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ANDERSON COUNTY – Two people died in a head-on collision Monday night 12 miles from Palestine according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Department of Public Safety, at around 11:08 p.m. a Toyota Tundra was travelling south on State Highway 19 when it veered into the northbound lane hitting a truck tractor towing a trailer head-on. The driver of the Tundra, identified as 21-year-old Abimael Santillian and passenger 19-year-old Tanner Perez, both of Palestine, were pronounced dead at the scene. DPS said they both were not wearing seatbelts. The driver of the truck tractor was not injured, a release said. Addition information is unavailable at this time as the investigation is ongoing, DPS said.

SMITH COUNTY — Two people were arrested on Monday in connection to Dollar General thefts, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK,  around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Whitehouse police officers responded to a theft at a Dollar General on Highway 110, but the suspects had already fled in a black pickup truck, the sheriff’s office said.

Officials said about 20 minutes later, a theft was also reported at the Dollar General on FM 2493 in Flint.

“It was quickly determined that both thefts involved the same male and female suspect who entered the store and filled grocery carts full of merchandise and then exited,” Smith County official said. “Smith County Property Crimes Investigators had been monitoring the radio traffic of these two thefts due to the ongoing nature of similar thefts in the past few weeks. They quickly responded and developed a known suspect vehicle and license plate from surveillance video.” Continue reading Two arrested following Dollar General thefts

CASS COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a former Atlanta ISD teacher and coach was convicted on four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of improper relationship between an educator and a student on Aug. 2. The Cass County Criminal District Attorney said Taureaus Alvaro Maxwell, 31, a former teacher and coach at Atlanta ISD has been convicted on four counts of indecency with a child by contact and four counts of improper relationship between educator and student. He will now start a 60-year sentence in prison and will have to pay a $10,000 fine on each charge.

The DA’s office said that evidence showed that on April 10, 2023, two students from Atlanta High School outcried to school administration about sexual abuse and online solicitation by Maxwell. The student reportedly said Maxwell requested that he add him on Snapchat where Maxwell sent multiple “snaps” throughout the year. The DA’s office said that the student testified that pictures Maxwell sent where inappropriate and stated things such as “take those clothes off” and “I want videos of the ones when you’re out of the shower.” Continue reading Former East Texas coach convicted of inappropriately touching students

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department is currently investigating a shooting on Hubbard Drive that has left one person with life-threating injuries. Longview Police Public Information Officer Brandon Thornton said the shooting took place around 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the 100 block of Hubbard Drive. Thornton said the person injured was taken to a local hospital and police are actively investigating.

This is a developing story, we will have more details as they are released.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman is dead after a verbal argument led to a driver ‘intentionally’ hitting her. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD were called in an “accident” with injuries on 3100 Letourneau Drive. When officers arrived, they found 40-year-old Teleka Levy-Williams of Longview, with significant injuries. She was taken to a hospital where she later died.

Police found out in the their investigation that Levy-Williams death wasn’t an accident. They learned she had been intentionally struck by a vehicle after an argument. Law enforcement identified the driver of the vehicle as 34-year-old Nadio Hughes of Longview. Hughes was charged with murder and is in the Gregg County Jail where she is being held on a $150,000 bond.

Longview Police asks anyone with additional information on the case to contact them at 903-237-1110 provide information online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

PRICE — Our news partners at KETK report a former Carlisle ISD security guard has been arrested, the district said on Monday in a release. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department notified the school district on Monday that a security guard employed at the school last year and “were planning to use this year” had been detained, Carlisle ISD said. The security guard was reportedly not an employee for the district but rather contracted through a “separate private security agency.” “He will no longer be assigned to our school district moving forward, effective immediately,” Carlisle ISD said. The school district said they will not release the identity or charges of the security guard at this time.

TYLER – Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats throughout August with a donation of six white towels or six fleece blankets. The towels and blankets will be used for animals at the Shelter. Blankets that are 50″ x 60″ are preferred to fit a pet’s kennel. 

The basic dog adoption fee is $120 and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption, or submit an application, visit the Tyler Animal Services webpage. 
 
The Tyler Animal Shelter is located at 4218 Chandler Highway, across from EQ Autoworks. For more information, call (903) 535-0045.

CANTON – The City of Canton Fire Department confirmed that several power poles near Highways 243 and 198 are down after being hit by a 18-wheeler on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around noon with no injuries reporting. Oncor reports 847 customers are currently without power. They expect to be fully restored by 8 p.m. on Monday night.

MARSHALL – A Marshall man has been arrested and charged in connection with federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Cameron Deshun Payton, 22 was named in a three-count indictment in the Eastern District of Texas in June 2024, charging him with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Payton appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Payne in late July 2024, and was ordered to be detained until trial.

“In June, I announced Operation Texas Kill Switch, a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as switches,” stated U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “As promised, my office and our law enforcement partners will find these devices and take them off of the streets.”
Continue reading Marshall man charged with federal firearms violations

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, the Sulphur Springs Police Department is reporting that Taylor Rianna Casper was found safe after being reported missing on Sunday.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Sulphur Springs Police Department is searching for a 23-year-old autistic woman who went missing near Garret Drive and Highway 11 West on Sunday.
Taylor Rianna Casper is 23-years-old, weighs 160 pounds and was last seen wearing a red jacket and blue jeans. Casper reportedly was last seen walking away from a residence on Garret Drive off of Highway 11 West. Sulphur Springs PD said that Casper doesn’t have her phone. They’ve asked anyone with information about Casper to call Sulphur Springs PD at 903-885-7602.

WINONA – Smith County Emergency Services District #2 officials said that one person has died and four others were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 155 near Winona on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened on Highway 155 just north of Interstate 20 at around 4:55 p.m. According to Smith County ESD 2, there were two people entrapped and another person who died when crews arrived on the scene. Four people were then reportedly taken by EMS to a local hospital.

Winona Volunteer Fire Department, the Department of Public Safety and Smith County ESD 2 engines 122,128,127,Chief 127,BC2 T127 and B127.

OVERTON- A car was hit by a train on the railroad crossing at N. Commerce Street and E. Henderson Street, according to our news partner KETK. The crash occurred early Sunday morning. Overton Volunteer Fire Department also reported that there were no injuries. Information regarding the driver of the vehicle as well as a motive behind the car being on the tracks have not been released. The Overton Police Department, Overton Volunteer Fire Department and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.

EAST TEXAS – Schools across Gregg and Smith counties are preparing for the new school year! The Tyler Morning Telegraph has put together a list of important information before the first bell rings:
Continue reading Local ISDs preparing for new school year

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Two Chinese nationals were arrested with $250,000 worth of gold bars after a traffic stop on I-20 on Thursday. Our news partners at KETK report that the arrests stemmed from a traffic stop in Wills Point. The driver was identified as 25-year-old Chen, Weijian. Due to a language barrier, Hughes asked Chen to go to his patrol vehicle and speak to him via a translation app. During an interview, Wills Point PD Sgt. Charlie Hughes reported that he had reason to suspect criminal activity. Chen claimed he was heading to Dallas and also claimed he went to Florida to “play.” 46-year-old Lin Wenqiang, the passenger in the vehicle, gave consent to a search but seemed hesitant. A search then revealed a bag located behind the driver’s seat on the floorboard.
Continue reading Quarter-million dollars of gold seized, two arrested

PALESTINE – Palestine Economic Development has announced that crews started the second phase of the Downtown Revitalization project recently. According to our news partner KETK, many of the utilities in the city, like water pipes were originally installed in the early 1900s. They have never been replaced, only repaired over time.

Mary Ann Admire, City of Palestine Main Street coordinator said, “We are incredibly excited to be progressing on the Downtown Revitalization Project, which will replace utilities, sidewalks, and streets in the Central Business District. We are so grateful to the City leadership for their vision and determination to make downtown safe and accessible.”
Continue reading Phase two of downtown Palestine development started

TYLER – Two people were arrested in Tyler after an investigation into human trafficking. According to our news partners at KETK, Tyler police arrested 24-year-old James Emmitt Dews III and 23-year-old Hannah Nicole Moore for trafficking a child. The arrest was made in collaboration with the Texas Attorney General’s Office Human Trafficking Unit and the North Texas Human Trafficking Task Force. Both are in the Smith County Jail with bonds listed at $750,000 each. The investigation is still ongoing.

TYLER — Tickets for the 108th annual East Texas State Fair have officially gone on sale. According to our news partner KETK, this year’s East Texas State Fair will run from Sept. 20 – 29 at 11315A State Highway 64 West and tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for children 5-12, children under 5 get in free and carnival wristbands for unlimited rides in one day cost $37.

The fair also said that there will be special themed days, Military Appreciation Day will be on Sept 23, offering free admission to active and retired military personnel with valid ID, First Responder Day will be on Sept 25, offering free admission to police, firefighters and EMS with valid ID.

“This year, we’re opening at a new location, offering a fresh experience with new attractions and entertainment for the whole family,” Cody Rosenbalm, CEO and president of the East Texas State Fair, said. “We’re here to make this year’s Fair unforgettable and look forward to welcoming everyone at our new grounds.”

Click here for more information.

TYLER — Construction in downtown Tyler has been going on for months and it’s getting busier with the demolition of buildings for the next phase of the new courthouse project, according to our news partner KETK. “Phase two is starting of the construction of the courthouse but the demolition of the east side of the square actually has to start first and that will begin on Monday,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. People who visit or work downtown should plan for detours and parking changes. “You see all of the fencing all around but you’ll see people in there working and heavy equipment pushing down buildings and walls,” Franklin said.

Currently, crews are looking underground at fiber and utility lines to prevent any issues moving forward. Continue reading Demolition phase is underway for new Smith County courthouse

TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott selected Dr. Jenifer Chilton, The University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing associate dean for academic affairs, as an inaugural member of the advisory panel for the Healthcare Workforce Task Force. The role of the task force is to address the healthcare workforce shortages in Texas.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Chilton’s appointment to the advisory panel,” said Dr. Julie V. Philley, UT Tyler president. “Her expertise and dedication to nursing education and healthcare excellence will be invaluable in shaping the future of our healthcare workforce.”

The task force and advisory panel will meet monthly to discuss healthcare information gained from state agency experts and stakeholders. Chilton will serve as co-chair of a workgroup that will identify barriers and opportunities to increasing the faculty pipeline and other health professions. The task force and advisory panel will issue a final report on Oct. 1.

MARSHALL – Two adults and two teenagers were arrested as a result of a drive-by shooting in Marshall Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, arrested were 49-year-old Gerrold Maze, 26-year-old Kisha Carlisle, 19-year-old Rmund Hall and 17-year-old Darrieon Russaw all of Marshall.

This was in regards to two shots fired incidents that occurred around 3:00 a.m. Thursday morning. According to Marshall Police, the first was near Lions Park. The other near a home on Calloway Street. Officers reported no injuries at either location. However, this led them to a home on Twyman Street. At this location, all four persons arrested gave up voluntarily to officers.
Continue reading Four arrested in Marshall drive-by shooting

PALESTINE — Our news partners at KETK report that an Elkhart motorcyclist has died after a two vehicle wreck on Tuesday in front of the Palestine Mall, the Palestine Police Department said. The police department said at around 12:41 p.m., officers and the Palestine Fire Department were dispatched to the 2100 block of Crockett Road due to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Palestine PD said when officials arrived at the scene, both vehicles were blocking the road and the motorcyclist was unresponsive. Continue reading Motorcyclist dies in wreck at Palestine mall

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will begin replacing 8,000 water meters starting on Monday, Aug. 19. This project was approved by the City Council in December 2023. The first phase will take one year to complete and will replace meters identified as having issues with accuracy and reliability. For the next three years, 1,650 meters will be replaced annually until all identified problem meters are switched to the new model. Water meters measure the amount of water delivered to a customer’s tap. The most recent meters in our system were installed in 2005. Over the last several years, 27 percent of the existing meters had problems accurately reading water usage, not registering consumption, and not communicating the information to the Water Business Office. Continue reading TWU begins replacing 8,000 water meters Aug. 19

ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left two people dead early Wednesday morning. According to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman and our news partner KETK, a call reported a shooting in Burke just after midnight Wednesday morning. Officials detained a juvenile, who has not been publicly identified, at the scene. Morgan McRae, 39, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Hannah Griffin, 31, who had also been shot, was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Selman said that investigators received a warrant for the residence and found the weapon that was used in the shooting. Officials also said there were other children in the home at the time of the shooting. Continue reading Juvenile charged in double homicide

PALESTINE — An Elkhart motorcyclist has died after a two vehicle wreck on Tuesday in front of the Palestine Mall, the Palestine Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, at around 12:41 p.m., officers and the Palestine Fire Department were dispatched to the 2100 block of Crockett Road due to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Palestine PD said when officials arrived at the scene, both vehicles were blocking the road and the motorcyclist was unresponsive. Officials said McShan was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation into the wreck indicated that a silver Ford Explorer pulled out of the Palestine Mall onto Crockett Road. The motorcyclist, Gary McShan, 59 of Elkhart, was reportedly driving south on Crockett Road. The Ford Explorer reportedly pulled out in front of McShan causing him to hit the driver’s side of the Explorer.

An inquest is being performed by Anderson County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Tammy Lightfoot.