Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
HENDERSON COUNTY — 
A former Payne Springs police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to meth distribution, according to our news partners at KETK. Jonathan Hutchison, a former police officer, pleaded guilty in April to manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance as part of an open plea. Hutchison was sentenced to two years for tampering with an electronic monitoring device, two years for possession of a controlled substance and 20 years for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The sentences will run concurrently. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – An Upshur County man was sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison on Wednesday for drug and gun violations. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner received the sentence for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Upshur County District Attorney in a release said in February 2024, a search warrant was executed at a shop building on Bob-O-Link Road in Gladewater. A yearlong investigation revealed a room in the building with methamphetamine, marijuana, cutting agents, loaded syringes and multiple firearms.
The district attorney’s office said six other people were arrested at the location and they are currently awaiting trial.
TEXARKANA — A woman has been arrested for stealing more than half a million dollars from a local business, according to the Texarkana Police Department according to our news partners at KETK.
Officials said they were notified by a local business around mid-2023 that their accounting firm reportedly discovered financial discrepancies and suspected Melissa Egger, 45 of Texarkana. Egger reportedly worked for the company since 2011 as their bookkeeper and took on additional responsibilities as office manager.
Mugshot of Melissa Egger, courtesy of the Texarkana Police Department.
“During that time, she was considered a trusted employee who exercised day-to-day control over the finances of the business,†Texarkana PD said.
However Egger was later terminated from her job after the discrepancies were discovered. A yearlong audit completed by a forensic accountant revealed that Egger had allegedly embezzled more than $700,000 from her employer during her 12-year employment.
A warrant for her arrest was obtained and Egger reportedly turned herself in on Wednesday. She was booked into the Bi-State Jail and is held on a $100,000 bond.
LINDALE — A Smith County Emergency Services District 2 firefighter was injured while responding to a fire on Wednesday night. According to Smith County ESD2 officials and our news partner KETK, the firefighter responded to call at around 7:48 p.m. of a shed on fire that was reportedly endangering nearby structures on CR 468. “Lindale Engine 1 and Command 1 along with SCESD2 responded to the 13000 block of County Road 468 for a report of a structure fire. Units checked on scene and stated that a shed was fully engulfed. The fire was quickly brought under control,†the Lindale Fire Department said. The firefighter reportedly sustained minor burns after the fire went under the bottom of his bunker gear while fighting the blaze. Smith County ESD2 officials said the burns were limited to his leg. He was then taken to a local hospital where he was later released and is expected to make a full recovery.
TYLER – Smith County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Smith County Courthouse on Thursday. The current Commissioners Court, as well as past members, posed for pictures after breaking ground on the future site of the new courthouse. The new courthouse is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.
Congressman Nathaniel Moran, who served as Smith County judge when the courthouse bond was passed by voters, spoke to the crowd of more than 100 people, as well as current County Judge Neal Franklin.
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TYLER – SWEPCO released a consumer fraud alert on Tuesday, warning customers of solar panel salespeople claiming to be official partners with SWEPCO. According to our news partner KETK, the electric utility has reported an uptick in reports of door-to-door solar panel salespeople claiming to be officially partnered with SWEPCO.
William Bradford Jr., SWEPCO vice president of external affairs, said, “It’s important for our customers to know SWEPCO does not sell solar panels and is not partnered with any companies that do.â€
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TYLER – 
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Tyler City Council received the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) with a focus on serving all of Tyler efficiently and effectively. This budget continues Tyler’s tradition of responsible spending, addressing improved roadways and traffic flow, enhanced drainage systems, upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, and redeveloping public spaces. The FY25 proposed budget totals $255.9 million, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Of this, $50 million will be allocated to capital expenditures upgrading water and sewer systems, and another $41.4 million will be devoted to traffic signal improvements, street reconstruction, increased drainage capacity, and the redevelopment of the Downtown Tyler square funded by Half-Cent Sales Tax revenues. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
On Wednesday, August 14, the City Council approved the 2024 Railroad Crossing Improvements project, which will enhance railroad crossings for Downtown street changes and other high-traffic areas. HDR Engineering, Inc. was awarded the contract for the project’s design for $600,000. In the 2022 Downtown Traffic Study, it was recommended that Downtown streets be changed from one-way to two-way. The railroad crossings on East Locust Street, East Ferguson Street and East Erwin Street must be reconfigured to switch from one-way to two-way streets. The City will work with Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR) to accomplish this. It is estimated that the process with UPRR will take 18-24 months to get approved plans. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 
Our news partners at KETK report that one person is dead and another is injured after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday night on Highway 31 in Smith County. According to Smith County Emergency Services District 2, the crash happened at Highway 31 and FM 2908 after midnight. Officials said one person was dead at the scene and another was taken to the hospital. DPS is conducting the investigation.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – 
An East Texas man was life flighted to a hospital on Monday after being stung by “hundreds of bees,†according to our news partners at KETK. Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said the man was stung outside of Rusk in the Reklaw community and the man’s condition is unknown at this time. According to the CDC, bees are most abundant during the warmer months and they recommend running away if attacked by several at once. A bee’s sting released a chemical that may attract other bees. “The average person can safely tolerate 10 stings per pound of body weight,†the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. “This means that although 500 stings can kill a child, the average adult could withstand more than 1100 stings.â€
GRAND SALINE — 
The City of Grand Saline said on Tuesday a major water leak will impact residents who live near the intersection of North Spring Street at Wolfe Street according to our news partners at KETK. According to the city, the water leak stems from a 12-inch water main and will cause water outages especially to the north-west section of town. Crews are reportedly at the water main to restore services. People are asked to avoid the area and allow the public works department room to work. “While work is being performed expect water discoloration. Crews are assessing the situation, and a restoration time is not available currently,†city officials said. For more information and updates, people are asked to visit the City of Grand Saline Facebook.
HENDERSON COUNTY – 
An East Texas teenager was arrested for child sex crimes on Monday and arrest documents reveal several victims came forward according to our news partners at KETK. On July 31, Henderson County officials issued an arrest warrant for Jordan Smith, 18 of Athens, for indecency with a child, aggravated assault of a child, prostitution and solicitation and displaying harmful material to a minor. According to the affidavit, investigators learned from a 14-year-old victim that he and another child were shown pornographic videos by Smith and they were all drinking alcohol. Smith reportedly admitted on July 25 that he bought vodka and he and the victims drank it in his room. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS – Residents who were affected by the storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding this spring
have until Aug. 15 to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, San Jacinto, Rusk, Sabine, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties designated for federal disaster assistance and who incurred storm-related loss or damage between April 26 – June 5, have one week left to apply. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
While turning 25 this year, Texas’ sales tax holiday has not lost any of its luster. The tax-exempt weekend has saved Texans millions of dollars annually on clothing, footwear and school supplies heading into the school year. From its inception in 1999, when the Comptroller’s office estimated $32.6 million in combined state and local sales tax savings, Texas’ oldest sales tax holiday has saved shoppers an estimated $1.8 billion to date on qualified items priced below $100. That includes a projected $143.4 million in state and local sales tax savings during this year’s holiday, Aug. 9-11. Apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax free are listed on the Comptroller’s website at TexasTaxHoliday.org. As long as the item is sold during the designated days, you can get the tax break on items purchased in stores and online, or by phone, mail, custom order and other means. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — 
A Eustace man was arrested on Tuesday following a traffic stop in Mabank where officials found suspected methamphetamine and distribution items according to our news partners at KETK. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said at around 4:57 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a tan minivan at the 700 block of SH 198 in Mabank. Officials identified the driver as 41-year-old Michael Mark Grubbs. A K-9 unit was used on the vehicle, where the K-9 reportedly gave a positive alert for narcotics. The deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and reportedly found a magnetic box with a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, a scale and baggies. The sheriff’s office claimed the items were used to package and distribute the drugs. Grubbs was arrested for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was taken to the Henderson County Jail and is awaiting arraignment.
ANDERSON COUNTY – 
Two people died in a head-on collision Monday night 12 miles from Palestine according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Department of Public Safety, at around 11:08 p.m. a Toyota Tundra was travelling south on State Highway 19 when it veered into the northbound lane hitting a truck tractor towing a trailer head-on. The driver of the Tundra, identified as 21-year-old Abimael Santillian and passenger 19-year-old Tanner Perez, both of Palestine, were pronounced dead at the scene. DPS said they both were not wearing seatbelts. The driver of the truck tractor was not injured, a release said. Addition information is unavailable at this time as the investigation is ongoing, DPS said.
LONGVIEW — A Longview woman is dead after a verbal argument led to a driver ‘intentionally’ hitting her. According to our news partner KETK, Longview PD were called in an “accident†with injuries on 3100 Letourneau Drive. When officers arrived, they found 40-year-old Teleka Levy-Williams of Longview, with significant injuries. She was taken to a hospital where she later died.
Police found out in the their investigation that Levy-Williams death wasn’t an accident. They learned she had been intentionally struck by a vehicle after an argument. Law enforcement identified the driver of the vehicle as 34-year-old Nadio Hughes of Longview. Hughes was charged with murder and is in the Gregg County Jail where she is being held on a $150,000 bond.
Longview Police asks anyone with additional information on the case to contact them at 903-237-1110 provide information online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.
PRICE —
Our news partners at KETK report a former Carlisle ISD security guard has been arrested, the district said on Monday in a release. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department notified the school district on Monday that a security guard employed at the school last year and “were planning to use this year†had been detained, Carlisle ISD said. The security guard was reportedly not an employee for the district but rather contracted through a “separate private security agency.†“He will no longer be assigned to our school district moving forward, effective immediately,†Carlisle ISD said. The school district said they will not release the identity or charges of the security guard at this time.
TYLER – Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats throughout August with a donation of six white towels or six fleece blankets. The towels and blankets will be used for animals at the Shelter. Blankets that are 50″ x 60″ are preferred to fit a pet’s kennel.Â
The basic dog adoption fee is $120 and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption, or submit an application, visit the Tyler Animal Services webpage.Â
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The Tyler Animal Shelter is located at 4218 Chandler Highway, across from EQ Autoworks. For more information, call (903) 535-0045.
CANTON – The City of Canton Fire Department confirmed that several power poles near Highways 243 and 198 are down after being hit by a 18-wheeler on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around noon with no injuries reporting. Oncor reports 847 customers are currently without power. They expect to be fully restored by 8 p.m. on Monday night.
MARSHALL – 
A Marshall man has been arrested and charged in connection with federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. Cameron Deshun Payton, 22 was named in a three-count indictment in the Eastern District of Texas in June 2024, charging him with possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm. Payton appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Payne in late July 2024, and was ordered to be detained until trial.
“In June, I announced Operation Texas Kill Switch, a statewide initiative targeting illegal machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as switches,†stated U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. “As promised, my office and our law enforcement partners will find these devices and take them off of the streets.â€
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PALESTINE – Palestine Economic Development has announced that crews started the second phase of the Downtown Revitalization project recently. According to our news partner KETK, many of the utilities in the city, like water pipes were originally installed in the early 1900s. They have never been replaced, only repaired over time.
Mary Ann Admire, City of Palestine Main Street coordinator said, “We are incredibly excited to be progressing on the Downtown Revitalization Project, which will replace utilities, sidewalks, and streets in the Central Business District. We are so grateful to the City leadership for their vision and determination to make downtown safe and accessible.â€
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TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott selected Dr. Jenifer Chilton, The University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing associate dean for academic affairs, as an inaugural member of the advisory panel for the Healthcare Workforce Task Force. The role of the task force is to address the healthcare workforce shortages in Texas.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Chilton’s appointment to the advisory panel,†said Dr. Julie V. Philley, UT Tyler president. “Her expertise and dedication to nursing education and healthcare excellence will be invaluable in shaping the future of our healthcare workforce.â€
The task force and advisory panel will meet monthly to discuss healthcare information gained from state agency experts and stakeholders. Chilton will serve as co-chair of a workgroup that will identify barriers and opportunities to increasing the faculty pipeline and other health professions. The task force and advisory panel will issue a final report on Oct. 1.
MARSHALL – Two adults and two teenagers were arrested as a result of a drive-by shooting in Marshall Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, arrested were 49-year-old Gerrold Maze, 26-year-old Kisha Carlisle, 19-year-old Rmund Hall and 17-year-old Darrieon Russaw all of Marshall.
This was in regards to two shots fired incidents that occurred around 3:00 a.m. Thursday morning. According to Marshall Police, the first was near Lions Park. The other near a home on Calloway Street. Officers reported no injuries at either location. However, this led them to a home on Twyman Street. At this location, all four persons arrested gave up voluntarily to officers.
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PALESTINE — 
Our news partners at KETK report that an Elkhart motorcyclist has died after a two vehicle wreck on Tuesday in front of the Palestine Mall, the Palestine Police Department said. The police department said at around 12:41 p.m., officers and the Palestine Fire Department were dispatched to the 2100 block of Crockett Road due to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Palestine PD said when officials arrived at the scene, both vehicles were blocking the road and the motorcyclist was unresponsive. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) will begin replacing 8,000 water meters starting on Monday, Aug. 19. This project was approved by the City Council in December 2023. The first phase will take one year to complete and will replace meters identified as having issues with accuracy and reliability. For the next three years, 1,650 meters will be replaced annually until all identified problem meters are switched to the new model. Water meters measure the amount of water delivered to a customer’s tap. The most recent meters in our system were installed in 2005. Over the last several years, 27 percent of the existing meters had problems accurately reading water usage, not registering consumption, and not communicating the information to the Water Business Office. Read the rest of this entry »
TROUP – Smith County road crews were out on Wednesday improving several City of Troup roads, which also falls in Cherokee County, as part of a interlocal agreement. According to our news partner KETK, the road improvements are being funded by the Troup Community Development Corporation, using a half-cent sales tax. The Troup City Council and county commissioners approved the funding.
Smith County Road and Bridge crews worked on paving North Georgia Street from East Duval to East McKay streets and North Carolina Street from East Duval to East Bryant streets. They will work on roads that are used a lot by business and school traffic.
A release also said crews will also work on East McKay Street to the Union Pacific Railroad crossing and Pascal Street from Front to Alabama streets at a later date
HENDERSON COUNTY – Authorities report a man drowned Tuesday night on Lake Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said they were called around 8 p.m. to assist Game Wardens on a report of a missing person in the Coffee City area. The man’s body was later recovered and he was identified as Harley Crouch.
SMITH COUNTY – An investigation by Smith County authorities led to the arrest of a man accused of running an asphalt paving scam in several states, according to our news partner KETK. Timothy Mark Adams allegedly skipped town after running scams in Smith County in 2020, and was found Monday in a Florida RV park after Smith County investigators were tipped off to his whereabouts.
The investigation started with an elderly couple reporting that they hired Adams from a Facebook advertisement for asphalt paving in March 2020. They allegedly paid Adams $3,000 in advance to asphalt their driveway, but no work was ever done. Smith County authorities coordinated with investigators in Hoover, Alabama who said they were investigating Adams for similar scams. Through cooperating with other law enforcement agencies, Smith County investigators said that they discovered Adams was running these scams in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Texas.
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RUSK COUNTY — 
A man has been arrested in Rusk County after officials recovered three reported stolen ATVs, according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office on July 23, a search warrant was served on Rusk County Road 2161 where deputies recovered three stolen ATVs worth around $93,700 that had been concealed behind an outbuilding on gated property. Willie Calvin Stoker II, 41 of Longview, the owner of the property, was also found in possession of a prohibited weapon, a short barrel firearm. Read the rest of this entry »