Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
GILMER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Union Hill ISD near Gilmer cancelled classes on Monday and Tuesday after the awning at the front of their elementary school collapsed during recent severe weather.
“I would like to say that it looks way worse than what it is,” Union Hill ISD Superintendent John Booth said on Monday. “… the front of the school was was damaged, but the structure of the elementary was not damaged.”
According to Booth, the district’s junior high and high school campuses were undamaged except for some damage to the roof of their gymnasium. Once class resumes on Wednesday, Union Hill ISD elementary school students will have their classrooms changed to rooms in the high school and junior high until the elementary school can be cleaned up. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man was arrested Sunday morning after officers were alerted of a possible in-progress murder plot at a Nacogdoches law firm. The Nacogdoches Police Department said officers received a call Sunday morning from a concerned citizen that a person intended to commit a murder.
Officers were able to locate and secure the intended victim while also finding the suspect. Jessie Dale Cashion, 44 of Lufkin, was located, along with a firearm, at a Nacogdoches law firm.
During the investigation, officers developed a probable cause to make the arrest of Cashion for attempted murder. He’s being held at Nacogdoches County Jail.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that two men were arrested in Henderson County early Sunday morning after narcotics investigators discovered suspected meth underneath the frame of a car.
According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, around 12:33 a.m. narcotics investigators conducted a traffic stop on a black Cadillac inside the Bonita Point Subdivision near Gun Barrel City where they located a large gallon size bag of suspected meth concealed underneath the frame of the vehicle.
Officers said that the passenger, Cody Ray Harper, 32 of Arlington, threw a baggie with suspected meth out of the passenger window onto the roadway while the driver, Dustin Sky Reneau, 38 of Fort Worth, had three theft related felony warrants out for his arrest. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, an arrest affidavit for three Tyler ISD staff members has shed new details on an incident in which a student’s hands were bound with tape, and they were forced to walk for hours.
Documents obtained from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office show that Tyler High School administration contacted the Tyler ISD police department to request camera footage from the Life Skills room on March 12. An administration staff member stated that the incident likely occurred in the afternoon, as the student’s hands were still red when he got off the bus. They also mentioned speaking with an aide in the room, who indicated that the incident occurred before lunch, but was unsure how long the student’s hands had been taped. Read the rest of this entry »
LONE STAR – The City of Lone Star has issued a mandatory curfew for its residents following the severe weather Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the curfew, starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 8 a.m. until further notice.
The curfew order said that citizens in these areas of of Lone Star are required to remain indoors unless performing essential work or if an emergency occurs: Williamsburg Street, Sunnybrook Street, Northhaven Drive , Woodcrest Street, Wild Rose Street, Devereau Drive, Bunt Drive, Leslie Drive, City Park and Baptist Encampment.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Storms that ripped through the area on Friday night left severe damage and flooding all across East Texas according to our news partner KETK. The City of Lindale had water overflowing into parts of downtown and multiple county roads. Lindale Candy Company’s building experienced flooding and closed their candy viewing area due to the extensive water in the back of the store. Lindale’s Lorraine Lake washed out after the dam broke due to the high rainwater.
Smith County was not the only one’s dealing with Friday night’s storms, another intense storm ripped through the town of Hawkins. The strong winds downed trees and powerlines blocking people from reaching their homes like Jay Boyce who had trees blocking his road.
“A tornado just passed through here and it knocked down everything,” Boyce said. “It blew off the roofs of houses, trees and knocked down 100-year-old trees. We’re just trying to get home to our houses.” Read the rest of this entry »
CANTON – The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Van Zandt County on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, a NWS storm survey team found that the tornado touched down 9.5 miles east of Canton along CR 1321 and moved northeast passing Grand Saline. It crossed Highway 80 and then lifted north of Silver Lake.
A home along FM 1255 lost part of it’s wall and NWS said another home on FM 1255 near CR 1605 had roof and porch damage. According to NWS, tornado had an estimated peak wind speed of 80 miles per hour and a maximum width of 75 yards.
NWS added that the tornado may have passed into Wood County for a short time but they couldn’t confirm that it did because of a lack of roads. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – Lorraine Lake in Lindale has been washed out by flooding that hit the East Texas community on Friday night.
Witnesses at the scene told our news partner, KETK, that the water in the lake had risen above the lake line, spilling over a dam on the edge of the lake.
The lake is connected to North Prairie Creek and is surrounded by many private properties with docks and piers on the lake off of Spring Drive and Hillside Lane.
The City of Lindale hasn’t commented on the lake washing out but on Friday Lindale Mayor Gavin Rasco thanked first responders for serving the community during the flooding. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY –Several Smith County roads are closed due to high water crossings and trees and power lines down, according to a news release from the county. Roads closed for downed trees include: CR 1125, 1134, 313 west, 4129, 485, 4105, 4126, 423, 4127, 4106 and 4104. CR 313 east and 4126 (off of the CR 4106 side) are closed due to downed power lines. County roads closed because of high water include: CR 463, 411, 474 and 4129.
TYLER — Severe storm activity hit East Texas hard Friday night. After severe weather hit East Texas, about 2,050 customers are reportedly without power as of 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The power outage had 25,000 customers without power during the peak of storm activity Friday and early Saturday. Our news partner KETK, has a county by county breakout of where power outages are still occurring in our region. You can see that list here.
TYLER – A Tyler man was found guilty of the July 4, 2024 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Rawly Sanchez, according to our news partner, KETK.
Seferino Bautista-Renteria, owner of Bautista Auto Sales in Tyler, was found guilty of murder before 114th District Court Judge Reeve Jackson on Monday. According to court staff, Renteria’s sentencing hearing will begin on Monday.
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. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – As severe weather hits East Texas, several school districts have announced they will be releasing students early on Friday to ensure students and staff stay safe.
As we head into Friday afternoon, severe storms are predicted with the possibility of creating hail or tornadoes. To ensure student and staff safety, our news partner, KETK, has compiled a list of schools that will release students early. To view the full list, click here.
NEW LONDON – Parents are pushing for the 2025 school bond project which includes a new elementary building. According to our news partner, KETK, it would be the third time voters are asked this question following two previous failed attempts.
West Rusk parents who drop their children off every morning at the elementary school said they are concerned with the current conditions. Some of the problems include leaks, aging floor, mold and have termite damage in their classrooms and windows that leak during rain.
“My daughter cannot run in the gym in certain spots because the floors buckled up so high and kids will trip and fall,” concerned parent Nathan Bishop said. “The kids have to bring their own water because we can’t drink out of the water fountain.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – 24 dogs and 3 cats have been seized from the Lanellas Rescue and Sanctuary due to alleged animal cruelty, according to our news partner, KETK.
After receiving a tip about animal cruelty on March 24, members of the Smith County Animal Shelter (SCAS) arrived at Lanellas Rescue and Sanctuary, and found several animals to be emaciated.
SCAS supervisor Amber Green told KETK that Lanellas owner Bonnie Kelley was given a time limit to take the animals to the vet to receive rabies shots and vaccinations. In the agreed time period, Kelley reportedly took only seven or eight of the 27 animals to receive care. Due to Kelley failing to meet the agreement, Green said SACS obtained a warrant and seized all 24 dogs and 3 cats from the property. Read the rest of this entry »
BULLARD – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 69 near Bullard slows traffic Friday morning.
The multi-vehicle crash is out of the roadway but is slowing northbound traffic. Drivers in the area are encouraged to use caution and watch for emergency personnel in the roadway. Information regarding the crash will be updated as it becomes available.