Today is
Sunday June 07, 2026
VAN ZANDT- Residents of Van Zandt County have started taking notice of the effects a lithium battery storage project had on their town. Most are worried about the potential for a lithium battery fire and the lack of resources for local first responders according to our news partner KETK.
They worry that the effects of the lithium batteries could also affect their soil, air and property values. White is taking the fight to Austin hoping to gain the attention of lawmakers and show them Texans support securing the grid. While White and others are fighting against the implementation of these projects, experts in the field said battery storage is exactly what Texas needs to stabilize the energy grid.
“At a high level, battery storage is fundamental for the grid,” Texas Advanced Energy Alliance Executive Director Matt Bomer said. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – An East Texas food truck was struck by an 18-wheeler this afternoon in Nacogdoches according to our news partner KETK.
Ruby’s, a Tyler-based restaurant which offers Mexican cuisine to East Texans, reported on Facebook that their truck was parked and serving customers when it was struck by an 18-wheeler. The business said those involved in the crash have been taken to a local hospital to receive evaluation and care. Ruby’s is asking East Texans to pray for everyone involved in the crash. The business also said their Nacogdoches location will be closed for the remainder of the day out of respect for those affected.
RUSK COUNTY – A 62-year-old man from Longview has been convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child after DNA evidence connected him to a case from 1992, according to our news partner KETK.
David Roy Mundt, 62 of Longview, was arrested for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child on Aug. 9, 2024 by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Rusk County Jail records show. Mundt’s arrest came after the Texas Department of Public Safety Laboratory in Garland obtained a DNA profile from a rape kit taken in a 1992 child sexual assault case involving a seven-year-old, according to Rusk County District Attorney Micheal E. Jimerson.
“This case involved recent DNA advancements that permit us to unmask the monsters and serial child rapist hiding among us,” Jimerson said. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police are searching for a man accused of placing Easter eggs filled with marijuana around the city as part of a scavenger hunt.
According to a release from the Lufkin Police Department, a resident tipped officials after they saw several Facebook posts regarding the eggs. The suspect, Avante Nicholson, allegedly posted four photos showing each location as hints to find the eggs.
“He also posted a photo of five plastic eggs in the seat of a vehicle. Officers found four eggs and believed he had not placed the fifth,” Lufkin PD said. “However, the fifth egg was found by a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park the following day and brought to the police station.”
The Easter eggs were found at three city parks and a local motel. The police department said the marijuana totaled more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. Officials also found several posts referencing selling narcotics. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER –State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola is leading the charge at the Capitol when it comes to pro-life. Filing two of three bills up for vote this session according to our news partner KETK.
He filed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, as a way to clarify some of the exceptions under the state’s current abortion law. Especially for some doctors who were confused and scared to treat their patients.
The bill was first heard in the state affairs committee at the end of March. After valuable feedback, Hughes went to work with the Texas Medical Association to clear up the confusion on who would be charged and when they would face consequences. The amendments also took out the word “Life-threatening” when referring to medical emergencies. The amended bill also adds required education for lawyers and doctors to better understand Texas abortion laws. After getting a unanimous green light, the amended bill will now make its way to the Senate floor to be discussed and voted on before the 89th Legislative Session ends on June 2nd. Read the rest of this entry »
MOFFETT – According to our news partner KETK, an Angelina County resident was found dead after a vehicle drove through his house Thursday morning. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call where a Chevrolet pickup drove through a residence in the Moffett area. Police say the vehicle left the roadway, striking a tree then smashing into the victim’s home.
Police discovered the body of 70 year-old Robert Bole after being struck by the truck inside the residence.
TYLER – The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be this Saturday and will give East Texans a chance to safely dispense with any prescription drugs they may have.
According to our news partner KETK, the event will take place at the Athens and Tyler police stations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. East Texans are encouraged to attend to dispose of prescription drugs that may be unused or unwanted. People will also be educated about the potential dangers of prescription medication.
Those attending can bring different kinds of pills to drop off, including solid dosage pharmaceutical products. However, no illicit substances will be included, such as marijuana or methamphetamine.
Officers will also be collecting vapes, pens and other e-cigarette devices, and they request the batteries be removed before they are turned in.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a man was arrested on Monday, after he admitted to having suspected heroin in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
A member of the Van Zandt County’s Criminal Interdiction Team pulled over Cedric Earl Thompson for committing multiple moving violations, officials said. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy began questioning Thompson when he admitted to possessing heroin in his vehicle, leading the deputy to request a K9 unit from Wills Point PD and conduct a search.
“The K9 alerted the Deputy and Officer to the presence of illegal narcotics, resulting in a search of the vehicle,” officials said. “During the search, suspected heroin was located inside the vehicle.”
Thompson was arrested and booked in the Van Zandt County Detention Center for possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is still ongoing.
TYLER – Two people were arrested after a Tyler apartment shooting left one man injured Wednesday night.
According to the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, around 10 p.m. officers responded to a shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments on 3220 Walton Road where they located one victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers were able to apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and he was taken to a local hospital.
Officials said the suspect was located in a vehicle after a short pursuit and was stopped on Woodland Hill Drive, but the driver ran into a wooded area next to The Grove Restaurant. Officers later located the suspect, along with the gun used. Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as 23-year-old Oguist Williams and the passenger as 22-year-old Jourdan King.
Williams was arrested for evading arrest/detention in a vehicle, while King was arrested for aggravated assault and a felon in possession of a firearm. Both men were booked into the Smith County Jail.
UPDATE: The Lufkin Police Department has identified the body recovered from Kurth Lake as Clay Thomas Legg, 64 of Pollok. According to the preliminary autopsy results, Legg drowned and no foul play is suspected.
LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, the Lufkin Police Department said they’ve recovered the body of a man who was reported missing from his boat at Kurth Lake on Tuesday. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Lufkin PD, divers with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, the Lufkin Fire Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens responded to reports of a man missing from his boat at around 1 p.m. The boat was found empty in a cove on Kurth Lake prompting first responders to deploy rescue boats and drones to search the water for anyone who had been on the boat.
Divers responded to Kurth Lake and a man’s body was found not too far away from where the boat was discovered, Lufkin PD said.
CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying individuals involved in armed robbery while using a stolen truck, according to a report by our news partner KETK.
On Wednesday morning, the Crockett Police Department notified the public via a Facebook post that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street.
Shortly following the post, a deputy with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle that had been abandoned in Grapeland on U.S. Highway 287 near the intersection of FM 227 in front of Grapeland Apartments.
After further investigation, detectives with the Crockett Police Department obtained information from the Grapeland Police Department 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. According to authorities, two individuals displayed handguns, stole the cash drawer and fled the scene in the stolen vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Almost three weeks after pleading guilty to a 2022 charge of sexual assault against a child, a Longview doctor was found dead on Tuesday by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the suspension order from the Texas Medical Board, two of Hipke’s former patients, both boys under 17, accused him of sexual assault. This led the Texas Medical Board to investigate Hipke and suspend his license. Hipke had a sentencing hearing set for Friday for this charge.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the Bella Terra subdivision in North Longview, and found Matt Elza Hipke, 62 of Longview, dead at the scene. The Gregg County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 soon arrived, and pronounced Hipke deceased and ordered an autopsy.
Officials say this incident remains an open investigation and no other information will be released at this time, but the sheriff’s office doesn’t believe there is any danger to the community.
LONGVIEW – An East Texas man was arrested after a fatal shooting on Tuesday afternoon making the incident the first homicide of the year in Longview, according to a report from our news partner KETK.
According to the department, around 2:47 p.m. officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Toler Road where they found Jonathan Ragland shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said that the shooter left the scene before officers arrived, and later identified the suspect as Dalton Chandler Lawrence, 26 of Longview. Lawrence was arrested for murder, along with two outstanding warrants from Wood County.
“This is the first homicide of the year in Longview,” Longview Police Department said. “We do ask that if you saw anything in this area or know anything, please contact Longview Police.”
LUFKIN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Lufkin Police Department has found the body of a man who was reported missing from his boat at Kurth Lake on Tuesday.
According to officials, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Lufkin PD, divers with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, the Lufkin Fire Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens responded to reports of a man missing from his boat at around 1 p.m. The boat was found empty in a cove on Kurth Lake prompting first responders to deploy rescue boats and drones to search the water for anyone who had been on the boat.
Divers responded to Kurth Lake and a man’s body was found not too far away from where the boat was discovered, Lufkin Police said. Angelina County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Rodney Cheshire has ordered an autopsy.
TYLER – Dollar General recently announced that they donated more than 1.2 million pounds of food to the East Texas Food Bank in 2024, according to our news partner KETK.
On April 17, Dollar General said they’ve partnered with Texas Feeding America to donate 3.5 million pounds of food to 12 Texas food banks, including the East Texas Food Bank. Dollar General’s announcement comes after the East Texas Food Bank said they’ve lost over $850,000 worth of food from presidential cut backs.
“At Dollar General, we understand the challenges our neighbors may face in accessing affordable, nutritious food to provide themselves and their families,” Dollar General vice president of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy Denine Torr said. “With more than 47 million people in the U.S. currently facing hunger, we are committed to being a part of the solution through our partnership with the Feeding America network of partner food banks.” Read the rest of this entry »