Today is
Monday June 15, 2026
TYLER – After a guilty plea, an 11 year prison sentence was given to a Tyler man in helping “move and dispose†the body of a 2022 murder victim. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Christian Whitney-Polk was arrested in March in connection to the murder of Anthony Wilson. At that time, authorities arrested Timothy Jones, a roommate of Whitney-Polk. Jones told police, “he had shot Anthony.†After the shooting He asked Whitney-Polk to help him move the body from a house on Gentry Parkway to a wooded area in North Tyler. Jones was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Anthony Wilson’s murder.
LAKE TYLER – An 11-year-old Tyler boy really now has a fish story! According to our news partner KETK, Henry Correa caught a 35-pound flathead catfish Sunday at Lake Tyler. Henry made the big catch at his family’s boathouse at Lake Tyler West. Henry’s dad, Gabriel said the 35 pounder was 43 inches inches long. Henry, who’s been fishing since he was two said, “I’ve never caught anything that big, but we’ve caught a catfish that’s probably six to seven pounds but nothing that big.â€
GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department reports that 7 people were injured in a three vehicle wreck Saturday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. City officials said the accident happened between two pickup trucks and a third vehicle on East Main Street. The crash was severe enough, that rescue personnel had to use the jaws of life to get people from one vehicle out to safety. Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that 1 person at the accident was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, while six others were also admitted for care.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s office has identified a man wanted in a manhunt Friday afternoon near Interstate 20. According to our news partner KETK, captured was 21-year-old Devoria Hardy of Fort Worth. Hardy was driving eastbound on I-20 when a Smith County Deputy attempted to stop him. His vehicle crossed lanes and was stuck in a ditch. This is when Hardy fled on foot. At this point, Smith County SO, DPS Troopers, Lindale Police Department and Precinct 5 Constable’s Office configured a search parameter near Hardy’s vehicle. Hardy was found a short time later in a wooded area off Interstate 20. The vehicle in question contained two handguns, 50 rounds of ammo, several thousand dollars and THC products. Hardy and his passenger 21-year-old Cordre Tolliver of Shreveport were arrested of a controlled substance, evading arrest and having outstanding warrants. Both men are now in the Smith County Jail.
TYLER – There was no winner in Friday night’s record Mega Millions jackpot. But, according to our news partner KETK, an East Texan has a Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million. This lucky pick was sold at 2030 W Gentry Parkway, which is the home of the Super Food Mart. Currently the Mega Millions jackpot has an estimated worth of $1.55 billion dollars, which would make it the largest in the game’s nearly 30-year history. For planning purposes, that estimated $1.55 billion, has a cash option of $757.2 million.
LONGVIEW – Longview school districts received a nice boost Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 148 teachers in LISD have received about $2 million in incentive pay. This is all part of what’s called TIA or Teacher Incentive Allotment. Melanie Pondan, the principal at Judson STEAM Academy said, “It is huge, it’s, first of all, it’s a lot of money, it’s life-changing money. It is great for retention, they’re not staying here just for the money, they stay here for the students and because of this district.†Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox added it is an honor to be able to celebrate the people making an impact in students’ lives.
SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Police Department said that they are assisting the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in a manhunt near the area of Toll 49, Interstate 20 and County Road 411 on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials said that there is a heavy law enforcement presence searching for a suspect described as a Black male with dreadlocks, a white shirt and shorts. Lindale Police have asked the public to lock doors, and report any information about the suspect to law enforcement.
TYLER – With the heat not going away soon. Some are wondering what fall and winter weather will bring. According to our news partner KETK, the Farmers’ Almanac predicts the winter forecast that Texas will see will be unseasonably cold and stormy winter for the upcoming winter.
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CHEROKEE COUNTY – Authorities identified the man killed in the Cherokee County homicide case first reported earlier this week.
56-year-old David Sartain of Mount Selman was found dead on Wednesday near County Road 3429, the sheriff’s office said.
They identified the person of interest as 22-year-old Brandon Dale Fagan, whom they later said they located. No arrests have been made as of Friday.
The Texas Rangers have been called in to help with the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.
LINDEN – A Cass County jury has found former East Texas coach Aaron Michael Marshall guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child by contact.
Marshall was arrested back in Feb. 2022 after an investigation by the Linden Police Department was opened due to accusations of sexual abuse of a child from 2016 through 2020. He was initially charged with:
6 counts of indecency with a child by contact
3 counts of sexual assault of a child
1 count of continuous sexual assault of a child Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – A man was arrested after half a pound of marijuana was allegedly seized during a traffic stop in Harrison County, according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, on Wednesday a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. Authorities said the deputy had probable cause to conduct a narcotics search on the vehicle. The driver was identified as 39-year-old Shayne Thomas and during the search, the deputy reportedly found “about half a pound of marijuana.†Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD named a longtime police officer as their new chief of police for the school district. According to our news partner KETK, David Garza formerly with Lufkin PD and Diboll ISD, replaces Jay Jost who retires after 37 years with the school district. Garza received his criminal justice degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and Kilgore College Police Academy. Has been a Master Peace Office for 26 years working with the Lufkin Police Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. During his time with the TABC, Garza was a member of their special investigations unit and was also part of an FBI Human Trafficking Task Force. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY – A man is dead after reportedly getting hit by a car half a mile south of Longview, according to our news partner KETK. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, a 2016 Nissan Altima was going northbound on FM 2087 on Monday around 9:53 p.m. DPS said that 46-year-old Shon C. Bell of Longview was walking south on the fog line when he was hit by the front right side of the Altima. Bell died at the scene and no injuries were reported by either person in the vehicle.
LUFKIN – The Texas Tribune reports that members of an East Texas church have been safely relocated to Rome on Wednesday after being stuck in Niger during a coup, according to U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions’ office. The rescue mission was orchestrated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger. This week, Harmony Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin raised concerns about 12 members of its congregation who were in Niamey on a mission trip. As the group found shelter, the church held nightly prayer services in hopes of their safe return. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Even with recent rainfall several East Texas counties and cities still have burn bans in effect due to dry conditions and fire risk. According to our news partner KETK, when a county issues a burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited in that county. Burn bans are generally in effect for 90 days after they are issued. To see if your county is under a burn ban, click here.