The community newspaper that keeps the areas around Bullard,
Flint, Troup, Whitehouse & South Tyler connected & informed.
Longtime Smith County employee Atonia Rawlings was sworn in to serve as treasurer on Friday, August 1, 2025. Ms. Rawlings has worked for Smith County for 19 years and has been assistant treasurer since 2016. “I am honored for the opportunity to serve Smith County, and I am committed to making a positive impact […]
Five Smith County employees were honored during Commissioners Court on Tuesday, July 29, for their combined 95 years of service. Treasurer Kelli White was recognized for serving Smith County for 25 years. “We want to thank you for 25 years. That’s been a long haul,” County Judge Neal Franklin said. “It’s been a pleasure.” […]
The Smith County Emergency Management Office is hosting a Community Preparedness Night to educate residents about the importance of being prepared for a disaster. The free event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 7, at UT Health Northeast in the amphitheater of the main building. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore will […]
The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatality fire that occurred at a resident southwest of Tyler. The Fire Marshal’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and several fire departments responded to the call at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29. A 70-year-old man lived alone at the home and died in the fire, Fire Marshal Chad […]
UPDATE: Missing Bullard Teen Abby Grace Morales Located Safe; Suspect in Custody SMITH COUNTY, Texas (July 30, 2025) — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Abby Grace Morales, the 15-year-old girl reported missing from the Bullard area on July 26, has been located and is safe. Abby is currently being reunited […]
A Smith County Road and Bridge Bond Program update was presented to Commissioners Court on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. County Engineer Frank Davis gave an analysis on roads that still need work as part of Phase 2 of the voter-approved bonds. Some of those roads are being contracted out while others are done by […]
The Smith County Commissioners Court received a progress report on the courthouse construction project on Tuesday, June 3. Brandy Ziegler, partner with Fitzpatrick Architects, has been working on the project for more than two years and said, “it’s wonderful to watch this plan come to life,” as the 100-plus-year building is constructed. She noted that […]
By Shawn LarsonETX Bell It has been said that in a news desert like the area that the Bell is beginning to serve accounts for a low election turnout, however what cannot be accounted for is the fact that the Tyler area that does have a newspaper, and other media outlets to help serve and […]
David Peters was honored during Commissioners Court on Tuesday, April 29, for his 10 years of service supervising the Smith County Juvenile Service’s vocational training program. Peters had extensive experience in commercial and residential construction before joining the Juvenile Services team. Smith County Juvenile Services Director Ross Worley said 10 years ago, they had grant […]
Smith County Sheriff’s Lt. Aimee Crockett was honored in Commissioners Court Tuesday for receiving the 2024 Making a Difference Award from the Texas Association of Counties. Lt. Crockett has been the training lieutenant over the Jail Training Division and has overseen the Field Training Officer Program since joining Smith County in January 2023. “I am […]
