Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
GLADEWATER – A pilot has escaped with minor injuries after his plane crashes into Lake Gladewater. It happened early this morning. The ultra-light plane has been recovered from the lake. Our news partner KETK reports are the pilot was trying to land the plane on the lake when it flipped. Both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating are investigating the crash.
KILGORE – Kilgore police are investigating the theft of items from a car belonging to a Rusk County Sheriff’s investigator. The break-in occurred on the night of Wednesday, May 23 or early morning of Thursday, May 24 while the car was parked at the Stoneridge Apartments on South Danville Road. The vehicle was entered by breaking windows and forcing open a toolbox. Taken was a handgun, body armor, a significant amount of ammunition, knives, clothing, a GPS and other miscellaneous items. Kilgore detectives are reviewing video from the area and asking anyone with information to contact the Kilgore Police Department or Gregg County Crimestoppers.
TYLER – After being closed for around an hour, the south bound lanes of Loop 323, just south of Walton Road, have been reopened. They were closed shortly after 1:45 Friday afternoon following a two vehicle accident. It occurred when a 71 year old driver, heading north, became ill and passed out. His pickup ended up in the southbound lanes where it hit a vehicle head-on. Both drivers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches woman is being accused of starving her mother to death. Charged with injury to the elderly is Melissa Miller Broussard, 40. In February, her mother, Elizabeth Inez Cooper, 84, was taken to the hospital, where she later died. An investigation was started when it was noted that her body was emaciated. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was due to dehydration and emaciation due to elder neglect. Investigators said the suspect had the means to provide health care, and other basic essential needs for the victim, but failed to do so. Sheriff Jason Bridges said the woman was in horrendous condition at the time of her death, which could have been prevented by the suspect. He said the case of neglect occurred over a long time span.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department has set up an exhibit to show you the dangers of leaving children or animals in a hot car. They have put together an interactive simulation call Project Hot Car. It is designed to show you how quickly the inside of a car can become hot and cause a heat stroke. The car is parked at Walmart on Stone Street. You will see the temperature go up and the day goes along. The display also contains some information about the state laws on leaving children and animals in a car. Kilgore police say, on the average, 37 children die each year from heat stroke. Countless other children are injured. There are no good stats on animals.
SMITH COUNTY – More accidents have been reported today on Interstate Highway 20. Following two wrecks yesterday, The Department of Public Safety worked two accidents in the west bound lanes near the 544 and 546 mile markers. This would be near the Smith and Van Zandt county line. The wreckage has been cleared and traffic is flowing normally.
AUSTIN – A Henderson County man is one of 5 persons to be appointed to a state panel. Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Donald Donnie Lewis of Athens to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. His term is set to expire on August 31 of next year. Lewis is a staff pharmacist for Malakoff Pharmacy and Tyler Hematology Oncology Pharmacy. According to a news release from the governor’s office, the board fosters the provision of quality pharmaceutical care and regulates the practice of pharmacy in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, accountability, efficiency, effectiveness and openness.
TYLER – The National Weather Service reports the month of May was much warmer and much drier than normal. In fact, it was the second warmest and fifth driest May. The 30 day outlook for May 2018, issued on April 19, called for near normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. When revised on April 30, it called for near normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. The average temperature was 78.9 F., and rainfall was 0.87 inch. The warmest May was 79.5 in 1896 and 1998, while the driest May was in 1998 with 0.02 inch. Compared with May 2017, the month was 6.5 deg. Warmer and 4.34 inches drier. Year-to-date rainfall was 1.92 inches less in 2018 than in 2017. The spring of 2018, though 0.5 degree cooler than spring 2017, which was the fourth warmest spring, still saw well above normal temperatures. The mean was 68.4, 2.6 degrees warmer than normal. Rainfall was 4.11 inches below normal at 7.59 inches. March and May were very warm, while April was cool; March saw near normal rainfall, while April and May saw below normal precipitation.
ATHENS – A Silver Alert has been discontinued for a Henderson County man. The Sheriff’s Office Friday morning reported Johnny Robert Bandy, 78, of Athens, has been located. The previous report stated he was last seen around 1:15 Thursday afternoon heading to a residence in Athens, but never arrived. Additional details were not released.
REKLAW – A two vehicle accident in Cherokee County has killed one person and left three injured. It happened around 1:15 Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 84, four miles west of Reklaw. Dead at the scene was Bridget Stinson, 46, of Rusk. Two passengers in her car were injured. Lindsey Fannin, 18, of Rusk, is being treated at a Tyler hospital while a two year old child was taken to a Dallas hospital. The driver of the other vehicle, Cole Falzerano, 19, of Miford, is also in a Tyler hospital. The Department of Public Safety report said the accident happened when Falzerano was passing in a no passing zone and his pickup hit Stinson’s car.
LUFKIN – The FBI in Lufkin is seeking the public’s help in identifying the man who robbed an Alto bank on May 25. They say he is considered armed and dangerous. The man entered the BancorpSouth Bank on Marcus Street, armed with a semi-automatic handgun. After ordering the tellers to open the bank vault, he fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. He is described as a black male, between 5 feet 7 to 10 inches tall, ranging in age from 25 to 40 and weighing around 160 to 190 pounds. He was wearing a camouflage jacket and hat, shorts, dark sunglasses, a mask and hand gloves. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI Lufkin Resident Agency at 936-637-3834 or the FBI Dallas Field Office at 972-559-5000.
NEW YORK (AP/STAFF) – Sears is closing another 72 stores after reporting first-quarter losses and plunging sales. Five Texas stores are on the list, but none in East Texas. On the list is a K-Mart store in Laredo and Sears stores in Lewisville, Fort Worth, Cedar Park and Denton.
TYLER – The Smith County Elections Office is still allowing the public to view new voting machines the county is considering buying. The machines have been set up in the Smith County Elections Office lobby since May 10, and will continue to be there for the public to view through Thursday of next week. Since they were put on display, 61 persons have reviewed the machines and filled out a survey about what they thought of them. Most of those were people in the office to vote during the Primary Run-Off Election. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The 350 voting machines will cost the county $1.3 million. The company will buy back the old, outdated machines for $339,000.
TYLER – It is time for graduation ceremonies for Tyler’s two high schools. Both will take place at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. John Tyler High School will graduate on Friday night at 8:00. The gates will open at 7:00. Robert E. Lee High School will graduate on Saturday night at 8:00 and the gates will open at 7:00. The graduation ceremonies will also air live on TISD-TV Channel 19 and the district website.
SMITH COUNTY – Two four vehicle accidents were reported this afternoon on Interstate Highway 20. The first one was at mile marker 571, just west of Highway 271. The second one occurred at mile marker 575 and it has been cleared. The one near 271 has nearly been cleared. Exercise caution when driving in the area.