KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Council members have approved nearly $8.5 million dollars for a construction project on Cambridge Road. On Wednesday, the Council handed off the initiative to Reynolds & Kay Ltd. for capital improvements to Cambridge Road from Broadway Ave. to Jeff Davis Drive. The project will include expansion of the existing pavement width, adding curb and gutter, sidewalks, a new underground storm drain system and installation of a 12-inch water line and miscellaneous water and sewer system improvements. Also, drainage issues adjacent to the project on Oxford Drive will be addressed. The project is funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. Construction will start in January 2021. Continue reading Council approves construction improvements for Cambridge Road, and Partnership with Habitat for Humanity

TYLER — A 16-year-old fled from officials and crashed a vehicle in Tyler Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of a Ford F-150 truck with an Oklahoma license plate ran a red light around 12:45 a.m. and was seen by a deputy, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The SCSO deputy attempted to make a traffic stop when the truck sped off. The teenage driver ran numerous red lights and eventually ended up on North Broadway Avenue where she  lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the Salvation Army sign. Continue reading Teen girl crashes truck in Tyler following brief chase

TYLER — Three East Texas school districts are suspending virtual learning. According to our news partner KETK, Yantis ISD, Grand Saline ISD and Harmony ISD, became the latest schools to suspend remote learning Tuesday. Leadership sent home letters to parents that students must return to face-to-face instruction by next week. Harmony Superintendent Dennis Glenn wrote that 126 students were currently using online schooling for the first nine weeks. This is roughly 11% of their student population. Of that number, nearly 70% were failing classes. Continue reading More East Texas school districts to suspend online learning

WINONA — The city of Winona announced a boil water notice on Tuesday, citing conditions that have occured in the water system. Residents should bring water to a vigorous rolling boil and then continue for two minutes and then cooled before consuming it, to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and microbes. Resident may wish to purchase bottled water or find another suitable source. For questions contact Glenn Trimble or Deana Powell at 903-877-3381. A notification will be placed once it is no longer necessary to boil the water.

MARSHALL — Marshall ISD will have free COVID-19 tests available for students and staff when the district returns from Fall break Oct. 20. According to our news partner KETK, trained district personnel will give tests to students and employees exhibiting symptoms or those who have been in close proximity with those that have tested positive. Test results are ready in minutes. For positive results, the district’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols will go into effect. Parental permission must be obtained before tests can be administered to students. The rapid COVID-19 tests have become very popular with professional sports leagues and NCAA athletic programs, boasting a 97% rate of accuracy. Testing is being made possible through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act.

TYLER — The Park of East Texas presents two events each year, the East Texas State Fair and Academic Rodeo. Proceeds from the ETSF in September fund the collection of 14 contests occurring over several weeks each November, January, and February. Although The Park of East Texas found it necessary to cancel this year’s Fair event, plans are moving forward for the 31st presentation of Academic Rodeo. Schools and Groups can register through October 15th. Approximately 1,800 to 2,000 students have competed in past years, representing approximately 100 schools or groups. For more information, click the link https://www.etstatefair.com/p/academic-rodeo, or contact The Park of East Texas, East Texas State Fair at 903-597-2501.

TYLER — Dating back to 1859, the Goodman-LeGrand Museum is one of Tyler’s oldest historic properties and was the first property in Smith County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Tuesday, Historic Tyler’s Ashley Washmon, told KTBB why they chose to donate a $1,500 grant to the exterior restoration project. “It is one of the oldest homes in Tyler, they came to us in the beginning of the summer and were in the middle of getting bids for all of the exterior restoration work that was needed. So, we just chose the Goodman-LeGrand Museum as one of our projects for this year.” Continue reading Historic Tyler makes donation to spur others alongside The Goodman-LeGrand exterior restoration project

TYLER — Early voting began Tuesday in Texas. Election day is November 3. This is the first time that straight-ticket voting will not be permitted. This year voters will have to allocate a vote for each office of the candidate that you are voting for. Officials expect this and voting during a Presidential election year, along with COVID-19 safety precautions bringing fewer machines at polling places, will make lines longer. So officials are urging people to take advantage of early voting. You can get more information for Smith and Gregg County by clicking the links. https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections/current-election-information. https://www.greggcountyvotes.com/upcoming-elections/november-2020-presidential-election/.

SMITH COUNTY — A former Whitehouse ISD employee pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of indecency with a child by exposure. According to our news partner KETK, William Henry Aldridge, 29, of Tyler, was sentenced to eight years of deferred adjudication. Aldridge, a former equipment manager, was accused of molesting a football player back in 2010 and 2011. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, he was also accused of sexually abusing a fourth-grader. The district was contacted by police in October of last year and placed Aldridge on immediate leave before eventually firing him.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is warning local residents about a new scam involving your email. According to our news partner KETK, KPD says residents have received emails claiming they’ve been caught by a speed camera in Kilgore and that they owed around $875 in fines. The fake email includes a link that officials say, “under no circumstances should be clicked.” The department said, “This most likely allows them into your computer where they have access to your data…we don’t know how the scam works completely since we won’t click that link, but Texas doesn’t have speed cameras.” Governor Abbott signed a bill in May of 2019 that banned the use of red light cameras in Texas.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in the identification of a suspect in a rash of burglaries in the Lindale area. According to a press brief, these recent residential thefts have been occurring primarily in the area of Smith County east of Lindale. The unidentified suspect has been entering into unlocked residences during nighttime hours, while homeowners have been asleep inside. The suspect is described as a white male, 18 to 30 years of age, 5’8” to 6’0”, slender build with short hair. Continue reading Authorities searching for man wanted for burglaries in Smith County

TYLER — A beautification project will launch on Wednesday to benefit The Tyler Animal Shelter. The organization is appealing to local artists to help them with the new look. The shelter opened their doors to the public in 2017, caring for 103 dogs and 65 cats. The City’s shelter includes “get acquainted” rooms for people to come in, meet with shelter staff and their potential pet for some time to “get to know each other.” Last year, 482 pets were adopted, 492 were reunited and 349 animals were transferred to 110 different rescue organization partners. Over 1000 people come through the doors annually. Continue reading Animal shelter in Tyler looking for artists for redecoration

TYLER — A Tyler business is closing their doors after nearly 6 decades in operation. According to a post on Mary V’s facebook page, the contemporary women’s boutique will close after 57 years in business. Owner Shelby Burkett says, “This is something that was not decided over night, and with the events of this year, it just made our decision a little easier, having to go to quarantine and COVID-19.” Burkett worked at the store for many years, before purchasing the business in 2008 at the age of 23-years-old. Continue reading Mary V’s to soon close their doors

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Tyler Transit are evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of transit service in and around Tyler as part of the Transit Route Study. Residents are invited to share their input in hopes of improving bus service within the city. Officials will consider future improvements to routes, schedules and other elements, based on those comments, and other criteria. Residents who want to share their thoughts can take a survey by clicking the link. http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Tyler-Area-Transit-Survey. The survey portion of this study will end Friday.

TYLER — Emergency crews responded to the second fire in two weeks at Coker Enterprises in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, there were a minimum of 30 first responders. The call came in just after 6:00 a.m. on Monday. “Due to circumstances right now, we do deem that the fires are suspicious.” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks went on to say, “We are processing this as a crime scene. That’s just protocol at this point. We don’t have enough to say that this is an arson attempt, or an incendiary fire. However we are going to treat it as such.” A fire on Sept. 30 destroyed the office and parts room of Coker Enterprises.

SMITH COUNTY — A 26-year-old woman who is accused of leaving a baby abandoned and strapped in a baby bouncer for about three hours is now at the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, a child was left in a garage apartment on County Road 2249 on October 3. The suspect was identified as Kelsey Paige Frazier from Tyler. Frazier was babysitting a child under the age of 1. At approximately 9:30 am, Kelsey left her garage apartment but did not take the child with her. Instead, the infant was left strapped in a baby bouncer located in the bathroom closet of the garage apartment, a news release said. Continue reading Babysitter accused of leaving infant unattended in bathroom closet

TYLER — A series of robberies at CEFCO gas stations has Tyler police asking for help. Early Wednesday morning the first aggravated robbery took place between 1 and 2 a.m. at 805 W. Houston. Within the hour a second occurred at 5120 Old Jacksonville Hwy, the same male and another male with the same jacket but red, robbed that store. In both instances the individuals left on foot. Early Friday, around 2 a.m., a third aggravated robbery was reported at the CEFCO at 5502 Old Bullard Rd. Continue reading 3 CEFCO stores in Tyler robbed this week

UPSHUR COUNTY — D.P.S. Troopers responded to the scene of a fatal crash, four miles northwest of Longview, on Thursday. The collision took place in Upshur County on SH 300. Reports indicate Steven Earl Montgomery, 55, of Big Sandy, went off the roadway and overturned, after striking a group of trees. Mr. Montgomery was pronounced dead at the scene. Montgomery had been reported missing by family members, after he was last seen leaving for work around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday. A land owner discovered the scene Thursday and notified emergency personnel. The crash remains under investigation.

RUSK — Rusk ISD has decided that not all students will be able to take classes online. RISD Superintendent, Grey Burton said in a letter, only students approved by the school nurse or that have tested positive for COVID-19 may take virtual classes. Students that are taking classes in person, will no longer have the option to switch to online learning. The new changes take effect Tuesday. You can read the letter by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/1881654252092729/photos/a.2214349955489822/2767692216822257/.

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro Police continue investigating a “large amount” of political sign thefts across the city. According to the department’s facebook page, the number of officers on patrol will increase. It’s not clear whether a specific political party or candidate is being targeted. Three different vehicles are believed to be connected to the crime. Authorities are asking the public that may see or have details on this to call 903-342-3620, or to message the departments facebook page with the vehicles license plate numbers.

ATHENS — In Henderson County, eleven people have been arrested and large amounts of cash seized during a police raid at a local game room. According to our news partner KETK, charges for the group include organized criminal activity, gambling offenses, and outstanding arrest warrants. Those arrested include customers, workers, and the owner. During the search, officers found drugs, more than $50,000 cash, and a stolen gun. The sheriff says more arrests are to come.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for a man who robbed a Tyler gas station early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a man with a gun forced one of the two employees inside to give him money from the cash register and fled. The gunman was described as wearing dark clothing. Police said there were customers in the CEFCO station on Old Bullard Road when the gunman entered at about 2 a.m. but no one was hurt.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man accused of murder after a brutal fight rejected a plea deal offer from prosecutors and his case will now proceed to trial. According to our news partner KETK, Lars Theorine, 53, is charged with killing 51-year-old Michael Reed on January 2. Theorine, who claims self-defense, was the owner of Paradise Skating Rink and Big Kahuna Indoor Parties in Whitehouse. He is being held on a $1 million bond in the Smith County Jail.

LONGVIEW — Construction is underway to significantly expand and renovate Fire Station 5 in West Longview. Originally built in 1985, the fire station will be modernized while constructing 10,208 square feet of new space and renovating 5,373 square feet of the existing station. According to a news release, the project was funded by the November 2018 bond election. Continue reading Construction begins on Fire Station 5 expansion

TYLER — Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said Thursday that he will unquestionably “opt in” on Governor Abbott’s bar reopening order, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. October 14. The governor’s order provides authority to individual county judges to open bars to 50 percent capacity in counties that have 15 percent or less capacity of COVID-19 cases in local hospitals. Smith County falls within this qualifying category. Continue reading Smith County judge to “opt in” on opening bars

TYLER — More agencies are signing on as East Texans once again have a convenient and safe way to dispose of their leftover prescription drugs — and keep them from falling into the wrong hands. According to Next Step Community Solutions, the latest list includes the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Police Department, Hallsville Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsburg Police Department. Continue reading Rx takeback event spreads across East Texas