Today is
Wednesday June 03, 2026
TYLER — The Texas summer heat doesn’t just take a toll on people; it can be dangerous and even deadly for pets. A 2024 report from the SPCA of Texas shows the state ranks number one in the nation for heat?related pet deaths, a statistic that worries veterinarians across East Texas. Our news partner KETK talked to Dr. Gary Spence of Spence & White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler. Dr. Spence says the extreme temperatures seen across the region each summer put all dogs at risk.
“Hot weather, particularly in Texas, is a big challenge because we get such heat extremes,” Spence said.
While any dog can suffer from heat stroke, he says, overweight, elderly and long-haired dogs are especially vulnerable. Warning signs can appear quickly. Read the rest of this entry »
Tyler – Early Voting for the City of Tyler mayor runoff election is set for June 1-9. Stuart Hene is currently serving as a Tyler City Councilmember and John Nix is a former City Councilmember are running for the position.
Early voting hours will be:
*8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 1-5
*9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6
*8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 8-9. Read the rest of this entry »
FRANKSTON – Firefighters are currently working to extinguish a large structure fire at a gas station in Frankston. The fire was reported to have occurred at the Sunoco gas station on East Pine Street, across from Dairy Queen, on Tuesday afternoon. It is unknown at this time whether any injuries occurred during the fire.
TYLER — As summer temperatures reach a high in East Texas, it’s important to stay safe and keep yourself protected in extreme heat. Our news partner KETK has put together a guide to staying safe and cool in these hot temperatures. Extreme heat is defined as a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days, according to Ready, a U.S. government campaign designed to educate the American people. Children, those older than 65, and people who are sick or overweight, are at a greater risk of heat-related illness. Humidity helps to increase the feeling of heat, experts say.
UT Health Sports Medicine physician, Dr. Robert French, said to prevent heat cramps, “Hydrate in the morning, hydrate during activity, hydrate after activity. Having that pre-hydration part down before you start practice is the more important thing.” Dr. French said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A 5-year-old child is currently in critical condition at a hospital in Dallas after they were shot at an apartment in Tyler on Friday night. The FBI is now offering up to $4,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect involved in the shooting. People are urged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers is also offering up to $2,000 through June 5, which can be submitted anonymously by calling 903-597-CUFF (2833) or online at CUFF903.org.
The Tyler Police Department said the case is still under investigation.
According to the Tyler Police Department, officers responded to a reported shooting in an apartment complex at 2700 N. Grand Avenue at around 10:45 p.m. on Friday. The officers arrived at the scene and found that a five-year-old had been shot. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — As Downtown Tyler continues their improvement project, several roadways that have been closed throughout the construction were expected to reopen on Monday, but will be forced to remain closed due to delays.
“Due to a construction delay over the weekend, the streets originally scheduled to reopen on Monday, June 1, will remain closed temporarily,” the City of Tyler said. “The contractor was unable to complete the work as planned, which has delayed the final steps needed to safely reopen the area.”
According to our news partner KETK, once the roadways are reopened, drivers should be cautious due to new traffic patterns issued across downtown.
The intersection of North College Avenue and West Erwin Street was originally slated to reopen on Monday, but is now uncertain when the street will reopen as the city enters phase two of its downtown improvement project. After reopening, West Erwin Street will operate as a two-way road, allowing drivers heading north on North Broadway Avenue to turn left onto West Erwin Street. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – A quick response and some enterprising investigative work by Marshall Police Department patrol officers led to the recovery of stolen property and the arrest of a suspect after a reported theft Friday afternoon, May 29.
At approximately 2:46 p.m., Friday, officers responded to the Wingwood Terrace area regarding the theft of a weed trimmer that had been taken from a resident’s driveway. Officers obtained surveillance footage from the victim’s security camera and were able to identify a vehicle believed connected to the theft.
While following up on the investigation, an officer began checking local pawn shops and located the suspect vehicle at one of the businesses. The suspect was found inside the pawn shop attempting to pawn the stolen weed trimmer. During the investigation, officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered a chainsaw believed to be stolen. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The first phase of Tyler’s Downtown Revitalization Project is now complete, as city leaders celebrated the reopening of Erwin Street and College Avenue to two-way traffic on Friday.
Construction on Erwin Street and College Avenue started in September, during which detours, barricades, and limited access made it harder for customers to reach local businesses. Rick’s manager, J. Wright Witcher, said Rick’s and neighboring businesses have experienced a 30% decrease in profit since September. However, with Erwin Street opening back, Witcher is viewing it as a silver lining due to the street’s accessibility to Rick’s.
“It’s a lot more walkable, so we’re going to have some parking spots, and it’s going to be a lot better, you’ll be able to drive through Erwin,” Witcher said.
Phase two of the project began Monday, and no parking will be allowed on the south side of West Reguson Street, while Broadway and Erwin will have a protected left light. An increase in police presence will also be in the area to help facilitate the traffic change.
TYLER – Jury selection for the trial of the man accused of the 2023 murder of an 18-year-old Tyler woman will begin in September. Jamaurea Jermaine Britton is accused of capital murder in connection with the September 2023 beating, strangling, and stabbing death of 18-year-old Dejah Hood, according to the police.
During a hearing on Monday, the state, defense and judge discussed scheduling ahead of the trial in the 114th District Court. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Sept. 14. The jury summons for a panel of jurors will be sent out in August. The trial is set for Oct. 5. Read the rest of this entry »
LAKE CHEROKEE – An elderly person was found dead in Lake Cherokee on Saturday after they were reported missing, according to the Elderville-Lakeport Fire Department and our news partner KETK. Elderville-Lakeport Fire Department firefighters were sent out to the south part of Lake Cherokee at around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday to help look for a potential missing person.
After they arrived at the scene, they learned that an elderly person may have entered the lake. The Longview Fire Department Water Rescue Team, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, the Lake Cherokee Lake Patrol and Christus EMS were then brought out to the lake to help search for this missing elderly person.
The Longview Fire Department Water Rescue Team started looking for the person underwater and a short time later, they found the missing elderly person dead in the lake. Their body was recovered from the lake and officials are currently waiting to release their identity to the public.
“The Elderville-Lakeport Fire Department extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss,” the Elderville-Lakeport Fire Department said.
LAKE CHEROKEE — An elderly person was found dead in Lake Cherokee on Saturday after they were reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, Elderville-Lakeport Fire Department firefighters responded to the south part of Lake Cherokee around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday to help look for a potential missing person. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office identified Kenton Brandon as the 70-year-old man who was found.
After they arrived at the scene, they learned that an elderly person may have entered the lake. The Longview Fire Department Water Rescue Team, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, the Lake Cherokee Lake Patrol and Christus EMS were then brought out to the lake to help search for this missing elderly person.
The Longview Fire Department Water Rescue Team started looking for the person underwater and a short time later, they found the missing elderly person dead in the lake. Read the rest of this entry »
TENNESSEE COLONY — The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, arriving deputies found Joni Williams, 54 of Tennessee Colony, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Judge Tammy Lightfoot responded to the scene of the shooting to pronounce Williams dead and she also ordered an autopsy. Authorities are apparently attempting to contact her ex-boyfriend for questioning.
On Saturday, at around 5:45 p.m., the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Williams’ ex-boyfriend Bruce Kenton Jeffers, 65 was arrested by an Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper on Interstate 10 near Benson, Arizona. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The Rusk Police Department announced that Alexander Reign Ramirez was found safe and is back with a parent.
RUSK – The Rusk Police Department is currently searching for missing 10-year-old Alexander Reign Ramirez, who was last seen on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Ramirez is a 10-year-old Hispanic boy who weighs around 80 pounds and is 4-foot 10-inches tall. He was last seen at his home in Rusk at around 9 p.m. on Friday. He was wearing black basketball pants, a black t-shirt and grey On Cloud tennis shoes when he was last seen.
Rusk PD is also trying to contact Ramirez’s mother Maritza Marquez, as they continue to search for her son. Anyone who sees Alexander or has information is asked to call Rusk PD at 903-683-2677 or the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.
SMITH COUNTY — Tyler Police are investigating a Friday night shooting that left a 5-year-old in critical condition. It happened around 10:45 at an apartment complex on north Grand Ave. Arriving officers found the child with an apparent gunshot wound. The child was taken to a local hospital, then flown to Dallas and is in critical condition. No other injuries were reported. Police found multiple shell casings at the location. The suspect is at large and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or for a cash reward of up to $1,000, tips can be submitted 100% anonymously to Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers by calling 903-597-CUFF (2833), through the P3 Tips app (available on Android and Apple), or online at CUFF903.org. Tips must be submitted through Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a reward.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $4,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this individual. If you have any information concerning this investigation, please call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
SMITH COUNTY — As Smith County election crews prepare for another election on June 13, workers are doing their best to fight fatigue, according to our news partner KETK. For the third time in less than a month, Smith County election officials are setting up polling locations.
“Actively working on the May 2 election, the May 26 election and the June 13th election all at the same time,” Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said.
The June 13 runoff election will see Tyler residents choose their new mayor, and with early voting starting on Monday, people like Charlie Coleman are working behind the scenes. Read the rest of this entry »