Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
OVERTON – A teen has been hospitalized and a woman has been arrested after a 13-year-old girl was hit by a vehicle twice on Overton ISD property on Saturday. Our news partner KETK and a press release from the Overton Police Department (OPD) reports that the victim was accidentally struck by a vehicle, which resulted in her becoming trapped under the car. OPD published a press release that illustrated the situation. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines announced Wednesday morning that no students were injured after a crash involving a TISD bus occurred around 6:50 a.m. in the 500 block of West 32nd Street. No further details from the district or on-scene first responders were given.
SMITH COUNTY, Texas – Gaye Boynton announced her intention to run for district clerk. Boynton’s multiple leadership roles include her time as President of the Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals, as well as over a decade in the Women’s Ministry at Green Acres Baptist Church. The role of district clerk is important in maintaining the official records of the district courts, which handle felony criminal and family law cases. Boynton will be on the ballot in the March 3, 2026 election as a Republican primary candidate.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Johnson Street Monday night after a shooting report was made. Our news partners at KETK report that officers found a male victim who was shot when they arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The shooter is still at large and anyone with information is being urged to contact the Longview Police Department.
WINNSBORO – A Winnsboro High School teacher has been suspended by the district she reportedly struck a student in the back of the head last week. Our news partners at KETK report that WISD said they reported the alleged incident to law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services, the State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Education Agency. Interim Superintendent Aaron Nation said an investigation is pending.
MARSHALL – James Patrick Bailey, 41, has been charged with possession of visual material depicting sexual assault and possession of a controlled substance by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). This comes after Bailey reportedly possessed “disturbing and inappropriate” videos and photos of children and uploading that material to a social media platform. The HCSO received the case assignment from the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce on June 23. A search warrant was also conducted at Bailey’s home, which revealed 23 electronic devices, 3.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.
PANOLA COUNTY, Texas – Lawrence Williams was arrested by the Panola County Sheriff’s Office and charged with theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, with additional charges expected. Search warrants were conducted at multiple homes connected to Williams and an investigation into multiple thefts. It was determined that a weapon used in an aggravated robbery from Sept. 19 had not been pawned yet. Investigators said the gun was brandished by Williams during a theft of a radiator. Also found was a handgun, a magazine for another firearm, digital scales, multiple game cameras, assorted ammunition and an air compressor.
LUFKIN – A vehicle chase in Lufkin resulted in a two-vehicle collision that left one person dead. Our news partners at KETK reported Tuesday that that Wells ISD Superintendent Friday Wright lost his wife, Morgan, in the crash. Morgan was a staff member in Lufkin ISD and a mother to two children. Lufkin Police Department officers received reports of a stolen Chevrolet truck being driven by a 16-year-old minor from Trinity County at around 1 p.m. Monday. Police the minor driving the truck towards downtown Lufkin, leading to a pursuit. Read the rest of this entry »
TATUM – Our news partners at KETK and the Tatum Police Department report that a fugitive has been arrested and brought back to East Texas after fleeing the state following a warrant for her arrest linked to seven car burglaries. Authorities in Kansas initially pulled over Brittany Ann Ramkelawan for a traffic violation in Dickson County on September 18th. Monday she was eventually transported back to Henderson, where she is currently in custody at the Rusk County Jail. She is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Two other suspects, Cecil Ruffin and Amanda Martin, are also at large.
PALESTINE – Our news partners at KETK report that three people have been arrested after several children were left abandoned at a motel in Palestine. Officers arrived at the unnamed motel and found 4 children ages 6, 4, 20-months-old and a 7-month-old who were left alone in a room with no adult supervision. The room was registered to Eric Adams, 30, who had been staying there with others since Sept. 12. After officers arrived, Leah Vernon, 37, and the mother of the children, Laquella Berry, 26, arrived to the room where they were all arrested. The trio was charged with four counts of abandoning/endangering a child and booked in the Anderson County Jail.
TYLER – In a statement, the University of Texas at Tyler announced a new executive director of the Cowan Center. Ryan Poynter was given the nod late Monday morning, and is a graduate from the University of the Cumberlands. Poynter also has experience in both property management and capital budgeting. The R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center opened in 1997 according to the university.
WILLS POINT – A minor has confessed to the murder of a Wills Point man, who was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds on Sunday night at a residence on Bull Durham Road, according to our news partner KETK. Wills Point Police Department received reports of a shooting Sunday. As part of their investigation, authorities interviewed a juvenile who confessed to the murder just before 4 a.m. on Monday. They also confessed to using a family-owned revolver. The victim has been identified as Derek Abernathy. Chief of Police Aaron Long stated that the suspect and the victim were well acquainted. The minor is anticipated to face charges.
SMITH COUNTY, Texas – Our news partners at KETK reports that four people are dead after a Monday morning crash on Highway 31 near the Smith County and Gregg County line. Smith County ESD 2 Public Outreach Coordinator Nikki Simmons in a statement said the crash occurred at around 7 a.m. on Highway 31 near FM 2767. The four victims were dead on arrival. Traffic along the highway and nearby CR 245 is expected to be closed for several hours. No children were reportedly involved.
LINDALE – The Lindale Fire Department (LFD) and our news partners at KETK report that one person has been flown to a hospital after they were injured in a rollover crash on Interstate 20 near Lindale Sunday. LFD responded to the crash at 12:11 p.m. and found a driver trapped in their vehicle. A UT Health helicopter helped extract the victim and flew them to receive medical attention. Department officials stated that the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.
CORRIGAN, Texas – Corrigan-Camden ISD is asking for the community’s support after a student athlete suffered a medical emergency at Friday night’s football game against Joaquin.
According to our news partner and the district, the athlete was supporting his team from the sidelines when he collapsed. The medical emergency was unrelated to the game but local first responders, students and staff all immediately rushed in to care for the student. The student was then taken to the hospital where they remain in critical condition, according to a post from the district.
“We appreciate our first responders, staff, students, and community members for their prompt assistance last night,” Corrigan-Camden ISD said. “It is comforting to know that we have a caring community.”
Corrigan-Camden ISD asked the community to help support the student’s family by donating, gift cards, cash or food. To donate contact Corrigan-Camden High School or Lindsey Ratliff at 334-332-1171.