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TYLER — MJ Hegar was in Tyler on Saturday meeting with voters and local leaders. Hegar is running for the US Senate, taking on the incumbent, Senator John Cornyn. Hegar made the stop in Tyler at the Majesty Adult Day Care and was joined by councilwoman Shirley McKellar and facility owner Ed Thompson. Hegar claims that in Cornyn’s 30 years in Washington, he has taken $12 million from special interest groups. Hegar says, “she won’t fight for special interest groups and we deserve better.”

LONGVIEW — The support for President Trump has been evident over the last several months with “Boat Parades”, “Biker Rally’s” and “Motorcade Processions.” Saturday marked a Trump parade in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, the Trump Parade was well represented with decorated cars and RV’s, as well as motorcycles flying flags and waving signs of support. Organizers say this was their attempt to have fun, and motivate people to vote. Gail Gilbert said, “We decided that it was just a fun thing to do. People could bring their families, support the president, dress patriotic and put their flags up.” Early voting continues Monday. Election Day is November 3.

LONGVIEW — The final four Longview firefighters returned home this week following their deployment to assist with wildfires in California. City officials said in a media brief, that the Employees had been in that state since Sept. 28, after going to relieve an initial team of three firefighters that had been on location since Sept. 11. Firefighters are rehabbing this weekend with family and friends before returning to work next week. There are still 8,000 firefighters on the front lines across the state, as of Saturday.

TYLER – Here is a look at some of the work planned by TxDOT in the Tyler district for the upcoming week. Schedules are subject to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Smith County, opening of the newly completed I-20 entrance and exit ramps between US 69 and Jim Hogg Rd. has been rescheduled for this week. The ramps are part of the $14.8 million I-20 Ramp Improvement project. In Gregg County, various projects will be performed including the FM 3272 Restoration Project and the FM 1844 Widening Project. To see the entire report for the upcoming week for the entire 8 County District, click the link. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/040-2020.html.

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to the 20th Annual Fall Family Fun Trail on Oct. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Glass Recreation Center, located on W. 32nd St. The event is free and designed for children ages 2 to 12 with games, vendors, an appearance by “Shorty the Squirrel,” Candy and a photo backdrop for pictures. According to the press brief, costumes are encouraged. There will also be 15 organizations and businesses set up with games and candy for the Kids. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call (903) 595-7271 or click the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/6404/2717.

TYLER — Beauty and the Box, has added three new boxes to the list of wrapped traffic cabinets. Keep Tyler Beautiful started the beautification program in 2016 with the objective of taking utilitarian traffic boxes and transforming them into works of art by local artists. What started with 10 boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District but has grown to 67 across the city.

LEAVENWORTH — Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus Chairman Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) greeted First Sergeant John Hatley Friday upon his release from the U.S. Penitentiary in Kansas. Hatley who was being held at Leavenworth is now on parole after spending 11 years incarcerated. Congressman Gohmert said, “The faith of First Sergeant John Hatley makes him a tireless, unshakeable American patriot who was abandoned by his country and sentenced to life in prison without a single shred of physical evidence. After working to help get him released, it was an honor to be at Leavenworth prison to greet him as he was released on parole after he spent 11 years wrongly incarcerated.” Click the link for the full release. https://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399823.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University received a $20,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Marshall on Friday. According to a media release, the gift will go towards the renovation of the 8th floor of the historic Marshall Grand. After the building was gifted to the University in 2013, ETBU raised over $4 million for renovations. The open ballroom-type facility will accommodate up to 280 guests in banquet-style and 400 seats theater-style for various University functions. Additionally, organizations like the Rotary Club can utilize the building for meetings, conferences, seminars, and other events.

TYLER – DPS Troopers responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on FM 2661, 2 miles west of Noonday Thursday morning. Investigators say the accident in Smith County took place after a driver drifted over the center line striking Martin Ladaverde, 53 of Ben Wheeler. He was dead at the scene. Angela Hopkins Bryan, 35, of Ben Wheeler. Bryan was transported to UT-Health –Tyler where she later died. Ladaverde and Bryan were both transported to Lighthouse Mortuary in Tyler. The crash remains under investigation.

CHAPEL HILL — Another crash took place on Highway 64 and C.R. 289 this week, this time it was a three vehicle crash. Longtime resident on the Chapel Hill roadway, Ann Mitchell told our news partner KETK, it’s a very dangerous stretch of highway. The most recent accident involved a car that had stopped while waiting to turn, that was hit from behind by another car, then forced into on-coming traffic and slammed into a gasoline tanker. “If he had hit trees it would have exploded and this would have been an inferno. I live in a log house, and it doesn’t take much to set a log house on fire. Continue reading Resident seeking change to Highway 64 and CR 289 in Chapel Hill

LONGVIEW — The power is out at Broughton Recreation Center, and early voting polls are not in working order at that location. Early voters are encouraged to use another location. You can find early voting information at https://www.greggcountyvotes.com

NACOGDOCHES — Six students who sued Stephen F. State University after being accused of filing a false report against a Black student have reached a settlement with the university, according to out news partner KETK. A representative of the Houston-based Malley Law Firm confirmed Thursday that the settlement was reached but would not offer more information. The students claimed that university officials had violated their due process rights when they accused them of filing a false report that another student had threatened to use scissors to stab someone. Continue reading Students accused of filing false report reach settlement with SFA

AUSTIN — My Plates, the official vendor for specialty license plates in Texas is auctioning a limited release of historic license plate numbers as part of their Great Plate Auction. In the early days, license plates and numbers were issued to register all “horseless carriages”. The first license plate in Texas was issued during the summer of 1907. Even back then, all vehicles or machines had to be registered in order to legally use the public roads, streets or byways. The my plates great plate auction happening online through next Wednesday. To take a look at the exclusive plates up for grabs, click the link. http://www.myplates.com/auction.

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine issued lifted a boil water notice that had been put into effect Wednesday for the Wooldridge area. City officials say that the Water Department has taken appropriate steps that boiling water for consumption is no longer necessary. If you have questions concerning this matter, contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8423.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – Authorities say 24 people, including alleged members of a white supremacist prison gang, have been indicted in federal courts in Texas, Kentucky and Mississippi on charges related to shootings, stabbings and killings. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is among the agencies listed as investigating the case. Indictments unsealed on Wednesday allege that members of the Aryan Circle committed a variety of crimes in at least 11 states, including Texas, Arkansas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The gang members face charges of racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug conspiracy and unlawful firearms trafficking. All but one are in custody. The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is part of an ongoing operation against the Aryan Circle.

TYLER – DPS Troopers responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on SH-155, 2 miles north of Winona Wednesday morning in Smith County. According to a press brief, the preliminary report indicates that a pick-up truck traveling South, drifted into the opposite lane and collided with a Cubcadet flatbed truck, heading North. Jeffrey Dale Jones, 36, of Larue, was pronounced dead at the scene. Christopher Lee Bundrant, 43, of Quitman, was transported to UT-Health- Tyler in serious condition. The crash remains under investigation.

KILGORE — Starting Friday, Kilgore College Risk Management Institute will distribute safety supplies, including hand sanitizer and face coverings, to students and faculty. In a press release from the school on Thursday, the school says this is an attempt to demonstrate the college’s commitment to helping East Texas employees stay safe. The distribution is part of TxDOT’s Energy Campaign, which launched earlier this week. The safety supplies were purchased and provided by Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurance provider, who has partnered with TxDOT on this campaign in order to further its mission of building a stronger, safer Texas. Continue reading KC Risk Management Institute to distribute COVID-19 safety supplies

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments announced the appointment of the City of Kilgore Councilwoman Merlyn Holmes as Chairwoman. ETCOG announced Thursday that Holmes will serve as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The ETCOG Executive Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and is responsible for carrying out the policies, programs, and services established by the Board on behalf of the 14-county region. Councilwoman Holmes has served as a member of the ETCOG Board of Directors and Executive Committee since October 2016.

MARSHALL– East Texas Baptist University has been selected to host the National Softball Championship for the 2023 NCAA Division III . According to Thursday’s press brief, this will be the first time ETBU will host a National Championship. However, Tiger Softball is no stranger to NCAA championship success, winning the title in 2010. More recently, ETBU went 15-0 last Spring in the program’s first-ever undefeated season. The NCAA sports committee made the selection of host sites based on criteria including the ability to create an outstanding experience for student-athletes, along with adherence to NCAA sport-specific bid specifications.

RAINS COUNTY — Point police are looking for a Rains County man who is listed as missing and endangered. David Matthew Day, 45, received a head injury that could be life threatening. Family members say Day walked away from a residence in Point several days ago and has not been heard from or seen since. If located, contact the Point police department Facebook via messenger immediately or contact the rains county sheriffs office.

TYLER — NET Health CEO George Roberts gave an update to the Tyler City Council on Wednesday. Part of that presentation included an explanation of the new formula being used to compute COVID-19 cases. “Confirmed is a PCR lab test, that is a test that we have been running pretty much from the start. The probables are what’s called antigen tests. This test really started in May or so and it’s a faster test. You are seeing more and more people doing that. In the antigen test, if it hits positive, the reliability is good. But if it hits negative, the reliability is not as good. So we basically are now combining them.” Continue reading NET Health addresses new data computation for COVID-19

TYLER — Tyler Fire and Police responded to a structure fire at a Valero gas station Wednesday morning. According to a media release, the first arriving unit reported smoke showing, forced entry into the structure and quickly gained control of the fire. However, the business sustained significant damage to the interior. All units were clear from the scene around 7:20 a.m. Investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated in a concealed space containing lighting fixtures. The occupants stated they had recently been having issues with breakers tripping out and had noticed a light smell of smoke the day before. Investigators believe the cause of the fire was unintentional due to an electrical issue. No injuries were reported. The Valero gas station is located on Southeast Loop 323 near the intersection of HWY 64 and Loop 323.

TYLER – D.P.S. Troopers were called to the scene of a three vehicle crash on SH-64 E and Wolf Lane near Chapel Hill late Wednesday morning. According to a news brief, preliminary reports indicate a driver heading west on SH-64 stopped to make a left turn onto Wolf Lane and was struck from behind by a second vehicle, also traveling westbound. The impact caused the struck vehicle to travel into the oncoming lane where it was then hit by a gasoline tanker that was eastbound. The driver of the tanker, the driver of the Toyota and an infant passenger were transported to an area hospital.

TYLER — The city of Tyler has been commemorated for excellence by the Texas Municipal League. City Manager Ed Broussard addressed the Tyler City Council Wednesday. “We are recipients of the public works award for our work on Hillside Park renovations, and then also, for the city communications programs for our “Friendly Community Thief” video series. We are very honored to be the recipients of those. Essentially, we kind of look at these as the ‘Oscars’ of city government awards.” Three years ago, the City of Tyler Parks Department began work to create a new opportunity for the community by transforming Hillside Park into a city-wide and regional attraction. Continue reading City of Tyler wins statewide excellence awards

TYLER — Tyler Council members have approved nearly $8.5 million dollars for a construction project on Cambridge Road. On Wednesday, the Council handed off the initiative to Reynolds & Kay Ltd. for capital improvements to Cambridge Road from Broadway Ave. to Jeff Davis Drive. The project will include expansion of the existing pavement width, adding curb and gutter, sidewalks, a new underground storm drain system and installation of a 12-inch water line and miscellaneous water and sewer system improvements. Also, drainage issues adjacent to the project on Oxford Drive will be addressed. The project is funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. Construction will start in January 2021. Continue reading Council approves construction improvements for Cambridge Road, and Partnership with Habitat for Humanity

TYLER — A 16-year-old fled from officials and crashed a vehicle in Tyler Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of a Ford F-150 truck with an Oklahoma license plate ran a red light around 12:45 a.m. and was seen by a deputy, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The SCSO deputy attempted to make a traffic stop when the truck sped off. The teenage driver ran numerous red lights and eventually ended up on North Broadway Avenue where she  lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the Salvation Army sign. Continue reading Teen girl crashes truck in Tyler following brief chase

TYLER — Three East Texas school districts are suspending virtual learning. According to our news partner KETK, Yantis ISD, Grand Saline ISD and Harmony ISD, became the latest schools to suspend remote learning Tuesday. Leadership sent home letters to parents that students must return to face-to-face instruction by next week. Harmony Superintendent Dennis Glenn wrote that 126 students were currently using online schooling for the first nine weeks. This is roughly 11% of their student population. Of that number, nearly 70% were failing classes. Continue reading More East Texas school districts to suspend online learning