Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
OVERTON — A crash on Hwy 323 in Overton has left a 26-year-old woman dead, according to Overton police, and our news partner, KETK. The crash happened on Thursday morning near the overpass. Kameron Smiley, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash. Officers working the crash advised drivers to avoid the area and use an alternate route. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – The East Texas Oil Museum will open a new exhibit July 3, “One Texan’s Improbable and Unimaginable Journey: Albert ‘Pappy’ DeHart’s Best-Worst Seat in History,” highlighting the life and military service of an East Texas native whose experiences placed him at the center of one of World War II’s most significant events.
The exhibit chronicles the journey of Albert “Pappy” DeHart, who was born in Jacksonville and raised in Marshall. During World War II, DeHart served with the 509th Composite Group, the unit responsible for carrying out the atomic bomb missions over Japan in August 1945. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A man was arrested in Longview on Monday after he was involved in a crash on Mobberly Avenue that left a 44-year-old woman dead, according to Longview Police, and our news partner, KETK.
Police say officers responded to a report of suspicious activity when they found a vehicle that was allegedly in a crash at around 12:30 a.m. When officers tried to make contact with the driver, he fled in the vehicle. Police said he was later stopped and arrested for evading arrest with a vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
PANOLA COUNTY – One man was shot and a woman injured after she reportedly jumped from a vehicle that was involved in a pursuit near the Texas-Louisiana border in Panola County on Friday, according to a news release and our news partner, KETK.
Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton said dispatchers received a 911 call at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday. In the background, they could hear a man and a woman arguing. The woman on the call then reportedly told dispatchers that she had jumped from the moving vehicle and was injured.
Sheriff’s office deputies, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, the Flatwoods Volunteer Fire Department and UT Health EMS were all sent to where the woman’s phone was pinged on FM 2517 near County Road 4702 and the state border with Louisiana.
A deputy and sergeant with Panola County Sheriff’s office stopped the vehicle on FM 2517 near County Road 470. The driver was identified as the woman caller’s brother, Napolean Cordell “Polie” Lockett of Beckville.
The sheriff’s office said Lockett then fled in his vehicle by turning onto FM 3359 and heading towards Louisiana before he reportedly turned onto County Road 455 where his vehicle crashed and rolled over.
Deputies helped remove Lockett from the crashed vehicle and discovered that he had been shot in the abdomen. The deputies arrested him for evading arrest with a vehicle, violation of conditional bond in a family violence incident and an unrelated grand jury indictment for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Lockett was taken to a hospital in Shreveport to be treated for his non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was booked into the Panola County Detention Center after he was discharged from the hospital on Saturday morning.
The woman caller was transported to a hospital in Longview to be treated for her injuries from jumping out of the vehicle. The case is currently under investigation by the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, which has contacted the De Soto Parish Sheriff’s Office since part of the case took place in Louisiana.
The Texas Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and the sheriff’s office said more charges will be filed in this case.
AUSTIN – A jury in Bexar County sentenced a child predator to life in prison, after he was found guilty of abusing children, according to a news release from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office. Joe Suarez Jr., 71, was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child, after the jury listened to four days of testimony. It took only four hours to reach a verdict. The court ordered a sentence of life without parole and two consecutive 20-year sentences, the maximum punishment allowed by law.
“My office worked tirelessly to put this child predator behind bars for life and secure justice for the victims of these heinous crimes,” said Attorney General Paxton. “We are committed to standing up for victims of sexual assault and will use every tool available to us to ensure that child predators are prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows.”
In March 2016, an 8-year-old child made an outcry of sexual abuse to a teacher at her school. Following her outcry, two additional victims came forward to report that they had also been subjected to chronic abuse by the same offender, Joe Suarez Jr. Their reports of abuse were referred to the San Antonio Police Department (“SAPD”) by the Department of Family and Protective Services (“DFPS”). SAPD conducted an investigation and referred the case to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, where it remained for several years awaiting grand jury presentation. After District Attorney Joe Gonzalez was elected and recused his office from the prosecution, the case was referred to another district attorney’s office in Texas before being transferred to the Office of the Attorney General in late 2023.
Given the years that had passed since the initial investigation, Sgt. Andres Alaniz investigated the case again. In 2025, at the conclusion of the OAG’s investigation and in conjunction with SAPD’s prior work, the defendant’s charges were presented to a Bexar County grand jury. Suarez was subsequently indicted for continuous sexual abuse of young children, and aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.
The evidence showed that the defendant, who played in a local mariachi group, would offer mariachi lessons to children in the community to gain their trust, according to the attorney general. The defendant took advantage of the trust his family and community placed in him, and sexually abused multiple children in his home. He also worked as a truck driver and would sexually abuse children in the cab of his 18-wheeler.
Tyler – The Juneteenth parade begins on Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to noon. Various roads will be closed, beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will start at Glenwood Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then proceed east on Martin Luther King Jr., turn north on Border Avenue. It will then turn west on West 26th Street, turn north on North Glass Avenue, and continue east on West 32nd Street, ending at the intersection of 32nd Street and North Broadway Avenue.
Motorists are encouraged to plan alternate routes and expect temporary traffic delays in the area during the event. Officers will be present to assist with road closures and detours.
City leaders appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as they work to ensure a safe and successful Juneteenth celebration for our community.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for financial abuse of an elderly person after an investigation connected him to victims who’ve lost over $2 million dollars, according to our news partner KETK.
On April 7, investigators met with a 77-year-old woman who had reported that one of her friends, whom she had known for years, had taken over $200,000 in checks from her. The friend reportedly told her that he’d been arrested and he persuaded her to post a $34,000 bail. A few days later, the bail bond company, to whom she gave a check, threatened to report her to the Smith County District Attorney’s office after her check bounced. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK — A bicyclist is dead after reportedly falling onto the roadway and being struck by an 18-wheeler on Highway 84 in Rusk on Wednesday evening, according to Rusk officials and our news partner, KETK.
Rusk Police Sgt. Jeremy Farmer said the fatality happened at around 8:50 p.m., when Charlotte Goff, 55, was riding her bicycle along the roadway near Loop 343. Police said she fell onto the roadway and was then struck by an 18-wheeler that was passing by.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy pronounced Goff dead at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler stopped and is cooperating with the police, Farmer said. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed.
The investigation is ongoing.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators John Cornyn, and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today introduced legislation that would reauthorize Preventing Outages With Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act. The law will help weatherize electric grids across the nation, according to Sen. Cornyn.
“Texas is no stranger to extreme weather events, and it’s imperative that we have the infrastructure capable of withstanding the gamut of everything from freezing cold temperatures to sweltering heat waves, flooding, and devastating wildfires,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience program Senator Padilla and I created, which is essential to preventing outages and ensuring Texans can depend on the power they need to weather any storm.”
“As we continue to grapple with threats to the electric grid from extreme weather, investing in projects to improve the flexibility and resiliency of the power system is crucial,” said Sen. Padilla. “The GRIP program is a major success, driving improvements and innovation to make the electric grid more secure and efficient. Our bipartisan effort will continue to help us keep the lights on and keep costs down for future generations.”
Background:
In February 2021, record amounts of snow, ice, and prolonged sub-zero temperatures overwhelmed the Texas power grid and forced the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to shut off electricity for more than four million Texans, leaving them without heat for days on end. More than 200 lives were lost. This disaster laid bare the vulnerabilities of our electric grid infrastructure and the need for electricity providers and suppliers to protect against future extreme weather events. Insufficient grid resiliency increases the likelihood of blackout events, which threaten lives and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.
Following Winter Storm Uri, Senator Cornyn introduced the Preventing Outages with Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act, now law, which established the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide critical resources to help states weatherize electric grids.
This legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience grant program at the DOE to prevent a lapse in federal funding that is essential to protecting energy facilities and energy infrastructure against future extreme weather events.
Smith County – Smith County and surrounding areas have seen an uptick in scam calls — specifically, calls that instill fear by making it seem a family member is in danger and you need to pay to save them.
Smith County Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin and a local woman, who had experienced one of these scam calls, say they can seem so real, even using the sound of someone in distress to sell their story. The calls from unknown people range from kidnapping a loved one to crying out that a daughter’s been in a crash. These scammers are capitalizing on the fear.
Tammy Humes says she received a phone call from a regular, wireless number with a local area code, urgently stressing that her daughter had been in a car crash, and money was needed to tow her car. In the background, she could hear a woman yelling, “Mom!”
“A parent’s gonna freak out hearing that their child’s in an accident,” Humes said.
Humes said she recognized the caller was not able to provide a location of the call or identify the daughter, instead only saying he needed her credit card information. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – CHRISTUS Health announced the installation of a new weapons detection system designed to enhance associate, patient and visitor safety protocols. The system uses artificial intelligence to detect firearms, ceramic weapons, explosives, and other threats. The system is installed at the entrance of the emergency room at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. It is known as the Xonar Threat Detection System. The system using shape, material and dimensional analysis for threat detection.
“In the emergency department, our focus is always on delivering timely, compassionate care to every patient who comes through our doors,” said Dr. Colt Smithson, chief of emergency medicine for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “This investment in enhanced security helps support that mission by creating an environment where patients, families and Associates can feel safe, supported and focused on care.” Read the rest of this entry »
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator John Cornyn released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice officially opened s Cornyn-created program for applications from eligible states. In addition to the nearly $10 billion fund announced earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the $3 billion fund was authorized through a provision led by Sen. Cornyn as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. A total of $13.5 billion in funding will be reimbursed to secure the border.
“For four years, President Biden’s disastrous open-border policies wreaked havoc on our nation, and no state did more during that time to fill in the gaps to try to protect and defend the southern border than Texas,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m glad the Department of Justice has followed through on my reimbursement provision by opening the application process for funding to reimburse states like Texas for the billions of dollars spent to try and secure the border after Joe Biden’s dereliction of this federal responsibility. Coupled with the funding delegated to the Department of Homeland Security, states who pitched in on border security efforts can now apply for reimbursement for costs incurred by their taxpayers during the Biden administration.”
Background:
Senator Cornyn has led the fight in Washington to secure federal reimbursement for Texas by, swiftly backing Governor Abbott’s request for Texas to be reimbursed for the taxpayer dollars spent on Operation Lone Star, calling attention to the on-going reimbursement effort on the Senate floor, meeting with the governor and members of the Texas congressional delegation to discuss the legislative strategy for the reimbursement push, holding on-going meetings and phone calls with Gov. Abbott, Senate and House leadership, and congressional colleagues regarding the effort, leading legislation in the Senate to set aside $13.5 billion in funds to reimburse states for costs they incurred to secure the border as ‘a result of the Biden Administration’s disastrous immigration policies’, and, leading a letter with members of the Texas congressional delegation to the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security – urging them to prioritize the release of funds set aside to reimburse Texas for the more than $11 billion spent on border security efforts.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) introduced the Continuity of Military Parents’ Academic Schooling and State Standards (COMPASS) Act. This legislation allows military families to continue following the homeschooling laws of the service member’s legal home state during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, rather than immediately shifting to the laws of the new duty station state, reducing the burdens on those families and enhancing homeschooling options.
Sen. Cruz said, “Military families home school their children at roughly twice the rate of civilian families. Conflicting state homeschooling laws can undermine military readiness, family resilience, and retention by forcing service members and their spouses to navigate different requirements each time the Department of War relocates them. This bill will provide military home school families with the stability and flexibility they deserve. I’m proud to introduce it and urge my colleagues to move swiftly to pass this legislation.”
Sen. Budd said, “As a father of three children who benefited from a home school education, I am proud to be a strong advocate for home school families in the Senate. With many of our nation’s military families choosing to home school, it is important that their children’s education isn’t disrupted amidst the unpredictability of moving duty stations. I am proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing common-sense legislation to eliminate this unnecessary burden and streamline the homeschooling process for military families.”
Sen. Moody said, “Military families make many sacrifices so their loved ones can serve. They should not have to stress over a new set of homeschooling rules every time duty calls them to a new state. The COMPASS Act ensures the children of our service members can continue their education without disruption while their parents serve our country.”
U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Harrigan said, “Military families are already asked to sacrifice more than most Americans will ever understand, and when a service member gets PCS orders across a state line, the last thing their family should face is a bureaucratic penalty for following them. Twelve percent of active-duty military families home school, roughly double the civilian rate, because it is the one constant their kids can hold onto no matter where orders send them next. The Service members Civil Relief Act already protects military families from conflicting state laws on taxes, voting, and driver’s licenses. Senator Cruz and I are simply extending that same common-sense principle to homeschooling, ensuring that a family in compliance with their home state’s laws does not have to start over the moment they cross a state line in service to this country.”
This legislation is supported by the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), and Military Home schoolers Association.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) President James R. Mason, Esq., (Lt. Cdr., U.S. Navy, Ret.) said, “HSLDA is pleased to support this critical legislation to support our service members and their families. Military families have long enjoyed the benefits that homeschooling offers, particularly given their high rate of moves. Homeschooling provides educational and emotional stability to children, and military families are almost twice as likely to home school as the civilian population. This bill will support our military families, providing educational stability during moves between states, and removing one more point of stress and paperwork on military families.”
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) President & CEO Mary Bier said, “Every permanent change of station brings disruption for military children. They do not choose it, and they cannot avoid it. The COMPASS Act recognizes that educational continuity is not a luxury for these children. It is a need. At the Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC), we see how instability affects a military child’s learning, well-being, and sense of belonging. When a family is lawfully homeschooling under one state’s rules, they should not face a completely different set of requirements simply because military orders move them somewhere new. That is not meaningful oversight. It is an added barrier during an already difficult transition. Senator Cruz’s legislation removes that barrier in a thoughtful way, and MCEC is proud to support it.”
Military Home schoolers Association Founder and Executive Director Natalie Mack, M.Ed. said, “Military home school families often navigate multiple moves throughout a child’s education, creating challenges as they transition between different state home school laws and requirements. The Military Home Schoolers Association (MHA) appreciates Senator Cruz’s leadership in bringing attention to an issue that affects military home school families across the country. The COMPASS Act offers a practical solution by allowing military families to follow either the home school laws of their State of Legal Residence or those of the state where they physically reside. By reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, promoting educational continuity, and respecting parental choice, the legislation recognizes the unique realities of military service and helps families provide a stable, consistent education for their children while preserving the freedom to choose the educational path that best meets their needs.”
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday that he issued a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties as severe storms continued to threaten the state. Additional counties may be added as conditions warrant, according to the governor’s office.
“Texas is prepared to respond to the severe weather threats that continue to move across our state,” said Governor Abbott. “Because of the impact caused by ongoing storms and flood risks, I have issued a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties to ensure that local officials and communities have access to the full range of state resources and support. Texans should heed the guidance of state and local officials and take all necessary precautions to stay safe during this severe weather.”
Earlier Monday, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources and implement 24-hour operations at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center as storm risks persist. Last week, the Governor directed TDEM to activate state emergency response resources ahead of the flood threat.
Texans are urged to continue monitoring local weather forecast information and have emergency supplies readily available. As storm threats continue, Texans are urged to stay informed, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and heed all warnings from local officials. Texans can find severe weather safety information and road conditions here and find all hazards preparedness tips here.
KILGORE — Kilgore College will formally install Dr. Staci Martin as the institution’s 10th president during an investiture ceremony scheduled for Tuesday morning in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the college’s history as Dr. Martin officially assumes the role of president following her appointment by the KC Board of Trustees, according to Kilgore College administration officials.
Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to attend. Read the rest of this entry »
SHERMAN – An illegal alien, living in Dallas, has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 15, 2026.
According to information presented in court, in 2021, federal law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico into the United States for redistribution. On October 4, 2022, while federal agents attempted to execute a search warrant at a Dallas residence, Lopez-Carmona, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, began firing on them from inside the house before fleeing on foot. Lopez-Carmona and another individual were quickly detained and a search of the residence revealed over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, four firearms, and other drug trafficking supplies. The investigation resulted in multiple seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, firearms, and large amounts of U.S. currency.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
CROCKETT – Four people were shot and two people were hit by a vehicle after violence erupted at a large event in Crockett on Saturday night, according to Crockett police and our news partner, KETK.
Police said officers responded to reports of gunshots fired in the area of the 1100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at around 10:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Crockett Police Department officers, Houston County Sheriff’s Office deputies, EMS units and troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety all responded to the scene of a “large event” where Crockett PD said a “significant” number of people and vehicles were gathered when gunshots rang out.
Officials learned that at least four people were shot at the scene and that at least two other people had been hit by a vehicle. All six people have been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Crockett PD is currently investigating, and they believe any suspects have fled the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Caleb Newsome at 936-544-2862 or by email at newsomec@crocketttexas.org.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced on Saturday the launch of a free online course to expand the number of certified New World Screwworm (NWS) inspectors across Texas. This course will allow more Texans to inspect their animals and certify the documentation required to safely move them, which is critical to ensuring cattle and livestock commerce continues uninterrupted, the governor said.
The first-of-its-kind program is developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in partnership with USDA-APHIS, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Abbott said.
“The State of Texas will use every tool to protect our cattle industry and wildlife while we eradicate this pest,” said Abbott. “The AgriLife and TAHC moved quickly to launch this training. Now more people, including private industry, will be able to inspect and certify animals for movement. Through this program, Texas will protect our ranchers, ensure the security of our food supply, and keep business strong.”
“Stopping the spread of NWS will not be possible without our inspectors knowing what to look for, that’s why today’s announcement is critical to keep our cattle industry on track,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We encourage everyone who is able to help us identify and report suspected cases to help eradicate this pest as fast as possible. Grateful for Governor Abbott, TAHC, TPWD, and AgriLife for being amazing partners in this fight!”
The course is an online, modular program delivered through the AgriLife Learn platform. It includes narrated modules, demonstration videos, and knowledge checks covering NWS biology and life cycle, surveillance and reporting, species-specific inspection and treatment protocols, roles of state and federal agencies, and movement permitting requirements.
Those meeting TAHC eligibility standards who pass the final exam may apply to become a TAHC Certified NWS Inspector, authorized to issue official NWS Treatment/Movement Certificates for lawful movement of livestock out of infested zones.
Phase one immediately opens eligibility to the following groups, in addition to existing authorized personnel, including thousands of Texas veterinarians:
Licensed veterinarians (not already in the Authorized Personnel Program)
Veterinary technicians
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents and Disaster Assessment and Recovery agents
Texas Department of Agriculture inspectors
Texas Department of State Health Services Meat Safety inspectors
Texas Racing Commission inspectors
Animal control officers
Livestock deputies
Designated personnel from temporary livestock aggregation points
Additional groups may be added in future phases as the program evolves. The course is also available to any Texan for educational purposes.
Livestock owners, managers, veterinarians, government personnel, and allied industry professionals are encouraged to enroll. To access this free online course, register an account, add course to your cart, and check out.
Important facts about New World Screwworm:
NWS is caused by the larvae of a parasitic fly that lay eggs in open wounds. The larvae feed on living tissue of warm-blooded animals.
NWS is not a contagious disease. It does not spread directly from animal to animal.
NWS is not a food safety issue. Screwworms do not infest meat or other food products. The food supply remains safe.
Report suspected cases immediately:
Livestock or pets: Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242
Wildlife: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4505
For more information, go to screwworm.gov
The course directly supports the state’s aggressive NWS response. Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, Texas has deployed sterile insect technique releases, established quarantines in infested zones, and committed all available state resources to protect the livestock industry while maintaining business continuity.
MIDLAND – UPDATE: The Texas Department of Public Safety has released new information about the shooting in Midland that happened Friday morning.
“This morning, at about 8:00 CST, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), along with the Midland Police Department (MPD) and other local, state and federal law enforcement partners, responded to reports of an active shooter in the 4600 block of West Wall Street in Midland, Texas. Preliminary information shows that when they arrived, the suspect, now identified as Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, who resided in Odessa, began firing shots at officers and bystanders and then barricaded himself inside an abandoned veterinary clinic building.
DPS and other responding officers immediately established a perimeter around the building to mitigate the threat. After a standoff, the suspect was located inside the building, deceased at around 12:30 p.m. CST.
At this time, DPS can confirm one victim is dead, and 10 others are injured. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Villarreal had been wanted for attempted capital murder of a peace officer after firing multiple shots at an MPD officer during a vehicle pursuit on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
At the request of MPD, the Texas Rangers are investigating this active shooter incident. As this is an active investigation, no additional information is being released. The Texas Rangers ask that anyone with information related to the incident please come forward.
Drivers are asked to please find alternate routes around the area as authorities remain on the scene. The roads where the shooting occurred were to remain closed for the next 24 – 48 hours.
Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis has confirmed the suspect in a shooting in Midland Friday morning is the same suspect wanted out of Midland earlier this week after investigators said he tried to kill a police officer. This information has not yet been confirmed by Midland agencies or the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Victor Mata Villarreal was accused of firing a rifle at an officer during a late-night traffic stop Wednesday before fleeing the scene.
According to the City of Midland, the incident began around 11:23 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 in the 4800 block of Anetta Street when a Midland Police officer tried to stop a vehicle.
Police said the vehicle did not stop right away and continued for several blocks before stopping in the 4700 block of Comanche Drive. Investigators say the driver, later identified as Victor Mata Villarreal, got out of the vehicle and fired rounds from a rifle at the officer.
The officer returned fire, but authorities said Villarreal got back into the vehicle and fled the area. The vehicle was later found abandoned a short distance away. Police said an extensive search was conducted, but Villarreal was not located.
The officer was not injured during the incident.
GREGG COUNTY– The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office has used DNA to identify the remains of Mitchell Walters who went missing in 2025, according to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK. After the skull was found in September 2025 in Liberty City, investigators collected the remains and submitted them to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification in Dallas for forensic analysis.
A DNA profile was successfully developed from the remains in March, and the profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System to determine the identity of the deceased. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN — A man is in custody after a shots-fired call escalated into an hours-long standoff at a home in the 500 block of Hemlock Street, according to Lufkin police. A’Mario Gerbrekidan, 34, is charged with possession of body armor by a felon, felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance, and an illegal weapon offense, according Police Chief Travis Brazil.
The serial number had been removed from the weapon, police said. Officers responded to the call at 5:30 a.m. Thursday to a report of shots fired. When officers heard a gunshot, that is when Gerbrekidan barricaded himself in the home. Lufkin SWAT team was called to assist, and began negotiations.
“Extensive negotiations were attempted, but were unsuccessful,” Brazil said.
Several gas canisters were deployed into the home, after several hours of failed negotiations. Gerbrekidan finally exited the residence, and surrendered without injury to himself or law enforcement, according to police. The SWAT team was assisted by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Highway Patrol, and Texas Rangers.
“The Lufkin Police Department took this situation slow and methodical,” Brazil said. “Every step in these situations has to be well thought through to ensure the safety of citizens, officers and the suspects.
“Loss of life is never the answer, and we want to avoid that outcome if at all possible,” he said. “The officers of the Lufkin Police Department train for these situations, and it definitely paid off today.”
WASHINGTON — A Texas couple was sentenced to 40 years each in prison for running a fraudulent chain-referral pyramid scheme, following their convictions by a jury on conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering charges in January 2026. The sentencing was handed down Tuesday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
“At the peak of the pandemic, LaShonda and Marlon Moore launched an investment fraud scheme and cheated struggling Americans out of $30 million,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This fraud scheme exploited people out of their hard-earned money at a time when they needed it most. Opportunistic fraudsters like the Moores belong in prison.”
“The Moores’ get rich quick scheme has earned them a well-deserved stay in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas. “Playing games with other peoples’ money while promising unrealistic returns is stealing and will be prosecuted and punished.”
“The harm caused by greed-driven, deceptive investments promising returns too good to be true cannot be overstated,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “The mission of the USPIS continues, to aggressively investigate such schemes and hold fraudsters fully accountable.”
“Those who exploit uncertainty and hardship for personal profit undermine the safety and security of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Christina Foley of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Moores took advantage of trust and hope during a time of national crisis, causing significant harm to thousands of victims. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: the Secret Service remains steadfast in our mission to investigate and disrupt these schemes, and those who prey on vulnerable communities for personal gain will be held fully accountable.”
“The Moores used a polished image and a reality TV appearance to build trust, but behind the scenes, they orchestrated a deceptive pyramid scheme built on fake ‘playing boards’ and false promises of 800% returns,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Dallas Field Office. “This scheme deliberately targeted the African American community, exploiting cultural trust and community ties. These sentences make it clear: if you abuse trust and exploit communities, you will face justice.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, LaShonda Moore, 38, and Marlon Moore, 39, of Frisco, Texas, co-founded and ran “Blessings in No Time,” known as “BINT,” an illegal chain-referral pyramid scheme that targeted victims during the COVID?19 pandemic from June 2020 to June 2021. BINT targeted and recruited victims with false and misleading promises through weekly live-stream video broadcasts to thousands of participants across the United States during the COVID-19 shutdown. Victims were falsely promised that they would earn 800% returns on each $1,400 investment and were guaranteed a refund if they were unsatisfied. The Moores falsely held out BINT as a way for people to help their own community by paying “blessings” of at least $1,400 to participants who had already joined. The Moores falsely promised that new participants’ “blessing” payments would be paid back eight-fold within a few weeks. BINT was falsely presented as an altruistic invitation-only community to help others during the economic downturn from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The defendants structured BINT to operate on “playing boards” that had positions for participants on four levels: eight Fires, four Winds, two Earths, and one Water. Once eight new participants were recruited to fill all eight Fire positions on the playing board, each Fire was directed to “bless” or pay at least $1,400 to the participant in the Water position. A Water participant then received eight payments totaling more than $11,000. After a Water participant received his or her payment, other participants at lower levels would move up one level on the playing board and then be required to recruit new participants into the Fire positions to perpetuate the scheme. To profit from the investment scheme, the defendants placed themselves in positions on the playing boards so that they received many of the ultimate payments, and they otherwise diverted substantial money to themselves that was paid by the participants. The defendants’ pyramid scheme victimized more than 10,000 people across the country and inflicted more than $30 million in victim losses.
USPIS, USSS, and IRS-CI investigated the case.
JACKSONVILLE — The annual Jacksonville Tomato Festival is back for its 42nd year this Saturday, set to take over downtown with festivities. The festival will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continues the debate on whether a tomato is a vegetable or a fruit, according to our news partner KETK. The event is set to feature a variety of attractions for all ages in the heart of Jacksonville, including a car show, farmers market and more. Read the rest of this entry »
SHERMAN – A Dallas drug dealer has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Deldrick Damond Lewis, 40, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in August of 2025. Lewis was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III on June 9, 2026.
According to information presented in court, Lewis was identified as a methamphetamine supplier during an investigation of drug trafficking activities in the Grayson County area. Lewis sold approximately 460 grams of pure methamphetamine during a drug trafficking transaction. Additionally, prosecutors presented evidence at trial that included Lewis’ social media accounts, text messages, and other evidence from his cellular phones. Lewis received a sentencing enhancement because it was determined the methamphetamine was imported from Mexico for distribution in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Sherman Police Department, and FBI’s Texoma Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Smith and Stevan Buys.
RUSK COUNTY — A $1,000 reward is being offered for information after game wardens found an illegally shot alligator dead in Rusk County on Sunday, according to our news partner, KETK and game wardens. Officials received a call from a resident about a dead alligator spotted in Striker Creek. The 7-foot-long gator was found underneath the FM 839 bridge in Rusk County with a bullet hole between its eyes. Officials believe the alligator died between Wednesday and Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A woman has died following a reported drowning at Lake Tyler over the weekend. According to a Tyler Police Department news release, Shelly Snow, 35, of Whitehouse, reportedly went under the water around 4:45 p.m Sunday. A Texas Game Warden arrived at approximately 4:50 p.m. and assisted with CPR.
Snow was transported to a local hospital, were she was later pronounced dead.
The investigation is ongoing.
AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn joined Senator Lindsey Graham, and 17 other republican colleagues in introducing the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act to address the “dangerously high number of smash-and-grab thefts.” The bill targets gun dealers by enhancing penalties for criminals who steal firearms from federally licensed firearms and ammunition dealers.
“Criminals who steal firearms from gun stores should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would prevent gun thefts by strengthening the consequences for those who break the law, and I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to support it.”
Background:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported 4,046 FFL theft incidents from 2021 to 2025. During these burglary, larceny, and robbery incidents, a total of 23,319 firearms were stolen from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). Texans have been directly impacted by these crimes as thieves have stolen 2,737 firearms from FFLs across the state during this same four-year period of 2021 to 2025.
The FFL Protection Act would:
• Increase the statutory maximum penalty for knowingly stealing any firearm in an FFL’s business inventory from 10 to 20 years;
• Impose a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for burglary from an FFL and five years for robbery from an FFL;
• Criminalize the attempted theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector.
The legislation is being led by Sen. Graham (R-SC) and is cosponsored by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
Cornyn’s office said the legislation is endorsed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
TEXARKANA – A baby’s arrival to a Texarkana hospital with a critical head injury last Thursday has led to the arrest of a man, after investigators discovered the baby was under his sole care when the incident occurred.
Officers were called to the CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital after a three-month-old baby arrived with a skull fracture, according to our news partner, KETK and Texarkana Police.
Detectives opened an investigation and found that injuries occurred while the baby was under the care of the mother’s 22-year-old boyfriend, Michael Cridell Jr.
Cridell was arrested last Friday and booked into Bi-State Jail for injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. His bond was set at $500,000.
The baby was later airlifted to the Arkansas Children’s Hospital that night. She remains hospitalized and is currently in serious but stable condition.
MARSHALL – A man is wanted after police said he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend in Marshall on Saturday, before fleeing to Louisiana. According to our news partner – KETK – and Marshall police, dispatch received a call requesting a welfare check at a property in the 1300 block of East Pinecrest Drive at around 7:29 a.m. Officers responding to the scene, met a woman, who said she had just been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend.
Officers determined the woman had escaped from her ex-boyfriend, who fled from the scene before they arrived. Police identified the ex-boyfriend as Jamichael Brown.
Brown’s vehicle was later found abandoned in Greenwood, La. Marshall police joined with the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force, the Waskom Police Department, the Greenwood Police Department, and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office to conduct a joint search of the area near his vehicle, but were unable to locate Brown. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that happened in February. Alexis Davila has been charged in the death of Martha Belcher, 73, of Athens. The wreck happened in the early morning hours on FM 2709, when Belcher was walking along the westbound lane, and was struck and killed by a vehicle. Investigators determined the gray Chevrolet Silverado – driven by Davila – fled the scene. Troopers said Davila did not report the crash. He is charged with failure to stop and render aid involving death, and tampering with physical evidence.