Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
LONGVIEW – A man involved in a fatal Longview accident has been indicted by the Gregg County Grand Jury. Our news partner KETK says Christopher Roman Darden, 47, of Longview, was indicted on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. The charges stem from an accident back in April. Darden was traveling north on Eastman Road near the East Marshall Avenue intersection when he veered into oncoming traffic and struck a southbound vehicle head-on. The driver was killed and her passenger was critically injured. Darden is still in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $75,000.
TYLER – Starting Monday, Tyler began converting its water disinfection process to free chlorine for a period ending November 19th. The city uses a combination of free chlorine and ammonia to disinfect its drinking water supply prior to customer distribution. It is standard industry practice to periodically convert back to free chlorine to improve and maintain the highest water quality standards. Generally, there are no noticeable changes in water quality as a result of this temporary conversion. If you should experience a discoloration, temporarily flush faucets, tubs and toilets, until the water has cleared. Clothing should not be washed during times of discoloration to reduce the possibility of staining. Prior to washing clothing, customers may want to run a little water in a bathtub to check for discoloration. Periodic pressure drops may also be experienced due to the City’s extensive flushing efforts. Noticeable water quality changes associated with conversions are normally short lived and are not public health risks. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – Authorities are looking for two persons who led officers on a two county chase in East Texas. It started around 8:45 Monday morning when a state trooper tried to pull over a black Mercedes Benz in northeastern Smith County. The speeding vehicle lead officers on a chase at speeds topping 100 miles an hour. The chase ended in Kilgore, off State Highway 135, when the driver and his passenger split up, and fled on foot. A search for the men, which included K9 units from Smith County, turned up no trace of the suspects.
SMITH COUNTY – The Cajun Navy of Bossier City is asking Smith County residents to help with donations for hurricane Michael victims. They will be collecting items through 5:00pm Friday at four locations in Smith County. They are accepting donations of food, including baby food, pet supplies and hygiene items. They are also collecting cleaning supplies, dry goods, as well as hand tools, tarps, nails, and any other basic supplies needed to help individuals and families start the rebuilding process. The drop off locations are, in Tyler, Community Yoga, Studio B and Wright Way Services and in Lindale at the Lindale Fire Department.
LINDALE – An attempted robbery remains under investigation by Lindale police. According to the department’s Facebook posting, it happened in the parking lot of the Best Western. A while male, dressed all in black, approached a truck and tried to rob the driver. He fled without taking anything. He is believed to have gotten out of a dark blue or purple Mazda Passenger car. If you can help identify the suspect you are asked to contact the Lindale Police Department. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Here’s a look at road work planned in the Tyler district of TxDOT during the week of October 22nd. 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.
Nighttime pavement marking operations are ongoing around Tyler. The contractor is utilizing slow-moving mobile operations to install new pavement markings. Work is being conducted from 8:00pm to 6:00am, Sunday through Thursday nights until the project is completed. Brief delays are possible. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Early voting is ready to start in next month’s general election. The November 6th general election will find area voters deciding everything from bond issues to who will be walking the halls of congress. The early voting, which starts on Monday, will run through November 2nd. There are five early voting locations in Smith County. The HUB on East Ferguson, the Heritage Building on Bellwood Road, the Lindale Public Library, the Noonday Community Center and the Whitehouse Municipal Court. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE – The do not use water order is being lifted for the remaining area served by the Craft-Turney Water Supply Corporation in Cherokee County. It was lifted based on the results from additional samples collected from the remaining limited area of the system under the ban on October 16th. An evaluation of the results for these samples indicate that though the chlorothalonil is still present at low levels in this area, the levels detected are well below those that would pose a health concern. The initial order was issued October 3rd after the fungicide was discovered in the water. The TCEQ continues to investigate this incident to determine the source and cause of this incident, and to evaluate compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man is in jail on sexual assault charges. Being held under a $25,000 bond is Jacob Alexander Terrell, 20. According to the Longview News Journal, the victim said she was assaulted in her car after dropping by Terrell’s house to return some of his belongings. She was able to escape to a family member’s home and call police. An officer reported seeing bruises on the victim’s throat and red marks on her head. Terrell was later arrested at his home on Gilmer Road.
AUSTIN – Friday night’s Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow. The grand prize now tops $1 billion. And that is growing each hour. In Texas, ticket sales are over $44 million, with the mega million sales over $64,000 every minute. State records show the top selling lottery ticket store in Tyler is D and N Grocery on West Bow. In Longview, the number one ticket seller is Scotties on West Hawkins Parkway. In the entire Tyler district, leading the list is A Deels’s #7 in Lufkin. In Texas, ticket sales for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing stops at 9:45pm.
TYLER – The City of Tyler, Smith County, and Heart of Tyler have decided to partner with The Retail Coach. The nation’s leading economic development recruitment firm will help expand downtown Tyler’s business, hospitality, entertainment as well as living offerings. The hiring of the firm comes at the same time as the county and the city formed the County Seat Coalition. The members will focus on identifying ways to encourage economic development in downtown Tyler. The Retail Coach team will be creating downtown profile reports and marketing tools to prepare city leaders to present the downtown area regionally and nationally to potential economic development prospects. Over the next few weeks, The Retail Coach will be meeting with business and property owners throughout downtown Tyler. Aaron Farmer, Senior Vice President of the firm, will be visiting Tyler in the next few weeks.
LONGVIEW – The Gregg County District Clerk has announced that jury duty has been canceled for district court for Monday. Barbara Duncan said persons who received a jury summons for Monday, October 22, are not required to attend.
AUSTIN – Tyler’s unemployment number is still better that the state’s figure. Texas’ unemployment rate is the lowest in four decades. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in September, down from 3.9% in August. Tyler’s unemployment number went from 3.7% in August to 3.5% last month. A year ago it was 3.8%. Longview’s unemployment number was steady in August and September at 4%. A year ago, Longview’s jobless total was 4.5%.
MARSHALL – An East Texas man is in jail after leading area officers on a chase. It began just before 12:30 Thursday afternoon when police went to Frank Street on a welfare check. That is where they met Tony Parish, 49, of Marshall. They say he became aggressive toward the officers and then got in his vehicle and drove away. The chase took officers on Highway 80 westbound and into Harrison County. During the chase Parish is said o have driven into oncoming traffic on Highway 80 near Hallsville. Harrison County sheriff’s deputies were finally able to stop his vehicle. He was taken into custody and transported by Marshall Police to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall for evaluation. He was later booked into the Harrison County Jail on one count each of assault on a peace officer and evading arrest.
LONGVIEW – A man accused of a Longview robbery has been arrested. Peyton Dajon Horton, 24, of Longview, is accused of robbing a convenience store on Pine Tree Road around 1:45 Thursday morning. Horton was identified by his physical description and was found in the area about two hours later. The small handgun used in the robbery was found in his possession. It turns out the gun was stolen from a vehicle in August of last year. Besides the robbery charge, Horton was taken to the Gregg County Jail on 5 outstanding warrants.
TYLER – A convicted Tyler robber has had his appeal rejected. The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has affirmed the robbery conviction of Letroy Dewayne Merritt. The Shreveport, Louisiana man had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the robbery of the Walmart store on South Broadway in February of 2017. Merritt was an Assistant Manager of the store. Investigators believe he played an intricate role in planning and assisting with the robbery. Three others, who were also charged in the case, have been all been sentenced. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The playground at Brookshire’s wildlife museum is changing locations. The playground is being moved to Fresh on the Old Jacksonville Highway. According to a posting on the museum’s Facebook page, they are expanding the current playground area for toddlers and young children on the patio at FRESH. A new playground for older children will be located near the store’s north entrance. Both areas will be shaded and fenced, and they will include state-of-the-art playground equipment that is being moved from the Brookshire’s museum. The transition will take place over the next few weeks. There could also be a change for the museum down the road. The company said it is evaluating options for the museum. And they added, “while we do not discuss potential plans, we will make an announcement when any plans are finalized.”
TYLER – The murder trial of Gustavo Zavala-Garcia is being pushed back a couple of months. State District Judge Jack Skeen decided that 10 items collected at the scene will be sent off for DNA testing. He took the action after both the defense and prosecution said the testing was necessary. It will take a month to collect the items and at least 5 months for the DNA testing. So the trial, which had been scheduled in March, will come up sometime in May. Zavala-Garcia is charged with kidnapping 10 year old Kayla Gomez from a Bullard church in November, 2016. Her body was found 4 days later in a well on the man’s property.
TYLER – The 85th annual Texas Rose Festival began in Tyler Thursday morning. Rose Queen Amanda Hiles told KTBB, “I am so excited that Rose Festival is finally here. There’s been a lot of preparation for this event, and I know everyone is excited.” She added, “The Rose Festival has been such a long family tradition in my family, and it is just so special to be a part of something so big for Tyler.” Anticipating another year of big crowds, she said, “I hope that everyone will come out…and enjoy the time together that we’ll have in Tyler.” The wide variety of activities includes the queen’s coronation, the Rose Festival Rose Show display, men’s and ladies luncheons and the big Rose Festival Parade on Saturday morning. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for a list of all the activities.
KILGORE – Two persons thought to be involved in felony offenses are being sought by Kilgore Police. The Facebook posting doesn’t say what crimes they may have committed. They are identified as Lyle “DJ” Lee, who is 36 years old and Kayla Joy Webster who is 21. Lee is 5’3 and weighs 125 lbs. He is heavily tattooed. Webster is 5’2 and weighs 100lbs. She has red hair and a piercing in her lip. Kilgore police says anyone who encounters either or both of them is urged to call 911. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER – Gladewater residents now have a safe way to dispose of their unwanted prescription drugs. The police department has installed a prescription drug drop box. It was provided by the Piney Woods Substance Abuse Coalition, which is funded by a grant from Texas Health and Human Services. The drugs deposited in the box will be incinerated through a partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration. According to data from the Regional Needs Assessment, published by the Prevention Resource Center in Longview, the rate of prescription drug abuse among 7 through 12th graders is higher in East Texas than the state average. The drug drop box at the Gladewater Police Department is a good way to combat prescription drug abuse as well as the opioid crisis.
LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is looking for the person, or persons, who took two golf carts, belonging to a Gregg County church, on a joy ride. Both carts were extensively damaged in the joy ride between late Saturday night and Sunday morning. One suspect appears to be a young white or Hispanic male. The suspect’s vehicle is possibly a 2004 to 2008 Ford F-150 extended or crew cab pickup, with a white hardtop tonneau cover on the bed. The sheriff’s department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects in the criminal mischief case. If you can help, call Gregg County Crimestoppers or the sheriff’s department.
EAST MOUNTAIN – A two vehicle accident in Upshur County has left one person dead and one slightly injured. It occurred on State Highway 300, just under 3 miles east of East Mountain around 4:30 Monday afternoon. The Department of Public Safety report says Ricardo Refugio Quezada, 25 of Gilmer was trying to drive across the road when he failed to yield the right of way and was hit by a car driven by Karen Yvette Wallace, 50 of Gilmer. Quezada died at a Longview hospital while Wallace was treated and released.
JACKSONVILLE – The Department of Public Safety has released the name of the victim of a fatal Cherokee County crash. Killed in the one vehicle accident was Brandon Steven Morton, 35, of Jacksonville. The initial reports shows his pickup left the road and ended up in a ditch where it hit a tree. The accident occurred shortly before 9:00 Sunday night on Farm Road 22, just over 3 miles southeast of Jacksonville.
JACKSONVILLE – Hundreds showed up for a Jacksonville meeting to get answers on their contaminated water. Representatives from the Craft Turney Water Supply Company and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were on hand for the session. Our news partner KETK reports the public’s questions were often met with the boards inability to answer since the investigations is ongoing. One of the unanswered questions was how the chemical that caused the problem got into the water. Even though the water ban, which was issued October 3rd, has been lifted for most residents, there are some who are still under the do not use the water notice. And there is no time line when their water will be safe.
GLADEWATER – Police in Gladewater have charged two persons with the sexual assault of a child. Arrested Monday were Jessie Ray Sorrells, 33, of Gladewater, and Tiffany Diana LeBlanc, 36, of Longview. Sorrells is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and LeBlanc is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children. The police say their investigation shows both suspects were present and both took part in the sexual assault of the same child. They say they have also learned that LeBlanc had been involved in the repeated sexual abuse of a child for several months before to this case was opened. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A Longview murder suspect is now back in Gregg County. Judicial records show Ladadrian Deontae King, 22, of Longview was booked into the Gregg County Jail on Monday. His bond has been set at $1,000,000. He was arrested in Mabank last week and had been held in the Kaufman County Jail. King was arrested in connection with the September 29th shooting death of Henry England Williams, 32. He was found wounded and sitting in a chair on his front porch on Clover Lane. He died nearly three hours later at a Longview hospital.
PALESTINE – The burglary of a Palestine convenience store is under investigation. It was reported just before 3:00 Monday morning at Kim’s Convenience Store on East Palestine Avenue. The ignition of a stolen pickup had been tampered with and driven through the front doors of the store. The rear end of the vehicle was still inside the store when officers arrived. It appears the suspects were trying to steal the store’s ATM machine, but the truck became high centered from the debris from the crash. Nothing appears to have been taken from the store.
HENDERSON – The Henderson School District has been the victim of a financial scam that has cost it over $600,000. Our news partner KETK reports the school district sent a direct electronic payment to RPR Construction Company. The company is overseeing work at the district’s former elementary school and high school stadium. Five days after the transfer it was discovered the money was actually transferred to a fraudulent account and not the RPR account. The investigation is now in the hands of the United State’s Secret Service. School superintendent Keith Boles says they will pursue every means to recoup the money and bring the criminals to justice. A local attorney told KETK, it was important to get the word our since the same thing could happen to other school districts.
NEW YORK – Sears filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday. They plan to close 142 unprofitable stores in the hopes that it can stay in business. At its peak, the operator of Sears and Kmart had 4,000 stores. Now, it will be left with a little more than 500. In September it was announced the Sears store in Tyler’s Broadway Square Mall will close its doors in December. In May, the mall received zoning approval from the city of Tyler to tear down the Sears building and replace it with new retail space. The store’s liquidation sale is now under way. With Monday’s filing, the company has secured $300 million in financing from banks to keep the operations going through bankruptcy. It’s also negotiating an additional $300 million loan from Lampert’s ESL Hedge fund.