TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of February 26. Weather conditions have had a significant impact on work schedules so some schedules have not changed from the previous week. Schedules are always subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.
In Smith County, the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route is planning daily lane closures on Farm Road 16 at Toll 49, and on Interstate Highway 20 at Toll 49. Expect lane closures on FM 16 from 9:00am to 4:00pm., Monday-Friday, February 26 – March 2. Various I-20 lane closures will also be conducted from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday – Thursday, February 26 – March 1, and from 9:00am to noon, on Friday, March 2. The schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions. Local law enforcement will be assisting with work zone traffic control. Continue reading TxDot Area Road Work Update
JACKSONVILLE — TxDOT is conducting a relief route study for a heavily congested area in Jacksonville. According to KETK, Studies show the highway in Jacksonville is operating at an undesirable level. Eight miles of Highway 69 go directly through the city, with intersections that slow down travel time. The highway is a designated hurricane evacuation route. At a public meeting Thursday night, Mayor Dick Stone also said the study is looking at truck traffic coming from Beaumont and the East Coast. Stone says, “I think it will be beneficial to the majority of people…If they do the route it will have to go through someone’s property, so I imagine the people that are directly affected would probably be opposed to it. But I think overall it will make it a little safer to drive through.” He added it would also benefit emergency vehicles traveling in that area. 
TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested a man for impersonating a police officer. Officer responded to an aggravated assault report around 12:30 this morning on Highway 64 and Loop 323. The victims said a man driving a silver Ford Explorer had tried to pull them over and had displayed a handgun in the process. The victims were able to get the license plate and police found the vehicle a short time later at Broadway and the Loop. Khristian Welch, 18, admitted to trying to pull the victim’s vehicle over after observing them run a red light. A red and blue strobe light was found on the front seat of the Explorer. Welch was booked into the Smith County Jail on an impersonating a public servant charge. Police are also investigating a similar report around 7:00 Thursday night. 
SMITH COUNTY — One person was taken to the hospital following a Thursday morning shooting in Flint. According to KETK, it happened shortly before 6:15 on Frederick Circle, just off Highway 69 South. A male was shot in the backyard of the home. Smith County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Darrell Coslin said the man accidentally shot himself in the shoulder. The wound is not life threatening. 
SMITH COUNTY – More Smith County roads have been closed due to high water. The number now stands at 7. County Roads 354, 2180, 2138, 420, 421, 113 and 129 have been barricaded and closed. The barricades will remain up until the water over the roadways recedes. Drivers are warned to take alternate routes.
TYLER — A trial date of April 11 has been set for an East Texas business owner accused of sexually assaulting a child. KETK reports Grant Cook, owner of Grant Cook Music in Flint, is accused of fondling a girl younger than 14 last July. His girlfriend’s granddaughter is the reported victim. The girl told her sister Cook had assaulted her, and the sister in turn told the grandmother. Investigators say the girl was lying on the couch asleep when it happened.
BROWNSBORO – A Tyler chiropractor has been killed in a two vehicle accident in Henderson County. Sharn Alexander Dewet of Bullard was killed in the wreck on State Highway 31, just over 3 miles west of Brownsboro. The accident happened around 10:00 Wednesday night. The Department of Public Safety says, for some reason, a pickup ended up in the opposite late of traffic. The truck, driven by 27 year old Bunheng Sok of Athens, hit the victim’s car. Dewet was pronounced dead at the scene. Sok is in critical condition in a Tyler hospital. 
TYLER – Reports of gunshots sent Tyler police to the Best Buy parking lot on South Broadway around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. There was damage to two vehicles, but it is unknown if it was from the gunshots at this time. Witnesses report seeing what appeared to be a tan SUV, possibly a Lincoln SUV leaving the scene. Officers saw a tan Lincoln Navigator, with four persons, traveling north on Copeland Road from Rieck Road. When officers stopped it, they arrested the driver and a passenger for unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana. The other passengers were released. Investigators are still trying to determine if they were involved in the shooting. 
TYLER — The filing deadline has passed, and there are only two contested races on the May local election ballot in Tyler. Martin Heines, seeking a third and final term as mayor, will be challenged by Joel Rando for the third time. Broderick McGee faces Beverly Beavers-Brooks for the District 2 seat on the city council. Current District 2 councilmember Darryl Bowdre will step down in May due to term limits.