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TYLER — A substance that was causing concerns has been removed and cleared from a Tyler roadway, and police say there are no more issues with it being slippery. According to police, it was determined that no cars actually hit each other, only slipped and hit the curb, and there were no injuries reported. The cause of why the substance was in the road is still under investigation. Around 7:25 Monday morning, officers responded to W. Erwin St. and found an unknown substance in the roadway that had caused a couple of cars to slip and slide into the curb. Drivers were asked to avoid the area before the substance was cleared up.

TYLER – Sept. 11, is a day that brings people of the United States together. All the things that usually divide don’t matter. “Still great sadness comes back from 20 years ago, but the day after the day, there was such a unified spirit,” Louie Gohmert, U.S. Representative said. That spirit strengthened in downtown Tyler as East Texas first responders and community members united for the people who died and for those who went above and beyond the call of duty, as reported by our news partner KETK. “When I got there the thing that I remember most getting there where the rubble was and everything was feeling helpless,” Larry Smith with the Smith County Sheriff’s office said. Continue reading East Texans unite in downtown Tyler to remember 9/11

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is putting out the word on a service to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It’s set for Saturday morning at 7:45 on Tyler’s downtown square, and the public is encouraged to attend. Comments will be offered by Congressman Louie Gohmert, state Representatives Matt Schaefer and Cole Hefner, Sheriff Larry Smith, County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Fire Marshal Jay Brooks, Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler, and Tyler Fire Chief David Coble. The event is set to end at 9 a.m., with a Chick-fil-A breakfast to be served afterwards, courtesy Green Acres Baptist Church.

CHAPEL HILL — A portion of Smith County Road 220, just east of New Chapel Hill, is back open to drivers after being closed for months while a bridge could be constructed. Road and bridge crews began working in April to repair a box culvert and the roadway. Once work began, it was determined that the damage was too great and that the entire structure had been undermined, so the culvert would need to be replaced with a bridge, County Engineer Frank Davis said. The road closure affected through traffic on CR 220 between CR 289 and CR 2298.

ATHENS – A trial date has been set for an 81-year-old Athens ISD bus driver charged for a student’s death. According to our news partner KETK, John Stevens is set for trial January 22, 2022. He is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after a bus he was driving in January 2019 was hit by a train, killing 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injuring 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. The process of setting a trial date has been not an easy one. A prosecutor from the Texas Attorney General’s office failed to appear at a status hearing in August, delaying the case further. The case had been handed to the AG’s office after the Henderson District Attorney Office recused itself for a “conflict of interest.”

TYLER — The Smith County Collections Department is holding its annual warrant round up the week of September 13. Judicial Compliance/Collections Director Sheryl Keel says the county’s courts have hundreds of active warrants they are seeking to clear. Keel says defendants are encouraged to take advantage of the options available to settle outstanding warrants immediately. Once the arrest period begins Monday, Smith County will aggressively target persons on the delinquent and or warrant list and arrests can take place at any location, including the defendant’s home, school or workplace, Keel said. Notices were being mailed to all defendants who fit the criteria. For more information about warrants or citations, visit this link or contact the Smith County Collections Department at 903-590-4624.

TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is partnering with the Tyler Independent School District to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations this Saturday for everyone over age 12, with a focus on TISD teachers, staff, students, and students’ families. The vaccine clinic will be open from 8:00 a.m. till noon at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Douglas on E. Douglas Blvd. in Tyler. It is open to all members of the public in the aforementioned age category, including teachers, staff, and employees of Tyler ISD, as well as students and their families. To sign up, visit this link and click “Connect with CHRISTY.”

TYLER — A Tyler woman was sentenced to eight years of deferred adjudication Thursday morning and ordered to pay back more than $40,000 in restitution for an embezzling scheme. According to our news partner KETK, Vicki Melhart, 40, pleaded guilty to writing herself checks while working for Deerbrook Storage Unit. Between Oct. 2, 2019, and April 4, 2020, she wrote 107 checks for more than $40,000 out of the company’s account. The owner of the company told police that Melhart’s job had been “renting units, paying various bills, and taking payments.” She was fired when the owner found out that she had been writing the checks and forging his or his son’s signature. Continue reading Tyler woman sentenced to 8 years probation for embezzlement

RUSK — The father of a missing 5-week-old baby pleaded guilty to charges in the disappearance and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old DeAndre Argumon pleaded guilty to abandoning a child nearly one year after his son Armaidre went missing in September 2020. He had already been convicted back in April for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection to Armaidre’s disappearance. An Amber Alert was issued when he went missing and a massive search was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies. Armaidre has not been seen since Friday, September 18 in Wells, a small community in southern Cherokee County. To this day, he still has not been found.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill partially authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes made to protect Texans from wrongful censorship on social media. According to our news partner KETK, the legislation requires large social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to make regular reports of removed content, create a complaint system and disclose their content regulation procedures. Abbott was joined at the signing by Hughes and Rep. Briscoe Cain, who are the authors of the bill. Sen. Charles Perry, Sen. Dawn Buckingham and Sen. Angela Paxton were also present. Specifically, the bill prevents social media companies with more than 50 million monthly users from banning users based on their political viewpoints. Continue reading Abbott signs Hughes’ social media censorship protection bill into law

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is proposing the addition of a digital forensic specialist and a homeless coordinator to its ranks with the passing of the city’s 2021-2022 annual budget. According to a news release, the forensic specialist will give officers the opportunity to resolve more investigations and present stronger cases for prosecution. Police say adding a homeless coordinator allows the department to work closely with homeless residents and guide them to available resources. City residents will have another opportunity for public input on the budget on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at City Hall. Following the public hearing, the budget will be voted on for adoption by the City Council.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a resolution supporting execution of a funding agreement with TxDOT for five Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects in Tyler. The HSIP is federally funded with some costs paid for by TxDOT or the city, depending on what roadways the projects will affect. Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will pay for 90 percent of the construction costs. According to a news release, the city will pay the remaining 10 percent and 100 percent of the engineering, design, and any construction cost overruns for three traffic system improvement projects. Continue reading City moving forward with traffic signal, intersection improvements

LONGVIEW — Pointing out that this is Hunger Action Month, the East Texas Food Bank is holding another mega drive-thru produce distribution Friday from 8-10 a.m. at the Gregg County Fairgrounds in Longview. The events are open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. These are drive-thru distributions and walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note must be provided. As the pandemic continues, food bank officials say they are still seeing an increased need for food assistance. The next distribution is Friday, September 17, at Lindsey Park in Tyler from 10 a.m. till noon.

TYLER – Texas College will host a public COVID-19 vaccination clinic Friday, September 10, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The College will be collaborating with the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health), The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW), GOOD HEALTH WINs initiative, and Tyler City Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shirley McKellar. The clinic will be open to the public, and no appointment will be necessary. Vaccinations will be available for everyone age 12 or older. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Through the partnership with NCNW GOOD HEALTH WINs initiative, the college will be able to offer free Uber rides to and from the campus for residents to receive the vaccine. Call Wanda Williams or Cecile Brewster at (903) 593-8311, ext. 2709, for more details.

TYLER — More than $1 million in grants was given to six East Texas veteran organizations on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veteran’s Assistance presented the money at Habitat For Humanity of Smith County in Tyler. The funds were approved back in May through a program that provides approximately 140 grants to organizations across the Lone Star State. The CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Jack Wilson, was there to receive the group’s big check. He mentioned, he felt grateful for the money because it’s going to help change lives. Continue reading Grants presented to East Texas veteran organizations

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved an $18,632,408.84 contract with Insituform Technologies, LLC for sanitary sewer system rehabilitation work. According to a news release, the project includes cleaning and installing significant amounts of pipe liner in the north and west ends of the city. Officials say crews will be able to repair existing sewer lines with little or no digging. Click here for further details.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has proposed the addition of two new firefighters, along with the purchase of improved personal protective equipment and a new tower truck for the fire department. To prepare for anticipated community growth, officials say the fire department offered and ran its first Fire Academy in 33 years. Recruits are expected to graduate and become firefighters in fiscal year 2022. Adding two new firefighters would bring the city’s total of Fire sworn positions to 160, according to a news release. The stated goal is to periodically add firefighters until the department has enough personnel to staff a new fire station when such is needed. Visit this link for more information. Continue reading City turns attention to fire department, solid waste

TYLER — The City of Tyler, with the help of community members, is working to gather supplies and bring relief to survivors of Hurricane Ida. Donations will be accepted until Sept. 15 at the Downtown Recycling Center, the Glass Recreation Center, and the Goodman Museum. Community members will be taking the relief items to the east side of New Orleans to assist with recovery. The city asks that donations be new/unopened; food items should be those that do not require refrigeration, as many do not yet have electricity; and if dropping off large quantities, already boxed items are most easily transported to the distribution site. Click here for more information.

TYLER — Amid staggering new COVID-19 numbers in East Texas, NET Health’s George Roberts repeats his months-long mantra: Get vaccinated. He says the vaccination numbers are improving but are still not where he’d like. Roberts repeats that vaccinations are readily available and that the vaccines do work. He also points to the availability of regeneron therapy at several area locations for people who are early in their COVID-19 diagnosis.

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair is back after a two-year hiatus. It’s set for September 24th – October 3rd 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.

SMITH COUNTY — All Smith County law enforcement has been approved for pay raises, which Sheriff Larry Smith and Judge Nathaniel Moran hope will help address a massive staffing shortage. According to our news partner KETK, the two held a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the commissioner’s courtroom. Moran said while other areas of the country are “looking to defund police,” Smith County would “refund our law enforcement.” For instance, the starting salary of a detention officer in the county jail would rise from $33,620 to $41,500. This equates to nearly a 25% pay raise. The sheriff said that it also means the raises will make the county more competitive not just with other law enforcement agencies, but with the private sector as well. Continue reading Smith County approves pay raise to address staff shortages

TYLER (AP/Staff) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law an overhaul of the state’s election rules following months of protests by Democrats. The sweeping bill signed Tuesday by the two-term Republican governor further tightens Texas’ strict voting laws. Texas joins more than a dozen states that have passed Republican-backed voting changes since the 2020 election. The new laws have been driven in part by former President Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Opponents of the changes in Texas have already begun filing lawsuits in federal court. The legislation was initiated by state Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola, who was among those on hand for the signing ceremony. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was also on hand.

EAST TEXAS — More East Texas school districts have temporarily closed due to COVID-19 concerns. According to our news partner KETK, schools in Mount Enterprise and Ore City will be out of session through Friday. Rains ISD, which put activities on hold last week, reopened Wednesday.

TYLER — A portion of South Broadway Avenue (between Rowland Place and East Charnwood Street) will be closed to northbound traffic Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to remove a large dead tree from the right-of-way. Northbound drivers will be detoured onto East Dobbs Street where they can turn left onto South Donnybrook Avenue. There, motorists can continue north to East Charnwood Street where they will be able to turn left to go west, back to South Broadway Avenue. This will only affect the northbound traffic on South Broadway Avenue. Drivers are reminded to obey all traffic signs, flaggers, detours and slow down in and around the area.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The City Council in Portland, Oregon will vote Wednesday on an emergency resolution that would ban the purchase of goods and services from Texas in response to the new law prohibiting most abortions there. The resolution would also bar city employee travel to the state. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office said in a news release the Portland ban would be in effect until Texas either withdraws the abortion law or it gets overturned in court. The news release said the Portland City Council stands unified in its belief that all people should have the right to choose if and when they carry a pregnancy. The Heartbeat Act was authored by Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola.

TYLER — Tyler police say a portion of Front Street is now clear following a Monday morning wreck. Police had been asking drivers to avoid the street in the area near the PATH building after the wreck left power lines across the roadway, temporarily shutting down traffic in that vicinity.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. Tyler Maintenance plans to have crews performing base and edge repairs on FM 838. Flashers will be used to direct traffic. A second crew will be performing draining maintenance on FM 16. Flashers will be used to direct traffic. Longview Maintenance will be cleaning ditches on FM 1844. The crews will continue work on bridge channel maintenance on FM 2275 and FM 2204. Herbicide operations were also due to begin on various roadways. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Click here for the complete rundown of work around the district.

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. Tuesday, Sept. 7 through Friday, Sept. 10 in two areas. Continue reading Smoke testing locations for week of Sept. 7

TYLER — 20-year-old Javier Valenzuela-Avila of Tyler has been arrested for murder and jailed on a $1,000,000 bond following the death of a 25-year-old woman. Police say Valenzuela-Avila was initially admitted to a local hospital for self inflicted wounds but later released and jailed. According to a news release, officers responded to an E. Dawson St. residence shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday on a welfare concern and found the body of Laura Garcia. Police say the case remains under investigation.