Today is
Wednesday November 27, 2024
TYLER — A Tyler man was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in a crash that killed 20-year-old Tamyra Campbell in September 2021. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Hardy Jr., 28, was convicted for hitting a parked car at the intersection of Plantation Drive and Spring Branch Drive, causing a crash that killed his passenger. Initial investigation into the crash revealed that Hardy was driving a black Dodge Charger with Campbell as his passenger. He was indicted in February 2022. According to the 475th District Court, the punishment phase will begin Friday morning.
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, in collaboration with eight local colleges and universities, gathered for the Early Assurance Program Signing Day on August 16. “This is a significant milestone for UT Tyler School of Medicine and our partnering colleges,†said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “The Pathways program reflects our commitment to recruiting local talent and promoting excellence in medical education. Through this program, we are creating a pathway for East Texas students to pursue a career in medicine.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Smith County residents summoned to appear for Smith County Jury Duty are being asked to change where they park during construction of the County’s parking garage. For many years, jurors have parked in the large lot on East Ferguson Street but now, those reporting for duty are being asked to park in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208. S. College Avenue. The walking distance from the parking garage to the Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Broadway Avenue, is 733 feet, while the parking lot on Ferguson Street is 852 feet from the Courthouse. It is free to park in the Fair Plaza Garage on all four floors, except for the reserved spaces. Jurors are asked to park on the third and fourth floors. Read the rest of this entry »
KILGORE — Henderson Boulevard will be closed Thursday for the construction of the Kilgore College bridge. According to our news partner KETK, the road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a detour route using Houston Street, S. Commerce Street and Harris Street. On Saturday, there will be a closure from 4 a.m. until noon, and drivers can use that same detour. After that, Henderson Boulevard will be a two-lane two-way roadway for several weeks while construction is completed.
TYLER — Tyler ISD bus drivers will soon have cases of water on hand for their routes. According to our news partner KETK, Churches Serving Schools and the Brookshire Grocery Company partnered to supply more than 60,000 bottles of water to Tyler ISD bus drivers. “We are beyond grateful for this donation for our Tyler ISD bus drivers,†Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said. “They are the first person thousands of our students see every school day and the last person they see when the school day ends. Our drivers travel more than 7,500 miles daily, covering Tyler ISD’s 193-square-mile school district. This incredible gesture means so much to each and every one of them.†Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department lost a K9 officer this week. The department announced that K9 Hera died on Aug. 14 from a recent illness, according to our news partner KETK. The department said she will be remembered as a hard-working member of the Palestine Police Department and a public servant to the community. “Our condolences go to her family during this difficult time,†Palestine PD said. “Rest easy, Hera. We have the watch from here.â€
TYLER — Work is underway to renovate Tyler’s former Greyhound bus station into a new boutique inn that will serve downtown Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the Greyhound Inn will feature nine rooms, five original upstairs apartments, two first floor units and two new rooms that will divide the building’s Art Moderne addition. Originally the building’s rooms were used for overnight Greyhound bus drivers, so many of them were fully equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes and will be again once the renovation is complete. “I believe these will be the most unique hospitality rooms in all of East Texas, when finished. It’s hard to explain how cool these rooms are until you see them for yourself,†said Andy Bergfeld with Bergfeld Realty Company. Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Another scam is finding its way to cell phones of East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam where victims get a call from someone claiming to be Chief Deputy John Garrison with the SCSO, telling the recipient that they missed a grand jury subpoena. “The proposed victim immediately recognized this as a scam and did not let the suspect get far enough to explain the payment method,†said SCSO Sgt. Larry Christian. “Typically, these scammers will demand immediate payment for nonexistent fines and/or warrants for missed jury service.†Christian said he talked with the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, John Garrison. Read the rest of this entry »
GREGG COUNTY — Monday night in Gregg County, commissioners voted yes in a bond election for a new courthouse parking garage. According to our news partner KETK, during Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting, a $19 million bond was approved to go on November’s ballot. The money will be used for a new parking garage in Downtown Longview that will be built across from the county courthouse. During a recent interview with KETK, County Judge Bill Stoudt said parking has been a problem for years at the courthouse and that this structure will help the issues. The project could take up to two years.
EAST TEXAS — Shopping centers will be busy this weekend with no sales tax on back to school essentials. The sales tax holiday runs through Sunday. The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13. Read the rest of this entry »
CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill Independent School District (CHISD) has announced announced a salary increase and enhanced incentives for student-centered bus drivers. According to a news released from the school district, the changes were approved during a recent school board meeting. Effective immediately, the pay scale for bus drivers has been raised to $20.00 per hour. In addition to the increased salary, bus drivers will be eligible for a sign-on bonus of $500 after they have worked at least 60 days with the district. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrated its partnership with local artists and a new art exhibition through Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC. This collection was curated by Neita Fran Ward (pictured) and professionally installed by Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit will be displayed in the W.T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, for the next year, marking the sixth art installation at the college. Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC will feature 53 pieces of artwork throughout the hallways of W.T. Brookshire Hall. Read the rest of this entry »
BEN WHEELER — New laws in Texas will go into effect on Sept. 1 that will bring stricter rules if students get caught using the devices, according to our news partner KETK. “There’s really no choice. If we find it, it’s automatic that a student’s going to be removed from the basic regular school setting and will be in alternative school for a period of time,†said Superintendent of Martin’s Mill ISD, Scott Tyner. According to the CDC, in 2022, 2.5 million middle and high school students across the country used vapes. Students that are caught will be put in a “Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.†“We might see a decrease of the use at school,†said Tyner. This action is expected to be a step higher than detention but not as bad as getting a suspension. Tyner adds it will depend on what the student is caught with that will determine the punishment. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — A 22-year-old is dead after the Longview Police found him shot on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting on Houston Street. Arriving officers found that Keilan Jones had been shot during a reported “domestic disturbance.†Officers immediately began to perform CPR on Jones while waiting on EMS. Jones was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said the suspect has been identified but the case is still under investigation.
HARRISON COUNTY — A woman was arrested after authorities said that she ran over her ex-boyfriend with a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, on Sunday, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a man who said his ex-girlfriend arrived at the residence while he was trying to move out. The ex-girlfriend, who was identified as Elizabeth Reyes, 23, reportedly believed another woman had brought him to the residence he was trying to move out of. Authorities said that Reyes then “proceeded to run him over with the vehicle.†Reyes was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon family violence on a $75,000 bond.