Today is
Sunday November 24, 2024
TYLER – The East Texas community is mourning fallen Dallas Police officer Darron Burks, who was a Tyler Junior College alum and was killed Thursday while on duty. According to NBCDFW, the 46-year-old Burks was sitting in his car when he was shot by a 30-year-old man who also shot two other officers.
Before becoming a police officer, Burks was a teacher. Prior to becoming a teacher, the TJC Alumni Association said Burks was an alum and member of the Minority Student Association. Burk also attended Dallas College. And was a graduate of Paul Quinn College.
The Dallas Police Department said in a statement, “Officer Burks served with unwavering pride and commitment on the Dallas Police Department until his untimely passing. His bravery, dedication, and selflessness were evident in every aspect of his work, and he was a beacon of hope and security for those he served.â€
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Road 3203 reopened Wednesday, after road and bridge crews repaired the washed-out road and replaced the culvert damaged from severe weather in May and June of this year. Smith County has an interactive map that lists all county road closures. You can find that map by clicking here.
How would you like a virtual vacation? Get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Vuz. You can download Vuz in the app stores below.
LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said they are looking for 36-yearold Rachel Leigh Potter. According to our news partner KETK, Potter is described as being 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, having brown hair and hazel eyes. Authorities said she was was last seen near the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview at approximately 9 p.m. on Monday. LPD asks if you have information on Rachel Potter’s location, to call the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.
RUSK – Rusk Rural Water Supply issues mass boil water notice due to a main line leak, Rusk Rural Water Supply issued a boil water notice for customers in certain areas on Monday morning. The water utility company said customers in the following areas are under a boil water notice: Highway 69, FM 2972, Meadowlark Lane, County Roads: 1501, 1502, 1503, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1536, 1537, 1539, 1540, 1605, 1608, 1609, 1618, 1619, 1620, 1630. Read the rest of this entry »
AUSTIN – The University of Texas at Tyler’s softball team and their NCAA trophy made a stop Friday at the state’s capitol where they met Gov. Greg Abbott. According to our news partner KETK, Abbott shared to his more than 1.6 million Facebook followers on Monday that the Tyler softball champions visited the capitol and the pleasure it was to meet them. During their visit Friday Gov. Abbott told the team, “Way to make Texas proud.â€
This was the second national softball title for UT Tyler. The other was in 2016, with head coach Mike Reed at the helm for both.
How would you like to see in the dark? Then get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Lidar. You can download Lidar in the Apple Store.
LINDALE – The City of Lindale issued a boil water notice Monday afternoon for some residents after a water main break. According to our news partner KETK, people living between 15860 CR 4191 to 15606 CR 4191, Beechwood Circle and Redwood Circle are affected by the break. City officials ask those in the notice area to bring their water to a vigorous rolling boil for at least two minutes before use. The city has crews working to correct the water main break. They will announce when the boil water notice is rescinded.
SMITH COUNTY – A Tyler man received a 20 year prison sentence Wednesday for possession of meth. According to our news partner KETK, 54-year-old Roy Lee Bosell was arrested after a traffic stop for outstanding warrants. A Smith County deputy found marijuana in Bosell’s pocket. A K9 then alerted officers to drugs in his vehicle. With the vehicle search, deputies found “multiple bags of methamphetamine as well as other illegal contraband and drug paraphernalia.â€
Tuesday, Bosell pleaded not guilty to the possession charge. The next day, a jury found him guilty. Because of four previous felony convictions, Bosell’s punishment range for the crime was 2-20 years in state prison, and he was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years.
TYLER – The son of the Smith County Clerk and a Smith County commissioner, was charged with obstruction, retaliation on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Lance Phillips, whose parents are Clerk Karen Phillips and Commissioner Terry Phillips, was charged while he was already being held in the Smith County Jail for his conviction on charges of hindering a proceeding by disorderly conduct.
The list of legal troubles for the 40-year-old include being arrested for assault of a public servant, pleading guilty to evading arrest and being arrested for disrupting a Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. Phillips has a bond of $750,000 for the charge of obstruction, retaliation.
How about a double-duty app for you and your dog? Get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Dog Walk. You can download Dog Walk in the app stores below.
SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County man was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for drug possession. According to our news partner KETK, 63-year-old Billy O’Neal Black was given a life sentence for possession of a controlled substance in the amount of four grams but less than 200 grams.
A release from the Smith County DA’s office said that Black was stopped by Tyler police during a traffic stop in December of last year. He tried to run from officers initially. A vehicle search yielded multiple bags of crack cocaine and methamphetamine individually packaged for sale, marijuana, powder cocaine mixed with Viagra, and roughly $1,200 in cash. He was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest/detention.
During sentencing, the jury received evidence that Black had three previous felony convictions, which the DA’s office said places him in the habitual offender category and can receive punishment of 25 years to life.
Do you have a passion for music trivia? Get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Now Playing. You can download Now Playing in the Apple Store.
TYLER – Tyler will soon be home to a brand new all-inclusive ballfield. The city of Tyler announced on Wednesday a partnership with the Miracle League of Tyler to create a state-of-the-art, all-inclusive Miracle League ballfield at Faulkner Park. According to our news partner KETK, the cost of the field is roughly $1,680,000. Completion of the construction of the field is scheduled by the end of next summer.
The Miracle League of Tyler is an organization that focuses on making baseball accessible. The new complex will have an all-inclusive ballfield with accessible bleachers, a concession stand and restrooms “to ensure that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can fully participate,†according to the city.
The Miracle League of Tyler is contributing $1,164,141.44 toward the project, complemented by up to $500,000 from the City of Tyler’s half-cent sales tax fund. SCI construction will complete the field.
How would you like to pull different elements of your like together into one spot? Go get David Rancken’s App Of The Day. It’s called Memento. You can download Memento in the Apple Store.