TYLER — It has been years in development, a food truck park will be in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the plans for the park were started in 2016, but when the downtown project was put on hold, so was the park. In January, city officials approved the South Broadway location for the food truck park. It will be in the parking lot of the old Shogan restaurant. The current plan has this location for up to eight food trucks. Food truck owners can use the Shogun kitchen for food prep. Lot planners say they feel having all the trucks in the northwest corner of the location will give better parking to customers on the property. Special use permits will be available for one year and subject to renewal for all food trucks participating. At this time, there is no set date when the Tyler food truck park will be opening.
TYLER – It is being reported that an investigation has initiated into the The Catholic Diocese of Tyler and Bishop Joseph Strickland. According to our news partner KETK, the National Catholic Reporter talked to a spokeswoman from the Diocese on Monday, who confirmed there was an apostolic visitation last week. A reason was not given for the visitation. A apostolic visitation is when a papal rep travels on assignment to investigate a situation. A report is then submitted to the Vatican at the conclusion of the investigation. The Pope then decides is any action is deemed necessary. There is speculation from some Catholic news agencies that the papal visitation is due to Bishop Strickland’s strong on-line presence. However, some say it could be the Vatican having questions about management of the Tyler diocese.
WINONA- Winona ISD announced Tuesday the hiring of a new principal for Winona High School. According to our news partner KETK, Mark Hageman is the new principal. He has been an educator for 18 years and comes to Winona from Chapel Hill ISD. Upon his hiring Hageman said, “I am excited about the opportunity to lead such a vibrant and dynamic school community. Winona High School has a tradition of excellence, and I am committed to continuing that tradition while also promoting innovation and growth.†Hageman, earned his Bachelor Of Science at Stephen F. Austin University and is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard.
TYLER – A Tyler man pleaded guilty in the 2022 murder of his roommate and is sentenced to 40 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, 27 year-old Timothy Jones was arrested a short time after the body of 53 year-old Anthony Wilson was found in a North Tyler woods. Police say Jones girlfriend told them that Jones and another person moved the body from a house to a car. Edna Jones and Christian Whitney-Polk have been indicted with evidence tampering and intent to impair a human corpse. Timothy Jones pleaded guilty to murder and received his sentence the same day.
PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue are trying to find an SUV that hit a house late Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials say after the SUV collided with a house, the driver fled the location. An occupant at the residence had a minor injury and with no treatment needed. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this as a hit and run.
TYLER – State officials say that replacement SNAP benefits are available to those who lost food due to the recent power outage. According to our news partner KETK, to get replacement benefits you need to fill out and submit form H1855 to the local Texas Health and Human Services Commission office within ten calendar days of discovering food lost or destroyed. To get more information from the Texas Health And Human Services Commission, click here.
TYLER – A Smith County grand jury has indicted 19-year-old Nicholas Hudson in a double homicide at a Tyler apartment complex March 23. Hudson is charged in the shootings of 19-year-old Donovan Dodd and 17-year-old Ladarius Jackson. They were at the Royal Crest apartments , inside their vehicle, when police found them dead from several gunshot wounds. According to our news partner KETK,the initial investigation had two other defendants involved, but the grand jury declined to go forward. Hudson is currently in the Smith County Jail with bonds totally $2 million.
TYLER – An additional round of severe thunderstorm activity hit East Texas Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, over 1,597 power outages have been reported. To find the report listed by electric companies and cooperatives click here.
TYLER – The City of Tyler said at least ten different intersections were without power as of 8 p.m. on Friday. This according to our news partner KETK.
Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — The Better Business Bureau says to be on alert for less-than-honest contractors should you need one after severe weather in our area. According to our news partner KETK, scammers will try to prey on your emotions so you will make a quick decision.
What do you need to watch for? Low job bids. No brick and mortar locations and demanding cash. What can you do to tilt the scales in your favor? Take photos of the damage. Then call your insurance company, and get an adjuster to survey the damage. Get everything in writing from the company doing the work and never pay the full fee until the job is done.
The BBB adds it is good idea to take pictures of the license plates of vendor vehicles that are coming to your home.
Do all this and you’ll get a project done and make a valuable contact for future work at your home.
To get more information from the Best Business Bureau go here.
WOOD COUNTY – Wood County authorities arrest a man after he admitted he admitted drowning his daughter’s nine puppies. 66 year-old Jerry Lynn Thompson of Hawkins said to Wood County Sheriff deputies via phone that his daughter was threatening to burn his house down. When they arrived, they found out that Thompson had killed nine of his daughters 12 pups. Which is why she threatened to burned his house down. Deputies then arrested Thompson on nine counts of cruelty of non-livestock animals. He is in the Wood County jail on a $135,000 bond.
SHELBY COUNTY – Wednesday Gov. Greg Abbott added two more East Texas counties to the state’s disaster declaration. According to our news partner KETK, Morris and Shelby counties were included due to widespread electrical infrastructure damage. They join Franklin, Harrison, Marion, Upshur, Wood, Camp, Gregg, Hopkins, Panola, Smith and Titus counties on the state disaster declaration list. By having the disaster declaration, the counties will get more state resources, personnel and equipment to help deal with last week storm damage.
EAST TEXAS — The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) will distribute fresh produce and emergency food boxes at multiple locations in East Texas this week to assist East Texans impacted by the power outages. Last week’s severe weather storm caused widespread power outages and damage, with several East Texas counties being part of the state’s disaster declaration. The emergency boxes contain shelf-stable food including cans of food and personal hygiene items. The distributions are open to the public while supplies last. No ID or paperwork is required. To find the schedule for this and other East Texas Food Banks events click here and select “find food.”
KILGORE — Like many schools and businesses, Kilgore College was closed Monday due to last weeks severe weather. According to college spokesperson Chris Craddock, they will resume regular business hours Tuesday. Craddock pointed out that KC is thankful for the dedication and hard work of the linemen out in the field that made this possible.
VAN – The Van PD has a notice for drivers in their area of I-20. According to our news partner KETK, officers have talked to drivers who have found homemade spikes on the interstate. Several spikes have been found on westbound I-20 between mile marker 543 and 544. Police say this is the third time in over two weeks a spike has found. So far no one has been injured, not the same luck for the motorists tires.