KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Thursday, a Tyler woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison for arson in an April house fire that destroyed a house, car, motorcycle and killed a dog. According to our news partner KETK, 52-year-old Ruthie Cassettari was arrested in June after a fire on Kevin Drive in Tyler. Authorities say at that time, the homeowner felt Cassettari may have set the fire. Ring camera video shortly before the fire showed a car parked in front of the home that was the same make and model as the vehicle that Cassettari drove.
Continue reading Tyler woman receives 12 years for arson

WILLS POINT — A Wills Point woman was sentenced to federal prison for fraud violations to an elderly victim and ordered to pay $47,236 restitution. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, Lisa Lynn Smith, 62, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on an elderly Plano man “by telling him lies about urgent personal and family expenses that she was facing.” Reportedly, Smith also told the victim she would be receiving a lawsuit settlement of over $2.5 million, and would use the settlement money to pay him back. Smith’s lawsuit settlement however, did not pay that amount. Prosecutors said the victim allowed Smith to use their credit card but was not told the specific expenses, that included rented cars, personal and family expenses. Smith was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison on Thursday.

TYLER — Texas has seen a rapid population growth in the last year, with more people wanting to move to the Lone Star State and East Texas, according to our news partner KETK. “Basically that means you are going to have more people, which means more workers, more ability to compete,” said Dr. Ray Perryman, economist and CEO of The Perryman Group. Perryman spoke on Thursday at the 40th Annual Perryman Economic Outlook Conference. The outlook predicts economic trends for the entire United States, Texas and East Texas. Perryman said that expanding industries in the Tyler area are creating slightly more opportunities for work when compared to the rest of the state and nation. “We’re looking for the output in Texas to grow just a little bit faster than Tyler, but the job growth to be a little bit faster in Tyler than in the state,” said Dr. Perryman. Continue reading Economist predicts significant job growth in Tyler

TYLER — According to out news partner KETK the Tyler Police Department is investigating the scene where a person was shot in the leg and another wounded. According to Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, on Thursday at around 4:49 p.m., Tyler PD was dispatched to a shooting in the 2900 block of North Grand Avenue. One victim was reportedly shot in the leg and taken to a hospital and a second person was reportedly also shot but taken to a local hospital by a private vehicle. Erbaugh said the two victims appear to be from the same incident that police believe was between them and a possible third person. The investigation remains active and police officers are still on the scene. Erbaugh said more information will be shared as it becomes available.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has issued a warning of a man described as wearing “army gear” and carrying a rifle who reportedly fired one shot in the air. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall PD is actively searching in the West Rusk and Adkins area but have not located the man at this time. Officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911. They ask people to remain indoors if they are in the vicinity and to avoid the area if possible. Authorities said they will update the public as more information becomes available.

RUSK – Thursday the Rusk Rural Water Supply rescinded a boil water notice that affected a portion of their customers. The notice was posted Wednesday afternoon. The company says any questions you may have, call Rusk Rural Water Supply at 903-683-6178.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Thursday announced two teams of their mechanical engineering students won a total $30,000 through the Department of Energy Innovation Competition. According to our news partner KETK, the students were selected by the DOE for developing projects that will help their communities have clean energy.
Continue reading UT Tyler engineering students win 30K

TYLER – Southside Bank has announced the opening of a new loan production office in Dallas at 5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 1055. the office officially opened on January 16 and will primarily serve clients in the Dallas area. This new office adds to the bank’s 15 locations throughout North Texas, and Lee Gibson, Southside’s President and CEO says it further demonstrates Southside’s commitment to growing their North Texas presence.

Southside Bank is headquartered in Tyler, with approximately $7.97 billion in assets. They currently operate 55 branches and a network of 73 ATMs throughout East Texas, Southeast Texas, and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston areas.

TYLER — On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the Tyler City Council approved continuing the professional services contract, in the amount of $2,379,480, with Fitzpatrick Architects and Halff for the Downtown Improvement Project. The companies will handle the architectural and engineering services for the project’s design/plan production, bidding, and construction. For the past nine months, collaborative efforts between the City, Smith County, Fitzpatrick Architects, and Halff resulted in finalized design plans for Downtown Tyler. The design was reviewed at a joint meeting with the Smith County Commissioners and City Council. It was also discussed with the Main Street Board and businesses located Downtown. The next steps include developing plans for bidding on the project and construction management during the duration of the project. Continue reading Downtown Improvement Project moves forward

TYLER– The Tyler Parks and Rec announced on Wednesday that the Glass Recreation Center is closed until further notice due to a water leak. According to our news partner KETK, officials say the water at the center has been shut off and the center will be closed until the situation can be accessed. The Glass Recreation Center say they will provide updates when they get more information.

KILGORE – Kilgore city officials report that five water breaks that were discovered Wednesday morning have been fixed. According to our news partner KETK, the breaks were found around 10:15 a.m. on Longview Street and Kay Street were repaired by 5:15 p.m. The city wants to remind homeowners to call city crews to turn off their water and to not get into their meter box. They wrote in a release, “If you have a personal shutoff installed as part of your repair from this freeze, the city will waive the fee for turning off the water.”

The city of Kilgore website also has a trash pickup update. You can find that here.

RUSK – Because of a water main leak, the Rusk Rural Water Supply has issued a boil water notice. According to our news partner KETK, the notice is for users off of FM 1248 and the following country roads: 2102, 2102, 2103, 2107, 2109, 2110, 2111, 2115, 2117, 2118, 2119, 2120, 2121, 2201, 2202 and 2217. Officials ask that water usage be limited to necessary use, and to bring any water to a rolling boil for two minutes before use or consumption. Rusk Rural Water Supply said they will notify customers when the boil water notice is lifted. Any questions regarding the water notice, call Rusk Rural Water Supply at 903-683-6178.

SHELBY COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report a 60-year-old man died in custody in Shelby County, the sheriff’s office said. James Jackson of Center died at approximately 5:35 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The Texas Rangers were called in and are investigating the death.