Today is
Saturday June 06, 2026
TEXARKANA — A second suspect has been arrested for the 2014 murder of Xavier Rollins thanks to a recent DNA analysis according to our news partner KETK. Rollins was found dead from gunshot wounds outside an apartment on College Drive on June 17, 2014.
Texarkana Police Department officials said every lead brought investigators to dead ends when the case first begun. After decades, however, detectives didn’t stop looking for answers. In 2023, advancements in DNA technology led detectives to the arrest of Cameron Cheatham for capital murder in October 2024. Continuing their search, a tip led detectives to Demontre Collins, 30. Through updated DNA analysis, it was confirmed a match to evidence from the scene.
Police secured a warrant and arrested Collins on Nov. 11 during a traffic stop. Collins, along with Cheatham, is currently being held in the Bi-State Jail on $1 million bonds for capital murder charges.
TYLER – U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran in his bid for reelection on Thursday. Moran, a Republican and former Smith County Judge, was first elected as congressman for Texas’ U.S. House District 1 in 2022 and is currently running to be reelected for a second term in 2026.
“Congressman Nathaniel Moran is doing a fantastic job representing the Great People of Texas’ 1st Congressional District! Nathaniel has an incredible Record of Success, and strong support from his Community,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Moran is currently running unopposed in the March 2026 Republican Party Primary for his seat ahead of the general election in November. Several Democratic candidates, including Dax Alexander, Tracy Andrus, Yolanda Prince and Masika Akilah Ray, are running to be their party’s candidate for the November election.
TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation will host the 40th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the lawn of the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center following The Rotary Club of Tyler’s Rose City Christmas Parade Friday evening. The tree will be lit by Lilli Halifax, the 2026 local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Child representing CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.
The event will also feature performances by the Caldwell Singers, and food and drinks will be available for purchase on site. Beginning at 5 p.m., Friday Dec. 5th, Front Street will be closed from Palace Avenue to Lyons Avenue, and Glenwood Boulevard will be closed from Erwin Street to Houston Street.
CROCKETT — A man was arrested by Crockett Police Department on Wednesday on a charge of alleged indecency with a child. According to our news partner KETK, Crocket Police Department received a tip from a child on Nov. 28 and began investigating 59-year-old Terry Kenneth Taylor, of Crockett. After an investigation, a warrant for Taylor’s arrest was issued for indecency with a child by contact. Taylor was arrested and taken into custody on Wednesday with his bond set at $80,000.
TYLER — Several days after the SPCA of East Texas issued an urgent plea for donations, East Texans responded with overwhelming generosity, allowing the organization to continue caring for and sheltering animals as they move into the new year. According to the SPCA of East Texas executive director Emily Heglund and our news partner KETK, the organization received over $130,000 in donations over the past two days, with most of the contributions coming from Giving Tuesday.
The donations came shortly after the SPCA released a statement on Sunday stating that the organization is in dire need of contributions to allow them to continue caring for animals in East Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – A woman from Tyler was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, according to our news partner KETK.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas, Laura Ann Messay conspired with others to distribute and possess at least 500 grams of meth in East Texas. After admitting guilt to a charge of conspiring to possess meth with intent to distribute, Messay received a 120-month prison sentence from U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.
“This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a man was arrested in Smith County on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a minor and having pornographic images of children on his phone. Police were dispatched to a Walmart in Tyler on Oct. 29 after a woman called claiming her 15-year-old sister had been assaulted. The victim had reportedly left her parents’ house to meet with a man she knew from Instagram as “Mike.”
Mike, later revealed to be Michael Rodas, had been messaging the victim on social media, where he told her that he was 17. Officers observed threads where the two discussed meeting up and Rodas asked for nude photographs and sexual favors if he picked her up. On the day of the incident, Rodas took the minor to a residence in Tyler, where he allegedly forced her to commit sexual acts on him. The victim managed to leave and contacted her sister for help and to be picked up. Read the rest of this entry »
CASS COUNTY — 
Our news partners at KETK report a Hughes Springs police officer was suspended after being arrested in November on a charge of misuse of official information. According to Cass County jail records, Hollie Cates, 42, was arrested Nov. 17 on the charge and released the following day after posting bail. Hughes Springs Police Department said they were contacted by Texas Rangers and made aware of an incident that occurred in September, which alleges that Cates accessed and released confidential information to an individual. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Kilgore College announced the death of its Executive Vice President of Internal Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives, Dr. Mike Jenkins, on Sunday following a battle with lymphoma.According to our news partner KETK, Jenkins had spent 35 years of service to Kilgore College.
“Mike truly had a servant’s heart and will be greatly missed,” Interim President Dr. Staci Martin said. “Please keep Mike’s family and those of us who worked closely with him in your thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.”
According to the college, a Wake of Remembrance will be held in his honor on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church in Longview, featuring refreshments, music, laughter and shared stories. A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m., also at Trinity Baptist Church.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan tax reform bill on Monday, that was co-authored by East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran. According to our news partner KETK, The Tax Court Improvement Act proposed four major reforms aimed at benefiting American taxpayers. Those reforms are modernizing subpoena rules, reducing case backlogs, strengthening judicial ethics and restoring fairness through equitable tolling. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Hawk’s Eye publication reports that a Van Zandt County commissioner has been arrested following allegations that he impersonated a public servant during a dispute involving a man firing guns on his private property. Mitchell James Curtis, 57, was taken into custody Wednesday morning by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.
He is charged with impersonating a public servant and official oppression. His total bond was set at $15,000. Van Zandt County Jail records show Curtis was released after posting bond at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the allegations. Curtis was booked into the Van Zandt County Jail in accordance with state law and established SO procedures. Read the rest of this entry »
TRINITY COUNTY — A former Trinity County animal control officer pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child on Tuesday morning.
According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Daniel Furman was an employee at the time he committed the offense. Furman was arrested on July 1, the same day allegations against him came to light and was placed on administrative leave. Wallace says his conduct is a betrayal of the trust his office placed in him, citizens, his family and most importantly, the young victim.
“This office is deeply sickened by his actions. We are grateful that this painful matter has reached its conclusion,” Wallace said. “The plea agreement was made in consultation with the victim’s family so the child would not be required to endure the emotional and embarrassing burden of testifying in open court.”
TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently working a major traffic accident on Highway 69 North, near Harris Nursery. At this time all Southbound lanes of travel are shut down and only one Northbound lane is open. Official ask that you consider other routes.
TYLER – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation proudly announces Lilli Halifax as the 2026 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) Miracle Child, representing CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. During the announcement, Tyler Mayor Don Warren presented Lilli with a key to the city, symbolizing the start of her year-long role as an advocate for pediatric health care and a beacon of hope for children across the community.
Born with Goltz Syndrome, Lilli has faced numerous tests and surgeries with courage and support from the CHRISTUS CARES pediatric team. Affectionately known as “Silly Lilli,” she embraces life with curiosity and resilience. Passionate about content creation, she is building her YouTube channel, Lilli’s World, to inspire others with positivity and strength. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — 
The Oil Palace in Tyler is up for sale with a listing price of $6.9 million, according to our news partners at KETK. Listed on Staples Commercial Group, the East Texas venue is described as one of the region’s most iconic entertainment venues with 44 acres, seating for 7,000 to 9,000 and comes with all original operating equipment, including audio equipment, lighting and kitchen equipment. Read the rest of this entry »