Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested following a fatal shooting Thursday afternoon. It happened around 11:30 at Ware Meadows Apartments on High Street. According to Longview Police, Brandon Keith Harris, 36, reportedly walked into the apartment complex and shot a female victim. He is said to have fired several more rounds, then ran into the neighboring woods. Police set up a perimeter and located Harris. The victim was taken to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Harris was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a capital murder charge. His bond was set at $1 million.
TYLER — The 2020 Cattle Barons’ Gala is right around the corner. The head of this year’s gala announced Aaron Watson will be headlining the event. Back in August of 2019, the theme for 2020 was announced: Pistols and Pearls. The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society-Tyler. “Fundraising efforts for the 2020 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala have already started with more than $22,000 collected during the ’50 Mile Ride for the Cure’ in October. Trail riders participated in the three-day trail ride that was chaired by Erica Schovanec, who also participated as a rider.†– Melissa Ivey, ACS-Tyler’s Senior Development Manager Distinguished Events.
CHEROKEE COUNTY — The National Transportation Safety Board will be in East Texas Tuesday following a fatal plane crash. According to the Department of Public Safety, around 3:00 Monday afternoon, Troopers responded to a report of an airplane crash in a field off of CR 4303, approximately seven miles north of New Summerfield, in Cherokee County. The preliminary investigation report indicates that the pilot of the Cessna 150, Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville, took off from the Cherokee County Airport just after noon. The plane apparently struck the guy wires of a television tower and crashed. The pilot was the only occupant and was pronounced dead at the scene. The NTSB will continue the investigation.
LONGVIEW — Longview Police continue to investigate a hit and run accident involving a pedestrian. It happened just after 6:30 Friday evening on N. 4th Street. Officers said a man in a wheelchair was attempting to cross the street when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Police are still working to identify the next of kin of the victim. Police are also still working on identifying the vehicle that struck and killed him. Read the rest of this entry »
ANGELINA COUNTY — A body found in Lake Sam Rayburn has been positively identified by officials with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Steven Michael Paul, 31, was found in a car by a man who was fishing at Martin’s Creek near Huntington. The witness saw a vehicle submerged and called police. Authorities used a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Paul was found in the driver’s seat. Captain Alton Lenderman said they are still investigating and have not ruled if foul play was involved.
SMITH COUNTY — A wedding scammer has learned her fate. Holly Elliott, Tyler, faces ten years in prison and has to pay back the money she stole from the venue, Centaur Arabian Farms, where she used to work. Investigators said she offered special deals to couples if they paid in cash, then kept the money. Around 20 different people paid her. Smith County Assistant District Attorney Richard Vance says the venue owners caught on and called police, but not before she had embezzled around $120, 000. The venue ended up paying for the weddings out of pocket. Elliott will have to return that money, along with $10, 000 in fines.
TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities recently began a water meter audit and rehabilitation program in conjunction with Aqua-Metric that will continue through July. The focus area of the initial program will be the southeast quadrant of the City, bounded by the City limits to the East and South, and approximately Fifth Street to the North and New Copeland Road to the West. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation following the discovery of a man’s body. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told KTBB on Tuesday, “that the body of Darrell Gene Blankenship, III, 24, Tool, was found just before 9:00 Monday morning at the entrance of “Sky Country” Subdivision. A passerby made the discovery. Blankenship’s body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler woman is arrested for intoxication assault Monday morning following a head-on collision. It happened just after midnight on Hwy 271, south of the U.T. Health Science Center. Witnesses told police that a 2005 Mercedes-Benz was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2019 Nissan Sentra head-on. The driver of the Mercedes, Jasmine Gonzalez, 19, of Tyler, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the crash. She was transported to a local hospital, treated and released into police custody. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in East Texas during a line of storms Friday evening. They were in Nacogdoches County, Northwest Panola County and Center. All three were classified as EF-1 tornadoes with winds up to 100 miles per hour. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County has reported one fatality as a result of Friday night’s storms. According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches County Emergency Management Rescue crews responded to a residence off of FM 225 for a man trapped by a tree. Larry Hadnot Jr., 44, was inside the home when a tree was blown onto the house trapping him. Another individual was inside the house but was able to escape with minor injuries. Hadnot was pronounced dead at the scene. Early damage reports in the county include multiple trees down, some structures damaged and power outages. As of Saturday morning, all roads in Nacogdoches County are reportedly open. There are power lines down, some in remote areas.
KILGORE — Kilgore Police are assessing possible damage in the area from Friday night’s storms. According to the Kilgore Police Department Facebook page: “Unfortunately, it does look like we sustained more residential damage than originally believed. We will be doing damage assessments in the area for a little while today, that may include launching a drone. If any residents have immediate needs, please contact us and we’ll try to give some direction or assist how we can. Remember, be very cautious in using contractors who are soliciting door to door, we’re already seeing them roaming the neighborhoods.” Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A search warrant executed at a home in Wills Point leads to drugs and firearms seizures. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:30 Friday afternoon, law enforcement officials raided a home on 4th Street and seized approximately 30 pounds of illicit prescription pills with an estimated street value of $500,000. Additionally, multiple firearms, ammunition, narcotic related paraphernalia and other illegal drugs were seized. The residence is located across from a pre-school/ day care facility. One suspect was arrested. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County grand jury has handed down an indictment against a Tyler man for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman. According to our news partner KETK, Victor Ortiz, 23, was arrested October 4, 2019, for the alleged attack and is facing third-degree felony charges. Documents did not indicate how the incident started or what Ortiz’s relation was to the victim. Ortiz will have his case in the 7th District Court with Judge Kerry Russell presiding. His first court date has not been scheduled. Ortiz has past convictions for misdemeanor drug possession and traffic violations. If convicted, Ortiz faces up to ten years in prison for the attack.
TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a suspect wanted following a shooting Tuesday near downtown Tyler. Tyler Police Detective April Molina told KTBB that the case is still under investigation, a man had to be taken to the hospital after being shot near S.Kennedy Avenue and West Dobbs Street. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials did determine there was an exchange of gunfire between the victim and the suspect. Read the rest of this entry »