KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Several East Texas hospitals have been given “A” safety grades for fall 2022. Our news partner KETK reports the ratings come from The Leapfrog Group. That’s described as a national nonprofit that aims to save lives by evaluating hospitals based on the performance of harm prevention systems and the hospital’s amount of errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Each hospital is given a numerical score that is then converted into an letter grade of A, B, C, or D, with “A” being the safest. UT Health North Campus Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, UT Health Athens, and UT Health Henderson are among those receiving “A” grades. Click here for more details.

TYLER — On Tuesday around noon, employees of the Tyler Urban Forestry Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Streets Department will be delivering and installing an Eastern red cedar tree in the Downtown Tyler square. The new Christmas tree is estimated to be 30 feet and has been donated anonymously in honor of all loved ones lost to cancer, according to a news release. The tree will be decorated in anticipation of the Christmas Parade and the 37th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held on Thursday, Dec. 1.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. This week, officials are drawing special attention to a Smith County project. TxDOT and contractor crews are scheduled to continue work on SH 155, with sweeping operations planned through the week after getting underway Monday. Weather permitting, crews are due to begin fog seal and hot mix resurfacing Tuesday and continue that through the week as well. The project stretches from Loop 323 in Tyler to the Anderson County line and consists of resurfacing, upgrading drainage structures, and repairing bridge joints. The expected completion date is spring of 2023. Click here for a complete rundown of this week’s roadwork around the district.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities report five-year-old Zechariah Sutton of Overton has been found safe and appears to be unharmed after an Amber Alert was issued for him early Monday. Officials say Zechariah and Pamela Medlock, 59, were both found in Mitchell County by the sheriff’s office there. They were headed west on I-20 near Colorado City, Texas. Smith County investigators have headed to Mitchell County to follow up on the case. Zechariah had last been seen around 3 a.m. Monday. Authorities say he was abducted by Medlock, described as a “family friend” who does not have a permanent address but frequents the Overton and Kilgore areas. We’ll update this story as new information comes in.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District is issuing a boil water notice for customers located in the following areas: Cedar Branch Park (South portion), subdivisions located down Double Bridge Road (Timber Bay, Grandview Terrace, Wood Canyon Waters, Deer Island, Spillview estates, and other surrounding areas that experienced a water outage on November 20. The district covers approximately 20 square miles in northwest Henderson County, adjacent to the north and east banks of Cedar Creek Reservoir. Click here for further details and updates.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler police are searching for Edward Forrest Roddy, 51, from Tyler. He was reported missing by his mother who has not heard from him since the end of September. He is a black male approximately 5’11 and 150 lbs, bald, greying goatee and a tattoo on his neck that says “Shaneka”. He goes by the nickname “Punkin”. If you know his location or see him please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

MABANK – The Mabank Police Department is asking for your help in the search for 14 year old Sophia Flores of Mabank. Sophia was last seen November 17th. According to our news partner KETK, she is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 110 to 120 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, Sophia was wearing a grey hoodie and white sweat pants. Authorities believe that Flores may be in Henderson or that immediate area. If you have information contact local law enforcement

KILGORE – A traffic stop in Kilgore late Friday morning led to a chase with Kilgore Police, county and state officers. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of a pickup with a possibly stolen u-haul trailer which was allegedly full of marijuana. A high speed chase then occurred down interstate 20 into Kilgore with speeds over 100 mph. Both the Smith County Sheriff’s office and DPS laid down spikes to slow the truck down before it exited onto Highway 42. The driver passed through a number of red lights in Kilgore driving on the tires bare rims. After a second spiking from law enforcement, about 40 minutes had elapsed, the chase ended. The driver, a white male was charged with evading arrest and possession of stolen property. Authorities say additional charges are possible. He is in the Smith County jail and with a bond set at 1.5 million dollars.

KILGORE — The Texas Mutual Insurance Company, as part of a larger effort to support workforce development programs, has awarded the Kilgore College Foundation a 90 thousand dollar grant. The Foundations objective is training students for safe work practices. Also, they are helping Kilgore College buy a forklift and construct an area for forklift safety training. Texas Mutual Insurance also gave a 65 thousand dollar grant to Goodwill Industries of East Texas. These funds are part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company commitment of seven million dollars in grants that will go to nonprofits groups in Texas. So far, nearly 50 organizations have received more than three and half million dollars to help develop safe training and workforce development. That according to a prepared statement from Texas Mutual Insurance. The Austin based company is the leading workers compensation provider in Texas.

KILGORE – A man was arrested in Kilgore Friday after officials said a pickup truck towing an allegedly stolen U-Haul trailer took off as a K9 unit in Smith County tried to make a traffic stop. And late Friday afternoon, we learned the story had taken on a significant illegal drug angle. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Larry Christian says the truck led authorities on a chase around 11:30 a.m. down I-20 into Gregg County, with speeds exceeding 100 mph. Officials say the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and DPS deployed spikes in front of the truck before the pickup exited onto Highway 42. The driver blew through several red lights in Kilgore as sparks began to fly from the tireless rims of the truck and trailer, according to authorities. Continue reading Man arrested after 100 mph chase; officials say trailer “full of marijuana”

TYLER – Smith County reports retired judge Randall Rogers has died. According to our news partner KETK, the county said they are offering their thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the former County Court at Law No. 2 judge. County officials also thanked him for his 30 years of service to the county.

TYLER – Two men have been indicted in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. Randall V. Rule, 71, of Reno, NV, and Gregory C. Nysewander, 64, formerly of Irmo, SC, are charged with money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and a conspiracy to violate the Bank Secrecy Act.  The two are alleged to have conspired with others to launder the proceeds of wire fraud and mail fraud schemes through cryptocurrency. The defendants converted funds from romance scams, business email compromises, real estate scams, and other fraudulent schemes into cryptocurrency and sent the cryptocurrency to accounts controlled by foreign and domestic co-conspirators, according to federal officials. Click here for more details.

TYLER – Goodwill Industries of East Texas has been selected by Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, as a recipient of grants from its second request for proposal (RFP) of 2022. According to a news release, fewer than 50 organizations have been awarded more than $3.5 million to support their efforts in workforce development and safety training. As quoted in the release, Goodwill CEO and President Kimberly Lewis said, “We are honored to be among those chosen by Texas Mutual Insurance Company to continue in our mission of providing skills training and vocational opportunities for people with barriers to employment.  Goodwill’s focus has always been around putting people to work and utilizing safe work practices is critical in every industry.” Continue reading Goodwill gets grant from Texas Mutual

TYLER — Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center will be closed for renovations and maintenance from Monday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 26. During this period, officials say crews will be resurfacing the gym floor and repainting interior walls. The facility will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28, at 7 a.m. Classes and programs will resume their normal schedules upon reopening. For further information, call the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271 or visit this link.