Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Deputies have arrested a Flint man after finding methamphetamines and firearms in his vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, a Smith County deputy observed individuals standing around a truck parked at a convenience store on Hwy 155 in Flint. When the deputy approached the area, the individuals fled the scene in different directions. Authorities found the owner of the vehicle, Zaccereth Drake Silva, 23, of Flint, to have an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. The deputy requested K-9 assistance who alerted authorities of narcotics within the vehicle. The deputy found a large amount of methamphetamines, five handguns, a rifle and significant amounts of cash. One of the handguns was reported stolen. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY – Deputies with the Gregg County Sheriff’s office released a statement saying the inmate who escaped had initially been missing for three days before his escape was discovered. According to our news partner KETK, Jace Martin Laws escaped from the Gregg County Jail on December 23 but was found to be missing on December 26 when reports were made to the media and public. Authorities say Laws carved out portions of the brick in the South Jail, gaining access to the building infrastructure, and making his way to the exterior Gregg County Courthouse. He was found the following morning on December 27 off US 271. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal has identified a suspect wanted in connection to two structure fires in the Enchanted Lakes subdivision. Fire crews responded to reports of a fire at December 20, according to our news partner KETK. Two different homes were found to be on fire at the same time, with a suspicious third fire nearby. Both house fires were determined to have been intentionally set. Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said his office has identified Amber Leigh McGehee of Holly Lake as the named suspect on an arrest warrant for the felony charge of arson of a habitation. McGehee had been in the Wood County Jail since Christmas on unrelated charges. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Dozens of residents in Harrison County had to be evacuated after an oil field accident. Authorities reported 45 residents were evacuated from their homes following a gas well blowout that happened early on Christmas morning. The well is owned by Tanos Exploration. Mark Brandon, CEO of Tanos, said there’s no timeline as to when people could leave the hotels and return to their homes. Tanos is paying for everything regarding those displaced residents.
LUFKIN — A woman has died after driving in front of a train. It happened around 12:20 Wednesday morning on Southwood Drive, outside Loop 287 in Lufkin. As officers were responding to the scene, dispatch took a call from the woman’s friend, stating the woman was suicidal and wanting to kill herself by train. Union Pacific officials told officers it appeared the woman pulled onto the tracks and waited for a collision. Sherri Johns, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene.
TYLER — After a Salvation Army kettle was stolen from a Tyler Walmart in early December, a kind-hearted member of the community has sent in a donation to cover the money that was never returned. The estimated amount stolen was $400, which is what the secret Santa gifted. According to our news partner KETK, the Salvation Army is $80,000 shy of its $400,000 goal. While they are short of their goal, Core Officer, Robert Parker says they have faith in the community. The non-profit organization helps families in need.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department will be stepping up DWI enforcement to stop impaired drivers as part of TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can†campaign. This campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to holiday celebrations. The increased enforcement begins Tuesday and runs through Jan. 1, 2020. The Police Department will be participating in a State Grant that will provide funding to the department to increase DWI enforcement in order to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, deaths, and injuries. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to Dogwood Trails in the Enchanted Lake subdivision, in Northwest Smith County, to investigate a reported structure fire, just after 7:30 Friday night. A second house fire was discovered down the street from the first reported fire. “Fire crews had to split into two teams to fight both fires and water supply in that area is already a challenge. The condition of the private roads leading to the location of the fires made it difficult to get the necessary water tankers to the firefighters.†Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said. A suspicious vehicle was reported by the initial fire attack team so the Smith County Sheriff’s Office quickly responded to the area and were able to locate it. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has been notified that an individual is making calls to people claiming to be Tyler Police Sgt. Adam Parker. The caller is telling them they are involved in a civil matter that needs urgent attention and/or payment. This individual is masking his number with a Tyler Police extension. Residents should be aware that the Tyler Police Department will never contact them for payment of fines. You should never share personal information (i.e. address, social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone. Tyler Police detectives are investigating this case.
PALESTINE — A Palestine man has been charged with capital murder following the death of Nathaniel Torrez, four-month-old, according to our news partner KETK. Nathaniel was initially brought to the ER unresponsive on November 12 when doctors discovered that the he had numerous rib fractures, a fractured right arm, and a skull fractured that led to a brain bleed. The infant was transported to Houston for further treatment. The father of the infant, Jerry Torrez, 34, was arrested on November 12 for the charge of injury to a child causing bodily injury. The father was booked into the Anderson County jail where he has remained since his arrest. Nathanial Torrez died from his injuries December 14. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Monday night shooting in a residential area. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds at a home on Grand Avenue around 8:45. The victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. Evidence led authorities to West Carter Boulevard where casings, bullet holes, and traces of blood were found. Detectives believe that was the scene where the shooting took place. The suspect is still on the loose as police are asking for any information regarding the incident.
SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have arrested a person in connection with a man shot on Sunday in Longview — and according to our news partner KETK, authorities confirm the victim has died. Ladarius Bell, 26 of Tyler was eventually dumped from a car to the side of the road. Bell was discovered with a gun shot wound to the head and air lifted to U.T. Health in Tyler, where he remained in critical condition until succumbing. An all points bulletin was sent out by the Smith County Department. Longview Police Department determined that the shooting occurred in Longview, identifying two individuals who were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The mother of Madison Williams, the 3-year-old Chapel Hill child who drowned in August, has been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Tiffany Snyder, 29, was indicted December 5 on two charges, injury to a child and possession of a controlled substance. On August 18, authorities with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to CR 210 between CR 850 and HWY 64 regarding a missing child. After several hours of searching, law enforcement located the body of Madison in a nearby pond on the property. Snyder was arrested that same day. She is being held in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $202,500.
HENDERSON COUNTY — The Athens ISD bus driver from January’s deadly crash that killed one student was back in court on Wednesday for another status hearing. According to our news partner KETK, the first pretrial hearing for the case has been set for February 5 in the 392nd District Court in Athens. John Stevens, 79, is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the bus he was driving collided with a Union Pacific train in Athens January 25. The collision killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla after he was ejected from the bus and severely injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. Stevens was also injured in the collision. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Many voters were left concerned in the November elections after one polling place closed and voters waited hours in line. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran stated that the fall elections did not meet expectations and expects changes in the future. “Our November elections did not occur up to standard, we did not fulfill our obligations to this community to do elections in the way they need to be done, they were accurate, but we had a lot of problems we need to address,†said Judge Moran. Read the rest of this entry »