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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