MLK holiday to be observed Monday

EAST TEXAS — East Texans will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday — the holiday set aside to recognize the iconic civil rights leader. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum has switched its traditional downtown celebration to a virtual format. Activities centered around a panel discussion will be held Monday evening from 6:30 till 8:30. Mayor Don Warren will be joined on the panel by other community leaders. Go to https://tylertogether.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/letstalktyler/ for more information.

Other events on Monday’s schedule incude a free open house from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. at the Texas African Museum on Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard in Tyler. The event also includes a drive-thru fundraiser. You can go to https://www.facebook.com/empowermentcdc/ or http://www.texasafricanamericanmuseum.org for more information. The city of Gladewater will host a Martin Luther King Jr. parade and food drive on Monday at 10 a.m. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Garfield Hill Community Center and the food will be donated to the Manna House in Gladewater.

All non-emergency Smith and Gregg County personnel, the cities of Tyler and Longview, and various other city offices will be closed for business Monday, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday.