KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — After the mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and in Uvalde, some East Texans got together to address concerns. According to our news partner KETK, on Saturday morning, they gathered at Longview’s Heritage Plaza in hopes of pressuring lawmakers into making some change. Organizers said the goal isn’t to have our second amendment rights taken away, but rather allowing them to exercise their first amendment rights. “Have our legislators understand and know, and hear our voice, that we’ve had enough and something needs to be done,” said Adam Farmer, one of the event organizers. People of all ages joined the effort, including at least one as young as seven. Continue reading “March for Our Lives” in Longview

MARSHALL — With the help of citizens, a suspect in a Morris County vehicle theft was caught by a Harrison County Sheriff’s deputy Friday after the man led a chase and resisted arrest, according to authorities. According to our news partner KETK, Michael Shane Blackburn, 34, of Jefferson, was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail Friday on four charges: unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (out of Morris County), evading arrest with a previous conviction, resisting arrest – deadly weapon, and attempting to take a weapon from an officer. His total bond has been set at $74,000. According to a Facebook post from the HCSO, a deputy received a tip that Blackburn was possibly seen at the Dollar General in Harleton. At the time, he was wanted for a felony warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Continue reading Authorities: Fugitive caught by deputy, citizens

ATHENS — A Henderson County judge issued an arrest warrant on Friday for a man who allegedly called in a bomb threat to the courthouse Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office says a false alarm arrest warrant was issued for Daniel Simpson, 35, who allegedly called in the threat at the county courthouse shortly before the commissioners court was about to start. In a Henderson County Network Sheriff’s Report podcast episode, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that upon being notified of the bomb threat, the courthouse, judicial complex, and courthouse annex were all promptly evacuated. Due to the nature of the threat and how serious it was, Hillhouse said that the false alarm charge is a state jail felony. Continue reading Warrant issued in Henderson County bomb threat

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 285, also known as Old Omen Road, will be closed for less than two months this summer so a bridge can be replaced. Starting on Monday, June 13, the bridge near the Prairie Creek Park Area, will be closed. The 22-foot wide concrete bridge will be demolished and replaced with a longer, 30-foot wide all-concrete bridge. “We’ll have a wider roadway and a bridge when we finish this project,” County Engineer Frank Davis said. During construction, the portion of CR 285, near its intersection with CR 2215 (Lake Meadows Road), to Farm-to-Market Road 848, will be closed to thru traffic. This bridge services the east side of Lake Tyler and a portion of Lake Tyler East. The detour around Lake Tyler will be about 16 miles, he said. Continue reading County Road 285 to be closed for bridge replacement

TYLER — The TSA Pre✓ mobile enrollment center will be at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in the commercial terminal building from Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travelers interested in becoming TSA Pre✓ can now schedule their in-person appointment to complete the background check and fingerprinting at the mobile enrollment center. According to a news release, TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience. For TSA Pre✓ travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear, or belts. Click here for all the details.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this coming 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 start mill and inlay with Special Crews on FM 2204 from US 259 Bypass to FM 2276. They will then move to FM 2012 from SH 31 to the Rusk County line. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — Country music star Jon Wolfe will headline this year’s Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala, set for Saturday at the Texas Rose Horse Park — the gala’s home for the past four years. The 2022 event, the 34th, will be called “Neon Rose.” The Cattle Barons’ Gala is a major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Click here or call 903-570-8126 for more information.

TYLER — We haven’t approached the more intense days of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are seeing some upticks in the NET Health survey area. That’s why NET Health’s George Roberts wants to re-issue some advisories. Roberts says first of all, stay home when you’re sick. Secondly, he says, make sure to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so. Roberts points to the abundant supply of vaccine available in the area. He tells KTBB that NET Health will continue to keep you up to date through its website. Click here to view that site.

TYLER — Organizers are applauding the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s high-energy membership drive this week. 250 volunteers signed up 784 new members, and Chamber President Henry Bell says many of the volunteers had never even heard of the Chamber. He says the drive helps the Chamber build toward the future and expand its programs. Bell also tells KTBB the drive was a lot of fun, with plenty of networking opportunities — and a lot of new friendships. The event ran Tuesday through Thursday.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department reminds everyone that it’s getting hotter and that means take more precautions when you leave home. If you have children, police say to make completely sure they are with you when you get out of your car after arriving at your destination. Also, do not leave your pet in the car while you shop. Authorities tell us no amount of ventilation from an open window can stop the heat from rising to the point of danger in a vehicle. The Tyler Fire Department and the City of Tyler have prepared a Heat Response Plan that gives tips on staying cool as the Texas summer heats up. Go to this link to view the plan.

ANGELINA COUNTY — An Angelina County inmate escaped from the jail late Thursday night after walking off a work detail. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office released a statement identifying the inmate as 36-year-old James Wheeler. He stands roughly 6’0″ tall, weighing 180 pounds with sandy blond or light brown hair. Deputies say he was last seen wearing a bright green t-shirt along with black and white striped uniform pants. Wheeler has more than a dozen felony convictions over the last 19 years, mostly for theft and organized crime. If you have any information about his whereabouts, contact the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER – Sarah Cureton has been named the new principal of Tyler ISD’s Clarkston Elementary School. Cureton replaces Tara Hinton, who served as principal since 2020. Cureton has been the assistant principal at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School since 2019. She also served as a master teacher, summer school administrator, and teacher at Clarkston.

TYLER – A Tyler woman who was charged in the 2020 death of her three-year-old daughter pleaded guilty Thursday morning and received a 35-year prison sentence. According to our news partner KETK, Courtnie Williams was arrested along with the victim’s father, Manuel Williams, after officers were called to the family’s home and found injuries that were consistent with “a history of abuse.” Manuel Williams received a 50-year plea deal in February to a charge of injury to a child, the same charge to which his wife pleaded guilty.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a change order in the amount of $1,520,586 to complete rehabilitation and restore the city’s historic Mayfair concert hall on the East Texas State Fairgrounds. The additional amount will be funded by the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund, which officials say has seen a great recovery in recent months. They add there are also many grant and donor opportunities available. The project has been in the works for some time. Officials say initial cost allowances were based on 2014 estimates, and the city has now updated its plan based on a recent survey. According to a news release, the project would start after the East Texas State Fair ends in mid-October, with a completion date of summer 2023. Continue reading City approves historic Mayfair concert hall rehabilitation