Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
LONGVIEW — A 17-year-old is dead and another minor is injured after an alleged “thwarted burglary.†According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a report of a residential burglary in progress on Mahlow Drive around 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Officials said that they found a 17-year-old male inside the residence with life-threatening injuries. Police said that the 17-year-old was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. Longview PD said that “it was determined he was the suspect that unlawfully entered the home.â€
Shortly after arriving on the scene, officers were notified that another juvenile arrived at a local hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and after investigation it was “determined the juvenile was associated with the incident on Mahlow Drive,†police said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Two Smith County firefighters have been hit by cars while working traffic calls all within the span of a month. Officials weigh in on the importance of slowing down and moving over. “Reminding motorists to watch their speed, do all you can to pay attention, put your phones away,†Jeff Williford, TxDOT Tyler District public information officer, said.
According to our news partner KETK, Sunday on FM 850 east of Tyler a firefighter was working the scene of a wreck when a vehicle hit them and took off. The firefighter has since been released from the hospital and authorities are still searching for the person responsible. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — One person is dead following a shooting in Longview on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department said officers were dispatched to a shooting at the Townhouse South Apartments on W Loop 281 around 10 p.m. When officers arrived, they reportedly discovered a man had sustained a gunshot wound with life threatening injuries. The victim, identified as Isaiah Dickson, 21, was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Police said the incident appeared to be a disturbance between known parties with the suspect, Tavyon Stephenson, 18, shooting the victim and then fleeing the scene. Longview PD, assisted by the Marshall Police Department, located Stephenson in Marshall on Tuesday at around 1 p.m. where he was arrested alongside another individual on separate charges.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A Payne Springs man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after officials discovered nearly 50 grams of meth during a search of his vehicle. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s office and our news partner KETK, Richard Blane Sims, 48 , was sentenced on July 11 for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
In May of 2023, an officer with the Mabank Police Department reportedly “observed a vehicle pulling a trailer with defective equipment and initiated a traffic stop.†Sims allegedly did not have a driver’s license. The district attorney’s office said the passenger of the vehicle had an open warrant and a baggie of methamphetamine was found in her clothing during her arrest. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted where officials found a metal box that contained a scale and a large bag that was determined to be 48.64 grams of methamphetamine.
VAN – In July alone, the city of Van lost its police chief, city manager, mayor and a council member. According to our news partner KETK, the changes stem from the controversial firing of their police chief by the city manager. Now, people who live in Van say they just want things to go back to normal. Community members gathered at city hall, Wednesday night all eager to learn who will temporarily lead their city. The council members voted unanimously to appoint, Ernie Burns as mayor pro-tem.
“It’s a tough place to be right now, but I feel like the city council has done a wonderful job at being open and transparent. I think they’re doing a wonderful job with what they have,†Ivy Lopez, Van resident, said.
July 1st, there was an uproar from residents after the police chief, Tammy Huff was fired by the city manager. Many people who live there stood by the chief, but others believed it was time for her to go. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Following an hours-long standoff at a Longview gas station, a man who barricaded himself in a bus was found dead of a “self-inflicted injury.†According to our news partner KETK, around 3:30 Thursday morning, officers responded to the CEFCO gas station on South Eastman Road for a subject refusing to leave. Officers contacted the male occupant of the bus and learned that he had a handgun. A family member of the occupant in Florida told police that they have experienced similar behavior in the past and that it could have been a “mental episode.â€
Police said that they continuously attempted communication throughout the morning, both by police and family members, but found no progress was being made. Officials said that around 8 a.m. Thursday morning, Longview SWAT deployed non-lethal gas in an attempt to have the suspect exit the bus, however there was no response. Officers entered the bus and found the occupant dead from an apparent self-inflicted injury. his identity has not been released.
The store has since reopened.
LONGVIEW — Tuesday evening, the Longview Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, along with the public, discussed ways to resolve the question of public safety when it comes to stray animals, according to our news partner KETK. The meeting comes after a man was found dead in February after being attacked by a dog, according to the Longview Police Department.
“The mayor said we have got to look at everything we are doing. We need to figure out if there’s anything we need to put in place to make sure our residents are safe as it relates to unrestrained animals,†Richard Yeakley, public information officer for the City of Longview, said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) announced on Tuesday that they will be reopening the Brookshire’s World of Wildlife Museum and Country Store in 2025. According to our news partner KETK, the announcement stated BGC will be reopening the museum and store at a new location on Arbor Ridge Drive, next to FRESH in Tyler. The company said that they plan for the museum to open in early 2025 and it will feature “reimagined storytelling of dozens of exotic animals from around the world, along with the unique history of BGC.â€
According to BGC, the museum first opened in 1975, dedicated to Brookshire Grocery Company’s founder, Wood T. Brookshire, and his wife Louise and their love for outdoors, wildlife and traveling. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Shreveport National Weather Service reported record-breaking severe weather events after last Monday’s tropical storm that impacted several East Texas counties, according to our news partner KETK. “The 13 tornadoes that we got across East Texas were actually part of a bigger outbreak when Tropical Storm Beryl moved across the region,†Chris Nuttall, Shreveport National Weather Service lead meteorologist, said. The NWS Shreveport team oversees East Texas, Northern Louisiana, and Southwest Arkansas.
“That night when Beryl moved through, we issued 67 tornado warnings in the space of, really, about nine hours,†Nuttall said.
The NWS is anticipating an active hurricane season ahead. “There is no way to tell at this point whether a hurricane or tropical storm is going to move through our area, but the season is pretty long, we’re just at the start of it, it’s going to go until late October, early November,†Nuttall said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — Palestine ISD announced on Monday that a longtime teacher and staff member, Carmen Davis, tragically died in an auto accident on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK and Palestine ISD, Davis had served their district for 20 years, serving as a para professional for six years before becoming a teacher. The school said that in her 14 years of teaching Davis “inspired those who were in her classes.â€
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Let us come together to honor her memory and the lasting legacy she leaves behind in the hearts of all she touched.†– Palestine ISD
Davis taught sixth and fourth grade math and science.
SMITH COUNTY — Patrick Mahomes Sr., the father of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes II, has had yet another run-in with cops, TMZ Sports has learned he was busted in Texas last month for driving on an invalid license. According to court documents we obtained … Mahomes Sr. was ticketed for the offense in Tyler at around 8:30 PM on June 29 — less than five months after he was arrested for DWI in the same city.
The docs show Mahomes Sr. was given a warning for disregarding traffic signs in addition to the citation … indicating he was initially pulled over for a routine violation. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Tyler Police Department 911 phone lines are down, according to a press release early Tuesday morning. Verizon has reportedly advised they have experienced outages due to recent storms. Smith County dispatch will be answering 911calls from within the city limits. Alt numbers are 903-939-6001 or 903-566-6600.
In Longview, police say they are experiencing issues with their non-emergency lines for Verizon and T-Mobile customers only. Those who attempt to call will hear a busy signal. Officials said those affected should consider “delaying your call if possible,†but if it is an emergency, to dial 911.The system is reportedly working properly for all other providers and landline users.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers will be closed across Texas on Monday as Hurricane Beryl makes landfall, FEMA Region 6 announced. According to our news partner KETK, FEMA centers like the one at the Hub in Smith County were initially set up to help people recover from severe weather that hit East Texas in April.
The centers will re-open on Tuesday, July 9. To learn more, click here.
EAST TEXAS — Acting governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, has added 81 counties to a disaster declaration for hurricane Beryl, including many counties in East Texas, according to our news partner KETK.
As of Saturday, 121 out of Texas’ 254 counties are under the disaster declaration.
Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Bastrop, Bell, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Marion, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Walker, Waller, Washington, Williamson and Wood counties were all added to Patrick’s disaster declaration on Saturday.
Patrick said that the state has more than 2,000 responders and 850 assets that can be deployed to help in rescue operations.
TYLER– A Tyler man has been charged with six counts of aggravated assault following a report of shots fired Friday morning. It happened around 9:00 at a home on 1st Street in Tyler. Police said upon arrival, officers were able to remove several children and adults from the home, including the suspect, Chandler Haught, 22. Officials said Haught and the people inside the house are acquaintances and that this was not a random incident. There was evidence of shots being fired. The handgun was located. No injuries were reported.
Haught was transported to the Smith County Jail and booked on six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the Smith County DA’s Office.