How East Texans can dispose of rotten food, debris after storm damage

LONGVIEW — More than a week later, East Texans are still recovering from severe storms. Some may wonder what to do with the debris in their yard or overflowing trashcans of food that went bad. Our news partner KETK checked in with the City of Longview and Upshur County to get some answers about post-storm cleanup.

Upshur County has four dumpster locations for people to throw out their rotten food. “Big Sandy, Ore City, Diana and one in Gilmer at the civic center,” said Nichols, Upshur County Emergency Management Coordinator. Those will be available for county residents until Wednesday, June 28. The City of Longview Sanitation and Recycling shared how they are working through the mess left behind. “Don’t panic, we are actually doing a city-wide sweep, we’re actually going down every street, one by one we will be cleaning up all of the debris from the trees that they put out.” The City of Longview is also taking the recycle bins to the landfill this week, they know many people needed to use them to throw away spoiled food.

Harrison County Sheriff’s Office warns against fake investigator scam

HARRISON COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK on June 26, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a male identifying himself as Tyler Martin, an Investigator with Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office sent out a social media notification verifying that this information is false and Tyler Martin does not work for the Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is allegedly cloning the sheriff’s office phone number which is 903-923-4000. He is claimed to be informing individuals that they haven’t appeared to their civil court case that they were summoned for.

The sheriff’s office describes the scam on their Facebook: “In order for the individuals to not be placed in jail they have to deposit cash in a gas station “Bit K” Machine. Once all the cash has been deposited Martin will no longer contact you and you will not be able to contact him on the number he provides due to it being a false number.”

The sheriff’s office would like the public to know not to fall for these tactics and to stay safe. “Please be aware that this is a scam and the Sheriff’s Office will not direct you to do such thing,” said the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Longview drivers say bad fuel damaged vehicles

LONGVIEW — Two people reached out to our news partner KETK News to get help after they said they got bad gasoline at the Brake Time gas station on Judson Road in Longview across from Skinner’s. One said said it happened to him on May 18 and that it really messed up his car. Another person said it started after her May 3 trip to Brake Time, eventually having to pay more than $1,000 to get it fixed.

A complaint has been filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Agreement over the situation. So far there has been no response to the complaint. KETK News also tried reaching someone at the gas station’s headquarters in Houston several times and our requests were not returned. They told us the case is currently under investigation.

Murder plea gets Tyler man 40 year prison term

TYLER – A Tyler man pleaded guilty in the 2022 murder of his roommate and is sentenced to 40 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, 27 year-old Timothy Jones was arrested a short time after the body of 53 year-old Anthony Wilson was found in a North Tyler woods. Police say Jones girlfriend told them that Jones and another person moved the body from a house to a car. Edna Jones and Christian Whitney-Polk have been indicted with evidence tampering and intent to impair a human corpse. Timothy Jones pleaded guilty to murder and received his sentence the same day.

Authorities search for an SUV that hit a house

PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue are trying to find an SUV that hit a house late Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials say after the SUV collided with a house, the driver fled the location. An occupant at the residence had a minor injury and with no treatment needed. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this as a hit and run.

SNAP benefits available for storm food loss

TYLER – State officials say that replacement SNAP benefits are available to those who lost food due to the recent power outage. According to our news partner KETK, to get replacement benefits you need to fill out and submit form H1855 to the local Texas Health and Human Services Commission office within ten calendar days of discovering food lost or destroyed. To get more information from the Texas Health And Human Services Commission, click here.

19-year-old indicted for Tyler double murder

TYLER – A Smith County grand jury has indicted 19-year-old Nicholas Hudson in a double homicide at a Tyler apartment complex March 23. Hudson is charged in the shootings of 19-year-old Donovan Dodd and 17-year-old Ladarius Jackson. They were at the Royal Crest apartments , inside their vehicle, when police found them dead from several gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK,the initial investigation had two other defendants involved, but the grand jury declined to go forward. Hudson is currently in the Smith County Jail with bonds totally $2 million.

Still some without power due to thunderstorms

TYLER – An additional round of severe thunderstorm activity hit East Texas Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, over 1,597 power outages have been reported. To find the report listed by electric companies and cooperatives click here.

Several Tyler intersections without power because of severe weather

TYLER – The City of Tyler said at least ten different intersections were without power as of 8 p.m. on Friday. This according to our news partner KETK.
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Longview recycling services suspended for week of June 26

LONGVIEW – Recycling will not be collected the week of Monday, June 26, to allow residents to use their recycling carts for trash due to large amounts of food waste caused by the recent power outages. Recycling services are now expected to resume the week of Monday, July 3. Also, sanitation crews will continue to collect storm debris. During this time, collections will not count against residents’ four free annual bulky item pickups. Residents with yard waste to be collected should contact the Public Works department or submit a ticket through CitySend. In order to be collected, debris must be between 3 feet and 10 feet in length. Branches less than 3 feet in length should be bundled. If you need more information go here.

Williams takes over as head softball coach, press conference set for June 27

KILGORE – Kilgore College has named Amber Williams as head softball coach for the 2023-24 season.

She’s the third softball coach in the program’s 11-year history, having served most recently as head softball coach at Marshall High School.

An official press conference welcoming Williams as KC’s new coach will be held at Noon on Tuesday, June 27, in the Devall Room (Kilgore campus) in the Devall Student Center.

Williams was a standout softball player at Kilgore High School and KC, and was an assistant softball coach at the college. (more…)

All you need to know about Fourth of July Celebration at Lindsey Park

TYLER – The City of Tyler will host the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Lindsey Park, located at 12557 Spur 364 West, on Tuesday, July 4. The fun kicks off as the gates open at 3 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin after dark (around 9 p.m.). The park gate, located off Spur 364, is the only entrance, and admission is free.

Live entertainment will include music from Complete Weddings & Events. Vendors and Food Trucks can still register to be a part of the event until June 29. (more…)

Albertson Chosen as Parks Director

LONGVIEW – The Longview City Council unanimously approved John Ross Albertson as Director of Parks and Recreation during its meeting on Thursday, June 22.

Albertson, who currently serves as the Director of Putnam County Parks and Recreation in Cookeville, Tennessee, was selected by City Manager Rolin McPhee after a months-long, nationwide search. Director-level positions in the City of Longview are recommended by the City Manager and approved by the City Council.

Man accused in Jan 6th riot blames brainwashing

EAST TEXAS — A Longview man facing charges in the January 6th Capitol incident says his alleged actions were caused by brainwashing. Attorneys for Ryan Nichols say in a court filing this week that an individual on social media called “1% watchdog” presented himself as a military veteran with PTSD, who was also a government official with important contacts. The attorneys say 1% watchdog radicalized Nichols and other veterans who had never been to a protest to go to Washington, D.C. The filing questions why the federal government has allowed 1% watchdog to remain “unidentified and at large.” The attorneys allege, in fact, that 1% watchdog is a “federal asset.”

Hallsville creates ‘child safety zones’, limiting sex offenders

HALLSVILLE – According to our news partner KETK the Hallsville City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to create “child safety zones” which limit where certain registered sex offenders may live, enter or loiter. “City Ordinance 2023-03 – Sex Offender Restrictions” creates the “child safety zones” and also makes it illegal to rent to an applicable registered sex offender, according to the city.

Hallsville said the new ordinance applies specifically to “adult convicted offenders involving a child victim sex crime.”

“This ordinance serves to further protect our children and maintain these restrictions once the limitations end at the completion of the offender’s parole or probation. A big ‘Thank you’ to our City Council for taking up this measure of protection.”
The City of Hallsville

For more information visit the City of Hallsville online.

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