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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.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that Texas House Bill 2000, also known as Audrii’s law, went into effect on Monday, ending a loophole that kept convicted child groomers off the sex offender registry. The bill was named for Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Polk County who was kidnapped and murdered in Feb. 2024.

Audrii was the subject of a Feb. 15, 2024 Amber Alert after she never showed up to school. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Trinity River Authority found Audrii’s body five days later in the Trinity River on Feb. 20.

Don McDougal lived in a camper on the Cunningham’s property and was supposed to drop Audrii off at the bus stop on the day she went missing.

McDougal, who pleaded guilty to Audrii’s murder, was previously accused of indecency with a child in 2007 but he pleaded down to the charge of enticing a child and that kept him off the Sex Offender Registry. Continue reading Audrii’s law goes into effect, ending loophole

TYLER — UPDATE: As of Wednesday afternoon, Tyler PD PIO Andy Erbaugh said the department is no longer looking for a suspect in Tuesday’s lockdown at UT Health East Texas. All possible efforts to contact possible witnesses have not led to an arrest at this time.

The lockdown at UT Health East Texas in Tyler was lifted at around 1 p.m. after reports of a person carrying a gun at the Olympic Plaza.

During a press conference at around noon on Tuesday, Officer Erbaugh said witnesses saw an argument between two people and one of them displayed a gun. At that point, the active shooter alarm was activated. According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement responded within seconds. The original call came from the Olympic Plaza on Beckham Avenue. Other reports stated the person was heading to the main hospital using the skyview over the chapel area on the second floor; however, officials did not locate the person.
Continue reading Search for suspect called off after UT Health lockdown, no shots fired

TYLER – A lockdown at UT Health East Texas in Tyler was lifted at around 1 p.m. on Tuesday after reports of a person carrying a gun at the Olympic Plaza. At a press conference that afternoon, Tyler Police Department public information officer Andy Erbaugh, said witnesses saw an argument between two people, when one of them flashed a gun. That’s when the active shooter alarm was activated.

Erbaugh said law enforcement responded to the alert within seconds. While the original call came from the Olympic Plaza, there were reports of a person going to the main hospital using the skyview over the chapel area on the second floor. But, officials didn’t not locate that person. Erbaugh stated the person wanted is a black man wearing green hospital scrubs. He noted, no shots were fired and no injuries have been reported. The hospital is functioning back to normal. Tyler Police asks residents if you see or know something about Tuesdays events, to call law enforcement.

RAINS COUNTY – NET Health received confirmation of a travel-related positive case of measles in an adult resident of Rains County, Texas. The individual has voluntarily remained isolated at their residence throughout their contagious period and has recovered from their case of measles. Persons who have been fully vaccinated against measles with two doses of the MMR vaccine have a very low risk of contracting the disease. However, unvaccinated individuals remain at higher risk, as do those in some other groups, including:

Children too young to have received both doses of the MMR vaccine yet
Anyone who have received only one dose of MMR
Those with compromised immune systems Continue reading Confirmed adult case of measles

EAST TEXAS — NET Health received confirmation of a travel-related positive case of measles in an adult resident of Rains County, Texas. The individual has voluntarily remained isolated at their residence throughout their contagious period and has recovered from their case of measles.

Continue reading Confirmed adult case of measles

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that the lockdown has since been lifted, the Tyler Police Department confirmed. During a press conference at around noon on Tuesday, Tyler Police Department PIO Andy Erbaugh said witnesses saw an argument between two people and one of them displayed a gun. At that point, the active shooter alarm was activated. Erbaugh said law enforcement responded within seconds. The original call came from the Olympic Plaza on Beckham Avenue. Other reports stated the person was heading to the main hospital using the skyview over the chapel area on the second floor; however, officials did not locate the person. Other law enforcement then arrived at the scene to help clear the hospital floor by floor. Authorities are currently reviewing footage. Continue reading Lockdown lifted at UT Health Olympic Plaza, Police search for armed man

LIBERTY CITY – A shooting Monday afternoon at Hugh Camp Memorial Park in Liberty City has claimed two lives. According to our news partner KETK, killed were 49-year-old Shawn Blake and his 16-year old daughter, Hailey. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning the suspect in the shooting is Christopher Hicks Jr. Hicks was taken to a hospital after suffering self-inflicted life-threatening injuries.

Because Hicks was Hailey Blake’s boyfriend, Deputy Chief Craig Harrington said, “This incident was believed to be a targeted attack and not a random act of violence.”

The sheriff’s office asks if anybody witnessed the shooting, to please contact them.

LIBERTY CITY – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting at Hugh Camp Memorial Park in Liberty City. According to our news partner KETK, they’re investigating an active crime scene at the park and there’s currently no threat to the public. The Sabine Emergency Services District and the Texas Department of Public Safety have also responded to the scene.

KETK will update this article as more information becomes available.

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, is reporting that Lieutenant Mike Shurley is retiring from the Lufkin police department after three decades to serving East Texas.

Shurley officially retired from the department on Aug. 28, ending a 32-year career in public service. He began his career as a reserve police officer with the Diboll Police Department after graduating from Angelina College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice. In 1995, Shurley joined the Lufkin Police Department, starting as a patrol officer and eventually advancing to lieutenant. He also served on the department’s SWAT Team for 10 years as an entry team leader.

“As Shurley steps into retirement, the Lufkin Police Department and the entire community extend their deepest gratitude for his unwavering service, leadership and integrity,” the Lufkin Police Department said. “His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of law enforcement professionals.”

WHITEHOUSE, Texas (KETK) — According to our news partner KETK, a boat caught on fire in Whitehouse on Monday morning. The incident occurred at Lake Tyler Self Storage, and the cause of the fire remains unknown, the Whitehouse Fire Department said. Two RVs and another boat were impacted by the fire.

Members of the Whitehouse Fire Department put out the fire, and no injuries were reported.

LINDALE – City officials are closing Commerce Street in downtown Lindale starting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the street will be closed for around five to six weeks while crews work on the Highway 16 drainage improvement project. While work is being done, drivers will be able to turn left off of Highway 16 onto Waters Street. The city asks drivers to plan ahead, especially when there is movement with school traffic.

ATHENS – Two Henderson County deputies had some unusual work cut out for them on Saturday morning according to our news partner KETK. Deputies Draven Matich and AJ St. Clair responded to Athens at around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday after someone’s kangaroo escaped. According to the sheriff’s office, the two deputies found the kangaroo safe and wrangled it into their vehicle.

The kangaroo was then returned to it’s grateful owner. The sheriff’s office shared the above video of the kangaroo being corralled on Saturday.

“After a daring escape, this marsupial was safely located and returned to her grateful owner, thanks to the quick thinking and calm handling by our Henderson County Sheriff’s Office team,” the sheriff’s office said. “From narcotics busts to kangaroo rescues — we do it all.”

LINDALE – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office confirms 17 people have reportedly been injured after six vehicles and two 18-wheelers were involved in a crash on Interstate 20 near Lindale Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occurred on Interstate 20, westbound near mile marker 558. Those injured were take to local hospitals for treatment. No fatalities have been reported.