Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
TYLER – A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to burglary of habitation after being charged for murder and burglary back in 2020, and has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Robertson, 23, is the third person of his three co-defendants to be convicted in the investigation to a shooting on Van Street in Tyler and has a plea hearing for his murder charge scheduled for next month. Robertson’s co-defendant’s Kevondus Brantley and Kobe Warthsaw have been convicted of murder for the 2020 shooting. Brantley pleaded to 15 years in prison, and Warthsaw was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – AAA is reporting the largest weekly gas price decrease for the year in Texas. The statewide gas price average per gallon is $4.33, AAA said. That is .16 cents less than on this day last week and $1.52 more per gallon compared to this day last year. AAA said drivers in El Paso are paying the most on average at $4.44 per gallon. According to our news partner KETK in Longview, the average gas price today is $4.39, compared to $4.53 a week ago. In Tyler, average gas prices are down to $4.27 from $4.40 last week. Texarkana’s gas average is now $4.36 from $4.51 last week. The main factors behind the recent drop, according to the AAA, is that crude oil prices are dropping due to concerns about a decline in global demand later this year and increased supply regionally. July is typically one of the busiest months for road travel.
TYLER – A former Van Zandt County Chief Deputy pleaded guilty to deprivation of civil rights on Wednesday after being accused of unreasonably assaulting an arrestee according to our news partner KETK. Steven Craig Shelton was accused of depriving a person of their rights while acting under color of law in September 2021 after an incident in Wills Point. Wednesday in court, Shelton submitted a binding plea agreement. Federal Magistrate Judge John D. Love recommended that the plea agreement be accepted by the district judge. The binding plea agreement includes a 44-month imprisonment sentence, five-year supervised release, and requires Shelton to pay restitution to the victim and community in an amount yet to be decided. According to court documents, Shelton “used his forearm to twice strike [the person] in the face while [they] were handcuffed.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A sixth woman was arrested for injury to a child for events that took place while she was employed at a Longview ISD elementary school. According to our news partner KETK, Cynthia Talley, 56, was arrested on Wednesday and has been indicted for seven counts of causing bodily injury to a child. She has also been indicted for one count of unlawful restraint of a minor. Talley posted a combined bail of $20,000 for all eight of her charges, and was released the same day. All six of the women were indicted in late June after an investigation into the mistreatment of students at J.L. Everhart Elementary. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Texas Veterans Land Board is encouraging the community to help make an East Texas veteran’s upcoming birthday extra special. Archie Thomas will be turning 100-years-old on July 13. According to our news partner KETK, he is a World War II veteran after serving as an Army Sgt. said VLB Chairman George P. Bush. “I would truly enjoy receiving 100 birthday cards for my 100th birthday,†said Thomas. He currently lives at the Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler. The veteran was born in Hearne, Texas and served in the Army Air Corps from Sept. 1942 until July 1945. When Thomas was 22-years-old, his aircraft was shot down in Germany in April of 1944. Thomas survived the crash, but nine other service members on his crew did not. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – A man was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Cherokee County for burglary of habitation, according to our news partner KETK. Anthony Wayne Brooks was convicted for this offense on Thursday in the 2nd Judicial District Court. The burglary happened in September, and a witness said Brooks put items from a home into the back of a truck and then drove away, according to Elmer C. Beckworth, the Cherokee County District Attorney. A jury convicted Brooks after about an hour of deliberations. Brooks also asked for the jury to decide his punishment. The jury decided on a 12 year sentence, and had been informed that Brooks had four previous felony convictions. 2nd Judicial District Judge Chris Day then finalized the sentencing. Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Richey and Assistant District Attorney Enoch Basnett represented the prosecution in this case, and Brooks’ lawyer was Sravanesh Muralidhar.
SMITH COUNTY – One person was rushed to the hospital on Monday after a shooting in Smith County, officials said. According to our news partner KETK at around 7:30 p.m., Smith County deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 11800 block of CR 4153 for a report of deadly conduct. At the scene, deputies reportedly found a victim with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Paramedics arrived quickly and took the victim to the hospital. Deputies and investigators spoke with witnesses to identify a suspect, who later walked by the location of the shooting and was detained by deputies. The victim is in “extremely critical condition†with life-threatening injuries, officials said. The Smith County Crime Scene Unit and investigators are continuing their investigation. The names of the parties involved were withheld due to age constraint and more information will be released when it is available.
LONGVIEW – A Longview elementary school student donated more than $1,800 to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission on Monday, according to our news partner KETK. Evie White is a student at Parkway Elementary, and she sold lemonade and lemon tea to fundraise for the organization that provides food and shelter to women, families and the homeless. Evie set up her stand at the Longview Walmart for two days. Parkway Elementary usually raises money for the mission during the school year, and the child was worried that no one would be fundraising during the summer. Her mom encouraged her to take action to help others. Evie later created a business plan and wrote to Walmart to get permission to sell her lemonade. She was then able to raise a large amount for the Hiway 80 Mission. Evie and her siblings visited the group and gave them the check. Hiway 80 Mission leaders said they were touched.
TYLER — A Tyler man accused of shooting two 13-year-old girls in March has been given a trial date. Jaqualin Xavier Humphrey, 18, still remains in the Smith County Jail after more than three months for several counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to our news partner KETK. His bond is set at $900,000. Humphrey has been accused of shooting two 13-year-old girls on March 12 in the area of North Ross Street and West Bow Street. The girls were reportedly both shot one time each but have since recovered. Humphrey’s trial date has been set for July 11 at 10 a.m.
LONGVIEW – The Great Texas Balloon Race is this weekend in Longview. This is the second year in a row that the competition will be held in city limits, according to our news partner KETK. The race is happening at the Longview Convention Complex, and it brings together some of the best pilots in the country and around the world. Races are scheduled to happen through Sunday. There are also performers at the event. There will also be a special shapes spectacular, a 5K fun run and a balloon glow this weekend. “In 2021 we had a modified event with only competition and so this is the first time since 2019 to have the full event. The excitement does seem to be great in the city, and we’re just looking forward to a great event,†said Michelle Ford, Chairman of the Great Texas Balloon Race. Gregg County was designated as “The Balloon Race Capital of Texas†by the state legislature in 2013.
LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials and business leaders met in Longview to discuss the current state of the County, according to our news partner KETK. Senate Bill 2 was the main focus, saying the bill, also known as the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019, is having a major impact on county finances. “It probably works fine in the bigger metropolitan areas of millions of people, but in small communities, we just don’t have that tax base to be able to take that kind of hit,†said Bill Stoudt, Gregg County Judge. Under this law, cities are only allowed to bring in between 2.5% and 3.5% of tax property revenue. “It’s just the old formality, you can’t continue to push costs down to the county level without additional revenue,†said Judge Stoudt. If they need extra, the county would have to explain to the community why more money is needed and hold an election. Judge Stoudt said they have seen their revenue reduced. Meaning, that as expenses like fuel go up, there’s less money available to pay for goods and critical services. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The lead defense attorney for William Davis, the serial killer former nurse with CHRISTUS who was convicted of murdering patients last year, was sentenced for trying to solicit a prostitute during the month-long trial on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Hayes was sentenced to one year of deferred adjudicated probation. The sentence includes a $1,000 fine due in the next 30 days along with various court and prosecution costs. He will also have to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a life skills class. Hayes requested the probation be transferred to Dallas County, which is where he lives. 7th District Judge Kerry Russell said Hayes would need to talk to the probation department, but he would have no problem approving it.
TYLER – UT Tyler has been forced to adjust their summer camp programs due to current high temperatures, according to our news partner KETK. Camp Coordinator Ashleigh Dinkins said. “Our staff members are trying to look for students that are showing signs of distress to maybe move them indoors, put them in shade or get them water.†With temperatures hitting triple digits this month, the camp is putting an emphasis on making sure children attending their summer camps are staying hydrated and cool through the day. “We are making sure everyone has some time indoors as well as outdoors to combat any kind of heat exhaustion,†said Dinkins. Staff members are asking all campers to bring their own water bottles to fill up, and finding other ways to keep the children cooled down. Dinkins also said that the rec sports camp has adjusted its schedule to give campers time at the pool twice a day. Local sports medicine physician Dr. Rebecca Pebbles says it is imperative for children to stay hydrated while outside.
TYLER – Hogg Middle School is going to be closed before the 2022-2023 school year. The school is being closed because the 2022 bond was passed. Therefore, Tyler ISD is going to have a four quadrant middle school concept, according to our news partner KETK. Tyler ISD said they want to preserve the 92-year-old building. Officials will still use the facility for administrative offices and for the community and extracurricular activities. “We’re appreciative of voters giving us the opportunity to move forward with a more efficient middle school concept for our students, teachers, and staff,†said Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford. “Making the move this summer will help the district accomplish budgetary goals of lowering its tax rates while still providing raises for teachers and staff. It will also allow us to prepare the Hogg facility for administrative and other uses. Most importantly, it will not prolong a disruption in school assignments for incoming 6th graders and current 7th graders once we can get into a new Hubbard facility.†Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS – Two East Texas lawmakers were recently appointed to the Senate Special Committee to Protect All Texans. Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) will serve as chair of the committee, while Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) will be a member of the committee. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named them, along with several other members to be charged with studying five areas: school safety, mental health, social media, police training and firearm safety. The committee does not include Democratic Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who represents the Uvalde area. Patrick said he asked Nichols to hold his hearing on June 23 or a date shortly after in order to give the community of Uvalde time to complete all funeral services. He is also asked to coordinate with the House of Representatives Chair to hold their hearings on the same date, if possible, to accommodate both invited and public witnesses.
TYLER – The 321st District Court in Smith County, which handles family court cases has been moved out of the courthouse in downtown Tyler. This is to make room for the newly-created 475th District Court, according to our news partner KETK. Judge Robert Wilson, who presides over the 321st Court, said he is “beyond excited to make the move†to his new courtroom on the fifth floor of the Annex building. The move takes effect Monday, June 6. On Tuesday, county commissioners approved moving two bailiffs to the Annex Building due to the increased traffic flow. The court was created to assist with the backlog of felony cases and jail overpopulation. Currently, the county only has three district courts to handle hundreds of cases. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – A child was hospitalized after they were hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle, the Kilgore Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, the driver failed to stop and render aid. Luckily, others stopped to assist. According to Kilgore PD, a friend of the bike rider gave police officers details of what happened and they were able to find a vehicle that matched the description at a nearby apartment complex. “No matter who’s fault it may or may not be, you are required to stop and render aid,†Kilgore PD said in a Facebook post. “Always call 911 to report it and summons assistance. Even if you aren’t at fault, but don’t summons aid you may be charged with a crime.â€
TYLER — The Tyler man who was charged with intoxicated manslaughter in a wreck that killed a Tyler Legacy high school senior has been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Jason Charles, 24, was indicted by a Smith County grand jury on March 24 on the charge of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle. Charles was originally charged on Jan. 14 in the death of Lily Thornburgh after she succumbed to her injuries in a late-night wreck on Broadway Ave. She was just shy of 18.
PALESTINE — East Texas nonprofits are struggling to stay afloat in today’s sluggish economy. According to our news partner KETK, the Tri-County Meals on Wheels in Palestine previously received $2,000-$3,000 per month in donations and now they only get about $1,000 per month. The organization serves Anderson, Cherokee and Rusk counties. The community fears the program is going to close because of the significant decrease in funding. They are having to pull money from other places within the ministry and reach out to city officials for help. “We have the gas that’s increasing, the food prices increasing, everything is increasing except the funding sources,†said Executive Director Ruby Taylor. “I decided to compose a letter and send it to each county judge, letting them know of our need.†Tri-County Meals on Wheels has lost nearly $85,000 in local funding due to the effects of the pandemic. Some of the people they serve, solely depend on Meals on Wheels to eat everyday. The program does get government funding but that only accounts for 43%, the rest is on them so they are asking for help from the community.
KYIV, Ukraine (FOX/Staff) – Paul Grey was born in Tyler and is a graduate of the University of Texas. He’s a U.S Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient now on the frontline in the war in Ukraine. He served two duties in Iraq with the 101st airborne division, which prepared him for his current situation. According to our news partner KETK, Grey was living in Ukraine where he owns and operates a gymnasium when the invasion began. He recently had to shut it down about a month ago due to the crisis. With his business closed he had the choice to leave or stay, but he decided to stay. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A Spring Hill ISD senior helped raise more than $1,500 for a student with autism. According to our news partner KETK, Alexis Grubb met autistic freshman Louis Wolfe at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. When Grubb noticed Wolfe sitting alone in the cafeteria, she decided to befriend him. Due to his disability, it took Wolfe some time to get comfortable with his new friend. Wolfe comes from a one-parent, low-income household, and his mom works day and night to keep the lights on. Upon learning this, Grubb knew that there was something she could do to help Wolfe. Grubb made a Facebook post and received an overwhelming number of responses that left both her and school staff speechless. Grubb raised more than $1,500 for the student. She took the money to the store and bought Wolfe an abundance of art supplies. Read the rest of this entry »
NEW LONDON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s office is currently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy that has been missing since Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Brandy Calhoun was last seen at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday walking from the West Rusk Softball Fields in New London. He is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, combat boots, a blue baseball hat and had his arm in a sling. If you have any information on Calhoun’s whereabouts, contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s office at (903) 657-3581.
TYLER – U.S. Senator John Cornyn was in Tyler Tuesday for a roundtable to discuss broadband access. Local leaders, healthcare providers, educators and economic development officials gathered with Cornyn to “highlight the challenges of limited broadband access that many East Texas communities experience.†The roundtable took place Tuesday morning at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Cornyn has worked on legislation that would allow local leaders to use unspent COVID-19 relief funds for regional projects like expanding broadband access and infrastructure. Participants came from a wide variety of backgrounds to discussed how broadband access impacts education, healthcare and economic development. Cornyn compared the lack of access to broadband in rural communities to the way that those same communities had little access to electricity in the 1950s, saying that “we overcame that deficit and that lack of connectivity back then, and we can do this now.â€
TYLER – With Title 42 set to end May 23rd, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke with KTBB about some of his concerns with the Biden administrations plans once the borders are open to the flood of immigrants. The Attorney General expressed concerns about the amount to crime, drugs and gang activity along the border. Among other things, he believes that the Cartels are being given a free pass to bring in people, drugs and weapons into the country. The Biden administration will look the other way with the understanding that these immigrants will vote Democrat. He worries this will have long term consequences economically and our way of life.
OVERTON — The Board of Trustees of Overton Independent School District voted unanimously to elect a new superintendent for the district. Larry Calhoun will replace current superintendent Stephen DuBose who will be retiring at the end of June after 18 years in the district and the last 9 as superintendent. Calhoun is currently the CTE Director and Department Chair for Fine and Applied Arts at Mundelein High School in Mundelein, Illinois. Calhoun earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University, where he played football, and received a Master of Education Administration from Lamar University. After earning his degrees, Calhoun began his career in the business world but left to begin his teaching/coaching career at Dallas Christian High School in Mesquite, Texas. After that, he spent time in Garland and Austin Texas before moving to Illinois. Calhoun and his wife, Kathy, have 2 children, both former collegiate athletes.
MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant and Pittsburg police located and confiscated 28 stolen catalytic converters, according to our news partner KETK. A joint investigation between the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the Pittsburg Police Department ultimately led to the discovery that came to a head on Friday. Detectives found 28 “illegally obtained†catalytic converters at a business in Mount Pleasant. Catalytic converters are located under your vehicle and are required to pass state inspections. Precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium make up catalytic converters. Thieves can sell those metals for hundreds to thousands of dollars per ounce. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Another suspect has been arrested in the case of a man whose body was found Saturday in Tyler. Police say 29-year-old Edna Deanne Jones of Tyler is accused of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a second degree felony with a $250,000 bond, and failing to report a felony, a class A misdemeanor with a $25,000 bond. She has been booked into the Smith County Jail. Earlier, police announced that 26-year-old murder suspect Timothy Eugene Jones of Tyler had been arrested in Dallas. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Three East Texas cities were awarded grants from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission according to our news partner KETK. The grants are to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities and are given to government agencies on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis, and once funded, the sites must remain properly maintained and open to the public, according to a release. This will result in more nature trails, native gardens, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks and sports fields at 26 community parks statewide. The grants were awarded based on community population and scope. Read the rest of this entry »
NEW LONDON — Officials with the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management have confirmed that the wildfire has been contained, with all units having cleared the scene. Officials advised that a substantial amount of smoke from the fire that would settle along the lower areas during the cooler temperatures of the night. All homes and structures in the area have been confirmed to be out of danger. Emergency personnel said that they will be conducting a follow-up aerial survey of the area to assess the total acreage of the fire, as well as to check for any breach of the containment lines.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler recently announced that faculty within the College of Engineering have received National Institutes of Health funding to study signs of opioid exposure in infants. According to our news partner KETK, Premananda Indic, PhD, UT Tyler associate professor of electrical engineering, and Pravitha Ramanand, PhD, UT Tyler assistant research professor of electrical engineering, received an $861,744 subaward to support a University of Alabama at Birmingham project. “There is an ongoing epidemic of opioid use during pregnancy,†said Namasivayam Ambalavanan, MD, principal investigator, a University of Alabama at Birmingham professor and Virginia Walker Jones Endowed Chair in Neonatology. “Babies exposed to opioids before birth often develop neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and are at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, the challenge is to identify such signs early in life.†Pioneering work conducted by the team has identified that patterns of heart rate and breathing as early as the first day after birth can be used to identify infants who later develop signs of opioid withdrawal. Read the rest of this entry »