KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — A Bullard woman arrested for financial crimes in early May was arrested again Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, Misty Adair, 46, was arrested for the same charges relating to misapplication of funds and theft of property. However, the warrant for her Friday arrest was issued by Henderson County. Adair’s bond was set on Friday at $5,194.80 per charge. Documents seen by detectives showed Adair had access to the Bullard “Youth for Agriculture” bank account since the organization’s 2019 establishment. According to an affidavit, since the bank account was opened, over $7,000 worth of transactions had been made by Adair for personal expenses.

ATHENS – In a letter signed by both the county and district attorneys for Henderson County, former Caney City Police Chief Charles Gregory is said to be facing a charge of animal cruelty. According to our news partner KETK, the allegation comes from an incident April 8 in which Gregory is alleged to have picked up a stray dog in Trinidad, driven it to Malakoff, and abandoned it. “While investigating this allegation, there is some evidence that tends to show that Chief Gregory made false statements to the officers in the Trinidad Police Department,” said the letter, addressed to the Henderson County Defense Bar. According to the letter, Gregory has a pending misdemeanor charge for cruelty to animals, and a second charge of official oppression was not filed.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 15. Flaggers will control traffic. A herbicide unit will also be in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2012 with Tyler Special Crews from SH 31 to the Rusk County line in the north and southbound lanes. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine has received notification from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) that it has been granted preliminary accreditation. In a news release, officials call the move “a monumental milestone” that will allow the school to begin recruiting its first class. As quoted in the release, UT Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife adds, “By extension, it means opening doors to individuals who seek greater access to health care. It means enhancing our region as a destination point to live, train, work, and contribute to our economic vitality.” Also as quoted in the release, UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun says, “I thank our vice provost, dean and faculty for their expertise in guiding us through this complex process.” Continue reading UT Tyler School of Medicine receives preliminary accreditation

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of shooting two 13-year-old girls in March has been given a trial date. Jaqualin Xavier Humphrey, 18, still remains in the Smith County Jail after more than three months for several counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to our news partner KETK. His bond is set at $900,000. Humphrey has been accused of shooting two 13-year-old girls on March 12 in the area of North Ross Street and West Bow Street. The girls were reportedly both shot one time each but have since recovered. Humphrey’s trial date has been set for July 11 at 10 a.m.

LONGVIEW – The Great Texas Balloon Race is this weekend in Longview. This is the second year in a row that the competition will be held in city limits, according to our news partner KETK. The race is happening at the Longview Convention Complex, and it brings together some of the best pilots in the country and around the world. Races are scheduled to happen through Sunday. There are also performers at the event. There will also be a special shapes spectacular, a 5K fun run and a balloon glow this weekend. “In 2021 we had a modified event with only competition and so this is the first time since 2019 to have the full event. The excitement does seem to be great in the city, and we’re just looking forward to a great event,” said Michelle Ford, Chairman of the Great Texas Balloon Race. Gregg County was designated as “The Balloon Race Capital of Texas” by the state legislature in 2013.

TYLER — A portion of the Rose Garden Center’s front parking lot on Rose Park Drive in Tyler will be closed from Monday, June 20, until Monday, June 27 while contractors work on installing pavers. Barricades will be in place. Officials say the timeline may change depending on weather. Parking will only be available along the south side of Rose Park Drive, along West Houston Street and South Peach Avenue. Vehicle entrance and parking in front of the Tyler Civic Theater will not be accessible. For questions regarding the temporary alternate parking, contact Rebecca Villamontes at (903) 595-7289.

BULLARD – The city of Bullard has issued a water conservation notice to its residents. According to our news partner KETK, city officials say Bullard is implementing a Stage 1 Water Conservation Plan due to drought-like conditions. The restrictions will go into effect on June 20. Residents with even numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Residents with odd numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Outdoor watering of any kind is prohibited on Friday. “Violation of rationing provisions may result in a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 as provided by ordinance,” according to a release. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Bullard City Hall at 903-894-7223 or email utilitydirector@bullardtexas.net.

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville fire marshal has identified the cause of the Hotel RITUAL fire as electrical. According to our news partner KETK, a release said it started in the basement of the hotel, and officials said they have no reason to believe it was intentionally caused. The three injured firefighters are reported to be doing well, and all are expected to make a full recovery. The June 12 fire destroyed the majority of the hotel’s interior before the flames spread to a second structure across the street and were contained.

MARSHALL — Authorities say a drug arrest in Marshall came only after the suspect confessed, claimed he was seeking safety from a supplier — and got into a fight with officers. According to our news partner KETK, officials say 32-year-old Pedro Serrano of Marshall initially told staff at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office he had a large amount of drugs in his car. Authorities say he then told them he was seeking safety from law enforcement after not paying a supplier for the narcotics. According to a news release, when authorities tried to arrest Serrano, he began fighting and continued to resist even after several investigators responded to assist. Officials say a search of his vehicle revealed almost two pounds of methamphetamine. Once captured, Serrano was jailed on $100,000 bond on charges of possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

LONGVIEW — Authorities may have solved a murder that dates back well over a year. According to our news partner KETK, Demetrius Armstrong, 23, of Longview was booked into the Gregg County Jail Wednesday and charged with murder in a February 2021 shooting. That’s when officers responded to a location on Ridgelea Avenue and found a male victim who was critically injured. The victim, Demarcus Else of Longview, was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

EAST TEXAS — Both Tyler and Longview have scheduled activities to honor Juneteenth — officially June 19 and now a national holiday. It marks the day in 1865 when Texans learned the slaves had been freed, and celebrations have spread to other states over the years. Click here to see the city’s schedule for Monday, June 20, when all non-essential city offices will be closed. Click this link and this link for similar information about what’s planned in Longview.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials and business leaders met in Longview to discuss the current state of the County, according to our news partner KETK. Senate Bill 2 was the main focus, saying the bill, also known as the Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act of 2019, is having a major impact on county finances. “It probably works fine in the bigger metropolitan areas of millions of people, but in small communities, we just don’t have that tax base to be able to take that kind of hit,” said Bill Stoudt, Gregg County Judge. Under this law, cities are only allowed to bring in between 2.5% and 3.5% of tax property revenue. “It’s just the old formality, you can’t continue to push costs down to the county level without additional revenue,” said Judge Stoudt. If they need extra, the county would have to explain to the community why more money is needed and hold an election. Judge Stoudt said they have seen their revenue reduced. Meaning, that as expenses like fuel go up, there’s less money available to pay for goods and critical services. Continue reading Gregg County leaders discuss tax law and revenue at the State of the County

TYLER — A Smith County man is accused of criminal mischief following a theft from a local church. Officials say on the evening of June 5, a suspect entered the property of The Carpenter’s Baptist Church in Flint. Under the cover of darkness, they say the suspect dismantled a total of five five-ton A/C units and stripped out the copper wire. The damage resulted in a total replacement cost of $34,250 for replacement units. According to a news release, the suspect was identified as Michael James Hudson, 20, of Pine Trails Shores. Authorities say they found the suspect vehicle at Hudson’s home and also found that he had sold a large amount of copper wiring to a Tyler scrap yard on June 6. Continue reading Smith County man arrested for criminal mischief