Today is
Thursday June 18, 2026
KILGORE – A Gregg County woman has been arrested for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart in Kilgore. She is also charged with assaulting the arresting officers. Arrested was Megan Elizabeth Curl, 19, of Longview. She has been charged with theft of property, resisting arrest/search/transport, five counts of assault of a public servant and five counts of harassment of a public servant. She is said to have spit on the officers and tried to injure a firefighter. Her bonds total $81,000.
TYLER – For the second straight year, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) will give back to the East Texas region. Last year, NET RMA awarded Gregg County $400,000 in funds towards the reconstruction and improvement of intersection U.S. Highway 259 at Hawkins Parkway. This year, Upshur County will receive $250,000 for its project, Wood County will receive $172,183 and Kaufman County gets a check for $77,817. The funds come from revenues from Toll 49 in 2016. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler plastic surgeon has been found negligent in a Facebook posting case. The Tyler jury found Dr. James Motlagh guilty and awarded his patient $140,000. The Tyler plastic surgeon posted video taken in the operating room just before surgery. The patients lawyer, Jim Rodman of Austin, said the video showed his patient under general anesthesia. Her face, breast and pubic area were exposed and the patient was identifiable. Last year, Dr. Motlagh was sanctioned by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners for this incident.
LONGVIEW – Longview detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle theft suspect. The man is thought to have stolen a vehicle at Gill Food Mart on South High Street on Monday. He is described as heavy set, about 30 years of age and has brown hair. They also warn that you not try to apprehend him yourself. Instead, contact your local police or sheriff’s department. You can also contact Detective Fred Runnels 903-237-1146, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #17-5971.
MARSHALL – A man wanted in a kidnapping in Marshall two years ago has been arrested. Marshall police confirm that Antonio Dante Rivers was arrested last weekend in Berkley, California. An extradition hearing is pending regarding his transfer back to Texas. Rivers and Lionel Ray Wheeler had been accused of kidnapping a man who had given them a ride to an auto parts store on May 10, 2015. The driver was able to get away and call police. The car was later found abandoned and Wheeler was later arrested.
TYLER — Smith County authorities are investigating a counterfeiting case. On May 9, deputies responded to a call regarding suspects passing at least three $50 bills at a location on Hwy. 110 North. The complainant said the money was checked with a counterfeit pen but the pen did not detect the fake money. According to a sheriff’s office news release, it is believed that the suspects are trying to recruit employees to assist them with their attempts to pass the bogus bills. Merchants are advised to be aware of this scam, and to instruct employees on procedures for verifying the currency that they are processing. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Two suspects have been arrested this week after a woman was assaulted and forced out of her car. Nicole Marie Fenton, 27, Ore City, and Nickolas Thomas Patrick Hamilton, 21, Longview, were charged with aggravated robbery, according to the Longview News-Journal. The incident happened May 18th north of Longview. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The city council has approved a zone change that paves the way for a loft project in downtown Tyler. It will go on land previously owned by King Chevrolet. The council’s action makes possible the construction of a $12 million project that includes the construction of 96 apartment lofts. There will be 45 one-bedroom units on the ground floor and 51 two-bedroom units, which will be two-story townhome style apartments. There will also be 4,800 square feet dedicated to retail space, and 3/4 of an acre green to be dedicated to open space. The property is bounded by West Ferguson Street on the north and West Erwin Street on the south. This is land owned by the city, which had previously approved its sale.
MARSHALL – A man charged with manslaughter in a Marshall death has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Leon Bowman, 30, was charged with the March 3rd shooting death of his brother, Michael Phelps Jr., 22, The shooting occurred at the Belaire Manor Apartment complex on Paula Street. In a plea agreement, Bowman pleaded guilty Wednesday to negligent homicide. He was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication, ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, perform 300 hours of community service and attend a drug and alcohol abuse course. He also has to give up the gun used in the shooting.
TYLER – Two Longview men have pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to drug trafficking violations. Quintus Dewayne Shaw (pictured), 30, and Jonathan Lavel Wilson, 35, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a playground. Shaw also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal prosecutors say both men participated in the distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Longview playground. Shaw was found to be in possession of the firearm when officers executed a search warrant at a Longview residence back in January. A sentencing hearing for the two will be held at a later date.
TYLER – From 4:00 till 7:00 on Thursday, the Tyler Main Street Department and Historic Preservation Program will host an “Imagine the Possibilities Tour.” For those who are curious about business or living spaces in downtown Tyler, you will be able to see what’s available. The event is serving as the local launch of a new statewide effort to focus attention on the potential of living and working in older buildings. The tour will start at Liberty Hall on East Erwin Street. The tours are free and open to the public.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in a theft case. It occurred last Friday at the Dollar Tree on Business 259 in Kilgore. If you are able to identify the woman in the photo please contact Detective Kay Lynn Newbill by email at [email protected] or call 903-218-6907 You can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903 236 STOP. Refer to KPD Incident #1705-1228.
LONGVIEW — Safety City of Longview has received a $5,000 donation from the Joy Global Foundation. KETK reports it’s part of a $1 million campaign to raise funds for an interactive fire safety theater. Safety City is a miniature version of Longview that is used to teach safety tips to children. The Longview Fire Department says the project involves a 2,800-square foot building that will house four different interactive rooms to put the kids in a real world scenario. Fire officials say the city is always accepting donations to continue the campaign.
LONGVIEW – Longview’s Big Pines Blues Festival has announced the names of 15 finalists for the festival’s “Junior Showcase†competition. The young guitar slingers will face off in head-to-head competition to determine the winners in two age groups on Saturday morning, June 3, on the Maude Cobb Rodeo Arena stage. Contestants in Grades 6 through 8, along with their home towns, are Ryan Groom, Kemp; Cody Lattis, Murchison; Harleigh Lodato, Athens; Ben Smiley, Larue; Elijah Thompson, Marshall; and Jackson Zemler, Lewisville. Grade 9-12 hopefuls are Will Beeman, Nashville, Tenn.; Kurtis Bell, Longview; Brody Blanton, Henderson; Derian Hadley, Canton; Ethan Kuntz, Murfreesboro, Ark.; Mathias Lattin, Houston; Liam McCabe, Grapevine; Noah McCray, Mount Vernon; and Grant Mcinnis, Bullard.
TYLER — City of Tyler employee Joy Fry was honored at Wednesday’s City Council Meeting with a service award for her 25 years with the Tyler Police Department. According to a city news release, Mrs. Fry began with the department in April of 1992. Beginning in Data Management, she was named Employee of the year in 1996. A few years later, she was promoted to administrative secretary, a position she still holds. City officials say Mrs. Fry is an important part in preparing the yearly budget and keeps documents up to date for all employees and retirees.