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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

FRANKLIN COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a 28-year-old man from Mount Vernon has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. According to information presented in court, Zachary Arzola met the victim through social media in September 2022 when she was 14 and eventually traveled to Ohio to meet her in December 2022.

While in Ohio, Arzola provided the victim’s family with a falsified driver’s license that presented him as a 16-year-old. Arzola later returned to Ohio in 2023, where he picked up the victim from her home and took her back to Texas with him.

After returning to Texas with the victim, Mount Vernon Police discovered Arzola and the victim at his house. Arzola later admitted in court documents that he persuaded the victim to have a sexual relationship with him. Continue reading Online predator sentenced after sexual relationship with minor

WINNSBORO – A former Winnsboro ISD coach has been arrested after allegedly admitting to having a sexual relationship with a student, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

In arrest warrant was obtained for 30-year-old Nicholas Gabriele on Thursday after community members notified the Wood County Sheriff’s Office that he had started a sexual relationship with a senior in high school. According to the sheriff’s office, Gabriele was an assistant football coach and an economics teacher with Winnsboro ISD for the 2024/2025 school year.

“Texas Rangers, along with an investigator from the sheriff’s office, were able to locate Gabriele in Ennis, where he was arrested without incident and admitted to the improper sexual relationship,” the sheriff’s office said. Continue reading Winnsboro ISD coach arrested for improper relationship with student

TYLER — The Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal shooting involving Tyler Police. According to a news release from the Tyler Police Department, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on June 5, officers were originally dispatched to a residence on Cascades Court regarding a suspicious person, but was changed to a disturbance with a subject inside of the home. Details are limited but officials said officers entered the residence and a shooting involving an officer occurred. The subject was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was identified as John Augustine Tangney O’Kelly, 38, from Tyler.

In accordance with departmental policy, the investigation has been turned over to the Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers. The investigation is ongoing. The Tyler Police Department said additional information will be released once available.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department said that a 38-year-old man was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Thursday night, according to our news partner KETK.

Officers responded to the 3100 block of Cascades Court at around 7 p.m. on Thursday for a report of a suspicious person and a disturbance inside of a home. When officers entered the home, Tyler PD said an officer-involved shooting injured John Augustine Tangney O’Kelly, 38 of Tyler. O’Kelly was then taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers are currently investigating the shooting.

UPDATE: Our news partner KETK is reporting that Terrance Marshawn Carter was arrested the City of Henderson around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday and charged with evading arrest after fleeing during a traffic stop on Saturday, according to Gun Barrel City Police Department Detective Adrian Ruiz. It is unconfirmed which law enforcement agency made the arrest as Gun Barrel PD was just notified of Carter’s capture, Ruiz said.

GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Police Department is currently searching for a man that led Henderson County law enforcement on a search to Eustace overnight. Gun Barrel City PD said officers were doing a traffic stop in the 100 block of Trailwind Street in Gun Barrel City on Saturday at around 9:36 p.m. when a man ran from the vehicle.
Photo of Terrence Marshawn Carter, courtesy of Gun Barrel City PD.

According to a post from Gun Barrel City PD, the man was identified as Terrence Marshawn Carter, a Black man from Henderson. Officials said Carter has a active patrol violation from the Texas Pardon and Parole Board. Continue reading Wanted East Texas man arrested in Henderson

TEXARKANA — Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-TX released a statement on Thursday urging the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to continue funding for the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) that maintains military operations.

According to our news partner KETK, the RRAD is an over 15,000 acre U.S. Army facility in northeast Texas that is responsible for repairing and remanufacturing military supplies. This facility supports multiple military branches by providing vehicles and other supplies to warfighters during combat. With President Donald Trump’s administration looking to minimize federal spending, the RRAD faces the risk of seeing possible budget cuts.

Moran and 11 other members of congress signed a letter that was sent to the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, expressing their wish for the administration to allow RRAD’s operations to continue as usual without cuts. Continue reading Rep. Moran fights in support of military operations center

TYLER — The House has passed a budget proposal within the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that would cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. According to our news partner KETK, this results in the largest rollback of food assistance in our nation’s history, according to ‘Feeding Texas’. SNAP currently feeds 3 million Texans and cutting funding for this program would result in $300 billion lost in aid.

The estimated total of Texans at risk of losing all SNAP benefits is 392,000 and 806,000 are at risk of losing partial benefits. Additionally, the bill could leave one million Texans without health insurance, specifically putting elderly and pregnant women in rural areas at risk.

“This represents a 30 percent cut to our nation’s most important and effective anti-hunger program,” Vice President of Feeding Texas Jamie Olsen said. “Texas would be required to pay 1.8 billion dollars a year starting in 2028,” Olsen said. Continue reading House budget proposal cuts SNAP, Medicaid

TEXARKANA – According to a press release from the acting U.S. Attorney’s office, a Mount Vernon man has been sentenced to federal prison for child exploitation violations.

According to court records, Zachary Arzola, 28, met a minor victim online in September 2022 when he was 26 years old, and the minor victim was 14 years old. Arzola communicated with the victim through social media applications and eventually traveled to Ohio to meet her in December 2022. Once in Ohio, Arzola presented the victim’s family with an altered driver’s license to falsely represent that he was 16 years old. Continue reading Man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for child exploitation

TYLER – With summer heat quickly approaching, our news partner KETK reports that East Texans will have the opportunity to donate fans to those who need some relief from the scorching summer temperatures.

People Attempting to Help (PATH) is currently hosting the “Beat the Heat” Fan Drive and is hoping to provide hundreds of East Texas families with a box fan. The fans will help families reduce energy costs while keeping their homes cool during summer.

According to PATH, heat is the number one weather-related killer in Texas. During the summers, older people and children are at higher risk of being impacted by the heat, and many are currently living without an AC unit in their homes.

Those who are willing to donate fans can do it through the PATH website. Up to 10 fans can be donated through the website with each fan costing $25.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Game Wardens rescued construction workers that were trapped in Wednesday’s rising floodwater in Henderson County according to our news partner KETK. The heavy rain stranded two construction workers at a job site near Malakoff after water started rising quickly.

Game wardens said instead of trying to get to safety by driving into the high water, they made the right choice and called for help.

“The area where they were working was completely flooded with swift water flowing pretty rapidly in the area,” Christ said. “So we were able to call out our swift water team, Texas Parks and Wildlife, swift water team, and we’re able to patrol up to and rescue those individuals off their pipe and get them back to dry land.”

Christ said thankfully everyone was rescued without any injuries, but warns others to take care and stay aware during heavy rainstorms. Continue reading Game wardens rescue workers from Henderson Co. floodwater

TYLER — Every year around this time, the Sahara Desert in Africa experiences peak emissions that sends dust particles across the Atlantic Ocean, causing air quality changes in East Texas.

According to our news partner KETK, East Texans could experience higher dust levels from the annual Sahara air layer that is heading this way. Its unknown exactly how much dust East Texans should anticipate, but they will likely see changes in visibility and air quality.

Professor and Center Director for Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Amarillo Brent Auvermann Ph.D. talked about this environmental occurrence.

“It really is more of a general haze, things will change colors, sunlight will look different. the sun itself may look more red,” Auvermann said. “At various times of the day, the clouds will be dingier in all likelihood and visibility will be somewhat reduced, depends on the intensity of the event. It is likely that air monitors that are monitoring air pollution at the ground level in East Texas will pick something up this time around,” Auvermann said.

Continue reading Sahara dust is making its way to East Texas

TYLER – A flash flood warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for several cities, this includes the Sabine River near Mineola, in Wood and Smith County from late Thursday night until further notice.

LUFKIN — According to our news partner KETK, the Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously agreed on a 5 percent increase for all teachers and a new pay scale to ensure every LISD teacher will make at least $50,000 a year. The new pay scale for all teachers, librarians and registered nurses working for Lufkin ISD was approved June 2. The amendment was discussed in a special call board meeting.

Although the adjustment is only meant for some positions, raises for other district members are still being discussed. The new pay scale would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Continue reading Lufkin ISD unanimously approves 5 percent raise for teachers

HALLSVILLE – Our news partner KETK reports that the Hallsville Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual believed to be involved in a theft at a Dollar General.

According to the Hallsville Police Department, the theft occurred on Tuesday around 1:15 p.m. at the Dollar General on Main Street. Officials said they obtained footage of the suspect along with a red vehicle he was driving at the time of the incident.

Anyone with any information regarding the suspect or the robbery is asked to contact Chief Scott at 903-746-3235 or 903-668-2313. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can do so by contacting Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that as Henderson County battles flash flooding, some roads have been shut down for the safety of East Texans.

According to Henderson County, flash flooding is possible with heavy rains, so the county encourages residents to turn around if they encounter a flooded road.

“Never walk, swim, or drive through still or moving floodwaters,” the county said. “The water may be hiding dangers such as debris, tree branches, power lines or damage to the road. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause motorists to lose control of their vehicle, even a pickup truck or SUV.”

Emergency Management said they received reports of stranded vehicles due to high water this morning, but all has cleared out as of now and no injuries were reported. County Road 3715 has since reopened.

A flash flood warning has been issued till June 8 at 9:25 p.m. in Henderson County. KETK has compiled a list of road closures in Henderson County. To view the complete list, click here.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that East Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) attended a town hall in Tyler on Friday to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The town hall event was hosted at Tyler Junior College by the Texas chapter of Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a conservative political advocacy group backed by the billionaire Charles Koch.

In Jan. 2025, The Hill reported on AFP’s newly announced a $20 million nationwide campaign to push Congress to renew the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was passed under President Donald Trumps first term in office.

Moran supported renewing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Friday by warning about how much taxes could go up next year. Continue reading Tax discussion at a town hall with Representative Moran

UPDATE: On June 3rd at approximately 11:30pm the Tyler Police Department was notified and confirmed that Donald Harter had returned home. He is unharmed and safe at home.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is searching for 81-year-old Donald Harter who went missing from a Tyler residence around 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK. Tyler PD said Harter left the residence on Loop 323 in a 2005 silver Ford F-150 with the Texas license plate number 8124DV. According to Harter’s family he cannot care for himself and it is not confirmed what he was last wearing.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 22-year-old Alto woman for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangering a child after an altercation on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were sent to the 5400 block of FM 1638 just north west of Nacogdoches at around 12:40 p.m. on Sunday following a reported altercation.

Rayla Eleigha Upshaw, of Alto, allegedly crashed the back of her vehicle into the front of another vehicle. Upshaw reportedly had a one-year-old child in her vehicle at the time of the crash.

Upshaw was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and endangering a child. She’s currently being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail on a total bond of $60,000.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court received a progress report on the courthouse construction project on Tuesday, June 3. According to a news release from Smith County, Brandy Ziegler, partner with Fitzpatrick Architects, has been working on the project for more than two years and said, “it’s wonderful to watch this plan come to life,” as the 100-plus-year building is constructed. She noted that the Hoar Construction team moved with their families to Tyler for the project.

“We want you to understand the hard work and dedication that goes into this project every day,” Stephen Flournoy, project executive for Hoar Construction, said, adding that the project is 35 percent complete.

“We are one-third of the way there,” he said, adding that the cost and timing of where the project is right now is where they want to be.

Bradley Barr, Senior Superintendent for Hoar Construction, gave some “high-level statistics” about the construction project. They include: Continue reading Smith County Courthouse construction update

GILMER – Our news partner KETK reports that the Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a Silver Alert for Jay Lindsey, 73 of Gilmer, who was last seen on May 27.

Lindsey is a white man with a bald head, grey facial hear, blue eyes, weighing around 167 pounds and standing at 5’8″. He was last seen in the 4000 block of FM 555 in Gilmer at around 12 p.m. on May 27, according to DPS.

His vehicle is a gray 2016 GMC Canyon four-door pick-up truck with the Texas license plate number: JSD5270. Anyone who’s seen him is asked to contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office at 903-843-2541.

TEXARKANA – Our news partner KETK reports that an East Texas police officer has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with sexual assault of a child.

According to 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 that warrants be issued by a district judge. Continue reading East Texas police officer charged with child sexual assault

TYLER – According to a press release from The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and the FBI, there are several imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be members of the USMS, court officers, or other law enforcement officials.

The USMS is urging people to report the calls their Local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected. Texas residents have experienced a recent uptick in these scam calls.

During these calls, scammers attempt to collect a fine for phony threats of arrests or other legal sanctions due to claims of identity theft, failing to report for jury duty, civil process issues or under the premise of a false crime. They then tell victims that they can avoid arrest by making a payment first. Often that means withdrawing cash and transferring it to “the government” by depositing cash into bitcoin ATMs or other electronic means such as prepaid cards. Continue reading U.S. Marshals warn against phone scams

Tyler – The East Texas Food Bank kicks off the free Summer Food Program for children on Tuesday, June 3, at 35 East Texas locations with a special event at the Glass Recreation Center in Tyler from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring food, activities and more. “It’s so important to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer just because school is out,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here in East Texas, 1 in 4 children are food insecure so it’s up to our community to make sure we fill that meal gap when the school year ends and kids lose access to free and reduced-price meals they depend on.” ETFB will help ensure children don’t go hungry when school is out—tackling geographic, financial, and systemic barriers to food access. This summer, ETFB will serve 106,000 meals to over 3,000 children. Meals are provided at various community sites Monday-Friday. There is no need to register. The program is for children 18 and younger. Besides the meal, some of the locations at parks, churches and libraries offer other free activities for children. Check with the Summer Food Program you plan to visit for more information. For the full list of locations and serving times visit EastTexasFoodBank.org/SummerFood or by calling 903-597-3663.

LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK reports that the Longview Fire Department said they responded to a fire at the Alpha Omega Recycling facility on Sunday.

The fire was reported after workers at the Alpha Omega facility on 315 Whatley Road noticed that smoke had started coming from chemicals. Longview Fire Department said this smoke suggested the materials in the facility had spontaneously combusted.

After Longview firefighters had responded to the facility, the found smoke coming from the back of an exterior structure. Longview Fire Department said their firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to the structure and one of its walls.

No injuries were reported and Longview Fire Department estimated the fire did around $50,000 in damage. The fire department responded to the facility with six fire engines, three ladder trucks, two ambulances and six support vehicles.

The facility, which is owned by the Amlon Group, recycles liquid waste, metal industrial waste and hazardous materials for businesses.