KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will continue its 2019-2020 production season with Girls’ Night Out, an evening of one-act plays including Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart and Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias. The show will open Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre of the Jenna Guest Music Building on the ETBU campus. General admission to Girls’ Night Out is $10, or free with ETBU ID. Find the ETBU 2019-2020 Production Season poster at http://www.ETBU.edu/Theatre.

MARSHALL — An invasive weed threatens pastures across Texas — and experts say now is the time to start looking for it. Texans will begin to see thistle pop up along roadways and in pastures during the spring, and it will be in full bloom by June. Once you see it, it’s too late to control. Matt Garrett, Texas A&M Agrilife extension agent in Harrison County, says, “A single thistle plant can produce at least 4,000 seeds, which increases the chance for higher thistle populations in the pasture for the following year. Consequently, management practices need (to be) conducted prior to flower formation for effective thistle control.” Garrett says even if you have not had past thistle infestations, now is the perfect time to inspect your pasture.

TYLER — On Wednesday afternoon a jury came to a decision in the sentencing phase of a Tyler man found guilty of capital murder. According to our news partner KETK, Dameon Mosley, 28 will be put to death for the killing of 62 year-old Billy Stacks in a gas station robbery in 2017. It took the jury of seven men and five women under an hour to come to that decision. Mosley will be the first from Tyler to receive the death penalty since 2015.

TYLER — After October tornadoes damaged Walnut Hill Elementary School in Dallas, students and staff at Owens Elementary School wanted to help. Over the last several weeks the Eagles have been holding a book drive to help restock the collection of books in the Walnut Hill Elementary School library. Students brought in donations as well as purchased books online. On Wednesday, 4th grade students wrote messages of hope and encouragement inside the books during center times though out the day. The School will deliver over 300 books to Walnut Hill Elementary as a result of their efforts.

ALTO — The Chaparral Center reported a theft that took place overnight into Tuesday morning. That did not stop the 501(c)3 non-profit center, also known as The Alto Food Pantry from helping 86 people with food by the end of the day. On Wednesday morning authorities were able to return the generator. Food Bank Distributor Tony Chopa told KTBB he was beyond grateful when the generator was returned to the food bank. Continue reading Stolen Generator Returned to Pantry in Alto

ATHENS — A high speed chase Tuesday morning in Henderson County eventually hit speeds of 115 miles per hour through Gun Barrel City. Jonathan Ray White was driving a car reported stolen out of Mesquite. As White approached the Kaufman city limits, the vehicle failed. Henderson County Deputies also found plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance, which they believe to be Methamphetamine. White was arrested and transported to Henderson County Jail.

CHAPEL HILL — East Texas homeowners fighting the expansion of toll 49 in Smith County, are ramping up their opposition. That’s according to our news partner KETK. At a meeting Tuesday night their focus shifted to the safety of children living near the proposed extension. NETRMA recently narrowed the plan down to three potential routes, yellow, teal.and purple. Chapel Hill residents looked at their options, concerned after NETRMA announced the final three routes for the expansion of toll 49. They focus on the proposed “teal” route, claiming it will run through the heart of the community. Continue reading Safety Concerns for NETRMA Expansion

TYLER — A jury has begun deliberations to decide the fate of a Tyler man convicted of capital murder. According to our news partner KETK, Judge Christi Kennedy concluded proceedings for the day after both prosecutors and the defense team finished closing arguments after the lunch break on Tuesday. Dameon Mosley, 28, was convicted last week for the murder of Billy Stacks, 62, while he was robbing a Conoco gas station in Tyler in January of 2017. He will either be executed or spend life in prison.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler kicked off a new program on Monday with the goal of increasing donations and awareness for their Angel Tree program. According to our news partner KETK, the Angel Tree has been an annual Tradition for 40 years, dating back to 1979. 2019 will mark the inaugural year of “online adoption.” This will enable the community to find an angel online. If you would like to adopt an Angel you can visit Broadway Square Mall or click the link for the online system. https://www.tsamm.org/angeltree/adopt.dpi?c=2134834173800A88BE598393763C66C179D793A1. Continue reading Tyler Salvation Army Increases Ways to Adopt Angels

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department introduced the “Friendly Neighborhood Thief” last summer with a goal of educating residents about protecting their vehicles from break-ins and theft. Since then, the City of Tyler Communications Department and Tyler Police Department have created additional installments to the series. Tyler announced on Monday that they were recently recognized with a MarCom Gold Award for the PSA campaign. Continue reading Tyler’s “Friendly Neighborhood Thief” Series Wins Award

TYLER — The City of Tyler announced on Monday, that they have completed the free chlorine disinfection process after a month long conversion that started last month. The Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant and the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant put ammonia back into the system taking disinfection process back to chloramines, a mixture of ammonia and free chlorine. The City reformed the disinfection process to free chlorine for one month to improve and maintain the water quality standards in the potable water distribution system. The process of chloramines making their way through the enitre system will take about a week. Continue reading Tyler Ends Annual Free Chlorine Conversion Process

TYLER — UT Health East Texas EMS and Champion EMS have settled a lawsuit regarding ambulance services in Tyler. The lawsuit claimed Champion was infringing on a contract ETMC has with the City of Tyler, Smith County and the Smith County Emergency Management Service. ETMC has asked the court to order Champion to stop performing ambulance services in the region, while Champion contends ETMC conspired to form an illegal monopoly. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, UT Health East Texas EMS will continue to operate its ambulance service under the exclusive contract arrangement with the City of Tyler and Smith County. Continue reading Settlement Announced in Ambulance Dispute

TYLER — Tyler ISD has announced a new position to deal with campus safety. Jeffrey Millslagle has been hired as the district’s new Director of Safety and Security. Millslagle will lead the charge to ensure safety measures and emergency preparedness for all Tyler ISD facilities are in line with today’s school climate. Over the span of his 26-year career with the FBI, Millslagle has managed and directed investigations of counter-terrorism, violent crimes, drugs, white collar crimes, and crisis management. Millslagle also served two FBI deployments in Iraq in 2004 and 2007. Continue reading Tyler ISD hires New Director of Safety and Security

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is putting out the word on a new law that went into effect September 1 pertaining to mail thefts in Texas. This new law is especially pertinent in light of the upcoming Christmas season and the likelihood that these crimes will increase, according to a news release. The new law makes any theft of mail, at minimum, a Class A misdemeanor in Texas and can go up to a third degree felony. Also, if the stolen mail contains identifying information it is, at minimum, a state jail felony and can go as high as a first degree felony. The variances of these criminal offenses are dependent upon the number of pieces of mail that are stolen by any individual. Continue reading New State Law Concerning Mail Theft

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall announced that Tuesday, city workers will be installing new stops signs at the intersection of Indian Springs and East Travis. Once the installation is complete, the intersection will serve as a four way stop. The Marshall Police Department will be enforcing the area to make sure motorists are compliant. The new signs will be placed in an effort to enhance safety at the busy intersection, with both vehicles and foot traffic.

TYLER — Congressmen Louie Gohmert, told KTBB he does not expect the impeachment proceedings to go to a vote in the House of Representatives. “I just feel sure as smart as smart as Speaker Pelosi is, she would surely not want to have a vote to impeach the President in the House, cause she knows if that happens there is so much pressure from her most liberal people that it would end up passing. And then it goes to the Senate and there is no way they are going to get the votes to remove the President.” The District 1 Congressmen has served the 12 East Texas Counties since 2005.

LONGVIEW –On Monday, Texas District 7 House Representative Jay Dean filed for re-election to serve Gregg and Upshur Counties. Upon filing, Dean received the support of Governor Greg Abbott. Dean is Rated 100% pro-life by Texas Alliance for Life. Dean has a perfect ‘A’ rating from the NRA. Dean was elected in 2016 to the Texas House. Dean and his wife, Pokie, live in Longview where they raised their three girls and helped found their local church St. Matthews.

KILGORE — The choirs of Kilgore College will present a fall concert, “The World is Our Home,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, in the Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. The KC Chorale and KC Connection will perform sacred and secular pieces from composers including Mozart, Verdi, Dvorak, Dawson and Bernstein. Admission to the concert is free.

MARSHALL — Harrison County Deputies responded to a shots fired call Friday and ended up busting a steroid lab. the DEA responded to the location along with two chemists. the DEA team dissembled the lab and confiscated approximately 40 kilos of pure steroid powder. The Harrison county sheriff’s office discovered approximately 5,000 vials of manufactured steroid liquid with a street value of roughly $150,000; along with a large selection of pills that were being manufactured. Continue reading Bust in Discovery of Steroid Lab

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced on Monday the Center for Opinion Research and has released its November poll. This is the first statewide poll of random voters after Beto O’Rourke ended his campaign. The completed survey of 1,093 registered voters in Texas finds the Democratic nomination for President, Joe Biden’s lead increased slightly to 9 percent over Senators Sanders and Warren. On the question of impeachment, Texas voters are split. Continue reading UT Tyler Releases Opinion Research Poll for November

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressmen Louie Gohmert, spoke with KTBB about the inquiry into impeachment proceedings of President Trump. “I think it’s been an absolute farse. There has been nothing but here say. That would not admissible in a courtroom, and we are talking about trying to take out a duly elected sitting president.” The District 1 Congressmen from Texas went on to say he does not expect the proceedings to go to a vote in the house, following the disclosure of second and third-hand information.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — In October, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an aggravated robbery south of Jacksonville on FM 768. The victim said he was robbed by his friend who was at his home. The victim went on to say he had been held at gun point in order to steal another handgun from the residence. The suspect was later identified as Patrick McClelland of Jacksonville. Continue reading Jacksonville Man Arrested for Aggravated Robbery

TYLER — Extreme weather delayed the original celebration of Southside Park, but it did not stop it. According to our news partner KETK, on Saturday the city of Tyler “christened” the latest additions to the all -inclusive playground. South-side Park is located on Shiloh road and accommodates the needs of children in wheel-chairs with ramps, swings and slides.

HARRISON COUNTY –Two people were arrested on drug charges following gun shots in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK, authorities responded Friday nigh to the residence on Lansing Road. Sammie Leslie Vail, 38, and Ashley Pilgrim Vail, 37, both of Longview, were both arrested on numerous charges. While checking for injured persons, deputies discovered a lab to manufacture steroids. DEA agents soon arrived with two chemists. Continue reading Harrison County Arrest 2 from Longview

NACOGDOCHES — A Longview man, Robert Dulaney, was formally charged on Friday for making threats over the phone. Last month before the Cody Jinks scheduled concert at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center. An employee of the venue received a call that made specific threats to shoot several individuals during the show. The concert was cancelled. The investigation discovered that the caller used a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) number. Investigators identified that the phone used was a prepaid cell phone and found an email account that was linked to the VOIP number. Continue reading Suspect in Jinks Concert Threat is Inmate in Texas Prison

TYLER –Tyler Police announced on Friday that they are looking for 2 sought in connection to an auto burglary at the Holiday Inn on S. Broadway. The persons of interest were in silver truck. If you can identify these suspects, contact Detective Dickerson at 903-533-2088 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. In another crimes police are searching for 2 other men. Continue reading Tyler Police Searching for Suspects

TYLER — Many will be traveling to visit loved ones this holiday season. A recent Travel Channel survey found that 72% of those planning to travel will drive to their destinations. Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas (BBB) advises consumers to plan ahead when traveling this holiday season. Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas says, “So it’s very important to plan ahead, as it won’t likely be the most wonderful time of the year for traveling.” Continue reading Tips to Prepare for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, Partners in Prevention will host Teen Drug Trends: What Every Adult Should Know on Monday. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Watch UR BAC, from College Station will present two sessions to adults on the topics of Juuling/Vaping, Drug Stash Containers and Drug Clothing, Accessories, etc… The info sessions will be held at the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, on Glencrest Lane in Longview. The first session will be from 12–1:30 p.m., and a second from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Continue reading Teen Drug Trend Sessions Monday in Longview