KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The City of Tyler received notification of a website compromise on Monday, at 8:29 a.m. At approximately 8:44 a.m., contact was made with the city’s off-site, third party website contractor and the site was taken offline. The site is currently under maintenance until further notice. According to city officials only the website itself was compromised. No payment platforms or government service sites hosting credit card and residents personal information were compromised. Official continue investigating this incident with the website contractor, City of Tyler IT Department, the Tyler Police Department and the United States Secret Service.

LONGVIEW — Protected crosswalks were introduced on Monday in Longview. Drivers will find them on Fourth Street and Hollybrook Drive. City officials say these are the first of their kind in Longview. The crosswalks were installed as part of the first phase of the Guthrie Trail extension. They are designed to help protect those using the trail, while also leaving the flow of traffic as unaffected as possible. One crosswalk is located at the intersection of Fourth Street and Clinic Drive, and the other is located on Hollybrook Drive just west of Fourth Street. Continue reading New Crosswalks Activated in Longview

Van Zandt County — Two illegal gambling businesses were served with search warrants by the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office on Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, nine arrests were made as part of an ongoing joint investigation. Van Zandt County Sheriff Dale Corbett said, “We will continue our investigation and will continue to close these establishments. We have an obligation to enforce the law in a fair and impartial manner, regardless of who you are.” The investigation is part of a joint operation where 40 citations were issued and eight people were arrested on July 20 for illegal gambling in Van Zandt County.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff in memory of those who lost their lives in the shooting in El Paso on Saturday, August 3, 2019. Flags should remain at half-staff through sunset on Thursday, August 8, 2019. Read the Governor’s full proclamation ordering Texas flags to half-staff. Read the full release by clicking the link. https://gov.texas.gov/flag-status

TYLER — Two suspects were arrested after Tyler Police say they broke into a fast food restaurant Saturday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the break in took place at a Taco Bell on West Gentry at 5:00 a.m. One suspect is still at large.

TYLER — Following the mass shooting in El Paso, Tyler’s Carter BloodCare Center is asking for donations. The center had been in the process of a blood drive before the shooting, with the goal of 12,000 donors before August 8. According to our news partner KETK, the center posted on social media after the attack that they had been asked to send blood products to help the injured. Because donors have helped boost the center’s supply, it is possible to send the blood. But it is still facing a shortage and needs donors. To donate, contact Carter BloodCare at 800-366-2834 or visit their site by clicking the link. http://www.carterbloodcare.org/.

TYLER, Texas – TxDOT is continuing the summer seal coat operations in the Tyler District with work now in Wood and Van Zandt counties. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through these and all work zones. 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. You can get the complete report by clicking the link. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/042-20190.html.

MARSHALL — A woman, listed as “Jane Doe” has filed a lawsuit against a former Harrison County Deputy, Harrison County, and the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. The lawsuit claims 53-year-old Roger “Chilly” Valentine raped the woman while she was being transferred from the Linda Woodman State Jail to the Harrison County Jail. Valentine confessed to the sexual assault and resigned. The woman says the attack happened in a bathroom stall, during a stop during the 4 and half hour trip. The suit is asking for a jury trial and demands compensation and damages. Valentine was arrested in March and had bonds set at $200,000.

ATHENS — Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has announced a method to help alert law enforcement of people’s status when needing help. According to our news partner KETK, the Department is now offering free stickers which read, “PERSON WITH A DISABILITY ON BOARD!” People are encouraged to place them on their homes front door and car windows. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says “No tax dollars are being used to fund this program which I believe will be very successful.” The bright yellow sticker is designed to alert first responder’s to a person’s disabilities including autism, down syndrome, seizures, muscular dystrophy, and deafness.

The City of Tyler Beauty and the Box program has a new addition. The traffic signal box at Old Jacksonville Highway and WSW Loop 323 has been sponsored by the Mildred Floyd Garden Club in memory of Marsha Harrison and other late members of the garden club. According to a club spokesperson, “”The box is intended to serve as a loving memorial to Marsha and the other lovely ladies we have lost in the past years.” The Beauty and the Box program started with 10 boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District, there are now 41 vinyl-wrapped boxes all across the City of Tyler. Find out more information by clicking the link below. http://www.keeptylerbeautiful.com/.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – President Donald Trump says his pick for national intelligence director has decided to withdraw from the running, citing unfair media coverage. In a tweet Friday, Trump said Republican Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas had decided to stay in Congress. Questions about Ratcliffe’s experience have dogged him since Trump announced his candidacy five days ago. Ratcliffe’s district includes part of East Texas. Trump didn’t cite any specific media reports, but tweeted that “rather than going through months of slander and libel,” he would be returning to Capitol Hill. Trump accepted the resignation of former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats last week. Ratcliffe is a frequent Trump defender who fiercely questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller during a House Judiciary Committee hearing last week. Intelligence experts had criticized his lack of experience in the field of intelligence.

TYLER — The Smith County DA’s office dropped capital murder charges on Friday against a Tyler man. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Hardy, 24, was arrested for the shooting that left one dead and two injured. Darryl Washington Jr., 25, was killed in the shootout and Terry Demond Rogers, 22, and Nadarius Houston, 18, were injured. They were also from Tyler. Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said in a statement…“A major factor in this decision was a significant change in statements made by key witnesses.” Putman says he’s not through with the case yet — and that the Tyler Police Department will keep investigating the crime at his request.

PITTSBURG — One of the co-founders of Cavender’s Boot City, Patricia Cavender, died on Wednesday at the age of 86. According to our news partner KETK, she died on Wednesday at her home in Pittsburg surrounded by family and friends. Cavender and her late husband James co-founded the boots store in 1965. The company, based out of Tyler, has become the largest western wear dealer in the U.S. with 82 stores in 11 states. A memorial service is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Pittsburg.

ATHENS — About three thousand students in the Athens school district will go to class Monday through Thursday in the upcoming school year. The district says the new schedule does not affect the total amount of time kids spend in the classroom and still meets the minimum number of minutes they’re required to be in school. It also says Fridays extracurricular activities including high school football will not be impacted by the change. School starts for AISD on Monday.

TYLER — A Tyler lawyer is making his plans known to supersede 114th District Court Judge Christi Kennedy. She has announced she will retire at the end of her term. In a news release on Friday, Jarad Kent, 36, announced his bid. Kent’s official campaign will launch on Monday, at 3:30 p.m. at the Smith County Courthouse. Kent runs the Tyler office for the law firm Chamblee Ryan. He went to high school in Tyler and attended the Catholic University of America where he double majored in Politics and Philosophy. Kent earned his Juris Doctorate degree at Baylor Law School. Kennedy announced her retirement in July. She has served the court since winning election in 2008. Her current term expires on December 31, 2020.

WHITE OAK — A Gladewater man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Squires, 32, was arrested for the assault that was reported two years ago in July. He had been held on a $75,000 bond by White Oak police. Squires will not be eligible for parole until 2034. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.

TYLER — A Texas man was back in court on Thursday for a crash that killed 20-year-old Haile Beasley in 2016. According to our news partner KETK, Fulton appeared before 241st District Judge Jack Skeen for a bond hearing. Bond was set at $50,000. Fulton, 44, was convicted in 2017 of criminally negligent homicide for the crash that killed Beasley on Grande Boulevard. Their cars collided head-on, killing Beasley. Fulton was not injured. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Continue reading New Sentencing Trial for Man Convicted of Criminally Negligent Homicide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s longtime mayor, Al DuPont, has died at a nursing home in East Texas. He was 94. The Tuscaloosa News reports DuPont, who died Wednesday, was first elected mayor in 1981 and served six terms before he retired on his 80th birthday in 2005. DuPont lived in a home he rebuilt after the April 27, 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado until his health worsened a few months ago. He moved to a nursing home in Canton, Texas, to be near his family after suffering a stroke in April. Continue reading Longtime Tuscaloosa Mayor Dies at 94 in Canton

TYLER — On Tuesday, a dog being held at the Smith County Animal Shelter birthed 20 puppies, a near world record. Over 100 dogs and puppies are picked up by officials from Smith County Animal Control on a monthly basis. Luna, a Heeler/Lab mix is one of those dogs. Animal Control picked her up on July 12 and awaited the arrival of her puppies. After hours of labor Tuesday and still no pups Smith County sent Luna to Kingdom Vet Clinic in Flint. Emergency surgery was needed and Luna delivered a total of 20 puppies, with 18 surviving. More details are available at http://www.because4paws.org/

TYLER — Tyler ISD sent out acceptance letters to Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten students who have qualified for the programs on Thursday. A mandatory parent orientation schedule for Head Start families has been announced as well as important information for Pre-K. Continue reading TISD Head Start and Qualifying Pre-K Details

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees is one of five school boards selected as 2019 Honor School Boards by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Each year, the association recognizes outstanding school boards for commitment and service that have made a positive impact on students, according to a TISD news release. As quoted in the release, Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford says the Tyler board “continues to provide stellar leadership and vision for Tyler ISD.” Along with the Harlingen, Pasadena, Rockwall, and Frenship school boards, Tyler is now a finalist for 2019 Outstanding School Board. The winner will be named at the statewide group’s convention in September, when the regional winners will also be recognized.

TYLER — The City of Tyler and Tyler Police Department will host the “School is Cool!” event Thursday evening at the Harvey Convention Center and the Rose Garden. The affair is in its sixth year and is meant to help children and parents prepare for the new school year. Admission is free. Organizers say 2000 free backpacks filled with school supplies will be given away on a first-come first-served basis to school-aged children in line. Various vendors will also offer a variety of services. Lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. and concludes at 7:00 p.m.

TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host its second Family Fun Night on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bergfeld Park on S. College Ave. Households are invited out to enjoy water games, oversized games, horseshoes, cornhole and cool off in the new Splasher water feature. Food Trucks will be on hand with food and drinks to purchase. For more information or to participate, contact Debbie Isham at (903) 531-1214 or visit http://parksandrec.cityoftyler.org/.

LARUE — A Mississippi man wanted on an outstanding warrant for sexual assault is arrested in East Texas. 41-year-old Travin Buren Blaylock was arrested just after 11:00 Wednesday morning. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Blaylock was wanted in Henderson County for sexual assault. He was also wanted in Smith County for possession of a controlled substance and possession marijuana. Blaylock was booked into the Henderson County Jail.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Overton man charged with endangering a child. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Labeff, 34, has an extensive criminal history including a total of three assault convictions. One of the assaults was on a a public servant and he was sentenced to seven years probation. Labeff’s bond is set at $300,000.

DALLAS — A huge shortage continues in the gift of life across North and East Texas. The supply has reached what Carter BloodCare calls grave. Spokesperson Linda Goelzer says they have put out a call for donations and people are responding — “and we are extremely pleased with that. However, we like to see about a thousand donors a day, and from what I could see (Monday), we had almost 700.” She says they need a few more days at that level to replenish the supply or some elective surgeries may have to be postponed. Tyler and Longview are among the communities served by Carter.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to an armed robbery late Tuesday Night. The burglary happened at a Valero gas station on WSW Loop 323 off Kinsey Dr. Witnesses describe the suspects as 2 black males approximately 5’10” and 6’00” tall and between the ages of 17 and 25. The suspects fled on foot and officers were unable to locate them in the area. The clerk was not injured. If you have information involving this crime contact the Tyler Police Department or Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

HARRISON COUNTY — A teenager missing since Monday has the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office searching for the East Texas girl. Jordan Chastain of Marshall was last seen leaving her house on Muntz. Family and friends have not heard from her since Monday. If you know where she is or have any information on her disappearance contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

MARSHALL — City residents of Marshall are able to report streetlight issues through AEP/SWEPCO’s online outage reporting platform at: http://www.swepco.com/outages/report/StreetlightProblem.aspxor by calling the automated telephone outage reporting line at 1-888-218-3919. If you want to report the outage online, you simply fill out the form on the webpage with the applicable information and then click the submit button. After submitting the form, AEP/SWEPCO will send a crew member to fix the streetlight Continue reading Marshall Residents Have New Platform for Reporting Streetlight Outages