Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
TYLER – A 90-year-old Tyler man, with a wrap-sheet dating back to the 1940s, has been indicted for arson in connection with a November 6, 2020 fire. Kermit Francis Gabel was booked into the Smith County Jail one week after the fire. According to our news partner KETK, it was the latest in a string of blazes at vacant buildings. Officials have not said whether a November 13 fire was connected to the arrest. Gabel was also accused of multiple crimes in Ohio. He was known as a serial cat burglar and was dubbed the “Silver Burglar.” His crime sprees date back to the 40s and early 50s. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Prosecutors are seeking plans for an alternate jury selection site for the long-anticipated trial of William Davis, the former CHRISTUS nurse accused of murdering patients. According to our news partner KETK, in a brief five-minute hearing Monday morning, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said that with Harvey Hall being torn down later this summer, an alternate plan would be needed to summon the hundreds of potential jurors needed to pull from for a capital murder trial. He suggested that an alternative could be having multiple small sessions in the central courthouse jury room rather than one large pool. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Vaccines continue to roll out across the state of Texas with a new addition this week. According to our news partner KETK, starting this week, 40,900 COVID-19 vaccines will come to East Texas. Just last week, Texas only got 18,000 doses. Now, with the addition of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, that number has more than doubled. Though supplies are increasing, only those in 1A and 1B tiers are eligible. Because of a new federal directive, education and child care personnel are now eligible for the vaccine as well. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s office has issued a warning about a potential water scam. According to Sgt. Larry Christian, the department received a call from Dodd Hasting with Dean Water Supply reporting a couple, claiming to be with the water company, going door to door in the area of CR 1131 asking to test water from residential homes. Officials say the individuals do not represent Dean Water Supply. Residents are urged to call police if you encounter the individuals. Smith County Sheriff’s Office: (903) 566-6600.
ANDERSON COUNTY — Two people were hospitalized after a plane crash in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, around 2:00 Saturday afternoon, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were called to a single engine airplane crash in a field off FM 1990. The two people on board were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. Additional details were not available.
TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Tyler on Friday to draw attention to the ongoing efforts of Sen. Bryan Hughes to limit the power of social media platforms to block viewpoints they don’t agree with. According to our news partner KETK, Hughes, R-Mineola, is the author Senate Bill 12 which would prohibit interactive platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from being able to “censor a user, a user’s expression, or a user’s ability to receive the expression of another person.†The bill would also allow Texans who felt they were censored to be able to take legal action. Abbott will join Hughes during a news conference set for noon Friday in the atrium of Plaza Tower, 110 N. College Ave. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — A suspect has been taken into custody after shooting at a Henderson County deputy early Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened in the Eustace area around 3 a.m. following an attempted traffic stop. The deputy was struck in the foot and leg. He was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment and released a short time later. Jack Cody Raburn, 40, of Kemp, was eventually located on the roof of a house. He was said to be in possession of a handgun and shotgun. Raburn has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon and attempted capital murder. The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has been granted more than $7 million in rental and utility assistance funding from the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program aimed to help Smith County families who have been financially affected by COVID-19. On Tuesday, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with PATH (People Attempting to Help), for administration of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program for Smith County. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — An inmate died Monday after having a “medical episode†in the Harrison County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that lifesaving efforts began after jail staff noticed the man suffering. They did not specifically say what seemed to be wrong with the inmate. Officials say they notified the Marshall Fire Department and the inmate was transported to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Center in Marshall where he was pronounced dead. Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Ranger Division was notified and will complete an independent investigation.
TYLER — Senior pastor David Orlo Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler announced his retirement on Sunday Feb. 28 after 30 years of service. In the 66-year history of Green Acres, Dykes was the longest serving pastor and the first to retire. He said he stills loves serving as pastor, but the time has come for younger leadership to step up. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will delay disconnections for two months and will not be charging late fees or disconnect fees to assist those affected by the recent severe weather event, according to an announcement Wednesday. Customers are encouraged to catch their accounts up as soon as possible during this period. Customers who experienced a leak as a result of the winter storm event may also be eligible for a leak credit through Tyler Water Utilities. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Several schools and businesses are announcing closings or delays due to the impact from last weeks winter storms and sustained frigid temperatures and conditions. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — Investigators in Nacogdoches County released the identifies of the three people killed by carbon monoxide poisoning on Saturday after losing power during the winter storm. According to our news partner KETK, the victims were 63-year-old Deborah Wright, 60-year-old James Harkness Jr., and 42-year-old Richard Woodard. Wright and Harkness Jr. were from Nacogdoches and Woodward was from Mt. Enterprise. Authorities said that they were operating a portable gas generator on the front porch and that the exhaust pipe was very close to the residence. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Earlier this week, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said non-emergency offices, and all precinct offices, will remain closed through Thursday. County Fire Marshall Jay Brooks encouraged people to continue to check on neighbors, especially the elderly or ill. Smith County emergency management officials are helping to supply personnel, food and supplies to meet critical needs throughout the county. The county has also been active in assisting in locating a limited number of generators for shelters and long-term care facilities; have worked to ensure that medical facilities continue to have fuel for their generators; and continue to assist people with emergency transport when requested. To read more click here.
TYLER – TxDOT continues to remind drivers to stay home as crews remain busy clearing roads of snow and ice. Winter conditions are impacting all roadways in the eight-county Tyler District, which includes Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. All resources are deployed with crews working around the clock focusing on clearing higher volume corridors, such as I-20, and trouble spots as they arise. The department said while roads are not technically closed, but all roads have been impacted. With record-breaking low temperatures expected, residents are urged to stay at home and off the roadways. Read the rest of this entry »