Today is
Friday April 19, 2024
EAST TEXAS — SWEPCO has activated an all-in response to restore electric service to all impacted customers after the early morning storms on Friday. In a release, SWEPCO said they have requested mutual assistance from neighboring utility companies to help restore communities electricity as quick and safe as possible. They added that customers should prepare for, “prolonged power outages and in some cases additional outages as we repair damage to our system.” There are currently more than 233,800 SWEPCO customers without power in the East Texas and northwest Louisiana territories. the most trecent update, ISWEPCO said the Longview service territory customers should expect to have power back by 10 p.m., Friday, June 23. Read the rest of this entry »
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.
SMITH COUNTY – On June 2 and June 13, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received two separate calls involving deadly conduct near the intersection of FM 16 and FM 14 in the northern part of Smith County. Both of the unrelated callers reported being shot at by a male driving a black Jeep SUV under similar circumstances. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began investigating the incidents and determined that they were related based on video footage of the suspect vehicle. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW – The dedication ceremony of a portion of Guthrie Creek Trail in recognition of Frank “Penny” Edwards, originally set for 10 a.m. today, Friday, June 16, has been postponed and will be rescheduled.
The City of Longview is recovering Friday morning from a severe, overnight storm. As such, this dedication will be rescheduled to a later date and time to ensure Edwards’ service to our community is able to be fully celebrated and remembered.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nathaniel Moran, of Tyler, released the following statement today after introducing H.R. 4039, No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act: “For over a decade, the Chinese government has persecuted Uyghur minorities in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Uyghur people have been subjected to torture, imprisonment, forced labor, forced sterilization, and many other atrocities.
“The United States has always valued the right to practice faith freely and without persecution. To that end, no companies who use raw materials or goods manufactured using forced labor should profit from the American taxpayer. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — After an early Friday morning of severe weather throughout East Texas, damage reports are issued for numerous areas, our news partner KETK reports.
Longview police report “significant disruptions” in the area, including power outages and road blockages due to fallen trees. City crews are working to clear debris from the roads but officials ask that people consider allowing extra travel time when heading to your destination. You can report road blockages or downed trees by calling 903-237-1170. In addition to that, the city is reporting that there is damage to various city parks and trails. The water utility system is functional but operating at a reduced capacity, and residents are encouraged to save water by turning off sprinkler systems, making sure to not leave water running and taking other appropriate water conservation measures. The city assured residents that they will be able to maintain service “as long as we work together as a team to minimize our usage.” Longview splash pads will be closed as well. Read the rest of this entry »
EAST TEXAS — Several school districts in East Texas are canceling classes due to severe weather aftermath. According to our news partner KETK, severe thunderstorms brought on an influx of power outages and extensive damage in the area. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER — Early Friday morning severe weather in East Texas has more than 150,638 people without power in our region. According to our news partner KETK, the following is a partial list of current outages: Gregg County – 47,111, Smith County – 2,802, Van Zandt County – 2,680, Wood County – 10,020, Anderson County – 115, Angelina County – 508, Harrison County – 22,705, Henderson County – 121, Rusk County – 2,130, Upshur County – 16,847. Click here for the full list.
BULLARD – Bullard city officials say the parts needed to start the repair of the city water well arrive Friday, with the project to begin Monday June 19. According to our news partner KETK, the process of making repairs and bringing it up to TCEQ standards will take 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, conservation measures are still in place for city residents. No watering Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Day or Night. Irrigation is allowed but only between 9:00 PM and 12:00 AM. Once the water well project is completed and meets standards, the conservation measures will be lifted.
RAINS COUNTY – Rains County officials are on the look out for an emu that was last seen on County Road 3425, according to our news partner KETK. The Rains County Sheriff’s Office asks that if you see the emu or know who owns it, please call them. They also add, if you encounter the emu, keep your distance.
TYLER — Police departments across East Texas are still in need of officers. Longview PD’s recruitment team is reaching out to people across several states. “We’ve been going to job fairs across Texas and in Louisiana and we’ve been partnering with colleges and universities,” said Kendric Montgomery, Longview Police Department Recruiting Lieutenant, our news partner KETK reports. Tyler Police are using any method they can to reach potential applicants. “We use billboards, sometimes we use movie ads in theaters. We have a traffic device that goes to different areas that sometimes have a funny slogan on them,” said Andy Erbaugh, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer. Read the rest of this entry »
PALESTINE — Palestine police arrested a man they said tried to evade arrest after stealing his mother’s vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, authorities said that on June 10 at 11:18 a.m., they received information from a Houston County woman who said her son could be in Palestine with her stolen vehicle. “The complainant also stated that her son, identified as Brandon Bennett, 43, had warrants for his arrest,” Palestine police said. Corporal Yvette Durbin gathered information and confirmed that the vehicle in question had been reported stolen out of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Just minutes after that, Officer Tim Green saw Bennett and the vehicle at the Clean Scene car wash on Crockett Road. Read the rest of this entry »
RUSK COUNTY – Rusk County officials are looking for two suspects after a reported home invasion and assault.
According to our news partner KETK Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place on Wednesday at an address located off of Highway 79 East. Officials said they currently have, “a patrol shift, investigators and a TDCJ search team on scene conducting an investigation.” The release stated that the possible suspects are described as two males wearing dark clothing.
“Anyone with information pertaining to this incident are urged to contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at (903)-657-3581 or Rusk County Crime Stoppers. No further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.” The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
TYLER – Wednesday, the Tyler City Council voted for a new ordinance to limit the consumption of alcohol on certain public areas of Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. According to our news partner KETK, this included parking lots, boat ramps and within 15 feet of city-owned properties. Tyler Police will be enforcing the new ordinance right now. And, violators will be tagged with a Class C misdemeanor. This ordinance has been designed to keep drinking alcohol off city property and to make the lake more family friendly. Tyler PD says they will look at the ordinance every six months and see if it is effective or not.
TYLER – It is sooner than later for Tyler Independent School District. According to our news partner KETK, TISD has put across the board teacher raises ahead of the 2023-2024 school year. Officials from the district in a press release say the starting pay has been increased to $50,500. Teachers with 10 years or more of experience will receive $60,000 a year or more. Deputy Superintendent Ronald Jones said, “We value our teachers and everything they do for the children of Tyler ISD. We know that their work goes well beyond the academics they teach in the classroom. We are doing everything we can to give them the compensation they deserve.” TISD is also working to extend their teacher incentive program called TOP, district-wide. The Tyler Optimal Performance program gives teachers a chance to earn more dollars in addition to their salary.