Today is
Saturday June 20, 2026
TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Committee will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program to update the highway projects list to reflect the latest project information in the TxDOT Unified Transportation Program. Also up for consideration: adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies. You can learn more here, and you can contact the MPO by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas game wardens in Henderson County are asking for assistance identifying the person responsible for leaving a white-tail buck to waste — a case of illegal dumping. According to our news partner KETK, the deer was dumped on County Road 1311 near Crossroads during the evening of Nov. 11 or the early morning of Nov. 12. Anyone with information is asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-792-4263 or Texas Game Warden Mark Anderson at 903-907-2102.
TYLER – The road to the White House in 2024 began Tuesday night with former President Trump announcing he is running to be president again. The Smith County Democratic Party said they welcome the announcement. “We kind of look forward to seeing Trump galvanize around the country. It’s gonna help the Democrats quite a bit,†said Smith County Democratic Party Chair Hector Garza. Smith county Republicans said it is too early to predict a nominee. Smith County Republican Party Chair David Stein remarked, “If he wants to run and feels that he has the backing to run again for the presidency, it’s his right to do that and if he decides not to, that’s his right also.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – One of the people who has been confirmed to have died in the Dallas Air Show on Nov. 12, Dan Ragan, attended the 2021 Rose City Airfest in Tyler. Ragan flew the B-17 Flying Fortress Texas Raiders war craft that appeared at the Airfest’s inaugural 4th of July event. “I flew in that B-17, it was a navy plane back then and I was a crew member 67 years ago,†Ragan shared with our news partner KETK in a 2021 interview. An investigation is underway to find out why and how the crash took place at the Dallas Air Show over the weekend. It’s said that the investigation could take up to 18 months.
GILMER – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said on Tuesday they are looking for a 38-year-old missing man last seen after running into a wooded area with his girlfriend. According to our news partner KETK, officials said William Chad Martin of Ore City was last seen early Nov. 5 after his girlfriend said they had been smoking meth and were drunk the day before. According to his girlfriend, they thought they had been caught stealing tires and fled in Martin’s truck before running out of gas. She says the two ran into nearby woods near Live Oak Road in the southwest part of the county. She later emerged from the woods, but officials said Martin did not and has not been seen since. You’re asked to contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s office if you have any leads.
TYLER – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is investigating a local bar due to an alleged drunk driving crash that injured a pedestrian. According to our news partner KETK, it’s the second probe of Where’s Rufus announced in recent days. DPS said a construction worker went to the hospital after they were allegedly hit by a pickup truck being driven by Matthew Ray Pallitto, 35, of Tyler on Thursday on Highway 155. Pallitto was charged with intoxication assault with a vehicle and disregarding an official traffic control device. His bond was set at $50,500, and he was released from jail on Nov. 10. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries. TABC said Pallitto was possibly at Where’s Rufus before the crash and that the commission is looking into whether any rules were broken by the bar. Read the rest of this entry »
WINNSBORO — A report reveals more details of an officer-involved shooting November 4th in East Texas. The DPS had asked for help in a rollover accident in Winnsboro with a driver believed to be intoxicated trying to flee on foot. Wood County deputies responded, found the man, and took him to an ambulance. But KLTV relates that the in-custody death report says 32-year-old Timothy Wayne Hodges ran out of the ambulance, grabbed a gun from his vehicle, and held the gun to his head, demanding that deputies kill him or he’d kill himself. They could not de-escalate the situation and Hodges ultimately pointed the gun at a deputy, causing the officer to shoot him.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An East Texas man held on charges connected to the January 6th incident has been released from pretrial detention. After 20 months, Ryan Nichols of Longview has been allowed a release. He’s been held in Virginia. U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, who granted the pretrial release, says Nichols is still considered a danger to the public, but this release will let him access evidence he may need to prepare for trial. Prosecutors say Nichols expressed interest in joining the Proud Boys ahead of the Capitol event. After the incident, Nichols is quoted as saying he believes he did what God wanted him to do. Nichols is due in court on the 22nd to discuss the terms of his release from prison.
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 850, from SH 31 heading east towards Overton. Motorists should expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Also, there will be two patch crews at various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, crews will continue work at US 80 and FM 2208 (Alpine Road). This project consists of installing new pedestrian signal poles, sidewalks, and handicap ramps. There will be alternating lane closures depending on which side of the intersection they will be working on. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, watch for workers, and expect delays. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
TYLER — Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center will be closed for renovations and maintenance from Monday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 26. During this period, officials say crews will be resurfacing the gym floor and repainting interior walls. The facility will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28, at 7 a.m. Classes and programs will resume their normal schedules upon reopening. For further information, call the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271 or visit this link.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – East Texas Congressman-elect Nathaniel Moran is already in Washington for Congress’s new member orientation. In an interview with KTBB’S Geoff Roark, Moran says there’s a lot to do, including ethics briefings, setting up offices, and hiring staff. He says lawmakers will also be making a lot of important decisions, such as who will be leading the Republican conference and what kind of procedural rules will need to be followed. The former Smith County judge defeated Democrat Jrmar Jefferson last week to clear his way to Capitol Hill. The 118th Congress gets to work January 3.
TYLER — Three charitable organizations will share a multimillion-dollar bequest from the estate of community philanthropist June S. Flock, who died July 2. The Marvin Methodist Church Foundation, the Tyler Junior College Foundation, and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation each received $1.75 million. Spokespeople for all three organizations are expressing their appreciation. A CHRISTUS Health news release termed Flock “a gracious woman with a generous spirit, whose desire was ‘to be remembered.’â€
TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Committee will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program to update the highway projects list to reflect the latest project information in the TxDOT Unified Transportation Program. Also up for consideration: adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies. You can learn more here, and you can contact the MPO by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5.
LONGVIEW — Fairmont Street between Toler Road and H.G. Mosley Parkway in Longview has re-opened to two-way traffic. Officials say major roadway construction items along Fairmont Street have been completed. Minor work remains ongoing along Fairmont Street, which may require temporary lane closure, according to a news release. However, two-way traffic is expected to be provided for the remainder of the project. Click here for further details.
WOOD COUNTY — Four people are dead in a Wednesday evening crash nine miles north of Quitman. According to a DPS news release, preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was traveling eastbound on FM 515 when the other vehicle disregarded a stop sign while southbound on FM 2966. The victims, aged 16 to 64, were from Winnsboro and Yantis. A passenger from Garland went to a Tyler hospital with what were termed incapacitating injuries.
TYLER – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is investigating a Tyler sports bar, Where’s Rufus, regarding the crash that resulted in the death of Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos in July. According to our news partner KETK, TABC claims the business violated a rule and “was operating in a place or manner that would endanger public health.†TABC also said they are still trying to determine the penalty for the alleged violation, which could include a settlement or a hearing. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says the 29-year-old Bustos died after he was hit by a drunk driver. Daniel Nyenze Nyabuto, 21, of Grand Prairie, was arrested and charged with intoxicated manslaughter.
EAST TEXAS — A number of events are scheduled around East Texas for Veterans Day. Among them: a program from noon till 2 p.m. at the American Freedom Museum on the campus of Brook Hill School in Bullard. It’s co-sponsored by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee and the Veterans Service Committee of the Tyler Economic Development Council. The event will include singing of patriotic songs, the honoring of fallen soldiers, poetry, and remarks from local leaders. Attendees are invited to tour the museum as part of the celebration. There is no charge to attend the celebration, but attendees are asked to register using this link. You can also contact Jackie Clay at (423) 505-6238. Veterans will receive a gift bag which includes a gift card to Chili’s Restaurant or Dairy Queen. Just one of the other community celebrations will happen at Kilgore College. Check here for more information on that event.
TYLER — 75 years ago today Harry Truman was president of the United States, Beauford* Jester was governor of Texas, and the Federal Communications Commission issued a license for a new station in Tyler at 600 on the AM dial bearing the call letters KTBB. The station was owned by local businessmen Clint and Marshall Formby. At the time it signed on, KTBB could only broadcast during daylight hours. In addition to hearing this story at 600 on the AM radio band, you can also hear KTBB at 97.5 FM as well as on smartphones and smart speakers. Though the technology has evolved, what hasn’t changed is local ownership. Today, KTBB is the only locally-owned news media outlet in East Texas.
TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved two street work projects at its Wednesday meeting. One was a $1,318,390 construction contract to replace the streets, infrastructure, and storm sewer under South Thompson Avenue and Barger Street, where officials say the storm sewer and pavement have deteriorated in multiple areas. The Council also gave the nod to a $66,900 engineering contract to design new traffic signal infrastructure and install new equipment at the intersection of West Gentry Parkway and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. According to officials, the existing traffic signal and associated equipment are past their lifespan, and the traffic signal mast arms are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The project, including the design and construction, is estimated to be completed in about 18 months. Both projects are funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund.
EAST TEXAS — Voters in East Texas joined numerous others in hitting the polls for Tuesday’s midterm elections. One top issue: deciding on a proposed new courthouse for Smith County, and voters ruled in favor of that proposition. There was also a race to determine the successor to Congressman Louie Gohmert, with Republican Nathaniel Moran handily defeating Democrat Jrmar Jefferson. And Republican District 6 state Representative Matt Schaefer easily overcame a challenge from Democrat Cody Grace. Click here for the election results in Smith County. Check this link for Gregg County’s results.
ATHENS – A Henderson County man was arrested on Monday after being accused of possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Ethan Phillips was charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography and 10 counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography. His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 8.
ATHENS – The Athens Collection Site will be open this week to help residents clean up after a tornado was confirmed in the city, according to the National Weather Service. Our news partner KETK reports the building on Aaron Street will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents can drop off storm trash for free. People should bring proof of residence like a water bill or ID and separate brush and debris. If people need help while they are cleaning up, they can reach out to Carla Henson at [email protected] or call 903-677-6615. No one was injured due to the tornado, but buildings were damaged and trees were knocked down, said the city of Athens. Residents are also urged to report any storm damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Gregg County, 
Longview maintenance is scheduled to begin bridge channel repair on South Loop 281 at Harris Creek. Motorists should expect right lane closures north and southbound with flaggers controlling traffic. In Smith County, 
Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on SH 64 eastbound near the Oil Palace. Motorists should expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. When complete, crews will base failure work on FM 850 from SH 31 heading east towards Overton. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the Tyler District.
TYLER — Smith County’s vacant building on Line Street in downtown Tyler was heavily damaged in Friday’s storms. Officials said Monday morning that crews were working to clear the debris, and the parking lot and front entrance of the Adult Probation building across the street are closed. Smith County is planning on having the brick building demolished as soon as possible, according to a news release. Appointments at Adult Probation have been temporarily postponed. If you are on probation in Smith County, you can follow the department’s Facebook page to stay updated by clicking here.
WOOD COUNTY – DPS reports one person has died after an officer-involved shooting in Wood County on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said the incident involved the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the case is being investigated by the Texas Rangers. The name of the victim was not immediately released.
LONGVIEW == The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center will be closed to the public on Saturday, Nov. 5, to allow staff to attend a Celebration of Life for lead adoption counselor Nina Allen. Allen died in a tragic accident this past weekend. The Celebration of Life will be Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. at Life Church in Longview. According to a news release, during her four years with the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center, Allen helped adopt over 6,000 animals. She also regularly appeared in promotional material for the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center including a video with a dancing goat that went viral with more than 8 million views.
TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department is reminding citizens about daylight saving time this weekend. As we “fall back†and set our clocks back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 a.m., Tyler firefighters are encouraging residents to also change the batteries in all smoke alarms in their home. Officials say smoke alarms should be a critical component to everyone’s home fire escape plan. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes that have no smoke alarms, or no working smoke alarms. Statistics indicate that the installation of smoke alarms can increase the survivability of a home fire by more than 50 percent. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler police say a suspect has been arrested in a reported kidnapping. They say Arkansas State Police stopped Servando Vazquez of Tennessee Friday afternoon as he drove a pickup and that they located the allegedly kidnapped children in the vehicle unharmed. At approximately 12:15 p.m. Friday, officers responded to an address on W. Mims in Tyler. A 36-year-old woman advised that Vazquez, 38, the estranged father of her child, took her children without consent and under threat of violence. She said he took their son, Servando Vasquez-Avila, who is three years old and is his biological child. She said he also took her son, Alvaro Emmanuel Diaz-Avila, who is eight years old. Vazquez is not the biological father of the eight-year-old. The case remains under investigation.
TYLER — The city of Tyler is responding to severe weather that hit East Texas Friday evening. City officials say streets and storm-water crews will respond and intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out and other public facilities may be compromised. If you have an emergency, you’re asked to call 9-1-1, stay on the line, and not hang up until your call is answered. Officials say you should answer all questions and follow instructions. The Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications to include traffic signal issues. Click here for more information.
TYLER — Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford updates the State of the District for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Crawford says recent developments in the district show “a lot of great things are happening in Tyler, Texas, especially in Tyler ISD.” He notes that in 2021-22, the district had its best year academically in recent times. He also cited the support of the community in passing a recent bond proposal. As for what lies ahead, Crawford tells KTBB the district has “a lot of great systems in place to take care of student achievement, no matter what Austin, Texas throws at us.” He adds that the district’s priority is to make sure that everyone on campus is “safe and secure” — and that he’s “very proud” of upgrades made in that area. Each year, the Chamber hears presentations on the state of the district, the city, and the county.