KTBB News, Weather, Talk

DALLAS — More than 4,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Texas. More than 1400 were reportedly from the power outages. The State Health Department though was quick to point out that the number of discarded doses is less than a tenth of a percent of the doesd shipped. It also says there are several reasons a vaccine might not be used, including broken vials and missed appointments. JPS Diamond Hill in Fort Worth tossed out the most of any provider in the state, 304 doses, all from the power outages. Clincas Mi Doctor in Houston wasted 230 doses, and UT Health Science Center in Tyler discarded 229.

QUITMAN — Quitman ISD mourned the life of one of their students Friday. The school extended condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Coy Gilbreath. Gilbreath was a second grader on the elementary campus. Wood County Deputies were dispatched to UT Health Center at 5:31 p.m. Thursday. The child had been driven by private vehicle to the hospital after an accident in Wood County. Coy Grant Gilbreath, of Quitman, was 7 years old.

TYLER — Authorities believe a ‘phony’ 911 call was an attempt to get a woman arrested. Deputies responded Friday morning, to a house in Lindale, after receiving a call that Amber Cook, 32, had been shot in the back by her boyfriend. In a prepared statement, Chief Deputy Larry Christian of Smith County Sheriffs Office said, “The caller reported the boyfriend ran away but the shooting victim was in a shed on the property. Upon entry of the shed, officers found Cook trying to hide in a clothes basket.” Authorities say Cook was wanted for a parole violation, and was found with meth, as well as a shotgun. She was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled substance, being a felon with a firearm and parole violation. Cook was placed in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Plaza Tower in downtown Tyler, was the site of a Friday press conference held by Governor Greg Abbott and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The governor addressed the bill will prohibit social media companies from censoring Texans based on their political opinions. “The United States of America was built on freedom of speech and healthy public debate.” Abbott said, “Big techs efforts to silence conservative viewpoints is un-American, un-Texan, unacceptable and pretty soon it is going to be against the law in the state of Texas.” To read the bill click here. Continue reading Gov. Abbott & Senator Hughes in Tyler speaking on bill to ‘prohibit social media censorship’

TYLER — Governor Abbot was in Tyler on Friday and said, “By the the end of the month, every senior that wants the vaccine will have had that opportunity.” NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “We would hope that’s the case. As we receive more supply and more pharmacies and hospitals are able to give the vaccine, we hope that that is achievable. Again it’s all going to be dependent on supply. It is a team sport. Dealing with the pandemic from the start has been a team sport. Everybody in the community exercising the behavior that we have been talking about a lot.” Governor Abbott was in the city to speak on behalf of Texas Senator Bryan Hughes bill that would prohibit social media censorship.

TYLER — A Longview man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his connection to an international child pornography investigation. According to a press brief, Charles Orange, 55, was convicted by a jury in September 2020 of possession of child pornography. The sentence was passed down Thursday by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. The court said Orange’s activities will be monitored for the rest of his life, after he gets out of prison. Orange was convicted of Indecency with a Child, in 2008, and was required to register as a sex offender.

TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Tyler on Friday to draw attention to the ongoing efforts of Sen. Bryan Hughes to limit the power of social media platforms to block viewpoints they don’t agree with. According to our news partner KETK, Hughes, R-Mineola, is the author Senate Bill 12 which would prohibit interactive platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from being able to “censor a user, a user’s expression, or a user’s ability to receive the expression of another person.” The bill would also allow Texans who felt they were censored to be able to take legal action. Abbott will join Hughes during a news conference set for noon Friday in the atrium of Plaza Tower, 110 N. College Ave. Continue reading Tyler news conference: Abbott, Hughes to promote legislation limiting social media platforms

TYLER — An East Texas woman now knows her fate, following sentencing for federal drug trafficking crimes. According to our news partner KETK, 51 year old Tyler resident Alexa Leigh Brown was sentenced Thursday to nearly six years prison. Last September, Brown pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, Brown sold more than 165 grams of the drug to a confidential informant over five occasions. Four months later, she was arrested after law officers executed a search warrant at her Tyler residence and seized meth and firearms. Brown is one of nine co-conspirators who were indicted by a federal grand jury.

CANTON, TX — A Van Zandt County resident has won a million dollars. According to our news partner KETK, a Canton resident won the prize playing a Texas Lottery scratch-off game purchased at the Twin Stop #3 on SH 243.  The winner did not want to be identified.  The Mad Money Multiplier scratch-0ff game offers more than $100 million in prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 2.98, including break even prizes.

TYLER — Winter storms forced Tyler ISD to cancel scheduled instructional days for over a week in February. On Thursday, TISD board workshop trustees approved the submission of a missed school days waiver to the Texas Education Agency for those six scheduled instructional days. According to the agenda for the workshop, the TEA made provisions for districts to request the waiver due to inclement weather, health, safety-related or other issues. Trustees passed the item, as posted.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman received a sentence of 30 years in prison as part of a plea deal Thursday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Ciara Channel Dison pleaded guilty to murder for the death of Martazia Hulbinand in January of 2018. The arrest warrant states the toddler’s head struck an unknown object, causing her death. The incident allegedly happened in Longview at the Longfellow Arms Apartments. Hulbinand was pronounced dead at a local hospital. According to the affidavit, Dison was Martazia’s godmother and often watched her, sometimes “for weeks at a time.”

TYLER — A former Lindale coach was sentenced to 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to being in an improper relationship with a high school student. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Lawson Maddox, 24, of Tyler, entered the guilty plea Thursday. Maddox accepted the offer in the 7th District Court. He was arrested in February of last year and indicted last September. According to evidence in the case, Maddox touched the victim inappropriately and sent explicit photos to her through social media. The victim’s family agreed to the probation punishment for Maddox. Continue reading Former Lindale coach accepts deal on improper relationship charge

TYLER — Texas teachers and childcare workers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine after being added to the federal priority. As far as challenges to getting the inoculations, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB News, “Basically, just having times that we know the vaccines are coming has enabled us to do a better job of scheduling. We hope in the coming days that we will be able to work through our waiting list that we have and start immunizing more and more East Texans.” Only the Pfizer vaccine is being provided at the Harvey Convention Center for the remainder of the week through Saturday. Continue reading NET Health hopes to clear lists with better weather & more vaccines

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is now accepting applications for Mayor Andy Mack’s scholarship. Graduating seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill and Hallsville High Schools, that are residents of Longview are eligible to apply. According to the city, the award is a one-time 2,000 college scholarship. Mayor Mack annually provides the grant to local students who have shown an attitude of service to the community of Longview. One scholarship is awarded per high school to students for furthering their education. These funds, which total $8,000, are provided by Mayor Andy Mack and Councilwoman Kristen Ishihara, who use their annual council stipends. For more information, click here.

QUITMAN — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who fought with a deputy Thursday, in an early morning stop. Authorities say before the suspect could be arrested he attacked the deputy and got away. Deputies carried out an extensive search, however the man could not be found. The wrong doer faces several charges, including resisting arrest. If you know the identity of the man pictured, you are urged to contact authorities at 903-763-2201 or Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274) or by clicking here.

TYLER — The President and CEO of UT Health East Texas has resigned. According to our news partner KETK, Moody Chisholm stepped down Wednesday. During Chisholm’s tenure, three of the systems hospitals — UT Health Tyler, UT Health North Campus Tyler and UT Health North Jacksonville, received “A” ratings in the most recent Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Leaders say healthcare executive Donald Baker, will serve in the role of Market CEO on an interim basis. Baker is currently the health system’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Continue reading CEO of UT Health East Texas resigns

HENDERSON COUNTY — A suspect has been taken into custody after shooting at a Henderson County deputy early Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened in the Eustace area around 3 a.m. following an attempted traffic stop. The deputy was struck in the foot and leg. He was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment and released a short time later.  Jack Cody Raburn, 40, of Kemp, was eventually located on the roof of a house. He was said to be in possession of a handgun and shotgun. Raburn has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon and attempted capital murder. The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.

TYLER — The longest-serving pastor in the life of Green Acres Baptist Church will be retiring August 31. On Wednesday, Pastor David Dykes told KTBB News how his call to ministry began. “I did have a pretty dramatic call experience, like some of the people in the bible, like Gideon and Moses…in the sense that I was sitting in a service one night with a bunch of other teenagers and the preacher, who was maybe middle-age at the time said, ‘God called me to preach when I was 17 and I have been doing it ever since.’ I happened to be 17, and there was just a voice that was louder than an audible voice that said in my heart, David that’s what I want you to do.” Pastor Dykes has served at GABC since March of 1991 and has lead the church to over 17,000 members. Continue reading GABC pastor recalls his call to ministry as he prepares for transition into retirement

KILGORE — American Electric Power Foundation has announced a presentation to Kilgore College with a $190,000 grant in support of the East Texas Police Academy. The presentation will take place Friday at 2 p.m. at the ETPA Spear Training Facility. The AEP Foundation has pledged $190,000 to the ETPA as part of the two-year grant. The first $140,000 of the contribution has been received with an additional $50,000 gift planned for 2022. The money will be used to remodel the ETPA classroom building to better accommodate female cadet officers, expand the classroom facility and purchase new training vehicles. The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its utility operating units, including Southwestern Electric Power Co.

TYLER — Local healthcare workers have been treated to free coffee all week long by Visit Tyler and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. The next event is scheduled for Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon. “It has been a long year, especially for those working on the frontline,” Henry Bell, Chamber of Commerce President said. “With everything that’s going on, we felt like this was the perfect time to remind healthcare workers that the community supports them.” The last scheduled date is next Monday. Coffee will be provided by Esprezio Mobile Espresso Bar & Cafe. The last event will be Monday, at UT Health East Texas, with two times slots available from 6:30 -8:30 in the morning and evening.

TYLER — On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott announced the end of the mask mandate and that Texas would open to 100 percent capacity March 10th. On Wednesday, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “The Governor basically said, he’s removing the mask mandate, but basically still encouraged personal vigilance. At NET Health our recommendation does not change. We still encourage people to stay home when you’re sick, to practice physical and social distance when you are out in public, to wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and to wear a mask or face covering when you are out in public or large gatherings or around people that are not in your immediate household.” Continue reading NET Health ‘our mission does not change’

HENDERSON — A man was arrested at a Henderson motel Wednesday morning, after barricading himself inside for more than 7 hours. According to our news partner KETK, authorities were called to the scene at the Woodlawn Hills Motel on HWY 79. Officers arrived in the 3 o’clock hour after a call for an “unwanted guest.” Officers then secured the scene. The Longview Police Department Tactical and Negotiation Team responded to assist, as well as numerous other departments. The incident came to a peaceable end at 10:15 a.m. The man’s name has not been released as of this writing.

JACKSONVILLE — A man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in Jacksonville has turned himself in. According to our news partner KETK, Josef Anton Lustig, 26, is now being held in the Cherokee County Jail, after going to authorities. Regelio H. Martinez, 64, was killed at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, when he was crossing HWY 69. A police officer was originally flagged down by a motorist who reported the accident had just happened. The officer came to the aid of Martinez, who died at the scene. Lustig faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of “accident involving personal injury or death.”

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has been granted more than $7 million in rental and utility assistance funding from the U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program aimed to help Smith County families who have been financially affected by COVID-19. On Tuesday, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with PATH (People Attempting to Help), for administration of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program for Smith County. Continue reading Smith County partners with PATH for COVID related rental assistance

TYLER — Smith County commissioners say a ballot measure for a new county courthouse will not happen this year. However, that did not stop the court from having a front row seat to architectural designs presented in session Tuesday. Judge Moran reminded the court where things were just a few months ago saying, “We had engaged in a whole lot of planning so that we could present it in April leading up to a November ballot election, bond election, because ultimately we want the people of Smith County to make this decision. And then, in the middle of March, we got hit with the pandemic and literally it was the week before the April 9th event, where we were going to present it to the public, that the world seemed to shut down.” Continue reading Smith county says new courthouse will not be on ballot this year

KILGORE — Kilgore College has named a new Vice President of Administrative Services/Chief Financial Officer. Terry Hanson was affirmed to the new post by the school Tuesday. Hanson previously worked as the Assistant Director of Planning and Data Analytics for the city of Fort Worth. Prior to working in Fort Worth, he worked in Wisconsin as the Finance & Information Technology Director for Sheboygan County and worked in a similar role for the city of Sheboygan. Hanson also served as an auditor in Minnesota in municipal and legislative arenas.

QUITMAN — An East Texan has died after losing control of his vehicle and striking multiple trees. The Texas Department of Public Safety released details into the accident on FM 2966 that killed David Woolverton, 62, of Como. D.P.S. says, the Monday morning wreck happened a mile North of Quitman. Initial reports showed the Wood county man lost control of his vehicle in a curve and traveled off the west side of the road before impact. The crash remains under investigation, at this time.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview announced the cancellation of the “The Longview Sesquicentennial Transportation Show: A Ride Through History.” According to the news release the show had been planned for May, as a celebration of the history of transportation in East Texas. The event was originally set for March 21, 2020, but was rescheduled multiple times due to COVID-19. All sponsors and registered show participants will be contacted about a refund of registration fees and sponsorships. Read more here.

TYLER — NET Health offered second COVID inoculations to hundreds of East Texans Tuesday. George Roberts told KTBB, what some folks may experience. “I had some arm soreness, personally. We are seeing a greater immune reaction on the second dose, in terms of people not feeling very well.” The NET Health CEO went on to say, “The bad news is you don’t feel very good, the good news is you are building your immunity up.” NET Health is closing in on 20,000 inoculations. There have been a combined total of over 45,000 vaccinations in Smith county as of Tuesday.

TYLER — A former Tyler resident was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday, after pleading guilty to numerous child sexual assault charges. According to our news partner KETK, Alan Felton, 49, had been living in North Carolina before his arrest by US Marshals last fall. Felton was charged with sexual assault of a child and continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14. A warrant in the case showed the abuse began at age 6 and continued for eight years. Felton had been held in the Smith County Jail with a bond higher than $1.5 million since last September. Felton had previously been convicted of child sex crimes in 1999. Before moving to North Carolina, Felton registered as a sex offender and his “Risk Level” was rated as “HIGH.”