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LAKE TYLER — East Texans joined in the nationwide boat parade movement Saturday in support of President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. According to our news partner KETK, more than 1,000 people gathered near the Lake Tyler Marina Resort and Concession Park for announcements, guest speakers, prayer, and the national anthem. Special Interest Director for the Trump Campaign Kennan Williams and Smith County Republican Chairman David Stein were both speakers at the event. Organizers say the goal is to unite the community in support of Trump’s re-election. Continue reading Trump boat parade held on Lake Tyler

TYLER — A record 1,031 high school graduates will begin their college careers at The University of Texas at Tyler when hybrid classes start Monday. According to a news release, that’s an increase of 15 percent over last year and beats the previous record (fall 2018) of 908. UT Tyler President Michael Tidwell made the announcement about the first-time-in-college (FTIC) students during the annual Faculty and Staff Convocation Friday morning. First-time-in-college refers to students who have completed high school but who have not yet enrolled full-time in college. Because of dual credit, AP testing, and other early credit programs, many of these students have accumulated enough credits to be classified as sophomores when starting at UT Tyler. Complete, final enrollment numbers will be released on the University’s official census date, Sept. 4.

HARLETON — The body of 36-year-old Jamie Harper of Harleton has been found after she went missing on June 18, according to a family friend. Commercial mowers found her car crashed in a culvert hidden among trees off CR 2879 and Texas 154 between Harleton and Diana, according to our news partner KETK. They contacted police after they noticed a body inside, who later confirmed it as being Harper. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help cover her funeral expenses. You can find the page by Googling “go fund me jamie marie harper.”

GILMER – A missing Gilmer man, 51-year-old Randy Dyess, was found in his wrecked car Friday after not being seen since May. His body was found between Highway 155 and U.S. 259, near Ore City and Lake O’ the Pines, according to our news partner KETK. Investigators say Dyess ran off the road at a high rate of speed and landed deep in an area full of overgrown brush. A realtor inspecting the property discovered the car and called police.

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson and Rusk County made the decision to cancel the Heritage Syrup Festival for2020 on Friday afternoon. In a post on the cities website, the release states, “This decision was not chosen lightly, but was made due to the current pandemic and with the current health guidelines in place by the CDC…” The 32 annual festival was slated for Nov. 14. You can view the entire statement by clicking the link. http://www.hendersontx.us/DocumentCenter/View/3722/2020-Heritage-Syrup-Festival-Joint-Statement—Canceled?bidId=.

TYLER — A Tyler Police patrol car was involved in an accident, after being struck from behind on W Northwest Loop 323, at high rate of speed on Thursday night. Investigation reports indicate that after striking the patrol car the driver abruptly turned into the inside lanes of a motorcycle traveling in the same direction, causing a secondary collision. The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu was transported to UT Health East Texas in serious condition. The operator of the motorcycle sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The officer was also transported to UT Health, sustaining what appear to be minor injuries, and is now home recovering.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking leads in the 1979 homicide of 7-year-old Elizabeth Lynne Barclay, and an increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for her death if the tip is received before the next featured Texas Rangers cold case is announced.Get more details by clicking the link.https://www.dps.texas.gov/coldCase/Home/Details/263. On Oct. 23, 1979, Barclay was walking with her younger brother and a friend in the 2900 block of West Northwest Highway in Dallas. It was the last time she was seen alive. Continue reading DPS Seeks Information in 1979 Killing of Dallas Child

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview Information Services Department and the City of Kilgore earned the 2020 Best of Texas award for Best IT Collaboration presented by Government Technology magazine as part of the annual Texas Digital Government Summit. The Best of Texas Awards program recognizes public-sector professionals and local government organizations for their dedication and contributions to advancing information technology in Texas. Continue reading ISD receives statewide award

TYLER — The Trump Boat Parade is coming to Lake Tyler on Saturday. Kevin Allen tells our news partner KETK, “There’s a lot people that wanted to show support and really didn’t know how. This was a good way for them to enjoy the outdoors, support a cause and do it safely and do something with their families. It’s going to be a good family event.” The event is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. near the Lake Tyler Marina Resort and Concession park for announcements, guest speakers, prayer, and the national anthem. Continue reading Trump flotilla coming to Lake Tyler on Saturday

TYLER — Tyler Junior College received nearly $7 and a half million dollars in financial help, to fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the toll that it took on the college. “Prior to COVID we were in rapid growth providing access to students and their families. We were the second fastest growing institution of higher learning, with a rate of 28%.” TJC President Dr. Juan Mejia went on to say, “We received $7.4 million through the CARES Act. So what we did is we assembled a rapid task force, that was nimble, and cross sector based. It was about how we could get to a ‘yes’ for every student.” Continue reading TJC allocated 7.4 million in CARES Act funding

HARRISON COUNTY — A Carlisle ISD teacher is in the Harrison County Jail on child pornography charges. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Tyner Harris, 39, was arrested July 19. He has been charged with two counts of obscene wholesale promotion and two charges of possession of child pornography. Bonds for Harris total $250,000, and he remains in Harrison County Jail. Harrison County judicial records show that that the High School English Teacher, has previously been arrested on charges of theft of property greater than $100 and less than $750 (April 30, 2019), disorderly conduct and harassment (June 22, 2020), and tampering with a witness (July 9, 2020). Harris “is not currently on campus nor will he return,” Carlisle ISD said in a statement. “The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, August 27, to consider the individual’s employment.”

GILMER — An East Texas couple has been indicted in federal court for allegedly stealing identities to collect multiple stimulus checks that were provided by the CARES Act. According to our news partner KETK, Dalton Brewer and Emilee Fenton, both 24, are charged with theft of government money and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that the two stole more than $3,600 worth of stimulus checks from two victims. The CARES Act was passed back in March to distribute stimulus checks due to the financial impact of hutdowns from the coronavirus pandemic. Most amounted to $1,200 for individuals along with an extra $500 for every child under 17.

TYLER — With Tyler ISD students going back to school earlier this week, the District is reminding students observing the Learn@Home option that breakfast and lunch meals are available via Curbside service. Meal costs will remain based on the student’s qualifying rate (i.e. Free/Reduced Lunch Program or standard meal costs). Contact your campus for Curbside meal times. Students must be present to purchase meals. For the latest Return to Learn updates and information, click the link. https://www.tylerisd.org/returntolearn. Continue reading TISD breakfast and lunches available for home learners

TYLER — Smith County residents have more than a month left to register to vote to be able to cast ballots in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Monday, October 5, is the last day to register to vote in Smith County. It is also the last day to change your address if you have moved since the last election to be able to vote in the correct precinct. People can register to vote in person at the Smith County Elections Office, at 302 E. Ferguson in Tyler. They can also visit https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections/voter-registration or http://www.votetexas.gov, fill out the voter registration application, print, sign and mail or drop it off at the Elections Office. If you are unsure if you are registered to vote, call 903-590-4777.

EDOM – D.P.S. Troopers responded to a call on CR 4807 in Van Zandt County at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. The crash took place approximately a half a mile northeast of the city of Edom. Preliminary reports indicate Eddie Reed Wood, 63, of Ben Wheeler rounded a curve to the left and struck a pedestrian that was walking on the roadway. The pedestrian was identified as Bailie Renee Phillips, 18, of Ben Wheeler. Phillips was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis – Tyler where she later died. The crash remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — The arrest affidavits for a former Longview physician accused of sexually abusing children who were his patients provide details on the alleged abuse. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke, 58, was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail Friday on two charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. He was assessed bonds totaling $1 million, and released the same day. Hipke was a certified in internal medicine by the Texas Medical Board and specialized in adolescent medicine. He had practiced as the sole physician at the Adolescent Care Team in Longview. Continue reading New details following allegations of child sexual assault against Longview doctor

TYLER — The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award announced its sixth high school scholarship winner on Wednesday. A $5,000 scholarship has been awarded to Jacob Beaumont, class salutatorian from Whitehouse High School. Jacob will begin his fall semester at Texas A&M majoring in Civil Engineering. The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship was established by SPORTyler, Inc. in 2014. This scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from Smith County high schools that participated in varsity athletic programs. The intent of The Earl Campbell Scholarship is to encourage student athletes to succeed on and off the field. Continue reading The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award awarded to Beaumont

TYLER — Wednesday was the first day of school for Tyler ISD, much different from previous years. What was once Robert E. Lee High School is now Tyler Legacy, and the former John Tyler is now back to its original name, Tyler High. That follows school board action over the summer. Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said, “About 70% of our kids are actually in-person today, 30% virtual. We could not have done that with out the CARES Act. We purchased, 9,000 plus chrome books to go to students to fill the gap. We have 18,000 plus students in our school system, we already had about 9,000 of those devices in our school system. With the CARES act funding we were able to actually direct that towards purchasing those devices.” Continue reading 70% of students on campus for in-person learning at TISD

TYLER — Senator John Cornyn spent Wednesday morning in Tyler. The U.S. Senator volunteered at the East Texas Food Bank, toured the facility, and announced that various entities in the ‘Rose City’have been allocated over $77,000,000 in federal coronavirus relief resources from Congress. Cornyn observed first hand how Washington’s role has helped locally, “You know when we voted on the CARES Act in late March, we didn’t know exactly how this was going to play out. We did not how long this pandemic would play out. We didn’t know whether the way we allocated the money was the right way to do it. But, it really is encouraging to me to see here that the folks at the local level have stepped up. Frankly, it’s gratifying to see how much the money that we have appropriated has helped.” Continue reading ETFB hosts Senator John Cornyn for first hand view of CARES dollars at work

WINNSBORO — A $1,000 reward has been offered in a case of missing cattle. According to Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Larry Hand, during the late evening hours of July 30, four head of cattle marked with yellow back tags were stolen from Winnsboro Livestock and Dairy Auction. The animals were consigned to be sold the next day. During the same time frame, additional cattle were stolen from another cattle company at the same location. Hand, along with Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Bo Fox, have been investigating the case and are now asking the public for help. Continue reading Reward offered in Winnsboro cattle theft case

FORT WORTH — Gov. Greg Abbott announced a legislative proposal Tuesday, where any city that defunds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at its current rate. Abbott, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke out against the Austin City Council’s decision to chop $150 million from the police budget during the news conference in Fort Worth. Speaker Bonnen spoke to KTBB after the news conference, “What it simply goes back to is the horrific-ness that is going on in our country today. We have socialist politicians who believe that police are to be used for political cannon fire. And the Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor, and I stood up today [Tuesday] and said we will not stand by and watch that happen in Texas.” Continue reading Abbott: Proposes cities that de-fund police have property tax revenues frozen

TYLER — The Smith County elections office announced Tuesday, the addition of two new early voting locations. According to our news partner KETK, this is an attempt to help ease the traffic of voters in the lead-up to the presidential election. Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said that Workhub on South Broadway in Tyler and the Chapel Hill Fire Department will be used to allow for more social distancing for those who wish to cast their ballot ahead of November 3. With the presidential election, voter turnout is expected to be high. The two locations may not be used again for future elections. But, the two new polling places will be utilized for early voting, as well as election day. Continue reading 2 polling places added for upcoming election in Smith County