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UPDATE: Dyke’s memorial service will be held at the Green Acres Baptist Church on July 9 starting at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers Dykes family requests that donations are made to the Green Acres Foundation.

TYLER — Former Green Acres Baptist Church Pastor David Dykes has died, sources close to the family confirmed on Thursday morning. The church said it will release additional information regarding arrangements later Thursday afternoon. Details into Dykes’ death are unknown. His family requests privacy during this time.

According to our news partner KETK, Dykes began preaching in 1970, and went on to serve as the senior pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church from 1991 to 2021. He then served as Pastor Emeritus of Green Acres.

He was also the author of several books, including Handling Life’s Disappointments, Ten Requirements for America’s Survival, and Angels Really DO exist. Continue reading Pastor Dykes funeral arrangements announced

GREGG COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is searching for several men suspected of stealing fireworks from a stand in Liberty City on Monday night.

According to officials, multiple unknown men broke into the 582 Fireworks stand, and allegedly stole several packages of fireworks before the owner arrived. The owner attempted to stop the burglary while in progress. The suspects were seen driving away from the scene in a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, according to officials.

Several pictures taken from surveillance footage during the incident were posted on Facebook by the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone who may recognize any of the suspects or have information related to this case is asked to call Investigator Todd Chastain at (903) 237-2514 or call Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.

UPSHUR COUNTY– An Upshur County man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery that took place two years ago, according to our news partner KETK and the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office.

On June 6, 2023, Dabrodrick Deondre Mathis, along with another person, convinced a man to drive from Texarkana after telling him he was meeting a woman. Once the victim arrived, Mathis and the other person involved pointed a gun at the victim’s face then stole his iPhone, Apple Watch, wallet, credit card, and forced the victim to send them money through Cash App. Once the victim left the scene, he reported the incident to authorities at the Gilmer Police Department, prompting an investigation. Continue reading Upshur County man sentenced to 30 years for robbery

BULLARD — According to our news partner KETK, eight people were taken into ICE custody on Wednesday following a traffic stop in Bullard with one man fleeing the scene. ICE spokesperson Dexter Henson said 8 people were taken into ICE custody after being contacted by Bullard law enforcement. According to Henson, this was a normal traffic stop and not part of any immigration task force investigation.

A Bullard police officer was reportedly conducting a traffic stop for a violation when a Hispanic man fled from the vehicle.

Officials said the man is still on the run, but is not believed to be armed or dangerous. The Bullard Police Department is asking anyone with information about the man to contact them at 903-894-7788.

RAINS COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a second Rains County judge has been arrested for tampering with a witness.

According to records obtained from the Rains County District Clerk, Judge Linda Wallace has been indicted for witness tampering in the case State of Texas v. Robert Jenkins Franklin. Franklin was a justice of the peace who was arrested in May for official oppression and witness tampering. He is accused of telling a victim, “You take that deal, boy – or dead man can’t testify.”

“Wallace….did coerce [victim] who was a prospective witness in an official proceeding, by pressuring her as supervisor of her employment with intent to influence [the victim] to withhold testimony,” the indictment reads.

Wallace was appointed to fill the vacant Rains County judge position for the unexpired term of Rains County Judge Wayne Wolfe in 2021.

ANGELINA COUNTY – One man is dead after threatening members of the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office with what was later revealed to be an airsoft gun, according to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK.

On Tuesday morning, deputies were patrolling Stubblefield Road off of US Hwy 69, northwest of Lufkin, searching for John Franklin Carter, who had an active felony warrant for assault family violence. The warrant was issued after investigators say Carter had strangled his girlfriend into unconsciousness and also cut another man with a knife who was attempting to get Carter off the victim.

While searching for Carter, deputies recognized his Toyota and immediately began to approach the vehicle. A female driver, along with Carter, then exited the car. According to officials, Carter began acting upset and was holding what appeared to be a black handgun. Continue reading One dead after officer involved shooting

TEXARKANA -A federal inmate has received an additional prison sentence for assaulting a correctional officer in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a press release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

According to information presented in court, on November 29, 2022, Andrew Hunter, 23, of Mount Pleasant, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, had an altercation with a correctional officer in a hallway at the Federal Prison Camp. During the altercation, Hunter shoved the officer causing him to strike the back of his head against a wall. The officer sustained serious injuries that required medical attention.

Hunter pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer and was sentenced to an additional 18 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III, on July 2, 2025.

TEXARKANA – A 29-year-old Texarkana mother was arrested on Sunday after leaving her children alone for nearly five hours at home, which later caught on fire.

At around 12:50 p.m., officers from the Texarkana Police Department responded to a fire in the 1900 block of Walnut Street, where they saw flames shooting from the roof. A neighbor was able to get the two boys out to safety across the street. As officials spoke to the children, they found out that their mother, Hilda Xona Cojoc, had left them alone since 8 a.m. to go to work. The children had been left alone for about five hours. Officers then contacted Cojoc, who came straight home.

Cojoc was arrested and taken to the Bi-State jail with a bond set at $150,000. Her children were placed in the care of Children’s Protective Services.

“We’re just incredibly grateful this didn’t turn into something even worse,” the Texarkana Police Department said. “This could have been ended in absolute tragedy.”

UPSHUR COUNTY – After an incident occurred on a Union Grove campus, a criminal investigation has been launched against a student and the district’s superintendent, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office received information on on June 11 from Union Grove ISD, and a parent of the alleged student victim who was involved in an incident on campus.

After speaking with the victim’s parents and members of the Union Grove ISD, a criminal investigation was opened against a student for allegedly engaging in invasive visual recording, which is considered a felony in Texas. During the investigation, information was revealed that led to Superintendent Mrs. Kelly Moore being investigated for failure to report, which is a class A misdemeanor.

According to officials, both cases are under active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

TITUS COUNTY — Authorities are searching for the driver accused of killing a cyclist after a fatal hit-and-run on Tuesday night in Titus County, our news partner KETK reports.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 8:40 p.m., officials received a 911 call of a hit-and-run fatality on FM 2152 involving an unidentified vehicle and a bicyclist.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the bicyclist was traveling northbound when the vehicle hit him from behind, throwing the man off the bicycle and into the ditch, and then the vehicle fled the scene.

DPS has since released a picture of a vehicle they believe to be involved in the crash. The bicyclist has been identified and the next of kin have been notified. Officials did not release the victim’s name to the media at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the crash or the vehicle is asked to contact DPS at 903-255-5701.

TYLER – From July 4-7, Tyler residents can expect to see several more officers on the streets as the Tyler Police Department launches measures to increase public safety.

Tyler PD public information officer Andy Erbaugh said the department will be stationing more officers throughout the city in an effort to protect the public during this Fourth of July weekend.

Officers will be following the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) to help deal with the expected increase in traffic and intoxicated driving. STEP is a program that teaches officers how to address different traffic situations including pedestrian safety, speed and occupant protection.

Erbaugh said officers are on the lookout for impaired or intoxicated driving and the department encourages people to drive responsibly.

TYLER — During this year’s legislative session, Texas lawmakers created several new laws to amplify the fight against financial crimes, including the expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center. According to our news partner KETK, the expansion is developing more opportunities for the center to combat financial crimes related to card skimmers, fuel theft and payment fraud.

“The more we delve into this, it’s kind of like a Pandora’s Box,” Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center Director Adam Colby said. “The more energy we put into the fight, the more we uncover, and it just seems to be nonstop.”

In Senate Bill One, Texas lawmakers quadrupled the center’s funding, allowing for major expansion across the state and taking their team from 15 people to 41. Continue reading Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center expanding

TYLER — There will be a 4^th of July celebration and fireworks show at Lindsey Park this Friday. The gates will open at 3pm. The fireworks show will start around 9:15pm. Tyler Police advise drivers that at 9pm, Spur 364 will be closed to all traffic between Loop 323 and Greenbriar Road.  After the fireworks show all eastbound traffic on Spur 364 will have to turn right onto Loop 323. Traffic on Loop 323 will not be allowed to turn west onto Spur 364 while the show is exiting which could take up to 1 hour. Officers will be stationed at Spur 364/Loop 323, Greenbriar/Hwy 64 W and DPS Troopers will be at Spur 364/Hwy 31 W.

TRINITY COUNTY — Trinity County animal control officer, Brandon Furman, was arrested on Tuesday for sexual assault of a child allegations, according to our news partner KETK.

The sheriff’s office arrested Furman on the same day allegations against him came to light. Wallace said he was immediately placed on administrative leave. Through an investigation from sheriff’s office officials and a constable, authorities found enough probable cause to gain and execute an arrest warrant for Furman all in the same day.

Furman was taken into custody pending further investigation and is currently sitting in the Trinity County Jail on charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

MABANK – Three people were arrested on Sunday after officials carried out a search warrant and found suspected methamphetamine along with paraphernalia, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Jason Michael Marshall, Andrea Jennifer Rogers and Jonathon Cannon were taken into custody following a narcotics search warrant at the 100 block of Memorial Drive in Mabank.

Reports said investigators found Marshall, near a vehicle outside his residence, which held a shotgun in a passenger seat. He was then taken into custody and it was later revealed that Marshall is a convicted felon. Once Marshall was secured, investigators proceeded to search Marshall’s residence where they found suspected methamphetamine, several baggies and scales. The other two suspects, Rogers and Cannon were found inside the residence and arrested.

Officials said Rogers was in possession of suspected methamphetamine at the time of her arrest and Cannon was caught with an arrest warrant. Marshall was charged with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. All three suspects are currently awaiting arraignment at a local jail and were booked on the following charges, according to Henderson County Jail records.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman on Monday in connection with a minor’s fatal drug overdose that occurred in 2024, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Officials said Diamon Leann Yates was arrested on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance. The arrest comes after an investigation conducted by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office started on July 17, 2024 when a minor was found dead from an overdose. As part of the investigation, the American Forensics lab examined the minor’s body and a toxicology report disclosed the presence N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene, a new drug that was not recognized under Texas law at the time. Continue reading Woman arrested for minor’s 2024 fatal overdose

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an Upshur County man was sentenced to forty years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver as a habitual offender.

In August of 2022, Matthew Thomas was arrested after he was found slumped over and unresponsive in his vehicle on Silk Tree Road outside of a home. Once on the scene, officers reportedly saw a green glass pipe with burnt residue lying in the vehicle. Following his arrest, two large plastic bags containing meth were removed from his pocket, according to the press release.

On Monday, Thomas was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the 115th District Judge, Dean Fowler. Thomas’s sentence range was raised because of prior criminal history, including a conviction in 2007 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was also convicted in 2018 for evading arrest with a vehicle. Thomas waived his right to appeal the case and was given a sentence to serve 40 years in state prison.

TYLER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean of Longview said that BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and CHRISTUS Health have extended their current contract until Aug. 1, 2025. “CHRISTUS and BlueCross BlueShield of Texas have extended their current contract to August 1 while they continue negotiating,” Dean said. “I’ve been working with both parties to come to a reasonable conclusion to protect patients of East Texas!”

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas’ ActiveCare BlueCross BlueShield website confirmed that the contract has been extended until Aug. 1.

“We have a long and positive relationship with CHRISTUS Health, but you are our priority,” the website said. “We want to reach an agreement that will continue to give you access to CHRISTUS Health doctors, facilities and hospitals at fair prices.”

TYLER – The City of Tyler said in a press release, that construction crews will be working on roadway base repairs on East Rieck Road. The project started Monday June 30 and will run through Monday, July 7. City officials said the route of the construction is East Rieck Road between South Broadway Avenue and New Copeland Road. They add, there will be some lane closures, and drivers should expect 10 to 15 minute delays.

MOUNT PLEASANT – A Mexican national, illegally living in Mount Pleasant, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a press release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Solorio-Martinez, 38, was named in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported. The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Solorio-Martinez was found illegally in Mount Pleasant, after having been previously deported to Mexico from the United States on August 8, 2017.

If convicted, Solorio-Martinez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, FBI, and Mount Pleasant Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

TYLER – According to a press release from Eastern District of Texas, a Mexican national, illegally living in Rains County, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

Rigoberto Herrera-Rodriguez, 59, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on June 4, 2025, Herrera-Rodriguez was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm. Herrera-Rodriguez had been previously deported to Mexico from the United States in December 2024. Continue reading Armed Mexican national federally indicted in East Texas

KILGORE – Interstate 20 near Kilgore remains closed after an Amazon truck driver rolled over early Monday morning, causing packages to spill under a bridge, according to our news partner KETK.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the crash occurred at around 1 a.m. on Monday on I-20 between FM 2807 and Highway 31. A preliminary investigation indicates that the driver was either fatigued or asleep at the time of the crash. DPS said the driver is okay and there are no known injuries at this time.

The area is expected to be shut down for several hours until it is cleaned up and all packages are picked up. TxDOT is helping traffic be rerouted on FM 2807 until the roadways reopen.

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from Christus Health, as the Fourth of July approaches, fireworks can carry serious risks when not handled with care.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) annual fireworks report found that there were 11 deaths and over 14,700 injuries related to fireworks in the U.S. in 2024, an increase of 38% in deaths and 52% in injuries compared to 2023.

“The reality is that fireworks are explosives, and they should be treated as such,” said Hailey Evans, RN, at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. “No matter your age or experience, fireworks can be unpredictable. It’s important to remember that safety should always come first.” Continue reading Christus Health urges firework safety

TYLER – According to a press release from Cause Creative Group, PATH (People Attempting to Help) and Meals on Wheels East Texas are excited to announce their 4th Annual Beat the Heat Fan Distribution.

On Wednesday, July 2, 2024 at 9 am, distribution will begin from the Meals on Wheels office located at 3001 Robertson Rd. More than 20 fans will be distributed to area senior citizens on Wednesday through Meals on Wheels delivery drivers.

Each year, beginning May 1st, PATH organizes an annual fan drive, with fan distribution commencing on July 1. This is a fantastic opportunity for two local nonprofits to partner, utilizing both of their resources to serve our East Texas neighbors in need. Each household is eligible to receive one fan and can obtain a fan from PATH once every two years. Continue reading PATH and Meals on Wheels partner to distribute fans

SMITH COUNTY – The driver of a Mustang is safe after the car went off a Smith County road and landed in water early Monday morning, according to a press release from The Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2 reported that the crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. A deputy saw a Mustang leave the road and hit a ditch before it became submerged in water. The driver, who was the only one in the car, got out of the vehicle safely.

Through the initial investigation by The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that the Ford Mustang was northbound in the 5000 block of FM 2908. He was driving behind a Chevy pickup pulling a trailer. The Chevy driver began brake-checking the driver of the Ford Mustang. As the Mustang driver attempted to pass in a legal passing zone, the driver of the truck veered over into his lane. The truck struck the Mustang on the right side, forcing him off the road and into the creek.

The driver of the Chevy truck was identified as 20-year-old Samuel Stone of Tyler. He was taken into custody for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The driver of the Ford Mustang, 25-year-old Ryan Lee Huffman of Eustace, was also taken into custody on a warrant out of Van Zandt County for Escape from Custody.

Both individuals were transported to Christus ER in Tyler for precautionary measures prior to being booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER – As Summer heats up, Tyler Animal Services is partnering with PATH (People Attempting to Help) to make a meaningful difference for local families and animals in need of loving homes.

According to a press release from the City of Tyler, this July adoption fees for dogs and cats will be waived with the donation of two, new box fans. These fans will be donated to PATH (People Attempting to Help), a local nonprofit that supports East Texans facing hardship. PATH offers various essential services, including rent and utility assistance, emergency prescriptions, food, dental and vision care, and affordable housing. Each year, PATH serves more than 25,000 individuals across the region. The donated fans will help PATH clients stay cool and safe during the extreme summer heat, as many of them lack adequate air conditioning.

Typically, adoption fees are $120 for dogs and $80 for cats. With this month’s promotion, your donation of two box fans replaces the adoption fee, making it easier than ever to welcome a new pet into your home.

All adopted animals are spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations.