Today is
Saturday July 25, 2026
SMITH COUNTY – 
Smith County has been approved as one of the counties that FEMA will offer individual assistance to residents who suffered damages from recent storms. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin on Tuesday, June 11, gave the latest update to Commissioners Court on the recent storms that have caused major damage throughout the county. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have started going out in the county to help register those with damages to see if they qualify for federal assistance. They are knocking on doors in the areas that suffered the most damages first. All of the employees have FEMA badges on and they are there to help so don’t be alarmed. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – 
The Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved several resolutions on Monday, including raises for teachers and staff. According to our news partners at KETK, the board approved a 4% raise for teachers and a 4% “increase in the midpoint for all other district employees.†“This increase in staff compensation allows us to recruit and retain competitively in each position within the region,†Shalona McCray, chief human resources officer said. The trustees approved a $6.5 million reimbursement for bond projects. Dr. Wayne Guirdry, assistant superintendent of finance, said that this allows the district to pay for bond projects with existing funds, and then reimbursing those funds with bond money after they are issued. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Our colleagues at KETK report that Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Investigators discovered a fatal shooting over the weekend is the result of a family argument. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a shooting on Mitchell Road at 11:31 a.m. on Sunday. When deputies arrived, they found 25-year-old Derrick Jamison dead and two other family members with gunshot wounds. Officials said a call came in to report 44-year-old Bryan Jamison, Derrick’s uncle, lying on the floor suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg and buttock. The caller also claimed Audrey Jamison, who was identified as the owner of the residence and Derrick’s grandmother, sustained injuries to her head and face from shattered glass. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, and our news partners at KETK, a 5-year-old child wandered into Lake Palestine and drowned on Saturday afternoon. According to the sheriff, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, game wardens and the Crimes Against Children Task Force responded to a call of a missing 5-year-old child in the Parkside Shores subdivision. Hillhouse said that officials discovered that the child had wandered into Lake Palestine and drowned. Authorities said that the incident is still under investigation by game wardens and the Crimes Against Children Task Force.
TYLER – A man is now facing additional charges in Tatum after police said he assaulted an officer and escaped custody at a Tyler hospital. According to officials, Antwuan Jefferson was arrested for robbery and assault on Sunday after he “had robbed the victim and taken an undisclosed amount of money.†Jefferson was incarcerated in the Rusk County Jail before an officer was reportedly instructed to take him to a Tyler hospital for medical treatment. “This medical treatment had nothing to do with the arrest or his incarceration in the Rusk County Jail,†officials with Tatum PD said. Jefferson allegedly assaulted an officer after being seen by medical professionals at the hospital, and attempted to take a firearm from the officer. Officials said the officer retained the firearm, and Jefferson escaped custody. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting in which one person died and two others were injured. According to our news partner KETK, deputies found 25-year-old Derrick Jamison shot to death late Sunday morning on Mitchell Road in rural Marshall. Two others, Bryan Jamison and Audrey Jamison were taken to local hospitals for treatment for their injuries. Authorities are continuing to investigate.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man who reportedly carjacked a vehicle on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, officers say the driver of a 2003 Ford Expedition saw a person walking on SH 110 early Monday morning and offered to give them a ride. The person, once inside the vehicle, pulled a knife on the driver and ordered them out of the car. That person is described as a white male in his late 20s or early 30s with dark sandy blonde hair. Sheriff’s deputies say the vehicle was last seen on I-20 East in Terrell, but Terrell PD couldn’t find the vehicle or the person suspected of stealing it. Smith County Sheriff’s Office asks if anyone has information on the carjacking, to contact them at 903-566-6600
TYLER – 
The City of Tyler is accepting applications for City Boards and Commissions until Friday, Aug. 2. The City Council will make appointments at the Wednesday, Sept. 11 meeting. Those appointed will serve voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. The boards and commissions include: Read the rest of this entry »
SHELBY COUNTY – 
Authorities are searching for a fisherman who went missing in the Toledo Bend area Sunday according to our colleagues at KETK. According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, John Martin, JR. of Joaquin took a boat out on the water in the Huxley Bay area Sunday but has yet to return. The SCSO and Texas and Louisiana Game Wardens are continuing to search the north part of Toledo Bend on land and water to find him. If you have any information on where he is, contact Chief Deputy Chad Hooper at 936-572-5045 or the SCSO at 936-598-5601.
HENDERSON – 
One person is dead after a shooting in Henderson on Saturday according to our news partners at KETK. An emergency shots fired call came in around 10:30 p.m. and officers arrived to find the victim and an alleged suspect still on scene. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, police said, and the victim was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. The case remains under investigation. Details are being withheld pending notification of family members.
TYLER – 
Dr. Harrison Ndetan, distinguished teaching professor at The
University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, has been selected as a Piper Professor by the
Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Ndetan is the second faculty member to be selected for this
recognition in UT Tyler history. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – 
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a 25-year-old man was killed and two others were injured during a shooting on Sunday according to our colleagues at KETK. The sheriff’s office responded to a reported shooting on Mitchell Road at 11:31 a.m. on Sunday. When deputies arrived they found Derrick Jamison, 25, dead and two others who were injured. Bryan Jamison and Audrey Jamison were taken to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries. Deputies and crime scene workers are currently at the scene investigating the shooting.
MARSHALL – 
UPDATE: Robert Eugene Wood, 74 of Marshall, has been found after being reported missing on Sunday, according to the Marshall Police Department.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Our partners at KETK report the Marshall Police Department is asking the community to help them find a 74-year-old man with dementia and Alzheimer’s who went missing on Sunday. Robert Eugene Wood, 74 of Marshall, was last seen in the 3200 block of Elysian Fields Avenue around 5 a.m. on Sunday. According to Marshall PD, Wood may be disoriented since he suffers from both dementia and Alzheimer’s. They added that he can be recognized by his distinctive hat. Read the rest of this entry »
TEXARKANA – 
A 79-year-old man was recued on Friday after accidentally driving his car into Bringle Lake, the Texarkana Police Department said. According to our colleagues at KETK, a local angler heard commotion at the Bringle Park boat ramp and saw a man sitting in the drivers seat of a sinking car. The angler, identified as Ricky Dumas, was able to get the elderly man out of his Honda Accord before it went underwater. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
Our colleagues at KETK report that severe weather that hit Tyler for the past few weeks has left damage in their path across East Texas, including the Tyler Berry Farm that saw damage across the property raising concern for the blueberry season rose. “Lots of trees are down, matter of fact when you come down our driveway, it’s kind of a mess, it’s cleaned up, you can drive through there, you can make it through there,†Tyler Berry Farm general manager Nancy Wiggins said. Unfortunately due to storms, the Tyler Berry Farm had to close down for a few days, but thankfully no harm was done to the blueberries. Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE TYLER – 
The Jonathan Holland and Addison Shepherd Memorial Bass Tournament took off at the Boulders at Lake Tyler on Saturday according to our news partners at KETK. “We had 39 boats that registered for the tournament,†Jonathan Holland’s mother Karen Holland said. After losing her son Jonathan and her neighbor’s daughter Addison Shepherd, known as Addi, in a Rusk County crash, Karen Holland decided to give back to the community that helped her. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN – 
Homeowners and renters in Coryell, Falls, Leon, Smith and Van Zandt counties are now eligible for FEMA
assistance after the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding April 26-June 5. Eligible applicants may qualify for serious needs assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other
eligible expenses related to storm damage. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
As East Texans continue to clean up damage from recent storms, the next step for many is to file an insurance claim according to our news colleagues at KETK. The Insurance Council of Texas said before a claim is filed to take advantage of the few days of sunshine and document the damage to your property. The documentation can be photos and videos and then you have to set up temporary repairs to avoid further damage. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
As East Texas cities continue to work through large debris after storms hit earlier this week, some people have grown concerned about the number of trees uprooted, according to our news partners at KETK. “With 70-60 mph winds, it’s kind of just a recipe for disaster,†Luke Alfaro, the City Of Tyler arborist. said. After strong winds and excessive rainfall, trees across the City of Tyler were uprooted and toppled over. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The City of Tyler Friday, released a summary of clean-up and recovery operations ongoing due to the severe weather that pummeled East Texas earlier this week. Officials are asking residents to report personal property damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the iSTAT Damage Surveys. iSTAT reports could release funding from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management System directly to those affected. To find the survey, click here. Tyler/Smith County’s Heat Response Plan is now available with this link. Authorities also provided information for those needing phone charging, garbage service operations, solid waste disposal and city park conditions.
Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – 
A former ER physician has been sentenced to 33 years in state prison for 58 counts of continuous sexual assault of a child. Karl Kauffman was arrested in March 2022 after two warrants for continuous sexual abuse of a child were issued following a search of his home. Kauffman served as an emergency room physician at several Cherokee County hospitals before his medical license was suspended by the Texas Medical Board. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency revoked Kauffman’s DEA Certificate of Registration.
SMITH COUNTY – 
Smith County has only a handful of roads closed from storm damages, as flooded roads have receded as of Friday morning. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department has been working around the clock for the past two weeks, clearing more than a hundred county roads that had trees down from the recent severe weather. CR 452 had been closed this week because of flooding but is now open to drivers. County Roads 429, 1303 and 2133 still have trees down with powerlines in them so they will remain closed until Oncor can safely remove the power lines. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – 
Our news partners at KETK report the City of Longview has tabled a vote on a nearly $20 million investment for a proposed biomining facility. If passed, the facility would be built at 2120 E. Loop 281 and used to recover precious metals from broken computers and outdated tech devices. Residents who oppose the proposed location of the facility held a rally on Thursday ahead of next weeks vote by city council. More than 50 people showed up to the rally held just feet away from the property in question, to take a stand against the proposed location. Some residents said they don’t like the idea that chemicals involved would be used so closely to their neighborhoods. Read the rest of this entry »
MINEOLA – 
The City of Mineola announced that they are beginning budget planning for the upcoming year and want the community’s input, according to our news partners at KETK. The mayor of Mineola, city council and city staff will be holding a meeting on June 20 at 5:30 p.m. to hear from Mineola residents regarding what they would like to see included in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The City of Mineola also has a budget input survey on their website for residents to fill out.
VAN – 
The SPCA of Texas is offering a cash reward for information that will lead to the arrest of the person or people who abandoned 10 newborn puppies at a Van car wash. According to our news colleagues at KETK, the Van Police Department responded to a call on Wednesday at around 7 p.m. to a car wash on Cedar Street and found the puppies in a wire crate without food or water access. Van PD cared for the puppies overnight and then contacted the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit the next day. The puppies are currently at the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center receiving veterinary care, SPCA of Texas said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Judge Neal Franklin issued an Amended Disaster Declaration on Thursday, June 6, to encompass damages from all severe weather during the last two weeks throughout all of Smith County. Beginning May 23, 2024, the entire county has been hit hard by several storms, including severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, excessive rainfall and/or tornadic activity. These storms resulted in widespread and severe damages, injuries and/or loss of life or property. Declaring a disaster allows officials and emergency management personnel to access additional resources to support operational needs, as well as allowing for additional resources to be made available to citizens. Officials asking anyone who suffered property damages from any of these storms to report them here.
SMITH COUNTY — 
The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) released expected times for cities to have their power restored after severe weather caused thousands of East Texans to lose electricity.SWEPCO said Wednesday morning’s storms that caused more flooding and ground to be oversaturated that hampered their restorative efforts. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – 
The University of Texas at Tyler will offer a new Bachelor of Science in construction engineering for students at the Houston Engineering Center beginning this fall. Housed within the College of Engineering, the four-year program will be available in person at the HEC, located on the Houston Community College Alief-Hayes campus at 2811 Hayes Road in Houston. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT – 
Recent storms across East Texas flooded roads making some impassable, but now as water recedes there could be new problems for drivers. Most roads have dried up but left behind a bumpy ride. Heavy down pours across Van Zandt County caused the creek on FM 875 to rise to high level, endangering drivers. “A vehicle decided to go around the TxDOT barricades and floated into the dry creek area, there were luckily no injuries,†Caden Mosher, with the Grand Saline Fire Department, said. When there is standing water with no where to go, it seeps into the cracks, creating pot holes. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – One person is dead after authorities in Lufkin said he attempted to steal a truck shortly after being released from jail according to our news partners at KETK. According to police, 25-year-old Marco Levya told officers that around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night he stopped at his business in the 1800 block of East Lufkin Avenue when “an unknown Black male†entered his running truck with his wife and baby inside.
Officials said that “despite Leyva’s warnings and offers of an alternative vehicle, a physical altercation ensued, resulting in the suspect being shot.†Read the rest of this entry »