KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HENDERSON — Dogs now have a new place to stretch their paws. According to our news partner KETK, the newly christened ‘Fair Paws Dog Park’ is located at Fair Park in Henderson. The area was built as a partnership between the City of Henderson and the PAWS-itive Foundation, Inc. The park became a reality as the result of community donations, local businesses, and volunteers, the park has been in progress since the official groundbreaking on August 2nd of last year.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Jurors have found Montorio Harris not guilty in the 2017 shooting death of 34-year-old Donald Ray Kenney on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the 27-year-old had been in the Gregg County Jail on a $200,000 bond since February 5, 2017, after police found Kenney’s body along railroad tracks near Southwest Loop 281 in Gregg County. The trial began Monday, September 30 with jurors reaching their decision Friday, October 4.

TYLER — CityFest is an event that Evangelist Andrew Palau said has been in the works for downtown Tyler for two years. The crowds would not disappoint with thousands on hand for Saturday’s festival and an equally impressive lineup to take the stage on Sunday night. The roars from the crowds could be heard blocks away as people cheered for a variety of musical acts that shared the stage with Evangelist Palau. The Luis Palau Association was established in 1966 has preached the gospel of Christ around the world.

TYLER –Are you registered to vote in the upcoming elections? The deadline to register is Monday. According to our news partner KETK, eligible Texans who are not already registered to vote may complete and print a voter registration by requesting an application from their county elections administrator. Local post offices, most high schools and libraries will also have applications. Once completed, eligible Texas voters should submit the application to the county voter registrar in their county of residence. Continue reading Voter Registration Deadline is Monday

TYLER — Suddenlink customers are venting frustrations with their cable and internet provider for service and billing problems. According to our news partner KETK, customers report having their plans suspended abruptly for non-payment, though their payment accounts were set to autopay. Suddenlink is telling customers, when customers can get to a service representative, that autopay setups were deleted when the company went to a new system earlier this week. On Saturday the provider released the following statement. Continue reading Suddenlink Customers Upset, Pour in to Local Store

KILGORE — Kilgore held its 5th annual Oktober Fest which promotes local businesses and traditional festivities on Saturday. According to our news parnter KETK, the event has grown through the years. This year the festival takes in three blocks of vendors, food, games, and the festival staple…beer. Despite being a German culture festival, the event had activities for all ages, including kids.

EAST TEXAS — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the Week of October 7, 2019. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Smith County – Tyler Maintenance crews on Monday plan to conduct edge repair work on FM 16 between FM 14 and US 271, and culvert repairs on SH 110S just north of Whitehouse. In Gregg County – I-20 WB Overlay Project Continues from SH 31 to SH 135. The contractor continues asphalt operations, striping, and placing edgeline rumble strips on the roadway. Complete report available by clicking the link. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/050-2019.html.

GREGG COUNTY — East Texas law enforcement get calls about stray or wandering animals quite often. Cattle, horses, dogs – all the usual animals. According to our news partner KETK, this time, though, was a most unusual animal. An elk. A lone, stray elk. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Officers responded to the roadway at Hwy 322 and FM 349. The animals are far more common in mountainous regions, Elk usually don’t mistake hills for mountains. Deputies eventually “persuaded” the animal to leave the roadway and return to a wooded area. They’re also asking anyone who might have an elk that’s gone missing to give GCSO a call.

TYLER — The Tyler Professional Firefighter’s Association created the Tyler Firefighter Cancer Awareness & Relief Effort (C.A.R.E) to fundraise for local firefighter families battling cancer and to support other local women’s cancer organizations in East Texas. On Friday they had the kick-off event with the goal to Turn Tyler Pink. The fundraising event, in which the firefighters sell t-shirts and educate the public during the month of October, will take place on Tuesday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on the square in downtown Tyler.

HENDERSON — A Henderson ISD school board member accused of paying for his opponents signs to be stolen, pouring sugar in his vehicles has tank , and slashing a tire denies all the charges. According to our news partner KETK, Jon Best has spoken against the charges through a release from his lawyer. “Jon Best has not made a statement since his arrest on September 27 for good reason. Only the entire truth should be told to the public. Not lies, not innuendos, and not partial conversations. Jon and his lawyer want to hear all of the recordings and videos just like all the voters.” Complete Statement on next page. Continue reading Henderson ISD Board Member Denies Duey’s Charges

ATHENS — An East Texas man scheduled to be executed by the state on Oct. 16th has had his execution delayed to allow his mental state to be evaluated. Randall Wayne Mays was set to die for the murder of two Henderson County deputies. During a disturbance call back in May of 2008, May’s shot 3 deputies, killing Officers Paul Habelt and Tony Ogburn. Mays’ attorneys filed a motion to find him unable to be executed because he has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Continue reading Execution Halted for Man who Killed 2 Henderson County Deputies

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week Oct. 6-12. “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” is this years theme. The NFPA is approaching the century mark of being the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit http://www.fpw.org.

WHITEHOUSE — Camp Tyler Outdoor School is hosting its first Fall Festival on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Camp Tyler is offering a traditional carnival theme hoping to stir some memories from the past. The fall festival will have games and activities. The free event will have concessions available for a small charge. Continue reading Camp Tyler Outdoor School to Host Fall Festival

TYLER — A 22-year-old Harrison, Michigan man was sentenced on Thursday for child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Daniel Wayne Little, II, pleaded guilty in May, to coercion and enticement of a child and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison. According to information presented in court, over a 10-month period , Little pursued an inappropriate relationship with a 10-year-old child. Little used the internet to find the victim and then sought sexually explicit images and videos from her, demanding specific images and videos and describing how he wanted to engage in with her. Little was indicted by a federal grand jury in Nov. of 2018.

TYLER — You have one final week to enjoy the Tyler Splashpads for this season. On Friday, The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department announced the seasonal closing of splashpads at Bergfeld and Faulkner Parks on Oct. 11. Reservations for the pavilions can still be made by calling the Parks Admin office or email them: Parks&[email protected].

CHANDLER — All SH 31 main lanes were shut down in Chandler due to a gas leak late Thursday afternoon. According to the Texas Department of Transportation SH 31 was closed from the intersection of FM 315 west to the railroad overpass. Motorists had to find alternate routes to reach their destinations for more than an hour. The leak was fixed and traffic was restored shortly after 6pm.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested a suspect in a shooting at a home on Jan Street that they believe was related to drug activity. Around 9:55 p.m. Thursday, 18-year-old Levi Mercer told responding officers he had been shot in the stomach during a struggle with a person later identified as 17-year-old Marcus Bell of Tyler, who was also shot during the incident. Officers found Bell around midnight at his home on Alpine Street and learned he had been shot in the left upper thigh. Police say the gun used in the incident was found inside the Jan Street home. Both teens went to the hospital. Upon release, Bell was jailed on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bond set at $150,000.

TYLER — Thousands of people are expected in downtown Tyler this weekend for CityFest East Texas. The weekend features several nationally acclaimed artist in concert. Evangelist Andrew Palau says the event is all about providing hope. In preparation for the large crowds, organizers are providing several parking lots designated on the city map with large squares in blue. Concerts and Parking is free. Tickets for food cost one dollar. Event managers are encouraging people to utilize Uber or Lyft to help alleviate traffic challenges. Continue reading CityFest East Texas Comes to Downtown Tyler

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County has found their next C.E.O. Chairman Mike Thomas announced the boards decision to hire John Gaston on Thursday afternoon. Nan Moore is the outgoing CEO, she has served in that capacity for the past 12 years and says John truly cares about our community and the work we do here. Gaston spent many years in broadcasting sales and management in both radio and television, most recently as President and General Manager of CBS 19 in Tyler. Following his broadcasting career, Gaston has assisted with marketing and sales for the Athletic Department of the University of Texas at Tyler.

TROUP — Troup Police are searching for a man suspected of stealing coins from a machine at a local car wash. According to our news partner KETK, the white male is driving a late ’90s or early 2000s white Ford Pickup. The vehicle was last seen heading towards Jacksonville on HWY 135. We have posted a picture at KTBB.com Contact the Troup Police Department. All individuals that provide information will remain confidential.

TYLER — Sidewalk and driveway work will keep North Palace Avenue shut down for the immediate future. The improvements are expected to continue though the first of November. The work will affect the area between West Queen Street and West Franklin Street. The project will alter traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on work days. Drivers will have to detour and return to North Palace Avenue. Residents whose homes are affected by the construction will be able to get in and out of their homes. We have posted a map of the impacted area at KTBB.com

TYLER — UT Tyler is taking measures to make it easier to attend the University. According to our news partner KETK, graduating seniors from more than 40 East Texas schools met at UT Tyler on Wednesday. Dr. Michael Tidwell had the attention of the 1200 plus students in attendance. The University of Tyler President announced a new initiative that allows any student in the top 25% of their graduating class, automatic admission into UT Tyler. The proposal extends to all students across the state of Texas.

TYLER — Former Tyler City Councilman John Nix has suspended his run for Tyler mayor — leaving current Councilman Don Warren as the only announced candidate. In a press statement, Nix says he’ll be buying out his father, who’s also his business partner, and “will need to re-establish the footing of Nix Construction as a sole proprietorship.” Nix adds that he’ll “continue to be deeply involved in city governance and the business community.” Nix says he has confidence in Warren, who responded that he has the utmost respect for Nix. The new mayor will be chosen during the next city election in May.

DALLAS — Alexis Stossel of Kilgore says she was glad to take the stand in the trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger for the murder of Botham Jean. According to our news partner KETK, Botham, she said, was one of, if not the, most genuine humans she has ever known. The two former classmates were best friends. Stossel met Botham while attending Harding University in Arkansas. And that friendship would blossom. From memories made in church to the lunches together after the Sunday service. Her favorite of those memories was a roadtrip from East Texas to Tennessee where they spent 10 hours in the car to go to another friend’s wedding. Continue reading East Texas Woman Says She lost her “Best Friend”

WHITE OAK — White Oak police are looking for help from the public in finding the person or persons responsible for damaging a church sign. According to our news partner KETK, damage to the sign of Increase Church of White Oak’s digital message board occured Tuesday morning between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m. The damage is estimated to be around $10,000. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the White Oak Police Department.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments released the Fiscal Year 2020 budget Thursday morning. According to ETCOG, 57.4 million dollars was approved in September. The budget reflects an overall increase of over $770,000 compared to the 2019 financial blue print. Most of this years increase is reflected in the Transportation and Public Safety-911 programs due to additional funding received for capital equipment. A copy of the approved budget, and other ETCOG financial and reporting documents can be downloaded at http://www.etcog.org/financials. ETCOG is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Grand Jury has found Longview Police Officers’ Use of Deadly Force Justified during the apprehension of a murder suspect last July. The Gregg County Grand Jury absolved Longview Police Officers Doug Brinkley, Armondo Juarezortega, Jonathan Wolf and Kerry Higginbotham in their use of deadly force during the apprehension of Kenneth Earl Thomas Jr. who is a suspect in the murder of Kimberly Wallace. A Texas Rangers investigation into the non-fatal shooting of Thomas was turned over to the Gregg County D.A. who found that Thomas opened fire upon the Officers. Continue reading Non-Fatal Police Shooting in Gregg County Justified

LONGVIEW — A shooting by two Longview police officers last August was taken before a grand jury, and the officer’s were absolved of any wrong doing in the case. Officers Jason Kelley and John Collier shot and killed an 18 year old Detravian Allison. Officers observed two subjects inside a stolen vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Subsequently, Allison exited the driver’s side and produced a handgun. Allison raised the handgun and pointed it at Officer Kelley. Both Officers opened fire and Allison was struck four times. Officers provided first aid until EMS arrived. Continue reading Gregg County Grand Jury Says Deadly Force Justified