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TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of felony assault family violence according to our news partner KETK. Richard Wilson, 48, was arrested after the Smith County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic disturbance call on August 25, 2020, and prosecutors called witnesses who detailed facts surrounding the assault to the jury, according to the district attorney. “Evidence also proved Wilson’s extensive and violent criminal history, which included previous convictions for both attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,” the district attorney said. Wilson’s prior convictions increased his punishment range to 25 years to life in prison, and after deliberations the jury sentenced him to life in prison.

ARP – Arp ISD has struggled to fill bus driver seats these past few years according to our news partner KETK. The type of training is expensive and to help out, the coaches and the principal of Arp High School volunteered. “It’s kind of unique, get to interact with kids and see them in a different way and I can see them in a different light. And you can meet kids from other campuses, but it all comes down to helping whenever I can,” said Principal Mike Miller. Arp ISD hired more drivers but are still having volunteers as a backup. Henderson ISD struggled with hiring bus drivers a few years ago and when they looked at other districts, they raised their wages and now have more than enough drivers. Arp ISD said they are looking to become a training facility and pay for future bus drivers. They also hope to raise the rates.

TYLER — The cities of Tyler and Nacogdoches are among 23 other Texas cities filing a lawsuit accusing Disney DTC LLC, Hulu, LLC and Netflix Inc., of failing to pay millions of dollars in municipal franchise fees as far back as 2007. According to our news partner KETK, the lawsuit was filed in Dallas County on behalf of Abilene, Allen, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Beaumont, Carrollton, Dallas, Denton, Frisco, Fort Worth, Garland, Grand Prairie, Houston, Irving, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Nacogdoches, Pearland, Plano, Rowlett, Sugar Land, Tyler and Waco. Continue reading Two East Texas cities join million-dollar lawsuit against Disney, Hulu, Netflix

HENDERSON — The Henderson Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding Betty Rowland (Pemberton). According to our news partner KETK, Pemberton was last seen on Monday, August 1, driving a green 1998 Toyota Tacoma, the department said. According to police, Rowland may be suffering from an episode of dementia and may be in a confused state. If you have seen her or her vehicle, contact the Henderson Police Department at 903-657-3512.

WOOD COUNTY – Emergency fire evacuation has been issued for residents in the Horseshoe Bend area of Wood County. According to Texas A&M Forest service incident viewer the fire is 20 acres and 0% contained. FM 2088 east of FM 2869 is closed. Fire evacuation has commenced to anyone on the east side of Horseshoe Bend. If you know anyone in Horseshoe Bend or the area around it officials ask that you please let them know.

LONGVIEW – The Longview ISD Board of Trustees voted to install cameras in all special needs classrooms Monday, according to our news partner KETK. Previously, cameras were only in “most” classrooms, according to officials. Officials said they want the public to know the district is taking steps to add the cameras, and will have them running before the beginning of the school year. Six former district administrators, teachers and employees were indicted on abuse charges against special needs students at J.L. Everhart Elementary, however officials said the decision to add the cameras is not because of those cases. Former Principal Cassandra Renee James, former Assistant Principal Linda Kaye Brown Lister, former special education teacher Cecilia Gregg, former teacher’s aides Paula Hawkins Dixon and Cynthia Denise Talley and former teacher Priscilla Johnson were each indicted for various offenses against the students including striking, restraining and holding them down.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has purchased nearly 250 acres in Cherokee County, according to our news partner KETK. The 250 acres are bottomland hardwood forests, or “river swamps“, along with four miles of Neches River frontage at the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. “Conserving bottomland hardwood forests along Texas’ rivers is a high priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Amy Lueders, the Service’s Southwest Regional Director. The acquisition contains a mixed pine forest along the higher elevations and bottomland hardwood forest along the Neches River riparian wetlands. The goal is to benefit resident and migratory wildlife in the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. Neches River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2006 to protect wintering, nesting and migratory habitat for migratory birds of the Central Flyway and to ensure protection of the bottomland hardwoods for their diverse biological value. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the property using the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was established by Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas.

TYLER – Camp Gladiator, a bootcamp workout program with outdoor workouts across Tyler, announced they will be hosting a workout Aug. 20 open to the community to raise money for the family of fallen deputy, Lorenzo Bustos. According to our news partner KETK, the community workout will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at South Spring Baptist Church “honoring the life and service of Officer Lorenzo Bustos.” Gift cards and donations will be collected for Bustos’ wife, who is a member of Camp Gladiator, and his children with all proceeds to benefit the family. Bustos died in the line of duty after being struck by a drunk driver, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One man arrested, one law enforcement official injured, following a stand-off just outside of Jacksonville. Our news partner KETK reports, Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said deputies were serving an arrest warrant for someone who missed a trial date and located the individual in a camper. Officials said he fled to a nearby residence on CR 1516 and barricaded himself in. When officers and a SWAT team got to the house, the subject was hiding in one of the rooms. Officers entered the house moments later and a fight began while officers attempted to restrain the suspect. Continue reading Man arrested, official injured after standoff near Jacksonville

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has announced the funeral arrangements for fallen Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. According to our news partner KETK, the funeral will be held at Green Acres Baptist Church on Friday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, located at 1607 Troup Hwy in Tyler. Bustos died early Friday morning during a traffic stop when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver. He was 29 and leaves behind a wife and three children. Continue reading Funeral arrangements for Smith County Deputy announced

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Members of the Smith County community spoke at a special-called commissioners court meeting Monday about a bond proposal to build a new courthouse, according to our news partner KETK.. A vote will be called Aug. 9, according to the commissioners, to determine if the courthouse bond proposal will be added to the Nov. 8 ballot. The current Smith County Courthouse was dedicated in 1955, and was constructed to house two district courts, two justice of the peace courts, the jail and various county offices. The courthouse currently houses four district clerks, three county courts at law, the district clerk’s office, district attorney’s office, the Smith County Law Library and court staff. The proposed courthouse plans to accommodate 10 judges immediately with the ability to expand to 14 judges. It also proposes building a 300-car parking garage after purchasing the 200 Ferguson Building.

TYLER — During the month of August, the Tyler Animal Control and Shelter will be waiving adoption costs, according to our news partner KETK. The shelter is asking for a donation of 12 new towels, 12 new fleece blankets or a new dog house. The dog houses will go back to the community to help those that don’t have adequate shelter for their pets, while the towels and blankets will be used for the animals at the shelter. The usual adoption fee is $120 for dogs and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. For more information contact the Tyler Animal Shelter.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has been searching for a missing 30-year-old man out of Laporte since Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Corey Dean Williams was reportedly last seen in Gilmer at around midnight on Wednesday at a friend’s house. His car, a 1995 white Mercury Cougar, was later found off of Azalea Road near Highway 154, east of Gilmer. Williams was last known to be wearing a neon yellow shirt and blue jeans. The sheriff’s office says that he has the letter “C” tattooed on his right hand, between the thumb and index finger, and the letter “W” tattooed on his left hand, again, between the thumb and index finger. Continue reading Upshur County Sheriff investigating ‘suspicious’ disappearance of Laporte man

TYLER – Tyler Junior College has the Promise Program; which offers free tuition to East Texas students. According to our news partner KETK, TJC is partnering with UT Tyler to reach out to more students and communities in East Texas. Both schools will work together to help families by offering free tuition and make education affordable for their student in getting a degree. Promise Program student Marie Salazar said “I wanted to be part of the program because it was my saving grace, and its lifted so much weight off my shoulders”. School officials feel having more access to higher learning will create a better community.

TYLER — After the death of Smith County Sheriff’s deputy Lorenzo Bustos early Friday morning, East Texans and government officials have reached out to express their condolences. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathan Moran asked that all flags across Texas be lowered to half-staff immediately. Governor Greg Abbott responded and said, “Flags may remain at half-staff through the memorial service or upon final interment, at your discretion. Flags should return to full-staff the following day,” a letter from Abbott’s office stated. Deputy Bustos died after being struck by drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop with his training officer.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County officials set a new court date for Kimberlyn Snider, the former Neches ISD principal accused of tampering with evidence and official oppression. According to our news partner KETK, That new trial date is August 8th. Snider’s first trial, which authorities say she interfered in a child sexual assault investigation at Neches Elementary School, ended in a mistrial in March. Snider has plead not guilty to all charges.

TYLER — 29-year-old Smith County deputy Lorenzo Bustos died after being struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Smith said the deputy was with his training officer when the back of the patrol unit was rear-ended at a moderate speed while he was standing at the back of the car. The patrol car had two handcuffed individuals in the back of the unit when the wreck happened. The training officer sustained mild injuries and was treated and released. One person who was detained at the time also received minor injuries. The deputy was “launched” under the patrol unit, according to Smith, and sustained major head injuries that he succumbed to at around 6 a.m. surrounded by his family and law enforcement family. He had been with the department for about five to six months, and Smith said he was well-loved by the department. The identity of the deputy will be released later this afternoon. Daniel Nyenze Nyabuto, 21 of Grand Prairie, was arrested for driving while intoxicated and intoxication assault but Smith said there are plans to upgrade those charges to intoxication manslaughter.

MABANK – A Mabank woman, Judy Coggeshall, 60, was arrested and charged with stalking in Henderson County on July 25. According to our news partner KETK, on the evening of June 6, law enforcement received a call from Henderson County Communications advising of a disturbance at a woman’s residence. The woman informed officials that Coggeshall had been stopped in front of her house for approximately 10 minutes, recording her, yelling vulgar language, and saying, “I’m going to get you” while shaking her fist at her, according to a probable cause affidavit. The outcome of this incident was a citation to Coggeshall for disorderly conduct. Continue reading Mabank woman arrested on stalking charge

HONOLULU (AP) — Bobby Edward Fort enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1994 and retired 22 years later with a secret security clearance that allowed him to land a job in Honolulu as a defense contractor. But the real Bobby Fort was dead. The man who enlisted as Fort was held without bail Thursday on charges he stole the dead baby’s identity 35 years ago. Federal prosecutors say Walter Glenn Primrose and his wife had been fraudulently living for decades under the stolen identities of two dead Texas infants. Primrose’s lawyer says the prosecutor only provided speculation and innuendo the couple was involved in more nefarious offenses than nonviolent crimes.

 

Continue reading Invisible ink, coded papers add mystery to ID theft case

TYLER – Several East Texas cities have issued water conservation notices due to the extreme heat and drought-like conditions. According to our news partner KETK, Bullard, Canton, Edgewood, Tyler, Van, White Oak, Whitehouse and Wills Point are asking customers to voluntarily conserve water usage and limit irrigation of landscaped areas. The water comes from Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine, and officials said current lake levels are not causing concerns about the water supply at this time. However, more severe and prolonged drought conditions could strain lake levels, which staff is monitoring closely. TWU is asking customers to voluntarily limit irrigation to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8). Water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9) are asked to water on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Watering should be done between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The restrictions are not mandatory at this time.

EAST TEXAS — The USDA Waiver that gave all children access to free lunch during the pandemic has expired, according to our news partner KETK. The school districts affected will have the application for free and reduced lunch available for those students who will still need free lunch. In addition to the money provided for programs, a relief package will be given because of inflation. “The government gave us some extra cents, a high amount which brings us close to the amount we were getting in the summer with the feeding program so it’s going to be helpful definitely,” said Tyler ISD food director Victor Olivares. Other school districts who qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will continue to receive free lunch for all of their students. CEP eligibility requires the campus to have a minimum percentage of 42% households with income on government assistance. Longview ISD is a CEP campus and will continue to renew to provide food for their students. “Best for our students and parents and everyone concerned that we will continue to feed all the students free,” said Longview ISD’s Nutrition Director.

KILGORE – A former Kilgore ISD educator was arrested and is accused of sexually assaulting a minor and having an improper relationship with a student, according to the Seymour Police Department. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Nix was detained in Seymour, in West Texas, on Monday. He worked as head choir director for Kilgore High School from fall 2019 through the end of the school year in 2021, when he resigned from his position, according to Kilgore ISD. Nix was wanted on two warrants from Gregg County and bonded out from jail this week.

KILGORE — Kilgore College and The University of Texas at Tyler sign an agreement for the Longview University Center to provide the greater Longview community with what officials term a public four-year university student experience. Officials say the move continues the schools’ long history of partnership and cooperation. According to a news release, the partnership will guarantee seamless pathways to include dual credit and associate degree programs offered by KC to baccalaureate (and post- baccalaureate) degree programs offered by UT Tyler — with students having access to services from both educational institutions through a special dual admission.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a resolution granting the Tyler Police Department permission to apply for and accept (if selected) a grant for funding from the U.S. Department of Justice not to exceed $34,000. The funding would be used to purchase equipment for the police department to support crime scene investigations. The department will pursue a grant request to the DOJ under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for fiscal year of 2022-2023. The money would be used to purchase a Leica Laser Scanner and all accessories associated with forensics investigations. Continue reading City Council approves pursuit of grant funding for police department from DOJ

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court will hold a special called meeting Monday, August 1, to discuss the courthouse bond proposal for the November 8 election. “The Commissioners Court intends to review all of the Courthouse planning that has been discussed for the last 23 years,” Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said in a news release. “We will have one final discussion on how best to move forward.” The deadline to call a bond election for a new Courthouse and associated Parking Garage is August 22. “I anticipate we will take a formal vote to call a Courthouse Bond on either August 9 or August 16,” Judge Moran said in the release. “This has been a 23-year discussion in the community and over the past two years, we have held several meetings with individual stakeholders, community organizations and civic groups to move forward with the planning of a new Courthouse.” Continue reading Commissioners Court to hold special meeting for courthouse workshop

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank held a groundbreaking Wednesday on a new Tyler Resource Center and Fresh Produce Processing Center. According to a news release, it’s part of the overall strategic plan aimed at expanding programs, distributing more food, and serving more people. Officials say the resource center will include a “Healthy Food Pantry” to provide nutritious food through a client-choice distribution model. It will also help clients apply for social service benefits — and it will be located in a census tract where 34% of the population lives below the poverty line. The processing center will allow the ETFB to collect, store, repackage and distribute, fresh fruits and vegetables more efficiently, according to the release. Both facilities are due to be completed by the end of next summer.

GUN BARREL CITY – A hit-and-run left a minor dead Wednesday morning in Gun Barrel City, and police said the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time. According to our news partner KETK, police were dispatched around 2 a.m. to the scene of a “major traffic collision involving a vehicle versus pedestrian” near Stillwater Street in the south Gun Barrel Lane area where officials said the minor was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said two people identified as Casey Dylan Jeffrey, 30, and Brooke Leann South, 30, were arrested after officers located the suspect vehicle. Investigations revealed Jeffrey to be the driver, and officials said he was drunk at the time of the collision. Two Mabank Police officers also responded to the scene and aided Gun Barrel City police in the investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — On Tuesday evening, a public hearing was held in Whitehouse to consider a rezoning request. According to our news partner KETK, a company is looking to develop a 28-acre tract of land located at the corner of Hagan Road and Railroad Avenue. Residents said that this rezoning request came too quickly and shared they only want to protect their privacy and quiet country life. “With all that’s going on and the new housings that are predicted to be built, we are concerned about our water and sewage situation and the fact that the streets are very narrow,” said Margaret Higgs, a Whitehouse resident. Residents voiced their worries about a rezoning request for 28 acres of land to be turned into a gated community. Continue reading Whitehouse holds public hearing for new development

LONGVIEW — A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection to a shooting that happened on Harroun Drive in Longview on Tuesday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. Officers located and arrested Malik Thompson in the area following the shooting. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to officials. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts urges continued caution as the COVID-19 BA.5 variant continues to spread. There is an upside, though. Roberts points to minimal symptoms, such as a hoarse voice and sore throat — similar to a bad cold. And with 63 COVID patients currently in Tyler hospitals, he says that number remains in a reasonable category. Roberts continues to urge vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick, while drawing attention to the ample testing opportunities. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.