Today is
Thursday June 18, 2026
MABANK – The Mabank Police Department is asking for your help in the search for 14 year old Sophia Flores of Mabank. Sophia was last seen November 17th. According to our news partner KETK, she is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 110 to 120 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, Sophia was wearing a grey hoodie and white sweat pants. Authorities believe that Flores may be in Henderson or that immediate area. If you have information contact local law enforcement
KILGORE – A traffic stop in Kilgore late Friday morning led to a chase with Kilgore Police, county and state officers. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of a pickup with a possibly stolen u-haul trailer which was allegedly full of marijuana. A high speed chase then occurred down interstate 20 into Kilgore with speeds over 100 mph. Both the Smith County Sheriff’s office and DPS laid down spikes to slow the truck down before it exited onto Highway 42. The driver passed through a number of red lights in Kilgore driving on the tires bare rims. After a second spiking from law enforcement, about 40 minutes had elapsed, the chase ended. The driver, a white male was charged with evading arrest and possession of stolen property. Authorities say additional charges are possible. He is in the Smith County jail and with a bond set at 1.5 million dollars.
KILGORE — The Texas Mutual Insurance Company, as part of a larger effort to support workforce development programs, has awarded the Kilgore College Foundation a 90 thousand dollar grant. The Foundations objective is training students for safe work practices. Also, they are helping Kilgore College buy a forklift and construct an area for forklift safety training. Texas Mutual Insurance also gave a 65 thousand dollar grant to Goodwill Industries of East Texas. These funds are part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company commitment of seven million dollars in grants that will go to nonprofits groups in Texas. So far, nearly 50 organizations have received more than three and half million dollars to help develop safe training and workforce development. That according to a prepared statement from Texas Mutual Insurance. The Austin based company is the leading workers compensation provider in Texas.
COFFEE CITY – Coffee City Police Department pulled over Darren McKinley of Chandler Friday and make this discovery. According to our news partner KETK, McKinley had a “female juvenile” in the car and she had a protection order against him. Officials also found out that she was one of two females listed on a Smith County protection order against him. Coffee City police arrested McKinley for violating that protection order and he was taken to the Henderson County jail. Authorities also said that the “female juvenile” in question was returned to her mother.
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon on North Broadway Avenue in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, investigators say the victim was shot multiple times and taken to a local hospital with their condition unknown at this time. Currently police are looking for two people they say allegedly fled the scene on foot after the shooting.
TYLER – The National Weather service has issued a grass fire danger statement for Van Zandt, Hopkins and Rains counties. The statement says there is a critical fire threat near and North of I-20 and near and West of U.S-281. According to our news partner KETK, this is because of a combination of unseasonably warm weather in the low to mid 90’s, low humidity and sustained windy conditions. The National Weather Service also asks for extreme care in outdoor activities. And to avoid outside burning of any kind due to the potential of a grass spreading quickly.
HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking leads for three fugitives wanted for various charges. According to our news partner KETK, officials are looking for 42-year-old Patricia Garza of Chandler. She’s wanted for child endangerment. Johnny Lee Carey, 64, of Athens is sought for unauthorized use of a vehicle and 36-year-old Jose Dion Sanders of Dallas is wanted for sex abuse of a child. Authorities ask if you have information on the whereabouts of these three, to please contact them.
TYLER — Contractors have a five day project set up. Crews expect to be busy on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from North Broadway Avenue to West Gentry Parkway Monday, Aug. 29, through Friday, Sept. 2, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists are asked to use caution in the area, follow directions of the crews, and obey all traffic signs. Drivers can expect road closures and lane closures.
SABINE COUNTY – 26-year-old Matthew Hoy Edgar has found himself as a new addition to the Texas Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list. Edgar was convicted in the Halloween 2020 murder of 19-year-old Livye Lewis. He attended trial for that murder in early 2022, but evaded authorities. According to our news partner KETK, the DPS is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Edgar. Law officers say he has a history of violence and he should be considered armed and dangerous
TEXAS – The Lone Star State Incident Management Team says wherever there are wildfires in Texas, that area becomes a drone no fly zone. According to our news partner KETK, flying hobby drones in areas with wildfires, could get in the way of firefighters doing their job. Making the wildfire larger, more destructive, possibly leading to property loss or death. They also point out, that aircraft used for wildfires, lead planes, airtankers and helicopters, can fly as low as 150 feet. Which is about the same altitude that most hobby drones are flown. The Lone Star State Incident Management Team steps in and helps local authorities when a disaster exceeds its resources and are attached to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
TYLER – On Friday, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and hundreds of first responders and citizens from our region gathered to mourn the death of deputy Lorenzo Bustos. According to our news partner KETK, the funeral procession advanced carefully from Green Acres Baptist Church to Deputy Bustos’ final resting place, Tyler Memorial Cemetery. Every vehicle that proceeded down the procession route, did so with lights on, serving as a reminder to the dangers to those who protect us. Bustos died early Friday July 29th during a traffic stop when he was struck by an alleged drunk driver. He was 29 and is survived by his wife Gloria and three young children.
TYLER – Tyler Junior College has the Promise Program; which offers free tuition to East Texas students. According to our news partner KETK, TJC is partnering with UT Tyler to reach out to more students and communities in East Texas. Both schools will work together to help families by offering free tuition and make education affordable for their student in getting a degree. Promise Program student Marie Salazar said “I wanted to be part of the program because it was my saving grace, and its lifted so much weight off my shouldersâ€. School officials feel having more access to higher learning will create a better community.
TYLER — After the death of Smith County Sheriff’s deputy Lorenzo Bustos early Friday morning, East Texans and government officials have reached out to express their condolences. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathan Moran asked that all flags across Texas be lowered to half-staff immediately. Governor Greg Abbott responded and said, “Flags may remain at half-staff through the memorial service or upon final interment, at your discretion. Flags should return to full-staff the following day,†a letter from Abbott’s office stated. Deputy Bustos died after being struck by drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop with his training officer.
ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County officials set a new court date for Kimberlyn Snider, the former Neches ISD principal accused of tampering with evidence and official oppression. According to our news partner KETK, That new trial date is August 8th. Snider’s first trial, which authorities say she interfered in a child sexual assault investigation at Neches Elementary School, ended in a mistrial in March. Snider has plead not guilty to all charges.
RUSK COUNTY — Leverett’s Chapel ISD was set to have its school board meeting Monday night after their last special meeting was canceled leaving several parents and students upset. Community members say four meetings have been canceled due to board members failing to show up. Some are now questioning the future of this school district. Only two board members were present and three of them are needed for a quorum. This makes it the fourth cancellation in a row. “We have a one-person show here instead of the board of directors involved in the right ways and stuff like that. One person is trying to take over is what it sounded like to me,†said Sandy Williams, alumni of class of 1963. Some alumni and parents say the school board is to blame for failing to show up. Read the rest of this entry »