Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
EUSTACE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas officer has been arrested on charges of child pornography. MediaLab Inc., which owns the platform Kik, alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about three videos depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct that had been uploaded to their platform by an account on June 13th, along with the account’s IP address and email associated email address.
The affidavit stated that on Nov. 14, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office subpoenaed Optimum for information about the IP address, revealing it belonged to the Eustace Police Department. A search warrant was obtained for MediaLab that same day. On December 25, investigators examined the items collected during the search, and found several screenshots of videos showing infant and young child pornography. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – As the struggle to nominate a new speaker for the Texas House of Representatives continues, one East Texas State Representative has come under scrutiny.
The Republican Party of Harrison County passed a resolution on Dec. 20 that lays out how the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has made it a “Legislative Priority” to have “No Democrat Chairs” in the 89th Legislative Session (2024-2025). The resolution continues by saying that they could censure their elected representative for violating that priority.
“The Harrison County Republican Party may censure their elected representative should he deliberately violate the RPT priorities and the will of the voters, by voting to elect a Speaker of the House who appoints Democrats to chair committees in the Texas House,” according to the Dec. 20 Harrison County Republican Party resolution.
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on Dec. 31 that could bring many upgrades including a new location for the Smith County Animal & Control center.
The commissioners court approved CIP on Dec. 31 that supports the community and the county’s mission. The CIP is a strategic management tool first created in 2011 that is evaluated and updated in its five-year plan each year.
“This plan, like the prior ones, is intended to establish guidelines and procedures for planning purposes as well as to identify projects, outline costs associated with the projects and formalize the process of adopting and planning for the short-term and long-term capital needs of Smith County,” County Judge Neal Franklin said. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Kevin Bridger was sworn in as the newly elected sheriff of Van Zandt County on New Year’s Day.
At the Van Zandt County Courthouse Wednesday morning, Sheriff Bridger was sworn in continuing on a tradition of dedicated service to the citizens of Van Zandt County.
“I am proud to represent the law enforcement professionals of Van Zandt County and to be your sheriff,” Bridger said. “Van Zandt County is my home, and I pledge to protect that which we all hold dearest, our homes, businesses and families.”
Bridger has served the citizens of Van Zandt County throughout his 20 years in law enforcement and is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Read the rest of this entry »
ETOILE – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that a homemade bomb was found during a traffic stop near the former Etoile Independent School District campus on Monday night.
According to our news partner, deputies conducted a traffic stop near County Road 560 and FM 226 at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday because of an alleged motor vehicle violation. When the deputies approached the vehicle they allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana and saw multiple firearms in plain view, a sheriff’s office press release said. The deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety state troopers searched the vehicle and reportedly found the following items: Two rifles, one of which was reported stolen, two handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, suspected MDMA and a homemade explosive device.
Deputies found the explosive device under the driver’s seat and took it to a nearby home that they advised the residents to leave as a precaution, the press release revealed. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The passing of former President Jimmy Carter has stirred up some memories for the TJC Apache Belles according to our news partner KETK.
In the spring of 1980, they marched in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C. and were invited to tour the White House. Alumnae of the drill team remember standing in the Rose Garden and Carter appeared with a big smile on his face, ready to greet them.
“It was so exciting. Who gets a chance to meet a president? It’s not very often and once in a lifetime experience,” Dyann Kemp, 32nd line of the Apache Belles, said.
The sixty Apache Belles didn’t think that they were going to have the opportunity to meet Carter.
“He came out and he was larger than life, you know, is everything that you would ever read about him. He was all smiles and happy and joking with us and just being very genuine and personable with us,” Janis Johns, 33rd line of the Apache Belles, said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As 2025 approaches, our news partner KETK has compiled a list of festivities in East Texas to ring in the new year. Please see below for New Years Eve activities in our area.
Tyler
True Vine Brewing Company: From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., True Vine will have live music all night, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast food truck from Juicy J Wings.
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse: The NYE party starting at 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. will have a $10 cover fee and live performance with Rick Dudley.
Javis: Join them at 8 p.m. for great food, drinks, mariachi band and a fireworks show over the pond.
Tyler Bingo: Say goodbye to 2024 with some bingo. The doors open at 5 p.m. with only one session. There will be a $700 game payouts and a $1,000 grand payout for one lucky winner. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE — Our news partner KETK is reporting that former Jacksonville ISD Police Chief Marvin Acker died unexpectedly on Sunday morning. According to his obituary, Acker began his career with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer in 1981 and continued his law enforcement career at the Jacksonville Police Department for 20 years.
Acker then went on to serve Jacksonville ISD in 2002 as a resource officer and from 2006-2016 he served as the chief of police for the school district. At the time of his death he was working with the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Control & Shelter announced on Friday they have ran out of space in their shelter and have since waved fees for adoption. According to our news partner KETK, most of the dogs have been spayed/neutered and are vaccinated. All the dogs are reportedly friendly and do great with other dogs.
“We want nothing more than for them to find a home for the New Year. The following dogs are all at risk for euthanasia unless we can create the space needed for new intakes,” Smith County Animal Control said.
The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson St in Tyler and their hours are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. To see a full list of dogs in the shelter, people can visit the Smith County Animal Control & Shelter’s Facebook.
TRINITY COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man has been charged with animal cruelty after deputies reportedly found several dogs severely malnourished at his property.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to 204 Elephant Walk St. for multiple dogs at large. When deputies arrived, they reportedly found two dogs in the roadway in front of the house and observed several dogs on chains that were severely malnourished. Another dog could be seen in a small kennel without any shelter, officials said.
“Call history showed that the owner who later identified as, Christopher James Rode, was warned previously about having the animals improperly on chains, how to provide proper shelter and care for the dogs,” the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — Our news partner KETK is reporting that four people have been arrested in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on Monday in Palestine. Officers were dispatched to the Scorpion Smoke Shop at 4222 W. Oak at around 9 p.m. in reference to a robbery. A man and woman entered the store and the man reportedly displayed a handgun demanding money from the employee. Officials said the woman then sprayed mace/pepper spray into the business as they fled in a red Nissan SUV.
Following an investigation, authorities identified the man as Charles Blake DeFore, of Elkhart,and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 400 block of Highway 287. Officials then located the red SUV located outside of the residence.
Officers made contact with Tammy DeFore, who confirmed that Charles was inside. Tammy refused to exit the residence and did not say anything else to officials. Officials also confirmed that a second person of interest in the robbery, Abril Espinosa, was inside the residence. Read the rest of this entry »
CENTER – Center police arrested a man and woman on Tuesday in connection to the death of the woman’s boyfriend, 36-year-old Cordero Wyatt, after police found his body in a field. According to our news partner KETK, the Center Police Department received a call regarding a welfare check on Wyatt. The caller stated that her son had been at his girlfriend’s home in Center and was no longer answering his phone or had returned back home. Officers then contacted the girlfriend, 40-year-old Alicia Petite.
“Petite informed officers that Wyatt had been at her residence earlier and friends had picked him up, but he was no longer at her house. Officers responded to Petites’ residence, and she allowed them to look in the home for Wyatt,” Center PD said.
According to officials, some of Wyatt’s belongings were located in the home including his cell phone. Responding officers contacted the Criminal Investigation Division, and detectives began investigating a possible missing person. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a home on Van Zandt County Road 1203 near Wentworth was burned in a Christmas morning fire, according to officials. Grand Saline Fire Department public information officer Caden Mosher said that several 911 calls came into the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department at around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
Mosher said that Canton Fire Department was automatically sent out to the scene and that Grand Saline Fire Department was called in at around 9:20 a.m. for mutual aid.
According to Mosher, no one was at home or injured during the fire. Mosher added that the Van Zandt County Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the fire’s cause.
PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department is seeking information in a robbery that occurred at a smoke shop last night. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine PD officers responded to an aggravated robbery around 9 p.m. that occurred at the Scorpion Smoke Shop in Palestine. A light complected female suspect allegedly stood watch at the door and then Palestine PD said they sprayed pepper spray or mace into the business as they fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The male who reportedly presented a handgun and demanded the money appeared to have a tattoo on his left wrist, officials said.
The suspects reportedly fled in a maroon Nissan Armanda or Pathfinder, believed to be older than a 2016 model, according to Palestine PD. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As Christmas day approaches our news partner KETK has compiled a list of local restaurants, stores and entertainment open on Christmas 2024. Please visit the KETK website for the regularly updated list.