KTBB News, Weather, Talk

QUITMAN — A last call ceremony was held for Juma at the Wood County Courthouse Thursday morning. The beloved Officer is the K-9 partner of Wood County Constable Kelly Smith, who reported that his colleague was battling Addison’s disease. Juma had quit eating and could not keep anything down. Smith said in a social media post “the low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium have become life-threatening.” In spite of several days and round of medication and vitamins, administered by IV, Juma continues to decline. “We are doing all we can to keep her comfortable.”

CANTON — The Department of Public Safety warned motorists Thursday to be aware of sections of Interstate 20 between Tyler and Dallas that had ice accumulation. Travelers were told to expect delays on I-20 just west of Canton. Traffic was detoured off the interstate, because of ice related accidents and vehicles were shifted to access roads. Hazardous conditions on I-20 started in the Van area, moving west into the Metroplex. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s office reported an over-turned 18-wheeler as a result of hitting ice. Other problem areas included I-20 at Highway 110 and I-20 at Toll 49. Drivers also reported ice on overpasses of Toll 49. To visit the drive safe Texas map, click here.

TYLER — The East Texas Crisis Center had to make the difficult decision to cancel their annual auto and cycle show this year. On Thursday however, Executive Director Lana Peacock told KTBB, “This would have been our 31st show, but we still have a raffle car. We were able to extend our drawing by 30 days, so our drawing will be for March 20th.” You can purchase tickets for $10 each by clicking click here. Continue reading East Texas Auto and Cycle Show canceled, but raffle car continues

TYLER — Residents,and drivers who work in the area of College Avenue can expect some hindrances in the near future. Wednesday, work crews started on the College Avenue storm drain project. The city of Tyler says, drivers should be prepared to follow traffic signs and detours and to exercise caution. Contractors are renovating the storm drain system on College Avenue between East Locust Street and the railroad tracks to the north. Some driveways at the Moore Grocery Lofts may be closed during the project, which should last about 6 months. Parking will be available in designated lots and free parking will be available at the Fair Plaza Parking Garage. For more information click here.

BULLARD — The Bullard City Council voted in opposition to the construction of a new low-income housing development Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK, Westwind Bullard is a proposed project that would build 80 apartments, with 72 classified as low income housing. Bullard Mayor Pam Frederick said she had heard from the community, receiving about 170 emails in opposition and two emails in favor. In addition to that, the council was presented with a petition with 189 signatures against. No one spoke in acceptance of the project during the city council session.

TYLER — A Public Improvement District alongside Bellwood Lake was created Wednesday by the city of Tyler. According to the city, the initiative will help advance the development of the 500 plus acres. The designer, Bellwood 232 2019 LP, anticipates a cost of $150 million to materialize and build streets, drainage, lighting, landscaping and irrigation on the property. The city says, when a PID is created, those who later purchase property in the district have to reimburse the developer for a portion of public infrastructure and improvement costs. The city said in the brief, they will not occur any costs associated with the PID improvements.

SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas couple recently driving down Highway 155, got an unwanted paint job. According to our news partner KETK, Andy Neederhofer and his wife are now looking for answers. “When I was going on the road, I didn’t notice it. But, my wife called me and said ‘hey, there’s something getting splattered all over your jeep and all over my windshield.” Neederhofer said there were no construction signs out, and no work crews were around. TxDOT said in a statement, they are aware of the issue and are looking into it. Continue reading Tyler couple gets unexpected paint job

TYLER — Harvey Hall Convention Center continues to be a busy place for COVID-19 vaccinations. Going into Wednesday, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “We have given a combined, first and second doses, 9,500 vaccines at Harvey Hall Convention Center.” Roberts said they will finish out the week with first round immunizations. “Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we will be doing first doses as well. We will be inviting people who are on our waiting list for the first dose to sign up for a time, so we hope to vaccinate a number of East Texans over the next few days.” Continue reading NET Health vaccinated 9,500 and counting

AUSTIN –Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Wednesday, he will send a total of over $1 billion in local sales tax allocations for February. That number is an increase of 0.7 percent more than in February 2020. These distributions are based on sales made in December by businesses that report tax monthly; October, November and December sales by quarterly filers; and 2020 sales by businesses that report tax annually. Tyler will receive $5.1 million, while Longview will accept $ 3.9 million. You can learn more by clicking here.

TYLER — The Presidential Fellow Scholarship was announced for four Tyler ISD students on Tuesday. The gift will enable the three Legacy seniors and one Tyler high senior to attend UT Tyler, at no cost to them. The Presidential Fellow Scholarship covers full tuition, fees, books, room and board for the recipients. Legacy High School seniors Henry Jones, Maria Kellermann-Jimenez, Christopher Whitmore and Adriana Higuera from Tyler High School were surprised with the scholarship in front of their immediate family members and Tyler Legacy High School administrators.

KILGORE — Kilgore College named Dr. Mark Clark, Tuesday, as Dean of Business & Information Technology. This comes following affirmation from the Kilgore College Board of Trustees in December. Clark comes to KC after serving as assistant professor of Entrepreneurship; the director of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise; and was program coordinator for the Master of Science in Management and Entrepreneurship.

LONGVIEW — A status hearing for a current Gregg County commissioner charged with election fraud, along with three others, has been delayed until May 7. According to our news partner KETK, Shannon Brown, the Precinct 4 commissioner and three other individuals are charged in relation to a coordinated vote harvesting scheme from the 2018 Democratic primary election. Brown as well as, Marlena Jackson, Charlie Burns, and DeWayne Ward, are all charged in the case. Each of them are facing multiple counts of Engaging in Organized Election Fraud, Fraudulent Use of Mail Ballot Application, Unlawful Possession of Ballot/Ballot Envelope, Election Fraud, and Tampering With a Governmental Record.

TYLER — A former Hope Haven of East Texas employee will spend 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a resident last year. According to our news partner KETK, Aaron Williams, 41, was accused of taking a teenage girl, who was staying at Hope Haven, to the organization’s office building and raping her in his personal office. The ministry’s goal is to “provide a safe home environment, for abused and neglected girls in the foster care system.” Continue reading Former Hope Haven employee sentenced for raping resident

TYLER — A dozen students in Tyler ISD could be facing felony charges in relation to e-cigarettes. TISD’s Police Chief Danny Brown told KTBB Tuesday they are renewing an anti-vaping initiative. “First of all these devices are illegal for someone under 21, just the device itself. On the criminal side, just possession could be a class C misdemeanor, a fine of up to $100. The Judge at City Court determines that.” Chief Brown continued, “In addition to that is school consequences. It is a violation of student conduct to possess these devices on campus as well. The student may face time in the alternative school, and may face a fine or possibly a felony charge.” Continue reading Tyler ISD renews anti-vaping initiative

LONGVIEW — The Longview ISD board approved their 2021-2022 district calendar in session on Monday. Classes are scheduled to start Aug. 16 2021 and end May 25 2022. The district also hired the former Superintendent of Spring Hill. Wayne Guidry will now fill the role as Assistant Superintendent of Business, Transportation and Technology. Board members also hired John Wink as Coordinator of Policy and New Schools. To watch the LISD board meeting, click here.

TYLER — Two Tyler residents have been indicted for involvement in several fires at Coker Enterprises that took place last year. According to our news partner KETK, David Woods was charged with arson, while Jamie Mahon was charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence. Two different fires occurred at Coker Enterprises in as many weeks, one on Sept. 30, 2020 and another on Oct. 12. Woods was charged in connection with the Oct. 12 incident and it is unclear if the September fire is related. Coker Enterprises is located on 7106 U.S. Highway 271 and sells tractors and outdoor power equipment products. No injuries were reported from either fire. Continue reading Suspects indicted in Coker Enterprises fire

TYLER — A dozen Tyler ISD students could possibly face felony violations in connection to e-cigarettes. TISD released a statement on Monday saying the district is renewing its anti-vaping initiative. According to our news partner KETK, they want to educate parents and students about the legal consequences that are associated with vaping when THC is involved. Tyler ISD Superintendent Marty Crawford is worried that a student could leave high school with a felony. Continue reading Tyler ISD students could face felony violations related to vaping

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has cancelled jury duty for Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Smith County residents who were planning to report for jury duty tomorrow with their yellow cards DO NOT have to make the trip to the Smith County Courthouse. For more information about jury duty, click here.

MARSHALL — The Friends of Marshall Animals organization has presented a substantial donation for the construction of the new Marshall Pet Adoption Center. According to a press release Monday, from the City of Marshall, this is the first scheduled installment to raise $450,000 from private donors toward construction. The donation was made from contributors, FOMA officers, volunteers and many community members. Tax deductible contributions can be made here.

LONGVIEW — A savage fight in Longview, became the stage of an eventual murder scene, after David Pittman died. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, police believe John Houston Brown, 39, killed Pittman January 11, after he died from multiple blows he suffered from the fight on Estes Parkway. Police received a 911 call, January 12, from a woman who claimed to be a neighbor saying she could see Pittman in his home and he looked unresponsive. When dispatchers tried to get more information from her, she hung up the phone. Shortly before 8 p.m. Officers arrived and discovered Pittman dead on a couch. Authorities believe, he had been dead hours “and there was blood everywhere.”

TYLER — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County was the recipient of a $20,000 check on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the donation was made from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. The gift comes at no cost to taxpayers, since it is from asset forfeiture funds. The money is intended to be used for a capital campaign fund that will provide space for the growing number of children receiving help from the agency. Last year, the CASC did 873 forensic interviews, which shows an increase of 163% in the past eight years. You can learn more about the CACSC here.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety released a report Monday following an accident that killed a four year old and left two hospitalized. DPS says the one vehicle crash took place late Saturday night on I-20, five miles west of Van. The accident killed the young boy, and Guadalupe Bahena, 22, of Tyler and Hector Brito Hernandez, 23, of Tyler were flown to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. The crash occurred after Guadalupe ran off the roadway, over-corrected and the vehicle went into a side skid and overturn several times. The three were not wearing seat-belts and were ejected.

TYLER — The Tyler Trees Committee announced over 2,000 tree seedlings will be handed out a week from Saturday. The city said Monday, the giveaway event will be Feb. 20, starting at 9 a.m. at the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances South Tyler location, on S. Broadway Ave. Seedlings will be passed out on a first-come, first-served basis. The initiative is sponsored by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Arbor Gen and the Texas A&M Forestry Service. For more information click here.

TYLER — This week nearly 15,000 doses, to fight the coronavirus, are being sent to East Texas vaccination hubs. However, NET Health’s Terrance Ates tells KTBB patience is a virtue, “With a traditional model you want supply to meet demand, but supply is far less than community demand is.” Longview and Tyler continue as vaccine hubs for the week of Feb. 8, while Kilgore, Canton and Jacksonville have been added to the list of providers this week as well. The Department of State Health Services is anticipating shots being available to the general public this spring, however, that is dependent on vaccine supply. Continue reading More vaccines heading to the area

TYLER — The Tyler City Council will meet in regular session Wednesday. Council meetings are open to the public, citizens wanting to make public comment on agenda items can do so electronically, in-person or over the phone by calling (903) 363-0651. Electronic forms must be submitted by 7 a.m. on the date of the Council Meetings. To go to the public form click here. For more information, call (903) 531-1100. A maximum capacity of 36 people will be allowed in the City Council Chamber, of which 22 will be reserved for general members of the public not including the media.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was found dead early Sunday morning, according to a release from local police. At 2:19 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunshots on North Eastman Road, just off Hwy. 259. According to our news partner KETK, when they arrived on the scene, they found 27-year-old Rashad McCray already dead. It was not immediately clear if the police had any suspects or persons of interest in the case. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview police or Gregg County Crime Stoppers.

BOISE, Idaho — A Tyler ISD graduate was one of three Idaho National Guard soldiers who were killed in a helicopter crash near Boise, Idaho, February 2. According to our news partner KETK, Jesse Anderson, 43, of Boise attended Robert E. Lee High School, now Tyler Legacy, in 1996. In Boise, Anderson was a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was also senior instructor pilot and had served in the Idaho Army National Guard since 2008. Anderson had a wife and four children.

TYLER — Tyler residents and visitors now have one less Tex-Mex restaurant to enjoy — at least for now. Manny’s Tex-Mex Cafe on South Beckham shut down over the weekend. According to a Facebook post, the eatery’s ownership cites “mounting debt, taxes and COVID struggles.” The post continues, “By the Grace of our Lord, we’re going to reorganize and reopen under new ownership in a few weeks. We appreciate your wonderful support all these years and especially your friendship. Together with you in prayer and unity with our Lord, not only will we survive, WE WILL THRIVE!”

TYLER – The contractor plans to continue paving operations this coming week on the US 69 construction project at FM 346 in southern Smith County. It involves building a new US 69 bridge over FM 346. Planned work includes lane closures that will affect traffic, causing delays. According to TxDOT, motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations. The plan is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen issues. Continue reading Traffic alert for US 69 at FM 346 project