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LONGVIEW – Our news partners at KETK report a Longview resident won $1 million in the lottery playing a scratch-off. The winner purchased the winning $1 million Crossword ticket at CEFCO on E. End Blvd. in Marshall. They chose to remain anonymous. This was the fourth of four top prizes claimed in that game, which offers more than $152.4 million in total prizes.

FORT WORTH – Tyler ISD Head Start announced on Wednesday they are mourning one of their Head Start students who died on July 4 due to gun violence, according to a report from our news partners at KETK. “Please keep her family in your prayers during this very difficult time,” Tyler ISD Head Start said. According to reports from Dallas NBC affiliate NBC 5, Ivy Pierce, 4, and her sister Wynter Thouston, 1, were among five people shot on July 4 while in the area for a fireworks show. Both girls died of their injuries. Continue reading Tyler child killed in July 4 shooting

DIANA — According to our news partner KETK, Amy Marzano, a soon-to-be junior at New Diana High School, died on Wednesday following a medical emergency, Superintendent Marshall Moore said. Marzano was a dedicated majorette in the high school band and during practice Wednesday morning, she experienced a medical emergency that was reportedly not related to the activity.

“She was immediately transported by ambulance to Longview Regional Hospital, where the medical staff worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition,” New Diana ISD officials said. “Despite their best efforts, Amy was placed on life support and tragically passed away at 2:53 p.m.”

The district said to provide support during this difficult time, the band hall will be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for anyone wishing to speak with counselors and support staff.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a female victim with two gunshot wounds was found by Longview Police and a suspect was arrested on Wednesday, the department said. Detectives identified 21-year-old LaQualon Hale, of Longview, as a suspect and arrested him on Wednesday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence, a release said.

According to Longview PD, they were called to a shooting at around 6:20 p.m. on Monday in the 300 block of Margo Street when they found the victim. The victim, whose identity was not been released, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said the event was a domestic shooting and want to remind people that resources for those in abusive relationships are available.

“Resources available in the area include the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview, Texas at 1-800-441-5555 and the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233),” Longview PD said.

LONGVIEW – The University of Texas at Tyler broke ground on the expansion of the UT Tyler Longview University Center. The 10,144-square-foot annex will add a 65-person classroom, multipurpose lab space, nursing skills and health assessment labs, along with centralized study spaces. The new facility allows for the expansion of bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in Longview and Gregg County.

“This expansion will allow us to introduce new nursing and science programs and increase our presence in Longview, helping meet education needs and provide more support for health care services across the region.” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD.

Project completion is set for fall 2025. The first phase of road work has already been completed.

TYLER – Tyler’s newly-elected councilmember Petra Hawkins, was sworn in on Wednesday. In June, Hawkins won a runoff election to represent District Two, with 53% of the vote. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins, who was born and raised in Tyler, graduated from Tyler ISD and Tyler Junior College. She then became a nurse, first as and LVN, then as an RN. In 2022 Hawkins became a professional Texas Real Estate Agent.

Hawkins is a member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Builder’s Association and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. In addition, she is enrolled in Tyler ISD’s Community Education Specialist Training.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a man remains in critical condition after a Wednesday morning shooting at the front door of his Smith County residence, according to our news partner KETK. The sheriff’s office said at around 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to a shooting in the 20900 block of CR 4129 in northern Smith County. When officials arrived, they discovered the victim, 67-year-old Rogieys Simmons, had been shot in the upper body while standing at the front door of his residence. Continue reading Smith County man in critical condition after Wednesday shooting

AUSTIN – FEMA has reopened Disaster Recovery Centers in Henderson, Lamar, Smith and Van Zandt counties. The centers were closed temporarily after Hurricane Beryl.

The DRC locations are: In Smith County, R.B. Hubbard Center “The Hub”, on East Ferguson Street in Tyler.

East Texas Senior Living, serving Henderson County, on Highway 31 in Athens.

In Lamar County, at Chisum Elementary School in Paris, on South Church Street.

In Canton and Van Zandt County, Canton Intermediate School on West State Highway 243.
  Continue reading FEMA reopens Disaster Recovery Centers

AUSTIN – Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk and Sabine counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 26 – June 5. Eligible applicants may qualify for serious needs assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. Previously, Texans in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties were approved for assistance.

PALESTINE – A man was arrested in Palestine last week for sexual assault of a child, and is accused of assaulting the child at a local motel. According to our news partners at KETK, on June 28, authorities received a reported that a child had been assaulted at the Express Inn and Suites Motel at 1100 E. Palestine Ave. Officials said that the man was identified as Tanner Bradshaw, 34 of Omaha, Neb. after an investigation, and on July 3, a search warrant was obtained for his motel room and an arrest warrant for sexual assault of a child was issued. Bradshaw was arrested the same day, and officials said a “small amount of narcotics and other evidence” was found inside the motel room and additional charges are pending. He was booked into the Anderson County Jail where his bond was set at $850,000.

TYLER-The Tyler Fire Department is joining forces with the American Red Cross to go door-to-door on July 12, 19 and 26 to check smoke alarms, replace batteries and install free smoke alarms in homes that need them. Firefighters will concentrate on houses near Woldert Park and the Caldwell Zoo due to a recent house fire with no smoke alarms.
 
City officials encourage residents to test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. You should hear three beeps, letting you know the alarm is working. If you don’t hear anything, it’s time to change the batteries if your model needs them. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, you need to get a new alarm, because the sensor becomes less effective over time.
 
To schedule a free smoke alarm installation, call the Tyler Fire Department at (903) 535-0005.

JEFFERSON – UPDATE: Donovan Byrd, who was last seen on June 20, was reportedly found dead on Monday, according to our news partners at KETK. The Jefferson Police Department and the Marion County District Attorney’s Investigator found Byrd dead. Information is limited at this time. “The manner of his death and circumstance are still being investigated. Nothing further will be released at this time given that it is still an open investigation,” JPD said. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Byrd’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

TYLER – Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Andy Erbaugh released a report that authorities are investigating a pedestrian crash on S. Broadway Ave that occurred Tuesday afternoon. A vehicle traveling northbound on Broadway left the roadway and struck the bus stop. The female victim, identified as Sandra Abrego, 43, of Tyler, was at the bus stop when she  was struck by the vehicle. Officials say she died as a result of her injuries. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian remained on scene. This case remains under investigation.

TYLER — According to our news Partner KETK, SWEPCO released estimated restoration times as they work to restore power to East Texas cities affected by severe damage from Beryl. The electric company said as of 7 p.m., power has been restored to nearly 36,000 customers so far. You can find the SWEPCO estimated restoration times for areas impacted by the storm here. Or sign up for email or text alerts for direct updates on estimated restoration time at their home or business. To sign up, customers can visit the SWEPCO website. Continue reading SWEPCO releases estimated power restoration times

TYLER – The National Weather Service in Shreveport Monday reported a record number of tornado warnings in their storm coverage area, including East Texas. According to our new partner KETK, 67 tornado warnings were issued due to tropical storm Beryl moving up from the Texas coast.

NWS Shreveport said that the amount of tornado warnings Monday “are further proof that inland tropical impacts can also be quite extreme.”

Before Monday, the most tornado warnings in a day for the area was recorded on Dec. 27, 2015 with 36 tornado warnings.

TYLER – The 2024 BMW of Tyler Patriot Golf Classic raised $126,900 that will go toward student scholarships at the University of Texas at Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the golf tournament has been one of the university’s largest fundraising events since 1986, having raised a total of nearly $3 million.

UT Tyler President Julie Philley said in a release, “The money raised from this event will help our deserving students attain their academic goals. We are grateful to our community partners for their continued support.”

JACKSONVILLE – A man is injured after a shooting early Tuesday morning in Jacksonville. According to our colleagues at KETK, police received a call about a shooting in the 700 block of Elm Street around 6:56 a.m. where they found a man with a gunshot wound. “The Jacksonville Police Department has identified the shooter and are working diligently towards apprehending the suspect,” authorities said. Jacksonville PD, Fire and EMS responded to the scene.

EAST TEXAS — Tyler Police Department 911 phone lines are down, according to a press release early Tuesday morning. Verizon has reportedly advised they have experienced outages due to recent storms. Smith County dispatch will be answering 911calls from within the city limits.  Alt numbers are 903-939-6001 or 903-566-6600.

In Longview, police say they are experiencing issues with their non-emergency lines for Verizon and T-Mobile customers only. Those who attempt to call will hear a busy signal. Officials said those affected should consider “delaying your call if possible,” but if it is an emergency, to dial 911.The system is reportedly working properly for all other providers and landline users.
Continue reading 911 phone lines down in multiple East Texas locations

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, a 19-year-old killed in a July 4 fatal shooting in Tyler was shot with an AK-47 style rifle after his friends car made a U-turn behind Bautista Auto, an arrest affidavit showed. The affidavit describes how Rawly Sanchez, 19, and his friends had to do a U-turn when they realized Old Gladewater Highway wouldn’t take them to Montgomery Gardens. When they turned behind Bautista Auto the driver reported seeing a person in a building with an AK-47-style rifle who started shooting at them.

Rawly was hit by the rifle and his friends took him to be treated at a local hospital where he died. Around the same time a Tyler Police Department officer was driving by Bautista Auto when he saw white Ford Explorer with bullet holes in the side. When the officer came back later the Ford was gone and then Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on scene. Continue reading Tyler shooting victim shot with AK-47

TYLER – City of Tyler officials say that 10 roadways have downed powerlines or trees blocking them and people are asked to avoid these areas. According to our news partner KETK, these roads or intersections have one lane closed:

West 8th Street and South College Avenue
North Parkdale Drive and Lynn Drive
Belvedere Boulevard and Woodlawn Street
Shiloh Road and Paluxy Drive
Woodland Hills Drive and Cloverdale Drive
Woodland Hills Drive and Peggy Place
Amy Lane and Gail Lane
1903 N. Forest Ave.
320 S. Vine Ave.
421 W. Harpole St.

To contact the Streets Department to report flooded streets, potholes, sinkholes and downed trees, residents can call 903-531-1393 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also report these type of issues on the MyTyler app. In all cases, the city asks residents to watch for repair crews and to please drive accordingly.

LONGVIEW — Officials are searching for a Longview man who was reported missing on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, missing 29-year old Stoney Johnson. Longview PD describes Johnson as 5 foot 9 inches, weighs around 150 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. Johnson is thought to be driving a gray 2012 Ford Fusion with Texas license plate NNB7232. Anyone with information on Stoney Johnson’s location is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

TYLER – Due to Tropical Storm Beryl moving up from the Texas coast Monday, Tyler city officials ask residents to avoid non-essential driving and to be weather aware. If you must drive, slow down and know your surroundings. Because of storm activity, there may be downed power lines and trees. And, with the heavy rainfall, if you encounter water over the roadways, turn around. In some cases, you may find traffic signals without power. Remember, these are to be treated as four-way stops.

With power outages occurring, the city is making cooling and charging centers available at these locations: Tyler Public Library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Continue reading City of Tyler urges residents to avoid non-essential travel

LOVELADY –  Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, 31, who was sentenced to life in prison for the 2016 murder of 10-year-old Kayla Gomez in Bullard, has committed suicide, according to our news partner KETK. On July 2, Zavala-Garcia was found unresponsive at the J. Dale Wainwright state prison in Lovelady and life-saving measures were conducted. EMS was called to the scene and life-saving measures proved unsuccessful. Zavala-Garcia was declared dead at 5:43 p.m., an in custody death report shows. According to that report Zavala-Garcia’s means of death was hanging/strangulation caused by a homemade ligature.

Kayla Gomez went missing from Bullard First Assembly Church in November of 2016 and was found dead a few days later outside Zavalla’s home.

Zavalla avoided the death penalty by taking a plea deal to get life in prison without the chance of parole.

RUSK COUNTY – One person is dead after a two-car crash in in the Wright City area in Rusk County near the Smith County line according to our partners at KETK. The crash happened on Monday at State Highway 64 and FM 15. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office has shut down the road as of 2:10 p.m. while they work the scene.

TYLER – About 70,210 customers are without power in East Texas as of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the aftermath of tropical storm Beryl. Our news partner KETK has a list of East Texas counties and electric cooperatives affected. You can find the list here.

NEW BOSTON – The New Boston Police Department is searching for a suspect in connection to a shooting that left one victim dead and another in critical condition on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 300 block of N. Lindsey St. around 5:42 p.m. on Saturday. When New Boston PD officers got to the scene they found one victim who had been shot in the lower chest and back and another victim who was shot in the right shoulder and upper chest. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the other is in critical condition at a local hospital, according to a New Boston PD press release.

According to the press release, officials have already detained one person in connection to the shooting and now they’re searching for another. Continue reading Man wanted after New Boston fatal shooting