Today is
Monday July 27, 2026
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler offers nonprofit management certification classes to East Texas professionals through a partnership with United Way of Smith County. Previously available only at the United Way Building in downtown Tyler, workshops will now also be available in Longview at the UT Tyler Longview University Center.
“Since moving to Longview, I have noticed the community’s strong commitment to giving back, and it’s an infectious culture that permeates the entire area,†said Dr. Rodney Ellis, LUC director. “As a consequence, there is a need to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of those currently in the nonprofit industry here in the area or those who desire to be in the industry.â€
The UT Tyler Department of Social Sciences is collaborating with United Way of Smith County to manage the East Texas Center for Nonprofits, which provides the workshops to enhance the skill sets of nonprofit professionals. This expansion comes on the heels of UT Tyler’s new Master of Public Administration nonprofit management track.
“We will be merging these efforts so ETCN workshops will lead students to MPA degrees,†said Dr. Thomas Guderjan, UT Tyler professor and department chair. “Community members who serve on nonprofit boards or staff members of nonprofits will now be able to further their education and earn a quality UT Tyler degree.â€
Registration fees vary between workshop/certification and includes Continuing Education Units and workshop materials. Partial scholarships are available. Attendees must attend all classes to receive certification.
UPSHUR COUNTY – The Sixth Court of appeals of Texarkana Wednesday affirms the conviction of an Upshur County man of eight counts of indecency with a child. According to our news partner KETK, 49 year-old Matthew McCoy was found guilty in 2022 of the charge with a 10-year old child and sentenced to 125 years in prison. Upshur County DA Billy Byrd said the child testified in addition to the physical abuse, McCoy had threatened to kill the childs family.
TYLER – Ernest Blanton of Tyler went missing Sunday night after he walked into some woods. However, Ernest has dementia. He has a Project Lifesaver bracelet from the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County. The radio tracking bracelet is waterproof. So, when Ernest was missed, his wife called the Tyler Police Department with his bracelets tracking number. And they located Mr. Blanton quickly. Claudia Blanton said, “We are very thankful to have the bracelet. We would be a loss without it.. To me it is a Godsend. I appreciate Tyler Police Department.†According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, the survival rates of dementia wanderers falls to about 34% after 24 hours
TYLER – Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips has filed lawsuits with her son and a family friend alleging that a Smith County deputy infringed on Voss’s right to travel, assaulted him and used coercion to obtain his ID. According to our news partner KETK, she is referring to an incident March 28 when Cody Voss, a friend of the family, was pulled over by Smith County deputies with a tail light out. The officer asked Voss for his drivers license. On bodycam, Voss can be heard saying “I’m not driving. This is the county commissioner’s house and the county clerk.†Officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said both Phillips were arrested for interfering with the traffic stop, and they can be heard shouting at deputies on the bodycam footage. Karen Phillips is suing for $10 million while Cody Voss and Derek Phillips are suing for $150.5 million. Full story
MARSHALL – Our news partners at KETK report that a juvenile is dead after a shooting early Wednesday in Marshall.
Just after 1:30 a.m., Marshall’s emergency dispatch received calls about a person lying in the roadway of the 1800 block of Alexander Street. When they arrived, officers found a young male dead from an apparent gunshot wound.
Marshall Police detectives, Crime Scene Investigators and the Joint Harrison County Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force investigators began documenting evidence and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and surveillance video footage.
“Investigation showed that the young man had been lying in the street long enough for at least two cars to drive past, yet they did not call police,†according to Marshall police.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call MPD at 903-935-4575. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous is asked to call Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.
Because the victim is a juvenile, police will not release any identifying information.
TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) is pleased to announce that its 2022 drinking water quality report is now available for all customers to read. The report shows that TWU consistently provides safe, high-quality drinking water that safeguards public health.
TWU meets and exceeds all safety guidelines set by state and federal regulations. The utility tests drinking water throughout the treatment process and at locations throughout the City, ensuring the water they deliver to their customers is under the maximum contamination level (MCL) for all national primary drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, 26 water experts with a combined 259 years of experience and a variety of degrees and TCEQ-issued licenses performed over 252,000 water quality tests in 2022.
Tyler is also fully compliant with the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program. This is a program the EPA uses to collect data for contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water but that do not have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Residents can find the water quality report on TWU’s website. It will be sent to every customer’s home or business and emailed to residents who signed up for electronic billing. Residents who live in an apartment, condo, or rental property in Tyler can view the report online or request a copy from your property manager or owner.
Customers can contact TWU at (903) 531-1238 if they have any questions or concerns.
SHREVEPORT — According to our news partner KETK, the National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Ozone Action Day Wednesday June 7. Counties included are Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Rusk and Upshur counties. An Ozone Action Day is posted when weather conditions in combination with pollution emissions to form high levels of ozone close to the ground and it could cause harmful health effects. People with breathing conditions should be mindful of this.
JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville girl is reported missing by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office, and they are asking for the public’s help. Madison Clark has not been seen since May 27th and was last spotted at 6:30pm that evening getting into a white, four-door sedan.
She is described as 5’3″, 112 pounds and was last seen wearing a yellow t-shirt, black pants and red/black/white Nike high top shoes. She has dyed red hair and has two studs in her nose and is wearing earrings.
The release says she also goes by the nicknames “Madi,” “Royalty” or “Jersey.” If you have any information on Madison Clark please call the Cherokee County Sheriff at 903-683-2271 or simply call the local police.
GILMER – Hawkins ISD announced services for Jaykob Dodd who died in a car accident last weekend. According to our news partner KETK, there will be a visitation Thursday night from 6 to 8 at the Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. The funeral is Friday morning starting at 10, with the burial afterwards at Enoch Cemetery. A candlelight service will be held Saturday night at 8:30 in the Hawkins ISD parking lot. An obituary for Jaykob Dodd can be view here.
MARSHALL – A person who calls the city of Marshall “homeâ€, recently bought a lottery ticket and won a million dollars. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who is a Marshall native has elected to remain anonymous. Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $31 billion to the Foundation School Fund. This fund helps support Texas public education.
ANGELINA COUNTY — Angelina County authorities make a wellness check, instead find about 271 marijuana plants. According to our news partner KETK, Angelina County Deputies and EMS found an unconscious white male in the same place where the plants were growing. Deputies then arrested a woman because she wouldn’t identify herself, while another was released. The man who was found unconscious was hospitalized briefly, but charges are expected to be filed.
JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville’s 39th annual Tomato Fest is Saturday June 10. According to our news partner KETK, Jacksonville Mayor Randy Gorman issued a proclamation officially changing Jacksonville’s name to “Tomatoville”, through this Saturday. The Tomato Fest is when the Jacksonville tomato takes center stage each year. On the schedule in Tomato Fest; a dodgeball tournament, salsa contest and, as you would expect a tomato growing contest. Festival planners expect a record number of vendors and attendees.
TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz was in Tyler on Monday touring the University of Texas Health Science Center. KTBB’s Paul Gleiser caught up with the senator for a conversation on the debt ceiling fight in Washington. The bill that avoided a default on the US debt passed, but Cruz was not happy with the version that was agreed upon.
“I think the spending and the debt we’ve seen from Washington is wildly irresponsible and we are bankrupting this country,” Cruz said. “Historically the most effective lever point to reign in spending has been the debt ceiling. So I was a proponent from day one, let’s use this debt ceiling as leverage to force some kind of reasonable spending restraint.”
Cruz is of the opinion that the White House “rolled the Republican leadership.” He feels the spending restraints in the deal were very modest.
“They (the White House) got Republicans to fund virtually the entire Biden political agenda,” Cruz said, “and it was a real missed opportunity.”
Cruz feels the agreement will only fuel continued inflation that will be felt due to the accumulated debt.
When asked why the Congress hasn’t passed a budget in regular orders since 1996, Cruz was pessimistic.
“I don’t think that will be fixed,” he replied.”The incentives right now in Washington is for both sides to go right up to the edge of the cliff, threaten either a government shutdown or a default on the debt because what happens then is a giant omnibus budget bill gets negotiated behind closed doors…and it’s Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer who negotiate it and then roll out a giant bill that inevitably funds all the Democratic priorities.”
Cruz also discussed the charges of politicization of the FBI and Justice Department. You can hear the entire conversation here…
Ted Cruz Interview
TYLER – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Monday toured the University of Texas Tyler Health Science Center in Tyler, Texas. Sen. Cruz toured the Public Health Lab of East Texas and participated in a roundtable with UT Tyler leadership.
About the tour, Sen. Cruz said, “Texas is the home of innovators, and I’m proud to see UT Tyler Health Science Center leading the way on the cutting edge of innovative healthcare, and the new medical school training our next generation of leaders in the healthcare industry. In the Senate, I’m fighting for Texas healthcare and innovation, and I will continue to champion the good work being done here at UT Tyler Health Science Center.â€
UT Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP, said, “We appreciate Senator Cruz for visiting our campus today to learn more about what UT Tyler is doing to address health care and workforce needs in East Texas. As we prepare to welcome the first class of medical students at the UT Tyler School of Medicine, I want to thank all of our elected representatives, the UT System and our East Texas community for the continued support of our health care education and research advancements.â€
COFFEE CITY – The city of Coffee City is grieving over the death of one of their police officers. According to our news partner KETK, Officer Shaun Jackson died Thursday night. Jackson had not been with the department long. In a facebook post Police Chief JohnJay Portillo said that “Though Officer Jackson had only been with us a short time he quickly demonstrated the commitment to the public safety of the citizens, visitors and business owners of the city of Coffee City.†The cause of death has not been reported.
ATHENS – An Athens woman has been arrested and charged with injury to a child in the death of her 10-year-old autistic stepson in 2022. Our news partners at KETK report that the arrest warrant says that 38-year-old Shonna Pickle told authorities that she called 9-1-1 after finding the boy unresponsive the day after Christmas. He was pronounced dead at the emergency room, but a doctor reported seeing bruising on his neck and stomach that was not consistent with CPR. After an investigation and testimony from her husband, a caregiver and medical authorities, the warrant was issued. Pickle had lost custody of her four other children due to charges of abuse. She was arrested for injury to a child and her bond set at $500,000.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — One person is dead after a Sunday afternoon motorcycle crash on Highway 80 near Fruitvale. Our news partner KETK reports that according to a preliminary DPS report, a 2008 Harley Davidson was traveling west on the highway around 2:30 p.m. “at an unsafe speed to negotiate a curve,†and left the road striking a guardrail. The driver, identified as Tommy Stites, 55 of Baytown, was pronounced dead on the scene, and DPS reported he had not been wearing a helmet. The investigation is ongoing.
SAN ANTONIO – A man authorities in Henderson County have been seeking for over a year has been added to Texas’ Most Wanted List. According to our news partner KETK, 44-year-old Steven Clay Leifeste has been wanted since March of 2022 for two counts sexual assault of child. He also by sought by Bexar County authorities for evading arrest and a probation violation. Leifeiste is 5’11”, weighs 215 pounds, has tattoos on his back and left shoulder and scar on his left cheek. Law officers consider him to be armed and dangerous. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered if you have information that leads to his apprehension.
NASHVILLE — William Clark Green, who calls Flint home, made his first appearance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry May 16. According to news our partner KETK, the invitation to perform at the legendary Nashville venue caught him off guard. Green said “It became something I never thought I was going to do… I didn’t think we were even on the radar,†Green’s latest album “Baker Hotel†has gotten good reviews from CMT, Wide Open Country and Blue Situation.
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler’s latest poll shows a stark divide between Texans when it comes to the governor’s handling of the Texas-Mexico border. Our news partners at KETK reports that when asked if they approve or disapprove of how Gov. Greg Abbott is handling immigration at the Texas-Mexico border, 47% of respondents said they approve and another 47% said they disapprove. 6% answered that they neither approve nor disapprove. Biden’s border policies seem less polarizing than Abbott’s, with only 27% of respondents saying they approve of how Biden is handling the border, and 65% saying they disapprove.
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From our news partner KETK.Traffic is backed up about five miles eastbound on I-20 due to a fire to an 18-wheeler.The backup is from the 545 eastbound mile marker and extends back to the 540 mile marker. Currently one lane is open as clean up crews are at the accident site.
TYLER – Authorities report a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning killed three persons and injured three others. According to our news partner KETK, Law enforcement said the accident happened on FM 2661 just north of CR 110. DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton confirmed that 19-year-old Raven Clewis of Dallas, Jumija Clewis, 17, of Elkhart and 17 year-old Sherie Butler of Palestine, were all pronounced dead at the scene. 17-year-old Jaylah Spurlock of Palestine, Brianna Price, 17, of Palestine and 16-year old Chimsi Okonkwo were taken to Tyler hospitals with injuries.
Officials said the car was traveling north on the road when it left the roadway and struck a tree. Texas DPS said the investigation is still continuing.
TYLER – Authorities report a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning killed three persons and injured three others. According to our news partner KETK, Law enforcement said the accident happened on FM 2661 just north of CR 110. At the crash site, three people died, while three others were hospitalized with injuries. The names of the decreased and injured have not been released. The DPS is conducting an investigation.
RAINS COUNTY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the death of their K9 officer, Kumo. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Michael Hopkins stated that Kumo was found by his handler early Thursday evening May 11th dead. Sheriff Hopkins also said no other details about the case will be forthcoming until the investigation is concluded. He added that his office will hold a memorial to honor Kumo at a later time.
LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD announced that Lance Modisette was killed in a car accident. According to our news partner KETK, Mondisette, a senior baseball player with the Lufkin Panthers was on an outing with teammates Friday afternoon when the accident happened near Nacogdoches. Lance was scheduled to graduate next Friday. Sunday May 21st at 8 p.m., a vigil will be held at the Lufkin Panther Baseball field on honor him. Grief counselors will be available Monday morning at Lufkin ISD.
LINDALE – According to our news partner KETK, Lindale ISD on Friday announced they have hired Taylor Jarman as the new assistant principal for Velma Penny Elementary. Jarmen, a fifth grade social studies and science instructor at E.J Moss Intermediate School, has taught at Lindale ISD for ten years. He has also been the theatre director at Lindale High School.
TYLER – An East Texas death row inmate has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the courts decision in his involvement in the death of his 2 year-old daughter. Robert Roberson took his daughter in January of 2002 to Palestine Regional Medical Center with severe head trauma. He said he found his daughter unresponsive after falling off the bed. Hospital personnel suspected child abuse; shaken baby syndrome. His Daughter, Nikki Curtis died the next day. Roberson was charged in her death. He was convicted and sentenced to death row in 2003.
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has gotten a huge upgrade for their investigation efforts. They now have a new Crime Scene Building. According to our news partner KETK, In 2021, the Tyler City Council gave the department $275.000 to fund efforts for the new building. That locations previous tenant was an AT&T store. The new building has a specialized photography room. Also, the team added a garage to help with testing and processing of vehicles. Now the crime scene investigators can work several cases at one time. Which means that cases can get solved more quickly. The Tyler Police Department says the new crime scene lab wouldn’t have been possible without the people of Tyler and the city.
TYLER – A Tyler woman pleaded guilty Thursday to injury to a child and was given a six year prison sentence. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say that 27-year old Katelyn Schengeli endangered her four children by having them in living conditions they said were “extremely inadequate for children.â€
At the time of her arrest in 2021, law officers said Schengeli was under the influence of alcohol. They were alerted to this by her 8-year-old son who found his mother unconscious and non responsive. Emergency personnel then found an 11-month-old infant in a crib covered in feces and 4 year-old twin girls locked inside of a large room with the door blocked.. The four children were removed from the home to a safe environment. The children’s father Corey Evans was also arrested in 2021 and indicted as well on of four of counts of child endangerment. His outcome is still to be determined.
EDGEWOOD – Authorities arrested an Edgewood woman Monday for allegedly pointing a knife at clerk in a grocery store. According to our news partner KETK, Edgewood police say the woman, identified as Brandy Ackerman told the cashier at Brookshire Brothers grocery store in Edgewood to open the cash register and give her all the money. She did this while pointing a knife at the cashier. When the cashier would not hand over the cash. It was said Ackerman put the knife away and said “I was just kidding”. Read the rest of this entry »