KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Coronavirus case numbers have been on the rise in East Texas the last few weeks. On Thursday, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “If you are planning on traveling for Thanksgiving be careful about that. Check travel restrictions before you go for various places. But, don’t leave home if you’re sick. If you are sick, or maybe you think you have COVID-19, please don’t travel. Number 2, if you haven’t had a flu shot yet, now is a great time to do that, please get a flu shot. Remember to social distance…wear a mask when you’re out in public in potentially with people that you don’t always live around.” Continue reading Travelers should use caution before traveling this holiday season

TYLER — The Junior League of Tyler announced a big change to this year’s Mistletoe and Magic event. On Thursday, Susanne Mackintosh told KTBB, “We had been really hopeful that we would be able to move forward with the in-person market. However, the past week or so, as you know, the [coronavirus] numbers have just sky-rocketed. We felt that it was the right move to pivot and move everything online. We really wanted to create a way to continue this fund-raiser because it is so vital to our community, but to do it in a safe way.” Those online items will go live in the next few days. Continue reading No in-person shopping for Mistletoe and Magic due to coronavirus

TYLER — A former Christus EMS worker was sentenced Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Clearman, 43, of Lindale, was sentenced to 60 years in prison in regards to numerous charges for child porn. Clearman pleaded guilty to three of the crimes he was charged with, waving his right to appeal. Clearman received 20 years for each charge. Reports indicate investigators received 88 files on an Instagram account and hundreds more at his home, with victims ranging in ages of 7 to 16.

TYLER — The UT System Board of Regents unanimously voted to name Rodney H. Mabry, Ph.D., President Emeritus of UT Tyler in recognition of his leadership and vision that elevated the university through growth in enrollment, academic programs, and facilities. “Dr. Mabry led UT Tyler through an evolution from a primarily commuter college to a comprehensive university that plays a significant role in the education and economic growth of the East Texas region,” said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents. When Mabry became UT Tyler’s president in 1998, there were approximately 3,000 students enrolled. Upon retiring from the presidency, enrollment had almost tripled.

TYLER — Tyler is preparing to celebrate the season with a series of events during “Rose City Christmas.” Sights and sounds of the season will take place throughout November and December in Tyler. Historically, families come together to participate in annual holiday favorites including…

Azalea Trail District Trail of Lights Continue reading 2020 Rose City Christmas Festivities Feature Azalea District Trail of Lights

KILGORE — Brookshire Grocery Co. has announced a $25,000 gift to the Kilgore College Foundation to create an endowed student scholarship fund. This is part of the “Focus on the Future” scholarship program, in which the Tyler company has committed $1 million to create student scholarships for more than 40 colleges and universities in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. This program is designed to reward students in BGC’s market areas for their dedication, hard work and outstanding academic achievements. Continue reading BGC awards $25,000 to KC as part of $1 million scholarship endowment

LONGVIEW — Bridge work has been completed on the east side of Judson Road (SH 502). Beginning Monday, traffic will switch to the east side for work on the second half of the bridge. Judson Road will be closed to through traffic between midnight and 6:00am in order to accommodate the new traffic pattern. Through traffic will be redirected to McCann Road during the switch. Traffic will resume one lane in each direction through the construction area once the switch is complete. This street work is part of the Transportation Alternative Grant Funded by LEDCO and TXDOT.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful’s beautification program has added 5 new wrapped boxes to the growing list of upgraded traffic cabinets. The Beauty and the Box program began in 2016 with the objective of taking utilitarian traffic boxes and transforming them into works of art by local artists. What started as a pilot program of ten boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District has grown to 72 traffic cabinets across the City of Tyler. Continue reading 5 new wrapped signal boxes across Tyler

TYLER (AP) – Authorities say a police officer at an East Texas junior college shot a man fatally Wednesday who was threatening a staff member with a weapon. Tyler Junior College Police Chief Michael Seale said at a news conference that the officer came upon the scene as it was unfolding. Seale said he did not know why the person was threatening the staffer in the road. He declined to say what kind of weapon the person had. A school statement says the man, identified as 66-year-old Pedro Martinez Jr. of Tyler, died later Wednesday at the hospital.

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall reminded residents, organizations and staff Wednesday, to look forward to the holiday seasons, while remembering the active Executive Orders by Governor Abbott relating to COVID-19 to protect health and safety of senior family members. The city continues to encourage residents to follow best health practices; stay home if you are sick, sanitize your hands, social distance, and wear a face mask to protect yourself and your family. See the complete order by clicking the link, https://www.facebook.com/marshalltexas.net. If you have additional questions, contact the city at(903) 935-4421.

TALLULAH, Louisiana — A Longview man has been arrested in Louisiana for allegedly setting a car fire. According to our news partner KETK, the State Fire Marshal’s Office arrested James Oden, 21, in Madison Parish on one count of arson and for possession of stolen property. The Tallulah Fire Department responded to the car fire last Saturday, and determined it was set intentionally. The car was discovered to have been stolen in Longview. Authorities say they were led to Oden through a tip, and that he allegedly admitted to setting the fire after getting frustrated with not being able to refuel it.

LINDALE — A Youth With A Mission Tyler team left for Plymouth, MA on Tuesday. The group plans to be part of a celebration remembering the arrival of the Pilgrims and the signing of the Mayflower Compact 400 years ago. Organizers say this is far from a history trip. The team aims to reveal and bring alive a younger generation of the Pilgrim’s vision and purpose for crossing the Atlantic. The team will live-stream from Plymouth Saturday, at 1 pm CST for 45 minutes. The event can be viewed by clicking the link, https://2020vfa.com/. They are also asking people to watch the rebroadcast on the link Thanksgiving day.

TYLER — The founding member of the Tyler Trees Committee, Mary Katherine Baker Lust, died last July, at the age of 84, following a short illness. A white oak tree has been planted in her honor at Bergfeld Park. Mary Kay has been part of the team since its inception in 1989 and championed many efforts for tree preservation ordinances that the City of Tyler has in place today. “Mary Kay will be deeply missed by our Parks staff, board members and volunteers,” said Recreation Manager Angela Bennis. “Her legacy will be forever with us. We are so grateful for everything she did for our community.” Kay was also the first Chair of the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board when it was created in 1995.

CANTON — UT Health East Texas hosted a ribbon-cutting Wednesday afternoon, celebrating its new urgent care in Canton. The new location on E. State Hwy. 243 in the Trader’s Square shopping plaza, was formerly known as “Canton Express Med,” the clinic re-opened as UT Health East Texas Urgent Care earlier this month. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Most of grand opening festivities were held outside. One-on-one tours were given, so that social distancing and safety protocols could be followed. Find out more by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/cantonxpressmed/.

TYLER – Tyler ISD has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended August 31, 2019. They have now been honored for 17 consecutive years from the Government Finance Officers Association. This recognition is the highest accolade of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The CAFR is judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

TYLER — Various East Texas school districts are adjusting class schedules due to rising COVID-19 numbers. According to our news partner KETK, classes are either being moved online or the days off for the Thanksgiving holiday have been increased for 10 districts in the area. EUSTACE: Eustace is not holding classes this week and will remain closed next week. GILMER: Gilmer is letting classes out beginning at noon on Thursday and will not hold classes on Friday prior to next week’s school holiday. Continue reading As coronavirus cases rise, ISD’s adjust schedules

KILGORE — Kilgore College launched a new initiative, involving a partnership with rootEd Alliance, Inc. The move is an effort to clear the path to a stronger future for students in rural America. The goal for KC and rootEd Alliance is to promote post secondary educational opportunities in five rural school districts in East Texas. Nationally, only 26% of rural students graduate with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, but 80% of jobs that pay middle class wages require education beyond high school. KC is working alongside rootEd Alliance to implement the program placing success advisors in local school districts to help students pursue a post secondary education. Advisors will serve Gilmer, Gladewater, Leverett’s Chapel, Overton and West Rusk high schools.

TYLER — TxDOT was in Tyler Tuesday with a 17-foot-tall Click It or Ticket display board reminding motorists to buckle up. TxDOT says 10 percent of Texas motorists still fail to use seat belts routinely. The annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign launched Monday and will continue through Thanksgiving Weekend, with officer’s stepping up efforts to ticket unbelted motorist.TxDOT reports 925 traffic fatalities in Texas last year involving people not wearing a seat belt. In 2019, there were 7 motor vehicle traffic crashes in Tyler in which unrestrained occupants sustained fatal or serious injuries. These crashes resulted in 4 deaths and 5 serious injuries.

TYLER — The deadline to join UT Health East Texas EMS is approaching. Open enrollment will close this Friday. Membership costs $60 for one year; current members can renew for $50. The average cost of an ambulance transport is $750 and most insurance, including Medicare, will not cover the full amount of an ambulance bill. For those with insurance, UT Health East Texas EMS membership includes full coverage of billed emergency transport charges and medically necessary non-emergency transportation to or from a hospital or nursing home. For more information or to enroll, call 1-800-642-JOIN (5646), or visit online at uthealtheasttexas.com/EMSmembership.

TYLER — A six-figure grant awarded to Tyler Junior College will allow for the creation of two math labs on campus. According to our news partner KETK, the grant from the Texas Success Center, is for $105,000. Texas Success Center supports the efforts of Texas community colleges with a goal to improve student success. TJC says the labs will offer additional technology including computers and graphic calculators. Dr. Belinda Prihoda, the school’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness, said the grant will greatly help struggling students.

TYLER — The 2020 Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade has been announced and thanks to the pandemic, it will look a little different. New this year is the parade format and extended route. The Rotary Clubs of Tyler will host a reverse parade with entrants remaining static and parked along the parade route, while attendees walk or drive along the route. This year’s parade theme is “Together, We are Rose City Strong.” The drive-thru event is free and will be held in downtown Tyler at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 5th. So far, there are over 60 entries, with a limit of 80 due to social distancing guidelines. Late registration is open. $50 for commercial entries and $30 for non-commercial entries. No fee for first responders. Continue reading Drive-thru Christmas Parade planned in Tyler

TYLER — Tyler attorney Stuart Hene announces his run for City Councilman, District 1, to fill Linda Sellers seat when her term expires in 2021. Stuart is Co-Founder and Partner at Tarry & Hene, PLLC and is also President of Prestige Energy Consultants. He is a graduate of Baylor University and Oklahoma City University School of Law. Stuart’s campaign platforms include conservative balanced growth, infrastructure, and public health and safety. If elected to serve, Stuart plans to focus on conservative, balanced growth in District 1 by voting for practical, positive economic development, and for the continuation of the Half Cent Pay-As-You-Go Program. The city council election for District 1 will be held in May 2021. Stuart is married to Sarah and together they have two young boys. They are members of Marvin United Methodist Church. To learn more about Stuart and his campaign, visit his website at http://www.stuarthene.com.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Multiple gunshots were fired early Monday, striking an Upshur County Deputy. The initial shoot-out took place at a convenience store. According to our news partner KETK, the deputy, was treated and released from Longview Medical Center. The suspect was wounded in the shootout as well and was treated at Longview Medical Center. At about 1:40 a.m. Monday, Gilmer P.D. officers and Upshur County Sheriff’s deputies rushed to the CEFCO at U.S. Highway 271 and State Highway 300 in Gilmer. No one at the store was injured. Law officers spotted the shooter, which set off a chase that extended from Upshur County into northern Gregg County, the sheriff said. Continue reading Multiple gun-fights result in injured Deputy and suspect

TYLER — Tyler police say a driver, that caused a wreck killing two people has received a citation, but will not face additional criminal charges. Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh told KTBB, “In Texas, you can be charged with intoxicated man-slaughter if you are drunk or high and cause the death of somebody during a traffic accident. So, when you hear from the detective that all they were charged with is failure to yield-right-of-way, then there were neither drugs or alcohol involved; otherwise, there would have been a much higher charge.” Christopher Little and Edythe Lewis, from Arp, died in the accident at the intersection of New Copeland Road and Loop 323. The driver was cited for failure to yield right-of-way.

TYLER — The Texas Division of Emergency Management is offering FREE COVID-19 tests for East Texans, with or without symptoms. Results will be provided by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. All TDEM testing locations are walk-in sites and require a face mask. These locations will be closed from November 21st through the 29th. Valid ID is required & contact info will be requested when you are tested, not while you wait in line. Also,persons must provide a working cell phone number and results will be provided to you by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and not by NET Health. Continue reading Free COVID testing continues this week, new location added in Henderson

HENDERSON COUNTY — An early morning fire on Sunday destroyed 2 homes and claimed a life in Enchanted Isle on Cedar Creek Lake. According to a post on the Facebook page of Payne Spring VFD, the fire happened just after 2:30 a.m. A cold front blowing in produced strong winds coming off the lake and spread to a neighboring house. PSVFD says 10,000 gallons of water were applied in the first 15 mins of the fire with little effect. One person died in the fire, their identity has not been released at this time. Ten other departments responded to the fire.