KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Earlier this month, police Chief Gregory Sinkfield Jr. entered a plea of guilty in a hearing for tampering with a government record in the Longview court. On Thursday our news partner KETK reported the former chief, must serve 240 hours of community service and a five-year deferred adjudication sentence. The Chief was arrested in May by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Sinkfield was removed from his duties as police chief following a unanimous vote by the Cuney City Council in July. Continue reading Former Cuney Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Tampering

LONGVIEW — It’s no secret that 7 time All-Pro NFL lineman and current Washington Redskin Trent Williams is a big man. However, after his annual give back to Longview on Christmas Eve, the former Lobo may have an even bigger heart. According to our news partner KETK, Williams suprised hundreds of Longview residents including Marneitha Scott who has been out of work for a year so the gift came like a Christmas miracle. “I was sitting there talking to my Mom and was like well tomorrow’s Christmas, at least we got each other, then all of the sudden.” Continue reading Williams Gives Back to Hundreds in Longview

TYLER — The City of Tyler Housing Agency will be taking applications online for its Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list on Monday, Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government’s primary program for very low-income families to lease or purchase privately-owned rental housing. Priority will be given to applicants who live or work in Smith County, are elderly and/or disabled head of household, spouse and/or co-head individuals- ages 62 and older. Continue reading Tyler Neighborhood Services to Open Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List

TYLER — CarterBloodCare is inviting East Texans to roll up their sleeves this Saturday and help alleviate a potential blood shortage crisis. The CarterBloodmobile will be accepting donations at Bruno’s Pizza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The drive is in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks, and each donor will receive a voucher for a pair of tickets to an upcoming Mavericks game at American Airline Center in Dallas. To set up an appointment call or text 800-366-2834. Full details on the drive are available by clicking the link: http://bit.ly/mavs2019

TYLER — “Structure fire season has started,” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB on Thursday. Brooks said, “Every year we have a lot of fires resulting from combustible material that is left to close to space heaters. One of the things we encourage folks to do is make sure that space heaters are UL Listed, and that combustible items are kept at least 3 feet from a space heater at all times. Then, check the space heater to make sure that it has the Tip Feature; if they do fall over, they should shut themselves off.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Offers Winter Fire Prevention Tips

LUFKIN — A woman has died after driving in front of a train. It happened around 12:20 Wednesday morning on Southwood Drive, outside Loop 287 in Lufkin. As officers were responding to the scene, dispatch took a call from the woman’s friend, stating the woman was suicidal and wanting to kill herself by train. Union Pacific officials told officers it appeared the woman pulled onto the tracks and waited for a collision. Sherri Johns, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted for allegedly raping a then-teenage girl more than 100 times over four years. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, 54 year-old, Angelo Oneal, is charged with sexual assault of a child. The victim is now 21, and alleges that Oneal raped her at his home more than 100 times between 2011 and 2015. Oneal is a longtime boyfriend of the victim’s mom and lived next door. The victim made the report to police in May 2019. Continue reading Tyler Man Indicted- Allegedly Raping Teen 100+ Times

LANEVILLE — A fire over the weekend destroyed an East Texas church, but has not destroyed the faith of Shells Temple Church of God in Christ. According to our news partner KETK, Pastor Mitchell Battles and his congregation have not lost heart following a suspected burglary, arson and a total loss of the nearly 90 year old sanctuary and fellowship hall near Laneville. Continue reading Fire Takes Church Building but not Members Faith

TYLER — In September Green Acres Church purchased the medical debt of several thousand people in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, the church will be embracing a second round of debt forgiveness for the community. Pastor David Dykes said this was possible after partnering with a corporation that chose clients that they believed needed it the most. The total amount of money from both September and December being given is 9 million dollars. Pastor Dykes said that the news comes in the mail through yellow envelopes that appear ordinary, but he explains that the letters will mention the good news on the outside of the package.

TYLER — After a Salvation Army kettle was stolen from a Tyler Walmart in early December, a kind-hearted member of the community has sent in a donation to cover the money that was never returned. The estimated amount stolen was $400, which is what the secret Santa gifted. According to our news partner KETK, the Salvation Army is $80,000 shy of its $400,000 goal. While they are short of their goal, Core Officer, Robert Parker says they have faith in the community. The non-profit organization helps families in need.

TYLER — On Christmas Eve, the BBB want to remind East Texans that Cyber criminals don’t take time off to celebrate the holidays. In fact, it is a favorite time of year for scammers to strike, as many are ramping up their end of year giving, getting some last-minute deals with end of year sales, and gathering items for their tax returns. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you don’t fall prey to end-of-year scams. “The holiday season is a busy time of the year for different types of transactions,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB serving Central East Texas. “That makes it a prime time for all kinds of scam artist attacks.” Continue reading Avoiding End of Year Scams

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department will be stepping up DWI enforcement to stop impaired drivers as part of TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. This campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to holiday celebrations. The increased enforcement begins Tuesday and runs through Jan. 1, 2020. The Police Department will be participating in a State Grant that will provide funding to the department to increase DWI enforcement in order to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes, deaths, and injuries. Continue reading Tyler Police Department Increases DWI Patrol over Holidays

LONGVIEW — Santa has had a very busy week, but he made room in his schedule to make a very special visit to CHRISTUS Good Sheperd Neonatal ICU. According to our news partner KETK, parents, patients, and siblings got to meet the jolly man in the red suit and shared cookies and hot chocolate. The goal was to spread some holiday cheer and help families to think about something other than the health crisis many are facing.

TYLER — Recently during a marathon debate on whether to impeach President Trump, Congressman Louie Gohmert got into a heated exchange with House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler. On Monday, Gohmert joined our news partner KETK, to share his thoughts on the actions taken during that impeachment. During the debate, Gohmert firmly defended President Trump from impeachment and railed against Democrats for investigating President Trump, saying they were trying to make anything stick. Continue reading Congressman Gohmert Shares Insights on Impeachment

TYLER — Tyler Police have stepped up DWI enforcement to identify and stop impaired drivers. The initiative is part of TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. The goal is to save lives and decrease crashes by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to their holiday celebrations. The increased enforcement started on Monday and will runs through the first day of the new year. While driving under the influence of alcohol risks death or serious injury, it can also be costly. Drivers can face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Continue reading Tyler Police Increases DWI Patrol this Holiday Season

TYLER — One in Five East Texans will face hunger this holiday. Last weeks campaign at Brookshires will go a long way in helping fill that need. On Monday, East Texas Food Bank reported, “325 bags filled with nonperishable food items were dontated to the East Texas Food Bank.” Brookshire Grocery Co. hosted the “Fill the Big Grocery Cart” event as part of their 38th annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive. Continue reading Brookshires “Fill the Big Grocery Cart” Success for ETFB

TYLER — Over the weekend Newsweek announced their annual list of “America’s Best Customer Service.” Chickfila again top the list in the fast food industry, and found themselve’s in the top 5 overall. On Monday, South Broadway Chickfila Operator Jeff Johnston told KTBB why customer service is such a high priority within the company. “In one word if you want to think about Chickfila, besides chicken is care. We want to be the company this considered the one that goes the extra mile. That we care about others, we treat everyone with honor, dignity, and respect regardless of race, color, religious preference, or whatever it may be.” You can see the complete list by clicking the link. https://www.newsweek.com/americas-best-customer-service-2020.

TYLER — Christia has cared for her elderly Grandparents for years, and now has become extremely ill herself. The Hand Up Network was contacted by the Tyler Fire Department to see if the group of volunteers would be willing to help. Tyler Fire and EMS Teams were being dispatched to help Christia get into an ambulance because the porch and ramp were no longer safe and unusable. On Monday, the CEO of the Hand Up Network’s Samuel Smith told KTBB that a “team of volunteers stepped up and recently complete the remodel.” Continue reading Another Life Improved by Hand Up Network

TYLER — All non-essential city offices will observe the following schedule on Tuesday, Dec. 24; Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the holidays and New Year. Tyler City Hall offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, as well as New Years Day. The Tyler Solid Waste office will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Continue reading City of Tyler Holiday Schedules

LONGVIEW — City of Longview offices will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas. All city offices will resume regular business hours on Thursday. Monday and Tuesday garbage and recycling collection stays as normal, but Wednesday and Thursday garbage and recycling collections will be shifted to Thursday and Friday. The Compost Facility is scheduled to reopen Thursday. Continue reading Longview Announces Holiday Schedule

TYLER — Criminals beware, there’s a new officer on the beat in Tyler. Officer Dino is the newest addition to the Tyler Police Department. Tyler police say Dino is a 12-month-old K-9 officer that is originally from Poland. Dino is trained to detect odors of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and ecstasy. He also is trained in tracking. Officer Dino will be riding the streets with his partner, Officer Steve Black.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct a range of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District during the week of December 23. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to continue work on SH 64 in Arp from just east of FM 2607 to the SH 64 Overpass. A second crew will perform mill and inlay operations on FM 1253 just outside of Garden Valley. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct repair work on FM 2087 at the railroad crossing on Monday, weather permitting. The work necessitates closing the roadway to traffic at the work location. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to Dogwood Trails in the Enchanted Lake subdivision, in Northwest Smith County, to investigate a reported structure fire, just after 7:30 Friday night. A second house fire was discovered down the street from the first reported fire. “Fire crews had to split into two teams to fight both fires and water supply in that area is already a challenge. The condition of the private roads leading to the location of the fires made it difficult to get the necessary water tankers to the firefighters.” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said. A suspicious vehicle was reported by the initial fire attack team so the Smith County Sheriff’s Office quickly responded to the area and were able to locate it. Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Investigating Simultaneous House Fires

LONGVIEW — Operation Warm was formed in 2002 and delivers hundreds of thousands of coats annually. On Friday, the Longview Professional Fire Fighters Association announced a partnership with Operation Warm, through the International Association of Fire Fire-fighters. The campaign is available on the Operation Warm website, and will continue through next Friday. Organizers say their goal is $10,000, which would help provide about 500 new jackets for children in Longview ISD, Pine Tree ISD, and Spring Hill ISD.

TYLER — On Friday Judge Kerry Russel sentenced William Foley, 43, to Life in prison. Foley, was found guilty by a Smith County Jury in November, and the defendant remained in jail in order for a Pre-Sentence Investigation report to be completed. At trial prosecutors showed that the defendant, forced his way into the victim’s apartment and began assaulting the victim. Two eyewitnesses in the apartment complex heard the victim’s cry for help and pulled Foley off of the victim. Continue reading Tyler Man Gets Life for Burglary of a Habitation

TYLER — In August, hundreds of families signed up for the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. On Friday morning, Captain Robert Parker told KTBB that the Salvation Army began distribution of toys and bicycles given by the community. Parker said, “It’s probably one of the busiest days of the year, if not the busiest, but it’s always a highlight.” Parker said he wanted to remind the community you will still see Red Kettles out across the area up until Christmas Eve, “We are still short of our goal and a little behind this time last year, but we still have 3 days left, and we are praying for good weather and that people will stop by and make a donation.”

TYLER — The City of Tyler announced on Friday that they are currently taking applications for City Boards and Commissions through Jan. 2. Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB those appointed will serve the city voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. Rodriguez continued, “We have the library board, traffic safety board, construction board of adjustments, and dis-abilities Issue Review Board, as well as various vacant spots that we want to have filled.” Continue reading City of Tyler Taking Apps for Boards and Commissions

LINDALE — The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the November crash of a private airplane near Lindale. The NTSB’s report indicates that an engine failure is the primary cause of the crash. According to information provided by the plane’s pilot, the engine began to shake violently shortly after the plane leveled at its cruising altitude. Continue reading NTSB Releases Preliminary Report of Plane Crash in Lindale Area

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has been notified that an individual is making calls to people claiming to be Tyler Police Sgt. Adam Parker. The caller is telling them they are involved in a civil matter that needs urgent attention and/or payment. This individual is masking his number with a Tyler Police extension. Residents should be aware that the Tyler Police Department will never contact them for payment of fines. You should never share personal information (i.e. address, social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone. Tyler Police detectives are investigating this case.