Today is
Thursday June 11, 2026
RUSK COUNTY – Rusk County officials are looking for two suspects after a reported home invasion and assault.
According to our news partner KETK Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place on Wednesday at an address located off of Highway 79 East. Officials said they currently have, “a patrol shift, investigators and a TDCJ search team on scene conducting an investigation.†The release stated that the possible suspects are described as two males wearing dark clothing.
“Anyone with information pertaining to this incident are urged to contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (903)-657-3581 or Rusk County Crime Stoppers. No further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.†The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
The $1 million project will provide a more comfortable, private and quiet space to care for patients, according to the release. “We’re really proud of the fact that where we are and that we’re basically what that means is we’re equipped to take care of just about anything that may come in through our doors. We are acute stroke ready, which means we can take care of strokes. We are also E.R. pediatric ready, which means we have the people, the talent, the technology to take care of even the smallest of patients,†said Administrator Barry Loftquist. The newly expanded ER renovation started about a year ago and is now open for all emergency needs.
TYLER – Severe thunderstorms came through East Texas Tuesday bringing severe thunderstorm warning across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, A total of 10,199 outages were reported by Oncor, SWEPCO, Upshur County Rural Electric and Wood County Rural Electric. Some counties experienced flood advisories and many saw large hail. KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy said historically, June is a month East Texas will see hail storms. “All of that potential energy from those warm temperatures results in large hail stones from strong updrafts, as we know can create a lot of damage,†said Vickroy. After the storm left Tyler, people and businesses checked every vehicle and rooftop for damage. Vickroy said to stay weather aware and get you and your cars to safety ahead of the storm. “We have all modes of severe weather pretty much year-round in East Texas and the best thing to do when there is a big hail threat in the forecast is asking ‘How am I going to protect first my life? and if the storm is going to be a threat to my property?,’†said Vickroy.
TYLER – Severe thunderstorms came through East Texas Tuesday bringing severe thunderstorm warning across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, A total of 10,199 outages were reported by Oncor, SWEPCO, Upshur County Rural Electric and Wood County Rural Electric. Some counties experienced flood advisories and many saw large hail. KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy said historically, June is a month East Texas will see hail storms. “All of that potential energy from those warm temperatures results in large hail stones from strong updrafts, as we know can create a lot of damage,†said Vickroy. After the storm left Tyler, people and businesses checked every vehicle and rooftop for damage. Vickroy said to stay weather aware and get you and your cars to safety ahead of the storm. “We have all modes of severe weather pretty much year-round in East Texas and the best thing to do when there is a big hail threat in the forecast is asking ‘How am I going to protect first my life? and if the storm is going to be a threat to my property?,’†said Vickroy.
ATHENS – A 17-year-old pedestrian died after being hit by a car in a crash on FM 317 around 2:37 a.m. on Sunday, according to our news partner KETK. Haylie Grimes, 17 of Gun Barrel City, was speaking to the driver of a vehicle stopped partly in the westbound lane of FM 317 when a 2008 Dodge Charger drove into the eastbound lane, disregarding a no passing zone and stopped , officials said. According to a Texas DPS report, Grimes was crossing the westbound lane to be picked up by the Dodge when a 2021 Kia Rio failed to control its speed and hit the Dodge and Grimes. Grimes was declared dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Tonya Norris, DPS reported. The driver of the Dodge was treated for injuries at the scene and released. Officials said the driver of the Kia, Chance Tyler Barnhart, 19 of Athens, was arrested and had his blood voluntarily drawn. Barnhart was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and booked into Henderson County Jail.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK more than 9,239 power outages have been reported by various East Texas electric companies and cooperatives, after severe weather moved through the area on Saturday.
Here is a partial list of customers in our area without power.
Smith County – 4
Cherokee County – 156
Gregg County – 2,459
Henderson County – 15
Rusk County – 12
Upshur County – 6
NOONDAY — According to our news partner KETK an invasive species called hammerhead flatworms are found in several areas in Texas and have been a cause for concern for some residents, but experts say there is no reason to panic. You may have heard that they are highly toxic to pets, but the Texas Invasive Species Institute says that’s not completely true. “It’ll make your animals feel sick for a day or two, it doesn’t cause anything more severe than that,†said Ashley Morgan-Olvera, Director of Research and Education at Texas Invasive Species Institute.
The worms are also not harmful to people unless you are allergic, then you may have a reaction like you would with poison ivy. Experts say if you do come in contact with the hammerhead flatworm to wash your hands immediately and get rid of it. You can seal it in a bag with salt, or spray it with vinegar but never cut it in half. “They will regenerate so you can just end up creating more creatures instead of less,†said Morgan-Olvera.
We may not hear about the hammerhead flatworm often but they have been known to be in northern, central and eastern Texas since 1901. If you find a hammerhead worm, let someone know, send a picture and the place you found it to Texas A&M AgriLife or the Texas Invasive Species Institute so they can keep track of the population.
LONGVIEW – Longview police are investigating a homicide after finding a body while working a structure fire early Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Fire Department responded to the scene in the 100 block of East Avalon Avenue around 1:15 a.m. Firefighters extinguished the fire and found a body. “Upon initial investigation foul play is suspected, and Longview Police Department is currently investigating this as a homicide,†officials said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.
RUSK – A historic psychiatric hospital in Rusk has a new $200 million state-of-the-art patient complex and administration building, and officials say they hope it will be a model for future builds in the state. The new three-story, 227,368 square-foot patient complex includes a 100-bed non-maximum security unit and expanded their maximum security unit from 40 beds to 100, and features single-person rooms, natural light in rooms and common areas, outdoor spaces and a variety of therapeutic, recreational and social experiences to prepare patients for life outside the hospital.
State Sen. Robert Nichols, State Rep. Travis Clardy and State Rep. Cody Harris took on the job to get it done. Construction began in 2017 and $200 million was raised.
“Not only is this newest, state-of-the-art, it is one of a series that follows, so it kind of lays the formula for the rest of the state on how to do it,†Nichols said.
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a message to local officials saying the new Rusk State Hospital is just the start of making mental health a priority in our hospitals.
HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Fire Department and the Emergency Management team said they are now stepping up enforcement. Our news partner KETK spoke with Henderson County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg who said he believes his county is growing exponentially. He said with more people living in the county, it’s limiting space for concerned folks and junk just builds up on their property. “Basically keeping out trash, debris, junk, tires, old appliances, couches furniture,†said Renberg. “If it doesn’t belong outside in your yard, it needs to be inside or in your property.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A portion of the South Tyler Trail system will be closed for almost two weeks later this month. The trail segment between Rieck Road and South Donnybrook Avenue will be closed for tree maintenance and cleanup starting next Monday June 12 through June 23. Out of concern for public safety, that part of the trail will not be accessible to the public during that time. The South Tyler Trail is four miles of looped concrete trail. All city trails are open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more information on Tyler trails you can visit their website.
SMITH COUNTY — One person is dead and three were injured after a crash in Smith County on I-20 on Tuesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around 8 p.m. near mile marker 549 going westbound toward Lindale. Sgt. Adam Albritton with the Texas Department of Public Safety said a semi-truck tractor with a trailer was traveling westbound in the right lane while a pickup truck was traveling at a “high rate of speed†behind the trailer. The pickup truck reportedly struck the left side of the trailer, went into the center median and rolled across the lanes of traffic. All four occupants were ejected from the pickup truck, Albritton said. Three persons are hospitalized in critical condition. DPS continues with their investigation.
LONGVIEW – In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the owner of Dudley’s Cajun Cafe announced it’s permanent closure after years of health battles. Dudley’s Cajun Cafe has been a staple in Longview for the past 30 years, being voted the best Cajun food for 28 years in a row. The restaurant has also been in Texas Monthly four separate times and owners Dudley and Sheryl Lang it is, “all thanks to our loyal customers.â€
According to our news partner KETK the restaurant will be closing its doors permanently on June 10 at 8 p.m. due to the owners personal health reasons.
TYLER — Special session one is still in progress with Gov. Greg Abbott’s two top priorities being property tax relief and immigration.
Monday, our news partner KETK was able to talk with State Sen. Bryan Hughes about the 88th Legislative Session and his thoughts on the current special session. “So, we’ll be coming back in the special session, in the regular session, a whole lot of good stuff got accomplished, sometimes that gets overshadowed when we have to come back for a special,†Hughes said. He mentioned that he’s particularly proud of House Bill 4 passing. He also shared the progress on property tax relief, saying the details are still being worked out.
Another potential change from the state capitol could be the end of requiring vehicle state inspections. “The evidence has shown it doesn’t do much for safety, most traffic accidents are based on other factors, alcohol, drugs, distracted driving,†Hughes said. “We don’t see the elements covered by the inspection process, so we’re excited about getting rid of that process in the state of Texas.â€
According to the Legislative Texas Library website, the limit to special sessions is a maximum of 30 days but imposes no minimum. The 88th Legislature’s special session was called on May 29, and June 28 will mark 30 days out.
TYLER – A Tatum man was arrested for murder on Monday after the missing person case of a 51-year-old Tyler woman was reclassified as a homicide. According to our news partner KETK, Paula Belonga was last seen on April 7 leaving her apartment complex, her Chevrolet Impalla was found on April 12 in Zavalla. Tyler police said after obtaining evidence, the case was classified from a missing person to a homicide, and an arrest warrant was issued for Jesse Williams, 40 of Tatum, for murder. Williams was arrested on Monday by the U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force and was booked into the Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $750,000.