KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Things are getting better for East Texans who were hit with power outages caused by Sunday’s storm. KETK reports about 35,000 people in the region lost power beginning Sunday. That led to families packing into cars to stay warm and additional hotel room bookings. There’s been quite a bit of improvement since the storm hit, though a number of people remained without electricity late Tuesday. The Longview News-Journal reports some customers may not get their electricity back on until today. Oncor brought in crews from unaffected cities, along with a helicopter to help pinpoint the outage areas.

TYLER — In response to inclement weather conditions that persist today, City of Tyler Emergency Management officials say a warming center will remain open for citizens in need of these services. The temporary warming center, operated by the American Red Cross, is located at the St. Louis Baptist Church, 4000 Frankston Hwy. The site is capable of housing 140 occupants and will provide light refreshments, including coffee and snacks for those in need. Officials will continue to evaluate weather conditions throughout the day and will decide on the need for overnight sheltering services as the day progresses. If additional shelters are needed for long-term stays, officials will release this information, along with the locations of any potential sites. Continue reading City of Tyler Keeps Warming Center Open

EAST TEXAS — Following Sunday’s storm, the Smith County DPS says roadways are generally passable around East Texas. But KETK reports officials are still urging motorists to proceed carefully due to remnants of the storm. There have been no road closures, but traffic has continued to back up in some areas. As usual during cold, wet weather, bridges and overpasses call for additional caution. You might also want to allow yourself more travel time as you’re heading out.

SMITH COUNTY — Due to continued power outages in the area of Starrville-Friendship, a boil water notice has been issued. Officials said it will be in effect until further notice.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department Monday evening asked drivers to avoid the intersection of Loop 323 SSW and Hwy. 31W if at all possible. Shortly after 5:00 p.m. a commercial vehicle attempting to make a U-turn at the intersection struck a traffic control pole knocking out all power at the intersection. Officers with the Tyler PD headed to the scene to direct traffic. According to a statement from police issued shortly before 7 p.m., small personal vehicles can travel in all directions, but due to low hanging wires commercial vehicles are only able to travel north or southbound. The City of Tyler Street department also headed to the scene and began attempting to restore power to the intersection. Again, drivers have been asked to use caution if traveling through the intersection and be prepared for delays until power is restored.

TYLER — No injuries were reported and no evacuations were needed after the Tyler Fire Department responded to the Azalea Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care facility at 5550 Old Jacksonville Hwy. Five units answered the call. The initial call was received just after 3:00 Monday afternoon, with the caller reporting fire in an area of the electrical panel near the kitchen. Upon arrival, firefighters reported light smoke in the kitchen and determined the source to be a pile of towels smoldering in a nearby area. Firefighters quickly brought the situation under control. Firefighters remain on the scene at this time, along with investigators from the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office. Authorities say additional information will be released as it becomes available.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters got busy Monday with a blaze at 2315 Devine St. The initial call was received around 1:45 p.m., with the caller reporting that a generator was on fire in close proximity to a storage building behind the residence. Firefighters observed smoke conditions while en route to the scene and upgraded the incident to a two-alarm call. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a District Chief and an Investigator, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, the fire had spread to a nearby storage building, which was fully involved. Firefighters discovered propane bottles in the building and quickly worked to extinguish the blaze, while also preventing the bottles from overheating. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials say they’ll release more information when it’s available

DALLAS (AP) — Operators of the state’s electric grid have urged conservation after freezing, icy weather led to power outages and forced some North Texas schools to call off classes. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas asked consumers to limit power use Monday morning amid concerns over high demand. Oncor reported about 7,600 homes and businesses without electricity, mainly in the Tyler and Dallas-Fort Worth areas.

DALLAS (AP) — Operators of the state’s electric grid have urged conservation after freezing, icy weather led to power outages and forced some North Texas schools to call off classes. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas asked consumers to limit power use Monday morning amid concerns over high demand. Oncor reported about 7,600 homes and businesses without electricity, mainly in the Tyler and Dallas-Fort Worth areas. The Dallas Independent School District canceled classes Monday and cited safety concerns for students and staff due to icy roads. The Denton and Arlington districts also called off school due to inclement weather. The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory until midmorning Monday for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Forecasters say sunny conditions should return by Tuesday with highs predicted in the upper 40s.

GILMER – A Gilmer High School Football Player has died while playing basketball with his friends. Coach Jeff Traylor confirms the death of junior wide receiver Desmond Pollard Sunday night. According to a tweet from Coach Traylor, “Desmond Pollard a Jr. WR #8 just passed away. He was the 4th of his brothers we coached. His sweet smile will always be missed.” The coach said Pollard was playing basketball when he collapsed and stopped breathing.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Longview Resident Matthew McConaughey has won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance as a desperate and determined AIDS patient in “Dallas Buyers Club.” McConaughey lost some 40 pounds for the role, which capped a remarkable recent career transformation for the 44-year-old actor, once a regular in lightweight romantic comedies. It was his first Oscar nomination; he won the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama earlier this year. Continue reading McConaughey Wins Oscar for Best Actor

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful are sponsoring a free bulky item collection for City of Tyler residential customers as a part of Spring Cleanup Week. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. The Solid Waste Department will be picking items up for one week only, Monday, March 3 through March 7. Continue reading Time for Tyler’s Bulky Item Collection

ATHENS (AP) — State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy is continuing to meet with local officials in Texas counties about the dangers of ammonium nitrate, the chemical that detonated in the West fertilizer explosion. Connealy and officials from other state agencies will appear Monday afternoon in Athens. They will meet with businessmen and officials in Henderson County. Continue reading Fire Marshal to Continue Ammonium Nitrate Tour

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation, weather permitting.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Northeast Loop 323 in Tyler, between the Loop 323 Extension and Commerce Street. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 15 between Troup and the Rusk County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police arrested hundreds of people who strapped themselves to the White House fence on Sunday to protest the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. The protesters were mostly college students who participated in a peaceful march that began at Georgetown University and ended outside the White House. They chanted “climate justice now” and carried signs with slogans such as “don’t tarnish the earth” in an effort to persuade President Barack Obama to reject the pipeline. They say it will worsen global warming. Continue reading Pipeline Protesters Arrested at White House

LONGVIEW — Hundreds of East Texans are without power and Longview police are urging motorists to stay off the roads as freezing rain blankets the region. According to the Longview News-Journal, as of about 5:45 p.m., AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co. 546 customers in Gregg County and 285 customers in Upshur County were without power.

EAST TEXAS — An Arctic blast has blown through East Texas today dropping temperatures into the 20s. Just a reminder, bridges and overpasses are the first to become icy. Periods of sleet and freezing rain will last into early tonight before ending around 9 or 10 pm. Depending on how much precipitation falls, we could wind up with ice accumulations of one tenth to one quarter of an inch of sleet and freezing rain. According to KETK, this could make driving hazardous and cause some tree and power line damage, resulting in power outages by this evening. The precipitation will end before midnight and temperatures will continue to drop reaching the mid to upper teens by early tomorrow morning. Skies will become partly sunny on Monday with highs in the 30s.

TYLER — Young adults in foster care had their very own prom Saturday evening at the Glass Recreation Center in Tyler. It’s the annual “Pal Prom 2014”. According to KETK, the project allows teens who share similar experiences to meet and have fun together. Before the big event at 5:00, the girls got to pick up a dress, shoes and jewelry at Shiloh Road Church of Christ. The young boys also had their time to get ready and were treated to bowling. Star College of Cosmetology in Tyler gave the girls a full beauty experience. Continue reading Prom Night for Foster Kids

LONGVIEW– Two people have been injured in a Longview house fire. It happened at a home in the 400 block of Dawn Street Saturday afternoon. According to KETK, three people were inside the house at the time of the fire and were able to escape; however, two were injured in the process. An adult and a child were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The house did receive some smoke damage. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.

GILMER — A 27-year-old Gilmer man died early Friday morning in a one-vehicle wreck on Texas 300, in Upshur County. Justin Shawn Frost was driving a 2008 pickup north on the highway about 3:45 when the truck veered to the right lane near FM 726. According to the Longview News-Journal, the intersection is known by the shuttered A&W convenience store on its corner. Frost was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators did not immediately determine whether Frost had been wearing a seat belt. He was supposed to be married Saturday. Continue reading Gilmer Groom Dies In Wreck

TYLER — Anyone with outstanding court costs and fines in Smith County had through Friday to arrange for payment. Smith County is combining forces with 320 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in the largest joint warrant round up of this type in the state. On Saturday, officers began visiting homes, neighborhoods, and places of work to arrest anyone who has not settled his or her debt with Smith County. According to a county news release, more than 1,300 bright yellow notices were mailed out this week to individuals with active warrants for delinquent fees in Smith County. The Smith County courts have hundreds of active warrants they’re seeking to clear. No amnesty is being offered in conjunction with the Round Up effort.

TYLER — He’s “highly respected and displays the utmost professionalism in the image he projects for the Tyler Police Department.” That’s why Officer Charles “Chuck” Boyce was named Officer of the Year at Friday evening’s Tyler Police Department Annual Awards Banquet. Numerous honors were handed out at the event, held at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. Continue reading Awards Handed Out at Tyler Police Banquet

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was sentenced Thursday to 27 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of continuous violence against a family member, Assistant Gregg County District Attorney Chris Botto said. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Eric Lamothe Hill, 38, was tried this past week in the 124th District Court on the third degree felony charge. Continue reading Longview Man Gets 27 Years for Violence against Family Member

TYLER — An armed robbery suspect who was captured following a manhunt January 15 has been indicted in Smith County. KETK reports Adam Heath Bowers was indicted on two counts of aggravated robbery Thursday and is currently being held in the Smith County Jail on $660,000 bond. On January 15, acting on a tip from the Lindale Police Department, the Smith County Sheriff’s Narcotics, Criminal Investigation, K-9, and Patrol Divisions initiated surveillance on Lavender Road half a mile north of Loop 323 in search of Bowers. The surveillance began at 4:00 p.m. after he was reported to be in that area. Bowers was wanted on two armed robbery warrants and aggravated assault warrants. Continue reading Armed Robbery Suspect Indicted Following January Manhunt

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a theft of two outside air conditioning units from ArtsView Children’s Theatre, 313 W. Tyler St. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the theft was reported Wednesday, but police suspect it occurred between Saturday and Wednesday. Brian said the units taken are valued at $5,000 each. Anyone with information is asked to call Longview police at (903) 237-1199.

TYLER – Four Tyler ISD high school students were recently honored by the White House for their video submission in the inaugural White House Student Film Festival. The festival was created for students across the country to share reasons technology is important and how they use technology in their classrooms. Continue reading Tyler ISD Students Receive Accolades from the White House

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Jay Dean began a new push for a walker-friendly city Thursday, spring-boarding from a presentation about an ongoing pedestrian study. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “I would recommend to council that we have a discussion about the entire city of Longview … we really need to consider a citywide program … and in doing so look at a long-term project to where we can associate funding to pay,” Dean said. Continue reading Longview Mayor Pushes Citywide Sidewalks

TYLER — Two units were damaged by a fire Friday morning at the Eastwood Apartments, 1030 Old Omen Road in Tyler. Firefighters were dispatched at 10:25 a.m., and officials say the blaze was brought under control shortly after their arrival. According to a Tyler Fire Department news release, occupants of one unit awoke to a popping sound, saw the kitchen area on fire, and evacuated the apartment. No injuries were reported. Investigators believe the fire started in the kitchen from food left cooking on the stove. One unit sustained heavy fire damage and another light smoke damage. The occupants of the fire-damaged unit are staying with family.

TYLER — The Brookshire’s FRESH 15 race is set for Saturday, and approximately 2,000-plus runners are expected. The 15K-5K-1K event starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends around 10:00 a.m. A concert by Curtis Grimes will follow at Fresh by Brookshire’s. The event benefits Bethesda Health Clinic and the American Heart Association. The Tyler Police Department has issued a traffic advisory for FRESH 15, whose participants will be running specific courses throughout Southwest Tyler. Continue reading FRESH 15 Race Set for Saturday; Traffic Advisory Issued

TYLER– The University of Texas at Tyler has been awarded $50,000 to continue research on an epidemic disease affecting potatoes. The funds, consisting of two grants from the 2014 Zebra Chip Specialty Crop Research Initiative, will assist Dr. Blake Bextine’s continued efforts to help suppress the potato disease known as Zebra Chip and further analyze the ‘potato psyllid’ or Bactericera cockerelli, the determined disease-causing agent. Continue reading UT Tyler Continues Lead Investigations into Potato Epidemic