KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — Funeral services for Kenneth Geeslin, 71, of Athens, are scheduled for December 21. The Henderson County 4 Pct Commissioner died last week. Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney told KTBB that with heavy hearts the county is looking at the next steps for the county. “At this point and time we have our elections administrator and county attorney looking into the direction that we need to take by statute, but as of right now we are waiting on that information to come back and waiting on the appropriate amount of time for this enormous loss.” Continue reading Services Announced for Henderson County Commissioner

SMITH COUNTY — The mother of Madison Williams, the 3-year-old Chapel Hill child who drowned in August, has been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Tiffany Snyder, 29, was indicted December 5 on two charges, injury to a child and possession of a controlled substance. On August 18, authorities with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to CR 210 between CR 850 and HWY 64 regarding a missing child. After several hours of searching, law enforcement located the body of Madison in a nearby pond on the property. Snyder was arrested that same day. She is being held in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $202,500.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has annulled the master electrician license of a Quitman resident after he allowed someone else to carry out electrical work using his license number and was not their to supervise the work as state law requires he do. The TDLR said on Thursday the revocation went into effect on Nov. 12. Timothy D. Rike signed an agreed order revoking his license and also declared to pay an administrative penalty of $4,500. Continue reading Quitman Man’s Master Electrician License Revoked

TYLER — On Thursday the University of Texas at Tyler announced that Dr. Prabha Sundaravadivel, assistant professor of electrical engineering, has received a National Science Foundation grant. It will be utilized to promote the advantages of smart healthcare. Smart healthcare is technology that leads to better diagnostic tools, better treatment for patients, and devices that improve quality of life. The three-year grant is for $500,000 and will also help encourage students develop an interest, or further an interest, in healthcare professions.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man will face trial next July for the murder of 2 women in Gregg County. According to our news partner KETK, Joseph Wayne Burnette, 42, is accused of murdering Felisha Pearson and a woman known for more than a decade only as “Lavender Doe”. Both cases have been set for July 20th in the 188th District Court in Longview. The court date will be one year to the day since Felisha Pearson was reported missing by her mother. Continue reading East Texan to Stand Trial Next July for 2 Murders in Longview

TYLER — Wednesday evening was a night described by some attendees of New Life Worship Center as “enlightening.” The church on HWY 69 S in Tyler hosted a symposium in the “family life center gymnaisium” that Pastor Rudy Bond told KTBB was ironic because it was all about families being aware of “predators and their strategies. “The symposium was phenomenal, it gave insight on things to do, things not to do.” Continue reading Awareness Symposium Hosted at New Life Worship Center

TYLER — On Wednesday the Tyler City Council approved nearly $1.45 million to pay for finished work and funding for new contracts to maintain the city’s wastewater system. Project work is in the works that would strengthen the sewer lines that cross or run near creeks to help prevent unauthorized discharges of sewage into the environment. Continue reading Council Approves $1.45 Million for Sewer System

TYLER — With the recent ground breaking in it’s rear-view mirror, the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas is moving full speed ahead. On Thursday the BBB’s President/CEO Mechele Mills told KTBB that weather permitting the new facility should be open by next June. “We are very very excited. What it will mean is that we can conduct more classes, and provide more opportunities for consumers and businesses to learn how to be better at what they do and how to be better consumers as well.” The new location will be at Copeland Point Professional Park in South Tyler.

JACKSONVILLE — The Austin Bank Board of Directors has designated Russ Gideon as the Bank’s President / CEO effective January 1, 2020. Gideon succeeds John P. Williams who is retiring on December 31, 2019 after nearly 3 decades with Austin Bank. The promotion was approved during the December Board of Directors meeting at the Austin Bank corporate office in Jacksonville. Continue reading Austin Bank Names Russ Gideon President / CEO

TYLER — The Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will hold a public meeting at the Aviation Memorial Museum, on Airport Dr. this Thursday at 6 p.m. The gathering will deal with the vision for the future. This will be the first meeting held as part of the Airport Master Plan and will introduce the anticipated needs for the airport over the next 2 decades. Project details will be presented. The public is invited to attend, share and learn about the future of the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

TYLER — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler is hosting 14 public health leaders from 13 different countries on Thursday. UTHSC’s Jake Martin told KTBB on Wednesday the group would be meeting with a goal of improving health care overall. “They are going to visit the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and visit with our faculty and staff here in our new school of Community and Rural Health, and discuss different health care and specifically world health care disparities with-in their own countries.” This is part of a three-week International Visitor Leadership Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

TYLER — Silas Franks, the Smith County Emergency Serves District 2 employee was arrested last week and charged with child porn possession. On Wednesday our news parnter KETK, said some of the allegedly uploaded pictures included victims as young as 2 years old. In an arrest warrant Franks is said to have uploaded the pornography while on duty for the ESD2. Franks, 25, had been under investigation after Tyler police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Continue reading According to Warrant ESD2 Employee Uploaded Child Porn while On Duty

HARLETON — Texas Parks and Wildlife is partnering with public school districts across the state to get kids interested in archery. Harleton Superintendent Brian Gray says nearly 180 students in his district participate. Gray says, “It teaches kids focus and responsibility, and it’s a niche for a lotta kids.” Last year more than 2,200 students participated in the state Bullseye Championship Tournament.

TYLER — An in-depth investigative study by Better Business Bureau finds fraud is widespread in the online rental home and vacation rental market. The study shows almost 1 in 2 online shoppers encountering a fake listing and more than 5 million consumers losing funds to scams. The investigative study, notes that 85% of clientale encountering fake rental listings do not fall for them. However, these figures suggest that the volume of rental scams lurking on the internet is staggering. Read the full study by clicking the link. https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21033-bbb-investigation-rental-scams

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Athens ISD bus driver from January’s deadly crash that killed one student was back in court on Wednesday for another status hearing. According to our news partner KETK, the first pretrial hearing for the case has been set for February 5 in the 392nd District Court in Athens. John Stevens, 79, is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the bus he was driving collided with a Union Pacific train in Athens January 25. The collision killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla after he was ejected from the bus and severely injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. Stevens was also injured in the collision. Continue reading First Pre-Trial Hearing Set for Athens ISD Bus Driver

TYLER — On Monday the University of Texas Board of Regents “doubled down” on their recent investment of $95 million dollars to new educational and clinical facilities for UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler. On Wed. Board Chairman Kevin Eltife shared with KTBB with this was a huge win for the students. “This is setting the stage and a catalyst in the future for the possibility of a medical school in our community, which would be huge for this whole area.” Continue reading UT Board of Regents Sets Stage for Possible Medical School in Tyler

SMITH COUNTY — Many voters were left concerned in the November elections after one polling place closed and voters waited hours in line. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran stated that the fall elections did not meet expectations and expects changes in the future. “Our November elections did not occur up to standard, we did not fulfill our obligations to this community to do elections in the way they need to be done, they were accurate, but we had a lot of problems we need to address,” said Judge Moran. Continue reading November Polling Issues Addressed during Commissioners Court Meeting

BULLARD — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 16-year-old girl. According to a press release, Kylee Elise Stewart-Voss, 16 was last seen at 8:00 p.m. on Monday night. Kylee is described as a white female standing 5’3″ and weighing 140 pounds. If you have information regarding her whereabouts the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office urgest you to contact them at (903) 683-2271.

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater couple was arrested after Gregg County authorities removed their child that was living in animal feces and poor hygienic conditions. Elisha Gray, 31, and Matthew Alderman, 45, received multiple charges includ-ing child endangerment and animal cruelty. According to Gregg County Sheriffs Lt. Josh Tubb, “authorities extracted 12 cats, 6 dogs, a rooster, a pig, a possum, and 12 rats from the location that were all living in the house, or in a cage in the house in their own feces and urine, all of the occupants of the house were exposed to that.” At present neither Gray or Alderman have posted bond.

TYLER — During the Texas Workforce Commission Conference, The Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) was recognized in two award categories. On Tuesday, Executive Director Nancy Crawford told KTBB she was thrilled that the LCOT took highest honors of “Best in Class” for overall program performance. LCOT also took 2nd Place overall in the “Employee Partnership” category for its on-site English as Second Language programs. “I thought we might get one award, I was sort of shocked about two, and everyone tells me it showed on my face. I don’t have a picture of that but apparently I was truly suprised, and very very pleased and it is a lot of hard work.” Continue reading Literacy Council of Tyler Awarded Best in Class

BECKVILLE — A Christmas Tree Farm in Beckville is in its 30th season. Jackie Merket with Merket Christmas Tree Farm says they have something for everyone. “We got some trees that are real fragrant. Some trees don’t have any smell. But then on the other hand some trees are really clean, they don’t carry any trash in the house. We have a Virginia Pine, it’s grown here at the farm. It’s real fragrant, but it’s changing it’s pine needles this time of the year so, it does have some stuff inside that we try to clean out as best we can before they leave.” Continue reading Christmas Tree Farm Enters 30th Year

TYLER — The Robert E. Lee High School Theatre department will present the musical Chicago, High School Edition with opening night Thursday. TISD says there will be nightly performaces through Saturday beginning at 7:00 p.m. There will also be 2 matinee presentations at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The show will take place at Robert E. Lee Fine Arts Center on ESE Loop 323. The state-of-the-art facility is part of the voter-approved BOND2017 high school renovation package. Tickets are available at the door. The cost is $5 for students or seniors 65+ and $10 for adults.

ATHENS — It’s been a year since a man and his 17-year-old daughter were fatally shot in their home South of Chandler. On Tuesday Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told KTBB the investigation into the murders of Gabriel McBride, 47, and his daughter, Beverly McBride continues. “Someone out there very possible could know something, and we are asking them to come forward. There is a $10,000 reward through Crimestoppers, if they contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS.” Continue reading $10K Reward in Double Murder in Henderson County

MARSHALL — New information has been released regarding an officer involved shooting in Marshall. Following a weekend filled with rumors and speculation, The Texas Rangers have allowed the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office to release more information regarding an officer involved shooting that occurred late last week. Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jay Webb said have been rumors and comments over the number of times the suspect was shot. Webb says the man was shot one time, according to the medical examiners office and The Texas Rangers office. Continue reading More Details Released following Officer Involved Shooting

WASHINGTON D.C. — The GOP on Monday told the House Judiciary Committee that the Democrats had built their case around hearsay. On Monday evening Congressman Gohmert told KTBB it was hard to hear all day long. “It just was so hard to sit through the hearing today knowing that there is nothing but hear-say upon hear-say, some of it 4th and 5th hand hear-say.” Continue reading Congressmen Gohmert: “I’m Scared for my Country”

TYLER –Just weeks after The University of Texas System Board of Regents invested $95 million in new educational and clinical facilities for UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler, the Board doubled down on its commitment to East Texas. On Monday they unanimously authorized a new arrangement so that the two Tyler institutions will permanently come together under one administrative structure to best serve the needs of the state of Texas. Continue reading UT Regents to Integrate Talent and Assets of UT Tyler and UTHSC at Tyler

HENDERSON — A provisional burn ban was voted into action on Monday in Rusk County Commissioner’s Court. According to the Office of Emergency Management facebook page, the provision cites that the county is in “drought like conditions.” The provisional ban requires individuals to have a water source readily available on-site. Flammable materials not going into the fire will need to be kept at least 10 feet from the flames. Additonally, residents must notify their local fire department when they will be burning. The difference in a provisional and a full burn ban is that a full ban prohibits all outdoor burning across the entire county.

WOOD COUNTY — Christmas came early for four children who lost their home and parents from a fire on Thanksgiving. Courtney Cline and her longtime partner, Ben Mendez died in that fire. According to our news partner KETK, on Sunday a Dallas man, Michael Moreno delivered the early “Christmas” after he teamed up with Toys for Tots and other various organizations to give the kids something positive to think about. Amilya Minor, a sister of Cline, was grateful for the help. “He got clothes, he got Christmas for them, he also put in place for them to get food when it got around Christmas time, just a big blessing.” Continue reading Early Christmas for Victims of Thanksgiving Day Fire

TYLER — A social worker from Mineola, has officially announced her campaign for Texas Senate, District 1 in 2020. Audrey Spanko,told KTBB why she decided to run. “I want to represent East Texas and fight for affordable healthcare.” Spanko believes her diversity makes her an ideal candidate for East Texans. Spanko, a Democrat, has witnessed how current state policies have affected people and communities across the district, and she is on a mission to fight social injustice, advocate for the people of East Texas, and bring positive change to the state.

TYLER — Champions for Children Smith County is inviting the community to join in for a fundraiser event at grub on Monday through close of business tonight. Make sure to mention the fundraiser at check out. Champions for Children is a United Way of Tyler/Smith County partner agency with a primary focus of quality, early childhood education for children birth to five years of age. Champions’ also provides individual services to children, families, childcare centers and teachers in East Texas. For more details click the link. https://championsforchildren.org/about-us/