Today is
Monday July 27, 2026
FRANKLIN COUNTY – Franklin County law enforcement Tuesday rescued two children reported to be abducted two weeks earlier. According to our news partner KETK, investigators say the mother of the children, ages 2 and 6, told authorities the two had been kidnapped. After locating the children at a home in Southern Franklin County, a Franklin County Special Response Team and Mount Vernon police officers found the kids at the residence. The person at that location, Cody Cunningham, was arrested on a kidnapping charge.
NACOGDOCHES – Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that Eaton Corporation will be expanding their manufacturing facility for voltage regulators, Cooper Power Systems LLC, an Eaton Corporation PLC subsidiary, in Nacogdoches, according to our news partners at KETK.
“Eaton is making a $100 million investment to expand our Nacogdoches, Texas operations and respond to the unprecedented need for critical power distribution infrastructure to support electrification, grid modernization, and resilience,†Eaton Senior Vice President Guillaume Laur said. “The investment doubles Eaton’s production capacity of voltage regulators and three-phase transformers. The strong labor market and partnership with the Nacogdoches community helped guide our decision to invest here and continue our decades-long commitment to manufacturing in East Texas.†Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – Authorities have arrested a woman who they say ran over her ex-boyfriend. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department received a call Sunday from a man moving out from his residence. He stated his ex-girlfriend had come to that location and ran over him with her vehicle. Officers say that 23-year-old Elizabeth Reyes believed that there was another woman with her ex-partner. Reyes was booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated assault with deadly weapon and remains there on $75,000 bond.
TYLER – After a guilty plea, an 11 year prison sentence was given to a Tyler man in helping “move and dispose†the body of a 2022 murder victim. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Christian Whitney-Polk was arrested in March in connection to the murder of Anthony Wilson. At that time, authorities arrested Timothy Jones, a roommate of Whitney-Polk. Jones told police, “he had shot Anthony.†After the shooting He asked Whitney-Polk to help him move the body from a house on Gentry Parkway to a wooded area in North Tyler. Jones was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Anthony Wilson’s murder.
LAKE TYLER – An 11-year-old Tyler boy really now has a fish story! According to our news partner KETK, Henry Correa caught a 35-pound flathead catfish Sunday at Lake Tyler. Henry made the big catch at his family’s boathouse at Lake Tyler West. Henry’s dad, Gabriel said the 35 pounder was 43 inches inches long. Henry, who’s been fishing since he was two said, “I’ve never caught anything that big, but we’ve caught a catfish that’s probably six to seven pounds but nothing that big.â€
GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department reports that 7 people were injured in a three vehicle wreck Saturday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. City officials said the accident happened between two pickup trucks and a third vehicle on East Main Street. The crash was severe enough, that rescue personnel had to use the jaws of life to get people from one vehicle out to safety. Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that 1 person at the accident was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, while six others were also admitted for care.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s office has identified a man wanted in a manhunt Friday afternoon near Interstate 20. According to our news partner KETK, captured was 21-year-old Devoria Hardy of Fort Worth. Hardy was driving eastbound on I-20 when a Smith County Deputy attempted to stop him. His vehicle crossed lanes and was stuck in a ditch. This is when Hardy fled on foot. At this point, Smith County SO, DPS Troopers, Lindale Police Department and Precinct 5 Constable’s Office configured a search parameter near Hardy’s vehicle. Hardy was found a short time later in a wooded area off Interstate 20. The vehicle in question contained two handguns, 50 rounds of ammo, several thousand dollars and THC products. Hardy and his passenger 21-year-old Cordre Tolliver of Shreveport were arrested of a controlled substance, evading arrest and having outstanding warrants. Both men are now in the Smith County Jail.
TYLER – There was no winner in Friday night’s record Mega Millions jackpot. But, according to our news partner KETK, an East Texan has a Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million. This lucky pick was sold at 2030 W Gentry Parkway, which is the home of the Super Food Mart. Currently the Mega Millions jackpot has an estimated worth of $1.55 billion dollars, which would make it the largest in the game’s nearly 30-year history. For planning purposes, that estimated $1.55 billion, has a cash option of $757.2 million.
LONGVIEW – Longview school districts received a nice boost Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 148 teachers in LISD have received about $2 million in incentive pay. This is all part of what’s called TIA or Teacher Incentive Allotment. Melanie Pondan, the principal at Judson STEAM Academy said, “It is huge, it’s, first of all, it’s a lot of money, it’s life-changing money. It is great for retention, they’re not staying here just for the money, they stay here for the students and because of this district.†Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox added it is an honor to be able to celebrate the people making an impact in students’ lives.
SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Police Department said that they are assisting the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in a manhunt near the area of Toll 49, Interstate 20 and County Road 411 on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials said that there is a heavy law enforcement presence searching for a suspect described as a Black male with dreadlocks, a white shirt and shorts. Lindale Police have asked the public to lock doors, and report any information about the suspect to law enforcement.
TYLER – With the heat not going away soon. Some are wondering what fall and winter weather will bring. According to our news partner KETK, the Farmers’ Almanac predicts the winter forecast that Texas will see will be unseasonably cold and stormy winter for the upcoming winter.
Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Authorities identified the man killed in the Cherokee County homicide case first reported earlier this week.
56-year-old David Sartain of Mount Selman was found dead on Wednesday near County Road 3429, the sheriff’s office said.
They identified the person of interest as 22-year-old Brandon Dale Fagan, whom they later said they located. No arrests have been made as of Friday.
The Texas Rangers have been called in to help with the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.
LINDEN – A Cass County jury has found former East Texas coach Aaron Michael Marshall guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child by contact.
Marshall was arrested back in Feb. 2022 after an investigation by the Linden Police Department was opened due to accusations of sexual abuse of a child from 2016 through 2020. He was initially charged with:
6 counts of indecency with a child by contact
3 counts of sexual assault of a child
1 count of continuous sexual assault of a child Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY – A man was arrested after half a pound of marijuana was allegedly seized during a traffic stop in Harrison County, according to our news partner KETK. According to officials, on Wednesday a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. Authorities said the deputy had probable cause to conduct a narcotics search on the vehicle. The driver was identified as 39-year-old Shayne Thomas and during the search, the deputy reportedly found “about half a pound of marijuana.†Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD named a longtime police officer as their new chief of police for the school district. According to our news partner KETK, David Garza formerly with Lufkin PD and Diboll ISD, replaces Jay Jost who retires after 37 years with the school district. Garza received his criminal justice degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and Kilgore College Police Academy. Has been a Master Peace Office for 26 years working with the Lufkin Police Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. During his time with the TABC, Garza was a member of their special investigations unit and was also part of an FBI Human Trafficking Task Force. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY – A man is dead after reportedly getting hit by a car half a mile south of Longview, according to our news partner KETK. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, a 2016 Nissan Altima was going northbound on FM 2087 on Monday around 9:53 p.m. DPS said that 46-year-old Shon C. Bell of Longview was walking south on the fog line when he was hit by the front right side of the Altima. Bell died at the scene and no injuries were reported by either person in the vehicle.
LUFKIN – The Texas Tribune reports that members of an East Texas church have been safely relocated to Rome on Wednesday after being stuck in Niger during a coup, according to U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions’ office. The rescue mission was orchestrated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger. This week, Harmony Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin raised concerns about 12 members of its congregation who were in Niamey on a mission trip. As the group found shelter, the church held nightly prayer services in hopes of their safe return. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Even with recent rainfall several East Texas counties and cities still have burn bans in effect due to dry conditions and fire risk. According to our news partner KETK, when a county issues a burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited in that county. Burn bans are generally in effect for 90 days after they are issued. To see if your county is under a burn ban, click here.
TYLER – Tyler ISD was announced as one of the winners of the 2023 TAEA District of Distinction Award by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) as a 2023 District of Distinction Award recipient. This is the 5th consecutive year that Tyler ISD has won this award. According to Tyler ISD, the District of Distinction Award recognizes districts for “providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond.†Read the rest of this entry »
SHELBY COUNTY — A Shelby County man was booked into jail after a man was found dead. James Richards, 58, was arrested Monday night after Shelby County authorities allegedly found his brother dead inside a home. Richards was booked into Shelby County Jail after the incident.
An East Texas man was found guilty Friday in federal court on multiple charge relating to the Jan. 6 riot in Washington. According to our news partner KETK. 45 year-old Daniel Adams of Goodrich was found guilty of civil disorder, assaulting, impeding and resisting officers, obstruction of an official proceeding and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Federal officials identified Adams, who was arrested a couple of week after the riot, from photos video posted on Facebook. Sentencing for Adams has been set for late November.
TYLER – A 19-year-old Tyler man was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon according to our news partners at KETK. Jakobe Lacy, 19 of Tyler, was arrested in December 2022 after Tyler police issued a warrant for his arrest in connection to a shooting that hospitalized a minor with multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting took place in the 2400 block of W Sherwood Street, and Lacy turned himself in to police a few days later. He was indicted on March 2, and Lacy pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday where he was later sentenced to four years in prison.
LONGVIEW – As part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Community Eligibility Provision allows qualifying schools that serve populations with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch. Ms. Phyllis Dozier, LISD Director of Child Nutrition, said the program has been in place at Longview ISD since 2019, and “will continue to benefit our students, our families, and the district.” Read the rest of this entry »
GLADEWATER – A 73-year-old man is dead after his tractor fell on top of him on Wednesday afternoon according to our news partners at KETK. On Wednesday, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 900 block of Lake Deverina in reference to a man who had been crushed by a tractor. According to Justice of the Peace Tim Bryan, David Cates was on his tractor working in his yard when the tractor tipped over falling off of a four-foot retaining wall. Bryan said the tractor landed on Cates, causing blunt force trauma. At 3:15 p.m., Cates was pronounced dead on the scene by Bryan and the investigation led officials to believe Cates was killed instantly by the impact of the tractor landing on top of him.
HAWKINS — Law enforcement in Hawkins is trying to gather information about a sexual assault that happened this week at a convenience store location. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say a women was getting gas early Wednesday morning July 26 when she was sexually assaulted at a closed convenience store. Anyone with information relating to this are asked to contact the Hawkins Police Department or the Wood County Sheriff’s Department.
COFFEE CITY – Police are looking for a person they say was carrying more than 900 grams of suspected meth in a backpack while fleeing from police.
At around 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Sgt. Welch with the Coffee City Police Department attempted to stop a blue 2005 Kawasaki 1300 motorcycle on State Highway 155. Police said the motorcycle fled north and crashed near the 22900 block of Lakeway Harbor Drive.
Officers reported finding roughly 952 grams of suspected methamphetamine in a backpack next to the wrecked motorcycle. Police describe the driver as having a medium build, possibly white or Hispanic, wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and a black helmet and possibly armed with a handgun. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY – The Texas Rangers are investigating an in-custody death that happened at the Rusk County Jail on Sunday afternoon. According to our news partners at KETK and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Johnny Bradley, 61, was found unresponsive in his bed by jail staff on Sunday afternoon. Officials said that staff immediately began CPR before Bradley was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Bradley’s family was notified and according to the sheriff’s office, his body is being taken to Tyler for an autopsy. The Texas Rangers are conducting an investigation into Bradley’s death as per standard procedure.
GREGG COUNTY – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is trying to locate two unidentified males in regards to several crimes in Gregg County. According to our news partner KETK, officers believe the men pictured are a African American Male and Hispanic Male between the ages of 18 to 23. They are wanted for burglary of a vehicle, possession of marijuana, evading arrest and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Authorities ask if you have information to contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office or click greggcountycrimestoppers.com here.
MARSHALL – Marshall Police Department have made arrests in the a shooting of a 13 year-old boy. According to our news partner KETK, MPD was called late in the evening July 5 to the scene of a shooting on West Emory Street. Officers found the unnamed victim shot with a non-life-threatening injury, he was transported to a local hospital. In the course of their investigation, Marshall Police identified 18 year-old Eric Lavigne of Marshall and 19 year-old Christiana Whitt of Henderson as the assailants of the unnamed victim. Lavigne remains in the Harrison County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Whitt was arrested on July 19 and has since been released on a $75,000 bond.
TYLER – The 2023 fall semester is rapidly approaching. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD and Longview ISD begin August 9. With Jacksonville starting their fall session a week later August 16. To find your schools opening day, click here.