Today is
Monday June 15, 2026
LONGVIEW – Longview conducted the monthly test of the emergency siren network on Wednesday. During the test, only eight of the twenty sirens were confirmed to work properly. The electronic equipment that relays the signal to the sirens was initially damaged during the storm on Sunday, May 28. While the electronic equipment continued to work during last week’s test and all sirens sounded on May 31, the damaged electronic equipment did not properly work on Wednesday’s test. The affected electronic equipment will be replaced as soon as it is available and tests will follow. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Several late night robberies in Longview are under investigation. Two robberies occurred on on June 2. One was on West Loop 281 shortly before 1:00am and one was on Gilmer Road two hours later. The suspects are identified as two white males 18 to 20 years of age. Around 3:00 Wednesday morning, the Food Fast on the South Access Road was robbed by a white male 5’6†to 5’8â€. All three-location had money taken but no weapons were used and no one was injured. Detective Juarez-Ortega is investigating these robberies and can be contacted at 903-237-1110 if anyone has any additional information.
TYLER – A Man accused of biting a sheriff’s deputy has been indicted by the Smith County grand jury. Justin Utah Carsten, 22, of Bullard was indicted late last week for assault on a public servant. When deputies responded to a disturbance call on Deer Cove Road on April 14th, they found Carsten, high on something, naked and armed with a shovel. When he wouldn’t put down the shovel, they used a taser on him. He was not affected by it. While bringing him under control, he is said to have bit a deputy on the leg. Both were treated and released at a Tyler hospital.
TYLER – Tyler’s Assistant Police Chief, Billy Yates graduated Wednesday from the FBI National Academy Session # 268 in Quantico, Virginia. Law Enforcement Professionals from around the world are nominated and then selected to attend the NA at Quantico after a rigorous vetting process. The Tyler Police Department has had a total of ten former or current command staff who have graduated from the national academy.
TYLER -The Tyler firefighters Fill the Boot Drive proved to be a huge success. On May 12th, Tyler firemen asked you to fill boots with money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This year’s drive was a record, $54,087.04. Tyler Fire Chief David Coble expressed his deep gratitude to the Tyler firefighters and the citizens of Tyler for their tremendous support. In thanking those you donated to the campaign, Chief Coble said, “Your generous donations are helping our community get closer to finding cures for Muscular Dystrophy.â€
AUSTIN – Area sales tax allocations are looking better than at this time last year. The state comptroller’s office has announced sales tax allocations for June of over $640 million. That is nearly 4% more than June of last year. The allocations are based on sales made in April. In East Texas, Tyler’s sales tax allocation comes to $3,068,681.18. This is 3.66% higher that the same period last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations have come to $20,210,437.80, which is up 2.99%. Longview’s sales tax allocation for this period is $2.221,570.29. This is 1.44% more than June of last year. Longview’s year to date total is $14,794,297,86, or 0.51% below the year to date total last year.
LINDALE – 31-year-old Justin Landreau of Tyler has been identified as the man killed in an industrial accident at the Target Distribution Center in Smith County. The distribution center is located south of Interstate Highway 20 near mile marker 554 on Harvey Road, near Lindale. A statement from Target identifies the victim as a contractor. According to KETK, Target says it’s partnering closely with local officials and will fully assist in the investigation. There was no immediate word on how Landreau died.
TYLER — Another large crowd was on hand as Tyler’s East Texas Islamic Society opened the doors of its mosque to the community for an annual open house — part of the holy month of Ramadan. Visitors learned about Islam as they listened to a panel of speakers and got to ask questions, along with enjoying food and fellowship. Society spokesman Anwar Khalifa told KTBB, “We want to open up. We want the community comfortable with their Muslim neighbors…We want to be a part of the community, not apart from the community.” As for the response, Khalifa said, “It’s amazing — I think this is the biggest turnout we’ve had,” adding that the society members were “just so grateful for everybody that’s here.
GILMER — A Gilmer man has been indicted in the April shooting death of his stepfather, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said Tuesday. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Clinton Ray Allen, 45, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of James Earl Robertson, who was found shot to death in his home April 6 in the 400 block of Holly Road, the sheriff’s office reported. Allen remained in the Upshur County Jail on Tuesday on $950,000 bond. Officials said a family dispute led to the shooting.
TYLER – A Wood County man is being accused of sexual assault of a child. Arrested was Scott Michael Young, 57, of Quitman. The incident is said to have occurred just before 2:00 Tuesday morning on County Road 32. A witness detained the suspect, at gunpoint, until sheriff’s deputies arrived. According to the witness, the suspect had exposed his genitals to a 6 year old child. During the investigation deputies discovered that there were a total of three minor children present in the residence. They were taken to the Smith County Children’s Advocacy Center where they underwent forensic interviews. During the interviews two of the children told interviewers about sexual assault, including the initial victim. Young remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $450,000. The investigation is continuing.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested after an officer saw him drop a bag containing methamphetamine. Derrick Larry Colbert Sr., 39, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was arrested around 1:30 Tuesday morning after officers saw him riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, which is against a city ordinance. The Longview News Journal reports, when officers tried to stop him, he reached into his sock and pulled out a plastic bag and dropped it on the sidewalk. The officers found the drugs in the bag.
TYLER – Tyler police are looking for a suspect in several credit card abuse cases. She is said to have gone to Dillard’s and Chico’s and stole sales clerks’ billfolds while they were occupied with assisting customers. She then went to Target to use the stolen credit cards. If you recognize this suspect in the picture, please contact Detective Royce Jordan at 903-531-1032 or call Tyler Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.
LONGVIEW – Longview’s Forest Park Middle School is getting a new principal. School Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox has named Dr. Cynthia Wise to the post. She has been principal at the district’s Ned E. Williams Elementary, and his been in the district for 10 years. She is succeeding Shay Thompson, who is retiring from the district. Dr Wilcox says on the district’s web site, “The accomplishments Dr. Wise has achieved at Ned E. Williams speak for themselves. We expect her to bring the same high standards and commitment to excellence to the students and staff at Forest Park.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a woman who passed some counterfeit money. The woman is said to have used the money to purchase gift cards at the Family Dollar store on South High Street on April 24th. If you have any information in regards to the person in the photo please contact Det. Gina Villarreal at 903-237-1164, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org in reference to case 17-6708.
TYLER – A Lindale woman involved in a fatal accident on Loop 49 in April, turned herself into authorities today. Jessica Lauren Vass, 35, faces two charges of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. Her bonds total $100,000. She was involved in a wreck that killed Gary McCrary, 62, of Flint and Annette Burkhart, 56, of Garland. McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing a flat tire on her car when the Vass vehicle hit the back of his pickup which then hit the Burkhart car. The crash occurred April 12th on Loop 49 just north of Highway 64.