Local Headlines

Longview seniors barred from graduation following ‘senior prank’

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD announced that some high school students who participated in a “prank” that vandalized school property are suspended. According to our news partner KETK with the suspension, they are barred from from participating in graduation. Officials from LISD said in a release, several students were suspected of participating in a “senior prank” between Wednesday and Thursday at the high school. The district also announced that there were also students involved from a “neighboring high school,” Longview ISD has contacted officials from their districts as well.

Longview ISD said, “While we believe important milestones should be celebrated and we understand the long-standing tradition of ‘senior pranks’ at high schools across the country there is a clear line between a prank and the destruction of public property. The disruption of student learning, monetary costs to our district, extra burden on our hard-working staff, and disregard for community property will not be tolerated.”
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UT Tyler School of Medicine receives $900k gift

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine received a $900,000 gift from Texas Mutual Insurance Company to support the occupational and environmental medicine residency. According to a university news release, the six-year gift will expand the residency by 50%. After medical school, physicians complete a three-to-seven-year residency to receive specialized training and obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine.

According to the Texas Physician Pipeline Mode, 58.9% of physicians who completed their graduate medical education in Texas stayed in the state to practice.

“With the generous support from Texas Mutual, our occupational and environmental medicine residency program will be able to expand, allowing us to train more physicians who will remain committed to serving East Texas,” said Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine founding dean. “Having physicians who are deeply rooted in the community is vital for understanding and addressing local health care needs.” (more…)

Early voting begins Monday in runoff election

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County residents living in the Commissioner Precinct 3 area can begin casting their ballots Monday during five days of early voting for the Republican Primary Runoff Election. The only race on the ballot will be for the Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Runoff. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 20-24, Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3 residents can cast their ballots at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson Street, in Tyler; or Lindale’s Kinzie Community Center, at 912 Mt. Sylvan St., in Lindale.

Because of the construction of Smith County’s parking garage next door to the The Hub, Ferguson Street is closed to drivers. The parking lot across from The Hub is still open for parking, but drivers will have to enter and exit at the intersection of Ferguson Street and Center Avenue. There will be voter parking-marked spaces, with the closest one to The Hub being used for curbside voting.

Smith County has launched a new, easy-to-use interactive map on its website. If you need to make sure you live in the area covered by Commissioner Precinct 3, and when and where you can vote for this runoff, click here and click on the “Interactive Map of Smith County” link. (more…)

Remains identified as missing Tyler man

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department was notified by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences of Dallas that remains found by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office belonged to Jose “Alex” Perez who had been missing since April 26. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office discovered the remains on May 5, and they were later identified as Jose Alejandro “Alex” Perez, 44 of Tyler. Perez went missing from the Towne Oak Apartments in Tyler at 9 p.m. on April 26. The Tyler Police Department said that they are working closely with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to proceed with the investigation of his disappearance and death. Anyone with information regarding Perez’s last days is encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department.

Former school employee pleads guilty to stealing more than $300K

HENDERSON COUNTY– A former business manager for an East Texas school district pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing funds from the school in federal court. According to our news partner KETK, 38-year-old Brandon Delane Looney pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds while serving as Trinidad ISD’s business manager. Prosecutors said that Looney embezzled more than $300,000 between 2017 and 2023 during his time at Trinidad ISD. Looney could face up to a decade in prison, a fine and mandatory restitution to Trinidad ISD for the funds he stole.

Outgoing UT Tyler president elected to Southside Bancshares’ board

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun has been elected to the board of directors for the holding company of Southside Bank. According to our news partner KETK, Calhoun, who will step down as UT Tyler president at the end of May,was elected Wednesday to serve on the Southside Bancshares Inc. board of directors . He will still serves as chair of the UT Health East Texas board of directors.

Lee R. Gibson, president and CEO of Southside said, “We are proud to welcome Dr. Calhoun to Southside’s boards. He has led UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center through extraordinary change and growth and is well-respected across the state. Dr. Calhoun is a true visionary and I have no doubt he will bring great contributions and depth to Southside’s boards. We look forward to the impact his contributions will have on the Bank, our communities, clients, customers, and shareholders.”

Southside Bancshares Inc. is the holding company for the East Texas headquartered Southside Bank.

Game Wardens search for person who dumped alligator

SHELBY COUNTY – Shelby County Game Wardens are searching for someone who killed and dumped an alligator on Friday or Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the alligator was captured, killed and dumped on either late Friday night or early Saturday morning at the Pinkston Reservoir boat ramp on County Road 1211. Anyone with information on the gator dumping is asked to call Game Warden Sam Anderson or Austin Cryer at 936-332-8487 or 936-591-7265.

East Texas man admits to possession of child pornography

CAMP COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the Camp County Sheriff’s Office said a 37-year-old man has been arrested for possession of child pornography. Sheriff John Cortelyou said a search warrant was obtained for Christopher Joseph Daigre’s residence. Cortelyou said Daigre is a registered sex offender. During a non-custodial interrogation, a type of police questioning where the individual is not in police custody, officials said Daigre admitted to possession of child pornography on his cell phone, and showed officers “files containing child sexual abuse material.” The sheriff’s office said in a release they have obtained Daigre’s computer equipment for further investigation.

TxDOT closes I-20 exit in Smith County

TYLER – Wednesday, TxDOT posted on X, formerly Twitter, announcing the closure of an exit on I-20. According to our news partner KETK, the closure is the eastbound I-20 SH 155 exit at mile marker 567. In the meantime, TxDOT has no reopening time as “crews assess the issue.”

TxDOT said that drivers can check DriveTexas for updates on the closure.

2024 high school graduations across East Texas

TYLER – With graduation right around the corner, students and their families are looking forward to celebrating the conclusion of years of hard work. Our partner KETK has a list of graduation ceremonies in East Texas and when they occur. You can find it here.