Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
EAST TEXAS — A Hallsville man who pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor online has been sentenced to 10 years probation. According to our news partner, KETK, Shane Jeffery Chapman, 33, was arrested May 22 on charges of online solicitation of a minor during a sting operation in which the Child Exploitation Unit of the Texas Attorney General’s Office collaborated with the Arlington Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Longview Police Department. Chapman pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony charges in January. Chapman also will pay a $10,000 fine and spend 20 48-hour periods in the county jail in the next year. He also will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 additional years after the end of his probation.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A 42-year-old woman, suspected of selling methamphetamine, has been arrested following a traffic stop. Hollie Jo Grimes, Jacksonville, was stopped on Highway 155 near Frankston shortly after midnight Wednesday. Her vehicle was searched after a Henderson County deputy said she was acting suspiciously. The deputy found 6 baggies containing meth, a digital scale and a loaded .32 caliber handgun. Grimes was charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. Her vehicle was impounded. She also faces charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon.
RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas man has been sentenced to prison for a sex crime against a child. According to KTBB’s news partner, KETK, Jerry Lyn Vinson, 61, was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Tuesday. Vinson elected to waive his right to a jury trial and accept a plea of 30 years in prison. The defendant was arrested for the crime on December 28, 2016.
HENDERSON COUNTY — Three people were arrested Monday night following a game room raid in Seven Points. James Nelson 59 (pictured), and Lodia Thomas, 51, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and illegal gambling. More than 90 gambling devices and over $13,000 cash have been seized from the Can Depot game room on Cedar Creek Parkway. The game room was shut down. Michael Ruff, 32, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamines. All other patrons found gambling at the Can Depot were cited for illegal gambling.
TYLER – Tyler police continue the investigation into a Sunday morning shooting that involved a Smith County sheriff’s deputy. Two off duty Smith County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were working security at Whataburger on Gentry Parkway. They heard several gun shots. Then, a second round of gunfire erupted that involved one of the deputies. The details of what occurred are still being investigated. Treated and released from a Tyler hospital was Khalil Collins, 22, of Hawkins. Still in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries is Brandon Woods, 22, also from Hawkins. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 26th. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Smith County, the new FM 849 Bridge at Hideaway is scheduled to open to traffic this week. A ribbon cutting event is scheduled for 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, on the bridge. Work on the project will continue. Additional project information is available in the Smith County section of this news release. Work on the NETRMA’s Toll 49 Lindale Relief Route project will necessitate the contractor closing the left lane of the eastbound mainlanes to traffic Monday through Wednesday, March 26-28. The closure will be in place from FM 849 to FM 411. Local law enforcement will be assisting with work zone traffic control. For more information, visit TXDoT’s Webpage: http://www.txdot.gov/
TYLER — Tyler ISD trustees will vote Monday evening on a complete revision of elementary school attendance zones. That follows recent approval of new middle and high school attendance zones for the next school year. Several elementary schools have split zones dating to TISD’s days under a federal desegregation order that has since been lifted. Officials say the current situation puts some students far away from their schools, making for some excessively long bus trips. Officials also point out that demographics have changed significantly since the 1970 desegregation order, with the district now about 72 per cent minority. Read the rest of this entry »
HALLSVILLE — A student at Hallsville ISD’s fourth-and-fifth grade campus is facing criminal charges after the child threatened to “shoot up†the school, according to Superintendent Jeff Collum. According to the Longview News-Journal, officials declined to identify the student because of his age. The student faces a charge of terroristic threat. Collum said Friday that the student’s threat was overheard Thursday by another person. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man remained jailed Friday after police said he stabbed a man in his home. According to our news partner KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Carlo Demond Young, 39, was held on $100,000 bond, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Lakeport police arrested Young at 12:42 p.m. Thursday at Texas 149 near Jaguars club. The victim told officers that on March 10 a man named “Joe†had stabbed him, sending him to the hospital with two wounds to the back of his upper torso, according to a warrant for Young’s arrest. At the time, the victim told officers the man assaulted him over a $20 debt and then left the scene.
TYLER — An enticing a child charge against a former East Texas high school volleyball coach has been dismissed due to “insufficient evidence.” According to records obtained by KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charge against ex-Brook Hill volleyball coach Ricky Clements, 64, of Flint, on Friday, March 16. Clements, aka “Papa Ricky,” was arrested by the Bullard Police Department on October 21, 2015, after they said he was sending inappropriate text messages to a 16-year-old boarding school student. The DA’s office said due to the “unique facts” of this particular case, they did not have sufficient evidence to prove the element of “intent to interfere with lawful custody” as required by the statue.
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Six Jacksonville men have pleaded guilty following a drug trafficking investigation in the East Texas. Keyonta Monquan Johnson, 23, Carlton Deshan Johnson, 28, Lenard Donnell Atkins, 31, David Lee Williams, 32, Carlos Brejohn Battle, 33 (pictured) and Jimendrick Clenon Shedd, 37 each pleaded guilty to possession. The plea hearings were held on Mar. 21 and Mar. 22. The defendants were named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Oct. 18, 2017, charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and other controlled substances. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler says it is not responsible for damage to vehicles due to the slag/sand mixture it used to de-ice roads in January. According to KETK, Tyler drivers had complained of ruined tires after driving on slag-covered roadways and blamed the city. Jenny Wells, public relations specialist for the City of Tyler, said the city had received a total 34 claims notices related to the use of the slag/sand mixture. The claims were forwarded to the City’s Third Party Claim Administrator, Innovative Risk Management, for review. INR “performed an independent evaluation and found that the City is not liable for property damage caused to tires by the use of this material on the streets during this ice event,” Wells said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Sheriff Larry Smith and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bullard Southern Baptist Church, are offering “free active shooter training†to the public. The training, “Civilian Response to Active Shooter Eventsâ€, teaches what happens during an event. The training will be Thursday March 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bullard Southern Baptist Church, 716 N. Houston Street, in Bullard. This subject is graphic and some portions of the training may not be suitable for children. Parents are strongly encouraged to “not†bring children younger than 13 to the training. For more information on the Smith County Sheriff’s Office visit http://www.smithcountysheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office also has a Facebook page and can be followed on Twitter at @SmithCSO.
TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a man accused of impersonating an officer. Around 12:30 this morning, a woman said she was pulled over at the intersection of South Broadway and FM 2813 by a dark colored SUV with red and blue dash mounted lights. The victim said a white male, in his 30’s, with scruffy facial hair, approached her vehicle and demanded money from her purse. After showing him she had none, he grabbed her by the head and slammed her face on the steering wheel, causing minor injuries. He fled the scene on FM 2813. The suspect was wearing a black hat, black gloves and blue jeans. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police at 903-531-1000.
HARRISON COUNTY — A Marshall woman has died after she was hit by a semi. According to the DPS report, around 12:30 Saturday afternoon, Lea Celeste Williford, 32, was walking on the shoulder of I-20, 7 miles west of Waskom. Officials said she ran into the path of the tractor trailer. Williford was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported and the incident remains under investigation.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A known drug dealer has been arrested after leading deputies on a high speed chase Thursday. The Henderson County Sheriff said Bill Monday, 33, was believed to be in Athens with a large amount of illegal narcotics. He refused to stop his motorcycle and led law enforcement on a lengthy chase through Athens before he was eventually arrested. Monday was booked into the Henderson County Jail on several charges including manufacture and delivery of a substantial amount of a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and evading arrest.
TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of shots fired on Shiloh Road just before 9:30 Thursday night. Witnesses said the shots were fired at The Waterton on Shiloh and that the possible suspect left the scene. Witnesses followed the suspect to Chelsea Creek Apartments until officers arrived. Juan Carlos Garcia, 21, was believed to be the person of interest. A gun was found at the scene. Garcia was booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of robbery, deadly conduct, criminal mischief and possession of marijuana. Bond has not been set. No injuries were reported.
HARLETON — Harleton ISD announced Wednesday the resignation of their superintendent after he was reinstated following an investigation. According to KETK, action had been taken against Dr. Greg Coleman at a school board meeting on February 20. He was placed on leave during the investigation, however, the school district never released a reason for their decision. In the most recent release, the school board cited a difference in philosophy. The school board will soon begin its search for a new superintendent as not to disrupt the district’s operations. Tina Cox is the current acting superintendent. Coleman had been the superintendent for the school district since 2007.
SULPHUR SPRINGS (AP) – Texas and federal agriculture authorities are testing birds and poultry in a northeast Texas county after inspectors detected a low-pathogenic form of avian flu at a poultry farm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the H7N1 influenza was found last week during routine surveillance of a commercial breeder’s flock of about 24,000 chickens in Hopkins County, about 75 miles northeast of Dallas. Authorities now are testing other poultry within about 6 miles of the Hopkins County farm. Federal officials last week confirmed a similar occurrence at a turkey farm in southwestern Missouri but said it poses no risk to the food chain.
UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer woman has been accused of leaving two toddlers home alone. According to KETK, deputies arrested Shaina Workman, 24, of Gilmer. She is charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child. Upshur County deputies said they were at her home Wednesday afternoon for 45 minutes before she returned. Workman admitted to going to Longview with another person, leaving a one year old and two year old by themselves. The children were unharmed and have been turned over to Child Protective Services. Workman’s bonds total $60,000.
TYLER — In a hotly contested Republican race, Jacob Putman prevailed over Alicia Barkley and will be Smith County’s next district attorney. He told KTBB he’s very pleased with the outcome, saying it’s very encouraging. He said his family, friends and church had been working really hard on the election and expressed gratitude that the voters “saw the truth.” Putman says there’s a lot of work to do in the next several months, saying, “Between now and January we’ll be getting ready to have a smooth transition so that we can prepare to make Smith County the safest place it can be.” Gregg County will also be getting a new DA, with Tom Watson unseating incumbent Carl Dorrough.
UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Department has announced Tony Glenn Dillard, 42, has been charged with the murder of Joseph Regan, 28 of Hallsville. He was stabbed around 4:00 Sunday morning outside a game room on Highway 259 South in Diana. He later died at a Longview Hospital. Dillard was later found hiding under a bridge in the area of Farm Road 3245 and Highway 259. He is being held under a $750,000 bond.
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 5th. Schedules are always subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.
SMITH COUNTY — Night work necessitating full lane closures of I-20 is planned for the FM 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. Traffic will be moved to the ramps overnight Tuesday and Wednesday as the contractor removes bridge forms. Eastbound lanes will be closed from 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6 to 6 a.m., Wednesday, March 7. Westbound will be shut down from 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 7 until 6 a.m., and Thursday, March 8. Use alternate routes to avoid delays. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER (AP) — A boat parade planned for this weekend in Gladewater in East Texas has had to be rescheduled because there’s too much water. Heavy rains last week have led to flooding along the Sabine River, where a Mardi Gras boat parade regatta was planned for Saturday. Organizers said it’s been reset for later this month. Residents say low-lying roads near the river typically get flooded after heavy rains. In this latest round of flooding, the swollen river has inundated roads as far as a half-mile from the river.
GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas woman has been found guilty of unlawful restraint and assault on a local doctor. According to KETK, a Gregg County jury sentenced Crystal Ausborn, 37, to five years in prison for the unlawful restraint, while tacking on an addition two years for burglary of a building for an assault on a pediatrician. On March 13, 2017, a pediatrician with the Diagnostic Clinic of Longview was working after hours in her private office on the third floor of 707 Hollybrook Drive. The physician was alone on the pediatric floor when Ausborn entered her office, unexpectedly, and began hitting and punching the doctor in the face. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating the deaths of two people. Officers were conducting a welfare check around 1:40 Friday afternoon at a home on Fannin Street. The bodies of two men, 31-year-old Leon Bowman and 30-year-old Justin C. Williams, both of Marshall, were found inside the duplex. During their investigation, it was discovered that 46-year-old Jesus Molina Delatorre killed Bowman and Williams before fleeing the scene. Delatorre is listed as the sole tenant in the residence where Williams and Bowman’s bodies were found. A warrant was issued for Delatorre charging him with Capital Murder. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.
LONGVIEW — A Longview man was jailed Thursday on $3,500 bond after threatening to slam a police officer to the ground. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Tristan Terrell Taylor, 21, is charged with terroristic threat against a peace officer. Longview police arrested Taylor around 8:30 Wednesday night on Webster Street. Taylor became “extremely aggressive and started to clinch his fists†when an officer asked if he was a subject in a previous call, police said. The officer said Taylor pointed at the officer’s uniform and suggested he could “take my weapon from me,†the officer wrote. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been arrested for the alleged rape and murder of his girlfriend in the fall of 2017. According to KETK, Mark Howerton, 22, surrendered to the Bexar County Magistrate’s Office Wednesday in connection with the beating death of Trinity University cheerleader Cayley Mandadi, 18, of League City. Howerton is a 2015 graduate of Grace Community School in Tyler. Howerton’s bond was set at $225,000. Court documents showed Mandadi died from a violent beating. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Family members have identified a man killed in a Wednesday morning house fire in Kilgore. According to KETK, the fire broke out around 4:00 a.m. on Idlywood Drive. Relatives identified the victim as Travis Fried, 75. His wife was able to escape unharmed. Officials believe the fire may have started in the kitchen.
TYLER — Tyler Police Officers were working traffic enforcement in the area of South Broadway around 11:45 Tuesday night when they heard gunshots. Upon investigation, they located a man running in the area of Dobbs street. The man told officers he was being shot at. Antywarn Jones, 33, Tyler, was standing in the middle of Dobbs street. He matched the description given by the victim. A 40 caliber handgun was found at the scene along with numerous shell casings. Jones was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into the Smith County Jail. The victim was not injured.