KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – As holiday travel season kicks off, Steve Thompson, the manager at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, says the location is full of energy. According to our news partner KETK, the aviation industry is overcoming the impacts of the pandemic. The number of people flying is now the same as pre-pandemic numbers. “An interesting fact is when we looked (at) the numbers we had significant higher numbers of people traveling to Tyler for this holiday week than people traveling from Tyler,” said Thompson. He says with heavier foot traffic, this is the perfect time for city officials to show off their facilities and convenience. “We have ample curb space that enables quick loading and unloading of folks. We have TSA precheck to facilitate people getting through the airport quickly here,” said Thompson. Continue reading Tyler Pounds Airport seeing pre-pandemic traveling numbers during holidays

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes will perform alongside pop superstar Mariah Carey Thursday in the finale of the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Rangerettes are marching in the parade this year in their traditional red, white, and blue uniforms, and will be in special costumes for their performance with Carey. Also, a group of the Rangerettes Forever helped to open the parade in maroon cheer uniforms.

TYLER – Tyler Salvation Army volunteers and staff present their annual community Thanksgiving meal. The Salvation Army was planning on feeding up to 1,000 guests Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Celebrating “family,” the current residents of The Salvation Army are having their meal served by volunteers, according to a news release. The volunteers are serving the community at the Salvation Army’s corps buildings in the breezeway between the dormitory and fellowship hall. Over 110 volunteers signed up this year to help with the Thanksgiving meal. Continue reading Tyler Salvation Army holds annual community Thanksgiving meal

LONGVIEW — A man who was accused of using a stolen check at an East Texas Lowe’s was arrested with the help of social media.According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a generator was bought with the check in Longview on Oct. 31. Then, 30 minutes after officials shared photos on social media of the man involved in the incident several people started sending tips. Jason Walker was arrested on Monday in Grayson County and released after he paid his bond. Deputies said the other man in the photo was not connected to the case. “Great job, Facebook you never disappoint,” said the sheriff’s office.

TYLER – A five-year-old boy who was at the center of an Amber Alert on Monday after being abducted from Overton has been returned home, and his alleged abductor has been charged with kidnapping. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says Pamela Medlock, 59, was arrested Monday after being stopped by a Texas State Trooper on I-20 near Colorado City, Texas. “She was supposedly headed to Arizona,” Smith said. Officials said she was arrested after detectives interviewed her, and a recommended bond has been set at $250,000. She remained in Mitchell County as of midday Tuesday. Continue reading Woman charged in kidnapping that spurred Amber Alert

EAST TEXAS — As usual, city offices in Tyler and Longview will be closed for Thanksgiving Day. But the city of Tyler also wants you to know all non-emergency city offices will be closed as of noon on Wednesday. Solid waste collection is just one of a number of services that will be affected. Click here for more information on the Tyler schedule, and visit this link for additional information from Longview.

TYLER – The United Way of Smith County will host their third annual “Tyler Gives” online fundraiser on November 29th, which falls on International Giving Tuesday. According to a news release, the event is aimed at meeting local needs by providing United Way’s partnering local nonprofit agencies with a generous gift at the end of the year. More than 400 individuals came together last year and raised over $230,000 on TylerGives.org in a matter of hours. Thanks to Tyler Gives sponsor Express Employment Professionals and its subsidiary Specialized Recruiting Group, all fees associated with the event are covered, allowing 100% of the donations to go directly to meeting needs. United Way and the event sponsors are providing a $75,000 match for Tyler Gives this year. Continue reading United Way to host third annual Tyler Gives event with $75,000 match

TYLER — Cooking is the biggest cause of home fires and fire injuries, and Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than three times as many cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day as there are on any other typical day of the year. So, there’s no better time to focus on safety. The Tyler Fire Department urges citizens to cook with caution and follow a few safety tips that can help to prevent fires. “No matter how many years you’ve been cooking, or how many Thanksgiving feasts you’ve served, you still need to make safety your main ingredient,” says Paul Findley, Tyler Fire Marshal/PIO. Continue reading The Tyler Fire Department offers cooking safety tips

EAST TEXAS — Several East Texas hospitals have been given “A” safety grades for fall 2022. Our news partner KETK reports the ratings come from The Leapfrog Group. That’s described as a national nonprofit that aims to save lives by evaluating hospitals based on the performance of harm prevention systems and the hospital’s amount of errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Each hospital is given a numerical score that is then converted into an letter grade of A, B, C, or D, with “A” being the safest. UT Health North Campus Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, UT Health Athens, and UT Health Henderson are among those receiving “A” grades. Click here for more details.

TYLER — On Tuesday around noon, employees of the Tyler Urban Forestry Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Streets Department will be delivering and installing an Eastern red cedar tree in the Downtown Tyler square. The new Christmas tree is estimated to be 30 feet and has been donated anonymously in honor of all loved ones lost to cancer, according to a news release. The tree will be decorated in anticipation of the Christmas Parade and the 37th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held on Thursday, Dec. 1.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. This week, officials are drawing special attention to a Smith County project. TxDOT and contractor crews are scheduled to continue work on SH 155, with sweeping operations planned through the week after getting underway Monday. Weather permitting, crews are due to begin fog seal and hot mix resurfacing Tuesday and continue that through the week as well. The project stretches from Loop 323 in Tyler to the Anderson County line and consists of resurfacing, upgrading drainage structures, and repairing bridge joints. The expected completion date is spring of 2023. Click here for a complete rundown of this week’s roadwork around the district.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities report five-year-old Zechariah Sutton of Overton has been found safe and appears to be unharmed after an Amber Alert was issued for him early Monday. Officials say Zechariah and Pamela Medlock, 59, were both found in Mitchell County by the sheriff’s office there. They were headed west on I-20 near Colorado City, Texas. Smith County investigators have headed to Mitchell County to follow up on the case. Zechariah had last been seen around 3 a.m. Monday. Authorities say he was abducted by Medlock, described as a “family friend” who does not have a permanent address but frequents the Overton and Kilgore areas. We’ll update this story as new information comes in.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District is issuing a boil water notice for customers located in the following areas: Cedar Branch Park (South portion), subdivisions located down Double Bridge Road (Timber Bay, Grandview Terrace, Wood Canyon Waters, Deer Island, Spillview estates, and other surrounding areas that experienced a water outage on November 20. The district covers approximately 20 square miles in northwest Henderson County, adjacent to the north and east banks of Cedar Creek Reservoir. Click here for further details and updates.

 

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler police are searching for Edward Forrest Roddy, 51, from Tyler. He was reported missing by his mother who has not heard from him since the end of September. He is a black male approximately 5’11 and 150 lbs, bald, greying goatee and a tattoo on his neck that says “Shaneka”. He goes by the nickname “Punkin”. If you know his location or see him please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

MABANK – The Mabank Police Department is asking for your help in the search for 14 year old Sophia Flores of Mabank. Sophia was last seen November 17th. According to our news partner KETK, she is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 110 to 120 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, Sophia was wearing a grey hoodie and white sweat pants. Authorities believe that Flores may be in Henderson or that immediate area. If you have information contact local law enforcement