Local Headlines

Arrests made in double homicide in Tyler

TYLER — Two people are arrested and jailed in a double homicide in Tyler. Police say Aaron Johnson, 20, is charged with capital murder with a $2,000,000 bond. Nicholas Hudson, 18, faces two counts of murder, each with a $1,000,000 bond. Authorities say police responded to the Royal Crest Apartments on Sybil Lane Thursday night and found a vehicle in the parking lot with two people dead of multiple gunshot wounds. They were later identified as Donovan Dodd, 19, and Ladarius Jackson, 17, both from Athens. A short time later, police got a call from another victim on Park Place who had been shot at the apartment complex. Police now say that person was Aaron Johnson, who was taken to the hospital and released before police announced his capital murder charge. We’ll provide further details as they come in.

DPS: Suspect dies after officer-involved shooting in Harrison County

KARNACK – The Texas Department of Public Safety says a suspect died following an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The suspect’s name was not immediately released. Authorities said deputies were called Thursday due to a fight on Lotta Road in Karnack and that led to the officer-involved shooting. The sheriff asked the Texas Rangers to investigate, which is part of law enforcement protocol. Authorities said they will share more information when it becomes available.

Coffee City police searching for man accused of assault, evading arrest

COFFEE CITY — The Coffee City Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding William Andrew Wilson, 31, who they said uses several different names. According to our news partner KETK, CCPD said he is wanted on several charges and uses the names Andrew William Wilson, Anthony George Bush, and “any other names he comes up with on the fly.” Police said they responded to a disturbance at the Lake Palestine Motor Inn on March 15 around 11:30 a.m. Wilson allegedly assaulted a woman at the motel and left the scene before officers arrived, CCPD said. A warrant was then issued for assault causing bodily injury-family violence. (more…)

Major fatal wreck cleared in Rusk County

RUSK COUNTY — The scene of a major fatal wreck in Rusk County has finally been cleared after hours of work. One person was reported dead after the crash on U.S. Highway 259 and FM 850 between Henderson and Kilgore Thursday morning involving a tractor trailer tanker truck that officials said was “leaking large amounts of what appears to be some type of oil product.” According to our news partner KETK, officials said another car struck debris from the initial crash, and they urged drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes. According to the Crims Chapel VFD, multiple fire and rescue agencies responded to the crash around 6:50 a.m. where it was reported that an 18-wheeler was on top of another vehicle with entrapment. DPS reported the tanker truck to be leaking an “oil product” around 6:55 a.m., according to Crims Chapel VFD, and TxDOT was requested to the area. (more…)

Smith County Road 188 open after bridge replacement

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 188, east of the Emerald Bay Lake subdivision, is back open to drivers after a bridge was replaced. According to a news release, County Engineer Frank Davis said contractor Reynolds & Kay completed the bridge replacement and paving. Officials say work crews will remain in the area over the next two to three weeks to install the guard rail and stripe the pavement. The portion of the road that was closed since February 27 was located between FM 344 and FM 346. A narrow bridge was replaced with a concrete box culvert.

Officials: Missing Rains County five-year-old with autism found in pond

EMORY — Officials in Rains County said the body of a missing autistic child was recovered in a pond on the property from which he disappeared. The search ended around 9 p.m. Thursday. The child’s name was Miguel, and he was non-verbal. Our news partner KETK first reported the search earlier Thursday evening, and officials said tracking dogs were brought in.

Noble E. Young Park grand opening re-scheduled for April 15

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has re-scheduled a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park. The event, previously set for April 6, will now be held Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. According to a news release, the purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

Keep Tyler Beautiful unveils new restroom murals at two parks

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is unveiling three new restroom murals by local artists at two parks. Two murals were completed on the softball side of Lindsey Park on Spur 364. They were painted by local artist Dallas Rose. She is scheduled to complete two companion murals on the soccer side of the park later this year. The restroom at Pollard Park on Amherst Drive had a mural painted by Dace Kidd. The mural features a variety of colorful roses. All three murals were completed in February. “The Pollard Park mural is the ninth restroom mural completed since 2019, said Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator Erin Garner as quoted in a news release. “Keep Tyler Beautiful’s goal is to cover all Tyler park restrooms with murals in the next few years as part of our ongoing mission for beautification.” (more…)