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TYLER – The Tyler City Council has formally adopted its 2018-2019 operating budget. Sales tax makes up 42 percent of the general fund, providing public services such as police, fire, library, and parks. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler is currently projecting a one percent growth in sales tax revenues. Property taxes make up 30 percent of Tyler’s general fund revenues. The council has approved an increase from the current property tax rate of 24 cents to 24.4452 cents per $100 valuation. The new rate means a home valued at $150,000 would be assessed city property taxes of approximately $360 per household per year, or $30.55 per month. The .4452 cent increase would translate to $6.68 annually.

PALESTINE – To coincide with the lifting of Anderson County’s burn ban, the City of Palestine lifted its burn ban Wednesday morning. Palestine residents will be allowed to burn if they obtain a permit at one of the city’s three fire stations. Palestine residents with burn permits will have to follow burning guidelines. For more information on burning within the city limits, call the fire department at 903-729-7100. Anderson County lifted its burn ban Tuesday.

AUSTIN — A Longview resident claimed a $1 million prize in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game “$500,000,000 Cash.” The ticket was purchased at a Longview Food Fast. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the 15th of 40 second-tier prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game, according to a Lottery news release. $500,000,000 Cash offers more than $500 million in total prizes, including 10 top prizes of $2.5 million. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 2.76, including break-even prizes.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is working to catch criminals more efficiently. According to our news partner KETK, the SCSO already has three of the license plate-reading cameras. They’re put on top of patrol cars, SUVs, and even trailers that the agency uses. If someone has an active warrant out for his or her arrest or is wanted for a crime, and the person’s license plate number is attached to the criminal database, the camera can scan the license plate number and alert a law enforcement officer.

HAWKINS — A fire that destroyed a popular Hawkins restaurant is said to have been accidental and to have started in the kitchen. Richie’s Grill went up in flames Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, two fire departments were called to Richie’s before 7 a.m. and spent about three hours extinguishing the fire. The restaurant’s Facebook page says everyone made it out safely. According to the restaurant’s website, there are two locations, in Hawkins and Winnsboro.

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has received reports of scam phone calls from persons identifying themselves as deputies from CCSO. The callers tell the citizens they have outstanding warrants and if they send money they will not be arrested. According to a news release, the CCSO does not contact people and request money. The CCSO does not have automated phone lines and all calls will be answered by SO staff. If you receive an automated response when calling the SO, it should be considered suspicious. The only number the SO would leave as a callback will be 903-683-2271. If you receive a solicitation from anyone purporting to be from the CCSO you should report the incident to the CCSO at 903-683-2271, according to the release.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has enrolled a record number of freshmen for the fall semester. According to a news release, the 882 first-time, full-time college students represent a 24 per cent increase over last year’s enrollment of 711. Officials say East Texas drove freshman growth with double-digit increases. Total fall enrollment is 10,284. Overall, undergraduate enrollment saw an increase of 2 per cent, while dual credit and graduate programs saw a modest decline. Enrollment numbers were released as part of UT Tyler’s official 11th day census data.

TYLER — One person has died in a Tyler wreck shortly after noon Tuesday on W. Grande near Oak Hill Blvd. Accident investigators determined that a westbound Hyundai traveled into the eastbound lanes, striking a GMC Terrain. The Hyundai then flipped completely over. The driver of the Hyundai, 57-year-old Anthony V. Moffitt of Flint, was pronounced dead at the scene. 57-year-old GMC driver Theresa M. Breedlove of Bullard is listed in serious condition in a local hospital.

MARSHALL — An old scam resurfaces in Marshall — with a new twist. This past Friday, the U.S. Courthouse in Marshall was notified that an unknown caller told a resident he was employed with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The caller told the victim that she had failed to appear for jury selection during the month of June and Judge Rodney Gilstrap had issued a warrant for her arrest. A spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service says this is the first time he has heard of a scammer using the name of Gilstrap, the presiding U.S. District Court Judge in Marshall. The spokesman says scammers tell victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a prepaid debit card and reading the number over the phone to satisfy the fine. Continue reading Jury Duty Scam Resurfaces in Marshall

TYLER — A big celebration is held at UT Health Tyler to honor volunteer Vennie Jackson as she celebrates her 100th birthday. Mayor Martin Heines has proclaimed September 11 Vennie Lee Jackson Day in Tyler. She also gets a certificate from Governor Greg Abbott and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol provided by Congressman Louie Gohmert. “Miss Vennie” continues to work the front desk after more than 30 years of helping out at the hospital. So what keeps her going? Ms. Jackson credits her belief in the Lord and her enjoyment of being involved with people. “Miss Vennie” says she doesn’t have the words to express how excited she is about all the attention — and she adds that she has no plans to quit. Continue reading UT Health Tyler Volunteer Celebrates 100th Birthday

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s total Fall 2018 enrollment is 3,175, a 5.7% increase over last year. Led by significant increases from East Texas, LETU’s enrollment is up over 16% in two years, according to a news release from the university. Fall 2018 enrollment also reflects that LETU attracted 94 international students from nearly 35 countries. Enrollment numbers are official after the 12th class day.

WHITE OAK — New details in the case of a White Oak ISD band director accused of inappropriately touching a former student. According to messages, the student may have lied about the incident. Our news partner KETK reports Jacovia Cartwright is facing an indictment for indecency with a child by sexual contact. In 2016, White Oak officers found what they said were inappropriate pictures of children on his phone. One of the students in the pictures says Cartwright touched her inappropriately during a band trip. Messages retrieved from his Facebook messenger show messages from the student saying she “kind of lied” to the police. Receipts from the trip show she was not on the hotel list.

LUFKIN — A suspect wanted on felony warrants is in stable condition following an officer involved shooting in Lufkin. It happened around 10:30 Monday night following an anonymous tip. Lufkin police responded to an apartment complex where the suspect, Todd Sturgis, 26, was said to be hiding in a bedroom. He refused to show his hands and continually reached under a mattress. Sturgis was tased but it was ineffective. He then attempted to take an officer’s gun when the officer fired a single shot striking Sturgis in the torso. Continue reading Texas Rangers Investigate Officer Involved Shooting

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas man missing since Friday has been rescued from a creek after apparently spending a rainy weekend lost in some woods. Tyler police Officer Don Martin says 56-year-old Alexander Guiliano was located Monday. He’s hospitalized in stable condition. Martin says a landowner Friday morning reported finding a motorcycle on a dirt road. Officers searched an 80-acre area thick with trees and brush. Police coordinated with Guiliano’s relatives, who’d filed a missing person report. Guiliano’s family on Monday morning located him a-half mile from where his cycle was found, but needed help getting him out of a creek. Martin says Guiliano told officers that he was at a Tyler nightclub Thursday night and early Friday, left on his motorcycle, later parked the bike and wandered into the woods.

TYLER — The Women in Tyler Planning Committee has announced the 2019 Women in Tyler luncheon theme, “Women With a Passion.” According to a news release, Tyler citizens are encouraged to send in nominations of women with a passion for this prestigious annual award by Sept. 25. Honorees will be announced on Jan. 15, 2019, and will be honored at the Annual Women in Tyler Luncheon on March 21, 2019, at the Rose Garden Center. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Women in Tyler as a way to celebrate Women’s History Month and to honor women who have contributed to the quality of life in the community, according to the release. Visit http://www.womenintyler.com to learn more.

MARSHALL — Harrison County’s burn ban has been rescinded. The ban had been in effect since July 9. Fire Marshal Thomas Mock says conditions have improved in the county, citing Monday’s rainfall and additional precipitation expected this week.

TYLER — The city of Tyler has been notified that an unknown third party was able to gain access to payments made through the Click2Gov online-payment system the city uses to collect payments for utilities and municipal court fines and fees. The date range of the breach is June 18, 2018, to Aug. 21, 2018. Credit card information for utilities and municipal court customers who made payments in person may have been breached, as well as those who made one-time payments online. The city is in the process of identifying and contacting individual customers who may be affected by the breach. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/News/tabid/1554/ctl/NewsArticle/mid/3011/CategoryID/11/NewsID/34000/Default.aspx?SkinSrc=%5BG%5DSkins/CityTyler/Departments for more information.

TYLER — Smith County Habitat for Humanity has received a $150,000 grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. According to a Habitat news release, the grant will be used to provide critical home repairs for veterans and surviving spouses of veterans through Smith County Habitat’s critical repair program. Repairs will assist veterans in making their homes accessible, healthy, and safe. Repairs typically involve installing wheelchair ramps, making kitchen cabinets accessible, installing new floors that are level and safe, making accessible doorways, and making bathrooms accessible. Continue reading Smith County Habitat Seeking Veterans to Benefit from Grant

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct a variety of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the Week of Sept. 10. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct milling operations on FM 14 from US 271 to Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. Crews will also address base failures on FM 2908 just north of FM 2767. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/038-2018.html for a complete rundown.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department has added a high-tech drone with the latest law enforcement tools and a trained, licensed pilot to their operation. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the drone will be deployed during manhunts, cases of kidnapped or missing children, missing elderly, active shooter sites and post-crime scene analysis. The Inspire 1 drone is equipped with a complete camera system for both video and still photography and it has zoom and thermal capabilities so the pilot can see up close and at night. It also has GPS tracking and can reach speeds of 49 miles per hour. Continue reading High-Tech Drone Added to Henderson County Sheriff’s Arsenal

HENDERSON COUNTY — The body of a woman reported missing last month has been found in Athens. According to our news partner KETK, on August 8, Diana Lynn Musella, 75, of Athens, called her sister and said that she had become lost while driving. Musella stated that her car had somehow become disabled and that she was disoriented and unable to provide her location. After several attempts to locate Musella herself, her sister contacted law enforcement. Police initially attempted to locate Musella through cell phone data but received unreliable and inconsistent information from the cellular provider. A state-wide Silver Alert was issued but failed to produce viable leads. Continue reading Body of Missing Woman Found in Athens

TYLER – Acting on a citizen’s tip, Corey Edmond Simpson, 34, of Tyler, was arrested at a store on West Gentry Parkway shortly after 6:00 Friday evening. Simpson had been named in several warrants. As an officer tried to stop him from leaving a residence, he rammed the officer’s car and headed toward the Lake Tyler area. He is said to have hit a second vehicle at Old Omen and University. There were no injuries. Besides previous charges, he now faces additional charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, evading arrest. He is in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $1,000,000.

TYLER – Tyler fire chief David Coble has graduated from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy. The academy is at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. According to a city news release, it is for senior executives at the top of their careers. It’s the final phase of FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program. Chief Coble completed his training August 30th.

HENDERSON – One person has died in a one vehicle accident in Rusk County. Dead at the scene was Jesse Charles Key, 23, of Henderson. The Department of Public Safety reports his car left the road and ended up in a grassy ditch. As he overcorrected, the car went into a sideways skid and hit a drainage culvert. It then rolled several times, throwing the driver from the vehicle. The accident happened just before 3:15 Friday morning on U.S. Highway 79, 13 miles northeast of Henderson.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler is one of five Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Star Award finalists. The board recognized UT Tyler’s Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree program. The program is an online undergraduate transfer degree program designed for working adults seeking to complete their four-year degree for career advancement. A panel will now review which of the finalists will be honored with the Star Award. The winners will be honored at the Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference at the end of November.

LONGVIEW – Jury duty is cancelled in Gregg County on Monday. The Gregg County District Clerk made the announcement Friday. If you received a notice for jury duty for Monday, you do not have to report.

MARSHALL – The city of Marshall has a new tourism and marketing manager. She is Mallori James, who starts her new duties on Monday. She will be responsible for the leadership of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, implementing a marketing strategy to attract tourists and enhancing nature, culture, and arts opportunities for the city. James is currently a marketing consultant for Brookshire Real Estate in Lufkin. She previously was employed as an events specialist with the City of Lewisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Before that, she was the Visitors Services and Meeting Event Coordinator for the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau.

AUSTIN – Twenty three independent school districts and colleges are getting nearly $5 million in grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. Tyler Junior College will be getting a grant for $261,975 while Trinity Valley Community College gets a grant for $279,139. The funds will help the two schools to purchase and install equipment to provide students in the medical profession with training for registered nurses. The chair of the Workforce Commission, Ruth Hughs, said the funds will help produce the highest quality of candidates for Texas employers in high-demand occupations as well as new emerging industries.

TYLER — The Tyler Museum of Art has a new exhibition on display. According to a news release, TMA is presenting the first large-scale museum exhibition of an emerging East Texas and international talent with “Apertures of the Mind: Works by Abhidnya Ghuge.” The exhibition will remain up through Dec. 2 in the TMA’s North Gallery, and admission is free. Born in India, Dr. Ghuge is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in Tyler. She is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas at Tyler. Inspired by a blend of Indian henna designs and imagery from her previous medical profession, her work explores themes of community, time and value, according to the news release. You can visit http://www.tylermuseum.org to learn more about the museum and the new exhibition.