United Way to host 4th annual Tyler Gives with 75K

EAST TEXAS — The United Way of Smith County will host the fourth annual “Tyler Gives” on Giving Tuesday, November 28th. Supplemented by a $75,000 matching grant, the online fundraiser addresses local needs by providing dozens of local nonprofits with essential year-end funding. Since its inception on Giving Tuesday in 2020, more than $600,000 has been raised online through tylergives.org. The United Way of Smith County and event sponsor Express Employment Professionals provide the $75,000 matching grant and cover all credit card fees from donations during the fundraiser. Beginning at 8 a.m. CST on November 28th, the first $75,000 in donations through tylergives.org will be matched. Donors can select a specific agency to support or choose to support all equally with one gift. (more…)

Tyler joins BBB celebrating “Thank a Business Month”

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Don Warren proclaimed the month of November as “Thank a Business Month, in partnership with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). “Thank a Business Month,” is a month-long celebration dedicated to expressing appreciation for the businesses that contribute to the vitality of our community, providing a platform to acknowledge their hard work and commitment and valuable contributions to the local economy. Every November, BBB will celebrate local businesses and will encourage the community to participate in various activities designed to show gratitude to local businesses. (more…)

Salvation Army and volunteers hand out Thanksgiving meals

TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army, with the help of volunteers, serve a big Thanksgiving dinner every year, helping to feed anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people, our news partner KETK reports. “We can’t manage all that, so we have these great volunteers, and some of these volunteers have been doing it for years,” said Jeremy Walker, captain and commanding officer of the Tyler Salvation Army. Walker said it’s a blessing to see how this community rallies around each other. Whether it is giving your time or making a donation just for the holidays. The Tyler Salvation Army will be serving meals for their residents inside and will have to-go meals outside for the community on Thanksgiving day from 11 am to 1 pm. (more…)

Teen arrested on child porn charges

MABANK — A Mabank High School student has been arrested after investigators allegedly located child pornography in his possession. According to our news partner KETK, an affidavit revealed that the investigation began after a “Cyber Tip” was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and was later given to officers with the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force. Kevin Cruz, 17, was arrested after investigators reportedly found two file hosting servers under Cruz’s domain where they located hundreds of videos and photos of child pornography. Officials said in one server they located 220 photos and videos of pornography. In the other server, they reportedly located three files with a total of 734 videos. (more…)

Miracle Child to light Tyler Christmas tree

TYLER — On Tuesday morning, the 2024 Miracle Child, representing Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances was introduced at the Goodman-LeGrand Museum with a small ceremony. This year, 4-year-old River Hardy was chosen, according to our news partner KETK. “He’s been our miracle child from the beginning,” said Kyla Hardy, River’s mom. Every year, the Miracle Child gets to do the honors and light the City of Tyler’s Christmas tree following the parade November 30th. “River was selected because he has accessed so many of our programs and services, and equipment that is fully funded by Children’s Miracle Network,” said Christina Mosier, manager of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CHRISTUS TMF. (more…)

Fatal I-20 crash under investigation

LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department said that one person is dead on Sunday night after a pick-up truck reportedly hit a pole on the I-20 West on-ramp near Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, the fatal crash happened on the I-20 West on-ramp, and another crash reportedly happened nearby, but outside the jurisdiction of, Lindale PD. Officials said that the ramp has been cleared and is now back open to traffic. Additional details were not available.

Delays expected during Tyler road construction

TYLER — The City of Tyler said to expect traffic delays, lane closures and road closures on several roads that will be under construction from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Dec. 7. According to the City of Tyler and our news partner KETK, Tyler Park Drive, Becky Drive, Kingswood Drive, Top Hill Drive, Foxglove Circle, Foxglove Lane, Larkspur Lane, Whippoorwill Drive, Woodbridge Drive, Woodbridge Place and Ivy Trail will all be closed for asphalt overlay work. Officials said that crews will also be reconstructing and overlaying East Earle Street between East Front Street and Old Henderson Highway until Dec. 7.

Funeral services held for sisters killed in double homicide case

GILMER — The community of Gilmer was in mourning on Saturday as funeral services were held for sisters Mandy Ray and Shakerrie Waters, our news partner KETK reports. The two were killed at a home off Highway 271 South near Bluebird Road on Saturday Nov. 4. A suspect in their murder 41-year-old Alvin McKnight Jr. was arrested in California on Wednesday night, according to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office. “Big loss, big loss to our church, big loss for our community, you can see the crowd that was here, they touched the lives of so many people,” said Pastor Forrest Curry with Moses Chapel CME Church Gilmer. Many community members and many of the sisters’ family members and friends came out the service to pay their respects. (more…)

March in support of Bishop Strickland

TYLER — A march through downtown Tyler was held in support of the former Bishop of Tyler, Bishop Joseph Strickland on Saturday morning. Bishop Strickland was removed as the Bishop of Tyler by the Vatican last Saturday on Nov. 11. According to our news partner KETK, Bishop Strickland had become a “fierce critic of the pontiff and has come to symbolize the polarization within the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.” Earlier in the year, the Vatican sent two other Bishops to investigate the governance of the Tyler Diocese. Saturday’s march was organized by the Knights of The Republic and it started at 10 a.m. in downtown Tyler. (more…)

New program at UT Tyler names first graduate

TYLER — Jacob Ledbetter of Rockwall is the pioneer graduate of the state’s first of its kind master’s degree at UT Tyler. UT Tyler’s Masters of Science – Cybersecurity and Data Analytics program was fully established last year as an effort to aid the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This program is the first of its kind in the state of Texas to combine both cybersecurity and data analytics, according to UT Tyler and our news partner KETK. Ledbetter had always had an interest in computer forensics, deciding to change his career path after receiving his bachelor’s in criminal justice. “I made some sacrifices this past year to get to this point, and it has been a rewarding experience. Having no prior knowledge, I am thankful my professors and adviser were understanding and patient while providing me guidance.” Ledbetter said. (more…)

Tyler ISD’s State of the District focuses on school safety

TYLER — Tyler ISD held their annual “State of the District” where school officials discussed safety measures on their campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the event was held during the monthly Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where the superintendent of Tyler ISD, Marty Crawford, recognized the importance of school safety and said that a student cannot perform well if they don’t feel safe. “You know, our school system employs a police officer to put in every campus, and that’s unheard of across the state almost. That’s one thing that’s a challenge every day, but we think we’re seeing some success there because we have a solid safety and security department to keep our kids and our teachers safe,” said Crawford. The event honored first responders with the 2023 Community Partner of the Year Award where they presented plaques to 10 different agencies from the local, county and federal level in recognition of their commitment to creating a secure environment. (more…)

Constable indicted for aggravated assault with deadly weapon

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Cherokee County constable was indicted by a grand jury on an assault charge. According to our news partner KETK, the indictment stated James “Jamie” Beene is accused of hitting another man with his vehicle, causing serious bodily injury. Beene is the Precinct 4 Constable for Cherokee County. The indictment states that the incident happened on Oct. 26, 2021. Beene is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Records show that Beene was booked into the Rusk County Jail on the charge from Cherokee County on Nov. 9 and has since been released on a $25,000 bond.

Smith County Sheriff’s Office searching for teen

SMITH COUNTY — On Wednesday, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office announced they are searching for a 17-year-old female last seen a week ago. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on missing person, Raelyn “Ollie” Smith, 17, who went missing on Nov. 7. Officials said she was last seen wearing a black shirt, shorts, black rim glasses and a black beanie. She has two tattoos, a moth and flowers on her left wrist and a seeing eyeball on her left forearm. Smith reportedly suffers from anxiety and depression but does not take medication at this time. She was last seen in the company of a 16-year-old. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

Tyler man sentenced to 20 years for injury to child

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, Lasabien Ford, 26, was arrested in January after an 8-month long search in the case where he was accused of hitting his infant son. According to his arrest warrant, Ford had held down the infant’s mother while she was holding the child and “continued to swing at her” resulting in the child being struck in the head with his fist. The warrant said the child went to the ER where a skull fracture was discovered.

Ousted Tyler bishop rallies outside values meeting

BALTIMORE (AP) — U.S. bishops inside a Baltimore hotel approved materials on how Catholics should vote in 2024 elections. Soon after, their recently ousted colleague and dozens of his supporters rallied outside the annual fall business meeting. Bishop Joseph Strickland is a conservative cleric who was recently removed by Pope Francis as head of the diocese of Tyler. His ouster followed his increasingly severe criticisms of the pontiff. Strickland prayed the rosary with dozens of supporters along the waterfront. Inside their conference room, the bishops approved a document about how Catholics should rely on the church’s teaching when making their ballot choices. The document restated many longstanding positions like opposition to abortion. (more…)

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