Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
EAST TEXAS — Over 60 East Texas cities are on a statewide list as the AG’s office checks compliance with rules tied to property tax increases. The investigation was launched by Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this month, claiming that many cities are not complying with Senate Bill 1851, which requires them to complete and publicly post annual financial audits before increasing property taxes.
Due to possible violations of SB 1851, Paxton is demanding documents from over 1,000 cities across the state to ensure they are complying with audit and transparency requirements before raising taxes. The Office of the Attorney General said the review does not target cities for raising taxes, but instead aims to ensure compliance with audit and transparency requirements.
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TYLER – Traffic is currently stopped at the intersection of East Gentry Parkway and North Broadway Avenue after two vehicles crashed there on Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police are directing traffic and no injuries have been reported.
LONGVIEW – Looking to win the District 3 seat on the Longview City Council, two out of five candidates spoke on issues impacting Longview the most at a forum on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, District 3, which covers the south-eastern part of the city from Interstate 20 to north of U.S. Highway 80, has been under councilman Ray Wade since 2018. The seat opened up when Wade campaigned and lost the race to be a Gregg County commissioner during the March primary election.
Five candidates are vying for the seat to represent the district.
“[It’s] the oldest and most culturally enhanced part of our city,” candidate Marlena Cooper said.
Cooper, along with G. Floyd, were the two candidates present at Wednesday night’s forum, organized by the Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Longview News Journal.
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TYLER – Ahead of the upcoming election, East Texans in Tyler Junior College’s appraisal district are voicing their concerns over a possible rise in property taxes stemming from the college’s $167.3 million bond. The proposed $167.3 million seeks to upgrade three existing facilities — workforce and academic building, student success center and student safety and the IT center — but the number is a major concern for many East Texans.
TJC said that for the average homeowner, the cost breaks down to about $84 a year on a $252,000 home, which is less than a streaming subscription, but it’s still an increase not everyone is sold on. State Republican Executive Committeewoman Christin Bentley argues that for many families, this isn’t just spare change; it adds up.
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TYLER — A pedestrian has died after being involved in a vehicle crash on Highway 31, between Tyler and Kilgore, Thursday morning. According to Smith County Emergency Services District 2 and our news partner KETK, the roadway was closed between FM 757 and FM 2908 as crews responded to a vehicle accident around 6:35 a.m. TXDot reports that the roadway is back open to traffic.
A pedestrian was found dead at the scene when first responders arrived. The driver of the vehicle was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, ESD 2 confirmed. No further details were available.
PALESTINE — A Palestine man is facing a third-degree felony after allegedly stealing several horses from a Montague County livestock auction earlier this year. According to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and our news partner KETK, the investigation began in January after Jordan Rivera, 18, purchased four horses from an online auction using PayPal to complete the purchase.
Rivera reportedly disputed the purchase charges after the horses had been released, and an investigation was opened. A special ranger obtained evidence and witness statements indicating Rivera’s involvement, including text messages to associates about the horses and his PayPal account.
After a warrant was issued out of Montague County, Rivera was arrested in Anderson County on April 9 for livestock theft. Rivera was released on April 10 after posting his $75,000 bond.
KILGORE — Kilgore College is one step closer to naming its next president, as two finalists are to meet with students, staff and the public during a series of forums this week, according to our news partner KETK.
Dr. Staci Martin, the college’s interim president, spoke during a public forum Wednesday morning, outlining her leadership philosophy and vision for the campus. The second finalist, Dr. Tracee Watts, is scheduled to meet the public during forums on Thursday, with the first session beginning at 10 a.m. The search follows the retirement of former president Dr. Kay, after which Martin stepped in as interim president.
College officials say the forums are designed to give the community an opportunity to interact with each candidate and provide feedback before a final decision is made.
POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK)— An East Texas man was rearrested after being taken into custody and released on bond last week for possession of child pornography.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Jose Sanchez was initially arrested on April 8 after he was found to be in possession of child pornography obtained from the internet. Following the arrest, Sanchez was charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and was released on bond the following day.
On Wednesday, Sanchez was rearrested from his home in Polk County after investigators processed the evidence collected during the initial search of his home and issued five additional warrants against him for possession of child pornography.
Sanchez is currently being held at the Polk County Jail, awaiting a judge’s review of his new charges. According to authorities, the case remains open and additional charges may still be filed.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County is mourning the loss of longtime constable Eddie Lee, who recently died. According to our news partner KETK, Lee dedicated over 50 years of his life to working in law enforcement and serving his community and was known for his commitment and integrity, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
“His legacy of service will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who had the honor of knowing him,” the sheriff’s office said.
SMITH COUNTY – Two men were arrested in Smith County on Tuesday after being accused of hanging a dog from a tree, leading to its death. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of animal cruelty at a property off in rural Tyler on March 13. Once on the scene, deputies spoke with the property owner, who said he had found a white dog hanging from a tree in his yard after two unknown men had illegally entered his premises.
Deputies later spoke with residents in the area who confirmed they observed the same two men two or three days earlier and claimed they had the same dog in their possession. After opening an investigation, the sheriff’s office identified the suspects as 17-year-old Jay Stansberry and 33-year-old Billy Perry, both of Tyler. Both men were arrested on Tuesday and charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals. Their bonds have been set at $100,000 each and they are currently being held in the Smith County Jail.
Tyler – Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce the relocation of its workforce center to the Midtown Centre. The new Tyler workforce center location is now open to the public and operates at the Midtown Centre shopping center on 1421 South Beckham Avenue. The business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Workforce Solutions East Texas is a community partnership providing no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in the East Texas area. The chief elected officials in the region, the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board, and the board’s administrative agency, the East Texas Council of Governments, elected to lease the 28,500-square-foot facility. The boards approved entering a seven-year lease term with three three-year extension options.
Additional assistance is available to veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people who have been dislocated from a job. Details on workforce center locations and service hours can be viewed here.
MOUNT VERNON — A former NBA player and current East Texas resident is looking to make a transition in politics by running for mayor of Mount Vernon in the upcoming May election.
Greg Ostertag and his family moved to Mount Vernon in 2015 and he has since been an active member of the community. He has also been an active member of the school district, volunteering to coach local sports, officiate high school basketball games and serve as a substitute teacher.
Prior to Ostertag and his family moving to East Texas, he spent over 10 years playing in the NBA, including a nine-year stint with the Utah Jazz. Ostertag ended his playing career in 2012 following a brief stint with the Texas Legends.
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RUSK – A Dallas woman has been arrested in connection with a terroristic threat that placed Rusk ISD on a secure hold on Wednesday morning, Rusk officials confirm. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk ISD went on a secure lockout on Wednesday following a reported threat to the primary school. The lockout, which prohibited anyone from entering or leaving the school, has since been lifted, the district said.
Rusk Police Sgt. Jeremy Farmer told KETK News that the threat was found to be non-credible, but because of the large police response, Trinishia Sandles was arrested with the third degree felony of terroristic threat. During the investigation, authorities were able to locate Sandles in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who allegedly made the initial call. Sandles is believed to have been facing a “mental health-related concern.”
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HENDERSON COUNTY – After almost two years since he was last seen, a Brownsboro missing man was found dead in an abandoned house in Henderson County on Monday. According to our news partner KETK and Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, authorities received a call about what appeared to be a dead body in a vacant house on County Road 3606. The man was identified as Brady Booth, who was last seen in Brownsboro in 2024.
The body was found “heavily decomposed,” but no physical trauma was reported in the preliminary autopsy. Foul play is not suspected at this time, Hillhouse said.
Located on the scene were the same clothing Booth appeared to be wearing in camera footage of his last known appearance, Hillhouse said.
The case is still under investigation as authorities wait for a toxicology report, which could take up to 12 weeks.
TYLER — A popular retail shop has unexpectedly closed its doors after the corporation recently filed for bankruptcy. The Painted Tree, which has several stores across the country, opened at the Village at Cumberland Park in 2024 and has since been a staple for residents looking to purchase home decor, gifts and a variety of different clothing options. According to our news partner KETK, the boutique provided a venue for small business owners to sell their merchandise and receive consistent profit.
The store announced on Tuesday that it has decided to cease all business operations and will no longer conduct any further sales at the location.
“We understand the impact this has on you and your business, and we are truly sorry,” the Painted Tree said. “We know many of you have invested significant time, energy, and resources into building your spaces at Painted Tree, and this is not the outcome any of us hoped for.” Read the rest of this entry »