Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
TYLER – 
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the City Council approved the updated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit to meet the new regulations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This revision aligns with the Phase II MS4 permit, which took effect on Aug. 15, 2024, highlighting the City’s commitment to public health and the environment. “Our Stormwater Management Program is dedicated to protecting public health, reducing flooding risks and improving water quality in our community,” said Paul Neuhaus, City of Tyler Stormwater Management and Environmental Compliance Engineer. Read the rest of this entry »
Bullard – 
The Bullard Independent School District (BISD) Board of Trustees has officially called for a
school board election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025. This election will determine the representatives for
Place 6 and Place 7 on the Board, as the current terms for these positions are set to expire. The election was
called at the regular monthly board meeting on February 10, 2025. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Fire Department was sent to a house after a dog fell down a well under a house on Monday . However, with the help of Longview fire and animal control, the dog was quickly brought to the surface. The dog was a little shaken but officials said it was was unharmed. One of the rescuers has since chosen to adopt him, since the owner can not be located.
“Thank you to everyone who played a part in this miraculous rescue. It’s a true reminder of the incredible bond between humans and animals, and how a community comes together in times of need,” a spokesperson from Longview animal control center said.
TYLER – 
Investigators with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) have identified a sophisticated new criminal method that uses multiple steps to defraud consumers by impersonating law enforcement. The criminals send a fraudulent text alert to a victim, saying there have been suspicious transactions on their financial accounts and asking the victim to confirm that the transaction is indeed suspicious.
The criminal then contacts the victim while impersonating a bank representative and tells the victim that the suspicious activity is part of an FBI investigation. The criminal persuades the victim to withdraw and deposit funds into a “new account” via an ATM that is controlled by the criminal. Sometimes, these are video calls where the victim is on the phone with the criminal, who has their video turned off.
The criminals give the victim a debit card number linked to the criminals’ accounts to add to Apple pay or other third-party apps. Once the transactions are completed, the criminals instruct the victim to delete the debit card number and throw out receipts – which prevents law enforcement from tracing the fraudulent transaction. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – To improve efficiency, Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will replace aging variable-frequency drives (VFDs) at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Palestine Raw Water Pump Station. VFDs are crucial as they control the volume of water pumped from Lake Palestine for treatment at the water treatment plant and subsequently distributed through the system. Without functional VFDs, the plant would not be operable.
“The replacement of these VFDs is essential for maintaining the reliable operation of our water treatment and distribution system,” said Utilities Director Kate Dietz, P.E. “By upgrading this infrastructure, we are reinforcing our commitment to investing in modern solutions that meet the community’s water needs now and in the future.”
The design process is anticipated to be completed by May, and construction is scheduled to begin in July. The expected completion date is August 2026.
MARSHALL – 
On February 25, 2025, the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of N. Fulton Street. The operation, conducted with assistance from the Marshall Police Department Special Response Team (MPD SRT), the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (HCSO ERT), and the Marshall PD Crime Scene Unit led to significant findings. During the search, investigators recovered illegal narcotics, a substantial amount of cash, multiple firearms, including a stolen handgun, and items connected to a previous aggravated robbery. Evidence at the scene was consistent with the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. As a result of the investigation, Cruz Rodriguez, Sr., 45, and Cruz Rodriguez, Jr., 18, were taken into custody and booked into the Harrison County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
OVERTON —
Our news partners at KETK report an Overton man was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly attempting to shoot at children. According to Smith County arrest documents, officers responded to 23410 CR 3199 at around 7:12 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from children that a family member “had come into the home with a rifle and was acting aggressively.” The children identified the family member as Keith Lamar Mills, of Overton, who attempted to fire the gun but it malfunctioned. Authorities spoke with one of the children who said when they arrived home, the front door was unlocked and saw Mills yelling obscenities. Mills was reportedly about to hit a child when he “dropped his hand.” Mills smelled of alcohol and his demeanor had scared the children, records show. The document stated Mills left and went back to his shed where he lived on the property. Three of the children then went to the shed and began to play music when Mills reportedly came out of his room and started cussing at them to shut up. After the children walked out of the shed, they saw Mills walk out holding a brown rifle. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Bishop Gregory Kelly was installed on Monday as the Bishop of Diocese of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Kelly was appointed as Bishop of Tyler on Dec. 20, 2024, by Pope Francis. Kelly will be the fifth bishop to ever be appointed to lead the Tyler Diocese since it was founded in 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II. Kelly’s appointment comes after Bishop Joseph Strickland was removed as Bishop of Tyler in November of 2023, following a months-long investigation by the Vatican.
ANGELINA COUNTY — 
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, an East Texas teacher was arrested on Saturday after being accused of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography.
According to Wells ISD Superintendent Friday Wright, Hillary Danielle Williams, 33 of Lufkin is currently employed as a junior high and high school math teacher and has been since the beginning of 2024. Williams is currently being held in the Angelina County Jail for charges of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography with bonds totaling $350,000. Wright said they were made aware of the arrest on Saturday and are currently working with attorneys and police to address the matter. “The safety and security of our students at Wells ISD is our top priority,” Wright said.
Her partner Michael Scott McCary, 37 of Lufkin and also pictured, was arrested for possession of child pornography with a $250,000 bond.
According to the district, a retired math teacher will be coming in this week to help teach the students.
TYLER – 
On February 13, 2025, Smith County Deputies responded to the UT Health Emergency Room regarding a possible sexual assault of a child.
They contacted the mother of a six-year-old female victim who made an outcry of the assault. Smith County Investigators were notified and began their investigation. The suspect was identified as Brandon Darrell Couey – 32 of Winona. Couey is the husband of the child victim’s babysitter. A forensic interview took place at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Tyler on February 18, 2025. During the forensic interview the child victim described deviate sexual activity performed on her by “Brandon.” The child victim was able to give detailed information to the interviewer both verbally and with the use of male and female anatomy drawings. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
The University of Texas at Tyler for 2025 had the third highest Uniform Certified Public Accountant exam pass rate among Texas public universities and ranked sixth overall among all state universities. UT Tyler’s pass rate is 62.14%, which is above the national average of 50%. This is the third consecutive year UT Tyler made the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy’s Top 10 list, and the university’s pass rate has consistently been above the national average for several years. Read the rest of this entry »
GRAND SALINE – 
Our news partners at KETK report that following a “raid” by Game Wardens and federal agents at an East Texas zoo, the company has released a statement to ease concerns. On Wednesday, the Canton Grand Safari Adventure was met with authorities who were allegedly there to find documents they could use on a “few active cases already under investigation.” As to what these cases are, is unknown. “This had absolutely nothing to do with the care of the animals or honestly anything to do with the zoo or its animals,” a zoo representative said. The zoo is allegedly not under investigation and have received “the all clear” to continue business as normal. The representative said they gave the U.S. Fish and Wildlife all documents they were seeking. Read the rest of this entry »
HAWKINS – 
The City of Hawkins is down to one police officer after the mayor fired three officers at the city council meeting on Tuesday, according to our news partners at KETK. Hawkins Mayor Debbie Rushing fired two patrol officers and one investigator because she said they were not properly hired and didn’t receive approval from the council. According to the city’s ordinance, “the police chief and mayor shall interview all applicants for the job of police officers and shall make their selection and present this selection to the city council for their approval.” These three officers were hired under former Police Chief, Paul Holland who resigned on Jan. 25, marking the third chief to step down in three years. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Habitat for Humanity of Smith County (HFHSC) has grant funds available to complete critical repairs within the homes of Smith County and Cherokee County neighbors who may not be able to afford home repairs otherwise. The affiliate is seeking veterans or surviving spouses who own their home and may be in need of repairs within and around their homes. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report that more than 100 jobs are coming to the Rose City as the first Bass Pro Shop prepares to open its doors. The company will be recruiting future employees over the next two days at the Tyler Holiday Inn. Kendra Hobbs moved to Tyler a year ago and has been on the job hunt since. She is looking for new opportunities with Bass Pro Shops at the event. “I’d like to make enough money to be able to spend on myself a little bit,” Hobbs said. Hobbs wasn’t the only one job searching in the Rose City Bass Pro Shops. Tyler General Manager Shawn Geer said they’ve had people waiting since before the doors opened Wednesday. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — 
Athens ISD board of trustees voted on Feb. 13 to call a $121.5 million bond election to address aging facilities by making improvements and new additions to educational spaces, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, in Spring of 2024 the board of trustees came up with four goals for the district: academic excellence, exemplary employees, safe schools and the resources for students to succeed. From there, the board invited community members including teachers, parents and high school students to participate in a committee to talk about the four goals for the district and the needs for each campus. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — Athens ISD board of trustees voted on Feb. 13 to call a $121.5 million bond election to address aging facilities by making improvements and new additions to educational spaces. According to our news partner KETK, Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, in Spring of 2024 the board of trustees came up with four goals for the district: academic excellence, exemplary employees, safe schools and the resources for students to succeed.
From there, the board invited community members including teachers, parents and high school students to participate in a committee to talk about the four goals for the district and the needs for each campus. The board used the committee’s list of proposed ideas to create the bill that would address the district goals and impact each student from early childhood to early college.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities is working to restore its ozone generator at the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant after a portion of the system froze during Tuesday night’s hard freeze. Staff are actively working to thaw and restart the ozone generator as soon as possible, with restoration efforts expected to continue through until finished. The Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) feed system is running at maximum capacity to mitigate any potential impacts.
With elevated seasonal geosmin levels detected in the water coming into the plant in recent weeks, the temporary outage of the ozone generator may lead to an increase in taste and odor concerns. Geosmin is a naturally occurring compound that can cause an earthy taste and odor in drinking water but does not pose a health risk.
Staff have deployed heaters and are taking all necessary precautions to maintain temperatures above freezing inside the facility to combat the freezing conditions that are forecast over the coming days. There are no other weather-related issues at Tyler Water Utilities facilities. Tyler Water Utilities will continue monitoring conditions and providing updates as needed.
JACKSONVILLE – 
Our news partners at KETK report that one person has died after a major crash involving at least two vehicles in Cherokee County Wednesday morning. According to Texas DPS Sergeant Chris Williamson, one person is confirmed dead after the accident occurring on Highway 69 in Jacksonville near Love’s Lookout.
JACKSONVILLE – Jeff Austin III, Chairman of the Board of Austin Bank, Texas National Association, announced Austin Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Austin Bank, has completed the acquisition of The Chasewood Bank, Houston, Texas.
Lowell Little, Executive Vice President and Regional President of Austin Bank stated, “We are very pleased with how smoothly the transition has occurred and are delighted to be entering the North Houston market while strengthening our presence in the Southeast Texas region. Both consumer and commercial customers will now have advanced technology and an increased line of valuable products and services — plus even more convenient access to 40 Austin Bank locations.”
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – On Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will conduct a come-and-go community meeting in District 4 at the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, Genecov Room, 315 N. Broadway Ave. This come-and-go event will feature information stations staffed by Department Directors and the opportunity for individuals to speak directly with Councilmember James Wynne. Water Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) will also be available to assist with individual account questions. Customers are encouraged to attend the event in their district and speak one-on-one with subject matter experts to learn more about TWU, utility billing, improvement projects, to voice questions or concerns, and to provide feedback on these topics. Residents should bring a copy of their water bill for specific billing questions. Read the rest of this entry »
Tyler – 
The East Texas Food Bank will hold the second annual Empty Bowls Tyler event on Thursday, February 27 at the ETFB, to bring awareness to the 1 in 6 adults, including 1 in 4 children in East Texas who are hungry, brought to you by presenting sponsor the Hall Family of Dealerships and restaurant sponsor Hibbs- Hallmark Insurance. “We are so excited to bring Empty Bowls back for our second year,” said David Emerson, CEO of ETFB. “We have some of the best restaurants in Tyler participating in this event. We hope people will come out and enjoy some great food and drinks, listen to live jazz music and take home a bowl made by Tyler ISD children.” Empty Bowls will feature live music and a raffle and silent auction for great prizes. Guests can purchase handcrafted bowls from East Texas artists. The event will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available at EmptyBowlsTyler.com. No guests under 21 years of age. Each ticket provides 250 meals to our neighbors facing hunger.
Tyler – 
The 2025 Campus Teachers of the Year have been selected. A total of 30 outstanding teachers have been nominated for their commitment and dedication to excellence in education. Chosen by colleagues at their respective campuses, these teachers exemplify the highest standards of teaching excellence. Their diligent efforts and innovative approaches have contributed to the academic success and personal growth of their students. The 30 nominees will now vie for the titles of District Elementary Teacher of the Year and District Secondary Teacher of the Year. The selection process involves the submission of written portfolios and interviews with a selection committee. Winners will be determined based on scores from both components. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report that for years veterinarians, shelters and rescues have recommended pet owners to get their dogs and cats microchipped. There are dozens of companies that manufacture the microchips. In the past five years, Spence and White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler, has used Save This Life. However, in recent days, pet owners and veterinarians have noticed that the microchip company had gone dark. Save This Life has pulled their records from the national registry where owner information could be found if their pet was ever lost. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
On Wednesday, the Tyler City Council approved a request to name an unnamed field at Fun Forest Park in honor of Reverend Ralph Caraway, Sr. The North Tyler Youth Baseball and Girls Softball Association initially proposed the request in recognition of Reverend Caraway’s profound impact on the community.
Under Tyler’s ordinance for naming or renaming parklands and park facilities, a park can be named in honor of a living community leader. On Jan. 29, the City of Tyler Parks Board voted unanimously in favor of naming the field after Rev. Caraway. While parks are often named after financial donors or coaches with extensive records of wins, Reverend Caraway’s contributions go beyond the scoreboard. His leadership and mentorship have shaped the lives of thousands of youth and adults throughout the Tyler area. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON – The Henderson ISD Board of Trustees formally announced the hiring of their new superintendent during a special Tuesday night meeting. According to our news partner KETK, Brian Bowman joins the district with over 20 years of service in education leadership. Before coming Henderson, Bowman served as the superintendent of Diboll ISD.
Bowman said in a press release about how excited he is to join Henderson ISD, “For me, this new role represents more than just a new opportunity—it’s a return to the East Texas region I call home. With children and grandchildren in the area, this is more than just a professional been move; it’s a chance to reconnect with a community that has always to me and my family. I’ve long admired Henderson ISD’s tradition of excellence and am eager to build on its strong foundation to support students, staff, and families.”
Bowman officially started his new role with the district on Wednesday.
TYLER – 
On Wednesday, the City Council approved an agreement with Cyclyx International, marking a significant expansion of the City’s recycling program. For years, the Tyler Recycle Center has only accepted plastics #1 and #2 due to limitations in processing capabilities. Through this new partnership, starting March 3, the City will now be able to accept all plastics, except PVC, helping to divert more waste from the landfill. Under the agreement, Cyclyx International will accept all eligible plastics for at least one year and will pay the City $0.035 per ton of collected material. The partnership aligns with Tyler’s commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. Cyclyx specializes in breaking down plastics into a feedstock that can be reused by industry partners such as Exxon to create new plastic products. This process ensures that more materials are repurposed rather than discarded, keeping more materials out of the landfill. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this expansion by bringing their plastics to the Downtown Tyler Recycle Center.
TYLER — Nine people have been sentenced in connection to a large-scale federal drug trafficking ring that operated in East Texas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas announced on Monday that in 2021, law enforcement determined the organization was run by Edgar Garcia, Jr., as the head of the operation. Authorities began the investigation to identify who was receiving methamphetamine from Garcia.
A release from U.S. Attorney’s Office stated, “During the investigation, law enforcement executed residential search warrants, purchased methamphetamine and/or firearms directly from Garcia and other members of his drug trafficking organization, and directed traffic stops to intercept narcotics and firearms being transported for distribution. Ultimately, multiple kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during the operation.”
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AVINGER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean hosted a town hall on Saturday in order to discuss water issues in his district and across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Dean represents Gregg, Harrison and Marion counties in the Texas House and he’s been an outspoken on local water rights for years. Also on hand for the discussion Saturday were East Texas State Representatives Cole Hefner of Pittsburg and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston.
Much of the town hall focused on the potential sale of water from the nearby Lake O’ The Pines to Dallas but the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir to the north was also discussed. Jefferson, Pittsburgh, Daingerfield, Avinger, Lone Star, Ore City and Hughes Springs all helped fund the Lake O’ The Pines when it was first created and those cities would have to vote to sell the lake’s water to Dallas.
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TYLER – Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler is looking to hire a veteran, a Gold Star family member or an active-duty spouse to serve as an aide in one of his offices. According to our news partner KETK, this opportunity comes via the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program which was created to provide opportunities in Congress to veterans, Gold Star family members and spouses of those on active-duty in the military.
Congressman Moran said in a release, “I am proud to announce that my district office will participate in the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program. This program provides employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty spouses within the House of Representatives. These individuals have sacrificed in service to our country, and it is a privilege to provide employment opportunities to those who have answered the call to serve.”
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