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TENNESSEE COLONY – Seven people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a scheme to bring meth into the Mark W. Michael state prison in Tennessee Colony. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) said they conducted a “high intensity interdiction operation” at the Michael Unit in January after they learned that drones were used to deliver large amounts of contraband into the prison.

During the operation, TDCJ said more than 100 cellphones, a large amount of meth, synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs were reportedly found in the prison.

“This operation underscores both the risks posed by contraband and the strength of our response,” TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said. “We will remain relentless in our fight to stop illegal narcotics from entering and harming those in our facilities.” Continue reading Meth, phones into prison by drone

LUFKIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is offering a $4,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest of a Lufkin man who is currently on the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender List. According to the DPS and our news partner KETK, Jacarlos Mark has been wanted by the Lufkin Police Department since 2025 for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements in relation to a sexual assault of a minor conviction he received in 2003.

Mark is described by the DPS as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds. He has several tattoos on his neck, chest and both legs.

To be eligible for the $4,000 reward, information must be provided to the authorties thorough one of the following methods: Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477), submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive in relation to the tip and then clicking on the link under their picture or submit a Facebook tip by clicking the “SUBMIT A TIP” link (under the “about” section)

RUSK COUNTY — After being extradited from an Arkansas jail to Rusk County, the newly released arrest documents outline what investigators say led a man to allegedly kill his wife with an axe. According to our news partner KETK, on March 18, around 2 p.m., Rusk County dispatch received a call from a family member of Scott Thompson. The family member reported that Thompson had claimed he had “killed his wife with an axe, left her in the hallway, and locked her in the trailer,” according to the affidavit.

When deputies arrived, they knocked repeatedly but received no answer. They observed “blood through the backdoor window in the hallway leading to the kitchen area,” and under “exigent circumstances,” the deputies forced entry into the house. A deputy found Thompson’s wife, Amanda Thompson, deceased and with wounds consistent with sharp force trauma to the back of her head, according to the affidavit.

Investigators quickly identified Scott as a suspect who had left the residence shortly before deputies arrived. Surveillance footage helped authorities determine the vehicle he was driving, and they were able to obtain his phone number. Tracking data indicated he was traveling toward Arkansas. Continue reading Woman brutally murdered with axe

LONGVIEW – The Longview Parks and Rec Department is seeking community input as they begin early planning for a new inclusive playground. According to our news partner KETK, The playground will be at Teague Park and aims to be a facility that supports children with physical or developmental disabilities. As planning for the park begins, the city is looking to connect with organizations that support children with disabilities.

“Please share any contact info or group names in the comments so we can send them our planning survey,” Longview Parks and Rec Department said. “Help us make sure every kid in Longview has a great place to play.”

Those wanting to share input on the construction of the new park can contact the city by email at [email protected].

TYLER – To help restock the Pet Food Bank, for the month of April, Tyler Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for dogs and cats with the donation of at least six bags of dog or cat food 15 lbs. or smaller. The Pet Food Bank was established in 2015 so that families in need or those who could not afford to feed their pets would have a safety net to keep pets in their homes. Many times, people who want to surrender a pet only need time to get over a short-term financial hurdle.   
   
The Pet Food Bank provides assistance through donated food and cat litter. Over the years, more than 36,000 pounds of food and litter have been distributed. All donated items go back into the community and are not used by the animals kept at the shelter.   
   Continue reading Animal shelter has special this month

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Precinct 1 County Commissioner Mitch Curtis was arrested in December 2025 for official oppression and impersonating a public servant; and on Thursday, those charges against him were dropped.

According to the County District Attorney’s Office and our news partner KETK, the charges were dropped because the complaining witness declined to assist with the case. In June of 2025, the lawsuit was initially filed against Curtis for allegedly pretending to be a police officer in an effort to stop a man from shooting guns on his own property. Curtis is still holding the position of Precinct 1 County Commissioner as of April 2.

LONGVIEW – After pleading guilty to possessing child pornography, a Longview eye doctor was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Corrections Institutional Division on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old August Wallace, was arrested on Oct. 10, 2025, following an investigation that revealed he had sent multiple explicit images of himself to a 16-year-old girl living across the country.

According to John W. Moore, the criminal district attorney of Gregg County, Wallace requested that the girl send explicit pictures of herself, too, while threatening to kill himself if she didn’t. Law enforcement was contacted by the victim’s family after Wallace sent a screenshot of her home and delivered letters to her location.

After being arrested for online solicitation of a minor, a forensic examination found numerous files on his phone that contained explicit or pornographic images of children. Wallace was then additionally charged with possession of child pornography.

Wallace appeared in court on Thursday, receiving his concurrent sentences of 40 years for child pornography and 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for online solicitation of a minor.

KILGORE – After 50 years, a long-standing mystery at the Kilgore Public Library has finally come to an end.
Since the mid-1970s, the identity of the owl bandit and the location of the wooden “Owl of Wisdom” have remained unknown. The entire city has been curious about who took the owl that once sat at the library’s east entrance.

“In the 1960s, we’d go to the library, study and have things going on, and I remember we all talked about the owl out there. It was just one of those things that was there. Then one day it disappeared,” T. Anderson, a former Kilgore Bulldog, said.

The man who reportedly stole it, Steve Blunt, died a few years ago, but it was his wish for the owl to be returned to the library. Continue reading The ‘Owl Bandit’ case solved

EAST TEXAS — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office received approval on Tuesday to formally join an ICE task force model, marking a significant advancement one year after its initial partnership with federal immigration authorities. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office began collaborating with immigration authorities last year by adopting the jail enforcement model in March 2025.

This model trained local officers to identify, process, and initiate removal proceedings against undocumented immigrants who were already in the agency’s jail or detention facility with pending or active criminal charges. All enforcement activities occur within the jail setting.

The newly approved Task Force Model grants officers the authority to exercise limited immigration enforcement while carrying out their routine law enforcement duties. This includes identifying individuals’ immigration status during traffic stops or DUI checkpoints and sharing that information with ICE. Continue reading Another law enforcement agency joins ICE

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler teenagers, Brandon Young, 18, and Andru Davis, 18, were identified by investigators to be directly involved in the fatal Club Exotic shooting in March, and were believed to be at a known address in Houston. Brandon Young, a suspect originally arrested for engaging in criminal activity and deadly conduct in the shooting, was additionally charged with capital murder on Tuesday. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Young’s bond has been set at $1,000,000 and he remain in the Smith County jail. The case continues to be under investigation.

Andru Davis, wanted for capital murder, was brought from Harris County to the Smith County Jail on Friday, March 27 and is being held on a $1.5 million bond.

Anyone with information is urged to submit a tip to the Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers by calling 903-597-2833 or through cuff903.org for a $1,000 cash reward.

TYLER (AP) – A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Tuesday that sought to allow churches to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, dealing a blow to the Trump administration and other conservatives who have worked to eliminate the decades-old law barring nonprofits from supporting political office seekers.

Several Texas churches and national Christian groups brought the lawsuit challenging the Johnson Amendment, as it’s commonly known, arguing that their religious beliefs compelled them to speak to their congregations about all aspects of life, including electoral politics. Prohibiting electioneering from the pulpit in order to maintain their tax exemption was a violation of their First Amendment rights, the plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

In the final days of the Biden administration, the Department of Justice sought to dismiss the case. Continue reading Judge rejects churches’ political endorsements

TYLER – A documented gang member has been charged in the ongoing investigation which took place at Club Exotic on Highway 64 West in Smith County early Sunday morning, March 22nd. As previously reported, Andru Azo-Gene Davis of Tyler was arrested in Houston, Texas last week and charged with Capital Murder in which four individuals were shot, two fatally, at Club Exotic.

On March 31st, a second suspect was charged with Capital Murder in this investigation. The person charged is identified as 18 year old Brandon Joseph Young of Tyler. Young was originally arrested in Houston on March 24th. At that time, Young was charged with the criminal offenses of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity with a bond of $750,000 and Deadly Conduct with a bond of $50,000. Young was charged yesterday with the additional charge of Capital Murder.

Bond was set by at $1,000,000. Young remains in the Smith County Jail at this time. This investigation is continuing.

TROUP – A Troup ISD student was arrested after a weapon was found inside their vehicle on Tuesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the district said,while an officer was patrolling campus after school dismissal, they noticed suspicious activity, which led to a search of a student’s vehicle. During the search, a weapon was found inside a backpack in the vehicle.

The student who owned the weapon was taken into custody by the Troup Police Department.

“The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain a safe learning environment,” the district said.

Troup police said they will continue to investigate the case.

Tyler – City offices will observe the following schedule on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday.  

City Hall  
City Hall offices will be closed Friday, April 3.  
 
Tyler Water Utilities  
The Water Business Office will be closed on Friday, April 3. 
The kiosk at the drive-through offers 24/7 access for utility customers with its ability to accept checks, money orders, credit/debit cards and cash payments. Those choosing to pay with cash should be aware that no change will be given.  
  Continue reading Local holiday calender

HENDERSON — A Henderson ISD student was arrested on Monday after a possible weapon was found in their vehicle. According to the district, during a routine check of the Henderson High School parking lot, a staff member discovered what appeared to be a weapon inside a student’s vehicle.

The Henderson Police Department was contacted after the vehicle was found, and following an investigation, a student was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Henderson ISD officials said they do not believe there was an active threat to students or staff.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A former Van Zandt County detention officer was placed under arrest after it was discovered he was communicating with an inmate over the phone. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, on March 16 it was discovered that Damion Smith was in possession of a cell phone while on duty and was using the phone to communicate with a female inmate, which is a violation of both departmental policy and state law.

It was later discovered that Smith had initially been untruthful with investigators and had later recanted those statements before he was terminated from his position.

Following the investigation, Smith was taken into custody from his home on Tuesday and was charged with contraband in a correctional facility and a false report to a peace officer.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated by our employees. When an employee criminally violates the law, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office will take appropriate action,” Sheriff Bridger said.

GREGG COUNTY — A two-vehicle crash on State Highway 149 in Gregg County left one person dead and another injured on Monday afternoon. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety and our news partner KETK, a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Braxton Meshell was traveling southbound near the 9900 block of Highway 149 while a second vehicle was traveling northbound. Meshell was approaching another vehicle that was slowing down to make a left turn when he took a “faulty evasive action” and steered into the oncoming lane and collided with the second vehicle.

The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash and located the two vehicles, one of which was on fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames and began extricating the occupant using the “jaws of life.”

The fire department did not specify which vehicle was on fire. Meshell was pronounced dead at the scene and the other driver was taken to a Tyler hospital with injuries, DPS said. The crash is still under investigation.

RUSK COUNTY — An investigation is underway after a gunfire incident left Rusk County homes and vehicles damaged on Monday night. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, they received a deadly conduct call at 802 Cross Park at approximately 10:27 p.m. on Monday. The complainant told deputies that unknown individuals shot at his vehicle and home.

The deputies discovered that the gunfire damaged a total of two homes and two vehicles, leaving about 30 shell casings at the scene.

Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said they are actively working on leads related to the case. He asks the public for any information on the case or those involved to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-657-3581.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview has been awarded a grant worth over $100,000 to help ensure officer safety. The grant was provided to the department from the governor’s office and was approved by the Longview City Council last week during their most recent meeting.

According to our news partner KETK, the grant funding will be used to purchase bullet-resistant glass to install in patrol vehicles to better protect officers and officials. The grant was approved after a patrol vehicle was shot by a suspect during an incident in May 2025 while officers were inside the car.

“This is another important step in helping protect our officers and the community we serve every day,” Longview PIO LaDarian Brown said. “We are grateful for the continued support of our community and the partners who believe in investing in public safety in Longview.”

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County welcomed Gaye Boynton as district clerk on Monday as she was sworn in by the 241st District Judge Debby Gunter. Boynton was appointed to the position by the Smith County Council of District Judges after former district clerk Penny Clarkston resigned from the office on March 24. In her resignation letter, Clarkston cited personal family reasons.

Boynton was set to begin serving as district clerk on Jan. 1, 2027, following her win in the March primary election against Clarkston. The new district clerk brings more than 40 years of legal experience, having previously worked as a certified paralegal.

SMITH COUNTY – A mother has been sentenced to 10 months in jail, one year after deputies found her newborn dead in a bathtub. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted by a hospital emergency room in March 2025 after a woman reported she had delivered a placenta at home earlier that day.

But, when the woman, 27-year-old Esmeralda Duran Rodriguez, arrived at the hospital, staff noted she did not have a baby with her. Deputies then went to her home to investigate, where they met with Rodriguez’s brother, who allowed them to search for the baby. They found the placenta on a bed along with a severed umbilical cord, according to a sheriff’s office press release. Continue reading Mother sentenced in dead newborn case

TYLER- The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is having a benefit style show and luncheon Friday, April 10, at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. Funds from this event will go toward the auxiliary’s new ID program.

KTBB spoke with Auxiliary President Cynthia Scott about the ID program. She said, “This is something we are excited about. It provides for people who are homeless and are struggling, to find job and so forth with their ID. And we take that for granted. Because we have one and its easy for us to obtain. But, when your homeless, that’s very difficult. So, our new ID program will help put them with a liaison who will help them get a drivers license, get their birth certificate. This way, they can apply for jobs, apply for housing. So, we are really happy that the funds we are raising in our style show April 10th will go to this new program that we just implemented.”

Some tickets are still available. You can get them here.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County will join other agencies in the area to test its emergency alert notification systems on Thursday, April 2. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has asked that Smith County, along with other cities and agencies throughout the state, test their alert systems between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Smith County will be testing its IPAWS system and its Rave system.

IPAWS (the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) is FEMA’s national system for local, state and federal officials to send life-saving emergency alerts to the public. These alerts can be sent by Smith County and its Emergency Operations Center for specific incidents in our county to citizens without them signing up for it.

The Rave mass notification system allows emergency officials to notify citizens of necessary information in times of local emergency or disaster. Citizens must sign up to receive these notifications. You can do that here.

Weather alert warnings are sent out by the National Weather Service and not local agencies. For more information, visit Smith County Emergency Management.

SMITH COUNTY — Arrest documents related to the deadly Smith County shooting in March indicate that the man charged with murder acted in retaliation for a gang shooting that occurred in December. On March 22, Smith County deputies responded to a shooting at Club Exotic on State Highway 64 West in Tyler. Witnesses reported that a man wearing a ski mask jumped onto the hood of a car and yelled, “Y’all going to die for 38!” and “If y’all ain’t gang, move.” The Smith County Sheriff’s Office believes that “38” likely refers to Aaron Jackson, who was killed at the Valley Blues Club.

The suspect, identified as Andru Davis, then began firing into the crowd, injuring four people. Among those injured were Keundas Sandford and Keoin Dewayne Redd, both of whom died from gunshot wounds at the scene.

Following an investigation, they found that Davis and the second suspect, Brandon Young, were a part of the Shoot First Nation West Side Rollin’ 60’s Crips and had gone to Houston following the shooting. Continue reading Club Exotic killing linked to retaliation

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday after he was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Christopher Lynn Bowles, who was previously wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexually assaulting a child and the continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, Bowles was located in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in November 2025 and was taken into custody, according to our news partner KETK.

During his trial, Bowles was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. Bowles was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday.

HENDERSON – A former Henderson ISD teacher was sentenced to six months in state jail and 10 years in probation after she pleaded guilty to an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, Kathryn Prior, of Henderson, was arrested in December 2024 for having an inappropriate relationship with a student. The former vocational agriculture education teacher was also charged with possession of child pornography and indecency with a child.

According to the Rusk County District Attorney’s Office, Prior’s guilty plea allowed her not to be convicted of the indecency charge, but it was taken into consideration for her sentencing. Prior’s child pornography charge was dropped and First Assistant Prosecutor Allen Ross said they “couldn’t move forward with that case.” As a part of the plea deal, Prior had to surrender her teaching license.

Prior’s 180 days in jail begin on March 30 with 10 years in probation to follow. If Prior violates her probation, she will serve the 10 years in state jail, Ross said.