Today is
Monday July 20, 2026
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.
TYLER — Tyler residents got together on Saturday to march for an end to ongoing violence in the community after a local 5-year-old boy was recently shot.
“Recent acts of violence have shaken our community and left many families asking difficult questions about the future of our neighborhoods,” Smith County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 Derrick Choice said.
“When innocent children become victims of violence, it is a reminder that the consequences of conflict extend far beyond those directly involved. They reach into our homes, our schools, our churches, and our collective sense of security.”
Saturday’s Tyler Community Unity Day events started at the Texas African American American Museum at around 11 a.m. when residents started a peace walk to Woldert Park. Read the rest of this entry »
JACKSONVILLE — A 15-year-old Rusk ISD student-athlete drowned in Lake Jacksonville on Saturday while saving his 5-year-old cousin.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the Lake Jacksonville Campgrounds at around 2:30 p.m. for a reported drowning.
Rhilynn Myers, a sophomore at Rusk High School and a Rusk Eagle football player, was identified by his grandfather Jason Myers as the 15-year-old who died at Lake Jacksonville on Saturday. Jason said his grandson was a hero who died while saving his cousin.
“Rhilynn was a defender of the bullied, the weaker kids at school and he died a hero saving his 5-year-old autistic cousin,” Jason told KETK News on Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The newest member of the Longview City Council took his oath of office on Thursday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Smith, who was elected earlier this month to represent District 3, was sworn into office during the Longview City Council Meeting.
District 3 covers the southeastern part of the city from Interstate 20 to north of Highway 80, including neighborhoods along Highway 259.
During Thursday night’s council meeting, Smith said he wants to focus on repairing roads and youth programs and emphasized that he is ready to work for the people in the district.
“We have to work together and we have to do what we are called to do,” Smith said. “We have to be responsible and make the right decisions for the City of Longview and for every citizen in Longview.”
GUN BARREL – Gun Barrel City has named its new interim city manager on Friday as they continue their nationwide search to find someone to permanently fill the position.
According to our news partner KETK, city officials say as the search continues, Steven Norwood will begin serving in the interim role immediately and assist the City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) operations until a permanent EDC Director is hired.
“Mr. Norwood has more than three decades of experience in municipal government, having served in leadership positions across Texas, including as City Manager in multiple communities,” Gun Barrel City officials said. “Throughout his career, he has overseen municipal operations, economic development initiatives, infrastructure projects, strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational leadership.”
The city said Norwood’s appointment was made to ensure continuity of services while officials continue their search for a permanent city manager. The city manager and EDC director positions are expected to be filled in the upcoming months.
MARSHALL – Police in Marshall are investigating an early Saturday morning shooting that left two people dead and two others injured at a Marshall Whataburger.
The Marshall Police Department said officers responded to the Whataburger on Victory Drive 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 »
SMITH COUNTY – Investigators were notified by Child Protective Services and hospital staff regarding a two-month-old baby brought to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital with head trauma consistent with child abuse, according to a news release. Medical personnel reported the infant was suffering from brain bleeding, seizures, and facial bruising. The baby was later airlifted to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas for specialized treatment.
Investigators conducted interviews with the baby’s mother, other adults, and the children residing in the home, and discovered the home lacked air conditioning and was infested with flies. The floor was heavily littered with rat feces, diapers, and clothing.
The investigation also revealed that several of the children were routinely locked in a room when the mother left the residence, leaving another adult in charge. Investigators learned on the night of June 16, the two mothers of the children, identified as Sidney Whitt, 21, and Jacqulun Morales, 29, left the residence and placed Morales’s sister, Shelby Munoz, 18, in charge of the children. Prior to leaving, they locked the baby and two other children in a bedroom. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler announced on Friday that they’ve offered a “voluntary separation incentive” or buyout to around a quarter of its total employees. The university told our news partner KETK News that the buyouts are being offered to “ensure the university remains affordable and prepared for the future while continuing to advance our teaching and research mission.”
Their “voluntary separation incentive program” has reportedly been designed to take into account their staff’s “meaningful contributions and dedicated service.” According to UT Tyler, the buyouts are not expected to impact its course catalog or student services in any way. The UT Tyler faculty directory listed around 1,200 staff as of Friday. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Old Bascom Road will remain closed while crews complete drainage repairs and prepare for a full road reconstruction project. The road has been closed since May 22 while crews replace collapsed tin culverts with new concrete box culverts. The ongoing culvert replacement is expected to take about three more weeks.
During the replacement work, it was determined that Old Bascom Road must be reconstructed before reopening. Once the culvert work is complete, the City has contracted Reynolds & Kay to begin the rehabilitation project. Read the rest of this entry »
UPDATE: Emiliano Lorenzo Alonzo Ebanez was taken into custody at around 5:41 p.m. on Wednesday, the Jacksonville Police Department said. He is currently in the Cherokee County Jail, according to our news partner KETK.
JACKSONVILLE — Three men were hospitalized after two separate shootings began in Jacksonville on Sunday night.
The Jacksonville Police Department received several 911 calls on Sunday at around 9:35 p.m. of a shooting in the area of Lincoln Park near MB Davis Boulevard and Holloway Street. When officers arrived, they found three men suffering from gunshot wounds.
All three victims were transported to local hospitals, where they remain in stable condition, according to police.
As officers worked the scene and attempted move away a large crowd, additional 911 calls came in at around 10:10 p.m. reporting a second shooting. This incident occurred outside the 7-Eleven at 202 North Jackson Street, where another crowd had gathered.
Detectives are actively investigating both shootings and are working to identify everyone involved. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jacksonville Police Department at 903-586-2546.
ARP – On Friday, the son of a former assistant principal at Arp Elementary entered a guilty plea to luring a 14-year-old girl away from her parents in order to commit a felony. The girl was later impregnated. Blake Florence, 23, and his mother, Karla Florence, who was the assistant principal at Arp Elementary at the time, were detained in late August 2025 on suspicion of sexual assault of a minor and tampering with tangible evidence. Charges of failing to report and giving a false report to a peace officer led to her arrest. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY – Two men have been arrested on suspicion of drug dealing in the Athens area, according to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. An Athens police officer, a group of Henderson County deputies and investigators executed a drug search warrant on Wednesday at approximately 7:14 p.m. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, narcotics investigators disrupted a drug-running scheme that resulted in the arrest of two men from Athens and halted the flow of cocaine, codeine, and marijuana from this area. Henderson County 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee issued a search warrant, which was carried out in the 400 block of Stoneleigh Street. Two men, David LaJames Hurd, 39, and Hasani Sameel Pariall, 37, were arrested during the search warrant’s execution. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS – After driving while intoxicated in a collision that killed a Tyler woman in 2024, 22-year-old Athens resident Jercorion Jaterence Johnson was given an 18-year prison sentence. In his own defense, Johnson expressed regret for the collision that killed 49-year-old Monica Bingham in July 2024. He acknowledged that he was “high” during a collision on U.S. 175 and that he had few memories of the day. Additionally, testimony revealed that in March 2025, while he was out on bond, he was arrested for driving under the influence.
TYLER — U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran introduced new legislation Thursday that would require AI developers to report dangerous capabilities, security breaches and safety incidents to the United States Secretary of Commerce. The new legislation would give the Department of Commerce jurisdiction to determine AI models that pose risks to national security and public safety. In addition, developers would be required to file reports no more than 7 days after discovering dangerous activity and in more serious cases, the department would be required to notify congress within 48 hours.
A press release from Moran says reportable incidents could include the following:
AI models that attempt to evade human oversight or resist shutdown, unauthorized access to or theft of model weights
Capabilities that could enable offensive cyberattacks against critical infrastructure
Evidence that a model can autonomously accelerate the development of more powerful AI systems
Other risks could include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse received a $750,000 grant from the Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) on Thursday as a part of the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis. The OAFC funds were collected by the State of Texas from settlements that the state won against the companies that profited from the opioid epidemic, including various pharmaceutical companies, marketing firms, distributors and even grocery store companies.
According to our news partner KETK, Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced Thursday that $48.9 million in Long-term Community-based Opioid Recovery Effort (CORE) grants have been awarded to nonprofits and communities across the state.
“These grants put opioid settlement funds to work where they can make the greatest difference, with the local providers and community partners on the front lines,” Hancock said. “It is encouraging to see these dollars put to good use, helping Texans find hope and a path forward.” Read the rest of this entry »
CANTON – As a contractor works to repair a sewer main over the next two weeks, the City of Canton is advising drivers to be wary while traveling along Highway 19 and Dealers Row.
According to our news partner KETK and the city, while traveling through Highway 19, drivers should expect traffic devices set up through the work zone as repair crews work along the east shoulder and the west side of Highway 19. The work will also cause brief delays as drivers pass, an estimated one to five minutes.
Construction is expected to last one to two weeks, but it should not affect First Monday as all work and equipment will be cleared during the event.
OVERTON — A crash on Hwy 323 in Overton has left a 26-year-old woman dead, according to Overton police, and our news partner, KETK. The crash happened on Thursday morning near the overpass. Kameron Smiley, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene of the single-vehicle crash. Officers working the crash advised drivers to avoid the area and use an alternate route. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – On Thursday afternoon, Longview police and federal agents are investigating in south Longview. LaDarian Brown, a spokesperson for the Longview Police Department, stated that the department is supporting an ongoing investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Officials are reportedly in the 200 block of Michael Street at an automotive business. It is unclear if any arrests have been made, and no further details have been made public.
SMITH COUNTY – On June 11, Deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to County Road 390, near the Old Kilgore Highway in Tyler, after receiving reports of a deceased dog found inside a metal crate on the property.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with one of the residents, who reported that two deceased dogs and two living dogs were inside dog crates. Deputies were guided to the location of the crates, where they confirmed two deceased dogs and one severely malnourished, maggot infested dog.
The resident stated that the dogs were strays she and her mother had cared for over the past year but had recently stopped caring for. She admitted the dogs had been confined without reasonable access to food or water.
When investigators arrived on scene, met with deputies, and contacted Animal Control. Animal Control took custody of the two surviving dogs and transported them for emergency medical treatment. Unfortunately, one of the rescued dogs later died due to the severity of the neglect. Read the rest of this entry »
OVERTON – The Texas Department of Public Safety reports that a single-vehicle collision in Overton on Thursday morning has left one person dead. According to officials, the collision occurred on State Highway 323 close to County Road 125 at around 6:00 a.m. No further information regarding the collision has been made public as of yet. The Overton Police Department is advising people to take a different route and stay away from the area. Additionally, they requested that people offer prayers for the affected individuals and their families.