Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
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TYLER – The Better Business Bureau in Tyler collected thousands of documents and devices from East Texans on Saturday during their annual Shred Day event.
The annual collection event usually sees between 500 to 800 cars drive up but in just their first hour of collections on Saturday the Better Business Bureau (BBB) saw over 200 cars roll up with documents. The BBB said it’s all being done to protect the identities of East Texans.
“We want to make sure that we are helping people protect their identity. Identity theft happens every 4.9 seconds in this country and so we want to remind people that we need to be secure and make sure that our documents are shredded securely,” Mechele Mills with BBB of Central East Texas said.
The Better Business Bureau’s annual event also takes old computers, hard drives and cell phones to be destroyed and recycled. To learn more, visit the Better Business Bureau online.
HAWKINS – People living in Hawkins will vote for a new mayor following political conflict, lawsuit and the arrest of their current mayor.
In the past two years, the City of Hawkins has seen major changes under the current mayor, Debbie Rushing.
“I decided to run for mayor because I’ve noticed things happening in the city in the years that I’ve been here and I raised children here, so it became an important thing for me,” Hawkins’ mayoral candidate, Kayla Ross, said.
Since Rushing’s election in 2024, the city has fired its city judge, shut down the police department, and seen Rushing arrested.
Now, the future of leadership could all change at the ballot box on May 2.
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LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University staff and students gathered in Longview on Friday to break ground on their new Christian Polytechnic University Center. According to our news partner KETK, the new 100,000-square-foot center will be a four-story building that will house more than 25 labs and spaces for the university’s engineering, business and computer science programs.
“There’s been a lot of work, actually many years, to get us to this point,” LeTourneau University President Dr. Steven D. Mason said. “The vision for this building at LeTourneau University, as the Christian Polytechnic University, has been in the making for several years to make it a space and a place that would embody everything that we hope for at an institution like ours.”
The new center is all a part of the university’s Build With Purpose campaign, where university donors are funding projects all across their campus.
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TYLER – Workforce Solutions East Texas completed moving into a new expanded workforce center on South Beckham Avenue this week. According to our news partner KETK, the new 28,500-square-foot facility will continue to provide Workforce Solutions’ free job recruitment and employment services but at a greater capacity than ever before.
“We’re excited to offer employers and prospective employees a tremendous facility. It allows ample space for recruitment of skilled workers, interviewing, training, enhancing respected skills, and receiving the resources necessary to become valued, long-term assets to the Tyler business community and the surrounding area. I believe employers will see this facility as a force multiplier to ongoing work in building their businesses. Employees will see this as a critical link between their hard work in preparation and the job in which they’ll excel. Together, we’ll set the stage for the next generation in Tyler’s economic development,” Workforce Solutions East Texas’ Executive Director, Doug Shryock said.
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TYLER – Just days after the abrupt closure of Painted Tree Boutique locations, including one in Tyler, many vendors are now searching for new ways to sell their products, with some turning to creative community-driven solutions to stay afloat.
According to our news partner KETK, Heather Watson, a booth owner and marketing and business growth consultant said,“It’s crazy how much has happened just within a couple of days,”
Watson, like many others, rushed to retrieve her merchandise amid uncertainty about access to the building.
“Initially, it was just that urgent sense of, I need to get out there, I need to get my things out. I don’t know if the door is going to get locked,” Watson said.
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HENDERSON – A man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Henderson County. According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson County District Attorney announced on Friday that Dwight Hugh Fitzpatrick received two 40-year sentences for aggravated sexual assault of a child. This comes after more than two years since the investigation began when a child told her grandmother that she had been sexually assaulted.
“We worked closely with the family of the young victim to ensure her needs were our first priority,” DA Jenny Palmer said. “Members of her family appeared in court wearing pink, her favorite color, and expressed their gratitude that she did not have to testify. Representatives from Maggie’s House, along with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, were also present during the plea.”
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LINDALE – The Lindale ISD community is in mourning after a Velma Penny Elementary school student died earlier this week. According to our news partner KETK, in a statement from the district, parents were informed of the student’s passing, but additional information on their death isn’t being shared to respect their family and confidentiality laws.
Lindale ISD said on Wednesday that a student at Velma Penny Elementary was transported to the hospital after they had a medical emergency at the school.
Counseling has been made available to students and staff who need support following the student’s death.
TYLER – Early Voting for the May 2 City-School Elections ends today. There are several city and school elections, including a special-called bond election for Tyler Junior College.
The cities of Tyler, Hideaway, Lindale and Winona; and the independent school districts of Lindale and Tyler District 4 are having elections. The City of Lindale is also holding a special election for a charter amendment.
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TYLER – Traffic is currently stopped at the intersection of East Gentry Parkway and North Broadway Avenue after two vehicles crashed there on Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police are directing traffic and no injuries have been reported.
LONGVIEW – Looking to win the District 3 seat on the Longview City Council, two out of five candidates spoke on issues impacting Longview the most at a forum on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, District 3, which covers the south-eastern part of the city from Interstate 20 to north of U.S. Highway 80, has been under councilman Ray Wade since 2018. The seat opened up when Wade campaigned and lost the race to be a Gregg County commissioner during the March primary election.
Five candidates are vying for the seat to represent the district.
“[It’s] the oldest and most culturally enhanced part of our city,” candidate Marlena Cooper said.
Cooper, along with G. Floyd, were the two candidates present at Wednesday night’s forum, organized by the Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Longview News Journal.
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TYLER – Ahead of the upcoming election, East Texans in Tyler Junior College’s appraisal district are voicing their concerns over a possible rise in property taxes stemming from the college’s $167.3 million bond. The proposed $167.3 million seeks to upgrade three existing facilities — workforce and academic building, student success center and student safety and the IT center — but the number is a major concern for many East Texans.
TJC said that for the average homeowner, the cost breaks down to about $84 a year on a $252,000 home, which is less than a streaming subscription, but it’s still an increase not everyone is sold on. State Republican Executive Committeewoman Christin Bentley argues that for many families, this isn’t just spare change; it adds up.
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CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County is mourning the loss of longtime constable Eddie Lee, who recently died. According to our news partner KETK, Lee dedicated over 50 years of his life to working in law enforcement and serving his community and was known for his commitment and integrity, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
“His legacy of service will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who had the honor of knowing him,” the sheriff’s office said.
SMITH COUNTY – Two men were arrested in Smith County on Tuesday after being accused of hanging a dog from a tree, leading to its death. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of animal cruelty at a property off in rural Tyler on March 13. Once on the scene, deputies spoke with the property owner, who said he had found a white dog hanging from a tree in his yard after two unknown men had illegally entered his premises.
Deputies later spoke with residents in the area who confirmed they observed the same two men two or three days earlier and claimed they had the same dog in their possession. After opening an investigation, the sheriff’s office identified the suspects as 17-year-old Jay Stansberry and 33-year-old Billy Perry, both of Tyler. Both men were arrested on Tuesday and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals. Their bonds have been set at $100,000 each and they are currently being held in the Smith County Jail.
Tyler – Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce the relocation of its workforce center to the Midtown Centre. The new Tyler workforce center location is now open to the public and operates at the Midtown Centre shopping center on 1421 South Beckham Avenue. The business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Workforce Solutions East Texas is a community partnership providing no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the East Texas area. The chief elected officials in the region, the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board, and the board’s administrative agency, the East Texas Council of Governments, elected to lease the 28,500-square-foot facility. The boards approved entering a seven-year lease term with three three-year extension options.
Additional assistance is available to veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people who have been dislocated from a job. Details on workforce center locations and service hours can be viewed here.
MOUNT VERNON — A former NBA player and current East Texas resident is looking to make a transition in politics by running for mayor of Mount Vernon in the upcoming May election.
Greg Ostertag and his family moved to Mount Vernon in 2015 and he has since been an active member of the community. He has also been an active member of the school district, volunteering to coach local sports, officiate high school basketball games and serve as a substitute teacher.
Prior to Ostertag and his family moving to East Texas, he spent over 10 years playing in the NBA, including a nine-year stint with the Utah Jazz. Ostertag ended his playing career in 2012 following a brief stint with the Texas Legends.
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RUSK – A Dallas woman has been arrested in connection with a terroristic threat that placed Rusk ISD on a secure hold on Wednesday morning, Rusk officials confirm. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk ISD went on a secure lockout on Wednesday following a reported threat to the primary school. The lockout, which prohibited anyone from entering or leaving the school, has since been lifted, the district said.
Rusk Police Sgt. Jeremy Farmer told KETK News that the threat was found to be non-credible, but because of the large police response, Trinishia Sandles was arrested with the third degree felony of terroristic threat. During the investigation, authorities were able to locate Sandles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who allegedly made the initial call. Sandles is believed to have been facing a “mental health-related concern.”
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HENDERSON COUNTY – After almost two years since he was last seen, a Brownsboro missing man was found dead in an abandoned house in Henderson County on Monday. According to our news partner KETK and Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, authorities received a call about what appeared to be a dead body in a vacant house on County Road 3606. The man was identified as Brady Booth, who was last seen in Brownsboro in 2024.
The body was found “heavily decomposed,” but no physical trauma was reported in the preliminary autopsy. Foul play is not suspected at this time, Hillhouse said.
Located on the scene were the same clothing Booth appeared to be wearing in camera footage of his last known appearance, Hillhouse said.
The case is still under investigation as authorities wait for a toxicology report, which could take up to 12 weeks.
Today’s app is a collective way for all of us to watch each other. David Rancken’s App Of The Day is called Citizen. You can find Citizen in the Apple Store and Google Play below.
MARSHALL – Traffic delays are expected on Interstate 20 in Marshall following a crash on Tuesday afternoon involving two 18-wheelers. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), said the crash occurred on I-20 going westbound near FM 3251 and involved two 18-wheelers and an SUV. Both westbound lanes of I-20 are currently closed, and the DPS is advising drivers to seek an alternative route until the roadways reopen. A DPS spokesperson could not confirm if any injuries were sustained during the crash.
David Rancken’s App of the Day could make getting a rescue animal easier. The name of the app is WeRescue. You can find WeRescue in the Apple Store.
ATHENS – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the City of Athens has been named as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community.
“Congratulations to the City of Athens on earning the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community designation,” Abbott said. “With support from the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry accounts for more than 196,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs and generates over $31 billion in annual economic activity statewide. Together, we will continue to work alongside communities in every region of our state to create good-paying jobs and boost economic growth.”
The Texas Music Office is a part of the governor’s office which works with communities who are interested in bringing more music to their area by creating a Music Friendly Texas Liaison position in their city government.
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MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) and the Harrison County Special Response Team executed a search warrant at East Houston Street and Fairfield Avenue. The warrant was obtained by the Joint Harrison County Violent Crimes & Narcotics Task Force following an investigation regarding suspected drug-related activity in the neighborhood.
The operation was conducted with assistance from federal law enforcement partners, including
the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as part of a
broader criminal enterprise and drug trafficking investigation.
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EAST TEXAS – During the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) commission meeting on Thursday, two DPS troopers from East Texas were honored with “Lifesaving Awards” for their heroic actions in 2025. According to our news partner KETK, Trooper James Whitten of Tyler received the Lifesaving Award for taking action while responding to a shooting incident in Smith County on Aug. 6, 2025. Per the DPS, Whitten immediately proceeded to the scene upon hearing about the emergency, recognizing that he was the closest unit. Upon arriving, he noticed the victim’s gunshot wound was actively hemorrhaging with arterial bleeding and applied lifesaving medical aid.
“His prompt intervention effectively controlled the bleeding and preserved the victim’s chance of survival until emergency medical personnel arrived to provide advanced care,” DPS said. “Following the transfer of medical responsibility, Trooper Whitten continued to support Smith Co. Sheriff’s Office deputies by securing the scene and assisting in the collection of evidence vital to the investigation.”
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MALAKOFF – A months-long investigation came to a close following the seizure of suspected narcotics and the arrest of an illegal drug dealer in Malakoff. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at approximately 3 a.m. on Thursday at a residence at North Smith Street and East Clay Avenue, believed to be where a narcotics trafficker was operating.
There, investigators located digital scales and packaging materials commonly used for distributing illegal narcotics. Large amounts of suspected methamphetamine and crack cocaine were also found in the residence, the sheriff’s office said. Alleged narcotics trafficker Victor Hadnot was arrested on the scene on two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail and awaits arraignment.
PALESTINE – Former Gettysburg, Pa., Mayor Chad-Alan Carr was arrested on Wednesday in Anderson County on two counts of sexual assault and one count of photography/film on a computer depicting sexual acts involving a child. Carr, who is facing multiple felonies connected to alleged child sex crimes, had posted bail after his initial arrest last month, after a man claimed Carr engaged in inappropriate behavior with him online when the victim was a minor.
Pennsylvania State Police filed new charges Wednesday against Carr after three men came forward with new allegations of physical sexual abuse and inappropriate comments, some of which came when the victims were underage.
According to Adams County Sheriff Josh Fitting, on Wednesday afternoon, a warrant was issued for Carr, and it was determined he was in Anderson County, Texas.
The sheriff’s office coordinated with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, which took Carr into custody. Authorities have confirmed they will extradite Carr from Texas. Carr is scheduled to be arraigned on April 16 at the Adams County courthouse. The former mayor resigned just weeks into his first term after learning of the initial investigation.
TYLER – A former Smith County detention officer was arrested on Wednesday night after he was caught in uniform attempting to solicit sex from what he believed to be a prostitute, according to our news partner KETK. The jailer, David Lofton, was the subject of a prostitute sting operation coordinated by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the East Texas Anti-Gang Center.
Officials say, Lofton was communicating with a person he believed to be a prostitute on Thursday. He allegedly told the person that he had cash and they would meet at the Hollywood Theatre after he got off his shift at the Smith County Jail. Lofton, still in uniform, notified the person he believed to be a prostitute of his arrival at the theater. Law enforcement was able to identify Lofton, found he had $1,000 in his possession, and arrested him for solicitation of prostitution.
For the safety and security of Smith County jail inmates, Lofton was transferred to the Gregg County Jail and is being held on a $150,000 bond, Sheriff Larry Smith said.