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TYLER — King’s Academy Christian School in Tyler has announced the death of its head of school, Dr. Wayne McEntire. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “Please pray. Wayne went to Heaven to be with our Lord today. He will be missed by so many. Please pray for those he left behind,” the school said in a Thursday Facebook post. McEntire started his journey as an educator at age 28, teaching the Bible to high school students in Houston. He was also a pastor and worked in other church staff positions, according to King’s Academy. McEntire leaves behind a wife, five children, and four grandchildren.

LONGVIEW — Two candidates have filed for terms on the Longview City Council as the May elections approach. Incumbent Wray Wade hopes for a return to office in District 3. Loan oficer John Nustad has filed in District 4, where incumbent Kristen Ishihara can’t run again due to term limits. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot for District 3 and District 4 until Feb. 17. Click this link for more details.

OVERTON – A boil water notice for the entire city of Overton has been rescinded after being issued Wednesday. Officials said the notice was due to a break in a six-inch main water line. According to our news partner KETK, the city said the problem emerged after a contractor dug into one of the city’s main lines. Click here for more details.

TYLER – A Dallas man faces several charges following a Smith County chase. DPS reports that around 10:30 p.m. this past Monday, a trooper tried to stop a car for a traffic violation on CR 164. Officials say the driver did not stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle chase ended at the Village on Broadway apartment complex, where the driver fled on foot, according to a news release. Officials say the trooper chased the suspect on foot and captured him. The suspect is identified as Wilbert J. Brown, 47. Authorities say a search of Brown’s vehicle revealed 77 pounds of marijuana. Brown was charged with evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana, and fail to identify-fugitive from justice. The news release says Brown also had four warrants for his arrest out of Tarrant County. Brown was booked into the Smith County jail. Officials say an open investigation continues.

TYLER – The Women’s Fund of Smith County (WFSC) awarded seven grants totaling $369,320 to seven local nonprofit agencies during its 2023 Grants Announcement Event held at Hollytree Country Club on Thursday. Since the collective giving circle was founded 2007, the Women’s Fund has awarded $2,929,384 to over 30 Smith County nonprofits, according to a news release. This year’s recipients are the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County, the East Texas Food Bank, the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Camp V, The Fostering Collective, PATH, and Starbrite Therapeutic Equestrian Center. Continue reading Women’s Fund awards over $360,000 in grants

TYLER – Smith County officials have updated an earlier report, now saying that a carbon monoxide leak sent two sheriff’s office employees to the hospital. Initial reports mentioned just one worker. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Larry Christian said the leak at the central jail was responded to by the Tyler Fire Department around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Christian said one officer was transported to UT Health Tyler, treated overnight, and released on Thursday. Another officer was taken to the hospital and released the same day. Sheriff Larry Smith said the carbon monoxide leak came from a boiler. According to Christian, no inmates were injured in the course of the leak, which has since been repaired. According to the Centers for Disease Control, carbon monoxide poisoning hospitalizes more 14,000 people per year in the United States.

BULLARD – On Wednesday, officials confirmed that an SUV crashed into the Bullard Post Office. According to our news partner KETK, the driver went to the hospital but reportedly did not suffer any major injuries. The post office is closed, and the Bullard Fire Department was boarding up the hole in the wall caused by the crash. While the office is closed, residents can drop off mail at the mailbox in the parking lot. According to the Bullard Police Department, the vehicle crashed into the building around 1:30 p.m. and a wrecker was called around 2:05 p.m. to remove the vehicle from the building.

KILGORE – A bald eagle was spotted on a derrick near the Kilgore Police Department on Wednesday. “This magnificent fellow was spotted checking out their favorite perch,” the city of Kilgore said in a prepared statement. According to our news partner KETK, BJ Owen, a wildlife enthusiast and the city’s director of special services, took the photos. A group of buzzards fled the area when the eagle arrived and went downtown. “So…next time you think you see a buzzard on the derrick, look a little closer to make sure,” city officials said. The bald eagle is a national symbol for the United States. They have strong vision that they use to hunt their prey, said the Smithsonian.

TROUP — On Wednesday afternoon, Troup High School hosted their Hoop for Coop fundraiser to support Cooper Reid and his family. According to our news partner KETK, basketball team reps say the effort involves shooting free throws to make money, with flat donations also accepted. Reid, a junior at Troup High School, had a significant head injury in early September during his football game. Since his injury, the community has rallied around him and his family. While Reid is still recovering in Houston, fellow Tigers are always looking for ways to support him. Boys basketball coach Darin Harley said that they are working on another event to help support the Reid family. The Troup community is hopeful for Cooper’s full recovery and asks East Texans to continue praying until he can come back home.

TYLER — Eleven Texas Republican members of Congress have written a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary demanding that he change the way he’s dealing with the border. The letter, sent Wednesday from freshman Congressman Morgan Luttrell, of Magnolia, and 10 others to Alejandro Mayorkas, reads in part, “The Department of Homeland Security states the purpose of the secretary is to secure and manage our borders; you have failed to do this job.” The letter was obtained by Fox News Digital. In addition to Luttrell, U.S. Representatives Kay Granger, Michael Burgess, Brian Babin, Dan Crenshaw, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Pete sessions, Nathaniel Moran, Keith Self and Beth Van Duyne also signed the letter.

ARP — An animal cruelty investigation that began last summer has led to the arrest of an Arp non-profit founder. Kym McRee is the founder of the organization “K-9’s & Heroes” which was established in 2020 to train support and service dogs for veterans. She has been arrested on a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals. Bond was set at $10,000. Twenty animals – including several dogs – were taken from McKee’s home last August 15th. Officers said the dogs were emaciated and filthy, living in dirty cages and with no fresh water. McRee says she had been hospitalized for weeks and had left the animals in the care of a relative.

OVERTON – Due to a break in a six-inch main water line, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the city of Overton public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “A boil water notice has been issued for the whole of Overton City after a contractor dug into one of the city’s main lines,” said Connie Chasteen with the City of Overton. “Samples have been taken for the lab and we hope to have the notice lifted quickly.” Residents of Overton have been asked to purchase bottles of water or boil water for drinking water, cooking, brushing teeth, and ice making until the notice is lifted. For more information or if you have questions, you may contact Richard Chasteen, Public Works Supervisor, via phone at 903-834-3171 or visit their website.

PRICE – A Carlisle ISD administrator was arrested for allegedly failing to report a possible sexual assault on the junior high campus. According to our news partner KETK, Carlisle ISD Superintendent Michael Payne says that the incident involved “one student’s conduct toward another” and that the district is cooperating with law enforcement. The district did not immediately release the name of the administrator who was arrested. “Student safety is of paramount importance,” Payne said. “The offending student was disciplined which included removal from CISD campuses and elimination of any threat to students.” Payne said on Wednesday the district is hopeful that with “additional evidence and clarification” the matter will be resolved.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $4.5 million in grants from the Governor’s Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits. According to a news release, the Governor’s Public Safety Office administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism, and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans. ETCOG’s Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually. Click here for a more complete report.

TYLER — $86,000 was handed out Tuesday at 17 Tyler ISD campuses. The Tyler ISD Grant Patrol delivered the news to educators that were named 2022-2023 Grants for Great Ideas recipients, our news partner KETK reports. “Grant Patrol is one of the highlights of our year. It’s a rewarding opportunity to partner on these projects with an amazing group of educators who aim to engage their students in new and creative ways,” Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Suzette Farr said. The 29 grants given to educators on 17 campuses will fund projects like honey bees at Tyler Legacy High School to supporting the district’s literacy bus and expand student learning in the STEAM lab at Orr Elementary School. Continue reading $86k awarded to Tyler ISD educators with ‘Grants for Great Ideas’