Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Nearly a decade after her son was killed, a Tyler Mother is still looking for answers. For eight years, Mary Moore, mother of Steven Ray Smith who was killed in September of 2016, has been searching and hoping for answers. “I can’t sleep at night because I miss him,†Moore said. “It’s the worst thing that a mother can feel, like a black hole in your heart.â€
According to our news partner KETK, in 2016 Aisha McGee and Steven Smith were shot to death outside of a now closed club in northwest Tyler. Tyler police officer Andy Erbaugh served as one of the responding detectives on the case. “On September 18th, 2016, at around 2:44 in the morning,†Erbaugh said. “No witnesses except for one stayed on scene and we found that two people had been shot and killed.â€
He said unfortunately they still don’t have a suspect, leaving the families lost for answers. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County deputies captured a robbery suspect after a motorcycle pursuit Tuesday morning. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was in pursuit of a motorcyclist around 7:30 a.m. Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect, 34-year-old Charles Griffith, was caught on Pearl Street. Griffith was arrested on an aggravated robbery warrant and charged with evading arrest with a vehicle and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held on a combined bond of $1,850,000 at the Smith County Jail.
TYLER – With political campaign season in full swing, the Texas Department of Transportation advises political parties, candidates, and their supporters of where campaign signs can be placed along Texas roadways, according to a news release.
“We want to remind everyone that TxDOT has guidelines regarding placing signs in the right of way,” said Jeff Williford, public information officer for the Tyler District. “We know that a lot of signs will start showing up as we get closer to election day, but if a political sign is placed in the right of way, we are required to remove it without notice.” Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — US 69 in Lindale has reopened following an early Thursday morning wreck involving an 18-wheeler carrying 8,000 gallons and a white pickup truck. According to our news partner KETK, the wreck occurred at around 6:30 a.m. causing nearly 5,000 gallons to be spilled. The driver and passenger of the white pickup truck were extracted.
“It was noted that this extrication was an extremely difficult one due to the nature of how the vehicles collided. Both occupants were extricated from the vehicle and transported to the hospital,†the Lindale Fire Department said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE (AP) — Texas’s highest criminal court on Wednesday declined to stop the execution next month of Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, but who has consistently challenged his conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science.
Without reviewing the merits of Roberson’s claims, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday dismissed both a motion to halt the execution and a new application for relief filed by his attorneys. That leaves Roberson’s execution on track for Oct. 17, unless he can win clemency from the state’s Board of Pardons and Paroles. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler adopted their 2025 budget, that totals $255.9 million and lowers the tax rate, during their Wednesday meeting. According to our news partner KETK, the budget, a 6% increase from last year, addresses improved roadways and traffic flow, enhanced drainage systems, upgraded water and sewer infrastructure and redeveloping public spaces. $50 million will go to water and sewer systems upgrades, while $41.4 million will be devoted to traffic signal improvements, street reconstruction, drainage and redevelopment of the downtown square funded by half-cent sales tax revenue.
The new tax rate is lowered to $0.240085, which the city says maintains their position as having the lowest tax rate in Smith County and among Texas cities with populations above 15,000. Projected property taxes are roughly $30.5 million, making up 32% of the general revenue fund. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — A man was sentenced to 55 years after pleading guilty to a 2017 murder. According to our news partner KETK, 28-year-old Cody Fortman from DeSoto was sentenced in a Gregg County court on Tuesday. He pleaded guilty back in June 2022 to the murder charge. He is charged in connection to the death of 22-year-old Nicholas Trevion Johnson, a Longview man who was found dead from gunshot wounds in a home on Annette Drive.
GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said an intoxicated driver hit a sheriff’s deputy while he worked a rollover accident Tuesday afternoon. According to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK, responders were working a one-vehicle rollover on FM 1252 around 3:45 p.m. when a eastbound Honda hit and injured a sheriff’s deputy. DPS troopers arrested the driver, Rigoberto Meza, 71, of Longview.
“We’re relieved to report that the deputy has been treated for his injuries at a local hospital and has been released,†GCSO said. “He is in good spirits and is expected to make a full recovery.â€
DPS troopers arrested the Honda driver and officials said the driver was charged with driving while intoxicated, no driver’s license and no insurance.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrates another record-breaking enrollment year, seeing its highest total enrollment. UT Tyler’s fall 2024 preliminary enrollment as of the Sept. 9 census date is 10,541 students, which is a 7.75% increase over the previous year.
“We are energized by the growth on our campus,†said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “I want to thank our admissions team, faculty and staff for their dedication to supporting our students, as well as our recruitment and retention initiatives.â€
First-time-in-college freshmen enrollment made up 1,426 of the total preliminary enrollment, which is a 7.5% increase over the previous record year of 2022. Additionally, UT Tyler continued enhancing retention rates among graduate/professional students. Graduate enrollment saw a second consecutive year of substantial growth by 14.02%, with a preliminary enrollment of 2,765. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County authorities said minor injuries have been reported after a crash involving a Tatum ISD school bus Wednesday morning. According to the Rusk County Emergency Management Office and our news partner KETK, shortly after 7 a.m. they were notified of a crash involving a school bus that was carrying students. “A large response was initiated and we do have confirmation from first responders on the scene of some minor injuries,†Rusk County officials said.
Tatum ISD said they have contacted immediate contacts of all that were involved. DPS is investigating the crash. If anyone has questions they are urged to contact the district at 903-947-0167 or 903-947-0161.
PALESTINE — An investigation into a stolen vehicle in Palestine has led to multiple arrests and two people who are wanted. According to the Palestine Police Department and our news partner KETK, on Sept. 2 at approximately 3:36 p.m. officers responded to the Woodside Village Apartments at 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd for recovery of a stolen vehicle. The victim had told PPD that their vehicle had been stolen from the Texas A&M University campus the night before and a tracking device in the vehicle showed that it was at the apartment complex, officials said.
According to officials, when officers arrived at the apartment they located the vehicle and three men walking from the vehicle into an apartment. PPD reported that when the officers approached the building, two of the men ran out of the apartment’s back door. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue spoke at Commissioners Court on Tuesday warning residents of increased grass-fires. According to our news partner KETK, Hogue told the court that if Smith County doesn’t see rain in the next week there may be a need for a burn ban. From Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 there were nine grass-fires in Smith County and from Sept. 3 to Sept. 10 there were 27, Hogue reported. The Fire Marshal urged that residents be extra cautious when doing burning of any kind, and to refrain from burning on windy days.
“There is a chance of rain on Wednesday from Tropical Storm Francine, but Hogue said he is afraid it will be little or no rain with heavy winds,†Smith County officials said.
On Tuesday, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County went up to 659 from 641 the previous week, the KBDI measures forest fire risk and maxes out at 800, according to the release.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating the validity of a threat made by a student online, according to Pine Tree Independent School District. On Monday, district officials said they were made aware of a student’s online “threatening remarks†during Friday’s home football game. According to our news partner KETK, the issue was quickly dealt with in cooperation with Longview PD, the district said.
“While our local PD investigates the validity of this threat, we want to remind parents to talk to their students about the seriousness of making any type of threatening comments,†Pine Tree ISD said. “We will always take every threat seriously because nothing is more important than the safety of our students and staff.â€
PANOLA COUNTY — An East Texas student was arrested on Wednesday after a loaded .38 caliber handgun was found in their vehicle in the school’s parking lot, according to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.The sheriff’s office said Panola Charter High School notified them at around 9:30 a.m. that a firearm was found in a students vehicle on campus. Deputies say the 17-year-old student was overheard talking about having a gun in his vehicle.
“During a subsequent search by school staff, a loaded .38 caliber handgun was recovered,†according to the report from the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said the student was taken into custody for possession of a firearm in a prohibited location and was taken to the Panola County Detention Center. ‘We have no reason to believe that this incident was related to any school-related threat,†PCSO said. “Upon review of the situation we have no reason to believe that any specific student or campus was targeted.†Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — A 23-year-old man has been arrested for murder following an overnight shooting that left one dead. According to our news partner KETK and the Nacogdoches Police Department, officials responded to Fulgham Street after reports of gunshots being heard in the area. While in route, officers received other calls that someone had been shot. The victim was found outside the residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim died at a local hospital a short time later. The victim’s name has not been released.
Jalen Boughton, 23, of Nacogdoches, was arrested for murder and remains in the Nacogdoches County Jail. The police department said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
SMITH COUNTY -DPS has confirmed two are dead after a two-vehicle collision Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, DPS Sergeant Adam Albritton said the accident involved an SUV on FM2908 traveling north and a pickup truck going east on CR 384. Albritton said the truck ran a stop sign at the intersection and collided with the SUV. The driver and its passenger in the pickup truck were thrown from the vehicle. They later died. The driver of the SUV was taken to a hospital. As of this time, their identities have not been released.
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a fatal shooting. It happened around 11:40 Saturday, August 10, on Lorance Street. Arriving officers found a 17-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspect was identified as a 16-year-old male from Tyler. He was charged with manslaughter and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. He was arrested August, 15 and booked into the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center in Tyler.
TYLER — An investigation into a Tyler man for child pornography reopened a 2020 “suspended†sexual assault of child case. According to our news partner KETK, Austin Wayne Odell, 38, was arrested on possession of child pornography and sexual assault of a child on Aug. 3. According to an affidavit, a peace officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety obtained 99 videos and four images of child porn that were downloaded in 2023 from devices connected to an IP address that traced back to Odell’s address.
On Aug. 31, 2023, the officer executed a search warrant at Odell’s residence where he seized multiple devices but reportedly did not find any child porn. Later, the officer reportedly learned that Odell went out of town and took his computer with him. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — With a nationwide truck driver shortage, Kilgore college is working to bridge the gap by opening a new training institution, focusing on safety in training. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore College has been training truck drivers on campus since 2010, now their program is expanding due to a rising need. At their ribbon cutting, the college shared some staggering statistics saying the shortage of drivers has now topped 60,000 nationally.
According to the American Journal of Transportation by 2030 there will be a shortage of 160,000 drivers. The journal said several factors are causing the shortage including a high demand for truck drivers, a retiring workforce and a lack of new drivers. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was arrested for intoxicated manslaughter following a fatal crash on Highway 31 early Wednesday morning. According to an affidavit and our news partner KETK, Cesar Efrain Viramontes-Cocolan, 22, of Tyler, was driving a pickup truck traveling westbound on State Highway 31 near FM 2908. The document said that Viramontes swerved into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle head on killing the driver. DPS confirmed that the identity of the deceased driver was Maria Hernandez, 58, of Tyler.
According to Sgt. Adam Albritton, DPS media and communications, the vehicle that was struck was an SUV that had an 18-wheeler driving behind it. Albritton said that the 18-wheeler attempted to avoid crashing into the other vehicles but was unable to.
According to the affidavit, it was observed that there were no “obstacles or anything that would necessitate that Viramontes veer onto the wrong side of the road.†The document said that when interviewed at the hospital, Viramontes told officials that the other driver was “swerving in and out of their lane†but was unable to explain why he swerved into traffic. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — At their budget workshop for the 2025 fiscal year on Wednesday, the Smith County Commissioner’s Court verbally agreed to add 10 new detention officer jobs in the county. According to our news partner KETK, the move comes after years of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office having to go over budget on overtime because of a need for additional staffing at the Smith County Jail and elsewhere.
“Each year, knowing what we spent the year before, we’ve found less and less overtime,†Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said. “The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result.â€
At the workshop, Smith presented data that showed how the sheriff’s office reportedly had $300,000 budgeted for overtime and ended up spending $1,019,020 in 2020. Similarly, in 2021, they had even more overtime budgeted with $450,000 and they ended up spending $1,525,436. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Painted Tree Boutiques is coming soon to the City of Tyler where the former Bed Bath & Beyond was located. According to our news partner KETK, the boutique offers a one-of-a-kind retail experience with home decor, fashion and gifts but with a twist. The boutique will reportedly have hundreds of shops all under the same roof, creating a big way to shop small. “From the shop owners to the staff, everyone at Painted Tree Boutiques fosters togetherness,†the boutique’s website said. “It’s about supporting local entrepreneurs and giving the local community a treasure trove of delightful things.â€
This will be the store’s first East Texas location with over 12 in the state. The boutique will be located at the Cumberland Mall on 8970 S Broadway Ave, Suite 144 but when it will open has not been released at this time. Small business owners and sellers can now open their own shop at Painted Tree Boutiques by visiting their website or calling 844-762-3342. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Two people were arrested on Monday in connection to Dollar General thefts, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK,  around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Whitehouse police officers responded to a theft at a Dollar General on Highway 110, but the suspects had already fled in a black pickup truck, the sheriff’s office said.
Officials said about 20 minutes later, a theft was also reported at the Dollar General on FM 2493 in Flint.
“It was quickly determined that both thefts involved the same male and female suspect who entered the store and filled grocery carts full of merchandise and then exited,†Smith County official said. “Smith County Property Crimes Investigators had been monitoring the radio traffic of these two thefts due to the ongoing nature of similar thefts in the past few weeks. They quickly responded and developed a known suspect vehicle and license plate from surveillance video.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tickets for the 108th annual East Texas State Fair have officially gone on sale. According to our news partner KETK, this year’s East Texas State Fair will run from Sept. 20 – 29 at 11315A State Highway 64 West and tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for children 5-12, children under 5 get in free and carnival wristbands for unlimited rides in one day cost $37.
The fair also said that there will be special themed days, Military Appreciation Day will be on Sept 23, offering free admission to active and retired military personnel with valid ID, First Responder Day will be on Sept 25, offering free admission to police, firefighters and EMS with valid ID.
“This year, we’re opening at a new location, offering a fresh experience with new attractions and entertainment for the whole family,†Cody Rosenbalm, CEO and president of the East Texas State Fair, said. “We’re here to make this year’s Fair unforgettable and look forward to welcoming everyone at our new grounds.â€
Click here for more information.
TYLER — Construction in downtown Tyler has been going on for months and it’s getting busier with the demolition of buildings for the next phase of the new courthouse project, according to our news partner KETK. “Phase two is starting of the construction of the courthouse but the demolition of the east side of the square actually has to start first and that will begin on Monday,†Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. People who visit or work downtown should plan for detours and parking changes. “You see all of the fencing all around but you’ll see people in there working and heavy equipment pushing down buildings and walls,†Franklin said.
Currently, crews are looking underground at fiber and utility lines to prevent any issues moving forward. Read the rest of this entry »
ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left two people dead early Wednesday morning. According to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman and our news partner KETK, a call reported a shooting in Burke just after midnight Wednesday morning. Officials detained a juvenile, who has not been publicly identified, at the scene. Morgan McRae, 39, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Hannah Griffin, 31, who had also been shot, was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Sheriff Selman said that investigators received a warrant for the residence and found the weapon that was used in the shooting. Officials also said there were other children in the home at the time of the shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Brookshire’s Grocery Company held an event for the groundbreaking of their upcoming FRESH location in Longview on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the new FRESH will be located at the corner of US Highway 259 and North Fourth Street and is expected to be finished by the summer of 2025.
This location will be the third FRESH by Brookshire’s, joining one in Tyler and one in Fate. FRESH isn’t just a grocery store, like its sister locations this store will also include dining options, a playground and a patio with an outdoor entertainment space. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — FEMA is opening a Disaster Recovery Center in Rusk County to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding April 26 – June 5. The center will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday- Saturday, closed Sunday. Any center can help with both Hurricane Beryl and the April 26-June 5 storms and flooding. To find the center location nearest you, click here.
Residents in Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, San Jacinto, Rusk, Sabine, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Rec Department is beginning renovations to W.E. Winters Park, formerly known as Peach Park, located at 910 S. Peach Ave. The park will be closed to the public until the end of 2024. According to a news release, W.E. Winters Park renovations will include improvements to the playground, restrooms, pavilion, and parking lot and will feature a pollinator-themed design. Additional renovations will be completed at a later stage of development, including adding additional play elements, amenities, and renovations to the multipurpose courts. The current phase of renovations is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. For more information about this and other Tyler Parks and Rec Improvement Projects, click here, or call (903) 531-1370.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced that one of their students was selected as the university’s first-ever Jonas Scholar. According to our news partner KETK, Ryan Schalles, a PhD student at UTT’s School of Nursing, has been selected by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to be the school’s first-ever Jonas Scholar.
“Being named a Jonas Scholar is a remarkable achievement for Ryan Schalles and a significant milestone for the UT Tyler School of Nursing,†Dr. Barbara K. Haas, School of Nursing dean, said. “We are immensely proud of him and grateful to Dr. Barbara McAlister for supporting Ryan. Her dedication to mentoring and guiding our students is invaluable and reflects the commitment typical of the UT Tyler School of Nursing faculty.†Read the rest of this entry »