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EAST TEXAS — Early voting began Monday in the November general election, and both Smith and Gregg Counties are posting information on casting your ballot. There will be six early voting locations throughout Smith County, while Gregg County is offering nine places to vote. Early voting continues through November 4. Click here to view more election information for Smith County, and click this link for additional Gregg County election information.

TYLER — The son of a Tyler pastor convicted of theft against an elderly person pleaded guilty Thursday in Tyler to credit card abuse against an elderly person in connection to the same crime as his father. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County DA’s Office reports Jerome Anthony Milton, 27, was sentenced to two years’ deferred adjudication. The DA’s office said there will be a restitution hearing in February where he will be ordered to pay back the money that he was involved in stealing. Continue reading Son of Tyler pastor pleads guilty to credit card abuse against elderly person

SMITH COUNTY — A man’s sentence was reduced in Smith County on Thursday after a court reporter lost records, according to Jacob Putman, the Smith County District Attorney. According to our news partner KETK, Joel Lee Gonzales was originally sentenced to life in prison for the charge of aggravated assault against a public servant, and he later appealed. Due to the error, a new trial was required. But, instead of having a new trial Gonzales agreed to plea to 49 years in prison, said the DA’s office. In May of 2020, a Smith County deputy initiated a traffic stop in the county on Interstate 20. The deputy then asked Gonzales to exit the car. The sheriff’s office said Gonzales got a gun that was between his legs, chambered a round and drove away. He later crashed his car and ran away into the woods. Deputies located him, and he was arrested.

TYLER — Following an undercover operation dating to February 2021, three men were indicted by an East Texas grand jury and are accused of transporting two African elephant ivory tusks from an Oklahoma residence to Tyler for sale. According to our news partner KETK, David Bartlett (pictured), 46, of Dill City, Okla., was allegedly joined by two others identified as Dusty Caudill and Darryl Garcia. The tusks were valued at $350. The three have been charged with conspiracy to transport wildlife in interstate commerce, and Bartlett and Garcia were additionally charged with transportation of wildlife in interstate commerce and violating the Endangered Species Act.

WASHINGTON – White Oak ISD was awarded $500,000 to improve school safety measures, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced Thursday. The funding comes through the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which were recently authorized by Sen. Cornyn’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law in June. According to a news release, 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. Continue reading Cornyn: White Oak ISD to receive $500K to improve school safety

TYLER — UT Tyler Professor of Nursing Dr. Cathy Miller presented her research on human trafficking to the World Health Organization at the United Nations in New York. According to a news release, Miller is part of a team spearheading the UN’s Global Strategic Operatives for the Eradication of Human Trafficking Initiative. “Trafficking in Persons is recognized as a global pandemic with tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of human beings being victimized every day,” said Miller as quoted in the release. She adds that most TIP victims “never receive the health care and other after-care support they need through the referrals of health care providers.” UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun comments, “We are proud of Dr. Cathy Miller and the work she is doing to shed light on human trafficking and to help improve health care on a global scale,” also as quoted in the release.

LONGVIEW — Democratic governor candidate Beto O’Rourke hosted a rally at The Exchange Locale and Marketplace in downtown Longview on Wednesday as he encouraged people to get out and vote. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “Too often, Democrats write this part of the state off, but we are not making either of those mistakes. We are showing up and with this community,” said O’Rourke. He also took the opportunity to address many concerns Texans have, including immigration. “We need a Texas-based guest worker program where we can connect those who want to come into this country to work with jobs where we would otherwise be unable to fill,” added O’Rourke. Continue reading O’Rourke campaigns in Longview

TYLER – A Grand Prairie man was indicted on Oct. 13 for intoxicated manslaughter in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, Deputy Lorenzo Bustos, 29, was killed in July after the back of his patrol unit was rear-ended on Highway 155 near CR 1237 at a moderate speed while he was standing at the back of the car. Daniel Nyabuto, 21, initially arrested for intoxication assault, has remained in jail since the day of the crash, and his bond was set at $750,000. The charge was upgraded to intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer after Bustos died in the hospital.

LONGVIEW — Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, Edwin Street between Estes Parkway and Green Street will be closed to all traffic. Officials say the closure is needed to facilitate the reconstruction of the Mobberly Avenue and High Street intersection. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. This street work is part of the Mobberly Avenue and High Street Intersection Improvements project. Click here for more information.

EAST TEXAS – Two more East Texas communities have issued boil water notices. According to our news partner KETK, one was posted for residents who get their water from Dirgin Water Supply in Rusk County. People who live on FM 2658 north of Martin Lake and near Highway 43 are being impacted. And a boil water notice was issued by Clarksville City for residents on Whatley Road, Leigh Lane, and Steamboat Road. City officials said that a water line was hit while a crew was laying fiber optic cable. If you have questions about the latter notice, contact the city hall at 903-845-2681.

LONGVIEW — Court documents show a former Longview police lieutenant who was arrested by the FBI and accused of attempting to engage minors in sexual activity online has been ordered to house arrest. According to our news partner KETK, Seth Vanover was released from the Smith County Jail October 13 in the custody of a family member. Under the conditions of his release, Vanover was ordered to home incarceration, which restricts him to a 24-hour lockdown except for court approved activities. In addition to house arrest, Vanover was ordered to comply with location monitoring technology and standard sex offender conditions for release. Continue reading Former police lieutenant ordered to house arrest

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved using up to $4.5 million of its ARPA funding to build a road for a new business park, which could bring in hundreds of new jobs to Smith County. According to a county news release, Tyler Economic Development Council President/CEO Scott Martinez told the court that Smith County has missed opportunities for new manufacturing and distribution companies due to a lack of a business park that would accommodate large companies. TEDC has identified 412 acres just south of Interstate 20, west of Highway 155 and east of County Road 336. Continue reading Commissioners Court approves using ARPA funding for economic development project

TYLER — This week, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard received new pavement markings and traffic patterns between West Gentry Parkway and North Broadway Avenue as part of the 2022 Seal Coat Program. The lane configurations have been changed from two-lanes in each direction with a center turn lane to one-lane in each direction, a center turn-lane, and on-street buffered bike lanes. The changes were made to make better use of the existing pavement based on traffic volumes and to improve safety. The existing traffic volumes did not justify two travel lanes in each direction. The new pavement markings provide for buffered on-street bicycle lanes which provide residents with more options for using the roadway. Continue reading New traffic pattern, pavement markings on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

TYLER — Inflation and a turkey shortage this year could ruin dinner for many families across the country. According to the CDC, the bird flu has infected almost 48 million birds in the U.S. According to our news partner KETK, Greenberg Smoked Turkeys said they’ll have turkeys available to order up until Thanksgiving. “We sell one product and one product only. We have to make sure we have it. Last year, we placed our order in November and had everything here as early as March,” said Jake Greenberg, Assistant Manager at Greenberg Smoked Turkeys. An employee that has worked there for many seasons says it doesn’t hurt to order early. Continue reading Despite turkey shortage, Greenberg Smoked Turkeys says they will have plenty

TYLER — T.J. Austin Elementary has seen significant results through its “Amplify Program” for reading and writing, according to our news partner KETK. “We have implemented this Amplify curriculum and other things to ensure number one that teachers have a curriculum they can trust and implement with integrity, but also get the results to ensure that all students are growing throughout our campus,” said T.J. Austin Principal Josh Currie. The new program helps put students at their appropriate grade reading level which helps them prepare for their future careers. Continue reading Texas Education Commissioner visits Tyler elementary school