TxDOT Tyler District releases 2024 fatal crash statistics

  TYLER – In 2024, factors such as “failure to drive in a single lane”, “unsafe speed”, and “alcohol-related DUI” contributed to 147 fatal crashes and 164 total deaths in the Tyler District. The 164 fatalities are a 22-percent decrease from the previous year, and the lowest total since 2019 (148). The TxDOT Tyler District,

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Officials keep close watch on measles as cases spread in Texas

A measles outbreak in West Texas spurred state and local health officials to issue broad advisories early this month, and a steady rise in reports is prompting more caution, especially with Spring Break trips approaching. In the past several weeks, an initial dozen-or-so cases has become scores. While most are clustered in the Panhandle, the

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White Oak streets may get new sweeps

The City of White Oak’s looking to get back into street sweeping — it’s been long enough that city officials couldn’t quite remember the last time the roads got regular TLC. More than a decade, they surmised during their regularly-scheduled February meeting. “I’ve had some people ask me if we can start that up again,”

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Canadian trainee gets warm welcome at Gladewater FD

Don’t let him fool you: Kenny Ree-Hembling is not from a French-only enclave of Canada, he speaks English just fine. That said, the firefighter trainee enjoys a good practical joke, and his comrades at Gladewater Fire Department are happy to help sell the gag. Ree-Hembling is one of four fellows from the Great White North

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Due diligence develops decent dam designation

The Lake Gladewater dam is back in a holding pattern — this time for all the right reasons. “We’re all in compliance with everything now,” Mike Simmons says, “the maintenance, our inspections, our reports. We’re waiting on the 2025 release of funds,” public monies that could cover the lion’s share of looming project costs. Key

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Not all’s well at White Oak’s oil & gas sites

Dale Thomas took up his lance last week and spurred White Oak City Council members to tilt at the town’s weathered well sites. “Your ordinances are not being enforced,” he told the community’s elected officials Feb. 11. Frustrated but fair, the local property owner says the ground-level workers for oil and gas operations are affable

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Incumbent withdraws, two Gladewater council races remain

Days after final filing finished for local office, one of Gladewater’s incumbents withdrew Feb. 18, leaving two council seats in contention May 3. Initially, there were three contested races for four spots on the Spring 2025 ballot for Gladewater City Council. Incumbent Rocky Hawkins ended his re-election bid after press time Tuesday, informing City Clerk

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Pilot injured in late-night crash at airport

A 24-year-old pilot is being treated at a local hospital after his plane missed the runway Monday night in the midst of an apparent mechanical failure. First responders from multiple agencies were called to the scene about 10:15 p.m. Feb. 17. Personnel from Texas Department of Public Safety are spearheading the investigation alongside Gladewater firefighters

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