NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Game Wardens want to know who shot and killed two bald eagles in East Texas. the eagles were shot on a County Road in Nacogdoches County on or around October 28th. A violation of the 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act can result in a fine of $100,000 for an individual or $200,000 for an organization and/or one year imprisonment on a first offense. Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to one-thousand dollars for the first and most accurate tip in the case, all information is confidential.
Capitol riot suspect from Longview released from pre-trial detention
WASHINGTON, D.C. – An East Texas man held on charges connected to the January 6th incident has been released from pretrial detention. After 20 months, Ryan Nichols of Longview has been allowed a release. He’s been held in Virginia. U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, who granted the pretrial release, says Nichols is still considered a danger to the public, but this release will let him access evidence he may need to prepare for trial. Prosecutors say Nichols expressed interest in joining the Proud Boys ahead of the Capitol event. After the incident, Nichols is quoted as saying he believes he did what God wanted him to do. Nichols is due in court on the 22nd to discuss the terms of his release from prison.
TxDOT’s weekly roadwork update
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 850, from SH 31 heading east towards Overton. Motorists should expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Also, there will be two patch crews at various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, crews will continue work at US 80 and FM 2208 (Alpine Road). This project consists of installing new pedestrian signal poles, sidewalks, and handicap ramps. There will be alternating lane closures depending on which side of the intersection they will be working on. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, watch for workers, and expect delays. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
Glass Recreation Center to close for annual maintenance and renovations
TYLER — Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center will be closed for renovations and maintenance from Monday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 26. During this period, officials say crews will be resurfacing the gym floor and repainting interior walls. The facility will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28, at 7 a.m. Classes and programs will resume their normal schedules upon reopening. For further information, call the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271 or visit this link.
Moran in Washington to prepare for first term in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – East Texas Congressman-elect Nathaniel Moran is already in Washington for Congress’s new member orientation. In an interview with KTBB’S Geoff Roark, Moran says there’s a lot to do, including ethics briefings, setting up offices, and hiring staff. He says lawmakers will also be making a lot of important decisions, such as who will be leading the Republican conference and what kind of procedural rules will need to be followed. The former Smith County judge defeated Democrat Jrmar Jefferson last week to clear his way to Capitol Hill. The 118th Congress gets to work January 3.
Wood County Economic Development executive director resigns
WOOD COUNTY — The Executive Director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC), Christophe Trahan, has resigned. According to our news partner KETK, Wood County Judge Lucy Hebron said in a press release on Monday that her office received notice of the resignation after Trahan’s “21-month stint as the head of the WCEDC.” Hebron thanked him for his work and the County Judge-Elect Kevin White said he will work with the WCEDC in selecting a candidate to fill the position.
Troup community hosts fish fry and auction to support Cooper Reid
TROUP — Troup residents held a fish fry and auction in order to take some financial burden off of Cooper Reid and his family. Reid was severely injured during a Troup football game in September. At last count, Saturday’s benefit raised $72,000 for Reid and his family. According to our news partner KETK, after more than a month of being hospitalized in Tyler, Reid was transferred to TIRR Memorial Herman in Houston for the next phase of treatment. His family members are taking time off from work to stay by his side. “His medical bills are gonna be, we have no idea what they’re going to be and so we just want to do whatever we can to take some of the burden off of them so they can focus on Cooper and help Cooper get better and what he needs,” said Mandi Braswell, Troup resident. Continue reading Troup community hosts fish fry and auction to support Cooper Reid
Main Street in Bullard will be closed this week for road work
BULLARD — The City of Bullard announced that Main Street will be closed starting on Monday Nov. 14 until the end of the week. According to our news partner KETK, Main Street will be closed so that contractors can begin road work that they should be able to finish by the end of the week if the weather is good enough, according to the City of Bullard. The city said that drivers should pay attention to detour signs and lane closure signs. They also asked drivers to watch out for construction workers while driving through the area.
In Focus: 11/13/22 – Andria Horton and Michelle Kenyon, Champions for Children
Three organizations to share bequest from Flock estate
TYLER — Three charitable organizations will share a multimillion-dollar bequest from the estate of community philanthropist June S. Flock, who died July 2. The Marvin Methodist Church Foundation, the Tyler Junior College Foundation, and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation each received $1.75 million. Spokespeople for all three organizations are expressing their appreciation. A CHRISTUS Health news release termed Flock “a gracious woman with a generous spirit, whose desire was ‘to be remembered.’”
MPO Transportation Policy Committee meeting scheduled for Nov. 17
TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Committee will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program to update the highway projects list to reflect the latest project information in the TxDOT Unified Transportation Program. Also up for consideration: adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies. You can learn more here, and you can contact the MPO by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5.
Fairmont Street reopens to two-way traffic
LONGVIEW — Fairmont Street between Toler Road and H.G. Mosley Parkway in Longview has re-opened to two-way traffic. Officials say major roadway construction items along Fairmont Street have been completed. Minor work remains ongoing along Fairmont Street, which may require temporary lane closure, according to a news release. However, two-way traffic is expected to be provided for the remainder of the project. Click here for further details.
TABC to charge Tyler bar in connection to death of Tyler Legacy senior
TYLER — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is pursuing charges against a Tyler bar in connection to a fatal crash on Jan. 14 that claimed the life of a Tyler Legacy High School senior. According to our news partner KETK, the TABC said the commission is pursuing administrative charges against Rose City Draft House for the “sale of alcoholic beverage to an intoxicated person,” as well as violations of the alcoholic beverage code’s requirement that the business not operate in a place or manner which endangers public safety. 24-year-old Jason Charles is accused of driving drunk and charged with intoxicated manslaughter in the crash that killed Lilly Thornburgh, who was senior at Tyler Legacy High School. Continue reading TABC to charge Tyler bar in connection to death of Tyler Legacy senior
Wood County Precinct 2 Constable indicted by federal grand jury
WOOD COUNTY — A Wood County Precinct 2 Constable was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday for “use of excessive force,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Kelly Jason Smith, 46, was indicted in Sherman, Texas for the deprivation of rights under color of law. The indictment stated that on July 25, Smith told his police dog to bite a suspect “who did not pose a threat that warranted use of the police dog.” The suspect suffered unnecessary bodily injury, said the U.S. Attorney’s office. Smith could be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of this offense. Continue reading Wood County Precinct 2 Constable indicted by federal grand jury
Construction worker seriously injured after being struck by alleged drunk driver
SMITH COUNTY — A construction worker has been hospitalized in Tyler after being struck by an alleged drunk driver on Highway 155, according to DPS and our news partner KETK. The construction worker was struck by a pickup truck Thursday morning, and is reported to have sustained serious injuries. Officials with DPS said the driver of the truck was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Additional details were not available.