Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
TYLER — The City of Tyler Municipal Court and Smith County Courts are teaming up to offer a Warrant Solution Program starting Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 17. According to a news release, during the Warrant Solution Program, defendants with a warrant who voluntarily appear in the Tyler Municipal Court will receive a $50 reduction on each outstanding case.
To get started, defendants must first contact the Purdue Brandon Law Firm at (866) 870-8565 for guidance on the appropriate court. The law firm manages case collections for both the Tyler Municipal Court and the Smith County Courts.
Anyone who voluntarily appears in person at the Tyler Municipal Court may participate in the program and request a payment plan. Defendants who are unable to pay the authorized monthly installment will be allowed the opportunity to see a judge to explain their circumstances.
To learn more about Tyler Municipal Court’s Warrant Solution Program or to determine eligibility, contact the Perdue Brandon Law Firm at 1-866-870-8565 or click here.
SMITH COUNTY — Farm to Market Road 346 in Smith County will remain closed through Tuesday as construction crews mill and inlay the road, according to TxDOT.
Tyler maintenance crews are working on multiple areas of FM 346 this week including rehabbing from Cumberland Road to 0.45 miles north of FM 346.
Crews will begin mill and inlay work on FM 346 moving east from Farm to Market Road 756 to County Road 2142. Crews will also tackle ditch and drainage issues in the county.
EAST TEXAS — The last day to register to vote in Texas is Monday, marking a crucial deadline for residents to ensure their participation in the upcoming November election.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Shelter is operating with limited staff and is asking community members to call to make an appointment to adopt one of the available dogs, according to our news partner KETK.
“The Smith County Fire Marshal and Smith County Animal Shelter staff are working hard to take care of the 65 animals, despite being short staffed and continuing to respond to emergency dog calls,” the county said “Thank you for your dedication and service.”
The shelter said on Friday that there are 19 dogs available for adoption, including several puppies. Community members can make an appointment by calling the shelter at 903-266-4303.
WHITEHOUSE — A mother’s trust was shattered when she discovered her 4-year-old son, a high-functioning autistic child, had suffered second-degree burns while under the care of an after-school program. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 18, Marcella Boles, a mother from Whitehouse ISD, reported that she picked up her 4-year-old son from the Mentoring Alliance after-school program at Brown Elementary, finding burns on his arm.
She mentioned that her son, who is high-functioning autistic student, had been placed in a janitor’s closet by a staff member from Mentoring Alliance due to misbehavior. She has seen video evidence showing that Emma Souder took her son to the closet multiple times, locking him in there alone.
Whitehouse ISD has confirmed the incident occurred on school grounds and are cooperating with the investigation. Mentoring Alliance uses the district’s facility but does not work directly with them. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY –Dr. Jose Serpa has been appointed by the Smith County Commissioners Court, Tyler City Council, and by NET Health as the new Health Authority for Smith County.
TYLER — West Elm Street in Tyler will be closed through Friday in preparation for consent decree repairs, according to the city. The street will be closed going eastbound from South College Avenue to North Broadway Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drivers may need to find an alternative route during the closure.
TYLER — .S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, voiced his opinion on Senate Democrats rejecting a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government until Nov. 21. According to our news partner KETK, Democrats defeated the proposal with a 44-48 vote after initially trying to pass their own government fund resolution earlier this month. Now, the government faces the possibility of going into a shutdown on Tuesday if both parties cannot come to an agreement by midnight EST on Tuesday.
“House Republicans are standing tall with our military, veterans, families and first responders,” Moran said. “House Republicans passed a clean CR to fund the government, but Senate Democrats are blocking it from becoming law, just like the House Democrats tried to do. Democrats would rather shut down the government in pursuit of unreasonable demands like their $1 TRILLION partisan wish list.”
“We are doing well as a country so the last thing we want to do is shut it down, but a lot of good can come from shutdowns, we can get rid of a lot of things we didn’t want,” Trump said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Office announces the retirement of Mike West after 21 years of service with Smith County. West, who has served as the Appellate Chief over the Appeals Division for much of his career, will conclude his tenure at the end of this month.
Last week, Mr. West was honored with the Kepple Award by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA). The DA’s office says throughout his career, Mr. West has played a vital role in shaping the work of the Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, particularly through his leadership in appellate advocacy. He has argued and overseen numerous complex cases, including many death penalty appeals, ensuring justice was diligently pursued and upheld.
“Mike’s expertise, commitment, and steady guidance have left a lasting impact on this office and the criminal justice system in Texas,” said Criminal District Attorney Jacob Putman. “We are grateful for his decades of service and proud to see him recognized with the Kepple Award. His legacy of integrity and professionalism will continue to inspire prosecutors across the state.”
Mr. West’s colleagues describe him as a fierce advocate for justice, and a trusted resource in the courtroom and beyond. His retirement marks the close of an extraordinary career.
JACKSONVILLE — A 68-year-old man was arrested on Thursday morning in Jacksonville in connection to a child exploitation investigation. According to the Jacksonville Police Department and our news partner KETK, after obtaining a search and arrest warrant, James Bruce Gragg was found inside a home off Forest Trail and was taken into custody. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Jacksonville Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in Nebraska.
Following his arrest, Gragg was charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of harmful material. Investigators anticipate that additional charges will be added as the case progresses. The investigation remains ongoing and no further details will be released at this time. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A pedestrian sustained serious bodily injury on Friday after being involved in a suspected hit-and-run situation, the Longview Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 19 at around 8:35 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Mobberly Avenue, where they found a pedestrian with a serious bodily injury. The black pickup suspected to be involved had left the scene. The department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to call 903-237-1188 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7827.
HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man faces execution Thursday for killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter during a torturous ordeal the couple said was part of an “exorcism” to expel a demon from the child’s body. Blaine Milam, 35, was condemned for the December 2008 murder of Amora Carson at his trailer in Rusk County in East Texas.
Milam was scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. At around the same time Milam was to be put to death, authorities in Alabama were planning to execute Geoffrey West for fatally shooting a gas station employee during a 1997 robbery.
Milam has claimed he is innocent, blaming then-girlfriend Jesseca Carson for the killing and alleging she was the one who claimed the girl was possessed by a demon. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview invited community members to attend an open house meeting on Tuesday to address residents’ current and future housing challenges. According to our news partner KETK, several Longview residents attended an open house meeting at the Maud Cobb Convention Center to learn more about the city’s Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan. The plan dives into an analysis of Longview’s housing situation, including affordability, market value, and demographic trends.
Housing Manager for the City of Longview Housing Agency, Shateva Marshall, spoke with many attendees to gather more information about potential adjustments that can be made for Longview residents. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo is mourning the loss of its popular Red Fox ‘Sox’, who recently died. According to our news partner KETK, Sox has been a member of the Caldwell Zoo family since he was rescued in 2013 after being hit by a car on the outskirts of Tyler. According to the Zoo, Sox’s health has declined over the past few years due to hearing loss and decreased vision.
“We are honored to have provided a safe and secure home for this sly, ole fox. His tenacity and strength will certainly be missed,” Caldwell Zoo said.
LONGVIEW — A 66-year-old man has been booked into the Gregg County Jail for murder after a fatal shooting in Longview on Monday afternoon. According to the Longview Police Department and our news partner KETK, just after 4:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to a home on Crystal Street in response to a welfare check. Once they arrived on scene, authorities located Kathleen Bullock, who had been shot and was pronounced dead by the Gregg County Justice of the Peace.
Investigators later identified Lavan Bullock of Longview as the suspect. He was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Following medical treatment, Bullock was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with murder.
The department said the investigation remains active and no further details will be released.