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TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with a December shooting at the Valley Blues nightclub that left one person dead, according to our news partners at KETK. The shooting occurred around 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 28 at the Valley Blues Club on County Road 486. When authorities arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds: Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr., 23, and Aaron Lamar Jackson, 23. Both were taken to local hospitals with critical injuries, and Jackson later died. Authorities believe that the shooting was gang-related, claiming that rival gangs were both at the club, leading to the incident.

According to Smith County PIO Sgt. Larry Christian, Johnson has been arrested for his involvement in the shooting. He was booked into Smith County Jail on Jan. 2 on charges of deadly conduct by discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.

Johnson remains in custody, and additional charges may be filed, Christian said.

TYLER – Around 10,000 Optimum internet service customers are eligible for compensation after losing service over the weekend when two aerial fiber cables were shot, according to our news partner KETK. According to Optimum, two aerial fiber lines were hit by bullets, which severed the fiber strands within. A company representative said that repairing these lines is a delicate, time-consuming task, requiring technicians to line up hundreds of tiny hair-sized fibers to join them so light and data can flow through.

Optimum’s payment, billing and service policy allows customers to call within 30 days of a 4+ hour long outage to receive a credit for their lost service.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has been contacted to investigate the shooting that left the two aerial fiber lines damaged, according to Optimum.

EAST TEXAS – A dry week marked by high winds has placed several East Texas counties under burn bans or facing elevated fire danger, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning, according to our news partner KETK. See below for list of these areas.

OFFICIAL BURN BAN: – Anderson County, Panola County, Harrison County, Shelby County, Rusk County, Bowie County, city of Sulphur Springs, city of New Boston and Marion County.
ELEVATED FIRE RISK: – Angelina County, Houston County, Polk County, Smith County, Titus County and Upshur County.

Even in counties without an active burn ban or advisory, residents are urged to stop all burning until dry conditions subside.

WASKOM – A week after a fatal house fire killed Waskom ISD students, Isaac and Hector Pedraza, the district announced it will be holding a prayer walk in honor of both students and their family.

The prayer walk will be held on Tuesday morning, starting at 7:30 a.m. outside of Waskom High School. All parents, community members and students are invited to join the walk as it will be a time for reflection, unity and comfort.

The district announced earlier this month that the tragic loss will delay the start of the second semester by a day, allowing students and teachers to attend the funeral services for Hector and Isaac, scheduled for Wednesday. Once school resumes on Thursday, counseling and support services will continue to be available for students and staff. Families are encouraged to reach out to the school district for additional support if needed.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County property taxes are not due until later this month, but Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is urging taxpayers to plan ahead because recent changes by the U.S. Postal Service could affect whether mailed payments are considered on time. The deadline to pay property taxes without penalty is Jan. 31.

Barber said the easiest and fastest way to pay is online by scanning the QR code on the tax statement or visiting the county’s public tax website. Payments can be made using a debit or credit card or by electronic check. “If you want to skip the long lines at the Tax Office, I highly recommend you pay online,” Barber said.

Taxpayers may also pay in person, use the Tax Office drop box outside the Cotton Belt Building, or mail their payments. However, Barber warned that changes to how postmarks are determined could result in late payments. In the past, postmarks reflected the date mail was dropped off at a mailbox or post office. Continue reading Property tax deadline approaching

RUSK – East Texans gathered together on Saturday to continue the search for James David Blount, a Rusk man who went missing over a month ago on Dec. 2. Blount is a 57-year-old white man who’s around 5’09”, weighs about 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. His vehicle was found abandoned on Highway 84 West at the Neches River near the Cherokee and Anderson County line.

According to our news partner KETK, more than 40 community members gathered together to search for the second weekend in a row on Saturday morning. Searchers combed the woods on horseback and with ATVs in hopes that they’d find any evidence related to Blount’s disappearance. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who provides information that leads to the location of Blount. Anyone with information about Blount is asked to call 911 or the Rusk Police Department at 903-683-2677.

BULLARD – A Bullard man arrested for child grooming in 2024 has been sentenced to serve six years on probation. According to our news partner KETK, Randy Lloyd Smith, 48 of Bullard, was arrested by the Bullard Police Department on Aug. 28, 2024 after officers helped the Smith County Sheriff’s Office find a runaway at his home in Bullard on July 25 of that year, according to Smith’s arrest affidavit.

The arrest document described how officers found four minors at the home, including the runaway. The runaway minor was interviewed by law enforcement and said that, after they left their parent’s home, an unnamed person had picked them up to go to Smith’s house. An investigator interviewed another one of the minors found at Smith’s home. That minor said Smith was touching one of the other minors inappropriately and that he had bought them all alcohol, vapes and a sex toy. Continue reading Six years probation for child grooming

TYLER — After several days of no rain and high winds, several East Texas counties are now under burn bans or facing elevated fire danger, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid any outdoor burning. The list shared from our news partner KETK has burn bans issued for these counties: Harrison ,Panola, Shelby, Rusk, Bowie, Marion and the City of Sulphur Springs. Elevated fire risk is in force for Anderson, Angelina, Houston, Polk, Smith, Titus and Upshur counties.

LONGVIEW – The Texas Lottery has announced that a $2 million Powerball lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Longview. The Mr. Kwik on South High Street sold a ticket that hit five of five lottery numbers from Saturday’s drawing but not the Powerball number. The ticket was sold with the Power Play option, rewarding it’s buyer with a $2 million prize.

TYLER – The interim Smith County Democratic Party chair spoke to KETK News on Saturday about the United States military’s capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Cam Ray said the move to capture Maduro is a violation of the pro-peace platform that Trump ran on in his last presidential campaign.

“I don’t feel like he’s promoting that peace at all. That’s what he said he was going to come in and do,” Ray said. “He was going to end the war with Ukraine on day one, that hasn’t happened. Things are continuing there and in several different countries. Rumors of the attacks in Nigeria, these are not the actions of a peaceful president.”

Ray continued by comparing the United States capture of Maduro and strikes against Venezuela to the American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Continue reading Local Democrats react to Maduro

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Police Department is currently searching for a man who allegedly robbed a gas station at gunpoint on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officials say a Black male wearing all black clothing entered the gas station on North Jackson Street near Tacos el Chicharito. Investigators said the robber demanded money from a woman working as a cashier at the gas station. The man took an unreleased amount of cash and left the gas station.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that one person was hospitalized after a shooting that happened on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD officers responded to the shooting scene at around 7:41 p.m. near the intersection of Eighth Street and Rose Street. After they arrived, the responding officers found one person had been shot. The shooting victim was then taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said their investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

WASHINGTON — The United States has apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a swift military operation early Saturday morning. President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will oversee the Latin American nation until a transition occurs, that according to our news partner KETK. During this interim period, the U.S. will also take charge of Venezuela’s oil production.

Trump stated that some of the largest American oil companies will invest billions of dollars to repair “the badly broken infrastructure” and generate revenue for the country. This development follows months of escalating tensions between the two nations, along with U.S. officials’ threats against Maduro, who has been accused of leading a drug cartel and labeled an “illegitimate leader.”

Since the early morning attack, numerous representatives from East Texas have expressed their opinions on the situation.
Continue reading ETX GOP praise Moduro capture

SMITH COUNTY — A candidate who was previously disqualified from the Smith County Clerk race announced she will now run as a write-in candidate after several errors were found during the review of required signatures. According to our news partner KETK, Terry Morrow was set to run against the incumbent Karen Phillips in the Smith County Republican Party Primary election on March 3. A review of Morrow’s required signatures found that there were significant errors, including missing printed names, incorrect dates of birth and a missing or incomplete affidavit of circulator statement of intent.

Because of the errors discovered, 139 signatures were declared invalid, leaving Morrow short of the required 500 to run. Morrow was later declared ineligible and she was not certified to be on the ballot, leaving Karen Phillips to run unopposed. Morrow declared on Thursday that she would run as a write-in candidate for the Nov. 3 general election.

Voting for a write-in candidate allows voters to manually enter a candidate’s name on the ballot instead of selecting one of the listed candidates. Registered voters in Smith County will have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate on Nov. 3.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police Department said that three vehicles crashed in the intersection of East Hawkins Parkway and North Eastman Road at around 11:40 a.m on Friday. and blocked traffic through part of the intersection for around an hour. The three people injured were then taken to the hospital to be treated, according to Longview Fire Department. Longview first responders have cleared the scene.

WHITE OAK — Our news partners at KETK report a White Oak man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of his mother. According to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Wednesday to a reported homicide in the area of Jamerison Road, where they found 58-year-old Penny Renee Keys outside her residence with multiple stab wounds. Keys was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Gregg County investigators processed the scene and obtained evidence identifying the victim’s son, Zachary Keys, as the suspect. An arrest warrant for murder was issued and Zachary Keys and his vehicle were later located in Panola County. Panola County deputies took him into custody without incident. Zachary currently remains in the Panola County Jail on a $1 million bond.

UPDATE: One person was severely injured in a multi-18-wheeler crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment, Texas DPS Sergeant Adam Albritton confirms. Debris and sheetrock are currently being cleaned off the roads, which may delay traffic for one or two more hours. The Texas Department of Transportation is assisting in diverting traffic and suggests drivers avoid the area until the roadway and traffic has cleared.

KILGORE — Traffic has come to a standstill on Interstate 20 north of Kilgore due to a multi-18-wheeler crash that occurred on Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occurred at around 9:30 a.m. between State Highway 42 and State Highway 31, resulting in at least one person is in the hospital. Traffic is being redirected to the SH 42 exit.

The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said that the closure affects the area near mile marker 587, with significant traffic congestion on the interstate. Officials indicate that the road will remain closed until further notice because of extensive debris. Authorities have stated that one of the involved 18-wheelers lost its load of sheetrock, which is now spread across the roadway.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is being assisted by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, the Sabine County Fire Department and CHRISTUS EMS.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Angelina County deputies arrested a man early Thursday after a woman was shot in the neck during a New Year’s party outside of Diboll, authorities said. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded around 2 a.m. to 1100 Ryan Chapel Road following reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a female victim with a gunshot wound to the neck.

Authorities also found 25-year-old Kiander Chatman at the scene with blood on his shirt and hands. Deputies said Chatman had been firing a .223-caliber AR-15-style pistol in celebration during the party. The weapon, an Alpha Maxx 556, was recovered from Chatman’s vehicle.

Deputies said Chatman initially gave false information about the incident but later admitted that after shooting into the woods, he brought the gun to the porch and pulled the charging handle to “clear it,” causing the weapon to discharge. Continue reading Woman shot during New Year’s party

HARRISON COUNTY — Due to extremely dry conditions, Harrison County officials declared a seven-day burn ban on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, outdoor burning and fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of the county. According to Harrison County, cities may or may not order a burn ban.

Violations of the ban will be considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

The order follows a period of unseasonably dry and windy weather, which increases the start and spread of wildfires.

WHITE OAK — The identity of a man suspected of killing a family member has been confirmed by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Zachary Ryan Keys is suspected of killing a family member in White Oak on New Year’s Eve.

Gregg County deputies found the victim’s body after responding to a call for help on the north side of White Oak. Keys was arrested on a charge of murder and is currently in the Panola County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Additional details were not available.

SMITH COUNTY — Due to high winds and dry conditions, Smith County ESD 2 is seeing a high volume of wildland and grass fires today.

According to our news partner KETK and ESD 2 Fire Chief Eric Greaser, they have received roughly 40 calls Thursday regarding wildfires, some of which are threatening structures. Greaser said most fires have been three to five acres; however, one reached about 30 acres. Greaser believes dry fuels, low humidity and high wind conditions are causing the uptick in fires. Greaser also stated that most of the calls they have received regarding wildfires are in the southern part of Smith County, impacting areas including Whitehouse, Bullard, and Flint.

While Smith County is currently not under a burn ban, Greaser is asking residents to refrain from burning brush piles and be cautious while grilling due to the high volume of fires. Greaser also advised against discarding cigars or similar products in the grass and miscellaneous burning.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Two alleged heroin dealers were arrested following a New Year’s Eve traffic stop in Henderson County that led deputies to suspected meth, heroin and drug paraphernalia.

According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle about 5:45 p.m. in the 600 block of Peach Tree Road in the Mabank area. A deputy identified the driver and passenger as Karin Elizabeth Beamon, 47, and Amanda Grace Hayes, 46. Additional deputies and a K-9 unit were called to the scene to conduct an open-air sniff. The K-9 alerted on the vehicle, and deputies searched the car where they found suspected methamphetamine in a plastic bag, a used glass pipe and other drug paraphernalia.

During the investigation, deputies learned the women were allegedly planning to travel to Dallas to purchase heroin and bring it back to Henderson County. Hayes also admitted to concealing a plastic bag containing a large amount of heroin on her person, according to deputies. Continue reading Deputies bust alleged heroin dealers

WHITE OAK — Authorities are investigating a fatality in the northern part of White Oak, according to Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Gregg County Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said deputies were working a fatality case in the area and confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody. According to our news partner KETK, No additional details about the victim, the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the incident were immediately released. The investigation is ongoing.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police made two arrests in connection to a shooting that occurred overnight on Wednesday. According to our news partners KETK, officers were dispatched around 2 a.m. to reports of gunshots in area of Circle Drive and Cross Street. When officers and Harrison County deputies arrived they found a male gunshot victim with wounds to both leg. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Investigators booked 18-year-old Cedric Wrighten, Jr., on charges of deadly conduct and possession of a controlled substance. A minor was also taken into custody on charges of resisting arrest and resisting search or transport. The shooter’s identity is still under investigation.

Detectives ask anyone who may have surveillance footage or other information to contact the Marshall Police Department.

ATHENS — A Henderson County Sheriff’s Departments search allegedly found methamphetamine in an Athens residence Tuesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, 54-year-old Johnny Angel Sieger was arrested after investigators found pre-packed bags with suspected methamphetamine and scales commonly used in narcotics distribution. Sieger is charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and is currently being held on a $75,000 bond in Henderson County Jail.

TYLER — Colten Parsell has been named the new Smith County Animal Control Supervisor.

“I wanted this role because animal control is a direct service to the community. It should be about helping people, protecting our animals and supporting the officers who are out there doing difficult work every day,” he said. “I hope to help strengthen how we serve the community by making sure our officers are supported, our approach is consistent, and our focus stays on safety, education and responsible animal ownership.”

Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said Parsell has a vast amount of experience in personnel management.

“I was extremely impressed by his communication skills and his attention to details,” he said. “He has developed a program from scratch in his most recent position, and he shares our excitement in leading our quality animal control officers.” Continue reading Smith County hires Animal Control Supervisor

UPSHUR COUNTY — Fire crews from multiple departments battled a wildfire near Lake O’ the Pines and U.S. Highway 259 on Monday afternoon that lingered into Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, New Mountain, Ore City and Ewell Fire Departments were called to the scene, along with two dozers from the Texas A&M Forest Service. Upon arrival, crews found an active fire burning in a swampy area near the lake.

The New Mountain Fire and Rescue said that crews were able to stop the fire from spreading with the wind but part of the fire was surrounded by water and would continue to burn overnight.

A crew from the New Mountain Fire Department returned to the scene Tuesday as they predicted it would burn overnight within containment lines. The crew spent the morning mopping up the area that previously burned. Continue reading Abandoned campfire sparks 38-acre wildfire

TATUM — The second wanted suspect in the Tatum Police Department’s investigation of a series of June car burglaries has turned himself in.

According to our news partner and Tatum police, Cecil Deon Ruffin surrendered to the department on Dec. 8. He currently remains in Rusk County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Ruffin was one of three wanted suspects in the case, which involved multiple car burglaries across Tatum. The investigation began in June when authorities identified seven car burglary cases, six at Tatum Baseball Park and one elsewhere within city limits. Police determined the incidents were linked to organized criminal activity.

On July 2, another theft was reported when a woman allegedly drove through a Vera Bank in Lufkin and withdrew several thousand dollars from a victim’s account.

Authorities later identified the woman from the Vera Bank as Amanda Martin. Continue reading Second of three wanted suspects arrested