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HENDERSON COUNTY – A man and woman were arrested Monday night in Henderson County after an hours-long standoff that resulted in an RV catching fire. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff says Eustace Police were conducting a traffic stop when the man evaded them and fled on foot. Several officers began attempting to locate the man, and found he had barricaded himself inside a travel trailer. Officials said police then made contact, and the man told them he had a hostage inside and displayed what appeared to be a long rifle to police. The standoff ended when the man was tasered. The two have been identified as Mike Downey and Kristin Odell. Authorities say it was later confirmed that Odell had fled with Downey. Both face multiple charges.

TYLER — Safety and security highlighted Monday’s Tyler ISD board meeting, and the district is also celebrating some good testing news. Trustees approved the purchase of safety equipment and additional vehicles for the district’s police department. Officials say Tyler ISD is committed to ensuring all students and staff are safe and secure. They add that the district is well ahead of state and national efforts regarding the safety and security of students and staff. Meantime, a news release reports Tyler ISD’s STAAR results show marked improvement in Grades 3-8 reading. Officials say despite struggles seen by many districts during the pandemic, Tyler ISD had the same or a higher percentage of students pass than the state average in five subjects. Click here and scroll down to “NEWS” to learn more about both topics.

TYLER — The entrance gate at the Tyler Rose Garden will be closed from Monday, July 25, until Friday, July 29, while contractors resurface the interior parking lot area. Officials say the timeline may change depending on weather. Visitors can access the garden by entering through the Rose Garden Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or through the side gate on Houston Street from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parking will be available along Rose Park Drive, West Houston Street, and South Peach Avenue. For questions regarding the temporary alternate parking, contact the Rose Garden at (903) 595-7289.

WILLS POINT – A gas leak in Wills Point has been repaired after crews spent much of Monday working on it. The Wills Point Police Department earlier warned people away from South Mary Street and West O’Neal Street. According to our news partner KETK, citizens were asked to avoid the intersection through School Street and the Highway 80 intersection. The repair was announced late Monday afternoon.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas confirmed that the hospital has treated one patient with monkeypox in the past few weeks. According to our news partner KETK, a statement from UT Health East Texas says the patient was sent home in good condition.“Even before this patient arrived, our infection prevention team was reviewing CDC and other guidance to develop best practices and procedures, appropriate levels of isolation and other precautions necessary when managing suspected cases,” said the statement.

MARSHALL – Temperatures in Harrison County are expected to rise into the triple digits this week. As a result, the City of Marshall will open the Marshall Fire Department Community Room to serve as Emergency Cooling Center starting Monday of this week. This center will provide members of the public who lack air-conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge. The cooling center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Currently, the city has one Emergency Cooling Center identified and will operate in areas based on heat forecasts identified by the National Weather Service. More locations may be added and or extended based on existing weather conditions. Click here for more information and updates.

WASHINGTON/COLLEGE STATION (AP/Staff) — A couple of major and interlocking developments involving Sanderson Farms, including a reported lawsuit and new leadership. The Justice Department is reportedly filing suit against some of the largest poultry producers in the United States, including Sanderson, which has a strong presence in East Texas. It’s part of an effort to end what the government says are longstanding deceptive and abusive practices for workers. Three people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press the suit was being filed Monday in Maryland. Continue reading New developments involving Sanderson Farms

LEVERETT’S CHAPEL — Progress is reported in the Leverettt’s Chapel school district. According to our news partner KETK, community members were concerned about the future of the district, with some blaming the school board and members submitting their resignations. For weeks, frustrated parents and alumni tried to demand answers only for school board meetings to be canceled. But Friday’s meeting was not — and now those resignations have been rescinded, along with that of school Superintendent Matt Everett. “With the changes we made tonight, I believe that we are on the correct path at this point and things will continue to get better but it’s not gonna happen overnight,” said school board Vice President James Rogers. Continue reading Progress reported at Leverett’s Chapel meeting

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 SH 155 just before US 271. This will be under a flagging operation. Once complete, this crew will be moving to FM 757 just before SH 31 to perform the same kind of work. This will be under a flagging operation also. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance is scheduled to perform blade level-up, base repairs and edging operations on FM 2207 from FM 2207 at SH 135 S to FM 2207 at 135 N. Expect lane closures north and southbound with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER – Dozens of East Texans reported seeing a fireball move across the sky Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, the American Meteor Society (AMS) says a Tyler man reported it had a “long multi colored tail.” He said it came into view at a shallow angle and reported seeing the colors purple, pink, blue, yellow, and white coming from the fireball. AMS received 219 witness reports of the fireball and three videos. “The initial computer generated trajectory shows that this fireball entered the atmosphere over Cistern, Texas and its flight ended just a few miles west of Austin,” the AMS said. “Several witnesses near the flight path reported hearing a delayed sonic boom, indicating that meteorites from this fireball may have survived down to the ground.” Continue reading Fireball spotted in night sky

TYLER (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Monday reported net income of $25.4 million in its second quarter. The bank said it had earnings of 79 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $66.2 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $63.9 million, beating Street forecasts.

PALESTINE — In what may be a major blow to the city of Palestine, Union Pacific Railroad has been given permission to leave the station for good. IT’s a fight over a promise made in 1872: If Palestine gave the railroad land and money,the railroad would keep a repair shop in Palestine — forever. That word is literally in the agreement. The owners of the railroad have changed many times, but the courts have ruled that “forever” means “forever’ — until now. The 5th Circuit has ruled federal law lets the train uncouple from the town. Former railroad worker Harris Lohmeyer is hoping the courts will read it again. A county commissioner says that repair shop is still in use after all these years and needs to stay. Lohmeyer thinks they will appeal further.

EAST TEXAS — Smith County has seen a rash of trail ride shootings. Law enforcement broke down the expectations of Chapter 751 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, also known as The Mass Gathering Act in a town hall meeting Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Constable Josh Joplin shared that just in the last two years alone, more people have lost their lives at the expense of these violations. “I’ve had people shot in the head at these trail rides, I’ve had people shot in the face, I’ve had people shot in the leg… I mean gunplay is a serious issue with this as well.” Constable Joplin said. Continue reading Enforcing the Mass Gathering Act: Smith County Constable breaks down the law

TYLER — A contractor will be replacing the signal cable in the intersection of West Front Street and South Lyons Avenue in Tyler Monday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this time, the intersection will be dark. The Tyler Traffic Department will place temporary stop signs. The intersection should be treated as a four-way stop. Motorists are asked to drive safely and follow all road signs.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials said five are dead after a two-vehicle crash on Smith County Road 48 and Highway 110 North caused traffic detours for hours. According to our news partner KETK, officials with DPS said the call came in around 5 a.m. Friday, and all passengers from both cars involved are dead. There were two passengers in a Chevy Tahoe and three in a Dodge Charger which caught fire at the scene. The passengers of the Dodge Charger were identified as 23-year-old Matthew Reneaux, of Henderson,  26-year-old Jennifer Felix, of Tyler, and 38-year-old Marvin Jenkins, Jr., of Tyler. The passengers of the Chevy Tahoe were identified as 39-year-old Gabriel Salamanca and one juvenile, whose name was not disclosed, both of Mexico. Continue reading Identities released following fatal Smith County wreck