Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
RUSK – Officials from Rusk ISD Friday addressed on a social media post, what they call an “incident” at Rusk ISD, that happened on October 2. Parents say the incident was caught on video, reportedly showing a student being assaulted in an administrative office. The video has been shared extensively on social media. Rusk ISD did not explain the nature of the “incident†in their statement. District officials also said that guardians of all students involved were informed immediately after the incident and they plan to work with the guardians to seek a resolution.
The Facebook post went onto to say, “Rusk ISD will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior from our students and while we cannot discuss individual disciplinary actions, please know that we will follow state education codes and local policies to ensure the disciplinary consequences align with the seriousness of the offense,†according to the district. “The safety of our students remains our top priority, and we will continue to review our policies and procedures to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus.â€
HENDERSON — 
Over the past decade, public school enrollment has been declining across the nation. Now, that trend is starting to impact at least two school districts in East Texas, according to our news partners at KETK. At Palestine ISD, Director of Public Relations Larissa Loveless said she has worked for their district for 24 years. When she first started, she was an elementary school principal, and their campus had about 740 students. This year, that number is about 670 students. This trend is one her district has seen over the past 3 to 5 years, lower enrollment in lower grade levels and higher enrollment in middle school and high school. This year, their kindergarten class has 188 students, but in previous years, Loveless said they’ve had 225-240 students in that class. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE — The Lindale Fire Department responded to a crash of an 18-wheeler on Thursday after the tanker rolled over and spilled about 5,000 gallons of hot asphalt. According to our news partner KETK, the tanker rolled over and crashed at I-20 and mile marker 548, westbound near Lindale. The driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to a hospital, their condition is unknown.
Initially, Smith County ESD2 used their plow to help contain the spill. As of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a hazmat crew was at the scene working to clean up the spill.
The Lindale Fire Department said on their Facebook page the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
TYLER – Even with it being October, hot and dry weather is persisting. This can create a fire hazard. Some counties in East Texas have issued burn bans. You can see the list provided from our news partner KETK with this link.
PALESTINE – A Palestine High School student was removed from campus after weapons were found in a vehicle on Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a routine check from a drug dog alerted school officials of a rifle and a “small machete†that were discovered in the vehicle.
Palestine ISD said in a release that, “Parents were notified, and the student removed from the campus pending further investigation.â€
SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Fire Department reports a traffic wreck involving a rolled over 18-wheeler. The wreck is stalling westbound traffic on I-20, west of Lindale at mile marker 548. The Lindale FD Facebook page said “This is currently a hazmat incident and Lonestar Hazmat is responding.†Officials added that traffic is down to one lane in the crash area and as of 2 p.m. clean-up will take several hours.
Also on Thursday, Lindale Fire units responded to the scene of a three vehicle accident that happened around 3 p.m. at I-20 and mile marker 552 westbound. In both cases traffic is being diverted. Lindale Fire Department asks drivers to continue to use caution and avoid the accident areas.
Tyler PD announced Wednesday afternoon that Mann was found safe in his vehicle in Lindale
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department said an investigation is underway for a 25-year-old Tyler man. According to our news partner KETK, missing is Christian Mann. TPD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said Mann is described as having brown hair and hazel eyes and being 6 foot 1 inch and weighs approximately 160 pounds.
Mann was driving a black 2017/2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. He was last seen on Sunday. Erbaugh added on Wednesday, that no foul play is suspected at this time. Police ask if you have information on the location of Christian Mann to call the the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.
PANOLA COUNTY — 
Our news partners at KETK report that an East Texas church is seeking donations for victims affected by Hurricane Helene. Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Beckville will head to Asheville, North Carolina on Friday morning with supplies to those affected by the hurricane, Gary ISD said. ccording to a report, at least 152 people in six states have died including many who were hit by falling trees or trapped in flooded cars and homes. A majority of the deaths were in North Carolina and dozens were in South Carolina and Georgia. More than 150,000 households have reportedly registered for assistance with FEMA and that number is expected to rise. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – 
Our news partners at KETK report a wanted man is behind bars for being in possession of a stolen pickup and a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said. The sheriff’s office said investigators conducted a traffic stop at around 2:45 p.m. on Monday at the 700 block of West College Street on a pickup reported stolen out of Gun Barrel City. “Investigators made contact with the driver, Matthew Schark who was also the suspect in the theft of the pickup,†HCSO said. After Schark was taken into custody for possession of the stolen vehicle, the sheriff’s office said investigators searched the truck and discovered several packages of suspected methamphetamine. Read the rest of this entry »
TATUM – 
Our news partners at KETK say that while responding to a Tatum house fire Sunday evening, authorities found “a very large amount of illegal narcotics,†thousands of dollars and several postal boxes. According to the Tatum Police Department, at around 5:30 p.m. officers were called to help with a house fire in the city. When officers arrived they found a truck blocking the entrance to the property so they had to jump in and move it to allow the fire department access since no one was around, officials said. Once inside the property, responders worked on putting out the house fire before it reached a travel trailer right next door.
“Our officers and our handy dandy volunteer firefighters were on top of the situation and although the fire burned underneath the trailer they got it put out and saved the travel trailer,†the police department said. Officials entered the trailer as part of a thorough investigation to make sure the trailer was not on fire and discovered several illegal items. “A very large amount of illegal narcotics, a very large amount of U.S. postal boxes, and post office packaging boxes,†the police department said. “A large amount of THC wax, packaged mushrooms, a large amount of vapes, not the kind that you can legally buy down at the store, and several thousands of dollars in bundles.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The City Of Tyler has announced street repairs in Tyler’s medical district beginning Monday, Oct. 7 and running through Friday, Oct. 18. East Dawson Street will be closed from the entrance of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital and the parking garage to South Fleishel Avenue for street repairs. All hospital traffic will need to enter from South Beckham Avenue.
MARSHALL – 
Our news partners at KETK report that after three years on the run a Marshall man has been arrested for felony warrants following a Saturday standoff, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office, violent crime and the narcotics task force got a search warrant for the suspects house on Private Road 4035. Officers with the task force contacted 36-year-old Brian Demond George, of Marshall, and told him through the phone to exit the house peacefully, HCSO said. “George told task force officers that he was not home and hung up,†the sheriff’s office said To force George out of the house, the sheriff’s office said the emergency response team deployed gas but he still did not exit. At the time of Brian Demond George’s arrest. “The task force knew George was not known for his honesty, so the Harrison County ERT entered George’s residence,†the sheriff’s office said. “Once inside, George was located in the back bedroom, and after approximately three years on the run, he was placed under arrest.†Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER – Nicole Hernandez, a former district clerk for Upshur County was arrested for tampering with government records on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, an investigation into Hernandez’s conduct as district clerk was first opened on Aug. 29. at the request of the Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd. She resigned her post with the county on the same day. According to The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez was arraigned and later released from the county jail on a $3,500 bond.
SMITH COUNTY – Chapel Hill ISD is grief-stricken after Bulldog Band member and 11th grade student, Diego Rodriguez, died of leukemia on Thursday. Diego was a junior trombone player in the Bulldog Band.
“We are deeply saddened at Chapel Hill High School with the loss of Diego. I was fortunate to have been Diego’s principal for the last three years. I will miss his infectious smile and kind heart the most,†said Linda Godwin, assistant principal at Chapel Hill High School.
There is information on services and visitation for Diego. You can find it here.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department in multiple operations during the summer that revealed multiple stores sold alcohol and tobacco products to underage people. According to our news partner KETK, from June through August, police used underage people posing as customers in four “compliance operationsâ€.
Department spokesperson said that 20 businesses were visited for tobacco sales, two of them sold tobacco products to underage persons. With alcohol products, 37 stores were visited to obtain alcohol. 19 stores sold alcohol products to customers posing as underage individuals.
According to Longview PD, each violation had a citation issued or a case filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office. Current law in Texas states that a person must be 21 or older to purchase or possess alcohol or tobacco products.
EMORY – 
The Rains County Sheriff’s Office said a sergeant has been placed on administrative leave after a “use of force incident†happened at the Rains County Jail on Sept. 4 according to our news partners at KETK. The “incident†reportedly involved a Rains County Jail inmate and is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers. Rains County Sheriff Michael Hopkins said the sheriff’s office will do an internal compliance investigation of the case after the Texas Rangers complete their investigation. The sergeant involved has been put on administrative leave while the investigations are underway as per policy. The sheriff’s office said that no other information will be released until the investigations are complete.
TITUS COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that a 62-year-old man accused of intentionally starting a fire that completely destroyed a mobile home Wednesday evening is now behind bars, the Titus County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies and investigators responded to a “suspicious†mobile home fire on the 100 block of County Road 1363. The single-wide mobile home was destroyed from the flames, authorities said. Officials said they had “good reason to believe†Landel Cathcart, 62 of Titus County, intentionally started the fire that engulfed another person’s home. Cathcart was arrested at the scene and taken to the Titus County Jail, the sheriff’s office said. As of Thursday morning he awaits arraignment for the arson with intent to destroy a habitation charge.
Update: The gas leak near Ricks Circle area and surrounding neighborhood, has been cleared Thursday evening and the area is now safe to return to normal activities. This is according to the City of Gladewater Facebook page.
GLADEWATER – Officials in Gladewater are advising residents to use caution in a part of town due to a gas leak. According to our news partner KETK, Gladewater Police said the leak is near Ricks Circle off Highway 271 in north Gladewater. People in the area are asked residents in the area to immediately extinguish burners and other flames. Anyone not in the area is asked to stay away, as roads may be blocked, barricaded or closed.
The Gladewater Police Department will furnish updates here.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department reports one man is dead following a fight between family members . According to our news partner KETK, LPD was called Wednesday afternoon to 700 Ethel Street, near La Quinta Inn. Officers found a man at the scene had been shot. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. An investigation revealed the shooting happened when an argument with family members rapidly increased to the shooting incident. The other family member allegedly involved in the shooting, remained on the on scene and is cooperating with law enforcement.
BROWNSBORO – 
An elementary school teacher was arrested for injuring a child on a Brownsboro ISD campus earlier this month. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Kyle Lee Rocha was arrested for injury to a child and booked into the Henderson County Jail on a $25,000 bond on Sept. 20, which he posted the same day. According to his probable cause affidavit, Rocha was in the Chandler Elementary School Behavioral Classroom on Sept. 13. The document describes footage from the classroom that showed Rocha picking up paperwork from the floor and placing the papers on the student’s desk, instructing the student to keep the pages on his desk. The student was reportedly seen throwing the paperwork into a clothes basket on his desk and tilting his desk several times as Rocha stands in front of him. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) and HDR Engineering, Inc. have completed phase one of the study on Lake Palestine water’s taste and odor quality and are starting phase two. The City Council approved the $1.75 million contract for the final phase on Wednesday, Sept. 25. TWU provides water to the City of Tyler through two water treatment plants, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. The Lake Palestine plant sources its water from Lake Palestine, which has inherently high levels of geosmin due to the age of the lake and the amount of natural organic matter, which contributes to the production of geosmin. The water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER – 
Our news partners at KETK report a 13-year-old is facing a terroristic threat charge in connection to a social media threat targeting Gilmer ISD, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the department, on Tuesday night deputies and Gilmer police officers responded to a threat made to Gilmer ISD on social media. Shortly after letting the community know about the investigation, Gilmer ISD Superintendent Rickey Albritton said the author of the post had been identified and detained. The sheriff’s office said the teenager admitted to authoring the threat and was taken to a Harrison County juvenile facility where he faces a terroristic threat charge. Albritton said the district will continue with a strong security presence as a precautionary measure. “Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students,†Albritton said.
TYLER – Hiland Dairy Foods Co. announced the 90,000 square-foot expansion of their facility in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the company said, the expansion of Hiland’s Tyler location will include “state-of-the-art processing, filling casing, palletizing, load-out, storage areas and a new laboratory.â€
Hiland Dairy President Rick Beaman said, “This expansion is more than just growth in our physical footprint; it’s a commitment to the future of Tyler, We deeply appreciate the support we’ve received from the city, and we’re excited to continue providing good-paying, stable jobs for this community for years to come.â€
Hiland said that the expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
TYLER – 
The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, September 24, voted to approve allocating $4 million in ARPA funding to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler to help pay for a behavioral health hospital. The court approved a beneficiary agreement, which will allow the UT Health Science Center to renovate the former behavioral health center, located at 4101 University Blvd., and reopen it as a licensed behavioral health hospital with new impatient beds. The facility will expand the opportunities for inpatient and outpatient programs for mental health crisis care for Smith County patients. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – On Monday, the United States Department of Education announced 356 schools nationwide as Blue Ribbon Schools. According to our news partner KETK, four of these schools were from East Texas. In a release from the department, National Blue Ribbon Schools are schools that “excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.â€
Of the 356 nationally recognized schools, the following East Texas schools were awarded:
Caldwell Arts Academy in Tyler for exemplary achievement gap closing
Gus Winston Cain Elementary School in Whitehouse for exemplary high performance
Hudson Elementary School in Longview for exemplary high performance
Neches High School in Palestine for exemplary achievement gap closing
All of the schools were awarded a National Blue Ribbon School flag as a “recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning.â€
SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Sulphur Springs ISD is asking the community to help them with efforts end social media threats. According to our news partner KETK, another student in Sulphur Springs was arrested Saturday night for making an online threat to the school.
In a release from the superintendents office, federal law enforcement contacted the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday in regards to a social media threat. Sulpur Springs ISD said a 14-year-old middle school girl was taken to a juvenile facility. The student is now facing felony charges for making a terroristic threat.
The district went on to say that type of behavior will not be tolerated as it drains county and city resources.
“We will continue to advocate for those caught participating in this type of behavior to be prosecuted to the maximum extent allowed by law. If you do not monitor you child’s social media, law enforcement will. We will take no chances with the safety of our students and staff. We would ask you again that you partner with us in making this behavior stop,†the district said.
TYLER – 
A Tyler man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly pointing a rifle at his family and opening fire at officers according to our news partners at KETK. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, on Saturday at approximately 10:15 p.m. police responded to the 3000 block of Outwood Drive to reports of an aggravated assault. According to police, it was reported that a man identified as Richard Doorman, 48 of Tyler, had pointed a rifle at his wife and child. Officials said that when police arrived Doorman opened fire at the police, but none were hit. Erbaugh said that afterwards the SWAT team and negotiators arrived on the scene and Doorman came peacefully into custody. Doorman has been booked into the Smith County Jail and was charged with two counts of aggravated family violence and 2 counts of aggravated assault of a peace officer.
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report that last Tuesday, the UT Tyler Dean of the School of Medicine stepped down from his role. Dr. Brigham Willis was the founding dean of the school. He announced his decision to step down on Tuesday and said it was in order to spend more time with his family. Dr. Sue Cox, a leader in medical education that has been with the school of medicine since before it was founded, took over for him as Interim Dean. She previously served as planning dean. She also serves as the executive vice dean of academics and chair of the Department of Medical Education at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. “The medical students are thriving, and the future of the School of Medicine is incredibly bright,†according to a statement from UT Tyler.
TRINITY COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that a passerby’s glance of a man taking out what looked like marijuana plants incited a search where methamphetamine was also found at the residence, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said. According to Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace, two residents received felony charges on Wednesday after a passerby saw the man taking his marijuana plants out “for some sunshine.†bThe sheriff’s office said, when deputies arrived they had enough probable cause for a search warrant. Authorities said a search of the residence led to the seizure of meth and the discovery that the house was also occupied by small children. The Trinity County residents arrested are now facing two felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and child endangerment, Wallace said.
RUSK COUNTY – A Henderson woman was arrested on after deputies found her to be the passenger of a 12-year-old behind the wheel during a traffic stop, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle late Saturday night, September 14, on County Road 201 in Henderson for reckless driving.
Officers found 39-year-old Holly Riehl of Henderson in the front passenger seat. However, operating the vehicle was a 12-year-old child. The juvenile was seated on a cushion and jacket to better see the steering wheel and control console. The sheriff’s office said Riehl was found in possession of an open alcohol container and deputies saw she attempted to toss a plastic bag of cocaine.
Read the rest of this entry »