Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man with several warrants was arrested after THC gummies were seized during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday night, a Harrison County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an alleged equipment violation. The stop led to the deputy performing a probable cause search on the vehicle where he reportedly found 6.3 grams of THC gummies. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 28-year-old Collin Gunn and it was reported that he had several warrants for his arrest out of Harrison County. Gunn was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. According to judicial records, Gunn has been booked into the Harrison County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, a meeting was held in the Smith County Commissioners Courtroom to vote on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and tax rate. According to our news partner KETK, the budget includes a tax rate of .347264 cents per $100 valuation. Due to the courthouse and parking garage bond that was approved by voters in November 2022, this will be an increase from the current tax rate of 33 cents. All items were approved and will go into effect on Oct. 1, the beginning of the county’s new fiscal year. The following items were voted on in regards to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget and tax rates: Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN (AP) — The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that could lead to his permanent removal from office is underway. The embattled Republican — one of former President Donald Trump’s biggest defenders — entered the state Senate on Tuesday to face accusations of bribery and corruption. Paxton did not stick around for the entire first day. He sat at the defense table Tuesday morning but did not return after lunch for opening statements. It isn’t clear when or whether he will return. The fate of the 60-year-old Republican is in the hands of the GOP-dominated Senate. Paxton has decried the impeachment as a “politically motivated sham” and says he expects to be acquitted.
SMITH COUNTY — Since the Smith County Burn Ban was issued a month ago, the County has seen 160 grass and brush fires, and nearly 80 reports of illegal burning. “It’s been a busy month across the board,†said Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley, who gave an update on fire conditions to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday. There have been 432 fire-related calls since August 1, and 40 citations have been given for illegal burning. A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500. “The emergency responders in the county are doing an outstanding job during an extremely busy time,†Findley said, adding that the investigators in the Fire Marshal’s Office are doing a great job. “You’ve got a great team out at the EOC.†He said their partnerships with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Constables’ Offices have also been great, with the other agencies helping them out tremendously on calls, both day and night. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Starting Tuesday evening, from 7pm to 5am, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) will conduct lane closures along Toll 49 for Gantry maintenance. The scheduled work will run through Friday, September, 8. Drivers should expect brief delays.
TxDOT project updates:
SMITH COUNTY — This week, crews are scheduled to mill and inlay on SH 31 west starting at the county line and heading west. The work will begin at the bridge and will be in the eastbound lanes up to Loop 49. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. This crew will then move to FM 724, under Loop 49, for mill and inlay work. The crew will then move to Spur 235 from SH 31 to SH 64. On Friday, crews will mill and inlay on FM 2493, inside Loop 323, near Windsor St. and Hardwood Dr. Also, ditch work will be performed at various locations throughout the county. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Firefighters in Harrison County were battling for 6 hours on Saturday to contain a 15-acre fire burning near Union Missionary Baptist Church off of Highway 59 South. According to our news partner KETK, Harrison County ESD 3 Fire Rescue, HCESD4 and the Texas Forest Service responded to the fire located just north of FM 2625 on Saturday. Officials suspect the fire was started by a mechanical failure on a vehicle passing by. Pasture and timber were the only things damaged in the fire and fire crews planned on coming back on Sunday to ensure burning stumps and fallen trees don’t spread the fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 15 acres across and 70 percent contained as of 8:31 p.m. on Saturday.
CADDO MILLS — A Friday night high school football game between Caddo Mills and Bullard was called early due to several injuries. Two medical helicopters were dispatched during the game. The injured players were said to be from the Caddo Mills team. In a Facebook post Saturday, Caddo Mills Superintendent of Schools, Luke Allison, posted an update: “I am happy to report that both boys were released early this morning. No internal injuries and no spinal damage. We all witnessed a miracle and the power of people coming together to pray. There is no other explanation! In addition, we had another student taken to the hospital, by parents, last night during the game. That young man has been released as well, and we are hearing great things. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers are conducting an officer involved shooting investigation. According to officials, a DPS trooper was conducting a traffic stop on US Highway 259, in Gregg County, around 10:30 Monday evening. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit, which eventually ended on FM Road 450 in Harrison County. The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area, followed by an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, was pronounced dead at the scene.
SMITH COUNTY — Jails in East Texas have been hurting for quite some time now due to staffing shortages. That’s why Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith is proposing another strategy to try and get the facility back up to full strength. “We’re 37 [employees] short in the jail right now,†said Smith. Smith went in front of the commissioner’s board earlier this week to present the current jail report. While filling open positions is still a problem, Smith told our news partner KETK that the biggest issue with the open jobs is that there is no relief factor. “That’s what got us in this situation,†added Smith. This means the jail doesn’t have enough staffing to cover every shift, especially when an employee calls out sick or goes on vacation. This also leads to more employees having to work overtime. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — One person was taken to a Tyler hospital with a gunshot wound, and several were detained following a shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments on Walton Road around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, occupants of two vehicles were shooting at each other while driving through the complex. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle. A vehicle that was allegedly seen leaving the complex was pulled over near the intersection of Loop 323 and Copeland Road. The two people who were in the car were detained and police found what they believe may be evidence of the shooting. The vehicle was then towed, according to Andy Erbaugh, Public Information Officer with the Tyler Police Department. Two adults and two juveniles were also detained at the apartment complex.
TYLER — A high-friction surface treatment was recently installed on the Grande Boulevard reverse curve. The treatment is one of two safety improvements recommended by the West Grande Boulevard Reverse Curve Study presented to the City Council in October 2022. According to a City of Tyler news release, an LED Curve Warning system is also being installed, with funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation. New signage, striping, and illuminated chevrons that light up as a vehicle enters the curve are scheduled to be installed later this fall. “The combination of the high friction surface treatment and the LED Curve Warning system are safety enhancements identified to address past crash history in this area,” said Traffic Engineer Cameron Williams. Read the rest of this entry »
WINONA — The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a new sheriff substation in Winona. The city said it is much needed in the area. “It’s not just for the city of Winona, it’s for the whole area,†said Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. According to our news partner KETK, one of the main issues that local officials in Smith County want to solve with the new substation is people speeding through Winona. “I can tell you right now, the citizens and the ones driving through Winona in the morning through the school zones in the big trucks going 60-70 near downtown Winona, that’s going to come to a screeching halt,†said Smith. Read the rest of this entry »
COFFEE CITY — The number of police officers in Coffee City equals about 20% of the town’s population. The population is 249, according to the city limits sign. But Coffee City has more than 50 full-time and reserve police officers. Records show the officers wrote more than 5,100 citations last year, and the town collected more than $1 million in court fines. More than half of the 50 police have been discharged in some way from their previous jobs, as shown from open records requests. Those prior disciplinary actions range from excessive force, public drunkenness, untruthfulness and association with known criminals. Police Chief John Jay Portillo says many were victims of internal politics. According to KHOU, a spokesperson for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement confirms the agency has an open investigation into the Coffee City Police Department but would not say if it concerns hiring practices or any other issues.
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man pleads guilty to leaving his baby beside the road while drunk. Paul Hanna, 38, admitted to child abandonment and endangerment in the incident that happened on the night of January 10th. A motorcycle rider found Hanna’s 1-year-old daughter in her car seat on the side of a road. The biker went to a nearby home and called 911. The little girl was picked up by family members. Hanna was found in his car at a nearby convenience store. He told officers his daughter was at his home with a full-time nurse who was also watching his 4-year-old son. Officers found him to be “uncredible and intoxicated.” Hanna faces up to 20 years in prison.
LONGVIEW — A man was arrested in Longview after a shooting left someone with life-threatening injuries last Wednesday. According to the Longview Police Department and our news partner KETK, officials were told about a shooting victim who was being treated at a Tyler hospital for a gunshot wound. During the investigation, detectives determined the shooting happened within the city of Longview. They issued a warrant for 25-year-old John Lee Smith III for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Smith was reportedly out on a $125,000 bond for murder and felon in possession of a firearm at the time. Longview SWAT served the warrant at a local residence last Friday and Smith was taken into custody without incident. The investigation is ongoing.