Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
GILMER – A Titus County man, accused of shooting a woman and then driving around for several hours, is heading to prison. Steven Seth Rosewell, 32, of Cookville, changed his plea to guilty prior to his trial in Gilmer Tuesday morning. He asked for the jury to set his punishment. The panel deliberated about 30 minutes before sentencing him to 15 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Seven educators are being honored with Arts in Education Awards. Young Audiences of Northeast Texas announced the 2019 award winners. Individual arts educators from public and/or private schools within the Region 7 geographic area were eligible to be nominated. Finalists were selected by a panel of local arts professionals and community members. The winners will be honored at an award ceremony and dinner to be held in April at Tyler’s Willow Brook Country Club. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – The University of Texas at Tyler will break ground for a $1 million building for its University Academy in Palestine on Wednesday. The new 15,000-square-foot building will house 12 classrooms, with restrooms and a separate office area. This will allow the academy to expand by three grade levels, adding kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms. The school opened in 2012 to 100 students in grades third through sixth. It had to later move from its West Spring Street location when the fire marshal said it was unsafe. Wednesday morning’s ceremony will start at 10:00. No word on when they expect the building for the charter school to be completed.
LONGVIEW – One person is in jail in connection with the deaths of two women in Longview. The shooting was reported shortly after 12:30 Tuesday morning on Loring Lane. Killed were Lori Perez, 58, and Kristy Perez, 38. The two Longview women were dead at the scene. Arrested, after witnesses were able to help police identify the suspect, was Troy James Rider, Jr., 43, of Longview. He has been charged with capital murder. Investigators say a legal dispute over a car may have led to the shooting.
TYLER – Tyler Firemen will be conducting a fire safety blitz on Wednesday. The Tyler Fire Department reports that the risk of dying in a home fire is about 50% lower in homes that have working smoke alarms. So, firefighters will go door-to-door to check smoke alarms, replace batteries, and install free smoke alarms in the homes that need them. They will also be handing out home fire safety information. The Fire Safety Blitz, which will run from 9:00am till 1:00pm, is planned for the neighborhood surrounding the recent house fire on North Grand Avenue in which 3 persons were killed.
MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect in a drive-by shooting. It happened late at night on February 15th in the 100 block of Johnson Street. The shooting was recorded on a neighbor’s home video surveillance. The video shows a dark-colored, 2-door sedan driving down the street and a person in the vehicle firing multiple rounds at a house. No injuries were reported, but the home sustained moderate damage. If you have any information about the shooting you are asked to contact Marshall police.
LONGVIEW – Karl Rove, former top advisor to President George W. Bush, and Andrew Roberts, British historian and best selling author, are in Longview on Tuesday. They will be speaking to LeTourneau University students, Longview ISD students and the public.
The lectures start at 9:30am at LeTourneau University where Roberts will be lecturing on leadership. Rove will be lecturing on President Trump and the realignment of GOP politics. The lectures will be live-streamed on the KTBB Facebook page. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Filings have closed for candidates running in the May 4th elections. The Tyler school district has two contested races. District 3 board member Jean Washington decided not to run again. Filing for her post is Tyler ISD Foundation director and local banker Marc Loredo and retired Tyler school principal Freeman Sterling. In District 6, school board president Reverend Fritz Hager Jr. is being challenged by Lisa McClure. The district 1 school board member, Wade Washmon, did not draw a challenger. The last day to register to vote in the election is April 4th. The first day for early voting is April 22nd.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man is heading to prison for a fatal Longview accident. Chad Palmer Malone, 20, received three 12 year sentences which will be served concurrently. The Longview News Journal reports Malone entered into a deal and received the sentences for two charges of racing causing death and one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. It stems from his part in a fatal wreck in 2017 that killed his sister and his fiancee. A Hallsville man, who was racing Malone at the time of the accident, is scheduled for trial next month.
TYLER – Thanks to a Crimestoppers tip, a Tyler robbery suspect is in jail. Arrested was Jerry Lewis Cox Jr., 19, of Tyler. Officers found him Saturday and, after questioning, he was arrested for last Thursday night’s robbery of the Metro Food Mart on West Gentry Parkway. He is said to the the man who pointed a handgun at the clerk, demanded money and ran off with an undisclosed amount of money. He has been charged with aggravated robbery and is in the Smith County Jail under a $75,000 bond.
TYLER – A Tyler insurance agent has been exonerated of child abuse charges. William Ronald Crist, 47, of Flint, has been found not guilty of a variety child sexual assault charges. He was arrested last March for the continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14. He also faced two sexual assault of a child charges. His lawyer told our news partner KETK that Crist was “very grateful for the jury seeing the truth in this case.” Following his arrest last year, his lawyer told KETK that Crist “was going through a bitter divorce from his wife and we believe these allegations are being made by his wife for financial reasons and by his accuser for personal reasons.” He said Crist passed a polygraph exam regarding the allegations.
TYLER – The campus teachers of the year have been announced in the Tyler school district. Their school administrators and staff selected the winners at each campus. They were selected because they exemplify extraordinary models of leadership and excellence in teaching. This ultimately helps create successful student achievement. Tyler ISD will honor all Campus Teachers of the Year and announce its 2019 District Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet to be held May 7th. The high school campus winners are Nancy Caraway at John Tyler and Melinda Tefteller at Robert E Lee. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The new president of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System has now been commissioned for his new duties. The ceremony for Jason Proctor was held Thursday morning in the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler Chapel. Proctor was selected as the new president last December 7th. Proctor has over a decade of leadership experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit health care. He was previously the chief operating officer for Christus Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler and Christus Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler since 2014.
RUSK – The Rusk Police Department is looking for assistance in identifying two persons involved in area thefts. They are believed to have been involved in an auto theft. The vehicle has been recovered. They are also possibly involved in thefts involving ATM’s or other coin type machines in Jacksonville, Tyler, Palestine, and Bullard. CrimeStoppers will pay a reward for information leading to the arrest/conviction of any suspects up to $1,000. If you have any information regarding the suspects or vehicle please contact the Rusk Police Department at 903-683-2677 or CrimeStoppers at 903-586-7867. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – Lindale police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two theft suspects. In a posting on Facebook, they say the theft occurred at Walmart. They are said to have arrived at the store in a Silver full size van, unknown make or model. If you know the subjects please contact the department and ask for Detective Curtis Philpot or by e-mail at curtisp@lindaletx.gov. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler police say an office thief is at work in Tyler. They say the woman, seen in this picture, enters offices in Tyler while employees are working. She wants to steal purses for the financial contents while the employees are not present at their desk. She has been approached by employees and she convinces them that she was late for an appointment. She then uses the stolen credit cards that she took from the purses and purchases high dollar gift cards until the cards are declined. If you can identify this suspect please contact Detective Royce Jordan at the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1032.
TYLER – The names of the victims of a Tyler fire have been released. Fire Marshall Paul Findley identified them as a 1 year old girl, Cambryn Anderson-McAllister and Christopher Anderson, 40, who both died last Saturday. The third victim, Sharon Brown, 60, died last Sunday. Two children remain in a Fort Worth hospital after being transferred from Tyler on Saturday morning. Camden Anderson, 6, and Collin Anderson, 2, are both recovering from their injuries. The fire was reported around 6:15 last Friday evening at a home on North Grand. The fire is said to have started in the living room. The cause remains under investigation.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Public Library will be opening a Seed Library on Saturday. Library patrons will be able to check out seeds as well as books and other materials. The goal of the seed library is to cultivate a community of sharing and promote home gardening. Library patrons are encouraged to learn how to save seeds from the plants they grow and return the seeds to the library for other persons to plant in the following years. Saturday’s event will include a series of brief gardening talks as well as activities for children, a story time and planting activity.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has received a $12,000 gift as a part of a collaboration between its School of Education and the Cooperative Teachers Credit Union. The gift will support the East Texas Center for School Based Research and Instruction. It provides professional development for teachers and administrators in the region. According to a news release from the school, the money will fund upcoming center projects designed to provide resources to help meet educational needs in area schools and communities. Projects include a school leadership conference, a literacy academy, an annual school law conference, a conference focused on women in leadership and seminar-style events called “ED Talks.”
TYLER – A Tyler woman has signed the official closing documents for her new home with Habitat for Humanity of Smith County. Diana Bautista and her two teenaged daughters plan to move into their new home on North Tenneha this weekend. She says, as a single mom, all they could afford was a one-bedroom garage apartment , and now, they have a home of their own. She and her daughters completed over 350 “sweat equity” hours by helping build her home and others. She is purchasing the house from Habitat with no interest on the 30 year mortgage. Read the rest of this entry »
CARTHAGE – An Overton man has been killed in a two vehicle accident in Panola County. Pronounced dead at the scene was Jesus Ramon Reyes, 41. He was killed when his pickup ran into the back of a trailer that was being pulled by a Mack truck. The Department of Public Safety report says the truck was legally stopped to make a left turn onto a private drive when the accident occurred. The Carthage man who was driving the truck was not injured. The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon shortly before 5:15 on U.S. Highway 79, just over two miles west of Carthage.
LONGVIEW – A jury in state district court in Longview has sentenced Johnifer Ray Mumphrey, 54, of Kilgore, to 55 years in prison. His punishment was enhanced because of his criminal record, which includes two felony convictions for burglary and sexual assault. Last May, he is said to have stormed into a home and choked a woman and hit her in the face with his fist. A couple of days after the incident, he was arrested by Kilgore police. He was charged with burglary of a habitation, with intent to commit assault.
AUSTIN – The state’s Million Dollar Loteria game has created a millionaire in Smith County. A Tyler resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game. The winning ticket was purchased at Tiger Express #7, located on East Main Street in Whitehouse. The winner elected to remain anonymous. This was the third of five top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game, which offers more than $90 million in total prizes.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and charged with indecency with a child. Arrested by the Texas Rangers Tuesday afternoon was Jonathan Bryan Shobert, 46, a sergeant with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. According to the arrest warrant, which was obtained by our news partner KETK, the incident took place on January 26. Shobert is currently free on a $50,000 bond.
TYLER – East Texas Christian Academy’s Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Myron Bruce as Head of School. The appointment becomes effective in June. For the past the past 4 years, Bruce has been the Regional Development Director for Freed Hardeman University. He has also served in the ministry for 16 years. Bruce will begin his work at the school immediately in a part-time development capacity. He will be working alongside Dr. Michael Weimer to facilitate the planned transition.
EAST TEXAS – Recent fires in Tyler and Smith County have killed five persons. Now, a fire in Nacogdoches County has killed two. It was reported shortly after 6:00 Wednesday morning on Andy Lane. One woman was dead at the scene. The other died at a Nacogdoches hospital. Injured was a 14 year old girl. She was airlifted to a burn center hospital in the Dallas area where she is listed in critical condition. The names have not been released. Investigators say It appears that the fire started on the front porch of the residence. The cause remains under investigation.
TYLER – Tyler is being recognized as a dementia friendly community. Tyler and Fort Worth were the only cities in Texas to have received this recognition. The recognition came after the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County submitted documentation and letters. It showed Tyler is engaging in important work to support those in our community that are living with dementia as well as their caregivers and families. Included was a summary of the amazing accomplishments of the Tyler Area Chamber Senior Resource Committee and their members and partners. There were also letters of support from the Northeast Texas Public Health District, Smith County Commissioners Court and three Chamber Committees. Next, they want to form subcommittees to continue moving this progress forward. You can be a member of one of these sub committies by contacting Stephanie Taylor with the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County.
TYLER – A third person has died as the result of a Tyler fire. A 60 year old woman is the latest victim. She died at a Dallas hospital. Previously a 40 year old man and a young girl died from injuries received in the fire. Two children are still in the hospital, being treated for their injuries. They are continuing to improve. The fire was reported around 6:15 Friday evening at a home on North Grand. The fire is said to have started in the living room. The cause remains under investigation.
TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of February 11. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
In Henderson County, an emergency maintenance contract is underway to repair the State Highway 274 Bridge at the Cedar Creek Lake Reservoir Spillway. The project has been awarded to Longview Bridge and Road. The bridge, located between Trinidad and Tool, was initially closed January 30th as a precautionary measure after an exposed roadway joint was observed during a routine visual inspection. A thorough inspection conducted by bridge experts on January 31 indicated some concrete deterioration underneath the structure. Barring any unforeseen issues, the project is expected to be completed by the end of the month. For now, motorists must use alternate routes along SH 334, SH 198 and SH 31 to reach their destinations. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A one vehicle accident has killed a Tyler man. Killed when his car overturned in a creek around 4:15 Saturday afternoon on North Parkdale Drive was Terry Dewayne Cain, 38. Tyler police say his car appeared to have been traveling north when it veered left and went off of the road rolled over in the creek, and came to rest upside down. The investigation into the accident is continuing.