Today is
Thursday July 23, 2026
LONGVIEW —Several members of the Longview Fire Department were honored by Governor Abbott recently for their heroic efforts. The incident occurred during the morning of Feb. 28 after a hot air balloon carrying two people crashed into a 920-foot cell tower. Once on the scene, firefighters began using multiple rope systems to safely remove both people from the balloon and bring them back to the ground.
The firefighters who helped safely remove both people from the balloon were honored by Abbott at the department’s annual banquet last Saturday.
“We were deeply honored to welcome Governor Abbott and his team, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Longview and every one of our incredible sponsors,” the Longview Fire Department said. “Your support and generosity transformed this evening into a night to remember for all our members and their families.”
TYLER – John Gomez, a Tyler-based priest, has been appointed the second bishop of the Diocese of Laredo, the Vatican announced Friday. Gomez’s episcopal ordination and installation as the Bishop of Laredo will be held on June 30, and a farewell celebration in Tyler will be announced soon.
“His experience in diocesan administration as Judicial Vicar and Vicar General, his experience in parish ministry, and his commitment to Hispanic Ministry will serve him well in his new ministry as the second Bishop of Laredo,” Diocese of Tyler Bishop Gregory Kelly said. “I am also grateful to Bishop-elect Gomez for his help to me over this last year as a new bishop in Tyler and will miss his presence and ministry.” Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – One person is in jail after Marshall Police Department responded to a street racing incident Friday evening. Officers answered a call at Pinecrest Drive across from D&D automotive, in Marshall at around 10 p.m. Once there, the officers saw two vehicles racing on the street. One of the vehicles attempted to flee the area but was stopped by officers a short time later.
The driver, identified as 30-year-old Timothy Dawon Perry was taken into custody. Perry was charged with racing on the street and driving with a suspended license from a previous convictions. He was also found to have two outstanding warrants. Perry’s vehicle was impounded following his arrest.
TYLER – After years of planning, the future Blackstone Hotel took another visible step forward as Valencia Hotel Group and the City of Tyler gathered on Friday, for the Blackstone Hotel Site Celebration in Downtown Tyler.
Held in the Plaza Tower Atrium, the event brought together guests to mark the progress of the project . During the event, Valencia Hotel Group President and CEO Doyle Graham presented Mayor Don Warren with a plaque in appreciation of his support for the hotel project and his commitment to Downtown Tyler’s continued growth.
The future Blackstone Hotel will bring a full-service hotel experience to Downtown Tyler, with plans for 140 guest rooms, 5,700 square feet of meeting space, and conveniences designed to serve both visitors and the local community. In addition to welcoming overnight guests, the hotel is expected to create new opportunities for conferences, weddings, celebrations, and other gatherings in the city’s core.
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SMITH COUNTY – Smith County will have 18 voting centers open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Saturday, May 2. There are several city and school elections, including Tyler mayor and a special-called bond election for Tyler Junior College.
There were 8,653 ballots cast (7,754 in-person and 899 mail-in ballots during early voting. That is 6.4 percent of the 135,424 registered voters eligible for this election.
The cities of Tyler, Hideaway, Lindale and Winona; and the independent school districts of Lindale and Tyler District 4 are having elections. The City of Lindale is also holding a special election for a charter amendment.
There are some Van Zandt County residents who are eligible to vote in the TJC Bond Election. Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said about 50 have voted so far. The voting center in Garden Valley is most convenient for these voters, as it is near the Van Zandt County line.
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FRANKSTON — A Frankston ISD parent has filed a federal lawsuit accusing a high school basketball coach and teacher of sexual harassment and retaliation, alleging her son’s playing time and grades were impacted after she rejected the coach’s advances. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, names head basketball coach and economics teacher Vance Dallas and Frankston ISD as defendants, according to our news partner KETK.
According to the complaint, the student’s mother alleges Dallas made repeated unwanted sexual advances toward her during the school year and tied her son’s athletic opportunities to her compliance. The lawsuit claims that in December, Dallas asked her to share an adjoining hotel room during an out-of-town basketball tournament, allegedly implying her son would receive more playing time if she agreed.
In another instance, the complaint alleges Dallas asked her in November 2025 to model a basketball uniform “wearing only the uniform,” again tying the request to a potential starting position for her son. Read the rest of this entry »
SEVEN POINTS – Mold and water damage have compromised police evidence left for months inside an abandoned former city hall building, once used by the Seven Points Police Department. One case is already in jeopardy — and more could follow.
According to our news partner KETK, the City of Seven Points received an email from the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office on April 22 requesting evidence for an active criminal case. But when staff searched their new evidence storage container, the requested evidence was nowhere to be found.
Back in March 2025, the City of Seven Points City Hall and police station building at 428. E Cedar Creek Parkway was significantly damaged in a storm. The roof was ripped off from the police station side of the building during the storm, taking out a electricity pole in the process and leaving the structure without power.
According to the City of Seven Points, power could not be restored to the former city hall building, prompting the mayor and police chief to coordinate a relocation plan. Mayor Keith Betts was responsible for moving the city’s administrative offices and records, while former Police Chief Raymond Wennerstrom was tasked with overseeing the police department’s move, including the transfer of its evidence room. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Smith County Judge Neal Franklin and members of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office stopped by Bell Elementary School in Tyler on Thursday to chat with local students. As a part of National County Government Month, Franklin and members of the sheriff’s office’s K-9 team showed up outside the school on Thursday with the county’s new Terradyne armored law enforcement vehicle, that students got to look inside of and learn about.
Bell Elementary recently became a partner with Smith County through the new Community Connect Program from the Tyler Area Business Education Council and Tyler ISD. Students also got to meet with the K-9 team, who told them about the work they do and the role that dogs like K-9 Bella serve in law enforcement.
SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County man is back in jail after he allegedly violated the terms of his probation, a sentence he received in 2025 after admitting to drinking alcohol before the crash that killed both of his parents, according to our news partner KETK.
In an arrest report, Jose Bravo Jr. was driving southwest on FM 2767, across from Jackson Elementary, with his parents on March 24, 2024. Bravo Jr. claimed a dog ran in front of his car, forcing him to swerve to avoid it and causing him to lose control of the vehicle and travel off the roadway.
After Bravo Jr. and his parents were ejected from the vehicle, officials arrived on the scene and transported Bravo Jr. to a hospital. His father, Jose Bravo Delgado, was pronounced dead on the scene, and his mother, Santa Lucia Bravo, was taken to a hospital in Tyler, where she died two days later after succumbing to her injuries caused during the crash.
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GREGG COUNTY – A former Gregg County deputy received a sentence of 180 days in jail after pleading guilty to two DWI charges last week. Joshua Tubb was arrested by the Kilgore Police Department two days in a row last December for driving while intoxicated. Following these arrests, Tubb resigned from his position with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office.
Following his guilty plea on April 24, the court sentenced Tubb to serve 180 days in jail. He was also ordered to complete two years of probation with 80 hours of community service and must pay a $2,000 fine.
HALLSVILLE – A Hallsville man was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Tuesday after he was arrested in 2024 for possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Kevin Barnett was arrested in October 2024 following an investigation launched by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office after they received a call from the Texas Child Protection Services regarding a juvenile victim being “photographed inappropriately.”
After obtaining a warrant for Barnett’s arrest, they found him to have multiple videos containing child pornography and subsequently placed him under arrest. He was charged him with possession of child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
On Monday, Barnett was found guilty on five charges of possession of child pornography and one charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was sentenced to 50 years in state prison by the 71st District Court on Wednesday.
TROUP — Antisemitic signs were spotted in downtown Troup Wednesday and city officials quickly removed them, citing a violation of state law. Our news partner KETK reports that there were around six laminated sheets of paper filled with hate speech targeting the Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities. There was also a QR code leading to a website with even more hateful content.
Texas Transportation Code § 393, in conjunction with HB 3611, makes it illegal to place signs in the right-of-way of a public road without permission from the city or county. Troup Police Chief Shawn Murray is asking businesses to remain vigilant and report anyone putting up more signs.
LONGVIEW — One person has been arrested following a shooting at a residence on Club Drive on Wednesday morning. According to the Longview Police Department, officers responded to a shooting in the 100 block of Club Drive near E Cotton St at around 7 a.m. Upon arrival, officers located a person who had been shot; the victim was later transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Melvin Colbert, 59, was arrested during the police department’s investigation as the shooter. Colbert was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with aggravated assault-family violence causing serious bodily injury and unlawful possession of a firearm by felon.
TYLER – An investigation is underway following an alleged incident during an athletic practice that involved a Tyler ISD staff member and student, the district confirmed on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, in a statement issued by Tyler ISD, the district is aware of the allegations and have initiated a thorough investigation.
The district has not released information on the details of the incident, citing privacy laws.
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MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is searching for a woman who they believe participated in what is being classified as a riot last month. According to our news partner KETK, the department has obtained a riot participation warrant for the arrest of Rasheen Daleese Porter, who allegedly participated in a large-scale disturbance following a block party on Sanford Street.
According to the department, the initial block party took place on March 29 and was attended by nearly 300 people. Following the arrest of four people and the discovery of firearms on the scene, police later classified the party as a riot.
Since the riot, an additional 13 people have been placed under arrest and the investigation currently remains open.
Anyone with information regarding Porter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the department at 903-935-575 or Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969 to submit an anonymous tip.
TYLER – The Metro Planning Organization (MPO) of Tyler held an open house on Tuesday, answering any questions citizens may have on several upcoming transportation projects, according to our news partner KETK.
The open house served as an opportunity for the MPO to hear back from the community as well, taking in any feedback about their projects. One project discussed was the $17 million grant UT Tyler received to make pedestrian-friendly improvements.
Organizers said it’s important that taxpayers understand how tax dollars are spent, and the open house worked as a way to get information to the public.
“This is where everybody’s tax dollars are being spent in the area,” MPO Director Michael Howell said. “That’s what the MPOs’ plans are for is to let anybody from the public know how their federal transit, and transportation tax dollars are being spent.”
SMITH COUNTY— A multiple-vehicle crash on I-20 near U.S. Highway 110 left one person dead and two injured on Tuesday, officials said. According to Lindale Assistant Fire Chief Troy Pritchard, the crash occurred around 12:20 a.m. and involved at least three vehicles. At this time, the details of what led up to the crash have not been released
AUSTIN — A Jacksonville resident has claimed a winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery. The winner bought the ticket at Champs Food Mart in Jacksonville. The person with winning ticket elected to remain anonymous. For selling the prize winning ticket, the retailer may be eligible for a $10,000 bonus under the Texas Lottery’s Retailer Bonus Program.
WOOD COUNTY — A grand jury indicted a Sulphur Springs teenager in March for allegedly shooting into a crowd at a Wood County property in November 2025. According to an arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, 19-year-old Drake White was arrested following an investigation of a mass shooting on Nov. 25, 2025.
Sheriff’s office deputies arrived at a residence off of N. State Highway 37 in Wood County following reports of a shooting. Witnesses told deputies that a fight over money and a gun began between the shooter, who they identified as White, and another individual.
The affidavit alleges that one victim tried to stop the fight by telling everyone on the property to leave, specifically White. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Businesses and community members in the Downtown Tyler area are speaking out on how the city’s improvement project is affecting day-to-day operations. A project aimed at revitalizing downtown is now creating real challenges for some business owners in the heart of Tyler, according to our news partner KETK.
J. Witcher, general manager at Rick’s on the Square, says it’s been a months-long uphill battle getting customers through the door. “I would say the main complaint is parking; they just don’t know where to go,” Witcher said. “People just are faced with a variety of choices in Tyler; coming downtown right now poses different challenges.”
Witcher supports a better downtown, but right now, the cost is hitting hard as the restaurants and bars that have been open for more than 30 years are feeling the strain. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — Police arrested a man on Tuesday after a morning shooting left another person with multiple, non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Police received a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Oak Street on Tuesday at 7:42 a.m., where law enforcement found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical aid was provided to the victim, who identified the suspect as Kornelius Bell of Marshall. The victim was then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the Marshall Police Department said.
Bell was found at a residence in the 300 block of Cedar Street, where he was taken into custody without incident. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon. The firearm believed to have been used in the incident was recovered at the residence.
Though an arrest has been made, the Marshall Police Department continues to follow up on leads with additional charges expected. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the police department at 903-935-4575.
SMITH COUNTY — With local rescue groups’ demands for transparency following the euthanization of a dozen dogs, the Smith County Animal Shelter brought a set of updated policies to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday.
Pawsitive Place Rescue and Nicholas Pet Haven publicly criticized the recent euthanizations, saying the county failed to give rescue groups adequate notice or time to intervene, despite their past success in pulling dogs from the list
“We learned that multiple dogs at Smith County Animal Control were euthanized without any code red notification to rescues or the public,” Pawsitive Place Rescue said on Facebook. “No warning. No call for help. No chance for the community to step in and do what we have proven we can do when given the opportunity.”
At Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting, the animal shelter outlined updated policies on its tier system and euthanasia protocols, emphasizing that it operates as an open-intake facility.
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TYLER – In celebration of its 10th anniversary in Tyler, CHRISTUS Health is honoring a decade of service rooted in dignity, integrity and excellence to the community with a donation to the East Texas Food Bank, supporting ten partner food pantries across the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System area.
In a release from CHRISTUS, the $10,000 donation targets food insecurity, a priority identified through CHRISTUS Health’s community health needs assessment. In a surprise announcement, the East Texas Food Bank shared that an anonymous donor has matched the $10,000.
The food bank estimates that the $20,000 contribution will feed approximately 100,000 families across East Texas.
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UPDATE: KTBB spoke to Longview Police Department Public Information Officer LaDarian Brown. Officer Brown said that Ronald Williams was found safe Tuesday afternoon.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in finding a missing man. According our news partner KETK and the police department, Ronald Williams was last seen walking on Ingram Street across from Alpine Village. He was wearing a beige polo shirt, black shorts and black shoes.
Officials described Williams as a Black male, approximately 5-feet-11-inches tall, and weighing about 180 pounds. He has gray and black hair, brown eyes and a tattoo of a cross on his forehead. Longview Police Department asks anyone with any information on Williams’ whereabouts to call 903-237-1199.
LONGVIEW – In the 2019 deaths of a mother and daughter, a Longview man entered a guilty plea to capital murder. As his trial was about to start Tuesday morning, Troy James Rider, Jr. entered a guilty plea. He was subsequently given one of two possible sentences for capital murder: a life sentence without the possibility of parole. On February 19, 2019, Rider murdered Longview residents Lori Susan Perez, 58, and Kristy Nicole Perez, 38, who was his ex-girlfriend. That same day, at around 12:30 a.m., the bodies of the women were discovered inside a house in the 1700 block of Loring Lane. Rider was determined to be the main suspect. Police believed that domestic abuse might have played a role in the murders.
ALTO – Alto ISD superintendent Derrick Conley announced on Monday that he will be resigning from his position at the end of the school year. According to our news partner KETK, Conley said he will be leaving Alto to work in a school district near his grandchildren, allowing him to be more involved in his family’s daily lives.
“I am forever grateful to the Alto ISD Board of Trustees for allowing me this opportunity to lead,” Conley said. “I would like to thank all of the leaders, teachers, and staff, and I will sincerely miss our kids.”
The school district where Conley has accepted his new position has not been disclosed.
KILGORE – Several East Texas firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion on Monday after responding to a structure fire near Kilgore. According to our news partner KETK and the Kilgore Fire Department, the fire occurred at a large storage building and residential structure in rural Kilgore.
Crews from several departments across East Texas, including Sabine Fire and Rescue and Smith County ESD 2, began an aggressive fire attack to save the residence. While on the scene, several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion; however, no further injuries were reported.
PERRYVILLE – Perryville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Daniel Charles Alexander has been ordered to pay more than $49,000 in restitution for failing to work on a private construction project. According to our news partner KETK, Alexander allegedly signed a contract on March 19, 2025, to construct a 40×40-foot shop building for an unnamed victim in exchange for $38,796, but the building was recorded as 30 feet by 40 feet instead of the desired 40 by 40 feet.
Officials said the victim contacted Alexander and he reportedly responded by verbally proposing that he add the extra ten feet for $10,443. They verbally agreed on the added price, and Alexander was paid upfront with two checks, one for $38,796 and a second for $10,443, totaling $49,239.
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TYLER – Dezavion Williams, 20, of Henderson has been offered a plea deal after being accused of firing shots among a large crowd near the Lake Tyler Marina last year. Henderson is charged with aggravated assault (mass shooting) in connection with a May 18, 2025, shooting during a large gathering with hundreds of people. He was offered eight years of prison time with his next per-trial hearing scheduled for May 7, and trail scheduled for May 17. Arrest document stated each round fired into the crowd of hundreds was an “attempt to cause serious bodily injury or death to individuals within the hundreds of people present.”
SMITH COUNTY – County ESD 2 officials responded to a chicken truck rolled over near Winona Monday that reportedly occurred around 11:20 a.m. Dozens of chickens escaped, and crews are currently working to round them up. Authorities, as well as our news partner KETK, report that the driver was not injured, and no other vehicles were involved.