Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the son of an elected Smith County official was arrested again for disrupting a Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. At a meeting on Tuesday, Lance Phillips, 40, participated in the public comment section, which is for comment about existing agenda items only. He was set to speak on the second agenda item, which pertained to overtime pay for the district attorney’s office, starting by saying “I don’t want to disrupt the court today.†Lance spoke for a short time about alleged corruption of the DA’s office, to which County Judge Neal Franklin reminded him he had to stay on the agenda topic. When Lance continued, Franklin told him, “Mr. Phillips, you’re through.†Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK a man was hospitalized Sunday night after officials said he was struck by a stay bullet from “what appears to be celebratory gunfire†at midnight. According to authorities, Lufkin PD is investigating the incident that happened in the 2200 block of North Raguet Street, and the man was taken to an out-of-town hospital where he remained, as of 11:45 a.m. on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said the man’s name is not being released at this time.
PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK is reporting that two people were arrested earlier this month after a minor was shot in Palestine. According to Palestine PD, officers responded a call of “shots fired†on Nov. 11 in the area of Tennessee Avenue and W. Carolina Street, and found a young male who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and officials said the minor is expected to recover. According to authorities, search warrants were issued and items seized by detectives at a residence on Tennessee Avenue include: Two firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and about $3,400 in cash. Officials said the items were indicative of narcotics trafficking, and after a continued investigation, two people were arrested. Read the rest of this entry »
PANOLA COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested in Panola County for alleged possession of marijuana in his vehicle. According to a release, a sergeant made a “traffic contact†on Highway 149 south of Beckville after observing a moving violation on Saturday at around 1 a.m. The sergeant reportedly noticed criminal activity and requested a K9 unit. Once the K9 unit arrived, a search of the vehicle reportedly revealed multiple large packages containing approximately 32 pounds of marijuana. Officials said the driver was arrested without incident and taken to the detention center. The driver was charged with possession of marijuana between 5-50 pounds, a third degree felony.
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LONGVIEW – Advance registration for Longview Transit’s “Safe Ride Home†service will open soon. According to our news partner KETK, starting on Wednesday anyone within Longview’s city limits can pre-register to get a free ride home on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. the following morning. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10 and riders are encouraged to schedule trips in advance. The curb-to-curb service is available to any destination within Longview’s city limits. The service is open to people who have had a few drinks and to those that simply don’t want to drive that evening. “Longview Transit has been providing Safe Ride Home transportation on New Year’s Eve for several years now, and it continues to be a great service for the community,†said Longview Transit Director of Operations Tequita Dudley. The service is made possible through financial help from R&K Distributors.
TYLER – A local educator and pastor announced his bid for a seat on the Tyler City Council. Dexter Floyd, Principal of Tyler ISD’s RISE Academy and pastor for Designed for Worship Church of God in Christ, is running for Tyler City Council District 2. Election Day is May 4. Floyd said his campaign will focus on the key issues of his district, which include fostering affordable housing, bridging healthcare gaps, facilitating more community policing strategies and revitalizing neighborhoods. District 2 covers West Tyler and has been represented by Broderick McGee since 2018. Floyd’s campaign will start with a series of listening tours and community events for residents in his district. “I want to hear from you, understand your concerns, and work together to find solutions that will benefit our community,†Floyd said.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – One person is dead after a small plane crashed in a Van Zandt County neighborhood on Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK and Sgt. Adam Albritton with the Texas Department of Public Safety, a small plane crashed into the side of a house off CR 3119 around 6 p.m. near the Tailwind Airpark. The home is on Private Road 7005 and was unoccupied at the time of the crash. Sgt. Albritton identified the pilot who died at 60-year-old Roger D. Turner of Edgewood. Federal Investigators are at the crash to find the cause of it.
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NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Mary Parker, 69 of Nacogdoches, after she went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. According to our news partner KETK Parker suffers from memory issues and may not know where she is or why she’s travelling. Officials said she left her home in the 500 block of County Road 534 on Monday morning. Parker is around 5 feet, 6 inches tall with green eyes and was last seen wearing a pullover sweatshirt and pajama pants. She is reportedly driving a dark grey 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with the license plate number JyY-4397. The Jeep was seen going south on U.S Highway 59 south around 10 a.m. and was last seen near Interstate 45 and FM 646 north near Dickinson around 3 p.m. Anyone with information about where Parker is is asked to call Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office at 936-559-2607.
TYLER – After all the holiday fun, getting rid of the empty packages of your new gifts can be a chore but Tyler Police Department said that boxes out on the curb can make you a target for a potential break in. “That tells anybody who wants to come and take advantage of people not being home for Christmas or leaving after Christmas or anything like that or just being gone during the day that they can go in there and they know what’s in your house,†said Andy Erbaugh, the Public information officer for Tyler PD. According to our news aprtner KETK, taking your trash to recycling centers can keep thieves from knowing what you got for Christmas, and fitting everything into your garbage will help. “Break it down as much as possible and get it in that trash can,†said Erbaugh. Erbaugh also said to not leave new Christmas gifts out in your car or in your front yard. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a scam where a caller pretending to be a deputy will ask you to pay a fine through Bitcoin machines at Tyler Vape shops. According to our news partner KETK the caller reportedly claims to be “Deputy Smithâ€. He allegedly tells people that they have a warrant and have to immediately pay a fine by depositing money into Bitcoin machines that can be found at local vape shops. Officials said they’ve also had reports that a caller will identify himself as Captain Craig Halbrooks, the SCSO patrol commander. The caller will reportedly ask for $10,000 to $20,000 dollars at a time and has allegedly obtained around $50,000 doing this alleged scam. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The City of Longview is asking the community to help various non-profits collaborating with the city for Homeless Resource Day on Jan. 25. According to our news partner KETK. Mayor Andy Mack’s Task Force on Homelessness is asking residents to help with Homeless Resource Day by giving directly to a local organization, giving to the Mayor’s Go Giver Fund or by donating items for Homeless Outreach Bags. The city is also asking for volunteers to work directly with local homeless service organizations and on Homeless Resource Day. The city also suggested that people could help by get others involved in volunteering and by encouraging local businesses to take part in the Homeless Work Program.Visit the of Longview online to see a full list of organizations to support, information about the Go Giver Fund and a list of items needed for Homeless outreach bags.
VAN – A former Van police officer was indicted after an investigation into allegations of official oppression. Santos Rodriguez was indicted on Friday for one count of official oppression. According to our news partner KETK, Van Police Chief Melissa Davis “received information regarding the conduct of an officer†on July 10. After gathering information on the incident, Davis confronted the officer about the allegation. “He immediately resigned from the Van Police Department, and although the complainant requested that the discipline be minimal, all information collected to that point was turned over to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office by Chief Davis,†according to Van The investigation is ongoing. Official oppression, a Class A Misdemeanor, carries a punishment range of a fine up to $4,000 and/or one year of jail for those found guilty.
SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 28-year-old woman was arrested after turning herself into authorities on Tuesday. The sheriff reported Sarah Ramon, of Joaquin, was arrested for indecency with a child, sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student after a lengthy investigation by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said no further information will be released at this time.