Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
TYLER – For October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the city of Tyler is making available pink trash cans. The city’s Solid Waste Department says on the city’s web site, the 96 gallon trash cans are $97.74, which must be prepaid by cash, check, or money order. The money must accompany the completed agreement, signed by the account holder. A $5 donation will be made to the Susan G. Komen foundation for each pink cart delivered. The pink carts remain the property of the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department. You can click on this link, http://www.cityoftyler.org/Portals/0/Documents/Solid%20Waste/Pink%20Cart%20Agreement%20v%203.pdf for the agreement. Print it and bring or mail the signed agreement and payment to Solid Waste at 414 N. Bois D’Arc Ave. Tyler Texas 75702.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a burglary suspect. The man is a suspect in a burglary of a habitation where several firearms and checks were stolen. The checks were later forged. If you have information about the suspect, you are asked to contact Detective Hill at 903-590-2615.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested after they say he twice resisted arrest. Irin Tradarian Rugley, 21, was one of two persons found in a car at Stamper Park Wednesday morning around 4:00. Since the park is closed at that time, officers checked on the car. Officers say Rugley was uncooperative and verbally defiant and hit an officer in the head before running away. The officer was treated and released from the hospital. When Rugley was found around 9:15 Wednesday night on Mary Jane Street, he was again was verbally defiant and resisted officers. He was arrested and placed in the Gregg County Jail on charges of resisting arrest and assault of a public servant. His bonds total $12,000.
TYLER – A capital murder suspect was due in a Tyler courtroom Thursday. It’s now been moved to October 12 at 10:30 a.m. Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, 25, Bullard, is facing the death penalty for abducting and killing Kayla Gomez-Orozco, 10, last November. She disappeared from a Bullard church. Her body was found days later inside a well on the suspect’s property. Family members said he is a cousin who “acted like an uncle to Kayla.” The Suspect remains in the Smith County Jail under a $10 million bond.
TYLER – A Tyler Fire Department Captain and his wife killed in an Arkansas accident are being remembered today. Marty and Jean Lawrence died early Saturday morning when an 18-wheeler swerved and hit their car. Following an 11 a.m. funeral at Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church, several streets and intersections were to be closed as the funeral procession makes its way to the Flint Cemetery. Leaving the church around 12:15, the procession heads south on the Troup Highway to Grande Boulevard; turns right on Grande; and proceeds to the Old Jacksonville Highway, where it turns left and heads to the cemetery.
TYLER – Smith County donated surplus computer equipment this week to Mustard Seed Ministries to be given to local school children. Dr. Karen Jones, founder and president of Mustard Seed Ministries, along with three technicians, picked up surplus technology equipment that had been collected by the county’s information technology department. For years the county has donated outdated and broken computer equipment, including monitors, desktops and printers, to Mustard Seed Ministries. The nonprofit organization dismantles and reassembles the equipment and donates them to children who do not have computers. Mustard Seed Ministries has given away about 11,000 computers.
GRAND SALINE – The Grand Saline police chief, who was put on administrative leave July 12th, has been arrested. Chief Justin Collins, 37, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday after being charged with theft of property over $100 but less than $750. Texas Municipal Police Association Executive Director Kevin Lawrance told KETK, a “litany” of complaints had been lodged against Chief Collins. Some of the complaints are policy issues and more serious matters are criminal in nature. This includes possible fraud, theft and abuse of capacity. After being booked in to the Van Zandt County Jail, he was released on a $1,000 bond.
TYLER- Susan Farrington has joined Tyler Junior College as director of alumni relations. She recently moved back to Texas from Pennsylvania, where she served as director of alumni, employer and student relations for Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. She previously held positions in both higher education and the business sector.
TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to prison for a robbery last October. Martiness Jones-Bigham, 21, pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to eight years in prison with 349 days credit for time served. Police records show Bigman was arrested by Precinct 1 Deputy Constable Glen Stone, who caught him robbing the Super Food Mart gas station on Gentry Parkway. The constable found him, armed with a knife, in the act of robbing the clerk. He was ordered to the ground while they waited for Tyler police. Last month his accomplice, 19 year old Jordan Devers of Tyler, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for his part in the robbery.
MARSHALL – Due to the weather, Marshall has made the decision to reschedule their National Night Out event to Thursday, October 5, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. It will be held in downtown Marshall. There will be free food, games, bounce houses, K9 and SWAT demonstrations and entertainment for all. This year, Walmart, Caddo Packing, Super One Food, Brookshires and Save-A-Lot are sponsoring the event. National Night Out encourages neighbors and communities to come together and build relationships and police-community partnerships.
ATHENS – A Henderson County man has been found competent for execution. The ruling in the case of Randall Mays was issued by state district judge Judge Joe Clayton. Mays was sentenced to death in 2007 for the deaths of sheriff’s deputies Paul Habelt and Tony Ogburn. A third deputy was injured. The shootings occurred after Mays barricaded himself in his house in Payne Springs. In March, 2015, a stay of execution was issued so Mays’ competency could be reviewed. Monday’s ruling paves the way for the execution of the former welder and oilfield worker. No execution date has been set.
LONGVIEW – A man has died as the result of a Longview accident last month. Longview police were notified shortly after 11:00 Tuesday morning that that Allen Wisenbaker Jr., 51, had died from his injuries. On September 16th, his motorcycle and a car were involved in a wreck at the intersection of East Loop 281 and Airline Road. Longview police say Wisenbaker was shown at fault for failure to yield right of way turning left and suspicion of DWI. The Longview News Journal reports he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit.
LONGVIEW – A Longview woman with a long arrest record, who was named in a felony warrant, is now facing additional charges. An officer attempted to arrest Erica Monique Stoker, 33, around 3:00 Tuesday morning. A police report said she started resisting arrest, even attempting to take the officer’s Taser, which was holstered on his belt. The officer took her to the ground and was able to place her in handcuffs. Besides the felony theft of property warrant, Stoker is also charged with resisting arrest and attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer. This is not the first time Stoker has been in the Gregg County Jail. Jail records show 33 arrests since first arrested by the Gregg County Sheriff’s office in 2002.
LEAGUEVILLE – Henderson County authorities have released a sketch of a man accused of assaulting a deputy sheriff. It occurred last Thursday night when the deputy stopped to check on a suspicious man walking on Farm Road 607 south of Leagueville. The suspect reportedly hit the deputy in the face with a pistol and ran. The deputy was treated and released from the hospital. The suspect is described as a white man wearing dark clothing and should be considered armed and dangerous. Henderson County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information to the suspects arrest.
TYLER – Tyler Junior College art professor Philana Oliphant Pace has been chosen as an exhibitor for the sixth edition of the Texas Biennial. This is a geographically focused exhibition of contemporary art. Oliphant is one of 33 artists selected from among 1,217 applicants from a statewide open call. The Texas Biennial, which runs through November 11in Austin, celebrates the many cultures and identities that influence and impact our daily. There are 78 Texas Biennial Participating Organizations throughout Texas, including TJC, who will have scheduled events throughout 2018.