Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
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TYLER – UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital have confirmed that parts of their facilities are running on generator power. According to our news partner KETK, the power outages happened on Wednesday after a power line was cut when a gas company doing maintenance work.
UT Health East Texas said in a release, “Our emergency generators are fully operational for affected areas, and all critical systems, including life-support equipment and patient monitoring systems, are functioning without interruption. Patient care and safety remain our highest priority. At this time, essential services are continuing, and our clinical teams are closely monitoring all areas of the hospital.” Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — A pipeline explosion has been reported near a church camp in Rusk County. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez said the explosion was beside the Whispering Pines Church Camp. Valdez said the camp was not operating at the time of the incident. Henderson Fire Department and three volunteer fire departments were at scene early Wednesday evening. Rusk County ESD#1 Spokesperson Patrick Dolley said a person was working in the area of the pipeline. They hit it, causing a fire. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported.
TYLER – BlueCross BlueShield of Texas announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement with CHRISTUS Health, ensuring patients can continue to receive in-network care. The insurance company said all CHRISTUS Health doctors, hospitals and other facilities will remain in their network.
CHRISTUS released the following statement Wednesday on the agreement:
“CHRISTUS Health is pleased to announce that we have reached a new contract agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, ensuring that patients can continue to receive in-network care at our hospitals, clinics and health facilities. Our priority has always been to provide compassionate and high-quality care to all who may need us. We’re proud to offer that care without disruption to our patients covered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.”
UPDATE: According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Abby Grace Morales has been found safe and is in the process of being returned to her family
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a runaway from the Bullard area. She is 15-year-old Abby Grace Morales. Abby was last seen around 11:00 p.m. last night, July 26, leaving her residence on County Road 173. She is described as a Hispanic female, 5’7, 170, with brown hair, and brown eyes. Abby was last seen wearing a gray shirt and shorts. There is a possibility she left using an Uber. Abby does not have any physical or mental issues.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Abby , please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.
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SMITH COUNTY — 
Our news partners at KETK report that a Smith County father was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday after he was arrested for abusing a three-month-old baby in January. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, around 6 p.m. on Jan. 8, a deputy responded to a Tyler hospital, where they were informed by hospital personnel that a three-month-old baby had received significant injuries that looked like child abuse. While the infant was undergoing CT scans and X-rays, the attending nurse informed the deputy that the baby was lethargic, weak and had bruises on their face and neck. An investigator then spoke with the baby’s mother, who told officials that her baby had just returned home after spending several days with his father, Zachray McGinn, at a home located near Whitehouse.
According to officials, the mother explained that she had been in contact with McGinn and his mother, Brittany Mackey, on Facebook Messenger while her child was away. “The mother further explained that on Jan. 8, both McGinn and Mackey dropped off the infant at her residence,” the sheriff’s office said. “It was at this time that the mother observed the lethargic manner of her child and the bruising to his face. Shortly thereafter, the mother took the infant to the emergency room in Tyler.” Read the rest of this entry »
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LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department was able end a three hour standoff Sunday, triggered by a domestic disturbance. According to our news partner KETK, LPD and SWAT responded to a call at an apartment on Montrose Street. Officers found 20-year-old Francisco Farfan of Lufkin, threatening to shoot himself.
After initial conversation with police, and Farfan not coming out of the apartment, gas canisters were used. After another hour, SWAT used their truck to push in the front door of the apartment. However, Farfan pushed the door closed. At this time, the SWAT team opened the door and hit Farfan with 40-millimeter foam baton round, knocking him down and letting officers gain control of the situation. Francisco Farfan was booked into the Angelina County Jail for aggravated assault, with the possibility of more charges to be filed.
UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety in a sting operation that led to the arrest of a man who was allegedly communicating with a minor online.
According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement believed David Palmer had online communications with a minor in order to meet them in person. However, Palmer was in reality talking to an undercover officer. That officer, directed him to at a meet location in Gilmer. After arriving at the location, Palmer was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. He is in the Upshur County Jail, with his bond set at $75,000.
TYLER – On Monday, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham announced that they’re joining a nationwide effort to eliminate certified artificial colors from their ice cream by 2027. According to our news partner KETK, Blue Bell is joining other dairy companies in the International Dairy Foods Association’s Ice Cream Commitment to end the use of Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 by Dec. 31, 2027.
The IDFA said in press release, “As national and state policies on artificial colors in food continue to change, ice cream makers are keeping pace by offering wholesome treats and snacks that families know and love. Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other business considerations.”
Blue Bell’s announcement noted the fact that many of their classic flavors like Cookies ‘n Cream, Homemade Vanilla and Rocky Road already do not use artificial coloring. To learn more about all of their flavors and products, visit Blue Bell Creameries online.
Kilgore — Kilgore College has terminated their assistant football coach after finding out about criminal charges in another state. According to our news partner KETK, 41-year-old Forrest Mazy, is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an Oklahoma high school. Pittsburg County, Oklahoma authorities said that Mazey is accused of “fraudulently appropriating the sum” of more than $4,600 that belonged to McAlester Public Schools. He has pleaded not guilty earlier this month and was released on a $1,000 bond.
According to the Kilgore College website, Mazey, who was listed as the teams offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was fired after college officials found out about the charges in Oklahoma. Mazey was the head coach at McAlester High School from 2019 to 2025, where he also served as the dean of students. He also spent four seasons as the head coach at Poteau High School, where he led the Pirates to two undefeated seasons.
TYLER – Southside Bancshares, Inc.,the parent company of Southside Bank, will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 28th. This to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Southside Bank. Lee R. Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, along with members of the Company’s management team and board of directors, will participate in the ceremonial bell ringing.
Mr. Gibson said in a press release, “We are honored to ring the NYSE opening bell to commemorate Southside’s 65th anniversary. Since we first opened our doors in 1960, we have remained committed to helping people and businesses of our Texas communities thrive and prosper. This significant milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team members and our longstanding dedication to our customers, communities, and shareholders.”
The bell ringing ceremony begins at at about 8:25 a.m. Monday and can be streamed here.
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TYLER – According to a press release from the Tyler Police Department, on July 13th Tyler Police responded to a residence in the 1700 block of N. Fannin Ave in Tyler on report of a homicide.
The victim has been identified as Juan Ramon Meza, a 39-year-old male. Tyler Police Detectives investigating this case were able to identify a suspect identified as Rodrigo Jaimes Vega, (pictured), a 49-year-old male. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Murder, a 1st degree felony on Vega with a $1,000,000 bond.
“This was not a random act of violence,” police said. “If you have any information on the location of Vega, please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000. He is to be considered armed and dangerous.”
If you have any information on the location of Rodrigo Jaimes Vega, please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000. He is to be considered armed and dangerous.