Today is
Sunday June 07, 2026
HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man received a 25 year prison sentence in Henderson County for possession of controlled substance.
James Russell Shephard II was arrested on April 25, 2023 after a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigator found digital scales, syringes, a backpack with narcotics and three pistols in Shephard’s vehicle, according to a Facebook post from the Henderson County District Attorney. A person called authorities claiming Shephard was high on fentanyl and making threats inside a vehicle.
According to the post, the Department of Public Safety tested the narcotics Shephard possessed and confirmed them as fentanyl, methamphetamine and phenazepam. Shepard also served a previous prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
“Fentanyl is not only incredibly dangerous to those who use it, but also to everyone around them,” Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer said. “We’ve seen how quickly it can turn a situation violent or deadly. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who traffic in these poisons and endanger our community.”
LONGVIEW – The Longview Fire Department congratulated one of their own on Thursday has he decided to make the selfless decision to reenlist in the U.S. Navy, according to our news partner KETK.
Firefighter and paramedic Blaine Cardinale, who originally joined the Longview Fire Department after his first stint in the Navy, has decided to continue his commitment to serving his country by deciding to reenlist. Cardinale’s oath of office was held at the firehouse and administered by fellow Longview firefighter and paramedic Joe Dembowski, who currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves.
“Commander Cardinale is a dedicated member of our department. “Whether responding to emergencies in an ambulance or fire engine, he upholds the highest standards and demonstrates a strong commitment to helping others,” Longview Fire Department said.
TYLER — Two bills are being considered in the 89th legislative session dealing with medical marijuana, which could lower cost and wait times. According to our news partner KETK, House Bill 46 and Senate Bill 1505 will allow licensed companies like Texas Original, a medical cannabis provider in Austin, to store prescriptions at satellite locations.
The bills could lower cost and wait times for patients and allow people under the Compassionate Use Act to use vapor products instead of just consuming their prescriptions. The Compassionate Use Act regulates the use of medical marijuana. Senate Bill 3 is also a top priority that calls for a complete ban of all forms of THC in the state. This creates a sense of confusion for lawmakers.
In a statement, the office of the Lieutenant Governor says the outcome of the bill will not change the Compassionate Use Program. State Representative Gary Vandeaver of New Boston says he hopes it’s true, but he still wouldn’t support SB3. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man received a 25 year prison sentence in Henderson County for possession of controlled substance, according to our news partner KETK.
James Russell Shephard II was arrested on April 25, 2023 after a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigator found digital scales, syringes, a backpack with narcotics and three pistols in Shephard’s vehicle, according to a Facebook post from the Henderson County District Attorney. A person called authorities claiming Shephard was high on fentanyl and making threats inside a vehicle. According to the post, the Department of Public Safety tested the narcotics Shephard possessed and confirmed them as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and phenazepam. Shepard also served a previous prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
TYLER — An elementary-aged child was hit by a vehicle on Thursday near Douglas Elementary School. According to our news partner KETK and Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the child received minor injuries after being hit by a red SUV around 3 p.m. near Douglas Elementary School. Erbaugh said the driver left the scene initially, but came back and talked to Tyler police officers.
Despite minor injuries, the child was transported to a local hospital for a checkup, according to Erbaugh.
The incident is still being investigated, and the child’s identity and age have not been released at this time.
CROCKETT – According to our news partner KETK, a Crockett man was arrested after a large quantity of crack cocaine was found inside his car following a police chase, according to officials.
The incident began at around 8:30 p.m. after a patrol officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Rickie Lane Gilmore, who was driving his car on East Goliad Avenue near the downtown square. Gilmore ignored the officers’ request for him to pull over and continued to drive through residential streets, driving at high speeds and nearly losing control of his vehicle several times. As officers continued to pursue Gilmore, he was seen throwing items out of his car, including bags of what were suspected to be crack cocaine.
Eventually, officers were able to take Gilmore into custody after his car became disabled due to overheating. Gilmore was arrested without further incident. Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON — East Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran honored the life of a 25-year-old Tyler police officer on Wednesday after the officer died from an off-duty motorcycle accident.
Moran delivered remarks on the House floor on Wednesday honoring the life of Officer Sam Lively, 25, who had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.
According to the Tyler Police Department, on the evening of April 25, officers responded to a crash on Troup Highway in Tyler. Officer Lively, who was riding a motorcycle, was traveling south on Troup Highway in the outside lane while another vehicle, also heading south in the inside lane, attempted to change lanes and struck Lively, officials said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Moran spoke about Lively’s unwavering leadership and how much he was loved by his family, friends and local community. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that on Tuesday, Henderson County Commissioners Court approved the proposal of Henderson County Sheriff’s Office adding an explosives detection dog to the team.
HCSO’s newest furry officer, Attkus, was donated through AKC Reunite along with $7,500 to fund Attkus and Deputy Jarod Mills’ certification training and travel this summer. Attkus is currently in North Carolina training for explosive detection, patrol duties and crime scene evidence recovery. Mills will join Attkus from May 17 to June 13 to learn his specific detection responses.
Officials said the department has faced multiple bomb threats in recent years and they currently rely on federal ATF dogs that can take hours to reach the scene. Adding Attkus to the force can help expand the department’s K-9 presence, which was formed when Sheriff Botie Hillhouse’s first term began.
“I’m looking forward to adding this capability to our existing K-9 program,” Hillhouse said. “An explosives detection dog will be a real asset to Henderson County, both in terms of public safety and our ability to respond quickly when threats arise.”
TROUP – After severe weather hit East Texas on Wednesday, two school districts have announced that they will be closing or delaying classes on Thursday to ensure students and staff remain safe. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled a list and will update it as changes occur. To view the full and updated list, click here.
CROCKETT – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, the Crockett Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for a man who is a suspect in an armed robbery that took place last week.
On April 22, the Crockett Police Department posted on their Facebook page that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street. During the investigation, detectives discovered that the stolen truck had been used in an armed robbery that occurred in the 1100 block of U.S. 287 in Grapeland, at the Ranch Express Convenience store.
Police then issued an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Jose Wilfredo Berrios. According to officials, the warrant is for criminal trespass and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Additionally, the Grapeland Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Berrios, charging him with aggravated robbery, according to officials.
ATHENS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an Athens man was sentenced to prison after threatening to shoot three people, including a child with an AR-15 in September of 2024.
According to the Henderson County District Attorney, Freddie Castillo, 36 of Athens, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault on April 24 and sentenced to five years on one count and four years on the second count with both starting April 25.
The DA said they heard testimony that on Sept. 28, 2024 deputies responded to CR 4613 in Athens after the caller reported that she, her husband and her 13-year-old son picked up her sister-in-law from Cleburne and were bringing her home she shared with her husband, Castillo when he began yelling at everyone. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – With the possibility of severe storms, and tornado warnings in effect, many East Texas schools are releasing students early. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled an updated list of schools that will have early release. To view that list, click here.
PANOLA COUNTY – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a wanted man out of Michigan in East Texas following an early Tuesday morning chase, according to our news partner KETK.
A Texas Highway Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 315 at FM 1971 in Clayton at around 7:42 a.m. Officials learned that the driver, identified as Sidney Hunter, Jr., 23 of South Holland, Ill., and was wanted out of Michigan. Upon discovery, he reportedly fled. Officials said that Hunter turned onto FM 1970 before heading onto U.S. Highway 79 S towards Carthage.
Other law enforcement agencies in the area responded to the chase, and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office units set up road spikes before the Loop. Hunter made a U-turn before reaching the road spikes and continued driving through a ditch. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK reports that the State Fire Marshal’s Office in Austin has confirmed they’re doing an origin and cause investigation into a trailer fire where human remains were found in Palestine.
According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a a trailer fire on Fields Street in Palestine on Sunday. The Palestine Fire Department was at the trailer and told the deputy that human remains were found inside the home. Anderson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Judge James W. Westley performed and inquest and has ordered an autopsy to be done on the remains.
The sheriff’s office requested that the State Fire Marshall’s Office come into remove the remains and to investigate the origin and the cause of the fire.
LONGVIEW – A man pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and aggravated assault from a 2022 Longview Waffle House shooting.
Our news partner KETK reports that Rayshon Weston LaGarde, 25, of Longview pleaded guilty to the murder of Kendall Marshall, 27, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that injured a woman in the December 23, 2022, Waffle House shooting, according to Gregg County Court Records.
LaGrande will be sentenced in the 188th District Court on May 9, 2025.