KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LAKE CITY, FL — A Tyler woman has been identified as the pilot of a small plane crash in Florida. Our news partner KETK reported fatality Monday, after the plane took off from a local airport and crashed into a house nearby. The house caught fire, but a mother and son inside the home were uninjured. Salena Short, 61, was flying solo, at the time of the accident. She was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church and received her license to fly in 2017.

TYLER — East Texas businesses are combining efforts again this year to remind adults not to provide alcohol to minors during the Super Bowl. On Tuesday Rebecca Smith told KTBB how the initiative works, “We know that lots of alcohol is consumed during the Super Bowl.” The coalition coordinator for the Piney Woods Substance Abuse Coalition continued, “So it is important not only, to not provide any alcohol to minors at Super Bowl parties, but to use that time to talk to them about the dangers and your disapproval in a loving way as well.” Continue reading Stopping Under-Age Drinking During Big Game

TYLER — The 2020 Cattle Barons’ Gala is fast approaching. On Tuesday, Jennifer Gaston told KTBB this year’s gala features Aaron Watson as the headlining act, “We are excited to have this native Texan and he is excited about our cause and to be in Tyler.” The theme for 2020 is “Pistols and Pearls.” The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society-Tyler. Fundraising efforts for the 2020 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala have already started with almost $23,000 earned with the ’50 Mile Ride for the Cure’. Continue reading Aaron Watson to Headline Tyler Cattle Barons Gala

TYLER — The 2020 Cattle Barons’ Gala is right around the corner. The head of this year’s gala announced Aaron Watson will be headlining the event. Back in August of 2019, the theme for 2020 was announced: Pistols and Pearls. The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society-Tyler. “Fundraising efforts for the 2020 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala have already started with more than $22,000 collected during the ’50 Mile Ride for the Cure’ in October. Trail riders participated in the three-day trail ride that was chaired by Erica Schovanec, who also participated as a rider.” – Melissa Ivey, ACS-Tyler’s Senior Development Manager Distinguished Events.

TYLER – On Tuesday Tyler ISD is inviting the community to an eye-popping open house event of the recently completed state of the art academic and administrative wing of John Tyler High School. The campus renovation is part of the $89 million campus project. Which comes from the TISD $198 million BOND2017 project. Organizers say the come-and-go event will give guests the opportunity to view the modern, collegiate-inspired space. Continue reading Open House Tuesday for John Tyler

TYLER — The Literacy Council of Tyler will host their annual donor appreciation luncheon this week. Executive Director Nancy Crawford told KTBB on Monday, “the council helps no less than 2,000 adults annually and will take this opportunity to update donors on the progress made in the past year.” On Wednesday, the council will Honor Tim and Michelle Brookshire as this years “Circle of Honor Donors.” Continue reading LCOT to Host Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon

TYLER — Tyler Junior College’s Dr. Betsy Ott, will be speaking on the subject of “Climate Change and the Global Order” at this weeks Great Decisions Global Affairs Program. The presentation begins Wednesday at noon at the Tyler Public Library. Ott’s teaching fields include Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology. She earned her doctoral degree in Forestry with a research area of biodiversity in plantation understory and was elected President of the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2004. Continue reading Great Decisions Series Continues Wednesday

TYLER — Nearly 3.6 million students are eligilble for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. On Monday the University of Texas at Tyler University Academy Tyler announced that Tejas Narayanan, a senior,has been named one of the candidates moving forward. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors placed on graduating high school seniors. Up to 161 scholars will be chosen to represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. Continue reading E TX Candidate for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

TYLER — Residents are invited to an informational meeting about the Tyler Bike Stripes project that the city of Tyler will sponsor this Thursday. The meeting will be informative about the 50 miles of bicycle lanes throughout Tyler. The informational come-and-go open house will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Tyler Rose Center, on Rose Park Dr. Residents will be able to ask questions, provide comments and review the plans and maps showing where the lines will be painted on the roadways.

TYLER — Here’s a look at TxDOT’s planned construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the week of January 27. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to continue rehab operations on SH 64 at Arp. A second crew will conduct milling operations on FM 15 between Troup and Wright City before moving to Loop 323 at Kinsey Drive in Tyler to perform ditch maintenance. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repairs at the intersection of FM 349 and SH 322 near the Gregg County Airport. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at all locations. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/005-2020.html for a complete look at work around the district.

HAYDEN, Alabama — There are many cases of people losing their rings. And, sadly, most of the time they’re never found. But for one woman near Birmingham, Alabama, her class ring was found 600 miles away in Rusk, Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Barnes graduated from Hayden High School in Alabama in 2004. And she’s never been to Rusk. Somehow, though, a 13-year-old student found her class ring on his school bus, in Rusk, and turned it into his teacher. The teacher took to Facebook to find its owner. Through the magic of Facebook, she found Barnes, who was elated over the discovery of her long-lost ring. The teacher will be mailing the ring back to her. For now, it’s still a mystery how the ring traveled 600 miles away to little Rusk, Texas.

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse ISD Education Foundation (WISDEF) has announced its Innovators of the Year. As part of the $100,000 awarded by WISDEF this school year, these recipients will each receive additional money to use in the classrooms to further enhance the educational experience for Whitehouse students, according to a news release. Wendy Turner, a Media Technology Specialist at Stanton Smith Elementary School, received a grant for “zSpace in Our Makerspace.” Mrs. Turner has transformed a portion of Stanton Smith’s Learning Resource Center into a Makerspace. zSpace changed the Makerspace into a virtual reality science lab. Continue reading WISDEF Announces Innovators of the Year

TYLER — A popular restaurant chain will soon add to its longtime presence in Tyler with a location on the bustling Old Jacksonville Highway. According to a news release, the Braum’s store will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:00 a.m. The new store will host a grand opening celebration February 10-16. The location features what’s termed “a very sleek and modern design with nearly 6,000 square feet, double drive-through windows and seating for about 80 guests.” This brings the total Braum’s stores in operation to 281 in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

TYLER — Nine people have been arrested under a 42-count federal indictment on allegations of trafficking methamphetamine in Smith, Cherokee, and Rusk counties. They’re named as Alexa Leigh Brown, 50, of Tyler; Stanley Wayne Hunter, 43, of Troup; David Raymond Lusk, 41, of Jacksonville; Johnathan Rudy Duke, 30, of Reklaw; Anthony Russell Hamilton, 42, of Tyler; Donald Ray Carr, 55, of Tyler; Justin Ray Carr, 32, of Tyler; Joseph Paul Melancon, 46, of Henderson; and Tonya Hudson Hammonds, 46, of Troup. The indictment also includes firearms charges for several defendants. Many of the charged offenses carry a statutory penalty range that includes life in prison. This case is the result of a nearly two-year joint investigation by a total of eleven agencies.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have released the victim’s identity and a vehicle description as they continue to investigate a fatal hit and run. John Garnett Page, 65, was killed after being struck by a vehicle just after 6:30 p.m. January 17 on N. 4th Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers said Page was attempting to cross the street in a wheelchair. The driver fled the scene. Page died after being taken to a local hospital. Continue reading Longview Police Release Victim’s ID, Vehicle Description in Fatal Hit and Run

TYLER — Tyler firefighters are mourning the loss of Fire Captain Stuart Weatherford, who died Friday morning at 57 after a long battle with cancer. According to a news release, Weatherford was hired by the Tyler Fire Department in July 1998. Well known for his physical fitness, Weatherford was the recipient of the department’s Gold Fitness Award for many years, and was a member of the department’s “Most Physically Fit Crew” in 2002. He also received the Outstanding Firefighter Award that same year and was involved in many public service efforts. Continue reading Fire Department Mourns Loss of Captain Stuart Weatherford

HAWKINS — Authorities say a wanted man has been captured. Multiple law enforcement agencies had been searching for the “armed and dangerous” man. According to our news partner KETK, Ronald Herrick Riva III had fled from Hawkins Police on Friday.

TYLER -Jack Elementary School is helping ‘Tie Up Tyler ISD.’ Jennifer Hines told KTBB on Friday, “the student’s have set a goal to collect 500 pairs of new lace-up tennis shoes by February 4, and the school has already distributed a few pairs to another campus.” The TISD Director of Communications continued, “as of yesterday, because they have not counted the totals brought in today, they are already at 381 pairs of tennis shoes, and these are tennis shoes for boys and girls of all sizes.” Continue reading “Tie-Up TISD” Shoe Drive Continues

TYLER — Andy’s Frozen Custard will be opening a second location on the square in downtown Tyler, according to a release from the company. Dubbed “Andy’s Downtown”, the new location will offer indoor dining as opposed to the South Broadway location which features drive-thru or walk-up style. Galen Taylor, Owner Operator of Tyler Andy’s locations say, “they are excited about moving north.” Taylor says, “We see the Tyler Square as a great location that will give us the opportunity to serve even more people in Tyler.” Continue reading Andy’s Frozen Custard Adding Location in Tyler

TYLER — Graveside services for Bill R. Day, 84, of Tyler will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler. That follows visitation for the Tyler business owner Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Day, who died on Tuesday, opened Bill Day Tire Center in 1971. With Day’s leadership, the business grew to 4 locations. Day is described as an innovator and was one of the first dealers in the country to advertise tires on television, winning numerous awards. Bill Day Tire will celebrate its 49th year in 2020. Bill was still active in the business with his family until his death.

TYLER — Smith County officials met for a transportation safety meeting Thursday and heard some shocking stats about the number of deaths on East Texas roads. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler has the 2nd most fatalities per 1,000 people in the state. Tyler Mayor Martin Heines says the statistic given does not factor in the amount of people traveling into Tyler, tilting those numbers. “There’s a lot more traveling on the roads leading into Tyler and Smith County than most MPO’s, or the MPO’s cover a larger area. So the numbers are somewhat skewed.”

MARSHALL, Texas – A 31-year-old Hallsville man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations the Eastern District of Texas said on Friday. Mark McLean Farmer pleaded guilty last summer, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of anabolic steroids and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison. Information presented in court showed Farmer conspiring to distribute at least 2,500 units of anabolic steroids.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting on Scenic Drive Wednesday afternoon. 19-year-old Eduardo Seran, of Longview, was arrested Thursday. Seran was charged with criminal negligent homicide. 17-year-old Bryan Rivera, of Longview, died at a Longview hospital.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Smith County woman was sentenced to 99 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges in Upshur County. According to our news partner KETK, Felisha Diane Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Williams was offered a 20 year sentence by the state, but elected for a jury to decide her punishment. Williams faced an enhanced punishment range of 15 years to life rather than the normal punishment range of 5-99 years or life in prison, due to previous felony convictions.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office was notified late Thursday morning of a body found on the Neches River. The Parks and Wildlife removed the body, identified as Danny Carter, 49 of Wells. Carter had been missing since January 12. The body was transported to Southwest Forensic in Dallas for an autopsy. It appears to be a drowning, however the case remains under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — In November, a former Whitehouse ISD employee and equipment manager was accused of molesting a football player in 2010 and 2011. On Thursday our news partner KETK, reported William Aldridge, 28 was indicted in a recent Smith County Grand Jury session. The original charge is by a former Whitehouse football player, who says “Aldridge touched his private parts on two separate occasions.” Aldridge turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals in November of last year. The victim claims there were 2 separate incidents with Aldridge. The district was contacted by police in late October and Aldridge was placed on immediate leave and has since been fired by the district.

TYLER — On Wednesday The Tyler City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Halff Associates to manage the third and final phase of the Comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan. On Thursday, Tyler’s Jenny Wells told KTBB, “Phase 3 is bascially going to look at what are the solutions to the issues we’ve had as far as drainage goes. I’m sure you remember in 2016, we had a lot of rain which really helped us identify some of the trouble issues for the city of Tyler for drainage.” Continue reading Phase 3 to Begin Following Tyler Council Approval

TYLER — Tyler Liberty Hall is preparing to host Robert Ellis Saturday Night. Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB on Thursday what people can expect this weekend, “Robert Ellis: The Texas Piano Man has been called the Elton John of country music. He plays piano sings, is very interesting very different. Tickets are $28 and $22.” Show time is set for 7 p.m.

TYLER — 46-year-old Miles Brosang of Whitehouse, owner of Brosang’s Landscaping, has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to failure to pay payroll taxes. According to information presented in court, during the third quarter of 2015, the company withheld payroll taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes and Medicare and social security taxes. Officials say Brosang knew that his company was required to make deposits of the payroll taxes to the IRS on a periodic basis. The amount of taxes that should have been, and was not, paid in the 3rd quarter, is $49,704.47. The total of payroll taxes that should have been, and was not, paid is $229,552. Under federal statutes, Brosang faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing.

SHREVEPORT, La. — An East Texas man is jailed in Louisiana after a bomb threat reportedly made at a Walmart. According to our news partner KETK, Shreveport police were called to the Walmart on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway after receiving a call that there was a bomb in the building. Police searched the building and a bomb was not found. The suspected caller, 27-year old Dustin Spence of Hawkins, was arrested and booked on a charge of communicating false information of planned arson.