Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has been notified that an individual is making calls to people claiming to be Tyler Police Sgt. Adam Parker. The caller is telling them they are involved in a civil matter that needs urgent attention and/or payment. This individual is masking his number with a Tyler Police extension. Residents should be aware that the Tyler Police Department will never contact them for payment of fines. You should never share personal information (i.e. address, social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone. Tyler Police detectives are investigating this case.
PALESTINE — A Palestine man has been charged with capital murder following the death of Nathaniel Torrez, four-month-old, according to our news partner KETK. Nathaniel was initially brought to the ER unresponsive on November 12 when doctors discovered that the he had numerous rib fractures, a fractured right arm, and a skull fractured that led to a brain bleed. The infant was transported to Houston for further treatment. The father of the infant, Jerry Torrez, 34, was arrested on November 12 for the charge of injury to a child causing bodily injury. The father was booked into the Anderson County jail where he has remained since his arrest. Nathanial Torrez died from his injuries December 14. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Monday night shooting in a residential area. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds at a home on Grand Avenue around 8:45. The victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. Evidence led authorities to West Carter Boulevard where casings, bullet holes, and traces of blood were found. Detectives believe that was the scene where the shooting took place. The suspect is still on the loose as police are asking for any information regarding the incident.
SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have arrested a person in connection with a man shot on Sunday in Longview — and according to our news partner KETK, authorities confirm the victim has died. Ladarius Bell, 26 of Tyler was eventually dumped from a car to the side of the road. Bell was discovered with a gun shot wound to the head and air lifted to U.T. Health in Tyler, where he remained in critical condition until succumbing. An all points bulletin was sent out by the Smith County Department. Longview Police Department determined that the shooting occurred in Longview, identifying two individuals who were in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — The mother of Madison Williams, the 3-year-old Chapel Hill child who drowned in August, has been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Tiffany Snyder, 29, was indicted December 5 on two charges, injury to a child and possession of a controlled substance. On August 18, authorities with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to CR 210 between CR 850 and HWY 64 regarding a missing child. After several hours of searching, law enforcement located the body of Madison in a nearby pond on the property. Snyder was arrested that same day. She is being held in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $202,500.
HENDERSON COUNTY — The Athens ISD bus driver from January’s deadly crash that killed one student was back in court on Wednesday for another status hearing. According to our news partner KETK, the first pretrial hearing for the case has been set for February 5 in the 392nd District Court in Athens. John Stevens, 79, is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the bus he was driving collided with a Union Pacific train in Athens January 25. The collision killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla after he was ejected from the bus and severely injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. Stevens was also injured in the collision. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Many voters were left concerned in the November elections after one polling place closed and voters waited hours in line. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran stated that the fall elections did not meet expectations and expects changes in the future. “Our November elections did not occur up to standard, we did not fulfill our obligations to this community to do elections in the way they need to be done, they were accurate, but we had a lot of problems we need to address,†said Judge Moran. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — New information has been released regarding an officer involved shooting in Marshall. Following a weekend filled with rumors and speculation, The Texas Rangers have allowed the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office to release more information regarding an officer involved shooting that occurred late last week. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jay Webb said have been rumors and comments over the number of times the suspect was shot. Webb says the man was shot one time, according to the medical examiners office and The Texas Rangers office. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL (AP) – Officials say East Texas deputies trying to serve a search warrant fatally shot a man who tried to speed away from the scene. A spokesman for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says special tactics deputies were trying to serve the narcotics warrant about 11 a.m. Thursday at a house in southwestern Marshall when 31-year-old Demetrius Williams tried to flee the scene in a minivan. Lt. Jay Webb says while trying to speed away, Williams tried to run over a deputy. That’s when deputies opened fire, killing Williams. There were no other injuries. Webb said Williams was the subject of their investigation. Sheriff Tom McCool has asked the Texas Rangers to investigate the shooting, and Chief Deputy Brandon Fletcher said the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
TYLER — The Tyler Christmas Parade will take over the Square tonight. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. in downtown Tyler and is followed by the 34th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza immediately after the parade.This year’s theme is “Rotary Connects the Worldâ€. Santa Claus will be taking photos immediately following the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photos with Santa Claus will be limited to 30 minutes following the ceremony. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an aggravated kidnapping. It started around 11:30 Saturday afternoon following a report of a stabbing at the Lodge Apartments, 2709 S. Broadway. Police say the suspect, Ronnie Lee Rinehart, 34, came home from work that morning and became very aggressive towards his 29-year-old common law wife and her three small children ages 6, 8 and 9. Rinehart took her and the children to the back bedroom, tied, and gagged them, threatening them with a knife. The woman was able to free herself from the restraints and grabbed the knife. The two struggled over the knife, when Rinehart was stabbed in the back. The mother and her children were able to run from the apartment and call police. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Monday following Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. With everyone shopping online and sharing their credit card information over the internet, the Better Business Bureau wants to remind everyone of the risks. According to our news partner KETK, in 2018, American consumers spent a record-breaking $7.9 billion in online sales on Cyber Monday alone. The BBB warns that scammers are well aware of the amount of spending and are keen to take advantage. They say to watch out for false advertising and to keep a close eye on the web address on your browser. Scammers are known to create look-a-like websites, which is why anti-virus software is important. It can often detect non-secure websites and phishing scams. Read the rest of this entry »
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific wants a court to invalidate an 1872 pact requiring it to keep a certain number of railroad jobs in the Texas town of Palestine indefinitely. The agreement has been amended several times over the decades and is a vestige of railroad history made by one of the railroads Union Pacific bought years ago. The lawsuit challenging the agreement was filed Wednesday in Texas. The railroad argues the agreement is invalid because railroads are regulated by the federal government, and this deal requiring jobs be maintained in Palestine improperly limits its options. Palestine City Manager Leslie Cloer says she hasn’t seen the lawsuit, but she hopes Union Pacific will maintain its operations in Palestine.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A man wanted on felon warrants was arrested Monday night near Mabank following a tip. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Jesse Aaron Garner, 39, was arrested after a tipster said he would be at a gas station on State Highway 198. Garner was wanted on three felony warrants for stealing a vehicle, evading arrest with a vehicle and bond forfeiture. During the routine pat down, the arresting deputy saw an orange syringe tip fall from Garner’s lap, which led to him confessing to having two baggies with meth hidden in his socks. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail.
TYLER — The city of Tyler plans to reopen Harvey Convention Center Monday if that’s approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health). The city temporarily closed the convention center this week in the wake of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that killed one person and sickened seven others. The city has since been notified by the CDC that, though testing for Legionella is positive at Harvey, the bacteria strain found in samples from Harvey was not consistent with the strain that caused the outbreak. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY — An East Texas man will spend the next 10 years behind bars after a jury sentenced him for assaulting a Big Sandy Police Officer earlier this year. In January, Thomas Paul Carroll, 28, was seen by Officer Taylor Fast stumbling across HWY 80 and believed he was drunk. According to our news partner KETK, the deputy attempted to arrest him when Carroll hit him in the face. During the ensuing fight, Carroll grabbed Fast’s taser and charged him. Fast was able to subdue him and place him into custody. Carrol has a lengthy record that includes assaulting family members and drug possession.
TYLER — UT Health East Texas EMS and Champion EMS have settled a lawsuit regarding ambulance services in Tyler. The lawsuit claimed Champion was infringing on a contract ETMC has with the City of Tyler, Smith County and the Smith County Emergency Management Service. ETMC has asked the court to order Champion to stop performing ambulance services in the region, while Champion contends ETMC conspired to form an illegal monopoly. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, UT Health East Texas EMS will continue to operate its ambulance service under the exclusive contract arrangement with the City of Tyler and Smith County. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler ISD has announced a new position to deal with campus safety. Jeffrey Millslagle has been hired as the district’s new Director of Safety and Security. Millslagle will lead the charge to ensure safety measures and emergency preparedness for all Tyler ISD facilities are in line with today’s school climate. Over the span of his 26-year career with the FBI, Millslagle has managed and directed investigations of counter-terrorism, violent crimes, drugs, white collar crimes, and crisis management. Millslagle also served two FBI deployments in Iraq in 2004 and 2007. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County leaders launch an investigation after the most recent election caused concerns with voting machines and a gas leak causing a location to close. According to our news partner KETK, after several complaints from Smith County voters, Judge Nathaniel Moran says the county can do better. “We are looking at all of those issues that have been brought to our attention last week, and we want to investigate each one to ensure we understand fully what happened, and to understand how we can address that before the March primary,†Judge Moran said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man accused of drugging and raping a John Tyler student back in 2009 has been formally indicted by a Smith County grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Robinson, 63, is accused of sexually assaulting a then-John Tyler student and getting her pregnant. According to an arrest warrant, Robinson is now suing for custody of the child. Robinson is charged with sexual assault of a child. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. His first court appearance is set for December 16.
KILGORE — The family of a Kilgore woman missing for three weeks said she has been found safe. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Police had been searching for Chelsey Thompson, 30, after her family reported her missing after getting into a vehicle with an unidentified person. Details of her location or circumstances were not provided. Thompson’s sister said it was not uncommon for Chelsey to be gone for a week or so, but she always returned home until recently.
GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County officials are investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened around 5:45 p.m. at Barracudas Gas and Grill on Highway 149 in Easton, just north of the Gregg County line. One person was injured and taken to the hospital. Authorities say the shooter left the scene. The sheriff’s office is asking for anybody with information to contact them right away.
TYLER — The CEO of NET Health has sent KETK a statement confirming the death of a man who contracted Legionnaire’s disease. According to our news partner KETK, the statement reads, “NET Health has learned of the death of one of the confirmed Legionnaires Disease cases. We are sorry to hear of the loss and send our heartfelt condolences. NET Health is devoted to the ongoing investigations of the situation.†Family and friends on Facebook have identified the deceased as Ruben Gutierrez, a longtime Tyler community leader, an advocate for immigrant rights, and precinct chair for the Smith County Democratic Party. Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The remains of a soldier from Alba killed during the Korean War have been identified after almost 70 years. According to our news partner KETK, the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday that Army 1st Lieutenant George S. Crisp, 24, of Alba, killed in 1950, was accounted for Sept. 3, 2019. Crisp was an officer in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces at Sinhung-ri, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He was reported to have last been seen near Hagaru-ri, but his remains could not be located. The U.S. Army declared Crisp dead December 12, 1950. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Prosecutors will continue to present their case against Damian Mosley in the second day of his capital murder trial for killing Billy Stacks back in January 2017 during a gas station robbery. According to our news partner KETK, opening statements were given and then over 10 state witnesses testified to help establish the basic facts of the case. Smith County DA Jacob Putman gave a near 30-minute opening statement, talking about how Stacks, 62, worked at the gas station for over 13 years. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON — Henderson ISD school board member Jonathan Best has been indicted on a criminal mischief charge for allegedly sabotaging his opponent Adam Duey. According to KETK, Best is accused of hiring teenagers to steal signs as well as putting sugar in the gas tank of Duey’s truck in an attempt to hold on to his seat on the Henderson ISD school board. He has vehemently denied the allegations and released a statement through his lawyer. It read in part: “Jon knows he did not ask these boys to do any of the mischief for him, nor did he pay them to remove any signs or damage any vehicle.†The charge against Best is a state jail felony and he can face up to two years in prison if convicted. Duey wound up unseating Best in the Nov. 5 election 298-170.
EAST TEXAS — Unofficial election results are in. According to Smith County’s website, there are 138,290 registered voters in Smith County. Texans considered 10 statewide propositions Tuesday during the election. According to our news partner KETK, Proposition 1 – Failed. Final results show, 65% voted no and 35% voted yes. The proposition would have allowed a person to serve as more than one appointed or elected municipal judge, assuming the person was appointed to each of those positions. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — A man and woman from Athens have been arrested for possession of meth following early morning traffic stop. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Patrick Massey, 48, and Dana Mccormick, 47, were stopped for a vehicle violation around 2:30 Tuesday morning. During the stop, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana and found a glass pipe and two baggies of meth. Massey said he was trying to hide the drugs in his socks when the pair was being stopped. He said he had the marijuana because it was his birthday. Massey’s meth was hidden in his right, front pants pocket. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Prosecution swore in witnesses on Monday morning for the capital murder trial of a Tyler man. According to our news partner KETK, Dameon Mosley is accused of shooting and killing Billy Stacks during a robbery of a gas station in January 2017. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Mosley. Testimony for the case could begin on Thursday, or Tuesday of the following week. Two other suspects, Lamarcus Hannah, 35, and Kedarius Oliver, 26, were also arrested for their involvement in the robbery and have also been charged with capital murder.
EAST TEXAS — Seven confirmed cases and five possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in the Northeast Texas region. The NET Health Disease Surveillance Division is working with organizers of the East Texas State Fair and local health officials to investigate any connections of these cases with attendance at the East Texas State Fair this year (September 20th – 29th). Anyone who attended the East Texas State Fair, and is showing symptoms, is urged to discuss Legionnaires’ disease with your health care provider immediately. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may include cough, high fever, weakness, muscle aches, headaches and shortness of breath. Read the rest of this entry »