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TYLER — One of Smith County’s major bond-funded road projects has been completed while another is starting, County Engineer Frank Davis reported this week. During Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting, Davis gave his monthly progress report of Road and Bridge Bond Improvement Projects for the last month. County Road 220, off Highway 64 East near New Chapel Hill, and CR 223, from CR 220 to FM 3226 have been rebuilt and repaved. Just more than three miles of CR 220, also known as Old Henderson Road, was improved. Work included repairing the edges and the roadway, then overlaying it with new asphalt. Final clean up and striping are being done this week. You can go to https://www.smith-county.com/Home/Components/News/News/126/97 for more details.

PALESTINE – A chemical spill Tuesday closed Palestine’s city hall and the police department. City Hall is now open, but the police department will remain closed until further notice. The spill happened when a shelf in the evidence storage room gave way. An unknown quantity of amido black, a mixture of luminol and methanol used in crime scene investigation, spilled onto the floor. The spill caused the evacuation of both city hall and the police department. According to the Hazmat clean up team on site, the chemical did not warrant any additional assistance from the state or federal government. The police department is working with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department to provide service and dispatching. All emergency calls are operable at this time. Three employees were taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center for observation. All other employees near the scene were treated on scene and released.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler recently announced it has received a $25,000 gift from the Texas Council on Economic Education to support economic and financial education in East Texas. According to a news release, the gift was presented in recognition of the UT Tyler Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy’s impact on the education of East Texas students from pre-school to graduate school. University officials say CEEFL was established in 2011 with a mission to improve the economic and financial literacy of students across the educational continuum.

TYLER – Smith County commissioners have approved new dispatch software that will aid both first responders and those seeking help. The new software is from Genesis PULSE, which was created by The Genesis Group, a Tyler-based company. Currently, the sheriff’s office has to contact the cell phone companies to ping someone’s phone to get their approximate location. With the new software, they will automatically get an extremely accurate device location. Plus, the new system will display known road closures, traffic crashes, or weather alerts that could cause delays during responses. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said he believes the new software could potentially be a “game changer.”

TYLER – A man is facing weapons charges following a Smith County traffic stop on Tuesday. His car was stopped by a state trooper on Highway 155 North, just south of Interstate Highway 20. The trooper saw an open black bag in the passenger seat with a couple of handguns and handgun magazines. He was also wearing body armor and was found to possess multiple firearms including both pistols and rifles. He also had several high capacity magazines and multiple knives. During the interview he made several statements about threats to himself and others. Smith County sheriff’s deputies took him into custody and took him to a hospital for evaluation. When the evaluation is completed, he will be taken to the Smith County Jail on weapons charges.

CHAPEL HILL – On Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy, who is assigned as a school resource officer for the Chapel Hill school system, found Charles David Applegate, 38, of Crockett, passed out in a car. The vehicle was in the high school parking lot near the band hall. He was conscious but had vomited on himself. Applegate who is a teacher at the school, was removed from the vehicle. Applegate was said to be intoxicated and was in possession of a used aerosol can. It is believed that he was huffing the fumes from the aerosol can. He was arrested and taken to the Smith County Jail. He was charged with public intoxication and possession of inhalants. Bond was set at $760.

TYLER – Smith county is preparing to help residents in time of disaster. Smith County commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement with the East Texas Communities Foundation to create the East Texas Disaster Relief Fund. The foundation will pass donations along to local nonprofits, organizations, the county or any other entity that needs the funds. The money can be used for planning and preparation, first response, recovery and rebuilding after a disaster or community crisis. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said creating the disaster fund falls in line with the county’s focus on improving its emergency preparedness and response in the upcoming fiscal year.

TYLER – A University of Texas at Tyler graduate student, Alisha Khanal has been awarded the $9,500 Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore Fellowship from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The fellowship is intended to further the exploration of new applications of geotechnical engineering or the earth sciences to social, economic, environmental and political issues. Khanal, a civil engineer, is from Nepal. After a devastating earthquake in her country in 2015, she decided to dedicate the next phase of her educational career to developing a better understanding of earthquake effects in hopes of preventing future fatalities. One of two students nationwide to receive this fellowship, she is studying with UT Tyler assistant professor, Dr. Gokhan Saygili, who is an expert in the geotechnical field. Continue reading Engineering Fellowship for a U-T Tyler Student

TYLER – Tyler police are asking for the public’s help in locating a known gang member. They are looking for Jeremy Tramaine Hawkins, AKA “Lil West,” 34 of Tyler. He currently has a 1st degree felony warrant for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance list in penalty group 1. If you have any information on his location contact Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

LINDALE – A school bond issue will be going before Lindale voters in November. School trustees on Monday approved a $32.4 million bond proposal. With the funds, the district will add 23 new high school classrooms, expand the cafeteria and add an auxiliary gym. They also plan to make improvements for extra-curricular activities for the high school. Security was also on the minds of school board members. They plan upgrades for over 500 cameras and an electronic entry for all exterior doors. The district recently hired two officers for the upcoming school year.

KILGORE – The president of Kilgore College has received a new lengthy contract. The school presidents have usually received two year contracts. On Monday, school trustees gave Dr. Brenda Kays a five-year contract. With the new contract, her salary will remain the same. Dr Kays became president of the school in January 2016, succeeding Dr. Bill Holda, who held the post for 24 years. The trustees also approved the school’s new budget of $36.1 million. This is an increase of over $1.6 million above the current budget

GILMER – Upshur County officials are investigating marijuana plants found growing in the county. The 30 plants, averaging two to three feet tall, were found growing just over a week ago. A work crew found the plants just off a right-of-way near Saunders Road in the southwest part of the county. The plants were easily accessible through the right-of-way by vehicle. Investigators say there is no evidence that the owner knew the plants were there. They encourage land owners to have their land checked routinely. The plants were cut and taken to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office evidence room.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Three East Texans have been arrested on drug charges in Henderson County. Arbra Leon Peavy, 53, and Miranda Arnold, 37, were arrested at a residence in Payne Springs after a search warrant was served Monday. Peavy was charged with manufacturing and delivering. Arnold was wanted on several outstanding warrants out of Seven Points. Continue reading Three Suspects Arrested following Drug Investigations

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD has developed a plan to ensure equitable access to education opportunities. The action follows the lifting of a 1970 federal desegregation earlier this year. During Monday night’s school board meeting, school trustees unanimously adopted a Voluntary Desegregation Plan for magnet school programs in accordance with the United States Department of Education Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant. Under the federal desegregation order, the district was required to submit reports and documentation to the Justice Department, and any changes to school attendance zones or campuses required court approval. According to a news release on the district’s web site, School Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox explained that, while Longview ISD is no longer under the direct federal oversight, the district “will continue to ensure all of Longview’s students have fair and equitable access to our best educational opportunities.” Continue reading A Voluntary Desegregation Plan for Longview Schools

TYLER – The City of Tyler Main Street Department has announced the word interim has been removed from Amber Rojas-Varona’s title. She is now the new Main Street Director. The announcement was made Monday. She has worked with the City of Tyler for seven years, serving as the Historic Preservation Officer and Planning technician with the Planning Department. Since December 2017 she served as the Interim Main Street Director and is currently obtaining her Certified Main Street Manager credentials through the Main Street America Institute. She recently lead the efforts in obtaining the Texas Historical Commission Anice B. Read Award of Excellence in Community Heritage Development. Amber oversees the Main Street Program, Gallery Main Street, the Downtown Parking Ambassador program and oversees the City’s Historic Preservation program. She will continue her partnerships with local organizations, programs and events.

PALESTINE – An increase in traffic enforcement will soon be underway in Palestine. The campaign begins on Friday and runs through September 3rd. This enforcement will focus specifically the offenses of driving while intoxicated, seatbelt, child seat, and speeding. The Palestine Police Department was awarded a STEP enforcement grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. The grant refunds the department for the use of their officers and equipment for the additional enforcement.

EAST TEXAS – Weekend rains have caused some area burn bans to either be lifted or modified. Gregg County lifted its burn ban Monday. County Judge Bill Stoudt said the county has received sufficient rainfall, and drought conditions have abated. Rusk County commissioners on Monday rescinded an unconditional ban and enacted a provisional one. Rusk County residents can burn outdoors if they take the proper precautions. This means they can burn out doors by using a burn barrel under certain circumstances. There are still burn bans in place in Smith, Cherokee, Upshur, Wood and Harrison counties.

TYLER – Tyler police have arrested a man they say was trying to pawn stolen items. Wendell Halkman, 23, of Fort Worth is said to have broken into a Tyler home on Sunday. He then took the items he had taken from the home to First Cash Pawn on South Broadway. When they saw he was not familiar with the value of the items he was trying to pawn, they called police. As officers started arriving, he fled on foot. They later found him hiding in a dumpster at Broadway and Amherst. He is being held in the Smith County Jail for burglary of a habitation and evading arrest. He is also wanted in Fort Worth for robbery.

TYLER – Free rides are being offered, for a limited time, to Tyler Junior College. Tyler Transit and TJC have partnered to create the “Invest in our Future” campaign. It allows students, parents and guardians to ride the Tyler Public Transportation System’s fixed routes for free when riding to TJC. The campaign will run through the end of the month. Registration for fall classes at TJC continues now through August 26. A bus stop is located on the TJC main campus at the corner of Fifth Street and Baxter Avenue. Continue reading Free Rides to TJC

DALLAS – Mail processing operations are resuming at a Mentroplex postal facility. Postal officials have announced the North Texas Processing and Distribution Center in Coppell resumed daily operation on Monday. Last Tuesday the facility was shut down when mercury spilled from an improperly mailed package. Mail on its way to the Tyler area is routed through this facility. While the north Texas mail center was shut down, mail was diverted to other mail processing facilities in the Metroplex area. This slowed and delayed mail coming to this area. But now, since the plant has been cleaned and certified to be safe, mail delivery is returning to normal.

FLINT — Texas Rangers are investigating a fatal standoff in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, on Sunday afternoon, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a welfare concern call on Neely Drive in Flint. When authorities arrived, a woman on scene appeared erratic. Officers made their way inside the house and found the woman had a pistol. After the woman refused to put the gun down, she was shot once in the arm by a deputy. After hours of negotiating with deputies, the woman shot and killed herself. Her name has not been released.

TYLER — The St. Paul Children’s Foundation has announced the formation of the Smith County Food Security Council, and the group holds its first meeting Monday at 4:00 p.m. Participants will gather at Tyler’s Marvin United Methodist Church to discuss current anti-hunger activities in the community and ways to work together and expand efforts. Organizers point out that 1 in 5 Smith County residents struggles with food insecurity. The council’s leadership team includes representatives from a variety of organizations. Among other things, organizers plan to discuss and recruit members for workgroups to focus on different areas. Anyone interested is asked to attend or contact St. Paul pediatrician Dr. Valerie Smith at (903) 531-9455.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct a variety of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the week of August 13. In Tyler, work continues to construct right turn lanes on Grande Blvd. at Old Jacksonville Hwy. Expect delays on both roadways with daytime lane closures in place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Longview maintenance crews are conducting pavement repairs on FM 2087 from Loop 281 south to the railroad tracks. Expect lane closures with flaggers managing traffic control. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/035-2018.html for a complete rundown of work throughout the district.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have been searching for a woman with a medical condition, who has been reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, Jennifer Lynn Sisco, 30, was last seen wearing black shorts, a black shirt, and white tennis shoes. She walked away from her home on Cleardale Drive near the Leland Street intersection Saturday around 3:30 p.m. Police say Jennifer has been listed as a missing person because of her medical condition and needs to be located. If you know where Jennifer is or have seen her, contact 911 or the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County deputies have arrested a man after a shooting linked to a car repossession. According to our news partner KETK, the vehicle was being repossessed around 4 p.m. Thursday when the car’s owner came out of his residence on CR 274 and fired shots in the direction of the repossession truck driver. No one was injured. The suspect was arrested for possession of a sawed-off shotgun, a prohibited weapon. His identity and further details were not immediately released.

FRANKSTON – Two people have died and one has been injured following a late Friday morning shooting at the Quik Stop convenience store on East Pine Street in Frankston. According to our news partner KETK, police say 51-year-old Tammy Wynette Stevens died from a gunshot wound to the head. 73-year-old James Jones was injured by the same bullet that killed Stevens. 78-year-old suspect Grady Howell was later found dead of an apparent suicide at a Henderson County home. Video footage showed a man walking into the store, where Stevens and Jones were playing video games. He walked up to Stevens, shot her after exchanging words, and fled. The investigation continues.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that people are once again getting the IRS scam phone calls. Someone is calling, claiming to be an IRS official, wanting payment for a past due tax bill. They try and con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone “robo-calls,” or via phishing email. The IRS says, this is not the way they operate. If you don’t owe back taxes, or have no reason to think that you do, don’t give out any information, just hang up.

ATHENS – A Silver Alert has been issued for an Athens woman. The Department of Public Safety issued the alert for Diana Lynn Musella. She was last seen leaving her apartment around 9:00 Wednesday morning. When she never arrived at her destination that day, she was reported missing. She is said to be driving a silver or beige Toyota Corolla with the Texas license plates DNZ2279. If you see her, you are asked to contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

EAST TEXAS – Another area county has been added to the burn ban list. There are over a dozen counties on the list, including Smith and Gregg counties. That latest to join the list is Wood County. Sheriff Tom Castloo say the county is now under a burn ban effective immediately.