Local Headlines

Winter weather closings and delays

EAST TEXAS – As more winter weather hits East Texas, several local school districts have announced that they will be closing on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK has the complete up to date list here.

East Texas warming shelters open for cold weather

TYLER – As East Texas prepares for more cold weather, several East Texas locations are opening their doors as warming centers and shelters. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of locations opening to the public. This list will be updated whenever any additional warming centers open. You can view the list here.

To let us know about any other warming centers and shelters, please email Newsroom@KETK.com.

Tyler ISD Foundation to Award $100K in Grants

Tyler — The Tyler ISD Foundation will visit Tyler ISD campuses on Wednesday, January 22, to award 35 grants totaling $100,000. Through its annual Grants for Great Ideas program, the grants will positively impact 17 campuses or facilities. The Grants for Great Ideas program encourages, facilitates, recognizes, and rewards innovative and creative instructional approaches that are not already supported by campus budgets. Throughout the day, Tyler ISD Foundation members, district administrators, and special guests will take their celebratory Grant Patrol caravan through campus hallways to surprise teachers by presenting checks that fund their projects. Since its creation in 1990, the Tyler ISD Foundation has gifted more than $3.5 million to Tyler ISD through innovative teaching grants, student and parent programs, academic and teaching recognition events, and scholarships.

Smith County firefighters injured following rollover

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Smith County Emergency Services for District 2 reported firefighters injured following a Tuesday morning crash east of Troup on Highway 13.

Smith County ESD2 officials said two firefighters suffered leg and head injuries, however, they were not deemed life-threatening. The fire truck was involved in a major rollover, and the engine was destroyed. The firefighters involved in the accident have been checked by EMS and are preparing for transport.

Longview Mall goes on sale for unlisted price

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Mall was recently listed for sale on a real estate website for an unlisted price. The massive 586,450 square foot shopping mall is located at 3500 McCann Rd in Longview and according to the website, it brings in around $5.74 million in net operating income.

The mall was built in 1978 and received $12.5 million in capital investments from 2019 to 2023. More than 70 retail, dining and entertainment businesses currently occupy 98% of the mall’s space, according to the mall’s online listing. In February, 2024, the National Weather Service declared the Longview Mall as “StormReady,” meaning it’s a safe place to go during severe whether events.

To learn more, visit the Longview Mall’s listing on Crexi or contact Edge Capital Markets.

Palestine PD search for suspect following robbery at knife-point

PALESTINE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a search is underway for a suspect in a Sunday evening robbery at knife-point in Palestine. According to the Palestine Police Department, a man entered the Kwik Stop Convenience Store at 704 W. Palestine Ave. at around 10:40 p.m. with a knife and threatened the clerk, demanding money from the register.

“After the clerk complied, the offender attempted to force the female clerk to leave the store with him,” Palestine PD said. “She refused and the male fled on foot, southbound on North Howard Street, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.”

Officials said the suspect is a black male wearing a mask, black pants, and shoes with white soles. He was also wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red, white, and black Viking head logo on the front, which was identified as the logo for Fleming Middle School in Houston. The suspect had a gray and brown backpack featuring a red tag with a white print at both the right shoulder, and on the lower right portion of the rear of the bag.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Palestine PD at 903-329-2254 or Anderson County Crimestoppers at 903-729-8477.

Harley Morris’ family hands out new missing flyers

TYLER – Family and friends of Harley Morris were in downtown Tyler on Saturday to hand out new missing flyers ahead of Wednesday which marks one year since his disappearance. According to our news partner KETK, Morris was last seen in north Tyler at 3 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2024. He was heading north after leaving the 50 Grand Club in the 2100 block of North Grand Avenue. Morris was wearing a black jacket with grey sleeves, black pants and a black Prime 102 baseball style hat when he was last seen.

Taylor Attaway, Harley’s brother, spoke with KETK on Saturday about their family’s hope that someone will come forward to claim the $10,000 reward for info on his brother’s disappearance. (more…)

Smith County receives budget award

TYLER – Smith County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The Government Finance Officers Association said in release the award is, “highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.”

The award was presented during Commissioners Court Tuesday morning. Smith County has also received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for about 15 years for the county’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

After the presentation, Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said, “It’s nice to be recognized, to have our people recognized and our budget.”
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Man arrested after assaulting Texarkana police officer

TEXARKANA– Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 45-year-old man has been arrested after attacking a police officer on Friday night. Officers from the Texarkana Police Department were dispatched to a house in the 1600 block of West 11th Street after receiving a call about a man allegedly pulling a gun on another person. When officers arrived, they found a man who matched the suspects’ description, later identified as Jeffrey Troxel, standing outside.

“When asked about the disturbance, the man claimed he didn’t know anything about it,” officers said. Troxel then refused a pat down, and instead put his hand in his jacket to “pull something out.” The officer grabbed the suspect’s arm to prevent him from pulling out a potential firearm. Texarkana Police Department said Troxel went on to punch the officer in the face and lunged at him.
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