Today is
Thursday June 11, 2026
TYLER – Tyler police are searching the downtown area for a robbery suspect who escaped from Van police. Demedrick Hunter was brought to a Tyler hospital for injuries he received in a Thursday morning crash. Because of his injuries, he was handcuffed with his hands in front of him. He is said to have jumped up from a wheelchair and ran toward South Baxter in Tyler. Tyler and Van police, along with a K-9, are searching for the suspect. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – A portion of a highway in Gregg County has been named in honor of a former Kilgore businessman. The highway is State Highway 31. The section between State Highway 42 and the Smith County line is now called the Jack Ward Memorial Highway. He died nearly a year ago in a wreck on the highway in Smith County. Ward served the community in many ways, including as a city commissioner and president of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce. Republican State Representative Jay Dean filed the legislation that created the designation of the memorial highway. Family members and friends got to see the new highway sign on Wednesday.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person who broke into a vehicle and stole a prosthetic leg. The burglary occurred on the afternoon of November 18th on County Road 228 in the southeast part of the county. Investigators says the prosthetic leg was in the victim’s truck. It is a left leg, with a hydraulic ankle, and a blue coupling with white letters showing “JT LIONS†on it. The foot is a size 13 and it had no shoe on it. Also taken was a Craftsman toolbox, a T-Post driver, and a come a long hand operated winch which were in the bed of the truck. If you have any information about this, you are asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police department has announced a program looking for, what they call, “porch pirates.” These are people who drive through neighborhoods looking for recently delivered packages sitting on front porches. They take a chance of stealing it in hopes of getting something of value. Now, until Christmas Day, Kilgore officers and detectives will be on special assignment looking for porch pirates. They may even plant some pirate traps around town. If you see suspicious people or vehicles in your neighborhood don’t hesitate to call your police department. You can find out more about Operation Prevent Pirate Theft on the Kilgore Police Department’s Facebook page.
LONGVIEW – A Gregg County man has been arrested in Camp County on an outstanding aggravated sexual assault warrant. Julio C. Sanchez, 27, of Longview, was arrested Tuesday evening on County Road 4110 in Camp County. He was arrested by members of the the U.S. Marshall’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Camp County Sheriff’s Office. Sanchez has been transferred from Camp County to the Gregg County Jail. He is being held on two charges of aggravated assault of a child, three charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact and an INS detainer.
PALESTINE – Palestine Police Chief Andy Harvey has announced the promotion of three officers in the department. They will fill vacant positions, including administrative positions. Gary Rayford has been promoted to Assistant Chief, Mark Harcrow has been promoted to Captain and Detective David Kassaw has been promoted to Sergeant. All three officers will begin their duties immediately. Read the rest of this entry »
DALLAS – A domestic violence case against former Tylerite Johnny Manziel, has been dropped by the Dallas County District Attorney. Dallas TV station WFAA reports the case was dismissed last week. Manziel’s ex-girlfriend accused him of restraining, hitting and threatening her during an incident in January of last year. The TV station reports Manziel has completed anger management, attended a domestic violence impact panel and participated in the NFL’s substance abuse program, all in the last 12 months. All of the tasks had been assigned by the court. Manziel is currently out of football, having been cut by the Cleveland Browns. He has also been dropped by Nike and his agent.
LONGVIEW – During the second day of his trial, a Longview man has pleaded guilty to murder. Brenndrick Desean Lilly, 22, pleaded guilty to the shooting death of Devin Newsom, 20, of Lakeport. He was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years in prison. The shooting occurred in May of last year at a convenience store on Eastman Road. Authorities say Newsom was killed after a robbery set up to look like a drug deal escalated into murder. In connection with the same incident, Lilly will plead guilty to aggravated robbery next week. Two other persons have also been indicted for murder in the case. Kentrell Jorail Smith, 21, and Kambresha Shante Williams, 22, both of Longview, remain in the Gregg County Jail awaiting trial.
TYLER – There has been a promotion at the Tyler Fire Department. Captain Joey Hooton has been appointed as Assistant Fire Chief. Hooton began his duties on Monday, November 19. Assigned to the Administrative Division, Hooton will be responsible for planning, budgets, grants, ISO, and personnel. He started with the Tyler Fire Department in February 2004. Since then, he has held the ranks of firefighter, driver/engineer, and captain. Prior to his promotion, Chief Hooton worked as the Captain on A-Shift at Station #9. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – East Texas Baptist University in Marshall has entered into its 8th articulation agreement with area schools. The latest is with Tyler Junior College. The agreement was signed Wednesday morning by TJC President Mike Metke and ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn. School officials say the agreement will provide additional academic opportunities for students of both institutions. The agreement will enable a smooth transition through the admissions and enrollment process. It also guarantees a successful transfer of approved credit hours to ETBU from TJC for transferring students. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – It is graduation time in East Texas for some firefighters. The Kilgore College Fire Academy No. 102 will held its graduation ceremony at this evening. It was held in the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. The Fire Academy is recognized by the State of Texas as an Exemplary Program. It is also accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association. Twenty two students were candidates for graduation. While many are from Texas, 5 are from Canada and one is from Alaska and one from Australia.
TYLER – If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for duty on Wednesday, November 29, you may disregard it. Smith County Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett says no new panels will be needed. So, if you were planning to report for jury duty Wednesday with your yellow card, don’t have to make the trip. Bennett said, however, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.
FRANKSTON – A man has died in an unusual accident in Anderson County. Killed in the accident just before 9:00 Tuesday morning was Ricky A. Casey, 58, of Frankston. The accident happened on Farm Road 837 near Frankston. The DPS reports he was heading east on the farm road when a falling tree landed on the cab of his pickup. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
MARSHALL – A former Hallsville coach has accepted a plea bargain in his case involving three counts of indecency with a child by exposure and improper student teacher relationship. Dean McDaniel pleaded guilty to 3 lesser counts of assault causing bodily injury. His August trial ended in a mistrial. Under Monday’s plea agreement, he was sentenced to four years probation. He must also surrender his teaching license. He was also ordered to undergo counseling, not contact the victims or their families and not go within 1,000 yards of a school or university. McDaniel is also barred from volunteering in children’s activities and must write a letter of apology to each victim. Read the rest of this entry »
A vehicle/pedestrian accident in Smith County has killed one person. It happened shortly after 1:45 Tuesday morning on Farm Road 14, about 2 1/2 miles north of Tyler. Pronounced dead at the scene was 55 year-old Michael Edward Jowers of Tyler. He was walking in the road when hit by a car driven by 33 year-old Danny Keith McMiller of Tyler. The accident remains under investigation.