KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — Marshall Police executed a narcotics search on Lancaster St on Friday. Authroities say the search warrant was obtained after an investigation stemming from multiple drug-related incidents at the residence in question including a home invasion robbery with shots fired, a drive-by shooting, in addition to burglaries and thefts in the surrounding neighborhood. Continue reading Marshall Police Execute Warrant

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview have arrested an 18-year-old male accused of making email threats to a Pine Tree ISD campus. Police say they were made aware of the threat after it was initially made. According to our news partner KETK, School Resource Officers and Detectives investigated the report and determined there was enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect, who has not been named. The 18-year-old, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with exhibition, use, or threat of exhibition or use firearms. He was taken into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER – The City of Tyler opened their newest Fire House, Station 1 on Friday Afternoon. Station 4 opened on Monday of this week. The newest station was celebrated with a ceremony and reception followed by station tours. Station 1, replaces the original Station 1 that was located downtown. According to the city, the new placement is built on six acres at the corner of West Gentry Parkway and Palace Avenue. The new Station 4 debuted on Monday of this week,the architect for both stations is Fitzpatrick Architects and Jacobe Brothers is the general contractor for this project. Continue reading 2nd New Fire Station Opened This Week in Tyler

TYLER — Smith County announced Road Bond construction projects are underway on Friday. Officials want to let the community know just west of Tyler, CR 427, also known as Lake Park Drive drainage and pavement improvements are underway. The project encompasses Hwy 110 to FM 2016. Six cross culverts will be replaced and nearly two miles of road will be ground up, reworked and widened 3 feet to a new total of 24 feet wide. The entire road will be repaved and undergo cement treatment. Continue reading Smith County Road Improvements Underway

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has completed a sex offender residence compliance check. On Friday, Investigator JeriLynn Scott told KTBB, “there are 404 sex offenders that are registered in Smith County. Of the 404 individuals investigated Wednesday and Thursday; 399 were in compliance, 4 received a door hanger and 1 was found to be out of compliance.” Scott continued, “the verification checks are unannounced and are important because the more offenders know that they are being watched, there is less of a chance of them having a new victim.” Continue reading Smith County Check Up on Sex Offenders

CARTHAGE — An incredible gift for the family of a murdered East Texas lawman. The Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has gifted a house mortgage free to the family of Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson. Trevor Stansen with the Foundation says the foundation was named after a fallen firefighter who lost his life saving others on 9/11. His siblings started the foundation for the family of the father of five. Dickerson was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop In December. Suspect Gregory Newson fled to Shreveport, where he was captured.

TYLER – The City of Tyler is opening their newest Fire House, Station 1. On Friday Afternoon, Assistant Fire Chief Joey Hooton told KTBB, there will be a ceremony and reception followed by station tours, we will have hot dogs and lemonade tea for any of the citizens and residents in the area, come and check out your fire station, we are just glad to be part of the community.” replaces the original Station 1 that was located downtown. According to the city, the new placement is built on six acres at the corner of West Gentry Parkway and Palace Avenue. Continue reading Fire Station 1 Opens Friday in Tyler

BROWNSBOR0 — Residents in Brownsboro are being asked to conserve water. On Friday, Jacob Ashton told KTBB, “we lost one of our 2 water wells after one went down following a power surge.” The Director of Utilities continued, “I want to reassure the public that we still have water because we have 2 wells, however we are asking residents to conserve water. We don’t want to overload the working system. We are glad that this will be a minor inconvenience as another crew is working to put in a new well.” Continue reading Brownsboro Asking Residents to Conserve Water

OVERTON — The Overton Fire Department fought an early morning fire on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, this blaze battle had an added degree of difficulty; the car filled with ammunition, was going off as a result of the flames. The blaze happened on FM3053. It is unclear how the blaze began, but it was eventually extinguished and no one was injured fighting the hot spot.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man reportedly shot by his wife Tuesday morning has died. According to Tyler Police, Debbie Ann Bryant, 55, confessed to shooting Allen Ferguson, 58. Ferguson died at a local hospital Thursday. Bryant was originally booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That charge has now been upgraded to murder. Her bond was set at $250,000.

TYLER — The University of Texas System Thursday announced its intention to establish a medical school in Tyler – the first in East Texas. On Thursday, UTHSC at Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun told KTBB that a proposed will have a huge economic impact, “When the school is fully operational, with all the research and everything else that will go on, it will mean about $1.9 Billion Dollars annually to the local economy, and about 18, 000 new jobs. And that just gives you a sense of the impact that’s associated with a medical school.” Continue reading UT System Announces Intention to Launch Medical School in Tyler

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Tyler Trees Committee initiated the Environmental Award Series at the end of 2019. On Thursday Angela Bennis told KTBB, the goal is to acknowledge and award those in our community that go above and beyond at making Tyler more beautiful more green just more environmentally friendly in general.” The award recipients will be recognized at Keep Tyler Beautifuls 25th Anniversary Celebration on April 17. Continue reading Award Series Nomination Deadline Extended

TYLER — Last November, the Tyler Public Library, with help from Northeast Texas Public Health District, received the All of Us – Health Information Kiosk Technology Award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. On Thursday, Aleya Stone, told KTBB, “This KIOSK makes it great for the public because there are some things that people don’t want to ask another person about, but they want to know the information. So having the KIOSK allows them to curate their own information and it’s all really great.” Continue reading Grant Provides Library New KIOSK Now Available

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department announced on Thursday that they have named the new Woldert Park baseball field, in honor of former Council member Ed Moore. Moore served on the Council from 2013 to 2019. He was and continues to be a supporter of developing and revitalizing the Tyler area parks. The “Ed Moore Field” sign is now hung at the ball field that is located on W. 32nd St.

DENVER — Denver-based Frontier Airlines is discontinuing flights to and from Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Frontier says it all ends in April, citing lack of demand. The airline says the decision was difficult but they will continue to evaluate the potential for future opportunities. The airline started operations in Tyler in July and offered special round trips to Denver.

TYLER — Tyler PD’s Public Information Officer, Don Martin, has retired from the department after 30 years. According to our news partner KETK, he will now serve as the administrator of the Texas Anti-Gang Center and will work with local, state, and federal investigators in Tyler. Andy Erbaugh will take over Martin’s position as the police department’s public information officer. A retirement reception for Martin was held at the police headquarters Wednesday.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens of a known caller ID spoofing of 911. Caller ID spoofing is when someone can display a different phone number than the actual number from where the call has actually come from. Authorities say if you get a call that displays “911” on the caller ID, it is not from the Tyler Police Department. Tyler police say when our dispatchers call someone it does not show on your caller ID as “911”. If you need to speak to a dispatcher you can call the non-emergency line at 903-531-1000. 911 is allocated for emergencies only.

TYLER — The Women’s Fund of Smith County awarded five high-impact grants at its 2020 Grants Reception Tuesday at Willow Brook Country Club, with over 200 people in attendance. Kristeen Seeber told KTBB on Wednesday, “we were so excited to distribute grants totaling $300,941. That was a record amount given out for one year, and 5 grants is the largest number of groups we have given out in a single year.” The president continued, “Our cumulative grants, awarded since 2009, is over $1.9 million, but more important to us than that dollar figure is the number of countless lives impacted by helping 29 different non-profit Smith County agencies.” Continue reading Women’s Fund of Smith County Awards Over $300K

TYLER — Toll 49 troubles continue. According to our news partner KETK, the road’s expansion has left many people wondering what route will be given the green light after NET RMA narrowed six options down to three for Segment 6. Now the organizations “Keep Loop off Lake” and “Save Kids from Loop 49” are working to oppose the adjusted Teal Route. Resident Jeremy Wilson says the route would put an interchange just 800 feet from Kissam Elementary School, causing safety concerns. In response, NET RMA points to cities like El Paso and Austin, where having a toll road has helped drivers. The agency also points out that the actual route of the new segment hasn’t been decided yet. The project is looking to break ground in 2022.

TYLER — With February being American Heart Month, it’s no accident that Fit City Tyler is preparing for their sixth annual Heart Health Breakfast this Friday. Terance Ates tells KTBB, “We invite companies and actually individuals to come and learn about different strategies that they can do to help to strengthen the health of their heart in the workplace where most of us may spend most of the waking hours each day.” Friday is National Wear Read Day. You can learn more about Fit City Tyler by clicking the link. http://www.fitcitytyler.com

TYLER — The Smith County Medical Society announced their presentation date on Tuesday for the Gold-Headed Cane Award and the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Gold-Headed Cane Gala at Bella Vista on Lake Palestine, March 27. Winners are physicians who have been nominated and voted upon by their peers for their outstanding contributions through their medical practice and service to the Tyler and Smith County area. Continue reading Smith County Medical Society to Present Gold-Headed Cane Gala

TYLER — Last November, the Tyler Public Library, with help from Northeast Texas Public Health District, received the All of Us – Health Information Kiosk Technology Award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. On Wednesday the city of Tyler said that Health Information Kiosk, with evidence-based health and wellness resources and health information, is now available to the public providing information for several topics, including health and wellness environmental health as well as genetic health. For more information, contact the Library at (903) 593-7323 (READ).

TYLER — On Tuesday A Smith County jury in the County Court at Law Number Two found Jacob Johnson, 26, not guilty of Driving While Intoxicated. In September of 2018, Whitehouse police pulled Johnson over for driving with his fog lights rather than his headlights after dark. Johnson was issued a warning for the traffic violation. The officer then performed a field sobriety test, ultimately arresting Johnson on charges of Driving While Intoxicated. Continue reading Smith County Jury Acquits Man of DWI

 

SMITH COUNTY — A former assistant football coach at Lindale High School has been arrested and charged for having an improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Maddox was booked in Smith County Jail on Tuesday on a $20,000 surety bond. He was released the same day. According to Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt, the district was notified of allegations of an inappropriate relationship on January 28 and immediately began an investigation. The district said Maddox resigned from his position. Continue reading Former Lindale Coach Arrested for Improper Relationship with Student

TYLER — A woman was injured after she was struck by a truck in Tyler. The accident happened around 6:20 Wednesday morning on West Erwin Street. Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said Denise Liberty, 58, Tyler, was walking in the roadway when she was struck by a sanitation truck. Liberty was transported to UT Health on Beckham where she is expected to recover. All lanes of traffic are now open.

TYLER – TxDOT Tyler today implemented pre-treatment operations to lessen weather impacts on roads as wintry conditions are forecast for the area. Crews spent the day pre-treating elevated structures and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice in Anderson, Henderson, Van Zandt and Wood. Roads are pre-treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water designed to prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. TxDOT will continue to monitor forecasts and will reevaluate weather conditions Wednesday morning to determine the need for additional treatment and any additional next steps. Continue reading TxDOT Preparing Roads for Winter Weather Conditions

TYLER — Station 4 of the Tyler Fire Department opened their brand news on Monday. The station is located on Cherry-Hill Drive and is just South of Cumberland Parkway. According to our news partner KETK, the new station house, has three bays and will also be used at the recruit training station for the future Tyler Fire Department Training Academy. Growth continues to happen across the city. Tyler will open it’s 2nd station this month, later this week when Station 1 will replace the original downtown location. It will be located at the corner of West Gentry Blvd and Palace St.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall seek clues in a liquor store robbery. They say an unidentified suspect entered C&C Liquor on West Grand Ave. around 9:45 Monday evening and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register at gunoint. The suspect appeared to arrive on foot and was last seen walking south across West Grand towards Marshall St. The suspect was wearing a black Browning hoodie with a bright green/yellow Browning logo, sunglasses with silver colored wire rimmed frames, white gloves, blue jeans, and gray tennis shoes. The blue jeans appear to have light colored paint on the back of the right leg. Anyone with leads is asked to contact Sgt. Kenny Phillips with the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4543 or Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — The executive director of PATH, a longtime Tyler human needs agency, has announced his retirement after leading the organization for 7 years. According to a news release, Greg Grubb will continue with PATH through July 2020 to ensure a smooth and successful transition for his successor. He’ll be replaced by Andrea Wilson, the agency’s current programs director. PATH Board Chair Beverly Russell says both Grubb and Wilson have demonstrated outstanding leadership during their time with the agency. PATH stands for People Attempting to Help. According to the release, it offers a variety of homelessness prevention services including emergency assistance, transitional housing, and mentoring.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will begin using the Smart 911 with RAVE Alert system starting on Feb. 17. Jenny Wells told KTBB on Tuesday, “The use of the system is sponsored through the East Texas Council of Governments and replaces the formerly used CODE RED system. You will need to sign up for the new free service.” CLick on the link to register. https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action?cdnExternalPath=. Continue reading New Mobile Emergency Alert System to Start in Tyler