TYLER — UT Health East Texas and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System have issued a joint statement regarding elective surgeries in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The statement reads as follows:
As the demands of the current COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve in our community, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System and UT Health East Texas want to keep our East Texas communities informed about our approach to elective procedures and “non-essential” procedures. Continue reading Joint Hospital Statement in Response to COVID-19
ATHENS — Henderson County and the city of Athens have declared a “local disaster” after tension over the coronavirus spreading in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, until further notice, Athens has closed City Hall, Athens Partnership Center, Development Services Center (restricted to lobby) and Athens Police Department. (restricted to lobby) Henderson County has closed several facilities to the public, including the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library & County buildings.
TYLER — TJC has announced plans for students in support of Gov. Abbott’s executive order and State of Texas directive to close schools from midnight Friday, March 20, through Friday, April 3.
TYLER — With Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order issued on Thursday, Tyler ISD will be closing school facilities through April 3 to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Although the order closes campus facilities to students and non-essential staff, the District’s mission to educate students will continue during this Community Mitigation Period. A Video message from TISD Superintendent Dr.Marty Crawford is available by clicking the link. 
LONGVIEW — Longview’s Buckner Westminster Place has updated its visitation policy in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. You can go to 
MARSHALL — Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth announced new procedures in the daily operation of the City of Marshall Police Department Animal Control and Shelter. In response to the COVID-19 threat and with hopes to reduce exposure, the following procedures will be followed from March 19, 2020 to April 15, 2020.
LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University is functioning in accordance with Governor Abbott’s executive order given on Thursday. Only vitally important employees should be working from their University offices or workstations. All other employees should be working from home until further notice. All recommended safety practices are currently being implemented on the residential campus. To see the complete statement from the University, click the link. 
TYLER — H-E-B has donated $40,000 to the East Texas Food Bank to support its response to COVID-19. The gift will be able to provide up to 320,000 meals for the 1 in 5 East Texans facing hunger, according to food bank officials. In total, H-E-B is donating $3 million in response to COVID-19. 
TYLER — On Thursday Northeast Texas Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “we don’t have a whole lot of cases of COVID-19 in our community that we are aware of. However, this is a very infectious disease, and if it starts spreading it could be to the point that it would overwhelm the health care system. That is not what we want, that is why we are asking people to stay back, stay at home, get out for essential services only and go to work only if you have to, or work from home. That’s what we are trying to do, we are asking people to practice social distancing, along with the idea of wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if you are sick and stay away from sick people.” 
AUSTIN (AP) – A Texas appeals court has delayed the execution of a second death row inmate as the state tries to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday ordered a 60-day delay of Tracy Beatty’s scheduled March 25 execution in “light of the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address that emergency.” Beatty, of Whitehouse, was set to die for the 2003 slaying of his 62-year-old mother. The court noted it previously upheld his conviction and sentence. The court on Monday ordered a similar delay for John William Hummel’s scheduled execution on Wednesday.
HARRISON COUNTY – One is dead following a fatal crash Thursday morning on FM-2625 in Harrison County. D.P.S. investigators preliminary crash report indicates that the driver, David Lee Ogle, 46, of Marshall was traveling westbound when the vehicle ran off the road, traveled through a fence and rolled over in a pasture. Ogle was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall. The crash remains under investigation. 
TYLER — On Thursday Jenny Wells told KTBB that the Smith County Joint Information Center is urging residents to call ahead, “We are asking the public to contact their healthcare provider prior to visiting hospitals or emergency rooms for treatment. It is very important to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus that all potential patients are screened so healthcare providers can to prepare for their arrival.” There are No new COVID-19 cases reported and to date No COVID-19 related fatalities have happened within Smith County as of Thursday, March 19 at 12 p.m. There are 5 Confirmed cases within the county. 
MARSHALL –A City of Marshall Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday evening has been cancelled. According to a press release to KTBB, the cancellation comes on the heels of recommendations by the CDC to cancel gatherings of 10 people or more. Marshall Mayor Terri Brown said in the release, “this action is intended to give staff the time in which to implement provisions for remote attendance permitted by Governor Abbott’s temporary suspension of certain provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act.†
TYLER — The Azalea Orthopedics All-Star Basketball Games are canceled due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The annual girls and boys high school basketball games, features East Texas High School seniors with proceeds from the 2 games and concessions benefiting the Bethesda Health Clinic. Anthony Brooks said, “We are in the midst of challenging times, and unfortunately, this pandemic has deprived many high school seniors the opportunity to finish out a normal school year.” 
TYLER — Visit Tyler in conjunction with the City of Tyler canceled the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail Ribbon Cutting that was set for Friday. On Thursday, Susan Travis told KTBB that although the ribbon cutting festivities are not happening, people are still encouraged to enjoy the splendor of it all without harm, “Yes drive through the trails, see the beauty of the Azaleas and the homes from the safety of your car. You don’t have to worry about coming in contact with anyone.” 
TYLER — On Thursday UT Tyler President Dr. Michael Tidwell told KTBB that the university has taken a number of precautionary measures in response to COVID-19 including moving all classes online. “We have taken a number of steps to ensure the welfare of our students, staff and faculty, maybe the most important is moving all of our courses online for the remainder of the semester. We already have a large amount of courses in our portfolio available, but now we are moving all of our courses online for the remainder of the semester.” 
CANTON — Canton ISD will be closed from Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, according to a statement from the school district. Along with numerous other educational entities nationwide, CISD is taking precautions for the COVID-19 virus. You can go to 
LONGVIEW — City of Longview offices are still operating, but have moved to limited public access to help ensure the health of citizens, according to a city news release. Additionally, some facilities have closed to the public. The city offers many online services. If your business requires you to visit a facility in person, you’re asked check in advance if the facility is open to the public, practice good hygiene habits, and maintain a respectful space from city staff or other residents. Currently there is no change to the sanitation/recycling schedule. You can go to 
TYLER – In response to COVID-19 concerns, Simon Property Group is closing all malls including the Broadway Square Mall in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, all properties will be closed as of 7 p.m. Wednesday and will stay shut down until Sunday, March 29. “The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers, and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,†said David Simon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Simon in a press statement. The Broadway Square Mall has 80 stores including Dillard’s, JCPenny, Victoria’s Secret, and Dick’s Sporting Good which opened in late February.
TYLER — No new COVID-19 cases or COVID-19 related fatalities within Smith County as of Wednesday, March 18 at 12 p.m. There are 5 confirmed cases in Smith County. Judge Nathaniel Moran of Smith County has approved an emergency declaration. There have been no restrictions placed on private businesses at this time. City of Tyler facilities remain closed to public access through April 1. 
TYLER — Brookshires Grocery Company announced Wednesday that they will be offering discounts of 5% to seniors over the next 6 weeks. According to our news partner KETK, BGC is also asking patrons to allow the first hour of operation to be reserved for seniors during the coronavirus outbreak. The discount will be active through May 5th. Many stores, including Brookshire’s, have altered their service hours due to the coronavirus to allow time for disinfection and for restocking.
TYLER — The 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence, were canceled in the interest of public health, but were conducted online Tuesday. A total of 7 winners were announced for the 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence. This year, BBB received 17,000 votes. “Although we weren’t able to celebrate with our guests in person,†Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. 
PALESTINE — On Wednesday, the Anderson County public school districts released a joint statement…
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The growing number of cases of coronavirus in East Texas is nine. According to our news partner KETK a Murchison resident is the latest person to test positive. This is the first confirmed case in Van Zandt County. Due to privacy matters, the identity of the person was not released, however Murchison officials say the case is less than 10 miles from City Hall. Van Zandt County now joins East Texas cases confirmed in Smith, Gregg, Bowie, and Rusk County.
TYLER — Tyler Independent School District proceeds with curb service meals to students and families during the extension of spring break classes. Since Monday, TISD Food Services have distributed 1,796 curbside meals at designated campus pick up locations. Curbside meals are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Boulter, Moore, Three Lakes, Hubbard, Caldwell, and Griffin campuses daily. 
TYLER — The Eastern District of Texas announced on Wednesday that a 27-year-old Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Dakota Allen plead guilty in September of last year to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison. Judge Kernodle also ordered forfeiture of $5,000 seized from the defendant. 
TYLER — Tyler Junior College announced that all in-person classes are subject to resume on Monday, March 30. Students are asked to not return to on-site classes until Monday, March 30. In the meantime, limited online instruction will continue this week, and all existing online instruction will begin again on March 23. Students living on-campus in residence halls will be able to return on Sunday, March 29. Employees who are able to work remotely, in coordination with their respective supervisors, may remain at home until March 30 to maximize social distance, but are not restricted from working on-site, provided they are healthy, symptom-free and have not been exposed to anyone who is ill.
TYLER — NET Health has received confirmation of the fifth COVID-19 case in Smith County. Officials said the individual had direct exposure to a known confirmed case in Smith County. As of 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, per our local Health Authority, there are no deaths related to COVID-19 in Smith County. With the potential for community spread, every individual should take heightened precautions. The source of exposure of the fourth confirmed case remains unknown and the patient is currently in home isolation. The three other confirmed patients have a recent travel history outside of the United States. 
CANTON — In an extraordinary move First Monday Trade Days in Canton announced on Tuesday, that it would not be in operation for the upcoming April event. According to a post on social media the city says, “The safety of our citizens, vendors, visitors, and employees remains our highest priority. Closing First Monday due to COVID-19 was a hard decision because it supports more than 1,000 entrepreneurs and local merchants who rely on this market for their livelihood.” 
TYLER — Smith County officials have revised the way some of their offices offer services to help stop the spread of Coronavirus, though essential services will continue without interruption. Smith County is encouraging people to conduct their county business online, at