Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
LONGVIEW – On Thursday, a new Command Bus and Bearcat were unveiled after Gregg County and the City of Longview partnered to update old equipment.
The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and the Longview Police and Fire agencies will be able to use these vehicles. This is the third command center for the city and county. The last time the mobile command post was updated was in 2006 and the last “Bearcat” was updated in 2009.
Longview Police Chief Anthony Boone shared how the new equipment will benefit the city in several ways. “It could be used for natural disasters. It could be used for any type of larger crime scenes. If we have an ongoing active shooter or barricaded subject event, so it will have multiple uses at the city and the county level,” Boone said. Read the rest of this entry »
SULPHUR SPRINGS- Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 25-year-old has died after he crashed into an 18-wheeler on Thursday, the Sulphur Springs Police Department said.
Police officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Industrial Drive West at around 8:53 p.m. in reference to a major crash. A preliminary investigation indicates that an 18-wheeler was driving westbound on Industrial Drive West while a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe was driving behind the 18-wheeler. The police department said the driver of the Tahoe failed to control their speed and struck the rear of the trailer.
Officials said the Tahoe driver, identified as Alfonso Alvarez Jr., 25 of Sulphur Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene by a Justice of the Peace. Two occupants of the 18-wheeler were reportedly not injured. “Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers,” the police department said.
TYLER– Records show that two children found their mother’s body and alerted an adult after an apartment shooting on Jan. 6.
According to our news partner, KETK, Tyler Police Department officers responded to an apartment in the 9000 block of Bellwood Lake Road and spoke with Cheyenne Russell’s roommate, who found her dead on a couch underneath a blanket with blood on her face.
The roommate told a Tyler PD detective that Russell had moved into the apartment with her children on Jan. 5. The roommate said she left the apartment at around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, and that she was texting Russell throughout the day. Arrest documents show that Jorian Jackson, 29 of Plano, was at the apartment that day to drop off some Christmas presents to a child of his and Russell’s.
“Russell texted [the roommate] that Jackson was questioning their relationship and why they broke up approximately one year ago,” the documents said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – An East Texas man was given a life sentence on Tuesday after being found guilty of street gang activity in connection to the murder of Brandon Edwards. According to our news partner KETK, Kevin Dale Higgins, 58, was sentenced for his role as president of the Ugly Man Cossacks gang. He was arrested in April for allegedly giving orders to an “outlaw motorcycle gang” that led to the death of Edwards in May 2020.
Edwards was identified as a Sergeant at Arms of a local 1%er Cossacks an “outlaw motorcycle gang chapter.” According to the affidavit, the rivalry between the gangs stemmed in part, from “each ‘club’ claiming to be the ‘real Cossacks.’”
Chad Crowell, who was also arrested in April 2024 for his involvement in Edward’s death, is awaiting is trail that is set for March 31.
TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, a Texarkana registered sex offender was arrested Thursday morning after “800 files of suspected child pornography” were reportedly traced back to his Google drive account. Police were alerted in December by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a report from Google.
The report allegedly showed that “over 800 files of suspected child pornography” had been uploaded to a Google Drive tracing back to a Texarkana address. Detectives identified the account to belong to registered sex offender, 69-year-old Kenneth Davenport.
Officials said that officers searched Davenport’s home and seized several electronic devices. Davenport was then arrested for possession of child pornography. Davenport is in custody at Bi-state jail and his bond has not been set at this time.
SMITH COUNTY– The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter shared some recent progress photos of several dogs that were saved from a dog fighting ring last year and are ready for adoption. These dogs are part of a group of nearly 60 dogs that were rescued by the shelter after a dog fighting ring was broken up on Sept. 9, 2024.
Kerry Jones and Michael Jones were both arrested for cruelty to non-livestock animals in connection to the ring. The dogs were in such bad condition that many of them were wounded, and 11 of them had to be euthanized. On Thursday, the shelter shared before and after photos of dogs from the ring that are still waiting to be adopted.
The shelter said each of the dogs were evaluated and found to be friendly. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man is behind bars after officials reportedly found child pornography in his home according to our news partner KETK.
On Wednesday, Henderson County Crimes Against Children’s Task Force and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office searched the home of Dustyn Loyd, 24 of Murchison, on FM 2339. According to officials, during the search Loyd was arrested for online solicitation of a minor and three charges of possession of child pornography. Loyd was transported to the Henderson County Jail and is currently awaiting arraignment.
TYLER – A year has passed since Harley Morris’ disappearance, and despite the tireless efforts of his family and authorities, they are no closer to finding him than they were when he first went missing. According to our news partner KETK, Harley was last seen on January 21, 2024. Three days later, the Tyler Police Department issued a missing person report. The department followed up with two additional requests for residents and businesses north of Gentry Parkway to North Loop 323 to review cameras or door on the day he went missing for any signs of Harley.
They also asked the community to check their property for items Harley was known to be wearing at the time of his disappearance: a Prime 102 cap, black shoes, and a black/grey hoodie. In an effort to aid the investigation, a Facebook group was created where community members pieced together a timeline of Harley’s final known hours.
Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: After being on the run for two weeks, Jorian Jackson, wanted for the deadly Tyler apartment shooting was arrested on Wednesday evening. Officers served a search warrant at around 2:45 p.m. at his grandmother’s house on Highway 31, where they located him. Jackson is headed to the Smith County Jail for first-degree murder and will be held on a $1 million bond. The grandparents have been arrested. They are identified as Carolyn Johnson, 75, and Willie Johnson, 75, both from Tyler. They’ve been charged with hindering apprehension, with bond set at $50,000 each.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is searching for a Plano man for his suspected involvement in a Monday apartment shooting that killed a woman. Officers were dispatched to an apartment complex on Bellwood Lake Road at around 3:05 p.m. in reference to a homicide. When authorities arrived, they reportedly found a woman, later identified as Cheyenne Russell, 26 from Nacogdoches, with multiple gunshot wounds. Police have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Jorian Jackson.
CASS COUNTY — Our news partner KETK is reporting that an Arkansas man has been sentenced to 40 years after touching an East Texas child while he and his fiancé visited her family’s home.
The Cass County Criminal District Attorney said that Dillon Austin Venson, 24 of Pocahontas, AR., was found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child by contact and not guilty on an aggravated charge. Venson was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison and will not be eligible for parole until he has served half the time, along with a $10,000 fine on each charge. According to the DA’s office, during the spring and summer of 2023, Venson and his fiancé visited the victim and her family at their home in Queen City.
During the first occasion, the victim younger than 14, woke up to Venson touching her leg and moving his hand to her private area the document stated, the DA’s office said. He then proceeded to touch her private area over her underwear. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON, Texas (KETK) — Henderson ISD board of trustees named Brian Bowman as the new superintendent, expected to begin in February. Bowman will bring over 20 years of educational leadership experience to HISD, much of it being in East Texas according to our news partner KETK.
Bowman currently serves as superintendent of Diboll ISD where he “managed a $20 million budget, secured major grants to enhance infrastructure and programming and implemented initiatives that improved student outcomes.” He has also spent time in the classroom as an administrator in a number of school districts including Gilmer High School where he served as principal. While he was principal, he lead the campus to achieve many academic distinctions and strengthen ties with the community.
Earlier in his career, Bowman was Director of Community and Media Relations at Longview ISD. While in this position, he managed public relations during a $267 million district bond project and expanded parent engagement initiatives. Read the rest of this entry »
HAWKINS — According to our news partner the Hawkins City Council held a special council meeting on Tuesday, where members voted 4-1 to retain the police department, despite the recent resignation of their police chief on Jan. 14. During the meeting, a public forum was held to allow residents to express their opinions on the decision. Emotions ran high as community members voiced their concerns. One resident stated, “Let’s get rid of them and start fresh,” while another added, “I just want security. I want to know my business is secure.” A third expressed fear, saying, “I’m scared to have these officers around if they’re not protecting us — the ones we have aren’t doing their job.”
Mayor Debbie Rushing explained that, under the current leadership, she could no longer guarantee the safety of the community, citing concerns that officers were not following the law.
The room was divided, with some advocating for the disbandment, while others voiced concerns about what the city would look like without a local police force and called for improvements within the department rather than its dissolution. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA– Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 45-year-old man has been arrested after attacking a police officer on Friday night. Officers from the Texarkana Police Department were dispatched to a house in the 1600 block of West 11th Street after receiving a call about a man allegedly pulling a gun on another person. When officers arrived, they found a man who matched the suspects’ description, later identified as Jeffrey Troxel, standing outside.
“When asked about the disturbance, the man claimed he didn’t know anything about it,” officers said. Troxel then refused a pat down, and instead put his hand in his jacket to “pull something out.” The officer grabbed the suspect’s arm to prevent him from pulling out a potential firearm. Texarkana Police Department said Troxel went on to punch the officer in the face and lunged at him.
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Two firefighters have been released from the hospital following a rollover on Tuesday morning, according to our new partner KETK.
At around 11:14 a.m., Smith County ESD2 received a request for assistance on a structure fire in Cherokee County. While on their way to the fire, Engine 146 from Smith County ESD2 from Troup was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident off FM 13. Once the firefighters regained consciousness, they called in the accident and began to free themselves from the vehicle. EMS arrived on the scene and both firefighters were transported to a local hospital. Medical personnel determined that the injuries sustained by the firefighters were non-life threatening, and a few hours later, they were discharged from the hospital.
Officials were on the scene to help clear the area and retrieve equipment, DPS and local law enforcement also offered additional assistance. The cause of the accident is under investigation by Texas DPS with full cooperation from Smith County ESD2, officials said.
PALESTINE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a search is underway for a suspect in a Sunday evening robbery at knife-point in Palestine. According to the Palestine Police Department, a man entered the Kwik Stop Convenience Store at 704 W. Palestine Ave. at around 10:40 p.m. with a knife and threatened the clerk, demanding money from the register.
“After the clerk complied, the offender attempted to force the female clerk to leave the store with him,” Palestine PD said. “She refused and the male fled on foot, southbound on North Howard Street, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.”
Officials said the suspect is a black male wearing a mask, black pants, and shoes with white soles. He was also wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red, white, and black Viking head logo on the front, which was identified as the logo for Fleming Middle School in Houston. The suspect had a gray and brown backpack featuring a red tag with a white print at both the right shoulder, and on the lower right portion of the rear of the bag.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Palestine PD at 903-329-2254 or Anderson County Crimestoppers at 903-729-8477.
TYLER– Our news partner, KETK, reports that the potential ban of TikTok is set to fade nearly 170 million users to black in the United States. Content creator and Tyler local, Bridgette Hartt, says that the app not only transformed the quality of her life, but also her families.
“You feel silly, in a sense of crying over an app, but it’s so much more than that,” Hartt said. Hartt began her TikTok account by sharing funny videos with her family, but through the years, she has gravitated toward body positivity. “I started sharing clothing and just how to dress your body if you’re midsize. That’s kind of how I grew my community. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Angelina County Commissioner’s Court has approved a contract to extend the Angelina County Airport’s longest runway to 6,000 feet.
The updated plan was unanimously approved by the court.
The $7,800 contract with KSA Engineers will use money from the COVID Cares Fund to extend Runway 725 by 600 feet from 5,400 feet to 6,000 feet. At the Angelina County Commissioner’s Court meeting on Wednesday, Angelina County Airport manager, Gary Letney explained they had originally planned to extend the runway by 1,600 feet but they now want to update that plan to do the extension in sections. This shorter, 600-foot extension is still long enough to allow the airport to start accommodating larger airplanes like military planes.
“Planes that we do get in now, they can’t take full loads of people or fuel. So, on some very hot summer days, some of the jets do have to find an alternate airport and this would prevent that from happening…even just the 600 feet would do that for us.” said Gary Letney.
TYLER – Family and friends of Harley Morris were in downtown Tyler on Saturday to hand out new missing flyers ahead of Wednesday which marks one year since his disappearance. According to our news partner KETK, Morris was last seen in north Tyler at 3 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2024. He was heading north after leaving the 50 Grand Club in the 2100 block of North Grand Avenue. Morris was wearing a black jacket with grey sleeves, black pants and a black Prime 102 baseball style hat when he was last seen.
Taylor Attaway, Harley’s brother, spoke with KETK on Saturday about their family’s hope that someone will come forward to claim the $10,000 reward for info on his brother’s disappearance. Read the rest of this entry »
Winter weather closings and delays – As more winter weather hits East Texas, several local school districts have announced that they will be closing on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK has the complete up to date list here.
EAST TEXAS – As more winter weather hits East Texas, several local school districts have announced that they will be closing on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK has the complete up to date list here.
TYLER – As East Texas prepares for more cold weather, several East Texas locations are opening their doors as warming centers and shelters. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of locations opening to the public. This list will be updated whenever any additional warming centers open. You can view the list here.
To let us know about any other warming centers and shelters, please email Newsroom@KETK.com.
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Mall was recently listed for sale on a real estate website for an unlisted price. The massive 586,450 square foot shopping mall is located at 3500 McCann Rd in Longview and according to the website, it brings in around $5.74 million in net operating income.
The mall was built in 1978 and received $12.5 million in capital investments from 2019 to 2023. More than 70 retail, dining and entertainment businesses currently occupy 98% of the mall’s space, according to the mall’s online listing. In February, 2024, the National Weather Service declared the Longview Mall as “StormReady,” meaning it’s a safe place to go during severe whether events.
To learn more, visit the Longview Mall’s listing on Crexi or contact Edge Capital Markets.
MARSHALL — An East Texas woman has been arrested after threatening a coworker with a gun on Friday, according to our news partner KETK. Officers were dispatched to a business in the 5900 block of E. End Boulevard South at around 11 a.m. after receiving a report of a person armed with a weapon. When officers arrived, they learned that a bystander was able to disarm the woman, identified as 34-year-old Krystle Johnson. However, Johnson was able to retrieve the firearm and pointed it at bystanders. She allegedly attempted to flee the area but was apprehended by MPD officers. The police department said no one was injured during the incident and officers ensured the safety of all employees and customers at the scene.
She was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawfully carrying a weapon and deadly conduct. Johnson is now being held at the Harrison County Jail on a $54,000 bond.
“MPD commends the quick response of our officers and the courageous actions of the bystander, which contributed to the safe resolution of this dangerous situation,” a spokesperson for the Marshall Police Department said. “We remind the public to report any suspicious or dangerous activity to law enforcement immediately.”
POLK COUNTY – The Polk County District Attorney’s Office said that Don Steven McDougal has pleaded guilty to the Feb. 2024 kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham. According to our news partner KETK, McDougal’s plea agreement means he will spend the rest of his life in prison and will never be eligible for parole. The district attorney’s office had originally asked for the death penalty back in August but they explained that McDougal has a documented history of intellectual and developmental disabilities that legally limit him from being executed.
“After intense and diligent review of the law and medical records, the determination was made that Don Steven McDougal was not eligible for a death penalty sentence under the existing law. This resolution ensures that Don Steven McDougal is being punished to the fullest extent available under the existing law and spares the family the emotional toll of a prolonged trial and appeal process.”
Shelly Bush Sitton, Polk County District Attorney
Audrii was the subject of a Feb. 15, 2024 Amber Alert after she never showed up to school at Creekside Elementary. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Trinity River Authority then found Audrii’s body in the Trinity River on Feb. 20 near the Polk and San Jacinto county line under State Highway 59 south. Her body was found rope tied to a large rock after the Trinity River Authority lowered the output on the reservoir which lowered the river level, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Friday evening shooting that injured a teenager. According to our news partner KETK, officials were dispatched to the 900 block of Blackwell Avenue at around 5:30 p.m. According to Tyler Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the 15-year-old victim was shot in the leg and was treated by EMS.
“It was determined that the suspect is a black male who is reportedly driving a white Kia Sorento with Texas Licenses plate number VNN7221, said Erbaugh.” “He and anyone in that vehicle should be considered armed and dangerous. This is not a random shooting.”
If anyone has any information, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000. This case is still under investigation.
TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin applying brine to major State roadways such as Interstate 20, US Highway 271, and State Highway 110 according to our news partner KETK. Although the process should have minimal impact on traffic, drivers should still allow a safe driving distance between their vehicles and convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Crews have readied their equipment and materials to treat other roadways as warranted. Coordination efforts have also begun with local municipalities and law enforcement.
Additionally, TxDOT works closely with the National Weather Service to best prepare for a potential winter weather storm.
TxDOT personnel will monitor the forecast and weather conditions, responding as needed to ensure roadways remain open and safe for travel. To get information on statewide conditions, call 800-452-9292 or visit their website. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER– Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this Monday, Jan. 20 and people all across East Texas are getting together to celebrate the holiday. Events being held in honor of the great American civil rights leader will start on Friday and are being held throughout this weekend heading into Monday.To help East Texans find the event closest to them, our news partner, KETK, has put together the following list of MLK Jr. Day events and celebrations. You can find the updated list of events by clicking here.
LUFKIN— Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 22-year-old from Lufkin is creating a sobriety group for young adults, and it has already reached over 100,000 people on social media. Natalee Bates is kicking off her initiative Young, Wild & Sober next month. She created a Facebook page less than a week ago and nearly 150 thousand people have already visited her page.
Bates said she started drinking heavily as a teenager, and quickly realized she needed help. However, when she joined local support groups, she noticed there was no one her age attending the meetings. She decided to create her own group for young adults who struggle with alcohol or other challenges, such as substance abuse or eating disorders.
“It’s uncomfortable sometimes to go in a room and everybody be 20 to 30 to 40 years older than you and to feel alone because they’re not going through the same things you’re going through in that point in time,” Bates explained. “So I wanted to create this group so that we have just a support group within the community.”
Young, Wild & Sober’s first meeting is Feb.10, and anyone between the ages of 16 and 28 is welcome. Bates will host meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Those interested in attending her meetings or helping in any way can go to her Facebook page by clicking here. Bates asks that those wanting to attend let her know, and she will decide the location once there is a head count.
MOUNT PLEASANT– Our news partner, KETK, reports that Former Mount Pleasant City Manager Ed Thatcher was indicted by a Titus County Grand Jury on Wednesday after he allegedly made a false entry in a government record.
Thatcher served as the Mount Pleasant’s city manager from 2019 until he resigned last May. An indictment alleges that on May 7, 2022, Thatcher made a false travel request form that said former city council member Tim Dale had driven 870 miles around the county for council purposes and was requesting reimbursement.
A Mount Pleasant city employee released this statement:
“On Jan. 15, 2025, the City of Mount Pleasant was made aware that former City Manager, Ed Thatcher, was indicted by a Titus County grand jury for making a false entry in a governmental record. The indictment stems from an investigation by the Texas Rangers into travel reimbursements issued to city council members. Mr. Thatcher served as city manager from 2019 until his resignation in May 2024. During the investigation of this matter, the City fully cooperated with the Texas Rangers. As this is an ongoing legal matter, the City cannot further comment at this time. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Titus County District Attorney’s Office.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER– Our news partner, KETK, reports that Texans On Mission has boots on the ground in fire ravaged southern California. In times of crisis, the nonprofit tries to be there when people need their help the most. Right now, their focus is on the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of California. Four volunteers returned from California on Wednesday, and 10 to 12 volunteers left Wednesday morning to bring laundry and shower trailers. Rand Jenkins, Texans on Mission chief strategic officer, has been out west for days getting a first hand look at the damage on the frontlines.
“The first emotion is just that heaviness that even once we got here, we saw and could experience, it’s not out yet and so people are still kind of wondering what is next,” Jenkins said. “What we did the past few days is being with churches and beginning to build their capacity for wrapping their arms around their community from a distribution standpoint, from a management standpoint.” Read the rest of this entry »