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TYLER — Dr. Juan Mejia formally became the 7th president of Tyler Junior College on Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Mejia is ready to build on the schools 93- year history. “We look forward to hearing from our friends and colleagues that live in our area telling us how we can continue to improve and continue to be better everyday,” Mejia said. He was acknowledged by the TJC Board of Trustees in May to succeed retiring President Dr. Mike Metke. Metke became the president 12 years ago, in 2007. Mejia joined TJC in 2013 as vice president for student affairs and not long after accepted the role of provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. Most recently, Mejia served as president for branch locations and district provost.

KILGORE — Neighbors of the victims say a family member is responsible for the murder of two sisters Wednesday in Kilgore. According to our news partner KETK, published reports identify the suspect as Jermaine Wheat, the son of one of the victims. Neighbors say when they saw the police cars and crime scene units outside, their worst nightmare came true after they say Karen Wheat and Daisy Wheat were found stabbed to death. The Kilgore Police Department says multiple apartment units are being looked at as part of the crime scene.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man indicted for a July murder initially claimed self-defense for the crime, according to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. Humberto Lauro Leal, 39, is accused of stabbing Luis Rene Maruffo-Castaneda back on June 30 at his home north of the Tyler city limits. When a Smith County detective arrived on the scene, he found Castaneda dead in the driver seat of his car. Leal told the detective he lived there and claimed Castaneda was trying to kill him. Leal claimed he stabbed Castaneda in self-defense. Leal had a gunshot wound in his lower abdomen. Continue reading Tyler Man Remains Jailed on Murder Charge

TYLER — Crews begin road maintenance Friday on Cumberland Road between Wilder Way and Paluxy Drive. The construction is scheduled to be completed next Wednesday. Motorists should expect traffic delays, as lane closures and a pilot car will be in the area. Crews will be on the roadway from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers should use alternate routes to alleviate traffic congestion. Crews will also be working to repair a manhole ring and cover at the intersection of West Northwest Loop 323 and U.S. Highway 69 North on Saturday, Oct. 12. Work is scheduled to begin at about 7 a.m. and be completed by about 10 a.m. Travelers can expect lane closures near the work area from 7 a.m. until about 10 a.m.

TYLER — A Smith County Grand Jury indicted a Tyler man involved in a double fatality motorcycle accident from earlier this year. According to a Wednesday press release from Smith County, Tommy Joe Allen, was indicted on two charges of intoxication manslaughter for the wreck at S. Broadway and Amherst. Toxicology results show Allen to have had cocaine in his system at the time of the accident. The wreck claimed the life of 26-year-old motorcyclist Michael Anthony Gonzalez, of Tyler. Allen’s wife, Susan Pennock Allen, 57, died days later from injuries sustained in the crash.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse residents were notified on Wednesday about concerns of the quality of their water. According to our news partner KETK, the notification raises concerns about the danger that the drinking water exceeded the maximum contaimanant level for Trihalomethanes. Which are explosive organic compounds. Some who drink water containing that substance have had issues with their liver and kidneys. If you have concerns, you are urged to contact your local physician.

TYLER — In August the Tyler City Council adopted a resolution to become the 4th Bee City USA in Texas. The heart of the program is an initiative of the Xerces Society. They are committed to creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet. The City of Tyler has agreed to work towards those commitments and improve the habitats of pollinators. The Keep Tyler Beautiful Board will be the sponsor for the program and is inviting the general public to attend a meeting on Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m.The goal is to bring awareness and involvement. The meeting will be at the Tyler Public Library on S. College Ave.

TYLER — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has been awarded $37 million as a recipient of the Clinical and Translational Science Award. Officials say it’s the largest offering from the National Institutes of Health for research and education. The Tyler facility will partner with UT Health Houston, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT Rio Grande Valley, and Rice University. According to a news release, the five-year grant will enhance existing infrastructure to cultivate collaborative studies in various disciplines, including medical and healthcare delivery research among the institutions. In addition, the grant will fund the expansion of clinical research to recruit patients for the clinical trials performed to find better ways to treat a range of diseases. Continue reading Major Grant Includes UT Health Science Center at Tyler

TYLER — The City of Tyler will start its disinfection conversion process for about a month. The run time begins Oct. 21 and ends on Nov. 18. Officials do not expect any noticeable changes in water quality as a result of the temporary alteration. However, some individuals may notice taste and odor changes and a slight discoloration to the water. The city will convert from chloramines back to free chlorine. This is a very routine practice industry wide. Tyler began using this process for annual, routine maintenance in October 2014.

LONGVIEW — Engineering students from LeTourneau University have acquired the top spot in the Engineering World Health International Competition. The award winner was handed out for a hand-held, non-invasive, low cost, and rugged device. It’s designed to diagnose iron deficiency in patients in developing countries. This was the first year that LETU had entered the competition. The win puts LETU in good company. Purdue University, had won first place in the previous two years. Past top 3 finishers include Vanderbilt University, University of New South Wales, University of Toronto, University of Texas at Austin, Virginia Tech and Cornell University.

KILGORE — Kilgore College Community Education announces a community class entitled “Photography Basics” starting Oct. 29. The classes will meet on Tuesday nights through Dec. 3. Instruction will cover the essentials of using a 35mm or digital camera. Textbook information will be given at registration. Students must supply his or her own 35mm or digital camera. Cost of the community education (CE) class is $85. CE classes are short-term, non-credit courses. Continue reading Photography Fundamentals to be Offered in Kilgore

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man is accused of sharing more than 400 photographs and videos of child pornography over his Tumblr account, according to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation in March after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip flagged 49 photos shared by the Tumblr account “youngisbetterr.” Investigators served a subpoena to Suddenlink Communications where they discovered a laptop that uploaded the videos belonged to the wife of Matthew Landua. Landua, 25, was interviewed by authorities in April when a search warrant was executed on his house and confirmed that the “youngisbetterr” account belonged to him. Continue reading Tyler Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges

KILGORE — Kilgore Police have arrested one person after an incident left two women dead. According to our news partner KETK, around 3 p.m. Wednesday, officers and detectives responded to Stone Creek Apartments on Pine Burr Lane following a 911 call. Authorities found two women dead inside one of the apartments. An unidentified man was arrested a short time later near the area. Several apartments are being considered crime scenes. The names of the victims have not been released. Kilgore PD say they believe they have the man responsible for the murders in custody and do not believe there is any threat to the community.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct #2 Constable Josh Black has announced he is running for re-election. Black has served as Precinct #2 constable since December 2018. He was appointed by the Smith County Commissioner’s Court to fill the unexpired term of Constable Andy Dunklin after Dunklin was elected Precinct #2 Justice of the Peace. Black worked in the constable’s office prior to his appointment. Black lives in Flint with Melissa, his wife of 10 years, and their 9-year-old daughter Blair.

MARSHALL — A Marshall teenager has been arrested for allegedly making threats of violence toward Marshall ISD last week. According to our news partner KETK, Quincy Earl McCollister, 17, was charged Wednesday with two counts of making a false alarm or report. Superintendent Jerry Gibson acknowledged that McCollister was a student at the district at the time of the threats. Last Thursday, Oct. 3rd, the school district received multiple phone calls threatening multiple buildings. Two lockdowns were issued over the course of two hours. If convicted, McCollister will face up to two years in prison for each count.

TYLER — During a recent board meeting, Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Board of Commissioners recognized the not long passed retirement of Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson. According to the ESD 2 facebook post, the district honored her for 26 plus years of service to the citizens of Smith County and affirmed her for the lives she touched while serving at the Fire Marshal’s office. The board thanked her for unselfish service to her community, and determined dedication to Smith County and Emergency Services District 2.

TYLER — The Corkscrew Wine Run is coming back to East Texas for its 3rd year in 2019! The run will start and end at Kiepersol’s Winery and Distillery. The race starts Saturday at 7:30 am. This years race has newly drawn routes based on input from previous years. With the run being at a winery, people should not be surprised that swag bags include wine. The race will also have support from the City of Bullard and local fire department. Organizers say they could not have the run without their help.

TYLER — There are 2 new additions to the Beauty and the Box program. The latest traffic signal boxes on display can be found at the corner of South Broadway and East Heritage Drive, and East Front Street and Old Henderson Highway. The City of Tyler Beauty and the Box program is a beautification program that began in 2016 to take utilitarian traffic boxes and transform them into works of art from local artists. A pilot program of 10 boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District Continue reading Beauty and the Box Program Wraps Two New Boxes

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Another contestant has announced their intentions to enter the Cherokee County Sheriff’s race. According to our news partner KETK, Roy Cavazoz Jr. issued his plans on a Facebook post. Cavazoz was born and raised in Cherokee County and is a graduate of Jacksonville High SChool. He began his career in law enforcement as a jailer for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in 1988. Roy and his wife Janet, have been married for 27 years and have two daughters.

DALLAS— Volunteers from Kilgore, will be at the State Fair of Texas for “Destination Day.” Kilgore’s day to shine is October 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Promotion items of Kilgore will be on full display to encourage people to visit. This weekend is historically the second busiest weekend at the State Fair of Texas right after the opening weekend. Each year, Kilgore has a strong presence at the State Fair of Texas as the Kilgore College Rangerettes perform at the opening ceremonies and attend various weekends for many activities during the duration of the fair. The State Fair of Texas runs for 24 days and had more than 2 million visitors in 2018.

TYLER — The winners of Tyler’s top awards express their surprise and appreciation at Tuesday’s annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Longtime civic leader Bob Garrett was honored as Tyler’s outstanding citizen with the T.B. Butler Award. He told the attendees, “So many of you…you live authentic lives. And that that has inspired me, for whatever I’ve done…I’ve done it because I wanted to be like you.” Among other things, Garrett leads Fair Oil Company and the Fair Foundation. He serves as board chair of Southside Bank. Continue reading Winners React to Tyler Area Chamber Awards

QUITMAN (AP) — A man previously accused of involvement in a Louisiana cattle theft ring has been indicted in Texas on charges he also stole cows from a rancher there. The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said in a news release Monday that Texas authorities arrested Justin Glenn Thompson last week on an additional felony cattle theft charge. He was indicted on three related charges last month as part of a joint investigation by the raisers association and Louisiana’s Agriculture Department. Investigators say in this case, Thompson purchased cattle from a Texas rancher by saying he was a representative from a Louisiana-based feeding company. But authorities say he doctored invoices and wrote bad checks to divert profit to himself. Continue reading Louisiana Cattle Theft Suspect Faces More Charges in Texas

TYLER — Businesses in the Broadway MarketCenter are still closed as of Tuesday due to plumbing issues caused by kitchen utensils found inside the sewer lines, according to our news partner KETK. The shopping center is located at the corner of Rice Road and Broadway. “The plumbing issues at Broadway Market Center are due to a back-up the primary sewer line that runs the entire length of the affected businesses,” says Ruben Veloz, the Commercial Property Manager of Dunhill Properties, the managers of the Broadway Market Center. “Utensils found in the sewer line contributed to the blockage. Although these pipes are maintained periodically, issues like this will happen.” Continue reading Broadway MarketCenter Stores Remain Closed Due to Sewer Line Issues

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County resident was scammed out of $17,000 after a New Jersey woman claimed to be a family member asking for money. According to our news partner KETK, In September, a woman reported being contacted through Facebook who identified themselves as a family member. The person then convinced the victim that she was eligible to receive a grant from the United Nations Democracy Fund Program. Over the several weeks of communication, the victim sent a total of $17,000 to the suspect with the promise of getting a check for $75,000. Continue reading Smith County Woman Defrauded out of $17,000

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, Breast Cancer Awareness month is taking on a new meaning for students and faculty at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler this year. The school colors officially are red white and black, but on Tuesday morning students and teachers gathered on the campus quad in effort to “Turn Robert E. Lee Pink”. Everyone wore their pink gear in support of Dr. Kristen Walls. Walls is an assistant principal of student and faculty services and has been fighting breast cancer over the last several months. Walls colleagues describe her as a mentor, and someone I look up to. Dr. Walls was part of the “Turn Tyler Pink” event on Tuesday night.

LINDALE — The Lindale Chamber of Commerce is putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Countryfest event. The fun takes place this Saturday at the Picker’s Pavilion from 9am to 4pm. Event organizers invite you to stroll through the arts and craft booths, tame the mechanical bull, take in the Car Displays, enjoy live entertainment, taste the variety offered from food trucks, and bid on auction items. Children can spend the day at a variety of activities including a climbing wall, an array of carnival games and the Kids ID Booth with Lindale Police. For more information click the link. https://lindalechamber.org/events/details/countryfest-2019-66

TYLER — The City of Tyler recognized Building Services Supervisor Gary Smith on Tuesday with the Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award. The council highlighted Smith at the city council meeting for his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Smith is described as innovative and continually working to improve community facilities and teams to benefit the residents of Tyler. Smith has served the city for over 29 years.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD is hosting numerous town hall meetings to gather input from parents about receiving a district-wide charter status. According to our news partner KETK, the district currently has six charter schools operated by the nonprofit East Texas Advanced Academies. The charter status means the school is still part of a public school education, but has the opportunity to receive more state funding. Continue reading LISD Hosts Series of Town Hall Meetings on District-Wide Charter Status

GREGG COUNTY — Elections will be held on the 1st Tuesday in November and new voting machines will be used in Gregg County at the polls. According to our news partner KETK, if you missed the chance to practice on Tuesday evening at Braughton Recreation Center, you will have another opportunity Thursday at Greggton Community Center. The displays will be up and running from from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The new machines will print out a ballot for you to confirm before you place it in a scanner, which will read and count your vote.

TYLER — Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas has received two Outstanding BBB Awards – one for Outstanding Marketing/Branding Program and another for Outstanding Social Media Program. The awards were presented from the International Association of Better Business Bureaus at the 49th International Assembly of BBBs in Grand Rapids, MI. The distinctions recognize outstanding overall communications by a local BBB. The Better Business Bureau system was founded in 1912.