Today is
Monday June 15, 2026
LONGVIEW — A beloved Longview businessman from one of the city’s most historic families has passed away. KETK reports Keith Anderson Castleberry, better known as “Buster,” died early Monday morning in Longview at the age of 77. The lifelong Longview resident and graduate of Spring Hill High School played a pivotal role in developing the Spring Hill area in northern Longview alongside his brother, Larry, through their company, Castleberry Construction. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Four East Texas lawmakers are ranked among the best as Texas Monthly releases its annual list identifying its picks for the state’s Best and Worst Legislators of 2017. Here’s the rundown as reported by our news partner KETK:
Representative Matt Schaefer (R, Tyler – pictured)
Rep. Schaefer represents House District 6, which encompasses Smith County.
What Texas Monthly says:
“The (Texas) Freedom Caucus has become surprisingly effective. As the caucus leader, Schaefer has clearly learned how the game is played at the Capitol, and for better or worse, he was surprisingly good at it this session.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities began the conversion from free chlorine back to chloramine disinfection at midnight Tuesday night. Oficials say while there may be temporary changes to taste or odor, this should be minimal. They say they don’t anticipate that the conversion will be as noticeable as the conversion to free chlorine. Customers may contact Tyler Water Utilities at (903) 531-1238 to report any changes to smell or taste.
KILGORE – As anticipated, Kilgore College trustees have voted to close three programs. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the move came despite comments from a series of surgical technology students and educators who strongly defended that course as vital to the Longview/Kilgore medical community. A trustees committee had recommended closing the surgical technology, drafting and design, and commercial photography programs. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — An East Texas man has surrendered to authorities in connection with a fatal accident that occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records show Michael Fielder, 46, turned himself in to officials around 10:15 Monday evening. Fielder was charged with intoxication manslaughter stemming from a February 5 head-on collision. According to the Lindale Police Department, Fielder was southbound in his truck on South Main Street in Lindale when witnesses say he crossed the center line and hit a juvenile who was northbound in his pickup. The teen was headed home from work at KFC. The juvenile was pronounced dead and Fielder suffered injuries. Officials ordered a toxicology report and blood test, and results showed Fielder’s BAC was .117. Fielder has since posted his $10,000 bond and was released.
LONGVIEW — Good news for drivers in Longview. KETK reports three major street projects are either on or ahead of schedule. The first is improvements of Hawkins Parkway at Eastman Road. We’re told the project is ahead of schedule and expected to be finished next month. Meanwhile, construction on East Cotton Street is only about a quarter of the way done but should be finished by next summer. And improvements to Center Street are expected to be complete by early 2018.
TYLER — It’s just about three months now until the East Texas State Fair opens — and right now fair staffers are calling all volunteers. Fair President John Sykes tells KETK at any given season, there are roughly 300 volunteers on the fairgrounds. He says it’s a very fun and rewarding job. “What does it all take to get this ready, much less what does it take to execute it?” says Sykes. “Volunteers are a critical part. You can see the joy that they get from fulfilling a specific mission, having a specific responsibility that needs to get done, and then doing that.” More than $1 million has been raised through the fair for student scholarships. Sykes says the fair is an economically powerful fundraiser for the East Texas community.
TYLER – People who use Tyler Transit buses can now enjoy a cold bottle of water that will be waiting at several bus stops throughout the Tyler area. The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) continues its annual partnership in the effort with The Worthy Ones, a local nonprofit organization; several local businesses are also involved. NET Health officials say without access to water, people waiting at the bus stops increase their risk for dehydration and heat stroke. The bottled water project is in conjunction with the 2017 Heat Response Plan, developed by NET Health, the Tyler Fire Department, and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.
MARSHALL (Staff/AP) — Harrison County deputies were shocked Sunday when a the subject of a welfare check committed suicide in front of them. Then they connected him to a double homicide that happened in Shreveport just hours earlier. More than a dozen Shreveport officers responded to the original crime scene around 6 a.m. Sunday, where they found a man and a woman shot to death. Harrison County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jay Webb says both Harrison County investigators and Shreveport police are investigating the case. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The United Way of Smith County will host the 24th annual Day of Caring this Friday. Over 400 volunteers are donating their time and skills to complete multiple projects that can be “done in a day†for local nonprofits. The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast at First Christian Church and the dispensing of work assignments for 33 projects that are scheduled at local nonprofit organizations. The work day is over by 1:00; volunteers then return to First Christian for lunch and to celebrate and draw for door prizes provided by local merchants. According to a news release, the United Way sponsors the Day of Caring to showcase the value of volunteers and the impact their collective efforts can have on the community. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — Authorities say a 36-year-old suspected drug dealer riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road was arrested over the weekend by a Henderson County deputy. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says Andrew Allen Page of Chandler was apprehended in the Sunrise Shores subdivision south of Chandler. Hillhouse says Page was carrying more than five grams of suspected methamphetamine and several clear plastic baggies commonly used to distribute the illegal drug. Read the rest of this entry »
EL PASO — Former East Texas journalist Mark Allen died over the weekend following a car crash in El Paso. KETK reports details in the crash are limited. Allen worked as a videographer, editor, and writer at various news organizations in East Texas. He also worked as a mentor to students at the University of Texas at Tyler, where his wife works. A memorial is being planned for a later date in Tyler.
TYLER — At the Tyler City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 14, Solid Waste employee Galen Billington was recognized as the City of Tyler Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award winner. This award is reserved for employees who place the highest premium of responsiveness to citizens’ needs, according to a city news release. City officials say after a large downtown festival, contracted cleanup crews failed to fulfill their duties, leaving downtown in a state of extreme clutter with piles of debris scattered in the area. Galen Billington received a call for help around 6:00 the following morning, which was a Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — To celebrate the redesign and reopening of Bergfeld Park’s Amphitheater and the new Centene Stage, Tyler Civic Theater and the City of Tyler will host the Bergfeld Summer Showcase Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. City personnel say everyone’s invited to watch and sing along to songs and scenes from the shows “Rock of Ages,” “Peter Pan Jr. the Musical” and “Legally Blonde the Musical.” Food trucks will be on site, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and portable seating. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of June 19. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.
In Gladewater, Phase I work to widen US 80 from Loop 485 to Locker Plant Road kicks off on the eastbound side of the roadway. The project will impact traffic. Expect lane closures and delays. Get more information on this project in the Gregg County section of this story. Read the rest of this entry »