Today is
Friday June 19, 2026
TYLER — Tyler police continue to seek your help investigating a homicide. Officers responded to a residence on W. Mims near the Gaston Avenue intersection on February 6th. A person was found inside, dead of a gunshot wound. Police identified the victim as 61-year-old Warren Edward Rogers. Anyone with any information that may assist in this case is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.
TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation is continuing to host a virtual public meeting regarding the six-lane widening project on FM 2493, more commonly known as Old Jacksonville Highway, with an in-person option set for Tuesday. Officials encourage you to participate and share your comments on improving safety and mobility along the highway from Loop 323 to FM 2813. The virtual public meeting remains available through Wednesday, April 12. The in-person public meeting will be held in a come-and-go format March 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the Regional Training and Development Complex on the Tyler Junior College West Campus. Click this link for all the details.
TYLER — The railroad crossing on E. Line St. between Spring and Center Avenues in Tyler will be closed for maintenance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. Officials say Union Pacific Railroad and the City of Tyler Streets Department will be doing routine maintenance on the railroad crossing and the roadway near the intersection. Detours will be in place at North Spring and North Center. The City of Tyler urges drivers to use caution and obey all traffic signs and detours in the area.
MARSHALL — The Texas A&M Forest Service is conducting a controlled burn in Harrison County, northeast of Marshall, and officials say wind conditions have caused smoke to hover within Marshall’s city limits. Authorities say this will be a two-day controlled burn. Representatives from the Forest Service have indicated that workers will complete the burn Tuesday after ceasing operations Monday.
TYLER — Portions of the roadways at the South Broadway Avenue and Grande Boulevard intersection will be closed nightly beginning March 29. Officials say lane closures are needed while contractors work on sewer lines in the area. Contractors will be working at night to minimize the impact on traffic, according to a news release. The construction is scheduled for March 29 through March 31 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers can expect traffic delays in the area. The City of Tyler urges motorists to use caution and obey all traffic signs in the area.
MARSHALL — The East Texas Council of Governments last week honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community, according to a news release. The awards were handed out at ETCOG’s 103rd Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting at Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall. Top first responders, the Citizens of the Year, and the Corporate Citizen of the Year were recognized, along with recipients of honors for statesmanship and committee service. Click here for the full report.
TYLER — Tyler Junior College will host its 12th annual “50 Gallon Challenge†Monday-Friday, March 27-31, at various TJC locations. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and a Carter BloodCare water bottle, and will be entered to win prizes each day. Since TJC and Carter BloodCare teamed up for the “50 Gallon Challenge†12 years ago, the event has raised more than 500 gallons of the blood and potentially saved more than 13,000 lives, according to a news release. “Tyler is a very giving community, and we rely on their support to help us reach this big goal,†said TJC Director of Student Life Lauren Tyler as quoted in the release. “Each year we’ve held the blood drive, we’ve had great support from our students, faculty and staff and the great people of Tyler.” Click this link for more information.
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of March 27. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a ditch maintenance crew on FM 850 at various locations. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Once complete, the crew will move to FM 15 for mill operations and leveling. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance, with assistance from Special Crews, will be conducting fog seal operations on FM 2011, from FM 2087 to SH 322. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers and a pilot car. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
AUSTIN – A Flint resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game 200X Cash Blitz. According to a news release, the ticket was purchased at Uncle’s 130203 in Midland. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. 200X Cash Blitz offers more than $145 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.68, including break-even prizes, according to the release.
KARNACK – The Texas Department of Public Safety says a suspect died following an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The suspect’s name was not immediately released. Authorities said deputies were called Thursday due to a fight on Lotta Road in Karnack and that led to the officer-involved shooting. The sheriff asked the Texas Rangers to investigate, which is part of law enforcement protocol. Authorities said they will share more information when it becomes available.
TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has re-scheduled a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park. The event, previously set for April 6, will now be held Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. According to a news release, the purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.
SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 188, east of the Emerald Bay Lake subdivision, is back open to drivers after a bridge was replaced. According to a news release, County Engineer Frank Davis said contractor Reynolds & Kay completed the bridge replacement and paving. Officials say work crews will remain in the area over the next two to three weeks to install the guard rail and stripe the pavement. The portion of the road that was closed since February 27 was located between FM 344 and FM 346. A narrow bridge was replaced with a concrete box culvert.
COFFEE CITY — The Coffee City Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding William Andrew Wilson, 31, who they said uses several different names. According to our news partner KETK, CCPD said he is wanted on several charges and uses the names Andrew William Wilson, Anthony George Bush, and “any other names he comes up with on the fly.†Police said they responded to a disturbance at the Lake Palestine Motor Inn on March 15 around 11:30 a.m. Wilson allegedly assaulted a woman at the motel and left the scene before officers arrived, CCPD said. A warrant was then issued for assault causing bodily injury-family violence. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is unveiling three new restroom murals by local artists at two parks. Two murals were completed on the softball side of Lindsey Park on Spur 364. They were painted by local artist Dallas Rose. She is scheduled to complete two companion murals on the soccer side of the park later this year. The restroom at Pollard Park on Amherst Drive had a mural painted by Dace Kidd. The mural features a variety of colorful roses. All three murals were completed in February. “The Pollard Park mural is the ninth restroom mural completed since 2019, said Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator Erin Garner as quoted in a news release. “Keep Tyler Beautiful’s goal is to cover all Tyler park restrooms with murals in the next few years as part of our ongoing mission for beautification.” Read the rest of this entry »
EMORY — Officials in Rains County said the body of a missing autistic child was recovered in a pond on the property from which he disappeared. The search ended around 9 p.m. Thursday. The child’s name was Miguel, and he was non-verbal. Our news partner KETK first reported the search earlier Thursday evening, and officials said tracking dogs were brought in.
TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank is having its say as the Feeding Texas network, made up of 21 food banks across the state, calls on state legislators to address hunger on college campuses in a virtual day of advocacy. According to a news release, the inability to afford basic needs is the number one reason cited by community college students for not completing their education. Even with tuition aid, 38% of students at two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year universities experience hunger, according to a recent #RealCollege survey. “We know that some college students in our area are skipping meals and only eating once a day because it’s difficult for them to afford food and pay for school,†said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank, as quoted in the release. “It’s difficult to pay attention in class when you are hungry.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The 64th Annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail runs through April 9 following a 10 a.m. kickoff Friday at the home of Joan Pyron on West Dobbs Street in Tyler. According to a news release from Visit Tyler, “residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take time to stroll through these picturesque gardens, join in on one of the many community events, and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the spring.” As quoted in the release, Visit Tyler Vice President of Tourism & Servicing Susan Travis said, “This is the time of year where Tyler comes alive with colors. Everyone loves getting out in the spring in Tyler.†Along with the azaleas and spring flowers, the Trail will include a variety of activities for the whole family including art shows, festivals, historic home tours, live entertainment, plays, and more. For more information and a full list of events, visit this link.
SHERMAN – An ophthalmology provider group with offices in East Texas has agreed to pay $2,902,505 to resolve False Claims Act allegations. Federal officials name Arlington Ophthalmology Association, PLLC, d/b/a Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers (“K&Eâ€). According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Texas, officials say the company offered and paid kickbacks to optometrists to induce referrals of patients who were candidates for cataract surgery in violation of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. K&E has offices in Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Southlake, Mount Pleasant, and Gun Barrel City.
TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park, according to a news release. The event will be Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.
ATHENS – A Waxahachie man was sentenced to consecutive life sentences for multiple charges involving the abuse of four East Texas children. According to our news partner KETK, the case began in Ellis County on a child porn tip and found its way to Henderson County, where the sentences were assessed. Jacob Tyler Weatherholtz, 34, drew two consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, an additional life sentence for a separate offense of aggravated assault of a child, and 20 years in prison for indecency with a child. Officials say two girls had been sexually abused by Weatherholtz starting when they were around five years of age, and a young male had been sexually abused as well. A fourth victim was also identified, who officials said was under the age of one at the time of the sexual abuse. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Several key items were addressed by the Tyler City Council at its Wednesday meeting. The Council approved a $1,745,800 contract for the design of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration Basin and Final Clarifier Improvements project. Officials point out that the plant was built in 1955, and they say it has an aging system that needs rehabilitation. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Smith County received the 2022 Safety Achievement Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. According to a news release, the award was earned for the county’s record of maintaining a strong commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling workers’ compensation claims. Smith County employees will be formally presented with the award at an upcoming County Management and Risk Conference. Smith County received a banner this week to announce the award, and several departments took turns taking pictures with it. Road and Bridge employees are pictured at left. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler University Academy Longview campus has made the national CHILDREN AT RISK School List as an A/A+ school for 2022. According to a news release, UA Longview is ranked No. 20 out of 3,967 elementary schools. “We are pleased that the University Academy at Longview campus has been recognized with this designation,†said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, University Academy superintendent as quoted in a news release. “This recognition celebrates the work of our teachers, administrators, staff and students.†CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit organization that aims to help parents, educators and community members understand how their schools are performing and spark dialogue on the quality of public education across Texas, according to the release.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KRLD) — The trial of two East Texas men on charges related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has been delayed. A federal judge has granted the delay in the trial of Longview resident Ryan Nichols and Carthage resident Alex Harkrider, set for March 27, because of a surgery taking place in the family of one of Nichols’s attorneys. But that was not the original reason Nichols’s lawyers requested the delay. They asked for more time to go through additional hours of video taken at the Capitol that were recently released. Also, they say that nichols’s physical and mental health badly declined during the time he was incarcerated in federal prison, to the point that he is “a shell of his former self.” He was released for home confinement last November.
PALESTINE – The City of Palestine announced Wednesday they are mourning the death of District 3 Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Vicky Chivers. According to our news partner KETK, the city said Chivers died Tuesday and had served as council member for District 3 since 2002. “Ms. Chivers been a constant in our city government for more than 20 years and a pillar in the community,†Mayor Justin Florence said in a prepared statement. “Not only have we lost a great city and community leader, but we have lost a sister, mother, cousin, mentor and friend.” Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The Longview Public Library is forced to cancel a teen lock-in event after too many kids became rowdy. Library Youth Service Supervisor Terri Nalls says most of the teens behaved themselves normally at the event on Friday night, but she said some kids were running the library’s electric scooter into the wall, throwing books, and breaking things. Some of the library staff said they could smell alcohol and probably drugs. Nalls says they normally have about 80 teens 13 to 18 for the lock-in events, but they had 187 registered last Friday night. She said a lot of them were kids they had not seen before. The kids were asked to call their parents to pick them up. The Longview library is now considering what to do about future teen lock-ins.
TYLER – A woman arrested for abuse of a corpse after a baby was found dead in a bucket had given birth to the child in a toilet moments before, according to her arrest warrant. The warrant said deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the Lindale area March 15, where the baby was found, and spoke with the homeowner, who showed them a red mop bucket that had been placed outside. According to our news partner KETK, the homeowner reportedly told officials she lived at the home with her roommate, Jazzlyn Cooper-Holmes, 23, of Longview, who later told detectives during an interview that the baby found was hers. The warrant says Cooper-Holmes told detectives she gave birth to the child in a toilet around 4 a.m. on March 12 and “only looked at it once.†Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve new hours of operation for the Animal Shelter. The Commissioners Court voted in October to extend the hours the shelter was open to the public, including opening during lunch and staying open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and opening on Saturday. Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor Amber Greene said they did not see an increase in people coming in to the shelter to adopt dogs during the extended hours and it resulted in compensatory time being worked by the employees. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — The High Street Bridge between Nelson Street and Marion Drive in Longview will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, March 22 and 23, as part of TxDOT’s bridge reconstruction project. During this closure, traffic will detour on Nelson and Fredonia Streets and Marion Drive, according to a city news release.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Nathaniel Moran gives KTBB an update on the battle in the House over President Biden’s proposed budget. Moran says, “I can tell you there’s so many things inside of this budget that’s been proposed that are troubling to me. When you talk about… 40-plus billion dollars new for the IRS, above the 80 billion dollars that they were granted last year — and then things like climate change and ESG — so much money being presented in this budget to support those administrative policies down the road, things like 178 million dollars for civil right enforcement at the Department of education; we have to cut this nonsense out of the budget.” Read the rest of this entry »