Local Headlines
Faculty member to be finalist for UT Tyler presidency
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 6:45 amTYLER — The University of Texas Board of Regents announced on Monday that Julie Philley, a UT Tyler faculty, is a finalist to be considered for the position of UT Tyler’s president, according to our news partner KETK. According to a release, following a special called meeting of the UT board of regents, they unanimously voted for Philley to be a finalist in their search for a president following current president Kirk Calhoun’s retirement in May. Philley is currently the executive vice president for health affairs and the vice provost at UT Tyler. (more…)
Man sentenced 50 years for Longview murder
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 4:22 amLONGVIEW – A 50 year prison sentence was given to a man after a guilty plea in the 2022 murder of a Longview teenager. According to our news partner KETK, 30-year-old Laderrion Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and murder. Johnson was arrested in November 2022 due to multiple incidents at the Preserve Apartments. At this time, Johnson shot and killed 14-year-old Rahsaan Jefferson. After a standoff with Longview Police, Johnson surrendered, was indicted, before eventually pleading guilty.
Mother, daughter died in weekend house fire
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 6:16 amSMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Sunday night fire that resulted in the deaths of a mother and daughter in Lindale. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said the call came in at 10:18 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024, that a brick home on north College Street was on fire. The Lindale Fire Department responded and requested that the Smith County Fire Marshal assist in the investigation. Hogue identified the women who died as Ruby Martinez, who would have turned 84 on March 20, and her daughter, Gloria Clark, 67. Autopsies have been ordered on both women.
Two engines and a battalion chief from Emergency Services District 2 also responded to help put out the fire, which resulted in a total loss of the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Two arrested for stolen gun, marijuana
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 6:36 amNACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that two men were arrested on Thursday for possession of marijuana and a stolen firearm. Our news partner KETK is reporting that deputies were sent to reports of shots fired at a vehicle near a residence in the 300 block of County Road 6103 at around 4:16 p.m. on Thursday. No one was reportedly hurt from the shooting but the vehicle was damaged and deputies determined that Evaristo Sanchez Jr., 24, and Jose Gerardo Sanchez, 25, were persons of interest.
The two were reportedly found by deputies at a home in 800 block of third street in Nacogdoches. They were detained by deputies and the home was searched after a search warrant was secured. Officials said the deputies found two handguns, a rifle, paraphernalia and more than 8 ounces of marijuana. A sheriff’s office press release claimed that one of the guns was reported stolen in Lufkin. (more…)
Pedestrian dies after accident near Rose Garden
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 6:30 amTYLER – An accident involving a car and a pedestrian Monday morning has killed one person. According to our news partner KETK, Evencio Arellano, 79, was struck by a car on Front Street, near the Rose Garden. Tyler Police said Arellano was taken to local hospital, where he later died. Authorities said the accident did not occur at a crosswalk or intersection.
3 arrested after gunshots reported in Palestine
Posted/updated on: March 19, 2024 at 4:22 amPALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department said that a third person was arrested on Saturday after officers responded to reports of shots fired on Wednesday night near Spring Street and West Oak Street. According to our news Partner KETK, Detective J. Waldon and Officer L. Medina spoke with a witness who said he heard around eight or nine shots from two guns coming from a residence on West Debard Street. Waldon and Medina arrived at the residence and reportedly found several people “who appeared to be intoxicated” with two vehicles playing loud music. They spoke with a man near one of the vehicles who was allegedly to identify himself and asked the officers to leave. Officers said they decided to arrest him when he continued to not identify himself.
The man reportedly resisted arrest and began “using force” against Medina. The man’s spouse then reportedly got between Medina and her husband to prevent his arrest. (more…)
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