Today is
Tuesday July 21, 2026
CHEROKEE COUNTRY – Officials Tuesday have identified the man who was found dead and recovered from Lake Palestine last Thursday evening as 24-year-old Donavan Townsend.
According to Cherokee County Precinct 4 Justice of Peace Rodney Wallace, the incident occurred near the Brookshire’s Recreation Center.
TYLER– As temperatures continue to rise across East Texas this summer, local nonprofit PATH is holding its annual box fan drive throughout this month to keep East Texans cool. According to our news partner KETK, the annual “Beat the Heat Fan Drive” aims to provide hundreds of new box fans to vulnerable low-income East Texas families to combat serious threats posed by the heat during this time of year.
After donating over 1,000 fans last summer, PATH is now partnering with Meals on Wheels to focus on providing fans to households that did not receive one last summer. Donations of new box fans can be dropped off directly at the PATH location on Front Street in Tyler. Also, those interested can contribute monetarily through the PATH website.
PATH will be accepting donations until the end of June.
PALESTINE – Robert Robertson continues to challenge his 2003 conviction in the death of his young daughter, Nikki. Robertson is currently sitting on death row. Last Friday, Robertson’s attorney submitted written arguments showing how a court decision that set a Texas man free in 2024 should also apply in Robertson’s case.
Andrew Rourke was freed after spending 35 years in prison when new scientific discoveries debunked the shaken baby theory used in his conviction in 2000. Robertson was sentenced to death using the same theory. Robertson’s execution was stayed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in October, halting his execution for a third time. The state missed last Friday’s deadline set by the judge and has instead filed another extension to submit their arguments.
SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth.
TYLER – All non-essential City offices will observe the following schedule on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.
City Hall
City Hall offices will be closed Friday, June 19.
Tyler Water Utilities
The Water Business Office will be closed Friday, June 19. 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 »
TYLER — The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC), through its North Texas Field Operations Team, led a multi-agency operation that dismantled an organized criminal ring responsible for installing payment card skimmers on high-flow diesel pumps and using stolen card information to fraudulently obtain fuel from truck stops across North Texas.
In late April 2026, the FCIC received a request for assistance from the Garland Police Department in relation to multiple reports of stolen fuel and card numbers. The Texas FCIC began investigating an organized group placing skimming devices on high-flow diesel pumps throughout the North Texas region.
Authorities estimated the group stole between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of diesel per night, five to six nights per week by pumping the fuel into hidden compartments built into the vehicles they were driving. Investigators also determined the group had placed skimming devices on fuel pumps as far away as Smith County. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY — Following a fatal crash in Rusk County on Saturday afternoon, one man was arrested after it was discovered he had allegedly caused the crash while driving intoxicated. According to an affidavit from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and our news partner KETK, a trooper was dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of FM 3053 and FM 1639 in Gregg County.
Once on the scene, the trooper observed a Nissan Versa that had become disabled following the crash. The driver of the Nissan was identified as Tanner Templeton and two pickup trucks that were involved in the incident were found disabled behind Templeton’s car. Authorities believe that the crash was caused when Templeton was driving westbound on FM 1639 and while he was approaching the intersection, he drove past a stop sign without stopping and was struck by a pickup truck traveling northbound on FM 3053.
After striking Templeton’s car, one of the trucks driven by Tracey Fears was pushed into oncoming southbound traffic and struck head-on by another truck. After being hit by the truck, Fears was pronounced dead on the scene and his two passengers were taken by helicopter to a local hospital after suffering serious injury. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Residents of Tyler gathered for a community meeting on Monday to voice concerns about a planned Bitcoin mining data center. The Bitcoin mining facility is currently proposed for 1105 W. Erwin Street in Tyler. On Monday, Mark Buntsev, a community liaison for Vulcan Core LLC, hosted a community meeting with residents living near the W. Erwin Street site, where his company proposes to build a Bitcoin facility.
The facility would use specially designed computers to “mine” Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, a currency that is created and stored only digitally. Developers met with Tyler residents at The Meeting Place banquet hall, located just blocks from the proposed site of the Bitcoin facility, according to out news partner KETK.
“Some of their concerns were the usage of water, the usage of electricity and the usage of noise, all of which I’d like to think that we were able to address through resources such as a further understanding of the technology itself, understanding that we don’t have any kind of power draw or water draw from the city. We utilize distilled water mixed with glycol,” Buntsev said on Monday. Read the rest of this entry »
WOOD COUNTY – One man died on Sunday after an 18-wheeler hydroplaned and crashed into his vehicle on Highway 80 near Mineola. The Texas Department of Public Safety told our news partner KETK that 45-year-old David Earl Johnson of Grand Saline was driving his Ford Fusion west on Highway 80 about half a mile west of Mineola at around 10:47 a.m. on Sunday, as an 18-wheeler was heading east.
Johnson’s Ford was hit when the 18-wheeler hydroplaned on the wet roadway and crossed into the westbound lane of Highway 80. Johnson was fatally injured in the crash and was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to DPS.
The condition of the 18-wheeler driver is currently unknown and DPS is currently investigating the crash.
TYLER – Nearly two weeks after the FBI carried out an “authorized court operation” at a Smith County furniture store, a fourth suspect has now been arrested in connection with the case.
According to our news partner KETK, an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, four individuals are facing federal charges stemming from the June 2 raid at Ximena’s Furniture. The charges include:
*Conspiracy to transport illegal aliens
*Trafficking in false identification documents
*Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Three suspects, Virginia Gamez Ponce Valdivia, Keyla Stacy Valdivia Gamez and Arturo Alcantar-Perez, were taken into custody earlier this month. On Friday, authorities arrested the fourth suspect, Guillermo Limon-Sanchez, in Travis County, where he is currently being held on a federal detainer. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Kilgore College will formally install Dr. Staci Martin as the institution’s 10th president during an investiture ceremony scheduled for Tuesday morning in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone in the college’s history as Dr. Martin officially assumes the role of president following her appointment by the KC Board of Trustees, according to Kilgore College administration officials.
Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are invited to attend. Read the rest of this entry »
GILMER – Mrs. Baird’s partnered with the East Texas Food Bank last week to donate over 11,000 loaves of bread to families across the area this summer, according to our news partner KETK.
This month instead of just getting produce, families will also receive a Mrs. Baird’s loaf of bread. The Church at West Mountain in Gilmer hosted Mrs. Baird’s donation at one of their monthly distributions for the ETFB.
“Summertime is a perfect time for us to partner with food banks, because we know there’s a big need in our community,” Shane Sumrow with Mrs. Baird’s Bread said. “School’s out kids are not getting those school lunches and breakfast and so we know there’s a need for bread that’s going to make a lot of sandwiches for kids and families here in East Texas this summer.”
This donation is a part of Mrs. Baird’s Fighting Texas Hunger Campaign which is aiming to donate 182,000 loaves of fresh bread to families across the state.
WOOD COUNTY – One man died on Sunday after an 18-wheeler hydroplaned and crashed into his vehicle near Mineola. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Public Safety said that 45-year-old David Earl Johnson of Grand Saline was driving his vchicle west on Highway 80 about half a mile west of Mineola at around 10:47 a.m. on Sunday, as an 18-wheeler was heading east.
Johnson’s car was hit when the 18-wheeler hydroplaned on the wet roadway and crossed into the westbound lane of Highway 80. He was fatally injured in the crash and was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to DPS
TATUM, Texas (KETK) – One man has been arrested after an alleged aggravated assault happened at an apartment complex in Tatum on Saturday morning. According to the Tatum Police Department and our news partner KETK, a Tatum PD patrol officer and deputies from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported aggravated assault at an apartment complex in Tatum at around 12:54 a.m. on Saturday.
The Tatum PD officer arrested one man in connection to the aggravated assault. The man was booked into the Rusk County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Tatum PD did not identify the man but they did note that no one was injured during the assault.
ATHENS – The City of Athens has announced that several roads around the city have been closed by flooding as heavy storms move across East Texas. The flooding comes as the National Weather Service has extended a flash flood warning across much of western Henderson County until 10 p.m. The warning includes all of Athens, Log Cabin, Malakoff, Cross Roads and Cayuga.
“Please stay off the roads unless travel is necessary. Never drive around barricades or attempt to cross a flooded roadway. Water may be deeper or moving faster than it appears,” the City of Athens said. “Turn around, don’t drown. Please slow down, use caution and give emergency crews room to work.”
MARSHALL – Heavy rains Monday in Marshall have created flash flooding, and have made Highways 80 and 59 dangerous to travel. Reports say the high water on Highway 80 between Longview and Marshall, have had some drivers turning around when encountering these conditions. Many drivers have attempted in driving through. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – With all of the votes counted, Stuart Hene is now Mayor-Elect of Tyler with 5,170 votes to 3,833 votes for John Nix. Current Mayor Don Warren reaches the end of his third and final term on June 24. Hene will be sworn into office on the same day.
In Longview’s District 3 City Council race in Gregg County, Brandon Smith defeated Marlena Cooper with 223 votes to Cooper’s 204 with all votes counted.
EAST TEXAS — EAST TEXAS — East Texans will be watching closely on Saturday, June 13, as results come in for key local races across the region — in Longview’s District 3 City Council race in Gregg County, Brandon Smith defeats Marlena Cooper with 52.22% to Cooper’s 47.78% with all votes counted.
City of Tyler Mayoral Race
Tyler voters will choose a new mayor on June 13, as current Mayor Don Warren reaches the end of his third and final term. The race has drawn significant local attention, with candidates focusing heavily on infrastructure, public safety, growth management and government transparency.
Stuart Hene is leading in unofficial early and absentee voting totals with 3,876 votes cast for him so far, ahead of John Nix’s 2,931 early and absentee votes. This is with about 11 percent of the vote counted.
For the latest election results, click here.
TYLER — A robot scanning Tyler’s sidewalks to learn about their accessibility was hit by a truck during its first day on duty Thursday. The Daxbots were first deployed to help with Tyler’s Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan on Wednesday. Then, less than a week into the robots’ first deployment in Tyler, one of the robots was struck by a truck at the intersection of West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and North Palace Avenue.
According to the City of Tyler and our news partner KETK, the crash occurred at around 6:30 a.m., when the Daxbot was struck by a truck turning right on red. while the robot was being remotely directed across the street by a company operator.
“When a Daxbot needs to cross a roadway, a human operator monitors traffic and signal conditions and directs the unit to cross only when it is deemed safe to do so,” the City of Tyler explained. Read the rest of this entry »
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Myrtle Springs Volunteer Fire Department demolished their aging fire station building on Saturday, citing serious safety problems and a lack of funding for renovations. According to our news partner KETK, the department currently covers 3000 residents living within the 30 mile-wide Myrtle Springs area of Van Zandt County. Their fire station building has endured many problems like mold, rot, rodent infestations, unsafe structural conditions and unsafe electrical conditions.
The building is located beneath the grade of the nearby County Road 3447, meaning it also frequently flooded. It also lacked insulation which exposed their water pumps to freeze damage during the winter. Recently, the department said they had a wiring failure that almost started a catastrophic fire, which would have seriously damaged their trucks and equipment. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A former Longview coach was sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting and grooming one of his former students. According to our news partner KETK, former owner and coach of a local gymnastics center in Longview, Matthew Orban, 52, was charged with sexual assault of a minor in 2025.
The charges came after Orban had reportedly groomed his student for several years before sexually assaulting her during a massage when she was 14 years old. Another one of Orban’s students also stated that he had groomed her and inappropriately massaged her.
During the trial, a video interview was shown of Orban admitting to a detective that he had massaged the victims after removing their shirts.
TATUM — One man has been arrested after an alleged aggravated assault happened at an apartment complex in Tatum on Saturday morning. According to the Tatum Police Department and our news partner KETK, a patrol officer and deputies from the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported aggravated assault at an apartment complex around 12:55 a.m. Saturday.
Brontravis Markeel Williams, 22, was booked into the Rusk County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. No one was injured during the assault.
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Friday morning at the intersection of Loop 390 and Scottsville Road. This marks the second fatal traffic crash in Marshall this week.
Officers responded to the crash involving a passenger vehicle and a truck at around 9:52 a.m. Marshall Fire Department paramedics transported the driver of the passenger vehicle to a hospital where he later died.
That driver has been identified as 98-year-old Felton Augusta Hopkins, Jr.,of Marshall. The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.
Police have not filed charged. The crash remains under investigation.
LONGVIEW – As Longview ISD continues construction on its new multi-purpose facility, the district is considering naming it after one of their most accomplished alumni Trent Williams. Before making the decision to name the facility after Williams, the district is currently seeking public input and asking community members to submit their feedback through an online survey.
Williams graduated from Longview High School in 2006 and has since gone on to have a successful career in the NFL. After being drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2010, Williams spent nearly 10 years with the organization and is now with the San Francisco 49ers and will enter his 16th year in the league this fall. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler received a $241,779.73 grant from the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council to support a rural-focused initiative for opioid use disorder. Led by Dr. Tuan Le, UT Tyler School of Medicine associate professor, the Rural Opioid Access, Delivery and Support — or ROADS — to Recovery initiative utilizes an integrated care model to help individuals with opioid use disorder.
“This grant is a vital step forward in our mission to address some of East Texas’ most pressing health needs,” said Dr. Sue Cox, School of Medicine dean. “By integrating specialized medical care with essential support services, we are not just treating a condition; we are building a sustainable system of hope and recovery for our neighbors who have been most affected by the opioid crisis.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Smith County reported an opioid overdose death rate of 19.7 per 100,000 in 2022, exceeding the state average of 13.6. According to emergency department data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, several East Texas counties, including Gregg, Morris, Van Zandt and Wood, exceeded the state average in overdose-related visit rates. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY – A jury found Michael Nobles guilty of indecency with a child by sexual contact and sentenced him to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Prosecutors Angela Faulkner and Casey Sirianni presented evidence on June 10, indicating that Nobles coerced a 14-year-old girl to touch him in December 2022.
Later that day, the jury returned a guilty verdict after considering the evidence and hearing testimony. Nobles will have to register as a sexual offender for life as a direct consequence of his conviction.
Nobles was subject to an enhanced punishment range with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison because of his lengthy criminal history. Nobles is incarcerated for the third time in the state prison system as a result of this sentence. Read the rest of this entry »
CHEROKEE COUNTRY – Officials Tuesday have identified the man who was found dead and recovered from Lake Palestine last Thursday evening as 24-year-old Donavan Townsend. According to Cherokee County Precinct 4 Justice of Peace Rodney Wallace, the incident occurred near the Brookshire’s Recreation Center.
GREGG COUNTY– The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office has used DNA to identify the remains of Mitchell Walters who went missing in 2025, according to the sheriff’s office and our news partner KETK. After the skull was found in September 2025 in Liberty City, investigators collected the remains and submitted them to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification in Dallas for forensic analysis.
A DNA profile was successfully developed from the remains in March, and the profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System to determine the identity of the deceased. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
SMITH COUNTY – A woman who admitted to killing a Tyler man in 2017 was given a 20-year prison sentence on Thursday. According to court documents, Jakysia Rodgers, who was recently charged with capital murder in the shooting that killed Joshua Alon McGee, 22, on August 11, 2017, entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of murder on Thursday. After that, Rodgers received a 20-year sentence. She was already serving a 20-year sentence for an unrelated aggravated assault charge in 2024 prior to the capital murder indictment. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – The eastbound lanes of I-20 near Highway 31 in Kilgore are to be closed to about 6.pm. on Thursday as crews clean debris from a semi-truck crash off the roadway, that according to our news partner KETK.
The Kilgore Fire Department said, the truck tractor and trailer drove off the roadway and into the tree line off of I-20 near mile marker 590. Firefighters were able to extricate the driver, who was the sole occupant. The driver has been hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries.
Crews are now working to clean debris from the crash and remove the truck, which is expected to close down the eastbound lanes of I-20 in the area for the next five to six hours, Adam Albritton from DPS told KETK News.
TYLER – There are confirmed reports of a two vehicle accident on Highway 110 and Grande Blvd in Tyler. At this time, traffic is slow, but moving. You might consider taking an alternate route and watch out for emergency personnel. At this time, there are no reported injuries.