Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man plead guilty on Friday to two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, according to our news partner KETK. David Neill, 26, pointed a rifle at police officers after they responded to a domestic disturbance call January, 2018. He refused to comply with their demands to lower his weapon. Officers then shot at him three times. Neill was then transported to the hospital for treatment. He had an outstanding charge for drug possession. He has plead not guilty to that charge. A sentencing date has not been set.
TYLER — A Tyler man has been killed following a motorcycle wreck on Loop 323 Friday night. According to Tyler Police, the one vehicle wreck happened just after 9:00 on SSW Loop 323. Officers believe the motorcyclist, identified as Kenric Demond Hoil, 43, of Tyler, was attempting to avoid debris in the roadway when the wreck occurred. He was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries and died a short time later. The roadway was closed for several hours and has since reopened.
LUFKIN (AP) — Police who surrounded a house in eastern Texas because they thought they had a burglary in progress found a deer instead. The homeowner called Lufkin police early Thursday after she heard glass breaking. The woman hid in a closet and realized she had left her weapon in the kitchen. Officers were worried it could end up in the hands of the suspect. Video posted on Facebook shows officers entering the home, yelling, “Police! Let me see your hands!” Police say as the officers rounded a corner, they came “face to face with one very frightened doe.” An officer shouted “It’s a deer! It’s a deer! It’s a deer!” The officers used chairs to shoo the deer out the door.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department announced Thursday that due to ongoing safety concerns and complaints about the operation of golf carts on public roadways, officers will now begin issuing citations for anyone not meeting the legal requirements when operation a golf cart on a public roadway within city limits. The Texas Transportation Code (section 502.001) defines a golf cart as a motor vehicle. The legal requirements for motor vehicles apply to the use of a golf cart on a public roadway and requires the operator be a licensed driver and obey all traffic laws. The Texas Transportation Code (section 551.404) does allow for the operation of golf carts in certain municipalities or counties. However, the City of Tyler has not authorized the use of golf carts, with the required equipment, under this statue.
GREGG COUNTY — A former Carthage Junior High School teacher accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student used FaceTime to send a sexually explicit video of herself to that student, according to the Longview News-Journal. Lauren Nolan, 25, of Longview, has been indicted on a charge of improper relationship between educator/student. Nolan resigned from her job as a teacher and coach within Carthage ISD in 2018, with the district saying at the time she had engaged in “inappropriate behavior.†A Panola County grand jury indicted Nolan during their May session. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man has been booked into the Smith County Jail following a stand-off with police. According to Tyler Police, officers responded to a home on Stagecoach around 7:30 Monday evening for a welfare check. Family members told officials the man, later identified as Jesse Glynn Adams, 53, was off his medication and intoxicated. Officers approached the backyard where Adams was located when he fired several rounds at them. The officers took cover and called for assistance. The brief stand-off ended when Adams placed his weapon on the ground and put his hands up. Adams has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon. No injuries were reported. Bond was set at $4,000,000.
SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have identified a 14-year-old who was struck and killed by a boat while swimming at Lake Palestine Sunday evening, and a GoFundme page has been set up to help with funeral expenses. According to our news partner KETK, Roberto Carlos Bermejo Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene. The boat left the scene before officials arrived. Jeffery Hampton, 31, of Flint, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $750,000. Officials took blood to be sent off for a toxicology report. Hampton has previous convictions for DWI and drug possession. He was caught after deputies received a tip from a witness. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/carlos-bermejo-hernandez for more information.
FORT WORTH (AP) – A man who investigators say pointed a loaded rifle at North Texas police during a domestic disturbance call later held a flashlight when an officer fatally shot him. Fort Worth police on Monday said the officer who fatally shot Cody Wayne Seals was put on administrative leave amid the investigation into Saturday night’s death. Responding police and the suspect’s family say Seals loaded the rifle, pointed it at officers and then barricaded himself in a house. Police say officers determined Seals had military training, access to weapons and could have post-traumatic stress disorder. Police say officers were trying to negotiate with Seals when he came out, extended his arms and held an illuminating object consistent with a weapon-mounted light. Seals was shot while pointing the object at Fort Worth police.
ATHENS — The driver in a deadly Athens ISD bus crash has been indicted in Henderson County. According to our news partner KETK, John Stevens, 78, is facing charges of criminal negligent homicide, and injury to a child. The school bus he was driving was hit by a Union Pacific train on January 25 at the railroad crossing at Cream Level Road. The train pushed the bus to the next crossing at Murchison Street. The crash killed Christopher Bonilla, 13, after he was thrown from the bus. The accident also injured Joselyne Torres, 9. The Athens Police Department released a report on February 11 stating Stevens did stop before driving onto the tracks, in accordance with state law. Read the rest of this entry »
CANTON — The National Weather Service confirmed on Friday that seven tornadoes touched down in East Texas on Wednesday, including five in Canton alone. According to our news partner KETK, two of the Canton tornadoes were rated EF-0s, two as EF-1s, and one as an EF-2. Survey teams from the National Weather Service offices in Fort Worth as well as Shreveport had teams throughout the area examining damage and paths the systems left behind. The other tornadoes struck the Kemp/Mabank and Winnsboro areas.
EAST TEXAS — The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army arrived in Canton and Winnsboro Wednesday night to help tornado victims and first responders. According to our news partner KETK, the Salvation Army is providing water, coffee and snacks. The Red Cross of East Texas is also on the ground in Van Zandt County and Wood County. Both organizations are surveying the needs of the communities. “Right now, we’re doing disaster assessment. We’re going out seeing the damage and then providing financial assistance for families who are without a place to live because their home was destroyed,” Doug Hanning, with the Red Cross, said. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON — A Henderson two-year-old has been found safe after an Amber Alert was issued for the girl. According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson Police Department reported Ariel Smith was taken around 10:25 p.m. Tuesday from the Henderson Village Apartment Complex. Authorities say Smith’s mother lives at that complex off Highway 259. Authorities earlier identified the little girl’s father as her possible abductor. But officials say the man, Lamarcus Smith, 41, is not being considered as a suspect or being charged at this time. The investigation continues, and we’ll continue to provide updates as they come in.
GREGG COUNTY — A fatal wreck on I-20 early Friday morning is under investigation. It happened just before 2:00 on westbound I-20, 1/2 mile east of Kilgore. According to the Department of Public Safety report, the driver of a 2003 Ford Ranger experienced mechanical problems. The driver and a passenger began pushing the vehicle when it was struck by a semi-truck. The freight-liner also struck one of the men pushing the disabled vehicle. James Michael Evans, 56, of Kilgore, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the freight-liner was identified as William Rex Weimer, 42, of Burkesville, KY. He was not injured in the crash.
SMITH COUNTY — The body of a man has been found at the scene of a house fire Thursday morning in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Fire officials were called to a home on County Road 26, just south of Highway 31 east, between Tyler and Kilgore. Crews discovered the body around 7:30. Authorities believe the unnamed man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Additional details were not available.
HENDERSON – Henderson police continue their investigation of a shooting that left one person injured. Witnesses tell investigators that two persons with masks and firearms approached a home on West Lake Street. After the shooting, the suspects then returned to their vehicle, which was parked nearby. A man suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released. The investigation resulted in a search warrant for the house where a quantity of marijuana, narcotics and an undetermined amount of money was seized.
FORT WORTH (AP) — A Tyler man accused of abducting an 8-year-old girl as she was taking a walk with her mother in Fort Worth has been charged in federal court with kidnapping. Prosecutors say 51-year-old Michael Webb appeared in federal court in Fort Worth on Tuesday for an initial hearing and that he’ll remain in federal custody after being transferred from the Tarrant County jail. Webb was being held on a state charge of aggravated kidnapping following his arrest early Sunday at a Forest Hill hotel where he was found with the girl. Officers acting on a tip questioned Webb at the hotel but didn’t find the girl, then returned later after receiving another tip and found her. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police are searching for a gunman following a shooting in North Tyler. He has been identified as Patrick Deon Daniels, 33, of Tyler. In serious condition in a Tyler hospital, after being shot once in the chest, is Jacklyn Radway,36. Police public information officer Don Martin said Daniels is the father of Radway’s children. They were in the apartment when the shooting occurred, but were not injured. The shooting was reported shortly after 7:30 Tuesday morning at the Liberty Arms Apartments on North Broadway.
FORT WORTH (AP) — A man has been charged in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl who was snatched from a street in Fort Worth as she walked with her mother. Fort Worth police say the girl was found safe Sunday, about eight hours later, at a hotel in nearby Forest Hill. Police say Michael Webb, 51, of Tyler, was arrested on an aggravated kidnapping charge. He appeared in court Monday and his bond was set at $100,000. Officer Buddy Calzada says a man grabbed the girl Saturday evening, and sped away with her in a car. Police released surveillance video of the car. Police found Webb and the girl at the hotel after witnesses reported seeing the car there. She was taken to a hospital. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service in Shreveport will send a team to survey storm damage in East Texas Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the team is expected to concentrate on Smith and Harrison counties. Meanwhile, the service has issued flood warnings for multiple East Texas counties: Rusk County and Gregg County, set to expire Tuesday at 3 p.m.
LONGVIEW (AP) — Actor Matthew McConaughey has finally received his high school diploma, more than 30 years after graduating. McConaughey was given his original diploma Friday night when he returned to his Texas alma mater to address the class of 2019. A Longview High School spokeswoman told the Longview News-Journal that graduates normally receive diploma holders during commencement ceremonies and that the actual diplomas must be picked up later. She said McConaughey never got his. The 49-year-old graduated from Longview in 1988. He responded to receiving his diploma with one word: “proof.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — An accident on South Broadway in downtown Tyler caused traffic problems for about two hours Friday morning. Officers said an 18-wheeler ran into a power pole. Power lines were wrapped around the truck and in the roadway. The southbound lanes of Broadway Avenue were closed at Elm Street. Northbound lanes were closed at Front Street. Police reported late Friday morning that all affected roadways had been reopened. No injuries have been reported.
ALTO — A funeral procession was held Thursday afternoon for fallen Alto police officer Keith Radcliff. According to our news partner KETK, Officer Radcliff was on his way home Tuesday when he was called for a welfare check. The officer changed course and headed to the scene. While on the scene, the officer had a medical event and collapsed. He was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon. Chief Jackson has been the police chief in Alto since December 2011 and said this is the first time he has encountered a fallen officer. Radcliff was hired by Jackson about two years earlier. His funeral will be held at the First Baptist Church in Rusk on Sunday, May 19. Visitation will be at 1:00 and the funeral will be at 2:00.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Two persons have been killed and one injured in a shooting in Van Zandt County. It happened near Ben Wheeler just after midnight Thursday morning. The suspect shot at arriving shreiff’s deputies, who returned fire. The suspect was later found dead behind the house. A Man and a woman were taken to Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hosptial-Tyler for treatment of gunshot wounds, where the man died. No word on the woman’s condition. The Texas Rangers are heading up the investigation.
SMITH – A Smith County murder suspect has committed suicide. State prison system K9s have found the body Robert Melvin Galbraith, 63, of Tyler. It was found in a wooded area behind his home on County Road 2122. He is said to have died from a gunshot wound to the head. He had been named in an arrest warrant for the murder of Justin Ray Alec Cross, 18, of Holly Lake Ranch. His body was found Monday night on County Road 2122, off Old Omen Road between Highway 110 and Highway 64. Sheriff’s deputies had gone there Monday night after getting reports of shots fired in the area.
WHITEHOUSE — A 29 year old man was arrested Monday at McDonald’s in Whitehouse for continuous sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Jonathan Scott Evans, of Whitehouse, was booked into the Smith County Jail for continuous sexual abuse of a child, victim under 14. His bond was set at $500,000. “We had a warrant in hand and Jonathan Evans was arrested at 603 Hwy 110,” said Whitehouse Police Chief Ed Morris.
East Texas — Water levels are high at lakes across East Texas. Lake Tylerand Lake Cherokee are closed. Lake Gladewater, which had been reopened, has been closed again because of rising water levels. The city of Jacksonville has reopened Lake Jacksonville.
LUFKIN — Lufkin police are investigating what they say appears to be the accidental shooting death of 2 year Axton Richardson. He was at a family member’s home in the Inwood Terrace subdivision when the accidental shooting occurred around Thursday night. Paramedics rushed the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation.
EAST TEXAS – Only one Tyler road remains closed following the thunderstorms that moved through the area Thursday morning. Old Hickory Road will be closed to thru-traffic from Cumberland Road until further notice while crews work to repair a sinkhole. People living past the road closure on Old Hickory will be able to access their homes from Skidmore Lane by way of Paluxy Drive. Residents who observe the flooding of streets, creeks, overwhelmed or clogged storm inlets, or sinkholes are urged to contact City of Tyler Streets and Stormwater Management at 903-531-1393. For after-hours emergency issues, please call the City of Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.
TYLER — A Tyler man has now been charged with intoxication manslaughter following a wreck March 4. Ethan John Craft, 24, of Tyler, was booked into the Smith County Jail April 29 with bond set at $500,000. The wreck at Loop 323 and Paluxy left Dan Gonzalez, 24, of Tyler, dead at the scene. According to the original police report, a Jeep driven by Craft was traveling southbound on Paluxy at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light and hit the driver’s side of a Yukon driven by Gonzalez. Investigators say Craft’s blood/alcohol content was three times over the legal limit.
TYLER — UT Tyler Police are looking for the suspect accused of domestic violence at an on-campus apartment complex. According to our news partner KETK, Jaquavion Slaton, 20, is accused of physically assaulting, choking and pointing a gun at a woman Sunday afternoon at the Victory Village Apartments. He then fled on foot towards University Boulevard. Police say that Slaton should be considered armed and dangerous and that he has a history of assault. Slaton is described as 5’5″, 150 lbs with short, curly hair. He has a tattoo of a bird on the right side of his neck and was last seen wearing red shorts and a white shirt.