KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Governor Abbott has expanded the state disaster declaration adding 36 more counties ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Laura. The governor says Laura could increase to a category 4 hurricane. Governor Abbott, from the alternate state operations center in Austin saying they expect Hurricane Laura to be similar to Hurricanes Ike and Rita fast moving with heavy winds. The predicted ten foot high water surges have led to mandatory evacuations in the Beaumont, Port Arthur Texas city areas. Abbott says they’ve called for the full support of all relevant state agencies. Continue reading Governor Abbott adds 36 counties to disaster declaration

TYLER — The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County will commemorate Nancy Crawford, Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Tyler, with an annual Making Democracy Award. The local leader will be honored virtually on Friday at 6 p.m. during the League of Women Voters Annual Women’s Equality Day event, on their Facebook live platform. According to Tuesday’s press release, the award is an attempt to celebrate a community member that has been a leader and actively engaged in hands-on work to keep Smith County a strong and vibrant place to live. Continue reading Crawford to be honored by LWV Smith County

TYLER –There may have been a few set backs along the way, but male juvenile offenders, in the Juvenile Services Vocational Program, have the building of a ‘tiny house.’ Ross Worley, Director of Juvenile Services for Smith County told KTBB on Tuesday, “It kind of took us a little time because we have kids coming and kids going, but, one our big parts of our classes is construction…It was an opportunity to teach the kids all of the mechanics and the process of building a home. So, you learn how to put windows in, doors in, how to do floors, how to do walls, how to do sheet rock and all of those things.” Continue reading HOPE Academy finishes ‘Tiny House’ project

MARSHALL– Citizens in at least four East Texas towns are angry about Lamar Advertising Billboards, purchased by the Lilith fund, a pro-choice advocacy group. In Marshall, the sign was torn down last week, but that didn’t stop a group of protesters from gathering under the vandalized sign to protest abortion. “The babies lives matter, they have no voice for themselves, so we have to speak for them.” About 50 people participated in the protest.

LINDALE — Lindale ISD announced Tuesday afternoon they will be closing Velma Penny Elementary School until September 8 due to an outbreak of COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, all students will be given i-Pads and transition to at-home learning for the duration of the outbreak. The school made the decision “out of an abundance of caution and care for students and staff.” Parents with a child directly exposed, will receive further notification. It is not known how many students or staff have tested positive for the virus. Test positive students must quarantine at home for a minimum of 10 days and can only then return, with written clearance from a physician. All other LISD campuses are open and extracurricular activities will continue as planned.

TYLER — Smith County Fire Marshal, Jay Brooks urged residents to use extreme caution if they attempt to burn at this time. On Tuesday, Brooks addressed the Commissioner’s Court, “As typical of this time of year, we are starting to creep up [Keetch-Byram Drought Index]. I wanted to remind the public to use caution now when they are burning. We are starting to see a spark in grass fires when they are burning and getting away. We have had some vehicles that have been burned, couple of out houses, because of fires that have gotten away. No homes yet, thank goodness.” Continue reading Outdoor burning becoming treacherous in Smith County

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is inviting residents of Tyler to help spruce up community parks through restoration projects. The city announced Tuesday that ‘Park Service Day’ is Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are 200 volunteer spots available for beautification projects such as replacing picnic tables, installing fence post, painting bridges, restoring flowerbeds and litter cleanup. The day will focus on seven parks and two medians. All tools, supplies, event t-shirts, water bottles and food will be individually delivered, and instructions will be given by a park crew leader. For more information contact Belen Casillas at (903)531-1335 or click the link https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/parks-rec/community/keep-tyler-beautiful.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police and the family of a missing teen and are asking for the public’s help in locating him. Tyress Gipson of Jacksonville was last seen Saturday night, around 9:30 p.m. According to Jacksonville PD an active investigation is underway into his disappearance. Family members say Gipson is not answering his phone. Gipson is a Black male of slender build and a graduate of Jacksonville High School, where he played football. Anyone with knowledge of Gipson’s whereabouts should contact Jacksonville Police at 903-586-2546.

EAST TEXAS — After colleges across the country responded to the COVID-19 pandemic last March by shutting down campuses and moving classes online, many are now adapting their policies to accommodate students return to class. Although the reaction to reopening is varied across the nation, many have adapted and moved forward. According to our news partner KETK, this is a list of colleges across East Texas and the adjustments they have made; including virtual learning, in-person, or a hybrid of both. Continue reading Fall semester begins across East Texas for most colleges and universities

TYLER — UT Health East Texas EMS deployed two ambulances to assist statewide efforts to respond to Tropical Storms Marco and Laura. UT Health announced Monday that 5 EMS members are part of a state strike team. The teams are staging in San Antonio before deploying to targeted locations once the storms’ paths are better known. Roy Langford, regional director for UT Health EMS, said the strike teams respond to all weather situations when activated by the state, and they go in and help evacuate residents from nursing homes and hospitals when needed.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum will present Dr. Meredith May on Thursday. Dr. May will be speaking on “Pine Resin In My Veins; East Texas Women’s History”. The lecture is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. This is the next to last speech in this years cycle that began earlier this summer.

HENDERSON — A cement truck rolled over Monday morning causing major delays. The accident resulted in a fuel leak and cement that was spilled at the Chase Creek Subdivision on FM 3310 in Rusk County. The Rusk County Office of Emergency Management tweeted that units were responding just after 9:45 a.m. The investigation into what caused the roll over continues.

TYLER — More details involving a woman killed in a Smith County wreck over the weekend. According to our news partner KETK, Jataria Lynn Smith was scheduled to give birth to her first child on Monday. Smith died in a two vehicle crash on HWY 64 West of Tyler. Her husband, Ronnie Dewayne Smith, 40 was listed in critical condition. Preliminary report from DPS reports show 60-year-old Robin Blake Longino pulled out of a driveway and failed to yield the right of way to Smith as he was traveling east down the highway. Longino was taken to UT Health in Tyler, also listed in critical condition.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct a range of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the weeks of Aug. 24 and Aug. 31. In Smith County, the I-20 westbound frontage road between Jim Hogg Rd. and US 69 is scheduled for closure on Tuesday, August 25, for the removal of the concrete barrier. Motorists must use alternate routes during this work. Night work is ongoing on the south side of Tyler’s Loop 323 between SH 155 and US 69. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/031-2020.html for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — After serving the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) for 30 years, Nancy Crawford is retiring as executive director effective October 1. “Being at Literacy Council of Tyler has truly been my life’s work,” Crawford said in a news release. “Nonetheless, it is time for me to step down.” The LCOT board unanimously elected Whitney Patterson, who currently serves as the associate executive director for LCOT, as the next executive director, effective October 1. “In some ways, I feel like I’m coming home, as LCOT was one of my first professional jobs after college,” said Patterson in the news release — adding she’s honored by the selection.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College TRIO program has been awarded a U.S. Department of Education grant for $1,371,310. College officials say it will provide critical funding for the next five years. The grant provides $274,262 annually to serve 200 students per year through August 2025. According to a TJC news release, the money’s purpose is to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and motivate students toward the successful completion of their post-secondary education.TJC has received the TRIO grant since 1997. You can go to https://www.tjc.edu/TRIO for further information.

KILLEEN (AP) – An Army official says a soldier missing from Fort Hood in Texas had transferred units after reporting sexual abuse. Sgt. Elder Fernandes was reported missing on Wednesday. Killeen police say the 23-year-old hasn’t been seen since Monday when his staff sergeant dropped him off at home. A Fort Hood public affairs officer says in a statement that there is an “open investigation of abusive sexual contact” involving Fernandes. The statement notes Fernandes had been transferred to another unit to ensure that he was properly cared for and to prevent retaliation. Fernandes is the third solider from Fort Hood to go missing in the past year.

KILGORE — The East Texas Police Academy at Kilgore College will offer highly specialized training courses at no cost to local law enforcement officers to improve gas pump skimmer enforcement and prevention of stolen credit/debit card information caused by the compromised devices. That’s according to a news release from the college. Classes are free thanks to a Texas Department of Agriculture training grant secured by the East Texas Council of Governments. Continue reading Free classes offered to improve gas pump skimmer enforcement

MARSHALL — On-campus student life is in full swing as East Texas Baptist University begins the 2020-2021 academic school year, according to a university news release. The year kicked off with almost 400 students enrolled in the August Mini-Terms, which allow completion of the equivalent semester-long courses in one-week and two-week class offerings. Fall semester classes began on Monday, August 17. This fall on-campus student experience was eagerly anticipated, as students attended classes online since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the release. Continue reading Fall 2020 semester brings student life back to the Hill

LAKE TYLER — East Texans joined in the nationwide boat parade movement Saturday in support of President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. According to our news partner KETK, more than 1,000 people gathered near the Lake Tyler Marina Resort and Concession Park for announcements, guest speakers, prayer, and the national anthem. Special Interest Director for the Trump Campaign Kennan Williams and Smith County Republican Chairman David Stein were both speakers at the event. Organizers say the goal is to unite the community in support of Trump’s re-election. Continue reading Trump boat parade held on Lake Tyler

TYLER — A record 1,031 high school graduates will begin their college careers at The University of Texas at Tyler when hybrid classes start Monday. According to a news release, that’s an increase of 15 percent over last year and beats the previous record (fall 2018) of 908. UT Tyler President Michael Tidwell made the announcement about the first-time-in-college (FTIC) students during the annual Faculty and Staff Convocation Friday morning. First-time-in-college refers to students who have completed high school but who have not yet enrolled full-time in college. Because of dual credit, AP testing, and other early credit programs, many of these students have accumulated enough credits to be classified as sophomores when starting at UT Tyler. Complete, final enrollment numbers will be released on the University’s official census date, Sept. 4.

HARLETON — The body of 36-year-old Jamie Harper of Harleton has been found after she went missing on June 18, according to a family friend. Commercial mowers found her car crashed in a culvert hidden among trees off CR 2879 and Texas 154 between Harleton and Diana, according to our news partner KETK. They contacted police after they noticed a body inside, who later confirmed it as being Harper. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help cover her funeral expenses. You can find the page by Googling “go fund me jamie marie harper.”

GILMER – A missing Gilmer man, 51-year-old Randy Dyess, was found in his wrecked car Friday after not being seen since May. His body was found between Highway 155 and U.S. 259, near Ore City and Lake O’ the Pines, according to our news partner KETK. Investigators say Dyess ran off the road at a high rate of speed and landed deep in an area full of overgrown brush. A realtor inspecting the property discovered the car and called police.

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson and Rusk County made the decision to cancel the Heritage Syrup Festival for2020 on Friday afternoon. In a post on the cities website, the release states, “This decision was not chosen lightly, but was made due to the current pandemic and with the current health guidelines in place by the CDC…” The 32 annual festival was slated for Nov. 14. You can view the entire statement by clicking the link. http://www.hendersontx.us/DocumentCenter/View/3722/2020-Heritage-Syrup-Festival-Joint-Statement—Canceled?bidId=.

TYLER — A Tyler Police patrol car was involved in an accident, after being struck from behind on W Northwest Loop 323, at high rate of speed on Thursday night. Investigation reports indicate that after striking the patrol car the driver abruptly turned into the inside lanes of a motorcycle traveling in the same direction, causing a secondary collision. The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu was transported to UT Health East Texas in serious condition. The operator of the motorcycle sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The officer was also transported to UT Health, sustaining what appear to be minor injuries, and is now home recovering.