KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Wednesday, a Tyler man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to online solicitation of a minor under the age of 14. According to our news partner KETK, 69-year-old Newell Milton Vandergrift of Tyler was arrested Nov. 2022, after authorities were told of Vandergrift’s multiple solicitation attempts of minors around East Texas.

Law enforcement constructed a sting operation in October of the same year. On Oct. 13, a person posed undercover as a 13-year-old girl as part of a decoy “for the predator sting” where she spoke to a man named “Mike” via the application Meet24. A meet was set up at a Tyler gas station. When Mike showed up to meet the girl, other members of the sting operation approached, and he left. The Tyler group told officials they identified Mike as Vandergrift from another sting two months before in Big Sandy.

Law enforcement was able to view “Mike’s” Meet24 profile photo and make confirmation it was Vandergrift using his Pennsylvania driver’s license.

GREGG COUNTY – A Kilgore man is sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking drugs and supplying methamphetamines in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Rodney Dewayne Fagans, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth. In a release from United States Attorney’s Office, Fagans reportedly admitted to selling large quantities of meth in Gregg County. The attorney’s office said 15 other people involved in the drug distribution network have been sentenced to federal prison.

TYLER – The board of Southside Bancshares Inc., the holding company for Southside Bank, unanimously voted to appoint a new president for the company and bank. According to our news partner KETK, Keith Donahoe was appointed as the president of Southside Bancshares Inc. and Southside Bank on May 16. In a release from Southside, Donahoe joined the bank in 2021 and has over 20 years experience in bank leadership.

Lee Gibson, Southside Bank CEO said, “Keith brings an extensive wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to this position, having demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in his role as the Bank’s Regional President of Central Texas over the last three years. His deep understanding of our industry, our culture and his vision for Southside’s future make him the ideal candidate to serve as President.”

LINDALE – Lindale High School was named the 2024 Conference 4A UIL State Academic Champions. According to our news partner KETK, for Lindale ISD, this championship is their fourth UIL Academic State Championship in the past eight years, earning the title in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2024.

Jeremy Chilek, Lindale High School principal, said, “I cannot begin to express how proud I am of our students and staff in LHS capturing the 4A UIL Academic State Championship. We have phenomenal students and relentless coaches who have worked tirelessly over the course of this entire school year toward this goal. This is something our entire campus can celebrate, as so many have had a hand in this tremendous accomplishment!”

The UIL Academics State Meet consisted of events including math, science, one-act play, spelling, current events, computer applications, accounting, journalism and speaking.

TYLER – The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual State of the City luncheon on Thursday, at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. Mayor Don Warren shared achievements from the past year in a question-and-answer session. Warren also provided information on upcoming projects, opportunities, challenges and future goals for Tyler. Mayor Warren emphasized how the City is becoming “Future Ready” through initiatives that were in the early planning stages years before and are now complete or moving forward.  

He went over the timeline for improvements to Downtown Tyler, which will be transformed by 2027. Increasing connectivity, ease of walking, parking and public spaces are part of the improvement efforts to the downtown area. The Mayor also shared the progress that’s already taking place with new businesses opening. 
Continue reading Tyler Mayor talks “Future Ready”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler received a $25,000 donation from the Texas Wounded Warrior Foundation for the Richard and Madeline Lewis Scholarship, which supports UT Tyler student veterans. The foundation annually matches funds by and are partners with the Dew Boys organization at Eagle’s Bluff County Club in Bullard. The check presentation was held Wednesday, May 22, at the UT Tyler University Center.

Continue reading UT Tyler receives donation in support of student veterans

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, arrest warrants were issued after a “senior prank” went too far last Thursday. Lufkin ISD Police issued warrants for five high school seniors who they say vandalized the high school campus after hours. The students have also been barred from walking in graduation on Thursday night. A similar “senior prank” vandalism incident occurred this year in Longview, and students involved were not allowed to participate in graduation.

“Lufkin ISD will not tolerate this type of behavior that results in destruction of public property and disregard for staff, other students and the learning environment of our campuses,” Lufkin ISD said. “Parents need to have conversations with their children that these pranks can lead to school consequences, criminal charges and restitution for damages.”

TYLER – Tyler has been named a 2023 Tree City USA for their 15th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. According to our news partner KETK, the award was given to the city for its commitment to “urban forest management.” To qualify for the award, the city had to meet four requirements:

Have a tree board or department
Have a tree care ordinance
Maintain an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita
Hold an Arbor Day observance and proclamation
Continue reading Tyler named Tree City USA for 15th consecutive year

TYLER – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, and Commissioners Court will be held at the normal time on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. .

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler’s (UTT) Master of Business Administration program has been ranked among the top 30 in the nation by Fortune Magazine. According to a release from UTT, their program is ranked 29th nationwide for Fortune Magazine’s “Best Online MBA Programs in 2024.” UT Tyler said that they are one of only two UT system schools in the top 30, having been ranked 46th last year. “This recognition by Fortune Magazine is a testimony to the quality of our programs and our dedicated Soules College of Business faculty, who prepare the next generation of business leaders and professionals in the East Texas region and beyond,” Dr. Amir Mirmiran, UT Tyler provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said. UT Tyler said that their online MBA program is affordable and flexible, offering a number of different concentrations and being able to be completed in as little as one year.

TYLER – On Wednesday, the City of Tyler Mayor and City Council members were sworn into office after running unopposed. Those taking their oath of office included the re-elected Mayor Don Warren, Disrict Four Council Member James Wynne and District Six Council Member Brad Curtis. Following the swearing-in, the council held a meeting, where they elected Council Member Stuart Hene as Mayor Pro Tem.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2024 W. T. “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. According to our news partner KETK, the 25th annual award will honor an individual or organization “exemplifying the concept of public health distinguished by protecting and promoting the health of the community.” NET Health added that all nominations must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. May 31, and that the nominee does not need to be a public health professional and that their services may be civic, cultural, health, welfare or philanthropic. Continue reading NET Health opens nominations for ‘Doc’ Ballard award

EAST TEXAS — Memorial Day weekend will bring increased traffic on Texas roads. Motorists are reminded that state law requires drivers to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles – including tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks – stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated. Texas law requires drivers to slow down at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit or, if able, to change lanes when they’re passing a first responder stopped on the road with their emergency lights activated, according to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).

Large numbers of travelers are expected on Texas roads, which means that more breakdowns and traffic stops are likely as well. Drivers should pay attention to what’s happening around them and prepare to react quickly. Continue reading Move over for Memorial Day