KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — On Monday, the City of Tyler and the Parks and Recreation Department planted a tree in honor of former Councilmember Ed Moore. Moore served the city from 2013 to 2019. The ceremonial planting of a Ginko tree took place at Gassaway Park, and was held to honor Moore’s years of service and community efforts. Typically Ginko trees will live hundreds of years. There is a Ginko tree in front of City Hall that is over 200 years old. The newly renovated Gassaway Park is on Shady Trail Dr. in Tyler.

TYLER — The Great Decisions Global Affairs Discussion Program is nearing kick-off. The Tyler Public Library, in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and the Tyler Branch of the American Association of University Women, will be sponsoring the series. This admission-free program starts Wednesday, and takes place through March 4. Continue reading 2020 Great Decisions Program to Launch

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler woman is arrested for intoxication assault Monday morning following a head-on collision. It happened just after midnight on Hwy 271, south of the U.T. Health Science Center. Witnesses told police that a 2005 Mercedes-Benz was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2019 Nissan Sentra head-on. The driver of the Mercedes, Jasmine Gonzalez, 19, of Tyler, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the crash. She was transported to a local hospital, treated and released into police custody. Continue reading Tyler Woman Arrested following Early Morning Wreck

EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in East Texas during a line of storms Friday evening. They were in Nacogdoches County, Northwest Panola County and Center. All three were classified as EF-1 tornadoes with winds up to 100 miles per hour. Continue reading Three Tornadoes Confirmed in East Texas

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County has reported one fatality as a result of Friday night’s storms. According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches County Emergency Management Rescue crews responded to a residence off of FM 225 for a man trapped by a tree. Larry Hadnot Jr., 44, was inside the home when a tree was blown onto the house trapping him. Another individual was inside the house but was able to escape with minor injuries. Hadnot was pronounced dead at the scene. Early damage reports in the county include multiple trees down, some structures damaged and power outages. As of Saturday morning, all roads in Nacogdoches County are reportedly open. There are power lines down, some in remote areas.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are assessing possible damage in the area from Friday night’s storms. According to the Kilgore Police Department Facebook page: “Unfortunately, it does look like we sustained more residential damage than originally believed. We will be doing damage assessments in the area for a little while today, that may include launching a drone. If any residents have immediate needs, please contact us and we’ll try to give some direction or assist how we can. Remember, be very cautious in using contractors who are soliciting door to door, we’re already seeing them roaming the neighborhoods.” Continue reading Storm Damage Assessment Continues in Kilgore

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A search warrant executed at a home in Wills Point leads to drugs and firearms seizures. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:30 Friday afternoon, law enforcement officials raided a home on 4th Street and seized approximately 30 pounds of illicit prescription pills with an estimated street value of $500,000. Additionally, multiple firearms, ammunition, narcotic related paraphernalia and other illegal drugs were seized. The residence is located across from a pre-school/ day care facility. One suspect was arrested. Continue reading Drugs, Weapons Seized from Wills Point Home

KILGORE — Officials in Kilgore said on Friday that Lantrip St. will be closed from the intersection of Henderson Blvd. to Thompson St. to start the next work week. The road will be widened to accommodate the additional traffic expected with proposed new development. Traffic will be detoured on to Thompson Street or Kay Street. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of March. This project is being funded through a partnership with Hometown Restaurant Group, the developers for Dairy Queen. Continue reading Kilgore Prepares for Detour Starting Monday

TYLER — All Tyler ISD after school activities have been canceled due to severe weather forecasted for a vast majority of the area. The cancelations include out of town athletic events as well as Boys and Girls Club after school care.Tyler – Due to the current storm predictions, tonight’s John Tyler and Robert E. Lee basketball games have been rescheduled for tomorrow: Continue reading TISD Cancels After School Activities for Friday

SMITH COUNTY — Threats of “Supercell Thunderstorms” have Smith County officials on high alert. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB on Friday afternoon that, “Judge Moran and I have been monitoring potential problems continually, and at this time it is looking like East Texas is looking at some rounds of some pretty significant storms and so we are taking action to make sure our law enforcement partners, our fire, and E.M.S. personnel responder’s as well as our road and bridge departments are ready and on stand-by to take action if necessary. Continue reading Smith County Preparing for Potential Storms

ATHENS — Athens Masonic Lodge #165 is hosting Carter BloodCare for a blood drive at Brookshire’s on Saturday. The Blood Drive Chairman, Daniel Hunt told KTBB on Friday, we normally try to do 2 Blood Drives a year, but Carter BloodCare, contacted us and told us they were critical on blood and asked us if we would do another blood drive this year.” The drive set for 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the store’s parking lot on E. Tyler St. in Athens. Continue reading Blood Drive to Replenish East Texas Blood Supply

CARTHAGE — Panola County District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson has named Gregg County First Assistant DA April Sikes special prosecutor in the trial of the suspect in the murder of Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson. According to a news release, the action follows Gregg County District Attorney Tom Watson’s offer of prosecutorial assistance, with the backing of Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. Watson says as a former law officer, he was hard-hit by the killing and took note of Davidson’s “smaller staff and limited resources.” Dickerson was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop last month in Panola County. Suspect Gregory Newson fled to Shreveport, where he was captured.

EAST TEXAS — Some East Texas students will be getting out of school early Friday in anticipation of strong storms. According to our news partner KETK, car riders in Alto ISD may be picked up at 12:30 p.m. and buses will run at 12:45 p.m. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but student and faculty safety are our priority,” the school district said on its Facebook page. Friday night’s girls’ basketball game will be played on Monday at 5:00 in New Summerfield. The boys’ basketball game will be played at a later time. Elsewhere, Winnsboro ISD will be letting students go at 1 p.m.

TYLER — On Thursday night, the Texas Rose Festival President, Bruce Faulkner, announced the 87th theme, as well as the Queen, Anna Grace Hallmark and Court at the 2020 Winter Gala benefiting the Tyler Rose Museum. This years Queen, Anna Hallmark, told KTBB what representing the festival means to her. “It’s really important to me, I’ve lived in Tyler my whole life, I’ve been around the Rose Festival my whole life, I’m just really excited to bring people in and show them all that we have to offer.” Continue reading 2020 Rose Festival Theme “Secrets of the Garden”

FLINT — An East Texas mother and daughter were indicted Wednesday on stalking charges after admitting to police they were leaving voodoo messages on a woman’s car. According to our news partner KETK, Jaclyn Feagin, 24, and Kristina Ferguson, 46, left messages and objects to harass the victim who had previously dated Feagin’s husband. Some of the items placed on the victims car included:Picture with a red pentagram drawn across the victim’s face, A pair of black male boxer short with the message “Just thought you should know,” A mason jar with a small voodoo doll with pins on the face and heart. There were also sigils that represented “horror, death, pain, insanity, delusion, and destruction,” and a black leather scroll dipped into a red substance. There was also a curse written in Latin. Continue reading Mother and Daughter Indicted for Stalking Victim

ATHENS — The former 2 term Henderson County Judge, Richard Sanders died earlier this week following a lengthy illness. Sanders began steering the county after winning election in November of 2010. Prior to that Sanders acted as the Regional Director for the 5th Congressional District of Texas. Following eight years in national politics, Sanders served Henderson County from 2011 to 2018. Continue reading Services Announced for Former County Judge Sanders

TYLER — The “economic forecast” for the Metropolitan Tyler Area appears to be robust. On Thursday Dr. Ray Perryman told KTBB why the area is looking strong, “Growth is continuing we’ve had some locations and expansions that are doing well. Tyler was just ranked as one of the top cities in the country as far as growth and income, which is basically putting money in peoples pockets. Investments being made in the health and science side is certainly very exciting. There is a fair amount of energy activity in the area, so there is a lot going on right now.” Continue reading Economic Forecast Strong for Tyler Region

TYLER/LONGVIEW – On Monday, Carter BloodCare announced that blood collections are so far behind community requirements that it will take 1,500 people every day for a week to reach a safe and sufficient supply of blood for hospitals and local patients. Thursday, Carter announced it has only seen 50 percent of those needed. According to a news release, if donations continue at this pace, the blood center will have to continue filling hospital orders on an “as needed” basis only — and that’s termed a safety concern. Carter officials continue to urge the public to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcomed. You may also visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or text or call 800-366-2834 for an appointment.

TYLER — On Wednesday afternoon. Smith County Sheriff’s personnel received a call from local Tyler attorney, D. Matt Bingham. According to Sgt. Larry Christian, Bingham stated that Sharlanda McCoy brought her son to his office in Tyler to cooperate with law enforcement and relinquish her child to the custody of Child Protective Services. McCoy is the mother of three year-old, Cash Rider, who has been missing since January 3, 2020. Smith County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jimmy Jackson and Lt. Nikki Keegan responded to Bingham’s law office. Once at this location, Sharlanda McCoy relinquished Cash Rider to the custody of Sheriff’s personnel without incident. Shortly thereafter, the child was released to Investigators with the Department of Family and Protective Services.

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Announced Local sales tax allocations on Wednesday. $763.8 million in local sales tax allocations for January will be passed out state wide, that 4 percent more than in January 2019. Tyler will get $3.4 million dollars down from 3.6 million dollars from this time last year. Longview will see $2.7 million, up from $2.6 million last year. You can search other cities numbers by clicking the link. https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/allocations/sales-tax/cities.php

TYLER — A 44-year-old Canton, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. On Wednesday, Robby Dale Baker was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Baker was also ordered to pay a money judgment in the amount of $8,000. Continue reading Canton Man Sentenced Following Plead Last June

LONGVIEW — The Social Security Administration in Longview was closed on Wednesday after a car crashed through the front doors of the building around 11:00 a.m. According to our news partner KETK, the driver was originally parked in the handicap spot before accelerating through the front glass doors. A second set of glass doors were undamaged. The driver of the vehicle and a woman that was hit while standing on the sidewalk have been taken to the hospital. The condition of each individual is not known at this time.

TYLER — This time of the year Ear Infections are not uncommon. On Wednesday Dr. Christopher A. Perro told KTBB, “Yes, we tend to see more patients this time of year coming in with ear infections. Since the ears and nose are connected, upper respiratory infections like colds dominate in the fall and winter months, and that can lead to more ear infections.” Continue reading Ear Infections Season is Upon Us

ATHENS – A motorcyclist pulled over south of Chandler now faces a variety of charges. On Wednesday Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told KTBB, Keaton Alan Carner, 28, was orginally for moving violations. Carner was on probation for a previous drug offense, had no driver’s license and could not provide proof of insurance. Deputy Meagan Hogan had him step off the bike and noticed he was carrying a knife in his right pants pocket. The ensuing pat-down search revealed an object the deputy suspected was methamphetamine. Continue reading Suspect Faces Variety of Charges Following Traffic Stop

TYLER — On Wednesday, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant will be taken offline as part of ongoing construction at the plant. This means the Lake Palestine Water Treatment plant will be the sole provider of treated water to Tyler’s water system through March. Residents could potenitally notice a different smell or taste of the water caused by Geosmin. On Tuesday LouAnn Campbell told KTBB,”Geosmin is not toxic, it’s safe to consume. The water is safe to use. Safe to taste, safe to consume, safe to take a bath in, safe to make your coffee with…It is safe to do everything you are already doing with your water.” Continue reading Potential for Water Taste and Odor Explained

TYLER — “While many people are excellent nurses, when someone takes the time to write about their experience – that’s special.” That is just one of the reasons , LTAC chief nursing officer Laurie Lehnhof-Watts said that Mary Harwell, RN, was recently selected by UT Health East Texas as a DAISY Award winner. Lehnhof-Watts continued, “This award is for nurses who provide excellent patient care.” As a winner of the DAISY Award, Harwell received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Continue reading UT Health Decorates Local Nurse Mary Harwell

SPRING HILL — Spring Hill ISD is mourning the loss of a long-time educator who died Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, Holly Ford retired in 2018 after 22 years teaching and coaching tennis at Spring Hill ISD but continued to be active in the district as a substitute teacher. Holly was a native of Gladewater and graduated from Baylor University with her Masters degree in 1982. Continue reading Former Spring Hill Tennis Coach and Educator Dies

LONGVIEW — The anniversary of the Big Inch Pipeline will be celebrated this month in Longview. The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College and the Gregg County Historical Museum will present, “Oil for Victory: Big Inch Pipeline Lecture and Panel.” Longview is celebrating their sesquicentenial anniversary in 2020 and this month remembers the Big Inch Pipeline. The Big Inch was a 1,254 mile-long pipeline transporting Texas crude oil through the Midwest and on to the east coast. Continue reading Big Inch Pipeline Lecture & Panel Discussion