Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
MOUNT ENTERPRISE – A boil water notice has been issued in Mount Enterprise following a water line break. A notice has been issued to all Mount Enterprise Water Supply Corporation customers, asking them to boil water for at least 2 minutes and to let it cool before consumption.
“To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled to prior use,” Mount Enterprise Water Supply Corporation said. “The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two (2) minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.”
Water system officials will provide a notice when water is safe for consumption. For questions or concerns about the boil water notice, residents may contact the water office at 903-822-364.
TYLER — The Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is providing instructions on what residents should do when they regain power to prevent another outage. According to our news partner KETK, when power is restored after winter storms, it frequently goes off again because a large number of electric heaters come on at once, placing an unusually heavy load on the system.
To avoid another outage as power is being restored, the cooperative is asking residents to take the following steps, including: Turning off the breaker to your home’s electric heater or unplugging heaters, turning off the breaker to your hot water heater, unplugging appliances and electronics, and waiting 30 minutes to turn appliances back on after power is restored.
The cooperative also said that once power is restored, residents should turn off their furnaces and gradually bring their homes to a comfortable temperature.
LONGVIEW — A tripped circuit breaker sparked a house fire Saturday evening, prompting a response from the Longview Fire Department. Crews were dispatched around 7:32 p.m. to a reported fire at 202 Margo Street after residents reported that they circuit breaker had tripped, followed by a burning smell in the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in the ceiling and attic area of the home, according to our news partner KETK.
Crews quickly extinguished the fire, which was in its early stages. No injuries were reported. Three occupants were displaced after power to the home was shut off. Officials estimated property damage to be $15,000.
Fire officials reminded residents to report electrical issues, such as frequent circuit breaker trips, and to have electrical systems inspected when problems arise.
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.