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POLK COUNTY – The Polk County District Attorney’s Office said that Don Steven McDougal has pleaded guilty to the Feb. 2024 kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham. According to our news partner KETK, McDougal’s plea agreement means he will spend the rest of his life in prison and will never be eligible for parole. The district attorney’s office had originally asked for the death penalty back in August but they explained that McDougal has a documented history of intellectual and developmental disabilities that legally limit him from being executed.

“After intense and diligent review of the law and medical records, the determination was made that Don Steven McDougal was not eligible for a death penalty sentence under the existing law. This resolution ensures that Don Steven McDougal is being punished to the fullest extent available under the existing law and spares the family the emotional toll of a prolonged trial and appeal process.”
Shelly Bush Sitton, Polk County District Attorney

Audrii was the subject of a Feb. 15, 2024 Amber Alert after she never showed up to school at Creekside Elementary. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Trinity River Authority then found Audrii’s body in the Trinity River on Feb. 20 near the Polk and San Jacinto county line under State Highway 59 south. Her body was found rope tied to a large rock after the Trinity River Authority lowered the output on the reservoir which lowered the river level, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons. Continue reading Man pleads guilty to killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Friday evening shooting that injured a teenager. According to our news partner KETK, officials were dispatched to the 900 block of Blackwell Avenue at around 5:30 p.m. According to Tyler Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the 15-year-old victim was shot in the leg and was treated by EMS.

“It was determined that the suspect is a black male who is reportedly driving a white Kia Sorento with Texas Licenses plate number VNN7221, said Erbaugh.” “He and anyone in that vehicle should be considered armed and dangerous. This is not a random shooting.”

If anyone has any information, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000. This case is still under investigation.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County District Attorney’s Office said a man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for burglary of a home in Eustace in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Thomas Powell was found guilty in district court Wednesday by a jury. Powell was charged with burglary of that home and he also set it on fire.

According to the district attorney’s office, a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to a home on Allen Ranch Road after a report seeing of a man with a gas can loading items into a truck. When the deputy arrived, they reported seeing smoke from the burning residence. Video recovered at the scene showed a person identified as Powell, .

The district attorney’s office mentioned several other convictions that Powell had including one at the same victim’s home in 2020. Powell was sentenced to 24 years in state prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Tyler – The National Weather Service has forecasted a chance of snow showers on Monday night into Tuesday, with snow accumulations of less than half an inch possible. That chance of snow could be combined with below-freezing temperatures.  City of Tyler Fire Department and Emergency Management officials will keep a close eye on developing weather conditions for for these two days.

Fire, Police, Streets and Tyler Water Utilities crews are prepared for the weather and have placed personnel on standby if needed and will respond when needed. The Tyler/Smith County’s Cold Weather Response Plan is now available at Cold Weather Response Plan Tyler, TX. 
Continue reading Tyler officials eyeing winter weather conditions

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin applying brine to major State roadways such as Interstate 20, US Highway 271, and State Highway 110 according to our news partner KETK. Although the process should have minimal impact on traffic, drivers should still allow a safe driving distance between their vehicles and convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Crews have readied their equipment and materials to treat other roadways as warranted. Coordination efforts have also begun with local municipalities and law enforcement.

Additionally, TxDOT works closely with the National Weather Service to best prepare for a potential winter weather storm.

TxDOT personnel will monitor the forecast and weather conditions, responding as needed to ensure roadways remain open and safe for travel. To get information on statewide conditions, call 800-452-9292 or visit their website. Continue reading TxDOT prepares roads ahead of forecast cold weather

TYLER– Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this Monday, Jan. 20 and people all across East Texas are getting together to celebrate the holiday. Events being held in honor of the great American civil rights leader will start on Friday and are being held throughout this weekend heading into Monday.To help East Texans find the event closest to them, our news partner, KETK, has put together the following list of MLK Jr. Day events and celebrations. You can find the updated list of events by clicking here.

LUFKIN— Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 22-year-old from Lufkin is creating a sobriety group for young adults, and it has already reached over 100,000 people on social media. Natalee Bates is kicking off her initiative Young, Wild & Sober next month. She created a Facebook page less than a week ago and nearly 150 thousand people have already visited her page.

Bates said she started drinking heavily as a teenager, and quickly realized she needed help. However, when she joined local support groups, she noticed there was no one her age attending the meetings. She decided to create her own group for young adults who struggle with alcohol or other challenges, such as substance abuse or eating disorders.

“It’s uncomfortable sometimes to go in a room and everybody be 20 to 30 to 40 years older than you and to feel alone because they’re not going through the same things you’re going through in that point in time,” Bates explained. “So I wanted to create this group so that we have just a support group within the community.”

Young, Wild & Sober’s first meeting is Feb.10, and anyone between the ages of 16 and 28 is welcome. Bates will host meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Those interested in attending her meetings or helping in any way can go to her Facebook page by clicking here. Bates asks that those wanting to attend let her know, and she will decide the location once there is a head count.

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will conduct a series of community meetings to address concerns regarding water billing, discuss the water meter replacement program, and highlight other ongoing infrastructure improvements to our water system. Each Council member will host a meeting in their respective district. The meetings will feature several information stations, including Water Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) to assist with individual account questions. Residents will be asked to give their feedback and sign up to receive electronic updates on these topics. Customers are encouraged to attend the meeting in their district to learn more about TWU, utility billing, improvement projects, and to voice questions or concerns. Residents should bring a copy of their water bill for specific billing questions. District meeting schedule is as follows: Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities to host district meetings

MOUNT PLEASANT– Our news partner, KETK, reports that Former Mount Pleasant City Manager Ed Thatcher was indicted by a Titus County Grand Jury on Wednesday after he allegedly made a false entry in a government record.

Thatcher served as the Mount Pleasant’s city manager from 2019 until he resigned last May. An indictment alleges that on May 7, 2022, Thatcher made a false travel request form that said former city council member Tim Dale had driven 870 miles around the county for council purposes and was requesting reimbursement.

A Mount Pleasant city employee released this statement:
“On Jan. 15, 2025, the City of Mount Pleasant was made aware that former City Manager, Ed Thatcher, was indicted by a Titus County grand jury for making a false entry in a governmental record. The indictment stems from an investigation by the Texas Rangers into travel reimbursements issued to city council members. Mr. Thatcher served as city manager from 2019 until his resignation in May 2024. During the investigation of this matter, the City fully cooperated with the Texas Rangers. As this is an ongoing legal matter, the City cannot further comment at this time. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Titus County District Attorney’s Office.” Continue reading Former Mount Pleasant city manager indicted for making false record

MARSHALL – The Marshall Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at approximately 5:00 AM on January 15th in the 2200 block of Pinecrest Drive, successfully rescuing three occupants including a 22-month-old infant. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story wood frame house with flames visible from the front windows and heavy smoke throughout the structure. Marshall Police Department officers, who arrived first, had already removed a double window after hearing screams from inside. Fire Department crews immediately initiated rescue operations and located an unconscious 23-year-old female trapped under a fallen dresser. The victim was quickly rescued and taken to emergency medical personnel. The homeowner had safely evacuated through a bedroom door prior to firefighters’ arrival and told crews that a 22-month-old infant remained inside. Fire crews conducted an extensive search and located the infant in a void space between furniture in another bedroom. Both the 23-year-old victim and infant were taken to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center – Marshall for treatment. Continue reading Three rescued from house fire in Marshall

TYLER– Our news partner, KETK, reports that Texans On Mission has boots on the ground in fire ravaged southern California. In times of crisis, the nonprofit tries to be there when people need their help the most. Right now, their focus is on the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of California. Four volunteers returned from California on Wednesday, and 10 to 12 volunteers left Wednesday morning to bring laundry and shower trailers. Rand Jenkins, Texans on Mission chief strategic officer, has been out west for days getting a first hand look at the damage on the frontlines.

“The first emotion is just that heaviness that even once we got here, we saw and could experience, it’s not out yet and so people are still kind of wondering what is next,” Jenkins said. “What we did the past few days is being with churches and beginning to build their capacity for wrapping their arms around their community from a distribution standpoint, from a management standpoint.” Continue reading Texans On Mission helping California recover from wildfires

LONGVIEW– According to our news partner, KETK, on Wednesday, CHRISTUS Health broke ground on a new $36 million Cancer Center in Longview. Construction begins soon and should be finished by the fall of 2026. There’s one goal in mind for the state-of-the-art, 35-thousand-square-foot facility.

“We are going to reduce the incidence of cancer in northeast Texas and we’re going to improve mortality rates,” CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic physician vice president of operations John DiPasquale said. In 2024, across the United States, an estimated two million new cancer cases were reported. Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand of them here in Texas. The American Cancer Society reports that a new clinic of this type will provide access to treatment at home, reducing the financial burden of traveling to larger cities for care. Continue reading CHRISTUS Health breaks ground on new Cancer Center in Longview

TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that Tyler Fire Department responded to a popular barbecue restaurant on Sunday night after it caught on fire. at around 10:30 p.m., Tyler firefighters were dispatched to the scene on 1410 SSW Loop 323 at Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q. When units arrived to the scene, they found the restaurant in flames. The firefighters were on scene for approximately 40 minutes extinguishing the fire, however Tyler officials said no one was injured.

The possible cause of the fire, officials said, was discarded ash and amber from cooking meat had accidently fallen over and caught a wall on fire.

Tyler Fire said that Rudy’s is already working to reopen.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said an arrest has been made after multiple shots were fired at a Longview Amtrak station on Wednesday Afternoon. Longview Public Information Officer La’Darian Brown said that a man walked into the Amtrak station and fired multiple shots. It is unclear to Brown what caused the suspect to open fire. Longview PD has not identified the suspect at this time.

Brown confirmed that nobody inside the building was harmed. The suspect fled however officers were able to detain him, and he has since been arrested.

HAWKINS — Hawkins Police Chief Paul Holland has resigned, according to a member of the Hawkins Police Department and our news partner KETK.

This marks the third chief to resign at the police department in recent years. A member of the police department told KETK News over the phone that Holland stepped on Tuesday. Holland was appointed to the position back in June of 2024. Back in March 2024, the Hawkins City Council accepted the resignation of Chief of Police Guy McKee. In 2022, Manfred Gilow also resigned as chief of police. KETK spoke to Gilow back in 2022, who cited budget issues and a shortage of police staff as reasons that led to his resignation.

“The fact that we are understaffed in this police department. I have two openings in the last seven months. We cannot fill them. Nobody wants to do this job anymore and sure enough, not for 15-16 dollars an hour. Target has 25-dollar minimum wage,” Gilow said back in 2022. “Therefore, I think right now, it’s a time to make a decision.”

UPSHUR COUNTY — An East Texas man has plead guilty to murdering his wife with an axe. The Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said a Gilmer citizen called 911 to report a man attempting to get into their vehicle on Feb. 26, 2024 at around 1:43 a.m. Police were on the scene within two minutes of the call and located the suspect. The suspect “was soaking wet on the front of his clothes and dry on the back.”

When officers questioned who he was, he reportedly lied before telling them his real name, Craig Allen Smith, and admitted to lying. He told officers he did not want to reveal his identity because “his wife was dead and he did not want to get caught up in it.” According to our news partner KETK, Smith reportedly told police his wife had been dead for a few hours and that she was at a home on Walnut Street in Gilmer. He was booked into the Upshur County Jail for an outstanding warrant. Continue reading Man sentenced after brutally killing wife with axe

SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, January 20, 2025, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21, and Commissioners Court will be held at its normal time, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Smith County Annex Building, located at 200 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. City offices will observe the following schedule on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Continue reading Tyler and Smith County offices closed for MLK Day

LONGVIEW  — Longview Police arrested a 25-year-old Longview ISD employee on Tuesday for sexual assault of a child. The police department said officers were dispatched to a residence on Saturday at around 3:49 p.m. in reference to a sexual assault. According to our news partner KETK, officials said during the course of the investigation, officers learned that a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by D’Marjai Dearion, of Longview.

On Tuesday, Longview detectives obtained a warrant and Darion was arrested the same day for sexual assault of a child. He is being held on a $150,000 bond at the Gregg County Jail.

Longview ISD said Dearion was employed as a physical education teacher and coach since August 2023. He served at Judson Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year and at East Texas Montessori Prep Academy and Forest Park Middle School during the 2024–2025 school year. Continue reading Longview ISD teacher arrested for sexual assault of child

TYLER – A former Texas hospital chief executive officer has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Jeffrey Paul Madison, 49, of Burnet, Texas; Susan L. Hertzberg, 66, of New York, New York; Matthew John Theiler, 58, of Pinehurst, North Carolina; David Weldon Kraus, 66, of Maryville, Tennessee; and Thomas Gray Hardaway, 52, of San Antonio, Texas, were found guilty by a jury on November 30, 2023, following a seven-week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. Madison was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison by Judge Kernodle on January 15, 2025. Madison also agreed to pay $5,343,630 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act involving illegal payments to physicians for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Continue reading Former hospital CEO headed to prison

ATHENS— Seven are behind bars after an Athens property was found with methamphetamine packaged for distribution.

On Sunday at around 7:35 p.m., officials executed a narcotics search warrant on East Tyler Street in Athens. During the search, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said “a quantity of methamphetamine was located inside the residence that was packaged for distribution along with several baggies, scales and syringes.” These individuals were found at the property and taken into custody. According to reports from our news partner, KETK, they have since been transported to the Henderson County Detention Center and booked for the following charges: Continue reading Seven arrested after meth found in Athens home

MINEOLA — A stolen vehicle pursuit in Mineola ended in a tense standoff Sunday when the armed driver refused to exit the vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, officers with the Mineola Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle from the city and into Van Zandt County before the suspect stopped on U.S. Highway 80 and FM 1255. The driver, identified as Jacob Swanson, of Gilmer, allegedly refused to exit the vehicle, was armed and threatened to commit suicide by cop.

Mineola PD then requested back up from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team due to the unavailability of closer resources. A SWAT operator, negotiators and two additional deputies responded to the scene.

“Upon their arrival, the hostage negotiator spoke with Swanson for about forty minutes with no desired results,” Smith County officials said. “Finally, CS and OC projectiles were deployed into the vehicle.” Continue reading Man arrested following standoff

SMITH COUNTY — A stolen vehicle pursuit on Interstate 20 Sunday evening ended in Smith County with the help of drones, which guided deputies to two suspects who fled after the vehicle was stopped with spike strips. According to our news partner KETK, the Canton Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle into Smith County eastbound on I-20 at around 5:30 p.m. DPS Troopers were able to deploy spikes at MM562 and stopped the vehicle at FM 14.

“The driver and front seat passenger immediately bailed out the vehicle on foot and fled the area. A backseat passenger surrendered at the vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said.

Smith County deputies were then dispatched to the location including a drone pilot. When they arrived, they were informed that the suspects hit a wooded area adjacent to I-20. When the drone was deployed, a suspect exited the wooded area and was taken into custody. Continue reading Drone helps deputies capture fleeing suspects after stolen vehicle pursuit

BULLARD — A Bullard man is behind bars this week after being charged with multiple crimes against children. According to our news partner KETK and the Bullard Police Department, Dylan James Black, 19, was arrested for sexual assault of a child on Monday. A report for sexual assault of a child, where Black was allegedly listed as the suspect, led to the first charge. The case was filed with the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office.

Additional warrants were issued on Tuesday including harboring a runaway child, enticing a child and a false report to a peace officer. The affidavits and arrest warrants were presented to Smith County Court at Law Judge Jason Ellis and these charges have been filed with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.

“The charges to Black range from misdemeanors to 2nd degree felonies with bond amounts totaling $175,000,” officials stated.

Black was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Jail.

Tyler – Bethesda Health Clinic is pleased to announce a generous $15,000 grant from the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red. The grant money will be used to buy cardiology equipment, ensuring the clinic can continue to provide high-quality care to underserved patients in East Texas.

The grant, awarded as part of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red initiative. The initiative will allow Bethesda Health Clinic to expand its cardiology services by acquiring advanced diagnostic tools and medical equipment. These resources will help medical professionals at the clinic better detect, treat,and manage heart disease, a condition that disproportionately impacts many in the local community.
Continue reading Bethesda Health Clinic receives 15K grant from American Heart Association

HARRISON COUNTY— Residents near the H.W. Pirkey Power Plant in Hallsville can expect to hear a loud explosion on Wednesday morning, according to our news partner KETK. However, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office has advised residents this is a planned and controlled explosion. Officials say this is not open for the public to view. Residents are urged to avoid the area.

“This is part of a scheduled maintenance procedure and is being done with the utmost safety precautions in place,” county officials said. “There will be minimal disruption, but please be aware of some noise in the area.”

PANOLA COUNTY— Two people have been hospitalized following crash between a truck and train on Tuesday morning in Panola County.

According to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and reports from KETK, a call came in from a passenger in a trash truck who said he and the driver were involved in a collision with a train on the County Road 129 and County Road 127 crossing in Gary.

Once authorities arrived at the scene, both occupants were taken to a local emergency room and the driver was airlifted for a higher level of care. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol and BNSF Railroad Police.

TYLER— The New Summerfield Police Department  responded to a high-speed chase on Tuesday morning in Cherokee County that left a Pennsylvania man injured. According to our news partner KETK, the high speed chase occurred at around 7 a.m. on Highway 79 west of Highway 110 in the direction of Jacksonville. Chief Fred Butler attempted to initiate a traffic stop after noticing an SUV going well over the speed limit. The driver has been identified as a man from Pittsburgh, Pa.. police said.

The driver fled from Butler at a dangerous speed before he crashed his vehicle in route to Jacksonville. The suspect was taken to a local hospital for their injuries and once released, the suspect will be booked into the Cherokee County Jail.

ATHENS — Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) and Abilene Christian University (ACU) announced a partnership to provide TVCC students with a pathway to continue their education at ACU.

TVCC students can now transfer completed coursework to ACU without losing credit, creating a simple transfer process for achieving educational goals as both undergraduate and graduate students.

“This partnership highlights the vital role community colleges play in higher education and demonstrates the power of collaboration between distinguished institutions,” TVCC President, Dr. Jason Morrison said. “TVCC is thrilled to partner with ACU to create more opportunities for our students to succeed. This agreement underscores our shared commitment to helping students achieve their goals and prepare for the future.”

According to reports from our news partner, KETK, TVCC currently has partnerships with 14 different universities to help students including the University of Texas at Tyler, the University of North Texas(UNT), Lamar University, Columbia College, and Texas Tech University.

TVCC commented, saying the ACU partnership reflects their mission to foster educational excellence and provide students with the resources needed to succeed.

MABANK– A family of nine was displaced on Saturday after a fire burned their home near the Cedar Creek Country Club in Mabank.

Ashley and Brooks Zabojnik along with their seven children have lived in their Mabank home since 2021, but in just one afternoon their house was reduced to rubble. “Lost a lot of sentimental things that can’t be replaced,” Brooks said. “But I know we were the most important thing and nobody was hurt or injured, but lost everything.”

Payne Springs Fire Rescue said they were called out to assist the Mabank Fire Department with a fire burning multiple structures and vehicles on Saturday afternoon. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the home, a carport, a detached garage and two vehicles on fire. Continue reading East Texas house fire displaces family of nine

TYLER— Two students at Tyler ISD were recognized as winners in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, organized by Optimum and co-sponsored by the Univision Foundation. The contest spans 21 states and honors students who demonstrate creativity and the connections with Hispanic culture. The recognition highlights the importance of celebrating cultural identity and the power of storytelling.

Catie Espiricueta, a junior at Tyler ISD’s Early College High School, was awarded the Grand Prize in the high school category for the West region. As part of her win, Espiricueta received $3,000 that she plans to use to pursue her educational goals at the University of Chicago, where she will major in sociology or political science. In her essay, Espiricueta reflected on a simple yet deeply significant dish, which has been passed down through generations. Continue reading Tyler ISD students recognized for Hispanic heritage essay