Today is
Sunday June 14, 2026
MARSHALL — According to our news partner KETK, a dad and son were arrested after illegal narcotics and items connected to an aggravated robbery were recovered inside a Marshall home on Tuesday.
Marshall Police officers searched a home in the 1600 block of N Fulton Street where they found illegal narcotics, cash, multiple firearms including a stolen handgun and items connected to a previous aggravated robbery. Officials said that evidence at the scene was consistent with the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. Cruz Alonso Rodriguez Sr., 45 and Cruz Angel Rodriguez Jr., 18 both of Marshall were arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail.
Cruz Jr. was arrested on 10 counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug and theft of a firearm. Cruz Sr. was arrested on one count of possession of a controlled substance.
Anyone with information related to the ongoing investigation can contact Marshall PD at 903-935-4575.
MARSHALL – 
On February 25, 2025, the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of N. Fulton Street. The operation, conducted with assistance from the Marshall Police Department Special Response Team (MPD SRT), the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (HCSO ERT), and the Marshall PD Crime Scene Unit led to significant findings. During the search, investigators recovered illegal narcotics, a substantial amount of cash, multiple firearms, including a stolen handgun, and items connected to a previous aggravated robbery. Evidence at the scene was consistent with the sale and distribution of illegal drugs. As a result of the investigation, Cruz Rodriguez, Sr., 45, and Cruz Rodriguez, Jr., 18, were taken into custody and booked into the Harrison County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
OVERTON —
Our news partners at KETK report an Overton man was arrested Saturday evening after allegedly attempting to shoot at children. According to Smith County arrest documents, officers responded to 23410 CR 3199 at around 7:12 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from children that a family member “had come into the home with a rifle and was acting aggressively.” The children identified the family member as Keith Lamar Mills, of Overton, who attempted to fire the gun but it malfunctioned. Authorities spoke with one of the children who said when they arrived home, the front door was unlocked and saw Mills yelling obscenities. Mills was reportedly about to hit a child when he “dropped his hand.” Mills smelled of alcohol and his demeanor had scared the children, records show. The document stated Mills left and went back to his shed where he lived on the property. Three of the children then went to the shed and began to play music when Mills reportedly came out of his room and started cussing at them to shut up. After the children walked out of the shed, they saw Mills walk out holding a brown rifle. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER- According to our new partner KETK, Tyler ISD’s longtime athletic director will be leaving to take a position with Rockwall ISD. Greg Priest, who has spent the past decade in Tyler, will be joining Rockwall ISD as their new executive athletic director this spring.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve as the athletic director at Tyler ISD. The past decade has been filled with unforgettable moments, talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches, and a supportive community that has made a lasting impact on me,” Priest said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this journey and while I look forward to this next chapter at Rockwall ISD, I will always cherish my time in Tyler.”
Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford praised Priest for the positive impact he had on the athletic department during his tenure.
MT. PLEASANT — According to our news partner KETK, the recently sworn in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made a stop in East Texas Monday to hear from local farmers.
Controlling the virus outbreak that began in 2022 is a top priority for Rollins’ department. Bird flu is widespread amongst wild birds and has caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows. Recently, the virus has spread to humans. Rollins, however, is focused on the economic impact the virus continues to have in egg prices. As of date, the federal government has spent about $2 billion in response to the bird flu. Yet, the average cost of a dozen eggs in the nation is $8.03, more than $3 since early January.
This comes after more than 156 million birds across the nation have been lost to the bird flu in the past three years. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Bishop Gregory Kelly was installed on Monday as the Bishop of Diocese of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Kelly was appointed as Bishop of Tyler on Dec. 20, 2024, by Pope Francis. Kelly will be the fifth bishop to ever be appointed to lead the Tyler Diocese since it was founded in 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II. Kelly’s appointment comes after Bishop Joseph Strickland was removed as Bishop of Tyler in November of 2023, following a months-long investigation by the Vatican.
GUN BARREL CITY — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a man was arrested after a woman was shot in Gun Barrel City Sunday afternoon.
According to Gun Barrel City Police Department, around 4:08 p.m. officers responded to 346 Flagship Lane regarding the shooting of Mackenzie Wisdom, 22 of Gun Barrel City. Wisdom was then transported to a local hospital where she died due to her gunshot wound. Officials said officers determined this was an isolated incident and arrested John David Bunch-Stiles, 23 of Gun Barrel City, for state jail felony criminally negligent homicide.
“The Gun Barrel City Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the Wisdom family,” the department said.
ANGELINA COUNTY — 
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, an East Texas teacher was arrested on Saturday after being accused of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography.
According to Wells ISD Superintendent Friday Wright, Hillary Danielle Williams, 33 of Lufkin is currently employed as a junior high and high school math teacher and has been since the beginning of 2024. Williams is currently being held in the Angelina County Jail for charges of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography with bonds totaling $350,000. Wright said they were made aware of the arrest on Saturday and are currently working with attorneys and police to address the matter. “The safety and security of our students at Wells ISD is our top priority,” Wright said.
Her partner Michael Scott McCary, 37 of Lufkin and also pictured, was arrested for possession of child pornography with a $250,000 bond.
According to the district, a retired math teacher will be coming in this week to help teach the students.
ANGELINA COUNTY — According to reports from our news partner, KETK, an East Texas teacher was arrested on Saturday after being accused of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography.
According to Wells ISD Superintendent Friday Wright, Hillary Danielle Williams, 33 of Lufkin is currently employed as a junior high and high school math teacher and has been since the beginning of 2024. Williams is currently being held in the Angelina County Jail for charges of bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography with bonds totaling $350,000. Wright said they were made aware of the arrest on Saturday and are currently working with attorneys and police to address the matter. “The safety and security of our students at Wells ISD is our top priority,” Wright said.
According to the district, a retired math teacher will be coming in this week to help teach the students.
BULLARD, Texas (KETK) — According to our news partner KETK, the City of Bullard has announced a Stage 2 water conservation notice for all water customers, effective Sunday until further notice. Due to mechanical issues with a water well, water production across the system is expected to be impacted, city officials said.
The following restrictions will apply to all customers on City of Bullard utilities: Residents with even-numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, residents with odd-numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, outdoor watering will be allowed only between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., outdoor watering will not be allowed between 6 a.m. through 9 p.m., outdoor water use of any kind is prohibited on Friday.
Bullard officials said those caught violating these regulations will receive a written warning for the first offense. All offenses after that at the same location will be issued a citation.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — According to our news partner, KETK, a Montgomery man is behind bars following a Friday morning pursuit that ended on I-20 in Van Zandt County where authorities recovered suspected meth and hydrocodone.
The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a call on Friday to a suspicious vehicle along VZCR 2142. Upon arrival, deputies found a man asleep in the driver’s seat of a running car. Despite repeatedly identifying themselves and attempting to communicate with the driver, the man reportedly fled the scene. Deputies pursued the vehicle and were assisted by DPS troopers, the Canton and Van Police Departments that helped bring the pursuit to a close.
Authorities stopped the driver, later identified as Steven M. Templeton, on the south service road of I-20 near the 533-mile marker exit. Officials reportedly found suspected meth and hydrocodone. Templeton has since been charged with aggravated assault against a public servant, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, a previous warrant and two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
He is being held at the Van Zandt County Jail on a $125,000 bond.
DE BERRY – After nearly 80 years without any payments, an East Texas church is finally receiving compensation for minerals being extracted from their land.
“Man, that was a long journey. That was a real long journey,” Deacon at Zion Hill Holiness Church of God, Anthony Price Sr. said.
Church historian and relative, Johnathan Matthews, said for 78 years, an unknown amount of money in mineral royalties have not been paid to Zion Hill Holiness Church of God. He said the money could have helped the church and family for generations. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — People of all ages got the opportunity to meet the people behind the industries that power East Texas on Saturday in Longview, according to our news partner KETK.
As part of Career and Technical Education Month, businesses like HOLT CAT opened their doors to East Texans, giving children and adults the chance to see what they do everyday. This was a part of the Big Techs East Texas Industry Tours and Job Fair. Guests got a close up look at cutting edge local manufactures creating things like fighter jets to the world’s largest front-end loader. Though HOLT CAT service manager said there is always one thing that brings the crowds.
“The tractors is definitely the biggest highlight, the kids love them,” Jake Giebel, service manager, said. “It’s the kids allow us to kind of reengage with our childhood because they’re so excited to see us, so excited to see the tractors and get in play, and that just kind of reinvigorates what we do day in and day out.”
Other groups in attendance included East Texas Regional Airport, Genpak, INVISTA, Kilgore College Manufacturing and Industrial Technology and LeTourneau University Engineering.
SMITH COUNTY — An arrest warrant sheds new details on an East Texas man accused of sexually assaulting a child his wife was babysitting.
According to our news partner KETK, Smith County deputies responded to a medical center on Feb. 13 after a child had reported being sexually assaulted. Officers spoke with the mother who said her daughter confessed to her the previous day she had a secret, but the mother did not think much of it. The next day, Feb. 13, the child reiterated she had the secret that pertained to Brandon Darrell Couey, her babysitter’s husband.
During a forensic interview, the child described deviant sexual activity performed on her by Couey and gave detailed information by using male and female anatomy drawings. Read the rest of this entry »
FRANKLIN COUNTY — On Sunday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they recovered the body of a man reported missing on Feb. 13. According to our news partner KETK, Larry Murl Smith, 51, was last seen on Feb. 6 near his residence on the 6000 block of FM 115, near Lake Cypress Springs. His body was recovered 16 days later. Multiple locations and areas of interest were searched in the past week until his body was found on Texas Highway 37 at the Franklin/Red River County line on the Sulfur River. Authorities indicated that there are persons of interest who are already in custody for unrelated charges.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that multiple warrants for capital murder are expected. The sheriff’s office received assistance from the Mt. Vernon Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Water District Police, Parks and Wildlife K9, DPS aircraft division, Texas Highway Patrol and Texas Rangers.