Today is
Wednesday June 10, 2026
TYLER – All public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East are open. But, Tyler Water Utilities advises all lake users to remain cautious on the water. There may still be floating debris from the recent rain, which can pose safety risks to boaters and watercraft. There is also a chance for high wakes, which can impact not only boaters but can also affect properties along the shoreline. TWU asks that boaters to be mindful of their speed and the wakes they create as a courtesy to others and to prevent erosion or damage to shoreline properties.
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SMITH COUNTY – A part of Smith County Road 294 is closed for repairs because of a washout due to heavy rainfall. Smith County officials received a report that part of the road had been washed away. County Engineer Frank Davis said he expects repairs to be completed by Friday April 19. In the meantime, closure and barricade signs have been placed at the affected part of CR 294. This section is about 1.25 miles east of State Highway 135 in Arp. Those driving in this area are asked to seek a different route.
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SMITH COUNTY – 
Thursday was an auspicious day in Smith County. It is technically the day the county was born. Texas was annexed by the United States and became a state in 1845. The next year, the new state legislature created Smith County by an act passed on April 11, 1846. Most, but not all, historians say the county was named for General James Smith, a hero of the Texas Revolution, though the act itself makes no mention. That makes Smith County Texas 178 years old today.
SMITH COUNTY – There will be gantry maintenance on Toll 49 Thursday night starting at 8 p.m. According to Daisy Nunez from NET RMA, the short one lane closure is between FM 2493, Old Jacksonville and SH 155.
TYLER – A Cherokee County man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills. According to our news partner KETK, 45-year-old Robert Martin of Alto, conspired with others to possess with the intention to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Officials say that Martin set up pill press on his property in order to press out hundreds of thousand of counterfeit pills with the intention a nationwide distribution. Martin also recruited mid-level distributors and wholesalers for his drug operation.
Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said that Martin’s arrest in July of 2023, was after a two-month-long investigation. Dickson added, “This action was the result of an ongoing investigation into an illicit pill manufacturing operation near Alto. This was a huge win for our community by removing these items and this individual from the streets of Cherokee County.â€
Martin faces anywhere from 10 years in federal prison to life, but a sentencing date has not been set at this time.
TYLER – 
Our news partners at KETK report a Cherokee County man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday and is awaiting sentencing for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 45-year-old Robert Martin, of Alto, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved a $112,000 engineering contract on for the retiming of 15 intersection’s traffic signals as a part of their Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan. According to our news partner KETK, the contract with Kimely-Horn and Associates Inc. includes project management, data collection, development of timing plans, implementation and a final report on the retimed traffic signals.
City officials say this is an extension of projects from the past four years of upgrades to city traffic signals. Since 2019, 71 of Tyler’s 149 signalized intersections have been retimed as apart of the Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan.
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SMITH COUNTY – Because of heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents The ramps are closed until further notice. TWU anticipates reopening the ramps once the lake levels recede.
TYLER — 
A Tuesday morning house fire near Caldwell Zoo, led to the death of a 68-year-old woman and a dog according to our news partners at KETK. According to a release, Mynetta Gilstrap, 68, died after being transported to a local hospital. Tyler FD was dispatched to a house fire at 1713 W Mims Street near the Caldwell Zoo at 9:51 a.m. The initial call reportedly indicated that flames could be seen from the front of the house. Firefighters arrived to the house were they began containing the fire and began a search, locating Gilstrap and a deceased dog. The fire was suppressed at 10:28 a.m. and officials continue to investigate the cause.
SMITH COUNTY – Authorities across East Texas are urging drivers to use caution before getting on the roads. Storms began appearing Monday night and will continue into late Wednesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, these are the counties and roads affected.
Smith County: Officials with Smith County said that CR 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under I-20, and 370 have water over the roadways. Reports have that SH-31 to Longview has several spots where the road is covered with water. Tyler Water Utilities had temporarily closed all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.
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TYLER – With severe weather and storms continuing to move through East Texas, about 23,700 customers are without power as of 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK had a list of counties with power outages noted from ONCOR, SWEPCO and other electric co-ops. You can find that list here.
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