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ATHENS — The Athens ISD band director was arrested Wednesday night after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office found suspected methamphetamine inside his apartment. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, around 10:20 p.m., investigators searched the Wood Street apartment of Nicholas Bartlett Durham, where they found him in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Durham was booked into the Henderson County Jail for possession of a controlled substance.

Athens ISD said that Durham had just begun his second year as a band director at Athens High School. The school released a statement regarding his arrest on Thursday morning: Continue reading East Texas band director on leave following drug arrest

LINDALE– According to our news partner KETK, a home off County Road 4122 caught on fire Wednesday morning, leaving the house a total loss and killing two of the family’s pets.

According to the Lindale Fire Department, they received a call regarding the fire at around 9:50 a.m.. After arriving at the home, firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack and were forced to use 20,000 gallons of water to bring the fire under control, having previously evacuated the house due to the imminent collapse of the structure. Two cats were killed in the fire, but no other injuries were reported. It is currently unknown how the fire started, and the cause is being investigated by the Smith County Fire Marshal.

UPDATE: During Wednesday’s special session house meeting, State Rep. Cody Harris, of Palestine, said he refuses to concur with the Texas Senate and is requested an appointment of conference committee. Harris’ request was granted.

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate passed House Bill 27 on Tuesday, allowing an East Texas groundwater study, but eliminating 16-month pause on drilling permits. On Aug. 25, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 27, written by State Rep. Cody Harris. HB 27 requires the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to conduct a study on the effects of drilling permits on the Neches and Trinity Valley Groundwater District.

HB 27 also pushed for lawmakers to allow a 16-month pause on approving drilling permits while the TWDB conducted its study. The bill made its way to the Texas Senate and received a 26-1 vote in favor of its cause, but with a twist. Continue reading Rep. Harris granted committee discussion over groundwater bill

MOUNT PLEASANT– The City of Mount Pleasant announced the hiring of its new city manager on Wednesday, who has served in several key leadership positions across East Texas.

According to our news partner KETK, Robert Vince is stepping into the role after most recently holding several leadership positions, including city manager for the City of Paris. While in Paris, Vince played a role in advancing operational efficiency and building relationships with community stakeholders, according to the City of Mount Pleasant.

After taking the position, Vince emphasized that his guiding principle will be to “do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons.” Vince also looks forward to collaborating with the Mount Pleasant leadership team to strengthen relationships and move the city forward. Continue reading Mount Pleasant welcomes new city manager

UPDATE: According to the Lufkin Police Department, 20-year-old Brayden Wood was found safe around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department is searching for a 20-year-old man who was last seen in July. According to our news partner KETK, Brayden Alexander Wood, 20, of Lufkin, was last in contact with his mother on July 28 and she has not seen or heard from him since.

Anyone with information on Wood’s whereabouts is asked to contact Lufkin PD at 936-633-0356 or 911 if it’s an emergency.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – According to a press release from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office, a former Cherokee County correctional officer has been arrested.

Kayley Garcia, 34 of Alto, had previously worked in the Cherokee County Jail from June 2025 until August 2025. During this time, it was discovered that she was bringing items of contraband to inmates while on duty. The investigation found that Garcia was providing tobacco products to inmates, as well as providing her personal cell phone to an inmate for his personal use. Continue reading Correctional officer arrested for giving contraband to inmates

PALESTINE – The Texas Senate late Tuesday stripped a key provision from a bill meant to stop large-scale exports of water from East Texas.

Senators approved the legislation that also requires the state to study how much water is under East Texas. However, the original bill — House Bill 27 by Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine — sought to prevent approval of new export permits in the meantime. The bill that left the Senate Tuesday night allows water exports to continue while the study is ongoing. Harris said that he would not accept those changes. If Harris makes good and rejects the changes to the bill, the House can call for negotiations. However, time is running out on the special session, which must adjourn by Sept. 13. And lawmakers in both chambers have signaled a desired end before then. Continue reading Texas lawmakers dispute ending water exports from East Texas

MARSHALL – Our news partner KETK reports that the Marshall Police Department is asking people to avoid the intersection at MLK Boulevard and Ward Street on Wednesday afternoon while they work on an 18-wheeler accident.

According to the police department, an 18-wheeler overturned at the intersection, causing traffic delays in the area. Emergency crews are currently on the scene, working to clear the accident to ensure everyone is safe.

Officials encourage people to avoid the area, and seek alternate routes to prevent any further congestion.

Update: Boil water notice was rescinded Friday, September 5, for a portion of Rusk by the Rusk Rural Water Supply Company

RUSK – A boil water notice was issued on Wednesday in Rusk by the Rusk Rural Water Supply Company (RRWSC) due to a main line leak, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Any households or businesses under a boil water notice should bring any water for cleaning or consumption to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes before use. RRWSC said customers will be notified when the notice is no longer in effect.

“Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice,” the RRWSC said.

Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of affected areas. To view the full and updated list, click here.

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from Smith County, despite having 113 “weather days” during the yearlong construction of the courthouse, the project is still on time.

Bradley Barr, senior superintendent of Hoar Construction, gave a progress report to the Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 2. Barr said since the start of the project through June 2025, they have seen 66 inches of rain, which is 23 inches above average, but the crews work overtime and/or bring in more staff to make up for rain delays. According to Barr, they are still looking at project completion in the end of 2026.

“We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we respond to it,” Barr said. “We keep a positive attitude and do whatever it takes.” Continue reading Smith County gives an update on courthouse construction

TEXAS – The start of September marks a new slate of laws, over 800, that are now in effect in Texas. A majority of them take place in the classrooms of public schools. Among the marquee of classroom-centered laws include Senate Bill (SB) 10, which requires schools to post a “durable poster or framed copy” of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. SB 11 allows for students and staff to have allocated time to pray and read religious texts.

One of the most notable laws passed include House Bill (HB) 33, which has been deemed The Uvalde Strong Act. The Act opens the door to better police training and coordination for events similar to the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting. One major footnote of the last legislative session is the lack of action regarding THC. For months, heated debate took place led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to implement a blanket ban on THC products. But that plan stalled earlier this week.

You can find the full list of every single bill passed here.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Demolition of the former county jail, 113 N Second Street will begin  Monday, September 8, and is projected to be complete within 30 days, according to a news release from the City of Lufkin. The release adds that due to safety concerns, the city will close the alley on the south side of the jail beginning September, 8. It is anticipated that the alley will be closed for approximately 3 weeks, and it will re-open as soon as it is safe to allow vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

TYLER — The northern portion of Rose Rudman Trail is expected to be closed for the next couple of days. According to the City of Tyler, the trail is closed so that they can conduct construction on nearby sewer lines. The road is expected to be reopened by Sept. 5.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will be working with a contractor to perform traffic signal maintenance at the intersection of Troup Highway and Lindbergh Drive on on Thursday, Sept. 4. The intersection will be dark with no signal indications. To ensure safety and minimize disruptions, most of Lindbergh Drive from Southpark Drive to Troup Highway will be closed to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes and drive with caution through the intersection. In addition, entry and exit points into the Super One shopping center from the intersection have been closed completely to increase safety during the work.