KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Toll 49 has maintenance crews working on the roadway that could slow motorists down for a few minutes. On Thursday, the Executive Director of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority Chris Miller told KTBB, “We are installing what are called deliniators, which are essentially plastic rods that are going to be sticking up in the center median between the north and south lanes.” Miller went on to say “the positioning is expected to be completed by Friday.”

LONGVIEW — Longview police announced on Wednesday that the community should “Plan While You Can,” announcing the initiative of an effort that will step up DWI patrols in the city. Citing statistics from the state, police remind drivers that the holiday season can be a dangerous time for alcohol-related crashes, deaths, and injuries on roadways. In 2018, there were 2,370 DUI-alcohol related crashes in the state, in the holiday season alone. These crashes killed 75 people, seriously injurying another 199.

TYLER — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents that typically there is a surge in house fires in winter and the holiday season. “Structure fire season has started,” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said. “Once the weather turns colder, we see an increase in house fires, primarily because of the use of space heaters. Statistically speaking, in Smith County, the busiest month in terms of total structure fires is January, which accounts for nearly 12.5 percent of the year’s fires.” Continue reading Fire Safety Tips from Smith County Fire Marshall

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has announced the induction of 46 students into its Texas Alpha Xi chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society for the 2019—20 academic year. Alpha Chi celebrates superior academic performance in all fields of study. To be eligible for membership, an undergraduate student must be at least a junior, have completed a minimum of 24 hours at UT Tyler and be ranked in the top 5 percent of students in their college with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Continue reading UT Tyler Celebrates Superior Academic Performance

VAN ZANDT — On a social media post on Thursday the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office shared information about a traffic stop on I-20 near Canton. During the stop, K-9 Rico gave a positive alert, to narcotics in the vehicle. A probable cause search was conducted if the vehicle and its contents. This search resulted in the seizure of a kilo of methamphetamine, and a large amount of cash. One person on numerous narcotic related offenses. Investigation results revealed the narcotics were to be distributed in Van Zandt County. This investigation remains open, and authorities anticipate subsequent arrests.

TYLER — A Donut Palace on South Broadway had a car crash into the shoppe on Thursday morning in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a window was shattered, another was heavily cracked and several bricks were displaced. No one was injured in the accident. The store remains open, as owners are having the damage temporarily repaired until the reconstruction is complete.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Following a vote along party lines to impeach President Trump, East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB Thursday, “This is a sad day for America.” The Congressmen from District 1 continued, “This is only the third time the house has ever voted to impeach a President. This is the first time there was no allegation in any of the charge of the charges voted on that a crime was committed.”

TYLER — Brookshires kicked off a non-perishable “Fill the Cart” drive on Thursday. The East Texas Food Bank’s Lauren Barnes told KTBB the drive runs through Saturday. Barnes said, “We are so excited to partner with Brookshires Grocery Company, they actually have a giant 13 foot motorized grocery cart, it was in the Christmas parade recently and was a real show stopper, and they are going to be putting that out in front of their store on Rice Road in Tyler, and they are going to be encouraging customers to help fill the cart.”

LONGVIEW — Curbside recycling services will be temporarily unavailable for the remainder of the week beginning on Thursday. The local material recovery facility, Rivers Recycling is dealing with unscheduled maintenance. As a result, contents from Longview’s curbside recycling carts will be taken to the landfill with regular trash instead of being recycled until the maintenance is completed. The city announced that customers may choose to hold their recycling until Dec. 23-27, including any excess recyclables.

TYLER — A Smith County Jury punished Joshua Miller to 60 years in prison on Tuesday for Assault Family Violence Strangulation. The jury heard evidence that in February, Miller used a tee-shirt to strangle his girlfriend until she became unconscious. She woke up and ran from the house while dialing 911, and Miller gave chase. Prosecutors presented evidence of multiple assaults the victim had endured at the hands of Miller throughout their relationship. Continue reading Tyler Man Convicted of Felony Domestic Violence

WASHINGTON D.C. — During a debate from the House floor on Wednesday ahead of the House vote, East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert was passionate as he shared his thoughts on the impeachment proceedings. Congressman Gohmert said, “Now it’s lowered even further. It will be used for political battles and this country’s end is now in sight. I hope that I don’t live to see it. This is an outrage.”

TYLER — In July the University of Texas at Tyler and Kilgore College announced a plan for students in pursuit of a pre-nursing degree. On Wednesday, the schools said all the action steps are in place and ready to move forward. According to a release from UT Tyler, the course work will begin in the Spring Semester of 2020. The courses will be presented by Kilgore College at the UT Tyler Longview University Center campus. Leaders say ultimately the objective is about coming together to reach a common goal, with the idea of educating the region.

TYLER — Santa got some help from Tyler police officers again this year with the annual ‘Blue Santa’ event. On Wednesday, TPD’s April Molina said this year 280 children shopped with officers because of a generous community that partnered with the department in a variety of ways. Molina told KTBB on Wednesday that, “Officer Chuck Boyce really makes this thing go, he is so active in our community. ” Continue reading Tyler Police Helps Nearly 300 with Blue Santa Program

TYLER — The former Juls Restaurant will soon have a new tenant. Javi’s is currently putting the final touches on the modification before they are set to open in the next few weeks. According to our news partner KETK, Juls closed almost 2 years ago, before reopening as an events center featuring a large patios and multi-level party rooms. However, the center never found solid footing before closing for a 2nd time, and has been vacant every since. A remodel permit was obtained in May, and Javi’s is currently accepting applications.

KILGORE — After 6 months of construction,improvements to Chandler Street in Kilgore are complete and traffic will be re-opened to normal traffic at noon on Friday, and should help alleviate traffic challenges at KISD. On Wednesday Kilgore Director of Public Works Clay Evers told KTBB that a motivated contractor and good weather combined to complete the project a full month ahead of schedule. “It will now be a 2 lane road with a center lane. All of the utilities in the right of way of Chandler street were replaced and moved beyond the curb.”

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation announced on Wednesday that they are now accepting applications for seventy scholarships to be awarded to East Texas students for the 2020-2021 academic year. The deadline for submission varies and is marked on the applications. A new feature has been added this year that will enable applicants to utilize an online matching tool to better determine which scholarships entrants they are most likely eligible for and to gain entry to the applications. Continue reading East Texas Communities Foundation Announces Scholarships

PALESTINE — A Palestine man has been charged with capital murder following the death of Nathaniel Torrez, four-month-old, according to our news partner KETK. Nathaniel was initially brought to the ER unresponsive on November 12 when doctors discovered that the he had numerous rib fractures, a fractured right arm, and a skull fractured that led to a brain bleed. The infant was transported to Houston for further treatment. The father of the infant, Jerry Torrez, 34, was arrested on November 12 for the charge of injury to a child causing bodily injury. The father was booked into the Anderson County jail where he has remained since his arrest. Nathanial Torrez died from his injuries December 14. Continue reading Palestine Man Charged with Murder following Death of Infant Son

RUSK — A former top employee for Cherokee County will spend the rest of his life in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Carl Phillips plead guilty to sexually abusing a child during a period of a year and a half. Phillps was sentenced to 50 years in prison with no chance of parole for the child sexual assault. According to the indictment, the molestation took place between January 2018 and June 2019. Continue reading 50 Year Sentence for Former East Texas Corrections Director

TYLER — Junior Achievement of Tyler announced on Tuesday their 2020 Business Hall of Fame Laureates for 2019, Dr. and Mrs. Mike Metke. The Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area (JA-Tyler) Hall of Fame reception and banquet will be held April 30 at Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. Dr. and Mrs. Mike Metke, began serving Tyler Junior College (TJC) in 2007 with a strategic plan to “take TJC to the people.” Continue reading Junior Achievement Announces Dr. & Mrs. Mike Metke Hall of Fame Laureates

LONGVIEW — In August of this year Longview ISD Trustees approved $8.2 million dollars in pay raises district wide. According to our news partner KETK, Monday night the board approved 2.4 million dollars in incentive pay. The money will be going out instaff members December checks, with some earning nearly $20,000. Those numbers reflect nearly 700 staff members across 9 schools, and are almost 8 times the amount paid out to staff members when the program began in the 2014-2015.

TYLER –Downtown Tyler continues to pick up momentum with the announcement of Plaza Tower that McDermott International will be relocating to 3 floors of the Plaza Tower next month. On Tuesday Garnett Brookshire told KTBB this is a direct reflection of the cynergy happening in the town centre. “This does reflect that huge movement that we are currently undergoing. This is one of the largest if not the largest office lease in our recollection since we’ve been doing this downtown. It is just that, a reflection of the progress made downtown. But we are also proud to have them (McDermott International) here at Plaza Tower.” With 100 new professionals ready to call The Plaza home, it will be roughly, 75% full.

KILGORE — The first of several mandatory grant funding workshops begin this week for local governments, universities, independent school districts and non-profit organizations. Also, state agencies can now apply for grant funds from the Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, and Homeland Security Program. New Applicants and continuing applicants in 14 county region of the East Texas Council of Governments are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops, hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety Department. Continue reading ETCOG Announces Grant Funding Available

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has announced a plan to address mental health obstacles in Texas with a new program in the School of Nursing. On Tuesday, the School of Nursing’s Executive Director, Barbara Haas told KTBB that mental health care in Texas is a growing issue. “We are in crisis. In fact, in 2018 if Texas was ranked with all the other states and Puerto Rico, we were 50th in mental health care and we came in 51st in terms of access to mental health care. That’s how dire the situation is in Texas, and rural areas are even more at risk.” Continue reading Mental Illness Crisis Addressed with New Program at UT Tyler

LONGVIEW – LaDarius Breon Dockins Bell, of Tyler was found on the side of the road in Overton on Sunday. Police believe he was involved in a robbery in Longview just hours before his eventual death. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police were dispatched to East Fairmont street shortly before 2:00 p.m. The victim says 3 men stormed into his house after he opened the door. The homeowner fired shots at the three men with his handgun as they were leaving and said he might have struck their car. Continue reading Authorities Believe Weekend Shooting Victim Involved in Robbery Before Death

TYLER — The Tyler Transit Department in partnership with NDMJ Transportation will host an input meeting for the community on Friday in an effort to deal with the challenges of a decrease in funding from TxDOT. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. at the Tyler Transit Conference Room on East Oakwood St. The meeting is designed to get public feedback on the UT Health shuttle system. This route provides transportation to and from UT Health on Highway 271. The feedback is important in determining the demand for the route. For more information or to submit a comment, contact Tyler Transit General Manager Robert Gil at (903) 533-8057.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Monday night shooting in a residential area. Officers found a man with gunshot wounds at a home on Grand Avenue around 8:45. The victim was transported to a local hospital. His condition is unknown. Evidence led authorities to West Carter Boulevard where casings, bullet holes, and traces of blood were found. Detectives believe that was the scene where the shooting took place. The suspect is still on the loose as police are asking for any information regarding the incident.

LONGVIEW — Monday was a big day for 3 Longview police officers, they were each promoted to various new ranks within the department. The Longview Police Department hosted a promotional ceremony that featured Seth Vanover advancing to the rank of Lieutenant. Nikki Cassin and Ryan Gibson were elevated to the Rank of Sergeant.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview announced Monday that a fire that broke out at the city’s compost site in West Longview on Sunday is under control, but the site will be closed this week. The fire is expected to continue to burn and or smoke over a long period of time. Longview officials said the fire was limited to compost piles in the back area of the site. There was never any immediate danger to neighboring property or residents in the area. Yard waste service from the Sanitation division will not be affected.