Today is
Thursday June 18, 2026
TYLER – In an appearance in Tyler federal court, two East Texas men have pleaded guilty to drug violations.Saihaine Nijel Freeman, 23, of Longview (pictured) and Quentin Leonta Brown, 40, of Gilmer entered the pleas Tuesday before U.S Magistrate Judge Nicole Mitchell. Both were indicted by a federal grand jury in February. Brown pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. He also pled guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Freeman pleaded guilty to to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Both could get up to 40 years in prison at a future sentencing hearing.
TATUM — The City of Tatum remains in the dark following Sunday’s severe weather. A fire department member told KTBB Tuesday that the problem still hadn’t been resolved. According to KETK, Tatum fire crews responded to numerous reports of downed trees. Trees are said to have fallen on at least six houses. Mayor Phillip Corey is asking residents to conserve water until further notice. The city has also set up an emergency operation center at the fire station in Tatum. Anyone needing assistance is asked to contact the Tatum Fire Department.
MALAKOFF – A Henderson County student has graduated with a special distinction. Cross Roads High School senior Julie Rogers has graduated with perfect attendance. And not just for her senior year. According to the district’s Facebook page, Julie has not missed a day of school from kindergarten through 12th grade, a total of 13 years. She was recently recognized for her achievement at the school’s awards ceremony. The school’s homecoming queen finished 5th in her class.
MARSHALL — There was a serious blow to public safety service due to weekend storm activity in East Texas. The storm was so strong that it knocked out 9-1-1 service to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Police Department, and six other law enforcement agencies. Lt. Jay Webb says, “A T-1 line had gone down and became the problem. When the T-1 line went down, of course, everything went with it.” Webb said Harrison County sent a dayshift dispatcher to Marion County Monday to assist with call volume until the service was restored around 3:00 Monday afternoon. Harrison County officials plan to meet soon to determine a way to keep this from ever happening again.
TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Arp during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. Mayor Terry Lowry, whose father also served as mayor, gave a brief presentation about the history of Arp, which was established in the 1860s. His grandfather, Cleve, was one of the founding fathers of Arp and owned about half of the town. After the nearby community of Omen rejected the railroad coming in, Arp became a railroad community and began to grow. According to Lowery, there are now 22 businesses in Arp, and about 1,000 students attending schools in the Arp School District. Mayor Lower told the commissioners, “We’ve got a good community. The school system, I will admit, is second to none.” Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Memorial Day weekend accidental shooting that claimed the life of Cass County resident and former Marshall firefighter Danny Duncan. According to KETK, Sheriff David McKnight said the incident occurred early Saturday morning as Duncan and some relatives were boating on the Little Cypress River. According to the preliminary investigation, Sandy Duncan, the cousin of the 43-year-old victim, was shooting at a snake, when he laid the gun down and it went off, hitting Danny Duncan. “It was a single gunshot wound,” said McKnight. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Thousands of residents in and around the Longview area are still without power following severe storms over the weekend. As of 8:00 Monday night, SWEPCO has been able to restore power to 57,000 customers, more than half of the customers who lost electric service due to Sunday’s storm. Approximately 45,600 customers remain without power. Sunday night’s storm packed winds of up to 60 miles per hour and downed power lines and trees across East Texas. An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in the Longview area. More than 421 men and women are working to restore power to SWEPCO customers in the Ark-La-Tex. The estimated restoration times below tell when the company expects to have power restored to 95 percent of customers in an area. Power may be restored prior to their estimate. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Since many residents are without power, the City of Longview and the American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter Monday night. It’s located at the Longview Exhibit Building at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex on Jaycee Dr. The shelter has cots and blankets available for those in need. 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 shelter will be open to anyone without power. The Red Cross says anyone affected by the storms may also call its 24-hour dispatch number, 866-505-4801.
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’S Tyler District during the Week of May 29. Work will resume Tuesday, May 30, following the Memorial Day holiday. As for I-20, work will resume on Wednesday, May 31. 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.
Smith County – Tyler Maintenance will be performing base repairs on FM 14 south of the Sabine River. A second crew will conduct spot seal operations starting on SH 110N then continuing on FM 849 and FM 857. Expect lane closures at both work locations with flaggers providing traffic control. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith wants to make sure we remember what Memorial Day is all about — honoring those who have given their lives in the service of their country. Smith took the podium Monday at the annual Memorial Day service at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery. The sheriff also hopes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be remembered each day — not just one day a year. And he tipped his hat to surviving veterans of America’s armed services.
LONGVIEW — A hunter arrested a year ago on a poaching charge pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to probation and a hefty state financial penalty. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Phillip Dale Summerfield, 39, of Big Sandy was indicted in April. He was accused of killing white-tailed deer on land owned by Kilgore civic leader Randy Brogoitti and former Gregg County Judge Mickey Smith in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Assistant Gregg County District Attorney Tanya Reed said part of Summerfield’s probation prevents him from hunting in Texas for two years. Summerfield also must pay the state $10,790 in restitution. The fine goes to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, rather than the landowners, because the state is considered the owner of wildlife roaming its fields and forests, Reed said. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating after woman was hit by a vehicle and killed early Monday morning. According to KETK, it happened just after midnight. Dolores Reese, 77, of Longview, was standing in the inside lane of traffic in the 5700 block of West Marshall Avenue when she was hit by a vehicle heading west. Police say the weather was not a factor in the accident.
LONGVIEW — Due to recent storms, the City of Longview Sanitation Division reminds residential sanitation customers that Bulky Item collection is available for collection of yard debris. Residents can call Sanitation at 903-237-1250 to schedule a pick-up. Residents may also take debris to the Compost Site located at 2020 Swinging Bridge Rd. The Compost Site is not open Monday, May 29, but will be open Tuesday, May 30. Please bring a current water bill to the Compost Site to show as proof as customer. Citizens are reminded to follow these simple yard debris guidelines. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A number of observances are planned around East Texas this Memorial Day. One of the events is an 11:00 a.m. service at the Field of Honor at Tyler Memorial Park on State Highway 64 West. Guest speakers will be Sheriff Larry Smith and Rev. Mike Ford. There will be patriotic songs, rifle salutes, and bagpipes, and Taps will be played. Refreshments will be served. All veterans and the general public are encouraged to attend. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System reports big results from its Food Collection to benefit the St. Paul Children’s Foundation. Officials announced over 2,000 pounds of food was collected and delivered to the foundation’s food pantry at the end of last week. This is an annual event/challenge that bested last year’s total by 700 pounds. The CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Cardiology team collected the most items — 1,104. Pictured are nurses from Education, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Cardiology, and the Observation Care Center, along with staff from Integrated Services.