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TYLER — Eleven Texas Republican members of Congress have written a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary demanding that he change the way he’s dealing with the border. The letter, sent Wednesday from freshman Congressman Morgan Luttrell, of Magnolia, and 10 others to Alejandro Mayorkas, reads in part, “The Department of Homeland Security states the purpose of the secretary is to secure and manage our borders; you have failed to do this job.” The letter was obtained by Fox News Digital. In addition to Luttrell, U.S. Representatives Kay Granger, Michael Burgess, Brian Babin, Dan Crenshaw, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Pete sessions, Nathaniel Moran, Keith Self and Beth Van Duyne also signed the letter.

ARP — An animal cruelty investigation that began last summer has led to the arrest of an Arp non-profit founder. Kym McRee is the founder of the organization “K-9’s & Heroes” which was established in 2020 to train support and service dogs for veterans. She has been arrested on a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals. Bond was set at $10,000. Twenty animals – including several dogs – were taken from McKee’s home last August 15th. Officers said the dogs were emaciated and filthy, living in dirty cages and with no fresh water. McRee says she had been hospitalized for weeks and had left the animals in the care of a relative.

PRICE – A Carlisle ISD administrator was arrested for allegedly failing to report a possible sexual assault on the junior high campus. According to our news partner KETK, Carlisle ISD Superintendent Michael Payne says that the incident involved “one student’s conduct toward another” and that the district is cooperating with law enforcement. The district did not immediately release the name of the administrator who was arrested. “Student safety is of paramount importance,” Payne said. “The offending student was disciplined which included removal from CISD campuses and elimination of any threat to students.” Payne said on Wednesday the district is hopeful that with “additional evidence and clarification” the matter will be resolved.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $4.5 million in grants from the Governor’s Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits. According to a news release, the Governor’s Public Safety Office administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism, and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans. ETCOG’s Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually. Click here for a more complete report.

TYLER — $86,000 was handed out Tuesday at 17 Tyler ISD campuses. The Tyler ISD Grant Patrol delivered the news to educators that were named 2022-2023 Grants for Great Ideas recipients, our news partner KETK reports. “Grant Patrol is one of the highlights of our year. It’s a rewarding opportunity to partner on these projects with an amazing group of educators who aim to engage their students in new and creative ways,” Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Suzette Farr said. The 29 grants given to educators on 17 campuses will fund projects like honey bees at Tyler Legacy High School to supporting the district’s literacy bus and expand student learning in the STEAM lab at Orr Elementary School. Continue reading $86k awarded to Tyler ISD educators with ‘Grants for Great Ideas’

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler blocked social media app TikTok from all campus internet networks effective Tuesday, the university announced. According to our news partner KETK, UT Tyler said this comes in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent directive that requires all state agencies to remove the app from state-issued devices and equipment to address cybersecurity risks. “UT Tyler is taking these important steps to eliminate risks to information contained in the university’s network and to our critical infrastructure,” the university said. The order does not apply to student-run accounts that are owned by student organizations, since they are not government or Texas state agency accounts. Continue reading UT Tyler blocks TikTok from campus internet networks

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Law enforcement and a SWAT team took a man into custody around 9:20 p.m. after he barricaded himself inside a home Tuesday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, the man was identified as 34-year-old Lionel Charles. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office attempted to execute a search warrant at a residence on CR 4126 around 5:30 Tuesday evening. The sheriff’s office and Jacksonville Police Department were investigating the residence due to reported stolen property when Charles barricaded himself in a rear bedroom with firearms. Charles was arrested without further incident.

TYLER — On Tuesday, the Smith County Commissioners Court voted to approve the eminent domain proceedings for two businesses on the east side of the square. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County hopes to acquire MJL Holdings at 206 and 214 East Erwin and Rodney Kamel’s at 211 East Ferguson. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin explained this has been a work in progress for years. “We’ve been working for quite some time now, even multiple years for purchasing property on the east side of the square to build our new courthouse,” he said. Franklin is hopeful the two business will accept the final offer letter they sent out recently, so they don’t have to move forward with the eminent domain. Continue reading Smith County approves next step for new courthouse

TYLER — Tyler police Tuesday issued an updated advisory to drivers about a busy intersection. Police say at 12:20 Tuesday afternoon, officers responded to McDonald Rd. at Loop 323 regarding a crash involving an 18-wheeler. A power pole was struck and lines went down in the roadway. As of 2:30 p.m., one northbound lane of Loop 323 at the intersection had reopened for traffic. Two were still closed as Oncor worked to repair the pole and lines that were down. Police urged you to avoid this area if possible. Click here for the latest information.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are seeking leads as they continue to investigate a weekend shooting at Jucy’s Taco on Victory Drive. Officials said that two people were injured in the shooting around 5:30 p.m. Sunday and that a possible suspect is still at large. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the two victims were transported to a hospital in Marshall. Deputies from Harrison County assisted Marshall PD in attempting to locate the possible suspect. Marshall PD now says detectives and Task Force Officers are working on the case using all resources. Continue reading Marshall police seek leads in shooting

TYLER — A longtime local church leader is moving into a new role after four decades of service. Rose Heights Church in Tyler will be celebrating Lead Pastor Doug Anderson’s 40th year in ministry on Sunday, January 22, at 10 a.m. Pastor Anderson accepted his first position at the church in 1983 and has served as lead pastor for the past 20 of those years, according to a news release. Alongside his wife, Gina Anderson, Pastor Anderson shared with the church on January 15 that he will now be transitioning to pastor emeritus. “Words cannot express the emotion we feel and the love that we feel for this church and this community,” said Anderson as quoted in the release. Continue reading Tyler pastor transitions to pastor emeritus after 40 years

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve the retirement of Precinct 5 Deputy Constable K-9 Hunter and allow him to live with his longtime handler. According to a news release, Deputy Constable Kevin Petty has been working with K-9 Hunter since 2016, when the dog was donated to the office by a nonprofit organization. Recently, Petty has noticed that Hunter is having a hard time with some activities that are considered normal for a Dutch Shepherd breed. He believes that after more than six years of service, he should be retired from active duty, Precinct 5 Constable Wesley Hicks said. Continue reading Smith County K-9 retired to live with handler

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that a Saturday evening fire of a school bus converted into a home was accidental. Around 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, Smith County Emergency Communications received calls reporting an explosion on Canyon Circle, in northern Smith County. After a preliminary investigation, the cause of the fire was an accidental fuel-air explosion most likely caused by a propane leak inside the school bus, which had been converted into a tiny home and was occupied by the resident at the time of the explosion, Smith County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. The bus was outfitted with gas and electric utilities. Continue reading Weekend bus explosion deemed accidental

TYLER — Roadwork continues this week on the Rice Road sink hole in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the work started Sunday night, and closed a portion of Rice Road from S. Broadway Avenue to Old Bullard Road will be closed. Old Bullard Road will be closed to northbound traffic as well. “Once we found the sinkhole and we started excavating and digging down there it was almost like a pandora’s box of things that we kind of found,” said Kate Dietz, PE, City of Tyler Director of Utilities. “Traffic will still be able to go North and South on Old Bullard, similar to when we did the temporary pavement repair,” said Dietz. They hope to have the sinkhole repaired, the road repaved and be ready to open again by the end of the week. Problems began on Dec. 1 when Rice Road closed due to the discovery of the sinkhole. Continue reading Portion of Rice Road in Tyler closed for final phase of sinkhole repair

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful invites local artists to submit artwork for the Hillside Art Wall by Friday, Feb. 28.  According to a news release, the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board will be selecting art pieces that spark creativity, happiness, and hope while still representing the Tyler community, East Texas or Texas. The board will announce the winning art pieces on Friday, March 10, and artists will begin painting the panels in early April.  The 200-foot wall, built in 2019, currently features 19 original art pieces painted by local artists. The wall was repainted by 19 new artists in 2021 and will continue to feature new artwork every other year. The art can be viewed on the southeast side of Hillside Park, on E. Erwin St. Continue reading Call to Artists: Hillside Park Art Wall

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said officials continue to investigate after the Marshall Police Department responded to a shooting at Jucys Taco on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that two people were injured and that a possible suspect is still at large. According to HCSO, the two victims were transported to a hospital in Marshall. Deputies from Harrison County assisted Marshall PD in trying to locate the possible suspect, described as a black male wearing black clothing and possibly driving a silver Nissan Murano.

TYLER – The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas announces a call for nominations for the 2023 BBB Awards for Excellence. Officials say the awards honor businesses and charities who demonstrate superior integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness. All BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities who have a physical location within the 19 counties served by BBB Central East Texas are eligible to be nominated and to receive an award. Nominations for businesses are due February 12.  Any Accredited Business or Accredited Charity operating in BBB’s service area is eligible to be nominated. The East Texas community will select this year’s recipients via online vote. The awards will be announced May 7. Click here for more details.

TYLER — Retired attorney, veteran, and community volunteer Beverly Russell takes the podium as guest speaker at Tyler’s annual interfaith service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Russell says she wanted to know and communicate who Dr. King really was and why he did the things he did — so she did some studying of her own. Russell told KTBB, “He was a man that…from his life experiences decided that…love was the way to break down barriers…make people reflect on their thoughts and their behavior — and that love ultimately could overcome all.” Continue reading East Texans honor Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 16. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew repairing base failures on FM 2493 inside Loop 323, from Sunnybrook to Broadway. A second crew will be repairing base failures on FM 15, three miles south of SH 64. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207, from Tom Eubanks Rd. to the south end of FM 2207 at SH 135 N. Work will be north and southbound. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic in all the aforementioned locations.  Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

OVERTON – Police in Overton are asking for help in locating a man convicted of aggravated sexual assault of child in 2002. According to our news partner KETK, officials say 43 year-old Shacory Lee Pryor is also wanted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s office for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and other lesser charges. The DPS website lists Pryor at six feet tall, 180 pounds, black with various body tattoos. Authorities ask that you notify them if you have knowledge of Pryor’s whereabouts.

TYLER — Rice Road between South Broadway Avenue and Old Bullard Road in Tyler is closed for permanent asphalt repairs as of Sunday, Jan. 15. Contractors were due to begin repairs on Monday, Jan. 16. This work will replace the temporary asphalt repair when Tyler Water Utilities located a sinkhole in December. Officials say extensive work was done inside the sinkhole and along Old Bullard Road to replace sewer lines, a manhole, and other infrastructure before the intersection could be opened to traffic. The City of Tyler says it asks for your patience. Motorists are asked to drive slowly in the area and obey the detours and traffic signs. Repairs are scheduled to be completed by the end of the week, depending on the weather and the ground conditions.

PALESTINE – Death row inmate Robert Roberson’s attorney says she’s troubled by a recent ruling in his case, but she’s not giving up. “There is much more fighting left to do,” said Gretchen Sween. After years of courtroom scrutiny over the now-questionable science of “shaken baby syndrome,” the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided Wednesday that doubt surrounding the cause of his daughter’s death was not enough to overturn Roberson’s death sentence. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the Texas Tribune. Continue reading Death row inmate’s lawyer responds after new trial denied

GRAND SALINE – A man arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor and sexual assault of a child has been identified as Grand Saline Fire Captain Patrick Rowe. According to our news partner KETK, Grand Saline Fire Chief Jeremy L. Barker says Rowe is no longer with the City of Grand Saline or the Grand Saline Fire Department in any capacity. Barker gave his sympathy to the alleged victims and their families. “One person’s poor decisions do not represent our department,” said Barker. “Obviously, this has cast a bad light upon our fire department and has given us a bit of a black eye. We just want our community to know that we do not condone or support any actions of this nature. That is not who we are as a department, nor what we stand for.” Continue reading Grand Saline Fire captain charged with sexual assault of a child

ATHENS – A man was arrested in Henderson County on Thursday after officials said they received a tip a man was coming to Athens to “pick up a 14-year-old to make her his wife.” According to our news partner KETK, officials with the sheriff’s office said investigators set up surveillance at the location where he told the girl he would pick her up. A man later identified as Joseph Melton was seen entering the store and immediately going to the bathroom where the girl had been told to meet him. Officials say he was immediately arrested. Melton’s car was searched and officials said investigators found a 9mm pistol and marijuana inside. He was arrested for enticing a child, delivery of marijuana to a minor, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities consumers may be experiencing a spike in Geosmin, a taste and odor compound, in their drinking water. Officials say the water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards. Geosmin is non-toxic and safe to consume, according to a city news release. It typically produces an earthy odor and is naturally present in some foods, such as beets, spinach, and mushrooms. Continue reading Potential for “earthy” water taste and odor

TYLER — Plans for revitalization of a Tyler landmark are moving forward following action Wednesday by the City Council. According to a news release, the Council approved an Economic Development Agreement with NORF Development Company for $1.5 million to incentivize redevelopment of the former Carlton Hotel. NORF purchased the East Elm Street building in 2021 and intends to invest more than $30 million in the property. Officials say due to current market conditions — including construction cost escalations, inflation, interest rates, and the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — moving the project from final design to construction has been challenging. Staffers say the City of Tyler will disburse the funds to NORF once the building is substantially complete.  Continue reading City approves economic development agreement for former Carlton Hotel revitalization

EAST TEXAS — Tyler and Longview offer events Monday January 16th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In Tyler, Tyler Together has its annual observance stretching from the downtown Tyler square to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Click here for details and updates. Continue reading Tyler, Longview honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PANOLA COUNTY – Two people were arrested and officials are still looking for another person after a chase that spanned across two East Texas counties. According to our news partner KETK, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 7:59 a.m. on Thursday about a pursuit that had began in Nacogdoches County and was moving into Panola County on Highway 315. Panola County deputies and officers with the Precinct 2 and Precinct 3 Constable’s Office also helped Nacogdoches and Rusk County law enforcement. “The fleeing car was traveling at an excess of 100 mph and was passing multiple vehicles in an unsafe manner,” said Cutter Clinton, the Panola County Sheriff. Deputies set up spikes on Highway 359 near Southside Baptist Church and constables set up spikes on Lasalle Parkway. The driver was able to avoid the spikes, and they allegedly swerved at a constable, who discharged their service pistol and shot the tires. Continue reading Officials: 2 arrested, 1 at large after East Texas chase, drugs found in suitcases in car

TYLER – Despite months of hurdles, the Tyler W.T. Brookshire Convention Center’s construction has an end in sight, according to our news partner KETK. “It’s been a long time coming, and so the fact that we’ve pushed through and we are at this place and this beautiful facility will open, we are just very excited,” said Shari Lee, Visit Tyler President. Tyler deputy city manager Stephanie Franklin says walls have gone up, lighting is being put in, and painting has started. As they get closer to the doors opening everyone is ready for one thing. “I think we are excited to see what this brings to the City of Tyler,” said Franklin. As they near the finish line, there is a lot of interest, especially in the tourism department. Continue reading Tyler’s W.T. Brookshire Convention Center plans to open in the spring