Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
LONGVIEW – After East Texas was hit by a winter storm on Saturday morning, the Longview Police Department provided an update on what residents should expect moving into Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, although road conditions have not been as bad as expected, residents should be advised that conditions will likely worsen as the storm continues into tomorrow
As freezing temperatures will continue into the night, Brown said that the Longview Exhibit Center will remain open as a warming center until 7 p.m. The Salvation Army and Highway 80 Rescue Mission have also opened their facilities as warming centers to the general public.
“Stay at home to the best of your abilities unless you have a major reason why you need to leave,” Brown said. “The fewer people we have on the road, the less likely we are to have accidents and crashes.”
Winter Weather: School districts, churches announce closings – Winter weather is here and East Texas school districts and churches are announcing closures to ensure the safety of residents. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of school closures, delays and church closures. You may view that list here.
TYLER – With a winter storm expected to impact East Texas this weekend, local shelters are opening their doors to serve as warming centers for residents in need. Our news partner KETK has put together a list of warming centers open to the public, with updates to follow as additional locations announce openings for the weekend. You can view that list here.
TYLER – An estimated 1,000 students from Tyler High School and Legacy High School walked out of classes on Tuesday afternoon in protest of recent ICE activity. According to our news partner KETK, the protest remained peaceful and students who participated created signs and posters urging local law enforcement to end their partnership with ICE’s 287(g) program, which Smith County commissioners approved in February 2025.
Students who organized the protest stated that they would no longer sit idly and watch ICE terrorize communities nationwide. Tyler High English Teacher Stacy Brazill approved her students’ decisions to participate in the protest due to the fear and anxiety the presence of ICE in East Texas has created in their families. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Caldwell Zoo has welcomed the new year with six newborn greater kudu calves. The Caldwell Zoo had a successful year for its African hoofstock band, welcoming six female greater kudu calves in December. Several members of the herd became first-time mothers in 2025.
According to our news partner KETK, the zoo’s dedicated veterinary team and animal keepers worked diligently to ensure the mothers are comfortable and recovering well.
With all of the calves being born during December, it was crucial to make sure the zoo staff jumped in quickly to keep them safe and warm during the first few weeks of their lives. Most of the calves are being bottle-fed at this time to get their necessary nutrients as moms, babies and the herd adjust to these new additions. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK — More than a month has passed since 57-year-old David Blount disappeared in Cherokee County, leaving his family in a daily struggle for answers amid growing heartache. With no leads, family members said law enforcement does not know where to search anymore and are now urging people to come forward with any information.
Jessica Blount and Justin Blount, David’s niece and nephew spoke with KETK News and mentioned that David would sometimes go for periods without communicating with family members. However, this time it raised immediate red flags. Family members said David goes on fishing trips to Lake Striker but always lets his neighbor know to watch his home. His red truck was discovered along the Neches River four days after he went missing. His family found it strange since he typically fished at lakes rather than rivers and no fishing pole was found in his truck.
Additionally, a kayak was located, but they mentioned that he hadn’t gone kayaking in years. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — After nearly half a decade of evading law enforcement, a fugitive wanted on multiple felony charges involving a child is now behind bars. According to reports from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Eusebio Martinez Padron after he allegedly spent roughly five years avoiding arrest for sex crimes against children.
Authorities say the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) alerted local deputies that Padron was believed to be hiding in Harrison County. Acting on that information, deputies searched the area around Lee Circle, where they located and arrested him. Padron was taken into custody without incident and booked on three felony warrants out of North Carolina, including alleged incest with a child under 13, first-degree statutory rape, and indecent liberties with a child.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office credited the successful arrest to strong coordination between local deputies and out-of-state investigators.
HARRISON COUNTY — Authorities are searching for suspects involved in a high-speed chase that went through Harrison County last week.
According to our news partner KETK and the Longview Police Department, the pursuit began on Jan.15 after a white Dodge Charger and a gray Dodge Challenger reached speeds exceeding 100 mph on Interstate 20. As the chase continued, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was alerted and joined the pursuit, going eastbound on I-20.
Witnesses reported that one of the Chargers exited the interstate in Waskom, where deputies later found the vehicle abandoned. The vehicle was towed for processing, and authorities are currently investigating.
No suspects have yet been identified, and a report has been filed regarding the incident.
ANGELINA COUNTY – Two people were arrested after a months-long investigation uncovered a drug manufacturing operation in Houston County. According to our news partner and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, officials learned information that pointed to Darryl Dewayne Mask, 24 of Lufkin, selling fentanyl pills. The sheriff’s office then did a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Mask, who had directed them to meet him at the Lufkin Middle School parking lot while school was in session.
A warrant for his arrest was executed at his apartment on Daniel McCall Drive near Lufkin. Deputies approached Mask while he was in his vehicle and placed him under arrest. According to the sheriff’s office, a Taurus .40 caliber pistol, K-2 and cocaine were recovered from Mask’s vehicle. The sheriff’s office stated that evidence found during the investigation indicated a fentanyl pill manufacturing operation was located in Houston County. This operation was on property owned by Adriyel Demille Mask, situated between Ratcliff and Kennard off County Road 4700.
A search warrant was secured for Mask’s property and the Houston County Sheriff’s office was notified. Houston County deputies began watching the residence on Mask’s property. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center is asking for the public’s help finding whoever trapped four cats in a crate and dumped them along Cargill Long Park Trail. According to the center, the bright pink cage the cats were zip tied was first reported to the center by walkers on the Cargill Long Park Trail on Friday morning. Adoption center officers found the crate in a ditch off of the trail in an area between Hollybrook Drive and Eden Drive.
The crate was found upside down and locked shut with a zip tie. The four cats were cramped inside with no way out, leaving them covered in their own waste, according to the adoption center. The center said two of the cats are around a year old and the other two are around eight months old. The cats, which are now named Ginger, Sporty, Baby and Posh, are currently receiving medical care are not available for adoption yet. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — Peregrine Energy Solutions is building a battery energy storage facility in East Texas. The $400 million facility will be built on 42 acres near the intersection of 3251 and Fyffe Cutoff near Marshall. Peregrine will also provide specialized fire safety training for local first responders.
According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Economic Development is touting the project as one of the largest private investments in county history.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, and operations are slated to begin in 2028.
Although the project is outside Marshall’s city limits, Peregrine’s property tax contributions will support Marshall ISD. Read the rest of this entry »
TENNESSEE COLONY – Five staff members from the George Beto Unit state prison near Tennessee Colony have been relieved of duty after a recent altercation left a prisoner injured. According to our news partner KETK and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), an inmate allegedly assaulted a correctional officer on Jan. 6. After the assault, a second altercation occurred between staff members and the inmate.
The correctional officer assaulted was then medically treated at a facility outside of the prison while the inmate was given medical care from inside of the prison. The extent of those injuries was not publicly released. Five staff members from the Beto Unit were relieved of their duty after the incident, according to the TDCJ. The unit was not placed on lockdown following the altercation but the TDCJ did state that part of the prison restricted movement for a time.
WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro ISD school board met on Saturday and unanimously decided to place superintendent Aaron Nation on leave after he was arrested on Monday. Nation was arrested on Monday along with former Winnsboro ISD superintendent Brian Wilcox and former teacher Ashley Wilcox for allegedly neglecting to report child abuse and attempting to hide related allegations of child abuse involving educators and students.
According to our news partner KETK, Nation has been charged with failure to report child abuse with intent to conceal and tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair in connection to these allegations. The school board met at the Winnsboro Memorial Intermediate School Cafeteria on Saturday and unanimously agreed to place Nation on administrative leave. The board also voted to name Dr. Holloway as their newest interim superintendent. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – A man and a dog died in a crash on College Drive in Lufkin on Saturday morning, according to our news partner KETK and the Lufkin Police Department. Demarcus Hadnot, 26 of Pollok, was driving west on College Drive near the Texas Bible College when a Mercedes crashed into Hadnot’s Kia at around 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. A passenger from the Kia has been flown to a local hospital to be treated for injuries while the 65-year-old driver of the Mercedes received non-life threatening injuries.
Lufkin PD added that a dog riding in the Kia also died at the scene.
TYLER — Residents across East Texas will have the opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through marches, church services, educational programs and community gatherings. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of events taking place across East Texas, including dates, locations and what each event will offer. You can view that list here.
TYLER – Hundreds of Smith County business leaders met on Thursday to discuss the state of Tyler’s economy as the new year begins. The report was provided by renowned economist Dr. Ray Perryman.
Perryman reports that since May, the state has lost 10,000 jobs, while the nationwide average is 50,000 jobs per month. East Texas has remained stable in providing career opportunities for residents. Currently, Tyler’s unemployment rate is trending below the state and national rates, as the city is projected to create nearly 12,000 new jobs a year over the next five years, with health services, mining and construction leading this growth. Creating not only opportunities for Texans, but for foreign workers, as well.
“The jobs in the East Texas area have basically stayed stable,” Perryman said. “So, it’s not like there’s been a whole lot of growth taking place compared to the state; it’s outperformed.” Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — American Rapper Finesse2tymes and his girlfriend FNG Shugga have been arrested in Rusk County. According to our news partner KETK, Ricky Hampton was arrested on Thursday on three charges, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and having a prohibited substance or item in a correctional or civil commitment facility. His girlfriend, Halle Mona Buckingham, whose stage name is FNG Shugga, was arrested on Wednesday on five charges including: Tampering or fabricating with physical evidence with intent to impair, Possession of marijuana, Possession of a controlled substance, Weapon Offence, U.S. Marshal Detainer.
This now marks Hampton’s third arrest in East Texas. In September 2025, Hampton was arrested in Smith County after officers smelled marijuana while conducting a traffic stop and spotted a hand-rolled paper cigar in the ashtray. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW– A Longview man who was arrested last May after firing shots at police officers was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Wednesday, according to our news partner KETK.
Jory Keith Sadler was arrested after the Longview Police Department received reports of an armed person firing a gun on the 2900 block of McCann Road. Once authorities arrived on the scene, Sadler allegedly fired multiple rounds at their patrol vehicle, and in return, he was shot by an officer. After recovering in a local hospital, Sadler was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and was booked in the Gregg County Jail.
According to court records, Sadler was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Wednesday after he was found guilty of aggravated assault.
TYLER — Several roads in downtown Tyler have seen an increase in traffic and an impact on parking due to ongoing construction. According to our news partner KETK, College Avenue and Erwin Street are the busiest roads downtown, while Elm Street, near The Foundry, is also closed. This has removed dozens of parking spaces and has made getting to restaurants like Heritage East and Moocho Burrito challenging.
Multiple businesses within the square are reporting dips in sales. Good Vibez Nutrition reports a 20% loss over the past year, Crema reports a 20% decrease, and Heritage East reports a 15% decline in bar revenue. Downtown restaurants and retail say the road projects have affected parking, equipment deliveries, and overall attendance.
Good Vibez Nutrition has started thinking of the resources needed to keep businesses up past this rebuilding period. Read the rest of this entry »
WINNSBORO — A former and a current Winnsboro Independent School District superintendent were arrested Monday on charges related to failing to report child abuse. According to our news partner KETK, Brian David Wilcox, Ashley Wilcox and Aaron Nation were booked into the Wood County Jail on Monday, the school district on Monday.
Wilcox is charged with two counts of failure to report child abuse with intent to conceal and remains in the Wood County Jail on a $30,000 bond. Nation faces charges of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and failure to report child abuse with intent to conceal. His bond was set at $40,000 and has since been released. Wilcox previously served as Winnsboro ISD superintendent before resigning in September 2025 to take another school position. Nation has served as the district’s interim superintendent since Wilcox’s resignation and was named the district’s new superintendent on Jan. 6. His arrest comes just a week after his appointment. Read the rest of this entry »
CUMBY, Texas (KETK) — 56 dogs were seized from a property in Hopkins County, just weeks after a video surfaced on social media showing the owner shooting at a dog and leaving it for dead.
The owner’s attorneys told KETK News on Monday that the video’s portrayal and the ensuing speculation on social media are misleading. Here’s what we know:
Giant German Shepherds
Kristine Hicks and her family own and operate the Giant German Shepherd’s Ranch in Cumby, where a variety of German Shepherds are bred to serve as family companions, guard dogs, service dogs or working dogs.
Hicks’ attorney states that for over 20 years, Hicks and her family have been “legally breeding, raising and rescuing” German Shepherds. They have provided dogs to officers in Dallas, Fort Worth and the Waco area. Additionally, the dogs they have bred have been sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to Army Special Forces and they have donated puppies to disabled Marine veterans.
“Their reputation with law enforcement, military and civilian customers is impeccable and their accolades and experience speak for themselves,” her attorney’s office said.
Arrest made, dogs seized
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said Hicks was arrested on Dec. 21 and was charged with cruelty to a non-livestock animal. Additional state and federal agencies have been contacted for assistance in the ongoing investigation into the ranch.
Hicks’ lawyers claim that the dog killed in the video had a large mass of tissue that was dragging on the ground and causing the animal discomfort.
Hicks welcomed investigators and the Animal Investigation and Response team to the property on Jan. 1 for an animal welfare check. Their statement claimed that an investigator told them there was no criminal neglect at the ranch.
Yet, shortly after their visit, federal law enforcement contacted the SPCA of Texas to assist in removing the dogs from the property.
“This situation required an immediate and coordinated response for a large number of animals, and we are grateful for our experienced and compassionate staff members whose expertise is critical in providing lifesaving care,” SPCA of Texas senior vp and chief operating officer MeLissa Webber said.
On Saturday, SPCA staff loaded 56 dogs into crates and took them to the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center, where they plan to medically evaluate and forensically examine the animals.
Threats made to Hicks
Hicks and her family have received countless death threats since the video surfaced.
“Every night has become a nightmare as they attempt to return to a sense of normalcy, not knowing whether further verbal or direct threats to their lives will occur. Kerra, the dog referenced in the video, had developed a grapefruit-sized mass on her breast tissue that was dragging on the ground and causing significant discomfort,” Hicks’ lawyers said. “They have been fully cooperative with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Animal Investigation and Response team throughout multiple visits to their property and look forward to clearing their names in court.”
MOUNT ENTERPRISE – Rusk County Emergency Services said that a serious crash blocked State Highway 315 to the north of Mount Enterprise on Sunday. According to Rusk County Emergency Services, a crash between vehicles possibly resulted a death at around 5:35 p.m. on State Highway 315, just to the north of the City of Mount Enterprise. Officials said they expected the crash to block the roadway until around 8:30 p.m. while they investigate and clean up the scene.
The roadway has since reopened.
HENDERSON COUNTY – A man has been arrested for capital murder in connection to the 2018 killing of Gabriel and Beverly McBride of Chandler.
According to our news partner KETK, in 2018, Gabriel McBride, 47 of Chandler, and his daughter, 17-year-old Beverly McBride, were both found shot to death in their home to the south of Chandler. New evidence, witness information and years of investigation led to an arrest warrant to be issued in this case for Lance Kaeden Rains, 25 of Chandler. Rains was taken into custody on Saturday and is currently being held in the Henderson County Jail on a charge of capital murder of multiple persons. Rains is being held on a $2 million bond.
The sheriff’s office thanked the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Rangers, the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, the Henderson County Attorney’s Office, the Midwest City Police Department of Oklahoma and the community for their help in this case.
SMITH COUNTY — A routine traffic stop for speeding in Smith County resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on a drug-related warrant. Authorities also seized nearly $30,000 in cash, a firearm and evidence suggesting a money laundering scheme. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County deputies stopped a vehicle on Dec. 28 along Highway 31 East and identified the driver, Tyler James Starling, who was wanted on an active warrant for possession of approximately 10 pounds of marijuana that authorities say had been smuggled and left at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Starling was taken into custody, and deputies searched his vehicle, where they seized a handgun, a cellphone and $29,528 in cash, Smith County arresting documents revealed.
When asked about his employment, Starling told deputies he owned a trucking company. Investigators later confirmed the company existed but found the LLC had been inactive. A search of the Texas Workforce Commission showed no reported work history for Starling, and company mileage records indicated roughly 1,000 miles driven since the business was formed in 2021. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – East Texans gathered near Highway 69 in Lindale to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minnesota on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the protestors joined demonstrations being held across the state and country after the killing of Good, which has prompted nationwide debate over ICE operations. An organizer from Saturday’s protest explained why they came out to demonstrate.
“To wake up and open their eyes to all of the illegal activities that are being pushed on us by the Trump administration, he is totally ignoring the Constitution of the United States of America,” Smith County Democratic Party precinct chair Tony Johns said. “We’re going to put a stop to it and protest is a visible main means to let everybody know that the Democrats are alive and well, especially in this very conservative part of East Texas.” Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Several Angelina County fire departments battled an hours-long commercial structure fire at a business off Highway 69 near Lufkin on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the Fuller Springs Volunteer Fire Department responded to reports of structure fire at the East Texas Diesel auto repair shop at around 5:10 p.m.
The City of Huntington Volunteer Fire Department then responded with an engine at 5:15 p.m. along with crews from the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, the Zavalla Volunteer Fire Department, the Diboll Fire Department, the Moffett Fire Department, the Central Volunteer Fire Department, the Rivercrest Redland Volunteer Fire Department and the Lufkin Fire Department.
The fire was ultimately extinguished and all firefighters had cleared the scene by 10:44 p.m. on Friday. Huntington VFD said no injuries were reported from the fire.
GUN BARREL CITY – Two duck hunters were saved from Cedar Creek Lake by a Gun Barrel City Fire Department rescue boat on Saturday after their duck hunting boat sank.
According to our news partner KETK, the Gun Barrel City Fire Department said they responded to a report of a duck hunting boat taking on water on Cedar Creek Lake near Oak Hill Drive at around 10:16 a.m. on Saturday. The Seven Points Fire Department arrived at the shore of the lake first and searched for the boaters in the lake near Oak Hill Drive. They couldn’t spot the boaters or their boat, which had sank, according to Gun Barrel City Fire Department.
Gun Barrel City Rescue Boat 1 was launched along with a Tool Fire Department rescue boat. The lake had high winds at waves at the time which reduced the searcher’s visibility on the lake.
The two men were found by the Gun Barrel City rescue boat nearly 500 yards away from Oak Hill Drive. The men were in the 56-degree water for around 90 minutes and were taken to a local hospital to be evaluated.
“I am very proud of how all of the agencies worked together today to rescue the duck hunters and safely return them to their families,” Gun Barrel City assistant fire chief Jason Raney said. “The conditions on the lake, with high winds and rough water, made this a very dangerous rescue for the personnel aboard Rescue Boat 1.”
The Texas Game Wardens are currently investigating the sinking of the duck hunting boat.
EAST TEXAS — As Texas’ labor force reached record high numbers of over 15.9 million people in 2025, three East Texan cities saw changes in employment and unemployment rates.
On Friday, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced that the Texas civilian labor force has grown to a total of 15,938,000 people registered after adding 59,900 people since September 2025. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas is registered at 4.2%. In East Texas, the Longview metropolitan statistical area (MSA) saw an increase in employment while Texarkana MSA and Tyler MSA saw increases in both employment and unemployment since 2024.
Tyler’s unemployment rate currently sits at 4%, the lowest of the three East Texas cities. Longview and Texarkana rates compare at 4.6% and 4.4%, respectively.
“Texas’ increasing job numbers are encouraging, and it’s vital that these are good jobs that provide family-sustaining wages and benefits for Texas workers,” Alberto Treviño III, the TWC Commissioner Representing Labor said. “We must continue to prioritize investments in skills training and development to ensure that all Texans can access these opportunities and share in the state’s prosperity.” Read the rest of this entry »
OVERTON — Overton is appealling the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) order to remove horseshoe-shaped road markings from Warren Street.
According to our news partner KETK, the appeal process officially began Thursday after TxDOT directed the city to remove the markings, saying they do not comply with a new order from Gov. Greg Abbott requiring the removal of nonstandard surface markings from Texas roadways. TxDOT notified the city by email on Dec. 8 that the horseshoe markings needed to be removed as soon as possible, citing letters sent in October to all affected cities and counties. The City of Overton said they never received the October letter.
On Dec. 18, the Overton City Council voted to formally appeal the decision, arguing that the horseshoes represent the city’s school mascot, the Mustang, and have been painted on Warren Street since the early 1990s. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Longview City Council officially approved a contract to repair the public pool at the Paula Martin Jones recreation center on Thursday. The pool first closed in March of 2025 but was closed again after leaking issues continued in the pool’s gutter system. At their meeting on Thursday, city council approved a $417,000 contract with Sunbelt Pools, Inc. of Dallas to repair the pool.
“Our aquatics consultant worked with us on the Stanford pool. They actually have walked through the facility,” Longview Parks and Recreation Department director John Albertson said. “They’ve looked at everything that we’ve recommended, and they agreed that those were necessary repairs to make in order to get it back operational.”
The repairs are expected to start in the next few weeks and could take up to six months before they’re finished, according to our news partner KETK.