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SILOAM Springs, Arkansas – A Tyler man died over the weekend after trying to save his son from drowning in Arkansas. The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department identified the man as 42-year-old Jose James-Flores, according to our news partner KETK’s sister station KSN. The department said James-Flores jumped into Flint Creek after his son jumped from the top of the dam. Both James-Flores and his son were underwater for five to seven minutes before being pulled out. The son was revived at the scene while James-Flores was taken to a hospital and later died.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is accepting applications for city boards and commissions until Friday, Aug. 5. Appointments will be made by the City Council at the Aug. 24 meeting. Those appointed will serve voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. According to a news release, members of a city board should generally be city of Tyler residents. Except as otherwise set forth in the release, the City Council retains the discretion to appoint any person it deems to be qualified to serve on a particular city board if the appointee resides in either the city of Tyler or elsewhere in Smith County. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. Click here to learn more.

LONGVIEW – A former multi-sport athlete for the Longview Lobos has been charged with murder in Louisiana. According to our news partner KETK, 22-year-old Destiny McAfee is a former all-district basketball and volleyball player for the Lobos and graduated in 2019. McAfee signed with Weatherford College in Texas before transferring for one year to the University of Louisiana Lafayette in the 2020-2021 season. Lafayette police were called to a home Saturday morning just after 11:30 a.m. to conduct a welfare check. According to KETK’s sister station KLFY, officers found a 43-year-old man dead inside. The victim’s name was not immediately released. The report says the man was involved in a “domestic altercation with his live-in girlfriend in the early morning hours.” Continue reading Former Longview athletic star charged with murder

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 15. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing ditch maintenance in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will be widening pavement on FM 449 westbound from the Harrison County line to FM 2751. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Weather permitting, herbicide operations will continue on various roadways. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork throughout the district.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith takes the podium for an annual Memorial Day observance at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery. The sheriff took a moment to share his thoughts with KTBB. Smith said amid all the recreational activities associated with the holiday, it’s important to remember what Memorial Day stands for and where it came from. Smith called on everyone to be with the families of the fallen soldiers. He said if you know any such person, tell them how much you appreciate their sacrifice. The event also featured a recognition of war veterans, a 21-gun salute, and other touches.

LONGVIEW — Governor and former Longview resident Greg Abbott keynoted “A Day of Thanks and Remembrance” as Longview honored Memorial Day. Abbott told the crowd, “As we gather today, we thank God for all who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For through the fire of their sacrifice, our freedom has been preserved.” The governor added, “We ask for God’s blessings and comfort for the families of the fallen — and we re-dedicate ourselves to the cause for which they fought and they died. May we never forget the price they paid so that we can be free. May God bless all who have served — and may He forever bless the United States of America. God bless.” Abbott also took a moment to reflect on the tragedy in Uvalde. Abbott said, “What happened in Uvalde was a horrific act of evil — and as Texans, we must come together and lift up Uvalde and support them in every way that we possibly can.”

WHITEHOUSE – On Saturday morning, the city of Whitehouse unveiled its new veterans memorial, a project of the inaugural Whitehouse Youth Community Council. The memorial was dedicated in remembrance of fallen veterans. The grand opening brought many people out including Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran and representative Matt Schaefer, according to our news partner KETK. “Today’s event to dedicate this memorial to Whitehouse was incredibly important. you know these monuments and memorials serve as a place for private reflection, and public acknowledgment of the sacrifices that have been given over the years, and that need to be given in the future years,” said Moran. Continue reading City of Whitehouse unveils new memorial dedicated to fallen veterans

HENDERSON COUNTY — Three men have now been arrested in Henderson County after authorities got a tip about a missing person’s case and eventually found a body. The deceased person, now identified as Jimmy Dean Oldfield, had been missing since May 11 and was reported to the sheriff’s office on May 15. Investigators found Oldfield’s truck, “cut into several pieces,” at a residence off Highway 85, just outside Seven Points. Arrested were 42-year-old Steven Joe Clowdus, 47-year-old William David Hux, and 22-year-old Dalan Joe Clowdus. The younger Clowdus was the last one captured; officials say he turned himself in. All are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity to commit murder. Hux was also charged with tampering with physical evidence.

TYLER — Some new leadership is announced in Tyler ISD. Geoffrey Sherman has been named the new principal of Tyler Legacy High School. Sherman has been the principal at Hubbard Middle School since 2018. He also served as the West Side Elementary School principal in Jacksonville ISD and was an assistant principal at Jones Elementary School in Tyler ISD. He additionally taught at Hogg Middle School. For more on that and the other leadership changes, go to this link and scroll down to “News.”

EMORY – A man was sentenced to life in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of his daughter, officials said. According to our news partner KETK, the Rains County District Attorney’s Office says the abuse happened over an “extended period of time” and began in Irving. The family moved to Emory in 2017 and the abuse continued through January 2021. At the time, the defendant was 50 years old and the defendant was 11. The name of the defendant was not released in an effort to protect the identity of the child victim.

TYLER – A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family of a Tyler woman who was murdered. According to our news partner KETK, officials are investigating the death of 40-year-old Jaci Wilkerson. 49-year-old David Thompson was arrested on Thursday in connection to the murder — now believed to be the result of a machete attack, according to an arrest affidavit. Wilkerson was well-known in the community. She was a mother of four children, and one of them is still a baby, according to Dr. Gary Spence, the owner of Spence & White Veterinary Hospital. Wilkerson worked at the pet hospital and Nicholas Pet Haven. “Her love for animals was contagious. She will be missed. Pray for her and her children,” said Spence. Continue reading GoFundMe set up after Tyler mother of four is murdered

EAST TEXAS — East Texans prepare to observe Memorial Day today. Gov. Greg Abbott will highlight a community-wide event at Teague Park in Longview. The City of Longview, Gregg County, and the Boy Scout Troop 201 Alumni Foundation will host what’s termed A Day of Thanks and Remembrance. The event will include a main ceremony featuring Abbott, a flag retirement ceremony, free lunch, and more. The main ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Military and law enforcement recruiters will be on hand, and there will be opportunities for COVID vaccinations and blood pressure checks. Attendees are asked to bring a lawn chair and umbrella and can spend time exploring the park’s Veterans Memorial Plaza. Click here for more details. Continue reading Memorial Day events planned in East Texas

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Fun Forest Park opens its pool and splash pad for the 2022 season. You can enjoy the opening weekend of the splash pad free of charge only on May 28 and 29. The pool and splash pad will open for the full season on Saturday, June 4. Tyler Transit will be offering free rides to the pool and splash pad all summer. Riders will need to notify the driver that they are going to Fun Forest to receive the free ride. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Click here for more information.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announces that nominations are now being accepted through June 1 for the 2022 W.T. “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. That extends the deadline beyond the original date of May 20. According to press materials, this 23rd annual award will honor an individual or organization exemplifying the concept of public health distinguished by dedication to the goal of protecting and promoting the health of the community. The nominee does not need to be a public health professional. Services provided by the nominee may be in the area of civic, cultural, health, welfare, religious, or philanthropic endeavors. All nominations must be postmarked no later than June 1 . Click here for more information, being sure to disregard references to the original nomination deadline.