Today is
Sunday July 19, 2026
RUSK – As conditions across the region begin to dry out, East Texas fire officials are warning people to be careful before lighting fireworks this holiday weekend. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, a five-acre fire was put out in Upshur County.
According to our news partner KETK, the latest drought monitor shows most of East Texas is either abnormally dry or in a severe drought.
“It looks like conditions are starting to creep back in, that the drought is starting to intensify in the area, and normally when that happens, especially around the 4th of July, we see an uptick in grass and brush fires,” Support Director for ESD1, Michael Searcy said. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – A dead skunk has tested positive for rabies after it came in contact with at least one dog, according to Smith County Animal Control, and our news partner, KETK. Officials said the skunk had been in direct contact with at least one dog, but may have come in contact with as many as three dogs. The skunk’s body was submitted to the state laboratory for rabies testing in Austin, and Smith County was informed about the positive result on Thursday. The dead skunk was reported on Monday. Animal control officers responded to the location of the dead skunk, and took its body for local testing. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: The search for a Smith County woman wanted in relation to a May dog theft and animal cruelty case has ended after she turned herself in on Thursday, officials confirm. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Susan Grafft turned herself in for her warrants of theft of property and cruelty to non-livestock animals a month after they were issued.
SMITH COUNTY – An investigation into a dog theft case in May has led to the uncovering of extreme animal abuse at a Smith County home and officials are now seeking information on the suspect who has reportedly left town.
According to a press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first received a report of two stolen dogs after a witness saw a delivery driver pick up the animals. After the driver never returned the dogs, despite being told to by their supervisor, the case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY – The South Rusk County Water Supply Corporation has issued a boil water notice for their customers after they had a temporary break in water service on Thursday, according to county officials, and our news partner, KETK.
Any customer who experienced a water outage in the South Rusk County Water Supply Corporation area recently is asked to please bring any water for cleaning or consumption to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes before use.
South Rusk County Water Supply Corporation officials said they will notify their customers when it becomes no longer necessary to boil water. Anyone with questions can contact their office at 903-863-2124.
EDGEWOOD – The City of Edgewood has issued an alert to its residents to conserve water after finding themselves in severe water shortage conditions on Thursday.
According to our news partner KETK and the city, customers are requested to practice water conservation and to minimize non-essential use as they initiate stage 3 of water shortage conditions. Stage 3 of the water plan is entered when total daily water demands equal or exceed 350,000 gallons in a single day or over five consecutive days.
To reduce water use, customers are asked to only water landscaped areas, wash vehicles or fill pools during the following allotted times. Customers with a street address ending in an even number should only water landscapes with hand-held hoses, hand-held buckets or an automatic sprinkler system on Thursdays or Sundays from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Here’s a reminder from the Tyler Police Department in regards to the July 4th holiday. It is a violation of a City of Tyler ordinance to detonate fireworks inside the city limits. You could receive a citation, and your fireworks could be seized.
Discharging a firearm inside the city limits of Tyler is illegal. Celebratory gunfire could injure someone or worse.
There are multiple approved fireworks shows around Tyler to enjoy. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.
SMITH COUNTY – Emergency crews responded to a crash involving a motorcycle and a van Thursday morning in Smith County. The collision occurred at the intersection of East Northeast Loop 323 and FM 14 shortly before 8 a.m., according to Smith County ESD No. 2 spokesperson Nikki Simmons. Injuries have been reported, but officials have not identified those involved, the extent of the sustained injuries or announced how many people were injured in the crash. The crash’s cause is still being looked into.
ALTO – Samuel Schlemmer was given a 12-year prison sentence on Wednesday for driving while intoxicated last year, killing two women and injuring another.
In relation to a collision on Highway 69, close to FM 1911 in Alto, Schlemmer, who was 21 at the time of the May 2025 collision, entered a guilty plea to two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. He was sentenced to 10 years for intoxication assault and 12 years for each charge of intoxication manslaughter. The sentences will be executed concurrently.
Police say an SUV and truck collided in the crash. Three people were hurt in the SUV. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Following an incident at a Longview nightclub early on June 21, three women have been taken into custody as part of an assault investigation. New details regarding an alleged assault on a woman in the parking lot are revealed by arrest documents that WFAA was able to obtain.
Alana Mumphrey, 21, of Longview, Dejae Brown, 21, of Pittsburg, and Ciarrianne Fuller, 21, of Longview are all accused of assault causing bodily injury in relation to an alleged assault at Whiskey J’s, which is situated at 300 TX-63 Spur in Longview. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to an affidavit from the Tyler Police Department, a man was detained on Sunday after taking pictures of an unconscious woman and then threatening to send the pictures to her relatives. The affidavit states that in February, Otto Pablo, 44, photographed the unidentified victim in a compromising position. The woman told police that Pablo had taken more pictures and had threatened to send the photos.
Authorities say Pablo did send a family member at least one cropped photo. Multiple copies of the pictures were discovered when investigators confiscated Pablo’s phone. Pablo was charged with invasive visual recording and placed under $200,000 bond in the Smith County Jail.
PALESTINE — Eight people were hospitalized on Wednesday morning following a single-vehicle crash involving a prison bus carrying several inmates as they headed to the Palestine Unit. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) said one of their bus was in a single-vehicle crash between Donie and Groesbeck on Highway 164, east of Highway 139. The bus was transporting 26 inmates from local jails to the Gurney Unit in Palestine for intake.
TDCJ said all inmates were accounted for, and three staff members were on the bus.
Seven inmates and a staff member were taken to a local hospital and law enforcement believes there are no life-threatening injuries.
EAST TEXAS – The U.S. Supreme Court made several monumental rulings on Tuesday, inciting mixed reactions from East Texas politicians and Gov. Greg Abbott as decisions on transgender and birthright citizenship issues were handed down, according to our news partner KETK.
Two of the rulings made by the Supreme Court that caught the attention of East Texans included the decision to uphold state laws preventing transgender women from playing on school athletic teams and striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that states may continue to uphold bans on transgender girls from competing on girls and women’s school sports teams, after findin that banning transgender women from school athletics does not violate Ttle IX, according to a report from The Hill. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Starting on Friday, July 3rd through Monday, July 6th, the Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP . STEP stands for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.
With increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the 4th of July weekend, officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive. Have a safe and happy holiday!
TYLER – Here’s a reminder from the Tyler Police Department in regards to the July 4th holiday. It is a violation of a City of Tyler ordinance to detonate fireworks inside the city limits. You could receive a citation, and your fireworks could be seized.
Discharging a firearm inside the city limits of Tyler is illegal. Celebratory gunfire could injure someone or worse.
There are multiple approved fireworks shows around Tyler to enjoy. Have a safe and happy 4th of July.
SMITH COUNTY — Gov. Greg Abbott made a campaign stop at Milano’s in Bullard on Tuesday afternoon, pushing towards the November election. According to our news partner KETK, the main message, eliminating property taxes for Texans. Abbott is up for his fourth term and is now pushing for his new “Taxpayer Empowerment Pledge.”
“One thing I hear from every Texan is that we’ve got to do more to slash their property taxes,” Abbott said.
If reelected, Abbott says he will advance his five-step plan, which includes eliminating school property taxes, using a state budget surplus to fund academic programs, shifting appraisals from annual to every five years, and requiring voters to approve any increases with a 2/3 vote. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department said in a news release Wednesday, Cortavian Tatum, 18, a third suspect sought in connection with the June 27 shooting at Whataburger on Victory Drive, turned himself in. He surrendered Tuesday night at the Marshall Police Department and was charged with murder. With his surrender, three suspects identified in connection with the incident are now in custody. Also arrested and in custody at the Harrison County Jail are Davion McDale Brown, 19, who was charged with capital murder, and Jamarrio Dominique Epps, 21, of Longview, charged with murder.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 27. Two victims, James Morrow, 20, and Jassiah Hill, 18, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two additional shooting victims, whose injuries were not life-threatening, were transported to a local medical facility. Read the rest of this entry »
LAREDO – John Gomez, a Tyler-based priest, was ordained and installed as the Second Bishop of Laredo on Tuesday after being appointed by the Vatican in May. Gomez was ordained a deacon on May 24, 2008, and a priest for the Diocese of Tyler on May 23, 2009, by Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río.
“His experience in diocesan administration as Judicial Vicar and Vicar General, his experience in parish ministry, and his commitment to Hispanic Ministry will serve him well in his new ministry as the second Bishop of Laredo,” Diocese of Tyler Bishop Gregory Kelly said in May. “I am also grateful to Bishop-elect Gomez for his help to me over this last year as a new bishop in Tyler and will miss his presence and ministry.”
WHITEHOUSE – According to a police affidavit, a Tyler man was taken into custody on Monday after an 11-month-old was discovered with numerous bruises on the child’s face, scalp, back, and sides. Joshua Moses Kelm, 30, of Tyler, was charged with child injury after police looked into several incidents where the child had unexplained bruises after spending time with Kelm.
The affidavit states that on May 26, just after midnight, police were initially called to Nunn Street due to a fight between Kelm and the mother of the child. The mother told officers she did not want to leave the child with Kelm as the child always received bruises when left in Kelm’s care.
Neither in-person nor during the review of bodycam footage did the officers notice any bruises that evening. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A pedestrian collision at a shopping center is being investigated by police. According to Tyler PD, the collision happened in a parking lot at the Cumberland Village Shopping Center in the 8900 block of South Broadway Avenue at approximately 3:55 p.m. The driver in question is assisting law enforcement and is fully cooperative, according to officials. There were no immediate details available regarding the pedestrian’s condition. As more information becomes available, this story will be updated.
SMITH COUNTY – On Friday, June 26, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to The Fuel Spot, on Highway 69, to a possible aggravated robbery. When the deputies arrived, they were met by the store clerk who said that a male suspect, identified later as 29-year-old Tanner McEvoy, entered the business, displayed a knife, and demanded cash.
The clerk complied, giving the suspect an unknown amount of cash . McEvoy then fled the location on foot toward a nearby RV park. Deputies quickly determined McEvoy’s location and took him into custody without incident. During execution of a search warrant, investigators recovered the stolen money from McEvoy’s residence.
McEvoy was transported to the Smith County Jail, where he was booked on charges of aggravated robbery. His bond was set at $250,000.
EAST TEXAS — Mabank Fire Chief Charlie Woodard was fatally struck by a pickup truck while directing traffic after the Mabank Rodeo on Saturday.
According to the Mabank Police Department, of which Woodard was also a member, a procession was held Tuesday morning. It exited U.S. Highway 175 onto State Highway 198, traveling south to Mason Street.
Woodard had served with the City of Mabank since 2018. He also worked as the community’s Fire Marshal and as a Mabank Police Department officer. He was recognized as one of the city’s employees of the month in Feb. 2025.
“Thank you for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support you have shown the Woodard family, Mabank Fire & Rescue, and the Mabank Police Department during this difficult time,” the department said.
Funeral arrangements for Woodard will be announced in the near future, the department said.
SMITH COUNTY — Records reveal new details leading up to the arrest of three Smith County women for child endangerment, after a two-month-old was placed in a medically induced coma.
According to our news partner KETK, medical staff at a local Tyler hospital alerted Child Protective Services after Sidney Whitt, 21, came in with her two-month-old, stating “she hadn’t had a wet diaper in three days and she was fatigued,” a Smith County affidavit revealed. While at the hospital, the baby reportedly began having seizures, lasting about an hour, and had visible bruises on her face, cheek and jawline. Hospital staff believed that seizures may have been caused by having been violently shaken.
The infant was then transported to a hospital in Dallas for further medical care.
In a later interview, a report revealed that Whitt had left her children locked in a bedroom when leaving to meet with Jacqulyn Morales, her roommate, and her boyfriend at a hotel where they consumed alcohol and drugs. Whitt’s and Morales’ children were left under the care of Shelby Munoz, Morales’ 18-year-old sister. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – There are now 27 confirmed New World Screwworm cases in the United States, 26 of them in Texas. A ripple effect of the worm’s spread is already being felt Rusk County, where ‘That Crazy Dog Lady’ has been forced to stop intake of dogs until 20 are transported to New York, which is one of the states now restricting dogs coming from Texas.
“Our major partner is in the state of New York which has banned entry from any Texas dogs,” owner of ‘That Crazy Dog Lady’ Vanessa Cogswell said. “So, we were supposed to have 20 puppies leaving on Monday to our partner in New York, and unfortunately, they will not be able to travel.”
Her non-profit provides rescue and foster services in rural communities without animal control services. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Police and other investigators made a second arrest in connection with the early Saturday morning shooting in Marshall that left two people dead and two others injured. The shooting happened outside a Whataburger restaurant.
Jamarrio Dominique Epps, 21, of Longview, has been arrested and charged with murder. Epps was taken into custody by Longview Police Department’s SWAT team, after Marshall police issued an arrest warrant. Previously, Marshall Police arrested Davion McDale Brown, 19, who was charged with capital murder in connection with the same incident. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN – The Van ISD community is in mourning this week after a 16-year-old student was found unresponsive in a four-wheeler accident, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said.
According to our news partner KETK, the school release a statement, “It is with profound sadness that Van ISD shares the passing of one of our own, Kayden Palmer, following a tragic accident,” Van ISD said on Saturday. “Kayden was a beloved member of the Vandal family whose infectious smile, kind heart, and servant spirit left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Having recently completed his freshman year at Van High School, Kayden was known for his energy, intelligence, and willingness to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed.” Read the rest of this entry »
All non-essential City offices will observe the following schedule on Friday, July 3, in observance of the upcoming Fourth of July.
City Hall
City Hall offices will be closed Friday, July 3.
Tyler Water Utilities
The Water Business Office will be closed Friday, July 3. The kiosk at the drive-through offers 24/7 access for water utility customers with its ability to accept checks, money orders, credit/debit cards and cash payments. Those choosing to pay with cash should be aware that no change will be given. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – On Sunday, a woman was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal collision. According to Gregg County jail records, Casey Johnson, 45, of Longview, is accused of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury and intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. Johnson was booked into the Gregg County Jail with a $500,000 bond. Read the rest of this entry »
TOOL – East Texans got together for a Save Cedar Creek Lake Town Hall on Sunday to organize against a planned data center that could tap into the lake’s precious water. Organizers with the volunteer-run Save Cedar Creek Lake coalition hosted Sunday’s town hall at the Oran White Civic Center in Tool in order to share their plan for how their going to stop a planned data center from being built near the Key Ranch Estates on Cedar Creek Lake.
According to our news partner KETK, Local attorney and Cedar Creek Lake property owner Ashley Cook is one of the coalition’s leaders and she’s called on state officials to enact a one-year moratorium on new data centers so that state lawmakers can get a better understanding of their environmental impact.
“It’s going to take a lot of people making a whole lot of noise for us to be able to get it across on a state level that this is really important,” Cook said. “We need people to understand that this is a serious issue.” Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Davion McDale Brown, 19, was arrested in Gregg County on Saturday for capital murder in connection to the shooting which happened at a Whataburger in Marshall at around 1:50 a.m. that morning. The shooting left two victims dead, James Morrow, 20 of Carthage, and Jassiah Hill, 18 of Longview. Both men were football players in their respective communities. Hill had a full ride from William Penn University, while Morrow was attending Navarro College and helped Carthage win a state championship in 2022. Their family has organized a GoFundMe to help cover their funeral costs.
The Marshall Police Department said officers responded to the Whataburger at around 1:50 a.m. when a 911 call was received reporting a shooting at the location. When officers arrived, they found multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Read the rest of this entry »
MABANK — Mabank Fire Department Fire Chief Charlie Woodard was fatally struck by a pickup truck while directing traffic after the Mabank Rodeo on Saturday. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) told our news partner KETK, that Woodard was stepping into the westbound lane of West Mason Street at around 10:30 p.m. while directing traffic when he was hit by a pickup truck.
Woodard was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to DPS. Troopers with DPS are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the crash. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Animal Control is seeking the public’s help in identifying a person who recently abandoned multiple puppies in front of a community office near Lake Palestine. According partner to Smith County Animal Control and our new partner KETK, the individual unloaded the puppies from his truck and left them in front of their office on Saturday.
Smith County Animal Control said abandoning an animal is never the answer, it’s a crime. Anyone who recognizes the person or their truck to call animal control at (903)-266-4303.
“You can get an animal spayed or neutered for 80 bucks, so you’ve got choices way before you get to the point where you have to or you feel like you have to commit an act like that,” supervisor Colton Parsell said.
Animal advocates said ending this cycle starts with responsible pet ownership before another litter ends up without a home.