KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS – A group of East Texans is pushing to make Athens a sanctuary city for the unborn. According to our news partner KETK, more than 40 cities throughout the state have already done this, including some in East Texas. People in support of the ordinance gathered ahead of the City Council meeting Monday. In a statement, the city said it has “no legal authority regarding abortions.” But the group is pressing forward. In the event that Athens City Council does not take up the ordinance, they say they will take the issue to the voters, as was done in Lubbock.

TYLER — Tuesday is East Texas Giving Day, hosted by the East Texas Communities Foundation. It’s an 18-hour event in which you can go to one single website — and give to your choice of 295 nonprofits. This is East Texas Giving Day’s seventh year. Early giving actually began April 4. Click here for more information — and to make a donation of your own.

SMITH COUNTY – A wreck between a firetruck and a car on I-20 in Smith County Monday morning left one person in the hospital. According to our news partner KETK, a release from Smith County Emergency Services District 2 says their crews and the Winona Fire Department were dispatched to the collision. Both vehicles sustained “significant damage” and the driver of the passenger vehicle was taken to a local hospital. No firefighters were injured. DPS is investigating the wreck. “At the time of the accident, there were several accidents on major highways in Smith County,” Smith County ESD 2 said in a release. “Smith County ESD 2 is encouraging drivers to slow down and be vigilant while driving during inclement weather.”

TYLER — The NET Health Immunizations Clinic has organized the return of Children’s Fest. Set for Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m., it’s an opportunity for parents of babies, infants, and toddlers to ensure their children are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations. Officials say the parking lot on North Broadway Avenue in Tyler will include family-friendly activities and health services provided by local health organizations. Annually, the last full week of April 2022 is recognized as National Infant Immunization Week. According to a news release, that’s a national observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. Click here to learn more.

TYLER — A Tyler man was charged with intoxicated manslaughter for a wreck early Sunday morning that killed an 18-year-old girl. According to our news partner KETK, the report says Justin Pierce,29, was traveling west on Highway 64, roughly two miles west of Tyler, just after 1:30 a.m. Marissa July-McCuin, of Tyler, was attempting to cross the road in the outside lane when she was allegedly hit by Pierce’s SUV. July-McCuin was taken to a Tyler hospital where she died a few hours later from her injuries. The DPS report alleges that Pierce left the scene of the crash, but was found not long after. Pierce was treated and released from the hospital, then booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $500,000. According to online records, Pierce has a pending charge of assaulting a peace officer in Smith County from April 19, 2021.

LONGVIEW – A Spring Hill ISD senior helped raise more than $1,500 for a student with autism. According to our news partner KETK, Alexis Grubb met autistic freshman Louis Wolfe at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. When Grubb noticed Wolfe sitting alone in the cafeteria, she decided to befriend him. Due to his disability, it took Wolfe some time to get comfortable with his new friend. Wolfe comes from a one-parent, low-income household, and his mom works day and night to keep the lights on. Upon learning this, Grubb knew that there was something she could do to help Wolfe. Grubb made a Facebook post and received an overwhelming number of responses that left both her and school staff speechless. Grubb raised more than $1,500 for the student. She took the money to the store and bought Wolfe an abundance of art supplies. Continue reading Spring Hill ISD senior helps raise money for autistic student

NEW LONDON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s office is currently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy that has been missing since Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Brandy Calhoun was last seen at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday walking from the West Rusk Softball Fields in New London. He is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, combat boots, a blue baseball hat and had his arm in a sling. If you have any information on Calhoun’s whereabouts, contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s office at (903) 657-3581.

TYLER — Tyler’s New Copeland Road will be closed at Dolores Street (between East Rieck Road and East Grande Boulevard) for about two weeks beginning Monday, April 25, while utilities are installed across the roadway. Motorists will need to find alternative north and south routes on Paluxy Drive or South Broadway Avenue during the construction.

EAST TEXAS — Early voting for the May 7 City/School and Constitutional Amendment Election begins Monday, April 25. Early voting in Smith County will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, April 25-30; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 2-3. There will be eight early voting locations throughout Smith County. Continue reading Early voting begins Monday

TYLER — The city of Tyler is nearing completion of cleanup and recovery operations following the aftermath of the April 12 severe storms and straight line winds that left hundreds of fallen tree limbs as well as downed and uprooted trees on City streets and right-of-way. According to a news release, the Street Department received more than 300 calls reporting downed trees and limbs after the storm. The trees and limbs have been cut and removed from the streets and the department anticipated having it all picked up by the weekend. Continue reading Storm recovery, cleanup operations near completion

TYLER — The Three Lakes Parkway extension from Hillcross Cove to Old Noonday Road in Tyler is complete and open to traffic. According to a news release, the project constructed approximately 1600 linear feet of two lane roadway, box culverts, and sidewalk. The project closed the gap between portions of previously constructed Three Lakes Parkway west of Old Jacksonville Highway and east of Old Noonday Road, providing additional roadway network connectivity. The city’s contractual responsibility, part of a pact with a land development firm, was funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Program. Ultimately, as future development occurs, the city plans for Three Lakes Parkway to become a four-lane divided roadway from Old Jacksonville Highway to Old Noonday Road.

TYLER — COVID numbers remain low in the area, but NET Health’s George Roberts says officials continue to keep their eye on BA.2 as well as the subvariant BA.2.12.1. Both have been in the spotlight — and that’s not all. Roberts says the CDC and the World Health Organization have been monitoring other variants as well — and officials don’t know when any of them could cause a significant increase in cases. That’s why Roberts continues to urge vaccinations. He says early response has been good since his agency moved its vaccinations back to its main office on North Broadway. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

EAST TEXAS — Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) announces new dates for its Rural, Set, Go: Boost! workforce strategy public forums. WSET, in partnership with the East Texas Council of Governments and local elected officials, has been traveling the region hosting its the rural economic development forum series for the past several weeks. According to a news release, approximately 200 attendees have joined the forums. The final dates are scheduled to cover six counties and are open to local community and business leaders, employers, school districts, secondary schools, economic development corporations, and chambers. Click here to learn more.

TYLER — A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Grapeland man and woman with federal solicitation of murder violations. Reynaldo Campos, Jr., 44, and Robin Pittman, aka Robin Hill, 42, were named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Tyler charging them with murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder for hire; solicitation to commit murder for hire and conspiracy to solicit murder for hire; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and felon in possession of a firearm. Continue reading Couple indicted for allegedly attempting to hire hit man