Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
TYLER — TxDOT crews worked around the clock Monday night to ensure roads were passable and open to the traveling public. The department said that with possible freezing temperatures and icy conditions expected they continued to prepare roads. Crews treated elevated areas, bridges, overpasses, and problem areas on roadways throughout the day and then monitored and addressed issues as they came up. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — All available appointments for the drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Harvey Hall have been filled. Individuals with an appointment will be able to receive their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Anyone who does not have an appointment for Friday or Saturday is told not to go to Harvey Hall this weekend and is asked instead to enroll in the waiting list to be contacted when the next drive-thru vaccine clinics become scheduled by the NET Health Immunizations Department. Click on the link to enroll in the electronic waiting list: https://www.NETHealthCOVID19.org/RegisterForYourFirstModernaVaccine
TYLER — Tyler Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing person. Corbin Stiefer, a 21 year old white male. was last seen Wednesday morning on Briar Creek Drive in Tyler. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans. Corbin is 5’9, 108 lbs with short brown hair and a patchy beard. He’s driving a red 2014 Mazda 6 with Texas LP# GXB1645. His family says he is ill and does not have his medication with him. They also said he left home without his ID or phone. Contact the Tyler Police Department with any information: 903-531-1000.
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating after an 18-year-old man showed up to Complete Care on Capital Dr with a gunshot wound to the chest. Police said Thursday afternoon, that the shooting did not take place at Rose Rudman Park, but actually occurred behind businesses in the 1200 block of SSW Loop 323. Police went on to say, the victim and witnesses have been uncooperative in the case. The victim, identified as James Sutherland, was transported to UT Health on Beckham for further care. Officials said the last known status of the victim was that he was in surgery but would recover.
BIG SANDY — The Big Sandy Civic Center was vandalized on Sunday, according to our news partner KETK. “Vandalism is ugly, expensive, and it’s the last thing we need to start 2021,†wrote the Big Sandy Police Department. The center is located at 612 North Tyler Street. Police do not know who damaged the building. They said someone or multiple people forced their way inside by throwing a concrete brick through a window. Nine fire extinguishers were also discharged, glass was broken as well as light fixtures and other “miscellaneous items.†Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — New information regarding the man accused of murdering 62-year-old Pastor Mark McWilliams at Starrville Methodist Church Sunday. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, 21-year-old Mytrez Woolen was charged with capital murder in the shooting death of the minister. According to our news partner KETK, Woolen had broken into the church and was hiding in the building. Shortly before services began Sunday, McWilliams came across Woolen who was trying to hide in the back area of the church. Sheriff Smith said McWilliams drew a pistol on Woolen, but Woolen was allegedly able to get his pistol and shoot the pastor. Woolen was arrested later the same day after stealing a car from the church. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Commissioner Pct. 2 Cary Nix announced he will not be seeking a fourth term as county commissioner, after being elected three times. According to our news partner KETK, Nix said he hasn’t closed the door for running for another public office. “I’m making this announcement at this time so that qualified individuals could consider this position,†Nix said in a Facebook post. “I’ve enjoyed my time being your commissioner but feel it’s time to let another serve. I also believe in term limits so I’m term limiting myself,†he said. “I want to thank the citizens of my precinct for electing my three times to this position, for that I’m eternally grateful.â€
WINONA (AP) — Authorities say a pastor has been killed and two other people were injured during a shooting at an East Texas church. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says the man was on the run from authorities late Saturday and had hidden in the Starrville Methodist Church near Winona. Smith says the pastor confronted the man in a church bathroom on Sunday morning. The man shot and killed the pastor, wounded another person and a third was injured in a fall. The shooting suspect fled in the pastor’s vehicle but was later arrested. Smith says he will likely face a capital murder charge. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The first East Texas baby of the year was born on Friday morning. Lala and Laban Lewis received the best New Year’s present: a new baby girl. According to our news partner KETK, Leanna was born on Jan. 1 at 7:20 a.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. She weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and measured 19 inches. The couple said 2020 has been a difficult year, but they are are very grateful to God for this new addition to their family. “It was intense but we pushed through and stayed healthy the whole way, by the grace of God and had a healthy pregnancy, a lovely journey. I would do it all over again if I have to, no time soon,†said Lala. UT Health Tyler also welcomed their first baby of the new year. A little boy was born at 11:42 a.m. on Friday.
TYLER — Austin Reeve Jackson officially began his term as judge of the 114th District Court in Smith County on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Jackson was sworn in and took the oath of office during a ceremony in the 114th District Courtroom. “Smith County is blessed to have Austin Reeve Jackson become the next judge of the 114th District Court,†Sam Griffith, retired justice of the 12th Court of Appeals, said in opening the ceremony. Read the rest of this entry »
MINEOLA – Law officers are continuing an investigation that drugs were being shipped across the nation from a home in Mineola. According to our news partner KETK, the case began when a Mata, the K9 dog of constable Kelly Smith, detected drugs “during a random open air sniff†on Monday. One suspect was detained and methamphetamine, scales and drug distributing materials were taken from the suspect’s home on North Pacific street. Additional suspects have been identified in other states and warrants are pending for their arrests for delivery of methamphetamine. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. announced a significant donation of $5 million dollars from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. According to a news release from Goodwill, the investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. The $5 million gift from Scott will help accelerate Goodwill’s plan to address growing workforce needs as demands for targeted skills in the labor market increase, which make it difficult for many people to compete for new jobs. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department arrested a suspect for assault following a standoff Tuesday afternoon with law enforcement. According to our news partner KETK, around 4 p.m. deputies went out to Fannin Parkway in northwest Smith County in response to a call from a female who reported being assaulted by a male. Deputies noticed injury to the female including redness around her neck, though her children appeared unharmed. The suspect, 45-year-old Bryan Keith Rensberry, refused to leave the residence and barricaded himself inside. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to the scene. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY – A man known as the “Lavender Doe†killer pleaded guilty on Tuesday to committing two murders. According to our news partner KETK, Joseph Wayne Burnette received three sentences for 50 years each, which will be served concurrently. Joseph Wayne Burnette, 43, had confessed to the slaying of Dana Lynn Dodd back on August 27, 2018. Dodd’s body had been found badly burned laying in a bush in a Kilgore oil-lease back on October 29, 2006. She remained unidentified for more than a decade, despite vigorous efforts by multiple agencies. Dodd became known as “Lavender Doe.†Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — A man who confessed to killing an East Texas woman is scheduled for sentencing today. Joseph Wayne Burnette, 42, confessed to killing Dana Lynn Dawn. She was known for years as Lavender Doe, until officials were able to identify her. The 21-year-old reportedly got into Burnette’s vehicle at a Longview Walmart back in 2006. Her body was found on an oil lease road off of Fritz Swanson in Kilgore. The DNA Doe Project was able to use special DNA testing to identify her in January 2019.