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Smith County commissioners to seek bids for contractor to assist with storm debris cleanup
TYLER, Texas — The Smith County Commissioners Court is starting the process of seeking bids to hire a contractor to help with storm debris cleanup. On Tuesday, commissioners gave the county's purchasing department the authority to solicit bids for storm cleanup and monitoring. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon...
3-year-old flighted to Dallas hospital after near drowning in Henderson County
HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas — A 3-year-old child was taken to a Dallas hospital after nearly drowning in Henderson County Tuesday morning. According to the Payne Springs Fire and Rescue, volunteers were told about a possible drowning in Enchanted Oaks around 10 a.m. Firefighters and EMS arrived at the scene and began treating the child.
Tyler cooling centers offer places for people to escape summer heat
TYLER, Texas — It’s officially starting to feel like summer in East Texas. The temperature is rising, the sun has been beating down and finding shelter from this heat is critical. In Tyler, there are numerous cooling centers where people can go to escape the sun, and one...
Did somebody almost fall from the Superman ride at Six Flags Over Texas?
ARLINGTON, Texas — You may have seen what looked like an unbelievable video on social media this week -- footage that appeared to show a parkgoer at Six Flags Over Texas dangling off the edge of its Superman ride and hanging on for dear life. Superman: Tower of Power...
POLICE: 1 arrested after attempted robbery at East Texas bank
TIMPSON, Texas — One person accused of attempting to rob a bank in Deep East Texas Tuesday morning was arrested. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, troopers arrived at the Austin Bank in Timpson regarding reports of a robbery. They found the suspect allegedly threatening people inside and outside the bank with a pellet revolver.
UT Tyler welcomes second class of medical students with white coat ceremony
TYLER, Texas — UT Tyler recently celebrated its second class of 40 medical school students with a white coat ceremony. “This White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage that marks a profound milestone for our students,” said UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley. “It signifies the beginning of their journey into the medical profession and all of the responsibility that comes with it.”
UT Tyler finishes top 10 at 2024 national concrete canoe contest
TYLER, Texas — A team of UT Tyler students was among the top 10 at this year's American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition. The UT Tyler students finished ninth overall out of 25 teams in the nationwide contest that requires teams to build canoes out of concrete and be judged on four categories. The university represented the largest region worldwide that includes schools from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Mexico.
Lufkin police investigating after man found dead in grassy area beside road
LUFKIN, Texas — Lufkin police officers are investigating after a man was found dead near the side of a road early Tuesday morning. According to police, a passerby saw the man around 5:15 a.m. in a grassy area beside the road in the 100 block of Collins Street. Officers then found him dead and they believe he was there for several hours.
Accused scammer who claimed to be Irish heiress has been extradited to UK to face charges
A woman accused of traveling across the U.S. claiming to be an Irish heiress and scamming several victims out of tens of thousands of dollars has been extradited to the United Kingdom, a U.S. official said Tuesday. Marianne Smyth faces allegations that she stole more than $170,000 from the victims...
East Texas car dealership feels impact of nationwide software cyberattack
LONGVIEW, Texas — Relief could come soon to car dealerships struggling with a major system shut down including here in East Texas. That's because CDK Global, which provides software to roughly 15,000 dealerships across North America, says it should be back up and running by Thursday. The news comes...
East Texas teen sells watermelons during summer break to pay for college tuition
HENDERSON, Texas — When people think of kids earning extra cash over the summer, going door-to-door mowing may come to mind. But one East Texas teen is thinking outside the box. In Rusk County, 17-year-old Kennedy Miller, a Henderson High School senior, can be found on the side of...
East Texans prepare to keep Fourth of July celebrations safe
GILMER, Texas — Nearly 74 percent of firework-related injuries happen between June 18 and July 18 – that magic window right over the Fourth of July, according to CBS News. That’s why some firework stands, like the one at Redemption Worship Center in Gilmer, are trying to spread the word of safety as they equip East Texans for their Independence Day celebrations.
Small business in downtown Tyler looks at Smith County Courthouse-related street closures with positivity
TYLER, Texas — Starting next Monday, streets that surround the Smith County Courthouse will be closed ahead of construction. Some business in downtown are worried about how it might affect them, while Moocho Burrito has a positive outlook. "I know that some of the streets are going to close...
POLICE: 911 texts from woman found held inside East Texas motel room leads to 2 arrests
PALESTINE, Texas — Two people were arrested early Friday morning in connection with a woman held inside a Palestine motel room after she sent a series of texts to 911. According to the Palestine Police Department, the woman sent text series to dispatch saying she was being held by a man at the Premier Inn, located at 2300 W. Oak St in Palestine, and she was asking for help. The texts said she was in the room with a man and a woman who were drunk and using methamphetamine.
FEMA extends deadline for East Texas residents applying for federal storm recovery assistance
TYLER, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the deadline to apply for storm recovery assistance has been extended. Those who live in three East Texas counties, including Smith, Van Zandt and Henderson, are able to apply for help regarding uninsured losses from the storms and flooding that happened April 26 through June 5. The new deadline is now Aug. 15.
Former Kilgore ISD teacher gets 10-year prison sentence for improper relationship with student
KILGORE, Texas — A former Kilgore ISD teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having an improper relationship with a student. Phillip Daniel Nix, 38, of Seymour, pleaded guilty on Monday to an improper relationship between a student and an educator in connection and then sentenced to 10 years.
Child accused of making bomb threats at Brookshire's in Tyler, other places across multiple states; charges pending
TYLER, Texas — A child with East Texas connections was identified as the person who police say made numerous bomb threats and swatting hoaxes across multiple states and locations, including Brookshire’s grocery stores in Tyler last week. According to the Collin County Sheriff's Office, their deputies along with...
Mexico resident becomes millionaire in Texas Lottery Texas Two Step
SAN ANTONIO — A Mexican citizen has a million reasons to be happy after winning big in the Texas Lottery. They crossed the border and purchased their winning ticket an an H-E-B located at 1300 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr, Texas, according to a press release from the Texas Lottery.
Texas sets execution date for East Texas man accused in shaken baby case
AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas court on Monday set an execution date for Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter but has consistently challenged the conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science. Roberson has maintained his innocence while...
GOING FOR GOLD: Daughter of East Texas coaches headed to Paris Olympics in javelin
PALESTINE, Texas — Like DJ Khaled says...ANOTHA' ONE!. Another athlete with East Texas is heading to Paris to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games!. Maggie Malone-Hardin, daughter of Palestine ISD coaches Danny and Nancy Malone, will compete against the world's best in the javelin after hurling her way into first place at the Olympic Trials. Her throw of 64.58m secured her spot in the "City of Lights."
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