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WHITEHOUSE — A mother’s trust was shattered when she discovered her 4-year-old son, a high-functioning autistic child, had suffered second-degree burns while under the care of an after-school program. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 18, Marcella Boles, a mother from Whitehouse ISD, reported that she picked up her 4-year-old son from the Mentoring Alliance after-school program at Brown Elementary, finding burns on his arm.

She mentioned that her son, who is high-functioning autistic student, had been placed in a janitor’s closet by a staff member from Mentoring Alliance due to misbehavior. She has seen video evidence showing that Emma Souder took her son to the closet multiple times, locking him in there alone.

Whitehouse ISD has confirmed the incident occurred on school grounds and are cooperating with the investigation. Mentoring Alliance uses the district’s facility but does not work directly with them. Continue reading 4yr old suffers burns during after-school program

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall’s Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) confirmed on Thursday that a bat carrying rabies was found in the Marshall area earlier this week.

On Sept. 29, a Marshall Animal Control Officer collected a bat that was lying on the ground in the 200 block of North Washington Avenue according to our news partner KETK. The bat was later humanely euthanized and sent to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for testing, according to Marshall PD. DSHS told the LRCA that the bat tested positive for rabies, and the LRCA has been monitoring the area where the bat was found to look for any other animals that may have been affected.

“We don’t believe anyone has been exposed, but we are taking this public health issue seriously. Public education is the key because rabies is fatal if left untreated, and it is 100% treatable,” Director of the LRCA and the Marshall Pet Adoption Center Justin Serna said.

To learn more information about rabies and where to access local vaccines, visit the DSHS website.

TYLER — Texas comptroller introduces new statewide online tool designed to put the latest economic and demographic data directly into the hands of Texans. According to our news partner KETK, Texas comptroller Kelly Hancock launched the new online tool, ‘TEXSTATS Dashboard’, today during a visit to Tyler.

Hancock has been in this role since June, giving Texans easier access to information. The technology is all available right now on the Texas comptroller’s website.

“We provide this information online where they can access it and they can learn about education in the area,” Hancock said. “They can learn about population growth in the area. They can learn all the demographics as well.” Continue reading Texas comptroller visits Tyler on his ‘Good for Texas’ tour

QUITMAN — The Quitman Independent School District is investigating allegations that an elementary student was confined to a classroom restroom as a form of punishment. Our news partner KETK is reporting that the school district was informed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. that two staff members had placed a student in the restroom and held the door closed to restrict their movement.

A teacher and a paraprofessional have been placed on administrative leave while the district conducts an investigation. This investigation concluded on Wednesday, leading them to be “no longer assigned to any district campus.” The district reported the situation to the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, parents of all students in the classroom have been notified of the allegations and the district’s actions.

“We know this is concerning, and we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of your children are our top priority,” Mason said. “Thank you for your trust as we continue to provide a safe, caring and supportive learning environment for all students.”

TITUS COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, six people were arrested in the first two days of October following a more than yearlong investigation by multiple agencies in Titus County.

Search warrants related to narcotics were conducted at houses in Mount Pleasant, Winfield and Naples on October 1. During the execution of the warrants, investigators found: 11 illegally possessed firearms, almost a pound of methamphetamine, almost a pound of cocaine and more than a pound of marijuana.

Mount Pleasant Police and the Department of Public Safety said that during the course of the investigation, several kilogram amounts of methamphetamine and several firearms were also seized. Continue reading Yearlong investigation leads to narcotics bust

HUNTSVILLE – The Dallas Morning News reports that death penalty supporters, along with conservative supporters and two Republican lawmakers held a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol urging for Robert Roberson to have a new trial ahead of his scheduled execution in a little over two weeks. Roberson, 58, of Palestine, was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for reportedly shaking his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, to death.

His prosecution relied, in part, on proving Nikki showed a triad of symptoms associated with “shaken baby syndrome” — also known as “abusive head trauma.”

The theory has come under intense scrutiny by scientists and doctors who say it is not grounds to presume abuse. Roberson is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection the evening of Oct. 16 in Huntsville. It is his third execution date in the more than two decades he has spent on death row. Continue reading Supporters call for a new trial for Palestine man

SPRING HILL, Texas – Four ballot items highlight Spring Hill ISD’s latest bond proposal for the November election. SHISD has not passed a bond since 2008. The main highlights include bus replacements, Jr. high improvements, and athletic facilities. The bond was announced via district social media, and official bond website. Continue reading Spring Hill ISD seeking to pass bond this November

HENDERSON – Officials and our news partners at KETK have confirmed at least five cases of tuberculosis at the Bradshaw State Jail in Henderson. These cases occurring between June 23rd and September 24th. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) says they’re aware of these cases and is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to manage them. Officials with UT Health stepped in and took preventative measure to stop further spreading.

SMITH COUNTY –Dr. Jose Serpa has been appointed by the Smith County Commissioners Court, Tyler City Council, and by NET Health as the new Health Authority for Smith County.

Continue reading UT Tyler professor appointed as new Smith County Health Authority

TYLER — West Elm Street in Tyler will be closed through Friday in preparation for consent decree repairs, according to the city. The street will be closed going eastbound from South College Avenue to North Broadway Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers may need to find an alternative route during the closure.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD Superintendent, Marla Sheppard announced the district’s five-year priorities plan aimed at improving educational experience for future Lobos the first State of the District Luncheon. Our news partner kETK is reporting that the district celebrated their achievements at the first State of the District Luncheon where Sheppard officially announced Elevate 2030. The project lays out five big priorities for the district.

“Our theme is embracing ACE and that’s achievement, customer service and excellence,” Sheppard said.

The first two priorities are empowerment through educational excellence and cultivating growth & excellence in staff.

“We now have 83% of our schools that are performing at an A or B level,” Sheppard said. “We have 52 distinctions, up from 40 the year before, so our children are excelling in so many different areas.” Continue reading Longview ISD announces five-year priority plan

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved reconstruction contracts for six county roads on Tuesday as part of a bond program according to our news partner KETK.

The following projects were awarded to the lower bidders for each as part of the Road and Bridge Bond Program. All the projects were awarded to either Texana Land & Asphalt Inc. or A.E. Shull & Company.

County Road 26

CR 26 will be widened with cement stabilization from the existing base material. The area will also be paved with new asphalt for a cost of $1.69 million.
UT Tyler professor appointed as new Smith County Health Authority

These changes will take place from FM 850 to County Road 21, covering 5.16 miles of improvement, with construction scheduled to begin within the next two to three months. Continue reading Six Smith County roads approved for reconstruction

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a contractor from Bullard was arrested on Tuesday for misappropriating approximately $400,000 of his neighbors’ money. He used these funds for personal expenses and to finance his trips to the casino after being hired to rebuild their home, which had been destroyed by a fire.

In January an investigator was contacted by a couple who said that their home had been struck by lightning in early 2024, causing a fire that destroyed a majority of the home. The home was determined to be a total loss by the insurance company, which, in return, settled with the homeowners. Officials said the homeowners then hired their neighbor, 51-year-old Brian Christopher Glass of Bullard, who operates the business, Glass Limitless Homes and Design, to rebuild their home.

“Between April 2024 and July 2024, Glass was paid over $500,000 by the homeowners for the construction,” the sheriff’s office said. “Around July 2024, the victims learned that the subcontractors had quit working due to not being paid by Glass. When the homeowners contacted Glass, he informed them that he needed more money above and beyond the agreed construction price in the signed contract. At this point, the homeowners began paying the subcontractors and businesses owed money for construction materials. This placed a significant strain on their financial situation.” Continue reading Bullard contractor misuses $400K rebuilding funds

SMITH COUNTY – In January 2025, a Smith County Investigator was contacted by a husband-and-wife who informed him that their home had been struck by lightning in early 2024. The lighting strike caused a fire which destroyed a vast majority of their home. The structure was deemed a total loss by the insurance company who, in turn, settled with the homeowners.
The homeowners contacted a neighbor, Brian Christopher Glass – 51 of Bullard, who operates a business by the name of Glass Limitless Homes and Design. Glass was subsequently hired to rebuild their home. Between April 2024 through July 2024, Glass was paid over $500,000 by the homeowners for the construction. Around July 2024, the victims learned that the sub-contractors had quit working due to not being paid by Glass. When the homeowners contacted Glass, he informed them that he needed more money above and beyond the agreed construction price in the signed contract. At this point, the homeowners began paying the sub-contractors and businesses owed money for construction materials. This placed a significant strain on their financial situation.
A lengthy investigation ensued which showed where Glass had appropriated approximately half a million dollars from the homeowners with approximately $400,000 used for personal reasons to include casino visits to Oklahoma and Louisiana. Continue reading Suspect arrested for fraudulent activity