KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Tyler will soon be testing drones to see if they can be a help to first responders. The city council on Wednesday approved an agreement with Phirst Technologies of Tyler. This will allow the company to conduct testing of its automated drone first response system. The drone and a port will be located in a secure enclosure at Fire Station #9 on South Paluxy. The testing will be done within FAA part 107 rules for drones and last six to ten months. The company is bearing all costs for the installation and testing. Phirst Technologies is developing a network of autonomous drones across the United States to allow first responders to see what is happening at a fire, accident, or disaster before they arrive. It will also have the ability to ‘sniff’ and report on volatile gasses at the scene.

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation has closed the westbound outside lane of Interstate Highway 20 at the Little Saline Creek Bridge, just east of Jim Hogg Road, for repairs. Work is underway and the closure will remain in place for several days. Motorists can expect I-20 traffic to flow a little slower at this location due to the lane closure. Use alternate routes to avoid delays. The work is expected to be completed by Monday.

LONGVIEW – An assault that occurred in Longview remains under investigation. Three persons were sent to the hospital, even the suspect in the incident. It occurred around 10:30 Wednesday morning on Avalon Avenue. Longview police were called to the scene after shots were reported to have been fired. They found two persons injured at the scene. A third person, the possible suspect, was later located. No other information has been released.

TYLER – A report of a suicidal suspect brought Tyler police to an East Front Street residence early Wednesday afternoon. He was reported by a family member. Officers started talking to the 53 year old man. After brief negotiations, the man surrendered to officers shortly before 3:15 Wednesday afternoon. He was taken to a Tyler hospital for a mental evaluation. No injuries were reported.

KILGORE – A threat posted on social media caused extra police officers to be stationed on the Kilgore High School Campus. The anonymous threat appeared on Snapchat Wednesday morning. It warned people not to go on the school campus. The person said they were shooting up the school because they were tired of “y’all making fun of me and it’s time for y’all to pay.” Assistant Police Chief Roman Roberson said Wednesday afternoon that “there’s no active threat” at the school. They are trying to determine who posted the message. The students were kept on the campus and were not released early.

EAST TEXAS — Senator Ted Cruz will head to East Texas this week. Our news partner KETK reports he’ll make campaign stops on Thursday in Tyler and Longview, before heading down to Nacogdoches on Friday. Congressman Beto O’Rourke will also visit with East Texans. On Thursday he will be in Lufkin, followed by a stop in Longview, and one final appearance in Tyler. All of these events are listed on their campaign websites.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A search is underway by Nacogdoches County law enforcement officials for an escaped inmate. Robin Copeland, 56, was transported to a local hospital after making a medical complaint. That’s when she made a break for it just after midnight this morning. Copeland was last seen wearing a blue county issued jump suit. She was arrested in September on warrants for tampering with a government record, theft of service and failure to appear, all felonies. A new warrant has been issued for her arrest for the offense of escape, a 3rd degree felony. Anyone with information on Copeland’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact law enforcement. Continue reading Search for Escaped Nacogdoches County Inmate

TYLER – State Comptroller Glenn Hegar brought his “Good for Texas Tour” to Tyler Tuesday. The tour highlights women in the Texas workforce and their impact on the Texas economy. In Tyler, Hegar celebrated the work of Janie Clapp, founder of Janies Cakes. She started in 1987 selling all-natural pound cakes fresh from her bakery. The business, run by Clapps daughter, Katherine Crow, has been featured on “Good Morning America” and “The Jimmy Kimmel Show”. In 2016, it made Oprah Winfreys “Favorite Things List”.

TYLER – Early voting in the November general election is off to a roaring start in Smith County. On the first day of early voting on Monday, 4,963 ballots were cast in Smith County. This appears the be the largest opening turn out for early voting the county has ever seen. But, despite the turnout, the lines have been moving smoothly and quickly. Early voting will run through Friday, November 2nd. There are 5 early voting locations in the county, including Lindale Public Library, Noonday Community Center and Whitehouse Municipal Court. In Tyler, you can vote at the Heritage Building on Bellwood Road and at the HUB on East Ferguson. Smith County voters can use any of those locations. Continue reading A Big Early Voting Turnout in Smith County

TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott is on the road, not only for his re-election, but in support of other Republicans. As the governor puts his campaign operation to use in down-ballot races, he has a stop scheduled in Tyler on Wednesday. Governor Abbott will be joined by State Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler at 11:30 at Bruno’s Pizza & Pasta on the Old Jacksonville Highway. Also scheduled to join the two are state Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola and State Representative Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant.

TYLER – The police are trying to find the persons who shot at a Tyler home. One man was slightly grazed by one of the shots, but did not require medical attention. It happened shortly before 3:15 Tuesday morning on Redbud Avenue, near Bell Elementary. The house had had numerous .223 rifle rounds fired at it. Officers found 29 spent shell casings in the street in front of the residence. Investigators believe that the residents and suspects know each other.

LONGVIEW – A man involved in a fatal Longview accident has been indicted by the Gregg County Grand Jury. Our news partner KETK says Christopher Roman Darden, 47, of Longview, was indicted on charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. The charges stem from an accident back in April. Darden was traveling north on Eastman Road near the East Marshall Avenue intersection when he veered into oncoming traffic and struck a southbound vehicle head-on. The driver was killed and her passenger was critically injured. Darden is still in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $75,000.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man originally charged with murder has plead guilty to a lesser charge. Randall Lamont Britton, 32, of Tyler, was in Judge Kerry Russell’s court Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Britton pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 30. Back in 2014, Smith County Sheriff Deputies were called to a house in the northeastern part of the county shortly before 2 a.m. August 18. The body of RL Britton, 56, of Tyler, was found inside the home. The victim was said to be the suspect’s adoptive father.

RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County officials are searching for a man accused of sexual assault of a child and other crimes. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for James Paul Calvert, 47. He is wanted on two counts of child sexual assault, burglary of a habitation and escape. Anyone with any information on Calvert is urged to call the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department at 903-657-3581 or Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-tips (8477).

TYLER – Starting Monday, Tyler began converting its water disinfection process to free chlorine for a period ending November 19th. The city uses a combination of free chlorine and ammonia to disinfect its drinking water supply prior to customer distribution. It is standard industry practice to periodically convert back to free chlorine to improve and maintain the highest water quality standards. Generally, there are no noticeable changes in water quality as a result of this temporary conversion. If you should experience a discoloration, temporarily flush faucets, tubs and toilets, until the water has cleared. Clothing should not be washed during times of discoloration to reduce the possibility of staining. Prior to washing clothing, customers may want to run a little water in a bathtub to check for discoloration. Periodic pressure drops may also be experienced due to the City’s extensive flushing efforts. Noticeable water quality changes associated with conversions are normally short lived and are not public health risks. Continue reading A One Month Change in Tyler’s Water Disinfectant Process

KILGORE – Authorities are looking for two persons who led officers on a two county chase in East Texas. It started around 8:45 Monday morning when a state trooper tried to pull over a black Mercedes Benz in northeastern Smith County. The speeding vehicle lead officers on a chase at speeds topping 100 miles an hour. The chase ended in Kilgore, off State Highway 135, when the driver and his passenger split up, and fled on foot. A search for the men, which included K9 units from Smith County, turned up no trace of the suspects.

SMITH COUNTY – The Cajun Navy of Bossier City is asking Smith County residents to help with donations for hurricane Michael victims. They will be collecting items through 5:00pm Friday at four locations in Smith County. They are accepting donations of food, including baby food, pet supplies and hygiene items. They are also collecting cleaning supplies, dry goods, as well as hand tools, tarps, nails, and any other basic supplies needed to help individuals and families start the rebuilding process. The drop off locations are, in Tyler, Community Yoga, Studio B and Wright Way Services and in Lindale at the Lindale Fire Department.

LINDALE – An attempted robbery remains under investigation by Lindale police. According to the department’s Facebook posting, it happened in the parking lot of the Best Western. A while male, dressed all in black, approached a truck and tried to rob the driver. He fled without taking anything. He is believed to have gotten out of a dark blue or purple Mazda Passenger car. If you can help identify the suspect you are asked to contact the Lindale Police Department. Continue reading Attempted Robbery Suspect Sought

TYLER – Here’s a look at road work planned in the Tyler district of TxDOT during the week of October 22nd. 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.

Nighttime pavement marking operations are ongoing around Tyler. The contractor is utilizing slow-moving mobile operations to install new pavement markings. Work is being conducted from 8:00pm to 6:00am, Sunday through Thursday nights until the project is completed. Brief delays are possible. Continue reading TxDOT Roadwork Update

HOUSTON — Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler made an appearance on Fox News Monday morning to talk about immigration and that migrant caravan headed to the U-S border. Gohmert commented, “All of these people trying to force their way in — it’s called an invasion. And thank God we have a President that will stand up to an invasion like this. But under our Constitution, a governor can call out military troops to stop an invasion. But fortunately, Governor Abbott won’t have to because the President’s gonna take care of that.” Gohmert traveled to Houston Monday for the Trump rally there.

LONGVIEW — One of the two men charged with manslaughter in a fatal September 22, 2017, wreck on North Eastman Road is back in the Gregg County Jail. According to the Longview News Journal and our news partner KETK, Chad Palmer Malone, 20, of Longview, was jailed again Saturday. He and co-defendant Daven Davis, 20, of Hallsville, were arrested in February on charges related to the wreck that killed two people, Malone’s sister Rylee Malone and his fiancee, Meshebia Johnson, who were passengers in his car. The driver of the second vehicle in the wreck, Christa Wilson, of Harleton, was hospitalized after the crash with life-threatening injuries. Malone was released from the Gregg County Jail on May 15 on bond. Malone was scheduled for trial October 15, but instead an affidavit to surrender the defendant was issued Wednesday. Malone is being held on $600,000 bond.

TYLER – Early voting is ready to start in next month’s general election. The November 6th general election will find area voters deciding everything from bond issues to who will be walking the halls of congress. The early voting, which starts on Monday, will run through November 2nd. There are five early voting locations in Smith County. The HUB on East Ferguson, the Heritage Building on Bellwood Road, the Lindale Public Library, the Noonday Community Center and the Whitehouse Municipal Court. Continue reading General Election Early Voting Begins

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for two suspects wanted in an aggravated robbery. It happened around 4:00 Saturday afternoon at the T-Mobile store, 3320 Troup Highway. Police said two black males, early 20s, entered the store and demanded money and merchandise. One suspect displayed a handgun during the robbery. An undisclosed amount of money and items were stolen from the store before the suspects left the scene in a white Nissan Maxima. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is urged to contact Tyler Police or CrimeStoppers.

JACKSONVILLE – The do not use water order is being lifted for the remaining area served by the Craft-Turney Water Supply Corporation in Cherokee County. It was lifted based on the results from additional samples collected from the remaining limited area of the system under the ban on October 16th. An evaluation of the results for these samples indicate that though the chlorothalonil is still present at low levels in this area, the levels detected are well below those that would pose a health concern. The initial order was issued October 3rd after the fungicide was discovered in the water. The TCEQ continues to investigate this incident to determine the source and cause of this incident, and to evaluate compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is in jail on sexual assault charges. Being held under a $25,000 bond is Jacob Alexander Terrell, 20. According to the Longview News Journal, the victim said she was assaulted in her car after dropping by Terrell’s house to return some of his belongings. She was able to escape to a family member’s home and call police. An officer reported seeing bruises on the victim’s throat and red marks on her head. Terrell was later arrested at his home on Gilmer Road.

AUSTIN – Friday night’s Mega Millions jackpot continues to grow. The grand prize now tops $1 billion. And that is growing each hour. In Texas, ticket sales are over $44 million, with the mega million sales over $64,000 every minute. State records show the top selling lottery ticket store in Tyler is D and N Grocery on West Bow. In Longview, the number one ticket seller is Scotties on West Hawkins Parkway. In the entire Tyler district, leading the list is A Deels’s #7 in Lufkin. In Texas, ticket sales for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing stops at 9:45pm.

TYLER – The City of Tyler, Smith County, and Heart of Tyler have decided to partner with The Retail Coach. The nation’s leading economic development recruitment firm will help expand downtown Tyler’s business, hospitality, entertainment as well as living offerings. The hiring of the firm comes at the same time as the county and the city formed the County Seat Coalition. The members will focus on identifying ways to encourage economic development in downtown Tyler. The Retail Coach team will be creating downtown profile reports and marketing tools to prepare city leaders to present the downtown area regionally and nationally to potential economic development prospects. Over the next few weeks, The Retail Coach will be meeting with business and property owners throughout downtown Tyler. Aaron Farmer, Senior Vice President of the firm, will be visiting Tyler in the next few weeks.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County District Clerk has announced that jury duty has been canceled for district court for Monday. Barbara Duncan said persons who received a jury summons for Monday, October 22, are not required to attend.

AUSTIN – Tyler’s unemployment number is still better that the state’s figure. Texas’ unemployment rate is the lowest in four decades. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in September, down from 3.9% in August. Tyler’s unemployment number went from 3.7% in August to 3.5% last month. A year ago it was 3.8%. Longview’s unemployment number was steady in August and September at 4%. A year ago, Longview’s jobless total was 4.5%.