KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GILMER – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday they are investigating the death of a 16-month-old child from Gilmer. According to our news partner KETK, officials said an investigation at the scene found that during a family gathering on Monday afternoon, a family member who intended to run an errand “began moving her car forward and struck the child that had moved into the car’s path.” Upshur County deputies and EMS responded to the scene on Mule Deer Road, and the child was transported to UT Health Pittsburg. Officials said she was pronounced dead upon arrival. “All indications are that this was an accident,” officials said.

TYLER – Nearly 100 East Texas schools have announced how they plan to show support to the Uvalde community on their first day back to campus. Tragedy struck Robb Elementary school in Uvalde on May 24 after a mass shooting claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers. Tuesday is set to be the first day back to campus for Uvalde survivors. According to our news partner KETK, East Texas schools have taken to social media requesting their students wear maroon on Tuesday to show support for the Uvalde community. The Tyler, Whitehouse, Brownsboro, and Kilgore ISDs joined many others in posting updates to their social media pages reminding students to “Stand with Uvalde” on Tuesday.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – After a delay caused by migrating birds, the SH 135 bridge replacement project in Cherokee County will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 6. TxDOT and contractor crews have placed message boards on the roadway to alert the traveling public. SH 135 will be closed to through traffic from 2.44 miles south of SH 110 in Troup to 5.12 miles north of US 69 in Jacksonville. Crews will be performing bridge replacements on the Mud Creek and the Mud Creek Relief bridges. The closure is expected to last until Spring 2023. The project consists of the removal of the existing bridges, construction of new bridges, road widening, and roadway resurfacing. Through traffic on SH 135 will be detoured onto FM 2064 for the duration of the closure. The project was slated to begin earlier this Summer but was put under time suspension due to migrating birds nesting under the bridges that are currently in place.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has recently named new leaders in its public affairs/media relations division and law enforcement academy. According to a news release, Whitney Mayfield has been named director of public affairs and media relations. Prior to joining TJC, she served as director of communications and public relations for the Marshall and Chapel Hill school districts. Continue reading TJC announces new leadership roles

TYLER – Thomas A. “Tab” Beall Jr. has been named a recipient of the 2022 Texas State Board of Education Heroes for Children Award. According to a news release, the award is given to only 15 individuals statewide for outstanding services and support provided to their school community, staff, and students of Texas. The 15 awardees represent 15 districts in Texas. Beall (at right in photo) represents District 9, which includes Smith County and 29 other Northeast Texas counties. Beall’s support of the Tyler ISD Foundation was singled out as a key part of his work — particularly through the Tab and Bonnie Beall Scholarship, which has impacted the lives of 21 Tyler ISD graduates. He’s the first Tyler ISD volunteer recognized with the award.

TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual Movies in the Park program this fall. There will be three family-friendly movies showing at Bergfeld Park, 1510 S. College Ave. this September and October. All movies are free admission. Visitors can bring blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the evening. Continue reading Movies in the Park returns to Bergfeld Park this fall

HENDERSON – Officials are reporting James Edward Lancaster Jr. has been found and the search has been called off. Sheriff Valdez of Rusk County said Lancaster was being checked out by EMS before leaving the area. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Valdez says Lancaster’s wife reported him missing Sunday morning after he reportedly did not make it home the night before. Officials found Lancaster’s wrecked vehicle in a ditch off CR 1798 East but were unable to find Lancaster. A cell phone ping indicated he had wandered off into the woods on foot. Search and rescue found him several hours later at his boss’s residence.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will be starting mill and inlay work on FM 2868, near SH 155. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. The project will move east towards Flint throughout the week. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will be working on a drainage structure on FM 2207. A portion of the road will be partially closed from E. Wilkins Rd. to FM 1252. Expect delays and flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University celebrates the highest recorded student enrollment in the university’s 110-year history with 1,771 total students. According to a news release, for three consecutive fall terms, the university’s total enrollment has exceeded 1,688 — surpassing 1,700 students in two of the three years. ETBU has seen steady growth over the last decade, with this year’s enrollment marking a 36% increase since 2014. Part of the growth in the past year can be attributed to an increased focus on the retention of undergraduate students with enhanced academic success services, and the expansion of graduate degree program offerings, according to the release.

TYLER — Friday, September 2, through Monday, September 5, the Tyler Police Department will be putting additional officers on the street utilizing STEP (the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program). Police say with increased traffic in the city and at Lake Tyler for the Labor Day weekend, these officers will be specifically watching for impaired or intoxicated drivers. Police say they want everyone to enjoy the holiday, so they encourage you to be responsible and not drink and drive.

RUSK – Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson released a statement Friday shutting down “a dumb rumor” that an officer had been arrested by the Texas Rangers. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “Someone started a rumor today that a member of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was arrested by the Texas Rangers or is being investigated by the Texas Rangers,” Dickson said. “We have received numerous calls in reference to this matter and it’s not true. This rumor was started by a coward who has nothing better to do than stir trouble.” Dickson also said the department currently has multiple openings and encourages people to “stop being part of the problem and come work with us and be part of the solution.”

BROWNSBORO – Multiple students who requested medical attention or were transported to the hospital after Friday night’s football halftime show have been released, according to Brownsboro ISD Superintendent Keri Hampton. According to our news partner KETK, Brownsboro Fire said the cause of the incident was determined to be the result of the students suffering from dehydration. After the halftime show, officials said they were alerted three students needed medical attention “for heat exposure type symptoms.” Brownsboro Fire said minutes later they received additional calls for service, and that multiple other students were requesting medical attention for similar symptoms. Continue reading Officials: Multiple students treated for dehydration after Brownsboro halftime show

TYLER – One person is held after a traffic stop led to a chase in Tyler Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler police say an officer was doing a routine traffic stop on a truck at 11:20 a.m. Dispatch ran the plates as usual when the vehicle came up as stolen, and a chase ensued. The chase went from Highway 31 West onto Patton Lane, then west onto Highway 64. DPS, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and constables came out to assist. The occupant pulled over at the airport and was arrested, police said. He was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are seeking leads following a fatal crash involving a Longview Fire Department fire engine. Police say around 6:35 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to Alpine Rd. near E. Ann Drive. The initial investigation revealed that the fire engine was traveling west on Alpine and failed to yield right of way turning onto E. Ann in front of a motorcycle which was traveling east on Alpine. Officials say the motorcyclist unsuccessfully laid his motorcycle on the ground to avoid collision with the fire engine. They say fire personnel on scene immediately began providing first aid to the motorcyclist, who was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The motorcyclist has been identified as James Ray Neuville, 60, of Hallsville. Continue reading Longview police investigate fatal crash involving fire engine