct. 15. During the Sept. 3 inspection, an investigator examined an unnamed tributary of West Mud Creek that runs through the construction site and drains into the lake at Faulkner Park.

A TCEQ investigation report states that a project manager for Genecov West Mud Creek, LLC. provided the investigator with the site’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The plan identified six sediment basins intended to collect stormwater runoff. However, the investigator reported that none of the basins had been constructed as of Sept. 3. Continue reading Tyler park cited for stormwater violations

GLADEWATER – According to police, a Gladewater woman attempted to steal a truck while the driver was inside and then managed to get away, leading to two arrests this week. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a child custody exchange, according to Gladewater police. Izabel Osteen, the 28-year-old suspect, allegedly entered another person’s 2020 Ford F-150, causing a struggle as the victim attempted to prevent the theft. The victim was thrown from the truck when Osteen drove off while the victim was only partially inside. The victim had minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The stolen truck was found at several locations throughout Longview by police using vehicle tracking technology. After the car was eventually found and Osteen was taken into custody by Gregg County deputies, she was charged with robbery and booked into the Gladewater Jail.

HARRISON COUNTY – Two men were taken into custody by Marshall police on Tuesday following allegations that they shot at one another in a residential area. According to the Marshall Police Department and our news partner KETK, officers were called to the 1100 block of Melanie Street around noon after hearing reports of a man and a woman shooting at one another. One suspect escaped into a neighboring wooded area before police arrived.

After searching the area, police found both people and arrested them. Tyrell Smith, 40, of Hallsville, and Lacrystal Carter, 38, of Marshall, were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. Carter was accused of tampering with identification numbers as well. The investigation is still ongoing, and no injuries were recorded. As the case progresses, more charges could be brought, according to the authorities.

MARSHALL – Following a shooting on Monday night, a 28-year-old was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Our news partners at KETK report that at around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Marshall police officers arrived at the 700 block of N. Loop 390 Highway following a report of gunshots in the area. Tyterrius Qwantrell Lafayette, a 28-year-old suspect, was sought after overnight by the Marshall Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force. Lafayette was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at the Harrison County Jail, with a bond set at $25,000. No injuries were reported by authorities.

OVERTON — Overton cautions residents to be wary of encountering a large pack of dogs running around at night. The City of Overton posted a video of a pack of about 15 dogs running near West Rusk High School in New London, warning residents that the dogs “are very aggressive at times.” According to our news partner KETK and the Overton Police Department, the video was taken in September, but was only recently shared with him.

“As a matter of public safety, the city manager and I have decided it is necessary to share this video with the citizens we serve,” Pool said. “Please keep in mind these are not just stray dogs, they are dogs that were most likely once dumped somewhere and have now reverted back to their natural instincts of hunting in a large group as a means of survival.”

Pool urges residents to contact the local law enforcement agency if they encounter a large pack of wild dogs and not to fear prosecution for protecting themselves or another person. Continue reading Overton warns of aggressive pack of wild dogs

ATHENS — Three Athens residents were arrested on Tuesday after law enforcement executed two search warrants targeting potential drug distribution in the city.

According to our news partner KETK and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, investigators and deputies with the Sheriff’s Office, alongside officers from the Athens Police Department, carried out two separate narcotics search warrants. The first operation took place in the 500 block of St. Joseph Street. Investigators arrested Deanglo Russell and Bridget Fossis after they located crack cocaine that was prepackaged for sale, along with digital scales commonly used in narcotics distribution.

Russell and Fossis were transported to the Henderson County Jail, where they were booked on charges of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, authorities said. Continue reading Athens drug bust involving cocaine, meth

TYLER — As flu season picks up in the United States, health experts are concerned about a mutated flu strain that may be immune to this year’s influenza vaccine. According to our news partner KETK, a highly contagious and mutated strain of influenza A H3N2, called “subclade K,” has emerged abroad, causing surges in infections across several countries and raising concerns about a mismatch between the current flu vaccine and mutated strain.

Subclade K is already circulating in most U.S. states, according to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database.

“Knowing that there’s a new mutated strain out there and H3N2 generally causes more severe disease is concerning,” Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr. medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said.

Though influenza A is included in this year’s influenza vaccine, the mutations of subclade K could give the virus an advantage against the vaccine’s immunity. Continue reading Mutated flu strain emerges, experts concerned

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A dog attack in Van Zandt County on Monday morning seriously injured a man from East Texas. When deputies from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, they discovered a 53-year-old man with multiple dog bites from two adult pit bull mix dogs.

According to our news partner KETK, the victim was taken to the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances emergency room before being life-flighted to the UT Medical Center in Tyler, where he was treated and is said to be in stable condition, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.
Continue reading Man critically injured in dog attack

MOUNT PLEASANT — Our news partners at KETK report that a 19-year-old East Texan has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, who was found with apparent gunshot wounds.
According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, around 8 a.m. on Monday, a 911 call came in reporting an unconscious man bleeding inside a home on Red Springs Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found 51-year-old Rodney Harris deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives responded and immediately launched a homicide investigation. Police identified 19-year-old Azion Jayden Harris, the victim’s son, as a person of interest. He was located and detained later Monday. Azion Harris was arrested and taken to Titus County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

TYLER — The FBI in Dallas is warning citizens about people impersonating senior U.S. officials through text and AI-generated voice messages. According to our news partner KETK, participants in the scheme reach out to victims and engage in a brief conversation on a topic in which they are knowledgeable. The suspects later request to move the discussion to a secondary, encrypted messaging app.

If somebody is contacted by someone they may know on a new platform or phone number, the FBI stated they should verify the latest contact information before moving forward. Continue reading FBI warns of imposters posing as officials

TYLER — Not everyone shuts down for Christmas. From restaurants to retail stores, these East Texas businesses will be open to serve customers on the holiday. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of stores and restaurants that will be open on Thursday. You can view that list here.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A 19-year-old East Texan has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, who was found with apparent gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK, a 911 call came in around 8 a.m. on Monday reporting an unconscious man bleeding inside a home on Red Springs Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found 51-year-old Rodney Harris deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives responded and immediately launched a homicide investigation.

Police identified 19-year-old Azion Jayden Harris, the victim’s son, as a person of interest. He was located and detained later Monday.

Azion Harris was arrested and transported to Titus County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A high-speed pursuit in Upshur County ended in a fatal crash that killed a minor Sunday night. According to our news partner and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 9:48 p.m. on Sunday, when a sheriff’s deputy observed a dark-colored passenger vehicle speeding northbound near the intersection of State Highway 155 and Apricot Road. When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver, identified as Steve Reneau, did not stop and continued driving northbound. Reneau entered Gilmer and turned onto State Highway 271, where officials say he drove through the city at around 90 miles per hour.

Reneau continued increasing his speed to more than 100 mph and lost control of the vehicle, which led to the crash in the 3300 block of Chipmunk Road. Both Reneau and a passenger who remains unidentified were ejected from the vehicle, which ended up on top of them, officials said.

Fire and emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene and worked to remove the passenger from beneath the vehicle. Other personnel used equipment to free Reneau, who was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Continue reading One dead in high speed chase

RUSK – The Rusk Police Department is currently searching for a missing man after his vehicle was found stopped on Highway 84 near the Neches River on Dec. 6. According to our news partner KETK, James David Blount is a 57-year-old white man who is 5’09”, weighs around 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. Rusk PD said Blount was last seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who provides information leading to the location of Blount.

Blount’s vehicle was found on Saturday on Highway 84 west at the Neches River near the Cherokee and Anderson County line. Heal Corp search and rescue personnel have been searching the Neches River near where Blount’s vehicle was found but they hadn’t turned up anything as of Dec. 21.

Anyone with information about Blount’s disappearance is asked to call 911 or Rusk PD at 903-683-2677.

HENDERSON – The Henderson Police Department said a woman was shot on Sunday while in her vehicle near the intersection of FM 225 and Highway 79. According to our news partner KETK, the woman was shot around 1 p.m. by a suspect who reportedly fled the scene in a black truck. Department Deputy Chief Chase Berryhill confirmed on Monday that the victim has since died. The woman has been identified as Dora Morales-Ruiz, 39, of Henderson. Law enforcement immediately began looking for the suspected shooter and they eventually found the suspect dead in Rusk County. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of the suspected shooter.

“The Henderson Police Department would like to thank the Texas Department of Public Safety, Rusk County Constable Stewart and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and cooperation during the search for the suspect,” Henderson PD said.

LUFKIN – A 52-year-old man has died after his truck crashed into an overpass pillar in Lufkin on Saturday according to our news partner KETK. A Ford F-150 truck hit a concrete pillar at around 4 p.m. under the overpass at Ellen Trout Drive and Kurth Drive. Lufkin Police said the 52-year-old man driving the truck was ejected and the vehicle caught on fire. Lufkin PD said the man was taken to a local hospital. He later died while receiving treatment. Officials haven’t released his name since they’re working to notify his family.

TYLER – A $1,000 prize is currently being offered by Operation Game Thief for information regarding a recent unlawful killing and disposal of two deer close to Lake Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a white-tailed doe and a yearling buck were shot either late on December 14 or early on December 15 in a residential area on Big Oak Bay Road close to Lake Tyler, according to Operation Game Thief. Reports say a small caliber gun was used to shoot the animals before their carcasses were dumped and wasted.
Continue reading Reward offered after deer killed

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrested a driver on Friday after they allegedly shot at a vehicle following a minor crash. Our news partners at KETK report that just before 6 p.m. on Friday, two vehicles were involved in a minor crash on State Highway 64 near Loop 49. As one driver left the scene, the other driver followed them while calling 911. As they reached the T intersection at CR 4915, the second driver allegedly caused a crash with the first vehicle in an attempt to stop it. Neither of the drivers were identified by law enforcement on Friday. Officials said the initial crash was not report-able and caused less than $1000 of damage.

SMITH COUNTY – Debby Gunter, a Smith County judge in the 241st District Court, has declared her intention to run for reelection in 2026. Gunter is seeking re-election in the Republican Primary on March 3. He was first elected as a judge of the court in 2023.
Continue reading Local district judge running for re-election

TYLER – One person involved in a pursuit was taken into custody on Friday after shots were fired during a traffic stop in Lindale. According to our news partner KETK and the Lindale PD, the pursuit started in Lindale near the Cracker Barrel as a traffic stop on a white Pontiac Grand Prix. During the stop, shots were fired from the vehicle by an assault rifle before the Pontiac drove off down Highway 69. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the pursuit before the Pontiac entered Tyler city limits.

Tyler Police Department officers responded to the pursuit which eventually came to an end when an officer did a pit maneuver on the Pontiac, near the intersection of Shawnee Boulevard and Highway 110. The driver was taken into custody and according to Lindale PD, the officer that performed the pit maneuver was evaluated for minor injuries at the scene. A woman whose vehicle was hit as the pursuit ended was also evaluated for minor injuries at the scene. Continue reading One arrested after Smith County pursuit

LONGVIEW — Longview Independent School District distributed an early Christmas gift of more than $3.17 million in performance-based incentive pay to high-performing teachers and staff on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the funding was provided through the districts ‘Longview ISD Incentive for Teachers’ (LIFT) program, which rewards measurable performance, campus-wide achievement and specialized credentials earned during the school year.

“This is not a bonus for showing up,” Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said. “These dollars reflect results and growth. They reflect the expectation that excellence in Longview ISD will be recognized in a meaningful way.”
Continue reading Longview awards over $3M in teacher incentives

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees dismissed its police chief following a unanimous vote on Thursday evening. According to our news partner KETK, the decision to consider Police Chief Heath Guy’s termination in a closed executive session was agreed upon by both parties. No additional details were given by the school district regarding the evidence presented by both parties that led to Guy’s termination. Guy was placed on administrative leave in June due to reportedly failing to notify the district about a Texas Rangers investigation of a sexual relationship between a Winnsboro ISD employee and a student. The employee, Nicholas Gabriele, was arrested in June after allegedly admitting to the improper relationship.

VAN – Our news partners at KETK report a man wanted for burglary of a building, criminal mischief and theft in Van was arrested last week after a pursuit through Smith County. According to the Van Police Department, they received reports of a building burglary on Nov. 28. Within 24 hours of these reports, law enforcement identified Daylan Blue as a suspect and issued warrants for his arrest. On Dec. 11, Blue was spotted by Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies who attempted to stop his vehicle. Van PD said a pursuit ensued and Blue was subsequently arrested. Continue reading Burglary suspect arrested after pursuit

OVERTON — Our news partners at KETK report the Overton City Council voted Thursday night to appeal a Texas Department of Transportation demand to remove the horseshoes from Warren Street. TxDOT contacted the city in early December, stating the horseshoe markings did not meet state roadway standards and directed officials to remove them. On Thursday, city leaders instead chose to formally appeal the decision. The issue first gained attention in October when Gov. Greg Abbott announced that TxDOT had begun removing nonstandard surface markings from roadways across the state. City officials say the horseshoes represent Overton ISD’s mascot, the Mustang, and have been part of Warren Street since the early 1990s. While acknowledging TxDOT’s concerns, council members voted to challenge the order rather than remove the markings. Continue reading Overton appeals TxDOT demand

HARRISON COUNTY – Elysian Fields High School head girls basketball coach Crystal Roberts has resigned after being arrested for an alleged theft at Walmart’s Marshall location. Roberts, 44, was arrested on a property theft charge between $100 and $750. She was later released from the Harrison County Jail after posting a $700 bond the day of her arrest. Her resignation letter was effective as of Monday.

SMITH COUNTY — The man who vandalized a marble statue of Jesus at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint was sentenced Thursday to one year in state jail. Jordan Grey Clark, 36, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief at a place of worship in connection with the Sept. 7 vandalism. The statue, located outside of the church, was found with its nose and hands shattered. Deputies discovered the damage around 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 7. Surveillance footage later showed a suspect approaching the statue around 1:14 a.m. and using a hammer to break parts of the face and hands before walking south toward County Road 1299. Investigators noted the suspect was wearing gloves, which prevented them from lifting fingerprints from the statue or nearby objects.

According to our news partner KETK, an anonymous tip received days later led detectives to Clark, who lived nearby and was reportedly “acting strangely,” according to investigators. Authorities then contacted Clark’s father, who told deputies his son has schizophrenia and refuses to take medication because he believes it makes him feel uncomfortable. The father also said Clark does not own a vehicle or a smartphone, believing smartphones are possessed, and instead uses a flip phone. Continue reading Man who vandalized Jesus statue sentenced

BEN WHEELER — According to our news partner KETK, several firefighters, along with the fire chief of the Ben Wheeler Fire Department, have resigned from their positions recently. Following the resignations, the department’s Board of Directors released a statement on Thursday, stating that they are aware of the issues that led to the resignations, but they will not disclose them. The board also noted that the false claims being spread are inaccurate and have only caused drama and defamation to those who still serve the community.

The Board of Directors also addressed any financial concerns residents might have had, stating that the department is financially solvent with “more than satisfactory funds on hand.”

A new fire chief will be elected in January during the regularly scheduled elections, the board stated.