Today is
Monday July 27, 2026
TYLER – ERCOT issued a voluntary conservation notice on Tuesday due to extreme temperatures and forecast record demand, according to our news partners at KETK.
The notice is in effect Tuesday from 4 p.m. from 8 p.m.
ERCOT said they are also requesting all government agencies to implement all programs to reduce energy at their facilities. On Monday, ERCOT said they broke the June peak demand record and said they are using additional tools to manage grid reliability.
Chapel Hill, Texas – Chapel Hill Independent School District has partnered with Mentoring Alliance (M.A.) to offer parents the option of after school childcare. The new program led by M.A. starts August 16 and offers families of children in Kindergarten through the 6th grade an affordable childcare option.
“As we increase parent and family engagement in Chapel Hill ISD, we are so excited to bring this program to our community that offers families affordable childcare,†said Ellie Perez, Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator. “While this program has existed in the Tyler area for years, we are proud to grow our community partnerships to now include an expanded after school program with the Mentoring Alliance.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Workforce Solutions East Texas is honored to host and extend an invitation to the Veterans Job Fair, a special event dedicated to honoring and supporting the brave men and women who have served our country with honor and dedication. This job fair aims to provide veterans with valuable opportunities to explore potential career paths, connect with reputable employers, and take decisive steps toward a fulfilling post-military career. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Like many schools and businesses, Kilgore College was closed Monday due to last weeks severe weather. According to college spokesperson Chris Craddock, they will resume regular business hours Tuesday. Craddock pointed out that KC is thankful for the dedication and hard work of the linemen out in the field that made this possible.
LONGVIEW – The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that Interstate 20 will be closed in both directions for 30 minutes around 3 p.m. today near Eastman Road in Longview.
The closure is needed to allow SWEPCO to install new power lines across the roadway.
Officials said detours will be in place to allow drivers to to take alternative routes.
GREGG COUNTY — With storms leaving the area in disarray, our news partners at KETK report that Gregg County has declared a state of local disaster on Monday. The declaration states: Severe weather conditions occurred in Gregg County, Texas on June 16, 2023 causing catastrophic damage to electric infrastructure. The event resulted in widespread power outages throughout the county, affecting the majority of residents and businesses. The damage to power transmission lines, substations, and other critical infrastructure has significantly impaired the ability to restore electricity in a timely manner. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The City of Longview announced that recycled items will not be collected the week of Monday June 26. This is to allow residents to use recycling bins for food waste caused because of the recent power outages. Recycling services will hopefully resume Monday July 3. Officials also say that crews will pick up storm debris, and this won’t count against yearly bulky item pickups. Residents with yard waste need to contact the Public Works department or submit a work order through CitySend. Storm debris length must between 3 and 10 feet in length. Branches less than 3 feet have to be bundled. If you need more information click here.
VAN – The Van PD has a notice for drivers in their area of I-20. According to our news partner KETK, officers have talked to drivers who have found homemade spikes on the interstate. Several spikes have been found on westbound I-20 between mile marker 543 and 544. Police say this is the third time in over two weeks a spike has found. So far no one has been injured, not the same luck for the motorists tires.
SMITH COUNTY – On June 2 and June 13, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received two separate calls involving deadly conduct near the intersection of FM 16 and FM 14 in the northern part of Smith County. Both of the unrelated callers reported being shot at by a male driving a black Jeep SUV under similar circumstances. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began investigating the incidents and determined that they were related based on video footage of the suspect vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The dedication ceremony of a portion of Guthrie Creek Trail in recognition of Frank “Penny” Edwards, originally set for 10 a.m. today, Friday, June 16, has been postponed and will be rescheduled.
The City of Longview is recovering Friday morning from a severe, overnight storm. As such, this dedication will be rescheduled to a later date and time to ensure Edwards’ service to our community is able to be fully celebrated and remembered.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nathaniel Moran, of Tyler, released the following statement today after introducing H.R. 4039, No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act: “For over a decade, the Chinese government has persecuted Uyghur minorities in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Uyghur people have been subjected to torture, imprisonment, forced labor, forced sterilization, and many other atrocities.
“The United States has always valued the right to practice faith freely and without persecution. To that end, no companies who use raw materials or goods manufactured using forced labor should profit from the American taxpayer. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Early Friday morning severe weather in East Texas has more than 150,638 people without power in our region. According to our news partner KETK, the following is a partial list of current outages: Gregg County – 47,111, Smith County – 2,802, Van Zandt County – 2,680, Wood County – 10,020, Anderson County – 115, Angelina County – 508, Harrison County – 22,705, Henderson County – 121, Rusk County – 2,130, Upshur County – 16,847. Click here for the full list.
BULLARD – Bullard city officials say the parts needed to start the repair of the city water well arrive Friday, with the project to begin Monday June 19. According to our news partner KETK, the process of making repairs and bringing it up to TCEQ standards will take 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, conservation measures are still in place for city residents. No watering Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Day or Night. Irrigation is allowed but only between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Once the water well project is completed and meets standards, the conservation measures will be lifted.
RAINS COUNTY – Rains County officials are on the look out for an emu that was last seen on County Road 3425, according to our news partner KETK. The Rains County Sheriff’s Office asks that if you see the emu or know who owns it, please call them. They also add, if you encounter the emu, keep your distance.
TYLER – Wednesday, the Tyler City Council voted for a new ordinance to limit the consumption of alcohol on certain public areas of Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. According to our news partner KETK, this included parking lots, boat ramps and within 15 feet of city-owned properties. Tyler Police will be enforcing the new ordinance right now. And, violators will be tagged with a Class C misdemeanor. This ordinance has been designed to keep drinking alcohol off city property and to make the lake more family friendly. Tyler PD says they will look at the ordinance every six months and see if it is effective or not.
TYLER – It is sooner than later for Tyler Independent School District. According to our news partner KETK, TISD has put across the board teacher raises ahead of the 2023-2024 school year. Officials from the district in a press release say the starting pay has been increased to $50,500. Teachers with 10 years or more of experience will receive $60,000 a year or more. Deputy Superintendent Ronald Jones said, “We value our teachers and everything they do for the children of Tyler ISD. We know that their work goes well beyond the academics they teach in the classroom. We are doing everything we can to give them the compensation they deserve.†TISD is also working to extend their teacher incentive program called TOP, district-wide. The Tyler Optimal Performance program gives teachers a chance to earn more dollars in addition to their salary.
TYLER – A Longview man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs Wednesday. Dimitri Aaron Reynoso, 48, pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker. According to information presented in court, Reynoso was trafficking various types of controlled substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and pills laced with fentanyl in and around Longview and Tyler. During the course of a joint state and federal investigation, law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine from Reynoso on multiple occasions. On January 25, 2022, Reynoso sold 82.63 grams of methamphetamine for $1,000. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 5-star accreditation. According to our news partner KETK, an area chamber must meet minimum standards in certain areas to receive accreditation. U.S. Chamber VP Raymond P. Toole said, “This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations and programming. Accredited chambers are recognized for their continued advocacy of free enterprise and for their commitment to serving members and their local business communities. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.â€
Henry Bell, Tyler Area Chamber President said, “Accreditation is important to our Chamber because it allows us to examine how we are viewed every five years by peers in our industry. It is a way to assure we are staying focused on our mission and vision purpose.†The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s main mission is to enhance the business environment, economic well-being and quality of life for the Tyler area.
TYLER – Southside Bancshares Incorporated, the parent company for Southside Bank of Tyler has been awarded the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup for 2022. President and CEO of Southside Bancshares, Inc, Lee Gibson, said , “Southside is proud to be recognized as one of the top performing community banks in the country. We appreciate Raymond James acknowledging our commitment to remaining a strong community bank our customers can depend on, as well as our continued dedication to creating long-term value for our shareholders.” Southside is the only Texas-based institution awarded a Bankers Cup. The Raymond James Community Bankers Cup Award is awarded to the top 10% of community banks nationally.
NACOGDOCHES – The online systems at Stephen F. Austin University were a target of a cyberattack. Officials at the university said the attack may have started between Saturday night and Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the university cut their internet connection to stop attacks from continuing. They are now working with IT personnel and the UT system to gauge the amount of damage to their website. School officials say at this time don’t they do not know when they will be back online and asked that students, faculty and the public follow SFA social media while their online assets are down.
According to our news partner KETK, Crockett Police have arrested Forlando Moten of Crockett in the death of 59-year old Willie Campbell, also of Crockett. Detectives say that Campbell was found Friday afternoon on West Oak Street in Crockett with a single gunshot wound. He later died in a local hospital. Police officers interviewed Moten who allegedly admitted to shooting Campbell. He was then arrested, charged with murder and has a 150 thousand dollar bond set. Crockett police are still investigating this case.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a Van Zandt County deputy was killed in a wreck Sunday afternoon. Sgt. Jeremy McCoy was off-duty when the accident happened Sunday around 4 p.m. and reportedly had his child in the vehicle with him. The child was life-flighted with non-life-threatening injuries. DPS is investigating the wreck.
JACKSONVILLE – The city of Jacksonville and East Texas came together Saturday for the 39th annual Jacksonville Tomato Fest. According to our news partner KETK, the festival hosted in downtown Jacksonville, had over 300 vendors, a kids zone, a “Got Talent” contest and a tomato eating contest. Andy Calcote, co-chair of the Tomato Fest said it takes about 200 volunteers to make the Jacksonville Tomato Fest a reality each and every year. Calcote said they are already planning the 40th Tomato Fest for 2024.
TATUM – Law enforcement in Tatum would like your help in identifying those responsible for a robbery at the Brake Time convenience store Friday in Tatum. According to our news partner KETK, the Tatum Police Department has made available video and photos of the incident for you to see. To view photos and video of the robbery, just click here.
Tatum Police ask if you have information in the material shown to contact them.
HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that a 25-year-old man died following a crash about two miles northeast of Athens on Wednesday morning.
According to a preliminary DPS report, a 2014 Toyota Corolla was traveling west on Highway 175 around 6:53 a.m. The vehicle reportedly left the roadway to the north, struck a concrete culvert and vaulted into the air.
DPS said the driver, Aaron Nicholas Weeks, of Tyler, was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
ANDERSON COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a man is dead after drowning on Lake Palestine Thursday afternoon.
According to Cherokee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Rodney Wallace, 31-year-old Gary Woods from Jacksonville was pronounced dead around 4:22 p.m. Thursday. He reportedly drowned on the Anderson County side of Lake Palestine.
Woods’ family has been notified.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Our news partners at KETK report that a Tyler woman who pleaded guilty on Friday to injury of a child was sentenced to one year deferred adjudication.
Jessica Fowler, 36 of Tyler, who according to an arrest warrant treated a special needs child “like a ragdollâ€, was employed as a nighttime nurse for a child who had several medical conditions that need constant and sensitive care.
The warrant said that another nurse noticed the child had not been using their right arm prompting them to check a hidden camera in the home.
According to the warrant, more than 50 clips showed Fowler allegedly tossing the child “like a rag doll†from one side of their crib to the other.
An affidavit said there was also footage where Fowler allegedly tied the child’s arm behind her head that may have left bruising on their left arm.
The case investigator observed clips where Fowler allegedly was “using her phone light to inspect [the child] as though she was looking for any marks or bruising†and “would intentionally turn off the [heart rate] alarm alert on a monitor.â€
As a part of her sentence, Fowler will also have to do 100 hours of community service.
UPSHUR COUNTY, TX – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office had issued a warrant for a suspect in relation to an aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Our news partners at KETK report that man, 41-year-old Quinton Branch, has now turned himself into authorities.
Branch, of Helena, Montana, was identified by authorities as a suspect in the case after an investigation. Officials said he is a former resident of Upshur County and has relatives and acquaintances in the area.
The victim and their family know Branch and said he allegedly had contacted them and threatened to harm himself, officials said.
SURFSIDE BEACH, Texas (AP) — Nearly two dozen teenagers from a summer camp were injured when an elevated walkway collapsed Thursday in a beachside city in Texas, with five flown to the hospital by helicopter. None of the injuries were expected to be life-threatening, Brazoria County officials said. The cause of the walkway collapse in Surfside Beach, a small city on the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 miles south of downtown Houston, was under investigation. Surfside Beach Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Justin Mills said his department responded to an emergency call at 12:34 p.m. and set up landing areas for the medical helicopters. Sharon Trower, public information officer for Brazoria County, said all of the victims were between 14 and 18 years old and from the Bayou City Fellowship summer camp. The five taken by helicopter were flown to Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston.
LONGVIEW – Authorities have arrested a Longview man for arson and murder. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Donald Ray Miller Jr. was booked into the Gregg County Jail Thursday in the death of Ronnie Moody, 66, also of Longview. Longview Police say that Moody died early Wednesday morning in a building fire on East Avalon avenue. Investigators believe that arson was the cause of the fire with Miller as the suspect. They also add that even with the arrest their detectives are still conducting an investigation.