You may have heard about Craigslist, the spartan-looking community site that is one of the most popular online destinations in the U.S.  The website, currently ranked the 11th most popular U.S. website, provides a free method for neighbors and local communities to meet, swap, sell, advertise and pretty much everything else you would want to do.  Last year, Craigslist came to Tyler / East Texas at http://easttexas.craigslist.org/.

For those unfamiliar with the website, here are a few things that can be accomplished for free using Craigslist:

• Sell that used car
• Find a full or part-time job
• Advertise a garage sale
• Meet up for a date
• Offer babysitter services
• Post a job opening
• Chat about…anything!
• Barter for some items
• Find or offer a ride
• Donate some furniture or supplies
• Find some real estate
• Buy a used cell phone
• Adopt a kitten or pet

Of course that’s just scratching the surface! Head on over to http://easttexas.craigslist.org/ and see for yourself!

Posted under Shopping.
Comments: 2

Tyler ISD was delighted to accounce that all of its schools received an “academically acceptable” or higher ranking from the TEA in 2008.  Nine Tyler elementary schools improved from acceptable to recognized, and two schools received the highest rating: exemplary.

“We are very proud of the hard work and effort of all of our teachers and staff who helped to make this accomplishment possible,” said Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid. “We know we still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we want to take some time to celebrate our campuses success.”

According to TEA, ratings are given based on student performance on the statewide Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests, dropout rates and high school graduation rates. This year, more Tyler schools than ever before achieved the “exemplary” or “recognized” rating.

Posted under News, School.
Comments: 1

Tyler drivers are experiencing a new traffic signal in 2008 – the flashing yellow light. Drivers should yield and turn during a flashing yellow light, similar to the familiar solid green left turn yield. Tyler is following other cities across the nation including Michigan, Portland and Charlotte after a federal study showed that flashing yellow turn lights prevent more crashes than a traditional solid green yield.

Tyler has already installed six flashing yellow turn lights in busy intersections like Donnybrook and Broadway, and on Loop 323 at Old Bullard Road and Copeland.

Posted under New, News.
Comments: 6

Tyler certainly doesn’t have a shortage of tasty restaurants, especially of the Mexican / Tex-Mex variety. It seems a new Mexican restaurant appears in Tyler almost weekly! There are over 40 Mexican restaurants in the Tyler area, from old favorites like Mercados and On the Border to newcomers like The Jalapeño Tree or Pico de Gallo.

We want to know your favorite Mexican food restaurant in Tyler! Vote in our poll below, and let us know in the comments your favorite and why.

Posted under Polls, Restaurants.
Comments: 1

Attention Golfers! Try your luck at the annual UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot hole-in-one contest benefiting scholarship programs at UT Tyler.

Qualifying rounds will be held May 10 – 17 at the traditional site off of Old Bullard Road near Grande. Any golfer 18 and over can aim and shoot for $1 per ball. One qualifier each day will be selected based on closest distance to the hole. The final contest will be on May 18 at The Cascades.

View Larger Map

Posted under News.
Comments: 2

One of these two women will be the next mayor of Tyler.

Barbara Bass, left and Laura Corbett are vying for Tyler’s open mayoral seat after Joey Seeber vacates his seat. The three-term mayor must step down for term limitations, but leaves Tyler with a strong and growing economy that either Bass or Corbett is sure to build upon.

Early voting is already open. Be sure to vote by election day, May 10.

Posted under News, Politics.
Comments: 2

The Tyler City Council has recently approved a measure to promote increased air service at Tyler’s Pounds Airport.  New airlines will have user fees waived in response to additional flights and service.

"We feel that if new airlines begin providing service in Tyler, they will stay," said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. "This is an important tool for the Airport to attract new service.  East Texans have a strong desire for more flights and flexibility in their travel plans.  This incentive will help us to respond to this market demand."

Tyler Pounds Airport, currently served by American Eagle and Continental to Dallas and Houston, was recently named Airport of the Year by the FAA.

Read full story.

Posted under News.
Comments: none