Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
ARP — Our news partner KETK is reporting that an East Texas man was arrested after allegedly kidnapping a woman and her 4-month-old baby on Dec. 21. Officers with the Arp Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Jackson Street at around 2:56 a.m. due to a disturbance. Once authorities arrived, a woman was being evaluated by EMS for cuts, abrasions and bite marks to her face, neck, wrist and ankle.
The woman told officers that her ex-boyfriend, Ramon Martinez Jr., had been “drinking and hanging out” at the residence when he suddenly started to scream at her before hitting her in the head with a beer can and striking her with his closed fist. He also allegedly hit her with a metal shower rod on the foot, and officers reported seeing blood spattered throughout the residence.
The victim said Martinez took her baby and put her in the car seat, claiming he would kill the baby if she did not get in the vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Our news partner KETK, and their Chief Meteorologist Cason Vickroy, have posted the following concerning winter weather in the East Texas area. “We had our coldest morning across the area this season, with temperatures in the low to middle 20s. This will be the case for Tuesday & Wednesday morning as well.”
“We won’t see any rain or any other type of precipitation for Tuesday & Wednesday. Thursday, that expectation changes. We could see a mixture of precipitation starting as early as Thursday morning and continuing on a on & off basis throughout the Day and through Thursday night. I expect all precipitation to come to an end Friday morning. While we won’t show accumulation totals until tomorrow’s update, for some East Texas snow accumulations are likely. Along in north of I-20 will have the best chance at seeing accumulating snow while areas in Deep East Texas will probably get by with a rain-snow mix or a cold rain without much in the way of accumulations. Athens, Tyler, Longview, Jefferson, Marshall, Palestine, Jacksonville, Henderson, & Carthage and other cities in the pink will be in the “wintery battle zone. ” Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN — According to our news partner KETK, Angelina College has reportedly agreed to a $315,000 settlement with a former employee in a race discrimination lawsuit. Dr. Monica Peters-Clark, a Black woman and a longtime staff member who helped establish the college’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, claims she was unfairly passed over for the position of executive director in favor of an unqualified white candidate. Her legal representatives at Hightower, Franklin and James, PLLC, in Nacogdoches argue that the hiring decision was discriminatory.
Peters-Clark began her career at Angelina College in 2005 as the Learning Outcomes Coordinator and the Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator. By 2007, she was made the college’s Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness.
However, in 2017 she was laid off during a round of “administrative restructuring.” According to her lawsuit, after her position was eliminated, the college created a new position based on her old role. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Through April 30, 2025, the Longview Municipal Court will provide a warrant amnesty program to those with outstanding warrants. The amnesty program will cause all warrant fees to be removed when someone voluntarily contacts the court, pays at least half the total amount due, and begins a payment plan for the remaining balance.
“An additional 20% will be removed from the fine amount for those who pay their balance in full,” the City of Longview said. “The discount only applies to the fine amount and does not include court costs.” Read the rest of this entry »
CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department said that an 18-year-old was arrested on New Year’s Day after he allegedly crashed into two utility poles in an SUV that was reported stolen.
Crockett PD said some of their night patrol officers reported hearing a loud crash on E Clark Avenue at around 5:50 a.m. and then they reportedly saw a white SUV driving away from that area and hitting a trash can. According to Crockett PD, the officers started pursuing the SUV after the driver refused to pull over for a traffic stop. The SUV eventually lost control and reportedly crashed into a utility pole on E Bonham Avenue.
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, the driver then allegedly got out of the SUV and fled from the officers for about a block until officers were able to arrest him. Jonathan Zuckero, 18 of Crockett, was identified by Crockett PD as the driver of the SUV. During his arrest officers allegedly found Xanax not prescribed to Zuckero and a handgun inside the SUV. Later, Crockett PD said they learned that the SUV was reported as stolen from a local business earlier that night. Crockett PD said the initial loud noise heard on E Clark Avenue was also from the SUV hitting a utility pole.
Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, six people were injured on Saturday night in two crashes that happened on Highway 69 South. Huntington VFD said that Fuller Springs Volunteer Fire Department was was called out to a crash scene in the 6000 block of Highway 69 South at around 5 p.m. on Saturday. Huntington VFD had just finished training at a house they burned down and so they responded to the scene as well. Four riders who were on three motorcycles were injured in the crash and were taken to the hospital to be treated after Allegiance Mobile Health arrived on scene, according to Huntington VFD.
Officials had blocked off the southbound lanes of Highway 69 when another crash involving three vehicles happened just before where they had blocked off the road. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Organizers are already hard at work for this year’s 92nd annual Texas Rose Festival Parade according to our news partner KETK. On Friday, they unveiled this year’s theme and introduced the world to the newest Rose Queen, Avery Armstrong of Tyler. This year’s princess of the Rose Festival is Mary Dial of Tyler. This year is a special for Mary as her sister was last year’s Rose Festival princess.
At their annual Winter Gala at the Willow Brook County Club, the Texas Rose Festival Association said that “A Tapestry of Tales” is the theme for this year’s festivities. At the black tie optional gala on Friday, they also revealed this year’s queen’s court which includes the princess, ladies-in-waiting and attendants.
KETK is the official home of the Texas Rose Festival Parade so be sure to follow us for everything you need to know leading up to this year’s festivities in October.
TYLER – As East Texas prepares for the first cold weather of 2025 coming in on Monday, several East Texas locations are opening their doors as warming centers and shelters.
Our news partner KETK has compiled the following list of locations opening to the public – please visit this link for a regularly updated list of warming shelters.
TYLER- Attorney General Ken Paxton’s visit to the Rose City will be part of a state-wide tour on January 6th and 7th.
His tour is in conjunction with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George, which will include stops in key districts across the state. Paxton said in a press release that the tour aims to draw attention to representatives he believes have “fallen short of upholding conservative principles in the past and are reportedly working for a speaker not elected by a Republican majority.” Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD– The Bullard Independent School District is in mourning after a high school student died in a motor vehicle crash on Wednesday.
Madison Nelson, a 9th grader, passed away in the crash, according to a statement released by the district. She represented the 2024 freshman class as a homecoming duchess in this past fall semester.
Dr. Jack Lee, Bullard ISD Superintendent released a statement, saying, “I am deeply saddened to inform you that Madison Nelson, a 9th-grade student at Bullard High School, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in a motor vehicle accident. Madi was a shining star who consistently excelled in the classroom. She was regularly looked up to by other students and represented the Freshman Class as one of our homecoming duchesses earlier this fall semester. Please keep Madi’s family, friends, and teachers in your thoughts and prayers.”
Read the rest of this entry »
PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue firefighters saved a dog that was found lifeless at a fire in the Cherokee Shores area last night.
According to Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR), they were alerted to the fire at around 7:53 p.m. on Thursday. when firefighters arrived at the scene they found a double wide mobile home with a heavy fire spreading into the home from the porch.
PSFR Engine 1 was reportedly able to make a quick knock down before they did a primary search of the home. PSFR said one dog was found lifeless under a bed. The dog was removed and they started to treat it with oxygen. According to a report from KETK, the dog was able to recover after a couple of minutes on oxygen. The home sustained significant damage during the fire and the American Red Cross has been called to help the resisdents.
PSFR said that Gun Barrel City Fire Department, Eustace Fire Department, Payne Springs Police Department, Eustace Police Department, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and UT Health EMS all responded to the scene.
TYLER — As East Texas prepares for winter weather, TxDOT crews are getting ahead by pre-treating roadways in Tyler and Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, TxDOT will be completing a pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice to ensure East Texans feel safer when driving through winter weather.
KETK’s meteorologists are advising East Texans to be prepared for a strong cold front to move into the area late Sunday, bringing showers and thunderstorms some of which may be strong, particularly in Deep East Texas. By Monday morning, temperatures will be in the 20s while next week highs will struggle to get above the 40s with lows in 20s, meaning a hard freeze likely. There is also some potential for some wintery mix. Read the rest of this entry »
EUSTACE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas officer has been arrested on charges of child pornography. MediaLab Inc., which owns the platform Kik, alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about three videos depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct that had been uploaded to their platform by an account on June 13th, along with the account’s IP address and email associated email address.
The affidavit stated that on Nov. 14, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office subpoenaed Optimum for information about the IP address, revealing it belonged to the Eustace Police Department. A search warrant was obtained for MediaLab that same day. On December 25, investigators examined the items collected during the search, and found several screenshots of videos showing infant and young child pornography. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – As the struggle to nominate a new speaker for the Texas House of Representatives continues, one East Texas State Representative has come under scrutiny.
The Republican Party of Harrison County passed a resolution on Dec. 20 that lays out how the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has made it a “Legislative Priority” to have “No Democrat Chairs” in the 89th Legislative Session (2024-2025). The resolution continues by saying that they could censure their elected representative for violating that priority.
“The Harrison County Republican Party may censure their elected representative should he deliberately violate the RPT priorities and the will of the voters, by voting to elect a Speaker of the House who appoints Democrats to chair committees in the Texas House,” according to the Dec. 20 Harrison County Republican Party resolution.
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on Dec. 31 that could bring many upgrades including a new location for the Smith County Animal & Control center.
The commissioners court approved CIP on Dec. 31 that supports the community and the county’s mission. The CIP is a strategic management tool first created in 2011 that is evaluated and updated in its five-year plan each year.
“This plan, like the prior ones, is intended to establish guidelines and procedures for planning purposes as well as to identify projects, outline costs associated with the projects and formalize the process of adopting and planning for the short-term and long-term capital needs of Smith County,” County Judge Neal Franklin said. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Kevin Bridger was sworn in as the newly elected sheriff of Van Zandt County on New Year’s Day.
At the Van Zandt County Courthouse Wednesday morning, Sheriff Bridger was sworn in continuing on a tradition of dedicated service to the citizens of Van Zandt County.
“I am proud to represent the law enforcement professionals of Van Zandt County and to be your sheriff,” Bridger said. “Van Zandt County is my home, and I pledge to protect that which we all hold dearest, our homes, businesses and families.”
Bridger has served the citizens of Van Zandt County throughout his 20 years in law enforcement and is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Read the rest of this entry »
ETOILE – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that a homemade bomb was found during a traffic stop near the former Etoile Independent School District campus on Monday night.
According to our news partner, deputies conducted a traffic stop near County Road 560 and FM 226 at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday because of an alleged motor vehicle violation. When the deputies approached the vehicle they allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana and saw multiple firearms in plain view, a sheriff’s office press release said. The deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety state troopers searched the vehicle and reportedly found the following items: Two rifles, one of which was reported stolen, two handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, suspected MDMA and a homemade explosive device.
Deputies found the explosive device under the driver’s seat and took it to a nearby home that they advised the residents to leave as a precaution, the press release revealed. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The passing of former President Jimmy Carter has stirred up some memories for the TJC Apache Belles according to our news partner KETK.
In the spring of 1980, they marched in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C. and were invited to tour the White House. Alumnae of the drill team remember standing in the Rose Garden and Carter appeared with a big smile on his face, ready to greet them.
“It was so exciting. Who gets a chance to meet a president? It’s not very often and once in a lifetime experience,” Dyann Kemp, 32nd line of the Apache Belles, said.
The sixty Apache Belles didn’t think that they were going to have the opportunity to meet Carter.
“He came out and he was larger than life, you know, is everything that you would ever read about him. He was all smiles and happy and joking with us and just being very genuine and personable with us,” Janis Johns, 33rd line of the Apache Belles, said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As 2025 approaches, our news partner KETK has compiled a list of festivities in East Texas to ring in the new year. Please see below for New Years Eve activities in our area.
Tyler
True Vine Brewing Company: From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., True Vine will have live music all night, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast food truck from Juicy J Wings.
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse: The NYE party starting at 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. will have a $10 cover fee and live performance with Rick Dudley.
Javis: Join them at 8 p.m. for great food, drinks, mariachi band and a fireworks show over the pond.
Tyler Bingo: Say goodbye to 2024 with some bingo. The doors open at 5 p.m. with only one session. There will be a $700 game payouts and a $1,000 grand payout for one lucky winner. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE — Our news partner KETK is reporting that former Jacksonville ISD Police Chief Marvin Acker died unexpectedly on Sunday morning. According to his obituary, Acker began his career with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer in 1981 and continued his law enforcement career at the Jacksonville Police Department for 20 years.
Acker then went on to serve Jacksonville ISD in 2002 as a resource officer and from 2006-2016 he served as the chief of police for the school district. At the time of his death he was working with the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Control & Shelter announced on Friday they have ran out of space in their shelter and have since waved fees for adoption. According to our news partner KETK, most of the dogs have been spayed/neutered and are vaccinated. All the dogs are reportedly friendly and do great with other dogs.
“We want nothing more than for them to find a home for the New Year. The following dogs are all at risk for euthanasia unless we can create the space needed for new intakes,” Smith County Animal Control said.
The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson St in Tyler and their hours are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. To see a full list of dogs in the shelter, people can visit the Smith County Animal Control & Shelter’s Facebook.
TRINITY COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man has been charged with animal cruelty after deputies reportedly found several dogs severely malnourished at his property.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to 204 Elephant Walk St. for multiple dogs at large. When deputies arrived, they reportedly found two dogs in the roadway in front of the house and observed several dogs on chains that were severely malnourished. Another dog could be seen in a small kennel without any shelter, officials said.
“Call history showed that the owner who later identified as, Christopher James Rode, was warned previously about having the animals improperly on chains, how to provide proper shelter and care for the dogs,” the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — Our news partner KETK is reporting that four people have been arrested in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on Monday in Palestine. Officers were dispatched to the Scorpion Smoke Shop at 4222 W. Oak at around 9 p.m. in reference to a robbery. A man and woman entered the store and the man reportedly displayed a handgun demanding money from the employee. Officials said the woman then sprayed mace/pepper spray into the business as they fled in a red Nissan SUV.
Following an investigation, authorities identified the man as Charles Blake DeFore, of Elkhart,and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 400 block of Highway 287. Officials then located the red SUV located outside of the residence.
Officers made contact with Tammy DeFore, who confirmed that Charles was inside. Tammy refused to exit the residence and did not say anything else to officials. Officials also confirmed that a second person of interest in the robbery, Abril Espinosa, was inside the residence. Read the rest of this entry »
CENTER – Center police arrested a man and woman on Tuesday in connection to the death of the woman’s boyfriend, 36-year-old Cordero Wyatt, after police found his body in a field. According to our news partner KETK, the Center Police Department received a call regarding a welfare check on Wyatt. The caller stated that her son had been at his girlfriend’s home in Center and was no longer answering his phone or had returned back home. Officers then contacted the girlfriend, 40-year-old Alicia Petite.
“Petite informed officers that Wyatt had been at her residence earlier and friends had picked him up, but he was no longer at her house. Officers responded to Petites’ residence, and she allowed them to look in the home for Wyatt,” Center PD said.
According to officials, some of Wyatt’s belongings were located in the home including his cell phone. Responding officers contacted the Criminal Investigation Division, and detectives began investigating a possible missing person. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a home on Van Zandt County Road 1203 near Wentworth was burned in a Christmas morning fire, according to officials. Grand Saline Fire Department public information officer Caden Mosher said that several 911 calls came into the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department at around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday.
Mosher said that Canton Fire Department was automatically sent out to the scene and that Grand Saline Fire Department was called in at around 9:20 a.m. for mutual aid.
According to Mosher, no one was at home or injured during the fire. Mosher added that the Van Zandt County Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the fire’s cause.
PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department is seeking information in a robbery that occurred at a smoke shop last night. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine PD officers responded to an aggravated robbery around 9 p.m. that occurred at the Scorpion Smoke Shop in Palestine. A light complected female suspect allegedly stood watch at the door and then Palestine PD said they sprayed pepper spray or mace into the business as they fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The male who reportedly presented a handgun and demanded the money appeared to have a tattoo on his left wrist, officials said.
The suspects reportedly fled in a maroon Nissan Armanda or Pathfinder, believed to be older than a 2016 model, according to Palestine PD. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As Christmas day approaches our news partner KETK has compiled a list of local restaurants, stores and entertainment open on Christmas 2024. Please visit the KETK website for the regularly updated list.
UPDATE: The City of Troup said on Tuesday that Optimum restored full internet service to Troup. City officials apologized to any residents who’ve gotten duplicate trash service rescheduling calls that were set out because of the loss in connection. Troup said their trash service will be on Thursday for this week and next week.
TROUP – The City of Troup said many of their residents are currently without VOIP phone service, internet and cellphone service after Optimum’s fiber optic line was cut on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a third party contractor cut the Optimum fiber optic cable that supplies internet service to the town and two of the major cell phone companies that cover Troup.
Troup city manager Gene Cottle said that Optimum is working to repair the cut cable and to return cell service to the area. City of Troup employee’s are currently monitoring their water tower and the water wells which rely on cellular connections to communicate.
The city was only able to share this information because of a fallback cellular modem that uses three different cell phone service providers.
TYLER – In the midst of the usual uptick in recycling and waste during the holidays, their workload is only increasing, because everything’s now going to the landfill together. Every day, dozens of trucks sit in line at the Greenwood Farms Landfill in Tyler waiting to dump their trash. East Texas landfill and sanitation workers are still feeling the impact of a major recycling center catching fire in Kilgore six months ago and halting services for many local cities.
“About 300 trucks come through here every day and unload about a thousand tons per day,” said manager of municipal services at Greenwood Farms Landfill, Gene Keenon. Towards the end of the year, Keenon said that number doubles.
It’s not just the holiday rush they’re facing. Since River’s Recycling Center shut down in Kilgore, recyclables are also coming to the landfill. “It’s about 300 tons a week that we used to be diverting out of the landfill. It’s now coming back into the landfill,” Keenon explained. That’s an extra 300 tons per week his workers have to deal with. Read the rest of this entry »
MALAKOFF – According to our news partner KETK, a Monday morning house fire has left one person dead in Malakoff. Malakoff Police Department Chief Floyd Thomas said the deceased was identified as Gloria Aruizu and that the fire happened at 803 W. Mitcham St. in Malakoff. Tool Fire Rescue said they were called to the fully-involved structure fire at around 2 a.m. on Monday along with fire departments from Seven Points, Gun Barrel City, Trinidad and Malakoff.
The home was reportedly a total loss and now Tool Fire Rescue is asking the community for donations to help the residents affected. Read the rest of this entry »