Smith County News

BY ADAM RUSSELL arussell@tylerpaper.com OWENTOWN - A nondescript metal building, formerly used as a Smith County Road and Bridge "barn," now acts as the de-facto death row for thousands of stray dogs each year.

Once again those elected to serve the taxpayers are not even listening to their bosses .

The Delek Tyler Tournament for Hope will be Monday. The charity golf tournament benefits the Delek Fund for Hope and the Smith County Volunteer Fireman's Association.

A Winona couple each received a four-year sentence in a state jail facility Friday after they each pleaded guilty to five counts of child endangerment in the Smith County 241st District Court.

The Smith County Veterans Service Office will be closed Monday through Thursday for semi-annual training conducted by Texas Veterans Commission and Veteran Affairs.

A Smith County dog was quarantined and will be tested after biting an animal control officer.

Petition gatherers for legal beer and wine sales in Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 are hoping the third time is the charm.

Former Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith is set to be the headline entertainer at Saturday's fundraiser for the East Texas Heritage Museum Association.

Editor's note: This story was published July 1, 2012, in advance of the 50th anniversary of the sensational Billie Sol Estes trial in Tyler.

A Smith County jury sentenced a Whitehouse man to life in prison Wednesday after he pleaded guilty that same day to a charge of driving while intoxicated, third or more offense.

Every day there is a chance, someone will have to their life for our safety. And sometimes they pay the ultimate price for all of us.

The Smith County Courthouse in downtown Tyler has stood firmly for decades, but a portion of the downtown area was condemned in 1846 by the county's first commissioners when the landowner would not sell the land chosen to be the center of the county.

Smith County Master Gardeners will have its ninth annual Spring Garden Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 1. The five gardens that were chosen for this year's tour are all within the city of Tyler.

The Smith County Republican Women will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Traditions Restaurant, 6205 S. Broadway Ave.

On Saturday, voters around Smith County have seven races to decide. Tyler ISD voters will decide the fate of a $160.5 million school bond proposal that includes six projects that affect students from elementary through high school.

Smith County investigators arrested a man for the theft of truck parts, forklift accessories and other metal items taken from Transport Services on April 27.

"Komen Tyler, along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources, is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community," said Jennifer Watkins, executive director of the Susan G. Komen Tyler affiliate The race includes a 5K, 1-mile fun run and a 50-yard kid's dash and will be held in Bergfeld ... (more)

Early voting turnout was low, as expected, just under 8 percent among Tyler ISD voters, but "high" relative to a single item local May election, an election official said.

Because of a summer predicted to be warmer and drier than usual, Tyler city officials are reminding residents the city still is observing "Drought One" contingency measures as a part of a special city water conservation ordinance.

Today is the last day to cast early ballots before a Saturday Election Day for city and school district elections.