KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

MARSHALL — The new Chick-fil-a on East Texas Baptist University’s campus is officially “a hit.” On Tuesday, ETBU President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn told KTBB, “the fact that we can offer our students, and staff America’s favorite restaurant is a win. However, this is also for the Marshall community. East Texas Baptist is Marshall’s University, and our doors are open for Marshall to come and enjoy this new addition to campus.” Construction of the new restaurant was completed in just seven weeks, in order to be up and running in time for the start of the Spring 2020 semester. Continue reading Chick-fil-a Opens on ETBU Campus

TYLER — The Smith County Food Security Council is inviting the community to their first produce drop of 2020. The event takes place at New Days Community Church on Jan. 28th. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to loaded up with bags of free produce, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about resources offered in the community. Continue reading Community Resource Announces Free Produce Drive

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The National Transportation Safety Board will be in East Texas Tuesday following a fatal plane crash. According to the Department of Public Safety, around 3:00 Monday afternoon, Troopers responded to a report of an airplane crash in a field off of CR 4303, approximately seven miles north of New Summerfield, in Cherokee County. The preliminary investigation report indicates that the pilot of the Cessna 150, Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville, took off from the Cherokee County Airport just after noon. The plane apparently struck the guy wires of a television tower and crashed. The pilot was the only occupant and was pronounced dead at the scene. The NTSB will continue the investigation.

TYLER –The Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Committee will be holding a regularly scheduled meeting this Thursday afternoon. The meeting is set for 2:00 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room, located on W. Ferguson St. The Transportation Policy Committee will consider adopting annual performance targets for safety and transit asset management and amending the Transportation Improvement Program as discussed during the open house held earlier this month. Continue reading Tyler’s MPO Set for Thursday

HAWKINS — Hayley Jasper is a junior at Hawkins High School. Last week she made strides on continuing her education as she took top honors at the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Art Contest. Jasper earned a blue ribbon and a $2,000 scholarship for 1st place in her division. Jasper also had her work auctioned off at the Junior Gala Silent Auction for an additional $1,400 dollar scholarship. According to our news partner KETK, Jasper will use the $3,400 dollars towards her college degree as she plans to follow in her mothers foot steps, with a career in the medical field.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jim Taylor will be in Florida on Saturday to conduct the Honors Choir Festival for the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. Taylor founded the children’s community chorus in Jacksonville, Florida in 1995, with 16 students. Today the chorus makes up over 350 children in five choirs that have performed all over the world. Taylor began the choir, after discovering the city of over 1 million people did not have a single community children’s chorus.

TYLER — Plans are underway for the 61st Annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail. Applications to be an Azalea Belle must be completed by Wednesday. ON Monday Susan Travis, with Visit Tyler, told KTBB what makes an ideal candidate, “Girls who are outgoing, and passionate about their city, that know things to do in Tyler, because visitors will be asking questions, and they need to like having their picture made a lot.” Azalea Belles wear antebellum dresses throughout this three-weekend event and are needed to promote Tyler, greet tourists, and pose for photographs. The 2020 season will run in the Downtown Azalea District March 20 – April 5. Continue reading Deadline for Azalea Belle Apps Wednesday

TYLER — Again this year, hundreds turned out in downtown Tyler to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote speaker was Sha’Rell Webb of Humble, founder of “Coding with a Twist,” which introduces underestimated students to the world of computer science, coding, and robotics. Her key message: “What I want the city of Tyler to know is that no matter where you are right now, as long as you believe in yourself, there’s no one that can stop you.” Continue reading Tyler Honors Dr. Martin Luther King

LONGVIEW — Longview Police continue to investigate a hit and run accident involving a pedestrian. It happened just after 6:30 Friday evening on N. 4th Street. Officers said a man in a wheelchair was attempting to cross the street when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Police are still working to identify the next of kin of the victim. Police are also still working on identifying the vehicle that struck and killed him. Continue reading Longview Police Investigate Fatal Hit and Run

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct a range of construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District the week of January 20. Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct milling and level up on Loop 281 at the railroad crossing near Estes Parkway starting Tuesday. Crews will also perform shoulder work on FM 2087 from Sabine St. to the railroad tracks at Loop 281. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to Apply pavement texturing on SH 64W at FM 2661, and then, implementing ditch maintenance operations on Loop 323 at Kinsey Drive, and FM 16 at US 271. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — W-2 forms will soon be showing up at your work desk or in your mail, and the IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Monday, January 27. The BBB president Mechele Mills reminds consumers to be on the lookout for tax scammers and to confirm a tax preparer’s qualifications before trusting them with personal information. “Ready or not, it’s tax season, remember that scammers and identity thieves are also busy during tax season as well, so it’s important to make wise decisions when having your tax returns prepared.” Continue reading Check Credentials Before Hiring Tax Pros

TYLER — The Tyler Public Library has partnered with the American Association of University Women and League of Women Voters to host the annual Great Decisions lecture series on Wednesdays, the weekly event will run at noon every week through March 4 at noon in the Library auditorium. There will be political lectures on a range of topics with speakers from the community. The Foreign Policy Association chooses these topics every year. Patrons can purchase a book on the issues at the Library’s information desk for $25.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Democrat LaWyanda Prince announced on Saturday her bid to run for Texas House District 5. The retired educator taught for 34 years in elementary education. Prince will be running on the platform of better school funding and teacher pay, making standardized testing a thing of the past, equal health care regardless of income or ethnicity, worker wages, and improving school safety. Continue reading Prince Announces Bid for Texas State Rep District 5

MARSHALL — The Addams Family Musical is coming to Marshall. East Texas Baptist University is inviting you to save the dates of Feb. 27 -March 1 as the ETBU School of Communications and Performing Arts as they will share the the musical based on the classic 1960s kooky-comedy television sitcom. The Addams Family musical is a Broadway hit written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Rice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The show will be directed by ETBU Assistant Professor of Theatre and Marshall resident, Joshua Scott. Continue reading The Addams Family Musical Coming to Marshall

TYLER — The city of Tyler is preparing to unveil two new fire stations in the community. In November of 2018, a ground breaking ceremony occurred that would eventually replace Fire Stations 1 & 4 took place. Now fast forward to February 3rd and 6th of 2020 and an open house will take place for each station. Station 1’s open house will be Feb. 6th from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the newest addition and will replace the downtown Station 1 at the corner of W. Gentry Boulevard and Palace St. The new station sits on 6 acres. Continue reading 2 Open Houses Announced for Stations 1 and 4

TYLER — A Longview man was sentenced on Friday afternoon for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Joseph Valdie Kimble, 57, pleaded guilty in September to health care fraud . Kimble will be serving 30 months in federal prison and have to pay restitution in the amount of $751,986.30 to Medicare and Medicaid. He was also was ordered not to seek or retain employment in the health care industry while serving three years of supervised release. Continue reading Longview Man Sentenced for Health Care Fraud

SMITH COUNTY — The Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Don Martin, has been named administrator of the new East Texas Anti-Gang Center. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced Martin’s hiring Friday. The initiative has received grants of at least $1.2 million from Governor Greg Abbott. Continue reading Texas Anti Gang Administrator Named

TYLER — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. On Friday the Eastern District of Texas saidthat David Anthony Ebanez, 24, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. Ebanez plead guilty to in September of last year to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Information presented in court stated that Ebanez was found in possession of over 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Rusk.

PALESTINE — A woman from Chandler was killed on Thursday afternoon in a fatal accident on a small road just outside of Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, Nedra Parham Smith, 77, was attempting to cross over FM 3244 at 5:43 p.m. on Thursday. At the same time Benjamin Oben Egbe, 55 of Palestine, was driving through the intersection when the collision occured. Smith was transported to the Palestine Regional Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. Egbe was treated at the scene and was not taken to the hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — A Flint man charged with running over a teenager with his boat on Lake Palestine back in June had his trial date set Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the trial for Jeffrey Hampton, 31, has been set for February 10. Hampton was charged with manslaughter in the killing of 14-year-old Roberto Hernandez in the boating death last summer. Investigators allege that Hampton struck Hernandez while he was standing on a dock. Continue reading Trial Set for Man Accused in Boating Death

KILGORE — An accident just before midnight Friday morning has left 2 East Texas teenagers dead and two more are in the hospital. D.P.S. Staff Sergeant Jean Dark told KTBB on Friday, “for a yet to be determined reason, the driver of that vehicle chose to evade officers.” The wreck took place at the intersection of FM 349 and US 259 in Kilgore at 11:56 p.m. 17-year-olds Gabriel Coronado and Braden Jones were killed as a result of the wreck, and 2 other teens were transported to a Kilgore hospital. Continue reading 2 Teens Killed 2 Injured in Accident Following Chase

Kilgore Emergency Response is looking to update their facilities, following studies showing safety concerns. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Kilgore held an open house Thursday night giving residents a tour of both departments for a behind the scenes look at what first responders are facing. The event was held to show what updated the agencies are hoping to get fixed and a chance to hear from the public. Continue reading Kilgore Emergency Addressing Outdated Facilities

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview offices will be celebrating a 3 day weekend. In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, city offices will be closed. All city offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday. Sanitation and recycling services will not be affected. The Compost Facility will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and will re-open Wednesday. The Longview Public Library Main Branch and Broughton Branch will be closed all of January 20. Normal hours and operations start back on January 21. Continue reading Longview City Offices Closed for MLK Day

TYLER — Arbor day is Jan. 25th. The Tyler Trees Committee, Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host a tree planting event to commemorate the day. More than 50 trees will be planted at Faulkner Park during this event. The public is invited to bring their own shovels and volunteer to be part of this experience. Organizers say volunteers will learn how to properly plant a tree for proper growth and health. Volunteers will also all receive an Arbor Day shirt and lunch from Chick-fil-a while supplies last. Continue reading Arbor Day Event in Tyler