Today is
Thursday June 04, 2026
TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday after he was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Christopher Lynn Bowles, who was previously wanted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexually assaulting a child and the continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, Bowles was located in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in November 2025 and was taken into custody, according to our news partner KETK.
During his trial, Bowles was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. Bowles was sentenced to 39 years in prison on Monday.
HENDERSON – A former Henderson ISD teacher was sentenced to six months in state jail and 10 years in probation after she pleaded guilty to an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, Kathryn Prior, of Henderson, was arrested in December 2024 for having an inappropriate relationship with a student. The former vocational agriculture education teacher was also charged with possession of child pornography and indecency with a child.
According to the Rusk County District Attorney’s Office, Prior’s guilty plea allowed her not to be convicted of the indecency charge, but it was taken into consideration for her sentencing. Prior’s child pornography charge was dropped and First Assistant Prosecutor Allen Ross said they “couldn’t move forward with that case.” As a part of the plea deal, Prior had to surrender her teaching license.
Prior’s 180 days in jail begin on March 30 with 10 years in probation to follow. If Prior violates her probation, she will serve the 10 years in state jail, Ross said.
LONGVIEW – A worker at Trinity Industries in Longview has tragically died after suffering severe burns in an industrial incident that happened Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney said they received 911 a report of a patient who had been burned in an industrial incident at around 10:27 a.m.
The Longview Fire Department responded to the scene on Jordan Valley Road with a fire engine, along with EMS, who transported a man to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening burns. Delaney said the man later died at the hospital. The fire marshal’s office is currently investigating the cause of the man’s fatal burns. Delaney was unaware of any similar incidents ever happening at the Trinity Industries facility in Longview. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler is asking residents to consider following a watering schedule and to practice water-saving habits as warm temperatures and the lack of rain are increasing demand. According to our news partner KETK, the voluntary schedule suggests that residents limit outdoor watering to two days per week and only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Officials add, that following the schedule helps keep water pressure up across the community and reduces evaporation.
Residents whose house address ends with an even number should water on Sundays and Thursdays, while odd-numbered addresses should water on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A threat directed at a Chapel Hill school in Texas has been deemed a “swatting” incident and is under investigation as officials take extra precautions on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a shooting threat directed at “Chapel Hill High” in Texas made through a dormant TikTok account on Sunday has been found to be a swatting incident by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A swatting incident is a hoax threat or call made to incite a large emergency response.
There are two Chapel Hill schools in East Texas — one in Smith County and one in Titus County. The TikTok did not specify which one it was addressing, but both schools took extra precautions on Monday morning. According to Chapel Hill ISD’s (Titus County) Superintendent Daniel Pritchett, the school received information on Sunday night of a TikTok livestream that threatened to carry out an active shooting at a “Chapel Hill High” in Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
CHANDLER – Residents and city administrators met in Chandler on Saturday to discuss a $5.8 million bond proposal to fund a new city hall and storm shelter complex. During a bond open house on Saturday, residents got to hear from Chandler City officials, the project architect and city bond financial advisors about what the bond will fund. For $5,864,000, the bond would fund a new police station, a new fire station, a new city hall and a new city storm shelter that would all be housed within the same complex, according to our news partner KETK.
According to tax information provided by the City of Chandler, if the bond passes, it will be implemented in one of two scenarios that would offset the I&S tax rate increase needed to fund the bond. In scenario one, the I&S tax rate increase will be offset by profits from the lease of the ESD 12 building and in scenario two, the increase will be offset by the ESD 12 lease and funds made from the sale of the current city hall building. The first scenario would lead to a $0.0762 property tax increase while the second scenario would lead to $0.0126 property tax increase. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – One person has died and another person was injured after two vehicles collided into each other in Smith County on Saturday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials with the Smith County Emergency Services District 2 say the crash happened on FM 14 at around 8:30 p.m.
Smith County Justice of the Peace Curtis Wulf told KETK News that he was called out to the accident at around 9:20 p.m. Once there, Wulf found a 54-year-old man who was killed in the crash. After pronouncing him dead, Wulf ordered an autopsy on the deceased. One other person injured was sent to a hospital for treatment.
TYLER – The latest series of ‘No Kings’ protests were held in Tyler on Saturday, as East Texans gathered to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies. According to our news partner KETK, protesters collected at Bergfeld Park in Tyler for the third round of No Kings protests to pop up across the country since Trump’s inauguration. Similar protests were held this past October and last June.
According to Indivisible Smith County, the protests were held to “remind extremists that America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.”
East Texas organizers shared that No Kings protests were held in Athens, Dallas, Greenville, Jacksonville, Lindale, Longview, Mineola, Paris, Palestine and Tyler on Saturday.
GLADEWATER – The City of Gladewater named Tim Basham as their new fire department chief this week. Basham, who’s replacing outgoing chief Michael Robbins, came out of retirement and completed an agility test in his Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots to be requalified for service. According to our news partner KETK, Basham had previously served in the metroplex before his initial retirement.
“The City of Gladewater is proud to congratulate Fire Chief Tim Basham on his appointment as our new Fire Chief. We wish you continued success and offer our prayers as you move forward in your service to our community,” the City of Gladewater said. “Your extensive experience and knowledge gained from the metroplex will be a tremendous asset to our department and the citizens we serve. We also recognize your dedication and determination- returning from retirement and completing your agility test in true East Texas fashion, wearing Wranglers and cowboy boots, speaks volumes about your commitment and character.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – One person has been transported to a local hospital after two vehicles crashed into each other on FM 14 in Smith County on Saturday. According to Smith County Emergency Services District 2 and our news partner KETK, the crash happened on FM 14 near County Road 328 at around 8:30 p.m. Traffic on FM 14 has been shut down from CR 328 to Marble Road and drivers are urged to avoid the area until the roadway is cleared.
TYLER – Daniel Hartley and his wife bought tickets to see Bob Dylan in Tyler, but after finding out the show has been sold out for a while, the $1300 they paid is out the door. According to our news partner KETK, David’s wife bought two tickets for $1300 and printed them out but to their surprise, they didn’t have their name on them and listed prices of $135 each.
“The people that are out there now are just absolute pros. They can make anything look perfect and get your dough and be gone out the back door before you can do anything,” Hartley said. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE – Westwood ISD has named its new interim superintendent. According to the district and our news partner KETK, Lawrence Coleman will serve as interim superintendent. Coleman is expected to begin serving the district on April 1.
Westwood ISD said Coleman’s bringing 35 years of experience to the district as their new interim superintendent. Coleman’s lived with his wife and children in Henderson for the past 16 years and has served as a teacher, assistant principal, instructional leader and administrator.
“I am looking forward to serving as Interim Superintendent for this outstanding district,” Coleman said.
SMITH COUNTY, – The Smith County Junior Livestock Show concluded with its annual sale day, where FFA and Four-H students auctioned animals they raised over the past year. According to our news partner KETK, the event raised more than $200,000 to support student projects and future education for the upcoming year or for graduating seniors to use toward their higher education.
The sale marks a year of work for participants who raise and show their animals before selling them to local buyers.
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TYLER – A gang member was arrested in Tyler on Thursday after authorities executed a search warrant at his home and found various illegal drugs. According to our news partner KETK, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant was issued at a home on Tenaha Avenue in connection with a search for a wanted gang member, Bryan Mayfield, who was believed to be staying at the house.
Once authorities arrived at the home to issue the search warrant, several people fled from the home and one person was immediately taken into custody. During the search, Mayfield fled into the backyard of a nearby residence, dropping a handgun before unlawfully entering the home. Once inside the home, Mayfield held two people against their will, prompting officers to enter the home and take Mayfield into custody and charge him with two counts of evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance, according to officials.
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PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department said a crash that happened on North Loop 256 on Friday has reportedly left at least one person with injuries. According to Palestine PD, the crash happened the intersection of East Palestine Avenue and North Loop 256 at around 3:25 p.m. on Friday. Drivers are asked to use caution when driving through the area as law enforcement responds to the crash.