Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
EAST TEXAS — The Atlanta District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced repairs for 15 bridges in East Texas will get underway in the coming months, according to our news partners at KETK. “We will be making repairs to the concrete decking, replacing bearing pads, and cleaning joints,†said TxDOT Mount Pleasant Area Engineer Wendy Starkes. The work is expected to start in December and will take about 22 months. Titus, Morris and Bowie Counties are all slated for repair projects.“Bridges scheduled for this work are on Interstate 30 in Titus, Morris, and Bowie counties and on State Loop 151 in Texarkana.†Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – 
The Longview Police Department said that a 19-year-old was arrested on Saturday after a fatal shooting on Baylor Drive, according to our news partners at KETK. Longview PD said that officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1300 block of Baylor Drive at around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday. When they arrived at the scene they reportedly found the body of Robert Rayson, 25 of Longview, who had died from the shooting. A statement from Longview PD reported that the shooting occurred after an altercation started inside a home on Baylor Drive. Everyone at the scene of the shooting was interviewed and Longview PD said those interviews led to the arrest of Deleontre Mitchell, 19 of Longview. Mitchelll has been arrested for murder and was taken to the Gregg County Jail, according to Longview PD.
POLK COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that a wanted East Texas woman and her passenger were arrested after deputies discovered methamphetamine during a traffic stop, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies saw a vehicle travelling in the Blanchard area commit a traffic violation on Sept. 26 and decided to conduct a traffic stop. “During the stop, officers discovered probable cause to search the vehicle, leading to the seizure of methamphetamine,†PCSO said. The sheriff’s office said the driver, identified as 37-year-old Marlena Anne Toomey, of Livingston, gave deputies a “government document†with false information. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report the Tyler Regional Airport is filled with Camp V and airshow planes for the Rose City Airfest. “I’ve got over 40 vendors and we’ve got static displays, we’ve got the pilots out signing posters, it’s just going to be a tremendous full day of family fun,†said Bob Westbrook, Rose City Airfest chairman. Activities started Friday with an all-new STEM day for local high school students. Read the rest of this entry »
Bullard – 
Bullard High School is now a member of the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. The school received bronze-level honor roll recognition for the success of its 2023-2024 AP programs. Schools earn this recognition by meeting criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK – Officials from Rusk ISD Friday addressed on a social media post, what they call an “incident” at Rusk ISD, that happened on October 2. Parents say the incident was caught on video, reportedly showing a student being assaulted in an administrative office. The video has been shared extensively on social media. Rusk ISD did not explain the nature of the “incident†in their statement. District officials also said that guardians of all students involved were informed immediately after the incident and they plan to work with the guardians to seek a resolution.
The Facebook post went onto to say, “Rusk ISD will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior from our students and while we cannot discuss individual disciplinary actions, please know that we will follow state education codes and local policies to ensure the disciplinary consequences align with the seriousness of the offense,†according to the district. “The safety of our students remains our top priority, and we will continue to review our policies and procedures to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus.â€
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HENDERSON — 
Over the past decade, public school enrollment has been declining across the nation. Now, that trend is starting to impact at least two school districts in East Texas, according to our news partners at KETK. At Palestine ISD, Director of Public Relations Larissa Loveless said she has worked for their district for 24 years. When she first started, she was an elementary school principal, and their campus had about 740 students. This year, that number is about 670 students. This trend is one her district has seen over the past 3 to 5 years, lower enrollment in lower grade levels and higher enrollment in middle school and high school. This year, their kindergarten class has 188 students, but in previous years, Loveless said they’ve had 225-240 students in that class. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Fire Department responded to a crash of an 18-wheeler on Thursday after the tanker rolled over and spilled about 5,000 gallons of hot asphalt. According to our news partner KETK, the tanker rolled over and crashed at I-20 and mile marker 548, westbound near Lindale. The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to a hospital, their condition is unknown.
Initially, Smith County ESD2 used their plow to help contain the spill. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a hazmat crew was at the scene working to clean up the spill.
The Lindale Fire Department said on their Facebook page the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
TYLER – Even with it being October, hot and dry weather is persisting. This can create a fire hazard. Some counties in East Texas have issued burn bans. You can see the list provided from our news partner KETK with this link.
PALESTINE – A Palestine High School student was removed from campus after weapons were found in a vehicle on Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a routine check from a drug dog alerted school officials of a rifle and a “small machete†that were discovered in the vehicle.
Palestine ISD said in a release that, “Parents were notified, and the student removed from the campus pending further investigation.â€
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SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Fire Department reports a traffic wreck involving a rolled over 18-wheeler. The wreck is stalling westbound traffic on I-20, west of Lindale at mile marker 548. The Lindale FD Facebook page said “This is currently a hazmat incident and Lonestar Hazmat is responding.†Officials added that traffic is down to one lane in the crash area and as of 2 p.m. clean-up will take several hours.
Also on Thursday, Lindale Fire units responded to the scene of a three vehicle accident that happened around 3 p.m. at I-20 and mile marker 552 westbound. In both cases traffic is being diverted. Lindale Fire Department asks drivers to continue to use caution and avoid the accident areas.
Tyler PD announced Wednesday afternoon that Mann was found safe in his vehicle in Lindale
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department said an investigation is underway for a 25-year-old Tyler man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is Christian Mann. TPD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said Mann is described as having brown hair and hazel eyes and being 6 foot 1 inch and weighs approximately 160 pounds.
Mann was driving a black 2017/2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. He was last seen on Sunday. Erbaugh added on Wednesday, that no foul play is suspected at this time. Police ask if you have information on the location of Christian Mann to call the the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.
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