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GREGG COUNTY — A civil lawsuit against Nancy Motes convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a Kilgore Rangerette in 2016 has been postponed. According to our news partner KETK, Rangerette Director Dana Blair and her daughter Alexa are suing Motes for damages in Gregg County District Court. Motes pleaded guilty in April to two counts of aggravated kidnapping. Police were called to a robbery in progress and learned that Motes had taken Alexa Blair at gunpoint, in December 2016. Continue reading Woman Convicted of Kidnapping Rangerette Has Civil Case Postponed

TYLER — The Tyler Senior Center is preparing for their 14th annual Pre-New Year’s Eve dance. According to our news partner KETK, the community is welcome to attend the event which will be held at the Rose Garden. It starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $20. Organizers say Dr. Otis Webster, is billed as the man with the golden voice, will be providing the entertainment. The night promotes plenty of dancing and heavy appetizers.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance in the location of a man accused of theft. According to our news partner KETK, David Dwayne Melton, 53, is accused of taking between $2,500 up to $30,000 worth of property. Officials have not released what they believe has been stolen. Melton is white, around 5’8″, an weighs approximately 220 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. If you have any information that could lead to his whereabouts, contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-590-2784 or 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man is in the Gregg County Jail after being arrested over the weekend. According to our news partner KETK, Ryan Bradford, 29, is accused of stealing a vehicle in Gladewater and then leading Longview Police and DPS officers on a chase. Bradford was stopped and arrested without incident by DPS troopers at Hwy 80 and Loop 281 in Longview. He is in the Gregg County Jail on charges of evading arrest/detention with a vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and evading arrest/detention. Bradford’s bonds total $40,000. No injuries were reported.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer woman has bonded out after being arrested on charges of misapplication of fiduciary property and theft by public servant. According to our news partner KETK, Kristen Denson, 45, is a former Harmony school teacher and president of the Harmony Band Booster Club and is accused of stealing money from the booster club. The Harmony School District filed a report regarding missing funds from the band booster account. Investigators say Denson has taken $27,000 dollars from the booster account over a three year period.

GREGG COUNTY — One person has been arrested after a man was discovered dead with a gunshot wound. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a welfare concernon Pegues Rd. in Easton early on the 27th. Deputies discovered Larry Coleman deceased with an apparent gunshot wound. Deputies arrested a suspect, Nicholas Coleman at the scene. Investigators say that Nicholas is the son of Larry Coleman. Coleman is in the Gregg County jail on a charge of murder with a $500,000 bond, with a history of crime dating back to 1998.

LONGVIEW — The deadline is quickly approaching for Longview residents to subscribe to their emergency ambulance care and service program. Our news partner KETK reported Saturday that residents would pay $70 a year which covers unlimited emergency transports and coverage for all eligible household members. Last day to sign-up is Wednesday. Continue reading Deadline Approaching for Longview EMS Program

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful is providing 2 locations for Christmas tree and wreath recycling. Residents can bring non-decorated, non-flocked, natural Christmas trees and wreaths through Jan. 19. Golden Road Park is located on McDonald Rd. and Fun Forest Park is on N Forest Ave. All lights, ornaments, garland and tinsel should be removed from the Christmas trees and wreaths before drop off. Continue reading Christmas Tree Recycling to Runs through Jan. 19

TYLER — The Tyler Public Library has partnered with the American Association of University Women and League of Women Voters to host the annual Great Decisions lecture series. The 2020 series will be each Wednesday starting on Jan. 15, and is scheduled to run through March 4. The series will meet at noon in the Library auditorium. There will be political lectures on a range of topics with speakers from through out the community. The Foreign Policy Association chooses these topics every year. Patrons can also purchase a book on the issues at the Library’s information desk for $25. Continue reading Great Decisions Lecture Series

HENDERSON — A Henderson man has been reported missing. Our news partner KETK reported on Friday that Curtis Groves, was visiting family in Houston and was last seen the day after Christmas. Local authorities in Houston say Groves has schizophrenia and is not a violent individual. If you or anyone you know has any relevant information to Grove’s whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Houston Police Department’s Missing Persons Division at 832-394-1840.

TYLER — Going to an auto salvage yard is a favorite past time for many mechanics or people with a project car. On Friday, Juan Salazar the Operations Manager of Los Gringos Pic-n-Pull said on Saturday they will have an even bigger incentive: saving money. “Everything is Half Off, except for battery’s and premium tires,” Salazar said “If you want to take half a car, we will sell it to you for half off, and with 800 to 900 cars on any given day, we have all makes and models represented.” Continue reading If These Cars Could Talk

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department posted a picture of a man on Friday, wanted in connection with a theft from the local McDonald’s. Authorities say the incident occurred the Thursday before Christmas. The subject in question is a black male, pictured wearing a white baseball cap, white t-shirt and darker shorts or pants. Anyone who knows the man’s identity should contact Jacksonville Police at 903-586-2546 and reference case number 2019020402.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A video of a dog being shot multiple times was posted to social media in April. According to our news partner KETK, justice could be coming soon after a dog was tortured. Kimberly Ivonae Diaz, 18, was arrested on Christmas Eve and is in Cherokee County Jail, charged with one count of cruelty to animals and one count of possession of marijuana. Diaz is accused of committing a crime that outraged East Texas last April, posting a video of her shooting a dog and posting it on Snapchat and Instagram, which she is said to have captioned, “Ten shots and still not dead.” Continue reading Officials Arrest Teen in Shooting of Dog and Posting Video to Social Media

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office has recaptured Jace Martin Laws. Lt. Josh Tubb told KTTB on Friday, that Laws was arrested in Gladewater, early on Friday morning. Laws had a brief taste of freedom after carving out portions of the brick inside a jail wall, on Thursday afternoon. He eventually made his way to the exterior of the Gregg County Courthouse. Laws was found to have shaved his head and was wearing a black jogging suit.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal has identified a suspect wanted in connection to two structure fires in the Enchanted Lakes subdivision. Fire crews responded to reports of a fire at December 20, according to our news partner KETK. Two different homes were found to be on fire at the same time, with a suspicious third fire nearby. Both house fires were determined to have been intentionally set. Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said his office has identified Amber Leigh McGehee of Holly Lake as the named suspect on an arrest warrant for the felony charge of arson of a habitation. McGehee had been in the Wood County Jail since Christmas on unrelated charges. Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Names Arson Suspect

EAST TEXAS — Dozens of residents in Harrison County had to be evacuated after an oil field accident. Authorities reported 45 residents were evacuated from their homes following a gas well blowout that happened early on Christmas morning. The well is owned by Tanos Exploration. Mark Brandon, CEO of Tanos, said there’s no timeline as to when people could leave the hotels and return to their homes. Tanos is paying for everything regarding those displaced residents.

TYLER — Earlier this month, police Chief Gregory Sinkfield Jr. entered a plea of guilty in a hearing for tampering with a government record in the Longview court. On Thursday our news partner KETK reported the former chief, must serve 240 hours of community service and a five-year deferred adjudication sentence. The Chief was arrested in May by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Sinkfield was removed from his duties as police chief following a unanimous vote by the Cuney City Council in July. Continue reading Former Cuney Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Tampering

LONGVIEW — It’s no secret that 7 time All-Pro NFL lineman and current Washington Redskin Trent Williams is a big man. However, after his annual give back to Longview on Christmas Eve, the former Lobo may have an even bigger heart. According to our news partner KETK, Williams suprised hundreds of Longview residents including Marneitha Scott who has been out of work for a year so the gift came like a Christmas miracle. “I was sitting there talking to my Mom and was like well tomorrow’s Christmas, at least we got each other, then all of the sudden.” Continue reading Williams Gives Back to Hundreds in Longview

TYLER — The City of Tyler Housing Agency will be taking applications online for its Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list on Monday, Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government’s primary program for very low-income families to lease or purchase privately-owned rental housing. Priority will be given to applicants who live or work in Smith County, are elderly and/or disabled head of household, spouse and/or co-head individuals- ages 62 and older. Continue reading Tyler Neighborhood Services to Open Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List

TYLER — CarterBloodCare is inviting East Texans to roll up their sleeves this Saturday and help alleviate a potential blood shortage crisis. The CarterBloodmobile will be accepting donations at Bruno’s Pizza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The drive is in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks, and each donor will receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to an upcoming Mavericks game at American Airline Center in Dallas. To set up an appointment call or text 800-366-2834. Full details on the drive are available by clicking the link: http://bit.ly/mavs2019

TYLER — “Structure fire season has started,” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB on Thursday. Brooks said, “Every year we have a lot of fires resulting from combustible material that is left to close to space heaters. One of the things we encourage folks to do is make sure that space heaters are UL Listed, and that combustible items are kept at least 3 feet from a space heater at all times. Then, check the space heater to make sure that it has the Tip Feature; if they do fall over, they should shut themselves off.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Offers Winter Fire Prevention Tips

LUFKIN — A woman has died after driving in front of a train. It happened around 12:20 Wednesday morning on Southwood Drive, outside Loop 287 in Lufkin. As officers were responding to the scene, dispatch took a call from the woman’s friend, stating the woman was suicidal and wanting to kill herself by train. Union Pacific officials told officers it appeared the woman pulled onto the tracks and waited for a collision. Sherri Johns, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted for allegedly raping a then-teenage girl more than 100 times over four years. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, 54 year-old, Angelo Oneal, is charged with sexual assault of a child. The victim is now 21, and alleges that Oneal raped her at his home more than 100 times between 2011 and 2015. Oneal is a longtime boyfriend of the victim’s mom and lived next door. The victim made the report to police in May 2019. Continue reading Tyler Man Indicted- Allegedly Raping Teen 100+ Times

LANEVILLE — A fire over the weekend destroyed an East Texas church, but has not destroyed the faith of Shells Temple Church of God in Christ. According to our news partner KETK, Pastor Mitchell Battles and his congregation have not lost heart following a suspected burglary, arson and a total loss of the nearly 90 year old sanctuary and fellowship hall near Laneville. Continue reading Fire Takes Church Building but not Members Faith

TYLER — In September Green Acres Church purchased the medical debt of several thousand people in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, the church will be embracing a second round of debt forgiveness for the community. Pastor David Dykes said this was possible after partnering with a corporation that chose clients that they believed needed it the most. The total amount of money from both September and December being given is 9 million dollars. Pastor Dykes said that the news comes in the mail through yellow envelopes that appear ordinary, but he explains that the letters will mention the good news on the outside of the package.

TYLER — After a Salvation Army kettle was stolen from a Tyler Walmart in early December, a kind-hearted member of the community has sent in a donation to cover the money that was never returned. The estimated amount stolen was $400, which is what the secret Santa gifted. According to our news partner KETK, the Salvation Army is $80,000 shy of its $400,000 goal. While they are short of their goal, Core Officer, Robert Parker says they have faith in the community. The non-profit organization helps families in need.

TYLER — On Christmas Eve, the BBB want to remind East Texans that Cyber criminals don’t take time off to celebrate the holidays. In fact, it is a favorite time of year for scammers to strike, as many are ramping up their end of year giving, getting some last-minute deals with end of year sales, and gathering items for their tax returns. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you don’t fall prey to end-of-year scams. “The holiday season is a busy time of the year for different types of transactions,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB serving Central East Texas. “That makes it a prime time for all kinds of scam artist attacks.” Continue reading Avoiding End of Year Scams

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department will be stepping up DWI enforcement to stop impaired drivers as part of TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. This campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to holiday celebrations. The increased enforcement begins Tuesday and runs through Jan. 1, 2020. The Police Department will be participating in a State Grant that will provide funding to the department to increase DWI enforcement in order to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, deaths, and injuries. Continue reading Tyler Police Department Increases DWI Patrol over Holidays

LONGVIEW — Santa has had a very busy week, but he made room in his schedule to make a very special visit to CHRISTUS Good Sheperd Neonatal ICU. According to our news partner KETK, parents, patients, and siblings got to meet the jolly man in the red suit and shared cookies and hot chocolate. The goal was to spread some holiday cheer and help families to think about something other than the health crisis many are facing.