KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A design firm wants to hear from you on future plans for downtown Tyler. In late winter, after a second phase contract was approved by Tyler City Council, Toole Design began the development of a concept to support revitalization efforts in the Downtown Tyler area. As part of this design plan, the company will be meeting with stakeholders this week to see what the needs and wants are for the area, according to a news release. Toole Design and the Main Street Department are also requesting the input of Tyler residents. Residents can submit their visions and comments by visiting this link. The plan is scheduled to be completed this year. This preliminary vision and design will move the revitalization process forward to allow the City to develop phases for construction, according to the release.

TYLER –Senator John Cornyn participates in a roundtable discussion in Tyler today wto hear from regional leaders, health care providers, educators, and economic development officials at the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. The roundtable highlights the challenges of limited broadband access that many East Texas communities experience and how Sen. Cornyn’s current legislation would allow local leaders to use unspent COVID-19 relief funds for regional projects like expanding broadband and infrastructure. Roundtable participants are sharing how broadband access impacts education, health care, and economic development and emphasizes the importance of bridging the digital divide. The meeting is set for 10:00 with a press conference to follow.

FORT WORTH — Fort Worth police arrest the fifth and final suspect in connection with the ambush robbery of a Dallas man last month — a case with an East Texas link. 19-year-old Eric Carroll was captured late last week by the Fort Worth Police Fugitive unit and the U.S. Marshals. Police say Carroll was part of a group who kidnapped and robbed a man after he was lured to an apartment on Berry Street. Carroll had escaped at the end of a police chase that culminated with the arrests of two suspects. Two others, including the woman who allegedly lured the man to the apartment, were arrested in Tyler. Like the other four suspects, Carroll is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Patriot Classic raised $311,000 this year to benefit the university’s scholarship program. UT Tyler awarded 29 Patriot Classic scholarships. The activity consists of the Southside Bank Patriot Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest and the BMW of Tyler Patriot Golf Classic. Both were held last month, making a return following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

TYLER — As of Monday, April 18th, the NET Health COVID Vaccine Clinic has relocated to NET Health’s Immunizations Clinic located on North Broadway Avenue, directly next to the Tyler Municipal Court. The clinic is located within the middle set of doors. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.; on Wednesdays, the clinic remains open until 6:00 p.m. Continue reading COVID Vaccine Clinic moves to NET Health’s Main Immunizations Clinic

LONGVIEW — The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center was recently named a “Great Public Space” as part of the American Planning Association – Texas Chapter’s Great Places in Texas program. “The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center has become a gem in our community,” said Michael Shirley, director of Development Services, as quoted in a news release. “It is a great example of a successful public-private partnership, and we are delighted that this statewide organization realizes what a great place it is for our residents and visitors.” The Great Places in Texas program promotes and recognizes great places while celebrating stories of exemplary planning that have resulted in stronger and healthier communities, according to the release. The Arboretum was one of just six destinations selected by the association for recognition in 2022 and only one of two Great Public Spaces. Click here to learn more.

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 crew on FM 15. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing ditch work in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will be on FM 2751 for leveling work. FM 2751 will be closed to traffic. Crews are also scheduled to finish base repairs on FM 449 and begin edge repair work. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

DALLAS (ESPN/Staff) – A day after Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph met with Dallas police, two arrests have been made in the death of former East Texas high school athlete Cameron Ray on March 18. On Saturday, police announced the arrests of Aries Jones, 28, and Tivione English, 21, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in connection with the homicide. Joseph’s attorney, Barry Sorrels, said Friday that Joseph was a passenger in a vehicle from which gunshots were fired that killed a man last month, but he was not the shooter. Continue reading Two arrested in homicide involving Dallas Cowboys CB Kelvin Joseph

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts remains guardedly upbeat as COVID numbers remain low in his agency’s survey area. He says officials continue to monitor the BA.2 variant, telling us it now makes up 86 per cent of national cases and over 80 per cent of cases in Texas. And that’s not all. Roberts adds that there are several other variants that were discussed Thursday in a meeting in Austin. He says they don’t appear to be affecting Texas just yet but that officials will be watching them in days to come. And Roberts continues to call vaccinations the best way to fight the virus. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER – A man has been arrested after authorities say he led a pursuit from Lindale into Tyler on Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 63-year-old David Fitch was arrested around 9:08 a.m. outside a store in Tyler off Highway 64 West. Lindale officers did a traffic stop on Fitch’s vehicle at around 8:50 a.m. They say he drove away a moment later and led police on a chase southbound on Highway 69. DPS assisted and was able to spike the vehicle and disable at least one of the tires. The pursuit continued onto Loop 323 in Tyler, down to Highway 64. Officer Andy Erbaugh with Tyler Police said the department helped block intersections while the chase went on to help keep the public safe. Fitch reportedly continued to a strip center on Highway 64 West, near the Loop 323 intersection, where Tyler police found him and arrested him. Continue reading Man arrested after Lindale-to-Tyler chase

TYLER — The City of Tyler is explaining why residents didn’t hear an outdoor siren when a tornado warning was issued in the area Tuesday night. The outdoor warning system seemingly failed to sound during 100 mph straight line winds that tore through Tyler and wreaked havoc on the city’s historic Azalea District. Officials say there was a “configuration problem” that caused the sirens to not sound. According to our news partner KETK, the warning system contains two layers of audio: the siren itself and the voiceover advising people to seek shelter. Authorities said when city staff went to activate the alarm, only the voiceover played. Authorities reportedly tried setting off the alarm a second time with no success. Continue reading Officials say ‘configuration issue’ caused siren failure

TYLER – Jury selection for a Tyler woman charged with capital murder in her daughter’s death has been set for August. According to our news partner KETK, Courtnie Williams was arrested along with the victim’s father, Manuel Williams, in 2020 after officers were called to the home and found injuries that were consistent with “a history of abuse.” An arrest warrant at the time alleged that bruises were found all over the child’s body and were in different stages of healing. Courtnie Williams will have until July 7 to decide whether to accept a plea deal if one is offered. If not, jury selection is set to begin on Aug. 1. Manuel Williams pleaded guilty in February to a charge of injury to a child and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

TYLER – The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday that it was 100 mph straight line winds that swept through Tyler Tuesday night, causing significant damage to the city’s historic Azalea District. According to our news partner KETK, the winds caused considerable damage, with many trees being uprooted or falling into homes. Charlie Woodrum, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist, said there was initially a tornado warning because they had some initial indication of rotation in the air. “Based off what we saw on the radar, there was an area of rotation on the front edge of the line, which prompted the tornado warning,” Woodrum said. Continue reading Storm aftermath continues; NWS offers assessment

TYLER – With Title 42 set to end May 23rd, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke with KTBB about some of his concerns with the Biden administrations plans once the borders are open to the flood of immigrants. The Attorney General expressed concerns about the amount to crime, drugs and gang activity along the border. Among other things, he believes that the Cartels are being given a free pass to bring in people, drugs and weapons into the country. The Biden administration will look the other way with the understanding that these immigrants will vote Democrat. He worries this will have long term consequences economically and our way of life.