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TITUS COUNTY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said they’re searching for a man considered dangerous after a chase on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Matthew Colvile allegedly led Lamar County law enforcement on a chase through Red River County and into northern Titus County before bailing out of a reportedly stolen vehicle at his residence on Titus County Road 1925, officials said. Colvile reportedly continued to flee and got into a dark colored side by side/UTV that he drove into the woods. TCSO said he rammed several police vehicles in Lamar County and is believed to be in possession of one firearm at least. As of 11:30 p.m. on Friday he was still at large and officials believe he’s still in the area of his residence.

WOODVILLE – The Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened after a Woodville Police Department officer was shot on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officer Troy Costello was shot while responding to a call about a man causing a disturbance in the 200 block of Shivers Drive around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday. Costello reportedly tried to make contact with the man driving a white pickup truck but the driver allegedly ignored him and drove away. Costello pursued him for several blocks on MLK Drive, radioed for assistance and kept pursuing him onto South Pecan Street.The pursuit reportedly stopped at the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Pecan Street, where Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the driver. Continue reading Woodville police officer shot, Hemphill man dead

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities has been notified of a man and woman who have been calling local hotels claiming they are representatives of the Tyler Water Business Office and requesting payment. The callers state the hotels have 60 gallons of water left to use and need to pay $7,500 by Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to keep their service on. They also claim their meters were changed out and to keep them, the hotel must make this payment. The caller then states they will give them a bank code to make the payment and then they will need to call back with a confirmation number. The female is using the name Amy Diaz. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities warns of scam callers

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD said that a juvenile has been taken into custody in connection to a recent social media post threatening Henderson Middle School. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that on Friday morning students reported the seeing the post which threatened to “shoot up” the school. Although administrators determined there was no imminent danger, an investigation was started by HISD and Henderson Police Department. With the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, officials discovered the person who made the threat to the school. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody for making terroristic threats and officials said there are no other threats at this time. “The safety of our students and staff remains Henderson ISD’s top priority and we are appreciative of both the students who quickly reported this threat to teachers and the Henderson Police Department for their efforts and ongoing commitment to protect the students and staff of HISD.”

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced on Thursday they now have flu vaccines available. According to our news partner KETK, they’re available at the main office located at 815 N. Broadway Avenue on the corner of North Broadway and Gentry Parkway. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the clinic is open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Those enrolled on Medicaid or CHIP insurance plans can get their vaccinations for free. Children in the Texas Vaccines for Children Program will be assessed a $10 administrative fee. The price for adults is $25 and Medicare Part B is accepted. The high dose influenza vaccine is free for those on Medicare who are aged 65 years and older. Those without Medicare must pay $70. For more information, people are asked to contact the NET Health Immunizations Department at 903-510-5604.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that the Texas 12th Court of Appeals upheld a life sentence for Jacolbe Rashad Kirby, who was was given the sentence for the death of Malcolm Hunter who was shot and killed in his Jacksonville home in 2018. Kirby was convicted in February 2022 after a three day trial, and filed his appeal a few months later.

LONGVIEW – Trevorris Rashomique Woodard, 35 of Longview, has a warrant our for his arrest by the Longview Police Department. Our news partner KETK reports that this is in connection with a 2023 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case. Woodard is listed as a 5’7″ black man who weighs about 185 pounds.

Anyone with information about Woodard is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Zacorian Deandre White, 30, will serve 7 years after a Monday sentance by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice after marijuana and oxycodone were reportedly found in his vehicle in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, White was pulled over by a DPS trooper on Dec. 18, 2022 on US 175 in Henderson County. During the stop, the trooper could reportedly smell the sent of marijuana coming from the vehicle. White then handed the trooper a joint on an ashtray along with a bag containing marijuana cigarettes. After a search was conducted, a backpack with more marijuana, a bottle that contained over 15 grams of oxycodone, a digital scale and a metal grinder were found in White’s possession.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has arrested a man and two juveniles in connection to a murder that took place in Longview back in April but are still searching for woman that was allegedly involved as well. Our news partner KETK reports that police arrested 41-year-old Andrew Thomas and booked him into the Gregg County Jail on a $500,000 and detained two juveniles Tuesday. Authorities have obtained a murder warrant for Shalonda Johnson, 41, in connection to the same crime. Police identified Johnson as a “black female, 5’5” and 190 pounds.” “If you know the current and exact location of Shalonda Johnson, submit a tip anonymously at Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867), or visit greggcountycrimestoppers.org or contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.”

SMITH COUNTY — A 34-year-old Dallas man was sentenced Friday to 60 years in prison for continuous human trafficking of minors. A Smith County jury found Korwin Jones guilty after four days of testimony, including the testimony of two victims who Jones trafficked. Jones became the target of an inter-agency investigation into human trafficking after a sting in the Dallas area. The Texas Rangers and Plano PD conducted an undercover operation that led to ties in Smith County. They notified the East Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) of a trafficker known as “BMT” who was trafficking girls under the age of 18. Smith County District Attorney’s Office investigator Chris Miller identified “BMT” as Korwin Jones, a known felon and gang member. Continue reading Convicted human smuggler sentenced

SMITH COUNTY — With this week’s rainfall, the conditions in the county are finally beginning to trend in a more favorable direction. However, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds citizens that all outdoor burning activity in the county is still prohibited. The recent precipitation in the area has helped, but it is not yet enough to overcome the drought conditions in the county. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) decreased 13 points this morning to 753. The KBDI is a metric used to measure the effects of seasonal drought on fire potential. The actual numeric value ranges from 0 (no moisture depletion) to 800 (absolutely dry conditions). Historically, the County has implemented a burn ban when the KBDI reaches the mid-600 to 700 range. Continue reading Smith County burn ban continues

OVERTON – The Overton High School principal Jeffery Darryl Hogg has been arrested on an assault charge after paddling a student left “substantial bruising”, according to an affidavit and our news partner KETK. On Wednesday, Hogg was arrested for the charge of assault causing bodily injury after an investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The affidavit stated that the student’s mother made a report to authorities on Aug. 15, one day after the incident. According to the affidavit, the mother gave the school consent to the corporal punishment of three hits “on the butt” and was present for the punishment of her child. The student allegedly told the mother and Hogg after the second hit, she did not want the last one and Hogg told her “it would be a shame to have to go to ISS when [the student] only had one lick left,” the affidavit stated. Continue reading Overton principal arrested after paddling student

HARRISON COUNTY – Three people were arrested on Wednesday at a Waskom home during a search warrant execution after “a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.” According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and our news partners at KETK, the search was a part of the joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force along with the Harrison County Emergency Response Team, sheriff’s office, Waskom police and Marshall police. Continue reading 3 arrested in drug trafficking investigation

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a 22-year-old was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle after a head-on wreck in Smith County left another man dead. The wreck happened on State Highway 155, half a mile south of Winona on Sept. 8 at 11:09 p.m. William Chaplinski of Big Sandy was reportedly driving a 2006 Nissan Titan south on 155 when he crossed the center line in an attempt to pass another vehicle. A preliminary crash report from DPS indicates that the Nissan collided head-on with a 2012 Kia Sportage driven by 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene and Chaplinski was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Continue reading Big Sandy man charged with intoxication manslaughter

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, District Judge Jerald Dean Fowler II has received a public warning by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for his DWI charge from 2022. Back on Sept. 9, 2022, Fowler was involved in a crash and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Fowler pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023 and was sentenced to one year of deferred adjudication probation. According to documents, Fowler admitted that he “drank a great deal” of alcohol along with taking two prescription sleep medications before operating his vehicle the night of the crash. The documents later state that Fowler also said he does “not recall” the accident taking place and only has “vague recollections” of the events that occurred after it. Continue reading Public warning for District judge’s DWI charge

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities has been putting together a plan for the future of the city’s water system and what needs to be done to keep water flowing with an outside engineering consultant Halff Associates, according to our news partner KETK. “Here we’ve evaluated this, we’ve put this information into a water model, we’ve predicted what it looks like in the future, where we’re going to need projects to be done,” said Kate Dietz, Director of Utilities, City of Tyler. On Wednesday, Dietz presented the findings from the study to city council members. The big topic of discussion being population growth, and how the master plan would help. “We would be able to use to look at future growth potential issues in the future as far as population demands and water demands,” said Dietz. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities looks to future of water system

TYLER – The Religion News Service reports that as rumors swirl that Pope Francis may ask for the resignation of Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland, the firebrand conservative who oversees the Diocese of Tyler in Texas said he has heard nothing from the Vatican but signaled he would not give up his post voluntarily. According to public Vatican records, Pope Francis met on Saturday with Archbishop Robert Prevost, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, among others. What the three discussed in the meeting was not made public, but a conservative-leaning website, The Pillar, has claimed the meeting touched on whether to ask for the resignation of Strickland, who has stoked controversy in recent years for everything from resistance to COVID-19 vaccines to criticizing the pope. The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests to confirm The Pillar’s account of the confab. Continue reading No forced retirement from Bishop Strickland

TYLER – The city of Tyler Wednesday approved contracts the for installing safety improvements on Shiloh Road. According to our news partner KETK, there is going to be an LED warning system on Shiloh Road at Sweetbriar Lane, going through the reverse curve between New Copeland Road and Donnybrooks Avenue. This area has had number of traffic accidents. Construction cost estimates are $61,035 with federal funds covering 90% of the cost and the city covering the other 10% through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. The project is scheduled to be let for construction in August 2024.
Continue reading Tyler approves contracts for Shiloh Road safety improvements

JACKSONVILLE — Former Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley was announced on Wednesday as the incoming Jacksonville Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court accepted Findley’s resignation on Tuesday, about two months after his appointment as fire marshal. Findley got his start in the fire service in Jacksonville, and the city said in a release that he is expected to start in mid-October. “I am incredibly honored to serve my beloved hometown as fire chief. Leading the men and women of the department forward in service to this community is a humbling assignment,” Findley said. A public welcome reception for Findley will be held on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex. Continue reading Newly resigned fire marshal announces new position

CHANDLER — After a long and heated city council meeting, the City of Chandler has made their decision to not become a sanctuary city for the unborn. According to our news partner KETK, the goal of this measure was to ultimately pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. Tuesday night’s meeting was packed with more than 20 residents taking the microphone during the public comment session. After hearing from everyone in this three-hour meeting, Chandler City Council members took up the resolution and it didn’t pass. A second and amended version of the ordinance was also introduced by one council member, but it failed to receive a second motion to be put it up for a vote. Continue reading Chandler votes against sanctuary for the unborn

LONGVIEW – The Texas Medical Board announced on Monday they had disciplined 27 physicians at their August meeting, including two Longview doctors. According to our news partners at KETK, Dr. Jorge Eduardo Massare-Rodriguez entered an agreed order on Aug. 18 that requires him to have a chaperone anytime he performs a physical examination on a female patient. He must also pass the Medical Jurisprudence Exam within one year and three attempts. “The Board found Dr. Massare-Rodriguez admitted that he examined two patient/employees outside of the clinic, did not create a medical record and failed to establish a formal physician-patient relationship,” the medical board said in a release. Continue reading 2 Longview physicians disciplined by Texas Medical Board

TYLER — An inmate in the Smith County Jail was accidentally freed instead of being taken to prison for a seven-year sentence. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said inmate Mark Tyrone Johnson was released by mistake on Jan. 5, 2022. He was supposed to have been returned to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division to complete his previous seven-year sentence for assault family/household member with a previous conviction.  After his release, a warrant was subsequently issued for Johnson for escape from custody in June 2022. Continue reading Mistakenly released inmate involved in stand-off

COFFEE CITY — The City Council of Coffee City voted to deactivate the Coffee City Police Department and terminate Chief of Police JohnJay Portillo at their meeting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the council’s meeting agenda said these were matters to be considered during their executive session of their Monday night meeting. During that executive session they have reportedly gone through with the decision to deactivate their police department and terminate the employment of Chief Portillo. “We voted to fire and terminate him as the chief of police here at coffee city, effective immediately,” said councilman, Keith Skender. This decision came after an investigation by a Houston television station detailing Portillo’s past record. Continue reading Coffee City Police Department deactivated, police chief terminated

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that three juveniles were reportedly shot in a vehicle near Lake Lamond and West Marshall Avenue on Saturday. According to Longview PD, and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the 200 block of West Cheryl Street at 11:55 p.m. to talk to three juvenile shooting victims who were shot at another location. Longview Fire EMS took the victims to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said this is an ongoing investigation and detectives are collecting information. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that one person was injured in a shooting Sunday night at the Marabella Apartments in Tyler. According to police, they responded to the scene after receiving a call about gunshots and found that one person had been taken to a local emergency room with a gunshot wound. The person was later taken to a hospital for surgery, and police said there is evidence to suggest the shooting was not random. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work the case.

HARRISON COUNTY – our news partners at KETK report that a two-vehicle crash just southeast of Marshall last week left one man dead. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, 66-year-old Larry Richardson of Elysian Fields had his 2017 Ford F-150 stopped on FM 2625 facing west at the intersection of FM 31. The Ford reportedly failed to yield the right of way at a stop intersection and hit a 2009 International Box Truck that was going north on FM 31. Richardson was pronounced dead the next morning at a Longview hospital. The driver of the box truck was not injured, authorities said.

TYLER – TxDOT road projects are continuing Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14, as crews will be working on FM 848 from SH 64 to FM 248/University Blvd. The roadway will be closed each day from 8a to 5p. It will reopen each evening. You may want to seek an alternate route during the times noted. Click here for more East Texas area roadwork information.

TYLER — The Art Alley in Tyler unveiled more than 40 brand new murals at it’s grand opening on Saturday. 48 local artists attended the free event where they got to show off their art which was also shown in photo books for sale, our news partner KETK reports. “So Tyler actually has a really beautiful budding culture of local art. People are starting to come downtown and enjoy that,” said Lindsey Froneberger, downtown specialist. “You’ll see that with our vendor markets we have throughout Tyler and downtown and also the Tyler Arts Festival each year and we’ve got a ton of art galleries in the downtown area too. So having just a walkable free outside place to come to a condensed group of murals really just helps people to come downtown and enjoy themselves.” The Art Alley’s next phase starts in 2025 and new murals will be revealed in 2026.

RAINS COUNTY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a Dallas man for crimes against children. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say that Christian Paul Castillo was arrested Friday and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Besides the Rain County SO, the Caddo Mills Police Department, Texas DPS and the State Office of Inspector General and Office of Attorney General all were involved in this investigation. The Sheriff’s Office also said the investigation is continuing and no more information will be available.