Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — A former Whitehouse ISD employee pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of indecency with a child by exposure. According to our news partner KETK, William Henry Aldridge, 29, of Tyler, was sentenced to eight years of deferred adjudication. Aldridge, a former equipment manager, was accused of molesting a football player back in 2010 and 2011. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, he was also accused of sexually abusing a fourth-grader. The district was contacted by police in October of last year and placed Aldridge on immediate leave before eventually firing him.
KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is warning local residents about a new scam involving your email. According to our news partner KETK, KPD says residents have received emails claiming they’ve been caught by a speed camera in Kilgore and that they owed around $875 in fines. The fake email includes a link that officials say, “under no circumstances should be clicked.” The department said, “This most likely allows them into your computer where they have access to your data…we don’t know how the scam works completely since we won’t click that link, but Texas doesn’t have speed cameras.” Governor Abbott signed a bill in May of 2019 that banned the use of red light cameras in Texas.
SMITH COUNTY — A 26-year-old woman who is accused of leaving a baby abandoned and strapped in a baby bouncer for about three hours is now at the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, a child was left in a garage apartment on County Road 2249 on October 3. The suspect was identified as Kelsey Paige Frazier from Tyler. Frazier was babysitting a child under the age of 1. At approximately 9:30 am, Kelsey left her garage apartment but did not take the child with her. Instead, the infant was left strapped in a baby bouncer located in the bathroom closet of the garage apartment, a news release said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police are looking for a man who robbed a Tyler gas station early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a man with a gun forced one of the two employees inside to give him money from the cash register and fled. The gunman was described as wearing dark clothing. Police said there were customers in the CEFCO station on Old Bullard Road when the gunman entered at about 2 a.m. but no one was hurt.
TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested Wednesday morning following an hours long standoff with Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies and Tyler police. According to our news partner KETK, Vicente Manriquez, 35, allegedly assaulted his wife at their home around 12:30, then reportedly took his kids to the tire shop that he owns off Gentry and Bow Street in Tyler. Deputies found his car after the wife gave them a description. The sheriff’s office set up a perimeter and called in the SWAT team and negotiators. They were able to talk Manriquez out of the shop just after 3:00 Wednesday morning. Manriquez has been charged with aggravated assault and was booked into the Smith County Jail. He was released Wednesday after posting bond set at $150,000.
GREGG COUNTY — A $1 million lawsuit was filed against a former Longview doctor on behalf of a boy who says he was sexually abused by him. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke was arrested in August on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and he was released on a $1 million bond. The current lawsuit was filed in the Gregg County Court by the mother of the victim. The guardian is seeking damages because her son was “sexually assaulted, molested and or sexually abused†by Hipke during his medical visits. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler ISD launches the “High Five Club.” “The High Five Club is just one way to show great appreciation to our Tyler ISD teachers, administrators, and employees who have gone above and beyond during this crazy, COVID-19 era we live in today,†Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “We invite parents, coworkers, and community members to send a High Five by completing the online High Five Club submission form at tylerisd.org.†When you submit a High Five, the Tyler ISD employee will receive a certificate showing your appreciation for their efforts. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — A road rage incident near Chandler leads to a shooting Monday night. It started around 8:30 on FM 315 and ended at a Dollar General store. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the two ran into the store and one person fired a gun twice, hitting the victim once. The unnamed victim was transported to UT Health in Tyler for treatment. The suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Joshua Ardi, fled the scene and was arrested a short time later. He’s been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawfully carrying a weapon.
EAST TEXAS — Authorities have located a baby who went missing last week from Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, 17-month-old Ellisia Pair was ordered into Child Protective Services back on September 18, but she went missing with her mother, 20-year-old Allie O’Neal. Although police initially believed that O’Neal and Ellisia would still be in the East Texas area, they were located in Colorado over the weekend. A CPS officer told KETK News that is unknown whether O’Neal has been taken into custody. They were located at a hotel they had previously stayed at.
LONGVIEW — An East Texas caregiver is behind bars after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from an elderly woman in Shreveport. According to our news partner KETK, Conchetta Law, 44, of Longview, was arrested for stealing $8,900 from the 92-year-old woman she cared for. According to Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office between October 2019 and May 2020 Law stole and forged checks from the victim’s bank account to pay her own rent, utilities, insurance and car note. Law was taken into custody in Longview and taken to Caddo Parish where she was booked into the Caddo Correction Center for forgery and exploitation of the infirmed.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are asking for the public’s help in locating 17-month-old Ellisia Pair. Ellisia was ordered into CPS custody by Judge Robert Wilson of the 321st Judicial District Court on Sept. 18, 2020. She was last seen with her mother, Allie O’Neal, 20, of Kilgore. The mother and child are possibly in the Tyler, Longview, Kilgore or the Carthage area. O’Neal may be driving a white Chevy truck with Colorado plates 639 UKD or a Silver Camry with Texas plates NCN 7692. Anyone with information is asked to call Child Protective Investigations (CPI) at (903) 241-8916 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.
GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas sex offender with a long history of arrests and convictions was killed by a hit and run driver. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark told KTBB Wednesday that Troopers in the Longview Highway Patrol Office are asking witnesses to come forward in the fatal in the investigation of a fatal hit and run. “The crash occurred on Saturday, September 26 at approximately 10:15 p.m. at night two miles west of Kilgore.” Dark went on to say, “We believe it is possibly a small dark sedan, that was traveling West on HWY 135, that then turned left on Peavine Rd. The vehicle involved may have damage to the front including one or both headlamps.” The driver of the sedan fled the crash scene and failed to stop and render aid. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Multiple crews were on the scene of an early morning fire at Coker Enterprises, off Hwy 271. The fire reportedly broke out around 4:20 in the office area of the business. According to our news partner KETK, business owners at the scene said that no one was hurt and it’s not clear how the fire started. The owners also said crews were able to save their workshop. Coker’s website says it has been family owned and operated in Tyler for 43 years.
TYLER – With the second six-week grading period now underway, more Tyler ISD students are back in the classroom. TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford spoke with KTBB Tuesday about getting back to school during the pandemic. District-wide enrollment numbers show 80 percent of students are in face-to-face instruction with 20 percent opting to Learn@Home. That is an increase of 2,651 students back on campuses since the beginning of the school year. Administrators view the increase over the first grading period as a step in the right direction for getting all Tyler ISD students back onto campuses. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Frankston man has been arrested after leading Smith County deputies on a motorcycle chase. It started around 7:00 Monday morning when deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on Hwy 155 South near CR 189. As the Deputy exited his patrol vehicle the driver sped away northbound on Hwy 155. A pursuit ensued, traveling into Tyler and finally ended on Seventh Street when the biker struck a curb and lost control. The suspect, identified as Thomas Paul White, 49, was transported to UT Health in Tyler where he was treated and released for minor injuries. White was booked into the Smith County Jail. He’s charged with evading with a vehicle, along with warrants for theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
BROWNSBORO — After closing school Monday and Tuesday for the investigation of a possible gas leak from their Friday football game, Brownsboro will open their campuses on Wednesday. Prior to halftime on Friday, a gas leak was investigated by fire departments and district officials. They didn’t find a leak, and they turned off their gas and clearance was given to the district to continue the game. However, after the half time performance some students reported signs of not feeling well. Medical professionals treated students and several students were transported to the hospital on Friday for further evaluation. Currently, all students have been cleared and they are back home. The district facility was evaluated Saturday night and Sunday morning and a gas leak was not found at the stadium. Officials are still investigating the cause of Friday nights events.
TYLER — Tyler police investigate an early morning shooting at an apartment complex on Sweetbriar. A woman called 911 around 1:45 Monday morning regarding a possible vehicle theft in progress. The woman said her husband ran after the suspect when she heard gunshots. Officers located the caller’s 25-year-old husband, along with a 17-year-old black male with multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported the wounded teen to UT Health on Beckham with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County reported in a tweet that they will be suspending jury duty through December 1st. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County said that suspending jury duty to follow guidelines announced by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Judicial Branch – Office of Court Administration. However, grand jury service has not been cancelled.
CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Wells Police Department are investigating a missing person case involving a 5 week old child. The child, identified as Armaidre Antwan Marquie Argumon, was last seen Friday at around 7 a.m. in the 500 block of Old Forest Road in Wells. Wells police have arrested the child’s father, DeAndre Argumon, but the child remains missing. Authorities say the infant boy has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a diaper. Wells Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Rangers are asking anyone with information to come forward. Contact the Wells Police Department at 936-867-5593 or the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting incident on Hwy 64 East and Spur 248 in the Chapel Hill area. According to the sheriff’s office, the incident happened just after midnight Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the victim was driving an 18-wheeler tanker truck southbound on Loop 323 near East Commerce Street. The suspect was driving a late model Ford F-250 in the adjacent lane. Both vehicles turned left onto Old Henderson Hwy and then left onto Hwy 64. According to the sheriff’s office, as they continued east on Hwy 64 and neared the intersection of Spur 248, shots were fired from the F-250 toward the tanker truck. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Responsibility was recently made aware of an alleged improper sexual relationship between a detention officer and an inmate in the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, the detention officer was identified as Amanda Gayle Megrail, 25, from Lindale. This relationship was determined to be a criminal offense and an investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office. Megrail was immediately placed on Administrative Leave without pay, while waiting for the outcome of this investigation. Smith County investigators presented an arrest warrant affidavit to 241st State District Judge Jack Skeen on September 18, 2020. Judge Skeen later also issued an arrest warrant for the criminal offense of Violation of the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody, a state jail felony and set a bond of $50,000. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man accused of having 3,500 images of child pornography on his phone has been indicted by a Smith County grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, James Edward Clement, 38, was indicted last month, according to court records. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $300,000 bond. According to an arrest warrant obtained by KETK, detectives began investigating back in April after multiple tips were received with various images of child pornography. After issuing subpoenas to Suddenlink Communications, they were able to track down Clements due to his phone number and email address. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON — Henderson ISD transitioned it’s high school campus to online-learning for the next two weeks starting on Monday, Sept. 14. All other campuses will remain in-person. Superintendent Dr. Lamb said the decision to move online was prompted by the daily review of COVID’s impact on the effectiveness of teaching at the campus. “Our top priority is educating students,†said Lamb. “We’ve always said if it gets to a point that we can teach more effectively through an online environment rather than face-to-face, that’s what we are going to do.†Lamb said the current number of active COVID cases among students is still low–right at 3% at the high school and 1% in the district overall. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — DPS Troopers are investigating an accident that left a pedestrian dead Thursday night in Tyler. According to the DPS officials, it happened around 9:25 on US-69, just south of CR 4132. Carolyn Nguyen, 29, of Tyler was traveling southeast on US-69 when she struck the pedestrian, who was walking west across the roadway. He was identified as Donnie Louise Johnson, 53, of Tyler. The driver was not injured.
SMITH COUNTY — The City of Bullard has identified the woman who died after being pinned between two vehicles as a city employee. According to our news partner KETK, a City of Bullard Facebook post identified the woman as Jennifer MacWhirter, 58. She was the human resources director and had been with city administration since 2004. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and DPS say the accident occurred just after midnight early Wednesday morning in the 13000 block of CR 192, just north of the Toll 49 and Highway 155 intersection. Investigators said MacWhirter was at the location to perform custodial services, and while outside preparing to load a pickup with trash, she was pinned between two vehicles and died from her injuries. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Senator John Cornyn wants voters to know how much “CARES Act” money their locality has received. Senator Cornyn has been on a tour of Texas cities discussing the “CARES Act” funding each city has received and how it’s been used to fight the coronavirus pandemic. He posted 18 videos from his tour on YouTube. In Tyler, Cornyn said, “If you told me 6 months ago I would’ve voted for a 3 trillion dollar spending bill, I would’ve told you you were crazy. But I truly felt like it was absolutely necessary for us to do it.” Texas has received 11.2 billion dollars in “CARES Act” funding, second only to California with 15.3 billion dollars. Cornyn is running for re-election in November against Democrat M.J. Hegar.
RUSK COUNTY — A small plane crash Saturday afternoon near the airport in Rusk County remains under investigation. According to our news partner KETK, the DPS report indicates that the single engine aircraft lost power just after take-off from the airport and crashed into the tree line. The pilot and the passenger were taken to UT Health with minor injuries. The FAA was notified and responded to the scene.
LONGVIEW — Rain continued to pour Thursday and as a result many streets and creeks throughout East Texas were flooded. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police and fire crews responded to multiple flooded roadways. An accident with injuries was reported at Spring Hill Road and N. Spur 63. Numerous vehicles were towed throughout the city due to stalls. The following streets did close due to flooding in the Longview area: High & Cotton, Mobberly & Methvin, Green & Mopac, West Marshall Avenue, Ward Street and the 1000 block of Sabine Street.
GREGG COUNTY — A fatal crash involving a pedestrian over the weekend remains under investigation. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 3:40 Sunday morning on SH-31, approximately two miles southwest of the city of Kilgore, in Gregg County. The preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2014 Dodge Challenger, Kelton Jayce Meshell, 21, of Flint, was traveling east on 31 in the outside lane and struck a pedestrian walking in the roadway. Aundrea Sharell Powe, 38, of Kilgore, was pronounced dead at the scene.
TYLER — Former Smith County Constable Henry Jackson has died. According to retired TISD Board member, Orenthia D. Mason’s Facebook page: “My dear first cousin, Henry Phillip Jackson, has gone to be with the Lord. He pledged Kappa the same semester I pledged Delta. My heart hurts. Please lift his family in prayer. Henry had a heart of gold. Always jovial. Always had something to say. Always willing to help others.” Jackson served as the Pct. 1 constable from 1999 until December of 2017. Additional details were not available. Read the rest of this entry »