Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Tyler Police Department said they arrested a 32-year-old Tyler man on Friday for possession or promotion of child pornography.
Thirty-two-year-old Ryan Mosely of Tyler, was arrested as the result of an investigation that Tyler PD said they started after they received information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Mosely has been booked in the the Smith County Jail where officials said he’s being held on a $750,000 bond. Tyler PD thanked the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said a driver was killed when their vehicle crashed in the 2000 block of Old Tyler Road on Friday afternoon.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that the driver had already been taken out of the commercial vehicle by other motorists when when the Nacogdoches Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene. Officials said their reports indicate the vehicle was heading south on Old Tyler Road when it used the turn lane to try passing other vehicles. That’s when the vehicle left the roadway, hitting trees and rolling over. Nacogdoches PD said that the driver was declared dead at the scene by the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace.
The vehicle was leaking diesel fuel, so the Texas Department of Transportation and a hazmat team responded to deal with the spill. Nacogdoches PD said they’re withholding the driver’s name while they work to notify their relatives.
LONGVIEW – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, an 18-year-old remains behind bars after leading police on a Tuesday pursuit and then crashing a stolen vehicle into a building, the Longview Police Department said.
Officers were called around 12:17 a.m. to a deadly conduct in the 1300 block of Lawndale Street. While responding to that call on the northwest Longview street, police saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen an hour earlier and initiated pursuit. “A short pursuit followed and then ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into a vacant building after striking a home as well,” said Longview PD. “There were no injuries at any of the involved locations.”
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Xavier Tennison of Longview, was booked into the Gregg County Jail. He was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and unlawful carrying of a weapon. He is being held on a total $87,000 bond.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.
MOUNT PLEASANT — According to our news partner KETK, the Mount Pleasant City Council voted to cut longevity pay in half on Tuesday night, a bonus many city employees receive during the holiday season. According to the city’s website, each full-time employee should have received ten dollars for every month employed. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a 120-dollar bonus at the end of the year however council members voted Tuesday night to cut it in half from 10 dollars to five.
“Full-time employees receive $120 per year longevity pay [that is] paid at the end of the year,” the City of Mount Pleasant’s website said. “Longevity pay begins after completion of one year of service to the City.”
The Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association and the Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant Local 5069 posted statements expressing their disappointment with the city council’s decision. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, a man is behind bars after causing crash that killed an 85-year-old woman on Tuesday in Palestine. The police department said at around 4:17 p.m. officials were dispatched to the intersection of N. Loop 256 and Palestine Avenue due to a two-vehicle crash. A Toyota Tacoma, driven by Mark Thomas, 65 of Palestine, allegedly collided into a Ford Fusion, driven by Laura Braisher, 54 of Palestine.
The Ford had two additional passengers, 85-year-old Dorothy Sims and a child. The driver and passengers of the Ford were taken to a local hospital where Sims later died, officials said. The child was taken to a Dallas hospital with serious injuries.
“Witness stated that the Ford was traveling north on the loop when the Toyota failed to yield the right of way and turned onto Palestine Ave. in front of the Ford, causing the collision,” The Palestine Police Department said. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing family from Marshall. According to our news partner KETK, Gerardo Roman, Alondra Rodriguez, Jazel Roman, and Gerardo Roman Jr. were last seen on Friday, November 15 leaving Trinity Episcopal School where Alondra is an employee.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.
HENDERSON COUNTY– A 66-year-old man is at the Henderson County Jail after authorities found him in possession of methamphetamine and supplies used in narcotic distribution during a Tuesday search. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, at around 6:30 p.m. investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at Singletree Trail just outside of Athens.
During the search, Ricky Clyde Hurt, 66 of Athens, was found in possession of “a large amount of suspected methamphetamine,” baggies and scales, the sheriff’s office said. Hurt was charged with manufacture of delivery of a controlled substance and is being held at the jail on a $150,000 bond.
OVERTON — A 2-year-old has been airlifted to an out-of-state hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. According to our news partner KETK, at around noon on Wednesday, officials were dispatched to the 109000 block of CR 29 near Overton at the Smith and Rusk County line of a reported accidental shooting of a 2-year-old. When officials arrived, the child had already been taken to the Overton Fire Department and later air-lifted to an out-of-state hospital.
The child reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the side of the chest, and was an in-and-out wound. Smith said the child is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. No arrests have been made.
HOPKINS COUNTY– Our news partner, KETK, reports that two people are behind bars and three others have warrants for their arrest in connection to recent East Texas vehicle burglaries.
According to Hopkins County Sheriff, Lewis Tatum, the department began working with other East Texas law enforcement agencies that were also affected by the vehicle burglaries but the investigation proved to be difficult due to large crime spree area. “We are proud to announce that at this time Hopkins County has issued warrants on five individuals for engaging in organized criminal activity,” the sheriff’s office said. “Their bond is set at $1 million for each suspect. Two of the suspects are in custody in another county near Houston.”
In recent months, more than twelve East Texas sheriff’s offices including Wood, Van Zandt, Henderson, Rains, Rusk, Nacogdoches counties reported on vehicle burglaries with some saying the suspects were considered armed and dangerous.In October, Hopkins County shared that some firearms that were taken from vehicles during the crime spree were prevented from being smuggled into Mexico.
Sheriff Tatum said the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office will continue to work to protect the citizens of Hopkins County and their property.
SMITH COUNTY— According to our news partner, KETK, multiple injuries have been reported following a multi-vehicle wreck north of Tyler.
According to the Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Community Outreach Coordinator, Nikki Simmons, officials were dispatched at around 4 p.m. to FM 14 near CR 326 after a four vehicle wreck. Simmons said there were six injured and of those, three were transported to a local hospital.
Roads have been reopened and at this time, the condition of those hospitalized is unknown.
DIANA – Our news partner, KETK, report that a New Diana ISD student has been taken for medical treatment after they were hit while crossing a highway intersection Tuesday morning.
According to the school district, the student, whose identity isn’t being released, was crossing Highway 259 where it intersects with Highway 154 near the school when a vehicle hit them. First responders arrived and quickly transported the student for a medical evaluation. The parents were notified and are with the student, said district officials.
“We are grateful for the swift response of first responders and are closely monitoring the situation,” New Diana ISD said. “Out of respect for the family and their privacy, we will not be sharing further details at this time.” The school district also said that their students safety is always their top priority and asked parents to talk to their children about the expectation that once they arrive on campus they must remain there.
UPDATE: Our news partner, KETK, reports that Winona ISD and Big Sandy ISD are releasing students immediately today due to a power outage.
Big Sandy ISD -buses will begin running their regular routes. School administration noted if it appears that no one is home for elementary school students, they will be brought back to campus until a parent is able to come get them. Students who don’t ride the bus are available for pickup immediately. Athletic events for Big Sandy will continue as planned and any changes will be communicated to students and parents as soon as possible.
WINONA – According to the district, the outage is city-wide, and parents are encouraged to pick up their children as soon as possible.
Buses will be available between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The district says they will continue to notify parents of any future developments and the status for Wednesday.
LINDALE — According to our news partner KETK, two East Texas lawmakers are requesting an investigation into Undine, an investor-owned water utility, after customers have reported irregular water billing.
State Rep. Cole Hefner and State Sen. Bryan Hughes are urging the Public Utility Commission of Texas to investigate the company after receiving numerous complaints from community members in the Lindale and Hideaway areas.
Customers of Undine have reportedly seen unexplained usage increases on their monthly bill with a 300% increase or in some cases, bills exceeding $1,000. The water company has allegedly sent threats that they would disconnect customers’ water service if they did not pay their bills, “creating a potentially dangerous situation for residents of these communities.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that one person is dead after a Monday morning house fire, the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office said.
According to Assistant Fire Marshal Brandon Davis, investigators are at the home on Shady Trail Drive in North Tyler where one fatality has been confirmed.
At this time the person’s identity has not been released.
TEXARKANA – The Texarkana Texas Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman. According to our news partner KETK, Diane Rogers left her home in Texarkana earlier today and has not been seen since. She was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and blue shoes. Rogers was driving a maroon Ford SportTrac with Texas license plate BM15112.
Rogers has been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder; everyone is very concerned for her safety.
The Texarkana Texas Police Department urges anyone with information regarding Diane Roger’s location to contact the department immediately at 903-798-3116.
TYLER – Four local school district superintendents met in Tyler on Thursday to address issues facing East Texas education like school funding and teacher shortages.
According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford led the panel which included Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt, Chapel Hill ISD Superintendent Lamond Dean and Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter. The panel discussed state funding, inflation, accountability standards, school vouchers and teacher shortages as a part of the Annual State of the District Address at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
“It’s hard to sift through all the noise portrayed by some media and quite a bit of social media,” said Crawford. “I believe today conveyed the good things going on in our East Texas Public schools and the challenges on the horizon. Regardless of what the demagogues portray, our East Texas public schools are pragmatic and operated in a morally and fiscally conservative fashion.”
Stan Surratt said he was proud of East Texas schools despite the lack of state funding. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department is searching for a missing 38-year-old man last seen in late October. According to a release, William Eric May was reported missing last Friday and officials are “very concerned for his safety and well-being.”
Detectives have been on the case all week and found video of him at a Arkansas-side Walmart at around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 28. He was also spotted riding a purple bicycle in the area of Texas Boulevard and Elizabeth Street after leaving Walmart. In the videos he was seen wearing a black polo, blue jeans and tan shoes. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the police department at 903-798-3116 or after hours at 903-798-3876.
“Your help is vital in bringing William home safely. Thank you for your support and for sharing this post. Together, we can make a difference,” the police department said.
TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, Tyler native and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Randy Grimes was in his home town on Friday to speak about recovery from addiction.
“I just want to get the message out. There’s so much stigma involved with addiction, it’s such an ugly word. Nobody wants to admit it but this happens to good people,” said Grimes. “I work with judges, pastors, I work with pilots and athletes, and this happens to good people, but you’ve got to put your hands up and ask for help.”
Before the NFL, Grimes played for Baylor University in Waco and the Robert E. Lee High School football team, before they changed the name to Tyler Legacy High School.
Grimes became addicted to painkillers after a series of injuries he got playing in the NFL. He shared that his path to recovery was long but now he and his wife Lydia are helping others on their path to an addiction-free life. Read the rest of this entry »
LEESBURG -Our news partners at KETK report that man has been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to drug and firearms charges on Thursday.
Nathan Paul Hart, 36 of Leesburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamines and possession of a firearm for a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas Damien M. Diggs.
According to Diggs, Hart was then sentenced to 170 months for the drug charge and 60 months on the firearms charge for a total of 230 months or 19.167 years. Federal court records showed that between August 2019 and August 2021, Hart was a part of a group who conspired to bring more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamines into East Texas. In November of 2020, Hart was stopped with another person in a car that was carrying around two kilograms of meth and a pistol. He also reportedly admitted to sending more than $22,000 to California to purchase drugs.
Hart will serve his two sentences one after the other and has also been ordered to forfeit $250,000, Diggs’ press release said. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Criminal Investigations were all involved in the case
UPDATE: The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said Mia James has been found safe.
ATHENS – Our News Partner, KETK, reports that the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an 11-year-old girl who “is believed to have been picked up by an unknown subject.”
According to the department, Mia James, is around 5’11” tall and weighs 98 pounds. She was last seen near her home on County Road 3925 north of Athens while wearing black shorts and a teal hoodie with with the word “Venom” on it.
Anyone with information about Mia’s location is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 903-675-5128.
AUSTIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Texas Supreme Court denied a petition from the Texas House of Representatives on Friday and ruled that a committee subpoena can’t block a scheduled execution like Robert Roberson’s was on Oct. 17.
The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence had asked the court for a writ of mandamus that would stop the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from executing East Texan Robert Roberson before he could testify in person or before the start of the 89th Texas Legislature on Jan. 14, 2025.
The court has denied that request and an opinion written for the court by Texas Supreme Court Justice Evan A. Young said the following:
Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas woman has become the target of social media users who blame her for Peanut the squirrel’s death. The mother of two is now sharing her side of the story in an attempt to clear her name.
Mark Longo, the man who rescued Peanut, posted that a raid had been conducted at his home by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation, who took Peanut and Fred the raccoon. The raid was conducted after the DEC received “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pet.”
Later, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed that Peanut and Fred had been euthanized after biting one of the investigators issuing a need to conduct a rabies test, that would later come back as negative.Longo took out his frustrations online and posted: “Well internet, you WON,” Longo posted. “You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.” Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA- Our news parner, KETK, reports that a Texarkana police officer was injured Thursday morning while working a I-30 crash when an intoxicated driver hit his patrol vehicle.
Officer Kevin Burk was working at the scene of a westbound I-30 rollover crash and parked his vehicle across the highway to divert traffic, the police department said. According to Texarkana PD, Burk was inside the unit flashing his lights when 30-year-old Matthew Patterson crashed into the side of the vehicle. Police said Patterson ignored all flashing lights and warning and was arrested for drinking while intoxicated. Burk was treated for minor injuries at a hospital and has since been released, the police department said.
“This serves as yet another reminder to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been drinking,” the Texarkana Police Department said. “Too many tragic things could happen in a heartbeat. It’s simply not worth the risk.”
The department said Patterson is sitting behind bars at the Bi-State Jail.
TYLER — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a former Tyler ISD employee was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to having improper relationships with students.
According to an affidavit, on April 15, three Tyler ISD students were discussing about J’Braylon Dewayne Fears, a paraprofessional at the campus, how he was “always surrounding himself around a bunch of little girls while on duty.”
“They were discussing how inappropriate it looked because of how close the girls were to him and how comfortable he looked while they were so close. The teachers were also discussing how students were skipping classes in [a teacher’s] classroom with Fears inside,” the affidavit said.
While the teachers were talking, a student approached them and told them of Fears, who she claimed was seeing a student at another Tyler ISD campus, was flirting with students at the middle school and asking inappropriate questions. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – A February undercover investigation led to five East Texans sentenced to prison for methamphetamine distribution. On Tuesday, the last person awaiting sentencing received a combined prison term of 40 years according to our news partner KETK.
A search warrant was executed at Bob O’ Link Road where 39-year-old Cameron Scott Spears, 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner, 41-year-old Amanda Lynn Gage, 33-year-old Hailey Renee Shaddix and 45-year-old Benjamin Heath Evans were arrested.
The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office identified Spears as the main target of the investigation and he pled guilty on Tuesday to two charges of delivery of a controlled substance and one charge of possession of a controlled substance. The DA’s office said authorities performed an undercover operation because Spears had been selling and distributing “large quantities” of meth for a “long” period of time and they needed to penetrate the operation. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — On Wednesday, a Louisiana man was sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering an East Texas deputy in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Gregory Newson was found guilty of shooting and killing William Chris Dickerson, a Panola County deputy during a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve in 2019. Newson was accused of fleeing the scene that led to a high-speed chase ending in a crash.
Prosecutors in the case were seeking the death penalty, asking the jury to look at the evidence when making their decision.
“Your verdict is not going to bring Chris Dickerson back,” Wes May, a state lawyer said. “It’s not going to fill the hole left in the shield that these men and women who testified in this case and who Chris himself represented, but it will be one step toward taking justice.”
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that hundreds of Van Zandt County residents are against a Finnish-owned lithium battery project set to come in December.
In the rural town of Whitton, their community center was packed on Tuesday with concerned residents as a forum was held. The company behind the project is called Taaleri Energia out of Finland. According to the company’s website, they are one of the largest dedicated renewables investment teams in Europe.
“It’s been overwhelming engagement, discouragement, and honestly just sadness and frustration that not enough people know what’s going on”,said Nancy White, a Van Zandt County resident said.
Although the Van Zandt County Commissioners held a meeting with head of construction for the project on Oct. 31, David Dunagan, who lives near the site, is concerned.
They show the fire suppression system is optional, and then they will not answer the question of will they include it or not and then their lawyer sends out fire chief for the county saying, “you can’t come inspect our facility… It makes us very nervous,” Dunagan said.
Neighbors also point to a pipeline, they say runs directly underneath where the energy storage facility would be. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, police continue to search for a Tyler 17-year-old who was last seen Nov. 1. The Tyler Police Department shared on Tuesday photos of what Lily Peppler was wearing on the day she went missing. Anyone with information on Peppler’s whereabouts is urged to contact the department at 903-531-1000.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is seeking the public’s help in finding a missing teen.
The police department said Lily Peppler, 17 from Tyler, was last seen on Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. leaving Legacy High School and walking in front of Mardel at Independence and S. Broadway. However, police said family have not heard from her since then, yet no evidence of foul play is suspected at this time.
BULLARD – Our news partner, KETK, reports that first responders worked to free an individual who fell into a Bullard wood chipper Monday morning, authorities said.
Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2, said they were dispatched around 8:37 a.m. to a traumatic injury at 49759 Hwy 69 in Bullard.
According to Simmons, firefighters were called to assist EMS after a person was reported to have fallen into a wood chipper. The person was freed from the heavy machinery before 9:30 a.m. and Simmons said they have been transported to the hospital.
At this time, the extent of the person’s injuries and their condition is unknown.
UPDATE: The two people found dead at a Tyler residence Sunday night have been identified as Rolanda Garcia-Vasquez, 38 of Tyler, and Fidel Meza-Marmolejo, 43 of Dallas, officials said.
The Tyler Police Department said Garcia-Vasquez lived at the residence.
ORIGINAL STORY: TYLER – A woman and a man were found dead at a Mockingbird Lane home on Sunday and the Tyler Police Department said they’re investigating it as a homicide-suicide. According to our news partner KETK, shortly after 7 p.m. officers were dispatched to a shooting at the 1400 block of Mockingbird Ln. When police arrived, they found a woman dead who looked like had been shot.
Officials said a man who appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound was also found dead.
The identities of the individuals are being withheld until family can be notified and it is an active investigation, Tyler PD said.