Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
LONGVIEW — 
Our news partners at KETK report a woman has been arrested following the investigation of a Longview house fire in September, believed to be arson. According to Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney, 25-year-old Tasha Neal has been accused of arson after an investigation was conducted into a Longview house fire. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The SPCA of Texas rescued 16 neglected dogs from a Van Zandt County property last week after finding them living in extreme inhumane conditions. According to our news partner KETK, SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit responded to an anonymous request for a welfare check. They arrived at the property Oct. 6. Investigators found the dogs in severe neglect and worked to obtain a seizure warrant for the animals, which they executed the next day.
A press release from SPCA of Tyler said, “A thorough inspection found filthy raised kennels, many without adequate shelter; rough, uneven flooring beneath them; padlocks on every kennel; dirty water contaminated with feces; and live maggots swarming the area beneath the kennels.” Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — A man from New Orleans has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2020 murder of Joseph Pierre Brice, 44, on Mobberly Avenue in Longview. Brice was fatally shot around 3 p.m. on Feb. 29, 2020. Several months later, Aaron Williams, 41, of New Orleans, was arrested for Brice’s murder.
His case was set to go to trial on October 13, but on Friday, October 10, Williams pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Williams has been in the Gregg County Jail since his 2020 arrest.
LINDALE – The Smith County Sheriff’s office said that two people were injured at a club on Highway 69 near Lindale early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were sent to the Bourbon West Club on Highway 69 around 1:30 a.m. When deputies arrived they found two assault victims. One shot, another stabbed multiple times. Both were sent to local hospitals for treatment and are in stable condition. The sheriff’s office has an open investigation.
AUSTIN – The Republican Party of Texas met on Saturday to discuss potential penalties for several lawmakers, including two East Texas State Representatives. According to our news partner KETK, East Texas State Representatives Cody Harris of Palestine and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston were two of those ten State Representatives who faced potential penalties from the Senate Republican Executive Committee (SREC).
Resolutions were brought against ten State Representatives who are accused of making votes and taking actions against State Republican Party platform policies like having no Democratic Committee Chairs in the State House.
Harris avoided a concurring vote and any penalties that the SREC could have levied against him but the SREC did concur with the resolution against VanDeaver. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The City of Chandler announced on Tuesday afternoon that the boil water notice was lifted due to the water line break getting repaired.
CHANDLER — The City of Chandler has issued a boil water notice for certain areas after a broken water line was discovered. Officials ask residents to boil water used for drinking and cooking. Affected areas include: Charmwood Drive, Copeland Circle, Ridgeway Drive, Ridgewood Lane, Sunnyside Drive, Kidd Drive, Brookshire’s, AutoZone, Starbucks and McDonalds. City officials in a release said the notice will stay in effect until repairs are made and testing confirms that the water is safe to drink. Residents will be notified when the advisory is lifted. If you have any questions you can call Justin Bolton at 903-849-6853 or 903-360-3081.
MOUNT PLEASANT – An East Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday for the 2023 murder of a 23-month-old girl. According to our news partner KETK, the Mount Pleasant Police Department said they received information about the death of the girl at a local hospital in July of 2023. In October, Jermaine Tyrelle Hooks was then arrested for capital murder in connection with the girl’s death and booked into the Titus County Jail. The mother of the child, Chelsea Lashaun Davis, was arrested that same month. She later entered a plea deal for a fine, court costs and a deferred sentence.
WINONA – Interstate 20 East is shutdown near the Highway 271 exit after an 18-wheeler was involved in a rollover crash on Friday. According to our news partner KETK,. Smith County Emergency Services District 2 said that the rollover crash happened at around 8:00 p.m. on Friday night. No major injuries were reported from the crash but the eastbound side of I-20 will be shut down for the next several hours. Drivers heading east are advised to to seek alternative routes through the area.
TYLER – On Thursday, the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant was taken offline due to multiple critical equipment failures and flooding in the filter pipe gallery. Until the flooding issue can be resolved and the equipment failures repaired, Tyler Water Utilities is relying entirely on the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant to supply water to the entire City of Tyler.
While GRWTP can typically meet the City’s daily water needs during this time of year, any large water main break or sudden surge in demand could cause system pressure to fall below safe and acceptable levels.
To help protect the system and maintain reliable service citywide, TWU has activated Stage 2 of the City’s Drought Contingency and Emergency Demand Management Plan. Stage 2 calls for a 10 percent reduction in total daily water use. As of Saturday, Oct. 11, these restrictions are still in effect. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – A five-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 20 Thursday afternoon, leaving one person trapped inside a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, the Lindale Fire Department reports firefighters were dispatched to Interstate 20 eastbound near mile marker 551. At the scene, three 18-wheelers and two passenger vehicles were involved in the crash, with several vehicles sustaining significant damage. The person trapped inside their vehicle was removed and cared for by EMS. The Lindale FD assisted by Smith County ESD 2 and a local hazmat company was conducting cleanup operations on Interstate 20.
HIDEAWAY LAKE – The eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 before FM 849 at mile marker 552 are backed up following a multi-vehicle crash.
CANTON — 
Our news partners at KETK report that an East Texas woman was indicted on Friday for allegedly withdrawing money from the Grand Saline Youth Foundation for personal use without authorization. The Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney’s Office said Sheri Raylynn Roach, 47 of Grand Saline, the former treasurer for the nonprofit, is accused of withdrawing money from the Grand Saline Youth Foundation account without accounting to the foundation for the funds. The amount of misapplied funds is estimated to be between $2,500 and $30,000. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN — 
A Jacksonville, Texas resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery® scratch ticket game 500X. The ticket was purchased at Kim’s #47, located at 10750 FM 346 W., in Flint. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the 10th of 15 top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 500X offers more than $229 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.36, including break-even prizes.
LONGVIEW – 
Our news partners at KETK report a senior at Longview’s Trinity School of Texas (TST) has been named a NASA Texas High School Aerospace Scholar. Emilio M. was nominated for the prestigious program by TST and State Representative Jay Dean, and he was selected from over 800 high school juniors across the state to participate in this NASA engagement activity. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
On November 18, 2020, two Smith County Deputies were working drug interdiction at the Greyhound Bus Station located at 16243 US Hwy 271 North at Interstate 20. While checking the bus, they located a “suspicious blue backpack” at the back of the bus, and no one would claim it. Subsequently, the Deputies located over $4,000 in cash and approximately 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine within the unclaimed blue bag. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — 
Our news partners at KETK report that two years after the case went cold, two Texas people have been arrested in connection with human trafficking of their own family members.
In October 2023, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was notified by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services of several complaints of sexual misconduct and possible prostitution in the Cleveland area of San Jacinto County.
The case went cold until September 2025, when the county reopened the investigation and identified two suspects, Glyn Banning and Jeremy Waltrapp, who are suspected of engaging in human trafficking. Law enforcement obtained statements from victims and witnesses that confirmed the allegations, county officials said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
The University of Texas at Tyler opened the new expansion to the Longview University Center and announced the launch of the first physician assistant program in East Texas.
With the support of Texas Rep. Jay Dean, funding for the building expansion and the PA program was provided by the 88th Texas Legislature. The Legislature provided $10 million for the 10,144 square-foot expansion that includes a large classroom, multipurpose lab space, nursing skills and health assessment labs and centralized study areas. This additional space enables UT Tyler to
broaden its undergraduate and graduate degree offerings — like the new PA program — in Longview and across Gregg County. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today unveiled a new interactive data dashboard designed to put the latest economic and demographic information directly into the hands of Texans. The announcement came during a regional event hosted by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, where Hancock kicked off the Good for Texas Tour: TexStats Dashboard Edition.
The new TexStats Regional Data Dashboard consolidates a wide range of state, county and regional data into a single, user-friendly site. Visitors can explore everything from population growth and job trends to health care access, education levels, industry strength and trade activity. Read the rest of this entry »
HUNTSVILLE – The Dallas Morning News reports that death penalty supporters, along with conservative supporters and two Republican lawmakers held a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol urging for Robert Roberson to have a new trial ahead of his scheduled execution in a little over two weeks. Roberson, 58, of Palestine, was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for reportedly shaking his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, to death.
His prosecution relied, in part, on proving Nikki showed a triad of symptoms associated with “shaken baby syndrome” — also known as “abusive head trauma.”
The theory has come under intense scrutiny by scientists and doctors who say it is not grounds to presume abuse. Roberson is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection the evening of Oct. 16 in Huntsville. It is his third execution date in the more than two decades he has spent on death row. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
In January 2025, a Smith County Investigator was contacted by a husband-and-wife who informed him that their home had been struck by lightning in early 2024. The lighting strike caused a fire which destroyed a vast majority of their home. The structure was deemed a total loss by the insurance company who, in turn, settled with the homeowners.
The homeowners contacted a neighbor, Brian Christopher Glass – 51 of Bullard, who operates a business by the name of Glass Limitless Homes and Design. Glass was subsequently hired to rebuild their home. Between April 2024 through July 2024, Glass was paid over $500,000 by the homeowners for the construction. Around July 2024, the victims learned that the sub-contractors had quit working due to not being paid by Glass. When the homeowners contacted Glass, he informed them that he needed more money above and beyond the agreed construction price in the signed contract. At this point, the homeowners began paying the sub-contractors and businesses owed money for construction materials. This placed a significant strain on their financial situation.
A lengthy investigation ensued which showed where Glass had appropriated approximately half a million dollars from the homeowners with approximately $400,000 used for personal reasons to include casino visits to Oklahoma and Louisiana. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. is proud to announce that the 2025 winner of the Artie Lee Hinds Award presented at the recent WorkQuest Annual Awards Banquet is Christopher Gates, a program participant of the Commercial Services Division of Goodwill. WorkQuest Texas is a catalyst for employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This private non-profit agency links individuals with disabilities to meaningful career options, through its partners like Goodwill Industries of East Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
Marshall – 
On Friday, September 26, the Marshall Police Department’s Special Response Team (SRT), working in conjunction with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a man
wanted on serious charges. Florencio Scott Sauceda, II, 23, was taken into custody in Diana, Texas, and transported to the Harrison County Jail. Sauceda was wanted on warrants for Sexual Assault of a Child and Continuous Violence Against Family. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Four people were killed after a Monday morning predawn crash on Highway 31 near the Smith and Gregg County line. An initial investigation by the the Texas Department of Public Safety said a vehicle was eastbound on State Highway 31 East. A second vehicle was traveling west on SH 31 East. The first vehicle drove onto the wrong side of the road, entering into the path of the second vehicle. DPS said it was nearly a head-on collision.
The driver of the first vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Julian Martinez. His passengers were Jonathan Josue Perez, 20 and 21-year-old David Morales Ramos, all were from Kilgore. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle, 40-year-old Nicholas Colby Sanders of Kilgore, was also pronounced dead at the accident site.
Kilgore ISD released the following statement: “Our prayers and thoughts are with all of the families who have been affected by this morning’s car accident on Highway 31,” the district said. “Our KISD Counselors have been made aware of this accident and are available for our Bulldog students and staff.”
Longview – Longview has claimed victory in the second annual “Spread the Love Peanut Butter Drive,” a friendly competition between the cities of Longview and Tyler to support the East Texas Food Bank. Longview residents this year donated 6,452 pounds of peanut butter, Tyler chipped in 2,259 pounds. The total collected, 8,711 pounds will help fight hunger in East Texas. September is Hunger Action Month. The goal is to raise awareness about food Insecurity. In East Texas, 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 4 children face hunger on a daily basis.
“Everyone is a winner in this friendly competition because the food and funds collected will help East Texans in need,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Each jar donated represents a family that will receive nutritious, protein-rich food. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in this drive.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Whitehouse – 
This November, Whitehouse residents will consider eight proposed amendments to the City Charter as part of a Special Election. Earlier this year, the City Council appointed a Charter Review Commission made up of Whitehouse citizens to review the Charter and recommend updates. After a thorough review, the Commission recommended a series of amendments focused on:
• Clarifying existing language
• Aligning the Charter with state law
• Providing flexibility for future City Councils to operate efficiently.
“These propositions are about updating and clarifying our Charter so that it serves the City well into the future,” said Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley. “The Commission worked hard to review each provision carefully, and we are grateful for their commitment to ensuring our Charter is clear, consistent, and practical.” Read the rest of this entry »
HUNTSVILLE (AP) – Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson will not petition for clemency ahead of his scheduled execution in three weeks and will instead focus on obtaining a new trial in his capital murder conviction, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Roberson was convicted in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, who was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome. Roberson has maintained his innocence over the two decades he has spent on death row, arguing that scientific evidence developed since his conviction invalidates Nikki’s diagnosis and shows that she died from chronic illness — not from being shaken so violently that she died, as prosecutors claimed at Roberson’s trial.
Roberson, 58, is scheduled to be executed on Oct. 16. His deadline to submit an application for clemency with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is Thursday, 21 days before his execution date. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Pruitt was found and taken into custody earlier this evening following an anonymous tip.
WOOD COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that a man with outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon escaped from Wood County deputies on Wednesday. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said around 6 a.m., they had received an anonymous tip of a person who had outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They then went to Caden Eric Pruitt’s residence in Hawkins, where they took him into custody. While deputies finished their investigation, Priutt escaped and fled. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD said Tuesday morning that an unloaded gun was brought into their middle school on Sept. 12. According to our news partner KETK, this made it the second gun-related episode that happened at their district that week. District officials released a statement Monday that a report was made to Lufkin Middle School administrators that an unloaded firearm was found on campus, Sept. 12. They added that the unloaded firearm was seen by more than one student.
The release also said, “This serves as a reminder that unauthorized possession of a firearm on campus is a serious crime, and Lufkin ISD will pursue all legal measures,” the district said. “Student safety is our top priority, and we urge parents and guardians to talk with their children about the importance of immediately reporting any safety concerns.”
This Sept. 12 incident comes just four days after a Lufkin High School student was removed from campus after an unloaded gun was found in a bathroom.
LUFKIN — 
The Texas Tribune reports that arapidly growing East Texas metro area is exploring new ways to ease congestion. Tyler and the surrounding area are home to about 250,000 people and counting. Fueled by a growing health care industry, nearly 2,000 people are moving to the region that includes Smith County each year. More people have meant more cars and traffic. Michael Howell, Tyler’s Metropolitan Planning Organization director, believes traffic will continue to increase, and he’d like to make Tyler more accessible. “How can you go somewhere and not have it be just you getting into a car? Because there is a finite amount of space, a finite amount of parking,” Howell asked. “There is a lot that could potentially be done, and that’s what we want to hear from everybody: If it were there, would you use it? And how would you use it?” A light rail system in a city like Tyler would be a significant shift, especially in a state known for its oil and gas industry and its historical prioritization of cars over public transit. Just this year, state lawmakers flirted with defunding light rail systems in Dallas and Houston. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that American rapper Ricky Hampton, known as Finesse2tymes, was arrested on Friday evening along with Halie Buckingham following a concert performed in Smith County after illegal drugs were allegedly found inside their vehicle. According to an arrest affidavit, Hampton was seen driving a red Corvette and was pulled over by officials for not wearing a seatbelt while turning onto Claude Street in Tyler. During the stop, officers reported smelling marijuana and spotted a hand-rolled paper cigar in the ashtray. Read the rest of this entry »