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ANDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that deputies are seeking information after multiple cars and houses were burglarized in Houston County and Anderson County.

According to officials, on Monday the Houston County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls about burglaries that had happened in the area of FM 1272 and CR 2290. Deputies believe the suspects entered two different homes and attempted to enter two cars.

The sheriff’s office said that they believe the suspects are entering houses that appear to not be occupied full-time and cars that appear to be vacant outside residential neighborhoods to look for firearms, cash and jewelry.

The Anderson and Houston County Sheriff’s Office are currently working together to seek information and are asking individuals with security systems in the area to check their footage between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday.

RUSK COUNTY– UPDATE: At 8:10 p.m., Tuesday, the Rusk County Emergency Management announced that 911 service is restored for both Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson Police Department.

ORIGINAL STORY: Our news partner KETK reports that the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson Police Department said Tuesday morning that their 911 system is down.

According to Rusk County Emergency Management, there is an interruption of 911 service for the sheriff’s office and Henderson Police Department. People can call the agencies for emergencies and non-emergencies using these phone numbers Continue reading UPDATE: Rusk County emergency service system back up

CHEROKEE COUNTY – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a 78-year-old woman was found dead inside her home after a Monday evening fire in Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 8 p.m. about Gallatin Volunteer Fire Department responding to a fire in the 5000 block of FM 347 near Dialville with an elderly woman possibly still inside. Officials said after the fire was extinguished, the 78-year-old woman was found dead inside her home along with some animals around 12:30 a.m.

The state fire marshal’s office will be assisting in the investigation.

GILMER – East Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran spoke along with Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb in Gilmer on Monday to show their appreciation for law enforcement.

Moran’s speech was a part of the East Texans for Liberty political action committee’s Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner according to our news partner KETK. The free dinner was hosted at the Barbwire HALO Cowboy Church at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

“We need to do more of saying thank you to our law enforcement community day in, day out. It shouldn’t just be one week of the year, one day of the year, but we should go out of our way constantly to remind those in the law enforcement community, our first responders, how appreciative we are that they keep our property safe and that they keep us safe,” Moran said.

The event was held as a part of National Police Week which President Donald Trump declared as May 11 through May 17 in a proclamation on Monday.

KILGORE – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the City of Kilgore said the intersection of Danville Drive and Danville Road will be closed this week.

From May 13 though May 16, the intersection will be closed so crews can do repairs to the water main tap on Danville Drive. According to the city, Danville Road will remain open but Danville Drive will become a temporary dead end at the intersection. Danville Drive residents will still be able to access Danville Road through Forest Lane until these repairs are finished and the intersection is reopened.

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) announced that parts of Toll 49 will be closed through Monday evening till early morning on Tuesday. NETRMA said Toll 49 will be closed between State Highway 155 and State Highway 31 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for gantry maintenance.

The agency encourages travelers to find an alternative route during this time frame. Travelers who want to stay updated on closures and road conditions can visit the NET RMA website.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Gov. Greg Abbott continues to seek stricter bail laws after authorities lost track of a murder suspect in Van Zandt County last week.

According to our news partner KETK, Trevor McEuen was due in court, on May 5, after he was charged with murder in connection with the 2023 fatal shooting of Aaron Martinez in Kaufman County. At around 5:33 a.m. that day, McEuen, who had been released from jail after posting a $2,000,000 bond, removed his ankle monitor and left his family’s Van Zandt County home where he was confined to house arrest.

McEuen’s disappearance triggered a search of Van Zandt County and the issuing of a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest after officials concluded that he had left the county.

On Wednesday, FOX4 in Dallas reported that Abbott had a round table discussion centered around his desire for the Texas Legislature to pass new laws that will deny bail to those charged with certain violent offenses. Continue reading Abbott seeks stricter bail laws after East Texas search

HARRISON COUNTY — Authorities are seeking information regarding a Thursday morning shooting in Harrison County according to our news partner KETK.

According to a release from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred at the intersection of FM 9 and FM 1999 around 10:30 a.m. A witness described the vehicle as a black or blue 2013-2018 Kia. The person officials are searching for is described as being a Black man, 5 feet 6 inches tall to 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a slender build and short hair. At the time, he was wearing a pattern shirt with blue jeans.

The public is asked not to approach the suspect as they are considered armed and dangerous. The sheriff’s office said those with information about the suspect or the case can contact Investigator Rocco Bruno at 903-923-4000 or remain anonymous by calling crime stoppers at 903-935-9969.

LUFKIN — Child marriages in Texas could end this year, as state lawmakers debate a proposal that would close a loophole from a 2017 law that allows certain 16- and 17-year-olds to wed.

House Bill 168 by state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Houston Democrat, would also nullify all existing marriage licenses involving minors, including those who move into the state after being married elsewhere.

The Texas House could vote on the matter as early as Saturday. For it to become law, the legislation would also need approval from the Senate.

Marriage among teenagers is rare after lawmakers took steps in 2017 to curb the practice. Still, Rosenthal believes the practice must be abolished entirely. Continue reading Texas may end all child marriages

BULLARD – According to a press release from Bullard ISD, on Tuesday, May 13, Bullard High School is hosting a scheduled CHRISTUS EMS and Flight For Life school visit for its Health Sciences students. These students will spend the day rotating through the vehicles during class to get hands-on experience. The visit will include the helicopter, ambulance, and a training trailer. The helicopter is expected to land in the Band parking lot behind the school between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Christus says, please do not be alarmed if you see or hear the helicopter in the area.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man in connection with two burglaries, according to our news partner, KETK.

The sheriff’s office said Wayne Nathaniel “Nate” Hooser is wanted for burglary of habitation and burglary of a building in Lakeway Harbor. Hooser was previously arrested for burglary of a building, failure to ID, being a fugitive from justice, and criminal trespass.

Those who have information regarding Hooser’s whereabouts can contact Detective Justin Eakin by phone at 903-590-2969 or email at JEakin@[email protected]. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is also available at 903-566-6600.

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, 21 year-old man was found dead inside a Texarcana home on Saturday.

Officials responded to the home on Carroll Street after receiving reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found the 21-year-old dead and a 52-year-old injured. The 52-year-old was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. This marks the first homicide investigation of the year for the department and anybody with information is asked to contact them at 903-798-3875 or Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP to leave an anonymous tip.

”It looks like the shooter – or shooters – fired several rounds into the house from the street before running off,” the department said.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information.

WACO – Our news partner KETK is reporting that Whitehouse native and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Waco on Saturday.

Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl Champion, was quarterback for the Whitehouse High School Wildcats before playing for Texas Tech University in college. Whitehouse ISD Athletics congratulated him on his achievements and being a part of the 2025 Texas High School Football Hall of Fame class.

“Congratulations to our very own Patrick Mahomes on being inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame! From Friday night lights at Whitehouse High to the brightest stage in the NFL, Patrick has always represented our community with class, grit and heart. This honor is a testament to his hard work, leadership, and the legacy he continues to build both on and off the field. Congratulations, Patrick! Your journey continues to inspire young athletes here in East Texas and across the country. We’re so proud to call you one of our own!”
Whitehouse ISD Athletics

Mahomes wasn’t the only #bEASTTexas legend to be honored this year. Legendary Gilmer Buckeyes football coach Jeff Traylor and longtime East Texas sports broadcaster David Smoak were right alongside Mahomes in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

TYLER – The Dollar General Literacy Fund recently awarded $61,500 in literacy grants to East Texas nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools.

“For over 30 years, the Foundation has been investing in literacy and basic education programs in our hometown communities,” executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Denine Torr told our news partner KETK. “Today’s grant announcement is a celebration of our unwavering commitment to student and teacher success. We are grateful to all the grant recipients for their commitment to advancing education and helping students thrive.”

The Texan organizations receiving the grants are expected to help more than 50,000 individuals. The grants will help support schools, public libraries and nonprofit organizations that are within a 15 mile radius of a Dollar General Store or distribution center.

A list of the donations and the programs that received them can be found here.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department praised several officers and medics on Thursday for the brave actions they displayed when an officer was shot on duty. According to our news partner KETK, Officer R. Leininger received the Purple Heart award for taking a gunshot wound to the leg while trying to arrest a suspect in a vehicle burglary incident.

After Leininger was shot, Officer Kientz placed a tourniquet on his bleeding leg while Officer Jones secured the suspect. Jones noticed that Leininger needed a second tourniquet and assisted Kientz in applying the second tourniquet. Kientz and Jones’ immediate actions helped stabilize Leininger until medical assistance arrived and were awarded Lifesaving Awards. Continue reading Longview officer awarded Purple Heart

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD announced on Friday that 17-year-old Longview High School student Colleen Cleaver died earlier this month. According to our news partner KETK, Cleaver was an 11th-grade student at Longview High School who died on May 3. Longview ISD is not currently sharing details out of respect for Cleaver’s family.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Colleen Cleaver, a student at Longview High School,” Longview ISD said. “On behalf of Longview ISD, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Colleen’s family, friends and the educators who supported her. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with all who knew and loved Colleen.” The district extends its deepest condolences to the family and counseling services will be available to students and staff.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has been arrested for murder after allegedly fatally shooting a man during a speeding dispute on Wednesday night, an on-view arrest complaint from the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office reveals. According to our news partner KETK, an Angelina County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call from a man identified as Phillip Hunter Gersbach of Lufkin, who told dispatch that he had shot someone at around 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The deputy noticed an unresponsive man on the ground and performed CPR on the victim while Gersbach remained near the patrol unit.

Once the second deputy arrived, they took over chest compressions on the victim while the first deputy took the suspect into custody. The deputy put the suspect in the back seat of her patrol unit to deescalate the situation as a woman at the scene was “irate and hostile.” MS arrived on the scene and declared the man dead at 11:37 p.m. after no pulse could be found. The arrest document states that Gersbach was then read his Miranda rights and interviewed about what happened. Continue reading Lufkin man arrested for murder after speeding dispute

TYLER — Pope Leo XIV was celebrated today in Tyler by a local bishop who dedicated an official mass to the new pontiff. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Bishop Greg Kelly dedicated a mass to honor the new pope, Chicago-born Robert Prevost.

“At the very heart of it is the personal encounter with Christ to come to know, love and serve him and the ongoing conversion that calls to us throughout our life,” Kelly said.

Kelly is “still learning more about the new Pope” and is “fascinated by the Pontiff’s choice to take the name Pope Leo XIV.” Bishop Kelly is also “just as surprised” that the new pope is American and is filled with anticipation to see what Pope Leo XIV will accomplish.

LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK reports that this May, Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center is recognizing National Stroke Awareness month by bringing attention to the risk factors and prevention methods that are associated with the disease.

According to local medical professionals a stroke is defined as a disruption of blood flow due to the blockage of an artery most commonly caused by a blood clot. Joe Bowers, the stroke medical director at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center, said that about 85% of strokes are labeled as ischemic strokes and the remaining 15% are considered hemorrhagic strokes.

Bowers described how damaging a stroke could be to the brain. “For every minute that you’re having a stroke you’re losing millions of brain cells. That varies depending on the size of the stroke and what part. The longer you go, the more the brain is being affected,” said Bowers. “Within the first few hours there’s this window where those brain cells are kind of stunned but they’re salvageable. After the first few hours those brain cells typically don’t recover. So the quicker we can intervene, the more likely we can salvage more brain tissue that hasn’t been permanently injured. Continue reading Longview medical professionals share stroke prevention tips

UPDATE: Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was arrested on Wednesday for two counts of official oppression and two counts of tampering with a witness.

Franklin is currently being held at the Van Zandt County Detention Center

ORIGINAL STORY: RAINS COUNTY – An East Texas judge is accused of threatening a defendant, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, alleges that Justice of the Peace Jenkins Franklin threatened Coby Wiebe to enter a guilty plea in a criminal case over which he had no jurisdiction, saying, “I heard you have a problem with me, boy. You take that deal, boy — or dead men can’t testify.” Two days later, the defendant entered a no-contest plea in a felony case. Continue reading UPDATE: East Texas judge arrested for oppression, witness tampering

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department is looking for a suspect identified in a string of burglaries at two oil change businesses in Texas and one in Arkansas.

Surveillance video from a nearby apartment complex captured two men carrying a safe while running from one of the businesses, Texarkana PD said. Authorities identified one suspect as Jaquavion Williams and issued felony warrants for his arrest. Williams told detectives he would turn himself in, but that did not happen.

Police are asking for those with information about William’s whereabouts to call them at 903-798-3116 or contact Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP. People with information can stay anonymous and possibly earn a $1,000 reward.

TYLER — Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was involved in a leadership assessment while working in the Vatican, that lead to Bishop Joseph Strickland’s removal from the Diocese of Tyler in 2023 according to our news partner KETK.

The Vatican Dicastery for Bishops performed a formal investigation of Strickland looking into his social media use and diocesan management. Strickland, who served at the Diocese of Tyler for 11 years, faced criticism on several posts including a tweet that said Pope Francis was “undermining the Deposit of Faith.”Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson conducted the investigation and concluded that Strickland’s tenure in office should not continue.

Pope Francis, known for his more progressive values, was open about his concerns with conservatives being in the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Strickland opposed Francis’ stance on LGBTQ Catholics and having women in governance, according to the Associated Press. Continue reading Pope Leo XIV helped remove Bishop Strickland from Diocese

GOLDEN OAKS – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a woman was attacked by a pack of dogs in Golden Oaks Wednesday night and had to be airlifted to a local hospital.

Around 8:41 p.m., Payne Springs Fire Rescue volunteers received a call about a woman who was attacked by a pack of dogs and experienced traumatic injuries, officials said. When volunteers arrived, they requested UT Health Air 1 launch to the Gun Barrel City Fire helicopter pad.

The woman’s condition is unknown at this time.

HENDERSON COUNTY – A man arrested in Gun Barrel City has been sentenced to life in prison after multiple grams of illegal drugs were found inside his vehicle, according to our news partner KETK.

Jeffrey Lee Sharp was arrested in October 2023 during a routine traffic stop. According to officials, during the stop an investigator smelled marijuana coming from Sharp’s car, which led him to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search a clear baggie that contained multiple baggies with methamphetamine and a bag of marijuana.

During the court hearing, the jury heard testimony stated that Sharp was a habitual offender, which extended his sentence. Sharp was previously sentenced to 35 years in prison for delivery of a controlled substance and was on parole at the time of his arrest. Continue reading Henderson County man sentenced to life in prison

WASHINGTON — Congressman Nathaniel Moran from East Texas introduced the No Tax on Overtime Act on Tuesday which would allow for up to 300 hours of qualified overtime compensation. According to our news partner KETK, the deduction means the first 300 hours of overtime worked is tax free within a taxable year. A press release from the Moran House website said the bill will also remove 100% of income taxes on a 50% overtime pay premium for over 90 million hourly workers. For people who work time and a half, this means the half part of that pay will be tax free.

This legislation is directed toward those who make up to $100,000 and couples who make a combined $200,00, the release said. President Trump supports the bill as a long time advocate for policy that helps working class Americans. Continue reading Rep. Moran introduces No Tax on Overtime Act

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in a residential neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.

According to our news partner KETK, the shooting occurred around 1:30 p.m. outside a home near Wilson and Culverhouse streets. The suspects were seen driving a gray four door Nissan sedan according to Lufkin PD. Nobody was injured during the shooting and officials believe this was a targeted incident. Witnesses were unable to identify a suspect and Lufkin PD is still seeking information. Anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 639-TIPS or contact the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 633-0359.