KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – A Texas inmate whose lawyers say has a history of mental illness is scheduled to be executed for killing his mother and burying her body in her backyard nearly 20 years ago. Tracy Beatty of Whitehouse is set to receive a lethal injection Wednesday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. The 61-year-old Beatty was sentenced to death for strangling his mother, Carolyn Click, following an argument between the two in her East Texas home in November 2003. The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Wednesday morning to stop his execution. His attorneys argued he is being prevented from receiving a full examination to determine if he is intellectually disabled and possibly ineligible for execution.

MARSHALL – Police continue to seek leads in a shooting at Marshall’s Wiley College. Officials say at 1:40 Sunday morning, the Marshall Emergency Telecommunications Center received multiple calls regarding gunfire on Wiley Avenue. Marshall police responded, along with the Wiley College Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. On arrival, officers say they found one gunshot victim. The shooter had fled the scene. Investigation revealed that a second gunshot victim was transported to the hospital by private vehicle. Marshall police are working with the Wiley College Police Department on this ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

ATHENS – The Athens Collection Site will be open this week to help residents clean up after a tornado was confirmed in the city, according to the National Weather Service. Our news partner KETK reports the building on Aaron Street will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents can drop off storm trash for free. People should bring proof of residence like a water bill or ID and separate brush and debris. If people need help while they are cleaning up, they can reach out to Carla Henson at chenson@athenstx.gov or call 903-677-6615. No one was injured due to the tornado, but buildings were damaged and trees were knocked down, said the city of Athens. Residents are also urged to report any storm damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). Continue reading Cleanup continues after Athens tornado

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Gregg County, 
Longview maintenance is scheduled to begin bridge channel repair on South Loop 281 at Harris Creek. Motorists should expect right lane closures north and southbound with flaggers controlling traffic. In Smith County, 
Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on SH 64 eastbound near the Oil Palace. Motorists should expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. When complete, crews will base failure work on FM 850 from SH 31 heading east towards Overton. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the Tyler District.

TYLER — Smith County’s vacant building on Line Street in downtown Tyler was heavily damaged in Friday’s storms. Officials said Monday morning that crews were working to clear the debris, and the parking lot and front entrance of the Adult Probation building across the street are closed. Smith County is planning on having the brick building demolished as soon as possible, according to a news release. Appointments at Adult Probation have been temporarily postponed. If you are on probation in Smith County, you can follow the department’s Facebook page to stay updated by clicking here.

WOOD COUNTY – DPS reports one person has died after an officer-involved shooting in Wood County on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said the incident involved the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the case is being investigated by the Texas Rangers. The name of the victim was not immediately released.

WILLS POINT — A woman was killed in Wills Point after being hit by a train. According to our news partner KETK and Wills Point Police Chief Aaron Long, officials received a dispatch call on Sunday evening from the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office regarding a pedestrian/train crash near Ash Lane (Lybrand Crossing). Officers arrived to find a dead female and began conducting an investigation, speaking with multiple witnesses and train personnel. The woman was identified by witnesses and family as Emily Ross. Continue reading East Texas woman fatally struck by train

TYLER — A new poll shows that the issues voters care most about favor Republicans. The University of Texas at Tyler poll surveyed about one-thousand registered voters. The top two issues are securing the border and the economy and inflation, which are issues Republicans are stressing. The majority of voters in the poll feel Governor Abbott will do a better job at securing the border over Democrat challenger Beto O’Rourke. Something Abbott has made a key issue of his 2022 midterm election campaign. O’Rourke has focused more on gun legislation and abortion rights. The poll shows Abbott with a six-point lead over O’Rourke. Election day is Tuesday, November 8.

ATHENS – The National Weather service has been assessing storm damage in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the NWS Fort Worth had a storm survey teams out in Henderson County on Saturday and continued surveying through the weekend. The team in Henderson County confirmed a tornado impacted the city of Athens. They gave it a preliminary rating of EF-2 with max winds up to 115 mph. Extensive damage was reported at the Athens Steel Building Corporation on Northeast Loop 7. Trees have also fallen in the area near the building as well as on County Road 3718. We’ll continue to update this story as new information comes in.

PITTSBURG – Pittsburg Police Department said Sunday that a vehicle pursuit ended after a 15-year-old female allegedly stole a Jeep Wrangler in Harrison County and crashed into an unmarked Pittsburg Police car. According to our news partner KETK, Pittsburg Police said that they were asked by DPS to deploy stop sticks in order to stop the chase that had come in on Highway 11 east from Harrison County. Authorities said that the chase ended when the suspect crashed into the unmarked Pittsburg Police car on the 600 block of South Greer Boulevard. Officials said, the suspect was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest, and criminal mischief greater than $2500 and less than $30,000. They were transported to Gregg County Juvenile Center, according to Pittsburg Police Department.

HUGHES SPRINGS – Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy said that Hughes Springs City Hall is salvageable, even after sustaining heavy storm damage on Friday evening. According to Chief Kennedy, the building’s roof collapsed, windows broke and various rooms received rain damage but the buildings records are intact. According to our news partner KETK, Chief Kennedy said that they are going to have get the windows replaced and a new roof but that the building isn’t as damaged as they originally thought. He added that the Hughes Springs Volunteer Fire Department building is a total loss and will have to be replaced entirely. City Hall will remain locked, so residents will either have to knock or make an appointment to be let in while repairs are being made in the next few days, according to Chief Kennedy. Chief Kennedy added that he wanted to thank a local storage facility for taking in their fire trucks while they work on replacing their fire department.

MORRIS COUNTY – Morris County Judge Doug Reeder announced on Saturday that a tornado which left several houses destroyed on Friday has also left one person dead. According to our news partner KETK, the tornado was one of three which hit Morris county. It downed many trees, power lines and destroyed or damaged several homes before killing one person north of State Highway 49, according to Judge Reeder. The tornado eventually passed into Cass county after starting in Cason. Judge Reeder added that crews are continuing to work to clear roads.

ATHENS — As storms moved through East Texas, some places in the Athens area were severely damaged. According to our news partner KETK, extensive damage was reported at the Athens Steel Building Corporation at 900 Northeast Loop 7. Trees have also fallen in the area near the building as well as on County Road 3718. As of Saturday morning, the National Weather Service has not yet confirmed that a tornado touched down in Athens.

EAST TEXAS — Hughes Springs sustained major storm damage from possible tornadoes in the area according to our news partner KETK. The Hughes Springs Fire Department and city hall sustained drastic damage as a result of the storm. Paris has also sustained major damage to homes and properties. The Morris County Sheriff’s Department said they have received numerous calls reporting damage in the area but could not confirm or deny if anyone has been injured. The county has emergency responders answering multiple calls and is asking residents to take caution and watch for downed trees and power lines. Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy said that Hughes Springs City Hall is salvageable, even after sustaining heavy storm damage on Friday evening. Continue reading Damage from storms in East Texas