KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER –The Texas Medical Board temporarily restricted the licenses of Dr. James Martin Stocks. According to our news partner KETK, the board temporarily restricted, without notice, Dr. Stocks license and he is prohibited from possessing, distributing, or prescribing controlled substances in Texas. The moved came after the board found Stocks was arrested for felony diversion of a Schedule II controlled substance including opioids. Continue reading Tyler Doctor’s License Restricted- Accused of Illegal Diversion of Opioids

TYLER — Gallery Main Street has partnered with the 86th Annual Texas Rose Festival to create Portraits of Inspiration, an art exhibit inspired by the original costume design of Winn Morton. The Gallery, on W. Erwin St. will host an opening reception Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. This free event will offer the opportunity to meet many of the artists, the 2019 Rose Queen, and Mr. Winn Morton. Morton has been designing the costumes and scenes of the Texas Rose Festival since 1982. Continue reading Art Exhibit Partners with Texas Rose Festival

TYLER — Surveyors are in the Shackleford Creek and Lower West Mud Creek watersheds area working to map storm drain discharge locations. The Shackleford Creek watershed borders East Grande to the North and runs south past Toll 49 and from Paulxy Drive to the East to U.S. Highway 69 to the West. Lower West Mud Creek is near Texas Highway 155 in the North, South past Toll 49 and from County Road 192 and Farm-to-Market Road 2493 to the West, to Highway 69 on the East. Continue reading Surveyors Mapping Storm Drain Discharge Locations

RAINS COUNTY — The Department of Public Safety responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on SH-276 just on Thursday afternoon. The wreck took place just inside the city limits of East Tawakoni. The investigation indicates Eddy Clyde Yeley, 32 on Lone Oak, crossed over onto the wrong side of the highway and struck a vehicle driven by Richard Clayton Lemoine, 29, of Point TX. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, identified as Robert Michael Jones, 74, also of Point TX was transported to Hunt County Regional Hospital where he later died. The crash remains under investigation.

KILGORE — The city of Kilgore experienced a major power outage on Friday morning. According to the Kilgore police department facebook page, “a large critter” got into a switching station off of Longview street. Over 1,900 customers were without power, including Kilgore ISD who posted on social media that they had been impacted by the outage. Swepco had electricity restored before noon.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has reached a new milestone for the 2019 fall semester. The student enrollment of 12,585 is the highest attendance in the schools 93 year history. This academic year marks a 2.6-percent increase from TJC’s fall enrollment of 12,270 students in 2018. This is a continuation of growth for TJC. Enrollment has risen from 10,934 in 2015 to the current total of 12,585 students in 2019 – a 15-percent increase. Tyler Junior College was established in 1926.

FLINT — A new fire station is in the works for the Flint – Gresham Volunteer Fire Department. On Thursday evening Smith County ESD 2, fire fighters, and community members came out for the ground-breaking ceremony. According to our news partner KETK, the new facility will be located a mile away from the current Station 1 at the corner of Burkett Road and Spruce Hill Road in Flint. The old facility was built in 1974 and the department says it’s showing age, maintenance and other issues. The new station will feature training spaces and ample storage to house the department’s equipment.

ATHENS — A trial for an Athens ISD bus driver has been pushed back after a hearing in the 392nd District Court. John Stevens was driving a bus last January when a collision with a Union Pacific train claimed the life of one student and injured a second. Judge R. Scott McKee granted a continuance on Thursday following a brief discovery status hearing. Defense lawyers have filed an open records request with AISD and said that it would take time to go through it. Stevens, 78, was present, but remained silent during the entire hearing. Continue reading Athens Bus Driver Trial Pushed Back likely to 2020

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announces a multimillion-dollar gift to endow and name the new Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering. Officials say the gift, from Jasper Ventures, is the largest in the history of UT Tyler’s College of Engineering. In a news release, university President Dr. Michael Tidwell says, “As a leader in the hydrocarbon industry, Jasper Ventures is the perfect partner for us as we build a world-class chemical engineering program.” Among other things, officials say the gift will establish the Jasper Endowed Scholarship Fund for chemical engineering students and the Jasper Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering.

HENDERSON COUNTY — One man is dead after hitting power lines just outside of Eustace. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County deputies responded to a call near FM 2329 and County Road 2857 around 9:15 Thursday morning. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, said the man was in a hang glider when it got tangled up in power lines. The Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Public Safety were also on scene. The FAA has now taken over the investigation.

TYLER — Smith County officials say they have seen a positive increase in Veteran service office visits this year. In 2018, there were 1253 in office visits. In 2019, the number increased to 1,482. The office has also aided veterans in filing 907 claims this year, compared to 720 in 2018. Officials attribute the uptick in visits to an initiative that the Smith County Commissioners Court and the Veteran Services Office held on how to better serve those who served. Smith County says that there are roughly 16,000 veterans across the county. For more information visit http://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/veterans.

TYLER — Four businesses situated in Tyler and Smith County were recently burglarized and investigators believe those burglaries are all connected. The suspects are described as two black males- one average size and the other heavy set. The heavy set male uses a crowbar or sledgehammer to make entry. Once inside, they steal a large amount of tobacco products and escape the area within minutes. The suspects have their faces covered and currently there is no suspect vehicle information. Continue reading Burglaries in Tyler and Smith County Connected

TYLER — A Tyler man has been apprehended following a brief chase with Tyler Police Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, it started around 7:00 when a woman called police to report that her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Allen Cowart, was following her. She wrecked her vehicle a short time after the call near Copeland and Loop 323. The man fled the scene in his vehicle and ended up in the Hobby Lobby parking lot on Loop 323. That’s where police found him armed with a knife. Cowart refused to comply with the officer’s instructions and was shot twice with a bean bag gun. The gun was ineffective and he run away again. Continue reading Suspect Arrested following Brief Pursuit

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced on Wednesday that he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $801.5 million in local sales tax allocations for September, 8.5 percent more than in September 2018. Locally, Tyler will receive $3,828,592.89 up 10% over the month of September in 2018. Longview will get $2,678,445.29 up 2.58% over September 2018. Overall Tyler and Longview are up more than 5%, compared to this time last year. To compare other cities across the state, click the link. https://www.comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/allocations/sales-tax/cities.php

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority heard from several East Texans at a Tuesday night Board of Directors’ meeting. Safety, Preservation of natural spaces, and NETRMA making a good fiscal decision, were all common themes from the 17 individuals that spoke to the proposed extension through east Tyler. The Toll 49 Segment 6 Project is an initiative of NET RMA to explore projected route options for a proposed extension of Toll 49 north to US 271 .

LONGVIEW — Finalists for the 2019 President’s Awards Program were recently announced in Austin. For over 30 years the awards program, sponsored by the Texas Downtown Association, has recognized outstanding projects, places, and people of Texas downtowns. Longview has two finalists for 2019 awards. R. Lacy, Inc. is a finalist in the category of new Construction, and for Best Downtown Business, Oil Horse Brewing Company is also a finalist. Continue reading Finalists Announced for the 2019 TDAs President’s Awards Program

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank and Main Event Pro Wrestling have teamed up in “The Fight To End Hunger.” East Texas Food Bank presents the “Brawl At The Brewery” on Saturday night at True Vine Brewing Co. in Tyler. ETFB says Admission is free with a non-perishable food donation. The family friendly events ultimate goal is to raise awareness in the battle to end hunger in East Texas. ETFB serves over 250,000 clients in 26 counties.

TYLER — In August, the Tyler ISD school board voted unanimously to sell the John Tyler Agriculture Learning Center. According to our news partner KETK, TISD has moved forward with the sale and is taking sealed bids until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. The district says the sale of the property makes sense since the facility has not been used in years. Should the facility sell, that money will go into the district’s general funds. The Chief Financial Officer will determine how the money should be used.

PITTSBURG — An East Texas mansion is going up for auction next month, and a well-known business titan once called it home. The home in Pittsburg was built for Pilgrim’s Pride founder Bo Pilgrim and his wife, Patricia. Bo Pilgrim died in 2017. Now his 43-acre estate — including the 18,000-square-foot home known as “Cluckingham Palace” — will be offered in a no-reserve auction starting October 15. Concierge Auctions will handle the sale. According to Forbes, the property has a listing investment of $15 million.

TYLER — A 16-year-old boy was arrested by Tyler police on Wednesday morning after allegedly robbing a Valero gas station. Officers responded to the call at 8:11 a.m. after the youth asked for cigarettes, he then pulled a gun and demanded all the money in the register. He was arrested less than 20 minutes later on Seeton Street. Officers recovered items that are said to connect him to the robbery. A gun found on the youth was discovered to be stolen. The suspect will be charged with Aggravated Robbery. By law, because the suspect is a minor, his identity was not released.

TYLER — A teen from Tyler is fighting for her life in a Dallas hospital and doctors believe vaping may be the cause. It began two weeks ago when Whitney Livingston, 17, started to complain about an upper respiratory problem. Her doctor told her she had bronchitis and early stages pneumonia. But within 24 hours her lungs had filled with fluid and she had trouble breathing. She was admitted to the ICU and transferred to Children’s Health in Dallas. Her mother, Jennifer Audas, says her daughter had been vaping for just 18 months and she thought it was a safer alternative to smoking.

SMITH COUNTY — On Tuesday morning Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an Assault call on S. HWY 155 in Tyler. Upon arrival, the suspect fled the scene on foot wearing tennis shoes and blue shorts. A brief foot chase ensued with the suspect running across Hwy. 155 in heavy morning traffic. It was learned that the suspect, Tony LeMark Battles III – 27, had come to the residence and allegedly assaulted a disabled individual. When Deputies arrived on scene he fled to avoid being arrested. Continue reading Deputies Arrest Subject After He Evaded Deputies on Foot

CARLISLE — A student has been removed from the campus of Carlisle ISD after an alleged “hit list” was brought to the attention of school officials. According to our news partner KETK, the district was made aware of the information Monday night. Law enforcement was immediately contacted and the student was questioned. Upon completion of the investigation by school officials, the student received disciplinary action and was removed from the campus. Carlisle ISD wants to ensure parents this behavior will not be tolerated. They encourage parents to have a conversation with their children and encourage them to report anything suspicious that they see or hear concerning school safety.

TYLER — Art of Peace is a week-long, Tyler, celebration of the annual United Nations International Day of Peace marked around the world on September 21. The 2019 Art of Peace theme is Living Peace, and the 2018 Peace Honoree is the People of Tyler, so many of whom are practicing peace in their daily lives. This year’s Art of Peace events include a Peace Art booth at the Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids, a juried Peace Art Exhibit at the Tyler Museum of Art, Continue reading Art of Peace Celebration Week

TYLER — The grand opening of the new Tyler Police Department Historical Museum was revealed on Monday at the main Police Station in Tyler. The museum is for officers and commemorates both the past and present with displays of badges, uniforms and equipment dating back to the 1930’s. One of the displays contains handmade model cars that are exact replicas of every vehicle in the departments history. The museum will also display photos from the past to the present.

TYLER — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has closed an investigation into the death of a Tyler man at the Brookshire’s warehouse in March. According to our news partner KETK, Kasper Holland, 22, died at the facility in March. Initially the Tyler grocery company was fined with two violations. One of the fines was removed when documentation was presented that Holland had received proper training. Brookshire’s reached an informal settlement for the other violation for a fine of $10,608. OSHA closed the investigation on September 3.

MARSHALL — Harrison County ESD 3 Fire Rescue will host their inaugral 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. The climb will be hosted by ETBU at their newly remodeled Marshall Grand Nursing School downtown on the square Wednesday. All uniformed, sworn, career, and/or volunteer emergency response personnel, active/ret. military service members are invited to participate in this physically demanding stair climb event. Continue reading Memorial Stair Climb Wednesday

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials are looking for a man who they say ran away after they responded to a call about an assault. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were called to a residence on Highway 155 South, shortly before 7 a.m. Upon arrival, a man, described only as a 27-year-old black male, wearing blue shorts and no shirt, took off running from deputies. Officials say they believe they know who the man is, but are withholding his identity until positive identification is made.

TYLER — Smith County has become the latest East Texas County to issue a burn ban. Smith County Commissioner’s took that action on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County issued a band, prohibiting outdoor burning, 24 hours earlier. Numerous East Texas counties have been placed under burn bans in the last several week, after a long period of extreme heat and very little rain. No outdoor burning of any kind is allowed while a county is under a ban.