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TYLER – Four East Texas lawmakers are ranked among the best as Texas Monthly releases its annual list identifying its picks for the state’s Best and Worst Legislators of 2017. Here’s the rundown as reported by our news partner KETK:

Representative Matt Schaefer (R, Tyler – pictured)

Rep. Schaefer represents House District 6, which encompasses Smith County.

What Texas Monthly says:

“The (Texas) Freedom Caucus has become surprisingly effective. As the caucus leader, Schaefer has clearly learned how the game is played at the Capitol, and for better or worse, he was surprisingly good at it this session.” Continue reading Four East Texas Lawmakers Make Magazine’s Best Legislators List

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities began the conversion from free chlorine back to chloramine disinfection at midnight Tuesday night. Oficials say while there may be temporary changes to taste or odor, this should be minimal. They say they don’t anticipate that the conversion will be as noticeable as the conversion to free chlorine. Customers may contact Tyler Water Utilities at (903) 531-1238 to report any changes to smell or taste.

AUSTIN — Suicide rates in Texas were more than triple for white people than for black and Hispanic people in 2015, according to a new analysis from The University of Texas System and UT Health Northeast.

3,403 Texans died from suicide in 2015, the most recent year for which there are numbers. This is more than double the number killed by homicide, and was the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24, after unintentional injuries (e.g. car accidents). Suicide was the fourth leading cause of death for ages 5-64. Continue reading UT Analysis: Suicide Rates for White Texans more than Triple Rates for Black and Hispanic Texans

KILGORE – As anticipated, Kilgore College trustees have voted to close three programs. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the move came despite comments from a series of surgical technology students and educators who strongly defended that course as vital to the Longview/Kilgore medical community. A trustees committee had recommended closing the surgical technology, drafting and design, and commercial photography programs. Continue reading Three Programs Cut by Kilgore College

LINDALE — An East Texas man has surrendered to authorities in connection with a fatal accident that occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records show Michael Fielder, 46, turned himself in to officials around 10:15 Monday evening. Fielder was charged with intoxication manslaughter stemming from a February 5 head-on collision. According to the Lindale Police Department, Fielder was southbound in his truck on South Main Street in Lindale when witnesses say he crossed the center line and hit a juvenile who was northbound in his pickup. The teen was headed home from work at KFC. The juvenile was pronounced dead and Fielder suffered injuries. Officials ordered a toxicology report and blood test, and results showed Fielder’s BAC was .117. Fielder has since posted his $10,000 bond and was released.

LONGVIEW — Good news for drivers in Longview. KETK reports three major street projects are either on or ahead of schedule. The first is improvements of Hawkins Parkway at Eastman Road. We’re told the project is ahead of schedule and expected to be finished next month. Meanwhile, construction on East Cotton Street is only about a quarter of the way done but should be finished by next summer. And improvements to Center Street are expected to be complete by early 2018.

TYLER — It’s just about three months now until the East Texas State Fair opens — and right now fair staffers are calling all volunteers. Fair President John Sykes tells KETK at any given season, there are roughly 300 volunteers on the fairgrounds. He says it’s a very fun and rewarding job. “What does it all take to get this ready, much less what does it take to execute it?” says Sykes. “Volunteers are a critical part. You can see the joy that they get from fulfilling a specific mission, having a specific responsibility that needs to get done, and then doing that.” More than $1 million has been raised through the fair for student scholarships. Sykes says the fair is an economically powerful fundraiser for the East Texas community.

TYLER – People who use Tyler Transit buses can now enjoy a cold bottle of water that will be waiting at several bus stops throughout the Tyler area. The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) continues its annual partnership in the effort with The Worthy Ones, a local nonprofit organization; several local businesses are also involved. NET Health officials say without access to water, people waiting at the bus stops increase their risk for dehydration and heat stroke. The bottled water project is in conjunction with the 2017 Heat Response Plan, developed by NET Health, the Tyler Fire Department, and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.

MARSHALL (Staff/AP) — Harrison County deputies were shocked Sunday when a the subject of a welfare check committed suicide in front of them. Then they connected him to a double homicide that happened in Shreveport just hours earlier. More than a dozen Shreveport officers responded to the original crime scene around 6 a.m. Sunday, where they found a man and a woman shot to death. Harrison County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jay Webb says both Harrison County investigators and Shreveport police are investigating the case. Continue reading Officials: Suicide Victim May Have Killed Two in Shreveport

HAWKINS (AP) — An East Texas rancher lassoed a 10-foot alligator and wranglers crawled atop the thrashing reptile’s back after it got a little too close to the landowner’s cattle. Bystanders shot video of the recent takedown near Hawkins. Byron South of Convergent Hunting Solutions says he got a call from the landowner, Hal Conover, after the alligator broke into a pen where he was weaning calves. Game wardens were also summoned. South told The Associated Press that Conover was able to throw a rope around the reptile. The video later shows two men atop the gator as it thrashes and bites one man’s hand. The man suffered minor injuries. The alligator was eventually loaded into a trailer and hauled to a wildlife park.

TYLER — After completing the investigation of the fire scene at Tyler Welders Supply on Monday, June 19, 2017, Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said the fire appears to be accidental in nature.

The exact cause of the fire that occurred on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, remains undetermined, but no foul play is suspected and no criminal charges will be filed, Mrs. McCoy-Wasson said.

The fire marshal released the fire scene back to the company, and Tyler Welders Supply will begin a private investigation in to what started the fire at 3539 U.S. Highway 271 in Tyler.

TYLER – If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for jury duty today, it’s your lucky day! Smith County residents who were planning to report for jury duty with their yellow cards today don’t have to make the trip to the Smith County Courthouse. No new panels will be needed, Smith County Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett said. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.

RUSK COUNTY – DPS Troopers have cleared the scene of a fatal crash located at Hwy-64 and CR-4108 in Rusk County. Troopers were called to the scene at approximately 9:15 AM. Preliminary crash investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling west on Hwy-64 when it ran into the back of Honda passenger car that was stopped along with other traffic, for a flagman on the side of the roadway. The initial crash caused a chain reaction involving two other passengers cars ahead of the Honda. The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene, next of kin has not been notified. The driver of the Tahoe and one of the other passenger cars involved went to Henderson ETMC. One driver was not injured. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County will host the 24th annual Day of Caring this Friday. Over 400 volunteers are donating their time and skills to complete multiple projects that can be “done in a day” for local nonprofits. The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast at First Christian Church and the dispensing of work assignments for 33 projects that are scheduled at local nonprofit organizations. The work day is over by 1:00; volunteers then return to First Christian for lunch and to celebrate and draw for door prizes provided by local merchants. According to a news release, the United Way sponsors the Day of Caring to showcase the value of volunteers and the impact their collective efforts can have on the community. Continue reading Day of Caring Scheduled for Friday

ATHENS — Authorities say a 36-year-old suspected drug dealer riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road was arrested over the weekend by a Henderson County deputy. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says Andrew Allen Page of Chandler was apprehended in the Sunrise Shores subdivision south of Chandler. Hillhouse says Page was carrying more than five grams of suspected methamphetamine and several clear plastic baggies commonly used to distribute the illegal drug. Continue reading Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested South of Chandler

EL PASO — Former East Texas journalist Mark Allen died over the weekend following a car crash in El Paso. KETK reports details in the crash are limited. Allen worked as a videographer, editor, and writer at various news organizations in East Texas. He also worked as a mentor to students at the University of Texas at Tyler, where his wife works. A memorial is being planned for a later date in Tyler.

TYLER — At the Tyler City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 14, Solid Waste employee Galen Billington was recognized as the City of Tyler Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award winner. This award is reserved for employees who place the highest premium of responsiveness to citizens’ needs, according to a city news release. City officials say after a large downtown festival, contracted cleanup crews failed to fulfill their duties, leaving downtown in a state of extreme clutter with piles of debris scattered in the area. Galen Billington received a call for help around 6:00 the following morning, which was a Sunday. Continue reading Tyler Council Recognizes Employee with Exceptional Service Award

TYLER — To celebrate the redesign and reopening of Bergfeld Park’s Amphitheater and the new Centene Stage, Tyler Civic Theater and the City of Tyler will host the Bergfeld Summer Showcase Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. City personnel say everyone’s invited to watch and sing along to songs and scenes from the shows “Rock of Ages,” “Peter Pan Jr. the Musical” and “Legally Blonde the Musical.” Food trucks will be on site, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and portable seating. Continue reading Summer Showcase Celebrates Bergfeld Park Amphitheater Reopening

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of June 19. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

In Gladewater, Phase I work to widen US 80 from Loop 485 to Locker Plant Road kicks off on the eastbound side of the roadway. The project will impact traffic. Expect lane closures and delays. Get more information on this project in the Gregg County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — Crews will be doing base repairs today on Old Troup Highway from Broadway Avenue to Troup Highway, and on South Donnybrook Avenue from Old Troup Highway to Fifth Street in Tyler. City staffers say work is expected to last from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m., pending weather. Travelers should expect delays, detours, and street closures.

TYLER — She’s become a perennial opponent to Republican Louie Gohmert, and Shirley McKellar of Tyler will again be seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress District 1 in 2018. An early chance to hear from McKellar and other Democrats comes Saturday, June 24th, with a town hall meeting of the East Texas Coalition of Black Democrats; McKellar serves as president of that organization, a subsidiary of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. The meeting is set for 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, on North Broadway in Tyler. McKellar says it will feature statewide candidates, elected officials, and others. Continue reading McKellar Again Enters Congressional Race; Town Hall Meeting Planned

TYLER — Another big crowd was on hand Saturday for Tyler’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, organized by the Juneteenth Association of Tyler. It all kicked off with a parade that ended at Woldert Park, where attendees gathered for food, fellowship, a midday program, car and truck displays, and several booths hosted by a variety of local agencies. One of the highlights of the event each year is the presentation of scholarships, and this year seven recent graduates will be getting financial help through the Association as they begin their college years. Longview and other communities around East Texas also held Juneteenth celebrations. The actual date of Juneteenth is June 19. It was on that day in 1865 that Texas slaves learned they were free.

LONGVIEW — An Upshur County man is dead following a rollover crash just before midnight Friday on FM 1844, just east of Longview. According to KETK, DPS troopers say 29-year-old Justin Nolte’s vehicle drifted into the opposite lane. He then overcorrected, which caused the vehicle to slide off the road into a ditch, where it rolled several times. Nolte was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

TYLER — A suspect has been hospitalized following an officer-involved shooting in Smith County. Sheriff Larry Smith says around 12:35 Saturday morning, a patrol deputy made a traffic stop on CR 35 (Lavender Road) for driving on the wrong side of the road. The suspect exited the vehicle and a short time later was told by the officer he was being detained. At that time the suspect turned, swung at, and hit the officer, according to Smith. The sheriff says the suspect then tried to run and a Taser was used two times in a short period of time. On both occasions the suspect is said to have pulled the Taser barbs out and thrown them down. Continue reading Traffic Stop Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting

LONGVIEW – In partnership with the Emancipation Day Celebration and the Juneteenth Activity Planning Committee, Longview’s Broughton Recreation Center will be the site for Juneteenth activities tomorrow. It begins with a parade that will be held on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The parade will start at 10:00am at Ryder Drive and continues to the Broughton Recreation Center. Activities include the second day of a softball tournament, live entertainment at 1:00, a car show at 2:00 and a 3-point shootout in the gym at 3:00. There will also be youth activities and vendors at the Park. Longview’s Juneteenth activities wrap up the following Saturday at 7:30pm with a rodeo at the rodeo arena.

LUFKIN – A suspect is in custody in a fatal hit and run accident in Lufkin. Shanna Ellison, 20, of Lufkin, surrendered to authorities Friday morning. She had been named in a warrant charging her with failure to stop and render aid-accident involving death. Manuel Escobedo, 80, of Lufkin, was walking home Monday night when hit by a car on Martin Luther King Drive. He was taken to CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin and then flown to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler where he died. Continue reading Suspect Arrested in Fatal Lufkin Accident