Police, Fire & Arrests (2024)

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The assistant chief of the Kilgore Police Department was honored at a recent city meeting for dedicating 20 years of service to the force.

The usually staid atmosphere of the Gregg County Commissioners Court was punctured Thursday by a tense disagreement over how the county will pay for a new downtown Longview parking garage.

As Memorial Day unofficially kicks off summer this weekend, Texans should prepare for wildfires.

The Kilgore College Fire Academy just completed the first-ever wildland firefighter class at KC using the curriculum of the National Wildland Coordination Group (NWCG).

A Kilgore man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking drugs through the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs announced this week.

The lawn of the Rusk County courthouse filled with members of the community gathered to remember and honor members of law enforcement who have fallen in the line of duty, at last Wednesday’s 20th Annual Rusk County Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony.

ATLANTA – In the time it takes to read this sentence, Texans can click their seat belt and save themselves from an early grave — and save their loved ones from the sorrow of preventable loss.

Being a student at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point — and the son of a physical education instructor there — meant one thing for Dave Anderson: being a well-worn test subject during boxing classes.

The Kilgore Police Department went home with the trophy following their 7-1 victory of Kilgore Fire Department in the Battle of the Badges charity softball game held at Driller park Monday.

ATLANTA —When you see a motorcycle on the road, it’s not just a bike —it carries someone’s best friend, someone’s child, someone’s parent, someone’s spouse. Nearly 600 people riding motorcycles were killed in crashes in Texas last year, and more than 2,400 riders were seriously injured.

Sheriff Maxey Cerliano asked county commissioners Monday to approve the transfer of $150,000 from the sheriff’s office salaries and wages budget to cover the increase of inmate health care costs through April.

Kilgore College’s online Fire Science degree program has been ranked the best in the state by an online educational program curator.

This week, three Kilgore Police Department officers were promoted to the rank of corporal, joined by a room full of city leaders, friends, family and coworkers.

Two teenagers have been charged after police say they broke into a Kilgore home with a machete and assaulted two people.

ATLANTA — You know that feeling of being bored behind the wheel? So bored that you just can’t help but check your phone? Yeah, that feeling. Instant gratification is only inches away, right up to the moment your car is airborne at 70 miles per hour.

Kilgore High School welding students got a visit Thursday from North East Texas Regional SWAT. They got to examine a MRAP Utility Vehicle (Mine Resistant Ambush Protection). The welding program will be building a breach bar for the front of the vehicle strong enough to take out a building. T…

The Kilgore Police Department recently gave the oath of office to its newest officer Josh Cook before a small crowd of family, coworkers and city officials.

The Texas Department of Transportation is warning drivers to take extra caution on Monday, April 8 as a total solar eclipse will be visible throughout the state from late morning to early afternoon.

The City of Kilgore celebrated two employees who have devoted years of service to the city and its people at a recent council meeting.

By the publication of this report, the final pour on street paving on Main Street will be complete! While other punch list items remain, this represents a huge milestone in this challenging project.

In a letter addressed to Gov. Greg Abbott, on behalf of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith is making a plea to declare the “Texas border emergency” as an official “constitutional crisis and crimes against humanity” and is asking the federal government to pro…

The Texas Department of Transportation will invest about $1 billion in Gregg County infrastructure projects in the next decade. Meanwhile, the county’s economy and population continue to grow, though challenges will come with that.

AUSTIN — Katie Parker still gets nervous just crossing the street. Eight years ago, a careless driver plowed into her and her dog, Riley, while they were out for a jog. Parker was hit with such force that she was thrown more than 60 feet. Riley, a Great Dane, was killed on what was supposed to be a pleasant morning jog.

Main Street completed two concrete pours and completed the Knowles intersection on Main Street.

TYLER — In 2023, factors such as “unsafe speed,” “failure to drive in a single lane” and “alcohol-related DUI” contributed to 184 fatal crashes and 209 total deaths in the Tyler District in 2023.

The City of Kilgore says several streets around Broadway Boulevard will be closed this week because of a water valve replacement.

Main Street completed two concrete pours and completed the Knowles intersection on Main Street.

The Overton Police Department had a visit from West Rusk third-graders last week.

The Kilgore Police Department awarded two of its staff members for their years of service to the department and the city at a recent council meeting.

A former Gregg County Pct. 4 constable will return to office after winning Tuesday with almost 63% of the vote in the Democratic primary.

AUSTIN – As spring break approaches, TxDOT is teaming up with college students to make sure their celebrations don’t have catastrophic consequences.

The Kilgore Police Department awarded one of its long-serving officers for 15 years of service at a recent city council meeting.

Two American Red Cross East Texas chapters are merging to enhance service delivery during disasters ranging from home fires to tornadoes.

Unlike the blazes he and his fellow firefighters battled, Pat Owens was cool, calm and collected.

Voters have two choices in the March Democratic primary for Gregg County Pct. 4 constable: “Keep Gregg in Gregg,” as campaign signs say, or replace Gregg with Craig.

The Gregg County Commissioners Court voted Monday to transfer $400,000 to the county jail budget to pay additional employee overtime costs amid an ongoing staffing shortage.

The Kilgore City Council adopted an ordinance at a recent meeting to expand and enhance the city’s policies regarding mental health leave provided to Kilgore’s public safety employees, including police officers, firefighters and first responders, as well as telecommunicators like emergency d…

Rusk County commissioners this week approved a report from David Burks, Emergency Services Department (ESD) Board President and Commissioner of Pct. 2, detailing the budget and other data for 2023 at a special meeting Monday.

Overton ISD has been notified of a TxDOT project taking place this week and will temporarily impose parking and traffic changes as a result.

For the second time in two days, a Rusk County school district received a threat traced to Europe.

Dispatch Supervisor Jan Vestal retired this past week from the Kilgore Police Department, KPD reported.

Gregg County funeral home directors say the amount of money the county pays them to care for deceased indigent people doesn’t cover their expenses.

AUSTIN — A parent’s worst nightmare happens all too often in Texas as the number of unbuckled teen drivers and passengers killed in crashes is rising. TxDOT’s Teen Click It or Ticket campaign is urging all teens to buckle up — every seat, every ride.

The Kilgore Police Department is welcoming its newest officer, Jasiaha Boaz. Boaz is a graduate of Kilgore High School and has been working for the Marshall Police Department for the last two years. “We are honored to have him join our team,” KPD said. “He was sworn in before a crowd of fami…

A Friday evening single-vehicle accident left an Overton student athlete hospitalized, and the Overton community has come together en masse to cover him with prayers for healing and creating means for the public to support his family in this trying time.

The City of Kilgore has announced Kilgore Police Department has made the switch to a new digital radio system.

The MLK Community Building walls and ceiling are up, and flooring is going down, the City of Kilgore reported.

TYLER — TxDOT crews are getting ahead of the winter storm forecast for East Texas by preparing roadways for potentially icy conditions. The pretreatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice will begin Friday, Jan. 12.

Three Kilgore Police Department officers have earned the prestigious LECOP certification from Texas Police Chiefs Association, making KPD the first city police department in the state to have its entire administration team with that designation.

The Kilgore Police Department is thanking everyone who made contributions to the “Santa’s Helpers” program. “You helped us meet our goal of $6,000. We collaborate with the Kilgore Lions Club to make sure kids have some presents under their tree. After receiving names from Santa, KPD and Cour…

As another year passes from the present into history, the News Herald would like to take a look back at 2023 and some of the trials and triumphs the past year brought.