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ATHENS — The Athens City Council unanimously approved a $2.25 million engineering contract with Plummer Associates, Inc. for the city’s West and North Wastewater Treatment Plants on Dec. 22. According to our news partner KETK, the agreement includes improving the city’s wastewater treatment plants through major electrical upgrades and designing a new 1,500-square-foot administration building, which will be needed to support future expansion.

The purchase of a trailer-mounted mechanical sludge dewatering system will be used by both treatment plants to remove excess water from sludge, making it easier and less costly to handle and transport, the City of Athens said. A storage area will be built to house the equipment when it is not in use later on. Construction costs for the project are not included in the contract and will require separate approval by the city council.

KILGORE — The City of Kilgore announced the appointment of their new fire marshal, Terry Linder, on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Linder joins the city of Kilgore after serving as a deputy fire marshal with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office from 2022-2025. Before that, Linder worked as the fire marshal for Rusk County and as a fire fighter with Smith County Emergency Services District 2.

In addition to his full-time experience, Linder serves part-time with the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department and retired from the Kilgore Police Department as a Lieutenant in 2022.

The position opened up after the former fire marshal, Ryan Riley, was promoted to fire chief. Linder attended Rusk High School and the Kilgore College Fire Academy and is actively pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Tarleton State University.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting that led to the death of one person on Saturday evening.

According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 100th block of West Highland at around 7 p.m. Once on the scene, authorities located one man who had sustained gunshot wounds. The victim, later identified as Byrondrick Davis, was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.

RUSK — A search party was organized on Saturday for James David Blount, who was last seen in Rusk over three weeks ago.

“We’re all hoping that he is still alive,” Nicole Morris, an organizer of the event, said. “But at this point, I think we’re all kind of coming to the conclusion that it’s no longer a search and rescue, and it’s more so a recovery.”

Blount went missing on Dec. 2, and four days later, his vehicle was discovered along Highway 84 near the Neches River. Since then, law enforcement has been working to locate Blount, but their efforts have not yet been successful.

“My heart hurts for the family and that’s why I’m just so adamant about keeping his name alive and keeping his story alive,” Morris said. Continue reading Community unites in search for missing man

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one man dead and one injured. Around 2:45 Sunday morning, deputies responded to an active shooting at the Valley Blues Club, County Road 486, just north of Tyler off of Texas College Road.

Deputies found a chaotic scene with several hundred individuals attempting to leave the location. One male gunshot victim was located in the parking lot and another male victim had been transported by private vehicle to UT Health ER in Tyler. The victim on scene was transported to UT Health ER where he was later pronounced deceased. The other gunshot victim is currently undergoing surgery and is in critical condition.

Smith County Investigators and the Crime Scene Unit are currently at the location conducting their investigation. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by DPS, Tyler PD, and Texas Game Warden K-9 Unit. Continue reading One dead, one in critical in nightclub shooting

SMITH COUNTY — Fire crews are battling a grass fire in Smith County that spread to an RV on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County ESD2 firefighters were called to FM 2089 in Overton after receiving reports of a grass fire. When crews arrived, they found an RV fully involved in flames. According to ESD2 Nikki Simmons, no injuries have been reported.

UPDATE: The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the pedestrian who was killed in Thursday’s crash as Rodolfo Mora, 68, Tyler. The investigation remains ongoing and no charges have been filed against the driver at this time.

TYLER – A man has died after being hit by a vehicle on Loop 323 in Tyler on Thursday. According to Smith County Justice of the Peace Andy Dunklin and our news partner KETK, a man was hit by a vehicle while in the 200 block of East NE Loop 323 near Lavender Road. Dunklin pronounced the man dead at the scene and has ordered an autopsy to be performed.

RUSK — A search is scheduled for Saturday in Rusk as volunteers gather to look for missing man James David Blount, who was last seen on Dec. 2. According to our news partner KETK, Saturday’s search is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. at Truckerz, located on West Sixth Street in Rusk. Participants will search wooded areas on foot. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes or boots, brightly colored clothing and safety vests if available. ATVs, four-wheelers and vehicles capable of traveling dirt roads are also encouraged.

Blount is described as a white man who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighs about 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. Rusk police said he was last seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2. His vehicle was later found along Highway 84 near the Neches River on Dec. 6.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said a $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to Blount’s location. Law enforcement agencies, along with Heal Corp., previously searched the Neches River and surrounding areas however, as of Dec. 21, those efforts had not located Blount.

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit and R&K Distributors are partnering up to provide free rides to anyone within Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve. The “Safe-Ride-Home” initiative is back for the tenth year, providing curb-to-curb pickup and scheduled ride services to anyone from 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. Whether riders have had a couple drinks or simply do not want to drive that night, the free rides make transportation easier and safer for everyone in the Longview area.

Start the year off safe and schedule your free ride at 903-753-2287 or at http://www.longviewtransit.com starting Dec. 27, at 8 a.m.

TYLER – State environmental regulators have cited the Parkside development in Tyler for violating the Texas Water Code after determining that unauthorized stormwater runoff from the construction site flowed directly into the lake at Faulkner Park. The Parkside development is a Genecov Properties, Inc. project currently under construction by Genecov West Mud Creek, LLC. The site is located on the southwest side of the intersection of Cumberland Road and South Broadway Avenue in Tyler.

According to our news partner KETK, the 600,000-square-foot project is planned to extend high-profile retailers, entertainment venues and restaurants from South Broadway Avenue to Tyler’s Faulkner Park. Four TCEQ investigators inspected the site between Sept. 3 and Oct. 15. During the Sept. 3 inspection, an investigator examined an unnamed tributary of West Mud Creek that runs through the construction site and drains into the lake at Faulkner Park.

A TCEQ investigation report states that a project manager for Genecov West Mud Creek, LLC. provided the investigator with the site’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. The plan identified six sediment basins intended to collect stormwater runoff. However, the investigator reported that none of the basins had been constructed as of Sept. 3. Continue reading Tyler park cited for stormwater violations

GLADEWATER – According to police, a Gladewater woman attempted to steal a truck while the driver was inside and then managed to get away, leading to two arrests this week. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a child custody exchange, according to Gladewater police. Izabel Osteen, the 28-year-old suspect, allegedly entered another person’s 2020 Ford F-150, causing a struggle as the victim attempted to prevent the theft. The victim was thrown from the truck when Osteen drove off while the victim was only partially inside. The victim had minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The stolen truck was found at several locations throughout Longview by police using vehicle tracking technology. After the car was eventually found and Osteen was taken into custody by Gregg County deputies, she was charged with robbery and booked into the Gladewater Jail.

HARRISON COUNTY – Two men were taken into custody by Marshall police on Tuesday following allegations that they shot at one another in a residential area. According to the Marshall Police Department and our news partner KETK, officers were called to the 1100 block of Melanie Street around noon after hearing reports of a man and a woman shooting at one another. One suspect escaped into a neighboring wooded area before police arrived.

After searching the area, police found both people and arrested them. Tyrell Smith, 40, of Hallsville, and Lacrystal Carter, 38, of Marshall, were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. Carter was accused of tampering with identification numbers as well. The investigation is still ongoing, and no injuries were recorded. As the case progresses, more charges could be brought, according to the authorities.

MARSHALL – Following a shooting on Monday night, a 28-year-old was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Our news partners at KETK report that at around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Marshall police officers arrived at the 700 block of N. Loop 390 Highway following a report of gunshots in the area. Tyterrius Qwantrell Lafayette, a 28-year-old suspect, was sought after overnight by the Marshall Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force. Lafayette was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at the Harrison County Jail, with a bond set at $25,000. No injuries were reported by authorities.

OVERTON — Overton cautions residents to be wary of encountering a large pack of dogs running around at night. The City of Overton posted a video of a pack of about 15 dogs running near West Rusk High School in New London, warning residents that the dogs “are very aggressive at times.” According to our news partner KETK and the Overton Police Department, the video was taken in September, but was only recently shared with him.

“As a matter of public safety, the city manager and I have decided it is necessary to share this video with the citizens we serve,” Pool said. “Please keep in mind these are not just stray dogs, they are dogs that were most likely once dumped somewhere and have now reverted back to their natural instincts of hunting in a large group as a means of survival.”

Pool urges residents to contact the local law enforcement agency if they encounter a large pack of wild dogs and not to fear prosecution for protecting themselves or another person. Continue reading Overton warns of aggressive pack of wild dogs

ATHENS — Three Athens residents were arrested on Tuesday after law enforcement executed two search warrants targeting potential drug distribution in the city.

According to our news partner KETK and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, investigators and deputies with the Sheriff’s Office, alongside officers from the Athens Police Department, carried out two separate narcotics search warrants. The first operation took place in the 500 block of St. Joseph Street. Investigators arrested Deanglo Russell and Bridget Fossis after they located crack cocaine that was prepackaged for sale, along with digital scales commonly used in narcotics distribution.

Russell and Fossis were transported to the Henderson County Jail, where they were booked on charges of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, authorities said. Continue reading Athens drug bust involving cocaine, meth

TYLER — As flu season picks up in the United States, health experts are concerned about a mutated flu strain that may be immune to this year’s influenza vaccine. According to our news partner KETK, a highly contagious and mutated strain of influenza A H3N2, called “subclade K,” has emerged abroad, causing surges in infections across several countries and raising concerns about a mismatch between the current flu vaccine and mutated strain.

Subclade K is already circulating in most U.S. states, according to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database.

“Knowing that there’s a new mutated strain out there and H3N2 generally causes more severe disease is concerning,” Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr. medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said.

Though influenza A is included in this year’s influenza vaccine, the mutations of subclade K could give the virus an advantage against the vaccine’s immunity. Continue reading Mutated flu strain emerges, experts concerned

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A dog attack in Van Zandt County on Monday morning seriously injured a man from East Texas. When deputies from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, they discovered a 53-year-old man with multiple dog bites from two adult pit bull mix dogs.

According to our news partner KETK, the victim was taken to the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances emergency room before being life-flighted to the UT Medical Center in Tyler, where he was treated and is said to be in stable condition, according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.
Continue reading Man critically injured in dog attack

MOUNT PLEASANT — Our news partners at KETK report that a 19-year-old East Texan has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, who was found with apparent gunshot wounds.
According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, around 8 a.m. on Monday, a 911 call came in reporting an unconscious man bleeding inside a home on Red Springs Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found 51-year-old Rodney Harris deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives responded and immediately launched a homicide investigation. Police identified 19-year-old Azion Jayden Harris, the victim’s son, as a person of interest. He was located and detained later Monday. Azion Harris was arrested and taken to Titus County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

TYLER — The FBI in Dallas is warning citizens about people impersonating senior U.S. officials through text and AI-generated voice messages. According to our news partner KETK, participants in the scheme reach out to victims and engage in a brief conversation on a topic in which they are knowledgeable. The suspects later request to move the discussion to a secondary, encrypted messaging app.

If somebody is contacted by someone they may know on a new platform or phone number, the FBI stated they should verify the latest contact information before moving forward. Continue reading FBI warns of imposters posing as officials

TYLER — Not everyone shuts down for Christmas. From restaurants to retail stores, these East Texas businesses will be open to serve customers on the holiday. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of stores and restaurants that will be open on Thursday. You can view that list here.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A 19-year-old East Texan has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, who was found with apparent gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK, a 911 call came in around 8 a.m. on Monday reporting an unconscious man bleeding inside a home on Red Springs Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found 51-year-old Rodney Harris deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives responded and immediately launched a homicide investigation.

Police identified 19-year-old Azion Jayden Harris, the victim’s son, as a person of interest. He was located and detained later Monday.

Azion Harris was arrested and transported to Titus County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon. The investigation remains ongoing.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A high-speed pursuit in Upshur County ended in a fatal crash that killed a minor Sunday night. According to our news partner and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 9:48 p.m. on Sunday, when a sheriff’s deputy observed a dark-colored passenger vehicle speeding northbound near the intersection of State Highway 155 and Apricot Road. When the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver, identified as Steve Reneau, did not stop and continued driving northbound. Reneau entered Gilmer and turned onto State Highway 271, where officials say he drove through the city at around 90 miles per hour.

Reneau continued increasing his speed to more than 100 mph and lost control of the vehicle, which led to the crash in the 3300 block of Chipmunk Road. Both Reneau and a passenger who remains unidentified were ejected from the vehicle, which ended up on top of them, officials said.

Fire and emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene and worked to remove the passenger from beneath the vehicle. Other personnel used equipment to free Reneau, who was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Continue reading One dead in high speed chase

RUSK – The Rusk Police Department is currently searching for a missing man after his vehicle was found stopped on Highway 84 near the Neches River on Dec. 6. According to our news partner KETK, James David Blount is a 57-year-old white man who is 5’09”, weighs around 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. Rusk PD said Blount was last seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who provides information leading to the location of Blount.

Blount’s vehicle was found on Saturday on Highway 84 west at the Neches River near the Cherokee and Anderson County line. Heal Corp search and rescue personnel have been searching the Neches River near where Blount’s vehicle was found but they hadn’t turned up anything as of Dec. 21.

Anyone with information about Blount’s disappearance is asked to call 911 or Rusk PD at 903-683-2677.

HENDERSON – The Henderson Police Department said a woman was shot on Sunday while in her vehicle near the intersection of FM 225 and Highway 79. According to our news partner KETK, the woman was shot around 1 p.m. by a suspect who reportedly fled the scene in a black truck. Department Deputy Chief Chase Berryhill confirmed on Monday that the victim has since died. The woman has been identified as Dora Morales-Ruiz, 39, of Henderson. Law enforcement immediately began looking for the suspected shooter and they eventually found the suspect dead in Rusk County. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of the suspected shooter.

“The Henderson Police Department would like to thank the Texas Department of Public Safety, Rusk County Constable Stewart and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and cooperation during the search for the suspect,” Henderson PD said.

LUFKIN – A 52-year-old man has died after his truck crashed into an overpass pillar in Lufkin on Saturday according to our news partner KETK. A Ford F-150 truck hit a concrete pillar at around 4 p.m. under the overpass at Ellen Trout Drive and Kurth Drive. Lufkin Police said the 52-year-old man driving the truck was ejected and the vehicle caught on fire. Lufkin PD said the man was taken to a local hospital. He later died while receiving treatment. Officials haven’t released his name since they’re working to notify his family.

TYLER – A $1,000 prize is currently being offered by Operation Game Thief for information regarding a recent unlawful killing and disposal of two deer close to Lake Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a white-tailed doe and a yearling buck were shot either late on December 14 or early on December 15 in a residential area on Big Oak Bay Road close to Lake Tyler, according to Operation Game Thief. Reports say a small caliber gun was used to shoot the animals before their carcasses were dumped and wasted.
Continue reading Reward offered after deer killed

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrested a driver on Friday after they allegedly shot at a vehicle following a minor crash. Our news partners at KETK report that just before 6 p.m. on Friday, two vehicles were involved in a minor crash on State Highway 64 near Loop 49. As one driver left the scene, the other driver followed them while calling 911. As they reached the T intersection at CR 4915, the second driver allegedly caused a crash with the first vehicle in an attempt to stop it. Neither of the drivers were identified by law enforcement on Friday. Officials said the initial crash was not report-able and caused less than $1000 of damage.