Pedestrian killed on Highway 69 in Lindale

LINDALE – The Lindale Police Department said that a pedestrian was killed while crossing Highway 69 near Interstate 20 on Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, 60-year-old Bill Darling of Oregon was hit by a Dodge 3500 truck as he crossed the highway. Officers said Darling died at the scene. Lindale PD is continuing their investigation into the incident.

Woman arrested after meth found during traffic stop

HARRISON COUNTY – A 44-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday in Harrison County after drugs were found during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, Teresa Oney, of Harleton, was stopped for defective equipment at Highway 80 and Loop 281 where deputies conducted a probable cause search. Officials said marijuana and methamphetamines were found, and Oney had five active warrants for her arrest. She was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, tampering with evidence and the active warrants.

Major water main break in Tyler

TYLER — On Monday, April 22, Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) identified a significant break in a water main located at 2025 SSW Loop 323. This break has resulted in the depletion of water tanks on the west side of town, causing water shortages or low water pressure in many households and businesses. TWU crews are working on the repairs, water valves have been identified and shut off, and the leak has been contained.

TWU is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to determine the extent of the issue. The City will continue to update residents as they learn more.

‘Candy’ found in East Texas tests positive for fentanyl

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Fire Department put out a notice to the public saying that a dangerous drug was found. “We had a recent encounter with ‘candy’ that tested positive for fentanyl,” LFD said in a Facebook post. “This is a narcotic that can be lethal when ingested. This drug is being used to lace other substances and cannot be detected through taste or smell.”

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug said to be 100 times more potent that morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. It is often disguised as other pills or added into other drugs as it makes drugs cheaper, more powerful and more addictive. However, the drug is also more deadly and can’t be seen, tasted or smelled. Fentanyl test strips are used to test if drugs are further contaminated with the substance. (more…)

Marshall PD arrest two, seize ‘significant quantity of narcotics’

MARSHALL – Two people were arrested in Marshall early Friday morning after a search for narcotics and firearms. According to our news partner KETK, 41-year-old Johnathen O’Neal of Marshall was charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and endangering a child. Also arrested was 38-year-old Daviesha Lewis of Marshall. She is charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and endangering a child.

The Marshall Police said their search was conducted in the 1600 block of Sanford Street and it yielded “a significant quantity of illegal narcotics and several firearms.” Officers add that all drug charges will carry the drug-free zone designation. Both O’Neal and Lewis were booked into the Harrison County Jail. With O’Neal’s bond set at $400,000. Lewis’s bond totaling $103,000.

The operation was a joint effort of the Marshall PD Special Response Team along with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team.

Smith County Road 431 has been re-opened

SMITH COUNTY- A water main break under County Road 431, also known as Jim Hogg Road, has been repaired and the road is back open to drivers. Lindale Rural Water Supply repaired the water main Friday and Smith County Road and Bridge crews have backfilled the hole with a clay and gravel mix and put a temporary patch on the section of road, just north of Interstate 20.

Because of the rain forecasted for the area this weekend, Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said his crews will go back out and start the permanent patching and repaving next week.
 

Judge issues rules in appeal case of convicted nurse

TYLER – The defense team of a former nurse convicted of murder, appeared in court on Thursday to discuss the reported harassment of jurors. According to our news partner KETK, the 114th district court convened on Thursday to address Judge Austin Reeve Jackson’s motion against the legal team of a convicted former CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis nurse. Reeve Jackson said the court had received numerous complaints of investigators and lawyers attempting to contact jurors and “refusing to accept the answer of ‘no, I do not want to speak with you.’”

The judge said jurors informed the court that spouses had opened the door and informed members of the defense that the juror did not wish to speak to the legal team. Jurors were also reportedly “contacted multiple times in the morning, late at night, interrupting family hours, dinner hours from kids and other family members.” (more…)

Man jailed for sexual assault of a child

MARSHALL – An East Texas man has been arrested after a coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Cameron Payton was arrested Tuesday for sexual assault of a child and evading arrest. The Marshall PD was aided in the arrest effort by the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Daingerfield PD, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Texas DPS.

In a news release from the Marshall Police Department, Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth said, “This is a great example of the Marshall Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office working together and coordinating with regional law enforcement to stop dangerous individuals who are accused of violent crimes in our community.”

After his arrest, Payton was booked into the Morris County Jail where he awaits transfer to the Harrison County Jail.

Arrest in 2020 outlaw motorcycle gang murder

TYLER – Smith County law enforcement Tuesday arrested a Eustace man for organizing what authorities identify as a plot for gang members to murder a man in 2020. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Edwards, who was known to be the Sergeant at Arms of a local 1%er Cossacks “outlaw motorcycle gang chapter” was found shot to death off FM 850 in Chapel Hill in May 2020.

Authorities said that 38-year-old Chad Crowell, identified as the National Sergeant at Arms of the Ugly Man Cossacks called a Sergeant at Arms meeting in Fall 2019 where he told those attending, if they see a member of the 1%er Cossacks “you are to put him down.” The club rivalry is due in part to each “club” claiming to be the “real Cossacks” and operating in the same area.

Investigators said that “smash on site” order came from national leadership. Crowell’s bail has been set at $2.5 million.

Home invasion centered around a ‘vape’ lands two in jail

KILGORE – Two individuals are currently in custody after Kilgore PD responded to an armed home invasion that was reportedly ‘centered around a vape.’ According to the Kilgore Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of Harris Street on Wednesday night to investigates a report that two men broke into a residence with a machete and assaulted the residents. It was reported that the incident was centered around a stolen vape. The police department said that both of the residents had received injuries from the assault and the suspects had fled before officers arrived. Kilgore PD said that with the help of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office they were able to place an 18-year-old and 17-year-old in custody at their residence and seized a weapon as evidence. Both suspects are currently being held in the Kilgore Municipal Jail for burglary of a habitation.

319 pounds of promethazine seized

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – A Memphis man was arrested in Nacogdoches after deputies seized about 319 pounds of promethazine on Saturday during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, deputies pulled over Rodarius Criss, 24, at around 1 a.m. for a traffic violation. A K9 officer was called after Criss reportedly denied deputies permission to search the vehicle. After the K9 alerted officials, a probable cause search was conducted, a release said. Criss was charged with possession of a dangerous drug.

Promethazine is a prescription medication used to treat allergies and nausea, the National Library of Medicine said. The sheriff’s office said the drug is misused for its sedative effects. (more…)

Crockett PD finds eight pounds of cocaine during traffic stop

CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department had a simple traffic stop on Tuesday net them eight pounds of cocaine. According to our news partner KETK, the CPD stopped 30-year-old Eric Galvan of Jacksonville and 31-year-old Emilio Osorio of Tyler for a traffic violation. During the vehicle inspection, officers found an aftermarket speaker box in the truck. Inside the box, they found three “bricks of suspected cocaine” wrapped in electrical tape that weighed over eight pounds. At this time, Galvan tried to run. But, he was quickly caught and arrested. Galvan was charged with possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest or detention, and resisting arrest, search or transport. Osorio was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Both were booked into the Houston County jail.

Water interruptions Thursday night in Athens due to utility work

ATHENS – The City of Athens announced that some residents may have interruption in their water service on Thursday because of utility repairs. According to our news partner KETK, the temporary outage will affect residents starting around 9 p.m. from South Pinkerton Street to Hawn Street, the south and north sides of West Corsicana Street and South Pinkerton from Larue to West Corsicana Street.

Insomnia Cookies plans to open in Tyler

TYLER — Insomnia Cookies, a popular late-open bakery, is planning to open a location in Tyler soon. According to our news partner KETK, on the website for Insomnia Cookies, they list a location in Tyler as “coming soon.” The address is 3979 University Boulevard Unit 400, near the University of Texas at Tyler campus. Insomnia Cookies’ describes themselves as a bakery that is open late to cater to late night cravings, offering a number of cookies, brownies ice cream and more. According to their website their locations offer delivery of the sweet treats as well.

Former officer pleads guilty to drug charges

HENDERSON COUNTY — Former Payne Springs police officer Jonathan Hutchison pleaded guilty to charges on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Hutchison pleaded guilty to his charges of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance as part of an open plea. The court said that a charge of money laundering is being considered.

In March of 2023, Hutchison, alongside former Payne Springs Chief of Police April Meadows, were arrested after search warrants revealed controlled substances in their homes. (more…)

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