Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
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.