KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS (KRLD) – East Texas zoos are watchful for anyone who might try to steal their animals after thefts at at the Dallas Zoo. The president and CEO of the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Steve Marshall, said he considers the theft of two emperor tamarin monkeys in Dallas as being malicious intent and endangerment of the rare animals. Marshall says the exotic animals require special diets and some need medication. They could become sick or die without expert care. He says the Caldwell Zoo is monitoring its security cameras even more carefully. The Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin says it has added security personnel and surveillance cameras.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has recently been made aware of a new telephone scam. According to a news release, someone left a voice message on the reporting person’s phone identifying himself as sheriff’s Sgt. Justin Hall, saying the call recipient needed to call him regarding a legal matter. The reporting person chose not to be a victim and notified the Sheriff’s Office to make a report. Officials say there is a Sgt. Justin Hall employed with the Sheriff’s Office, but he has not called anyone leaving voice messages concerning legal matters. If you receive a call like this and would like to verify its legitimacy, you may call the SCSO non-emergency number at (903) 566-6600. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office warns of new phone scam

AUSTIN — The Texas Freedom Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler, has released its 10 priorities for the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. According to the caucus website, categories include maximum property tax relief; securing the border; expanding educational freedom and ending so-called woke indoctrination; protecting Texas children; defending the sanctity of life; securing the grid and opposing ESG policies; protecting Second Amendment rights; increasing election integrity; restoring separation of powers; and health care affordability and medical freedom. The caucus says its mission is “to amplify the voice of liberty-minded, grassroots Texans.” Click here and navigate as desired for more information.

AUSTIN — The news is good for both Tyler and Longview in the latest sales tax allocation report from the state comptroller’s office. For February, Tyler brings in $6,280,139.65, up from $6,063,419.89 a year ago. For the year to date, Tyler shows $11,245,967.70, up from $11,060,380.74 at this time last year. Longview’s February figure is $4,806,911.52, compared to $4,498,936.23 for February 2022. Longview’s year-to-date total is $8,503,116.35, an increase from $8,010,086.26 a year ago. Statewide, local sales tax allocations for this month are up 9.3 per cent from last February. Click here for more detailed information, in East Texas and around the state.

TYLER — Several key items were addressed at Wednesday’s Tyler City Council meeting, including a couple involving infrastructure work. The Council approved a contract to reduce flooding and repair deteriorated stormwater infrastructure at five locations. Officials say the storm sewer pipes have deteriorated and developed structural issues that have allowed the soil to enter, creating sinkholes in paved streets and unpaved areas. Officials also report that progress is continuing on a consent decree, with over 45,000 feet of trenchless sewer line rehabilitation planned. According to a news release, about 115 sewer main lines are targeted, and the contract for the work also includes installing 58 manholes. Along with that, the city accepted the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 15th straight year. Click here for more details on those items and other city news.

TYLER – In response to the recent winter storm, the East Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food boxes and meat on Thursday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Last week’s winter storm caused widespread power outages and damage, with Smith County being part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration. “Many of our neighbors had to throw away all of their refrigerated food after being without power for days and with so many people struggling to make ends meet, we knew we wanted to help,” said Food Bank CEO Dennis Cullinane as quoted in a news release. “We are also grateful for our partnership with Green Acres Baptist Church and allowing us to use their facility for our distributions.” Continue reading East Texas Food Bank to hold special distribution to help storm victims

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As he predicted, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran is not pleased with President Biden’s State of the Union Address. In a statement released following the address Tuesday evening, Moran says, in part, “The American people deserve transparency and accountability from the government at all levels. While I am disappointed, I am not surprised by President Biden’s unwillingness to admit that the path he has taken our nation on is the wrong path. Whether it be foreign affairs, national security, the economy, or the porous southern border, the policies and practices of the Biden Administration have been disastrous and we need to reverse course.” Continue reading Moran responds to SOTU Address

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is looking for any information on the whereabouts of Cannon Tuck, 29. Tuck weighs 145 lbs. and is about 5’9″ tall. He was last seen in the area of Fourth St and East Loop 281 wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a black backpack. Tuck was reported missing on Tuesday, February 7, by a family member. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1170.

SMITH COUNTY — Grassroots America said 584 absentee voter ballots from the 2020 general election were not counted in Smith County, according to an audit done by the organization, Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Grassroots America requested that the item be put on Tuesday’s agenda for the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. “We do think that every vote matters,” said Smith County Judge Neal Franklin. Fleming said that Grassroots America provided a dozen volunteers to survey 634 voters and record 385 interviews. “Those interviews documented unusual anomalies between voter memories and Smith County voting records,” Fleming said. Fleming said the audit was a fact-finding mission to help the county. Continue reading Audit reveals hundreds of absentee ballots not counted in 2020 general election

LONGVIEW – The Longview Fire Department reports a structure fire at Bagley Tractor & Equipment caused approximately $250,000 in damages. According to our news partner KETK, the fire department received a phone call Tuesday about an outside fire threatening the Bagley building. When crews arrived, they were “hampered by a locked gate which required forcible entry to gain access into the structure,” said fire officials. Once they got through the gate, they were able to put out the fire. The fire department says there were no reported injuries as no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. It took four fire engines, two ladder trucks, one ambulance, four staff vehicles and a total of 24 LFD personnel to put out the fire.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Officials are asking for public assistance in locating a driver involved in a serious crash on SH 64. The Van Zandt County Precinct 4 constable’s office says, “If anyone recognizes the brown Ford pickup, we could use some help locating the driver to make sure he is okay. After a crash like this, he has to be hurt.” According to our news partner KETK, officials say the other driver involved was uninjured but his truck and his load weren’t as lucky. We’ll update this item as more information becomes available.

WASHINGTON, D,C. — Congressman Nathaniel Moran took a moment with KTBB to discuss the first bill he has presented in the House. Moran says, “It really was quite a moment. My legislative team and I…worked really hard to make sure that the first bill that we proposed, this Border Security Investment Act, was something that was important to the district — border security — and was something that was well thought-out and strategically planned. Our hope is we can gain lots…of momentum. We’ve got a lot of co-sponsors, especially here in Texas, and we’re gaining more co-sponsors by the day. This act will bring in billions of dollars of new money that will actually go straight, and only to, border security. We’re excited about it. We hope that it gets through committee and gets on the floor for a vote.”

NACOGDOCHES — Faculty and staff of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches have received a six percent, across the board, cost of living raise. The Board of Regents approved the pay raise last week and it went into effect February 1st.  SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook said the board wanted a pay increase to be implemented as soon as possible after the university joined the University of Texas system on November 29th. It will be paid from SFA reserve funds this year and by UT system funds in the future.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating after the discovery of a body. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found at a construction site off east Grande Boulevard Monday. Police say foul play is not suspected. The body has been sent for autopsy. Additional details were not available.