Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
TYLER – The Tyler Public Library’s material circulation continues to rise as the library continues to thrive in the digital age. The public has learned that the library is not just a place for books. It is also a a place where you can collaborate, attend classes and even check out games. The library provides a multitude of digital resources. You have digital access to electronic books and audiobooks as well as streaming video, online classes, research databases and so much more. Those with a Library card can gain immediate access to all digital resources. There are also e-cards available. The circulation of library materials has increased by more than 16% since 2014. Physical material circulation, include books, DVDs, games, literacy kits has grown by over 11%. Electronic materials which includes e-books and e-audiobooks, has shown an increase of 57% .
TYLER – There will be a retirement ceremony at the Tyler Police Department Friday afternoon. It is for patrolman Bart Lemons. He is retiring after 31 years of service. During that time he never had the desire to promote or move to another division. He says he likes being outside and interacting with the community. For all but one year, he has worked in north Tyler on all three shifts. Lemons awards include a Police Commendation, a Lifesaving Award, two Certificate of Merits, a Police Shield and an award for Meritorious Conduct. He has also represented the department in the Honor Guard at many events.
TYLER – A Smith County man has been arrested on child sexual assault and child porn charges. Taken into custody was Jonathan Gomez, 28. He was accused of was taking photographs and videos of a young girl without her knowledge. He was also accused of sexually assaulting the girl on numerous occasions over the course of four years. Sheriff’s department detectives got a warrant for Gomez and took him into custody on Wednesday. He is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child, sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. He was booked into the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $1,000,000.
TYLER – The Tyler City Council has approved a smoking ordinance amendment to prohibit electronic smoking devices in public places and workplaces. The city says the move was made “in an effort to ensure the health of the public and reduce the risks of addiction and nicotine dependency.” City officials say the new trend called “vaping†is significantly increasing the likelihood of of these risks through the appeal of the devices and the accessibility to minors. The amendment approved by the city council will target the problem by prohibiting the use of electronic smoking devices in public areas where traditional cigarette smoke is not allowed.
LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run accident that happened shortly before 2:00 Wednesday morning on North Eastman Road. Dead at the scene was Melinda McBroom Neal, 58, of Longview. It is believed she was hit by a black Ford pickup truck that was heading north on the road. As the investigation into the accident continues, Longview police are asking anyone with information on the accident to contact the accident investigator Brian Rodin at 903-239-5516, the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.
TYLER – Tyler Junior College will be hiring a firm to find a new chancellor for the school. The school’s trustees approved the action during a called meeting on Tuesday. The action is needed since school Chancellor Mike Metke announced last week he will be retiring at the end of June. He has headed up the school for over 11 years. Once the search firm is selected, a nationwide search for Metke’s successor will begin. The board hopes to start bringing candidates to the school in late April.
TROUP – For about a week, the water in Troup will have a greater “tint.” Due to maintenance on an above ground storage tank at the City of Troup well number 2, Troup will be utilizing well number 1 to provide water for about the next week to 10 days. Due to the iron content, the water from well 1 will have a greater “tint” that the water from well 2. They are having to use just one well because of the maintenance that is required on well 2. According to the city’s Facebook page, the maintenance is costing the city around $24,000.
KILGORE – The East Texas Oil Museum reopened Wednesday. The museum closed in mid-November for renovation and exhibit upgrades. Museum manager Jackie Reynolds encourages everyone to see the museum’s fresh, new look. She said she is excited for visitors to step back in time and relive an authentic recreation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s. The museum is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 259 and Ross Avenue, on the campus of Kilgore College.
HAWKINS – One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Wood County. The victim has been identified as Bobby Ray Turbeville, 77, of Mineola. The Department of Public Safety report said his pickup was heading north when the vehicles’ right side tires went off the roadway. He took evasive action by steering sharply to the left, causing the vehicle to enter a side skid. It went across the road and into a ditch where the truck hit a tree. Turbeville, who was not wearing his seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident happened around 2:45 Monday afternoon 9 1/2 miles north of Hawkins.
LONGVIEW – The Department of Public Safety confiscated over one million dollars in illegal drugs with the arrest of two men in Gregg County. A state trooper stopped the men’s car on Interstate Highway 20, about two miles north of Kilgore, because of traffic violations. When the trooper saw suspicious tooling holding down bolts to the truck’s fuel tank, he started a search. Inside a compartment that was built within an auxiliary fuel tank mounted in the bed of the truck, they found 200 pounds of marijuana and about 90 grams in edible marijuana candies. The Longview News Journal reports the two Florida men were arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Each of their bonds total $150,000. The DPS says the two were transporting the drugs from the west coast to Florida.
CUNY – An Anderson County man has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Cherokee County. Dead at the scene Sunday night was Ronald Gene Fisk Jr., 48, of Frankston. The Department of Public Safety reports he was heading south at a high speed when he lost control of his pickup. It went into a side skid and hit a tree on the driver’s side. The accident occurred around 11:00 Sunday night on Farm Road 855, just under three miles south of Cuny.
LONGVIEW – Once again this year, the Greater Longview United Way will be able to help some residents through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The Longview News Journal reports this is the 11th year the program is available. It is designed to help a person who receives a paycheck or are self-employed and earned up to $60,000 last year. The service is provided in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. The United Way has recruited 35 volunteers to help with the program. Each underwent 15 hours of training to prepare the tax returns. You can get more information by going to http://www.longviewunitedway.org or calling 903-236-9211.
HAWKINS – Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins has been awarded accreditation of its business programs. It comes from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners. The school offers a business administration degree with concentrations in accounting, management, computer information systems and cybersecurity.
TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas says it is working to close the doors of Petland in Tyler. They claim that supporting the Tyler store is a support of animal cruelty. On their Facebook page, they have posted a sworn statement from a former store employee. The employee talks about the condition of the animals at the store. They have even posted a picture from a Petland customer who had issues with a dog she had purchased. The store told our news partner KETK, “That is a perfectly good body condition for an active boxer pup.” The SPCA is encouraging area residents to support their efforts to close the store by contacting their local officials. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man has been killed when his car crashed into a brick wall. Dead at the scene was Timothy Hunter Brasher, 22. A passenger in his car was injured. Tyler police report Brasher’s car was heading west on Jeff Davis Drive when he lost control, crossed the intersection and hit the wall. The accident happened around 1:00 Monday morning. As part of the investigation into the accident, investigators have submitted evidence to the Department of Public Safety to see if alcohol was a factor in the crash.