Today is
Thursday November 21, 2024
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that hundreds of Van Zandt County residents are against a Finnish-owned lithium battery project set to come in December.
In the rural town of Whitton, their community center was packed on Tuesday with concerned residents as a forum was held. The company behind the project is called Taaleri Energia out of Finland. According to the company’s website, they are one of the largest dedicated renewables investment teams in Europe.
“It’s been overwhelming engagement, discouragement, and honestly just sadness and frustration that not enough people know what’s going on”,said Nancy White, a Van Zandt County resident said.
Although the Van Zandt County Commissioners held a meeting with head of construction for the project on Oct. 31, David Dunagan, who lives near the site, is concerned.
They show the fire suppression system is optional, and then they will not answer the question of will they include it or not and then their lawyer sends out fire chief for the county saying, “you can’t come inspect our facility… It makes us very nervous,” Dunagan said.
Neighbors also point to a pipeline, they say runs directly underneath where the energy storage facility would be. Read the rest of this entry »
DALLAS (AP) — In one Norman Rockwell painting, a family proudly welcomes a beaming Boy Scout home from camp, his duffel bag in hand. In another of Rockwell’s achingly idyllic works, a Cub Scout stands on a chair to measure the chest of his older brother, a Boy Scout who has taped his fitness record to his bedroom wall.
Many of the works from the Boy Scouts of America’s collection are as interwoven into American life as the organization itself, having been featured on magazine covers, calendars and even used to sell war bonds. Next week, the works will begin to be auctioned off to help pay the compensation owed to tens of thousands of people — mainly men — who were sexually abused while in scouting.
The collection of over 300 works, including dozens by Rockwell, is estimated to be worth nearly $60 million — a tiny amount in relation to the organization’s multibillion dollar bankruptcy plan. Campgrounds and other Boy Scouts’ properties have also been sold to help pay the survivors.
“The idea that an iconic art collection that the Boy Scouts have assembled over many years is being liquidated in order to pay survivors recoveries and to bring them some measure of justice I think is very significant,†said Barbara Houser, a retired bankruptcy judge who is overseeing the survivors’ settlement trust.
This year, the 114-year-old organization based in suburban Dallas announced it is rebranding to Scouting America, a change intended to signal the organization’s commitment to inclusivity. The group now welcomes girls, as well as gay youth and leaders.
BULLARD – Our news partner, KETK, reports that first responders worked to free an individual who fell into a Bullard wood chipper Monday morning, authorities said.
Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2, said they were dispatched around 8:37 a.m. to a traumatic injury at 49759 Hwy 69 in Bullard.
According to Simmons, firefighters were called to assist EMS after a person was reported to have fallen into a wood chipper. The person was freed from the heavy machinery before 9:30 a.m. and Simmons said they have been transported to the hospital.
At this time, the extent of the person’s injuries and their condition is unknown.
WINNSBORO– Our KETK news partner reports that a 74-year-old East Texas man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after a 2020 murder in Winnsboro.
According to the Wood County Criminal District Attorney, police arrested Billy Dwaine Cotten, 74, of Winnsboro, on May 13 of 2020 after they found him covered in the blood of Steven Wayne Lancaster. Officers were responding to reports of a stabbing at Bob’s Garage on East Carnegie Street, Albers said.
They found Lancaster on the floor of the garage and he was rushed to the where he later died, according to a press release. Cotten was still at the scene and he reportedly told the officers “he kicked me and I stabbed him.â€
Cotten also reportedly told law enforcement that he and Lancaster were arguing about a scooter battery when the argument got physical. Cotten is quoted by officials as saying he “had to kill [Lancaster] or [Lancaster would] stomp me in the ground.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 37-year-old Tyler man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison with out parole for sexually abusing two children. The Tyler Police Department investigated the case into Saldierna.
Jorge Perez Saldierna, 37 of Tyler, was convicted and sentenced for continuous sexual abuse of of two children under 14 on Wednesday in the 114th District Court of Smith County, according to a press release.
The district attorney’s office said that Saldierna “subjected his two victims to various types of sexual abuse over several years†and was “mostly emotionless when the jury sentenced him to 50 years confinement without parole.†The prosecutors in his case, Emil Mikkelsen and Catherine McQueen, had the victims, their families and an expert from the Children’s Advocacy Center in Tyler testify at trial.
According to a press release, the expert testified about how children speak out about abuse and the barriers that can prevent them from coming forward after abuse happens. “The Children’s Advocacy Center is an invaluable partner in the fight against child abuse,†said Smith County District Attorney, Jason Putman.
TEXARKANA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Texarkana Police Department has arrested a man for unauthorized use of a vehicle after a chase on Tuesday.
According to Texarkana PD, an officer saw a car that matched the description of a stolen vehicle at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Officials said the officer then reportedly turned to follow the vehicle.
“As soon as he went to turn around, the driver hit the gas and tried to make a quick getaway—speeding through alleys like he was in a high-speed chase scene from a movie. Unfortunately for him, real life doesn’t come with a stunt coordinator,†Texarkana PD said.
Officials said the driver tried to onto West 6th Street and lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a fence in the process. After crashing, the driver got out and fled into the woods nearby. Texarkana PD officer Cole Bredenberg and K9 officer Thor arrived on the scene and reportedly found the driver within minutes, Texarkana PD said in a post on Thursday.
Johnny Washington, 63 of Texarkana, Arkansas, was arrested and jail records show he was booked into the Bi-state Jail on a total bond of $20,000 for the charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and fleeing or attempting to allude a police officer.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Our KETK news partner reports that baggies of marijuana and suspected methamphetamine, individually packaged for distribution, were found in a shoebox during a Wednesday night traffic stop.
According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, investigators stopped Robert Martel Moreno, 55 of Mabank, who was driving a black sedan, shortly after 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of East Quanah Road and Spearman Street. A deputy and his K-9 were called to scene where a positive alert for narcotics was given, HCSO said.
“Narcotics investigators conducted a search of the vehicle and located a white shoe box with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine that was individually packaged for distribution,†the sheriff’s office said. “Also located inside the white shoe box were two Ziploc baggies of marijuana.â€
Moreno was placed under arrest and taken to the Henderson County Jail. He was charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
MOUNT SELMAN – Our KETK news partner reports that authorities responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 69. According to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson, deputies were on the scene responding to the crash around 8:30 a.m. “This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available,†DPS Sgt. Chris Williamson said.
Brayden Siau, KETK morning meteorologist, said fog occurs because temperatures and dew points are very close together causing air to become saturated and condense. “We could have fog around the next few mornings as we’ll have pretty mild temperatures in the mornings,†Siau said. “But as we go into next week we should start to see some cooler air, so the fog won’t be a problem anymore.â€
KETK crews on the scene saw at least two people taken by ambulance. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
TYLER– Our news partner, KETK, reports that a middle school student is in the hospital after a Thursday morning pedestrian crash near Tyler Junior College, officials said. Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said officers responded to South Clayton Avenue and East Fifth Street in front of TJC around 7:30 a.m. for a pedestrian vs. vehicle crash.
According to Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD director of communications, the student was trying to cross a street when they were hit by a vehicle. The child did not have major injuries but Hines said they were hospitalized and is in the company of their parent. Erbaugh said the driver cooperated and stayed at the scene.
Tyler ISD officials want drivers to always be cautious but especially during their morning and afternoon commutes and when they are in school zones and crosswalks.
SULPHUR SPRINGS – Sulphur Springs ISD is in mourning after the district said that two first graders and their father died in a crash on Saturday. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the crash happened at around 7 p.m. on Saturday when a GMC Yukon heading east on State Highway 49 in Morris County failed to stay in one lane and hit two oncoming vehicles.
The first vehicle hit had three people in it who DPS said were taken to a local hospital to be treated. The second vehicle hit also had three people in it, two who were pronounced dead at the scene and another victim who died later that night at a local hospital, according to DPS. DPS added that the driver of the GMC was taken to a local hospital where they are in critical condition. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW– Our KETK News partner reports that A jury found Gregory Newson guilty for the murder of Panola County deputy William Chris Dickerson on Monday afternoon. Trial started on Monday.
Gregory Newson’s trial started in Gregg County on Wednesday morning.
It was moved out of Panola County, where the accused crime took place, after a judge determined that an impartial and fair trial could not happen there. The state is seeking the death penalty and Newson has pleaded not guilty.
Newson was charged and is accused of shooting and killing Panola County Sheriff’s deputy William Chris Dickerson. He is also accused of fleeing the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Louisiana back in 2019.
Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN– Our KETK news partners report that drivers are asked to avoid a portion of College Drive in Lufkin due to a wreck involving two 18-wheelers.
No injuries were reported in the wreck, but traffic delays are expected. College Drive from Daniel McCall Drive to South First Street will be closed for several hours Friday as officials clean up the scene.
According to the city of Lufkin, a car hauler and a commercial truck holding sand were in a wreck around 5:10 a.m. on the southbound side of U.S. 59 and South First Street. Due to the car hauler blocking the road, inbound traffic on College Drive is blocked. While traffic at the intersection of College Drive and South First is moving, the city said southbound traffic is reduced to one lane.
As the day goes on and cleanup continues, some lanes may need to be closed at various times, especially southbound lanes. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.
HOPKINS COUNTY – Our KETK news partner reports that more than 12 East Texas counties have been targets of vehicle burglaries in recent weeks where firearms were stolen. Now as burglaries return to the area, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said some firearms were recovered from being smuggled into Mexico.
According to the sheriff’s office, the group that stole items from unlocked vehicles in Hopkins and surrounding counties is sending more groups to burglarize again.
“They have hit our county once but we expect them to come back,†Hopkins County officials said.
Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Henderson County authorities are asking the public for help in finding a woman wanted out of two East Texas counties. According to our news partner KETK and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Chelsea Duncan, of Mabank, is wanted out of Henderson and Kaufman County as well as Gun Barrel City and Seven Points. Records say Duncan has brown hair, green eyes, is 5’4 tall and weighs about 145 pounds.
Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said several warrants for her arrest were issued Tuesday and they include possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of identifying information. Hillhouse also said she has a bail jumping and criminal mischief warrant out of Kaufman County.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact 903-675-5128 or the Henderson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS to remain anonymous.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two Jacksonville men were arrested on Sunday for copper theft after leading authorities and dogs on a chase through the woods. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department were called to CR 3212 at a salt water plant about a theft. When deputies arrived, they reportedly noticed two people running into the woods.
Dogs were called out to help track the individuals. After a nine-mile track back toward Jacksonville, the pair were found on top of a deer stand trying to hide. The suspects were identified as 40-year-old Anthony Henderson and 33-year-old Brandon Alford, both of Jacksonville. Henderson and Alford were arrested and charged with theft of materials (copper) and evading arrest.