Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
MARSHALL – A Marshall foster parent has pleaded guilty to injury to a child. After entering her plea on Thursday, Michelle Lee Hayes, 44, was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication. She took an 18 month old child to a Marshall hospital in May of 2017. She said she was carrying the child and was intoxicated when she tripped and fell. She later admitted she bruised the child’s head and face when she slammed his head into the side of his crib. The youngster was later transported to a Dallas-area hospital with severe injuries. Hayes was licensed to be a foster parent in 2016 and had three children in her care when the incident occurred.
GILMER – A fatal Upshur County accident remains under investigation. The accident occurred around 7:45 Thursday morning at the intersection of State Highway 300 and Farm Road 726. Dead at the scene was Whitney Emmel Petrick, 30, of Diana. The Department of Public Safety says Patrick pulled out in front of of a pickup driven by James Sterling Jones Jr., 29, of Longview. The report said Jones was stable at the scene.
SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County death is under investigation. The man’s body was found just before noon on Thursday. It was found near a tractor on his property off Farm Road 850 east of Tyler. Investigators first said he appeared to have suffered a shotgun wound. Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger has ordered an autopsy and the body was sent to to Forensic Medical in Tyler.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has announced that Dr. Robert Beatty has been named the new dean of the school’s Soules College of Business. He assumes his new duties this summer. With five academic departments, 62 full-time faculty and nearly 3,000 students, the Soules College of Business is one of UT Tyler’s largest colleges. Soules awards nearly 900 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees per year in 12 different majors. Last year, the college received its full accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 5% of business schools globally hold this accreditation.
LONGVIEW – If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Longview’s Dalton Days is a family adventure. The activities were inspired initially by the story of a bank robbery. It has evolved into a celebration of our western heritage and has become a fun, family friendly tradition. Saturday’s activities start that morning at 10:00 with a bang. It’s the first of four reenactments of the infamous bank robbery in 1894. Then there’s western entertainment. There are exhibits, such as a blacksmith, soap maker, wood craftsman, chuck wagon demonstrations, root beer saloon and many others. The Dalton Day activities will be held downtown in front of the Gregg County Historical Museum and are free to the public.
LONGVIEW – A busy Longview street, that had been closed, has reopened. High Street had been closed in both directions from Nelson Street to South Street because of a gas leak. Workers have repaired the leak and the road was reopened.
KILGORE – A third person has been arrested in connection with a recent shooting in Kilgore. Xiavier Epps, 21, of Ore City, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond was set at $150,000. Previously arrested were Isaiah Orange, 17, of Kilgore. He is charged with aggravated robbery and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $153,500. Treylon Stephenson, 18, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $100,000. Their arrests stem from a shooting earlier this week on Miles Street. The shooting occurred during a dispute between two groups. One of the shots hit an 18 year old woman in the neck.
MARSHALL – Funeral services have been scheduled for Marshall school trustee Barbara Carraway Alexander. She died at her home Tuesday afternoon following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 13, at the Texas & Louisiana Baptist Association Building in Marshall. Viewing will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, April 12, at Peoples Funeral Home in Marshall. Burial will be in Marshall’s Rosehill Gardens Cemetery. She would have celebrated her 69th birthday on Friday, April 5th. She represented District 2 on the Marshall school board, serving two terms on the board. The first was from 1990 to 2004. She was currently in her second term, which started in 2011.
HOUSTON – A judge has ruled that a Henderson County animal shelter can keep a tiger that was rescued from an abandoned Houston home. The Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison has looked after the tiger since February. That’s when when some people entered a house to smoke marijuana and found the big cat. The 350 pound tiger was improperly secured in a small cage, and was sitting on hay and its own waste. The Houston Chronicle reports that the judge ordered the tiger’s owner to pay about $11,600 to cover the cost of the tiger’s care. Houston police have filed a civil lawsuit accusing Brittany Garza of animal cruelty. She refuses to explain how she obtained the tiger.
TYLER – The 35 Annual Taste of Tyler comes to Harvey Hall this evening from 6:30 to 8:30. You will be able to sample the food and beverages with around 60 Tyler restaurants participating this year. Along with the food and drink there will also be live entertainment provided by the Tuxedo Cats. If any tickets remain they will be available at the door for $30. This city-wide event raises money to support East Texas culinary and hospitality students.The Taste of Tyler hosted by the East Texas Restaurant Association.
LAIRD HILL – One person has been arrested in connection with a burglary that turned into a Rusk County homicide. Last Friday, Griselda Contreras, 41, the mother of five, was shot to death in her Laird Hill home. Investigators tell our news partner KETK, a man took a picture of a car parked in the area about the time of the killing. After putting the picture on Facebook, they started getting calls, which led them to Dylan Page Rachal, 19. Word is, he planned to steal a PlayStation 4 and a gun, but something went wrong. He has been arrested and charged with capital murder. He is in the Rusk County Jail under a $1,500,000 bond.
MARSHALL – A suspect in a Marshall shooting is in custody in Louisiana. Derrick Dewayne Johnson, 30, turned himself into the Bossier City Police Department on Wednesday. He was wanted in a Monday night shooting that occurred near the intersection of Dogan and Winston streets in Marshall. The warrant affidavit said that Johnson intentionally fired into a vehicle, injuring Savannah Carpenter, 17, who was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Johnson is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
BEAUMONT – A federal grand jury in Beaumont has indicted an Upshur County man on child exploitation charges. He is Jeremy OKieth Kyle, 38, of Ore City. He also goes by the names of Corey Webster and Rick. The indictment charges him with coercion and enticement, sexual exploitation of children, traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual contact, and penalties for registered sex offenders. The indictment says that on various dates in 2016 and 2018, Kyle, a convicted sex offender, is said to have committed numerous offenses against minor girls. If convicted of all counts, Kyle will receive life in federal prison.
TYLER – An East Texas bank has been named one of the best companies to work for in the state. Austin Bank was honored at the Texas Association of Business Awards dinner in Austin. This is the 11th consecutive year for Austin Bank to receive this award. Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Companies to Work for in Texas. The 2019 list is comprised of 100 companies which benefit the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. Austin Bank ranked #18 in the medium sized company category. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Austin bank has over 480 employees in 33 locations, 24 cities and twelve counties.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed 14 persons to the Texas Health Services Authority Board Of Directors. The two Tyler residents named to the panel are Paula Anthony-McMann and Dr. Jerome Lisk. McMann is the Chief Strategy Officer for UT Health East Texas. Dr. Lisk is is the director of Movement Disorders at the Neurological Institute at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. The Texas Health Services Authority is responsible for coordinating the implementation of health information exchange in Texas. These appointments are subject to senate confirmation.
MARSHALL – A member of the Marshall school board his died. Long time school trustee Barbara Carraway Alexander died at her home Tuesday afternoon following a lengthy illness. She would have celebrated her 69th birthday on Friday. She represented District 2 on the Marshall school board. She has served two terms on the board. The first was from 1990 to 2004. She was currently in her second term, which started in 2011. Funeral services are pending.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an accused sex offender. And they are asking for the public’s help in locating him. He is James Anderson, 55. He is described as 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 314 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair. He has multiple tattoos on both arms. A warrant is out for his arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child. He is said to have sexually assaulted the child numerous times. If you know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the sheriff’s department our your local law enforcement agency.
TYLER – A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to making false statements to get a passport. Baltazar Arrieta-Lara, 52, a resident of Henderson, entered the guilty plea in federal court in Tyler on Tuesday. He has been living in the U.S. since 2002 without legal status. He is said to have obtained information about a U.S. citizen and fraudulently used it to obtain various documents, including a U.S. passport. Federal authorities discovered the problem when he tried to renew his passport. He could get up to ten years in federal prison at his sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.
MT. SELMAN – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man they describe as armed and dangerous. He is Bryan Heath Cannon, 33. He is wanted for aggravated kidnapping – family violence. It is said to have stemmed from an incident in the Mt. Selman area early Tuesday morning. He is thought to have fled from his residence in the Mt. Selman area shortly before law enforcement arrived. If you see Cannon, you are urged not to approach him. If you see him, or know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or the nearest law enforcement agency.
KILGORE – Two persons have been arrested in connection with the Monday night shooting of an 18 year old woman on Miles Street. Isaiah Orange, 17, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated robbery and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $153,500. Treylon Stephenson, 18, of Kilgore, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond is set at $100,000. Kilgore police say they are anticipating more arrest soon. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – A teen was taken to a Marshall hospital following a Monday night shooting. Lt. Len Ames said her injuries were non-life-threatening. The shooting occurred at the intersection of Winston and Dogan streets shortly after 10:15pm. The investigation is ongoing.
MARSHALL – Marshall police continue their investigation into a man’s death. The body of Johnathan Bennett, 30, was found by a relative in a home on Bledsoe Street on March 24th. As they do with any unattended death, it is being investigated as a homicide. A justice of the peace has ordered an autopsy. So far, an official autopsy report has not been released.
KILGORE – There is now a new incentive to go to Kilgore College. You could win a new car. Top fuel dragster Steve Torrence was on campus Tuesday to announce a new program. Called “Cruise for Success,†it allows qualifying KC students to earn points during the school year for a chance to win a brand new Chevy Cruze, sponsored by Patterson Chevrolet in Kilgore. The new program starts in August. You can go to http://www.kilgore.edu/cruiseforsuccess for more details on contest, eligibility requirements and how students can earn points toward the car and other prizes.
LONGVIEW – A man, who has pleaded guilty to kidnappings that resulted in murder, has drawn a long prison sentence. A Longview jury deliberated around two hours Monday before finding Craig Davison, 53, of Hallsville, guilty of two counts of aggravated kidnapping. He was later sentenced to 54 years in prison. He is said to have assisted in the kidnapping of Kevin Lorenzo Stephenson, 28, of Henderson, and Dekeilen Joe Nelson, 20, of Gilmer, in March of 2016. They were both shot execution-style and bodies were dumped near the railroad tracks off Estes Parkway. Two other persons were also arrested in the case. One is serving a life prison sentence and one has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three persons to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board Of Regents. The governor reappointed David Alders to the post. He also appointed to the board Judy Olson of Conroe and Jennifer Winston of Lufkin. Their terms are set to expire on January 31, 2025. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
EAST TEXAS – A juvenile has been arrested in connection with social media threats against area high schools. Through the work of numerous agencies, the juvenile was identified. Working with the Rusk County DA’s Office, a pick up order was signed by the Judge Chad Dean. The suspect was arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and released to Rusk County juvenile authorities. Despite the threat being deemed not credible, there were extra security precautions taken Monday at all five school districts involved — Henderson, Overton, West Rusk, Chapel Hill, and Kilgore. Classes were in session as normal on Monday in all five districts. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Van Zandt County Jail captain is free on bond today after her arrest. Captain Winnifred Boles, 54, of Ben Wheeler, is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate. She was booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday, then released on a $50,000 bond. According to a statement from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department, “The matter was turned over to the Texas Rangers for independent investigation.”
ABILENE – And East Texas fisherman has landed the last ‘Legacy Class’ ShareLunker of 2019. Brad Scott of Gun Barrel City caught the lunker bass on Lake Leon near Abilene during the final weekend of the 2019 donation season. The lunker entered in the Toyota ShareLunker program is the first ever caught in Lake Leon. The fish weighed in at exactly 13 pounds, the absolute minimum requirement for a “Legacy Class†ShareLunker entry. Although the “Legacy Class†donation season has ended, anglers can still enter their 8 pound or larger largemouth bass catches into the Toyota ShareLunker Program through December 31.
LONGVIEW – It is time for the annual Taste of Longview. You will get to sample a wide variety of food and drinks from various Longview restaurants. Plus, there will be live entertainment along with raffle tickets and prizes. Tickets for adults are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets for children 4 to 10 years old are $6. The event serves as a fundraiser benefiting the culinary and hospitality students of East Texas presented by the East Texas Restaurant Association and the Longview Pilot Club. Doors open Tuesday night at 7:00 at the Maude Cobb Convention Center.
LONGVIEW – At student at LeTourneau University has been accepted to participate in the Texas Joint Admission Medical Program. This guarantees sophomore biology major Benjamin Tebbe-Trujillo’s acceptance into one of the nine medical schools in Texas once he completes his undergraduate degree. The award enables him to begin his medical school education this summer with his first medical school internship. Once he completes his remaining requirements of the JAMP program, he will have interviews at all nine of the medical schools in Texas, with guaranteed acceptance into at least one.