Latest news with #EastTexasStateFair
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Texas State Fair hopes for economic impact from Pro-Rodeo
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The East Texas State Fair made a historic move on Wednesday. 'For 113 years, the East Texas State Fair has been deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Tyler and East Texas,' East Texas State Fair chairman Michael Stoltz said. East Texas 12-year-old sells record setting pig for over $500,000 at Houston Rodeo 2024 was a big year for the East Texas State Fair, not only did they move locations, but they saw more guests than ever before. 'We experienced record attendance days at the fair with overall attendance of over 100,000 visitors,' Stoltz said. Businesses around the new fair grounds like the CEFCO gas station down the road said more traffic has brought in more sales. On Wednesday, the fair announced they would be bringing in even more traffic by adding a pro-rodeo to their line-up. 'This first year, we're expecting over $100,000 payout, for a first year rodeo that's outstanding,' Pickett Pro Rodeo owner Cullen Pickett said. The fair plans to build a temporary 2,500 seat arena, and they hope to pack it every night. It will also be one of the last qualifying events for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Students present projects at Smith County Junior Livestock Show 'There's going to be a lot of world champions here, there's going to be a lot of decisions made about who goes to the National Finals Rodeo from this rodeo here,' Pickett said. When it came to choosing the dates for the rodeo, the president of the East Texas State Fair said the goal is to attract more people from start to finish. 'On the second weekend is when we really hit max capacity, so we know we are prepared to handle an additional 2500 visitors based on what we do in the second weekend of the fair,' East Texas State Fair president/CEO Cody Rosenbalm said. He added that the rodeo will bring extra weekend of business for the city. 'I know the impact of rodeo in East Texas is going to be phenomenal,' City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren said. The East Texas State Fair will run from Sept. 19 through Sept. 28, with the rodeo kicking things off during the first three days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
East Texas man gets 20 years in prison for selling fentanyl causing fatal overdose
TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) – An East Texas man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for selling fentanyl pills that led to a fatal overdose. Henry Wayne Milligan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder sentenced him to 240 months, or 20 years, in prison. East Texas man charged with murder after shooting victim during son's drop-off 'According to information presented in court, Milligan pleaded guilty to selling the victim what were purported to be prescription pills, after which the victim was found dead in his home of what an autopsy later determined to be a fentanyl overdose,' the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Eastern District of Texas said. The pills sold by Milligan were tested and were allegedly found to contain fentanyl. Fentanyl, according to the DA's office, is a synthetic opioid used for analgesic or anesthetic purposes. It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. PRCA rodeo coming to East Texas State Fair this year Following his initial arrest, Milligan provided a voluntary statement in which he reportedly confessed. The case was investigated by the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.