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SMITH COUNTY — An arrest warrant sheds new details on an East Texas man accused of sexually assaulting a child his wife was babysitting.

According to our news partner KETK, Smith County deputies responded to a medical center on Feb. 13 after a child had reported being sexually assaulted. Officers spoke with the mother who said her daughter confessed to her the previous day she had a secret, but the mother did not think much of it. The next day, Feb. 13, the child reiterated she had the secret that pertained to Brandon Darrell Couey, her babysitter’s husband.

During a forensic interview, the child described deviant sexual activity performed on her by Couey and gave detailed information by using male and female anatomy drawings. Continue reading Babysitter’s husband reportedly bribes victim with $5

FRANKLIN COUNTY — On Sunday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they recovered the body of a man reported missing on Feb. 13. According to our news partner KETK, Larry Murl Smith, 51, was last seen on Feb. 6 near his residence on the 6000 block of FM 115, near Lake Cypress Springs. His body was recovered 16 days later. Multiple locations and areas of interest were searched in the past week until his body was found on Texas Highway 37 at the Franklin/Red River County line on the Sulfur River. Authorities indicated that there are persons of interest who are already in custody for unrelated charges.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that multiple warrants for capital murder are expected. The sheriff’s office received assistance from the Mt. Vernon Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Water District Police, Parks and Wildlife K9, DPS aircraft division, Texas Highway Patrol and Texas Rangers.

LONGVIEW – A 19-year-old man was arrested in Longview on Thursday evening after he allegedly shot two people during a domestic disturbance.

Longview police officers were dispatched at approximately 10:50 p.m. after receiving calls regarding a shooting relating to a domestic disturbance in the 3000 block of Bernice Drive.
Both victims of the shooting were taken to a local hospital to tend to their wounds. The Longview Police Department identified the suspect as 19-year-old Demetrius Walter of Marshall.

Walter has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Gregg County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

PALESTINE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas couple has been arrested for child negligence after police found decaying food, piles of trash and cockroaches crawling throughout their home.

The Palestine Police Department said officers responded to a welfare check request in the 3000 block of N. Jackson at around 2:11 p.m. on Thursday. Before they arrived to the location, officers were advised that Code Enforcement had spoken with individuals at the residence concerning code violations.

During this visit, code enforcement observed child neglect and reported that the home emitted a foul odor and the home appeared to be in disarray. Once officers arrived, they spoke with Gina Jeter, 37, and her fiancé, Benjamin Quintanilla, 35. Both reportedly gave officers consent to enter the house. Continue reading East Texas couple arrested for child negligence

TYLER – On February 13, 2025, Smith County Deputies responded to the UT Health Emergency Room regarding a possible sexual assault of a child.

They contacted the mother of a six-year-old female victim who made an outcry of the assault. Smith County Investigators were notified and began their investigation. The suspect was identified as Brandon Darrell Couey – 32 of Winona. Couey is the husband of the child victim’s babysitter. A forensic interview took place at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Tyler on February 18, 2025. During the forensic interview the child victim described deviate sexual activity performed on her by “Brandon.” The child victim was able to give detailed information to the interviewer both verbally and with the use of male and female anatomy drawings. Continue reading Suspect arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler for 2025 had the third highest Uniform Certified Public Accountant exam pass rate among Texas public universities and ranked sixth overall among all state universities. UT Tyler’s pass rate is 62.14%, which is above the national average of 50%. This is the third consecutive year UT Tyler made the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy’s Top 10 list, and the university’s pass rate has consistently been above the national average for several years. Continue reading UT Tyler accounting students continue excellence on CPA exam

GRAND SALINE – Our news partners at KETK report that following a “raid” by Game Wardens and federal agents at an East Texas zoo, the company has released a statement to ease concerns. On Wednesday, the Canton Grand Safari Adventure was met with authorities who were allegedly there to find documents they could use on a “few active cases already under investigation.” As to what these cases are, is unknown. “This had absolutely nothing to do with the care of the animals or honestly anything to do with the zoo or its animals,” a zoo representative said. The zoo is allegedly not under investigation and have received “the all clear” to continue business as normal. The representative said they gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife all documents they were seeking. Continue reading Grand Saline zoo responds after being ‘raided’

POLK COUNTY – Three Polk County jailers were arrested after allegedly assaulting an inmate, according to our news partner KETK.

DPS reports that Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons contacted Texas Rangers after the incident occurred on Feb. 3. DPS identified the victim as a 34-year-old man from Kingwood. The three employees reportedly involved in the assault have been identified as 27-year-old Ty Paredes, 29-year-old Christopher Damian and 31-year-old Agapito Correa. They have since all been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.

At this time, DPS said they will not release any additional information and people are encouraged to ask the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for the employment status of the three jailers.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Lufkin ISD unanimously voted to shut down Coston Elementary and Kurth Primary during a school board meeting.

LUFKIN – More than 500 students may soon need to find new schools as the Lufkin ISD school board will decide this week whether to close two elementary schools, according to our news partner KETK.

In September 2024, the district established the Future Facilities Advisory Committee, to assess facilities and educational needs. It has since conducted reviews of all facilities in the district including “campus enrollments, building capacity, condition, usage, programs and educational programs offered on each campus.”

The district has seen a steady decline in student enrollment, with 1,600 fewer students enrolled in 2024 compared to 2013. After analyzing the data, the committee recommended several actions, with the top suggestion being the closure of Coston Elementary and Kurth Primary. Continue reading Lufkin ISD votes to close 2 elementary schools

HARRISON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that two Harrison County residents were arrested on Thursday after guns and narcotics were found inside their home.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant was conducted at a home on 8841 U.S. Highway 80 in Scottsville. Once officers entered the home, they recovered 51 grams of methamphetamine and 19 grams of Psilocybin, commonly known as shrooms. Seven firearms were also found inside the home, including a stolen Rugger Mini-14 gun along with an illegal Short Barrel Rifle.

Owners of the house, 49-year-old Joe Cisco, Jr. and 41-year-old Brittany Dyer, were arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail. Cisco was arrested on three of charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of prohibited weapon. Dyer was also arrested on three of charges of manufacturing a controlled substance. Continue reading Two arrested after meth, shrooms found in Harrison County home

CHANDLER — An elderly Florida couple appears to have been dropped off at an East Texas hotel after family members decided they “could not stay with them.”

The Chandler Police Department said they received a call of an elderly couple who seemed to be lost wandering around a hotel. According to our news partner,KETK, following an investigation, authorities learned that the couple had arrived the previous day and had a room at the hotel.

“Officers quickly discovered the couple appeared to be suffering from cognitive deficiencies and clearly seemed lost,” the police department said. “Although the couple had a room reserved for two nights the couple had no luggage, food, money or their needed medication with them.” Officers determined that due to their age, the couple could not care for themselves. Police later identified the man as Pastor William McCann and his wife Mary McCann from Fort Meyers, Florida. Continue reading Elderly couple abandoned at East Texas hotel

KILGORE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a former Kilgore ISD employee was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly having an improper relationship with a student.

According to Kilgore ISD, the district began an investigation in early January of possible educator misconduct for Instructional Aide, Kayla Nicole O’Dell, 34 of Gladewater. O’Dell was an aide from August 2023 until her resignation on Jan. 7.Following her resignation, the results of the investigation were turned over to law enforcement, the district said. O’Dell was arrested for an improper relationship between an educator and student and is being held without bond in the Gregg County Jail.

HAWKINS – The City of Hawkins is down to one police officer after the mayor fired three officers at the city council meeting on Tuesday, according to our news partners at KETK. Hawkins Mayor Debbie Rushing fired two patrol officers and one investigator because she said they were not properly hired and didn’t receive approval from the council. According to the city’s ordinance, “the police chief and mayor shall interview all applicants for the job of police officers and shall make their selection and present this selection to the city council for their approval.” These three officers were hired under former Police Chief, Paul Holland who resigned on Jan. 25, marking the third chief to step down in three years. Continue reading Hawkins relies on one police officer

TYLER – The highly contagious measles virus kills more than 200,000 each year, according to the Mayo Clinic.

UT Tyler Health Science Center Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. Richard Wallace explained what East Texans should know about measles and how to identify the “severe rash disease.”

Measles is a virus that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. After a vaccine was introduced in 1963 the virus was considered eliminated in the United States by 2000, but now there has been an uptick in cases mostly affecting babies, children under five and adults older than 20. Wallace said that measles can appear seven to 14 days after contact and an infected person should start feeling better four days after breaking out with the diagnostic rash.

The biggest sign of measles is a rash, but Wallace said people can also experience other symptoms including a runny nose, drainage, sore throat and a cough. For most people, the virus will feel like an intense case of the flu, but it can be especially dangerous for babies and toddlers. “40% of people with measles are hospitalized either for complications of measles or for isolation,” Wallace said. Doctors claim there have been no confirmed cases of measles in East Texas, but health officials are staying alert.

TYLER – Habitat for Humanity of Smith County (HFHSC) has grant funds available to complete critical repairs within the homes of Smith County and Cherokee County neighbors who may not be able to afford home repairs otherwise. The affiliate is seeking veterans or surviving spouses who own their home and may be in need of repairs within and around their homes. Continue reading Smith County Habitat to provide critical repairs for veterans and spouses

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that more than 100 jobs are coming to the Rose City as the first Bass Pro Shop prepares to open its doors. The company will be recruiting future employees over the next two days at the Tyler Holiday Inn. Kendra Hobbs moved to Tyler a year ago and has been on the job hunt since. She is looking for new opportunities with Bass Pro Shops at the event. “I’d like to make enough money to be able to spend on myself a little bit,” Hobbs said. Hobbs wasn’t the only one job searching in the Rose City Bass Pro Shops. Tyler General Manager Shawn Geer said they’ve had people waiting since before the doors opened Wednesday. Continue reading Bass Pro Shops holds job fair

ATHENS — Athens ISD board of trustees voted on Feb. 13 to call a $121.5 million bond election to address aging facilities by making improvements and new additions to educational spaces, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, in Spring of 2024 the board of trustees came up with four goals for the district: academic excellence, exemplary employees, safe schools and the resources for students to succeed. From there, the board invited community members including teachers, parents and high school students to participate in a committee to talk about the four goals for the district and the needs for each campus. Continue reading Athens ISD calls for $121.5M bond

CAMP COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas County judge is urging residence to sign a petition aiming to increase safety on U.S. Highway 271.

Camp County Judge A.J. Mason said this has been an ongoing effort to increase safety on the highway between Pittsburg and Gilmer. The petition aims to construct a designated center turning lane. Mason said he has been in contact with TxDOT for the past eight years. He urges residents to make their voices heard. ”Your voice matters and you deserve a safe driving environment,” Mason said.

The petition will be available in his office for residents to sign starting on Tuesday. Mason’s office is located at the Camp County Courthouse in room 303.

The City of Pittsburg said they will also have a petition for people to sign at the city hall on Rusk Street.

ATHENS — Athens ISD board of trustees voted on Feb. 13 to call a $121.5 million bond election to address aging facilities by making improvements and new additions to educational spaces. According to our news partner KETK, Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, in Spring of 2024 the board of trustees came up with four goals for the district: academic excellence, exemplary employees, safe schools and the resources for students to succeed.

From there, the board invited community members including teachers, parents and high school students to participate in a committee to talk about the four goals for the district and the needs for each campus. The board used the committee’s list of proposed ideas to create the bill that would address the district goals and impact each student from early childhood to early college.
Continue reading Athens ISD calls for $121.5M bond for improvements

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities is working to restore its ozone generator at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant after a portion of the system froze during Tuesday night’s hard freeze. Staff are actively working to thaw and restart the ozone generator as soon as possible, with restoration efforts expected to continue through until finished. The Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) feed system is running at maximum capacity to mitigate any potential impacts.

With elevated seasonal geosmin levels detected in the water coming into the plant in recent weeks, the temporary outage of the ozone generator may lead to an increase in taste and odor concerns. Geosmin is a naturally occurring compound that can cause an earthy taste and odor in drinking water but does not pose a health risk.

Staff have deployed heaters and are taking all necessary precautions to maintain temperatures above freezing inside the facility to combat the freezing conditions that are forecast over the coming days. There are no other weather-related issues at Tyler Water Utilities facilities. Tyler Water Utilities will continue monitoring conditions and providing updates as needed.

JACKSONVILLE – Our news partners at KETK report that one person has died after a major crash involving at least two vehicles in Cherokee County Wednesday morning. According to Texas DPS Sergeant Chris Williamson, one person is confirmed dead after the accident occurring on Highway 69 in Jacksonville near Love’s Lookout.

JACKSONVILLE – Jeff Austin III, Chairman of the Board of Austin Bank, Texas National Association, announced Austin Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Austin Bank, has completed the acquisition of The Chasewood Bank, Houston, Texas.

Lowell Little, Executive Vice President and Regional President of Austin Bank stated, “We are very pleased with how smoothly the transition has occurred and are delighted to be entering the North Houston market while strengthening our presence in the Southeast Texas region. Both consumer and commercial customers will now have advanced technology and an increased line of valuable products and services — plus even more convenient access to 40 Austin Bank locations.”
Continue reading Austin Bank completes acquisition of Chasewood Bank

SMITH COUNTY – A man has been sentenced to ten years of probation in connection to a 2022 fatal crash.

Guillermo Zuniga Jr., 25 of Longview, was facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide after he and Carlos Tello Parrà, 33 of Longview, got in a crash on County Road 384 north of Tyler, on Dec. 14, 2022.The 2015 GMC Sierra they were riding in was heading north when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree, authorities told KETK in 2022. Parrà was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zuninga had incapacitating injuries in the crash and had to be treated at a local hospital. He was given deferred adjudication by 241st Judicial District Court Judge Debby Gunter on Thursday meaning he’ll avoid a guilty verdict if he completes ten years of probation.

NACOGDOCHES — With 24 Dairy Queen locations set to close across Texas, people can now purchase a variety of restaurant items and equipment as part of an ongoing auction.

The “complete contents” of various Dairy Queen restaurants will be auctioned on Local Auctions until Thursday afternoon. Buyers will be responsible for disassembling all purchased items.
“Multiple Dairy Queen locations are closing their doors and must liquidate the assets. Bid on a large variety of restaurant assets and related items that need to be removed from the location,” the auction website said.

To see the full list of closing locations posted by our news partner, KETK, click here.

TYLER — Wednesday, some school districts in East Texas closed early due to the cold weather. With hard freeze conditions in play all across the region, some ISD’s may delay their Thursday opening.

Tonight’s forecast is Partly Cloudy, with a low around 17. Wind chill values are low at 6. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Our news partner KETK, has an updated list of delays. You can see it here.
Your complete East Texas weather is here.

GLADEWATER — A 24-year-old pilot is being treated at a local hospital after his plane missed the runway Monday night in the midst of an apparent mechanical failure. According to the Gladewater Mirror, first responders from multiple agencies were called to the scene about 10:15 p.m. Feb. 17. Personnel from Texas Department of Public Safety are spearheading the investigation alongside Gladewater firefighters and police officers.

“The airport is going to be shut down pending the investigation,” Gladewater Fire Chief Mike Simmons said. “Based on what the pilot stated, he took off and lost power on takeoff, circled back to land at the airport and landed in the grass just on the side of the runway.”

It’s unclear what time the crash occurred. Continue reading Pilot injured in plane crash near airport