Tyler ISD lowers tax rate, increases staff pay

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees approved its general fund budget for the 2022-2023 school year during its meeting on Monday. This budget includes lowering the tax rate by 10.98 cents and raising teacher pay. The district’s budget will be more than $169.5 million for the school year which includes a net funding increase of about $3.1 million, according to a release. Tyler ISD officials said that this increase comes from a healthy district property tax growth. (more…)

East Texas Senator authors “In God We Trust Act”

EAST TEXAS — Across Texas, classrooms are now required to display “In God We Trust” posters as a new state law requires public schools to post donated signs of the phrase. Appearing on “Fox and Friends” Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, explains why he authored the ‘In God We Trust Act’ and says it’s about reminding students of America’s National motto. Hughes says, “In our Texas public schools, we teach the truth about our history. We teach our founding documents. The Declaration of Independence says our rights come from our creator…this is consistent with that.” Multiple other states including Florida and Louisiana have similar state laws. Critics argue the posters could make students uncomfortable and that religion should be kept out of educational spaces.

Smith County to hold public hearings for feedback on proposed budget and tax rate

SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday, Aug. 23, Smith County residents have the opportunity to have their voice heard at the Smith County Commissioners Court’s public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget and tax rate. The proposed budget was filed Monday, Aug. 15. It includes a proposed tax rate of 33 cents per $100 valuation, a drop from the current tax rate of 33.5 cents. “This year’s proposed tax rate continues the County’s long-standing tradition of seeking to maintain a low tax rate while providing excellent service to its citizens,” Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said. (more…)

Whitehouse ISD increases safety by hiring director of security

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD hired a new director of security, and Jeremy Black, a Whitehouse native, accepted the position, according to our news partner KETK. “Our staff stands ready to protect the folks here,” said Black. He considers the people of Whitehouse his family. So, when the director of security position opened up at the district he jumped at the chance. He has two children who attend Whitehouse ISD and a wife who teaches at the school. He says their safety is everything. “That definitely puts some skin in the game for me, but it’s not just that. It’s the team,. It’s the safety of everybody. I mean it’s one of beliefs here that we believe that everybody has the right to a safe and caring environment, everybody,” said Black. That’s why he is working on ways to increase security in more ways than one. (more…)

Suspect arrested following Smith County meth bust

SMITH COUNTY — Over 9 grams of meth were seized in Smith County Thursday night, and one person is now in custody, according to officials. According to our news partner KETK, a Smith County Constable Precinct 4 deputy stopped to check a suspicious vehicle on Chapman Road when officials said the driver was found passed out in the front seat of the car. “After further investigation into the welfare of the driver, the driver was found to have been in possession of 9.69 grams of methamphetamine,” officials said. One person was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

Tyler water rates could increase due to new utility plan

TYLER — Tyler residents could see an increase in their water bill starting in October. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler water utilities is proposing a new water rate plan to upgrade infrastructure. Currently, the city is on a declining rate structure, which means water and sewer services become cheaper the more you use them. The new plan calls for customers to pay the same rate, no matter the amount of water that is used. The first 2,000 gallons of water consumed will no longer be free. “With the system is just more fair and equitable to help our residents understand what the cost of water is and what it is to get that water produced.” If this plan is approved, Tyler water customers will see an increase of about $20 on their monthly bill. (more…)

Judge grants 60 days to hire investigator in Athens fatal bus crash case

ATHENS — Time has been granted by a Henderson County judge to appoint an investigator in the case of a fatal bus crash that occurred in Athens in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, during a hearing on Wednesday, defense attorneys motioned for the appointment of an investigator to the case. The presiding judge granted permission to the motion, giving 60 days to hire an investigator for the case. The discovery status hearing has been set for Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. 81-year-old John Stevens was charged in 2019 with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after a bus he was driving was hit by a train, killing 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injuring 9-year-old Joselyn Torres. The bus reportedly was pushed one-quarter of a mile before coming to a stop.

Tyler gang member sentenced to federal prison

TYLER — A Tyler gang member has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for a firearms violation, according to our news partner KETK. Bandon Deshun Hawkins, 36, plead guilty on Sept. 29, 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced on Tuesday. According to court documents, in 2020 Hawkins was stopped while driving on Vine Street in Tyler and arrested on outstanding warrants. Officials said during the traffic stop, Hawkins threw a plastic bag containing marijuana from the vehicle resulting in a probable cause search. A pistol was found in the car during the search, and officials said further investigations found Hawkins to be a member of the Eight Trey Gangster Crips, a street gang. (more…)

Texas voters weigh in on November midterm elections in new poll

EAST TEXAS — The Dallas Morning News and the University of Texas at Tyler released a new poll Sunday that asked Texas voters their thoughts about the November midterm elections, including the race between Gov. Abbott and Beto O’Rourke, and other issues affecting the state. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is maintaining a modest lead over Democrat Beto O’Rourke in the race for Texas governor. According to the new poll, Abbott has a 7-point cushion over O’Rourke, unchanged from a similar survey in May. (more…)

City of Troup issues boil water notice

TROUP — The City of Troup issued a boil water notice on Thursday, due to a line break. All customers of the City of Troup public water supply should boil their water before consumption, washing hands or face or brushing teeth. The city said that children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are “particularly vulnerable” to harmful bacteria. “To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. (more…)

Food Bank partners with Door Dash to help senior citizens

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank partnered with Door Dash for a new project called, “Project Dash.” Our news partner KETK reports, the first pilot delivery is a partnership with Longview Dream Center to give out the boxes. Project dash gives perishable items to seniors, age 60 or older and under a certain income. This helps seniors who don’t have a means of transportation or those with health issues. Linda Henry, a resident of Longview said, “That’s fabulous. I can’t even really explain it to you how much that helps, because now I can’t drive anymore. And it’s a God send.. it really is.” Once the address is confirmed, the door dasher will present the box to the recipient. (more…)

Body of missing Henderson woman found in her vehicle

SMITH COUNTY — The body of a missing Henderson woman was found in her vehicle on Tuesday in Smith County. Betty Rowland (Pemberton) was last seen on Aug. 1. Police said she may have been suffering from dementia. According to our news partner KETK, a landowner saw a vehicle and called law enforcement to investigate. Rowland’s vehicle was in a “slightly wooded area,” several hundred yards off of CR 290 in Smith County. Authorities say that foul play is not suspected, but the case is under investigation. (more…)

Tyler ISD cracks down on vaping

TYLER — With a new school year comes a renewed effort to crack down on the issue of vaping in Tyler ISD. “Vaping is a serious issue with our youth,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “You can’t buy bourbon in Tyler, Texas, but our youth can get their hands on vapes on almost every corner around town. We are educators, not health monitors. Any help you can give us, city, county, and legislators, we would really appreciate it!” The district has installed more than seventy vape detectors at all four high schools and the Career & Technology Center with the message to students, “you will get caught.” (more…)

Smith County commissioners vote to propose lowering tax rate

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioner’s Court voted unanimously to propose lowering the tax rate by half a cent. The proposed rate for the fiscal year 2023 would go down from 33.5 cents to 33 cents per $100 valuation. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said the commissioners court will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23. The court will also plan a public hearing on the proposed FY23 budget at 5:30 p.m. on August 23. The court will vote on adopting the proposed tax rate and budget in September, according to Moran. The city says they will not go into effect until Oct. 1. (more…)

Longview ISD officials: ‘Our hearts are broken’ after incoming high school student fatally shot

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD officials said their “hearts are broken” after an incoming high school student died on Tuesday. “Longview Independent School District is shocked and saddened to learn about the tragic death of incoming Longview High School freshman Rahsaan ‘Bobo’ Jefferson,” said the school district. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police said Jefferson died folowing a shooting at the Preserve Apartments on West Avalon Avenue on Monday night. The school district extended their condolences to Rahsaan’s loved ones. “To lose any member of our Lobo family hurts, but especially one so young,” said James Brewer, the Longview High School Principal. “Crisis counselors and campus administrators will be on hand for any students and staff who need assistance.” (more…)

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