Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
LONGVIEW – The Texas Lottery has announced that a $2 million Powerball lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Longview. The Mr. Kwik on South High Street sold a ticket that hit five of five lottery numbers from Saturday’s drawing but not the Powerball number. The ticket was sold with the Power Play option, rewarding it’s buyer with a $2 million prize.
TYLER – The interim Smith County Democratic Party chair spoke to KETK News on Saturday about the United States military’s capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Cam Ray said the move to capture Maduro is a violation of the pro-peace platform that Trump ran on in his last presidential campaign.
“I don’t feel like he’s promoting that peace at all. That’s what he said he was going to come in and do,” Ray said. “He was going to end the war with Ukraine on day one, that hasn’t happened. Things are continuing there and in several different countries. Rumors of the attacks in Nigeria, these are not the actions of a peaceful president.”
Ray continued by comparing the United States capture of Maduro and strikes against Venezuela to the American wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
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JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Police Department is currently searching for a man who allegedly robbed a gas station at gunpoint on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officials say a Black male wearing all black clothing entered the gas station on North Jackson Street near Tacos el Chicharito. Investigators said the robber demanded money from a woman working as a cashier at the gas station. The man took an unreleased amount of cash and left the gas station.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that one person was hospitalized after a shooting that happened on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD officers responded to the shooting scene at around 7:41 p.m. near the intersection of Eighth Street and Rose Street. After they arrived, the responding officers found one person had been shot. The shooting victim was then taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said their investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
WASHINGTON — The United States has apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a swift military operation early Saturday morning. President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will oversee the Latin American nation until a transition occurs, that according to our news partner KETK. During this interim period, the U.S. will also take charge of Venezuela’s oil production.
Trump stated that some of the largest American oil companies will invest billions of dollars to repair “the badly broken infrastructure” and generate revenue for the country. This development follows months of escalating tensions between the two nations, along with U.S. officials’ threats against Maduro, who has been accused of leading a drug cartel and labeled an “illegitimate leader.”
Since the early morning attack, numerous representatives from East Texas have expressed their opinions on the situation.
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SMITH COUNTY — A candidate who was previously disqualified from the Smith County Clerk race announced she will now run as a write-in candidate after several errors were found during the review of required signatures. According to our news partner KETK, Terry Morrow was set to run against the incumbent Karen Phillips in the Smith County Republican Party Primary election on March 3. A review of Morrow’s required signatures found that there were significant errors, including missing printed names, incorrect dates of birth and a missing or incomplete affidavit of circulator statement of intent.
Because of the errors discovered, 139 signatures were declared invalid, leaving Morrow short of the required 500 to run. Morrow was later declared ineligible and she was not certified to be on the ballot, leaving Karen Phillips to run unopposed. Morrow declared on Thursday that she would run as a write-in candidate for the Nov. 3 general election.
Voting for a write-in candidate allows voters to manually enter a candidate’s name on the ballot instead of selecting one of the listed candidates. Registered voters in Smith County will have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate on Nov. 3.
LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police Department said that three vehicles crashed in the intersection of East Hawkins Parkway and North Eastman Road at around 11:40 a.m on Friday. and blocked traffic through part of the intersection for around an hour. The three people injured were then taken to the hospital to be treated, according to Longview Fire Department. Longview first responders have cleared the scene.
WHITE OAK — 
Our news partners at KETK report a White Oak man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of his mother. According to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Wednesday to a reported homicide in the area of Jamerison Road, where they found 58-year-old Penny Renee Keys outside her residence with multiple stab wounds. Keys was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Gregg County investigators processed the scene and obtained evidence identifying the victim’s son, Zachary Keys, as the suspect. An arrest warrant for murder was issued and Zachary Keys and his vehicle were later located in Panola County. Panola County deputies took him into custody without incident. Zachary currently remains in the Panola County Jail on a $1 million bond.
UPDATE: One person was severely injured in a multi-18-wheeler crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment, Texas DPS Sergeant Adam Albritton confirms. Debris and sheetrock are currently being cleaned off the roads, which may delay traffic for one or two more hours. The Texas Department of Transportation is assisting in diverting traffic and suggests drivers avoid the area until the roadway and traffic has cleared.
KILGORE — Traffic has come to a standstill on Interstate 20 north of Kilgore due to a multi-18-wheeler crash that occurred on Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occurred at around 9:30 a.m. between State Highway 42 and State Highway 31, resulting in at least one person is in the hospital. Traffic is being redirected to the SH 42 exit.
The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said that the closure affects the area near mile marker 587, with significant traffic congestion on the interstate. Officials indicate that the road will remain closed until further notice because of extensive debris. Authorities have stated that one of the involved 18-wheelers lost its load of sheetrock, which is now spread across the roadway.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is being assisted by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, the Sabine County Fire Department and CHRISTUS EMS.
WHITE OAK — Authorities are investigating a fatality in the northern part of White Oak, according to Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Gregg County Chief Deputy Craig Harrington said deputies were working a fatality case in the area and confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody. According to our news partner KETK, No additional details about the victim, the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the incident were immediately released. The investigation is ongoing.
MARSHALL — Marshall Police made two arrests in connection to a shooting that occurred overnight on Wednesday. According to our news partners KETK, officers were dispatched around 2 a.m. to reports of gunshots in area of Circle Drive and Cross Street. When officers and Harrison County deputies arrived they found a male gunshot victim with wounds to both leg. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators booked 18-year-old Cedric Wrighten, Jr., on charges of deadly conduct and possession of a controlled substance. A minor was also taken into custody on charges of resisting arrest and resisting search or transport. The shooter’s identity is still under investigation.
Detectives ask anyone who may have surveillance footage or other information to contact the Marshall Police Department.
ATHENS — A Henderson County Sheriff’s Departments search allegedly found methamphetamine in an Athens residence Tuesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, 54-year-old Johnny Angel Sieger was arrested after investigators found pre-packed bags with suspected methamphetamine and scales commonly used in narcotics distribution. Sieger is charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and is currently being held on a $75,000 bond in Henderson County Jail.
ATHENS — Four individuals were arrested for drug related charges following two traffic stops by Henderson County K-9 Deputies and narcotics investigators on Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on East Tyler Street in Athens at approximately early Monday evening.The driver was identified as 65-year-old Herman Lindon Rogers Jr., and the passenger as 49-yearold Jerroid Dustin Miller.
During the search, Miller attempted to hide a black bag inside the front passenger wheel well cover. K-9 deputies discovered the bag which contained multiple pre-packaged plastic bags of suspected methamphetamine and digital scales which are used in narcotic distribution. Suspected Xanax were also located inside the vehicle, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said. Rogers and Miller were taken into custody and charged each with possession of controlled substance with $5,000 bonds in Henderson County Jail.
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UPDATE: According to the Longview Police Department, one person has been pronounced dead, and two others have life-threatening injuries following the crash that took place this morning. Two other people were also taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The crash is currently under investigation by the Longview PD Traffic Unit.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department announced Monday, one person has been pronounced dead, and two others have life-threatening injuries following the crash that took place Monday morning. Two other people were also taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. According to our news partner KETK, the five vehicle accident took place on East Marshall Avenue. Due to the size of the accident, the area between Eastman Road and Industrial Drive was closed while cleaning crews cleared debris. The crash is currently under investigation by the Longview PD Traffic Unit.
SMITH COUNTY – On Monday afternoon, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to provide updates and release the identities of the victims in the fatal shooting that took place at Valley Blues nightclub on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith identified the victim who was killed in the shooting as 23-year-old Aaron Lamar Jackson, who was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital.
Smith also identified the other victim in the shooting as 23-year-old Aaron Gordon Johnson Jr. Smith said that Johnson is currently in the hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries after he was in critical condition following the shooting. Authorities do believe that the shooting was gang-related, claiming that rival gangs were both at the club, leading to the incident.
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ATHENS — The Athens City Council unanimously approved a $2.25 million engineering contract with Plummer Associates, Inc. for the city’s West and North Wastewater Treatment Plants on Dec. 22. According to our news partner KETK, the agreement includes improving the city’s wastewater treatment plants through major electrical upgrades and designing a new 1,500-square-foot administration building, which will be needed to support future expansion.
The purchase of a trailer-mounted mechanical sludge dewatering system will be used by both treatment plants to remove excess water from sludge, making it easier and less costly to handle and transport, the City of Athens said. A storage area will be built to house the equipment when it is not in use later on. Construction costs for the project are not included in the contract and will require separate approval by the city council.
KILGORE 
— The City of Kilgore announced the appointment of their new fire marshal, Terry Linder, on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Linder joins the city of Kilgore after serving as a deputy fire marshal with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office from 2022-2025. Before that, Linder worked as the fire marshal for Rusk County and as a fire fighter with Smith County Emergency Services District 2.
In addition to his full-time experience, Linder serves part-time with the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department and retired from the Kilgore Police Department as a Lieutenant in 2022.
The position opened up after the former fire marshal, Ryan Riley, was promoted to fire chief. Linder attended Rusk High School and the Kilgore College Fire Academy and is actively pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Tarleton State University.
MOUNT PLEASANT — 
Our news partners at KETK report that a 19-year-old East Texan has been arrested for allegedly killing his father, who was found with apparent gunshot wounds.
According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, around 8 a.m. on Monday, a 911 call came in reporting an unconscious man bleeding inside a home on Red Springs Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found 51-year-old Rodney Harris deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Detectives responded and immediately launched a homicide investigation. Police identified 19-year-old Azion Jayden Harris, the victim’s son, as a person of interest. He was located and detained later Monday. Azion Harris was arrested and taken to Titus County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
LONGVIEW — Longview Independent School District distributed an early Christmas gift of more than $3.17 million in performance-based incentive pay to high-performing teachers and staff on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the funding was provided through the districts ‘Longview ISD Incentive for Teachers’ (LIFT) program, which rewards measurable performance, campus-wide achievement and specialized credentials earned during the school year.
“This is not a bonus for showing up,” Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said. “These dollars reflect results and growth. They reflect the expectation that excellence in Longview ISD will be recognized in a meaningful way.”
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WINNSBORO — Winnsboro ISD Board of Trustees dismissed its police chief following a unanimous vote on Thursday evening. According to our news partner KETK, the decision to consider Police Chief Heath Guy’s termination in a closed executive session was agreed upon by both parties. No additional details were given by the school district regarding the evidence presented by both parties that led to Guy’s termination. Guy was placed on administrative leave in June due to reportedly failing to notify the district about a Texas Rangers investigation of a sexual relationship between a Winnsboro ISD employee and a student. The employee, Nicholas Gabriele, was arrested in June after allegedly admitting to the improper relationship.
VAN – 
Our news partners at KETK report a man wanted for burglary of a building, criminal mischief and theft in Van was arrested last week after a pursuit through Smith County. According to the Van Police Department, they received reports of a building burglary on Nov. 28. Within 24 hours of these reports, law enforcement identified Daylan Blue as a suspect and issued warrants for his arrest. On Dec. 11, Blue was spotted by Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies who attempted to stop his vehicle. Van PD said a pursuit ensued and Blue was subsequently arrested. Read the rest of this entry »
OVERTON — 
Our news partners at KETK report the Overton City Council voted Thursday night to appeal a Texas Department of Transportation demand to remove the horseshoes from Warren Street. TxDOT contacted the city in early December, stating the horseshoe markings did not meet state roadway standards and directed officials to remove them. On Thursday, city leaders instead chose to formally appeal the decision. The issue first gained attention in October when Gov. Greg Abbott announced that TxDOT had begun removing nonstandard surface markings from roadways across the state. City officials say the horseshoes represent Overton ISD’s mascot, the Mustang, and have been part of Warren Street since the early 1990s. While acknowledging TxDOT’s concerns, council members voted to challenge the order rather than remove the markings. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE – Community leaders, health care professionals and local officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of CHRISTUS Health’s new state-of-the-art facility in Jacksonville that will significantly expand access to specialty medical services across the region, particularly for patients in surrounding rural communities. The 30,000-square-foot facility will house interventional pain management, pain management, orthopedic and vascular services under one roof. Once complete, the center will feature 24 exam rooms, six recovery suites, four procedure rooms and full-service imaging, creating a streamlined, patient-centered environment for both outpatient and procedural care.
A key feature of the new facility is a seamless integration into the hospital system’s broader network of care. The center will operate on the same electronic medical record (EMR) platform as the rest of the system, allowing physicians, specialists and care teams to access patient records in real time. This connectivity supports better care coordination, reduces duplication of services, and enhances patient safety and outcomes. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — 
A Smith County road bond approved by voters nearly a decade ago now shows a $7 million discrepancy between financial reports and is projected to cost more than $135 million, prompting a local watchdog group to call for a forensic audit. Grassroots America, a Smith County-based conservative advocacy nonprofit that monitors government spending, raised the concerns Tuesday during the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK —
Our news partners at KETK report that Heal Corp is assisting local authorities in the search for James David Blount, a 57-year-old man who has been missing since early December, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Blount was last seen Dec. 2 in Rusk. His vehicle was later found stopped on Highway 84 near the Neches River, close to the Cherokee and Anderson County line, Rusk police said. Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said Heal Corp is now helping investigators verify locations that have already been searched and eliminate potential areas of interest. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
Smith County non-emergency offices will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, December 24-25, so that our employees can spend Christmas with their families. There will not be a Smith County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, December 23. Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, in the Commissioners Courtroom. County offices will be closed Thursday, January 1, for New Years Day.
SMITH COUNTY – Two East Texas politicians were given recognition this week for their continued dedication to the counties they represent. According to our news partner KETK, State Representative Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant, was presented with the Courage Award, which is annually given to a public official who demonstrates courageous leadership. The award was created in 1989 by members of President John F. Kennedy’s family to recognize and celebrate the political courage he admired most.
Also, East Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola was named Lawmaker of the Year from State Armor. The title was given to Hughes in recognition of the significant legislative work he has accomplished this year. Congressman Nathaniel Moran praised both politicians for what they have accomplished this year, including preventing the Chinese Communist Party from infiltrating school districts, agriculture and local government.
UPDATE: Nearly two hours after the crash occurred, firefighters were able to remove the driver of the 18-wheeler, who had been pinned in. The driver was transported to a hospital, Smith County ESD2 Assistant Chief JD Smith said. KTBB talked to ESD2 around 2 p.m. and they said the area had been cleared.
SMITH COUNTY — A collision between a Camaro and an 18-wheeler has been reported near Lindale on Wednesday morning. According to Smith County ESD2, the incident occurred on Interstate 20 at mile marker 560, just outside Lindale, around 10 a.m. At least one individual is believed to be trapped inside one of the vehicles, and the 18-wheeler, which was transporting wood, ended up in a ditch. Drivers are advised to avoid the area for the time being. We will update when more information is available.
TYLER — An Oklahoma man has pleaded guilty to child exploitation charges after being involved in transporting three minors across state borders into Texas, where they were forced into prostitution. According to our news partner KETK, The United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas said that 44-year-old Rolando Alexis Bravo transported the minors from Lawton, Oklahoma to Dallas on Nov. 16, 2023, where he met with a co-conspirator. There, the co-conspirator allegedly obtained hotel rooms in Tyler where the children engaged in prostitution.
Bravo could potentially face life in federal prison and a sentencing hearing will be scheduled once the presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office is complete. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Tyler Police Department. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, launched in 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
TITUS COUNTY — A Mount Pleasant man was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday after being found guilty of sexual assault against a child. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Fernando Santos was arrested on Feb. 23, 2022, and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Following the arrest, Santos was placed into the Titus County Jail and his bond was set at $1 million.
On Tuesday, Santos received his sentence and is expected to pay a $10,000 fine, according to the Titus County District Attorney’s Office. He was found guilty by a jury after pleading not guilty. Santos was previously charged with several different assault charges and was also previously charged with making a terrorist threat.