KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — Marshall Police received a 911 call from a residence on Evans Rd Wednesday night shortly before 11 p.m. Police say a female told them her brother had just shot her boyfriend. Officers arrived and located a male victim with a gun shot wound to the head in a bedroom. Paramedics also entered the residence and determined that the victim was deceased. The victim was identified as Anniel Dixon, 31, of Marshall. Continue reading Murder in Marshall involving Girlfriend’s Brother

TYLER — More rain has prompted the City of Tyler Water Utilities to temporarily close all boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. Debris washing into the lakes caused by the recent rains brought on the closure, as well as reducing damage resulting from erosion of the shoreline caused by boat wakes. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents. The ramps will be closed until further notice. Tyler Water Utilities anticipates reopening the ramps once the lake levels recede.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman will seek the death penalty for William Davis, the nurse accused of murdering patients at CHRISTUS Owen Heart Hospital. According to our news partner KETK, the next hearing is scheduled for April 24th in the 114th District Courtroom. Davis, 36, faces multiple counts that include capital murder, first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Continue reading D.A. to Seek Death Penalty for Former Tyler Nurse Charged with Murder

FRANKSTON — Frankston ISD was closed for classes on Thursday and will remain out of service on Friday due to excessive illnesses. They have joined a growing list of East Texas schools that have been affected by the flu this year. According to our news partner KETK, the schools will use the time to have their janitorial staff deeply sanitize the classrooms. Classes will resume on Monday.

RUSK COUNTY — Officials were on the scene of a two-vehicle wreck involving a West Rusk ISD school bus. According to our news partner KETK, the wreck happened on Highway 64 near County Road 4134 D. Rusk County Sheriff’s Office has verified there were no injuries. According to the school district, the bus was rear-ended. They’ve contacted all parents and students were being transported to their homes by another bus.

TYLER — A prominent Tyler figure has been found and is reported in good condition after going missing Wednesday afternoon. At approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the Tyler Police Department responded to a report of a critical missing person from a residence on Pegues Ave in Tyler. Among other things, Ernest Deckard, 91, was the longtime president of the Tyler NAACP. Police said he’d driven off Wednesday afternoon, and a Silver Alert was requested. Shortly after 3 p.m., police advised that Deckard had been located.

LINDALE — The City of Lindale will not become the 12th ‘sanctuary city for the unborn’ in the state of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the city council did pass a resolution in support of pro-life but failed to pass an ordinance on Tuesday. The organization, Right to Life is spearheading the initiative by enlarging sanctuary cities throughout the state and across the country. Despite the city not passing the ordinance, there was strong support from local residents. Continue reading “Sanctuary City of the Unborn” Fails Despite Passing Resolution

LONGVIEW — Big changes are coming for the “Great Texas Balloon Race” in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, the festival will launch on June 19th, instead of July. Patrons will be limited to just one bag, no larger than 16 inches by 16 inches. Bags will also be subject to search, and no glass bottles will be allowed. The festival will outlaw outside alcoholic beverages, and on-site beer sales will be available for those 21 and older.

TYLER — Tyler ISD is adding another Spanish Specialty School. According to our news partner KETK, Birdwell Elementary will soon become a dual language campus for Kindergarten through 8th grade. The expansion is expected to begin next school year. The change comes after 9 out of 10 families ruled in favor of the idea. Students at the lower level are taught to read in Spanish and as they transition to a different grade, they’ll also have social studies and language arts courses in Spanish. This will be TISD’s Second Specialty School, joining Caldwell Arts Academy.

TYLER — The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail is scheduled for March 20th through April 5th this Spring. On Wednesday Visit Tyler announced the 35 girls that will serve this season as “Azalea Belles.” Susan Travis said, “We have a great group of girls this year, we can’t wait to get them out on the Trail to greet visitors.” The Visit Tyler Vice President of Tourism & Servicing said, “this years competition was tough, we had more girls apply than ever before, so these girls are the best of the best and will represent Tyler well along the Trail.” Continue reading Visit Tyler Announces 2020 Azalea Belles

TYLER — The City of Tyler is hosting a concert celebrating Black History Month through gospel music, past and present with a special program titled “Music for the Soul. ” The concert will feature from 4 local church choirs next Monday at 7 p.m. at Liberty Hall. The event will feature performances from College Hill Baptist Church Choir, North Star Baptist Church Choir, New Life Community Church and Omega Ministries International. The collection of songs inclued music from every decade going back to the ’70s. Continue reading A Celebration of Black History Concert at Liberty Hall

LONGVIEW — A suspect has been arrested following a shooting in Longview early Tuesday. Nolan Johnson, 20,  was booked into the Gregg County Jail Wednesday. His bond was set at $75,000. Shortly before 1 a.m. officers discovered Damian Devon Daniels, 26, of Gladwater, had been shot at a home in Longview. He died a short time later at Longview Regional Medical Center.

LONGVIEW — One man is dead after a shooting in Longview early Monday morning. Longview Police were called to a shots fired report around 12:45 on Finch Drive. The victim, identified as Damian Devon Daniels, 26, of Gladewater, was found with a gunshot wound. He died a short time later at a Longview hospital. Officials are investigating the shooting as a domestic incident. Additional details were not available.

LINDALE — Preparations are underway for next month’s Back the Blue Bash on March 7. On Tuesday, Holly Wilson told KTBB, “this is our sole fundraiser that enabled us to help over 400 kids with the Blue Santa program.” Wilson went on to say, “many times the interaction between these kids and officers has not come at the most positive time in their lives, so shop with a cop goes a long way in helping to repair those relationships.” Continue reading Sole Fund Raiser for Back the Blue Coming in March

TYLER — On Tuesday the Smith County Commissioners Court took action to appoint Amber Greene as supervisor of the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter. Ms. Greene takes over the role vacated by Le’Kisha Stinecipher, who left at the end of January to go into ministry work. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said there were about 50 people who applied for the supervisor position. Continue reading Smith County Appoints Animal Shelter Supervisor

BULLARD — On Monday Bullard ISD held a ceremony to commemorate the high school softball field after former Coach Megan Dobrinski, who died in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Dobrinski was diagnosed with cancer in May and died less than 4 months later. She left behind a husband and two children. The coach was affectionately known as “Coach Smiley,” made an impact on an off the field. Continue reading Bullard Softball Field Renamed for Dobrinski

KILGORE — The 8th Annual KilGogh Arts Festival happens Friday and Saturday in the Texan Theater and Old Post Office in Historic Downtown Kilgore. The goal of the KilGogh Arts Festival is to provide an opportunity for local and regional artists to exhibit their art and make the festival an East Texas art experience for the community. Continue reading “Gogh Crazy” in Historic Downtown Kilgore

TYLER — The 2020 Great Decisions Global Affairs Discussion Program continues on Wednesday at noon at the Tyler Public Library. Dr. Jeffrey Crean, Professor of History at Tyler Junior College, will be this weeks guest speaking on “India and Pakistan.” Crean capsulates his topic, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode a wave of Hindu nationalism to a historic reelection in 2019. Continue reading 2020 Great Decisions Global Affairs Discussion to Continue

TYLER — The “Super Tuesday” Texas primary is March 3, and early voting began on Tuesday and will take place through February 28. One race, the Smith County Precinct 1 Constable faceoff, remains up in the air. Willie Mims remains on the Democratic ballot, but one of his opponents, incumbent Bobby Garmon, has claimed Mims didn’t provide enough valid petition signatures to be in the race. According to media reports, Mims has been fighting back against the claim, but the issue has yet to be completely resolved. Curtis Traylor Harris, is also seeking the post. You can find polling locations and other items by clicking the link. https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do.

PALESTINE — Palestine Police have arrested a suspect responsible for the robbery and shooting of a Lufkin man early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine Police were called just after 1:00 a.m. Sunday to Coronaca Street for a reported suicidal man. Police said the resident’s grandson had dropped off Marquise Wade, 21, of Palestine, who retrieved a handgun and left on foot. The resident said she heard a gunshot not long after. Wade was scene walking and fled when an officer approached him. He was caught after a brief pursuit. Continue reading Palestine Police Arrest Suspect in Weekend Robbery, Shooting

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is inviting the public to get their entries ready for the 2020 Life in Tyler photography contest. Entries will be accepted from March 2 to 10. The included photos will be exhibited at the Rose Garden Center during the 2020 Azalea Trails. This years Azaela Trails season is March 21 through April 5. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded for the Best of Show entry as well as first, second and third place in each of the 12 categories. Continue reading 15th Annual “Life in Tyler Photography Contest” Nears

KILOGORE — The eleventh annual East Texas Energy Symposium will be hosted by the East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College will host the event,featuring keynote speaker Dr. Neil Frank, on May 5th. Frank is the former Director of the U.S. Hurricane Center and Chief Meteorologist for KHOU, a television station out of Houston. Frank will speak on “Climate Change: Carbon Dioxide Distortions.” A host of speakers will be part of the symposium scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Devall Ballroom. Lunch will be provided. Cost is $50. Attendees are welcome to tour the ETOM from 9 to 10 a.m. or after the symposium has ended.

TYLER — Young Audiences of Northeast Texas have notified their winners of the 2020 Arts in Education Awards. The winners will be honored at an award ceremony and dinner to be held on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. The finalists were selected from nominations made to Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. Continue reading 2020 Winners Announced in Arts of Education Awards

TYLER — The Chick-fil-a soup drive continues throughout the month of February to benefit the Salvation Army in Tyler. Cindy Bell tells KTBB that they certainly are grateful for their partnership and the community getting involved. Bell says, “For each bowl of soup purchased in the month of February, both Chick-fil-a’s, South Broadway and Troup locations in Tyler, have generously offered to match those bowls.” The director of development continued, “those bowls purchased are matched for the entire month. So if you buy one, they will give one to The Salvation Army Tyler.”

MARSHALL — Monday is first day across the nation that businesses are required to be compliant with Kari’s Law. This law requires telephone systems to have direct access to 9-1-1. According to our news partner KETK, the law is named for Kari Hunt, she was stabbed to death in 2013 by her husband in a Marshall motel room. The couple’s oldest daughter, was 9-year-old at the time, dialed 9-1-1 for help. Continue reading Kari’s Law Now in Effect Nationwide

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a colossal search by multiple agencies ended early Monday morning at the Tyler State Park. Battalion Chief David Gerald said an autistic 17-year-old went missing just after 5:30 p.m. on Sunday night. A little over 7 hours later, Kevin Wickliffe was found on CR 35 north of I-20. The teen had no injuries and was dehydrated. Gerald said that Wickliffe was found by a volunteer roughly a half-mile from where the command post was set up.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct a range of construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the Week of Feb. 17. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. Note: All TxDOT offices will be closed Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Normal business hours resume at 8 a.m., Tuesday. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

AUSTIN — Sales tax allocations for Tyler and Longview are up from a year ago according to the state comptroller’s February tally. Tyler’s total for this month is $4,983,966.71, compared to $4,648,037.66 a year ago — an increase of 7.22%. For the year to date, it’s $8,400,559.09, a 1.37% jump from $8,286,561.80 at this time last year. For Longview, the February total is $3,771,503.49, compared with $3,562,214.14 a year ago — up 5.87%. For the year to date, Longview’s figure stands at $6,517,637.04 — an increase of 5.34% from this time in 2019, when the total was $6,186,953.91.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A three-year-old has died and two people have been badly hurt in a weekend accident in Upshur County. According to DPS, troopers responded at 3:01 Saturday afternoon to SH 300, 3/10 of a mile southeast of Gilmer. The crash investigators’ preliminary report indicates that the driver of a Honda, Amelia Wright Scott, 62, of Gilmer, failed to yield the right of way from a private drive and was struck by a Ford driven by Mindi Marie Higar, 24, of Longview. Higar was transported to Christus Good Shepherd – Longview in serious condition. Scott was transported to Longview Regional Hospital in critical condition. The child, a passenger in Scott’s vehicle, was taken to Children’s Hospital – Dallas where she later died. The crash remains under investigation.