KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — All counties in the Northeast Texas Public Health District jurisdiction have experienced overall decline of COVID-19 community spread. According to a map released by NET Health Thursday, COVID-19 community spread benchmarks are minimal in Gregg, Anderson, and Rains County. While Smith, Henderson, Wood, and Van Zandt are showing moderate community spread levels. TSA G went below the 15% threshold earlier this month, after more than 6 weeks above the metric. As a result, restaurants, and stores had to keep capacity below 50%. Read more here.

TYLER — A Tyler man is accused of shooting a teenager and a juvenile after a large fight near an apartment complex. According to our news partner KETK, Dejuan Anthony Henley, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and is being held in the Smith County Jail. The shooting happened Monday, just after 3 p.m. near the Town Parc Apartment Complex. Tyler police said that 17-year-old Christopher Lynch and the juvenile were in a fight and that it “involved several people.” Henley then allegedly shot Lynch multiple times and the juvenile in the leg. Lynch was taken to a Tyler Fire Department station and then to UT Health for surgery. He is currently in stable condition.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will delay disconnections for two months and will not be charging late fees or disconnect fees to assist those affected by the recent severe weather event, according to an announcement Wednesday. Customers are encouraged to catch their accounts up as soon as possible during this period. Customers who experienced a leak as a result of the winter storm event may also be eligible for a leak credit through Tyler Water Utilities. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities delays disconnections for two months

GRAND SALINE — A crash took place on FM 17 north of Highway 80 on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the wreck involved a vehicle and a golf cart. Several first responders were on the scene, including D.P.S., E.M.S., and the Grand Saline Fire Department. A medical helicopter also reported to the scene. One person was dispatched to the hospital. The victim’s condition is unknown at this time.

TYLER — Visit Tyler gave a status update on the 62 annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail on Wednesday. The organization says this year’s dates will be March 19 – 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 — A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas. Acting United States Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said Wednesday that Eric Cadell Gipson, 56, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, last June, Gipson, a convicted felon, arranged to buy a 9mm pistol. Six days later, Gipson took possession. Gipson, was previously convicted of murder, robbery and theft, and by law, was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal grand jury returned an indictment last fall. Gipson faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

EAST TEXAS — Several schools and businesses are announcing closings or delays due to the impact from last weeks winter storms and sustained frigid temperatures and conditions. Continue reading East Texas school, business closings and delays

TYLER — Dressin’ Gaudy has been in business, in Tyler, for more than three decades. On Wednesday, the accessories and boutique store on S. Broadway Ave. announced they would be closing their doors for good next month. A Facebook post said that March will be their last month in business. The post also said this weekend will be their last at First Monday in Canton, as well.

DALLAS — State lawmakers are taking action to protect the power grid in the wake of last weeks deep freeze that wreaked havoc on the system. Two years ago north and east Texas State Senator Bob Hall filed a bill that would have created a security council to protect the grid from threats. Hall, who’s district includes such area counties as Van Zandt and Rains counties, says, “We need to be aware of them and quit pretending like it is going to magically appear that whenever we turn the switch on that we are going to have electricity.” He tells CBS 11, in Dallas, that his bill passed the Senate, but died in the House. Another bill that would have ERCOT boost the amount of power in reserves has been re-filed by one of Hall’s colleagues.

TYLER — The North East Texas Health authority is once again vaccinating hundreds of people at Harvey Hall in Tyler. George Roberts told KTBB Wednesday, “We lost no doses, of those that were on-hand, so that’s good news. We were obviously not able to do any vaccine clinics last week, for a couple of reasons. Number one, the weather prohibited people from getting out and about. And secondly, our supply that we were waiting on the last week, was not able to be able to be delivered either.” Continue reading NET Health expects to administer 5,000 vaccines this week

TYLER — Tyler ISD has come through last weeks powerful winter polar vortex very well. On Tuesday, TISD’s Tim Loper told KTBB, “We were well prepared and we knew it was coming. The key for us was preparation. We started getting ready for that storm probably the entire week before. We got a great bunch of people here, we know what our goal is. We know what we have got to do to get it done.” The director of facilities continued, “We were looking at areas and wrapping any pipes and stuff that we thought might freeze.” As far as the two new high schools, Loper said, “WRL is our contractor and we were monitoring the temperatures and things. Anything in the construction area that wasn’t heated or any pipes that were charged in that unheated area, we took precautions to either drain them or put heat tape over them and monitored the campuses daily. Knock on wood, we came through it very nicely.”

LONGVIEW — Gregg county has been added to the President’s Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. Harrison, Rusk, and Wood counties were also added Tuesday. This will allow for FEMA assistance following last weeks winter weather event. The declaration previously included 77 counties in Texas including Henderson, Panola, Smith, and Upshur counties. To see the complete press release click here. To learn more about assistance click here.

TYLER — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is allowing recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost during last weeks, week-long winter storm. The East Texas Food Bank’s Lauren Barnes told KTBB Tuesday, “If you lost food because of the storm, had flooding, lost power or anything like that, you can apply for replacement benefits. It is really easy to do this, just call 2-1-1 during business hours, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and they will verbally accept your statement attesting to your loss and you might actually be able to receive 100% of your monthly benefit.” Continue reading SNAP offering replacement benefits from last weeks storms

NECHES — The Neches School Board has moved forward with the renewal of the contract of an administrator currently under indictment. According to our news partner KETK, NISD renewed the contract of Kimberlyn Snider, Tuesday. Snider is an elementary school principal in the district. She is under indictment for one felony charge and multiple misdemeanor charges for allegedly interfering with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a possible sexual assault of a minor. Snider is the wife of NISD Superintendent Randy Snider. The elementary principal is now under contract through June of 2023.

TYLER — The Green Acres Baptist Church offered free showers and laundry on Monday. According to a social media post, the ministry provided the essentials, including soap and towels, for anyone who lost electricity and water and could not shower or do laundry. The city of Tyler restored water to the community early Tuesday morning. The church will be a food distribution site of the East Texas Food Bank this Friday.

WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse continues to struggle in the demand on their water system. Monday, the community announced more water main breaks and damage from electrical system fluctuations that occurred during and after the storm. The 12-inch water main break impacted the system in two ways. First, it forced the shut down of one of the booster pumps to relieve pressure on a nearby valve and to ensure the safety of crews. Additionally, this means the required amount of water to refill and recharge the line, puts the city even more behind in keeping up with demand. Read the complete report here.

TYLER — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday that an investigation into a fatality house fire near Lindale continues. Firefighters from Lindale, Dixie, and Van Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the fire on FM 849 Sunday morning. A passersby reported heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the home around 9 a.m. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks says, an off-duty firefighter from another area drove by and helped an elderly woman out of the home. Firefighters found a deceased male in his 50’s on the second floor of the home. His name is not being released at this time pending official identification. Officials are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.

GLADEWATER — Gladewater ISD is moving to virtual learning for the rest of the week. The school district made the announcement Monday afternoon due to a lack of water following last week’s winter storm. The district said in a Facebook post, they would have 100 laptops ready to check out to students on a first come, first served basis, Tuesday morning. The sign-outs will take place at the GISD central office on Broadway from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The school has been without water for days since the storm began moving out of the East Texas area. The district says they hope to resume normal classes March 1.

ATHENS — Henderson County Officials say a deputy responded to a burglary in progress Sunday night. Upon getting a vehicle description, Athens police arrested 34 year old Christie Diane Johnson, of Athens, inside a convenience store. The HCSO made contact with Johnson, who say, she confessed to having contraband on her. A search of the vehicle revealed three firearms, one reported stolen out of Arkansas, and what deputies believe to be methamphetamines. Johnson faces charges of burglary, theft of a firearm, tampering with evidence, possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

TYLER — A Lindale man has been indicted on capital murder charges following a violent crash last December. The brutal wreck killed David Joshua Reed’s former girlfriend, who was pregnant, as well as her new boyfriend. According to our news partner KETK, Shelby Duarte, 26, and 43-year-old Timothy Nelson Jr. died after they were hit by a truck driven by Reed. Police also believe Reed was attempting to blow himself up by loading his vehicle with propane tanks. Investigators at the scene discovered that Reed drove into a camper trailer, which completely destroyed it. Continue reading East Texan indicted for brutal wreck that killed pregnant ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend

NACOGDOCHES — Investigators in Nacogdoches County released the identifies of the three people killed by carbon monoxide poisoning on Saturday after losing power during the winter storm. According to our news partner KETK, the victims were 63-year-old Deborah Wright, 60-year-old James Harkness Jr., and 42-year-old Richard Woodard. Wright and Harkness Jr. were from Nacogdoches and Woodward was from Mt. Enterprise. Authorities said that they were operating a portable gas generator on the front porch and that the exhaust pipe was very close to the residence. Continue reading Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning near Nacogdoches

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County authorities are investigating a case involving cows left in a snow covered pen in prolonged frigid temperatures. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Steve Hendrix and deputies assisted SPCA investigators in executing a warrant, just outside of Myrtyle Springs, for animal seizure on VZ County Road 3219. “One of the livestock animals had already perished.” said information from the VZ County Sheriff’s Office. “This investigation is ongoing and may result in criminal charges against the owner.”

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall was advised, on Saturday, of additional residents who lack water pressure, or no water at all. Public Works crews continued working Saturday and will continue Sunday, with the task of diagnosing and repairing service line breaks. Read the complete news release here.

TYLER — As Texas suffers from historic freezing temperatures and massive property damage with freezing pipes, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas reminds the public that fraudsters soon follow disaster. “Fraudsters often appear from nowhere to take advantage of natural disasters, which is what occurred in the early days of the pandemic. Now, we are concerned that weary homeowners will fall prey to unsolicited calls regarding insurance claims, home warranties, or bogus government grants” says Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “If you did not solicit the call, hang up.” Millions of people fall victim to scams every year. If you think you have become a victim, contact your local law enforcement authority. You can also submit a report by clicking here. to . For more tips, click here.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court held an emergency meeting, virtually Friday afternoon. In the brief meeting, commissioners moved forward an extended the Disaster Declaration issued for Smith County, for an additional 14 days. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran issued the Disaster Declaration due to the winter storm, last Sunday. Under state law, an emergency disaster declaration signed by the County Judge is only effective for a period of seven days, unless extended by the Commissioners Court. Because of the ongoing nature of the winter weather event and expected countywide response efforts that will continue beyond Saturday. This action will continue to allow Smith County to have access to all possible resources to respond to the winter weather event.

TYLER — Now that the historic snow storm has gone, residents need to be aware of new potential problems for East Texans. According to our news parnter KETK, problems not only exist with roads, the power grid, water systems, but now, also with roofs. Local businesses and homes now face the setback of ice damming. This is a large build-up of snow on the roof of a heated building. The warmth can cause leaks. In some cases, water can seep into your home causing damages that cost thousands of dollars. Local roofers say the lion’s share of service calls are dealing with ice dam issues. They’re recommending insured homeowners to make sure their policies cover roof damages because this could take a toll on your roof and your wallet.

TYLER — When Melissa Maeker, director of pharmacy for UT Health North Campus Tyler, saw the weather forecast late last week, she went into planning mode. As with previous ice storms, she planned to stay at the pharmacy for a few nights so she could still work and wouldn’t have to risk being on icy roadways. However, this time there was a new element in her preparations, making sure power remained on to protect COVID-19 vaccines, that are kept in an ultracold freezer at the pharmacy. Once the vaccine vial is removed from ultracold storage, it can remain in a regular refrigerator for five days. U.T. says, Maeker has slept on a cot in her office, since last Sunday, to protect the vaccines. She wanted to ensure she would hear the alarm on the freezer go off if the temperature were to rise. Fortunately, power was maintained in the pharmacy, but Maeker had various other scenarios ready to go if need be.

LONGVIEW — Longview Public Works crews are addressing water leaks across the city. Officials said Friday that residents could undergo temporary, isolated disturbances with their water. Currently the water system has adequate supply and pressure, but localized disruptions may occur in areas where crews are working to fix leaks. Officials applauded the Public Works teams that have and continue to work day and night in freezing temperatures to fix problems as they arise. Road crews continue to monitor streets and apply a sanding material in trouble spots, but is not equipped to clear snow from roads; a warming trend is expected to help with that. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to avoid traveling.

TYLER — A semi truck in Tyler found itself helpless on Friday morning, prompting the partial closure of Paluxy Drive. Tyler police said, the southbound lanes of Paluxy Drive were shut down between Jess Davis Drive and Cumberland Road. The dangerous road conditions caused the semi-truck to be stranded in the road. Officers directed traffic, and the department asked motorists to seek alternate routes.

TYLER — Donation centers far and wide have been closed for days on end because ice and snow have made roads to hazardous to drive. According to our news partner KETK, Carter BloodCare is making urgent pleas for donors to give, as soon as possible to boost its dwindling supply. Carter BloodCare provides blood and blood products to dozens of hospitals and clinics in the region. More donation information is available here.