KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GALESBURG, Illinois — A McAllen man is in jail in Galesburg, Illinois, accused of stabbing an East Texas man to death. According to our news partner KETK, Gregory Acosta, 28, of Lindale was killed in an early morning stabbing, that took place Wednesday in a parking lot. Police have indicated Acosta was stabbed numerous times in the torso before being dropped off at a local emergency room. He was then transferred to a hospital in Peoria, where he was pronounced dead.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler revealed a new look for “Swoop” the mascot. The new new look for “Swoop” was unveiled on Thursday in virtual presentation. President Dr. Michael Tidwell, said “Just over a year ago, we decided we wanted a new and fresh look for our beloved mascot ‘Swoop’. So we put together some of the brightest minds in our student body, made up of student athletes and student leaders. They wanted a mascot with great life and wonderful vitality.” Take a look at “Swoop’s” debut by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/uttyler/videos/686617485262706.

TYLER — The Red Dirt BBQ Festival has canceled this year’s festivities. Officials on Wednesday, cited challenges from Governor Abbott’s Executive Order of recommendations regarding mass gatherings. If you have already purchased tickets, refund information is available by clicking the link. https://reddirtbbqfest.com/. Tickets for this year’s gathering, will be honored at next year’s event, scheduled for May of 2021.

LONGVIEW — Kilgore police said that multiple people were arrested Tuesday in a multi-agency operative. According to our news partner KETK, a criminal organization had been targeted and eight people were arrested across Gregg and Rusk County. None of the identities of those arrested were released. The Texas Anti-Gang Unit, Smith County K-9s, Gregg County Sheriff, Rusk County Sheriff, DPS Special Response Team, Longview PD and DEA were all involved in the operative.

TYLER — A Tyler man will spend 37 years in prison for the murder of a Chapel Hill High School senior earlier this year. According to our news partner KETK, 18-year-old John Sparks pleaded guilty to killing 17-year old Zane Collier, last April. As part of the plea agreement, Sparks gave up his right to appeal. The warrant stated that Sparks, confessed to the crime in an interview with police the following day. According to the warrant, Collier and a friend went to Sparks’ home where they robbed him of the marijuana. Continue reading 37 year sentence for Tyler teen after pleading guilty to murder

KILGORE — The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College announced Wednesday, that they will host its 40th anniversary celebration beginning Saturday, Sept. 5, with a limited exhibit depicting the history of the Great East Texas Oil Field and the inception of the museum in 1980. The restricted presentation of the commemoration exhibit will be on display through Oct. 24. Visitors can also experience the upgraded Boomtown Theater which was part of a two-year museum renovation project thanks to a grant from the city of Kilgore. Continue reading ETOM at KC celebrating 40th anniversary beginning Saturday

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is preparing for a produce distribution on Friday. The drive-thru event will take place at the East Texas State Fairgrounds from 8 to 10 a.m. Lauren Barnes told KTBB, “This will be passed out on a first-come first served basis, and there are no eligibility requirements or paperwork necessary.” Lauren Barnes went on to say, “The event has moved away from the farmers-market style, where families could pick out what items worked best for their family, but just with COVID, we want to limit person-to-person contact. That is the reason we have moved to a drive-thru pick-up.” Continue reading ETFB announces upcoming produce drop

TYLER -Tyler Police will be presenting a virtual crime watch meeting on September 8, at 6:30 p.m. Flock safety will also be sharing technology that they are using to help TPD address crime quicker and more efficiently. Click the link to register for the webinar. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VGIwIaRFQBiBu77HcY1vyw.

JACKSONVILLE — A prayer vigil was held in honor of a missing Jacksonville teen, Tyress Gipson, Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK, his mother, Lavance Wooten, is pleading for help. “It’s unbearable, I never thought that I would be looking at my baby on a poster that says missing. I never in a million years, I didn’t think that I would be in a situation like this. If I had known I would go through something like this, I would have rethought having children.” It has been 10 days since Wooten has seen her son, leaving the entire family desperate for answers, and praying he comes home soon. Continue reading Prayer vigil held for missing Jacksonville teen

TYLER — Tyler City Hall will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday. In addition, Tyler Solid Waste offices, the Tyler Recycle Center and Holiday Curbside Recycle will not be in operation to observe the Holiday. For information about changes to garbage collection schedules, recycling and other special projects, visit http://www.TylerSolidWaste.com. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7. Administrative offices will re-open Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. Customers should contact their airline or check the Airport website at http://www.FlyTYR.com for special holiday travel schedules. The Tyler Public Library will be closed Sunday, and Monday. Continue reading City of Tyler offices closed in observance of Labor Day

LONGVIEW — Can you maintain your privacy after winning a $5 million Lottery Jack Pot? One East Texas resident will soon find out. The Texas Lottery announced Wednesday that a Longview resident won the last of three top prizes to be awarded in the premiere game. The winner elected to remain anonymous, but purchased the winning ticket at a Valero on HWY 259. The odds of winning were one in 3.26, including break even prizes for the $50 ticket.

TYLER — Smith County officials will make a decision next week on the purchase 50 additional curbside voting machines for the November elections. Commissioners took a pass on the item in court Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said in a phone interview, there was a minor issue with the language of the purchase on the county agenda and that it needed to be fixed. The item is expected to pass easily, with the court very receptive to its proposal in June. Continue reading 50 curbside voting machines for elections put on hold for now

TYLER — The City of Tyler will be hosting a drive-in movie later this month. Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB on Tuesday, “Every summer we host movies in the park, and this year we are trying to something a little bit different. We want to make sure that people keep their distance and stay safe, so the drive-in movie made perfect sense.” The event will be a week from Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Harvey Convention Center. The September 12 feature presentation will be the live-action version of The Lion King. City officials said in a press release that admission is free, and for audio, vehicles will tune in to a station. Due to COVID-19, families are asked to remain in their cars. No concessions will be available. The event is being put on by the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department. For questions, contact Debbie Isham, special events supervisor, at (903) 531-1214.

ATHENS — An Athens attorney has utilized three decades of representing clients in accidents that was not their fault to author, The Car Wreck Book. Jeff Weinstein is offering the publication for free. The author gives an overview of the insurance claim process; covering the who, what, where, when, and why of maneuvering through the challenges of an insurance claim. The Car Wreck Book is available in paperback or digitally as a PDF. Weinstein has been practicing law since 1988.

TYLER — NET Health will host its quarterly community mobile blood drive with Carter BloodCare on Wednesday. Carter BloodCare will be on-hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The donation bus will be parked in the NET Health parking lot on N. Broadway Ave. COVID-19 antibody tests will be available for all donors. To find free coronavirus testing locations in the East Texas area, visit https://www.nethealthcovid19.org/testing.

TYLER — Smith County is suspending jury duty through Oct. 1. The county said Tuesday, this enables fulfillment of guidelines announced by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Judicial Branch – Office of Court Administration. However, the press brief went on to say, Grand jury service has not been canceled. Grand jurors are still expected to report as scheduled. Certain essential judicial functions will continue. Each District Judge, County Court-at-Law Judge and Justice of the Peace in Smith County are in charge of their own dockets and attorneys and litigants should contact their specific court with any questions.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced Tuesday, the Longview University Center (LUC) has been designated as a national testing site for the ACT college readiness exam. The LUC will offer its first ACT exam on Saturday on the LUC campus. Participants should visit act.org to register for the test and enter the center code for the UT Tyler Longview University Center. The LUC is located at 3201 N. Eastman Road in Longview. The ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Continue reading ACT testing announced UT Tyler LUC

BECKVILLE — A former Beckville ISD employee has been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, former coach and teacher, Anthony D’Andrew Moore, 32, of Carlisle, is accused of sending images of himself through social media to two students. The incident stems from December 2019 when investigators were called to the high school. The cellphones of the students were taken and investigators downloaded the contents of the phones. Following the issuance of two arrest warrants Moore was arrested for two counts of online solicitation of a minor. Moore was a coach for the following Beckville teams at the time of the boys high school basketball team, as well as high school and middle school track.

TYLER — Starbrite has announced Cindy McCall as the nonprofit agencies first Executive Director. McCall will begin her role on Tuesday. The organization is situated on 33 acres on Bascom Rd. near Lake Tyler and provides therapeutic services to children, adults, and veterans with physical, mental, social, and psychological disabilities. One of the goals facing McCall is fundraising for the construction of a 43,000 square-foot facility to include an arena, multiple therapy rooms, offices, stalls, and a tack room for horses. They hope to break ground on the permanent headquarters in the very near future. Get more information by clicking the link. https://StarbriteTyler.org.

LONGVIEW — The free summer lecture series wraps up on Thursday as Anthony Souther will highlight the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, before and after a devastating tornado in April of 2019. The Gregg County Historical Foundation, which owns and operates the Gregg County Historical Museum, will offer the free lecture at the 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. Get more details by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/732094954007641/.

LONGVIEW — A home invasion on Sunday night led to shots being fired in Longview. According to a press release on the departments social media page, police say the incident occurred on Tammy Lynn Drive just before 9 p.m. The homeowner fired at the suspect after the disturbance. Authorities are asking for people to come forward with any information regarding the matter, by calling Longview Police at 903-237-1170 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867), or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

TYLER — Caldwell Zoo has a new baby zebra at the zoo. Amali, is the newest female at the Tyler Zoo. According to our news partner KETK, the name “Amali” stands for “hope” in the Swahili language of East Africa. Amali is a Grevy’s Zebra, which officials say is the most endangered of all Zebra species. She was born on August 29th at 6:45 a.m. weighing in at 82 pounds. After she was born, officials at the zoo checked for nursing to make sure that the baby could get the nutrients it needed within the first 24 hours. A neonatal exam revealed Amali is getting all the nutrients she can from her mother as well as checking it’s vitals. Caldwell Zoo officials say that the baby is healthy and happy.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Four people were have been arrested for possession of meth in Brownsboro and Seven Points. According to a press brief from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Shonda Burns, 33, and Jacob Budro, 30, are charged with dealing drugs, after their arrests Saturday in Brownsborro. Officials say they were found to have a “meaningful amount of meth” with two scales to weigh it and baggies to sell it. Officials found a silver-colored bag on the rear driver’s side floorboard as well as baggies filled with meth. Continue reading Four arrested on drug related charges in Henderson County

TYLER — Republican Matt Schaeffer’s challenger Democrat Julie Gobble is inviting the incumbent Texas House District 6 Representative to a series of debates. The three topics for proposed discussions, will deal with health care and the response to COVID-19, public education and funding in the midst of an economic downturn, as well as gun violence prevention and reduction of suicide rates in Smith County. Dates are yet to be determined, but likely in September and October. The events will be available on local television, and on candidates social media platforms. No public audience will be on hand, due to social distancing.

TYLER — Hollytree subdivision in Tyler will be showing their support to Tyler law enforcement starting on Tuesday. Mike Collins, a resident of Hollytree subdivision, saw a recent news report about a neighborhood in Nevada whose homeowners flooded their porches and homes in blue lights as a show of support for local law enforcement. After posting the idea on a neighborhood messaging board found overwhelming approval, a plan was devised to run from September 1, through September 15. Homes in the community will be lit up in blue as a sign of support. Other Tyler neighborhoods are invited to participate in this show of support.

TYLER — Smith County has purchased the former Tyler Fire Station 1 from the city. According to a news brief from the city, sale was approved for $320,000. Normally for the City to transfer real property, notice of sale and bidding must be accomplished for sale to the highest bidder. However, State law provides some exceptions to the notice and bidding requirements for transfer of City-owned land to other taxing entities or entities with the power of eminent domain. One exception allows for such a transfer provided that the property is conveyed, sold or exchanged for NOT less than the fair market value of the land.

GREGG COUNTY — A fatal crash involving a pedestrian over the weekend remains under investigation. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 3:40 Sunday morning on SH-31, approximately two miles southwest of the city of Kilgore, in Gregg County. The preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2014 Dodge Challenger, Kelton Jayce Meshell, 21, of Flint, was traveling east on 31 in the outside lane and struck a pedestrian walking in the roadway. Aundrea Sharell Powe, 38, of Kilgore, was pronounced dead at the scene.