Today is
Friday April 04, 2025
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that officials are searching for a third suspect after a Van Zandt County home was burglarized twice on the same day.
The Van Zandt County Sheriffâs Office said deputies were dispatched to a burglary that had already occurred. Deputies took a report of items taken from a residence and while speaking with the homeowner, officials believed the suspects would return to the residence and steal more items.
The deputies who responded to the call remained in the area and were alerted when the victim called 911 again to report the suspects had returned again. The victim and an acquaintance attempted to restrain the suspects, officials said, but one ran away while others fled in a vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
HUGHES SPRINGS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Hughes Springs daycare worker was arrested on Monday after investigators reportedly discovered a video of her sexually assaulting a child.
According to the arrest affidavit, the Hughes Springs Police Department began an investigation into the possible continuous sexual assault of a child by Benny Edward Littlepage. After searching Littlepageâs phone, officers found 4,000 nude photos and 1,000 videos of a girl under 18.
The document said that investigators discovered a video that occurring on Nov. 11, 2024, at 7:17 a.m. that showed a child while Samantha Michele Smith, 34 of Hughes Springs and Littlepage performed sexual acts on the child and with each other. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two people were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after methamphetamine and a firearm were found inside a home.
The Cherokee County Sheriffâs Office said deputies conducted a search warrant on a home off County Road 3816, where they discovered 9 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. Officials identified the people inside the home as Sara Jean Mulder and Dillon Austin Lambright.
According to our news partner, KETK, Lambright and Mulder were arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon while engaged in criminal activity.
NACOGDOCHES – A man was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to shooting a Nacogdoches police officer.
The incident occurred in December 2023 when the officer conducted a traffic stop, pulling over Jose Iraheta, the driver, and Gabriel Ramirez, a passenger. Ramirez proceeded to open fire on the officer before fleeing the scene.
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, Ramirez and the driver were found a few days later, and were arrested for aggravated assault against a public servant. Following his arrest, Ramirez was transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail. Read the rest of this entry »
MOUNT PLEASANT – A cockfighting ring involving hundreds of people was discovered in Mount Pleasant and, animal organizations said local authorities did nothing to stop it.
According to Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), over the weekend they presented to Titus County Sheriffâs Office with evidence of a cockfighting event, but deputies did nothing to stop it. The organizations said that representatives showed up to the cockfighting event, and took drone footage showing about 225 vehicles and people holding roosters. The groups claimed it was the biggest cockfighting event they have ever seen.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that four deputies showed up to the property after the organizations handed over evidence, but the groups said they feel more could have been done. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – According to our news partner KETK and the Texas A&M webiste the Smith Co. 10-acre fire is 100% contained. Smith County ESD2 Chief Eric Greaser said crews were dispatched to 11340 Highway 64 W. at around 2:45 p.m. after a controlled fire got out of hand. The fire is 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Incident Viewer. The Texas A&M Forestry Service assisted local first responders.
âThe wind shift can get off into the grasses that are now dry and with the low humidity, they [a fire] can really run faster than most of us could imagine,â Greaser said.
Greaser said the Fire Marshalâs office will be issuing a citation to a contractor next to the Northeast Texas Bikerâs Church.
UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, Womack is safe and has returned home.
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)- The Lufkin Police Department is searching for a missing 11-year-old boy who was last seen Wednesday evening.
Zaviar Womack was last seen near Lufkinâs Garrett Primary school at around 5:15 p.m. Womack was wearing the shirt shown in the photograph along with blue jeans and glasses.
Photo courtesy of Lufkin Police Department
Anyone with information on Womackâs whereabouts is asked to contact the Lufkin Police Department at 936-633-0356.
NACOGDOCHES â According to our news partner KETK, a Mexican man, residing in Nacogdoches, pleaded guilty to federal immigration and firearms violations on Tuesday. 25-year-old Joel Bustamante Moreno was detained for selling multiple firearms, including a 9mm pistol equipped with a Glock switch, a device that once fixed to a pistol can make it capable of firing automatically. Officials said Moreno fled the scene when officers attempted to arrest him, wrecked a vehicle and ran to a residence where he was later arrested. Moreno has previously been deported in 2019 and 2020.
He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Morenoâs case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program combining all levels of law enforcement and the communities to keep neighborhoods safer. Several parties are part of the investigation including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the Nacogdoches Police Department.
TYLER – Lack of rain, combined with dry conditions and high winds have some counties in East Texas issuing burn bans. Our news partner KETK, has a running list of those counties. You can find that list here.
ARP – The City of Arp issued a boil water notice for their public water system on Wednesday after a water line break.
The city said for all customers to boil their water prior to consumption while children, seniors and people with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria.
âWhen it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking or human consumption purposes,â the city said.
According to our news partner, KETK, if anyone has questions regarding the boil notice, they can contact Donnell Brown at 903-859-6131 or 903-360-5038.
CANTON – A Van Zandt County contractor was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy that cost an electric company more than $2 million.
According to the U.S. Attorney Officeâs of the Eastern District Court of Texas, James Derr, 55, was involved in a group conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton that diverted electrical equipment for financial gain. Our news partner, KETK, reports that for five years, Derr, Mitchell, and Burton reportedly worked together to steal circuit breakers and resell them to various buyers. Derr worked as an electrical contractor with J&D Electric, and Mitchell worked for Schneider Electric in Athens. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER â 
A Canton man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. James Derr, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle on March 18, 2025. Derr was also ordered to pay $2,615,585.93 in restitution.According to information presented in court, Derr, an electrical contractor with J&D Electric, was involved in a conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton to divert equipment for their own financial gain. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed a new 62nd Judicial District court judge who will cover cases in Delta, Franklin, Hopkins and Lamar counties. According to our news partner KETK, William âBillâ Harris of Paris is the current County Court Judge for Lamar County and Abbott has selected him to fill the 62nd Judicial District court judge seat for a term that will last till Dec. 31, 2026.
His appointment as the 62nd Judicial District court judge will have to be approved by the Texas Senate before he can fill the role. If confirmed, Harris will fill the role until a permanent replacement for former judge Will Biard is elected. Read the rest of this entry »
NACOGDOCHES – Stephen F. Austin State University has been on alert since an anonymous threat was reportedly shared on social media, according to our news partner KETK.
âWe have been made aware of the concerning message found over spring break on a bench near campus indicating something may happen on March 24,â Interim Provost Judy Abbott said. âThe University Police Department has been taking action and increasing their presence on campus.â
The university recommends the following actions to ensure safety:
JEFFERSON – The Jefferson Police Department is searching for suspects involved in an attempted ATM burglary on Monday morning.
According to reports from our news partner, KETK, at around 2 a.m. police responded to an alarm call at East Texas Professional Credit Union located on East Broadway St. What they found was the aftermath of an attempted burglary at the ATM. Officials said the suspects used a stolen truck to access the ATMâs cash compartment but they were unsuccessful and no money was stolen. The suspects fled before officers arrived.
Officers are actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jefferson Police Department.