Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK reports that a mountain lion collided with a Longview police patrol vehicle around 3 a.m. on Tuesday in the 3800 block of Loop 281.
According to the Longview Police Department, an officer was patrolling when his vehicle hit the mountain lion.
“Due to the extent of its injuries, the animal was put down at the scene,” the police department said. “A Texas Parks & Wildlife biologist and game warden were contacted.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife said mountain lions are also called cougars and in Texas are found “throughout the Trans-Pecos, as well as the brushlands of south Texas and portions of the Hill Country.”
Although the animal was hit in the city, TPWD said they are generally found in remote mountains or hilly areas that have cover. Mountain lions are usually active in the mornings and nights. The police department said the game warden took the animals carcass.
HENDERSON – A High School teacher is behind bars accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student, the district said. According to Henderson ISD officials and our news partner, KETK, authorities informed them on Tuesday that one of their teachers, whose identity is not being released at this time, had been arrested after a police investigation.The police department’s investigation came from a report that claimed the high school teacher was having an inappropriate relationship with a student, whose age and identity was not released.
District officials said the teacher was placed on paid administrative leave and they are cooperating with law enforcement. HISD said they remain “committed to the safety and security” of their students.
NACOGDOCHES — One person is in custody and another still on the run following a Monday afternoon armed robbery in Nacogdoches according to our news partner KETK.
According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, on Monday at around 2:33 p.m. officials responded to a 911 call from a gas station employee in the 3200 block of North St. The employee said the store was robbed by an armed man who had taken an unknown amount of money and merchandise before leaving the scene. Authorities conducted a search for a second person driving a blue car connected to the robbery. Police later located the car and the occupant, Isaiah Hartsfield, 22 of Nacogdoches, in the 200 block of E. Lakewood St. and developed a probable cause linking them to the crime.
Hartsfield has since been arrested for aggravated robbery and is being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A 35-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were arrested after authorities found hundreds of pills containing fentanyl on Tuesday in a Longview home. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department, the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and Longview SWAT conducted a search on a home in the 900 block of Doyle Street.
The police department said around 440 counterfeit Percocet fentanyl pills, two stolen handguns and a rifle were found during the search. Desmond Simmons, 35 of Longview, and Baylin Harris, 20 of Ore City, were arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY — An East Texas man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after police found black tar heroin in a tin can buried in his backyard.
According to the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney, on Monday William Avery Griffin pled guilty to possessing more than 20 grams of black tar heroin with intent to sell prior to a jury being seated. In March, a search warrant was conducted by the Gilmer Police Department at Griffin’s home at 813 Frazier Street. Police reportedly found “cocaine, marijuana, pills, digital scales, bags for packaging drugs, a loaded 9 mm handgun and a large amount of cash.”
Authorities also found black tar heroin buried in a tin can in Griffin’s backyard. Police went undercover and successfully purchased heroin from him on at least two occasions. Due a lengthy arrest record, Griffin was charged as a habitual offender.In 1996, he was sent to prison for 10 years for felony theft in Upshur County. In 2000, he was sentenced for 20 years for possession of heroin with intent to deliver.And in 2008, he was sentenced back in prison for 15 years.
Griffin was on federal probation but will now be transferred back into their custody where he will serve the remainder of the sentence before beginning to serve the 50-year sentence.
POLK COUNTY– Four shrink-wrapped bags of marijuana were seized on Wednesday during a Highway 59 traffic stop and the driver was arrested, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that detectives conducted a traffic stop near Goodrich on a vehicle that was allegedly in violation of the Texas Transportation Code. A probable cause was developed and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of four bags of weed in a Nespresso box weighing approximately three pounds, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said a detective also found “a significant amount of U.S. currency believed to be illicit proceeds from narcotics sales.” The driver, identified as Oscar Salinas, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of marijuana. PCSO said Salinas is being held on a $10,000 bond.
“This case highlights the department’s commitment to combating illegal drug trafficking and ensuring the safety of our community,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. “Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.”
NACOGDOCHES– The City of Nacogdoches said that a water line break on West Main Street is affecting traffic Friday morning.
According to our news partner, KETK, the line break, which is redirecting westbound traffic, is on West Main Street between Cooper Street and Flora Street. Crews are currently at the scene working to repair the broken line.
Drivers are asked to follow the road signs for a small detour around the area.
HEMPHILL — A Texas father has been arrested after he confessed to killing his son and “cremating” him. According to our news partner KETK, a Sabine County deputy was contacted by Michael C. Howard who said he had “accidentally” shot his son, Mark Randall Howard, who he had mistaken for an intruder on his property the night before. The sheriff’s office said Mark had down syndrome. Michael allegedly told officials he had taken his son’s body in the “front-loading bucket of a backhoe tractor and carried it to a remote area on his property and placed the body on a wood/trash pile which had been previously set up and then ‘cremated’ his son.”
According to the State Bar of Texas, Michael is a lawyer and had a private law practice out of Houston.
When authorities arrived to the Howard’s property at 2505 Mount Sinai Road near Fairmount, Michael told deputies the murder was a “horrible accident.” He also showed deputies the shotgun that he claimed to have used.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Authorities are seeking the public’s help with identifying suspects in a Wednesday morning armed robbery near the Van Zandt and Smith County line. According to our news partner KETK, the robbery occurred at the Skill Zone Game Room at 4573 State Highway 64 in Ben Wheeler at around 6 a.m. Two men robbed the game room at gunpoint, violently assaulted the manager before they fled toward Tyler.
Prior to the robbery a woman was seen briefly entering the game room multiple times before leaving. Another woman was also briefly seen entering the establishment and then leaving. In security camera footage both women could be seen leaving in a 2018 Kia Forte compact sedan moments before the two masked men entered the game room.
Officials said the woman pictured is a person of interest in connection to the robbery and anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-567-4133.
TEXARKANA – Our KETK news partner reports that a Texarkana driver is behind bars for leaving the scene of a pedestrian crash where two people sustained serious injuries, authorities said. According to the Texarkana Police Department, a man and a woman were trying to cross at the 4800 block of Stateline Avenue on Wednesday night when they stepped into the path of a southbound vehicle.
The police department said both pedestrians were hit and seriously injured. The driver of the vehicle reportedly fled the scene and parked behind an Arkansas business nearby.
The driver, identified as 34-year-old Kyle Clark, returned to the crash scene after some time and was then arrested, officials said. Texarkana PD said Clark is now facing charges that include leaving the scene of a crash. He is being held at the Miller County Jail with a pending warrant in Texas. “We don’t yet have any information on the couple’s names or conditions,” the police department said. “Our thoughts are with them as we continue to investigate the incident.”
TYLER – Holiday shopping is happening simultaneously with deer hunting season and it’s no surprise firearms are a popular Christmas present.
Safety and security should be the highest priorities when choosing the perfect firearm for a loved one. Although many people enjoy giving surprise gifts, a Tyler firearms instructor said the element of surprise should not be an option with guns.
“Spend some time with them and let them figure out what gun fits. That to me is the biggest thing, for them to feel comfortable. If they don’t feel comfortable with that, they won’t shoot and they won’t practice with it,” Chris Fiegel, firearms trainer and range manager at Vault Arms in Tyler, said.On top of feeling comfortable with a gun, Fiegel said new gun owners need to know the basics when it comes to gun safety. Read the rest of this entry »
CUSHING – 
Authorities worked to restore power and clear roads Wednesday night after a car crashed into an electric pole at the intersection of FM 225 and CR 854 in Cushing. According to our news partner, KETK, and the Lilbert-Looneyville Volunteer Fire Department, shortly before 7 p.m. first responders were called to a one-vehicle crash involving an electric pole. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, officials said.
Due to low hanging power lines, FM 255 was shut down for some time. Customers with Oncor and Cherokee County ECA were affected while officials worked to place a new pole, Lilbert-Looneyville VFD said. Fire fighters were relieved at around 1 a.m. when TxDOT arrived and the fire department said Oncor officials estimated power would be restored and roads reopened at around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday.
POLK COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, five Polk County inmates and a woman have been charged in connection to the exploitation and assault of a disabled inmate.
On Nov. 11 the jail captain alerted county narcotic detectives of an alleged exploitation and physical assault of a disabled inmate by a group of inmates. Following an investigation, officials issued 14 felony warrants for six individuals after it was concluded they conspired to manipulate and financially exploit the disabled inmate.
“The inmates forced the victim to release personal property, including his debit card linked to his Supplemental Security Income and disability funds, to an outside accomplice—one of the inmates’ girlfriends—who was not incarcerated,” the sheriff’s office said. “This woman then drained the account, using the funds to make unauthorized purchases for herself and to place money into the commissary accounts of several inmates within the jail.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW– The Longview Police Department reports one person is dead after a multi-vehicle crash that happened on West Loop 281 at around 11:50 Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a Longview PD crash investigation revealed that a silver SUV failed to yield the right of way while coming out of a private driveway, and was hit by another vehicle. That crash allegedly caused the SUV to head into oncoming traffic where it was then hit by a dump truck.
Officials said the driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene and one other person was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
PALESTINE — Safe Haven held a blessing ceremony for the first baby box in East Texas on Tuesday, providing an anonymous way for parents in crisis to surrender their children to first responders.
However the road to get the baby box at Fire Station 1 in Palestine took nearly a year according to our news partner KETK. Sue Tingle, an East Texas grandmother, said her now 2-year-old granddaughter was surrendered in a baby box in Indiana hours after her birth with her umbilical cord still attached. Tingle raised thousands of dollars in the past year to have the baby box installed, and on Tuesday, it became fully functional.
“Without Myah, there would be no Safe Haven box,” Tingle said. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Marshall Police Department officials said since the beginning of the year they have received more than 40 reports of hit-and-runs, with one of two last week leading to an arrest.
According to our news partner KETK, the “troubling statistic” isn’t just illegal but a serious issue of safety and responsibility. 48 weeks have passed since January meaning there has been about one hit-and-run case every week in the City of Marshall. Marshall PD said a recent hit-and-run investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year-old Marshall woman who was charged with accident involving damage greater than or equal to $200. Authorities said leaving the scene of class B misdemeanor could lead to six months in jail or a fine of up to $2,000.
“Texas law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop, exchange information, and assist anyone who may be injured,” Marshall PD said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – An 18-year-old and a 22-year-old from Oklahoma are behind bars in the Anderson County Jail after being found in a stolen car and leading Palestine police on a chase Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
According to our news partner, KETK, the Palestine Police Department was told that two people were at a Starbucks in a stolen vehicle, around 1 p.m. an officer was called. The officer reportedly saw a silver Hyundai occupied by two men in the Starbucks parking lot and confirmed that the car had been stolen out of Oklahoma. The officer then stopped the car and tried to detain Jimmie Payne, 18 of Palestine, officials said.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Arrest documents shed new details on a man accused of sexually assaulting an employee in Irving and arrested in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Patrick Hoversten, of Sonoma, Ca., was arrested in November after the Irving Police Department issued a warrant for his arrest following an alleged assault in the 4000 block of West Airport Freeway in Dallas County.
According to arrest documents, on Nov. 10 at around 2 p.m., Hoversten allegedly pulled out a knife and threatened to hurt the victim if she did not comply with his sexual demands. During the assault, Hoversten would take the victim into different parts of the Irving store, after officials believe he saw surveillance cameras.
“During the assault, the defendant grabbed the victim forcefully by the neck and throat to move her and threatened to kill her or stab her eyes,” the arrest affidavit said. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE– UPDATE: Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Jacksonville Police Department has arrested a man in connection to the Nov. 27, 2024 hit-and-run death of Tayedrian Baker.
Londedric Jayquell Taylor Sr., 30 of Jacksonville, was arrested for accident involving serious bodily injury or death and has been booked into the Cherokee County Jail.
“Our hearts go out to Mr. Baker’s family during this difficult time. The case remains under investigation, and no further details will be released at this time,” the Jacksonville Police Department said.
ORIGINAL STORY: Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 25-year-old East Texas cyclist died after being hit by a vehicle Friday night, now authorities are seeking help to identify the driver involved. Read the rest of this entry »
(TEXAS TRIBUNE) – A retired Texas judge who signed death row inmate Robert Roberson’s execution warrant earlier this year has recused herself from his case according to our news partner KETK. The court filing was signed on Monday by senior state District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans in Anderson County. No specific reason was given for her decision.
“I have not yet been served with this order and do not know anything about what prompted Judge Evans to sign this order soon before Thanksgiving,” Gretchen Sween, Roberson’s attorney, told The Texas Tribune.
Roberson was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his chronically ill 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. At his trial, prosecutors accused Roberson of shaking Nikki so violently that she died. But Roberson, who was diagnosed with autism after his conviction, has maintained his innocence. Read the rest of this entry »
SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, more than 3,500 gallons of grease trap waste was illegally dumped into a creek bed and the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department said it was successfully collected but authorities will be after those responsible.
The SC fire department officials confirmed that thousands of gallons were dumped into a creek bed off Richardson Street and that the creek flows through the City of Joaquin. Much of the waste was collected and that crews will continue to work in the area to reclaim any additional material.
“This costly cleanup operation is being funded by the state, and the case has been turned over to state authorities for further investigation,” the Joaquin VFD said. “If you have seen anything suspicious in the area over the last few days, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to provide a tip.” Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man has been sentenced after being found guilty for the murder of a missing person, whose body was found in 2022 in a hand-dug grave. More than two years after a missing person’s body was found, Steven Clowdus will now begin his prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of murder, tampering or fabricating physical evidence and intent to impair a human corpse. Our news partner, KETK, reports that on May 26, 2022, authorities were notified of a missing person’s body and truck that were found at a residence off Highway 85 just outside of Seven Points. When officials arrived to the scene they located a truck that was “cut into several pieces” and uncovered a hand-dug grave containing the missing person’s body. Shortly after, officials identified the missing person as Jimmy Dean Oldfield who went missing earlier that month on May 15.
Read the rest of this entry »
MURCHISON — A third grade student at Murchison ISD has died while visiting family members for the Thanksgiving holiday, school officials said.
According to our news partner, KETK, the third grader died early Tuesday morning and at this time, district officials will not be releasing the student’s name out of respect for the family. Parents of current students will be notified through Remind and the school’s counselor, alongside additional staff will be available to offer support. “Our desire now is to provide support for the family, students and staff who are grieving by showing grace and the space to process this tragedy,” school officials said. “More information will be communicated to parents as necessary through the district messaging system. If you have any questions or need additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”
A candlelight vigil will be held at the school playground on Friday where attendees are asked to wear red in honor of the student’s favorite color.
HENDERSON COUNTY— According to our news partner, KETK, a Bullard man was arrested on Monday after allegedly confessing to selling drugs while his 2-year-old stepson was in the vehicle.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that at around 8:10 p.m. narcotics investigators conducted a traffic stop inside the Sunrise Shores Subdivision. The gold Chevrolet SUV was driven by Brandon Torgerson, 30 of Bullard, who was accompanied by a two-year-old child. The vehicle was searched, and officials discovered marijuana, methamphetamine in two different bags packaged for sale and a digital scale.
“During the traffic stop Brandon informed investigators he had driven from Smith County with his two-year-old step-son in the vehicle to deliver the narcotics inside of Henderson County,” the sheriff’s office said.
Torgerson was taken to the Henderson County Detention Center and booked for manufacture/ delivery of a controlled substance and abandoning or endangering a child.
TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who serves much of northeast Texas, introduced the DETERRENCE Act, a bill that could protect Americans from violence by foreign powers. As foreign adversaries like Iran grow brazen, Moran said the U.S. must send a clear message, that “any attempt to harm Americans will be met with swift and decisive punishment.”
“Recent assassination attempts and threats against President Trump and other U.S. citizens by Iran underscore the urgent need for strong and practical deterrence against all foreign regimes who seek to harm Americans on our soil,” Moran said.
The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an alleged Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month. In those documents, Farhad Shakeri allegedly told FBI agents he was tasked to assassinate Trump by Iranian officials in September, and is now charged with murder-for hire. Read the rest of this entry »
MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant council members reversed their decision made last week, to cut year-end bonuses in half for city employees according to our news partner KETK. In a special meeting on Monday night, council members apologized and admitted that they did not fully understand the full impact their vote would have.
Monday’s vote will restore the $10 per month of service year-end bonus, reversing the decision they approved just last week, that would have cut this bonus in half. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a $120 bonus at the end of the year, if that was cut in half they’d only make $60. Before the vote was held, members of the council admitted what they had done was wrong.
“We appreciate them, glad they changed it,” said Jace Collins with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.
Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE- According to our news partner, KETK, the Palestine Police Department has arrested a man after a shooting in the parking lot of a Dollar General left one man injured on Friday.
Palestine police officers responded to reports of a shooting near the Dollar General at 601 North Elm Street at around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Officers said a witness reported that a suspect was seen firing a gun at a white truck leaving the store’s parking lot. The witness told officers that the truck and the suspect then left the scene. According to a press release by the Palestine Police department, while officers were first responding to the scene they reportedly saw the suspect, who they identified as Ernest Lott, walking away from the store with a gun in his waistband and detained him. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an overdose investigation led to the arrest of 31-year-old man and the seizure of firearms and drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine in Texarkana.
According to the Texarkana Police Department, an investigation began in September due to a drug-related death that led them to a house in the 2400 block of Laurel Street in Arkansas where narcotics were being sold.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department reached out to the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted them in serving a search warrant. Officials said in the home on Laurel Street, 60.1 grams of methamphetamine and 138 grams of marijuana were found.
Read the rest of this entry »
POLK COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that felony warrants have been issued for two people in connection to the attempted delivery of synthetic marijuana to a Polk County Jail inmate.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said synthetic marijuana, K2, or Spice, is intended to mimic THC and are abused for their psychoactive properties.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into the weed trafficking scheme began on Nov. 7 and it was discovered that the substance was smuggled through the United States Postal Service. The recipient as identified as 29-year-old inmate, Kenneth Lamar Lynch, and the sheriff’s office said the jail division and narcotics detectives were able to intercept the package before it reached him. Lynch was originally arrested on Aug. 16 for non-drug related charges. Officials said the operation involved tracking the envelope’s shipment, and it was discovered that Lynch conspired with Michelle Rae Johnston and others. Johnston’s active felony warrants include prohibited substance in a correctional facility, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Darius Jubarn’e Davis was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Nov. 15 after he was arrested in connection to a Tyler shooting that injured a 3-year-old in March.
Darius Jubarn’e Davis, 31 of Tyler, pleaded guilty to unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams, according to our news partner KETK. Initially, Davis was also charged and indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but that charge was dropped. Judicial records show that he was sentenced to 45 years in state prison for the firearm charge and 20 years for the controlled substance charge.
Davis was arrested in March after a 3-year-old was hit in the buttocks by a bullet and had to be taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The 45-year sentence and the 20-year sentence both started on Nov. 15. Davis was given a 248-day jail credit, according to Smith County Jail records.