KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MINEOLA — Iron Horse Square was busy Saturday with the opening of the 2021 Iron Horse Mini Train season. According to our news partner KETK, regular runs will be on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from April through September from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special run times for holidays and events. Read more here.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Mabank man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday, for burglary of a home with a child inside and assault of two officers. According to our news partner KETK, Jerry Moye Jr, 34, was indicted for the crime in the Eustace area in January of 2020. A 13-year-old was inside the home at the time of the burglary, but found safety at a neighbor’s house after seeing Moye inside. Authorities determined Moye stole electronics and jewelry. Court records showed two Henderson county investigators were assaulted during the arrest of Moye.

LONGVIEW — A local 501(c) (3) is preparing to celebrate a new retail store in Longview. Heartisans Marketplace is inviting the community to their open house, on Gilmer Road, next Thursday.The new space is described as a unique gift shop that provides a customized job readiness program to unemployed women living in the community. Profits generated from the store, along with community donations, provide training and employment opportunities for program participants. The gathering is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more here.

PANOLA COUNTY — Panola County Judge Lee Ann Jones established an Emergency Operations Center coordinating efforts for response and relief for victims of March 27 tornadoes. On Friday, leaders announced the EOC will be operated by the Hand Up Network. The organization is based out of Tyler, which operates within the belief, “Everyone needs a hand-up, some need it now.” The EOC is being housed at the Panola County Exposition Center.Residents wanting to donate supplies can do so in person at the Hand Up Network on N. Beckham in Tyler.You can learn more here.

HENDERSON — UT Health Henderson has COVID-19 vaccines appointments available for next Tuesday. According to the press release, the immunizations are available to people 18 and older that have not received their first vaccine dose. You must have an appointment, no walk-ins will be permitted. Times slots available are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at U.T. Henderson on Wilson Street. The vaccine is provided at no cost, but people should bring their ID and insurance card to their appointment. On the day of the appointment, people will be registered, vaccinated, and monitored for 15 minutes. Register here.

TYLER — A local non-profit has announced their first ever monopoly tournament fund-raiser. The 501(c)3 Habitat for Humanity has scheduled the event for April 24 in the lobby of First Christian Church in Tyler. Organizers say registration is $25, and that space is limited. Registration is open now for players 10-years-of-age and up. For more information click here.

EAST TEXAS — Vaccinations will continue next week at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. The Northeast Texas Public Health Authority President George Roberts told KTBB news, “We will not be doing vaccines this weekend, but anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment for the first Pfizer vaccine at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, either next Thursday, Friday, or next Saturday April 8th through the 10th, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.” Continue reading Vaccine clinics will restart at Harvey next Tuesday

MARSHALL — A special called meeting by Marshall ISD’s Board of Trustees Thursday announced the lone finalist for the superintendent position. Dr. Richele Langley, is a graduate from Marshall High School. The former teacher, principal and administrator in the district, was part of the class of 1983. Langley will become the 24th superintendent in the history of Marshall public schools and the second female superintendent in the history of the district. Read more here.

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Biden’s 2 trillion dollar spending bill is being rolled out as an overhaul of the nations infrastructure. However, critics say less than half of the bill actually goes towards infrastructure, and less than five percent will go towards roads and bridges. Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB news, “Early in the Obama administration they were doing just a fraction of the spending that is now taking place. We had our debt downgraded. We warned at that time, what should be a warning to us today. If we continue to spend like this our debt will be further downgraded, it will mean the interest rates get much higher, and we will be worse than Greece.” Continue reading Congressman Gohmert warns of pitfalls of reckless spending

AUSTIN — The Freedom From Censorship Act was passed by the Texas Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 12, was filed by Republican Tyler Senator Bryan Hughes. Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Hughes were in Tyler promoting the legislation March 11. Supporters say the bill will make sure that Texans have the right to free speech and the ability to exercise that right. In a prepared statement, Senator Hughes said, “In Texas, we will defend our right to free speech against West Coast social media oligarchs. Senate Bill 12 holds these Big Tech companies accountable, protects Texans against social or political viewpoint discrimination, and empowers those who are wrongly silenced to get back online.” Continue reading Free speech bill passes Senate, headed to Texas House

MINEOLA — Residents in Mineola are concerned over plans to build a concrete plant near a nature preserve. According to our news partner KETK, The Mineola Nature Preserve is almost 3,000 acres of land and home to almost 200 species of wildlife. Residents say Bell Concrete has filed an air quality permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. That is just one of the steps necessary to get approval for construction on the privately-owned land near the preserve. Continue reading Residents concerned of possible concrete company coming near nature preserve

TYLER – UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College recently received a large donation from the Smith County Medical Society Alliance. According to our news partner KETK, during their 52nd annual Doctor’s Day Celebration on Tuesday night, the SCMSA Board of Directors announced the sale of their building and said the $290,000 proceeds will be divided evenly between TJC and UT Tyler. Each school will receive $145,000. TJC’s $145,000 portion will benefit the SCMSA’s two endowed scholarships with the TJC Foundation, with half going to their Endowed Scholarship and the other half to their Endowed Presidential Honors Scholarship. SCMSA President Joi Smith stressed the importance of helping students who are seeking to enter health professions. Continue reading TJC, UT Tyler get donation of $290,000 for medical scholarships

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a wreck involving a bicyclist Thursday night. Officers were called to the area of Old Jacksonville and Oak Creek Boulevard where witnesses told them a speeding vehicle had hit a bicyclist, then crashed into a wooded area. The bicyclist was transported to Christus Trinity Mother Frances by EMS with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. The unnamed driver of the car was transported by EMS to UT Health with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. Police say alcohol appears to have played a part in the accident.

WACO (AP/Staff) – Officials say a Texas state trooper who was shot during a traffic stop last week has died. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Walker had been on life support after he was shot Friday evening while stopping to help a driver in an apparently disabled vehicle west of Mexia, a city about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. The 38-year-old Walker is survived by his wife and four children. Visitation for Trooper Walker will be open to the public from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. next Tuesday, at Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Groesbeck High School Football Stadium. The burial service will follow at LaSalle Cemetery. Continue reading Funeral services announced for Texas Trooper Walker

EAST TEXAS — Crews from The Red Cross are helping tornado victims in East Texas. The damage from Saturday’s storms is extensive in Panola, Cherokee and Rusk counties. Tammy Prater with the East Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross says, “Many of the homes that were damaged it was not necessarily the storm hitting it, but the storm picking up a tree and dropping it on their home. Lot’s of devastation.” She says they are trying to find people temporary housing, food and counseling. “We have our medical teams and our mental health case workers who are available for anyone who needs it.”

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD is moving away from remote learning and is requesting all students to return to on-campus education the final six weeks. According to an interview with our news partner KETK, Superintendent James Wilcox shares why. “We know that those students not being in school creates a learning loss, and that learning loss is real.” Wilcox went on to say, “Those students need to be back in the classroom with their teachers. And everyday that they are out hurts.” Families that would like to continue remote instruction may contact their campus principal. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Read more here.

TYLER – We now know more details following a release from the Department of Public Safety on Thursday. According to DPS, a two vehicle crash resulted in a fatality Tuesday night on FM-17, in Van Zandt County. Preliminary reports indicates Tzu Lo Chen, 27, of Dallas was stopped at a stop sign on the I-20 service road. Authorities believe Chen pulled out in front of a vehicle driven by Gerald Wayne Bass, 57, of Grand Saline. He was treated and released at the scene. Ms. Chen was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis – Tyler in critical condition. A passenger, Chih Hao Tseng, 27, of Dallas was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis – Canton and later died. He was taken to Eubanks Funeral Home in Canton. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — For 11 straight years, the City of Tyler has been commemorated by the Arbor Day Foundation. On Thursday officials said, they were named a 2020 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. Tyler achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Read more here.

TYLER — Over 44,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through the Northeast Texas Public Health District at Harvey Hall Convention Center. On Wednesday NET Health’s George Roberts spoke with KTBB news about how social engagements change for someone once they are fully vaccinated. “Your full protection comes 14 days after your second vaccine. Therefore, the CDC has said that people that people who have had both vaccines can gather without masks. But, you know not everyone has had both.” The NET Health President continued, “We still urge people to maintain those healthy habits that we have been talking about for a long time.”

WASHINGTON D.C. — The surge of illegal immigrants crossing into America continues. U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert spoke with KTBB Thursday regarding his trip to the border, “I have never seen it so bad…If we really had compassion as a nation for people suffering south of us, we would secure the border. We would slow the drug cartel money to a trickle from the tens of billions they make already. Then, they would not have the money to continue the corruption that goes on in Mexico.” Continue reading Gohmert: ‘real compassion would secure border’

EAST TEXAS — Anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment to obtain the first Pfizer vaccine at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, either next Thursday April 8th, next Friday April 9th, or next Saturday April 10th, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. “Anyone interested in receiving their first COVID vaccine must make an appointment,” says George Roberts, NET Health CEO. “Please select your preferred day and time visiting NETHealthCOVID19.org and selecting the ‘Vaccine Updates’ link. vaccine clinics at Harvey Convention Center will be closed during the Easter weekend for this Friday and Saturday, April 2nd and April 3rd. Continue reading Upcoming schedule of vaccine clinics at Harvey Convention Center

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are searching an area near Jim Hogg Road and Interstate 20 for what authorities say are four immigrants. According to our news partner KETK, aound 3:45 Wednesday afternoon, a Smith County deputy stopped an SUV on I- 20, near Jim Hogg Road, when four men jumped out and ran into the woods nearby. The driver remained in the SUV. Public Information Officer Larry Christian, said the men who ran were “illegal immigrants.” He said authorities are not sure where the men were being taken. The men are not believed to be armed or dangerous. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents have taken over the investigation, he said.

HARLETON — A Harrison County teen, initially believed to have run away during the severe weather last weekend, has been found safe. According to our news partner KETK, Patricia Wilson was found safe early Wednesday morning at a remote campsite in Oklahoma. A press release from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department did not specify Wilson’s name, but said they had located a juvenile. Family members and friends, however, posted on social media that Wilson had been found. Continue reading Teen found safe at remote campsite is OK after missing for days

TYLER — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, a retailer of closeout merchandise, is coming to Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the company has placed a sign in the old Toy R Us store on ESE Loop 323 announcing that it is “coming soon.” Once the store opens, it will become the fourth Ollie’s in East Texas. There are stores in Marshall, Nacogdoches and Longview. Last April, the retailer opened in Longview in a former Toys R Us store on Loop 281. The retailer has yet to officially announce the new Tyler location.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall received a sizable donation Wednesday to help with construction of the new pet adoption center. According to our news partner KETK, local businessman and philanthropist Jerry Cargill presented a check for $150,000 to Marshall City Manager Mark Rohr for the new Marshall Pet Adoption Center. This gift marks the second installment of a commitment from Friends of Marshall Animals to raise $450,000 from private donors to build the new facility. The organization donated $100,000 to start the campaign. To donate click here.

MABANK — Henderson county deputies arrested a man Tuesday night, that they believe, is wanted for murder in Las Vegas. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Danny Lopez, 42, was arrested at a game room near Mabank. The report states Lopez began sweating profusely when approached by deputies and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The media brief did not go into detail regarding the murder charge, but noted Lopez was wanted by the Las Vegas police department in connection with a murder in Nevada. Lopez was arrested and placed in the Henderson County Jail on the charge and for possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Over 44,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through the Northeast Texas Health District. On Wednesday NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “While we don’t have enough data to tell us how long the vaccine will last we have reason for optimism. The vaccine seems to be offering quite a bit of protection. Studies have been done with both Moderna and Pfizer, that show to be 94-95% effective. We’re seeing some evidence of that right now. Our case numbers have dropped dramatically from the peaks that we had back in January. Our hospitalizations in Tyler we had 42 COVID positive suspect cases as of Monday. That is down dramatically from 319 back in mid-January.”

MCALLEN — The U.S. Border patrol has come across an average of five thousand undocumented immigrants every day this month, and a group of Republican lawmakers toured a holding facility along the border Tuesday morning. North Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne says the Donna Facility near McAllen was designed to hold 250 people but had 5,700 yesterday. “If you could see the situation that these kids are living in today, it would make you cry.” Fellow Republican Louie Gohmert says he went with DPS on patrol along the Rio Grande. “As long as Texas D.P.S. are out there on the river, nobody is crossing.” He says that the Biden administration should instead focus on stopping the need for people to come to the border, saying it would be more compassionate to cut the power of drug cartels.

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would prohibit most abortions in Texas. State Senator Bryan Hughes calls the bill the Texas Heartbeat Act. It would make abortions after the detection of a heartbeat illegal. “That heartbeat, the heart is beating, blood is pumping, there is life. That is human life worthy of protection.” Senator John Whitmire voted against the act. “I’ll vote no on behalf of those that I have witnessed through out my life that have a different point of view than the author and his supporters.” Senate Bill Eight would outlaw most abortions if and when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade. The Texas Senate passed six anti-abortion bills on Tuesday. Learn more here.