Today is
Tuesday June 09, 2026
TYLER — Tyler Junior College announced that all in-person classes are subject to resume on Monday, March 30. Students are asked to not return to on-site classes until Monday, March 30. In the meantime, limited online instruction will continue this week, and all existing online instruction will begin again on March 23. Students living on-campus in residence halls will be able to return on Sunday, March 29. Employees who are able to work remotely, in coordination with their respective supervisors, may remain at home until March 30 to maximize social distance, but are not restricted from working on-site, provided they are healthy, symptom-free and have not been exposed to anyone who is ill.
TYLER — TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia has issued a memo to all employees of the College asking that they stay home Monday and Tuesday (March 16 and 17), in light of recent developments in the coronavirus crisis. During that time, the President’s Cabinet will meet to determine strategies to lead the institution. Mejia said, “I ask that all of us remain proactive, vigilant, and solution driven, and that we comply with the guidelines and directions from credible sources such as NET Health.†Employees will receive instructions by Tuesday evening regarding steps going forward. Students will observe an extended Spring Break and are set to return to classes on March 23.
EAST TEXAS — Numerous schools across the East Texas area have extended Spring Break for a week so the schools can be cleaned and disinfected following Coronavirus concerns. Additional information can be found at the School’s webpage or Facebook page. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Grocery stores around the East Texas area have announced a reduction in hours to allow time for cleaning and restocking. Brookshire’s Grocery Company released the following statement, “In order to better serve our guests, Brookshire Grocery Company family of stores will be temporarily modifying store hours effective Saturday, March 14th to allow our partners to continue preventive sanitation and restock shelves. Our temporary hours will be 7am-9pm, and we will work to return to normal business hours as soon as possible. As friends and neighbors let’s continue to come together to support one another and be kind.” Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — SWEPCO is temporarily suspending all disconnections for non-payment as the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout communities. According to their Facebook page : “We know our customers are concerned about their families and ensuring they have reliable electric service allows them to focus on staying healthy and well. We are committed to doing what we can to help our customers, our employees, and the communities we serve navigate this uncertain time.”
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD has extended Spring Break due to coronavirus concerns. According to the LISD webpage, officials announced that after talking with district administration and TEA officials, they are going to extend Spring Break by two weeks. This means we will potentially resume classes on Monday, March 30. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler State Park was closed early Friday, March 13 out of an abundance of caution after receiving information about a potentially ill person in the park. Initial reports were not factual, but staff at the park will take this opportunity to clean and sanitize park facilities to ensure visitor safety and will reopen Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview has chosen to cancel several upcoming City-hosted events due to the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19). These cancellations will affect events expected to draw large crowds through the end of March. This decision does not impact events hosted by other organizations. City of Longview officials and public safety personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely. “This is not a decision we made lightly, and our goal by taking these actions is to limit the impact of this disease on our community and protect those most vulnerable,†Mayor Andy Mack said in a news release. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Those planning to visit Texas inmates in any of the counties where coronavirus has been reported will have to fill out a questionnaire regarding travel history and possible contact with anyone who may have COVID-19. They are asking all staff to limit any unnecessary domestic travel. If an employee feels ill, they’re being told to stay home. Employees who feel sick at work in a county where the virus has been confirmed will be sent home and required to submit a doctor’s note saying they are clear of COVID-19 before they can come back. The TDCJ is asking all staff to limit unnecessary travel. There have been cases reported in Smith, Gregg, Collin, Dallas, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Tarrant Counties.
KILGORE — Kilgore Police have arrested three suspects on terroristic threat charges following a bogus bomb threat. According to KPD’s Facebook page, officers responded to Walmart around 5:45 Wednesday evening on a theft report. While at the store, officers were alerted to a suspicious backpack inside the store with a note that read, “bomb inside.” Employees and customers were evacuated while officers conducted an investigation. The backpack contained several stuffed animals. Police said the backpack was placed in the store as a social media prank. Three unnamed suspects were taken into custody for terroristic threat.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a wanted fugitive. According to our news partner KETK, Jacob Howell was involved in a disturbance at a residence involving a weapon Tuesday night. Howell left the scene and returned to Fruitvale in a stolen vehicle where he was confronted by law enforcement. Officials tried to stop Howell but he escaped and led them on a short pursuit. Authorities say, Howell dumped the vehicle in a wooded area and fled on foot. Howell was considered armed and dangerous before his capture on Wednesday afternoon.
TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a gunman involved in a fatal shooting Tuesday night. On Wednesday Andy Erbaugh told KTBB, “it is the result of a drug deal gone bad. It happened around 11:30 at The Foundry Apartments on Varsity Drive.” Responding officers found two gunshot victims. One victim, Armani Jewel Fields, 20 of Lufkin died at the scene. A woman not involved in the altercation, was shot in her apartment, and was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man accused in a fatal shooting at Westwood Shopping Center in 2018 made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, District Attorney Jacob Putman asked for a delay in the case to allow for further DNA testing. Kristian Perdomo, 26, has been charged with the murder of Bradley Brockman, 45, after a shooting at the shopping center at Loop 323 and Chandler Highway. Investigators believed that Perdomo was connected to four other shootings that had occurred over the previous two weeks. Perdomo has only been charged with Brockman’s murder. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A Tyler man pleaded guilty Wednesday to two charges of intoxicated manslaughter stemming from a wreck in January 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Tommy Allen was driving on south Broadway Avenue when he struck Michael Gonzalez, 26, who was waiting at the Amherst Street red light on his motorcycle. Gonzalez later died from his injuries at a local emergency room. Allen’s wife, Susan, was a passenger in the truck. She died two days after the crash. Allen was sentenced to 12 years for each death. The sentences will run concurrently. According to an arrest warrant, Allen had numerous drugs, including Hydrocodone, Xanax and cocaine, in his system.
TYLER — A body found in Tyler Wednesday morning has been identified as Jimmy Lee Ball, 63. His body was discovered around 7:00 in a parking lot on Broadway. Investigators said foul play was not suspected. The body was sent for autopsy.