Today is
Friday June 05, 2026
TYLER – Tyler Junior College has begun a new class leading toward a Bachelor of Applied Technology in healthcare technology and medical systems. Twenty students were in the classroom on the first day of class last Thursday. The program is designed for working professionals who wish to advance into a higher level of management in the healthcare industry. Designed for students who juggle work and family, the program offers classes in flexible but intensive five-week sessions. This allows students to complete their upper-division courses in five semesters while only attending one night per week.
TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of January 21. 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.
Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct edge work on Farm Road 1252 from Farm Road 757 to the county line. Crews will also perform base repairs on SH 110N at Swan. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Read the rest of this entry »
LINDALE – A portion of County Road 4191 in Lindale will be closed through Wednesday for a culvert replacement. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department will replace a culvert on the road between Jim Hogg Road and Ballard drive. That portion of the road will be closed to thru traffic so drivers will need to seek alternative routes.
TYLER – Tyler Junior College has received a $3 million commitment from The Rogers Foundation. It will be used to help underwrite construction of TJC’s new performing arts center. The current Wise Auditorium, located in the heart of the Cultural Arts District on TJC’s main campus, will be transformed into the “Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center.†Groundbreaking is expected to take place in June. When completed, the comprehensive performing arts center will include more than 14,000 square feet of new space including a recital hall and art gallery and green room and rehearsal and dance studios. There will also be a larger stage and backstage with expanded dressing rooms, a new main lobby and all new technology. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN – Two Longview athletic trainers are scheduled to be honored Monday in Austin. A track coach had a heart attack on campus in October and licensed athletic trainers Deirdre Kay Scotter and Kristin N. Bell came to rescue. When cross-country coach Ken Jernigan collapsed during track practice, the two women were able to resuscitate him and continued with CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived.
NOONDAY – On Monday morning a portion of County Road 168 will be closed to traffic for repairs. The Smith County Road and Bridge Department will replace a culvert on CR 168, between County Road 178 and Highway 155 South, in Noonday. That portion of the road will be closed until further notice. Drivers will need to seek alternative routes.
LONGVIEW – The city council has taken action that will allow alcohol sales at a Longview theater. According to the Longview News Journal, the city council approved a zoning change allowing beer, wine and mixed drinks at the AMC Classic Longview 10 theater. This would come along with with Carmike Cinemas over $4 million remodeling project of the theater. The renovations would result in larger chairs, which would reduce seating in the theater by half. There is no word on when the remodeling will begin.
LINDALE – A music festival is coming to Smith County. The inaugural Koe Wetzel’s Incredible Music Festival is coming to Darden Harvest Park next to The Cannery in Lindale on Saturday, March 23. Wetzel is a East Texas native. He grew up in Pittsburg and sang on stage with his mother at the age of six. Concert promoters announced other performers will be Parker McCollum, JB and the Moonshine Band and Chris Colston. There will also be food, beverages and a variety of activities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Music & Arts Alliance of Texas and the The Boot Campaign, a charitable organization with headquarters in Tyler. It provides financial assistance to service members, veterans, and their families.
KILGORE – A non profit organization has been formed in east Texas to support the families of fallen law officers who die or are injured in the line of duty. It is called the “100 Club of East Texas.” It was introduced at a news conference in Kilgore. A regional group of civic and business leaders, who saw the need in the area, came together to create the organization. The foundation will provide support to law enforcement in 20 East Texas counties. And, as it grows, the foundation will provide financial assistance for training and equipment not budgeted through governing bodies. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The 86th Queen of the Texas Rose Festival, Hanna Claire Waits, says she’s really looking forward to the big October event. Hanna told KTBB, “I’m very excited. It’s a huge honor — and I’m just so thrilled that I get to represent the community and learn more about the rose industry.” Asked why the festival is important, Hanna said, “To the community in general, it brings in over $2 million in revenue. And so, it’s just a great way to support the rose industry and kind of foster volunteers and then celebrate together.” As for what makes it special for her, Hanna responded, “I think that the whole process in general is just very exciting. I get to meet new people in the community, learn more about the process of growing roses — and just kind of be a mentor for those around me. And so I hope that I can do a great job and just really make a difference this year.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – A Tyler man has received the maximum sentence for the burglary of some restrooms. It took a jury in 7th State District Court on Wednesday an hour to find Solomon Burke Squalls, 26, guilty. After evidence of Squalls’ lengthy criminal history was admitted, the jury deliberated for 10 minutes before sentencing him to 10 years in prison. He had been accused of breaking into the locked bathrooms in a building behind the Goodman Museum in order to steal items. He was running out of the building when police arrived. He was arrested following a foot chase.
TYLER – There are may positive signs about the economy, from east Texas to around the country. That was the message brought to Tyler by economist Ray Perryman. He presented his annual economic forecast Thursday. Perryman says he feels very good about the local economy. There’s a lot of positive things happening in east Texas right now. As far as the state, Perryman said we are kind of hitting on all cylinders at the moment. He said, basically, all of Texas’ major sectors are doing very well, with a lot of new locations for the state. He feels the growth will slow a little bit from last year, but it’s only because he is not sure we’re capable of growing that fast again. And, as far as the United States is concerned, Perryman said, despite a lot of uncertainty, caused by a variety of situations, underneath it all, there is a pretty strong economy. And that we are on the verge of getting into the longest economic expansion in history.
TYLER – Some new library cards will soon be be available at the Tyler Public Library. The cards were designed by two area students. The new children’s library card was designed by Caroline R. from Three Lakes Middle School. The new teen library card was designed by Mia M. from All-Saints High School. The public voted on the designs at the library, on on the library website, between December 14th and January 1st. The new cards will arrive in the spring and the Library will announce when they are available to the public. Current Library card holders will be required to pay a $1 card replacement fee if they would like to have a card with the new design. Any person who does not currently have a Library account will be able to get a card for free when they signup. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler city council has approved over $2 million in improvement and renovation park projects, water infrastructure projects and sidewalk improvements. The biggest chunk of the money, close to $1.3 million, goes to park projects. Lindsey Park will see improvements to its sewer system. For Fun Forest and Woldert Parks, renovations, remodeling bathrooms and adding ramping to meet ADA requirements at Fun Forest, along with the addition of a pavilion and parking at Woldert Park and light pole demolition and electrical light work as part of the renovation projects at Fun Forest and Woldert Parks. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The City of Tyler has received the Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It was for the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for its fiscal year 2017-2018. This is the thirty-second consecutive year that the City of Tyler has received this award. The ward comes from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. It was presented to the mayor and city council during Wednesday’s city council meeting.