~~ July 26, 2024 ~~

3 officers injured, 1 officer killed in Jeanerette standoff

JEANERETTE, La. – One Lafayette Police officer died and three were injured in a standoff in Jeanerette, according to the Lafayette Police Department. The shooting took place on Hubertville Road near Martin Luther King Drive in Jeanerette. According to KATC, at around 9:00 a.m. Thursday, officials received information that a person, who is now identified as 31-year-old Nyjal Hurst, was inside of a residence located in the 2500 Block of Martin Luther King Drive. Two individuals came out of the residence and confirmed that Hurst was inside. Hurst then barricaded himself and two others, one being a juvenile, inside the home. Hurst had multiple active warrants from different police departments. Three officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result. Out of the four total officers, two were struck with bullets while the other two were struck with fragments. Louisiana State Police is also investigating the officer-involved shooting, asking people with information, pictures, or video to share with LSP Detectives. Anyone may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

Car badly burned in Longview grocery store parking lot

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – A car caught fire Thursday in the parking lot of a Longview grocery store. The incident happened in the parking lot of Super 1 Foods on Hwy 80 and Alpine Road around 3 p.m. The vehicle had four occupants, including a child, when the engine bay went up in flames. The occupants were able to evacuate the vehicle safely, and there were no incidents. The fire was quickly controlled by the Longview Fire Department. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Decomposed body found just southwest of downtown Beaumont

Beaumont Police are trying to identify a body that was found in an advanced state of decomposition just southwest of the downtown area. Police say the body is that of a man, 30-40 years of age, and it was discovered between a fence and a building in the 1300 block f College Street. According to police, the person is believed to have been dead for approximately two weeks.

Golden Triangle couple indicted on multiple charges of child sex crimes

The Jefferson County Grand Jury has indicted a couple on multiple charges of child sex crimes. Investigators say 51-year-old Troy Howard, who was already a registered sex offender, and 41-year-old Patricia Eglin ran an illegal babysitting service and sexually abused the children placed in their care. Both were indicted on multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child. Investigators say all of the alleged victims were male, ranging in age from 7 to 10. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Database, Howard was convicted in 1999 on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The victims were both females and their ages were 5 and 7.

Multiple injuries reported in 3 vehicle wreck in Tyler

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Multiple people have been reported injured in a 3 vehicle wreck near Highway 31 in Tyler. According to authorities on the scene, EMS crews were called to a 3 vehicle wreck on Highway 31 and Surrey Trial early Thursday afternoon. Officials say at least one of the victims was rescued from their vehicle in a nearby ditch and three people have been transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities are advising the public to avoid the area or to use alternate routes.

Natchitoches police investigate two separate shootings

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Natchitoches police are investigating two unrelated shootings Thursday, the second one leaving a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Police said the latest happened around 5 p.m. on Virginia Avenue. The first shooting just after 4 a.m. did not result in any injuries despite at least 20 shots being fired. Investigators recovered the bullet casings from the road and made note of the damages to the apartment and vehicle. The second shooting was reported around 5 p.m. on the 500 block of Virginia Avenue. Police located the victim who was suffering from several gunshot wounds and began to provide medical attention while waiting on other first responders to arrive. The victim was taken to a hospital in Caddo Parish and is listed in stable condition. These investigations are ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available. Anyone with information is asked to call the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Det. John Greely at (318) 238-3914.

~~ July 25, 2024 ~~

Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run crash involving bicyclist

SHREVEPORT, La. – Shreveport police have made an arrest in a hit-and-run crash late Monday night that claimed a man’s life. Donnie Harris, 67, has been charged with felony hit-and-run and second-offense DWI. He’s accused of hitting Cornell Brown, 67, as he rode his bicycle in the 200 block of West 70th Street. Brown was taken to Ochsner LSU Health hospital where he died. Shreveport police said Brown was hit by a pickup truck just after 9 p.m. He was westbound in the eastbound lane when he was struck head-on by the Harris, who was driving a four-door work truck. Security video in the area captured images of a pickup truck seen driving off through a nearby parking lot and going southbound on Dowdell Street. Shreveport police released photographs to the public. A tip led police to the 100 block of Oakridge Drive, where Harris was found. Investigators determined Harris was impaired when they located him. “We want to thank our citizens for helping solve this case quickly,” SPD spokesman Cpl. Chris Bordelon.

Services set for Ayden Burt as new info is learned about her death

Funeral services have been set for Ayden Burt, a member of the Jasper Independent School District Staff who was shot and killed in San Antonio. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 26, 2024 at the First Methodist Church of Jasper, Texas. Graveside services will be 4:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2024 at the Harrison-Armstrong Cemetery, near Alto, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 25, 2024 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Jasper, Texas. Burt, who was 28, had been in San Antonio to attend a high school coaches conference, and on Wednesday we learned that Burt was with other high school coaches as they were attending a vendor sponsored event at the Smoke Skybar, which is located just east of the downtown area. KENS News in San Antonio is reporting that she was sitting outside on the upper level of a patio with her back to Interstate 37 when a gunshot hit her in the back. She was rushed by ambulance to a hospital where she died shortly after arrival. KENS is also reporting that San Antonio Police Chief William McManus believes that the shot came from a passing vehicle on the interstate or the service road. Police were initially searching the parking lot of the business for any shell casings, but didn’t find any. Meanwhile, police still don’t have a suspect and they’re urging anyone in San Antonio who has information about the senseless crime to come forward.

Vehicle leaves road, ends up in tree line

A single-vehicle accident occurred Wednesday July 24 just before 3:00 pm on Hwy 96 when a 2008 Jeep SUV hydroplaned, causing it to leave the road. The incident took place just before County Road 480 on the south side of Hwy 96. According to Kirbyville First Responders at the scene, the vehicle was traveling south on Hwy 96 when the accident occurred. The vehicle traveled across the median and both north bound lanes, left the road, and came to rest after hitting a tree. The driver, 22-year-old Samantha Hopson of Call, was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Her passengers, a 31-year-old, a 3-year-old, a 5-year, old, an 8-year-old, two 11-year-olds, and a 13-year-old, were not injured.

~~ July 24, 2024 ~~

City of Broaddus struggling to recover after storm adds to existing issues

BROADDUS, Texas (KTRE) – The City of Broaddus, two weeks after Beryl hit, is having a hard time getting back on their feet and have very few options for help. Eight homes were damaged during the storm but the county did not meet the threshold for FEMA’s individual assistance – leaving homeowners who were impacted without that line of help. “I don’t think we had enough people willing to come forward saying that they had damage for us to qualify,” Crystal Belue, the city’s secretary, said. Another issue is that when the power goes out, so does the water supply system. “We have to run it off generators, but if you don’t get on the generators quick enough, it loses pressure. When it loses pressure, you have to send out boil water notices and send in samples to TCEQ to have them make sure the water is safe to drink again,” Belue said. During the storm they were without water for six hours, and after that, residents were under a boil water notice for 72 hours. This process occurs every time the plant loses power. “People were without safe drinking water for a while, they were without power for days, therefore they lost all of their food in their fridge,” Belue said. While they have received many donations, they are still exploring other resources that can help community members. For now, they are just trying to provide food and water to those who need it. The city received a grant three years ago to make repairs to the water supply system, however they are coming into issues and roadblocks with their contractor.

Deep East Texas doctors note summer rise in COVID-19, flu cases

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – In East Texas, COVID-19 and flu cases are on the rise this summer. Dr. Charles Thompson is the Chief Medical Officer at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Thompson said COVID-19 cases are rising while flu cases have remained steady in Deep East Texas. “It’s interesting, most of the cases are mild. Most of the people are tested positive in our emergency room go home. We do have some people who are admitted into the hospital, but they’re really admitted into the hospital with COVID, not from COVID,” said Thompson. Thompson believed the rise in cases is due to ongoing COVID-19 transmission and summer gatherings. “May, June, and July, we’ve seen about 300 or even a little more than 300 cases a month, so we’re averaging about 10 cases a day,” said Thompson. Suzanna Fuller is a Nurse Practitioner at the ITASCA Healing Medical Practice in Nacogdoches. She said out of 90 patients a week she sees, about 10 patients had a stomach virus, COVID or the flu. “With COVID, it causes mass inflammation and so it can trigger their heart conditions, their respiratory conditions to worsen,” said Fuller. Fuller said elderly and immuno-compromised people are most affected. “I think we’re seeing a lot more GI issues reported. Some people aren’t really having the cough and the sinus pain and pressure. We’ve just seen a lot of people with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and they’re tested positive,” said Fuller. Eating a healthier diet, taking the vitamin c, and the zinc to build our immune system is the key,” said Fuller.

Executive Director of the Jasper County Committee on Aging charged with theft

A 57 year old Jasper Woman has been arrested and is accused of stealing from the local Senior Citizen Center here in Jasper. Adrienna Hudson, who recently served as Executive Director of the Jasper County Committee on Aging, which provides meals, both in house and on wheels for senior citizens is accused of using credit cards belonging to the agency some 58 times without permission resulting in $16,325 in unapproved charges. Hudson was arrested following a recent indictment by the Jasper County Grand Jury, which charged her with ten counts of Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse. The indictment and charges are said to have stemmed from an investigation that began in April of 2024 after the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by the President of the Jasper County Committee on Aging Keith Daniels. Bond on Hudson was set at $20,000 by Jasper County Precinct 6 Justice of the Peace Steve Conner and she has since been released from the Jasper County Jail after making arrangements to post bail.

No serious injuries in wreck on South Main Street

No serious injuries were reported following a two vehicle auto accident that occurred on Tuesday morning on South Main Street here in Jasper. Police, firemen and other emergency crews were dispatched to the location at the intersection of Childers Street, just south of the Jasper City Hall, when it was reported that two vehicles had collided. Police said the crash occurred when a 2017 Chrysler 300 sedan driven by Kenneth Tate, 85, of Jasper, which was headed west on Childers Street, stopped at intersection of South Main Street then pulled out in front of a 2015 Toyota 4-Runner SUV, which was headed north of Main Street. Police said Tate told them that his foot slipped off the brake, causing the Chrysler to run into the passenger side of the Toyota. Tate, along with his passenger, Carolyn Tate, 83, also of Jasper, were not injured. However, the driver of Toyota, Theressa Annette Jones, 59, of Jasper, received what was said to be only minor injuries. Traffic on the busy street was blocked for sometime until the vehicles could be cleared from the roadway.

NSU family welcomes Genovese as 21st president

Texas coach killed after she was struck by stray bullet while visiting San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KWTX) – A Jasper ISD coach identified as Ayden Burt, 28, has died after being shot in the upper back while sitting outside at a downtown patio bar early Tuesday morning, KENS TV, the CBS affiliate in San Antonio, confirmed. The Jasper Independent School District also confirmed the coach’s death in a Facebook post. Burt reportedly coached track, volleyball and the cheer team. “It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of one of our staff members, Ayden Burt,” Jasper ISD wrote in the statement. “We ask for prayers of comfort for her family, as well as her extended family, the students and staff of Jasper ISD.” Around 12:15 a.m., the San Antonio Police responded to the 500 block of East Crockett for reports of a shooting, according to KENS 5. Officers learned the 28-year-old Burt had been shot while sitting in the upper level of a patio bar with her back to the highway. Investigators believe the bullet that struck her was fired from the highway, police said. KENS 5 reported Burt was taken to the Brooke Army Medical Center but died because of her injuries. According to KENS 5, Burt was the only one hurt. Police told KENS that Burt was in town for a conference. Jasper ISD said in their statement that counselors will be available to students, staff, and community members to help process this loss from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this evening. “Ongoing support will be available to students and staff,” Jasper ISD said in a statement. “Ayden has been teaching in Jasper ISD since 2019, teaching English at both Jasper High School and Jasper Jr. High, also serving as a Cheer Sponsor and Coach.” Jasper ISD asks everyone to respect the privacy of the family and staff at this time. KENS 5 reports that police currently have no suspects and don’t know why Burt was shot.

~~ July 23, 2024 ~~

Cyclist killed in Cedar Grove hit and run named by coroner

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Shreveport man killed when he was struck by a car as he rode a bicycle in Cedar Grove late Monday has been named by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s office. Cornell Brown, 67, was hit by the car, which did not stop, just after 9 p.m. in the 200 block of West 70th Street. He was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health hospital where he died. Brown was positively identified through fingerprint comparison. The incident remains under investigation by the Shreveport Police Department.