Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
TYLER — A man accused of firing multiple shots at a vehicle during a dispute in Tyler on Monday told deputies that the confrontation stemmed from an argument over unpaid money for porcelain dolls, according to a Smith County arrest warrant. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded at about 1:40 p.m. to the 2200 block of Montgomery Gardens Boulevard on a report of deadly conduct. Upon arrival, authorities contacted the suspect, identified as Alex Zavalla, who had already been detained by troopers of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to arresting documents, Zavalla told deputies he had taken “porcelain dolls” from a woman’s home because she had not repaid money she owed him. The woman later arrived at Zavalla’s residence with another individual, prompting a confrontation.
Zavalla told deputies he retrieved a black “AK-style pistol” and repeatedly told the pair to leave, but they refused. He also said the male individual threatened to return with others and “shoot up” the home. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — One person is dead following a Tuesday afternoon crash involving a motorcyclist in Palestine. The Palestine Police Department said that around 3 p.m., police officers were dispatched to Old Elkhart Road near Academy Sports involving an SUV and a motorcycle crash. Once they arrived, they found that the driver of the motorcycle was unresponsive.
According to our news partner KETK, life-saving measures were attempted on the scene, and the 20-year-old motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Based on a preliminary report, the SUV was traveling south on Old Elkhart and attempted to turn into the west entrance of the mall. The motorcyclist was allegedly traveling north on Old Elkhart at a high speed. When the SUV turned, it collided with the motorcyclist, the police department said.
At this time, the police department has not identified the deceased until the next of kin has been notified.
EAST TEXAS – East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran spoke to KTBB on the two major issues dominating headlines: the partial government shutdown and how conflict in the Middle East is affecting Americans.
Representative Moran highlighted how Republicans “[…] certainly want to see this shut down.” He also mentioned how progress is being impeded by Democrats playing politics with an appropriations bill they [Democrats] already agreed to.
Moran said the delay “has now led to almost 100,000 DHS employees missing their paychecks last week, including TSA agents who are legally required to keep working.”
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – When Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy and K-9 Handler Jose Terrazas retired earlier this month, he requested that his longtime partner, K-9 Lobo, be able to retire too. On Tuesday, Smith County Commissioners Court approved that wish, allowing the 9-year-old Dutch Shepherd who served for nearly eight years to go home and rest easy with his partner.
Deputy Terrazas served the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for 16 years. For the last eight, he has been a K-9 handler with the Criminal Interdiction Unit, along with Lobo. For six years, Lobo was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. He was responsible for many large narcotics seizures during his career, including a $250,000 cash seizure on Interstate 20, Lt. Hobson said.K-9 dogs typically work for six to eight years. During their service, they are exposed to a variety of high-stress situations.
Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – The City of Marshall has issued a boil water notice for all residents following ongoing repairs to a major water main. Public Works crews have worked through the night to address the issue. A temporary patch has been installed; however, the system has not yet been fully re-pressurized.
Crews are currently testing for additional leaks and working to remove air from the lines. At this time, the water system does not have adequate pressure to support normal operations.
As a precaution, all customers are advised to boil water prior to consumption. This includes water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and making ice.
To ensure safety, residents should bring water to a vigorous boil for at least two minutes and allow it to cool before use. Alternatively, bottled water may be used. Water distribution efforts are being coordinated, and distribution sites will be announced once additional water supplies have been delivered to the city. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Due to a 24-inch water main break Tuesday morning in the area of High and Spring Street in Marshall. Many areas across the city are are experiencing low water pressure while others are without water. This break is being described as a major transmission line. The City of Marshall has been declared a local state of disaster. The formal declaration allows access to assistance from other state and local agencies, according to Emergency Management officials. In the declaration signed by Marshall Mayor Amy Ware says “extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and protect and rehabilitate property.”
Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The death of a City of Longview employee is being investigated following a “workplace accident” that occurred on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the city said on Tuesday that they are mourning the loss of Buddy Powell, a valuable member of its Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection crew.
Powell died in what the city is calling a “profoundly shocking” workplace incident, which is being investigated. The city is coordinating with counseling services to provide support for staff and those impacted by the loss.
MARSHALL – A water main break in Marshall has impacted the city’s water pressure, prompting a Marshall ISD closure for Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall ISD said parents may keep their students home or pick them up from the school if they are already there.
The school bus will be running the elementary bus routes at 11:30 a.m. and the junior high and high school bus routes at 12 p.m if parents are unable to pick up their student. The water main break occurred near Spring and Streets Tuesday morning, which crews are now working to repair, the city said.
The City of Tyler Downtown Department hosted an open house Tuesday. The event, held on College Avenue, will give residents and visitors an opportunity to see recent improvements firsthand, learn more about the Downtown Improvement Project and ask questions about the work underway.
To accommodate different schedules, two open house sessions will be offered: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Both sessions will take place along a marked section of College Avenue in front of Plaza Tower and the Peoples Petroleum Building. The event is come-and-go, and City staff will be available to answer questions and share information about the project.
Updated design renderings of the future Downtown green space, streets and sidewalks will be on display, offering a visual aid to highlight the full scope of the project.
TYLER — In a letter addressed to the Treasury Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative on Monday, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran joins other House members in urging the Trump Administration to address the importation of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes without FDA approval. According to the letter, Chinese vape exports to the U.S. surpassed $10 billion in 2025. The smart vapes are able to connect to smartphones, enabling unauthorized access to personal data, cameras, microphones and more, the letter said.
Representatives raise their concerns about the unauthorized importing of the vapes, as they are sold near schools and military bases.
“These illegal Chinese vapes are a threat on every front,” Moran said. “They contain toxic levels of lead and carcinogens, and are deliberately marketed to target our kids with candy flavors and social media influencers. They are sold near schools and military bases by foreign nationals, and their ‘smart’ technology risks funneling sensitive data directly to the Chinese Communist Party,” Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY– A 17-year-old man from Trinidad was arrested on Wednesday after a car chase in Henderson County, where officials said he struck another vehicle. According to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK, officers from the Tool Police Department were dispatched to Arnold Hills Road after receiving reports regarding a suicidal man who had stolen a dark colored 2022 Kia Soul.
After locating the suspect, an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Lyndell Drive, but the driver disregarded the officer and continued to flee from authorities.
As the pursuit continued, the suspect collided with another vehicle that was traveling on State Highway 274. After the collision, the pursuit continued toward Tool and eventually ended in Trinidad.
Following the pursuit, the suspect was identified as Caidyn Farris. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail after being charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful use of a vehicle.
TYLER – A man was arrested after a shooting was reported in the Montgomery Gardens Boulevard area in Tyler on Monday. Deputies responded to the 2200 block of Montgomery Gardens Boulevard at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday for reports of shots fired. Our news partner KETK reports that two individuals arrived at a house and exited their vehicle to speak with the occupants. An argument ensued when a man emerged from the house while brandishing a weapon.
One of the people from the vehicle had returned to the passenger seat when the man who had emerged from inside the house allegedly started firing at the car’s passenger side door.
The man inside the vehicle was uninjured, according to the sheriff’s office. The man who fired at the car was arrested and will be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Smith County Jail.
LONE STAR — Local and state officials are continuing to investigate an oil spill that spread across much of the shoreline at Ellison Creek Reservoir, with inspectors identifying the source at a well site on U.S. Steel property. According to our news partner KETK, Morris County Judge Doug Reeder met with the Precinct 2 Commissioner and the County Attorney on Monday morning to review the status of the oil spill at Ellison Creek Reservoir.
Reeder also added, a Railroad Commission inspector is on site and continuing an inspection of the spill in coordination with a Texas Game Warden. The inspector determined the source of the unauthorized oil release was a reserve pit at a oil well site located on U.S. Steel property. Investigators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are expected to meet with the Railroad Commission inspector Monday to continue assessing the scale of the spill, its environmental impacts and any possible next steps.
Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – One person has been injured following a head-on collision involving a day-care bus and a pick-up truck on Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened in Tyler, on FM 2493, near Whataburger and Tyler Legacy Trails at around 8:20 a.m. Monday.
The driver of the pickup truck sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital, according to Nikki Simmons, the public outreach coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2. No children were aboard the bus at the time of the crash and the driver had no reported injuries. However, both vehicles were heavily damaged.
TYLER – As severe weather moves through East Texas, many power companies and electricity co-operatives have reported thousands of power outages across the area.
Lake O’ the Pines marina docks flipped over by high winds
Our news partner KETK has compiled the following list of East Texas counties from the Texas power outage map and as of 11:00 a.m. on Monday, about 2,694 customers were without power. You can view that list here.