Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Fire crews are battling a grass fire in Smith County that spread to an RV on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County ESD2 firefighters were called to FM 2089 in Overton after receiving reports of a grass fire. When crews arrived, they found an RV fully involved in flames. According to ESD2 Nikki Simmons, no injuries have been reported.
GREGG COUNTY — A former Gregg County deputy was arrested on two consecutive days this week for charges of driving while intoxicated. According to our news partner KETK, jail records revealed that former Gregg County Deputy Joshua Isaiah Tubb, 47, was arrested by Kilgore police on Sunday and again on Monday, both times on DWI charges.
Tubb was released after posting bail following his Sunday arrest. However, jail records show he remains in custody after his Monday arrest, with a bond set at $32,500.
Gregg County Chief Deputy Craig Harrington confirmed that Tubb resigned from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office following the arrests. “We hold our deputies to the highest standards and accountability,” Harrington said.
TYLER — The Blackstone Hotel, with Valencia Hotel Group, is coming back to Tyler and bringing 60 full-time jobs with it. According to our news partner KETK, the new full-service, luxury hotel is being built under a 3-year plan, on the corner of Broadway and Fergueson, promising at least 60 full-time jobs with an annual payroll of $2 million.
This economic boosting promise is why Smith County Commissioners took up a vote for a 10-year tax abatement of 50% for Blackstone Hotel, as long as Valencia Hotel Group upkeeps their promise of 60 full-time employees.
Scott Martinez, President of Tyler Economic Development Council, says his organization will be the monitor of this agreement. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The Texas Health and Human Services is reporting 5,124 influenza hospitalizations so far this month. According to our news partner KETK, these numbers have gone up by 2,000 since Nov. 15. Longview healthcare specialists and pharmacists said the majority of cases they see are people coming in with are COVID-19 and Influenza A. Multiple school districts in deep East Texas cancelled classes this week due to flu outbreaks, including the Cushing and Shelbyville ISD’s.
“We are definitely having an uptick in it in the last several weeks,” Family nurse practitioner at Hospitality ER Judson Lawerence said. “Our numbers have increased in both flu and COVID. But the earlier you can come in get treatment the better.”
Pharmacist at Louis Morgan, Shawn Sams, knows finding the right medicine to combat your symptoms can be a daunting task. Sams said if you have a wet cough, “This particular product is Mucinex, so it’s going to help break up the chest congestion and it’s also going to suppress the cough. So the idea is your cough less often, but when you do it, hopefully it’s more productive and you can get that mucus out of your chest.” Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON –Two East Texas men were sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday after selling over 50 grams of narcotics in Henderson. According to our news partner KETK and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas, James Porter and Richard Sledge sold 25.49 grams of meth in Henderson for $350 in 2023. Additionally, Porter sold 51.2 grams of meth later that year in Henderson for $625.
Porter was arrested on July 10, 2024, and during his arrest, agents reportedly recovered 24.04 more grams of meth from his vehicle and inside his business.
After pleading guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute, Porter was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison and Sledge was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Deputies responded to a deadly conduct call on CR 2194 near Whitehouse around 1:00 Sunday afternoon. According to officials, Luis Arredondo-Villalobos was waving and pointing a firearm at his neighbors. Deputies were able to speak with several individuals who were able to confirm the behavior of Arredondo-Villalobos and his intoxicated state. Deputies also contacted the brother of Arredondo-Villalobos who confirmed the presence of firearms inside the residence.
Deputies attempted to coax Arredondo-Villalobos out of his residence by using the PA speakers but were unsuccessful. Smith County SWAT responded to the location and continued to try and coax the suspect out of his residence. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler, Joseph E. Strickland, is set to appear Tuesday at a Grassroots America – We the People meeting, a prominent constitutional conservative organization based in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the event, titled “Closing Out 2025 with Conviction, Hope, and Perseverance,” will be held at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. A food-and-fellowship buffet is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:25 p.m., with the meeting set to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organizers say book signings and additional speakers may continue until 9 p.m.
Strickland’s appearance marks one of his most public returns to the East Texas community since his removal as head of the Diocese of Tyler on Nov. 11, 2023. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for a missing 78-year-old man who was last seen leaving his home on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a report of a missing person in the 8600 block of County Road 384 near Tyler at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
A family member told deputies that Emiliano Valle, left his home on foot, heading in an unknown direction at around 6 a.m. on Sunday. Valle is described as a 5’01” Hispanic man with grey hair, who weighs around 250 pounds and is possibly wearing a black suit jacket.
Valle has lymphedema and frequent UTI’s that cause him to get confused and have issues with his memory. He also has trouble walking and requires bandages on his legs. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Several days after the SPCA of East Texas issued an urgent plea for donations, East Texans responded with overwhelming generosity, allowing the organization to continue caring for and sheltering animals as they move into the new year. According to the SPCA of East Texas executive director Emily Heglund and our news partner KETK, the organization received over $130,000 in donations over the past two days, with most of the contributions coming from Giving Tuesday.
The donations came shortly after the SPCA released a statement on Sunday stating that the organization is in dire need of contributions to allow them to continue caring for animals in East Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department said that a sinkhole caused part of East Grand Avenue to collapse on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Police are asking drivers to avoid the area where the roadway collapsed in the 900 block of East Grand Avenue. Officials said that Marshall Public Works Crews are working with the Texas Department of Public Transportation to asses the damage to the road.
TYLER — A pedestrian was struck by a train in downtown Tyler Thursday. According to the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK, the individual was hit on the tracks near Goodwill and the intersection of Bonner Avenue and Locust Street. The person has transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not released details about what led to the crash or provided an update on the victim’s condition.
ANGELINA COUNTY — A member of the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Alton Lenderman, who has dedicated the past 48 years of his life to law enforcement, will be retiring on Wednesday.
According to our news partner KETK, Lenderman has served the people of Angelina County as a captain for nearly 13 years. Before accepting his current position, Lenderman served with the Lufkin Police Department for over 34 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant.
“During Lenderman’s 48 years, he tackled just about everything a law enforcement career can throw at you and helped foster a higher level of trust between law enforcement and the community,” the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said. “Alton was a K-9 officer, shift supervisor, trained many officers in firearms, tactics, SWAT and other assignments as well as serving on boards and committees in the community.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved a feasibility study on Tuesday to evaluate necessary improvements for the county’s animal shelter. According to our news partner KETK, the proposed agreement calls for Fitzpatrick Architect to assess the shelter’s condition. The proposal includes bringing in engineers to assess site improvements, utilities, drainage, spa access, mechanical and plumbing issues and other recommended enhancements.
Following the evaluation, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would be used to create a dog park and shaded green space. The city will also evaluate the current facility for potential upgrades that would address interior exhaust and drainage problems.
Research will be required to ensure compliance with local site regulations, Smith County officials said. The ARPA-funded grant was amended in July to ensure that current funding covers the animal shelter.
TYLER — Governor Greg Abbott stopped in Tyler on Wednesday afternoon to discuss his plans to reduce property taxes and strengthen support for local businesses across the state. Abbott outlined a five-point plan aimed at lowering property taxes for Texans and emphasized his commitment to help small businesses by reducing government regulations and reducing costs.
The governor was joined by several East Texas lawmakers, including Rep. Daniel Alders, Rep. Jay Dean, Rep. Cole Hefner, Rep. Brent Money and Rep. Joanne Shofner, along with other local officials.
On Sunday, Abbott launched his campaign for a fourth term as governor, unveiling new proposals aimed at curbing local property tax increases. This comes shortly after Texas voters approved two constitutional amendments in the November election designed to provide additional property tax relief to homeowners. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. According to a news release, Commissioners Court will not be held on Tuesday. There will be a Special-Called Commissioners Court meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 14, to canvass the results of the November 4 Special Election.
“Smith County closes for Veterans Day to honor all of the men and women who have served in the United States military,” the release stated.
Smith County has more than 100 employees who are veterans, serving the community through their positions in the Commissioners Court, Fire Marshal’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Road and Bridge Department, Juvenile Services Department, IT Department, Facility Services Department, Veteran Services Office, County Court-at-Law 3, Precincts 1, 3 and 4 Constable’s Offices, Tax Office and Judicial Compliance/Collections Department. Read the rest of this entry »