Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
RUSK COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday an internal investigation led to the arrest of a former employee. Officials said that Kaitlyn Rhodes was arrested for two felony offenses related to bringing prohibited items into a correctional facility and having an inappropriate relationship with a person in custody. “Rhodes has been separated from her employment with Rusk County,†officials said. “Since criminal prosecution is pending, no additional information can be released by the sheriff’s office at this time.†Her bonds totaled $50,000.
TYLER – As humanitarian concerns grow in Israel amid its war with Hamas, the Texas Baptist Men, who aid in situations like these, have people there right now with relief. “Within 24 hours of the war breaking out, TBM volunteers were on the plane to Israel,†said John Hall, spokesperson for Texas Baptist Men. Many would have never guessed that volunteers from the Lone Star State would fly over 7,000 miles into an active war zone, according to our news partners at KETK. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – During the 2023 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Dallas, the City of Tyler received a 2023 Municipal Excellence Award in communication programs for cities over 25,000 in population. The award recognized the City of Tyler for our city-wide editorial process. The City of Tyler implemented a city-wide editorial process that encapsulates all departments’ marketing campaigns and ties actions to concrete deliverables. The communication team meets with each department annually to identify marketing goals and develops a comprehensive work plan, with check-ins and updates throughout the year. Since implementing this process, the City’s content creation has increased by 72 percent, crisis communication has improved, and City employees outside the Communications Team have been empowered to become communication best practice ambassadors to their departments, improving cross-collaboration and teamwork across the organization. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY— 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a stay of execution Monday for a Texas death inmate. According to our news partner KETK, the execution of 48-year-old Jedidiah Isaac Murphy was scheduled for Tuesday. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said on Oct. 4, 2000 Murphy forced a 79-year-old woman in Garland to give him a ride at gunpoint. He then forced the woman into the trunk of her car and shot her while she was getting into the trunk. Later, Murphy took the woman out from the cars trunk and drowned her in a creek. The Texas Attorney General’s Office tried to overturn the execution order, but the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeals.
AUSTIN — With the third special session now in progress, Gov. Greg Abbott intends to make progress on what he calls “education freedom.†The governor has asked Texans to contact their state representative to advocate for school choice, while opponents of the idea claim this is just a rebrand of the school voucher plan. Since the topic of school choice has been brought forth, public school districts across East Texas have had concerns, according to our colleagues at KETK. “I think that would be detrimental to public schools. Changing the name from vouchers to school choice and different things like that, I mean, parents have a choice, students have a choice,†Central ISD Superintendent Justin Risne said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report two people are in custody after a pursuit Tuesday morning on I-20 in Smith County. According to Smith County Constable Precinct 5 Wesley Hicks, they were alerted to a pursuit of a stolen car from Grapevine around 9:38 a.m. that was headed towards Smith County. A Precinct 5 deputy attempted to stop the car at the Hideaway Lake exit before the car fled eastbound, driving on and off the highway several times. Hicks said the car came to a stop at the Love’s Travel Stop on Barber Road after colliding with a chain link fence. Two suspects ran from the car and were caught by authorities. The driver was identified as Robert Harris and has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest while the passenger, Levell Bagneris, was charged with evading arrest. Both were arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail.
TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is working a traffic crash at Old Jacksonville Hwy and South College Ave. that has caused at least 2 power poles and guidelines to break and are in the roadway. There are live power lines in the roadway. There are some road closures to be aware of. Old Jacksonville Hwy is closed from South Broadway Ave. to South Chilton Ave.
South College is closed from West 8th St down to Hamvassy Ln. Avoid this area, officers are in the roadway working the crash and crews are clearing the area.
ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died in Anderson County Jail on Saturday after being arrested on Oct. 5 in Frankston. Our news partners at KETK report that Rodney Lynn McKenzie, 47, was arrested by Frankston Police Department around 11:59 p.m. on Oct 5. for two outstanding traffic warrants that were issued by Anderson County Justice Court, Precinct 2. McKenzie was taken to Anderson County Jail and reportedly screened by medical staff before being booked. From 1:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday Oct. 6 he was held in the booking area before he was moved into a cell. Around 6 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning jail staff reportedly saw McKenzie moving in the cell. At 10:05 a.m. inmates notified the control operator by intercom that McKenzie was reportedly in “medical distressâ€, according to the sheriff’s office. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Pets Fur People is having Pets in the Park this Saturday at Bergfeld Park in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, this is their free annual event. Pets in the Park hours Saturday are 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. rain or shine. Whether you have a four-legged family member or not, the fundraiser will be a great way for dog owners meet other dog owners. Pets in the Park will feature food trucks, face painting, raffle prizes and the always popular weenie dog races.
TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree felony child endangerment after his January arrest. Our colleagues at KETK report that Paul Hanna, 38 of Tyler, was arrested in January after his 1-year-old daughter was found, strapped into her car seat, on the side of Rhones Quarter Road. He was booked into the Smith County Jail that night for child endangerment and driving while intoxicated second offense. Police reported at the time of the incident that Hanna was located shortly after the child was found after receiving reports of a drunk driver at a gas station on Troup Highway. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the City Attorney for both Henderson and Tatum, Joe Edward Shumate, was booked at the Rusk County Jail Wednesday on two felony charges. According to the records on the Rusk County Sheriff Office’s website, Shumate was arrested and charged with a first degree felony of misapplication of fiduciary property or property of financial institution, greater than or equal to $300,000 and first degree felony theft of property, greater than or equal to $300,000. The attorney has since been released on bond.
TYLER – With severe weather moving through East Texas early Thursday morning, nearly 14 hundred customers are said to be without power as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday according to our news partner KETK. To find a list of counties with power outages from ONCOR and SWEPCO as well as several electric co-ops, click here.
SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 463, just south of Lindale, has been reopened after water over the road, caused by a dam failure, closed the road. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said those traveling in the area are asked to be careful on CR 463, at the intersections of CR 462 and CR 472, as well as under the overpass of Interstate 20.
TYLER – UT Tyler hosted it’s fifth annual top 25 percent celebration Wednesday morning at Patriot Plaza. According to our news partner KETK the event recongnizes the top high school students from each graduating class who are accepted into UT Tyler automatically. About 1,600 students from 66 high schools in East Texas, Dallas and Houston assembled for the celebration.
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PANOLA COUNTY – Two men were arrested on Tuesday afternoon after being pursued by authorities through East Texas and captured in Panola County. According to our news colleagues at KETK, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office were notified around 4:07 p.m. that Shelby County units were pursuing the car on FM 699 towards Carthage. Panola County units and a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper responded.
Officials said a Panola County deputy set up spike strips at CR 405 and FM 2517 while other units stopped traffic on FM 2517. The fleeing car struck the spikes around 4:17 p.m., according to Panola County, and continued to flee with three deflated tires before running into a ditch near CR 4053. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Four residents of Louisiana were arrested in deep East Texas for possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop Tuesday morning. According to the Nacogdoches County sheriff’s office, and our news partners at KETK, deputies were patrolling on South Street and performed a traffic stop on a SUV traveling 62 miles per hour in a 45 MPH construction zone.During the stop, deputies detected the odor of what they believed to be marijuana. While questioning the driver, identified as 34-year-old Nikita Webber of Shreveport, and three other passengers officers received conflicting details of the group’s trip from Houston to Shreveport, according to a release. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler police are searching for a man whose last contact with his family was Aug 19. According to our news partner KETK, 40-year-old Justin Jeremy Miller may have been riding a black bicycle when he disappeared. Authorities say Miller is 5’11â€, 160 pounds with blue hair. Tyler PD asks if you have any information on Justin Jeremy Miller to please contact them at 903-531-1000.
SMITH COUNTY – Authorities say a Frankston woman was killed Sunday night when her car collided with a semi-trailer truck. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Danica L. Maclin was driving south on Highway 155 south of FM 2661 when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed over into the northbound lane. DPS reported that Maclin was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was not injured.
MARSHALL — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a two-day wild horse and burro event Oct. 13-14 at the Marshall City Arena in Marshall, Texas. The event begins Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m., and will feature 120 animals for adoption. Adoptions take place Oct. 13, noon-6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct 14, 8 a.m.-noon. As part of the program’s efforts to find every horse and burro a good home, BLM now offers up to $1,000 to adopt an untrained animal. This incentive is offered for every animal in Marshall. On July 26, 2021, BLM announced additional steps to secure the health and safety of animals through the Adoption Incentive Program, including conducting inspections of wild horses and burros within six months of the adoption date. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Bullard man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to leading authorities on a pursuit in a U-Haul van. Steven Shelton-Groves, 30 of Bullard, was arrested in February after officials at the time said they were alerted to him for driving a U-Haul van with stolen property. He also reportedly had a warrant for a parole violation as well. Officials attempted a traffic stop on the van, but said Shelton-Groves drove off and later crashed into two cars going south on Loop 323, injuring several people including himself and his passenger. Shelton-Groves pleaded guilty to evading arrest with a vehicle and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
HOUSTON COUNTY – One person was arrested and a 16-year-old reported missing from Dallas was released to her family after drugs, firearms and drug paraphernalia were found in an East Texas home, according to our colleagues at KETK. According to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived to the home at 745 SH 21E on Sunday for a disturbance call and observed items that led them to believe drugs were being sold there. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A mother accused of providing meth to her daughter was sentenced to 10 months in county jail on Monday according to our news partners at KETK. 35-year-old Lajuana Glass was accused alongside Johnny Michael Moore in May 2022 after a girl informed police she had run away and that she was scared of her mother and stepdad. The girl allegedly told police they live inside of a mechanic shop and Glass and Moore allegedly “provided meth to [the victim] before.†Court documents state that the victim tested positive for meth at the hospital and accused Glass and Moore of physically abusing her. Glass will serve 10 months in the Smith County Jail for the charge of abandoning/endangering a child criminal negligence. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday. Moore has a status hearing for the same charge on Oct. 6.
TYLER — The Tyler City Council picked a Tyler construction company to complete the Lindsey Park entrance enhancement project. The Lindsey Park project was won by Paragon Constructions and Associates. According to the city, the project will create a grander gateway with the addition of two archways over each of the park’s entrances off of Spur 364, which is a condition of this particular funding. Read the rest of this entry »
UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that a 16-year-old juvenile has been arrested in connection to the burning of Mt. Lebanon CME Church on Friday. Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the fire at Mt. Lebanon CME Church, located on Squirrel Road off of FM 2088, around 7:41 p.m. on Friday. The fire burned the church so badly that it was a near complete loss, according to the sheriff’s office and our colleagues at KETK. Read the rest of this entry »
MALAKOFF – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said that one of their patrol units was hit by a passing car while conducting a traffic stop near Malakoff on Saturday according to our news partners at KETK. “When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road please slow down and move over! It’s not only State law but it’s the right thing to do! We were extremely lucky this morning.” The patrol unit was hit from behind and officials said it was hit so hard it became airborne. According to HCSO, all of the vehicles involved were damaged but all the occupants were able to walk away uninjured.
TYLER – The Tyler Public Library (TPL) celebrates the freedom to read during Banned Books Week with a book giveaway! TPL will be giving out paperback copies of two famous banned pieces of literature from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6. The Library will be giving away 20 copies of Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, 20 copies of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and 50 copies of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the publication. Books will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited supply, the Library will limit one book per family, with each of the titles’ inventory spread throughout the week. This giveaway is possible thanks to monetary donations made by the public. Read the rest of this entry »
CROCKETT, Texas (KETK) – A man was arrested in Crockett on Sept. 23 for allegedly using stolen credit cards to buy gasoline on more than one occasion. Our news partners at KETK report a business on Loop 304 in Crockett reported a fuel theft worth about $1,111 on Aug. 28, according to the Crockett Police Department. “The investigation showed an unidentified individual pumping fuel at the business on several occasions, usually late at night or in the early morning hours when the business was closed,†according to Crockett PD. “Each time, the individual drove different vehicles and paid for the fuel using fraudulent credit cards.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The lobby of the Tyler Police Department on West Ferguson Street will be closed Friday. According to a press release from Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the lobby closure is because of electrical work. Detectives and staff will work from the Faulkner Park Station at West Cumberland Road. Property release and other functions attached to the lobby with be closed. Dispatch, 911 and patrol services will not interrupted. The lobby will be open again Monday at 8 a.m.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that one man was indicted by a federal grand jury and two more people were arrested after a search warrant found 145 grams of meth, marijuana and firearms. Malon McCaslin was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearms on Sept. 20. A search warrant was executed at McCaslin’s house on County Road 4106 and 145 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms were reportedly found there, according to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved the appointment of a new fire marshal Wednesday morning. Our news partners at KETK report that the council unanimously voted to approve Joey Hooton for the job, a man with nearly 20 years of experience. He has served on the Command Staff for the last six years and recently earned a master’s degree from UT Tyler in public administration, Tyler Fire Chief David Coble said. Read the rest of this entry »