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TYLER – A child was hit and injured by a vehicle driving on West Morris Street in Tyler around 6:46 p.m. on Sunday. Tyler Police Department confirmed that it appears as if the child step out into the road before being hit. They were then taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital. Officials said that the child was awake and alert. According to our news partner KETK, the vehicle driver stayed on the scene after the child was hit and no criminal charges are being pursued at this time.

TYLER — The Cotton Patch Cafe in Tyler is closed for the rest of the day following a grease fire in their kitchen that happened around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, an employee said the restaurant will be closed for Monday and they are awaiting approval from a health inspector to hopefully reopen by Tuesday. Tyler Police Department confirmed that the fire started in one of the restaurants deep fryers and was put out by Tyler Fire Department. Officials said that no one was injured in the fire.

BULLARD – The City of Bullard has issued a stage 3 water conservation notice in order to conduct emergency water well maintenance. The City decided to issue this notice and ration water following a declaration of emergency due to the needed “emergency water well maintenance. ”This notice puts the following water restrictions in place: Residents having even numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Sunday and Thursday. Residents having odd numbered addresses are permitted to water only on Saturday and Wednesday. Continue reading Bullard issues stage 3 water conservation notice

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD announced the distribution of nearly $40,000 to honor its long-serving staff members. $38,250 was given out to employees who have been with the district from five to 25 years during the district’s End-of-the-Year Ceremony on Friday. The district said it expresses deep appreciation for the staff’s exemplary service and lasting contributions to the district’s mission. “Chapel Hill ISD recognizes the unwavering commitment and valuable contributions of its staff. The loyalty stipends serve as a token of gratitude for their remarkable dedication in shaping the educational landscape of the district,” the district said in a release.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced on Thursday that he will be seeking reelection in 2024 setting the stage for a second Republican Primary showdown with Chris Green in March. Smith, 59, told a crowd of more than 80 supporters, including elected officials, friends and family inside the Smith County Courthouse, he would run on his three-year performance as sheriff and 39-year record in law enforcement. He started his career in the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department and later worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency before serving 22 years in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If elected, Smith will begin his fourth term as sheriff. He said in 2022 that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is accepting applications for City Boards and Commissions until Friday, Aug. 4. The City Council will make appointments at the Wednesday, Aug. 23 meeting. Those appointed will serve voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. The boards and commissions include: Continue reading City of Tyler accepting applications for boards and commissions

LONGVIEW – The Longview Economic Development Corporation approved a $2.8 million expansion plan for the Dallas Plastics Jordan Valley Road facility on Thursday. Our news partner reports that the proposed expansion will invest $2.8 million into the facility by building material storage space and adding production equipment. On top of the new storage space and production equipment, the expansion will also create 19 full-time jobs, according to LEDCO.
Continue reading $2.8 million Dallas Plastics expansion approved in Longview

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced on Thursday that he will be seeking reelection in 2024. Smith has served the county as sheriff since being sworn-in in 2013. If elected, Smith will begin his fourth term as sheriff. He said in 2022 that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be.

SAN ANTONIO – A man authorities in Henderson County have been seeking for over a year has been added to Texas’ Most Wanted List. According to our news partner KETK, 44-year-old Steven Clay Leifeste has been wanted since March of 2022 for two counts sexual assault of child. He also by sought by Bexar County authorities for evading arrest and a probation violation. Leifeiste is 5’11”, weighs 215 pounds, has tattoos on his back and left shoulder and scar on his left cheek. Law officers consider him to be armed and dangerous. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered if you have information that leads to his apprehension.

NASHVILLE — William Clark Green, who calls Flint home, made his first appearance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry May 16. According to news our partner KETK, the invitation to perform at the legendary Nashville venue caught him off guard. Green said “It became something I never thought I was going to do… I didn’t think we were even on the radar,” Green’s latest album “Baker Hotel” has gotten good reviews from CMT, Wide Open Country and Blue Situation.

LONGVIEW — One person is dead after a shooting in Longview on Thursday morning. Around 11:25 a.m., police responded to a shooting in the 1300 block of Twelfth Street. Upon arrival, police found a victim identified as 45 year old Martin King lying on the side of the road with a gunshot wound. Police said the Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Longview Police, 42-year-old Michael DaShaun Jackson was booked into the Gregg County Jail.

MARSHALL – A man has been arrested after abusing his dog, according to the Marshall Police Department. Jacob Edwards, 30, was observed kicking his dog and then hanging it from a leash on a door of a business on East End Boulevard. Edwards was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals and the dog has been taken to a local adoption center to be examined by a veterinarian. The dog is expected to recover but is not available for adoption at this time. “The swift action of the witnesses and the responding officers saved this animal from further suffering. We encourage people to call police if they see something like this,” Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth said.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler’s latest poll shows a stark divide between Texans when it comes to the governor’s handling of the Texas-Mexico border.  Our news partners at KETK reports that when asked if they approve or disapprove of how Gov. Greg Abbott is handling immigration at the Texas-Mexico border, 47% of respondents said they approve and another 47% said they disapprove. 6% answered that they neither approve nor disapprove. Biden’s border policies seem less polarizing than Abbott’s, with only 27% of respondents saying they approve of how Biden is handling the border, and 65% saying they disapprove.
Continue reading UT Tyler poll: The border, guns and inflation highlighted

From our news partner KETK.Traffic is backed up about five miles eastbound on I-20 due to a fire to an 18-wheeler.The backup is from the 545 eastbound mile marker and extends back to the 540 mile marker. Currently one lane is open as clean up crews are at the accident site.

OVERTON — A substitute teacher at Overton ISD said she was watching over the in-school suspension students on Tuesday when she said the unthinkable happened on a trip out of the classroom. “I look over and the other student was directly behind the resource officer,” said Candy Russell, substitute teacher and parent at Overton ISD. According to our news partner KETK, Russel claims at that moment the 11-year-old reached for the school police officer’s gun. Without thinking, she said she yelled his name and ran towards him. Immediately, she said a report was made to the administration. “I said, ‘I need you to go in the office and rewind the video a minute or two and see what just happened.’ I couldn’t even spit the words out of my mouth,” said Russell. Continue reading Overton substitute teacher says 5th grader reached for school officer’s gun