KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — After 6 months of construction,improvements to Chandler Street in Kilgore are complete and traffic will be re-opened to normal traffic at noon on Friday, and should help alleviate traffic challenges at KISD. On Wednesday Kilgore Director of Public Works Clay Evers told KTBB that a motivated contractor and good weather combined to complete the project a full month ahead of schedule. “It will now be a 2 lane road with a center lane. All of the utilities in the right of way of Chandler street were replaced and moved beyond the curb.”

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation announced on Wednesday that they are now accepting applications for seventy scholarships to be awarded to East Texas students for the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline for submission varies and is marked on the applications. A new feature has been added this year that will enable applicants to utilize an online matching tool to better determine which scholarships entrants they are most likely eligible for and to gain entry to the applications. Continue reading East Texas Communities Foundation Announces Scholarships

PALESTINE — A Palestine man has been charged with capital murder following the death of Nathaniel Torrez, four-month-old, according to our news partner KETK. Nathaniel was initially brought to the ER unresponsive on November 12 when doctors discovered that the he had numerous rib fractures, a fractured right arm, and a skull fractured that led to a brain bleed. The infant was transported to Houston for further treatment. The father of the infant, Jerry Torrez, 34, was arrested on November 12 for the charge of injury to a child causing bodily injury. The father was booked into the Anderson County jail where he has remained since his arrest. Nathanial Torrez died from his injuries December 14. Continue reading Palestine Man Charged with Murder following Death of Infant Son

RUSK — A former top employee for Cherokee County will spend the rest of his life in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Carl Phillips plead guilty to sexually abusing a child during a period of a year and a half. Phillps was sentenced to 50 years in prison with no chance of parole for the child sexual assault. According to the indictment, the molestation took place between January 2018 and June 2019. Continue reading 50 Year Sentence for Former East Texas Corrections Director

TYLER — Junior Achievement of Tyler announced on Tuesday their 2020 Business Hall of Fame Laureates for 2019, Dr. and Mrs. Mike Metke. The Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area (JA-Tyler) Hall of Fame reception and banquet will be held April 30 at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. Dr. and Mrs. Mike Metke, began serving Tyler Junior College (TJC) in 2007 with a strategic plan to “take TJC to the people.” Continue reading Junior Achievement Announces Dr. & Mrs. Mike Metke Hall of Fame Laureates

LONGVIEW — In August of this year Longview ISD Trustees approved $8.2 million dollars in pay raises district wide. According to our news partner KETK, Monday night the board approved 2.4 million dollars in incentive pay. The money will be going out instaff members December checks, with some earning nearly $20,000. Those numbers reflect nearly 700 staff members across 9 schools, and are almost 8 times the amount paid out to staff members when the program began in the 2014-2015.

TYLER –Downtown Tyler continues to pick up momentum with the announcement of Plaza Tower that McDermott International will be relocating to 3 floors of the Plaza Tower next month. On Tuesday Garnett Brookshire told KTBB this is a direct reflection of the cynergy happening in the town centre. “This does reflect that huge movement that we are currently undergoing. This is one of the largest if not the largest office lease in our recollection since we’ve been doing this downtown. It is just that, a reflection of the progress made downtown. But we are also proud to have them (McDermott International) here at Plaza Tower.” With 100 new professionals ready to call The Plaza home, it will be roughly, 75% full.

KILGORE — The first of several mandatory grant funding workshops begin this week for local governments, universities, independent school districts and non-profit organizations. Also, state agencies can now apply for grant funds from the Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, and Homeland Security Program. New Applicants and continuing applicants in 14 county region of the East Texas Council of Governments are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops, hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety Department. Continue reading ETCOG Announces Grant Funding Available

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has announced a plan to address mental health obstacles in Texas with a new program in the School of Nursing. On Tuesday, the School of Nursing’s Executive Director, Barbara Haas told KTBB that mental health care in Texas is a growing issue. “We are in crisis. In fact, in 2018 if Texas was ranked with all the other states and Puerto Rico, we were 50th in mental health care and we came in 51st in terms of access to mental health care. That’s how dire the situation is in Texas, and rural areas are even more at risk.” Continue reading Mental Illness Crisis Addressed with New Program at UT Tyler

LONGVIEW – LaDarius Breon Dockins Bell, of Tyler was found on the side of the road in Overton on Sunday. Police believe he was involved in a robbery in Longview just hours before his eventual death. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police were dispatched to East Fairmont street shortly before 2:00 p.m. The victim says 3 men stormed into his house after he opened the door. The homeowner fired shots at the three men with his handgun as they were leaving and said he might have struck their car. Continue reading Authorities Believe Weekend Shooting Victim Involved in Robbery Before Death

TYLER — The Tyler Transit Department in partnership with NDMJ Transportation will host an input meeting for the community on Friday in an effort to deal with the challenges of a decrease in funding from TxDOT. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. at the Tyler Transit Conference Room on East Oakwood St. The meeting is designed to get public feedback on the UT Health shuttle system. This route provides transportation to and from UT Health on Highway 271. The feedback is important in determining the demand for the route. For more information or to submit a comment, contact Tyler Transit General Manager Robert Gil at (903) 533-8057.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Monday night shooting in a residential area. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds at a home on Grand Avenue around 8:45. The victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. Evidence led authorities to West Carter Boulevard where casings, bullet holes, and traces of blood were found. Detectives believe that was the scene where the shooting took place. The suspect is still on the loose as police are asking for any information regarding the incident.

LONGVIEW — Monday was a big day for 3 Longview police officers, they were each promoted to various new ranks within the department. The Longview Police Department hosted a promotional ceremony that featured Seth Vanover advancing to the rank of Lieutenant. Nikki Cassin and Ryan Gibson were elevated to the Rank of Sergeant.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview announced Monday that a fire that broke out at the city’s compost site in West Longview on Sunday is under control, but the site will be closed this week. The fire is expected to continue to burn and or smoke over a long period of time. Longview officials said the fire was limited to compost piles in the back area of the site. There was never any immediate danger to neighboring property or residents in the area. Yard waste service from the Sanitation division will not be affected.

KILGORE — Two men are being sought for a home invasion that took place on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the 2 male suspects are identified as Jaylen Marcel Reese, 18, and Ajailion Shequan McFarland, 17. Kilgore Police say they are believed to be “armed and dangerous.” The Kilgore police say if you come in contact with the men, do not approach them, but instead contact authorities. Continue reading Kilgore PD Search for 2 Wanted in Home Invasion

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful will provide 2 locations for Christmas tree and wreath recycling in Tyler beginning the day after Christmas. Residents can bring non-decorated, non-flocked, natural Christmas trees and wreaths starting on Dec. 26 through Jan. 19. There will be allocated areas at Golden Road Park and Fun Forest Park in Tyler. Golden Road Park is located on McDonald Rd. and Fun Forest Park is on N Forest Ave. All lights, ornaments, garland and tinsel should be removed from the Christmas trees and wreaths before drop off. Continue reading Christmas Tree Recycling to Run Dec. 26 -Jan. 19

KILGORE –Workforce Solutions East Texas has received a Texas Rising Star Child Care Award. On Monday Lindsey Vanderbilt told KTBB that the WSET was recognized as one of the top 3 centers in the state. “Our goal is to provide a first class workforce for all of the local businesses and the future businesses that come to East Texas and what they are looking for and what they need.” Along with the acknowledgment comes a $75 thousand incentive grant. Continue reading Texas Rising Star Child Care Award for WSET

RUSK COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety is issuing an advisory in the wake of a fatal accident in Rusk County. Authorities say the two-vehicle crash Saturday evening on SL-571, 2.5 miles south of Henderson, was caused by a driver who had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel. The preliminary report indicates that Marshall Lee Tucker, 50, of Longview was traveling north when he fell asleep, traveled across the roadway, and struck a vehicle driven by Antonio Garcia, 62, of Henderson. Garcia was killed in the wreck. Tucker and a passenger in his vehicle were both taken to UT-Health–Tyler in serious condition. The crash remains under investigation. The DPS reminds motorists to get plenty of rest, avoid distracted driving, and buckle up everyone in your vehicle.

TYLER — The grit of the West as captured through the lens of renowned photographer Laura Wilson is on display in the Tyler Museum of Art’s newest major exhibition, according to a news release. That Day: Photographs in the American West opened to the public Sunday and runs through March 15 in the Museum’s North Gallery. Taken over a span of more than three decades, the images in That Day explore the places and individuals that have shaped and define one of the nation’s most dynamic regions, according to the release. They include depictions from legendary cattle ranches to six-man football teams. You can go to https://tylermuseum.org for more information.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a $477,000 contract to provide asphalt crack sealing for the streets identified for seal coating and resurfacing in 2020. Asphalt repairs are prioritized according to the pavement condition index scores and staff evaluations of the city’s streets, according to a news release. The crack seal project is scheduled to begin in January and continue through August 2020. Crack seal work is done prior to overlaying or resurfacing a street.

TYLER — The year end rally of St Paul’s Children’s Foundation is seeking to raise $350,000 from the community. On Friday,Patrick Wells told KTBB that St. Paul serves 31 East Texas Counties with 5 areas of focus. “A pediatric medical clinic, a pediatric dental clinic, a food pantry and clothes closet, mental health and wellness, and some additional community partnerships and organizations that we work with in order to provide these services.” You can get more info on St Paul’s Children’s Foundation by clicking the link. https://www.stpaulchildren.org/. Continue reading St. Paul Children’s Foundation Makes Year-End Push

KILGORE — Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) has been recognized for outstanding performance with a Texas Rising Star Child Care Award and a coinciding $75,000 performance incentive grant. The honor was handed out at the Texas Workforce Commission’s Annual Texas Workforce Conference in Grapevine. It all means WSET has been designated as one of the top three performing agencies in the State. The East Texas board has been a recipient of the award for each of the three years it has been available. According to a news release, the award honors local boards that have improved the quality of child care through the development of exemplary child care programs. The program honored this year was “Recipes for Early Childhood Quality Education.”

AUSTIN — Tyler and Longview continue to show positive numbers in monthly sales tax allocations from the state. For December, Tyler totaled $3,806,257.47, compared to $3,651,504.92 a year ago. For the year to date, the figure is $45,841,556.15; it was $43,655,209.86 at this time in 2018. Longview’s December figure is $2,795,078.21; a year ago it was $2,648,236.15. For the year to date, Longview has collected $34,436,922.42. Its total for the same period in 2018 was $32,891,679.13. Statewide figures are also up from a year ago in both categories.

TYLER — A memorial service will be held Tuesday for longtime oil and gas executive Bob Herd of Tyler, also a major local philanthropist, who has died at 91. According to the Stewart Family Funeral Home website, the graduate of Mesquite High School and Texas Tech started his career in Athens. He moved to Tyler in 1965 to start Herd Producing Company, Inc. He eventually owned and operated hundreds of oil and gas wells throughout Louisiana and Texas. Herd and his late wife, Pat, started the Bob L. Herd Foundation in 1994. Among other things, they were responsible for Marvin United Methodist Church’s Herd Worship Center, the Pat Herd Women’s Center at Christus Trinity Mother Frances, and the Herd Family Intensive Care Center at UT Health East Texas.

TYLER — Tyler police seek the public’s help investigating a home burglary. According to a news release, police were called around 11 a.m. Friday regarding a residential burglary in progress on Shenandoah Drive. The homeowner, who was away from the residence, called dispatch to report seeing two unknown males entering the home via the home’s live surveillance system. An officer arrived at the location to find two males leaving the home. One was arrested, but the other left the scene on foot. Luis Angel Baeza, 27, was jailed and charged with burglary of a habitation. Continue reading Tyler Police Investigate Home Burglary

LONGVIEW — Longview High School was evacuated on Friday afternoon after an alleged bomb threat was directed at the campus. According to our news partner KETK, the threat came from a track phone. Administration was immediately notified and bomb threat protocols were put into action while officials made a sweep of Lobo Stadium. Once it was deemed safe, students and staff were moved to the stadium.

TYLER — Card 53 Comedy has been bringing the laughs to Tyler and East Texas for ten years. Jamey Whitley told KTBB that the comedy troupe tries to make guiltless jokes that are above the line. “We call it cleanish in a way to avoid embarrassing our wives, our significant others, our dogs our neighbors, or our places of employment.” The commemorative show starts at 8pm on Saturday night at Liberty Hall in downtown Tyler, and will highlight special videos, interviews, and loads of fun. https://libertytyler.com/events/2019/12/14/card-53-comedys-10th-anniversary

WASHINGTON D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01) spoke at press conference after the vote in the House Judiciary Committee on “Articles of Impeachment.” He has told KTBB on numerous occasions he has been dissatisfied with this entire process and was clearly frustrated today. “This is an outrage, it sets the bar for any President of any party for the future to go through 3 years of hell like this President has, it’s really unfortunate, this is a sad day for the country.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaZNnQ8qsJc&feature=youtu.be

TYLER — Tyler City Councilman Criss Sudduth, died Thursday evening after a long illness. According to our news partner KETK, the Representative for District 6, was remembered by his colleagues as a devoted public servant and community leader. “It was my honor and privilege to serve with Criss,” said Mayor Martin Heines.“His strength of character, unwavering optimism and faith inspired our City Council and the entire East Texas community.” Continue reading Tyler Councilman Dies After Lengthy Illness