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WHITEHOUSE – Smith County first responders will resume searching for the 19-year-old man who went missing from a boat on Lake Tyler East Monday morning. According to Smith County Emergency Services District #2 and our news partner KETK, their goal is resume searching for the 19-year-old at 9 a.m. Monday morning after game wardens interview the witnesses again.

Officials said the man fell off the front of a pontoon boat near the channel between Lake Tyler East and Lake Tyler just before 8 p.m. on Sunday. ESD #2 said they had three boats in the water searching for the man along with the Longview Fire Department’s dive team on Sunday.

Officials are asking the public to avoid the area while they search for the man.

TYLER — An off-duty Tyler police officer has died following a Friday evening motorcycle crash. According to a release from the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, at 6 p.m. officers responded to a crash on Troup Highway, just north of Loop 323. A preliminary investigation indicates that Officer Sam Lively, who was riding a motorcycle, was traveling south on Troup Highway in the outside lane.  Another vehicle, also heading south in the inside lane, attempted to change lanes near Loop 323 and struck the motorcycle, officials said.

Lively was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries, according to the police department. He was off duty at the time of the crash. Lively had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.

“Officer Lively was an amazing young man who wanted to serve the Tyler community,” the department said in a statement. “He will be missed by everyone that had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow officers.” Continue reading Off-duty Tyler police officer dies in motorcycle crash

CANTON – The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that Interstate 20 will be closed heading east and west near Canton starting on Sunday night. Our news partners at KETK reports that starting at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 crews will close I-20 so they can install a new bridge deck at Farm to Markey Road 17, which is northeast of Canton on I-20 in Van Zandt County. Traffic on I-20 will be redirected onto service roads until the work is completed at around 5 a.m. on Monday, April 28.

VAN ZANDT- Residents of Van Zandt County have started taking notice of the effects a lithium battery storage project had on their town. Most are worried about the potential for a lithium battery fire and the lack of resources for local first responders according to our news partner KETK.

They worry that the effects of the lithium batteries could also affect their soil, air and property values. White is taking the fight to Austin hoping to gain the attention of lawmakers and show them Texans support securing the grid. While White and others are fighting against the implementation of these projects, experts in the field said battery storage is exactly what Texas needs to stabilize the energy grid.

“At a high level, battery storage is fundamental for the grid,” Texas Advanced Energy Alliance Executive Director Matt Bomer said. Continue reading Van Zandt County lithium battery project raises concerns

NACOGDOCHES – An East Texas food truck was struck by an 18-wheeler this afternoon in Nacogdoches according to our news partner KETK.

Ruby’s, a Tyler-based restaurant which offers Mexican cuisine to East Texans, reported on Facebook that their truck was parked and serving customers when it was struck by an 18-wheeler. The business said those involved in the crash have been taken to a local hospital to receive evaluation and care. Ruby’s is asking East Texans to pray for everyone involved in the crash. The business also said their Nacogdoches location will be closed for the remainder of the day out of respect for those affected.

RUSK COUNTY – A 62-year-old man from Longview has been convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child after DNA evidence connected him to a case from 1992, according to our news partner KETK.

David Roy Mundt, 62 of Longview, was arrested for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Aug. 9, 2024 by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County Jail records show. Mundt’s arrest came after the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Garland obtained a DNA profile from a rape kit taken in a 1992 child sexual assault case involving a seven-year-old, according to Rusk County District Attorney Micheal E. Jimerson.

“This case involved recent DNA advancements that permit us to unmask the monsters and serial child rapist hiding among us,” Jimerson said. Continue reading Longview man gets life in prison for child sexual assault

TYLER — A man was arrested in Tyler on Wednesday after a 13-year-old girl told her teacher that a family member was sexually abusing her. According to the arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, the sheriff’s office was contacted by a CPS investigator who received a report about a 13-year-old girl who told her teacher that she was being sexually abused by a family member. Officials said on Tuesday, forensic interviews by detectives were conducted at the Smith County Texas Child Advocacy Center with the 13-year-old girl and her sister. “During the forensic interview with one girl, she disclosed that Arnulfo Ramierz-Salas, had been sexually abusing her since she was seven years old,” the affidavit said. “She remembers being alone in her bedroom in Tyler when Salas walked in and told her to ‘hush’, pulled up her shirt and began touching her underneath her clothing.” Continue reading Man arrested after 13-year-old confides sexual abuse to teacher

TRINIDAD — Our news partners at KETK report a Southeast Texas man was sentenced on Thursday to federal prison after stealing funds from Trinidad ISD to purchase trips to Walt Disney World. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas, Brandon Delane Looney, 39, of Orange, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds and was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Officials said Looney stole almost $340,000 from Trinidad ISD between 2017 and 2023 while serving as Trinidad ISD’s business manager. Continue reading Former school employee sentenced after stealing $300K

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police are searching for a man accused of placing Easter eggs filled with marijuana around the city as part of a scavenger hunt.

According to a release from the Lufkin Police Department, a resident tipped officials after they saw several Facebook posts regarding the eggs. The suspect, Avante Nicholson, allegedly posted four photos showing each location as hints to find the eggs.

“He also posted a photo of five plastic eggs in the seat of a vehicle. Officers found four eggs and believed he had not placed the fifth,” Lufkin PD said. “However, the fifth egg was found by a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park the following day and brought to the police station.”

The Easter eggs were found at three city parks and a local motel. The police department said the marijuana totaled more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. Officials also found several posts referencing selling narcotics. Continue reading Marijuana-filled Easter eggs found around Lufkin

TYLER –State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola is leading the charge at the Capitol when it comes to pro-life. Filing two of three bills up for vote this session according to our news partner KETK.
He filed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, as a way to clarify some of the exceptions under the state’s current abortion law. Especially for some doctors who were confused and scared to treat their patients.

The bill was first heard in the state affairs committee at the end of March. After valuable feedback, Hughes went to work with the Texas Medical Association to clear up the confusion on who would be charged and when they would face consequences. The amendments also took out the word “Life-threatening” when referring to medical emergencies. The amended bill also adds required education for lawyers and doctors to better understand Texas abortion laws. After getting a unanimous green light, the amended bill will now make its way to the Senate floor to be discussed and voted on before the 89th Legislative Session ends on June 2nd. Continue reading Amended Life of the Mother Act unanimously passes committee

MOFFETT – According to our news partner KETK, an Angelina County resident was found dead after a vehicle drove through his house Thursday morning. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call where a Chevrolet pickup drove through a residence in the Moffett area. Police say the vehicle left the roadway, striking a tree then smashing into the victim’s home.

Police discovered the body of 70 year-old Robert Bole after being struck by the truck inside the residence.

TYLER – The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be this Saturday and will give East Texans a chance to safely dispense with any prescription drugs they may have.

According to our news partner KETK, the event will take place at the Athens and Tyler police stations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. East Texans are encouraged to attend to dispose of prescription drugs that may be unused or unwanted. People will also be educated about the potential dangers of prescription medication.

Those attending can bring different kinds of pills to drop off, including solid dosage pharmaceutical products. However, no illicit substances will be included, such as marijuana or methamphetamine.

Officers will also be collecting vapes, pens and other e-cigarette devices, and they request the batteries be removed before they are turned in.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a man was arrested on Monday, after he admitted to having suspected heroin in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

A member of the Van Zandt County’s Criminal Interdiction Team pulled over Cedric Earl Thompson for committing multiple moving violations, officials said. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy began questioning Thompson when he admitted to possessing heroin in his vehicle, leading the deputy to request a K9 unit from Wills Point PD and conduct a search.

“The K9 alerted the Deputy and Officer to the presence of illegal narcotics, resulting in a search of the vehicle,” officials said. “During the search, suspected heroin was located inside the vehicle.”

Thompson was arrested and booked in the Van Zandt County Detention Center for possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still ongoing.

Tyler, TX – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially released the 2022-2023 accountability ratings, marking the end of a prolonged freeze on public reporting of school district performance data. This long-awaited announcement confirms what Tyler ISD had already projected using publicly reported data from the last two school years. “Every few years, we see the same recalibration pattern,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “As the agency in Austin has repeatedly inferred, “the C is the new B,” these ratings inferences have baked-in decreases aligned with a more rigorous assessment in the name of continuous improvement. The reality is that Tyler ISD has been and will continue to be competitive, regardless of how the system is adjusted. We’ve thrived through these cycles before, and we’ll continue to do so, advocating for our students and communities while maintaining the high standards East Texans expect from their schools.” While the district rating dropped 10 points from the 2021-2022 school year to the 2022-2023 school year, a trend seen statewide due to changes in the accountability system, Tyler ISD outperformed our comparison schools, garnering 64 distinctions, the highest the district has ever received. That’s a 31 percent increase from the distinctions received during the 2021-2022 school year. Continue reading Tyler ISD earns record 64 distinctions in TEA ratings

TYLER – Two people were arrested after a Tyler apartment shooting left one man injured Wednesday night.

According to the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, around 10 p.m. officers responded to a shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments on 3220 Walton Road where they located one victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers were able to apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and he was taken to a local hospital.

Officials said the suspect was located in a vehicle after a short pursuit and was stopped on Woodland Hill Drive, but the driver ran into a wooded area next to The Grove Restaurant. Officers later located the suspect, along with the gun used. Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as 23-year-old Oguist Williams and the passenger as 22-year-old Jourdan King.

Williams was arrested for evading arrest/detention in a vehicle, while King was arrested for aggravated assault and a felon in possession of a firearm. Both men were booked into the Smith County Jail.

UPDATE: The Lufkin Police Department has identified the body recovered from Kurth Lake as Clay Thomas Legg, 64 of Pollok. According to the preliminary autopsy results, Legg drowned and no foul play is suspected.

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, the Lufkin Police Department said they’ve recovered the body of a man who was reported missing from his boat at Kurth Lake on Tuesday. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Lufkin PD, divers with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, the Lufkin Fire Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens responded to reports of a man missing from his boat at around 1 p.m. The boat was found empty in a cove on Kurth Lake prompting first responders to deploy rescue boats and drones to search the water for anyone who had been on the boat.

Divers responded to Kurth Lake and a man’s body was found not too far away from where the boat was discovered, Lufkin PD said.

CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying individuals involved in armed robbery while using a stolen truck, according to a report by our news partner KETK.

On Wednesday morning, the Crockett Police Department notified the public via a Facebook post that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street.

Shortly following the post, a deputy with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle that had been abandoned in Grapeland on U.S. Highway 287 near the intersection of FM 227 in front of Grapeland Apartments.

After further investigation, detectives with the Crockett Police Department obtained information from the Grapeland Police Department that the stolen truck had been used in an armed robbery that occurred in the 1100 block of U.S. 287 in Grapeland, at the Ranch Express Convenience store. According to authorities, two individuals displayed handguns, stole the cash drawer and fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. Continue reading Police searching for suspects after stolen truck used in robbery

LONGVIEW – Almost three weeks after pleading guilty to a 2022 charge of sexual assault against a child, a Longview doctor was found dead on Tuesday by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the suspension order from the Texas Medical Board, two of Hipke’s former patients, both boys under 17, accused him of sexual assault. This led the Texas Medical Board to investigate Hipke and suspend his license. Hipke had a sentencing hearing set for Friday for this charge.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the Bella Terra subdivision in North Longview, and found Matt Elza Hipke, 62 of Longview, dead at the scene. The Gregg County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 soon arrived, and pronounced Hipke deceased and ordered an autopsy.

Officials say this incident remains an open investigation and no other information will be released at this time, but the sheriff’s office doesn’t believe there is any danger to the community.

LONGVIEW – An East Texas man was arrested after a fatal shooting on Tuesday afternoon making the incident the first homicide of the year in Longview, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

According to the department, around 2:47 p.m. officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Toler Road where they found Jonathan Ragland shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said that the shooter left the scene before officers arrived, and later identified the suspect as Dalton Chandler Lawrence, 26 of Longview. Lawrence was arrested for murder, along with two outstanding warrants from Wood County.

“This is the first homicide of the year in Longview,” Longview Police Department said. “We do ask that if you saw anything in this area or know anything, please contact Longview Police.”

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police Department has found the body of a man who was reported missing from his boat at Kurth Lake on Tuesday.

According to officials, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Lufkin PD, divers with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, the Lufkin Fire Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens responded to reports of a man missing from his boat at around 1 p.m. The boat was found empty in a cove on Kurth Lake prompting first responders to deploy rescue boats and drones to search the water for anyone who had been on the boat.

Divers responded to Kurth Lake and a man’s body was found not too far away from where the boat was discovered, Lufkin Police said. Angelina County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rodney Cheshire has ordered an autopsy.

TYLER – Dollar General recently announced that they donated more than 1.2 million pounds of food to the East Texas Food Bank in 2024, according to our news partner KETK.

On April 17, Dollar General said they’ve partnered with Texas Feeding America to donate 3.5 million pounds of food to 12 Texas food banks, including the East Texas Food Bank. Dollar General’s announcement comes after the East Texas Food Bank said they’ve lost over $850,000 worth of food from presidential cut backs.

“At Dollar General, we understand the challenges our neighbors may face in accessing affordable, nutritious food to provide themselves and their families,” Dollar General vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy Denine Torr said. “With more than 47 million people in the U.S. currently facing hunger, we are committed to being a part of the solution through our partnership with the Feeding America network of partner food banks.” Continue reading Over 1 million pounds of food donated to the East Texas Food Bank

TYLER – East Texas State Rep. Brent Money took to social media on Tuesday to express his disappointment that HB 2127 won’t be getting a public hearing this session.

According to our news partner KETK, the bill, which would amend the Texas Penal Code’s definition of homicide to include all abortions, was initially scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday but was then pulled from the schedule.

Abortion was made illegal in Texas in 2022 when the state’s “trigger law” went into effect following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overruling of Roe V. Wade.

On Monday, Money took to X and claimed that he was told the bill was pulled by the office of the Texas Speaker of the House which claimed it was pulled by Rep. John Smithee, the chair of the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. Continue reading East Texas Rep’s bill to classify abortions as murder withdrawn

TYLER – U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran held a town hall forum on Tuesday night in Tyler where several attendees quickly became hostile according to our news partner KETK. The forum was initiated for Moran to speak on issues he is covering in D.C. However, hecklers quickly began interrupting the presentation and question and answer portion of the event.

“I expected to have a setting like we saw tonight,” Moran said. “I know folks want to engage personally and a lot of people want to set this up and a lot of members of Congress are not doing in person townhalls but I think it’s our responsibility to the constituents to do those face-to-face town halls to engage, to be transparent, to be accountable. I expected some emotions tonight and that’s what we saw.”

Attendees became upset as Moran did not answer their questions when they pressed him on issues, including abortion, due process and immigration policies.

Ryan Nichols, who considered running against Moran in the upcoming May elections, was seen shouting at Moran over his due process policies. Continue reading Attendees vocalize displeasure with Rep Moran during town hall

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a minor in exchange for nicotine devices, according to our news partner KETK. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office became aware of the case after being contacted by a girl’s guardians on March 4. One of her guardians revealed to a sheriff’s deputy that they discovered she had been having an improper relationship with a grown man while going through the girl’s phone.

According to officials, one of the victim’s guardians said text messages from the victim’s phone revealed she was having explicit conversations and spoke about having sexual relationships with a man whose contact name was ‘J’.

Further text messages revealed the victim was offering to give the man sexual favors in exchange for vapes and other nicotine devices. Text messages also revealed the two parties making arrangements to meet at a nearby oil field in regard to their deal. Continue reading Man arrested for alleged sexual relationship with minor

TYLER – The Houston Chronicle reports that Edward Estrada’s client already had admitted to skimming — installing devices inside gas pumps to steal customers’ credit card information. But the Tyler lawyer wanted to make sure jurors understood that it didn’t rank with more serious financial crimes. As he prepared for the 2019 sentencing hearing, Estrada settled on a comparison. His client wasn’t nearly as bad as Enron, the giant Houston energy company whose executives misled investors for years, he stressed. While his client’s crimes cost victims collectively more than $150,000 — much of it reimbursed by banks — Enron lost billions. The Smith County jury apparently took the differences into account, but not in the way Estrada hoped. Enron executives faced sentences of 45 and 24 years. For his skimming, the jury sentenced Felipe Manuel Nieves-Perez to life in prison — “striking and alarming,” Estrada said. Continue reading Life in prison for credit card skimmer

TYLER – Children’s Fest 2025 will provide free vaccines for children under 2 years old on Wednesday at 815 North Broadway Avenue in Tyler, according to our news partner KETK.

Children’s Fest will include family-friendly activities such as games, vendors, prizes and health services provided by local health agencies. Children under 2 years old can get free vaccines to help reduce or eliminate many diseases, such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough, according to NET Health.

“Childhood vaccinations are one of the best ways for our community and us as parents to protect our children against vaccine-preventable diseases,” RN and Director of Immunization for NET Health Sylvia Warren said.

For more information about childhood vaccinations, visit MyNETHealth.org or call the NET Health Immunizations Department at 903-510-5604.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman was arrested on Monday after reportedly providing Jell-O shots with vodka to 5th graders at a Tyler elementary school Christmas party. According to a Smith County arrest affidavit, multiple children were throwing up, and one was unable to stand up after consuming six shots.

On Dec. 20, 2024, at around 11:15 a.m., a Tyler ISD police officer received a phone call from the Jones Elementary and Boshears Center assistant principal that said she believed a parent had brought Jell-O shots to a class Christmas party. The officer asked the suspect, Teresa Isabel Bernal, to come to the principal’s office. The officer said he saw on the conference table in the principal’s office a cafeteria boat containing four Jell-O shots.

While the officer was interviewing Bernal, she said the Jell-O shots came from a local business she found on Facebook. “The business is run out of a house, so she went by the house and purchased the Jell-O shots and brought them to the school for the Christmas party,” the affidavit said. When asked if the Jell-O shots contained alcohol, Bernal said, “They do taste different.” Continue reading Parent arrested for giving vodka-laced Jell-O shots to elementary kids