Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
MOUNT PLEASANT — According to our news partner KETK, the Mount Pleasant City Council voted to cut longevity pay in half on Tuesday night, a bonus many city employees receive during the holiday season. According to the city’s website, each full-time employee should have received ten dollars for every month employed. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a 120-dollar bonus at the end of the year however council members voted Tuesday night to cut it in half from 10 dollars to five.
“Full-time employees receive $120 per year longevity pay [that is] paid at the end of the year,” the City of Mount Pleasant’s website said. “Longevity pay begins after completion of one year of service to the City.”
The Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association and the Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant Local 5069 posted statements expressing their disappointment with the city council’s decision. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, a man is behind bars after causing crash that killed an 85-year-old woman on Tuesday in Palestine. The police department said at around 4:17 p.m. officials were dispatched to the intersection of N. Loop 256 and Palestine Avenue due to a two-vehicle crash. A Toyota Tacoma, driven by Mark Thomas, 65 of Palestine, allegedly collided into a Ford Fusion, driven by Laura Braisher, 54 of Palestine.
The Ford had two additional passengers, 85-year-old Dorothy Sims and a child. The driver and passengers of the Ford were taken to a local hospital where Sims later died, officials said. The child was taken to a Dallas hospital with serious injuries.
“Witness stated that the Ford was traveling north on the loop when the Toyota failed to yield the right of way and turned onto Palestine Ave. in front of the Ford, causing the collision,” The Palestine Police Department said. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing family from Marshall. According to our news partner KETK, Gerardo Roman, Alondra Rodriguez, Jazel Roman, and Gerardo Roman Jr. were last seen on Friday, November 15 leaving Trinity Episcopal School where Alondra is an employee.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.
HENDERSON COUNTY– A 66-year-old man is at the Henderson County Jail after authorities found him in possession of methamphetamine and supplies used in narcotic distribution during a Tuesday search. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, at around 6:30 p.m. investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at Singletree Trail just outside of Athens.
During the search, Ricky Clyde Hurt, 66 of Athens, was found in possession of “a large amount of suspected methamphetamine,” baggies and scales, the sheriff’s office said. Hurt was charged with manufacture of delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the jail on a $150,000 bond.
OVERTON — A 2-year-old has been airlifted to an out-of-state hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. According to our news partner KETK, at around noon on Wednesday, officials were dispatched to the 109000 block of CR 29 near Overton at the Smith and Rusk County line of a reported accidental shooting of a 2-year-old. When officials arrived, the child had already been taken to the Overton Fire Department and later air-lifted to an out-of-state hospital.
The child reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the side of the chest, and was an in-and-out wound. Smith said the child is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. No arrests have been made.
HOPKINS COUNTY– Our news partner, KETK, reports that two people are behind bars and three others have warrants for their arrest in connection to recent East Texas vehicle burglaries.
According to Hopkins County Sheriff, Lewis Tatum, the department began working with other East Texas law enforcement agencies that were also affected by the vehicle burglaries but the investigation proved to be difficult due to large crime spree area. “We are proud to announce that at this time Hopkins County has issued warrants on five individuals for engaging in organized criminal activity,” the sheriff’s office said. “Their bond is set at $1 million for each suspect. Two of the suspects are in custody in another county near Houston.”
In recent months, more than twelve East Texas sheriff’s offices including Wood, Van Zandt, Henderson, Rains, Rusk, Nacogdoches counties reported on vehicle burglaries with some saying the suspects were considered armed and dangerous.In October, Hopkins County shared that some firearms that were taken from vehicles during the crime spree were prevented from being smuggled into Mexico.
Sheriff Tatum said the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office will continue to work to protect the citizens of Hopkins County and their property.
SMITH COUNTY— According to our news partner, KETK, multiple injuries have been reported following a multi-vehicle wreck north of Tyler.
According to the Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Community Outreach Coordinator, Nikki Simmons, officials were dispatched at around 4 p.m. to FM 14 near CR 326 after a four vehicle wreck. Simmons said there were six injured and of those, three were transported to a local hospital.
Roads have been reopened and at this time, the condition of those hospitalized is unknown.
DIANA – Our news partner, KETK, report that a New Diana ISD student has been taken for medical treatment after they were hit while crossing a highway intersection Tuesday morning.
According to the school district, the student, whose identity isn’t being released, was crossing Highway 259 where it intersects with Highway 154 near the school when a vehicle hit them. First responders arrived and quickly transported the student for a medical evaluation. The parents were notified and are with the student, said district officials.
“We are grateful for the swift response of first responders and are closely monitoring the situation,” New Diana ISD said. “Out of respect for the family and their privacy, we will not be sharing further details at this time.” The school district also said that their students safety is always their top priority and asked parents to talk to their children about the expectation that once they arrive on campus they must remain there.
UPDATE: Our news partner, KETK, reports that Winona ISD and Big Sandy ISD are releasing students immediately today due to a power outage.
Big Sandy ISD -buses will begin running their regular routes. School administration noted if it appears that no one is home for elementary school students, they will be brought back to campus until a parent is able to come get them. Students who don’t ride the bus are available for pickup immediately. Athletic events for Big Sandy will continue as planned and any changes will be communicated to students and parents as soon as possible.
WINONA – According to the district, the outage is city-wide, and parents are encouraged to pick up their children as soon as possible.
Buses will be available between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The district says they will continue to notify parents of any future developments and the status for Wednesday.
LINDALE — According to our news partner KETK, two East Texas lawmakers are requesting an investigation into Undine, an investor-owned water utility, after customers have reported irregular water billing.
State Rep. Cole Hefner and State Sen. Bryan Hughes are urging the Public Utility Commission of Texas to investigate the company after receiving numerous complaints from community members in the Lindale and Hideaway areas.
Customers of Undine have reportedly seen unexplained usage increases on their monthly bill with a 300% increase or in some cases, bills exceeding $1,000. The water company has allegedly sent threats that they would disconnect customers’ water service if they did not pay their bills, “creating a potentially dangerous situation for residents of these communities.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that one person is dead after a Monday morning house fire, the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office said.
According to Assistant Fire Marshal Brandon Davis, investigators are at the home on Shady Trail Drive in North Tyler where one fatality has been confirmed.
At this time the person’s identity has not been released.
TEXARKANA – The Texarkana Texas Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman. According to our news partner KETK, Diane Rogers left her home in Texarkana earlier today and has not been seen since. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and blue shoes. Rogers was driving a maroon Ford SportTrac with Texas license plate BM15112.
Rogers has been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder; everyone is very concerned for her safety.
The Texarkana Texas Police Department urges anyone with information regarding Diane Roger’s location to contact the department immediately at 903-798-3116.
TYLER – Four local school district superintendents met in Tyler on Thursday to address issues facing East Texas education like school funding and teacher shortages.
According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford led the panel which included Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt, Chapel Hill ISD Superintendent Lamond Dean and Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter. The panel discussed state funding, inflation, accountability standards, school vouchers and teacher shortages as a part of the Annual State of the District Address at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“It’s hard to sift through all the noise portrayed by some media and quite a bit of social media,” said Crawford. “I believe today conveyed the good things going on in our East Texas Public schools and the challenges on the horizon. Regardless of what the demagogues portray, our East Texas public schools are pragmatic and operated in a morally and fiscally conservative fashion.”
Stan Surratt said he was proud of East Texas schools despite the lack of state funding. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department is searching for a missing 38-year-old man last seen in late October. According to a release, William Eric May was reported missing last Friday and officials are “very concerned for his safety and well-being.”
Detectives have been on the case all week and found video of him at a Arkansas-side Walmart at around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 28. He was also spotted riding a purple bicycle in the area of Texas Boulevard and Elizabeth Street after leaving Walmart. In the videos he was seen wearing a black polo, blue jeans and tan shoes. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the police department at 903-798-3116 or after hours at 903-798-3876.
“Your help is vital in bringing William home safely. Thank you for your support and for sharing this post. Together, we can make a difference,” the police department said.
TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, Tyler native and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Randy Grimes was in his home town on Friday to speak about recovery from addiction.
“I just want to get the message out. There’s so much stigma involved with addiction, it’s such an ugly word. Nobody wants to admit it but this happens to good people,” said Grimes. “I work with judges, pastors, I work with pilots and athletes, and this happens to good people, but you’ve got to put your hands up and ask for help.”
Before the NFL, Grimes played for Baylor University in Waco and the Robert E. Lee High School football team, before they changed the name to Tyler Legacy High School.
Grimes became addicted to painkillers after a series of injuries he got playing in the NFL. He shared that his path to recovery was long but now he and his wife Lydia are helping others on their path to an addiction-free life. Read the rest of this entry »