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TYLER — A Tyler woman received the keys to her new home on Friday. Habitat for Humanity of Smith County made the dedication on Friday. The home on North Tenneha is the 108th home built in Smith County in Habitat’s 30-year history. Scherry Jones and her daughter Brea, helped to build their home this summer along with hundreds of volunteers after the wall raising in May. Jones and her family completed 300 “sweat equity” hours by helping to build her home. She is purchasing her home from Habitat with a no interest, 30-year mortgage. To qualify for a Habitat home, applicants must demonstrate the need for affordable housing and show the ability to make a monthly mortgage payment.

KILGORE — Kilgore College kicked off the weekend putting a bit of a scare into visitors. On Friday night the school started their first “Kil-GORE College Horror Movie Festival” with the Alfred Hitchcok classic “Pyscho”. Dodson Auditorium will host movies through Tuesday on the Kilgore campus. The movie festival is open to the public, admission is $10 per person with single movie passes available for $2 per person. Attendees who bring a donation for the KC Student Food Pantry will receive a single movie pass. Continue reading ‘Kil-GORE College Horror Movie Festival’

LONGVIEW — Each year Davita Dialysis centers from across America hold a benefit ride to raises money that is used in chronic disease research. According to our news partner KETK, Tour Davita is a 3 day, 200 mile ride. This year, when Richard Forsyth got the opportunity to get involved, he did not hesitate. Forsyth, is a technician with Davita in Longview. He is not an avid rider,but was inspired by his patients to help raise $1.2 million in total.

TATUM – On Friday, the grandma of the Tatum child at the heart of a dress code controversy was arrested. According to our news partner KETK, Randi Woodley was charged with the charge for perjury and child endangerment. Woodley is in the Rusk County jail and is currently being held on a $27,500 bond. It is not clear what led to her arrest. In August, Woodley made charges that the Tatum ISD superintendent, Dr. J.P. Richardson, told her that her grandson must cut his hair or put him in a dress. Richardson has vehemently denied those accusations. Continue reading Dress Code Grandma in Tatum Arrested

TYLER — The grand opening of Southside Park in Tyler has been moved due to weather issues. On Nov. 16 the City of Tyler Parks and Rec Department and Tyler Area Ambucs will be cutting the ribbon on the new inclusive playground at Southside Park. The festivities will happen at 10 a.m. for the playground that feature ramps, swings and slides and accommodate kids with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs. These accommodations will allow children to enjoy the same playground regardless of their abilities. Continue reading Southside Park Ribbon Cutting Rescheduled

TYLER — Democrat Julie Gobble is announcing her campaign for the 2020 Texas House of Representatives District 6. Julie will hold a candidacy kickoff event from 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, at Martin Walker P.C. on N Spring Ave in Tyler. Gobble will file to appear on the March 3 Democratic Primary Ballot for the seat in District 6. The public is invited to the October 29 event but RSVPs are requested at julie4texas.com. Contact chair Greg Bryant at [email protected] for more info.

LONGVIEW — Due to Inclement weather. Downtown Live will be moving this week to Backstreet Bar and Grill on W. Methvin St. You are invited out tonight for this free event from 5 to 8 p.m. for great food and the music by Bobby “O” and the Mojos. Backstreet Bar and Grill is a smoke free establishment.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee will host “Longview Listens” from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on November 4, 2019. The evening will be at Maude Cobb Activity and Convention Center. Longview Listens seeks to promote unity and diversity by creating a safe environment by celebrating all individuals through community dialogue. This will be the first in a three-part series with the subsequent Longview Listens planned for February and May of next year. For more info call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019.

TYLER — On Monday early voting opened, on Friday Smith County officials reported that 724 ballots have been cast in the county as of Thursday’s close. Elections are being held for statewide Constitutional Amendments, as well as local elections for Smith County Emergency Services District 2 and Overton Mayor and City Council members. Polls remain open on Friday. Smith County residents will still have a chance to vote early next Monday through Wednesday at The Hub, on E. Ferguson in Tyler, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours Thursday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day, is November 5, voting will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early election balloting continues next week.

TYLER, Texas (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Friday reported third-quarter profit of $19.8 million. The Tyler, Texas-based bank said it had earnings of 58 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $71.7 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $55.3 million, which missed Street forecasts. Southside Bancshares shares have increased slightly more than 9% since the beginning of the year. The stock has climbed 16% in the last 12 months.

TROUP — A much loved boxing coach by his students and the community of Troup died on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Shawn Vascocu was put into hospice care, after formerly being given the all clear from his fight with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be held at Cottle Funeral Home in Troup, on Tuesday, from 6 pm-9 p.m. The funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Troup Wednesday at 2 p.m. Continue reading Troup Boxing Coach Dies After Battle With Cancer

TYLER — Gasoline prices are down across Texas, and Tyler is in the spotlight. Triple-A Texas says the statewide average fell four cents to $2.27. Spokesman Dan Armbruster says prices could wobble a bit in the near future as supplies trend to the downside. At $2.19, the cheapest gas in the state is found in Tyler and McAllen. Midland is on the high side at $2.46. Those prices are still about 30 cents lower than a year ago.

SMITH COUNTY — A Whitehouse man has been charged with DWI following a wreck involving an ambulance. Jose Martizez-Moran, 21, was arrested Thursday following a head-on collision with an ambulance. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened on Highway 31, just outside of Chandler. Martinez-Moran was driving in the wrong lane when he hit the ambulance, which was heading east. The driver of the ambulance and his partner were not seriously injured. Martinez-Moran was released from the Smith County Jail after posting bond. He was also arrested for DWI September 1, 2019.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dylan Scott McClelland, 19. On Monday Dylan was last seen leaving his residence outside Jacksonville around 7:20 a.m. to go to work. He left in a Gray 2000 GMC step side (TXLP MGP6120), wearing white Nike shoes, blue jeans, and a white and blue hat. The hat has “Its Personal” on it. If you have any information on his location contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office 903-683-2271.

TYLER — Friday’s Paul Cauthen Concert has changed venues. The City of Tyler and Liberty Hall will host Paul Cauthen in concert at the Caldwell Auditorium, on S. College Ave. The event, originally scheduled for Bergfeld park will kick off at 6 p.m. food trucks and live music begins at 7:30 p.m. The Tylerite, Paul Cauthen, first earned his reputation as a fire-breathing truth-teller with the acclaimed roots-rock band Sons of Fathers. In 2016, he released his solo debut, My Gospel. Continue reading Venue Change for the Paul Cauthen Concert

TYLER — Smith County mailed 186,000 total property tax statements this week. The bills are due upon receipt, and must be walked in or postmarked by January 31, 2020, to avoid delinquency. Tax-Assessor Collector Gary Barber said if you have not received your property tax bill by the first week of November, you should contact the Smith County Tax Office at 903-590-2920. Continue reading Smith County Property Tax Statements Mailed

TYLER — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has been awarded a grant renewal in the amount of nearly $1.4 million. It was awarded to continue tuberculosis research in their biomedical research center. While less common in the United States, TB is still considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Serving as the principal investigator, Rama Vankayalapati, PhD, will continue to explore the human immune responses to the disease. Continue reading UTHSC at Tyler Receives $1.4 Million for Research

TYLER — The members of a committee who will guide The University of Texas System Board of Regents in its exploration for the next president of UT Medical Branch were announced Wednesday by Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. Kirk Calhoun, M.D., president of UT Health Science Center at Tyler, has been named a committee co-chair. The committee will offer recommendations on possible successors to David Callender, M.D., who stepped down in August to become president and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Health System. Ben Raimer, M.D., UTMB’s senior vice president for the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, has been serving as interim president since then. Over the course of the next several months, the search advisory committee will consider potential candidates and make recommendations to the board, which will make the ultimate decision. Eltife is a former Tyler mayor and state senator.

KILGORE — According to our news partner KETK, Larry Wheeler was reported missing on October 18. If you’ve seen him or have any information on his whereabouts, contact Kilgore police or Greg County Crimestoppers. Refer to KPD Incident #1910-1145. Dectective Stephen Goodson with the Kilgroe PD. He can be reached at 903-218-6903 or by email at [email protected]. You may also contact the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903 236 STOP or you can text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man was found guilty on three counts of indecency with a child by exposure in Harrison County Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Nathanial Erwin Ferrell, 36, was accused of exposing himself on three occasions to a child who was 8 years old at the time of the offense. Ferrell was arrested in August of 2017 by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The jury convicted Ferrell after about an hour of deliberation and sentenced him to 10 years in state prison, which is the maximum term of confinement for this charge.

TYLER — A Tyler doctor has been arrested for illegally prescribing himself opioid pills. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, David Shafer, 59, was arrested October 14 by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is the second Tyler doctor to be arrested for illegally supplying opioids. Authorities allege Shafer had doctored himself with the opiods for the last 13 years. Investigators uncovered that Shafer had been writing prescriptions for Hydrocodone in his wife’s name since 2006, but had been taking them himself. Continue reading Doctor Arrested for Prescribing Himself for Past 13 Years

TYLER — Wednesday afternoon Smith County provided an update on a Balch Springs teen arrested in a recent Smith county incident involving a Homeowner. It began with an apparent attempted vehicle burglary. Kevon Taye McMiller – 17 of Balch Springs was arrested for the offense of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Bond for McMiller was set at $100,000. McMiller was previously treated and released from UT Health East Texas for a gunshot wound he sustained during the incident. This is an ongoing investigation with additional suspects, and more charges anticipated. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office will not be pursuing criminal charges against the homeowner in this case.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University invites the community to join the Tiger Family for Homecoming celebrations this week culminating on Friday and Saturday. The Tiger Family Carnival and Tailgate will be 10 am on Saturday morning offering bounce houses, games, and a free lunch. The Tiger Walk is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. ETBU hosts Howard Payne University at 2 p.m. The 2019 Homecoming Court is set to be announced during halftime festivities. For a full Homecoming schedule click the link. https://www.etbu.edu/info-for/alumni/homecoming

TYLER — Smith County leaders are preparing plans for a downtown makeover. According to our news partner KETK, they’re hoping a grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation will help them get there. City administrators are trying to breathe new life into the town center with a project including safe transportation for bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. It would also update existing streets, parks, plaza’s, and open areas. If awarded, the federal grant will account for 80 percent of the total costs. The remaining balance would be provided by the County Seat Coalition.

TYLER — Retired Smith County Clerk Mary Morris was honored in Commissioners Court on Tuesday, after 45 years of service to the county. Ms. Morris became the first female to be elected as county clerk in 1979 and was re-elected every election cycle until she retired in 1998. She began working for the office as deputy county clerk in 1953. The Commissioners Court approved a resolution proclaiming October 22, as “Mary Morris Day” in Smith County. Continue reading Smith County Honors Former County Clerk

LONGVIEW — Texas Bank and Trust is alerting its customers of a scam that has been making its way around East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, reports have been made to the bank that fraudulent text messages are being sent to customers saying that their debit card is locked and asks you to call a number to fix it. The number then asks you to enter your card number and PIN. Texas Bank and Trust said they will “NEVER ask you to enter your card number and PIN!” Continue reading Bank Card Scam Asking for Number and Pin

WHITE OAK — The White Oak Police Department is encouraging community members to take a look at their bank accounts. According to our news partner KETK, White Oak Police discovered a card skimmer locally on a gas pump. If you have purchased gas at North Oak Grocery, they urge you to double check your records. The skimmer was located on pump number 3 at North Oak Grocery of the convenience store on East George Richey Road.

TYLER — Major road construction is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, that will shut down through traffic on East Commerce Street between North McMurrey Drive and North Fleishel Avenue. Motorists can expect traffic delays of 5 to 15 minutes. Drivers should prepare for one-way traffic and a rough roadway in the work zone. The construction is expected to run until November 29th. The road will be opened to residents and businesses in the area.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District has hired a new assistant superintendent. According to our news partner KETK, Stuart Bird was approved by the board on Monday night. Bird is the former superintendent of Troup ISD. He left the school in 2018. Bird will succeed Rawly Sanchez, who stepped down earlier this month. No explanation has been given for his resignation.

TATUM — The on-going Dress Code case has been happening since August has taken a new turn. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday Tatum ISD School Board Members decided that 2 expelled elementary students would not be allowed back in school unless they cut their hair. Legal guardians of the children say the dress code discriminates against race and gender. Legal counsel for the student’s family says the next step is to take it to the court, with an emphasis on discrimination.