TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Breakers Seafood in Tyler will close at the end of August, the restaurant announced on social media.
A locally-owned and operated seafood joint that, in its own words, aimed to “bring a piece of California to Texas,” will close its doors after 14 years in business. Continue reading Breakers Seafood in Tyler to close
PALESTINE – Three people were arrested in Palestine and charged in connection to organized retail crime.
On Wednesday, Palestine police officers received a call about a suspicious person at the Walmart at 2223 S. Loop 256. Walmart asset protection reported that a man suspected in recent thefts at Walmarts in Tyler, Jacksonville and other local stores had entered the businesses.
The man was suspected to have taken part in “cash cash” scams. Continue reading 3 arrested in Palestine for organized crime, suspected of Walmart cash scams
TYLER – Thursday, the Tyler Area Builders Association held their annual luncheon. According to our news partner KETK, special guests at this years luncheon were U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The focus of the luncheon is to have builders in East Texas meet with local, state and national leaders to talk about issues that affect the building industry. John McKinney from the TABA builder directors said, “That’s probably our number one priority is trying to keep housing affordable especially for us here in East Texas. Continue reading U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran joins annual TABA luncheon
EAST TEXAS — Shopping centers will be busy this weekend with no sales tax on back to school essentials. The sales tax holiday runs through Sunday. The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13. Continue reading Tax free weekend
CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill Independent School District (CHISD) has announced announced a salary increase and enhanced incentives for student-centered bus drivers. According to a news released from the school district, the changes were approved during a recent school board meeting. Effective immediately, the pay scale for bus drivers has been raised to $20.00 per hour. In addition to the increased salary, bus drivers will be eligible for a sign-on bonus of $500 after they have worked at least 60 days with the district. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD announced pay increase for bus drivers
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrated its partnership with local artists and a new art exhibition through Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC. This collection was curated by Neita Fran Ward (pictured) and professionally installed by Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit will be displayed in the W.T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, for the next year, marking the sixth art installation at the college. Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC will feature 53 pieces of artwork throughout the hallways of W.T. Brookshire Hall. Continue reading UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrates partnership with Art Connection
NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that officers with their K9 unit found 25.8 pounds of cocaine in a vehicle during a traffic stop on Thursday. Brandon Lee White, 39 of Trotwood, Ohio was initially stopped around 9:40 a.m. for a traffic violation in the 7000 block of Northwest Stallings Drive, according to Nacogdoches PD. Officials said officers got consent to search the vehicle White was driving and NPD’s newest K9 Hamer alerted on the vehicle. Officers then discovered 25.8 pounds of cocaine in an after market compartment inside the vehicle, Nacogdoches PD said in a press release. According to our news partner KETK White was arrested for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and is being held in the Nacogdoches County Jail, according to jail records.
LONGVIEW — Longview Police answered a call early Thursday morning on Alta Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers found two shooting victims, one adult female and a teenager. At this point Longview Police says, “It appears the shooting happened outside of the home, and there is a connection between all involved parties.” The woman and the teenager were taken to a hospital and their injuries are being called life-threatening. Longview PD asks if you have information on this incident to call them or go on online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – One person is dead after a single-car crash on Monday night on Highway 175 near Cuney. According to a preliminary DPS report, and our news partners at KETK, a 2015 Dodge Journey was traveling south on the highway and failed to drive in a single lane. DPS said the driver overcorrected and left the roadway, “rolling over several times, ejecting the driver.” The driver, identified as Dashad Baker, 29 of Frankston, was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace and was reported to not have been wearing a seatbelt. The investigation is ongoing.
PANOLA COUNTY – Two people are injured after a shooting in front of a Panola County church on Thursday morning according to our news partners at KETK.
According to Panola County Sheriff Cutter Clinton, county dispatch received several calls reporting a roadside disturbance on Highway 149 near the Full Gospel Holy Temple Church in Riderville around 9:03 a.m. Witnesses reported a man shooting at a woman in the road.
“The Texas Department of Transportation was notified to be en route to direct traffic away from the incident, as it happened in the roadway,” Clinton said.
When they arrived on scene, deputies found a woman lying in the road with “multiple gunshot wounds” and a man lying beside her with what officials said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a handgun. Continue reading 2 injured after shooting on highway outside of Panola County church
BEN WHEELER — New laws in Texas will go into effect on Sept. 1 that will bring stricter rules if students get caught using the devices, according to our news partner KETK. “There’s really no choice. If we find it, it’s automatic that a student’s going to be removed from the basic regular school setting and will be in alternative school for a period of time,” said Superintendent of Martin’s Mill ISD, Scott Tyner. According to the CDC, in 2022, 2.5 million middle and high school students across the country used vapes. Students that are caught will be put in a “Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.” “We might see a decrease of the use at school,” said Tyner. This action is expected to be a step higher than detention but not as bad as getting a suspension. Tyner adds it will depend on what the student is caught with that will determine the punishment. Continue reading New laws set to impact students caught vaping
LONGVIEW — A 22-year-old is dead after the Longview Police found him shot on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting on Houston Street. Arriving officers found that Keilan Jones had been shot during a reported “domestic disturbance.” Officers immediately began to perform CPR on Jones while waiting on EMS. Jones was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said the suspect has been identified but the case is still under investigation.
TYLER — UT Health East Texas reached an agreement with United Healthcare that will protect patients’ in-network access to UTHET facilities and providers. According to our news partner KETK, The agreement with United Healthcare will maintain in-network access for everyone with commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage health plans. UT Health said in a press release, “With a strong commitment to the region, UT Health East Texas is pleased to continue our partnership with United Healthcare to deliver high-quality and affordable care to the community for years to come. The agreement ensures patients will not experience any disruption in care.”
TYLER – An inmate accused of escaping a transport van in January was found guilty and sentenced in a Smith County court on Wednesday according to our news partners at KETK. According to court records, 42-year-old Timothy Chappelle of Killeen was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of escaping while arrested. A widely-circulated video showed a handcuffed man in orange running down Tyler’s Gentry Parkway in early January. Authorities said an inmate kicked out a back window and barricade while a transport van was stopped on Gentry Parkway and Parkdale Drive, then proceeded to run north where he allegedly broke into two houses near Wisteria Drive. Continue reading Smith County inmate accused of escaping van sentenced to 20 years
TYLER – The son of a Smith County commissioner and the elected Smith County Clerk was arrested again on Monday for legal process simulating after he issued subpoenas without authorization, according to an arrest warrant and our news partner KETK. The warrant said on July 31, a detective with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate into three legal processes that were served to County Judge Neal Franklin, Sheriff Larry Smith and Court Security Lieutenant Matthew Lazarine. According to the warrant, the subpoena stated a case number which came back to a criminal case against Lance Phillips, 40, for disruption of a meeting. In a subpoena sent to Lazarine, the warrant said he was commanded to appear to testify before the judge in this case. Continue reading Son of Smith County officials arrested for issuing subpoenas