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SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners voted on Tuesday afternoon to honor the memory of two firefighters who were killed in the line of duty while battling a house fire in 2007. According to our news partner KETK, the court voted to rename a portion of FM 2493, or Old Jacksonville, as the “Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway” in memory of the two firefighter who died after responding to a house fire. During the meeting Council member Neal Franklin reflected on the tragedy.

“It was a tough time in the fire service and a tough time for everybody. It brings back some hard moments but we are here to honor those individuals today,” Franklin said.

The Noonday Volunteer Fire Department crew, including Williams and Cheek, responded to a house fire located at 20188 FM 2493 on Aug. 3, 2007 at around 1:35 a.m. Continue reading Smith County Commissioner Court honors fallen firefighters

HARRISON COUNTY — A Marshall man was arrested on Tuesday following an ongoing investigation into crack-cocaine trafficking. According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, officers searched a home on 329 Floyd Evans Road where they found crack-cocaine on the property.

During the search, officials said they identified the property owner as 72-year-old James Earl Rudd who has an extensive criminal record, including prior convictions for drug trafficking and homicide.

Rudd was arrested for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and was booked into the Harrison County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed officials said.

MABANK — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Dallas man has died after his vehicle crashed into an embankment and was submerged under water on Saturday in Mabank.

Officers with the Mabank Police Department were dispatched to the 17000 block of eastbound U.S. Highway 175 in reference to a vehicle crash. Once officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses who said the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into the bridge embankment and was submerged under water. Authorities attempted to remove the man from the vehicle however after several attempts, “officers realized that a rescue was not likely due to vehicle’s position in the water and the damage sustained during the crash.”

A short time later, officers pulled the vehicle from the water and located the man dead inside. The man was identified as Bradley Michael Leonard, 68 of Dallas. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

KARNACK— Our news partner, KETK, reports that one man was injured in Harrison County after an officer-involved shooting occurred Monday evening. According to the Harrison County Sheriffs Office, around 7:12 p.m. their communications office received a 911 call regarding a white male trying to enter into a home on Pine Island Rd. Officers reported hearing a man yelling in the background as the situation unfolded through the phone.

While deputies were enroute, the person who called 911 informed them the man had successfully entered the home and had a gun. Everyone inside the home were able to escape safely to a neighboring property.

When deputies arrived, the man allegedly appeared on the front porch armed with a firearm. Officials said the subject then pointed the firearm in the direction of the deputies, prompting them to respond by firing their service weapons striking him. Continue reading Man injured after an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County

LONGVIEW — A Longview gymnastics instructor, Matthew Orban, 52, has been  charged with sexual assault of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, the incident involving Orban occurred on or around March 1, 2016. Orban reportedly turned himself into the Gregg County Jail on Dec. 12 and was released the same day on a $75,000 bond.

Orban is co-founder of Faith Flip alongside Nicole Orban, whose mission is to reach and teach children in a “loving, caring environment.” The nonprofit is located in the Longview Mall where they provide tumbling and trampoline instruction while teaching life lessons through the Holy Bible.

Orban is scheduled to appear in the 188th district court on April 9 at 9 a.m. for a status hearing.

EDOM – Van Zandt County leaders held a townhall to inform residents of their future plans to move out of the current courthouse building. On Monday night, according to our news partner KETK, dozens of residents were able to hear two plans for the county. The first proposed project is to completely move their courthouse operations to a building downtown. The second proposed project is to build a brand-new jail and Sheriff’s office. The county’s current courthouse was built in 1937 and is need of major renovations.

County Commissioner Brandon Barton said documents and the amount of people living in Van Zandt County has outgrown the 88-year-old building.

“From 2010 to 2020, the county grew at 25% and they’re projecting that for the future also,” said Van Zandt Co. Precinct 4 county commissioner, Brandon Barton said.

“We’ve had water problems, we’ve had leak problems, the walls in the courthouse are crumbling. We’ve run out of space, we have no more room,” Barton said. Continue reading Van Zandt Co. leaders plan to move out of old courthouse

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department is asking the public to help them locate two men who were last seen on Tuesday, Jan. 28. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Saxon is a 6’1? tall 79-year-old white man who weighs around 220 pounds. Michael “Mike” Allen is a 5’7? tall 44-year-old white man who weighs around 160 pounds.

Both men where last seen in Angelina County on Jan. 28, according to Lufkin PD. Officials are also searching for Saxton’s silver Ford F-150 pick-up truck with an extended cab and the dealer tag #31C883A. Anyone with information about the men or the truck is asked to call the Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356 or the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office at 936-634-3331.

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a UT Tyler employee was reportedly hosting child pornography online before he was arrested on Thursday, arrest records have revealed. A criminal investigator for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Task Force started an investigation after they found at least one file of interest to child porn investigations being hosted on the BitTorrent network, which is designed for people to share files with one another.

Using a computer running investigative BitTorrent software, the investigator was able to find a direct connection to a singular IP address which let them download files being hosted by that address.
On Tuesday, Nov.12 between 11:30 and 11:58 p.m., a download of two files of interest was completed.

One file was a video that depicted two white girls who were both under the age of 15 performing a various sexual acts. Another download was conducted later that same day and that video reportedly contained a girl under 7-years-old, according to arrest documents. Continue reading UT Tyler employee arrested for hosting child pornography online

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department were notified by a citizen on Saturday around 2:20 p.m. of a possible body in a wooded area in the 4700 block of Tanglewood. Officers then reportedly identified the body as Nyah Newton who went missing on Jan. 10.

“There are no obvious signs of foul play in this case, however, an autopsy has been requested. At this time the investigation is still ongoing,” Longview PD said.

Investigators said they have met with family and updated them on the case.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking the public’s help as they search for a missing 21-year-old woman. Officials said Nyah Newton was last seen in the 4480 block of Tanglewood Road. She is described as being around 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 90 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman was arrested for aggravated robbery after she allegedly tried to steal a woman’s purse at a Longview business.

According to Longview PD, on Jan. 31 around 4:40 p.m. officers responded to a robbery at a business in the 1000 block of North Eastman Road. Officials said that officers contacted the victim who said another woman had tried to steal her purse and left her with bodily injuries. The victim was transported by Longview Fire EMS to a local hospital where she was treated. Investigators later identified the suspect as 46-year-old, LaCarol Joyce Henderson of Longview.

Henderson was booked into Gregg County Jail on Sunday for aggravated robbery and was released on a $50,000 bond.

Tyler – Tyler ISD Fine Arts is hosting the Carnegie Hall Link-Up Wednesday February 5 at 9:30 a.m in the Caldwell Arts Academy. All Tyler ISD 4th and 5th-grade students will perform with their voices and recorders from their seats. A partnership with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra (ETSO) gives nearly 4,000 students the experience to perform with the ETSO. The Tyler ISD District Honors Choir, student actors , Tyler High Drumline and Tyler ISD Recorder Choir will all be on the stage with ETSO.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Hines at 903-262-1064.

LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police Department said that a man last seen on Friday was found dead in a wooded area.

Joe Flood, 66 of Lufkin, was reportedly last seen at his home in the 200 block of Echo Lane between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31. A Lufkin Police Department lieutenant told KETK on Monday that Flood had been found dead in a wooded area. Lufkin PD is investigating his death but they do not believe he was the victim of a crime.

Lufkin PD said Flood left his phone, wallet and keys at home before leaving on foot.

Tyler – Tyler ISD invites students, staff, families, and community members to join in the district-wide celebration of Black History Month. Throughout February, campuses will host various events to honor the legacy, achievements, and cultural contributions of Black Americans. This year’s celebrations promise to be an enriching experience filled with education, reflection, and unity. These campus celebrations will feature student performances, interactive exhibits, guest speakers, and historical showcases that highlight the invaluable contributions of Black Americans. Through these activities, students and staff embrace the opportunity to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black culture. Continue reading Tyler ISD celebrates Black History Month

MYRTLE SPRINGS – The Wills Point Fire Department has confirmed that three people were injured in a three vehicle crash on Interstate 20 this morning.

According to our news partner KETK, two vehicles and an ambulance reportedly crashed at around 4 a.m. on Sunday in the west bound lane of Interstate 20 near the 518 mile marker at the Turner-Hayden Road exit, west of Myrtle Springs. The Texas Department of Public Safety, EMS and the Wills Point Fire Department all responded to the scene and three people were taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital, according to the fire department.

Officials confirmed the three people are in stable but good condition as of 2:39 p.m. on Sunday. Interstate 20 was closed following the crash but was later cleared and reopened at around 6 a.m. this morning.

UPDATE: Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Wood County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Timothy Nall on child sexual assault charges.

In 2023, KETK reported that Nall was arrested for charges of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Earlier this month, KETK’s Ashlyn Anderson spoke with that victim’s family about the seeming lack of progress in the case against Nall following his last arrest. Continue reading UPDATE: Former Mineola pastor arrested in child sexual assault case

HAWKINS — In the wake of an eventful month for Hawkins, including the resignation of the city’s third police chief and increasing calls to disband the police department, Mayor Deborah Rushing now faces growing pressure to step down. Rushing, who took office as mayor in April 2024 for the small town of Hawkins (population 1,401), is now named in a lawsuit filed by Shahaub Tafreshinejad, son of Alderwoman Eleta Taylor, seeking her removal from office.

According to our news partner KETK, the 26-page lawsuit alleges that Rushing displayed “early signs of incompetence and misconduct” due to issues such as illegal dual-office holding. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Rushing simultaneously served as both the mayor and municipal judge, a position forbidden by law.

The document also accuses Rushing of repeatedly using her mayoral position to place herself on the city council’s agenda, despite lacking the necessary support. The lawsuit details how, after multiple failed attempts to get on the agenda, Rushing’s persistence led to an “unwilling” council decision to appoint her, described as occurring “under duress” following what was characterized as “borderline harassment” from Rushing. Continue reading Hawkins mayor faces lawsuit, calls to resign

RUSK – According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County officials have seized 19 illegal gambling machines from three businesses operating in Rusk. Members of the Special Investigative Unit from the sheriff’s office and Jacksonville Police Department started a month-long undercover investigation of the three businesses after receiving numerous complaints about illegal gambling from the community.

The 19 machines were seized from: Big Easy Market and Game on 591 N. Main Street, Rusk Eagle Mart at 555 South Dickinson Drive, DK’s/Skeeter’s Gas Station at 467 North Dickinson Drive. $66,000 was seized along with the 19 machines and that the stores will remain open for business without the illegal gambling machines. Investigations into other illegal gambling operations across the county including in Jacksonville, Mount Selman and Alto are in progress. Continue reading 19 illegal gambling machines seized in Rusk

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas – Two people were arrested on Friday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reportedly found methamphetamines, heroin and pills in an RV. Our news partners at KETK report that narcotics investigators, K9 units and other deputies executed a search warrant for a recreational vehicle hidden in a wooden area near Moore Station.
Continue reading Two arrested in Henderson County RV drug bust

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas woman was found guilty on Thursday of murdering her 19-month-old son. According to our news partner KETK, Hanna Ruth Moses was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

A release from the Nacogdoches Assistant District Attorney’s Office said the toddler, Thomas Blake Rogers, was born prematurely and was developmentally delayed. He was removed from the care of Moses in June 2021 for medical neglect and was underweight. The boy was returned to Moses in March 2022 and a few weeks later suffered a displaced femur fracture despite being unable to roll, crawl, or walk.

Thomas remained under the care of his mother, and on May 30, 2022, a 911 call was made by Moses who said her son was not breathing and attempted to do CPR for 30 minutes before making the call to 911. When first responders arrived, they found him unresponsive, wet and with his ankles “bound tightly” with a shoestring. Life-saving measures were performed on Thomas until they reached the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where they reportedly found bruises developing from his head to his toes on both sides of his body. He also had significant bleeding in his brain. Continue reading East Texas mother sentenced to life for killing her son

SMITH COUNTY – Earlier this week, a Smith County jury convicted Claude Eugene Montgomery Jr. of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver (a 1st Degree Felony). The jury ultimately sentenced Montgomery to 60 years in prison. Smith County Prosecutors, Emil Mikkelsen and Kasey Sirianni, presented evidence that Montgomery possessed over 100 multicolored methamphetamine pills in the shape and likeness of various super-hero logos and common prescription pills such as Xanex. Prosecutors proved that Montgomery intended to sell said narcotics on the streets. During the sentencing phase of the trial, the State brought forth Montgomery’s extensive criminal history—including two 2016 drug dealing convictions for which Montgomery had received a 45-year prison sentence. The jury learned that Montgomery had been released on parole after servicing just 6 years of that sentence. Continue reading Early parolee sentenced to 60 years in prison

TYLER — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Bullard man has been arrested by college police after being in possession of child pornography.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force received information regarding possible child pornography back in November. Following an investigation, officials obtained a search warrant and reportedly found child pornography after analyzing the electronic devices from a Bullard home. Task Force Investigators contacted the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department, and requested assistance in arresting Brandon Reeves Baschnagel, 41 of Bullard, for possession with intent to promote child pornography.

The UT Tyler PD then turned him over to investigators. Baschnagel is now booked into the Henderson County Jail and charges will be filed in Henderson County and Cherokee County, according to the sheriff’s office.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s ordinance that requires owners to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats will go into effect starting this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. According to our news partner KETK, the ordinance was proposed by the city in order to fix their stray animal problem and to prevent overcrowding. This push to limit the amount of stray animals in Longview comes after a man was attacked and killed by a pack of stray dogs last February.

The Longview Animal Advisory committee worked for months to find a solution to overcrowding and the safety of their residents. The ordinance will require owners of stray dogs and cats to be sterilized. Sterilization requirements and the intact pet permit include exemptions such as infertility or chronic health issues, according to the city. Continue reading New animal ordinance takes effect Saturday in Longview

LINDALE – School choice is one step closer to becoming a reality in the State of Texas despite public school officials’ disapproval according to our news partner KETK. The Texas Senate Education Committee is allowing the school voucher legislation to go up for a floor vote in the coming days. The governor has made this a top legislative priority, but some public school officials and lawmakers are fighting back.

Senate Bill 2 would create education savings accounts per student and lawmakers would approve $1 billion to get this program started. It’s money that Lindale ISD superintendent Stan Surratt said could go toward improving public schools instead.

The vote was 9-2 in the State Senate Education Committee with all Republicans voting to advance the school choice bill to a floor vote. Continue reading School choice bill will move towards Texas Senate

TYLER — Smith County residents are encouraged to attend an informative immigration Q&A session where specialists and Sheriff Larry Smith will address community concerns and provide insight into recent changes at the federal level. According to our news partner KETK, the session will be held at the Garnica Event Center behind El Norteño restaurant on 1027 E. NE Loop 323 in Tyler on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. The event will offer a valuable opportunity for local residents to engage directly with experts, ask questions about current immigration policies and how they may affect the community, especially in light of the new presidential administration’s recent actions. Whether people have specific questions about legal processes, enforcement practices or how recent policy shifts could impact their community, this is a chance for the community to get accurate, up-to-date information.

Lawyers and other East Texas sheriffs are expected to be at the event, however a full list will soon be published on Facebook.

Residents are encouraged to bring their own questions and participate in this open forum. However, those who will not be able to attend, can soon submit their questions on the Facebook event page and watch a livestream of the session.

TYLER – The Texas Agriculture Commissioner has reappointed a Tyler man to the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority (TAFA) Board on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Ted F. Conover will continue serving as the board’s chairman and agricultural lending representative.

Conover was the president and chief executive officer of Heritage Land Bank from 1985 to 2005 and the held the same positions at the Bank of Tyler from 2005 to 2010. Conover has served on the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors Board of Directors, the State Advisory Board for Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership and the Advisory Committee for the Dean of Agricultural Sciences at East Texas A&M University.

Conover received a master’s degree in general agriculture from East Texas A&M University in 1973 and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in 1999.

TAFA is a public authority designed to provide financial assistance to expand products, production, processing, marketing and exporting in Texas agriculture.

LONGVIEW — When Paul Guidroz heard his East Texas town could build an electric vehicle charging station, he began to think of what it could mean for the local economy.

Drivers traveling along Interstate 20 could pull into town, charge up and give a boost to small businesses, he said.

“They could stop here, get a coffee at one of our local coffee shops or even lunch while they charge their vehicles,” said Guidroz, Longview’s Main Street Coordinator who helps support local businesses.

The town of 83,236 sandwiched between Tyler and Shreveport, Louisiana, is on 56 stops the Texas Department of Transportation, or TxDOT, identified to establish the state’s “Electric Alternative Fuels Corridor.” The corridor is largely paid for by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill signed by President Joe Biden. Continue reading Longview debates where to place EV charging stations