TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine will become a member of the states Alzheimer research wing. According to our news partner KETK, by a unanimous vote , the school will become a member of the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium. The goal of the TARCC, is to expand health care initiatives in East Texas.
Dr. Julie V. Philley, executive vice president and vice provost for UT Tyler health affairs and incoming UT Tyler president, said, “We aim to enhance early detection, treatment and support services for individuals and families affected by these neurodegenerative disorders.â€
The release from from the TARCC further explained that Texas ranks second in the nation in the number of Alzheimer’s deaths by population.
TYLER – UT Tyler’s College of Arts and Sciences ceased operations of the KVUT 99.7 FM radio station at 5 p.m. Friday. UT Tyler started broadcasting on KVUT back in 2021.
Dean of UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences Neil Gray said in a release, “This move aligns with our core mission and allows us to reinvest in our academic programming, offering more educational opportunities to students, particularly in our Department of Communication. “I want to thank the KVUT team, donors and listeners for their support. Reinvesting in our students is crucial for fostering the next generation of communicators, journalists and media professionals.â€
KVUT’s broadcast ended with ‘Take Five’ by the Dave Brubeck Quartet and the station’s hourly announcement at 5 p.m.
SMITH COUNTY – Smith County issued a disaster declaration on Friday following Thursday night’s storms. According to our news partner KETK, declaring a disaster allows officials to access additional resources and support that will also be made available to residents. The Bullard and Emerald Bary areas were affected by a severe storm at around 8 p.m. on Thursday. There were reports of downed power lines and uprooted trees. County officials said in a release, that road and bridge crews worked overnight Thursday to clear about 20 trees that had fallen on roads. They added that Monday, a recovery center located at Bullard City Hall will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bullard city officials say they will have resources offered to those affected by the weather.
County Judge Neal Franklin said residents on county roads can place storm debris in the right-of-way of their road and it will be picked up by crews. The state of disaster will continue for no more than seven days unless the Smith County Commissioners Court decides to continue or renew it. To report damage, people are urged to complete the Texas Division of Emergency Management damage assessment form. You can find your copy here.
TYLER — Because of severe weather Friday, many school districts in East Texas have rescheduled or delayed their graduations. Our news partner KETK hass a list of graduations that have been rescheduled here.
TYLER — Wednesday, a Tyler man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to online solicitation of a minor under the age of 14. According to our news partner KETK, 69-year-old Newell Milton Vandergrift of Tyler was arrested Nov. 2022, after authorities were told of Vandergrift’s multiple solicitation attempts of minors around East Texas.
Law enforcement constructed a sting operation in October of the same year. On Oct. 13, a person posed undercover as a 13-year-old girl as part of a decoy “for the predator sting†where she spoke to a man named “Mike†via the application Meet24. A meet was set up at a Tyler gas station. When Mike showed up to meet the girl, other members of the sting operation approached, and he left. The Tyler group told officials they identified Mike as Vandergrift from another sting two months before in Big Sandy.
Law enforcement was able to view “Mike’s†Meet24 profile photo and make confirmation it was Vandergrift using his Pennsylvania driver’s license.
GREGG COUNTY – A Kilgore man is sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking drugs and supplying methamphetamines in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Rodney Dewayne Fagans, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. In a release from United States Attorney’s Office, Fagans reportedly admitted to selling large quantities of meth in Gregg County. The attorney’s office said 15 other people involved in the drug distribution network have been sentenced to federal prison.
TYLER – The board of Southside Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Southside Bank, unanimously voted to appoint a new president for the company and bank. According to our news partner KETK, Keith Donahoe was appointed as the president of Southside Bancshares Inc. and Southside Bank on May 16. In a release from Southside, Donahoe joined the bank in 2021 and has over 20 years experience in bank leadership.
Lee Gibson, Southside Bank CEO said, “Keith brings an extensive wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to this position, having demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in his role as the Bank’s Regional President of Central Texas over the last three years. His deep understanding of our industry, our culture and his vision for Southside’s future make him the ideal candidate to serve as President.â€
LINDALE – Lindale High School was named the 2024 Conference 4A UIL State Academic Champions. According to our news partner KETK, for Lindale ISD, this championship is their fourth UIL Academic State Championship in the past eight years, earning the title in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2024.
Jeremy Chilek, Lindale High School principal, said, “I cannot begin to express how proud I am of our students and staff in LHS capturing the 4A UIL Academic State Championship. We have phenomenal students and relentless coaches who have worked tirelessly over the course of this entire school year toward this goal. This is something our entire campus can celebrate, as so many have had a hand in this tremendous accomplishment!â€
The UIL Academics State Meet consisted of events including math, science, one-act play, spelling, current events, computer applications, accounting, journalism and speaking.
TYLER – The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual State of the City luncheon on Thursday, at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. Mayor Don Warren shared achievements from the past year in a question-and-answer session. Warren also provided information on upcoming projects, opportunities, challenges and future goals for Tyler. Mayor Warren emphasized how the City is becoming “Future Ready” through initiatives that were in the early planning stages years before and are now complete or moving forward. Â
He went over the timeline for improvements to Downtown Tyler, which will be transformed by 2027. Increasing connectivity, ease of walking, parking and public spaces are part of the improvement efforts to the downtown area. The Mayor also shared the progress that’s already taking place with new businesses opening.Â
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TYLER – Tyler has been named a 2023 Tree City USA for their 15th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. According to our news partner KETK, the award was given to the city for its commitment to “urban forest management.†To qualify for the award, the city had to meet four requirements:
Have a tree board or department
Have a tree care ordinance
Maintain an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
Hold an Arbor Day observance and proclamation
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TYLER – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, and Commissioners Court will be held at the normal time on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. .