Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse has released a schedule for voluntary irrigation reduction, which will go into effect immediately, according to our news partner KETK. “Like all retail water providers in Texas, the City of Whitehouse has a drought contingency plan that outlines factors that trigger different stages of water restrictions,†the city said in a release. With the lack of rain expected to continue, combined with the spikes in usage on the weekends, the demand on the water system is likely to be significant. The city added that while they have not reached any thresholds that require mandatory reductions in water usage, they reached a threshold this week that warrants requesting voluntary compliance in order to alleviate demand on the water system. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A man was shot and injured just outside of Tyler early Friday afternoon when he allegedly tried to confront a homeowner in his front yard. It happened just before 1:00 Friday afternoon on Mary Ann Street. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Deputies received a call advising that a man had confronted the caller in the front yard of his residence and attacked him. During the altercation, the caller allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot the man in the abdomen multiple times. Upon arrival, deputies reportedly found the injured man standing on the front porch of the residence, allegedly attempting to enter the caller’s home. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert’s name came up during Thursday’s hearing of the January 6th Committee. In a taped deposition, former Trump White House aid Cassidy Hutchinson said Gohmert was one of several Congressional Republicans who sought a presidential pardon following the attack on the US Capitol. Rice University Political Scientist Mark Jones notes Gohmert gave up his Congressional seat to run for Texas Attorney General. Jones said, “From a pardon perspective, when you’re not a member of Congress, you have a greater need for a pardon…you’re not protected by your office.” Other members who allegedly asked for a pardon include representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — With the above-normal heat for a Texas summer, East Texas shelters like Hiway 80 Rescue Mission are seeing more people coming in to cool off, according to our news partner KETK. The blazing temperatures can cause health risks such as dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion. “Between our women’s and men’s shelter and our facility in Tyler- Gateway to Hope, we were just shy of 200 folks last night in a shelter. Normally, we are around 150 or so there has been an uptick in people seeking shelter due to this heat wave we’ve experienced,†said Brian Livingston, Executive Director of Hiway 80 Rescue Mission. The heat can affect sleep, especially for those living on the street. Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD — A Bullard woman arrested for financial crimes in early May, was arrested again on Friday and charged with the same crimes in a neighboring county. According to our news partner KETK, Misty Adair, 46, was arrested for the same charges in addition to her current charges relating to misapplication of funds and theft of property. However, the warrant for her Friday arrest was issued by Henderson County. Adair has been charged with misapplication of fiduciary property and theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000 by both counties, and her bond was set on Friday at $5,194.80 per charge. Documents seen by detectives showed Adair had access to the Bullard “Youth for Agriculture†bank account since the organization’s 2019 establishment. Read the rest of this entry »
HAWKINS — The Hawkins City Council had a meeting on Tuesday and after discussing for two hours during an executive session, they accepted the resignation of the Hawkins Chief of Police Manfred Gilow. According to our news partner KETK, the meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Hawkins City Hall Council Chambers. Several community members attended the meeting to show support for Gilow and some resigned as well. A new city manager was also hired three weeks ago. Gilow said budget constraints and a shortage of police staff are some of the key reasons that led him to resign. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — An East Texas woman was charged with a felony after reportedly spitting on a corpse at a funeral home during a viewing. According to an arrest affidavit, Laurie Lynn Hinds, 51, Quitman, walked into a funeral home in Tyler, on Nov. 29, went straight to the casket, and spit on the corpse. A witness on the scene said Hinds had animosity toward the family of the person in the casket. Tyler police obtained a warrant for Hinds’ arrest on Jan. 4. Hinds was arrested June 5 and charged with state-jail felony abuse of corpse. She posted a $2,500 bond the next day.
HOPKINS COUNTY — A narcotics officer in Texas was taken into custody after he was rushed to a hospital and investigators searching his home found drugs he claimed were evidence. On June 11, law enforcement responded to a metal shop in Hopkins County and found Jon Phillips unresponsive on the floor. Phillips, a 34-year-old sergeant with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, was treated and transported to an area hospital, where he was stabilized. On the floor of the shop, near where Phillips collapsed, investigators found a torch lighter and glass pipe that contained what appeared to be a crystal-like residue. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — More than 20 different law enforcement agencies from across the state of Texas are taking part in this two-day training at the Tyler Police Department’s gun range. This comes three weeks after 19 children and two teachers were killed in the Uvalde school shooting. According to our news partner KETK, local first responders are training with ALERRT, also known as the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program. “Training like this really gets you out of that standard training. It gets you out in the field, and puts you in situations that really get your heart pumping and puts you in that moment and in that situation,†said Tyler Police Public Information Officer, Andy Erbaugh. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Smith County resident is suing to remove Precinct 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris from office after he was charged with a crime. According to our news partner KETK, the lawsuit argues that Traylor-Harris chose to violate his oath of office on multiple occasions. It asks that the Court temporarily suspend Traylor-Harris without pay, pending final judgement and asks for a jury trial in this case. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has already suspended Traylor-Harris’s peace officers license. Without a license, the lawsuit states that Traylor-Harris would “not be able to hold office or execute his official duties as Constable,†making him unable to “meet the necessary qualification to remain a constable.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Nearly three-and-a-half years after police were called to the scene of a shooting near Whitehouse, a Tyler man is on trial for the alleged murder of his father. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Tony Chase was arrested on the night of January 7, 2019, after Smith County deputies responded to reports of a shooting near Whitehouse. A release from Sheriff Larry Smith reported at the time that Chase allegedly confessed to shooting his father, 51-year-old Edward Rolando Blaylock. The case has been delayed for years due to various reasons, including overcrowding at the jail and the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial is currently underway.
SMITH COUNTY — After responding to a stolen vehicle call early Monday morning, Smith County deputies arrested Warren Williams, 17, of Wake Village, La., after a foot chase, according to our news partner KETK. Officials said that Williams was also involved in a pursuit with Lindale PD several minutes earlier in relation to a separate stolen vehicle. Deputies were informed that a black 2011 Lincoln MKX had been stolen from a residence near Lindale and began to search the area. Soon after, a Smith County deputy observed a vehicle matching the description of the stolen SUV and as he approached, the officer found that the suspect was still in the car. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department is warning the public of “an armed and dangerous man†on the run, but they now believe the suspect has left the area. According to our news partner KETK, early Monday morning, the department said residents in the area of CR 433 and CR 471 south of I-20 should be on the lookout for a black male in blue jeans and a black hoodie. The man could also be wearing a black bandana. People living in the area were warned to lock their cars and remove any valuables from the inside. Police believed he was looking to steal a car for a quick getaway. The man, whose name was not immediately released, is “believed to be a part of a group that was pursued by multiple agencies in a stolen vehicle late [Sunday] night,†according to Lindale PD. We’ll update this story as new information comes in.
SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 285, also known as Old Omen Road, will be closed for less than two months this summer so a bridge can be replaced. Starting on Monday, June 13, the bridge near the Prairie Creek Park Area, will be closed. The 22-foot wide concrete bridge will be demolished and replaced with a longer, 30-foot wide all-concrete bridge. “We’ll have a wider roadway and a bridge when we finish this project,†County Engineer Frank Davis said. During construction, the portion of CR 285, near its intersection with CR 2215 (Lake Meadows Road), to Farm-to-Market Road 848, will be closed to thru traffic. This bridge services the east side of Lake Tyler and a portion of Lake Tyler East. The detour around Lake Tyler will be about 16 miles, he said. Read the rest of this entry »
ANGELINA COUNTY — An Angelina County inmate escaped from the jail late Thursday night after walking off a work detail. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office released a statement identifying the inmate as 36-year-old James Wheeler. He stands roughly 6’0″ tall, weighing 180 pounds with sandy blond or light brown hair. Deputies say he was last seen wearing a bright green t-shirt along with black and white striped uniform pants. Wheeler has more than a dozen felony convictions over the last 19 years, mostly for theft and organized crime. If you have any information about his whereabouts, contact the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.
LONGVIEW – Seven men were arrested earlier this week in a solicitation of prostitution bust in Gregg County. According to our news partner KETK, a DPS report stated the arrests were made on Tuesday and Wednesday. The bust was in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Smith County Texas Anti-Gang Unit, Longview PD, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and the Gregg County DA. DPS has made multiple busts in East Texas in recent months. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — A Marshall man is behind bars after a man was found dead in a house by a family member on Saturday. On Saturday, deputies were called to a house in the 500 block of Carey Road in Marshall at approximately 6:50 p.m. A family member found David Yale Allen, 64, of Marshall, dead inside the house, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Officials began investigating and named Christopher Cisco, 27, of Marshall, as the suspect on Sunday. An arrest warrant for murder was issued and Cisco was located and arrested near the intersection of Karnack Highway and US Highway 59, officials said. He was booked into to the Harrison County Jail.
EAST TEXAS — One week after 19 students and two teachers were gunned down at a Texas school and one day after four were shot and killed at an Oklahoma hospital, President Joe Biden addressed the nation on gun violence Thursday evening. Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert spoke during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on gun control legislation. “Democrats control the cities with the worst murder rates,†said Louie Gohmert. “That’s right. Your ideas have been shown to get people killed.†Lawmakers on both sides have been negotiating gun laws since the Uvalde shooting, and some GOP members fear losing their Second Amendment rights. The President and the Democratic party argue that we need stricter gun laws. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man was indicted on two charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after being accused of shooting two 13-year-old girls in March. According to our news partner KETK, Jaqualin Humphrey, 18, turned himself in to authorities in March after the Tyler police named him as a suspect. The shooting took place in the area of North Ross Street and West Bow Street in Tyler on Saturday, March 12. Police responded to reports of gunshots in the area and about two 13-year-old girls who were each shot one time. Police determined that the girls were passengers in a car with several other juveniles, which was being driven by an adult, when they were shot. They were listed in stable condition following the shooting.
TYLER — A Tyler woman has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the death of a 3-year-old that was found in a vehicle last summer. According to our news partner KETK, Daniell Michelle Ervin, 37, has been charged with injury to a child and was formally indicted on April 21. She was booked into the Smith County Jail on Friday, May 27 with a $10,000 bond. Tyler Fire and EMS responded to a call on July 16, 2021 at around 6 p.m. on Church Avenue. Upon arrival, they found the child unresponsive in a vehicle outside of their home and were unable to revive the toddler. Ervin is scheduled to appear in court on June 22 in front of Judge Jack Skeen, Jr.
WHITEHOUSE – On Saturday morning, the city of Whitehouse unveiled its new veterans memorial, a project of the inaugural Whitehouse Youth Community Council. The memorial was dedicated in remembrance of fallen veterans. The grand opening brought many people out including Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran and representative Matt Schaefer, according to our news partner KETK. “Today’s event to dedicate this memorial to Whitehouse was incredibly important. you know these monuments and memorials serve as a place for private reflection, and public acknowledgment of the sacrifices that have been given over the years, and that need to be given in the future years,†said Moran. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — Three men have now been arrested in Henderson County after authorities got a tip about a missing person’s case and eventually found a body. The deceased person, now identified as Jimmy Dean Oldfield, had been missing since May 11 and was reported to the sheriff’s office on May 15. Investigators found Oldfield’s truck, “cut into several pieces,” at a residence off Highway 85, just outside Seven Points. Arrested were 42-year-old Steven Joe Clowdus, 47-year-old William David Hux, and 22-year-old Dalan Joe Clowdus. The younger Clowdus was the last one captured; officials say he turned himself in. All are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity to commit murder. Hux was also charged with tampering with physical evidence.
PALESTINE — Residents continue to remember former Palestine ISD teacher and coach Michael Coyne. According to our news partner KETK, Coyne was killed by a wrong-way driver coming back from a Mavericks game on I-45 in Wilmer on Sunday night. Two students were in the car with him, and they were taken to a Dallas hospital for treatment. 14-year-old Rebecca Campa , and 15-year-old Reuben Vasquez are still in intensive care and will have to undergo several surgeries, but both are expected to recover. The woman driving the wrong was also killed in the crash, along with her two young children. A candlelight vigil for Coyne was held Thursday evening. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — A female inmate’s death at the Gregg County Jail has sparked an investigation from the Texas Rangers. According to our news partner KETK, staff at the North Jail found a woman unresponsive in her cell at 10:45 p.m. Thursday night. EMS was called to the cell block and she was taken to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead a short time later. The woman’s name has been withheld, pending family notification. The Texas Rangers have been called in to lead the investigation, which is standard procedure.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced his plan to run for re-election in 2024. According to our news partner KETK, Smith announced his intent to run at his birthday party on Thursday at the Sharon Shriners Event Center. Smith said that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be. Smith has been sheriff of Smith County for 9 years, getting his start in January 2013.
TYLER — The lead defense attorney for a former nurse convicted last year of murdering several patients pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to soliciting prostitution during the death penalty trial. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Hayes pleaded guilty to the state jail felony before 7th District Court Judge Kerry Russell. He was arrested back in November days after the high-profile trial concluded. According to an arrest warrant, an undercover deputy for the Smith County’s Sheriff’s Office posing as a prostitute made contact with Hayes in a text message. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Early elections for runoffs saw 3,058 republicans and 721 democrats for a total of 3,779 voters. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County election office says they have seen a total of 3,951 voters so far for Election Day, making for a great runoff voter turn out. “A lot of people think oh it’s the primaries and then oh it’s the runoff and they don’t realize that’s when for example the democrats are picking the Lieutenant governor, who’s going to run in the general election for lieutenant governor, for attorney general. This is a big deal,†said Nancy Nichols, electioneer. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Nearly three months after leading a four-candidate field in the March primaries, Jrmar Jefferson won a runoff against Victor D. Dunn, according to our news partner KETK. With his victory, Jefferson moves on to the general election in November against the Republican nominee, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. He faces an uphill battle in the heavily red district. The election will replace longtime Republican Representative Louie Gohmert, who generally won with more than 70% of the vote. In an interview with KETK News in March, Jefferson said, “I am the candidate of peace, I want to make sure we build and invest and build and educate and bring families back together here in East Texas.â€
SMITH COUNTY — A 22-year-old Tyler man has been arrested after an aggravated assault Monday night. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence on Garden Lake Road around 10:00 in reference to a shooting. The caller advised the suspect had fled the scene. Officials found the victim, Courtland Jamal Lyons, 25 of Athens, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. A deputy administered first aid prior to arrival of UT Health EMS. Deputies began searching the area for the suspect, Zion Michias Jenkins, 22, of Tyler. Jenkins was located and arrested a short time later. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has not been set. The condition of the victim is unknown.
SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas man who is facing a rape case in Gregg County is now accused of rape in a separate attack in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Morgan Cates, 27, of Henderson, was charged with the latest rape on Friday. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond. Cates had been arrested in Gregg County on Dec. 9, 2021, and charged with sexual assault for an incident on Dec. 27, 2020. He was released the same day after posting a $15,000 bond. KETK News obtained an arrest warrant for the Smith County incident, which stated the victim went to the police in January one day after the alleged attack. Read the rest of this entry »