Large oil refinery explosion near Texas coast forces residents to shelter in place

A large explosion at an oil refinery near the Texas coast on Monday shot plumes of smoke into the air and forced nearby residents to shelter in place, officials said.

No one was injured in the explosion at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Houston, Mayor Charlotte M. Moses said. She urged residents in parts of the west side of the city to stay put, saying firefighters had arrived.

“There’s been an explosion, yes, but we’re OK; everybody’s OK,” she said. “They’re trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible.”

The explosion comes amid a spike in gas prices driven by uncertainty over the global oil supply because of the Iran war.

The refinery has about 770 employees and can process about 435,000 barrels of oil per day, according to Valero’s website. The plant refines heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

Images and video posted online show a large plume of smoke and flames billowing out from the refinery. Some residents reported hearing a loud boom and seeing their windows shake.

“For your safety please remain in place until the ‘All Clear’ is given by emergency personnel,” the City of Port Arthur said in a post on its Facebook page.

Valero did not respond to an email or call from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel said in a post on social media that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had arrived at the refinery with air monitoring equipment and was working with local and state partners.

He told nearby residents to stay inside.

“Please limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and follow guidance from local officials,” he said.

East Texas breeder faces federal charges after dog killing video unravels deplorable conditions at facility

HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — Months after a video surfaced of an East Texas breeder shooting a dog, a federal investigation revealed deplorable conditions at her unlicensed facility — charges that could send her to prison for up to 20 years.

An indictment delivered from a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on Monday names Kristine Michelle Hicks, 51, of Cumby and charged her with acting as an unlicensed animal dealer and four counts of wire fraud.

Hicks’ appearance in federal court comes after being arrested on Dec. 21, 2025, for a social media video depicting her allegedly shooting at a dog three times and leaving it for dead, spurring an investigation into her breeding facilities.

Following Hicks’ arrest, search warrants executed in Jan. 10 at her dog breeding and sale business, Giant German Shepherds, found 88 German shepherds held in devastating conditions.

“The dogs had lacked adequate shelter from environmental exposure in their pens,” the indictment said. “Their pens, dirt and mud filled, had rusty buckets clipped to fences in a crowded row that were supposed to be the dogs’ source of food. A few had some kibble in the bottom, but many were empty, and water containers had mostly dirty water in them.”

Dogs were found starving, sick and neglected — many had bite wounds, scars or feces caked on their coats and feet.

An approximate total of 131 dogs were held at the property in December 2025, but Hicks had moved some to another location. Various animal care agencies assisted the remaining 88 dogs, 56 of which were surrendered to the SPCA of Texas for emergency intervention.

Additionally, the investigation into Giant German Shepherds found that Hicks has been running the business fraudulently. She advertised dogs as healthy, met certified parentage and were American Kennel Club (AKC) registered though the indictment found that they were not.

Many of the dogs sold were mixed breeds — not the “purebred” promised on Hicks’ website — and had diseases, the indictment said. Hicks also bought litters through Facebook and allegedly created false AKC documents to defraud buyers.

Four people identified as victims of Hicks’ alleged wire fraud were named in the indictment, including a disabled veteran who received an aggressive dog with false paperwork. The dog, which had medical issues, reportedly drew blood from the buyer several times.

The indictment also states that Hicks knowingly violated the Animal Welfare Act by not obtaining a license from the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture before selling or transporting dogs from June 2024 to December 2025.

If convicted, Hicks could face up to 20 years in federal prison for her count of acting as an animal dealer without a license and four counts of wire fraud.

ICE’s 287(g) may get new member

ICE’s 287(g) may get new memberWHITEHOUSE — The City of Whitehouse is set to discuss joining ICE’s 287(g) program during Tuesday’s city council meeting. Council members will consider and potentially take action on entering the agreement after the Department of Homeland Security invited the city to participate in the task force.

According to our news partner KETK, joining the program would give local officers the authority, under ICE supervision, to arrest individuals who are in violation of federal immigration laws. Officials emphasized that this would not change their current arrest procedures or alter day?to?day operations. If approved, the city estimates it could receive up to $1.1 million within the first 12 months.

Under the task force model, participating officers can exercise limited immigration authority while performing routine duties, such as determining a person’s immigration status during a traffic stop or DUI checkpoint and sharing that information with ICE. Officers may also assist directly in ICE?led operations.

Wreck on I-20 in Waskom cleared

Wreck on I-20 in Waskom clearedWASKOM – Interstate 20 eastbound has reopened after it was blocked due to an 18-wheeler crashed in Waskom on Monday. The Waskom Police Department said an 18-wheeler and a vehicle crashed on I-20 eastbound near mile marker 633 at around 3:26 p.m. According to Waskom PD, all eastbound traffic is currently being directed onto the exit 633 on-ramp.

School of nursing announces new dean

School of nursing announces new deanTYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler named Dr. Jenifer Chilton as the dean of the School of Nursing. Chilton has served as interim dean since 2025, according to a UT press release.

“A longtime and highly respected member of our School of Nursing faculty, she has served as interim dean, providing steady leadership,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Dr. Chilton brings a spirit of innovation and collaboration, along with a deep commitment to the university’s mission.”

Chilton first served as a preceptor for UT Tyler community health students in 2004 and became a clinical instructor in 2007. Starting in 2021, Chilton served as the associate dean for academic affairs, playing a key role in advancing the school’s academic mission, improving student outcomes and fostering a collaborative environment for faculty and staff. Continue reading School of nursing announces new dean

Tyler PD academy grand opening April 9

Tyler PD academy grand opening April 9Tyler – Where Tyler police officers will train to serve and protect East Texas is about to be on full display. On Thursday, April 9, at 4 p.m., the Tyler Police Department will host a grand opening for its new Police Training Facility, located at 2520 East Commerce Street. The event will give the public an opportunity to explore the space and connect with Tyler police officers.

The Tyler Police Department, which includes 204 sworn officers, has developed a culture of expertise, with nearly half of its officers serving as certified trainers. The department launched its in-house police academy in 2021 to expand training capabilities.
Continue reading Tyler PD academy grand opening April 9

Dog breeder faces federal charges

Dog breeder faces federal chargesHOPKINS COUNTY — Months after a video surfaced of an East Texas breeder shooting a dog, a federal investigation revealed deplorable conditions at her unlicensed facility — charges that could send her to prison for up to 20 years. According to our news partner KETK, an indictment delivered from a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas on Monday names Kristine Michelle Hicks, 51, of Cumby and charged her with acting as an unlicensed animal dealer and four counts of wire fraud.

Hicks’ appearance in federal court comes after being arrested on Dec. 21, 2025, for a social media video depicting her allegedly shooting at a dog three times and leaving it for dead, spurring an investigation into her breeding facilities.
Continue reading Dog breeder faces federal charges

Scam Alert: Bitcoin scam

Scam Alert: Bitcoin scamSMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriffs Office has issued a Scam Alert. The White Collar Crime Division of the Smith Couty Sheriff’s Office is actively monitoring and documenting impersonation and Bitcoin scams targeting families of jailed inmates. 

The pattern used centers on fraudulent claims of bond?related ankle monitor fees, directed payments through Bitcoin ATMs, and the misuse of Smith County law enforcement identities, Smith County Sheriff’s Officials reported on Monday. Victims receive unsolicited phone calls and/or text messages from individuals claiming to be with Smith County Pretrial Services, the Smith County Jail, or a lieutenant or deputy with the Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Scam Alert: Bitcoin scam

Courthouse dome installed

Courthouse dome installedSMITH COUNTY — The dome has been installed on top of the new Smith County Courthouse. Overnight, the 56,000-pound lower portion of the dome was installed. Hoar Construction officials monitored wind conditions throughout the weekend and were able to install it during the early morning hours of Monday, March 23. After 8 a.m., they installed the 16,000-pound upper portion.

A 900-ton mobile crane — one of the largest cranes of its kind and reportedly the second largest crane on wheels in the United States — was used, said Fletcher Rives assistant project manager for Hoar Construction.

“This milestone represents a major step forward in the restoration and brings the courthouse closer to completion,” Rives said. Continue reading Courthouse dome installed

Roadways closed for culvert work

Roadways closed for culvert workSMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 129 will be closed Monday and Tuesday, March 23-24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between CR 146 and CR 113. Smith County Road and Bridge crews will be installing cross culverts under this section of the road.

The Texas Department of Transportation will be closing CR 436 at its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road 16 on Tuesday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This road will be closed for the tie-in of CR 436 to the new elevation of FM 16.

Smith County has an interactive map that shows what County Roads are closed. It can be found by clicking here. Go to the “How Do I” tab at the top of the page, select view and then click on “County Road and Office Closures.”

Tax office closed after crash

Tax office closed after crashPALESTINE – The Anderson County Tax Office will be closed on Monday after a vehicle crashed into the office on Sunday. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating how the vehicle crashed into the tax office, which is located at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex.

According to our news partner KETK, no injuries have been reported at this time. A specific time and date for when the office will reopen has not been announced.