Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK a man was hospitalized Sunday night after officials said he was struck by a stay bullet from “what appears to be celebratory gunfire†at midnight. According to authorities, Lufkin PD is investigating the incident that happened in the 2200 block of North Raguet Street, and the man was taken to an out-of-town hospital where he remained, as of 11:45 a.m. on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said the man’s name is not being released at this time.
PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK is reporting that two people were arrested earlier this month after a minor was shot in Palestine. According to Palestine PD, officers responded a call of “shots fired†on Nov. 11 in the area of Tennessee Avenue and W. Carolina Street, and found a young male who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and officials said the minor is expected to recover. According to authorities, search warrants were issued and items seized by detectives at a residence on Tennessee Avenue include: Two firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and about $3,400 in cash. Officials said the items were indicative of narcotics trafficking, and after a continued investigation, two people were arrested. Read the rest of this entry »
PANOLA COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested in Panola County for alleged possession of marijuana in his vehicle. According to a release, a sergeant made a “traffic contact†on Highway 149 south of Beckville after observing a moving violation on Saturday at around 1 a.m. The sergeant reportedly noticed criminal activity and requested a K9 unit. Once the K9 unit arrived, a search of the vehicle reportedly revealed multiple large packages containing approximately 32 pounds of marijuana. Officials said the driver was arrested without incident and taken to the detention center. The driver was charged with possession of marijuana between 5-50 pounds, a third degree felony.
LONGVIEW – Advance registration for Longview Transit’s “Safe Ride Home†service will open soon. According to our news partner KETK, starting on Wednesday anyone within Longview’s city limits can pre-register to get a free ride home on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. the following morning. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10 and riders are encouraged to schedule trips in advance. The curb-to-curb service is available to any destination within Longview’s city limits. The service is open to people who have had a few drinks and to those that simply don’t want to drive that evening. “Longview Transit has been providing Safe Ride Home transportation on New Year’s Eve for several years now, and it continues to be a great service for the community,†said Longview Transit Director of Operations Tequita Dudley. The service is made possible through financial help from R&K Distributors.
TYLER – A local educator and pastor announced his bid for a seat on the Tyler City Council. Dexter Floyd, Principal of Tyler ISD’s RISE Academy and pastor for Designed for Worship Church of God in Christ, is running for Tyler City Council District 2. Election Day is May 4. Floyd said his campaign will focus on the key issues of his district, which include fostering affordable housing, bridging healthcare gaps, facilitating more community policing strategies and revitalizing neighborhoods. District 2 covers West Tyler and has been represented by Broderick McGee since 2018. Floyd’s campaign will start with a series of listening tours and community events for residents in his district. “I want to hear from you, understand your concerns, and work together to find solutions that will benefit our community,†Floyd said.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – One person is dead after a small plane crashed in a Van Zandt County neighborhood on Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK and Sgt. Adam Albritton with the Texas Department of Public Safety, a small plane crashed into the side of a house off CR 3119 around 6 p.m. near the Tailwind Airpark. The home is on Private Road 7005 and was unoccupied at the time of the crash. Sgt. Albritton identified the pilot who died at 60-year-old Roger D. Turner of Edgewood. Federal Investigators are at the crash to find the cause of it.
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Mary Parker, 69 of Nacogdoches, after she went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. According to our news partner KETK Parker suffers from memory issues and may not know where she is or why she’s travelling. Officials said she left her home in the 500 block of County Road 534 on Monday morning. Parker is around 5 feet, 6 inches tall with green eyes and was last seen wearing a pullover sweatshirt and pajama pants. She is reportedly driving a dark grey 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with the license plate number JyY-4397. The Jeep was seen going south on U.S Highway 59 south around 10 a.m. and was last seen near Interstate 45 and FM 646 north near Dickinson around 3 p.m. Anyone with information about where Parker is is asked to call Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office at 936-559-2607.
TYLER – After all the holiday fun, getting rid of the empty packages of your new gifts can be a chore but Tyler Police Department said that boxes out on the curb can make you a target for a potential break in. “That tells anybody who wants to come and take advantage of people not being home for Christmas or leaving after Christmas or anything like that or just being gone during the day that they can go in there and they know what’s in your house,†said Andy Erbaugh, the Public information officer for Tyler PD. According to our news aprtner KETK, taking your trash to recycling centers can keep thieves from knowing what you got for Christmas, and fitting everything into your garbage will help. “Break it down as much as possible and get it in that trash can,†said Erbaugh. Erbaugh also said to not leave new Christmas gifts out in your car or in your front yard. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a scam where a caller pretending to be a deputy will ask you to pay a fine through Bitcoin machines at Tyler Vape shops. According to our news partner KETK the caller reportedly claims to be “Deputy Smithâ€. He allegedly tells people that they have a warrant and have to immediately pay a fine by depositing money into Bitcoin machines that can be found at local vape shops. Officials said they’ve also had reports that a caller will identify himself as Captain Craig Halbrooks, the SCSO patrol commander. The caller will reportedly ask for $10,000 to $20,000 dollars at a time and has allegedly obtained around $50,000 doing this alleged scam. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The City of Longview is asking the community to help various non-profits collaborating with the city for Homeless Resource Day on Jan. 25. According to our news partner KETK. Mayor Andy Mack’s Task Force on Homelessness is asking residents to help with Homeless Resource Day by giving directly to a local organization, giving to the Mayor’s Go Giver Fund or by donating items for Homeless Outreach Bags. The city is also asking for volunteers to work directly with local homeless service organizations and on Homeless Resource Day. The city also suggested that people could help by get others involved in volunteering and by encouraging local businesses to take part in the Homeless Work Program.Visit the of Longview online to see a full list of organizations to support, information about the Go Giver Fund and a list of items needed for Homeless outreach bags.
VAN – A former Van police officer was indicted after an investigation into allegations of official oppression. Santos Rodriguez was indicted on Friday for one count of official oppression. According to our news partner KETK, Van Police Chief Melissa Davis “received information regarding the conduct of an officer†on July 10. After gathering information on the incident, Davis confronted the officer about the allegation. “He immediately resigned from the Van Police Department, and although the complainant requested that the discipline be minimal, all information collected to that point was turned over to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office by Chief Davis,†according to Van The investigation is ongoing. Official oppression, a Class A Misdemeanor, carries a punishment range of a fine up to $4,000 and/or one year of jail for those found guilty.
SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 28-year-old woman was arrested after turning herself into authorities on Tuesday. The sheriff reported Sarah Ramon, of Joaquin, was arrested for indecency with a child, sexual assault of a child and improper relationship between educator and student after a lengthy investigation by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said no further information will be released at this time.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK Tyler Police responded to a shooting in the 3200 block of Copeland Road around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to Tyler PD, a man was loading his car onto a trailer when someone on Tech Plaza shot at him. It’s unknown if anyone was injured in the shooting at this time. Tyler PD is continuing to investigate.
GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that that two people rescued from a house fire died on Friday after being injured in the fire. According to our news partner KETK Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Tool and Seven Points Fire Departments and Payne Springs Fire Rescue responded to the 400 block of Pleasureland Road at 2:56A.M. on Friday. Officials said the house was completely enveloped in flames when they arrived and firefighters immediately began to put out the flames. Two adults and a child were rescued from the home and taken to be treated for injuries. Two were taken by an ambulance to a local hospital and one was flown to a burn center in Dallas. According to Gun Barrel City Fire Department, one of the adult victims and the child later died because of their injuries from the fire. The Henderson County Fire Marshall Office and the Gun Barrel City Fire Marshall Office are working to determine the cause of the fire. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Nathaniel Moran will be running for re-election uncontested, but in a release said he still plans on traveling across the district to meet with voters. According to a release, no other candidates have filed to run for election for Congressional District 1 on either party side for the upcoming primary election on March 5, 2024. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve East Texans in Washington, D.C., for another term,†Moran said. “Even though I don’t have an opponent, this is no time to rest. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Rusk County man was arrested after officials said he threatened workers at UT Health hospital in Tyler with a “dummy†grenade. According our news partner KETK and Tyler PD, John Lambeth, 60 of Henderson, was visiting his wife who was a patient at the hospital Thursday afternoon. Lambeth allegedly said he was upset he couldn’t take his wife out for a smoke break and pulled out a grenade. Officials say he then threatened the hospital workers with it. Officials said the grenade was later found to be not functional and did not contain explosives. Lambeth left the hospital and was later arrested for misdemeanor hoax bombs and booked into the Smith County Jail.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Former chief of the now-defunct Coffee City Police Department was arrested on several charges on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, JohnJay Portillo, 51 of Houston, was charged with six counts of tampering with government records. According to online arrest records., each charge had a $150,000 bond totaling to $900,000. Records show Portillo bonded out of jail. The arresting agency was the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and the warrants were issued by the 3rd District Court. The charges all share an offense date of April 12, 2021. Coffee City Council meeting minutes show that Portillo was sworn in on that date. Minutes show councilmembers asking Portillo about gaps in his resume and his businesses in Houston before administering his oath of office.
LAKE PALESTINE – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was shot in the left hand and upper thigh around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK a 911 call about the shooting victim was placed from Highway 155 South in Noonday. Officials said deputies found the caller and the victim at a hardware store in the 19600 block of Highway 155 South. The deputies were reportedly able to apply a tourniquet, which slowed his bleeding, before UT Health EMS arrived. The victim is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. Smith County investigators and the crime scene unit are working to confirm the location of the shooting which officials said might be the boat ramp on County Road 189 which is just east of Highway 155. Officials are investigating the case and have reportedly detained one person of interest.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said they arrested an aggravated robbery suspect on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK the Mt. Pleasant Police Department reportedly told Longview PD that Lakederic Fletcher, 42 of Longview, was driving a stolen vehicle. Longview PD patrol officers reportedly found the vehicle and Fletcher at a home in the 4500 block of Cannon Street. Longview PD said that Fletcher was allegedly armed and refused to come out of the home. The LPD SWAT team and crisis negotiators were brought out to the scene, and Fletcher was ultimately arrested without incident, according to Longview PD.
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ATHENS – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reports that two men were stabbed in the Oak Ridge subdivision near Athens just after midnight on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, after the sheriff’s office responded to a 911 call about the stabbings, both victims were flown to a hospital in Tyler. Both are listed in serious condition. Kevin Radican of Athens has been identified by the sheriff’s office as a suspect. According to the sheriff’s office, Radican was last seen reportedly leaving the crime scene with Savanah White of Malakoff. Officials are asking anyone whose seen Radican or White to call Henderson County Sheriff’s Office or Henderson County Crime Stoppers.
NEW BOSTON – The New Boston Police Department said that a juvenile was shot near East Lion Drive on Friday night. According to our news partner KETK New Boston PD responded to the 900 block of East Lion Drive around 10:30 p.m. and found a juvenile who had been shot. The juvenile was first taken to a local hospital and then to Dallas to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The juvenile is reportedly listed in good condition. According to a press release, two black males dressed in black carrying a semi-automatic rifle reportedly fired around 35 shots on East Lion Drive. Officials said they’ve collected evidence from the scene including video from security cameras. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK the Texas Department of Public Safety is reporting that a fatal crash has happened on Toll 49 near Old Jacksonville Highway. Officials are asking drivers to take alternative routes around the area to avoid traffic and to allow law enforcement to work at the scene. This story will be updated when more information is available.
KILGORE – The City of Kilgore hosted their annual ‘A Very Derrick Christmas’ oil derrick lighting ceremony on Saturday evening. According to our news partner KETK, the event featured vendors, food, music and their traditional live performance from the Kilgore Rangerettes. “It’s really fun, I’m from a really big town so anytime I get to come to Kilgore and see the tightknit community, It’s just the sweetest thing, we love to see the community,†said Rangerette Lauren Nix. The family friendly event is held every holiday season in downtown Kilgore.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said they are investigating a shooting at a shopping center that left one person with non-life-threating injuries on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. at a shopping center located at 1217 East Marshall Avenue. Longview PD said one person had left the scene in a private vehicle to be treated for non-life-threating injuries at a local hospital. The shooting reportedly started after a confrontation between two people who knew each other. The Longview Police Department said they have one person in custody and that they are actively investigating the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110.
UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that a woman was arrested on Saturday for allegedly hindering the apprehension of a suspect in a recent double homicide case. According to our news partner KETK, Laquesha Monique McKnight, 38 of Longview, is reportedly the sister of 41-year-old Alvin “Pookie†McKnight Jr. McKnight Jr is a suspect wanted in connection to the murder of Mandy Ray, 35 and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37 both from Gilmer. Officials said Laquesha helped Alvin to escape from the Upshur County area on the night of the murders. According to the sheriff’s office, Laquesha was confronted with the evidence of her having helped Alvin but she did not cooperate. Laquesha was booked into the Upshur County Jail and her bond has been set at $500,000, according to jail records.
TYLER – East Texas will experience cold weather throughout the next few days and most people will use their heaters for the first time in many months. KETK reports that temperatures will get as low as the mid-30s through the next few days and experts are advising people to use their heaters correctly. “This time of the year it is very common for everyone to use space heaters,†said Tyler’s Fire Marshal. Hooton said the way to prevent fires is by putting heaters in safe locations. Hooton advises people not to use extension cords for their space heaters as they can get too hot. People who have plants outside should bring them inside if they want them to survive. They need to be covered with blankets, light plastic. Once the weather starts to rise back up to the 60s and 70s late this week, the plants can go back outside.
WHITEHOUSE – According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested in Whitehouse for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday. Deputies responded to a County Road 2183 residence around 11:30 p.m. When they arrived deputies were reportedly told that Alejandro Guebara was inside the residence with a shotgun. A woman told officials that Guebara allegedly put the shotgun to her head and threatened her. When deputies approached the residence they began to try and talk to him but officials said he fled out the back window into the woods behind the home. Neighbors informed officials that a gunshot had been heard inside the home before they arrived. Whitehouse PD, Troup PD and TPWD Game Warden assisted in trying to find Guebara. He was found and arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threat of a family/household, evading arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a parole violation warrant.
TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK the Texarkana Police Department are looking for a suspect they believe killed three people and injured three others in a mass shooting at a party Saturday night. Officials said a fistfight broke out between two men at the party in a backroom of a business in the 700 block of North Stateline Avenue around 9 p.m. Officers said at least two men pulled out rifles and started shooting. One man died at the scene. Another man and a woman died overnight in the hospital. Three other victims, two men and a woman, suffered life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. Police are searching for a suspect, 20-year-old Breoskii Warren. The TAPD asks that anyone with information on this case or where Warren might be to call them at (903) 798-3116 or submit an anonymous tip to Texarkana Crime Stoppers at (903) 793-STOP.
NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that two women were found dead in the 100 block of South Stone Street around 4:04 p.m. on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK officers were conducting a welfare check when they found the two women dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Officials believe this to be an isolated incident. The Nacogdoches PD criminal investigation division is on the scene and the public is asked to avoid the area.
LUFKIN – The City of Lufkin said that they’re searching for a suspect who robbed the Bigs convenience store at the corner of Loop 287 and Highway 94 west on Thursday. According to the Lufkin Police Department, a man carrying an umbrella and wearing a skeleton mask entered the store around 8:40 p.m. and set a revolver on the counter. According to our news partner KETK he reportedly demanded cash from the store clerk. He left with an unreported amount of cash. Officials added that there was no one else in the store and that the clerk was uninjured. The suspect is described as 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 8 inches and wearing a black skeleton mask, black gloves, a black hoodie and gray sweatpants with three black lines on the side. He also carried a “conspicuous-looking umbrella,†according to a press release. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356 or Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS to remain anonymous.