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HENDERSON COUNTY — A wanted sex offender was arrested in Brownsboro Tuesday and charged with possession of methamphetamines. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Ronnie Gilmore, 60, failed to register as a sex offender and Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Randy Daniel signed an arrest warrant. He was arrested while walking along St. Louise Drive. The arresting deputy noticed a black, zipper pouch under the patrol car, and discovered methamphetamines. Gilmore admitted to removing the contraband from his pocket and kicking it under the vehicle. Gilmore was taken to the Henderson County Jail on the felony arrest warrant and was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.

LONGVIEW – Dudley and Sheryl Lang announced on Tuesday that the restaurant would be closing due to the pandemic, according to our news partner KETK. “To all of our customers and friends of Dudley’s Cajun Cafe: We regret to inform you that Dudley’s Cajun Cafe will be closing its door as of December 1st. I would like to thank all of you for your friendship and patronage with us for the last 28 years. This past year has been very difficult and disappointing from a business point of view due to the pandemic.” Dudley and Sheryl wrote. The Langs also said they understood people’s concern about the virus, and they expressed their disappointment about closing. Continue reading Dudley’s Cajun Cafe closes their doors after 28 years, due to COVID-19

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has resumed operation of FREE COVID-19 tests, whether you have symptoms or if you have no symptoms. All TDEM testing locations are walk-in sites and you must wear a face covering upon entry. Each of the sites will collect oral saliva samples that will be sent to a testing laboratory to undergo PCR analysis to determine COVID-19 infection at the moment the samples were collected. Results will be provided to you by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and not by NET Health. Continue reading Free COVID-19 testing locations in East Texas

TYLER — Ozarka initiated Giving Tuesday, by donating a gift of $5,000 and a truck full of bottled water to the East Texas Food Bank. ETFB says  the company has been helping their organization since 2003. Jeff Hall, Ozarka factory manager in Hawkins, says, “We are very pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the East Texas Food Bank.”’ Hall continued, “Providing support to local communities in need is so important to our Hawkins factory employees and we are glad that this holiday we are again able to assist ETFB and the good work they do in our region.” The East Texas Food Bank serves over 90,000 households in 26 counties in East Texas, covering nearly 20,000 miles.

TYLER — The Smith County Clerk’s Office has a new public records search software that allows Smith County residents to sign up for a free “Property Alert” safety feature. Property fraud and mortgage fraud are some of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the U.S., according to County Clerk Karen Phillips.When signing up for “Property Alert,” the customer will receive an email if their personal name or business entity name ever shows up on a document in the County Clerk’s Official Public Records Department. Continue reading New public records search offers safety feature

TYLER — NET Health and the Tyler Parks and Rec Department have come together in an effort to secure funds for 10 bicycle fix-it stations. The fix-it stations were purchased thanks to grant funds from the Texas Physical Activity and Nutrition Program. The stations will be placed at Tyler parks near trails and will include all tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, such as inflating a flat tire and adjusting brakes. The bicycle fix-it stations will be installed at various Tyler Parks over the next few months, including the following: Continue reading Bicycle fix-it stations provided by NET Health at Tyler Parks

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to an accident on NNW Loop 323 involving multiple vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, a Tyler ISD bus was one of the vehicles caught up with two other vehicles, one of which was overturned. There were a total of 7 autos in the crash. No students were on the bus at the time of the accident. Motorists were asked to avoid the area, as all northbound lanes on that part of the loop were closed for an undisclosed time. Officers and emergency personnel worked the crash, temporarily closing down northbound lanes of traffic and asking motorists to seek an alternate route.

TYLER — Fit City Tyler commended one of their coalition members Tuesday, who died last week. Bob Moore was honored for being a ‘vocal local’ promoting walking as a convenient and accessible form of exercise for anyone, and spreading the word in his hometown of Canton. Moore continually demonstrated his support of Fit City Tyler, and helped expand Fit City Tyler’s message to his hometown. In 2013, the Texas House of Representatives passed a resolution that was by State authored by Senator Bob Deuell and sponsored by State Representative Dan Flynn to officially designate the City of Canton as the official walking capitol of Texas. Continue reading Fit City Tyler remembers coalition member in his death

TYLER — A San Antonio man is charged with murder for his alleged connection to a shooting in Tyler back in July. According to our news partner KETK, Trey Barreau, 23, was taken into custody Monday night after a warrant for his arrest was issued by 241st District Judge Jack Skeen. He is now being held in the Smith County Jail on a $500,000 bond. On July 9, 21-year-old Draveon McCullough was found dead with a gunshot wound on West Vance Street in Tyler. Police say that McCullough had pointed a gun at a homeowner and then a fight broke out. During the struggle, McCullough was shot and killed. Continue reading San Antonio man arrested in connection with Tyler shooting

TYLER — The Rotary International Clubs of Tyler has announced the 2020 RCOT Christmas Parade Logo Contest winner, Toni J. Beasley. The organization is also thanking its honorable mention, Freya Park, for her submission. The “Drive-Thru” Christmas Parade, set for Saturday, has over 60 entries. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 10:00 a.m. Organizers are asking attendees to enter the parade route from the Gentry and North Broadway intersection. Continue reading Rotary “Drive-Thru” Christmas Parade logo contest winner

TYLER — Dec. 1 marks the anniversary that signified a milestone in the Civil Rights movement. In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the “colored” section of the bus for a white passenger. After refusing the bus driver’s order to move, she was arrested for civil disobedience. Rosa Parks went on to further the cause of civil rights, becoming known as the “mother of the freedom movement.” Due to COVID-19, the City of Tyler will not be hosting the annual celebration in honor of Rosa Parks, according to a city news release. Instead, the Tyler Transit Department will commemorate the day by reserving the first seat in the fixed-route buses for Rosa Parks.

ATHENS — Living for the Brand Cowboy Church is presenting a live nativity next Saturday night. The drive thru style presentation will feature live animals, while the nativity is played out. Attendees are invited to the free event, entering off loop 7. The Christmas story will be looped over instrumental music, on a low power FM signal, 88.3. The church said they wanted to provide a safe environment for guests and this venue will offer participants the chance to see, hear, and remain safe. For more details click the link. https://fb.me/e/1UGIyeR55.

RUSK COUNTY — Henderson Fire and Church Hill VFD responded to a residential structure fire on Saturday. According to a post from the Rusk County OEM, the fire happened on CR 228D in Rusk County. at around 2:00 p.m. Saturday. It is unknown whether any injuries took place. HFD reported the fire was quickly contained and shortly under control. Officials remained on the scene until the fire was completely extinquished.

AUSTIN – With one day left in the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, DPS is reminding motorists that traffic will remain fierce. The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging travelers to make safety as many will be returning through the Holiday weekend. DPS began operation ‘CARE’ leading into long weekend last Wednesday. Troopers continue looking for driver who are speeding, driving while intoxicated, failing to wear a seat belt, driving without insurance and not complying with the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law, among other traffic violations.

HAWKINS — The Hawkins Area Chamber of Commerce will be closed until a structural engineer can clear the building as safe. In a chamber post Saturday, the organization said that sometime over the holiday weekend, someone jumped the curb, ran over the mailbox and slammed into the building. White paint was left behind after hitting it hard enough to put a hole in the building. The Chamber is inviting the public to come forward with information about the wreck by contacting them or the Hawkins Police department.

LONGVIEW — Two brothers were shot in Longview at two Birdsong Street addresses Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK,police say these are related incidents, after being called to a home in the 800 block of Birdsong at 12:50 p.m. on a report that a shooting had taken place. Around 15 minutes later, police were called to a second shooting at the intersection of Birdsong and Mobberly streets. Both men are expected to make a full recovery. As of Friday night, no one had been arrested in connection with these incidents. Police are asking for help in learning more. You are urged to call 903-237-1199 or the Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867) or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

MARSHALL — A man was shot to death early Friday morning in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened at a ‘party event’ near the intersection of Loop 281 and I20. The victim, was not immediately identified, died of a gunshot wound at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Hospital. The shooting occurred at what the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is describing as a “party event” near the intersection of Loop 281 and Interstate 20. Continue reading Harrison County officer injured making arrests after man killed at ‘party event’

KILGORE — Kilgore College is very familiar with Aramark having used the company for its food, dining and catering services for over a quarter of a century. Now the college is entering a partnership with the company that will provide custodial, grounds and facility maintenance services through 2023. The result comes about after a collaborative request for proposals process including input from students, faculty and staff. Aramark serves hundreds of educational institutions, sports teams and businesses around the world.

LONGVIEW — A Longview councilman, Wray Wade remains committed to a tradition of passing out free Thanksgiving meals. Due to the coronavirus, community members drove through the Broughton Recreation Center, for a hot free meal. Janice Tolbert told our news partner KETK, “It’s beautiful to see people lined up wanting to get a plate of food. It’s beautiful to be serving alongside other people in the community, people who actually have a heart for service. It’s all about spreading love, and fellow-shipping with one another even though we are socially distanced.” Wade said turnout was great and plans to continue the tradition again next year.

East Texas — Many expect more holiday gifts and greetings to be sent through the mail this year, as more and more people expect to hold virtual celebrations instead of opening gifts in person. The Postal Service expects an increases in volume, but says they have 644,000 employees dedicated to ensuring gifts and greetings are delivered in time for the holidays. Seasonal workers are hired when and where needed, and technology has been expanded to enhance package tracking throughout the USPS processing and transportation networks. Continue reading USPS urges community to send cards and packages early

KAUFMAN COUNTY — A 14-year old boy from an area near Forney has been arrested for a juvenile court charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm after a shooting Tuesday, that killed a one-year-old. The shooting happened at a home in the Windmill Farms subdivision. Investigators say a woman left a 9-year-old and a one-year-old in the home while she went to the store. A 14-year-old neighbor boy came over and according to the charge, had a handgun with him. Nobody is saying exactly what happened. The gun fired a round through the hand of the 9-year old’s hand and hitting the one-year-old in the head. Investigator Jolie Stewart says the 14-year-old will face two charges in Juvenile Court, unlawful carrying of a gun and making a firearm accessible to a child.

TYLER — Greenberg Smoked Turkey ships thousands of birds each year to customers across the nation. However, an explosion and fire earlier this month, destroyed two buildings, and most of the inventory for this year’s holiday feast. On Wednesday, the company posted a scheduled ground breaking for their new facility, that will take place on Nov. 30. The company statement went on to say, “Thank you for all the wonderful comments and words of encouragement!” The company’s website is now back up. “We are now accepting orders for the 2021 holiday season.”

TYLER — Cindy Smoak, Executive Director for SPORTyler and The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award has received the Certified Sports Event Executive certification. The accommodation was earned through Sports Events & Tourism Association after completing 32 credits through online and in person courses. The curriculum focuses on various topics related to the sports tourism industry including strategic planning, effective selling, event management, servicing sports events, crisis management, and more. The sports tourism industry in Tyler brings in more than $2 million in economic impact for the city each year.