BLOG POSTS

Arp, TX – A significant brush fire erupted Tuesday, August 15th, on Highway 64 near Arp, prompting a multi-agency response to combat the rapidly spreading blaze fueled by high temperatures and dry conditions. The fire, which started earlier on Tuesday, August 15th, necessitated a difficult battle for Smith County firefighters. Crews from the Arp Volunteer […]

**Massive Chemical Plant Fire Forces Evacuations in Tyler** **TYLER, Texas –** A significant industrial fire at the Chapman Chemical Co. facility on Thursday, April 18, 2024, triggered mandatory evacuations and a shelter-in-place order for residents near Smith County Road 1151. The blaze, located at 15949 Smith County Road 1151, near Highway 64 West in Tyler, […]

**EHV-1 Outbreak Escalates at Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Two Horses Euthanized** **Tyler, Texas** – An Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak has intensified at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, leading to the euthanization of two horses and the cancellation of multiple high-profile equine events. The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) confirmed yesterday that […]

**Tyler ISD Board Approves $6.7 Million Compensation Plan, Boosting Pay for All Staff** **TYLER, Texas** – The Tyler Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a comprehensive new compensation plan for the 2024-2025 school year during its meeting on May 20. The $6.7 million investment, funded entirely from the district’s general operating fund, aims […]

**Bullard City Council Approves New Taco Bell with Conditions** BULLARD – The Bullard City Council has granted final approval for a new Taco Bell restaurant, slated for construction on Highway 69 North, following a series of discussions and a conditional vote at their May 16th meeting. The restaurant is planned for a 1.15-acre vacant parcel […]

**Tyler Church to Host Thanksgiving Mobile Pantry with East Texas Food Bank** Tyler, TX – Pollard United Methodist Church will partner with the East Texas Food Bank next week to host a mobile pantry, providing Thanksgiving meal ingredients and other essential food items to local families. The drive-thru event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st, […]

**John Tyler Lions Basketball Team Featured in New Netflix Documentary "Boys in Blue"** A new four-part documentary series, "Boys in Blue," chronicling the John Tyler High School Lions boys' basketball team's 2021-2022 season, premiered globally on Netflix on October 25, 2023. The series offers an intimate look at the team's quest for the state playoffs […]

**U.S. Judge Blocks Texas 'Sanctuary Cities' Law Hours Before Effective Date** A U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas on Thursday, August 31, 2017, issued a preliminary injunction, effectively halting the controversial "sanctuary cities" law, Senate Bill 4 (SB4), just hours before it was slated to take effect across the state on September […]

**Tyler ISD Board Approves 2024-2025 School Calendar** Tyler, Texas – The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees officially adopted the academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year during its meeting on December 12, 2023, setting key dates for students and staff across the district. Students in Tyler ISD will kick off the new school year on […]

**Arp Police Department Activates Federal Immigration Enforcement Partnership with ICE** ARP, Smith County – The Arp Police Department officially activated a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on November 17, 2025, empowering Arp officers to act as federal immigration agents within their jurisdiction. This partnership, part of the ICE 287(g) program (further […]