KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Several people have died in Sunday afternoon highway accidents in Smith County. 60-year-old Christi Kay Gross of Lindale was killed in a wreck on Toll 49 about a mile and a half west of Lindale. Officials say she apparently struck a guardrail and rolled down a concrete embankment. On SH 31 about eight miles west of Kilgore in Smith County, officials believe 36-year-old Marcellia Jones of Henderson was killed when her Nissan crossed into the opposite lane and hit a Cadillac head-on. A passenger in the Cadillac, 34-year-old Katashia Shari Porter of Arlington, was also killed, as were two children in the Cadillac, ages three and five. The Cadillac’s driver went to the hospital in serious condition. Both incidents remain under investigation.

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair will be hosting Taste of The Fair beginning Thursday, May 20th. According to the fair website, the event will feature many of Tyler’s fair food favorites. Those include fair classics such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and turkey legs, as well as local favorites like the tamale slammer, volcano fries, smoked meatloaf, peach puppies, elote, and much more. This is the third and final off-season fair food event according to fair officials, who say it is set to be the biggest one yet, featuring over 60 different menu items from a variety of vendors. Continue reading Taste of the Fair

HOUSTON — There is blowback to the state’s newly passed election bill, based on a measure initially authored by East Texas state Senator Bryan Hughes. Senate Bill 7 offers protections for poll watchers, limits polling places, and adds restrictions to those assisting voters. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says it doesn’t have to become law. Hidalgo says, “It is not too late, and it is time for leaders in all communities — but particularly in this community, which is being singled out by these bills — to stand up against voter suppression.” That’s in response to Harris County making voting easier last year during the pandemic. This bill would, for example, outlaw drive- through voting and 24-hour polling places. Hidalgo says this new bill is based on the lie that the 2020 election was somehow stolen.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man while they investigate a homicide on North White Oak Road in White Oak. According to our news partner KETK, the Sheriff’s Office began investigating on May 4 and has identified people who might have information about the homicide. Law enforcement is looking to speak with Brandon Allen Gilliam, 39. He is described as being 6’2”, 270 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. Gilliam is a registered sex offender, and officers believe that he is non-compliant with the conditions of his registration. He is also wanted by the state parole board for a parole violation. If you have seen Gilliam, you should contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator Jennifer Nieves, or submit your information to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER — A Smith County jury has convicted and sentenced a gang member who assaulted an officer, according to information from the district attorney’s office. 35-year-old Anthony Bendy Jr. gets 45 years in prison for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance with a deadly weapon. Authorities say Bendy was stopped last year for a traffic offense, with officers finding drugs and over $1800 in cash. A fight ensued in which Bendy struck one officer in the face and slammed the other to the ground, causing a concussion and two broken ribs. Authorities say Bendy also unsuccessfully tried to take the injured officer’s weapon and then fled — finally being caught after four days. Bendy had four prior felony convictions.

TYLER — A Tyler man is dead after a crash on Toll 49 Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occurred on Toll 49 between Paluxy and Broadway around 4 p.m. The preliminary DPS report indicates that the driver of a 1998 Kawasaki motorcycle and the driver of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado, were both traveling westbound on Toll 49. The driver of the Chevrolet made an illegal U-turn, causing the motorcycle to strike the side of the truck. The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Christopher Lee Eickenhorst, 40. Eickenhorst was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as Jamal Russell, 30, of Jacksonville. Russell was not injured in the crash. Continue reading One person killed following crash on Toll 49 Thursday

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Commission Thursday accepted the resignation of Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez. According to a county news release, Hernandez submitted a letter of resignation Monday to County Judge Nathaniel Moran. On Tuesday, Hernandez sent Moran a second letter asking to rescind her resignation. However, after discussing the issue in executive session, the Elections Commission decided to accept the resignation and rejected the letter to rescind it. The Elections Commission also voted to offer Michelle Allcon the position of Interim Smith County Elections Administrator while the county works to fill the position permanently. Ms. Allcon serves as Elections Coordinator for Erath County.

BULLARD — A COVID-19 vaccination clinic is scheduled at New Hope Bullard Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 12. It’s available for free to people ages 16 and older. The church is on County Road 145, just off U.S. Highway 69 north of Bullard. Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton is planning the clinic, along with the Tyler Area Hispanic Business Alliance, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Black Nurses Rock, and the Northeast Texas Public Health District. Walk-ins are welcome at the clinic, but they are accepting registrations in advance at 903-894-7836, 903-279-1789, or 903-279-3481.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — The “heartbeat bill” sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, cleared another hurdle on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, it passed its third reading in the Texas House by a vote of 83 to 64. The bill, which the Texas Senate previously passed, will go back to the Senate for possible amendments. It then will be presented to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has indicated he will sign it into law. If it becomes law, Texas will ban abortions as early six weeks — before some women know they are pregnant — and allow people to sue doctors and others who perform such restricted abortions.

TYLER — Starting Monday, May 10, face coverings will be optional for all Tyler ISD students and staff while at school or on school property. TISD trustees approved the adjustment to the District’s “Return to Learn” health and safety protocols Thursday in a 6-0 vote. “Over the last eight weeks, Tyler ISD has averaged only 4.2 cases (of COVID-19) among its more than 20,000 students and staff,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said in a prepared statement. “Also, with the declining numbers in our community and the many vaccination opportunities that our staff has had, Trustees agree it’s safe to lift the face-covering requirement.” Go here for lots more on this story.

TYLER — Tyler’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast returns to an in-person format for the first time in two years, drawing some 500 people to Green Acres Baptist Church’s Crosswalk Conference Center. Mayor Don Warren was clearly impressed with the spectacle. He told KTBB, “To see them there, just praying for the community…to me it was just overwhelming.” He adds, “I looked up at one point and just saw this, and I thought…this is where I live… There’s a power of prayer, and to see it and to feel it…was remarkable.” The gathering is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are looking for the driver of a car that hit someone in a street and drove away. According to our news partner KETK, the person went to the hospital but did not suffer life-threatening injuries after being hit at 11:50 p.m. Sunday on Estes Parkway. Police are asking people to be on the lookout for a beige 2006 Honda Civic with passenger-side damage to the front bumper and mirror. People with leads can call 903-237-1188 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867), or go here.

SMITH COUNTY — Newly obtained court documents reveal that the former CHRISTUS nurse accused of killing three patients has been indicted for a fourth murder. According to our news partner KETK, William George Davis, 37, was arrested back in 2018 and charged with capital murder of multiple persons along with five counts of aggravated assault. The original indictment for capital murder from nearly three years ago listed Christopher Greenway, John Lafferty, and Ronald Clark as victims. They died between June 2017 and August 2017. Continue reading Former nurse indicted for murder of fourth victim

ARP — Arp Police say a man they believe was posing as a law enforcement officer has turned himself in Wednesday. Arp police pulled Cornelius Redwine Jr. over on Monday. At that time Redwine presented a law enforcement identification card indicating that he was active duty. Upon further investigation, it was found that Redwine had not been an active member of a law enforcement agency for several weeks. An arrest warrant has been issued for false identification as a peace officer. He was booked into the Smith County Jail and released on a $500 bond.

AUSTIN (AP) – Texas would allow people to carry handguns without a license, and the background check and training that go with it, under a measure approved by the state Senate on Wednesday. The bill was authored by State Representative Matt Schaefer, of Tyler.  Texas already has some of the loosest gun laws in the country and has more than 1.6 million handgun license holders. State lawmakers have gradually reduced classroom and training instruction needed to get one over the last decade. The bill pushed by the Legislature’s Republican majority would eliminate the handgun license requirement despite objections from law enforcement.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB Wednesday that they are administering COVID-19 vaccines not only at Harvey Convention Center but all over East Texas. Among the locations: First Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City, the Rains County storm shelter, the Van Zandt County Fairgrounds, and the Winnsboro train depot. Roberts also said they have added the Johnson and Johnson vaccine for people wanting to be immunized. You can contact NET Health for more information. Also a COVID-19 vaccination clinic is scheduled next week at Sunshine Missionary Baptist Church, northeast of New Chapel Hill. Smith County officials say the clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, and is available for free to people ages 16 and older. Read more here.

TYLER — A portion of Smith County Road 1113, also known as Lake Placid Road, will be closed starting next week so a culvert can be replaced. The project covers just under two miles of roadway between Greenbriar Road and CR 1141. The work will require the closing of Lake Placid Road to through traffic between Greenbriar Road and CR 1101. It all begins this Monday and will last about six weeks. The public is encouraged to use alternate routes. Message boards alerting the public of the closure have been installed on Lake Placid Road by the contractor.

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to seven years in prison Tuesday for pawning stolen items that he admitted to taking from a dementia patient under his care. According to our news partner KETK, Delbert Simpson Jr., 35, had been caring for a man suffering from Parkinson’s and dementia since February 2018. His family became suspicious in September 2019 when they contacted authorities to document several items in their home were missing. A week later, the daughter called back reporting even more items were missing and they wanted to file an additional report and press charges.

TYLER — Drivers should be prepared for delays on Toll 49 between HWY 31 and I-20 on Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority announced seal coat work and other maintenance assignments that are scheduled for the main lanes, shoulders, overpasses and underpasses. Motorists are urged to watch for guidance on message boards while work is being completed.

TYLER — Two days after presiding over her first elections race in Smith County, Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez is stepping down. According to our news partner KETK, Hernandez submitted a letter of resignation Monday to Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. Hernandez was hired in January. Her last day is Friday. The county elections commission will find her replacement. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber, County Clerk Karen Phillips, Democratic Party Chair Michael Tolbert and Republican Party Chair David Stein all make up the commission. The group will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday. The county did not publicly respond regarding Hernandez, only saying “Smith County does not comment on personnel matters.”

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety announced preliminary investigation results from a fatal weekend wreck that killed a Tyler High student. DPS said Tuesday that Troopers responded to a fatal crash on HWY 31 that killed a passenger, Patrianna Damrye Pettigrew, 18, of Tyler. Investigators believe that weather played a factor in the wreck eight miles east of Tyler. Authorities say the driver Talia Janae Smith lost control of her vehicle and crossed the center line hitting Logan Qualls, 18, Winona. Qualls was transported to UT Health East Texas Tyler in stable condition. Smith, 20, of Tyler was transported to UT Health East Texas Tyler in critical condition. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is ahead of pace with fires this year. On Tuesday, Marshall Jay Brooks updated the Smith Count Commissioner’s Court, reporting that the joint Emergency Operations Center with the City of Tyler and the county have met for more than a year dealing with issues regarding the pandemic. To date there have been 73 in-person EOC meetings and 327 virtual meetings. Brooks went on to say that costs incurred by the county from February’s Winter Storm are still being calculated and will be turned in to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Read more here.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man is dead after being fatally shot on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Jacksonville police and fire departments responded to a call just after noon on Myrtle Drive. Mathew W. Nock, 33, was taken to UT Health in Jacksonville, then, flown to UT Health Tyler where he later died. Police arrested Christopher M. Blackwell, 35, of Jacksonville in connection with the shooting death. Witnesses told investigators a verbal dispute took place before the incident. Blackwell was arrested at the scene and taken to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators and the Texas Rangers continue investigating the shooting.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man awaiting a trial in a fatal drunk driving wreck from 2017 was rearrested over the weekend for DUI. According to our new partner KETK, Corie Murray was arrested early Sunday morning. Online judicial records show this to be his second arrest for alleged drunk driving since the fatal crash. Murray is charged with driving while intoxicated and for two drug possession charges. Murray is accused of intoxicated manslaughter in an October 2017 wreck that killed Billie Griffin Andrews, 64, of Woodville. Murray has been released on bond. His trial is scheduled to begin May 24.

TYLER — Texas is one of a handful of states that still bases public school funding on student attendance. Many districts incentivize students to attend when they are not up to it, whether physically or mentally. The Northeast Texas Public Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB News, “I continue to encourage people, number one, to stay home when you are sick. So, if a kid is sick, whether it’s a pandemic or not, they shouldn’t be going to school…” Roberts was asked if he thought that awards for perfect attendance would be going away post COVID-19, “That’s a reasonable question. My guess is that they still have some type of perfect because you want to reward people who stay healthy.” Texas HB 1246 would fund Texas schools based on enrollment and not attendance.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas Physicians opened a COVID-19 Recovery Clinic Monday at UT Health North Campus Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the clinic is designed to treat patients who continue to experience lingering symptoms. Some still have issues like brain fog, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste and other symptoms. The clinic has a multidisciplinary team that will screen, assess, treat and provide referrals for patients who continue to experience negative health effects. Continue reading UT Health opens COVID-19 Recovery Clinic

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Department of Music and Dance announced a presentation of the college’s new steel drum ensemble, KC Steel, Tuesday at 7 p.m. The performance will take place in the main room of the Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) building on the Kilgore campus. KC’s director of bands, Brent Farmer, said in a prepared statement, “Steel drums originate from Trinidad and Tobago, and have a very colorful history. The music department was able to purchase these instruments thanks to an Innovation Grant we applied for here at KC.” Traditional selections for steel drum band have been readied, as well as more contemporary pieces. The concert is free and open to the public.

TYLER — Several East Texas airports are receiving relief grant funding. A media brief from U.S. Senator John Cornyn, indicated seven airports will see a total of $184,500 in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19. The funds were provided through the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020. In a prepared statement, Senator Cornyn said, “More and more Texans are getting vaccinated every day and we’ve seen an uptick in air travel as a result. I am glad to have helped deliver this funding that will improve the health and safety of transportation workers and travelers in the greater Tyler area.” Continue reading East Texas airports receiving COVID-19 funding

RUSK COUNTY — Two people were arrested over the weekend for their involvement in a brawl holding down an alleged shooter. According to our news partner KETK, a man shot a gun into a crowd following a horse race Saturday night. Before two-off duty Rusk County Investigators could arrest the man, a crowd began assaulting him. As authorities were trying to clear out the brawl, one man is said to have taken a swing at one of the officers and a second man in the crowd tried to escape. David Gonzalez, 32, was arrested for assault on a security officer. Juan Carmelo Cerda-Martinez was arrested for evading arrest. The shooting suspects name will be released, once he is no longer being treated for injuries in the hospital and he is formally charged with the crime.