KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has issued a warning of a man described as wearing “army gear” and carrying a rifle who reportedly fired one shot in the air. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall PD is actively searching in the West Rusk and Adkins area but have not located the man at this time. Officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911. They ask people to remain indoors if they are in the vicinity and to avoid the area if possible. Authorities said they will update the public as more information becomes available.

RUSK – Thursday the Rusk Rural Water Supply rescinded a boil water notice that affected a portion of their customers. The notice was posted Wednesday afternoon. The company says any questions you may have, call Rusk Rural Water Supply at 903-683-6178.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Thursday announced two teams of their mechanical engineering students won a total $30,000 through the Department of Energy Innovation Competition. According to our news partner KETK, the students were selected by the DOE for developing projects that will help their communities have clean energy.
Continue reading UT Tyler engineering students win 30K

TYLER – Southside Bank has announced the opening of a new loan production office in Dallas at 5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1055. the office officially opened on January 16 and will primarily serve clients in the Dallas area. This new office adds to the bank’s 15 locations throughout North Texas, and Lee Gibson, Southside’s President and CEO says it further demonstrates Southside’s commitment to growing their North Texas presence.

Southside Bank is headquartered in Tyler, with approximately $7.97 billion in assets. They currently operate 55 branches and a network of 73 ATMs throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas, and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston areas.

TYLER — On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the Tyler City Council approved continuing the professional services contract, in the amount of $2,379,480, with Fitzpatrick Architects and Halff for the Downtown Improvement Project. The companies will handle the architectural and engineering services for the project’s design/plan production, bidding, and construction. For the past nine months, collaborative efforts between the City, Smith County, Fitzpatrick Architects, and Halff resulted in finalized design plans for Downtown Tyler. The design was reviewed at a joint meeting with the Smith County Commissioners and City Council. It was also discussed with the Main Street Board and businesses located Downtown. The next steps include developing plans for bidding on the project and construction management during the duration of the project. Continue reading Downtown Improvement Project moves forward

TYLER– The Tyler Parks and Rec announced on Wednesday that the Glass Recreation Center is closed until further notice due to a water leak. According to our news partner KETK, officials say the water at the center has been shut off and the center will be closed until the situation can be accessed. The Glass Recreation Center say they will provide updates when they get more information.

KILGORE – Kilgore city officials report that five water breaks that were discovered Wednesday morning have been fixed. According to our news partner KETK, the breaks were found around 10:15 a.m. on Longview Street and Kay Street were repaired by 5:15 p.m. The city wants to remind homeowners to call city crews to turn off their water and to not get into their meter box. They wrote in a release, “If you have a personal shutoff installed as part of your repair from this freeze, the city will waive the fee for turning off the water.”

The city of Kilgore website also has a trash pickup update. You can find that here.

RUSK – Because of a water main leak, the Rusk Rural Water Supply has issued a boil water notice. According to our news partner KETK, the notice is for users off of FM 1248 and the following country roads: 2102, 2102, 2103, 2107, 2109, 2110, 2111, 2115, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2121, 2201, 2202 and 2217. Officials ask that water usage be limited to necessary use, and to bring any water to a rolling boil for two minutes before use or consumption. Rusk Rural Water Supply said they will notify customers when the boil water notice is lifted. Any questions regarding the water notice, call Rusk Rural Water Supply at 903-683-6178.

SHELBY COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report a 60-year-old man died in custody in Shelby County, the sheriff’s office said. James Jackson of Center died at approximately 5:35 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The Texas Rangers were called in and are investigating the death.

TATUM – Our news partners at KETK report that the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided last week to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s designation that Panola and Rusk counties do not meet national air quality standards for harmful dioxide due to a local coal plant. According to the Sierra Club, the EPA made its original nonattainment designation for the two counties in the 2010 sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Locals also raised health concerns in 2019 over possible exposure from the Martin Lake coal plant pollution. Continue reading Court upholds EPA air quality standards

TYLER – With severe winter conditions subsiding, TxDOT is asking drivers to be aware of their workers as they go about their day. With TxDOT working hard to treat roads, bridges and overpasses, they are also responsible with whats left after the freeze has gone. Jeff Williford, Public Information Officer for Tyler’s TxDOT District said, “Clean up, just from the granular material and things we put out. Branches, like I said before. We’ll work on clean-up of those, moving them from the roadway. Keep that in mind when you see us out, even after these events, to give us room ”
Continue reading TxDOT is cleaning up after the big freeze

KILGORE – With the icy winter weather letting up, Kilgore city officials report three water main breaks. According to our news partner KETK, two of the breaks are on Longview Street with the third on Kay Street. Repairs are expected to take most of the day. Highway 42 at Longview Street is currently running at one lane. Kilgore police said on Wednesday that there are still some scattered patches of ice, along with some black ice on the roads.

TYLER – With cold weather lingering Wednesday morning, about 5,177customers in East Texas are without power as of 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of counties with power outages from ONCOR and SWEPCO’s power outage maps, as well as several electric co-ops. You can find that list here.