Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
HARRISON COUNTY — A Louisiana man was arrested in East Texas Monday night for multiple charges after a pursuit. According to our news partner KETK, a deputy initiated a traffic stop, when the driver of the car, who was identified as Willie Johnson, “decided he did not want to stop.†Johnson attempted to evade the deputy starting a pursuit, according to officials, until he lost control of the car. After losing control, Johnson was taken into custody. He was arrested for evading arrest with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a firearm, failure to identify by giving false information, no drivers license and possession of marijuana.
KILGORE — Two women were arrested by Kilgore Police on Sunday night after they said the women shoplifted a store and ran over an employee’s foot during their escape. According to our news partner KETK, the women were also found to be in possession of over seven grams of meth. Police said “it’s becoming more common to find loaded syringes in the possession of meth addicts.†Field testing on the confiscated meth found the presence of fentanyl, according to officials. Read the rest of this entry »
TROUP — The Troup Independent School District is asking the community to wear blue on Monday, Sept 12 in support of Cooper Reid. Reid suffered a head injury during the school’s homecoming game on Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, community held a prayer vigil for Cooper Reid on Saturday night, a varsity football player who was injured Friday night in their football game. Community members shared that Cooper is in stable condition and the doctors are saying it’s looking better after CAT scans and they’re trying to relieve pressure from his brain. Troup ISD along with community members say they’re grateful for all of East Texas support during this difficult time. They asked for continued prayers for Cooper’s healing.
WOOD COUNTY –Authorities in Wood County believe they have found the man responsible for a murder back in 2007. According to our news partner KETK, Chad Carr remains in the Wood County Jail, charged with the murder of Brittany McGlone. He was arrested Sept. 1 in the Dallas area. Wood County Sheriff Kelly Cole says all signs pointed to him after years of investigating. 19-year-old McGlone was tragically beaten, sexually assaulted and murdered in the light of day back in 2007 in a small home by Lake Winnsboro. Brittany’s case was without a suspect being publicly named for more than a decade. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The Longview Independent School District had a special board meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the former six employees indicted for abuse and accused of being violent toward special needs students.According to our news partner KETK, former district employees allegedly committed various offenses towards students at J.L. Everhart Elementary last school year. According to the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, board members deliberated what actions to take during a closed session. Longview ISD officials were in closed session for more than an hour, and they ended their meeting shortly after the session without making a public comment about the gathering. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Smith County grand jury did not see that there was enough evidence to prosecute a former UT Health Science Center certified nursing assistant who was accused of hitting a schizophrenia patient, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Our news partner KETK reports Lavinya Warren was arrested on Feb. 5, 2021 and charged with injury to the elderly with intent to cause bodily injury for an incident that officials said happened on Feb. 1, 2021. A representative from the district attorney’s office said that after being presented with information, the grand jury determined in October 2021 that there was no probable cause for a crime. The DA’s office said that prior to this ruling by a grand jury, surveillance video appeared to be missing, but was then recovered. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Police say a train struck a car in Tyler at the intersection of Duncan Street and Angeline Avenue on Tuesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around 5:50 p.m. according to online records. Police on the scene said that the driver tried to bypass the railroad crossing arms. A Union Pacific employee on the scene said that the crossing arm shattered the windshield of the car and stopped it, and the end of the car was hit by the train. Police say no one was seriously injured, but one person was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Movies in the Park program this fall. There will be three family-friendly movies showing at Bergfeld Park, 1510 S. College Ave. this September and October. All movies are free admission. Visitors can bring blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the evening. Read the rest of this entry »
WOOD COUNTY — A man was arrested on Thursday on a capital murder charge in connection to the 2007 murder of Brittany McGlone, according to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Our news partner KETK reports that on Wednesday, a warrant for the arrest of Chad Earl Carr was obtained by the sheriff’s office. On Thursday, Captain Mike Chilson and Ranger John Vance traveled to the DFW area and located Carr on Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. In 2007, 19-year-old Brittany McGlone was beaten, sexually assaulted, and murdered in the light of day. Her case remained without a suspect being publicly named for more than a decade. Carr was taken to the Wood County Jail and booked on a capital murder charge. Carr is being held on a $1 million bond.
SMITH COUNTY — No student injuries were reported after a Chapel Hill ISD bus was involved in a four-car crash on Highway 64 East. According to our news partner KETK, units with the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office were assisting DPS, Emergency Services District 2 and the Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department on the scene, according to Constable Josh Joplin Precinct 4. EMS arrived on the scene, and minor injuries were reported by officials, none of them having happened to students on the bus, according to officials.
TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved its general fund budget for the 2022-2023 school year during its meeting on Monday. This budget includes lowering the tax rate by 10.98 cents and raising teacher pay. The district’s budget will be more than $169.5 million for the school year which includes a net funding increase of about $3.1 million, according to a release. Tyler ISD officials said that this increase comes from a healthy district property tax growth. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Across Texas, classrooms are now required to display “In God We Trust” posters as a new state law requires public schools to post donated signs of the phrase. Appearing on “Fox and Friends” Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, explains why he authored the ‘In God We Trust Act’ and says it’s about reminding students of America’s National motto. Hughes says, “In our Texas public schools, we teach the truth about our history. We teach our founding documents. The Declaration of Independence says our rights come from our creator…this is consistent with that.” Multiple other states including Florida and Louisiana have similar state laws. Critics argue the posters could make students uncomfortable and that religion should be kept out of educational spaces.
SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, Aug. 23, Smith County residents have the opportunity to have their voice heard at the Smith County Commissioners Court’s public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget and tax rate. The proposed budget was filed Monday, Aug. 15. It includes a proposed tax rate of 33 cents per $100 valuation, a drop from the current tax rate of 33.5 cents. “This year’s proposed tax rate continues the County’s long-standing tradition of seeking to maintain a low tax rate while providing excellent service to its citizens,†Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said. Read the rest of this entry »
WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD hired a new director of security, and Jeremy Black, a Whitehouse native, accepted the position, according to our news partner KETK. “Our staff stands ready to protect the folks here,†said Black. He considers the people of Whitehouse his family. So, when the director of security position opened up at the district he jumped at the chance. He has two children who attend Whitehouse ISD and a wife who teaches at the school. He says their safety is everything. “That definitely puts some skin in the game for me, but it’s not just that. It’s the team,. It’s the safety of everybody. I mean it’s one of beliefs here that we believe that everybody has the right to a safe and caring environment, everybody,†said Black. That’s why he is working on ways to increase security in more ways than one. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Over 9 grams of meth were seized in Smith County Thursday night, and one person is now in custody, according to officials. According to our news partner KETK, a Smith County Constable Precinct 4 deputy stopped to check a suspicious vehicle on Chapman Road when officials said the driver was found passed out in the front seat of the car. “After further investigation into the welfare of the driver, the driver was found to have been in possession of 9.69 grams of methamphetamine,†officials said. One person was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
TYLER — Tyler residents could see an increase in their water bill starting in October. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler water utilities is proposing a new water rate plan to upgrade infrastructure. Currently, the city is on a declining rate structure, which means water and sewer services become cheaper the more you use them. The new plan calls for customers to pay the same rate, no matter the amount of water that is used. The first 2,000 gallons of water consumed will no longer be free. “With the system is just more fair and equitable to help our residents understand what the cost of water is and what it is to get that water produced.†If this plan is approved, Tyler water customers will see an increase of about $20 on their monthly bill. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — Time has been granted by a Henderson County judge to appoint an investigator in the case of a fatal bus crash that occurred in Athens in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, during a hearing on Wednesday, defense attorneys motioned for the appointment of an investigator to the case. The presiding judge granted permission to the motion, giving 60 days to hire an investigator for the case. The discovery status hearing has been set for Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. 81-year-old John Stevens was charged in 2019 with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after a bus he was driving was hit by a train, killing 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injuring 9-year-old Joselyn Torres. The bus reportedly was pushed one-quarter of a mile before coming to a stop.
TYLER — A Tyler gang member has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for a firearms violation, according to our news partner KETK. Bandon Deshun Hawkins, 36, plead guilty on Sept. 29, 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced on Tuesday. According to court documents, in 2020 Hawkins was stopped while driving on Vine Street in Tyler and arrested on outstanding warrants. Officials said during the traffic stop, Hawkins threw a plastic bag containing marijuana from the vehicle resulting in a probable cause search. A pistol was found in the car during the search, and officials said further investigations found Hawkins to be a member of the Eight Trey Gangster Crips, a street gang. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler released a new poll Sunday that asked Texas voters their thoughts about the November midterm elections, including the race between Gov. Abbott and Beto O’Rourke, and other issues affecting the state. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is maintaining a modest lead over Democrat Beto O’Rourke in the race for Texas governor. According to the new poll, Abbott has a 7-point cushion over O’Rourke, unchanged from a similar survey in May. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank partnered with Door Dash for a new project called, “Project Dash.†Our news partner KETK reports, the first pilot delivery is a partnership with Longview Dream Center to give out the boxes. Project dash gives perishable items to seniors, age 60 or older and under a certain income. This helps seniors who don’t have a means of transportation or those with health issues. Linda Henry, a resident of Longview said, “That’s fabulous. I can’t even really explain it to you how much that helps, because now I can’t drive anymore. And it’s a God send.. it really is.†Once the address is confirmed, the door dasher will present the box to the recipient. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The body of a missing Henderson woman was found in her vehicle on Tuesday in Smith County. Betty Rowland (Pemberton) was last seen on Aug. 1. Police said she may have been suffering from dementia. According to our news partner KETK, a landowner saw a vehicle and called law enforcement to investigate. Rowland’s vehicle was in a “slightly wooded area,†several hundred yards off of CR 290 in Smith County. Authorities say that foul play is not suspected, but the case is under investigation. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — With a new school year comes a renewed effort to crack down on the issue of vaping in Tyler ISD. “Vaping is a serious issue with our youth,†Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “You can’t buy bourbon in Tyler, Texas, but our youth can get their hands on vapes on almost every corner around town. We are educators, not health monitors. Any help you can give us, city, county, and legislators, we would really appreciate it!†The district has installed more than seventy vape detectors at all four high schools and the Career & Technology Center with the message to students, “you will get caught.†Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioner’s Court voted unanimously to propose lowering the tax rate by half a cent. The proposed rate for the fiscal year 2023 would go down from 33.5 cents to 33 cents per $100 valuation. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said the commissioners court will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23. The court will also plan a public hearing on the proposed FY23 budget at 5:30 p.m. on August 23. The court will vote on adopting the proposed tax rate and budget in September, according to Moran. The city says they will not go into effect until Oct. 1. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD officials said their “hearts are broken†after an incoming high school student died on Tuesday. “Longview Independent School District is shocked and saddened to learn about the tragic death of incoming Longview High School freshman Rahsaan ‘Bobo’ Jefferson,†said the school district. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police said Jefferson died folowing a shooting at the Preserve Apartments on West Avalon Avenue on Monday night. The school district extended their condolences to Rahsaan’s loved ones. “To lose any member of our Lobo family hurts, but especially one so young,†said James Brewer, the Longview High School Principal. “Crisis counselors and campus administrators will be on hand for any students and staff who need assistance.†Read the rest of this entry »
COFFEE CITY — One month ago, three Coffee City Council members and the city secretary resigned from their positions, putting city business on hold. According to our news partner KETK, some city officials including the police chief said the council members hadn’t been showing up due to dissatisfaction with operations, the use of city property without proper approval and even alleged racial remarks between employees. “Relieved! I’m very relieved for the citizens, myself and the council members,†said Coffee City Mayor Frank Serrato. Serrato announced he would be turning in his resignation at the next city meeting. Citing family and a new job as his priority. For months, members said the no-shows of council members have left the city unable to conduct regular business. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police Officers responded to a shooting on W. Morris around 3:00 Monday afternoon. One victim, identified as Horatio Williams, 57, of Tyler, was found in the street with a gunshot wound. He was transported to UT Health on Beckham where he died from his injuries. Another victim, Laray High, 50, Tyler, transported himself to UT Health on Beckham and was treated and released. Multiple shell casings were found on scene along with one weapon. The suspect has been identified as Frederick Leon Harvey, 59, Tyler. He was also shot and was treated at UT Health. An arrest warrant was issued for Harvey. After he was released from the hospital he was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of Murder with a $500,000 bond and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, both with a $25,000 bond.
SMITH COUNTY — An Alba man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a man around 5 a.m. on Sunday in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Chance Hull, 22, of Alba, was charged with first-degree murder with bond set at $500,000. Police were called to Sneed Avenue regarding a stabbing Sunday morning. Upon arrival, officers saw one person with stab wounds and Hull, who was attempting to provide first aid, although he was later arrested. Andy Erbaugh, with the Tyler Police Department, said that a physical altercation led up to the stabbing. EMS took the victim to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.
TYLER — Former Smith County Pct. 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris has pleaded not guilty, and a trial date has been set for Sept. 19 on his theft of property by a public servant and official oppression cases. According to our news partner KETK, Traylor-Harris’s attorney, Andrew Dammann, said usually his clients are given some leniency by the courts, but this time he says they aren’t cutting Traylor-Harris any slack. “That’s what the bond system does to people. It puts them in jail, it separates them from their family and it breaks them to the point where they’re willing to accept a deal that might not be the best for them,†said Dammann. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Crews are battling a grass fire in the 15800 block of Shady Creek Road, according to Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Christian said that Jackson Volunteer Fire Department requested law enforcement assistance around 4 p.m. to help block the road. The corner of Shady Creek Road and CR 398 is blocked as of this writing. The grass fire is about two acres. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The cities of Tyler and Nacogdoches are among 23 other Texas cities filing a lawsuit accusing Disney DTC LLC, Hulu, LLC and Netflix Inc., of failing to pay millions of dollars in municipal franchise fees as far back as 2007. According to our news partner KETK, the lawsuit was filed in Dallas County on behalf of Abilene, Allen, Amarillo, Arlington, Austin, Beaumont, Carrollton, Dallas, Denton, Frisco, Fort Worth, Garland, Grand Prairie, Houston, Irving, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Nacogdoches, Pearland, Plano, Rowlett, Sugar Land, Tyler and Waco. Read the rest of this entry »