Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
MARSHALL – The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the case of a woman who died on Sunday while in the custody of the Harrison County Jail.
According to our news partner KETK and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Alicia Stuebenbrach died after being transported to a hospital in Marshall. The cause of her death is currently unknown after she was pronounced dead at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday.
The Texas Rangers are investigating Stuebenbrach’s death in accordance with state law, which requires that an outside agency must investigate an in-custody death. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
A press conference regarding the case will be held at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office starting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking East Texans for their input on local trolley service and high-speed rail along the Interstate 20 corridor.
The Tyler Rail and Regional Transit Study is entering it’s final stages and so the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is asking local residents to respond to a survey that will help them decide how rail service could be deployed in the area. Consultants are currently examining a limited trolley service on existing rail lines in the short-term future and they’re also looking at possible connections to high-speed rail service proposed for along Interstate 20.
“There is a proposed high speed rail line that would connect Dallas-Fort Worth with Atlanta Georgia,” Tyler MPO director Michael Howell said. “If this high speed rail line were to go in that would potentially give somebody the ability to get on a train in Tyler and go all the way to Dallas.” Read the rest of this entry »
HAWKINS – The City of Hawkins was unable to approve an annual budget on Monday night, as they met in a packed room filled with anxious residents.
The meeting followed the release of all Hawkins Police Department officers earlier this year and served as a way to review two proposed 2025-2026 annual budgets which reduce funding for the police and fire departments. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins residents said in the meeting they don’t want to be left without local law enforcement and asked council members to postpone the vote and hold a community budget workshop.
“They have a police department that’s nonexistent that was budgeted for $89,000 and it’s nonexistent,” Hawkins fire chief Ty Musick said. “There’s there’s really no need to cut our budget at such a drastic mark.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Smith County Commissioner’s Court is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK, to consider whether they should deduct County Clerk Karen Phillips’ salary during her recent jail sentence. Karen Phillips, 67 of Smith County, was found guilty of interfering with public duties on May 9, 2024 but later relinquished her sentence of a year’s probation and was sentenced to 30 days in Smith County Jail.
Phillips was booked into the Smith County Jail on Aug. 29 and was later released after nine days in jail on Sept. 6, according to Smith County Jail records. She was originally arrested for interfering with public duties after a March 2023 traffic stop which also led to the arrest of her son.
Smith County commissioners will vote on Tuesday on whether or not Phillips will be paid for those days she was in jail. Phillips responded to the commissioners’ potential vote by filling a public information request with the county. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A portion of U.S. Highway 69 in Smith County will be renamed Veterans Memorial Highway to honor and serve as a lasting tribute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
A press conference will be held on Sept. 19 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee to formally announce the designation of the Veterans Memorial Highway. The press conference will be held at First Christian Church starting at 12 p.m. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend the press conference and participate in the dedicated photo opportunity following the event.
“This highway designation is a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our Veterans,” co-chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee Jackie Clay-Robertson said. “We are honored to see this vision become reality with the help of our local and state leaders.”
UPSHUR COUNTY — The Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate an East Texas water supply company after more than $100,000 is suspected to have been embezzled, according to a report from our news partner KETK. The Upshur County District Attorney’s Office said this is not the first time they’ve heard of these complaints.
Union Grove Water Supply Corporation is reportedly missing more than $100,000, which the board believes may have been embezzled by an office employee. In 2013, they prosecuted and recovered more than $40,000 in restitution back to the water department. In 2023, $8,000 was stolen from a different employee and the person was prosecuted and the money was given back to the department. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) said it’s investigating educators’ social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that it considers “inappropriate,” according to our news partner KETK.
“These educators’ comments do not reflect the vast majority of Texas teachers who are dedicated practitioners that work diligently to serve the more than 5.5 million impressionable young minds in our classrooms,” Morath said in the letter.
Winnsboro ISD is investigating comments made about Charlie Kirk’s assassination after parents alleged that students heard an assistant band director say that Kirk “had it coming.” Read the rest of this entry »
BIG SANDY – A $250,000 lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Upshur County last week, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The winning ticket was bought on Sept. 5 at the Bestmart #10 gas station, which is north of Big Sandy on FM 1002. The ticket was an All or Nothing Texas Lottery ticket, which gives out a $250,000 prize to whoever can guess all twelve lottery numbers or none of the 12 numbers.
East Texas’s winner guessed none of the numbers drawn in the evening of Sept. 5, which earned them the $250,00 prize. The winning numbers for that drawing were: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21 and 23. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Forensic DNA led to the arrest of a Tyler man on Monday for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old in July, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
On July 1, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a 10-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by Felix Ponce at a home in Tyler. Once deputies met with the victim and mother, the child was soon transported to a local hospital for examination. At the hospital, deputies spoke with the mother of the victim, who explained that while at work, she looked at surveillance footage from inside the residence, but could not locate Ponce or the victim. Another child at the house said the victim was “locked in the bedroom” with Ponce. Arrest documents revealed that the victim said that while in the room, Ponce had sexually assaulted her. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – An Athens man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly snorted cocaine and stuck his fingers in a two-year-old’s throat, attempting to get the child to test positive for drugs, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
A Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit tells that on Aug. 5 at a home on Arrowhead Drive, a woman reported to the Athens Police Department that she was sleeping when 26-year-old Kyle Javier Wing broke into the room, stuck his fingers up his nose, and then he “forcefully jammed” them down the throat of the toddler. Around 10:40 a.m. on Aug. 15, the witness explained to investigators that Wing had snorted cocaine and wanted the two-year-old to test positive for drugs because “he was going to call child protective services (CPS) and report her.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott’s recently signed executive order GA 56 does not change their zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal substances. According to our news partner KETK, the new order makes it a crime in Texas to market or sell hemp-derived products to minors, restricts the placement of stores and gives police the ability to cancel a store’s license to sell if the rules are not followed.
“I don’t think it’s going to have a huge impact on law enforcement, especially local and county law enforcement, but, you know, it kind of remains to be seen.” Smith County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Larry Christian said.
Currently, the new executive order will have law enforcement follow similar procedures and guidelines for other banned products. Read the rest of this entry »
WINNSBORO – Winnsboro ISD is investigating after parents reported that their students heard the assistant band director say that conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, who was killed Wednesday, “had it coming.”
According to our news partner KETK, the district said that allegations have been made regarding statements about Kirk by the high school assistant band director, Chace LeBlanc. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Brother of Winnsboro ISD student, Kenny Crow, explained his outrage over these statements: “I am disgusted by his actions as a former student.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A 23-year-old was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder after a man was found dead inside a burning Longview home in 2023, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
At around 1:15 a.m. on June 7, 2023, the Longview Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the 100 block of East Avalon Avenue. After firefighters extinguished the fire, they found 66-year-old Ronnie Moody of Longview dead inside.
Donald Raymond Miller Jr. of Longview pleaded guilty to the incident on Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years for murder and 20 years for arson, to be served consecutively.
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is investigating after a 9-year-old girl died from an overdose on Wednesday evening, according to our news partner KETK.
Around 6 p.m., Tyler Police Officers responded to UT Health on 1000 S. Beckham Avenue, where a 9-year-old girl had ingested and overdosed on her family member’s blood pressure medication at a home on Vicksburg Street.
Officials said the child died from the overdose at the hospital and that the case is still under investigation.
LONGVIEW –The Longview Fire Department held a retirement ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the career of Kevin May, who recently retired after serving the department for 25 years. According to our news partner KETK, May officially retired from the force on Wednesday, having most recently served as the department’s fire marshal and public information officer. The ceremony was held at the Longview Fire training center, and during the event, May reflected on how he wants to be remembered by the Longview community.
“I just hope that I made a difference in their life, that’s all I really ever wanted to do is make a difference in someone’s life,” May said.
May also provide advice to those who will be joining the department following his departure. “Come in with an open mind, we want to make a difference, and that’s all we can do,” May said.
Following May’s retirement celebration, a flag ceremony was held in his honor at the Central Fire Station.
TITUS COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, two men were arrested on Tuesday after the Titus County Sheriff’s Office discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and firearms during a search.
Jose Antonio Jimenez and Jose Francisco Jimenez were arrested during a search of a residence in the 400 block of North Fifth Street, the sheriff’s office said. Agents from the Titus County Emergency Response Team, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Patrol Deputies discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and firearms during the search. The two men were booked on the following charges:
Juan Jimenez – Possession of a controlled substance
Jose Jimenez – Unlawful possession of a firearm by felon and possession of a controlled substance
TYLER – According to a press release from the City of Tyler, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the City Council approved a contract with Applied Research Associates (ARA) for $245,000 to conduct a pavement condition survey and provide pavement management services for the City’s street system.
Every street maintained by the City will be driven, scanned, and digitally photographed as part of the survey. The data collected, including pavement distress and ride quality, will be uploaded to the City’s new pavement management system, DOT. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data will be used to identify which streets need rehabilitation and determine the most appropriate type of repair. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — According to a press release from the Longview Police Department, a 27-year-old cold case involving the discovery of a newborn found dead in a field has been solved using genetics testing.
In June of 1998, officers responded to the area of West Harrison Road and Jordan Valley Road, where they discovered the dead newborn in a field. “Despite extensive investigation and public assistance, detectives were unable to identify the child or the parents at that time,” officials said. “The infant was given the name Baby Jane Doe.”
In 2025, while reviewing cold cases, officers utilized advanced genetic profile technology to identify a potential parent of the child. The investigation led detectives to 47-year-old Misty Marie Mitchell of Longview, who admitted to being the child’s mother during an interview. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of killing a man at a taqueria in Tyler in 2024.
Scotty Lee Goble, 54 of Frost, was arrested for murder on Oct. 11, 2024 after witnesses told Tyler Police Department officers that he fatally shot Heriberto Ramirez, 38 of Tyler, at a taqueria on SSW Loop 323. Witnesses told officers that the shooting happened after Goble and Ramirez got into a verbal argument that turned into a physical altercation.
Officials said that Goble had been a repeat customer of the taqueria and that there were disagreements that had happened prior to the shooting.
Goble was found guilty after a jury trial in the 241st Judicial District Court and sentenced to 18 years in state prison on Tuesday. Goble will also have to pay a $10,000 fine as a part of his sentence.
POLK COUNTY – Our news partner KETK is reporting that two men were arrested after opening fire in a Polk County neighborhood on Sunday evening.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, they received a report late on Sunday evening that gunshots were fired at a residence in the Indian Hills subdivision, which is located off of FM 2457. Once on the scene, the victim told authorities that an unknown vehicle drove by and fired multiple rounds towards the home, striking the residence.
Detectives identified the two suspects involved as 18-year-old Abraham Saenz and 18-year-old Ivan Rangel, both of Livingston. Saenz and Rangel were both arrested and charged with deadly conduct and discharge of a firearm, according to officials. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Smith County Animal Control and Shelter supervisor Amber Greene has been fired from her position after an internal investigation found she encouraged an employee to use racial slurs.
According to our news partner KETK, termination records from Smith County describe that the county launched an internal investigation after an animal control employee submitted a letter describing an Aug. 7 meeting where Greene had allegedly made derogatory comments and allowed her employees to use racial slurs.
“After a thorough internal investigation, and your own admission, it was found that you made derogatory comments in the workplace and, more concerningly, permitted employees under your supervision to use racial slurs,” Smith County chief human resources officer Esmeralda Corona wrote in Greene’s termination letter dated Sept. 9. “This behavior is in direct violation of Smith County’s anti-discrimination and harassment policies, as well as the ethical responsibilities entrusted to you as a leader.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A man was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he killed a pedestrian in February of 2024 while driving drunk in Longview, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
Around 12:52 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2024, Lantez Amide Darensbourg was driving west in the 500 block of West Hope Drive when he hit a pedestrian and a vehicle. The person was taken to a local hospital, where they later died. Darensbourg was arrested after officers determined he was driving while intoxicated.
On Monday, Darensbourg pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
TYLER – One man has been arrested after the Tyler Police Department said he was involved in a crash that injured two pedestrians on Friday night, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
Officers with the Tyler Police responded to a crash reported near Bruck Avenue and W. Front Street at around 9:25 p.m. on Friday. Two pedestrians at the scene were injured by a vehicle and had to be transported to local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Tyler PD officers on the scene saw the suspected vehicle leaving the scene and the driver was later pulled over on Chandler Highway. Tyler PD identified the driver as 49-year-old Howard Jessie of Smith County.
Jessie was arrested for a collision involving injury and booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday. He was released on Saturday after posting bond.
QUITMAN– The Quitman ISD community is mourning the loss of one of their teachers who recently died after teaching in the district for 16 years. According to our news partner KETK, Sherrie Callahan died on Sept. 1 at the age of 61 after devoting the past 29 years of her life to teaching. She most recently taught at Quitman High School and has been a member of the district since 2009.
“Deeply loved by our staff and students, her positive attitude, sweet smile and playful personality will be greatly missed,” Quitman ISD said. “The Quitman ISD family mourns this tremendous loss and extends our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Callahan’s family and friends during this time. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
A celebration of life was held for Callahan on Sunday at the Chapel in the Woods Church in Winnsboro.
SMITH COUNTY– The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for those responsible for vandalizing a marble statue of Jesus at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint. Members of the sheriff’s office arrived at the scene at around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday and discovered that suspects had vandalized the face and hands of the statue, which is located at the front of the church.
According to our news partners KETK, officials were able to obtain video footage of the incident. The video displayed the suspect, a white man wearing a black shirt and black shorts, shattering the hands, wrists and part of the face of the statue. After damaging the statue, the suspect was reportedly seen walking south towards County Road 1299.
The sheriff’s office stated the statue cost around $10,500 to construct. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.
NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people who allegedly dumped suspected meth and cocaine out of their vehicle during a pursuit.
According to our news partner KETK, on Aug. 29 deputies from the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were pulling over a Hyundai passenger vehicle they were investigating in the 5000 block of US Highway 59 south. The sheriff’s office stated that the driver failed to stop in a timely manner, which initiated a pursuit. Video shared by the sheriff’s office shows what officials claimed to be powdered cocaine and meth being poured out of the Hyundai during the pursuit.
The pursuit ended when the vehicle stopped and the two people inside were arrested. The Hyundai was searched and officials said narcotics and a firearm were found inside the vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department is searching for a man who’s wanted in connection with an attempted armed robbery that occurred on Aug. 30.
According to our news partners KETK, officers responded to a call about an attempted armed robbery in the 200 block of East Goliad Avenue on Aug. 30 around 9:30 a.m. The victim told officers that a man approached her with a knife and attempted to rob her. More officers were then sent out to the scene to search for the man. Their ground and air searches were unsuccessful. Crockett PD then interviewed nearby witnesses and searched for available security camera footage from the area.
The victim described the man as a 6-foot-4-inch white man with dark shaggy hair, green eyes, a light scruffy beard. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – An East Texas marketer is one of seven individuals who have agreed to pay a portion of a $1,459,620 settlement to resolve allegations of paying kickbacks to doctors, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The U.S. has recently taken over civil lawsuits filed under the False Claims Act in the cases of doctors, executives and marketers who allegedly engaged in illegal payments to doctors for laboratory referrals, which were disguised as managed service organization (MSO) investments.
“The Department of Justice will continue to pursue and prioritize healthcare fraud, including redressing illegal kickbacks,” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said. “Kickbacks to doctors can undermine medical decision-making, subject patients to wasteful medical treatments and squander taxpayer money.” Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN — Lufkin ISD said on Monday that an unloaded gun was found at their high school, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The campus went into a “secure,” a safety protocol in which everyone is brought inside, all exterior doors are locked, and the school day continues as usual. Following an investigation, an unloaded firearm was found in a bathroom trash. The school has since resumed regular schedules.
“We want to thank Lufkin ISD Administration and Police Department, as well as the City of Lufkin Police Department, for a swift and professional response in keeping our students and campus safe,” Kaitlin Smith, the communications specialist for Lufkin ISD, said.
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler couple was arrested after the man admitted to sexually abusing a girl, while the woman failed to report the abuse for over a year, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
Smith County deputies responded to a home in Tyler on Aug. 3, where a verbal dispute was happening between Tiara Leshai Kelly and her live-in boyfriend, Joshua Peairre Flowers. Kelly told deputies she had a recording of Flowers admitting to sexually abusing a young girl, and that this incident happened around a year ago, when they lived in Dallas, according to a Smith County arrest affidavit.
A deputy heard the recording of Flowers admitting to performing a sexual act on the victim. When confronted, Flowers denied any physical contact with the minor. Read the rest of this entry »