Local Headlines
Sheriff Larry Smith apologizes after holding immigration forum
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amSMITH COUNTY â Acccording to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith has apologized after holding an immigration panel where he attempted to ease concerns within the Hispanic community. Smith said the forum came about after Hispanic employees working for the sheriffâs office reportedly advised Smith that many illegal immigrants were afraid to send their children to school, attend church, go to work and report violent crimes.
âI am but a mortal human being who strives to always do what is right. That does not mean by any stretch of the imagination that I am exempt from making mistakes. In a rush to try to make matters better, unfortunately I made some of those matters worse,â Smith said.
He apologized to Smith county residents, Gov. Greg Abbott and his office, Border Czar Tom Homan and President Trump. (more…)
Nacogdoches man dies after being ejected from motorcycle
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 11:30 amNACOGDOCHES â Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Nacogdoches man has died after being ejected off his motorcycle during a major vehicle accident Thursday evening.
According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, at around 8 p.m. dispatch received calls of an crash involving a SUV and motorcycle on NE Stallings (Loop 224) and Center Hwy. Officers determined the motorcyclist, Shawn Pritchard, 45 of Nacogdoches, was northbound on NE Stallings and the SUV driver was traveling southbound when the two vehicles collided in the intersection. Authorities said that the SUV driver turned left in front of Pritchard causing the collision and ejecting him off the motorcycle. Pritchard was transported to a local hospital but later died due to his injuries while the SUV driver was treated for minor injuries.
The police department said that the investigation is still ongoing âto determine any and all circumstances related to the accident.â
ICE notified after a man is arrested for online solicitation
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 10:45 amHENDERSON COUNTY â Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Waco man was booked into the Henderson County Jail on Friday after reportedly attempting to meet with minors for sexual purposes.
The Henderson County Crimes Against Childrenâs Task Force conducted an online investigation and identified Jose Antonio Arriaga-Perez, 32 of Waco, who was allegedly attempting to meet with minors for sexual purposes. The Henderson County Sheriffâs Office said Perez was arrested for online solicitation of a minor sexual conduct and is also facing a federal ICE detainer charge. Perez was transported and booked into the Henderson County Jail.
Tyler man sentenced to life for birthday party murder
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amSMITH COUNTY â Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man has been sentenced after a jury found him guilty of murder in July 2024.
Melvin Orlando Guevara, 22 of Tyler, was sentenced on Wednesday in the 114th Judicial District Court for capital murder by terror threat. This comes seven months after the murder of Eduardo Torrez, who was shot at his birthday party. According to the Smith County Sheriffâs Office, deputies were dispatched to a house in the 8900 block of CR 4136 at approximately 6:30 p.m. after receiving reports that a man had been shot and was not breathing.
Once deputies arrived, they reportedly found Torrez in his bedroom, and began lifesaving measures before EMS arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene. A court document said that Torrez was celebrating his birthday with family and friends when Guevara walked into the residence displaying a pistol, entered Torrezâs room, and shot him multiple times in front of his ex-girlfriend. After obtaining an arrest warrant, officials located a vehicle said to belong to Guevara at Highway 31 East and Loop 323. A felony stop was conducted at a nearby car wash and he was taken into custody.
Missing Tyler woman found near home
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amUPDATE: According to the Tyler Police Department Cathy Gray was found on Thursday evening not far from her home.
TYLER â Our news partner, KETK, reports that Tyler officials are searching for missing 62-year-old Cathy Gray who is believed to have walked away from her home.
The Tyler Police Department said Gray was last seen at her residence in the 3400 block of Pebblebrook Drive at around 9 a.m. on Thursday. She is described as being 5 feet, 2 inches and is slim with brown hair and blue eyes. Authorities said she was last seen wearing a white puffy coat, blue jeans and brown shoes. Anyone who has seen her is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department.
Domestic violence survivors and supporters hope lawmakers take action
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:55 amTYLER â Cheyenne Russell was settling into her new apartment with her two children when her ex-boyfriend, Jorian Jackson, arrived with belated Christmas gifts.
Russell, 26, and Jackson, 29, began to fight over their fractured relationship that ended about a year prior. Thatâs when Jackson allegedly shot and killed Russell. Russellâs children saw it all. Jackson âcaused the red on mommyâs dress, then she started making choking and coughing sounds,â they told police. Russellsâ death on Jan. 6 is part of an escalating trend and comes at a time when advocates are again beseeching lawmakers to broaden protections for domestic violence survivors. Advocates see a number of proposals as opportunities to strengthen Texas law as it relates to domestic and sexual violence.
If passed, these bills could make it easier to remove firearms from people accused of family violence, teach teenagers about dating violence and create a state database of violent offenders that is similar to the one for sexual offenders. Other bills would remove firearms from known sexual predators and create a process for survivors to sue institutions that protected sexual offenders. Similar proposals have been debated at the Texas Capitol before, with advocates enjoying moderate success. Those same boosters hope to see equal support moving forward as more Texans seek help from community organizations created for survivors. Representatives of shelters across the state will converge in Austin on Feb. 20 to voice their concerns and proposals to lawmakers. (more…)
ICE arrests 5 âundocumented aliensâ in Jacksonville
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amJACKSONVILLE â In reports from our news partner, and the Cherokee County Sheriffâs Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have arrested five âundocumented aliensâ in Jacksonville.
According to a press release from Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson, an ICE Removal Operations team and Homeland Security investigators arrested five people in a âtargeted enforcement action.â
The five people arrested were described as âundocumented aliens ranging in age from mid-30âs to mid-60âs with criminal histories.â No further information on their arrests was provided by the sheriffâs office.
The arrests come during continued stress and confusion around this latest round of ICE raids. On Jan. 30, several East Texas sheriffs held an immigration Q&A session held in Tyler to explain the role of local sheriffâs offices in regards to ICE raids. The Cherokee County Sheriffâs Office is not a part of ICEâs 287(g) program unlike Smith County and Gregg County, which just joined the program on Tuesday. The program allows local deputies to identify undocumented immigrants with criminal charges for ICE to pick up.
Romanian gets life for skimming scheme in ETX
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amTYLER â According to our news partner KETK, a Romanian national was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after he was found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity in Smith County. Fabrizio Slatineanu reportedly entered America illegally from Mexico and was caught taking part in a credit card skimming scheme where he stole over $280,000 from Smith County residents in a single weekend, according to the 114th District Court.
During the sentencing hearing, multiple victims testified about how they had lost thousands of dollars from their savings accounts. During the hearing, Captain Jeff Roberts, a member of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, testified about how Romanian organized crime played an increased role in types of financial crimes similar to Slatineanuâs case.
Missing Tyler woman found near home
Roberts also said he thinks open borders have helped to increase these kinds of crimes. (more…)
Longview PD encrypts police scanners for safety reasons
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amLONGVIEW â OUr news partner KETK is reporting that the Longview Police Department will begin encrypting their radio communications, or police scanner, as an essential move to protect department communication and combat crime. Many calls contain sensitive information including medical information, addresses and witness identities. By encrypting their communication, the police department says this will ensure that information remains protected and out of the public domain.
Additionally, the move is expected to improve officer safety, especially during rapidly developing situations. Suspects can flee crime scenes, destroy evidence or ambush officers if they have access to instant information through the radio channels. Though, this access will be closed to the public, authorities reassured they are committed to transparency and will continue to provide timely updates through official channels.
âThe community can stay informed about major incidents without compromising security or personal privacy,â the police department said.
Jacksonville man dead after traffic accident shooting
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amJACKSONVILLEâ Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man is dead after a traffic accident that led to a shooting on Thursday.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department, around 9:52 p.m. Jacksonville police and firefighters responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Myrtle Drive and Sam Boles Road.
Officials said they saw that one of the occupants, identified as Angel Balderas Jr., 33 of Jacksonville, had a single gunshot wound. Balderas was transported to a local emergency room where he later died.
The shooter was detained and questioned but officials said no charges will be filed at this time. At this time the police department said no other details will be released due to it being an ongoing investigation.
Lufkin man gets more than 14 years for drug trafficking
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amLUFKIN, Texas (KETK) â A Lufkin man was sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm on Thursday.
According to our news partner KETK, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Abe McGlothin, Jr. said that Bradley Skyler Bryan, 27 of Lufkin, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines and possession of a firearm by a felon.
In April 2024, Bryanâs vehicle was searched during a traffic stop in Lufkin. An officer reportedly found âmarijuana, vape pens, pills and a large amount of methamphetamineâ along with a concealed handgun. (more…)
Gregg County second in East Texas to have agreement with ICE
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amGREGG COUNTY — Gregg County is the second county in East Texas to partner with ICE to identify and report immigrants in the United States illegally. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, Gregg County commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the sheriffâs office to enter an agreement with federal officials, which is the ICE 287(g) program apart of The Illegal Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1966.
This program gives deputies the ability to identify undocumented criminal immigrants through the federal immigration system then contact ICE directly and have the detainer put on immediately.
âThe 287g program is not new. Weâve been doing it for four decades and if youâre not here illegally, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, but if youâre here illegally and you commit a crime and come to jail, will you get a detainer on you? probably,â Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said. (more…)
Tyler ISD announces 2025 campus Teachers of the Year
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amTyler â The 2025 Campus Teachers of the Year have been selected. A total of 30 outstanding teachers have been nominated for their commitment and dedication to excellence in education. Chosen by colleagues at their respective campuses, these teachers exemplify the highest standards of teaching excellence. Their diligent efforts and innovative approaches have contributed to the academic success and personal growth of their students. The 30 nominees will now vie for the titles of District Elementary Teacher of the Year and District Secondary Teacher of the Year. The selection process involves the submission of written portfolios and interviews with a selection committee. Winners will be determined based on scores from both components. (more…)
Texas-based pet microchip company shuts down
Posted/updated on: February 14, 2025 at 9:56 amTYLER â Our news partners at KETK report that for years veterinarians, shelters and rescues have recommended pet owners to get their dogs and cats microchipped. There are dozens of companies that manufacture the microchips. In the past five years, Spence and White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler, has used Save This Life. However, in recent days, pet owners and veterinarians have noticed that the microchip company had gone dark. Save This Life has pulled their records from the national registry where owner information could be found if their pet was ever lost. (more…)
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