Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
ATHENS — An elderly man was arrested Wednesday after he fatally shot a neighbor through the screen door of his home. 85-year-old Huey Edward Nichols has been charged with murder. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Nichols fired a single round from a 38-caliber revolver through the door, striking the victim in the upper abdomen. He died a short time later at a Tyler hospital. Officials say the unidentified neighbor went to the home to check the welfare of Nichols. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle, though the Nichols said he was threatened. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The CDC has recommended that those who are immunocompromised to get a booster shot. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. health officials could announce as early as this week that everyone can get a booster shot. Some vaccinated East Texans have said they would consider getting a booster. Health officials are expected to say the booster shot should be given eight months after receiving the second vaccine. “There’s been discussion about booster shots for a while now and at what point we may want a booster to get that extra immunity a booster can provide,†George Roberts, the CEO of NET Health, said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A case involving a wreck at Front and Palmer in Tyler is now being worked as a homicide. Police say the driver of a pickup that crashed into a power pole has been identified as Michael Lee Tucker, 29, from Tyler. Tucker died, and it was determined that he had been shot. The investigation led detectives to a residence on South Palmer, where the shooting appears to have occurred. Police said Tuesday afternoon that no suspect had been arrested and that the case was still under investigation. If you have any information on this case, contact Det. Martin at 903-531-1027 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Palmer remained closed north and south of Front at last report, with drivers urged to use an alternate route.
FRANKSTON — Police are investigating an alleged school shooting threat made toward Frankston ISD on social media Wednesday night. Our news partner KETK was sent a screenshot of the suspected post. It included a picture of a pistol that was posted on an Instagram story by an apparent student with the caption “I’m going to shoot the school.†The post was reported by students and parents to the district, who turned the investigation over to police. The district released a statement saying that police have been in contact “with the individual.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — It was a very busy Wednesday for the Tyler City Council. The Council voted to have the city examine traffic crash history on Grande Boulevard between Gleneagles Drive and Shady Oaks Drive, an area with a history of multiple traffic accidents. In another item, the Council agreed to development of a 30-year vision and master plan for wastewater treatment plants. According to a news release, the master plan will provide “a comprehensive review and evaluation of both the Southside and Westside Wastewater Treatment Plants.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Texas College will host a public COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, August 11, from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. The College will be collaborating with the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health), The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) GOOD HEALTH WINs initiative, as well as Dr. Shirley McKellar, City of Tyler Mayor Pro Tem and District 3-Northwest Councilmember. The clinic will be open to the public, and no appointment will be necessary to receive the vaccine. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — A Marshall man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping his ex-girlfriend from her home. According to our news partner KETK, On Aug. 6, around 11:20 p.m., authorities were alerted of a crash on Victory Drive. Responding officers found a man chasing a woman around the vehicle. The woman reportedly told officers she had been kidnapped. According to the police release, when the man began driving, the victim was able to grab the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to go off the road and crash. Erick Arellano Lozada, 21, of Marshall, was arrested and taken to the Harrison County Jail on Aug. 7. He’s been charged with aggravated kidnapping, abandon/endanger child criminal negligence, assault causing bodily injury family violence and driving while intoxicated.
EAST TEXAS (AP) – With the price of chicken soaring, the third-largest poultry producer in the U.S. is being bought for $4.53 billion. Cargill and privately held Continental Grain formed a joint venture to acquire Sanderson Farms. They will pay $203 per share in cash for a company that last year processed more than 4.8 billion pounds of meat. Restaurant chains have begun to offer their own variations of fried chicken sandwiches, further heightening demand for poultry. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES — Two teenagers were shot while sitting in their car at a Nacogdoches apartment complex early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches Police media relations officer Brett Ayres released a statement saying officers responded to the Orton Hill Apartments around 1:45 a.m. The shooters fled the scene before officers arrived. The two teens were taken to a Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Identities have not been released. Police are still combing through the scene for evidence and will release more information as it becomes available.
ATHENS — The Athens bus driver charged for a student’s death after a crash with a train in 2019 had his case delayed further on Thursday in a bizarre twist of events. According to our news partner KETK, a prosecutor from the Texas Attorney General’s Office did not show up to the hearing at the 392nd District Court in Athens. The hearing was set for 9 a.m. in front of Judge Scott McKee and when the case was called, no prosecutor was present. 81-year-old John Stevens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the January 2019 crash that killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Newly-elected 114th District Court Judge Austin Reeve Jackson and an East Texas pro-life activist have been sued by pro-choice groups in an effort to block the Texas “heartbeat bill†that was created by State Sen. Bryan Hughes and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year. Hughes, meanwhile, is continuing to defend the bill — and Jackson is striking back against the lawsuit. According to our news partner KETK, the bill is one of the most restrictive abortion bills since Roe v. Wade legalized abortion back in 1972. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 19-year-old man who is wanted for sexual assault. The suspect, according to our news partner KETK, was identified as 19 year old Eligah Johnson. He’s described as 5’7″ and weighs around 145 lbs. Johnson also has a birthmark above his left eye. Johnson has a warrant for the criminal offense of sexual assault, a second degree felony. The RCSO said Johnson is known to frequent the Kilgore area. Anyone with information is urged to contact the RCSO at 903-657-3581 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-8477. Individuals who provide information can remain anonymous.
LONGVIEW – A Longview man accused of beating a woman and trying to drag her across a gas station parking lot has been indicted by a grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Trashuad Biagas is charged with domestic violence for an incident that happened March 27 at the E-Z Mart gas station on Gilmer Road. According to a warrant obtained by KETK News back in April, Biagas allegedly hit the victim in the mouth because she did not want to stay with him. Investigators with the police department reviewed security footage at the gas station, showing the victim walking to the front of the store and Biagas chased her. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office says a woman was shot to death and her husband was shot and wounded Saturday night in their home. According to our news partner KETK, Mark James Lile, 37, of Gladewater, was being treated Sunday at UT Health Tyler for a “serious gunshot wound to the body,†a news release said. “It is suspected that his injuries were self-inflicted.†The identity of his wife was not released. The two were found about 7 p.m. Saturday in their home off Willow Oak Road in the Union Grove community when deputies arrived in response to a call of a shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police responded to a report of an aggravated robbery around 3:00 Friday on Spring Street. According to police, the victims were in front of their residence when they were approached by two men pointing guns at them. The suspects reportedly took the victim’s money and other items and fled in a a black Ford Fusion driven by another male. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A 43-year-old Kilgore man was sentenced to a little more than eight years in prison for drug trafficking violations. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Marcell Mumphrey, 43, plead guilty on March 20 of this year to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court on Feb. 5, 2020, Mumphrey was a passenger in a vehicle used to transport and distribute methamphetamine in Smith County. Mumphrey exited the vehicle and signaled to the buyer to approach the vehicle to complete the transaction.
WASHINGTON — A Congressional hearing on voting rights today includes several Texas Democrats. A trio of Texas Democrats will, today, testify before a Congressional Subcommittee that’s looking into what’s being done in Texas when it comes to voting laws. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson is one of them. She says it’s important that they’re part of the discussion. There will be a Republican testifying, today, too. State Rep. Travis Clardy from Nacogdoches is poised to defend the GOP plan, which seeks to roll back much of the voting expansion that was made during COVID.
TYLER — The newly renovated Fun Forest Pool, located at 900 N. Glenwood Blvd., celebrated the grand opening of the new facility this year on May 29. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, Fun Forest Pool has served over 250 people each day this season and will be closing for the season on Aug. 8. For more information, please contact Parks Admin at (903) 531-1370 or click here.
SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeing a shortage of 911 dispatchers, but this issue is bigger than the local dispatch center, according to our news partner KETK. “We’re seeing a short decline nationwide of good qualified candidates putting in for these kind of positions,†Sergeant Larry Christian said. Christian said it’s been difficult trying find new employees. Most of the workers are in training and can’t help carry the work load. Christian hopes when they get up to date, they can help fill the gap. “We’re handling it and we’re going to be okay,†Christian said. Read the rest of this entry »
CORPUS CHRISTI – Sonar Technician 1st Class Niccole Ewen, of Tyler, assigned to Navy Recruiting Station Corpus Christi, Division 7, Talent Acquisition Onboarding Center Alamo City, was presented two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals by Cmdr. Stephanie Simoni, executive officer, Navy Talent Acquisition Group San Antonio, at Navy Operations Support Center Corpus Christi. Ewen was awarded the medals last Thursday for her professional achievement while serving as a talent scout during the months of April and May 2021. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man wanted for a Tuesday night murder. According to Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, Coy Jones Sr. was arrested early Wednesday morning at a cemetery near Henderson. Jones has been booked into the Rusk County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, around 8:20 p.m., deputies did a welfare check at a home on CR 232 and found a white female dead. Her identity and cause of death were not released. The Texas Rangers were called in to begin a homicide investigation. An arrest warrant was then issued for Coy Jones Sr., of Henderson. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A police chase Monday through Longview led to the arrest of a White Oak man who allegedly assaulted two people during a robbery. According to our news partner KETK, 64-year-old Larry Farnham was arrested for burglary of a home and evading arrest in a vehicle. According to LPD, Farnham assaulted two people outside a home on Tenneryville Road. Police said he used a flashlight/stun gun on the arm and neck of one of the victims. The victim said Farnham took out a handgun and demanded car keys. Read the rest of this entry »
ARLINGTON (AP) – A runoff for a U.S. House seat in Texas is deciding who will fill the remaining term of Rep. Ron Wright, who died in February after contracting COVID-19. Voters in Texas’ 6th Congressional District on Tuesday were choosing between Republican Susan Wright, the widow of the late congressman, and Jake Ellzey, a Republican state legislator. Wright is a longtime GOP party activist and carries the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Ellzey finished second in a crowded field in May and is endorsed by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested after he barricaded himself inside a residence following a stabbing incident. According to our news partner KETK, 22-year-old Dequallian Thomas of Longview was charged with aggravated assault deadly weapon family violence. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail, according to the Longview Police Department. On Tuesday, officers received a “cutting just occurred,†call around 6:00 p.m. on E. Edgefield Avenue. Arriving officers found a man who had wounds to the head. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Health officials say the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has tripled locally as the Delta variant starts to affect families. Over the last week, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported a 76% increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations went up by 30%. Only 43% of Smith County residents are fully vaccinated, according to Texas Health and Human Services. “Three weeks ago, we were in the teens across the division, single digits in every hospital, nobody had a big run, very few ventilator patients. Three weeks later, the numbers have tripled,†Dr. Tom Cummins, Chief Medical Officer of UT Health East Texas, said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A man died from unknown causes at a Tyler ISD job site Saturday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, a police department spokesperson said the man died while working at the Tyler Legacy High School tennis courts. Other workers were reportedly present. Tyler PD said the body was sent for autopsy to determine the cause of death. His identity has not been released. Additional details were not available.
SMITH COUNTY — Nearly 30 people attended the third Smith County Citizen Input Meeting in Lindale Thursday evening to discuss the six-year Road and Bridge Capital Improvement Project, according to a news release. “It was a wonderful turnout,†Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips said. “This is what we hope for when we hold community meetings. It was great to hear from our citizens about the roads that are important to them.â€Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran and County Engineer Frank Davis explained the road bond program with the crowd of 27 people, and answered questions about specific roads. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an ATM robbery at a local bank early Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to an alarm just after 3 a.m. at American State Bank on Loop 323 and New Copeland Road. A silver pickup truck that is believed to belong to the robber was abandoned at the scene and investigators said they are trying to track him down on foot. The truck was left behind with the keys still in the ignition and the engine running. It is unclear how much money was stolen from the ATM or how many people were involved.
EAST TEXAS — Texas wants to allow social media users to sue if they get censored by a website. East Texas Senator Bryan Hughes compares Facebook and Twitter to a utility. Hughes says that access to social media sites has become as much needed as a television signal or a phone connection, because that’s how people get their news. Hughes says we are driven further apart when political views are muted. Florida passed a similar bill, but it was blocked last month by a federal judge who ruled that it was unconstitutional.
AUSTIN — A privacy bill authored by an East Texas senator was signed into law, and soon Texans should see fewer robo-calls as a result. According to our news partner KETK, Sen. Robert Nichols, of Jacksonville, authored Senate Bill 15 “to defend consumer privacyâ€. The bill will limit state agencies abilities to sell or disclose personal information to third parties. “Not only will your personal information be protected, Texans won’t have as many ‘robo-calls’ bothering them because of SB15,†Nichols tweeted. As it stood before this law, The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles were able to sell, disclose and allow the resale of personal information attached to vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »