Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
VAN ZANDT – 
Recent storms across East Texas flooded roads making some impassable, but now as water recedes there could be new problems for drivers. Most roads have dried up but left behind a bumpy ride. Heavy down pours across Van Zandt County caused the creek on FM 875 to rise to high level, endangering drivers. “A vehicle decided to go around the TxDOT barricades and floated into the dry creek area, there were luckily no injuries,†Caden Mosher, with the Grand Saline Fire Department, said. When there is standing water with no where to go, it seeps into the cracks, creating pot holes. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – One person is dead after authorities in Lufkin said he attempted to steal a truck shortly after being released from jail according to our news partners at KETK. According to police, 25-year-old Marco Levya told officers that around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night he stopped at his business in the 1800 block of East Lufkin Avenue when “an unknown Black male†entered his running truck with his wife and baby inside.
Officials said that “despite Leyva’s warnings and offers of an alternative vehicle, a physical altercation ensued, resulting in the suspect being shot.†Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE PALESTINE – 
The first thing you may notice when visiting Lake Palestine is the awful smell from the dead decaying carp. The fish skeletons can even be found on the grass near the shoreline, but Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) assures residents there is nothing to concerned about. “Nasty and smelly,†BJ Schalck, a local fisherman, said. People who live off the lake have seen many dead carp floating in the water in recent weeks, and they are wondering what is going on. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER- The Emergency Operation Center is fully activated, and nine City crews and nine Forestry Service crews are working to assess damage, clear roadways, and repair traffic signals affected by the recent severe thunderstorms that moved through the area. The city expects two more crews from the Forestry Service on Thursday. Residents should be cautious and aware of downed trees and power lines.
City officials are asking residents to report personal property damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the iSTAT Damage Surveys. iSTAT reports could release funding from the Federal Emergency Management System (FEMA) directly to residents. The find the survey, click here.
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SMITH COUNTY- The Smith County Emergency Operations Center has opened two Point of Distribution Centers Wednesday. Smith County residents who are suffering from power outages and property damage can go to Chapel Hill High School and the second distribution center is in Lindale, at the First Baptist Church. Both centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, they are distributing water, ice and tarps at both locations. The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Military Department are running the sites.
The Forest Service also sent saw crews from its Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to help the City of Tyler and Smith County clear trees from roadways.
The saw crews arrived early Tuesday morning and have been helping the Smith County Road and Bridge Department crews, and Smith County Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2 in clearing roads for emergency vehicles and residents. Both Smith County and the City of Tyler requested, and received, saw crews. These crews were instrumental Tuesday in expediting emergency response and are continuing to work in Smith County on Wednesday, he said.
Monday night’s storms caused damages throughout Smith County, causing more than 300 trees to fall on at least 100 county roads. That does not include roads belonging to cities in Smith County, or highways or farm-to-market roads owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.
On Wednesday, June 5, Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace and Constables Offices in Lindale reopened to the public after their power was restored. Precinct 4 JP/Constables Office in Winona remains closed because of no power but the constable and deputy constables are still out working. Precinct 3 JP/ Constables Office in Troup do not have internet or phone service. They are in the office but cannot take payments at this time.
Updates will be made as they become available
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TYLER – Volunteers with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief have set up a mobile kitchen in response to Monday’s severe storm activity in East Texas.
“With so many residents still without power we want to help by providing meals for the community and first responders,†said SBTC DR Director Scottie Stice. “We also have assessors in the community to see how else we can help.”
The mobile kitchen has set up at Sylvania Church, 2801 S SE Loop 323 in Tyler.
SMITH COUNTY — With East Texans feeling the effects of the recent severe weather, some shelters have opened up to those who have lost power. Our news partner KETK has a list available, and you can find it here.
SMITH COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that one person is dead after a crash Tuesday morning in Smith County involving a motorcycle and 18-wheeler.The crash happened on Highway 155 South near Toll 49, south of Tyler, and traffic was significantly impacted due to the crash.
TYLER – The City of Tyler urges all residents to report personal property damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the iSTAT Damage Surveys (texas.gov). Listen to the iSTAT How-To Video Guide on the page for instructions on correctly reporting damages.Â
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The Emergency Operation Center is fully activated, and nine City crews and two Forestry Service crews are working to assess damage, clear roadways, and repair traffic signals affected by the recent severe thunderstorms that moved through the area. Residents are advised to be cautious and aware of downed trees and power lines.Â
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About 1,000 911 calls have been recorded since 7:30 p.m. on June 3. No storm-related fatalities have been reported, and emergency services are running at full strength.Â
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SMITH COUNTY – Due to heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The ramps are being closed because of boating hazards due to debris that has washed into the lakes by recent rains and to reduce shoreline erosion. The ramps will be closed until further notice. County officials say the ramps will reopen once the lake levels recede.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Longtime Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. is dead after a tree fell onto his car while he was driving Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, a initial DPS reports the 76-year-old Melton Jr. was driving on FM 279 near Edom around 8 p.m., when a tree fell onto the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Melton’s wife Janice, was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment. Officials say the investigation into the incident is continuing.
RUSK COUNTY – 
The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said a man has been arrested for intent to promote child pornography and additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. According to our news colleagues at KETK, over the course of the investigation probable cause for an arrest and search warrant was issued for a residence in Rusk County. The sheriff’s office arrested James Eugene Garner, 29, who was charged with possession of child pornography with the intent to promote.
TYLER – A 21-year-old man was arrested last week for intoxication manslaughter in connection to a car accident in March in Smith County that left two people dead. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Jose Bravo Jr. of Tyler, was arrested on May 27 after, according reports, he told authorities he had been drinking before the crash in Smith County, near the Lone Star Event Center on FM 2767.
Police say the one car crash happened March 24, as the lone vehicle was traveling Southwest on the road and then took “faulty evasive action to avoid striking a dog.†The car traveled off the roadway, rolling over multiple private drives and resulted in three people getting ejected.
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