JACKSONVILLE – The East Texas Food Bank has a new mobile food pantry available for Jacksonville and Cherokee County. According to our news partner KETK, the mobile food pantry will be at Jacksonville’s Alexander Gym Tuesday July 11 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the second Tuesday each month thereafter. The food bank will be offering fresh produce and meat during this stop. Read the rest of this entry »
BOWIE COUNTY – Law enforcement is asking for help in finding two inmates who escaped from Bi-State Jail in Bowie County. According to our news partner KETK, the two men are Wayde Burton Land and JC Lee Kirby. Jail surveillance video showed the pair leaving the jail in street clothes and going toward Texas Boulevard in Texarkana. The Bowie County Sheriff’s office ask if you have information on Land or Kirby to call them at 903-798-3149.
LONGVIEW – A guilty plea Thursday gets a Longview man 22 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, 33-year-old James Barron was convicted in the death of 58-year-old Llewellyn Williams. In 2020, Williams was found dead in his home after police were called to stop and perform a wellness check. After an autopsy and evidence gathered at Williams home, law enforcement ruled his death a murder. Barron was indicted for murder in September of that year and has remained in the Gregg County jail since then.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler hosted its first white coat ceremony last week for their inaugural class of medical students. According to our news partner KETK, 40 students said the physician’s oath and received a white coat with a humanism in medicine pin. University president Kirk Calhoun said, “This is a momentous occasion for UT Tyler, a day to recognize the impact these students will have on the health care of the East Texas region.†School officials say that 95% of students in this class are from East Texas.
VAN – Van ISD announced Wednesday that Jeremy Peterson has been named middle school principal. According to our news partner KETK, the Kirbyville native has been an educator for 18 years. The entire time in the Van school district. Van Superintendent Don Dunn said, “Mr. Peterson brings a wealth of experience, a strong passion for education and is well-equipped to guide Van Middle School toward continued growth and success.†Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree from UT Tyler and his master’s at Lamar University.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is asking for help in locating a missing person. According to our news partner KETK, she is 32-year-old Jasmine Lucky. Jasmine is 5’6″, weighs around 240 pounds and has a scar on her neck. Authorities say her last know location was downtown Longview near Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center. If you have information on Jasmine’s whereabouts, contact the Longview Police Department.
KILGORE – Authorities in Kilgore Monday announced they are looking for a Kilgore man whose been reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, missing is 24-year-old James “Bud” Schilling. Kilgore PD says that Schilling is 6’2″, slender build with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen near the Post Oak Road Church of Christ. The Kilgore Police Department asks if you have information to please contact them. For additional photos of James Schilling, go here.
TYLER — Nearly 1,202 are without power in East Texas as of 9:50 p.m. Monday as thunderstorms popped up in East Texas according to our news partner KETK. To see a list broken out by county of outage data supplied by ONCOR, SWEPCO and other electric co-ops Click here.
TYLER – The Texas Department of Public Safety is making its presence known during the July Fourth holiday. According to our news partner KETK, the DPS is watching for violators of the Move Over, Slow Down law. The Move Over, Slow Down law requires all drivers to slow down when they encounter tow trucks or emergency vehicles on the side of the road with their emergency blinkers on. DPS Director Steven McCraw said “Please be mindful of our state’s traffic laws, be courteous of other drivers on the roads and make safety your first priority so everyone can have a good holiday.â€
TYLER — There are variety of Fourth of July events scheduled for the East Texas area. The fireworks and celebrations will run during the weekend through Tuesday July 4. Our news partner KETK has a list of events, please click here to see it.
TYLER – NET Health, the Northeast Texas Public Heath District announced that former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife has received the 2023 W.T. “Doc†Ballard Award. According to our news partner KETK, Eltife is being recognized for service and leadership in the creation of the UT Tyler School of Medicine. He is a former Texas District 1 Senator and is the current chairman of The University of Texas Board of Regents. Eltife said at the award presentation, “This community is exceptionally giving, and ‘Doc’ Ballard embodied that quality as well. I not only want this medical school to be a vehicle for better health for the community, but I also want to it to provide an amazing educational opportunity for East Texas students.” The award is named after “Doc†Ballard, who was a registered professional engineer at the Texas Department of Health.
TYLER — A Tyler man is found guilty and is given a life prison sentence without parole because of sexual abuse of child under 14. According to our news partner KETK, prosecutors say that 57-year-old Reiner Wiseman sexually abused a 13-year-old multiple times over a six month period. Wiseman had just recently been released from prison in another state after serving a 25-year sentence for sexual assault. At the conclusion of sentencing, the Smith County DA Jacob Putman praised the response of the Tyler Police Department and the Smith County Children’s Advocacy Center. Putman also noted that the victim testified against their abuser.
TYLER – The family of fallen Smith County deputy Lorenzo Bustos had their mortgage paid in full by an organization that supports the families of first responders and veterans. It was announced Thursday by The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, this according to our news partner KETK. The foundation began after 9/11, with the purpose of providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. Lorenzo was struck and killed by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on his last day of training with the Smith County Sheriff’s Department. That was July 29, 2022. Lorenzo Bustos is survived by his wife Gloria and their four young children.
KILGORE – Wednesday morning all the work paid off as the 84th Kilgore College Rangerette Line was revealed. According to our news partner KETK, 32 freshmen have earned a spot on this years team. With 9 of the Rangerette’s hailing from East Texas. The new freshmen for the 84th line are:
Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — The cause of a train derailment at Marshall Depot Wednesday morning, involving a Union Pacific train carrying a cargo of vehicles remains under investigation, officials said. No one was injured and no environmental issues were reported when eight freight cars of a train derailed Wednesday morning, according to the City of Marshall via the Marshall News Messenger. Union Pacific officials said the derailment occurred about 8 a.m. “At about 8:00, an estimated eight rail cars on a Union Pacific train derailed in Marshall, Texas,†Robynn Tysver with Union Pacific media relations told the Marshall News Messenger. “The incident occurred west of the intersection of Van Zandt Avenue and N. Franklin Street,†she said. Read the rest of this entry »