KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Several East Texas hospitals are preparing to receive increased cases of remdesivir. According to our news partner KETK, Governor Greg Abbott announced additional administrations will be available of the anti-malarial drug, with the goal of treating COVID-19 patients. Smith and Gregg County are two of the counties preparing for the shipment. Continue reading More Remdesivir is heading to East Texas

TYLER — Healthcare workers in Tyler received a special salute this holiday weekend. According to a media brief, the flyover tribute for the medical district came about from the East Texas Veterans Community Council and the Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation. The parade of air attractions included the B-25 Devil Dog, P-63 King Cobra, the B-17 Texas Raiders, and the SB2C Helldiver. Each unit was part of the inaugural Rose City AirFest at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

TYLER — With many professional fireworks shows being cancelled this year, many will take on personal displays over the Independence Day Weekend. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB, “We want everyone to have fun, but we do want them to maintain safety. We want to keep people from getting hurt and have a good time. First and foremost, we never want to allow children to handle fireworks. It’s just that simple. Older kids we want to make sure there is adult supervision with them.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal urges fireworks safety

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is addressing questions on the enforcement of the governor’s executive order for masks. According to the office’s Facebook page, a business has the right to refuse you service for not wearing a mask. If the sheriff’s office is placed in a position where enforcement is necessary, officials say they will start with education and requesting voluntary compliance. Finally, if deputies encounter an individual who refuses to voluntarily comply, verbal warnings and or written warnings will follow. As a very last resort, a citation can be written at the discretion of the deputy, according to the Facebook page.

NEW YORK (AP/Staff) – Grammy-winning country singer and East Texas native Kacey Musgraves and her musician-husband, Ruston Kelly, have filed for divorce. Representatives for both singers confirmed the news Friday to The Associated Press. In a joint statement, Musgraves and Kelly said they’ve “made this painful decision together.” The 31-year-olds were married in 2017. Musgraves — a native of Golden in Wood County — has been a success since releasing her major-label debut album, “Same Trailer Different Park,” in 2013. It won her the best country album Grammy. At the 2019 Grammys, the superstar’s critically acclaimed pop-leaning country album, “Golden Hour,” won all four awards it was nominated for, including the coveted top prize, album of the year.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced on Friday that his office will not enforce Gov. Abbott’s face mask order with fines. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “While we encourage the public to take all precautions, we will encourage voluntary compliance regarding wearing a mask and will not be issuing citations for failure to comply,” said Smith. The sheriff did go on to write that a business in the county would be well within its rights to refuse to serve a customer who refused to comply with a mask requirement and could ask the customer to leave. Elsewhere in East Texas, Upshur County has also announced it will not enforce the order with fines. Rains County has applied for an exemption from the order.

TYLER — As a reminder, there will be no early voting in Smith County on Friday and Saturday in observance of the July 4th holiday. Early voting will resume on Sunday from noon – 5 p.m. The last week of early voting, July 6-10, the hours are 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Go to https://www.smith-county.com/ for the full rundown.

TYLER — A number of military, historic, and aerobatic aircraft will utilize Tyler Pounds Regional Airport as the base airport for a scheduled performance at the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Airshow on Saturday. Most of the aircraft will be parked at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum and available for public view. This year marks the 15th year of the patriotic air show that was established as the primary fund raiser for the Cedar Creek Lake Veterans Foundation. For more information about the air show, check the air show web site at http://www.tocclairshow.com.

TYLER — An assault at the Smith County Adult Probation Office in Tyler has resulted in a Tyler man being arrested. A Smith County Deputy was on scene at this location and had been run over by a probationer who had fled in his pickup. The Deputy was transported to Christus Trinity Mother Frances ER for treatment. Authorities say when Anthony Avelar, 20, of Tyler, was informed that he would be arrested for an outstanding warrant, Avelar ran to his truck in the parking lot. Continue reading Deputy run over by fleeing suspect

TYLER — Pleasant Hill Baptist Church notified KTBB, that they are cancelling their annual celebration of Independence Day. The event was scheduled for Friday night. In a post to social media the church says, “It is with great sadness that we are announcing that we have made the tough decision to postpone our annual fireworks display. We did not come to this decision lightly.” The show is planned for later this fall.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville teen is behind bars this morning after an early-morning bust by multiple agencies. According to our news partner KETK, Cayden Lyons, 17, was taken into custody on Nacogdoches Street around 4:45 a.m. Friday morning. Lyons was booked for Engaging in Criminal Activity. Bond has been set at $1 million. No details were released on what Lyons is accused of, but Chief Joe Williams called his arrest a “high-risk operation.” Lyons was also charged with possession of marijuana. “This joint operation is the culmination of weeks’ worth of investigations and is just the first step in arresting individuals engaged in illegal activities in the Jacksonville area. We are very appreciative of the support from our law enforcement partners.” – Chief Joe Williams.

TYLER — Repairs are planned for a storm sewer pipe under parts of East Grande Blvd. The City of Tyler announced on Thursday, that construction will starts July 6th and is expected to run through the 20th. The eastbound lanes of East Grande Boulevard will be closed from Rhones Quarter Rd to HWY 110 through out the project. Eastbound traffic on East Grande Boulevard will be detoured north and south onto Rhones Quarter Road. Westbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested on charges of murder. According to our news partner KETK, James Barron, 31 was arrested and is in the Gregg County Jail. On June 20, Llewellyn Williams, 58, was found dead in his home. Police say it was a homicide, an autopsy confirms that belief. Barron’s record includes conviction of drug possession, falsifying his identity, and a DWI. Records also show Barron has been arrested twice on animal cruelty charges, but not convicted.

TYLER — Texas College has announced that the 126-year-old institution will host the Fall 2020 academic term entirely online. The school announced the decision Thursday, with a start date of August 12, and concluding November 20. The college released details following a thorough assessment of the coronavirus pandemic. A continuous review will take place to establish what needs to be done for the spring term. Fall sports will be suspended for the upcoming semester, with hopes of a spring return.

KILGORE — The Texas Shakespeare Festival at Kilgore College will be awarded a $25,000 grant to support a touring production of abridged versions of “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Hamlet” to schools throughout the state as part of the TSF Roadshow Tour. The school said in a press release Wednesday, that Arts Midwest notified them they will receive a portion of the 1.17 million dollars that will be passed out among more than 40 theatre companies and organizations. Continue reading Texas Shakespeare Festival at KC awarded $25,000

TYLER — Tyler Junior College announced three additional students have tested positive for the coronavirus, on Thursday. This brings the new total to 5. According to our news partner KETK, the individuals had been on campus prior to testing positive. Local health officials were notified, as well as the Dean of Students and the Director of Risk Management. The students have been placed in quarantine and will be allowed on campus once they have been symptom free for three days, and have a release from a doctor.

TYLER — A driver crashes into an All Saints Episcopal School security booth late Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say the crash happened between 11 p.m. and midnight. The driver reportedly took the time to take their license plates off the car before running away. No one was inside the booth at the time of the crash. The booth was built several years ago as a way to monitor visitors on campus and add an extra layer of safety during the school year. Police have no description of a driver at this time and are asking that anyone with information to please contact them.

MARSHALL — An East Texas educator has been give the honor of Superintendent of the Year. According to our news partner KETK, Dr. Jerry Gibson, Marshall ISD’s superintendent, has been named the 2020 Regional Superintendent of the Year. Gibson arrived in Marshall ISD in 2016, and since then has successfully managed bond construction projects, opened five new campuses, and implemented new programs within the district, including dual credit partnerships with East Texas Baptist University and Texas State Technical College. Continue reading Gibson to represent Region 7 as Superintendent of the Year