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PALESTINE — The City of Palestine will soon be looking for a new Chief of Police. Chief Andy Harvey has announced his resignation. Under Harvey’s leadership the department has taken large steps forward technologically, as well as with community engagement. City officials have not established a timeline for Chief Harvey’s permanent replacement. Chief Harvey’s last day is scheduled for October 18th.

TYLER — Chapters from a nonprofit organization called the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) recently met in Washington D.C. Four topics were selected as points of focus for the day, one of which addressed the recent bipartisan American Security Drone Act, proposed by a number of U.S. senators. The bill seeks to ban the U.S. government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries like China and Iran, which are identified as national security threats. Phil Burks, co-founder of FIRST iZTM, attended several Congressional meetings for both the Senate and House, as well as AUVSI presentations.

TYLER — A 36-year-old Tyler man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Florencio Campos, Jr., pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. Campos was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison Thursday. Campos was also ordered to submit to the forfeiture of $27,810. Continue reading Smith County Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Free Bulky Item Collections campaign starts Monday. Bulky items need to be placed at the curb by Monday. City crews will begin collecting on Monday through next Friday. After crews have collected on your street, do not place more bulky items on the curb, or you will be charged a special pick up fee. If your bulky items have not been collected by Monday, Oct. 7, contact the Solid Waste Office (903) 531-1388. Continue reading Free Bulky Item Collection Starts Monday

MINEOLA — The Lake Country Symphonic Band is putting the finishing touches on their upcoming concerts on October 6th and 8th. The performance will be in Mineola. The Sunday concert will begin at 2 PM and the Tuesday night presentation will be at 7:30 PM. The production will feature music from Game of Thrones, Titanic, and The Cowboys. Pianist Jennifer Turner will join the band for a collaboration of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Continue reading Upcoming Concerts for Lake Country Symphonic Band

MABANK — The Mabank community came together in a big way on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Mabank high school football team hosted a “drive through dinner” for the family of Tina Mercer and her mom Linda Scott. Mercer died in a fire along with her Mother on Monday. On Monday, Mercer, 41, called 911 to report that her home was on fire. Mercer’s four school-aged children were not in the home, but her disabled mother and an infant were. Fire-fighters arrived to find that Mercer saved the baby, Continue reading Team Host Dinner for Teammate and Sibblings after Fire Claims Mom, Grandmother

TYLER — A former high school sports official is accused of drugging and raping a John Tyler student. Robert Robinson, 63, was arrested last week on charges of child sexual assault by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and is in jail on a $500,000 bond. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, the warrant states the attack took place at his home in 2009 and that the victim became pregnant from the rape and she gave birth to a daughter. The woman is now 26. Robinson is currently trying to gain custody of the child. Continue reading Former Sports Official Accused in Rape of Student

TYLER — Smith County Road 1113 – Lake Placid Road – opened back up to traffic Thursday after being closed for nearly three months for a bridge replacement. The bridge project at Butler Creek was completed a few weeks earlier than expected. Detour signs were being removed on Thursday. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said the bridge needed to be replaced because it was undersized for the amount of road traffic, and it had structural problems. The project was done through the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the Federal Office-System Bridge Program. Smith County has improved a portion of Lake Placid Road and plans to continue with construction on the road since the bridge replacement is completed.

TYLER — The countdown has begun for CityFest, the region-wide campaign focused on serving the community and proclaiming a message of hope in downtown Tyler. The celebration is produced by the Luis Palau Association, which began large outreach ministry in 1966, the year Andrew Palau was born. Event organizers anticipate 15,000 attendees to show up to The Square, downtown. Both nights national headlining Christian acts will share the stage with Andrew Palau. Thanks to the generosity of dozens of company’s, non-profits and over 350 local churches the event will be free. Continue reading CityFest Tyler Oct 5-6

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority released the preliminary results of the Toll 49 Segment 6 Feasibility Study on Thursday. Three routes close to Tyler will move into the next phase of possible plans. A final decision on what could potentially be built is anticipated in 2022. The Toll 49 Segment 6 Project is for a proposed extension of Toll 49 from SH 110 north to US 271. The study is not finalized, so information could change. When the analysis is concluded in early November, the particulars will be made public. The next public meeting will be in the Spring of 2020.

TYLER — It’s homecoming week at All Saints Episcopal School. Part of the festivities include a fireworks show after the game Friday night off of S.SW Loop 323. The display has the necessary permits and is in compliance with state and local requirements. The Tyler Fire Department will be on-hand. The exhibition is expected to run around 10 minutes in total.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have located a vehicle that police say was driven at an officer during a stop earlier this week. However, authorities are still searching for two individuals that were inside that car. Both suspects are from Longview and have been identified as 29 year-old Javier David Canchola-Vargas and 28 year-old Jesus Salaiz. Canchola-Vargas is wanted on a charge of F/3 Assault on a Public Servant. Salaiz is wanted on a charge of Class A misdemeanor Evading Arrest/Detention. Continue reading Vehicle Located , Suspects Still on the Loose

TYLER — A former Bishop Gorman coach will not serve any jail time. According to our news partner KETK, Jakeal Lockett, 25, received the sentence Thursday morning. Lockett will serve his deferred adjudication probation in Beaumont close to family. The burglary charge came about after an incident at a UT Tyler apartment in February. The former coach initially faced the charge of burglary with intent to commit sexual assault. Lockett pled down to a lesser charge in August and Prosecutors dropped the sexual assault part of the charge after they said they met extensively with the victim. Lockett will not have to register as a sex offender. Continue reading Former Coach Sentenced to Probation

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Rusk woman has died following a wreck just north of the Rusk city limits. According to the Department of Public Safety report, Rachael Paralee Finley, 38, was driving north on Highway 69 around 6:30 Wednesday night when her vehicle veered off the roadway. She reportedly over-corrected and rolled her Toyota Sequoia several times. Finely was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was arrested late Wednesday night for possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Kyle Landua, 25, was taken into custody by Smith County Sheriff’s deputies after 11 p.m Wednesday night. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $750,000.

TYLER — Authorities have arrested a fugitive suspect Tyler police described as “armed and dangerous.” According to our news parnter KETK, Jeffery A. Johnston, 34, was arrested in the area of North Northeast Loop 323 and Morningside Drive after authorities combed a search perimeter. Tyler police and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by K-9 units and drones in the search. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston took off when authorities attempted to serve a warrant on him. Jeffery was wanted on multiple charges, including forgery, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and parole violation. He was booked into the Smith County Jail and now has a charge of evading arrest.

FORT WORTH (AP/STAFF) – A 51-year-old Tyler man has been convicted of kidnapping in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl as she walked with her mother along a street in Fort Worth. Jurors returned a guilty verdict against Michael Webb Wednesday after deliberating for about 15 minutes. A federal judge will determine Webb’s sentence. Prosecutors have requested a life prison term. Testimony included video of Webb admitting to an FBI agent that he snatched the girl from the street. The girl was abducted May 18. Police acting on a tip searched Webb’s hotel room in nearby Forest Hill the next morning but didn’t find her. Continue reading East Texas Man found Guilty of Kidnapping Girl

TYLER — The front man of Poison plans to support East Texas area charities as a part of his visit to Tyler. Rock star Bret Michaels is scheduled to perform at the East Texas State Fair this weekend. At Saturday’s show Michaels will be auctioning off his iconic cowboy hat, as well as other items to benefit local charities. Michaels’ team has not announced which local charity they plan to support. Continue reading Bret Michaels To Auction Iconic Hat For Local Charity

TYLER — The month of October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The 1 in 3 Foundation in partnership with the national effort is hosting a panel discussion and will offer a free lunch and learn. “The Impact of Domestic Violence on Families: A Panel Discussion” will be held on Thursday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the UT Health Science Center at Tyler Biomedical Research Building Conference Room (#699) located on Highway 271. This is a community event open to the public.

PALESTINE — Neighborhoods throughout Palestine are invited to join over 38 million neighbors for National Night out next Tuesday. National Night Out has become an ever-growing event including neighborhoods from all around Palestine. On October 1st between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, Palestine Police, Citizens on Patrol, Fire Department, EMS, and Anderson County Emergency Response will be visiting block parties around Palestine. For complete block party details across Palestine. Continue reading National Night Out in Palestine

TYLER — On Wednesday morning the Tyler City Council members approved increasing the property tax rate, as well as the new 2019 – 2020 budget. According to our news partner KETK,the new value is 25.99 cents per $100 of property value. Last year’s rate was 24.4452 cents per $100 of property value. Property tax funds will be designated in the budget for fire, parks, and police.

TYLER — September is childhood cancer month and a Tyler middle school is giving towards children facing the disease. According to our news partner KETK, Aneesa Cedillo organized the fundraiser. Cedillo, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 6. The cancer survivor along with the help of classmates at Moore Middle School raised more than a thousand dollars for the Gold Networks of East Texas. GNET Founder, Heather Rucker was presented with the check Tuesday during a pep rally.

SMITH COUNTY — Friday will mark a special day for two local high school drill teams. The Smith County Commissioners Court approved September 27, 2019 as “Whitehouse First Ladies Day” and “Chapel Hill Highlighters Day” in honor of both squads celebrating 50 years. Drill Team Director Kayla Noman and Captain Bailee Boyd represented their teams in Smith County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday and received the resolutions. Both groups recently performed in tandem to celebrate the milestone.

TYLER — The City of Tyler and Liberty Hall will host the annual Bergfeld Showcase Concert on on Friday, Oct. 25. The event is set for the the Centene Stage at Bergfeld Park on S. College Ave. The enjoyment kicks off at 6 p.m. with fun and food trucks and live music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Paul Cauthen will be returning home to headline the night. Continue reading Paul Cauthen in Concert at Bergfeld Park

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for 2 suspects that took off without paying for the $10,000 dollar gold chain. Video from inside Broadway Square Mall shows the pair running from the store around 3:45 on Monday afternoon. An employee allowed them to look at a 26” 14k gold chain valued at $10,000. Once the chain was in the hands of the suspect, the pair bolted from the store. Continue reading Tyler Police Looking for Jewelry Theft Suspects

BEN WHEELER — An abandoned church in Ben Wheeler was destroyed after a late-night fire on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the church was known as Bethlehem CME and was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived just after 10:30 p.m. There were no walls left standing and the building was nearly consumed. Witnesses said that the church had not been in use for some time. There were no utilities connected to the structure. There were no signs that the building was targeted because it was a church or due to its religious affiliation.

HARRISON COUNTY – After a 5-year-old boy died from injuries sustained during a suspected child abuse case in East Texas, the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office may upgrade charges to murder punishable by the death penalty or life in prison. According to our news partner KETK, when deputies arrived at the house of Danielle Faulkner and her boyfriend Larry Prudhomme, investigators were told the child fell off their porch causing him to have a seizure and trouble breathing. While treating the boy, EMS noticed he was extremely bruised all over his body and told deputies that they didn’t feel the amount of bruising was consistent with falling off the porch. Continue reading East Texas Boy Dies from Alleged Child Abuse Injuries

GILMER — Gilmer City Council voted to declare the East Texas town a Safe Haven for the Unborn on Tuesday, September 24. In a 4-1 vote, the city passed the ordinance, which bans abortions at all stages within city limits and prohibits abortion businesses from setting up shop within the town. Gilmer is now the sixth city in Texas to pass such an ordinance, following in the footsteps of Waskom in June and Omaha and Naples earlier this month. With a population of nearly 5,000, Gilmer became the largest Texas jurisdiction to take such a stand.

GILMER –The City of Gilmer will discuss passing an ordinance outlawing abortion Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK, the city council meets Tuesday night and the abortion ordinance is listed on the agenda. The East Texas Right to Life director Mark Lee Dickson celebrated the city of Teneha on social media Monday night, following their decision to become the latest community to unanimously declare itself a “sanctuary city for the unborn.” Continue reading Gilmer to Discuss Ordinance Outlawing Abortion Tuesday Night

TYLER — The Junior League of Tyler has announced that the matriarch of the Robertson family, known as “Miss Kay,” will be a keynote speaker at this year’s 41st annual Mistletoe & Magic Holiday Event. Marsha Kay Robertson, one of the stars of “Duck Dynasty,” is the author of several published popular cookbooks, and is grandmother to sixteen children. Tickets are on sale now for the occasion set for December 6th at Harvey Convention Center. More details available by clicking the link. https://www.juniorleagueoftyler.org/mistletoe-magic/