Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
TYLER — Mary Ruth “Ruthie†Graham earned her Bachelor’s degree from UT Tyler School of Nursing on her 72nd birthday. According to the university, Graham walked across the stage to receive her diploma on Dec. 8. Graham said in a release that after bonding with the nurses that helped her with the births of her four children she had decided that she wanted to help women in the same way they helped her, our news partner KETK reports. “I’d wanted to complete college all of these years, and this was my opportunity,†Graham said. “I knew it was my time.†She had earned her RN license in 1994 and worked in labor and delivery for 13 years. While working she helped her children through their own academic endeavors including four bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees and one pursing their Ph.D. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A former ranch manager was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to cattle theft. According to our news partner KETK, Jesus Sergio Perez-Sanchez, 67, was first investigated back in Dec. 2021, where he was accused of putting three yearlings up for auction and placed one of them in his name without the landowner’s consent. He was then accused of taking a bull and a cow to an auction where he placed the cow under his own name, again, without the landowner’s consent. Perez-Sanchez was arrested for two counts of theft in March 2022 after officials said the landowner “noticed discrepancies in cattle sales and called Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers.†According to Smith County judicial records Perez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to theft of cattle/horse/exotic livestock less than $150,000 on Dec. 8. He was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday.
TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank has a new resource center opening later this month that they say will allow them to serve more people than ever. According to our news partner KETK, they plan to serve 500 families per week and provide 756,000 meals each year with the new Tyler Resource Center at Robertson Road. The Tyler Resource Center will include a “Healthy Food Pantry†as well as access to other services to help families reach self-sufficiency. Other services include health screenings, rental assistance and help with SNAP benefits. “It’s just really all of the type of services that are available in the community,†East Texas Food Bank CEO David Emerson said. “We’re able to bring them here because we’re going to have 500 families every week showing up to get services and so they’re going to be able to learn about these other services. And we can then cooperate with those other partner agencies to get them everything, hopefully, that they need.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler Police closed a portion of Loop 323 Monday following a report of a suspicious package. According to officials, Tyler police and fire responded to a call of a suspicious property condition around 11:30 a.m. in the Whataburger parking lot located at 345 SSW Loop 323. The bomb squad was called to the scene. Around 2:20, the “suspicious property condition investigation†has been determined by Tyler PD to pose no real danger, and Loop 323 has been reopened. Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said the item was an empty safe that was open with wires exposed that were likely connected to the keypad before the safe was pried open.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced two upcoming lane closures on I-20 in Van Zandt County this week. On Monday and Tuesday, the eastbound and westbound outside lanes at I-20 and FM 859 will be shut down as a part of a bridge replacement project at FM 859. According to DPS, this is east of Splash Kingdom in Canton. According to our news partner KETK, the eastbound and westbound outside lanes at I-20 and FM 47 will be shut down Wednesday and Thursday as a part of a bridge replacement project at FM 859.
SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas county rules that a Jewish menorah cannot be displayed on a public square. Commissioners in Smith County decided not to permit the display of the Jewish symbol during the observance of Hanukkah. County Judge Neal Franklin said in recent years the county has allowed only secular holiday decorations on the downtown Tyler Square to avoid lawsuits and demands from fringe religious groups demanding to display symbols. Tyler Rabbi Neal Katz says the menorah has been displayed in the past without controversy, but the display broke a few years ago and was only replaced this year. Katz says the decision is “antagonistic” to the Tyler Jewish community.
UPSHUR COUNTY — A man was sentenced to prison after injuring a man and pregnant woman in a drunk driving crash. According to our news partner KETK, Rodney Seahorn, 48, left a residence in White Oak and traveled North toward Gilmer in early April. He allegedly entered the intersection of FM 1844 illegally and in the wrong lane of traffic. Authorities said he collided with a husband and wife who were reportedly driving to Longview to celebrate the wife’s birthday, who was seven months pregnant at the time. Officials said the victims had to be cut from the vehicle and their bodies were crushed. The baby reportedly had to be surgically removed and was placed in the NICU for an extend time. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER — The shelter in place issued in Gladewater Wednesday following a gas leak has been lifted, according to Fire Chief Mike Simmons. Simmons said construction workers were installing a new utility pole when they accidentally hit a 4-inch gas pipe. The gas leak affected two schools, 12 businesses and nearly 50 homes, our news partner KETK reports. Though gas leaks can be serious, Simmons said he believes the quick response from all crews at the scene prevented anyone from getting hurt or sick. According to a release, officials ask anyone returning to the area affected by the gas leak to open all doors and windows and ventilate their homes for at least an hour or more. Officials warn people not to relight pilots or other flame and heat sources until ventilated to be safe. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The trial has begun for Daniel Nyabuto, who was charged in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Nyabuto’s trail began with opening statements from the prosecution and defense. Nyabuto was charged with intoxicated manslaughter in connection to the death of Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. In the first half of the day, multiple witnesses were called to the stand to share what they remembered from that night. “I got out and I ran towards the accident and just asked the other officer how I could help,†said Jacob Miller, a witness. The judge then took a 30 minute recess to allow both sides to discuss the evidence. Detective Michael Skinner, a witness, who was training deputy Bustos the night he was killed, explained what Bustos was doing when the incident occurred. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY — The man accused of murdering two East Texas sisters has been extradited from California. Alvin McKnight Jr. was captured in San Bernardino, California on November 15. He’s accused of fleeing to the Golden State after the capital murders of Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37, and Mandy Ray, 35, at a home near Gilmer on November 4. McKnight, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb, deputies and DPS Officers landed at East Texas Regional Airport Tuesday afternoon. They flew in a DPS plane. McKnight was in handcuffs during the entire flight. McKnight was arraigned Wednesday in Gilmer. The 41-year-old is being held in the Upshur County Jail with bond set at $5 million. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — On Monday morning, Smith County’s 7th District Court conducted jury selection for the trial of Daniel Nyabuto vs the State of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Nyabuto, 22, of Grand Prairie is charged in connection with killing Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. In July of 2022, while Bustos was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 155 he was reportedly killed by Nyabuto’s vehicle rear-ending his patrol car. In October of 2022, Nyabuto was indicted on two charges in connection to Busto’s death: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and intoxicated manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer. Opening statements were to be delivered Tuesday morning. Nyabuto’s defense preciously filed a motion to transfer venue to Cherokee County, but the trial will go on in a Smith County court. 7th District Judge Kerry Russell will oversee the trial.
WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce said that they’ve filed a police report with the Whitehouse Police Department after alcohol was allegedly thrown out at their Christmas parade on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the incident was discussed at length in the Whitehouse Texas, Rants, Raves, & Recommendations Facebook group. Several members of the group reported that the truck was tossing bottles of alcohol and other items out to parade watchers. Ashley Westerfield with the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce chimed into the Facebook thread to apologize for what allegedly happened: “I am the Admin for the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce. The truck that did this was NOT a registered entry in the parade. He went behind Holloway and snuck into the parade line between floats. A complaint was filed with the Police department as soon as we were told about it. They have a picture of his truck, License plate and the name of his company. This was NOT an approved float. We apologize for anything that was handed out by this individual and his passengers.†Read the rest of this entry »
ARP — A man wanted in both Texas and Louisiana was arrested in Arp earlier this month after a pursuit with police. According to our news partner KETK, Arp PD announced on Wednesday that the Smith County Sheriff’s Office pursued a Chevrolet Camaro with a stolen license plate on Nov. 18 but were unable to continue their pursuit. Officials said a short time later an Arp police officer saw the car traveling on Highway 64 E and attempted to stop the car. The officer pursued the suspect for a short time before the Camaro experienced mechanical issues. The driver fled, and police said he was soon caught by the officer. Dealvin Darnell was arrested for evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance between four grams and 200 grams. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler city council voted on Thursday evening to suspend CenterPoint Energy’s filing to raise its costs. “The city has taken action by law that it can take,†said Tyler City Attorney Deborah Pullum. The city council took only a few minutes to suspend the filing, our news partner KETK reports. CenterPoint Energy gave the city of Tyler a notice of a proposed rate increase of 5.8% that would go into effect on Dec. 4 if no action was taken by the city. Hence why the city council met on Thursday. Pullum said they want to make sure the city and its businesses get to a fair number. “I think it’s important for all parties obviously and important to the customers because they only want to be charged fair rates but they also want to be able to get the services that they need,†added Pullum. Officials said they expect to have ongoing talks with the company and have 90 days to come to a decision with CenterPoint Energy on a rate.
TYLER — According to Smith County judicial records, the State of Texas has decided to not seek the death penalty for Steven Alexander Smith, a man accused of killing two Tyler dentists in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, 59-year-old Dr. Blake G. Sinclair and 75-year-old Dr. Jack E. Burroughs were both shot to death at Affordable Dentures & Implants in March of 2022. At the time, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said that Steven was a patient at the clinic when an altercation about dentures started. Steven allegedly went out to his vehicle, came back into the office, and shot Sinclair and Burroughs. “[He] went out and retrieved medium-caliber pistol from his vehicle, returned inside and started shooting,†said Sheriff Smith. Steven was later arrested outside of his home and indicted in May. His jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2024.
ATHENS — A former Athens school bus driver charged in connection to a fatal crash with a train in 2019 had his charges dismissed. According to our news partner KETK, in a Henderson County court on Nov. 21, 83-year-old John Franklin Stevens had his injury to a child and criminally negligent homicide cases dismissed. He was charged in connection to a January 2019 crash with a Union Pacific train that killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. He was driving the bus at the time when it was hit by the train and reportedly was pushed one-quarter of a mile before coming to a stop. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The executive director of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas has resigned in lieu of termination after being accused of misappropriation of funds. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff and President of SAT Larry Smith announced on Thursday that Executive Director Steve Westbrook is accused of misappropriating the association’s funds after receiving two tips from employees on Nov. 16. On Nov. 17, Smith received confirmation that the Texas Attorney General’s Office was investigating the case and secured documents. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The downtown Tyler area is now set for Christmas, but a big part of the celebration will be missing. In a public statement made on Monday, the Tyler Rotary Clubs shared why the Rose City Christmas Parade could not have been rescheduled. Locals were reportedly not happy with the decision, saying the event serves a vital purpose every year. “That parade is kind of important for the downtown businesses and for Tyler at large and for East Texas,†said Tyler resident, Aaron Thomas Hinds. The Rotary Clubs of Tyler released the following statement: Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — East Texas Council Of Governments announces its Executive Committee approved the renewal of purchasing the Smart911 mass notification system as a part of its public safety program for the thirteenth consecutive year. This system allows ETCOG to partner with East Texas’ city and county emergency management coordinators to send messages quickly notifying citizens about emergencies such as: tornadoes and storm events, drinking water contamination, utility outages, evacuation notices and routes, missing persons, chemical spills or gas leaks and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — The City of Kilgore kicked off their the holiday season with their 92nd annual Christmas parade. According to our news partner KETK, the streets were filled with families in downtown Kilgore to see all of the floats go by in the themed ‘Rocking around the Christmas tree’ parade. Sheroa Hennigan, a resident, has watched the floats go by for more than 30 years. “This is one of the big highlights is the parade and we just absolutely love our small time feel, get to walk the city and get to do fun things and enjoy the lights and all the friends we get to see,†said Hennigan. For some it is a long time tradition to bring your loved ones and set out lawn chairs. For others it is a tradition to be apart of the parade. “We put it in a lot of parades. This is about the tenth time it’s been in this parade. We enjoy doing this its a lot of fun,†said Tulley Borders, a parade participant. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A local food pantry received a donation to feed and clothe people in need. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, St. Vincent De Paul received a $30,000 check from the Tyler Friends of the Poor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Center. According to the organization, the money will be used to help feed and clothe those in need. “We have to supply the food for our food pantry, this is a tremendous support in that aspect for our ministry,†said Grace Vierling, the executive director at St. Vincent De Paul.
TYLER — The Rose City Christmas Parade, scheduled for Thursday, November 30, has been canceled due to potential severe weather. The announcement was issued by the parade committee on Monday. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The annual UT Health Tyler Tree-Lighting Ceremony will take place Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 5-6 p.m. at 1000 S. Beckham on the hospital’s front lawn. Santa arrives on the front lawn of the hospital at 5 p.m. Bring your own cameras for photos. Refreshments will be served at the event. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and free parking is available in both parking garages. The event is open to the public. At 5:20 p.m. our tree-lighting ceremony will begin. The tree will be lit by Rob Taylor, who underwent open-heart surgery this year at UT Health Tyler, where his wife and daughter work as nurses, and completed Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab at the UT Health East Texas Rehabilitation Center in Tyler.
EAST TEXAS — The United Way of Smith County will host the fourth annual “Tyler Gives” on Giving Tuesday, November 28th. Supplemented by a $75,000 matching grant, the online fundraiser addresses local needs by providing dozens of local nonprofits with essential year-end funding. Since its inception on Giving Tuesday in 2020, more than $600,000 has been raised online through tylergives.org. The United Way of Smith County and event sponsor Express Employment Professionals provide the $75,000 matching grant and cover all credit card fees from donations during the fundraiser. Beginning at 8 a.m. CST on November 28th, the first $75,000 in donations through tylergives.org will be matched. Donors can select a specific agency to support or choose to support all equally with one gift. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Mayor Don Warren proclaimed the month of November as “Thank a Business Month, in partnership with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). “Thank a Business Month,” is a month-long celebration dedicated to expressing appreciation for the businesses that contribute to the vitality of our community, providing a platform to acknowledge their hard work and commitment and valuable contributions to the local economy. Every November, BBB will celebrate local businesses and will encourage the community to participate in various activities designed to show gratitude to local businesses. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army, with the help of volunteers, serve a big Thanksgiving dinner every year, helping to feed anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people, our news partner KETK reports. “We can’t manage all that, so we have these great volunteers, and some of these volunteers have been doing it for years,†said Jeremy Walker, captain and commanding officer of the Tyler Salvation Army. Walker said it’s a blessing to see how this community rallies around each other. Whether it is giving your time or making a donation just for the holidays. The Tyler Salvation Army will be serving meals for their residents inside and will have to-go meals outside for the community on Thanksgiving day from 11 am to 1 pm. Read the rest of this entry »
MABANK — A Mabank High School student has been arrested after investigators allegedly located child pornography in his possession. According to our news partner KETK, an affidavit revealed that the investigation began after a “Cyber Tip†was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was later given to officers with the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force. Kevin Cruz, 17, was arrested after investigators reportedly found two file hosting servers under Cruz’s domain where they located hundreds of videos and photos of child pornography. Officials said in one server they located 220 photos and videos of pornography. In the other server, they reportedly located three files with a total of 734 videos. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — On Tuesday morning, the 2024 Miracle Child, representing Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances was introduced at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum with a small ceremony. This year, 4-year-old River Hardy was chosen, according to our news partner KETK. “He’s been our miracle child from the beginning,†said Kyla Hardy, River’s mom. Every year, the Miracle Child gets to do the honors and light the City of Tyler’s Christmas tree following the parade November 30th. “River was selected because he has accessed so many of our programs and services, and equipment that is fully funded by Children’s Miracle Network,†said Christina Mosier, manager of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CHRISTUS TMF. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department said that one person is dead on Sunday night after a pick-up truck reportedly hit a pole on the I-20 West on-ramp near Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, the fatal crash happened on the I-20 West on-ramp, and another crash reportedly happened nearby, but outside the jurisdiction of, Lindale PD. Officials said that the ramp has been cleared and is now back open to traffic. Additional details were not available.
TYLER — The City of Tyler said to expect traffic delays, lane closures and road closures on several roads that will be under construction from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Dec. 7. According to the City of Tyler and our news partner KETK, Tyler Park Drive, Becky Drive, Kingswood Drive, Top Hill Drive, Foxglove Circle, Foxglove Lane, Larkspur Lane, Whippoorwill Drive, Woodbridge Drive, Woodbridge Place and Ivy Trail will all be closed for asphalt overlay work. Officials said that crews will also be reconstructing and overlaying East Earle Street between East Front Street and Old Henderson Highway until Dec. 7.