Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
UPDATE: Nine local fire departments worked together to contain a 13-acre pasture fire Sunday evening and two structures were saved, Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department said.
“We ask that you use extreme caution when burning outdoors,†officials said. “The relative humidity will be low for the next few days, and fires will grow rapidly with the wind.â€
Elderville-Lakeport VFD said it took over two hours to contain the fire.
Rusk County Commissioners had discussed a burn ban for the county but decided that the weather doesn’t require that right now. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Two adults and a juvenile have been taken into custody for capital murder after a man’s dead body was found in the trunk of a burning vehicle in Turnertown on Sept. 1. At a press conference on Saturday, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, described how the body of Kameron Montre Anderson, a 20-year-old Black male from Bedford, was found in the back of his own car after he’d been shot and killed.
According to our news partner KETK, Anderson was shot at a home near Troup on County Road 2163. He was then put in the trunk of his own car, which was then driven to Turnertown in Rusk County and burned with an accelerant.
An investigation by Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers determined that Nathaniel Hall, 18 of Troup, was a suspect. Hall was arrested by the Tyler Police Department on Wednesday after a traffic stop in which a stolen 9mm handgun and an AR15 were reportedly found. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said that Creer has been found safe.
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department is searching for an 85-year-old Black woman who was reported missing on Saturday. Gracie Creer, 85 of Longview, is 5’7″ tall, weighs around 100 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Creer was last seen near Toler Road at 1 p.m. on Saturday while wearing a black jacket, dark pants and a black wrap around her head.
She was last seen driving a silver Dodge Journey with the Texas license plate RXV4402 and a dented front left fender.
Anyone who’s seen her is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.
LINDALE – The Lindale News & Times recently announced that the newspaper is closing down after 124 years of covering the area. According to our news partner KETK, the paper’s publisher says that the paper lost money for five years straight before it was decided to shut it down.
Jim Bardwell, the paper’s publisher, said that much of the advertising for Lindale’s small businesses has moved into print magazines and social media platforms like Facebook. Decline in local news outlets is accelerating despite efforts to help. The shift to online advertising led the paper to launch a digital version which ended up having more subscribers than their physical newspapers but even that wasn’t enough, according to Bardwell.
“That’s why we also have a digital version of the paper each week. And we have many digital subscribers. Actually many more than print subscribers. The cost is the same, but they get their news much quicker. But again – no ad revenue means no newspaper,†said Bardwell.
Any Lindale News & Times subscribers who would like a refund for the remaining time on their subscriptions are asked to email classifieds@lindalenews-times.com with their name, address and phone number.
HAWKINS – Hawkins ISD Superintendent Susan Morton was arrested for driving while intoxicated in La Marque, Texas on Aug. 23. According to our news partner KETK, Morton was arrested by the La Marque Police Department after a “minor accident†which happened in the 2400 block of Gulf Freeway at around 7:49 p.m. in La Marque. According to a La Marque PD arrest report, there were three vehicles involved in the crash a 2005 Ford Explorer, a 2018 Kia Forte and Morton’s 2023 Ford F-150.
Morton was then booked into the Galveston County Jail for charges of driving while intoxicated and collision involving damage to a vehicle less than $200.
Hawkins ISD Board President Blake Warren released the following statement when asked about Morton’s arrest: “Due to state confidentiality laws, Hawkins ISD cannot comment on this personnel matter or release any information at this time.â€
Morton was still listed as Superintendent of Schools on Hawkins ISD’s website, as of Thursday evening.
HOPKINS COUNTY – Three suspects have been identified in connection to the overdose death of a 16-year-old girl, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, a death investigation began on July 17 when a 16-year-old girl reportedly overdosed. “The toxicology report showed a newer synthetic drug found in her blood stream called N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene,†the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said. “This drug is 25 times more potent than fentanyl.â€
According to the release, they were able to identify the person who supplied the pills to the victim.
“At this time three suspects have been identified and the investigation is still ongoing,†the sheriff’s office said.
WOOD COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas mother reportedly died from a cardiac event after being jailed for abusing her toddler, who was found to have severe physical injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators were notified of a child abuse/neglect case of a 23-month-old toddler girl with injuries that “resulted in an emergency removal from the mother.†The sheriff’s office identified the mother as Tori Huggins who lived with her boyfriend Adam Woods. The toddler was taken to a hospital where they determined she was severely malnourished, dehydrated and had a fractured left forearm that had reportedly been broken for at least two weeks and bruises from head to toe which were in various stages of healing.
The sheriff’s office said the toddler was consuming human feces and candy wrappers as food that caused a blockage in her abdomen. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Over Labor Day Weekend, some Longview residents were left without a working car after pumping gas from Murphy USA off Loop 281. According to our news partner KETK, customers have reported cars stalling, stopping or not running at all. Those affected believe they received the wrong type of fuel. Many customers are now left without transportation and are having to find creative ways to get around.
While the gas station remained open, every gas pump was blocked off. Those affected have contacted Murphy USA to start the next steps in making a claim. A Facebook group has been created for those affected by the gas station which includes nearly 200 people. KETK News has reached out to Murphy USA officials who have not commented.
BULLARD – The Bullard Police Department on Tuesday released the names of the woman and two children found dead on Sunday. Officers were dispatched to Guinn Street and FM 344 at around 6:55 p.m. in connection to a shots fired report. According to our news partner KETK, 25-year-old Tatyanna Smith and her two children 4-year-old Madilynn Evans, and 2-year-old Maison Evans were fatally shot. Smith’s eight-month-old also suffered a gunshot wound and remains in the hospital in stable condition. The bodies were taken to the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas where investigators are waiting on autopsy results.
Officials said they are in contact with a person of interest, adding that there is no threat to the public.
TYLER – Governor Gregg Abbott said that more than 1 million illegitimate voters have been removed from the state’s voter roll, since the signing of Senate Bill 1 in 2021. Our news partner KETK is reporting that Senator Bryan Hughes, the author of the bill and Tyler’s state senator, said the people who are removed are people that have died, moved away and are non-US citizens. Integrity in Texas elections has been the priority for Senate Bill One over the past two years.
Hughes guaranteed that people are not taken off without reason and there is a process to find out who is ineligible. If the voter has moved, a voter registration card is sent to both addresses on file to confirm their residency, if not they get moved to the suspense list.
Some Democrats believe the changes are going too far. Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD – A Bullard man has been arrested after allegedly grooming multiple minors and buying them vapes and alcohol according to our news partner KETK.
According to an arrest affidavit, on July 25 the Bullard Police Department helped the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in finding a runaway that was suspected to be at 320 South Todd Street in Bullard. Upon their arrival to the residence, law enforcement made contact with an individual identified as Randy Smith, age 47 and originally of Whitehouse, the document said. Smith reportedly identified himself as the owner of the residence. Court documents state that officers found four minors at his residence, including the runaway. Smith allegedly claimed the child was dropped off at his home at some point in the night and had been friends with his daughter who recently left the state.
According to the affidavit, on July 30 a Bullard PD investigator observed a forensic interview with the runaway child at the Child Advocacy Center in Tyler. During the interview the minor said that they had snuck out of their parents residence and an unidentified individual picked them up and took them to Smith’s residence. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – A multi-county pursuit of a stolen truck from Dallas came to an end in Kilgore on Saturday. According to the Kilgore Police Department, on Saturday officers were alerted of a pursuit that originated in Smith County of a stolen truck from Dallas that was approaching Kilgore. According to KPD multiple agencies were part of the pursuit and “asked†if KPD had access to spikes.
Our news partner KETK reports that they set spikes up in multiple locations to keep the high-speed chase from “getting into town†and to prevent the vehicle from escaping. KPD said that the vehicle hit spikes twice on 259 South and Baughman Road which slowed the vehicle down as it “continued north into the center of town.â€
The police department said that officer Vance Callahan was waiting on Dudley Road when the suspect passed him and he began to pursue it while the “out-of-town squad cars had to stop and slow while spike strips were removed.â€
According to KPD the stolen vehicle had multiple flat tires and was smoking when it turned and “wrecked out in the parking lot of Meadowbrook Preschool.†Officials said the suspect exited the vehicles and began to flee, but was apprehended by Callahan.
KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department said two East Texans were arrested on Saturday after police found drugs ready for distribution. According to our news partner KETK, a search warrant was conducted at a residence near the LoneStar Speedway off CR 2207 on Saturday morning. Investigators found methamphetamine packaged for sale, black tar heroin, Xanax and Lorazepam.
Bryan Thompson, 46 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and has been charged with possession or delivery of drug paraphernalia, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Thompson is being held on a $85,000 bond.
Courtesy of the Kilgore Police Department
Ashley Norris, 43 of Kilgore, was taken to the Gregg County Jail and was arrested on manufacturing or delivering of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Norris is being held on a $40,000 bond. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE SHORES – According to our news partner KETK, one person and several pets died on Monday after a structure fire in the Cherokee Shores area of Payne Springs. Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR) volunteers were reportedly alerted to the fire at around 6:53 a.m. on Monday. When crews arrived on the scene they began an interior attack and search of the home but then they had to back out because of the heat.
Three people were able to escape the blaze but according to PSFR one person and several pet animals were not able to make it out. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office.
PSFR said they were assisted at the scene by Gun Barrel City Fire, Eustace Fire, Caney City Fire, Log Cabin Fire, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office, UT Health EMS and the American Red Cross.
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Two people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide that happened in Nacogdoches County last week. According to our news partner KETK, the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 3400 block of Highway 7 East for a reported suicide. At the scene, they found 56-year-old Cornelius Ray Craft of Nacogdoches and 48-year-old Terry Lee Romine of Jacksonville, both deceased from apparent gunshot wounds to their heads. NCSO said Romine appeared to be the shooter based on evidence they gathered at the scene. No one else was injured in the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
“Craft was married to Romine’s ex-wife, but the motive of the shooting is unclear at this time,†NCSO said. “Evidence was collected at the scene and autopsies have been ordered for both bodies.â€
TITUS COUTNY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body of an unidentified dead person was found on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found in Titus County near the Camp County line at around 5 p.m. on Friday. No other information has been released by the sheriff’s office at this time.
The case is currently under investigation by the Titus County Sheriff’s Office.
TYLER – The line was well out the door at Republic Icehouse in Tyler on early Saturday morning ahead of Senator Ted Cruz’s arrival, according to our news partner KETK. Before Cruz came on stage, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran spoke to the crowd. “When you fly to DC, I can tell you the oppression even gets stronger,†said Moran. “That’s where it’s emanating from and that’s where we need leaders like Senator Ted Cruz to liberate this country, this state.†In no surprise, Cruz addressed the southern border. “I can tell you if you haven’t seen it firsthand, as bad as you think it is, it’s worse,†said Cruz. He also mentioned the chances of Texas becoming a blue state in the future. “Every tax increasing, regulating, open border crime loving, crazy commie wants Texas,†Cruz said. “But you know what? They can’t have it.†While some have said that Kamala Harris has all the momentum right now after the Democratic National Convention, Cruz said former president Donald Trump will get back on track. “Right now, I think Kamala Harris is on a bit of a sugar high,†he added. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The Longview City Council approved an updated comprehensive plan that will help guide the city long term. “Where refreshing it pretty early. Typically, most municipalities don’t usually refresh until about the 15-year mark,†said Michelle Gamboa, Longview City Council member for District 5. “We’ve accomplished so many of our goals and strategies.†According to our news partner KETK, the city started the process for an update about three years ago and created a comprehensive plan advisory committee to find out exactly what people in Longview want. “We are so grateful for community input,†said Gamboa. “Not only did we collect input though these public meetings, but we also had a survey go out.†From this they said the living document is a combination of both city planning and community input. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler Junior College Apache Belles held their first performance of the year Friday night as well as announced leadership changes. According to our news partner KETK, the formal announcement introduced the 78th line of dancers, dance captains and the head dance captain to kick off the year on the right foot. There were a lot of hugs and tears as freshmen received the Apache Drop necklace, bonding each dancer forever.
Another announcement made was that the freshmen class will be the last to receive the necklace from 12-year director, Jasilyn Schaefer.
For sophomores it might be a bittersweet start to their last season in formation, but for Malerie Clifton it’s special as she was named head dance captain. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, two suspects are considered armed and dangerous after a robbery at a northeast Tyler apartment building Friday afternoon, the Tyler Police Department said.
According to Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, a call came in at around 4 p.m. of an armed robbery at the Oxford Pointe Apartments on State Highway 31. Erbaugh said the victim of the robbery reported that their phone was stolen at gunpoint. “They are considered armed and dangerous,†Erbaugh said.
Currently, officers are searching for two male suspects that reportedly ran into the woods after the robbery.
YANTIS – According to our news partner KETK, a former Yantis ISD assistant baseball and basketball coach was sentenced to 10 years of probation and to register as a sex offender on Aug. 15. Christopher McIntosh, was arrested on Sept. 25, 2022 for online solicitation of a minor, jail records show. The arrest came after Yantis ISD received allegations and conducted their own internal investigation before turning the case over to the Yantis ISD police chief. His sentence of 10 years probation and 240 hours of community service was announced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of improper relationship between an educator and student.
McIntosh resigned from Yantis ISD on Sept. 30 of 2022.
LONGVIEW – Millions around the world are mourning the death of East Texan Joe Mack Roy, known to his fans as “Pop Watch.†According to our news partner KETK, the family of the social media sensation from Longview announced on Thursday that he passed away, at 90-years-old, to his more than 3.4 million Facebook followers.
In 2017, Roy went viral and that’s when he told KETK News it was the best thing that had happened to him. He quickly became an East Texas legend, bringing joy and laughter while supporting the people in Longview. Each video with Pop and his grandson, that now have more than seven billion views worldwide, showed his authentic self in his everyday life in East Texas.
RUSK COUNTY – Two East Texans were arrested in connection to oilfield equipment theft and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation also led to the seizure of drugs and firearms. According to our news partner KETK, deputies followed a lead on Tuesday in reference to an oilfield theft and they located the stolen equipment. Officials said the estimated value of the equipment they recovered is $5,000. A search warrant was then served for a residence on the same road where the equipment was found, the sheriff’s office said.
“Seized during the search warrant was suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and firearms,†the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said.
The resident of the home, identified as 38-year-old Skkylar Sanchez, was arrested as well as 45-year-old Hector Arellano, both of Henderson. Both men were charged with tampering with gas and oil operations. Sanchez was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Rusk County Jail on bonds totaling $49,500. Arellano is also being held at the Rusk County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
“This is currently an active investigation, and we anticipate additional arrests as the investigation continues,†the sheriff’s office said.
UPDATE: Tyler PD said that the suspect left the premises before police arrived and was arrested after being found in Downtown Tyler.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Tyler police are working a standoff situation at a south Tyler residence. According to the Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, police are currently at a standoff in the 900 block of Derrick Court. Erbaugh said that police have been at the home since 1 p.m. and have attempted to make contact with the occupant that is believed to armed. Tyler PD said that they have robots on the premises and Tyler PD and SWAT are making a tactical assessment.
According to our news partner KETK, a man entered a Tyler police station and was “bloodied and injured,†the man alleged that he had been assaulted by a relative. The man was taken to the hospital and police were dispatched to a home in the 900 block of Derrick Court in the Woodbridge subdivision.
TYLER – The Smith County Historical Society will need to find a new home after the City of Tyler decided not to renew their current lease. According to our news partner KETK, controversy has erupted on social media since the lease change as people ponder the fate of the historic building. Currently, the organization is housed at the Old Carnegie Library on 125 College Ave in Tyler. The historical society said they do not want to go anywhere.
Since 1984, the society had an auto renewal lease every five years with the city. However, the city has reportedly chosen not to renew the lease so restorations can be done to the building.
“At no cost to the society, they’ve been located there and at this point we were looking to let them know that we are not going to renew the lease,†Stephanie Franklin, Tyler deputy city manager, said. Read the rest of this entry »
GUN BARREL CITY – According to our news partner KETK, a bicyclist is dead after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 175. The Gun Barrel City Police Department is seeking help to identify the driver. According to Gun Barrel City PD Captain Connie Peña, police were dispatched to a fatal hit-and-run on the overpass at around 4:10 p.m. on Monday. Peña said the driver is reportedly driving an 18-wheeler pulling two trailers rusty in color. At this time the police department is trying to identify the victim as well as the whereabouts of the driver.
The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said due to the crash, eastbound traffic on Highway 175 was rerouted but it is now back open.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 903-887-7151
TYLER – Tyler has been ranked as the eleventh best place to live in the Southwest by Livability.com. Their rankings are created by taking into account economic variables, quality of life indicators and affordability data taken from more than 2,000 cities from across the country.
“In today’s landscape, where affordability is increasingly challenging, people are prioritizing locations where their money stretches further,†says Amanda Ellis, editor in chief of Livability.com. “Our rankings spotlight exceptional small and mid-sized communities that excel in providing residents with both affordability and a high quality of life.†Read the rest of this entry »
WHITE OAK – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was arrested on Saturday following a pursuit that started in Louisiana. A white Dodge Charger was originally being pursued by the Louisiana State Police before it crossed into Texas. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist Waskom PD with pursuing the vehicle, according to our news partner KETK.
The Texas Highway Patrol joined in the pursuit which then headed into Marshall where the Charger eventually began to lose parts of one of it’s tires. The pursuit passed through Longview and ended when the Charger crashed into a White Oak oil change business.
The alleged driver, Salefu Amadou Sangaray, 38 of Lancaster, Texas, was then reportedly arrested after a short foot chase. According to the sheriff’s office, marijuana was found on Sangaray and a reportedly stolen Glock pistol, an AK-47 rifle and oxycodone were found in the Charger. Sangaray is being held in the Harrison County Jail for charges of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance between one and four grams, evading arrest or detention, unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana.
LONGVIEW – The City of Longview Police Department said they’ll be increasing patrols of the city’s trails after a man was arrested for attempted kidnapping on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, a woman reported that she was attacked on Friday at around 5:33 p.m. while on the Paul Boorman Trail. The woman told Longview PD that a black man had reportedly grabbed her from behind and tried to cover her mouth before she escaped. Longview PD said that the woman’s description was similar to another incident that happened minutes earlier that day after 5 p.m. Officers from Longview PD searched the area and bystanders reported a man matching the woman’s description and he was arrested just before 7 p.m.
Jelan DeAaron Armond Williams, 27 of Kilgore, was determined to be the alleged suspect and has been charged with kidnapping and three Gregg County warrants. Williams is being held in the Gregg County Jail on a total bond of $30,500.
In response to the incidents on Friday, the Longview Police Department said they’ll have increased patrols throughout all the city’s trail systems.
UPDATE: The Tyler Police Department said that a woman injured in a Lake Tyler boat crash on Saturday has died. According to Tyler PD, Staci Sexton, 38 of Whitehouse, was taken to the hospital where she was in critical condition but later that same day she died. Sexton’s family has been notified.
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has confirmed one person has died and two others were injured after two boats crash at Lake Tyler on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler PD was contacted by the Texas Game Wardens at around 6 a.m. on Saturday morning to assist with responding to a boat crash. Their investigation found that a fishing boat with a man in it reportedly hit a flat bottom boat with two women and a man in it. One woman was reportedly unresponsive and has been taken to a local hospital, the other woman had non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated.
Jacob Ray, 38 of Troup, was in the flat bottom boat and was originally reported as missing but was later found dead, according to Tyler PD. Ray’s family has been notified.
The Texas Game Wardens are currently investigating the crash with the cooperation of the fishing boat driver. Smith County Emergency Services District #2 and Longview Fire Department Water Rescue also assisted in responding to the crash.