Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
Airdate: 10/26/24
Guests: Jeremy Flowers and Nicole Henry with the East Texas Crisis Center
LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the cause of a fire that burned a private hanger at the East Texas Regional Airport on Saturday night.
According to our news partner KETK, the fire was reported at around 8 p.m. on Saturday. The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene and found light smoke coming from a hanger and when they entered the hanger they found “heavy fire conditions.â€
The East Texas Regional Airport Fire Department, the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department, the Longview Fire Department and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Airport Fire unit were able to put out the fire by 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Russell said that the private hanger and it’s contents were burned in the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation as the Gregg County Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to conduct interviews.
TYLER – As we get closer to election day, the Texas Senate race is on and Senator Ted Cruz made several stops in East Texas along his campaign trail. According to our news partner KETK, Senator Cruz visited two local cities, stopping first in Nacogdoches at CC’s Smokehouse. 411 East Texans crowded into the restaurant on Friday to hear him speak. Cruz and his team then moved on to the city of Tyler in Smith County where he greeted local voters.
He spoke to the packed rooms about his list of accomplishments over the last 12 years in Washington and on making the economy stronger for everyone and keeping Texas like Texas. At both stops Cruz said this is a race unlike any other which makes East Texas vital for voter turnout.
“I worked hand in hand with Donald Trump to secure the boarder and we achieved incredible success, we produced the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years,†Cruz said. Read the rest of this entry »
TATUM – Improvised explosive devices, firearms and suspected drugs were found in an East Texas home recently leading to the arrest of a Tatum man on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK.
The sheriff’s office started investigating allegations, earlier this month, that improvised explosive devices were being made and stored at a Tatum property on County Road 2192. A search warrant was obtained and on Oct. 7, the sheriff’s office, Tatum Police Department and the Constable Precinct 2 Office searched the property. Officials said two improvised explosive devices were found during the search and the Tyler office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted to secure the devices. Several firearms, suspected marijuana and suspected methamphetamines were also reportedly found.
As a result of the search, arrest warrants were obtained for 65 year-old Ronald Martin for possession of prohibited weapons and controlled substances.
LUFKIN– Our KETK news partners report that drivers are asked to avoid a portion of College Drive in Lufkin due to a wreck involving two 18-wheelers.
No injuries were reported in the wreck, but traffic delays are expected. College Drive from Daniel McCall Drive to South First Street will be closed for several hours Friday as officials clean up the scene.
According to the city of Lufkin, a car hauler and a commercial truck holding sand were in a wreck around 5:10 a.m. on the southbound side of U.S. 59 and South First Street. Due to the car hauler blocking the road, inbound traffic on College Drive is blocked. While traffic at the intersection of College Drive and South First is moving, the city said southbound traffic is reduced to one lane.
As the day goes on and cleanup continues, some lanes may need to be closed at various times, especially southbound lanes. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.
LONGVIEW – Trial started on Monday for Gregory Newson who is accused of killing a Panola County Sheriff’s deputy William Chris Dickerson, and fleeing the scene, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Louisiana back in 2019. . According to our news partner KETK, it was moved out of Panola County, where the accused crime took place, after a judge determined that an impartial and fair trial could not happen there. The state is seeking the death penalty and Newson has pleaded not guilty.
In Gregg County court on Wednesday morning, several witnesses were called to the stand, including former Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake and deputy Dickerson’s partner at the time. Lake described his experience the night after one of his deputies was shot, becoming emotional. Testimonies from several first responders who arrived to the scene were heard as well.
Body camera footage and dash camera footage of the night, showed the deputy being shot and the accused driving away was shown in court as evidence.
BROWNSBORO – Brownsboro ISD has a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the ballot for the current election cycle, which could increase school funding if passed. According to our news partner KETK, the VATRE is distinctly not a bond and will adjust the school’s tax rate to make way for day-to-day operational costs without increasing taxpayer costs.
Brownsboro ISD is hoping that voters approve the VATRE, that will increase the district’s Maintenance and Operations tax rate by 3.17 cents and in return decrease the Interest Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tx) and his challenger Rep. Colin Allred (D-Tx) are making what could be their last East Texas campaign stops of the year on Friday. Our news partner KETK is reporting that Allred will be stopping in Crockett at around noon on Friday near an oil well in town. Later that night, he’ll be campaigning with Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Beyonce down in Houston.
Cruz will be stopping at CC’s Smokehouse in Nacogdoches at 3:30 p.m. and then he’ll be in Tyler’s 1836 Restaurant at 6:30 p.m.
To learn more, visit the Ted Cruz or Collin Allred websites online.
HOPKINS COUNTY – Our KETK news partner reports that more than 12 East Texas counties have been targets of vehicle burglaries in recent weeks where firearms were stolen. Now as burglaries return to the area, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said some firearms were recovered from being smuggled into Mexico.
According to the sheriff’s office, the group that stole items from unlocked vehicles in Hopkins and surrounding counties is sending more groups to burglarize again.
“They have hit our county once but we expect them to come back,†Hopkins County officials said.
Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, the UIL has voted to remove Westwood Panthers coach Richard Bishop from the regular season, post season games and will remain in probation for the 2025-2026 school year. However the UIL committee said Bishop can participate in football activities next year. This comes after allegations that Bishop allegedly carried out a plan to record their opponents signals, a plan that the DEC allegedly said was “intentional, serious and egregious.â€
TYLER – The City of Tyler approved a $4,429,876 Capital Improvement Project on Wednesday to address drainage and erosion. According to our news partner KETK, the project will focus on improving drainage on Keaton Avenue which they say “has been a focus for several years due to erosion and flooding residents have experienced.†The contract with Reynolds and Kay was approved on Wednesday.
“The project will focus on a drainage area that collects stormwater from approximately 248 acres near Pollard Park and extends towards Donnybrook Avenue and East Southeast Loop 323. Stormwater is precipitation that does not seep into the ground but runs off into our storm drain systems, where it eventually flows into our streams and lakes,†the City of Tyler said. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two Jacksonville men were arrested on Sunday for copper theft after leading authorities and dogs on a chase through the woods. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department were called to CR 3212 at a salt water plant about a theft. When deputies arrived, they reportedly noticed two people running into the woods.
Dogs were called out to help track the individuals. After a nine-mile track back toward Jacksonville, the pair were found on top of a deer stand trying to hide. The suspects were identified as 40-year-old Anthony Henderson and 33-year-old Brandon Alford, both of Jacksonville. Henderson and Alford were arrested and charged with theft of materials (copper) and evading arrest.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Henderson County authorities are asking the public for help in finding a woman wanted out of two East Texas counties. According to our news partner KETK and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Chelsea Duncan, of Mabank, is wanted out of Henderson and Kaufman County as well as Gun Barrel City and Seven Points. Records say Duncan has brown hair, green eyes, is 5’4 tall and weighs about 145 pounds.
Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said several warrants for her arrest were issued Tuesday and they include possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of identifying information. Hillhouse also said she has a bail jumping and criminal mischief warrant out of Kaufman County.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact 903-675-5128 or the Henderson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS to remain anonymous.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two Jacksonville men were arrested on Sunday for copper theft after leading authorities and dogs on a chase through the woods. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department were called to CR 3212 at a salt water plant about a theft. When deputies arrived, they reportedly noticed two people running into the woods.
Dogs were called out to help track the individuals. After a nine-mile track back toward Jacksonville, the pair were found on top of a deer stand trying to hide. The suspects were identified as 40-year-old Anthony Henderson and 33-year-old Brandon Alford, both of Jacksonville. Henderson and Alford were arrested and charged with theft of materials (copper) and evading arrest.
HENDERSON COUNTY– Our KETK news partner reports that four men and two women are behind bars after methamphetamines posession, found during a search of a Coleman Alley residence.
According to the Henderson County sheriff’s office, narcotics investigators were able to execute a search warrant on Monday at around 11 a.m. with the help of deputies and Athens police. The suspects were found at the residence.
41-year-old Scotty Barker, 51-year-old Monica Camp, 58-year-old Kenneth Bowman, 39-year-old Glendon Armstrong and 39-year-old Justin Chancellor of Athens and Elizabeth Colin, 32 of Mabank, were all booked into the Henderson County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Officials said the six arrested are currently awaiting arraignment.
GILMER – The Gilmer Police Department busted a local massage spa for prostitution on Monday in an operation they named “Operation Not So Happy Ending.†According to our news partner KETK, AA Spa at 1324 Highway 271 North in Gilmer was initially investigated after Gilmer PD received information about alleged prostitution happening there. On Monday, they launched “Operation Not So Happy Ending†by sending in an undercover officer. The operation reportedly led directly to the arrests of two women, Kun Lu and Zhai Li.
According to Gilmer PD, Lu was arrested for a massage therapy license violation and Li was arrested for prostitution and a massage therapy license violation. Gilmer PD added that the AA Spa has been shutdown following their operation.
“This type of criminal conduct is commonly associated with human trafficking/sex trafficking. The Gilmer Police Department continues to take an active role in deterring this type of criminal behavior in our community.â€
Committee calls for suspension of Palestine Westwood coachPALESTINE
– Our KETK News partners report that Westwood ISD has confirmed that the District 9-3A Division I District Executive Committee has recommended the suspension of their head football coach following reports that he filmed opponents while scouting.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has reported that coach Richard Bishop was suspended and that the school will have to forfeit all their district football games from this season but the district told KETK that the District Executive Committee (DEC) has only recommended those steps to the UIL’s State Executive Committee.
Dave Campbell’s said that Bishop allegedly carried out a plan to record their opponents signals, a plan that the DEC allegedly said was “intentional, serious and egregious.â€
Westwood ISD Superintendent Wade Stanford told KETK that they’re planning to appeal these charges at an upcoming meeting.
LUFKIN –
Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man was arrested earlier this month after DNA sample collected in 2008 identified him as suspect in a homicide cold case.
The Grand Prairie Police Department and Fire Department responded to a structure fire on the evening of Aug. 8, 2008 in the 2600 block of Channing Drive. Officials said they located a body later identified as 45-year-old Raymond Hernandez inside the residence.
An autopsy would later rule Hernandez’s death as a homicide.
In November 2008, DNA from a possible suspect was collected and entered into the Combined DNA Index System, also known as CODIS. However, there was no matching DNA in CODIS of the suspect.
Read the rest of this entry »
TRINITY COUNTY – Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said that one man was arrested on Sunday after he reportedly said he was “going pig hunting†or planning to kill police officers.
According to our news partner KETK, Randall Konetzke was reportedly seen driving recklessly on FM 356, stopping in front of the Trinity Police Department and then speeding back onto FM 356 where he stopped. When officers responded Wallace said Konetzke was outside of his vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road, talking to another driver. When he saw the officers, he started to walk back to his vehicle and then the officers told him to stop but he continued to try and get into his truck.
A brief struggle ensued and Konetzke was arrested. He was charged with unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon, terroristic threat to a public servant and resisting arrest, search or transportation.
UPDATE: TYLER – Our KETK news partner reports that a 54-year-old man was charged with first degree murder after an argument at a Tyler restaurant escalated to a shooting death.
According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the victim was identified as Heriberto Ramirez, 38 of Tyler.
Witnesses told police that Scottie Lee Goble, 54 of Frost, shot Ramirez after they got into a physical altercation. Erbaugh said Ramirez died from his injuries at a local hospital.
Goble was booked into the Smith County Jail for murder and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tyler – According to our news partner KETK, windy and dry conditions are creating the perfect conditions for wildfires across East Texas. Although a cold front came in Tuesday night, may be a relief to some, unfortunately it’s only drying out East Texas even more. And the wind has become a big factor when battling wildfires, making containment of fires difficult.
“It moves the fire, and fuels the fire,†said Patrick Dooley, Rusk County Fire Marshal.
Van Zandt County fire crews responded to a fast moving grass fire in Ben Wheeler on Wednesday. The fire scorched 8 acres at a solar panel farm.
“I honestly can’t urge people enough right now to use extreme caution when burning and even to the extent of not burning at all,†said Ryan Cooley, assistant chief at Ben Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – Our KETK news partners report that A Big Sandy woman has been sentenced to prison for nearly three years after pleading guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Texas, 52-year-old Tamarisk Trejo Mathews will face 33 months in prison for wire fraud. Mathews was responsible for accounting duties of a restaurant and music venue in Wood County allowing her access to the financial accounts of the business and issue checks to creditors. Read the rest of this entry »
TRINITY COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a minor’s diary entry has been submitted as evidence following an investigation into an East Texas man accused of sexually assaulting her. On Oct. 6 investigators were made aware of a potential child sexual assault case. The department said the case involved a 15-year-old who had possibly been sexually assaulted about four or five years ago.
Deputies spoke to the mother of the child who alleged the assault occurred over the course of a few years. The victim reportedly “made an outcry to her mother after referencing a dream [she] had previously had.†Deputies were also told that multiple sexual assault accusations had been made against Justin Brandon Herring in the past, the sheriff’s office said. Warrants were obtained for Herring who was arrested on Thursday and booked on two counts of continuous sex abuse of child under the age of 14 and two counts of indecency with a child sexual contact. He is being held at the Trinity County Jail on a $600,000 bond. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for many counties across the state including several in East Texas due to the current risk for wildfires.
The declaration was issued by Governor Abbott on Thursday. You can find the list of counties, including the 27 East Texas counties bolded, on our news partner KETK’s website or by clicking here.
Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate more emergency response resources to support firefighters working on wildfires across the state.
Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview woman who was on trial for murder in a 2021 fatal shooting case has been sentenced to nine years in state prison after she pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Tolla McNeely, 43 of Longview, was initially arrested for murder in connection to the death of Jose Manuel Delarosa, 40 of Henderson, in 2021. At the time, Longview PD reported that McNeely shot Delarosa while they were arguing in a car parked at 110 Triple Creek in Longview.
Delarosa was then taken to a local hospital where he died. The murder charge against her was dismissed and she will now serve up to 9 years in state prison for manslaughter.
KETK spoke with David E. Moore, McNeely’s attorney, and he said that she was able to plead down to manslaughter instead of the murder charge against her because of “extenuating circumstances†in the case.
TYLER – Tyler Fire Marshal Joey Hooton confirmed that one family was displaced after a one-alarm fire at the River Oaks Apartments in Tyler on Saturday. The fire was eventually put out and law enforcement has cleared the scene. Officials from the Tyler Fire Marshall’s Office and the Tyler Police Department responded to the scene in the 4400 block of Troup Highway at around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
According to our news partner KETK, the cause of the fire is currently unknown but looks like it started in a closet before it ended up leaving eight units with smoke damage and displacing one family.
HALLSVILLE, Texas (KETK) – The West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department said that firefighters responded to a wildfire near FM 2625 south of Hallsville and Marshall on Sunday.
West Harrison VFD said the Hallsville Fire Department and Emergency Services Districts 3 and 4 responded to the scene off of FM 2625 near Cave Springs Road. Hallsville Fire Department assistant chief Bert Scott told our news partner KETK that the fire was more than 120 acres in size and took three hours to contain.
No structures were damaged by the blaze and officials said the Texas A&M Forest Service also responded to the scene with their bulldozers. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 138 acres in size and 100% contained as of 6:22 p.m. on Sunday.
Harrison County Judge Chad Sims issued a county-wide burn ban on Oct. 9.
TYLER – Smith County has won a 2024 County Best Practices award from the Texas Association of Counties for their program to recruit jail detention officers from local schools according to our news partner KETK. The county said their Detention Officer Program is the first of it’s kind in the state. The program was started to help address recruitment issues at the Smith County Jail by getting interested high school students to take the state jailer exam after they graduate.
The program was started by Smith County Sheriff’s Office chiefs Jimmy Jackson and Gary Pinkerton. The program has reportedly been a success since Smith County has reported that they’ve gone from having over 20 vacancies for several years, to having zero openings in 2024. One jail officer that was hired right after graduating from John Tyler High School is Justtice Taylor, 19 of Tyler. She, Pinkerton and Jackson have been recruiting at local schools including at her alma mater. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – East Texas election administrators are starting to report an increase in registered voters ahead of the general election in November, according to our news partner KETK.
Local election administrators are inputting the last batch of voter registration applications for the 2024 election year. According the secretary of state, Cherokee and Angelina counties are seeing the most voters in their counties’ history. In Deep East Texas, Angelina County’s registration numbers increased from 53,166 applications in 2020 to 55,980 applications in 2024. After the signing of Senate Bill One in 2021, counties began assessing the status of registered voters.
“We currently have 31,191 voters and in 2020 we had about 29,000 registered voters. I think just as Cherokee county grows and people move to this area, we just have an increase in voters as well,†said Kandace Herring, Cherokee County election administrator. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that Smith County District Clerk Penny Clarkston was arrested again on Monday for yelling at jurors and physically blocking exit doors during a court proceeding, court documents state.According to a document filed by Judge Austin Reeve Jackson, the court told potential jurors they were free to go when Clarkston started yelling that they couldn’t leave without her permission. As district clerk, Clarkston issues writs, abstracts of judgement and prepares warrants. According to the Smith County website, she also serves as the administrator of the county’s jury system. The document stated that on Monday, the court ordered Clarkston multiple times to stop talking to the jurors and to let them leave but she refused. Clarkston would then ignore several of the court’s orders and proceeded to say “you can’t tell me to do anything,†the documents said. Read the rest of this entry »