KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BULLARD — Bullard ISD is bringing metal directors into play at the high school and middle school campuses. According to our news partner KETK, Superintendent Jack Lee notified parents with a letter on Thursday sharing the districts plans to implement metal detectors after spring break. The metal detectors will also be used at sporting events and other extracurricular events. The detectors will also include a search of backpacks, if necessary. Students will need to arrive 5-15 minutes early so they won’t be marked tardy. Continue reading Metal Detectors Coming to BISD

TYLER — A judge’s ruling is next on the agenda in the Smith County Constable Precinct 1 race. An updated review of the final tally shows Willie Mims captured a majority of the votes in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary — outdistancing incumbent Bobby Garmon and a third candidate, Curtis Traylor Harris. But Garmon has claimed Mims shouldn’t have been on the ballot in the first place since he allegedly didn’t have enough valid petition signatures. A judge is set to hear the case March 12. If Garmon’s claim is upheld, it’s unclear what would happen next. There is no Republican challenger in the November election.

TYLER — Tyler figures heavily after Gov. Abbott held a press conference on Thursday to update Texas residents about the state’s abilities to test for the Coronavirus and how it is preparing to deal with testing.That’s according to our news partner KETK. In his statement, Abbott said that Tyler would become one of ten cities in the Lone Star State to allow for testing of the coronavirus. The testing is done by public health labs that are a part of the Laboratory Response Network. We’ll have more on this story later today.

MARSHALL — On Thursday the Marshall Police Department along with law enforcement officers across Texas began increasing DWI patrols to identify and stop impaired drivers as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. The campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to their spring break celebrations. Continue reading Marshall PD Increasing DWI Patrols for Spring Break

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Police Department received ballistic shields on Wednesday to help keep officers safe fighting crime. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office provided the gear. Whitehouse Police Chief Paul Robeson says the donation could be the difference between life or death. “The shields will help us go into situations more prepared more protected instead of going in there with just what we’ve got on our bodies, we are able to take these into a scene and we are able to have something that is in-between us and them, a physical barrier that’s much larger.” District Attorney Jacob Putman and his office say that anytime they hear of a need, it’s their job to help where they can.

TYLER — A community meeting regarding plans for the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be held on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. This is the 2nd meeting in conjunction with the Airport Master Plan, with a goal of presenting anticipated needs for the facility over the next 20 years. The Airport Master Planning process and details of the project will be discussed. Organizers say the public meeting is an excellent opportunity for residents in the region to participate in the discussion to plan future goals and programs for the airport.

SMITH COUNTY — On Wednesday Night Smith County Deputies were sent to a rest area off of I20 at mile marker 573 in regards to a body found adjacent to the park. A Texas D.P.S. Trooper found an unoccupied vehicle belonging to James Tate reported missing out of Dallas. The Trooper checked the area on foot and located Tate in a wooded area adjacent to the park. Smith County officials had the body removed to Forensic Medical in Tyler for an autopsy. Tate was 56. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

TYLER — A Smith County Detention Officer was arrested Wednesday after investigators received a tip that Officer Lance Watson was bringing contraband into the jail and distributing it to numerous inmates. Specified items were found inside the pods of those inmates. When Watson came in on Wednesday evening, he was quickly approached. A look through Watson’s lunch box revealed 6 hamburgers with several items of contraband and a cellphone that had been “sandwiched” in between the buns. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Detention Officer

JACKSONVILLE — Heavy rains took it’s toll this week at County Roads Rescue. Our news partner KETK caught up with Stephanie Hassell on Wednesday. Hassell found help in temporary shelter for the 30 plus animals after finding at least 6 inches of water inside the shelter during the storms. “The first thing I did, I came in and I checked on all our dogs to make sure that they were ok, I ran and checked on our cats to make sure nobody was just sitting in water.” Continue reading Community Rallies for Shelter in Jacksonville

ATHENS — Seventy-nine-year-old John Stevens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, the Athens ISD bus operator was behind the wheel when a train hit the school bus he was driving in January of 2019. Thirteen-year-old Christopher Bonilla, was killed, and his cousin Nine- year-old Joselyn Torres was hurt. On Wednesday Steven’s attorneys took steps to prove that the train conductor was at fault for the crash. To this point, counsel for Stevens says they have been denied the ability to interview the engineers. Continue reading Lawyers Petition to Depose Engineers in Fatal Crash

CHAPEL HILL — An Arp man was wounded and transported to the hospital after driving his car through an empty house off of HWY 64. According to our news partner KETK, the accident happened after 7 a.m. Thursday morning. James Donald Londo, 62, was driving West on HWY 64 before leaving the roadway, strikeing a mailbox, clipping a UHAUL truck, then driving through the desserted structure just outside of Chapel Hill, off CR 274 . An official on the scene said that Londo had a badly injured left hand, but would make a full recovery. Continue reading Arp Man Crashes through Empty House

TYLER — The annual Chick-fil-A Soup Drive produced 5,887 bowls of soup which will soon be on the way to The Salvation Army. Operators Jeff Johnston and Ikey Eason will be presenting the donation to The Salvation Army March 11th. In addition to the soup being presented, Joshua Johnson, operator of the Chick-fil-A at Broadway Square Mall will be presenting 559 cookies. His store conducted a cookie drive during the same time. Over 8,000 meals are served every month at The Salvation Army. Continue reading Chick-fil-A to Present Soup Donation to Salvation Army

TYLER — Former Douglas Elementary School kindergarten teacher, Dorothy Dietering, impacted the lives of many students with her 27-year teaching career, much of that by instilling her love of reading with children every day. Tyler I.S.D. say’s that although Ms. Dietering died five years ago, her fondness of reading continues to inspire children through her daughter, Bea Taylor. Every year Taylor donates a free book to every kindergarten student at Douglas Elementary, and on Thursday, Ms. Taylor will be at Douglas to deliver this year’s books to students.

TYLER — Southside Park in Tyler will be closed beginning on Wednesday due to safety reasons and for repairs. Plans involve setting a fence around the perimeter as soon as the weather allows. The Parks and Recreation Department had scheduled a meeting on Wednesday with the original contractor that built the playground to discuss further action steps. The park is located on Shiloh road, will be closed until further notice.

TYLER — Congressman Louie Gohmert won his primary easily, taking 90% of the votes on Tuesday. Following the election Tuesday night the District 1 Congressman told KTBB why he remains “possessed with passion”, “we’ve come so far in this country, we have made so much progress and yet I see it slipping away.” The U.S. Congressman continued, “I can’t believe people are wanting to go down this road where we have an Orwellian all powerful government. I am passionate about it. Think about the millions that have fought for our freedoms and yet there are people willing to just throw it away just to have government take care of everything. So it’s a fight.”

TYLER — Westbound traffic on north Loop 323 near Texas College Rd. in Tylerhas been resolved due to malfunctioning railroad arms that wore stuck down. Also a traffic signal problem following an accident on Hwy. 69 N. at Loop 323 has been corrected. All traffic lanes at both locations have been restored and are flowing freely.

TYLER — Since 1926, the Mercedes-Benz brand has delivered a unique luxury car experience. On Tuesday, General Manager, Mike McGlaughlin told KTBB, “many times people are suprised that Mercedes-Benz has such a competitive price point. I’ve had clients say why would I pay this, when I can get into a Mercedes-Benz at such a contending price with all the safety and time tested luxury that this brand offers.” Continue reading Mercedes-Benz to Celebrate Grand Opening Thursday in Tyler

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a gunman involved in a fatal shooting Tuesday night. On Wednesday Andy Erbaugh told KTBB, “it is the result of a drug deal gone bad. It happened around 11:30 at The Foundry Apartments on Varsity Drive.” Responding officers found two gunshot victims. One victim, Armani Jewel Fields, 20 of Lufkin died at the scene. A woman not involved in the altercation, was shot in her apartment, and was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Continue reading Fatal Tyler Shooting under Investigation

TYLER — For voters casting their ballots in the Whitehouse area: there is no wait time at First Baptist Church Whitehouse, while the polling place at the Whitehouse Municipal Court Building has long lines. For people voting in the Lindale area: skip the long lines of First Methodist Church-Lindale and cast your vote at the Hideaway Member Services Building with no line! Continue reading Polling Line Updates for March Primaries

TYLER — The Polls closed at 7 p.m. for the March Primary across Texas. Here are the latest unofficial results of ballots counted in Smith County.

Republican for the 114th District Court in Tyler.
Austin Reeve Jackson 7,081
Jarad Kent 5,787
Mitch Adams 1,935

Republican County Chair
David Stein 7,386
Ron Shaffer 6,819. Continue reading Super Tuesday Results Continue in Smith County

TYLER — Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn made an Election Day campaign stop at a local restaurant in Tyler Tuesday afternoon. He spoke to a gathering of about 50 people on the subject of Texas’s long-standing status as a Republican state and the expectation that more than 11 million votes will be cast this year in Texas, an increase of more than three million. Sen. Cornyn also cited success in working with President Trump to confirm 190 federal judges, pass a tax cut package and pass the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.

ATHENS — A Tyler man now knows his sentence for his part in a 2017 Henderson County shooting. According to our news partner KETK, Dennis Metcalf, 42, of Tyler, was found guilty of manslaughter by a Henderson County jury. Metcalf received 20 years for the crime, he had faced a charge of of murder. Metcalf was arrested in October 2017, after admitting to a late night shooting, that killed 24-year-old James Arthur Featherston, of Murchison. Continue reading 20 Years for Tyler Man found Guilty of Manslaughter

LONGVIEW — A cemetery in Longview has released a statement after memorabillia, flowers, and personal items, were thrown away at the property. According to our news partner KETK, signs were posted at all entryways of Lakeview Memorial Garden to inform family members that they would be cleaning up the property. The clean-up took place last Wednesday. The cemetery said the signs were posted several weeks ahead of the expected clean up day. Continue reading Cemetery Releases Statement following Clean Up

TYLER — A Tyler woman has exercised her right to vote, from the hospital. According to our news partner KETK, Lauren Perry, discovered she had a brain tumor, and is recovering from surgery to remove it. Perry’s social media account lists her as a former Sabine high school teacher, and Adjunct Faculty member at UT Tyler, says she was able to have her voice heard thanks to an emergency ballot. On her social media account some of the feedback included a former student who said, “I’ve graduated but you are still teaching me.” Another person replied, “You are still being you, getting out the vote from your hospital gown, not just thinking about you. YOU ARE THE WOMAN.”

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Census 2020 Complete Count Committee is embracing forces with Marshall Independent School District, Harrison County schools and the United States Census to help assure the 2020 Census tallies all children living in the county. According to the Census Bureau, an estimated 1 million children under the age of 5 were not counted in the 2010 census. Starting on March 12,homes in the United States will receive invitations to respond to the 2020 Census. For the first time, everyone will be invited to respond online, mail or by phone. For more information, visit 2020census.gov. The Census is safe and has no questions regarding citizenship.

TYLER — Gallery Main Street will be revealing the works by Caldwell Arts Academy students with an exhibit opening and reception on Thursday. On Tuesday Amber Varona told KTBB, “the showcasing event happens from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Gallery’s new location inside Plaza Tower on N. College Ave.” The Gallery Main Street Director said, “this an opportunity to meet the young artists and check out our new space!” The free event is open to the public. Continue reading New Home for Gallery Main Street to Open with Caldwell Arts Academy Exhibit

TYLER — The Evolve Women’s Conference is this Thursday, at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. This year marks the 3rd annual women’s empowerment conference and is held in conjunction with Women’s History Month and the upcoming International Women’s Day. Evolve is presented by a Smith County nonprofit organization, the 1 in 3 Foundation,providing resources for healing and recovery for adult women survivors of sexual trauma. On-site registration will be available the morning of the conference, however seating is limited. For additional information visit evolvewomensconference.com.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are investigating a shooting that caused non-life-threatening injuries to a 4-year-old around 6 p.m. on Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, officers were called to a location on Zeola St. regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, they located a 4-year-old child with a gunshot wound. The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No Charges have been filed against the residents but the incident remains under investigation at this time. Continue reading 4 Year Old Shot in Longview