Today is
Tuesday November 26, 2024
LONGVIEW — A Mega Millions ticket sold in Longview has won a $2 million prize after Tuesday night’s drawing. According to the Texas Lottery and our news partner KETK, the ticket was sold at the Murphy Express on E. Loop 281. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 18, 27, 29, 64 and the Mega Ball was 1. The ticket sold in Longview matched the five winning numbers, winning a $1 million prize, that was doubled with the Megaplier.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Municipal Court’s warrant amnesty program will be available from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2024, offering those with outstanding warrants an opportunity to resolve cases and save on their court fines. During the amnesty program, all warrant fees will be removed when someone voluntarily contacts the court to pay at least half the total amount due and start a payment plan for the remaining balance. An additional 20 percent will be removed from the fine amount for those who pay their balance in full. The discount only applies to the fine amount and does not include court costs. 239 people took advantage of the warrant amnesty program in 2023, resolving 381 warrants and saving thousands of dollars. The Longview Municipal Court encourages anyone with an active, outstanding warrant to seize this chance to save some money and get a fresh start. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — A man is in custody after a standoff with police officers, where he allegedly claimed to have multiple firearms and a bomb. According to our news partner KETK and the Palestine Police Department, on Jan. 1 at around 4:40 p.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of St. Andrews Drive due to a disturbance. The caller reportedly had advised authorities that the man inside the house was armed. When officers arrived, they reportedly heard gunshots being fired inside the house and a short time after a female ran out of the residence and was taken to safety by officers. The suspect, Tin Phan, 26, of Palestine, was reportedly the only person inside the house. The PPD emergency team arrived at the scene. Officials said Phan came out of the house with a firearm and was wearing a military uniform. An attempt to negotiate with Phan reportedly failed and Phan ran back into the residence. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Phan and a search warrant for the residence. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview are investigating after a woman was found dead on railroad tracks on New Year’s Day. According to our news partner KETK, officers were called to North Fredonia Street for an “unknown problem.†When they arrived, witnesses reported a woman lying on the railroad tracks in the area of North Second Street. Officers said it appeared that the unidentified woman was “struck by a moving train.†The Longview Police Department and the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department are investigating.
EAST TEXAS — A Carthage man was found guilty on Tuesday of several counts after waiving a jury trial in a Capitol riot case. According to our news partner KETK, the prosecution and defense agreed to a stipulated bench trial. A stipulated bench trial means that both parties agreed to present certain facts in court to a judge instead of a jury. Alex Kirk Harkrider, 36, was charged alongside Ryan Nichols, 32, of Longview, on several felonies in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Nichols pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers in November. Nichols will be sentenced in March. Harkrider’s sentencing is set for May 9.
TYLER — The former Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler Bishop, Joseph Strickland, is speaking out over an historic ruling at the Vatican., our news partner KETK reports. On Monday, in a landmark decision, Pope Francis gave formal approval for priests to bless same-sex couples as long as they do not appear to endorse their marriage. “It’s really the first time that there’s been any sort of opening to blessing same sex couples,†said Father James Martin. Members and supporters of the LGBTQ community and traditional Catholics are both reacting differently to the change. Now, Strickland has shared his reaction to the news. “We really simply need to be a united voice saying ‘no, we will not respond to this, we will not incorporate this into the life of the church,’ because we simply must say no.†Strickland said to LifeSiteNews. Strickland has been critical of the Pope in the past and has kept a low-profile since his removal by the Pope on Nov. 11. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A man was sentenced to one year in prison for his role in an attempt to sell elephant tusks. According to our news partner KETK, Dusty Caudill was sentenced to one year in prison and three years supervised release on Tuesday for conspiracy to transport wildlife in interstate commerce. Caudill was charged alongside two other men. Their federal indictment claimed Caudill posed with the African elephant tusks in Ardmore, Oklahoma for photo and video recordings to promote the sale of the tusks. Another man then sent three photos and two videos to an undercover United States Fish and Wildlife special agent to negotiate the sale of the tusks. Prosecutors said that the tusks had been stolen in a burglary of a home in Ardmore in late 2020. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Texas senators are ranked from most liberal to most conservative in a new study. The Texas Tribune bases the rankings on the 31 senators’ votes during this year’s regular session and four special sessions. Among the Republicans, Senator Bryan Hughes (pictured), of Mineola, is ranked as the most conservative. Senator Robert Nichols, of Jacksonville, is the most liberal Republican, but he’s still more conservative than the most conservative Democrat, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, of McAllen. Senator Sarah Eckhardt, of Austin, and Senator Roland Gutierrez, of San Antonio, who is running in the primary next year for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Ted Cruz, are the most liberal Democrats.
TYLER — Nicholas Pet Haven is raising money to buy a transport van that can take some of their animals in Tyler to their partner shelter in Chicago. According to our news partner and Nicholas Pet Haven, their partner shelter has agreed to accept some of their long timers and that will allow Nicholas Pet Haven to help Smith County Animal Control and Tyler AC by taking in some of their urgent pets while they also continue to manage their own strays. Illinois has a mandatory spay and neuter law so they don’t have as many strays as Texas, meaning their shelters sometimes have room to take other state’s dogs. Nicholas Pet Haven said that they’ll easily be able to send their partner all of their puppies and cats and they plan to send a van load of animals every other week once they get the van. Click here to visit Nicholas Pet Haven online.
HARRISON COUNTY — A Harrison County Sheriff’s Office deputy and his family reportedly lost their house to a fire, according to our news partner KETK. “Tragedy struck the HCSO family this morning when Deputy Maguire woke up to his home on fire. Unfortunately, ESD crews did all they could but the structure and its contents were a total loss. We’re asking for your prayers during this family’s time of need,†said the sheriff’s office. The Texas Municipal Police Association shared a fundraiser that was made for the Maguire family. The association said the family of nine, lost everything including their Christmas gifts. “Your donations will help them rebuild and provide some comfort during the holiday season,†said the TMPA. Click here to donate.
TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler is spreading Christmas cheer to this year’s 2023 Angel Tree families. According to our news partner KETK, Angel Tree recipients began showing up on Friday morning for their appointments to get their gifts. “Thank God for the people that care enough to help people that are struggling,†said Gwen Smith, a Salvation Army Angel Tree recipient. Smith picked up gifts for her four grandchildren. “Oh my goodness it just means the world to me, you know it’s been very supportive for my family because I am struggling,†said Smith. Thanks to donations from big corporations, small businesses and community members, the organization is helping 2,500 children and senior angels this holiday season. “You know when people come up there to adopt an angel and you know there is even little kids that will come up adopt an angel,†said Dyane Garner, a Salvation Army volunteer. Garner has been volunteering for about 20 years. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — In a release, UT Health East Texas announced on Wednesday that all non-emergent surgeries have resumed. UT Health East Texas said that their teams are working directly with patients who were affected by the ransomware attack to reschedule appointments and receive care. “We continue to make progress following last week’s restoration of our Epic electronic medical records and other clinical systems, with new systems coming back online daily. We sincerely regret the frustration this incident has caused many patients. Our teams continue working around the clock to restore access to all systems as quickly and safely as possible. While this process will take time, we look forward to sharing more progress soon.†– UT Health East Texas. They advise people to visit the Ardent Health website for updates on the ransomware attack.
TYLER — On Wednesday, Dec. 13, the City Council approved changes to the Unified Development Code. Some of the updates to the UDC affect new tobacco, vape and smoke stores as well as bail bonds, auto repair, tire shops and self-storage businesses in the Downtown Business, Arts and Culture District). “We’re committed to reviewing City ordinances regularly to ensure that they align with development practices and the changing needs of our community,” said Planning Director Kyle Kingma. Now, as part of the UDC, new tobacco, vape and smoke stores opening in the City will have to be located 300 feet from sensitive land uses such as schools, child care centers, hospitals, churches and City parks. The proposal will also establish a 1,000-foot spacing requirement from other vape and smoke shops. These types of stores will also now be able to operate in areas of Tyler in industrial zoning. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Smith County Animal control has transformed its shelter to host “A Who-Ville Grinchmas†event on Saturday, December 16. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the holiday event will offer free dog adoptions and a visit with the Grinch! As Cindy Lou Who says, ‘No one should be alone on Christmas.’ Let’s give these loving dogs new families for the holiday season and to ring in the new year,†Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor Amber Greene said. As of Wednesday, December 13, there were 59 dogs and 25 puppies in the shelter who need homes. Throughout December, dog adoptions have been reduced to $12 for the “$12 Strays of Grinchmas,†to continue the Grinch theme at the shelter. But during Saturday’s event, adoptions will be free. Each dog adopted also comes with a voucher to pay for spay or neuter costs. The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson St. in downtown Tyler and can be reached at 903-266-4303. To view what dogs are available for adoption, click here.
TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will soon begin a water meter replacement project for customers. The Tyler City Council approved the $3.45 million project with Core & Main on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Water meters are used to measure the amount of water delivered to a customer’s tap. The current water metering system was installed in 2005. Over the last several years, 27 percent of the existing meters have faced issues in accurately reading water usage at the meter, not registering consumption and not communicating the information to the Water Business Office. “Technology has advanced, and we know there’s a better solution for our customers with meters that aren’t working properly,” said Utilities Director Kate Dietz. “Replacing those meters will allow our customers to rest easy and know that their water bill is accurate.” Read the rest of this entry »