Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department have made an arrest after a pedestrian was killed by an alleged drunk driver Feb. 24. According to our news partner KETK, Lantz Darensbourg, 46, was arrested Saturday afternoon. Darensbourg was driving west on West Hope Drive, when he reportedly hit a pedestrian and another vehicle. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital where they reportedly died. Darensbourg was arrested for intoxication manslaughter. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail on a $70,000 bond.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has announced that Captain Russel Washburn is retiring after over 30 years with the department. According to our news partner KETK, Washburn worked as the supervisor of the Operations Support Bureau. They handle support services, criminal investigations, public safety communication, fleet services and crime analysis.
City officials said that Captain Washburn began his career with the Longview PD in 1993 as a detention officer. In his 30-year career, he has been in numerous positions in the department.
In a Facebook post, the Longview PD said, “We want to wish Captain Russell Washburn a very happy retirement! Captain Washburn has been with the Longview Police Department for 30 plus years. We appreciate his many years of hard work and dedication to the City of Longview.â€
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday the names of two people employed by the county are being used in recent phone scams. According to our news partner KETK, the caller will say he is either Sgt. Tim Jones or Sgt. Justin Hall and will claim to be with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office civil processing division, needing to discuss an urgent matter. Authorities say the discussion always ends with the victim owning money.
Officials say in a release that, “The Smith County Sheriff’s Office employs both a Sgt. Tim Jones and Sgt. Justin Hall, but their names are just being used for the purpose of scamming individuals,†officials said. “If you receive a call from anyone advising that they are a law enforcement official and you owe money, please just hang up.â€
If you want to verify a scam, your asked to call the sheriff’s office non-emergency number at 903-566-6600.
TYLER — Friday is the deadline to get your applications for mail-in ballots to the Smith County Elections Office. Applications for ballots by mail must be received, not just postmarked, by the Elections Office by 5 p.m. Friday, February 23. The applications can be found here. The ballots can be delivered in person to the Elections Office, located at 302 E. Feguson St., by the person applying for a mail-in ballot or by a mail delivery worker and no other person. An application can be faxed to 903-590-4778 or emailed to scelections@smith-county.com by February 23, but the original must be mailed or delivered to the office within four days, before the ballot can be mailed to the voter. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – It has 30 days since Harley Morris of Tyler disappeared. The Tyler Police Department said there is no new information on the missing 29-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Morris was last seen Jan. 21 leaving the 50 Grand Club in Tyler about 3 a.m.
Andy Erbaugh, Public Information Officer for Tyler PD, said “Unless we know where to look, or put the drones or send the dogs, then we don’t have a location and nowhere to send them. Game wardens have been assisting us with their drones looking at wooded areas and just last weekend the game wardens were out with their drones looking and certain areas.â€
Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN – Thursday Gov. Greg Abbott announced the reappointment of Gary Halbrooks as the presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. According to a release from the governors office, Halbrooks, whose a Tyler native, is president and CEO of Venue Properties Inc. He has served as a Smith County appointee on the NET RMA since 2012 and has been the presiding officer since 2021. The NET RMA serves to finance, acquire, design, construct, operate, maintain and expand transportation projects in 14 counties in North Texas.
LIVINGSTON (AP) — A family friend accused of killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was supposed to take the Texas girl to her school bus stop when they left her home in his vehicle nearly a week before authorities found her body in a river, according to court documents released Wednesday. A large rock was tied to her body when search teams found it Tuesday in the Trinity River in a rural area north of Houston about 10 miles from her home, according to the capital murder criminal complaint filed Tuesday against Don Steven McDougal.
Audrii’s family reported her missing on Feb. 15 when she failed to return to her Livingston home after school. Investigators discovered that she never got on the bus to go to school that morning.
McDougal, 42, lived in a camper on the family’s property near the shore of Lake Livingston and had previously taken Audrii to the bus stop or to school when she missed the bus, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons.
Read the rest of this entry »
CARTHAGE – Carthage Independent School District announced Tuesday they are welcoming a new director of safety and security. According to our news partner KETK, Darrin Peeples joins the district after being a Texas Game Warden for almost 14 years. Peeples has a bachelor’s in agriculture leadership and development from Texas A&M University.
Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter said, “We are thrilled to welcome Darrin Peeples to our team as the Director of Safety and Security. His extensive background in law enforcement and specialization in school safety makes him an incredibly valuable asset to our district. I look forward to working with Mr. Peeples to ensure the safety and security of our students, staff, and community.â€
Peeples also obtained certificates from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, EMS training and as an ALICE active threat trainer.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – 
A Jacksonville man died last Thursday after a crash on Highway 110, half a mile south of Ponta according to our news partners at KETK. A DPS preliminary crash report states that 38-year-old Mark McGowan was walking south on SH110 in the northbound lane around 10:04 p.m. when he was hit by a 2017 GMC pickup towing a trailer headed north. McGowan died at the scene, DPS said. The investigation is ongoing.
WINNSBORO – Winnsboro ISD and the Texas High School Bass Association report that a student died after passing out at the weigh-in Saturday for the Lake Bob Sandlin bass tournament. According to our news partner KETK, school officials said that Kale Robinson, a junior, passed out during the tournament weigh-in and was taken to an area hospital where he died later.
A statement from Winsboro ISD said, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden and tragic loss of one of our Winnsboro High School students. Our entire Winnsboro ISD family is devastated by this heartbreaking news. Tomorrow, we will have counselors and local area youth pastors available at the high school to provide support for our students and staff as we navigate through this difficult time together. Please know that we are here for you, and we will do everything we can to help you through this. As a community, we are mourning this loss, and we will come together not only as a school but as a community to support each other during this incredibly challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our beloved student. #WinnsboroStrong“
According to the THSBA, Robinson had fished with the association for three years and had caught his personal best on Saturday.
JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that an arrest has been made in connection to the shooting death of a 17-year-old Wednesday night in Maydelle. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Isiah Mallord of Jackonville was arrested for murder and is being held at a local hospital in stable condition before he is transported to the Cherokee County Jail. Authorities say that Wednesday night on CR 1804 in Maydelle, Mallord got into a fight with Jayden Polk, a Jacksonville High School student. That fight escalated into the shooting in which deputies found Polk dead. Mallord was taken to a hospital for treatment by private transport for his gunshot wound.
Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said “It’s a devastating event for our community. We’ve got a 17-year-old kid who is deceased over something stupid. It was a situation that didn’t have to happen and it turned deadly.â€
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department said that they’ve arrested a 23-year-old woman following allegations of an “improper relationship between a teacher and a 16-year-old student†at a Marshall ISD school. According to our news partner KETK, Margaret Claire Burris of Marshall was arrested Saturday morning after a search warrant executed on a student’s cell phone revealed text messages and photos exchanged between Burris and the student were inappropriate, and at times explicit.
Marshall ISD superintendent Dr. Richard Langley, reportedly found out about the texting accusations Tuesday morning. The teacher accused was placed on immediate administrative leave. Following her arrest, Burris was charged with an improper relationship between educator and student. She is currently in Harrison County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
TYLER – The second person wanted for murder in Tyler has been arrested. According to our news partner KETK, a 16-year-old minor boy was arrested by law enforcement in Anderson County late Friday afternoon. He is currently in the Smith County Juvenile Detention Center. The teen was arrested in the death of 20-year-old Nathan Martin of Tyler. Martin was found on the shoulder of Highway 69 North near CR 489 Feb. 7 with an apparent fatal gunshot wound. Also arrested was 25-year-old Joshua Bryant of Unk. Bryant was arrested Feb. 8 for capital murder and was booked into the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.
LIVINGSTON — The Texas Department of Public Safety said that they’ve arrested one of the persons of interest involved in the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl last seen in Livingston on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal was reportedly arrested Friday on an unrelated aggravated assault charge. However, officials believe that McDougal’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham. Authorities say that while McDougal has been talking to investigators, he has not confessed to anything.
Audrii was last seen Thursday around 7 a.m. In Livingston on Lakeside Drive. She is described as being approximately 75 pounds, 4’11, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was reportedly last seen wearing a black hoodie with white lettering, camo backpack, black pants and black high top tennis shoes.
Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Marshall ISD said that they’ve placed a teacher on administrative leave after they were accused of “inappropriate text communication with a student.†According to our news partner KETK, Marshall ISD superintendent Dr. Richard Langley, reportedly found out about the texting accusations Tuesday morning. The teacher accused was placed on immediate administrative leave. The Marshall Police Department have opened an investigation and more information will be released when the investigation is complete.
TYLER – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport announced that on Tuesday Feb. 20 they will be having an enrollment for TSA PreCheck. According to our news partner KETK, enrolling for PreCheck is easy. Just fill out an application, have a legal ID, proof of citizenship, a photo and fingerprints. Airport officials say the enrollment cost is $78 for a five-year membership.
TSA PreCheck provides low-risk travelers a much easier experience with airport security. PreCheck flyers reportedly do not need to remove their shoes, laptops from bags, belts or jackets as they make their way through security and have access to PreCheck screening lanes.
For those who what to enroll in TSA PreCheck, but not able to be at the Feb. 20 enrollment, you can do so at an enrollment center here.
TYLER – UT Health East Texas has announced on Thursday that they have acquired six urgent care clinics from across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, they are taking possession of QuickVisit Urgent Care clinics in Carthage, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore and Mabank, plus the Premier Health Urgent Care facility in Canton. UT Health East Texas’ urgent care clinics has service available such as COVID-19 tests, walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, and treatment for patients three months and older.
Donald Baker, regional president for UT Health East Texas said, “Expanding our urgent care options provides the region with more convenient access to our expert providers and care teams. More urgent care clinics are an important piece for us to build a better healthcare experience for all.â€
TYLER – The Tyler City Council approved Wednesday to enter into advanced funding agreements with the state to upgrade traffic signals in the city, that according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, the funding for the project is part of the Federal Highway Department Program. The city council said the total reimbursable cost for the project is approximately $2.7 million.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court has approved the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to offer free spaying and neutering for pets of Smith County residents. According to our news partner KETK, county officials said Smith County received $45 million in funding from ARPA, to provide relief following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Smith County Commissioners Court approved the use of $100,000 of that funding to offer free spaying and neutering as a part of the No Strays Project.
Read the rest of this entry »
TATUM – A Tatum resident has won $1 million from a lottery scratch ticket. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who wants to remain anonymous, bought the ticket at Eagle Mart at 240 W. Johnson St. in Tatum. This is third big lottery ticket sold in East Texas this year, with the other multi-million dollar tickets sold in Longview.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler President Kirk Calhoun announced on Tuesday he will retire May 31. According to our news partner KETK, Calhoun has been with UT Tyler 22 years as its president and president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. University officials say that the committee to help advise UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken on a new president will be led by former Tyler mayor and Texas state senator Kevin Eltife, UT System chairman of the Board of Regents.
“There are many important initiatives at our Tyler campuses, and my colleagues and I will work to name a successor to President Calhoun who will build upon the work underway,†Eltife said.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances announced on Friday that they have successfully implanted the 1000th WATCHMAN device that helps reduce the risk of stroke. In a release from CHRISTUS, the WATCHMAN device “is a tiny implant that closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage to keep harmful blood clots from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke.â€
Read the rest of this entry »
SULPHUR SPRINGS – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs announced Friday afternoon that it is partnering with the Texas A&M School of Medicine as a part of its rural health program. According to our news partner KETK, this partnership is meant to address the lack of healthcare for those in rural areas by having medical students practice in these areas.
Officials at CHRISTUS say they will be hosting A&M medical students for one-week and two-week rotations throughout their hospital and clinics.
Read the rest of this entry »
MURCHISON – Murchison ISD announced Thursday afternoon that classes are canceled Friday due to a number of students and staff having a “variety of illnesses.†According to district officials, available staff will do a deep cleaning of the campus to try and minimize the spread of illness. The district said they plan to have everyone back at school on Monday.
TYLER
– The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine has received a $1.25 million dollar gift in support of Dr. Jennifer R. Honda’s lung disease research according to our colleagues at KETK. The university said the gift from the Padosi Foundation will help fund Honda’s research into nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), an infection that UT Tyler said is an emerging public health threat that damages and scars the airways making those infected more at risk to other infections. Read the rest of this entry »
CORRIGAN
– Our news partners at KETK report that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said a Corrigan ISD teacher has been arrested following an investigation that began on Jan. 30 in relation to an improper relationship with a student. DPS said that Anthony Jernigan, 35, a government and economics teacher, has been charged with multiple counts of online solicitation of a minor and improper relationship between educator and student. Officials said that Jernigan was placed in the Polk County Jail. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON – Henderson ISD officials announced Wednesday afternoon that a security lockdown on their campuses had ended when it was determined there was no immediate danger to students or staff. According to our news partner KETK, a release from the district said about the threat, “information was relayed through a third-party agency that was in contact with the person making the threats.†They added the phone being used to send the threat was located in Europe and not near an HISD campus.
Read the rest of this entry »
HOUSTON COUNTY
— The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant led to the arrest of a man in connection to child pornography. According to our news partners at KETK, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office helped the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to execute a residential search warrant in the Austonio area. The task force reportedly had been investigating an alleged offense related to the possession and distribution of child pornography from a residence on CR 3155. After the search warrant was executed, Jerry Wade Norsworthy was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of child pornography. Norsworthy currently resides in the Houston County Jail awaiting bail to be set by a justice of the peace.
HENDERSON COUNTY — 
DPS said a man is dead after traveling at an unsafe speed at a curve and striking several trees on Monday at 11:03 a.m. Our news partners at KETK report that according to a preliminary investigation, George Perez, 41, the driver of a 2000 Suzuki motorcycle, was driving west on FM 773 about three miles northeast of Murchison at an unsafe speed while going around a curve. Perez was reportedly wearing a helmet when he drove off the roadway, “striking several trees and ejecting the driver.†Perez was pronounced dead at the scene.
TYLER – 
The Texas Department of Public Safety said that a 7-year-old girl died in a State Highway 64 crash on Sunday around 7:15 p.m., according to our colleagues at KETK. Sharya L. Snow, 18 of Tyler, was driving a 2018 Kia Forte in the west turn lane of State Highway 64 West, when a 2014 Ram 35000 pickup truck was heading east. DPS said that Snow failed to yield the right of way and turned left in front of the Ram which then hit the Kia. Snow had incapacitating injuries and was taken to a local hospital. A 7-year-old girl in the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace James Meredith. According to DPS, a 12-year-old boy suffered non-incapacitating injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The driver of the Ram was also taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-incapacitating injuries, according to DPS.