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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.

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.