Today is
Thursday June 18, 2026
LONGVIEW – The Longview Habitat veteran repair program was launched on Veterans Day 2015 with a grant from a local family foundation and. It has expanded each year. Now, the program is being expanded July first because of a grant from the Fund for Veterans Assistance. The money will go toward home repairs in partnership with US military veterans residing in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. They say the the repair program focuses on disrepair that threatens the health or safety of the home’s occupants. Cosmetic repairs are not eligible for the program. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to drug violations in federal court in Tyler. Saleem Jeffer Jiwani, 58, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. He also pleaded guilty Wednesday to and engaging in monetary transactions. Federal prosecutors say from at least April 2013, Jiwani and his co-defendants, conspired to distribute synthetic drugs at at a business in Tyler and in Plano. At his yet to be scheduled sentencing, he could get up to 20 years in prison. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man has been arrested following a drug raid. Cordale Arnold, 30, was taken into custody Tuesday morning after deputies with the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at his house. Arnold was under investigation after undercover agents reportedly bought drugs, including cocaine and PCP. Officers conducted the search warrant around 6:00 Tuesday morning and found cocaine, codeine and a liquid believed to be PCP. Arnold was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance.
LONGVIEW – Longview’s emergency sirens, for the most part successfully passed their test on Wednesday. Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said last Sunday the sirens were activated after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Gregg County. They received reports from some residents that they heard the sirens while other residents have said they didn’t hear them. During Wednesday’s test, all twenty of the city’s strategically located sirens sounded. But three of the twenty sirens did not rotate fully. In the most recent monthly test on March 1, there were no malfunctions noted. These three sirens will be scheduled for maintenance as soon as possible. It is possible that these three were damaged in Sunday’s storm preventing them from full rotation. Those sirens are located at 1600 Blueridge Parkway, 610 East Loop 281, and 1602 W. Cotton Street. According to Chief Steelman, “we can assure the residents of Longview that the system is working properly, and it will be available if and when the next activation occurs.†Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is issuing a scam alert pertaining to the “Publisher’s Clearing House.” Callers will say you have won, even if you have not entered. And they need you to pay taxes so they can release your winnings. They warn you, this is a scam. They advise you not to give them any personal information. As always, if the caller request you send them money or information, it is a scam and you need to steer clear. One of the numbers they use is 876-840-2992. They say most of these scams originate in other states or countries. If you receive any suspicious calls of this nature, contact you local law enforcement agency.
TYLER – Once again this summer, children and teens will be able to get a free bus ride to the Tyler Public Library. The free rides start Thursday and run through August 31st. Transit and transfer passes are free for children and teens up to age 18, only to and from the Library. Adult passes are $1 each. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, over 18, at all times. Throughout the summer months, the Library offers a multitude of free programs for all ages to coincide with its annual Summer Reading Club. Partnering with Tyler Transit enables more people to get involved in Library events and nurture lifelong literacy.
LONGVIEW – The cleanup continues around Longview in the wake of the weekend tornadoes. Damage was reported all over Gregg County with trees and power lines downed and some homes damaged. Power has not been completely restored and that means some traffic signals are still not working. Among the latest to arrive to help with the cleanup are volunteers with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief. A cleanup/recovery crew will help remove fallen trees that have damaged homes and blocked roadways in the Easton area.The Red Cross shelter remains open in Longview. It’s located at the Longview Exhibit Building at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex on Jaycee Drive.
TYLER – Tyler’s Mayfair Building got a historical marker during a Wednesday afternoon ceremony. The art deco structure was built in the 1920s. It was originally an opera house. Big bands performed there during the 30s. Over the years the Mayfair Building hosted boxing and wrestling, USO shows during World War II, gospel concerts and a large list of well known entertainers, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Big Bopper, Fats Domino, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Dolly Parton. The ceremony kicked off the Friends of the Mayfair fundraising effort to restore the building.
LONGVIEW – The City of Longview and the American Red Cross are continuing to operate an emergency shelter in the wake of severe weather that knocked out power n the area. The Shelter, which opened Monday night, will remain open as long as needed. It’s located at the Longview Exhibit Building at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex on Jaycee Drive. The shelter has cots and blankets. Showers are available, but you will need to bring soap, shampoo, and a towel. Also, remember to bring any medications or medical equipment if necessary. The Red Cross says anyone affected by the storms may also call its 24-hour dispatch number, 866-505-4801. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Department of Public Safety has released the identity of the victim in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon. Troopers responded to the crash on Farm-To-Market Road 279, six miles west of Tyler, around 2:00 Tuesday afternoon. The DPS report said the driver, identified as Austynne Brooke Roberts, 21, Murchison, was traveling west on FM 279 when the vehicle went off the roadway to the right. Roberts apparently over-corrected and struck a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
LONGVIEW – One person has been killed when his motorcycle struck the rear of an SUV in Gregg County. Killed was Jabre Cardero Alexander, 30, of Longview. He was pronounced dead at a Longview hospital. Witnesses say the motorcycle had been traveling at a high speed prior to the crash. The accident occurred around 7:30 Monday night on Farm Road 1844, about a mile north Longview. No one in the SUV was injured.
EAST TEXAS — UT Tyler’s Longview University Center will reopen Wednesday after being closed Tuesday due to a power outage. Officials say power has been restored and classes will be held Wednesday as scheduled. The National Weather Service survey team in Longview has determined two tornadoes, including an EF-1, hit the city and surrounding areas on Sunday — just part of the widespread storm activity that struck the area late in the day. KETK reports that with an EF-1 tornado, damage is considered moderate — including significant roof damage, windows broken, exterior doors damaged or lost, and mobile homes overturned or badly damaged. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Longview’s emergency warning sirens are scheduled to be tested at noon on Wednesday. Each of the city’s 20 sirens will be tested and individually observed to ensure that all sirens are working properly. Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said last Sunday the sirens were activated after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Gregg County. According to Steelman, “We’ve received reports from some residents that they heard the sirens while other residents have said they didn’t hear the sirens. Due to some electrical issues caused by power surges during the storm, we are unable to conclusively determine from our normal electronic report whether every siren sounded properly on Sunday evening.” So, with the possibility of strong thunderstorms again this weekend, they felt it would be best to do an additional test of the siren system to make sure everything is functioning properly. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Smith County Constable Andy Dunklin has been presented the with the “Excellence in Action Award.” The presentation came at Tuesday’s Smith County Commissioners’ court session. The award stemmed from quick action, spearheaded by Dunklin, in finding a missing four year old girl earlier this month. The youngster had wandered away from her grandmother’s home on Lake Placid. Lilly-Anne was found over half a mile away, safe and unharmed. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Marslall police are looking for several theft suspects. Two of them tried to stal and ATM machine. It happened around 5:00am on May 19th, at the EZ Mart on West Pinecrest Drive. The vehicle the men used was stolen. It has since been recovered and returned to the owner. Read the rest of this entry »