KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Sonic Drive-In on South Broadway Avenue is closed until further notice after a fire started in the kitchen early Monday morning, according to Tyler Fire Marshal Paul Findley. First responders arrived on the scene around 5:30 a.m. According to our news partner KETK, the fire caused traffic delays, with one lane of traffic blocked by first responder vehicles and fire officials. Findley says the fire started at the deep fryer in the kitchen and spread to the attic and through the roof. Initial 911 calls revealed that flames were coming from the roof of the building, and first responders confirmed the claim upon arrival. Continue reading Sonic closed until further notice after fire

TYLER — The University of Texas System and UT Tyler Monday hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday in Tyler’s midtown medical district for a $308 million Medical Education Building, which will house UT Tyler’s new School of Medicine. Governor Greg Abbott Greg Abbott headed the list of dignitaries offering remarks. He was joined by UT System Chairman Kevin Eltife, UT Chancellor James Milliken, and UT Tyler President Kirk Calhoun. As heard on our news partner KETK, among other things, Abbott said the new medical school “inspires generations of people,” with the groundbreaking ceremony “making a generational change.” Continue reading UT Tyler breaks ground on new medical school building

GRAND SALINE – There is “no imminent danger” to any Grand Saline ISD students after a middle schooler allegedly said he would bring a gun to school, the district’s superintendent said. According to our news partner KETK, Superintendent Micah Lewis said the situation, in which the student allegedly said over the weekend “he might bring a gun to school to protect himself,” is under investigation. According to Lewis, this serves as a reminder to parents to caution their children about what they say on social media. Anyone with questions is asked to call their campus principal or Lewis.

NACOGDOCHES – A second student-athlete at Stephen F. Austin State University has died following a wreck. According to our news partner KETK, officials announced the death of football player Graylan Spring, earlier listed in critical condition. They had previously shared news of the death of baseball player Micah McAfoose. A candlelight vigil in their honor was scheduled for Monday evening at Homer Bryce Stadium on campus. McAfoose, 18, and Spring, 19, died after the Friday wreck just north of Corrigan. Continue reading Second SFA student athlete dies after crash

LONGVIEW — Beginning the week of Jan. 23, TxDOT and contractor crews will begin construction of a new bridge on High Street in Longview. The construction will require a change in traffic in the area. According to a city news release, traffic will travel in both directions on only one side of the bridge while demolition and construction are underway on the opposite side. Traffic flow will then switch to the other side so the project can be completed. The project is scheduled to last approximately two years. Signs warning motorists of the construction project were due to be put into place before the construction begins.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the U.S. Congress, including incoming freshmen, have received their committee assignments. Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Texas District 1 talked to KTBB about the committees he’ll be serving on and some of the issues at hand. Moran said he’s fortunate to be named to the judiciary, foreign affairs, and educational workforce committees, not least because most freshmen only get two assignments. He said it means he’ll be working extra hard, but that that’s what he was elected to do. Moran highlighted the judiciary committee, pointing to the Biden document revelations, Department of Justice oversight issues, and concerns about Hunter Biden. Continue reading Moran offers overview of issues at hand in Congress

EAST TEXAS — Local counties are seeing a big problem with animal dumping in rural areas. People who live in remote areas frequently see unwanted pets abandoned on county roads, which often turn to dirt or gravel, providing an easy spot to dump a dog or a cat without being seen. Upshur County Chief Deputy David Hazel says, “It would be a misconception to believe that most of these animals are taken in and given a good home.” Hazel  added that Upshur County handled 1,900 animal-related calls last year, many for stray or abandoned animals. He says dumping animals is a crime and the sheriff’s office will follow-up leads on anyone who dumps a dog or a cat. He says many deputies have adopted animals because the shelters are overwhelmed.

TYLER — UT Tyler has announced that Gov. Abbott will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for their new $308 million Medical Education Building on Monday, Jan. 23. According to our news partner KETK, the ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m., will be held at 1100 South Beckham Avenue. The ceremony will start with opening remarks and then they’ll break ground and take photos. The event concludes with a reception. UT System Chairman Kevin Eltife, UT Chancellor James Milliken and UT Tyler President Kirk Calhoun will be in attendance along with Gov. Abbott.

TYLER — No injuries reported following a fire Monday morning at the Sonic on South Broadway in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, fire crews arrived around 5:30 and said the fire is believed to have started in the grease vent. Traffic delays were reported for a time as crews worked the scene. There was no immediate word on how the fire might affect operations at the restaurant.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 23. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207, from FM 1252 to SH 135. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew completing base failures on FM 2493 inside Loop 323, from Sunnybrook to Broadway in the northbound lane. This crew will then move to FM 850 to do profiling, just off SH 31 towards Overton. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic at all of the above locations. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The Goodman-LeGrand Museum, on North Broadway in downtown Tyler, will be closed for annual maintenance from Jan. 24 through Jan. 28. During this time, the house and museum, including all the artifacts, will be cleaned and polished for necessary preservation, according to a news release. Officials say some pieces will undergo refresh and restoration work to conserve for future generations. For more information, call Goodman Museum Supervisor Debbie Isham at (903) 531-1286.

CORRIGAN – Stephen F. Austin State University has announced that former SFA baseball player Micah McAfoose was killed in a Friday afternoon crash that left Graylan Spring, an SFA football player in critical condition. According to our news partner KETK, SFA head football coach Colby Carthel said in a Saturday tweet that the crash involved a semi. “Prayers needed for one of our own, Graylan Spring, a freshman WR for @SFA_Football. He was involved in a terrible accident yesterday, involving a semi,” Carthel said. “He is now fighting for his life and needs all of our prayers! Please pray for him, his family, and his entire medical team.” Continue reading Former SFA student-athlete killed, another in critical condition after Corrigan crash

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful has unveiled a new restroom mural at Noble E. Young Park. The park is currently being renovated and will be reopening later this year, according to a news release. The mural, completed in December, was painted by local artist Jamie Robinson and features the phrase “Good things happen here.” Robinson is also working on a special companion piece that will be unveiled during the park’s grand opening. Other restroom murals are currently in progress at Pollard Park, Lindsey Park, and P.T. Cole Park. It is the goal of Keep Tyler Beautiful to cover all Tyler area park restrooms with murals in the next few years as part of their ongoing mission of beautification, according to the release.

TYLER — The City of Tyler said the old St. James CME church is a hazard, filled with asbestos, and needs to be demolished. According to our news partner KETK, the church building in downtown Tyler hasn’t been in use for 20 years but has been a pillar in the Black community for 102 years. “A sad ending for a building that had a great history,” said church member Malcolm Jackson. It has been a pillar in the community dating back to 1870, five years after slaves were freed. “They listened to the community for a larger facility to have worship as well as other community events and so in 1920, they built this church,” said Pastor Brian Lightner. The church that is active today was built next door in 1982. Continue reading Historical church needs donations for demolition