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LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Commissioners Court has approved an agreement to establish a police department for Longview ISD. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement will now begin the formal review process required for the department to obtain its license. Longview ISD officials say they hope to have the process complete by this summer. The Longview ISD Police Department will maintain ongoing communication with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office in the event of emergencies.

EAST TEXAS — Following Lifetouch Photography’s involvement in a controversy regarding the Epstein files, numerous school districts throughout East Texas are canceling their partnerships with the company. According to our news partner KETK, districts that decided to end their partnership with Lifetouch earlier this week, following the allegations, include: Athens ISD, Kemp ISD, Malakoff ISD, Cross Roads ISD, Van ISD, Edgewood ISD and Winnsboro ISD.

In the released Jeffrey Epstein files, Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management, which is the parent company of Lifetouch, is accused of making at least $158 million in payments to Epstein for “purported tax and estate planning advice.” However, an investigation by the United States Senate Committee on Finance found that the money was used to finance Epstein’s sex trafficking operations. Continue reading Schools cut ties with photographer

TYLER — Tyler Junior College (TJC) could be adding three new buildings to its campus with the passage of a $167.3 million bond, set to be voted on in the May election. In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the TJC Board of Trustees called for a bond election that would pay for three new construction projects and improvements to existing facilities, costing an approximate $167,328,269 million. The proposal for the construction projects was developed by TJC’s Facility Planning Committee, which consists of college representatives and community members.

“The committee identified three major projects to provide for TJC’s community partnerships, student learning environments, workforce preparation and the college’s technological and physical infrastructure,” the institution said. “These areas were selected, in part, because they impact the entire campus.” Continue reading Board approves $167.3M bond election

HENDERSON COUNT — A family altercation turned deadly in Henderson County after a 22-year-old man was shot and killed by a relative on Feb. 6. Deputies were called to a disturbance in the 6300 block of County Road 4507, just outside of Athens, following an altercation between 22-year-old Timothy Parker and his 45-year-old stepfather, according to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and our news partner KETK, .

After the two separated, Parker returned to the scene with a gun and shot his stepfather. The stepfather’s dad then allegedly shot Parker. The sheriff told KETK News that Parker was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency crews arrived and began treating the stepfather before transporting him to a local hospital to be treated and is expected to recover.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The case will be forwarded to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and a grand jury will ultimately determine if any charges will be filed.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two have died in a plane crash near Echo Lake early Wednesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Chip Crist, a cattle owner near the crash site, said the plane, which had left Florida, refueled in Nacogoches before attempting to continue its flight. Along with fire and police units at the scene, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Aviation Administration are also there.

On Thursday morning, an FAA report states that an aircraft declared an emergency due to oil covering the windshield. It diverted but crashed into power lines near Echo Lakes’ runway. The plane is described as a Beech A36 model, a fixed-wing single-engine aircraft manufactured in 1994. The airplane is registered to AileRon T, LLC, based out of Orlando, Florida. The identities of the two people have not been released at this time.

TYLER – Beginning Monday, Feb. 16, Consent Decree capacity improvements will move to the intersection of Elm Street and College Avenue. Work is expected to take approximately eight weeks, weather permitting. Full access to the Fair Plaza Parking Garage will remain available.

Traffic will use Woldert Street, University Place, and College Avenue off Front Street to access the garage. The intersection of College Avenue and Elm Street will remain open, and sidewalks in the area will remain open.  Alleyway access off Elm Street will be closed during construction. Traffic control signs and devices are in place to guide motorists. Drivers are urged to use caution when traveling through the area. 

SMITH COUNTY – Non-Emergency Smith County Offices will be closed Monday, February 16, for Presidents Day. They will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, February 17. There will be no Commissioners Court meeting on February 17, because of a lack of quorum. Most of the court members will be attending a Texas Association of Counties conference. The next Commissioners Court meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, on the first floor of the Annex Building, at 200 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. Meeting agendas can be found here.

EAST TEXAS – On Wednesday, Van Zandt County Commissioners voted to pass a moratorium, pausing all planned green energy projects in the county until Attorney General Ken Paxton investigates their full effects. According to our news partner KETK, the moratorium passed unanimously, pausing construction of nine battery storage units and seven solar projects in the county. This fight has been ongoing since 2024, when the Finnish-based company Taaleri Energia announced the Amador Bess Project in rural Canton.

Given the proximity of international infrastructure to their homes, national security is a major concern for many residents.
Continue reading Lithium storage on hold

GLADEWATER — Gladewater ISD is asking voters to approve an $8.1 million bond for safety upgrades, new buses and career and technical education improvements, a proposal district officials say would not increase the current tax rate. The single-proposition bond would span 15 years and address transportation needs, facility renovations and equipment upgrades across the district, according to our news partner KETK.

Superintendent Rae Ann Patty said the bond would not raise the district’s interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate, which is currently .253336. The district passed a bond in 2014 that is set to expire in 2045 and has since paid down that debt enough to add the proposed $8.1 million while maintaining the same tax rate, according to Patty.

The proposal includes the purchase of new school buses that meet updated safety standards, including seatbelt requirements. Patty said that if the bond does not pass, buses would still be prioritized but the number purchased would be reduced due to budget constraints. Continue reading $8.1M bond, but no tax increase

PALESTINE — A man was arrested in Palestine on Wednesday for allegedly promoting child pornography online. The Palestine Police Department began an investigation in January after receiving several reports from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It was reported that an individual living on Crestline Drive was uploading, downloading and distributing child sexual abuse material online. Further investigation led police to believe that the IP address used to upload the images was linked to the same residence.

On Wednesday, the police department searched the home and arrested 27-year-old Juan Carlos Torres. He has been booked into the Anderson County Jail on charges of promotion of child pornography and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

UPDATE: As of Thursday afternoon, the teens are in stable condition and Tyler PD said the injuries are non-life threatening. More information will be released as the investigation continues.

TYLER — Two teenagers were injured in a shooting Wednesday night on Gentry Parkway near the Banana Tree Club. According to Tyler Police Department PIO Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, officers were dispatched at approximately 9:03 p.m. to the 1000 block of West Gentry Parkway following a call reporting an aggravated assault.

At the scene, officials found two 14-year-old victims with gunshot wounds. One teen had been shot multiple times in the leg and the other sustained one gunshot wound to the arm. Erbaugh said emergency medical services (EMS) responded and began treating the victims at the scene. Authorities said the suspect fled in a white vehicle last seen traveling west on Bow Street. No suspects have been detained as of Wednesday night.

Detectives and crime scene personnel are en route to the scene of the crime to begin an investigation. Additional details have yet to be released. This is a developing story and KETK News will update this article as more information becomes available.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson Sheriff’s Office has confirmed two have died in a plane crash near Echo Lake early Wednesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Chip Crist, a cattle owner near the crash site, said the plane, which had left Florida, refueled in Nacogoches before attempting to continue its flight. Along with fire and police units at the scene, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Aviation Administration are also there.

SMITH COUNTY — In a step towards pet care affordability, Smith County Commissioners have approved the launch of a new low-cost spay and neuter clinic in Tyler. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Smith County Animal Shelter and the Animal Protection League (APL). According to our news partner KETK, the APL has been dedicated to serving surrounding communities for years, offering affordable spay-and-neuter services and vaccinations. With the green light from the commissioners, they will now have a central location to operate from every Tuesday.

The clinic will be conveniently set up in the parking lot behind the county shelter, making it easier for pet owners to access essential services for their furry family members. Continue reading Affordable pet clinic approved

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County officials on Wednesday issued a 30-day burn ban, citing dangerous fire conditions. The ban prohibits any outdoor burning in the county’s unincorporated areas for 30 days beginning Wednesday, the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal said.

For more information on the ban visit the Van Zandt County website.

LONGVIEW — A man was found guilty on Wednesday for a dog attack that killed a person in February 2024 in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, a district court jury in Longview found Martin Rodriguez guilty of a second-degree felony for a fatal dog attack, after he pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. The attack happened early Feb. 1, 2024, the Longview Police Department responded to a report of a bicycle on a roadway in the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Rayburn Drive area.

Officers found 46-year-old Kenneth Pierson deceased with dog bite wounds along with the bicycle. Following an investigation and an autopsy, the police department obtained an arrest warrant for Rodriguez. Multiple dogs were taken from his home and he was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail for animals at large charges. Rodriquez could face up to 20 years in prison for the verdict. Pierson’s mother has filed a lawsuit against Rodriquez, the City of Longview, Zachary Decker and Decker Properties on behalf of her son.

UPDATE: I-20 has reopened and traffic flow has returned to normal, according to the Marshall Police Department.

MARSHALL – Interstate 20 westbound through the City of Marshall is currently shut down following an accident involving an 18-wheeler. According to the Marshall Police Department, traffic is being rerouted off I-20 onto US 59 North, then directed over to State Highway 43 South. This detour is creating significant traffic backups and delays in the area.

Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the area if possible and plan alternate routes.Drivers who must travel through the area should anticipate slowdowns, use caution, and remain patient and courteous to other motorists.The closure and rerouting are expected to remain in effect until approximately 6:00 p.m.

TYLER – The City is taking a steady approach to planning permanent repairs on a drainage culvert along East Elm Street, following the discovery of damage. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the City Council approved two contracts to assess the extent of the damage and began planning repairs to protect nearby buildings and public infrastructure.

On Nov. 10, of last year, the City discovered that a section of a stormwater box culvert along Elm Street, between Broadway Avenue and Spring Avenue, had collapsed. This led to a large washout/void behind the culvert, leaving the culvert’s roof unsupported and in distress. Emergency shoring was installed within the culvert that month to prevent further collapse and soil washout. The box culvert is 90 to 100 years old or older and contains damaged areas beyond the collapsed section that require repair or replacement.
Continue reading East Elm Street repairs  

TYLER — Union Pacific Railroad began clearing a homeless encampment from its property in Tyler on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the company said the encampments are illegal and that removing them is part of an effort to improve safety for trespassers and the surrounding community.

The cleanup was carried out with assistance from the Tyler Police Department at an encampment site located on railroad property.

Union Pacific stated that individuals at the site were warned twice over the past month to remove their belongings and relocate, according to the company.

ALBA — The Alba-Golden Independent School District (ISD) has scheduled a $20.6 million bond election for May. They aim to build a new Career and Technology Education facility and a new District Gymnasium that the district says aligns with its ongoing commitment to enhance learning environments.

The decision follows a recommendation from the Panther Legacy Vision Team, which consists of 36 members, including students, families, alumni, community members and district staff. This team has been evaluating the long-term facility needs over the past few months. If the bond is approved, the district expects to maintain a tax rate that remains lower than that of surrounding districts.

Further details will be released in the coming months. For any questions, individuals can reach out to Superintendent Shelby Davidson at the AGISD administration building or via email at [email protected].

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with seeking an independent audit of the county’s road bond program after a local watchdog group raised concerns about a reported $7 million discrepancy.

Grassroots America first brought the issue before the Smith County Commissioners Court, according to our news partner KETK. During its Dec. 16, 2025, meeting financial records tied to the voter-approved Road Bond Program were questioned. On Tuesday, commissioners approved a motion authorizing the county’s purchasing director to advertise for and receive sealed bids for requests for proposals for independent auditing services to review road bond expenditures and compliance. Any contract resulting from the bid process will return to the court for final approval. Continue reading Watchdog concerned with road bond

TYLER — The founder of the well-known boutique and restaurant in Tyler, the Potpourri House, died on Saturday at the age of 89.

According to the Potpourri House, Carol Ann Ellsworth, who died at Mother Francis Hospital surrounded by friends and family, initially founded the business with her husband, Frank Leslie “Les” Ellsworth II, on Front Street in Tyler in 1981.

Since then, the Potpourri House has been a popular destination for Tyler natives for over 40 years. The business was later passed down to Ellsworth’s son.

“Carol served as the visionary with Les for the business that has now been thriving in Tyler for more than 45 years,” the Potpourri House said. “Carol loved the Lord and her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.”

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate from Henderson County Jail, who died due to unknown causes in January. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, 42-year-old Karl Dora was admitted to the county jail on Aug. 1, 2025. He was found unresponsive in his jail cell by inmates on Jan. 25 and was taken to a local hospital.

After spending five days at the hospital, Dora was pronounced dead on Jan. 30, and the cause of death remains unknown. Dora’s death is currently being investigated by the Texas Rangers.

SMITH COUNTY — A Bullard man was arrested in early February for allegedly uploading pornographic images of children as young as one year old to his Google account. He reportedly traded his phone after learning his account had been deactivated. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County arrest documents revealed officers began investigating Dakota Reece on Jan. 8 after receiving a cyber-tip from Google Inc. through the Internet Crimes Against Children Data Systems.

The tip reported that the user, later revealed to be Reece, had uploaded 61 media files to their Google Photos at the end of 2025 that had been flagged to contain child pornography.

“All 61 media files were photos or videos of nude children ranging in age from approximately 1 year old to approximately 14 years old in provocative positions […] as well as adults engaging in [sexual acts] with children as young as 1 year of age,” documents read.

On Feb. 2, a search warrant was obtained for Reece’s Google account were law enforcement learned an email was sent to him on Dec. 3, 2025, informing him that their account had been disabled because it contained harmful content. Continue reading Man arrested for child porn

TYLER — Temple Grandin, a prominent autism advocate and leader in the cattle industry, will appear at several Tyler Junior College events this month. Grandin is widely known for her work in animal welfare and autism awareness. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she was diagnosed with autism at age 2. She experienced challenges with speech and social interaction early in life but developed a strong interest in reducing stress in livestock. Her ideas were initially met with skepticism in the cattle industry, but they later transformed cattle handling and housing practices across the United States. Grandin went on to become an influential voice in autism advocacy.

Her life and work inspired the 2010 biographical film Temple Grandin. Continue reading Autism advocate to speak at TJC

GREGG COUNTY — A house was said to be total loss following a fire on Saturday night in Gregg County, according to Fire Marshal Brian Russell. The Kilgore Fire Department responded around 10:15 p.m. to assist Sabine Fire & Rescue with a large house fire on Harvey Road in the Liberty City area near Kilgore. Russell confirmed Tuesday that no injuries were reported and said the home was a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing man who was last seen on Feb. 2. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, Devarrius Demontre Richardson was last seen in Log Cabin on Feb. 2. He was later reported missing by the Log Cabin Police Department. Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-675-5128.