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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

JACKSONVILLE — A boil water notice has been issued for all Gum Creek Water Supply customers. According to the company, due to many customer leaks and/or continual running of faucets during the freeze, water usage has exceeded incoming capacity, causing a system-wide outage. Officials said crews were working to restore service as quickly as possible. Gum Creek Water Supply serves an area just west of Jacksonville. You may call 903-589-9988 or email gumcreekwater@gmail.com with any questions. Click here for more information and updates.

TYLER — When BreAnn Benson was seven years old, she decided to start giving out bears at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, she is now 13 years old with the same mission. “My mother got a surgery in the hospital and was there for over a month and got absolutely nothing and I got really sad and stuff,” said Benson. At that moment, Benson knew she had to do something and spread joy to adult patients in the same hospital her mom was in. “You don’t think about kids worrying about adults, they just wanna go out and play and everything else, but her heart is so big she was more worried about consoling those in the hospital,” said BreAnn’s mother, Jeri Ann Summerville. Six years ago they had 99 bears to donate and this year is the largest to date, 400 bears. “This year we actually get to fund the entire hospital,” said Benson. Continue reading 13-year-old gifts 400 bears to hospital patients for holidays

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful are providing two locations for Christmas tree recycling in Tyler. Residents can drop off their undecorated, non-flocked natural Christmas trees Monday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 15, in designated areas at Golden Road Park and Fun Forest Park in Tyler. Golden Road Park is located at the intersection of McDonald Road and Golden Road. Fun Forest Park is located at North Glenwood Boulevard and Garden Valley Road. All lights, ornaments, garland, and tinsel should be removed from the Christmas tree before dropping it off near the sign that says “Christmas Tree Drop Off,” according to a news release. Continue reading Christmas tree recycling starts Dec. 26 in Tyler

LONGVIEW — City of Longview offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, for Christmas. All city offices will resume regular business hours Tuesday, Dec. 27. Trash and recycling collection will shift one day the week of Christmas. The Compost Facility will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26 and 27, but reopen on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Bulky item collection will continue on regular schedule, but yard waste collection will be suspended from Monday, Dec. 26, through Friday, Jan. 6. Find more details at this link.

TYLER — All non-essential Tyler city offices will observe an adjusted schedule for the holidays. City Hall offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2. The Tyler Solid Waste office and Recycle Center will be closed on those days as well, with residential garbage and curbside recycling also affected. You may additionally want to make note of adjusted schedules for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Tyler Public Library, Tyler Transit, and more. Click here and scroll down to “Updates” for the complete summary.

OVERTON – The city of Overton has been experiencing a water outage, but progress is being made. The city says pumps and lines at the water wells froze up due to the Arctic blast. Officials said a crew was working to thaw out the lines and assess damages. The city did not immediately have an estimated time for full service to be restored. According to our news partner KETK, several frozen wells have reopened. A boil water notice has been posted for those who have access to water. Click here for details and any updates posted by the city.

LONGVIEW — One person is dead and another is injured after a shooting at Waffle House on East Loop 281 in Longview early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police say officers responded at approximately 2:08 a.m. and found a man and woman with apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to a local hospital, where Kendall Marshall, 27, of Longview was pronounced dead. Officials say the woman was then flown to an out-of-town hospital. Detectives are continuing their investigation. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at this link.

TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas has rescued three puppies that they found while responding to a cruelty call on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the SPCA says the puppies were not safe because they were seen near the road. They said the pups are “eaten up with parasites” and are now being provided with shelter through the arctic blast. They added that the SNIPPET clinic is going to do a free spay on the mother of the puppies. The SPCA provided the owners with two dog houses and some dog food for their remaining dogs. In a prepared statement, the SPCA said, “This is why it is so important for us to have these supplies on hand to give out to the community. Especially with the weather changing to dangerous freezing temperatures. We are still very much in need of more dog houses, blankets and supplies.” Click here for more information.

TYLER — TxDOT crews Thursday began pre-treating Tier 1 roadways, overpasses, and bridges in the Tyler area. Spokesman Jeff Williford said the work was being done out of an abundance of caution with TxDOT’s focus on making sure the department does what it can to keep motorists safe. If you’re out driving, you’re asked to allow crews room to work when you see them on the road. Tier 1 roadways include I-20, US 271, US 69, and SH 110. Crews have also been treating the bridges over Lake Palestine on SH 155.