Today is
Monday June 08, 2026
TYLER – The United Way of Smith County will host the fifth annual “Tyler Gives” on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Supplemented by a $75,000 matching grant, the online fundraiser addresses local needs by providing dozens of local nonprofits with essential year-end funding. Since its inception on Giving Tuesday in 2020, more than $1-million has been raised through Tyler Gives. The United Way of Smith County and event sponsor Express Employment Professionals provide the $75,000 matching grant and cover all credit card fees from donations during the fundraiser. Beginning at 8 a.m. on December 3rd, the first $50,000 in donations through TylerGives.org will be matched. Another $25,000 will be matched beginning at 2:00 p.m. Donors can select a specific agency to support or choose to support all equally with one gift. Read the rest of this entry »
TROUP – A “Buddy Bag” or a K9 Med Kit is now in the hands of the Troup Police Department to protect their four legged officer. According to our news partner KETK, the Troup Police Department applied for the kit donation through Protection4Paws, a non-profit that donates equipment specifically for K9 officers
Each “Buddy Bag” has an oxygen mask, specialized burn sheets, bandages, gauze and other items designed for a dogs needs. In this case, Troup K9 Officer Cooper.
Troup PD said in a press release, “Officer Jones, along with the Troup Police Department, is deeply committed to the safety and well being of his loyal partner, K9 Officer Cooper, and views the Buddy Bag as an essential tool in ensuring that Cooper is always ready and safe to perform his duties.”
TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that injuries have been reported following a stairwell collapse at the University of Texas at Tyler. According to the UT Tyler department of marketing and communications, three people were injured at around 12:30 p.m. when the stairwell collapsed. Officials said construction workers were on the scene for a planned demolition, however something went wrong. University officials said the stairwell connects the Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth Building and Stewart Hall. This is a developing story, KETK will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
CASS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the Cass County Sheriff’s Department issued a missing person alert for a 30-year-old man last seen on Friday. According to a release, Omar Daniel Zambrana Flores was last seen at around 4 a.m. on Friday leaving his residence without a vehicle on CR 2913 in Hughes Springs. Flores is a Hispanic man and is 5 foot 9 inches. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-756-7511.
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SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County man was given a 20 year prison sentence on Friday after pleading not guilty to a 2023 charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, 23-year-old William Chaplinski of Big Sandy, was found guilty in Sept. 2023 fatal head-on crash.
Crash reports from the DPS said Chaplinski crossed the center line in a Nissan Titan in attempts to pass another vehicle when he collided into a Kia Sportage head-on. The driver of the Kia, 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chaplinski was booked into the Smith County Jail on Sept. 9, 2023 after authorities said he was “determined to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.”
A year later,Chaplinski entered a not guilty plea with the court, for the intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle charge and was found guilty. He will now serve a 20-year sentence in state prison.
TROUP – The Troup Police Department said that the city has reached an agreement with the family of a juvenile who reportedly drew graffiti on a public restroom on Nov. 20. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they identified the juvenile while investigating the vandalized restroom at the city splash pad. Police said the youth was cooperative and remorseful. The city said the family agreed to pay for the cost of cleaning the graffiti.
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SMITH COUNTY— A Tyler man has been arrested for murder after a body was discovered that was later ruled as fentanyl overdose. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on CR 490, between Swan and Lindale. On their arrival, deputies were told the body of Michael Crone was found by a roommate lying on the floor of their residence.
The sheriff’s office said, “During the investigation, deputies observed a small piece of tin foil just inside the sink in the bathroom which contained what appeared to be a partially burned substance. Also located within the same area was a paper rolled which appeared to be utilized as a straw.”
Detectives determined that Crone’s phone was missing and alongside the narcotics found at the residence, led them to believe the phone contained “information regarding his death.” Investigators also felt that the phone was destroyed to hinder the death investigation.
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PANOLA COUNTY – A multi-county box truck pursuit ended Thursday morning when a deputy hit the truck, preventing it from entering a school zone. The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said the driver has been arrested with additional charges expected. According to our news partner KETK, at around 7:19 a.m. the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office notified Panola County Dispatch that a Tatum officer was pursuing a box truck on Highway 149 and was headed toward Panola County.
“The Tatum officer was monitoring traffic on Hwy 149 on the north side of Tatum, when the truck passed him in the oncoming traffic lanes,” the Panola County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office said deputies, constables and Department of Public Safety troopers responded and some joined the pursuit as the truck continued to travel into the oncoming lanes. A constable used his patrol vehicle to hit and disable the truck at around 7:25 a.m. before it entered a nearby Beckville school zone, PCSO said. Read the rest of this entry »
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TYLER – The Glass Recreation Center will be closed from Sunday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec.1, for annual maintenance. This includes resurfacing gym courts and repainting interior walls. Classes and programs will resume normal schedules when the center reopens on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 a.m. For more information, contact the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271 or at their website.
TYLER – 
The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees held a first reading of the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar during its November regular meeting. Community members can view the proposed calendar and provide input by completing the calendar survey by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024. Tyler ISD’s calendar development process emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity. According to Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines, community feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping a calendar that aligns with the needs and priorities of students, staff, and parents. Read the rest of this entry »
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