KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall took in three pallets of PPE, equalling 40,000 surgical masks and 30,720 N-95 masks from the Texas division of Emergency Management and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. According to a press brief, on Thursday, the Marshall Fire Department passed along cases to Harrison County volunteer fire departments, emergency service districts and law enforcement agencies. Every organization received 2,000 surgical masks and 960 N-95 masks. The Marshall Fire Department was tasked with “serving as the regional hub to supply smaller agencies” in Harrison County. Continue reading PPE allocated to various organizations in Harrison County

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Office sent out 8,447 mail-in ballots requested by Smith County voterson Thursday. According to a press brief, if you applied for a mail-in ballot, and are eligible to receive one, it should be on its way through the U.S. Postal Service. It will arrive in an 11 ½ by 4 ½ green envelope with the “Official Election Mail” seal on the front. For those wanting to vote by mail, you can still apply to receive a mail-in ballot by calling 903-590-4777 or visiting http://www.votetexas.gov. Continue reading Mail-In ballots sent out Thursday in Smith County

WOOD COUNTY — Wood County Judge Lucy Hebron announced a local effort Thursday, that will be help support “Wreaths Across America” ceremonies held on December 9 at the Holly Tree and Hawkins Cemeteries. Local Daughters of the American Revolution members are raising funds to sponsor the 225 wreaths needed. Each wreath is $15; sponsorships will be available at the “Everything Sale” held at the First United Methodist Church in Hawkins on October 16 and 17. Donations can also be mailed to John Hogg, Sr. Chapter of NSDAR and mail to 2287 County Road 3340, Hawkins Texas 75765. For more information, click the link. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/.

TYLER — The Smith County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service are searching for a man that is wanted for an alleged aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to a press release, Hunter Dalton Tadlock-Bearden, also known as Hunter Tadlock, is a 22-year-old white male, with several tattoos. Authorities believe he is in the East Texas area and that he could be driving a champagne-colored truck. If you have information regarding the where-abouts of Bearden, you are urged to contact the US Marshals Service at 903-590-1370 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF(2833). Continue reading Authorities search for man accused of aggravated sexual assault of child

TYLER — Dr. Paul McGaha began serving as the Smith County Health Authority, on Thursday. He was sworn in earlier this week, by Judge Nathaniel Moran. McGaha was nominated by the NET Health Board of Directors and approved by the Smith County Commissioner’s Court. Health Authorities were established during the 79th Legislative Session, and are physicians appointed to administer state and local laws relating to public health within an appointing body’s jurisdiction, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Dr. McGaha replaces Dr. Jeffrey Levin, who retired after serving as the local health authority for six years. During his tenure, he covered a number of “infectious disease concerns,” including COVID-19, Ebola, Zika and Measles.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is honoring seven recipients with the inaugural “Hunger Hero Awards.” The accolades of recognition are celebrating Brookshire Grocery Company, Longview Police Department, Smith County Government, Texas Army National Guard 1st Squadron 124th Calvary Regiment, The Mentoring Alliance, T.L.L. Temple Foundation and the Tyler Police Department, for their commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading ‘Hunger Hero Awards’ from ETFB

TYLER — A Former Lindale ISD coach accused of having an improper relationship with a student was arrested Wednesday night for a bond violation. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Maddox, was taken into custody at 9 p.m. by Tyler Police. It is unclear as of this writing what condition of the bond Maddox allegedly violated. He was given a $100,000 bond for the new arrest, which was posted and he has since been released. Maddox, 25, was arrested in February after the district was made aware of the allegations on January 28. Maddox was an assistant football and baseball coach. Continue reading 2nd arrest for former Lindale Coach

TYLER — Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran told KTBB Thursday, those wishing to make a public comment will no longer be able to do so by the phone. “We really wanted people to come back to court in person, instead of on the phone for public comment. There is something very unique and special about face to face interaction with government. It’s a vital part of open government. We want people to have a participatory role in what we do. But, we feel like if it’s important enough for us to talk about it, we need to do it face to face. Now, that we are kind of coming out of the hardest part of this COVID process we felt like it was a good time to role into a new fiscal year doing this.” Continue reading Phone-in out and other changes for Smith County Commissioner’s Court

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are asking for the public’s help in locating 17-month-old Ellisia Pair. Ellisia was ordered into CPS custody by Judge Robert Wilson of the 321st Judicial District Court on Sept. 18, 2020. She was last seen with her mother, Allie O’Neal, 20, of Kilgore. The mother and child are possibly in the Tyler, Longview, Kilgore or the Carthage area. O’Neal may be driving a white Chevy truck with Colorado plates 639 UKD or a Silver Camry with Texas plates NCN 7692. Anyone with information is asked to call Child Protective Investigations (CPI) at (903) 241-8916 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

TYLER — Thursday is the first day on the job for Scott Martinez, the new leader of the Tyler Economic Development Council and Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. During an interview to be heard Sunday on KTBB’s “In Focus,” Martinez pointed to the Tyler area’s double-digit growth over the last decade as a key reason for his move from northern Louisiana. He also mentioned the local educational systems, not least the prospect of a new medical school in Tyler. Martinez succeeds Tom Mullins, who has stepped down after 31 years of leadership in local economic development. Martinez says Mullins has done a great job, so not much will change. Continue reading Martinez moves in as Tyler economic development leader

TYLER — A Lindale man is accused of sexually assaulting a child. According to our news partner KETK, 37-year-old Adam Aguirre was arrested just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Aguirre is being held in the Smith County Jail on a bond of $50,000. Aguirre’s first court appearance has not been scheduled. Aguirre was arrested twice since 2018 on DWI charges. However, he was only convicted in the first arrest, where he pled guilty and spent 20 days in jail.

GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas sex offender with a long history of arrests and convictions was killed by a hit and run driver. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark told KTBB Wednesday that Troopers in the Longview Highway Patrol Office are asking witnesses to come forward in the fatal in the investigation of a fatal hit and run. “The crash occurred on Saturday, September 26 at approximately 10:15 p.m. at night two miles west of Kilgore.” Dark went on to say, “We believe it is possibly a small dark sedan, that was traveling West on HWY 135, that then turned left on Peavine Rd. The vehicle involved may have damage to the front including one or both headlamps.” The driver of the sedan fled the crash scene and failed to stop and render aid. Continue reading Registered sex offender killed in Gregg County hit and run

TYLER — A “Shred Day” will be hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas October 10. The service will be provided free from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Lillie Russell Memorial Library in Lindale. The BBB has partnered with the Lindale Area Chamber of Commerce to offer the shredding services as part of the “Launch Local” Festival. Attendees are encouraged to bring paper documents that contain personal and/or financial information to be destroyed. Organizers request items be placed in plastic bags, cardboard boxes will not be accepted. Two “Shred Day” events were held by the BBB in the spring, in Tyler and Jacksonville, leading to over 42,000 pounds of documents destroyed.

SMITH COUNTY — Multiple crews were on the scene of an early morning fire at Coker Enterprises, off Hwy 271. The fire reportedly broke out around 4:20 in the office area of the business. According to our news partner KETK, business owners at the scene said that no one was hurt and it’s not clear how the fire started. The owners also said crews were able to save their workshop. Coker’s website says it has been family owned and operated in Tyler for 43 years.

TYLER – With the second six-week grading period now underway, more Tyler ISD students are back in the classroom. TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford spoke with KTBB Tuesday about getting back to school during the pandemic. District-wide enrollment numbers show 80 percent of students are in face-to-face instruction with 20 percent opting to Learn@Home. That is an increase of 2,651 students back on campuses since the beginning of the school year. Administrators view the increase over the first grading period as a step in the right direction for getting all Tyler ISD students back onto campuses. Continue reading Tyler ISD In-School learners rises to 80 percent

TYLER — The Workhub in Tyler has been declared as an early voting location for the upcoming presidential election and UT Tyler will be a polling place on Election Day. The decision was officially adopted by the Smith County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday. Judge Moran urged residents to take advantage of the extra location. “It will be a good centralized location to try to disburse the the great numbers of folks that we anticipate for early voting…Don’t wait until the Election Day to vote. Go early, if you want to avoid the lines. Because there is going to be a large turnout and this is another way that we’re trying to provide you an opportunity to do so at a convenient location.” Continue reading Smith County adds early voting place and additional election day site

LONGVIEW — A New Orleans man has been arrested in East Texas after being charged in the murder of a Longview man, killed in February. Aaron Williams, 36, was arrested Monday evening around 5:45 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, Williams was indicted by a Gregg County grand jury back in July for that shooting. He is charged with a shooting that killed 44-year-old Joseph Pierre Brice February 29, just after 3 p.m., on Mobberly Avenue. A motive has not been released, and police have not said, if the two men had known each other. Williams first court appearance has not been scheduled as of now, but it will be held in the 188th District Court.

WASHINGTON – Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. will receive a federal grant of nearly half a million$483,332 to help recruit, train, and retain more women in quality pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced on Tuesday. The award funding comes through the U.S. Department of Labor and will be administered by the Department’s Women’s Bureau and the Employment and Training Administration. Continue reading Goodwill Industries of East TX to receive nearly $500K grant

NACOGDOCHES — Stephen F. Austin State University is investigating a cheerleader’s frightening claim. Seven-teen year old Christin Evans, along with her attorney and parents are speaking out over what they say happened on September 14th. The teenager says she was sleeping her dorm room when university police with guns drawn came in. Christine Evans says, “I was looking forward to making friends and having a good time on the cheer team, but since this has happened it has made it really, really, really hard.” Continue reading University Police investigating false claim on SFA campus

TYLER — The city of Tyler and Smith County are updating and recapping local COVID-19 testing availabilities. Officials say the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) are providing free walk-up COVID-19 testing opportunities for anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. St. Louis Baptist Church on Frankston Hwy. in Tyler began offering the tests Monday; they’ll continue there through Friday, Oct. 30. Testing will occur on Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Continue reading COVID-19 testing in East Texas

TYLER — The owners of the People’s Petroleum Building in downtown Tyler announce the upcoming addition of a new restaurant to occupy the second floor. According to a news release, Prime 102 will open late this fall for weekday lunches and dinner service Monday through Saturday. The space was formerly occupied by Jack Ryan’s, which recently closed. Operating Partner Steve Barnhart took a moment Monday to visit with KTBB. He told us the menu includes “prime steaks, excellent seafood, lighter fare as well, lunch, salads and sandwiches, pasta dishes.” He says he’s “very excited to bring great hospitality and service to the downtown area.” Continue reading New restaurant to open in People’s Petroleum Building

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Andy Mack announced Monday morning that he will be seeking a third and final term. According to our news partner KETK, Mack was first elected in May 2015 and again in 2018. He replaced Rep. Jay Dean, who had led the city for the previous 10 years. Mack is a native of Longivew and attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a B.S. in Biology. He then studied at the Baylor College of Dentistry, where he earned a Doctorate in Dental Surgery.

TYLER – TxDOT has kicked off another week of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District. Seal coat operations continue with work in Anderson and Van Zandt counties. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during this work to seal and protect roadways from water and to provide a longer life cycle, according to a news release. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/037-2020.html for a complete rundown of work throughout the district.

ATHENS — Using an aerosol can and a lighter as a torch, a LaRue man burned two people Sunday and was arrested by Henderson County deputies, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Mark Anthony Negrete, 18, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he was arrested at a residence off FM 804. He confessed that he burned a juvenile female in the face and another victim, according to the release. According to officials, an investigation discovered Negrete used a canister of starter fluid and a lighter to create a torch. The juvenile female went to the UT Health Hospital in Athens with burns to her face and hair. This investigation is said to be ongoing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump announced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States. Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB, “It’s going to be a very difficult time for the country going through this confirmation because of the bias and hatred for Christian beliefs, but for the good of the country, we have got to move forward. Of course, Biden and others have said we need to wait until a new President is sworn in, and my thought is is that we can’t wait four and a half years.” Continue reading Gohmert: ‘Precedent is clearly there to move forward on confirmation’

LONGVIEW, Texas (AP) — An East Texas county commissioner and three other people have been indicted on charges that they fraudulently solicited mail-in votes from able-bodied voters by claiming they were disabled, often without the voters’ knowledge or consent. Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown and three paid workers of Brown’s 2018 Democratic primary campaign are charged with multiple counts of election-related fraud and record tampering. Penalties for the various violations range from six months in jail to 99 years in prison. All four defendants have been released on their own recognizance. Court records listed no attorneys for the four on Saturday.