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SMITH COUNTY – After Beryl caused many East Texans to lose food, recipients of SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, can now apply for replacement benefits. According to our news partner KETK, Acting Gov. Dan Patrick said Thursday, “The recent storms have impacted many families across the state. By providing these replacement food benefits, we will offer relief to those who need our help the most. As we continue our recovery process, it is vital that SNAP and WIC recipients have access to these benefits to continue to feed their families.”

SNAP and WIC recipients in the following local counties can apply for replacement benefits that will be put on their Lone Star Cards if approved:  Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Polk, Rains, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.

People must apply by calling 211 and selecting option 8 before Aug. 8. People can also mail a completed Form H1855 to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Families who use WIC can go to a WIC office to replace food benefits through July 31, a release from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said.

TYLER – The Tyler City Council on Wednesday, accepted a donation for a new pavilion for the Heritage Garden from the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club. According to our news partner KETK, the donation is in the form of a pavilion, which is valued at $81,589.

Leanne Robinette, director of parks, recreation and tourism facilities said, “We have had a long-standing partnership with the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club, and we are very grateful and excited about the new structure. This is something that has been in the works for years. It’s going to be a great addition to the garden.”

City officials said they have $25,000 budgeted for installation of the pavilion. Installation is expected to be completed within the coming weeks.

VAN – The city manager of Van was terminated at a city council meeting on Thursday night. The Van City Council met to discuss the status of former Police Chief Melissa Davis after she was fired July 1 by the City Manager John Desha. The Texas Municipal Police Association told our news partners at KETK News, Davis was fired for not wanting to fine property owners who were victims of graffiti. In Thursday’s meeting, several other key city positions such as the city manager, city secretary, public works director, fire marshal and fire chief were also discussed in executive session. Before the closed-door meeting, council members voted unanimously to change current policy, effective immediately, that if a city manager wanted to terminate a department head, they would need to bring the recommendation to the council and councilmembers would approve or deny.
Continue reading Van City Council terminates city manager after police chief fired

TYLER – FEMA has set a deadline of August 15, for Smith County residents to register for individual assistance with their storm damages. So far, FEMA has approved 2,367 Smith County residents for individual assistance, for a total of nearly $5.8 million, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported. Citizens who still need help recovering from the severe storms, tornados, flooding and straight-line winds, from April 26 through June 5, can go to the Hub for in-person assistance. The Disaster Recovery Center at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler, has changed its hours, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Continue reading FEMA continues to help Smith County residents

TYLER – After former head baseball coach of the Tyler Junior College Apaches Doug Wren became the new athletic director, the multi-time NJCAA National Champions have a new bench boss. Former Dodge City Community College(KS) head coach Brett Doe was introduced at the TJC Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. He brings both JUCO and MLB experience as a former player at fellow Region XIV school Navarro and was a part of the Minnesota Twins. Doe won an NJCAA national Championship of his own as a shortstop at Navarro back in 2011.

SMITH COUNTY — Patrick Mahomes Sr., the father of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes II, has had yet another run-in with cops, TMZ Sports has learned he was busted in Texas last month for driving on an invalid license. According to court documents we obtained … Mahomes Sr. was ticketed for the offense in Tyler at around 8:30 PM on June 29 — less than five months after he was arrested for DWI in the same city.

The docs show Mahomes Sr. was given a warning for disregarding traffic signs in addition to the citation … indicating he was initially pulled over for a routine violation. Continue reading Patrick Mahomes Sr. reportedly busted for driving with invalid license

KILGORE – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System, the city of Kilgore and Kilgore College celebrated the opening of a new facility, the Roy H. Laird Regional Medical Health Sciences Education Center, with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event on Thursday.

More than 300 guests were able to get a first-hand look at the 75,000 square-foot center that includes new teaching and state-of-the-art lab space through Kilgore College’s health science programs, a new CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic family medicine location and an out-patient physical therapy location. Construction of the new facility began in March 2022, with the clinic featuring 24 exam rooms, lab, x-ray, and seven providers.
Continue reading CHRISTUS Health celebrates grand opening of new Kilgore facility

TYLER – City of Tyler officials announced that that there will be road work on Grande Boulevard from Friday, July 12, at 7 a.m. until Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m. Road crews will be working on both lanes on Grande Boulevard, from Sutherland Drive east of Broadway Avenue to Old Jacksonville Highway. During construction, only one lane will be available for travel. Drivers should expect delays, watch out for road crews and drive according to conditions in this area.

LONGVIEW – Our news partners at KETK report a Longview resident won $1 million in the lottery playing a scratch-off. The winner purchased the winning $1 million Crossword ticket at CEFCO on E. End Blvd. in Marshall. They chose to remain anonymous. This was the fourth of four top prizes claimed in that game, which offers more than $152.4 million in total prizes.

FORT WORTH – Tyler ISD Head Start announced on Wednesday they are mourning one of their Head Start students who died on July 4 due to gun violence, according to a report from our news partners at KETK. “Please keep her family in your prayers during this very difficult time,” Tyler ISD Head Start said. According to reports from Dallas NBC affiliate NBC 5, Ivy Pierce, 4, and her sister Wynter Thouston, 1, were among five people shot on July 4 while in the area for a fireworks show. Both girls died of their injuries. Continue reading Tyler child killed in July 4 shooting

DIANA — According to our news partner KETK, Amy Marzano, a soon-to-be junior at New Diana High School, died on Wednesday following a medical emergency, Superintendent Marshall Moore said. Marzano was a dedicated majorette in the high school band and during practice Wednesday morning, she experienced a medical emergency that was reportedly not related to the activity.

“She was immediately transported by ambulance to Longview Regional Hospital, where the medical staff worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition,” New Diana ISD officials said. “Despite their best efforts, Amy was placed on life support and tragically passed away at 2:53 p.m.”

The district said to provide support during this difficult time, the band hall will be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for anyone wishing to speak with counselors and support staff.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a female victim with two gunshot wounds was found by Longview Police and a suspect was arrested on Wednesday, the department said. Detectives identified 21-year-old LaQualon Hale, of Longview, as a suspect and arrested him on Wednesday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence, a release said.

According to Longview PD, they were called to a shooting at around 6:20 p.m. on Monday in the 300 block of Margo Street when they found the victim. The victim, whose identity was not been released, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said the event was a domestic shooting and want to remind people that resources for those in abusive relationships are available.

“Resources available in the area include the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview, Texas at 1-800-441-5555 and the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233),” Longview PD said.

LONGVIEW – The University of Texas at Tyler broke ground on the expansion of the UT Tyler Longview University Center. The 10,144-square-foot annex will add a 65-person classroom, multipurpose lab space, nursing skills and health assessment labs, along with centralized study spaces. The new facility allows for the expansion of bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in Longview and Gregg County.

“This expansion will allow us to introduce new nursing and science programs and increase our presence in Longview, helping meet education needs and provide more support for health care services across the region.” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD.

Project completion is set for fall 2025. The first phase of road work has already been completed.

TYLER – Tyler’s newly-elected councilmember Petra Hawkins, was sworn in on Wednesday. In June, Hawkins won a runoff election to represent District Two, with 53% of the vote. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins, who was born and raised in Tyler, graduated from Tyler ISD and Tyler Junior College. She then became a nurse, first as and LVN, then as an RN. In 2022 Hawkins became a professional Texas Real Estate Agent.

Hawkins is a member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Builder’s Association and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. In addition, she is enrolled in Tyler ISD’s Community Education Specialist Training.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a man remains in critical condition after a Wednesday morning shooting at the front door of his Smith County residence, according to our news partner KETK. The sheriff’s office said at around 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to a shooting in the 20900 block of CR 4129 in northern Smith County. When officials arrived, they discovered the victim, 67-year-old Rogieys Simmons, had been shot in the upper body while standing at the front door of his residence. Continue reading Smith County man in critical condition after Wednesday shooting

AUSTIN – FEMA has reopened Disaster Recovery Centers in Henderson, Lamar, Smith and Van Zandt counties. The centers were closed temporarily after Hurricane Beryl.

The DRC locations are: In Smith County, R.B. Hubbard Center “The Hub”, on East Ferguson Street in Tyler.

East Texas Senior Living, serving Henderson County, on Highway 31 in Athens.

In Lamar County, at Chisum Elementary School in Paris, on South Church Street.

In Canton and Van Zandt County, Canton Intermediate School on West State Highway 243.
  Continue reading FEMA reopens Disaster Recovery Centers

AUSTIN – Homeowners and renters in Anderson, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk and Sabine counties are now eligible for FEMA assistance after the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 26 – June 5. Eligible applicants may qualify for serious needs assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. Previously, Texans in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties were approved for assistance.

PALESTINE – A man was arrested in Palestine last week for sexual assault of a child, and is accused of assaulting the child at a local motel. According to our news partners at KETK, on June 28, authorities received a reported that a child had been assaulted at the Express Inn and Suites Motel at 1100 E. Palestine Ave. Officials said that the man was identified as Tanner Bradshaw, 34 of Omaha, Neb. after an investigation, and on July 3, a search warrant was obtained for his motel room and an arrest warrant for sexual assault of a child was issued. Bradshaw was arrested the same day, and officials said a “small amount of narcotics and other evidence” was found inside the motel room and additional charges are pending. He was booked into the Anderson County Jail where his bond was set at $850,000.

TYLER-The Tyler Fire Department is joining forces with the American Red Cross to go door-to-door on July 12, 19 and 26 to check smoke alarms, replace batteries and install free smoke alarms in homes that need them. Firefighters will concentrate on houses near Woldert Park and the Caldwell Zoo due to a recent house fire with no smoke alarms.
 
City officials encourage residents to test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. You should hear three beeps, letting you know the alarm is working. If you don’t hear anything, it’s time to change the batteries if your model needs them. If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, you need to get a new alarm, because the sensor becomes less effective over time.
 
To schedule a free smoke alarm installation, call the Tyler Fire Department at (903) 535-0005.

JEFFERSON – UPDATE: Donovan Byrd, who was last seen on June 20, was reportedly found dead on Monday, according to our news partners at KETK. The Jefferson Police Department and the Marion County District Attorney’s Investigator found Byrd dead. Information is limited at this time. “The manner of his death and circumstance are still being investigated. Nothing further will be released at this time given that it is still an open investigation,” JPD said. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Byrd’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

TYLER – Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Andy Erbaugh released a report that authorities are investigating a pedestrian crash on S. Broadway Ave that occurred Tuesday afternoon. A vehicle traveling northbound on Broadway left the roadway and struck the bus stop. The female victim, identified as Sandra Abrego, 43, of Tyler, was at the bus stop when she  was struck by the vehicle. Officials say she died as a result of her injuries. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian remained on scene. This case remains under investigation.

TYLER — According to our news Partner KETK, SWEPCO released estimated restoration times as they work to restore power to East Texas cities affected by severe damage from Beryl. The electric company said as of 7 p.m., power has been restored to nearly 36,000 customers so far. You can find the SWEPCO estimated restoration times for areas impacted by the storm here. Or sign up for email or text alerts for direct updates on estimated restoration time at their home or business. To sign up, customers can visit the SWEPCO website. Continue reading SWEPCO releases estimated power restoration times

TYLER – The National Weather Service in Shreveport Monday reported a record number of tornado warnings in their storm coverage area, including East Texas. According to our new partner KETK, 67 tornado warnings were issued due to tropical storm Beryl moving up from the Texas coast.

NWS Shreveport said that the amount of tornado warnings Monday “are further proof that inland tropical impacts can also be quite extreme.”

Before Monday, the most tornado warnings in a day for the area was recorded on Dec. 27, 2015 with 36 tornado warnings.

TYLER – The 2024 BMW of Tyler Patriot Golf Classic raised $126,900 that will go toward student scholarships at the University of Texas at Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the golf tournament has been one of the university’s largest fundraising events since 1986, having raised a total of nearly $3 million.

UT Tyler President Julie Philley said in a release, “The money raised from this event will help our deserving students attain their academic goals. We are grateful to our community partners for their continued support.”

JACKSONVILLE – A man is injured after a shooting early Tuesday morning in Jacksonville. According to our colleagues at KETK, police received a call about a shooting in the 700 block of Elm Street around 6:56 a.m. where they found a man with a gunshot wound. “The Jacksonville Police Department has identified the shooter and are working diligently towards apprehending the suspect,” authorities said. Jacksonville PD, Fire and EMS responded to the scene.

EAST TEXAS — Tyler Police Department 911 phone lines are down, according to a press release early Tuesday morning. Verizon has reportedly advised they have experienced outages due to recent storms. Smith County dispatch will be answering 911calls from within the city limits.  Alt numbers are 903-939-6001 or 903-566-6600.

In Longview, police say they are experiencing issues with their non-emergency lines for Verizon and T-Mobile customers only. Those who attempt to call will hear a busy signal. Officials said those affected should consider “delaying your call if possible,” but if it is an emergency, to dial 911.The system is reportedly working properly for all other providers and landline users.
Continue reading 911 phone lines down in multiple East Texas locations