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HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man with several warrants was arrested after THC gummies were seized during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday night, a Harrison County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an alleged equipment violation. The stop led to the deputy performing a probable cause search on the vehicle where he reportedly found 6.3 grams of THC gummies. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 28-year-old Collin Gunn and it was reported that he had several warrants for his arrest out of Harrison County. Gunn was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. According to judicial records, Gunn has been booked into the Harrison County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, a meeting was held in the Smith County Commissioners Courtroom to vote on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and tax rate. According to our news partner KETK, the budget includes a tax rate of .347264 cents per $100 valuation. Due to the courthouse and parking garage bond that was approved by voters in November 2022, this will be an increase from the current tax rate of 33 cents. All items were approved and will go into effect on Oct. 1, the beginning of the county’s new fiscal year. The following items were voted on in regards to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget and tax rates: Continue reading Smith County Commissioners Court approves proposed budget, tax rate

LONGVIEW – Part of Judson Road could have traffic backups on Wednesday due to road work. Our news partner KETK reports that only two lanes will be opened for Longview drivers between Pegues Road and Montclair Street as asphalt repairs at the bridge over Guthrie Creek begin. The road work is expected to be completed by the end of the day.

SMITH COUNTY — Since the Smith County Burn Ban was issued a month ago, the County has seen 160 grass and brush fires, and nearly 80 reports of illegal burning. “It’s been a busy month across the board,” said Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley, who gave an update on fire conditions to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday. There have been 432 fire-related calls since August 1, and 40 citations have been given for illegal burning. A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500. “The emergency responders in the county are doing an outstanding job during an extremely busy time,” Findley said, adding that the investigators in the Fire Marshal’s Office are doing a great job. “You’ve got a great team out at the EOC.” He said their partnerships with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Constables’ Offices have also been great, with the other agencies helping them out tremendously on calls, both day and night. Continue reading Smith County burn ban update

TYLER – Tyler Police Department were involved in a deadlock situation with a man who had barricaded himself in a residence on West Jackson Street Tuesday. The suspect is now in custody after authorities introduced gas into the residence. The suspect, identified as Mark Johnson, 57, was arrested without further incident. Tyler Police Department PIO Andy Erbaugh confirmed with our news partner KETK that the Fugitive Task Force was serving a warrant for another agency and that this was not a Tyler PD warrant. Johnson was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $300,000.

RUSK — The Rusk Rural Water Supply Corporation issued a boil water notice for community water systems on Sept. 5 due to a main line leak, according to our news partners at KETK. This notice will remain in effect until the Rusk Rural WSC says otherwise. According to the notice by the Rusk Rural WSC, to ensure the destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be vigorously boiled for at least two minutes and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. Continue reading Rusk Rural WSC issues boil water notice

SMITH COUNTY – One person is dead after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Toll 49 and Highway 31 According to our news partners at KETK. According to DPS, the crash involved a passenger car and a truck hauling cargo. The driver of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the truck was taken to hospital for treatment.

EAST TEXAS — Starting Tuesday evening, from 7pm to 5am, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) will conduct lane closures along Toll 49 for Gantry maintenance. The scheduled work will run through Friday, September, 8. Drivers should expect brief delays.

TxDOT project updates:

SMITH COUNTY — This week, crews are scheduled to mill and inlay on SH 31 west starting at the county line and heading west. The work will begin at the bridge and will be in the eastbound lanes up to Loop 49. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. This crew will then move to FM 724, under Loop 49, for mill and inlay work. The crew will then move to Spur 235 from SH 31 to SH 64. On Friday, crews will mill and inlay on FM 2493, inside Loop 323, near Windsor St. and Hardwood Dr. Also, ditch work will be performed at various locations throughout the county. Continue reading Scheduled roadwork/maintenance

TYLER — Tyler Transit is set to host an open house meeting to notify the public of proposed service changes. The next meeting is to be held at the Glass Recreation Center, located at 501 W. 32nd Street on Tuesday, Sept. 12. from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Our news partner KETK reports the proposed changes include a price increase for all fixed routes and paratransit route fares, route modifications and the discontinuation of all Saturday services, except for paratransit medical services. Proposed fare changes are: Adults 12 and older: $2 (previously $1), Children 6-11: $1 (previously $0.50), Children 5 and under: Free, Seniors (65 and older) and people with disabilities: $1 (previously $0.50) Continue reading Tyler Transit to hold open house for October changes

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK a woman is dead after a pedestrian crash Monday night on Loop 287 at Denman Avenue overpass in Lufkin. According to police, the woman was attempting to cross the road just before the overpass around 9:10 p.m., and walked into the path of a southbound pickup truck. “The driver of the truck told officers he did not see the woman,” officials said. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the truck did not report any injuries. “Please keep the woman’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers,” officials said.

BULLARD — Bullard ISD released a statement announcing the death of Bullard Elementary School teacher Kathy Sleeper. Our news partner KETK reports that Sleeper spent 20 years as a part of Bullard ISD. For the last seven years she was a STEM teacher for the district’s elementary school. According to the district, Sleeper died Sunday after surgery complications. Throughout the day on Tuesday, the district said counselors and administrators will be on campus to support students and staff.

HARRISON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 60-year-old man was arrested on Sunday night on charges of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy initiated a traffic stop on FM 134 for speeding. While speaking with the driver, identified as Lange Livingston, of Karnack, authorities said he “admitted that he had been drinking heavily.” Officials said a search of the car found that he was in possession of crack cocaine. Livingston was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance less than one gram.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a man is in the hospital after a shooting that happened in the 12500 block of Highway 31 near the Jungle Club on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK SCSO deputies responded to the scene around 3 a.m. on Sunday. The deputies were told that the victim had been shot and taken by private transportation to a local hospital. Officials said that the victim was unable to be interviewed by Smith County investigators because of his injuries which have left him in stable but serious condition. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing and according to the sheriff’s office more information will be released when it is available.

MARSHALL – Firefighters in Harrison County were battling for 6 hours on Saturday to contain a 15-acre fire burning near Union Missionary Baptist Church off of Highway 59 South. According to our news partner KETK, Harrison County ESD 3 Fire Rescue, HCESD4 and the Texas Forest Service responded to the fire located just north of FM 2625 on Saturday. Officials suspect the fire was started by a mechanical failure on a vehicle passing by. Pasture and timber were the only things damaged in the fire and fire crews planned on coming back on Sunday to ensure burning stumps and fallen trees don’t spread the fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 15 acres across and 70 percent contained as of 8:31 p.m. on Saturday.