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TYLER – A Tyler man was found guilty this week of domestic violence by choking by a Smith County jury. Our news partners at KETK report that Thomas Owens Jr., 39 of Tyler, was arrested in September 2022 after officials said he became angry at his girlfriend over a fan. The verbal argument then became physical. A report from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office says Owens pushed her causing her to hit a sink. Officials said he then “got on top of her and placed his hands around her neck, cutting off her airway” before she was able to get away and call authorities. Owen’s trial began Monday and in the victim’s testimony to the jury, she described it as the scariest day of her life. His punishment will be decided by Judge Reeve Jackson, and sentencing has been set for Nov. 27. He faces up to 20 years in prison due to a prior conviction for assault family violence in Cherokee County.

OVERTON – An assault charge against Overton High School principal Jeffery Hogg has been dismissed after a motion was filed by the Rusk County District Attorney’s office. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County District Attorney signed the motion to dismiss. Hogg was arrested in September after a student and her mother reported “substantial bruising” after the mother gave consent to corporal punishment.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy ranked within the top 100 pharmacy schools in the nation to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2022. In 2022, the NIH awarded only 21% of the applications with funding. Established in 2015, the Fisch College of Pharmacy ranked among many more established pharmacy colleges with greater numbers of faculty members.“In the short time that FCOP has been in existence, these efforts demonstrate the passion and  commitment of our faculty, supported by many talented post docs and students,” said Dr. Amy
Schwartz, Fisch College of Pharmacy dean. “We look forward to the future.” Continue reading UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy ranked in top 100 institutions

PALESTINE – Our colleagues at KETK report the Palestine Police Department says a traffic stop led to the arrest of two people charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. On Oct. 11 at around 8:50 a.m., a Palestine officer conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of West Palestine Avenue. The driver was identified as William Charles Waller, 35, and the passenger as Debra Leann Alton, 33. During a search of the vehicle, the officer allegedly found: Continue reading 23.81 grams of suspected meth seized during traffic stop

TITUS COUNTY – According to our news partners at KETK, two people were arrested in Titus County on Tuesday after officials said they attempted to sell stolen materials. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators received information that Troy Blackwell, 50, and Krista Blackwell, 39, were selling suspicious material “that is unique to the oil and gas field production industry and confirmed that this latest and previous sale involved property stolen from XTO.” XTO is a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and is an oil and natural gas producer. Continue reading 2 arrested for attempting to sell stolen materials

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners Court and former Commissioners officially broke ground Wednesday October 25 on construction of a five-story parking garage that will serve the parking needs of downtown Tyler. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said, “Although years of work have already taken place regarding the new parking facility and courthouse, our celebration today represents the transition from envisioning and planning to the actual, tangible breaking of ground. I could not be more excited to see the dreams of many become reality.”
Continue reading Smith County holds groundbreaking for 5-story parking garage

TYLER — Residents of the Tyler area attended Tuesday’s metropolitan planning open house for an update on who is paying for the massive Old Jacksonville project, according to our news partner KETK. “Originally it was proposed to be 100% state funding and now there’s an update that it’s actually 80% federal funding,” said Michael Howell, metropolitan planning director. The other 20% will come from the state to fund the $113 million widening of Old Jacksonville highway from the loop to FM 2813. “We did adopt the plan as it was originally shown, but they realized it was an error that was reported to us and went ahead and made a correction on that,” said Howell. In addition to the widening, an overpass will be built on the intersection of Old Jacksonville Highway and W. Grande to improve traffic flow from each direction. Continue reading Old Jacksonville construction updates leave many worried

SMITH COUNTY — After two weeks of work locating and plugging an old “Legacy Oil Week” head, Smith County Road 2162 has been opened back up to drivers. The Railroad Commission informed the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office that it had finished work on the road near Troup, according to Smith County Emergency Operations Coordinator Brandon Moore. The Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted on October 17 after an unknown gas leak was reported. It took days for Railroad Commission workers to locate the leak, dig deep enough and plug it with cement. The Railroad Commission will be working in the area, but on private property and will not be in the way of any traffic.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Longview man federally charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is set to plead guilty as part of a plea agreement in November. Ryan Nichols, 32, has rejected previous plea deal offers from government prosecutors, and is accused of several crimes stemming from the riot ranging from civil disorder to assaulting federal officers. In a motion filed by the defense, it said “Mr. Nichols is set to plead guilty in this Court sometime around the trial date.” A plea agreement hearing has been set for Nov. 7. The government said in a previous court filing they had planned to present evidence in a trial focusing on “the defendant’s own words.” Continue reading Longview man ‘set to plead guilty’ to federal charges in Capitol riot case

SMITH COUNTY — One person was arrested in Smith County for illegal dumping after materials were found along a bridge and creek on private property. The Texas Game Wardens announced on Tuesday that a Smith County Game Warden received a call from a landowner about the dumped materials. The materials included sheetrock, housing trim and various plastic items. “Among the litter, the warden found a box with a bar code,” Texas Game Wardens said. “He used it to track down a local store where the supplies were purchased and traced it to a credit card.” Officials said the warden interviewed the owner of the card who recently did a home remodel for his family. He reportedly told the warden he paid someone familiar to the family to haul their materials and trash. “Unfortunately, the suspect kept the money and dumped the trash onto private property,” officials said. According to the Texas Game Wardens, the suspect was arrested for commercial dumping over 200 pounds, and their truck contained more building materials and trash.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank will host their 12th annual Charlie Brown Thanksgiving event at the Bergfeld park on Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, children will be handed snack bags with jelly beans, juice, pretzels and popcorn. The snack selection symbolizes those depicted in the Thanksgiving meal of the Charlie Brown classic holiday special. The cartoon special will be shown at the amphitheater and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs or seat cushions. “The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a great way for families to kick-off the holiday season,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “This event reminds East Texans about the true spirit of the Thanksgiving season and the needs of so many families impacted by hunger in our area. We are asking for donations of plastic jars of peanut butter. Peanut butter is high in protein and just one regular size jar can make 16 sandwiches for a hungry family.” Snoopy will be present and children are welcome to take photos after the movie. Children can also enter a drawing contest to win prizes.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County announced on Monday they have completed a Road Bond Project for County Roads 1125, 1140 and 1141, west of Tyler, according to our news partner KETK. The reconstruction included widening, stabilization and asphalt of overlay of almost 5 miles of road. The projects cost $1,757,194. According to county engineer Frank Davis, one section of road had needed to have increased asphalt thickness because of heavy truck traffic. These projects were a part of Phase 2 of the Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Project. Phase 1 of County Road 1125 included the reconstruction of 1.7 miles of the road from Highway 155 to Lake Placid Road completed in 2021. Phase 1 improvements to CR 1125 also included the replacement of a concrete bridge at Butler Creek.

KILGORE — On Monday, Kilgore College held a groundbreaking ceremony for the CDL Driver Training Track, classroom facility and construction of the warehouse training building. According to our news partner KETK, this will aid efforts to the major expansion to the Kilgore College Transportation Institute. The college’s partnership with the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation secured the land the track will be on and will allow for future expansion. Their goal is to become a fully equipped transportation training institute. Kilgore College also worked with the City of Kilgore in the design and approval of the project that will be constructed by RLM General Contractors.

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK Smith County has completed a Road Bond Project for County Roads 1125, 1140 and 1141, west of Tyler. This reconstruction of the roads included widening, stabilization and asphalt of overlay of almost 5 miles of road. The projects were contracted out to Texana Land & Asphalt Inc. and cost $1,757,194. According to county engineer Frank Davis, one section of road had needed to have increased asphalt thickness because of heavy truck traffic. These projects were a part of Phase 2 of the Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Project. Phase 1 of County Road 1125 included the reconstruction of 1.7 miles of the road from Highway 155 to Lake Placid Road completed in 2021. Phase 1 improvements to CR 1125 also included the replacement of a concrete bridge at Butler Creek by Stateline Construction LLC.

KILGORE – The City of Kilgore has announced that they will temporarily be switching from chloramine to free chlorine as their water disinfectant. Our news partner KETK reports that public water system customers may notice a change in the taste and smell of their water after the switch happens on Nov. 1. The change will only last for 45 to 60 days, according to a press release. This change is being made because over time “prolonged use of chloramine coupled with other factors that can affect water quality, such as high temperatures or stagnation of water, may result in the growth and/or persistence of organic matter within the pipes of the distribution system,” the city said. To learn more about the Chlorine conversion visit the City of Kilgore online. Continue reading Kilgore switching to free Chlorine in water

TEXARKANA — Three teenagers were arrested early Monday morning in Texarkana for burglary and evading arrest. According to our news partner KETK Demarkes Tucker, 17, and two 15-year-olds were arrested after a business was broken into. Officials said they responded to a call in the 4700 block of Texas Boulevard from a store owner who reported he was looking at a live feed video from the store and could see three males breaking into the business. While officers were on their way to the location, the store owner informed dispatch that the three had left. A sergeant responded to the area and patrolled the street on foot where officials said he encountered three people dressed in dark clothing at the intersection of 46th Street and Walnut Street. Continue reading Teens charged with burglary, evading arrest

SMITH COUNTY – Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. There are 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for everyone in Smith County. The Cities of Whitehouse and Overton, and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts are each holding special elections. Click here for a list of voting locations in Smith County. Click here to view a sample ballot.

TYLER – Joseph Brewer of Tyler, is a graduate student in the clinical psychology program at The University of Texas at Tyler. Brewer has also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is now receiving $5,000 as a 2023 “Help A Hero” Scholar. The scholarship comes from VFW Carl Webb Post 1799 in Tyler and Sports Clips. Brewer is a research assistant in the Enhancing Lives and Experiences of Veterans Affected by Traumatic Events or ELEVATE Research Lab at UT Tyler said, “I appreciate Sport Clips and the VFW for selecting me for the Help A Hero scholarship. It made a huge difference in my life. Everyone who donated money has helped keep my educational goals alive, and for that I am deeply appreciative of all who played a part in it.”
Continue reading VFW names UT Tyler student Help A Hero Scholar

TYLER — An employee of East Texas Lighthouse in Tyler recently won the 2023 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award from the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). According to our news partner KETK, Craig Ellis, had a 12-year career in management and owned a flooring business but in 2009 he became blind due to macular degeneration. Ellis struggled to find employment but, according to a press release, he impressed leaders at East Texas Lighthouse who created a job for him as an inventory planner. East Texas Lighthouse is a non-profit whose mission is to empower the blind. They have two divisions, a manufacturing operation and a community rehabilitation facility. According to a press release, they’re the largest employer of the blind across East Texas. Continue reading East Texas Lighthouse employee wins national award

UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb has announced that he is running for re-election in 2024. Our news partners at KETK report that he’s looking to win a third term as sheriff. Webb stated that the county jail has been made much safer due to policy changes and upgrades. He continued by saying the sheriff’s department has implemented more training, more equipment and community safety initiatives. To find polling places across East Texas, click here.

TYLER, Texas – The Kings Academy Christian School girls volleyball team won the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations state volleyball championship on Saturday in San Antonio. According to our news partner KETK, besides winning the Texas title, Ainslee, Ella, Reagan and Symie also made the Division 2 All Stars team.

TYLER – As the search for a Speaker of The House is ongoing, Congressman Nathaniel Moran says that Republicans need to find a leader to advance their priorities in their conference. Those being border security and support for Israel. With the events in the Mideast and budget crisis Moran said, “There’s a lot of bi-partisan issues that we could get to, especially as it relates to Israel right now, that we absolutely can’t take action on until we get a speaker. As I’ve said from the beginning, it doesn’t matter if you like Speaker McCarthy or not, three weeks ago was the absolute worst time to vacate and we’ve seen exactly why,” Moran said. “We knew appropriations was time sensitive at the time, we couldn’t have predicted Israel but now that we’ve had that it’s even more so that we need leadership here that can actually help the House function. We have a job to do.”
Continue reading Rep. Moran says Republicans need to lead

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that 56-year-old Michael McKenney was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for driving while intoxicated third or more. McKenney is a convicted felon and registered sex offender. He was initially arrested in March 2021 for driving while intoxicated by Smith County deputies, and his charge was enhanced to felony DWI due to his prior convictions. McKenney entered a plea of not guilty in this case, and his trial by jury started on Tuesday.

SMITH COUNTY – Early voting for the Nov. 7th constitutional and joint elections started on Monday, Oct. 23rd in Smith County. According to a release, there will be 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for everyone in Smith County. The Cities of Whitehouse and Overton, and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts are each holding special elections. Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, October 23-27; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, October 30-November 1; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, November 2-3. There will be extended hours at The Hub only on Sunday, October 29, from noon to 4 p.m.
Continue reading Early voting has started in Smith County

TYLER — On Thursday morning, the Tyler Rose Garden Center held its 90th Texas Rose Festival opening ceremony. According to our news partner KETK, Ronald Schoenbrun, the 2023 Texas Rose Festival Association President, welcomed attendees and spoke about the events coming over the next few days. This year’s queen, Laura Bryan said she is thrilled to have kicked off the weekend. “I cannot believe that it’s finally here and that we are able to celebrate the roses and celebrate the city,” said Bryan. Schoenbrun said that people come from all over to enjoy East Texas. “We get so many out-of-town people that want to participate, get to see Tyler and what Tyler is about,” said Schoenbrun. This year’s theme is the Story of Film, where duchesses will wear themed dresses based on different movies. “It will be like nothing anyone has ever seen if you’re coming from out of town, it’s going to be great so many amazing festivities throughout the week,” said Bryan. The 90th Texas Rose Festival runs through Sunday. Click here for a list of events.

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 2162 remained closed as the Texas Railroad Commission continues to work to locate an old “Legacy Oil Well” head. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was called out Tuesday, October 17, to an unidentified gas leak in the right-of-way of Smith County Road 2162, near Troup. Since then, the Texas Railroad Commission has worked to locate and identify the possible gas leak. They have dug a “massive hole” but needed to bring in bigger equipment to dig deeper to find the casing and seal it with concrete. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said, adding that the issue is not a public health concern.
Continue reading Gas leak closes part of CR 2162