KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine has received a $1.25 million dollar gift in support of Dr. Jennifer R. Honda’s lung disease research according to our colleagues at KETK. The university said the gift from the Padosi Foundation will help fund Honda’s research into nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), an infection that UT Tyler said is an emerging public health threat that damages and scars the airways making those infected more at risk to other infections. Continue reading UT Tyler Medical School gets large research grant

CORRIGAN – Our news partners at KETK report that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said a Corrigan ISD teacher has been arrested following an investigation that began on Jan. 30 in relation to an improper relationship with a student. DPS said that Anthony Jernigan, 35, a government and economics teacher, has been charged with multiple counts of online solicitation of a minor and improper relationship between educator and student. Officials said that Jernigan was placed in the Polk County Jail. Continue reading Teacher arrested for solicitation of minor

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a Wednesday night homicide. Officers responded to a report of a person in the roadway off Highway 69 at CR 489 around 11:40. A male victim was found dead at the scene from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. An autopsy has been ordered. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.

BULLARD — Bullard ISD earned a $950,000 security grant from the Texas Education Agency to be put toward keeping students and staff safe. According to our news partner KETK, Bullard ISD said the funds will be used to add more fencing, replace old doors and to update surveillance cameras to be equipped with facial recognition software in all of their facilities. Due to the new school and safety law passed in Austin, districts now have to meet stiffer security requirements, including the mandate that requires all campuses to have at least one armed guard. “We’re here to keep the students and the staff safe, that’s our primary job here,” Chief of Police for Bullard ISD Pat Hendrix said. “We are a police department but our main job, we’re not here to police the students or the faculty, we are here to protect them.”

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD announced that all security lock downs and holds have been released after it was determined there was no immediate danger to students or staff. According to our news partner KETK and a release from the school district, the “information was relayed through a third-party agency that was in contact with the person making the threats.” Henderson ISD said the phone being used to send the threat was located in Europe and not near an HISD campus. Henderson ISD had announced on Wednesday that two of their campuses are under lock down as a precautionary measure due to “an unconfirmed report regarding a potential threat to our schools.”

“While this was very inconvenient for our staff, students and their families, our top priority remains the safety of the HISD family. We appreciate everyone’s efforts today which helped ensure the day went smoothly in spite of the many obstacles that arose. We also appreciate the Henderson Police Department and our campus SROs for their unwavering dedication to the safety and protection of our staff and students,” the school district said. Continue reading Henderson ISD lockdown: European threat source

GILMER — A man accused of killing his ex-partner and her sister has been indicted on capital murder. According to our news partner KETK and the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Alvin “Pookie” Charles McKnight, Jr., 41 of Gilmer, was indicted on capital murder after being arrested in November 2023 when investigators found two sisters dead on Nov. 4. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that the shooting happened at a house in the 2800 block of U.S Highway 271 South. When deputies arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Mandy Ray, 35 of Gilmer, and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37 of Gilmer, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Officials said that McKnight and Waters lived with each other until recently. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the two victims were sisters and that McKnight has a child with Waters. Continue reading Double homicide suspect indicted

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD officials announced Wednesday afternoon that a security lockdown on their campuses had ended when it was determined there was no immediate danger to students or staff. According to our news partner KETK, a release from the district said about the threat, “information was relayed through a third-party agency that was in contact with the person making the threats.” They added the phone being used to send the threat was located in Europe and not near an HISD campus.
Continue reading Henderson ISD security lockdown ends safely

HOUSTON COUNTY — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant led to the arrest of a man in connection to child pornography. According to our news partners at KETK, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office helped the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to execute a residential search warrant in the Austonio area. The task force reportedly had been investigating an alleged offense related to the possession and distribution of child pornography from a residence on CR 3155. After the search warrant was executed, Jerry Wade Norsworthy was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of child pornography. Norsworthy currently resides in the Houston County Jail awaiting bail to be set by a justice of the peace.

TYLER — U.S. News and World Report named The University of Texas at Tyler’s School of Nursing among the nation’s top 50 online graduate nursing programs and as the seventh graduate nursing program for veterans, according to a news release. UT Tyler ranked fourth best in Texas. UT Tyler’s Master of Business Administration and graduate education degree programs were also ranked on the list of best online programs.

“This is a significant accomplishment for the UT Tyler School of Nursing,” said Dr. Julie V. Philley, executive vice president and vice provost for UT Tyler health affairs. “We are proud to contribute to the shaping of health care leaders who will drive positive change in patient care and nursing practice.” Continue reading UT Tyler ranked in top 50 nursing programs

LONGVIEW — Residents of a Longview neighborhood where a man was apparently mauled to death by a dog say it’s not a new problem. On February 1, officers found the body of a 46-year-old man with wounds consistent with those of a dog bite near South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Rayburn Drive. The investigation is ongoing. People who live nearby say the dogs in the area need to be controlled. City of Longview Spokesman Richard Yeakley says a dog owner in the area was cited 50 times in recent years but it is not confirmed that a dog on that property attacked the victim last weekend. Yeakley says the city is considering possible policy changes.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that a new district attorney has been appointed to the 159th Judicial District in Angelina County. According to our news partner KETK, Layne Thompson, of Pollock, is set to take office after he is found qualified. He has previously served as an assistant district attorney for Angelina and Harris counties. The current District Attorney Janet Cassels, confirmed she submitted her resignation in December, effective in February. In a release, Abbott stated Thompson is former counsel for Mike Love & Associates and former vice president of Thompson Cattle Company. He is chairman of the Angelina Arts Alliance.

TYLER — According to Tyler Police, the 3600 block of Old Bullard Road is blocked off after a vehicle hit a telephone pole, causing the lines to fall in the roadway. Motorist are asked to seek an alternate route. Repairs are expected to be completed by mid-morning.