Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A former Van Zandt County detention officer was placed under arrest after it was discovered he was communicating with an inmate over the phone. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, on March 16 it was discovered that Damion Smith was in possession of a cell phone while on duty and was using the phone to communicate with a female inmate, which is a violation of both departmental policy and state law.
It was later discovered that Smith had initially been untruthful with investigators and had later recanted those statements before he was terminated from his position.
Following the investigation, Smith was taken into custody from his home on Tuesday and was charged with contraband in a correctional facility and a false report to a peace officer.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated by our employees. When an employee criminally violates the law, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office will take appropriate action,” Sheriff Bridger said.
GREGG COUNTY — A two-vehicle crash on State Highway 149 in Gregg County left one person dead and another injured on Monday afternoon. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety and our news partner KETK, a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Braxton Meshell was traveling southbound near the 9900 block of Highway 149 while a second vehicle was traveling northbound. Meshell was approaching another vehicle that was slowing down to make a left turn when he took a “faulty evasive action” and steered into the oncoming lane and collided with the second vehicle.
The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash and located the two vehicles, one of which was on fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames and began extricating the occupant using the “jaws of life.”
The fire department did not specify which vehicle was on fire. Meshell was pronounced dead at the scene and the other driver was taken to a Tyler hospital with injuries, DPS said. The crash is still under investigation.
RUSK COUNTY — An investigation is underway after a gunfire incident left Rusk County homes and vehicles damaged on Monday night. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, they received a deadly conduct call at 802 Cross Park at approximately 10:27 p.m. on Monday. The complainant told deputies that unknown individuals shot at his vehicle and home.
The deputies discovered that the gunfire damaged a total of two homes and two vehicles, leaving about 30 shell casings at the scene.
Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said they are actively working on leads related to the case. He asks the public for any information on the case or those involved to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-657-3581.
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview has been awarded a grant worth over $100,000 to help ensure officer safety. The grant was provided to the department from the governor’s office and was approved by the Longview City Council last week during their most recent meeting.
According to our news partner KETK, the grant funding will be used to purchase bullet-resistant glass to install in patrol vehicles to better protect officers and officials. The grant was approved after a patrol vehicle was shot by a suspect during an incident in May 2025 while officers were inside the car.
“This is another important step in helping protect our officers and the community we serve every day,” Longview PIO LaDarian Brown said. “We are grateful for the continued support of our community and the partners who believe in investing in public safety in Longview.”
SMITH COUNTY — Arrest documents related to the deadly Smith County shooting in March indicate that the man charged with murder acted in retaliation for a gang shooting that occurred in December. On March 22, Smith County deputies responded to a shooting at Club Exotic on State Highway 64 West in Tyler. Witnesses reported that a man wearing a ski mask jumped onto the hood of a car and yelled, “Y’all going to die for 38!” and “If y’all ain’t gang, move.” The Smith County Sheriff’s Office believes that “38” likely refers to Aaron Jackson, who was killed at the Valley Blues Club.
The suspect, identified as Andru Davis, then began firing into the crowd, injuring four people. Among those injured were Keundas Sandford and Keoin Dewayne Redd, both of whom died from gunshot wounds at the scene.
Following an investigation, they found that Davis and the second suspect, Brandon Young, were a part of the Shoot First Nation West Side Rollin’ 60’s Crips and had gone to Houston following the shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday after he was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Christopher Lynn Bowles, who was previously wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexually assaulting a child and the continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, Bowles was located in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in November 2025 and was taken into custody, according to our news partner KETK.
During his trial, Bowles was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. Bowles was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday.
CHANDLER – Residents and city administrators met in Chandler on Saturday to discuss a $5.8 million bond proposal to fund a new city hall and storm shelter complex. During a bond open house on Saturday, residents got to hear from Chandler City officials, the project architect and city bond financial advisors about what the bond will fund. For $5,864,000, the bond would fund a new police station, a new fire station, a new city hall and a new city storm shelter that would all be housed within the same complex, according to our news partner KETK.
According to tax information provided by the City of Chandler, if the bond passes, it will be implemented in one of two scenarios that would offset the I&S tax rate increase needed to fund the bond. In scenario one, the I&S tax rate increase will be offset by profits from the lease of the ESD 12 building and in scenario two, the increase will be offset by the ESD 12 lease and funds made from the sale of the current city hall building. The first scenario would lead to a $0.0762 property tax increase while the second scenario would lead to $0.0126 property tax increase. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER – The City of Gladewater named Tim Basham as their new fire department chief this week. Basham, who’s replacing outgoing chief Michael Robbins, came out of retirement and completed an agility test in his Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots to be requalified for service. According to our news partner KETK, Basham had previously served in the metroplex before his initial retirement.
“The City of Gladewater is proud to congratulate Fire Chief Tim Basham on his appointment as our new Fire Chief. We wish you continued success and offer our prayers as you move forward in your service to our community,” the City of Gladewater said. “Your extensive experience and knowledge gained from the metroplex will be a tremendous asset to our department and the citizens we serve. We also recognize your dedication and determination- returning from retirement and completing your agility test in true East Texas fashion, wearing Wranglers and cowboy boots, speaks volumes about your commitment and character.” Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — A Marshall man was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison after using an illegal firearm in a 2024 armed robbery. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of Texas, 20-year-old Jaquallon Tyjuan Hargett was arrested in 2024 after robbing a person of $100 at an ATM in Daingerfield using a pistol equipped with a machine gun conversion device. The conversion device, often referred to as a glock switch, can be attached to the rear of a firearm, allowing a semi-automatic weapon to be converted into a fully automatic machine gun.
“This case demonstrates why we cannot, and we will not, allow Glock-switches to proliferate on the streets of East Texas,” U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs said. “This sentence, 100 months in prison for robbing $100 from a citizen of our community, shows that crime simply does not pay on our watch. Law enforcement conducted an excellent investigation that led to this criminal being brought to justice. They have my sincere appreciation.”
The Daingerfield Police Department, the Marshall Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak.
AUSTIN — Less than two months before the May runoff, U.S. Senator John Cornyn has locked down a wave of support, with more than a dozen elected Republican lawmakers lining up behind his bid for the U.S. Senate.
Cornyn edged out Paxton by just 1.2% in the March election, sending the race to a May runoff. Since then, he has added endorsements from 19 more Texas Republicans, including East Texas U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, bringing his total to more than 500 current and former Texas elected officials.
“I’m honored to have the endorsement of many longtime friends in Texas politics, who I have gotten to know during our time in office and with whom I’ve been proud to work,” Cornyn said. “I’ve always worked hard to earn the trust of our elected officials, so we can roll up our sleeves and work together for the betterment of all Texans. I look forward to continuing our important work together upon my re-election to the United States Senate.” Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD – The Bullard board of trustees approved a project on Monday to renovate an old middle school into an early childhood campus. The facility is expected to be completed by 2027. The new campus will serve students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. Funding for the renovation is provided by a bond measure that voters originally approved in May 2022.
According to our news partner KETK, the decision to repurpose the facility followed a review of student enrollment data and campus capacity by district officials. The Bullard interim superintendent noted that the move was made after evaluating the current space available to accommodate the growing student population. This analysis was conducted to ensure the project meets the district’s long-term facility needs for its youngest learners.
The renovation was included as a component of the school district’s original bond proposal from May 2022. By shifting the former middle school to an early childhood model, the district intends to better manage population distribution across its campuses. The board of trustees finalized the approval for the change during their regular meeting on Monday.
The renovation project is expected to be completed by Aug. 20-27. The district will begin accepting students for the new pre-K, kindergarten and first-grade programs once the facility is ready for the start of the school year.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Council of Judges has accepted the resignation of district clerk Penny Clarkston and has appointed her successor. Clarkson formally resigned from her position on Tuesday, citing personal family reasons. Following Clarkson’s resignation, it was announced that paralegal Gaye Boynton has been appointed to complete Clarkson’s term, which runs through the end of the year.
Boynton recently defeated Clarkston in the March Republican primary election and is currently running unopposed in the general election this November.
Prior to running for local office, Boynton served in several leadership positions, including as President of the Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals (TAALP), and had more than 10 years of experience in the Women’s Ministry at Green Acres Baptist Church.
LUFKIN — The family of a man who was killed in a Lufkin car crash on Jan. 17 is suing the pediatrician, George Fidone. A family is seeking $1 million from Lufkin pediatrician, George Fidone, for allegedly driving while intoxicated and killing husband and father, D. Marcus Hadnot, in a January car crash.
The crash occurred on College Drive when a Mercedes, driven by Fidone, crashed into Hadnot’s Kia at around 10:15 a.m. Hadnot and his dog, who were in the car, were later pronounced dead following the crash. Fidone told officers he was on his phone and allegedly admitted that the crash was his fault before heading to the hospital for minor injuries. He was later arrested after blood collected from the crash reported a 0.14 blood alcohol level, an arrest affidavit stated.
He was booked into the Angelina County Jail and charged with two counts of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle and two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the deadly Sunday morning shooting that left two dead and another injured, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Tyler teenagers, Brandon Young, 18, and Andru Davis, 18, were identified by investigators to be directly involved in the shooting and were believed to be at a known address in Houston. On March 24, Smith County Investigators worked with the East Texas Anti-Gang Center to notify Houston officials of their location. A team was sent to the address and attempted to apprehend the suspects.
Upon arrival, Young was quickly found and taken into custody without incident. However, Davis fled the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Law enforcement personnel were surrounding the residence, and Davis was apprehended shortly by a police K-9 and taken into custody. Due to being bitten, Davis was transported to a local hospital.
Young was booked into the Smith County Jail for warrants of engaging in organized criminal activity and deadly contact. He is being held on a $750,000 bond. Read the rest of this entry »
CAMP COUNTY — A 40-year-old man has died after drowning in a Camp County private pond while fishing with family on Saturday. According to our news partner and Camp County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a residence on County Road 3211 near Pittsburg at around 2:37 p.m. after receiving reports of a possible drowning.
Family members told law enforcement that the victim, identified as Angel Gonzales of Pflugerville, decided to swim across the pond while the family was fishing nearby. When he reached about halfway across, he went under the water and did not resurface. Emergency crews with the sheriff’s office and the Pittsburg Fire Department searched for Gonzalez but could not locate him. The Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens were then called and located him.
The Longview Fire Department’s dive team was then deployed to recover his body. He was recovered at 4:55 p.m., officials confirmed.
WHITEHOUSE — The City of Whitehouse is set to discuss joining ICE’s 287(g) program during Tuesday’s city council meeting. Council members will consider and potentially take action on entering the agreement after the Department of Homeland Security invited the city to participate in the task force.
According to our news partner KETK, joining the program would give local officers the authority, under ICE supervision, to arrest individuals who are in violation of federal immigration laws. Officials emphasized that this would not change their current arrest procedures or alter day?to?day operations. If approved, the city estimates it could receive up to $1.1 million within the first 12 months.
Under the task force model, participating officers can exercise limited immigration authority while performing routine duties, such as determining a person’s immigration status during a traffic stop or DUI checkpoint and sharing that information with ICE. Officers may also assist directly in ICE?led operations.
SMITH COUNTY – Two men have died after a shooting happened at a club in Smith County on Sunday morning. Smith County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 Derrick Choice told our news partner KETK that he was called out to the Exotic Social Club on State Highway 64 at around 8 a.m. on Sunday to assist at the scene of a fatal shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – The Anderson County Tax Office will be closed on Monday after a vehicle crashed into the office on Sunday. According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating how the vehicle crashed into the tax office, which is located at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex.
According to our news partner KETK, no injuries have been reported at this time. A specific time and date for when the office will reopen has not been announced.
MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — The city of Marshall has restored full water capacity following a water main break. Restoring full water capacity is the process that allows the resin beads in a water tank to remove hard water minerals. While the city has made progress, permanent repairs to the damaged pipe are still needed, and crews are working to stabilize the system.
Residents are still encouraged to limit water use until the repairs are completed. The boil water advisory for Marshall was lifted by the city at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
An Emergency Burn Ban remains in effect. Residents are reminded that all outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice.
WASKOM – Waskom ISD is in mourning after superintendent Christopher Guastella died in a single-vehicle crash in Shreveport. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 21, around 1:25 p.m. at the intersection of Interstate 20 West and Bert Kouns Industrial Loop. According to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office and our news partner KETK, Guastella, 51, of Waskom, was traveling westbound near Exit 8 of Bert Kouns when his vehicle left the road.
Guastella was taken to Ochsner LSU Health, where he was later pronounced dead. According to SPD, preliminary findings suggest that Guastella may have experienced a medical emergency prior to leaving the roadway.
Guastella leaves behind his wife, Jen Guastella, who serves as the Director of State and Federal Programs at Waskom ISD, and their two children. He had more than 17 years of experience in education, including more than a decade in leadership roles. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Due to high winds and dry conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Shreveport is warning of an elevated fire threat across East Texas into the weekend. The NWS is reporting high winds near 10 to 20 miles per hour with relative humidity values as low as 35-45% on Friday that will last until Saturday. The conditions maintain ongoing and dry fuels outdoors are favorable for wildfire growth.
Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and any activities that involve open sparks or flames. All wildfires should be reported to local law enforcement as soon as possible, the NWS said.
The advisory was issued for NWS Shreveport’s entire four state region, which includes East Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest and South-central Arkansas and Northern and Central Louisiana.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is increasing officer presence on Stone Road after two vehicles crashed on Wednesday, leaving two people injured. The crash in east Kilgore happened in front of the Dollar General near the intersection of Highway 259. Law enforcement said the collision was caused by dangerous speeds, when a vehicle towing a trailer rear-ended another vehicle as it was attempting to turn into the store and pushed it into oncoming traffic.
Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter told KETK News that in the month of February there were 15 speeding stops on Stone Road, and more than 200 in all of 2025. The speed limit on Stone Road drops from 50 to 45, but many residents feel like drivers go much faster.
The hope is that the additional police presence can slow drivers down, but that the changes shouldn’t stop there. Kilgore PD confirmed that both drivers involved in Wednesday’s crash are recovering.
ANDERSON COUNTY — A $16 billion natural gas project is headed to East Texas following a Thursday meeting between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marking one of the region’s largest energy investments in recent years. East Texas Rep. Cody Harris, whose district includes Anderson County—the planned site of the new natural gas generation hub—said the project would create roughly 3,000 long term, high paying jobs and give local taxing entities room to lower property taxes.
According to our news partner KETK, the jobs will be high paying positions and since the project is entirely within their school tax district, it will generate a significant boost for their education funding.
The $16 billion Anderson County natural gas project is a part of a larger $550 billion that the United States and Japan negotiated in 2025. As part of the deal, Japan will invest $550 billion into projects across the United States in exchange for a reduced 15% tariff on all U.S. imports of Japanese products, rather than the 25% tariff that President Trump proposed in July 2025. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — The man accused in the killing of a Rusk County woman has waived extradition in Arkansas and is expected to be returned to Texas soon to face charges, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities confirmed that the case is rooted in domestic violence, with family members confirming several instances of violence. While investigators are not releasing specific details about what led up to the murder, According to our news partner KETK, a concerned family member contacted law enforcement after becoming worried about the victim’s safety.
Deputies were dispatched to conduct a welfare check at a home off County Road 3122 on Wednesday afternoon. When deputies arrived, they knocked repeatedly but received no answer. They then forced entry into the home and discovered the victim, identified as Amanda Thompson, deceased inside.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect who had left the residence shortly before deputies arrived. Surveillance footage helped authorities determine the vehicle he was driving, and they were able to obtain his phone number. Tracking data indicated he was traveling toward Arkansas. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is searching for a suspect who shot at a man on Thursday afternoon. According to Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the shooting occurred at the intersection of North Border Avenue and Morris Street at around 4:20 p.m. The suspect, who reportedly knew the victim, shot at him and the victim’s vehicle from with in a nearby residence.
The victim sustained minor injuries from the shooting and was transported to a local hospital for treatment by EMS. Erbaugh said the department is following leads and the case is still under investigation.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been given 10 years in prison for violating his parole from a 2021 dog attack case after he was found guilty of a 2024 dog attack case in February. Martin Gilbert Rodriguez was found guilty of a 2024 fatal dog attack on Feb. 11 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. When 46-year-old Kenneth Pierson was killed in the 2024 dog attack, Rodriguez was on probation from a non-fatal dog attack that happened in 2021.
According to our news partner KETK, Rodriguez’s probation for his 2021 attack by dog causing serious injury case was revoked in light of his Feb. 11 sentence. Rodriguez was then given an amended 10-year prison sentence for that 2021 case.
His 10-year sentence will be served after the completion of his 15-year sentence which started on Feb. 22.
LUFKIN — An AI-technology company based out of Nevada entered a purchase and sale agreement with Jefferson Enterprise Energy, LLC for a 132-acre property in Lufkin, according to a filing from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The purchase of the property cost the AI-company, 1606 Corp., a total of $11,168,864, consisting of $7 million in cash that must be paid at closing on April 15. Included in the purchase are associated development rights, improvements and equipment.
A press release filed with the SEC said the property has a 50,000-square-foot warehouse, which is capable of supporting large-scale data center infrastructure.
1606 Corp. believes the purchase of the site is “attractive” for potential partnerships with data center operators looking to develop new data centers in the area.
MARSHALL – The City of Marshall remains in a full-scale water emergency as crews continue struggling to repair a major break in one of the city’s largest water transmission lines.
Efforts to fully restore water service across the city are progressing more slowly than expected. Current water demand continues to exceed production capacity.
Water production resumed at 11:45 p.m.,Thursday, March 19. However, the system-wide loss during the shutdown has changed the timeline for full restoration. As of this morning, water service is expected to return to normal operational levels by approximately 6 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 21.
Most residents should now have access to water for essential needs, including hygiene, toilet flushing, hand-washing, and food preparation with boiled water.
Residents are strongly urged to conserve water to allow the system to recover and return to normal operational levels. The Stage 4 Emergency Status, Outdoor Burn ban, and Boil Water Notice all remain in e
HENDERSON COUNTY – A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board has been released, providing more details on what may have caused the plane crash in Henderson County earlier this year that killed two people. According to our news partner KETK, two holes were found in the engine crankcase after examining the plane following the crash. Additionally, oil was found above the windscreen on the fuselage. The plane was later transported to a secure location for further examination.
The crash occurred on Feb. 11 after the plane was traveling from Orlando, Florida, to Dallas and was piloted by Ron Timmermans, who was accompanied by his wife, Barbara, and their dog. During the flight, Ron contacted traffic control after crossing Lake Palestine, declaring an emergency, stating that there was oil on the airplane’s windscreen. Ron later informed traffic control that he was planning to land at Echo Lake Airport in Murchison, the report said. During the landing at around 5:15 p.m., the plane struck a power line pole and nosedived on the eastern side of the airport on the front lawn of a private residence, killing Ron and Barbara.
Timmermans’ family said that prior to the flight, Ron held an airline transport certificate and a flight instructor certificate. Ron was also an active flight instructor in Florida and Texas.
TYLER — A man accused of firing multiple shots at a vehicle during a dispute in Tyler on Monday told deputies that the confrontation stemmed from an argument over unpaid money for porcelain dolls, according to a Smith County arrest warrant. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded at about 1:40 p.m. to the 2200 block of Montgomery Gardens Boulevard on a report of deadly conduct. Upon arrival, authorities contacted the suspect, identified as Alex Zavalla, who had already been detained by troopers of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to arresting documents, Zavalla told deputies he had taken “porcelain dolls” from a woman’s home because she had not repaid money she owed him. The woman later arrived at Zavalla’s residence with another individual, prompting a confrontation.
Zavalla told deputies he retrieved a black “AK-style pistol” and repeatedly told the pair to leave, but they refused. He also said the male individual threatened to return with others and “shoot up” the home. Read the rest of this entry »