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TYLER — The UT Health North Campus Tyler has been highlighted and recognized for national achievements in patient safety and quality. The hospital announced Tuesday they have been celebrated by The Leapgrog Group as a Top Teaching Hospital. With over 2,200 hospitals considered for the award, it is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards that an American hospital can receive. The Leapfrog Group is a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers considered “industry wide” to have the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality.

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of State Health Services released a list of hospitals in East Texas, Monday, that could receive the COVID-19 vaccinnes as early as next week. The time line is dependent on authorization for use in the United States. UT Health Science Center in Tyler is announced to be targeted for just under 4,000 doses. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Tyler, is reported to be receiving 975 doses. Additionally, 2 hospitals in Gregg County will also receive 975 doses each. Longview Medical, L.P. and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical in Longview, will both receive 975 doses as well.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police have given the “all clear” to residents following an incident early Monday, where thieves attempted to steal an ATM from the Regions Bank in Kilgore. According to Kilgore Police, one suspect has been arrested, and is believed to be part of an organized crime group out of Houston. A second person wanted in connection, was seen running North on the Trail System towards Stone. While he has not yet been caught, authorities believe he has fled the area, and the walking trails are believed to be safe.

GLADEWATER — Fire crews battled a fire Monday morning that hospitalized one person with unknown injuries. Upon arriving at the scene, officials saw flames and smoke from one corner of the property. According to a post on The Gladewater Fire Department’s facebook page, responders were able to control and extinguish the fire and saved the structure from being a complete loss.

TYLER — Workforce Solutions East Texas has teamed up with The University of Texas at Tyler to provide up-to-date COVID-related information for businesses and individuals interested in working in the environmental safety industry. The UT Tyler Longview University Center (LUC) will host the virtual training 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Dec. 14 – 18. The class fee is $225. Participants should register by Friday. For more information, contact the UT Tyler LUC at 903.663.8100 or [email protected].

KILGORE — The fall graduation ceremony for Kilgore College will be held on Dec. 11. The school will limit attendance to graduates only in the auditorium due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However the school said Monday, family and friends can watch a livestream of the festivities in real time. The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed live at 5 p.m. on the KC YouTube page and will be archived for anyone to view the event who couldn’t view it live. A link will be posted on http://www.kilgore.edu and on KC social media pages before the event to easily access the ceremony, celebrating the 254 graduation candidates.

HENDERSON — Kids celebrated the Christmas season this weekend at Metro Church in Henderson building and creating life-size wooden mangers. Children’s Pastor, Tasha Humphrey told our news partner KETK, “The Manger Project is just an opportunity for families in the community to come and build a manger together, to spend some time and make some wonderful memories as we celebrate Christmas. The whole purpose of this is to be Christ centered and to remember our focus on why we celebrate Christmas.” The church also held a cookie contest where people were able to taste test and vote on their favorites.

SMITH COUNTY — A woman is dead after being involved in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler Sunday near Arp. According to DPS, the accident occurred near the intersection of Highway 135 and County Road 251. Vicki Smith, 69, of Overton was transported to UT Health and later pronounced dead, after her SUV collided with the Semi. The driver of the 18-wheeler did not suffer significant injuries.The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

TYLER — Terri Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County, has received the statewide Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas “Most Valuable Director Award.” Smith’s commemoration, for 2020, is a peer-nominated achievement that’s issued annually to the executive director encompassing 71 local agencies in the network. The winning director is announced at the Directors Summit, the annual meeting hosted by CACTX for all of the local children’s advocacy center directors from across the state of Texas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Officials say that a motorcyclist is alive because he was wearing proper gear. According to our news partner KETK, the man was flown to UT Health Sunday, after hitting a deer on his motorcycle near Cherokee County on FM-343. The driver was thrown head first down on the road, suffering possible broken ribs as well as cuts and contusions to both hand after gloves were ripped off by the pavement.

ATHENS –Two East Texans were arrested in Athens Sunday for dealing and possession of methamphetamine. Thomas James Conklin, 29, was arrested at a game room for dealing, manufacturing and delivery of meth. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Deputies found meth in a plastic container, a syringe and digital scales in Conklin’s possession. Another man, 43-year-old Alfredo Cortez was pulled over for a traffic violation at the intersection of Lake Shadows drive and West Main Street in Gun Barrel City. Cortez was arrested when deputies found a glass pipe and a plastic baggie containing the drugs.

MESQUITE (AP) – Authorities say an off-duty police officer shot and killed a 30-year-old driver who refused to stop after striking a highway construction worker in Dallas. Police in Mesquite say officers from the East Texas cities of Jefferson and Seven Points were providing construction security in Dallas early Saturday when the construction worker was hit. The suspect refused to stop at the scene and officers requested assistance as they pursued him. Mesquite police say the suspect eventually stopped in the Dallas suburb and one of the off-duty officers shot him. The suspect died at a hospital. Police didn’t explain what prompted the shooting.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Engineering Department is hosting a virtual public meeting for the Cambridge Road Improvement Project Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. According to a news release, the meeting will give residents affected by the upcoming construction information about the project — along with an opportunity to ask questions and get feedback. Residents can join the meeting in several ways. The meeting will also be available for viewing at a later date on the Engineering Services Website. Go to https://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/6885/18 for further information.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct more construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the week of Dec. 7. Tyler maintenance crews plan to continue mill and inlay operations on FM 15 in Troup. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Longview maintenance crews plan to perform mobile sweeping operations on SH 31 from SH 135 to FM 349 in Kilgore. Expect lane closures during this slow-moving operation. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/046-2020.html for a complete rundown of roadwork planned throughout the district.

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation reminds drivers of a speed limit change on U.S. 69 in the Bullard area. According to a news release, the Texas Transportation Commission recently approved the reduction request from TxDOT’s Tyler District. The speed limit will decrease from 65 to 60 mph through the city of Bullard — and from 70 to 60 south of the city to FM 2493 at KE Bushman’s. Portable message boards are being installed along the route to alert drivers of the pending reduction. Officials say the change will take effect this coming week after the signs are installed. Continue reading Reminder: speed limit reduction on U.S. 69 in Bullard area

RUSK — The Cherokee County sheriff says he thinks problems at the county jail have been resolved. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Inmates used showers in which mold was growing, were served food stored in areas that were sometimes moldy and dirty, and could not wash their hands at some sinks because the sinks did not have running water, according to the jail’s most recent state inspection. Those and other violations were documented October 15, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspector classified the jail as being non-compliant. Continue reading Cherokee County sheriff: jail problems on the way to resolution

TYLER — A 21-year-old Tyler man was indicted by a Smith County grand jury on a murder charge in the shooting death of a mother of two. According to our news partner KETK, Catalino Marin Jr. is held for the August 9 killing of Diamond Samantha Cruz, 21, on County Road 384. Marin turned himself in later that day. He remains jailed on $500,000 bond.

TYLER — The judge overseeing the trial of a former Christus Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler nurse accused of killing three hospitalized patients said Friday she wants the trial to be held in Harvey Convention Center. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Judge Christi Kennedy said during a pre-trail hearing Friday she is concerned there is not space in the Smith County Courthouse large enough to accommodate the hundreds of potential jurors who will be called in the capital murder trial. Continue reading Judge: Trial of nurse accused of killing patients needs larger venue

TYLER — The Rotary International Clubs of Tyler “Drive-Thru” Christmas Parade is set for Saturday. Officials say it has over 60 entries from the East Texas community. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 10:00 a.m. New this year are the parade format and extended route. The Rotary Clubs of Tyler will host a reverse parade with entrants remaining static and parked along the parade route, while attendees walk or drive along the route. This year’s parade theme is “Together, We are Rose City Strong.” Organizers are asking attendees to enter the parade route from the Gentry and N. Broadway intersection.

TYLER — National Hand-washing Awareness Week takes place, every year, during the first week of December. On Friday, NET Health’s Terrance Ates told our news partner KETK one week’s great but it’s not enough. “Every week should be national handwashing week, but overall it’s the importance of controlling the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses.” Ates went on to say, “While we are in a pandemic we are also observing the rate of flu cases are down. Partly because of the awareness of over-all hygiene.” Clean hands prevent sickness. Continue reading National hand-washing week

LINDALE — A Smith County man driving a pickup truck near Lindale was killed late Thursday night. According to DPS, Cody West, 31, of Tyler, died at the scene after he veered off the road and struck a tree. The accident happened on FM 849 about 3.5 miles east of Lindale. Troopers said they are not clear why West lost control and sheered off the north side of the road, into a ditch and hit a tree.

BULLARD — The speed limit on US 69 in Bullard has been lowered from 65 to 60 mph. According to our news partner KETK, the decision came about after a recently approved request from the Tyler District. The appeal also included reducing the speed from 70 to 60, south of Bullard to FM 2493 at KE Bushmans. TxDOT will set up portable signs to alert drivers, and the change will go into effect the week after their installation. The reduced speed was put in place to improve safety and promote a more efficient traffic flow.

TYLER — The City of Tyler and Keep Tyler Beautiful are announcing once again a public art opportunity at Hillside Park on E. Erwin St. The Hillside Park Art Wall was built in 2019 as part of the renovations of Hillside Park. The 200-foot art wall features 19 panels of original artwork painted by local artists. The wall features new artwork every other year. The panels that will be repainted are now available for artists to submit their artwork. The Keep Tyler Beautiful Board is looking for art that sparks creativity, happiness and hope while still representing the Tyler community, East Texas or Texas. Continue reading Hillside Park offering public art opportunity

TYLER — The Faulkner Skate Park will close temporarily for construction that is starting right away. The new phase will expand the existing skate park. Depending on weather, officials say the the construction will take around two and a half to three months, before it is completed. The city of Tyler will complete a 10,500-square-foot skatepark. The park will have an expansive street terrain with ledges, rails, ramps and more. The announcement said, “It will include all features requested by community leaders, including an easy-flow integrated with traditional street features, a lazy river-style skatepark in a circular shape and Jersey barriers.”

TYLER — A well known stretch of road in Tyler has made a list, you would rather avoid. According to our news partner KETK, South Broadway/US Hwy 69 S., ranked 89th out of the ‘Top 100 Most Congested Roads in Texas.’ The rankings were put together by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation. The report states, “the hot spot stretches from the intersection of Loop 323 and Broadway to Toll 49 south of Tyler. It is the only portion of road in East Texas to make the list. Dallas and Houston combine for 69 of the spots, others are between Austin and San Antonio.