KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MALAKOFF — Multiple fire departments assisted an early morning house fire in the Long Cove community. According to the Payne Springs Fire Rescue, there were no injuries despite the house being occupied by 10 people. Crews arrived to fight the fire Sunday at 1:54 a.m. A total of 15 fire departments assisted PSFR. An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway by the Henderson County Fire Marshal.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview announced Monday a change in traffic flow that will begin this week. If all goes as planned, starting Wednesday, Hawkins Parkway, at the intersection of Good Shepherd Way, will be temporarily closed to eastbound, right lane traffic between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Officials expect the temporary lane closures will continue for several weeks to allow for the widening of Hawkins Parkway. Drivers are encouraged to use an alternate route. Read more here.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Health Authority held multiple ‘outreach’ vaccination clinics last week, as well as immunizations given at Harvey Convention Center. NET Health’s George Roberts tells KTBB News, “This is kind of a test for us and we are learning. Our plan is to ultimately be able to do Harvey Convention Center as well as these outreach clinics. We plan to do more in the future. We are probably going to pause for a couple of weeks on those and then do more after Easter.”

The Center for Disease Control says studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting the coronavirus. The CDC also says it will help keep you from getting seriously ill, if you do contract COVID-19.

PALESTINE — Palestine police are investigating a fatal shooting Saturday night. It happened in the area of Spring and Magnolia Street. According to our news partner KETK, 28-year-old Dustin Rodgers, of Elkhart, had an apparent gunshot wound to the torso. A 6-year-old child suffered a gunshot to his foot. Rodgers died from his injuries after being taken to the Palestine Regional Medical Center. The child was treated and released. The other two passengers in the car were not injured. A witness said that the gunfire came from another vehicle also traveling on Spring Street. Police say the circumstances leading up to the shooting are unknown. Continue reading Fatal Palestine shooting under investigation

TYLER — The class will be modeled to help students become successful adults. According to our news partner KETK, the Senior Seminar will be a 36-week course that is a requirement for graduation and will cover areas such as resume building, problem solving, and career planning. Also included is a nine-week class on helping guide students with financial planning. Instead of a traditional high school setting, learning will be done in small groups to enhance collaboration, which they hope will improve conflict resolution. Continue reading Tyler ISD approves ‘life skills’ class for high school seniors

WILLS POINT – An East Texas man is behind bars after a four-hour standoff with Van Zandt County deputies early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Steve Hendrix said deputies responded to a domestic disturbance situation on CR 2627, just off I-20 near Wills Point, at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night. Monte Adair, 52, allegedly pointed a long gun at deputies, who immediately took cover. Sheriff Hendrix came to the scene along with the Wills Point Police K-9 unit and the State Park Police. Continue reading East Texas man arrested after nearly 4 hour standoff

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the Week of March 22. Tyler Maintenance plans to continue bridge work at Black Fork Creek on US 69. The second crew will be excavating ditches on SH 110N just off Loop 323 toward Van. Expect lane closures at both locations with traffic managed by flaggers. Longview Maintenance plans to continue mill and inlay operations on SH 31 from South St. to US 80 before moving to Spur 502/Judson Rd. between Loop 281 and Eden St. Expect various lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Click here to get the complete rundown.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County say a man was arrested Sunday morning after he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase while throwing drugs out the window and ended up crashing his car, which burst into flames. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the County Eagle. Officials say the chase began at a Whataburger in Canton, continuing along I-20, FM 2965, and CR 3812. 37-year-old Carl Fulton only sustained minor injuries. He was jailed on charges of evading arrest, possession of drugs, and violation of parole.

TYLER — Four people came together earlier this month with an idea of vaccinating the minority communities in Smith County against COVID-19. After only a couple of weeks of planning, they were able to vaccinate nearly 1,500 people during four days of pop-up vaccine clinics held at local churches. “We wanted to bring the vaccines to the people in our African American and Hispanic communities,” Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton said in a news release. “By bringing these vaccine clinics to their churches, we thought they would be more comfortable in coming to get a vaccine.” Continue reading Mobile clinics at minority churches exceed expectations

TYLER — The Tyler ISD has named its Campus Teachers of the Year. According to a news release, teachers receive this honor from their school administrators and staff. The campuses chose these teachers for modeling extraordinary leadership and excellence in teaching, according to the release. Partnering with the school district on various projects over the years, Cooperative Teachers Credit Union has sponsored the event since 2014. TISD will honor all Campus Teachers of the Year and announce its 2021 District Teachers of the Year at a limited-attendance Educator of the Year Banquet April 29. Click here to get all the details.

TYLER — The 62nd annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail got underway Friday and continues through April 4. The recent winter storm and frigid temperatures have many wondering what condition the azaleas will be in this year. Visit Tyler consulted with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist Greg Grant, who thinks visitors can expect to see about 15-20% of the normal blooms for this time of year. The Azalea Trail stretches ten miles and attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Tyler each year. To read more click here.

TYLER — An injured Aldi customer has been awarded 1.4 million dollars by a federal jury in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the award comes after the customer suffered injuries from a fall at the supermarket in Longview. In a prepared statement from the plaintiffs attorney’s, Roberts and Roberts, the law firm said, “This is the highest verdict ever in a business premises liability case in a Texas federal court. Our client was injured… Aldi refused to take responsibility for its actions and told us that they would never pay six figures to resolve this case.” The plaintiff was represented by Frank Weedon, Randy Roberts, Justin Charles Roberts and Allen Gardner for the law firm.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall have arrested a man following an early morning shooting of a newspaper carrier. The 34-year-old female paper carrier called 911 saying she had been shot. The victim was transported to a Longview hospital. Officers made contact with an individual at the residence, later identified as Jose Manual Galvan, 20, of Marshall. Police say Galvan was uncooperative and detained while the investigation was conducted. Preliminary gunshot residue swabs showed Galvan had recently fired a weapon. A search warrant for Galvan’s residence was obtained and authorities say they located an AR15 rifle, spent shell casings, and a large quantity of illegal THC products. The suspect was arrested and placed in the Harrison County Jail.

TYLER — The Goodman-LeGrand Museum will host the Texas Chapter of the Azalea Society of America on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers said Friday, several varieties of azalea bushes will be available for purchase. Advisers will be on-hand to answer questions regarding proper care for growing azaleas. The museum will also be open for tours. Visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask at all times and tour size will be limited to 5 people.

TYLER — The East Texas Crisis Center had to cancel the 31st annual auto and cycle show earlier this year. However, the non-profit was able to extend the drawing for their iconic 1965 Ford Mustang give-a-way by 30 days. Organizers say the drawing will take place Saturday at 4 p.m. at Traditions Restaurant on South Broadway Avenue in Tyler. The East Texas Crisis Center offers immediate emergency intervention as well as advocacy help during regular business hours. Purchase tickets here.

TYLER — Janie’s Cakes has received the Beauty and the Business Award for the fourth quarter of 2020. In a prepared statement Friday, the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board said, “The Beauty and Business Award recognizes businesses in the community for their improvement, upkeep, cleanliness, and beautification efforts.” Businesses are nominated by the public and board members measure different criteria against other nominated local establishments. Janie’s Cakes has been serving the East Texas community since 1987. Read more here.

TYLER — Earlier this week tier 1C, adults age 50 and over, became authorized to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The Northeast Texas Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “We are still seeing a great demand for the vaccines and very popular trends with the vaccines. I know the administration in Washington would like to see any adult that would like to get a vaccine to be able to somehow be able to receive it by May. I hope that this is an achievable target.” The NET Health President described the three immunizations that have been approved for distribution, “They are all good vaccines.” Continue reading Good results continue in administering immunizations

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System said Friday that appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations still remain for this weekend. The hospital added time slots that are available for Sunday, at the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Vaccination Hub site in Longview. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by clicking here. If individuals do not show up for their appointment, then notifications of available vaccines would be posted on the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System Facebook Page, City of Longview page and Mayor Mack’s page, Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

AUSTIN — Texas State Representative Matt Schaefer has filed a bill to create a fifth district court in Smith County to help reduce the backlog of criminal cases. According to our news partner KETK, the Republican from Tyler, filed the bill last week. The court would be known as the 475th District Court and its judge would need to be elected. There are currently four district courts in Smith County, and only three handle felony cases. Leaders say the backlog of cases yet to be heard is due to the strain on the current system. The population for Smith county is 230,000 people. The last time a district court was added, in 1977, the population was half that size.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall are investigating a shooting involving a newspaper carrier. It happened around 5:30 Friday morning in the area of Oak Street. According to a news release, a patrol lieutenant heard several gunshots north of his location. A 34-year-old female paper carrier called 911 and stated that she believed she had been shot. Officers responded to the scene and secured the location allowing Marshall Fire Department personnel to treat and transport the victim to a Longview hospital. An unidentified person of interest has been detained. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Health District is saying that those who have had their first PFIZER vaccine administered by NET Health, before February 28th, should schedule their 2nd vaccine. NET Health will hold inoculations this Saturday and next Tuesday at Harvey Hall in Tyler. The clinics will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Organizers say you must have an appointment before going to Harvey Hall. You will need your “CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card” upon arrival. You can schedule your appointment by clicking here.

TYLER — New information has been released in a fatal crash last week on Toll 49. According to our news partner KETK, a Freightliner truck was attached to a trailer, driven by 38 year old Steven Fredrick Elgin. An investigation report shows the trailer hitch had been left in the open position and was not locked. The safety chains connecting the truck and trailer broke and became detached striking a vehicle driven by Kelly Hall of Tyler. Hall, 49, died at the scene. April Files, 42, of Houston was also hit in a separate vehicle. Files was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances in stable condition.

TYLER — A Tyler babysitter pleaded guilty Thursday to leaving an 11-month-old infant alone in a bathroom closet for over three hours. According to our news partner KETK, Kelsey Frazier, 27, now awaits her sentence after an emotional three-and-a-half-hour hearing that presented testimony from several witnesses, including Alyssa Duffey, the baby’s mother. Prosecutors have recommended 16 years in prison, just four years short of the maximum. The defense requests 10 years of deferred probation. This means the case against Frazier would be dismissed if she followed all the conditions through 2031.

TYLER — A drive-thru food distribution sponsored by the East Texas Food Bank takes place Friday in Tyler. The non-profit organization says as with past allocations, the event is open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. Walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. However, organizers remind participants that a note must be provided if someone is picking up for another household. The event will take place at Lindsey Park in Tyler from 10 a.m. to noon, while supplies last.

TYLER — March 18 marks the one year anniversary of the first patient admitted to UT Health Tyler due to COVID-19. An artistic installation on the UT Health Tyler skywalk commemorates the somber occasion with 3,654 paper lantern cutouts. Each piece of artwork represents the amount of people treated with the coronavirus at UT Health East Texas during the past 12 months. Every lantern has the initials of the patient treated at hospitals across the division. Larger lanterns symbolize those who died from the coronavirus.

TYLER — The Children’s Park of Tyler is inviting residents this Saturday to their annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Organizers say that although the deeper meaning of the park is to connect with grieving families, it remains a wonderful place for children to practice the art of natural play. Kids are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear and enjoy the event from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can bring a picnic or food trucks will also be available. In a prepared statement, promoters invite children to “climb on the waterfalls and use their imaginations to discover new and exciting things around them.” Read more here.

TYLER — The city of Tyler’s Park and Recreation department announced the inaugural Run Tyler 5K Thursday. Organizers are urging residents to get active and support the parks and recreation programs at the same time. This year’s 5K will be a virtual run. Runners are invited to complete the race whenever and wherever they like between April 16 and 18 on one of the city’s park trails, your own street or on a treadmill. For more information and to register for the event, click here.

TYLER — The state of Texas still has a ways to go before getting to the estimated 70% to 80% level of vaccines needed for herd immunity. The Northeast Texas Health District President George Roberts told KTBB news, “I think everybody is kind of watching to see as more and more people get vaccinated, what is the impact of the positive case count, as well as the hospitalizations. We are seeing very positive trends on that in our local market here in east Texas. Our case counts are going down each day. The number of people hospitalized from COVID are going down. We are seeing very positive results so far.” Continue reading Vaccines making impact, but still a long way to go

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Three people from Texas have been indicted in Las Vegas on charges including murder and terrorism stemming from a series of shootings last Thanksgiving in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. One apparently random shooting killed a man at a convenience store. Several other people were wounded. The indictment in Nevada state court included 53 charges each against Shawn McDonnell, his brother Christopher McDonnell, and Christopher McDonnell’s wife, Kayliegh Lewis. Authorities say they are from Tyler. They are jailed in Las Vegas, where attorneys for two of the suspects say they will fight the charges. They could face the death penalty or multiple sentences of life-in-prison without parole.