Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
LONGVIEW – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a driver died on Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency that caused a multi-vehicle wreck, the Longview Police Department said.
Officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Hollybrook Drive and Judson Road on Tuesday at around 12:20 p.m. During the course of the investigation, officials learned that a black vehicle was being driven by a person experiencing a medical emergency, and was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed to a medical center.
“The driver ran a red light at the intersection and collided with two other vehicles,” the police department said. “The driver of the black passenger car was transported to a local medical facility and was later pronounced dead.”
Another individual was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The police department said no charges are pending in this investigation.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The repair project on I-20, near CR 2112 (Mile Marker 518, west of Canton) in Van Zandt County, has hit a snag after a paver issue last night. According to TxDOT, the contractor is working to fix the issue by this afternoon or evening. The westbound, outside lane will remain closed throughout Wednesday. The roadway is expected to reopen tomorrow morning, Thursday April 10, at 6 am. Drivers should expect lengthy delays.
NACOGDOCHES – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, a former Nacogdoches ISD teacher received minimum two-year sentence after sexually assaulting a student in 2023.
Annaleigh Andrews, 26 of Nacogdoches, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault of a child and three counts of online solicitation of a minor back in August 2024. Nacogdoches County Assistant District Attorney Amy Wren, said that Andrews was sentenced to a total of two years for all counts.
Andrews was a reading interventionist at McMichael Middle School. During the summer break following the 2022-2023 school year, Andrews starting communicating with the victim and took the victim to what they described as a “mansion.” The victim was sexually assaulted multiple times at this “mansion” and at Banita Creek Park. Andrews also asked the victim to meet her at selected locations and used marijuana with the victim, the DA’s office said. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDEN – A man who fled from police following a disturbance involving a weapon on Monday afternoon has been apprehended, according to the Linden Police Department.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that officers responded to the scene at the Thomas Street Apartments, where they quickly secured the area. The suspect, later identified as Jacorey Birmingham, allegedly fled before officers arrived but was eventually located and detained. The weapon involved was also recovered and secured.
Birmingham has been arrested on charges of unlawful restraint, deadly conduct and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit additional felonies, the Linden Police Department confirmed.
“We thank our officers for their swift response and dedication to ensuring safety in our community,” the police department said.
EAST TEXAS — Texas Rep. Cody Harris, of Palestine, appeared before the House Public Health Committee on Monday afternoon to present HB 3717, which would help fund clinical trials for ibogaine, a psychedelic compound that could treat opioid addiction. According to our news partner KETK, through this bill, Harris aims to take on the addiction with a particular focus on veterans. According to the National Institutes of Health, drug overdose mortality rates among U.S. military veterans rose by 53% between 2010 and 2019.
As opioid-related deaths continue to devastate families across the country, Harris said this legislation could be a crucial first step in offering new hope to those already battling the addiction.
“Funding a grant program for a ibogaine clinical trial isn’t just a policy choice,” Harris said on Monday. “It’s a lifeline, a chance to pull our neighbors, our heroes and our loved ones back from the edge.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Commissioners Court approved a resolution on Tuesday, dedicating April 2025 as National County Government Month for Smith County government. According to our news partner KETK, this resolution will recognize the more than 900 Smith County government employees who work everyday to create safe and healthy communities. Officials encourage residents to learn more about the services that county governments provide such as veterans services, criminal and civil emergency courts systems, elections and public safety.
Smith County holds 29 elected officials and 16 department heads. They help figure out ways to keep systems running such as fire investigations, tax offices and the sheriff’s office in ways that are cost effective for the community.
There are currently 3,069 counties serving more than 330 million Americans by protecting the peace and tranquility of their respective communities. Smith County encourages everyone across the county to learn more about the people who serve in local government.
SMITH COUNTY — The 2025 State of the County Luncheon was held in Smith County on Tuesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, during the luncheon, a presentation by Smith County Judge Neal Franklin provided residents with several updates about the newest projects and events going on in the county. Franklin stated that the theme of this year’s event is collaboration, due to the countries’ efforts to work with others to achieve their goals.
“We have got a lot of things going with a lot of different entities and our goal is to work together and make these things happen,” Franklin said.
Franklin provided residents with an update about the new courthouse that is currently under construction. “The courthouse is going well, and we are getting to the point where we were almost off the ground,” Franklin said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, because of the severe weather that hit east Texas last week, Bowie County, Cass County and Morris County have all issued local disaster declarations. The declarations will last for seven days and activate each county’s emergency management plans so they can better recover from severe weather damage. The National Weather Service said that Lone Star in Morris County on Friday was hit by a EF-2 tornado that caused damage to trees and several homes.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Rusk man attempted to flee from deputies Tuesday morning during his court ordered probation hearing, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Krystopher Michael Free, 26 of Rusk, was at a court ordered probation hearing in the 369th District Court in Rusk when the presiding judge ordered Free to be taken into custody. Officials said Free attempted to run from the courtroom as a Cherokee County Bailiff tried to take him into custody. Deputies and the bailiff were able to take Free into custody after a brief struggle with one of the bailiffs receiving minor injuries.
Free was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries, and once discharged, he was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on charges of assault of a public servant and evading and resisting arrest.
LINDEN – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a man was arrested on Monday after he threw a bag out the window of a vehicle at Family Dollar in Linden filled with a “white crystalline substance”.
According to the Linden Police Department, an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle with a headlight out in the parking lot of Family Dollar at 604 W. Houston St. As the vehicle parked, the officer noticed what appeared to be trash thrown out the window.
Officials said that upon further investigation the officer discovered that the “trash” was actually illegal narcotics that had been thrown out. The officer found that the illegal narcotics consisted of a bag containing smaller bags filled with a white crystalline substance. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – A five-year-old was reportedly left in a car for nearly five hours after the driver and family members went to a Houston sporting event, the Lufkin Police Department said.
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of N. Timberland Drive at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a report of a child behind left in a vehicle.
“The officers could not get the child to respond to knocks on the window, so they broke the driver’s side window and removed the child, who was taken to a local hospital to be examined,” the police department said. Read the rest of this entry »
LUFKIN – A Nacogdoches minor was hospitalized on Sunday night after being shot from a vehicle in the 600 block of Kurth Drive according to a report by our news partner KETK.
The minor told Lufkin Police officers he was walking home after a night out with friends when a suspicious vehicle pulled up and fired twice. LPD Detective Cody Deal said one of the shots struck the minor in abdomen. He then hid behind a building across the street and contacted his friends for help. Once he arrived at a hospital in Houston, a nurse reported the shooting to Lufkin police. The minor’s condition is not available and the shooting is still being investigated.
UPDATE: The Bullard Police Department say they have identified the individuals involved in the tire slashing spree, according to our news partner KETK. The next few steps will include completing arrest warrants and “initiating the formal processing of the individuals identified.”
BULLARD — Those living near Bullard Middle School are asked to check their security cameras following a tire slashing spree that occurred overnight Sunday.
Man accused of attempted murder at Nacogdoches law firm, documents show
The Bullard Police Department received several reports of slashed tires and are now actively investigating the case. Residents are asked to check their security cameras from Sunday night into Monday morning, especially those living near West Ridge, Bullard Creek Ranch and The Mosley additions.
“Your help is vital in keeping our community safe,” the police department said. “Thank you for your vigilance and continued support.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Bullard PD at 903-894-7788.
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, a Tyler man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the July 4, 2024 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Rawly Sanchez, according judicial records.
Seferino Bautista-Renteria, owner of Bautista Auto Sales in Tyler, was found guilty of murder before 114th District Court Judge Reeve Jackson on Thursday. On Monday, Renteria was sentenced to 60 years in state prison and was given a 277-day jail credit, judicial records show. Renteria was arrested after Sanchez was shot in the back of the head while riding in the backseat of a truck on the night of July 4, 2024, according to an arrest affidavit.
The truck was turning behind Bautista Auto Sales when the affidavit said the driver reported seeing a person with an AK-47-style rifle who started shooting.
Sanchez was then driven to a local hospital where he died. An affidavit for Renteria’s arrest said his wife and son were interviewed at the scene by law enforcement and they reported losing sight of him during the shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD – Those living near Bullard Middle School are asked to check their security cameras following a tire slashing spree that occurred overnight Sunday, according to a report from KETK.
The Bullard Police Department received several reports of slashed tires and are now actively investigating the case. Residents are asked to check their security cameras from Sunday night into Monday morning, especially those living near West Ridge, Bullard Creek Ranch and The Mosley additions.
“Your help is vital in keeping our community safe,” the police department said. “Thank you for your vigilance and continued support.”