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NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – A Tennessee man who led Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a multi-county pursuit Tuesday morning was found with a firearm and marijuana. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, a deputy attempted to pull over a speeding 2020 Toyota at around 7:15 a.m. on US 259 near Central Heights school zone. The driver identified as 41-year-old Christopher Michael Chaney, of Ashland City, Tennessee, fled and reached speeds of 120 mph, the sheriff’s office said.

Nacogdoches Police Department officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers reportedly assisted in the pursuit as Chaney continued to flee toward Garrison on U.S. 59. Continue reading Tennessee man leads deputies on multi-county pursuit

SMITH COUNTY — Nearly a decade after her son was killed, a Tyler Mother is still looking for answers. For eight years, Mary Moore, mother of Steven Ray Smith who was killed in September of 2016, has been searching and hoping for answers. “I can’t sleep at night because I miss him,” Moore said. “It’s the worst thing that a mother can feel, like a black hole in your heart.”

According to our news partner KETK, in 2016 Aisha McGee and Steven Smith were shot to death outside of a now closed club in northwest Tyler. Tyler police officer Andy Erbaugh served as one of the responding detectives on the case. “On September 18th, 2016, at around 2:44 in the morning,” Erbaugh said. “No witnesses except for one stayed on scene and we found that two people had been shot and killed.”

He said unfortunately they still don’t have a suspect, leaving the families lost for answers. Continue reading Tyler mother seeks answers 8 years after son’s death

LINDALE – Lindale’s only newspaper, the Lindale News and Times, is coming back to the town in print and online with a new name, the Lindale News. According to our news partner KETK, the good news about the Lindale News comes after the former owner and publisher, Jim Bardwell, announced that the paper was closing down after 124 years but now its being saved thanks to a nonprofit from Irving.

Bardwell has reportedly donated the intellectual property rights to the paper to the Irving based nonprofit news organization, Rambler Texas Media. Rambler’s publisher John Starkey and the Lindale Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday and announced that Rambler will be continuing the Lindale Times’ 124 years of history.

“THE LINDALE NEWS LIVES ON! Today John Starkey stopped by our office with hot off the press newspapers. We are excited that Rambler Texas Media has come to town to help us continue to promote events, organizations, and our community.”
Lindale Chamber of Commerce Continue reading Lindale newspaper returning to print and online

TYLER – A jury found Mytrez Woolen, 25, guilty of killing Starrville Methodist Church pastor Mark McWilliams on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, after deliberating for roughly three hours, the jury returned the verdict. The trial started on Monday and both sides made their closing arguments Thursday morning. Woolen was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Woolen was accused of hiding out in the church overnight in January 2021 after running from police, then shooting the pastor, grazing his wife with a bullet and shooting another parishioner several times. He pleaded not guilty to capital murder in April 2021.

LONGVIEW — Workforce Solutions East Texas has announced the relocation of its workforce center to the Park Place Shopping Center just west of Gilmer Road, at 1905 W. Loop 281, Suite 40. The business hours will be Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Longview Workforce Center will open on October 1, 2024.

Workforce Solutions East Texas provides no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the East Texas area. The new facility is 25,712-square-feet. The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board approved entering a five-year lease term with five one-year extension options.

The current Workforce Solutions East Texas, Longview office at 209 S. Center Street will be closed from September 23 to 30, 2024, to prepare for the move. During this time, staff will serve customers virtually by calling 1-844-ETWORKS.

TYLER – Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) invites Tyler residents to bring their family and friends to help cleanup community parks during Park Service Day. This year, the event will be hosted at the Tyler Senior Center, 1915 Garden Valley Rd., on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Park Service Day is an event where each September volunteers take on beautification and restoration projects. This year’s projects includes giving the interior of the Senior Center a fresh coat of paint, updating the flower beds out front, building a retention wall at Fun Forest Park, repainting the safety signs and steps at the Fun Forest pool, and adding a mural to the restroom area.
Continue reading Keep Tyler Beautiful hosts Park Service Day

SMITH COUNTY – The arrest documents of a Tyler man who led deputies on a motorcycle chase Tuesday morning depict an aggravated robbery days before. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Charles Griffith was arrested after evading deputies and on an active warrant. Police were called to a home on Highway 271 where the caller claimed multiple men broke into her house, and Griffith pointed it at her. The other people attempted to steal her TV. The following Tuesday, authorities began pursuing Griffith while on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. An affidavit reported he even went into oncoming traffic to avoid police. After an on-foot chase, police were able to detain Griffith and find a digital scale, a medical vial, a pill bottle with three white pills inside, a water bottle, blue candy, a wallet, a pink lighter, a rubber hose and a plastic bag with 120 grams of methamphetamine in a backpack. Griffith was booked into the Smith County Jail and charged for aggravated robbery, evading arrest with a vehicle and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held on a combined bond of $1,850,000.

RUSK COUNTY, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that a recent spike in vehicle burglaries in Rusk County has forced local authorities to ask the public for help. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) received several reports of vehicles being burglarized Wednesday night just south of Henderson. Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said patrol deputies began compiling the reports for investigators in the southern part of the county, but with no further leads, they need the public’s help. The vehicle in question was described as a white Ford 4-door truck. Anyone with information is being urged to contact sheriff’s office or report via the Rusk County Crime Stoppers online tip form.

TYLER – On Wednesday, the hearing regarding more than 50 dogs that were found in terrible conditions took place in Tyler. According to our news partners KETK, the courtroom was overflowing with people and more spilling out into the hallway. They were all there in support of the animals found living in horrible conditions. Nearly 60 dogs were seized from a Smith County property belonging to the two brothers in court, Kerry and Michael Jones.

It was their first day in court after the discovery was made by law enforcement. A defense attorney asked for a delay, explaining that he and the other brother’s legal representative were just hired that day and needed time to review evidence and consult with his client. The prosecution presented no objection and the judge granted a continuance.

The almost 60 dogs will remain in the custody of the Smith County Animal Control, Nicholas Pet Haven, and Spence and White Veterinary Hospital for the time being. Continue reading Hearing for suspects of alleged dog fighting ring gets delayed

PITTSBURG, Texas – Here’s a feel good story: Tortilla the tortoise has been returned with the help of local animal control to its family in Pittsburg. Our news partners at KETK report that on Wednesday morning, officials made an announcement that they found an “unusual pet.” It took less than three hours for the owners to identify their hard-shelled family friend, and Tortilla, the African Spurred Tortoise, returned home.

OVERTON – The former Overton City Secretary and Municipal Court Clerk was arrested for using city funds for personal use by purchasing gasoline for her boat according to our news partners at KETK. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Katherine McCandless for felony theft on Sept. 16 and her bond was set at $10,000. According to the Overton Police Department, they were made aware of an unauthorized charge on their city fuel credit card on Sept. 10 and began investigating. In their investigation, police determined McCandless used the fuel card to purchase a 40 gallons of gasoline pumped into her personal recreational boat. Police said that McCandless made 20 unauthorized charges on the fuel card between June 5 and Aug. 19, totaling to $1,192.64. Rusk County Jail records indicate McCandless has posted bail.

CARTHAGE – The Carthage Police Department is trying to find answers after a man was found dead under an unoccupied tow truck, according to our news partners at KETK. Carthage PD said they were notified of a crash at 11:22 p.m. on Tuesday in the 800 block of S. Adams Street “involving an out-of-county tow truck and a passenger car.” Officers reportedly found both vehicles unoccupied, and found “the apparent tow truck driver” dead under the tow truck. The Carthage Fire Department helped work the scene and Texas DPS were contacted to help reconstruct the crash. Police are still investigating and the identity of the victim has not been released at this time.

GLADEWATER – Our news partners at KETK report the City of Gladewater said due to a water main break Wednesday morning portions of the city will not have water. Gladewater ISD officials said all students will be released early at 1 p.m. due to the S. Main Street water main break. City officials said they will provide updates as soon as they receive them on their Facebook page.

PALESTINE – According to our news partner KETK, a group of advocates for a Palestine man on death row filed a petition on Tuesday to stop his execution just 30 days before he is expected to be put to death. They argue the science used to sentence him is questionable. It’s been 21 years since Robert Roberson was convicted of murdering his two-year-old daughter Nikki. Experts who have studied or are involved with this case say she died of other causes. Nikki dealt with medical issues long before her death, including breathing apnea spells that started before the age of one.

“The death of Robert’s daughter Nikki was not a crime. It was a tragedy,” said one of Roberson’s attorneys, Gretchen Sween.

“My testimony helped convict him of murder and send him to death row, but for all the years since, I have believed that justice was not done,” one of the lead investigators on this case, Brian Wharton, said. Continue reading Palestine man, facing death penalty, files for clemency

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has died after a Monday night pedestrian car accident. According to our news partner KETK, 62-year-old Johnny Ray Johnston died about 7:50 Monday night. Police said that Johnston was walking on Alpine Road, about one block from Ed’s concrete construction, when he was hit by a Ford SUV going south. Reports said that Johnston failed to yield the right of way when he walked into the roadway where he was hit by the SUV. Johnston was taken to a hospital where died from his injuries.

CARTHAGE – A 17-year-old was arrested after allegedly trespassing on a Carthage ISD campus with an airsoft rifle on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the 17-year-old was arrested by Cathage Police and charged with making a terroristic threat, criminal trespass and public intoxication and was booked into the Panola County Jail.

Police said they got a call at before school opened Tuesday morning, that a suspicious man was seen at the Carthage High School campus. Officers responded and talked to Campbell, who is not a Carthage ISD student. Police described him as “agitated and seemed to be intoxicated.”

Campbell had a backpack containing a gas mask, a long gun and multiple magazines. Police said the rifle was determined to be a brightly colored airsoft rifle.

The case remains under investigation by city, state and federal law enforcement.

TITUS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report a 19-year-old woman is facing terroristic threat charges after allegedly making a threat against a school. The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said the FBI notified them of a potential threat made against an educational institution by a person believed to reside in the county. Investigators identified the suspect as Adriana Orona who was arrested on charges of terroristic threat, a third degree felony. Orona is being held at the Titus County Jail and is awaiting arraignment.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County deputies captured a robbery suspect after a motorcycle pursuit Tuesday morning. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a motorcyclist around 7:30 a.m. Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, 34-year-old Charles Griffith, was caught on Pearl Street. Griffith was arrested on an aggravated robbery warrant and charged with evading arrest with a vehicle and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held on a combined bond of $1,850,000 at the Smith County Jail.

CASS COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that an East Texas District Attorney’s Office has addressed recent school threats in their community. The Cass County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department addressed the recent school threats and hoaxes in the community including Sulphur Springs, Gilmer and Texarkana.

“We want to reassure the public that each of these incidents is being thoroughly investigated and we remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Cass County residents,” the Cass County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to the DA, the first incident occurred on Thursday morning when rumors of a threat to schools were being shared on social media included Snapchat. Law enforcement conducted house visits and interviews to determine if any credible threats had been made. The DA’s office said no imminent threat was identified but law enforcement agencies increased their presence in and around schools as a precaution. Continue reading East Texas DA office releases statement after school threats

TYLER – This weekend, another attempt to assassinate former president Donald Trump took place at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. East Texas congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) is now looking for answers. “I was devastated to hear about the second assassination attempt on president Trumps life,” said Moran. “This is totally unacceptable.”

According to our news partner KETK, Moran is demanding answers from those charged with protecting the former president. “What we’ve seen this summer is not in my opinion a lack of resources, it’s a lack of responsiveness and planning and logistical operations that should be in place for any protection of a person at this level,” Moran said.

The congressman acknowledged the secret service did their job in the moment but believes the safety of all political candidates must be ensured, no matter the party or platform. Continue reading Nathaniel Moran responds to Trump assassination attempt

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after a search warrant revealed he had more than 50 items of child pornography. The Texarkana Police Department said a search warrant conducted in the 4600 block of Summerhill Road on Thursday led to the arrest of Trenton Weddel for possession of child pornography. Now, the Texarkana Police Department is asking anyone who suspects their child to have been in Weddel’s apartment to contact them.

The police department said Weddel came to their attention earlier in September after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“They told us that a popular social media application had notified them that someone had used an IP address in Texarkana Texas to upload a pornographic video of a young girl,” Texarkana PD said.
Continue reading Texarkana man arrested for child porn

HENDERSON – A Henderson pharmacy has reopened after an early Monday morning armed robbery. According to our news partner KETK, Strong-Hurt Pharmacy on E Main Street was robbed around 7 a.m. Monday. Henderson PD said they have identified an unnamed suspect and they have been taken into custody. Officials also said several items from the robbery have been recovered.

SMITH COUNTY – If your not registered for vote in the Presidential Election on November 5, then you can register to vote starting Tuesday, September 17, on National Voter Registration Day.

Register to vote at the following times and locations on Tuesday in Smith County:
Texas College – The Connector, 2404 N. Grand Ave., Tyler 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tyler Junior College – Student Union, 1400 E 5th St., Tyler, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.       
Tyler Junior College – West Campus, 1530 SSW Loop 323, Tyler, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
UT Tyler, Patio at the Student Center, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.
The Smith County Elections Office, 302 E. Ferguson St. Tyler, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Ebenezer AME Church, located at 1101 W. Queen St. Tyler, will be holding an event at 6 p.m.
The East Texas Food Bank will help its members register from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The deadline to register to vote in the November 5 Presidential Election is Tuesday, October 7.

There are also answers to your frequently asked questions, at  http://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections/voter-registration

For more about National Voter Registration Day, visit https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org

LONGVIEW – Johnston-McQueen Elementary School students will be released at noon Monday and Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the school had a power outage around 8 a.m. Monday. After the power was restored, their air conditioning was still not functioning properly. School officials decided on early release Monday morning. Buses will be on campus at 11:45 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. Anyone with questions are asked to contact the school directly.

TYLER – With political campaign season in full swing, the Texas Department of Transportation advises political parties, candidates, and their supporters of where campaign signs can be placed along Texas roadways, according to a news release.

“We want to remind everyone that TxDOT has guidelines regarding placing signs in the right of way,” said Jeff Williford, public information officer for the Tyler District. “We know that a lot of signs will start showing up as we get closer to election day, but if a political sign is placed in the right of way, we are required to remove it without notice.” Continue reading TXDOT set to enforce political campaign sign laws