Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrested four individuals suspected to be involved in a theft ring in Shelby County on Monday. Shelby County Sheriff Kevin Windham reported that on Monday at 8:30 a.m. investigators and deputies responded to a call in the 7000 block of Highway 7 West in Center, and upon arrival the investigators recognized the property as a “highly trafficked area for drugs and stolen property.â€
The SCSO said that they spent more than 34 hours on the grounds and recovered over $150,000 of stolen property. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA — A 20-year-old man from Texarkana has been arrested for possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Facebook and Instagram discovered videos of suspected child pornography had been uploaded on their platforms. The social media companies then reported the illegal posts and messages to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Texarkana PD said they received those tips after the IP address of the computer from which they were posted showed to be in the Texarkana area. After several weeks of investigation, police identified the suspect as Angel Hernandez. He is currently held in the Bi-State Jail on a $100,000 bond for the charge of possession of more than or equal to 50 depictions of child pornography.
TYLER – Dr. Barbara Hass, dean of UTT’s school of nursing, was appointed onto a state committee to address the nursing shortage. According to our news partner KETK, the purpose for this committee was to review and amend the definitions of the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program in the Texas Administrative Code, so that the program will be better equipped to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. UTT said that the committee is comprised of 19 representatives from community colleges, public health-related institutions, the hospital industry, public technical colleges, independent institutions and public universities. The United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast said in 2019 that a shortage of registered nurses was projected to increase throughout the country through the year 2030, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 193,000 openings for registered nurses each year through 2032 with retirements and workforce exits factored. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – East Texas schools are announcing school closures and delays for Wednesday morning due to complications of weather, power outages and flooding. The full list can be found on our news partner KETK’s website.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said a woman has been rescued from a vehicle after getting stuck in high water on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK the the woman was helped out of her car on FM 855 by a passerby and first responders are working on getting her vehicle out of the water. The Cherokee County Sheriff Dickson said the woman is safe. The Smith County Water Rescue was reportedly at the scene.
KETK has been following flooding and fallen trees obstructing roadways as storms pass through East Texas on Tuesday and expected to continue through Wednesday. People can find a full list here.
HENDERSON – CHRISTUS announced that they are moving forward with the development of a new emergency center in Henderson. According to our news partner KETK, CHRISTUS will be holding a groundbreaking celebration on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at a seven acre site south of Wylie Elementary School on Highway 259. The new facility will feature around the clock emergency services with 17 beds, 13 exam rooms, four triage rooms, state-of-the-art full service imaging and onsite laboratory services. The project is scheduled to start construction in late spring and is projected to be completed in the second half of 2025. “We are passionate about increasing access to health care for patients across East Texas,†Chris Glenney, senior vice president for group operations of CHRISTUS Northeast Texas said. “Henderson is a key area for growth in East Texas, and we know there is a need for patients to access the exceptional health care we provide.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said a man was arrested for an active warrant and drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax were found after a search. According to our news partner KETK, Derek Elam, 49, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in conjunction with the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, Longview Police Special Investigation Apprehension and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Longview PD said a search of the motel room at Knights Inn uncovered 422 grams of counterfeit Adderall, 108 grams of methamphetamines, 43 grams of Xanax, 8 grams of cocaine, 7 grams of ecstasy, 7 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of hydrocodone.
SHELBY COUNTY – A Shelby County man is pending trial after being charged with livestock theft and exploiting an elderly man according to our news partner KETK. According to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Danny Matthew Wright was arrested after he reportedly stole cattle from his employer, an elderly Shelby County resident. “With assistance from Shelby County Constables, Josh Tipton and Taylor Fanguy, the team discovered the identification of a stolen cow through a brand registered to the victim,†TSCRA said. Wright was indicted by a grand jury on the charges, and was arrested on Jan. 5 before he was released a few days later. Wright is currently pending trial.
MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Fire Department said in a post that crews were working a fire at the Pleasant Oaks landfill early on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, crews from Mount Pleasant and Titus County Fire Departments worked the fire and eventually cleared the scene. Mount Pleasant FD said that landfill workers are still at the scene digging the fire out to extinguish it further and monitoring the landfill as the day goes on.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrested a woman following the investigation of a dog that was abandoned near Lake Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Animal Control responded to a report on March 13 of an abandoned dog in the 17600 block of Southpoint Road near Lake Tyler. Upon their arrival they contacted the caller who said they found the puppy abandoned at Hill Creek Park on Lake Tyler.
Officials said the dog, a black and white Pit Bull mix, was taken to the Smith County Animal Shelter and listed for adoption. The sheriff’s office said that a Facebook comment had tagged an individual identified as Megan Baldree, 36 of Tyler, as being the owner of the puppy. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – On April 8, the sun and moon will align and parts of East Texas will experience totality during the 2024 solar eclipse. Following are events in Tyler. Check our news partner KETK’s site for more locations and events.
Texas African American Museum: The Empowerment Community Development Corporation will hold a Total Solar Eclipse Black Out Festival. They are expecting one minute and 49 seconds of totality.
Caldwell Zoo: The zoo will be holding A Wild Solar Eclipse event with commemorative treats and gifts available. Eclipse viewing glasses will be given out until the supply runs out.
Discovery Science Place: They will hold special activities and act as a viewing location.
Tyler Parks and Recreation: Lindsey Park and Faulkner Park will be viewing locations and the Goodman-LeGrand Museum will have a lunch on the lawn event.
Broadway Square Mall: From 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., families are invited to a solar eclipse watch party at the JCPenney parking lot.
TYLER – A once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse will hit the skies Monday and our news partner KETK is reporting that the TJC Earth and Space Science Center has been working to educate East Texans on what to expect. With the chance of severe weather in the forecast, backup plans are being put in place, but if it does rain on the day of the eclipse TJC will be canceling events. Hartweg added that if it’s just cloudy, don’t worry, because you still have a chance to view the spectacular sight. East Texans will also get the chance for an extra surprise in the sky during totality. “There is a comet that may be potentially visible and for people to kind of be on the lookout for it will be near Jupiter,†said Hartweg.
“We’re doing our best to make sure people understand that to get the full experience, you need to be in what we call the path of totality, that’s a spot that’s 100% total eclipse,†said Beau Hartweg, the director of the Tyler Junior College Earth and Space Science Center. “We’ll have some solar telescopes out and different ways for people to view the eclipse,†said Hartweg. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that three people were arrested for numerous felonies on Tuesday in connection to a “suspected human trafficking incident.†According to our news partner KETK, the incident started as a traffic stop by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies who pulled over a black 2009 BMW X5 SUV on Tuesday night at the intersection Durst Street and Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches. Deputies reportedly noticed an 8-year-old asleep in the backseat of the car and an empty alcoholic beverage in the floor board. Deputies then asked to search the vehicle and found a black duffle bag in the backseat floor board, according to a press release.
Officials estimated that the drugs are worth over $150,000. Luis Emmanuel Quevedo-Vasquez, 29, Carmen Guadalupe Diaz, 24, both of Green Bay, Wisconsin, were all taken into custody when the drugs were discovered. Diaz and Quevedo-Vasquez were asked about the child and they reportedly couldn’t give deputies the child’s last name or it’s mother’s name. Officials said this is an ongoing investigation. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Brookshire’s Grocery Company presented a check worth more than $184,000 on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the check is to be split between several non-profits that was raised during their Fresh 15 race. “We’re beyond proud of this achievement and grateful to everyone who made it possible,†Fresh 15 organizers said. “Together, over the past 11 years, we’ve donated over $1.7 million to many deserving charities in East Texas.†According to the grocery company, they donation of $184,500 is the largest amount they have ever raised. The money will be split between 30 organizations. Fresh 15 Race Director Ashleigh Endicot said, organizations apply every year to become recipients and they choose non-profits that best align with the promotion of the race. “We are a team that comes together and able to impact our community directly, you know over the 11 years we’ve given back $1.7 million right here, so it’s not like is going somewhere else it’s coming directly into the community that we live,†Endicot said.
LINDALE – The Tyler district of the Texas Department of Transportation said that Interstate 20 westbound at US Highway 69 will be closed until noon on Monday. The closure is needed as crews will be setting up large cranes in the westbound lanes to haul away a heavy load stuck in the median since last month, according to TxDOT. I-20 westbound will exit the interstate at exit 557 and will go north through Lindale on US 69 to FM 16 and back to I-20 by taking FM 849 south through Hideaway.
The northbound outside lane of US 69 will also be temporarily closed off to help I-20 traffic get redirected onto US 69. TxDOT asked motorists to plan ahead, follow posted signs and prepare for delays.
POLK COUNTY — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a Livingston man was arrested on Tuesday after police served a felony warrant following a fentanyl overdose. According to our news partner KETK, detectives were serving a felony warrant on Brandon Michael Dunaway, 21 of Livingston, in relation to an overdose that occurred at a residence in the county earlier in the week. Dunaway allegedly escaped the residence through the rear window and ran into a wooded area.
Detectives alongside Narcotics and CID Detectives located Dunaway a short distance away, following a a brief chase. The sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant of the RV and reportedly seized a large amount of fentanyl and items used to distribute drugs. Dunaway was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and evading arrest/detention. Dunaway is held on a $52,500 bond at the Polk County Jail.
KILGORE – Kilgore ISD announced that they received a large donation to implement advanced bus tracking. According to a release, the $25,000 donation from Claycomb Associate Architects will be going towards the implementation of state-of-the-art bus tracking technology. Parents will have access to the real time location of their students and provide accurate arrival and departure times of routes. The school said that they hope the software will reduce wait times, minimize disruption and enhance the bus-riding experience for both students and parents. Kilgore ISD said that they plan on the software being implemented in time for the beginning of the next fall semester.
GREGG COUNTY – A man is dead after officials said a pursuit that started in Gregg County ended in a crash on an Upshur County road. According to our news partner KETK, Gregg County Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said a warrant was issued last week for Mario Tywan Marton, 47, for burglary of a habitation. Deputies attempted to serve the warrant around 7 a.m. when the man fled his Gladewater home. This started a pursuit into Upshur County, according to Harrington, and Upshur County authorities attempted to spike the Marton’s car but he was able to evade. On FM 726, officials said the car struck a pickup truck resulting in the death of the man fleeing authorities. A third car slid into the pickup truck as a result of the crash, but Harrington said no one was taken to the hospital for treatment.
LONGVIEW – It was announced on Monday that Eastman Chemical Company plans to invest $1.3 billion in expanding their Longview facility. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Longview has been named as the location for Eastman’s second U.S. molecular recycling facility, which is expected to add more than 200 full-time jobs. City of Longview Mayor Andy Mack said the additional positions will have an average annual salary of $92,000. In a release, it was said the Longview site was selected due to synergies with existing infrastructure, operations and the location also has enough space for on-site renewable energy.
“We are excited to announce this next step in our commitment to our circular strategy with the decision to locate our second U.S. molecular recycling facility at our existing site in Texas,†Eastman Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa said. “We have decades of history successfully operating in Longview, and this will be a great investment for the local community.â€
“This facility will mark the single largest capital investment in the Longview area in LEDCO history,†the city said in a release.
SMITH COUNTY – A man is dead after an overnight shooting in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, sheriff’s office said they received a call around 12:30 a.m. on Monday and responded to the scene in the 14600 block of Park Hill where the caller allegedly told them her father had been shot by her brother. Life-saving measures were started on the victim, who was identified as 79-year-old Dell Howard Tilley, of Tyler, and authorities said a man was immediately detained. Tilley was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, according to officials, and an autopsy has been ordered.
Investigators completed an arrest affidavit and received a warrant for murder for the suspect identified as Christopher Tilley. According to Sergeant Larry Christian, Tilley was taken to the Smith County Jail and booked for the warrant with a bond set at $750,000.
LONGVIEW – It was announced on Monday that Eastman Chemical Company plans to invest $1.3 billion in expanding their Longview facility. According to the City of Longview, they have been named as the location for Eastman’s second U.S. molecular recycling facility, which is expected to add more than 200 full-time jobs. City of Longview Mayor Andy Mack said the additional positions will have an average annual salary of $92,000. “We are excited to announce this next step in our commitment to our circular strategy with the decision to locate our second U.S. molecular recycling facility at our existing site in Texas,†Eastman Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa said. “We have decades of history successfully operating in Longview, and this will be a great investment for the local community.†The Longview site was selected due to synergies with existing infrastructure, operations and the location also has enough space for on-site renewable energy.
TYLER – The annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail opened Friday to Tyler residents and visitors until April 8. According to our news partner KETK, the trails are about 10 miles along residential gardens that include azaleas, tulips, wisteria and dogwood. There will be activities on the trails such as art shows, festivals, historic home tours, markets and the famous horse drawn carriages.
Susan Travis, Visit Tyler Vice President of Sales said, “This is the time of year where Tyler comes alive with colors,†“Everyone loves getting out in the spring in Tyler.†A bonus this year will be the solar eclipse on April 8.
Travis added, “We love that the Trails attract out-of-town visitors to Tyler because while they’re here, they not only visit the Azalea Trails, but they spend money in our hotels, restaurants, shops, and more. Visitors have a large economic impact on the community during this time.â€
More information is available on the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail and events at Totality Tyler and Visit Tyler.
TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz stopped by the Smith County Republican Club annual presidents dinner at the Hollytree Country Club on Saturday to talk about the southern border. Cruz said you may not think Tyler is a border town but he says we might as well be. “The last three years, we’ve seen 10.4 million people cross into this country illegally,†said Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) Texas.
“Joe Biden is sending illegal immigrants right here,†said Cruz. He added that Republican senators tried to pass an amendment saying Biden couldn’t fly any more migrants into the county, but that the Democrats voted no. “Last year, they flew 320,000 illegal immigrants into this country, understand, they’re not just coming across the border,†said Cruz. Cruz says Biden continues to fly illegal immigrants to 40 different United States cities. “This is no longer a battle between Republican and Democrat, this is not a battle between conservative and liberal, this is a battle between sanity and bat crap crazy,†said Cruz. He added Texas continues to show everyone they will fight to secure the border.
TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK, two dogs attacked a Texarkana police officer who was responding to a reported attack on a local woman. According to Texarkana Police Department, patrol officer Chris Flores responded to the 700 block of Wilson Street to a reported dog attack on a woman. Two large pit bull mix dogs charged him as he walked toward the house. The officer struck one of the dogs with his flashlight, but they were able to overwhelm him. He was knocked down and mauled by the dogs until Officer Matthew Lindsey arrived shortly after. Afraid that he could not shoot the dogs without injuring the officer under attack, Lindsey sprayed them with his fire extinguisher. Officer Flores had extensive injuries and was placed into Officer Jose Chaves’ patrol unit and quickly taken to a local hospital.
The second dog was captured without any incident. After one of the dogs charged an Animal Control Officer attempting to get a hold of the dog – officers shot it. The dog was not killed by the gunshot but wounded enough so that it could be caught. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a man has been arrested following a shooting at a convenience store in Longview that resulted in one death. The Longview Police Department said at approximately 3:40 a.m. they responded to a reported shooting at the EZ Mart at 700 Gilmer Rd. Officials said that upon arrival they discovered that an adult male had sustained a gunshot wound with “life-threatening injuries†and was being taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. The police said that the victim later passed away from their injuries.
Detectives reportedly identified Tykiron Mumphrey, 20 of Gladewater, as their suspect and he has been taken into custody and charged with murder. Longview PD is asking that anyone with any additional information about the incident contact them at 903-237-1110 or to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.
SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said a recent kidnapping in Smith County was related to a cartel. Smith said, “The kidnapping we had this last week is directly related to the cartel, no doubt about it, 100% directly related to the cartel. They try to extort money out of a citizen here in Tyler, Smith County who probably was involved with the cartel. He just better thank his Lord that we have the detectives we’ve got here, that we’re able to catch him and work with other agencies to free him when he got to Fort Worth,â€
Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – An Athens man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County District Attorney, Jenny Palmer said in a release that Eron Demond Anderson, 43, was found guilty by a jury for shooting at his girlfriend. Officials responded to a shooting on June 10, 2023 where the victim said her boyfriend “grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground†and shot at her vehicle several times. Anderson reportedly sent the victim messages that said “I really hope you die if I don’t kill you first.†Anderson was arrested and booked the same day, and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. “We want to commend the victim for coming forward and reporting the abuse and violence she suffered at the hands of Eron Anderson,†Palmer said. “This verdict sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated in our community.â€
COOKE COUNTY – According to our new partner KETK, a man was sentenced to 10 life sentences, one 10-year sentence and two 20-year sentences on Monday for charges related to events that happened in Cooke County and East Texas. A release from the Cooke County District Attorney’s Office states that David Michael Calhou was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault of a child, seven counts of aggravated assault and one count of assault strangulation. The jury took less than one hour before returning a guilty verdict, and another hour before returning with the punishment verdict.
Evidence presented at court said Calhoun was caring for the children, who were his nephews and stepchildren, around 2017 when he began abusing them. A release said the abuse continued in Harleton, Jefferson and Athens. Two other defendants have been indicted due to their connection to the case and are set for pretrial in April 2024. Five of Calhoun’s life sentences were ordered to run consecutively by the presiding judge. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that two men were arrested on Thursday for possession of marijuana and a stolen firearm. Our news partner KETK is reporting that deputies were sent to reports of shots fired at a vehicle near a residence in the 300 block of County Road 6103 at around 4:16 p.m. on Thursday. No one was reportedly hurt from the shooting but the vehicle was damaged and deputies determined that Evaristo Sanchez Jr., 24, and Jose Gerardo Sanchez, 25, were persons of interest.
The two were reportedly found by deputies at a home in 800 block of third street in Nacogdoches. They were detained by deputies and the home was searched after a search warrant was secured. Officials said the deputies found two handguns, a rifle, paraphernalia and more than 8 ounces of marijuana. A sheriff’s office press release claimed that one of the guns was reported stolen in Lufkin. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith Sheriff’s Office said that a Hispanic male who was reportedly kidnapped by two other Hispanic males on FM 2015 Sunday has been found safe. According to our news partner KETK, the deputies responded to the 11700 block of FM 2015 around 4 p.m. on Sunday for reports of a kidnapping. One Hispanic male was reportedly taken from his home at gunpoint by two other Hispanic males who demanded money before fleeing the area. Smith County investigators responded to the scene and figured out that the two were allegedly heading to the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex area in a red Honda.
The investigators told information to the Arlington and Fort Worth Police Departments that led to the kidnapping victim being found unharmed along with the suspects and their vehicle. The Smith County officials are responding to Fort Worth to take custody of the suspects and transport the victim back to Tyler. The sheriff’s office said this investigation is ongoing.