Today is
Friday June 19, 2026
UPSHUR COUNTY — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office says an East Texas man whose body was found in November 2022 after he went missing died by drowning. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that William Chad Martin, 35, of Ore City, was reported missing on Nov. 7, and that his body was found on Nov. 16 off Live Oak Road in southwest Upshur County. Autopsy results showed his cause of death to be “accidental†by drowning, UCSO said. The report also showed high levels of methamphetamine and broken ribs consistent with a fall, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials said Martin was last seen early Nov. 5 after his girlfriend said they had been smoking meth and were drunk the day before. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has been searching a property near Athens for the remains of Heather Cannon, who was 15 when she went missing in 2009. According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement said they obtained a tip that Cannon was buried on a property near Highway 175 West outside Athens heading towards Eustace. The sheriff’s office also received a search warrant for the property. Authorities said the teenager was reported missing from the property they have been searching. Cannon was last seen on August 27, 2009, in the company of her biological father, Jerral Allen Whitley. Officials say Whitley refused to take a polygraph test after Heather’s disappearance. Officials said they would continue the search through Saturday.
GRAND SALINE – A Grand Saline man was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, the Grand Saline Police Department began investigating the case on Monday. DPS agents helped police and said Marty McCormick was a suspect. Police obtained a warrant for McCormick on Tuesday, and he was arrested the same day. He was booked into the Van Zandt County Detention Center. Authorities are still investigating the situation and McCormick could face other charges. GSPD also thanked the DPS, the Van Police Department, the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office, and the Van Zandt County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office for helping with the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident can contact Grand Saline police at 903-962-3145.
QUITMAN – A custodial death report has identified a man who was shot and killed by Mineola Police Department officers on Dec. 22 in Quitman and given new details of the incident. According to our news partner KETK, the report says Robert Allen Vancleave, 55, was shot after officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle. Officers reported they initially tried to stop Vancleave because of reports of theft from the Walmart on NE Loop 564 in Mineola. Store employees provided a description of the alleged thief’s vehicle that was leaving the parking lot, according to the report. Officers then tried to stop Vancleave’s vehicle. The report said during the stop Vancleave allegedly tried to hit one of the officers with his vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office reports that after being missing for over a day, 77-year-old Retha Pauls has been found. She had last been seen Wednesday around 7 p.m. at a home on Tryon Road near the Williams Road intersection in Longview. Officials say Pauls suffers from a medical condition and requires medication.
CHANDLER – Three people were taken to a local hospital for treatment Friday morning after a five-car crash involving an 18-wheeler that struck the Chandler City Hall and Community Center, causing damage to the building. According to our news partner KETK, police say a car was traveling southbound on Sawmill Road across Highway 31 around 6:10 a.m. when it was hit by an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on the highway. The crash caused both vehicles to go into the parking lot of city hall, according to police, hitting three other unoccupied cars in the parking lot before crashing into the side of the building that houses the economic development corporation. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a reported runaway identified as Alannis Skye Loving. According to a news release, the father reported that his daughter had run away from their home on County Road 431 near Lindale. The report was made on October 18, 2022, and several leads on her whereabouts have proved to be unreliable, according to officials. The father has made contact with Skye by text in the recent past. Skye is a white female, 16 years of age, 5’2â€, 125 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She is not on any medications and does not suffer from any physical or mental illness. It was also reported that Skye frequently runs away from home and does have friends in the Lindale area. If you have any information as to Skye’s whereabouts, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.
AUSTIN (KRLD/Staff) — State Representative Cody Harris of Palestine has been busy in the days leading up to the legislative session. One bill he has filed would protect the due process rights of law enforcement officers. House Bill 799 would prevent what Harris refers to as “anti-police district attorneys and law enforcement agencies” from placing officers on the so-called Brady list, a public database that tracks police misconduct. Harris told the Corsicana Daily sun this bill is designed to “stop these radical DAs and reinstate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of law enforcement officers.” Harris said HB 799 would limit the use of unsubstantiated information concerning a law enforcement officer and the officer’s role as a witness in a criminal proceeding. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – Six years after its filing, a lawsuit alleging improper collection of tax revenues against Kilgore ISD has reached a preliminary settlement, according to the district. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit requested relief and a refund of taxes totaling $4 million that were collected after the district repealed the local optional homestead exemption in 2015 when the Texas Legislature was working to make the exemption mandatory. According to our news partner KETK, the district said in its statement that Kilgore ISD taxpayers should soon expect to receive “first notices containing information regarding the class action settlement details.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful’s beautification program Beauty and the Box has sponsored and wrapped three new traffic boxes in residential areas. Officials say historically, the program has focused on wrapping traffic boxes in non-residentially zoned areas, but as the program continues, those boxes are limited. By expanding into wrapping residential boxes, Beauty and the Box can make more boxes available to be wrapped while continuing its mission of beautification, according to a news release. The three new boxes are at Loop 323 and New Copeland Road, Broadway Avenue and Rice Road, and the Front Street/Lyons Avenue intersection. Additionally, three other boxes have been wrapped in non-residential areas. Check this link for more information.
TYLER – A Smith County Jail inmate faces three new charges after a reported escape, chase, and break-in incident. According to our news partner KETK, Timothy Chappelle, 41, was charged with escape while arrested/confined felony and two counts of burglary of habitation. The man was initially booked into jail for a criminal mischief charge. His bond total is now $1.38 million. Officials earlier reported that Chappelle escaped Tuesday while being transported to a different location and was eventually arrested the same day after breaking into two houses. A detention officer was transporting Chappelle from the north jail to the central jail around 1 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – Records show one of two people convicted of capital murder in the notorious 1983 Kilgore KFC killings has died in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Darnell Hartsfield and his cousin Romeo Pinkerton were convicted of abducting the five victims from the restaurant on Sept. 23, 1983, driving them to a remote oil field in Rusk County and shooting them to death. According to a report, Hartsfield died of a massive hemorrhagic stroke while serving his life sentence, and it “could not be determined†whether his death was caused by a pre-existing condition or a condition developed after his imprisonment. The report says Hartsfield died on May 4, 2022 while with medical staff. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The East Texas Crisis Center has temporarily closed its emergency shelter after pipes burst during December’s Arctic blast, causing extensive damage. The situation came at an especially inopportune time — with the facility being evacuated Christmas Eve. Executive Director Lana Peacock says for now, they’re sending clients to other facilities, in East Texas if possible — but as far away as Dallas and Shreveport if necessary. She says there’s a tear-down and build-back process involved, with no time frame just yet on when things will be back up to speed. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is challenging Tyler area artists of all ages to create unique artwork for the Recycled Art Contest. This year’s theme is “Don’t Trash Texas!” Artists are invited to create original artwork using recycled materials such as bottle caps, plastic, metal, paper, and more, according to a news release. The top three winners in each category will have their artwork displayed at the Great Tyler Cleanup on April 1, where they will receive a certificate and a Brookshire’s gift card of $5, $10 or $20. Submissions will be accepted no later than Friday, March 3, at 5 p.m. Click here for more details.
TYLER – An inmate who escaped while being transported to a different location was arrested Tuesday after breaking into two houses, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. A detention officer was transporting inmate Timothy Chappelle, 41, from the north jail to the central jail around 1 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, he was inside a law enforcement vehicle, and authorities said he escaped when the car stopped on Gentry Parkway and Parkdale Drive in Tyler. The inmate reportedly kicked out a back window and barricade. The sheriff’s office says Chappelle then ran north and broke into two houses near Wisteria Drive. The detention officer called for other law enforcement, and the inmate was captured quickly again on Wisteria Drive, according to authorities. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The body found in Longview on Monday has now been identified as a 34-year-old man by the name of Paul Stebbins II. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found in a vacant lot across from the former Johnny Cace’s restaurant on East Marshall Avenue. Longview Police Public Information Officer Brandon Thornton said police are continuing to investigate and no further information was immediately available.
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 2. In Smith County, 
Tyler maintenance will have a crew on US 271 performing fog seal, from Gentry Parkway to FM 2015. Expect lane closures. A second crew will be performing base repairs on FM 206. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Gregg County, sidewalk installation continues on South Loop 281 from Fairmont St. to SH 300 (Gilmer Road). There will be shoulder closures as well as some lane closures as needed. Slow down and watch for workers. Expect delays. Check this link for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
UPSHUR COUNTY – Officials have identified the man killed in a December 27 Upshur County fire as David Anthony Johnson, 54, of Diana. The sheriff’s office says he lived in the house that caught fire. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they received a call of a house fire on Hawk Road around 7 a.m. after a neighbor observed the fire and called 911. “The home was destroyed,†authorities reported. “Responders located a deceased person in the debris of the home.†An autopsy was ordered. “The cause of the fire is undetermined, but there is currently no evidence of foul play,†authorities added.
TYLER — The Children’s Park of Tyler has some unfortunate news to share — and sadly, it’s not without precedent. According to its Facebook page, “It is with a sad and heavy heart to share this as we start out 2023, but we will have to take down our Christmas lights a month earlier than originally planned. You have the rest of this week to visit them before St Nic’s takes them down next weekend. Unfortunately, the thieves came back last week and stole even more than the first time [a few days before Christmas]…Now our board will be looking into possibly adding preventative security measures in the park so we can keep a better eye on things. Click here for more details, including how you can support the Children’s Park.
TYLER/LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS welcomes its first two babies of 2023 at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd in Longview and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. Tripp Moore was born in Longview at 4:32 a.m. New Year’s Day. Tripp’s parents are Colton Moore & Shauna Nicol. Ellison Elizabeth came into the world in Tyler at 10:38 a.m. January 1, welcomed by parents Gunner Land & Avery Humphrey.
ATHENS – It’s the latest wrinkle in a recurring scam around the area. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about scammers who are pretending to be with the sheriff’s office. According to our news partner KETK, officials said people got phone calls on Thursday that told them they have missed court, and they are being asked to send money so a warrant won’t be issued for them. The sheriff’s office said they will not call people if they owe the county money and said these scammers are not with the sheriff’s office. “If you receive these calls please hang up the phone and do not send any money to them,†the sheriff’s office said in a prepared statement.
GLADEWATER — In celebration of its 150th anniversary, the City of Gladewater will kick off its sesquicentennial celebration in January of 2023 with a series of monthly events that will run through December 2023. According to a news release, the celebration will commence with Night at the Museum on Saturday, January 21st, at The Gladewater Museum, on Pacific Ave. Organizers say this event will feature unique displays, including Caddo artifacts, railroad memorabilia, and the TEXANA Book Collection, and special guest speakers. “We wanted to do something special to honor Gladewater’s 150th anniversary,†said Kevin Clark, President of the Gladewater 150th Committee, as quoted in the release. “We want the entire community to get involved in this year-long celebration and have included events for everyone in the family.†Click here for more information.
WASHINGTON – The University of Texas at Tyler was awarded a federal grant totaling $262,537 to support partnerships between local schools and institutions of higher education that are training counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to provide school-based services. That announcement came Friday from U.S. Senator John Cornyn. According to a news release, the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration program. The program was recently authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law on June 25. This targeted legislation addresses specific concerns that have led to recent mass shootings, including the need for additional mental health services and school safety resources, according to the release. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, in partnership with R&K Distributors, is preparing to provide a “Safe-Ride-Home†on New Year’s Eve. For the 16th consecutive year, Longview Transit will give free rides to anyone within the Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10. The curb to curb service will be available to any destination within the city limits of Longview. The service is offered to the general public, including individuals that have had a couple of drinks or those that simply do not want to drive that evening. Longview Transit encourages riders to schedule trips in advance, if possible. Advanced reservations are now being taken. Click here for further details.
JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville man by the name of Ryan Donald Hoskins has been missing since Nov. 25. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Hoskins was last seen leaving 153 Fulton St. in Jacksonville on the morning of Nov. 25 after getting into a fight with his girlfriend. He reportedly left the residence in a white Chevy Suburban with a “profile sticker†on the right bumper. The vehicle was found abandoned on County Road 4405. Hoskins was wearing jeans, a white shirt, a hoodie, a hat, and tennis shoes. He also has several tattoos. On his chest is a heart organ, on his arm/shoulder area is a devil and an angel, his forearm has the quote “Never Give Up,†and on his right upper arm is a Bible verse from the book of Psalms. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department via phone at 903-586-2546 or dial 911.
WINONA – Two people who were arrested in Winona for animal cruelty at their property, which was initially a rescue, have been sentenced to probation. According to our news partner KETK, Tina Loper and Eric Morris were initially arrested on Jan. 21 after 38 dogs were seized from the property. Loper pleaded guilty to multiple charges of animal cruelty in October and received a probated sentence of one year in state jail. The court has set a term of probation at 15 months with 200 hours of community service. Morris also pleaded guilty to similar misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to 12 months deferred adjudication with 100 hours of community service. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments is seeking input from residents on a major broadband project. According to a news release, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a new map showing what it believes is the type and speed of internet service that is now available to every household in East Texas. The map was built with information from internet providers, including those in the ETCOG region. Rural leaders from throughout Texas have voiced concerns that the map exaggerates the actual service that is available to Texans, especially those in rural communities. There is a process for individual households and communities to challenge the map data, and ETCOG is urging residents to look at the map and report inaccuracies. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation is preparing to get 2023 off and running with a variety of offerings. It’s almost time for the 2023 Corporate Challenge, with registration opening Jan. 2. Officials say that event is designed to bring local businesses together for networking opportunities with other professionals while competing in a friendly competition. Also, Glass Recreation Center is holding a membership sale and putting out the word on its January programs, including aerobics, basketball, and table tennis. Along with that, Parks and Rec is hosting a Madden NFL Tournament for ages 13 to 15 Feb. 4 at Glass Recreation Center in a mobile video game bus. Officials say they’re targeting a demographic that enjoys sports but not physically playing them. Click here and scroll down to “Tyler News” to learn more.
LONGVIEW – A 23-year-old Longview man was arrested on Wednesday for murder and aggravated assault in connection to a shooting at the Longview Waffle House. According to our news partner KETK, Rayshon Weston LaGarde was taken to the Gregg County Jail and his bond has been set at $1.5 million. The pre-dawn shooting on Dec. 23 left one dead and another injured, according to officials. They identified Kendall Marshall, 27, of Longview, as the man who was pronounced dead at the hospital, and a female victim was reported to be in stable condition. Longview police said they would like to thank DPS troopers for assisting in LaGarde’s arrest.
UPSHUR COUNTY – The person is dead after a house fire in Upshur County, the sheriff’s office said on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they received a call of a house fire on Hawk Road around 7 a.m. after a neighbor observed the fire and called 911. “The home was destroyed,†officials said. “Responders located a deceased person in the debris of the home.†An autopsy has been ordered and will be performed at Forensic Medical Management Services in Tyler. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The victim’s identity was not immediately released.