KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Local health leaders held a news conference Monday in Tyler on COVID-19, giving information about booster eligibility and other matters. NET Health’s George Roberts repeated a familiar call — and reiterated a telling number regarding hospital patients. Roberts continues to urge initial vaccinations — pointing out that as before, over 90 per cent of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals have not been vaccinated. On the upside, Roberts said hospital patient numbers in the area are continuing do decline, falling to 116 from the 150 range last week. Click here for more information on booster shots, and check the “Coronavirus update” story on this website for additional information.

HENDERSON — A man was arrested for murder in Henderson after police discovered a body outside a residence on North Oak Street Friday, according to the Henderson Police Department. According to our news partner KETK, police said an initial investigation showed the victim was involved in a shooting incident the previous week in the same area. The victim has been identified as Archie Eugene Lacy Jr., 47, of Henderson. Carlos Henderson, 44, of Brownsboro, was arrested and booked into the Rusk County Jail.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is improving transparency by making public records more easily accessible, according to local officials. Requestors of public information will now have the option of submitting open records requests through an online form. The City of Longview averages more than 200 open records request monthly, according to a news release. The new online form is powered by JustFOIA, which officials term an information request software designed to empower organizations to better streamline, manage, and track public records requests. Click this link for more details.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court will hold its second workshop on redistricting Tuesday, October 26, to discuss several options of redrawing the four Commissioners Court precinct lines. The first workshop was held October 19. The 2020 U.S. Census data shows that Smith County grew from 209,714 people in 2010 to 233,479 people in 2020. Some portions of the county have grown more than others, leaving Precinct 1 the largest and Precinct 4 the smallest. The court will likely vote on a new redistricting plan on November 2, unless additional meetings or time for consideration are needed. If you would like to voice your opinion on Smith County redistricting, forms are available on the redistricting page on the county’s website. Click here for more details.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. Tyler maintenance plans to have a bridge crew on SH 64 just west of FM 2089. A second crew will be digging base failures on US 271 from Loop 323 to Harris Creek Bottom and various locations in Smith County. Longview maintenance plans to begin mill and inlay operations on FM 2204 in Kilgore between the US 259 Bypass and US 259 Business. Expect lane closures in the eastbound and westbound lanes with flaggers providing traffic control. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — A portion of Smith County Road 178, also known as Old Palestine Road, will be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for utility construction. The section of road is between CR 192 and CR 166. Signs will be posted in the area to detour drivers.

TYLER — A woman accused of smuggling two dozen people has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Maria Lopez, 46, was indicted Thursday, October 21 on three counts of “transporting certain aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain.” Back on October 4, a Suburban was pulled over in the middle of the night by Cherokee County Sheriff deputies near Rusk. All the people inside the car were found to be illegal immigrants. The immigrants are originally from Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras. Continue reading Woman accused of smuggling 24 immigrants indicted by federal grand jury

KILGORE — One man has been hospitalized after a shooting at a Kilgore apartment complex late Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, police were called to Lakewood Manor Apartments where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. His condition is unknown. Investigators said in a brief statement that another man is “currently detained for questioning by detectives.” Officers say that all residents are safe and there is no ongoing threat.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Tyler man was arrested on Saturday after holding a woman against her will and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Bullard to Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Reshode Holmes, 30, was detained around 12:25 a.m. on Saturday around Loop 287 at MLK Drive in Lufkin. He was charged with evading arrest or detention- vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Holmes was booked into the Angelina County Jail. His bonds totaled $185,000. Continue reading Tyler man arrested following high-speed chase

TYLER — Along with eight proposed constitutional amendments, there’s an item of special interest to Smith County voters on the November 2 election ballot: a bond election for Phase 2 of the county’s Road and Bridge Capital Improvement Project. Officials say it will help the county complete a six-year plan. The bond to do Phase 1 work was approved in 2017 by 73 percent of the voters. According to the county website, Phase 2 includes three categories of major work. Officials say the county has also added roads to the list of projects and upgraded the anticipated work based on citizen feedback and the success of Phase 1. Click here for more information on the road bond proposition. Click this link for information on voting. Early voting continues through October 29.

TYLER — A portion of Smith County Road 3101, also known as Barber Road, will be closed beginning Monday, October 25, for improvements. Officials say about 1/4 mile of the road will be closed between Farm-to-Market Road 1252 and the Interstate 20 frontage road to be reconstructed, widened, and overlaid with asphalt. County Engineer Frank Davis said a contractor is doing the work to accommodate a large truck stop going into the area. The work will turn the small section of road into two full lanes with a left-turn lane going into the truck stop, as well as make it a sturdier road to accommodate the truck traffic, according to a news release. The road is expected to be closed until November 15.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts is upbeat about the decrease in COVID-19 community spread in East Texas as reflected on his agency’s latest dashboard. But he continues to urge vaccinations, noting the newly expanded eligibility for boosters. Roberts says the boosters are now available at the Majesty Event Center in Tyler, NET Health’s new venue for administering vaccinations. Click here for more information on your eligibility. See the “Coronavirus update” story on this website for more information.

LONGVIEW — After last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19, The Downtown Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade returns on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to design entrants that celebrate the theme of this year’s parade, “Light Up Longview.” Participant registration is open through Friday, November 12. Space is limited. Starting at Green Street, the parade route travels west along Whaley Street, turns south onto Horaney Street, then returns east along Methvin Street, and ends at First Street. Click here for more details.

EAST TEXAS — Several law enforcement agencies and prevention advocates are gearing up for the semi-annual DEA Takeback event to be held Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations around East Texas. The Tyler Police Department event will be held in the parking lot at Brookshire’s on Rice Road, while the UT Tyler Police will host another at the UT Health Science Center on Highway 271. According to a press release from Next Step Community Solutions, other events will be held at Walmart in Kilgore and Marshall. Residents are encouraged to bring their unneeded prescription drugs (other than needles or aerosols) to one of these events or drop boxes. Officials say other disposal methods “can be problematic.” Continue reading Drug Takeback Day set for Saturday

TYLER — Contractors began overlay work Friday on South Boldt Avenue in Tyler from East Fifth Street to McDonald Road. Crews will be in the area from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The work is scheduled to be completed Oct. 26. Motorists can expect major delays, lane closures and one-way traffic. Drivers are asked to use caution in the area, follow directions of the crews, and obey all traffic signs.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials say just after 2 p.m. Thursday, a small fire was discovered in the fine arts area at Tyler Legacy High School. All students and staff were safely evacuated from the campus, according to a news release. Officials say the Tyler Fire Department, Tyler ISD Police, and Tyler ISD Facilities responded quickly to the campus to assess the situation. The fire was contained to one bathroom. As stated in the news release, district officials say, “We applaud the quick actions of staff and students to get out of the building safely during this situation.”

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas is issuing an alert about a Longview-based remodeling company. According to a news release, BBB has received 10 unaddressed complaints from consumers in Texas and Louisiana with the average loss of approximately $6,000. Consumers report that while the business begins work after receiving a deposit, the business fails to complete the project and claim not to receive a response when attempts to contact the company are made. PRISTINExteriors currently has an “F” rating, which is the lowest rating on BBB’s scale. KTBB has reached out to PRISTINExteriors but has not received a response. Continue reading BBB warns of local business, offers tips

AUSTIN — A Longview resident claimed a second-tier prize of $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game Instant Millionaire. According to the Lottery website, the ticket was purchased at Super 1 Foods #606, on W. Loop 281 in Longview. The claimant elected to remain anonymous. This was the 33rd of 40 second-tier prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game. Instant Millionaire offers more than $519 million in total prizes, including 10 top prizes of $2.5 million. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.20, including break-even prizes, according to the Lottery website.

TYLER — A Tyler lawyer running for a local judgeship in the March GOP primary has received the endorsement of Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. In a prepared statement, Smith says, “Debby Gunter has the right attitude, knowledge, work ethic, and demeanor to make a great judge of the 241st State District Court.” Gunter is currently a partner at Findlay Craft, P.C. in Tyler, where she handles complex civil cases, according to a news release. Gunter is the only announced candidate for the seat thus far. Longtime 241st District Judge Jack Skeen will be retiring after his current term.

HENDERSON COUNTY — After a Mesquite man was arrested by police looking for a missing Henderson County girl, it was discovered he was also wanted on a child indecency charge in Forney. Wallace Chalmers was arrested in Kaufman County Wednesday in the company of the 15-year-old whose mother had reported her missing earlier that morning. While booking Chalmers, Henderson County Deputies learned that Forney Police were also looking for him on the un-related child indecency charge. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says, “This is one of those really good days. The deputies and all of us in the sheriff’s office are grateful this incident was resolved quickly by our entire team.”

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD is waiting for County Court at Law 2 Judge Vincent Dulweber, to make his final ruling after the Texas Attorney General sued the district for defying Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order against mask mandates. According to our news partner KETK, the law known as GA-38, states that “no governmental entity, including a county, city, school district, and public health authority, and no government official may require any person to wear a face-covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering.” Continue reading Longview ISD awaits judge’s ruling after being sued over mask mandate

TYLER — The Rose Garden Center main entrance will be closed temporarily while contractors work on the parking lot area on Rose Park Drive. Visitors must enter the garden through the side gate on Rose Park Drive and enter the building through the back entrance by going up the stairs or elevator on the outside. Parking will only be available on the south side of Rose Park Drive, along West Houston Street and South Peach Avenue. Vehicle entrance and parking in front of the Tyler Civic Theater will not be accessible. For questions regarding the temporary alternate entrances, contact Lisa Wells at (903) 531-1212 or [email protected].

TYLER – West Fourth Street between South Broadway Avenue and South College Avenue in Tyler will be reduced to one lane on Thursday, Oct. 21, from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while contractors are working on the storm drain in the area. Motorists are asked to use caution in the area, follow directions of the crews, and obey all traffic signs.

LONGVIEW — Longview police responded to a call around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday from Longview High School after staff reported that a student was in possession of a loaded firearm. According to our news partner KETK, the student was immediately captured by student resource officers and was removed from campus. According to LHS principal James Brewer, the student will be suspended, with expulsion and criminal charges pending. In a statement posted online, LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox says, “While no direct threat was made concerning the weapon, we still take matters like these with the utmost caution and concern. We are currently working with the investigation by our local authorities, and will be following district procedure with regard to the student involved.”

ATHENS — Several businesses in Athens have been paid with counterfeit money in the past few days. Now the police department has a warning so other business owners don’t fall victim. According to our news partner KETK, the city has seen four incidents in just the last week. And now with the holidays quickly approaching, police are issuing a warning. Two of the four incidents involved the use of what investigators are calling “play” money. Chief John Densmore has some tips on how to protect your wallet and your business. He says, “The first thing you can do is by touch. The cash should feel a little rough to your fingers. Tilt the money to look for the water markers and the lines within the paper. Also, look at the bottom right corner and it should turn copper.” Police are recommending that no matter where you get your cash from, always double check before inserting it in your wallet.

TYLER — PATH has helped keep more than 1,650 families from getting evicted, and has aided 430 landlords in recovering rent by distributing Smith County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding. That’s according to a Smith County news release. On Tuesday, PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson gave the Commissioners Court an update on what has been done so far in the administration of Smith County’s first wave of the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) funding, which was more than $7 million. Only about $500,000 of that remains after assisting residents in paying their rent and aiding landlords with back and future rent, caused by hardships created by COVID-19. Wilson said 600 families have applied so far for the funding through PATH. Click here for more details.

TYLER — COVID-19 new case numbers, community spread levels, and hospital patient figures are plummeting in East Texas — but NET Health’s George Roberts advises keeping a watchful eye on the situation. He tells KTBB, “We see this as a very positive trend, but as we’ve noted during this entire pandemic…the number of positive cases can go up and down…really almost at a moment’s notice.” He continues that everyone should make sure to watch for the variants. All in all, Roberts advises staying vigilant, adding that that’s what he and his NET Health colleagues are doing. He also continues to encourage vaccinations — additionally drawing attention to flu shots that are now available around the region.

TYLER — The Chapel Hill ISD school board decided to lift their mask mandate after COVID-19 cases have decreased. According to our news partner KETK, the new order will be effective starting on Oct. 19. Administrators said they will continue to track COVID-19 cases in the district. Chapel Hill first issued their temporary mask mandate on Aug. 31.

TYLER — The Glass Recreation Center on W. 32nd St. in Tyler will be closed from 6 p.m Monday until 7 a.m. Wednesday to complete floor repairs. Contractors will finish repairs to the gym floor that was damaged during Winter Storm Uri.