KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler received a $447,195 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support breast cancer research. According to our news partner KETK and a UTT news release, Dr. May Abdelaziz, an assistant pharmacy professor at the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy, is conducting research into HER2, a protein that promotes the growth of breast cancer. UTT reportedly received a grant from the NIH to support Abdelaziz’s research.

“The receipt of this NIH grant underscores the impactful research being conducted at the Fisch College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Amy Schwartz, Fisch College of Pharmacy dean, said. “Dr. Abdelaziz’s innovative work in developing targeted therapy for breast cancer highlights our college’s contribution to cutting-edge solutions in health care and pharmaceutical sciences.” Continue reading Professor receives grant for breast cancer research

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced Monday to 44 years in prison in connection to a 2021 shooting. According to our news partner KETK, 26-year-old Zaccheus Keion Dunn was found guilty for the murder of Christopher Frank Eiglebiger. Police records say Eiglebiger was fatally shot May 13, 2021 at a residence in Tyler. A second suspect, 29-year-old Dakevian Beniot Scroggins was identified in connection to the murder. On July 25, Tyler Police arrested Scroggins and he was charged with capital murder, evading arrest/detention and a parole violation. His trial was scheduled to start Monday.

LONGVIEW – It was announced on Monday that Eastman Chemical Company plans to invest $1.3 billion in expanding their Longview facility. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Longview has been named as the location for Eastman’s second U.S. molecular recycling facility, which is expected to add more than 200 full-time jobs. City of Longview Mayor Andy Mack said the additional positions will have an average annual salary of $92,000. In a release, it was said the Longview site was selected due to synergies with existing infrastructure, operations and the location also has enough space for on-site renewable energy.

“We are excited to announce this next step in our commitment to our circular strategy with the decision to locate our second U.S. molecular recycling facility at our existing site in Texas,” Eastman Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa said. “We have decades of history successfully operating in Longview, and this will be a great investment for the local community.”

“This facility will mark the single largest capital investment in the Longview area in LEDCO history,” the city said in a release.

SMITH COUNTY – A man is dead after an overnight shooting in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, sheriff’s office said they received a call around 12:30 a.m. on Monday and responded to the scene in the 14600 block of Park Hill where the caller allegedly told them her father had been shot by her brother. Life-saving measures were started on the victim, who was identified as 79-year-old Dell Howard Tilley, of Tyler, and authorities said a man was immediately detained. Tilley was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, according to officials, and an autopsy has been ordered.

Investigators completed an arrest affidavit and received a warrant for murder for the suspect identified as Christopher Tilley. According to Sergeant Larry Christian, Tilley was taken to the Smith County Jail and booked for the warrant with a bond set at $750,000.

LONGVIEW – It was announced on Monday that Eastman Chemical Company plans to invest $1.3 billion in expanding their Longview facility. According to the City of Longview, they have been named as the location for Eastman’s second U.S. molecular recycling facility, which is expected to add more than 200 full-time jobs. City of Longview Mayor Andy Mack said the additional positions will have an average annual salary of $92,000. “We are excited to announce this next step in our commitment to our circular strategy with the decision to locate our second U.S. molecular recycling facility at our existing site in Texas,” Eastman Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa said. “We have decades of history successfully operating in Longview, and this will be a great investment for the local community.” The Longview site was selected due to synergies with existing infrastructure, operations and the location also has enough space for on-site renewable energy.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early Monday morning shooting that left a 79-year-old man dead. According to a press release, deputies responded to a home on Park Hill following a 911 call around 12:30 from a woman saying her father had been shot by her brother. Arriving officials attempted life saving measures, to no avail. The victim, identified as Dell Howard Tille, of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. An an autopsy has been ordered. The suspect was arrested and the reported weapon was secured. Officials said charges are expected later this morning and the suspect will be identified at that time. The investigation is ongoing. More details will be released as they become available.

TYLER – The annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail opened Friday to Tyler residents and visitors until April 8. According to our news partner KETK, the trails are about 10 miles along residential gardens that include azaleas, tulips, wisteria and dogwood. There will be activities on the trails such as art shows, festivals, historic home tours, markets and the famous horse drawn carriages.
Susan Travis, Visit Tyler Vice President of Sales said, “This is the time of year where Tyler comes alive with colors,” “Everyone loves getting out in the spring in Tyler.” A bonus this year will be the solar eclipse on April 8.

Travis added, “We love that the Trails attract out-of-town visitors to Tyler because while they’re here, they not only visit the Azalea Trails, but they spend money in our hotels, restaurants, shops, and more. Visitors have a large economic impact on the community during this time.”

More information is available on the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail and events at Totality Tyler and Visit Tyler.

TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz stopped by the Smith County Republican Club annual presidents dinner at the Hollytree Country Club on Saturday to talk about the southern border. Cruz said you may not think Tyler is a border town but he says we might as well be. “The last three years, we’ve seen 10.4 million people cross into this country illegally,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, (R) Texas.

“Joe Biden is sending illegal immigrants right here,” said Cruz. He added that Republican senators tried to pass an amendment saying Biden couldn’t fly any more migrants into the county, but that the Democrats voted no. “Last year, they flew 320,000 illegal immigrants into this country, understand, they’re not just coming across the border,” said Cruz. Cruz says Biden continues to fly illegal immigrants to 40 different United States cities. “This is no longer a battle between Republican and Democrat, this is not a battle between conservative and liberal, this is a battle between sanity and bat crap crazy,” said Cruz. He added Texas continues to show everyone they will fight to secure the border.

TYLER – On March 26th, Chapel Hill ISD will be hosting their initial groundbreaking for their new construction projects. According to our news partner KETK, the site of the new junior high will be first at 11:15 a.m., with the projected finishing date set for Fall 2025. The high school bus loop will host the second groundbreaking at 12:15 p.m. Possible severe weather was the reason for the original Monday date being switched to Tuesday.

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK, two dogs attacked a Texarkana police officer who was responding to a reported attack on a local woman. According to Texarkana Police Department, patrol officer Chris Flores responded to the 700 block of Wilson Street to a reported dog attack on a woman. Two large pit bull mix dogs charged him as he walked toward the house. The officer struck one of the dogs with his flashlight, but they were able to overwhelm him. He was knocked down and mauled by the dogs until Officer Matthew Lindsey arrived shortly after. Afraid that he could not shoot the dogs without injuring the officer under attack, Lindsey sprayed them with his fire extinguisher. Officer Flores had extensive injuries and was placed into Officer Jose Chaves’ patrol unit and quickly taken to a local hospital.

The second dog was captured without any incident. After one of the dogs charged an Animal Control Officer attempting to get a hold of the dog – officers shot it. The dog was not killed by the gunshot but wounded enough so that it could be caught. Continue reading Pit Bull attacks sends two to hospital

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a man has been arrested following a shooting at a convenience store in Longview that resulted in one death. The Longview Police Department said at approximately 3:40 a.m. they responded to a reported shooting at the EZ Mart at 700 Gilmer Rd. Officials said that upon arrival they discovered that an adult male had sustained a gunshot wound with “life-threatening injuries” and was being taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. The police said that the victim later passed away from their injuries.

Detectives reportedly identified Tykiron Mumphrey, 20 of Gladewater, as their suspect and he has been taken into custody and charged with murder. Longview PD is asking that anyone with any additional information about the incident contact them at 903-237-1110 or to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.

TEXARKANA — Our news partners at KETK report that a 1-year-old has reportedly died at a Texarkana apartment after being hit by a vehicle while playing outside in the parking lot. According to a release, police responded to the scene in the 3900 block of West 39th Street, where a 1-year-old boy was struck and killed by a vehicle. The police department said they are conducting an investigation but “it appears that the driver never saw the child.”