Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
TYLER – A Smith County man is going to federal prison for drug trafficking. Stacey Godsey, 45, of Tyler, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison. He pleaded guilty back in July to conspiracy to import anabolic steroids. According to federal prosecutors, from 2014 to 2016, Godsey and Joseph Shay Burton, 39, also of Tyler, purchased anabolic steroids through the internet from suppliers located in China. The men are said to have converted them from powder to liquid dosage units in the kitchen and garage of Godsey’s home. Once converted into liquid, the steroids were sold and distributed to steroid users in Tyler and elsewhere. When law enforcement officers searched residences belonging to the men in the spring of last year, more than 60,000 dosage units of anabolic steroids were found at Godsey’s residence. More than 6,000 dosage units were found at Burton’s residence. Burton pleaded guilty in July of this year and is awaiting sentencing.
TYLER – In Tyler federal Court, a mother and son from Dallas have been sentenced for their roles in a synthetic drug conspiracy. Sharjeel Jeff Ali, 29, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. His mother, Nadia Farishta,54, was sentenced to 47 months in federal prison. They will also will forfeit over $250,000 in seized U. S. currency and bank accounts, and around 55 pounds of synthetic drugs, and drug paraphernalia. The United States will also take money judgments in the amount of $500,000 against the woman and her ex-husband, who was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison earlier this year. Also previously sentenced in the case were the woman’s daughter and son-in-law. Read the rest of this entry »
HARLETON – A two vehicle accident that left one person dead in Harrison County remains under investigation. Dead at the scene was Colleen Mansfield, 51, of Diana. The Department of Public Safety reports she crossed over to the other lane of traffic, on a curve, and collided with a pickup. The man driving the pickup was not injured. The accident occurred shortly after 6:45 Thursday morning on State Highway 154, about three miles east of Harleton.
TYLER – An accident at a Tyler intersection is causing a problem. A vehicle hit a utility pole at West 5th Street and South College Avenue. The intersection is currently controlled by stop signs and functioning as an all-way stop intersection until the signal is repaired. Drivers are urged to use caution at this intersection or use an alternate route.
TYLER – A Houston man has received a lengthy prison sentence for a Tyler murder. Jared Wilson, 32, had been convicted of the shooting death of Thomas Wilson of Lindale in July of last year. He was sentenced Thursday to life in prison. The altercation which led to the shooting took place in the parking lot of the Royal Inn Suites on West Northwest Loop 323. Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument between the two men over car keys belonging to Tom Wilson’s niece, who was the girlfriend to Jared Wilson. The suspect, who ran from the scene, was taken into custody near Anderson County after a state trooper located his vehicle.
AUSTIN – A state grant is coming to a Henderson County school system. The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded a $100,326 Jobs and Education for Texans grant to the Eustace Independent School District. The grant will help the school district purchase and install equipment to provide 192 students with training for careers in the welding profession. The purchased equipment will continue to support the welding program and future students enrolled with Eustace ISD.
LONGVIEW – Longview’s 9th homicide of the year is under investigation. The shooting death was reported shortly before midnight Wednesday on Thirteenth Street. A man was found dead in a carport at the residence. A second man was also shot. He is in the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. Names have not been released.
LONGVIEW – Twin brothers from Gladewater are involved in child indecency cases in Longview. On Wednesday, a jury found Randal Chaise Harty, 35, guilty of indecency with a child by exposure. Harty, a registered sex offender, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. KETK reports he was caught masturbating in the vicinity of a child. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – An outdoor burn ban that has been in place in Gregg County has temporarily been lifted. It went into effect October 16th when the lack of rainfall placed the county in drought-like conditions. Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt temporarily lifted the ban on Wednesday. County commissioners will reconsider the ban at Monday morning’s meeting.
SHREVEPORT – A Longview doctor is free om bond following his arrest in Shreveport. The Shreveport times reports Dr. Richard A. Hamer was arrested October 28th during a prostitution sweep. He is currently free on a $1,000 bond. According to doctor.com, Hammer is a neurologist who opened his practice in Longview in 1995. He is affiliated with hospitals in Longview and Mount Pleasant. The operation, which was dubbed “Slick John,” resulted in the arrests of 57 people ranging in age from 19 to 66. The police told the paper that the operation also found a missing juvenile.
LONGVIEW – One person has been killed in a Longview accident. It happened around 10:30 Tuesday night on West Marshall Avenue just east of Spur 63. Dead at the scene was 36 year old Ronchey Lemond Thomas of Longview. Police reports say he was heading west at a high speed when he side swiped a car and then slid into a signal pole which hit the driver’s side of the car. Thomas, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle.
WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Congressman Jeb Hensarling of Texas has become the latest Republican House member to announce his retirement. Hensarling, who chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee, tells fellow Republicans in an email Tuesday that as his term as chairman comes to an end, it’s the right time to leave Congress and spend more time with his teenage kids. He writes that although he will not be running for re-election, there are 14 months left in his term to continue the fight for the causes for which he remains passionate. Hensarling has served the 5th congressional district since 2003.The district covers Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Kaufman, and Van Zandt counties.
TYLER – Don’t be surprised if you see a Tyler policeman with a beard in November, even though beards have not been allowed. Police Chief Jimmy Toler has authorized all sworn officers, who wish to support the United Way with a minimum donation of $25.00, to wear a groomed beard, with restrictions, for the month of November only. The department is not a stranger to donating to the United Way. The department received the Community Champion Award given by United Way for the past nine years in a row. Employees of the police department have given over $62,000 over the past three years.
AUSTIN – The Texas Water Development Board has approved financial assistance for the Craft-Turney Water Supply Corporation in Cherokee County. The $1,625,000 will be used to finance planning, acquisition, design, and construction costs associated with a water system improvement project. Improvements to the system include a new water well, two high-service pumps at a new pump station, and a new 100,000-gallon ground storage tank.
ATHENS – A traffic stop in Athens has led to the arrest of four persons on a variety of charges. Sheriff’s deputies tried to stop the car for driving recklessly, but it fled. When it finally stopped, the driver, Levi Gad Lebleu, 36, of Athens, fled. He was chased down by a deputy while another deputy detained three passengers in the car. Also arrested were Anthony Michael Lebleu, 37, of Athens, Sara Irene Peasner, 26, of Athens and Derek Lee Payton, 27, of Athens.