Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County authorities say there is no evidence of foul play in connection to the death of an inmate at their North Jail facility on Tuesday. According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, jail staff were conducting observation floor walks when they saw a 64-year-old inmate unresponsive in his cell. “Jail staff along with jail medical staff began immediate lifesaving procedures,†the statement read. “The inmate was transported to a local hospital by EMS personnel where he was later pronounced dead.†The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office notified the Texas Commission on Jail Standards about the death. Per policy, the Texas Rangers were notified and are investigating. The inmate’s identity will be released after his next-of-kin has been informed.
PALESTINE — The City of Palestine announced a water outage in some parts of the city for Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the water outage will occur on East Park Ave from Lakeview Ave to East Neches Street on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., or until repairs can be completed. Officials said if the public has any questions or concerns to contact public works at 903-731-8423.
TYLER — A post office has been damaged after a man allegedly crashed into the building before 3 p.m. on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK and Andy Erbaugh, the Public Information Officer for Tyler PD, it is suspected that the man was parked at front of the Azalea Post Office on 2627 S. Broadway Ave. when he put the car in drive instead of in reverse. The driver damaged the front of the building, going through the glass walls. No one inside was injured, but the driver sustained injuries due to the airbag opening, Erbaugh said. The post office reportedly remains open.
TYLER — Mary Ruth “Ruthie†Graham earned her Bachelor’s degree from UT Tyler School of Nursing on her 72nd birthday. According to the university, Graham walked across the stage to receive her diploma on Dec. 8. Graham said in a release that after bonding with the nurses that helped her with the births of her four children she had decided that she wanted to help women in the same way they helped her, our news partner KETK reports. “I’d wanted to complete college all of these years, and this was my opportunity,†Graham said. “I knew it was my time.†She had earned her RN license in 1994 and worked in labor and delivery for 13 years. While working she helped her children through their own academic endeavors including four bachelor’s degrees, two master’s degrees and one pursing their Ph.D. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A former ranch manager was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to cattle theft. According to our news partner KETK, Jesus Sergio Perez-Sanchez, 67, was first investigated back in Dec. 2021, where he was accused of putting three yearlings up for auction and placed one of them in his name without the landowner’s consent. He was then accused of taking a bull and a cow to an auction where he placed the cow under his own name, again, without the landowner’s consent. Perez-Sanchez was arrested for two counts of theft in March 2022 after officials said the landowner “noticed discrepancies in cattle sales and called Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers.†According to Smith County judicial records Perez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to theft of cattle/horse/exotic livestock less than $150,000 on Dec. 8. He was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday.
TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank has a new resource center opening later this month that they say will allow them to serve more people than ever. According to our news partner KETK, they plan to serve 500 families per week and provide 756,000 meals each year with the new Tyler Resource Center at Robertson Road. The Tyler Resource Center will include a “Healthy Food Pantry†as well as access to other services to help families reach self-sufficiency. Other services include health screenings, rental assistance and help with SNAP benefits. “It’s just really all of the type of services that are available in the community,†East Texas Food Bank CEO David Emerson said. “We’re able to bring them here because we’re going to have 500 families every week showing up to get services and so they’re going to be able to learn about these other services. And we can then cooperate with those other partner agencies to get them everything, hopefully, that they need.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler Police closed a portion of Loop 323 Monday following a report of a suspicious package. According to officials, Tyler police and fire responded to a call of a suspicious property condition around 11:30 a.m. in the Whataburger parking lot located at 345 SSW Loop 323. The bomb squad was called to the scene. Around 2:20, the “suspicious property condition investigation†has been determined by Tyler PD to pose no real danger, and Loop 323 has been reopened. Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said the item was an empty safe that was open with wires exposed that were likely connected to the keypad before the safe was pried open.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced two upcoming lane closures on I-20 in Van Zandt County this week. On Monday and Tuesday, the eastbound and westbound outside lanes at I-20 and FM 859 will be shut down as a part of a bridge replacement project at FM 859. According to DPS, this is east of Splash Kingdom in Canton. According to our news partner KETK, the eastbound and westbound outside lanes at I-20 and FM 47 will be shut down Wednesday and Thursday as a part of a bridge replacement project at FM 859.
SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas county rules that a Jewish menorah cannot be displayed on a public square. Commissioners in Smith County decided not to permit the display of the Jewish symbol during the observance of Hanukkah. County Judge Neal Franklin said in recent years the county has allowed only secular holiday decorations on the downtown Tyler Square to avoid lawsuits and demands from fringe religious groups demanding to display symbols. Tyler Rabbi Neal Katz says the menorah has been displayed in the past without controversy, but the display broke a few years ago and was only replaced this year. Katz says the decision is “antagonistic” to the Tyler Jewish community.
UPSHUR COUNTY — A man was sentenced to prison after injuring a man and pregnant woman in a drunk driving crash. According to our news partner KETK, Rodney Seahorn, 48, left a residence in White Oak and traveled North toward Gilmer in early April. He allegedly entered the intersection of FM 1844 illegally and in the wrong lane of traffic. Authorities said he collided with a husband and wife who were reportedly driving to Longview to celebrate the wife’s birthday, who was seven months pregnant at the time. Officials said the victims had to be cut from the vehicle and their bodies were crushed. The baby reportedly had to be surgically removed and was placed in the NICU for an extend time. Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER — The shelter in place issued in Gladewater Wednesday following a gas leak has been lifted, according to Fire Chief Mike Simmons. Simmons said construction workers were installing a new utility pole when they accidentally hit a 4-inch gas pipe. The gas leak affected two schools, 12 businesses and nearly 50 homes, our news partner KETK reports. Though gas leaks can be serious, Simmons said he believes the quick response from all crews at the scene prevented anyone from getting hurt or sick. According to a release, officials ask anyone returning to the area affected by the gas leak to open all doors and windows and ventilate their homes for at least an hour or more. Officials warn people not to relight pilots or other flame and heat sources until ventilated to be safe. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The trial has begun for Daniel Nyabuto, who was charged in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Nyabuto’s trail began with opening statements from the prosecution and defense. Nyabuto was charged with intoxicated manslaughter in connection to the death of Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. In the first half of the day, multiple witnesses were called to the stand to share what they remembered from that night. “I got out and I ran towards the accident and just asked the other officer how I could help,†said Jacob Miller, a witness. The judge then took a 30 minute recess to allow both sides to discuss the evidence. Detective Michael Skinner, a witness, who was training deputy Bustos the night he was killed, explained what Bustos was doing when the incident occurred. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY — The man accused of murdering two East Texas sisters has been extradited from California. Alvin McKnight Jr. was captured in San Bernardino, California on November 15. He’s accused of fleeing to the Golden State after the capital murders of Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37, and Mandy Ray, 35, at a home near Gilmer on November 4. McKnight, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb, deputies and DPS Officers landed at East Texas Regional Airport Tuesday afternoon. They flew in a DPS plane. McKnight was in handcuffs during the entire flight. McKnight was arraigned Wednesday in Gilmer. The 41-year-old is being held in the Upshur County Jail with bond set at $5 million. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — On Monday morning, Smith County’s 7th District Court conducted jury selection for the trial of Daniel Nyabuto vs the State of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Nyabuto, 22, of Grand Prairie is charged in connection with killing Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. In July of 2022, while Bustos was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 155 he was reportedly killed by Nyabuto’s vehicle rear-ending his patrol car. In October of 2022, Nyabuto was indicted on two charges in connection to Busto’s death: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and intoxicated manslaughter causing the death of a peace officer. Opening statements were to be delivered Tuesday morning. Nyabuto’s defense preciously filed a motion to transfer venue to Cherokee County, but the trial will go on in a Smith County court. 7th District Judge Kerry Russell will oversee the trial.
WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce said that they’ve filed a police report with the Whitehouse Police Department after alcohol was allegedly thrown out at their Christmas parade on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the incident was discussed at length in the Whitehouse Texas, Rants, Raves, & Recommendations Facebook group. Several members of the group reported that the truck was tossing bottles of alcohol and other items out to parade watchers. Ashley Westerfield with the Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce chimed into the Facebook thread to apologize for what allegedly happened: “I am the Admin for the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce. The truck that did this was NOT a registered entry in the parade. He went behind Holloway and snuck into the parade line between floats. A complaint was filed with the Police department as soon as we were told about it. They have a picture of his truck, License plate and the name of his company. This was NOT an approved float. We apologize for anything that was handed out by this individual and his passengers.†Read the rest of this entry »