KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN – East Texas legislators have found out their committee assignments for the current legislative session in Austin. State Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler has been named to the House Appropriations Committee. He is joined on the panel by representative Cole Hefner of Mount Pleasant. Schaefer was also appointed to the House Higher Education Committee. State representative Jay Dean of Longview was named to the House Corrections Committee and the House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee. Continue reading Legislative Committee Assignments Doled Out in Austin

ELKHART – State Highway 19 southeast of Elkhart has been reopened following a fatality accident. Rebecca Lynne Burke, 61, of Elkhart was pronounced dead at the scene following the Thursday morning wreck. For some reason, her car drifted into the on coming lane and collided with a truck-trailer rig. The truck’s driver was flown to Tyler’s Christus Trinity Mother where he was treated and released. The roadway had to be cleared of spilled diesel before the road could be reopened.

TYLER – The Tyler Public Library’s material circulation continues to rise as the library continues to thrive in the digital age. The public has learned that the library is not just a place for books. It is also a a place where you can collaborate, attend classes and even check out games. The library provides a multitude of digital resources. You have digital access to electronic books and audiobooks as well as streaming video, online classes, research databases and so much more. Those with a Library card can gain immediate access to all digital resources. There are also e-cards available. The circulation of library materials has increased by more than 16% since 2014. Physical material circulation, include books, DVDs, games, literacy kits has grown by over 11%. Electronic materials which includes e-books and e-audiobooks, has shown an increase of 57% .

TYLER – There will be a retirement ceremony at the Tyler Police Department Friday afternoon. It is for patrolman Bart Lemons. He is retiring after 31 years of service. During that time he never had the desire to promote or move to another division. He says he likes being outside and interacting with the community. For all but one year, he has worked in north Tyler on all three shifts. Lemons awards include a Police Commendation, a Lifesaving Award, two Certificate of Merits, a Police Shield and an award for Meritorious Conduct. He has also represented the department in the Honor Guard at many events.

TYLER — Busy times for the city of Tyler. The City Council Wednesday recognized the ETX Brewing Co. and the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival for their acceptance of recent Texas Downtown Association awards. ETX Brewing Co. was named Best Downtown Business and the Red Dirt festival was named 2018 Best Promotional Event. Additionally, the Council handed city Wastewater Collections Superintendent Timothy Moore the Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award for what was termed “his intense dedication to innovating and improving Tyler Water Utilities systems and customer service attention.” Continue reading City Offers Recognitions, Showcases Digital Transformation

TYLER – A Tyler man could find out Thursday his prison sentence for shooting at Smith County sheriff’s deputies. He could get up to life in prison. The sentencing hearing was completed Wednesday, now it is up to the jury to set the sentence for Juan Quiroga, 20. He was found guilty by the jury on Tuesday. He is charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. Dashcam video shows bullets hitting the lead patrol car during a high-speed chase in 2016. An investigation later determined at least two high-powered assault weapons were used in the shooting. Two other men were also arrested and charged in the case.

TYLER – A Smith County man has been arrested on child sexual assault and child porn charges. Taken into custody was Jonathan Gomez, 28. He was accused of was taking photographs and videos of a young girl without her knowledge. He was also accused of sexually assaulting the girl on numerous occasions over the course of four years. Sheriff’s department detectives got a warrant for Gomez and took him into custody on Wednesday. He is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child, sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. He was booked into the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $1,000,000.

TYLER – The Tyler City Council has approved a smoking ordinance amendment to prohibit electronic smoking devices in public places and workplaces. The city says the move was made “in an effort to ensure the health of the public and reduce the risks of addiction and nicotine dependency.” City officials say the new trend called “vaping” is significantly increasing the likelihood of of these risks through the appeal of the devices and the accessibility to minors. The amendment approved by the city council will target the problem by prohibiting the use of electronic smoking devices in public areas where traditional cigarette smoke is not allowed.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are looking for a truck involved in a fatal accident on Tuesday. Killed as he was directing traffic around a previous accident was George Earnest Melton, 59, of Longview. it occurred on Loop 281 at Birdsong Street around 5:45 Tuesday morning. It began when a motorist fell asleep and hit another vehicle head-on. The vehicle that hit Melton is believed to be a 2003 to 2006 silver or gray Lincoln Navigator. It should have damage to the front driver’s side and be missing the front portion of the fender and a head light.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run accident that happened shortly before 2:00 Wednesday morning on North Eastman Road. Dead at the scene was Melinda McBroom Neal, 58, of Longview. It is believed she was hit by a black Ford pickup truck that was heading north on the road. As the investigation into the accident continues, Longview police are asking anyone with information on the accident to contact the accident investigator Brian Rodin at 903-239-5516, the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7867.

TYLER – Tyler Junior College will be hiring a firm to find a new chancellor for the school. The school’s trustees approved the action during a called meeting on Tuesday. The action is needed since school Chancellor Mike Metke announced last week he will be retiring at the end of June. He has headed up the school for over 11 years. Once the search firm is selected, a nationwide search for Metke’s successor will begin. The board hopes to start bringing candidates to the school in late April.

TROUP – For about a week, the water in Troup will have a greater “tint.” Due to maintenance on an above ground storage tank at the City of Troup well number 2, Troup will be utilizing well number 1 to provide water for about the next week to 10 days. Due to the iron content, the water from well 1 will have a greater “tint” that the water from well 2. They are having to use just one well because of the maintenance that is required on well 2. According to the city’s Facebook page, the maintenance is costing the city around $24,000.

KILGORE – The East Texas Oil Museum reopened Wednesday. The museum closed in mid-November for renovation and exhibit upgrades. Museum manager Jackie Reynolds encourages everyone to see the museum’s fresh, new look. She said she is excited for visitors to step back in time and relive an authentic recreation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s. The museum is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 259 and Ross Avenue, on the campus of Kilgore College.

HAWKINS – One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Wood County. The victim has been identified as Bobby Ray Turbeville, 77, of Mineola. The Department of Public Safety report said his pickup was heading north when the vehicles’ right side tires went off the roadway. He took evasive action by steering sharply to the left, causing the vehicle to enter a side skid. It went across the road and into a ditch where the truck hit a tree. Turbeville, who was not wearing his seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident happened around 2:45 Monday afternoon 9 1/2 miles north of Hawkins.

LONGVIEW – The Department of Public Safety confiscated over one million dollars in illegal drugs with the arrest of two men in Gregg County. A state trooper stopped the men’s car on Interstate Highway 20, about two miles north of Kilgore, because of traffic violations. When the trooper saw suspicious tooling holding down bolts to the truck’s fuel tank, he started a search. Inside a compartment that was built within an auxiliary fuel tank mounted in the bed of the truck, they found 200 pounds of marijuana and about 90 grams in edible marijuana candies. The Longview News Journal reports the two Florida men were arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Each of their bonds total $150,000. The DPS says the two were transporting the drugs from the west coast to Florida.

CUNY – An Anderson County man has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Cherokee County. Dead at the scene Sunday night was Ronald Gene Fisk Jr., 48, of Frankston. The Department of Public Safety reports he was heading south at a high speed when he lost control of his pickup. It went into a side skid and hit a tree on the driver’s side. The accident occurred around 11:00 Sunday night on Farm Road 855, just under three miles south of Cuny.

LONGVIEW – Once again this year, the Greater Longview United Way will be able to help some residents through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The Longview News Journal reports this is the 11th year the program is available. It is designed to help a person who receives a paycheck or are self-employed and earned up to $60,000 last year. The service is provided in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. The United Way has recruited 35 volunteers to help with the program. Each underwent 15 hours of training to prepare the tax returns. You can get more information by going to http://www.longviewunitedway.org or calling 903-236-9211.

HAWKINS – Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins has been awarded accreditation of its business programs. It comes from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners. The school offers a business administration degree with concentrations in accounting, management, computer information systems and cybersecurity.

TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas says it is working to close the doors of Petland in Tyler. They claim that supporting the Tyler store is a support of animal cruelty. On their Facebook page, they have posted a sworn statement from a former store employee. The employee talks about the condition of the animals at the store. They have even posted a picture from a Petland customer who had issues with a dog she had purchased. The store told our news partner KETK, “That is a perfectly good body condition for an active boxer pup.” The SPCA is encouraging area residents to support their efforts to close the store by contacting their local officials. Continue reading The SPCA of East Texas Has Issues with a Tyler Store

TYLER – A Tyler man has been killed when his car crashed into a brick wall. Dead at the scene was Timothy Hunter Brasher, 22. A passenger in his car was injured. Tyler police report Brasher’s car was heading west on Jeff Davis Drive when he lost control, crossed the intersection and hit the wall. The accident happened around 1:00 Monday morning. As part of the investigation into the accident, investigators have submitted evidence to the Department of Public Safety to see if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

TYLER — A renowned NHRA Pro Stock motorcyclist shares her thoughts as guest speaker at Tyler’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Peggy Llewellyn told KTBB her message dovetails with the theme of the event, “Learn to Live Together as Brothers” — and with Dr. King’s message. Llewellyn said, “He wanted to live in a country where everyone was accepted and there was love among each other — there were no differences. You lived as one, and you were happy, you were prosperous.” Asked why it’s so important to remember Dr. King, Llewellyn responded, “Dr. King was all about love because…he said hate was too great of a burden to bear. And it is — and you don’t grow from that.” Along with her motorsports activities, Llewellyn’s biography notes that she’s been honored for inspiring youth to become great achievers. She’s also active in raising awareness and funds to support a cure for breast cancer. Continue reading East Texans Hold Annual MLK Celebrations

TYLER – Tyler Junior College has begun a new class leading toward a Bachelor of Applied Technology in healthcare technology and medical systems. Twenty students were in the classroom on the first day of class last Thursday. The program is designed for working professionals who wish to advance into a higher level of management in the healthcare industry. Designed for students who juggle work and family, the program offers classes in flexible but intensive five-week sessions. This allows students to complete their upper-division courses in five semesters while only attending one night per week.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of January 21. 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.

Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct edge work on Farm Road 1252 from Farm Road 757 to the county line. Crews will also perform base repairs on SH 110N at Swan. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Project Updates

TYLER — Law officers have caught a suspect they’d been seeking, a man accused of leading law enforcement on two high-speed chases. Authorities say Cody Keaton Kovarik, 26, was captured by Smith County sheriff’s deputies and a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden. Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Christian says law enforcement developed information about Kovarik’s whereabouts and proceeded to the location. Christian says as law officers tried to arrest Kovarik, he fled on foot into a wooded area and ultimately into a creek. Christian says one officer was injured by a barbed wire fence during the foot pursuit. Kovarik is charged with evading arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. His bonds total $517,500.

TYLER – The man police say is responsible for stealing more than $60,000 worth of jewelry from a Tyler store while posing as a delivery driver has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Last March, then 49-year-old James Albert Oliver of Longview was arrested at a Longview motel in the December 2017 heist. Investigators say it was Oliver, wearing what appeared to be a UPS uniform, who took a package of jewelry from the Zales store on South Broadway, and then fled.

RUSK — Rusk ISD And Rusk police are investigating after a student made threatening statements on a morning bus ride. According to our news partner KETK, campus authorities were immediately notified by transportation. The district says after arriving on campus, the student was taken to the office, searched, and questioned.

LONGVIEW – The lone suspect in a New Year’s Eve 2017 shooting death in Kilgore who was captured this month in Gary, Indiana, has been extradited to Gregg County. That’s according to our news partner KETK. The Longview News Journal reported that Dwight Patrick Scott, 52, was arrested by federal authorities in Gary January 8. Kilgore police said the Gregg County Sheriff’s office received a tip a day earlier on where he could be found. That information was forwarded to the U.S. Marshals office. Scott was wanted for the death of Tracy Lynn Reedy, 50. She was found shot to death on a sidewalk at The Village on Meadowgreen Drive apartments in Kilgore.

TYLER – Local dignitaries made it official with a ribbon cutting ceremony for Tyler’s longest airport runway. The city had announced a little over a month ago that Tyler Pounds Regional Airport had fully opened Runway 4-22. The new extended length of the runway is 8,330 feet. Construction to rehabilitate, widen and lengthen the runway began four years ago. The runway pavement section includes 14 inches of concrete placed over 12 inches of a heavy base section. The runway is now capable of carrying much heavier loads and provides extended length for landing and takeoffs. In total, the budgeted cost for the project was about $48 million, with 90% of the cost covered through Federal Aviation Administration grants. The airport is currently working with the FAA to receive funding to rebuild the taxiway going towards the runaway.

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death after responding to a disturbance call. According to our news partner KETK, deputies found a person in need of medical help on Rabbit Creek Circle around 2:30 Thursday afternoon. The unnamed person was taken to the hospital where they later died. Officials said they are not investigating the case as a homicide. The body has been sent for autopsy.