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TYLER — Smith County offers plenty of opportunities as early voting gets underway in the March 1 primaries. There are five early voting locations in the county, including The Hub, The Heritage Building, Noonday Community Center, Lindale Masonic Lodge, and Whitehouse United Methodist Church. Early voting times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, February 14-18; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. p.m. Saturday, February 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 20; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, February 22-25. There will be 35 Voting Centers for people to cast their ballots on Election Day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. Smith County residents will be able to vote at any of the Voting Centers, no matter which precinct they live in. Click here for more details.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department released photos of two men they say robbed two separate Family Dollar stores February 7th. According to our news partner KETK, the two men in the photos, one wearing a black hoodie, the other an orange hoodie, left in a white SUV. Authorities say the men are armed and dangerous. If encountered, call Tyler Police.

MABANK — A woman was killed Tuesday after deputies were called to a home responding to a domestic violence call, according to Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix. In a brief phone interview with our news partner KETK, Hendrix said deputies responded to a home in the Mabank area around 10 p.m. A 911 caller had reported possible gunshots and that it was potentially a family violence situation. Hendrix said that when deputies arrived there was a 38-year-old woman, whose name was not released, firing a gun in front of the home. They gave her verbal commands to drop her gun. At some point, the woman reportedly fired in the direction of the officers. Hendrix then said the woman pointed her weapon directly at a deputy and he fired his gun at her. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Sheriff: Woman killed after firing shots at deputies

TYLER — It’s getting better, but the pandemic is still far from over. That’s the word from NET Health’s George Roberts, who points out that positive case and hospital numbers continue trending downward in his agency’s area. He adds that omicron deaths have potentially plateaued statewide. But Roberts notes that the number of cases in the area is still substantial. He says vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick continue to be the best moves you can make. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER — Two more suspects in the catalytic converter thefts from January 28th in Tyler have been identified, and one has been arrested. Police say Andre Tyrell Pete, 25, has been arrested in the Houston area and booked into the Harris County Jail. He will be transported back to Smith County. Both suspects are from Houston; Darius Reggie, 20, is still wanted. Both face charges of aggravated assault of a public servant, engaging in organized criminal activity, evading arrest/detention and 4 counts of theft of material. DeAnthony Brown, who is already in jail, had five more charges added: engaging in organized criminal activity with a $250,000 bond and 4 counts of theft of material. If you have any information, call Tyler police at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Continue reading Additional suspects identified, one arrested in catalytic converter theft case

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Chandler man who was indicted for his involvement in a 2020 fatal crash was sentenced 12 years to prison. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Taylor Collins, 20, was arrested for three counts of intoxication manslaughter after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed into an East Texas couple that was expecting their first child together on Oct. 25, 2020.  23-year-old LeAnna Hester was driving south on FM 315, near Coffee City when she was struck head-on by Collins, said DPS. Hester who was expecting was pronounced dead at the scene, and Blake Stanford, 24, who was in Hester’s car was taken to a local hospital in Tyler where he later died. Continue reading Chandler man sentenced 12 years for fatal crash

EAST TEXAS — Workforce Solutions East Texas has announced five new Access Point partner locations. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours. The new locations are in Henderson, Gilmer, Palestine, Carthage, and Pittsburg. Click here for more details.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees voted during a board workshop Thursday to call a school bond election for May 7. According to a news release, the proposal was developed by the administration and presented to the board to balance campus capacity, address aging buildings, and increase safety and security. Bond 2022 will ask voters to consider an $89 million package for the construction of Hubbard Middle School and Early College High School. The new Hubbard campus would replace the existing 55-year-old campus. The new Early College High School would be located next to TISD’s Career and Technology Center. Continue reading Tyler ISD trustees call bond election for May

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was indicted by a Smith County grand jury for sex trafficking. According to our news partner KETK, Brandon Lee Johnson, 26, was indicted on the following charges: continuous trafficking of persons, sexual assault of a child and compelling prostitution under age of 18. The Tyler man was arrested on June 3, 2021. He was found with a minor who was a victim of sex trafficking, said the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The United States Marshal’s Task Force in Tyler made the arrest. Johnson’s arraignment hearing is planned for Feb. 11.

TYLER — Due to the continued risk and increase in community COVID cases, Smith County Jail visitation will remain suspended until March 3, according to a Wednesday news release. Echoing a notice initially issued in early January, officials say the extension has been implemented “in an effort to safeguard the inmate population, jail personnel, and the citizens of Smith County.” Video calls and telephone calls will still be available by inmates, at cost, using equipment provided by the Smith County Jail, according to the release.

AUSTIN — Tyler and Longview continue to show up strong in monthly sales tax allocations released by the state comptroller’s office, reflecting an ongoing statewide trend. For February, Tyler will receive $6,063,419.89, compared to $5,141,962.05 a year ago. Tyler’s year-to-date total is $11,060,380.74, up from $8,812,076.30 at this time last year. Longview is getting $4,498,936.23 this month, up from $3,926,820.59 in February 2021. The year-to-date total in Longview is $8,010,086.26, an increase from the $6,543,295.98 reported a year ago.

TYLER — Another busy Wednesday for the Tyler City Council. The Council approved a contract providing for the re-timing of 19 signalized intersections to build on corridors which were retimed in 2019 and 2021 and focus on areas that have seen less reliable travel times, according to a news release. Councilmembers also opened the door for the Fire Department to apply for and accept grants collectively totaling $46,503.05. The funds will be used to fund and support TFD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regional Response Team to service 14 counties in the ETCOG region. Continue reading Tyler City Council addresses several key items

TYLER – Democratic candidate for Texas governor Beto O’Rourke spoke in Tyler Tuesday, and one of his main topics was the power grid. According to our news partner KETK, O’Rourke visited as part of his “Keeping the Lights On: A Statewide Drive for a Brighter Texas” to mark one year since the 2021 winter storm that left many Texans without electricity. On Tuesday, O’Rourke said he wants to ensure the grid never fails again, and that will be his number one job if he’s elected as governor. “We’re going to winterize the grid, including importantly the gas supply,” said O’Rourke. He also spoke on education, healthcare, and unity.

ALTO – A sophomore student died after collapsing during a basketball game against Mount Pleasant in Alto on Tuesday. Devonte Mumphrey fell in the second quarter of the game and later passed away, according to our news partner KETK. He was a basketball and football player at Alto High School. Earlier this month, Mumphrey had been nominated for Week 12 for Mr. Texas Basketball, which is selected by Dave Campbell’s Texas Basketball. Continue reading High school student dies after collapsing during basketball game in Alto

LONGVIEW — TxDOT has announced changes to the existing intersection layout of FM 2206 and South Loop 281 in Gregg County. All legs of the intersection have been combined into a single, temporary two-way access for the intersection. The access has been relocated approximately 300 feet west of its original location. Detour signs, barricades, and channelizing devices have been put in place to help guide motorists through the new configuration, according to a news release. This configuration will last through the remainder of the project. Motorists are encouraged to pay attention and drive with caution.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert is voicing concerns over what he terms “apparent unconstitutional tampering of private constituent mail.” In a news release, Gohmert says, “In January, my staff received a letter addressed to my official office from a Christian missionary, which was already opened and stamped “DOJ MAILROOM” with a date and “X-RAYED” on the stamp. Last week, my office received a second piece of mail from a constituent, mailed from east Texas and postmarked September 2021. It took four-and-a-half months to reach my office and was also opened and bore a stamp from the DOJ.” Continue reading Gohmert addresses “apparent” mail tampering

TYLER – Tyler’s top business official is upbeat and shares his thoughts after the Tyler metro area was ranked first in Texas for job growth from December 2020 to December 2021. The area also ranks sixth in the nation. There were 8,800 more jobs, which is an 8.3% increase, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, Current Employment Statistic. Texas metro areas were ranked by the change in the number of jobs that the area had in December 2020 in comparison to December 2021. The top five has Abilene at 5, followed by McAllen-Edinburg at 4, Midland 3, Austin Round Rock at two. Continue reading Martinez weighs in on Tyler area’s top job growth ranking

TYLER — More encouraging news this week in the COVID-19 numbers in the NET Health survey area. NET Health’s George Roberts says it appears that the area’s omicron experience has now peaked, with downward trends in positive cases and hospital patient numbers. He notes that hospital patient figures have dropped in the last two reporting cycles. Roberts terms local health officials “cautiously optimistic” that the current omicron experience will end in the region “in the next few weeks.” But he cautions that the entire area remains in the substantial spread category, even though those numbers have also dropped in Smith and Gregg Counties. Vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick remain high priorities. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD’s temporary mask mandate is now lifted effective Tuesday, Feb. 8. Officials say masks inside school buildings and vehicles are recommended but no longer required. Recent COVID-19 data show a consistent decrease in COVID-19 positive cases in the district, according to a news release. Updated COVID-19 data will be presented during the next school board meeting on Monday, Feb. 21. The health of students, and staff is the district’s top priority, according to the release. Officials say the district is grateful for the cooperation and willingness from the staff, students, and families to keep the Chapel Hill community healthy. CHISD will continue to monitor and track COVID-19 cases in the district, according to the release.

TYLER – Two Family Dollar stores in Tyler were robbed by armed burglars Monday night. Around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Tyler Police responded to a call of an armed robbery at the Family Dollar on West Bow Street. About 45 minutes later at approximately 9:15, officers also responded to an armed robbery at the Family Dollar at Front and Beckham. According to officials, the stores appear to have been robbed by similar suspects. It is currently unknown how much or what was taken from each location. The suspects in these two cases are described as two males who were armed. They were seen leaving both locations in a white SUV (pictured). This case remains under investigation. If you have any information on either of these two cases contact Detective Molina at 903-531-1097.

WASHINGTON D.C. — In the latest release of videos from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot last year, multiple clips show Longview native Ryan Nichols (right) filming himself during the attack calling for further violence and to “cut their heads off.” According to our news partner KETK, Nichols is facing roughly one dozen charges from the attack along with his friend Alex Harkrider (left), a Carthage native. Harkrider has been out on bond since April and has been keeping to his pre-trial restrictions. He has been granted exceptions on multiple occasions to continue volunteer work in areas hit by natural disasters, most recently in Kentucky after their tornado outbreak in December. However, Nichols was denied pre-trial release due to the extensive planning he reportedly put into the riot as well as what’s termed strong video evidence of him spraying police officers with some kind of chemical and directing other people at the Capitol to violence.

TYLER — Authorities have ruled a recent incident an attempted murder-suicide. That’s after Smith County deputies responded to a shooting February 3 on CR 140 near Flint. Officials say a woman had received a gunshot wound to the chest and a man had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Both went to a Tyler hospital. The male suspect is identified as Charles Ronald Lowrance, the woman as Sherry Ware Lowrance, both 72 and both of Flint. The two are still in ICU, and officials say their conditions have improved. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

TYLER — A former Tyler resident is indicted for intoxication manslaughter following a fatal accident in Tyler last September. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Police say officers responded to the intersection of Plantation Dr. and Spring Branch Dr., 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.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center will mark its 25th anniversary with an event featuring Hollywood icon Kevin Costner. According to a news release, An Evening with Kevin Costner will begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and features a moderated talk with Costner sharing stories from his popular movies. Cowan Center Circle members can purchase tickets beginning Feb. 21. Public tickets go on sale March 7. Tickets can be purchased 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cowan Center box office or online here. Besides his lengthy resume of prior accomplishments, Costner currently stars in the popular television series “Yellowstone.” Continue reading Cowan Center announces Silver Anniversary event with Kevin Costner

TYLER — A well-known East Texas pastor accused of taking up to $150,000 worth of property from an elderly couple has been indicted on a theft charge. According to our news partner KETK, jail records showed that the most recent charge against Jerome Milton was for theft of property worth between $30,000 and $150,000 from an elderly individual. It was earlier reported that Milton was accused of taking money from an elderly couple and stealing from his previous church. Milton has been out of jail since Oct. 22, according to records. A plea docket agreement is set for May 13. Among other things, Milton took the lead in originating Tyler’s annual downtown Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration and had a highly successful career as a coach and dean at Bishop Gorman High School.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, a crew will be performing ditch work at various locations around the county, starting out on SH 155 south, just before the first bridge at Lake Palestine. Expect one lane closure with traffic controlled by flaggers. Crews in Gregg County are scheduled to perform base repairs on FM 2275 westbound near Gregg Tex Rd. Crews also plan to begin base repairs on FM 449 in multiple locations from FM 2751 to the county line. Expect one lane closure and a pilot vehicle and flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted on a murder charge from a shooting in August. According to our news partner KETK, 18-year-old Manuel Prieto is accused of killing Michael Lee Tucker, 29, on Aug. 17. Tucker was found dead after he crashed into a power pole but had been shot prior to the wreck. Prieto is also facing two charges of aggravated robbery. Tyler police believe he committed the robberies with Angel Abel Cedillo and Decedus Leon Mallard, both 17 years old. It is unclear if police believe the robberies are connected to Tucker’s murder. The robbery victims told police that two men approached his home with guns drawn. One of the suspects took money and other property before both ran to a car that was driven by a third suspect, according to police.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man accused of stabbing his mother to death last October has been indicted on a murder charge. According to our news partner KETK, on Oct. 6, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman who claimed to have been stabbed by her son. She also said he had stolen her Honda CRV. 24-year-old Carson Epifano was arrested later that night on Golden Road after investigators gave Tyler PD officers the description of the vehicle. The victim was later identified as 60-year-old Bernice Slabaugh. She died from her injuries roughly two hours after she called 911. After his indictment, Epifano was ordered to undergo a mental competency evaluation. It’s unclear if that has been done as of this writing. Epifano is being held on a $2 million bond. His first court date has not yet been set.

PALESTINE — A 16-year-old boy is dead in Anderson County after he was fatally struck by a pickup truck on Thursday. According to police, at approximately 8:15 p.m., DPS Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash near 4015 FM-2574 roughly 10.7 miles northeast of Palestine in Anderson county. The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2006 2500 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was traveling southwest on FM-2574 when a pedestrian stepped out into the roadway and was struck by the front of the pickup, according to our news partner KETK. The 16-year-old boy, from Palestine, was pronounced dead at the scene and was taken to Rhone Funeral Home in Palestine. The driver of the pickup, 49-year-old Richard Taylor, of Palestine was not injured. Police said that the investigation is currently ongoing and have offered no further information at this time.