Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
HOUSTON COUNTY — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office has fired one of their staff, after learning former Deputy Skyler Laza was arrested on alleged child sex crime charges. According to our news partner KETK, Laza was arrested late Wednesday afternoon by the DPS Criminal Investigation Division at his home in Palestine and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. That evening, Houston County Sheriff Zak Benge traveled to the Anderson County Jail, where Laza was being held and terminated him as a deputy in Houston County.
In a statement from Houston County Sheriff Zak Benge, “The allegations and supporting evidence against Laza are truly disturbing. It is sickening to me that a person who sought a position meant to help those in our community, especially the most vulnerable, our children, would be the very person arrested for abuse. My office will continue to work with the investigating agencies and assist in every way possible to ensure that Laza, and anyone else involved in these heinous acts of abuse against this juvenile victim, are punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
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Update: KTBB contacted the Tyler DPS office and they said that I-20 was open between Lindale and Winona. This was because of several vehicle accidents Wednesday morning.
SMITH COUNTY — People driving eastbound on I-20 between Lindale and Winona can expect severe traffic delays after several wrecks were reported on Wednesday morning. Traffic can be observed on TxDOT cameras just before the intersection of I-20 and U.S. Highway 69, heading toward Shady Grove. Several accidents have been reported in that area, but the severity of the crashes has not yet been confirmed. Traffic has been diverted onto U.S. 69, DPS said, but has also caused some traffic delays. Drivers are asked to avoid the area as traffic is expected to last several hours.
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KILGORE — A former Kilgore ISD instructional aide has received 10 years of deferred adjudication after pleading guilty to having an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Kayla Nicole O’Dell of Gladewater pleaded guilty Tuesday morning of the misconduct charge. As part of her sentence, O’Dell faces a potential prison term of 2 to 20 years if she violates the terms of her probation. She was also ordered to pay $1,000 in court fees, and her teaching certificate has been permanently revoked.
According to Kilgore ISD, the district launched an internal investigation in early January 2025 after receiving allegations of possible educator misconduct involving O’Dell, who had worked as an instructional aide since August 2023. She resigned from her position on Jan. 7, 2025. O’Dell’s deferred adjudication means that, if she successfully completes her probation, she will avoid a formal conviction; however, any violation of its terms could result in imprisonment for up to 20 years. Additionally, O’Dell will not be forced to register as a sex offender.
SMITH COUNTY –
The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that a house fire east of the Swan community on Tuesday morning was caused by a chimney fire. The Fire Marshal’s Office was dispatched at 7:49 a.m. on November 4, to the 12300 block of County Road 495. “The fire spread into the attic of the residence from a chimney fire and was determined to be accidental. The residence was a total loss and there were no injuries,” Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. “It is recommended to have your homes chimney cleaned and inspected annually.”
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Update: An anonymous donor has added $10,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Bobby Michael Dennis, wanted for the shooting of a Jacksonville police officer. Cherokee County Crime Stoppers will increase that by at least $1,000, bringing the total offered for his apprehension to over $21,000, including Governor Abbott’s $10,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at 903-586-STOP (7867) or Jacksonville Police at 903-339-3356. Your identity can remain anonymous.
JACKSONVILLE — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that his office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of 64-year-old Bobby Michael Dennis, who allegedly shot a Jacksonville Police Department officer on Sunday and stabbed a K9.
Jacksonville ISD remains closed Tuesday due to the ongoing manhunt.
According to our news partner KETK, the encounter happened Sunday afternoon around 4:41 p.m on Benson Street, near Jerusalem Baptist Church. DPS issued a BLUE alert for Dennis, whose described as a Black man approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing about 152 pounds and was last seen wearing all-black clothing. He was also added to the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Read the rest of this entry »
Update: Boil water notice rescinded Wednesday afternoon by the Rusk Rural Water Supply Company. Per their website.
RUSK — Rusk Rural Water Supply Company (RRWSC) has issued a boil water notice for parts of Rusk because of a leak in its main water line. According to our news partner KETK, the boil water notice means that all customers affected to boil their water before consuming by bringing water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes. Individuals may also purchase bottled water in lieu of boiling
The notice affects customers on the following roads: US HWY 84 E, CR 1201, CR 1202, CR 1204, CR 1214, CR 1215, CR 1301, CR 1302, CR 1303, CR 1316 and CR 1322. Rusk Rural Water Supply Company will issue a notice once the notice is no longer in effect. For more information on the boil water notice you may visit the RRWSC online.
TYLER – Officials are investigating a truck crash under the County Road 178 overpass on Toll 49 in Tyler on Monday evening. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters and first responders are at the scene where the truck is currently sitting rolled over against the overpass. Law enforcement is currently investigating the cause of the crash.
SULPHUR SPRINGS — A Sulphur Springs man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to an assault that occurred in Wood County. According to our news partner KETK, 64-year-old James Curtis Sims was arrested in September that year of domestic violence. Wood County Sheriffs responded to the call made by the victim in Yantis. When investigators arrived, they found her with blood on her face and shirt, a bruised face and head and swelling under her eye. She said that Sims accused her of taking money from him and struck her “4 or 5 times” and threatening to kill her. The victim had left Sims residence and went to her parents home, for fear of being assaulted by him again.
On Oct. 31, James Sims pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury, family violence, with a previous conviction. Sims was sentenced to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and was also ordered to pay court costs. According to court records, Sims had four prior misdemeanor convictions for assaulting women in Hopkins County and had previously served time in prison.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County will have 29 polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday, November 4.
During two weeks of early voting, 10,596 in-person and mail-in ballots were received. That is only 6 percent of the registered voters in Smith County.
There are 17 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the ballot, as well as several city and school elections throughout Smith County. Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon is urging voters to do their research on the propositions before coming to the polls. Click here for that information.
The City of Whitehouse and the East Texas Municipal Utility District, as well as the Arp, Troup and Whitehouse Independent School Districts will all be holding special elections on November 4.
To find exactly what will be on your ballot where you live, you can use Smith County’s interactive map, click here.
Polling locations in Smith County on November 4 include: Read the rest of this entry »
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SMITH COUNTY – Here is a story with a happy ending. On September 19, Smith County Animal seized 22 Italian Greyhounds, 19 Whippets and three Poodles from a residence in rural Troup. Officers believed these dogs were part of a puppy mill operation. Smith County Animal Control kept the dogs and treated and cared for them until the dogs had healed from their abuse. On October 22, the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation, based in Austin, drove to Tyler, and picked up all 44 dogs. The foundation said they had a waiting list of people ready to adopt the dogs. For more information about Smith County Animal Control, go here.