Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Smith County Animal Shelter will continue to care for the 44 dogs that were seized last month at a home in Troup after a ruling on Wednesday. A hearing was held where Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace James Meredith ruled for the shelter to keep custody of the dogs who were found malnourished with skin disorders, overgrown nails and possible gastrointestinal disorders.
The woman who lived on the property had died, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. Now, the woman’s daughter will have 10 days to appeal the decision, but will be required to pay $24,000 to reverse the appeal. Since the shelter has taken custody of the animals, a veterinarian has examined the rescued dogs. Read the rest of this entry »
LIVINGSTON — A bipartisan group of state representatives is currently visiting the Polunsky Unit in Livingston to show support for death row inmate Robert Roberson, just days before his scheduled execution.
According to our news partner KETK, those in attendance include State Reps. John Bucy (D-Austin), Jeff Leach (R-Allen), Lacey Hull (R-Houston) and Rhetta Bowers (D-Rowlett), all of whom have publicly expressed concerns about Roberson’s conviction and the evidence used against him. Roberson was convicted in 2003 of killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, a case that has since drawn national attention and renewed scrutiny from lawmakers, medical experts, and criminal justice reform advocates.
Jeff Leach brought some new information to light on behalf of the other representatives, stating that they are just asking for a pause button and a new tria,l considering that Roberson was denied the chance to defend his innocence in front of a jury
“To my legislative colleagues on the other side of this issue who want to see him executed next week, and believe that nothing went wrong with the trial. I would ask them to comment on the fact that Robert’s own attorney. When Robert asked to be heard, when Robert asked to go in front of the jury to tell his side of the story to tell them I’m innocent, his attorney wouldn’t let him.” Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Edgewood ISD has released more information after a student reportedly made a threat against their district and Canton ISD.
According to our news partner KETK and Edgewood ISD, on Friday, administrators uncovered “troubling activity” on the internet at their high school that alerted them to investigate the students’ well-being.
“While the threat was unspecific, there were references to Canton High School, and enough specific evidence to lend itself to be treated with the utmost seriousness,” the district said. “At no time has there been a weapon on campus. The school’s part in this situation was solely online materials.
The district said that there was “sufficient evidence” to involve law enforcement, and the student was immediately removed from campus upon their findings. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A man was pronounced dead while under custody at the Van Zandt County Jail last month, according to our news partner KETK. Jason Lane Lopez, 53, was arrested on Sept. 2 and charged with public intoxication after he was found on N. 4th Street in Wills Point, according to a Texas Attorney General’s Office report into his death. Prior to his arrest, Lopez was acting combative and assistance was required from a Van Zandt County Deputy to take him into custody.
Following his arrest, Lopez was transported to the Van Zandt County Jail and continued to resist officers by attempting to get loose of their grasp and thrashing his body before officers placed him on the ground so he could be placed in a restraint chair. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – On Saturday, supporters gathered at the Texas State Capitol, asking lawmakers to stop the execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted of murder in 2003 for killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. According to our news partner KETK, one Texas lawmaker is also calling for action to stop Roberson’s scheduled execution on Oct. 16.
“This man must have a new trial, justice demands it,” State Rep. Brian Harrison of Waxahachie said.
Harrison made a motion to issue a legislative subpoena in October of 2024 that led to a stay of Roberson’s first scheduled execution. Now, he’s saying this case should be seen in court again.
He said wrong statements and misinformation have also clouded the facts of the case. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Three people were flown to a hospital on Monday morning following a head-on collision in Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK and the Lufkin Police Department, the crash occurred at around 8:30 a.m. in the 4000 block of Southwood Drive. The vehicles involved in the crash include a Buick, driven by a woman who was accompanied by a teenager and a child; the second vehicle, a Ford truck, was driven by a man.
The identity of the victims has not been released at this time. The department is currently investigating the crash and will release more information when the investigation is complete.
MARSHALL — The City of Marshall’s Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) confirmed on Thursday that a bat carrying rabies was found in the Marshall area earlier this week.
On Sept. 29, a Marshall Animal Control Officer collected a bat that was lying on the ground in the 200 block of North Washington Avenue according to our news partner KETK. The bat was later humanely euthanized and sent to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for testing, according to Marshall PD. DSHS told the LRCA that the bat tested positive for rabies, and the LRCA has been monitoring the area where the bat was found to look for any other animals that may have been affected.
“We don’t believe anyone has been exposed, but we are taking this public health issue seriously. Public education is the key because rabies is fatal if left untreated, and it is 100% treatable,” Director of the LRCA and the Marshall Pet Adoption Center Justin Serna said.
To learn more information about rabies and where to access local vaccines, visit the DSHS website.
TYLER — Texas comptroller introduces new statewide online tool designed to put the latest economic and demographic data directly into the hands of Texans. According to our news partner KETK, Texas comptroller Kelly Hancock launched the new online tool, ‘TEXSTATS Dashboard’, today during a visit to Tyler.
Hancock has been in this role since June, giving Texans easier access to information. The technology is all available right now on the Texas comptroller’s website.
“We provide this information online where they can access it and they can learn about education in the area,” Hancock said. “They can learn about population growth in the area. They can learn all the demographics as well.” Read the rest of this entry »
QUITMAN — The Quitman Independent School District is investigating allegations that an elementary student was confined to a classroom restroom as a form of punishment. Our news partner KETK is reporting that the school district was informed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. that two staff members had placed a student in the restroom and held the door closed to restrict their movement.
A teacher and a paraprofessional have been placed on administrative leave while the district conducts an investigation. This investigation concluded on Wednesday, leading them to be “no longer assigned to any district campus.” The district reported the situation to the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, parents of all students in the classroom have been notified of the allegations and the district’s actions.
“We know this is concerning, and we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of your children are our top priority,” Mason said. “Thank you for your trust as we continue to provide a safe, caring and supportive learning environment for all students.”
TITUS COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, six people were arrested in the first two days of October following a more than yearlong investigation by multiple agencies in Titus County.
Search warrants related to narcotics were conducted at houses in Mount Pleasant, Winfield and Naples on October 1. During the execution of the warrants, investigators found: 11 illegally possessed firearms, almost a pound of methamphetamine, almost a pound of cocaine and more than a pound of marijuana.
Mount Pleasant Police and the Department of Public Safety said that during the course of the investigation, several kilogram amounts of methamphetamine and several firearms were also seized. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD Superintendent, Marla Sheppard announced the district’s five-year priorities plan aimed at improving educational experience for future Lobos the first State of the District Luncheon. Our news partner kETK is reporting that the district celebrated their achievements at the first State of the District Luncheon where Sheppard officially announced Elevate 2030. The project lays out five big priorities for the district.
“Our theme is embracing ACE and that’s achievement, customer service and excellence,” Sheppard said.
The first two priorities are empowerment through educational excellence and cultivating growth & excellence in staff.
“We now have 83% of our schools that are performing at an A or B level,” Sheppard said. “We have 52 distinctions, up from 40 the year before, so our children are excelling in so many different areas.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved reconstruction contracts for six county roads on Tuesday as part of a bond program according to our news partner KETK.
The following projects were awarded to the lower bidders for each as part of the Road and Bridge Bond Program. All the projects were awarded to either Texana Land & Asphalt Inc. or A.E. Shull & Company.
County Road 26
CR 26 will be widened with cement stabilization from the existing base material. The area will also be paved with new asphalt for a cost of $1.69 million.
UT Tyler professor appointed as new Smith County Health Authority
These changes will take place from FM 850 to County Road 21, covering 5.16 miles of improvement, with construction scheduled to begin within the next two to three months. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a contractor from Bullard was arrested on Tuesday for misappropriating approximately $400,000 of his neighbors’ money. He used these funds for personal expenses and to finance his trips to the casino after being hired to rebuild their home, which had been destroyed by a fire.
In January an investigator was contacted by a couple who said that their home had been struck by lightning in early 2024, causing a fire that destroyed a majority of the home. The home was determined to be a total loss by the insurance company, which, in return, settled with the homeowners. Officials said the homeowners then hired their neighbor, 51-year-old Brian Christopher Glass of Bullard, who operates the business, Glass Limitless Homes and Design, to rebuild their home.
“Between April 2024 and July 2024, Glass was paid over $500,000 by the homeowners for the construction,” the sheriff’s office said. “Around July 2024, the victims learned that the subcontractors had quit working due to not being paid by Glass. When the homeowners contacted Glass, he informed them that he needed more money above and beyond the agreed construction price in the signed contract. At this point, the homeowners began paying the subcontractors and businesses owed money for construction materials. This placed a significant strain on their financial situation.” Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department is warning the community to be aware of scammers that are posing as Palestine Assistant Chief of Police Richard Johnson.
Our news partner KETK is reporting that the scammers are using shady tactics and gave several methods to avoid being scammed:
The Palestine Police Department will never contact people to request their personal banking information.
The only time the department may ask for banking information is when a victim of fraud is filing a report.
Those asked to make a payment with gift cards or Bitcoin are most likely getting scammed.
Never divulge personal information online or over the phone.
Always verify the source and remember, a lot of personal information can be researched online and used against you.
Be cautious of house rental listings on social media. For reliable information, contact a local realtor.
A good rule to remember is if something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
Those who believe they have been targeted by a scam can contact the Palestine Police Department at 903-729-2254.
MINEOLA – A Mineola man was arrested on Thursday after allegedly forcing another man to dig a grave for his dog at gunpoint. According to our news partner KETK, a resident reported that they were driving home on Sept. 8 when they hit a dark-colored animal in the road. The driver stopped to fix their bumper when a silver Ford pick-up truck pulled in behind his vehicle.
The victim reported that the driver of the silver Ford got out of his truck and pointed a gun at him, saying, “I should shoot you now for it.” The victim then pleaded for his life by explaining that he had a family, but the driver, who was identified as Hernandez, commanded the victim to search for his dog.
The victim said he then found the dog in a nearby ditch and was forced to carry the dead animal to Hernandez’s property. Hernandez, who was still pointing the gun at the victim, then demanded that he dig a grave for the dog and bury it, an arrest affidavit showed.
While digging the dog’s grave with a shovel, the victim reported that Hernandez demanded his phone and keys. Once he gave up his phone and keys, Hernandez allegedly went inside his home and came back out with an AR-style rifle with attached optics and magazines. Read the rest of this entry »