KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — An Athens ISD school bus was struck by a truck on Hwy 175 on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the collision happened just before 5 p.m. The district say none of the students on the bus were injured, nor was the driver of the bus. The driver of the truck was transferred to a hospital in Athens in stable condition. The driver of the bus made a stop on HWY 175 to drop off two students. Video shows that the driver activated its warning lights for unloading before the truck hit the driver’s side. Within 30 minutes of the accident, students were checked out and loaded onto another bus to be taken home.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says four people died in two head-on vehicle collisions in Oklahoma, including three in one crash. The OHP says Amanda Satoe of Anadarko; Joshua Westerman of Marshall, Texas; and Larry Fitzgerald of Lecanto, Florida, died Tuesday on U.S. 281 near Anadarko, about 45 miles southwest of Oklahoma City. Continue reading East Texan Killed in Oklahoma Crash

TYLER — UT Health East Texas has acquired HOPE Cancer Center of East Texas. The center will now be known as UT Health East Texas HOPE Cancer Center. According to the division administrator of cancer services for UT Health, Cody Boyd, the practice will continue to operate utilizing the same physicians, along with the same phone numbers, at the same location. UT Health Center Operates clinic locations in Athens, Gun Barrel City, Henderson, Jacksonville and Tyler. UT Health East Texas HOPE Cancer Center is home to eight physicians specializing in hematology and oncology.

MARSHALL — Harrison County joins the list of East Texas counties banning outdoor burning. Commissioners issued the order Tuesday for unincorporated areas. One exception: outdoor cooking is permitted, but only in enclosed pits or grills. Also, several outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety will be allowed. The order will stay in effect for 90 days unless the restrictions are terminated earlier by local authorities.

TYLER — Half Price Books, located in The Village at Cumberland Parks is celebrating National Literacy Month, throughout the month of September, and is partnering with Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) in promoting adult literacy. Special signage will be displayed as well as collection boxes, offering shoppers the opportunity to learn more about LCOT programs and to support free adult education by leaving a donation behind. Continue reading Literacy Council of Tyler Partners with Half Price Books

TYLER –Nearly 5, 000 Smith County Families have had their medical debt retired thanks to a hand of generosity from Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, RIP Medical Debt is a nonprofit organization that allows donors and organizations to erase the debt of Americans. RIP randomly buys medical debt accounts in large portfolios. They purchase the debt for pennies on the dollar. $1 donated will relieve, on average, $100 of medical debt. Pastor David Dykes said the church donated $45,102 during the month of August. Continue reading Green Acres Baptist Church Clears Medical Debt for Local Families

JACKSONVILLE — Police Chief Andrew Hawkes has issued his resignation to the city of Jacksonville. Hawkes stepped down to accept a position as the next Police Chief in Sunnyvale. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkes has served as Jacksonville Chief since July 2016. Under his command, the department began a bike patrol program, a canine team, and a National Night Out program. City Manager Greg Smith says Hawkes has done a great job and has set the path for continued success for J.P.D. Hawkes was the lone finalist in a national search of 96 applicants.

CANTON — A woman has died following a wreck on I-20 Monday evening. It happened just before 6:00 about two miles west of Canton in Van Zandt County. According to the Department of Public Safety, 29-year-old Elizabeth Leigh Lindsey, Canton, was traveling east on I-20 in the inside lane when her vehicle began to drift. She reportedly over corrected and hit a semi-truck. Her vehicle flipped several times, ejecting her. Lindsey was pronounced dead at a Tyler hospital. The driver of the truck was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A wreck involving an overturned semi-truck has closed one westbound lane of I-20 early this morning. According to our news partner KETK, the wrecked truck is near mile marker 535, near the city of Van. The left lane of westbound I-20 has reopened. Commuters can expect traffic delays.

LONGVIEW — The celebration begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Longview for the 36th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event with a party at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. Citizens are encouraged to attend for a night of fun and to learn how to host a successful neighborhood party for the upcoming National Night Out event on the first Tuesday in October. The City of Longview, the Longview Police Department, Partners in Prevention, and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office coordinate this annual event. Last year, Longview placed 12th in the nation for outstanding participation for its population size, with over 100 parties. Go to https://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2062 to learn more.

TYLER — A man has been arrested on allegations that he threatened mass gunfire at the Walmart Supercenter on Loop 323 at Highway 31 East in Tyler. Police say around 1:43 Monday afternoon, they received a 911 call from an employee in reference to a man threatening to shoot everyone with a gun. Police say 32-year-old Trumaine Washington of Tyler had gotten into an altercation with an employee inside the store. The employee had gone to get a store manager when Washington took out a handgun from his backpack, placed a loaded magazine in the gun, and racked the chamber, according to police. Authorities say Washington then started yelling that he was going to shoot and start killing people. Units responding a few minutes after the 911 call found Washington in the parking lot and arrested him without shots fired. Washington was jailed on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

UNION GROVE — The family of a 13-year-old girl from Union Grove has reported her missing. According to our news partner KETK, family members say Samantha Mullins has not been seen since 3 a.m. Saturday. The family says it is working with Longview police to find her. Family members say they fear an older man may be involved as they believe Samantha was texting him before her disappearance. The girl disappeared with a friend, but family members say the friend has since been found. Anyone with information about Samantha is urged to call Longview police at 903-237-1199 or your local police department.

LAKE TYLER — A drowning at Lake Tyler is under investigation. According to our news partner KETK, sources say 22-year-old Natalie Orr of Bullard has been identified as the woman who drowned Sunday evening after jumping from a boat in Party Cove, off FM 3341 and Eastside Road. Game Wardens found her body after 7:00 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered. Tyler Police are conducting the investigation.

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Economic Development Corporation is teaming up with Gladewater ISD to assist in funding the District’s new technical skills development curriculum at Gladewater High School. According to GHS Principal Cathy Bedair, the new classes got underway in August with 21 students enrolled. “It is our hope that as this program grows, we can increase the diversity and the number of skills development classes we offer moving forward,” Bedair said in a news release. Technical Skills Development classes are free to Gladewater High School students and may be eligible for dual credit, according to the release.

AUSTIN — Approximately $666,667 for Van Zandt County Regional Airport was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission at its August meeting. According to a news release, the funds will be used for planned airport improvements, which include design and construction for a hangar. Officials say a project consultant will be selected this summer. Project costs will be funded through the city of Wills Point and TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program, which preserves and improves the state’s general aviation system, according to the release. This year, TxDOT expects to provide approximately $60 million in funding for planning, constructing, and maintaining community airports.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University announces a couple of new hires, including a familiar face. LETU has named Dr. Dana J. Medlin (left) of Omaha, Nebraska, the first-ever Kielhorn Professor of Welding and Materials Joining Engineering. According to a news release, Medlin has more than 30 years of experience leading multidisciplinary failure analysis and design projects in multiple areas. LETU is also bringing back Dr. Robert H. “Bob” Roller (right) from southern California as the Calvin Howe Professor of Finance. Roller served eight years as a business professor at LETU, with six years as LETU’s dean of the School of Business.

TYLER — The Rusk TJC Citizens Promise has been selected as a finalist for a 2019 Texas Higher Education Star Award, Tyler Junior College officials have announced. All seven finalists and subsequent winners will be recognized during the 19th Annual Star Awards Ceremony Nov. 22 in Austin. In a news release, a TJC official says if the program is selected, it will be the college’s first Star Award. Created in February 2014, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise is the first program of its kind in Texas. According to the college website, “this scholarship program will improve the lives of countless Rusk students and families.” Go to https://www.tjc.edu/RuskPromise to learn more about the program.

GILMER — Upshur County Judge Todd Tefteller has ordered a burn ban for the entire county until further notice. According our news partner KETK, the latest drought monitor shows moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions have developed over portions of Northeast Texas and Northwest Louisiana. In the order, Judge Tefteller cites “present circumstances in all or part of the unincorporated areas of Upshur County (that) create a public hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.” The order bans “all outdoor burning” for 10 days from the order’s issue (August 30) “unless the restriction is terminated earlier based on a determination made by the Texas Forest Service” or the judge’s court. Violation of the order could result in a fine of $500 and would be classified as a Class C misdemeanor.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a body that was discovered behind a Walmart in Northwest Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Detective Andy Erbaugh says officers received the call around 2:30 p.m. Friday and were sent to the Walmart on Highway 64 West. Police said it appears the person likely died of natural causes. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. The body was not immediately identified. According to police, the area behind the Walmart is known to have many members of the homeless community.

BULLARD — The City of Bullard has a new city manager. According to our news partner KETK, David Hortman was named to the post Thursday by Mayor Pam Frederick. A seven-member search committee consisting of city council members and local stakeholders worked with recruiter Bob Turner of Strategic Government Resources through the hiring process. Continue reading Bullard Names Hortman New City Manager

BULLARD — The Bullard Police Department needs your help identifying a man accused of breaking into several vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, early Thursday morning, a man was seen trying to break into a vehicle between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. This happened on Willow Street in Bullard. Several reports have come from residents nearby that their vehicles were broken into and items were stolen. If you have any information contact Bullard Police at 903-894-7788.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Fire Department will commemorate a new fire engine at Station 10 next Friday. A “push in” celebration will welcome the new fire combatant. A “push-in” is a customary tradition in the fire service industry that reflects back to the horse-drawn carriage era when firefighters would actually push their trucks into the station to wash them them. The fun will take place at Station 10 on Omen road at 9 am.

WISE COUNTY — A power tool theft ring with links to East Texas is busted, and more than a dozen people are arrested. Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin says late last year and early this year, three hardware stores south of Decatur were burglarized — and his investigators were able to track down the bad guys. Akin says, “They were able to connect a group of folks in East Dallas to burglaries all over North Texas.” And those places included Marshall and Tyler. Wise County sheriff’s deputies teamed up with Mesquite police and DPS in raiding a warehouse where they had stored all that equipment. Akin continues, “They were selling that on social media.” In all, they seized more than $100,000 worth of stolen power tools. Ten people are now in jail, and four more have been turned over to ICE. Akin says one store was able to recover $40,000 in stolen equipment.

TYLER — A Smith County K9 officer is saying goodbye to the department. K9 officer Endy retired from service Friday morning. Endy’s partner, Deputy Corey Cameron, made the decision due to recent medical challenges for the 8 year old Belgian Malinois. Endy is described as a cornerstone for the Smith County K9 Unit. Endy stood with Cameron since November 2013. Deputy Cameron will continue in the K9 Unit while the process of selecting a new K9 partner begins. Endy’s new job will be to revel in comfort at home with Deputy Cameron and his family.

KILGORE — Kilgore College rolled out its new framework of eight week classes this week, breaking the mold of typical 16-week semesters. KC is the first college in East Texas to execute the eight-week terms, the new method of instruction, organizers say is proven to increase student success. Rather than one long 16-week fall and spring semester, most courses at KC are now split into two eight-week terms with a short break in between. The concept is not a new one, with colleges such as Odessa College and Amarillo College utilizing the new structuring.

TYLER — A competition between Tyler Lee and John Tyler High School students that has happened for nearly 3 decades has kicked off. The students at both Tyler ISD high schools have a friendly competition each year to help feed hungry East Texans. Students are asking the community for their help by donating non-perishable food items or funds at the school of their choice in the 29th annual Pantry Raid . The food and funds the students collect will benefit East Texas Food Bank’s partners and feeding programs for help. The school that collects the most amount of food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school for the year.

EAST TEXAS — Angelina County Commissioner Bobby Cheshire of Pct. 4 has been arrested on a felony charge of continuous violence against a family member. According to our news partner KETK, Cheshire, 51, also has been charged with misdemeanor counts of assault/family violence and interfering with emergency request for assistance. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Judge Billy Ball’s court and was booked into the Angelina County Jail on a bond of $10,000. Cheshire has since bonded out.

WHITEHOUSE — The City of Whitehouse has parted ways with their police chief. According to our news partner KETK, the city announced the decision on Thursday. Chief Ed Morris took over the department in October 2015 after Chief Craig Shelton resigned in May upon allegations of assaulting an officer’s wife. Those charges against Shelton were eventually dropped. Morris leaves the department with more than four decades experience in law enforcement. No announcement on the direction the city will take or who the interim police chief will be.