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LINDALE – Lindale High School Speech and Debate teacher, JP Fugler, was selected by the National Federation of High Schools as a recipient of the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award. Fugler was one of only eight section award winners across the country out of the pool of nominees. “An award like this is never expected,” said Fugler. “When the Director of Speech and Debate at UIL called me in November to say that I was the Texas nominee, that alone was surprising. It still feels so early in my career to receive this kind of national attention for my teaching.”
The UIL selected Fugler as the Texas nominee for the award. NFHS will select a section winner for the eight sections across the country. Section six includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. Continue reading Lindale High School teacher wins national award

LONGVIEW — A beloved East Texas hot dog restaurant is closed until further notice after a vehicle crashed into their building on Thursday morning.

Longview Hot Dog Express, on 106 E Marshall Avenue in Longview, experienced damage to their building at around 6:30 a.m. after a vehicle crashed on the right side of the building. According to the restaurant, the driver fell asleep at the wheel when they crashed into the building, but was not injured.

The restaurant is expected to reopen on Friday after the owners realized the damage wasn’t as bad as they thought.

EAST TEXAS — Texas has carried out its first execution since the state tried to put a Palestine man to death, a battle that is still raging. Robert Roberson was to have been put to death three and a half months ago. He was convicted in the 2002 death of his daughter. The courts have upheld the conviction, but after hearing new evidence, a Texas House Committee became convinced Roberson was wrongly convicted based on shaken baby syndrome, and that the girl actually died from an acute illness.

The committee managed to derail the execution in October by issuing a subpoena for Roberson to testify. A stay was issued, then lifted it with the Texas Attorney General’s Office insisting that Roberson will not appear. Now with new members added to the court of criminal appeals, Roberson’s lawyers say they are close to filing a new appeal.

LONGVIEW — On Wednesday afternoon, Longview residents took to the streets to protest President Trump’s recent immigration policies, as well as those he is planning to implement in the coming week. According to our news partner KETK, more than a dozen Longview residents, ranging from children to the elderly, gathered near the Longview Mall to peacefully protest Trump’s actions. Passing drivers honked in support, adding to the demonstration’s momentum.

“It’s time we speak up, with the current president and all of the outrageous changes, we need to be loud! Everyone deserves their rights,” the protest flyer said. “Immigrants, LGBTQ members, women and anyone of color! It’s time for change and we cannot go back.”

However, a small group of counter-protesters assembled across from the main demonstration, expressing support for Trump’s policies.

Similar protests are occurring statewide, including one in Nacogdoches on Saturday at 3 p.m. on 1717 North Street.

TYLER – East Texas Baptist University continues to see strong enrollment for the Spring 2025 semester, marking the second-highest Spring enrollment in the University’s history. The Spring 2025 enrollment stands at 1,612 students, following last year’s record-setting Spring enrollment of 1,657 students. This marks the first time in ETBU’s history that Spring enrollment has exceeded 1,600 students in consecutive years. “We are grateful for the continued strength of our enrollment and the confidence students and families place in ETBU,” said President J. Blair Blackburn. “These numbers reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff and the unwavering mission of our University to provide a transformative Christ-centered educational experience. We celebrate how God is working in the lives of our students as they grow academically, spiritually, and professionally.” Continue reading ETBU celebrates continued strong enrollment for Spring

KILGORE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a high school student was detained after a weapon was found on a Kilgore ISD bus Tuesday night.

According to KISD, during an off-campus basketball game versus Henderson, school staff and police officers learned that a student may have a weapon on a Kilgore ISD bus. During a search of the bus, officials reportedly found a weapon and later detained a KHS student. Henderson ISD said investigators believe the student left the weapon on the bus before entering the school. Now, the Henderson Police Department with the cooperation of Henderson ISD and Kilgore ISD, will continue the investigation.

“The safety and security of our students and staff both during the school day and at all school-related events remains our top priority and we appreciate all those who provided information during this incident,” Henderson ISD said.

NECHES— Our news partner, KETK, reports that Neches ISD has canceled classes for Thursday and Friday after an “unbelievable amount” of health-related absences.

According to NISD, the trend of sickness has been worse over the past couple of days, with record-low attendance leading them to cancel classes. The district said they want to allow time for families to get healthy and for their staff to thoroughly clean their facilities.

“We believe we have made the decision that is in the best interest of our district,” NISD said. “We will use banked minutes in our calendar and no make-up days will be needed.”

NISD said Friday’s basketball games will take place as scheduled and all students will return to school Feb. 17 after winter break.

WILLS POINT — According to a report from our news partner, KETK, an East Texas teacher has been arrested following allegations of sex crimes against children.

Wills Point ISD released a statement on Monday regarding, Jimmy Hanks, who was arrested by the Rains County Sheriff’s Office. Hanks is a former high school teacher in Wills Point and owns a local business, Bulldog Nutrition, in Edgewood. School officials said that the alleged behavior did not occur on the school’s campus or property and that officers will continue investigating the allegations and take proper legal action.

The sheriff’s office said during the course of the investigation, probable cause was established, and an arrest warrant was issued. Hanks was later arrested and remains at the county jail for continuous sexual abuse of a young child. School officials said that the alleged behavior did not occur on the school’s campus or property and that officers will continue investigating the allegations and take proper legal action. Continue reading Former East Texas teacher arrested for child sex crimes

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department  arrested a man in connection to the Nov. 27, 2024 hit-and-run death of Tayedrian Baker. According to our news partner KETK, Londedric Jayquell Taylor Sr., 30, of Jacksonville, was arrested for accident involving serious bodily injury or death and has been booked into the Cherokee County Jail.

Police said Baker was traveling on an electric bike when an unknown vehicle hit him. Baker was flown to a Tyler hospital but later died from his injuries. Baker was an organ donor and helped save six people’s lives following his death.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. Baker’s family during this difficult time. The case remains under investigation, and no further details will be released at this time,” the Jacksonville Police Department said.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department arrested two suspects on Tuesday after more than 600 grams of meth and other drugs were found during a raid. According to our news partner KETK, members of the Narcotics Department, Drug Enforcement Unit and Proactive Community Engagement Team served a drug warrant at an apartment on Martin and Houston street. During the drug raid, officials reportedly found 643 grams of meth, 7 grams of Psilocybin, 27.2 pounds of Marijuana, 10 grams of Trazodone, 241 grams of ‘white powdery substance’, Glock 23, Mini Drako, Drako, Semi-automatic rifle, ammunition and two bullet proof vests.

Alston Antwone Lee has been charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of dangerous drugs and weapon charges coming soon. His bonds total $235,000.

The Kilgore Police Department reminded dealers that their “time is numbered.”

WOOD COUNTY — Arrest records shed light on a former pastor who allegedly used the same ruse to lure children and sexually assault them at church. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy Nall’s affidavit indicates the sexual assault took place at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Mineola in Fall 2022. According to a deputy’s offense report, a counselor notified deputies of possible sexual abuse to a 4-year-old girl.

The parents of the girl had placed her in counseling sessions after they noticed strange behavior at home that highly alarmed them. The suspect was identified as Timothy Nall who was the full time pastor at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where the family went to beginning February 2022.

A forensic interview was conducted at the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center on Jan. 27 where the child made statements against Nall. Nall was booked into the Smith County Jail and was released the following day. Continue reading New details in sexual abuse case involving East Texas pastor

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners voted on Tuesday afternoon to honor the memory of two firefighters who were killed in the line of duty while battling a house fire in 2007. According to our news partner KETK, the court voted to rename a portion of FM 2493, or Old Jacksonville, as the “Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway” in memory of the two firefighter who died after responding to a house fire. During the meeting Council member Neal Franklin reflected on the tragedy.

“It was a tough time in the fire service and a tough time for everybody. It brings back some hard moments but we are here to honor those individuals today,” Franklin said.

The Noonday Volunteer Fire Department crew, including Williams and Cheek, responded to a house fire located at 20188 FM 2493 on Aug. 3, 2007 at around 1:35 a.m. Continue reading Smith County Commissioner Court honors fallen firefighters