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The City of Tyler Downtown Department hosted an open house Tuesday. The event, held on College Avenue, will give residents and visitors an opportunity to see recent improvements firsthand, learn more about the Downtown Improvement Project and ask questions about the work underway.

To accommodate different schedules, two open house sessions will be offered: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both sessions will take place along a marked section of College Avenue in front of Plaza Tower and the Peoples Petroleum Building. The event is come-and-go, and City staff will be available to answer questions and share information about the project.

Updated design renderings of the future Downtown green space, streets and sidewalks will be on display, offering a visual aid to highlight the full scope of the project.

TYLER — In a letter addressed to the Treasury Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative on Monday, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran joins other House members in urging the Trump Administration to address the importation of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes without FDA approval. According to the letter, Chinese vape exports to the U.S. surpassed $10 billion in 2025. The smart vapes are able to connect to smartphones, enabling unauthorized access to personal data, cameras, microphones and more, the letter said.

Representatives raise their concerns about the unauthorized importing of the vapes, as they are sold near schools and military bases.

“These illegal Chinese vapes are a threat on every front,” Moran said. “They contain toxic levels of lead and carcinogens, and are deliberately marketed to target our kids with candy flavors and social media influencers. They are sold near schools and military bases by foreign nationals, and their ‘smart’ technology risks funneling sensitive data directly to the Chinese Communist Party,” Continue reading Rep. Moran fights illegal Chinese vapes

HENDERSON COUNTY– A 17-year-old man from Trinidad was arrested on Wednesday after a car chase in Henderson County, where officials said he struck another vehicle. According to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK, officers from the Tool Police Department were dispatched to Arnold Hills Road after receiving reports regarding a suicidal man who had stolen a dark colored 2022 Kia Soul.

After locating the suspect, an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Lyndell Drive, but the driver disregarded the officer and continued to flee from authorities.

As the pursuit continued, the suspect collided with another vehicle that was traveling on State Highway 274. After the collision, the pursuit continued toward Tool and eventually ended in Trinidad.

Following the pursuit, the suspect was identified as Caidyn Farris. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail after being charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful use of a vehicle.

LONE STAR — Local and state officials are continuing to investigate an oil spill that spread across much of the shoreline at Ellison Creek Reservoir, with inspectors identifying the source at a well site on U.S. Steel property. According to our news partner KETK, Morris County Judge Doug Reeder met with the Precinct 2 Commissioner and the County Attorney on Monday morning to review the status of the oil spill at Ellison Creek Reservoir.

Reeder also added, a Railroad Commission inspector is on site and continuing an inspection of the spill in coordination with a Texas Game Warden. The inspector determined the source of the unauthorized oil release was a reserve pit at a oil well site located on U.S. Steel property. Investigators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are expected to meet with the Railroad Commission inspector Monday to continue assessing the scale of the spill, its environmental impacts and any possible next steps.
Continue reading Morris County oil spill

SMITH COUNTY – One person has been injured following a head-on collision involving a day-care bus and a pick-up truck on Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened in Tyler, on FM 2493, near Whataburger and Tyler Legacy Trails at around 8:20 a.m. Monday.

The driver of the pickup truck sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital, according to Nikki Simmons, the public outreach coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2. No children were aboard the bus at the time of the crash and the driver had no reported injuries. However, both vehicles were heavily damaged.

TYLER – As severe weather moves through East Texas, many power companies and electricity co-operatives have reported thousands of power outages across the area.
Lake O’ the Pines marina docks flipped over by high winds

Our news partner KETK has compiled the following list of East Texas counties from the Texas power outage map and as of 11:00 a.m. on Monday, about 2,694 customers were without power. You can view that list here.

ATHENS – Four people have been charged for attempting to bring suspected cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and illegal pills into the Henderson County Jail with a tube of eczema cream. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, a narcotics investigator was investigating drug trafficking in Henderson County when they learned about a plan to deliver illegal drugs to the Henderson County Jail on Saturday morning.

Several sheriff’s office investigators and K9 deputies were able to intercept the delivery of drugs, which reportedly made use of a Gold Bond eczema cream tube to hide balloons of suspected cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines and pills.

The sheriff’s office has arrested Megan Chapman, 36 of Eustace, and Shannon Boyle, 47 of Eustace, with allegedly attempting to make the delivery to two inmates in the jail, Jessy Pierce, 28 of Mabank, and Joshua Sallings, 40 of Mabank. Continue reading Four charged, trafficking drugs in eczema cream

JEFFERSON, Texas (KETK) – The Bullfrog Marina on Lake O’ the Pines was damaged by high winds during severe weather on Sunday. According to the Lake O’ the Pines Chamber of Commerce, the outer section of the marina’s boat slips were entirely flipped over by Sunday’s high winds, likely damaging many boats docked there.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple downed trees and a downed stop sign on Sunday as well.

EAST TEXAS — Several East Texas firefighter crews have been deploy to help respond to wildfires and elevated fire conditions being reported across the state. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Emergency Services District 2 has deployed a NWCG qualified dozer operator, a dozer operator trainee and a heavy equipment boss trainee to Childress to help fight wildfires there.

The district said this was the first time the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) has been used to deploy their dozer operators. TIFMAS Coordinator Josh Bardwell said their deployment has been years in the making.

“A couple of us former TFS heavy equipment operators that came to the County years ago are proud to see this come to fruition,” Bardwell said. “We retooled the county’s fire dozer training and qualification process to meet state standards years ago and it’s paying off.” Continue reading Local firefighters sent to battle fires

TYLER – Crime rates declined in most East Texas counties over the past year, according to newly released FBI data, though a handful of counties reported significant increases. Data from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Crime in Texas (CIT) Online Portal shows reported crime fell in 18 of the 28 East Texas counties between 2024 and 2025.

Rains County recorded the largest decrease, with reported crime falling 36.03% between 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, Anderson County saw the largest increase, with reported crime rising 53.19% during the same period. Smith County reported 5,793 crimes in 2025, giving it a crime rate of about 2,293.4 per 100,000 residents after adjusting for population. While Nacogdoches County has less than half the population of Smith County, it recorded a higher crime rate of 2,702.5 in 2025, meaning crimes occur more frequently there relative to the county’s population.

Our news partner KETK compiled a list showing how crime rates changed across East Texas counties from 2024 to 2025. You can view that list here or by continuing to read below. Continue reading Crime rates fall, new data shows

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, HEAL Corp, ALERT Academy and Houston County Search and Rescue are conducting another search for Rusk missing man James David Blount.

According to our news partner KETK, Blount was last seen near his residence on Dec. 2, 2025, more than 90 days ago. The 57-year-old white man is around 5-feet-9-inches tall, weighs about 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. His vehicle was later found abandoned on U.S. Highway 84 at the Neches River.

The sheriff’s office is searching the woods behind Blount’s house and workshop on Highway 84. Officials are searching this area more thoroughly on Friday and Saturday in order to rule out the area immediately surrounding Blount’s home.

Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson told KETK News that “a bunch of different stuff” was found during their search but they can’t say whether any of the items are actually related to Blount’s disappearance. Dickson added that they’re looking into all of the things they’ve found during their continuing search. Continue reading Items found during search for missing man

NACOGDOCHES — A judge ruled on Thursday that Stephen F. Austin State University must maintain all existing women’s sports teams, after the university cut several sports teams in August 2025. According to our news partner KETK, a U.S. District Judge approved a stipulated agreement requiring SFA to continue its current women’s teams with funding, staffing and benefits comparable to other varsity intercollegiate programs while the plaintiffs’ claims proceed in court.

“We are pleased that SFA has entered into this agreement, which will preserve the existing women`s teams and allow the case to move forward as quickly as possible,” the Arthur Bryant Law Firm said in a statement.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by several women athletes in August 2025 alleging the Nacogdoches-based university violated their Title IX rights when it decided to cut the women’s beach volleyball and bowling teams, as well as the women’s and men’s golf programs.

JACKSONVILLE —  The Jacksonville Police Department has arrested a man following a lengthy investigation into alleged sexual coercion, stalking and harassment involving multiple victims. According to our news partner KETK, Jacksonville PD said Dewayne Scott Chapline, 58, was taken into custody Friday after investigators linked him to a prolonged campaign of online harassment carried out through email accounts, social media platforms and impersonation-style identities.

According to investigators, Chapline allegedly used threats and intimidation to pressure a victim into sending sexually explicit images. Police said he then used those images to blackmail the victim, continuing to demand additional content while threatening further harm.

Chapline faces charges of sexual coercion, stalking, online impersonation, obstruction or retaliation and harassment. Continue reading Arrest in coercion, stalking investigation

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man found guilty of causing severe burns to a child was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. In the 159th Judicial District Court, Judge Todd Kassaw sentenced Miguel Gonzalez, 28, to life in prison starting Thursday for his charge of injury to a child in an incident that occurred in September 2022.

According to law enforcement and our news partner KETK, Gonzalez intentionally put a female child younger than 14-years-old in a bathtub with hot water on Sept. 26 2022, causing severe burns that made parts of her skin allegedly peel off. At the time of the incident, Gonzalez was dating the victim’s mother and was watching the child. The victim’s mother first told officers that her daughter had fallen into the bathtub, but upon further questioning, she said Gonzalez had pushed her.

Gonzalez later told officials that the water in the tub was lukewarm, but he allowed her to play while he spoke with his roommate for a couple of minutes. According to law enforcement, Gonzales said the child turned on the hot water. Continue reading Life in prison for burning child

RUSK – An attorney representing the Rusk Police Department said that it is aware of a sexual misconduct allegation against an officer stemming from a 2022 arrest. Attorney Antony J. King said the allegation comes from a June 20, 2022, arrest for driving while intoxicated. King said the department has begun reviewing evidence, including body camera footage, in-car dash camera recordings and incident reports.

According to our news partner KETK, the individual who came forward will remain anonymous and the department is committed to ensuring that the investigative process remains fair, objective, and consistent.

“The Department recognizes that allegations of this nature can have serious implications for all parties involved and for the community’s confidence in its public safety institutions,” King said. “Every complaint received by the Department is evaluated carefully, objectively, and without presumption. The goal of this review is to determine the facts, ensure accountability where warranted, and protect the rights and dignity of everyone involved.”

RUSK – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers and HEAL Corp are conducting another search for Rusk missing man James David Blount. According to our news partner KETK, Blount was last seen near his residence on Dec. 2, 2025, more than 90 days ago. The 57-year-old white man is around 5-feet-9-inches tall, weighs about 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. His vehicle was later found abandoned on U.S. Highway 84 at the Neches River.

The sheriff’s office is searching the woods behind Blount’s house and workshop on Highway 84. Officials are searching this area more thoroughly Friday and Saturday in order to rule out the area immediately surrounding Blount’s home.
Continue reading Officials track missing man

BULLARD — A number of Flock Safety License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras have been installed in the City of Bullard to enhance public safety and assist in criminal investigations. The Bullard Police Department said cameras are being installed at city entry and exit points to capture vehicle license plates and basic vehicle characteristics. The cameras will allow authorities to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity.

According to our news partner KETK, the cameras do not violate their constitutional rights, stating that license plates are owned by the state of Texas and that cameras are used to capture information already visible to anyone traveling on a public roadway.

In order to remain transparent with the city, the department said that any search conducted with the Flock system while require a case number and a reason for conducting the search.

TYLER – Tyler Police continue to  investigate Thursday morning a shooting on Southridge Drive. The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Kenus Lewis. Lewis has multiple warrants out for his arrest and is on the run. Police said he should be considered armed and very dangerous. Detectives obtained warrants on Lewis for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with a $750,000 bond and felon in possession of a firearm with a $500,000 bond.

According to Tyler PD and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the 1400 block of Southridge Drive following a reported shooting. Arriving officers found a 53-year-old man who had been shot in the abdomen. The man was alert and awake at when officers arrived at the scene. Tyler PD said he’s been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Continue reading Shooting suspect still at large

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg Police Department is seeking the your help in locating two suspects, who officials said stole two trailers from a local business in Pittsburg. According to officials and our news partners at KETK, the theft occurred around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday at Work Trailer. The stolen trailers were both described as black 35-foot gooseneck trailers.

The suspects used two separate trucks to steal the trailers, believed to be a Ram 3500 and a Ram 2500. The police department is asking anyone with information regarding the individuals to contact them at 903-856-3330.

GREGG COUNTY – The westbound outside lane of I-20 on US 259 in Gregg County will be closed for several days starting on Monday. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said the lane is expected to be closed for three days as crews will be performing bridge maintenance. Due to the closure, drivers are being asked to plan ahead and watch out for work crews.

TYLER – Officials have confirmed that one person died and three people were injured on Thursday after an 18-wheeler and multiple vehicles crashed on Toll 49. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, an 18-wheeler and multiple vehicles crashed on Toll 49 westbound near mile marker 19 at around 1:40 p.m. on Thursday.

When first responders arrived at the scene one person was dead from the crash, a sheriff’s office official told KETK News. EMS, firefighters, sheriff’s office deputies and the Texas Department of Public Safety are all responding to the crash.

“When we arrived on scene, we found an 18-wheeler involved with a couple of other passenger vehicles,” Smith County Emergency Services District 2 spokesperson Nikki Simmons said. “Unfortunately, there was one fatality, and we did have three other individuals transported.” Continue reading Fatal Toll 49 wreck under investigation

UPDATE: A pedestrian killed in a fatal crash on Wednesday night on West Gentry Parkway has been identified as 70-year-old Daniel Walker by the Tyler Police Department.

TYLER — A fatal crash on Gentry Parkway in Tyler left one pedestrian dead on Thursday morning. The Tyler Police Department responded to a crash at West Gentry Parkway, near the Texaco station at around midnight. According to our news partner KETK and Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, a pedestrian was crossing the road at an angle, not at a crosswalk or intersection. The pedestrian was struck by a truck on the outside lane and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the truck stopped, along with a witness, Erbaugh said. There are no charges being pressed at this time and no other injuries were reported.

SMITH COUNTY — With many East Texas students on spring break this week, parents are being asked to keep track of their children’s locations after d several reports of kids banging on neighbors’ doors late at night in Chapel Hill.

Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin stated that after reviewing camera footage, it was confirmed that a number of boys were banging on doors and ringing doorbells at around 2 a.m. in residential Chapel Hill neighborhoods.

Joplin said that while kids may view it as a harmless prank, knocking on a stranger’s door late at night could become dangerous and possibly deadly. “We most certainly don’t want an injury or death to occur in this community from a prank gone wrong,” Joplin said. Continue reading Spring break pranks raise concerns

UPDATE: Found safe and unharmed, per the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning.

TYLER – A Smith County teenager has not been seen since March 1, and her family believes she has run away. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Kalyiah Smith, 16, is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, and has brown hair and eyes. She has been diagnosed with ADHD and is supposed to take medications for that, they said, but other than that, she has no medical or mental issues.

Kalyiah has ties to the immediate Tyler area, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that anyone who is harboring a minor and is criminally negligent about whether the child is younger than 18 years of age and has voluntarily left home without the consent of a parent or guardian, can be charged with Harboring a Runaway, a Class A Misdemeanor.

If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Kalyiah Smith, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

TYLER – A new Texas House caucus created to stop Sharia Law is facing pushback. Over 30 state lawmakers have joined the Sharia Free Texas Caucus. In a statement posted on X (Formerly Twitter), one of the group’s founders, State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville), said the caucus is looking to address the teachings of Islam in part by advancing legislation to prohibit Sharia practices they say oppress women or incite violence against non-believers. The caucus also wants to reinforce what they view as the Biblical foundations of Texas.

“We’re just saying, hey, in Texas, we want to be welcoming to people, but you got to be a Texan when you get here,” said Money. He expressed concern over what he said is a growing Islamic influence in the state and wants to ensure there is no parallel legal system in Texas that treats people differently.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-TX) has asked senators to look at ways to prevent Sharia Law in Texas before the next legislative session, which starts in 2027.

Continue reading Lawmaker explains caucus addressing Islam