Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
TYLER – The Tyler City Council approved a $195,900 engineering contract on Wednesday to work on a downtown Tyler traffic study. According to our news partner KETK, the city is working with Kimley-Horn engineers. The city will pay for the study, but they will be reimbursed through a Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) grant. Toole Design will give recommendations on how officials can improve the downtown area. This has been Toole Design’s focus since the start of 2022. Engineers will survey the area then make recommendations for changes based on their findings, which they will show to the council. Between 2010 and 2020, the City of Tyler grew at an average rate of 1% per year. Some recent developments in downtown include the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, Smith County Jail, People’s Petroleum Building and Plaza Tower. Officials have also proposed building a new Smith County courthouse. The traffic study will last nine months and should be done by late spring 2023.
The Tyler City Council voted on Wednesday to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Lone Star Land Enhancement in the amount of $3,678,365.44 for the Sanitary Sewer Right of Way Clearing. The Right of Way clearing project is prioritized by the current condition of the easements and by determining how urgent the need to access the sanitary sewer assets associated with the easement. In all, the project identifies 394,486 linear feet of easements needing to be cleared. This project is funded with water utility bond. The City Council also voted on Wednesday to authorize the City Manager to execute a design contract with KSA Engineers, Inc. in the amount of $467,000 for the design, bidding, construction administration and inspection of a new administration building at the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – An Upshur County man was sentenced to 125 years for eight counts of indecency with a child under the age of 14. According to our news partner KETK, 48-year-old Matthew Callie McCoy was found guilty of all eight counts in Upshur County court. The child victim told a family member on Sept. 12, 2018 about ongoing abuse at the hands of McCoy. According to District Attorney Billy Byrd, the child had just turned 10 years old and said they were afraid of McCoy because he was abusing them by touching them inappropriately. The child’s mother went to the Gilmer Police Department who investigated the case. At trial, the child testified and said they had been “physically abused and threatened to be killed if they told,†Byrd said. The child took the witness stand as did the child’s mother, a counselor and other witnesses that backed up the child’s statement. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler Independent School District Board of Trustees gave the go-ahead for the Guardian Plan on Monday during a workshop, according to our news partner KETK. This will allow some employees to carry certain firearms. They will be selected by the board of trustees and the superintendent to have firearms at schools, board meetings and other school events on district property. “The district sees this as an extra line of defense to ensure the safety of our students and staff and will always first rely on our Tyler ISD police force and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies,†said Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty L. Crawford. Apart from the Guardian Plan, Tyler ISD is going to hire more Tyler ISD police officers. There will now be 34 officers in total, so there will be an armed officer at every elementary school campus and more than one armed officer at the secondary schools. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The city announced Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) plans to change how customers are charged, no longer subsidizing the first 2,000 gallons in favor of charging for total water use. If approved, TWU customers will see an increase of about $20 to their monthly bill. City Manager Edward Broussard said. “These rates are needed to maintain the quality of these services and sustain the system in the long term.†The new billing structure is set to be phased in over the next five years as a part of the fiscal year 2023 budget process. Customers will be charged the same rate regardless of utilization. The city said it plans to spend $24.4 million in cash and bond funds on water and sewer improvement projects in the coming year. Residential solid waste fees will also increase by $1.28 for twice-weekly collection. The budget’s final adoption is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Sept. 14 meeting at Tyler City Hall, and the public is available to give their input on the budget at the Aug. 24 and Sept. 14 meetings.
LONGVIEW – A Longview teenager died after a shooting at an apartment complex on Monday according to the Longview Police Department. Longview police made it to the Preserve Apartments at 600 West Avalon Avenue around 9:25 p.m. A teenage male was shot and taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle before the officers arrived. The teen later died due to his injuries, said officials. Detectives are still investigating the shooting. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110, or send a tip anonymously to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.
TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners court voted Tuesday to approve putting the county courthouse bond proposal on the Nov. 8 ballot. Smith County voters will now be tasked with voting on the proposal which, if voted into effect, would begin construction on a new county courthouse and parking structure. Members of the community spoke on the proposal before the vote, largely in favor of building a new courthouse. While no one said they were in favor of a rise in taxes, one woman said it was a necessary evil. Commissioner 3 Terry Lee Phillips who has the only opposing vote on the commission, said that in his opinion, now was not the time for the bond proposal due to growing inflation across the country. The proposed courthouse focuses on adding safety precautions the current structure cannot support, and the addition of a 300-car parking garage. The plan comes to the ballot after over 20 years of continuous assessment and planning.
SMITH COUNTY — Since news broke that the FBI searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday, a growing number of Republicans have spoken out against the raid. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran spoke with KTBB Tuesday morning. Judge Moran said “It’s clear the Democrats are on a political witch hunt against former President Donald Trump. This an unfortunate.” Judge Moran continued, “The raid clearly on Mar-A-Lago is an abuse of power and should not be tolerated in our Nation. November elections can’t come soon enough and switch from what we are seeing now to a government that’s leaning toward Liberty and dedicated to Liberty.” A senior official briefed on Monday’s events said that the Secret Service was notified by the FBI a short time before agents arrived that they would be coming. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Two people are now confirmed dead in an 18-wheeler roll over Monday off Toll 49 and Highway 110. According to DPS a truck traveling northbound on Highway 110 exit ramp left the roadway to the left and overcorrected to the right. Truck rolled one and a half times coming to a rest on its top. The off ramp of Texas Toll 49 at Highway 110 was closed for a couple of hours due to overturned 18-wheeler and cleanup. The investigation continues and the names of the victims have not been released.
TYLER – For the third year in a row, our news partner KETK News is hosting a pet supply drive for local animal shelters. The event has already started and is running through Aug. 19. Residents can drop off their donations at the KETK station located on 4300 Richmond Road in Tyler. They are accepting donations Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Shelters need items like food, bedding, cleaning supplies and toys.
TYLER – Kaegan Wright, the Smith County teen who went missing Saturday afternoon, was located later in the evening and appeared to have drowned in a nearby pool. According to our news partner KETK, at approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday Smith County deputies responded to a drowning call in the 15500 block of CR 314. Upon their arrival, they were informed that Kaegan Wright had drowned at a swimming pool at this location. The pool was reportedly in the backyard of a residence near Kaegan’s home on the same street. Kaegan was then taken to Forensic Medical in Tyler for an autopsy, ordered by Justice of the Peace Jon Johnson.
TYLER – The city of Tyler will be closing several streets on Friday for the funeral procession of Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos, who was killed in the line of duty on July 29. The funeral will start at 10:00 at Green Acres Baptist Church. The procession will leave Green Acres Baptist Church at 1607 Troup Highway then turn left onto Troup Highway at S. Beckham Ave and then right onto S. Broadway Avenue. The procession will go to Front Street then turn left to move outside of the city. Later, it will turn right onto Patton Lane until it arrives at Memorial Park Cemetery on Hwy 64 W. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District announced Thursday that it will be increasing its police staff for the 2022-2023 school year. The district will reportedly have a full time, armed and trained police officer at every campus during the school year. The Lindale ISD Police Department was initially established in 2015 with three officers and with the new staff increase, there will be a total of six officers. The district says that all Lindale ISD Police Officers have completed the Active Shooter Response for School-Based Law Enforcement class, including training beyond the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center (ALERRT) program as a part of our current safety and security standards. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Officials are saying if we get some rain in East Texas, it could take up to a year to recover from this extreme drought. “We are in severe conditions with the temperatures getting into triple digits and all the gusts of wind we’re getting along with it have made conditions way worse than what they should be,†said Travis Johnson, Smith County EDS 2 firefighter. Extreme drought means East Texas has received substantially less rainfall. We’ve seen more burn bans and mandatory water rations taking effect. This all makes a huge impact on vegetation, livestock and even air quality according to our news partner KETK. It can affect agricultural production like hay and pasture production and forage growth for livestock. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of felony assault family violence according to our news partner KETK. Richard Wilson, 48, was arrested after the Smith County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic disturbance call on August 25, 2020, and prosecutors called witnesses who detailed facts surrounding the assault to the jury, according to the district attorney. “Evidence also proved Wilson’s extensive and violent criminal history, which included previous convictions for both attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon,†the district attorney said. Wilson’s prior convictions increased his punishment range to 25 years to life in prison, and after deliberations the jury sentenced him to life in prison.
ARP – Arp ISD has struggled to fill bus driver seats these past few years according to our news partner KETK. The type of training is expensive and to help out, the coaches and the principal of Arp High School volunteered. “It’s kind of unique, get to interact with kids and see them in a different way and I can see them in a different light. And you can meet kids from other campuses, but it all comes down to helping whenever I can,†said Principal Mike Miller. Arp ISD hired more drivers but are still having volunteers as a backup. Henderson ISD struggled with hiring bus drivers a few years ago and when they looked at other districts, they raised their wages and now have more than enough drivers. Arp ISD said they are looking to become a training facility and pay for future bus drivers. They also hope to raise the rates.
WOOD COUNTY – Emergency fire evacuation has been issued for residents in the Horseshoe Bend area of Wood County. According to Texas A&M Forest service incident viewer the fire is 20 acres and 0% contained. FM 2088 east of FM 2869 is closed. Fire evacuation has commenced to anyone on the east side of Horseshoe Bend. If you know anyone in Horseshoe Bend or the area around it officials ask that you please let them know.
LONGVIEW – The Longview ISD Board of Trustees voted to install cameras in all special needs classrooms Monday, according to our news partner KETK. Previously, cameras were only in “most†classrooms, according to officials. Officials said they want the public to know the district is taking steps to add the cameras, and will have them running before the beginning of the school year. Six former district administrators, teachers and employees were indicted on abuse charges against special needs students at J.L. Everhart Elementary, however officials said the decision to add the cameras is not because of those cases. Former Principal Cassandra Renee James, former Assistant Principal Linda Kaye Brown Lister, former special education teacher Cecilia Gregg, former teacher’s aides Paula Hawkins Dixon and Cynthia Denise Talley and former teacher Priscilla Johnson were each indicted for various offenses against the students including striking, restraining and holding them down.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has purchased nearly 250 acres in Cherokee County, according to our news partner KETK. The 250 acres are bottomland hardwood forests, or “river swamps“, along with four miles of Neches River frontage at the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. “Conserving bottomland hardwood forests along Texas’ rivers is a high priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,†said Amy Lueders, the Service’s Southwest Regional Director. The acquisition contains a mixed pine forest along the higher elevations and bottomland hardwood forest along the Neches River riparian wetlands. The goal is to benefit resident and migratory wildlife in the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. Neches River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2006 to protect wintering, nesting and migratory habitat for migratory birds of the Central Flyway and to ensure protection of the bottomland hardwoods for their diverse biological value. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased the property using the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was established by Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas.
TYLER – Camp Gladiator, a bootcamp workout program with outdoor workouts across Tyler, announced they will be hosting a workout Aug. 20 open to the community to raise money for the family of fallen deputy, Lorenzo Bustos. According to our news partner KETK, the community workout will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at South Spring Baptist Church “honoring the life and service of Officer Lorenzo Bustos.†Gift cards and donations will be collected for Bustos’ wife, who is a member of Camp Gladiator, and his children with all proceeds to benefit the family. Bustos died in the line of duty after being struck by a drunk driver, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. Funeral arrangements are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Members of the Smith County community spoke at a special-called commissioners court meeting Monday about a bond proposal to build a new courthouse, according to our news partner KETK.. A vote will be called Aug. 9, according to the commissioners, to determine if the courthouse bond proposal will be added to the Nov. 8 ballot. The current Smith County Courthouse was dedicated in 1955, and was constructed to house two district courts, two justice of the peace courts, the jail and various county offices. The courthouse currently houses four district clerks, three county courts at law, the district clerk’s office, district attorney’s office, the Smith County Law Library and court staff. The proposed courthouse plans to accommodate 10 judges immediately with the ability to expand to 14 judges. It also proposes building a 300-car parking garage after purchasing the 200 Ferguson Building.
TYLER — During the month of August, the Tyler Animal Control and Shelter will be waiving adoption costs, according to our news partner KETK. The shelter is asking for a donation of 12 new towels, 12 new fleece blankets or a new dog house. The dog houses will go back to the community to help those that don’t have adequate shelter for their pets, while the towels and blankets will be used for the animals at the shelter. The usual adoption fee is $120 for dogs and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. For more information contact the Tyler Animal Shelter.
TYLER – Several East Texas cities have issued water conservation notices due to the extreme heat and drought-like conditions. According to our news partner KETK, Bullard, Canton, Edgewood, Tyler, Van, White Oak, Whitehouse and Wills Point are asking customers to voluntarily conserve water usage and limit irrigation of landscaped areas. The water comes from Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine, and officials said current lake levels are not causing concerns about the water supply at this time. However, more severe and prolonged drought conditions could strain lake levels, which staff is monitoring closely. TWU is asking customers to voluntarily limit irrigation to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8). Water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9) are asked to water on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Watering should be done between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The restrictions are not mandatory at this time.
EAST TEXAS — The USDA Waiver that gave all children access to free lunch during the pandemic has expired, according to our news partner KETK. The school districts affected will have the application for free and reduced lunch available for those students who will still need free lunch. In addition to the money provided for programs, a relief package will be given because of inflation. “The government gave us some extra cents, a high amount which brings us close to the amount we were getting in the summer with the feeding program so it’s going to be helpful definitely,†said Tyler ISD food director Victor Olivares. Other school districts who qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will continue to receive free lunch for all of their students. CEP eligibility requires the campus to have a minimum percentage of 42% households with income on government assistance. Longview ISD is a CEP campus and will continue to renew to provide food for their students. “Best for our students and parents and everyone concerned that we will continue to feed all the students free,†said Longview ISD’s Nutrition Director.
KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is warning all residents of the city that they will be experiencing little to no water pressure after a main water line broke. According to our news partner KETK, it was discovered that a 16-inch main water line broke within the city. The estimated time on restoration is not clear yet, but updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
TYLER – Three 18-year-old men Houston men were arrested on Friday in Tyler and are accused of stealing several catalytic converters. According to our news partner KETK, Tedrick Dyrone Perry Jr, Kennedy Zuron Watkins and Avory Marquis Coleman were arrested. On July 15, around 6:20 p.m. the Tyler Police Department received a call about a suspicious vehicle at 5201 S. Broadway Ave. The caller said they saw the suspects’ vehicle parked close to her, and she told them to move so she could leave. After they left, she noticed her car started making strange noises. Then, she saw a catalytic converter had been partially stolen from her vehicle. Officials then received two more calls about similar incidents and people described a similar suspect. This happened at 5614 S. Broadway and 8668 S. Broadway. Police began searching for a vehicle described as a black BMW four-door with a Florida license plate. Law enforcement saw the car around 8:20 p.m., heading north on S. Broadway and they tried to initiate a traffic stop. found four catalytic converters in the trunk of the vehicle and two saws.
QUITMAN — A grand jury has formally indicted an Alba woman after she was arrested in January for allegedly stealing more than $20,000 from the city of Quitman. Amber Raelynn Highnote, 35, of Alba, has been accused of theft by way of unlawfully acquiring and exercising control over property of the city of Quitman, which reportedly went on between February 2018 and July 2021. Highnote’s official charge is theft of property more than $2,500, less than $30,000, which is a state jail level felony. According to our news partner KETK, Highnote worked as the city water clerk from February 2017 to July 2021, at which point she apparently resigned from her position. Read the rest of this entry »
COFFEE CITY – The 10-day-old baby, Ryder Williams, from Coffee City that was at the center of an Amber Alert was taken in by CPS at 10 p.m. on Thursday, according to our news partner KETK. Coffee City police were contacted around 3:30 p.m. after CPS could not locate the child. CPS decided to request the Amber Alert after the parents did not cooperate to turn the child over, said authorities. Officials then started investigating and found that an uncle of the father lived in Tyler. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office went to the Tyler residence to check for all three people, but they only located the father. He was taken back to Coffee City for the investigation and then released. Later, officials got a call that the mother had decided to turn her baby into Hunt County law enforcement. The baby was then taken to CPS. Police said the parents were allowed to go home. The couple also took drug tests, and they are awaiting the results. If the parents’ drug tests come back positive for methamphetamine, officials say they will be issued a warrant for their arrests for the endangerment of a child.
PALESTINE – Texas lawmakers and East Texas school leaders visited Palestine for a school safety forum on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the event was hosted by District 8 State Rep. Cody Harris and Palestine Independent School District Superintendent Jason Marshall. It was a conversation between educators and law enforcement on how to prepare for and prevent a tragedy. These conversations are very prevalent following the mass shooting in Uvalde. At the forum, different topics were addressed such as, the security children and teachers should feel, identifying characteristics of a school shooter and being aware of surroundings. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – A wanted man was arrested in Kilgore on Wednesday after being chased by multiple officers, some who joined the chase after he ran past the police station according to our news partner KETK. “If you saw us running through the Chick-fil-A parking lot it wasn’t because we were hungry or needed to cool off with a strawberry shake,†Kilgore police said. “It was because were chasing a wanted fugitive.†According to officials, Donald “Danger†Godbey was spotted by patrol in the downtown area and fled from them. Godbey had already escaped from Kilgore officers the previous week. Read the rest of this entry »