KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, in collaboration with eight local colleges and universities, gathered for the Early Assurance Program Signing Day on August 16. “This is a significant milestone for UT Tyler School of Medicine and our partnering colleges,” said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “The Pathways program reflects our commitment to recruiting local talent and promoting excellence in medical education. Through this program, we are creating a pathway for East Texas students to pursue a career in medicine.” Continue reading UT Tyler School of Medicine launches Early Assurance Program

LONGVIEW – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd has earned the Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology. According to our news partner KETK, its the first time the hospital has achieved this honor and one of only 262 hospitals to be recognized in the United States. The Chief of Cardiology, Dr. Chris McClish said, “This is a tremendous honor and achievement for the community and patients of the Longview region. To be recognized by the American College of Cardiology highlights the tremendous effort by our associates and demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality, comprehensive cardiac care.”
Continue reading CHRISTUS Good Shepherd earns nationwide award

KILGORE – During a traffic stop, a man with several warrants was arrested after allegedly attempting to run from police while being in possession of methamphetamines. According to our news partner KETK, on Aug. 12, an officer with the Kilgore Police Department said he saw Tucker Thedford as a passenger in a vehicle and recognized him as a suspect that had several warrants for his arrest including a parole warrant. After Thedford resisted, an officer was able to place him in handcuffs but police said he attempted to run away from the officer before shortly being caught. Thedford was reportedly found to be in possession of approximately 8.1 grams of meth and was taken to the Gregg County Jail on the warrant charges along with resisting arrest, search or transport and possession of a controlled substance.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Two people were arrested in connection to a drug trafficking organization in Cherokee County. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department conducted a three-month investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization at a residence on County Road 4303 in Jacksonville. As a result of that investigation, authorities issued arrest warrants for Drew Clark Sr. and Latona Durrett for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Continue reading 2 arrested for Cherokee County drug trafficking

LONGVIEW – A driver was hospitalized after a two-vehicle wreck rollover wreck in Longview according to our news partners at KETK. On Tuesday around 3 p.m., the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department (WHVFD) responded to reports of a two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of FM 449 and Will Smith Road. The wreck involved a truck that rolled over off the side of the road. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital by Christus EMS. A WHVFD rescue vehicle, one CAFS truck, two DPS units and five personnel responded to the scene to assist.

TYLER — Smith County residents summoned to appear for Smith County Jury Duty are being asked to change where they park during construction of the County’s parking garage. For many years, jurors have parked in the large lot on East Ferguson Street but now, those reporting for duty are being asked to park in the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208. S. College Avenue. The walking distance from the parking garage to the Smith County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Broadway Avenue, is 733 feet, while the parking lot on Ferguson Street is 852 feet from the Courthouse. It is free to park in the Fair Plaza Garage on all four floors, except for the reserved spaces. Jurors are asked to park on the third and fourth floors. Continue reading Smith County jury parking to move during construction

KILGORE — Henderson Boulevard will be closed Thursday for the construction of the Kilgore College bridge. According to our news partner KETK, the road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There will be a detour route using Houston Street, S. Commerce Street and Harris Street. On Saturday, there will be a closure from 4 a.m. until noon, and drivers can use that same detour. After that, Henderson Boulevard will be a two-lane two-way roadway for several weeks while construction is completed.

TYLER — Tyler ISD bus drivers will soon have cases of water on hand for their routes. According to our news partner KETK, Churches Serving Schools and the Brookshire Grocery Company partnered to supply more than 60,000 bottles of water to Tyler ISD bus drivers. “We are beyond grateful for this donation for our Tyler ISD bus drivers,” Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said. “They are the first person thousands of our students see every school day and the last person they see when the school day ends. Our drivers travel more than 7,500 miles daily, covering Tyler ISD’s 193-square-mile school district. This incredible gesture means so much to each and every one of them.” Continue reading 60,000 bottles of water donated to Tyler ISD bus drivers

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department lost a K9 officer this week. The department announced that K9 Hera died on Aug. 14 from a recent illness, according to our news partner KETK. The department said she will be remembered as a hard-working member of the Palestine Police Department and a public servant to the community. “Our condolences go to her family during this difficult time,” Palestine PD said. “Rest easy, Hera. We have the watch from here.”

TYLER — Work is underway to renovate Tyler’s former Greyhound bus station into a new boutique inn that will serve downtown Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the Greyhound Inn will feature nine rooms, five original upstairs apartments, two first floor units and two new rooms that will divide the building’s Art Moderne addition. Originally the building’s rooms were used for overnight Greyhound bus drivers, so many of them were fully equipped with bathrooms and kitchenettes and will be again once the renovation is complete. “I believe these will be the most unique hospitality rooms in all of East Texas, when finished. It’s hard to explain how cool these rooms are until you see them for yourself,” said Andy Bergfeld with Bergfeld Realty Company. Continue reading Former Tyler bus station being renovated into Greyhound Inn

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A federal grand jury July 19 returned indictments on three persons on several drug charges. According to our news partner KETK, indicted were Joshua Lindsey, Amanda Lindsey and Jacob Lacey. They were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting.
Continue reading Feds indict 3 for having 3 pounds of meth

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD is proposing a tax rate cut for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and a bond election for Nov. 7. According to our news partners at KETK, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved a proposed property tax rate decrease from $1.3276 per $100 valuation to $1.1422 per $100 valuation. This proposed rate includes $0.6692 for Maintenance and Operations and $0.4730 for Interest and Sinking. They also are projecting a budget of $100,715,705 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, up from last year’s budget total of $94,214,401. Continue reading Longview ISD proposing $359 million bond

MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Police Department said a man was sentenced to life in prison for continuous sexual assault of child on Monday. Cornelio Macedo-Medrano, 58, was arrested in 2021 after he was accused of sexually assaulting a child between 3 and 5-years-old. “It took enormous courage on behalf of the victim to come forward and speak with the MPPD. Thanks to the Titus County District Attorney’s Office, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, investigators from the MPPD, and the brave victim, today Macedo-Medrano was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.” -  Mount Pleasant Texas Police Department

LONGVIEW – Occupants of two vehicles were hospitalized after a wreck involving an 18-wheeler on Monday morning according to our news partners at KETK. Around 8:40 a.m., the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle wreck with a possible entrapment. When crews arrived, they reportedly found a car, truck and 18-wheeler were involved in the accident. The fire department said that occupants from both vehicles were taken to a local hospital. “The department responded with 1 rescue truck, 1 tanker for traffic control and 7 personnel,” said the West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department. No further information is available at this time.

TYLER – Tyler businessman Daniel Alders announced Tuesday he will run for the Texas House District 6 seat, currently held by Representative Matt Schaefer. Schaefer announced Monday that he will not seek re-election. According to our news partner KETK, Alders is the President of Drake Management Services, which is a Tyler-based commercial property management company. Prior to that he was the East Texas Regional Director to Senator Ted Cruz. In that job, Drake was the primary liaison from the Senators office to a 35 county region.

At the time of the announcement Alders said, “I am grateful for the encouragement I have received from leaders across Smith County, and especially for Representative Schaefer’s endorsement. I look forward to continuing his legacy of conservative leadership in Austin.”

SMITH COUNTY — Another scam is finding its way to cell phones of East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam where victims get a call from someone claiming to be Chief Deputy John Garrison with the SCSO, telling the recipient that they missed a grand jury subpoena. “The proposed victim immediately recognized this as a scam and did not let the suspect get far enough to explain the payment method,” said SCSO Sgt. Larry Christian. “Typically, these scammers will demand immediate payment for nonexistent fines and/or warrants for missed jury service.” Christian said he talked with the U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Texas, John Garrison. Continue reading Smith County residents warned about scam calls

GREGG COUNTY — Monday night in Gregg County, commissioners voted yes in a bond election for a new courthouse parking garage. According to our news partner KETK, during Monday’s county commissioners’ meeting, a $19 million bond was approved to go on November’s ballot. The money will be used for a new parking garage in Downtown Longview that will be built across from the county courthouse. During a recent interview with KETK, County Judge Bill Stoudt said parking has been a problem for years at the courthouse and that this structure will help the issues. The project could take up to two years.

GLENDALE — According to our news partner KETK residents in certain parts of Trinity County are being asked to prepare for evacuation due to a “severe fire” on North Ghost Branch Road in Glendale. According to Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace, the fire started from a pasture of about 10 to 15 acres that was moving to the woods around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Wallace reported that the fire is about 100 acres large and 30% contained as of 6:45 p.m. Officials on the scene have used several aircrafts to get water from a nearby pond and lake to take it over to the fire in an attempt to help extinguish it. The fire is reportedly spreading to Sammy Davis Road and approaching Highway 94. Wallace said the highway could possibly be shut down if the fire continues to spread in that direction. For residents that need to evacuate, the VFW in Trinity will be open as a shelter as well as First Baptist Church in Groveton. Continue reading Some Trinity County residents asked to evacuate due to wildfire

TYLER – First District Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler stopped by KTBB Monday afternoon. With congress in recess, Moran was asked what issues are on voters minds. He said, “We heard a lot about over regulation by the USDA and the EPA. We were talking to some community banks last week in Shelby County and we heard a lot about the CFPB and their over regulation of community banks. So, over regulation is a big issue.”
Continue reading Congressman Nathaniel Moran visits KTBB

TYLER – Three men have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges that took place throughout the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Nekia Euron Byrd, 48, Rodney Ignacio Castro, 41 and Terance Babe Green, 43, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to information presented in court, Byrd, Castro and Green had been trafficking cocaine throughout the Houston area, Port Arthur and various East Texas cities such as Texarkana and Lufkin.

Byrd, Castro and Green each face 10 years to life in federal prison for their involvement in the drug trafficking enterprise. Davilyn Walston, Public Affairs Officer/Law Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, “A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.”

HARRISON COUNTY – A woman was arrested after allegedly smoking while driving and drugs being found while she was getting processed into jail.

Our news partners at KETK report that on Monday, a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and their K9, Pato, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was reportedly going 81 mph in a 65 mph zone. During the stop, the deputy reported that they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

The driver was identified as Sherronandayln Forrest and authorities said she admitted to smoking inside of the vehicle which led to a probable cause search by the deputy. During the search, officials said they found a firearm that was reported stolen out of the Shreveport Police Department. Continue reading Xanax bars seized while woman is processed into East Texas jail

TYLER – State Representative Matt Schaefer (District 6) has announced he is not running for reelection in 2024. He made this official statement on twitter around midday… “I will not seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives in 2024. It’s time for the next conservative leader to be the voice of House District 6 in Austin. Continue reading Matt Schaefer will not run for reelection

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly kicking, biting and fighting deputies following a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, Deputy Anderson and K9 Pato stopped a dark Cadillac that was speeding on Highway 80 in Marshall. The Cadillac stopped on Yaney Street after attempting to evade Anderson and Pato. Jessica Parker, 29, who was driving the Cadillac, was arrested for unrestrained children, speeding and warrants, jail records show. A passenger, Adam Foster, 22, allegedly kicked, bit and fought with Anderson and additional responding deputies, officials said. Foster was arrested for assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance between 4 and 400 grams and warrants. Both Foster and Parker are being held at the Harrison County jail.

GLADEWATER – Several East Texas Fire departments responded to a structure fire in the 2000 block of Highway 80 near Gladewater on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK. around 3:30 p.m. Gladewater Fire Department requested mutual aid from Clarksville City-Warren City Volunteer Fire Department and White Oak Volunteer Fire Department. When crews arrived officials said they found fire on the front of the house that was spreading into the attic and living area. Crews were able to contain the fire to the attic and one room before extinguishing the blaze. According to Gladewater Fire Department no injuries were reported. A member of West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department also assisted, according to White Oak VFD. They added that Gregg County Fire Marshals were on the scene investigating the cause of the fire.

HARRISON COUNTY – 2 men were arrested after officials said they found 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms during a traffic stop in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK on Friday morning, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a vehicle that was brake checking vehicles while traveling westbound on I-20. A deputy reportedly saw the vehicle in question around mile marker 603 and initiated a traffic stop for a moving violation. When the deputy approached the vehicle, there was reportedly an odor of marijuana coming from it which led to a probable cause search. During the search, the deputy reported that they found 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in the vehicle. Continue reading 14 grams of psychedelic mushrooms seized during traffic stop

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Breakers Seafood in Tyler will close at the end of August, the restaurant announced on social media.

A locally-owned and operated seafood joint that, in its own words, aimed to “bring a piece of California to Texas,” will close its doors after 14 years in business. Continue reading Breakers Seafood in Tyler to close

PALESTINE – Three people were arrested in Palestine and charged in connection to organized retail crime.

On Wednesday, Palestine police officers received a call about a suspicious person at the Walmart at 2223 S. Loop 256. Walmart asset protection reported that a man suspected in recent thefts at Walmarts in Tyler, Jacksonville and other local stores had entered the businesses.

The man was suspected to have taken part in “cash cash” scams. Continue reading 3 arrested in Palestine for organized crime, suspected of Walmart cash scams

TYLER – Thursday, the Tyler Area Builders Association held their annual luncheon. According to our news partner KETK, special guests at this years luncheon were U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The focus of the luncheon is to have builders in East Texas meet with local, state and national leaders to talk about issues that affect the building industry. John McKinney from the TABA builder directors said, “That’s probably our number one priority is trying to keep housing affordable especially for us here in East Texas. Continue reading U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran joins annual TABA luncheon

EAST TEXAS — Shopping centers will be busy this weekend with no sales tax on back to school essentials. The sales tax holiday runs through Sunday. The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13. Continue reading Tax free weekend