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LONGVIEW — Longview Parks and Recreation is seeking feedback on proposed enhancements for Spring Hill Park. Officials say the proposed changes, which would cost about $968,000, include the installation of a larger pavilion, a new trail, and splash pad improvements as well as site work, electrical improvement, and erosion control. The improvements are funded through the $24.7 million parks bond package approved by voters in 2018. A community meeting to discuss the proposed changes was held Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Spring Hill High School. A copy of the presentation from that meeting as well as an online form to submit feedback are available at this link.

ATHENS – Officials with Henderson County said on Thursday they are searching for a missing man who was last seen on Sept. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Eugene Gates, 45, is 5’10” tall and weighs about 200 pounds. Officials said he is normally seen wearing a baseball cap but is known to shave his head. “Cody has a teenage son who is very concerned about his dad,” officials said. “Cody was last seen with an unknown female by the name of Sam.” Officials said Gates is reported to have at one time been driving a 2004 White Dodge Avenger with a possible Texas license plate of PLN 2426. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or how to reach him is asked to contact Henderson County Sheriff’s Office’s Investigator Sherry Powers.

GILMER — A body found by a Gilmer ISD bus driver has been identified as Louise Grant Jr., 51, of Pittsburg, and officials said foul play is not suspected. According to our news partner KETK, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb says an autopsy has been ordered. The Gilmer superintendent said Wednesday that the driver found the body on the side of Lavender Road, north of Gilmer, while dropping off students at home.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the construction of a new parking lot and entrance for the newly renovated Noble E. Young Park. The current entrance to the park is off Seaton Street, which cuts through a neighborhood, and the parking lot sits behind a row of houses. The new entrance and parking lot will be off Towne Park Drive on the east side of the Park. The new entrance will be off a major arterial road, giving visitors and Emergency Services easier access, according to a news release. Continue reading Noble E. Young Park to have new entrance and parking lot

TYLER — Smith County authorities say three people have been arrested in a purported scheme to smuggle contraband into the county jail. They’re all accused of engaging in organized criminal activity. The plot was reportedly organized by 42-year-old inmate Micah Deron Davis (pictured). Officials say his wife, 33-year-old Lindsay Nichole Davis, and another man, 41-year-old Kristofer Boyd Rouse, were also involved. According to a news release, the contraband included tobacco, marijuana, and pills. Bonds are $250,000 each.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say a member of their ranks has been arrested. According to a news release, on Tuesday, the FBI contacted the Longview Police Department regarding a criminal investigation involving one of the Department’s sworn peace officers. Police say the FBI arrested the employee Wednesday at the police department with assistance from LPD. After being made aware of the investigation, the employee submitted his resignation, according to the release. According to our news partner KETK, the now-former officer is identified as Lieutenant Seth Vanover, and court documents show he is accused of attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Authorities say LPD is not involved in the criminal case but is cooperating with the special agents conducting the investigation. Continue reading Longview peace officer arrested

TYLER — The 89th annual Texas Rose Festival got underway Thursday, with a wealth of activities on the docket following a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting by Rose Festival Queen Molly Louise Berry. Just before the official kickoff, Queen Molly visited with KTBB, voicing her excitement that the festival has finally arrived. “It feels so unbelievable and amazing,” she said. We’ve been preparing for this for a year, and I can’t believe it’s finally here.” You can take your pick from the big event’s many offerings, but Molly told us about a couple of her favorites, saying, “I’m really looking forward to the parade and the (Queen’s) Tea because they’re public events and everyone in the community can come and join in and be a part of the Rose Festival.” Continue reading Texas Rose Festival gets underway

AUSTIN — A victory in federal court Wednesday for Twitter, Facebook and other large social media sites hoping to retain the right to censor offensive content. A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court siding with the social media giants, temporarily blocking a Texas law from being enforced until the US Supreme Court can take it up. Republican State Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, authored the law. Tech industry representative NetChoice filed suit to stop it.

MARSHALL — A 16-year-old in East Texas is injured after they were reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday night, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to the scene on Tom Woodley Road around 9:20 regarding a reported accidental shooting of a 16-year-old. Officials said the teen had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, was transported to a Longview hospital by Marshall Fire EMS and is “reported to be in stable condition.” “This incident is an ongoing investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and no further details are available at this time,” officials said. “Sheriff Fletcher would like to remind the public to practice safe firearm safety and storage, especially around children.”

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall is following up after a tragic mistake. According to a news release, on September 30, around 9 a.m., Marshall Animal Control (MPAC) received a call about a dog trapped on a fence. Animal Control officers say they arrived and found the dog hanging by the leg, injured and extremely agitated. The dog was rescued and transported to the Marshall Pet Adoption Center, where officials say she was assessed and treated. Texas law mandates a three-day hold for stray animals. In this case, the dog was held for seven days, according to a news release. However, officials say, with no claim of ownership and no inquiries about the dog, along with the dog’s continued aggressive behavior and a deteriorating condition, staff followed current protocols and humanely euthanized the animal. Continue reading City of Marshall: Dog euthanized despite claim of adoption

TYLER — Wednesday’s Tyler City Council meeting was another busy one. The city engineering department presented a study of a reverse curve between Gleneagles Drive and Shady Oaks Drive on West Grande Boulevard, where there have been several fatal and multiple non-fatal crashes over the past 10 years. The traffic engineer recommends work including new signage and striping, a new asphalt surface, and more. Officials say the city will implement the signage and striping immediately, then move forward with the rest of the project. Continue reading Another busy day for Tyler’s City Council

AUSTIN — October is another strong month for sales tax allocations in Tyler and Longview as the two cities continue to reflect a statewide trend. Tyler gets $5,063,802 from the state comptroller’s office, compared to $4,290,319.71 last October. Tyler’s year-to-date figure is $48,193,329.90; a year ago at this time it was $43,824,616.59. Longview is receiving $3,476,324.17 this month, a jump from the $3,051,313.34 it was handed in October 2021. For the year to date, Longview has collected $36,258,278.47, up from $31,539,533.18 last October.

LONGVIEW — Longview officials announced shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday that Hawkins Parkway had reopened from Fourth Street to Eastman Road after crews worked to address a diesel spill following an early morning crash. The wreck involving a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer at Hawkins and Eastman resulted in the release of diesel fuel onto the roadway, which appears to have run off into a neighboring creek. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified.

ATHENS – Officials say the remains of an Athens native killed in World War II will be interred Oct. 21 at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Arkansas. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Army Pvt. John P. Cooper went missing during a battle in Germany in 1945. The War Department issued a presumptive finding of death for him in 1946. Cooper was accounted for this past June after his remains were identified through circumstantial evidence and dental, anthropological, and DNA analysis.

TYLER — After being put on hold because of the pandemic, plans to build a new Smith County courthouse are being discussed again. According to our news partner KETK, community members met at a town hall meeting to learn more about the bond proposal. The bond will be up to the community to vote for or against in the November election. “There’s no room in the courthouse for what we are doing, and we are putting the public in jeopardy,” said Precinct 4 commissioner, JoAnn Hampton. The proposal will build a new courthouse and closer parking garage. A closer parking area will allow jurors to not have to walk two blocks from the juror parking lot. Community questions and concerns were heard at the town hall meeting. Continue reading Smith County residents voice opinions on new courthouse bond proposal at town hall