Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
LONGVIEW — A Longview doctor has pleaded guilty to a 2022 charge of sexual assault against a child, according to our news partner KETK.
The Texas Medical Board issued a suspension order after two of Matt Hipke’s former patients, both male under 17, accused him of sexual assault. This led the board to investigate Hipke and suspend his license. They then learned that Hipke had been previously accused of sexually assaulting another patient in 2018. Records show that neither child provided specific details to their parents or guardians regarding the scope or extent of the alleged inappropriate touching. After interviewing the two victims, police obtained a search warrant for Hipke’s office where they located inappropriate images of children on his computer.
Following this investigation, Hipke was arrested in August 2020 on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and was released on a $1 million bond. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A Longview officer has received an award from the police department after saving a teacher’s life last year.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that in September 2024, Josh Marrs took action after a teacher at Spring Hill ISD became unresponsive during class. After being alerted by the school’s nurse, Marrs quickly arrived in the classroom and began chest compressions and guided the team in using the AED prior to EMS arriving.
According to the police department, the teacher was stabilized and transported to the hospital. Marrs was credited by the school nurse with saving the teacher’s life, and believes she would not have been able to manage the situation without his support.
Due to Marrs heroic actions, he was bestowed the Lifesaving Award by the police department on Thursday afternoon.
RUSK – The Rusk Police Department’s chief has been placed on leave pending an active city investigation.
According to City Manager Bob Goldsberry, Rusk’s Chief of Police Scott Heagney was placed on administrative paid leave Wednesday after a complaint was filed against him.
Goldsberry said Sgt. Jeremy Farmer will be in charge of day-to-day operations while investigation is active.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that officials have not released details of the investigation, however, Goldsberry said the city will provide details once it has concluded.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an 80-year-old man was arrested on March 30, after he allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting two children in his 18-wheeler. According to the arrest affidavit obtained through the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 14 deputies requested investigators to interview a suspect who sexually assaulted a five and eight-year-old more than once “over a period of time.”
On March 18, investigators interviewed the suspect, Randall Tee Tidwell, 80 of Kemp, at the Henderson County help center office in Athens, Officers advised Tidwell he was free to leave and was not under arrest. During the interview, Tidwell reportedly said he participated in the sexual assault of a five-year-old and eight-year-old, more than once, in an 18-wheeler he drives for work. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a cyber tip submitted to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of a 20-year-old, who allegedly confessed to being in possession of child pornography.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained from the sheriff’s office, around 9:24 a.m. on Feb. 26, a Henderson County officer was assigned a CyberTip for an investigation by the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Two minutes later, that tip escalated due to the risk of new child sexual abuse material being produced.
The report listed a total of 17 files including, eight which appeared to be self produced and four that were listed “as an AI classification.” Eleven of those files were listed as “pubescent minor engaging in a sexual act”, and one file was listed as a “pubescent minor in lascivious exhibition”. Read the rest of this entry »
GRAND SALINE – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, a suspect is still at large after a high-speed motorcycle pursuit Thursday morning in Grand Saline.
Around 1 a.m., officers were notified by the Mineola Police Department about a blue sports motorcycle heading west on U.S. Highway 80 towards Grand Saline at speeds of 122 mph.
At around 1:10 a.m., officers located the bike entering city limits on U.S. Highway 80 near east city limits headed westbound at a speed of 120 mph. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the bike accelerated and continued westbound at speeds over 140 mph. After a short pursuit, the motorcycle turned back north on Main Street from U.S. 80 where officers lost sight of him. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the East Texas State Fair announced Wednesday morning that PRORODEO will be coming to the 2025 fair in September.
The East Texas State Fair is partnering with Cavender’s to bring a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)-sanctioned rodeo to Tyler, welcoming PRORODEO athletes across the country to East Texas. The rodeo will take place during the first weekend of the fair, Sept. 19 through Sept. 21 and will feature events including bull riding, barrel racing and team roping, along with entertainment for all ages. The Texas founded western store and fair sponsor, Cavender’s is also excited to be apart of this major milestone for the East Texas community. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, multiple traffic signals are without power throughout the city including several on Broadway Avenue. The traffic operations department has deployed generators however some intersections will remain without power. According to an Oncor representative, a transformer fell at a substation at the intersection of Grande Boulevard and Broadway Avenue.
“Drivers should treat a ‘dark’ traffic signal as a four-way stop—each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn to proceed through the intersection,” city officials said.
Oncor said power should be restored at around 1:30 p.m. and about 6,300 customers have been affected.
TYLER — A reminder from our news partner KETK, Texans have until April 3 to register to vote for the upcoming May elections. Early voting begins April 22 and runs through April 29 while Election Day is May 3.
How to check if you’re registered to vote: Residents are encouraged to contact their county voter registrar since voting in Texas is county-based and Texan residents can go to Am I registered? to see if they’re eligible to vote. Residents who have recently changed their name can update their registration status here.
How to register to vote: To register to vote in Texas, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of the county in which they plan to vote. They must also not be convicted of any felonies, unless their rights have been restored.
Voters can register by completing a voter registration form online through the Texas Secretary of State’s website or by obtaining a form from their local county voter registrar’s office. Once completed, the form must be mailed to the registrar’s office. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
Traffic Alert: Tyler traffic signals down, drive accordingly – The City of Tyler informs KTBB that because of a power outage, multiple traffic signals are without power, including many along Broadway. The Traffic Operations Department is sending out generators, but, some intersections may be without power. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: An Oncor representative said that as of 1:35 p.m., all power has been restored.
TYLER – The City of Tyler informs KTBB that because of a power outage, multiple traffic signals are without power, including many along Broadway. The Traffic Operations Department is sending out generators, but, some intersections may be without power. Travelers should regard any “dark” traffic signal as a four-way stop. With each vehicle stopping completely before proceeding through the intersection. Oncor expects power to be restored as soon as possible.
GLADEWATER – The Gladewater Police Department is seeking information after residents reported gunshots and damage to their properties on Tuesday night.
According to our news partner, KETK, around 10:50 p.m. officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 200 block of W. Gay Avenue and spoke with residents who heard gunshots and found damage to their homes.
Officials said there was no reported injuries but they found multiple shell casing on the walkway near the intersection of W. Gay Avenue and Canfield Street and “apparent bullet holes” in a fence running parallel to the walkway.
After officers searched the area and talked to residents, officials said the incident appears to be connected to an earlier disturbance involving a vehicle matching the description provided by witnesses. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a special event was held at Moore Middle School in Tyler on Tuesday to warn kids about the danger of using tobacco products.
The event was held on Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action to celebrated the recent Healthy Bodies Tobacco Prevention $1,500 grant the school received from the National PTA. The grant will go towards enhancing the school’s outdoor courtyard space including adding a pickleball court, storage space, and healthy recreational opportunities.
“We want our students to understand the risks of tobacco use and empower them to make decisions that support their well-being,” Ballard said. “This grant allows us to provide positive, enriching activities that keep our students engaged and active.” Read the rest of this entry »
HAWKINS — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man has been arrested for murder after he allegedly shot and killed another man while dropping off his son with the son’s mother. Witnesses say the man was carrying his son during the shooting.
On Friday at around 11:52 a.m., Texas Rangers arrived to the scene of a shooting in the 1000 block of N. Beaulah Street where they found a man laying in the dirt driveway with a white sheet covering him. When the Hawkins Police Department arrived to the scene prior to the Texas Rangers, they found a man, later identified as Shawn Moore, standing in the driveway with a black handgun in his holster.
The police department was then able to remove the handgun and detained him. EMS then checked on the victim, identified as Mitchell Wayne Palmer, who was dead. Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Jerry Parker then officially pronounced Palmer dead at 11:58 a.m. Texas Rangers observed the victim to have two entry wounds in his chest and another wound over his right collarbone. Read the rest of this entry »
TERRELL – Trinity Valley Community College confirmed a potential measles exposure on their Terrell campus Tuesday afternoon.
According to a report from our news partner, KETK, on Tuesday a TVCC student reported to administration that they have been exposed to a confirmed case of measles. After receiving this information, TVCC President Dr. Jason Morrison, Ed.D and adminstration worked together to develop a plan to prevent further exposure.
“Our top priority is the health and well-being of our students, staff, and faculty,” Morrison said. “We are working closely to monitor the situation and take necessary precautions to protect our campus community.” Read the rest of this entry »