KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN – There has been a slight drop in Tyler and Longview’s unemployment figure. Tyler’s unemployment rate fell to 3.7% in August. That’s better than Texas and the nation. It was 4% the month before and 4.1% in August of last year. Longview’s unemployment went from 4.3% in July to 4.2% in August. A year ago it was 5.1%. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% percent in August, down slightly from 4.0% in July. The nation’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% last month.

TYLER – A woman has entered a guilty plea, in state district court in Tyler, in connection with a fatal Smith County accident. Jessica Lauren Vass, 36, of Lindale, pleaded guilty Monday morning to two charges of intoxicated manslaughter. She decided to have a jury hear punishment testimony and assess her sentence; that process was scheduled to begin Tuesday. In April of last year, Vass was involved in a thee vehicle accident on Toll 49, just north of Highway 64. A car, driven by Annette Burkhart, 56, of Garland, was stopped southbound on the side of the roadway with a flat tire. A pickup truck, driven by Gary McCrary, 62, of Flint, was stopped behind the disabled car and McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing the flat tire. Continue reading Woman Pleads Guilty to Intoxication Manslaughter

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct a variety of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the week of Sept. 24. In Smith County, motorists can expect traffic to move a little slower on I-20 at FM 849 for a couple of days when lane closures are implemented for painting operations. The contractor will be painting the FM 849 bridge columns. On Tuesday, Sept. 25, both inside lanes of I-20 will be closed as work is conducted. The outside lanes will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Expect delays, with travel reduced to one lane each direction during work at this location. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/041-2018.html for a full district-wide rundown.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jim Taylor has been invited to conduct a festival concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 10, 2019, where he will premiere his new 20-minute composition for choir and orchestra, titled “Cambridge Songs Suite No. 2.” Taylor will be taking with him the LeTourneau Singers, the Longview Civic Chorus, and other East Texas singers. Experienced choral singers from around East Texas who are interested in participating can contact Taylor by email at JimTaylor@letu.edu for an audition and details. Fundraising events will be held throughout the next several months to help students with costs of travel. Those include an old-fashioned “Hymn Sing” event on campus Sunday, Sept. 30.

TYLER — The East Texas Restaurant Association has created an endowed scholarship at Tyler Junior College in honor of Bob Westbrook of Tyler (third from left in photo). According to a TJC news release, it’s for his many years of service to the local restaurant industry and his work in helping to establish TJC’s new culinary arts program. The scholarship will benefit future culinary arts students at TJC. Westbrook, who currently serves on the Tyler City Council, owned and operated three CiCi’s Pizza restaurants, two in Tyler and one in Longview. Among other community service credentials, Westbrook is past chairman of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

TYLER – The 2018 Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant in Tyler Saturday night crowned a new queen. She is Peggy Rial of Mesquite. Twenty ladies from North and East Texas participated in the pageant. This marks the third straight year the pageant was held in Tyler after being held in the Metroplex for nearly 20 years. Other winners include 1st runner up Patsy Rabe of Arlington. She was also named most photogenic. Name Miss Congeniality was Barbara Price of Burleson. The Best Talent award went to violinist Ruth Elizabeth Morrow of Tyler. Continue reading A New Senior Queen is Named in Tyler

LONGVIEW – It was a guilty verdict and a prison sentence in a Longview murder trial. A jury Friday afternoon, found Kyron Delyn Adams, 39, guilty of murder in the shooting of Thomas Lynn Harper, 34, of Gladewater. Judge Alfonso Charles sentenced Adams to 75 years in prison. The shooting followed a fight outside J’s Place in Longview in February of last year. According an arrest warrant filed by Longview police, Adams shot Harper in the back after a fight. Adams claimed the shooting was in self defense.

TYLER – The Art of Peace committee has staged a series of events in Tyler this week to promote peace. On Friday, the United Nations International Day of Peace. a new 14 foot Peace Pole was unveiled. The Medal sculpture says, in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, “May peace prevail on Earth.” It can be found beside Rose Rudman Trail. It was designed and created by artists Kerian Massey and Diane Billingsley. It is the 5th peace pole in Tyler. The others can be found at Woldert Park, Bergfeld Park, the Rose Garden Center and St. Paul Children’s Foundation.

The city and county have a meeting in Tyler next week on having the two governments work together on city issues. The meeting is scheduled next Thursday afternoon at 3:30 in the county commissioners courtroom at the Smith County Courthouse Annex Building. It is something they have been working on since the first of the year. There are two focal points. First, discussing downtown Tyler revitalization. Second, discussing how to improve services provided by both the city and county. The County Seat Coalition will be co-chaired by County Judge Nathaniel Moran and City Manager, Ed Broussard.

KILGORE – Kilgore police are asking for the public’s help in identifying women in a cash scam. It happened on September 12th at Walmart. And elderly woman lost $9,000 in the scam. If you have information please contact Detective Stephen Goodson at 903-218-6903 or by email at stephen.goodson@cityofkilgore.com. You may also contact the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Refer to KPD Incident # 1809-0700. Continue reading Scam Suspects Sought

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater woman is placed in the Gregg County jail after reportedly assaulting another woman. According to our news partner KETK, 45-year-old Chastidee Jameson was arrested earlier this week after a possible disturbance was reported from a Link to Life alert. According to the arrest report, officers found Jameson on top of another woman, punching her on the head. Officers then used a stun gun and pepper spray after she reportedly refused their orders to stop.

LONGVIEW – Longview High School students now have more freedom to use their cell phones on campus. The Longview News Journal reports the change comes as part of a new student code of conduct approved this week. Previously, high school students could only use their cell phones during lunch. Under the new rules, they can now be used before and after school, during lunch and between classes. They must be put away during class, unless a teacher tells a student they can use it. For the first offense, a teacher will fill out a form documenting the offense. After that, each offense will result in a $15 fine or in-school suspension. School officials say the outdated policy was changed because “times have changed.”

TYLER – The Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant is returning to Tyler for the third straight year. It had been held in the Metroplex for 20 years. But, when it lost it’s venue, the outgoing queen, Jo Anne McMeans of Tyler, invited them to come to the Rose City. The pageant’s state director Peggy Wagner has said, after their first year here, returning to Tyler was a no-brainer. She said the city opened their arms to the pageant and contestants. The current Queen is Patsy Roan Crist (pictured), who is from Hopkins County.The pageant, which is all about changing the image of aging, is for women ages 60 and over. It will be held Saturday night at 7:00 at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway. Tickets are $17.00 and will be available at the door.

SMITH COUNTY — A trial date has been set for a woman accused of killing two people while driving intoxicated on Toll 49. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Lauren Vass, 35, of Lindale, is set to be in court for a jury trial Monday, September 24, in Judge Jack Skeen’s court. On the night of April 12, 2017 State Troopers responded to a three-vehicle accident on Toll 49, just north of Highway 64. The preliminary crash investigation revealed a car, driven by Annette Burkhart, 56, of Garland, was stopped southbound on the side of the roadway with a flat tire. A pickup truck, driven by Gary McCrary, 62, of Flint, was stopped behind the disabled car and McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing the flat tire. Continue reading Trial Date Set for Lindale Woman Accused of Intoxication Manslaughter

MARSHALL – A Mexican national is heading to federal prison for drug trafficking in East Texas. In Marshall, U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap sentenced Benigno Guzman Ortiz, 20, to 58 months in prison. He had pleaded guilty back in May to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Federal prosecutors say, when Ortiz was stopped for a traffic violation in Cass County in September of last year, he gave permission to search his vehicle. Officers found 15 bundles of methamphetamine concealed within the rear hatch of the van. He admitted that he had been recruited to drive the van containing the drugs from Houston to Texarkana, Arkansas.

TYLER – The Smith County AgriLife office is back up to full staff. The new 4H Youth Development Extension Agent is Skyler Shively. He was introduced to Smith County Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Shively will undergo training for 30 days in Henderson County and begin work in the Smith County office on November 1. A graduate of Lindale High school, he comes to Smith County from Sabine ISD where he served as director of Agriculture Sciences.

TYLER – Two appointments have been announced at the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Kimberly Laird has been appointed as vice president of budget and finance and chief financial officer. Appointed as vice president of operations and strategic initiatives and chief operations officer is Jerry Stuff. Laird, most recently, has served as associate vice president and controller for a Dallas university. Stuff previously served as UT Tyler’s associate vice president of facilities management and capital planning.

TYLER – The East Texas State Fair begins its ten day run in Tyler on Friday. It starts with senior citizen activities. And each day there is a lot for families to see and do. There is a magician, sea lion splash and pony rides. Let’s not forget the carnival, the food and the market place. And then there’s entertainment on the main stage. The entertainment is free with your fair ticket. Motorists are also reminded about some traffic flow changes on West Front Street during the run of the fair. You can go to the fair website https://www.etstatefair.com to keep tabs on the daily activities. Continue reading It’s Fair Time in Tyler

KILGORE – Kilgore College is being named in a federal lawsuit. According to the Longview News Journal, former instructor Toledo Montgomery filed the lawsuit on Monday at the federal courthouse in Tyler. She claims the school racially discriminated against her and retaliated after she complained about the discrimination. Montgomery, who is black, accused the school of firing her after she complained that a co-worker refused to follow her instruction because of her race. She is seeking back pay, compensatory damages, equitable relief and court costs. No comment from the school on the suit. College spokesman Chris Craddock told the paper the college does not comment on pending litigation.

LINDALE – An animal rabies case has turned up in Smith County. The disease was in a skunk that was found near County Road 437 in Lindale. The Texas Department of State Health Services notified Smith County Animal Control of the positive test. Smith County reminds you not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. Any youngster who comes in contact with any wild or sick animal, should tell their parents. If you know of someone who has been bitten by an animal, it must be reported to the local rabies control authority for proper investigation. Also, make sure your dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies.

TYLER – The state appeals court in Tyler has upheld the murder conviction of a Houston man in a Tyler killing. Jared Eugene Wilson, 32, had been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Thomas Glen Wilson. He was also fined $10,000. Prosecutors had described Wilson as a known gang member, convicted drug dealer and pimp. The shooting occurred at a Tyler hotel on the West Northwest Loop in July, 2016. Wilson fled the scene. A state trooper found his vehicle in Anderson County and arrested him a few hours later.

TYLER – The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has upheld the murder conviction of a Smith County man. The appeal was from Joshua Adam Scales, 31. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the shooting death of Jordan Ladue, 30, in July of 2016. He was killed during a robbery in Troup. Scales was arrested a few days later in Reklaw at a relative’s house. He was caught as he was trying to crawl out of a back window of the house. Investigators say LaDue wasn’t shot where he was found. The initial investigation revealed he got into an argument at a house on North Noble Street and shots were fired. A woman then took him to the West Duval location and called police. Three others have been previously sentenced in the case.

GREGG COUNTY — A roadway is open again after a tanker truck hauling fuel caused traffic delays following a leak. FM 2087, just before the overpass at I-20 in Longview, was tempirarily shut down. TxDOT now says the area has been cleared.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with United Healthcare to offer small businesses health care plans. According to a news release from the Longview Chamber, It is for chamber members who have 50 or less employees. The businesses can pick from 20 Affordable Care Act-compliant plans. They say some of them will cost up to 15% less than Adjusted Community Rating equivalents in the market. The coverage is set to begin November 1st. The chamber started the program in 2009. Changes in the law forced the chamber to scrap it in 2014. But, under revised federal regulations, the chamber is making it available again. You can check out the Longview Chamber’s web site https://www.longviewchamber.com for more information.

TYLER – Over 150 students from Canton, Chapel Hill, Central High, Lindale, TISD, and Winona, attended the Pre-Health Conference Wednesday at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. High school students learned about possible career opportunities, including, medicine, public health, nursing, dentistry, agriculture health and safety, and veterinary medicine. They also met with health professionals, advisors, graduate health students, and other high school students.

TYLER – A Tyler woman has been arrested for drug violations. Rome Sheleese Hayward, 26, is facing two drug charges. Her Wednesday arrest came after Tyler police narcotics and SWAT units executed a search warrant at a home on West Trezevant Street. The officers found in the house marijuana, crack cocaine and Hydrocodone. Hayward remains in the Smith County Jail.

KILGORE – Kilgore College has been re-approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs to train veterans and other eligible persons. The re-validation means that all programs listed in the 2018-19 KC Academic Catalog and several continuing education courses are approved by the federal government for veteran education. KC is approved to offer courses to veterans through the following types of training: resident, independent study, practical training, cooperative training, open-circuit TV and developmental/remedial. Continue reading Veteran Affairs Grants for Kilgore College Re-Approved

TYLER – With the opening of the East Texas State Fair on Friday, The historic Mayfair Building will host its first performance in over 20 years. The Mayfair Building was once the prime venue for events in East Texas, like performances by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Magician Sheldon Casavant will take to the stage each night at 8:00. The level of equipment being used for the production has never been seen in the Mayfair Building. And, while the building has undergone renovation, the original stage, that holds so much history, has not been touched. The Sheldon Casavant Show is one of six new attractions the Fair has added this year, alongside sea lions, lumberjacks, a chili cook-off and more.

LONGVIEW – A warrant scam has surfaced in Gregg County. Someone claiming to be Michael Jones with the Gregg County Warrants Division is telling people they owe $2,000 for missing grand jury. He them tells them to go get four Green Dot cards at various grocery stores in Longview. They are to stay on the phone until all cards are purchased. The Gregg County Sheriff”s Department says all of the reports, so far, have been in the Hunters Creek Addition. They also remind you, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office will never solicit money by phone.