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TYLER – The enrollment window for choice schools in Tyler ISD is now open– and any student inside or outside the district can apply. As of January 1, parents and students have the power to choose TISD schools and programs that best reflect their child’s method of learning, according to a news release. Participating schools are Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, Caldwell Arts Academy, and Early College High School. Click here for more details.

RUSK COUNTY — A Longview man reported missing October 26, 2021, has been found in his wrecked vehicle. According to the DPS report, Clay W. Kirk, 65, along with his Nissan truck, were discovered by a property owner on Sunday. The report said Kirk was traveling east on State Loop 571 and disregarded the stop sign at the US 259 intersection. Kirk’s truck struck a dirt embankment, causing the vehicle to flip. The vehicle came to rest in a wooded area, not visible from the roadway. Further details were not available.

HAWKINS — Jarvis Christian College has delayed the return of students to campus for the Spring 2022 semester due to the rapid surge of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. According to our news partner KETK, students will return on campus Wednesday, Jan. 19, but classes will start virtually online on Monday, Jan. 10. Face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 24. For faculty and staff who normally meet in person for the Faculty and Staff Institute on Monday, Jan. 3 will login virtually instead, and will not return to in-office hours until normal business hours resume at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 5. “Safety of our students, faculty and staff is our priority,” said Jarvis Christian College President Dr. Lester C. Newman. “With the projections and growth of the Omicron variant, we choose to proceed with an abundance of caution for this new year.”

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police were on the scene of a fatal auto-pedestrian accident in the 2100 block of E. Main Street. According to our news partner KETK, just after 8:00 p.m. Friday, officials responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian near the intersection of E. Main Street and Lamar Street. The pedestrian was pronounced dead by the Justice of the Peace. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is continuing its increased traffic enforcement for the the New Year’s holiday through Monday, Jan. 2. Officials say motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement in high-traffic crash areas throughout the city. Officers will focus their targeted enforcement efforts on deterring speeding, seatbelt violations, running red lights, texting, and driving while intoxicated. Police Chief Jimmy Toler says such efforts deter violations and increase public safety. According to a news release, the Tyler Police Department received a Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs (STEP) grant from TxDOT, allowing officers to focus additional efforts on traffic enforcement. STEP grants pay for overtime activities by law enforcement. Continue reading Tyler PD continues increased enforcement for New Year’s holiday

GREGG COUNTY – A car that officials have been looking for in connection to the disappearance of Rosemary Rodriguez, who has been missing since 2019, was found on land on Mt. Pisgah Road in Gregg County on Friday, with remains inside. According to our news partner KETK, Rodriguez was last seen on Oct. 8, 2019, leaving a residence in the Mt. Pisgah Road area of Kilgore. The criminal investigation division was called to the scene and was able to confirm that the vehicle is related to Rodriguez’s case. It is in a heavily wooded area and heavy equipment has been called in to get the vehicle out. At this time, the location is being treated as a crime scene. Continue reading Officials: Car found with remains inside, connected to woman’s disappearance

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts urges you to be safe over the New Year’s weekend. He addresses the jump in COVID numbers in East Texas since last week. One area of concern: a lot of reports of high positivity rates. Roberts says one area health care system reported Wednesday that its positivity rate was 47 per cent of its patients, with another county reporting 38 per cent. Roberts also ran down current CDC guidelines: If you test positive, you should stay home for at least five days; and if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you can leave your house, but wear a mask around others for another five days. But he says according to the CDC, if you have a fever during this whole process, stay home until it resolves. He adds that if you are exposed, you are asked to isolate yourself at home for five days and then test at the end of that period to see if you have COVID or not. Continue reading Roberts issues New Year’s weekend COVID advisory

TYLER — The City of Tyler and Keep Tyler Beautiful are announcing a public art opportunity at the new Rose Complex. Artists are invited to submit original artwork via email by Jan. 15, 2022, for potential selection. Two designs will be installed into mosaic tiles located at the south side entrance to the conference center as well as a mural for a wall in the green room backstage. Selected artists will each receive $300 for the design concept. For more information, contact Shelby Marvin, City of Tyler Keep Tyler Beautiful coordinator, at (903) 531-1335 or email [email protected].

PALESTINE — A 73-year-old woman was killed late Wednesday night after her car crashed outside of Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, a preliminary DPS report states that Marcella McDonald, of Palestine, was driving her 1995 Dodge Ram pickup on HWY 155 less than a mile south of the city. Her car reportedly went off the right side of the roadway for an “undetermined reason,” struck a culvert and hit several trees before coming to a stop. McDonald was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is still ongoing.

LONGVIEW — The registration period for the Longview Fire Department’s annual Ambulance Subscription Program for 2022 is almost over. Since 2009, the fire department has offered the program to help offset the rising cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to a news release. With the typical cost associated with EMS transports averaging $800 to $1,000 per response, the program limits any out-of-pocket EMS expenses to $70/year. To subscribe for 2022, the deadline to register is Friday. Click this link for more details.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – An East Texas man was arrested on Wednesday during an undercover drug operation in Van Zandt County, according to the sheriff’s office. According to our news partner KETK, a statement released by Sheriff Steve Hendrix stated an investigator received a tip that a man would be driving through the county with oxycontin pills that were laced with fentanyl. Deputies pulled over Steven Dayne Myatt for a traffic violation near Grand Saline. They conducted a search of the car and found pills inside. Further information on the case was not immediately available.

DALLAS — More details are released on Tex Moncrief, the legendary Fort Worth-born oil and gas wildcatter and billionaire philanthropist, who has died at the age of 101. Born in 1920 and graduating from UT in 1942, Moncrief was not quite eleven when he witnessed a gusher come in in Gregg County — a joint venture between his father and fellow wildcatter John Farrell. Seeing the gusher set Moncrief on his path in the oil and gas business, which led to his place on the Forbes Magazine list of billionaires in 2006. Continue reading More details on oil and gas legend Tex Moncrief

UPSHUR COUNTY — On Wednesday around 3 p.m., a 30-year-old man died in a wreck on U.S. Highway 271, north of Gilmer. According to our news partner KETK, Raymond C. Haley II, 30, of Mount Pleasant, was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial DPS report indicates that a 2001 grey Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling north on U.S. 271 behind a brown vehicle described as a Kia Sportage, possibly a 2012 model. Information received from witnesses at the scene reported that the Kia slammed on its brakes in a possible road rage situation causing the driver of the Tahoe to steer right. Continue reading Possible fatal road-rage incident under investigation

TYLER — Shortly after 12:30 Wednesday afternoon, police announced that all traffic on E. Front St. between Palmer Ave. and Old Henderson Hwy. in Tyler was closed due to lines down in the roadway. Oncor headed to the scene, and Tyler police officers were stationed in the roadway to direct traffic. Police advised that drivers should avoid this area and take alternate routes. By late afternoon, crews were still working to resolve the situation. Click this link for the latest information.

NACOGDOCHES – Nacogdoches County officials said an earthquake happened in the western portion of the county on Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, County Judge Greg Sowell said shortly before 10 a.m., the Nacogdoches Consolidated Communications Center received several calls from the Alazan-Lake Nacogdoches area in reference to a loud boom that shook buildings. Deputies reportedly responded to the area and did not find any damage or the location of an emergency. Nacogdoches County Emergency Management contacted the U.S. Geological Survey headquarters. At 12:12 p.m. Wednesday, they confirmed that a 2.6 magnitude earthquake happened in the western portion of Nacogdoches County at 9:51 a.m. Continue reading 2.6 magnitude earthquake reported in Nacogdoches County

TYLER — As of Thursday, Dec. 30, the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will turn off water in all drinking fountains and outdoor restrooms at Tyler area parks and trails for the winter season. Officials say winterizing helps protect from damage during freezing temperatures and prevents unnecessary repair and labor costs. City staffers say remember to bring your own water when visiting the parks and trails in the coming months. Fountains will turn on again in the spring once the risk of freezing temperatures has passed, according to a news release. For more information, contact Tyler Parks and Recreation at 903-531-1370.

TYLER — It still hasn’t been detected here, but NET Health’s George Roberts says it’s all but certain that omicron has arrived in East Texas. He tells KTBB, “We have little doubt.” Referencing the CDC website, he adds, “The omicron variant is becoming more and more prevalent…versus the delta variant.” Roberts also points to a spike in COVID numbers in East Texas. However, he does note, “The case volumes are up around the country, but…the cases of omicron appear to be less severe than the delta variant.” Roberts continues to urge vaccinations along with extra care during the holidays — with a special caution to stay home when you’re sick. Continue reading Roberts: “Little doubt” that omicron has arrived in East Texas

RUSK COUNTY — A man was fatally shot after an alleged burglary in Rusk County on Christmas Day. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office got a call in around 12:40 a.m. to respond to CR 4174 for a burglary. According to Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez, the owner of the home’s future son-in-law came to the house and noticed that one of the homes on the property had a flashlight shining through the windows, so he went to investigate. “He went over there and noticed that the door was open and he walked into the house, and there stands Jason Holland. He had no permission to be on that property,” Valdez said. Continue reading Alleged burglar fatally shot in Rusk County Christmas Day

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a 21-year-old Tyler man who has not been seen for nearly one week. According to our news partner KETK, Marcus Daniel Rodriguez was last seen on Dec. 23 at the Palomar Apartment complex on Old Jacksonville Highway. He was last seen wearing a dark-colored t-shirt with an orange and white graphic on the front and blue jean shorts. Investigators are unsure if he left in a car or on foot. Any information on his whereabouts should be directed to Det. Molina at 903-531-1097.

WHITE OAK – A White Oak High School student was killed late Monday after some kind of accident, according to a statement released by Principal Donna Jennings. According to our news partner KETK, the student was identified as Tiffani Tant, who was a senior. It was not immediately clear what type of accident she was involved in. Tant was a member of the Regiment of Roughnecks Band and was an officer in the Future Farmers of America. Jennings wrote, “We are heartbroken for her family, our student body and staff.” Grief counselors will be made available for students and faculty members once they return from the Christmas break.

LONGVIEW — Registration for the Longview Fire Department’s annual Ambulance Subscription Program for 2022 closes in just two more days. Since 2009, the fire department has offered the program to help offset the rising cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to a news release. With the typical cost associated with EMS transports averaging $800 to $1,000 per response, the program limits any out-of-pocket EMS expenses to $70/year. To subscribe for 2022, the deadline to register is December 31, 2021. Click this link for more details.

TYLER — As Texans celebrate the holiday season, the Texas Department of Transportation is bringing an exhibit across the state to share real-life stories of people affected by drinking and driving — and it’s making a stop in Tyler. TxDOT’s traveling video exhibit will visit Broadway Square Mall Wednesday from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. to remind people of the consequences of driving while impaired. The public is invited to see and share the campaign’s video stories of real offenders and survivors of drunk driving. According to a news release, these emotional stories profile Texans whose lives were forever changed and challenge any notion that people can avoid the consequences of drinking and driving.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is looking for information regarding the whereabouts of a man wanted on two felony warrants. According to our news partner KETK, KPD says Devonta Leavelle Allen is a suspect in several cases and has felony warrants for his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. If anyone has information regarding the location of Allen, KPD asks that they contact Detective Joshua Sims at 903-218-6907 or [email protected].

RUSK COUNTY — In what officials are calling a “Christmas miracle,” everyone escaped a major two-vehicle crash in Rusk County uninjured. According to our news partner KETK, the Crims Chapel Volunteer Fire Department reports an SUV hit a large tractor pulling a bush hog on Highway 259 and CR 236. Photos from the scene show extensive damage to the vehicles and equipment, especially the white SUV. The scene was eventually cleared.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Wind Ensemble is about to take a historic turn in the spotlight. This year, TJC will be the first junior/community college ever to perform a featured concert at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, with the wind ensemble doing the honors when attendees gather in San Antonio. According to a news release, the convention has been held for 102 years, and it’s one of the largest such gatherings in the country, attracting attendees from across the nation and around the world. The TJC performance is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. The other two college wind ensembles performing this year are from Tarleton State University and The University of Texas at Austin.

LONGVIEW — A portion of Mobberly Avenue between Myrle Avenue and Oakdale Avenue in Longview will be temporarily reconfigured from Jan. 14 to Jan. 31 to demonstrate the roadway’s planned Complete Street redesign. According to a news release, the Mobberly Complete Street Project will consist of reducing the number of travel lanes from 5 lanes to 3 lanes to add buffered bike lanes and improve existing sidewalks to Mobberly Avenue. The stated goal of the project is to make Mobberly Avenue safe and accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists and efficiently manage existing and future traffic demands. Click here for all the details.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have one crew performing bobcat milling from Paluxy to Grande. This job should take two days to complete. In Gregg County, maintenance crews will be spot milling on SH 300 north and southbound at Seven Pines Rd., just south of the intersection of FM 1844. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are seeking leads in an aggravated robbery December 17 at a Chevron station on Victory Drive. Police say the suspect arrived in a vehicle that had been reported stolen in Bossier City, Louisiana. If you recognize the suspect shown in this video, contact MPD at 903-935-4543. If you wish to remain anonymous you may submit a tip using the P3 mobile app or call 903-935-9969.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts hopes everybody has a joyful holiday weekend — and a careful one too. Roberts points out that all seven counties in NET Health’s survey area are now in the moderate spread category — all the more reason, he says, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. There are, of course, some holiday season limitations. NET Health’s clinic at Tyler’s Majesty Event Center is taking some time off but will be open again Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Roberts also reminds you to be careful about those seasonal gatherings. Most importantly, he tells us, is staying home when you’re sick — not least to limit the spread of the virus. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.