KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 17 years in prison on Monday in connection to a 2021 fatal hit-and-run crash, according to our news partner KETK. Juan Jesus Juarez, 24, was sentenced for an accident involving death. He was convicted in February for the crash that happened in Jan. of 2021. The District Attorney’s Office said Juarez was driving the car with his two friends inside, and they had reportedly had drinks. “While drunk, speeding, and not paying attention Juarez drove through a T-intersection in a residential area,” the DA’s office said. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to prison in fatal hit-and-run crash

OVERTON — Overton ISD is the latest of many East Texas schools to transition to a four-day school week for the upcoming school year. According to our news partner KETK, in a 5-1 vote, the school board approved the switch at their meeting on Monday evening, making the district the 21st to make the change in East Texas. With the addition of Overton ISD, at the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there will be more than 15,000 students in East Texas operating on a four-day school week. The district previously held three meetings to discuss the possibility of a four-day school week with the community, giving them an opportunity to bring their questions and concerns to the school board. Continue reading Overton ISD joins list of schools switching to four day school week

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department’s Civil Service Exam is open to non-certified firefighters. The test is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11. The online application is open through Thursday, March 27. Anyone interested in applying should visit this link. Officials say anyone interested in becoming a member of the Tyler Fire Department family can go here to see if they are eligible to apply.

TYLER — The Smith County Collections Department is preparing for its annual Warrant Round Up next week. “Smith County Courts have hundreds of active warrants they are seeking to clear,” Judicial Compliance/Collections Director Sheryl Keel said as quoted in a news release. “We are encouraging defendants to take advantage of the options available to settle outstanding warrants immediately.” Keel says once the arrest period begins Sunday, March 19, Smith County will target persons on the delinquent and/or warrant list, and arrests can take place at any location — including the defendant’s home, school, or workplace. “I urge you to contact the Judicial Compliance Department at 903-590-4624 to make arrangements on your case,” she said. For more information about warrants or citations, visit this link.

LONGVIEW – A woman was arrested and has been named the “primary suspect” by police in a fatal Sunday morning shooting at the Waffle House on Estes Parkway in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, officials say police responded to the incident around 6:30 a.m. and discovered Michael Bauchum, 30, “shot and critically injured during a domestic dispute.” Bauchum was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries, and Rashandra Godfrey, 37, of Longview, was booked into Gregg County Jail for murder.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of March 6. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue level-up work on FM 2906, both northbound and southbound, from SH 149 to where state maintenance ends in Easton. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. In Smith County, 
Tyler maintenance will have a crew performing edge repairs on FM 2607, from SH 64 to FM 850. A second crew will be performing ditch work on FM 850, from SH 31 towards Overton. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic in both locations. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill Independent School District will host three community meetings where Superintendent Lamond Dean will present on the upcoming school bond propositions and answer any questions that attendees may have. “We encourage all members of the community to attend these important meetings,” said Dean as quoted in a news release. “The school bond propositions could have a significant impact on the future of our schools, and it’s important that we provide an opportunity for residents to learn more and ask questions.” The meetings are open to all members of the community and provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the school bond propositions and how they could impact CHISD schools, according to the release. Click this link to learn more.

LONGVIEW — Beginning Tuesday, March 7, Sabine Street east of Carter Street and Center Street south of Ware Street in Longview are scheduled to be closed to all traffic. Traffic will be detoured to Nelson Street as a result of this closure. Officials say the closure is necessary for the construction of the High Street bridge and is scheduled to last for the duration of the project. This project is being managed by the Texas Department of Transportation Longview Area Office and constructed by Ragle Inc. If you have any questions related to construction, call TxDOT at 903-234-0532.

LINDALE — An all clear has been given following the lock-down of all Lindale ISD campuses Monday morning. Lindale Police received a threatening call concerning the LISD Administration office. Police immediately responded to the administration office and EJ Moss East and West, and the buildings were searched by authorities before giving an all clear. Officials said to expect law enforcement to be present throughout the week as a precautionary.

TROUP — Troup Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying an alleged driver from an early Saturday morning chase. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that the pursuit began early on Saturday, March 4 in the City of Troup before going into Cherokee County. The driver of the white crew cab truck is described by authorities as a white male. Troup PD is contacting local businesses for video surveillance and asking anyone with any information to call them at 903-842-3211 or message them on the Troup Police Department Facebook page.

PALESTINE — Palestine Police Department announced they are searching for a man who allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend in the 200 block of Joe Louis Street on Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, officers were responding to reports of a shooting when they found Brittany Johnson, 30, of Palestine, with a gunshot wound to the torso. Johnson was transported by EMS to Palestine Regional Medical Center emergency room, where she later died, according to officials. While investigating, police said they began to suspect the involvement of Johnson’s ex-boyfriend, Joseph Christopher Cole, 50, of Houston. Continue reading Palestine Police searching for man who allegedly killed ex-girlfriend

TYLER – A man has been captured after being in a standoff with authorities in Tyler Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, constables were called to a residence regarding a man refusing to leave after being evicted from the home in the area of Alamo Drive and S. Vine Avenue. Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the identity of the suspect is Curtis Clark, 44, and said that Clark made threats of bodily harm towards authorities, which led to them calling the SWAT team to the scene. Clark had been posting videos on his Facebook page during the standoff and a voice can be heard in the video saying, “I’m going to go out like a soldier, I guarantee that.” Clark had barricaded himself in the home and was in a standoff with the SWAT team as they were trying to talk him out of the residence. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault on a public servant. His bond was set at $500,000.

KILGORE – Brigitta’s Hungarian Restaurant in Kilgore is closed after losing its roof during Thursday’s severe weather. That’s according to our news partner KETK. In an update posted to its Facebook page, the restaurant said there was no internal damage except for some leaks. The post said the frame of the roof is mostly unharmed and the ceiling is intact, so they’re planning to re-roof the restaurant.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview is putting the word out on a traffic adjustment. According to a news release, on Feb. 28, the contractor completed the necessary concrete and asphalt approaches to correct the bridge deck on the west side of McCann Road at the bridge. Next, they will begin the remaining work on the east side approaches to correct the bridge deck, according to the release. Starting the week of March 6, the plan is to swap traffic from the east side of McCann Road at the bridge to the west side. Officials say this consists of moving the concrete barriers to the west side of McCann Road in order to safely delineate the north and southbound lanes. Barriers will prohibit entering or exiting the intersection of Spur 63 and McCann Road, next to Electric Cowboy and Lone Star Ice House. Continue reading Traffic adjustment at bridge on McCann Road