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LONGVIEW — The presents came early at Longview ISD on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, several teachers from the district welcomed a $30,000 bonus check just in time for the Christmas break. In total, Longview ISD awarded $2.8 million in incentive pay for teachers. A few of the highest performing teachers received the money. Crystal Lewis and Monica Jones both received checks for around $30,000, and Kamala Weaver received a check for close to $37,000. Continue reading LISD passes out $2.8 million in bonus pay to Teachers

TYLER — Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. announced a significant donation of $5 million dollars from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. According to a news release from Goodwill, the investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. The $5 million gift from Scott will help accelerate Goodwill’s plan to address growing workforce needs as demands for targeted skills in the labor market increase, which make it difficult for many people to compete for new jobs. Continue reading Goodwill Industries of East Texas receives largest investment in 45-year history

TYLER — Walk-up COVID-19 testing continues a courtesy of The Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to the Joint Information Center of Smith County, the screenings are available for anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Testing begins in Tyler at St. Louis Baptist Church, on Frankston Hwy., starting Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Testing will occur Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. Testing resumes Jan. 4, occurring from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m weekdays. Register online at GoGetTested.com. The testing location at the Tyler Senior Center will close Friday.

TYLER — Greg Grubb of Tyler officially announced his candidacy for City Council – District 1, on Thursday. The election is next May. Grubb along with his wife, Dana, have lived in Tyler 34 years, raising their daughters in the city they now call home. For the past 8 years, Greg served as the Executive Director of PATH, People Attempting to Help. Prior to entering the nonprofit realm, Grub spent 3 decades in the oil and gas industry, with the last 10 as president and co-owner of a private corporation. District 1 stretches from Bergfeld Center south to approximately Toll 49, running west of Broadway Avenue. Learn more at http://gregfortyler.com/.

TYLER — Caregivers at UT Health North Campus Tyler are spreading Christmas cheer beyond the walls of the hospital this year. On Thursday, the group said they were donating wreaths to area organizations that serve those in need. In spite of being overwhelmed with COVID-19, caregivers wanted to give back to the community, for all of the community’s support this year. Every year the hospital hosts a wreath-decorating contest, with each department decorating a wreath that is then displayed in the lobby and voted on by employees. This year, caregivers decided they wanted to bless others with their craftiness and good cheer.

TYLER — A fire Thursday at the Studio 6 Extended Stay on Troup Highway in Tyler, has patrons looking for a new place to stay. According to our news partner KETK, a chimney fire was the source of the incident. Authorities say no one was hurt and officials at the scene say the fire was contained shortly after they arrived. Power has been shut off and water damage through out the building made it a necessity for residents to be relocated.

TYLER — An Emergency situation at UT Tyler was the result of a shooting at The Foundry apartment’s Wednesday night. The complex is located across the street from the UT campus and prompted an emergency alert sent to students. Tyler Police say shots were fired at someone on their balcony at 10 p.m. The victims name was not released, and was not injured in the shooting. Officers found five bullet holes from the balcony. The suspect crossed the street to the campus and tried to get into a woman’s car while she was inside. She refused his entry and he ran from the scene. This prompted an alert be sent to students. Investigators later tracked down the alleged shooter. The suspect’s name has not been released and it is unclear what the motive for the shooting might have been.

TYLER — The city of Tyler released a settlement of a lawsuit on Wednesday. Tyler is paying $300,000 to the woman who says two Tyler police officers and five Smith County sheriff’s jailers caused the death of her son. The city of Tyler says the agreement is is not an admission of wrongdoing on behalf of the city or the two police officers named in the wrongful death suit. The city council voted unanimously to ratify the settlement last week. In May of 2017, Teddy Parker, 32, became unresponsive, and turned purple while being put into the Smith County Jail on a public intoxication arrest. He was removed from life support two days later at ETMC, now UT Health Tyler. Smith County has not yet settled the suit.

TYLER — The COVID-19 hospitalization rate for the East Texas area has risen above 15%, for the second time this month. If that number remains at least that high for seven consecutive days, businesses would be required to scale back capacity limits. According to our news partner KETK, it could require some of them to close. This is the metric used by Governor Greg Abbott in an executive order, requiring hospitals in the regions that have COVID patients of 15% or more, for seven consecutive days, to move businesses to adjust their numbers of service.

TYLER — 2020 has been difficult for many and on Wednesday, another local restaurant announced the closing of their doors. Roast Social Kitchen in Tyler is closing its doors. Jen and Nick Pencis,own the popular eatery, saying “there has been a lot of community support through COVID-19,” but with their lease on the building up, “they are now looking at other opportunities.” The restaurant was very popular with locals for a variety of brick oven pizzas, and craft cocktails.

TYLER — Two drive-thru food distributions are scheduled this week in Tyler. The East Texas Food Bank says both distributions are open to anyone and eligibility or paperwork requirements are not necessary. The East Texas State Fairgrounds will host the first drive Friday from 10 to noon. Food boxes with produce protein and dairy will also be passed out on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Green Acres Baptist Church. Those boxes will also have pre-packaged meals from HEB. ETFB says Drive-thru allocations will continue in Tyler, Longview and Lufkin in 2021.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says business often leaves patrons open to crooks. Because it’s hectic, and it’s easy to get distracted when performing tasks like filling up your gas tank, paying attention is a key to stopping offenders. The thieves depend on distraction to steal your credit card information off gasoline pumps. Find out the signs that show consumers and retailers may have an issue by clicking the link. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/fmq/protectthepump.htm.

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine lifted a boil water notice that had been put into effect for 1400 Block of North John Street. City officials say that the Water Department has taken appropriate steps that boiling water for consumption is no longer necessary. If you have questions concerning this matter, contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8423.

MARSHALL — A revision was announced this week, to the Small Business Grant, by the City of Marshall. According to the city, the grant provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $2,500 to companies who have purchased equipment, supplies, software, PPE, and faced financial hardship to adapt their business to state and federal guidelines after March 1, 2020. The City of Marshall encourages businesses to re-apply, if you were previously denied due to employee numbers. The new application is available at City Hall or online at https://www.marshalltexas.net/DocumentCenter/View/1062/Small-Business-Grant-Fund-Updated-1215.

BULLARD — More improvements are coming to an East Texas Highway. TxDOT says work will begin at the intersection of US 69 and County Road 3801 next month in Bullard. Crews will be setting up concrete directional islands on 3801, while the shoulders of 69 will be closed, and people will not be able to merge onto the Highway from the County Road once construction begins on Jan. 4. Other routes will need to be taken. The intersection will reopen at the end of the workday. Continue reading Improvements planned for Bullard intersection

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department arrested a suspect for assault following a standoff Tuesday afternoon with law enforcement. According to our news partner KETK, around 4 p.m. deputies went out to Fannin Parkway in northwest Smith County in response to a call from a female who reported being assaulted by a male. Deputies noticed injury to the female including redness around her neck, though her children appeared unharmed. The suspect, 45-year-old Bryan Keith Rensberry, refused to leave the residence and barricaded himself inside. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to the scene. Continue reading SWAT Team helps arrest assault suspect following stand-off

GREGG COUNTY – A man known as the “Lavender Doe” killer pleaded guilty on Tuesday to committing two murders. According to our news partner KETK, Joseph Wayne Burnette received three sentences for 50 years each, which will be served concurrently. Joseph Wayne Burnette, 43, had confessed to the slaying of Dana Lynn Dodd back on August 27, 2018. Dodd’s body had been found badly burned laying in a bush in a Kilgore oil-lease back on October 29, 2006. She remained unidentified for more than a decade, despite vigorous efforts by multiple agencies. Dodd became known as “Lavender Doe.” Continue reading ‘Lavender Doe’ killer sentenced 50 years

LINDALE — We now know more details following two murders last week in Lindale. David Joshua Reed, 40, is charged with killing 26-year-old Shelby Duarte and 43-year-old Timothy Nelson Jr. in the early-morning hours of December 9. On Monday, Duarte’s sister Shirley Thompson told our news partner KETK, “We believe that he deserves life in prison for what he did. Because, he took two innocent lives, they were asleep for God’s sake, they weren’t hurting him. He has to think about what he did for taking two lives because he was selfish and didn’t want her love to be shared by anybody else.” Continue reading Duarte’s family seeking life in prison for Reed

TYLER — Smith County Commissioner’s Court recognized two elected officials who have served the county for more than a decade on Tuesday. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Warr and 114th District Judge Christi Kennedy, have each served three terms for the county. Both, Warr and Kennedy, were each first elected in 2009. Both received words of praise from County staff and leaders. They will both be retiring as of December 31, 2020. Continue reading Elected officials retirements observed

TYLER — UT Health Science Center received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Tyler, Tuesday. UTHSC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Cummins told our news partner KETK, “It’s an exciting thing to know, that we finally have something that gives our care-givers a whole ‘nother level of protection and feeling of safety. Because, as you think about what we have been through the last 9, 10 months…we didn’t know a lot about the virus. There was a lot of fear and anxiety about what the virus could do, and as we have seen with good reason.” Continue reading First shipment of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at UTHSC

TYLER — Each year Tyler ISD selects student artwork for the cover of the District Christmas Card. This year TISD, selected two students to received the honor. Natalie Martin, a sophomore at Legacy High School, and Johnathan Velez, a freshman at Tyler High School. Both students were chosen for their festive designs. The District says students in all grades can submit entries for the Christmas Card. Administrators select winning entries.

EAST TEXAS — A man who confessed to killing an East Texas woman is scheduled for sentencing today. Joseph Wayne Burnette, 42, confessed to killing Dana Lynn Dawn. She was known for years as Lavender Doe, until officials were able to identify her. The 21-year-old reportedly got into Burnette’s vehicle at a Longview Walmart back in 2006. Her body was found on an oil lease road off of Fritz Swanson in Kilgore. The DNA Doe Project was able to use special DNA testing to identify her in January 2019.

HARRISON COUNTY — Joshua Sutton has been missing since November 29. Officials say the 47-year-old’s truck was abandoned on Will Smith Road. Sutton’s cell phone hasn’t been turned on since December 1st. Harrison County officials ran a K-9 unit and and did a search, but did not find anything besides a jacket, but did not know if it belonged to him. If you find Sutton, you are urged to contact authorities at 903-923-4000.

QUITMAN — Wood County Airport was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission, for $125,000. The funds will help implement improvements to the airport.’s pavement. The decision came about at the Commission’s December meeting. A project consultant will be selected this winter. Project costs will be funded through Wood County and TxDOTS’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program. Right at 275, community airports in Texas are eligible for funding, with community airports accounting for more than three million flight hours per year, providing aircraft facilities for agricultural, medical, business, and commuter use.

MARSHALL — ETBU was named the 2020 Tackle Warehouse School of the Year on Monday. The school earned the top title in collegiate fishing, presented by Fishing League Worldwide. This title annually goes to the school with the highest year-end point total at the completion of the regular Abu Garcia College Fishing season presented by YETI. Points are awarded to the top two finishing teams from each school that competes in an FLW College Fishing tournament. After finishing in eighth place last year with 2,257 points, ETBU ended the season as the top team in 2020 with 2,319 points. You can read the full story by clicking the link. https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2020-12-14-etbu-wins-school-of-the-year.

TYLER — Representatives from St. Paul were on-hand at Rice Elementary Monday, to collect toys that had been donated by students. TISD says, this is the tenth consecutive year for the toy drive, that helps the St. Paul Children’s Foundation provide toys to families at Christmas. This year the Rice Rangers collected 492 new toys, since the cause was set-in-motion Nov. 30.