Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
LONGVIEW– According to our news partner, KETK, on Wednesday, CHRISTUS Health broke ground on a new $36 million Cancer Center in Longview. Construction begins soon and should be finished by the fall of 2026. There’s one goal in mind for the state-of-the-art, 35-thousand-square-foot facility.
“We are going to reduce the incidence of cancer in northeast Texas and we’re going to improve mortality rates,” CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic physician vice president of operations John DiPasquale said. In 2024, across the United States, an estimated two million new cancer cases were reported. Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand of them here in Texas. The American Cancer Society reports that a new clinic of this type will provide access to treatment at home, reducing the financial burden of traveling to larger cities for care. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that Tyler Fire Department responded to a popular barbecue restaurant on Sunday night after it caught on fire. at around 10:30 p.m., Tyler firefighters were dispatched to the scene on 1410 SSW Loop 323 at Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q. When units arrived to the scene, they found the restaurant in flames. The firefighters were on scene for approximately 40 minutes extinguishing the fire, however Tyler officials said no one was injured.
The possible cause of the fire, officials said, was discarded ash and amber from cooking meat had accidently fallen over and caught a wall on fire.
Tyler Fire said that Rudy’s is already working to reopen.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said an arrest has been made after multiple shots were fired at a Longview Amtrak station on Wednesday Afternoon. Longview Public Information Officer La’Darian Brown said that a man walked into the Amtrak station and fired multiple shots. It is unclear to Brown what caused the suspect to open fire. Longview PD has not identified the suspect at this time.
Brown confirmed that nobody inside the building was harmed. The suspect fled however officers were able to detain him, and he has since been arrested.
HAWKINS — Hawkins Police Chief Paul Holland has resigned, according to a member of the Hawkins Police Department and our news partner KETK.
This marks the third chief to resign at the police department in recent years. A member of the police department told KETK News over the phone that Holland stepped on Tuesday. Holland was appointed to the position back in June of 2024. Back in March 2024, the Hawkins City Council accepted the resignation of Chief of Police Guy McKee. In 2022, Manfred Gilow also resigned as chief of police. KETK spoke to Gilow back in 2022, who cited budget issues and a shortage of police staff as reasons that led to his resignation.
“The fact that we are understaffed in this police department. I have two openings in the last seven months. We cannot fill them. Nobody wants to do this job anymore and sure enough, not for 15-16 dollars an hour. Target has 25-dollar minimum wage,” Gilow said back in 2022. “Therefore, I think right now, it’s a time to make a decision.”
UPSHUR COUNTY — An East Texas man has plead guilty to murdering his wife with an axe. The Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said a Gilmer citizen called 911 to report a man attempting to get into their vehicle on Feb. 26, 2024 at around 1:43 a.m. Police were on the scene within two minutes of the call and located the suspect. The suspect “was soaking wet on the front of his clothes and dry on the back.”
When officers questioned who he was, he reportedly lied before telling them his real name, Craig Allen Smith, and admitted to lying. He told officers he did not want to reveal his identity because “his wife was dead and he did not want to get caught up in it.” According to our news partner KETK, Smith reportedly told police his wife had been dead for a few hours and that she was at a home on Walnut Street in Gilmer. He was booked into the Upshur County Jail for an outstanding warrant. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview Police arrested a 25-year-old Longview ISD employee on Tuesday for sexual assault of a child. The police department said officers were dispatched to a residence on Saturday at around 3:49 p.m. in reference to a sexual assault. According to our news partner KETK, officials said during the course of the investigation, officers learned that a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by D’Marjai Dearion, of Longview.
On Tuesday, Longview detectives obtained a warrant and Darion was arrested the same day for sexual assault of a child. He is being held on a $150,000 bond at the Gregg County Jail.
Longview ISD said Dearion was employed as a physical education teacher and coach since August 2023. He served at Judson Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year and at East Texas Montessori Prep Academy and Forest Park Middle School during the 2024–2025 school year. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS— Seven are behind bars after an Athens property was found with methamphetamine packaged for distribution.
On Sunday at around 7:35 p.m., officials executed a narcotics search warrant on East Tyler Street in Athens. During the search, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said “a quantity of methamphetamine was located inside the residence that was packaged for distribution along with several baggies, scales and syringes.” These individuals were found at the property and taken into custody. According to reports from our news partner, KETK, they have since been transported to the Henderson County Detention Center and booked for the following charges: Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD — A Bullard man is behind bars this week after being charged with multiple crimes against children. According to our news partner KETK and the Bullard Police Department, Dylan James Black, 19, was arrested for sexual assault of a child on Monday. A report for sexual assault of a child, where Black was allegedly listed as the suspect, led to the first charge. The case was filed with the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office.
Additional warrants were issued on Tuesday including harboring a runaway child, enticing a child and a false report to a peace officer. The affidavits and arrest warrants were presented to Smith County Court at Law Judge Jason Ellis and these charges have been filed with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.
“The charges to Black range from misdemeanors to 2nd degree felonies with bond amounts totaling $175,000,” officials stated.
Black was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Jail.
HARRISON COUNTY— Residents near the H.W. Pirkey Power Plant in Hallsville can expect to hear a loud explosion on Wednesday morning, according to our news partner KETK. However, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office has advised residents this is a planned and controlled explosion. Officials say this is not open for the public to view. Residents are urged to avoid the area.
“This is part of a scheduled maintenance procedure and is being done with the utmost safety precautions in place,” county officials said. “There will be minimal disruption, but please be aware of some noise in the area.”
PANOLA COUNTY— Two people have been hospitalized following crash between a truck and train on Tuesday morning in Panola County.
According to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and reports from KETK, a call came in from a passenger in a trash truck who said he and the driver were involved in a collision with a train on the County Road 129 and County Road 127 crossing in Gary.
Once authorities arrived at the scene, both occupants were taken to a local emergency room and the driver was airlifted for a higher level of care. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol and BNSF Railroad Police.
TYLER— The New Summerfield Police Department responded to a high-speed chase on Tuesday morning in Cherokee County that left a Pennsylvania man injured. According to our news partner KETK, the high speed chase occurred at around 7 a.m. on Highway 79 west of Highway 110 in the direction of Jacksonville. Chief Fred Butler attempted to initiate a traffic stop after noticing an SUV going well over the speed limit. The driver has been identified as a man from Pittsburgh, Pa.. police said.
The driver fled from Butler at a dangerous speed before he crashed his vehicle in route to Jacksonville. The suspect was taken to a local hospital for their injuries and once released, the suspect will be booked into the Cherokee County Jail.
ATHENS — Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) and Abilene Christian University (ACU) announced a partnership to provide TVCC students with a pathway to continue their education at ACU.
TVCC students can now transfer completed coursework to ACU without losing credit, creating a simple transfer process for achieving educational goals as both undergraduate and graduate students.
“This partnership highlights the vital role community colleges play in higher education and demonstrates the power of collaboration between distinguished institutions,” TVCC President, Dr. Jason Morrison said. “TVCC is thrilled to partner with ACU to create more opportunities for our students to succeed. This agreement underscores our shared commitment to helping students achieve their goals and prepare for the future.”
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, TVCC currently has partnerships with 14 different universities to help students including the University of Texas at Tyler, the University of North Texas(UNT), Lamar University, Columbia College, and Texas Tech University.
TVCC commented, saying the ACU partnership reflects their mission to foster educational excellence and provide students with the resources needed to succeed.
MABANK– A family of nine was displaced on Saturday after a fire burned their home near the Cedar Creek Country Club in Mabank.
Ashley and Brooks Zabojnik along with their seven children have lived in their Mabank home since 2021, but in just one afternoon their house was reduced to rubble. “Lost a lot of sentimental things that can’t be replaced,” Brooks said. “But I know we were the most important thing and nobody was hurt or injured, but lost everything.”
Payne Springs Fire Rescue said they were called out to assist the Mabank Fire Department with a fire burning multiple structures and vehicles on Saturday afternoon. When firefighters arrived on scene they found the home, a carport, a detached garage and two vehicles on fire. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER— Two students at Tyler ISD were recognized as winners in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, organized by Optimum and co-sponsored by the Univision Foundation. The contest spans 21 states and honors students who demonstrate creativity and the connections with Hispanic culture. The recognition highlights the importance of celebrating cultural identity and the power of storytelling.
Catie Espiricueta, a junior at Tyler ISD’s Early College High School, was awarded the Grand Prize in the high school category for the West region. As part of her win, Espiricueta received $3,000 that she plans to use to pursue her educational goals at the University of Chicago, where she will major in sociology or political science. In her essay, Espiricueta reflected on a simple yet deeply significant dish, which has been passed down through generations. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Customers of Optimum Cable Television lost local and national channels over the weekend in an ongoing rate dispute. Several cities in Texas have local television stations that are owned by Nexstar Media Group, which owns the most television stations in the U.S. They are among 63 Nexstar stations that are no longer accessible on Optimum. That includes local Nexstar stations serving Waco, Tyler/Longview, Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, Bryan/College Station, and the suburbs of Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Additionally, Optimum has dropped the Newsnation channel. Bryan/College Station is among the Optimum markets that also lost Nexstar’s antenna television channel.
TYLER – Two men planning the kidnapping, rape and murder of a Texas woman have been arrested according to our news partner KETK.
In the fall of 2022, the woman said she broke up with Dustin Adlai Yates, and blocked him on her phone and email. However, Yates would allegedly keep trying to contact her by using different phone numbers. By 2023, the woman filed a case of family violence with the Houston Police Department and a detective called Yates in October of that same year to warn him not to contact his ex-girlfriend again. A year later, the woman contacted the Smith County Sheriff’s Office after Yates started emailing her again on Oct. 31, 2024. She said she didn’t read all nine threads of emails he sent but he did mention one of her addresses.
Then on Dec. 1, 2024 at 12:30 a.m., Yates allegedly started messaging her with a 903 area code phone number and told her that “her expiration date was soon,” “she had a predictable schedule and daily driving routes.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A search is underway for three suspects who allegedly stole jewelry from Zales at the Village at Cumberland Park on Monday. Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said the theft happened at 1:25 p.m. when two Black men dressed in black came into the Zales and smashed two cases of jewelry with hammers. While they were inside, a Black woman reportedly stood watch outside. Officer Erbaugh said the two men were in-and-out in less than a minute. Investigators believe the suspects must have left in a vehicle after heading further into the shopping center to the East. Anyone with information on the three suspects can contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.
TYLER — Elkhart High School senior Jayden Chapman was recognized on Friday for reaching 1,000 points during his varsity basketball career.
Texas State Rep. Cody Harris recognized Chapman presenting him with a certification of recognition acknowledging his extraordinary achievement and stellar career to this point. Harris spoke highly of Chapman and praised his strong work ethic and dedication:
“I was proud to honor Jayden with a certification of recognition from the Texas House of Representatives for this outstanding achievement,” Harris said. “His dedication and hard work are inspiring. Keep making East Texas proud, Jayden!”
Chapman is a senior at Elkhart High School. He is a two-sport athlete, as he was a wide receiver for the Elkhart High School football team this past fall. During his junior year, Chapman was also a member of the All-District first team for football.
Chapman and the Elkhart team will continue their season as it nears the end of the regular season. Elkhart has a 7-14 record and six games left before its season concludes on Feb. 11
NACOGDOCHES – Six firefighters from the Nacogdoches Fire Department are heading to California to assist with the deadly wildfires ravaging the state according to our news partner KETK. The team was deployed through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to help combat the wildfires burning near Los Angeles in southern California.
On Saturday morning, Battalion Chief Sean Black, Captains Shawn Dillon and Dusty Arreguin and firefighters Kalin Cobb, Garrett Lowery and Wesley Pietruszka began their journey westward. The Nacogdoches Fire Department is asking the community to join them in sending well wishes for the safety of their team as they face the fires.
SMITH COUNTY – A third person has been charged in connection to a multi-state Lego theft ring that allegedly stole more than $400,000 worth of products including from several stores in East Texas.
According to our news partner KETK, Semetric Danielle Baker of Burnet, TX, was arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. Her arrest comes after two other people were arrested in 2024 for alleged thefts from several Walmart and Target stores in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas, including stores in Longview, Tyler, Kilgore and Gun Barrel City.
The two other people accused are Brian Fleming who was arrested on Dec. 6 and Shane Joel Gentry who was arrested on Nov. 21. Gentry would reportedly sell items on eBay and Amazon and, according to an arrest affidavit, he showed Amazon an invoice for the items from Fleming. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, United States Attorney, Damien M. Diggs, announced that he will be resigning as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Texas in January. Diggs, 49 of Frisco, will be departing from his officer position where he led an office of nearly 100 employees, including 50 prosecutors, across six fully staffed offices in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler. The district covers 43 counties from the Gulf of Mexico to Oklahoma.
Diggs was nominated by President Joe Biden on Feb. 2, 2023 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 4, 2023. He took the oath of office on May 7, 2023 from Chief U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. During his time in leadership, he focused on public safety, fighting fraud, waste and abuse, civil rights and community outreach. Under Diggs’ leadership, the office achieved noteworthy successes in criminal matters like gun and gang violence, firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, public corruption, healthcare fraud, white collar crime, cybercrime, national security issues, child exploitation and human trafficking. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — An East Texas representative has filed an ethics complaint against Abraham George, Chairman of the Texas Republican Party, accusing him of using coercive political tactics including threats and intimidation to silence dissent within his own party.
State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine), one of the few Republicans to publicly oppose the party’s endorsed Republican caucus nominee for House Speaker, Rep. David Cook., is in the crosshairs of party leadership. Harris, alongside fellow East Texas Representatives Cole Hefner and Jay Dean, have instead thrown their support behind Rep. David Burrows (R-Lubbock), whom they argue represents a stronger conservative alternative to Cook.
KETK News spoke with Harris who asserted that East Texans have little tolerance for bullying. “Growing up here in East Texas, there’s only one way to deal with a bully and that’s to punch him in the nose, so that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m not going to sit back and let him stifle the voices of the people of East Texas.” said Harris. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW– The Longview Police Department is asking for the public’s help as they search for a missing 21-year-old woman. Officials said Nyah Newton was last seen on Tanglewood Road. She is described as being around 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 90 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
According to our news partner KETK, officials said Newton was last seen wearing a brown shirt and checkered black and white pajama pants. Anyone with information about Newton’s whereabouts is asked to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police Chief Joe Williams was “relieved” from his duties on Thursday afternoon. The City of Jacksonville said the action was made by City Manager James Hubbard after Williams held the position for nearly five years.
“A pattern of poor judgement, disengagement and disrespect culminated in my decision,” Hubbard said. “I wish Mr. Williams well and look forward to naming a new chief that will provide the service and professionalism deserved by the department, organization, and community.”
According to our news partner, KETK, Assistant Chief of Police Steven Markasky has been named as Acting Chief of Police, that will ensure a smooth transition.Plans regarding the process to install a new police chief will be released soon, the city said.
MINEOLA — A victim’s family continues to speak out, after the justice system has seemingly done nothing, following allegations of a pastor committing child sex crimes and subsequent arrest.
Timothy Nall, a former pastor at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola, was arrested for indecency with a child by sexual contact in 2023 after having worked at the church for three years. The allegations stem after a woman saw Nall touch another church member’s daughter inappropriately, an affidavit said, and it was later determined, that he had placed his hand right above the child’s pubic area. The woman, concerned about her own children, asked them if they had been inappropriately touched by the pastor. One of her children said they had while at church, an affidavit stated. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Our news partner KETK reports that an East Texas man with outstanding warrants was arrested on Tuesday after speeding away from Kilgore police with his pregnant fiancé and baby in the backseat. Kilgore officers conducted a traffic stop on Dakota J. Anderson, 20 of Kilgore, near the downtown Methodist church for an alleged minor traffic violation. While officers spoke with Anderson, he noticed how nervous he was and learned that Anderson had several outstanding warrants.
Officials said while backup was on its way, Anderson sped away. Officers chased Anderson through downtown until he pulled onto a dead-end roadway, bailed out of his car and ran. A sergeant then intercepted him and Anderson was taken into custody.
Anderson was arrested for evading arrest with a vehicle, resisting arrest and abandonment/endangerment of a child and two previous warrants. He is being held at the Gregg County Jail on a $46,000 bond.
TYLER — As freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation moves in, Tyler is hoping to keep the roads safe as possible for East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Street Department has been preparing roadways for several days with a saltwater brine solution that will stay dormant on the street until the wintry mix is finished.
When the freezing moisture hits the roads it creates a chemical reaction with the brine and lowers the freezing point of the moisture, allowing it to run off the roadway,” the Texas Department of Transportation Public information officer, Jeff Williford explains. “But when there are extended periods of lower than freezing temperatures, that’s when it does get more challenging.”
Preparations will continue overnight as street department crews will monitor the streets as weather worsens and temperatures fall. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — With many counties under a Winter Storm Watch or Warning, East Texas school districts have decided to cancel classes. Our news partner KETK has compiled an updated list of schools that will be closing this week due to the winter weather. Please click here to view the winter weather closure list.
SMITH COUNTY— A Tyler woman was arrested Wednesday morning arrested after allegedly shooting at deputies and setting a trailer on fire while she was in it.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said at around 3:15 a.m., deputies responded to a call at on Horseshoe Ln due to a disturbance. The caller told officials a woman was causing damage to his property. Once deputies arrived to the scene, they could hear a woman, later identified as Rachel Marie Shell, 35 of Tyler, inside the trailer as well as crashing noises.
Deputies were told Shell had access to a rifle and a .22 caliber firearm inside the trailer. While attempting to contact her, she reportedly began firing a weapon at deputies. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a Plano man for his suspected involvement in a fatal shooting Monday. 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. According to our news partner, KETK, Police have identified the suspect as 29-year-old Jorian Jackson. A warrant for murder with a $1 million bond has been issued for Jackson, and the police department said this was not a random act and Jackson should be considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities say the block Ford F-150 with Texas handicap plate 9PFMW he was believed to be driving was found, but he was not in the vehicle. Anyone who knows his location is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or for emergency call 911.