KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Three charitable organizations will share a multimillion-dollar bequest from the estate of community philanthropist June S. Flock, who died July 2. The Marvin Methodist Church Foundation, the Tyler Junior College Foundation, and the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation each received $1.75 million. Spokespeople for all three organizations are expressing their appreciation. A CHRISTUS Health news release termed Flock “a gracious woman with a generous spirit, whose desire was ‘to be remembered.’”

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Policy Committee will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The committee will consider adopting an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program to update the highway projects list to reflect the latest project information in the TxDOT Unified Transportation Program. Also up for consideration: adopting an amendment to the Unified Planning Work Program to redistribute funds related to Task 5 – Special Studies. You can learn more here, and you can contact the MPO by calling (903) 531-1175 option 5.

LONGVIEW — Fairmont Street between Toler Road and H.G. Mosley Parkway in Longview has re-opened to two-way traffic. Officials say major roadway construction items along Fairmont Street have been completed. Minor work remains ongoing along Fairmont Street, which may require temporary lane closure, according to a news release. However, two-way traffic is expected to be provided for the remainder of the project. Click here for further details.

TYLER — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is pursuing charges against a Tyler bar in connection to a fatal crash on Jan. 14 that claimed the life of a Tyler Legacy High School senior. According to our news partner KETK, the TABC said the commission is pursuing administrative charges against Rose City Draft House for the “sale of alcoholic beverage to an intoxicated person,” as well as violations of the alcoholic beverage code’s requirement that the business not operate in a place or manner which endangers public safety. 24-year-old Jason Charles is accused of driving drunk and charged with intoxicated manslaughter in the crash that killed Lilly Thornburgh, who was senior at Tyler Legacy High School. Continue reading TABC to charge Tyler bar in connection to death of Tyler Legacy senior

WOOD COUNTY — A Wood County Precinct 2 Constable was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday for “use of excessive force,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Kelly Jason Smith, 46, was indicted in Sherman, Texas for the deprivation of rights under color of law. The indictment stated that on July 25, Smith told his police dog to bite a suspect “who did not pose a threat that warranted use of the police dog.” The suspect suffered unnecessary bodily injury, said the U.S. Attorney’s office. Smith could be sentenced to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of this offense. Continue reading Wood County Precinct 2 Constable indicted by federal grand jury

SMITH COUNTY — A construction worker has been hospitalized in Tyler after being struck by an alleged drunk driver on Highway 155, according to DPS and our news partner KETK. The construction worker was struck by a pickup truck Thursday morning, and is reported to have sustained serious injuries. Officials with DPS said the driver of the truck was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Additional details were not available.

WOOD COUNTY — Four people are dead in a Wednesday evening crash nine miles north of Quitman. According to a DPS news release, preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was traveling eastbound on FM 515 when the other vehicle disregarded a stop sign while southbound on FM 2966. The victims, aged 16 to 64, were from Winnsboro and Yantis. A passenger from Garland went to a Tyler hospital with what were termed incapacitating injuries.

TYLER – The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is investigating a Tyler sports bar, Where’s Rufus, regarding the crash that resulted in the death of Smith County Deputy Lorenzo Bustos in July. According to our news partner KETK, TABC claims the business violated a rule and “was operating in a place or manner that would endanger public health.” TABC also said they are still trying to determine the penalty for the alleged violation, which could include a settlement or a hearing. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says the 29-year-old Bustos died after he was hit by a drunk driver. Daniel Nyenze Nyabuto, 21, of Grand Prairie, was arrested and charged with intoxicated manslaughter.

EAST TEXAS — A number of events are scheduled around East Texas for Veterans Day. Among them: a program from noon till 2 p.m. at the American Freedom Museum on the campus of Brook Hill School in Bullard. It’s co-sponsored by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee and the Veterans Service Committee of the Tyler Economic Development Council. The event will include singing of patriotic songs, the honoring of fallen soldiers, poetry, and remarks from local leaders. Attendees are invited to tour the museum as part of the celebration. There is no charge to attend the celebration, but attendees are asked to register using this link. You can also contact Jackie Clay at (423) 505-6238. Veterans will receive a gift bag which includes a gift card to Chili’s Restaurant or Dairy Queen. Just one of the other community celebrations will happen at Kilgore College. Check here for more information on that event.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say they have found a woman who had gone missing. According to our news partner KETK, Nhan Le-Do, 57, had last been seen on Wednesday. Her car was found near Bill Owens Parkway. Officials say she was found on Clendenen Lane and taken to the hospital.

TYLER — An 18-year-old was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in a Smith County court on Nov. 2. According to our news partner KETK, Jaqualin Humphrey turned himself in to authorities in March after the Tyler Police Department announced the shooting and publicly named him as a suspect. The shooting took place in the area of North Ross Street and West Bow Street in Tyler on Saturday, March 12. Police responded to reports of gunshots in the area and at the same time, they also received a call about two 13-year-old girls who were each shot one time, according to authorities. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to 12 years for shooting two teens

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – Texas has executed an inmate for killing his mother and burying her body in her backyard nearly 20 years ago. Tracy Beatty was given a lethal injection Wednesday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. His execution came after courts had rejected arguments from his lawyers that he had not been adequately tested for mental disabilities. Beatty was condemned for strangling his 62-year-old mother, Carolyn Click, in November 2003 after they had argued in her East Texas home. Authorities say Beatty buried his mother’s body beside her mobile home. The 61-year-old Beatty was the fourth inmate executed in Texas this year.

TYLER — 75 years ago today Harry Truman was president of the United States, Beauford* Jester was governor of Texas, and the Federal Communications Commission issued a license for a new station in Tyler at 600 on the AM dial bearing the call letters KTBB. The station was owned by local businessmen Clint and Marshall Formby. At the time it signed on, KTBB could only broadcast during daylight hours. In addition to hearing this story at 600 on the AM radio band, you can also hear KTBB at 97.5 FM as well as on smartphones and smart speakers. Though the technology has evolved, what hasn’t changed is local ownership. Today, KTBB is the only locally-owned news media outlet in East Texas.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved two street work projects at its Wednesday meeting. One was a $1,318,390 construction contract to replace the streets, infrastructure, and storm sewer under South Thompson Avenue and Barger Street, where officials say the storm sewer and pavement have deteriorated in multiple areas. The Council also gave the nod to a $66,900 engineering contract to design new traffic signal infrastructure and install new equipment at the intersection of West Gentry Parkway and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. According to officials, the existing traffic signal and associated equipment are past their lifespan, and the traffic signal mast arms are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The project, including the design and construction, is estimated to be completed in about 18 months. Both projects are funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund.

TYLER – Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran resigned from his position as Smith County Judge on Wednesday following his election to the U.S. House District 1. According to our news partner KETK in a special called meeting of the Smith County Commissioners Court, Constable Josh Joplin talked about his experiences with Moran throughout the years. “You have probably brought this county county further for law enforcement and public safety in your tenure than any county judge ever has in the history of this county,” Joplin said. “Your concerns for public safety and the safety of the people go unmatched.” Commissioner Precinct 1 Neal Franklin was sworn in as the new county judge and taking his seat as Commissioner Precinct 1 will be Bullard Mayor Pam Frederick who was appointed and sworn into office by Judge Reeve Jackson at Wednesday’s special called meeting. The motion to approve her appointment was unanimously affirmed. Continue reading Nathaniel Moran resigns as Smith County Judge