Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews continue to clear roadways following Tuesday’s storm. According to a release from the county, crews spent all day Tuesday, May 28, clearing more than 40 roads that had downed trees from an early morning storm. Calls were received Wednesday morning that newly downed trees were over two County Roads 446 and 1230. CR 113 has been barricaded and closed due to water over the road. Road and Bridge crews are waiting on Oncor to safely remove the power lines before they can clear the trees on County Road 382. CR 2326 is closed due to a power line across the road.
A group of about 30 volunteers from the International ALERT Academy will be working in Smith County Thursday to help clean up damage left by the storms. Smith County Emergency Management personnel will be giving the group a list of people who have requested help with cleaning up damage and debris on their property.
Smith County residents who live on county roads and have tree debris from Tuesday’s storm can place it in the right-of-way and Road and Bridge crews will pick it up. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Republican J. Scott Herod won the 2024 Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Republican runoff with 1,773 votes on Tuesday. According to officials, Herod received 90% of the votes with 1,773 and incumbent Terry Phillips with 10% at 198 votes. In the March primaries, Herod won with 2,968 votes. Herod is an East Texas businessman and rancher. He said it is time for a new voice in the Smith County Commissioner’s Court as Phillips has held the position since 2009.
“I think new perspective, new point of view, is key. And the ability to bring those relationships that we can accomplish business in the county is very important,†Herod said. Herod said earlier in May that his plan is to focus on where county dollars are spent.
“Smith County for example is $160 million a year business so we need to have awareness of what’s going on with those dollars and it is those commissioners who have the responsibility of working together along with the county judge to set the budget,†Herod said.
TYLER — An East Texas man was sentenced to 75 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to intoxicated manslaughter in a 2022 wreck east of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Gary Lynn Nichols, 42 of Kilgore, reportedly crashed into four 20 year-olds from Overton after their vehicle broke down at around 11:45 p.m. in January 2022 on Highway 31. Officials said one 22 year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and the three others were taken to the hospital.
Reports said, Nichols was driving a 2008 Cadillac CTS about 13 miles east of Tyler when two victims were attempting to push a broken down 1997 GMC Jimmy when Nichols struck them. Two were taken to the hospital in critical condition and one in stable condition.
According to records, Nichols was arrested at the scene and charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, two charges of intoxication assault with a vehicle and failing to re-register as a sex offender in Rusk County.
GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said a 2-year-old child was pronounced dead on Tuesday after being found unconscious in a residential swimming pool. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to Bear Road around 5:25 p.m. and attempted life-saving measures on the child. The sheriff’s office said the child was found by a parent when they realized the child was missing from inside the home. Officials said the child was pronounced dead at a local hospital and an autopsy has been ordered by a Camp County Justice of the Peace. “This case will be under further investigation,†the sheriff’s office said. “Child Protective Services is also notified on the occasion of the untimely death of a child.â€
EAST TEXAS — With severe weather moving through the area and into East Texas, about 166,239 customers are without power as of 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Click here for a full list.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Center is currently experiencing a high volume of 911 calls concerning weather related activity. Numerous calls of power lines down and associated electrical fires, structure fire (lightning strike) in Lindale 16200 Ridgeview Lane, Major Traffic Accident CR 246 at CR 223 near Arp (Car hit tree in roadway), Major Traffic Accident FM 2767 at CR 211 (Car hit tree in roadway), numerous trees down in roadway across the county, multiple trees down on CR 448 between CR 452 and Hwy 110 (Van Hwy), numerous fire and burglar alarms across county (mostly weather related). Citizens are advised to stay home and avoid driving if at all possible.
TYLER — Multiple traffic signals throughout the City are without power. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling and treat a “dark” traffic signal like a four-way stop – each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn going through the intersection. The City is asking residents to avoid all non-essential driving. If you must drive, slow down. If you see water over the roadways, turn around.
The following intersection are currently without power: Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Lindale native Miranda Lambert’s pet focused nonprofit, MuttNation, awarded over $130,000 toward spay and neuter programs throughout Texas, including several in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the grants were awarded as a part of their “It Takes Balls†program to prevent pet overpopulation.
According to their website, MuttNation is a nonprofit started by the Lindale native country singer and her mother Bev, the nonprofit has “raised over $9 million since inception with a mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter; and educate the public about the benefits of these actions.†Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE PALESTINE — Many in East Texans were out on the water at Lake Palestine for Memorial Day, but one side of the lake is still facing difficult challenges. According to our news partner KETK, they’re continuing the cleanup from the EF1 tornado that touched down on Thursday right before the holiday weekend.
On any typical Memorial Day there would have been hundreds of people on the lake taking off from the Lake Palestine Resort but this year it is quite different.
On the west side of the lake, some visitors had to adjust plans and take off from the Lake Palestine Marina because of the extensive damage seen on the other side. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews have been working throughout the night and morning to clear roads with downed trees in the Bullard and Emerald Bay area.
Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said there were about 20 county roads that had trees down after Thursday night’s storms. There have been crews working throughout the night to clear the roads. Many roads still have trees on them but at least one lane has been cleared for drivers to pass through, he said.
For Smith County residents living on county roads – you can place your storm debris in the right-of-way of your county road (not on the road) and Road and Bridge crews will pick it up. It may take several days to be picked up. Smith County Road and Bridge crews will only pick up storm debris left in the right-of-way of county roads. They cannot go on private property or pick up debris on city or state roads.
If you received property damage due to last night’s storm, please report it here.
EAST TEXAS — Downed trees and structure damage has been reported in Coffee City as severe weather hit the area on Thursday. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and our news partner KETK, one person has been taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. As of Thursday evening, no other injuries have been reported.
South Rather Street between Cain Street and West Main Street will be shut down for thru traffic until further notice, City of Bullard officials said.
A temporary shelter has been set up at the Coffee City Civic Building and they are working to get power turned on there with a generator. The Henderson County Senior Center at Regional Fair Park is also opening up as a shelter, according to Henderson County officials. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler received a $25,000 donation from the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation for the Richard and Madeline Lewis Scholarship, which supports UT Tyler student veterans. The foundation annually matches funds by and are partners with the Dew Boys organization at Eagle’s Bluff County Club in Bullard. The check presentation was held Wednesday, May 22, at the UT Tyler University Center.
TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2024 W. T. “Doc†Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. According to our news partner KETK, the 25th annual award will honor an individual or organization “exemplifying the concept of public health distinguished by protecting and promoting the health of the community.†NET Health added that all nominations must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. May 31, and that the nominee does not need to be a public health professional and that their services may be civic, cultural, health, welfare or philanthropic. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Memorial Day weekend will bring increased traffic on Texas roads. Motorists are reminded that state law requires drivers to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles – including tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks – stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated. Texas law requires drivers to slow down at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit or, if able, to change lanes when they’re passing a first responder stopped on the road with their emergency lights activated, according to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).
Large numbers of travelers are expected on Texas roads, which means that more breakdowns and traffic stops are likely as well. Drivers should pay attention to what’s happening around them and prepare to react quickly. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) starting on Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th. According to a police department news release, with increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the Memorial Day weekend, the additional officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive.
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD announced their lone finalist for superintendent as Dr. Marla Sheppard, a 29-year veteran educator. According to our news partner KETK, Sheppard has served as a math and science teacher, assistant principal and middle and high school principal in Houston ISD. She was also an assistant superintendent at Fort Bend ISD where she was responsible for 16 schools.
“I am honored to be chosen to serve the Longview community,†Sheppard said. “I am grateful to the board for their trust in me and I look forward to creating long-lasting relationships with the students, staff, and greater community.â€
Sheppard said she looks forward to the journey forward in the community and she is excited for the opportunity to lead Longview ISD. She will begin her tenure at the district after the state-required 21-day waiting period. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man pleaded guilty to murder on Monday after being accused of killing Victor Hugo Herrera in 2022 with a claw hammer. According to our news partner KETK, Preston Wade Graham pleaded guilty on Monday in the 188th District Court in Gregg County and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
According to an arrest warrant, on Oct. 10, 2022 Longview officials received an emergency call from the roommate of Herrera. Officials said when police responded to the residence in the 1000 block of Baxley Lane in Longview, the roommate said Herrera was injured and appeared to be struck in the head sometime between Oct. 9 and Oct. 10. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials and others involved in the construction project held a Topping Out Ceremony for the County’s Parking Garage on Monday, May 20, 2024. The ceremony signifies the last of the 504 precast pieces being placed on top of the garage. Smith County Officials, representatives from Hoar Construction, SCI Construction and Fitzpatrick Architects, as well as employees, signed the 44,000-pound piece of concrete before it was hoisted by a 212-foot crane and secured on the top of the garage. The project is about halfway completed and is expected to open in October.
WHITE OAK — Brandon Gilliam, 42, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to the 2021 murder of Steve McDowell. According to our news partner KETK, Gilliam’s sentence comes only weeks after Regina Massie, 40, also pleaded guilty in connection to McDowell’s murder. Case records revealed that Gilliam and Massie were hired by McDowell to fix his truck but then he discovered money was missing from the truck. Massie reportedly told investigators that Gilliam hit McDowell in the head with a foot-long pipe after he was confronted about the money missing from McDowell’s truck. Gilliam then reportedly tried to suffocate McDowell by covering his mouth and nose. Massie also quoted Gilliam as saying “McDowell should not have died over $35.†Gilliam’s sentence started on Monday.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County residents living in the Commissioner Precinct 3 area began casting their ballots Monday during early voting for the Republican Primary Runoff Election. The only race on the ballot will be for the Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Runoff. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 20-24, Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3 residents can cast their ballots at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson Street, in Tyler; or Lindale’s Kinzie Community Center, at 912 Mt. Sylvan St., in Lindale.
Because of the construction of Smith County’s parking garage next door to the The Hub, Ferguson Street is closed to drivers. The parking lot across from The Hub is still open for parking, but drivers will have to enter and exit at the intersection of Ferguson Street and Center Avenue. There will be voter parking-marked spaces, with the closest one to The Hub being used for curbside voting.
Smith County has launched a new, easy-to-use interactive map on its website. If you need to make sure you live in the area covered by Commissioner Precinct 3, and when and where you can vote for this runoff, click here and click on the “Interactive Map of Smith County†link. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine received a $900,000 gift from Texas Mutual Insurance Company to support the occupational and environmental medicine residency. According to a university news release, the six-year gift will expand the residency by 50%. After medical school, physicians complete a three-to-seven-year residency to receive specialized training and obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine.
According to the Texas Physician Pipeline Mode, 58.9% of physicians who completed their graduate medical education in Texas stayed in the state to practice.
“With the generous support from Texas Mutual, our occupational and environmental medicine residency program will be able to expand, allowing us to train more physicians who will remain committed to serving East Texas,†said Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine founding dean. “Having physicians who are deeply rooted in the community is vital for understanding and addressing local health care needs.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is seeking applicants for GoBus operator positions in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, ETCOG previously said they were accepting applications for positions in Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties. They held a job fair on Tuesday in hopes of filling the positions.
ETCOG said they are seeking applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent, at least two years of professional driving and customer service experience.
“GoBus is integral to the region and its communities, providing connectivity, fostering economic activity, and ensuring safe, reliable, and friendly transportation services. GoBus staff are dedicated and caring individuals representing the core of East Texans, and in seeking new team members, we hope to present a culture that prioritizes the community and those that work to aid its citizens,†Vince Huerta, ETCOG’s Director of Transportation, said.
Click here for an application.
TYLER — Several Red Lobster seafood restaurants have reportedly closed across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the endless Cheddar Bay Biscuits will no longer grace the following cities in East Texas: Tyler, Longview and Lufkin. All three restaurants have their hours listed as “closed†all week and they could not be contacted over the phone. Many Red Lobster locations have reportedly closed across the country, according to various local outlets. On May 3, CNN reported that the restaurant chain was considering filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department served search warrants on two massage parlors on Thursday, resulting in three arrests. According to Nacogdoches PD and our news partner KETK, at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nacogdoches PD officers and the Texas Department of Public Safety served search warrants on two massage parlors located in the 1300 and 3200 blocks of North University Drive.
Officials said that during the service of the warrants, three suspects who worked at the parlors were arrested. Nacogdoches PD reported that Mona Ma, 56 of Katy, and Xuefang Wu, 52 of Nacogdoches, were both arrested for indecent assault and Shuwen Xu, 54 of Nacogdoches, was arrested for indecent assault and prostitution. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — TxDOT is warning drivers of puncturing spikes found on I-20 again. According to our news partner KETK, rebar caltrops have been found on I-20 since last year, with the most recent discovery on May 6 in Van Zandt County. They are usually four-pronged, heavy gauge steel puncturing spikes that can be thrown or linked together to cause immediate and irreparable failure of tires. Twelve caltrops were found on I-20 westbound near mile marker 533 and eastbound at mile markers 518, 520, 528 and 529.
Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call Lt. Bob Keltner with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department at 469-576-1274 or call Andrew Fagile with the Texas Department of Public Safety at 90-567-2011 ext. 10914.
CHANDLER — Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the City of Chandler has been designated by the Texas Music Office (TMO) as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community. According to our news partner KETK, the Music Friendly Texas program was created in 2016 to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in cities and communities. The city will host a ceremony alongside TMO, Chandler Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Chandler of Commerce on Thursday during the Chandler Chamber/EDC luncheon.
“Being a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community will make Chandler an even more desirable location to be a part of. As a community that supports many local events, this partnership will help play a role in the continued growth in our musicians within our schools, community, and neighboring areas. Exciting times are here in the ‘City with a Heart,’†Chandler Chamber of Commerce President Mike Yates said. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview held a celebration for longtime mayor, Andy Mack who’s been in leadership for nine years, on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Mack’s remaining weeks in office are wrapping up with a reflective tone as countless people in the community showed up to share their gratitude. The Longview mayor played an instrumental role in projects to promote economic growth with lasting benefits for the community. The 2018 bond included $52 million for police and fire facilities, $27 million for infrastructure projects and $24 million for park projects.
“It’s been an honor,†Mack said.
First responders and department leaders expressed their gratitude toward Mack and their ability to work together to keep citizens safe. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Independent School District celebrated the opening of the new Hubbard Middle School on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the new building is part of a nearly $90 million bond that passed in 2022. The new three-story campus sits right next to the old building that was originally built in 1964, and was funded by $63 million of the bond. The building is complete with up-to-date security, safety improvements and improved traffic flow. The community was invited to tour inside of the state of the art, science labs, theater, library, outside area and cafeteria during the celebration.
Tyler ISD said the district has been working for nearly 20 years to invest and transform facilities while keeping the tax rate as low as possible.
“We have really touched every school in Tyler, so that all of our students have equal opportunities across the district in terms of access to programming and state of the art facilities,†Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD director of communications, said. Read the rest of this entry »
WHITE OAK — A Longview woman charged with first degree felony murder of a 66-year-old man pleaded guilty on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Regina Massie, 40, pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of Steve McDowell, of White Oak. McDowell had reportedly hired Massie and her boyfriend Brandon Gilliam, 42 of Longview, to repair his pickup truck but then McDowell discovered money was missing.
Documents show, Massie told investigators that McDowell confronted Gilliam about the theft and she saw Gilliam hit McDowell in the head with a foot-long pipe and try to suffocate him by covering his nose and mouth.
Massie will be sentenced on June 5. Gilliam was also charged with first degree felony murder in connection to the case.
TYLER — A man accused of attempting to kidnap and rape a woman running at the Rose Rudman Park in 2019 pleaded guilty on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a woman finished running at Rose Rudman Park when she saw the suspect, James Earl Roberts Jr., and thought he looked suspicious and began to run again. She heard him running behind her when Roberts reportedly tackled her, put his hands over her face and dragged her into the woods, officials said.
Police said Roberts pulled a knife from behind the victim and cut her throat numerous times. Documents also stated Roberts punched the victim multiple times when she fought back. The victim was able to wrestle the knife away from Roberts and threw it aside. Roberts “suddenly got up and took off running.†She then reportedly crawled out of the woods and another woman came to her aid. Read the rest of this entry »