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LONGVIEW — A Community Meeting to discuss improvements to Rollins Park funded by the 2018 bond election has been postponed and will be rescheduled. Spring Hill, McWhorter, and Rollins parks are the second set of parks identified for improvements as part of the bond initiative. Lois Jackson, McWhorter, Patterson, Spring Creek, and Stamper parks were renovated as part of the first set of park improvements.

BULLARD — According to our news partner KETK Bullard ISD has added two more officers as a response to Governor Greg Abbott’s new law, House Bill 3. This new law requires each school district in Texas to have one security officer on each school campus. “That brings us to five and that’s just an added security measure for students staff and our entire community,” said Bullard ISD Superintendent Jack Lee. New police chief Pat Hendrix says policies and procedures will continue to be followed and stressing the importance to keep an up-to-date secure building. “We have films, camera systems, we have different types of door locks, and we have a lot of safety procedures on these campuses,” said Hendrix. Continue reading Bullard to start school year with new security measures

TYLER — Leadership from Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler announced Monday the creation of the TJC and UT Tyler Promise Transfer Scholarship. According to our news partner KETK, starting this fall, the scholarship will enable TJC grads who have been in the college’s promise program to take the next step up to UT Tyler to continue their education. The James I. Perkins Family Foundation, who funded the first 25 scholarships at $8,000 each, announced Monday they would fund an additional 25 more for a total gift to the program of $400,000.
Continue reading TJC and UT Tyler create a unique scholarship program

TYLER – A man is dead after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on U.S. Highway 69, four miles north of Jacksonville, according to our news partners at KETK. On Saturday, DPS said that a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling north on U.S. 69 when it struck 49-year-old Derrick Wayne Steele as he was also traveling north riding on a bicycle. Steele was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominey. According to DPS, the posted speed limit in the area was 70 mph and the driver of the Tahoe was not injured. No further information is available as DPS said this is an ongoing investigation.

TYLER — Leaders from Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler signed an agreement Monday to create the TJC and UT Tyler Promise Transfer Scholarship, according to our news partner KETK. Beginning this fall, the new scholarship will enable TJC graduates who have been successful in one of the college’s Promise programs to further pursue their higher education at UT Tyler, according to TJC. In support of this partnership, the James I. Perkins Family Foundation announced a gift to fund an initial 25 scholarships at $8,000 each. During Monday’s event, the Perkins family made a surprise announcement of an additional 25 scholarships, for a total gift of $400,000. Continue reading TJC/UT Tyler agree to create Promise Transfer Scholarship

HARRISON COUNTY — A man was arrested after a traffic stop led to the seizure of several drugs, drug paraphernalia and a firearm. According to our news partner KETK, on Saturday, a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Pinecrest and Highway 59. The driver was identified as Eduordo Garcia. While speaking with the Garcia, officials said the deputy received consent to search the vehicle. The search reportedly led to the discovery of 127 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 9.5 grams of cocaine, a firearm, a scale and a package containing small empty plastic bags. Garcia was booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charges of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A man is dead after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on U.S. Highway 69, four miles north of Jacksonville, according to DPS. According to our news partner KETK, on Saturday, DPS said that a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling north on U.S. 69 when it struck 49-year-old Derrick Wayne Steele as he was also traveling north riding on a bicycle. Steele was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominey. According to DPS, the posted speed limit in the area was 70 mph and the driver of the Tahoe was not injured. No further information is available as DPS said this is an ongoing investigation.

CLARKSVILLE – An AMBER Alert issued Monday afternoon reached a safe conclusion. According to our news partner KETK, Red River County Sheriff’s report that 15-year-old Erika Anderson was found safe early Monday evening and is being reunited with her family. At this time, that is all the details that are available.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a driver has been arrested after allegedly running over a pedestrian around 12:15 a.m. on Monday near State Highway 64 West and County Road 1125 in Tyler, according to our news partners at KETK.

Jesus Mora, 38, called 911 and told dispatchers that he had ran over a man with his vehicle and fled the scene, according to authorities. The sheriff’s office said another witness had called 911 and reported that Mora had run over the pedestrian on purpose before leaving the scene. Continue reading Driver arrested for running over pedestrian near Tyler

ANGELINA COUNTY – Several East Texas counties have enacted burn bans due to dry conditions and fire risk. When a county issues a burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited in that county. Courtesy of our news partners at KETK, here is a list of burn bans across East Texas: Continue reading LIST: East Texas counties under burn bans

BROOKSTON – An Amber Alert has been issued for a 15 years old girl who was suspected of being abducted in the town of Brookston, TX which is near Paris.The victim is a white female named Erika Anderson, though she may use the name Erika McCarver. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie. The suspect is 22-year-old Jonathan Ramirez. He is driving a green and beige 2009 Toyota Camry. The license number is RWW6625.
If you have any information please call your local 9-1-1.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Public Library will be changing it’s hours of operation starting on Monday, July 31, according to the City of Longview. According to our news partner KETK, the library is making these changes in order to better accommodate rising daily patron attendance. The press release added that some minor adjustments might be made to weekly youth and adult programs. In total, the library won’t be losing any hours, officials said. The library’s curbside pickup will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each week from Monday through Friday, according to a City of Longview press release. The library’s new hours of operation will be: Monday – Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday: 1 – 5 p.m. Computers will shut down 30 minutes before the end of each day.

PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue said they responded to a grass fire that started because of alleged illegal outdoor burning around 2:35 p.m. on Saturday. Our news partners at KETK report the grass fire started in the Allen Ranch area of Payne Springs and spread to several outbuildings, one of which was completely destroyed, according to PSFR. Officials reminded the public to always have a water source nearby and to always watch any burning.

LUFKIN – A 27-year-old man was arrested late Thursday night after officials said he led officers on a high speed chase. According to our news partners at KETK and the Lufkin Police Department, officers attempted to pull over a Dodge pickup for an expired registration in the 800 block of North Medford Drive around 11:55 p.m. when the truck refused to stop. Officials said the 13-minute pursuit reached speeds more than 100 mph with the truck at times driving on the wrong side of the road. The pursuit ended on Highway 69 South after officers performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver on the truck. Continue reading Man accused of leading Lufkin officers on high-speed chase

TYLER – After trying to catch up from 2022’s summer drought, East Texas farmers are praying for a better crop season this year, according to our news partners at KETK. “It all depends on the weather, whether you have a good season or a bad season but it’s been good so far, now how long it’s going to last, I don’t know,” said farmer Dennis Floyd. “The okra seems to be doing really good right now, the tomatoes seem to be doing really well, we’re getting very good corn,” said Allison Lott, owner of HWY 80 Produce. Continue reading East Texas farmers facing challenges in summer heat