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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.

PALESTINE — Residents continue to remember former Palestine ISD teacher and coach Michael Coyne. According to our news partner KETK, Coyne was killed by a wrong-way driver coming back from a Mavericks game on I-45 in Wilmer on Sunday night. Two students were in the car with him, and they were taken to a Dallas hospital for treatment. 14-year-old Rebecca Campa , and 15-year-old Reuben Vasquez are still in intensive care and will have to undergo several surgeries, but both are expected to recover. The woman driving the wrong was also killed in the crash, along with her two young children. A candlelight vigil for Coyne was held Thursday evening. Continue reading Palestine continues remembering teacher killed by wrong-way driver

TYLER — Friday, May 27, through Monday, May 30, the Tyler Police Department will be adding extra officers on the street utilizing STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program). Police say with increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the Memorial Day weekend, these officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Officer Andy Erbaugh says, “We want everyone to enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive.”

GREGG COUNTY — A female inmate’s death at the Gregg County Jail has sparked an investigation from the Texas Rangers. According to our news partner KETK, staff at the North Jail found a woman unresponsive in her cell at 10:45 p.m. Thursday night. EMS was called to the cell block and she was taken to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead a short time later. The woman’s name has been withheld, pending family notification. The Texas Rangers have been called in to lead the investigation, which is standard procedure.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced his plan to run for re-election in 2024. According to our news partner KETK, Smith announced his intent to run at his birthday party on Thursday at the Sharon Shriners Event Center. Smith said that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be. Smith has been sheriff of Smith County for 9 years, getting his start in January 2013.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Don Warren delivers his annual State of the City address — focusing largely on Tyler’s growth, including infrastructure challenges. He pointed to “somewhat of a housing shortage” and inflation as key issues. But Warren also focused on the future, including the so-called “east-west corridor.” He says he’s particularly excited about the new Rose Complex, downtown development, and the new medical school. Regarding the Rose Complex, Warren commented, “Our timing on that was perfect…We bid it out a year ago. We didn’t get as hit up into the supply chain and inflation like we are right now, so…we timed that perfectly…we didn’t do it on purpose; it just happened.” He added, “I’m just excited about the future of…what all’s goin’ on in our city.” Continue reading Warren delivers State of the City address

TYLER — In the wake of the Uvalde massacre, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas reminds consumers to be prepared and provides an overview of active shooter protocol. Likewise, BBB encourages employers of all sizes to participate in active shooter preparedness trainings. “Unfortunately, in this day and age, conducting active shooter training and creating a plan on how to react to these types of emergencies are essential,” says local BBB President/CEO Mechele Mills as quoted in a news release. Mills is sharing a number of tips from Mark Seguin, founder and CEO of TBG Solutions, Inc. Continue reading BBB: having plan in place to defend against active shooter situation is essential

TYLER — A Tyler man wanted for murder after a woman was found dead in an apartment on Wednesday was arrested by Lindale Police early Thursday morning, according to our news partner KETK. An arrest warrant for murder was issued Wednesday afternoon for David Michael Thompson, 49, with a bond of $750,000. Tyler police say he turned himself in. Authorities say around 3:15 Wednesday morning, police responded to The Lodge on Broadway, a South Broadway apartment complex. 40-year-old Jaci Wilkerson of Smith County was found dead inside an apartment. According to a news release, Wilkerson’s body has been taken for autopsy and her family has been notified. The case is still under investigation.

GILMER — Thursday, May 26, is the final day for in-person assistance from SBA disaster recovery specialists at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center inside the Upshur County Courthouse in Gilmer. Officials say victims of the severe storms and tornado on March 21 can visit the location and get in person assistance to complete the application for a federally backed disaster loan to help cover uninsured losses for homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profits. The center is set up in the old commissioners meeting room, on the courthouse’s third floor. Hours are 8:30 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Online Assistance can be found here. Continue reading Final day is May 26 for SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Gilmer

EMORY — The Rains ISD superintendent released more information after RISD police confiscated a gun from a student’s vehicle in the high school parking lot. “Rains ISD takes all potential threats to staff and students seriously and works to investigate them fully,” said Superintendent Jennifer Johnson. According to our news partner KETK, officials mentioned they cannot release all information about the situation due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) that protects students’ privacy. On Tuesday, students were placed under a lockdown after a social media post was made on Snapchat. Officials believe the post was a prank. Continue reading Authorities issue update on weapons case in Emory

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Committee will hold a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m., at the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson Street, across from City Hall. The committee will consider adopting revised performance measures and targets related to system performance and the FY 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Tyler Area MPO coordinates transportation planning for the greater Smith County area. Click here and here for more information on the items to be considered. More information about the MPO is available here. Residents can contact the MPO by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5.

TYLER — The lead defense attorney for a former nurse convicted last year of murdering several patients pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to soliciting prostitution during the death penalty trial. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Hayes pleaded guilty to the state jail felony before 7th District Court Judge Kerry Russell. He was arrested back in November days after the high-profile trial concluded. According to an arrest warrant, an undercover deputy for the Smith County’s Sheriff’s Office posing as a prostitute made contact with Hayes in a text message. Continue reading Lawyer for killer nurse pleads guilty to soliciting prostitution during trial

TYLER — Early elections for runoffs saw 3,058 republicans and 721 democrats for a total of 3,779 voters. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County election office says they have seen a total of 3,951 voters so far for Election Day, making for a great runoff voter turn out. “A lot of people think oh it’s the primaries and then oh it’s the runoff and they don’t realize that’s when for example the democrats are picking the Lieutenant governor, who’s going to run in the general election for lieutenant governor, for attorney general. This is a big deal,” said Nancy Nichols, electioneer. Continue reading Runoff election sees high voter turnout

TYLER — Nearly three months after leading a four-candidate field in the March primaries, Jrmar Jefferson won a runoff against Victor D. Dunn, according to our news partner KETK. With his victory, Jefferson moves on to the general election in November against the Republican nominee, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. He faces an uphill battle in the heavily red district. The election will replace longtime Republican Representative Louie Gohmert, who generally won with more than 70% of the vote. In an interview with KETK News in March, Jefferson said, “I am the candidate of peace, I want to make sure we build and invest and build and educate and bring families back together here in East Texas.”

TYLER – A Tyler man draws a 35-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to murder on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, 22-year-old Demarkus Bircher entered guilty pleas to one charge each of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested in January 2021 after Smith County deputies found two men shot in the Chapel Hill area: 48-year-old Argusta Stansell, a Winona native, and 41-year-old Kendrick Gill of Tyler. Both were taken to Tyler hospitals, but Stansell later died from his injuries. Bircher was sentenced to 35 years for his death. As part of his plea deal, he also received a 20-year sentence for the aggravated assault charge, but it will run concurrently with the murder charge.