Two arrested in connection to dog fighting bust in Smith County

Two arrested in connection to dog fighting bust in Smith CountyTYLER — According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two men in connection to a dog fighting bust north of Tyler on Monday where nearly 60 dogs have been recuperated.

The sheriff’s office said at around noon on Monday the Smith County Animal Control were notified after someone found wounded dogs near a home on CR 4136. On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office arrested 34-year-old Kerry Jones of Tyler and 31-year-old Michael Jones. Kerry has been charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals and participating in the earnings of or operations of a facility used for dog fighting. He is being held at the Smith County Jail under a combined bond of $560,000.

Michael has been arrested with cruelty to non-livestock animal and is being held at the Smith County Jail on a $500,000 bond. (more…)

Several fire departments contain 13-acre pasture fire

UPDATE: Nine local fire departments worked together to contain a 13-acre pasture fire Sunday evening and two structures were saved, Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department said.

“We ask that you use extreme caution when burning outdoors,” officials said. “The relative humidity will be low for the next few days, and fires will grow rapidly with the wind.”

Elderville-Lakeport VFD said it took over two hours to contain the fire.

Rusk County Commissioners had discussed a burn ban for the county but decided that the weather doesn’t require that right now. (more…)

Three in custody after dead body found in trunk of burning car

TYLER – Two adults and a juvenile have been taken into custody for capital murder after a man’s dead body was found in the trunk of a burning vehicle in Turnertown on Sept. 1. At a press conference on Saturday, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, described how the body of Kameron Montre Anderson, a 20-year-old Black male from Bedford, was found in the back of his own car after he’d been shot and killed.

According to our news partner KETK, Anderson was shot at a home near Troup on County Road 2163. He was then put in the trunk of his own car, which was then driven to Turnertown in Rusk County and burned with an accelerant.

An investigation by Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers determined that Nathaniel Hall, 18 of Troup, was a suspect. Hall was arrested by the Tyler Police Department on Wednesday after a traffic stop in which a stolen 9mm handgun and an AR15 were reportedly found. (more…)

Missing 85-year-old Longview woman found safe

UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said that Creer has been found safe.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department is searching for an 85-year-old Black woman who was reported missing on Saturday. Gracie Creer, 85 of Longview, is 5’7″ tall, weighs around 100 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Creer was last seen near Toler Road at 1 p.m. on Saturday while wearing a black jacket, dark pants and a black wrap around her head.

She was last seen driving a silver Dodge Journey with the Texas license plate RXV4402 and a dented front left fender.

Anyone who’s seen her is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.

Lindale News & Times closing doors after 124 years

LINDALE – The Lindale News & Times recently announced that the newspaper is closing down after 124 years of covering the area. According to our news partner KETK, the paper’s publisher says that the paper lost money for five years straight before it was decided to shut it down.

Jim Bardwell, the paper’s publisher, said that much of the advertising for Lindale’s small businesses has moved into print magazines and social media platforms like Facebook. Decline in local news outlets is accelerating despite efforts to help. The shift to online advertising led the paper to launch a digital version which ended up having more subscribers than their physical newspapers but even that wasn’t enough, according to Bardwell.

“That’s why we also have a digital version of the paper each week. And we have many digital subscribers. Actually many more than print subscribers. The cost is the same, but they get their news much quicker. But again – no ad revenue means no newspaper,” said Bardwell.

Any Lindale News & Times subscribers who would like a refund for the remaining time on their subscriptions are asked to email [email protected] with their name, address and phone number.

Hawkins ISD superintendent arrested for DUI

HAWKINS – Hawkins ISD Superintendent Susan Morton was arrested for driving while intoxicated in La Marque, Texas on Aug. 23. According to our news partner KETK, Morton was arrested by the La Marque Police Department after a “minor accident” which happened in the 2400 block of Gulf Freeway at around 7:49 p.m. in La Marque. According to a La Marque PD arrest report, there were three vehicles involved in the crash a 2005 Ford Explorer, a 2018 Kia Forte and Morton’s 2023 Ford F-150.

Morton was then booked into the Galveston County Jail for charges of driving while intoxicated and collision involving damage to a vehicle less than $200.

Hawkins ISD Board President Blake Warren released the following statement when asked about Morton’s arrest: “Due to state confidentiality laws, Hawkins ISD cannot comment on this personnel matter or release any information at this time.”

Morton was still listed as Superintendent of Schools on Hawkins ISD’s website, as of Thursday evening.

Officials identify three in connection to overdose death of minor

HOPKINS COUNTY – Three suspects have been identified in connection to the overdose death of a 16-year-old girl, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, a death investigation began on July 17 when a 16-year-old girl reportedly overdosed. “The toxicology report showed a newer synthetic drug found in her blood stream called N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene,” the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said. “This drug is 25 times more potent than fentanyl.”

According to the release, they were able to identify the person who supplied the pills to the victim.

“At this time three suspects have been identified and the investigation is still ongoing,” the sheriff’s office said.

Texas mother dies in jail after arrest for abuse of toddler

WOOD COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas mother reportedly died from a cardiac event after being jailed for abusing her toddler, who was found to have severe physical injuries.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators were notified of a child abuse/neglect case of a 23-month-old toddler girl with injuries that “resulted in an emergency removal from the mother.” The sheriff’s office identified the mother as Tori Huggins who lived with her boyfriend Adam Woods. The toddler was taken to a hospital where they determined she was severely malnourished, dehydrated and had a fractured left forearm that had reportedly been broken for at least two weeks and bruises from head to toe which were in various stages of healing.

The sheriff’s office said the toddler was consuming human feces and candy wrappers as food that caused a blockage in her abdomen. (more…)

Longview customers claim vehicles ruined after gas station mistake

LONGVIEW — Over Labor Day Weekend, some Longview residents were left without a working car after pumping gas from Murphy USA off Loop 281. According to our news partner KETK, customers have reported cars stalling, stopping or not running at all. Those affected believe they received the wrong type of fuel. Many customers are now left without transportation and are having to find creative ways to get around.

While the gas station remained open, every gas pump was blocked off. Those affected have contacted Murphy USA to start the next steps in making a claim. A Facebook group has been created for those affected by the gas station which includes nearly 200 people. KETK News has reached out to Murphy USA officials who have not commented.

Bullard PD identifies triple homicide victims

BULLARD – The Bullard Police Department on Tuesday released the names of the woman and two children found dead on Sunday. Officers were dispatched to Guinn Street and FM 344 at around 6:55 p.m. in connection to a shots fired report. According to our news partner KETK,  25-year-old Tatyanna Smith and her two children 4-year-old Madilynn Evans, and 2-year-old Maison Evans were fatally shot. Smith’s eight-month-old also suffered a gunshot wound and remains in the hospital in stable condition. The bodies were taken to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas where investigators are waiting on autopsy results.

Officials said they are in contact with a person of interest, adding that there is no threat to the public.

Sen. Bryan Hughes discusses Senate Bill 1

TYLER – Governor Gregg Abbott said that more than 1 million illegitimate voters have been removed from the state’s voter roll, since the signing of Senate Bill 1 in 2021. Our news partner KETK is reporting that Senator Bryan Hughes, the author of the bill and Tyler’s state senator, said the people who are removed are people that have died, moved away and are non-US citizens. Integrity in Texas elections has been the priority for Senate Bill One over the past two years.

Hughes guaranteed that people are not taken off without reason and there is a process to find out who is ineligible. If the voter has moved, a voter registration card is sent to both addresses on file to confirm their residency, if not they get moved to the suspense list.

Some Democrats believe the changes are going too far. (more…)

Bullard man harboring runaway had history with minors

BULLARD – A Bullard man has been arrested after allegedly grooming multiple minors and buying them vapes and alcohol according to our news partner KETK.

According to an arrest affidavit, on July 25 the Bullard Police Department helped the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in finding a runaway that was suspected to be at 320 South Todd Street in Bullard. Upon their arrival to the residence, law enforcement made contact with an individual identified as Randy Smith, age 47 and originally of Whitehouse, the document said. Smith reportedly identified himself as the owner of the residence. Court documents state that officers found four minors at his residence, including the runaway. Smith allegedly claimed the child was dropped off at his home at some point in the night and had been friends with his daughter who recently left the state.

According to the affidavit, on July 30 a Bullard PD investigator observed a forensic interview with the runaway child at the Child Advocacy Center in Tyler. During the interview the minor said that they had snuck out of their parents residence and an unidentified individual picked them up and took them to Smith’s residence. (more…)

Multi-county pursuit of stolen vehicle ends in Kilgore

KILGORE – A multi-county pursuit of a stolen truck from Dallas came to an end in Kilgore on Saturday. According to the Kilgore Police Department, on Saturday officers were alerted of a pursuit that originated in Smith County of a stolen truck from Dallas that was approaching Kilgore. According to KPD multiple agencies were part of the pursuit and “asked” if KPD had access to spikes.

Our news partner KETK reports that they set spikes up in multiple locations to keep the high-speed chase from “getting into town” and to prevent the vehicle from escaping. KPD said that the vehicle hit spikes twice on 259 South and Baughman Road which slowed the vehicle down as it “continued north into the center of town.”

The police department said that officer Vance Callahan was waiting on Dudley Road when the suspect passed him and he began to pursue it while the “out-of-town squad cars had to stop and slow while spike strips were removed.”

According to KPD the stolen vehicle had multiple flat tires and was smoking when it turned and “wrecked out in the parking lot of Meadowbrook Preschool.” Officials said the suspect exited the vehicles and began to flee, but was apprehended by Callahan.

Black tar heroin, Xanax found in Kilgore residence

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department said two East Texans were arrested on Saturday after police found drugs ready for distribution. According to our news partner KETK, a search warrant was conducted at a residence near the LoneStar Speedway off CR 2207 on Saturday morning. Investigators found methamphetamine packaged for sale, black tar heroin, Xanax and Lorazepam.

Bryan Thompson, 46 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and has been charged with possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Thompson is being held on a $85,000 bond.
Courtesy of the Kilgore Police Department

Ashley Norris, 43 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and was arrested on manufacturing or delivering of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Norris is being held on a $40,000 bond. (more…)

One person, several pets dead after East Texas fire

CHEROKEE SHORES – According to our news partner KETK, one person and several pets died on Monday after a structure fire in the Cherokee Shores area of Payne Springs. Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR) volunteers were reportedly alerted to the fire at around 6:53 a.m. on Monday. When crews arrived on the scene they began an interior attack and search of the home but then they had to back out because of the heat.

Three people were able to escape the blaze but according to PSFR one person and several pet animals were not able to make it out. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office.

PSFR said they were assisted at the scene by Gun Barrel City Fire, Eustace Fire, Caney City Fire, Log Cabin Fire, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office, UT Health EMS and the American Red Cross.

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