Today is
Monday November 25, 2024
VAN ZANDT COUNTY — TxDOT is warning drivers of puncturing spikes found on I-20 again. According to our news partner KETK, rebar caltrops have been found on I-20 since last year, with the most recent discovery on May 6 in Van Zandt County. They are usually four-pronged, heavy gauge steel puncturing spikes that can be thrown or linked together to cause immediate and irreparable failure of tires. Twelve caltrops were found on I-20 westbound near mile marker 533 and eastbound at mile markers 518, 520, 528 and 529.
Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call Lt. Bob Keltner with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department at 469-576-1274 or call Andrew Fagile with the Texas Department of Public Safety at 90-567-2011 ext. 10914.
CHANDLER — Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the City of Chandler has been designated by the Texas Music Office (TMO) as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community. According to our news partner KETK, the Music Friendly Texas program was created in 2016 to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in cities and communities. The city will host a ceremony alongside TMO, Chandler Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Chandler of Commerce on Thursday during the Chandler Chamber/EDC luncheon.
“Being a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community will make Chandler an even more desirable location to be a part of. As a community that supports many local events, this partnership will help play a role in the continued growth in our musicians within our schools, community, and neighboring areas. Exciting times are here in the ‘City with a Heart,’†Chandler Chamber of Commerce President Mike Yates said. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The City of Longview held a celebration for longtime mayor, Andy Mack who’s been in leadership for nine years, on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Mack’s remaining weeks in office are wrapping up with a reflective tone as countless people in the community showed up to share their gratitude. The Longview mayor played an instrumental role in projects to promote economic growth with lasting benefits for the community. The 2018 bond included $52 million for police and fire facilities, $27 million for infrastructure projects and $24 million for park projects.
“It’s been an honor,†Mack said.
First responders and department leaders expressed their gratitude toward Mack and their ability to work together to keep citizens safe. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Independent School District celebrated the opening of the new Hubbard Middle School on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the new building is part of a nearly $90 million bond that passed in 2022. The new three-story campus sits right next to the old building that was originally built in 1964, and was funded by $63 million of the bond. The building is complete with up-to-date security, safety improvements and improved traffic flow. The community was invited to tour inside of the state of the art, science labs, theater, library, outside area and cafeteria during the celebration.
Tyler ISD said the district has been working for nearly 20 years to invest and transform facilities while keeping the tax rate as low as possible.
“We have really touched every school in Tyler, so that all of our students have equal opportunities across the district in terms of access to programming and state of the art facilities,†Jennifer Hines, Tyler ISD director of communications, said. Read the rest of this entry »
WHITE OAK — A Longview woman charged with first degree felony murder of a 66-year-old man pleaded guilty on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Regina Massie, 40, pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of Steve McDowell, of White Oak. McDowell had reportedly hired Massie and her boyfriend Brandon Gilliam, 42 of Longview, to repair his pickup truck but then McDowell discovered money was missing.
Documents show, Massie told investigators that McDowell confronted Gilliam about the theft and she saw Gilliam hit McDowell in the head with a foot-long pipe and try to suffocate him by covering his nose and mouth.
Massie will be sentenced on June 5. Gilliam was also charged with first degree felony murder in connection to the case.
TYLER — A man accused of attempting to kidnap and rape a woman running at the Rose Rudman Park in 2019 pleaded guilty on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a woman finished running at Rose Rudman Park when she saw the suspect, James Earl Roberts Jr., and thought he looked suspicious and began to run again. She heard him running behind her when Roberts reportedly tackled her, put his hands over her face and dragged her into the woods, officials said.
Police said Roberts pulled a knife from behind the victim and cut her throat numerous times. Documents also stated Roberts punched the victim multiple times when she fought back. The victim was able to wrestle the knife away from Roberts and threw it aside. Roberts “suddenly got up and took off running.†She then reportedly crawled out of the woods and another woman came to her aid. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The City of Tyler is launching its first on-demand MicroTransit route for South Tyler to complement existing fixed route services. Starting Monday, May 13, riders utilizing the South Tyler route will be able to book a ride by calling Tyler Transit at (903) 533-8057 from a bus stop. The ride will take them directly to the doorstep of a destination within three-tenths of a mile of the closest bus stop on the existing South Tyler route.
“Our goal is to improve our current customers’ experience riding with us and attract new users by providing a more convenient, reliable and efficient transportation option,” said Russ Jackson, Tyler Transit manager. “By tailoring our services with the MicroTransit pilot, we hope to meet the community’s needs without imposing additional financial burdens on our riders. We’re trying to make public transportation more accessible and flexible.” Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The hemp market in Texas is growing and with it comes competition to get products on the shelves first. According to our news partner KETK, some of the most popular items found on shelves are delta-8 and 9, which are different versions of THC, a cannabinoid found in a cannabis plant. Both naturally occur in marijuana with delta-9 being more potent.
“The majority of the delta-8 or virtually all the delta-8 that you’re finding in products is manufactured from CBD,†Leo Welder, a strategic consultant, said.
Welder a consultant with LJW3 Operating, owned his own cannabis and hemp testing lab in California before moving back to Texas. He said California had stricter rules on what hit the shelves, but Texas is lacking in that department. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY –Â An 18-wheeler crash is causing delays Thursday morning in Gregg County on I-20 near Kilgore. According to TxDOT and our news partner KETK, the 18-wheeler crashed and caught fire in the eastbound lane of I-20 near mile marker 583, between SH 135 and FM 2207, just south of Liberty City. The inside lane is open, but officials said the outside lane is closed with an estimated reopen time of about 1 p.m.
TYLER — In a confrontation between police and protesters at UT Austin late Monday, 79 people involved were jailed, according to the Travis County sheriff’s department. Most were charged with criminal trespass. About 150 protesters sat on the ground as state troopers and police encircled them, with hundreds of others shouting when officers dragged someone away. After police cleared the original group of demonstrators, hundreds of students and protesters ran to block officers from leaving campus. Protesters pushed in on officers, creating a mass of shoving bodies before police used pepper spray and set off flash-bang devices to clear a path for a van to take those arrested off campus.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife Tuesday released the following statement:
“As I have previously stated, any attempt to shut down or disrupt UT operations will not be tolerated. There is no rationale whatsoever that justifies the endangerment of our students and campus environments. Massive crowds of students, along with outside groups with absolutely no connection to UT, have intentionally caused disturbances with plans to harm our campus community. In fact, the majority of arrests to date have occurred with agitators who are not UT students. These activities will not be allowed. Read the rest of this entry »
BROWNSBORO — A Brownsboro elementary student was selected to be a model at the 34th annual Children’s Cancer Fund’s gala and she was escorted by Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott. According to our news partner KETK, Brownsboro Elementary School student, Cami, was selected to be a model at the fundraising gala that took place on April 19 in Dallas.
“We are so thrilled she was able to participate in such an amazing fundraiser, and are so very proud of our little bear! You looked beautiful Cami!†– Brownsboro ISD
The Cowboys said that Prescott as well as Troy Aikman teamed up with the Children’s Cancer Fund as honorary chairs for the gala. The Cowboys also announced that the gala raised over $2 million for children’s cancer research.
“Together, we raised an extraordinary $2.7 million for pediatric cancer research†– Children’s Cancer Fund and Dak Prescott
TYLER — On Saturday, April 27th the Tyler Police Department along with the Drug Enforcement Agency will be hosting a Drug Drop Off. It will be at the Brookshire’s on Rice Road between 10am and 2pm. The public can anonymously drop off their unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications as well as tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs, free of charge. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted.
LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department is investigating an overnight shooting. According to Lufkin Police Public Information Officer Jessica Pebsworth, officers responded to West Laurel around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday night a report of a man with a gunshot wound to the head after the man sought help from a neighbor. The victim told officers he had been robbed and shot by a man that he knew but he didn’t know the suspect’s name. The man was flown to an out-of-town hospital where he remains in stable condition. Anyone with information is asked to call the Department at 936-633-0356 or Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS.
LONGVIEW — Two people have been arrested in connection to the 2016 murder of Longview businessman and community figure Ron Horaney. According to our news partner KETK, Horaney was found dead in his home from multiple gunshots on May 30, 2016.
Reza Kamali, 87 of Longview, was arrested and charged with murder eight years after the crime. At his arraignment, his bond was set at $7.5 million. Alfredo Lizcano, 38, was arrested Wednesday morning for murder in Dallas County with a $10 million bond.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators received information from a “Cooperating Individual†who reported being contacted by someone they identified as “Ray Kamali,†who authorities identified as being Reza Kamali. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Early Voting began Monday, April 22, and runs through Tuesday, April 30, for the Joint City Election. The Cities of Tyler, Arp and Lindale have races in the election. There are four early voting locations in Smith County, including:
Arp City Hall, 109 W. Longview St. in Arp
Heritage Building, 1900 Bellwood Road in Tyler
The Hub, 304 E. Ferguson St., in Tyler
Lindale Kinzie Community Center, 912 Mt. Sylvan St. in Lindale.
Early voting polling places are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.
There will be six polling sites open on Election Day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4.
The Smith County Elections Office has launched an interactive map to help voters find what precincts are included in the cities holding an election. Click here for more information.