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TYLER — A 33-year-old man was arrested Monday following a DNA swab that came back as a positive match led to the discovery that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in 2020. According to our news partner KETK, Martin Roman Torres was booked into the Smith County Jail Monday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in June 2020, according to an arrest affidavit.

The affidavit claims the girl and her sister ran away from a group home on June 22, 2020, around 7 p.m. The girls were at the park when Torres approached them and began talking to them. He invited the girls to stay with him that night and as they were walking to his home, he wanted to stop for marijuana, the affidavit reported. Continue reading DNA leads to arrest in sexual assault case

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man has been indicted for sexual exploitation of a child and super aggravated sexual assault of a child after he was arrested last November in Baytown for creating explicit photos of minors he knew using artificial intelligence.

According to the Baytown Police Department and our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Kane Kellum was arrested on Nov. 28 after investigators learned that Kellum’s cellphone contained AI-generated explicit photos of known minors. After Kellum’s arrest, the FBI was notified of the case to permit further investigation and potential federal prosecution.
During a federal investigation, investigators stated Kellum had utilized artificial intelligence applications to create explicit images using photographs of a child he personally knew.

Following the federal investigation, Kellum was indicted on Wednesday for four counts related to child sexual abuse material and he was also charged with super aggravated sexual assault of a child based on information discovered during the investigation. Continue reading Man indicted for generating images of minors

TYLER — James Dale Turner, a former Tyler Regions Bank employee, was arrested Monday for the second time after authorities discovered he stole more than $17,000 from the account of a woman who died in February 2025.

According to our news partner KETK, Turner was previously arrested Aug. 15, 2025, for exploiting a different elderly woman with dementia, allegedly stealing $3,812 from her account through cashier’s checks in May and June 2025. At the time, he was employed as a banker at the Tyler branch of Regions Bank and was terminated on July 25, 2025.

An affidavit shows Turner withdrew funds from the deceased woman’s account between October 2024 and May 2025, using cashier’s checks ranging from $500 to $2,000 per transaction, totaling $17,013. Continue reading Arrested for stealing from deceased woman

HENDERSON– A wildfire in the Davy Crockett National Forest is reportedly 80 percent contained after it reached 500 acres on Tuesday. According to the National Forest and Grasslands in Texas, fire crews successfully used aircraft drones to bring the fire under control. Crews will continue to monitor the area to ensure the fire remains within established boundaries.

“We appreciate the continued support of our firefighters and partners working to keep the surrounding communities and public lands safe,” the National Forest and Grasslands in Texas said.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A 20-year-old Van Zandt County man was arrested Feb. 19 after authorities say he fired a gun at a home following a dispute over a 12-pack of soda allegedly thrown at a baby. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded about 6:05 p.m. to a report of a man shooting at a home and driving around while waving a gun.

Deputies located the suspect on Highway 19 near Edgewood and conducted a traffic stop as he drove south toward Canton. Officers identified the suspect as 20-year-old Lucas Charles Lewellyn. He was taken into custody without incident. Continue reading Dispute leads to shots fired

TYLER – On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Tyler City Council adopted the updated Lake Tyler Master Plan, a forward-looking guide that balances water protection, recreation, infrastructure and long-term stewardship of both Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The Master Plan prioritizes expanded water quality monitoring, stronger stormwater practices and targeted erosion control in areas where shoreline stabilization is needed.

The Plan also outlines measured recreation improvements, including completing the Lake Tyler Loop trail and enhancing access to nature-based recreation on City-owned property. In addition, it addresses operations and safety by recommending modernized maintenance systems and strengthened coordination with law enforcement partners during peak seasons.
  Continue reading Water conservation project

Bullard – The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. Micah Dyer as its Lone Finalist for Superintendent. Trustees approved the action at the conclusion of the special meeting on February 24, 2026. “We are blessed and excited to have this opportunity to become part of the Bullard Panther family,” Dr. Dyer said. “Moving back to East Texas has always been our plan. This is a homecoming, and we look forward to working with Bullard ISD to provide amazing opportunities for the children.” Continue reading New superintendent chosen

TYLER — An East Texas woman arrested for a December hit-and-run that killed a 19-year-old cyclist initially claimed she thought she had a tire blowout when the collision occurred. However, after driving past the scene and spotting police vehicles, she reportedly reflected, “I should have went back.”

According to our news partner KETK, footage obtained showed the truck Andrea Tanner was driving allegedly struck Lofton Williams, 19, of Argyle on Dec. 7 near the intersection of Wayside Drive and E. Fifth Street. At around 6:45 p.m., a loud crash can be heard off-screen after Tanner’s black truck was seen traveling the same lane as Williams. After hitting the cyclist, Tanner is seen on footage turning into a Brookshires less than a mile from the crime scene before exiting and driving to the Taco Bell next to it. There, video captures her going in and out of her truck several times and manipulating the grill area and the driver’s side light.

Tanner was taken into the Smith County Jail on Monday and charged with collision involving personal injury or death and is being held on a $250,000 bond. The Tyler Police Department said the case will now be forwarded to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading Suspect arrested in hit and run

ATHENS — An East Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of sexual abuse against children and sexual assault of a minor. According to an indictment from the 173rd Judicial District and our news partner KETK, 35-year-old Ashton Todd Salsman was accused of committing two or more acts of sexual abuse against minors from 2023 to 2024.

On Tuesday, Salsman pleaded guilty to one count of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and one count of aggravated sexual assault against a child. Following his guilty plea, Salsman was sentenced by the 392nd District Court to life in prison.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court received an update Tuesday on the Courthouse Construction Project. Stephen Flournoy, project executive for Hoar Construction, said there is an average of 250-plus workers on the construction site every day. Of all the subcontractors on the job, about 60 percent are East Texas trade partners. Subcontractors that are not from the area are living here for months at a time, contributing to the local economy, he added.

Major milestones that have recently been completed on the project include tying in the underground tunnel from the jail to the new courthouse and backfilling the 30-foot-deep hole. They also got power and natural gas turned on to the building. Masonry of the exterior is in progress, going up over the green water-proofing material, as well as windows going in, he said.
Continue reading Downtown courthouse report

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County residents in the Swan area, near Lindale, voluntarily evacuated their homes because of a controlled burn that got out of control. Firefighters with Smith County Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2 responded to the fire on FM-3271, near State Highway 69, after the call came in at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said the fire was a controlled burn from Monday that was not properly extinguished.

The fire, which he estimated to be 30-to-50 acres, is behind the Office Barn’s property. Aircraft were dumping water to help contain the fire that had spread due to heavy winds. The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to refrain from burning because of the high winds and increased fire danger.

TYLER — Early voting for the March 3 primary election has begun. Many locations are opening for East Texans who want to get to the polls ahead of Election Day. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of early voting locations and times across East Texas where voters can cast their ballot before election day. For more county-specific information, such as hours of operation, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Continue reading Locations for early voting

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on Monday afternoon that left one person injured. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD officers responded to reports of a shooting at West Avalon Avenue, across from the plasma donation center at around 12:27 p.m. on Monday. When they arrived at the scene, they found an adult male who had been shot.

Officials did not release any details about the man’s condition, other than that he was shot. Longview PD investigators think the shooting was an isolated incident and there’s no threat to the public. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

VAN ZANDT – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is requesting residents’ help in finding a suspect who stole copper wire from a property in Fruitvale earlier this month. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, the burglary took place early Feb. 6 when the suspect entered the property in the 1300 block of U.S. Highway 80, near the Grand Saline Creek area and stole two rolls of copper wire.

During the burglary, the property owner captured a photo of the suspect and the vehicle they were driving. Investigators believe the vehicle is either a silver Toyota RAV4 or a Ford Escape. If you recognize the vehicle or suspect your asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-567-4133. or submit tips to Investigator D. Henson at [email protected].

LINDALE — The Lindale Volunteer Fire Department and Smith County Emergency Services District 2 are currently responding to a fire near Highway 69 North and FM 3271, near Blessed Hands BBQ. The Lindale VFD said they are taking precautionary action and evacuating residents near the area as the fire is spreading quickly. State troopers and constables are on scene to direct traffic as one lane has been closed heading toward Tyler as the fire continues spreading quickly.