Today is
Sunday June 07, 2026
MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department has issued a warning about the one ring phone scam. The victim receives a call from an unknown number with a local area code, but the call only rings once. The caller hangs up before the person can answer the phone. They say not to call the number back. If you do, it could ring an international hotline number, which begins charging hefty fees just for connecting the call. And, if you stay on the line, the fees go up. There are variations of the same scam. This includes leaving voicemails about misplaced shipments, financial opportunities and other scenarios, enticing the person to call back. Your best bet, don’t return calls to numbers they don’t recognize. You can find out more about the scam on the Marshall Police Department’s Face Book page.
TYLER – An animal found in Tyler has tested positive for rabies. The Texas Department of State Health Services says the disease has been confirmed in a bat that was found on Wilma Street. The persons who may have been exposed have been notified. Officials remind you not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons, or other wild animals. If you know of someone who has been bitten, you must report it to the local rabies control authority for proper investigation. Ordinances in Tyler and Smith County require regular rabies vaccinations for all dogs and cats. Make sure your dogs and cats rabies vaccinations are up to date.
PALESTINE – A chemical spill Tuesday closed Palestine’s city hall and the police department. City Hall is now open, but the police department will remain closed until further notice. The spill happened when a shelf in the evidence storage room gave way. An unknown quantity of amido black, a mixture of luminol and methanol used in crime scene investigation, spilled onto the floor. The spill caused the evacuation of both city hall and the police department. According to the Hazmat clean up team on site, the chemical did not warrant any additional assistance from the state or federal government. The police department is working with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department to provide service and dispatching. All emergency calls are operable at this time. Three employees were taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center for observation. All other employees near the scene were treated on scene and released.
TYLER – Smith County commissioners have approved new dispatch software that will aid both first responders and those seeking help. The new software is from Genesis PULSE, which was created by The Genesis Group, a Tyler-based company. Currently, the sheriff’s office has to contact the cell phone companies to ping someone’s phone to get their approximate location. With the new software, they will automatically get an extremely accurate device location. Plus, the new system will display known road closures, traffic crashes, or weather alerts that could cause delays during responses. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said he believes the new software could potentially be a “game changer.â€
TYLER – A man is facing weapons charges following a Smith County traffic stop on Tuesday. His car was stopped by a state trooper on Highway 155 North, just south of Interstate Highway 20. The trooper saw an open black bag in the passenger seat with a couple of handguns and handgun magazines. He was also wearing body armor and was found to possess multiple firearms including both pistols and rifles. He also had several high capacity magazines and multiple knives. During the interview he made several statements about threats to himself and others. Smith County sheriff’s deputies took him into custody and took him to a hospital for evaluation. When the evaluation is completed, he will be taken to the Smith County Jail on weapons charges.
CHAPEL HILL – On Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy, who is assigned as a school resource officer for the Chapel Hill school system, found Charles David Applegate, 38, of Crockett, passed out in a car. The vehicle was in the high school parking lot near the band hall. He was conscious but had vomited on himself. Applegate who is a teacher at the school, was removed from the vehicle. Applegate was said to be intoxicated and was in possession of a used aerosol can. It is believed that he was huffing the fumes from the aerosol can. He was arrested and taken to the Smith County Jail. He was charged with public intoxication and possession of inhalants. Bond was set at $760.
TYLER – Smith county is preparing to help residents in time of disaster. Smith County commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement with the East Texas Communities Foundation to create the East Texas Disaster Relief Fund. The foundation will pass donations along to local nonprofits, organizations, the county or any other entity that needs the funds. The money can be used for planning and preparation, first response, recovery and rebuilding after a disaster or community crisis. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said creating the disaster fund falls in line with the county’s focus on improving its emergency preparedness and response in the upcoming fiscal year.
TYLER – A University of Texas at Tyler graduate student, Alisha Khanal has been awarded the $9,500 Trent R. Dames and William W. Moore Fellowship from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The fellowship is intended to further the exploration of new applications of geotechnical engineering or the earth sciences to social, economic, environmental and political issues. Khanal, a civil engineer, is from Nepal. After a devastating earthquake in her country in 2015, she decided to dedicate the next phase of her educational career to developing a better understanding of earthquake effects in hopes of preventing future fatalities. One of two students nationwide to receive this fellowship, she is studying with UT Tyler assistant professor, Dr. Gokhan Saygili, who is an expert in the geotechnical field. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Tyler police are asking for the public’s help in locating a known gang member. They are looking for Jeremy Tramaine Hawkins, AKA “Lil West,†34 of Tyler. He currently has a 1st degree felony warrant for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance list in penalty group 1. If you have any information on his location contact Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.
LINDALE – A school bond issue will be going before Lindale voters in November. School trustees on Monday approved a $32.4 million bond proposal. With the funds, the district will add 23 new high school classrooms, expand the cafeteria and add an auxiliary gym. They also plan to make improvements for extra-curricular activities for the high school. Security was also on the minds of school board members. They plan upgrades for over 500 cameras and an electronic entry for all exterior doors. The district recently hired two officers for the upcoming school year.
KILGORE – The president of Kilgore College has received a new lengthy contract. The school presidents have usually received two year contracts. On Monday, school trustees gave Dr. Brenda Kays a five-year contract. With the new contract, her salary will remain the same. Dr Kays became president of the school in January 2016, succeeding Dr. Bill Holda, who held the post for 24 years. The trustees also approved the school’s new budget of $36.1 million. This is an increase of over $1.6 million above the current budget
GILMER – Upshur County officials are investigating marijuana plants found growing in the county. The 30 plants, averaging two to three feet tall, were found growing just over a week ago. A work crew found the plants just off a right-of-way near Saunders Road in the southwest part of the county. The plants were easily accessible through the right-of-way by vehicle. Investigators say there is no evidence that the owner knew the plants were there. They encourage land owners to have their land checked routinely. The plants were cut and taken to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office evidence room.
LONGVIEW – Longview ISD has developed a plan to ensure equitable access to education opportunities. The action follows the lifting of a 1970 federal desegregation earlier this year. During Monday night’s school board meeting, school trustees unanimously adopted a Voluntary Desegregation Plan for magnet school programs in accordance with the United States Department of Education Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant. Under the federal desegregation order, the district was required to submit reports and documentation to the Justice Department, and any changes to school attendance zones or campuses required court approval. According to a news release on the district’s web site, School Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox explained that, while Longview ISD is no longer under the direct federal oversight, the district “will continue to ensure all of Longview’s students have fair and equitable access to our best educational opportunities.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The City of Tyler Main Street Department has announced the word interim has been removed from Amber Rojas-Varona’s title. She is now the new Main Street Director. The announcement was made Monday. She has worked with the City of Tyler for seven years, serving as the Historic Preservation Officer and Planning technician with the Planning Department. Since December 2017 she served as the Interim Main Street Director and is currently obtaining her Certified Main Street Manager credentials through the Main Street America Institute. She recently lead the efforts in obtaining the Texas Historical Commission Anice B. Read Award of Excellence in Community Heritage Development. Amber oversees the Main Street Program, Gallery Main Street, the Downtown Parking Ambassador program and oversees the City’s Historic Preservation program. She will continue her partnerships with local organizations, programs and events.
PALESTINE – An increase in traffic enforcement will soon be underway in Palestine. The campaign begins on Friday and runs through September 3rd. This enforcement will focus specifically the offenses of driving while intoxicated, seatbelt, child seat, and speeding. The Palestine Police Department was awarded a STEP enforcement grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. The grant refunds the department for the use of their officers and equipment for the additional enforcement.