Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.1 billion in local sales tax allocations for July, 0.2 percent less than in July 2023. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly. Lindale saw positive movement – 0.04%

The Smith County Information Technology GIS Department was honored during Commissioners Court Tuesday (July 9), for an award it received from the National Association of Counties for its innovative, interactive elections map, said County Public Information Officer Casey Murphy. In other action on July 9, commissioners addressed a property tax exemption for day care centers

During their regular meeting this past week, Smith County Commissioners appointed Dr. Howard Patterson to the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s Board of Directors to finish out a term which is scheduled to be completed in September. Patterson was nominated by County Judge Neal Franklin and was unanimously approved by the court. Larry Kellam

Smith County resident Seferino Bautista-Renteria, 35, has been arrested and jailed on first degree murder charges stemming from a fatal shooting that took place Thursday night, July 4 on Highway 271 North near Tyler, said Smith County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry Christian. The victim was identified as Rawly Sanchez, 19. Bautista-Renteria, owner of Bautista Auto

Smith County Commissioners held their initial workshop to discuss the first working draft of the Smith County Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 during a special meeting on Tuesday, June 25, said Communications Director Casey Murphy. Additional workshops and public hearings are scheduled before the budget takes effect on Oct. 1, 2024. This year’s theme is

Smith County officials awarded volunteers with Texans on Mission Disaster Relief Team with a Smith County Community Hero Award on Thursday, (June 27) after the group helped more than 100 residents clean up their properties damaged by the severe weather in late May and early June, said County Information Officer Casey Murphy. Texans on Mission

Smith County Officials awarded veteran volunteers with Team Rubicon with the Smith County Community Hero Award this past week after the group worked for nearly a week helping a dozen residents cleanup storm damage, said County Communications Director Casey Murphy. County Judge Neal Franklin and Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore presented the group with the

Just as East Texans were trying to dry out from a massive spring weather event, a second arrived rapidly on its heels this past week packing 70 mph winds, wreaking havoc and leaving thousands without power for several days. The first storm system roared into East Texas on May 28 dumping several inches of rain

During their regular meeting on May 14, Smith County Commissioners received an update on the county’s parking garage and courthouse construction projects, which are scheduled to be open in the fall of 2024, said Public Information Officer Casey Murphy. The five-story, 543-vehicle parking garage is on schedule, Murphy said, at a cost of $15.4 million.

Smith County residents living in the Commissioner Precinct 3 area can cast early ballots in the Republican Primary Runoff Election through Friday, May 24, county officials said. The only race on the ballot will be for the Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Runoff between incumbent Terry Phillips and challenger J. Scott Herod. General Election day