Today is
Wednesday November 27, 2024
EAST TEXAS — A Longview man facing charges in the January 6th Capitol incident says his alleged actions were caused by brainwashing. Attorneys for Ryan Nichols say in a court filing this week that an individual on social media called “1% watchdog” presented himself as a military veteran with PTSD, who was also a government official with important contacts. The attorneys say 1% watchdog radicalized Nichols and other veterans who had never been to a protest to go to Washington, D.C. The filing questions why the federal government has allowed 1% watchdog to remain “unidentified and at large.” The attorneys allege, in fact, that 1% watchdog is a “federal asset.”
NACOGDOCHES (AP) — An assistant women’s bowling coach at Stephen F. Austin is out after the university discovered he cheated on his wife, who is the team’s head coach, with a student-athlete. SFA assistant Steve Lemke opted to resign rather than be fired after the school learned of the affair, which led to a split with his wife, the Lufkin Daily News reported Tuesday. The 38-year-old Lemke, who is married to head coach Amber Lemke, helped coach the team to two national titles and two second-place finishes before resigning April 10. The couple has since filed for divorce, according to court records.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine received a $500,000 gift from the Byers Family Foundation, the university announced on Tuesday in a release. The university said the gift will be used to name a professorship in family medicine to aid in the recruitment of nationally recognized faculty. “We are excited to offer our support to the UT Tyler School of Medicine,†Brent Byers, president of the Byers Family Foundation said. “We feel attracting dynamic professors to our region, especially in family medicine, is a priority. This school is a game-changer for health care and the economy of East Texas and we are pleased to join with others who have helped to make this a reality.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Most City of Longview offices were re-open and with power on Tuesday, June 20, following storms early morning on Friday, June 16. Parks and Recreation Department offices on Timpson remain without power and closed at this time. The Longview Public Library, which has served as a public cooling center during the storm response, is open on regular schedule on Tuesday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Â Residents needing a place to cool down or recharge devices are welcome to visit the facility during those times.
TYLER — Tyler Police Department confirmed that a woman who was in a single-vehicle crash on Loop 323 was hit by another vehicle while walking down the loop on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said that officers received a call about a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle near West Shaw Street and Loop 323 around 9 p.m. on Saturday. According to authorities, the woman had been in a crash and was walking north on the loop when she was hit. After she was hit the vehicle did stop at the scene and officials said she was taken to a local hospital. Her condition is unknown.
LONGVIEW — In Longview, some residents have been without power for days and with the heat index being in the 100’s people are hot and want answers. According to AEP SWEPCO, they have restored power to over 60,000 people but they still have a long road ahead of them. “It’s a lot of the transmission and distribution places that took a damage, significant damage,†said Warner. Even with over 2,500 linemen working all hours of the day, they said power may not be restored until Friday. “This is without question, one of those moments when you have to say it’s unprecedented,†said Warner.o over 60,000 people but they still have a long road ahead of them. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Due to widespread power outages, both Kilgore College campuses (Kilgore and Longview) will be closed on Monday, June 19, according to a news release. College administration will assess the power situation Monday afternoon to make a determination about Tuesday operations.
ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died at Angelina County Jail on Friday night, only a few hours after being booked. According to our news partner KETK, Glenn Earl Smallwood Jr., 33 of Lufkin, was arrested by Lufkin Police Department after they received information about a man sitting on a curb of the 1200 block of Sayers Street, officials said. According to a press release, an officer found Smallwood and he found him to be “mumbling, not making any sense and intoxicated.†Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Due to the ongoing problems caused by severe storms Thursday night and Friday morning, Gregg County has canceled jury duty for Monday, June 19, according to Gregg County District Clerk Trey Hattaway.
EAST TEXAS — As recent severe weather has led to wide-spread power outages around East Texas, and with a Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service, local cooling centers are opening to help area residents. The Longview Public Library will remain open as a cooling shelter. Staff are looking ahead for future days and will provide more information as plans are finalized.
Longview ISD will open the Foster Middle School cafeteria and gymnasium to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 18 as a heat relief and device recharging center. Area first responders are also invited to use the washing facilities for their clothes and equipment. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — SWEPCO has activated an all-in response to restore electric service to all impacted customers after the early morning storms on Friday. In a release, SWEPCO said they have requested mutual assistance from neighboring utility companies to help restore communities electricity as quick and safe as possible. They added that customers should prepare for, “prolonged power outages and in some cases additional outages as we repair damage to our system.†There are currently more than 233,800 SWEPCO customers without power in the East Texas and northwest Louisiana territories. the most trecent update, ISWEPCO said the Longview service territory customers should expect to have power back by 10 p.m., Friday, June 23. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — After an early Friday morning of severe weather throughout East Texas, damage reports are issued for numerous areas, our news partner KETK reports.
Longview police report “significant disruptions†in the area, including power outages and road blockages due to fallen trees. City crews are working to clear debris from the roads but officials ask that people consider allowing extra travel time when heading to your destination. You can report road blockages or downed trees by calling 903-237-1170. In addition to that, the city is reporting that there is damage to various city parks and trails. The water utility system is functional but operating at a reduced capacity, and residents are encouraged to save water by turning off sprinkler systems, making sure to not leave water running and taking other appropriate water conservation measures. The city assured residents that they will be able to maintain service “as long as we work together as a team to minimize our usage.†Longview splash pads will be closed as well. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Several school districts in East Texas are canceling classes due to severe weather aftermath. According to our news partner KETK, severe thunderstorms brought on an influx of power outages and extensive damage in the area. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Police departments across East Texas are still in need of officers. Longview PD’s recruitment team is reaching out to people across several states. “We’ve been going to job fairs across Texas and in Louisiana and we’ve been partnering with colleges and universities,†said Kendric Montgomery, Longview Police Department Recruiting Lieutenant, our news partner KETK reports. Tyler Police are using any method they can to reach potential applicants. “We use billboards, sometimes we use movie ads in theaters. We have a traffic device that goes to different areas that sometimes have a funny slogan on them,†said Andy Erbaugh, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — Palestine police arrested a man they said tried to evade arrest after stealing his mother’s vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, authorities said that on June 10 at 11:18 a.m., they received information from a Houston County woman who said her son could be in Palestine with her stolen vehicle. “The complainant also stated that her son, identified as Brandon Bennett, 43, had warrants for his arrest,†Palestine police said. Corporal Yvette Durbin gathered information and confirmed that the vehicle in question had been reported stolen out of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Just minutes after that, Officer Tim Green saw Bennett and the vehicle at the Clean Scene car wash on Crockett Road. Read the rest of this entry »