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TYLER – The United Way of Smith County will host the fifth annual “Tyler Gives” on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Supplemented by a $75,000 matching grant, the online fundraiser addresses local needs by providing dozens of local nonprofits with essential year-end funding. Since its inception on Giving Tuesday in 2020, more than $1-million has been raised through Tyler Gives. The United Way of Smith County and event sponsor Express Employment Professionals provide the $75,000 matching grant and cover all credit card fees from donations during the fundraiser. Beginning at 8 a.m. on December 3rd, the first $50,000 in donations through TylerGives.org will be matched. Another $25,000 will be matched beginning at 2:00 p.m. Donors can select a specific agency to support or choose to support all equally with one gift. Continue reading United Way “Tyler Gives” is Tuesday

LINDALE — A Smith County daycare worker is accused of assaulting six young children. Catherine Guziejka, 44, Lindale, is being held in the Smith County Jail charged with injury to a child- after seen kicking kids in her care. A coworker at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale saw on surveillance footage the suspect kicking a 2-year-old boy in the small of his back. The boy’s father contacted the Smith County Sheriff. When deputies reviewed video, they saw 134 incidents over months, all similar, her kicking young kids.

Guziejka was fired and reported to CPS. The owner says she was hired in September of last year and passed all background checks with the required training and qualifications. The daycare closed down, has been sold and is set to reopen in December.

HENDERSON COUNTY— According to our news partner, KETK, a Bullard man was arrested on Monday after allegedly confessing to selling drugs while his 2-year-old stepson was in the vehicle.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that at around 8:10 p.m. narcotics investigators conducted a traffic stop inside the Sunrise Shores Subdivision. The gold Chevrolet SUV was driven by Brandon Torgerson, 30 of Bullard, who was accompanied by a two-year-old child. The vehicle was searched, and officials discovered marijuana, methamphetamine in two different bags packaged for sale and a digital scale.

“During the traffic stop Brandon informed investigators he had driven from Smith County with his two-year-old step-son in the vehicle to deliver the narcotics inside of Henderson County,” the sheriff’s office said.

Torgerson was taken to the Henderson County Detention Center and booked for manufacture/ delivery of a controlled substance and abandoning or endangering a child.

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who serves much of northeast Texas, introduced the DETERRENCE Act, a bill that could protect Americans from violence by foreign powers. As foreign adversaries like Iran grow brazen, Moran said the U.S. must send a clear message, that “any attempt to harm Americans will be met with swift and decisive punishment.”

“Recent assassination attempts and threats against President Trump and other U.S. citizens by Iran underscore the urgent need for strong and practical deterrence against all foreign regimes who seek to harm Americans on our soil,” Moran said.

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an alleged Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month. In those documents, Farhad Shakeri allegedly told FBI agents he was tasked to assassinate Trump by Iranian officials in September, and is now charged with murder-for hire. Continue reading Moran introduces bill to combat foreign threats

MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant council members reversed their decision made last week, to cut year-end bonuses in half for city employees according to our news partner KETK. In a special meeting on Monday night, council members apologized and admitted that they did not fully understand the full impact their vote would have.

Monday’s vote will restore the $10 per month of service year-end bonus, reversing the decision they approved just last week, that would have cut this bonus in half. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a $120 bonus at the end of the year, if that was cut in half they’d only make $60. Before the vote was held, members of the council admitted what they had done was wrong.

“We appreciate them, glad they changed it,” said Jace Collins with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.
Continue reading Longevity pay restored for Mt. Pleasant employees

PALESTINE- According to our news partner, KETK, the Palestine Police Department has arrested a man after a shooting in the parking lot of a Dollar General left one man injured on Friday.

Palestine police officers responded to reports of a shooting near the Dollar General at 601 North Elm Street at around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Officers said a witness reported that a suspect was seen firing a gun at a white truck leaving the store’s parking lot. The witness told officers that the truck and the suspect then left the scene. According to a press release by the Palestine Police department, while officers were first responding to the scene they reportedly saw the suspect, who they identified as Ernest Lott, walking away from the store with a gun in his waistband and detained him. Continue reading Man arrested after Palestine Dollar General parking lot shooting

TROUP – A “Buddy Bag” or a K9 Med Kit is now in the hands of the Troup Police Department to protect their four legged officer. According to our news partner KETK, the Troup Police Department applied for the kit donation through Protection4Paws, a non-profit that donates equipment specifically for K9 officers

Each “Buddy Bag” has an oxygen mask, specialized burn sheets, bandages, gauze and other items designed for a dogs needs. In this case, Troup K9 Officer Cooper.

Troup PD said in a press release, “Officer Jones, along with the Troup Police Department, is deeply committed to the safety and well being of his loyal partner, K9 Officer Cooper, and views the Buddy Bag as an essential tool in ensuring that Cooper is always ready and safe to perform his duties.”

SMITH COUNTY – On Tuesday, both the city of Tyler and Smith County announced their office hours for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tyler waste collection will be picking up as normal on November 25 and 26, while residents who’s pickup typically occurs on Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday. For the full solid waste holiday calendar, click here. All non-emergency City offices will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, for Thanksgiving. County offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, for normal business hours.
Continue reading City of Tyler and Smith County announce Thanksgiving office closures

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that injuries have been reported following a stairwell collapse at the University of Texas at Tyler. According to the UT Tyler department of marketing and communications, three people were injured at around 12:30 p.m. when the stairwell collapsed. Officials said construction workers were on the scene for a planned demolition, however something went wrong. University officials said the stairwell connects the Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth Building and Stewart Hall. This is a developing story, KETK will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

TEXARKANA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an overdose investigation led to the arrest of 31-year-old man and the seizure of firearms and drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine in Texarkana.

According to the Texarkana Police Department, an investigation began in September due to a drug-related death that led them to a house in the 2400 block of Laurel Street in Arkansas where narcotics were being sold.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department reached out to the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted them in serving a search warrant. Officials said in the home on Laurel Street, 60.1 grams of methamphetamine and 138 grams of marijuana were found.
Continue reading Police seize 83 pounds of drugs at a home after overdose investigation

CASS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the Cass County Sheriff’s Department issued a missing person alert for a 30-year-old man last seen on Friday. According to a release, Omar Daniel Zambrana Flores was last seen at around 4 a.m. on Friday leaving his residence without a vehicle on CR 2913 in Hughes Springs. Flores is a Hispanic man and is 5 foot 9 inches. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-756-7511.

POLK COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that felony warrants have been issued for two people in connection to the attempted delivery of synthetic marijuana to a Polk County Jail inmate.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said synthetic marijuana, K2, or Spice, is intended to mimic THC and are abused for their psychoactive properties.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into the weed trafficking scheme began on Nov. 7 and it was discovered that the substance was smuggled through the United States Postal Service. The recipient as identified as 29-year-old inmate, Kenneth Lamar Lynch, and the sheriff’s office said the jail division and narcotics detectives were able to intercept the package before it reached him. Lynch was originally arrested on Aug. 16 for non-drug related charges. Officials said the operation involved tracking the envelope’s shipment, and it was discovered that Lynch conspired with Michelle Rae Johnston and others. Johnston’s active felony warrants include prohibited substance in a correctional facility, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity. Continue reading Synthetic marijuana smuggled into Polk County Jail

TYLER – Michael Jones, 31, has had his bond reduction request denied by a Smith County Judge after he and Kerry Jones, 34, were arrested on charges concerning dogfighting after 60 dogs and two cats were seized from a Tyler property on Sept. 9. Michael’s mother, Brenda, took the stand during the Tuesday hearing. She testified the dogs belonged to Michael’s brother, Kerry. He is also facing charges. Brenda called Michael a “nurturer” and says he cared for his puppies. At one point, she tried pleading the fifth when asked about dogfighting. Michael’s bond will remain at $700,000. Kerry’s is set for $560,000.

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Darius Jubarn’e Davis was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Nov. 15 after he was arrested in connection to a Tyler shooting that injured a 3-year-old in March.

Darius Jubarn’e Davis, 31 of Tyler, pleaded guilty to unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams, according to our news partner KETK. Initially, Davis was also charged and indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but that charge was dropped. Judicial records show that he was sentenced to 45 years in state prison for the firearm charge and 20 years for the controlled substance charge.

Davis was arrested in March after a 3-year-old was hit in the buttocks by a bullet and had to be taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The 45-year sentence and the 20-year sentence both started on Nov. 15. Davis was given a 248-day jail credit, according to Smith County Jail records.

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County man was given a 20 year prison sentence on Friday after pleading not guilty to a 2023 charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, 23-year-old William Chaplinski of Big Sandy, was found guilty in Sept. 2023 fatal head-on crash.

Crash reports from the DPS said Chaplinski crossed the center line in a Nissan Titan in attempts to pass another vehicle when he collided into a Kia Sportage head-on. The driver of the Kia, 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chaplinski was booked into the Smith County Jail on Sept. 9, 2023 after authorities said he was “determined to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.”

A year later,Chaplinski entered a not guilty plea with the court, for the intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle charge and was found guilty. He will now serve a 20-year sentence in state prison.

TROUP – The Troup Police Department said that the city has reached an agreement with the family of a juvenile who reportedly drew graffiti on a public restroom on Nov. 20. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they identified the juvenile while investigating the vandalized restroom at the city splash pad. Police said the youth was cooperative and remorseful. The city said the family agreed to pay for the cost of cleaning the graffiti.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Tyler Police Department said they arrested a 32-year-old Tyler man on Friday for possession or promotion of child pornography.

Thirty-two-year-old Ryan Mosely of Tyler, was arrested as the result of an investigation that Tyler PD said they started after they received information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Mosely has been booked in the the Smith County Jail where officials said he’s being held on a $750,000 bond. Tyler PD thanked the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said a driver was killed when their vehicle crashed in the 2000 block of Old Tyler Road on Friday afternoon.

Our news partner, KETK, reports that the driver had already been taken out of the commercial vehicle by other motorists when when the Nacogdoches Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene. Officials said their reports indicate the vehicle was heading south on Old Tyler Road when it used the turn lane to try passing other vehicles. That’s when the vehicle left the roadway, hitting trees and rolling over. Nacogdoches PD said that the driver was declared dead at the scene by the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace.

The vehicle was leaking diesel fuel, so the Texas Department of Transportation and a hazmat team responded to deal with the spill. Nacogdoches PD said they’re withholding the driver’s name while they work to notify their relatives.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Independent School District said their Education Support Center will be closed Friday due to damage from a fire just after midnight. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from the district stated the fire caused “significant damage” to the building’s northwest wing. No injuries have been reported from the fire and the Longview Fire Department is investigating the cause.

“We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters and first responders who acted so quickly to contain the fire and prevent further damage,” Longview ISD superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said. “Their dedication and skill ensured that no one was harmed and that the impact was minimized as much as possible.” Continue reading Longview ISD Education Support Center closed due to fire damage

SMITH COUNTY— A Tyler man has been arrested for murder after a body was discovered that was later ruled as fentanyl overdose. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on CR 490, between Swan and Lindale. On their arrival, deputies were told the body of Michael Crone was found by a roommate lying on the floor of their residence.

The sheriff’s office said, “During the investigation, deputies observed a small piece of tin foil just inside the sink in the bathroom which contained what appeared to be a partially burned substance. Also located within the same area was a paper rolled which appeared to be utilized as a straw.”

Detectives determined that Crone’s phone was missing and alongside the narcotics found at the residence, led them to believe the phone contained “information regarding his death.” Investigators also felt that the phone was destroyed to hinder the death investigation.
Continue reading Tyler man charged with murder in fentanyl overdose

PANOLA COUNTY – A multi-county box truck pursuit ended Thursday morning when a deputy hit the truck, preventing it from entering a school zone. The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said the driver has been arrested with additional charges expected.  According to our news partner KETK, at around 7:19 a.m. the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office notified Panola County Dispatch that a Tatum officer was pursuing a box truck on Highway 149 and was headed toward Panola County.

“The Tatum officer was monitoring traffic on Hwy 149 on the north side of Tatum, when the truck passed him in the oncoming traffic lanes,” the Panola County Sheriff’s Office said.

The sheriff’s office said deputies, constables and Department of Public Safety troopers responded and some joined the pursuit as the truck continued to travel into the oncoming lanes. A constable used his patrol vehicle to hit and disable the truck at around 7:25 a.m. before it entered a nearby Beckville school zone, PCSO said. Continue reading Truck driver arrested following multi-county pursuit

LONGVIEW – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, an 18-year-old remains behind bars after leading police on a Tuesday pursuit and then crashing a stolen vehicle into a building, the Longview Police Department said.

Officers were called around 12:17 a.m. to a deadly conduct in the 1300 block of Lawndale Street. While responding to that call on the northwest Longview street, police saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen an hour earlier and initiated pursuit. “A short pursuit followed and then ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into a vacant building after striking a home as well,” said Longview PD. “There were no injuries at any of the involved locations.”

The driver, identified as 18-year-old Xavier Tennison of Longview, was booked into the Gregg County Jail. He was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful carrying of a weapon. He is being held on a total $87,000 bond.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.

MOUNT PLEASANT — According to our news partner KETK, the Mount Pleasant City Council voted to cut longevity pay in half on Tuesday night, a bonus many city employees receive during the holiday season. According to the city’s website, each full-time employee should have received ten dollars for every month employed. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a 120-dollar bonus at the end of the year however council members voted Tuesday night to cut it in half from 10 dollars to five.

“Full-time employees receive $120 per year longevity pay [that is] paid at the end of the year,” the City of Mount Pleasant’s website said. “Longevity pay begins after completion of one year of service to the City.”

The Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association and the Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant Local 5069 posted statements expressing their disappointment with the city council’s decision. Continue reading Mount Pleasant cuts Christmas bonuses in half

PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, a man is behind bars after causing crash that killed an 85-year-old woman on Tuesday in Palestine. The police department said at around 4:17 p.m. officials were dispatched to the intersection of N. Loop 256 and Palestine Avenue due to a two-vehicle crash. A Toyota Tacoma, driven by Mark Thomas, 65 of Palestine, allegedly collided into a Ford Fusion, driven by Laura Braisher, 54 of Palestine.

The Ford had two additional passengers, 85-year-old Dorothy Sims and a child. The driver and passengers of the Ford were taken to a local hospital where Sims later died, officials said. The child was taken to a Dallas hospital with serious injuries.

“Witness stated that the Ford was traveling north on the loop when the Toyota failed to yield the right of way and turned onto Palestine Ave. in front of the Ford, causing the collision,” The Palestine Police Department said. Continue reading Woman dies after being struck by alleged intoxicated driver

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing family from Marshall. According to our news partner KETK, Gerardo Roman, Alondra Rodriguez, Jazel Roman, and Gerardo Roman Jr. were last seen on Friday, November 15 leaving Trinity Episcopal School where Alondra is an employee.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

HENDERSON COUNTY– A 66-year-old man is at the Henderson County Jail after authorities found him in possession of methamphetamine and supplies used in narcotic distribution during a Tuesday search. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, at around 6:30 p.m. investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at Singletree Trail just outside of Athens.
During the search, Ricky Clyde Hurt, 66 of Athens, was found in possession of “a large amount of suspected methamphetamine,” baggies and scales, the sheriff’s office said. Hurt was charged with manufacture of delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the jail on a $150,000 bond.

OVERTON — A 2-year-old has been airlifted to an out-of-state hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. According to our news partner KETK, at around noon on Wednesday, officials were dispatched to the 109000 block of CR 29 near Overton at the Smith and Rusk County line of a reported accidental shooting of a 2-year-old. When officials arrived, the child had already been taken to the Overton Fire Department and later air-lifted to an out-of-state hospital.

The child reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the side of the chest, and was an in-and-out wound. Smith said the child is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. No arrests have been made.