Couple arrested in Louisiana after pursuit through East Texas

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were arrested Sunday night after an attempted traffic stop led to a pursuit through East Texas, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Our news partner KETK reports, officials said deputies in Harrison County attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a stolen car from Dallas on I-20. When the vehicle refused to stop, officials said a pursuit began and continued west in Gregg and Smith counties. The vehicle eventually turned back eastbound, and officials said the pursuit continued into Louisiana until Greenwood Police spiked the car near the Louisiana Visitor Center. Officials said a foot pursuit began and shortly after Reginald Sanders, 22 of Shreveport, and Shauntavia Newson, 23 of Lancaster, were arrested. “Sanders was wanted out of multiple agencies in the DFW area, stemming from numerous robbery investigations,” officials said.

High school fishing tournament raises funds for Cooper Reid

FRANKSTON — The Texas High School Bass Association is using the season’s first tournament for all nine divisions across Texas to raise money for the family of Cooper Reid, a Troup High School football player who was injured in their homecoming game, according to our news partner KETK. “Just to honor one of our anglers you know, and the family needs some help, so you know throughout the 10 years of THSBA there has been different instances of that. And if we have an opportunity that we can do to help a family of one of our anglers then we take those opportunities,” said Riley Fitzgerald, Texas High School Bass Association. Reid is a part of the Troup fishing team, and as a way to say thank you for all the support the family has received, they passed out BBQ plates. (more…)

Biden meets with families of Whelan, Griner at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan. The meetings Friday at the White House are the first face-to-face encounter between the president and the relatives of Griner and Whelan. Administration officials say the sessions are meant to underscore Biden’s commitment to bringing home Americans held overseas and to establish a personal connection, but are not an indication that negotiations with Russia for their release have reached a breakthrough. A national security spokesman told reporters Friday that the U.S. had made a serious offer to get the Americans home but the Russians had not responded to that offer.

MPO Transportation Policy Committee meeting scheduled for Sept. 22

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee is holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 2 p.m., in the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies and will additionally consider receiving a presentation on Statewide Safety Task Force recommendations from the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Residents can review the agenda here. Residents can contact the MPO through the department’s online contact form or by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5. (more…)

TxDOT’s weekly roadwork update

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District beginning Monday. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. You’re urged to slow down and pay attention in work zones. On Tuesday, Longview maintenance will begin mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be performing pavement repairs on Spur 248 from Loop 323 to Old Omen Rd. (more…)

Authorities: Man arrested after flipping stolen four-wheeler during pursuit

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County officials say a Jacksonville man was arrested after a pursuit involving a stolen four-wheeler, and they claim he’s responsible for numerous thefts. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were patrolling the area of CR 1519 when they reported seeing a man riding a four-wheeler. Officials said when they tried to stop him, the man fled south on FM 768. The four-wheeler reached speeds of 60 mph and was traveling on the wrong side of the road, according to authorities. The pursuit reportedly continued until the suspect “attempted to turn down a trail and flipped his four-wheeler.” After the four-wheeler crashed, officials said the man fled on foot into the woods, where he was apprehended by a deputy. The four-wheeler was found to have been stolen from Palestine. Authorities say Anthony Henderson, 38, was arrested on felony charges of theft and evasion.

Smith County Constable leaving Precinct 5 for job opportunity

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct 5 Constable Jeff McClenny is resigning his position for a job opportunity to serve as police chief of a school district. “As most of you may know, I have resigned from office as Constable Precinct 5 of Smith County,” McClenny said. “This decision was the hardest, yet the easiest. My wife is a School Administrator at West Sabine ISD and it has created a distance barrier. I was presented with an opportunity to interview and was offered the Police Chief’s position at San Augustine ISD. McClenny has been Precinct 5 Constable, which serves the Lindale and Hideaway area, for six years. His resignation is effective October 5. After McClenny leaves office, the Smith County Commissioners Court will appoint an interim Constable to serve the remainder of his term. (more…)

Man indicted for arson in fire that killed his disabled brother

TYLER — 32-year-old Robert Harrison Johnson IV has been indicted for arson for allegedly causing a fire that killed his half-brother last May. According to our news partner KETK, officials responded to a home on Smith County Road 1113 for a structure fire with a man trapped inside the residence. Jack McKenzie Ross, 35, who was both mentally and physically disabled, died after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. At the time, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reported that Ross’s brother was able to escape the fire before responders arrived. (more…)

Harrison County Sheriff’s Office cited in human smuggling bust

MARSHALL – An East Texas law enforcement agency is cited after a major human smuggling network was taken down as part of a joint task force, according to a statement released Tuesday by the United States Department of Justice. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was among a list of law enforcement agencies the DOJ attributed as giving substantial assistance toward the investigation that led to eight indictments. The operation, a part of Joint Task Force Alpha, included the arrest of eight alleged human smugglers whose indictments were unsealed this week in the Southern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the network was allegedly led by 31-year-old Erminia Serrano, also known as The Boss Lady.

UT Tyler engineering ranked in top 50 U.S. programs

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler College of Engineering is ranked 42nd nationwide by U.S. News and World Report as noted on the publication’s Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (no doctorate) list published this week. According to a news release, the College of Engineering has been on a steady climb up the publication’s top 100 list for four consecutive years, rising this time from last year’s ranking of 75. For the second consecutive year, UT Tyler is the highest ranked Texas public institution for undergraduate engineering programs with no doctorate.

East Texas Amtrak service to continue as normal

LONGVIEW – Amtrak’s Texas Eagle service has started up again after some rail workers and railway owners came to a deal on Thursday. The service, which stops in Longview, Marshall, and Mineola twice a day, was stopped on Wednesday before a potential strike on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari expected normal operations to start Friday morning, meaning the Texas Eagle starting in San Antonio and arriving in Longview Saturday morning. Amtrak’s employees weren’t a part of the strike, but Amtrak trains run on rail lines owned by other companies that operate in Longview, like Union Pacific.

Region 4 Sabine Draft 2023 Regional Flood Plan public comment meeting

LONGVIEW — The Region 4 Sabine Regional Flood Planning Group (Sabine RFPG) is requesting public review and comment of the Draft 2023 Sabine Regional Flood Plan (RFP). The public comment meeting for the Draft 2023 Sabine RFP will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 26th, at the Longview Exhibit Center on Jaycee Drive. A recording of the presentation given at the public comment meeting will be made available for public viewing after the public meetings are held. Click here for more details.

P.T. Cole Park to be renovated

TYLER — The Tyler City Council this week approved a $119,325 contract with MHS Planning & Design to prepare the P.T. Cole Park design plans. The park is on Vine Street, between Mockingbird Lane and Lindsey Lane. According to a news release, the City of Tyler Parks Department will renovate the park by adding a splash pad and updating the restrooms, basketball court, and pavilion — as well as adding sidewalks, replacing the playground, and renovating the athletic field. Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) will fund the project. (more…)

Detour at Whitehouse High School due to sinkhole

WHITEHOUSE — A sinkhole has developed on the Main Campus Drive at Whitehouse High School just beyond the guard gate, and a detour will be necessary starting Wednesday afternoon during pick-up. In an advisory posted on the school district website, official said they would divert all traffic entering or exiting through the guard gate (from 346) through the student parking adjacent to the Main Campus Drive. This detour will result in displacing the first two rows of student parking (the far east side of the parking lot will become the alternate route). The student lot will be “General” parking only due to this disruption until proper repairs can be made, according to officials. All traffic entering or exiting through the Acker Tap entrance will not be affected. (more…)

BBB to host “Secure Your ID” Day shredding events

EAST TEXAS – The Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas will be hosting three “Secure Your ID” shredding events in October to help consumers and businesses securely destroy documents and help prevent identity theft, according to a news release. These services are provided for free, and attendees are encouraged to bring paper documents that contain personal and/or financial information to be destroyed. Officials say no boxes will be taken. You’re asked to bring your documents in a plastic bin, plastic bag, or a box you can keep. Shredding trucks and volunteers will be on hand to assist participants and hand out information on identity theft protection. All attendees must remain in their vehicles during the events. (more…)

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