Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
TYLER – Sad news from our news partner KETK, after more than 20 years at KETK/FOX51 in Tyler, Neal Barton is stepping away from the anchor desk. Neal has experience being the driving force behind a newsroom and being the face of the organization, serving as both news director and anchor. For more than 20 years, the people of East Texas welcomed Neal into their homes with the good news and the bad, all delivered with his classic Piney Woods wit. Outside of the regular evening newscasts, Neal also worked to put together weekly episodes of East Texas In Focus, an hourlong program that deep dives into topics that matter. You could also see him speaking his mind on regular segments of Neal Barton’s Point of View, or even see him going live in your town–with a KETK microphone and a cowboy hat, of course– for Small Town Salute Live segments.
He created a holiday initiative, Neal’s Wheels, which regularly brings in bike donations for local children in need. Last year, thanks to the generosity of locals, Neal’s Wheels brought in a record-breaking 206 bikes, scooters and skateboards for kids in need.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK a man pleaded guilty to capital murder on Monday for the deaths of two dentists in Smith County. Steven Alexander Smith, 42, of Tyler, was charged with capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for killing Dr. Blake G. Sinclair, 59 and Dr. Jack E. Burroughs, 75, after shooting them at Affordable Dentures & Implants on Highway 31 in March 2022. According the Smith County District Attorney, Jacob Putman, Smith pleaded guilty to capital murder and will be imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said Steven was a patient at the clinic who got in an altercation about work on some dentures. According to the sheriff’s office investigation, Smith got angry at the clinic staff and went to his pickup truck. He later went back to the lobby of the clinic with a handgun and shot the two doctors inside.
TYLER – A man was arrested for murder after a man was fatally stabbed in Smith County on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene in the 400 block of CR 34 near Tyler after a 911 call reported a stabbing around 5:15 p.m. When the deputies arrived they found the victim, identified as Noe Luna, 43 of Tyler, had already been taken to a local emergency room by family. Luna reportedly succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.
Letierus Drew, 23 of Tyler, was identified as a suspect during the preliminary investigation, according to authorities, and witnesses told them Drew was not welcome inside the home but had allegedly forced his way in and got into a physical fight with Luna. Drew was booked into the Smith County Jail where his bond was set at $500,000. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — According to out news partner KETK the Tyler Police Department is investigating the scene where a person was shot in the leg and another wounded. According to Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, on Thursday at around 4:49 p.m., Tyler PD was dispatched to a shooting in the 2900 block of North Grand Avenue. One victim was reportedly shot in the leg and taken to a hospital and a second person was reportedly also shot but taken to a local hospital by a private vehicle. Erbaugh said the two victims appear to be from the same incident that police believe was between them and a possible third person. The investigation remains active and police officers are still on the scene. Erbaugh said more information will be shared as it becomes available.
MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has issued a warning of a man described as wearing “army gear†and carrying a rifle who reportedly fired one shot in the air. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall PD is actively searching in the West Rusk and Adkins area but have not located the man at this time. Officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911. They ask people to remain indoors if they are in the vicinity and to avoid the area if possible. Authorities said they will update the public as more information becomes available.
TEXAS — Both the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are encouraging Texans to conserve as much energy as possible, amid freezing temperatures statewide. The PUCT and ERCOT are calling for conservation efforts “due to continued freezing temperatures, very high demand and unseasonably low wind,†PUC leaders said in a Sunday release. The National Weather Service has a hard freeze warning in effect for our region until 11 a.m. Wednesday.
ERCOT is asking both businesses and residents to conserve electricity use, officials said on social media. Those experiencing and outage can report it to the PUCT by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1-888-782-8477. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As East Texas is struck with cold weather, about 1,193 customers in East Texas are without power as of 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of counties with power outages from ONCOR and SWEPCO’s power outage maps, as well as several electric co-ops. You can find that list here.
TYLER – Roads all across East Texas are starting to get icy leading to crashes and road closures throughout the area. According to our news partner KETK TxDOT Tyler is reporting that ice is accumulating on the bridges at State Highway 135 over I-20 and State Highway 31 over I-20. In Brownsboro, at FM 314 and the New Hope Church curve, a vehicle flipped because of ice in the roadway, according to Brownsboro Fire Rescue. They said that at least 10 other crashes were prevented because Brownsboro Fire Rescue members were standing in the road to slow people down. The Lindale Police Department said that Perryman Road at Main Street and Wood Springs Road is closed due ice conditions. They added that all Lindale public bathrooms are closed until Wednesday. The Mount Pleasant Police Department said that their officers are working crashes throughout Mount Pleasant as ice starts to build up on their roadways. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Even though the current winter weather cycle is diminishing, the Smith County Office of Emergency Management is offering tips and information to keep residents safe and informed. Our news partner KETK spoke with Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore. He outlined resources and tips available to residents. For example, Tyler and Smith County have a Cold Weather Response Plan, which serves as a guide to provide useful information to the public. It includes tips on avoiding exposures, recognizing the signs of cold-weather related emergencies and highlights resources available to residents. “If your power goes out, we do have options,†Moore said. “So Tyler and Smith County created a winter preparation plan, and you can just Google Tyler winter weather plan and it identifies warming centers and also warming shelters. If the need arises, the cities and/or county will open centers or shelters depending on the need.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK TxDOT started winterizing East Texas highways on Friday. “Most traveled roads, and so I20 is one of those, so we hit that in Gregg County, Smith County, Van Zandt County,†Jeff Williford, TxDOT Tyler District Public Information officer. TxDOT officials also assisted with Toll 49, despite it not being their roadway. Officials were treating streets with a saltwater solution.
Their number one advice is to slow down. “Roads can still get slick when it’s on there, it does help slow the process down of freezing when that precipitation hits,†said Williford. Officials also suggest checking car battery life and tires. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK an Arctic front arrived Saturday night, bringing a light wintry mix late Sunday into Monday and around 50+ hours of consecutive hours of below freezing temperatures. Lows are predicted to fall into the teens both Tuesday & Wednesday morning. At this time, this will be the coldest air that we’ve witnessed in East Texas since the morning of December 23rd, 2022 when we fell to 10 degrees at Tyler Pounds Airport. The lowest we’ll get temperature wise will be Tuesday morning (13 degrees). Wind chills Tuesday morning may drop below zero, mainly north of I-20. Continually updated details on coming winter weather can be found here.
TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK two drivers have been arrested in connection to a fatal crash from Dec. 18, 2023. According to a release, the Texarkana Police Department arrested Christopher Daniel, 25, and Robert Culpepper, 23, and were both charged with racing on the highway involving death. They were booked into the Bi-State Jail and their bonds were set at $1 million each. Linda Reed, 66, died after her car was hit when she attempted to cross North Stateline Ave. from East 9th St. to Hazel St. around 7:20 p.m. Officials said evidence showed that Culpepper and Daniel were driving southbound on Stateline “at an extremely high rate of speed.â€
TYLER – Douglas Elementary School has started plans to transform their outdoor space into an extension of the classroom following a $100,000 donation from former student Jack Benson. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD announced last Wednesday that the funds will be used for new playground equipment as well as a covered learning space. The outdoor learning area is planned to incorporate scientific concepts with microscopes and other tools for experiments and hands-on learning. Benson hopes that through his donation others are encouraged to give back. “The vision for the outdoor learning area is to have an outdoor extension of the classroom, something I think children at any elementary grade level will benefit from,†Benson said.
LONGVIEW — Three people have been arrested after the Longview Police Department found multiple drugs and weapons during search. According to a release, the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and SWAT team executed a narcotics search warrant on Texas Street. During the search, they reportedly seized methamphetamine, ecstasy, Xanax, crack cocaine, and marijuana. They also recovered a pistol, magazine and ammunition. Three people were arrested and taken into the Gregg County Jail without incident. The identified suspects are Delaina Pruitt, 50 of Longview, Austin Young, 56 of Mount Pleasant and Kristina Kelly, 32 of Longview. Pruitt was charged with four counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Young was arrested for possession of a controlled substance less than one gram and possession of marijuana less than two ounces. Kelly was arrested for four outstanding city warrants.
ANDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK
woman is dead after a wreck on New Year’s Day on U.S. Highway 175 in Frankston. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 35-year-old Kristen Dehart of Pine Bluff was driving east on Highway 175 at 11:43 p.m. DPS said her 2023 Chevrolet Blazer crossed into the westbound lane and hit an oncoming 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup. hild taken to hospital after wreck in Gun Barrel City A preliminary crash report indicates that Dehart was not wearing her seatbelt and died at the scene. The other driver was treated on site and released. DPS is still investigating the crash.