Today is
Monday November 25, 2024
TYLER – The City of Tyler has announced that traffic signal cabinets at six intersections will be replaced starting on Tuesday, June 25, and running through Thursday, June 27. During this time crews will be out between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. replacing signal cabinets at the following intersections:
TYLER – City of Tyler officials say a part of Rose Rudman Trail will be closed from Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 26. That portion is behind 5604 South Donnybrook Avenue, which is in back of Sleep Inn and Suites Tyler South. According to a release from the city, the closure is because of a sanitary sewer line replacement. Until repairs are completed, officials advise this portion of the trail should be avoided.
TYLER – FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in downtown Tyler. Smith County is supplying the facility while FEMA personnel will staff the DRC from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week through July 29. Smith County citizens who need help recovering from the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds, from April 26 through June 5, can go to the Hub for in-person assistance.
Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said residents visiting the DRC will also be able to talk to people from the Small Business Administration, Lone Star Legal and the local nonprofit organization, Crisis Response Ministries. Moore added, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.â€
You can also apply for assistance by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or calling FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-3362.
PALESTINE – A routine traffic stop in Palestine put a local man in jail. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Charles Edward Hawkins of Palestine, was stopped by a PPD officer Tuesday morning on North Queen Street for a traffic violation.
The officer reportedly detected “a strong odor of marijuana†coming from the vehicle when they made contact with the driver, Charles Hawkins. After an examination, the officer said in their report finding 3.51 grams of suspected cocaine, 172.96 grams of ecstasy, and a small amount of marijuana.
Hawkins was charged with possession of marijuana and two counts of manufacture or deliver of a controlled substance. He was booked at the Anderson County Jail with a bond totaling $42,500.
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TYLER – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Lucas Schwartz, a student at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, to serve as the student representative on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Schwartz’s one-year term began on June 1. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is a state agency that oversees higher education institutions and policies. The board works to ensure Texas higher education goals are aligned with economic and talent needs.
Dr. Brigham C. Willis, UT Tyler School of Medicine dean said this of Schwartz in a release, “Lucas Schwartz embodies the spirit of leadership and dedication that we strive to cultivate in our students. His commitment to serving both the state and East Texas is commendable. We are confident that he will represent the interests of Texas students with great passion and integrity on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.â€
Schwartz graduated with an associate degree in biology from Tyler Junior College before completing his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition at Texas A&M University. He served as a medic in the Air Force and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine from the UT Tyler School of Medicine and an Executive Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from UT Tyler.
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AUSTIN – Kerry Max Cook is innocent of the 1977 murder of Linda Jo Edwards, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found, citing stunning allegations of prosecutorial misconduct that led to Cook spending 20 years on death row for a crime he did not commit, that according to an article in the Texas Tribune. Cook was released from prison in 1997 and Smith County prosecutors set aside his conviction in 2016. The ruling Wednesday, by the state’s highest criminal court, formally exonerates him.
“This case is riddled with allegations of State misconduct that warrant setting aside Applicant’s conviction,†Judge Bert Richardson wrote in the majority opinion. “And when it comes to solid support for actual innocence, this case contains it all — uncontroverted Brady violations, proof of false testimony, admissions of perjury and new scientific evidence.â€
Cook, now 68, became an advocate against the death penalty after his release. The ruling ends, as Richardson wrote, a “winding legal odyssey†stretching 40 years that was “marked by bookends of deception.â€
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SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County District Attorney’s office says a 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, for stealing more than 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel from gas stations across Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Duniesky Gonzalez was sentenced for engaging in organized criminal activity. The DA said the charge stemmed from stealing diesel from gas stations across nine different counties in Texas by using fraudulent credit card information.
Gonzalez was arrested alongside Ramon Perez-Torres and Camila Cruz Concepcion who were also charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
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SMITH COUNTY – A Washington nonprofit, dedicated to honoring fallen officers, stopped in Smith County Monday with a travel memorial. According to our news partner KETK, the organization is called, Beyond The Call of Duty. The Spokane, Washington based group has one mission. To honor men and women across the United States who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their communities. Their travel memorial is called “End of watch, ride to remember.â€
During this year’s memorial, Lorenzo Bustos, a Smith County deputy that was killed while conducting a traffic stop in 2022, was honored. Bustos is one of 245 peace officers that died in 2022.
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SMITH COUNTY – Since the first round of severe storms pummeled East Texas on May 13, Smith County emergency officials have fielded more than 1,000 calls for help. During this time, the county has had the services of two volunteer groups to assist residents with personal property damage: Team Rubicon and the Texas Baptist Men. Both groups helped in cleaning up damage.
Smith County and FEMA are working to open a Disaster Recovery Center. This will located downtown, at The Hub. There FEMA representatives will be able to help those in getting resources in person. County officials say they will announce when FEMA is ready to open the center.
Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said in a release, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.â€
You can get more information by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or call FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-336.
HAWKINS – The city of Hawkins approved a new police chief at a council meeting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, he is Paul Holland. Holland has been in law enforcement for 32 years. Holland previously served at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Allen Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office and the Dallas Police Department.
Hawkins has seen a lot of turnover in it’s city government recently. The mayor and mayor pro-tem resigned in January. In March, the municipal court judge, the police chief and two police officers resigned.
KILGORE — Kilgore College announced their new freshman, the Rangerettes of the 85th line. The group chosen will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 68. According to our news partner KETK, the new selection announcement was made at Kilgore College’s Dodson Auditorium.
The Rangerettes will be under the direction of Dana Blair, Shelley Wayne and Angela Aulds, and they welcomed these new members: Bethany Plog, Addison Schmidt, Karsyn Guillory, Ashlynn Hines, Samantha Foughty, Jordan Reynolds, Rosie Adams, Alyssa McBain, Hallayah Hayes, Chloe Bonner, Brooklyn Hunter, Rachel Holcombe, Maddi Riley, Jillian Curtis, Halle Moore, Hailey Pitman, Brinly Lewis, Karissa Kinnon, Grace Stephens, Emily Landry, Ashlee Pham, Kailey Adams, Darcy Macmanus, Penelope Robles, Laynie Taylor, Molly Gajeske, Codi Keng, Emma Summers, Ella Byers, Mallory Craft, Lynzee Walker and Blair Davis
The Rangerettes are known for their high kicks and jump splits. The organization is known worldwide, as they’ve entertained millions. As part of their 85th anniversary, the Rangerettes will perform at London New Year’s Parade Day Parade.
For more information you can visit the Rangerette website.
SMITH COUNTY – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, June 20.