KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – All non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed for business on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Offices will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, and Commissioners Court will be held at the normal time on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. .

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler’s (UTT) Master of Business Administration program has been ranked among the top 30 in the nation by Fortune Magazine. According to a release from UTT, their program is ranked 29th nationwide for Fortune Magazine’s “Best Online MBA Programs in 2024.” UT Tyler said that they are one of only two UT system schools in the top 30, having been ranked 46th last year. “This recognition by Fortune Magazine is a testimony to the quality of our programs and our dedicated Soules College of Business faculty, who prepare the next generation of business leaders and professionals in the East Texas region and beyond,” Dr. Amir Mirmiran, UT Tyler provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said. UT Tyler said that their online MBA program is affordable and flexible, offering a number of different concentrations and being able to be completed in as little as one year.

TYLER – On Wednesday, the City of Tyler Mayor and City Council members were sworn into office after running unopposed. Those taking their oath of office included the re-elected Mayor Don Warren, Disrict Four Council Member James Wynne and District Six Council Member Brad Curtis. Following the swearing-in, the council held a meeting, where they elected Council Member Stuart Hene as Mayor Pro Tem.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2024 W. T. “Doc” Ballard Award for Excellence in Public Health. According to our news partner KETK, the 25th annual award will honor an individual or organization “exemplifying the concept of public health distinguished by protecting and promoting the health of the community.” NET Health added that all nominations must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. May 31, and that the nominee does not need to be a public health professional and that their services may be civic, cultural, health, welfare or philanthropic. Continue reading NET Health opens nominations for ‘Doc’ Ballard award

EAST TEXAS — Memorial Day weekend will bring increased traffic on Texas roads. Motorists are reminded that state law requires drivers to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles – including tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks – stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated. Texas law requires drivers to slow down at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit or, if able, to change lanes when they’re passing a first responder stopped on the road with their emergency lights activated, according to the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR).

Large numbers of travelers are expected on Texas roads, which means that more breakdowns and traffic stops are likely as well. Drivers should pay attention to what’s happening around them and prepare to react quickly. Continue reading Move over for Memorial Day

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department will be adding additional officers on the street utilizing STEP (Selective Traffic Enforcement Program) starting on Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th. According to a police department news release, with increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the Memorial Day weekend, the additional officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Please be responsible and don’t drink and drive.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD announced their lone finalist for superintendent as Dr. Marla Sheppard, a 29-year veteran educator. According to our news partner KETK, Sheppard has served as a math and science teacher, assistant principal and middle and high school principal in Houston ISD. She was also an assistant superintendent at Fort Bend ISD where she was responsible for 16 schools.

“I am honored to be chosen to serve the Longview community,” Sheppard said. “I am grateful to the board for their trust in me and I look forward to creating long-lasting relationships with the students, staff, and greater community.”

Sheppard said she looks forward to the journey forward in the community and she is excited for the opportunity to lead Longview ISD. She will begin her tenure at the district after the state-required 21-day waiting period. Continue reading Longview ISD announces lone finalist for superintendent

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man pleaded guilty to murder on Monday after being accused of killing Victor Hugo Herrera in 2022 with a claw hammer. According to our news partner KETK, Preston Wade Graham pleaded guilty on Monday in the 188th District Court in Gregg County and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

According to an arrest warrant, on Oct. 10, 2022 Longview officials received an emergency call from the roommate of Herrera. Officials said when police responded to the residence in the 1000 block of Baxley Lane in Longview, the roommate said Herrera was injured and appeared to be struck in the head sometime between Oct. 9 and Oct. 10. Continue reading Man charged in brutal 2022 murder sentenced to prison

TYLER – Lawsuits and claims from the Phillips family related to their criminal cases could cost Smith County an estimated $300,000. County officials said this in a commissioner’s court meeting on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Wilson provided the briefing on pending or contemplated litigation against the county involving Karen, Derek and Lance Phillips, as well as family friend Cody Voss.

Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips originally filed her lawsuit against Smith County in June 2023. She is seeking $10 million in damages in connection to her March 2023 arrest. The lawsuit was paused by the court pending the outcome of her criminal case, and Wilson said that “as a result of the guilty finding by the jury I would anticipate that this claim will no longer go forward.”
Continue reading Phillips criminal case lawsuits could cost Smith County $300K

TYLER – With Memorial Day weekend here, Texas launched it’s annual “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt safety campaign on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety held press conference in front of a “Click it or Ticket” monster truck and was attended attended by many in the East Texas law enforcement community.

Heather Singleton, a DPS traffic safety specialist said at the launch event, “A lot of people don’t really understand the severity of not wearing a seatbelt. And that’s why we have these campaigns that include education, along with the enforcement officers who are out doing this enforcement beginning today. They’re going to be educating drivers that they speak with as well.”
Continue reading ‘Click It or Ticket’ seatbelt safety campaign begins

HAWKINS – Some residents in the City of Hawkins said they’ve grown frustrated with their local police department after an officer shot and killed a neighborhood dog in early May. According to our new partner KETK, their concerns have intensified because the officer involved has not been disciplined. City hall was packed Monday night with citizens willing to give their opinion.

One person said, “It’s either fix [the police department] or get rid of it because our community deserves better.”

“I shot two of them stray dogs that were going to kill me and my dogs, so I just want to speak up for the people here to let you know, me and my family and us we all need the police department here,” Robert Burke, a Hawkins resident, said.
Continue reading Hawkins residents raise concerns about their police department

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials and others involved in the construction project held a Topping Out Ceremony for the County’s Parking Garage on Monday, May 20, 2024. The ceremony signifies the last of the 504 precast pieces being placed on top of the garage. Smith County Officials, representatives from Hoar Construction, SCI Construction and Fitzpatrick Architects, as well as employees, signed the 44,000-pound piece of concrete before it was hoisted by a 212-foot crane and secured on the top of the garage. The project is about halfway completed and is expected to open in October.

WHITE OAK — Brandon Gilliam, 42, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to the 2021 murder of Steve McDowell. According to our news partner KETK, Gilliam’s sentence comes only weeks after Regina Massie, 40, also pleaded guilty in connection to McDowell’s murder. Case records revealed that Gilliam and Massie were hired by McDowell to fix his truck but then he discovered money was missing from the truck. Massie reportedly told investigators that Gilliam hit McDowell in the head with a foot-long pipe after he was confronted about the money missing from McDowell’s truck. Gilliam then reportedly tried to suffocate McDowell by covering his mouth and nose. Massie also quoted Gilliam as saying “McDowell should not have died over $35.” Gilliam’s sentence started on Monday.