Thanksgiving Event to Benefit East Texas Food Bank

TYLER — Multiple community members have come together to host the 10th annual “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” which will benefit the East Texas Food Bank. The free event will be open to the public next Friday at 5:30 p.m. and will take place at Bergfeld Park Amphitheatre in Tyler. The public is asked to bring plastic jars of peanut butter to donate to ETFB. For more details click the link. https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/charlie-brown-thanksgiving-feast/.

Harrison County Arrest 2 from Longview

Harrison County Arrest 2 from LongviewHARRISON COUNTY –Two people were arrested on drug charges following gun shots in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK, authorities responded Friday nigh to the residence on Lansing Road. Sammie Leslie Vail, 38, and Ashley Pilgrim Vail, 37, both of Longview, were both arrested on numerous charges. While checking for injured persons, deputies discovered a lab to manufacture steroids. DEA agents soon arrived with two chemists. Continue reading Harrison County Arrest 2 from Longview

Suspect in Jinks Concert Threat is Inmate in Texas Prison

Suspect in Jinks Concert Threat is Inmate in Texas PrisonNACOGDOCHES — A Longview man, Robert Dulaney, was formally charged on Friday for making threats over the phone. Last month before the Cody Jinks scheduled concert at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center. An employee of the venue received a call that made specific threats to shoot several individuals during the show. The concert was cancelled. The investigation discovered that the caller used a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) number. Investigators identified that the phone used was a prepaid cell phone and found an email account that was linked to the VOIP number. Continue reading Suspect in Jinks Concert Threat is Inmate in Texas Prison

Tyler Police Searching for Suspects

Tyler Police Searching for SuspectsTYLER –Tyler Police announced on Friday that they are looking for 2 sought in connection to an auto burglary at the Holiday Inn on S. Broadway. The persons of interest were in silver truck. If you can identify these suspects, contact Detective Dickerson at 903-533-2088 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. In another crimes police are searching for 2 other men. Continue reading Tyler Police Searching for Suspects

Tips to Prepare for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

Tips  to Prepare for Stress-Free Holiday TravelTYLER — Many will be traveling to visit loved ones this holiday season. A recent Travel Channel survey found that 72% of those planning to travel will drive to their destinations. Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas (BBB) advises consumers to plan ahead when traveling this holiday season. Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas says, “So it’s very important to plan ahead, as it won’t likely be the most wonderful time of the year for traveling.” Continue reading Tips to Prepare for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

Teen Drug Trend Sessions Monday in Longview

Teen Drug Trend Sessions Monday in LongviewLONGVIEW — The City of Longview, Partners in Prevention will host Teen Drug Trends: What Every Adult Should Know on Monday. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Watch UR BAC, from College Station will present two sessions to adults on the topics of Juuling/Vaping, Drug Stash Containers and Drug Clothing, Accessories, etc… The info sessions will be held at the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, on Glencrest Lane in Longview. The first session will be from 12–1:30 p.m., and a second from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Continue reading Teen Drug Trend Sessions Monday in Longview

BGC Hosts Holiday Food Drive Kick Off

BGC Hosts Holiday Food Drive Kick OffTYLER — The Brookshire Grocery Company is getting into the holiday spirit with the launch of its annual holiday food drive. According to our news partner KETK, the campaign runs through December 20th. Brookshire Grocery Co. began sponsoring the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive in 1982 in partnership with the Rose City Kiwanis Club in Tyler, Texas. The food drive now provides about a half-million pounds of food to people in need throughout the company’s market areas each year.

Update On Legionnaire’s Disease Investigations

Update On Legionnaire’s Disease InvestigationsTYLER — North East Texas Health said on Friday they are committed to definitively identifying the exact source of the local Legionella cases. Only 1 of the 5 possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported by NET Health, was confirmed, the other 4 were eliminated from further review, which updates the total to eight confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s Disease. Continue reading Update On Legionnaire’s Disease Investigations

2 Tyler Institutions to Benefit from UT Regents

2 Tyler Institutions to Benefit from UT RegentsTYLER — The groundwork has been in process for sometime but Thursday UT Board of Regents pulled the trigger on a $95 million dollar expansion for the University of Texas at Tyler and the U.T. Health Science Center. “Yesterday’s decision was a huge step moving forward, U.T. Board of Regents Chairmen, Kevin Eltife continued on Friday morning saying “while no timetable has been set for the completion of the facilities, site evaluation will begin immediately.” Continue reading 2 Tyler Institutions to Benefit from UT Regents

Construction Underway on Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute

Construction Underway on Orthopedics and Sports Medicine InstituteTYLER – Thursday marked the start of a new era of orthopedics and sports medicine in Tyler. Construction of the new Christus Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute began Thursday morning with the groundbreaking ceremony. According to our news partner KETK, the new facility will be located at the corner of Cumberland Road and Broadway Avenue in South Tyler. The facility will be four stories and encompass around 62,000 square feet of diagnostic, care, and rehabilitation space. The ground floor will include the Rehabilitation Center and the Community Education Center, which will host lectures, screenings, and community and organization events, along with the Peak Performance Program.

City Council Addresses Animal Neglect

City Council Addresses Animal NeglectTYLER — Every year nearly 3,000 animals are rescued by the city of Tyler, and council members are taking notice. According to our news partner KETK, they approved new regulations for animal neglect. Shawn Markmann with Tyler Animal Services urged council members to change the current ordinance. to give detailed definitions as to what proper care for animals should be. The new change also classifies animal neglect as a class C misdemeanor.

Tyler Moves Forward with Rose Complex Plan

Tyler Moves Forward with Rose Complex PlanTYLER — Tyler City Council members have asked the city manager to hire a firm to start work on the Rose Complex master plan. That’s according to our news partner KETK. The goal is to transform the area around Harvey Hall and the Tyler Rose Garden, including renovations to the East Texas State Fairgrounds and Tyler ISD’s football and baseball facilities. Fitzpatrick Architects, based in Tyler, would be in charge of the $1.5 billion dollar construction plan.

Wanted Man Considered Armed and Dangerous

Wanted Man Considered Armed and DangerousLONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office invited the public to share information on the location of Marcus Raymond Bresler on Thursday. Bresler, age 39 of Longview failed to appear for trial in October. He was on bond for the criminal offenses of Assault Family Violence Impede Breath or Circulation and Assault Family Violence with a Previous Conviction. Bresler now has an active arrest warrant for those offenses. Continue reading Wanted Man Considered Armed and Dangerous

Former Whitehouse ISD Employee Accused of Molestation

Former Whitehouse ISD Employee Accused of MolestationWHITEHOUSE — A former Whitehouse ISD employee and equipment manager is accused of molesting a football player back in 2010 and 2011. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, William Aldridge, 28 is also accused of sexually abusing a fourth-grader. The original charge is by a former Whitehouse football player, who says Aldridge touched his private parts on two separate occasions. Aldridge turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals last week. Continue reading Former Whitehouse ISD Employee Accused of Molestation

Library Membership Options for Non-residents

Library Membership Options for Non-residentsTYLER — The City of Tyler publicized a new opportunity for Smith County on Wednesday. Residents outside of Tyler, along with Veterans and Seniors of Smith County, can now acquire a membership to the Tyler Public Library. Non-resident fees are typically $10 monthly, $50 for six months or $90 for a year. Veterans and Seniors 65 and over are now capable to purchase a membership for half the original cost. Continue reading Library Membership Options for Non-residents

Tyler Planning Department Recognized

Tyler Planning Department RecognizedTYLER — The city of Tyler announced on Wednesday that the Planning Department was awarded the 2019 Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence. The award comes in recognition of the professional planning standards demonstrated by the staff and the support exhibited by the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission. This is the fifth consecutive year that the City of Tyler Planning Department has received this award.

Ribbon Cutting Saturday for Southside Park

Ribbon Cutting Saturday for Southside ParkTYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Rec Department and Tyler Area Ambucs will be cutting the ribbon on the new inclusive playground at Southside Park. The red letter day is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. The playground will accommodate kids with mobility disabilities and wheelchairs and features ramps, swings and slides that will allow children to enjoy the same playground regardless of their abilities. The inclusive playground will be the first one of its kind in Tyler. Sponsors will be present with booths and refreshments will be provided. Southside Park is located on Shiloh Rd.

Life in Federal Prison for Tyler Man

Life in Federal Prison for Tyler ManFORT WORTH — A Tyler man accused of abducting an 8-year-old girl was sentenced by a Judge to life in Federal prison on Thursday. The girl was taken last May as she walked with her mother in Fort Worth when the assault happened. According to our news partner KETK, Michael Darwin Webb, 51, of Tyler, was found guilty following a two-day trial by a federal jury in Fort Worth in September. The jury deliberated for less than 10 minutes for abducting 8-year-old Salem Sabatka. Continue reading Life in Federal Prison for Tyler Man

$95 Million Investment into Tyler Institutions

 Million Investment into Tyler InstitutionsTYLER — The U.T. Board of Regents made a significant investment on Thursday morning. The board unanimously voted to allocate $95 million dollars to 2 Tyler institutions. The money will be funneled to to UT Health Science Center at Tyler and UT Tyler to fund construction of two new facilities. $60 million is earmarked for a Graduate Medical Education & Resident Teaching Facility at UT Health Science Center at Tyler and $35 million for an Advanced Nursing & Health Sciences Complex at UT Tyler. Continue reading $95 Million Investment into Tyler Institutions

Mosley Sentencing Phase Continues

Mosley Sentencing Phase ContinuesTYLER — Dameon Mosley was convicted of capital murder on Wednesday. Friday marks the 3rd day of the sentencing phase as prosecutors seek the death penalty for the murder of Billy Stacks. According to our news partner KETK, jurors deliberated just under 90 minutes before handing down the guilty verdict. Now jurors will decide if Mosley will be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison. The punishment component of the trial could last several days as prosecutors intend to call numerous witnesses and investigators to testify, and Mosley’s defense will present character witnesses. Continue reading Mosley Sentencing Phase Continues

Gregg County Shooter Identified

Gregg County Shooter IdentifiedLONGVIEW — Gregg County authorities responded to a shooting at Barracuda’s Gas and Grill Sunday evening on Highway 149 in Gregg County. Deputies arrived on the scene to find one victim that sustained a gunshot wound and that the suspect had already fled the scene. Investigators have identified Hubert Earl Kindle, age 34 of Easton, as the suspect, and are seeking info about his whereabouts. Continue reading Gregg County Shooter Identified

One Night Without a Home on Friday in Tyler

One Night Without a Home on Friday in TylerTYLER — “One Night Without a Home” is happening Friday night in Tyler. East Texas Human Needs Network (ETHNN) is sponsoring the “One Night Without a Home” event as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. More than 150 people are anticipated to be involved in the event, which is designed to increase awareness and understanding of hunger and homelessness. Speakers include a young woman formerly homeless, and how she found help and hope in Tyler. Continue reading One Night Without a Home on Friday in Tyler

Unveiling of Designs for Broughton Rec Center Park

Unveiling of Designs for Broughton Rec Center ParkLONGVIEW — The Longview Parks and Recreation Department and District 3 Councilman Wray Wade revealed sketches for Broughton Recreation Center and Broughton Park. The conceptual designs revealed at the Tuesday meeting was the result of community involvement meetings. LPA Design Studios, the firm hired by the City of Longview led the assembly. The Design Process is expected to last 6 to 8 months, before a 12 month construction process begins. Completion is anticpated by September of 2021. Click the link for the concept presentation. https://longviewtexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6276/Broughton-Park-and-Recreation-Center-Improvements?bidId=

Mosley Guilty of Capital Murder

Mosley Guilty of Capital MurderTYLER — Dameon Mosley was found guilty of capital murder on Wednesday afternoon in the shooting of Tyler gas station clerk Billy Stacks in January 2017. According to our news partner KETK, it took the jury less than 90 minutes to come to a decision. The jurors now move into the punishment phase, they will decide whether Mosley will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. If given the death penalty, Mosley would be the first Tyler man to be handed the punishment since 2015.

Smith County Continues Input Meetings

Smith County Continues Input MeetingsTYLER — Officials say 38 people were in attendance at the latest meeting in Bullard, discussing a potential new courthouse in Smith County. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran and Commissioners have been holding evening meetings in each of the county’s precincts. Smith County is formulating a plan with the publics input. Smith County plans to present an initial timeline for a new courthouse in the spring of 2020, hold additional public meetings throughout the summer of 2020, to give out full and accurate information, and to call for a vote on a proposed plan for the November 2020 election. Continue reading Smith County Continues Input Meetings

50 Years of History for Dental Hygiene at TJC

50 Years of History for Dental Hygiene at TJCTYLER — The Tyler Junior College Dental Hygiene Program celebrates 50 years. Since 1969, the TJC Dental Hygiene Program has not only improved the lives of its graduates, it has also helped waves of dental patients across the region who have benefited from their care and expertise. Restrictive quarters became a thing of the past in January 2015, when the new Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center became a reality. Continue reading 50 Years of History for Dental Hygiene at TJC

Heroic Officers Actions Saluted in Jacksonville

Heroic Officers Actions Saluted  in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE – -According to our news partner KETK, four officers were honored Tuesday night for heroic actions during a dangerous situation in October. The move of respect comes in response after two Sergeants and two Officers with the Jacksonville PD faced a suspect during a stand-off leading to an arrest leading to an arrest. While the officers had SWAT training they were not a SWAT team. On Tuesday, Sergeant Wilson, Sergeant Markasky, Officer Hamilton, and Officer Burmit were presented with a letter of commendation for their work and for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Constable Garmon Announces Campaign Kick-off

Constable Garmon Announces Campaign Kick-offTYLER — Smith County Constable Precinct 1 Democrat Bobby Garmon has announced his 2020 Campaign Kickoff for Thursday at the Smith County Courthouse Annex Commissioners Court Room. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Garmon was appointed by Commissioners to serve the office in December of 2017. Garmon served in the Smith County Sheriff’s Department for 33 years, serving as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and chief deputy before retiring in 2012. The Precinct 1 Constable’s Office has two full-time deputies, seven reserve deputies, one full-time secretary and one part-time secretary.

Smith County Criminal Justice Officials Invite Guests

Smith County Criminal Justice Officials Invite GuestsTYLER — On Thursday Lubbock County Sheriff’s Officials will give a presentation about their mental health program during the Smith County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee meeting in Tyler. Because of Lubbock County’s action steps addressing mental health, they were named the first “Stepping Up Innovator County in Texas”. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom on E. Ferguson St. The meeting is open to the public.

Smith County Officials Launch Investigation following Election Issues

Smith County Officials Launch Investigation following Election IssuesSMITH COUNTY — Smith County leaders launch an investigation after the most recent election caused concerns with voting machines and a gas leak causing a location to close. According to our news partner KETK, after several complaints from Smith County voters, Judge Nathaniel Moran says the county can do better. “We are looking at all of those issues that have been brought to our attention last week, and we want to investigate each one to ensure we understand fully what happened, and to understand how we can address that before the March primary,” Judge Moran said. Continue reading Smith County Officials Launch Investigation following Election Issues