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SMITH COUNTY — Smith County residents living in the Commissioner Precinct 3 area began casting their ballots Monday during 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. Continue reading Early voting began Monday in runoff election

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.” Continue reading UT Tyler School of Medicine receives $900k gift

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.

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.

NACOGDOCHES – Authorities in Nacogdoches said they are searching for a suspect after a child was struck Thursday morning in a hit-and-run crash according to our news partners at KETK.

Officers were still at the scene in the 2100 block of Looneyville Street, as of 8 a.m., and said preliminary information shows a white SUV struck the child and fled the scene.

“The child is believed to be in stable condition and is being treated,” officials with Nacogdoches PD said. “Our officers are still looking for the suspect and vehicle.”

TYLER — It’s a spinoff from last summer’s Dr Pepper Float Ice Cream, Blue Bell Ice Cream will begin selling a highly requested flavor this summer. According to our news partner KETK, the new flavor is A&W Root Beer Float. The A&W Root Beat Float is a creamy vanilla ice cream swirled together with a root beer flavored sherbet.

John Neal Robinson, Blue Bell general sales manager said in a release, “We received many requests for an A&W Root Beer Float Ice Cream. After the huge success of Dr Pepper Float Ice Cream last year, we were ready to work together on another delicious flavor. We recommend enjoying a few scoops in a chilled mug just like your favorite root beer.”

Blue Bell said the new flavor is now available and will be sold in the half gallon and pint sizes through 2025.

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.

TYLER — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is seeking applicants for GoBus operator positions in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, ETCOG previously said they were accepting applications for positions in Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties. They held a job fair on Tuesday in hopes of filling the positions.

ETCOG said they are seeking applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent, at least two years of professional driving and customer service experience.

“GoBus is integral to the region and its communities, providing connectivity, fostering economic activity, and ensuring safe, reliable, and friendly transportation services. GoBus staff are dedicated and caring individuals representing the core of East Texans, and in seeking new team members, we hope to present a culture that prioritizes the community and those that work to aid its citizens,” Vince Huerta, ETCOG’s Director of Transportation, said.

Click here for an application.

JACKSONVILLE – According to our news partner KETK, the four fallen Jacksonville police officers were honored on Wednesday for their sacrifice and service as a part of National Police Week. The Jacksonville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies came together to remember the local fallen officers. The names of the officers will be added on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington. National Police Week was first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962 to pay respect and offer recognition to officers who died protecting others.

“It’s important that we take time every year to stop and remember them and their sacrifice and their service to our community,” Jacksonville Police Chief Joe Williams said.

UPSHUR COUNTY – A 50-year-old Upshur County man was found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault of two children. According to our news partner KETK, Walter Bartram was tried for seven counts of aggravated sexual assault of child under 14 and five counts of sex assault to another child.

The Upshur County district attorney’s office reported that in January 2020 one of the victims came to them to report the abuse that occurred between 2006-2011. Both victims testified in the trial, and the jury later returned a verdict of guilty. The defense asked for the judge to sentence Bartram, and the State said they will be asking for the maximum sentences for the charges.

Criminal District Attorney Billy Byrd said, “Both victims were brave and while moving forward in life they too still deal with the pain and hurt these horrific crimes caused both of them and have impacted their lives forever.”

A sentencing hearing will take place after a presentence investigation report. Bartram currently remains at the Upshur County Jail.

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.

LINDEN – Our news colleagues at KETK report an arrest warrant has been issued for a man after a shooting Monday night at a ballpark in Linden and authorities said he is considered armed and dangerous. According to Linden PD, no one was struck in the shooting but damage was done to a car. An arrest warrant for felony deadly conduct was issued for 37-year-old Caradarow Hill, of Hughes Springs. He is believed to drive a blue Chevy Tahoe. Anyone with information on his location is asked to contact law enforcement. The investigation was conducted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Hughes Springs Police Department and the Linden Police Department.

HOPKINS COUNTY — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Sulphur Springs ISD employees accused of unlawful restraint of a student on Friday according to our news partners at KETK. According to a release, Marcie Nordin Stewart, 55, and Kristy Denee Williams, 47, were arrested for unlawful restraint, a state jail felony offense after police and school administration were alerted to the incident. The sheriff’s office said the investigation’s ongoing and other arrests are likely. Continue reading Sulphur Springs ISD employees arrested

TYLER – Smith County announced on Wednesday they have launched an interactive map to show Smith County roads and offices that may be closed. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Road and Office Closures Map is a specialized map site that gives a visual aid to compliment other forms of communications sent out by Smith County.

The map shows county roads that are closed due to hazards like flooding, road maintenance or construction, and then displays detours along with how long the road is expected to be closed.

The map was created by Smith County GIS Analyst Ethan Robinson who said it is intended to be a “single pane of glass” for the public to be able to view road closures.
Continue reading Smith County officials unveil interactive road, office closures map

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.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 14, received an update on the Parking Garage and Courthouse construction projects. The five-story, 543-vehicle parking garage is on schedule to open in the fall of 2024, with a cost of $15.4 million.

Brandy Ziegler, partner with Fitzpatrick Architects, told the court, “We are extremely pleased with the progress. We are on time and under budget for this project.”

In her presentation, Mrs. Ziegler showed an updated time-lapse video, that shows the work that has been done on the parking garage since it began in November. The time lapse video can be found here. Continue reading Smith County parking garage and courthouse construction update

HOPKINS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general has been arrested for continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14. According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Saturday and identified the driver as Mike McClendon, 69, who was “named to be a person of interest in a sexual assault investigation.” Officials said McClendon was then asked to drive to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office to speak with investigators, later arrested and taken to the Hopkins County Jail. Records show that the offense date was January 1, 2014. Continue reading Former Air Force general arrested for sexual assault of minor

TYLER — Chapel Hill Independent School District proudly announces Regnal McGowan as the new Principal of Chapel Hill High School, effective July 1, 2024. With five years of dedicated service to the district and 18 years in education, Mr. McGowan was formerly the Assistant Principal and Freshman Academy Principal at the High School. He is a graduate of Rusk High School and after completing his undergraduate degree at Sam Houston State University, he later pursued a degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. Mr. McGowan has served at Lufkin ISD and Tyler ISD prior to coming to Chapel Hill ISD where he was the Assistant Principal at the Junior High before transitioning over to the High School.

GLADEWATER, Texas – Gladewater Police need the public’s help searching for two men involved in a recent store robbery. Our news partner KETK reports that the robbery occurred at the EZ Mart on 400 W. Upshur Ave. early Monday morning. Police announced that an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise were stolen from the store. People are encouraged to contact the police department or Gregg County Crime Stoppers if they have any information.

TYLER — Several Red Lobster seafood restaurants have reportedly closed across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the endless Cheddar Bay Biscuits will no longer grace the following cities in East Texas: Tyler, Longview and Lufkin. All three restaurants have their hours listed as “closed” all week and they could not be contacted over the phone. Many Red Lobster locations have reportedly closed across the country, according to various local outlets. On May 3, CNN reported that the restaurant chain was considering filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Continue reading East Texas Red Lobster locations close

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a Longview man that was accused of killing one of his housemates during a dispute over loud noises and stabbing another pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Monday. According to court records, Michael Ralston, 51 of Longview, pleaded guilty to murder on Monday and was sentenced to 30 years of confinement.

Records also show that Ralston pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Monday and was sentenced to 20 years of confinement concurrently.

In March of 2022, Ralston and his housemate Eric Wynns, 44, were having a dispute over loud noises. The two were reported as “intentionally being loud to annoy each other.” Another housemate told police that both Ralston and Wynns were hearing impaired and that they called Ralston the “Deaf Dragon.” Continue reading Longview man pleads guilty to murder of housemates

UNION GROVE – A Gladewater man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamines on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, 49-year-old Jabar Okeith Miller of Gladewater, pled guilty to delivering meth to a confidential informant in Union Grove in August of last year.

A release from the Gregg County DA’s office said that the state filled for an enhancement in the case due to a prior felony that Miller had served time for in Gregg County. Miller had waived his right to appeal, and he pleaded to a meth possession charge from Sept. 6, 2023 where he was allegedly caught with meth in his pocket at a traffic stop. Officials add that Miller will serve 20 years for his possession charge concurrently with the 40 year sentence for delivery.

KILGORE – The Kilgore College Rangerettes announced on Monday that they will be performing at the London New Year’s Day Parade, according to our news partner KETK. The Rangerettes said that this performance will be part of celebrating their 85th anniversary. The London New Year’s Day Parade will start at noon GMT, which will be at 6 a.m. CST on Jan. 1. To get more information on how to watch the parade, check the LNYDP website.

ATHENS – The City of Athens announced that some residents will experience an interruption of their water service on Tuesday while utility work is completed. City official say North Pinkerton Street to Stirman Street will be closed starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. While the water outage will take place on the 200 and 300 blocks of Jonathan Street beginning at 11 a.m.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department served search warrants on two massage parlors on Thursday, resulting in three arrests. According to Nacogdoches PD and our news partner KETK, at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nacogdoches PD officers and the Texas Department of Public Safety served search warrants on two massage parlors located in the 1300 and 3200 blocks of North University Drive.

Officials said that during the service of the warrants, three suspects who worked at the parlors were arrested. Nacogdoches PD reported that Mona Ma, 56 of Katy, and Xuefang Wu, 52 of Nacogdoches, were both arrested for indecent assault and Shuwen Xu, 54 of Nacogdoches, was arrested for indecent assault and prostitution. Continue reading Several arrests following investigation into massage parlors

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — TxDOT is warning drivers of puncturing spikes found on I-20 again. According to our news partner KETK, rebar caltrops have been found on I-20 since last year, with the most recent discovery on May 6 in Van Zandt County. They are usually four-pronged, heavy gauge steel puncturing spikes that can be thrown or linked together to cause immediate and irreparable failure of tires. Twelve caltrops were found on I-20 westbound near mile marker 533 and eastbound at mile markers 518, 520, 528 and 529.

Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call Lt. Bob Keltner with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department at 469-576-1274 or call Andrew Fagile with the Texas Department of Public Safety at 90-567-2011 ext. 10914.