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TYLER — Tyler’s Downtown Revitalization Grant is now accepting applications. Interested applicants can visit this page to find the application and further details. All applications must be submitted digitally to [email protected] by Friday, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m. The Downtown Revitalization Grant is available for any business inside the Downtown area, which is bounded by Gentry Parkway to the north, Front Street to the south, Palace Avenue to the west and Beckham Street to the east.

TYLER — An Alabama man wanted for more than ten child sex crimes was arrested in Smith County late Monday night by the US Marshals. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Johnny Ray Johnson was booked into the Smith County Jail just after 8:00 p.m. It’s unclear if Johnson will be extradited back to Alabama or what led authorities to tracking him down in East Texas. He was wanted on a wide range of charges, including: 6 charges of possession of child pornography, 2 counts of producing child porn, 1 count of child rape, 1 count of sexual torture and 1 count of sexual abuse.

TYLER (AP) – A defense attorney for a former nurse accused of killing four patients at an East Texas hospital in 2017 has told jurors that his client was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. A prosecutor called him “a serial killer” who found the perfect place to hide. Thirty-seven-year-old William George Davis, of Hallsville, is accused of injecting air into the arteries of four patients recovering from heart surgery at the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. His capital murder trial in Tyler began Tuesday with a not-guilty plea.

GRAND SALINE – Van Zandt County authorities seek a missing man. They say Todd Moses, 50, disappeared from the Grand Saline area around Sept. 16. According to our news partner KETK, he is 5’6″, 150 lbs., with a medium build. Moses has a tattoo that reads “Rebel” on the left side of his neck and a lightning bolt in a cloud tattooed on his left hand. His vehicle has been recovered, but his whereabouts are still unknown. If you have any information, contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court Tuesday received an initial assessment report relating to the Constitutionally-mandated redistricting process it will undertake in the next several weeks. Claudia Russell, an attorney with Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, LLP, of Austin, gave the assessment report. The 2020 U.S. Census data shows that Smith County grew from 209,714 people in 2010, to 233,479 people in 2020 – an 11.33 percent increase. Some portions of the county have grown more than others, which requires the Commissioners Court to adjust existing Commissioners Court precinct lines to allow for a more equal representation of residents in each precinct, according to a news release. Click here for a more complete rundown.

TYLER — The latest dashboard shows a big drop in new COVID-19 cases in Smith and Gregg Counties. NET Health’s George Roberts says that’s encouraging, but he still has a word of caution. Roberts says area numbers are still in the “substantial” category, with very high volumes of positive cases. He continues urging everyone to be careful — and to get vaccinated as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Foundation’s 34th annual scholarship golf tournament raised $140,000 in support of scholarships for TJC students. Mitch Andrews is TJC vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the TJC Foundation. He says thanks to last year’s event, scholarships were awarded to 100 students for the current school year. Andrews says the foundation wasn’t able to host the tournament last year due to the pandemic but almost all sponsors and players continued their support. According to Andrews, measures were taken this year to address ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Continue reading TJC Foundation golf tournament raises $140,000 for scholarships

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved allocating $4.52 million – 10 percent — of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to local hospitals and emergency rooms to be used to retain local medical personnel directly working with COVID-19 patients at medical facilities located in Smith County. The Smith County ARPA funds will not be used to pay for traveling or contract nurses, according to a news release. $2 million each is designated to UT Health East Texas and Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System to continue their efforts to retain staff and fight COVID-19 at the point of care, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said. The court also approved $100,000 in funding for each of the three freestanding emergency rooms in Smith County. Click here for lots more on this story.

HENDERSON — Rusk County has become the third county to issue an outdoor burning ban in East Texas as dry conditions persist. According to our news partner KETK, Houston and Henderson counties also issued burn bans. Rusk County’s ban will last until Monday, Oct. 4.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ardent Health Services has announced the appointment of Donald Baker as president of the UT Health East Texas market effective September 20, 2021. He has been serving as interim in this role since March 2021. Baker joined UT Health East Texas in 2019 as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Previously chief financial officer of Ardent’s Hillcrest HealthCare System in Oklahoma, Baker began his career at Hillcrest nearly 30 years ago.

TYLER — Pipeline Analysis will continue smoke testing sewer lines in sewer meter basins 13 and 17 as part of the City of Tyler’s ongoing sanitary sewer inspection program. Officials say smoke testing helps locate breaks and defects in the city’s sanitary sewer system. The information is used to repair and improve the sewer system, according to a news release. The testing will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, through Friday, Oct. 1. Continue reading Smoke testing locations for this week

TYLER – A Bullard man has been sentenced in Tyler to life in prison for murder plus 40 years for aggravated robbery. According to our news partner KETK, 25-year-old Brentavian Henderson pleaded guilty Monday in connection to a November 2018 incident. The case involves the murder of 77-year-old Roy Bowins while Henderson and two others were stealing a car and two TVs. The two others are serving ten years’ probation for burglary and tampering with evidence.

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Office is observing National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday. Officials plan to have six locations throughout the county to make it easy and convenient for people to register to vote, according to a news release. You must be registered by Monday, October 4, to be eligible to vote on November 2. Officials say to make it easier for those who still need to register, the Elections Office will have registration sites, manned by volunteer trained deputy registrars, at each location. Click here for more details.

TYLER — Testimony begins Tuesday in the trial of a former CHRISTUS nurse accused of murdering four patients and severely injuring others. According to our news partner KETK, William Davis, 37, has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault. Davis allegedly injected air into patients’ arteries on purpose. Davis was a registered nurse at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. He was fired before his arrest some 3 years ago. The Smith County District Attorney is seeking the death penalty.

TYLER — Former Tyler Legacy principal Daniel Crawford pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance Monday morning and was sentenced to three years deferred adjudication and 120 hours of community service. According to our news partner KETK, if Crawford follows all the conditions of the plea deal, the charge will be dismissed from his record. Crawford was arrested after police went to his home on June 2 because a caller said that a man was bleeding from his head. According to an arrest affidavit, Jennifer Crawford, Daniel’s wife, opened the door for officers. Continue reading Former Tyler Legacy principal pleads guilty to cocaine possession

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to a reported plane crash in Cherokee County around 4:30 Sunday afternoon. According to the preliminary report, the Cessna 182 single engine plane was traveling from the Cherokee County Airport to a private landing strip on CR-4716. Due to a strong tailwind, the aircraft landed too fast and ran through a barbwire fence before striking several trees. The pilot, Waun R. Harrison, 73, of Troup, was transported to UT-Health East Texas – Jacksonville in stable condition.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are seeking information pertaining to a hit and run incident earlier this month. On Wednesday, September 15, around 9:40 p.m., dispatch received multiple calls regarding two people who were seriously injured near the intersection of Sun Place and Five Notch Road. According to police, the initial investigation revealed that the two victims and their dog had been hit from behind by a pickup truck traveling southbound on Five Notch. The vehicle was described as light-colored, and has since been determined to be an early 2000s – mid-2010s Dodge truck. Police say the pickup will likely have damage to the front passenger side of the bumper on the vehicle. If you have any leads, call the Marshall Police Department at (903) 935-4575.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the week of Sep. 27. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance plans to begin mill and inlay operations on SH 64, just south of Chapel Hill east to FM 3226. Flaggers will control traffic with a pilot vehicle. A second crew will be performing ditch work on FM 16, just west of FM 14, on Monday only. Longview Maintenance will be finishing ditching operations on SH 42. Crews will be finishing culvert and storm drain maintenance on FM 1845, from Birch St. to Silver Falls Rd. Crews then plan to begin ditch work on SH 42, just south of IH 20 to Go Forth Rd. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

MARSHALL – Officials say escaped Harrison County inmate worker Roy Vaughn has been captured. According to a news release, Vaughn walked off from a work detail at 6:15 Friday morning. He was caught at 1:30 Saturday afternoon by Harrison County K-9 units and deputies who had been searching locations throughout the day and night​ in Marshall and throughout Harrison County. He was arrested on an escape warrant at an address on East End Blvd. He will now be charged with escape from custody and placed in general population of the jail, according to the release.

TYLER — Former Smith County Precinct 2 Constable Josh Black has waived his right to appeal his recent conviction for official oppression. That word came in Friday from the district attorney’s office. Black has been sentenced to 180 days in jail. The DA’s office adds that after discussions with the alleged victims, it will not pursue remaining prostitution and official oppression charges against Black. Officials say the moves make Black’s removal from office permanent and ensure the victims will not be required to testify again. The waiver furthermore allows the Smith County Commissioners Court to appoint a permanent replacement for Black. Black was removed from office by Judge Reeve Jackson, who presided over the oppression case — and who would have been responsible for replacing Black had for the former constable appealed within 90 days.

TYLER – Two men have been indicted for the June daiquiri shop shooting in Tyler in which Tylsha Brown was killed. According to our news partner KETK, Jaderick Willis, 22, of Alabama, was indicted for murder. 23-year-old Dyccorian Lofton of Jacksonville was originally charged with murder but was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On June 26, Brown, of Katy, was killed while she was celebrating her 46th birthday when a shooting broke out in the parking lot. She was killed after one of the bullets hit her.

TYLER — More mixed news on COVID-19 in East Texas. A number of figures are up, but NET Health’s George Roberts says it appears the total number of positive cases is going down on a daily basis. He singles out statistics for Smith County, where the spread rate went down from about 130 per day on a seven-day basis a couple of weeks ago to 86.17 on Thursday. The trend is similar in Gregg County. Still, Roberts points out that the area remains in a state of substantial spread — and he continues to urge caution and vaccinations.

TYLER — a Tyler man is charged with intoxication manslaughter following a fatal accident in Tyler. Police say officers responded to the intersection of Plantation Dr. and Spring Branch Dr. around 3:00 Friday morning, where Christopher Hardy Jr., 27, had reportedly struck a parked vehicle. According to a news release, 20-year-old Tamyra Campbell of Tyler, a passenger in Hardy’s vehicle, was killed. Hardy went to the hospital with minor injuries. Police arrested Hardy, citing evidence that he was intoxicated. He has since been released from the hospital and jailed on $300,000 bond.

TYLER — The African-American Cultural Events Committee presents a balloon release Saturday in recognition of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Activities begin at 2:00 p.m. at Woldert Park on W. 32nd Street in Tyler. If you would like more information, contact Gregory Buckner at (903) 592-8973.

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair is back after a two-year hiatus. It begins Friday and runs through October 3 at the Rose Complex in Tyler. Despite challenges, fair organizers say they are planning for a successful event. According to a news release from the fair, “We encourage all fairgoers to first evaluate their own potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 before visiting, knowing that vaccines remain the best protection from COVID-19. In addition, we encourage fairgoers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 when attending the East Texas State Fair by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and washing hands regularly.” Beyond that, you can expect exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, fair food, and lots more. Click here for more information.

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair opens Friday, and the Tyler Police Department is issuing a traffic advisory. Police note that on W. Front St., in front of the old Harvey Convention Center location, traffic will be shut down to one lane in both east and west directions that day from 9:00 a.m. until midnight. On Saturdays and Sundays, the traffic lanes will be restricted to one lane both east and west from 11:00 a.m. until the fair closes. During the week, all lanes will be open until 3:30 p.m. each day. Then the traffic will revert back to one lane of traffic flow in each direction until closing time of the fair. Continue reading East Texas State Fair traffic advisory

LONGVIEW – Gregg County has canceled all inmate visitations at jail facilities for Saturday due to unspecified “security concerns.” According to our news partner KETK, Public Information Officer Josh Tubb sent a brief statement saying that would “be the only date affected and visitation will resume on its normal schedule going forward.” Despite the cancellation, video visitation through NCIC kiosks will continue as normal for Saturday.

TYLER — Services are Friday for Jeff Williams of Tyler, who died September 14 at 63. Williams had a number of community affiliations, most notably serving as president of the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum. The group takes on a number of diversity-related projects and is best known as the organizing agency for Tyler’s annual downtown Martin Luther King, Jr., observance.

LONGVIEW — The Oak Forest Country Club clubhouse in Longview will be closed for an extended period after suffering “heavy smoke and heat damage” on multiple floors Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Fire Department was called to the scene around 7:30 Thursday morning. Fire Marshal Kevin May said crews upgraded the fire to a two-alarm case due to flames spreading to both the first and second floors. The cause was not immediately known, but the fire has been put out. No injuries were reported.