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TYLER — The Faulkner Park Splash Pad will be closed for repairs all day Thursday, Aug. 1 and is scheduled to reopen Friday, Aug. 2. The work includes installing a pressure regulator that will lower the pressure of the water going through the pipes and prevent pipes from bursting in the future. The park is located on W. Cumberland Rd.

TYLER — Brookshire’s Grocery Company has reached a settlement with OSHA over the death of a warehouse worker in Tyler back in March. According to our news partner KETK, the Department of Labor records shows that Brookshire’s reached a $10,608 settlement with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration after initially being fined nearly $26,500. The company was cited for two “serious” violations in the incident back in June, but one of them was deleted after the settlement. It is unclear why one of the violations was removed. Continue reading Brookshire’s Reaches Settlement in Warehouse Death

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man was arrested on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a child. According to our news partner KETK, Victor Sacco, 25, was arrested for an incident that occurred on Tuesday, July 16. Sacco has no previous convictions or arrests in the State of Texas, according to public data. He’s being held in the Gregg County South Jail. Bond has not been set.

TYLER — A seal coat project is underway in Tyler. Crews will seal coat Palace Avenue – between West Vance Street and West Houston Street along with East Line Street / East Commerce Street – between North Beckham Avenue and North Fleishel Avenue. Wednesday’s list also includes South Baxter Avenue – between East Front Street and East Devine Street. Expect lane closures, road closures and traffic delays. Travelers are encouraged to find an alternative route and to pay attention to all traffic and construction signs. Continue reading Seal Coat Operation Underway in Tyler

KILGORE — After nine months of major renovations, Kilgore’s surface water treatment plant is being put back into operation by pumping treated water into the system. It began Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. The City of Kilgore has been using all groundwater from wells since last October. Officials say with the increase of water being delivered in to the system, citizens may experience discolored water from disturbances to the 70-year-old cast iron pipes. This should clear within a few days. If issues persist contact Kilgore City Hall.

LINDALE — Lindale police are searching for the woman pictured on the left. She is accused of stealing multiple items from the Walmart in Lindale. According to our news partner KETK, it is believed that she was driving a black Kia. If you recognize this person, contact Det Curtis Philpot at 903-882-3313 or by email at [email protected].

EAST TEXAS — Employees of Jacksonville ISD will be getting the highest pay raise in the districts history. According to a news release from JISD the newly adopted budget includes a compensation package 240% more than the state requires. Teachers with more than 5 years teaching experience receive a $7,500 dollar increase., those with less than 5 years get a $7,000 boost. All auxiliary and para-profesionsals will enjoy a 10% increase. School leaders say it was important to make sure that all staff members, not just teachers, got the increase.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is accepting applications for City Boards and Commissions through Aug. 5. Appointments will be filled on Aug. 28th at the city council meeting. The appointees serve voluntarily for two-year terms. Members must reside inside the city limits and should not have any delinquent city taxes, utilities or other assessments. There may be additional requirements for some board positions Continue reading Tyler to Fill City Boards and Commissions

GLADEWATER — Gladewater Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. It happened around 2:00 Saturday morning on Highway 271 S. Terrel Dopson, of Henderson, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call the Gladewater Police Department at (903) 845-2166.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a shoplifter. According to our news partner KETK, a shoplifting suspect reportedly pulled a knife on several employees at Kohls Department Store on South Broadway Monday afternoon. The suspect was confronted when attempting to run from the store with stolen merchandise. No injuries were reported.

CANTON — A 19 year-old man died on Sunday after visiting Splash Kingdom Waterpark in Canton. According to our news partner KETK, the incident happened around 5pm. President of Splash Kingdom Johnny Blevins says team members responded to an “urgent medical situation.” A Canton police release says they arrived to find a man had been pulled from a 10-foot deep pool and park personnel were administering CPR and using an Automatic External Defibrillator. The man was air lifted to a Tyler hospital, but was later pronounced dead. He was identified as Emmanuel Ogunfuwa, a UT Tyler student attending classes this summer.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning another week’s worth of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through these and all work zones. Here is the schedule as work continues through the weekend and for next week. The schedule is subject to change. Check https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/042-2019.html for a complete rundown of work throughout the district.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump wants a congressman who represents parts of North and East Texas to become the next director of national intelligence. Republican John Ratcliffe has represented the Fourth Congressional District since 2015. Before that he served as mayor of Heath and was the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. President Trump says Ratcliffe will lead and inspire greatness for the country he loves. Ratcliffe says the president’s call to serve was not one he could ignore. He says he looks forward to the role with energy and focus, but it’s also been the privilege of his lifetime to be the voice for the people in his district. Ratcliffe’s district includes Rains and Upshur Counties, among others.

BALTIMORE (AP) – Federal officials say they’ve found a missile launcher in a Jacksonville, Texas, man’s luggage at the airport in Baltimore. The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that the military grade weapon was located in the man’s checked luggage at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. TSA officers called airport police who found the man and detained him for questioning. The unidentified traveler said he was in the military and coming home from Kuwait. He said he wanted to keep the weapon as a souvenir. The TSA said the missile launcher was “not a live device.” But it was handed over to the state fire marshal for disposal. The man was ultimately allowed to catch his flight home.

TYLER — Jay Brooks has been sworn in as the Smith County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator. County Judge Nathaniel Moran swore in the new chief on Monday morning. After he was sworn in, Brooks deputized his staff. Brooks volunteered from 2007 through 2014, when he became the county’s fire marshal for more than a year before leaving to work in the private sector. Commissioners recently appointed Brooks after the retirement of Connie McCoy-Wasson. Brooks will fill the unexpired term through December 2020.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s “Beauty and the Box” program has a new addition. A new traffic signal box has been wrapped on the corner of Old Bullard Road and Rieck Road. What started as a pilot program of ten boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District in 2016 has grown to 41 vinyl-wrapped boxes all across the City of Tyler. More info is available online. http://www.keeptylerbeautiful.com/.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities Monday began a water meter audit and rehabilitation program in conjunction with Aqua-Metric. The work continues throughout the summer months. The technicians will have the City of Tyler or the Aqua-Metric logo clearly displayed on their vehicles and will not need access inside the home or business. Technicians will notify residents when they arrive and the entire process should be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. The initial focus of the program will be in the southeast quadrant of the City.

DALLAS — One of the state’s major blood banks has declared a crisis. Carter BloodCare is going through an almost unprecedented summer blood shortage. Carter’s Linda Goelzer says supplies are at a point where if a life-saving blood transfusion is needed, there is no guarantee the proper blood would be available. And if you’re available to donate, your blood type doesn’t matter. Carter Bloodcare has 25 donor centers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Longview, Paris, Tyler, and Waco.

TYLER — Former CEO of East Texas Medical Center, Elmer Ellis, died Sunday at age 78. According to our news partner KETK, through Ellis’ efforts, ETMC Tyler emerged with national recognition that advanced healthcare in East Texas. He was known for his quick wit and business acumen, according to his obituary. Following a private burial service, there will be an ‘honor code’ procession throughout UT Health Tyler, formerly ETMC Tyler. In lieu of flowers, gifts are asked to be given to Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army and the Hospice of East Texas Foundation. Continue reading Former CEO of ETMC, Elmer Ellis, Dies at 78

LONGVIEW — One man is in custody after an overnight shooting left a woman dead. According to our news partner KETK, officers were conducting a welfare check at a home on Temple Street around 3:15 a.m. Sunday and found the body of Kimberly Wallace, 39. Police then obtained a murder warrant for 41-year-old Kenneth Earl Thomas Jr. of Longview. When confronted, Thomas began shooting at the officers who returned fire. The Longview Police Department says no officers were injured in the shooting. Thomas was wounded and taken to the hospital before being released back into police custody. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a murder charge. Bond was set at $500,000. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay.

KILGORE — Kilgore police are asking for the public’s help in searching for a woman wanted on multiple charges. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Renee Goodloe, 34, is wanted for felony injury to a child and probation violations for DWI 2nd offense and DWI with previous conviction. Goodloe is a white female with brown hair, brown eyes, 5’04”, 150 pounds. She has multiple visible tattoos on both of her arms and hands. Police say they have contacted friends and family members but Goodloe has refused to cooperate with law enforcement. Authorities suspect she may be hiding in the Kilgore area or with family in Trinity.

TYLER — A new piece of high-tech baggage screening equipment has been installed by the Transportation Security Administration at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Previously, all bags were screened manually. TSA officers had to open each checked bag and swab it for traces of explosives before it could be loaded for flight. The new system will screen bags automatically and alert TSA officers if something needs closer inspection. Travelers checking a bag will still need to bring their bags to their airline check-in counter.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Main Street Program and One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc. has nominated five downtown businesses/organizations for 2019 Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards. The Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards are awarded each year in October. Local programs will be notified to find out if they are a finalist in September and awards will be presented at the annual TDA Conference in Georgetown, TX in October. To learn more click the link. https://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2013.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for two females suspected of entering movie theaters and stealing credit cards from women’s purses while inside the auditorium. In addition, TPD’s “Find’em Friday” is looking for Derrick Joshua Reed. Reed is wanted for 2 counts of indecent exposure. If you have information on either case, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Photos and additional cases are available by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/TylerTexasPolice/

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a 2019 educational fundraising award. TJC was honored in the category of overall improvement. TJC is one of four higher education institutions in Texas – and the only two-year institution – to be recognized. Nationwide, it was also among only 5 institutions to be recognized in its category. The judging panel does not know the name of the institution tied to survey data. TJC will be recognized at CASE’s 2019 Center for Community College Advancement conference held in San Diego this October.

TYLER (AP) – Tyler-based Southside Bancshares Inc. on Friday reported second-quarter profit of $18.6 million. The bank said it had earnings of 55 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $71.9 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $56 million, which beat Wall Street forecasts. Southside Bancshares shares have risen 3.5% since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 7% in the last 12 months.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to life in prison for the Easter 2014 murder of his wife. According to our news partner KETK, Cedric Thompson was convicted and sentenced for the murder of Kayla Wood Thompson. Thompson stabbed his wife eight times and then ran her over with a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV when she tried to run to a neighbor’s house to get help. He was arrested at a hospital in Kilgore after an apparent suicide attempt. The victim’s children witnessed the murder and testified at trial.

LONGVIEW — Pilots from across the nation are in East Texas for the Great Texas Balloon Race. Flights will make their way across Longview following a Friday start and continuing throughout the weekend, finishing at the East Texas Regional Airport. Organizers say the Friday and Saturday night display balloons will entertain and fill the sky with color and excitement. Longview was declared “The Balloon Race capital of Texas” by the 83rd Texas Legislature in 2013. What started in 1978 has grown into 50 sport and special-shaped hot air balloons where pilots compete for the Texas State Championship. For a complete schedule, click the link. http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/.

PALESTINE — D.P.S. troopers responded to a fatal crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 287, six miles north of Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, the driver and two young passengers are dead following a wreck when the driver swerved into the opposite lane, went off road, hit a barditch and eventually struck a tree. Ruby Kwame, 34, of Palestine was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children age 4 and 2 were transported to a Palestine hospital where they were pronounced dead. Another passenger, 8-months-old, was transported to a Palestine hospital, listed in stable condition. Reports indicate they were all wearing seat belts. The crash remains under investigation.