Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
HENDERSON COUNTY — 
Our news partners at KETK report a body has been recovered from the Henderson County reservoir by a game warden after a Sunday night crash that also left two others dead, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. According to a release, officials in Henderson County responded to a vehicle crash on Sunday at around 9 p.m. on SH 198 bridge crossing Cedar Creek Reservoir near Payne Springs. The Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said the crash involved a vehicle and three motorcycles. Officials said two motorcyclists were pronounced dead at the scene and the third was believed to have gone over the rail and into the reservoir. After calling the search off late in the night, wardens resumed their search efforts Monday morning where they reportedly recovered the third victim at 11 a.m. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and loved ones during this difficult time,†officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. At this time, officials did not release the names of the victims.
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PAYNE SPRINGS – 
Payne Springs Fire Rescue said that a man had to be flown out to a trauma center on Saturday night after diving into Cedar Creek Lake, according to our news partners at KETK. PSFR said that they were dispatched to a boating accident at 5:32 p.m. in the Southwood Shores subdivision. When they arrived on the scene it was determined that there was no boating accident and that a man was injured after diving into the lake. “Every year we respond to calls where someone has suffered serious or fatal injures from diving off of boat docks into Cedar Creek Lake. We strongly recommend getting into the water feet first at all times,†Payne Springs Fire Rescue said. EMS reportedly transported the man to Gun Barrel City where he was then flown out to be treated at a trauma center.
MORRIS COUNTY – 
An East Texas man was arrested on Monday after authorities said they uncovered a plot to abduct and murder another person according to our news partners at KETK. Officials with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office said the plot was discovered last week, and during investigations, developed “solid probable cause†to obtain an arrest warrant and search warrant. Mark Anthony Johnson, 49 of Naples, was arrested on Monday and officials said a search of his property resulted in the recovery of supplies and materials collected for: se in the kidnapping, torture and murder, including deadly weapons, and a large quantity of chemicals and other materials “for the destruction of evidence of the crime.†Read the rest of this entry »
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MOUNT PLEASANT –
Our news partners at KETK report that five people were arrested on Wednesday as well as cocaine, heroin and firearms seized, the Mount Pleasant Police Department said.
Texarkana bookkeeper arrested for alleged $700k embezzlement
According to the police department, at around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday officers and detectives responded to a call about shots fired in the area of Private Road 3015. The police department reportedly obtained a search warrant of a residence involved.
“During the execution of that search warrant, detectives seized over half a pound of cocaine, 2 ounces of heroin and 8 firearms,†Mount Pleasant PD said. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — 
A former Payne Springs police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to meth distribution, according to our news partners at KETK. Jonathan Hutchison, a former police officer, pleaded guilty in April to manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance as part of an open plea. Hutchison was sentenced to two years for tampering with an electronic monitoring device, two years for possession of a controlled substance and 20 years for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The sentences will run concurrently. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – An Upshur County man was sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison on Wednesday for drug and gun violations. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner received the sentence for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Upshur County District Attorney in a release said in February 2024, a search warrant was executed at a shop building on Bob-O-Link Road in Gladewater. A yearlong investigation revealed a room in the building with methamphetamine, marijuana, cutting agents, loaded syringes and multiple firearms.
The district attorney’s office said six other people were arrested at the location and they are currently awaiting trial.
TEXARKANA — A woman has been arrested for stealing more than half a million dollars from a local business, according to the Texarkana Police Department according to our news partners at KETK.
Officials said they were notified by a local business around mid-2023 that their accounting firm reportedly discovered financial discrepancies and suspected Melissa Egger, 45 of Texarkana. Egger reportedly worked for the company since 2011 as their bookkeeper and took on additional responsibilities as office manager.
Mugshot of Melissa Egger, courtesy of the Texarkana Police Department.
“During that time, she was considered a trusted employee who exercised day-to-day control over the finances of the business,†Texarkana PD said.
However Egger was later terminated from her job after the discrepancies were discovered. A yearlong audit completed by a forensic accountant revealed that Egger had allegedly embezzled more than $700,000 from her employer during her 12-year employment.
A warrant for her arrest was obtained and Egger reportedly turned herself in on Wednesday. She was booked into the Bi-State Jail and is held on a $100,000 bond.
LINDALE — A Smith County Emergency Services District 2 firefighter was injured while responding to a fire on Wednesday night. According to Smith County ESD2 officials and our news partner KETK, the firefighter responded to call at around 7:48 p.m. of a shed on fire that was reportedly endangering nearby structures on CR 468. “Lindale Engine 1 and Command 1 along with SCESD2 responded to the 13000 block of County Road 468 for a report of a structure fire. Units checked on scene and stated that a shed was fully engulfed. The fire was quickly brought under control,†the Lindale Fire Department said. The firefighter reportedly sustained minor burns after the fire went under the bottom of his bunker gear while fighting the blaze. Smith County ESD2 officials said the burns were limited to his leg. He was then taken to a local hospital where he was later released and is expected to make a full recovery.
TYLER – Smith County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Smith County Courthouse on Thursday. The current Commissioners Court, as well as past members, posed for pictures after breaking ground on the future site of the new courthouse. The new courthouse is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
Congressman Nathaniel Moran, who served as Smith County judge when the courthouse bond was passed by voters, spoke to the crowd of more than 100 people, as well as current County Judge Neal Franklin.
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TYLER – SWEPCO released a consumer fraud alert on Tuesday, warning customers of solar panel salespeople claiming to be official partners with SWEPCO. According to our news partner KETK, the electric utility has reported an uptick in reports of door-to-door solar panel salespeople claiming to be officially partnered with SWEPCO.
William Bradford Jr., SWEPCO vice president of external affairs, said, “It’s important for our customers to know SWEPCO does not sell solar panels and is not partnered with any companies that do.â€
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TYLER – 
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Tyler City Council received the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) with a focus on serving all of Tyler efficiently and effectively. This budget continues Tyler’s tradition of responsible spending, addressing improved roadways and traffic flow, enhanced drainage systems, upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, and redeveloping public spaces. The FY25 proposed budget totals $255.9 million, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Of this, $50 million will be allocated to capital expenditures upgrading water and sewer systems, and another $41.4 million will be devoted to traffic signal improvements, street reconstruction, increased drainage capacity, and the redevelopment of the Downtown Tyler square funded by Half-Cent Sales Tax revenues. Read the rest of this entry »