Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
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TYLER – For almost fifty years Mike Tucker and The Caldwell Zoo have grown up together. Mike started working for the zoo when he was in high school. And, Friday May 31, he retired on his own terms.
In his forty-eight years at Caldwell Zoo, Tucker has worked in every part of the zoo’s operation. He has been an animal keeper, curator and head of Guest Services. When he started, Caldwell Zoo had 7 total employees. Now, that number is at over ninety. Many of these employees Mike has hired and trained. “Really, I’ve only had one job my whole life,” he reflects. “I really did grow up with the Zoo. We’ve been through a lot together.”
In Tyler Mayor Don Warren’s proclamation, “As Mike retires, we celebrate his incredible journey and dedication to our beloved zoo. Although he will miss the responsibilities and details, he’s looking forward to spending quality time with his family and returning to some old hobbies. He is excited to travel with his wife and do a little more fly fishing. Join us in honoring Mike’s massive commitment to every part of the Zoo. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Mike! We will surely miss you.”
SMITH COUNTY – The Dogwood Estates community, which is north of Arp is without water and electricity due to the recent storms. According to Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said late Wednesday night that after losing power, the water tower would not operate. This left Dogwood Estates thirty homes without water.
SWEPCO was able to restore power Thursday, but it went out again Thursday night. Starting Friday afternoon, bottled water was being distributed to the community, as well as non-potable water for animals. The Smith County Emergency Services District 2, Arp Fire Station 2, on County Road 246 South, is the location for water distribution.
Moore said they are working to get a generator to power the water tower. However, there is currently no estimated time for the power to be restored.
CARTHAGE – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said they are investigating the drowning of a 2-year-old child who died early Friday morning according to our colleagues at KETK. The sheriff’s office said they responded to Private Road 7000 near Carthage at 6:11 a.m. with UT Health EMS. A 911 caller had reported that CPR was being done on a 2-year-old child but it was unsuccessful. Precinct 1 and 4 Justice of the Peace was contacted and an autopsy has been ordered from Dallas. The sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are investigating the death. “We extend our condolences to the family in their time of grief,†officials said.
PALESTINE – 
A man was arrested for arson in Palestine after he reportedly set a garage on fire and assaulted one of the residents on Sunday night according to our news partners at KETK. Police officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Brierwood Drive for a residential fire. At the scene, the officer made contact with a resident who “witnessed one of the residents pour gasoline on the garage door and then light the surface on fire.†Officials said the resident also reported he was assaulted by the person who lit the fire, who reportedly placed his hands around his throat Larry Rhone, 46 of Palestine, was found at the scene and placed under arrested after the initial investigation and officers at the scene reported to observe Rhone had a strong odor of gasoline on his clothes. Rhone was booked into the Anderson County Jail for arson intend to damage habitation and assault of a family/house member to impede breath. His bond was set at a combined $210,000.
SMITH COUNTY – There are only two Smith County roads that area closed Monday, June 3, after being washed out from the recent storms. County Road 381, which runs southeast of U.S. Highway 271, is closed just south of the railroad crossing because of a wash out. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis says it would take about three weeks, depending on the weather, to replace the culvert.
County Road 498 also remains closed so Road and Bridge crews can replace two culverts. The project was already scheduled for later this summer, but recent rains have undermined the structures, requiring an emergency replacement. Davis said the section of CR 498 that is closed is 0.65 miles east of CR 431. He also expects the project to take about three weeks, depending on the weather.
Smith County recently launched an interactive map that lists all of Smith County road closures. You see them by clicking this.
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TYLER – Former president Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts by a jury in his hush money case and politicians from across Texas are reacting to this historic conviction. According to our news partner KETK, Rep. Nathaniel Moran, a Republican who represents Tyler in the House of Representatives, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to give his thoughts on the verdict: “Today in NY, we saw a politically motivated travesty of justice and a mockery of the American legal system. This verdict must not stand,†Moran said.
State Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Republican Texas State Senator who represents Mineola, shared a black and white image of Trump and the following message on X: “The democrats set a dangerous precedent today: If you can’t win at the ballot box, then try and put your opponent in jail. This is not the American way. It is a horrible abuse of the justice system. The real verdict will be delivered by the American people in November. #trumpverdict #txlege,†Hughes said.
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SMTIH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a runaway teenage girl. They are looking for 15-year-old Anslie Dawn Lair of Lindale. Her mother told deputies Tuesday that Anslie had ran away from home. Anslie had reportedly run into a wooded area at Darden Park in Lindale. Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies searched the area and were not able locate her.
Anslie is described as a white female, 5’03â€, 120, brown hair, possibly a ponytail, blue eyes, and wearing prescription glasses. She was last seen wearing a green hoodie, black shorts, white Nike shoes with red markings, and carrying a black backpack.
If you have any information on Anslie Lair’s location, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for help in locating a woman after her 4-year-old child was found alone near a park in Marshall.According to our news partner KETK, Labrittani Grant is wanted by authorities on a felony warrant for endangering a child. MPD said this is in connection to an incident in April when a resident spotted Grant’s child alone near City Park that evening .
Initially, Marshall Police and Child Protective Services were unable to locate a parent or guardian. However, through Facebook, they were able to locate family members for the child.
Marshall PD is asking for help in locating Labrittani Grant. If you have information your asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575.
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SMITH COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that three people were arrested on Tuesday after a pursuit with Smith County authorities led to the seizure of more than 90 grams of methamphetamine. According to authorities, a Smith County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable attempted to make a traffic stop on southbound US 271 North and the car “fled at a high rate of speed.†The driver continued to evade law enforcement before officials said they pulled into the parking lot of the Texas Best Smokehouse on US 271 at I-20 and dropped off a female passenger before continuing to evade authorities. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine will become a member of the states Alzheimer research wing. According to our news partner KETK, by a unanimous vote , the school will become a member of the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium. The goal of the TARCC, is to expand health care initiatives in East Texas.
Dr. Julie V. Philley, executive vice president and vice provost for UT Tyler health affairs and incoming UT Tyler president, said, “We aim to enhance early detection, treatment and support services for individuals and families affected by these neurodegenerative disorders.â€
The release from from the TARCC further explained that Texas ranks second in the nation in the number of Alzheimer’s deaths by population.
TYLER — Smith County officials and first responders have responded to nearly 300 calls for service since 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 28. During and after the storms rolled through Smith County early Tuesday, calls have been responded to by Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Marshal’s Office, Road and Bridge, the Constables offices and Animal Control, as well as Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2. The Smith County Emergency Operations Center has been activated.
The EOC is in constant communication with multiple emergency support function personnel as well as local jurisdictions within the county, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said.
“We are inundated with calls about downed power lines and felled trees,†he said. “We are working through this process as quickly as possible.†Read the rest of this entry »