Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
HENDERSON COUNTY — A man suspected of dealing drugs is arrested following a traffic stop. Jamel Garrett, 29, was pulled over on State Highway 31 around 3:45 Monday afternoon after committing several traffic violations. A search of the vehicle uncovered what deputies believed to be crack, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax and marijuana. A loaded stolen gun was found in the trunk. Garrett was charged with two felony counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. The passenger, Keshon Thomas, 25, was charged with possession of marijuana.
SMITH COUNTY — In an impassioned speech Monday morning, Grassroots Executive Director JoAnn Fleming was critical of the Smith County District’s Attorney’s Office handling of vacation time. KETK reports, Fleming said their organization planned to bring forward the issue after the election, but expedited their findings after First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes issued a statement on Facebook in regard to the matter. Sikes released her statement after a DPS memo was shared revealing District Attorney candidate Jacob Putman had contacted the Texas Rangers for whistleblower protections. The documents also stated Putman did not care if the information was acted upon, but wanted protections if District Attorney Matt Bingham tried to fire him. Read the rest of this entry »
DIANA – A 9-year-old girl has died after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 6:00 Monday night on SH-154 in Upshur County, just east of the city of Diana. Troopers said Isabella Grace Smith, Diana, was crossing the road to check the mail when she was hit by a truck driven by Patrick Johnson, 59, of Harleton. The driver was unable to see the child and struck her in the roadway. Smith was transported to Good Shepherd Medical center Longview where she was later pronounced dead. The crash remains under investigation.
TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested a man for impersonating a police officer. Officer responded to an aggravated assault report around 12:30 this morning on Highway 64 and Loop 323. The victims said a man driving a silver Ford Explorer had tried to pull them over and had displayed a handgun in the process. The victims were able to get the license plate and police found the vehicle a short time later at Broadway and the Loop. Khristian Welch, 18, admitted to trying to pull the victim’s vehicle over after observing them run a red light. A red and blue strobe light was found on the front seat of the Explorer. Welch was booked into the Smith County Jail on an impersonating a public servant charge. Police are also investigating a similar report around 7:00 Thursday night. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — One person was taken to the hospital following a Thursday morning shooting in Flint. According to KETK, it happened shortly before 6:15 on Frederick Circle, just off Highway 69 South. A male was shot in the backyard of the home. Smith County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Darrell Coslin said the man accidentally shot himself in the shoulder. The wound is not life threatening.
TYLER — Tyler Police are asking drivers to avoid the intersection of Shiloh and Paluxy following a traffic accident. It happened around 9:00 when a driver, traveling westbound on Shiloh Road, left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The driver was not seriously injured. All east and westbound lanes of Shiloh are closed east of Paluxy. Power outages have been reported in the area.
TYLER – Tyler police are searching for the suspect accused of robbing the Walgreen’s on south Broadway. It happened Friday morning around 12:40. Store employees told officers a white man approached the pharmacy staff and demanded drugs. His hand was in the pocket of his jacket, mimicking a gun, and he is said to have threatened to kill the staff if they did not cooperate. The suspect is described as being approximately 6’ tall, heavy set, wearing a black Under Armor hoodie with a white or gray emblem on the front, red, checker pattern ball cap, jeans and boots. He was last seen leaving the parking lot in dark colored 4 door hatchback vehicle. Contact Tyler police with any information.
GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man has been arrested after police said he threatened to shoot White Oak police officers. According to the Longview News-Journal, the threats were made in videos shared via Snapchat. Ross Lagrande Lindsey, 21, was being held in the Gregg County Jail under $50,000 bond, charged with obstruction or retaliation. Gregg County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him Friday. In one video, police said Lindsey posted from inside the lobby of the White Oak Police Department. Lindsey had posted the videos without a username, but officers recalled seeing him in the department lobby and had previously arrested him. Read the rest of this entry »
HOUSTON (AP) – A new analysis finds that Latinos and African-Americans in five Texas metro areas, including Longview, were more likely to be denied a conventional mortgage loan when compared to non-Hispanic whites. The review of millions of federal records by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting found that redlining has persisted in 61 metro areas around the U.S. Redlining is the practice of charging more or denying services such as loans based only on reasons related to such things as race, national origin and religion. In Texas, the review of data from 2015 and 2016 found this modern-day redlining in Corpus Christi, the Killeen-Temple area, Longview, the San Antonio-New Braunfels area and Waco. Fair housing advocates and researchers in Texas say they’re not surprised by the review’s findings.
HENDERSON COUNTY — The fugitive parents of a baby that was shot in the face have been arrested. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Bryanna Timms, 34, and David Whittick, 33, were caught in Hopkins County near Sulphur Springs late Tuesday. Hillhouse said the couple fled the his county to avoid arrest but his office received a tip that they had been apprehended. An arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday morning and they had reportedly agreed to surrender later that day. The two are charged with endangerment of a child and making a firearm accessible to a child. The 18-month-old survived the shooting and has since been placed in foster care.
TYLER – Tyler police have arrested a suspect in a Tuesday morning robbery. Hunter Dean Milligan, 22, of Tyler, is accused of robbing the Food Fast on West Houston Street. It happened at 12:05am. He is said to be the man who was armed with a butcher knife who took an undisclosed amount of money and then fled on foot. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated robbery. His bond was set at $200,000.
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man is arrested on drug charges Sunday. Henderson County Deputies were patrolling the Seven Points area looking for a woman wanted on outstanding warrants. Instead, they found a man with methamphetamines and several pipes. Gary Dewayne Ramsey, 42, of Kemp, was arrested in a camper trailer behind a home on Spring Velley Drive in the Seven Points area. A glass pipe was initially discovered inside the camper. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of Feb. 12, 2018. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Smith County, the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route will be conducting single lane closures of the I-20 westbound mainlanes and the frontage road for Toll 49 bridge work. The closures of the various lanes will occur throughout the week. Local law enforcement will be assisting with work zone traffic control. Message boards have been installed to provide advance notice of the closures. Motorists should remain alert when traveling through this and all work zones. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — A three vehicle wreck east of Athens has left one person dead. According to the DPS report, around 2:00 Sunday afternoon, a passenger vehicle traveling west on US-175 toward Athens and possibly have hydroplaned on the wet roadway. The car veered into the path of a truck tractor semi-trailer that was traveling eastbound. The female driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Two juvenile passengers were transported to ETMC- Athens, their condition are unknown. A third vehicle struck the disabled passenger car. The crash remains under investigation. Identities have not been released.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Investigators in Norman say the theft of tires and rims from vehicles at a Norman car dealership appears similar to thefts reported in Texas, including Tyler. Norman police say tires and rims were discovered missing removed from about 40 vehicles at a car dealership in Norman on Monday. Officers say rims and tires were removed from about 40 vehicles and the vehicles were sitting on wooden blocks. Investigators estimate that 160 rims and tires were taken from the dealership. Investigators believe that the suspects entered the dealership by cutting the lock on the gate and then turned off the lights in the dealership’s parking lot to conceal their movements. The group targeted trucks as well as SUVs and cars. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — One person was taken to the hospital early Sunday after a shooting at a nightclub west of Kilgore. According to the Longview News-Journal, Gregg County sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident before 4 a.m. at Club Sensation on Texas 31. The victim sustained non life-threatening injuries, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Cpl. Joshua Tubb. Tubb said officials believe no one else was injured in the incident. Deputies are working to identify the suspected shooter. No arrests have been made.
KILGORE — Kilgore College trustees will consider tuition and student fee increases for the 2018-19 school year during a board meeting Monday. According to the Longview News-Journal, the board’s agenda indicates trustees will weigh the fee increases following a report from the chair of their investment and finance committee, Trustee Joe Carrington. The board last raised tuition and fees a year ago. Tuition increased $5 an hour for in-district students and $6 for out-of-district scholars. That brought those respective hourly tuition rates to $73 and $146. Trustees blamed that increase on a declining number of credit hours being taken, a factor that determines state aid. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — A bill named after an East Texas woman will now make its way to the desk of President Donald Trump. Early Friday morning, H.R. 582, the Kari’s Law Act of 2017, filed by Rep. Louis Gohmert was approved by the United States House of Representatives, an almost definite sign the bill will now become law. Introduced first in 2015, Kari’s Law of 2017 will ensure anyone who dials 911 can reach emergency personnel even if the phone typically requires the user to dial a prefix such as “9” or “7” to reach an outside line. The bill is named in memory of Kari Hunt Dunn who was fatally stabbed in December 2013 by her estranged husband in a Marshall hotel room. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A traffic stop in Van Zandt County turned into a huge drug bust. Authorities said they stopped a car headed westbound on I-20 Thursday night. Once they investigated the car they found two pounds of heroin. According to KETK, police were lead to a home a short distance away from the stop where they discovered 33 pounds of heroin worth almost $3,000,000 and nearly $20,000 cash in the house. Authorities said they arrested several people as suspects in the case. They have not been identified.
MARSHALL — The Marshall Fire Department is investigating a Wednesday morning structure fire possibly caused by lightning. According to KETK, it was reported just after 4:00 on Forest Trail. The home was a total loss. All occupants were out of the house and no injuries were reported. Fire Marshal Reggie Cooper said, “Though the investigation is ongoing and will be detailed, preliminary reports indicate intense lightning in the area.â€
CHEROKEE COUNTY — An East Texas man has been arrested following an hours-long standoff in Cherokee County. According to KETK, Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies were called to County Road 1418 in Gallatin around midnight. The property owner is said to have gotten upset a family living in a travel trailer on his property. Cherokee County Sheriff Jim Campbell says the family was given permission to be on the property by the property owner, but they had gotten into an argument. The property owner began making threats to harm and kill the family in the travel trailer. The family left the property. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police are continuing to investigate a fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Killed was Dammon Spencer, 18, of Tyler. The accident happened shortly after 7:15 Sunday night on WNW Loop 323 near the Stafford Inn. Police say Spencer was crossing the Loop from south to north when he was struck by a vehicle. He was hit by an eastbound vehicle in the center lane and was hit again by a second vehicle. Spencer was pronounced dead at a Tyler hospital.
SMITH COUNTY — Tyler Police said they responded to a report of an aggravated assault around 11:50 at the American Legion building on Gaston. A man had been stabbed several times in the abdomen and was taken to a local hospital. The suspect, Richard Lamont Evaige, Tyler, 67, was arrested a short time later at his residence. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim and witnesses said an argument broke out over how things should run at the establishment. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
HENDERSON COUNTY — A game room in the Malakoff area was closed down by a team of investigators Thursday and two people were arrested. A search warrant was served after law enforcement suspected illegal activity at the Hippy Hut Game Room on State Highway 31, in Malakoff. The attendant in charge of the game room, Cheryl Norman, 48, and the manager, Regina Jones, 53 were arrested. They both face felony and misdemeanor charges for a variety of crimes – engaging in organized criminal activity, promotion of gambling, keeping a gambling place, possession of gambling devices and possession of gambling paraphernalia. Read the rest of this entry »
CROZET, Va. (AP) — Representative Louie Gohmert is “ok” after a train he was on which was carrying GOP lawmakers to a retreat in West Virginia collided with a garbage truck around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. One person was killed in the collision and at least two other people in the truck were reported seriously hurt. Rep. Gohmert spoke with KETK after the accident. “We were rolling down the track and we have a train that almost all of the Republicans in the house and numerous Republican senators were on going to the annual retreat,” Gohmert said. “The way it looks, the guard arm is down, so the garbage truck must have been weaving through the warning devices and they nearly got through. It appears we caught the tail end of the garbage truck.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson has urged residents to refrain from burning today because of high winds. Smith County is not under a burn ban, but people are asked to use extreme caution and to not burn anything during high wind conditions.
ANGELINA COUNTY — A 35-year-old man wanted on outstanding warrants has been arrested following a high speed chase. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday night in Lufkin. An officer was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Abel Lopez when the pursuit started. Lopez headed northbound on Loop 287 and was spiked by Constable Tom Selman. He continued on, eventually bailing out of the vehicle and was arrested a short time later. Officers said he threw items from the vehicle during the pursuit that they are attempting to retrieve. A woman in Lopez’s vehicle at the time of the pursuit was released. You can go to https://www.dropbox.com/s/qcszlobxqy2cv7j/Abel%20Lopez%20Pursuit.mp4?dl=0 to see a police video of the chase.
LONGVIEW — An East Texas felon has been indicted for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. According to KETK, a grand jury indicted Michael Lloyd-Shane Deborde, 37, of Longview, on Thursday. On Sunday, October 1, 2017, Longview police responded to the Sunbelt Mobile Home Park in the 1200 block of South Texas 31 on reports of an armed man. Officers spoke to a man who said he had been arguing with Deborde when he pulled a gun from his pants and pointed it at the man. Deborde admitted to having a gun but told officers he did not point it at the man. Deborde was booked into the Gregg County Jail on $120,000 bond. He was released on October 4.
GREGG COUNTY — A Longview woman has been indicted after officials say she bit a police officer while being arrested. According to KETK, a Gregg County grand jury indicted Jasmine Mychelle Fluellen, 20, on Thursday, January 25, for assault against an officer. Officers responded to a call for service at 428 South Fredonia Street on Saturday, December 2, 2017, where they located Fluellen inside a vacant apartment. According to the probable cause affidavit, Fluellen tried walking away from officers and ignored their commands. When police made contact, Fluellen tried to punch an officer and later bit an officer on the leg as she was being handcuffed. Fluellen was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail, where she remains on $41,000 bond.
SMITH COUNTY — Emergency officials are at the scene of a rollover accident in Tyler. It happened just after 8:00 at the intersection of Rhones Quarter Road and Grande Blvd. No word on injuries or the cause of the wreck. Drivers are urged to use an alternate route.