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TYLER — Local healthcare workers have been treated to free coffee all week long by Visit Tyler and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. The next event is scheduled for Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon. “It has been a long year, especially for those working on the frontline,” Henry Bell, Chamber of Commerce President said. “With everything that’s going on, we felt like this was the perfect time to remind healthcare workers that the community supports them.” The last scheduled date is next Monday. Coffee will be provided by Esprezio Mobile Espresso Bar & Cafe. The last event will be Monday, at UT Health East Texas, with two times slots available from 6:30 -8:30 in the morning and evening.

TYLER — On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott announced the end of the mask mandate and that Texas would open to 100 percent capacity March 10th. On Wednesday, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “The Governor basically said, he’s removing the mask mandate, but basically still encouraged personal vigilance. At NET Health our recommendation does not change. We still encourage people to stay home when you’re sick, to practice physical and social distance when you are out in public, to wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and to wear a mask or face covering when you are out in public or large gatherings or around people that are not in your immediate household.” Continue reading NET Health ‘our mission does not change’

HENDERSON — A man was arrested at a Henderson motel Wednesday morning, after barricading himself inside for more than 7 hours. According to our news partner KETK, authorities were called to the scene at the Woodlawn Hills Motel on HWY 79. Officers arrived in the 3 o’clock hour after a call for an “unwanted guest.” Officers then secured the scene. The Longview Police Department Tactical and Negotiation Team responded to assist, as well as numerous other departments. The incident came to a peaceable end at 10:15 a.m. The man’s name has not been released as of this writing.

JACKSONVILLE — A man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in Jacksonville has turned himself in. According to our news partner KETK, Josef Anton Lustig, 26, is now being held in the Cherokee County Jail, after going to authorities. Regelio H. Martinez, 64, was killed at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, when he was crossing HWY 69. A police officer was originally flagged down by a motorist who reported the accident had just happened. The officer came to the aid of Martinez, who died at the scene. Lustig faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of “accident involving personal injury or death.”

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has been granted more than $7 million in rental and utility assistance funding from the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program aimed to help Smith County families who have been financially affected by COVID-19. On Tuesday, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with PATH (People Attempting to Help), for administration of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program for Smith County. Continue reading Smith County partners with PATH for COVID related rental assistance

TYLER — Smith County commissioners say a ballot measure for a new county courthouse will not happen this year. However, that did not stop the court from having a front row seat to architectural designs presented in session Tuesday. Judge Moran reminded the court where things were just a few months ago saying, “We had engaged in a whole lot of planning so that we could present it in April leading up to a November ballot election, bond election, because ultimately we want the people of Smith County to make this decision. And then, in the middle of March, we got hit with the pandemic and literally it was the week before the April 9th event, where we were going to present it to the public, that the world seemed to shut down.” Continue reading Smith county says new courthouse will not be on ballot this year

KILGORE — Kilgore College has named a new Vice President of Administrative Services/Chief Financial Officer. Terry Hanson was affirmed to the new post by the school Tuesday. Hanson previously worked as the Assistant Director of Planning and Data Analytics for the city of Fort Worth. Prior to working in Fort Worth, he worked in Wisconsin as the Finance & Information Technology Director for Sheboygan County and worked in a similar role for the city of Sheboygan. Hanson also served as an auditor in Minnesota in municipal and legislative arenas.

QUITMAN — An East Texan has died after losing control of his vehicle and striking multiple trees. The Texas Department of Public Safety released details into the accident on FM 2966 that killed David Woolverton, 62, of Como. D.P.S. says, the Monday morning wreck happened a mile North of Quitman. Initial reports showed the Wood county man lost control of his vehicle in a curve and traveled off the west side of the road before impact. The crash remains under investigation, at this time.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview announced the cancellation of the “The Longview Sesquicentennial Transportation Show: A Ride Through History.” According to the news release the show had been planned for May, as a celebration of the history of transportation in East Texas. The event was originally set for March 21, 2020, but was rescheduled multiple times due to COVID-19. All sponsors and registered show participants will be contacted about a refund of registration fees and sponsorships. Read more here.

TYLER — NET Health offered second COVID inoculations to hundreds of East Texans Tuesday. George Roberts told KTBB, what some folks may experience. “I had some arm soreness, personally. We are seeing a greater immune reaction on the second dose, in terms of people not feeling very well.” The NET Health CEO went on to say, “The bad news is you don’t feel very good, the good news is you are building your immunity up.” NET Health is closing in on 20,000 inoculations. There have been a combined total of over 45,000 vaccinations in Smith county as of Tuesday.

TYLER — A former Tyler resident was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday, after pleading guilty to numerous child sexual assault charges. According to our news partner KETK, Alan Felton, 49, had been living in North Carolina before his arrest by US Marshals last fall. Felton was charged with sexual assault of a child and continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14. A warrant in the case showed the abuse began at age 6 and continued for eight years. Felton had been held in the Smith County Jail with a bond higher than $1.5 million since last September. Felton had previously been convicted of child sex crimes in 1999. Before moving to North Carolina, Felton registered as a sex offender and his “Risk Level” was rated as “HIGH.”

TYLER — There are 254 counties in Texas. Federal funds are available to 126 of those counties impacted by recent winter storms. Nate Custer told KTBB Tuesday, “The Federal Emergency Management Association is helping people impacted by recent power and water outages. Basic FEMA help is emergency home repairs and temporary housing. We are not going to make people whole again, but we are going to help people to get back on their feet.” Custer continued, “But, in order for people to qualify, we need to hear from them. People will need to register if that had any damage.” For more information click here. Continue reading Disaster assistance available through FEMA

MARSHALL — An inmate died Monday after having a “medical episode” in the Harrison County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that lifesaving efforts began after jail staff noticed the man suffering. They did not specifically say what seemed to be wrong with the inmate. Officials say they notified the Marshall Fire Department and the inmate was transported to CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Center in Marshall where he was pronounced dead. Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Ranger Division was notified and will complete an independent investigation.

TYLER — A UT Health Science Center employee was arrested for allegedly slapping a schizophrenia patient in the face during a Feb. 1 incident. According to our news partner KETK, Lavinya Denise Warren, 45, was accused by the elderly patient of putting her in an “arm lock”, and hitting her “with an open hand on the right side of her face.” The victim also said that in a separate incident, Warren hit her in the chest. UT Health released a statement to KETK, saying: “This individual is no longer employed. We have cooperated with appropriate authorities.” Continue reading UTHSC staffer arrested for allegedly hitting schizophrenia patient

TYLER — NET Health will offer second dose inoculations of COVID vaccines on Tuesday. George Roberts tells KTBB, “Counting both our second and first round doses, we have given around 13,000 doses here through the North East Texas Health District. So, we are going to be getting roughly 4,500 hundred to 5,000 people vaccinated this week, which is great news. We hope in the coming days this week and the week after we can make up for lost time.” The health authority said Monday, those who have had their first Moderna vaccine at the Harvey Convention Center in January, can return Tuesday for round two. They went on to say, if you have not made an appointment, but are eligible for your second dose, just show up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Read more here.

RUSK COUNTY — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office found a missing man Monday, after finding his vehicle Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, James “Jamie” Searcy was found alive, in the water, Monday. Officials searched for Searcy search until about 10 p.m. Sunday night when storms in the area prevented the investigation from continuing. Authorities initially received a welfare check call around 6 p.m. Sunday. Once Searcy was located, he was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters battled two structure fires Sunday night into Monday morning. The city said, Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant on Lindsey Lane and a residential property on Alta Mira Drive both caught fire, and remain under investigation. The two locations are a little over three miles away from each other. The fire at Ruby’s on Lindsey Lane was reported at 10:15 p.m. Heavy smoke was reported coming from the structure, with most of the fire in the kitchen area. A second fire took place around 3:30 a.m. Monday, at a residential property on Alta Mira Dr. The building had already collapsed before TFD could respond. All units were clear from the scene at approximately 6:00 a.m.

TYLER — On Monday, DPS released details of a two vehicle fatal crash on US-79 South that took place early Saturday morning. The wreck happened five miles south of Henderson. Authorities say a vehicle driven by Kahmila Bradford, drifted into on-coming traffic and struck a vehicle driven by Jose Gustavo Servin. Servin, 23, of Henderson, died at the scene. Bradford, 24, of Winona, was transported, in serious condition, to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler.

PALESTINE — The city of Palestine has announced a community wide clean-up event for residents on April 10. Palestine residents, with an active water account, will be able to drop off their unwanted items at the City of Palestine Transfer Station, 517 ACR 3694, off Hwy 79, at no charge. Residents will be required to provide a copy of their water bill and identification, matching the address on the water bill. Read more here.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named their seventh president of the college. The University said Monday, Dr. Steven D. Mason was approved by the Board of Trustees and officially announced to the public. Mason has been with LeTourneau University for 15 years, as a professor and mentor to students, Provost, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Mason and his wife, Bonnie, will soon celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary and have three children. They are founding members of One Hope Presbyterian Church in Longview, where Dr. Mason serves as an elder. Dr. Mason also enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams.

TYLER — Senior pastor David Orlo Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler announced his retirement on Sunday Feb. 28 after 30 years of service. In the 66-year history of Green Acres, Dykes was the longest serving pastor and the first to retire. He said he stills loves serving as pastor, but the time has come for younger leadership to step up. Continue reading Senior Pastor of GABC announces retirement after 30 years

TYLER — TxDOT is planning another week’s worth of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the week of March 1. Among other things, paving operations are scheduled to continue for the US 69 bridge project at FM 346 in southern Smith County. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays as this work continues, starting the week with northbound travel reduced to one lane and shifted to the new bridge. The same work will then be conducted southbound. The schedule is subject to change due to weather or equipment issues. Click here for more information.

WHITEHOUSE — If you live in Whitehouse and had any damage as a result of the winter storm in February, you can go to the city website to see all available resources and information related to recovery. That’s included in the city’s Weekly Wrapup. Mayor James Wansley signed a local disaster declaration on Feb. 15. It was extended by 30 days at the Feb. 23 City Council meeting. Also, the city is revving up its efforts to get drivers to slow down on local roads. Residents can help by placing a sign that says, “Slow down, our family lives here” in front of their home. You can go here for more information.

TYLER – Smith County jury duty has been cancelled for Monday and Tuesday, March 1-2. Jury duty for Wednesday, March 3, has not been cancelled. Smith County residents who received summons for Wednesday must appear for jury duty with their yellow cards at the Smith County Courthouse.

TYLER — Three Tyler Legacy High School students are among the top 10 UIL 6A Congressional Debate students in Texas. Competing in the UIL State Congressional Debate Tournament that concluded on February 23, senior Olivia Orren finished in second place, senior Lila Katz in sixth place, and junior Kawsar Yasin in 10th place. Tyler Legacy debate coach Melody Daniels says it was the first time in the school’s history that more than than one student won a medal at the tournament.

LONGVIEW — A lawsuit outlining years of alleged sexual abuse by a Longview doctor caring for children has been expanded to include a total of six victims. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke was arrested in August on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and was released on a $1 million bond. The original $1 million lawsuit was filed by the mother of one victim, but a Tuesday Gregg County court filing includes five new victims, two of whom were siblings. Hipke is accused of molesting and sexually abusing the children, with some as early as 2015. Continue reading Lawsuit against Longview doctor expanded to 6 alleged victims

TYLER — Smith County officials have continued to work this week to help receive and distribute water delivered to the region by military planes sent by the State of Texas. Government agencies, including cities, counties and school districts, as well as nonprofit and other various organizations throughout the region, requested water from the state following the winter storm last week. On Monday and Tuesday, C-130s delivered 14 pallets of water each day. On Wednesday, a C-130 delivered 20 pallets of MREs (meals ready-to-eat). Click here and then click on the News tab for more details.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, along with the Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO), announced this week that Gap Inc. plans to open what’s termed a new state-of-the-art Customer Experience Center in the Longview North Business Park. By delivering inventory faster and more efficiently to customers across the country, the $140 million investment will help Gap Inc. meet the rising customer demand for online shopping and reach its future plans for digital growth, according to a city news release. Continue reading Gap Inc. to build new distribution center in Longview