Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
HENDERSON — Henderson ISD transitioned it’s high school campus to online-learning for the next two weeks starting on Monday, Sept. 14. All other campuses will remain in-person. Superintendent Dr. Lamb said the decision to move online was prompted by the daily review of COVID’s impact on the effectiveness of teaching at the campus. “Our top priority is educating students,†said Lamb. “We’ve always said if it gets to a point that we can teach more effectively through an online environment rather than face-to-face, that’s what we are going to do.†Lamb said the current number of active COVID cases among students is still low–right at 3% at the high school and 1% in the district overall. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — DPS Troopers are investigating an accident that left a pedestrian dead Thursday night in Tyler. According to the DPS officials, it happened around 9:25 on US-69, just south of CR 4132. Carolyn Nguyen, 29, of Tyler was traveling southeast on US-69 when she struck the pedestrian, who was walking west across the roadway. He was identified as Donnie Louise Johnson, 53, of Tyler. The driver was not injured.
SMITH COUNTY — The City of Bullard has identified the woman who died after being pinned between two vehicles as a city employee. According to our news partner KETK, a City of Bullard Facebook post identified the woman as Jennifer MacWhirter, 58. She was the human resources director and had been with city administration since 2004. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and DPS say the accident occurred just after midnight early Wednesday morning in the 13000 block of CR 192, just north of the Toll 49 and Highway 155 intersection. Investigators said MacWhirter was at the location to perform custodial services, and while outside preparing to load a pickup with trash, she was pinned between two vehicles and died from her injuries. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Senator John Cornyn wants voters to know how much “CARES Act” money their locality has received. Senator Cornyn has been on a tour of Texas cities discussing the “CARES Act” funding each city has received and how it’s been used to fight the coronavirus pandemic. He posted 18 videos from his tour on YouTube. In Tyler, Cornyn said, “If you told me 6 months ago I would’ve voted for a 3 trillion dollar spending bill, I would’ve told you you were crazy. But I truly felt like it was absolutely necessary for us to do it.” Texas has received 11.2 billion dollars in “CARES Act” funding, second only to California with 15.3 billion dollars. Cornyn is running for re-election in November against Democrat M.J. Hegar.
RUSK COUNTY — A small plane crash Saturday afternoon near the airport in Rusk County remains under investigation. According to our news partner KETK, the DPS report indicates that the single engine aircraft lost power just after take-off from the airport and crashed into the tree line. The pilot and the passenger were taken to UT Health with minor injuries. The FAA was notified and responded to the scene.
LONGVIEW — Rain continued to pour Thursday and as a result many streets and creeks throughout East Texas were flooded. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police and fire crews responded to multiple flooded roadways. An accident with injuries was reported at Spring Hill Road and N. Spur 63. Numerous vehicles were towed throughout the city due to stalls. The following streets did close due to flooding in the Longview area: High & Cotton, Mobberly & Methvin, Green & Mopac, West Marshall Avenue, Ward Street and the 1000 block of Sabine Street.
GREGG COUNTY — A fatal crash involving a pedestrian over the weekend remains under investigation. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 3:40 Sunday morning on SH-31, approximately two miles southwest of the city of Kilgore, in Gregg County. The preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2014 Dodge Challenger, Kelton Jayce Meshell, 21, of Flint, was traveling east on 31 in the outside lane and struck a pedestrian walking in the roadway. Aundrea Sharell Powe, 38, of Kilgore, was pronounced dead at the scene.
TYLER — Former Smith County Constable Henry Jackson has died. According to retired TISD Board member, Orenthia D. Mason’s Facebook page: “My dear first cousin, Henry Phillip Jackson, has gone to be with the Lord. He pledged Kappa the same semester I pledged Delta. My heart hurts. Please lift his family in prayer. Henry had a heart of gold. Always jovial. Always had something to say. Always willing to help others.” Jackson served as the Pct. 1 constable from 1999 until December of 2017. Additional details were not available. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a Thursday night shooting. According to officials, it happened around 9:20 at a basketball court on W. 29th St and Carter Blvd in north Tyler. The victim, who had been shot multiple times, was transported by private vehicle but flagged down a Tyler officer at the intersection of N. Palace Ave and W. Ferguson St. The officer transported the victim to UT Health – Beckham. The victim’s status is unknown at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.
EAST TEXAS — TxDOT crews are prepared to respond as needed as severe weather is forecast for East and Northeast Texas. According to forecasts, conditions could include heavy rainfall and gusty winds resulting in downed trees and debris, flooding, and other roadway issues. Maintenance crews in the Tyler District’s 8-counties have equipment readied and will respond as necessary should roadways be impacted. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Governor Abbott has expanded the state disaster declaration adding 36 more counties ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Laura. The governor says Laura could increase to a category 4 hurricane. Governor Abbott, from the alternate state operations center in Austin saying they expect Hurricane Laura to be similar to Hurricanes Ike and Rita fast moving with heavy winds. The predicted ten foot high water surges have led to mandatory evacuations in the Beaumont, Port Arthur Texas city areas. Abbott says they’ve called for the full support of all relevant state agencies. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER — An East Texas couple has been indicted in federal court for allegedly stealing identities to collect multiple stimulus checks that were provided by the CARES Act. According to our news partner KETK, Dalton Brewer and Emilee Fenton, both 24, are charged with theft of government money and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that the two stole more than $3,600 worth of stimulus checks from two victims. The CARES Act was passed back in March to distribute stimulus checks due to the financial impact of hutdowns from the coronavirus pandemic. Most amounted to $1,200 for individuals along with an extra $500 for every child under 17.
LONGVIEW — The arrest affidavits for a former Longview physician accused of sexually abusing children who were his patients provide details on the alleged abuse. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke, 58, was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail Friday on two charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. He was assessed bonds totaling $1 million, and released the same day. Hipke was a certified in internal medicine by the Texas Medical Board and specialized in adolescent medicine. He had practiced as the sole physician at the Adolescent Care Team in Longview. Read the rest of this entry »
WINNSBORO — A $1,000 reward has been offered in a case of missing cattle. According to Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Larry Hand, during the late evening hours of July 30, four head of cattle marked with yellow back tags were stolen from Winnsboro Livestock and Dairy Auction. The animals were consigned to be sold the next day. During the same time frame, additional cattle were stolen from another cattle company at the same location. Hand, along with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Bo Fox, have been investigating the case and are now asking the public for help. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Kilgore police now know the identify a man wanted in a theft over the weekend. Police were asking the community for help in learning who the individual is, and they have come through. According to the departments facebook page, the man has been identified. The man, who’s identity has not been released at this point, is suspected of stealing a car from Zippy J’s gas station this past Saturday. Police are reminding residents not to leave your vehicle running, and unlocked when entering a store.