Today is
Monday November 25, 2024
SMITH COUNTY — Groups of volunteers made it to East Texas to help with storm recovery efforts. Texans on Mission, formally know as Texas Baptist Men, have helped homeowners who are unable or cannot afford to remove trees from their properties. According to our news partner KETK, the group worked in a neighborhood off of CR 1111 near Chandler Tuesday afternoon.
Tyler resident Lela Clarke said her and her family are extremely grateful for everything the group has done. “It makes me start crying, they’re not getting paid for that,†Clarke said. She is grateful the volunteer group lent a helping hand when they felt hopeless. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The winner of the 2024 Cattle Baron’s Ball Truck Charitable Raffle received her new 2024 GMC Canyon Tuesday, donated by Hall Buick GMC. According to a release, Kim Updike, who has been attending the gala since 2007, won the raffle for the donated truck after purchasing three raffle tickets. The organization said that Updike and her husband have been longtime supporters of the Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball, and that they have entered the raffle for the past 10 years. Updike said she started getting involved in the organization after her mother passed away from lung cancer.
“It’s a charity that we enjoy being a part of,†Updike said. “Everybody is affected in some way or another by cancer, personally or by a friend or family member, we’re all affected by it. It’s one of my passions to support the American Cancer Society.â€
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue released the cause of a Lindale house fire that resulted in the deaths of a mother and daughter. On Sunday, March 18, 2024, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office was called in by the Lindale Fire Department to investigate a structure fire in Lindale, involving the death of two individuals. They were later identified as mother, Ruby Martinez, 83, and daughter, Gloria Clark, 67.
“After thoroughly investigating the fire scene, autopsy and toxicology results, and lab results of submitted forensic evidence, it was determined that Ms. Clark died from a natural event, causing an accidental fire, which resulted in the death of Ms. Martinez,†Hogue said. “The cause of the fire was accidental in nature. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.â€
SMITH COUNTY – The POD (Point of Distribution) centers in Lindale and Chapel Hill closed 3 p.m. Friday. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported that an estimated 1,452 people remained without power in Smith County as of 8:30 a.m. Friday. Southern Utilities customers in Smith County Cherokee County remain under a boil water notice.
Saw crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System are continuing to help the City of Tyler and Smith County to clear trees from roadways. He reported that out of the more than 300 trees down on 100 county roads from Monday night’s storm, nearly all Smith County roads were cleared enough to be accessible by Thursday afternoon.
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TYLER — During the first three days of early voting in the Tyler City Council District 2 Runoff Election, only 325 ballots were cast. If you live in the City of Tyler District 2 area, you can early vote 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday, June 6-7, or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 10-11. Early voting polling locations include The Hub, 304 E. Ferguson St.; the Heritage Building, 1900 Bellwood St.; and Lanes Chapel Methodist Church, Family Center, 8720 Old Jacksonville Highway, all in Tyler.
To find out if you live in District 2, or where the nearest polling place is, visit Smith County’s interactive map here.
Election Day is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Polling places on Election Day will be The Hub, the Heritage Building, St. Louis Baptist Church, 4000 Frankston Highway; and Three Lakes Middle School, 2445 Three Lakes Parkway.
For more information, click here.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County emergency personnel responded to 27 weather-related calls over night after the latest storms blew in in to the area during the early morning hours of June 5. About 29,076 people are without power this morning in Smith County and several roads are closed due to high water, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported from the Smith County Emergency Operations Center. Flooded roads include County Roads 448, 336 at Wiggins Creek, 381, 471 at Prairie Creek and 498, as well as Farm-to-Market Road 1253 at CR 455. To see Smith County’s interactive map of current road closures, click here.
A shelter remains open in Bullard for people who have suffered property damage and/or power outages. Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is open for those who need a place to go.
For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance please refer them to call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Multiple traffic signals throughout Tyler are without power. According to a City of Tyler news release, some intersections are coming online and then going offline due to the unstable power grid. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling and treat a “dark” traffic signal like a four-way stop – each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn going through the intersection. The City is asking residents to avoid all non-essential driving. If you must drive, slow down. If you see water over the roadways, turn around.
SMITH COUNTY — Flint man was arrested on May 21 after documents said he threatened to kill multiple county officials on his podcast. According to our news partner KETK, Gary Treadwell, 64 of Flint, was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on May 21 and charged with “obstruction or retaliation†with a bond set at a combined $750,000.
According to an arrest affidavit, Treadwell made threatening statements on his podcast that aired on May 19. The court document reports that Treadwell threatened to kill Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman and Henderson District Attorney Jenny Palmer. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler Water Utilities has experienced a wastewater collection discharge at the Westside Treatment Plant that meets the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) public notification requirements, according to a City of Tyler news release. The discharge is due to severe thunderstorms with high winds causing widespread damage to power lines, creating a power outage on both directional feed lines. The reported domestic sewage spill, involving 3,953,070 gallons, happened around 10:30 Monday night at Black Fork Creek, south of the Westside Treatment Plant, 14792 County Road 46, Tyler. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — As a result of severe weather passing through the evening of June 3, parts of Longview are dealing with power loss, downed trees, and other sporadic storm damage. The Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St., is available as a cooling and charging station on Tuesday, June 4, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Businesses or residents may self-report storm damage utilizing the iStat form on the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) website: click here.
Sign up for Emergency Weather Alerts with the City of Longview’s Smart 9-1-1 Alert system to be informed about any watches or warnings during this storm season. You can sign up here.
TYLER — The National Weather Service Office in Shreveport has issued a flood watch for Tyler until 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. The City of Tyler Streets and Stormwater crews are responding to down trees across the city, according to a news release. Crews will also intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out, and other public facilities may be compromised.
If you have an emergency, call 911, stay on the line and DO NOT HANG UP until your call is answered. Answer all questions and follow instructions.
The Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications, including traffic signal issues and down power lines. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County first responders responded to over 1,000 911 calls since 7:30 p.m. on June 3. No storm-related fatalities have been reported, and emergency services are running at full strength according to a county news release. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported 71,000 residents and businesses were without power in the county. Emergency calls included nine homes with trapped residents, one water rescue, multiple people trapped in vehicles due to power lines and/or downed trees, as well as multiple traffic lights out, he said.
The Smith County Road and Bridge Department is working on a list of Smith County roads that could have wash outs or downed trees. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Following Monday night’s storms, multiple traffic signals, trees and power lines are down throughout the area. Drivers are asked to drive slow and turn around if they see water over the roadway and residents are asked to avoid driving if not essential. Tyler police are asking residents to report down power lines to the Tyler Street Department at 903-531-1393.
EAST TEXAS — After continued severe weather hit East Texas earlier this week, about 19,786 customers are reportedly without power as 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Click here for the full list.
TYLER — The City of Tyler announced their outdoor warning siren vendor will be performing test announcements this week starting on Monday. Officials said the tests are to adjust the sound levels of the digital voice message. The test will provide sound from the sirens, and will start with dinging sounds and then a message. “Please be aware that this is only a test for them to adjust the sound levels coming from each siren and will continue until all sirens are tested,†authorities said.