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WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse ISD Education Foundation (WISDEF) has announced its Innovators of the Year. As part of the $100,000 awarded by WISDEF this school year, these recipients will each receive additional money to use in the classrooms to further enhance the educational experience for Whitehouse students, according to a news release. Wendy Turner, a Media Technology Specialist at Stanton Smith Elementary School, received a grant for “zSpace in Our Makerspace.” Mrs. Turner has transformed a portion of Stanton Smith’s Learning Resource Center into a Makerspace. zSpace changed the Makerspace into a virtual reality science lab. Continue reading WISDEF Announces Innovators of the Year

TYLER — A popular restaurant chain will soon add to its longtime presence in Tyler with a location on the bustling Old Jacksonville Highway. According to a news release, the Braum’s store will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:00 a.m. The new store will host a grand opening celebration February 10-16. The location features what’s termed “a very sleek and modern design with nearly 6,000 square feet, double drive-through windows and seating for about 80 guests.” This brings the total Braum’s stores in operation to 281 in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

TYLER — Nine people have been arrested under a 42-count federal indictment on allegations of trafficking methamphetamine in Smith, Cherokee, and Rusk counties. They’re named as Alexa Leigh Brown, 50, of Tyler; Stanley Wayne Hunter, 43, of Troup; David Raymond Lusk, 41, of Jacksonville; Johnathan Rudy Duke, 30, of Reklaw; Anthony Russell Hamilton, 42, of Tyler; Donald Ray Carr, 55, of Tyler; Justin Ray Carr, 32, of Tyler; Joseph Paul Melancon, 46, of Henderson; and Tonya Hudson Hammonds, 46, of Troup. The indictment also includes firearms charges for several defendants. Many of the charged offenses carry a statutory penalty range that includes life in prison. This case is the result of a nearly two-year joint investigation by a total of eleven agencies.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have released the victim’s identity and a vehicle description as they continue to investigate a fatal hit and run. John Garnett Page, 65, was killed after being struck by a vehicle just after 6:30 p.m. January 17 on N. 4th Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers said Page was attempting to cross the street in a wheelchair. The driver fled the scene. Page died after being taken to a local hospital. Continue reading Longview Police Release Victim’s ID, Vehicle Description in Fatal Hit and Run

TYLER — Tyler firefighters are mourning the loss of Fire Captain Stuart Weatherford, who died Friday morning at 57 after a long battle with cancer. According to a news release, Weatherford was hired by the Tyler Fire Department in July 1998. Well known for his physical fitness, Weatherford was the recipient of the department’s Gold Fitness Award for many years, and was a member of the department’s “Most Physically Fit Crew” in 2002. He also received the Outstanding Firefighter Award that same year and was involved in many public service efforts. Continue reading Fire Department Mourns Loss of Captain Stuart Weatherford

HAWKINS — Authorities say a wanted man has been captured. Multiple law enforcement agencies had been searching for the “armed and dangerous” man. According to our news partner KETK, Ronald Herrick Riva III had fled from Hawkins Police on Friday.

TYLER -Jack Elementary School is helping ‘Tie Up Tyler ISD.’ Jennifer Hines told KTBB on Friday, “the student’s have set a goal to collect 500 pairs of new lace-up tennis shoes by February 4, and the school has already distributed a few pairs to another campus.” The TISD Director of Communications continued, “as of yesterday, because they have not counted the totals brought in today, they are already at 381 pairs of tennis shoes, and these are tennis shoes for boys and girls of all sizes.” Continue reading “Tie-Up TISD” Shoe Drive Continues

TYLER — Andy’s Frozen Custard will be opening a second location on the square in downtown Tyler, according to a release from the company. Dubbed “Andy’s Downtown”, the new location will offer indoor dining as opposed to the South Broadway location which features drive-thru or walk-up style. Galen Taylor, Owner Operator of Tyler Andy’s locations say, “they are excited about moving north.” Taylor says, “We see the Tyler Square as a great location that will give us the opportunity to serve even more people in Tyler.” Continue reading Andy’s Frozen Custard Adding Location in Tyler

TYLER — Graveside services for Bill R. Day, 84, of Tyler will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler. That follows visitation for the Tyler business owner Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Day, who died on Tuesday, opened Bill Day Tire Center in 1971. With Day’s leadership, the business grew to 4 locations. Day is described as an innovator and was one of the first dealers in the country to advertise tires on television, winning numerous awards. Bill Day Tire will celebrate its 49th year in 2020. Bill was still active in the business with his family until his death.

TYLER — Smith County officials met for a transportation safety meeting Thursday and heard some shocking stats about the number of deaths on East Texas roads. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler has the 2nd most fatalities per 1,000 people in the state. Tyler Mayor Martin Heines says the statistic given does not factor in the amount of people traveling into Tyler, tilting those numbers. “There’s a lot more traveling on the roads leading into Tyler and Smith County than most MPO’s, or the MPO’s cover a larger area. So the numbers are somewhat skewed.”

MARSHALL, Texas – A 31-year-old Hallsville man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations the Eastern District of Texas said on Friday. Mark McLean Farmer pleaded guilty last summer, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of anabolic steroids and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison. Information presented in court showed Farmer conspiring to distribute at least 2,500 units of anabolic steroids.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting on Scenic Drive Wednesday afternoon. 19-year-old Eduardo Seran, of Longview, was arrested Thursday. Seran was charged with criminal negligent homicide. 17-year-old Bryan Rivera, of Longview, died at a Longview hospital.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Smith County woman was sentenced to 99 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug charges in Upshur County. According to our news partner KETK, Felisha Diane Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver. Williams was offered a 20 year sentence by the state, but elected for a jury to decide her punishment. Williams faced an enhanced punishment range of 15 years to life rather than the normal punishment range of 5-99 years or life in prison, due to previous felony convictions.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office was notified late Thursday morning of a body found on the Neches River. The Parks and Wildlife removed the body, identified as Danny Carter, 49 of Wells. Carter had been missing since January 12. The body was transported to Southwest Forensic in Dallas for an autopsy. It appears to be a drowning, however the case remains under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE — In November, a former Whitehouse ISD employee and equipment manager was accused of molesting a football player in 2010 and 2011. On Thursday our news partner KETK, reported William Aldridge, 28 was indicted in a recent Smith County Grand Jury session. The original charge is by a former Whitehouse football player, who says “Aldridge touched his private parts on two separate occasions.” Aldridge turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals in November of last year. The victim claims there were 2 separate incidents with Aldridge. The district was contacted by police in late October and Aldridge was placed on immediate leave and has since been fired by the district.

TYLER — On Wednesday The Tyler City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Halff Associates to manage the third and final phase of the Comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan. On Thursday, Tyler’s Jenny Wells told KTBB, “Phase 3 is bascially going to look at what are the solutions to the issues we’ve had as far as drainage goes. I’m sure you remember in 2016, we had a lot of rain which really helped us identify some of the trouble issues for the city of Tyler for drainage.” Continue reading Phase 3 to Begin Following Tyler Council Approval

TYLER — Tyler Liberty Hall is preparing to host Robert Ellis Saturday Night. Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB on Thursday what people can expect this weekend, “Robert Ellis: The Texas Piano Man has been called the Elton John of country music. He plays piano sings, is very interesting very different. Tickets are $28 and $22.” Show time is set for 7 p.m.

TYLER — 46-year-old Miles Brosang of Whitehouse, owner of Brosang’s Landscaping, has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to failure to pay payroll taxes. According to information presented in court, during the third quarter of 2015, the company withheld payroll taxes from its employees’ paychecks, including federal income taxes and Medicare and social security taxes. Officials say Brosang knew that his company was required to make deposits of the payroll taxes to the IRS on a periodic basis. The amount of taxes that should have been, and was not, paid in the 3rd quarter, is $49,704.47. The total of payroll taxes that should have been, and was not, paid is $229,552. Under federal statutes, Brosang faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing.

SHREVEPORT, La. — An East Texas man is jailed in Louisiana after a bomb threat reportedly made at a Walmart. According to our news partner KETK, Shreveport police were called to the Walmart on Shreveport-Barksdale Highway after receiving a call that there was a bomb in the building. Police searched the building and a bomb was not found. The suspected caller, 27-year old Dustin Spence of Hawkins, was arrested and booked on a charge of communicating false information of planned arson.

TYLER — Smith County deputies Tuesday afternoon captured two suspects in a Dallas robbery after a pursuit on I-20 East followed by a foot chase. 17-year-old Jamarion Garrett and a 16-year-old juvenile face multiple charges. Officials say the car occupied by the two suspects was stolen. The DPS and the Precinct 5 Constable’s office assisted in the case, along with three citizens who were in the area at the time, according to a news release.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with Halff Associates to manage the third and final phase of the Comprehensive Storm Water Master Plan. In 2016, City Council approved the 2016 Drainage Capital Improvement Project Strategy in order to address some of the City’s prominent drainage issues and limit future losses. Part of that strategy was to develop a stormwater master plan. Its purpose is to update the City’s storm water infrastructure inventory, analyze condition and capacity, and develop a capital improvement programming tool by which storm water infrastructure can be managed. Continue reading City Council Approves Contract for Storm Water Master Plan

TYLER — On Wednesday, the Tyler City Council heard a presentation on recent work performed by the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The MPO is a local decision-making body responsible for overseeing the transportation planning process. In March 2019, the MPO adopted the Active Tyler plan to create a vision for a pedestrian and bicycle network connecting major destinations in the region. Continue reading State of the Metropolitan Planning Organization

TYLER — Multiple studies have been conducted by Smith county in the last 2 decades and all of the assessments concluded that a new courthouse was needed. On Wednesday, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran told KTBB the feedback for a new courthouse has been very positive, “One of the things that is very important to us is that we keep the public apprised throughout this process because this is the people’s house.” Moran continued, “We have had great input in the last 3 months and we are going to continue with lots of workshops in the spring and summer moving forward.” Continue reading Smith County Holds Courthouse Workshop

TYLER — The Smith County Clerk’s Office Vital Statistics Department is located on the third floor of the Annex Building on E. Ferguson. For years that was the easiest part of finding Family Census Documents, finding their location. However, the real challenge was just beginning. On Wednesday, the county said the file have been augmented. These files span from 1934 to 1969 and are in 117 boxes. Employees say it was not uncommon to have people who came to the office in search of a document and leave empty handed. Continue reading Reorganization of Files in Smith County

TYLER — Voters in Smith County will now have a new location to cast ballots starting in March. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County has added a voting center at the Juvenile Attention Center. However, the new location was met with concern on Tuesday in Commissioners Court. “I don’t want to have to tell my children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, when they are old enough to vote, which some of them are, that they have to go to jail to vote.” Continue reading New Polling Places Being Added in Smith County

KILGORE — A GoFundMe account has been established to help the mother of a Kilgore teen killed last week in a two-vehicle crash. According to our news partner KETK, the WIC Team of Longview set up the fund to benefit Jessica Guevara. Guevara is the mother of Gabriel Coronado, 17, who was one of two teenagers who died in the crash. D.P.S. officials told KTBB at the time of the wreck that for an “undetermined reason, Coronado did not pull over in the initial attempted traffic stop.” Continue reading Go Fund Me Account Set Up for Grieving Mother

KILGORE — The 3rd Annual “Continuing the Dream through Education” Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast was held in an effort to honor the late Dr. King, while raising money’s for dual credit scholarships. The Kilgore College Foundation raised more than $24,000 for dual credit scholarships. The breakfast, was started in 2018 to raise funds for students without adequate resources to enroll in dual credit classes and provides financial assistance to continue their education at KC.

TYLER — The family of a Tyler man who died from complications of Legionnaire’s disease last November has retained an attorney. According to our news partner KETK, the widow of Ruben Gutierrez, Susan Gutierrez, has retained the services of Elliot Olsen of Minneapolis. Olsen will represent her family. Gutierrez, 69, was a precinct chair for the Smith County Democratic Party, died November 8 after having been hospitalized much of October. Continue reading Legionnaires Victim’s Family Hires Minneapolis Lawyer

TYLER — Tickets are on sale now for the annual Mother-Son and Daddy-Daughter Valentine’s dances in Tyler. Organizers describe the night as an an unforgettable evening that the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host. Both nights will feature a DJ, refreshments and dancing. The annual Mother-Son and Daddy-Daughter Valentine’s Dances are scheduled for Feb. 7 and 8. Continue reading Daddy Daughter and Mother Son Dances Scheduled