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UPDATE: Athens Public Safety said that as of 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, the gas leak has been contained and access to the previously evacuated businesses has been restored.

ATHENS – Multiple buildings and businesses have been evacuated due to a natural gas leak in Athens. According to our news partner KETK, Athens PD said, the natural gas leak is from a four-inch natural gas main on Ben Belt Drive. This has led to the evacuation of Gibson Pharmacy, a CEFCO convenience store and gas station and the Trinity Valley Community College administration building.

City officials say that Athens police and fire are on scene and are working with Atmos Energy to stop the leak. Drivers are urged to avoid the area until the leak has been fixed.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Former Payne Springs Chief of Police April Meadows was sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering and manufacturing/delivering drugs, according to our news partners at KETK. She was sentenced to two years for the money laundering charge and 15 years for the felony drug charge in a Henderson County court on Tuesday. Those sentences are set to run concurrently to one another and Meadows already has almost a year’s worth of jail credit. Meadows was arrested along with Jonathan Hutchison, a former police officer. Earlier this month, Hutchison was sentenced to 20 years in prison for manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said at the time of their arrests that search warrants served at their homes revealed controlled substances inside.

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) began replacing 8,000 water meters last week. This project was approved by the City Council in December 2023. The first phase will take one year to complete and will replace meters identified as having issues with accuracy and reliability. For the next three years, 1,650 meters will be replaced annually until all identified problem meters are switched to the new model. Water meters measure the amount of water delivered to a customer’s tap. The most recent meters in our system were installed in 2005. Over the last several years, 27 percent of the existing meters had problems accurately reading water usage, not registering consumption, and not communicating the information to the Water Business Office. Continue reading TWU replacing 8,000 water meters

TYLER (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes pleaded guilty Tuesday to a drunken driving charge in Texas, according to court records. Smith County District Court records show that Patrick Mahomes Sr., 54, pleaded guilty in Tyler to the driving while intoxicated charge. The records do not provide details of the plea, but local media report a five-year suspended sentence was agreed upon. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23. Continue reading Patrick Mahomes’ father pleads guilty to DWI charge

KILGORE – A multi-county pursuit of a stolen truck from Dallas came to an end in Kilgore on Saturday. According to the Kilgore Police Department, on Saturday officers were alerted of a pursuit that originated in Smith County of a stolen truck from Dallas that was approaching Kilgore. According to KPD multiple agencies were part of the pursuit and “asked” if KPD had access to spikes.

Our news partner KETK reports that they set spikes up in multiple locations to keep the high-speed chase from “getting into town” and to prevent the vehicle from escaping. KPD said that the vehicle hit spikes twice on 259 South and Baughman Road which slowed the vehicle down as it “continued north into the center of town.”

The police department said that officer Vance Callahan was waiting on Dudley Road when the suspect passed him and he began to pursue it while the “out-of-town squad cars had to stop and slow while spike strips were removed.”

According to KPD the stolen vehicle had multiple flat tires and was smoking when it turned and “wrecked out in the parking lot of Meadowbrook Preschool.” Officials said the suspect exited the vehicles and began to flee, but was apprehended by Callahan.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department said two East Texans were arrested on Saturday after police found drugs ready for distribution. According to our news partner KETK, a search warrant was conducted at a residence near the LoneStar Speedway off CR 2207 on Saturday morning. Investigators found methamphetamine packaged for sale, black tar heroin, Xanax and Lorazepam.

Bryan Thompson, 46 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and has been charged with possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Thompson is being held on a $85,000 bond.
Courtesy of the Kilgore Police Department

Ashley Norris, 43 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and was arrested on manufacturing or delivering of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Norris is being held on a $40,000 bond. Continue reading Black tar heroin, Xanax found in Kilgore residence

CHEROKEE SHORES – According to our news partner KETK, one person and several pets died on Monday after a structure fire in the Cherokee Shores area of Payne Springs. Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR) volunteers were reportedly alerted to the fire at around 6:53 a.m. on Monday. When crews arrived on the scene they began an interior attack and search of the home but then they had to back out because of the heat.

Three people were able to escape the blaze but according to PSFR one person and several pet animals were not able to make it out. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office.

PSFR said they were assisted at the scene by Gun Barrel City Fire, Eustace Fire, Caney City Fire, Log Cabin Fire, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office, UT Health EMS and the American Red Cross.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Two people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide that happened in Nacogdoches County last week. According to our news partner KETK, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 3400 block of Highway 7 East for a reported suicide. At the scene, they found 56-year-old Cornelius Ray Craft of Nacogdoches and 48-year-old Terry Lee Romine of Jacksonville, both deceased from apparent gunshot wounds to their heads. NCSO said Romine appeared to be the shooter based on evidence they gathered at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident and the investigation is ongoing.

“Craft was married to Romine’s ex-wife, but the motive of the shooting is unclear at this time,” NCSO said. “Evidence was collected at the scene and autopsies have been ordered for both bodies.”

UPDATE: The Winnsboro Police Department said Caviness was found safe at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

WINNSBORO — East Texas officials are asking for help in locating a missing Winnsboro man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is 75-years-old Larry Caviness. He was last seen Sunday morning. Officials said he left his home on Ebenezer Street in his blue 1996 GMC 1500 with Texas license plate AG41525.

Larry Caviness is described as being 6’1 and 180 pounds. Winnsboro Police ask if anyone has information on the whereabouts of Larry Caviness, to call them at 903-342-3620.

TYLER – Starting on Friday, August 30th through Tuesday, September 3rd, the Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program). With increased traffic in the city of Tyler and at Lake Tyler for the Labor Day weekend, these officers will be specifically watching for impaired drivers. They hope everyone has an enjoyable Labor Day Holiday. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive.

TITUS COUTNY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body of an unidentified dead person was found on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found in Titus County near the Camp County line at around 5 p.m. on Friday. No other information has been released by the sheriff’s office at this time.

The case is currently under investigation by the Titus County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER – The line was well out the door at Republic Icehouse in Tyler on early Saturday morning ahead of Senator Ted Cruz’s arrival, according to our news partner KETK. Before Cruz came on stage, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran spoke to the crowd. “When you fly to DC, I can tell you the oppression even gets stronger,” said Moran. “That’s where it’s emanating from and that’s where we need leaders like Senator Ted Cruz to liberate this country, this state.” In no surprise, Cruz addressed the southern border. “I can tell you if you haven’t seen it firsthand, as bad as you think it is, it’s worse,” said Cruz. He also mentioned the chances of Texas becoming a blue state in the future. “Every tax increasing, regulating, open border crime loving, crazy commie wants Texas,” Cruz said. “But you know what? They can’t have it.” While some have said that Kamala Harris has all the momentum right now after the Democratic National Convention, Cruz said former president Donald Trump will get back on track. “Right now, I think Kamala Harris is on a bit of a sugar high,” he added. Continue reading Ted Cruz stops in Tyler

LONGVIEW – The Longview City Council approved an updated comprehensive plan that will help guide the city long term. “Where refreshing it pretty early. Typically, most municipalities don’t usually refresh until about the 15-year mark,” said Michelle Gamboa, Longview City Council member for District 5. “We’ve accomplished so many of our goals and strategies.” According to our news partner KETK, the city started the process for an update about three years ago and created a comprehensive plan advisory committee to find out exactly what people in Longview want. “We are so grateful for community input,” said Gamboa. “Not only did we collect input though these public meetings, but we also had a survey go out.” From this they said the living document is a combination of both city planning and community input. Continue reading Longview City Council approves updated Comprehensive Plan

TYLER – The Tyler Junior College Apache Belles held their first performance of the year Friday night as well as announced leadership changes. According to our news partner KETK, the formal announcement introduced the 78th line of dancers, dance captains and the head dance captain to kick off the year on the right foot. There were a lot of hugs and tears as freshmen received the Apache Drop necklace, bonding each dancer forever.

Another announcement made was that the freshmen class will be the last to receive the necklace from 12-year director, Jasilyn Schaefer.

For sophomores it might be a bittersweet start to their last season in formation, but for Malerie Clifton it’s special as she was named head dance captain. Continue reading Apache Belles announce captains, departure of director

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, two suspects are considered armed and dangerous after a robbery at a northeast Tyler apartment building Friday afternoon, the Tyler Police Department said.

According to Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, a call came in at around 4 p.m. of an armed robbery at the Oxford Pointe Apartments on State Highway 31. Erbaugh said the victim of the robbery reported that their phone was stolen at gunpoint. “They are considered armed and dangerous,” Erbaugh said.

Currently, officers are searching for two male suspects that reportedly ran into the woods after the robbery.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Economic Development Corporation voted to approve a performance contract for a Mint Innovation biomining facility on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the proposed facility, would be a $15 million capital investment that would create 28 jobs within three years, according to LEDCO.

“Since our founding in 2016, we’ve been looking at opportunities abroad and are excited to be looking at bringing our technology to Longview, Texas. We’re proud to have the support of LEDCO to help create a more sustainable future for the Longview community by reducing e-waste and reintroducing critical metals into the local economy,” Will Barker, CEO and co-founder of Mint Innovation.

Mint Innovation “mines” for metals like gold and copper by using chemicals to extract the precious metals from natural biomass and e-waste. The New Zealand-based company is currently trying to confirm the plant’s site at 2120 East Loop 281 in Longview. In June, several residents appeared at the proposed location to protest the plant’s opening

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Jon Johnson has announced his retirement after a 35-year criminal justice career. He was first elected as justice of the peace in November 2018, and was sworn in to office on January 1, 2019. Before becoming a justice of the peace, Johnson worked for 25 years for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. District Court in Tyler until his federal retirement in 2014. During those years he served as a federal prison case manager, federal probation officer and chief federal probation officer.

Johnson has taught criminal justice courses for Tyler Junior College and Lindale Independent School District.

“Although I have held different job titles and responsibilities over the years, I have enjoyed nothing more than serving the community as justice of the peace,” Judge Johnson said in his retirement letter submitted Friday, August 23.

Johnson said he plans to retire September 30, 2024, and intends to spend more time with his wife and family.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report two men were arrested on Thursday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office conducted search warrants at Athens residences where they located a large stash of drugs and a stolen firearm. According to the sheriff’s office, at around 4:45 p.m. investigators conducted two narcotic search warrants and a manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance arrest warrant at 419 Stoneleigh Street and 421 Stoneleigh Street in Athens. Continue reading Two men arrested after officials find drugs, stolen firearm

YANTIS – According to our news partner KETK, a former Yantis ISD assistant baseball and basketball coach was sentenced to 10 years of probation and to register as a sex offender on Aug. 15. Christopher McIntosh, was arrested on Sept. 25, 2022 for online solicitation of a minor, jail records show. The arrest came after Yantis ISD received allegations and conducted their own internal investigation before turning the case over to the Yantis ISD police chief. His sentence of 10 years probation and 240 hours of community service was announced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of improper relationship between an educator and student.

McIntosh resigned from Yantis ISD on Sept. 30 of 2022.

LONGVIEW – Millions around the world are mourning the death of East Texan Joe Mack Roy, known to his fans as “Pop Watch.” According to our news partner KETK, the family of the social media sensation from Longview announced on Thursday that he passed away, at 90-years-old, to his more than 3.4 million Facebook followers.

In 2017, Roy went viral and that’s when he told KETK News it was the best thing that had happened to him. He quickly became an East Texas legend, bringing joy and laughter while supporting the people in Longview. Each video with Pop and his grandson, that now have more than seven billion views worldwide, showed his authentic self in his everyday life in East Texas.

TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz is bringing his ‘Keep Texas, Texas’ tour to Tyler on Saturday August 24 from 9:00 a.m to 10:15 a.m. He will be appearing at the Republic Icehouse, 3807 University Blvd in Tyler. Senator Cruz will speak to voters about his record in the Senate of jobs, freedom, and security. Senator Cruz will discuss his vision for the future of our state and what needs to be done to Keep Texas, Texas.

You can find free tickets for this event by clicking here.

UPDATE: A second juvenile was arrested on late Thursday evening in connection to the murder of 29-year-old Clara Deane Wilson, the Jacksonville Police Department said.

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville PD Thursday said that a juvenile was arrested in connection to the murder of Clara Deane Wilson. According to our news partner KETK, the person was arrested after an operation involving the Jacksonville Police, the Texas Rangers, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshalls office.

Officials said that the 29-year-old Wilson of Jacksonville, was found shot to death early Saturday morning near Gillespie and Georgia Avenues. The juvenile arrested was left unnamed and law enforcement said more arrests are expected in this case.

UPDATE: The Nacogdoches Police Department said that Roselyn Navaeh Smith has been found safe after she was reported missing on Thursday. Officials said they are currently in the process of bringing her back together with her family.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said they’re currently searching for a 12-year-old girl named Roselyn Navaeh Smith. According to our news partner KETK, Roselyn is described as a black girl wearing a black shirt with gold letters spelling “QUEEN”, blue jean shorts, black shoes, diamond stud earrings, a backpack, crossbody bag and a clarinet.

Officials said they were searching in the area of Tangleberry and Tanglewood Streets.

They ask anyone who has seen Roselyn Smith to call 911 immediately.

BOWIE COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a woman was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for her part in distributing a lethal amount of fentanyl disguised as oxycontin pills. Nikkie Jo Mattison, also known as Nikkie Hall, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 204 months, or 17 years, in prison in federal court on Thursday. Prosecutors said Mattison conspired with three other people to distribute fentanyl, ultimately resulting in three deaths. Continue reading Woman sentenced for distributing pills laced with fentanyl

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been charged with arson after reportedly setting his wife’s car on fire while intoxicated, according to our news partners at KETK. Smith County officials said the county’s fire marshal Chad Hogue was called to an RV park on Aug. 16 in the 8500 block of FM 14 to a vehicle on fire. When Smith County ESD2 officials arrived, they noted Justin Kennedy Hillard, 36 of Tyler, was spraying water from a garden hose on the vehicle that was on fire. The owner of the vehicle said her husband, Hillard, was intoxicated and had poured gas onto her vehicle but she was able to get out of the car before he set it on fire. “Hogue reported that damages to the car were consistent with the vehicle being set on fire after gasoline was poured onto it,” Smith County officials said. Hillard reportedly fled the scene and an arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday and he turned himself on Wednesday.