KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The local Rotary International clubs are continuing to accept entries from public organizations, bands, and other groups to participate in the 2022 Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1. The Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Square will serve as the finale. This year’s parade theme is “Imagine Rotary” and winners will be selected in six categories. This year parade organizers are asking each entry to pay a small entry fee to offset expenses. If you have questions about parade registration, contact Tiffany Damskov at tiffanydamskov@yahoo.com or 903-266-0376 or visit this link.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be performing mill and inlay operations on LP 323 from Commerce to the Loop 323 extension intersection. The work will include work in the intersection at Loop 323 and the Loop extension. Expect lane closures along with detours while working the intersection. Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207 from SH 135 N to SH 135 S. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

LONGVIEW — Police presence at Longview High School and the rest of the district’s campuses will be increased after Longview and Gregg County law enforcement investigated threats against “LHS,” according to the district and our news partner KETK. The investigation on Sunday night determined “there was no credible threat against Longview schools” and the threats posted to social media were against Lumberton High School, not Longview. “The student responsible was arrested by local authorities,” the district said. The district said they are thankful to be able to rely on their local law enforcement, and they will press criminal charges against anyone who makes threats against students, staff or their schools.

LONGVIEW — Weather permitting, beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, Spring Hill Road, between McCann Road and Bill Owens Parkway, will experience temporary lane closures to allow for the installation of LED Chevrons Safety Improvements. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes. This project consists of the installation of LED Chevrons along Spring Hill Road at three locations. Lane closures are anticipated to last off and on for two weeks. Lanes will be fully open to traffic by 2 p.m. of each day of work. Click here for additional details.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Water Utilities issued a boil water notice for some their customers Saturday in Henderson County. According to our news partner KETK, TWU said a nicked water line by someone doing yard work was the culprit. Currently this is impacting those in Chandler who use the Westwood Beach 1 water system. This has caused a low level lockout to that system, which means a water pressure drop and water line flush. A Texas Water Utilities spokesperson says as soon as the water pressure is back up and water samples are clear, they will remove the boil water notice.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking leads for three fugitives wanted for various charges. According to our news partner KETK, officials are looking for 42-year-old Patricia Garza of Chandler. She’s wanted for child endangerment. Johnny Lee Carey, 64, of Athens is sought for unauthorized use of a vehicle and 36-year-old Jose Dion Sanders of Dallas is wanted for sex abuse of a child. Authorities ask if you have information on the whereabouts of these three, to please contact them.

LONGVIEW – Authorities say a Longview pedestrian was struck and killed by an SUV while walking at the intersection of Neiman Marcus Parkway and Eastman Road. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Gregg County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Robby Cox says the driver did not notice that he had hit someone and only realized it when he saw the pedestrian sprawled out on the roof of the SUV after arriving at work. The identity of the pedestrian was not immediately known. He was declared dead at 8:04 Friday morning according to Cox.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank honored four recipients Friday with the third annual Hunger Hero Awards as part of Hunger Action Month. Honorees were Carroll Greenwaldt (Individual Supporter); the Junior League of Tyler, Inc. (Community Partner Organization); American State Bank (Corporate Partner); and the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System and CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund (Ministry Partner). Food Bank CRO Dennis Cullinane tipped his hat to the award winners, noting, “Record numbers of East Texans are seeking help to feed their families because of inflation,” as quoted in a news release. Click here for more on the recipients and other details.

TYLER — Tyler’s East Texas State Fair is underway, and the big event continues through October 2. Attractions include live music, exhibits, special events, carnival rides and games, the Livestock Show, the Academic Rodeo, plenty of food, and lots more. Hours are 2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. weekdays and 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m on. weekends. Carnival hours are Monday-Thursday, 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Friday, 4:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Saturday, 12:00 noon-11:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 noon-10:00 p.m. Click here for a full look at this year’s fair.

TYLER — A Smith County jury Thursday sentenced 44-year-old Gabriel Johnson to life in prison for aggravated robbery. Prosecutors claimed Johnson robbed a manager at Tyler’s Razzoo’s restaurant after the restaurant closed in the early morning hours of November 19, 2018. They say Johnson ambushed the victim at gunpoint as he left the restaurant and forced him back inside. Once inside, he demanded the victim open the restaurant safe that contained about $2,500 in cash, according to authorities. Johnson then reportedly tied the victim up on the floor of the restaurant office and told him if he moved he would come back and kill him. Continue reading DA: Habitual felon sentenced to life for aggravated robbery

PARKER COUNTY — A 12-year-old girl and her father remain in the hospital after Parker County deputies found them wounded in what investigators believe to be an attempted murder-suicide. Sheriff’s investigators believe the girl shot her father, fled and returned to her rural Weatherford home where she shot herself in the head. They found her in the street in front of her home with a pistol underneath her. Inside the home, they found her father shot in the stomach. Both of them were rushed to the hospital but no conditions have been released. The back-story here is the girl was in contact with another girl in Lufkin. They concocted a plan to murder their families and run off together to Georgia. However, the Lufkin girl did not follow through on the plot. Nevertheless, she is being charged with criminal conspiracy in the planning of the murder plot.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man was sentenced to life in prison by a jury on Thursday for the murder of Lori Follis. According to our news partner KETK, court documents say Joshua Ross McCuller, 40, was previously charged and accused of assaulting the woman by hitting her with a hammer. The Gregg County District Attorney’s Office said he had fantasies of “becoming a serial killer.” He had a room in his apartment that was a “slaughter room” and had cutting instruments, saws and a video camera, said authorities. “His fantasies included strangulation, necrophilia and mutilation of women,” said the DA’s office. Continue reading Longview man sentenced to life for murder fantasized of “becoming a serial killer”

GRAND SALINE – Grand Saline ISD said there will be more law enforcement at their campuses after a middle school student made threatening comments in class on Wednesday. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Officials said they are investigating the situation, and the student will not be allowed return to Grand Saline Middle School until authorities decide that there is no threat to everyone at the district. “Our first and foremost goal is to make sure students and staff are safe at school. Threatening speech will not be tolerated and will result in swift and severe consequences,” said Grand Saline ISD in a prepared statement. Continue reading Grand Saline ISD to increase law enforcement presence after “threatening comments”

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreations Department is hosting a public meeting regarding the P.T. Cole Park renovations on Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at P.T. Cole Park on S. Vine Ave. Officials say the park will be receiving new playground equipment, a new quarter-mile walking trail, a new spray ground, a new pavilion, two new half basketball courts, parking areas, and general upgrades to the restroom facility and grounds. They say the purpose of the meeting is to display renderings of the new amenities and address any concerns, questions, or recommendations. In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be moved to the Rose Garden Center. For more information about this and other Tyler Parks and Rec Improvement Projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.