KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — $86,000 was handed out Tuesday at 17 Tyler ISD campuses. The Tyler ISD Grant Patrol delivered the news to educators that were named 2022-2023 Grants for Great Ideas recipients, our news partner KETK reports. “Grant Patrol is one of the highlights of our year. It’s a rewarding opportunity to partner on these projects with an amazing group of educators who aim to engage their students in new and creative ways,” Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Suzette Farr said. The 29 grants given to educators on 17 campuses will fund projects like honey bees at Tyler Legacy High School to supporting the district’s literacy bus and expand student learning in the STEAM lab at Orr Elementary School. Continue reading $86k awarded to Tyler ISD educators with ‘Grants for Great Ideas’

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler blocked social media app TikTok from all campus internet networks effective Tuesday, the university announced. According to our news partner KETK, UT Tyler said this comes in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent directive that requires all state agencies to remove the app from state-issued devices and equipment to address cybersecurity risks. “UT Tyler is taking these important steps to eliminate risks to information contained in the university’s network and to our critical infrastructure,” the university said. The order does not apply to student-run accounts that are owned by student organizations, since they are not government or Texas state agency accounts. Continue reading UT Tyler blocks TikTok from campus internet networks

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Law enforcement and a SWAT team took a man into custody around 9:20 p.m. after he barricaded himself inside a home Tuesday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said. According to our news partner KETK, the man was identified as 34-year-old Lionel Charles. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office attempted to execute a search warrant at a residence on CR 4126 around 5:30 Tuesday evening. The sheriff’s office and Jacksonville Police Department were investigating the residence due to reported stolen property when Charles barricaded himself in a rear bedroom with firearms. Charles was arrested without further incident.

TYLER — On Tuesday, the Smith County Commissioners Court voted to approve the eminent domain proceedings for two businesses on the east side of the square. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County hopes to acquire MJL Holdings at 206 and 214 East Erwin and Rodney Kamel’s at 211 East Ferguson. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin explained this has been a work in progress for years. “We’ve been working for quite some time now, even multiple years for purchasing property on the east side of the square to build our new courthouse,” he said. Franklin is hopeful the two business will accept the final offer letter they sent out recently, so they don’t have to move forward with the eminent domain. Continue reading Smith County approves next step for new courthouse

TYLER — Tyler police Tuesday issued an updated advisory to drivers about a busy intersection. Police say at 12:20 Tuesday afternoon, officers responded to McDonald Rd. at Loop 323 regarding a crash involving an 18-wheeler. A power pole was struck and lines went down in the roadway. As of 2:30 p.m., one northbound lane of Loop 323 at the intersection had reopened for traffic. Two were still closed as Oncor worked to repair the pole and lines that were down. Police urged you to avoid this area if possible. Click here for the latest information.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are seeking leads as they continue to investigate a weekend shooting at Jucy’s Taco on Victory Drive. Officials said that two people were injured in the shooting around 5:30 p.m. Sunday and that a possible suspect is still at large. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the two victims were transported to a hospital in Marshall. Deputies from Harrison County assisted Marshall PD in attempting to locate the possible suspect. Marshall PD now says detectives and Task Force Officers are working on the case using all resources. Continue reading Marshall police seek leads in shooting

TYLER — Due to a planned repair to the water main, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Dean Water Supply Corporation public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Officials with the Tyler area water supplier note that children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow directions posted on the company’s website. Click here for further information and updates.

TYLER — A longtime local church leader is moving into a new role after four decades of service. Rose Heights Church in Tyler will be celebrating Lead Pastor Doug Anderson’s 40th year in ministry on Sunday, January 22, at 10 a.m. Pastor Anderson accepted his first position at the church in 1983 and has served as lead pastor for the past 20 of those years, according to a news release. Alongside his wife, Gina Anderson, Pastor Anderson shared with the church on January 15 that he will now be transitioning to pastor emeritus. “Words cannot express the emotion we feel and the love that we feel for this church and this community,” said Anderson as quoted in the release. Continue reading Tyler pastor transitions to pastor emeritus after 40 years

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve the retirement of Precinct 5 Deputy Constable K-9 Hunter and allow him to live with his longtime handler. According to a news release, Deputy Constable Kevin Petty has been working with K-9 Hunter since 2016, when the dog was donated to the office by a nonprofit organization. Recently, Petty has noticed that Hunter is having a hard time with some activities that are considered normal for a Dutch Shepherd breed. He believes that after more than six years of service, he should be retired from active duty, Precinct 5 Constable Wesley Hicks said. Continue reading Smith County K-9 retired to live with handler

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that a Saturday evening fire of a school bus converted into a home was accidental. Around 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, Smith County Emergency Communications received calls reporting an explosion on Canyon Circle, in northern Smith County. After a preliminary investigation, the cause of the fire was an accidental fuel-air explosion most likely caused by a propane leak inside the school bus, which had been converted into a tiny home and was occupied by the resident at the time of the explosion, Smith County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. The bus was outfitted with gas and electric utilities. Continue reading Weekend bus explosion deemed accidental

TYLER — Roadwork continues this week on the Rice Road sink hole in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the work started Sunday night, and closed a portion of Rice Road from S. Broadway Avenue to Old Bullard Road will be closed. Old Bullard Road will be closed to northbound traffic as well. “Once we found the sinkhole and we started excavating and digging down there it was almost like a pandora’s box of things that we kind of found,” said Kate Dietz, PE, City of Tyler Director of Utilities. “Traffic will still be able to go North and South on Old Bullard, similar to when we did the temporary pavement repair,” said Dietz. They hope to have the sinkhole repaired, the road repaved and be ready to open again by the end of the week. Problems began on Dec. 1 when Rice Road closed due to the discovery of the sinkhole. Continue reading Portion of Rice Road in Tyler closed for final phase of sinkhole repair

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful invites local artists to submit artwork for the Hillside Art Wall by Friday, Feb. 28.  According to a news release, the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board will be selecting art pieces that spark creativity, happiness, and hope while still representing the Tyler community, East Texas or Texas. The board will announce the winning art pieces on Friday, March 10, and artists will begin painting the panels in early April.  The 200-foot wall, built in 2019, currently features 19 original art pieces painted by local artists. The wall was repainted by 19 new artists in 2021 and will continue to feature new artwork every other year. The art can be viewed on the southeast side of Hillside Park, on E. Erwin St. Continue reading Call to Artists: Hillside Park Art Wall

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said officials continue to investigate after the Marshall Police Department responded to a shooting at Jucys Taco on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that two people were injured and that a possible suspect is still at large. According to HCSO, the two victims were transported to a hospital in Marshall. Deputies from Harrison County assisted Marshall PD in trying to locate the possible suspect, described as a black male wearing black clothing and possibly driving a silver Nissan Murano.

TYLER – The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas announces a call for nominations for the 2023 BBB Awards for Excellence. Officials say the awards honor businesses and charities who demonstrate superior integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness. All BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities who have a physical location within the 19 counties served by BBB Central East Texas are eligible to be nominated and to receive an award. Nominations for businesses are due February 12.  Any Accredited Business or Accredited Charity operating in BBB’s service area is eligible to be nominated. The East Texas community will select this year’s recipients via online vote. The awards will be announced May 7. Click here for more details.

TYLER — Retired attorney, veteran, and community volunteer Beverly Russell takes the podium as guest speaker at Tyler’s annual interfaith service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Russell says she wanted to know and communicate who Dr. King really was and why he did the things he did — so she did some studying of her own. Russell told KTBB, “He was a man that…from his life experiences decided that…love was the way to break down barriers…make people reflect on their thoughts and their behavior — and that love ultimately could overcome all.” Continue reading East Texans honor Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.