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ANDERSON COUNTY – A company from the Dallas area is suing the local groundwater conservation district for impeding the installation of forty-three high-capacity water wells in East Texas. This year, the proposed project, which was supported by Conservation Equity Management and its CEO Kyle Bass, angered East Texans. One state lawmaker even attempted to halt the project during a special session. Bass has maintained that the company’s objective is to determine the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer’s water content before starting to extract from its depths.

The Groundwater District did not respond to requests for comment. The Dallas Morning News and The Texas Lawbook were the first to report on the lawsuit.

In April 2025, the Neches & Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District declared the applications to be “administratively complete,” which is a legal term that indicates they were properly completed. By completing that step, the project was one step closer to receiving district approval. Continue reading Stalled water plans lead to lawsuit

TATUM – The Tatum City Council met on Monday night and the first item on their agenda was reviewing formal complaints and concerns raised against chief of police James Smith.

Leading up to the meeting, council members received an anonymous email from concerned citizens asking them to review past conduct from their police chief and asking what the council will do to restore public trust. The city’s mayor responded with his own email saying he will bring all facts forward, but the council will have the final decision.

Following the closed-door executive session, the council voted on the four written complaints against Chief Smith, deciding unanimously to take no action on three complaints. The city council acted on the fourth complaint, voting for a hard verbal warning and directing him to take a class.

“Because it is a personal concern, we are exempt from discussing that in open session, so at that point, we will adjourn to executive session, council will discuss the matters in regards to the complaints,” Mayor Michael Henry said.

Chief John Smith declined to provide a comment to our news partner KETK.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are investigating an entrapment involving a cement mixer that occurred in Smith County on Monday evening.

According to our news partner KETK and the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County ESD2, Nikki Simmons, the incident occurred on County Road 3181 and FM 14 in Lindale. Simmons also confirmed that smoke was coming from one of the vehicles. Simmons confirmed injuries have been reported.

CANTON — Canton ISD is working with local law enforcement after a school bus was involved in a crash on Monday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK and Canton ISD all students were checked by school personnel and emergency responders, and no injuries were reported. Canton ISD said they are working closely with laws enforcement to investigate the incident and that safety is their top priority.

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding the incident can reach out to Canton ISD Administrative Office at 903-567-4179.

SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. According to a news release, Commissioners Court will not be held on Tuesday. There will be a Special-Called Commissioners Court meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 14, to canvass the results of the November 4 Special Election.

“Smith County closes for Veterans Day to honor all of the men and women who have served in the United States military,” the release stated.

Smith County has more than 100 employees who are veterans, serving the community through their positions in the Commissioners Court, Fire Marshal’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Road and Bridge Department, Juvenile Services Department, IT Department, Facility Services Department, Veteran Services Office, County Court-at-Law 3, Precincts 1, 3 and 4 Constable’s Offices, Tax Office and Judicial Compliance/Collections Department. Continue reading Smith County closes offices Tuesday

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office seized around 38 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, a deputy stopped a 2024 black GMC pickup truck on Friday while on Interstate 20. During the stop, the deputy discovered around 38 pounds of marijuana in bags inside the truck.

Malcom Hampton, 30, of Louisiana, was identified by the sheriff’s office as the driver of the truck. He was arrested and booked into the Van Zandt County Jail on a charge of possession of marijuana between 5 and 50 pounds.

The sheriff’s office connected the arrest with their criminal interdiction program. Continue reading 38 pounds of marijuana seized in traffic stop

BIG SANDY – Our news partners at KETK report the City of Big Sandy issued a burn ban on Monday, effective immediately. Mayor Linda Baggett announced the order on Monday, reinstating the restriction several days after the city lifted its previous burn ban on Oct. 31. Under the new declaration, all forms of outdoor burning are prohibited within the incorporated city limits until further notice.

PANOLA COUNTY — A 4-year-old boy has been shot in the leg after discharging a pistol. According to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday at around 5:39 p.m., the sheriff’s office dispatch received a 911 call from a parent who said their spouse was taking their child to an emergency room for “an unknown problem.” When law enforcement arrived, they found the 4-year-old being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg. “The father and child were preparing to leave a deer stand near Ragley Road (County Road 182) when the child discharged the pistol that the father was carrying in a holster,” the sheriff’s office said. Continue reading Toddler shot in Panola County hunting incident

LUFKIN – Our news partner KETK is reporting that two people were sent to a local hospital on Sunday after a crash at Loop 287 and U.S. Highway 59.

According to Lufkin PD, the feeder lanes at Loop 287 and U.S. 59 south were shut down after two trucks crashed at around 2 p.m. on Sunday near the Palms Shopping Center.

A Lufkin PD post said that two people involved in the crash have been taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The roadway was cleared and reopened by 4 p.m. on Sunday.

GREGG COUNTY — The Kilgore Fire Department and Gregg County Emergency Services District 2 responded to a grass fire burning a pasture off of FM 3053 on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters at the scene reported that hay bales were burned in a pasture in the 1400 block of FM 3053. The road was closed at around 4 p.m. on Sunday but has been reopened since Kilgore Fire Department left the scene.

“We advise that anyone burning outside have a way to extinguish their fire as the fire risk is very high over the next several days with increased winds and low humidity,” Sabine Fire & Rescue said.

The Texas A&M Forest Service said the 10.2-acre fire was around 100% contained as of 4:59 p.m.

Tyler – Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Andy Dunklin will announce his re-election campaign in the March 2026 Republican primary. The campaign kick-off will be on Tuesday, November 11, at 9:00 AM at The Place on Main at Solon Douglas & Co in Bullard. Judge Dunklin will make a formal address regarding his bid for re-election at the Campaign Kick-Off. Continue reading Dunklin to announce for re-election

LUFKIN — Our news partners at KETK report that a man is dead after a Thursday night shooting in the 200 block of Bowles Street in Lufkin. The Lufkin Police Department said gunshots were reported at around 10:40 p.m., and when officers arrived at the scene, they located a man “who had been shot multiple times.” Despite attempts to save his life, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect has been identified as 49-year-old DeMarcus Jones, who has since been charged with murder for the death of Tyrone Williams. Continue reading One dead after Thursday night shooting

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partners at KETK report that a former Mount Pleasant ISD (MPISD) special education teacher’s aide, Jaquaven Rogers, was arrested on Friday for allegedly having an improper relationship with a student. According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD), MPISD was told about an alleged improper relationship Friday morning. The district contacted MPPD and detectives arrived on campus to investigate the allegations. Probable cause led to Rogers’ arrest at P.E. Wallace Middle School. Rogers is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student from a different Mount Pleasant ISD campus, according to Mount Pleasant PD. Continue reading Teacher’s aide arrested for child sex crimes