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VAN ZANDT COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man is among the 244 people arrested in connection to the FBI’s Operation Soteria as they combat the exploitation of children in the digital space.

The Grand Saline Police Departmet received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about suspected child sexual abuse material uploaded on the internet.

During an investigation, officers discovered a suspect’s residence and conducted a search warrant in April that resulted in several electronic devices being seized. Walter Lynn Baird was arrested on April 14 and charged with possession of child pornography, then charged with indecency with a child sexual contact on May 15, according to the police department. Continue reading East Texas man among those arrested in FBI’s Operation Soteria

WINONA — According to our news partner KETK, Winona residents were left outraged after a town hall meeting was held on Tuesday, where they discovered the reason for high water and sewage rates costing them hundreds of dollars

The Winona City Council brought in Texas Rural Water Association wastewater specialist Louis Booth to discuss why several residents are seeing an increase in their water and sewage bills. After a rate study was conducted by the association, it was proposed that water and wastewater rates should see increases to generate more revenue for the companies. During the meeting, Booth told residents that their water rate would see a $14.16 increase and their wastewater rate would see a $17.75 increase. Continue reading Winona residents left outraged over water, sewage

LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK reports that one firefighter was injured after a house fire in Longview early Wednesday morning.

According to the Longview Fire Department, around 12:45 a.m. firefighters responded to a fully involved house fire at 101 Harlem Avenue where one firefighter was treated and released for an injury after performing roof operations. Officials said crews found the structure to be vacant and the fire caused around $68,000 in damage.

NACOGDOCHES – According to our new partner KETK, a Union Pacific Railroad worker died on Monday while working near the South Fredonia Street railway crossing in Nacogdoches.

The Nacogdoches Police Department said officers responded to reports that a someone had been struck by a train at around 3:28 p.m. on Monday. In a statement obtained by KETK, Union Pacific Railroad said they were saddened by this loss.

“We are saddened by the loss of a Union Pacific employee in Nacogdoches, Texas. The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m. CDT on June 9, is under investigation. Our sincerest sympathies are with his family, friends and co-workers.”
Union Pacific Railroad

Continue reading Union Pacific worker killed by train in Nacogdoches

PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the future of the NASA’s balloon launches at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine is coming into question due to proposed budget cuts for 2026. According to a NASA 2026 budget technical supplement released on Tuesday, cuts are being made to the the NASA Astrophysics Research program to align with President Donald Trump’s Budget Request for 2026.

These cuts include the Balloons, Astrophysics Data Analysis Program, which would have it’s 2026 budget eliminated entirely. In a statement shared with KETK by a NASA scientist at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, NASA officials urged calm because they are still in the budget negotiation process.

The Palestine facility launches 15 scientific balloons for NASA each year and is a NASA funded federal facility that would close without federal funding.

TYLER – Starting on July 1, Texas will no longer be issuing paper license plates. Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 718 into law back in 2023 which will now require dealers to issue metal plates to buyers at the time of sale according to our news partner KETK.

On Tuesday, the Smith County Tax Office hosted a free training for vehicle dealers regarding the new law. Paper tags issued prior to July 1 will remain valid until expiration. The different types of tags that will be provided are as follows: buyer’s temporary tags, dealer’s temporary tags, 30-day & one-trip permits, dealer agent tags, dealer vehicle specific tags and internet down tags.

Texans buying a vehicle from a dealer will receive metal license plates at the time of delivery, allowing them to immediately display the plates while awaiting their registration window sticker. Continue reading Smith County holds training for new license plate law

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being arrested for trafficking a child in last summer. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler police arrested 25-year-old James Emmitt Dews III and 24-year-old Hannah Nicole Moore for trafficking a child. Authorities say their investigation started when the teen’s mother reported finding messages on her child’s cellphone from two people later identified as Dews and Moore. Officers said that Dews and Moore arranged for the minor to have sex with different people. This was an arrangement that Dews and Moore profited from.

In a later interviews, the teen identified Dews as her “pimp”. She said that Moore handled “all the adds” on a website that featured prostitutes and escorts. Also, that Moore would “set up the johns” for the teenager to have sex for money. Dews pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for trafficking a person. Moore was released out on bond on September of last year and has been in and out of court multiple times since January.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report a man is still on the run and a woman was detained after a high speed police chase early Tuesday morning in Tyler, officials said. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was trying to make a traffic stop on a car near Loop 323 and Texas College Road early Tuesday morning when the driver drove off reaching speeds of 100 mph. The man slowed down the car in front of the Rose Valley Apartments and jumped out of the drivers side and ran through the complex but was not found, officials said. Afterwards, a woman jumped into the driver’s side and began driving the car into the complex. The sheriff’s office said she jumped out of the car and was detained but suffered from abrasions, scrapes and broken teeth. Officials identified her as Danija Blessiana Dixon, 21 of Tyler, and when the driver is identified the appropriate charges will be filed.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that the Tyler Police Department said one person is in critical condition after a sedan and an SUV crashed on U.S. Highway 69 in Tyler on Tuesday. According to Tyler PD, a white sedan was traveling north on Highway 69 at around noon when the sedan attempted to turn left onto FM 2016. When the sedan turned, it crossed the path of a black SUV heading south on Highway 69, causing the crash.The driver of the sedan was taken to a local hospital, where they are currently in critical condition, according to Tyler PD. Three people in the SUV were also taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Tyler PD said only one lane is open on both sides of U.S. 69 to the north and south of FM 2016. The department asked drivers to avoid the area as they investigate the crash scene.

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of County Road 2173 that suffered a culvert washout due to heavy rains has been closed until the pipe can be replaced. Also known as Carl Dowdy Road, the closed portion of the road is near Paluxy and southwest of Whitehouse. The road will be closed until the pipe comes in and can be repaired. Please use an alternate route.

Smith County has a road closure map on their website. Click here to see what roads or county buildings are closed.

TYLER — Beginning Tuesday, June 24, at 7 a.m., Neighborhood Services will reopen its Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List for the first time since the pandemic. Applications will be accepted online only through 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, allowing eligible applicants to access housing assistance.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government’s primary tool for helping low-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities afford safe, decent homes in the private rental market. Accepted applicants may use the assistance to lease single-family homes, apartments, or townhomes, not limited to public housing units.

“Access to housing is foundational. It is what helps families build stability and move forward,” said Prentice Butler, Housing Manager for the City of Tyler. “Reopening this list gives our residents a fair shot at finding a safe place to live and thrive.” Continue reading City of Tyler opens housing voucher applications

TYLER – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made a brief appearance in Tyler to discuss several pending bills, including Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC from Texas. According to our news partner KETK during the press conference, Patrick said more than 8,000 smoke shops have opened in Texas and that these shops are statistically located near high schools to lure students. “We have to take care of our young people and our schools; this is an organized assault on the State of Texas by the cannabis industry,” Patrick said.

When asked if regulating the usage of THC, Patrick said it would never be possible:

“You can’t regulate 8,000 to 9,000 shops. We don’t have enough law enforcement for that,” Patrick said. “Our number one issue as elected officials is public safety it is up to us to protect the public, and this has the potential to destroy this entire generation of young people coming up.”

While Patrick believes that SB 3 will have a positive impact across the state, several East Texas business owners spoke about the potential negative implications. Co-owner of Dragon’s Breath in North Tyler said a full THC ban will do more harm than good. Continue reading Patrick says THC businesses are targeting East Texas youth

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department, with the help of their K9 Gator, arrested a woman who had escaped from a community correctional facility on Sunday afternoon.

Around 4:50 p.m. Olivia Alexandria May, 32 of New Boston, escaped from the Bowie County Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for women but she was soon tracked down by their K9 “Gator” and several officers. Officials said May was found in the woods behind Highland Park Baptist Church and was arrested for unauthorized absence of a community correction facility. She is currently being held in the Bi-State Jail on a $30,000 bond.

CAMP COUNTY – A man was killed after a tree fell through his mobile home on Sunday night near Pittsburg, according to our news partner KETK.

Deputies responded around 11:48 p.m.to a mobile home on Farm to Market Road 556 where a fallen tree left 55-year-old Kevin Ford dead and his mother injured. Officials said the residence was almost split in half due to a tree falling down the middle and the man was found crushed under it. The man’s mother was found trapped inside the house but was eventually taken to a local hospital for her injuries, the sheriff’s office said.

“When they arrived on the scene, they found an oak tree, big tree that had fallen over right in the center of the motorhome,” Camp County Sheriff John Cortelyou said.

Pittsburg Mayor David Abernathy said they had trees and powerlines down but no injuries have been reported within city limits.

TYLER – Lance Phillips, who was recently convicted for assaulting a peace officer while being removed from a Smith County Commissioners court, has filed a federal lawsuit against Smith County officials.

According to a report from The Tyler Morning Telegraph, Lance Phillips claims that his constitutional rights were violated while attending commissioners court meetings. The meeting in question is the same one where the assault occurred.

Prior to his trial for that charge, Phillips filed the federal lawsuit on May 4th against Smith County , Smith county Judge Neal Franklin, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, and the Smith County Courthouse Head of Security, LT. Matt Lazarine. The complaint claims Phillips’ constitutional rights, including the First Amendment and the Fourth Amendment, were violated. He alleges that this infringement happened when he was told to stop talking during the public comment section of multiple commissioners court meetings, due to his going off topic and when he was physically removed because he refused to get back on topic. Continue reading Lance Phillips files a two million dollar lawsuit against Smith County

CAMP COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports a man was killed after a tree fell through his mobile home on Sunday night near Pittsburg.

According to the Camp County Sheriffs Office, around 11:48 p.m. deputies responded to a mobile home on Farm to Market Road 556, where 55-year-old Kevin Ford was found dead, and his mother injured.

The residence was almost split in half due to a tree falling down the middle and the man was found crushed under it.

Ford’s mother was found trapped inside the house and was eventually taken to a local hospital for her injuries.

Pittsburg Mayor David Abernathy said they had trees and power lines down but no injuries have been reported within city limits.

FLINT – According to our news partner KETK, demolition has started for the Lakewood Church building on Sunday, after a fire in April had caused irreparable damage.

The demolition began on the day of Pentecost, and church members said that the day marks a new beginning for their church.

“Today is the day of Pentecost and it just so happens that it’s all starting today and that’s the day of fresh beginnings, the day God started a new thing on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus died. And so that is also a new thing for us, that we’re starting this new building,” Lakewood Church pastor Raymond Graham said. “God will make all things new.”

Despite the damage, they were successful in removing the church’s steeple. They plan to use the steeple for their new church building, which they hope to have open by Christmas.

TYLER – 8-year-old Abigail Vernon from Sulphur Bluff has dreamed of showing her Brahman Bull V6 Mr. Pickup Man in the show ring. Unfortunately, she was too young for the juniors catagory. According to our news partner KETK, she didn’t let that stop her, and set out to show Mr. Pickup man anyway – with the adults.

Along with Pickup Man, she has traveled all across the United States, winning banners, trophies and grand champion titles. Abigail is proving everyone wrong and showing that nothing can stop her from following her dreams. In December, Abigail asked her mother, Charli, if she could write a children’s book about her memories with Pickup Man. Continue reading Eight-year-old grand champion writes a book with her family

TYLER – As severe weather continues to move through the area, around 13,000 East Texans have been left without power as of 8 a.m. Monday.

KETK has compiled the list of East Texas power outages from the Texas Power Outage Map – you can view that map here.

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, officials are currently investigating the death of a man found deceased in Lufkin on Sunday. According to the Lufkin Police Department, a man was found dead on Sunday morning on the train tracks between Abney Street and Angelina Streets. Lufkin PD said they are investigating his death and working to contact the man’s family.

The department asked anyone with information about his death to contact Lufkin PD at 936-633-0356.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has arrested a 28-year-old man for murder in connection to a fatal shooting that happened on Melba Street on Saturday.

According to our news partner KETK, officers were sent to the 200 block of Melba Street at around 9:18 p.m. on Saturday to respond to a reported shooting. According to a Longview PD press release, officers found a man at the scene who had been shot. The victim, identified as Isaiah Ross of Longview, was taken to a local hospital where he later died. Investigators then identified a suspect and got an arrest warrant. According to Longview PD, Dominique Johnson, 28 of Longview, was then arrested in Kilgore by the Kilgore Police Department.

Johnson was booked in to the Gregg County Jail on Sunday for a charge of murder.

TYLER – As severe weather continues to move through the area, around 35,000 East Texans have been left without power as of 1:41 a.m. Monday.

KETK has compiled the list of East Texas power outages from the Texas Power Outage Map – you can view that map here.

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. – An East Texas infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division has died following a training accident near Camp Croft in Hungary, according to military officials and our news partners at KETK.

The soldier was identified Saturday as Sgt. Aaron Cox of Mabank. He was a member of the division’s 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team and died Thursday in a vehicle accident while preparing for Exercise Saber Guardian 25.

Cox enlisted in the Army in 2021 and was on his second deployment, having previously served in Poland in 2022. During his service, he received several medals, including the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

The incident remains under investigation, military officials said.

WINONA – Luis Hernandez has won the Winona ISD Board of Trustees Place 3 seat after a runoff election held Saturday, following a tie in the May 3 election, according to unofficial Smith County results.

Hernandez received 244 votes, defeating incumbent Randy Hawkins, who received 181. The initial election ended in a rare tie, with both candidates receiving 137 votes. After a recount confirmed the tie, a second election was scheduled.

Hernandez campaigned on expanding athletic programs and implementing long-term planning for the district.

TEXARKANA – An East Texas police officer was placed on administrative leave on Monday, shortly before he was charged with sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner, KETK and the Texarkana Police Department, Zackary Gilley, 32, had been employed by the department since 2018 and was arrested on Monday night.

The chief of police said both an internal and criminal investigation were started after allegations involving a 15-year-old girl came to light.

Investigators gathered facts from a forensic expert and consulted with the Bowie County District Attorney’s Office before requesting warrants be issued by a district judge.

Gilley was called to the police department Monday night and arrested for: Two counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of indecency with a child by contact, one count of indecency with a child by exposure. Continue reading East Texas police officer charged with sexually assaulting a child

NACOGDOCHES — Two men were arrested on May 30 by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies for allegedly using a wrecker company to transport 48 packages of hydroponic marijuana according to our news partner KETK.

A traffic stop was conducted on a tow truck hauling a vehicle on Loop 224 near University Drive for a traffic violation. The driver, identified as Jerome Brown, 30, and the passenger, Corey Roberts, 39, told authorities conflicting information.

A K9 was brought onto the scene, where it gave a positive alert, leading to a search of the vehicle. Authorities found 48 packages of suspected hydroponic marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle. Continue reading 48 packages of hydroponic marijuana seized during traffic stop