Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department is still searching for a K9 officer who escaped from his enclosure after Sunday night’s storm. According to our news partner KETK, police K9 Hondo managed to escape from his handler’s enclosure in the Fort Houston addition area of Palestine. Hondo is not kept outside and was not outside during the time of the storm.
Despite the heat of the day, Palestine resident Justin Smith continued searching. “As soon as I saw the post, I threw my shoes on and got in my car and started driving around and see if I could find him,” Smith said. Smith is one of many Palestine residents looking to bring Hondo back home. “This is not just a dog, this is a police officer,” Smith said. “So I feel like as a community, we should be grouping together, try to help out any way we can, just like the police do for us.”
Smith is creating a social media page, hoping to coordinate people’s efforts and bring as many boots on the ground as possible. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – On Wednesday, August 6, at 8:35 pm, an individual called 911 to report an active shooting at a residence on CR 4116, just north of Lindale. Upon arriving to the location with DPS Troopers, a Smith County Deputy contacted the victim, Russell Lee McKinney, 35, of Lindale, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg. The suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle. Deputies secured the crime scene while a Trooper applied a tourniquet to the victim’s leg.
An additional Deputy responded to the 800 block of N. Main, in Lindale, where the suspect had been detained by a Lindale officer. The suspect was identified as Justin Wayne Hayes, 28, of Troup. A handgun was recovered from Hayes. Read the rest of this entry »
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Update: Rusk Rural Water Supply boil water notice was rescinded Friday afternoon.
RUSK – The Rusk Rural Water Supply Company issued a boil water notice for more than 30 county roads and areas on Wednesday.
According to the company, the boil water notice was issued after a water main leak. Our news partner KETK has compiled a full list of the affected areas and roads. Any customers living on the roads and areas listed are required to bring any water for cleaning or consumption to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes before use.
To view the full list of affected roads and areas, click here.
Rusk Rural Water Supply said they would notify customers when the boil water notice is no longer required. Any questions can be directed to the company by phone at 903-683-6178 or in person at 1055 N Dickinson Dr. in Rusk.
TYLER – The City of Tyler announced that East 6th Street will be closed for the next six months as part of the 2025 Stormwater Repair Project, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
City officials said that since Monday, East 6th Street has been closed from South Sneed Avenue to South Wall Avenue to complete the replacement of an inlet box and to repair the culvert over the next six months.
“During construction, residents will still have access to areas east of the creek from South Sneed Avenue and west of the creek from South Wall Avenue,” the City of Tyler said. “Detour signs will be in place to direct traffic.”
JACKSONVILLE – A regional SWAT team has arrested a 23-year-old with a history of violent crimes in connection with a burglary involving a stolen AK-47 firearm in Jacksonville on Tuesday, according to a report from our news partner KETK. The Jacksonville Police Department said officers were dispatched to a reported burglary at around 7:47 a.m. involving an AK-47 firearm that was stolen. The suspect, who was captured on surveillance footage, has been identified as 23-year-old Jayden Duane Hopson.
Due to his criminal history, including charges of murder and aggravated robbery, the Cherokee County Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team was activated. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – According to a press release from the Criminal District Attorney of Upshur county, a man has been sentenced to a 99 year life sentence
On February 2, 2024, a search warrant was executed by the Upshur County Sheriff’s office for the home of Jimmy Wayne Skinner, 51. During the search, officers discovered methamphetamine, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia, along with loaded guns near a recliner where Skinner had been sitting.
As he was exiting his living quarters, Skinner immediately closed the door behind him, and was non-compliant with officers’ orders to get on the ground. He stated that he, “ain’t afraid to go to jail”, and attempted to block the door to prevent officers from entering. He was subsequently arrested. Read the rest of this entry »
GUN BARREL CITY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man is accused of sexually touching his girlfriend’s young daughter earlier this summer and has since been put behind bars. The 32-year-old man claims it was ‘all a misunderstanding.’
In a Henderson County arrest affidavit, on June 14 to June 15, the victim and her mom were staying at Daniel Joseph Rodgers’ house in Gun Barrel City.
The young girl explained that when it was bedtime, she was lying on the floor while her sisters were on the couch with the babies. Rodgers then went into the living room and told the victim that she could go to sleep in another room because he didn’t want her to sleep on the floor. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A California man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a Smith County teen who has since been found, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a 15-year-old from the Bullard area was reported missing after last being seen on July 26 at around 11 p.m. She was later found across state lines and her suspected kidnapper, Brian Chavez, was arrested in Placentia, Calif., on July 30 at around 3 a.m.
Authorities said Chavez now faces three criminal charges in Smith County involving sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 16, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A Longview Facebook post sparked controversy Tuesday morning after a McDonald’s was vandalized with pro-Palestinian and swastika graffiti, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The McDonald’s located at 128 W Loop 281 was vandalized with red spray paint, including damage to the camera, drive-through sign and walls of the business. The vandal(s) wrote multiple pro-Palestinian rhetoric, such as “free Palestine” and “kill the billionaires.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Over the weekend, fifty-one House Democrats went to Illinois to stall a meeting that was scheduled to take place Monday at 3 p.m. for a redistricting vote. This move by Texas Democrats has ignited fiery reactions nationwide from both sides of the aisle.
Some Republican lawmakers believe the current map does not correctly represent specific groups, specifically in the state’s two largest cities, Dallas and Houston. Democrats are concerned that this could heavily favor the GOP in elections. Smith County Democratic Chairman Hector Garza said this is all a power play to give five new Republican seats in the U.S. House.
District nine representative, Trent Ashby, says efforts to redraw the map are to make it more ‘constitutionally effective’. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – A 16-year-old boy with autism died early Sunday morning after he was hit by a pickup truck. According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Chris Williamson, the incident occurred near Farm to Market Road 856 where the boy was struck by a 2025 Toyota Tundra pickup truck around 5:20 a.m.
Williamson said the boy was run over in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene of the incident. The teen’s body was taken to Forensic Medical Management Services in Tyler for an autopsy. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. DPS is investigating the incident.
In a letter to parents, Bullard ISD Interim Superintendent Jan Hill identified Andrew “Drew” Daigle, a 10th grade student at Bullard High School, as the teen who died. He was the son of one of the district diagnosticians in its special education department. He also had a twin sister who attends Bullard High.
“Drew was very sweet and a joy for all to be around. Drew has been part of the Bullard ISD family his entire school career,” Hill said in the letter.
Counselors are available to provide support, and they can be contacted at (903) 894-3272 if anyone needs support, Hill said.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a 51-year-old man has died, and another person was hospitalized on Saturday following a motorcycle crash in Cherokee County.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sergeant Chris Williamson, a group of motorcyclists was traveling Northbound on US Highway 69 around 12:30 p.m. when the driver of the motorcycle and a passenger were thrown from the vehicle. Williamson said the others in the group claimed the motorcycle O’Neal was driving experienced a “death wobble,” which describes when the front handlebars begin to shake violently.
Both were taken to local hospitals, where one man identified as Owen O’Neal, was pronounced dead. The other passenger’s condition is unknown at this time.The incident is currently under investigation to determine the cause.
TYLER — Authorities are investigating after a man was found shot Monday morning in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK and the Tyler Police Department, around 7:26 a.m. officers responded to the 2700 block of S. Broadway Avenue, where a man was shot. Officials said EMS transported the victim to a local hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Police spoke to the victim, who said that he had received his injuries at another location.
“This case is still under investigation and does not appear to be a random incident,” police said. “If anybody has any information on this case, please call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.”
UPSHUR COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, more information has come out regarding the voluntary exit agreement between former Union Grove ISD Superintendent Kelly Moore and the district. The Union Grove ISD Board of Trustees accepted Moore’s resignation during a board meeting on July 22. Moore’s decision to resign stemmed from a criminal investigation she has been under since June for failing to report a crime that occurred on campus. The investigation remains active, and Moore could potentially face charges for failure to report, which is a misdemeanor.
Before her resignation, Moore’s contract was expected to run through June 2029. In the voluntary exit agreement provided by Union Grove ISD, it was revealed that she will still be paid her full salary of $130,500.00 over a twelve-month period. The exit agreement also states that Moore will provide assistance and cooperate with the district during this transition period. In accordance with the agreement, More will discharge the district and all of its employees and board members from any claims, attorney fees, and compensation whatsoever.
Following Moore’s voluntary resignation, Union Grove named Brian Gray, who has previously served as superintendent of Union Grove, as the interim superintendent as the district enters into this transition period.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KETK)– A man is dead following a one-vehicle crash in Jacksonville on Sunday, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a report from our news partner KETK, on Sunday evening, a truck was discovered overturned in a creek on Country Road 3305, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. After officials arrived on the scene, the Texas Department of Public Safety was subsequently called to work the crash.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said more information regarding the crash will be released when it becomes available.
TYLER – A man was sentenced to 10 years probation after he pleaded guilty to stabbing his coworker’s husband at a Smith County event center, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
On July 8, 2023, around 10:15 p.m., Abiel Alberto Correa stabbed his co-worker’s husband at the Flamingo’s Event Center on 10749 FM 14 south of I-20. The victim’s wife said they were at the event center for another coworker’s graduation celebration.
According to Correa’s arrest affidavit, the victim’s wife explained that Correa was “extremely intoxicated,” and that he stabbed her husband for “no reason.” She also said he started speaking strangely to her and another coworker, telling them they needed to leave because “something was going to happen to them.” Her husband then tried to explain to Correa that everything was fine and there was no need to worry about anyone at the party. Correa was acting paranoid and kept saying that something bad was going to happen to them, the affidavit said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to a press release from the Tyler Police Department, a man has been arrested for the burglary of a business.
On Monday, August 4, 2025, at approximately 12:16 a.m., Tyler Police Department Officers responded to a local business in the 1700 block of West Southwest Loop 323 on a report of a burglary alarm.
Upon their arrival, officers saw a male suspect who immediately ran from officers as they arrived in the area. Officers were able to catch the individual without incident.
The suspect has been identified as twenty-six-year-old Levon Gates Jr., out of Arkansas. While verifying Gates Jr.’s identity, he was found to have several outstanding warrants from multiple agencies in the surrounding area, and out of state. He was transported to the Smith County Jail and booked into jail for multiple onsite offenses, including his outstanding warrants.
UPDATE: According to the Lindale Fire Department, Jim Hogg Road has been reopened following the gas line break Monday morning.
LINDALE – The City of Lindale announced on Monday afternoon that Jim Hogg Road is closed due to a gas line break, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
The city said that Jim Hogg Road, just south of Sand Flat Road to CR 474, is temporarily closed because of a gas line leak.
Officials are asking the public to avoid this area while emergency services are on scene, and they will update once the roadway is reopened.
MARION COUNTY – The Texas Game Wardens have confirmed that one person died in a jet boat crash on Lake O’ the Pines in Marion County on Saturday.
According to our news partner KETK, the boat was taking part in a race event at around 3:40 p.m. on Saturday when it was involved in a crash that left the boat’s operator, Michael E. Roland, 62 of Bossier City, La. dead. Game wardens are currently investigating the crash and the Bowie County dive team removed the jet boat from the lake on Sunday.
The Lake O’ the Pines Chamber of Commerce held the 9th annual Squirtin’ in the Pines boat races at the Hurricane Creek Recreation Area on Saturday.
UPDATE: The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 88-year-old Syndey Alvers was found dead shortly before dark on Friday.
According to our news partner KETK, Alvers was found lying dead less than a mile from his home in a pasture surrounded by tall grass and brush. The sheriff’s office said that it appeared he had been dead for sometime when he was found. The sheriff’s office and the Texas Rangers are investigating his death and autopsy has been ordered to help determine how Alvers died.
CHIRENO – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for an 88-year-old man with dementia who was last seen leaving his home in Chireno on Thursday. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON — Henderson ISD is mourning the loss of Brandon Harris and Damon McGee, who were part of the district family. According to our news partner KETK, the cause of death for Harris and McGee has not been released.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, former teachers and classmates, and all those grieving during this incredibly difficult time,” Henderson ISD administration said. “We stand together as a community, offering our deepest condolences and support.”
“On July 28, Brandon was involved in a tragic incident,” the GoFundMe created for Harris said. “He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly succumbed to his injuries on July 30.”
LINDEN — According to our news partner KETK, a Hughes Springs man was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 on Wednesday and has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Vincent Riddle was arrested on March 24 and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, according to Cass County Jail records. The Cass County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said Riddle’s trial was scheduled to start in front of a jury on Wednesday morning, however, the defense and prosecution reached a plea agreement before opening statements could begin.
The court held a preliminary hearing to decide who the proper ‘outcry witness’ would be in this case in regards to evidence. The DA’s office said hearsay evidence is usually inadmissible, but Texas law allows exceptions to the hearsay rule for this certain type of testimony.
“Under Texas law, the first adult who the child told about the abuse in sufficient detail is allowed to testify about what the child told them,” the DA’s office said. Read the rest of this entry »
CHIRENO – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for an 88-year-old man with dementia who was last seen leaving his home in Chireno on Thursday.
According to our news partner KETK, Syndey Alvers, 88 of Chireno, was last seen leaving his home in the 4000 block of County Road 350 in Chireno on Thursday afternoon. He was last seen walking away from the home while wearing a white shirt with red lettering, blue jeans and house shoes. Alvers has dementia and his family last heard from him at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The sheriff’s office was notified of his disappearance at 1:30 p.m. on Friday and responded to his home to help search for him.
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Chireno Volunteer Fire Department, Melrose Volunteer Fire Department, Swift- Shady Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department and Hudson Rescue are currently searching near his home with the help of community members. Anyone who’s seen Alvers since he left home is asked to call the sheriff’s office dispatchers at 936-559-2600.
POLK COUNTY – A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison as a habitual offender for engaging in organized criminal activity, which involved stealing and selling copper materials, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
Raymond Leroy Smelley Jr. was booked on Nov. 14, 2024, and was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, theft of material less that $30,000, and theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000.
The evidence presented to the jury proved Smelley and others stole telecommunication wire from Highline before selling the copper material for profit, the DA’s office said. Read the rest of this entry »
OWENTOWN – Our news partner KETK reports that Smith County Emergency Services District 2 has confirmed that a cyclist was injured on Friday in a presumed hit-and-run crash on Highway 271.
According to the district, a passerby noticed a cyclist bleeding and foaming from the mouth in the 12990 block of Highway 271 in front of the Southwest Food Brookshire’s Distribution Center in Owentown, south of Winona.
The passerby called 911 at around 9:06 a.m., and fortunately, an EMS crew was passing by when they made the call. EMS deployed a Lucas device on the cyclist to do CPR on him automatically. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY – The owner of a stolen John Deere Tractor and front-end loader is offering a substantial reward for any information leading to the tractor’s return, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK.
The stolen tractor is reportedly a 2009 green John Deere 6115D cab tractor and was stolen from FM Road 225 in Rusk County on July 25. According to officials, the owner of the tractor is offering a $4,000 reward for information that leads to the tractor being returned or the arrest and indictment of the person who stole it.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Larry Hand at 903-571-3488.
LINDALE – According to a report from our news partner KETK, Eastbound lanes on I-20 near Lindale are now open, and traffic is flowing normally. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Three people were arrested Thursday night after a traffic stop led Henderson County authorities to find two young children home alone with large amounts of suspected cocaine and marijuana, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
Around 11:09 p.m., investigators from the Henderson County Sheriff’s office stopped a SUV in the 5900 block of County Road 3925 in Athens, where three suspects were detained, Karl Tremayne Dora, Brealzane Hernandez-Walker and Jkeyvia Ntoi Hurd.
While investigators were searching the SUV, they found a gallon-sized Ziploc bag filled with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine. This search led officers to search Dora’s home where they found two young children alone inside. Read the rest of this entry »
CARTHAGE — A lawsuit filed in Panola County accuses several officials of misconduct, racketeering and operating a “duck fund” to trade favorable trial outcomes for cash. According to our news partner KETK, the lawsuit was filed on July 8 in the 123rd Judicial District Court by Lisa and Steven Broomfield, joint permanent managing conservators of a minor child, amid ongoing family court proceedings.
The lawsuit was filed against current County Court at Law Judge and former Acting Assistant District Attorney for Panola County Eric Scott “Rick” McPherson, former Acting Assistant District Attorney for Panola County Joey Fenlaw, f ormer Panola County District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson along with 10 unnamed Panola County officials and agents. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a former Eustace police officer was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography in the 392nd District Court. Mitchell Burris was arrested in January on four counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography. The arrest came after authorities obtained three videos reportedly depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct.
In December 2024, investigators examined the items collected during the search warrant, where they reportedly found screenshots of several videos of infants and young child pornography. Investigators contacted Eustace Mayor Dustin Shelton, who reportedly identified the man as Burris.
“While looking through the content folder, [the investigator] observed a photo of a white male’s face sitting inside a car. The background of this photo appears to be a police car,” the affidavit stated. “While looking through the folder, there was another image of the same male, in the suspected police car from a different angle.” Read the rest of this entry »