KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler – covering 33 counties – tweeted his support of Governor Abbott’s denunciation of President Biden’s border policies. Bishop Joseph Strickland wrote on Twitter, “Thank you Governor Abbott. Biden has abdicated his federal responsibility for dealing with this crisis and you are vilified for doing what you can as the governor of one border state. Please continue to advocate for real border control. Innocent children of God are suffering.” The governor handed a letter castigating the president’s handling of the border situation to Mr. Biden when his plane landed in El Paso Sunday. Strickland has also been sharply critical of the president over his abortion policies.

TYLER — The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center says it prevented tens of millions of dollars in losses last year connected to organized fraud. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the center’s first year in operation prevented loses of nearly $48.5-million. It also helped root out 396 credit card skimmers. The center opened last year in Tyler as the first-of-its-kind in the nation, putting various law enforcement agencies in coordination to the fraud. Beyond just gas pumps, the center has recorded what the state calls “an astronomical amount” of fraud from other types of credit card skimming committed by foreign nationals, including ATM and point-of-sale skimming that specifically targets state benefit cards.

TYLER — Tyler police say a southeast Tyler intersection was finally cleared late Tuesday afternoon. Early Tuesday morning, there was a one-vehicle traffic crash at Golden Rd. and McDonald Rd. The vehicle damaged a power pole and traffic control panel. AT&T, Oncor, and City of Tyler staff teamed up to make repairs. Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible while crews were in the street.

TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation has announced that the Southside Park men’s restroom is closed following vandalism on January 8. Photos from Tyler Parks and Recreation show that the restroom’s toilet, urinal, and sink have been irreparably damaged. Officials said the restroom will remain closed until the necessary repairs can be made. According to our news partner KETK, they also request for people to come forward if you know anything about who vandalized the restroom.

TYLER — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due at the end of this month, and he is urging people to pay online. According to a news release, payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement, which will take you directly to the payment page on your account. The Tax Office mailed out 192,357 property tax statements in October, and Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the deadline for paying them. Tax payers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. Barber said for those who want to pay in person at the Tax Office, expect long lines and wait times. Click here for more information.

AUSTIN (KRLD) — The Texas State Parks System is 100 years old. Parks and Wildlife is celebrating the centennial with a traveling art exhibit that will make its way to East Texas later this year. “The Art of Texas State Parks” honors more than 30 parks across the state, with a goal of increasing public awareness. The first stop for the display is the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. That’s on through April 30. Future stops include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, from May 26 through October 1. Later stops are planned in Canyon, College Station, Albany, and Tyler.

TYLER – Visit Tyler, in association with the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tyler, has formed the Tyler Arts and Culture Collective. According to a news release, the collective is made up of eleven people who have been appointed for their love of Tyler and the arts. Organizers say the purpose is to provide a unified voice in promoting the arts in Tyler. The plan for, and formation of, the committee was presented at Tuesday’s Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. “We believe supporting and promoting the amazing people of the arts community in Tyler is a worthwhile endeavor. We are thrilled with this group and appreciate the time they will be devoting to our cause,” said Visit Tyler President Shari Lee, as quoted in the release. Continue reading Tyler Arts and Culture Collective formed

WOOD COUNTY — Three people, including a Longview woman, are killed in a Saturday evening crash on US 69, a mile southeast of Alba. According to DPS, preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was traveling northwest. Another was traveling southeast and crossed the center line into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the northwest-bound vehicle, according to the preliminary report. Yet another vehicle is believed to have collided with the passenger side of the northwest-bound vehicle, apparently continuing into the trees on the south side of US 69. Tiffany N. Sammons, 39, of Longview, was driving the southeast-bound vehicle. She was killed along with two Allen residents in the northwest-bound vehicle.

TYLER – The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County recently created a free guide to help families caring for someone with dementia. According to our news partner KETK, the web and print version of their Legal Guide for Dementia Care was made after receiving funding from the Texas Bar Foundation in hopes of being a life-changing resource for East Texas families. Rebecca Smith with the Alzheimer’s Alliance says the guide can help clarify certain legal terms and give people peace of mind as they plan for the future. The guide was made with information from elder attorneys, Alzheimer’s Alliance social workers, caregivers, and the Department of Justice. An online version of the free guide can be found here.

PALESTINE (KRLD) — The Union Pacific Railroad has been cleared to close its last repair shop in Palestine. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to review lower court rulings that Union Pacific is no longer bound by a 150-year old agreement to stay in Palestine forever. For one thing, Union Pacific never signed that agreement; that was several owners ago. For another, the company says the remaining repair shop is no longer needed in Palestine. John Piersol, who owns a feed store next to that shop, says the railroad has been a fixture in Palestine. But he says over the last 25 years or so, the number of local railroad workers has “really dwindled.” Union Pacific has not said when it plans to move out.

ALBA – One of the escaped inmates from Mississippi is currently incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail, according to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Tyler Payne was arrested in the Dallas area in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10th. The other fugitive, Traverro McElroy, has yet to be located but is not believed to be in the Wood County area. Continue reading One Mississippi escaped inmate arrested in Dallas

TYLER – Authorities said a man was arrested after being accused of impersonating an East Texas police officer in Chandler. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh says a person called law enforcement on Jan. 7 after a man flashed his blue and red lights and made a hand signal at the caller to pull over. Police identified the man as Jason Fears of Bullard. The caller followed Fears to Tyler, and he was later pulled over by police for speeding. Authorities say after police learned about the incident in Chandler, Fears was charged with impersonating a public servant, arrested, and booked into the Smith County Jail. He was released on Sunday.

WASHINGTON, D.C – With Kevin McCarthy finally confirmed as U.S. House speaker, former Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran officially joins Congress. During a visit with KTBB, Moran expressed his gratitude to predecessor Louie Gohmert “for his nearly two decades of service.” Moran added that he’s “extremely grateful for the assistance he’s given me during the transition.” The new congressman noted that a lot of Gohmert’s staff will stay on board with their new boss. As to what lies ahead, Moran tolod us, “There’s this grassroots desire to see change in Washington, D.C. We’ve been developing new rules that are gonna govern how our conference and Congress runs itself…It really restores transparency and trust.” Continue reading Moran looks ahead after being sworn in as new congressman

TYLER – After 23 years in Tyler, the owners of Traditions announced their decision to close the restaurant on Sunday. “It has been our joy to serve our guests over the years and we consider it a privilege and blessing to have counted so many as part of our lives for so long,” Kandi, Robert, and Kristin Owens said in a letter announcing the restaurant’s closing. “We loved seeing your faces regularly and we are grateful for making more friends than we can count.” According to our news partner KETK, the family said they can still be found at their other restaurant in town, Corner Bakery Café. Continue reading Tyler’s Traditions restaurant ends 23-year run

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 9. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will begin mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew repairing base failures on FM 2661 just past Big Eddy Road. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Midweek, this crew will move to FM 850 near SH 31 for profile work. Click this link for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas prepares to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Several events are planned in Tyler. The Tyler Together Race Relations Forum will begin its recognition of the civil rights leader Friday, January 13, with a spoken word competition and showcase at the Foundry Coffeehouse. The following day, the Texas African-American Museum on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will welcome guest speaker Rev. Ray C. Lewis of Jasper for a pre-holiday celebration. Tyler Together will follow up on Monday, January 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — with its annual observance stretching from the downtown Tyler square to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Click here and here for details and updates. Continue reading Tyler, Longview prepare to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) — Lovie Smith of Big Sandy has been fired as coach of the Houston Texans on Sunday night after just one season where the team went 3-13-1. It’s the second straight season in which the Texans have fired a coach after just one year. They parted ways with David Culley last January after he went 4-13 in his only season.

LONGVIEW – Longview Police Department has announced that officer Larry Solomon died from angiosarcoma cancer at his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday morning Jan. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Solomon was a veteran of the U.S Marine Corp and served as police officer in Longview for eight years. He and his wife had two children. Longview Police Department thanked the community for supporting Solomon’s family at this time. His funeral services will be held with Cammack Family Welch Funeral Home, officials said.

KILGORE – Kilgore Police Department has announced that they have a new K9 school resource officer named Dodo. According to a Facebook post and our news partner KETK, Dodo is a 20-month-old German Shepard and is replacing Ruger who has retired for health reasons. Officials said that Dodo was trained by Texas K9 Solutions in Winona. Dodo has the ability to detect tobacco products, vapes, alcohol, gunpowder and various illicit drugs, according to the post. Dodo was picked because, officials said, he interacted so well with students while being vetted. The post added that Dodo was paid for with money seized from a doctor who was convicted of illegally prescribing opioids in East Texas. Dodo rides in a Dodge Charger which has been repainted with school colors and the Bulldog mascot.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office says an East Texas man whose body was found in November 2022 after he went missing died by drowning. According to our news partner KETK, officials said that William Chad Martin, 35, of Ore City, was reported missing on Nov. 7, and that his body was found on Nov. 16 off Live Oak Road in southwest Upshur County. Autopsy results showed his cause of death to be “accidental” by drowning, UCSO said. The report also showed high levels of methamphetamine and broken ribs consistent with a fall, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials said Martin was last seen early Nov. 5 after his girlfriend said they had been smoking meth and were drunk the day before. Continue reading Autopsy: East Texas missing man found in November died by drowning

ATHENS – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has been searching a property near Athens for the remains of Heather Cannon, who was 15 when she went missing in 2009. According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement said they obtained a tip that Cannon was buried on a property near Highway 175 West outside Athens heading towards Eustace. The sheriff’s office also received a search warrant for the property. Authorities said the teenager was reported missing from the property they have been searching. Cannon was last seen on August 27, 2009, in the company of her biological father, Jerral Allen Whitley. Officials say Whitley refused to take a polygraph test after Heather’s disappearance. Officials said they would continue the search through Saturday.

GRAND SALINE – A Grand Saline man was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, the Grand Saline Police Department began investigating the case on Monday. DPS agents helped police and said Marty McCormick was a suspect. Police obtained a warrant for McCormick on Tuesday, and he was arrested the same day. He was booked into the Van Zandt County Detention Center. Authorities are still investigating the situation and McCormick could face other charges. GSPD also thanked the DPS, the Van Police Department, the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office, and the Van Zandt County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office for helping with the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident can contact Grand Saline police at 903-962-3145.

QUITMAN – A custodial death report has identified a man who was shot and killed by Mineola Police Department officers on Dec. 22 in Quitman and given new details of the incident. According to our news partner KETK, the report says Robert Allen Vancleave, 55, was shot after officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on his vehicle. Officers reported they initially tried to stop Vancleave because of reports of theft from the Walmart on NE Loop 564 in Mineola. Store employees provided a description of the alleged thief’s vehicle that was leaving the parking lot, according to the report. Officers then tried to stop Vancleave’s vehicle. The report said during the stop Vancleave allegedly tried to hit one of the officers with his vehicle. Continue reading Officials identify man shot, killed by Mineola PD in Quitman

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office reports that after being missing for over a day, 77-year-old Retha Pauls has been found. She had last been seen Wednesday around 7 p.m. at a home on Tryon Road near the Williams Road intersection in Longview. Officials say Pauls suffers from a medical condition and requires medication.

CHANDLER – Three people were taken to a local hospital for treatment Friday morning after a five-car crash involving an 18-wheeler that struck the Chandler City Hall and Community Center, causing damage to the building. According to our news partner KETK, police say a car was traveling southbound on Sawmill Road across Highway 31 around 6:10 a.m. when it was hit by an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on the highway. The crash caused both vehicles to go into the parking lot of city hall, according to police, hitting three other unoccupied cars in the parking lot before crashing into the side of the building that houses the economic development corporation. Continue reading Three injured, building damaged after 18-wheeler crashes into Chandler Community Center

TYLER — The queen of the 90th Texas Rose Festival is Laura Elaine Bryan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Arnold Bryan. The All Saints Episcopal School graduate and SMU sophomore was introduced Thursday evening along with her court and the festival theme, “The Story of Film.” Laura’s family has been involved with the festival since 1973 — she herself was an attendant to the queen in 2010. Laura says she’s honored to be chosen — and really looking forward to the big event. She tells KTBB, “I think the festival really just brings everyone together…It’s such a staple of Tyler, and it’s one of the first things people ask me about when I say I’m from here.” Continue reading New queen looks forward to Rose Festival

LINDALE – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a reported runaway identified as Alannis Skye Loving. According to a news release, the father reported that his daughter had run away from their home on County Road 431 near Lindale. The report was made on October 18, 2022, and several leads on her whereabouts have proved to be unreliable, according to officials. The father has made contact with Skye by text in the recent past. Skye is a white female, 16 years of age, 5’2”, 125 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. She is not on any medications and does not suffer from any physical or mental illness. It was also reported that Skye frequently runs away from home and does have friends in the Lindale area. If you have any information as to Skye’s whereabouts, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

AUSTIN (KRLD/Staff) — State Representative Cody Harris of Palestine has been busy in the days leading up to the legislative session. One bill he has filed would protect the due process rights of law enforcement officers. House Bill 799 would prevent what Harris refers to as “anti-police district attorneys and law enforcement agencies” from placing officers on the so-called Brady list, a public database that tracks police misconduct. Harris told the Corsicana Daily sun this bill is designed to “stop these radical DAs and reinstate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of law enforcement officers.” Harris said HB 799 would limit the use of unsubstantiated information concerning a law enforcement officer and the officer’s role as a witness in a criminal proceeding. Continue reading Palestine lawmaker files two bills

KILGORE – Six years after its filing, a lawsuit alleging improper collection of tax revenues against Kilgore ISD has reached a preliminary settlement, according to the district. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit requested relief and a refund of taxes totaling $4 million that were collected after the district repealed the local optional homestead exemption in 2015 when the Texas Legislature was working to make the exemption mandatory. According to our news partner KETK, the district said in its statement that Kilgore ISD taxpayers should soon expect to receive “first notices containing information regarding the class action settlement details.” Continue reading Kilgore ISD agrees to settlement offer in 2016 tax revenue lawsuit