KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun has announced that Brigham C. Willis, M.D., has been appointed the founding dean of the the university’s new school of medicine. Willis, a longtime educator, scholar, and leader in academic medicine, has been widely lauded for his commitment and service to medical education, according to a news release. Willis currently serves as senior associate dean of medical education at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. He was previously associate fellowship director for pediatric critical care medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and chief medical education officer and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-designated institutional official at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Continue reading UT Tyler Announces dean for the school of medicine

TYLER – A Smith County Constable and two high-ranking deputies were arrested after allegedly stealing from a Tyler residence while on duty, according to DPS. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Constable for Precinct 1 Curtis Harris, Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks and Sergeant Derrick Holman were arrested for theft, official oppression and abuse of official capacity. The highest charged offense of theft is a state jail felony and is punishable by no more than two years or less than 180 days confinement in a state jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000, according to DPS. Continue reading DPS: Constable, high-ranking deputies arrested after stealing ‘personal property’ from residence

TATUM — 160 East Texas Luminant employees are soon to be laid off, according to a notice from the Texas Workforce Commission. According to our news partner KETK, a notice from the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system, which requires notice 60 days in advance of plant closures or mass layoffs, listed Luminant Mining Co. in Tatum. The layoff date for these employees, according to the document, is Dec. 26. Continue reading Luminant to lay off 160 employees at Tatum location by day after Christmas

TYLER — Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford says, “It’s been a heck of a last 18 months to two years, and certainly we’ve done the best we possibly could.” Crawford Thursday delivered his annual State of the District address at at a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon and spoke to KTBB by phone. He says a highlight is getting students back in brick-and mortar schools, adding that “enrollment is kissing our pre-pandemic number, and I don’t think there’s a lot of school systems that can say that.” Crawford added, “I do think that our community is valuing our school system to trust us with their students (during) very changing times in our world right now.” Continue reading Crawford delivers State of the District address

LONGVIEW – An American Airlines flight bound for DFW International Airport made an unexpected landing Thursday at East Texas Regional Airport in Longview due to a “possible mechanical issue,” according to a statement from the airline. According to our news partner KETK, Flight 4210 was scheduled to fly from Alexandria, Louisiana, and was supposed to land in Dallas around noon. At some point during the flight, the plane squawked “7700”, the standard code for declaring an emergency. It’s unclear when the code was sent out, but the plane continued to fly toward Dallas before turning around west of Henderson. The plane then made a landing at East Texas Regional just before 11:30 a.m., according to the plane tracking site FlightAware. Continue reading Plane makes unexpected landing in Longview

TYLER — The City of Tyler is scheduled to begin construction on the Cloverdale Drainage Improvement Project on Nov. 12. The project will repair a failing storm drain system by improving undersized and dilapidated culverts to alleviate flooding of streets and homes caused by an undersized channel, according to a news release. The Cloverdale project runs along Cloverdale Drive and Silverwood Drive from Caperton Boulevard to just north of Woodlark Drive. Contractors are scheduled to work in the area from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The project is scheduled to be completed on Oct. 27, 2022, depending on the weather. Motorists are asked to obey detours and road closures and to use caution in the area. Click here for background on this project.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts has some new statistics to back up his continued call for COVID-19 vaccinations: a study released this week by the Department of State Health Services. According to Roberts, the study showed that Texans not vaccinated against COVID-19 were about 20 times more likely to suffer a COVID-associated death — and 13 more times more likely to test positive — than fully vaccinated people. Roberts says the study also showed that vaccination had a strong protective effect across all age groups.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An East Texas man in jail for participation in the riot on Capitol Hill has asked for a pre-trial release. According to our news partner KETK, Ryan Nichols has been charged with several crimes, including an ‘act of violence in the Capitol’. In a court filing dated Nov. 1, he asked to be released on a personal recognizance. According to the filing, Nichols “categorically denies each charge and is eager to prove his innocence at trial.” He is being tried alongside Alex Harkrider, who was released on bond in April. Continue reading Longview man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot requests pre-trial release

SMITH COUNTY — Chapel Hill ISD is mourning the loss of a 14-year-old freshman. According to our news partner KETK, Fernando Martinez and his mother Julia died in a car wreck on Highway 31 Tuesday. CHISD said they are making counseling available to students who need special attention and support at each campus. There is also support available from the community. CHISD will try and maintain a normal routine and structure as the situation and people allow, and they encourage others to do the same. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD mourning death of freshman after tragic wreck

TYLER — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton covered a range of topics Wednesday during a visit to the KTBB studios. Asked why he became attorney general, Paxton says he saw the country “at a crossroads” when President Obama was in office and “felt a duty” to take the post. We mentioned the battles Paxton has been taking on, including immigration, vaccines, and the border situation. He said, “They’re all tough fights because you’re taking on the federal government” and other formidable foes. But he says the fights are necessary “or we are going to lose our country.” As for the legal battles he’s facing, Paxton said he won’t speak ill of his fellow Republicans but rather will speak of his own record and what he wants to accomplish. Continue reading Paxton pays a visit to KTBB

LONGVIEW — Longview City Council will consider a proposed redistricting plan during their regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 5:30. Redistricting is conducted to adjust the boundaries of City Council voting districts in accordance with changes to population distribution. Longview has six council districts with one council member elected from each district. The 2020 Census showed Longview’s population grew from 80,455 in 2010 to 81,638 in 2020. In general, the majority of the growth took place in the northern sections of Longview. Officials say the proposed redistricting map makes small changes to each of the six districts in an effort to maintain even distribution. Click here for more information.

AUSTIN — Sales tax allocation figures from the state Comptroller’s Office continue to look good for the two biggest cities in East Texas. For the month of November, Tyler gets $4,965,429.01, up from $4,346,107.52 in November 2020. Tyler’s year-to-date number is $48,790,045.60, an increase from the $42,139,695.84 the city posted a year ago. Longview takes in $4,055,737.46, compared to $3,249,052.61 at this time last year. For the year to date, Longview shows $35,595,270.64, up from $31,053,029.47 in November 2020. Click here for more detailed information.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council passed a resolution Wednesday to nominate Trane U.S., Inc., for the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. The company, which opened its Tyler facility in 1956, has grown to be one of the city’s largest businesses as well as one of the largest Trane facilities in the world, according to a news release. Trane is proposing a $76.7 million investment to construct a 190,000 square foot building and assembly lines at the Tyler facility as a result of the Building 9 collapse from the early 2021 winter storm. The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is an economic development tool, and designated projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures. Click here for more information. Continue reading Council takes action on Trane; no action on redistricting

TYLER — Tyler’s CampV celebrates Veterans Day with two events. First: the dedication of the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” Garden at 10:30. On KTBB’S “In Focus,” CampV’s Vicki Patzold said CampV was one of three locations selected for that event, which observes the centennial of the Arlington, Va., landmark. She says activities will include a 21-gun salute from the Marine Corps League of Jacksonville, along with a proclamation. That’s followed by a Veterans Day ceremony at Bullard’s Brook Hill School from noon till 2. Patzold says you’ll have the chance to visit the on-campus Freedom Museum and see the Honor Walk — adding, “It’s just a day to come together and celebrate our veterans.” CampV is a “one stop shop” for veterans, military members, and their families. Continue reading CampV celebrates Veterans Day

TYLER — The lead defense attorney for William Davis, the former CHRISTUS nurse who was sentenced to death for killing several patients, was allegedly caught trying to solicit a prostitute during the month-long trial. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Hayes was arrested Friday, Nov. 5, and released after posting a $2,000 bond. However, an arrest warrant obtained by KETK News reveals that an undercover deputy for the Smith County’s Sheriff’s Office posing as a prostitute made contact with Hayes in a text message. The warrant says that the sheriff’s office “posted advertisements on a website commonly used for human trafficking and prostitution.” Continue reading Defense attorney in former nurse murder case charged with soliciting prostitute

SMITH COUNTY — A former Smith County detention officer was indicted by a grand jury for an alleged relationship with an inmate. According to our news partner KETK, Amanda Gayle Megrail, 26, of Lindale was charged on Sept. 30 for violating the civil rights of a person in custody, following a year-long investigation. Megrail originally turned herself in over a year ago on Sept. 18, 2020 after she confessed to having a sexual relationship with one of the inmates at the Smith County Jail. Megrail was put on administrative leave during the investigation and eventually terminated from her employment by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Former detention officer charged with improper relationship with inmate indicted

TYLER — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, who has a well-earned reputation as a conservative firebrand, says that if he can raise one-million dollars in ten days, then he’ll run for State Attorney General. SMU Political Analyst Cal Jillson says the current AG, Ken Paxton, is seen as vulnerable. “He has been under indictment for the last 5 years and is also under FBI investigation. The bet is that if he goes down, the seat will be available”, says Jillson. Statewide offices in Texas rarely come open. Jillson says Gohmert has a strong case, but opponents will likely bring up his ties to the January 6th Capitol riot. A new report suggests he was one of several Republican members of Congress who helped plan the pro-Trump rally.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation crew is getting in the holiday spirit and will be decorating downtown with thousands of twinkling lights in time for the 36th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. According to a news release, the tree lighting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza following the Tyler Rotary Christmas Parade scheduled for 6 p.m. The ceremony’s centerpiece is a 20-foot Leyland Cypress tree from Merkert Tree Farm in Beckville. The tree will be lit by the 2022 Miracle Child, representing the Children’s Miracle Network at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Parking is free and available at the Fair Plaza Garage on S. College Ave. The 2022 Miracle Child will be announced during a press conference at the Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum on N. Broadway Ave. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 10 a.m.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts remains encouraged with declining COVID-19 numbers in East Texas — but he says there’s still work to do. He tells KTBB things are still trending positively, although the virus’s presence is not going down as quickly as he would like, with the numbers flattening a bit since Thursday. Roberts is not letting up in his call for everyone to get vaccinated. He also reminds you that kids age 5 to 11 are now eligible for COVID shots. He says things are off to a pretty good start on that front, and officials may be doing some school outreach in the near future.

TYLER – A Mineola man was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for sexually assaulting a girl at Sky Ranch Christian Camp in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, the sentence follows a guilty plea from 30-year-old Caylon Whittington. DNA evidence led to the arrest of Whittington, who was charged for inappropriately touching a nine-year-old girl while she was sleeping at the camp in 2015. Deputies were told the assault happened after someone sneaked into a cabin at night. The girl was attending a Green Acres Baptist Church children’s retreat. Whittington was arrested this past April in Llano County and transferred to the Smith County Jail.

AUSTIN – Three of Texas’ 10 Most Wanted offenders have been arrested, including an East Texan. According to a DPS news release, Billy Ray Dake, 47, of Harleton, was arrested in Wichita Falls Nov. 1, the same day he was added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders List. Dake had been wanted since May 17, when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office also issued a warrant for his arrest on Aug. 27, for failure to register as a sex offender. Dake had been convicted in 1992, 2011, and 2018 on charges dating to an incident involving a 5-year-old boy. He was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison but was released on parole in November 2019. The other offenders recently captured are from Odessa and Corpus Christi.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday holds its final public hearing on local redistricting. Wednesday is also the final day to submit alternate plans. Mayor Don Warren reminds you that certain criteria must be followed for such plans, and he says you can find that information online. He tells us the process has gone well so far, with a couple of prior public hearings along with a pair of recent open houses. The council gathers at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Final action on the new council district layout is planned for December 8. Click here for more information.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD will lift their mask mandate beginning Nov. 20. According to our news partner KETK, the rescinding of the mandate is due to the ongoing decline in COVID-19 cases in the district. After Nov. 20, students, staff, and visitors will no longer be required to wear face coverings at district facilities or events. Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said the decision was based solely on the data and facts available to the district. According to data presented during Monday’s LISD Board of Trustees meeting, there are only 13 active student cases and only 5 active staff cases which is less than 1% of the LISD community. Continue reading Longview ISD to lift mask mandate

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Three men arrested in connection to the quadruple murder in New Summerfield have been indicted by a grand jury on capital murder charges, according to our news partner KETK. Jesse Pawlowski, 20, Dylan Welch, 21, and Billy Phillips, 37, were indicted on Oct. 6. They were detained on July 21, and are accused of the deadly shooting of four people in a trailer home near New Summerfield. The three men each received a bond of $1 million. Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said the shooting happened due to a robbery over clothes and guns. John Clinton, 18, Amanda Bain 39, Ami Hickey, 39, and Jeff Gerla, 47, were killed in the incident.

TYLER – The Texas Art Education Association announced Tyler ISD Director of Fine Arts Sandra Newton as the TAEA Administrator of the Year. “It is my honor, pleasure, and I am beyond joyful to serve the teachers and students of Tyler ISD,” Newton said in a news release. According to the release, TAEA recognized Newton “for her significant contributions to TAEA and arts education on the state, local, and national levels.” Newton received her award during the award ceremony and reception November 5 in Round Rock. Newton co-hosts “The Art Connection of East Texas,” heard Saturday mornings on KTBB. Tyler ISD has also received the TAEA District of Distinction for the third consecutive year. This distinction places Tyler ISD in the top 4% of visual art programs in Texas, according to the release.

TYLER — A second Tyler man has been indicted for capital murder stemming from a May shooting that left one dead. According to our news partner KETK, 27-year-old Dakevian Scroggins is accused in the killing of Christopher Frank Eiglebiger. He was shot in front of a home on Crosby Street behind CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Scroggins was on the run for more than two months after the shooting and was placed on the Texas DPS 10 Most Wanted list. He was arrested in late July. Also charged for the murder is 23-year-old Zaccheus Dunn. He was caught just two days after the shooting. Under Texas law, both men could be facing the death penalty. A decision for either of them has yet to be announced by Smith County DA Jacob Putman. Neither defendant has a set court date. They are both being held in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Saying “It has been an extraordinary time for everyone,” Tyler ISD officials will be giving a retention stipend to eligible employees in December. Provided they were hired before November 1, 2021, teachers and nurses will get $1,000, other professionals will receive $750, and $500 will go to paras and manual trades workers. The move was recently approved by school trustees. According to a news release, school officials want the employees “to know that we appreciate their dedication and hope they will stay with us long term.” The stipend is from the ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds the district received to help with a variety of areas, including retention of employees.

TYLER — A Tyler case that saw multiple young men charged with beating a friend unconscious in March for being a “snitch” has had its first sentence handed down. According to our news partner KETK, 17-year-old Jesus Tinoco pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to four years in prison. The victim had reportedly called police after a man got into an argument with the victim’s sister, whom the man had been dating. Police ended up arresting the man on an outstanding warrant. The victim was later lured to Hillside Park, where the beating occurred. The cases of the other beating suspects remain pending, though one was arrested in July for capital murder in an unrelated case.

TYLER — A Tyler man was charged with manslaughter on Friday stemming from an October wreck on Loop 323. According to our news partner KETK, Jose Esparza, 23, has been charged with the death of a passenger in his car after a high-speed, three-car wreck in front of Mercados restaurant on October 14. According to a warrant obtained by KETK News, police were called to the scene at 8:45 p.m. Police determined that Esparza was driving westbound in a black corvette with a passenger named Pablo Avila. Esparza ran into the back of a white F250 at “a high rate of speed.” Continue reading Tyler man charged with manslaughter for October wreck on Loop 323

SMITH COUNTY — Crews get busy on a couple of Smith County road projects, and officials have issued an advisory about an ongoing project. Contractors resumed major roadwork Monday on County Road 463, also known as Wood Springs Road, in the Lindale area. Along with that, they began work Monday on reconstruction of County Road 448, also known as Sky Ranch Road, outside of Lindale. Officials additionally remind you that a portion of Smith County Road 3101, or Barber Road, will remain closed until November 22 for improvements. Click here for more information.