KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The City of Tyler announced on Monday, that they have completed the free chlorine disinfection process after a month long conversion that started last month. The Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant and the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant put ammonia back into the system taking disinfection process back to chloramines, a mixture of ammonia and free chlorine. The City reformed the disinfection process to free chlorine for one month to improve and maintain the water quality standards in the potable water distribution system. The process of chloramines making their way through the enitre system will take about a week. Continue reading Tyler Ends Annual Free Chlorine Conversion Process

TYLER — UT Health East Texas EMS and Champion EMS have settled a lawsuit regarding ambulance services in Tyler. The lawsuit claimed Champion was infringing on a contract ETMC has with the City of Tyler, Smith County and the Smith County Emergency Management Service. ETMC has asked the court to order Champion to stop performing ambulance services in the region, while Champion contends ETMC conspired to form an illegal monopoly. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, UT Health East Texas EMS will continue to operate its ambulance service under the exclusive contract arrangement with the City of Tyler and Smith County. Continue reading Settlement Announced in Ambulance Dispute

TYLER — Tyler ISD has announced a new position to deal with campus safety. Jeffrey Millslagle has been hired as the district’s new Director of Safety and Security. Millslagle will lead the charge to ensure safety measures and emergency preparedness for all Tyler ISD facilities are in line with today’s school climate. Over the span of his 26-year career with the FBI, Millslagle has managed and directed investigations of counter-terrorism, violent crimes, drugs, white collar crimes, and crisis management. Millslagle also served two FBI deployments in Iraq in 2004 and 2007. Continue reading Tyler ISD hires New Director of Safety and Security

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is putting out the word on a new law that went into effect September 1 pertaining to mail thefts in Texas. This new law is especially pertinent in light of the upcoming Christmas season and the likelihood that these crimes will increase, according to a news release. The new law makes any theft of mail, at minimum, a Class A misdemeanor in Texas and can go up to a third degree felony. Also, if the stolen mail contains identifying information it is, at minimum, a state jail felony and can go as high as a first degree felony. The variances of these criminal offenses are dependent upon the number of pieces of mail that are stolen by any individual. Continue reading New State Law Concerning Mail Theft

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall announced that Tuesday, city workers will be installing new stops signs at the intersection of Indian Springs and East Travis. Once the installation is complete, the intersection will serve as a four way stop. The Marshall Police Department will be enforcing the area to make sure motorists are compliant. The new signs will be placed in an effort to enhance safety at the busy intersection, with both vehicles and foot traffic.

TYLER — Congressmen Louie Gohmert, told KTBB he does not expect the impeachment proceedings to go to a vote in the House of Representatives. “I just feel sure as smart as smart as Speaker Pelosi is, she would surely not want to have a vote to impeach the President in the House, cause she knows if that happens there is so much pressure from her most liberal people that it would end up passing. And then it goes to the Senate and there is no way they are going to get the votes to remove the President.” The District 1 Congressmen has served the 12 East Texas Counties since 2005.

LONGVIEW –On Monday, Texas District 7 House Representative Jay Dean filed for re-election to serve Gregg and Upshur Counties. Upon filing, Dean received the support of Governor Greg Abbott. Dean is Rated 100% pro-life by Texas Alliance for Life. Dean has a perfect ‘A’ rating from the NRA. Dean was elected in 2016 to the Texas House. Dean and his wife, Pokie, live in Longview where they raised their three girls and helped found their local church St. Matthews.

KILGORE — The choirs of Kilgore College will present a fall concert, “The World is Our Home,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, in the Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. The KC Chorale and KC Connection will perform sacred and secular pieces from composers including Mozart, Verdi, Dvorak, Dawson and Bernstein. Admission to the concert is free.

MARSHALL — Harrison County Deputies responded to a shots fired call Friday and ended up busting a steroid lab. the DEA responded to the location along with two chemists. the DEA team dissembled the lab and confiscated approximately 40 kilos of pure steroid powder. The Harrison county sheriff’s office discovered approximately 5,000 vials of manufactured steroid liquid with a street value of roughly $150,000; along with a large selection of pills that were being manufactured. Continue reading Bust in Discovery of Steroid Lab

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced on Monday the Center for Opinion Research and has released its November poll. This is the first statewide poll of random voters after Beto O’Rourke ended his campaign. The completed survey of 1,093 registered voters in Texas finds the Democratic nomination for President, Joe Biden’s lead increased slightly to 9 percent over Senators Sanders and Warren. On the question of impeachment, Texas voters are split. Continue reading UT Tyler Releases Opinion Research Poll for November

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressmen Louie Gohmert, spoke with KTBB about the inquiry into impeachment proceedings of President Trump. “I think it’s been an absolute farse. There has been nothing but here say. That would not admissible in a courtroom, and we are talking about trying to take out a duly elected sitting president.” The District 1 Congressmen from Texas went on to say he does not expect the proceedings to go to a vote in the house, following the disclosure of second and third-hand information.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — In October, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an aggravated robbery south of Jacksonville on FM 768. The victim said he was robbed by his friend who was at his home. The victim went on to say he had been held at gun point in order to steal another handgun from the residence. The suspect was later identified as Patrick McClelland of Jacksonville. Continue reading Jacksonville Man Arrested for Aggravated Robbery

TYLER — Extreme weather delayed the original celebration of Southside Park, but it did not stop it. According to our news partner KETK, on Saturday the city of Tyler “christened” the latest additions to the all -inclusive playground. South-side Park is located on Shiloh road and accommodates the needs of children in wheel-chairs with ramps, swings and slides.

HARRISON COUNTY –Two people were arrested on drug charges following gun shots in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK, authorities responded Friday nigh to the residence on Lansing Road. Sammie Leslie Vail, 38, and Ashley Pilgrim Vail, 37, both of Longview, were both arrested on numerous charges. While checking for injured persons, deputies discovered a lab to manufacture steroids. DEA agents soon arrived with two chemists. Continue reading Harrison County Arrest 2 from Longview

NACOGDOCHES — A Longview man, Robert Dulaney, was formally charged on Friday for making threats over the phone. Last month before the Cody Jinks scheduled concert at the Nacogdoches County Civic Center. An employee of the venue received a call that made specific threats to shoot several individuals during the show. The concert was cancelled. The investigation discovered that the caller used a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) number. Investigators identified that the phone used was a prepaid cell phone and found an email account that was linked to the VOIP number. Continue reading Suspect in Jinks Concert Threat is Inmate in Texas Prison

TYLER –Tyler Police announced on Friday that they are looking for 2 sought in connection to an auto burglary at the Holiday Inn on S. Broadway. The persons of interest were in silver truck. If you can identify these suspects, contact Detective Dickerson at 903-533-2088 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. In another crimes police are searching for 2 other men. Continue reading Tyler Police Searching for Suspects

TYLER — Many will be traveling to visit loved ones this holiday season. A recent Travel Channel survey found that 72% of those planning to travel will drive to their destinations. Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas (BBB) advises consumers to plan ahead when traveling this holiday season. Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas says, “So it’s very important to plan ahead, as it won’t likely be the most wonderful time of the year for traveling.” Continue reading Tips to Prepare for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, Partners in Prevention will host Teen Drug Trends: What Every Adult Should Know on Monday. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Watch UR BAC, from College Station will present two sessions to adults on the topics of Juuling/Vaping, Drug Stash Containers and Drug Clothing, Accessories, etc… The info sessions will be held at the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, on Glencrest Lane in Longview. The first session will be from 12–1:30 p.m., and a second from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Continue reading Teen Drug Trend Sessions Monday in Longview

TYLER — The Brookshire Grocery Company is getting into the holiday spirit with the launch of its annual holiday food drive. According to our news partner KETK, the campaign runs through December 20th. Brookshire Grocery Co. began sponsoring the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive in 1982 in partnership with the Rose City Kiwanis Club in Tyler, Texas. The food drive now provides about a half-million pounds of food to people in need throughout the company’s market areas each year.

TYLER — North East Texas Health said on Friday they are committed to definitively identifying the exact source of the local Legionella cases. Only 1 of the 5 possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported by NET Health, was confirmed, the other 4 were eliminated from further review, which updates the total to eight confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s Disease. Continue reading Update On Legionnaire’s Disease Investigations

TYLER — The groundwork has been in process for sometime but Thursday UT Board of Regents pulled the trigger on a $95 million dollar expansion for the University of Texas at Tyler and the U.T. Health Science Center. “Yesterday’s decision was a huge step moving forward, U.T. Board of Regents Chairmen, Kevin Eltife continued on Friday morning saying “while no timetable has been set for the completion of the facilities, site evaluation will begin immediately.” Continue reading 2 Tyler Institutions to Benefit from UT Regents

TYLER – Thursday marked the start of a new era of orthopedics and sports medicine in Tyler. Construction of the new Christus Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute began Thursday morning with the groundbreaking ceremony. According to our news partner KETK, the new facility will be located at the corner of Cumberland Road and Broadway Avenue in South Tyler. The facility will be four stories and encompass around 62,000 square feet of diagnostic, care, and rehabilitation space. The ground floor will include the Rehabilitation Center and the Community Education Center, which will host lectures, screenings, and community and organization events, along with the Peak Performance Program.

TYLER — Every year nearly 3,000 animals are rescued by the city of Tyler, and council members are taking notice. According to our news partner KETK, they approved new regulations for animal neglect. Shawn Markmann with Tyler Animal Services urged council members to change the current ordinance. to give detailed definitions as to what proper care for animals should be. The new change also classifies animal neglect as a class C misdemeanor.

TYLER — Tyler City Council members have asked the city manager to hire a firm to start work on the Rose Complex master plan. That’s according to our news partner KETK. The goal is to transform the area around Harvey Hall and the Tyler Rose Garden, including renovations to the East Texas State Fairgrounds and Tyler ISD’s football and baseball facilities. Fitzpatrick Architects, based in Tyler, would be in charge of the $1.5 billion dollar construction plan.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office invited the public to share information on the location of Marcus Raymond Bresler on Thursday. Bresler, age 39 of Longview failed to appear for trial in October. He was on bond for the criminal offenses of Assault Family Violence Impede Breath or Circulation and Assault Family Violence with a Previous Conviction. Bresler now has an active arrest warrant for those offenses. Continue reading Wanted Man Considered Armed and Dangerous

WHITEHOUSE — A former Whitehouse ISD employee and equipment manager is accused of molesting a football player back in 2010 and 2011. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, William Aldridge, 28 is also accused of sexually abusing a fourth-grader. 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 last week. Continue reading Former Whitehouse ISD Employee Accused of Molestation

TYLER — The City of Tyler publicized a new opportunity for Smith County on Wednesday. Residents outside of Tyler, along with Veterans and Seniors of Smith County, can now acquire a membership to the Tyler Public Library. Non-resident fees are typically $10 monthly, $50 for six months or $90 for a year. Veterans and Seniors 65 and over are now capable to purchase a membership for half the original cost. Continue reading Library Membership Options for Non-residents

TYLER — The city of Tyler announced on Wednesday that the Planning Department was awarded the 2019 Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence. The award comes in recognition of the professional planning standards demonstrated by the staff and the support exhibited by the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission. This is the fifth consecutive year that the City of Tyler Planning Department has received this award.