KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — Continuing to reflect a statewide and local trend, Tyler and Longview both show increases in sales tax allocations for May as announced Wednesday by the state comptroller’s office. Tyler’s monthly figure is $5,433,751.90, up from $5,332,564.37 a year ago. For the year to date, Tyler has amassed $24,790,993.92, up from $20,984,141.10 at this time last year. In Longview, the figure for May is $4,253,590.70, rising from $3,938,681.05 at this time in 2021. Longview’s year-to-date number is $18,194,154.92, compared to $15,234,616.57 at this point last year. Click here for a more comprehensive look.

TYLER — It was another busy Wednesday for Tyler’s City Council, with two key projects topping the list of action items. The Council authorized the city manager to execute two contracts associated with a consent decree the city entered in 2017 with the Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose is to address what’s termed the city’s aging wastewater collection system and resulting discharges. Work done under the contracts will rehabilitate 387 deteriorated sanitary sewer manholes and make 373 needed repairs to sewer main lines, according to a news release. The council also approved a contract for the 2022 asphalt enhancement project. Officials say the work will improve 25 lane miles of roadways, curbs, and gutters and restripe and place reflective markings. Continue reading Several items addressed by Tyler’s City Council

TYLER – A Tyler man has been indicted for manslaughter for a wreck last October that killed his passenger. According to our news partner KETK, 24-year-old Jose Esparza was arrested after a high-speed, three-car wreck near Mercado’s Restaurant on Loop 323 in Tyler. While Esparza had minor injuries, Pablo Avila was taken to UT Health in critical condition. He died two days later. The computer in the car Esparza was driving showed that he was traveling at 113 MPH when he slammed on his brakes. Esparza was arrested November 5, and he posted a $10,000 bond. His first court date has not yet been set. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

TYLER — A Chandler man has been indicted for intoxication manslaughter in a fiery December crash near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. 39-year-old Daniel Juarez had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. Juarez was arrested in January. A DPS report says 54-year-old Dennis Criner, a Tyler native, was heading east as Juarez approached in the opposite direction. Troopers said Juarez lost control of his car on the wet road, crossed over the center line, and hit Criner. Both men went to the hospital, where Criner was pronounced dead and Juarez was initially listed in serious condition. If convicted, Juarez faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER – The U.S. Marshals and the FBI are alerting the public of several nationwide imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. They are urging people to report the calls to their local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Officials say during the latest series of calls, scammers identifying themselves as “Deputy John Garrison” (the name of the actual U.S. Marshal in the Eastern District of Texas) attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest due to a claim of identity theft, failing to report for jury duty, or other offenses. Continue reading Officials issue fraud advisory

BULLARD – A Bullard woman was arrested last week and accused of misrepresenting funds between $2,500 and $30,000 linked to a youth nonprofit. According to our news partner KETK, local judicial records indicate 46-year-old Misty Adair was arrested by Bullard police May 6 and charged with theft of property and misapplication of fiduciary property. The investigation began after a tipster said there “were improprieties” with financial accounts for the local nonprofit Youth for Agriculture. An investigation revealed Adair was the account manager for the organization. Bullard police released a statement about Adair’s arrest but did not list details on what evidence was discovered to prompt her to be charged. Both charges are state jail felonies, which each carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Adair was released after posting a $60,000 bond.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Fun Forest Pool on N. Glenwood Blvd. is set to open for the 2022 season the weekend of May 28 and 29, and then regularly starting Saturday, June 4. Admission fees are $1 for residents and $2 for non-residents. Each patron must present proof of age and residency. Kids 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No outside food is allowed. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tyler Transit will be offering free rides to the pool all summer. Riders will need to notify the driver that they are going to the pool to receive the free ride. All bus riders 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Click here for more information.

EAST TEXAS — Just one day after setting a record for its highest gas prices ever, the Tyler metro area passed another dubious mark on Tuesday: the average cost for a gallon of unleaded fuel is more than $4 for the first time. According to our news partner KETK, AAA reported Tuesday morning that the average price for unleaded gasoline in the Tyler area was $4.04, a five-cent increase from the $3.99 mark on Monday. Diesel fuel is also at its highest point ever, averaging $5.19 per gallon. Fuel costs have spiked over the last 30 days. In Tyler, the average price just 30 days ago was $3.65. That marks a jump of nearly 40 cents. One year ago, gasoline in the Rose Capital was around $2.70 a gallon. Continue reading Tyler gas prices pass $4 for first time ever

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Commissioner’s Court approved the appointment of Joe Carter as Van Zandt County sheriff in an emergency special session. According to our news partner KETK, the motion to appoint Carter passed unanimously during Monday’s meeting. This comes after former Sheriff Steve Hendrix resigned following a grand jury indictment on the charge of providing false statements to a peace officer. Hendrix’s resignation is set to be effective on May 14.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hosting an open house to engage with residents and update the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). According to a news release, the TIP is a short-range budgeting document that provides details on how federal transportation funding dollars will be spent on planning, design, and construction of highway and transit improvements over the next four fiscal years. The TIP is updated every two years. The open house will be held Tuesday, May 10, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center on W. Ferguson St. Click here for all the details.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is accused of forcing a woman into his car at gunpoint last week, according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 47-year-old Juan Hernandez was charged with aggravated kidnapping and booked into the Gregg County North Jail on May 1. According to the warrant, he went to a home where the victim was located. Hernandez is accused of pulling a gun on a witness and saying “he would kill him,” per the documents. The victim exited a nearby truck, which is when Hernandez allegedly “grasped [the victim] by the arm, pointed the gun to the back of her head, and escorted her to his truck,” according to the warrant. The victim told police Hernandez spoke with her in the truck about their past relationship, which she had ended. Hernandez is also being held on an INS detainer.

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 bobcat crew on SH 64 in Chapel Hill, in Troup at the four-way stop, and on Spur 248 near the hospital. In Gregg County, the Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project continues, with traffic reduced to two lanes. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — Gas prices in the Tyler area hit their highest all-time mark Monday morning after averaging $3.99 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, according to AAA. According to our news partner KETK, prices have spiked over the last few days after slowly coming down over the previous two months. According to AAA data, the average price for unleaded gasoline in the Tyler area was $3.66, which was 33 cents cheaper. The previous record was $3.97, which was set back in July 2008 during the Great Recession. The $3.99 record does not factor in inflation for past prices. When adjusted for inflation, the most expensive year for gas nationally was 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Continue reading Tyler sets all-time record for city’s highest gas prices

MARSHALL (AP) — Officials at Wiley College in East Texas say students graduating from the historically Black college were told at their commencement ceremony that an anonymous donor had paid their balances. Wiley College said in a news release that over 100 students were gathered for graduation Saturday when the school’s president made the announcement. The college said in the news release that the estimated total for the balances owed to the college by the graduating class of 2022 was about $300,000.

TYLER – Tyler voters went to the polls May 7th and voted for a 89 million dollar bond proposal for Tyler ISD. According to our news partner KETK, two projects will be handled: a rebuild of Hubbard Middle School and a creation of an college prep high school. The bond passed with 64 percent of the vote. However in Longview, it was a “no” vote on the Longview ISD school bond proposal. Money asked for was nearly 230 million dollars. That would have been used for LHS campus renovation, a new Early childhood campus, an Events Center and assorted updates and repairs. The bond was defeated by 67 percent of the vote. Continue reading Tyler, Bullard school bonds pass, others fail