Today is
Saturday June 13, 2026
AUSTIN – Sales tax allocations from the state will soon be received by area cities. The state comptroller’s office is sending out $774.9 million in local sales tax allocations for November. This is 5% more than last November. These allocations are based on sales made in September. Tyler’s allocation is $3,621,262.89, which is nearly the same as the same period last year. For the year, Tyler has received $37,448,529.36, nearly 4% more last year. Longview’s allocation for November is $2,911,277.92, an increase of 2.74%. For the year, Longview’s total is $27,461,322.72, which is down slightly from last year.
MINEOLA – Mineola voters have rejected a $38,500,000 school bond proposal. The complete and unofficial total shows 43% in favor and 57% against. The money was for the construction of a new high school, career and technology center, and auditorium along with the renovations to the existing primary/middle school and high school campuses. According to Superintendent Kim Tunnell, “While this is not the message we had hoped for, the community has spoken and Mineola ISD will continue to provide a high quality education for our students. Our facility challenges will not disappear, and the Board of Trustees and I will reconvene and evaluate our options to address these issues.â€
TYLER – Smith County voters have approved a $39.5 million bond issue. The money goes toward county road and bridge projects. The county’s residents also approved 7 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Voters in Arp approved alcohol sales and a half a cent increase to the sales tax. In Whitehouse, voters selected city council members and approved seven of nine amendments to the city charter. Now a look at the returns. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – A massage parlor in northwest Longview has been closed and two persons arrested. The two California women are accused of giving massages without a license. They worked a the Total Relax Massage Parlor on Wain Drive near Gilmer Road. They were said to be operating the business without a municipal license. Officers also also removed the massage parlor’s certificate of occupancy for fire and safety violations that had not been repaired. The two women, Helen Nguyen, 47, (pictured) and Van Thi Thanh Phung, 38, were freed from the Gregg County Jail after each posted a $500 bond. The business will remain closed until they apply for another license.
TYLER – More than 80 miles of Smith County roads were improved during the Fiscal Year 2017. That was the report presented to Smith County Commissioners Tuesday by County Engineer Frank Davis. Crews are nearly complete with major construction projects on over 9 miles of road. Two projects nearing completion within the next couple of weeks are Big Eddy Road, County Road 1261 and County Road 2328 at Deerwood Estates. Those projects total nearly five miles of road. Major construction projects completed this year included improvements to County Road 149, New England Road, and County Road 2221, East Shore Estates – West, for a total of 4.784 miles. Davis said they exceeded the mileage of roadwork done for the county last year. He said hiring contractors to do some of the Smith County road projects allows county road and bridge crews more resources and time to maintain all county roads.
MINEOLA – State Senator Bryan Hughes says he will remain in Austin and not seek a seat in Washington. Congressman Jeb Hensarling has announced when his term ends in 14 months, he would not be seeking re-election. Senator Hughes says he was being encouraged to run for Hensarling’s 5th congressional spot. But Hughes says, after much prayer and consultation with family and friends and supporters, he is confident that he can best serve in the Texas Senate. He says, now is not the time to leave. Senator Hughes’ senate district covers 16 northeast Texas counties
BRYAN (Staff/AP) – The punishment phase in the trial of William Mitchell Hudson gets underway, with Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell seeking the death penalty. Hudson was charged with killing six persons — three generations of a family — at a campsite near Tennessee Colony in November 2015. The jury in Bryan deliberated just over 15 minutes before coming back with a guilty verdict. The trial was moved to Bryan on a change of venue.
TYLER — A memorial service has been scheduled for a man killed in a Smith County shooting. According to KETK, the service for Andrew “Drew” Carpenter, 19, of Tyler, is slated for Thursday afternoon from 2:00-4:00 at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Old Jacksonville Highway. The memorial service will be public, however the burial will be private. On Sunday, around 1:15 a.m, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence on Deerwood Drive. Officials responded to the location where a man, identified as Carpenter, was found inside the residence with a gunshot wound. When law enforcement arrived on scene, witnesses at the location were performing CPR on the victim. EMS arrived and took Carpenter to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Martin Reynolds, 21, of Whitehouse, was arrested for murder and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond.
KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department has issued a scam alert. Someone is calling residents claiming they owe back taxes. They are told they would be jailed if they don’t pay them. In some cases, they are even spoofing the actual phone numbers at the police department. Remember, not paying your property tax is not a criminal issue, so the police would never be involved. Nor, would they ask you to pay the back taxes, or down payment, with iTunes gift cards or Walmart gift cards. In fact, no legitimate government organization is going to call you and ask for payment with gift cards from Walmart. Don’t be fooled by such calls.
TYLER – Today is election day in Smith County. Turnout appears as if it will be light. There are 129,458 registered voters in the county. The early voting total was 1,517. All residents in the county will vote on Smith County’s $39.5 million bond issue. The money goes toward road and bridge projects. And, all of the county’s residents will vote on 7 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Voters in Arp are being asked to approve alcohol sales and a half a cent increase to the sales tax. In Whitehouse, voters will select three members of the city council and vote on nine amendments to the city charter. Smith County residents will be able to vote at any of the 34 polling locations in the county instead of being restricted to their precinct.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A missing Van Zandt County teen is safe. Authorities had been looking for LeeAnn Brown, 17. She had last been seen leaving her home on November 1st. The sheriff’s department reports she has returned home.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a habitual offender. An arrest warrant for theft, habitual, has been issued for Ulysses Harris Jr., 46, of Longview. A Longview resident said that Harris said he was a licensed private investigator. Over a three month period he was paid $1,000 to investigate a matter, which he never did. DPS records do not show where Harris had ever been licensed as a private investigator. If you know where Harris can be locate, you are asked to contact Longview police.
TYLER – Tyler policemen can grow beards this month to benefit the United Way. Now the Smith County Sheriff’s Department is honoring “No Shave November.” Sheriff Larry Smith has authorized all sheriff’s office employees who wish to support the American Cancer Society with a minimum donation of $25.00, to wear a groomed beard with restrictions for the month of November only.
MABANK – Two girls, ages 7 and 5, are remembered at a funeral service today after Henderson County authorities say they were killed by their mother. Friends and neighbors gathered Friday night to comfort each other and celebrate the sisters’ lives. Sarah Nicole Henderson, 29, of Mabank, is charged with one count of capital murder. A second capital murder charge is pending. She remains in Henderson County Jail under suicide watch. Her bond is $2 million. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said, during an interview with investigators, she confessed to shooting the girls. Investigators say the mother had planned the girls’ deaths weeks in advance. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas has opened a new adoption center and business office in Tyler. Dozens of local vendors, contractors and businesses came together to remodel a home on old Bullard Road that is used for the facility. The SPCA of East Texas is a 100% foster-based rescue group with over 120 rescued dogs and cats in foster homes. These animals come from ther local community and find forever homes after being socialized and rehabilitated. The newly remodeled SPCA administrative offices are now open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and every Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. On Saturdays, 30-40 foster dogs and cats are available to meet potential adopters.