KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Tyler police are warning small businesses in the area of a payroll check scam. According to the Tyler Police Financial Crimes Unit, in January, a group of Hispanic males cashed fake payroll checks on accounts that did not issue the checks. Lindale, Rusk and Marshall were also victimized. Investigators received several cases where the suspects have cashed a payroll check from small companies, predominantly nurseries. The company name is legitimate and the checks were forged using the correct banks and check numbers. The suspects are using fraudulent identifications from other countries and are believed to be foreign nationals. Continue reading Tyler Police Warn Companies of Payroll Check Scam

WOOD COUNTY — A former Mineola ISD employee has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, Todd Karch, 50, the former technology and transportation director for MISD, was also fined $10,000. He was indicted in April of last year for using the online site Grindr to seek a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old Mineola student. Karch was sentenced Wednesday in Wood County.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department, the Northeast Texas Public Health District, representatives with Smith County, and multiple public service agencies in the community met Wednesday to update and release this year’s Heat Response Plan. Officials say the plan is designed to serve as a guide and to provide useful information to the public. It includes information and tips on avoiding heat-related illness and injury. Additionally, it highlights resources that are available to the public during the season, including overnight and daytime sheltering locations. Partnering agencies will have access and links to the plan, which can be viewed at http://fire.cityoftyler.org/Portals/FireDept/Documents/2019%20Heat%20Response%20Plan%20Final.pdf.

TYLER — A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday for the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. Wise Auditorium has been a mainstay for Tyler Junior College and East Texas performing arts since 1956. It will be renovated and converted into a comprehensive performing arts center. The TJC Campaign for the Performing Arts launched in 2018 to provide $7.5 million in private funding to underwrite the new facility. Construction begins immediately with a target completion date of January 2021.

HARRISON COUNTY — The National Weather Service confirms an EF-0 tornado touched down Wednesday morning in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK, the NWS survey team says the twister hit a small area near Harleton on FM 450. EF-0 tornado wind speeds can be 65-85 mph. The National Weather Service says most of the damage in Nesbitt, Texas was due to straight line winds. The wind speeds topped 90 miles per hour. No injuries were reported. The Harrison County activity was part of a line of storms that made their way through East Texas Wednesday morning.

LONGVIEW — Starting on Thursday, Brent Rd. in Longview will be closed between Snoddy Rd. and Surratt Rd. The street will be closed to all through traffic at the culvert crossing at the creek for repairs. City officials anticipate the project’s completion by the end of September.

TYLER — A National Science Foundation grant has been awarded to the University of Texas at Tyler. The three year grant will enable advanced research in biological sciences. The fund of nearly $442,000 allocates monies to develop and examine genetically modified organisms, and how they can potentially enhance biosafety and environmental protection. According to U.T. Tyler assistant professor Dr. Clement Chan, “Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing industrial sectors in Texas.”

TYLER — Smith County officials are wishing their retiring fire marshal a fond farewell. In a news release, County Judge Nathaniel Moran terms Connie McCoy-Wasson “a thoughtful and hard-working and inspirational leader.” County Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept her retirement, effective June 30. McCoy-Wasson has worked in the fire marshal’s office for 26 years, including the last four as the county’s first female fire marshal. No word yet on the County’s plans to fill the role moving forward.

TYLER — Power was restored within a few hours at the Tyler Municipal Court following a Wednesday morning outage linked to early morning storm activity. Officials said customers who were scheduled for court Wednesday morning could appear beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday to be worked into the afternoon sessions or get an appointment for another date. Customers unable to attend Wednesday can expect a reset notice in the mail. The city advises those affected to contact the Municipal Court by the end of the week to ensure the court has your updated mailing address. Officials said all customers scheduled for the Wednesday afternoon dockets would be required to appear at their scheduled times.

TYLER – Woldert Park will be the site for Wednesday afternoon’s commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day. A balloon release will be presented by the African-American Cultural Events Committee. The AACEC invites you to Woldert Park from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The goal is to honor, observe and remember those who have finished their fight with sickle cell, while encouraging warriors who are still fighting the good fight.

AUSTIN – Soon churches and places of worship will have the same right as private property owners to allow guns on their premises. Van Zandt County District 2 State Rep. Dan Flynn filed the House version and sponsored the Senate version of a bill signed by Governor Abbott. The signing will allow churches to decide whether to allow or prohibit guns on their premises. For the last 2 plus decades sanctuaries were forbidden from the legal carry of handguns. The legislation becomes effective on September 1st.

TYLER — This year’s East Texas State Fair is in sight. Fair-goers will experience a wide variety of attractions and shows, fantastic food, concerts and thrilling carnival rides, as well as animal exhibits and so much more. All that according to the fair’s Facebook page. The 104th fair starts Friday, Sept. 20 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 29th. More details are available at https://www.etstatefair.com/.

KILGORE — A Kilgore officer’s Facebook post about a dog is going viral. Kilgore police received a call about an aggressive pit bull. An officer found Cujo and thought he could quickly catch him. So he left the back door open and tried to get the dog to jump into a caged area in his squad car. But Cujo jumped in through the back door and became aggressive, so the officer shut the door to keep himself and Cujo safe. The dog looks like he’s smiling in the picture after enjoying the air conditioning and the officer’s beef jerky. Later, an animal control officer helped safely remove Cujo from the car.

TYLER — Dick’s Sporting Goods will be coming to Tyler’s Broadway Square Mall in the winter of 2020, according to our news partner KETK. The store will be 45,000 square feet and located where Sears was once located. Sears was demolished earlier this year after the company filed for bankruptcy. “We are thrilled to welcome Dick’s Sporting Goods to Broadway Square and to the Tyler community,” Candace Foster, Broadway Mall Director of Marketing. Dick’s Sporting Goods made national headlines after it announced it would no longer sell assault rifles after the Parkland High School shooting back in 2018.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a suspect wanted in a reported shooting that left one man injured. It happened around 12:45 Tuesday morning on W. Erwin Street. Upon arrival, officers found a 24-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his leg. Officers were not able to locate the suspect, who was seen running from the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released a short time later. The investigation in ongoing.

LONGVIEW — Improvements are on the way for several neighborhood parks, and the Longview Parks and Recreation Department is continuing to seek feedback on the bond-funded enhancements with a Tuesday gathering. It’s part of a series of community meetings on the topic, hosted by Parks staff and the corresponding city council member. The Spring Creek Park community meeting, hosted by District 4 Councilwoman Kristen Ishihara, will take place at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at IBEW Local 738 on East Marshall Avenue. There’s more on the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.

TYLER — A three-year project to restore and conserve one of the rarest and most valuable works in the Tyler Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection is complete, according to museum officials. They’re talking about the recent return of a pair of 18th-century folding screens by legendary Japanese painter Soga Shohaku. The Museum is presenting the newly restored work to the public for the first time in several years with a special exhibition, “Soga Shohaku: A Chinese Landscape.” It’s on display now through July 28 in the TMA Education Gallery. Visit https://www.facebook.com/TylerMuseumofArt/ for more information.

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall will be closing Airport Park from June 24 to June 28 to allow Kinder Morgan to perform utility work. City officials say the purpose is to remedy power surges that are affecting a pipeline that runs through the park. City Manager Mark Rohr cites public safety as a top priority in spite of the inconvenience the move may create. For more information, contact the Support Services Department at 903-935-4470.

ATHENS — An execution date of October 16 has been set for convicted killer Randall Wayne Mays. That’s according to our news partner KETK. In May 2008, Mays was found guilty of capital murder of two Henderson County Deputies, Tony Ogburn and Paul Habelt. The death warrant was served in 2014, and his execution date was initially scheduled for March 2015. But Mays’ lawyer filed an appeal to determine Mays’ competency to be executed. The execution date was set after a lengthy appeal process.

TYLER — The IdentoGo TSA Pre✓ Mobile RV will be stationed at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and will provide service Monday, June 17, through Wednesday, July 3. The Mobile Enrollment Center will be located in the airport’s long term parking lot. To get started, customers must pre-enroll online at the TSA Pre✓ website. TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program for identified low-risk air travelers. Visit the TSA Pre✓ website for questions about enrollment.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning more construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the week of June 17. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct coring operations Monday on SH 155S just north of Toll 49 and then move to SH 110S between Shiloh Road and Toll 49. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct edge repairs on the I-20 Service Road off FM 2087. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/034-2019.html for a complete rundown of work scheduled around the district.

MARSHALL — A high-speed stolen vehicle pursuit that began in Louisiana has ended in Marshall. Marshall police say they were notified around 5:35 Saturday afternoon that the vehicle was entering their city on I-20 approaching U.S 59, being chased by units from Louisiana and Harrison County. Marshall patrol units served in a support role, clearing intersections and alerting traffic. The driver drove northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. 59 for about a mile before changing back over to the northbound lanes. Police say Richar Landeverde of Kilgore eventually crashed into a vehicle in the intersection of U.S. Highways 59 and 80. He was arrested by Harrison County deputies and jailed on several charges. The Marshall Police Department is conducting the crash investigation. Landaverde has additional charges pending in Louisiana.

RUSK — Jury selection for the Cherokee County 2nd District Court has been cancelled for Monday, June 17. According to our news partner KETK, the reason for the cancellation is unclear.

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott Saturday signed into law House Bill 1545, which allows beer-to-go sales for craft breweries in the state. The bill also extends the operations of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and reduces what Abbott terms “burdensome regulations on the beer and wine industry.” Among those joining the governor was state Representative Chris Paddie (pictured) of Marshall, who authored the measure. In a news release, Abbott termed the signing “a major win for the freedom and economic prosperity for which Texas has become known.”

ATHENS — The Henderson County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices are working with the Texas Rangers in investigating a Saturday shooting on Red Oak, outside Larue. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says his office received a call around 1:10 a.m. regarding a disturbance at a residence. Hillhouse says three males and one female arrived in front of the home in two vehicles, two of them bearing firearms, and began yelling at the occupants. Hillhouse says shots ensued after a male resident came out onto the porch bearing a firearm. Two of the three males who had come to the residence were shot. They were both transported to a Tyler hospital and are in stable condition. Hillhouse didn’t immediately provide further details.

AUSTIN – Governor Abbott Friday signed the William Thomas Heath Power Line Safety Act into law. According to our news partner KETK, the final version reconciled legislation filed in March by State Representative Chris Paddie of Marshall and State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola. Nearly two years ago, three Hallsville Boy Scouts — Will Brannon, Thomas Larry, and Heath Faucheux — were electrocuted while sailing on Lake O’ the Pines. Their sailboat’s mast came in contact with a low-hanging power line that crossed over the lake. The legislation strengthens power line inspection requirements by the utilities that operate them and increases transparency through reporting non-compliance issues to the state. The boys’ parents say this legislation honors their sons, whose legacy will be to save lives.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Barbara Cooperwood, 36. Cooperwood is described as 5’5”, 205 pounds, with dark hair, last seen wearing a white tank top and black shorts. Authorities say Cooperwood has shaved her head, with the exception of a strip of hair down the middle, similar to a Mohawk. According to family, Cooperwood has numerous mental health conditions and has the mentality of a seven-year-old child. Cooperwood was last seen near her residence on Oakridge Drive in southwestern Smith County. If you have any information, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — The Board of Directors of the Tyler-based Meals on Wheels Ministry has named John Moore as the organization’s new Executive Director. Moore began his new duties Friday. He previously worked in community roles at UT Health Science Center at Tyler, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, and Stewart Regional Blood Center. He’s also worked in broadcasting and is a syndicated newspaper columnist. In a news release, Moore cites his family’s “four-decade connection to Meals on Wheels,” including support in Tyler and Oklahoma. His stated priorities include getting the word out about the organization, volunteer recruitment, serving more clients, and fundraising.