Smith County bridge repair began Monday

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of County Road 370, also known as Howell Lake Road in Precinct 3, was closed beginning Monday, July 10, so a bridge can be replaced. The concrete bridge with wooden piers, which runs over the private Howell Lake, will be replaced with a wider concrete bridge with concrete piles, Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said. Signs are up alerting drivers of the closure and drivers will need to take an alternate route. Work is being done by True Roads Construction and is expected to take about three months. For current Smith County road projects, click here.

Smith County hopeful 2024 budget fixes ongoing staffing problem

SMITH COUNTY — Unfilled positions continue to make life hard on local law enforcement. “Law enforcement across the country is shorthanded,” said Sgt. Larry Christian, Public Information Officer with Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The problem seemed to get even worse in 2020, according to our news partner KETK. “COVID hit county jails really hard in the state of Texas,” said Craig Harrington, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy. The year 2024 is shaping up to be a critical one for Smith County. The county recently released a draft budget for fiscal year 2024 that includes an emphasis on trying to hire more people to fill detention center vacancies. Christian said getting the right budget passed could shape the county’s future. (more…)

Man sentenced to 5+ years in federal prison for meth trafficking

CHEROKEE COUNTY – An East Texas man was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison on Thursday for his part in a meth trafficking operation. According to our news partner KETK Darrell Horace, Jr., 29 of Crockett, pleaded guilty to selling meth in Cherokee County, as well as possession of meth and a firearm. Horace was indicted on his charges in November 2021. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department. (more…)

Jay Dean announces bid for reelection

GREGG COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK State Rep. Jay Dean (R-Longview) announced Thursday that he will seek reelection next year for District 7. He has held that seat since 2017, serving Gregg, Harrison and Marion counties. Up until 2022, District 7 encompassed Gregg and Upshur County. He previously served as Mayor of Longview for a decade.
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Athena Alert law, officials can notify without confirmed abduction

TYLER — The Athena Alert is now a law. Our news partner KETK reports that the new law is meant to speed up the law enforcement response time when a child goes missing. House Bill 3556, known as the Athena Alert, became law on June 13. Unlike other laws that were just recently passed, DPS said it is in effect immediately. Amber Alerts have to meet four strict rules before the public is notified. The Athena Alert is named after 7-year-old Athena Strand who was killed after being abducted in Wise County.
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Longview man gets 22 year prison term for murder

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.

UT Tyler School of Medicine has first white coat ceremony

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.

Smith County mother indicted for abuse of newborn corpse

TYLER – A Smith County mother was indicted for abuse of a corpse after her newborn child’s body was found in March in a bucket outside a home. According to our news partner KETK, Jazzlyn Cooper-Holmes, 23 of Longview, was arrested on March 18 after officials with the sheriff’s office were called to the home in Lindale where the baby was found. The homeowner, who reported to live with Cooper-Holmes, showed deputies a red mop bucket that was reportedly placed outside. (more…)

Pet adoption fees waived with school supply donation at Tyler Animal Services

TYLER — For the month of July, Tyler Animal Services and CASA for Kids of East Texas are partnering to donate school supplies to foster children. All dog and cat adoption fees will be waived with the donation of a backpack with at least 10 school supplies, according to the City of Tyler. Animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. The standard adoption fee for dogs is $120 and $80 for cats. To adopt, view available animals or submit an application, click here. (more…)

Community mourns loss of beloved Gilmer man killed in fireworks explosion

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Gilmer community is coping with the loss of Jared Maddox. According to our news partner KETK, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 58-year-old Jared Maddox died on July 4 due to a fireworks explosion. Residents who knew him well, are now talking about his impact in the Gilmer community. “Jared was a fantastic guy,” Joe Tillery said. “I mean he would help anybody anytime that anybody needed help. He was truly a man’s man. I guess you can say.” Maddox spent almost 30 years at the Longview Fire Department serving his community. Tillery said Maddox’s dedication to the department was second to none. “He would come up and spend the night with us before he ever became a paid firefighter, and he would stay all night and he would just stay at the fire station just waiting on the call to go try and help people,” added Tillery. (more…)

Missing woman in Rusk County found

RUSK COUNTY – Rusk County Officials have located Jasmine Wheat, who was reported missing on Wednesday, safe and sound. According to Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, she appears to be in good health and will be medically evaluated. According to our news partner KETK Wheat was reported missing in Rusk County on Wednesday, she allegedly experienced a mental health episode and walked off. Several agencies were involved in the search, including officials utilizing ATVs and horses. TDCJ bloodhounds also assisted in the search.

2 arrested for stealing $1,600 worth of gift cards from East Texas store

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK on July 3rd Texarkana officers responded to a store in reference to a theft that had taken place. An employee of the store told police that after some quick talking to confuse a clerk at the store, two woman managed to walk out with more than $1,600 in stolen gift cards. An officer on the scene was able to get pictures of the alleged thieves and the vehicle they left in through surveillance video and sent them out to other officers. (more…)

Bullard ISD names new police chief

BULLARD – Bullard ISD named their new director of safety and security and police chief. According to our news partner KETK, Pat Hendrix, a man who has spent almost 40 years dedicated to law enforcement, was approved for hire at a special meeting on July 5. He will take the place of Chief John Jones, who accepted a regional position with the Texas Education Agency as an Assistant Chief of School Safety and Security. Hendrix brings 20 years of service with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, working as jailer, patrol officer, patrol sergeant, SWAT officer, narcotics officer, major crimes detective and supervisor of the Criminal Investigation Unit. After retiring in 2006, he became the Chief of Police for the Troup Police Department. He stayed for 17 years working to grow the school resource officer program, K9 officer program, student tours of TPD, annual security audits and training exercises and more. (more…)

1 dead after crash involving truck tractor in East Texas

GREGG COUNTY — On July 2, a crash involving a Freightliner truck tractor left a woman dead and one injured person in Gregg County.

According to DPS and our neews partners at KETK, a 2014 Freightliner Truck Tractor towing a 2012 Heil semi-trailer was traveling south on State Highway 42 about a mile south of White Oak around 7:15 p.m.

Tonya Gonzales, 50, of Longview, was traveling east in a 2012 Nissan Altima on Texaco Road approaching the intersection.

Officials said the investigation revealed that Gonzales disregarded the stop sign and collided with the truck tractor in the intersection.

Gonzales was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Tim Bryan and the driver of the truck tractor was taken to a local hospital with non-incapacitating injuries.

According to the DPS report, Gonzales was not wearing a seatbelt.

Van ISD names new middle school principal

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.

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