Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
TYLER – Kenneth Haygood, 54, of Tyler, was arrested in February on three counts of sexual assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. As of now, he faces a total of eight charges, including six counts of sexual assault, one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and another charge of practicing medicine without a license. In a Smith County courtroom this week, Haygood appeared for a status hearing Tuesday in the 114th District Court. His trial date was set for June 23, and status hearings were also set for Feb. 18 and April 17. The final pre-trial hearing is currently scheduled for June 13.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) released a statement on their Facebook page regarding the arrest of Benjamin Dale Hawkins, Jr., 45 of Marshall. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charges of Possessing Dangerous Drugs, Credit/Debit Card Abuse, Burglary of Vehicles, and Theft of Materials (Aluminum/Bronze/Copper/Brass valued under $20,000). Authorities were led to Hawkins after a business reported a man “acting suspiciously”. MPD arrived at Hawkins’ residence to question him. During the encounter, Hawkins was found in possession of prescription medication bottles that were not in his name, as well as multiple credit cards belonging to other individuals.
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that a father and son are dead due to an apparent murder-suicide. The Tyler Police Department arrived at the scene around 1:25 p.m. and identified both victims. The son is Anthony Gyallai, 45, and the father is Otto Gyallai, 88. Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh announced that a preliminary investigation helped conclude that Anthony shot Otto before shooting himself. Otto’s wife was asleep in the bedroom and did not hear anything. She is physically unharmed, according to Erbaugh. The investigation is still ongoing and any updates will be posted.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department (LPD) released a statement saying they responded to a Sunday evening shooting involving two unidentified men. The two involved reportedly know each other and it occurred in a Lear Park parking lot. LPD also stated that the shooting is under investigation and anyone who has information regarding the shooting is being urged to contact LPD.
LUFKIN – Since 1980, the Lufkin Mall has been a gem for deep East Texas shopping. Now, according to our news partner KETK, the building, along with the 32 acre property, is for sale. The estimated minimum bid is $1,028,811.78. Documents said beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 5, the county will sell to the highest bidder. The Angelina Tax Collector’s Office said the mall’s parent company owes several county entities taxes that total more than $1,000,000. Over 50 stores have called the building along with an AMC Theatre.
TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced after police allegedly found fentanyl inside a 6-month-old’s diaper during a traffic stop. Our news partners at KETK report that in a traffic stop on May 5, a vehicle was pulled over for a highway violation. The scent of marijuana led to the officer to conduct a search. The driver, later identified as Dre-Darian Taerondrick Ester, and the passenger, Jada La Nea Speight, the parents of the 6-month-old were asked to change the baby’s diaper. At this moment, the deputy allegedly saw a “bottle of pressed fentanyl†inside the diaper. Ester pleaded guilty to manufacturing/delivering of a controlled substance on Monday and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Speight has a trial date sent for Oct. 28.
TYLER – There’s been a record number of east Texans hitting the polls this early voting session, as many counties, including Smith, are seeing all-time highs ahead of the November 5th election. Our news partners at KETK have compiled a list of early voting totals for every east Texas county which you can find here. You can also find a complete list of polling locations for every east Texas county here. Please check with your local election officials for updated operation times.
UPDATE: Our news partners at KETK report that the crew involved in the crash in Van Zandt County is OK, the Department of Public Safety said. The Van Police Department also said the Federal Aviation Administration was called to investigate the crash.
VAN, Texas – Vicki McAlister, emergency management coordinator for Van Zandt County confirmed that emergency personnel are responding to a reported plane crash in Van Zandt County. Reports of injuries are unknown at this time and updated will be made when provided by authorities.
NACOGDOCHES – Crews were called to the scene of a major pedestrian crash near Stephen F. Austin State University on Thursday morning. Our news partners at KETK report that authorities arrived on the scene at around 9:49 a.m. The Nacogdoches Police Department said the pedestrian was killed in the crash. The woman was allegedly attempting to cross a four-lane roadway when she was struck by the driver of a Ford pickup. The victim’s identity has not been released and the driver of the pickup did not suffer any injuries.
ATHENS – Our news partner KETK reports that Jerry Fontenot, 59 of Athens, was arrested at his residence for four counts of animal cruelty causing death, 12 counts of animal cruelty and two counts of cruelty to a livestock animal. Deputies arrived at Fontenot’s home they found four dead dogs still in chains, 12 other dogs in bad health along with a pig and a donkey. He’s being held at the Henderson County Jail on a total bond of $26,000.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department announced that 2 people were arrested after a search found multiple kinds of drugs and firearms. According to our news partners at KETK, Longview SWAT and the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit found fentanyl pills, ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana and two firearms while executing a warrant. Demichael Johnson, 33 of Longview, and Shadiamond Chaseberry, 32 of Longview, were arrested and taken to the Gregg County Jail without incident. Johnson was charged with two counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm and his bond was set at $154,500. Chaseberry was charged with possession of marijuana with a bond set at $1,000.
TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that a fatal two-vehicle wreck occurred Friday afternoon on Highway 64 near Chapel Hill High School. Smith County Public Information Officer Larry Christian said at around 4:18 p.m. deputies responded to a crash on Highway 64 near County Road 289. Roads were blocked well into Friday evening and an investigation is pending.
CENTER, Texas – The Center ISD and local law enforcement announced that a student was detained Wednesday night after making a school threat. According to our news partner KETK and Center ISD Superintendent Brian Morris, the FBI notified the district’s police chief of a potential threat of a school shooting. The law enforcement agencies along with school administrators went to the house of the student who the FBI said made the threat and detained them. Morris said the student was taken into questioning and will not be attending their campus “for the foreseeable future.â€
PANOLA COUNTY, Texas – Two minors were charged with burglary on Wednesday after they were caught by a game camera on a stolen UTV. Our news partners at KETK and the Panola County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) report that authorities were able to identify the suspects by using a game camera found on the UTV owner’s property. Both suspects were taken into custody and taken to the Willoughby Juvenile Detention Center in Marshall. The sheriff’s office said they were charged with burglary of a habitation and theft of property.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) issued a statement Monday afternoon warning residents of a recent spike of a popular scam. These scams involve individuals “pretending to be law enforcement officers from the Marshall Police Department or the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office,” according to a statement. On their Facebook page, Marshall PD said that these individuals can reach out via call, text or email, “[…] claiming you owe fines or have legal issues that can only be resolved by making payments through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other unusual methods.” MPD urges those who have their suspicions to call them at 903-935-4575.