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TYLER — The son of a Tyler pastor convicted of theft against an elderly person pleaded guilty Thursday in Tyler to credit card abuse against an elderly person in connection to the same crime as his father. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County DA’s Office reports Jerome Anthony Milton, 27, was sentenced to two years’ deferred adjudication. The DA’s office said there will be a restitution hearing in February where he will be ordered to pay back the money that he was involved in stealing. Continue reading Son of Tyler pastor pleads guilty to credit card abuse against elderly person

SMITH COUNTY — A man’s sentence was reduced in Smith County on Thursday after a court reporter lost records, according to Jacob Putman, the Smith County District Attorney. According to our news partner KETK, Joel Lee Gonzales was originally sentenced to life in prison for the charge of aggravated assault against a public servant, and he later appealed. Due to the error, a new trial was required. But, instead of having a new trial Gonzales agreed to plea to 49 years in prison, said the DA’s office. In May of 2020, a Smith County deputy initiated a traffic stop in the county on Interstate 20. The deputy then asked Gonzales to exit the car. The sheriff’s office said Gonzales got a gun that was between his legs, chambered a round and drove away. He later crashed his car and ran away into the woods. Deputies located him, and he was arrested.

TYLER — Following an undercover operation dating to February 2021, three men were indicted by an East Texas grand jury and are accused of transporting two African elephant ivory tusks from an Oklahoma residence to Tyler for sale. According to our news partner KETK, David Bartlett (pictured), 46, of Dill City, Okla., was allegedly joined by two others identified as Dusty Caudill and Darryl Garcia. The tusks were valued at $350. The three have been charged with conspiracy to transport wildlife in interstate commerce, and Bartlett and Garcia were additionally charged with transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce and violating the Endangered Species Act.

WASHINGTON – White Oak ISD was awarded $500,000 to improve school safety measures, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced Thursday. The funding comes through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which were recently authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law in June. According to a news release, this targeted legislation addresses specific concerns that have led to recent mass shootings, including the need for additional mental health services and school safety resources. Continue reading Cornyn: White Oak ISD to receive $500K to improve school safety

TYLER — UT Tyler Professor of Nursing Dr. Cathy Miller presented her research on human trafficking to the World Health Organization at the United Nations in New York. According to a news release, Miller is part of a team spearheading the UN’s Global Strategic Operatives for the Eradication of Human Trafficking Initiative. “Trafficking in Persons is recognized as a global pandemic with tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of human beings being victimized every day,” said Miller as quoted in the release. She adds that most TIP victims “never receive the health care and other after-care support they need through the referrals of health care providers.” UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun comments, “We are proud of Dr. Cathy Miller and the work she is doing to shed light on human trafficking and to help improve health care on a global scale,” also as quoted in the release.

LONGVIEW — Democratic governor candidate Beto O’Rourke hosted a rally at The Exchange Locale and Marketplace in downtown Longview on Wednesday as he encouraged people to get out and vote. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “Too often, Democrats write this part of the state off, but we are not making either of those mistakes. We are showing up and with this community,” said O’Rourke. He also took the opportunity to address many concerns Texans have, including immigration. “We need a Texas-based guest worker program where we can connect those who want to come into this country to work with jobs where we would otherwise be unable to fill,” added O’Rourke. Continue reading O’Rourke campaigns in Longview

TYLER – A Grand Prairie man was indicted on Oct. 13 for intoxicated manslaughter in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, Deputy Lorenzo Bustos, 29, was killed in July after the back of his patrol unit was rear-ended on Highway 155 near CR 1237 at a moderate speed while he was standing at the back of the car. Daniel Nyabuto, 21, initially arrested for intoxication assault, has remained in jail since the day of the crash, and his bond was set at $750,000. The charge was upgraded to intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer after Bustos died in the hospital.

LONGVIEW — Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, Edwin Street between Estes Parkway and Green Street will be closed to all traffic. Officials say the closure is needed to facilitate the reconstruction of the Mobberly Avenue and High Street intersection. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. This street work is part of the Mobberly Avenue and High Street Intersection Improvements project. Click here for more information.

LONGVIEW — Court documents show a former Longview police lieutenant who was arrested by the FBI and accused of attempting to engage minors in sexual activity online has been ordered to house arrest. According to our news partner KETK, Seth Vanover was released from the Smith County Jail October 13 in the custody of a family member. Under the conditions of his release, Vanover was ordered to home incarceration, which restricts him to a 24-hour lockdown except for court approved activities. In addition to house arrest, Vanover was ordered to comply with location monitoring technology and standard sex offender conditions for release. Continue reading Former police lieutenant ordered to house arrest

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved using up to $4.5 million of its ARPA funding to build a road for a new business park, which could bring in hundreds of new jobs to Smith County. According to a county news release, Tyler Economic Development Council President/CEO Scott Martinez told the court that Smith County has missed opportunities for new manufacturing and distribution companies due to a lack of a business park that would accommodate large companies. TEDC has identified 412 acres just south of Interstate 20, west of Highway 155 and east of County Road 336. Continue reading Commissioners Court approves using ARPA funding for economic development project

TYLER — This week, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard received new pavement markings and traffic patterns between West Gentry Parkway and North Broadway Avenue as part of the 2022 Seal Coat Program. The lane configurations have been changed from two-lanes in each direction with a center turn lane to one-lane in each direction, a center turn-lane, and on-street buffered bike lanes. The changes were made to make better use of the existing pavement based on traffic volumes and to improve safety. The existing traffic volumes did not justify two travel lanes in each direction. The new pavement markings provide for buffered on-street bicycle lanes which provide residents with more options for using the roadway. Continue reading New traffic pattern, pavement markings on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

TYLER — Inflation and a turkey shortage this year could ruin dinner for many families across the country. According to the CDC, the bird flu has infected almost 48 million birds in the U.S. According to our news partner KETK, Greenberg Smoked Turkeys said they’ll have turkeys available to order up until Thanksgiving. “We sell one product and one product only. We have to make sure we have it. Last year, we placed our order in November and had everything here as early as March,” said Jake Greenberg, Assistant Manager at Greenberg Smoked Turkeys. An employee that has worked there for many seasons says it doesn’t hurt to order early. Continue reading Despite turkey shortage, Greenberg Smoked Turkeys says they will have plenty

TYLER — T.J. Austin Elementary has seen significant results through its “Amplify Program” for reading and writing, according to our news partner KETK. “We have implemented this Amplify curriculum and other things to ensure number one that teachers have a curriculum they can trust and implement with integrity, but also get the results to ensure that all students are growing throughout our campus,” said T.J. Austin Principal Josh Currie. The new program helps put students at their appropriate grade reading level which helps them prepare for their future careers. Continue reading Texas Education Commissioner visits Tyler elementary school

TYLER – On Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the right lane of I-20 westbound from mile marker 560 to mile marker 558 (east of Lindale) will be closed. Crews will be conducting cleanup in response to an accident that occurred on Tuesday morning. The Texas Department of Public Safety will also be on site to conduct the accident investigation.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying remains found in northeast Smith County in July. They say the deceased person is a black male believed to be between the ages of 40 and 55. He had two yellow/gold metal crowns, one of which is on his upper front left tooth. He was found wearing a red “Drip Too Hard” t-shirt and black pants. The sheriff’s office currently has no leads on the identity of this person or where he is from. The depiction at left is a DPS Forensic Artists rendition based on skeletal remains. If you have any information, contact Detective Joshua Decur at (903) 566-6600 or [email protected].

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office seeks your help finding 27-year-old Kendrick Bernard Bell, accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Officials say Bell is 5’7″ in height and weighs 170 pounds. Bond is set at $750,000. Authorities say Bell is wanted for questioning and is suspected of shooting a victim October 8 by firing several rounds into the victim’s car where he was seated. Bell’s vehicle has been recovered and it is unknown what he is driving now. He is to be considered armed and very dangerous. You’re asked to contact Detective Aaron Hinton with any information with at (903) 566-6600 or [email protected].

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 33 years in prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday to the murder of a 21-year-old mother of two who was killed in a 2020 shooting. Our news partner KETK reports Catalino Castillo Marin Jr., 23, was arrested in August 2020 after a Tyler shooting left 21-year-old Diamond Samantha Cruz dead and led to a manhunt for his arrest. According to court documents, a .40 caliber handgun was found lying near her body at the time of the incident “as well as spent casings and unfired rounds.” One person interviewed by investigators told them Marin came to her residence “with blood on his hands stating he and the victim…were fighting over the gun when she shot herself and stated ‘he did not mean to do it,’” according to an affidavit. Continue reading Man gets 33 years in young mother’s murder

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank will offer a new mobile pantry monthly with fresh produce and meat from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. beginning October 27 at the Mineola High School Football Stadium. “Wood County has a great need for food assistance as 15.6% of the residents are food insecure…according to the latest data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap,” said Food Bank CEO Dennis Cullinane, as quoted in a news release. The Food Bank currently has nine partner agencies that operate food pantries in Alba, Hawkins, Mineola, Quitman, and Winnsboro. There are also special programs to help seniors with a monthly box of food while children receive backpacks of food through their school. To find out more, click here and click on Find Food. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank to offer new mobile pantry in Mineola

MARSHALL – Former Marshall ISD teacher’s aide Sara Elizabeth Davis was arrested after being indicted for allegedly abusing a nonverbal autistic student at Price T. Young Fine Arts Academy. According to our news partner KETK, attorneys representing the victim and his family say video evidence showed Davis slapping the victim in the face, grabbing his sleeve and slinging him into a desk. An indictment from a Harrison County grand jury said that Davis caused bodily injury to a child under 14 by striking him in the face. Davis was arrested on Aug. 30, about three years after the alleged incident. A spokesperson for Marshall ISD said Davis’ employment was terminated days after the incident. According to a statement, school district officials say, “Marshall ISD is committed to providing a safe and secure educational environment for all of its students.”

OVERTON — Some Overton citizens are concerned after several members in their volunteer fire department resigned. Several described what’s happening as small-town politics. According to our news partner KETK, they said they just don’t want to see it get in the way of the town’s growth and potential. TJ Lewis has dedicated nearly 11 years of his life to the Overton volunteer fire department. “It’s a giving community. Of course, I got my start here at 16,” said Lewis. Sunday, he announced his resignation as former assistant chief, but he wasn’t the only one. “The chief, me as the former assistant chief, the secretary, and another fireman, they all resigned the same night which was completely unexpected. Continue reading Overton Volunteer Fire Department members resign

TYLER – A Whitehouse man was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication and 700 hours of community service on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated assault of a public servant. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Jackson Lee Davis, 26, was arrested in February after Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said in a press conference at the time that Davis had drawn a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and pointed it at two deputies. According to law enforcement, deputies responded to the scene after a call was made about shots being fired on Highway 69 where a man who was later identified as Davis was seen exiting a car holding a book in one hand with the other hidden behind his back. Continue reading Man gets probation, community service for pulling gun on deputies

TYLER — Smith County departments will be on hand at a Job Fair on Thursday, October 20. Representatives from eight departments will be onsite to meet applicants, provide more information, and take applications. The event will be held from 1-3 p.m. at The Hub on E. Ferguson in downtown Tyler. Representatives from the Human Resources Department will also be assisting interested job applicants for departments that will not be at the job fair. Click this link for all the details.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 2493 just south of Loop 323 in Tyler. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing ditch maintenance at various locations throughout Smith County. Longview maintenance will perform mill and inlay operations on FM 3053. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

LONGVIEW — Court documents show a former Longview police lieutenant who was arrested by the FBI and accused of attempting to engage minors in sexual activity online was released from jail on a conditional order. According to our news partner KETK, Seth Vanover was released from the Smith County Jail on Thursday. The specific conditions of his release were sealed by the court, but he will have a third-party custodian, according to documents. Vanover was ordered to appear in court in the middle district of Florida, where the charges are pending, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Barksdale on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m., to answer those charges. Continue reading Judge orders former Longview police lieutenant’s conditional release

HARRISON COUNTY — Harrison County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday they arrested a suspect in an aggravated assault case that involved vehicular assault, stabbing and arson near Lansing Switch and Interstate 20. According to our news partner KETK, Jeffery Wade Berry was arrested after fleeing the scene where two people were allegedly hit with a car, one person was cut with a knife and a camper was lit on fire. Officials said that after arresting Berry, EMS was able to provide medical assistance to the three victims and West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department was able to put out the flaming camper. Berry was charged with two counts of aggravated assault family violence with a deadly weapon, assault family violence causing bodily injury and arson. Two of the victims were released and one is in stable condition, according to authorities.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will be picking up bulky items for free, this Monday through Friday Oct. 17 to 21. The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful sponsor twice a year FREE bulky item collections for City of Tyler residential customers (excluding multi-family home communities and businesses) in the Fall and Spring. Bulky items to be picked up at NO CHARGE include furniture, appliances, carpet and fencing material, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No tires, liquid waste, limbs, brush or tree stumps will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter.

RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday that several people were concerned after a phone call told them they had a warrant for missing jury duty. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that they will never call you asking for warrant money and to be careful because these scammers will take your money. The Federal Trade Commission says that you can protect yourself from phishing scams by setting up security software on your computer, keeping your phone software up to date, backing up your data and enabling two-factor authentication.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall continue to investigate after three people were arrested in a gunfire incident. Police say around 10:15 p.m. Thursday, the Marshall Emergency Telecommunication Center received several calls reporting gunfire in the area of Poplar St. and Summit St. Officers arrived in the area and discovered an unoccupied white four-door vehicle with its engine running. The vehicle appeared to have been struck several times by projectiles and had a flat front passenger-side tire, according to a news release. Officers established a perimeter around the area and contacted the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office for assistance from a K-9 officer. Continue reading Marshall police seek more leads following gunfire arrests

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is now hiring detention officers. Starting pay is $43,575, and pay goes as high as $53,881, with additional money for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Benefits include health plans, paid leave plus 13 paid holidays, and advancement opportunities, according to a flyer released by the sheriff’s office. No experience is required, but you must be at least 18 years old. You can learn more and apply for a position here.