KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — The free summer lecture series wraps up on Thursday as Anthony Souther will highlight the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, before and after a devastating tornado in April of 2019. The Gregg County Historical Foundation, which owns and operates the Gregg County Historical Museum, will offer the free lecture at the 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. Get more details by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/732094954007641/.

LONGVIEW — A home invasion on Sunday night led to shots being fired in Longview. According to a press release on the departments social media page, police say the incident occurred on Tammy Lynn Drive just before 9 p.m. The homeowner fired at the suspect after the disturbance. Authorities are asking for people to come forward with any information regarding the matter, by calling Longview Police at 903-237-1170 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867), or online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

TYLER — Caldwell Zoo has a new baby zebra at the zoo. Amali, is the newest female at the Tyler Zoo. According to our news partner KETK, the name “Amali” stands for “hope” in the Swahili language of East Africa. Amali is a Grevy’s Zebra, which officials say is the most endangered of all Zebra species. She was born on August 29th at 6:45 a.m. weighing in at 82 pounds. After she was born, officials at the zoo checked for nursing to make sure that the baby could get the nutrients it needed within the first 24 hours. A neonatal exam revealed Amali is getting all the nutrients she can from her mother as well as checking it’s vitals. Caldwell Zoo officials say that the baby is healthy and happy.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Four people were have been arrested for possession of meth in Brownsboro and Seven Points. According to a press brief from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Shonda Burns, 33, and Jacob Budro, 30, are charged with dealing drugs, after their arrests Saturday in Brownsborro. Officials say they were found to have a “meaningful amount of meth” with two scales to weigh it and baggies to sell it. Officials found a silver-colored bag on the rear driver’s side floorboard as well as baggies filled with meth. Continue reading Four arrested on drug related charges in Henderson County

TYLER — Republican Matt Schaeffer’s challenger Democrat Julie Gobble is inviting the incumbent Texas House District 6 Representative to a series of debates. The three topics for proposed discussions, will deal with health care and the response to COVID-19, public education and funding in the midst of an economic downturn, as well as gun violence prevention and reduction of suicide rates in Smith County. Dates are yet to be determined, but likely in September and October. The events will be available on local television, and on candidates social media platforms. No public audience will be on hand, due to social distancing.

TYLER — Hollytree subdivision in Tyler will be showing their support to Tyler law enforcement starting on Tuesday. Mike Collins, a resident of Hollytree subdivision, saw a recent news report about a neighborhood in Nevada whose homeowners flooded their porches and homes in blue lights as a show of support for local law enforcement. After posting the idea on a neighborhood messaging board found overwhelming approval, a plan was devised to run from September 1, through September 15. Homes in the community will be lit up in blue as a sign of support. Other Tyler neighborhoods are invited to participate in this show of support.

TYLER — Smith County has purchased the former Tyler Fire Station 1 from the city. According to a news brief from the city, sale was approved for $320,000. Normally for the City to transfer real property, notice of sale and bidding must be accomplished for sale to the highest bidder. However, State law provides some exceptions to the notice and bidding requirements for transfer of City-owned land to other taxing entities or entities with the power of eminent domain. One exception allows for such a transfer provided that the property is conveyed, sold or exchanged for NOT less than the fair market value of the land.

GREGG COUNTY — A fatal crash involving a pedestrian over the weekend remains under investigation. According to the Department of Public Safety report, it happened around 3:40 Sunday morning on SH-31, approximately two miles southwest of the city of Kilgore, in Gregg County. The preliminary report indicates that the driver of a 2014 Dodge Challenger, Kelton Jayce Meshell, 21, of Flint, was traveling east on 31 in the outside lane and struck a pedestrian walking in the roadway. Aundrea Sharell Powe, 38, of Kilgore, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — Former Smith County Constable Henry Jackson has died. According to retired TISD Board member, Orenthia D. Mason’s Facebook page: “My dear first cousin, Henry Phillip Jackson, has gone to be with the Lord. He pledged Kappa the same semester I pledged Delta. My heart hurts. Please lift his family in prayer. Henry had a heart of gold. Always jovial. Always had something to say. Always willing to help others.” Jackson served as the Pct. 1 constable from 1999 until December of 2017. Additional details were not available. Continue reading Former Constable Henry Jackson has died

JACKSONVILLE — The family of a missing Jacksonville teenager is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to Tyress Gipson. According to our news partner KETK, Gipson, 18, was last seen at about 9:30 p.m. last Saturday. Jacksonville police say they have an active investigation into his disappearance. Family members say Gipson is not answering his phone. Gipson is a black male of slender build, 6 feet tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He is a graduate of Jacksonville High School, where he played football.

TYLER – Visit Tyler has launched a brand new website. Holli Forniquet told KTBB on Friday, “The site is designed to attract visitors, promote community businesses, and provide services to residents, and it is desktop friendly as well as mobile friendly. We have got cutting edge technology, it’s fast. We’ve got videos on there, beautiful photography and the most robust calendar. If you are looking for an event happening in Tyler you will find it on our site.”To view the site click the link. https://www.visittyler.com/. Continue reading Visit Tyler launches new website

ATHENS — An Athens man suspected of dealing methamphetamine, was arrested late Thursday night. Henderson County deputies raided the home of Demarcus Kiser, 34, who is charged with possession and manufacturing. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said in a press brief that Kiser is also being charged with tampering, after attempting to flush some of the evidence. Deputies executed the warrant after 11 p.m. at the Broadmore residence. Both charges are felonies.

KILGORE — The East Texas Police Academy at Kilgore College, announced Friday, two new Day Basic Peace Officer courses and one new Night Basic Peace Officer course. The courses are 775-hour training courses leading to licensing as a peace officer in Texas. The Day Basic Peace Officer courses begin, Nov. 2, at ETPA in Kilgore, and Nov. 9, at the Texarkana Police Department’s Special Operations and Training Center. The courses meet Monday through Friday, and last approximately 19 weeks. The Night Basic Peace Officer courses will begin Nov. 2, at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in Sulphur Springs. Continue reading Basic peace officer classes beginning in November

TYLER — Agriculture, Forestry, and commercial Fisherman workers are not only subject to physical injury, but also the risk of behavioral and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, and death by suicide. For this reason, the Southwest Center for Agriculture Health Injury Protection announced Friday, the newly created social media promotion, that targets AFF. Messages will be aimed at various stressors in AFF work and break down the stigma of mental health. The promotion runs August 2020 to Spring of 2021. If your organization or business would like to participate, visit http://www.swagcenter.org.

WINNSBORO — A 55-year-old correctional officer has died after testing positive for COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, James Weston Jr., tested positive for the coronavirus on August 20th. Weston had been self-quarantining before his body was found six days later. Correctional Officer Weston served 13 years with the TDCJ and worked at the Johnston Unit in Winnsboro. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has had twenty-one employees that have died in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a Thursday night shooting. According to officials, it happened around 9:20 at a basketball court on W. 29th St and Carter Blvd in north Tyler. The victim, who had been shot multiple times, was transported by private vehicle but flagged down a Tyler officer at the intersection of N. Palace Ave and W. Ferguson St. The officer transported the victim to UT Health – Beckham. The victim’s status is unknown at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services are providing free walk-up COVID-19 testing opportunities for anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Ongoing testing began at the Tyler Senior Center, on Garden Valley Rd. on Wednesday and will run through the end of September. Testing happens Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance registration is not required and the tests are free to the public. Face masks are required to enter the facility. Persons being tested must have access to a cell phone as results will be returned by text message through TDEM. To find a free testing location in the East Texas area, visit https://www.nethealthcovid19.org/testing.

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank announced Wednesday night the Longview produce distribution originally planned for Friday, Aug. 28, has been rescheduled to Sept. 11 from 8 to 10 a.m. For anyone needing immediate food assistance, the East Texas Food Bank has 10 feeding partners in Gregg County. To find the full list with operating hours, address and contact information, click the link. https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update/.

TYLER — The cardiology team at UT Health Tyler has successfully completed its first implantation of the Watchmanâ„¢ left atrial appendage closure device. The minimally-invasive procedure helps reduce the risk of stroke in patients who suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation, commonly known as Afib. Afib is a common type of cardiac arrhythmia that affects more than 5 million Americans. Of the 795,000 Americans who experience a stroke annually, 20% occur in patients with Afib. Often, Afib-related strokes are more fatal and disabling. For more information about the stroke care and procedures offered, click the link. https://uthealtheasttexas.com/services.

TYLER — While, heavy wind and rain did not impact the Tyler area as a result of Hurricane Laura, Smith County and the City of Tyler are reminding residents during and after a storm, to only contact 9-1-1 for in-progress emergencies requiring police, fire or medical assistance. Leaders say that It is critical to keep emergency call centers from being overloaded with non-emergency calls during a storm. Non-emergency calls can delay residents with real life-threatening emergencies to get proper needed responses.

KILGORE — Kilgore College will be closed Thursday, Aug. 27, with the threat of Hurricane Laura looming in the Northeast Texas area. Officials said night classes would still be held Wednesday, but no in-person, remote, or online classes will be held Thursday. KC plans to resume normal operations Friday depending on the effects of the storm. Check the KC website at http://www.kilgore.edu for the most up-to-date information.

TYLER — On Wednesday, the City of Tyler and Smith County issued disaster declarations in preparation for Hurricane Laura and announced plans to activate a partial Emergency Operation Center early Thursday to handle the local emergency response. This area will not be an evacuation route for people fleeing the path of the hurricane because there is potential for severe weather here. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has asked the City of Tyler and Smith County to not open any shelters here. This area will not be an evacuation route for people fleeing the path of the hurricane because there is potential for severe weather here. Continue reading Smith County & City of Tyler issue disaster declarations in preparation for Laura

The Gregg County Historical Museum will be closed on Thursday. In a press release, the group is admonishing patrons to stay safe and dry during the first alert weather day. Hurricane Laura is expected to impact East Texas with high winds and heavy rain. Maximum wind gusts of 80 mph or more are possible and could be felt as far North as Longview. Rain will likely increase as well. Rainfall totals of 4″-6″ will be possible, if not more in East Texas.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed Wednesday, that a bat found in Northwest Longview has tested positive for rabies. There was no contact with any people at the location and only the dog is currently being vaccinated. The dog will be given a booster shot and observed for the next 45 days as required under Texas law. Animal Services is reminding citizens that they should always refrain from touching or handling any wild animals, especially those that appear sick or injured.