Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds citizens that all outdoor burning activity in the county is still prohibited. This includes the burning of trash, debris, and yard waste. Over the past three weeks, our county has experienced over 100 grass and brush fires, with almost 50 calls for illegal burning. The Smith County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday, August 1, to issue a burn ban for the County. The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early. Citations are now being issued as violations are discovered, punishable by a fine up to $500. To date, 33 citations have been issued by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for violations of the burn ban and illegal burning. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) is encouraging customers to water or irrigate their landscaped areas at certain times to help with the city’s low water pressure issues. According to our news partner KETK, TWU said their water treatment plants see the highest demand for water between 3 p.m. and 9 a.m. so they are asking customers to voluntarily water their lawns and green spaces at night between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. to “help reduce the demand and stress on the water system.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — One person was arrested for arson after a Tuesday house fire in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, crews responded to the scene on Alpine Road and reported when they arrived to have found heavy smoke and fire conditions with the possibility of someone still inside. “Once the person who was thought to be in the structure was located in a detached garage a defensive attack was initiated due to the instability of the structure, which later suffered a partial roof collapse,†officials said. One firefighter was treated on scene for a burn injury. Robert Haats, 32, was later arrested for arson and taken to the Gregg County Jail. Bond was set at $20,000.
LONGVIEW — A former Longview police officer pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to entice a child for sexual activity. According to our news partner KETK, Seth Estes Vanover, 51, of Diana, faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. Vanover was arrested at the Longview Police Department in October 2022 where he was employed as a law enforcement officer at the time. He was caught through an undercover operation by an FBI agent who was working to “identify adults seeking to make online contact with and engage in sexual activity with children.†The agent posed as the parent of an 11-year-old child and posted a notice in a public chat room, which Vanover reportedly answered with a private message. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Former Smith County deputy constable Derrick Pernell Holman of Jacksonville has been found not guilty of theft by a Smith County jury. In 2021, Holman was originally charged with theft, abuse of official capacity and official oppression along with Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris and Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks who were all accused of stealing cash, electronics, jewelry and more from a property while at work. Another charge of official oppression is considered to be an unadjudicated pending trial, according to the 241st District Court. According to judicial records, Holman was also arrested on Friday, June 3, 2022 for a bond violation and released the same day after posting a $60,000 combined bond.
CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Precinct 2 Commissioner Steven Norton pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, following his arrest in August 2022. According to our news partner KETK, Norton was sentenced to 365 days in jail probated for 12 months, a $2,500 fine which includes reimbursement for DPS and ambulance fees, 20 hours of community service, a DWI class and a breathalyzer ignition lock, Cherokee County Attorney Dana Young said. He was arrested on Aug. 12, 2022, and charged with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest after allegedly becoming aggressive with a DPS state trooper and refusing a blood alcohol test, documents said. The arrest happened after a Chick-Fil-A employee reported that they were concerned for a customer in the drive-thru and said they could smell alcohol on him. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Troup man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following a shooting Tuesday. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on CR 4625, where they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspected shooter, Dylan Bright, 26, was still at the scene and was detained. The victim was flown to a Tyler hospital and is said to be stable. Deputies determined that Bright shot the victim twice. He was booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Additional details were not available.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter will host a Clear the Shelters event on Saturday, August 26. Clear the Shelters is an annual nationwide pet adoption campaign. To celebrate, Smith County Animal Control is offering free dog adoptions for the entire month of August, in exchange for a donation of white washcloths, white towels or blankets. Adoptions will also come with a voucher for a rabies vaccination and spay/neuter. Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Coordinator Amber Greene said they are planning a family fun day at the shelter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 26, which will include food trucks, Kona Ice and dozens of vendors. The shelter is located at 322 E. Ferguson Street in downtown Tyler. For more information, call 903-266-4303 or click here. To view the dogs currently available at the shelter, click here.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is among the fastest-growing public doctoral universities in the nation, according to the latest Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac. UT Tyler is ranked No. 7 in the 2023 publication and one of only five Texas universities to make this year’s top 15. This is the third consecutive year UT Tyler has made the list. “UT Tyler is excited to continue growing to meet the educational needs of our community, and we thank the UT System Board of Regents and our supporters for their support in helping us grow,†said UT Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A man accused of kidnapping a woman has been arrested in Tyler. Ngosi Williams, 40, was found inside a residence on Fannin Ave. Tuesday afternoon. The victim, Amy Teutsh, 24, was found inside the residence and was taken to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Around 3:00 Tuesday morning, Smith County deputies responded to a report of a kidnapping on County Road 1185. Teutsh was reportedly abducted from the residence by her boyfriend, Williams, who allegedly put her in the trunk of a dark colored sedan. Witnesses said Williams got into the car with three other men and headed towards Tyler. A kidnapping warrant was issued for Williams by Judge Austin Reeve Jackson. Williams was booked into the Smith County Jail. He’s been charged with aggravated kidnapping and theft of property with bonds totaling $800,000.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to approve the sale of the voter-approved general obligation courthouse bonds after receiving five competitive bids. Specialized Public Finance Inc. competitively bid the Limited Tax Courthouse Bonds, which will net the county $160 million to pay for construction of the new courthouse. Closing on the sale is set for September 21, 2023. Steven Adams, managing director of Specialized Public Finance Inc., gave a brief presentation to the Commissioners Court, and reaffirmed that Smith County’s high rating of AA+ helped the County attract competitive bidders. “Five bids are really good for a bond issuance of this size,†Adams said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The U.S. Labor Department files suit against a Tyler manufacturing company. The suit against Tyler Pipe alleges violations of federal whistleblower protections. The unidentified complainant said he was having respiratory problems and asked to wear a respirator while operating a five-story furnace. The suit alleges the company did not respond. The complainant obtained a respirator belonging to the company and started wearing it. When the company safety supervisor saw him, he reprimanded him, reassigned him to shoveling gravel and then fired him. OSHA found that Tyler pipe was guilty of federal whistleblower protection violations.
WOOD COUNTY — One suspect remains at large following an hours-long manhunt in Wood County Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the search was called off as of 11 p.m. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said the unknown suspect had set a wooded area on fire before feeling from law enforcement. The suspect is believed to have been picked up by a vehicle and no longer in the area. The fire was quickly put out by Hawkins Fire. Heightened law enforcement had been in the area of County Road 3600 searching for two wanted men. One of the men, wanted on a parole violation and listed as a violent subject, was arrested around 7:30 Monday night.
MINEOLA — The Mineola Country Club is “a total loss,†according to the Fire Marshal, after a fire broke out early Monday morning, our news partner KETK reports. “When the first crews first got here, most of the structure was involved in the fire at that time,†said Mineola Fire Marshal David Madsen. Officials said the call came in around 12:30 a.m., and crews arrived at the scene on State Loop 564 just before 1 a.m. and it took about three to four hours to put out. The golf course and swimming pool weren’t touched by the flames, but officials said everything else was affected by the fire. Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE PALESTINE — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died on Sunday after being ejected from a boat which hit a pillar under the State Highway 155 bridge on Lake Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, the man crashed just north of the Henderson County line, officials said. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens arrived at the scene and later found the man’s body underwater. The Parks and Wildlife Department is handling the investigation.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — On Tuesday Aug. 15, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was asked to locate Ray Lewis Stafford, an alleged suspect in a murder case in Modesto, California. The cold case revolves around the vanishing of Susan Robin Bender, a 15-year-old who disappeared on April 25, 1986. According to Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, deputies found Stafford at his home close to Wills Point. Stafford was taken into custody and is being held at the Van Zandt County Justice Center on charges of murder with special circumstances until officials in California take him into custody. The case remains under investigation by the Modesto Police Department in California.
TYLER — A Tyler man was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in a crash that killed 20-year-old Tamyra Campbell in September 2021. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Hardy Jr., 28, was convicted for hitting a parked car at the intersection of Plantation Drive and Spring Branch Drive, causing a crash that killed his passenger. Initial investigation into the crash revealed that Hardy was driving a black Dodge Charger with Campbell as his passenger. He was indicted in February 2022. According to the 475th District Court, the punishment phase will begin Friday morning.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, in collaboration with eight local colleges and universities, gathered for the Early Assurance Program Signing Day on August 16. “This is a significant milestone for UT Tyler School of Medicine and our partnering colleges,†said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “The Pathways program reflects our commitment to recruiting local talent and promoting excellence in medical education. Through this program, we are creating a pathway for East Texas students to pursue a career in medicine.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Smith County residents summoned to appear for Smith County Jury Duty are being asked to change where they park during construction of the County’s parking garage. For many years, jurors have parked in the large lot on East Ferguson Street but now, those reporting for duty are being asked to park in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208. S. College Avenue. The walking distance from the parking garage to the Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Broadway Avenue, is 733 feet, while the parking lot on Ferguson Street is 852 feet from the Courthouse. It is free to park in the Fair Plaza Garage on all four floors, except for the reserved spaces. Jurors are asked to park on the third and fourth floors. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Henderson Boulevard will be closed Thursday for the construction of the Kilgore College bridge. According to our news partner KETK, the road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a detour route using Houston Street, S. Commerce Street and Harris Street. On Saturday, there will be a closure from 4 a.m. until noon, and drivers can use that same detour. After that, Henderson Boulevard will be a two-lane two-way roadway for several weeks while construction is completed.
TYLER — Tyler ISD bus drivers will soon have cases of water on hand for their routes. According to our news partner KETK, Churches Serving Schools and the Brookshire Grocery Company partnered to supply more than 60,000 bottles of water to Tyler ISD bus drivers. “We are beyond grateful for this donation for our Tyler ISD bus drivers,†Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said. “They are the first person thousands of our students see every school day and the last person they see when the school day ends. Our drivers travel more than 7,500 miles daily, covering Tyler ISD’s 193-square-mile school district. This incredible gesture means so much to each and every one of them.†Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department lost a K9 officer this week. The department announced that K9 Hera died on Aug. 14 from a recent illness, according to our news partner KETK. The department said she will be remembered as a hard-working member of the Palestine Police Department and a public servant to the community. “Our condolences go to her family during this difficult time,†Palestine PD said. “Rest easy, Hera. We have the watch from here.â€
TYLER — Work is underway to renovate Tyler’s former Greyhound bus station into a new boutique inn that will serve downtown Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the Greyhound Inn will feature nine rooms, five original upstairs apartments, two first floor units and two new rooms that will divide the building’s Art Moderne addition. Originally the building’s rooms were used for overnight Greyhound bus drivers, so many of them were fully equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes and will be again once the renovation is complete. “I believe these will be the most unique hospitality rooms in all of East Texas, when finished. It’s hard to explain how cool these rooms are until you see them for yourself,†said Andy Bergfeld with Bergfeld Realty Company. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Another scam is finding its way to cell phones of East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam where victims get a call from someone claiming to be Chief Deputy John Garrison with the SCSO, telling the recipient that they missed a grand jury subpoena. “The proposed victim immediately recognized this as a scam and did not let the suspect get far enough to explain the payment method,†said SCSO Sgt. Larry Christian. “Typically, these scammers will demand immediate payment for nonexistent fines and/or warrants for missed jury service.†Christian said he talked with the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, John Garrison. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Monday night in Gregg County, commissioners voted yes in a bond election for a new courthouse parking garage. According to our news partner KETK, during Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting, a $19 million bond was approved to go on November’s ballot. The money will be used for a new parking garage in Downtown Longview that will be built across from the county courthouse. During a recent interview with KETK, County Judge Bill Stoudt said parking has been a problem for years at the courthouse and that this structure will help the issues. The project could take up to two years.
EAST TEXAS — Shopping centers will be busy this weekend with no sales tax on back to school essentials. The sales tax holiday runs through Sunday. The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13. Read the rest of this entry »
CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill Independent School District (CHISD) has announced announced a salary increase and enhanced incentives for student-centered bus drivers. According to a news released from the school district, the changes were approved during a recent school board meeting. Effective immediately, the pay scale for bus drivers has been raised to $20.00 per hour. In addition to the increased salary, bus drivers will be eligible for a sign-on bonus of $500 after they have worked at least 60 days with the district. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrated its partnership with local artists and a new art exhibition through Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC. This collection was curated by Neita Fran Ward (pictured) and professionally installed by Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit will be displayed in the W.T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, for the next year, marking the sixth art installation at the college. Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC will feature 53 pieces of artwork throughout the hallways of W.T. Brookshire Hall. Read the rest of this entry »
BEN WHEELER — New laws in Texas will go into effect on Sept. 1 that will bring stricter rules if students get caught using the devices, according to our news partner KETK. “There’s really no choice. If we find it, it’s automatic that a student’s going to be removed from the basic regular school setting and will be in alternative school for a period of time,†said Superintendent of Martin’s Mill ISD, Scott Tyner. According to the CDC, in 2022, 2.5 million middle and high school students across the country used vapes. Students that are caught will be put in a “Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.†“We might see a decrease of the use at school,†said Tyner. This action is expected to be a step higher than detention but not as bad as getting a suspension. Tyner adds it will depend on what the student is caught with that will determine the punishment. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A 22-year-old is dead after the Longview Police found him shot on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting on Houston Street. Arriving officers found that Keilan Jones had been shot during a reported “domestic disturbance.†Officers immediately began to perform CPR on Jones while waiting on EMS. Jones was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said the suspect has been identified but the case is still under investigation.