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WASHINGTON – The University of Texas at Tyler was awarded a federal grant totaling $262,537 to support partnerships between local schools and institutions of higher education that are training counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to provide school-based services. That announcement came Friday from U.S. Senator John Cornyn. According to a news release, the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration program. The program was recently authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law on June 25. This targeted legislation addresses specific concerns that have led to recent mass shootings, including the need for additional mental health services and school safety resources, according to the release. Continue reading Cornyn: UT Tyler to receive $262K for additional mental health resources

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, in partnership with R&K Distributors, is preparing to provide a “Safe-Ride-Home” on New Year’s Eve. For the 16th consecutive year, Longview Transit will give free rides to anyone within the Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10. The curb to curb service will be available to any destination within the city limits of Longview. The service is offered to the general public, including individuals that have had a couple of drinks or those that simply do not want to drive that evening. Longview Transit encourages riders to schedule trips in advance, if possible. Advanced reservations are now being taken. Click here for further details.

JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville man by the name of Ryan Donald Hoskins has been missing since Nov. 25. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Hoskins was last seen leaving 153 Fulton St. in Jacksonville on the morning of Nov. 25 after getting into a fight with his girlfriend. He reportedly left the residence in a white Chevy Suburban with a “profile sticker” on the right bumper. The vehicle was found abandoned on County Road 4405. Hoskins was wearing jeans, a white shirt, a hoodie, a hat, and tennis shoes. He also has several tattoos. On his chest is a heart organ, on his arm/shoulder area is a devil and an angel, his forearm has the quote “Never Give Up,” and on his right upper arm is a Bible verse from the book of Psalms. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Jacksonville Police Department via phone at 903-586-2546 or dial 911.

WINONA – Two people who were arrested in Winona for animal cruelty at their property, which was initially a rescue, have been sentenced to probation. According to our news partner KETK, Tina Loper and Eric Morris were initially arrested on Jan. 21 after 38 dogs were seized from the property. Loper pleaded guilty to multiple charges of animal cruelty in October and received a probated sentence of one year in state jail. The court has set a term of probation at 15 months with 200 hours of community service. Morris also pleaded guilty to similar misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to 12 months deferred adjudication with 100 hours of community service. Continue reading Winona dog rescue owners sentenced to probation on animal cruelty charges

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Gum Creek Water Supply has rescinded a boil water notice, joining nearby Gallatin Water Supply Corporation, which dropped its notice Wednesday. In issuing the notices, officials cited many customer leaks and/or continual running of faucets during the freeze — with water usage exceeding reserves and causing system-wide outages. Officials say the water is now safe for consumption for both Gum Creek and Gallatin customers. Gum Creek Water Supply serves an area west of Jacksonville. Gallatin is located roughly between Jacksonville and Rusk.

WOOD COUNTY — 30-year-old Justin K. Fitzgerald of Mineola is dead after being hit and killed by a vehicle while fleeing from Wood County deputies on Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a call about shots fired east of Mineola off Highway 80. As deputies arrived, Fitzgerald ran into the woods. A perimeter was established and a short time later, the sheriff’s office said they were notified of several houses that were broken into near the area of FM 1801. Additional units arrived and began “pushing into the tree line” in an attempt to locate Fitzgerald. He then ran out of the tree line near Highway 80 and ran into the highway, where he was struck by a vehicle. He was flown to a Tyler hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Texas DPS is investigating the crash.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments is seeking input from residents on a major broadband project. According to a news release, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a new map showing what it believes is the type and speed of internet service that is now available to every household in East Texas. The map was built with information from internet providers, including those in the ETCOG region. Rural leaders from throughout Texas have voiced concerns that the map exaggerates the actual service that is available to Texans, especially those in rural communities. There is a process for individual households and communities to challenge the map data, and ETCOG is urging residents to look at the map and report inaccuracies. Continue reading East Texans asked to help verify new FCC broadband map

TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation is preparing to get 2023 off and running with a variety of offerings. It’s almost time for the 2023 Corporate Challenge, with registration opening Jan. 2. Officials say that event is designed to bring local businesses together for networking opportunities with other professionals while competing in a friendly competition. Also, Glass Recreation Center is holding a membership sale and putting out the word on its January programs, including aerobics, basketball, and table tennis. Along with that, Parks and Rec is hosting a Madden NFL Tournament for ages 13 to 15 Feb. 4 at Glass Recreation Center in a mobile video game bus. Officials say they’re targeting a demographic that enjoys sports but not physically playing them. Click here and scroll down to “Tyler News” to learn more.

LONGVIEW – A 23-year-old Longview man was arrested on Wednesday for murder and aggravated assault in connection to a shooting at the Longview Waffle House. According to our news partner KETK, Rayshon Weston LaGarde was taken to the Gregg County Jail and his bond has been set at $1.5 million. The pre-dawn shooting on Dec. 23 left one dead and another injured, according to officials. They identified Kendall Marshall, 27, of Longview, as the man who was pronounced dead at the hospital, and a female victim was reported to be in stable condition. Longview police said they would like to thank DPS troopers for assisting in LaGarde’s arrest.

GREGG COUNTY –The Longview Municipal Court’s Warrant Amnesty Program will be available from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2023, offering those with outstanding warrants an opportunity to resolve cases and save on their court fines. During the amnesty program, all warrant fees will be removed when someone voluntarily contacts the court to pay at least half the total amount due and start a payment plan for the remaining balance. An additional 20% will be removed from the fine amount for those who pay their balance in full. The discount only applies to the fine amount and does not include court costs. Continue reading Municipal Court offers warrant amnesty program in January

UPSHUR COUNTY – The person is dead after a house fire in Upshur County, the sheriff’s office said on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they received a call of a house fire on Hawk Road around 7 a.m. after a neighbor observed the fire and called 911. “The home was destroyed,” officials said. “Responders located a deceased person in the debris of the home.” An autopsy has been ordered and will be performed at Forensic Medical Management Services in Tyler. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The victim’s identity was not immediately released.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court appointed Sara Maynard to serve as the County Court-at-Law 2 Judge after Judge Taylor Heaton was selected to become the 475th District Judge. According to a news release, the Commissioners Court selected Maynard after hearing from seven candidates who wanted the job at last week’s meeting. After two executive sessions of discussing the applicants, they decided on her in a 3-2 vote. The other candidates included attorneys James Carter, Jeremy Coe, Sam Griffith, Trevor Rose, Laura Severt, and Cheryl Wulf. Judge Heaton was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to take over the newly created District Court in Smith County on January 1, 2023, for a term set to expire on December 31, 2024, or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Continue reading Maynard appointed County Court-at-Law 2 judge

LONGVIEW – Friends and family are breathing a lot easier after their Christmas was unexpectedly disrupted by a missing person case. According to the Longview Police Department’s Facebook page, 60-year-old John Calvin King disappeared after a family friend spoke to King around 2 p.m. on Sunday at his home on the south side of Longview. Police reported around 1 p.m. Monday that King had been located and was home safe.

TYLER – This year’s Christmas was a little bit different for Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the sanctuary flooded after one of their water heaters burst, leaving them to host their Christmas service in the church’s gymnasium. Pastor Steve Alberts said a staff member went to the church around 9 a.m. on Christmas Eve and found water everywhere. Alberts said about 70 people showed up to help clean up the space. The sanctuary was flooded with four inches of water, damaging several areas of the building. Alberts believes it will take months to repair the water damage, but he said he’s grateful for how the church family came together to assist in the flood recovery.

GALLATIN — Gallatin Water Supply Corporation has joined nearby Gum Creek Water Supply in issuing a boil water notice. As with Gum Creek, officials in Gallatin cite many customer leaks and/or continual running of faucets during the freeze — with water usage exceeding reserves and causing a system-wide outage. Officials say all those who are experiencing very low pressure or are without water are now under a boil water notice until further notification. Gallatin is located roughly between Jacksonville and Rusk. Continue reading Boil water notice in Gallatin