Today is
Sunday June 14, 2026
EAST TEXAS — Gas prices are on the rise and a run on gas is occurring in different areas throughout the state, mostly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, officials say there is not a gas shortage. Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton said consumers are putting undue demand on fuel stations before they can be replenished. While some refineries have shut down or are operating at reduced capacity due to Hurricane Harvey, plenty of refining capacity is still online and there are more than 230 million barrels of gasoline supply in Texas to meet needs. Citizens have no need to fear shortages even though prices could climb during the next few weeks until all refining capacity is back online.
LUFKIN — A popular Lufkin DJ has gone missing in the Houston area during efforts to help Harvey victims. According to KETK, 30-year-old Alonso Guillén, or DJ Ocho, left Tuesday to go help people in Spring and his boat capsized around midnight. Ocho was on a boat with 25-year-old Tomas Carreon and 22-year-old Luis Ortega. Ortega is recovering in the hospital, while the other two men are still missing. Friends and family are collecting clothes, food and water that they plan to donate to people affected by Harvey in Deep East and South Texas. Radio station Y-100 says if you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriffs office at 936.760.5871.
EAST TEXAS — A former East Texas high school football player turned football coach has died, according to Clear Creek Independent School District. On Tuesday, the Friendswood Police Department confirmed Ruben C. Jordan, was killed in the devastating floods in South Texas. According to KETK, his family said he was last seen helping rescue people after Hurricane Harvey hit the state. Jordan, a retired coach at Clear Creek High School, also played football at John Tyler High School alongside “The Tyler Rose,” Earl Campbell. He graduated from JTHS in 1977, according to his Facebook page. From there, he attended Lamar University before going into coaching and teaching. Upon retirement, Jordan opened Friendswood Driving School.
TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for the suspect wanted in the robbery of a grocery store owner. It happened just after 11:00 Monday night at the Super Food Mart on NNW loop 323. Police were told that the store manager was walking to her car after locking the store when she was grabbed from behind and forced to the back of the building. The suspect reportedly shoved her to the ground and took her purse along with the store’s money from that evening. The suspect, described as a tall, thin black male, fled the scene, possibly in a white SUV. An employee taking out trash claims to have not seen anything. No injuries were reported.
EAST TEXAS — One woman remains jailed in connection with the death of another woman after a dispute over animals. According to KETK, Amber Long, 35, is charged with murder in the death of Amy Allen, who operated an animal rescue group in Marion County. Long remains in the Marion County Jail on $1 million bond. Deputies were called about 8 a.m. Monday to Long’s home off U.S. 259, north of Jefferson, in reference to dogs coming onto the property and attacking Long’s animals. Officers found Allen, 54, unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead. Allen’s body will be sent to Dallas for an autopsy. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — It was standing room only for a highly anticipated Tyler ISD school board meeting Monday night. The public turned out to express their opinions “for” or “against” a possible name change for Robert E. Lee High School. Some Tyler ISD parents want to change the name of the school.Another parent who, would like to see the name changed, said Robert E. Lee himself was not a fan of statues honoring Civil War Generals. The topic was not on the agenda and a motion was not called. TISD has not announced if they will take up the issue. Read the rest of this entry »
SAN AUGUSTINE — A train derailed in San Augustine County . According to KETK, it happened on FM 1279 around 10:00 Monday morning. The Department of Public Safety said a semi hauling timber was headed west on FM 1279 when it collided with the northbound train. Thirteen rail cars carrying sodium hydroxide overturned. Haz-Mat crews were called to the scene and three homes were evacuated. The driver of the log truck, James Cartwright, 33, of Shelbyville, was taken to San Augustine County Memorial Hospital. His condition is unknown.
LONGVIEW — Longview Police investigate an armed robbery Monday night. It happened around 11:30 at Domino’s on Estes Drive. The suspect was wearing a mask when he entered the store, pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. He fled the scene in a dark color Chevy Cobalt with an undisclosed amount of money. Contact Longview Police with any information.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A wanted felon is arrested after two deputies stop for gas. It happened around 2:00 Monday morning in Chandler. The Henderson County Deputies said they recognized Jeremiah McGregor, 40, of Wills Point, as a wanted felon. McGregor initially gave the deputies a bogus name, before admitting his true identity. A search of his motorcycle turned up a gun, more than 55 grams of meth, cash and drug paraphernalia. McGregor was charged with possession of contraband, possession of a firearm by a felon, failing to properly identify himself and a parole violation warrant.
EAST TEXAS — A standoff on Interstate 20 between Longview and Hallsville ended when a man barricaded inside his vehicle shot and killed himself. Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Lt. Jay Webb told the Longview News Journal the driver killed himself at around 10:00 Saturday night. Department of Public Safety troopers began chasing the driver in Grand Prairie. The chase went through at least six counties before the standoff began involving Harrison County sheriff’s deputies and members of Longview Police Department’s SWAT team. The man’s name was not released. According to Webb, “There were two shots fired about 8:00pm into the floorboard of the vehicle, and police backed off. The Longview SWAT (team) was talking with him during this time, and he took his life with a single shot.â€
SMITH COUNTY — A portion of County Road 192 remains closed off. Heavy rain Thursday caused a washout of pavement in a section of the road, between Texas Highway 155 South and Crow Road (CR 159). Drivers will need to take an alternative route. Smith County Road and Bridge crews are working on repairs. Crews said exposed telephone and cable lines are causing delays. The road is expected to remain closed for several days.
TYLER — The White Nationalist rally in Charlottesville has sparked renewed attention to Confederate monuments and memorials across the country. KETK reports, some Tyler ISD parents are wanting to change the name of Robert E. Lee High School. DG Montalvo, who is behind the movement wanting change, said there is a lot of racial tension still in the city of Tyler. He has two children who went to the school and said this is the right thing to do. Another parent who would like to see the name changed said Robert E. Lee himself was not a fan of statues honoring Civil War Generals. An online petition to keep the name of the school showed close to 7,500 signatures. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tylerite is on the host committee welcoming President Trump to Texas in September. The President’s trip to Dallas on September 27th would be his first visit to the area since his election. Fundraiser invitations went out Wednesday. Ticket prices range from $2,700 – $100,000. The event will raise money for the Republican National Committee and for the President’s 2020 re-election fund. The Dallas Morning News reports several Texas Republicans have confirmed the event although the White House has not yet listed the trip. The host committee includes Gaylord Hughey, of Tyler, and Dennis Nixon, from Laredo.
SMITH COUNTY — Kari McKinley Noell, 29, has been added to Smith County’s Most Wanted List for credit/debit card abuse of an elderly person. The charge stems from Noell reportedly taking her grandmother’s debit card and using it without her consent. Noell’s last known address is 12951 CR 499 in Lindale. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Edward Wilbanks, 74, was pronounced dead at the scene of a wreck Monday night. It happened around 10:10 on FM 747, southwest of Jacksonville. The DPS report indicated that Wilbanks’ truck failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. Wilbanks over-corrected, went back across the road and struck a pole.