Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
TYLER — Nearly three months after leading a four-candidate field in the March primaries, Jrmar Jefferson won a runoff against Victor D. Dunn, according to our news partner KETK. With his victory, Jefferson moves on to the general election in November against the Republican nominee, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. He faces an uphill battle in the heavily red district. The election will replace longtime Republican Representative Louie Gohmert, who generally won with more than 70% of the vote. In an interview with KETK News in March, Jefferson said, “I am the candidate of peace, I want to make sure we build and invest and build and educate and bring families back together here in East Texas.â€
SMITH COUNTY — A 22-year-old Tyler man has been arrested after an aggravated assault Monday night. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence on Garden Lake Road around 10:00 in reference to a shooting. The caller advised the suspect had fled the scene. Officials found the victim, Courtland Jamal Lyons, 25 of Athens, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. A deputy administered first aid prior to arrival of UT Health EMS. Deputies began searching the area for the suspect, Zion Michias Jenkins, 22, of Tyler. Jenkins was located and arrested a short time later. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has not been set. The condition of the victim is unknown.
SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas man who is facing a rape case in Gregg County is now accused of rape in a separate attack in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Morgan Cates, 27, of Henderson, was charged with the latest rape on Friday. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond. Cates had been arrested in Gregg County on Dec. 9, 2021, and charged with sexual assault for an incident on Dec. 27, 2020. He was released the same day after posting a $15,000 bond. KETK News obtained an arrest warrant for the Smith County incident, which stated the victim went to the police in January one day after the alleged attack. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — In Van Zandt county, a public swearing in ceremony was held at the courthouse for Sheriff Joe Carter. According to our news partner KETK, Carter has been in law enforcement for more than three decades and says he is excited to continue serving Van Zandt county in this new and now permanent role. “I’ve been in law enforcement for 38 years, just trying to catch up on what’s going on over there, what direction we need to go, what needs to be worked on and trying to make sure everything gets covered,†said Sheriff Joe Carter. Carter stepped into this position following former Sheriff Steve Hendrix’s resignation after being indicted on charges of providing false statements to police. Those charges were dismissed Friday morning.
UPSHUR COUNTY — A man was sentenced to 99 years in prison in Upshur County. On Tuesday, a jury of five men and seven women found Taylor guilty of retaliation against a witness from Jan. 2021, according to our news partner KETK. Charles Lance Taylor, 45, broke into the house of a woman that he previously dated on June 23, 2020 and assaulted and strangled her, according to Upshur County District Attorney, Billy W. Byrd. “The assault was so bad it required the victim to be hospitalized for a brain bleed,†said Byrd. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A 35-year-old man who had special needs died in a house fire Wednesday night, according to Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks. The victim has been identified as Jack McKenzie Ross. Our news partner KETK reports the fire started around 8:00 p.m. on County Road 1113. 26-year-old firefighter Cameron Franks was taken to the hospital for observation after being injured by a power line on the scene but has since been released. No one else was injured in the fire. The Smith County, Noonday and Red Springs Fire Departments assisted with the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Officials are asking the community to pray for the family affected by this tragic fire.
ANGELINA COUNTY — One woman has been released after a man was shot several times early Wednesday morning in Deep East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Diboll Police were called to a home on the 500 block of N. 3rd Street, a neighborhood just off Highway 59. When officers arrived, they found a Hispanic male who “had been shot several times during a domestic dispute,†according to a release from the department. The victim’s name was not released, but investigators said he was approximately 30 years old. The suspect was identified as Cynthia Zamora Ramos. She has been charged with aggravated assault-family violence and was initially held at the Angelina County Jail before her release per a judge’s order.
MARSHALL — An East Texas native has been named as the doctor who heroically charged the California church shooter Sunday, sacrificing his life to save others. The doctor killed in Sunday’s shooting has been identified as a former Marshall High School graduate, class of 1987. doctor John Cheng is being called a hero for giving his life to stop the gunman who opened fire at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes says Dr. Cheng was killed charging the gunman, giving others time to jump in and disarm the killer and hold him for police. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The latest Dallas Morning News, UT Tyler Poll shows a close Governor’s race here in Texas. The poll shows Governor Abbott still leading his Democratic Opponent Beto O’Rourke by 7 points. However, the poll finds voters, by a very slim margin, trust Beto more than they trust the Governor. The poll also shows most Texans, 55%, support Governor Abbott’s decision to spend billions on “Operation Lone Star Program” his border security plan that’s deployed hundreds of law officers and Texas military members to help slow illegal immigration.
WINNSBORO — Dozens of people in Winnsboro are frustrated. They say a chicken fertilizer plant regularly lets out plumes of smoke causing people to feel unsafe outside. According to our news partner KETK, the Wood County courthouse was packed with Winnsboro residents focused on one thing, fighting for the health of their community. One resident said their COPD has become worse and that they are having a hard time breathing. “It makes me so sick, so I can’t even enjoy outside because the smell is so strong,†said a resident. According to attorneys, the toxic fumes have been coming from the Texas Sigma Partners plant for almost a year, leading to a lawsuit. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — It was another busy Wednesday for Tyler’s City Council, with two key projects topping the list of action items. The Council authorized the city manager to execute two contracts associated with a consent decree the city entered in 2017 with the Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose is to address what’s termed the city’s aging wastewater collection system and resulting discharges. Work done under the contracts will rehabilitate 387 deteriorated sanitary sewer manholes and make 373 needed repairs to sewer main lines, according to a news release. The council also approved a contract for the 2022 asphalt enhancement project. Officials say the work will improve 25 lane miles of roadways, curbs, and gutters and restripe and place reflective markings. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Just one day after setting a record for its highest gas prices ever, the Tyler metro area passed another dubious mark on Tuesday: the average cost for a gallon of unleaded fuel is more than $4 for the first time. According to our news partner KETK, AAA reported Tuesday morning that the average price for unleaded gasoline in the Tyler area was $4.04, a five-cent increase from the $3.99 mark on Monday. Diesel fuel is also at its highest point ever, averaging $5.19 per gallon. Fuel costs have spiked over the last 30 days. In Tyler, the average price just 30 days ago was $3.65. That marks a jump of nearly 40 cents. One year ago, gasoline in the Rose Capital was around $2.70 a gallon. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Commissioner’s Court approved the appointment of Joe Carter as Van Zandt County sheriff in an emergency special session. According to our news partner KETK, the motion to appoint Carter passed unanimously during Monday’s meeting. This comes after former Sheriff Steve Hendrix resigned following a grand jury indictment on the charge of providing false statements to a peace officer. Hendrix’s resignation is set to be effective on May 14.
TYLER — Gas prices in the Tyler area hit their highest all-time mark Monday morning after averaging $3.99 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA. According to our news partner KETK, prices have spiked over the last few days after slowly coming down over the previous two months. According to AAA data, the average price for unleaded gasoline in the Tyler area was $3.66, which was 33 cents cheaper. The previous record was $3.97, which was set back in July 2008 during the Great Recession. The $3.99 record does not factor in inflation for past prices. When adjusted for inflation, the most expensive year for gas nationally was 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is asking drivers to be aware of a ramp closure on Toll 49. According to NET RMA, the ramp closure at Toll 49 and Farm-to-Market Road 16 began May 2 and will continue through May 5, from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m., as crews install new tolling system equipment. Daily text messages will be sent updating road closure information while this work is in progress. In order to receive these messages, motorists will need to text Toll 49 to 444222 or visit this link.