Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – Our news partner KETK reports that a double homicide suspect from Upshur County has been added to the Texas Most Wanted List. It was announced on Tuesday by DPS that Alvin “Pookie†McKnight Jr., 41, of Gilmer, was added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List and Texas Crime Stoppers. A cash reward of up to $7,500 is being offered in exchange for information leading to his arrest. Upshur County Crime Stoppers are also offering a reward for any anonymous tips leading to McKnight Jr.’s arrest. That reward is $10,000. He is wanted after two sisters were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Nov. 4, and McKnight’s sister has since been arrested for allegedly helping him flee Upshur County.
ANDERSON Co. – According to a preliminary investigation, a 2001 Ford F-150 Pickup operated by Terry McMillian, 49 of Seagoville, was traveling west on US 175 when he struck 67 year old Frankston native Russell Warrington. Warrington was stationary on a bicycle in the eastbound lane of US 175. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information is available. Warrington was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Gary Thomas. McMillian was not wearing a seat belt.
TYLER – A 22-year-old woman was indicted for criminally negligent homicide in the 2021 death of a Tyler High volleyball player. Talia Smith, of Tyler, was indicted on Sept. 28 in the May 1, 2021 crash that lead to the death of 18-year-old Patrianna Pettigrew. Smith’s indictment states that she caused the crash due to her failure to control speed, making an unsafe lane change, passing another vehicle at a high rate of speed, operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner, and passing a vehicle when it was unsafe to do so. Pettigrew was declared dead at the site of the collision, while Smith was transported to the hospital in a critical state. She was subsequently discharged and apprehended for her involvement in the crash. Smith was able to secure her release from the Smith County Jail on the same day by posting a bond of $15,000. Smith’s next court date is Nov. 20.
TYLER — A Tyler doctor was temporarily suspended by the disciplinary panel of the Texas Medical Board on Oct. 24. According to our news partner KETK, Kenneth D. Haygood was temporarily suspended after violating a June 2023 Final Order which restricted him from seeing female patients. The order stated that he needed to complete multiple continuing medical education courses and pass exams, in addition to paying a $5,000 administrative penalty. According to the Texas Medical Board, Haygood did not get consent before doing a physical exam of a female patient, and inappropriately discussed the encounter with the patient’s family via text message “in an attempt to intimidate them as witnesses.†A temporary suspension hearing with notice will be held as soon as possible with 10 days notice to Haygood. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man was found guilty this week of domestic violence by choking by a Smith County jury. Our news partners at KETK report that Thomas Owens Jr., 39 of Tyler, was arrested in September 2022 after officials said he became angry at his girlfriend over a fan. The verbal argument then became physical. A report from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office says Owens pushed her causing her to hit a sink. Officials said he then “got on top of her and placed his hands around her neck, cutting off her airway†before she was able to get away and call authorities. Owen’s trial began Monday and in the victim’s testimony to the jury, she described it as the scariest day of her life. His punishment will be decided by Judge Reeve Jackson, and sentencing has been set for Nov. 27. He faces up to 20 years in prison due to a prior conviction for assault family violence in Cherokee County.
OVERTON – An assault charge against Overton High School principal Jeffery Hogg has been dismissed after a motion was filed by the Rusk County District Attorney’s office. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County District Attorney signed the motion to dismiss. Hogg was arrested in September after a student and her mother reported “substantial bruising” after the mother gave consent to corporal punishment.
UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb has announced that he is running for re-election in 2024. Our news partners at KETK report that he’s looking to win a third term as sheriff. Webb stated that the county jail has been made much safer due to policy changes and upgrades. He continued by saying the sheriff’s department has implemented more training, more equipment and community safety initiatives. To find polling places across East Texas, click here.
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that 56-year-old Michael McKenney was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for driving while intoxicated third or more. McKenney is a convicted felon and registered sex offender. He was initially arrested in March 2021 for driving while intoxicated by Smith County deputies, and his charge was enhanced to felony DWI due to his prior convictions. McKenney entered a plea of not guilty in this case, and his trial by jury started on Tuesday.
SMITH COUNTY – Early voting for the Nov. 7th constitutional and joint elections started on Monday, Oct. 23rd in Smith County. According to a release, there will be 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for everyone in Smith County. The Cities of Whitehouse and Overton, and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts are each holding special elections. Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, October 23-27; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, October 30-November 1; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, November 2-3. There will be extended hours at The Hub only on Sunday, October 29, from noon to 4 p.m.
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TYLER – A man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for aggravated robbery in connection to the fatal shooting of a Tyler teen. Our news partners at KETK report that Lorenzo Martinez entered a guilty plea and subsequently received a sentence on Friday. The charge of robbery arises from an incident that occurred in 2021, involving a shooting outside a residence on Omega Drive in Tyler, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Jesse McNeely. Martinez and his co-defendant, Andres Urrutia, were arrested a few days following the shooting incident in Galveston County. They were subsequently transported to Tyler and booked into the Smith County Jail.
LONGVIEW — According to a release, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced Thursday that the Longview ISD was awarded a federal grant of $3.2 million to support the development and implementation of magnet schools. Senator Cornyn is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary committees. The Longview ISD has 5 magnet schools total: Longview High School, Forest Park Middle School, Ware East Texas Montessori Academy, Ned. E. Williams Magnet STEAM Academy and East Texas Montessori Prep Academy.
TYLER – The Rose City Music Festival in Downtown Tyler kicks off this weekend, and our news partner KETK reports that there will be multiple road closures around the area starting Friday morning. City officials say that Downtown businesses will remain open, and that parking at the Fair Plaza Parking Garage is encouraged. Here’s a full list of road closures for the event Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – On Saturday, Oct. 7, portions of downtown Longview will be closed for the Longview Great Pumpkin Roll, Ollie’s Skate Shop Downtown Takeover, and Longview Cruisers Cruise Night.
Road Closures for the Event
Friday, Oct. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. – Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
Westbound lane of Tyler Street from Center to High St.
Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Westbound and Eastbound of Tyler Street from Center to High Street, Center Street from 420 N. Center to Tyler Street, and Methvin Street from Center to Fredonia.
TYLER – A 22-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday for his role in the June 2021 shooting death of a Tyler teen. Jason Edward Rhodes, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened outside of a residence on Omega Drive and left Jesse McNeely, 17, dead from a gunshot wound. In December of 2022, Rhodes was initially arrested for capital murder. He lead Tyler Police on a brief chase after being named as a suspect. Rhodes was indited for armed robbery on Sept. 9, 2021. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – After Tuesday’s historic vote that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of The House, the search for his replacement begins. Our news partner KETK spoke with local Rep. Nathaniel Moran, (R) Texas. In their conversation he said, “Right now, everything in the house comes to a halt.” Eight Republicans voted for McCarthy to step down, and four East Texas congressmen chose to keep McCarthy as Speaker. Moran also gave his thoughts on who the front-runners are for the position. “The two primary candidates right now are Steve Scalise, who’s the majority leader, and chairman, Jim Jordan, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, both of those men would be fantastic Speakers of The House,†said Moran. He concluded by saying that no matter who gets chosen, it will be a hard road ahead.