Good morning, Tyler.

Local gardeners are sharing passalong plants that thrive in Tyler with minimal care, and Smith County Master Gardeners & Texas A&M AgriLife Extension support sustainable gardening to conserve water and reduce waste.

Six local nonprofits received $259,485 in grants when the Women’s Fund of Smith County held an awards event Thursday at Greyhound Hall.

The funds will support projects that build community, such as adaptive camps for children & computer lab upgrades that aid job training.

The Best Shots photo feature highlighted reader photos of Winter Storm Fern that captured cold, icy scenes.

Editors invite photographers to email their work for a chance to appear in next week’s feature.

Prime 102 steakhouse, celebrating nearly five years in the historic People’s Petroleum Building, serves classic American cuisine while welcoming both casual diners and regular guests amid downtown construction until mid-2026.

Owners Steve & Peri Barnhart expressed hope that the Downtown Improvement Project will boost business and strengthen community ties.

Quitman Elementary School will reopen Monday after inspectors, including Atmos Energy and a plumber, confirmed that the suspected gas leak posed no danger during a thorough safety review.

The school is now ready for students and staff to return.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Tyler advises local gardeners to prune fruit trees this winter to remove excess fruit and damaged branches, encouraging new growth and larger harvests.

Local gardening expert Sperry advised switching to a water-soluble citrus fertilizer for pomelo trees with light-green leaves and slow growth, and urged even fertilizer spread with deep watering when warmer weather arrives in late Feb or March—helping ensure balanced nutrient uptake.

UT Tyler Patriots baseball began the season with a win on Friday over Lubbock Christian and played Saturday in a bid for the series win (the team aims to build momentum early in the season).

East Texas Youth Conference 2026

8 a.m. – 11 p.m. — W.T. Brookshire Conference Center — Free meals provided — Experience anointed singing, preaching, and fellowship at this annual youth gathering.

CHRISTUS Women for Heart Fashion Show

11 a.m. — Broadway Square — Free entry — Experience the latest fashion trends while supporting heart health awareness.

Run the Pines Trail Series

8:20 a.m. — Faulkner Park — Registration required — Experience a scenic trail run in the beautiful landscape of East Texas.

Take Heart 10K & 5K

Feb 20-21 — Tyler, Texas — Registration fees apply — Celebrate health and empowerment at this all-female running event.

Cirque Italia: Water Circus

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Broadway Square — Tickets from $81 — Experience a mesmerizing show that blends acrobatics and water artistry.

Bringing Butterflies into Your Backyard

2-3 p.m. — Tyler Public Library — Free entry — Discover how to attract butterflies and learn about their favorite plants with Master Gardener Elizabeth Waldrop.