KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A man who led Upshur County Deputies on a motorcycle chase eventually escaped their pursuit, but was later detained in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County troopers attempted to stop the man on the motorcycle, Friday on HWY 271. Dylan Alexander Taylor, 27, lost control of the bike and went down on FM 344 at CR 187. Taylor, of Frankston, was transported to the Smith County Jail without incident. According to officials no one was injured, in the incident.

TYLER — Tyler ISD is combining their customary campus book fairs to create one gigantic district wide online book fair. According to a media brief from TISD, the theme of the school year is “Adapt and Deliver”. Moving to one district wide online book fair is the latest example of adapting processes to deliver “positive results”. Proceeds from the online book fair will not only help individual school libraries, but will also help stock campus digital libraries. Anyone who wants to shop the virtual book fair can do so through October 4 by clicking the link. https://www.scholastic.com/bf/tylerindependentschdist. There is also a link to the online book fair on each campus website.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Grand Jury indicted four defendants on election offenses earlier this week. Friday evening, State Senator Bryan Hughes told KTBB, “Mail-in ballots are prone to cheating, they are more prone to fraud than any other method of voting.” Gregg County Precinct 4 Commissioner Shannon Brown had 23 felony counts brought against him from the 2018 Democratic Primary, in all the 4 arrested in the alleged voter fraud scheme, had 134 felony counts against four defendants. Continue reading Senator Huges: ‘foolish to expand mail-in ballots’

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has recently been made aware of another warrant scam in the area. The Department said in a news brief, that the fraud had been attempted with several phone calls to citizens on Friday. involves involves several phone calls that have been received by several Smith County citizens this morning. The caller is identifying himself as Sgt. Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. In one particular instance, the caller informed the victim that she failed to show up for a court date and she needed to post a $2,500 surety bond. Continue reading Warrant scam circulating in Smith County

Athens — A Henderson County Narcotics Investigator arrested two alleged methamphetamine dealers and a wanted woman on Thursday night. According to a media brief from Sheriff Botie Hillhouse on Friday, Larry Dean McCullough, 40, was found with a substantial amount of meth hidden in the hubcap of a wheel on his vehicle. Wendy Applin, 38, was wanted on an outstanding warrant and was in McCullough’s vehicle. In a separate incident, Ryan Jay Harris, 38, was arrested with meth when a vehicle he occupied was stopped for a vehicle equipment violation. The two men were charged with dealing drugs and the woman was arrested for the outstanding warrant. All three were transported to the Henderson County Jail.

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed that giant salvinia can once again be found in Lake Athens and Lake Gilmer after they surveyed the bodies of water. According to our news partner KETK, Lake Athens was checked earlier this month. All giant salvinia found during the survey was treated. At Lake Gilmer, some giant salvinia was identified near a boat ramp and removed by hand. The lake was surveyed by boat, and no other plants were found. It will soon be searched more extensively. Continue reading Lake Athens and Lake Gilmer see giant salvinia

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Grand Jury indicted four defendants on election offenses earlier this week. According to court documents the charges are based on allegations committed during the 2018 Democratic primary race for Gregg County Commissioner Precinct Four. On Friday State Representative Jay Dean told KTBB, “The folks that harvest these votes they are professionals…They will go to someone’s mail box and remove the ballot from the mailbox. They are professionals so I think I would encourage everybody to be very careful. If you see anything suspicious; at all, regardless of how big or little it is, you should contact local law enforcement to have it checked out.” Continue reading State Rep Dean: ‘Mail-in ballot fraud happens’

TYLER — Fall officially arrived earlier this week, and on Saturday morning, Lane Chapel’s church parking lot was transformed into a pumpkin lot. Pastor Jeff Cage told KTBB Friday, “People ask me how may pumpkins do we get? I say a lot. I don’t really know. We used to try and count them. Last year, I looked on the bill or ticket on a truck and there were over 20,000 lbs of pumpkins and we did that many twice. Because we will get an 18-wheelers full Saturday morning, and then another 18-wheeler full on October 10th. We will have pumpkins and squash and gords. We will have all sizes and shapes, and colors. There will be stars and green, white, orange, speckled ones. It really is amazing what God can do with a pumpkin.” Continue reading Fall is in the air and the ‘pumpkins are here’

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful will sponsor a FREE bulky item collection for residential customers (excluding multi-family home communities and businesses). On Friday organizer’s said that residents participating should have their bulky items on the curb by 7 a.m. Oct. 5, and no sooner than 5 p.m., Oct. 2. After crews have collected on your street, do not place more bulky items on the curb. These items will be charged a special pickup fee. For more information click the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/solid-waste/solid-waste-calendar.

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that authorities have arrested Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown, Marlena Jackson, Charlie Burns, and DeWayne Ward on charges in connection with an alleged organized vote harvesting scheme during the 2018 Democratic primary election. To increase the pool of ballots needed to swing the race in Brown’s favor, the group targeted young, able-bodied voters to cast ballots by mail by fraudulently claiming the voters were “disabled,” in most cases without the voters’ knowledge or consent. Under Texas election law, mail ballots based on disability are specifically reserved for those who are physically ill and cannot vote in-person as a result. Continue reading Commissioner arrested in Gregg County election fraud scheme

TYLER — East Texas foodies got a chance to chow down at their favorite vendor cafes as they lined the East Texas State Fairgrounds for the opening of “The Taste of the Fair” event. McKinney Food Services Ron McKinney told KTBB, “We are best known for our Texas sized corndogs, with a Texas sized taste…You don’t worry about weight during fair week, you come and enjoy fair food, you only get it once a year usually. The smell, the aroma, I mean it’s just amazing.” The event will continue through Sunday opening daily from 11a.m. to 8 p.m. and then repeating the same hours next week, Thursday through Sunday. Continue reading ‘Taste of the Fair’ opens at ETSF grounds

TYLER — Time’s annual list of the 100 most influential people of 2020 has been revealed, and Patrick Mahommes was listed as one of the most influential people in the world. The 2014 Whitehouse graduate, was the only NFL player to be on the list made up of groups of pioneers, artists, leaders, titans, and icons from the past 12 months. In the off-season, Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension worth $477 million with another $26 million in potential bonuses, for a total of $503 million. The agreement is the biggest deal in the history of North American sports and professional sports in general. The ‘Time 100’ magazine will be available on newsstands beginning Friday.

LONGVIEW — U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert will attend the Gregg County Republican Party fundraiser October 9th. Tickets are $250 per person and attendance will be limited to 75 people. Congressman Gohmert told KTBB he has recovered fully from the coronavirus. “I took hydroxychloroquine in combination with other prescribed items by my Dr…Those country’s who have used hydroxychloroquine liberally to ameliorate the effects of COVID. They have a 78% lower fatality rate than we have in the United States. So regardless of whether you think the President was right to believe his experts or not there definitely is something there.” Continue reading Congressman Gohmert: Hydroxychloroquine was part of my recovery

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved the Tyler Police Department to accept a grant on Wednesday. The contribution from Community Oriented Policing Services is for $250,000. In a media release, city officials said The COPS Hiring Grant will help fund two new police officer positions over the next three years. Tyler PD will take over full financial responsibility in 2023. These officers will be utilized to take a data-driven approach for concentrated crime in specific areas in the City of Tyler. The local Civil Service Commission met and approved Tyler Police Department’s staffing numbers on Sept. 9.

WHITE OAK — White Oak ISD is adding safety precautions following the district closing earlier this month. Air Rover of Tyler was called upon to install an air purification system to help diminish the spread of COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, WOISD closed in late August through September 9th due to the spread of the virus. The school campuses are back open with the new system that is growing in medical industries, nursing homes, schools, and universities.

TYLER — The Taste of the Fair starts at the fairgrounds, on Thursday, in Tyler. While COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 East Texas State Fair, Fair food classics will be available; including Jumbo Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Turkey Legs, and over 50 specialty foods. Over the next two Thursday through Sunday cycles, vendors will be setup on Fair Park Drive at the East Texas State Fairgrounds. Times of operation are from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. All food will be prepared fresh, but only served to-go. Masks will be required. Food stands will be open prior to both Tyler Legacy football games, but fair officials remind attendees that outside food is not allowed into Rose Stadium. However, football fans can add fair food to their tailgating experience.

TYLER — The 18th annual Day of Remembrance will happen on October 24 this year. The purpose of the event is to celebrate and remember the lives of children no longer with us. This year the observance will take place virtually. Registration is free and includes having your child’s name added to commemorative t-shirts and added to the program, and being read out as well. More information is available by clicking the links. https://www.facebook.com/childrensparktyler. https://www.youtube.com/user/childrensparktyler.

TYLER — National Voter Registration Day was Tuesday. The day focused on bringing voter awareness and registration opportunities to the forefront. Each election cycle, millions of Americans are unable to vote because of missed a registration deadlines, forgetting to update their registration, or just unaware of how to sign up. Volunteers and organizations from across the country “hit the streets” to help communities register to vote for the upcoming election. Click the link for more information. https://www.vote411.org/. Continue reading Voter registration highlighted

TYLER — According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK News, a Tyler man was arrested after allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint and threatening to kill his family. Richard Vega, 28, of Tyler is accused of coming to a man’s house September 7 and demanding money he said he was owed, and that he needed drugs. The victim told police while he owed Vega $3,200, he does not sell drugs. Vega left and allegedly returned with three other men. One had “an ‘AR’ style rifle” and the other two possessed handguns. They then started taking items out of the victim’s garage: Continue reading Tyler man allegedly robs man and threatens to kill his family

TYLER — National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday. The day focuses on bringing voter awareness and registration opportunities to the top of mind. Each election cycle, millions of Americans are unable to vote because they missed a registration deadline, forgot to update their registration, or are unsure of how exactly to sign up. Volunteers and organizations from across the country will “hit the streets” to help communities register to vote for the upcoming election. For more information click the link. https://www.vote411.org/. Continue reading Tuesday is Voter Registration Day

HENDERSON — Henderson Civic Center will be the testing site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Thursday on Lake Forest Parkway. According to a news brief from NET Health, you do not need to show symptoms to be part of the free test. Advance registration is not required, but if you choose to do so you can click the link to do so. https://curativetest.com/search#10/32.1532/-94.7994. A cell phone number or access to one is required, since results will be delivered only by text message. The testing is sponsored by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Rusk County has reported 579 cases, with 7 deaths and 469 recoveries.

JACKSONVILLE — The spring of 2021 is the anticipated time frame for the completion of the new public library in Jacksonville. Over the weekend, the current library closed their doors until the new location opens. The library will move from its original location on S. Jackson St. to the Norman Activities Center. Last week, the city council voted to close the library and allow City Manager Greg Smith to shut it down while it was sold. However, books can still be returned at the Dropbox. For more information call 903-586-7664. Nine employees will transfer to the new site, but were moved to various departments in the interim.

WINONA — DPS authorities believe weather conditions played a role in the death of a Metroplex man killed Monday near Winona. According to reports, 36-year-old Alaaaldin Mohamed Radwan, of Irving, crashed at 1:40 p.m. after hydroplaning off I-20. He was traveling west toward Dallas when his car hydroplaned and went off the interstate and crashed into a tree. Radwan was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson held a press conference Tuesday regarding a missing 5-week-old infant. “We are asking that the public be vigilant while you are in the community. While you are on your property, your deer lease, while you are visiting your family at the cemetery, be vigilant.” Sheriff Dickson continued, “Look for anything out of place. Look for small fresh graves, just anything that would raise a suspicion. Do not touch it and please call local law enforcement.” Continue reading Sheriff asks community to be ‘vigilant’, ‘no information to small’ in locating missing 5 week old