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TYLER –On Wednesday the joint information committee announced Smith County now has a total of 47 confirmed cases of the coronavirus county-wide. Ten new cases were added to the total Wednesday.  Gregg County is now reporting 9 cases of COVID-19. Click the link to go to NET Health site. https://www.mynethealth.org/coronavirus/. Smith County remains under a “Stay at Home” order through April 10th. Continue reading UPDATE: 47 Coronavirus Cases in Smith County

TYLER — On Wednesday, CASA for Kids of East Texas announced they are receiving a $5,000 donation from the Texas Bar Foundation. That money will aid with the cost of purchasing, renovating and furnishing a training center as part of the BUILD CASA for KIDS campaign. Leaders say, the grant will help make in-person visits possible. Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

TYLER — On Wednesday, Sam Smith told KTBB The Hand Up Network is asking for help, “multiple East Texas Counties are entering into isolation or quarantine, we are asking for volunteers to help deliver food and essential supplies.” The leader of the Network went on to say, “we need to know your information ahead of time, so we can get you prepared, the challenge is we don’t know from day to day exactly when we are going to get the phone call from what location where we need to respond.” Continue reading Hand Up Network Looking for Volunteers

MARSHALL — On Wednesday, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt announced a 4th East Texan has died from the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, a Harrison County resident has died, no prior medical history was made available other than they were staying at a Longview hospital. In the other 3 death cases, all the casualties had underlying medical conditions, with their ages ranging from 47 to 91.

QUITMAN — On Wednesday Wood County Judge Lucy Hebron issued a stay-at-home order. According to our news partner KETK, the order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. and was issued a day after the county had their first confirmed case of the coronavirus. Judge Hebron ordered all residents to remain at home except for “certain essential activities and work.” Continue reading Wood County Issues “Stay at Home” Order

PALESTINE — Anderson County has reported their first confirmed case of the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, Judge Robert Johnston confirmed the first case of COVID-19 inside county lines. The patient is quarantined at home and the case is travel related.

TYLER –Smith County now has a total of 37 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, after 5 more cases were confirmed by NET Health on Tuesday. Click the link to go to NET Health site. https://www.mynethealth.org/coronavirus/. Smith County remains under a “Stay at Home” order through April 10th. Smith County remains open to the public with limited walk-in services. The County encourages people to conduct their businesses online. Many non-essential services are by appointment only.Visit https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/corona-virus-information for more information. Continue reading 37 Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus in Smith County

MARSHALL — Harrison County and the city of Marshall are the latest to issue a Mandatory Shelter in Place. In a press release on Tuesday, Harrison County Judge Chad Sims and City of Marshall Mayor Terri Brown confirmed 2 more coronavirus cases, bringing the number to 3. Officials say all 3 cases were travel-related. County and City leadership believe it to be in the best interest to be proactive and take measures to further safeguard our citizens and prevent community spread. In response, Judge Sims and Mayor Brown are both issuing Mandatory Shelter in Place orders effective at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2020. To see the complete order click the link. https://www.facebook.com/marshalltexas.net/.

EUSTACE — Several districts have extended school closures. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, Eustace ISD Superintendent Dr. Coy Holcombe went even further, “Eustace ISD is closing indefintely.” In a letter to the district Holcombe said, “I do not believe that we are in a position to even think about opening schools up again. With that, Eustace ISD will remain closed until further notice. I believe that this is the only decision possible to ensure that our students, staff, and community remain healthy.” Tyler ISD has extended their campus closure through May 1st, to stay in line with Governor Abbotts extension of his executive order originally given on March 19th.

TYLER — The yearly Smith County-Wide Clean Up got underway on Monday and organizers say this year the normal month long clean-up was extended through May. The County-Wide Clean Up program allows residents to take bulky items to the landfill for free. Available vouchers will be good to use from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. to noon Saturday –through Saturday, May 30. Continue reading County-Wide Clean-Up Extended Extra Month

KILGORE — The Texas Shakespeare Festival, the TSF Foundation and Kilgore College regret to announce that the 2020 summer festival has been canceled for precautionary reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release from the college. Established in 1986, the TSF began as KC’s contribution to the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration. It continued as a popular annual attraction for the Kilgore area with patrons traveling to the festival from around the globe. This summer would have marked the professional theatre’s 35th season and the final season for Raymond Caldwell, artistic director since the festival’s inception.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s Spring 2020 Downtown Live concert series was scheduled to begin on Friday, April 3. But due to the current restrictions mandated by city, state, and federal officials to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, all April dates for Downtown Live (April 3, April 10, April 17 and April 24) have been canceled. The May 1 concert has also been canceled. Continue reading Changes to Spring 2020 Downtown Live Schedule

HENDERSON — A 29 year old Henderson man accused of murder has turned himself in. According to our news partner KETK, Gary Jordan Jr. surrendered to authorities at the Henderson Police Department early Tuesday morning. Jordan was being sought in connection with the murder of 45-year-old Sabrien Walton. Police have not released a motive for the killing. Jordan has not had his bond set currently awaits arraignment in the Rusk County Jail.

TYLER — On Tuesday, Captain Nicole Parker told KTBB that the Salvation Army has established a phone number where people impacted by the coronavirus can call for emotional and spiritual support, “It’s for people who are lonely, or need someone to talk with.” Parker continued, “locally we have been hearing a lot people wondering where their meals are going to come from, or how they will pay their rent, and fear of the unknown and we are able to answer those calls and be a listening ear on the other side, we share that we have a greater hope in Jesus to be the anchor of our soul and to trust in Him and to lean into that.” Continue reading Salvation Army Offers Emotional Support Phone Line

TYLER — Two staff members at The Heights of Tyler senior living facility have tested positive for COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, both staff members have been away from the facility for more than one week and are doing well at home. “At this time there is no indication the virus is spreading in our center, and our residents and staff are doing well,” a center spokesperson commented. Continue reading Two Workers at Tyler Senior Living Facility Test Positive for COVID-19

TYLER — On Monday the City of Tyler’s Mayor Martin Heines issued the “Mayor’s Marquee Challenge.” Heines asked all area businesses, in an afternoon press release, if they have marquee signs or billboards to display safe hygiene practices. Participating businesses are encouraged to share photos of their billboards on social media and tagging #spreadfactsnotfear and #marqueechallenge. Continue reading Mayor Heines Issues Challenge

MARSHALL — City of Marshall Police Department Chief Cliff Carruth said on Monday, “The City of Marshall Police Department is honored to announce final installation of Mobile Data Computers consisting of cradle point mobile routers and wireless in all remaining patrol vehicles, as well as extensive officer training has been completed in the Marshall Police Department.” Continue reading Tech Upgrades Installed for Marshall Police

TYLER — The Smith County District Attorney’s office announced Monday via a press brief, that a majority of its investigators will be dedicated to aid local health officials in contact tracing efforts for the coronavirus. “As of today, I am dedicating five of my seven investigators to assist the Emergency Operations Center in combating the COVID-19 outbreak,” Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said. “These five investigators will aid in contact tracing to help our public health system determine who may be at risk for infection.” Continue reading Smith County DA’s Investigators to Aid Health Officials

TYLER — On Monday, Adriana Rodrigues told KTBB, that all Tyler area parks will be cleaned and sanitized this week, by Sparkling Clean of East Texas, “the business offered to provide the work free of cost as a way of help to the community.” Rodrigues continued saying, “the sanitation process which includes playgrounds, water fountains, benches, picnic tables, etc, is not a forever fix. Guests visiting the parks and playgrounds should continue to use hand sanitizer, wash their hands constantly and wipe off the equipment before and after use.” Continue reading Sparkling Clean of East Texas to Sanitize Tyler Parks

TYLER — Tyler Independent School District begins it’s 2nd week of online classes. An original version of this story reported classes began today, we regret that misinformation. On Monday, TISD said in a press release, “the district will extend school facility closure through April 10 to comply with Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran’s “Stay at Home” Order issued last Friday. “TISD remains in communication with local health professionals, in-addition to state and local government, in case a recommendation is made to extend the closure date; which is anticipated. Continue reading TISD Extends School Closures thru April 10th

TYLER — As of Monday NET Health says there are now 32 cases of coronavirus in Smith County. The county has added an additional case since Sunday. The 3rd coronavirus death happened in East Texas on Monday in Bowie County. Of the 64 cases across East Texas, Smith county accounts for half of those. Henderson County, reported their first case of confirmed coranvirus on Sunday. You can click the link to get more information from the NET Health site. http://www.mynethealth.org/services/public-emergency-preparedness/local-confirmed-cases.

TYLER — On Monday, Smith County Judge told KTBB that public boat ramps and lakes in the county remain open, “under the order I issued on Friday, one of the essential activities that is still allowed is recreation activities.” Judge Moran continued, “we still want folks to recreate in a safe manner, but that means keeping social distance while they are doing that. As it relates to boat ramps or boating, or fishing activities, if they can that safely by themselves, in a boat on the lake, that would still be permitted under the order.” Continue reading Judge Moran Public Boat Ramps Remain Open with Restrictions

TYLER — On Monday, the University of Texas at Tyler said that the Fisch College of Pharmacy is conducting a community outreach program looking at vaping among East Texas teenagers. As of February, there have been just shy of 3,000 cases of EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury), and almost 300 cases in Texas. Continue reading UT Tyler Examines Teen Vaping Crisis in E TX

HENDERSON — Police in Henderson are investigating a Homicide. It was reported around 5:00 Sunday on Wilson Street. According to the department’s Facebook page, officers responding to a shots fired call found the body of Sabrien Walton, 45. An arrest warrant was issued for Gary Jordan Jr. , 29. Officers said he is considered armed and dangerous. Jordan was driving a tan 1998 Chevy S-10 single cab pickup with Texas License Plate MTZ5120. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henderson Police Department: 903-657-3512.

TYLER — Tyler ISD says schools will begin lessons online Monday through virtual learning. According to our news partner KETK, students and teachers will work through a portal with a grade-specific curriculum. TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said he and district educators understand that “this is not a sprint.” He said the pace of learning will change under this new system, but that the district is doing what it can to keep education at the forefront. The system is new for everyone, and all will have to practice patience as they navigate through it. Continue reading Tyler ISD Launches ‘Distance Learning’ Portal

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct a range of construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the week of March 30. In Smith County, caution is advised Wednesday as a new eastbound frontage road opens on I-20 at US 69 and the existing entrance ramp closes for removal. There will be no I-20 access for US 69 traffic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the removal process. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/014-2020.html for a complete rundown of work planned around the district in the coming week.

TYLER — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to damages and losses caused by drought occurring on November 1, 2019 and continuing in Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Upshur and Van Zandt Counties. Smith County Farm Loan Manager Clinton Warrick asks farmers who want to apply for emergency loans to submit their applications as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is November 7, 2020, but Warrick says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Generally, farmers who have lost 30% of their production or any physical loss due to the disaster are eligible for the emergency loans. Continue reading FSA Accepting Disaster Applications

TYLER — With 31 cases of coronavirus reported as of noon Sunday, Smith County remains under a stay-at-home order. As the spread of the virus continues, many people have questions about the order. Speaking to KTBB, County Judge Nathaniel Moran addressed uncertainties about recreational activities, such as going to parks. “The best advice I can give to individuals in the community is just to reduce their interpersonal interactions with other individuals,” said Moran. There’s studies that show that if you reduce those interactions by 75 per cent, getting down to 25 per cent of our current level, that that can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. So the closer you stay to home, the less travel you have to do, the less activity that’s done — even if it’s essential activity on a daily basis — that will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.” Continue reading Moran Addresses Questions about Stay-at-Home Order; 31 COVID-19 Cases Reported in Smith County

EAST TEXAS – Rusk County is reporting its third case of COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, the new case and others bring the number of reported COVID-19 cases in East Texas to 49. Meantime, Cherokee County has reported its second case. The Cherokee County case is travel related, according to the Cherokee County Public Health Department, and the patient is recovering at home under isolation. Also, Henderson County is reporting its first COVID-19 case. In letter, Henderson County officials say, “The patient has not had any travel history and is believed to have contracted the virus due to community spread.” The patient is not hospitalized, the letter said, “and is in her home with her family, who will be quarantined.” Continue reading New Cases of COVID-19 in Rusk, Henderson, Cherokee Counties