KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Due to construction, Hollytree Drive from West Grande Boulevard to Royal Oak Drive will be closed to traffic Sept. 16-20. Traffic on Grande Boulevard will be detoured to Shady Oaks Drive, then to Royal Oak Drive, and then continue on to Hollytree Drive. Traffic on Hollytree Drive will be detoured to Royal Oak Drive, then to Shady Oaks Drive and continue on to Grande Boulevard.

WELLS — The people of Wells are coming together to help the parents of 26-year-old Catherine Grove. KETK reports Catherine is a member of the controversial Church of Wells and left her family in Arkansas to move to East Texas. It’s been two months since the Groves have seen their daughter, and they say the members of the church are making it impossible. The Groves and many people in the area believe the church is a cult. Continue reading Church of Wells Causes Concerns; Fundraiser Held

TYLER — The first forum of the 2014 campaign season, featuring Texas attorney general candidates, brought about 80 residents to the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. According to KETK, the main topic all three Republican nominees focused on was the federal government staying out of the state. Continue reading Attorney General Candidates Sound Off at Tyler Forum

TYLER — — They are not beavers, but they sure look like them. The swimming rodent nutria is known to be a nuisance and cause a lot of damage, and it has topped the list of ten destructive species in Texas. They eat farm and garden crops found next to water. KETK spoke with extension agents about these pesky rodents and damage prevention. “They were brought here, and we know we have them, and they can be a problem,” says Chad Gulley, Extension Agent, Smith County Agrilife, Texas A&M. “They’re going to follow water and get in areas, especially the low-lying areas where there’s not a lot of water. They build a dam and back the water up so you’ll have water in areas where you’re not supposed to have water.” Continue reading Nutria Being Destructive in East Texas

TYLER — Officials are shedding more light on a gift from the Fisch Foundation to name the new UT Tyler College of Pharmacy for Ben and Maytee Fisch. According to a news release, the trustees of the Fisch Foundation, made up primarily of the children and grandchildren of Ben and Maytee Fisch, decided to break with tradition and name the new college because they wanted to honor their parents and grandparents. UTT announced August 23 that UT Regents had given the final go-ahead for the college, also announcing at that time that it would be called the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy. Continue reading Officials Offer More Details on UTT Pharmacy School

(from 8/23/13) TYLER — UT regents give the official go-ahead for UT Tyler’s pharmacy college — to be named the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy in acknowledgement of a significant contribution from the Ben and Maytee Fisch Family Foundation. The college is looking to enroll its first class in fall 2015. UT Health Northeast will partner with UT Tyler on the research to be conducted at the new college.

TYLER — A Tyler couple was honored Saturday night with Historic Tyler’s 2013 Preservation Award. Mike and Patrice Carmichael got the good news at the agency’s annual meeting at Rick’s on the Square. Since relocating to Tyler in 1998, the Carmichaels have been involved in four historic home projects. Those are the 1932 Tudor style Shirley Simons house at Lindsey and Broadway; the 1946 Mediterranean revival house at College and Third, across from Bergfeld Park; the 1932 Spanish colonial revival at College and Mockingbird; and a 1939 neoclassical revival on Old Bullard Road. Along with that, the Carmichaels placed properties in the Donnybrook Duplex Residential Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Continue reading Historic Tyler Holds Annual Meeting, Honors Couple

LONGVIEW — Longview Police Officer Jeremy Higginbotham was awarded the Meritorious Conduct award for what officials term his thorough investigation into a crash that left one man dead on December 1, 2011. According to a Longview Police Department press release, Officer Higginbotham’s testimony helped convict the driver of the F250 truck that killed Joe Hightower of Kilgore. Steven Cole was convicted of Intoxication Manslaughter with a Vehicle and sentenced to life in prison. Continue reading Longview Officer Presented Meritorious Conduct Award

LONGVIEW — City Council members got a first look this past week at plans for a proposed conference center/hotel in South Longview, which as proposed would cost taxpayers more than $5 million. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. While the council had plenty of questions for Kevin Hilchey, president and COO of Longview-based Lodging Host Hotel Corp., no decision for the next step of the building was made. “This is the facility that we have determined can be built on this site. It would have 25,500 square feet of conference space, 10 break out spaces — three more than the city asked for — and meal service up to 1,000 people,” Hilchey said. Continue reading Plan Revealed for South Longview Conference Center/Hotel

CHAPEL HILL — Classes were back in session Friday at Wise Elementary in the Chapel Hill ISD after being called off Thursday due to a fire. But it’s now been learned that the flames destroyed many of the classroom’s contents — and help is being requested to restock the room. Mrs. Griffin, a 30-year veteran teacher, had to throw everything in her classroom away after it was ruined. Authorities with the Chapel Hill Fire Department told KETK the fire was smoldering all night before being detected and extinguished. Now, the community is being called upon to ease the situation by making donations of teaching supplies and classroom necessities. Continue reading Donations Accepted to Restock Classroom Hit by Fire

TYLER — Two East Texas doctors have been disciplined for not meeting the standard of care the Texas Medical Board requires. According to KETK, findings for Dr. Kevin Joseph Pauza (pictured) and Dr. Lucia Leigh Williams include failing to follow guidelines for treatment of pain and failing to care for fetal well-being. Continue reading Two Area Doctors Disciplined by Texas Medical Board

TYLER — A corporation that owns and operates several Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits franchise restaurants violated federal law when it discriminated against a job applicant because he was HIV-positive, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charged in a lawsuit filed this week. The EEOC charged in its suit against Famous Chicken of Shreveport, L.L.C. that the general manager of a Longview Popeye’s restaurant refused to hire the plaintiff for a position, despite his qualifications and experience, upon learning that he was HIV-positive. Continue reading EEOC: Restaurant Refused to Hire Man Who Was HIV-Positive

LINDALE — A large fire erupted Friday near Lindale off Hwy. 69 North, just south of Interstate 20, but officials tell our news partner KETK that it had been contained by early afternoon. The fire broke out near Smith County Road 461, consisting of several small fires; the largest was said to be about five acres. Evacuations were conducted in the area after business owners reported that the fire had spread to nearby trees. Employees at KE Cellars evacuated and said the fire surrounded their business, which is located on the 13000 block of Hwy. 69. Fire officials believe the fire was caused by a flat tire, which caused the rims of a vehicle to spark and ignite the nearby grass.

LEVERETT’S CHAPEL — Students at Leverett’s Chapel were released early from school Friday, according to school administrators. KETK reports the release is due to a water outage at the school. Buses taking students home left shortly before 1 p.m. There was no immediate word on the cause of the water outage or when the problem might be fixed.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Fire crews are investigating why a mobile home about five miles southwest of Gilmer burned to the ground Friday morning. According to Upshur County fire officials, they received a call for help shortly after 9 a.m. KETK reports firefighters from Gilmer, Pritchett, and Pleasant Grove responded, but the house was already engulfed in flames when they arrived on scene at the intersection of Elderberry Road and Aspen Trail. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — The “U.S. News and World Report” America’s Best Colleges survey has again recognized The University of Texas at Tyler as one of the leading public Texas universities, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. In the 2014 results, UT Tyler is tied for 22nd among public universities listed in the West region, which includes institutions in Texas, California, and 13 other states. The West region is the largest region the publication uses to categorize institutions. “We are excited to see UT Tyler once again ranked among the best universities in the western United States,” President Mabry said. “We rank higher this year, and we can attribute that to the amazing work of our faculty and staff who strive to make this the quality university that it is.” Continue reading UT Tyler Listed Among Best Universities in “U.S. News and World Report”

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a series of vehicle vandalism incidents in the southern part of town. On Friday, police were notified around 1:30 a.m. that a citizen heard a car window being smashed in the 700 block of W. Rieck Road. Police located the vehicle at 714 W. Rieck Rd. and discovered that the suspect smashed the two side windows and rear window. Police searched the area and failed to locate the suspects. Police are investigating damage to other vehicles with numerous broken windshields, side windows, and rear windows that were parked in the roadway and one driveway. One witness observed a white Toyota Camry that was sitting next to the victim’s vehicle when the windows were smashed. Continue reading Tyler Police Investigate Numerous Vehicles Vandalized in South Tyler

TYLER — A Tyler home has been heavily damaged by fire. It was reported around 7:00 Thursday night in the 600 block of North Confederate Street. There were no injuries reported. Fire Investigators believe that the fire originated in the kitchen, when the stove was left unattended and in the “on” position.

CHAPEL HILL — Wise Elementary students returned to class Friday after a small fire disrupted activities Thursday at the Chapel Hill school. The fire erupted in a classroom early Thursday morning. It looked as if it had been smoldering all night. Firefighters worked to remove the smoke that formed in the room and had drifted into other parts of the building. Students were sent home, and classes were canceled for the remainder of the day at the school in the 10000 block of Highway 64.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County firefighters say a large wildfire that erupted Thursday was 100 per cent contained just after 4:00 Thursday afternoon. According to KETK, the blaze burned at least 24 acres and may have covered as much as 40 acres at one point. The Gilmer Fire Department said multiple units were battling the flames off Farm to Market Road 1975 just north of Gilmer. So far, no injuries have been reported.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Feed the Children has named two Texas businessmen to its growing international board of directors. The Oklahoma City-based charity said that Michael Dinkins, of Frisco, and Michael Hogan, of Grapevine, have joined the board. Dinkins is an executive at a medical device manufacturer and Hogan is an executive at video game retailer GameStop.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — U.S. authorities say they’ve traced an assault rifle recovered during the July arrest of a Mexican drug cartel leader to an unlicensed Texas gun dealer. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agent Christopher Benavides testified that Manuel Rodriguez, of Big Spring, apparently sold the gun. He says he had no evidence that Rodriguez knew any of his guns were going to the Zetas cartel.

DALLAS (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted Collin Street Bakery’s former controller for allegedly embezzling nearly $17 million from the famed Texas fruitcake company. Sandy Jenkins was indicted on 10 counts of mail fraud. Court documents say Jenkins managed a scheme to defraud the bakery in Corsicana by writing almost 900 fraudulent checks from 2005 through this June. The indictment contends Jenkins spent the money on luxury vehicles, a second home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, some 60 watches, about 600 bottles of wine, jewelry, and other items.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz have introduced a bill to reclassify the 2009 Fort Hood shooting rampage as an act of terror and provide more benefits for victims and their kin. The Texas federal lawmakers today introduced the Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act.

ATHENS — A Henderson County jury Thursday sentenced Richard King Morris, 62, of Chandler, to life in the penitentiary for a September 2012 early afternoon DWI on FM 315 south of Chandler. KETK reports Morris pleaded guilty before a jury was selected to hear evidence and assess a punishment. The sentence was handed down after two days of testimony. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of seven prior DWI convictions and multiple DWI arrests of Morris dating back to 1971. Continue reading Man Gets Life for Drunk Driving; Blood Alcohol Level Was .40

FORT WORTH (AP) — A federal judge is approving American Airlines’ plan to emerge from bankruptcy protection and merge with US Airways, although the airlines must still resolve their lawsuit with the federal government, which is trying to block the merger. A trial over that lawsuit is scheduled for November. Today’s ruling by federal bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane in New York provides at least the perception that the merger is still moving forward for Fort Worth-based American.

TYLER — Cody Canada and the Departed will headline the 26th annual Festival on the Square concert Oct. 12 in downtown Tyler, it was announced at a press conference Thursday. “We are very pleased to bring entertainers of this caliber to one of Tyler’s best-loved musical events,” said City of Tyler Main Street Department Leader Beverly Abell. Festival on the Square is a major fundraiser for the Main Street department, which has the mission of supporting the revitalization of downtown Tyler. Continue reading Festival on the Square Headliner Announced, Logo Unveiled

TYLER – The 23rd annual Pantry Raid competition is underway between student bodies at Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools. Students at both high schools have a friendly competition to collect food and raise funds to benefit hungry East Texans. Over the last 22 years, the students have collected over 1 million pounds of food between the two campuses. The school that collects the most amount of food earns bragging rights and proudly displays the traveling trophy at their school for the year. Continue reading High School Students Compete to Feed Hungry

BULLARD — The Bullard ISD is following up on the alleged beating of the White Oak mascot. Bullard High School Assistant Principal Mike Richardson told our news partner KETK Thursday morning, “We are fully engaged in this investigation and will get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. This is all I am allowed to say at this time, but it will get taken care of.” The investigation was launched regarding an incident that occurred at the Bullard/White Oak varsity football game last Friday. The White Oak mascot, who is also a girl in the Roughneck Band, was allegedly beaten by a group of Bullard students. Continue reading Bullard ISD Comments on White Oak Mascot Incident

SMITH COUNTY — The scene was cleared and roads reopened after a train hit an idle forklift at Loop 323 and HIghway 271 in Smith County Wednesday. Deputies tell KETK a man was crossing the tracks in a forklift when it stalled in the worst possible spot. Fortunately, the driver escaped before the collision and wasn’t hurt. Traffic was backed up while crews cleared the train from the track.