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SMITH COUNTY – An undocumented immigrant was taken into ICE custody just minutes before accepting a plea deal at the Smith County courthouse, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

In response, a Hispanic association is urging immigrants to be aware of their rights and search for options to stay in the country legally.

According to the immigrant’s attorney, two individuals dressed as civilians were seated in the courthouse when the client accepted the plea deal. Shortly after these two individuals approached them, they detained the defendant and took him into ICE custody before transporting him to the Dallas area, the attorney said. Continue reading ICE detains undocumented immigrant at Smith County courthouse

HAWKINS – Friday night, the Hawkins City Council met in a special session, with the agenda only holding one item to discuss and vote on hiring the law firm ‘Flowers Davis’ in Tyler to represent the city in a termination appeal.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, former Hawkins officer, Eric Tuma, was removed from his position by the city council earlier this month. A highly debated move and amid ongoing department drama. Mayor Debbie Rushing said the special session decision will be helpful and could lead to hiring a city attorney.

“Having that mediator will be nice,” Rushing said.

According to former councilwoman, Eleta Taylor, the council has tried to get legal representation for the city several times.

“We did try when I was on the council several times to get one, and it didn’t go right,” Taylor said. “…Three, at least three or four times, I’m thinking we tried to get it.”

During the meeting, some residents said using this specific firm could be a conflict of interest, but Mayor Debbie Rushing said it would not. Continue reading Hawkins council hires law firm for officer termination appeal

HENDERSON COUNTY – A 42-year-old man was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a young child on Thursday and sentenced to life in prison by a Henderson County jury, according to our news partner KETK.

Manuel Lynn Tijerina will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty in a child sexual abuse case involving a 9-year-old.

The Eustace Police Department said they received a report from Child Protective Services on July 15, 2021 regarding the victim’s outcry of sexual abuse from a family member. Officials learned that Tijerina was touching the victim as they laid in the same bed. The victim told a forensic interviewer with Maggie’s House Child Advocacy Center that Tijerina touched them multiple times. One of the victim’s siblings said that Tijerina touched their upper thigh numerous times and made sexual comments toward them.

According to officials, both siblings saw Tijerina physically abuse their mother and went on to testify against him in court. Continue reading Man receives life sentence for continuous child sexual abuse

TYLER – Our news partner KETK Reports that Jon Leslie Wilbeck, a 20-year firefighter for the City of Tyler, was arrested on Thursday for driving while intoxicated.

According to Smith County arrest records, Wilbeck was arrested for driving while intoxicated by the Tyler Police Department and was released hours later.

City of Tyler Fire Chief, David Coble, has confirmed that Wilbeck is a current employee and that the department has taken action following the incident.

“The fire chief, which is myself, has opened an internal affairs investigation into the matter,” Coble said. “Of course, he is innocent until proven guilty, we are going to do an investigation and afterwards we will decide what happens.”

NACOGDOCHES – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a Nacogdoches man was sentenced for threatening to shoot a woman to death.

Two years ago, a Nacogdoches woman was getting ready for church when a man appeared in her bathroom and threatened to kill her with a rifle. On Thursday, the man received five years in prison, the minimum sentence for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit aggravated assault.

The Nacogdoches County District Attorney’s Office identified the man as William Hagan, who said he would kill the victim due to her alleged lies. The victim attempted to defuse the situation, but he went on to grab his rifle and told her he was going to kill her and then himself.

According to officials, Hagan told the victim it would not hurt when he shot her, and considered going to where she worked and killing her there. Hagan then told her he would allow her one phone call before he shot her after she stated she wanted to call her son. Continue reading Man sentenced for threatening to shoot woman to death

TYLER – An East Texas native plans to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas’ First Congressional District, according to a report from The Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Dax Alexander, a democrat, announced on June 24th that he will be running a grassroots campaign, challenging incumbent U.S. Representative Nathaniel Moran. Alexander says that his campaign is focused on “real representation and community-first values”. His platform is centered around issues he says affect families across the district.

Some of Alexander’s areas of focus include bi-partisan immigration reform, expanding medicare, lower prescription drug costs, gun safety with universal background checks and red flag laws, climate and environmental protections, reproductive rights, and government accountability. The Smith County Young Democrats have endorsed Alexander, and have called him “a bold new leader who actually reflects the values and hopes of East Texans.”

Congressman Moran was chosen by voters in November 2022, and is currently serving in his second term. Before being elected, the congressman served as the Smith County Judge, a Tyler City Council member, and Mayor Pro Tem of Tyler. Continue reading East Texas candidate challenges U.S. Rep. Moran

FRANKSTON – In a report from our news partner KETK, the Frankston Police Department said the Spring Market grocery store on Pine Street was broken into early this morning.

According to police, a citizen saw the suspected vehicle at around 4:50 a.m. in the parking lot. The store was subsequently broken into, and the ATM was stolen. Officials said no arrest has been made and the investigation is ongoing. The police department is expected to release additional information.

POLK COUNTY – A man was arrested in Polk County after a number of different drugs, including crack cocaine and methamphetamine, were found inside his apartment, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On Wednesday, members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Livingston Police Department executed a search of an apartment in Livingston as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. The apartment belonged to Michael Dewayne Montgomery, who had been a primary suspect in the investigation.

According to officials, once inside the apartment, a number of different drugs were found, firearms and multiple different materials used to distribute drugs.

Drugs found inside the apartment include, five ounces of crack cocaine, one ounce of powdered cocaine, two and a half ounces of pressed methamphetamine pills, one pound of synthetic marijuana, and one ounce of marijuana.

Following the investigation, Montgomery was arrested and charged with four counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, along with endangerment of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm.

TYLER — As East Texas cities gear up for a star-spangled celebration this Fourth of July, our news partner KETK has put together a list of festive events happening in towns such as Canton, Longview, Lufkin and Tyler.

Big Sandy

America the Beautiful Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Show: The parade lineup begins at 8 p.m. on Wiley Boulevard, with the parade starting around 8:30 p.m. Following the parade, the fireworks show will start at approximately 9 p.m.
Date: July 4 at 8 p.m.

Bullard

Blast over Bullard and Kids’ Bike Brigade: This event will feature activities for all ages, including games, local vendors, food, and live music. Don’t miss the Kids’ Bike Brigade, coordinated by the Bullard Police Department during the Blast Over Bullard event.
Date: June 28 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Continue reading Fourth of July festivities happening in East Texas 2025

ANGELINA COUNTY — A man was arrested by Angelina County officials on Thursday for allegedly burglarizing Roganville Baptist Church in Jasper County.

According to our news partner KETK and Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman, officials placed a warrant for Gavyn Randall Deaton’s arrest as a suspect in the burglary of the Roganville Baptist Church. Angelina County deputies stopped and arrested Deaton without incident at around 12:45 p.m.

Selman said Deaton is facing three burglary charges and is currently booked in the Angelina County Jail. Official are working to extradite Deaton back to Jasper County.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler will host the “Red, White & Recruited: Careers in Healthcare and Higher Education” job fair. The job fair is designed to connect qualified candidates in clinical care and higher education in the UT system. The job fair will be 1 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at the UT Tyler Health Science Center Amphitheatre in Tyler.

The university is recruiting for the following positions: RN — incentives up to $20,000, LVN — incentives up to $1,000, Patient care technician, Psychiatric nursing aid, Medical assistant, Phlebotomist — incentives up to $1,000, Food services, Housekeeping and Administrative support.

Candidates are encouraged to apply online prior to the job fair at uttyler.edu/careers to be considered for “on-the-spot” job offers. Most positions include full UT System and state of Texas benefits, including basic health insurance provided to employees, retirement through Teacher Retirement System of Texas and possibilities for employee continuing education scholarships.

For more information, contact the UT Tyler Office of Human Resources at
[email protected].

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Highway Patrol is investigating after a hit-and-run left a bicyclist dead on Thursday in Smith County, according to our news partner KETK.

During the early morning hours on Highway 64 near Big Oak Bay Road, a bicyclist was struck by an unknown vehicle, and the vehicle did not stop. The rider was found dead and the department is investigating this case as a fatal hit-and-run.

East Texans are encouraged to contact the Texas Highway Patrol in Tyler if they have any information.

PANOLA COUNTY – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man they suspect was responsible for several burglaries earlier in the month, according to our news partner KETK.

After multiple burglaries occurred along Highway 795 and Highway 149 in the Beckville and Tatum areas, investigators gathered information that led them to believe that 25-year-old Kobe Holt of Carthage was a suspect in the burglaries.

Holt was arrested during a traffic stop on Tuesday. The following day, officials obtained a search warrant at a home off Highway 315 in Carthage, and recovered stolen property, including a firearm and power tools which were returned to the victims.

Based on the property recovered, officials believe Holt is linked to at least eight burglaries that will be presented to the Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Investigators will continue to search for the remaining stolen property. Additional charges are expected.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Panola County Sheriff’s office.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved a $1,277,421 project contract on Wednesday aimed at improving six locations that are prone to flooding in Tyler according to our news partner KETK.

The city said they went into a contract with Reynolds & Kay LTD for the 2025 Structure Flooding Project funded by the Stormwater Capital Outlay Budget and Half Cent Sales Tax Fund. This project will tackle frequent flooding issues experienced by the following six areas: Persimmon Drive, Haverhill Drive and Old Henderson area, Golden Rd and Black Fork Creek, Kensington Drive, parts of Ninth Street and Princedale.

This part of the project is all about the stormwater system as hundreds of feet of new piping, new inlets, a concreate junction box and outfall protection will be placed to direct water away from homes. Sidewalks and fencing will also be replaced.

Construction is expected to begin later into 2025 and completed in phases to prevent disruption. According to project officials, the city will see many benefits from this project including safer streets, stronger peace of mind and fewer flood threats. Continue reading Tyler City Council allocates $1.27M to address flood issues

CHANDLER – According to our news partner KETK, a woman was stabbed nine times during an argument at a home near Chandler on Tuesday morning. Deputies were told that the suspect had escaped, and the victim was transported to a hospital in Tyler, where she was in stable condition. Once officials arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim’s boyfriend, Christopher Alan Douzart, who said she had been stabbed nine times by the suspect at his house. Officials identified the suspect as Courtney Ann Coats.

A search warrant was obtained for Douzart’s home, where authorities discovered several baggies and scales, which are frequently used in drug distribution. Douzart was taken into custody for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Following Douzart’s arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant for Coats. At 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities were able to arrest Courtney and charge her with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Both suspects are currently being held in Henderson County Jail awaiting arraignment.

TYLER – For the 16th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Tyler a 2024 Tree City USA. A Tree City USA designation honors cities with their continued commitment to effective urban forest management. Tyler earned this national recognition by meeting the program’s four main requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, allocating at least $2 per capita toward community forestry and holding an official Arbor Day observance and proclamation. 

Tyler, for the ninth year, received the Tree City USA Growth Award. This award signifies Tyler’s higher standard of tree care and environmental improvement. Tyler is one of only 47 out of 99 current Texas Tree Cities to get this honor. 
Continue reading Tyler recognized as Tree City USA for 16th year-in-a-row

ATHENS – Our news partner KETK reports that the Henderson County Jail announced their launch of a groundbreaking educational initiative in early June to help inmates foster rehabilitation and skill development.

By partnering with NCIC Correctional Services, the jail has the ability to give inmates tablets “equipped with a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance personal growth, career readiness, and life skills.” Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that in even in just a few weeks they have seen glimpse into the future of the successes this program will bring to the inmates.

KETK news had the opportunity on Wednesday morning to talk to Hillhouse and two inmates about the program and the positive impact it has on their lives. Continue reading Henderson County Jail educational initiative helps foster rehabilitation

EAST TEXAS – More than 1,000 people were killed in DUI-alcohol related crashes on Texas roads in 2024. That means three lives were lost every day on our roads last year because a Texas driver ignored the risks and chose to drink and drive. In 2024, there were 5,144 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes in Texas during the July 4th holiday time period, resulting in 64 fatalities and 223 serious injuries.

With these alarming statistics in mind, and to highlight the real cost of impaired driving to the friends and family of those killed in crashes, TxDOT is launching its summer “Drive Sober. No Regrets” campaign this week across the Lone Star State. Timed with the official start of summer & the July 4th holiday weekend, TxDOT’s new campaign is aligned with an increased law enforcement effort to keep TX roads safe. Continue reading Enforcement period underway for TxDOT’s Drive Sober Campaign

TYLER – Roadwork is nothing new to the Lone Star state, but the Texas Department of Transportation in East Texas has some local projects in the works.

“There’s a few that are going on, south towards Bullard…” says Jeff Wooliferd with TxDOT East Texas. “We’re still in works with the utility companies. Relocating utilities is always a big portion of some of these projects. On the portion where they’re expanding to four lanes, the contractor has also begun digging some ditch operations.”

Crews have already begun digging up some utility lines, and will begin working to expand Old Jacksonville road from two lanes to four near Bullard. In another project, they’re adding an overpass at 2493 and US Highway 69.

While the work presents a challenging undertaking, Jeff Wooliferd says, “We’re expecting that to start at full blast again pretty soon. Working with the utility companies has been tricky, but we’re still working with them to get it done.”

The projected completion for those projects is Spring of 2027.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve been made aware of a new civil probate scam. The scam involves an email sent to an individual who had actually hired a local law firm to assist in probating an estate. This individual called their law firm, who in turn contacted the Smith County Clerk’s Office. The law firm was able to determine, through the County Clerk’s Office, that this was actually a fraudulent email.

The sender fraudulently used the name of our County Clerk and used a similar email through a Gmail account. The information was most likely obtained through public records by utilizing the internet. This could have easily been mistaken as a legitimate email and the recipient could have been victimized. Fortunately, the recipient felt unsure about the email and her attorney’s office took a pro-active approach. Continue reading New scam making the rounds in Smith County

TYLER – Lake Tyler Marina owner, Brent Allen, is ready for summer visitors but he wants people to take the steps to make sure everyone has a fun and safe day at the lake.

“This has absolutely been the worst year on in recent memory for accidents on lakes in East Texas,” Allen said.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, in Henderson County, two young children drowned after getting trapped beneath their capsized boat. A 43-year-old man also drowned while swimming to his flotation device.

“We’ve answered to a number of different water-related incidents, all of them very tragic,” Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Assistant Chief Charles Clanton said.

Smith county emergency service district 2 said it’s important to always keep a life jacket on and have extras on hand. Continue reading East Texas officials encourage lake safety after recent drownings

JACKSONVILLE — A care unit team at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville recently received a prestigious nursing award after their care for a traumatic brain injury patient. According to our news partner KETK, in February of 2024, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Dunn was the passenger in a motorcycle crash where the bike flipped and skidded more than 150 feet and crashed into an end-of-road barrier.

After being flower to a Houston-area hospital for care, she experienced several seizures. Her case was accepted by the Jacksonville team, but it would be a long and uncertain road to recovery ahead. In total, she spent about two months in the unit.

Her CHRISTUS team included nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, physicians, housekeepers, dietary staff and others. They all celebrated her small milestones – from first steps to sharing meals and creating art together. Continue reading CHRISTUS team honored with prestigious nursing award

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,154 Texas voters about their views on current state and national issues as well as hypothetical political primary match-ups in 2026. According to the poll conducted May 28 – June 7, respondents said the most important policy facing Texas today was the economy (inflation) at 21%, with securing the border being the second most cited policy at 19%. K-12 education was the distant third of the policy alternatives (10%) chosen by respondents.

“Although securing the border was a big issue that had an electoral impact in Texas in 2024, it appears that many voters are more worried about the economy now that the election is over, and the process of governing has started,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director.

Democrats, Independents and Republicans cited inflation as the first or second most important policy facing the state. Securing the border was the top choice of Republicans and the second most cited choice of Independents, but it was not in the top three choices of Democratic respondents, Wink noted. Continue reading New UT Tyler poll reflects views on current issues, political match-ups

CHEROKEE COUNTY – KTBB recieved this from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office…
“It is with great sadness we announce the death of retired Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell. Sheriff Campbell began his career with Cherokee County in February of 1994. Sheriff Campbell devoted 26 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee county before retiring in September 2020. Prior to becoming Sheriff, he retired as a highway patrolman for the Texas Department of Public Safety. We thank Sheriff Campbell for his dedicated 54 years of service to this state and the citizens of Cherokee County. Sheriff Campbell was a true public servant and devoted his life to his community and family. Though he is no longer with us, Sheriff Campbell has left a permanent mark on both civilians and law enforcement officers that will continue to guide and inspire us. Sheriff Campbell will be deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. During this difficult time our thoughts and prayers go out to Sheriff Campbell’s family.”

JACKSONVILLE – East Texas State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville announced on Tuesday that he’s not running for re-election in Texas Senate District 3. Our news partner KETK reports that, following Nichols’ announcement, East Texas State Rep. Trent Ashby announced his bid for the seat.

Nichols has served in the Texas Legislature for 20 years and was outspoken on issues like school choice, which he openly opposed.

“It had always been my goal to make things better, to stop bad things, to do it in a way I thought was right, never forgetting who I represented and to work at it long enough, but not too long. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have represented the people of East Texas in the Texas Senate.” said State Sen. Robert Nichols Continue reading East Texas Rep. announces campaign to replace State Sen. Nichols

WINNSBORO – Our news partner KETK reports that a Winnsboro ISD coach was arrested on Monday after court documents revealed he attempted to hide the sexual relationship between another coach and a student.

According to the arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, on May 28 officers were alerted about an improper relationship between an educator and student that involved a Winnsboro High School coach during the 2024-2025 school season.

“During this separate case and its investigation, this WHS educator involved in this investigation has voluntarily confessed to the Felony 2 offense and its charge,” the document said. “This separate teacher/coach, identified as Coach Gabe, and has been subsequently charged and arrested.” Continue reading Coach arrested for hiding coworkers sexual relationship with student

WOOD COUNTY – According to a press release from the Acting U.S. Attorney of Eastern Texas, a Mineola man has been sentenced to 55 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations.

According to information presented in court statements , over the course of several months, Fransisco Gonzalez, also known as Kiko Gonzalez, 29, sexually exploited a minor female victim. Under the guise of taking her to church, he isolated her from her family, then used her to produce sexually explicit images and videos. He later distributed several of the images to others.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on June 23, 2025.

“Fransisco Gonzalez is on his way to prison where he will serve a very long sentence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “For his crimes, he deserves every day of that lengthy term. I commend the efforts of the team that brought this defendant to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands committed to seeking justice for victims and to defending the defenseless.”