Area News

SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas man has been sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Joshua Isaiah Castillo, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute…

SHERMAN, Texas –A Plano convicted felon has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Tapatrick Newton Martin, 26, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 120 months in federal…

By Lamar Smith Americans are fed up with the slowing economy and are taking their frustrations out on the incumbent party. Democrats romped to victory in last year’s off-cycle elections and may do so again in the midterms this November. Patent reform might not seem like an obvious tool for calming voters’ economic anxieties. But…

August 25, 2026 AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is proud to announce that Corporal Kaleb Rains (Eastland) has earned the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award at the 2026 North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC). This is the highest honor awarded to a commercial motor vehicle roadside inspector in North America, recognizing…

By Dr. Billy Holland As I awakened this morning and opened the shades, the sun was shining, and the sky was clear. I’m very blessed that I could stand and walk without pain. We seldom think about how often we take the basic functions of life for granted. I walked around outside and looked at…

Johnson County – At the request of the Cleburne Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Ranger Division, is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 24th, 2026, at 600 South Burleson Blvd., in the city of Burleson. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this…

SHERMAN, Texas – A Greenville man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Ronnie Jakeis Zamijay Baylor, 22, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and…

Tyler, Texas – On 8/24/2026 at approximately 6:20 A.M., Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to an auto-pedestrian crash that occurred on Farm to Market Road 14 near County Road 328.   A preliminary investigation indicated that a Dodge pickup driven by Christopher Wilson, 32, of Tyler, Texas, was traveling northbound on Farm to…

Five nonprofits receive funding to expand access to food, healthcare and housing support (TYLER, Texas) – Five East Texas nonprofit organizations have been selected to receive grants totaling $300,000 through the CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund (CHRISTUS Fund), supporting programs that improve the health and well-being of local communities. The recipients in the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother…

SHERMAN, Texas – A Quinlan woman has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Michelle Hignight, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in…