KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler firefighters answered the call of an overnight vehicle fire early Thursday. Fire Marshall, Paul Findley said in a press brief, the department responded to East Texas Pool Service on Loop 323, just after 2:00 a.m. They found a vehicle parked beneath an overhang of the back side of the building, fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to move the vehicle, preventing further damage to the business. All units, from the two alarm fire, were cleared from the scene around 4 a.m. Investigators are investigating the cause of the fire.

KILGORE — Kilgore College announced Wednesday afternoon, their newest board member, Josh Edmonson, has been sworn in as a member of the Board of Trustees. Edmonson, of Kilgore, will fill the unexpired term of Karol Pruett for the Central Zone, with the term set to expire in May of 2021. At that time, an election will be held. Pruett announced her resignation at the February board meeting; however, by law, she remained a trustee until the board appointed Edmonson as her replacement.

TYLER — Let’s Talk Tyler will host their second virtual meeting on race relations Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, the meeting is scheduled for Facebook Live on the Let’s Talk Tyler Facebook page starting at 7 p.m. If you would like to submit a question to be asked, you can email it to: [email protected].

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is clarifying the use-of-force and code-of-conduct regulations, department wide. On Wednesday, Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler told KTBB, “If you see someone else (another officer) committing a violation of our policies, you have a duty to act and you also have to report those to a supervisor. The duty to intervene policy, is a clearly written policy, which 90 percent of it was already covered in our general orders, but this will be a stand alone policy that talks about an officer’s duty to intervene either verbally or physically if they see a violation, whether it’s an excessive use of force, or some type of unethical behavior, that they would actually intervene to prevent it from happening.” Continue reading Use of force policies updated by Tyler City Police

JACKSONVILLE — A February incident in Jacksonville, has an Athens woman arrested on charges of murder of an unborn child. According to our news partner KETK, Keuina Roshell Paul, 25, also faces aggravated assault charges. Paul was arrested Wednesday in Athens. The mother of the child was seriously injured, but did survive. Sources say Paul, allegedly, hit the woman intentionally, in a Whataburger parking lot, just after 2:30 a.m. Feb. 16.

TYLER — The city of Tyler announced the 7th annual #SchoolIsCool event on Wednesday. This years backpack distribution is set for August 6 and is hosted by Tyler Area Business Education Council, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education and the city of Tyler. Times will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Harvey Convention Center with a goal of passing out 2,000 backpacks with supplies to enrolled students from Pre-K to 12th grade. Continue reading Donations needed for annual #SchoolisCool event

TYLER – Hospitals in Texas are gradually resuming services and hoping to return to full capacity. Carter BloodCare says these are crisis times for the community blood supply. One-thousand donors are needed each day and the blood center is seeing an average of 600 a day for the past month. Carter BloodCare’s ability to meet the urgent transfusion needs of patients is in severe jeopardy. In the era of COVID-19, Carter BloodCare knows safety is top of mind for blood donors. While giving blood is still safe, Carter BloodCare continues to make social distancing and sanitization precautions top priority to keep donors healthy, while assuring blood is on the shelves for patients requiring transfusions. Continue reading Local blood supply is critical, numerous drives planned for Tyler/Longview

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $690 plus million in local sales tax allocations for June. That number is down 11.5 % from allocations in June 2019. Tyler will see $2,932,568.12 down 20.5% from this time last year and Longview will receive $2,182,633.37, down 23.19% from this time last year. Continue reading Tyler tax allocations down 20%, Longview off 23% as State Comptroller distributes $690 million state wide

TYLER — Union Pacific Railroad is carrying out track maintenance this week. The work will require West MLK Jr. Boulevard to be closed to through traffic at the Border Avenue crossing through Saturday evening. The cross streets between Glenwood Boulevard and Border Avenue on West MLK Jr. Boulevard will be open. Detour signs will be in place to direct drivers around the crossing.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation awarded nearly $300 thousand dollars in scholarships to high school and college students. The group announced Tuesday, that $294 thousand was distributed to East Texans for the 2020-21 school year. Scholarship amounts range from $500-$5,000 per student originating from 70 different scholarship funds at ETCF. For a complete listing of 2020 scholarship recipients, click the link. https://etcf.org/scholarships/.

TYLER — The Primary Run-Off Election for Smith County takes place July 14. Monday, is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election. The county has numerous Republican and Democratic party races at the local level, including the run-off elections for the Republican nominees for the District Judge of the 114th District Court and the Constable for Precinct 4, as well as the Democratic nominee for the Constable for Precinct 1. For more information click the link. https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections.

TYLER — Jury trials across the state are likely delayed until August 1 due to concerns over the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, the move was made by the Texas Supreme Court and was made available by Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran Tuesday morning. Moran also announced, that next Tuesday Smith County Commissioners Court hearings will allow on-site attendance for the general public for the first time since March. Continue reading Smith Commissioners Court to allow public in limited numbers

TYLER — Tyler firefighters answered a late night call for a structure fire Monday night on Bellaire Dr. Arriving units reported heavy fire and smoke and sounded a second alarm bringing additional resources. One occupant was transported to a local hospital for minor burns. Investigators determined the person was filling a portable generator with gasoline inside the home. A fire flash ignited the room, after starting the generator, causing burns to the subject. The American Red Cross was notified for assistance for the resident.

TYLER — Cecil Avenue will be closed through Friday to replace a drainage pipe that crosses Cecil Avenue just North of West 24th Street. The construction began on Monday. The road will be closed to thru traffic. Northbound traffic will be detoured to West Mims Street and to North Englewood Avenue. Southbound drivers will need to detour to Northridge Drive, to North Englewood Avenue and to West Mims Street. The City of Tyler is asking drivers to exercise caution in the area and follow all traffic detours and signs.

TYLER –Tyler ISD has announced the death of a TISD legend, Billy Hall. On Monday, Robert E. Lee Principal Dr. Dan Crawford told KTBB, “A lot of the parents of the kids that I have right now at Lee had him as principal and they said he had an ability to make tough decisions, but they all still really loved him. You can tell he had a passion for what he did. He didn’t have a job, alright, he had a life calling.” Continue reading TISD remembers 40 year career of former teacher, coach, administrator, and A.D. Billy Hall

TYLER — Tyler City Council continues to conduct all meetings with live streaming. Wednesday’s online gathering is set for 9 a.m. and will be closed to the public but will be broadcast online. People wanting to give public comment can do so by calling (903) 363-0651 when their item of interest is discussed or by filling a public comment form. All forms must be submitted before 7 a.m on the day of the meeting. Continue reading Tyler Council Meeting available online in real time