KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler police say a suspect has been arrested in a reported kidnapping. They say Arkansas State Police stopped Servando Vazquez of Tennessee Friday afternoon as he drove a pickup and that they located the allegedly kidnapped children in the vehicle unharmed. At approximately 12:15 p.m. Friday, officers responded to an address on W. Mims in Tyler. A 36-year-old woman advised that Vazquez, 38, the estranged father of her child, took her children without consent and under threat of violence. She said he took their son, Servando Vasquez-Avila, who is three years old and is his biological child. She said he also took her son, Alvaro Emmanuel Diaz-Avila, who is eight years old. Vazquez is not the biological father of the eight-year-old. The case remains under investigation.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is responding to severe weather that hit East Texas Friday evening. City officials say streets and storm-water crews will respond and intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out and other public facilities may be compromised. If you have an emergency, you’re asked to call 9-1-1, stay on the line, and not hang up until your call is answered. Officials say you should answer all questions and follow instructions. The Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications to include traffic signal issues. Click here for more information.

TYLER — Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford updates the State of the District for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Crawford says recent developments in the district show “a lot of great things are happening in Tyler, Texas, especially in Tyler ISD.” He notes that in 2021-22, the district had its best year academically in recent times. He also cited the support of the community in passing a recent bond proposal. As for what lies ahead, Crawford tells KTBB the district has “a lot of great systems in place to take care of student achievement, no matter what Austin, Texas throws at us.” He adds that the district’s priority is to make sure that everyone on campus is “safe and secure” — and that he’s “very proud” of upgrades made in that area. Each year, the Chamber hears presentations on the state of the district, the city, and the county.

EAST TEXAS – Some East Texas school districts announced early releases due to severe weather expected on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the Brownsboro, Eustace, Frankston, Fruitvale, Grand Saline, Martin’s Mill, Van, and Winona ISDs were among those giving students, faculty, and staff an early start on the weekend. Straight-line wind gusts up to 70 mph were the main concern, with tornadoes possible along the line.

HENDERSON – The Rusk County deputy who was under investigation following a fatal officer-involved shooting on Sept. 14 was no-billed by a grand jury on Thursday, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The grand jury decided there was not enough evidence to indict the deputy for the incident, and the case will no longer be prosecuted. According to our news partner KETK, a custodial report on the incident says the victim was allegedly struggling to conceal drugs and resisting arrest. The document claims the deceased Timothy Michael Randall, 29, “attempted to conceal contraband” during a pat-down after a traffic stop on CR 4125 near SH 64 in Henderson. Continue reading Deputy no-billed in officer-involved shooting

ANDERSON COUNTY – Missing person Courtney Dollgener has been found, according to Anderson County Sheriff Rudy Flores. Flores said deputies and a property owner found her in a cement storm shelter near the intersection of FM 1817 and FM 2419 “uninjured and in relatively good health.” According to our news partner KETK, she was examined by EMS, and Flores said afterwards she would be reunited with her family. It was reported Thursday afternoon that an active search for Dollgener was being conducted after she was reported missing on Nov. 2. The sheriff said Dollgener has a “diminished mental capacity” and a habit of wandering from her residence and seeking shelter in unoccupied buildings and structures.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department announced Thursday that they have arrested a student after they were alerted to a possible verbal threat to Foster Middle School and Judson Middle School. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Authorities said they arrested a Judson Middle School student on a charge of “terroristic threat” and that the student was taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. In a prepared statement, the department says, “The Longview Police Department encourages parents and guardians to visit with their children regarding school safety. Statements of violence towards any of our campuses will be taken seriously and investigated to the fullest extent by the police department.” The student’s identity hasn’t been released. Continue reading Student arrested for alleged terroristic threat against two middle schools

LONGVIEW — Longview city leaders gathered Wednesday, giving the community an inside look at the state of the city. According to our news partner KETK, the event highlighted the growth of Longview. And according to Mayor Andy Mack, the state of the city is good. Officials say their goal has been keeping their citizens happy and home, with a focus on bringing young people back to Longview. Many plans are in place for the city, which include building an amphitheatre. Mayor Mack says, “It’s a very viable option for Longview. I think it’s something that would be very beneficial to us, but there’s still a lot of exploration that has to take place. But we don’t need to close our eyes to the fact that the opportunity is in front of us. We need to take advantage of it if we can and see where it leads us.”

TYLER – Each winter, thousands of visitors travel to Tyler for holiday shopping and to celebrate the season at one of their many “Rose City Christmas” events. One of the area’s most beloved Christmas traditions is the Azalea District Trail of Lights, where local residents deck the halls to share with onlookers during December. According to officials with Visit Tyler, it’s a shining showcase of Tyler’s historic charm and Texas-sized hospitality. Homeowners in the District are encouraged to participate by decorating their homes for the holidays. There is a homeowner’s decorating contest with a chance to win prizes donated by local sponsors. Continue reading Tyler residents spread holiday cheer with Azalea District Trail of Lights

LONGVIEW — An East Texas business suffered thousands of dollars in damages after an 18-wheeler hydroplaned and crashed into their food truck on Oct. 28. According to our news partner KETK, Heather Goettle, the owner of Crawfish Cove at 4934 Estes Parkway in Longview, said the crash knocked down their sign and sheared off their gas line. She believes the damages were worth more than $100,000. Goettle said she could have died if they had been working and had a fire inside the trailer because the gas line was broken off. But, no one was inside the business when the wreck happened. There is also a hole in the bottom of the trailer where it was separated. Continue reading East Texas food truck business suffers major damage after 18-wheeler crashes into it

TYLER — Drivers should take note of more gantry maintenance on Toll 49. The work from SH 64 to I-20, originally set for Thursday and Friday of last week, is now set for Thursday, November 3, and Friday, November 4, from 7 p.m. till 5 a.m. Toll 49 will be closed in the affected area during the maintenance times.

TYLER — The public is invited to attend an open house Thursday to update the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). According to a news release, that’s a short-range budgeting document that provides details on how federal transportation funding dollars will be spent on planning, design, and construction of highway and transit improvements over the next four fiscal years. The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will host the open house from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room on West Ferguson Street. The public will be notified of changes to the proposed schedule for constructing several TXdot highway projects. Continue reading Open house Thursday on TxDOT construction projects

TYLER — A Tyler man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison in a Smith County court on Wednesday for the death of a woman in September 2021. According to our news partner KETK, Javier Valenzuela-Avila, 21, was sentenced for the murder of Laura Garcia, who was 25. Garcia’s body was found on Sept. 4, 2021, when police responded to a welfare concern on East Dawson Street. Valenzuela-Avila was admitted to a local hospital under police watch for self-inflicted wounds. He was arrested on Sept. 5, 2021 and booked into the Smith County Jail on a murder warrant with a $1 million bond.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – East Texas native Kelcy Warren has been named as one of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Warren, a White Oak High School graduate, was listed as the 227th wealthiest American by Forbes with a real-time net worth of $4.8 billion as of Wednesday. He co-founded pipeline company Energy Transfer in 1996 with fellow billionaire Ray Davis, but stepped down as CEO in 2020. He remains executive chairman of the board of directors for the company. According to Forbes, despite protests in 2017 criticizing the company’s Dakota Access Pipeline, Energy Transfer finished building the $3.8 billion pipeline after an executive order by President Donald Trump. Continue reading East Texas native listed by Forbes as one of America’s wealthiest

TYLER — Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats with a donation of 12 new fleece blankets for November. According to a city news release, the blankets will be used for animals at the shelter. Blankets that are 50″x60″ are preferred to fit a pet’s kennel. Animals adopted from Tyler Animal Services are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. The standard adoption fee for dogs is $120 and $80 for cats. To adopt, view available animals or submit an application, visit this link. Call (903) 535-0045 for more information.