Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
TYLER — On Tuesday morning, the 2024 Miracle Child, representing Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances was introduced at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum with a small ceremony. This year, 4-year-old River Hardy was chosen, according to our news partner KETK. “He’s been our miracle child from the beginning,†said Kyla Hardy, River’s mom. Every year, the Miracle Child gets to do the honors and light the City of Tyler’s Christmas tree following the parade November 30th. “River was selected because he has accessed so many of our programs and services, and equipment that is fully funded by Children’s Miracle Network,†said Christina Mosier, manager of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CHRISTUS TMF. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department said that one person is dead on Sunday night after a pick-up truck reportedly hit a pole on the I-20 West on-ramp near Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, the fatal crash happened on the I-20 West on-ramp, and another crash reportedly happened nearby, but outside the jurisdiction of, Lindale PD. Officials said that the ramp has been cleared and is now back open to traffic. Additional details were not available.
TYLER — The City of Tyler said to expect traffic delays, lane closures and road closures on several roads that will be under construction from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Dec. 7. According to the City of Tyler and our news partner KETK, Tyler Park Drive, Becky Drive, Kingswood Drive, Top Hill Drive, Foxglove Circle, Foxglove Lane, Larkspur Lane, Whippoorwill Drive, Woodbridge Drive, Woodbridge Place and Ivy Trail will all be closed for asphalt overlay work. Officials said that crews will also be reconstructing and overlaying East Earle Street between East Front Street and Old Henderson Highway until Dec. 7.
GILMER — The community of Gilmer was in mourning on Saturday as funeral services were held for sisters Mandy Ray and Shakerrie Waters, our news partner KETK reports. The two were killed at a home off Highway 271 South near Bluebird Road on Saturday Nov. 4. A suspect in their murder 41-year-old Alvin McKnight Jr. was arrested in California on Wednesday night, according to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. “Big loss, big loss to our church, big loss for our community, you can see the crowd that was here, they touched the lives of so many people,†said Pastor Forrest Curry with Moses Chapel CME Church Gilmer. Many community members and many of the sisters’ family members and friends came out the service to pay their respects. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A march through downtown Tyler was held in support of the former Bishop of Tyler, Bishop Joseph Strickland on Saturday morning. Bishop Strickland was removed as the Bishop of Tyler by the Vatican last Saturday on Nov. 11. According to our news partner KETK, Bishop Strickland had become a “fierce critic of the pontiff and has come to symbolize the polarization within the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.†Earlier in the year, the Vatican sent two other Bishops to investigate the governance of the Tyler Diocese. Saturday’s march was organized by the Knights of The Republic and it started at 10 a.m. in downtown Tyler. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Jacob Ledbetter of Rockwall is the pioneer graduate of the state’s first of its kind master’s degree at UT Tyler. UT Tyler’s Masters of Science – Cybersecurity and Data Analytics program was fully established last year as an effort to aid the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This program is the first of its kind in the state of Texas to combine both cybersecurity and data analytics, according to UT Tyler and our news partner KETK. Ledbetter had always had an interest in computer forensics, deciding to change his career path after receiving his bachelor’s in criminal justice. “I made some sacrifices this past year to get to this point, and it has been a rewarding experience. Having no prior knowledge, I am thankful my professors and adviser were understanding and patient while providing me guidance.†Ledbetter said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler ISD held their annual “State of the District†where school officials discussed safety measures on their campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the event was held during the monthly Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where the superintendent of Tyler ISD, Marty Crawford, recognized the importance of school safety and said that a student cannot perform well if they don’t feel safe. “You know, our school system employs a police officer to put in every campus, and that’s unheard of across the state almost. That’s one thing that’s a challenge every day, but we think we’re seeing some success there because we have a solid safety and security department to keep our kids and our teachers safe,†said Crawford. The event honored first responders with the 2023 Community Partner of the Year Award where they presented plaques to 10 different agencies from the local, county and federal level in recognition of their commitment to creating a secure environment. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Cherokee County constable was indicted by a grand jury on an assault charge. According to our news partner KETK, the indictment stated James “Jamie†Beene is accused of hitting another man with his vehicle, causing serious bodily injury. Beene is the Precinct 4 Constable for Cherokee County. The indictment states that the incident happened on Oct. 26, 2021. Beene is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Records show that Beene was booked into the Rusk County Jail on the charge from Cherokee County on Nov. 9 and has since been released on a $25,000 bond.
SMITH COUNTY — On Wednesday, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office announced they are searching for a 17-year-old female last seen a week ago. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on missing person, Raelyn “Ollie†Smith, 17, who went missing on Nov. 7. Officials said she was last seen wearing a black shirt, shorts, black rim glasses and a black beanie. She has two tattoos, a moth and flowers on her left wrist and a seeing eyeball on her left forearm. Smith reportedly suffers from anxiety and depression but does not take medication at this time. She was last seen in the company of a 16-year-old. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.
TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, Lasabien Ford, 26, was arrested in January after an 8-month long search in the case where he was accused of hitting his infant son. According to his arrest warrant, Ford had held down the infant’s mother while she was holding the child and “continued to swing at her†resulting in the child being struck in the head with his fist. The warrant said the child went to the ER where a skull fracture was discovered.
BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. bishops inside a Baltimore hotel approved materials on how Catholics should vote in 2024 elections. Soon after, their recently ousted colleague and dozens of his supporters rallied outside the annual fall business meeting. Bishop Joseph Strickland is a conservative cleric who was recently removed by Pope Francis as head of the diocese of Tyler. His ouster followed his increasingly severe criticisms of the pontiff. Strickland prayed the rosary with dozens of supporters along the waterfront. Inside their conference room, the bishops approved a document about how Catholics should rely on the church’s teaching when making their ballot choices. The document restated many longstanding positions like opposition to abortion. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County officials said capital murder suspect Alvin Charles McKnight Jr. is in custody as of Wednesday night at 11:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb is expected to provide more information Thursday morning at the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Training Center. McKnight Jr. had been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List Tuesday. He was wanted after two sisters were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds on Nov. 4. McKnight’s sister was arrested for allegedly helping him flee Upshur County.
WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran was named the lone finalist for superintendent of San Angelo ISD on Monday by their board of trustees. According to San Angelo ISD and our news partner KETK, Moran will replace Dr. Carl Dethloff as superintendent, who plans to retire at the end of December 2023. The board of trustees is set to vote on Moran after a state-mandated 21-day waiting period. “It is a joy and honor to be named lone finalist of San Angelo ISD,†Moran said. “The Moran family is looking forward to joining a wonderful community in West Texas with strong values and a love for every student. We are committing our very best every day for the entire San Angelo community.†Moran is a 32-year veteran educator, and became superintendent of Whitehouse ISD in 2016. Whitehouse ISD said they are working with Moran to develop an interim plan until a new superintendent is hired. Read the rest of this entry »
BALTIMORE (AP) — Catholic leaders called for peace in a war-torn world and unity amid strife within their own clerical ranks on Tuesday, as U.S. bishops gathered in Baltimore for their annual fall meeting. The meeting came soon after two actions by Pope Francis that illustrated the divisive challenges facing the Catholic Church – removing one of his harshest conservative critics from his role as bishop of Tyler, Texas, and releasing a document conveying a more welcoming stance to transgender people than the official positions of the U.S. bishops. In his opening address Tuesday, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed empathy for those in conflict zones, from Myanmar to the Middle East. “We recognize and defend the right of Israel to exist and to enjoy a place among the nations,” said Broglio, who heads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.” At the same time, we know that the Palestinians … have a right to a land that is their own. The Holy See has long advocated for that right.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a fatal hit and run accident involving a pedestrian. It happened just before 10:00 Monday night at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Haynie Avenue. Arriving officers said the victim was severely injured and transported to a local hospital where he later died. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family. The vehicle that struck the victim left the scene. It’s described as a maroon or burgundy Yukon or Tahoe that will likely have front end damage. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Chamberlain at 903-531-1058.