Today is
Tuesday April 16, 2024
TYLER – Smith County authorities said a high speed chase that started in Canton ended near the entrance of the East Texas State Fair on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the five occupants of the vehicle were then arrested by Canton police. Officials said Canton officers pursued the suspects down Highway 31 before catching them. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Police Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety all assisted, according to Smith County authorities. Further details weren’t immediately available.
HARRISON COUNTY – A man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest after he allegedly made threats with a machete toward a family member and deputies. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Harrison County deputies were dispatched to P.R. 1329 after being told Bryon Nelson was upset and angry and that he had assaulted a family member. The complainant reportedly told deputies that Nelson grabbed a machete and made threats, including holding the machete against them. According to officials, deputies tried to contact Nelson but he retreated into a building still armed with the machete. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – It will be more challenging to see pedestrians as days get shorter during the fall and winter months. That’s why TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” pedestrian safety campaign kicked off National Pedestrian Safety Month Monday, reminding drivers and pedestrians to stay alert and watch out for each other. Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased by 15% in Texas in 2021. The state saw 5,366 traffic crashes involving pedestrians, resulting in 841 fatalities and 1,470 serious injuries. “The fall season means not only a shift to cooler temperatures but also fewer hours of daylight, and visibility becomes an issue,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — During the month of October, Tyler Animal Services is waiving adoption costs with a donation. The shelter is asking for a donation of 12 toys for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. The standard dog adoption fee is $120 and $80 for cats. All animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. The nonprofit’s mission is to provide partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities. For a list of recommended items, click here. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption and submit an application on the Tyler Animal Services webpage here. The Tyler Animal Shelter is located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. For more information, call (903) 535-0045.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is alerting the public of a text message scam occurring in the community. According to the LPD Facebook page, concerned residents have contacted the department about a text message they have received from a number claiming to be a local bank. The message says there is unusual activity on a debit card and asks residents to call a number in the message. Police say you should not respond, and remember to never give out bank or personal information on the phone. They point out that scammers try to evoke emotion to get money from victims.
HAWKINS – 1,500 tires burned and created a large fire in East Texas on Thursday, said officials. According to our news partner KETK, Wood County Precinct 3 Constable John McQueen said the Wood the Hawkins Fire Department got called to the blaze around 9 p.m. on FM 2659. First responders called for more assistance because of the nature of the fire. Officials said it’s not easy to put out tires that are on fire, and they can burn for hours or days. Firefighters were able to contain the fire after some time. The Mineola Fire Department used their dozer to plow a line around the fire. Officials said the fire could smolder for days, and they are investigating the situation.
TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207 from E. Wilkins Rd. to SH 135 S. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be performing mill and inlay operations on Loop 323 from the Loop 323 Extension to just before U.S. 69. This area will have lane closures daily in both east and westbound lanes. This work should last through Friday. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.
LONGVIEW — Weather permitting, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, Fourth Street, between Jefferson Street and Happiness Street in Longview, will experience temporary lane closures to allow for an asphalt overlay on this section of Fourth Street. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes. Lane closures are anticipated to last for two weeks. Alternating single lane traffic will be permitted in each direction throughout the construction. Officials say lanes will be fully open to traffic by 5 p.m. of each day of work. Flaggers will be present to assist with directing traffic. Expect minor delays when traveling this section of Fourth Street. If you have any questions, call the city’s project manager, Zack Shaner, at 903-237-1321.
LONGVIEW — Registration for the Longview Fire Department’s annual Ambulance Subscription Program for 2023 is now open. Since 2009, the fire department has offered the program to Longview residents in an attempt to help offset the rising cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses, according to a news release. With the typical cost associated with EMS transports averaging $800 to $1,000 per response, the program limits any out-of-pocket EMS expenses to $70/year. To subscribe for 2023, the deadline to register is December 31, 2022. The annual fee is $70 for January to December 2023. Click this link for more details.
LONGVIEW — The Longview Parks and Recreation Department will hold a community meeting to discuss improvements to Spring Hill Park funded by the 2018 bond election. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Spring Hill High School library on George Richey Road. Spring Hill, McWhorter, and Rollins parks are the second set of parks identified for improvements as part of the bond initiative. Lois Jackson, McWhorter, Patterson, Spring Creek, and Stamper parks were renovated as part of the first set of park improvements.
TYLER – Tyler police say a juvenile went to the hospital after a drive-by shooting early Friday morning on Carol Lane, and they are seeking leads in the case. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh says two youths were in a vehicle in the roadway when another car drove by and “fired several rounds.” One female victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the arm with a bullet that ended up lodged in her chest. The other person was hit by debris but did not require treatment. Tyler police ask that anyone with any information on this incident to contact them at 903-531-1000.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Cherokee County Commissioners Court has enacted a burn ban, they announced. According to their order restricting outdoor burning, the Texas Forest Service determined that drought conditions exist within the county and public safety hazards would be “exacerbated by outdoor burning.” The order is active for 90 days unless lifted earlier by officials. A violation of the burn ban is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.
TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in finding 38-year-old Cedric Devon Taylor. He’s wanted for questioning for alleged online solicitation of a minor under age 14, with bond set at $250,000. According to officials, Taylor allegedly solicited inappropriate pictures from an 11-year-old girl on July 6. His last known address is 13573 Valley View Drive in Longview, and authorities say he may have moved to Longview with his girlfriend. There’s no word on Taylor’s vehicle, but officials say he supposedly works at Zippy J’s off High Street in Longview. If you have any possible leads, you’re asked to contact Detective Aaron Hinton at (903) 566-6600 or ahinton@smith-county.com.
TYLER — Tyler police seek leads as they investigate a homicide. On September 27 at around 9:00 a.m., police responded to the intersection of N. Fannin Ave. and E. Valentine St. on a report of an assault. Upon arrival officers located a female, later identified as Teri Furgerson, 38, of Pampa, lying in the roadway unconscious. Police say it appeared that she had been assaulted and had trauma to her head. She was transported to UT Health on Beckham, where she later died. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.
SMITH COUNTY — Texas Baptist Men and the Northeast American Red Cross are ready to aid the people of Florida. According to our news partner KETK, Hurricane Ian made landfall Wednesday and damages have been seen throughout the west coast. The Red Cross is sending volunteers to help before. “In total we had about 500 members of the Red Cross from all across the nation there in Florida helping shelter 13,000 people,” said Doyle Rader, who handles communications for the Red Cross. Their number one priority is to help provide a warm, dry place for people to stay and fuel their basic needs. “The Red Cross has the resources and the personnel currently to house up to 60,000 people in shelter across the state of Florida,” said Rader. Read the rest of this entry »