Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 188, east of the Emerald Bay Lake subdivision, will be closed to through traffic for a bridge replacement starting Monday, February 27, 2023. A narrow bridge is being replaced with a concrete box culvert as a part of the roadway improvements to CR 188. The portion of the road that will be closed is located between FM 344 and FM 346. The road closure is expected to be for two weeks for the placement of the box culvert.
CADDO PARISH — An East Texas teenager has surrendered to Louisiana authorities in the shooting death of another teen at a Mardi Gras parade in Shreveport. The unidentified 16-year-old boy gave himself up at the Caddo Parish Juvenile Justice Complex, accompanied by his attorney. He is charged with negligent homicide in the death last Saturday of Kip Lewis, 17, of Elysian Fields. investigators say a group of teens were engaging in horseplay, chasing each other around with plastic swords, when for some reason one teen pulled out a gun and fired a shot, striking Lewis in the upper body. The teen charged in the killing will make a court appearance today in Shreveport.
WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD added extra security to the high school campus Thursday morning after a student was charged with ‘false alarm’ and placed in custody. According to the district and our news partner KETK, around 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday, the school received an anonymous tip through the “Say Something†reporting system and the district coordinated with the Whitehouse Police Department to investigate. “At no time were students or staff in immediate danger,†officials said. The district said the report was made within six minutes of the alleged threat, and Superintendent Dr. Chris Moran said they will not tolerate threatening comments. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A man was charged with abuse of a corpse on Monday after he allegedly kept his mother’s body in his house for several days after her death in Van Zandt County, the sheriff’s office said. According to our news partner KETK, Douglas Dean Kilburn, 49, was arrested in the Rolling Oaks Community near County Road 3828. Authorities said they received a call from a person who was worried about Kilburn’s mother, who was their friend. Deputies conducted a welfare check on Feb. 14. Law enforcement said Kilburn told them his mother was visiting family in Oklahoma. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County courthouse square had to be cleared by law enforcement Thursday during a capital murder trial after a person with a gun was reported near the premises. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, they were notified of an individual on the north side of the courthouse carrying a handgun. Sheriff’s office personnel responded and cleared the courthouse square, officials said. “While securing the area, an individual was arrested after he fled from law enforcement,†according to a release from Sheriff Brent Dickson. The person has been charged with evading arrest and unlawful carrying of a weapon. There is no threat to the area at this time, Dickson said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle in Tyler Wednesday night. It happened around 9:15 at the intersection of Loop 323 and Erwin Street. Investigators said a pickup was traveling north on Loop 323 approaching the intersection with E. Erwin St in the inside lane. The female pedestrian, identified as Denise Kay Brown, 60, from Tyler, reportedly walked in front of the truck and the driver was unable to avoid her. There was no indication of impairment on the driver. The case remains under investigation awaiting autopsy results.
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man is wanted for criminal mischief by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office after he allegedly set a woman’s property on fire. According to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office and  our news partner KETK, officials have been searching for Christopher Feemster, 35, for several months. He’s described as 5’6″ and about 160 pounds with green eyes and brown hair. Feemster lives at 9881 County Road 274 and is possibly living in the woods behind his home. Feemster is currently out on bond for an evading charge and is known to flee from police. He  has previous arrests for assault. According to his warrant, on Aug. 13, fire officials were called to a home where a woman, who identified Feemster as her “ex-loverâ€, reported he had set her personal items on fire. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police have released the identity of a woman whose body was found over the weekend. Officers responded to a report of a deceased female in her vehicle around 12:30 Saturday morning in the parking lot of Clear Springs on Broadway. She’s now been identified as Samantha Atkinson, 34, of Tyler. Her body was sent for autopsy. Police said foul play was not suspected.
EAST TEXAS – The Feeding Texas network, made up of 21 food banks across the state, is calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for the Surplus Agricultural Products Grant today in a virtual day of advocacy. With the cost of groceries rising, many Texans are turning to food banks for support. The loss of the increased pandemic SNAP benefits (known as “emergency allotments”) in March will lead to even greater need, with all SNAP households experiencing a minimum reduction of $95 a month in SNAP benefits. “Texans everywhere are struggling with the rising cost of food, and as a result, more Texans are seeking emergency food from food banks,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A jail reform advocate demands improved care for inmates at an East Texas jail. At their meeting Tuesday in Tyler, the Smith County Commissioners Court heard from a member of the Texas Jail Project, Dalila Reynoso, who called for greater mental-health resources at the Smith County Jail. She was responding to the recent hanging death of an inmate, Nathan Lee Johns. A sheriff’s office statement said that Johns hanged himself with an electrical cord he concealed from guards after he took it from an inmate phone box. Â Reynoso says the death should have been prevented. The Texas Rangers are investigating the hanging.
TYLER — Frustrated and upset Smith County voters gathered Monday night, and Grassroots America We the People explained in detail the 2020 election audit irregularities that led to the discovery of 584 absentee ballots that they say were not counted. According to our news partner KETK, analysts emphasized that a straightforward and trustworthy voting process is a cornerstone of democracy in our country. “That is precious to people and we need to make sure that we don’t take a casual approach to that. Even if one vote isn’t counted, that means an American citizen was disenfranchised and we want to do everything we can to make sure that in Smith County we get election results we can count on to be accurate a verifiable,†said JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director of Grassroots. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — In a Tyler Federal Court last week, Dusty Caudill and David Bartlett pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to transport wildlife in Interstate Commerce and to violating the Endangered Species Act. In February of 2021, Caudill and Barlett attempted to negotiate the sale of two African elephant ivory tusks with an undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent. The tusks were transported from Ardmore, Oklahoma, to Tyler. A third man, Darryl Garcia, still awaits his day in court.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is looking for any information on the whereabouts of Cannon Tuck, 29. Tuck weighs 145 lbs. and is about 5’9″ tall. He was last seen in the area of Fourth St and East Loop 281 wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a black backpack. Tuck was reported missing on Tuesday, February 7, by a family member. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1170.
SMITH COUNTY — Grassroots America said 584 absentee voter ballots from the 2020 general election were not counted in Smith County, according to an audit done by the organization, Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Grassroots America requested that the item be put on Tuesday’s agenda for the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. “We do think that every vote matters,†said Smith County Judge Neal Franklin. Fleming said that Grassroots America provided a dozen volunteers to survey 634 voters and record 385 interviews. “Those interviews documented unusual anomalies between voter memories and Smith County voting records,†Fleming said. Fleming said the audit was a fact-finding mission to help the county. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — Faculty and staff of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches have received a six percent, across the board, cost of living raise. The Board of Regents approved the pay raise last week and it went into effect February 1st. Â SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook said the board wanted a pay increase to be implemented as soon as possible after the university joined the University of Texas system on November 29th. It will be paid from SFA reserve funds this year and by UT system funds in the future.
TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating after the discovery of a body. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found at a construction site off east Grande Boulevard Monday. Police say foul play is not suspected. The body has been sent for autopsy. Additional details were not available.
WHITEHOUSE —  The city of Whitehouse plans to honor Patrick Mahomes for his third trip to the Super Bowl in four years. Mayor of Whitehouse James Wansley will make the day the Kansas City Chiefs play in the Super Bowl, Feb. 12, Patrick Mahomes Day. Mayor Wansley’s proclamation will take place around 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 in the Whitehouse City Council Chambers at 311 East Main Street. Whitehouse ISD students and staff will be celebrating their Patrick Mahomes Day that Friday as well. The district asks that everyone wears red and their Chiefs gear to support Patrick and the team. Whitehouse businesses have painted their windows in support of Mahomes. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER — A small plane crashed near Gladewater Municipal Airport Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened near Carter Road and Highway 271, south of the airport. All four occupants of the plane were taken to the hospital. Officials said their injuries were non life-threatening. The FAA will handle the investigation.
TYLER — Former Tyler District Engineer, James “Bobby†Evans has died, according to TxDOT Tyler’s Facebook page. Evans was called the father of the internationally known Adopt-A-Highway program, which he helped start in Tyler, TxDOT said. Evans worked with TxDOT for 42 years.
BULLARD — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who allegedly invaded a home in Bullard on Saturday. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and our news partner KETK, Mark Anthony Correro, 50, of Houston, entered a residence unlawfully and claimed that the homeowner’s truck was his. The homeowner was able to force the man out and lock the door, officials said. The unnamed homeowner took a shotgun out of his home to go check on his truck when, according to officials, Correro began walking towards the homeowner and the homeowner’s fiancé. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview City Attorney Jim Finley has announced plans to retire at the end of February after 23 years of service to the City of Longview and 34 years overall in municipal government, according to a city news release. He retires as the longest tenured City Attorney in Longview’s history, serving with five mayors, twenty-five council members, and numerous staff during that time. Finley began his municipal career as an Assistant City Attorney in Wichita Falls in 1989. He later served as the City Attorney of Big Spring from 1996 to 1999. He was hired as Longview’s City Attorney in Longview in 2000. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Crews will continue working through this week to remove downed trees and limbs from roadways, right-of-ways, City parks and cemeteries affected by the ice storm that descended upon the City from Tuesday through Thursday. Oncor staff continues to work across Tyler to restore power. The storm caused significant property damage throughout the City. Damage assessments will continue as progress is made to return to normal operations. The Streets Department estimates about two weeks of cleanup remain, including property owners’ and homeowners’ disposing of their yard waste. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS – Weather related power outages continue throughout the area. Several schools have cancelled classes Friday due to no electricity. No school for Brownsboro ISD and Cumberland Academy.
EAST TEXAS — With winter weather now expected to persist into Thursday morning, authorities continue to urge caution while driving. TxDOT has issued a set of safe driving tips, including these: avoid unnecessary travel if conditions warrant; be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, ramps, turns and shaded areas that usually freeze first; reduce speed and allow extra time to reach destinations; and increase the following distance between you and other vehicles. Also, if you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer into the direction of skid; and stay back at least 200 feet from vehicles treating roadways and move over for emergency vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Due to forecasted inclement weather, City of Tyler offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Essential and emergency functions will continue. Departments will be available by phone, email or through contact forms on the city’s website click here. The City of Tyler will monitor weather conditions Wednesday, Feb. 1, to determine the ability to reopen the offices on Thursday, Feb. 2.
SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County Offices will close for the day today, Wednesday, February 1, because of the icy weather. Smith County jury duty is also cancelled. Any closings or delays, unless specifically stated, do not close essential, emergency, residential and detention operations. At this time, Smith County offices plan to open for normal business hours on Thursday, February 2. The County Judge and/or Commissioners Court has the authority to close general governmental operations due to emergency conditions, including inclement weather conditions that cause a serious hazard for employees such as road conditions due to flooding, ice or snow. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — A 23-year-old man was killed Monday night after being struck by a freightl-iner truck tractor towing a utility trailer on I-20 near Waskom. According to the Department of Public Safety and our news partner KETK, a preliminary crash report found that the truck tractor was traveling westbound on I-20 when “the pedestrian ran into the roadway.†Hunter Dorram, 23, of Grand Prairie, was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the truck had no injuries reported.
TYLER — Committee members, past chairs, sponsors, and hospital partners joined the 2023 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala Chairs, Sara and Ryan Nash, for the announcement of the Gala’s 2023 headline entertainer Wednesday at The Potpourri House during the American Cancer Society Leadership Breakfast. Country star Jack Ingram will headline the 35th Annual Gala, Hope on the Horizon, June 10 at the Texas Rose Horse Park, home of the event for the past five years. 2022 Gala Chair Whitney Cain told attendees, “The work of the American Cancer Society is incredible. So many milestones and advancements in prevention and treatment have been made, but we are not done. To continue the work to literally put an end to cancer, we know that we are Stronger Together here in Tyler.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — An East Texas museum says it will not receive a major donation from the ex-wife of Muhammad Ali, as previously announced. The Texas African-American museum in Tyler has announced that the one-million dollar gift from Dr. Khalilah Camacho-Ali will be unfulfilled. The donation was announced at a fundraising gala in February of last year. But the Empowerment Community Development Corporation announced Wednesday on behalf of the museum that Camacho-Ali will not provide the contribution after all, saying only that she doesn’t have the funds.
TYLER — The City Council voted Wednesday to enter into an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for two Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Projects. The first project is an LED curve warning system and profile pavement markings, which will be installed through the reverse curve on West Grande Boulevard. The LED curve warning system and profile pavement markings were safety improvements recommended in the West Grande Boulevard Reverse Curve study. The total construction cost of the project is currently estimated at $134,704.79. Read the rest of this entry »