Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
DE BERRY – After nearly 80 years without any payments, an East Texas church is finally receiving compensation for minerals being extracted from their land.
“Man, that was a long journey. That was a real long journey,” Deacon at Zion Hill Holiness Church of God, Anthony Price Sr. said.
Church historian and relative, Johnathan Matthews, said for 78 years, an unknown amount of money in mineral royalties have not been paid to Zion Hill Holiness Church of God. He said the money could have helped the church and family for generations. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — People of all ages got the opportunity to meet the people behind the industries that power East Texas on Saturday in Longview, according to our news partner KETK.
As part of Career and Technical Education Month, businesses like HOLT CAT opened their doors to East Texans, giving children and adults the chance to see what they do everyday. This was a part of the Big Techs East Texas Industry Tours and Job Fair. Guests got a close up look at cutting edge local manufactures creating things like fighter jets to the world’s largest front-end loader. Though HOLT CAT service manager said there is always one thing that brings the crowds.
“The tractors is definitely the biggest highlight, the kids love them,” Jake Giebel, service manager, said. “It’s the kids allow us to kind of reengage with our childhood because they’re so excited to see us, so excited to see the tractors and get in play, and that just kind of reinvigorates what we do day in and day out.”
Other groups in attendance included East Texas Regional Airport, Genpak, INVISTA, Kilgore College Manufacturing and Industrial Technology and LeTourneau University Engineering.
SMITH COUNTY — An arrest warrant sheds new details on an East Texas man accused of sexually assaulting a child his wife was babysitting.
According to our news partner KETK, Smith County deputies responded to a medical center on Feb. 13 after a child had reported being sexually assaulted. Officers spoke with the mother who said her daughter confessed to her the previous day she had a secret, but the mother did not think much of it. The next day, Feb. 13, the child reiterated she had the secret that pertained to Brandon Darrell Couey, her babysitter’s husband.
During a forensic interview, the child described deviant sexual activity performed on her by Couey and gave detailed information by using male and female anatomy drawings. Read the rest of this entry »
FRANKLIN COUNTY — On Sunday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they recovered the body of a man reported missing on Feb. 13. According to our news partner KETK, Larry Murl Smith, 51, was last seen on Feb. 6 near his residence on the 6000 block of FM 115, near Lake Cypress Springs. His body was recovered 16 days later. Multiple locations and areas of interest were searched in the past week until his body was found on Texas Highway 37 at the Franklin/Red River County line on the Sulfur River. Authorities indicated that there are persons of interest who are already in custody for unrelated charges.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that multiple warrants for capital murder are expected. The sheriff’s office received assistance from the Mt. Vernon Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Water District Police, Parks and Wildlife K9, DPS aircraft division, Texas Highway Patrol and Texas Rangers.
LONGVIEW – A 19-year-old man was arrested in Longview on Thursday evening after he allegedly shot two people during a domestic disturbance.
Longview police officers were dispatched at approximately 10:50 p.m. after receiving calls regarding a shooting relating to a domestic disturbance in the 3000 block of Bernice Drive.
Both victims of the shooting were taken to a local hospital to tend to their wounds. The Longview Police Department identified the suspect as 19-year-old Demetrius Walter of Marshall.
Walter has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Gregg County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
PALESTINE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas couple has been arrested for child negligence after police found decaying food, piles of trash and cockroaches crawling throughout their home.
The Palestine Police Department said officers responded to a welfare check request in the 3000 block of N. Jackson at around 2:11 p.m. on Thursday. Before they arrived to the location, officers were advised that Code Enforcement had spoken with individuals at the residence concerning code violations.
During this visit, code enforcement observed child neglect and reported that the home emitted a foul odor and the home appeared to be in disarray. Once officers arrived, they spoke with Gina Jeter, 37, and her fiancé, Benjamin Quintanilla, 35. Both reportedly gave officers consent to enter the house. Read the rest of this entry »
POLK COUNTY – Three Polk County jailers were arrested after allegedly assaulting an inmate, according to our news partner KETK.
DPS reports that Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons contacted Texas Rangers after the incident occurred on Feb. 3. DPS identified the victim as a 34-year-old man from Kingwood. The three employees reportedly involved in the assault have been identified as 27-year-old Ty Paredes, 29-year-old Christopher Damian and 31-year-old Agapito Correa. They have since all been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant.
At this time, DPS said they will not release any additional information and people are encouraged to ask the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for the employment status of the three jailers.
UPDATE: On Thursday, Lufkin ISD unanimously voted to shut down Coston Elementary and Kurth Primary during a school board meeting.
LUFKIN – More than 500 students may soon need to find new schools as the Lufkin ISD school board will decide this week whether to close two elementary schools, according to our news partner KETK.
In September 2024, the district established the Future Facilities Advisory Committee, to assess facilities and educational needs. It has since conducted reviews of all facilities in the district including “campus enrollments, building capacity, condition, usage, programs and educational programs offered on each campus.”
The district has seen a steady decline in student enrollment, with 1,600 fewer students enrolled in 2024 compared to 2013. After analyzing the data, the committee recommended several actions, with the top suggestion being the closure of Coston Elementary and Kurth Primary. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that two Harrison County residents were arrested on Thursday after guns and narcotics were found inside their home.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant was conducted at a home on 8841 U.S. Highway 80 in Scottsville. Once officers entered the home, they recovered 51 grams of methamphetamine and 19 grams of Psilocybin, commonly known as shrooms. Seven firearms were also found inside the home, including a stolen Rugger Mini-14 gun along with an illegal Short Barrel Rifle.
Owners of the house, 49-year-old Joe Cisco, Jr. and 41-year-old Brittany Dyer, were arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail. Cisco was arrested on three of charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of prohibited weapon. Dyer was also arrested on three of charges of manufacturing a controlled substance. Read the rest of this entry »
CHANDLER — An elderly Florida couple appears to have been dropped off at an East Texas hotel after family members decided they “could not stay with them.”
The Chandler Police Department said they received a call of an elderly couple who seemed to be lost wandering around a hotel. According to our news partner,KETK, following an investigation, authorities learned that the couple had arrived the previous day and had a room at the hotel.
“Officers quickly discovered the couple appeared to be suffering from cognitive deficiencies and clearly seemed lost,” the police department said. “Although the couple had a room reserved for two nights the couple had no luggage, food, money or their needed medication with them.” Officers determined that due to their age, the couple could not care for themselves. Police later identified the man as Pastor William McCann and his wife Mary McCann from Fort Meyers, Florida. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a former Kilgore ISD employee was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly having an improper relationship with a student.
According to Kilgore ISD, the district began an investigation in early January of possible educator misconduct for Instructional Aide, Kayla Nicole O’Dell, 34 of Gladewater. O’Dell was an aide from August 2023 until her resignation on Jan. 7.Following her resignation, the results of the investigation were turned over to law enforcement, the district said. O’Dell was arrested for an improper relationship between an educator and student and is being held without bond in the Gregg County Jail.
TYLER – The highly contagious measles virus kills more than 200,000 each year, according to the Mayo Clinic.
UT Tyler Health Science Center Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. Richard Wallace explained what East Texans should know about measles and how to identify the “severe rash disease.”
Measles is a virus that spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. After a vaccine was introduced in 1963 the virus was considered eliminated in the United States by 2000, but now there has been an uptick in cases mostly affecting babies, children under five and adults older than 20. Wallace said that measles can appear seven to 14 days after contact and an infected person should start feeling better four days after breaking out with the diagnostic rash.
The biggest sign of measles is a rash, but Wallace said people can also experience other symptoms including a runny nose, drainage, sore throat and a cough. For most people, the virus will feel like an intense case of the flu, but it can be especially dangerous for babies and toddlers. “40% of people with measles are hospitalized either for complications of measles or for isolation,” Wallace said. Doctors claim there have been no confirmed cases of measles in East Texas, but health officials are staying alert.
CAMP COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas County judge is urging residence to sign a petition aiming to increase safety on U.S. Highway 271.
Camp County Judge A.J. Mason said this has been an ongoing effort to increase safety on the highway between Pittsburg and Gilmer. The petition aims to construct a designated center turning lane. Mason said he has been in contact with TxDOT for the past eight years. He urges residents to make their voices heard. ”Your voice matters and you deserve a safe driving environment,” Mason said.
The petition will be available in his office for residents to sign starting on Tuesday. Mason’s office is located at the Camp County Courthouse in room 303.
The City of Pittsburg said they will also have a petition for people to sign at the city hall on Rusk Street.
SMITH COUNTY – A man has been sentenced to ten years of probation in connection to a 2022 fatal crash.
Guillermo Zuniga Jr., 25 of Longview, was facing a charge of criminally negligent homicide after he and Carlos Tello Parrà, 33 of Longview, got in a crash on County Road 384 north of Tyler, on Dec. 14, 2022.The 2015 GMC Sierra they were riding in was heading north when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree, authorities told KETK in 2022. Parrà was pronounced dead at the scene.
Zuninga had incapacitating injuries in the crash and had to be treated at a local hospital. He was given deferred adjudication by 241st Judicial District Court Judge Debby Gunter on Thursday meaning he’ll avoid a guilty verdict if he completes ten years of probation.
NACOGDOCHES — With 24 Dairy Queen locations set to close across Texas, people can now purchase a variety of restaurant items and equipment as part of an ongoing auction.
The “complete contents” of various Dairy Queen restaurants will be auctioned on Local Auctions until Thursday afternoon. Buyers will be responsible for disassembling all purchased items.
“Multiple Dairy Queen locations are closing their doors and must liquidate the assets. Bid on a large variety of restaurant assets and related items that need to be removed from the location,” the auction website said.
To see the full list of closing locations posted by our news partner, KETK, click here.
TYLER — Wednesday, some school districts in East Texas closed early due to the cold weather. With hard freeze conditions in play all across the region, some ISD’s may delay their Thursday opening.
Tonight’s forecast is Partly Cloudy, with a low around 17. Wind chill values are low at 6. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Our news partner KETK, has an updated list of delays. You can see it here.
Your complete East Texas weather is here.
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview home caught fire on Sunday leading to $100,000 in estimated damages. Longview Fire Department said firefighters arrived at an Aspen Street home at around 10:40 a.m. on Sunday after receiving calls regarding a house fire. Heavy smoke and fire was found inside the home once firefighters went inside. The fire was put out in around 20 minutes but not before an estimated $100,000.00 in damage was done to the house.
The fire was put out by a total of three engine trucks, two ladder trucks, one ambulance and a total of 21 first responders. Longview Fire Department believes the fire was started due to a pan of grease that was left unattended on the stove.
No residents of the home or firefighters were reported as injured, but one dog was taken to an animal hospital for treatment. The family is currently being helped by the Texas Red Cross.
KILGORE – After a massive fire destroyed a major recycling center serving many East Texas cities last summer, a new 50,000-square-foot facility is opening their doors in an effort to help fill in some of the gap. According to our news partner KETK, they’re currently putting the final touches on a new 50,000-square-foot recycling facility built to serve both homes and businesses.
They are also currently in the process of creating contracts to work with the city of Tyler and Longview. Both cities, along with many others in East Texas, had to find other ways to dispose of recyclables after the Rivers recycling plant burned down last June. When the new facility starts running at full capacity they’ll process paper, plastic and cardboard. That will hopefully help reduce the amount of waste currently heading to landfills and give these recycled products new life after they leave your curb.
The facility is expected to be up and running in March. Currently they are hiring employees to work at the warehouse.
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a good Samaritan assisting with a minor crash was injured after a drunk driver struck them.
According to the Tyler Police Department, two cars were involved in a minor crash near the intersection of Paluxy Drive and East Southeast Loop 323 at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. One good Samaritan was near the crash and moved towards the vehicles to help out. That’s when a third vehicle hit the first two vehicles and pushed the bystander away, a Tyler PD official said. The bystander received minor injuries, was treated and has since been released.
The driver of the third vehicle has been arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail for driving while intoxicated. The police department has not released the driver’s identity.
WHITEHOUSE – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the grandfather of Whitehouse native and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed away on Wednesday.
Mahomes’ mother, Randi, shared on Instagram that her father, Randy Martin, has died. The announcement comes after Martin entered hospice care just days before the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.
“Hard to find the words of holding my fathers hand as he goes to Heaven. I know he’s in a better place. I love you daddy. Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:23,” Randi Mahomes wrote in her Instagram post on Friday.
Randi Mahomes said her father was “hanging on” to watch his grandson in the Super Bowl while in hospice in an interview with People Magazine. Martin’s death comes just three days after Super Bowl LIX. Martin’s obituary said he was born on Jan. 6, 1947, and died on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 78-years-old. A funeral service will be held for Martin at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home at 800 Kilgore Drive in Henderson on Monday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. before his burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Overton.
LONGVIEW — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a woman was hospitalized with minor injuries following an overnight shooting, according to the Longview Police Department.
Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Sidney Street on early Monday at around midnight in regards to a shooting. When they arrived, officers found a woman who had been shot. She was taken to a local hospital by fire personnel for non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the suspect had fled before police arrived. During an investigation, officials identified the suspect as 59-year-old Richard Lynn Williams. He was later arrested and faces charges of unlawful carrying a weapon with felony convictions, possession of a controlled substance, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
He is being held at the Gregg County Jail on a $200,000 bond.
Airdate: 02/16/25
Guests: East Texas Crisis Center, Jeremy Flowers-Annual Car and Cycle Show
HEMPHILL – Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox died on Thursday morning after medical complications from a long-term illness according to our news partner KETK.
The sheriff’s office said Maddox died at his home in Sabine County surrounded by family. Multiple sheriff’s offices, police departments and DPS all assisted in escorting Maddox home from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Maddox has been the sheriff of Sabine County since 2001 and was former president of the Texas Sheriff’s Association and a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper.
“Mike Mills, Sabine County Liaison Officer, State Division of Emergency Management presented Tom Maddox with
“The State of Texas is a better place due to the efforts of Sheriff Tom Maddox,” the sheriff’s office said. “His leadership and determination will be missed by all.” Read the rest of this entry »
GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Police Department said they’ve arrested a man after he allegedly threatened to shoot up a local Walmart on Saturday.
According to our news partner KETK, officers with Gun Barrel City PD responded to reported threats made against the Walmart at 1200 W Main Street at around 6:33 p.m. on Saturday. Once inside, Gun Barrel City PD said officers found an armed man who had threatened to “shoot up” the store. John Thomas Martin, 22 of Kerrville, was identified by officials as the man allegedly making the threats against the Walmart. The responding officers reportedly found a Glock 10mm handgun, three magazines, an extended magazine, 63 rounds of 10mm ammunition, shooting ear plugs and a ballistic vest in Martin’s possesion.
Martin was arrested and charged with terroristic threat, a 3rd degree felony, and unlawful carrying of a weapon, which is a class A misdemeanor. He’s currently being held in the Henderson County Jail on a total bond of $1,025,000. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – Current and former educators are demanding answers regarding the school voucher bill that was recently passed by the Texas Senate.
According to our news partner KETK, a protest over the bill took place on Friday afternoon at 519 North Sycamore Street in Palestine near the office of Texas State House Representative Cody Harris. The protest included current and former educators expressing their frustration at the bill that was passed.
Harris released a statement expressing his disappointment with the protest and wished the group would have come to him directly to vocalize their concerns.
“While I will always encourage constituents to reach out to my office to share their views, I was disappointed that this group did not choose to try and schedule an appointment to sit down and visit about their concerns.” Harris said. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Nacogdoches man has died after being thrown off his motorcycle during a major vehicle accident Thursday evening.
According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, at around 8 p.m. dispatch received calls of an crash involving a SUV and motorcycle on NE Stallings (Loop 224) and Center Hwy. Officers determined the motorcyclist, Shawn Pritchard, 45 of Nacogdoches, was northbound on NE Stallings and the SUV driver was traveling southbound when the two vehicles collided in the intersection. Authorities said that the SUV driver turned left in front of Pritchard causing the collision and ejecting him off the motorcycle. Pritchard was transported to a local hospital but later died due to his injuries while the SUV driver was treated for minor injuries.
The police department said that the investigation is still ongoing “to determine any and all circumstances related to the accident.”
HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Waco man was booked into the Henderson County Jail on Friday after reportedly attempting to meet with minors for sexual purposes.
The Henderson County Crimes Against Children’s Task Force conducted an online investigation and identified Jose Antonio Arriaga-Perez, 32 of Waco, who was allegedly attempting to meet with minors for sexual purposes. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said Perez was arrested for online solicitation of a minor sexual conduct and is also facing a federal ICE detainer charge. Perez was transported and booked into the Henderson County Jail.
TYLER — Cheyenne Russell was settling into her new apartment with her two children when her ex-boyfriend, Jorian Jackson, arrived with belated Christmas gifts.
Russell, 26, and Jackson, 29, began to fight over their fractured relationship that ended about a year prior. That’s when Jackson allegedly shot and killed Russell. Russell’s children saw it all. Jackson “caused the red on mommy’s dress, then she started making choking and coughing sounds,” they told police. Russells’ death on Jan. 6 is part of an escalating trend and comes at a time when advocates are again beseeching lawmakers to broaden protections for domestic violence survivors. Advocates see a number of proposals as opportunities to strengthen Texas law as it relates to domestic and sexual violence.
If passed, these bills could make it easier to remove firearms from people accused of family violence, teach teenagers about dating violence and create a state database of violent offenders that is similar to the one for sexual offenders. Other bills would remove firearms from known sexual predators and create a process for survivors to sue institutions that protected sexual offenders. Similar proposals have been debated at the Texas Capitol before, with advocates enjoying moderate success. Those same boosters hope to see equal support moving forward as more Texans seek help from community organizations created for survivors. Representatives of shelters across the state will converge in Austin on Feb. 20 to voice their concerns and proposals to lawmakers. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE– Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man is dead after a traffic accident that led to a shooting on Thursday.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department, around 9:52 p.m. Jacksonville police and firefighters responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Myrtle Drive and Sam Boles Road.
Officials said they saw that one of the occupants, identified as Angel Balderas Jr., 33 of Jacksonville, had a single gunshot wound. Balderas was transported to a local emergency room where he later died.
The shooter was detained and questioned but officials said no charges will be filed at this time. At this time the police department said no other details will be released due to it being an ongoing investigation.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, a Romanian national was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after he was found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity in Smith County. Fabrizio Slatineanu reportedly entered America illegally from Mexico and was caught taking part in a credit card skimming scheme where he stole over $280,000 from Smith County residents in a single weekend, according to the 114th District Court.
During the sentencing hearing, multiple victims testified about how they had lost thousands of dollars from their savings accounts. During the hearing, Captain Jeff Roberts, a member of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, testified about how Romanian organized crime played an increased role in types of financial crimes similar to Slatineanu’s case.
Roberts also said he thinks open borders have helped to increase these kinds of crimes. Read the rest of this entry »