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WASKOM – According to our news partner KETK. three members of a California fire and rescue team were injured in a crash in Waskom while driving to the East Coast to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The San Diego firefighters were traveling in their Ford F-350 truck when they were involved in a collision on Interstate 20 near the border of Texas and Louisiana around 2:45 a.m. Sunday. Mónica Muñoz, a spokesperson for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), said the injured firefighters were flown to a hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, for treatment. The remaining crew members were sent to Waskom, Texas, to await further instructions.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

“The news of this crash is devastating. We are doing everything we can to offer support to our department and those team members and their families who were part of this deployment,” said SDFD Assistant Chief James Gaboury.
Continue reading California firefighters hurt in Waskom crash

LIVINGSTON – On Friday, Republicans and Democrats from the Texas House of Representatives met with death row inmate and Palestine native, Robert Roberson according to our news partner KETK. Roberson is scheduled to be put to death by the State of Texas on Oct. 17 amid questions about the science provided to secure that sentence and bipartisan calls for clemency.

Twenty-one years ago, Roberson was convicted of murdering his daughter Nikki, who doctors at the time of the trial said had suffered from a version of shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis that has come under question by scientists. Gretchen Sween, an attorney for Roberson, said the case was a tragedy, not a crime.

“This isn’t just about Robert, this is about other people like Robert in similar situations and maybe not just on death row,” said Republican State Rep. Lacey Hull of Houston. “His case is not unique, his case and his hope and all of our hope, is to shine a light on this and to make the necessary reforms to where we are not executing or imprisoning innocent people.” Continue reading Texas lawmakers meet with Palestine man on death row

TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) – The Texarkana Police Department arrested two parents on Saturday after their 5-year-old son died on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the department reportedly got a report of a child not breathing in the 3300 block of Nichols Drive at around 2 p.m. on Friday. When officers responded to the scene they found a 5-year-old boy unresponsive and started CPR. The boy died at the hospital not long after they arrived. On Saturday, Texarkana PD announced that the boy’s parents had been arrested.

Terry Robinson, 35 of Texarkana, was arrested for capital murder of a person under 10-years-old. His bond was set at $5,000,000. Destiny Culvahouse, 24 of Texarkana, was arrested for injury to a child with serious bodily injury or death. Her bond was set at $1,000,000. Robinson and Culvahouse are both being held in the Bi-State Justice Center.

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department said they arrested a man for an assault that happened in the parking lot of Southside Baptist Church on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, officers were dispatched to the scene at Inwood Drive and Crockett Road at around 10:57 a.m. on Friday. A caller had reported seeing the driver of a white Ford Explorer pull into the parking lot, get into the back of the car and start “beating” the woman in the back seat. The Ford then reportedly left on Inwood Drive heading east and was located by police at the Kim’s on Loop 256.

Those in the Ford were identified by police as James Wriley Marks, 23 of Montalba, a 22-year-old woman and their two children. Palestine PD then told Marks they were arresting him because they determined he had committed a family violence assault.

Marks reportedly resisted arrest but was taken into custody after being put on the ground. Marks is being held in the Anderson County Jail on charges of assault causing bodily injury family violence and resisting arrest search or transport. No bond has been set, according to jail records.

MOUNT VERNON – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that five men have been arrested for online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct following a multi-agency operation. The operation was a multi-agency effort to capture suspects who were using social media to try and solicit sexual conduct from minors.

Over two days this week, the following men were arrested on charges of online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct: Vynay Chumm, 39 of Paris, Coyt Eugene Cameron, 29 of Omaha, Collin Bryce Cassels, 32 of Dallas, Jesus Moises Gonalez, 42 of Ft. Worth, David Scott Oguin, 55 of Trinidad, Texas, was arrested by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly communicated with an undercover online persona which was part of the operation.

Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones thanked the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Rains County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Vernon Police Department and the Mount Pleasant Police Department for their help in this operation.

GILMER – Nicole Hernandez, a former district clerk for Upshur County was arrested for tampering with government records on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, an investigation into Hernandez’s conduct as district clerk was first opened on Aug. 29. at the request of the Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd. She resigned her post with the county on the same day. According to The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez was arraigned and later released from the county jail on a $3,500 bond.

TYLER — The City of Tyler was named the best in the nation for retirement, a recent study said. According to our news partner KETK, a USA TODAY research team ranked 329 cities to determine which offers the best retirement experience based on factors like tax friendliness, housing costs, healthcare availability and number of leisure activities. “Tyler is the best city for retirees, featuring affordable homes, no income tax and prices 7.7% lower than the national average,” Kristina Zagame, a contributor for USA TODAY said.

Not only does Tyler top the list of best cities for retirees but a March-released study of the best cities to move to in Texas.

Researchers at USA TODAY Homefront found per 1,000 residents, Tyler has a crime rate of 28.7, and 9.9 senior-relevant care providers. The typical Tyler home is valued at $257,181 and the city is considered a most tax friendly. Continue reading Tyler is the best city in the nation for retirees

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the public hearing to determine custody of nearly 60 dogs from an alleged dogfighting ring was cancelled 45 minutes before it was scheduled to start on Thursday.

“The owners of the dogs agreed to divest ownership of those animals and allow the state or the county to take ownership or possession of those dogs,” said Thomas Wilson, Assistant District Attorney for Smith County. “I have been in contact with the Humane Society of the United States and they are getting me in contact with a lady who is a behavioralist or a behavioral specialist, specifically for your game bred pits and dogs like that, to come do an evaluation on all the dogs that are here to kind of see what the next step for them means,” said Amber Greene, supervisor for the Smith County Animal Control.

The next step for the dogs is to be assessed for fosters and adoption. The Humane Society will pay for this case worker to fly in from Florida to individually assess the health and behavior of the animals in the coming days. Although a decision has been made regarding the custody of these dogs, the criminal portion of this case is still being actively investigated. Sheriff Smith said earlier this month that they will continue looking into all leads and track down other people tied to this large operation.

SMITH COUNTY – Chapel Hill ISD is grief-stricken after Bulldog Band member and 11th grade student, Diego Rodriguez, died of leukemia on Thursday. Diego was a junior trombone player in the Bulldog Band.

“We are deeply saddened at Chapel Hill High School with the loss of Diego. I was fortunate to have been Diego’s principal for the last three years. I will miss his infectious smile and kind heart the most,” said Linda Godwin, assistant principal at Chapel Hill High School.

There is information on services and visitation for Diego. You can find it here.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department in multiple operations during the summer that revealed multiple stores sold alcohol and tobacco products to underage people. According to our news partner KETK, from June through August, police used underage people posing as customers in four “compliance operations”.

Department spokesperson said that 20 businesses were visited for tobacco sales, two of them sold tobacco products to underage persons. With alcohol products, 37 stores were visited to obtain alcohol. 19 stores sold alcohol products to customers posing as underage individuals.

According to Longview PD, each violation had a citation issued or a case filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office. Current law in Texas states that a person must be 21 or older to purchase or possess alcohol or tobacco products.

EMORY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office said a sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after a “use of force incident” happened at the Rains County Jail on Sept. 4 according to our news partners at KETK. The “incident” reportedly involved a Rains County Jail inmate and is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers. Rains County Sheriff Michael Hopkins said the sheriff’s office will do an internal compliance investigation of the case after the Texas Rangers complete their investigation. The sergeant involved has been put on administrative leave while the investigations are underway as per policy. The sheriff’s office said that no other information will be released until the investigations are complete.

TITUS COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a 62-year-old man accused of intentionally starting a fire that completely destroyed a mobile home Wednesday evening is now behind bars, the Titus County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies and investigators responded to a “suspicious” mobile home fire on the 100 block of County Road 1363. The single-wide mobile home was destroyed from the flames, authorities said. Officials said they had “good reason to believe” Landel Cathcart, 62 of Titus County, intentionally started the fire that engulfed another person’s home. Cathcart was arrested at the scene and taken to the Titus County Jail, the sheriff’s office said. As of Thursday morning he awaits arraignment for the arson with intent to destroy a habitation charge.

Update: The gas leak near Ricks Circle area and surrounding neighborhood, has been cleared Thursday evening and the area is now safe to return to normal activities. This is according to the City of Gladewater Facebook page.

GLADEWATER – Officials in Gladewater are advising residents to use caution in a part of town due to a gas leak. According to our news partner KETK, Gladewater Police said the leak is near Ricks Circle off Highway 271 in north Gladewater. People in the area are asked residents in the area to immediately extinguish burners and other flames. Anyone not in the area is asked to stay away, as roads may be blocked, barricaded or closed.

The Gladewater Police Department will furnish updates here.

LONGVIEW — Education was front and center on Wednesday during the state of the workforce hosted by Longview chamber of commerce. According to our news partner KETK, East Texas business owners, high schools and economy experts attended the meeting and they focused on discussing education and the role it plays in building up local industries. One topic was especially discussed, looking for qualified people to fill critical roles.

“What we’re still hearing from businesses and industry in the East Texas community, that they don’t have the number of workers that they need nor the skill that those workers actually need to have in order to be successful.” Brenda Kays, president of Kilgore college, said.

Representatives from Kilgore college, public think tank Texas 2036 and the national skill coalition updated local businesses on the current employment landscape. Continue reading Longview state of workforce meeting focuses on education

PANOLA COUNTY — The search for a missing Tatum man is over after authorities found his body near a pond. The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said Danizy Arthur, 43, was dropped off by family members off Highway 43 on Sunday morning to go fishing. According to our news partner KETK, Texas Search and Rescue, as well as K9 teams assisted in the search for Arthur.  Arthur was found dead at a pond around 10:15 a.m.. The sheriff’s office said an autopsy has been ordered.

NACOGDOCHES – According to our news partner KETK, three people from Michigan in separate traffic stops were found transporting an approximate combined total of 10 pounds of cocaine on Nacogdoches roads. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office reports that deputies recently conducted two separate traffic stops that led to the seizure of cocaine. At around 8:50 p.m. on Monday, deputies pulled a car over for traffic violations in the 1700 block of S.W. Stallings Drive when they noticed the smell of marijuana, the sheriff’s office said.

“Deputies began a probable-cause search of the car, and found two plastic-wrapped bundles of powder, which tested positive for cocaine,” NCSO said.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as 33-year-old Desean Hyken Lee Williams, of Flint, Michigan, was taken into custody.

Williams was reportedly transporting 5.2 pounds of cocaine. Continue reading 10 pounds of cocaine seized during traffic stops

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department reports one man is dead following a fight between family members . According to our news partner KETK, LPD was called Wednesday afternoon to 700 Ethel Street, near La Quinta Inn. Officers found a man at the scene had been shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. An investigation revealed the shooting happened when an argument with family members rapidly increased to the shooting incident. The other family member allegedly involved in the shooting, remained on the on scene and is cooperating with law enforcement.

BROWNSBORO – An elementary school teacher was arrested for injuring a child on a Brownsboro ISD campus earlier this month. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Kyle Lee Rocha was arrested for injury to a child and booked into the Henderson County Jail on a $25,000 bond on Sept. 20, which he posted the same day. According to his probable cause affidavit, Rocha was in the Chandler Elementary School Behavioral Classroom on Sept. 13. The document describes footage from the classroom that showed Rocha picking up paperwork from the floor and placing the papers on the student’s desk, instructing the student to keep the pages on his desk. The student was reportedly seen throwing the paperwork into a clothes basket on his desk and tilting his desk several times as Rocha stands in front of him. Continue reading East Texas teacher arrested for injuring student

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) and HDR Engineering, Inc. have completed phase one of the study on Lake Palestine water’s taste and odor quality and are starting phase two. The City Council approved the $1.75 million contract for the final phase on Wednesday, Sept. 25. TWU provides water to the City of Tyler through two water treatment plants, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. The Lake Palestine plant sources its water from Lake Palestine, which has inherently high levels of geosmin due to the age of the lake and the amount of natural organic matter, which contributes to the production of geosmin. The water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards. Continue reading TWU beginning phase two of taste and odor water quality study

GILMER – Our news partners at KETK report a 13-year-old is facing a terroristic threat charge in connection to a social media threat targeting Gilmer ISD, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the department, on Tuesday night deputies and Gilmer police officers responded to a threat made to Gilmer ISD on social media. Shortly after letting the community know about the investigation, Gilmer ISD Superintendent Rickey Albritton said the author of the post had been identified and detained. The sheriff’s office said the teenager admitted to authoring the threat and was taken to a Harrison County juvenile facility where he faces a terroristic threat charge. Albritton said the district will continue with a strong security presence as a precautionary measure. “Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students,” Albritton said.

KILGORE — Kilgore is known for the world’s richest acre and the World Famous Rangerettes and on Tuesday night the city added a new honor to that list. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore is now recognized as a Purple Heart City in a ceremony at the city hall. The city’s new title carries a lot of weight for long time resident and veteran Daniel Abram, because he understands the sacrifice veterans have made for their country.

“We think it’s wonderful,” Abrams said. “I think it should be respected, men paid an awful price for that.”

The Kilgore mayor said resident Vickie Raymond brought this idea to the city and immediately had full support. The designation comes from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 1513, to honor veterans who live in Kilgore and make sure they feel appreciated. Continue reading Kilgore recognized as a Purple Heart City

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted to appoint a new Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5 after the retirement announcement of Judge Jon Johnson. According to a release, Danny Brown was unanimously voted to be appointed as JP 5 for Smith County on Tuesday morning. The county said that Brown has served as Tyler ISD Police Chief for the past 12 years and is looking forward to serve his community of Lindale.

“I have always driven to Tyler to work,” Brown said. “I want to serve in Lindale where I have lived all these years.”

According to the release, Brown worked for the Tyler Police Department for 21 years, then for Child Protective Services for five years before becoming the chief for the Tyler ISD Police Department. Continue reading Smith County appoints new Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5

TYLER – Hiland Dairy Foods Co. announced the 90,000 square-foot expansion of their facility in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the company said, the expansion of Hiland’s Tyler location will include “state-of-the-art processing, filling casing, palletizing, load-out, storage areas and a new laboratory.”

Hiland Dairy President Rick Beaman said, “This expansion is more than just growth in our physical footprint; it’s a commitment to the future of Tyler, We deeply appreciate the support we’ve received from the city, and we’re excited to continue providing good-paying, stable jobs for this community for years to come.”

Hiland said that the expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 24, voted to approve allocating $4 million in ARPA funding to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler to help pay for a behavioral health hospital. The court approved a beneficiary agreement, which will allow the UT Health Science Center to renovate the former behavioral health center, located at 4101 University Blvd., and reopen it as a licensed behavioral health hospital with new impatient beds. The facility will expand the opportunities for inpatient and outpatient programs for mental health crisis care for Smith County patients. Continue reading Smith County gives $4 million to mental health facility

TYLER – On Monday, the United States Department of Education announced 356 schools nationwide as Blue Ribbon Schools. According to our news partner KETK, four of these schools were from East Texas. In a release from the department, National Blue Ribbon Schools are schools that “excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.”

Of the 356 nationally recognized schools, the following East Texas schools were awarded:
Caldwell Arts Academy in Tyler for exemplary achievement gap closing
Gus Winston Cain Elementary School in Whitehouse for exemplary high performance
Hudson Elementary School in Longview for exemplary high performance
Neches High School in Palestine for exemplary achievement gap closing

All of the schools were awarded a National Blue Ribbon School flag as a “recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning.”