Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
TYLER — A home in Tyler has unexpectedly became the backdrop for proposals being deemed the “engagement house” on social media. According to our news partner KETK, while he was in Tyler for work, James Meador was driving around town and found a home that he knew would be the perfect spot to ask his girlfriend Laura Hammers to spend the rest of her life with him. The home is located in the Azalea District and it is a popular destination during Christmas season because of its beautiful decorations.
The lights hold a special meaning for the homeowners who had a tree in their wedding that was decorated with crystals.
“In our own wedding, we had a tree. It was not a tree with lights, it was a tree with crystals, it was an indoor tree that my parents actually made for our wedding,” homeowner Ashley Lesniewski said. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE – An East Texas man is dead after a traffic accident that led to a shooting on Thursday. According to the Jacksonville Police Department and our news partner KETK, around 9:50 p.m. Jacksonville police and firefighters responded to a traffic accident at the intersection of Myrtle Drive and Sam Boles Road. Officials said they saw that one of the occupants, identified as Angel Balderas Jr., 33 of Jacksonville, had a single gunshot wound. Balderas was transported to a local emergency room where he later died.
The shooter was detained and questioned but officials said no charges will be filed at this time. The police department said no other details will be released due to it being an ongoing investigation.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said they arrested a man on Friday after he allegedly pointed a rifle at officers from a home on Tupelo Drive. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD officers were responding to a domestic incident in the 200 block of Tupelo Drive at around 8:50 p.m. on Friday when they first made contact with Benjamin Howell, 41 of Longview.
After the officers arrived at the Tupelo Drive home, Howell reportedly fled inside and then pointed his rifle out at the officers. According to a Longview PD press release, the officers then took cover and called for the Longview SWAT unit and the Negotiations unit.
Officers reportedly heard one gunshot from inside the home and after negotiators made repeated attempts to contact Howell, the SWAT team had to resolve the standoff through non-lethal force measures, Longview PD said. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County is the second county in East Texas to partner with ICE to identify and report immigrants in the United States illegally. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, Gregg County commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the sheriff’s office to enter an agreement with federal officials, which is the ICE 287(g) program apart of The Illegal Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1966.
This program gives deputies the ability to identify undocumented criminal immigrants through the federal immigration system then contact ICE directly and have the detainer put on immediately.
“The 287g program is not new. We’ve been doing it for four decades and if you’re not here illegally, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, but if you’re here illegally and you commit a crime and come to jail, will you get a detainer on you? probably,” Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — In the past two months, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department has arrested 50 people for drug related charges, many of them have led to arrests made by residents. According to our news partner KETK, recent arrests have involved lengthy investigations that have led to warrants.
Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse spoke about how most of his recent arrests have initially been search warrants allowing them to enter their homes. “Most of them have been through investigations where we’ve gotten some information and been able to get a search warrant and go and actually search a house,” Hillhouse said.
Hillhouse has been the sheriff since 2016 and his main focus has been on getting drugs off the street. He has asked residents to call in credible tips to his office, local law enforcement and Crimestoppers, recently those tips have resulted in arrests. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a wanted 32-year-old man who has been missing for a year. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office identified the man as Brantaja Dewaye Holloway-Blevins who is wanted for manufactured delivery of a controlled substance since August 2024. Holloway-Blevins is described as a black man, with black hair and brown eyes, weighs around 160 pounds and is 6 foot 1 inch.
Anyone with information about Holloway Blevins is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 or the Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.
UPSHUR COUNTY — A man has been arrested for allegedly hitting a New Diana ISD student with his vehicle on Monday while she was crossing the road to board a school bus. According to our news partner KETK, the crash took place at the intersection of FM 726 and U.S. Highway 259 when a driver, who was later identified as Jerry Martin, 56 of Longview, ignored the red flashing lights on the bus and struck the student. Martin was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is currently being held in the Upshur County Jail on a $100,000 bond. The student has been treated and released from a local hospital, according to New Diana ISD assistant superintendent Greg Pope.
New Diana ISD is being joined in warning drivers by others school districts like Palestine ISD and Mount Pleasant ISD, they’ve has accidents like this in the past. Both districts are urging drivers to be extra cautious for school busses. Read the rest of this entry »
CHANDLER — A traffic issue in Chandler, caused by a blocked railroad crossing, is causing traffic delays. A train is reportedly parked on the tracks at FM 315 south. No word on when the train will be moved. Drivers are urged to use an alternate route.
EAST TEXAS — The Texas Education Agency has added the names of two East Texas educators to their growing list of people flagged in a certification fraud investigation. According to our news partner KETK, these teachers, coaches and educators are under investigation to see if they were involved with an alleged Houston-based scheme to falsify TEA certifications for hundreds of people, according to NBCDFW. As of now, there are 163 teachers on the list.
The educator certification is an official recognition indicating that an individual has met all the requirements to work as a certified teacher. With an educator certification, people can potentially receive higher pay and are permitted to work at public schools.
The two East Texas educators added on Tuesday are Reginald Hill with Carthage ISD and Taishia Holt with Lufkin ISD. Carthage ISD’s website lists Hill as a teacher and assistant football coach. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Texas has carried out its first execution since the state tried to put a Palestine man to death, a battle that is still raging. Robert Roberson was to have been put to death three and a half months ago. He was convicted in the 2002 death of his daughter. The courts have upheld the conviction, but after hearing new evidence, a Texas House Committee became convinced Roberson was wrongly convicted based on shaken baby syndrome, and that the girl actually died from an acute illness.
The committee managed to derail the execution in October by issuing a subpoena for Roberson to testify. A stay was issued, then lifted it with the Texas Attorney General’s Office insisting that Roberson will not appear. Now with new members added to the court of criminal appeals, Roberson’s lawyers say they are close to filing a new appeal.
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department arrested a man in connection to the Nov. 27, 2024 hit-and-run death of Tayedrian Baker. According to our news partner KETK, Londedric Jayquell Taylor Sr., 30, of Jacksonville, was arrested for accident involving serious bodily injury or death and has been booked into the Cherokee County Jail.
Police said Baker was traveling on an electric bike when an unknown vehicle hit him. Baker was flown to a Tyler hospital but later died from his injuries. Baker was an organ donor and helped save six people’s lives following his death.
“Our hearts go out to Mr. Baker’s family during this difficult time. The case remains under investigation, and no further details will be released at this time,” the Jacksonville Police Department said.
KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department arrested two suspects on Tuesday after more than 600 grams of meth and other drugs were found during a raid. According to our news partner KETK, members of the Narcotics Department, Drug Enforcement Unit and Proactive Community Engagement Team served a drug warrant at an apartment on Martin and Houston street. During the drug raid, officials reportedly found 643 grams of meth, 7 grams of Psilocybin, 27.2 pounds of Marijuana, 10 grams of Trazodone, 241 grams of ‘white powdery substance’, Glock 23, Mini Drako, Drako, Semi-automatic rifle, ammunition and two bullet proof vests.
Alston Antwone Lee has been charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of dangerous drugs and weapon charges coming soon. His bonds total $235,000.
The Kilgore Police Department reminded dealers that their “time is numbered.”
WOOD COUNTY — Arrest records shed light on a former pastor who allegedly used the same ruse to lure children and sexually assault them at church. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy Nall’s affidavit indicates the sexual assault took place at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Mineola in Fall 2022. According to a deputy’s offense report, a counselor notified deputies of possible sexual abuse to a 4-year-old girl.
The parents of the girl had placed her in counseling sessions after they noticed strange behavior at home that highly alarmed them. The suspect was identified as Timothy Nall who was the full time pastor at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where the family went to beginning February 2022.
A forensic interview was conducted at the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center on Jan. 27 where the child made statements against Nall. Nall was booked into the Smith County Jail and was released the following day. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners voted on Tuesday afternoon to honor the memory of two firefighters who were killed in the line of duty while battling a house fire in 2007. According to our news partner KETK, the court voted to rename a portion of FM 2493, or Old Jacksonville, as the “Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway” in memory of the two firefighter who died after responding to a house fire. During the meeting Council member Neal Franklin reflected on the tragedy.
“It was a tough time in the fire service and a tough time for everybody. It brings back some hard moments but we are here to honor those individuals today,” Franklin said.
The Noonday Volunteer Fire Department crew, including Williams and Cheek, responded to a house fire located at 20188 FM 2493 on Aug. 3, 2007 at around 1:35 a.m. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A Longview gymnastics instructor, Matthew Orban, 52, has been charged with sexual assault of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, the incident involving Orban occurred on or around March 1, 2016. Orban reportedly turned himself into the Gregg County Jail on Dec. 12 and was released the same day on a $75,000 bond.
Orban is co-founder of Faith Flip alongside Nicole Orban, whose mission is to reach and teach children in a “loving, caring environment.” The nonprofit is located in the Longview Mall where they provide tumbling and trampoline instruction while teaching life lessons through the Holy Bible.
Orban is scheduled to appear in the 188th district court on April 9 at 9 a.m. for a status hearing.
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s ordinance that requires owners to spay and neuter stray dogs and cats will go into effect starting this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. According to our news partner KETK, the ordinance was proposed by the city in order to fix their stray animal problem and to prevent overcrowding. This push to limit the amount of stray animals in Longview comes after a man was attacked and killed by a pack of stray dogs last February.
The Longview Animal Advisory committee worked for months to find a solution to overcrowding and the safety of their residents. The ordinance will require owners of stray dogs and cats to be sterilized. Sterilization requirements and the intact pet permit include exemptions such as infertility or chronic health issues, according to the city. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler held a kickoff event to celebrate the School of Nursing’s 50th anniversary. The event paid tribute to the school’s beginning in 1975 as the Division of Nursing under Texas Eastern University, which became UT Tyler. Some highlights of the last five decades include the first class of traditional BSN students beginning in 1982 and the Palestine Distance Initiative being approved as UT Tyler’s first off-campus instructional site in 1995, followed by the Longview expansion in 1997. In 2008, the school introduced the PhD in nursing, the first doctoral program at UT Tyler.
“The School of Nursing has been a cornerstone of UT Tyler since its inception,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “It’s truly an honor to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and we couldn’t have gotten here without support from the UT System and the East Texas community.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will be hosting the first of several community meetings on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors Headquarters located at 2772 SSE Loop 323. The meeting will be come-and-go format and will feature information stations with Water Customer Service Representatives to answer individual account questions.
Customers are encouraged to attend the meeting in order to learn more about TWU and to voice any questions or concerns they may have. Residents attending the meeting should have a copy of their water bill with them. Each council member will have a meeting for their respective district, according to our news partner KETK. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Thursday for the murder of a missing person, whose body was found in 2022 in a hand-dug grave. According to our news partner KETK, Dalan Clowdus will begin his plea deal prison sentence this week for the murder of missing person, Jimmy Dean Oldfield.
On May 26, 2022, authorities were notified of a missing person’s body and truck that were found at a home off Highway 85 just outside of Seven Points. After officials arrived, they located a truck that was “cut into several pieces” and uncovered a hand-dug grave containing the missing person’s body. Officials identified the body to be Oldfield, who went missing earlier in May, however the sheriff’s office wasn’t notified until May 15.
Dalan was the third man to be arrested for this incident after he turned himself into the sheriff’s office. Along with Dalan, investigators also arrested Steven Clowdus and William Hux. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: Tyler Water Utilities crews and the contractor have completed repairs to the 12″ water line at SW Loop 323 in front of the KETK News building. The water supply has been restored and affected businesses and residents have been notified.
TYLER — Contractors and City crews are currently on-site making repairs to the water line break. Affected businesses and residents have been notified. The water supply in the area will be turned off by 10 a.m. to allow crews to complete the repairs. We anticipate water to be restored around 5 p.m. Areas impacted include KETK News, Jalapeno Tree, Towne Oaks Plaza shopping mall and some residences in the Richmond Road neighborhood.
Background: On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) identified a break in a 12″ water line at SW Loop 323 in front of the KETK News building.
MINEOLA — A stolen vehicle pursuit in Mineola ended in a tense standoff Sunday when the armed driver refused to exit the vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, officers with the Mineola Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle from the city and into Van Zandt County before the suspect stopped on U.S. Highway 80 and FM 1255. The driver, identified as Jacob Swanson, of Gilmer, allegedly refused to exit the vehicle, was armed and threatened to commit suicide by cop.
Mineola PD then requested back up from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team due to the unavailability of closer resources. A SWAT operator, negotiators and two additional deputies responded to the scene.
“Upon their arrival, the hostage negotiator spoke with Swanson for about forty minutes with no desired results,” Smith County officials said. “Finally, CS and OC projectiles were deployed into the vehicle.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A stolen vehicle pursuit on Interstate 20 Sunday evening ended in Smith County with the help of drones, which guided deputies to two suspects who fled after the vehicle was stopped with spike strips. According to our news partner KETK, the Canton Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle into Smith County eastbound on I-20 at around 5:30 p.m. DPS Troopers were able to deploy spikes at MM562 and stopped the vehicle at FM 14.
“The driver and front seat passenger immediately bailed out the vehicle on foot and fled the area. A backseat passenger surrendered at the vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said.
Smith County deputies were then dispatched to the location including a drone pilot. When they arrived, they were informed that the suspects hit a wooded area adjacent to I-20. When the drone was deployed, a suspect exited the wooded area and was taken into custody. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said Joe Cryer was arrested on Tuesday and has been booked in the county jail.
HOUSTON COUNTY — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man wanted for violating his parole and evading arrest near the Anderson County line on US Highway 287 North. According to our news partner KETK, Houston County deputies, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Crockett Police Department are reportedly searching the area for Joe Cryer, 44.
Cryer was reportedly last seen wearing a camo jacket and could possibly be armed, the sheriff’s office warned. Anyone who sees Cryer is asked to not approach him and to call 911.
Officials asked the residents on US Highway 287 near the Anderson county line to make sure their cars are locked and to report any suspicious people to to the sheriff’s office at 936-544-2862.
BULLARD — Bullard residents will soon see an increase in their water bill. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Bullard has increased expenses for residents and businesses “due to increasing expenses and high demand in providing quality water and treated water.” The rates will take effect beginning February and be reflected in the March billing cycle.
The city said the topic has been in discussion over the last few years as residential water and sewer rates have not been adjusted since 2018 and the new rate will be similar or some cases lower than other cities their size.
A technical assistant consultant was contracted by the city to study the billing rates of their water systems. The city said this study showed them the revenue they’d need per customer to maintain their water system and how much they’ll need for a future water reserve. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Water Department is working on a main water break Sunday morning. According to Tyler Police, as crews work on this issue, both north and southbound lanes of traffic Broadway between 7th and 8th Street will be shut down. Motorists are encouraged to avoid this area and seek alternate routes. Officials said an update should be released once the area is back open for normal traffic.
LONGVIEW — Thanks to a recent community petition, a portion of George Richey Road in Longview has been renamed in honor of Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. According to our news partner KETK, the part of George Richey Road between Gilmer Road and Judson Road will now officially be known as Bill Stoudt Parkway. The change comes after the Longview City Council approved a resolution to rename the road in their meeting on Thursday.
According to the agenda for Thursday’s City Council meeting, more than 51% of the property owners along the road agreed to have the name changed in a petition that was submitted to the council.
Stoudt was chosen because of his past efforts to help expand the road and his many years of service in Longview and Gregg County. Thank you so much Judge Stoudt for your years of dedication, spearheading not only this effort but many others in our community,” Longview city councilwoman for District 5, Michelle Gamboa said in a recap of Thursday’s meeting.
SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County father and grandmother are behind bars after the alleged abuse of a three-month old baby. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that at around 6 p.m. Wednesday night, a deputy responded to a hospital in Tyler regarding a possible child abuse. Once the deputy was on scene, he was informed by hospital personnel that a three-month old baby had received significant injuries that looked like child abuse.
According to our news partner KETK, at the time, the infant was undergoing CT scans and X-rays. The attending nurse informed the deputy that the baby was lethargic, weak and had bruises on their face and neck. An investigator then spoke with the baby’s mother, who reportedly told officials that her baby had just returned home after spending several days with his father, Zachray McGinn, at a home on County Road 2192 near Whitehouse. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Troup man is in custody after running from the scene of a shooting that left one wounded. According to our news partner KETK, Troup Police said that they responded to a call about a victim suffering from a gunshot wound Tuesday. While EMS personnel were treating the victim, officers proceeded to the scene of the shooting, where they were informed that the suspect might still be inside the home.
With assistance from the Arp Police Department, White House Police Department and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, officers quickly set up a perimeter around the home. After multiple attempts to contact the suspect by phone and using loud speakers were unsuccessful, officers decided to enter the home, but they discovered that the suspect had fled. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the transfer of properties from the City of Tyler to the East Texas Cares Resources Center, which will carry out the day-to-day operations of the houses as a temporary shelter for families or individuals to help address the increasing homeless population.
The houses located at 512 W. 32nd St. and 516 W. 32nd St. will be used by East Texas Cares Resources Center as non-congregate shelters (NCS), which provide units and/or rooms as temporary shelter to families or individuals.
Those eligible to use the shelter must meet the “qualifying population” criteria as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the American Rescue Plan, known as the HOME-ARP program. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — According to our news partner KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy, “We’ve got one more day before our first, and hopefully only wintry event of the year. We’ll observe our third consecutive hard freeze tomorrow morning followed by temperatures being well below average tomorrow afternoon. (Highs in the low to middle 40s). The storm system is over the Rockies right now and will be making it in to Texas tomorrow night with the first bouts of precipitation arriving Thursday morning.
Precipitation will gradually increase throughout the day Thursday. I expect we’ll mostly snow/sleet north of highway 80 (1?-2?), with the highest amounts along and north of Interstate 30 (2?-4?+). Further south it gets more interesting. I’ve said over the last couple of days that places like Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, & Henderson are in the wintry “Battlezone.” This means that precipitation type is unclear and could change several times during this event. Read the rest of this entry »