Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Emergency Services District 2 recently purchased land to relocate several fire stations in order to reduce fire response times. Our news partner KETK spoke with Eric Greaser, Chief of Operations for Smith County Emergency Services District 2 (ESD2), on Tuesday about the new land the district has purchased to relocate fire stations near Dixie, Noonday, and Winona.
“These stations that were located here from the volunteer fire departments oftentimes were on donated land or the best that they could do at the time,” Greaser said. “It didn’t necessarily address access on major roadways or where the call volumes have evolved to. So this is a more strategic plan for acquiring these properties and making sure that we can have great access to those calls and reduce response times.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A student who made a threatening post on social media has been arrested, according to Whitehouse ISD, and our news partner KETK. The district said they were notified by law enforcement on Tuesday that the student who made the threat is in police custody and will face legal consequences. Due to the threat, the district said that students may see an increase in officers on and around campus over the next week as a precaution.
Parents and students who hear of any further threats have been advised to report them directly to school staff or local law enforcement.
“WISD and our law enforcement partners take every report seriously, and the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Whitehouse ISD said.
BULLARD — East Texans honored local veterans and Medal of Honor recipients on Saturday with a military vehicle show and parade. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veteran’s Military Show started at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday when over 40 military vehicles, including helicopters, arrived at Steward Funeral Home. Then the vehicles were loaded up with veterans for a parade into Bullard, where a ceremony was held before lunch.
The days events included a World War II airplane flyover, a mock-shooting range, a military swap meet, drawings for prizes, a car and motorcycle show and plenty of opportunities to learn about military history. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Starting Tuesday, Sept. 16, College Avenue will be closed between Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, traffic can still travel east and west on Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. Fencing along Erwin Street will be shifted to reopen the parking spaces. The Fair Plaza and Smith County Parking Garages are also available for free parking.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex on Bostic Drive around 10:30 Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, responding officers found two male victims who had been shot. Jonathan Lee, of Lakeport, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
A suspect in the shooting left the apartment complex before officers arrived. Officials are investigating the shooting, which is thought to have been an isolated incident that started as a disturbance.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.
UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said Vanessa Daisy Neal has been found after she was reported missing this week.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is searching for a 63-year-old woman reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, Vanessa Daisy Neal, 63 of Longview, is around 6 feet tall, weighs around 215 pounds, has braided hair and brown eyes. Neal was was wearing grey sweatpants and a dark blue shirt with purple writing. Anyone with information about Neal’s location is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.
AUSTIN — In the wake of the assassination of conservative political speaker Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced new committees that will study freedom of speech on college campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the new Texas House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were announced by Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Friday. The committees are tasked with studying and issuing reports on “bias, discourse, and freedom of speech across Texas college campuses.”
Patrick said those who’ve celebrated Kirk’s death at a college speaking event cannot be tolerated on college campuses. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Multiple U.S. Military veterans were greeted at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Thursday ahead of a big weekend where they will receive the Medal of Honor. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veterans’ Military Show (TVMS) has made its way to Tyler once again and a new class of veterans are getting ready to receive the Medal of Honor. The veterans were greeted by Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, Rose City Young Marines and the Patriot Guard.
The TVMS’ is coordinated by Mike Balfay as a way to honor those that served our country. Once the veterans arrive at the airport, they are transported to a local hotel for the weekend which includes a hero dinner and a parade.
One Medal of Honor recipient, James Taylor, served 24 years in the U.S. Army and is being recognized for his actions while in Vietnam. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER — The Gilmer Police Department is warning residents about an increase in thieves targeting Kia vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, Gilmer police, along with surrounding agencies, have recently responded to multiple reports of vehicle thefts and break-ins specifically targeting Kia models.
“In the past week, Kia vehicles have been stolen or burglarized in several areas,” the Gilmer Police Department said.”These crimes remain under investigation, and we are working closely with other agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible.”
The department has provided tips to Kia owners to keep their vehicles protected. Some tips include: Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is celebrating yet another record-breaking enrollment year, reaching its highest total enrollment to date. UT Tyler’s fall 2025 preliminary enrollment as of the Sept. 8 census date is 11,602 students, which is a 10.07% increase over last fall, according to a news release from UT.
“This milestone reflects the dedication and hard work of so many across our campus community,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Our focus continues to be on meeting the needs of our students and our region. We are committed to giving them our best so that they can reach their full potential.”
First-time-in-college freshman enrollment made up 1,561 of the total preliminary enrollment, which is a 9.47% increase over the previous fall. UT Tyler continued enhancing retention rates among graduate/professional students. Graduate enrollment saw its largest enrollment ever, with a preliminary enrollment of 3,264. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A 25-year-old Tyler man was sentenced to 34 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2024 fatal stabbing of Noe Luna. According to our news partner KETK, Letierus Drew, 25, of Tyler, was arrested for murder on Jan. 21, 2024 after Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported stabbing at a home in the 400 block of County Road 34.
Deputies learned that 43-year-old Noe Luna of Tyler had been stabbed and taken to a local hospital before they arrived at the scene. Luna died at the hospital a few hours later.
Authorities said that Drew was identified as a suspect in the stabbing after witnesses at the scene said he had forced his way inside the home and got into a physical fight with Luna. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — East Texas Food Bank employees volunteered to pack up boxes full of food on Tuesday as a part of National Hunger Action Day. According to our news partner KETK, the day of action was done as part of Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign held every September that encourages people to help end hunger in their community. On Tuesday, volunteers helped pack boxes that will be delivered to elderly East Texans in need.
“What we’re packing today is our senior box, our CSFP distribution program. So this is for our elderly population that is food insecure and that needs a little extra resources to be able to put food on the table,” Kim Morris with the East Texas Food Bank said. “So the boxes that they’re packing today are nutritionally balanced, and they should last about a month to supplement their food, to be able to get them through and make sure that they have not just to eat, but nutritious, healthy, other types. “ Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Criminal District Attorney Jacob Putman announced this week that he will be running for re-election in 2026. According to our news partner KETK, Putman has served for the past six years, and during his tenure, the district attorney’s office has expanded from 48 to 85 staff members. In 2024, Putman and his office prosecuted over 7,000 criminal cases, including 4,472 misdemeanors and 2,886 felonies.
Due to the number of cases prosecuted in 2024, the attorney’s office was named a Gold Level Agency, the highest award a victim-friendly practice can obtain from the Texas Victim Services Association.
Putman will run in next year’s Republican Primary ahead of the November election.
AUSTIN — Efforts to save the life of an East Texan condemned for killing his two year old via “shaken baby syndrome” continue. In an open letter, a group of 20 exonerees are calling on the state to halt Robert Roberson’s execution. The Palestine man is scheduled to die October 16th and would be the first person ever put to death based on the now discredited science.
Sabrina Butler Smith, of Mississippi, spent more than six years in prison, two on death row, after her baby son died. She was 17. Prosecutors say the nine month old was shaken to death, but he had heart, kidney and lung issues. She was the first woman exonerated from death row in the U.S. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — The Athens ISD band director was arrested Wednesday night after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office found suspected methamphetamine inside his apartment. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, around 10:20 p.m., investigators searched the Wood Street apartment of Nicholas Bartlett Durham, where they found him in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Durham was booked into the Henderson County Jail for possession of a controlled substance.
Athens ISD said that Durham had just begun his second year as a band director at Athens High School. The school released a statement regarding his arrest on Thursday morning: Read the rest of this entry »
ANGELINA COUNTY — Demolition of the former county jail, 113 N Second Street will begin Monday, September 8, and is projected to be complete within 30 days, according to a news release from the City of Lufkin. The release adds that due to safety concerns, the city will close the alley on the south side of the jail beginning September, 8. It is anticipated that the alley will be closed for approximately 3 weeks, and it will re-open as soon as it is safe to allow vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
TYLER — The northern portion of Rose Rudman Trail is expected to be closed for the next couple of days. According to the City of Tyler, the trail is closed so that they can conduct construction on nearby sewer lines. The road is expected to be reopened by Sept. 5.
TYLER — The City of Tyler will be working with a contractor to perform traffic signal maintenance at the intersection of Troup Highway and Lindbergh Drive on on Thursday, Sept. 4. The intersection will be dark with no signal indications. To ensure safety and minimize disruptions, most of Lindbergh Drive from Southpark Drive to Troup Highway will be closed to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes and drive with caution through the intersection. In addition, entry and exit points into the Super One shopping center from the intersection have been closed completely to increase safety during the work.
LUFKIN — A Lufkin felon facing prison for a federal firearms violation Thursday. Michael Antoine Lovelady, 53, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to information presented in court, on March 14, 2025, Lovelady was arrested during a traffic stop for outstanding warrants. During the arrest, Lovelady attempted to flee when firearm was discovered in his waistband. Lovelady is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
Lovelady was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 15, 2025, and faces up to 15 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
TYLER — Chapel Hill Independent School District and The University of Texas at Tyler announced two new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements for Chapel Hill educators to advance their careers through high-quality graduate programs at a reduced tuition rate. According to a news release, the first agreement offers an Accelerated Master’s in Educational Leadership with principal certification, designed to be completed in just three terms through 100% online coursework.
The program provides hands-on learning, curriculum evaluation skills, and strategic planning expertise, preparing educators for leadership roles. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview Police are investigating after an elementary school student was grazed by a vehicle on Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Longview ISD released a statement saying a student at Clarence W. Bailey Elementary was involved in an accident near campus. The child was taken to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution, but is expected to be okay. The mother reported to the district that the child is ‘doing well and is eager to return to school.’
The Longview Police Department identified the driver as Susana Granado, who was arrested for failure to stop at the scene of a collision causing bodily injury. She was booked into the Gregg County Jail and has since bonded out. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER — After years of leading the way in Gilmer, City Manager Greg Hutson is stepping down, according to our news partner KETK. “I woke up one morning and I said, it’s time, “Gilmer City Manager Greg Hutson said. Hutson has served as city manager for Gilmer for almost nine years, and before that, worked for the city of Sampson Park.
“I have accomplished what I needed to accomplish, what I wanted to accomplish in Gilmer,” Hutson said. “The accomplishments we’ve made as it relates to the airport, the projects in process now at the parks, the maintenance of the tanks.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — An SUV crashed into Piada at The Village at Cumberland Park in Tyler on Tuesday afternoon. Tyler police and UT Health EMS responded to the scene. According to our news partner KETK, no injuries were reported. No word on the cause of the crash. Additional details were not available.
BULLARD – As Wednesday, Aug. 13, County Road 172 is now closed to through traffic as part of the FM 2493 widening project. According to TxDOT, the closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately one month.
Detour routes have been marked with signs, along with electronic message boards to assist drivers in navigating around the closure. Bullard ISD bus routes are not expected to be affected by this closure.
SMITH COUNTY — A father reported an inappropriate relationship to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office after he discovered his teen daughter and her 46-year-old co-worker were dating in late July. According to our news partner KETK, an arrest affidavit revealed that on July 20, a concerned father contacted the sheriff’s office about an improper relationship between his daughter and her co-worker, Cory Dashun Ransom.
“[The father] went through [his daughter’s] phone and found messages between her and Ransom indicating that they were in a dating relationship and that [his daughter] wanted a kiss from Ransom,” the document said.
The father also explained to officers that his daughter said Ransom touched her private parts. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Texas Radio Hall of Fame announced their inductees today for the class of 2025. Among the inductees is our very own sports director, Bill Coates.
KTBB owner and general manager, Paul Gleiser, talks about the professionalism that Bill brings to the airwaves: “When I bought KTBB, one of the things I got in the bargain was Bill Coates, and thank God because he’s been a real pillar in KTBB’s success.” Gleiser adds, “Bill is all pro… he’s an all pro sportscaster… he’s an all pro talk show host… he’s an all pro advertising executive. He’s just an all around consummate broadcaster and it is entirely appropriate that he’s a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The Texas Radio Hall of Fame annual reunion and and induction is the weekend of October 31, at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore. For more information, click here.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court has set a special-called meeting for 10 a.m. Friday, August 8, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the court discussed the proposed tax rate and scheduled public hearings. They took a record vote to set the proposed tax rate, unanimously voting to keep it the same as last year, which is 0.364231 cents. The public hearings on the proposed tax rate are set for 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2.
“I don’t want to increase that tax rate. We have a lot of residents in the same fix as our employees,” County Judge Neal Franklin said, referring to higher cost of living prices on groceries, etc. He said county departments have been working to cut costs where they can. Franklin said he would still like to see a 3 percent cost of living raise for county employees this year. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran was interviewed on NewsNation last week to discuss redistricting efforts in Texas and trade talks in Europe.
“I think it’s pretty laughable that Governor Newsom should be talking about stacking the deck or playing by a different set of rules. California right now is 43 Democrats and 9 Republicans,” Moran said in a July 28 interview.
According to our news partner KETK, Moran, a Republican and the U.S. Congressman for Texas District 1-Tyler, was commenting on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who’s come out against Republican efforts to redraw the Texas congressional map in order to create more Republican-leaning seats in Congress. Read the rest of this entry »
EMORY — The Emory Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the Kearney Trailers facility on Highway 19 on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the department said they were called out to the fire at 2:09 p.m. and when Engine 1 arrived at the facility they found smoke coming out of every door on a manufacturing building which was on fire in the back of the property.
Engine 1 then called for assistance and fire departments came from all across Rains County and neighboring areas. With their added assistance, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the main structure and its contents. The fire was extinguished by 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to an Emory VFD Facebook post. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Emergency Services District 2 has confirmed that a cyclist was injured on Friday in a presumed hit-and-run crash on Highway 271. Our news partner KETK reports, a passerby noticed a cyclist bleeding and foaming from the mouth in the 12990 block of Highway 271 in front of the Southwest Food Brookshire’s Distribution Center in Owentown, south of Winona.
The passerby called 911 at around 9:06 a.m., and fortunately, an EMS crew was passing by when they made the call. EMS deployed a Lucas device on the cyclist to do CPR on him automatically. Smith County officials said the cyclist suffered extensive injuries and has been transported to a local hospital for treatment. The case is being investigated as a hit-and-run since nobody at the scene witnessed what caused the extent of the cyclists’ injuries.