Today is
Sunday June 07, 2026
TYLER – The Smith County AgriLife office is back up to full staff. The new 4H Youth Development Extension Agent is Skyler Shively. He was introduced to Smith County Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Shively will undergo training for 30 days in Henderson County and begin work in the Smith County office on November 1. A graduate of Lindale High school, he comes to Smith County from Sabine ISD where he served as director of Agriculture Sciences.
TYLER – Two appointments have been announced at the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Kimberly Laird has been appointed as vice president of budget and finance and chief financial officer. Appointed as vice president of operations and strategic initiatives and chief operations officer is Jerry Stuff. Laird, most recently, has served as associate vice president and controller for a Dallas university. Stuff previously served as UT Tyler’s associate vice president of facilities management and capital planning.
TYLER – The East Texas State Fair begins its ten day run in Tyler on Friday. It starts with senior citizen activities. And each day there is a lot for families to see and do. There is a magician, sea lion splash and pony rides. Let’s not forget the carnival, the food and the market place. And then there’s entertainment on the main stage. The entertainment is free with your fair ticket. Motorists are also reminded about some traffic flow changes on West Front Street during the run of the fair. You can go to the fair website https://www.etstatefair.com to keep tabs on the daily activities. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE – Kilgore College is being named in a federal lawsuit. According to the Longview News Journal, former instructor Toledo Montgomery filed the lawsuit on Monday at the federal courthouse in Tyler. She claims the school racially discriminated against her and retaliated after she complained about the discrimination. Montgomery, who is black, accused the school of firing her after she complained that a co-worker refused to follow her instruction because of her race. She is seeking back pay, compensatory damages, equitable relief and court costs. No comment from the school on the suit. College spokesman Chris Craddock told the paper the college does not comment on pending litigation.
LINDALE – An animal rabies case has turned up in Smith County. The disease was in a skunk that was found near County Road 437 in Lindale. The Texas Department of State Health Services notified Smith County Animal Control of the positive test. Smith County reminds you not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. Any youngster who comes in contact with any wild or sick animal, should tell their parents. If you know of someone who has been bitten by an animal, it must be reported to the local rabies control authority for proper investigation. Also, make sure your dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies.
TYLER – The state appeals court in Tyler has upheld the murder conviction of a Houston man in a Tyler killing. Jared Eugene Wilson, 32, had been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Thomas Glen Wilson. He was also fined $10,000. Prosecutors had described Wilson as a known gang member, convicted drug dealer and pimp. The shooting occurred at a Tyler hotel on the West Northwest Loop in July, 2016. Wilson fled the scene. A state trooper found his vehicle in Anderson County and arrested him a few hours later.
TYLER – The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has upheld the murder conviction of a Smith County man. The appeal was from Joshua Adam Scales, 31. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the shooting death of Jordan Ladue, 30, in July of 2016. He was killed during a robbery in Troup. Scales was arrested a few days later in Reklaw at a relative’s house. He was caught as he was trying to crawl out of a back window of the house. Investigators say LaDue wasn’t shot where he was found. The initial investigation revealed he got into an argument at a house on North Noble Street and shots were fired. A woman then took him to the West Duval location and called police. Three others have been previously sentenced in the case.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with United Healthcare to offer small businesses health care plans. According to a news release from the Longview Chamber, It is for chamber members who have 50 or less employees. The businesses can pick from 20 Affordable Care Act-compliant plans. They say some of them will cost up to 15% less than Adjusted Community Rating equivalents in the market. The coverage is set to begin November 1st. The chamber started the program in 2009. Changes in the law forced the chamber to scrap it in 2014. But, under revised federal regulations, the chamber is making it available again. You can check out the Longview Chamber’s web site https://www.longviewchamber.com for more information.
TYLER – Over 150 students from Canton, Chapel Hill, Central High, Lindale, TISD, and Winona, attended the Pre-Health Conference Wednesday at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. High school students learned about possible career opportunities, including, medicine, public health, nursing, dentistry, agriculture health and safety, and veterinary medicine. They also met with health professionals, advisors, graduate health students, and other high school students.
TYLER – A Tyler woman has been arrested for drug violations. Rome Sheleese Hayward, 26, is facing two drug charges. Her Wednesday arrest came after Tyler police narcotics and SWAT units executed a search warrant at a home on West Trezevant Street. The officers found in the house marijuana, crack cocaine and Hydrocodone. Hayward remains in the Smith County Jail.
KILGORE – Kilgore College has been re-approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs to train veterans and other eligible persons. The re-validation means that all programs listed in the 2018-19 KC Academic Catalog and several continuing education courses are approved by the federal government for veteran education. KC is approved to offer courses to veterans through the following types of training: resident, independent study, practical training, cooperative training, open-circuit TV and developmental/remedial. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – With the opening of the East Texas State Fair on Friday, The historic Mayfair Building will host its first performance in over 20 years. The Mayfair Building was once the prime venue for events in East Texas, like performances by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Magician Sheldon Casavant will take to the stage each night at 8:00. The level of equipment being used for the production has never been seen in the Mayfair Building. And, while the building has undergone renovation, the original stage, that holds so much history, has not been touched. The Sheldon Casavant Show is one of six new attractions the Fair has added this year, alongside sea lions, lumberjacks, a chili cook-off and more.
LONGVIEW – A warrant scam has surfaced in Gregg County. Someone claiming to be Michael Jones with the Gregg County Warrants Division is telling people they owe $2,000 for missing grand jury. He them tells them to go get four Green Dot cards at various grocery stores in Longview. They are to stay on the phone until all cards are purchased. The Gregg County Sheriff”s Department says all of the reports, so far, have been in the Hunters Creek Addition. They also remind you, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office will never solicit money by phone.
NACOGDOCHES – A reward is being offered as a man with family in Tyler, the Dallas area, and Mexico remains wanted by Nacogdoches County authorities. It was initially reported last week that Jose Uriel Rendon, 52, is wanted for continuous sexual assault of a child. It is said that Rendon, who is a pastor in Nacogdoches County, used his position in the church to take advantage and sexually assault a child. It is believed he sexually abused the child numerous times in 2004 and 2005. Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for the first, most accurate tip. The tip can be sent to their secure website, website at http://www.ncstips.com or called in at 903-560-INFO.
TYLER – The East Texas State Fair has modified it’s new security policies. The action comes in the wake of strong negative reaction they have received over the ban of permitted firearms. Fair officials now say visitors will be permitted to carry a concealed firearm with a state-issued license-to-carry. But the fair will not allow the open carry or open display of firearms and will post signs to that effect at all entrances. And, starting Friday when the fair opens for it’s ten day run, officers will be randomly checking certain large bags and will randomly use metal detecting wands at all entrances. They say this is an effort to prevent illegal items from entering the fairgrounds including non-licensed firearms.