Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
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PALESTINE – On Tuesday, Anderson County residents heard from Next Era Energy Resources for the first time, the company in charge of building the 1,700-acre natural gas-fired power plant project, which came out of a U.S.-Japan trade deal to help support rising electricity demand. According to our news partner KETK, the company plans to provide 5.2 gigawatts to ERCOT’s statewide power grid and would be NextEra’s largest gas plant in the country if completed.
“It’s three miles away from me, I can see it from my front yard, drinking coffee on my porch where they’re going to build this place, so I’m not happy,” Tennesse Colony Volunteer Fire Chief Eddie Crockett said. “We’ve been a quiet county for a long time and this will ruin it.”
During Tuesday’s presentation, several residents expressed concern about preserving Anderson County’s water supply. Next Era Energy says the plant will operate on an air-cooling system and they are in contact with Trinity River Water Authority.
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GREGG COUNTY — A White Oak man accused of killing his mother is expected to begin trial next month. According to our news partner KETK, Zachary Keys was initially named a suspect in the death of his mother, Penny Renee Keys, after she was found outside her residence with multiple stab wounds on Dec. 31, 2026. Penny was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Keys was later accused of murder following further investigation and was located in Panola County. He was taken into custody and booked into the Gregg County Jail for murder after a warrant was issued for his arrest. In March, Keys was indicted for murder and is expected to begin trial on May 1 in the 124th District Court in Gregg County.
PITTSBURG – A Pittsburg man was arrested on Tuesday after police received tips from parents about their children being depicted in sexually explicit edited images shared on social media.
According to our news partner KETK, 61-year-old Gregory Bunt, was taken into custody by the Pittsburg Police Department following a search warrant at his residence at Broach and Quitman Streets on Tuesday for unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material and unlawful production or distribution of certain sexually explicit media.
Pittsburg Police Chief Matthew Lemarr said, the police department began receiving several complaints from parents and teachers on Sunday about a Facebook account posting images of children from the community in a sexually explicit manner. After talking to several parents on Monday morning, Lemarr said the police department was able to obtain a search warrant and sent anything that could store images to forensic examination.
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OVERTON – The discovery of a main water line leak in Overton on Wednesday morning will leave some residents without water throughout the day, the city said. According to our news partner KETK, residents who live east of Linda Lane on FM 850 East will experience water outages today, including the Willow Creek Apartments, Joe Lee Road and Jesse Thompson Road. The city hopes to have water restored sometime today.
City officials attributed the prevention of a citywide outage to the newly installed valves. For the past week, the city has been replacing and installing the valves to improve and repair the water system. A boil-water notice was issued due to the repairs and remains in effect while water samples are tested
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Judge Neal Franklin gave the State of the County address to more than 540 people at its annual Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The annual luncheon is held in April during National County Government Month. The theme was “Pressing Forward.”
Judge Franklin talked about important projects going on in Smith County, including the new courthouse construction project, continuing road projects, the completion of the new Facility Services Department property and plans for the renovation of the Smith County Animal Shelter, adjoining green space and Animal Control Offices.
The judge also talked about plans to bring more county departments from the Cotton Belt to relocate to the east side of downtown Tyler.
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TYLER – East Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran is backing U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the upcoming Republican primary runoff, calling the race a defining moment for conservatives. According to our news partner KETK, Moran said the contest between Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton comes down to what values Republican voters want to uphold. “It’s really a race between character and corruption,” Moran said.
The congressman pointed to past criticism of Paxton, including remarks from former East Texas congressman Louie Gohmert, who has accused Paxton of misconduct. Moran said he agrees with those concerns, arguing that Paxton’s record should disqualify him from serving in the U.S. Senate.
In the March 2022 Texas Republican primary for Attorney General, incumbent Paxton defeated Gohment, who finished last with 17% of the vote. “Ken Paxton really has a consistent activity of corruption, both breaching the trust of the public and breaching the trust of his personal relationships,” Moran said. “That should disqualify him.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving numerous inquiries from citizens who have been potential victims of a jury duty/court scam. These involve someone calling and identifying themselves as a law enforcement official or, specifically, someone employed by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. In the most recent scams, they’ve identified themselves as Justin Bell.
Scammers can easily access law enforcement officials’ names and phone numbers from the internet or agency website. They will then request money from the potential victim for the purpose of taking care of a warrant related to them allegedly missing jury duty or court. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – One person was arrested following a vehicle pursuit through Cherokee County on Monday evening. According to our news partner KETK and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, during the pursuit, which began in Wells, the driver reached speeds of over 125 miles per hour and struck two patrol vehicles; however, no officials were injured.
The pursuit eventually came to an end at around 8 p.m. in Rusk. The driver was evaluated by EMS before being taken into custody and charged with evading arrest by vehicle. The driver has been booked into the Cherokee County Jail and is expected to receive further charges.
TYLER — Even with a halt in the fighting now in place, District 1 Congressman U.S. Nathaneil Moran gave reaction to President Donald Trump’s warning early Tuesday that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran did not meet his Tuesday evening deadline for a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Our news partner KETK spoke with Rep. Moran, who says he does not support rhetoric suggesting the destruction of an entire civilization, as tensions involving Iran continue to escalate.
Moran said while he initially backed efforts tied to U.S. national security, including targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, he believes certain language being used goes too far. “Certainly, I do not agree with and do not support the notion of destroying a civilization,” Moran said. “That goes beyond where we need to go as a nation.”
According to our news partner KETK, the East Texas congressman emphasized that any military action taken by the United States must remain rooted in what he described as “moral and just” objectives, focused strictly on national security.
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HENDERSON – Officials at Henderson ISD, have chosen Dr. Nikki Driver as the middle school’s new principal after Superintendent Brian Bowman met with staff in small groups to get their feedback on who should lead the middle school going forward. Staff consistently identified Driver, their current assistant principal, as their top choice to be the new principal of Henderson Middle School, according to our news partner KETK.
“Dr. Driver has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a deep understanding of instruction, and a genuine commitment to our students and staff,” Bowman said. “Her experience, along with her ability to connect with people and lead with purpose, makes her the right choice to lead Henderson Middle School.”
Driver has also worked as an instructional coach at Henderson Middle School and taught for five years at Northside Intermediate. Driver earned her Ph.D. in educational policy from Walden University, her masters of education from Stephen F. Austin State University and holds certificates in Principal as Instructional Leader, Special Education, ESL and Core Subjects.
“I am honored to lead Henderson Middle School and continue working with this exceptional team,” Driver said. “This is a campus full of passionate educators who show up for kids every day, and I am excited to continue moving forward together.
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LUFKIN – A man is dead following an argument and shooting in a residential neighborhood on Chester Street early Friday morning. Lufkin Police arrested and charged 42-year-old Alex Dewayne Walker, with murder in connection with the death of 43-year-old Korsah Lemar Simmons, of Lufkin.
Early Friday morning, police were sent to a disturbance call. As officers arrived, one individual at the home was yelling, “he shot my uncle.”
Walker was standing outside the home and when officers approached, Walker laid on the ground, face down with his hands on his back. Officers found a 9mm gun in Walker’s front pants pocket.
As officers made their way into the home, they found Simmons on the floor in the bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began lifesaving measures waiting for EMS to arrive. Simmons was pronounced dead at a hospital later in that morning.
Walker was booked into the Angelina County Jail, charged with murder. Bond has been set at $500,00
PAYNE SPRINGS — More than 12 hours after a boat carrying three people capsized on Cedar Creek Lake, emergency crews continue an intensive search for a missing man feared to have drowned, according to our news partner KETK.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said three men were fishing on Cedar Creek Lake near Payne Springs on Thursday at around 10:30 p.m. when their boat took on water and capsized. Two men made it to shore and contacted emergency crews.
The third individual, a 42-year-old man, tried to swim to shore. Witnesses reported hearing him call for help, but he could not be found.
The Payne Springs Fire and Rescue said a resident assisted by launching a pontoon boat, transporting firefighters and other residents to begin an initial surface search while additional rescue boats were on their way. Payne Springs Fire and Rescue conducted a surface and an underwater search before being assisted by the Texas Game Wardens. Search efforts continued until 2 a.m. Friday morning.
Search crews, including Texas Game Wardens, are on the lake on Friday looking for him. However, the search is being hindered by weather conditions and water depth, the department stated.
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LONGVIEW – The Longview Parks and Rec Department is seeking community input as they begin early planning for a new inclusive playground. According to our news partner KETK, The playground will be at Teague Park and aims to be a facility that supports children with physical or developmental disabilities. As planning for the park begins, the city is looking to connect with organizations that support children with disabilities.
“Please share any contact info or group names in the comments so we can send them our planning survey,” Longview Parks and Rec Department said. “Help us make sure every kid in Longview has a great place to play.”
Those wanting to share input on the construction of the new park can contact the city by email at parksinfo@longviewtexas.gov.
TYLER – To help restock the Pet Food Bank, for the month of April, Tyler Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for dogs and cats with the donation of at least six bags of dog or cat food 15 lbs. or smaller. The Pet Food Bank was established in 2015 so that families in need or those who could not afford to feed their pets would have a safety net to keep pets in their homes. Many times, people who want to surrender a pet only need time to get over a short-term financial hurdle.
The Pet Food Bank provides assistance through donated food and cat litter. Over the years, more than 36,000 pounds of food and litter have been distributed. All donated items go back into the community and are not used by the animals kept at the shelter.
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LONGVIEW – After pleading guilty to possessing child pornography, a Longview eye doctor was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Corrections Institutional Division on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old August Wallace, was arrested on Oct. 10, 2025, following an investigation that revealed he had sent multiple explicit images of himself to a 16-year-old girl living across the country.
According to John W. Moore, the criminal district attorney of Gregg County, Wallace requested that the girl send explicit pictures of herself, too, while threatening to kill himself if she didn’t. Law enforcement was contacted by the victim’s family after Wallace sent a screenshot of her home and delivered letters to her location.
After being arrested for online solicitation of a minor, a forensic examination found numerous files on his phone that contained explicit or pornographic images of children. Wallace was then additionally charged with possession of child pornography.
Wallace appeared in court on Thursday, receiving his concurrent sentences of 40 years for child pornography and 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for online solicitation of a minor.
KILGORE – After 50 years, a long-standing mystery at the Kilgore Public Library has finally come to an end.
Since the mid-1970s, the identity of the owl bandit and the location of the wooden “Owl of Wisdom” have remained unknown. The entire city has been curious about who took the owl that once sat at the library’s east entrance.
“In the 1960s, we’d go to the library, study and have things going on, and I remember we all talked about the owl out there. It was just one of those things that was there. Then one day it disappeared,” T. Anderson, a former Kilgore Bulldog, said.
The man who reportedly stole it, Steve Blunt, died a few years ago, but it was his wish for the owl to be returned to the library. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A documented gang member has been charged in the ongoing investigation which took place at Club Exotic on Highway 64 West in Smith County early Sunday morning, March 22nd. As previously reported, Andru Azo-Gene Davis of Tyler was arrested in Houston, Texas last week and charged with Capital Murder in which four individuals were shot, two fatally, at Club Exotic.
On March 31st, a second suspect was charged with Capital Murder in this investigation. The person charged is identified as 18 year old Brandon Joseph Young of Tyler. Young was originally arrested in Houston on March 24th. At that time, Young was charged with the criminal offenses of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity with a bond of $750,000 and Deadly Conduct with a bond of $50,000. Young was charged yesterday with the additional charge of Capital Murder.
Bond was set by at $1,000,000. Young remains in the Smith County Jail at this time. This investigation is continuing.
TROUP – A Troup ISD student was arrested after a weapon was found inside their vehicle on Tuesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the district said,while an officer was patrolling campus after school dismissal, they noticed suspicious activity, which led to a search of a student’s vehicle. During the search, a weapon was found inside a backpack in the vehicle.
The student who owned the weapon was taken into custody by the Troup Police Department.
“The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain a safe learning environment,” the district said.
Troup police said they will continue to investigate the case.
Tyler – City offices will observe the following schedule on Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday.
City Hall
City Hall offices will be closed Friday, April 3.
Tyler Water Utilities
The Water Business Office will be closed on Friday, April 3.
The kiosk at the drive-through offers 24/7 access for utility customers with its ability to accept checks, money orders, credit/debit cards and cash payments. Those choosing to pay with cash should be aware that no change will be given.
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SMITH COUNTY – Smith County welcomed Gaye Boynton as district clerk on Monday as she was sworn in by the 241st District Judge Debby Gunter. Boynton was appointed to the position by the Smith County Council of District Judges after former district clerk Penny Clarkston resigned from the office on March 24. In her resignation letter, Clarkston cited personal family reasons.
Boynton was set to begin serving as district clerk on Jan. 1, 2027, following her win in the March primary election against Clarkston. The new district clerk brings more than 40 years of legal experience, having previously worked as a certified paralegal.
SMITH COUNTY – A mother has been sentenced to 10 months in jail, one year after deputies found her newborn dead in a bathtub. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted by a hospital emergency room in March 2025 after a woman reported she had delivered a placenta at home earlier that day.
But, when the woman, 27-year-old Esmeralda Duran Rodriguez, arrived at the hospital, staff noted she did not have a baby with her. Deputies then went to her home to investigate, where they met with Rodriguez’s brother, who allowed them to search for the baby. They found the placenta on a bed along with a severed umbilical cord, according to a sheriff’s office press release. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER- The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary is having a benefit style show and luncheon Friday, April 10, at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. Funds from this event will go toward the auxiliary’s new ID program.
KTBB spoke with Auxiliary President Cynthia Scott about the ID program. She said, “This is something we are excited about. It provides for people who are homeless and are struggling, to find job and so forth with their ID. And we take that for granted. Because we have one and its easy for us to obtain. But, when your homeless, that’s very difficult. So, our new ID program will help put them with a liaison who will help them get a drivers license, get their birth certificate. This way, they can apply for jobs, apply for housing. So, we are really happy that the funds we are raising in our style show April 10th will go to this new program that we just implemented.”
Some tickets are still available. You can get them here.
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County will join other agencies in the area to test its emergency alert notification systems on Thursday, April 2. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has asked that Smith County, along with other cities and agencies throughout the state, test their alert systems between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Smith County will be testing its IPAWS system and its Rave system.
IPAWS (the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) is FEMA’s national system for local, state and federal officials to send life-saving emergency alerts to the public. These alerts can be sent by Smith County and its Emergency Operations Center for specific incidents in our county to citizens without them signing up for it.
The Rave mass notification system allows emergency officials to notify citizens of necessary information in times of local emergency or disaster. Citizens must sign up to receive these notifications. You can do that here.
Weather alert warnings are sent out by the National Weather Service and not local agencies. For more information, visit Smith County Emergency Management.