Today is
Wednesday November 27, 2024
TYLER — The Art Alley in Tyler unveiled more than 40 brand new murals at it’s grand opening on Saturday. 48 local artists attended the free event where they got to show off their art which was also shown in photo books for sale, our news partner KETK reports. “So Tyler actually has a really beautiful budding culture of local art. People are starting to come downtown and enjoy that,†said Lindsey Froneberger, downtown specialist. “You’ll see that with our vendor markets we have throughout Tyler and downtown and also the Tyler Arts Festival each year and we’ve got a ton of art galleries in the downtown area too. So having just a walkable free outside place to come to a condensed group of murals really just helps people to come downtown and enjoy themselves.†The Art Alley’s next phase starts in 2025 and new murals will be revealed in 2026.
TYLER — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requires the City of Tyler public water system to notify Tyler Water Utilities customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.) This comes as the result of a single routine sample site that tested showing the presence of e. coli, followed by a repeat sample at the same site in Central Tyler showing the presence of total coliform. E. coli was only found in one sample site out of many tested. Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — After more than 60 years in business, Tyler’s Put-Putt Golf & Games will be closing their doors soon. According to our news partner KETK, in November of 2022, owners Katherine and Tom Adair were informed by Genecov that their land was going to be sold. The couple was given the option to purchase the property, but declined the offer. Katherine’s parents bought the business in 1959, when she was just 2 years old. Both her parents passed in the 1990’s, and Katherine officially took over operations. “It’s been really sad,†Katherine said. “I think it’s going to be really sad for Tyler. It’s sad for our family, but it’s worse for Tyler, because they’re losing an entertainment facility that I know a lot of people love.†Putt-Putt Golf & Games will celebrating 64 years in business on November 12. Read the rest of this entry »
HENDERSON COUNTY — Inmates in part of the Henderson County Jail have started a hunger strike, citing excessive bonds as their reason. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the hunger strike started Wednesday in a dorm that houses eight inmates. “I was informed that we do have a dorm in the jail here where they actually removed the TV from the wall and set it on the floor… Once they did that, we took the TV out of the dorm,†Hillhouse said. “And then they have been putting in paperwork saying that their bonds are excessive, and so they are basically right now saying they are on a hunger strike.†A bond is the amount of money set by a judge or magistrate for releasing a defendant from jail before the date of their trial. Hillhouse explained that a Justice of the Peace comes in every day to help set bonds in Henderson County. Read the rest of this entry »
ATHENS — The former mayor of Athens has been sentenced to federal prison for child obscenity violations. According to our news partner KETK, James Monte Montgomery, 65, pleaded guilty to sending obscene materials to a minor on August 25, 2022, and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison Wednesday. According to public information, on June 3, 2021, Montgomery was arrested after arriving at an undisclosed location after soliciting sex online with investigators posing as minors. In June of 2020, Montgomery, then the mayor of Athens, began communicating by text messaging with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old female. Montgomery sent messages to the child describing sexually explicit acts that he wanted to perform on the child and offering to pay the child if she would meet him and have sex with him. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats with a donation of 12 new fleece blankets or a new dog house for September. The blankets will be used for animals at the Shelter. Blankets that are 50″ x 60″ are preferred to fit a pet’s kennel. The dog houses will go back into the community to help those who don’t have adequate shelter for their pets. Animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. The standard adoption fee for dogs is $120 and $80 for cats. To adopt, view available animals or submit an application, click here.
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating after a 37-year-old man died of his injuries from a pedestrian hit-and-run at E. Gentry Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, our news partner KETK reports. Police said on Sept. 2 around 11:15 p.m. officers responded to the scene and found the man lying in the roadway. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries, and was identified by authorities as William Eric Haisler, 37, of Tyler. The suspect vehicle is possibly a dark colored sedan, according to officials, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kirkhart at 903-535-0194.
HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man with several warrants was arrested after THC gummies were seized during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday night, a Harrison County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an alleged equipment violation. The stop led to the deputy performing a probable cause search on the vehicle where he reportedly found 6.3 grams of THC gummies. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 28-year-old Collin Gunn and it was reported that he had several warrants for his arrest out of Harrison County. Gunn was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. According to judicial records, Gunn has been booked into the Harrison County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, a meeting was held in the Smith County Commissioners Courtroom to vote on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget and tax rate. According to our news partner KETK, the budget includes a tax rate of .347264 cents per $100 valuation. Due to the courthouse and parking garage bond that was approved by voters in November 2022, this will be an increase from the current tax rate of 33 cents. All items were approved and will go into effect on Oct. 1, the beginning of the county’s new fiscal year. The following items were voted on in regards to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) budget and tax rates: Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN (AP) — The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that could lead to his permanent removal from office is underway. The embattled Republican — one of former President Donald Trump’s biggest defenders — entered the state Senate on Tuesday to face accusations of bribery and corruption. Paxton did not stick around for the entire first day. He sat at the defense table Tuesday morning but did not return after lunch for opening statements. It isn’t clear when or whether he will return. The fate of the 60-year-old Republican is in the hands of the GOP-dominated Senate. Paxton has decried the impeachment as a “politically motivated sham” and says he expects to be acquitted.
SMITH COUNTY — Since the Smith County Burn Ban was issued a month ago, the County has seen 160 grass and brush fires, and nearly 80 reports of illegal burning. “It’s been a busy month across the board,†said Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley, who gave an update on fire conditions to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday. There have been 432 fire-related calls since August 1, and 40 citations have been given for illegal burning. A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500. “The emergency responders in the county are doing an outstanding job during an extremely busy time,†Findley said, adding that the investigators in the Fire Marshal’s Office are doing a great job. “You’ve got a great team out at the EOC.†He said their partnerships with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Constables’ Offices have also been great, with the other agencies helping them out tremendously on calls, both day and night. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Starting Tuesday evening, from 7pm to 5am, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) will conduct lane closures along Toll 49 for Gantry maintenance. The scheduled work will run through Friday, September, 8. Drivers should expect brief delays.
TxDOT project updates:
SMITH COUNTY — This week, crews are scheduled to mill and inlay on SH 31 west starting at the county line and heading west. The work will begin at the bridge and will be in the eastbound lanes up to Loop 49. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. This crew will then move to FM 724, under Loop 49, for mill and inlay work. The crew will then move to Spur 235 from SH 31 to SH 64. On Friday, crews will mill and inlay on FM 2493, inside Loop 323, near Windsor St. and Hardwood Dr. Also, ditch work will be performed at various locations throughout the county. Read the rest of this entry »
MARSHALL – Firefighters in Harrison County were battling for 6 hours on Saturday to contain a 15-acre fire burning near Union Missionary Baptist Church off of Highway 59 South. According to our news partner KETK, Harrison County ESD 3 Fire Rescue, HCESD4 and the Texas Forest Service responded to the fire located just north of FM 2625 on Saturday. Officials suspect the fire was started by a mechanical failure on a vehicle passing by. Pasture and timber were the only things damaged in the fire and fire crews planned on coming back on Sunday to ensure burning stumps and fallen trees don’t spread the fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 15 acres across and 70 percent contained as of 8:31 p.m. on Saturday.
CADDO MILLS — A Friday night high school football game between Caddo Mills and Bullard was called early due to several injuries. Two medical helicopters were dispatched during the game. The injured players were said to be from the Caddo Mills team. In a Facebook post Saturday, Caddo Mills Superintendent of Schools, Luke Allison, posted an update: “I am happy to report that both boys were released early this morning. No internal injuries and no spinal damage. We all witnessed a miracle and the power of people coming together to pray. There is no other explanation! In addition, we had another student taken to the hospital, by parents, last night during the game. That young man has been released as well, and we are hearing great things. Read the rest of this entry »
HARRISON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers are conducting an officer involved shooting investigation. According to officials, a DPS trooper was conducting a traffic stop on US Highway 259, in Gregg County, around 10:30 Monday evening. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit, which eventually ended on FM Road 450 in Harrison County. The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area, followed by an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, was pronounced dead at the scene.