KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The UT Health Science Center at Tyler will receive a grant for more than $2 million for plasma research to fight COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, the money comes from the National Institutes of Health and will help answer questions on the effectiveness of convalescent plasma, or blood from people who have recovered from the virus. As of now, the experimental treatment is proving as a promising option for patients with COVID-19. Continue reading UT Health Science Center at Tyler gets COVID-19 research grant

TYLER — NET Health reports 34 deaths associated with COVID-19. Smith County reported 51 new cases for a total of 1,717 Thursday. In Gregg County, 34 new cases were reported for a total of 1,723. Two new deaths were also reported, bringing the total to 33. For the latest Gregg County numbers, click the link. https://www.co.gregg.tx.us/coronavirus-information.

WINONA — Winona ISD evacuated all district buildings after receiving an anonymous phone call to the business office Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK,Law enforcement conducted an expansive sweep of district property as a precautionary measure, and all facilities we’re given the all clear. A limited number of students were on campus at the time “and all were immediately moved to a safe location.” All district employees also were secured safely. Continue reading Winona ISD evacuated out of concern from anonymous call

TYLER — East Texans for Trump announced a Trump Boat Parade on Thursday. The press brief notes the water parade happening on Lake Tyler a week from Saturday, the 22, from 1:00pm -3:00 p.m. The Parade will originate at The Marina on Lake Tyler. East Texans for Trump says the event is designed to show enthusiasm for the re-election of President Donald Trump. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/282253769513762.

TYLER — In response to the pandemic, the Rotary International District 5830 donated $17,000 in disaster grant money to the East Texas Food Bank at a recent service project. Dennis Cullinane told our news partner KETK, the organization is well known to the East Texas Food Bank, “They’ve been sponsoring us and giving us project donations for several years, and there’s so many things they do in the community.” The East Texas Food Bank serves 26 counties in our area. In the past year, they have provided more than 24 million meals to hungry East Texans. Continue reading Rotary International 5830 donates time and money to ETFB

TYLER — NET Health now accounts 34 deaths as associated with the coronavirus from data collected in Smith County. On Thursday CEO George Roberts told KTBB, “There were 8 deaths reported in Smith County, the youngest individual who has passed away so far in Smith County is now a 46-year-old male resident. As well as the oldest person, in Smith County, a 99-year-old female resident. In visiting with the hospitals about this, it appears that most of these individuals had been hospitalized for some period of time. Basically this goes back to that they all, it appears, contracted the disease back sometime in July.” Continue reading 8 new deaths reported Wednesday in Smith County

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore woman has been arrested for embezzling more than $300,000 from her employer. According to our news partner KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kayla Walthers, 29, who worked as a payroll clerk for a medical business in Longview. Walthers is accused of embezzling money from September 2017 to March 2020. According to the arrest warrant, she would add money to her regular paycheck, send money to her friends, and deposit money into a second personal bank account. Authorities say she admitted to the theft when questioned by detectives. Walthers was released on bond and is awaiting trial. No court date has been set.

SMITH COUNTY — Child Protective Services is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 1-month-old child. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was granted custody of Gatlyn Baker, a male child born July 8, by Henderson County Family Court Judge, Nancy Adams Perryman on Tuesday. When DPS attempted to remove the child, Chelsea Baker, the child’s mother, ran with him. Gatlyn is believed to be with his parents, Kenny and Chelsea Baker, according to CPS. The Bakers were last seen in Flint but may be anywhere in the area. Continue reading CPS asking for help in finding missing 1-month-old child

TYLER — City Council Members in Tyler were presented with a proposed budget of $202 million budge on Wednesday. Edward Broussard told KTBB, “This is a drop by 3% compared to last years spending. This has been a year unlike any we have had in kind of recent memory, with maybe the great recession as being the closest thing to it.” The proposed budget asks the city council to implement a No-New-Revenue property tax, keeping the rate at 25.9 cents, a .09 cent decrease from the prior year. Continue reading Proposed $202 Million dollar budget presented to City Council

EUSTACE — Funeral services will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. for a 2020 graduate from Eustace High School. Maggie Groom was one of two recent grads killed over the weekend after a head-on collision, on HWY 31 in Henderson County. A celebration of Groom’s life will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Life Fellowship Church in Athens. A graveside service will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Groom is the third person associated with the district to die in a 6 week span. Continue reading District and community grieving after 3rd loss of life this summer

GILMER — Gilmer ISD went back to class on Wednesday. GISD Superintendent Rickey Albritton told our news partner KETK, “I’m glad to see that they are in a semi-normal setting. We just have to be careful. I told all of my staff not to fear this disease. But, to respect it and to understand that you can get it, anybody can so do everything you can to protect yourself. That is why we have the masks.” Gilmer high school students walked on to a brand new campus after the high schools completion. The school was the center piece of a $35 million dollar bond passing in 2018.

TYLER — NET Health reminded East Texans, on Wednesday, of several opportunities that are available for free testing for the coronavirus. Testing sites are being made available by the Texas Division of Emergency Management in Longview, Marshall, and Palestine. Residents from any city in East Texas can receive a free test at either of these locations. Every person tested will need a working cell phone number, that is how result information will be sent. Persons with or without symptoms can get a free COVID-19 test at the testing sites: Continue reading Free testing at various sites for all East Texans

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson Municipal Court is preparing to join courts across the state of Texas by virtually conducting business starting later this week. According to our news partner KETK, the Virtual Court Docket has been set and will be a recurring virtual hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday and each every Thursday as needed. If you have a ticket and wish to be scheduled for a virtual court appearance, contact the court at (903) 392-0557 and a court clerk will assist you. Information is available on the City of Henderson website, http://www.hendersontx.us, under Municipal Court, along with court etiquette and payment option information.

TYLER — The Bucket Ministry announced Tuesday, the Buckets for Life Golf Tournament will happen on Oct. 5th in Tyler. The initiative is an attempt to raise funds to provide water filters to areas without clean water around the world. After a successful Buckets for Life Golf Tournament in Rockwall, Texas, last year, TBM has developed this second event at Pine Springs Golf Club. Each player’s entry fee will be used to provide one or more families with the gift of clean, safe drinking water. Continue reading Buckets for Life Golf Tournament coming to Tyler

TYLER — In response to COVID-19, Tyler ISD Athletics will not induct a 2020 class into its Hall of Fame this fall due to the COVID-19 restrictions. TISD Athletic Director Greg Priest told KTBB on Tuesday, “We’ve turned it into a really nice event and had great participation in it. But, we just felt like, with only being at 50%, and having to social distance, we decided to go a different direction. We always get such a great crowd during that game, to have it down to half of that, we want to be able to celebrate those people that are going into the Hall of Fame and make it a nice event for them and just give them their due.” Continue reading TISD pushes Hall of Fame induction to 2021

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee announced Tuesday, they are accepting nominations for the annual Unity Honors awards. The award recognizes residents who have demonstrated leadership in promoting unity, mutual understanding, and social justice. Nominations must be completed by 5 p.m. on November 6th. Nomination forms are available clicking the link. https://www.longviewtexas.gov/FormCenter/Partners-in-Prevention-11/2021-Service-Recognition-Nomination-Form-122. The Unity and Diversity Committee will honor the nominees at the 17th Annual Unity Honors Luncheon in Feb. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 for more information about monthly meetings.

TYLER — Cybersecurity issues are becoming a day-to-day struggle for businesses, non-profits, and institutions. Recent trends and cybersecurity statistics reveal a huge increase in hacked and breached data from sources becoming increasingly common. U.T. Tyler is just one of the institutions under the University of Texas System umbrella, including UT Austin, San Antonio, Rio Grande, that may have been affected by a ransomware attack on Blackbaud in May. Additionally, Texas State University, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University have also announced that they might have been subjected by the attack as well. Blackbaud, a third party, helps nonprofits and educational institutions raise funds. Continue reading Data security incident impacts UT System, A&M, Tech, TSU

JACKSONVILLE — The Taco Trot 5K has rescheduled their inaugural event due to the coronavirus. The new date for the run, according to their social media page, is October 17. The race, that weaves its way through downtown Jacksonville, will benefit the American Cancer Society. The Taco Trot 5K is presented by Southern Multifoods. Organizers say the event is family friendly, and kids 12 and under can run the 5K at a reduced price. All participants will be presented with a shirt, finishers medal, and TACOS. More details are available by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/tomato-bowl-stadium/taco-trot-5k-presented-by-southern-multifoods/2397003193949251/.

ATHENS — A prosecutions immunity request for two Union Pacific employees connected in the fatal Athens ISD bus crash has been granted by Judge Scott McKee. The accident happened in January of 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Judge McKee has granted the prosecution’s immunity request for two Union Pacific employees, Robert Ray and Roger Johnson, that were involved in the fatal Athens school bus crash, in exchange for their testimony. Continue reading Immunity granted for testimony of 2 Union Pacific workers connected to AISD Bus crash

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas man is scheduled to die for his part in the murder of a toddler when he was 18. According to our news partner KETK, Blaine Milam, of Henderson, is scheduled to die on January 21, 2021, for the murder of Amora Carson. Milam was found guilty in 2011, as well as the child’s mother Jessica Carson. The toddler was killed in 2008. Amora Carson was his girlfriend’s daughter and was 13 months old at the time of her death. Investigators found the pair had beaten Amora to death with a hammer in an alleged exorcism and her body was found riddled with bite marks. Milam was given the death penalty while Jessica was sentenced to life without parole.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum announced Monday, that Bobby Oliver will be speaking at this weeks free summer lecture series. The series will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. Social distancing practices will be observed and attendance will be limited to 10.