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ATHENS – The Henderson County Sheriff’s office says it is looking for a man who has an outstanding warrant for injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, a news release says officials are seeking help finding Phillip Westley Flynn. If you have any information in reference to his location, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 903-675-5128 or Henderson County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Commissioners Court gives some help to the county Sheriff’s Office in its employee shortage. The court gave its approval to transferring funds from the salary and benefit lag fund to overtime for the Sheriff’s Office. Lag pay is payment of employees for work already performed. The overtime will allow the Sheriff’s Office to cover costs for its current employees. Gregg County Chief Deputy Craig Harrington told commissioners that the Sheriff’s Office has been 40 employees short since the start of the pandemic, making it necessary for existing employees to work extra shifts.

LONGVIEW – Longview police say a woman has been found safe after being reported missing Feb. 1. According to our news partner KETK, a missing person report on Trinity Ross was originally filed with the Kilgore Police Department. Police later learned that Ross had last been seen in Longview, so Longview authorities took over the case. That sighting was January 29 near the intersection of Avenue D and West Marshall Avenue.

TYLER – Dr. Amy H. Schwartz has been selected as the new dean of The University of Texas at Tyler Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, effective March 2023. “Dr. Schwartz impressed us with a depth of knowledge throughout her 30 years of experience as a pharmacist, and I am very pleased that she has accepted the role to lead our faculty and educate our students,” said UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun as quoted in a news release. A board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, Schwartz is known for her extensive experience in pharmacy and higher education, according to the release. She has had recent publications in Pharmacotherapy, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and American Medical Association Journal of Ethics. Continue reading Dean announced for Fisch College of Pharmacy at UT Tyler

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview is putting out the word that citizens can use the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool to report damage from recent weather events including the Jan. 29 ice storm/winter weather event. Businesses, homeowners, and renters can use the tool to report damages. Visit this link to move forward with the process.

LONGVIEW — Structural upgrades and building improvements to district facilities were just some of the agenda items approved by the Longview ISD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting Monday, according to district officials. They say an elevator located near the library at Longview High School requires extensive repairs and updates. LISD Maintenance Supervisor Mike Gipson explained that the elevator is from the original construction of the high school in 1976. Trustees also approved a bid of $915,020 to repair damages to the district warehouse on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Initial damages were sustained in the hailstorm on Jan. 19. Board members later approved using $163,000 in grant funds for the purchase of MERV 13 Air Filters for district campuses. Click here to learn more.

CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill Independent School District School Board of Trustees has called for a bond to build a new Junior High School, Career and Technical Education Center, Multi-purpose Activity Center, Operations Facility, and classroom additions. “I urge Chapel Hill voters to educate themselves on the proposed bond and make an informed decision during May’s elections,” said President Les Schminkey as quoted in a news release. On Monday, board members voted unanimously to call the $113,920,000 school bond for May’s election. If all three propositions pass, officials say the property tax rates will increase by .27 cents. For a home valued at $100,000, the tax bill is estimated to increase no more than $13.53 per month. Click here to learn more.

TYLER — Frustrated and upset Smith County voters gathered Monday night, and Grassroots America We the People explained in detail the 2020 election audit irregularities that led to the discovery of 584 absentee ballots that they say were not counted. According to our news partner KETK, analysts emphasized that a straightforward and trustworthy voting process is a cornerstone of democracy in our country. “That is precious to people and we need to make sure that we don’t take a casual approach to that. Even if one vote isn’t counted, that means an American citizen was disenfranchised and we want to do everything we can to make sure that in Smith County we get election results we can count on to be accurate a verifiable,” said JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director of Grassroots. Continue reading Grassroots America presents audit findings to public

TYLER — Officials say the Smith County Jail is no longer on a remedial order. According to a news release, Sheriff Larry Smith and County Judge Neal Franklin appeared before the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in Austin regarding the status of the order. Subsequent to the testimony, including improvements made, checks and balances put in place and replacement of key personnel, Executive Director Brandon Wood made a recommendation to the Commission that the jail be removed from the remedial order. The Jail Commission unanimously concurred. The Smith County Jail is also in compliance with minimum jail standards, according to a news release. Continue reading Smith County Jail no longer on remedial order

TYLER — Authorities say they are investigating a suicide at the Smith County Jail. According to a news release, at approximately 12:50 p.m. on February 9, a county detention officer alerted staff of an emergency situation in a side cell of the jail. Officials say officers immediately responded to the cell and subsequently observed that an inmate had wrapped an electrical cord around his neck and hanged himself. Detention staff cut the cord and paramedics began CPR on the inmate but were unable to revive him, according to the release. Officials say the inmate had previously pulled the electrical cord from the inmate phone box and was able to conceal it from staff. Continue reading Authorities: Jail inmate commits suicide

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities say a murder/suicide is under investigation in Smith County. Officials say at 8:53 p.m. on Friday, Smith County Communications received a 911 call from a reportedly frantic female advising that her son, Cody Hand, had just shot her husband, Dale Hand, and she believed her husband was dead. Deputies responded to an address on County Road 3111 near Gladewater. While deputies were responding to the location, they were informed that Cody Hand was still armed. Moments later, deputies were informed that Cody Hand had just shot himself. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office investigates murder/suicide

TYLER — The City of Tyler Municipal Court is offering a Warrant Solution Program for the month of February. According to a news release, any defendant with outstanding City of Tyler warrants may voluntarily appear in Court to request a payment plan without the risk of being arrested. Defendants eligible for the Warrant Solution Program will receive 1) a $50 reduction on each outstanding case and be allowed 14 days to make the initial down payment to establish a payment plan, or 2) receive a $50 reduction on each outstanding case and an additional $25 reduction on each unadjudicated case if the entire balance is paid in full. Defendants who are unable to pay the authorized monthly installment will be allowed the opportunity to see a judge to explain their circumstances. Continue reading Tyler Municipal Court offers “Warrant Solution Program” throughout February

TYLER — Officials are releasing details on a brief weekend chase that involved a collision and injuries. According to a news release, at 5:50 Saturday morning, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received information that Steven Shelton-Groves was in the area of Hebron Road and County Road 384 driving a U-Haul van, allegedly with stolen property.  It was also discovered that Shelton-Groves had an outstanding warrant for parole violation stemming from an alleged weapons violation and was flagged as potentially being armed and dangerous.  A Smith County deputy was driving near the area and was stopped at Old Longview Road and Loop 323 when she observed a U-Haul with a man driving.  She then followed the vehicle, reportedly observed multiple traffic violations, and initiated a traffic stop.  Continue reading Man arrested after short pursuit involving crash, injuries

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of February 13. In Gregg County, weather permitting, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. Crews will also be patching potholes at various locations throughout the county. This will be a mobile operation. In 
Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew performing ditch work on Loop 323 near FM 14. Expect one lane closure. When that’s complete, this crew will move to FM 850 to perform fog seal operations. Both locations will be off SH 31 towards Overton. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has announced the successful transition of its Honors Program to a new Honors College, according to a university news release. Honors programming, which began in 2009 with an inaugural cohort of 20 students, has grown to about 200 students and is projected to reach 300 students by fall 2025. Dr. Paul Streufert, UT Tyler associate professor and founding director of the former Honors Program, has been appointed inaugural dean-elect for the new college. UT Tyler’s Honors College is the sixth within the UT System. Continue reading UT Tyler announces new Honors College

SMITH COUNTY — In a Tyler Federal Court last week, Dusty Caudill and David Bartlett pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to transport wildlife in Interstate Commerce and to violating the Endangered Species Act. In February of 2021, Caudill and Barlett attempted to negotiate the sale of two African elephant ivory tusks with an undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent. The tusks were transported from Ardmore, Oklahoma, to Tyler. A third man, Darryl Garcia, still awaits his day in court.

TYLER – Tyler Police report that a woman’s body was discovered Saturday morning in the parking lot of Clear Springs restaurant. According to officials and our news partner KETK, someone at the restaurant reported the body to police around 12:30 a.m. The body was sent for autopsy, according to Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh. Erbaugh said that there is no foul play suspected.

WASHINGTON – Texas Republican Congressman Nathaniel Moran Thursday introduced a bill designed so classified documents won’t be mishandled or misplaced. According to our news partner KETK, the proposed measure is called the Information Security Investment Act. If passed, it would stipulate that every member of federal government elected complete twice yearly training on how to safely keep and store classified documents. With the passage of the bill, those impacted by it, would need to have their training complete with a six month period.

RAINS COUNTY – An early Saturday morning bus crash in Rains County, put six students and their bus driver from Alba-Golden ISD in a Tyler hospital. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say the bus, on the way to a UIL academic meet, crashed into a vehicle that had crossed the center line. The school district announced that no major injuries happened and everyone was released from the hospital by late Saturday afternoon. Alba-Golden Superintendent Macie Thompson said in a release, “Pending the DPS investigation, the AGISD bus driver was not at fault.”

TROUP — According to our news partner KETK, Cooper Reid, the Troup High School who was injured in a September football game with a brain injury is leaving a rehabilitation facility February 15th. Since the injury, Troup and East Texas has shown a tremendous amount of support for Cooper and his family. Reid’s mother asked for prayers and a safe trip home on the 15th in her Facebook post.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County District Judge Jerald Dean Fowler II pleaded guilty to a driving while intoxicated charge according to Jacob Putman, the Smith County District Attorney, who presided over the case. Fowler was sentenced to one year of probation. He is the 115th District Court judge. Fowler was arrested after a crash in Gilmer in September of 2022. Putman said a DWI is not an offense that an official can be removed for. He said the state judicial conduct commission can decide whether they want to take action.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council signs off on a new hiring option for the police department. Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh says the department has been working on the Prior Service Credit Program for quite some time. Under the program, new Tyler officers can get pay based on up to seven years’ prior experience with other police departments. Erbaugh notes that the move was very timely since hiring is underway as of February 10, continuing through March 16. He says the program is a good way to get more people to apply and that it’s great to have applicants with experience in police work. You can click this link to submit your application.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) invites the community to help paint the next KTyB restroom mural at P.T. Cole Park on S. Vine St. The event will be held March 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. — just in time for the Grand Opening of the park after a full renovation on March 18. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the event. According to a news release, this mural will be the first restroom mural of its kind in Tyler, with all seven others being painted by an individual artist. For more information about mural opportunities or Keep Tyler Beautiful, visit this link, contact Erin Garner, KTyB Community Coordinator, at (903) 531-1335, or email [email protected].

TYLER — Dr. Cheryl McCullumsmith has been appointed as the Robert M. Rogers Distinguished University Professor and Founding Chair for The Robert M. Rogers Department of Psychiatry at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, beginning June 2023. “We welcome Dr. McCullumsmith to UT Tyler, and with her expertise and experience in psychiatry and neuroscience, we look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to the School of Medicine,” said UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun, as quoted in a news release. McCullumsmith is currently psychiatry chair at the University of Toledo, chief medical officer for value based care for the University of Toledo Physicians, and lead of the statewide Ohio Behavioral Health Taskforce. Continue reading Psychiatry chair announced for UT Tyler School of Medicine

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The Sulphur Springs Police Department Tuesday found a Mississippi prison escapee dead in the Pacific Park restroom. According to our news partner KETK, a release says officers responded to the location in reference to a welfare concern after a man was in the restroom for a long period of time. Once officers arrived, they found a dead man who did not have any type of identification on him. Officials sent the individual to the Dallas Medical Examiner to positively identify him. Officials said the Medical Examiner was able to identify the man as Travero McElroy (at right in photo) through fingerprints. According to officials, McElroy had escaped from the Raymond Detention Center in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was being held on the charge of murder. “The cause of death is still pending but there is no foul play suspected at this time,” according to the release. Continue reading Escaped Mississippi inmate found dead in Sulphur Springs

EAST TEXAS (KRLD) – East Texas zoos are watchful for anyone who might try to steal their animals after thefts at at the Dallas Zoo. The president and CEO of the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Steve Marshall, said he considers the theft of two emperor tamarin monkeys in Dallas as being malicious intent and endangerment of the rare animals. Marshall says the exotic animals require special diets and some need medication. They could become sick or die without expert care. He says the Caldwell Zoo is monitoring its security cameras even more carefully. The Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin says it has added security personnel and surveillance cameras.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has recently been made aware of a new telephone scam. According to a news release, someone left a voice message on the reporting person’s phone identifying himself as sheriff’s Sgt. Justin Hall, saying the call recipient needed to call him regarding a legal matter. The reporting person chose not to be a victim and notified the Sheriff’s Office to make a report. Officials say there is a Sgt. Justin Hall employed with the Sheriff’s Office, but he has not called anyone leaving voice messages concerning legal matters. If you receive a call like this and would like to verify its legitimacy, you may call the SCSO non-emergency number at (903) 566-6600. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office warns of new phone scam

AUSTIN — The Texas Freedom Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler, has released its 10 priorities for the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. According to the caucus website, categories include maximum property tax relief; securing the border; expanding educational freedom and ending so-called woke indoctrination; protecting Texas children; defending the sanctity of life; securing the grid and opposing ESG policies; protecting Second Amendment rights; increasing election integrity; restoring separation of powers; and health care affordability and medical freedom. The caucus says its mission is “to amplify the voice of liberty-minded, grassroots Texans.” Click here and navigate as desired for more information.

AUSTIN — The news is good for both Tyler and Longview in the latest sales tax allocation report from the state comptroller’s office. For February, Tyler brings in $6,280,139.65, up from $6,063,419.89 a year ago. For the year to date, Tyler shows $11,245,967.70, up from $11,060,380.74 at this time last year. Longview’s February figure is $4,806,911.52, compared to $4,498,936.23 for February 2022. Longview’s year-to-date total is $8,503,116.35, an increase from $8,010,086.26 a year ago. Statewide, local sales tax allocations for this month are up 9.3 per cent from last February. Click here for more detailed information, in East Texas and around the state.