Today is
Friday July 24, 2026
TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said an 87-year-old man is dead after his home caught on fire on Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County fire crews were sent to the unidentified man’s home on FM 2908 and Old Kilgore Highway, east of Tyler around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. The press release from the county said when firefighters arrived, flames already had gone through the roof of the man’s home. Fire crews extracted the 87-year-old, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although the fire was put out, the house is considered a total loss. The Fire Marshall’s office said while they don’t expect any foul play, they will still investigate for the cause of the fire. The name of the decreased is being withheld until an autopsy can be performed.
TYLER – An East Texas man on Tuesday, was sentenced to 99 years in prison after several run-ins with the law regarding drug charges. According to our news partner KETK, Benjamin Clark was pulled over in a traffic stop by Upshur County Narcotics Officers, for not using a turn signal. Officers were informed Clark was on parole for dealing drugs in Diana. A K9 unit led police to hidden compartments in Clark’s vehicle. These compartments contained methamphetamine and mushrooms. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was later released from jail on bond.
Because of Clark’s other convictions, the state filed a notice of enhancement forcing him to be given a life sentence or a sentence of 25 to 99 years. On Tuesday, a jury found him guilty of possession of a controlled substance as habitual offender the jury decided to sentence him to 99 years in prison.
In a release from the Upshur County DA, “The jury gave this sentence due to Clark receiving several opportunities of probation, county jail, prison and parole to fix his life decisions- nothing stopped him from continuing to break the law. The jury rejected the defense’s argument for the minimum sentence of 25 years.”
KILGORE — 
Our news partners at KETK report that Kilgore College students, especially women, are asked to remain vigilant as a man who has exposed himself multiple times remain on the run, the Kilgore College Police Department said. In the past two weeks, a man has exposed himself twice on campus, officials said. He is reportedly targeting women who are walking on campus alone, usually in the evening hours.The suspect is described as a light skinned black male, 6 foot tall with medium build and looking like an average college student. Read the rest of this entry »
EDGEWOOD – Edgewood Superintendent Kristin Prater announced her retirement from Edgewood ISD on Tuesday, that will go into effect on June, 30. According to our news partner KETK, Prater said in a release, “Looking back on my tenure, I am filled with gratitude for the partnerships we have formed, the challenges we have overcome and the many successes we have celebrated.”
Prater said she is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for new leadership in the district.
UPDATE: The Longview Fire Department confirmed that a second person has died following the fire. As of now, officials have not released the names of the deceased.
LONGVIEW – One person is dead and another injured following a Wednesday morning house fire in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Fire Marshall Kevin May said in release, firefighters were called to a house fire around 4:30 a.m. at Garfield Street and Berry Lane. He said of the five persons in the house, one died due to extreme heat. One other person is in the hospital with severe smoke inhalation. Marshall May said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Tyler — 
The Tyler ISD Foundation will visit Tyler ISD campuses on Wednesday, January 22, to award 35 grants totaling $100,000. Through its annual Grants for Great Ideas program, the grants will positively impact 17 campuses or facilities. The Grants for Great Ideas program encourages, facilitates, recognizes, and rewards innovative and creative instructional approaches that are not already supported by campus budgets. Throughout the day, Tyler ISD Foundation members, district administrators, and special guests will take their celebratory Grant Patrol caravan through campus hallways to surprise teachers by presenting checks that fund their projects. Since its creation in 1990, the Tyler ISD Foundation has gifted more than $3.5 million to Tyler ISD through innovative teaching grants, student and parent programs, academic and teaching recognition events, and scholarships.
TYLER – Smith County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The Government Finance Officers Association said in release the award is, “highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.”
The award was presented during Commissioners Court Tuesday morning. Smith County has also received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for about 15 years for the county’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
After the presentation, Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said, “It’s nice to be recognized, to have our people recognized and our budget.”
Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County District Attorney’s Office said a man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for burglary of a home in Eustace in 2022. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Thomas Powell was found guilty in district court Wednesday by a jury. Powell was charged with burglary of that home and he also set it on fire.
According to the district attorney’s office, a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to a home on Allen Ranch Road after a report seeing of a man with a gas can loading items into a truck. When the deputy arrived, they reported seeing smoke from the burning residence. Video recovered at the scene showed a person identified as Powell, .
The district attorney’s office mentioned several other convictions that Powell had including one at the same victim’s home in 2020. Powell was sentenced to 24 years in state prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
Tyler – The National Weather Service has forecasted a chance of snow showers on Monday night into Tuesday, with snow accumulations of less than half an inch possible. That chance of snow could be combined with below-freezing temperatures. City of Tyler Fire Department and Emergency Management officials will keep a close eye on developing weather conditions for for these two days.
Fire, Police, Streets and Tyler Water Utilities crews are prepared for the weather and have placed personnel on standby if needed and will respond when needed. The Tyler/Smith County’s Cold Weather Response Plan is now available at Cold Weather Response Plan Tyler, TX.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will conduct a series of community meetings to address concerns regarding water billing, discuss the water meter replacement program, and highlight other ongoing infrastructure improvements to our water system. Each Council member will host a meeting in their respective district. The meetings will feature several information stations, including Water Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) to assist with individual account questions. Residents will be asked to give their feedback and sign up to receive electronic updates on these topics. Customers are encouraged to attend the meeting in their district to learn more about TWU, utility billing, improvement projects, and to voice questions or concerns. Residents should bring a copy of their water bill for specific billing questions. District meeting schedule is as follows: Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – 
The Marshall Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire at approximately 5:00 AM on January 15th in the 2200 block of Pinecrest Drive, successfully rescuing three occupants including a 22-month-old infant. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story wood frame house with flames visible from the front windows and heavy smoke throughout the structure. Marshall Police Department officers, who arrived first, had already removed a double window after hearing screams from inside. Fire Department crews immediately initiated rescue operations and located an unconscious 23-year-old female trapped under a fallen dresser. The victim was quickly rescued and taken to emergency medical personnel. The homeowner had safely evacuated through a bedroom door prior to firefighters’ arrival and told crews that a 22-month-old infant remained inside. Fire crews conducted an extensive search and located the infant in a void space between furniture in another bedroom. Both the 23-year-old victim and infant were taken to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center – Marshall for treatment. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, January 20, 2025, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21, and Commissioners Court will be held at its normal time, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Smith County Annex Building, located at 200 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. City offices will observe the following schedule on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
A former Texas hospital chief executive officer has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for conspiring to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Jeffrey Paul Madison, 49, of Burnet, Texas; Susan L. Hertzberg, 66, of New York, New York; Matthew John Theiler, 58, of Pinehurst, North Carolina; David Weldon Kraus, 66, of Maryville, Tennessee; and Thomas Gray Hardaway, 52, of San Antonio, Texas, were found guilty by a jury on November 30, 2023, following a seven-week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle. Madison was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison by Judge Kernodle on January 15, 2025. Madison also agreed to pay $5,343,630 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act involving illegal payments to physicians for laboratory referrals in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Read the rest of this entry »
Tyler – Bethesda Health Clinic is pleased to announce a generous $15,000 grant from the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red. The grant money will be used to buy cardiology equipment, ensuring the clinic can continue to provide high-quality care to underserved patients in East Texas.
The grant, awarded as part of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red initiative. The initiative will allow Bethesda Health Clinic to expand its cardiology services by acquiring advanced diagnostic tools and medical equipment. These resources will help medical professionals at the clinic better detect, treat,and manage heart disease, a condition that disproportionately impacts many in the local community.
Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD – The Brook Hill School in Bullard celebrated their Founder’s Day on Sunday by opening their new fine arts center, the Soules Center for the Arts. According to our news partner KETK, the multi-million dollar center was made possible by a gift from the Soules family, known for the John Soules Foods brand. The center includes facilities like classrooms for vocal, instrumental, dramatic and visual arts instruction, an orchestra room, a drama room, a choir room and an auditorium that will also serve as a chapel.
Braxton Brady, Head of The Brook Hill School, said in a release, “It’s very humbling. It’s humbling to know that we have a group, a community of donors, a founder that are willing to sacrifice and give of their resources so that our students can have the best, and I really truly believe, I’ve been in private school education for 30 years, and I’ve never seen a space as good as this one.”
The Brook Hill School is a private PreK-12 Christian school that was founded in 1997. Their Founder’s Day celebration was attended by musician Michael W. Smith and actor Kirk Cameron, who gave the event’s keynote speech
VAN– Van Independent School District is in mourning after one of their football coaches died from cancer on Sunday.
In a report from our news partner, KETK, Matt Young was a teacher and a coach for 27 years, including three years at Van ISD and 14 years at Sulphur Springs ISD.
“He was loved by our staff, students and athletes, and his positive attitude will be greatly missed in Vandal Land. We extend our deepest sympathies to Coach Young’s family, and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” said a comment from Van ISD.
A Van ISD welcome post from when Young joined the district in 2022 said Young attended the University of Texas at Austin, and that he enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking and playing golf.
UPDATE: The mother and child were located and are safely back home, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Offices says that on December 2, 2025, at approximately 9:00 am, Deputies responded to a missing person’s call at 56541 County Road 1185 near Tyler. Upon their arrival they discovered that Lily Elizabeth Grimes – 15 and her daughter, Elizabeth May Johnson – 6 months of age, were missing from this residence. The reporting person is the mother of Lily Grimes and the grandmother of Elizabeth Johnson.
She reported waking up at 7:00 am Thursday morning to find the back door open with both her daughter and granddaughter missing. She said that a diaper bag and one bottle were taken, but the car seat was still in the house. Deputies searched the residence and the surrounding area with no positive results. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — Henderson County Sheriff’s arrested a man wanted in South Central Oklahoma on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Clovis Reeves was wanted by the Hughes County Oklahoma Sheriff’ Office was for possession of a controlled substance and attempting to elude a peace officer with a dangerous weapon.
Officials said Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Patrick Johnson received information that Reeves was hiding in the Wagon Tree subdivision in Athens. Johnson found Reeves white Ford F350 flatbed pickup in a ditch near a house on Buggy Hub Trail. Reeves was at this house and was arrested for an outstanding Oklahoma arrest warrant. He was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Reeves is currently awaiting arraignment at the Henderson County Jail.
TYLER – 
The city of Tyler says in a release that in preparation for the Downtown Improvement Plan’s construction, paid parking meters in Downtown Tyler are being removed. Until construction begins in areas that affect these parking spots, patrons may park for free for up to two hours. Downtown Ambassadors will be on a routine patrol to enforce the two-hour parking limit. The Main Street department encourages businesses to communicate this change to their employees. Ideally, employees of businesses should utilize off-square parking?and parking garages to allow customers and visitors to park in spots closest to retail and business. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — 
Records reveal an Athens man has been arrested after authorities said they found numerous photos and videos of child pornography on his laptop.
Kevin Eugene Jones, 61 of Athens, was arrested following a search warrant conducted at his residence on Parsons Parkway in Athens on Dec. 19. According to an affidavit, authorities found 35 images and graphic videos of child pornography of children under the age of 10. Jones admitted he lived in the residence alone and has looked at child pornography for several years, the affidavit said. He has since been arrested on three counts of possession of child pornography and is being held at the Henderson County Jail on a $450,000 bond.
MARSHALL – 
The Marshall Police Department (MPD) has identified the person involved in the officer-involved shooting on Thursday, December 19, 2024, as Evelyn Luna, 22, of Marshall. Luna has been charged with Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant.
The incident began around 1:20 p.m. when officers responded to a disturbance call in the 100 block of Interstate 20. Upon arrival, officers learned that Luna was armed with a handgun. Additional resources, including the MPD Special Response Team (SRT), Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SRT and deputies, were called to assist. Despite efforts to de-escalate the situation through negotiations, Luna fired a handgun at officers, putting the public at risk. An MPD officer returned fire, striking her. Emergency medical personnel from the Marshall Fire Department, who were already on the scene, provided immediate aid. Luna was then taken to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
After being medically cleared, MPD Detectives arrested Luna and took her to the Harrison County Jail.
TYLER — In a study from the Hibbs Institute Family Index at UT Tyler, Tyler and Wichita Falls are ranked as the top two metropolitan areas in Texas for raising a family. According to our news partner KETK, factors impacting the study are access to health care, education, recreation, social environment and job stability.
The top 25 cities in Texas are as follows:
1. Tyler
2. Wichita Falls
3. Abilene
4. Amarillo
5. Midland
6. Sherman-Denison
7. San Angelo
8. Texarkana
9. Lubbock
10. Victoria
Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The Gilmer Police Department confirmed that the individuals have been identified, though they did not disclose whether any arrested have been made.
GILMER — The Gilmer Police Department is seeking the public’s help identifying a man involved in break-ins at fast food restaurants. According to our news partner KETK, investigators want a man on two counts of mischief. In a release, police said, “he broke the doors of Whataburger and the drive through window of Jack in the Box.”
In the picture shown, you’ll the suspect on the right, he vehicle, with the license plate showing on the left.
Anyone with information on the person’s identity or whereabouts is asked to contact the Gilmer Police Department at 903-843-5545.
KILGORE — Kilgore Police have released footage of a burglary at Kilgore’s H&L Liquor Mart that occurred on Friday afternoon Dec. 20 about 1:30 p.m. Investigators need your help in identifying suspects. Our news partner KETK, has posted the video, you can see it here.
A release from KDP stated, “The suspects fled the scene on foot to the back of Kilgore Bowling Center where a dark colored passenger car was waiting in the area. Kilgore PD said. “There appeared to be possibly two other subjects in the waiting get away car. The vehicle left the scene south on US 259 BUS.”
Police ask if you have information on the identities of the persons involved, contact Detective Justin Murphy at 903-218-6904 or email him at justin.murphy@cityofkilgore.com.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for suspects in an armed robbery late Friday morning near Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a sheriff’s office release said they received a call about 10:30 a.m, from a business on State Highway 31 East near Dauphin Plumbing, outside Loop 323 in Tyler. Deputies were told by the caller at this business location, they were robbed at gunpoint of an undisclosed amount of cash from their register.
Officers said the robbery suspect, “fled out of the front door of the business. The suspect allegedly entered a black car being driven by another black male and fled eastbound on State Highway 31 East.” Initial investigation shows the suspect was, a man armed with a handgun, dressed in all black clothing, a black ski mask, gloves and shoe coverings.
Authorities are investigating the case with further details released as it becomes available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.
JASPER COUNTY — The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Deputy Lesley Wade of Zavalla, died from injuries received in a two-vehicle crash in Angelina County on Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a release from the sheriff’s said Wade leaves behind her husband, Jasper County Deputy Chris Wade(in picture) and their two children.
Wade joined JCSO with her husband, at first providing courthouse security as a bailiff, before joining the sheriff’s office patrol division.
Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said this about Lesley Wade, “She led by example and made her mark in the history books of Jasper County as one of our best sheriff’s deputies. Please pray for Chris and their family, as well as their fellow law enforcement officers, during this time. Go with God, Lesley. We will miss you, but are thankful you were part of our Jasper County family. You’ll always be our Hero. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
EAST TEXAS – Are you going to be celebrating New Years Eve? Our news partner KETK, has list of business’s open on Dec. 31, that will keep you entertained. You can see it be clicking here.
RUSK — The Rusk Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of a person accused of robbing a pharmacy on Dec. 11. According to our news partner KETK, a person broke into Chapman Pharmacy’s drive-thru that Wednesday morning around 4 a.m. to reportedly steal narcotics. Officials said the store video shows a person appearingto used a black handled ax with white cloth wrapped around the handle and red tape.
Rusk Police ask if you know of anyone in connection to this incident, to call them at 903-683-2677. They said any information provided will be kept confidential.
LONGVIEW – 
A pedestrian was killed in a Thursday morning crash while attempting to cross the road, according to our news partners at KETK. Longview police officers responded to the 2000 block of North Eastman Road for a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. According to officials, the pickup truck was traveling southbound and hit the woman while she was attempting to cross Eastman Road. Longview PD said the woman reportedly failed to yield the right of way to the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Longview Police Department said the investigation is ongoing with no further information being released at this time.
TYLER – 
Recycle your real, unflocked and undecorated Christmas tree with Keep Tyler Beautiful and Tyler Solid Waste from Thursday, Dec. 26 through Wednesday, Jan. 15. Natural Christmas trees can be dropped off in designated areas at Golden Road Park, 2300 McDonald Rd, and Fun Forest Park, 2000 N. Forest Ave. There will be “Christmas Tree Recycling” signs at each location.
This eco-friendly initiative provides an opportunity to recycle live trees and support local wildlife. Local fishermen are encouraged to repurpose the trees and use them to create new fish habitats in nearby lakes and ponds, contributing to the preservation of local aquatic life. Keep Tyler Beautiful is also collecting unwanted or broken string lights regardless of the condition. The copper wire will be recycled, and the proceeds will go toward the conservation organization Lion Guardians. The collected lights can be dropped off at the Christmas Tree Recycling locations or the upper parking lot at Caldwell Zoo, 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd.
For more information, visit KeepTylerBeautiful.com or contact Casey Williams, Keep Tyler Beautiful Coordinator, at (903) 531-1335 or KTYB@TylerTexas.com.