Today is
Saturday June 20, 2026
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police department says a Kilgore off-duty police officer was no-billed after a fatal shooting at a Longview emergency room. According to our news partner KETK, authorities said a 61-year-old man died Nov. 27 after he allegedly pulled a gun on Sgt. Joshua Vercher and threatened him Vercher had a security job at Hospitality ER, and the altercation broke out in the parking lot around 9 p.m. “As the struggle intensified the officer pulled his weapon and fired in an attempt to stop the aggression, striking the suspect,†officials said in a prepared statement. “Immediately following the shooting the officer summoned ER staff who attempted life-saving measures.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System President and CEO Todd Hancock has been named Longview’s 2022 Distinguished Citizen by the East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts. The honor was presented in a ceremony at Pinecrest Country Club. According to a news release, it came in recognition of Hancock’s leadership, community service, and charitable conviction. The Scouts praised what they termed Hancock’s leadership and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scouts also pointed to Hancock’s support of their organization and others, such as Greater Longview United Way, Longview 20/20, and the Chamber of Commerce. Hancock said CHRISTUS and the Scouts share many of the same values.
TYLER – A Jacksonville man was sentenced to three years in prison for the lesser charge of aggravated assault after being arrested for murder in connection to the 2021 shooting at a Tyler daiquiri shop. According to our news partner KETK, Dycorrian Lofton, 24, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Dec. 9. He turned himself in to Tyler police in July 2021 after a warrant for his arrest was issued. The shooting left one woman dead and two others injured. Police in 2021 said a fight in the parking lot started the shooting and that more than 50 shots were fired in total. Jaderick Willis, 23, of Jacksonville, was injured in the shooting and originally listed as a victim by police. He has since been charged with murder and was booked into Smith County Jail on July 2, 2021. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Community organizers and the City of Longview will host a variety of events from Friday, Jan. 13, to Monday, Jan. 16, to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Celebrations will kick off with an opening reception and jazz concert featuring Mack Guice and Low D starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Longview Community Center. A parade will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, followed by a community festival. Saturday will also include a Humanitarian Award Celebration. On Monday, Jan. 16, residents are invited to participate at 11 a.m. in a march from Broughton Park to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where officials say a Memorial Service will be held at noon honoring Dr. King’s legacy of social justice. Click here for all the details.
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD is awarding more than $5.1 million in incentive pay for achieving teachers, with a few of the very highest-performing teachers projected to receive more than $30,000 extra in their December paychecks, according to a school district news release. “We’re thrilled with the excellent progress all our teachers and staff are making with students across the entire district,” said district Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox, as quoted in the release. Wilcox said the goal of the district in starting the program was to maintain the most successful and effective teachers in the regular classroom. Incentive bonus distribution will come in “lump sum” disbursement beginning Friday, Dec. 16. Click here for more details.
TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to execute three contracts for sanitary sewer system rehabilitation projects. A contract was approved for the rehabilitation and repair of 242 sanitary sewer manholes and 171 sanitary sewer cleanouts. Additionally, the Council approved a contract to repair four creek crossings and seven sanitary sewer line point repairs with new sewer lines, manholes, and appurtenances. Finally, the City Council approved a contract for the design of two sewer line projects to increase capacity in 5.3 miles of sewer line in the collection system. It’s all being done under a 2017 consent decree with the EPA to address what’s termed the city’s aging wastewater collection system and resulting discharges. Click here for more information.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is set to purchase a three-dimensional laser scanning system to document, reconstruct, and analyze crime scenes and vehicle crash sites. The City Council agreed on Wednesday to accept a $54,583.49 donation from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to be used toward the purchase of a Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner from Collision and Crime Forensic Solutions. According to a news release, investigators currently use hand measurements, a total station device to measure distances and angles and call on the Texas Rangers for assistance. The Leica RTC360 Laser Scanner captures data and documents crime scenes and vehicle crash sites more efficiently and with better accuracy, according to the release. Learn more at this link.
TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted Wednesday to approve a $429,919 contract with Morton Enterprise to provide asphalt crack sealing for the streets identified for seal coating and resurfacing in 2023. Asphalt repairs are prioritized according to the pavement condition index scores and staff evaluations of the city’s streets, according to a news release. The 2023 asphalt enhancement project includes 80 lane miles of city streets. The crack seal project is scheduled to begin in January and continue through May 2023. Crack seal work is done prior to overlaying or resurfacing a street. Click here for more details.
CARTHAGE – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that skeletal remains found by a work crew in July have been identified as a woman who haD been missing since 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Cutter Clinton said the remains were identified as Lauren Elizabeth Thompson, who went missing from the Rock Hill community on Jan. 10, 2019. She was 32 years old at the time. “Our family would like to reiterate out deepest gratitude for the love, intercessory prayer and support demonstrated by many in bringing Lauren home,†Gregory Colvin, Thompson’s father. said. The cause of Thompson’s death is still being investigated. “Our office will be diligent on pursuing all relevant investigative leads,†Clinton said. “Please keep the family of Lauren in your prayers.†Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Seven counties in the East Texas Council of Governments service area have fully completed Broadband Action Plans, according to an ETCOG news release. Officials say ETCOG has been working county by county with local decision-makers since January 2021 to help identify the region’s most critical Broadband needs. Four additional counties are awaiting final edits and budgeting and are anticipated to be considered by their counties shortly, according to the release. On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission released its pre-production draft of new broadband maps. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler ISD confirmed that a bus carrying students was in a crash while heading back to Tyler High School Monday. According to our news partner KETK, officials say the bus was bringing back students from Tyler ISD’s Career and Technology Center at the time of the the crash. The school district said four students were being assessed, with no immediate word on whether any students were injured.
TYLER — South Donnybrook Avenue remained closed at the East Eighth Street intersection as of late Monday afternoon. Officials say a Tyler Water Utilities crew worked throughout the day to repair a water line that was hit by a contractor. TWU did not immediately have an estimated time on when the line would be fixed or the road reopened. The City of Tyler was urging drivers to use caution and obey all traffic signs and detours in the area.
TYLER – Former Smith County Precinct 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris has been sentenced to a term of five years probation after being found guilty of theft by a jury last week. According to our news partner KETK, he was sentenced to two years in state jail probated, meaning if he were to violate the terms of his five-year probation period, Traylor-Harris would then serve the state jail sentence. Traylor-Harris was originally arrested in Nov. 2021 by the Texas Rangers. He was arrested a second time in May 2022 for allegedly violating his bond conditions. In the incident which prompted the case, multiple items were reported stolen from a home after Traylor-Harris, Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks, and Sergeant Derrick Holman went there to serve a writ of possession. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is encouraging the community to assist with Longview’s Homeless Resource Day. Officials say the activity is a collaborative effort of the City of Longview and various nonprofit organizations to provide homeless individuals access to available services. The Homeless Resource Day will take place from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2023, in the Longview Exhibit Center on Jaycee Drive. Check this link for more details.
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee announces Mrs. Amanda Veasy and Mr. Clent Holmes as the 2023 Unity Honors recipients. The Unity Honors is a lifetime achievement award recognizing residents who have demonstrated leadership in promoting unity, mutual understanding, and social justice, according to a news release. Among other things, Veasy is the founder and executive director of One Love Longview. Along with other credentials, Holmes is executive director of Thrive Longview (formerly known as Thrive 360). The Unity and Diversity Committee will honor the two at the 19th Annual Unity Honors Luncheon Feb. 15. Click here for more details.
EMORY – Sidekick’s, a family-owned restaurant in Emory, caught fire Thursday night in the middle of its busy dinner rush — and the Sidekick’s Facebook page says the eatery is a total loss. According to our news partner KETK, the building was quickly evacuated with the help of restaurant employees who reportedly put their lives at risk to make sure nobody was left inside. The Emory Volunteer Fire Department says fire crews from Emory, Alba, East Tawakoni, and Point were all on the scene. “Everyone is still in shock at that has happened. This restaurant has been in my family for 12 years, and I grew up in this restaurant, and to watch it go so fast, it’s crazy,†said assistant manager Danielle Patton. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — District 1 Congressman-elect Nathaniel Moran continues preparing for the new term on Capitol Hill. We asked him what particular issues affecting the district he’s planning to work on once he’s seated. Moran says there are plenty — and that a lot will be determined by which committee he’s on. According to Moran, there’s a lot of shuffling right now due to vacancies and the shift from Democratic to Republican control in the House. He says he’ll have a better idea what impact he’ll have once he gets his committee assignment. Moran says the main committee he’s looking to get on is Judiciary, which he says will take a forefront role in East Texas on immigration issues and policy. Moran adds that that committee will also take a leading role in oversight of the Biden Administration. If that doesn’t work out, Moran says maybe he’ll be assigned to a committee on transportation and infrastructure, budget, or foreign affairs.
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of December 12. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 850, two miles south of SH 31. Motorists should expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will assist Special Jobs with a fog seal project on US 271 from Gentry Pkwy, inside Loop 323 to FM 2015 just outside the loop. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue bridge channel maintenance on FM 2207 between FM 1252 and SH 135. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a TMA controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
TYLER — Due to weather and construction issues, traffic on Cambridge Road in Tyler did not shift during the week of Dec. 5 as planned. Traffic is now shifting to the north side of the road as of Monday, Dec. 12. Eastbound traffic will shift from the south side to the newly paved north side at Townhouse Drive. Drivers will move back to the south side of Cambridge Road just before reaching Potomac Drive to continue traveling east. The shift is needed for demolition of the south side of the roadway to make the area ready for new asphalt pavement, according to a news release. Residents and visitors to the neighborhood are asked to be patient and follow the instructions of the contractors. Click here for all the details.
LONGVIEW – Officials seek your help finding a missing man. According to our news partner KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says Charlie Robinson, 65, was last seen at the Dollar Tree on North Eastman Road in Longview. Robinson has grey hair, is five foot seven, and weighs 175 pounds, according to officials. Officials said that Robinson also has medicine that he needs but did not bring with him. He was last seen driving a grey 2004 Nissan Altima, license plate MGS0079, and could be headed towards Diana or Gilmer, authorities said. If you see Robinson or his car you can call 903-236-8400.
TYLER — Tyler city officials say all lanes of traffic are now open on Rice Road between South Broadway and Old Bullard Road — but the northbound lane of Old Bullard north of Rice will remain closed until further notice due to repairs. In the way of further clarification, the intersection of Rice and Old Bullard is open to traffic. The northbound lane of Old Bullard is closed between the Rice Road intersection and the shopping center driveway. Drivers can make a right turn onto Old Bullard Road from Rice Road. Drivers can also make a left turn onto Rice Road from Old Bullard. The far right lane on northbound Old Bullard is the lane that is closed. The middle lane is now the northbound lane. Rice Road was closed Dec. 1 between South Broadway and Old Bullard when a sinkhole was discovered. We’ll keep you up to date as further developments occur.
TYLER – A Shreveport, Louisiana, mother and son are among those indicted on federal charges in a fraud case involving Texas College. Angela Speech, 43; her son, Jeremy Marshall, 24; Devonaire Jones, 35; and Camyl Lewis, 24, were indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 16 and charged with multiple counts of student financial aid fraud. Speech and Marshall made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love on Dec. 7. According to the indictment, between August 2019 and February 2020, Speech was the director of financial aid at Texas College. Speech allegedly used her access to students’ financial aid accounts to trigger financial aid payments to Marshall, Jones, Lewis, and others that they were not entitled to or eligible to receive. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Respiratory illnesses in East Texas are alive and well, says NET Health CEO George Roberts. It’s being called the “triple threat” or “triple-demic,” with COVID, RSV, and the flu all making their mark — though Roberts says RSV does appear to have peaked. In any event, there’s a lot you can do to fight back. Roberts urges flu shots, staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands, and covering your coughs and sneezes. He says COVID cases don’t appear as severe as in earlier days, but the disease is still not to be taken lightly. Roberts notes that all that is especially important during the holidays, when you’re likely to start getting around a lot of people.
LONGVIEW — During the monthly test of the City’s Emergency Warning Siren system on Wednesday, Dec. 7, it was determined that Siren #2 at the Longview ISD Aquatic Center was not sounding or rotating. Additionally, Siren #13 at Fire Station 5 was experiencing issues with its radio, according to a news release. Authorities say public safety personnel are investigating the issues and will coordinate any necessary repairs with Mobile Communications America, the third-party vendor that provides the service. It is unclear at this time how long the sirens will be out of service. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by call or text through the Smart911 system at this link.
TYLER — The City of Tyler is inviting you to visit Downtown on Thursday, Dec. 8, for the annual Holiday Open House. Local businesses will be expanding their hours of operation and hosting different activities from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Main Street Program will have a scavenger hunt that will allow families to explore the various Downtown businesses while in search of a unique Nutcracker hidden in each of the 15 locations. During the Holiday Open House, there will be a shuttle (sponsored by Bricks Bar and Grill) running from 6 to 8 p.m. The route includes eight different stops for participants to use to make their trip around the Downtown area. Scavenger Hunt forms can be found at each participating location. Click here for more information.
TYLER – A Grand Prairie man has been indicted on a second charge in connection to the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Nyabuto, 21, was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Dec. 1. Nyabuto was previously indicted for intoxication manslaughter in a July crash that led to the death of Deputy Lorenzo Bustos. Nyabuto’s bond was reduced in October from $750,000 to $500,000. In his request for a bond reduction, his attorney wrote that the night of the crash, Bustos and his fellow deputy “continued their detention of the vehicle they previously stopped for an unreasonably long time due to the fact they were in a moving lane of traffic causing an immediate danger to themselves, the two individuals they had recently detained and anyone else traveling in the northbound lanes of traffic.†Read the rest of this entry »
CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Independent School District is seeking community input regarding additional safety methods which may be used to further protect campuses. According to a news release, these measures are offered to every school district in the state and are known as the School Marshal Plan and the Guardian Plan. Additional documentation can be viewed on the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) website’s School Safety Services tab. These plans offer respective programs which allow for select and qualified district employees to carry a handgun, according to the release. The school board encourages staff, parents or guardians, students, and community members to complete the survey and provide their opinion on consideration of the implementation of these programs. The survey closes Monday, Dec. 19. Click here for more details.
AUSTIN — December is showing up as another strong month for sales tax allocations in Tyler and Longview, with numbers up from a year ago, continuing to reflect a statewide trend. According to the state comptroller’s office, Tyler is getting $4,847,836.53, compared to $4,426,909.70 a year ago. For the year to date, Tyler totals $58,253,320.09, compared to $53,216,955.30 at this time last year. Longview’s December total is $3,399,886.16; the December 2021 figure was $3,167,408.90. For the year to date, Longview shows $43,925,416.64, up from $38,762,679.54 at this time last year.
TYLER — The Smith County Veteran Services Office held a groundbreaking ceremony at CampV Tuesday to kick off renovations to a building that will house its services. Currently, one of Smith County’s Veteran Services Officers is stationed out at a satellite office at CampV each week. But according to a news release, once the renovations are complete next year, the entire office will relocate to better provide services to veterans in one location. CampV Executive Director Travis Gladhill said since CampV started several years ago, it has become the pinnacle for services for veterans in East Texas. He added that CampV assists about 340 veterans per month. Click here to learn more.
TYLER – Two more Houston-area 19-year-olds were sentenced to eight years deferred adjudication, or probation, after pleading guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity in several Tyler catalytic converter thefts. According to our news partner KETK, Tedrick Perry and Avory Coleman were arrested with one other person in Tyler in connection to the cases. All three men had remained in jail since their July arrests. The third person arrested with Perry and Coleman, Kennedy Watkins, received the same sentence last week. In addition to their eight-year sentences, all three were given 137 days credit for time spent in jail.