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SMITH COUNTY — Smith County’s Budget Officer, Kari Perkins, announced that she will be resigning from her position. According to our news partner KETK, Perkins published a notice on Wednesday stating that her resignation will take effect on Sept. 1. She has been serving Smith County since her appointment in 2024 and was responsible for communicating the county’s budgetary policies and operational and financial plans.

While in office, Perkins was also responsible for the distribution of the budget manual and materials to all county departments and assisting the commissioners’ court with fiscal planning, monitoring and policy analysis

During the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting next Tuesday, they will discuss plans to replace Perkins. Until a new budget officer is hired, the position will be held by the county auditor.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, Lucas Stevens, wanted for multiple felony warrants, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt across several Texas counties ended in Smith County. The pursuit began when a Texas Highway Patrol officer attempted to stop Stevens in Longview due to active felony warrants. Stevens evaded police, wrecking his vehicle after crossing a railroad track at high speed, and subsequently carjacked another vehicle.

Following the carjacking, Stevens fled through several areas, including Gladewater, Big Sandy and the Pritchett community in Upshur County. During this time, he allegedly broke into multiple homes, stealing firearms, UTV’s and killing a homeowner’s dog.

“Stevens is wanted for several felony acts, and his actions indicate that he is desperate,” the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office stated on Thursday. Continue reading Felony suspect found dead in Smith County

TYLER – Smith County Court at Law 2 has confirmed that current Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips has been sentenced to thirty days in jail, according to a report from our news partner KETK. She was first arrested in this case after a March 2023 traffic stop involving her son, Derek Phillips, and man named Cody Voss.

Phillips, 67 of Smith County, was found guilty of interfering with public duties on May 9, 2024 and was originally sentenced to 1 year of probation and 48 hours of community service. On Friday, Phillips relinquished that probation sentence, and was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail.

TYLER – According to a press release from the Tyler Police Department, on Wednesday, August 27th Tyler Police Officers responded to the Wal-Mart located on Hwy 64 W in response to a man picking up a large beverage order that was purchased with stolen credit cards.

An investigation showed that a subject, identified as Israel Arroyo, 43, from Tyler, had made multiple pick-ups from online orders at multiple different Wal-Marts in Tyler with stolen credit cards. On August 28th, Investigators recovered over $5,100 in stolen beverages from Arroyo’s residence. The total amount of theft was over $21,000.

Israel Arroyo was arrested for state felony Debit/Credit Card Abuse. He was booked into the Smith County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges could be filed.

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s office, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Smith County Investigators as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety Dive Team were on location at a privately owned pond off of County Road 42 in northwest Smith County. During their search, members of the DPS Dive Team recovered human skeletal remains in the pond.

Earlier, personal effects belonging to Courtney Martin had been located in the pond by local citizens. Courtney Martin was reported missing by her family in May of 2023. The remains were processed by Smith County Crime Scene Investigators and Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Danny Brown arrived for the inquest. Judge Brown ordered an autopsy, and the skeletal remains were taken to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas. SWIFS personnel were able to positively identify the remains as that of Courtney Martin by utilizing dental records provided by the family.

Smith County Sheriff Sgt. Larry Christian said in the press release, “Unfortunately, this is a tragic and sad end to the disappearance of Courtney Martin, however, this investigation will continue as foul play is expected.”

PANOLA COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — A man was sentenced to 55 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Earlier this year, Louisiana State Police contacted Panola County Sheriff’s Office deputies about an investigation regarding a Panola County resident involved in child pornography. On Feb. 4, Clay was arrested and booked into the Panola County Jail after a search warrant was executed on a vehicle parked outside the Panola County courthouse.

Shawn Brian Clay entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 55 years in prison on 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to Panola County Criminal District Attorney Larry Fields.Fields said Clay was sentenced to 45 years in prison on 10 counts of possession of child pornography plus 10 years in prison on one remaining count of possession of child pornography. Clay will also be required to register as a sex offender.

TYLER – Construction equipment is out and ready in Tyler’s downtown square setting the scene for the Downtown Improvement Project groundbreaking on Friday. With the good, comes the bad, concerns brought up include a lack of parking, several businesses told our news partner KETK they are happy some spaces are already set to change.

The City of Tyler said they hope this will strengthen the heart of downtown and tourism efforts for years to come. The downtown improvement project groundbreaking ceremony will kick off on the square on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

UPDATE: BIG SANDY – According to a report from our news partner KETK, Lucas Stevens, wanted for multiple felony warrants, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt across several Texas counties ended in Smith County. Continue reading UPDATE: Suspect in Smith County manhunt dies from self inflicted wound

TYLER – According to a press release from the City of Tyler, all non-essential City offices will observe the following schedule on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day.

This includes City Hall offices, the Tyler Water and Utilities Business Office, Solid waste offices and the Tyler Recycle Center, Animal Shelters, The Tyler Public Library, Tyler Pounds Airport administrative offices, and Municipal Courts.

Residential Garbage collection will also be suspended on Monday, September 1, but will resume according to the following schedule: Continue reading City of Tyler offices closed for Labor Day

HALLSVILLE – Hallsville Police is investigating an accident after a train and a car collided on Wednesday afternoon, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Hallsville police say that an accident occurred between a train and a car at the South Cypress Street railroad crossing at around 4pm. According to officials, the two people inside the car were able to exit before being hit by the train, but they were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

As of now, police said they are still investigating and working through the events of the accident.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler announced that Dr. Barbara Haas will serve as the university’s new provost. She has served as interim provost since June. Haas succeeds Dr. Amir Mirmiran who recently transitioned to a new role as the Dean of the Graduate School and Chief Research Officer. Haas earned her PhD in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin, master’s in nursing from Marquette University, and bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. You can read the school’s full press release here.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler announced that Dr. Barbara Haas will serve as the university’s new provost. She has served as interim provost since June. Haas succeeds Dr. Amir Mirmiran who recently transitioned to a new role as the Dean of the Graduate School and Chief Research Officer. Haas earned her PhD in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin, master’s in nursing from Marquette University, and bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. You can read the school’s full press release here.

SMITH COUNTY – Whitehouse ISD has officially teamed up with the University of Texas at Tyler to provide discounted tuition rates for its employees pursuing advanced degrees, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

This partnership aims to support the professional growth and lifelong learning of Whitehouse ISD staff, while also strengthening ties with higher education partners. The initiative is expected to benefit district employees by making higher education more accessible, ultimately enhancing the quality of education within the district.

Whitehouse ISD and UT Tyler held a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch this agreement on Wednesday morning.

WINNSBORO — The Winnsboro Police Department announced on Wednesday that a man was arrested following the burglary of a convenience store, three more suspects remain at large, according to our news partner KETK.

The Winnsboro Police Department said that Alex Fowler was detained as a suspect in the burglary that occurred at the Armadillo Convenience Store around 2 a.m.

The department was alerted to a business alarm. When officers arrived, several suspects were spotted wearing black with face coverings. The suspects fled from the scene. One of them was caught trying to pickup another suspect in a car. Fowler, the driver, was taken to a local jail and booked on similar warrants that were previously issued out of Parker County, Winnsboro Police said. Warrants are now being issued for Fowler’s connection with the convenience store burglary. Continue reading Suspect arrested following convenience store burglary