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LUFKIN – Following a Lufkin City Council member’s decision to vacate his seat, three Lufkin residents are currently seeking to fill his position in the November elections. According to our news partner KETK, Councilman Brent Watkins, who currently serves in Ward 3, recently announced that he will be vacating his seat to run for mayor of Lufkin in the upcoming 2027 elections.

Those looking to fill Watkins’s seat on the city council include Kimberly Abeldt, Misty Ledesma, and Lin Lentz. Watkins will be looking to replace current Lufkin Mayor Hicks, who has been in office since 2021. Hicks announced earlier this year that he will not be seeking a third term.

CROCKETT — According to our news partner KETK and the Crockett Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance at around 12:15 a.m. in locating 37-year-old Jeremy Alexander Brent, who had reportedly left a residence where he had been trespassing . He left in his vehicle a person who police say was possibly being held against their will.

A Crockett officer eventually located Brent driving near the 3000 block of State Highway 7. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop; however, Brent refused to pull over, and police say he drove away at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour back toward Crockett, prompting a vehicle pursuit.

Officers successfully deployed stop sticks, causing his vehicle to stop near the intersection of South Loop 304. Brent was then taken into custody. The passenger in the vehicle was unharmed, according to the Crockett Police Department. Continue reading High-speed chase ends in arrest near Crockett

UPDATE (10/29 2:40 p.m.): The National Weather Service confirmed on Wednesday that Lindale was hit by an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching up to 100 mph.

UPDATE (10/29 8 a.m.): The Kilgore Police Department said most roads in impacted areas are now passable, though some streets remain barricaded due to debris. Those barricades are expected to come down throughout the day as cleanup continues.

SWEPCO has restored power to portions of the area, and currently reports 65 customers without power. Numerous utility poles were brought down and will need to be replaced, a process city officials say will take time. Homeowners are urged to contact their insurance agents to report any damage. City crews continue to cut down damaged trees and move debris, while additional private contractors have begun work in the area.

Despite significant damage across several blocks, city leaders said the community avoided what “could have been much worse.” Police patrols will remain in the affected neighborhoods until power is fully restored. Continue reading The Latest: Severe weather strikes East Texas

LINDALE – A tornado expected to becategorized an EF0, which has estimated winds of 65-85 mph, touched down near Lindale Tuesday afternoon. In a release from Smith County, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said a little after 3 p.m., a tornado was seen off Farm-to-Market Road 2710, northeast of Lindale.

Moore, as well as Emergency Services District 1 officials, are assessing damages. Trees and homes are damaged off FM 2170, and County Roads 4126 and 4128. No injuries have been reported. No trees have been reported on county roads. If you have a tree on a county road to report, please call Smith County Dispatch at 903-566-6600.

RUSK – The Rusk Rural Water Supply has issued a boil water advisory for their customers because of a water line leak. According to our news partner KETK, The affected areas are, FM 768, Piney Grove Rd and county roads 1306, 1310, 1313, 1314, 1328, 1503, 1504, 1506, 1508, 1521 and 1522.

Water intended for cooking, drinking, or making ice should be brought to a vigorous boil and kept boiling for at least two minutes before use. Residents in the affected areas should avoid consuming any water that has not been boiled until the advisory is lifted. When the water line is fixed and water has been cleared by officials, the water supply will issue a public notice.

UPDATE: The planned power outage for a portion for Cherokee County is complete.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Some Cherokee county residents will be without power on Wednesday due to a planned power outage scheduled by the Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Association. According to our news partner KETK, The power is expected to go off at 8 a.m. and remain out for three to five hours.

Areas impacted will include the Dialville and Oakland communities. Also, several roads may be affected by the power outage, including: CR 1503, CR 1603, CR 1604, CR 1605, CR 1608 ,CR 1609, CR 1625, CR 1626, CR 1718, CR 2101, CR 2012, CR 2103, CR 2105, CR 2107, CR 2110, CR 2111, CR 2201, CR 2202, CR 2203, CR 2217, CR 2224, FM 347, FM 1248, FM 2972, U.S. Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 84

The scheduled power outage is being held to allow crews to complete system upgrades to help keep residents’ power safe and reliable.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is reporting that a 64-year-old man died in a pedestrian crash that happened on Highway 31 in Kilgore last week. Emergency services responded to a reported pedestrian crash that happened in the 100 block of State Highway 31 East in Kilgore at around 7:11 p.m. on Friday. First responders on the scene found that a white 2017 Ram pickup truck was heading east on SH 31 as David Ray Whisenhunt, 64 of Kilgore, crossed the road.

Kilgore PD said Whisenhunt failed to yield to the truck’s right of way and was hit in the inside lane of SH 31. Whisenhunt died immediately and was pronounced dead at the scene by law enforcement. Kilgore PD is currently investigating the crash.

TYLER — Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 36, who was originally sentenced to 60 years in state prison following the murder of 19-year-old Rawly “Eli” Sanchez, has been given an additional 15 years following connected charges.

On the night of July 4, 2024, Sanchez and his friends made a U-turn in their truck behind Bautista-Renteria’s auto shop, Bautista Auto. According to our news partner KETK, while the truck was turning behind the shop, the driver reported seeing a person with an AK-47 style rifle who started shooting. Sanchez was hit in the back of the head by a bullet while sitting in the back of the truck. Sanchez’s friends immediately took him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Law enforcement spoke with witnessed and identified Bautista-Renteria as the shooter. He was detained and booked into the Smith County Jail with a warrant for first degree murder and a $1 million bond. Continue reading Additional 15 years for auto shop owner in murder case

MARSHALL — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a search is underway in Marshall following a shooting on Sunday night that resulted in the death of a 48-year-old man.

The Marshall Police Department said officers responded to the shooting around 8:56 p.m. in the 1900 block of Bean Street. When officials arrived, they found the body of a man, identified as Carlos Dewayne Hill, 48 of Marshall. A preliminary investigation indicates that the person involved fled the area before officers arrived.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at (903) 935-4575 or Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at (903) 935-9969.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Hill,” said Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth. “Our investigators are working diligently to identify and locate the person responsible for this senseless act of violence. We are asking anyone with information to come forward and assist us in bringing justice to the victim and his family.”

TYLER – Amazon has opened its first fulfillment center in East Texas, just in time for the upcoming busy holiday delivery season. The building sits on 30-acres of land and has a 140,000-square feet floor plan. President of the Tyler Economic Development Scott Martinez has been with this project since it was just a daydream.

“Seeing this project come to life and in a timeframe that was just so quick, this whole construction was less than 12 months,” Martinez said. “It’s almost like seeing a child born and start growing. So it’s been very fulfilling.”

According to our news partner KETK, Monday’s ribbon cutting on the new Tyler facility was attended by several local officials including Tyler mayor Don Warren, State Rep. Cole Hefner and State Senator Bryan Hughes.

For better traffic flow, the company also paid for a new traffic signal and turn lanes nearby. The facility is in its third week of operation, with employees fulfilling shipments overnight and loading trucks early morning. Continue reading Amazon opens first Distribution Center in Tyler

TYLER – Tyler drivers have probably noticed a new site to see off Broadway Ave, as the construction gets underway for Parkside North, a new 92-acre development.

“What you’re seeing right now is just all of the foundational work,” Genecov president & CEO Ray McKinney said. “So you’re putting in storm sewers, which is how the rainwater gets funneled into a certain place, and so those are storm sewer pipes that you see there. All of that’s being done, the dirt works being done to flat it out so that you can build something on it because nobody wants to walk on a parking lot.”

Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Genecov Group is ready to get started on their new phases of development. The plan includes three types of areas to be built.

“The first part is the part that you see up here on the front is at the pad side, stretching from one end down to the other,” McKinney said. “Mostly, you’re looking at restaurant-type users.” Continue reading Developer gives update on Parkside North project

TYLER — A woman involved in an incident with Tyler Police Department where she discharged an officer’s gun has been sentenced to 40 years in prison according to our news partner KETK. Brianna Erwin, 33, was involved in an altercation with Tyler PD in May of 2025 when officers responded to a theft call at a Dollar General. Erwin, one of the suspects in the theft, resisted arrest causing an altercation between her and an officer. According to Tyler PD, Erwin grabbed an officer’s firearm during the struggle and discharged the weapon. Erwin was booked into the Smith County Jail on an outstanding warrant.

On Monday, at the 7th District Court, Erwin pleaded guilty to multiple charges connected to the May incident. Erwin received 12 months for possession of a controlled substance, 8 years for harassment of a public servant and 40 years for aggravated assault of a public servant.

The three sentences will be served at the same time so Erwin is expected to serve 40 years in prison. She was also ordered to pay $180 in restitution to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partner KETK has confirmed that the suspect involved in the Oct. 17 triple homicide in Mabank has died. The suspect, Christopher Kyle Reid, is accused of having killed three people at around 2:30 a.m. at the Cedar Creek Cove Subdivision in Mabank. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the bodies of a woman and a man with apparent gunshot wounds.

Another woman shot at the scene was transported to a hospital, where she died. The deceased have been identified as: Kimberly Simpson, 51, Connie Patrick, 72, Ronny Hammonds, 57.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said that Simpson and Connie were both shot multiple times, along with Hammonds, who also had injuries from blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds.

Two other victims, ages 24 and 70, were hospitalized. The 24-year-old has since been released from the hospital, while the 70-year-old remains hospitalized but is awake and responsive, the sheriff’s office confirmed. Continue reading Henderson County triple homicide suspect dies

SMITH COUNTY — Early voting continues this week at five polling locations throughout Smith County. Current totals as of Tuesday are, 5,381 in-person and mail-in ballots have been cast.

There are 17 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the ballot for the November 4 Election, as well as several city and school elections throughout Smith County. Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon is urging voters to do their research on the propositions before coming to the polls. Click here for that information.

CITY/SCHOOL ELECTIONS:

The City of Whitehouse and the East Texas Municipal Utility District, as well as the Arp, Troup and Whitehouse Independent School Districts will all be holding special elections on November 4.

Early voting is being held October 20-31, at five polling locations in Tyler, Lindale, Noonday and Whitehouse. Continue reading Early voting runs through Friday

UPDATE: The Nacogdoches Police Department has arrested Hector Cuarenta, 17 of Nacogdoches, in connection with the shooting deaths of three people on Friday.

Cuarenta was wanted in connection to the deaths of three people on Hackberry Street on Friday but turned himself into Nacogdoches PD on Sunday night. Cuarenta was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and has been booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — As of 11:58 a.m., Fredonia Elementary has been placed on secure status, due to a shooting in the area confirmed to be a triple homicide. No one is allowed to enter or exit the campus until the secure status is lifted. Continue reading UPDATE: Teen arrested for killing three in Nacodoches

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on.

The new notice comes after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, flowing into November. That program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.” Continue reading No federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Police Department had officers out in the community to take unwanted medications from East Texans as a part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events have recovered more than 20 million pounds of unused medications since 2010 as a way to help prevent drug misuse.

“Events like this help because it is pretty dangerous to flush any medication, flushing it down the toilet or even leaving it in the counter for your children or some other relative to find expired medication,” said Tyler PD community response officer Bianca Smedely.

Anyone who needs to dispose of unwanted pills or expired education medications but couldn’t make it out to Tyler PD’s event on Friday can find a list of more than 30 drop box locations online.

TYLER – As the United States government shut down threatens SNAP food benefits, the East Texas Food Bank is preparing to step up for East Texans who rely on the program’s assistance.

According to our news partner KETK and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, November’s SNAP benefits won’t be sent out if the government shut down continues on Monday. East Texas Food Bank CEO, David Emerson, explained that they’re already preparing to meet a greater demand for food.

“So we’re already buying more food in anticipation of this,” Emerson said. “So we always have truckloads coming in on a regular basis and just this week alone, just yesterday I ordered $200,000 more food, that we’re going to have to go out and purchase, that we weren’t planning on purchasing.”

Medicaid, WIC, TANF and CHIP benefits will reportedly be unaffected if the shutdown continues on Monday but the more than 41 million Americans who use SNAP will lose access to the program unless the government acts by Monday. East Texans can visit the East Texas Food Bank online to learn more about their services.

HENDERSON – The Henderson Police Department is currently investigating a shooting that injured a child on South Main Street on Friday.

According to our news partner KETK and the Henderson PD, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 800 block of South Main Street at around 12:26 p.m. on Friday. Once Henderson PD officers arrived on scene, they found a child who who had been shot.

EMS responded to the scene and transported the child to a local hospital for treatment. A Henderson PD official told KETK News that the child is currently in stable condition.

The shooting is currently being investigated as an accident and Henderson PD said there’s no threat to the public at this time.

LUFKIN – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Lufkin Police Department is currently searching for a missing 12-year-old girl who was last seen on Mitchell Street on Thursday. 12-year-old Zahariah Freeman was last seen at her grandmother’s Mitchell Steet home between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in Lufkin on Thursday.

Zahariah is described as a 5-foot-tall Black girl with brown eyes and black hair who weighs around 100 pounds. Lufkin PD said she often will wear blue sunglasses.

Anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to call Lufkin PD at 936-633-0356.

PANOLA COUNTY — A one-vehicle crash that happened on Friday in Panola County led to the discovery of a kidnapping victim. The case remains under investigation.

Panola County Dispatch received a 911 call on Friday at 5:03 a.m. from a female yelling for help, then the call disconnected according to our news partner KETK. Dispatch tried to call the number back and a male answered, who said that he was taking the victim to Louisiana where he would drop her off. The female victim could be heard calling for help in the background.

At 6:33 a.m. Dispatch was notified of a one-vehicle crash on CR 3031 off the loop. Deputies, investigators, a trooper and EMS responded and found that the driver was the suspect from the original 911 call. Deputies were informed by the suspect that he dropped the victim off outside of a business in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Just after 10:00 a.m. the victim was located at a residence in Shreveport and is seeking medical treatment. Investigators determined that the initial disturbance took place at a Carthage apartment complex.

The suspect is currently hospitalized with injuries from the crash and the case remains under investigation. Panola County Sheriff’s Office has stated that no names will be released while the investigation remains ongoing.

TYLER – A new mini golf course will begin construction soon in Tyler; however, people who live in the area are concerned about the noise and lights this development may bring. Due to the concerns, the City of Tyler granted the ‘Special Use Permit’ at a council meeting on Wednesday.

According to our news partner KETK, the new mini golf course would be located near the intersection of South Broadway and Donnybrook Avenue, behind ‘Andy’s Custard.’ Kyle Kingma, Genecov Planning Director, said this is all to meet an entertainment need in the growing city of Tyler.

“We have gotten feedback that there is a desire to have more outside entertainment within the city,” Kingma said. So, we think that this would probably check that box for people.” Continue reading Tyler locals express concerns over mini golf course

TYLER – Two brothers arrested on dogfighting charges in 2024 had those charges dropped after they both pleaded guilty to other charges recently.

Kerry Jones, 36 of Tyler, and Michael Jones, 32 of Tyler, were both arrested after nearly 60 dogs were found near a residence on County Road 4136 in Tyler on Sept. 9, 2024.

Our news partner KETK spoke with Michael’s lawyer Matt Bingham after a pre-trial hearing on Thursday. Bingham said that Jones wasn’t connected by evidence to any of the dogfighting that allegedly took place at his brother Kerry’s property. Given the lack of evidence against him, Michael was able to take a plea deal that allowed him to only plead guilty to a charge of possession of marijuana between 5 and 50 pounds. According to Bingham, the dogfighting charges and a cruelty to non-livestock animals charge have been dropped as part of his plea deal.

Michael has been sentenced to 11 months in jail and given credit for time served since he’s been in Smith County Jail for the past 13 months, according to Bingham. Continue reading Dogfighting ring charges dropped against brothers

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a man was arrested in Henderson County on Thursday after over 455 files containing images of child pornography were found on his computer.

According to an arrest affidavit, a peace officer who had been assigned to investigate sex crimes and crimes against children in Henderson County received a Cybertip on June. 9, which is used to inform officials about suspected potential online sexual exploitation of children. The cybertip provided an IP address, along with a subpoena obtained from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, for T-Mobile regarding the IP Address. After officials received the subpoena, they discovered that the IP Address belonged to Nicholas Kent of Gun Barrel City. Continue reading Man arrested for possessing over 455 child porn files

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man was arrested Friday Oct. 17 with 2.4 pounds of crystal meth in his vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, 50-year-old John Darren Taylor of Nacogdoches, was stopped by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies for speeding in a construction zone. Deputies found the crystal meth, along with 123 grams of Alprazolam pills and an unspecified amount of marijuana in the toolbox of Taylor’s pickup.

Investigators allege that Crawford had gotten the drugs from the Houston area with the intent of selling them in Nacogdoches County. He was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Crawford is being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail.

TYLER — Karen Phillips, the current Smith County Clerk, announced she will seek re-election in the Republican Primary on March 3, 2026. According to our news partner KETK, Phillips announced during a gathering with family and friends that she intends to run for another term and continue to serve the citizens with accountability and conservative leadership. A county clerk is responsible for maintaining public records, administering elections, issuing licenses and certificates, and serving as the primary contact point between the county and its citizens.

Phillips has served as the Smith County Clerk for the past 15 years and claims to consistently deliver on her promises while operating with fiscal responsibility. She also said that during her first two years in office, she helped reduce the department’s budget by $150,000.

“I have worked hard to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the County Clerk’s Office,” Phillips said. “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Smith County, and I look forward to building on these successes in the years ahead.” Continue reading Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips seeks re-election

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Huntington man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of his wife on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Marriott, 54, of Huntington, was first arrested for murder on May 24, 2022, after officials said he called 911 on May 19 and told law enforcement that he and his wife, Sandra Marriott, had both tried to commit suicide, but only she died.

Angelina County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators later found that he caused Sandra’s death. Christopher pleaded guilty to murder before 217th Judicial District Court judge Bob Inselmann on Monday and was sentenced to serve life in state prison.

His life sentence in state prison started on Monday.

LONGVIEW – Longview High School was sent into a “HOLD” on Wednesday after an altercation broke out between a small number of students, according to our news partner KETK.

Campus staff and administrators responded to the altercation immediately and de-escalated the situation with district safety personnel. Longview High School was sent into a “HOLD” during the altercation, as a part of the district’s Standard Response Protocol. The district did not offer any other information about the altercation on Wednesday.

“The situation was promptly resolved, and those involved are being addressed in accordance with district policy. At no point was there an ongoing threat to the campus. The HOLD followed our Standard Response Protocol. Longview ISD is committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive learning environment for all students, and we appreciate the continued cooperation of our families and staff.”
Longview ISD

BULLARD — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a former employee at Bullard Intermediate School has been arrested amidst an ongoing criminal investigation involving child sex crimes. On Oct. 15, the Bullard ISD Police Department interviewed the suspect, Bryan Taylor, who was relieved from his position on the same day after having only been working there for three months. The school district said all screenings and background checks were conducted as district procedures require.

On Wednesday, Taylor was arrested at his residence and booked into the Anderson County Jail. He has been charged with unlawful restraint and attempted sexual performance by a child and is being held on a $1 million bond. Continue reading Former Bullard employee charged with attempted child sex

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) has lifted the Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions that went into effect earlier this month while the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant was offline after multiple critical equipment failures and flooding in the filter pipe gallery. To help protect the system and maintain reliable service citywide during that time, TWU activated Stage 2 of the City’s Drought Contingency and Emergency Demand Management Plan, which called for a 10% reduction in total daily water use. Repairs have progressed enough to allow the plant to resume operations safely. With both the Lake Palestine and Golden Road Water Treatment Plants now contributing to the water supply, system pressure and capacity have stabilized. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities lifts stage two water restrictions