KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Rice Road between South Broadway Avenue and Old Bullard Road in Tyler is closed for permanent asphalt repairs as of Sunday, Jan. 15. Contractors were due to begin repairs on Monday, Jan. 16. This work will replace the temporary asphalt repair when Tyler Water Utilities located a sinkhole in December. Officials say extensive work was done inside the sinkhole and along Old Bullard Road to replace sewer lines, a manhole, and other infrastructure before the intersection could be opened to traffic. The City of Tyler says it asks for your patience. Motorists are asked to drive slowly in the area and obey the detours and traffic signs. Repairs are scheduled to be completed by the end of the week, depending on the weather and the ground conditions.

PALESTINE – Death row inmate Robert Roberson’s attorney says she’s troubled by a recent ruling in his case, but she’s not giving up. “There is much more fighting left to do,” said Gretchen Sween. After years of courtroom scrutiny over the now-questionable science of “shaken baby syndrome,” the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided Wednesday that doubt surrounding the cause of his daughter’s death was not enough to overturn Roberson’s death sentence. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the Texas Tribune. Continue reading Death row inmate’s lawyer responds after new trial denied

GRAND SALINE – A man arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor and sexual assault of a child has been identified as Grand Saline Fire Captain Patrick Rowe. According to our news partner KETK, Grand Saline Fire Chief Jeremy L. Barker says Rowe is no longer with the City of Grand Saline or the Grand Saline Fire Department in any capacity. Barker gave his sympathy to the alleged victims and their families. “One person’s poor decisions do not represent our department,” said Barker. “Obviously, this has cast a bad light upon our fire department and has given us a bit of a black eye. We just want our community to know that we do not condone or support any actions of this nature. That is not who we are as a department, nor what we stand for.” Continue reading Grand Saline Fire captain charged with sexual assault of a child

ATHENS – A man was arrested in Henderson County on Thursday after officials said they received a tip a man was coming to Athens to “pick up a 14-year-old to make her his wife.” According to our news partner KETK, officials with the sheriff’s office said investigators set up surveillance at the location where he told the girl he would pick her up. A man later identified as Joseph Melton was seen entering the store and immediately going to the bathroom where the girl had been told to meet him. Officials say he was immediately arrested. Melton’s car was searched and officials said investigators found a 9mm pistol and marijuana inside. He was arrested for enticing a child, delivery of marijuana to a minor, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities consumers may be experiencing a spike in Geosmin, a taste and odor compound, in their drinking water. Officials say the water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards. Geosmin is non-toxic and safe to consume, according to a city news release. It typically produces an earthy odor and is naturally present in some foods, such as beets, spinach, and mushrooms. Continue reading Potential for “earthy” water taste and odor

TYLER — Plans for revitalization of a Tyler landmark are moving forward following action Wednesday by the City Council. According to a news release, the Council approved an Economic Development Agreement with NORF Development Company for $1.5 million to incentivize redevelopment of the former Carlton Hotel. NORF purchased the East Elm Street building in 2021 and intends to invest more than $30 million in the property. Officials say due to current market conditions — including construction cost escalations, inflation, interest rates, and the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — moving the project from final design to construction has been challenging. Staffers say the City of Tyler will disburse the funds to NORF once the building is substantially complete.  Continue reading City approves economic development agreement for former Carlton Hotel revitalization

EAST TEXAS — Tyler and Longview offer events Monday January 16th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In Tyler, Tyler Together has its annual observance stretching from the downtown Tyler square to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Click here for details and updates. Continue reading Tyler, Longview honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

PANOLA COUNTY – Two people were arrested and officials are still looking for another person after a chase that spanned across two East Texas counties. According to our news partner KETK, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 7:59 a.m. on Thursday about a pursuit that had began in Nacogdoches County and was moving into Panola County on Highway 315. Panola County deputies and officers with the Precinct 2 and Precinct 3 Constable’s Office also helped Nacogdoches and Rusk County law enforcement. “The fleeing car was traveling at an excess of 100 mph and was passing multiple vehicles in an unsafe manner,” said Cutter Clinton, the Panola County Sheriff. Deputies set up spikes on Highway 359 near Southside Baptist Church and constables set up spikes on Lasalle Parkway. The driver was able to avoid the spikes, and they allegedly swerved at a constable, who discharged their service pistol and shot the tires. Continue reading Officials: 2 arrested, 1 at large after East Texas chase, drugs found in suitcases in car

TYLER – Despite months of hurdles, the Tyler W.T. Brookshire Convention Center’s construction has an end in sight, according to our news partner KETK. “It’s been a long time coming, and so the fact that we’ve pushed through and we are at this place and this beautiful facility will open, we are just very excited,” said Shari Lee, Visit Tyler President. Tyler deputy city manager Stephanie Franklin says walls have gone up, lighting is being put in, and painting has started. As they get closer to the doors opening everyone is ready for one thing. “I think we are excited to see what this brings to the City of Tyler,” said Franklin. As they near the finish line, there is a lot of interest, especially in the tourism department. Continue reading Tyler’s W.T. Brookshire Convention Center plans to open in the spring

PALESTINE – A Palestine ISD band director was arrested for an improper relationship with a student, according to our news partner KETK. The Palestine Police Department said they got a report on Jan. 12 of an improper relationship between a teacher and a student at Palestine High School. “During the investigation, detectives learned a teacher, identified as Adrian Alonso, 37, of Palestine, had an improper relationship, including sexual contact with a student, beginning in 2020,” police said. On Thursday, law enforcement secured a warrant for Alonso. He was charged with improper educator/student relationship, which is a second-degree felony, police said. Alonso was out of the area due to a school trip, and police said they found him in Fort Worth. He was arrested and taken to the Tarrant County Jail, and he is expected to be extradited to Anderson County. His bond is set at $500,000. The Palestine Independent School District is fully assisting police, and the investigation is still open.

TYLER — Noted economist Dr. Ray Perryman offers up his annual economic outlook for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, starting with the Tyler region. Perryman tells KTBB things are looking optimistic for the Rose City area. He projects growth and employment that will exceed that of the state and the country. He notes that Tyler came back from COVID a little faster than everyone else, and that there has been more job growth since then. Perryman says we’re facing some headwinds on the national level, such as inflation, interest rates, and supply chain issues. He points out that there has been slower growth the last few months, but he doesn’t think we’re heading for a major recession — and may not see one at all. If there is such an event, Perryman expects it to be very mild, with a lot of momentum by the end of the year. Continue reading Perryman discusses economic outlook during yearly Tyler appearance

PALESTINE — One student was detained after Palestine Junior High School administration was made aware of a weapon on campus Wednesday, the district announced. According to our news partner KETK, the campus was placed on a soft lockdown and the Palestine ISD Police Department and administration located the weapon. Palestine Junior High resumed the normal schedule for the remainder of the day and will dismiss at normal times with normal procedures, the district said.

TYLER — TCU quarterback Max Duggan can add yet another prestigious trophy to his resume after he was named the 10th annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award winner on Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, Duggan not only led the Horned Frogs to the national championship game but he was also a Heisman Trophy finalist and won the Davey O’Brien Award. Along with Duggan, the other three finalists were Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson, UTSA quarterback Frank Harris and Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. “I’m honored to present the award to Max Duggan,” Earl Campbell said. “All of these players had incredible seasons. They all deserved their place as a finalist.” Duggan totaled 282 yards of offense and four touchdowns in TCU’s win over the Michigan Wolverines. Continue reading TCU’s Max Duggan wins Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

SMITH COUNTY – As the new year begins, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the jail is still understaffed and searching for new hires. According to our news partner KETK, there’s still a lot of work to be done. “There’s a lot of moving parts that the general public has no idea,” said Smith. He said a lot goes into operating a jail. With 33 unfilled positions, it only makes things more difficult on the staff they do have. “The ones that are just coming into the workforce that are eager to do things even get disheartened when they see there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Continue reading Smith County Jail sees more applicants but is still short staffed

AUSTIN – After years of courtroom scrutiny over the now-questionable science of “shaken baby syndrome,” the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided Wednesday that doubt surrounding the cause of his daughter’s death was not enough to overturn Robert Roberson’s death sentence. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the Texas Tribune. Roberson, 56, of Palestine, was convicted of killing his sickly two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, after he rushed her blue, limp body to the emergency room in 2002. He said that the two were sleeping in their Palestine home when he awoke to find Nikki unresponsive, having fallen off the bed. But doctors and nurses quickly suspected child abuse, disbelieving that such a short fall could have caused the fatal injuries. Continue reading Criminal appeals court: No new trial for East Texas death row inmate

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo announces the return of rhinos to its animal family. As quoted in a news release, Curator of Mammals Scotty Stainback says, “All of us are very happy to accept this amazing animal. Kiano came to us from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa. He’s strong, healthy and a really impressive animal.” Officials say the Caldwell Zoo has a long history of caring for rhinos. Also as quoted in the release, Caldwell Zoo President and CEO Steve Marshall notes, “The black rhinoceros is critically endangered in the wild. So, it’s important that we do everything we can to help these magnificent animals. Poaching has decimated the wild population.”

TYLER – A Tyler man was arrested Tuesday night after his one-year-old daughter was found strapped into her car seat on the side of Rhones Quarter Road, according to Tyler police. Officials say officers responded to the scene after police got a call about the case around 8 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, police said they received a separate call shortly thereafter about a drunk driver in the parking lot of a CEFCO gas station on Troup Highway. Authorities say it was later discovered that the driver, identified as Paul Hanna, 37, of Tyler, was the toddler’s father. Police said Hanna told them he thought his daughter was at a family member’s house, and when contacted by authorities, the family member said she was not there. Continue reading Man arrested after toddler daughter found on roadside

TYLER — Looking ahead to the May elections, businessman and community volunteer Lloyd Nichols launches his campaign for Tyler City Council, District 5. Bob Westbrook currently holds the seat but will not run for re-election due to reaching his term limit. After moving to Tyler in 2000 as the Area Vice President for Luby’s Cafeteria, Nichols opened and operated The Diner restaurant and other eating establishments. He is also a deacon at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Chair of the East Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, and a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. “As a business owner and someone who raised my children in Tyler, I appreciate the pro-business, pro-family policies that make this community great,” Nichols said as quoted in a news release.

AUSTIN — It’s mixed news for the two biggest cities in East Texas as the Texas comptroller’s office distributes its first sales tax allocations of the year. Longview’s total is $3,696,204.83, up from $3,511,150.03 a year ago. Tyler pulls in $4,965,828.05, a decrease from the $4,996,960.85 reported at this time in 2022, but by less than one per cent. Total net payments statewide come to $674,458,617.98, an increase of 6.23% from January 2022. Click this link for a more detailed city-by-city rundown statewide.

TYLER — It was another busy Wednesday for the Tyler City Council. The Tyler Fire Department is purchasing five National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant commercial washer-extractors, expanding its cancer-reduction initiatives. The City Council agreed to accept a grant from FEMA to fund the items’ purchase and installation. The Council also approved a contract for the Shackleford Creek Lift Station Improvements project. Officials say the location of the lift station is prone to flooding during rain events. And the Council signed off on a construction contract for the Stagecoach Drive drainage improvements project, which includes a new underground stormwater system. Click here and scroll down to “Tyler News” for details.

TYLER — The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler – covering 33 counties – tweeted his support of Governor Abbott’s denunciation of President Biden’s border policies. Bishop Joseph Strickland wrote on Twitter, “Thank you Governor Abbott. Biden has abdicated his federal responsibility for dealing with this crisis and you are vilified for doing what you can as the governor of one border state. Please continue to advocate for real border control. Innocent children of God are suffering.” The governor handed a letter castigating the president’s handling of the border situation to Mr. Biden when his plane landed in El Paso Sunday. Strickland has also been sharply critical of the president over his abortion policies.

TYLER — The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center says it prevented tens of millions of dollars in losses last year connected to organized fraud. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the center’s first year in operation prevented loses of nearly $48.5-million. It also helped root out 396 credit card skimmers. The center opened last year in Tyler as the first-of-its-kind in the nation, putting various law enforcement agencies in coordination to the fraud. Beyond just gas pumps, the center has recorded what the state calls “an astronomical amount” of fraud from other types of credit card skimming committed by foreign nationals, including ATM and point-of-sale skimming that specifically targets state benefit cards.

TYLER — Tyler police say a southeast Tyler intersection was finally cleared late Tuesday afternoon. Early Tuesday morning, there was a one-vehicle traffic crash at Golden Rd. and McDonald Rd. The vehicle damaged a power pole and traffic control panel. AT&T, Oncor, and City of Tyler staff teamed up to make repairs. Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible while crews were in the street.

TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation has announced that the Southside Park men’s restroom is closed following vandalism on January 8. Photos from Tyler Parks and Recreation show that the restroom’s toilet, urinal, and sink have been irreparably damaged. Officials said the restroom will remain closed until the necessary repairs can be made. According to our news partner KETK, they also request for people to come forward if you know anything about who vandalized the restroom.

TYLER — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due at the end of this month, and he is urging people to pay online. According to a news release, payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement, which will take you directly to the payment page on your account. The Tax Office mailed out 192,357 property tax statements in October, and Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the deadline for paying them. Tax payers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. Barber said for those who want to pay in person at the Tax Office, expect long lines and wait times. Click here for more information.

AUSTIN (KRLD) — The Texas State Parks System is 100 years old. Parks and Wildlife is celebrating the centennial with a traveling art exhibit that will make its way to East Texas later this year. “The Art of Texas State Parks” honors more than 30 parks across the state, with a goal of increasing public awareness. The first stop for the display is the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. That’s on through April 30. Future stops include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, from May 26 through October 1. Later stops are planned in Canyon, College Station, Albany, and Tyler.

TYLER – Visit Tyler, in association with the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tyler, has formed the Tyler Arts and Culture Collective. According to a news release, the collective is made up of eleven people who have been appointed for their love of Tyler and the arts. Organizers say the purpose is to provide a unified voice in promoting the arts in Tyler. The plan for, and formation of, the committee was presented at Tuesday’s Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. “We believe supporting and promoting the amazing people of the arts community in Tyler is a worthwhile endeavor. We are thrilled with this group and appreciate the time they will be devoting to our cause,” said Visit Tyler President Shari Lee, as quoted in the release. Continue reading Tyler Arts and Culture Collective formed

WOOD COUNTY — Three people, including a Longview woman, are killed in a Saturday evening crash on US 69, a mile southeast of Alba. According to DPS, preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was traveling northwest. Another was traveling southeast and crossed the center line into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the northwest-bound vehicle, according to the preliminary report. Yet another vehicle is believed to have collided with the passenger side of the northwest-bound vehicle, apparently continuing into the trees on the south side of US 69. Tiffany N. Sammons, 39, of Longview, was driving the southeast-bound vehicle. She was killed along with two Allen residents in the northwest-bound vehicle.

TYLER – The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County recently created a free guide to help families caring for someone with dementia. According to our news partner KETK, the web and print version of their Legal Guide for Dementia Care was made after receiving funding from the Texas Bar Foundation in hopes of being a life-changing resource for East Texas families. Rebecca Smith with the Alzheimer’s Alliance says the guide can help clarify certain legal terms and give people peace of mind as they plan for the future. The guide was made with information from elder attorneys, Alzheimer’s Alliance social workers, caregivers, and the Department of Justice. An online version of the free guide can be found here.

PALESTINE (KRLD) — The Union Pacific Railroad has been cleared to close its last repair shop in Palestine. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to review lower court rulings that Union Pacific is no longer bound by a 150-year old agreement to stay in Palestine forever. For one thing, Union Pacific never signed that agreement; that was several owners ago. For another, the company says the remaining repair shop is no longer needed in Palestine. John Piersol, who owns a feed store next to that shop, says the railroad has been a fixture in Palestine. But he says over the last 25 years or so, the number of local railroad workers has “really dwindled.” Union Pacific has not said when it plans to move out.