66-year-old Lufkin man found dead after being reported missing

66-year-old Lufkin man found dead after being reported missingLUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police Department said that a man last seen on Friday was found dead in a wooded area.

Joe Flood, 66 of Lufkin, was reportedly last seen at his home in the 200 block of Echo Lane between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. A Lufkin Police Department lieutenant told KETK on Monday that Flood had been found dead in a wooded area. Lufkin PD is investigating his death but they do not believe he was the victim of a crime.

Lufkin PD said Flood left his phone, wallet and keys at home before leaving on foot.

Tyler ISD celebrates Black History Month

Tyler – Tyler ISD celebrates Black History MonthTyler ISD invites students, staff, families, and community members to join in the district-wide celebration of Black History Month. Throughout February, campuses will host various events to honor the legacy, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black Americans. This year’s celebrations promise to be an enriching experience filled with education, reflection, and unity. These campus celebrations will feature student performances, interactive exhibits, guest speakers, and historical showcases that highlight the invaluable contributions of Black Americans. Through these activities, students and staff embrace the opportunity to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture. Continue reading Tyler ISD celebrates Black History Month

Three injured after ambulance crash on I-20

Three injured after ambulance crash on I-20MYRTLE SPRINGS – The Wills Point Fire Department has confirmed that three people were injured in a three vehicle crash on Interstate 20 this morning.

According to our news partner KETK, two vehicles and an ambulance reportedly crashed at around 4 a.m. on Sunday in the west bound lane of Interstate 20 near the 518 mile marker at the Turner-Hayden Road exit, west of Myrtle Springs. The Texas Department of Public Safety, EMS and the Wills Point Fire Department all responded to the scene and three people were taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital, according to the fire department.

Officials confirmed the three people are in stable but good condition as of 2:39 p.m. on Sunday. Interstate 20 was closed following the crash but was later cleared and reopened at around 6 a.m. this morning.

UPDATE: Former Mineola pastor arrested in child sexual assault case

UPDATE: Former Mineola pastor arrested in child sexual assault case
UPDATE: Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Wood County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Timothy Nall on child sexual assault charges.

MINEOLA – The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding Timothy Daniel Nall, a former pastor at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola. The sheriff’s office said that Nall is currently wanted on a warrant for sexual assault of a child. This is reportedly the sheriff’s office second warrant for Nall for a similar offense but with a different child victim.

In 2023, KETK reported that Nall was arrested for charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Earlier this month, KETK’s Ashlyn Anderson spoke with that victim’s family about the seeming lack of progress in the case against Nall following his last arrest. Continue reading UPDATE: Former Mineola pastor arrested in child sexual assault case

Hawkins mayor faces lawsuit, calls to resign

Hawkins mayor faces lawsuit, calls to resignHAWKINS — In the wake of an eventful month for Hawkins, including the resignation of the city’s third police chief and increasing calls to disband the police department, Mayor Deborah Rushing now faces growing pressure to step down. Rushing, who took office as mayor in April 2024 for the small town of Hawkins (population 1,401), is now named in a lawsuit filed by Shahaub Tafreshinejad, son of Alderwoman Eleta Taylor, seeking her removal from office.

According to our news partner KETK, the 26-page lawsuit alleges that Rushing displayed “early signs of incompetence and misconduct” due to issues such as illegal dual-office holding. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Rushing simultaneously served as both the mayor and municipal judge, a position forbidden by law.

The document also accuses Rushing of repeatedly using her mayoral position to place herself on the city council’s agenda, despite lacking the necessary support. The lawsuit details how, after multiple failed attempts to get on the agenda, Rushing’s persistence led to an “unwilling” council decision to appoint her, described as occurring “under duress” following what was characterized as “borderline harassment” from Rushing. Continue reading Hawkins mayor faces lawsuit, calls to resign

19 illegal gambling machines seized in Rusk

19 illegal gambling machines seized in RuskRUSK – According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County officials have seized 19 illegal gambling machines from three businesses operating in Rusk. Members of the Special Investigative Unit from the sheriff’s office and Jacksonville Police Department started a month-long undercover investigation of the three businesses after receiving numerous complaints about illegal gambling from the community.

The 19 machines were seized from: Big Easy Market and Game on 591 N. Main Street, Rusk Eagle Mart at 555 South Dickinson Drive, DK’s/Skeeter’s Gas Station at 467 North Dickinson Drive. $66,000 was seized along with the 19 machines and that the stores will remain open for business without the illegal gambling machines. Investigations into other illegal gambling operations across the county including in Jacksonville, Mount Selman and Alto are in progress. Continue reading 19 illegal gambling machines seized in Rusk

Two arrested in Henderson County RV drug bust

Two arrested in Henderson County RV drug bustHENDERSON COUNTY – Texas – Two people were arrested on Friday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reportedly found methamphetamines, heroin and pills in an RV. Our news partners at KETK report that narcotics investigators, K9 units and other deputies executed a search warrant for a recreational vehicle hidden in a wooden area near Moore Station.
Continue reading Two arrested in Henderson County RV drug bust

East Texas mother sentenced to life for killing her son

NACOGDOCHES East Texas mother sentenced to life for killing her son— An East Texas woman was found guilty on Thursday of murdering her 19-month-old son. According to our news partner KETK, Hanna Ruth Moses was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

A release from the Nacogdoches Assistant District Attorney’s Office said the toddler, Thomas Blake Rogers, was born prematurely and was developmentally delayed. He was removed from the care of Moses in June 2021 for medical neglect and was underweight. The boy was returned to Moses in March 2022 and a few weeks later suffered a displaced femur fracture despite being unable to roll, crawl, or walk.

Thomas remained under the care of his mother, and on May 30, 2022, a 911 call was made by Moses who said her son was not breathing and attempted to do CPR for 30 minutes before making the call to 911. When first responders arrived, they found him unresponsive, wet and with his ankles “bound tightly” with a shoestring. Life-saving measures were performed on Thomas until they reached the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where they reportedly found bruises developing from his head to his toes on both sides of his body. He also had significant bleeding in his brain. Continue reading East Texas mother sentenced to life for killing her son

Early parolee sentenced to 60 years in prison

SMITH COUNTY – Early parolee sentenced to 60 years in prisonEarlier this week, a Smith County jury convicted Claude Eugene Montgomery Jr. of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver (a 1st Degree Felony). The jury ultimately sentenced Montgomery to 60 years in prison. Smith County Prosecutors, Emil Mikkelsen and Kasey Sirianni, presented evidence that Montgomery possessed over 100 multicolored methamphetamine pills in the shape and likeness of various super-hero logos and common prescription pills such as Xanex. Prosecutors proved that Montgomery intended to sell said narcotics on the streets. During the sentencing phase of the trial, the State brought forth Montgomery’s extensive criminal history—including two 2016 drug dealing convictions for which Montgomery had received a 45-year prison sentence. The jury learned that Montgomery had been released on parole after servicing just 6 years of that sentence. Continue reading Early parolee sentenced to 60 years in prison

Automated taxis in Austin soon

AUSTIN – The Austin American-Statesman reports that soon, when Austinites pull up to a light between a Waymo and Tesla they might be the only person in a car. That’s because Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced plans to bring a paid ride-hailing service, powered by Tesla’s recently announced robotaxis, to Austin. With a much-anticipated Waymo and Uber collaboration slated to bring autonomous rides to Austin this year, the Tesla announcement seems a clear indication that the most valuable car brand in the world wants to put progress in fifth gear and catch up its competitors. The move is also yet another lofty promise that Musk has made surrounding autonomous cars, many of which he has faltered or gone back on.

While the announcement during Tesla’s fourth quarter earnings call seemed innocuous, its rollout could have heavy implications for the future of Tesla, as many investors have been hanging their hopes on the brand’s promises of innovation. Musk himself said 2025 will be “maybe the most important year in Tesla’s history.” The announcement from Musk on a Tesla earnings call was more conceptual than it was detail-oriented. However, two key pieces of information the CEO did mention were that the service is scheduled to hit Austin roads in June and that there will be no drivers in the cars. The rides are also said to be backed by Tesla’s yet-to-be-released “unsupervised” version of its Full Self-Driving software. Musk also clarified that Tesla owners will not yet be able to add their own cars to the ride-hailing service, an idea he previously pushed during the brand’s announcement of the Robotaxi. It is also worth noting that Musk’s recent political and personal bond with President Donald Trump could be a regulatory game changer for Tesla. As it seeks to catch up to brands like Waymo, it’s possible Tesla might seek to leverage its relationship with Trump to enable a faster test-to-launch process.

Confusion in Keller ISD

KELLER – The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Keller school board named an interim leader early Jan. 31 without voting on a motion to accept the resignation of Superintendent Tracy Johnson. With five votes in favor and two abstentions, the board named Cory Wilson, the assistant superintendent of educational services, the interim superintendent. The nomination came at 12:23 a.m., at the tail end of a marathon school board meeting during which trustees presented a financial report regarding a proposal to split the district, and Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons express her opposition to the split going through without a public referendum. Johnson did not attend the meeting. She cleared her office out earlier in the week, according to a school board member.

The Keller school board named an interim leader early Jan. 31 without voting on a motion to accept the resignation of Superintendent Tracy Johnson. With five votes in favor and two abstentions, the board named Cory Wilson, the assistant superintendent of educational services, the interim superintendent. The nomination came at 12:23 a.m., at the tail end of a marathon school board meeting during which trustees presented a financial report regarding a proposal to split the district, and Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons express her opposition to the split going through without a public referendum. Johnson did not attend the meeting. She cleared her office out earlier in the week, according to a school board member. “Doctor Wilson brings 27 years of experience in education, 22 of those years spent in Keller ISD,” school board president Charles Randklev said. “I appreciate Dr. Wilson’s willingness to lead the district during this transition.” Wilson began his teaching career in 2002 at Parkwood Hill Intermediate School before moving into the school’s administration, Randklev said. He later moved to district administration.

UT Police arrest Bullard man for child porn

UT Police arrest Bullard man for child pornTYLER — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Bullard man has been arrested by college police after being in possession of child pornography.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force received information regarding possible child pornography back in November. Following an investigation, officials obtained a search warrant and reportedly found child pornography after analyzing the electronic devices from a Bullard home. Task Force Investigators contacted the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department, and requested assistance in arresting Brandon Reeves Baschnagel, 41 of Bullard, for possession with intent to promote child pornography.

The UT Tyler PD then turned him over to investigators. Baschnagel is now booked into the Henderson County Jail and charges will be filed in Henderson County and Cherokee County, according to the sheriff’s office.