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GREGG COUNTY — A man arrested for attempted kidnapping that happened on Paul Boorman Trail in Longview was sentenced to 5 years of probation on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Jelan DeAaron Armond Williams, 28 of Kilgore, was arrested for attempted commit kidnapping after an Aug. 2024 incident in which a woman reported that she was attacked on the Paul Boorman Trail in Longview.

The victim’s report was similar to another report that had come in earlier that day and Longview Police Department officers were able to locate a man matching the woman’s description. That man was later identified as Williams by law enforcement.

Williams was given deferred adjudication by 124th District Court Charles Alfonso on Thursday.

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas Man has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a member of his family every week for 10 years. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Alton Flanagan, 51 of Mount Enterprise, was first arrested by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 2 after one of his family members revealed that he was sexually assaulting her once a week from when she was 13 to 22 years old, according to his arrest affidavit.

After his arrest, Flanagan was interviewed at the sheriff’s office and admitted to sexually assaulting the victim. Flanagan was then charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, prohibited sexual conduct, and sexual performance by a child under 14 years old.

Assistant Rusk County and District Attorney Tiffany T. Conner said a jury found Flanagan guilty in this case on Oct. 23. According to Conner, Flanagan has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or probation. Continue reading Man gets life in prison for sexually abusing family member

SMITH COUNTY – Here is a story with a happy ending. On September 19, Smith County Animal seized 22 Italian Greyhounds, 19 Whippets and three Poodles from a residence in rural Troup. Officers believed these dogs were part of a puppy mill operation. Smith County Animal Control kept the dogs and treated and cared for them until the dogs had healed from their abuse. On October 22, the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation, based in Austin, drove to Tyler, and picked up all 44 dogs. The foundation said they had a waiting list of people ready to adopt the dogs. For more information about Smith County Animal Control, go here.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partners at KETK report a New Boston man was taken into custody early Thursday morning following a series of armed robberies at local convenience stores, according to the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD).

Around 1:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the CEFCO convenience store at 100 Alexander Road after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. The suspect, described as a Black male dressed entirely in black and wearing a black face mask, allegedly entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money. Police said the man fled the scene in a white four-door passenger car.

While investigators were still processing the CEFCO scene, a second call came in reporting an attempted robbery at the Tiger Mart located at 2511 W. Ferguson Road. The suspect description and getaway vehicle matched those from the earlier incident, according to Mount Pleasant PD. Continue reading Suspect nabbed for triple robbery in Mount Pleasant

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens about scam phone calls using fear tactics to steal money. Scammers often pose as law enforcement officers or bank representatives, claiming victims have warrants or suspicious activity on their accounts.

According to a news release from the Tyler Police Department, in recent reports, suspects impersonated members of Homeland Security, Tyler PD, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, even using names of real employees and spoofed phone numbers. Victims were threatened with arrest unless they sent money for bonds, fines, or fees—often through gift cards, Green Dot cards, or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) ATMs.

Other scams involve callers pretending to be from banks or credit card companies, asking for personal or account information and directing victims to transfer money to “secure accounts.” Continue reading Ongoing scam threats prompt warning from police

TYLER — As the federal government shutdown continues, food banks across East Texas are ramping up emergency response efforts to support families who have missed paychecks and are impacted by a potential disruption in SNAP benefits. According to our news partner KETK and Feeding Texas, more than 3.5 million Texans participate in the SNAP program to help put food on their tables. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, those who rely on SNAP benefits may not receive their November benefits on schedule.

Feeding Texas estimates that at least 126,000 Texans could be affected each day that SNAP payments are delayed.

“When you consider that the vast majority of SNAP recipients are children, seniors, and people with disabilities, the stakes become painfully clear,” Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said. “These are our neighbors, our grandparents, our kids. A delay in benefits isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating. It means empty pantries, skipped meals, and added stress for families already living on the edge.” Continue reading Texas food banks boost aid as shutdown affects SNAP

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a new educational program called ‘TexasWorks’ was launched Wednesday at Premier High School in Tyler, East Texas, offering tuition-free high school diplomas and career certifications for adults aged 18 to 50. The program aims to equip adults with the skills needed for high-demand jobs.

“They’re also going to earn an industry-based certification. So that could be in drone and in aviation.” Dr. Elizabeth Camarena, Superintendent of TexasWorks said. “We also have a certification in cybersecurity that we’re launching and plenty of others, including business and entrepreneurship, business and finance and also security.”

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and spoke about the importance of programs like ‘Texas-Works’ in building a skilled workforce to support the booming industries in East Texas. With the launch of ‘Texas-Works’, adults in East Texas have new opportunities to advance their education and career prospects, contributing to the region’s economic growth.

TYLER – U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran met with members of the Tyler Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Wednesday, showing support for federal workers affected by the government shutdown. According to our news partner KETK, Moran announced earlier this week he would waive his congressional salary due to the shutdown that has left hundreds without a paycheck for the last month.

The Congressman said during this visit, “The men and women of TSA are still showing up every day to keep our skies safe, even as they go without pay. That kind of commitment reflects the very best of our public servants and deserves our very best efforts to fully re-open. After returning from DC this week, I sat down with them and brought some breakfast tacos to thank them for their hard work, to remind them that as long as they aren’t getting paid, I won’t take a paycheck, and to reaffirm that their families and concerns are critically important to me.”

On Wednesday, the Senate voted to keep the government closed for the 13th time. Sixty votes are needed to advance a measure to reopen the government, but Democrats have held firm on their healthcare demands.

TROUP – Our news partners at KETK report that a structure fire in Troup left a home completely engulfed in flames, but the quick thinking and heroic actions of 20-year-old Takavion Lydia prevented any fatalities. Takavion Lydia was playing basketball down the street when he saw smoke coming from a home that belonged to one of his relatives. Once Lydia arrived at the house, he found it entirely engulfed in flames, but after he saw a man pressing his hand against the window, he jumped into action. Lydia punched a hole in the window, helping his relative escape from the home, and believes he did sprain his hand after hitting the glass. The woman in the house was able to get out on their own. Continue reading Man saves relative from house fire in Troup

HENDERSON COUNTY – 35-year-old Chaz Taelor White was found guilty of murder for the the killing of Alexis Garoutte that took place on April 21, 2023. Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a possible shooting on Sailfish Drive in Mabank. Garroutte was then found dead in the home slumped in the passenger seat of a black Dodge Ram. While with investigators, White reportedly gave six different stories. He eventually confessed to firing an AK-47 towards the Dodge Ram that was located at a nearby house. It was also revealed that White gave the weapon to his wife to get rid of it. White continued to confess, stating to authorities he used and dealt drugs, including methamphetamine. Henderson County 392nd District Court Judge Scott McKee handed down the life sentence. The judge also heard that White had “SS” lightning bolt tattoos, which are commonly linked to white supremacist prison gangs. After the murder, White tattooed a gun on the side of his head, as well as a bullet alongside his wife’s name.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Texas Governor Gregg Abbott needed less than a month to secure a replacement for the retired Billy Byrd, as Billy Wallace of Gladewater will now be serving as the Upshur Criminal District Attorney. Our news partners at KETK report that he currently holds the title of first assistant for the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Wallace will start his tenure as district attorney on Nov. 1, and his term will end on Dec. 31, 2026, or upon the election of a duly appointed successor.

GLADEWATER – A vehicle pursuit in Gladewater led to a man being taken to a local hospital after crashing his car into two trees on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Gladewater Police Department and our news partner KETK, two officers attempted to pull over Deyron Smith, who had outstanding felony warrants. Smith refused to pull over, leading officials on a pursuit into Upshur County.

During the pursuit, Smith lost control of his vehicle on Crabtree Road and struck two trees, resulting in extensive damage to his car and injuries to himself. After crashing his vehicle, Smith was taken to a local hospital. During a search of his vehicle, 2.8 grams of black tar heroin were allegedly found inside his car. Smith was subsequently charged with two counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.

LUFKIN – Following a Lufkin City Council member’s decision to vacate his seat, three Lufkin residents are currently seeking to fill his position in the November elections. According to our news partner KETK, Councilman Brent Watkins, who currently serves in Ward 3, recently announced that he will be vacating his seat to run for mayor of Lufkin in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Those looking to fill Watkins’s seat on the city council include Kimberly Abeldt, Misty Ledesma, and Lin Lentz. Watkins will be looking to replace current Lufkin Mayor Hicks, who has been in office since 2021. Hicks announced earlier this year that he will not be seeking a third term.

CROCKETT — According to our news partner KETK and the Crockett Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance at around 12:15 a.m. in locating 37-year-old Jeremy Alexander Brent, who had reportedly left a residence where he had been trespassing . He left in his vehicle a person who police say was possibly being held against their will.

A Crockett officer eventually located Brent driving near the 3000 block of State Highway 7. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop; however, Brent refused to pull over, and police say he drove away at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour back toward Crockett, prompting a vehicle pursuit.

Officers successfully deployed stop sticks, causing his vehicle to stop near the intersection of South Loop 304. Brent was then taken into custody. The passenger in the vehicle was unharmed, according to the Crockett Police Department. Continue reading High-speed chase ends in arrest near Crockett

UPDATE (10/29 2:40 p.m.): The National Weather Service confirmed on Wednesday that Lindale was hit by an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching up to 100 mph.

UPDATE (10/29 8 a.m.): The Kilgore Police Department said most roads in impacted areas are now passable, though some streets remain barricaded due to debris. Those barricades are expected to come down throughout the day as cleanup continues.

SWEPCO has restored power to portions of the area, and currently reports 65 customers without power. Numerous utility poles were brought down and will need to be replaced, a process city officials say will take time. Homeowners are urged to contact their insurance agents to report any damage. City crews continue to cut down damaged trees and move debris, while additional private contractors have begun work in the area.

Despite significant damage across several blocks, city leaders said the community avoided what “could have been much worse.” Police patrols will remain in the affected neighborhoods until power is fully restored. Continue reading The Latest: Severe weather strikes East Texas

LINDALE – A tornado expected to becategorized an EF0, which has estimated winds of 65-85 mph, touched down near Lindale Tuesday afternoon. In a release from Smith County, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said a little after 3 p.m., a tornado was seen off Farm-to-Market Road 2710, northeast of Lindale.

Moore, as well as Emergency Services District 1 officials, are assessing damages. Trees and homes are damaged off FM 2170, and County Roads 4126 and 4128. No injuries have been reported. No trees have been reported on county roads. If you have a tree on a county road to report, please call Smith County Dispatch at 903-566-6600.

RUSK – The Rusk Rural Water Supply has issued a boil water advisory for their customers because of a water line leak. According to our news partner KETK, The affected areas are, FM 768, Piney Grove Rd and county roads 1306, 1310, 1313, 1314, 1328, 1503, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1521 and 1522.

Water intended for cooking, drinking, or making ice should be brought to a vigorous boil and kept boiling for at least two minutes before use. Residents in the affected areas should avoid consuming any water that has not been boiled until the advisory is lifted. When the water line is fixed and water has been cleared by officials, the water supply will issue a public notice.

UPDATE: The planned power outage for a portion for Cherokee County is complete.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Some Cherokee county residents will be without power on Wednesday due to a planned power outage scheduled by the Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Association. According to our news partner KETK, The power is expected to go off at 8 a.m. and remain out for three to five hours.

Areas impacted will include the Dialville and Oakland communities. Also, several roads may be affected by the power outage, including: CR 1503, CR 1603, CR 1604, CR 1605, CR 1608 ,CR 1609, CR 1625, CR 1626, CR 1718, CR 2101, CR 2012, CR 2103, CR 2105, CR 2107, CR 2110, CR 2111, CR 2201, CR 2202, CR 2203, CR 2217, CR 2224, FM 347, FM 1248, FM 2972, U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 84

The scheduled power outage is being held to allow crews to complete system upgrades to help keep residents’ power safe and reliable.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is reporting that a 64-year-old man died in a pedestrian crash that happened on Highway 31 in Kilgore last week. Emergency services responded to a reported pedestrian crash that happened in the 100 block of State Highway 31 East in Kilgore at around 7:11 p.m. on Friday. First responders on the scene found that a white 2017 Ram pickup truck was heading east on SH 31 as David Ray Whisenhunt, 64 of Kilgore, crossed the road.

Kilgore PD said Whisenhunt failed to yield to the truck’s right of way and was hit in the inside lane of SH 31. Whisenhunt died immediately and was pronounced dead at the scene by law enforcement. Kilgore PD is currently investigating the crash.

TYLER — Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 36, who was originally sentenced to 60 years in state prison following the murder of 19-year-old Rawly “Eli” Sanchez, has been given an additional 15 years following connected charges.

On the night of July 4, 2024, Sanchez and his friends made a U-turn in their truck behind Bautista-Renteria’s auto shop, Bautista Auto. According to our news partner KETK, while the truck was turning behind the shop, the driver reported seeing a person with an AK-47 style rifle who started shooting. Sanchez was hit in the back of the head by a bullet while sitting in the back of the truck. Sanchez’s friends immediately took him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Law enforcement spoke with witnessed and identified Bautista-Renteria as the shooter. He was detained and booked into the Smith County Jail with a warrant for first degree murder and a $1 million bond. Continue reading Additional 15 years for auto shop owner in murder case

MARSHALL — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a search is underway in Marshall following a shooting on Sunday night that resulted in the death of a 48-year-old man.

The Marshall Police Department said officers responded to the shooting around 8:56 p.m. in the 1900 block of Bean Street. When officials arrived, they found the body of a man, identified as Carlos Dewayne Hill, 48 of Marshall. A preliminary investigation indicates that the person involved fled the area before officers arrived.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at (903) 935-4575 or Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at (903) 935-9969.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Hill,” said Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth. “Our investigators are working diligently to identify and locate the person responsible for this senseless act of violence. We are asking anyone with information to come forward and assist us in bringing justice to the victim and his family.”

TYLER – Amazon has opened its first fulfillment center in East Texas, just in time for the upcoming busy holiday delivery season. The building sits on 30-acres of land and has a 140,000-square feet floor plan. President of the Tyler Economic Development Scott Martinez has been with this project since it was just a daydream.

“Seeing this project come to life and in a timeframe that was just so quick, this whole construction was less than 12 months,” Martinez said. “It’s almost like seeing a child born and start growing. So it’s been very fulfilling.”

According to our news partner KETK, Monday’s ribbon cutting on the new Tyler facility was attended by several local officials including Tyler mayor Don Warren, State Rep. Cole Hefner and State Senator Bryan Hughes.

For better traffic flow, the company also paid for a new traffic signal and turn lanes nearby. The facility is in its third week of operation, with employees fulfilling shipments overnight and loading trucks early morning. Continue reading Amazon opens first Distribution Center in Tyler

TYLER – Tyler drivers have probably noticed a new site to see off Broadway Ave, as the construction gets underway for Parkside North, a new 92-acre development.

“What you’re seeing right now is just all of the foundational work,” Genecov president & CEO Ray McKinney said. “So you’re putting in storm sewers, which is how the rainwater gets funneled into a certain place, and so those are storm sewer pipes that you see there. All of that’s being done, the dirt works being done to flat it out so that you can build something on it because nobody wants to walk on a parking lot.”

Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Genecov Group is ready to get started on their new phases of development. The plan includes three types of areas to be built.

“The first part is the part that you see up here on the front is at the pad side, stretching from one end down to the other,” McKinney said. “Mostly, you’re looking at restaurant-type users.” Continue reading Developer gives update on Parkside North project

TYLER — A woman involved in an incident with Tyler Police Department where she discharged an officer’s gun has been sentenced to 40 years in prison according to our news partner KETK. Brianna Erwin, 33, was involved in an altercation with Tyler PD in May of 2025 when officers responded to a theft call at a Dollar General. Erwin, one of the suspects in the theft, resisted arrest causing an altercation between her and an officer. According to Tyler PD, Erwin grabbed an officer’s firearm during the struggle and discharged the weapon. Erwin was booked into the Smith County Jail on an outstanding warrant.

On Monday, at the 7th District Court, Erwin pleaded guilty to multiple charges connected to the May incident. Erwin received 12 months for possession of a controlled substance, 8 years for harassment of a public servant and 40 years for aggravated assault of a public servant.

The three sentences will be served at the same time so Erwin is expected to serve 40 years in prison. She was also ordered to pay $180 in restitution to the Texas Department of Public Safety.