KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ALTO — Oncor let clients in Alto know that some households will temporarily lose electric power next Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, this is part of an ongoing reliability improvement project. The electricity provider will be updating equipment in east Alto next week. Part of this work will require temporary power outages for 30 to 50 customers in east Alto, near Old Spanish Trail. Outages will be begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. and conclude by approximately 5 p.m.

TYLER — A Smith County Jury found Michael Orr guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child in the 241st Judicial District Court on Wednesday. After hearing punishment evidence on Thursday, the jury returned a sentence of Life Without Parole. The jury heard evidence that the defendant was sexually abusing a seven year old girl for more than 30 days in 2014. After three days of testimony, the jury deliberated for an hour before coming back with a guilty verdict.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The remains of a soldier from Alba killed during the Korean War have been identified after almost 70 years. According to our news partner KETK, the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday that Army 1st Lieutenant George S. Crisp, 24, of Alba, killed in 1950, was accounted for Sept. 3, 2019. Crisp was an officer in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces at Sinhung-ri, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He was reported to have last been seen near Hagaru-ri, but his remains could not be located. The U.S. Army declared Crisp dead December 12, 1950. Continue reading Remains of Missing Korean War Soldier Identified

SMITH COUNTY — Prosecutors will continue to present their case against Damian Mosley in the second day of his capital murder trial for killing Billy Stacks back in January 2017 during a gas station robbery. According to our news partner KETK, opening statements were given and then over 10 state witnesses testified to help establish the basic facts of the case. Smith County DA Jacob Putman gave a near 30-minute opening statement, talking about how Stacks, 62, worked at the gas station for over 13 years. Continue reading Capital Murder Trial Continues in Tyler

TYLER – Friday is the last day to register for the 2019 Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade at a reduced rate. Beginning Saturday the fees are doubled. Organizers are also reminding would be particpants to keep in mind once the parade reaches 110 entrants registration will close. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5. This year’s parade theme is “Rotary Connects the World” and winners will be selected in six categories: Best Holiday Theme, Best Band, Brightest Entry, Spirit Award, Most Creative, and Best Decorated Vehicle. Continue reading Early Registration Closes Friday for 2019 Rotary Christmas Parade

TYLER — All Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will be celebrating Veterans and active duty military on Monday by offering free lunches November 11. According to our news partner KETK, the Veterans Day event will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. All former, retired and, current US military members will be able to choose one of 10 entrees from a special Veterans Day menu. Organizer’s say you will just need to provide proof of service, such as a military card, VA card, or discharge papers. Texas Roadhouse in Tyler is located on E. South East Loop 323. The restaurant’s Longview location is on E. Loop 281.

TYLER — A 44-year-old Longview, man has been convicted of federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Correy James Rider was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and crack cocaine on Wednesday. The verdict was reached following a two-day trial. According to information presented in court, Rider was indicted together with several co-defendants on charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine and crack cocaine in the Gregg County area. Continue reading Gregg County Man Convicted of East Texas Drug Trafficking Crimes

MARSHALL — An East Texas teen driving last January during a crash was charged Wednesday in relation to the death of two of his passengers. According to our news partner KETK, Latavion Demond Jackson, 18, of Marshall,is charged with two counts of criminally negligent homicide. Ny’Jahl Armstrong and Derrick Bennett were killed in the crash. Three other Marshall ISD students were involved in the accident. Marshall Fire Chief Reggie Cooper said it happened about 1 a.m.January 12, on Highway 43 South near Grangeway in Marshall. Continue reading Marshall Teen Charged in Double Fatality Accident

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Andy Mack delivered the State of the City address on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, this was Mack’s 5th year to deliver the speech. Longview council members say the annual declaration is a great way to know what’s happening in their city. On Wednesday the 5th year mayor’s remarks included a pop quiz highlighting the the town’s history, ahead of next years 150 year celebration in 2020.

HENDERSON — Henderson ISD school board member Jonathan Best has been indicted on a criminal mischief charge for allegedly sabotaging his opponent Adam Duey. According to KETK, Best is accused of hiring teenagers to steal signs as well as putting sugar in the gas tank of Duey’s truck in an attempt to hold on to his seat on the Henderson ISD school board. He has vehemently denied the allegations and released a statement through his lawyer. It read in part: “Jon knows he did not ask these boys to do any of the mischief for him, nor did he pay them to remove any signs or damage any vehicle.” The charge against Best is a state jail felony and he can face up to two years in prison if convicted. Duey wound up unseating Best in the Nov. 5 election 298-170.

SMITH COUNTY — Residents of Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2 have approved a sales tax that will increase pay for additional firefighters. The final unofficial tally was 3,439 in favor, with 3,368 against. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County sales tax is at 0.5 percent and voters approved an increase of up to 1.5 percent. 11 Departments make up ESD No. 2, most of which are staffed with volunteers. The departments cover over 700 square miles and protects more than 92,000 residents.

GREGG COUNTY — A body found Wednesday in the Sabine River has been identified as a missing Kilgore man. According to our news partner KETK, family members have confirmed that the body recovered Wednesday is Lloyd Keith Thrasher. He’d been reported missing since Sunday. Investigators found his car on FM 2087, near Old Kilgore Highway. Family members say he suffered from dementia. Daughter-in-law, Lauren Thrasher, posted her thanks to the Harleton Fire Department Search and Rescue K-9 team, which assisted in the search for Thrasher, on the team’s Facebook page. “We are so very thankful to your team!!! Thank you for helping to find my father in law,” she wrote. Continue reading Body Found in Sabine River Identified as Missing Kilgore Man

TYLER — The 2nd of 4 November Input meetings for a new Smith County Courthouse is Thursday. Officials say there were about 15 community members in attendance on Monday. Smith County is working to produce a plan for a new Smith County Courthouse. Before a proposal is presented to voters, officials are gathering public input on the new court house. Thursdays meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church on E. Main in Whitehouse. Pct. 2 Commissioner Cary Nix and Judge Moran will lead the meeting. Continue reading 2nd Smith County Courthouse Meeting on Thursday

TYLER — Museum and cultural arts supervisor for the city of Carrollton, Cody Scallions, will be the guest speaker at Tyler Junior College’s series of President John Tyler Lectures. The event will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, in the Admiral Inman Room (1109), in Jenkins Hall on the TJC main campus. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. Scallions’ serves as superintendent of the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum in Carrollton. Continue reading Cultural Arts Expert Coming to TJC Lecture Series

TYLER — Bruno Cunha, died after crashing into the back of a mini-van last friday near the U.T. Tyler campus. The 28 year-old from Brazil was here earning a degree in civil engineering. His friends have set up a go-fund-me account to raise money for funeral expenses and the thousands of dollars to send his body back to Brazil. A Mass was held on Tuesday night for Cuhna. A second event to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. At last check the site had earned over $14,000 dollars. https://www.gofundme.com/f/2fcub-bruno-cunha-funeral

LONGVIEW — On Tuesday fire workers came together to share strategies and new techniques for dealing with arson and explosion scenarios. Organizers say criminals are getting smarter and that’s why East Texas first responders continue to come together for this conference as they have the past 3 and half decades. Ideas are given out and valuable info is shared. Advisers hope the concepts prevent future crimes and track down criminals who commit them.

TYLER — Next Monday Veterans are invited to Time Square Grand Slam Theatre on South Broadway for free movie for them and a guest at 2:30 p.m. The screening of the soon to be released “Midway” will be at 2:30 pm. The complimentary screening is a courtesy of Ross and Shoalmire, a local Elder Law Firm that will be honoring and hosting local Veterans. Each guest will receive a complimentary small drink, tray of popcorn and candy. The law firm started this semi-tradition in 2015 with the release of the World War II film “Unbroken.” For more information or those interested in seeing the move can call 903-561-5653.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department said on Wednesday that a total of 37 parents were arrested for violating court orders of paying child support. The sweep from last weekend was conducted in conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division to locate parents wanted for failing to pay court-ordered child support. Numerous others called in to get warrants cleared. Continue reading Child Support Results in Smith County

HALLSVILLE — On Tuesday 54% of voters in Hallsville passed a $55,000,000 bond. The money will be used for the construction of a new elementary school, a new high school auditorium, safety upgrades and renovations to the Junior High, and district-wide improvements. According to the HISD website voters also approved $3,000,000 to refund and replace Maintenance Tax Debt with I&S Tax Debt that provides approximately $605,000 of M&O funds to pay for things such as staff raises, buses, and additional preventative maintenance.

EAST TEXAS — Unofficial election results are in. According to Smith County’s website, there are 138,290 registered voters in Smith County. Texans considered 10 statewide propositions Tuesday during the election. According to our news partner KETK, Proposition 1 – Failed. Final results show, 65% voted no and 35% voted yes. The proposition would have allowed a person to serve as more than one appointed or elected municipal judge, assuming the person was appointed to each of those positions. Continue reading Unofficial Election Results

MARSHALL — On Monday East Texas Baptist University honored 103 graduating seniors with the presentation of their official ETBU Class Ring. The Ring Blessing was held for the December graduates of 2019. Inspired by Deuteronomy 6, the Class Ring allows ETBU Alumni to carry and display the love of Christ. The ceremony is designed to celebrate the accomplishments of students during their time at ETBU and connect generations of alumni. The ring symbolizes the University’s blessing over students as they commence from ETBU to pursue their vocational callings.

BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro, the oldest city in Henderson County, will host their 6th annual Pioneer Days with family friendly fun this Saturday. Our news partner KETK, had organizers in studio on Monday highlighting activities that will kickoff with a parade Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The event is free to the public. Following the parade, the celebration moves to the High School and Junior High Campuses with booths and enjoyments including a dunking booth. Festivities conclude at 4 p.m.

GRESHAM — First Baptist Church Gresham has closed for the day because of a gas leak. The church was being utilized on Tuesday as one of the 34 polling places in Smith County. County officials say it was closed around noon and voters were redirected to other sites to cast their ballots while the gas company clears the building. Smith County voters are able to vote at any location they choose. Polls are open until 7 p.m. today. For more information, visit: https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections

TYLER — Tyler Junior College began online and walk-in registration for its upcoming winter and spring terms on Tuesday. Online registration is available at TJC.edu/register. Walk-in advising and registration will be held in the Apache Rooms of Rogers Student Center Tuesday until 5 p.m. and on Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 7:30 p.m. The opportunity will return in 2 weeks with the same hours on Nov. 19 thru Nov. 21st. The Winter Term is a three-week, online-only session Dec. 16-Jan. 7. For a list of available courses, go to TJC.edu/winter.

LINDALE — The first of four Smith County Courthouse Citizen Input Meetings was held on Monday in Lindale. It was the first of four to be held throught out Smith County in the month of November as the county works to formulate a plan for a new Smith County Courthouse. The county courthouse needs to address several challenges with current building including, plumbing, security, and space for all courtrooms are of top concern. Parking is also an obstacle, and commissioners are proposing a 750-car parking structure to help alleviate the need. Continue reading Smith County Holds First Citizen Input Meeting

EAST TEXAS — It’s Election Day in Texas, with several constitutional amendments on the ballot as well as some local items. You can go to
https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections to find out more about voting in Smith County. Visit https://www.greggcountyvotes.com/ to learn more about the process in Gregg County.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A man and woman from Athens have been arrested for possession of meth following early morning traffic stop. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Patrick Massey, 48, and Dana Mccormick, 47, were stopped for a vehicle violation around 2:30 Tuesday morning. During the stop, deputies noticed the smell of marijuana and found a glass pipe and two baggies of meth. Massey said he was trying to hide the drugs in his socks when the pair was being stopped. He said he had the marijuana because it was his birthday. Massey’s meth was hidden in his right, front pants pocket. Continue reading Henderson County Meth Bust

UPSHUR COUNTY — An Upshur County teenage boy has been arrested after a shooting of another teen during an argument. According to our news partner KETK the shooting occurred at early Sunday morning at 1:45 a.m. Authorities believe a 16-year-old male shot a 15-year-old during a fight involving multiple teenagers North of Gilmer on Gopher Road. The victim was taken to a Tyler hospital with a “serious injury.” Others at the scene suffered minor injuries, but it is unclear how many were involved. Continue reading 16 Year Old Arrested for Shooting of 15 Year Old In Fight

TYLER — Tyler Junior College was the only two-year institution in the state, and one out of four higher education institutions in Texas – to be recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a national 2019 Educational Fundraising Award. TJC was honored in the category of overall improvement. The Tyler Junior College Foundation is a separate, 501(c)(3) support organization governed by a 25-member, self-perpetuating board of directors. Institutionally related foundations play a vital role in raising and managing private resources in support of public institutions like TJC. For more on the TJC Foundation, go to TJC.edu/foundation.