Today is
Monday July 20, 2026
TYLER – Jury selection for the trial of the man accused of the 2023 murder of an 18-year-old Tyler woman will begin in September. Jamaurea Jermaine Britton is accused of capital murder in connection with the September 2023 beating, strangling, and stabbing death of 18-year-old Dejah Hood, according to the police.
During a hearing on Monday, the state, defense and judge discussed scheduling ahead of the trial in the 114th District Court. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Sept. 14. The jury summons for a panel of jurors will be sent out in August. The trial is set for Oct. 5. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – East Texans are starting to feel relief at the gas pump this week as the statewide average per gallon has dropped following Memorial Day weekend. According to AAA Texas, the average price of gas is currently $3.92 per gallon, 17 cents lower than last week. However, the average price of gas is currently $1.18 higher than it was at this time last year. In East Texas, Tyler residents are paying an average of $3.88 per gallon of regular gas, while Longview residents are paying $3.93 per gallon. San Augustine County residents are paying the most, with an average of $4.16 per gallon. In major cities across the state, El Paso residents are currently paying the most to fill up their tanks at $4.10 per gallon while drivers in McAllen are paying only $3.74 per gallon to fill up their cars according to AAA. Nationally, the average price of gas is $1.26 higher than it was on this day last year and 14 cents lower than last week.
TYLER – On Wednesday, a Longview man was taken into custody in Smith County on suspicion of sexually abusing a young girl and sending her explicit messages. Longview resident Nakerey Gardner, 27, is accused of both online solicitation of a minor and aggravated sexual assault of a child. On Wednesday, he was booked into the Smith County Jail. A mother claimed in an arrest affidavit that her daughter had sex with a man she first thought was 17 years old. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – After receiving calls Tuesday evening, Harrison County Sheriff’s deputies were initially sent to a shooting at 165 Pine Valley Road in Harleton. They discovered that Jamail Boer, 38, was dead and that his brother had been shot. According to reports, Boer’s brother filed a report alleging that Boer had stolen multiple firearms, which led to the altercation. Then Boer went into the tiny bedroom and declared his intention to murder his brother. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to police, a man is incarcerated after a woman was threatened and held at knifepoint during the robbery of a Tyler Dollar General. Aggravated robbery is the charge against 62-year-old Richard Gerard Taplin. On April 25, an officer was dispatched to a Dollar General in the 2300 block of West Erwin Street. According to an arrest document, a store employee told the officer that a man, later identified as Taplin, had approached her behind the counter and held a knife up to her side. Taplin, she claimed, insisted that she open the register. The woman told the officer that she believed Taplin would stab her when he said, “If you tell them anything, I will work on you,” as two male customers started to enter the store, according to the affidavit. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Tyler police officers arrested a man over the weekend for allegedly bringing two women into a house he did not own and sexually abusing them. A 911 text was sent by the women, leading to authorities finding and assisting the victims. An arrest affidavit states that an officer was sent to a Walton Road residence after receiving a 911 text that said “help.” Two women were “completely naked and appeared to be afraid,” according to what the officers saw through a window. When the officer asked the women if they were alright, they shook their heads and indicated a room where suspect Heath Butler was. Read the rest of this entry »
FRANKSTON – According to a Federal Aviation Administration report, the plane crash in Henderson County that left its pilot dead on Tuesday morning occurred “under unknown circumstances.” Around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, a small plane crashed in the Frankston neighborhood of Aero Estates, killing a man who was flying it. The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that the Fokker Dr.1 Dreidecker plane crashed close to a private airstrip within the community. The pilot was identified as Frankston-native Mark Whiddon by Henderson County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Milton Adams. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – K-9 Lobo, a devoted partner and protector, is being honored by the Smith County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office. Along with his partner, K-9 Lobo, Smith County Pct. 1 Deputy Constable Jose Terrazas, a proud K-9 handler, departed from the sheriff’s office in February. The news of K-9 Lobo’s death was released by the constable’s office on Wednesday. For almost eight years, K-9 Lobo bravely and devotedly fought beside his companion on the front lines. From September 2018 to February 2026, the Dutch Shepherd was employed by the Constable’s Office. According to a statement, during this trying time, they are praying for Terrazas, his family, and every member of the sheriff’s office.
TYLER – On Wednesday, an East Texan was given a 20-year prison sentence for allegedly distributing illegal substances, namely crack cocaine. In the 475th District Court, Derrish Graydon, 44, entered a guilty plea to participating in organized crime. According to court documents, he was subsequently given a 20-year term for the offense. In relation to the alleged crack cocaine ring that operated in buildings close to nearby daycare centers and schools, Graydon is the third person to enter a guilty plea and get a term. On May 7, Samatraus Forge, who was found to be the leader of a criminal organization with others serving as his drug salespeople, was given a life sentence after entering a guilty plea to three charges of organized crime. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A man accused of shooting and killing a 29-year-old Marine veteran during a road rage incident in February was given a trial date by a judge on Tuesday. Dayton Alexander Morgan, 23, of Ben Wheeler, is accused of murdering Trevor Julian, 29, of Whitehouse, who died on February 13 at the Tyler intersection of East Grande Boulevard and Paluxy Drive. His bond has been set at $1 million since his arrest. He entered a not guilty plea and asserted self-defense. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Following a small plane crash at a private airpark Tuesday morning, airpark officials announced that one person had died. The aircraft crashed on the landing strip at Frankston’s Aero Estates Subdivision at approximately eight in the morning, according to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. The pilot was testing one of his aircraft when he tried a “impossible turn,” which resulted in the crash and his death, according to Wagenaar, the airpark manager and president of the POA. Wagenaar stated that witnesses apparently observed the pilot make a few passes before making the difficult maneuver and “[…] did not have enough altitude to perform a proper landing,” despite the fact that he was not present when the incident occurred. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – In the Texas Lottery® scratch ticket game Casino Millions, a Tyler resident won a $1 million top prize ticket. The ticket was bought at Tyler’s Travel Center, located on 407 E. Northeast Loop 323. The claimant chose to keep their identity anonymous. Under the Texas Lottery’s Retailer Bonus Program, the retailer may receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket that won the prize. This was the second of ten $1 million top prizes that could be won in this game. The total prizes offered by Casino Millions exceed $195.3 million. Including break-even prizes, the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.45.
EAST TEXAS – With the polls closed across East Texas and beyond, and the votes tallied, the Texas Secretary of State’s office has updated election results for both Republican and Democratic Primary Elections. This election includes the major runoff for U.S. Senate between incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. You can find those updated results here.
TYLER – On Monday, a drive-by gunshot on Tyler’s North Grand Avenue resulted in one injury. The Tyler Police Department reports that at approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 3100 block of N. Grand Avenue. Our news partners at KETK report that one individual was hurt after being struck by falling debris during the gunfire, according to the officers who arrived at the site. To receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, the injured person has been taken to a nearby hospital. It is believed that a white Mercedes that was discovered close to the area was utilized in the shooting. Tyler PD emphasized that no suspect has been taken into custody as of yet and that the shooting was not an isolated event.
LUFKIN – One person is dead and two have been injured following a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 59 in Lufkin, according to police. The Lufkin Police Department said traffic on U.S. 59 South is was blocked after a single-vehicle crash killed one person. A Grapeland woman, Alishia M. Scott, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 5000 block of U.S. 59 south of Lufkin A man and woman are being treated for their injuries. Her family has been notified. The three were in a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north toward Lufkin when the accident occurred. An investigation by Lufkin Police and DPS Troopers is under way.
SMITH COUNTY – Following an SUV and an 18-wheeler collision on Sunday, FM 14 in Smith County, south of Hawkins, was closed. At approximately 5:12 p.m. on Sunday, an 18-wheeler and an SUV collided in the 16000 block of FM 14, trapping one passenger, according to Smith County Emergency Services District 2. One passenger needed to be removed from the SUV in order to be transported to a nearby hospital for treatment after it was flipped onto its roof during the collision. The severity of the passenger’s injuries is unknown to Smith County officials. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not hurt in the collision. In order to clear the road, Smith County officials announced that FM 14 would be closed until further notice at the time of the crash.
JACKSONVILLE – Over the weekend, a man at the center of an hours-long standoff in Jacksonville turned on himself. At approximately 4:42 p.m., Jacksonville police officers arrived at the Sweet Union Apartments on Highway 69 North. Saturday. The 20-year-old Roy Patrick Hamilton Jr. was accused of assaulting a woman while carrying a weapon. After barricading himself, he eventually left the apartment and became at-large. Hamilton turned himself in to the Cherokee County Jail, according to Jacksonville Police Chief Steven Markasky on Monday. He is currently being held in custody.
TYLER – A rollover crash on Highway 31 Friday morning resulted in the death of a woman and the hospitalization of a man. A truck overturned on the highway close to Surrey Trail and County Road 279 in Tyler, according to Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2. After the initial crash, the car veered off the road. One unidentified victim was brought to the hospital, while another was declared dead at the scene. The collision occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. According to Sgt. Adam Albritton of the Department of Public Safety, both victims were not wearing a seatbelt. The crash is being investigated into by DPS.
LONGVIEW – New guidelines for youth supervision have been added to the Longview Mall’s updated Code of Conduct. According to the mall, anyone under the age of 17 must always be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult who is at least 21 years old on Fridays and Saturdays after 4 p.m. During the summer and holidays, those hours could change. The Longview Mall Code of Conduct states that unsupervised youth shoppers must either leave the mall by 4 p.m. or have a parent or other responsible adult join them right away. Proof of age, such as a state-issued driver’s license or ID card, a military ID, a school ID card, or a passport, may be requested from minors or supervising adults. A photo and the date of birth must be included, and the identification must be impenetrable.
SMITH COUNTY – After entering a guilty plea, a man who was detained along with others for several alleged sexual assaults on a teenage girl in Tyler was given a 16-year jail sentence Tuesday.
In connection with crimes against a 15-year-old girl that took place last year, Lamarcus Hambrick, 32, entered a guilty plea to two charges of sexual assault of a child in the 475th District Court. According to arrest records, he was given a 16-year sentence for each offense, and his prior probation was overturned, meaning he would spend an additional two years in a state prison. The sentences will be carried out consecutively. Hambrick was discovered at a motel in September 2025 with the 15-year-old child. It was discovered by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper that Hambrick and the child had been having sex for around a week. Then after, Hambrick was taken into custody. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – In order to prolong the life of local roads before expensive repairs are required, the City of Tyler is moving forward with a significant street maintenance initiative. The Tyler City Council approved a $946,751 contract with Reynolds and Kay for the 2026 Seal Coat Project Wednesday. Approximately 17 lane miles of city streets will be covered by the project; the roads were chosen based on pavement condition ratings. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – After leading deputies on a police pursuit, a Tennessee man who was awaiting a court appearance on a child-rape charge committed suicide in Harrison County on Tuesday night.
The sheriff’s office, as well as our news partner KETK, reports that around 11:30 p.m., a deputy pulled over 36-year-old Trinidad Torres on Highway 59 South. Torres was reportedly acting tense during the stop, and the deputy asked him to get out of his car after discovering a pistol in his possession. Torres reportedly refused to get out of his car and started to drive away from the scene. Before Torres crashed his car into a cable close to the 1300 block of Highway 59, a chase started. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – An East Texas county has passed a resolution asking the governor and a state representative to stop local officials from becoming “powerless observers” in the face of the fast growth of A.I. data centers. The resolution, which expressed concerns about the potential effects of large-scale data center projects on local infrastructure and natural resources, was read by the county’s attorney during a Henderson County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday morning.
Our news partners at KETK report that additionally, the resolution calls for an independent evaluation of the effects on natural resources before any new A.I. data centers are built. In order to address what the county refers to as “urgent reliability, water supply, and local governance concerns,” it also requests that state lawmakers investigate the matter and, if required, call a special session.
The decision was made almost a month after Data Factory showed interest in constructing a 10-megawatt facility in Athens. The company refers to its facilities as “flexible power farms,” a form of infrastructure that it claims can support high-performance computing while stabilizing strained power grids.
KENTUCKY – Paragon Advertising and Communications announced via a press release that on Saturday, May 9th, at the age of 91, Elder Lasserre Bradley, Jr., a cherished shepherd, longtime radio founder and host of the Baptist Bible Hour, and lifelong devoted servant of God, has died. Elder Bradley devoted his life to ministry for 73 years, sharing the gospel with grace, compassion, and conviction. He impacted many lives via the pulpit, radio, counseling, and personal ministry, and he established himself as a reliable voice for church families and listeners across the country the release said. For this Sunday, Brother Bradley’s family and ministry team are putting together a special program. Trevor, the son of Brother Bradley, will make a special announcement to let his listeners know that his father has passed away. The Baptist Bible Hour is heard Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KTBB.
ANGELINA COUNTY – Scammers are calling residents and threatening to put them in jail if they do not pay thousands of dollars in cash right away for missing jury duty. In a released from the county obtained Monday, Sheriff Tom Selman and Lufkin Police Chief Travis Brazil stated that neither the Lufkin Police Department nor the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office will call and demand payment or threaten jail time for missing jury duty.
Calls that appear to be from the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office are the subject of the current scam. The con artist is threatening locals into putting thousands of dollars in cash into a bit coin machine at a nearby convenience store by using a deputy’s name.
After locals called the Sheriff’s office to report making the payment, Lufkin Police detectives were able to retrieve over $10,000 from a bit coin machine last week.
HARLETON – Ryan Nichols, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump for his actions during the Jan. 6 riot, was arrested Sunday, after authorities said he displayed a firearm in a threatening manner during a dispute outside a church in Harleton
According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to 225 Heskell Oney Road in reference to a person reaching for a firearm during a dispute outside the church. Our news partner KETK reports during the investigation deputies learned Nichols had confronted another person in the church parking lot. Authorities said that when the victim attempted to leave and de-escalate the situation, Nichols allegedly continued confronting him.
Read the rest of this entry »
WOOD COUNTY – A Wood County jury found a Quitman man guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the beating of a woman in 2023; he started his 65-year sentence on Wednesday. Bryan Ransom, 56, and three other people drove to a woman’s home on April 6, 2023, carrying a knife, machete, pepper spray, and a pole with a sprocket attached. According to the Wood County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and our news partner KETK, they severely injured the woman by beating her. Ransom stepped on the victim’s left arm to prevent her from defending herself while she was on the ground. The victim’s forehead needed to be stitched and stapled as a result. The jury reached its decision on Wednesday after less than an hour of deliberation, according to the county.
WHITEHOUSE – Track coach Blake Crutsinger was struck by a shot put in a “freak accident” at an East Texas regional track meet on Saturday, and Ponder ISD is asking its community to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Our news partners at KETK report that after suffering a fractured skull during the regional track meet at Whitehouse High School, Crutsinger had surgery on Monday in Tyler to treat brain swelling, according to his wife Leslie. According to Leslie, Crutsinger is currently in a Tyler intensive care unit and will probably return to Dallas for inpatient treatment in two to four weeks.
TRAVIS COUNTY (TEXAS TRIBUNE) – For the time being, a Travis County district judge has permitted the sale of naturally smokeable hemp products like rolled joints and flower buds.
The ban that was granted earlier this month is still on hold as a result of Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle’s Friday decision. The Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and a number of dispensaries and manufacturers in Texas were granted a temporary injunction by Lyttle against new testing regulations that establish a 0.3% total THC threshold, thereby prohibiting the sale of natural smokeable hemp products. Additionally, a 3,000% increase in hemp retailers’ licensing fees is temporarily halted by the ruling.
The ban will be temporarily suspended until the next hearing, which is currently set for July 27. However, if the state appeals the most recent decision and the court consents to hear the appeal, the suspension may end sooner. The state’s regulations will resume once the court grants the appeal, necessitating the removal of smokeable hemp from store shelves.
Attorneys representing the hemp industry contended during a three-day hearing this week that the Texas Department of State Health Services had overreached its constitutional authority by amending the statutory definitions of hemp that were created by legislators in 2019.
State attorneys contended in court that Texas law permits the health agency to enact new hemp regulations by requiring them to give Texans’ welfare top priority when making rules. The judge disagreed, claiming that the regulations were causing the industry irreversible harm.
LONGVIEW – In the 2019 deaths of a mother and daughter, a Longview man entered a guilty plea to capital murder. As his trial was about to start Tuesday morning, Troy James Rider, Jr. entered a guilty plea. He was subsequently given one of two possible sentences for capital murder: a life sentence without the possibility of parole. On February 19, 2019, Rider murdered Longview residents Lori Susan Perez, 58, and Kristy Nicole Perez, 38, who was his ex-girlfriend. That same day, at around 12:30 a.m., the bodies of the women were discovered inside a house in the 1700 block of Loring Lane. Rider was determined to be the main suspect. Police believed that domestic abuse might have played a role in the murders.