Today is
Wednesday June 03, 2026
SMITH COUNTY – K-9 Lobo, a devoted partner and protector, is being honored by the Smith County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office. Along with his partner, K-9 Lobo, Smith County Pct. 1 Deputy Constable Jose Terrazas, a proud K-9 handler, departed from the sheriff’s office in February. The news of K-9 Lobo’s death was released by the constable’s office on Wednesday. For almost eight years, K-9 Lobo bravely and devotedly fought beside his companion on the front lines. From September 2018 to February 2026, the Dutch Shepherd was employed by the Constable’s Office. According to a statement, during this trying time, they are praying for Terrazas, his family, and every member of the sheriff’s office.
TYLER – As the Downtown Improvement Project moves closer to completion, the City of Tyler will mark a major milestone with a celebration recognizing the reopening of North College Avenue, West Erwin Street, and the intersection connecting the two.
The milestone celebration will be held on Friday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of North College Avenue and West Erwin Street. The event will highlight visible progress in the heart of Downtown and recognize this important step toward the final phases of the project. Guests are encouraged to stay in the area and support Downtown businesses following the celebration.
The reopening of this key intersection on June 1 restores a major connection for drivers and offers the public a chance to see how far the project has come. For more information about the Downtown Improvement Project, visit MyTylerTexas.com.
TYLER – On Wednesday, an East Texan was given a 20-year prison sentence for allegedly distributing illegal substances, namely crack cocaine. In the 475th District Court, Derrish Graydon, 44, entered a guilty plea to participating in organized crime. According to court documents, he was subsequently given a 20-year term for the offense. In relation to the alleged crack cocaine ring that operated in buildings close to nearby daycare centers and schools, Graydon is the third person to enter a guilty plea and get a term. On May 7, Samatraus Forge, who was found to be the leader of a criminal organization with others serving as his drug salespeople, was given a life sentence after entering a guilty plea to three charges of organized crime. Read the rest of this entry »
Tyler – This week, 361 Tyler ISD teachers were surprised with the prestigious TOP (Tyler Optimal Performance) Teacher designation, resulting in $4,365,127 in additional compensation from the state. The designation is part of Tyler ISD’s Approved Local Designation System under the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), created by House Bill 3 to attract and retain highly effective educators.
To earn a TOP Teacher designation, educators must meet rigorous criteria, including student growth metrics, attendance, teacher observation data, and student surveys. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Friends and colleagues of fallen Tyler Fire Department Driver/Engineer Scott Starkey will pass through Tyler on Wednesday as part of a funeral procession in his honor.
According to our news partner KETK, Starkey died from cancer on May 16 after serving as a firefighter for the Tyler Fire Department for over 25 years. His funeral service will be held at Flint Baptist Church at around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and will be followed by the procession.
The procession will make its way north from Flint Baptist Church, pass through the city of Tyler on Loop 323 and end at the Bascom Cemetery. The City of Tyler said drivers could see some traffic delays as the procession passes through.
SMITH COUNTY – The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) will host virtual and in-person public meetings to share information and gather input on the proposed extension of Toll 49 from State Highway 110 to US Route 271, part of the Tyler Outer Loop. The proposed project is currently undergoing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) study. The environmental study will follow the requirements of federal and state law.
The public meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more about Toll 49 Segment 6 and the EIS process. The project team will be on hand to answer questions. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – There will be a funeral procession through parts of south Tyler on May 27, in honor of the late Tyler Fire Department Driver/Engineer Scott Starkey. The route will begin at Flint Baptist Church in Flint. And end at Bascom Cemetery, in Tyler. Traffic could be briefly affected during this time. The funeral will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the procession.
TYLER – A man accused of shooting and killing a 29-year-old Marine veteran during a road rage incident in February was given a trial date by a judge on Tuesday. Dayton Alexander Morgan, 23, of Ben Wheeler, is accused of murdering Trevor Julian, 29, of Whitehouse, who died on February 13 at the Tyler intersection of East Grande Boulevard and Paluxy Drive. His bond has been set at $1 million since his arrest. He entered a not guilty plea and asserted self-defense. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Following a small plane crash at a private airpark Tuesday morning, airpark officials announced that one person had died. The aircraft crashed on the landing strip at Frankston’s Aero Estates Subdivision at approximately eight in the morning, according to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. The pilot was testing one of his aircraft when he tried a “impossible turn,” which resulted in the crash and his death, according to Wagenaar, the airpark manager and president of the POA. Wagenaar stated that witnesses apparently observed the pilot make a few passes before making the difficult maneuver and “[…] did not have enough altitude to perform a proper landing,” despite the fact that he was not present when the incident occurred. Read the rest of this entry »
CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill ISD is deeply saddened by the recent and sudden loss of 2026 graduate Vanessa Vazquez. Vanessa was a valued member of the Bulldog family, and her passing is heartbreaking for our students, staff, and community. The school extends their heartfelt condolences and prayers to her family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved her.
During this difficult time, we ask our community to keep the Vazquez family in your thoughts and to respect their privacy as they grieve. Counseling support will be available for students and staff members in need.
Vanessa will always be remembered as part of the Bulldog family.
TYLER – In the Texas Lottery® scratch ticket game Casino Millions, a Tyler resident won a $1 million top prize ticket. The ticket was bought at Tyler’s Travel Center, located on 407 E. Northeast Loop 323. The claimant chose to keep their identity anonymous. Under the Texas Lottery’s Retailer Bonus Program, the retailer may receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket that won the prize. This was the second of ten $1 million top prizes that could be won in this game. The total prizes offered by Casino Millions exceed $195.3 million. Including break-even prizes, the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.45.
EAST TEXAS – With the polls closed across East Texas and beyond, and the votes tallied, the Texas Secretary of State’s office has updated election results for both Republican and Democratic Primary Elections. This election includes the major runoff for U.S. Senate between incumbent John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. You can find those updated results here.
TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) kicks off the free Summer Food Program for children on Tuesday, June 2, at 43 East Texas locations with a special event at the Glass Recreation Center in Tyler from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring food, activities and more. The PepsiCo Foundation’s Food for Good sponsors the event.
“It’s so important to make sure children do not go hungry in the summer just because school is out,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “Here in East Texas, 1 in 4 children are food insecure so it’s up to our community to make sure we fill that meal gap when the school year ends and kids lose access to free and reduced-price meals they depend on.”
Food for Good is helping transform food access in rural and underserved communities by using PepsiCo’s logistical expertise to deliver nutritious meals year-round. Read the rest of this entry »
GUN BARREL CITY – Firefighters and and Gun Barrel City Police Department officers were sent out to Tom Finely Park on Cedar Creek Lake at around 1:34 p.m. on Monday after a swimmer was reportedly injured in the water. According to Gun Barrel City Fire Department and our news partner KETK, officers found the swimmer in shallow water at around 100 yards away from the park’s swimming area. The patient was stabilized in the water and then floated back to the shore by firefighters.
The swimmer was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. The extent of the swimmer’s injuries has not been reported by Gun Barrel City Fire Department.
SMITH COUNTY – A vehicle is currently stuck inside a house in Smith County after crashing into the home on Monday afternoon.
According to officials with Smith County Emergency Services District 2, the crash occurred at around 5 p.m. after the driver of a Jeep crashed into a home located off Highway 271 in the Eagle Creek subdivision.
Firefighters are currently on the scene working to remove the vehicle from the house. No injuries have been reported following the crash and all the residents have been removed from the home. It is unclear at this time how the crash occurred.