KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 16. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew repairing base failures on FM 2493 inside Loop 323, from Sunnybrook to Broadway. A second crew will be repairing base failures on FM 15, three miles south of SH 64. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207, from Tom Eubanks Rd. to the south end of FM 2207 at SH 135 N. Work will be north and southbound. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic in all the aforementioned locations.  Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

OVERTON – Police in Overton are asking for help in locating a man convicted of aggravated sexual assault of child in 2002. According to our news partner KETK, officials say 43 year-old Shacory Lee Pryor is also wanted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s office for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and other lesser charges. The DPS website lists Pryor at six feet tall, 180 pounds, black with various body tattoos. Authorities ask that you notify them if you have knowledge of Pryor’s whereabouts.

TYLER – A boil water notice was issued by Tyler State Park Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, this is due to a loss in water pressure. It’s in effect for camping and day use areas, while the blackjack camping loop and bathroom are exempt. Officials will notify when the boil water notice is no longer active.

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.