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TYLER — Good news for students and teachers in Tyler, as they kick off a new school year. According to our news partner KETK, recent legislative session funding means an increase for Tyler ISD schools, while property tax rates will be reduced. The session poured millions of dollars into the finance system. Tyler ISD got around 10 million dollars. Around 6 million of that will be used for raises for every employee in the district. For property taxes,owners will see a seven cent compression per 100 dollars. The new budget takes effect September 1st.

JACKSONVILLE — A press release from the Jacksonville Police Department has confirmed that an online threat on Tuesday to JPD that stated, “I’m going to shoot up every school and day care within a 30-mile radius then I’m coming for your officers” originated in the United Kingdom. It is being investigated further, however it is believed that there is no local threat. That threat was sent to the JPD Facebook page. Continue reading Online “Shoot Up Every School” Threat from UK

EAST TEXAS — Rusk County has become the second county to issue a burn ban on Tuesday, less than an hour after Henderson County. In both instances Commissioner’s took action to prohibit outside burning of any kind during the ban. This comes after the hottest stretch of the summer, which included multiple days over 100 degrees.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County kicks off its 2019 campaign with two goals: a ten per cent increase in participation and a total of $1.5 million. United Way President Nan Moore says everyone can get involved, regardless of the size of your gift. Moore notes that some new companies have joined the effort, which has already raised $9,000. She also reminds you that anyone donating five dollars or more per week can enter a drawing for a Jeep Renegade to be given away by Patterson Auto Group. Moore says each year, the local United Way helps one in four people living in the county thanks to corporate gifts, workplace campaigns, and individual donors. Go to https://uwsmithcounty.org/ for additional information.

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the deaths of two people who were found after a welfare check. According to our news partner KETK, the bodies were found in the 300 block of Coulter Road, just off FM 1844, in the East Mountain area of Gregg County. The cause of death is unknown. Autopsies have been ordered.

LONGVIEW — On Wednesday TxDOT crews will be conducting seal coat operations at the I-20 Service Road at FM 2207 in Liberty City and SH 135 from Watson St., just south of the Traffic Circle in Kilgore, to the Rusk County. Alternate routes are encouraged. Motorists can expect lane closures and delays with flaggers and a pilot car providing traffic control at all work locations.

TYLER — Another banner year for the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala, held June 29: $540,596.82 raised for the American Cancer Society. The announcement came during a Monday celebration reception, during which co-chair Jayme Fitzpatrick thanked the Tyler/Smith community for its year-in, year-out support. Fitzpatrick added that the 32nd annual event sought to honor those who have died from cancer — “but also celebrate the ones…who have fought the battle and won.” It was additionally announced that the 33rd Gala will be held June 13, 2020, again at Texas Rose Horse Park. The theme will be “Pistols and Pearls.”

GILMER — Donnie Hill, 55, of White Oak, Texas appeared in front of 115th District Court Judge Dean Fowler on Monday to begin his trial for the charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault of an Elderly Person. The jury of 7-men, 5-women were selected last week. However, before testimony began on Monday, Hill changed his plea to guilty. After hearing the plea and the evidence in the case, Judge Dean Fowler sentenced Hill to forty years. Mr. Hill must serve at least one half of that time before he is eligible for parole—making him 75 years old. If he is ever released, Mr. Hill must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

LUFKIN (AP) — Prosecutors say a Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole in the drowning death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old nephew. Authorities say Bobby Woods Jr. told police that his girlfriend, Billie Jean Cuttler, was pregnant and that he wanted 3-year-old Mason Cuttler dead because they needed space at the home where several families lived. An attorney later said Cuttler wasn’t pregnant. Woods was convicted Friday of capital murder for the 2015 death. Investigators say Woods pushed Mason into a pond near Lufkin, 110 miles northeast of Houston. Cuttler, who faced competency issues, pleaded guilty to conspiracy commit murder in exchange for a 20-year prison term.

LONGVIEW — Texas State House Representative Jay Dean will seek re-election in 2020. According to a release from his campaign on Monday, Dean will be seeking his third term to represent House District 7, which encompasses most of Longview, Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer, and Big Sandy. Dean was first elected in the 2016 election. He ran unopposed in 2018. Continue reading Texas Rep Jay Dean Announces Re-Election Plans

TYLER — Tyler ISD continues to raise its number of academic merits earned through the Texas Education Agency accountability system. Tyler ISD campuses have earned 45 distinctions across all possible indexes, continuing the district’s achievements, climbing from 33 in 2017, 28 in 2016 and 23 in 2015. According to the District, accomplishments are awarded based on high levels of achievement in four index areas; Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Post Secondary Readiness.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Beauty and the Box program has added the 42nd vinyl-wrapped box to the beautification program that began in 2016 that transforms traffic boxes into works of art by local artists. The latest work of art can be found on the corner of Front Street and Glenwood Boulevard.

UNION HILL — Union Hill ISD students got a reprieve from the first day of class, but not a break from the heat. The district north of Gilmer was impacted by the power outages causing them to to cancel classes for Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Students who took the bus were fed breakfast and then sent back home. Continue reading Union Hill Classes Cancelled

SMITH COUNTY — The body of a 3-year-old girl reported missing early Sunday morning has been found. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County officials have reported that the missing child was located at 3:30 p.m. Sunday by a dive team in a nearby pond. The child was identified as Madison Williams. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, foul play is not suspected. Madison was known to walk across the pasture to her grandparent’s house and follow the family dog around. The investigation is still open.

GILMER — Joshua Shaw has been missing since May 8, 2019, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. According to our news partner KETK, he is 16 years old and described as 5’8″, 100 Ibs, with brown hair and brown eyes. Any information of his whereabouts can be directed toward the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office at 903-843-2541. Additional information can be found at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website.

KILGORE — The City of Kilgore is looking for input from the public affecting the city at an upcoming Community Open House. A come and go meeting is set for next Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Old Post Office in downtown. This is step 1 of a 12 month process to develop the Kilgore Comprehensive Plan, to establish a master plan for the community’s vision for land use, transportation, downtown and housing for the next 10 to 20 years. The community open house will have several stations set up with each spot dedicated to a different aspect of the overall plan.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has named Dr. Deana Sheppard as the College’s new provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. Dr. Sheppard currently serves as vice president of instruction at Lone Star College-CyFair, where she provides leadership to six academic divisions. Dr. Sheppard taught business and computer science courses at the high school and community college levels for over 10 years, and she has served as adjunct faculty in the Higher Education Leadership master’s program at Sam Houston State University. Sheppard begins at TJC Oct. 1.

SMITH COUNTY — Road improvements to County Road 168, in front of Hazel Owens Elementary School, are complete. Crews striped the newly paved and widened road this week to finish the Phase 1 project in time for the start of school on Monday. The 1.28-mile section of road in front of the school has been widened for better turn lanes into the school, as well as repaved, and a culvert has been replaced. The contractor will wait for a few weeks after school starts before beginning Phase 2 of the project, which includes improving the remaining 2.26 miles of CR 168.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall’s Animal Services office will increase enforcement of “animal running at large” citations starting next week. City leaders say there has been an increase in reported dog bites leading to the concentrated effort to ensure that streets are safe. Animal Services officers will be visiting pet owners who have dogs that are not in compliance with “leash laws” and citations will be issued. Continue reading Marshall Steps Up Leash Law

TYLER — The departed assistant basketball coach from Bishop Gorman has had his attempted sexual assault trial delayed one week. According to our news partner KETK, Jakeal Lockett, 25, is accused of breaking into a UT Tyler student’s apartment last February with the intent to sexually assault her. His trial was scheduled to start on Monday, but 7th District Court Judge Kerry Russell gave him a one-week continuance because his attorney would be “unavailable.” Lockett was an assistant men’s basketball coach and the head middle school boy’s coach at Bishop Gorman. The school released a statement at the time of his arrest that Lockett would be placed on indefinite leave and would not be allowed to have contact with students. Continue reading Sexual Assault Trial Delayed

TYLER — The Best Buy on South Broadway was burglarized early Friday. According to Public Information Officer Don Martin theives took a “large number” of Apple watches and computers. Six people were caught on camera breaking the door open with a crowbar. Investigators believe this is an organized crime ring that has struck numerous Best Buys across Texas. The suspects were wearing hoodies and gloves. Video shows that the criminals were in and out of the store in five minutes. They were driving a white compact SUV and a silver 4-door Sedan, possibly a Camry. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

TYLER — Governor Greg Abbott visited Tyler on Thursday taking part in a town hall hosted at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. According to our news partner KETK, the topic of the night was the devastating shooting in El Paso that claimed the lives of 22 and injured 24 others. Governor Abbott silenced the crowd by saying, “Even though I am in Tyler tonight, my heart is still in El Paso.” Gov. Abbott spoke on the plans the legislature has in place when it comes to domestic terrorism. “First is with this domestic terrorism task force that will be operating year around,” he said. “We will be including all of the deligation of El Paso as well as other leaders across that state of Texas where we will put every issue on the table,” he said.” Continue reading Governor Abbott Highlights Important Topics During Town Hall in Tyler

TYLER — Each year The Mentoring Alliance serves over 2,900 kids and families through the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas, Rose City Summer Camps, and Gospel Village. On Friday, they will celebrate the grand opening of their newly renovated building on the corner of S. Broadway and West 8th. A Ribbon Cutting and Blessing Ceremony is scheduled from 3 to 3:45pm. Tours will be given and guests can also enjoy live music, refreshments, balloon artist, door prizes, and will also have opportunity to register for the upcoming school year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced on Thursday their plans to combat the nursing shortage in Texas. U.T. Tyler declared their enlargement of the bachelor of science in nursing. The amplification of the program of study will allow approximately 180 additional qualified applicants to be admitted each year. The new plan of strategy will also accelerate the rate at which the program produces nurses. Starting in the spring 2020, the program will offer a 12-month, year-round BSN program comprised of three 15-week semesters.

MARSHALL — Four people were apprehended following their arrest this week in Marshall. Marshall police arrested Jacoby Pierce, 18, of Marshall for an outstanding warrant for burglary of a habitation. According to a press release from the department, during the arrest, probable cause for a search of the residence was developed. A search warrant was obtained and conducted which resulted in the seizure of a stolen firearm, narcotics and cash. Deonte McKinney, 26, Regina Pierce, 41, and Emmera Johnson, 19, all of Marshall, were arrested as a result of the incident.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a reported aggravated assault. It happened around 10:00 Wednesday morning at the Tanglewood Apartments on Chimney Rock. The victim told officers a black male, armed with a handgun, entered her apartment and demanded money. The victim said she was sexually assaulted during the ordeal. The suspect is described as young, thin and wearing all black clothing. Contact Tyler police with any information.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said deputies are searching for the vandals responsible for over $120,000 of damage to headstones in the historic Goshen Cemetery, near Eustace. The sheriff said cemetery board members contacted his office around 8:00 Wednesday night to report the damage. A total of 35 headstones with $122,500 in destruction were photographed. “Our team is actively investigating and interviewing people and I will be asking Crime Stoppers to offer a reward for the arrest of these suspects,” Hillhouse said. Hillhouse said the perpetrators face felony criminal mischief charges for the crime.

TYLER — Governor Abbott has announced he will take part in a statewide televised town hall meeting on Thursday, August 15th at the University of Texas at Tyler. The event will be from 7-8 p.m. An important topic that will be discussed during the event will be the El Paso shooting that left 22 dead and 24 injured. Many politicians and voters are asking for changes in gun control and red flag laws and Gov. Abbott will speak on the future plans in Congress. Continue reading Gov Abbott in Tyler for Town Hall

TYLER — A Tyler man was convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child on Wednesday. A Smith County jury in the 114th District Court sentenced Raul Eduardo Lopez-Navidad to life in prison without parole, for the offense. The jury heard evidence that the defendant first sexually assaulted the child when she was in the 5th grade. The abuse continued for years from the ages of 10 to 16. The victim eventually told a family friend about the abuse, who reported it to CPS.