Today is
Monday March 31, 2025
This can help you keep up with gift-shipping this Christmas, it’s David Rancken’s App Of The Day: USPS Informed Delivery! You can find USPS Informed Delivery in the app stores below.
UPSHUR COUNTY – Gary Rumbaugh, 57, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, Rumbaugh spoke to multiple minors via Facebook Messenger, with one explicitly telling him she was 12 years old. He also invited the child to his home as well as inviting others to meet in Gladewater Park. In recovered messages, he told the victim that he’s had sexual relations with children her age before. In a statement from the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office, authorities were unable to contact the victims involved.
This is valuable for your holiday gift-giving this Christmas, it’s David Rancken’s App Of The Day: Giftster! You can find Giftster in the app stores below.
If you’re looking to become a better public speaker, you need to check out David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Speeko. You can find Speeko in the app stores below.
For the person who wants listen to music from around the world! Check out David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Radiooo. You can find Radiooo in the app stores below.
HUNT COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that after nearly 10 months since a man was accused of dumping puppies in a secluded county road, Hunt County authorities have arrested him for animal cruelty. Forensic exams were performed on the puppies that determined they were eight to nine-weeks-old when abandoned. West Tawakoni PD spoke with the puppiesâ owner, Billy Joe Byerly, who reportedly admitted that he had abandoned them on a secluded county road. Criminal charges were later filed against Byerly and in September the Hunt County attorneyâs office issued a warrant for his arrest. Byerly was charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor.
SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety said that 2 people died in a plane crash near Burleson Lake near Mineola on Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened at around 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday at a private ranch on Live Oak Drive in northern Smith County. DPS said that the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
The Smith County Sheriffâs office said deputies were first called out to look for the crashed small plane along with DPS and Smith County Emergency Services District 2.
EAST TEXAS – If you don’t want to roll the dice on your family’s cooking this Thanksgiving or need to pick up something last-minute, you’re in luck! Multiple local restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day, and our news partners at KETK have compiled a list of stores that’ll be open as well.
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SMITH COUNTY – On Tuesday, both the city of Tyler and Smith County announced their office hours for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tyler waste collection will be picking up as normal on November 25 and 26, while residents who’s pickup typically occurs on Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday. For the full solid waste holiday calendar, click here. All non-emergency City offices will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, for Thanksgiving. County offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, for normal business hours.
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TYLER – Michael Jones, 31, has had his bond reduction request denied by a Smith County Judge after he and Kerry Jones, 34, were arrested on charges concerning dogfighting after 60 dogs and two cats were seized from a Tyler property on Sept. 9. Michael’s mother, Brenda, took the stand during the Tuesday hearing. She testified the dogs belonged to Michaelâs brother, Kerry. He is also facing charges. Brenda called Michael a ânurturerâ and says he cared for his puppies. At one point, she tried pleading the fifth when asked about dogfighting. Michael’s bond will remain at $700,000. Kerry’s is set for $560,000.
JACKSONVILLE – James Warnell Phillips of Jacksonville has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child. According to our news partner KETK and the Cherokee County District Attorneyâs Office, charges against Phillips were brought after it was determined he had continuously sexually abused minors for 11 years. The case against him was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Richey and Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth.
TYLER – Kenneth Haygood, 54, of Tyler, was arrested in February on three counts of sexual assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. As of now, he faces a total of eight charges, including six counts of sexual assault, one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and another charge of practicing medicine without a license. In a Smith County courtroom this week, Haygood appeared for a status hearing Tuesday in the 114th District Court. His trial date was set for June 23, and status hearings were also set for Feb. 18 and April 17. The final pre-trial hearing is currently scheduled for June 13.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) released a statement on their Facebook page regarding the arrest of Benjamin Dale Hawkins, Jr., 45 of Marshall. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charges of Possessing Dangerous Drugs, Credit/Debit Card Abuse, Burglary of Vehicles, and Theft of Materials (Aluminum/Bronze/Copper/Brass valued under $20,000). Authorities were led to Hawkins after a business reported a man “acting suspiciously”. MPD arrived at Hawkins’ residence to question him. During the encounter, Hawkins was found in possession of prescription medication bottles that were not in his name, as well as multiple credit cards belonging to other individuals.
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that a father and son are dead due to an apparent murder-suicide. The Tyler Police Department arrived at the scene around 1:25 p.m. and identified both victims. The son is Anthony Gyallai, 45, and the father is Otto Gyallai, 88. Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh announced that a preliminary investigation helped conclude that Anthony shot Otto before shooting himself. OttoââŹâ˘s wife was asleep in the bedroom and did not hear anything. She is physically unharmed, according to Erbaugh. The investigation is still ongoing and any updates will be posted.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department (LPD) released a statement saying they responded to a Sunday evening shooting involving two unidentified men. The two involved reportedly know each other and it occurred in a Lear Park parking lot. LPD also stated that the shooting is under investigation and anyone who has information regarding the shooting is being urged to contact LPD.