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CHEROKEE COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a court is requiring the Cherokee County Republican Party to put a candidate on the primary ballot after she was denied due to errors found in her application to run. Karen Morris applied to run on the general primary ballot on Dec. 8 for the Cherokee County Republican Chair position, currently held by Janet Stanovich.

Morris’ application was denied on Dec. 12 as the party claimed the application was incomplete because she had not listed the office she is seeking and left two sections of the petition incomplete. After learning that her application was denied, she texted a respondent asking whether she could submit a new petition to have it accepted, but the respondent did not answer.

On Dec. 15, Morris provided the party with a declaration to be a write-in candidate for the primary ballot and a completed petition to run for the position. Morris also sent a formal written demand that the respondent accept her application. Continue reading Court mandates GOP to place candidate

TYLER — A Tyler homeowner is stuck with a $5,000 repair bill after a viral TikTok “Door?Kick Challenge” left her garage door damaged by a stranger caught on camera.

Mishae Boren, a resident of Tyler, recounts a frightening experience when her daughter heard a loud bang as individuals struck the garage doors. The noise resembled thunder and caused the part of the house where her room is located to shake. When she and her husband ventured outside, the culprits had already left. In the darkness, they were unable to assess the damage, and it wasn’t until the following morning that they discovered the garage doors weren’t functioning properly. It was then that they reviewed their security footage to see what had happened.

Reports of this challenge have been circulating since 2021; the trend encourages individuals to kick and pound on doors, imitating a home invasion. Law enforcement agencies nationwide are advising against participation, highlighting the risks of injury as homeowners may defend themselves. Continue reading TikTok’s challenge leaves residents with repair bills

TYLER – A second person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting at Valley Blues Club in Tyler last month. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Jaqwaylon Ogechi Pettigrew, 20, Tyler, was charged as the result of an arrest warrant affidavit. The warrants were issued for the following offenses: Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a 2nd degree felony – $400,000 Bond, Evading Arrest or Detention, a Class A Misdemeanor – $200,000 Bond and Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair, a 3rd degree felony – $300,000 Bond. Pettigrew remains in the Smith County Jail at this time. Continue reading Second arrest in nightclub shooting

GRAND SALINE — A man was arrested Monday after officials found two dead dogs and several others emaciated on his Grand Saline property. According to our news partner KETK, Kenneth Wayne Adams was arrested and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals on Monday following an investigation in December by Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

On Dec. 13, 2025, Van Zandt County deputies responded to a report of deceased animals on a property, where they found two dead pit bull-mixed dogs chained to trees that were severely emaciated. The deputies made contact with Adams, the property owner, and requested the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigators (ACI) Unit to assist the investigation. Adams told investigators that the deceased dogs belonged to previous owners who had moved out two weeks prior. Continue reading Man arrested for animal cruelty

GILMER — Our news partners at KETK report that two juveniles were arrested after gunfire struck a Gilmer home late Monday night, sending bullets through a bedroom window, authorities said. The shooting was reported about 11:44 p.m. at a residence on Circle Drive, according to the Gilmer Police Department. Investigators said several bullets hit the home, with about three passing through a bedroom window. No injuries were reported. Police identified two juvenile suspects and a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting. Around 1:54 a.m. Wednesday, officers located the vehicle in Gilmer. The suspects attempted to drive away, but the vehicle was later stopped and the occupants ran from the scene on foot, police said. Both juveniles were arrested shortly after. Investigators determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from Longview, and a handgun was recovered.

BULLARD — More than 400 middle school students start the new semester on Wednesday at the brand-new Bullard ISD campus, sparking traffic concerns on Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, t he new middle school will house grades seventh and eighth and will be located on Highway 69 and FM 2493.

Out of caution, there will be increased police patrols in the area during the morning hours. TxDOT has reduced the speed limit to 45 in that section of Highway 69 and set up a temporary stoplight at the intersection in front of the campus.

“Just exercising caution, having patience and following all of the local traffic laws and safety precautions will help for a smooth transition,” Bullard ISD employee Amy Pawlak said. “We have systems in place and so now we are just excited to  get going and to start the spring semester.” Continue reading Traffic plan unveiled for new middle school

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man received an 8-year prison sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud, in which he was accused of acquiring over $9 million. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Jess Thrash reportedly had more than 100 victims, from whom he defrauded millions through various fraudulent activities, including schemes related to sports investments.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, Thrash used these funds for gambling, personal expenses and to repay other victims in an effort to evade detection.

On Tuesday, Thrash was sentenced to 97 months in prison and is ordered to pay in restitution $8,100,024. Continue reading Man sentenced in million dollar fraud scheme

Update: Boil water notice for the city of Gilmer has been rescinded.

GILMER — The City of Gilmer has issued a boil water notice for communities along US Highway 271 North until further notice. According to our news partner KETK, Monday, Gilmer officials issued a boil water notice due to a loss in water pressure requiring the city to make water system repairs. The notice affects residences and businesses off of US Highway 271 N on Crawford and Harvey streets.

The city encourages all residents to boil their water for two minutes prior to consumption or to purchase bottled water until further notice. Questions regarding the boil water notice may be directed to Gilmer’s public works director at 903-843-8206.

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro Independent School District named Aaron Nation as its new superintendent during a school board meeting Monday night. District officials said Nation had served as interim superintendent since September and was named the lone finalist for the position in December.

In a statement, the district congratulated Nation and expressed support for his continued leadership, “WISD congratulates Mr. Nation and looks forward to continuing the great work and positive momentum already underway across our district,” officials said.

TYLER – The National Weather Service in Shreveport has announced that its meteorologists will be holding several SKYWARN spotter trainings in East Texas soon.

“The SKYWARN presentation covers severe thunderstorm characteristics, cloud formations, identifying the different threats associated with severe storms, how to report and basic weather safety,” NWS said.

This year NWS meteorologist will be going to the following East Texas locations to conduct these SKYWARN training classes.
Continue reading NWS to hold storm spotter classes

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with a December shooting at the Valley Blues nightclub that left one person dead, according to our news partners at KETK. The shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Valley Blues Club on County Road 486. When authorities arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds: Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr., 23, and Aaron Lamar Jackson, 23. Both were taken to local hospitals with critical injuries, and Jackson later died. Authorities believe that the shooting was gang-related, claiming that rival gangs were both at the club, leading to the incident.

According to Smith County PIO Sgt. Larry Christian, Johnson has been arrested for his involvement in the shooting. He was booked into Smith County Jail on Jan. 2 on charges of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

Johnson remains in custody, and additional charges may be filed, Christian said.

TYLER – Around 10,000 Optimum internet service customers are eligible for compensation after losing service over the weekend when two aerial fiber cables were shot, according to our news partner KETK. According to Optimum, two aerial fiber lines were hit by bullets, which severed the fiber strands within. A company representative said that repairing these lines is a delicate, time-consuming task, requiring technicians to line up hundreds of tiny hair-sized fibers to join them so light and data can flow through.

Optimum’s payment, billing and service policy allows customers to call within 30 days of a 4+ hour long outage to receive a credit for their lost service.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted to investigate the shooting that left the two aerial fiber lines damaged, according to Optimum.