Zak Wellerman

3 days ago | cbs19.tv | Zak Wellerman

TRINITY, Texas — A Deep East Texas hospital is set to close its doors at the end of this week due to financial struggles. Mid Coast Health System announced on Friday that it will stop operations and close Mid Coast Medical Center Trinity, a rural hospital that serves the Trinity County region, on Friday, April 25. This comes after months of efforts to secure financial stability and long-term sustainability for the facility.

3 days ago | cbs19.tv | Zak Wellerman

TYLER, Texas — An East Texas man accused of sexually assaulting a child over two years was arrested last week in Smith County. John Walter Morrill, 46, was arrested on a sexual assault of a child Thursday on a $500,000 bond, according to online records. The arrest affidavit states the child's guardians found sexually explicit messages on the child's phone. The messages also mentioned that Morrill would give the child nicotine vapes in exchange for the child performing sexual favors on him.

3 days ago | cbs19.tv | Zak Wellerman

JACKSONVILLE, Texas — An East Texas football stadium has been voted the best stadium in the entire state. Following an online voting contest against 63 other Texas stadiums, the Historic Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville came out on top in Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football Stadium Challenge. The Tomato Bowl defeated the other top four stadiums, including Gobbler Stadium in Cuero, R. Clinton Schulze Stadium, also known as the "The Puncher Dome," in Mason, and the R.R. Jones Stadium El Paso.

3 days ago | cbs19.tv | Zak Wellerman

TYLER, Texas — Former Diocese of Tyler Bishop Joseph Strickland, who was removed from his position by Pope Francis, released a statement following the papal authority's death saying Francis' papacy was marked by "moments of ambiguity and confusion." Pope Francis, who passed away the day after Easter Sunday, removed Strickland as bishop of Tyler in November 2023 after he refused to resign.

3 days ago | cbs19.tv | Zak Wellerman

WOOD COUNTY, Texas — The Wood County Sheriff's Office says a person was arrested for allegedly running into a crowd with a gun at an area lake during a high school party that involved underage drinking. According to the post from Sheriff Kelly Cole, the event should underline the importance of parents monitoring what their children are doing to ensure their safety. Cole said deputies responded to reports of gunfire at the lake, where a party that included underage drinking, was happening.