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MARSHALL — Over 350 three and four-year old students from Marshall ISD were part of the 12th annual Washington Early Childhood Center Field Day. earlier this week. East Texas Baptist University Kinesiology Departments students led the ECC attendees,ranging from parachute play, and tricycle riding, to obstacle course running. Field Day is more than a one-day activity for ETBU students. Ahead of time, students spend time building lesson plans for the age range of children that attend the event. In addition, the students also practice teaching strategies, applying effective use of wording and body language to elementary students.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas Olympic Centers kicked off a food drive benefiting the East Texas Food Bank on Friday. The drive runs throughout the month of November. East Texas Food Bank donation barrels are located at Olympic Center locations across East Texas. UT Health encourages people to drop off canned or nonperishable food items at the Olympic Center locations. Also, any new member who donates 10 or more items will have their enrollment fees waived. This marks the 9th consecutive year the Olympic Centers have hosted the food drive. Last year, they raised more than 25 barrels of food.

TYLER — NET Health continues investigations for Legionella bacteria. The public health district emphasized on Friday that attendance at the 2019 East Texas State Fair does not mean that persons contracted Legionnaire’s Disease. The Legionella bacteria is only spread directly to a person who inhaled water droplets that contain the Legionella bacteria, and transmission of Legionnaire’s Disease does not occur person-to-person. Continue reading Continued Local Investigation of Legionnaire’s Disease

MARSHALL — A junior high football player from Marshall collapsed during a game earlier this week. According to our news partner KETK, there were no signs of any heart condition in the player. Instantly, a fun night of football turned terrifying. MISD athletic trainer Anste Woods sprung into action, performing C.P.R. until E.M.S. arrived and transported him to the hospital. The school has not released the name of the athlete at this time, but does say he is back home in good spirits with his family.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas is sponsoring a Microchipping Event Saturday at Fresh on Old Jacksonville Hwy. The run time is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Microchips $10 and ID Tags $5. The SPCA of East Texas operates on the mission of improving the lives of animals, alleviating their suffering, and elevating their status in society.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College softball team held a signing ceremony Friday morning. Six high school seniors were introduced that will start playing for KC in the fall of 2020. KC will begin its eighth softball season in school history in January under head coach Leslie Messina. For more information on the KC softball program, visit http://www.kilgore.edu/softball.

TYLER — The American Red Cross is reminding people to not only roll back their clocks this weekend, but to take the time to change the batteries in smoke alarms. Daylight Saving Time formally comes to an end at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Most people don’t change the clock in the middle of the night, but whenever you do it you are encouraged to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. According to our news partner KETK, with cooler weather there is an uptick in structure fires, as heaters, fireplaces, and space heaters become more necessary. Hawaii and Arizona are the only 2 states that do not observe the time change. Many Native American tribes also do not observe the time change.

TYLER — The March of Dimes kick off luncheon is set for Nov. 13th at the Rose Garden. Supporters, volunteers, and business partners are encouraged to be there for the launch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Top fundraisers and teams for 2019 will be recognized, and information will be given on how to support and fund raise for next springs walk in May.

MARSHALL –Marshall Police is bringing to parents mind safety tips to help ensure Halloween is fun and safe. Parents can visit the Texas sex offender registry by clicking the link. https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/SexOffenderRegistry/Search. Drivers need to been keenly aware in neighborhoods.” Marshall Police recommend residents follow safety tips outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kids need to be cautious near streets and intersections and drivers should eliminate distractions. Continue reading Marshall PD Offers Tips to Safe Halloween

LONGVIEW — The Texas Workforce Commission in partnership with 28 local workforce development boards and the Texas Veterans Commission, will host veterans hiring fairs in 31 cities throughout Texas on Nov. 7. The 8th annual Hiring Red, White & You! Workforce Solutions East Texas will host the local hiring event in Longview at Maude Cobb Activity Center on Grand Blvd. from 9 AM – 1 PM. The event is veteran focused, but open to the public to attend. The event is designed to assist veterans, service members and their spouses as they seek their next career opportunity.

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation is requesting public input on a proposed US 69 Jacksonville Relief Route. TxDOT will present proposed route alternatives for US 69 around the City of Jacksonville at a public scoping meeting from 5-7 p.m. November 14. The meeting will be held at the Norman Activity Center located on E Commerce Street in Jacksonville. The complete release is available by clicking the link below. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/054-2019.html

EAST TEXAS — Seven confirmed cases and five possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in the Northeast Texas region. The NET Health Disease Surveillance Division is working with organizers of the East Texas State Fair and local health officials to investigate any connections of these cases with attendance at the East Texas State Fair this year (September 20th – 29th). Anyone who attended the East Texas State Fair, and is showing symptoms, is urged to discuss Legionnaires’ disease with your health care provider immediately. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may include cough, high fever, weakness, muscle aches, headaches and shortness of breath. Continue reading Several Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in East Texas

SMITH COUNTY — A Troup woman was arrested and charged with theft of property from Azleway Children’s Services. According to our news partner KETK, Toni Marie Rambo, 54, has been accused of stealing almost $190,000 from Azleway, where she was employed as Director of Quality Control. She was charged with theft of property greater than $100,000 in value and less than $300,000. The 1st degree felony is an enhanced charged as she is accused of stealing from a non-profit agency. According to arrest documents, Rambo misappropriated $48,049 in 2015, $53,546 in 2016, $42,969 in 2017 and $26,437 in 2018. The thefts were discovered by a forensic accounting analysis. Continue reading Troup Woman Arrested, Charged with Stealing from Azleway

TYLER — Tuesday brought Day 2 of the RBC Pro Challenge at Tyler Athletic and Swim Club. The Tennis was terrific, but the day belonged to John Peterson, literally. The City of Tyler honored the Tyler tennis legend. Coach Peterson was at the helm of the Tyler Junior College tennis program for over 2 decades, bringing national attention and top players from across the world to Tyler. His teams captured 25 national championships in 24 years. The day also included 110 students from Tyler who took part in the festive day. The tournament continues through the week.

TYLER — Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to damages and losses caused by drought occurring on October 1, 2019 and continuing in Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Smith and Van Zandt Counties. Additional information regarding Disaster Assistance Programs may be found online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.go. The deadline for applications is June 15, 2020, but often a backlog happens and causes delays, so farmers are encouraged to apply right away. Continue reading FSA Accepting Applications for Several Counties

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say that just before 4 p.m. a shooting victim was taken to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center. The victim says he went to the park on El Paso Street after a friend was not home. The suspect was identified as Lederrion Negio Brooks, 23, of Longview, allegedly shot the victim. A friend was able to drag him into the car and transport him to the hospital. Police located Brooks later in the evening and he was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Bond was set at $125,000.

LONGVIEW — US News & World Report released its annual ratings of the best nursing homes in the country on Tuesday. According to the outlet, there are 69 communities in Texas that earned a “High Performing” designation for 2019-20, and 2 of them are in Longview, and 1 is in Tyler. Buckner Westminster Place and Summer Meadows of Longview and The Center at Grande in Tyler, all made the list as high performing in short-term rehabilitation.

TYLER — Saturday was the National Drug Enforcement Agency’s Take Back Day. Tyler Police announced Wednesday, that the results are in for Tyler. Numbers confirmed by the DEA say 33 large boxes contained a total of 599 pounds of medications turned in to officials. In Marshall, nearly 400 lbs of drugs were turned over to the DEA in Tyler. Marshall authorities say that was a culmination of the take back event, drop offs at the station, and collections by officer’s in the last 6 months.

HARRISON COUNTY — A traffic violation in Harrison County on Tuesday afternoon lead to a large detection. According to our news partner KETK, a Harrison County K-9 officer uncovered nearly 400 pounds of marijuana in a semi-trailer. K-9 Hank and his handler were called to the scene after the semi-trailer driven by Brandon Beck, of Chicago was pulled over for a traffic violation. Deputies were skeptical of Beck’s story and decided it needed “further investigating.” Continue reading E TX K-9 Officer Discovers 400 Lbs of Marijuana

KILGORE — Kilgore police have identified a body discovered this past weekend as Larry Wheeler. According to our news partner KETK, Wheeler had been unaccounted for since October 18. Authorities say that two young men found the body Saturday afternoon. Investigators determined Wheeler had been dead for an extended period of time. Wheeler, 63, had a personal ID found on his body. Death could not be determined because his body “had been exposed to the elements.” The body has been sent to Southwestern Forensics in Dallas so that an autopsy could be performed. Wheeler will also be examined by an anthropologist.

TYLER — With the holiday season quickly approaching, patrons will notice several improvements coming to Broadway Square Mall. According to our news partner KETK, the mall has been the sight of much construction, including a new Dick’s Sporting Goods. It is expected to open in the Spring of 2020. A new Longhorn Steakhouse off of the Broadway entrance is nearing the final stages of completion. Officials hope it’s completion will be in time for the Christmas rush. Continue reading Expansion Continues at Broadway Square Mall

TYLER — An East Texan pilot is being recognized nationally. According to our news partner KETK, Lauren Sutherland, a pilot for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital will be celebrated as the “Flight for Life” Pilot of the Year. Every year, the National EMS Pilot’s Association designates one pilot from crew nominees that represent their organization. Sutherland says she feels blessed to even be a pilot and this reminds her that she’s making a difference. Sutherland will be appreciated next week at the Air Medical Transport Conference in Atlanta. She says her nomination proves her team trusts her and that’s all she could ever ask for.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse announced the hiring of a new Police Chief on Tuesday afternoon. Current Tyler Police Lt. Paul Robeson has been selected to lead the Whitehouse police department. Robeson will begin serving as police chief in Whitehouse on Dec. 2. The Lt. has been with TPD for nearly 2 decades. Robeson started his law enforcement career in Tyler in May 2002, and currently holds a Master Peace Officer License. Robeson was selected as Rookie of the Year and Supervisor of the Year two times. Continue reading Whitehouse Announces New Police Chief

TYLER — Smith County officials have scheduled “Citizen Input Meetings” in each precinct of the county throughout November. Smith County is working on a plan for a new Smith County Courthouse. Before a plan is presented to voters, county officials are gathering public input on whether the public agrees that a new courthouse is needed, where it should go, what factors for consideration are most important, and to answer any questions or listen to any comments citizens may have. Continue reading Community Input Meetings Set for Smith County

TYLER — The Women’s Fund of Smith County announced on Tuesday details for their 12th Annual Power of the Purse Luncheon. The event will take place November 5 at CrossWalk Conference Center, on the campus of Green Acres Baptist Church. This year’s keynote speaker is Sandra Joseph. Joseph is a history-making Broadway star, a bestselling author, and a TEDx speaker. Since 2009, The Women’s Fund of Smith County has awarded over 1.6 million dollars in grants to 32 different initiatives in Smith County. More details can be found by clicking the link. https://womensfundsc.org/. Continue reading Joseph Upcoming Speaker at Power of the Purse

TYLER — Match play began on Monday with the Qualifying Draw to earn a spot into the Main Draw of the RBC Pro Challenge, a USTA Pro Circuit event. It was a day of upsets in the Rose City, with American Katharine Fahey beating seeded Italian Biana Turati. 3-seeded Hanna Chang fell in three sets to fellow American Amy Zhu. The match of the day came as two Americans faced off on center court. Seeded 5 in the Qualifying Draw, Kayla Day walked away with the win, defeating Anastasia Nefedova. Continue reading RBC Pro Challenge in Tyler – Day 1 Results

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has become the latest ‘Sanctuary County’ in the state for gun rights after Tuesday’s 4-1 vote in favor of the agenda item in Commissioners Court. According to our news partner KETK, with its passage, money and resources will no longer be spent to enforce laws believed to infringe on second amendment rights. Commissioner Terry Phillips is spearheading the move and believes it is the right thing to do with the recent concern of red flag laws and gun confiscation. “Really the constitution, the way I see it, it’s to fight against a tyrannical government, that might come against the people or something, so I just think it’s important that we show our support for the constitution,” said Commissioner Terry Phillips.

MARSHALL — On Monday Marshall police recapped a fatal shooting in the community that claimed the life of 31 year-old Courtney Jamal Johnson. The shooting happened Saturday afternoon around 1:30. Police arrived on Melanie St at the Bel Aire Manor apartment complex to find the male had been shot multiple times. Johnson was pronounced dead by medical personnel. The suspect, Charles Ray Mason, 31, of Marshall was located a short distance from the scene by police. Mason was arrested and charged with one count of Murder, one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Detectives continue to investigate this incident.

JACKSONVILLE — On Monday the annual Trunk or Treat event presented by Jacksonville ISD found hundreds of kids in downtown along with parents with an emphasis on reading. According to our news partner KETK, before the Trunk or Treat event, each campus chose a book to read. During the night, staff dressed as characters from their books, set up a station, and gave away copies. The big picture hope is that parents will develop the habit of reading more to their children.