KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler will offer a new Master of Science in
marketing insights degree. Housed within the Soules College of Business, the graduate degree
program was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges to launch January 2025. Registration is now open. Continue reading UT Tyler offers a new Master of Science in marketing

WHITEHOUSE – Our news partners at KETK report that Whitehouse Police Department Captain Jereld Frank Brewer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated on Saturday, the City of Whitehouse said. Brewer, 59, was arrested by Tyler Police Department for DWI after an accident on Saturday, according to the City of Whitehouse. Brewer is currently on administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation is being done, as city and police department policy requires. The City of Whitehouse offered no further comment until criminal and administrative investigations are completed.

Brewer was charged with driving while intoxicated and taken to the Smith County Jail. He was later released on Sunday after posting a $500 bond.

EAST TEXAS – Former President Trump was holding a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Republican National Convention when shots rang out. According to the Associated Press, a reported gunman and at least one other person are dead. Several East Texas Representatives and other officials have come out with the following statements of support in wake of the shooting which our news partners at KETK have assembled:

“Praying for President Trump, his family, and our country after this horrific act. May God be with President Trump and with our nation,” Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler said.

State Senator Bryan Hughes, who represents Mineola, asked for the public to pray for Trump after what he called a failed assassination attempt.

“Today at a rally in Pennsylvania, there was a failed assassination attempt on President Trump. Please pray for President Trump and all those who may have been injured,” said Hughes. Continue reading East Texas representatives react to shooting

HAWAII – Our news partners at KETK report that two students from Stephen F. Austin State University were in Hawaii this summer to do groundbreaking research on dolphins with drones. Seniors Rachel Moore and Callie Lynn were chosen by associate biology professor at SFA, Dr. Jason Bruck to assist with project PHASM (Passive Health Assessment in Sea Mammals) and to help conduct a project to learn how to understand how dolphin whistle transmission is impacted by noise. “My time doing research at Dolphin Quest Hawaii was an incredible experience,” Lynn said. “The acoustic project I had the privilege of working on is something a limited number of people around the world have the ability to do. Not only was I able to participate in the project, but I was empowered to execute each phase on my own, which is a skill that will set me apart from others in my field upon graduation.” Continue reading SFA students research dolphins with drones

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville police are looking for a man they say is armed and dangerous after a shooting early Tuesday morning on Elm Street. According to our news partner KETK, Damian Charles Smith, 28, has several warrants including one for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He’s the primary suspect in a Tuesday morning shooting that left one man injured. He’s described as 5’11” and 150 pounds. Cherokee County Crime Stoppers are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

TYLER – The city of Tyler has announced that starting the week of July 15, a contractor will have two crews working in the City of Tyler to replace traffic signal indicators and install retro reflective backplates. During this work, intersections will be in “red flash” mode and should be treated as all-way stops. Lane closures and work will begin at 8 a.m. each day and will be widespread throughout the City of Tyler, lasting multiple weeks. Motorists are asked to exercise extra caution when going through the intersections.The following intersections are anticipated to be worked on during the time of construction: Continue reading Traffic advisory for highway safety project

MINEOLA – Grab your boots and favorite hat, the rodeo has officially started, according to our news partners at KETK. The 61st edition of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department Rodeo kicked off at 6 p.m. on Friday at their rodeo grounds along Highway 69. For the fire department and rodeo organizers it’s about more than raising money, it’s a heartfelt tradition. “Rodeo hasn’t changed, the world’s changed a little bit but rodeo’s a constant,” said J.R. Mclelland, Professional Rodeo Announcer. The 61st annual Mineola Volunteer Fire Department Rodeo is being held on Friday and Saturay this year. Continue reading 61st Mineola Fire Department Rodeo underway

LONGVIEW – Longview residents will soon have another way to cool down in the summer heat after the city counsel voted to approve a new pool, according to our news partners at KETK. Currently there is only one pool open to community members in the entire city of Longview. Thursday night Longview city council approved plans to build a new community park in Stamper P{ark. The path toward adding a new swimming center has been discussed for the past few weeks. The proposal narrowly passed with a 4 to 3 vote on Thursday. Continue reading Longview approves new public pool

HENDERSON COUNTY – An East Texas man was sentenced to 99 years in prison on Thursday, a day after a Henderson County jury found him guilty of assaulting a public servant according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Henderson County District Attorney, Hubert Eldon Case III, 41 of Gun Barrel City, was in jail in November 2023 when he struck a detention service officer in the face. Continue reading Man gets 99 years for assaulting officer

SABINE COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that in a record-breaking severe weather event, 13 tornadoes touched down in East Texas as Beryl continued inland. NWS in Shreveport reported 67 tornado warnings on Monday. NWS Shreveport said weather events due to Beryl “are further proof that inland tropical impacts can also be quite extreme.” NWS said as of now, there have been no reported injuries in East Texas in relation to the 13 tornadoes

SMITH COUNTY – After Beryl caused many East Texans to lose food, recipients of SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, can now apply for replacement benefits. According to our news partner KETK, Acting Gov. Dan Patrick said Thursday, “The recent storms have impacted many families across the state. By providing these replacement food benefits, we will offer relief to those who need our help the most. As we continue our recovery process, it is vital that SNAP and WIC recipients have access to these benefits to continue to feed their families.”

SNAP and WIC recipients in the following local counties can apply for replacement benefits that will be put on their Lone Star Cards if approved:  Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Polk, Rains, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.

People must apply by calling 211 and selecting option 8 before Aug. 8. People can also mail a completed Form H1855 to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Families who use WIC can go to a WIC office to replace food benefits through July 31, a release from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said.

TYLER – The Tyler City Council on Wednesday, accepted a donation for a new pavilion for the Heritage Garden from the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club. According to our news partner KETK, the donation is in the form of a pavilion, which is valued at $81,589.

Leanne Robinette, director of parks, recreation and tourism facilities said, “We have had a long-standing partnership with the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club, and we are very grateful and excited about the new structure. This is something that has been in the works for years. It’s going to be a great addition to the garden.”

City officials said they have $25,000 budgeted for installation of the pavilion. Installation is expected to be completed within the coming weeks.

VAN – The city manager of Van was terminated at a city council meeting on Thursday night. The Van City Council met to discuss the status of former Police Chief Melissa Davis after she was fired July 1 by the City Manager John Desha. The Texas Municipal Police Association told our news partners at KETK News, Davis was fired for not wanting to fine property owners who were victims of graffiti. In Thursday’s meeting, several other key city positions such as the city manager, city secretary, public works director, fire marshal and fire chief were also discussed in executive session. Before the closed-door meeting, council members voted unanimously to change current policy, effective immediately, that if a city manager wanted to terminate a department head, they would need to bring the recommendation to the council and councilmembers would approve or deny.
Continue reading Van City Council terminates city manager after police chief fired

TYLER – FEMA has set a deadline of August 15, for Smith County residents to register for individual assistance with their storm damages. So far, FEMA has approved 2,367 Smith County residents for individual assistance, for a total of nearly $5.8 million, Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported. Citizens who still need help recovering from the severe storms, tornados, flooding and straight-line winds, from April 26 through June 5, can go to the Hub for in-person assistance. The Disaster Recovery Center at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler, has changed its hours, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Continue reading FEMA continues to help Smith County residents

TYLER – After former head baseball coach of the Tyler Junior College Apaches Doug Wren became the new athletic director, the multi-time NJCAA National Champions have a new bench boss. Former Dodge City Community College(KS) head coach Brett Doe was introduced at the TJC Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. He brings both JUCO and MLB experience as a former player at fellow Region XIV school Navarro and was a part of the Minnesota Twins. Doe won an NJCAA national Championship of his own as a shortstop at Navarro back in 2011.

SMITH COUNTY — Patrick Mahomes Sr., the father of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes II, has had yet another run-in with cops, TMZ Sports has learned he was busted in Texas last month for driving on an invalid license. According to court documents we obtained … Mahomes Sr. was ticketed for the offense in Tyler at around 8:30 PM on June 29 — less than five months after he was arrested for DWI in the same city.

The docs show Mahomes Sr. was given a warning for disregarding traffic signs in addition to the citation … indicating he was initially pulled over for a routine violation. Continue reading Patrick Mahomes Sr. reportedly busted for driving with invalid license

KILGORE – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System, the city of Kilgore and Kilgore College celebrated the opening of a new facility, the Roy H. Laird Regional Medical Health Sciences Education Center, with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening event on Thursday.

More than 300 guests were able to get a first-hand look at the 75,000 square-foot center that includes new teaching and state-of-the-art lab space through Kilgore College’s health science programs, a new CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic family medicine location and an out-patient physical therapy location. Construction of the new facility began in March 2022, with the clinic featuring 24 exam rooms, lab, x-ray, and seven providers.
Continue reading CHRISTUS Health celebrates grand opening of new Kilgore facility

TYLER – City of Tyler officials announced that that there will be road work on Grande Boulevard from Friday, July 12, at 7 a.m. until Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m. Road crews will be working on both lanes on Grande Boulevard, from Sutherland Drive east of Broadway Avenue to Old Jacksonville Highway. During construction, only one lane will be available for travel. Drivers should expect delays, watch out for road crews and drive according to conditions in this area.

LONGVIEW – Our news partners at KETK report a Longview resident won $1 million in the lottery playing a scratch-off. The winner purchased the winning $1 million Crossword ticket at CEFCO on E. End Blvd. in Marshall. They chose to remain anonymous. This was the fourth of four top prizes claimed in that game, which offers more than $152.4 million in total prizes.

FORT WORTH – Tyler ISD Head Start announced on Wednesday they are mourning one of their Head Start students who died on July 4 due to gun violence, according to a report from our news partners at KETK. “Please keep her family in your prayers during this very difficult time,” Tyler ISD Head Start said. According to reports from Dallas NBC affiliate NBC 5, Ivy Pierce, 4, and her sister Wynter Thouston, 1, were among five people shot on July 4 while in the area for a fireworks show. Both girls died of their injuries. Continue reading Tyler child killed in July 4 shooting

DIANA — According to our news partner KETK, Amy Marzano, a soon-to-be junior at New Diana High School, died on Wednesday following a medical emergency, Superintendent Marshall Moore said. Marzano was a dedicated majorette in the high school band and during practice Wednesday morning, she experienced a medical emergency that was reportedly not related to the activity.

“She was immediately transported by ambulance to Longview Regional Hospital, where the medical staff worked tirelessly to stabilize her condition,” New Diana ISD officials said. “Despite their best efforts, Amy was placed on life support and tragically passed away at 2:53 p.m.”

The district said to provide support during this difficult time, the band hall will be open on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for anyone wishing to speak with counselors and support staff.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a female victim with two gunshot wounds was found by Longview Police and a suspect was arrested on Wednesday, the department said. Detectives identified 21-year-old LaQualon Hale, of Longview, as a suspect and arrested him on Wednesday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence, a release said.

According to Longview PD, they were called to a shooting at around 6:20 p.m. on Monday in the 300 block of Margo Street when they found the victim. The victim, whose identity was not been released, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said the event was a domestic shooting and want to remind people that resources for those in abusive relationships are available.

“Resources available in the area include the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview, Texas at 1-800-441-5555 and the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233),” Longview PD said.

LONGVIEW – The University of Texas at Tyler broke ground on the expansion of the UT Tyler Longview University Center. The 10,144-square-foot annex will add a 65-person classroom, multipurpose lab space, nursing skills and health assessment labs, along with centralized study spaces. The new facility allows for the expansion of bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in Longview and Gregg County.

“This expansion will allow us to introduce new nursing and science programs and increase our presence in Longview, helping meet education needs and provide more support for health care services across the region.” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD.

Project completion is set for fall 2025. The first phase of road work has already been completed.

TYLER – Tyler’s newly-elected councilmember Petra Hawkins, was sworn in on Wednesday. In June, Hawkins won a runoff election to represent District Two, with 53% of the vote. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins, who was born and raised in Tyler, graduated from Tyler ISD and Tyler Junior College. She then became a nurse, first as and LVN, then as an RN. In 2022 Hawkins became a professional Texas Real Estate Agent.

Hawkins is a member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Builder’s Association and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. In addition, she is enrolled in Tyler ISD’s Community Education Specialist Training.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a man remains in critical condition after a Wednesday morning shooting at the front door of his Smith County residence, according to our news partner KETK. The sheriff’s office said at around 6:30 a.m., deputies responded to a shooting in the 20900 block of CR 4129 in northern Smith County. When officials arrived, they discovered the victim, 67-year-old Rogieys Simmons, had been shot in the upper body while standing at the front door of his residence. Continue reading Smith County man in critical condition after Wednesday shooting

AUSTIN – FEMA has reopened Disaster Recovery Centers in Henderson, Lamar, Smith and Van Zandt counties. The centers were closed temporarily after Hurricane Beryl.

The DRC locations are: In Smith County, R.B. Hubbard Center “The Hub”, on East Ferguson Street in Tyler.

East Texas Senior Living, serving Henderson County, on Highway 31 in Athens.

In Lamar County, at Chisum Elementary School in Paris, on South Church Street.

In Canton and Van Zandt County, Canton Intermediate School on West State Highway 243.
  Continue reading FEMA reopens Disaster Recovery Centers