Today is
Thursday November 28, 2024
TYLER — Contractors will replace a traffic signal pole at South Broadway Avenue and West Southwest Loop 323 on Sunday, April 16. The signal will be without power from 7:30 to 11 a.m. while crews work to replace the pole hit by a tractor-trailer on Tuesday morning. The Tyler Police Department will be on the scene to direct traffic. Southbound traffic on South Broadway Avenue will not be able to turn right onto West Southwest Loop 323. The westbound turn lane will be closed along with two westbound lanes of West Southwest Loop 323. Drivers can expect lane closures and traffic delays in the area. The City of Tyler urges drivers to use caution and obey the direction of the Tyler Police Department officers directing traffic. Motorists are encouraged to plan extra time into their drive and take an alternate route to avoid the area.
TYLER — Tyler ISD announced its 2023 District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year Thursday evening at the Tyler ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet. The Rookie of the Year award recognizes a teacher who demonstrates outstanding performance and superior instruction skills during their first year. The 2023 Rookie of the Year is Mallory Sims (pictured) at Andy Woods Elementary School. The 2023 Principal of the Year is Dr. NaTasha Crain, Principal at Jones Elementary School. “We are proud to honor our District Teachers of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Rookie of the Year,†Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The W.T. Brookshire Conference Center Grand Opening took place Thursday. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fireworks, celebrating the building’s grand opening that is 30 years in the making. Mayor Don Warren and four former Tyler mayors came together to celebrate the momentous occasion, our news partner KETK reports. “The WT Brookshire Conference Center is the centerpiece and offers this community a conference experience like no other,†said Warren. From start to finish, Warren explained that the project wasn’t easy, but worth it for the City of Tyler. “Getting a project of this magnitude off the ground is challenging at anytime but doing it during a pandemic is a whole new ball game,†said Warren. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Junior College was given the all-clear by law enforcement after issuing a shelter in place due to a “potential active shooter warning.†According to our news partner KETK, officials with the Tyler Police Department said the call came in around 10:30 a.m., and the caller reported multiple people had been shot at the technology building. Officials arrived at the scene within minutes, and no threats were found. Officials said similar active shooter calls had been made to other Texas colleges. “Anytime we get a call like that, you’re gonna see us come out in full force,†Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said. TJC was given the all-clear by 11:15 a.m., and the junior college’s West campus and Pirtle Technology Building were evacuated. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN — The Texas Senate passes a bill targeting the use of critical race theory in college classrooms.Senate Bill 16 would ban college professors from compelling students to adopt certain beliefs on racial or political issues. Republican State Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, thinks some college professors are excluding debate in their classrooms and suppressing conservative ideas. The bill does not specifically mention “critical race theory” but Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued a statement saying it would ban the teaching of critical race theory at Texas universities. He thanked Senator Hughes and other Republicans in the Texas Senate for passing it. The legislature banned critical race theory from public elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in 2021.
JACKSONVILLE — UT Health Jacksonville received a threat against the facility and issued a lockdown on Wednesday, officials said. According to our news partner KETK, the lockdown was issued as a precautionary measure. “Our security team and local law enforcement are aware of the threat and are working to resolve the matter,†UT Health East Texas said in a statement. The hospital system said, “The safety of the patients, team members and visitors is their priority.” Additional details were not available.
TYLER — For the first time in its 76-year existence, the Tyler Junior College Apache Cheer team has earned the title of national champion. TJC took first place in the Intermediate Large Coed Open Division in the National Cheerleaders Association’s College Nationals competition last weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. “We work a whole year preparing for a routine that lasts 2 minutes and 15 seconds,” said Tammy Rose, TJC cheer head coach. “We started this journey last summer at NCA college camp at SMU in Dallas, where we earned a bronze bid to attend NCA College Nationals.” Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, Smith County Constable Josh Joplin of Precinct 4 expressed concerns during the commissioners court meeting. He feels the scope of his job is being limited, according to our news partner KETK. Precinct 4 is the largest precinct in Smith County covering 322 square miles. Joplin said recent comments made to him and his deputies by some county commissioners are degrading to his badge. “We’ve received veil threats from certain commissioners that state that they don’t want us to do law enforcement work. They want us to do the bare minimum of our taxpayers serving papers and bailiff in court,†said Joplin. Read the rest of this entry »
WHITEHOUSE — TxDOT has announced that repairs to the sinkhole on FM 346, between Pecanwood and Crepe Myrtle Road in Whitehouse are scheduled to be completed by the morning of Thursday, April 13. Currently, the westbound lanes of FM 346 are being diverted through the center lane, which will continue until repairs are complete. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. If travel is necessary in this area, please reduce your speed and pay attention in the work zone.
TYLER — The Planning and Zoning Committee met on Tuesday, where they unanimously voted down the proposal to bring in a 35-unit residential property to a Tyler neighborhood. According to our news partner KETK, dozens of forms were submitted, 77 total, that expressed opposition to the potential housing development near the corner of Richmond Road and Timberwilde Road. “As one of 77 homeowners who submitted forms in opposition to this zone change, I am thrilled the planning and zoning commission unanimously denied this request,†Mitzi Rusk said. “Many of us presented information that prove R1A, the current zoning, can succeed and is best for our situation.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Tyler Police are at the scene of a morning accident at Loop 323 and Broadway Avenue. Officers said an oversized load pulled down the intersection lights. All westbound traffic on the Loop at Broadway Ave is down to one lane only. Drivers should expect traffic delays as crews work to repair the lights, and are encouraged to take alternate routes and avoid the area while the repairs are made.
SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was arrested in March for aggravated sexual assault in connection to a serial rape investigation in Smith County that dates back to 2003. Our news partner KETK reports, Vincente Zavaleta, 44 of Tyler, was arrested on March 21 by the Texas Department of Public Safety. According to his arrest warrant, three victims reported to have been sexually assaulted in Smith County and Tyler in 2003, 2012 and 2016. Two of the victims reported they were abducted by their attacker. The warrant said the three victims had been linked to an unidentified DNA profile. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview ISD announced on Monday that Place 5 board member Shandreka “Shaun†Bauer has submitted her resignation effective June 1. The district said in her resignation letter, Bauer cited a new work opportunity that requires her family to relocate. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — A group of more than 60 members of a Chinese Christian church will be starting a new life in Tyler after fleeing from China due to “extreme persecution,†according to Freedom Seekers International. According to our news partner KETK, the organization said that the Chinese citizens were previously in South Korea for more than a year, but will no longer be sheltered there due to political pressure from China to return them to “re-education camps.†According to ChinaAid, the group was granted humanitarian parole status by United States authorities. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Allison O’Neal, assistant principal of Rice Elementary School, has been named the new principal at Rice Elementary School. She replaces John Smiley, who was recently named the principal of Hubbard Middle School. “Rice feels like home,†Mrs. O’Neal said. “I attended Rice as a student, and my children currently attend Rice. I am honored to accept this position at a campus that means so much to me. I have had the pleasure of learning from many great leaders in Tyler ISD through the years and plan to continue the wonderful things Mr. Smiley has done for our campus.†In her 18th year in education, Mrs. O’Neal joined Tyler ISD in 2008 as a classroom teacher at Andy Woods Elementary School. In 2019, she moved into the master teacher role at Hubbard Middle School. In 2020, Mrs. O’Neal took over the assistant principal position at Rice Elementary.