KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GUN BARREL CITY – A hit-and-run left a minor dead Wednesday morning in Gun Barrel City, and police said the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time. According to our news partner KETK, police were dispatched around 2 a.m. to the scene of a “major traffic collision involving a vehicle versus pedestrian” near Stillwater Street in the south Gun Barrel Lane area where officials said the minor was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said two people identified as Casey Dylan Jeffrey, 30, and Brooke Leann South, 30, were arrested after officers located the suspect vehicle. Investigations revealed Jeffrey to be the driver, and officials said he was drunk at the time of the collision. Two Mabank Police officers also responded to the scene and aided Gun Barrel City police in the investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — On Tuesday evening, a public hearing was held in Whitehouse to consider a rezoning request. According to our news partner KETK, a company is looking to develop a 28-acre tract of land located at the corner of Hagan Road and Railroad Avenue. Residents said that this rezoning request came too quickly and shared they only want to protect their privacy and quiet country life. “With all that’s going on and the new housings that are predicted to be built, we are concerned about our water and sewage situation and the fact that the streets are very narrow,” said Margaret Higgs, a Whitehouse resident. Residents voiced their worries about a rezoning request for 28 acres of land to be turned into a gated community. Continue reading Whitehouse holds public hearing for new development

LONGVIEW — A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection to a shooting that happened on Harroun Drive in Longview on Tuesday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. Officers located and arrested Malik Thompson in the area following the shooting. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to officials. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts urges continued caution as the COVID-19 BA.5 variant continues to spread. There is an upside, though. Roberts points to minimal symptoms, such as a hoarse voice and sore throat — similar to a bad cold. And with 63 COVID patients currently in Tyler hospitals, he says that number remains in a reasonable category. Roberts continues to urge vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick, while drawing attention to the ample testing opportunities. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill ISD announced this week it will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2022-2023 school year. Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals, according to a news release.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste department will begin collecting residential garbage and recycling at 6 a.m. for the month of August due to high temperatures. The earlier start time will allow crews to work during the cooler hours and finish routes earlier, according to a news release. Solid Waste will collect at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1, through Friday, Sept. 2. Customers are asked to place garbage and/or recycle containers at the curb by 6 a.m. on their scheduled collection day. Customers may also place containers out after 6 p.m. the day before their scheduled collection if preferred. The start time change will not affect the scheduled collection days. For more information about garbage and recycle schedules or other special projects, visit this link or download the Tyler Talks Trash app and never miss a pick-up.

FLINT — Little to no rain is forcing many East Texas towns and utility companies to begin rationing their water. According to our news partner KETK, Southern Utilities Company in Smith, Cherokee, and Rusk counties is now enacting Stage 2 in the Drought Contingency Plan. That means means mandatory restriction of residential and recreational water use. Even- numbered addresses can water overnight only on Tuesdays. Odd-numbered addresses can water on Thursdays. Penalties could range from a written warning to temporary disconnection. Click here for details.

HENDERSON COUNTY – A man and woman were arrested Monday night in Henderson County after an hours-long standoff that resulted in an RV catching fire. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff says Eustace Police were conducting a traffic stop when the man evaded them and fled on foot. Several officers began attempting to locate the man, and found he had barricaded himself inside a travel trailer. Officials said police then made contact, and the man told them he had a hostage inside and displayed what appeared to be a long rifle to police. The standoff ended when the man was tasered. The two have been identified as Mike Downey and Kristin Odell. Authorities say it was later confirmed that Odell had fled with Downey. Both face multiple charges.

TYLER — Safety and security highlighted Monday’s Tyler ISD board meeting, and the district is also celebrating some good testing news. Trustees approved the purchase of safety equipment and additional vehicles for the district’s police department. Officials say Tyler ISD is committed to ensuring all students and staff are safe and secure. They add that the district is well ahead of state and national efforts regarding the safety and security of students and staff. Meantime, a news release reports Tyler ISD’s STAAR results show marked improvement in Grades 3-8 reading. Officials say despite struggles seen by many districts during the pandemic, Tyler ISD had the same or a higher percentage of students pass than the state average in five subjects. Click here and scroll down to “NEWS” to learn more about both topics.

TYLER — The entrance gate at the Tyler Rose Garden will be closed from Monday, July 25, until Friday, July 29, while contractors resurface the interior parking lot area. Officials say the timeline may change depending on weather. Visitors can access the garden by entering through the Rose Garden Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or through the side gate on Houston Street from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parking will be available along Rose Park Drive, West Houston Street, and South Peach Avenue. For questions regarding the temporary alternate parking, contact the Rose Garden at (903) 595-7289.

WILLS POINT – A gas leak in Wills Point has been repaired after crews spent much of Monday working on it. The Wills Point Police Department earlier warned people away from South Mary Street and West O’Neal Street. According to our news partner KETK, citizens were asked to avoid the intersection through School Street and the Highway 80 intersection. The repair was announced late Monday afternoon.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas confirmed that the hospital has treated one patient with monkeypox in the past few weeks. According to our news partner KETK, a statement from UT Health East Texas says the patient was sent home in good condition.“Even before this patient arrived, our infection prevention team was reviewing CDC and other guidance to develop best practices and procedures, appropriate levels of isolation and other precautions necessary when managing suspected cases,” said the statement.

MARSHALL – Temperatures in Harrison County are expected to rise into the triple digits this week. As a result, the City of Marshall will open the Marshall Fire Department Community Room to serve as Emergency Cooling Center starting Monday of this week. This center will provide members of the public who lack air-conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge. The cooling center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Currently, the city has one Emergency Cooling Center identified and will operate in areas based on heat forecasts identified by the National Weather Service. More locations may be added and or extended based on existing weather conditions. Click here for more information and updates.

WASHINGTON/COLLEGE STATION (AP/Staff) — A couple of major and interlocking developments involving Sanderson Farms, including a reported lawsuit and new leadership. The Justice Department is reportedly filing suit against some of the largest poultry producers in the United States, including Sanderson, which has a strong presence in East Texas. It’s part of an effort to end what the government says are longstanding deceptive and abusive practices for workers. Three people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press the suit was being filed Monday in Maryland. Continue reading New developments involving Sanderson Farms

LEVERETT’S CHAPEL — Progress is reported in the Leverettt’s Chapel school district. According to our news partner KETK, community members were concerned about the future of the district, with some blaming the school board and members submitting their resignations. For weeks, frustrated parents and alumni tried to demand answers only for school board meetings to be canceled. But Friday’s meeting was not — and now those resignations have been rescinded, along with that of school Superintendent Matt Everett. “With the changes we made tonight, I believe that we are on the correct path at this point and things will continue to get better but it’s not gonna happen overnight,” said school board Vice President James Rogers. Continue reading Progress reported at Leverett’s Chapel meeting