Today is
Wednesday November 27, 2024
WELLS – The Texas Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use caution as drivers get use to the new traffic pattern on U.S. Highway 69 in Wells. It has the southbound lanes carrying two-way traffic. So it won’t cause holiday traffic problems, no work will be conducted on the project next week. The week after Christmas, the contractor is scheduled to begin pavement removal operations on the east side of the roadway. Motorists can expect lane closures and brief delays for the duration of the project. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – Children hospitalized at Longview’s CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center got some special visitors Friday morning. The Longview Police Department’s SWAT Team members, rappelled down a wall of the hospital. Following that: a visit with the children in their unit and delivery of gifts. The department says this lets them demonstrate their abilities to the community and bring joy to children spending the holidays in the hospital. And, to change things up a little, this year they did not wear their super hero costumes, as they have done in years past. The is the 5th straight year for Operation Christmas Cheer.
GILMER – in Upshur County, you do the crime you pay the time. And at Christmas, that even means the Grinch. According to the Facebook page of the sheriff’s department, Deputy L.P. Nolen has a zero tolerance for the offense of “Unlawful Grinchiness.” The Grinch was arrested at Gilmer Elementary.
KILGORE – It is now official, Dr. Andy Baker is the Superintendent of the Kilgore School District. He was named as the lone finalist for the post at a meeting late last month. By state law, the district had to wait 21 days before he could officially be hired. At a called board meeting Friday morning, his hiring was made official. Baker was formerly superintendent of Edgewood school system, in Van Zandt County, where he served since 2011. He can now move to Kilgore over the winter holiday and be ready for the first day of school when it resumes in January. He succeeds Cara Cooke, who resigned in July after five years as school superintendent to take a job in Aransas Pass.
TYLER – Tyler police have stepped up traffic enforcement for the holidays. The police department is participating in a state grant that is providing funding to the department to enforce traffic laws. This is being done in order to reduce the number of traffic accidents especially in high crash areas throughout the city. The program has proven to be an effective tool to help reduce the number of crashes by having the high visibility of patrol units in areas where crashes are reported to have occurred. The the intent of the enforcement program is to act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid speeding, running red lights, texting, driving while intoxicated because they know that officers are on the look-out. This special enforcement project is running till January 2nd.
PALESTINE – The Commission on Environmental Quality has required the city of Palestine to issue a boil water notice. The action is needed for the residents in the area of Willow Creek Parkway due to a hydrant repair. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the water system officials will notify residents that the water is safe for consumption. Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.
AUSTIN – Area unemployment was unchanged in November. The Texas workforce commission reports Tyler’s unemployment was 3.4% last month. That is unchanged from the October figure. But it is still below where it was a year ago at 3.6%. Longview’s unemployment rate from October to November is also unchanged, at 3.8%. It was 4.3% a year ago. The state’s unemployment remains at the same historic 42-year low it was in October, 3.7%.
KILGORE – A cyclist has been seriously injured in a Kilgore accident. Melissa Riley, 28, of Kilgore, was first taken to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. She was later transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Investigators say she was riding next to a tractor-trailer rig when she fell under the vehicle. She was then run over by a vehicle that had been following the truck. The accident, which occurred just before 5:15 Wednesday afternoon, remains under investigation.
LONGVIEW – Longview police are investigating the death of a homeless man. The body of Donald Woodlief, 61, was found Thursday morning behind a former gas station on South Mobberly Avenue. Investigators say there were signs of trauma to his body. An autopsy was ordered to help in identifying the injuries and the cause of death.
AUSTIN – Former state senator and former Tyler mayor Kevin Eltife is the new chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. He was unanimously elected chairman at a special called meeting on Thursday. Eltife was appointed to the board last year by Governor Greg Abbott. His appointment was for six years. Chancellor James B. Milliken said he is looking forward to working with Eltife. The University of Texas System is one of the nation’s largest systems of higher education, with 14 institutions, which includes the University of Texas at Tyler.
TYLER – Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at Green Acres Baptist Church for East Texas philanthropist Louise Herrington Ornelas. She died Tuesday evening at her home, surrounded by family. She was 93. Over the years she, and her husband Joseph, donated to many schools, hospitals and charities. During that time she received many honors. In 2001, the couple received the T.B. Butler Award as Tyler’s most outstanding citizens. In 1996, she received the National Horatio Alger award. The organization says the award is given to outstanding Americans who exemplify dedication, purpose, and perseverance in their personal and professional lives.
LONGVIEW – A Longview theater is closer to a zoning change. The city’s Planning and Zoning Board has approved, and sent to the city council, a zone change for Carmike Cinema. The change would allow for the sale of alcohol at the theater. This would come along with with an over $4 million remodeling project. The remodeling would reduce seating in the theater by half. The measure now goes to the city council, with a vote scheduled next month.
TYLER – A problem with an over 200 foot crane caused it to fall at the Robert E Lee High School construction site. It happened around 10:45 Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported. It is not known at this time if the accident will affect the construction schedule. The work is being done in connection with the nearly total rebuild of the high school, which was approved of by voters in a 2017 bond package.
ATHENS – A reward is being offered in a double murder south of Chandler last week. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the county Crime Stoppers organization is offering up to $10,000 in the case. It is the shooting death of Gabriel McBride, 46, and his daughter, Beverly McBride, 17. Their bodies were found in a home on Woodridge West. She was dead at the scene and her dad later died in a Tyler Hospital. Hillhouse said his office is being assisted in the case by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers. The sheriff said, anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS or his office at 903-675-5128.
KILGORE – GoBus riders in East Texas will be have a lower fare after the first of the year. The executive committee of the East Texas Council of Governments approved the decrease. The cost of a one-way trip is dropping from $4 to $2 for all paying customers. It goes into effect January 2nd. GoBus is a rural transportation service providing 7,000 trips a month. It partners with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas to sponsor trips for seniors to to medical appointments or senior nutrition centers. It recently announced free trips for all active military members or veterans. GoBus serves clients in ETCOG’s 14-county region, including Smith, Gregg and Harrison counties.