Today is
Sunday July 26, 2026
WILLS POINT – The Wills Point Police Department confirmed Edgewood Chief of Police David Hammonds died on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a Will Points PD spokesperson said that Hammonds had served in law enforcement and in Edgewood for several decades. They also said, “Tonight we ask for prayers for the Hammonds family and everyone with the City of Edgewood. Chief Hammonds was not only a great man with decades dedicated to law enforcement, he was also actively involved in the community!!! We will miss you sir.”
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MINEOLA – The Texas Department of Public Safety said that a man is dead and another man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash happened on US Highway 69 on Saturday. According to DPS, the crash happened three miles north of Mineola in Wood County around 3:53 p.m. on Saturday. Read the rest of this entry »
TITUS COUNTY – The Titus County Sheriff’s Office said they’re searching for a man considered dangerous after a chase on Friday, according to our news partners at KETK. Matthew Colvile allegedly led Lamar County law enforcement on a chase through Red River County and into northern Titus County before bailing out of a reportedly stolen vehicle at his residence on Titus County Road 1925, officials said. Colvile reportedly continued to flee and got into a dark colored side by side/UTV that he drove into the woods. TCSO said he rammed several police vehicles in Lamar County and is believed to be in possession of one firearm at least. As of 11:30 p.m. on Friday he was still at large and officials believe he’s still in the area of his residence.
WOODVILLE – The Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened after a Woodville Police Department officer was shot on Sunday according to our news partners at KETK. Officer Troy Costello was shot while responding to a call about a man causing a disturbance in the 200 block of Shivers Drive around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday. Costello reportedly tried to make contact with the man driving a white pickup truck but the driver allegedly ignored him and drove away. Costello pursued him for several blocks on MLK Drive, radioed for assistance and kept pursuing him onto South Pecan Street.The pursuit reportedly stopped at the intersection of Cardinal Drive and Pecan Street, where Costello approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and was shot by the driver. Read the rest of this entry »
OVERTON – The Overton High School principal Jeffery Darryl Hogg has been arrested on an assault charge after paddling a student left “substantial bruisingâ€, according to an affidavit and our news partner KETK. On Wednesday, Hogg was arrested for the charge of assault causing bodily injury after an investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The affidavit stated that the student’s mother made a report to authorities on Aug. 15, one day after the incident. According to the affidavit, the mother gave the school consent to the corporal punishment of three hits “on the butt†and was present for the punishment of her child. The student allegedly told the mother and Hogg after the second hit, she did not want the last one and Hogg told her “it would be a shame to have to go to ISS when [the student] only had one lick left,†the affidavit stated. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – Three people were arrested on Wednesday at a Waskom home during a search warrant execution after “a lengthy drug trafficking investigation.†According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and our news partners at KETK, the search was a part of the joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force along with the Harrison County Emergency Response Team, sheriff’s office, Waskom police and Marshall police. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a 22-year-old was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle after a head-on wreck in Smith County left another man dead. The wreck happened on State Highway 155, half a mile south of Winona on Sept. 8 at 11:09 p.m. William Chaplinski of Big Sandy was reportedly driving a 2006 Nissan Titan south on 155 when he crossed the center line in an attempt to pass another vehicle. A preliminary crash report from DPS indicates that the Nissan collided head-on with a 2012 Kia Sportage driven by 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene and Chaplinski was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Religion News Service reports that as rumors swirl that Pope Francis may ask for the resignation of Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland, the firebrand conservative who oversees the Diocese of Tyler in Texas said he has heard nothing from the Vatican but signaled he would not give up his post voluntarily. According to public Vatican records, Pope Francis met on Saturday with Archbishop Robert Prevost, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, among others. What the three discussed in the meeting was not made public, but a conservative-leaning website, The Pillar, has claimed the meeting touched on whether to ask for the resignation of Strickland, who has stoked controversy in recent years for everything from resistance to COVID-19 vaccines to criticizing the pope. The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests to confirm The Pillar’s account of the confab. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The city of Tyler Wednesday approved contracts the for installing safety improvements on Shiloh Road. According to our news partner KETK, there is going to be an LED warning system on Shiloh Road at Sweetbriar Lane, going through the reverse curve between New Copeland Road and Donnybrooks Avenue. This area has had number of traffic accidents. Construction cost estimates are $61,035 with federal funds covering 90% of the cost and the city covering the other 10% through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. The project is scheduled to be let for construction in August 2024.
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JACKSONVILLE — Former Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley was announced on Wednesday as the incoming Jacksonville Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court accepted Findley’s resignation on Tuesday, about two months after his appointment as fire marshal. Findley got his start in the fire service in Jacksonville, and the city said in a release that he is expected to start in mid-October. “I am incredibly honored to serve my beloved hometown as fire chief. Leading the men and women of the department forward in service to this community is a humbling assignment,†Findley said. A public welcome reception for Findley will be held on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The Texas Medical Board announced on Monday they had disciplined 27 physicians at their August meeting, including two Longview doctors. According to our news partners at KETK, Dr. Jorge Eduardo Massare-Rodriguez entered an agreed order on Aug. 18 that requires him to have a chaperone anytime he performs a physical examination on a female patient. He must also pass the Medical Jurisprudence Exam within one year and three attempts. “The Board found Dr. Massare-Rodriguez admitted that he examined two patient/employees outside of the clinic, did not create a medical record and failed to establish a formal physician-patient relationship,†the medical board said in a release. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that three juveniles were reportedly shot in a vehicle near Lake Lamond and West Marshall Avenue on Saturday. According to Longview PD, and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the 200 block of West Cheryl Street at 11:55 p.m. to talk to three juvenile shooting victims who were shot at another location. Longview Fire EMS took the victims to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said this is an ongoing investigation and detectives are collecting information. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110.
TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that one person was injured in a shooting Sunday night at the Marabella Apartments in Tyler. According to police, they responded to the scene after receiving a call about gunshots and found that one person had been taken to a local emergency room with a gunshot wound. The person was later taken to a hospital for surgery, and police said there is evidence to suggest the shooting was not random. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work the case.
HARRISON COUNTY – our news partners at KETK report that a two-vehicle crash just southeast of Marshall last week left one man dead. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, 66-year-old Larry Richardson of Elysian Fields had his 2017 Ford F-150 stopped on FM 2625 facing west at the intersection of FM 31. The Ford reportedly failed to yield the right of way at a stop intersection and hit a 2009 International Box Truck that was going north on FM 31. Richardson was pronounced dead the next morning at a Longview hospital. The driver of the box truck was not injured, authorities said.
RAINS COUNTY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a Dallas man for crimes against children. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say that Christian Paul Castillo was arrested Friday and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Besides the Rain County SO, the Caddo Mills Police Department, Texas DPS and the State Office of Inspector General and Office of Attorney General all were involved in this investigation. The Sheriff’s Office also said the investigation is continuing and no more information will be available.
WOOD COUNTY – The Wood County Sheriff’s Office reported Saturday a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed in rural Alba-Golden. According to our news partner KETK, Investigators said the boys mother called and said her son had been shot in the head. When WCSO and EMS arrived they found the boy had died. The sheriff’s office conducted one interview on the scene of the shooting. Officials stated because the person interviewed and the deceased are both minors no further information will be released.
MARSHALL – Authorities in Maine have arrested a Gilmer man in connection to a murder in Ore City. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Kristopher Dylan Ratcliff was booked into the Harrison County Jail Saturday, charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they issued an arrest warrant in July 4 shooting death of 35-year-old Jeremy Vick of Ore City. Vick was shot in Ore City/Lazy Lakes, transported to a local hospital, where he died. The U.S. Marshal Service arrested Ratcliff in Bangor, Maine. He was transported back to Texas and is currently in the Harrison County Jail.
LONGVIEW — The 74th Gregg County fair kicked off on Friday Sept. 8 and runs until Saturday Sept. 16 at the Gregg County fair grounds. As always, there’s the carnival, petting zoo and live music daily. Emerson Farm has their pig races to delight everyone! And your favorite fair foods with be available, including turkey legs and funnel cakes. General admission is $6 per person. Kids 3 and under, Senior Citizens and Military plus family members get FREE admission. Ride coupons and armbands are available. According to our news partner KETK, for more information on the Gregg County Fair, you can click here.
TYLER — UT Health East Texas announced the date they will break ground on a new facility designed for orthopedics and sports medicine services. According to our news partner KETK, a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. The new building location will be on Old Jacksonville Highway, next to the existing UT Health East Texas Physicians clinic on Three Lakes Parkway.
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TYLER – The Tyler Police Department said Anna Allison has been reunited with her family after they found her safe and uninjured. Her family said they had last seen her Monday night at her residence. Tyler Police thanks everyone who helped in this matter which was resolved Friday evening.
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SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that Thursday a 14-year-old boy allegedly stole a school bus from Monroe, Louisiana. Accordingly to our news partner KETK, law enforcement stopped the bus after it almost collided with an 18-wheeler on Interstate 20 near Lindale. They say “allegedly driving”, because when sheriff’s deputies entered the bus, no one was at the wheel, the boy was hiding in back of the bus. Initially, the boy told investigators he had fallen asleep on the bus and someone else had drove it. He later admitted to deputies he stole the bus from a business near the Monroe, Louisiana airport. Smith County Sheriff’s found out from the Monroe PD, this is second time the 14-year-old had stolen a bus in Monroe.
Austin – Due to continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation this afternoon, operating reserves are expected to be low into the afternoon and evening hours. As a result, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, today, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. CT. ERCOT is expecting similar conditions tomorrow and will keep the public informed through our communications channels. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – A man wanted in connection to a burglary in East Texas and other crimes in the state was reportedly killed by a train in Nacogdoches. Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby said Andrew Lee Ancell had active warrants from four counties before coming to Newton County. Among those warrants was one out of Sabine County for burglary. The sheriff’s office at the time said the search for Ancell included several agencies, including TDCJ tracking dogs, sheriff’s office canines and several helicopters with heat-seeking units. He was reportedly charged with “numerous offenses†for breaking into a deer camp in Newton County near Highway 255 and CR 1090 on July 28.
TYLER – Tyler police report a man has died as result of a pedestrian accident in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, 27-year-old David McKeethan of Tyler was killed in the accident that happened late Wednesday night on Highway 31 West. Officers found McKeethan dead at the accident site. The driver of the car involved stayed at the scene. Tyler PD is continuing to investigate.
COFFEE CITY – Coffee City Police Chief JohnJay Portillo has been placed on a 30-day suspension while the mayor and city council conduct their investigation. According to our news partner KETK, Coffee City Mayor Jeff Blackstone said, “After being informed of the recent allegations against our Chief of Police and the city’s reserve officer programs, the city council and myself felt it necessary for us to place Chief Portillo on a thirty-day suspension. During this time, we will be investigating this matter internally as well as seeking counsel from an independent investigation firm to validate our findings. Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this issue.†The allegations have come from an investigation by Houston television station KHOU into several officers working remotely in the Houston area.
LONGVIEW – The board of trustees for Longview ISD confirmed Tuesday at a special meeting a new budget with a lower property tax rate. According to our news partner KETK, the new tax rate for the district is $1.1422 per $100 valuation, a decrease from the 2023 tax rate of $1.3276 per $100 valuation. Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said. “The board maintained the same tax rate of $1.5130 from 2010 until 2019, when the district reduced the rate to $1.4430 , and we’ve continued to reduce it each year since, This illustrates how Longview ISD has worked to offset the sharp increase in property tax valuations that are well beyond our control.â€
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HENDERSON COUNTY – A man was arrested in Henderson County on Tuesday after authorities reportedly found almost 25 grams of methamphetamine according to our news partners at KETK. At around 6:50 p.m., Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Patrick Johnson responded to help other deputies with an assault investigation. During that investigation, officials reportedly learned that the suspect had outstanding warrants for his arrest. Johnson went to the address of their suspect on Skylark Drive and allegedly found 30-year-old Brandon McClure of Bullard hiding in a shed on the property with a woman. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler Police Department were involved in a deadlock situation with a man who had barricaded himself in a residence on West Jackson Street Tuesday. The suspect is now in custody after authorities introduced gas into the residence. The suspect, identified as Mark Johnson, 57, was arrested without further incident. Tyler Police Department PIO Andy Erbaugh confirmed with our news partner KETK that the Fugitive Task Force was serving a warrant for another agency and that this was not a Tyler PD warrant. Johnson was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
SMITH COUNTY – One person is dead after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Toll 49 and Highway 31 According to our news partners at KETK. According to DPS, the crash involved a passenger car and a truck hauling cargo. The driver of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the truck was taken to hospital for treatment.
LUFKIN — Authorities arrested a man after reports of shots fired near Coston Elementary in Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, Lufkin Police arrested 20-year-old Cristian Salazar who admitted to shooting an AR-15 in his backyard on Avalon Drive. Avalon Drive is near the elementary school playground. During the investigation, the school was placed on a lockout as a precaution. Salazar was arrested and taken to the Angelina County Jail and charged with deadly conduct.