KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ARP — Arp ISD has delayed school start time for Tuesday. Classes will begin at 10:00 and buses will run 2 hours later than usual. Numerous reports of downed trees in the area, drivers are urged to use caution.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler announced the second four million-dollar gift to its School of Medicine. The anonymous gift will support the School of Medicine scholarships and faculty research, according to a news release. As quoted in the release, UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun terms university officials “tremendously appreciative” of the gift and “amazed by the support” for the new facility. The School of Medicine’s founding dean, Dr. Brigham Willis, points to “the overwhelming philanthropic support that we have received since the medical school was announced.” He also expressed good feelings about the “warm welcome” he says he has received since coming on board in February. Continue reading Anonymous gift continues momentum for UT Tyler School of Medicine

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 an overlay crew on FM 2089 with traffic controlled by flaggers and a pilot vehicle. A herbicide crew will also be in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will be on FM 449 performing base repairs ahead of the edge/widening project. There will be a one-way setup with flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The Oakwood Cemetery Restoration Committee is holding their annual Walking History Tour through the historic Oakwood Cemetery, located at the intersection of Palace and Oakwood, Saturday, April 9, with tours starting at 1:00. Guests will follow a guide to visit gravesites of historical figures on tours that begin every 10 minutes. The cost is $10 per person. No charge for kids under 12, accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (903) 316-2201.

TYLER — The re-sentencing trial for a Central Texas man in Tyler for a fatal wreck on Grande Blvd. back in 2016 has entered its second week. According to our news partner KETK, 46-year-old James Fulton was convicted of criminally negligent homicide for a crash that killed 21-year-old Haile Beasley in 2016 and had been sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum punishment allowed by Texas law. Two years later, an appeals court ruled that Fulton received ineffective counsel when his lawyers chose not to present evidence that would have contradicted the testimony of a local waitress. They ordered that the conviction would stay in place, but that Fulton would receive a new sentencing trial. He has been out on bond since August 2019.

RUSK COUNTY — A brush pile fire got out of control and spread to a house due to high winds in northern Rusk County on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Fire Department, Crims Chapel Volunteer Fire Department and New London Volunteer Fire Department were all on the scene. There were reportedly no injuries. Rusk County Office of Emergency Management reminds residents to be careful while burning.

OVERTON — The Board of Trustees of Overton Independent School District voted unanimously to elect a new superintendent for the district. Larry Calhoun will replace current superintendent Stephen DuBose who will be retiring at the end of June after 18 years in the district and the last 9 as superintendent. Calhoun is currently the CTE Director and Department Chair for Fine and Applied Arts at Mundelein High School in Mundelein, Illinois. Calhoun earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Abilene Christian University, where he played football, and received a Master of Education Administration from Lamar University. After earning his degrees, Calhoun began his career in the business world but left to begin his teaching/coaching career at Dallas Christian High School in Mesquite, Texas. After that, he spent time in Garland and Austin Texas before moving to Illinois. Calhoun and his wife, Kathy, have 2 children, both former collegiate athletes.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant and Pittsburg police located and confiscated 28 stolen catalytic converters, according to our news partner KETK. A joint investigation between the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the Pittsburg Police Department ultimately led to the discovery that came to a head on Friday. Detectives found 28 “illegally obtained” catalytic converters at a business in Mount Pleasant. Catalytic converters are located under your vehicle and are required to pass state inspections. Precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium make up catalytic converters. Thieves can sell those metals for hundreds to thousands of dollars per ounce. Continue reading Joint investigation leads to recovery of 28 catalytic converters at local business

NACOGDOCHES — The Texas Medical Board temporarily suspended the medical license of an East Texas doctor who was arrested and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child. According to our news partner KETK, the TMB suspended the license of Karl Frederick Kauffman after “determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare.” The suspension is effective immediately. The board panel found that Kauffman was arrested and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. The suspension of his medical license is temporary, but it will remain in place until the board takes further action. Continue reading Doctor’s medical license suspended after child sexual abuse arrest

WHITE OAK — A man accused of killing two people in a shooting in Longview died on Friday after he took his own life, said the Longview Police Department. According to our news partner KETK, SWAT surrounded the Chase Knoll Studio Apartments in White Oak and confirmed that the suspect, Jared Scott Sobey, 37, of Longview, was inside an apartment. Officers attempted to make contact with Sobey when he reportedly killed himself. Sobey was wanted for his involvement in a Longview shooting that left two people dead Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the incident happened around 4:45 p.m. on Fisher Street. Arriving officers found two victims with gunshot wounds. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, the second person was transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. Continue reading Longview murder suspect reportedly killed himself

MARSHALL — Marshall police are investigating a murder. On Wednesday around 4:35 p.m., officials say police got a call about a man lying on the ground in Powder Mill Cemetery, at FM 1997 and Buffo St. Responding officers determined that the man was dead and had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as Akeivyon Diez McMillan, 20, of Jefferson. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call police at 903-935-4575, contact Marshall/Harrison County Crimestoppers at 903-935-9969, or use the P3 mobile app.

TYLER — Tyler police have identified a second suspect in a homicide that came to light over the weekend. A warrant for murder was obtained on Christian Navon-Whitney Polk, 19, of Tyler, with a $2,000,000 bond. Police said his whereabouts were not immediately known and he is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts, you’re asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Continue reading Second suspect sought in Tyler homicide

TYLER — Smith County residents will get to take one free trip to the landfill during the annual Smith Countywide Cleanup, set for April. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office Environmental Crimes Unit and Commissioners Court are once again offering the Countywide Cleanup program, which allows residents to take one truckload of bulky items (3 cubic yards of solid waste) to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. During County Government Month, one voucher per resident is available in-person only at the Courthouse Annex on East Ferguson Street in Tyler, or any of the Justice of the Peace/Constable Offices throughout the county. The vouchers became available for pickup Monday, March 21, but can only be used Friday, April 1, through Saturday, April 30. Click here for more details.

CANTON – Former Van Zandt County Chief Deputy Craig Shelton won’t face criminal charges after admitting to using excessive force against an inmate, according to District Attorney Tonda Curry. According to our news partner KETK, Curry said Shelton entered into a pre-trial intervention contract addressing two potential charges against him. As part of that deal, along with other conditions, Shelton surrendered his peace officer’s license for life. Shelton allegedly admitted to hitting a handcuffed individual in the face without justification. Sheriff Steve Hendrix, Chief Deputy Jerry Wood, and Sergeant Blake Snell were questioned as part of the Texas Rangers’ investigation. According to their indictments, they all denied seeing Shelton hit an inmate. Continue reading Former Van Zandt chief deputy won’t face criminal charges