KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — On Tuesday morning, just one week after Smith County Precinct 4 decided to join the 287(g) Task Force Program — which permits local agents to enforce immigration protocols — concerns from employees and business owners are surfacing. According to our news partner KETK, a meeting, hosted by the Tyler Area Builders Association, brought together restaurant owners, hospitality and construction workers, along with other industry leaders. Among the attendees was Bob Westbrook, a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, who expressed his worries about how employee absenteeism could impact the economy.

Westbrook stated, “It’s important that our employees feel safe going to the grocery store, that they feel safe going to school, that they feel safe coming to work because we desperately need them. If not, businesses lose essential workers; service slows, projects stall, and the economic ripple affects every resident.”

This issue is hitting the construction industry and housing market particularly hard. Kerry Hamblett from the Tyler Area Builders Association noted that the already minimally staffed construction sector could face even greater shortages. Continue reading New immigration program sparks concerns

TYLER — As Cyber Monday and online holiday shopping ramp up, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding East Texans to take steps to shop safely online. DPS Chief Information Officer Jessica Ballew says the high volume of shoppers during the holidays creates prime opportunities for online scams.

“Scammers count on people being distracted, rushing to make purchases, or simply losing track of what they’ve bought,” Ballew said. She adds that taking a few extra seconds to verify a website, use a secure connection or check for trust seals can help protect your data from being compromised.

Our news partner KETK recommends shopping with trusted sources and well-known retailers, and avoiding unsolicited links sent through emails, texts or online ads. Scammers may promote fake websites with deals that seem too good to be true or send fake package-tracking messages. DPS advises shoppers to watch for odd formatting or subtle spelling errors. Continue reading Protection tips for holiday cyber shopping

TYLER — Caldwell Zoo announced on Tuesday that after a months-long effort to save Cricket the giraffe, their medical team was forced to euthanize her due to a complex infection in her feet. According to our news partner KETK, Cricket underwent several procedures, including four major interventions that focused on her hoof and lower limb health. In her last procedure, the medical specialist found that the infection had advanced despite efforts to treat the area.

Scott Maddox, President and CEO of Caldwell Zoo, said in a press releasee. “We always strive to provide the absolute best care for every member of our animal family, and we are all extremely saddened that we couldn’t save Cricket.”

RUSK – A boil water notice has been issued in parts of Rusk by the Rusk Rural Water Supply Company. According to our news partner KETK, Areas impacted by the boil water notice include: FM 241, Highway 69 South, County Road 2443 and Country Road 2446. Rusk residents are asked to boil their water before consumption, such as brushing their teeth or washing their hands. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil, then boiled for 2 minutes. Once the notice is no longer in effect, RRWS will alert all customers currently impacted.

Update: Smith County officials announced on Tuesday that the hearing scheduled for Wednesday to determine the fate of the dogs has been canceled. Instead, the involved parties reached an agreement to euthanize the two remaining pit bulls.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a 23-year-old Madison Riley Hull was killed by three pit bull dogs that attacked her in Tyler on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a call at a residence near Northwood Drive and Shadywood Drives in Tyler at around 4:15 p.m. The first deputy on scene saw Hull lying in the backyard of a home as three pit bulls attacked her. The officer was reportedly able to shoot and kill one of the pit bulls, which caused the other two dogs to run away. They were able to remove her body from the backyard, but she died because of her injuries from the dog attack.

A sheriff’s office release said the other two dogs were handled by Smith County Animal Control. Investigators said the woman was dog-sitting the pit bulls that attacked her, since the home’s owners were out of town. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attack and an autopsy has been ordered. The deputy attacked also received minor injuries was treated.

TYLER – City of Tyler will have a Thanksgiving holiday schedule Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28. All City Hall offices will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26, and reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1. City officials have provided a comprehensive list covering items like, water utility payments, garbage service and Tyler Transit schedule. Continue reading City of Tyler holiday schedule

MOUNT PLEASANT — Our news partners at KETK report that a man was taken into custody Friday following a stabbing at the Holiday Inn in Mount Pleasant. The Mount Pleasant Police Department identified the suspect as 54-year-old Ivory Miller. Officers responded to the hotel on Friday at around 6:40 p.m. after receiving reports of a man bleeding and another individual behaving aggressively. Police were informed that Miller had a knife and stabbed the victim. When officers arrived, they discovered the injured man lying on the lobby floor with a stab wound to his back, while Miller had already left the scene. Around 8 p.m., officers located Miller and placed him under arrest. He was booked into the Titus County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities said the two men did not know each other.

MINEOLA — Two Christmas parades in East Texas will not include horses after Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an urgent alert to horse owners and trainers regarding the reporting of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 in Waco. According to our news partner KETK, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce has cancelled all horse entries for this year’s Christmas Parade out of an abundance of caution.

“This decision was not made lightly, but the health and safety of our community—and our four-legged friends—comes first,” Mineola officials said. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding and look forward to welcoming horse entries back in future parades when it is safe to do so.”

On Friday afternoon, the New Boston Chamber of Commerce also announced it would not include horses in their Christmas Parade. Continue reading Christmas parades impacted by Equine Herpesvirus

PANOLA COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a Central Heights Middle School teacher has been put on leave following a sexual assault arrest. Landon Christopher Odom, 26 of Gary, was apprehended on Thursday and taken into custody following a sexual assault investigation involving a minor.

Central Heights ISD released a statement shortly after that the instructor was placed on leave and removed from all school-related responsibilities.

“It is the District’s understanding that the investigation does not relate to school-based conduct or students of CHISD,” the district said in a statement issued on Friday.

The district added that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and remains committed to maintaining transparency with parents and the community. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue gathering evidence and conducting interviews. Odom is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Panola County Jail.

RUSK COUNTY — A Rusk County man has been sentenced to five years in state prison after allegedly making more than 70 threatening phone calls to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Travis Andrew Halbert was arrested on July 1 after repeatedly calling the department over three days. He was charged with 4 counts of making terroristic threats against a peace officer and one charge of harassment.

Officials said Halbert threatened dispatchers and their families in several calls, and in one instance claimed he would “rain down hellfire” by firebombing the department. Halbert initially pleaded not guilty during his Nov. 17 jury trial but changed his plea to guilty, and received the five year prison term.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County officer is in the hospital after being severely assaulted by a juvenile inmate on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were sent to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center after being informed that an inmate was assaulting an officer. Deputies arrived and were led to the officer, who was lying on the floor with significant head injury. The officer was taken a hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for critical head injuries.

Officials reviewed surveillance footage, where they saw the suspect repeatedly striking the officer with a handicap shower rail that was detached from the shower wall. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the officer is currently in stable condition following the surgery.

SMITH COUNTY – Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, for Thanksgiving. County offices will reopen on Monday, December 1, for normal business hours. Smith County Commissioners Court will be held at its regular time, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25.

AUSTIN — A Longview resident has the winning ticket worth $1 million dollars, by playing a Texas Lottery scratch ticket game. The ticket was purchased at Super 1 Foods on East Marshall Avenue near Alpine Village in Longview. The winner elected to remain anonymous.

SHREVEPORT (NOAA) – The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of northeast Texas until 7 p.m. Monday. Counties in the watch area are: Cherokee County, Rusk County, Sabine County, Nacogdoches County, Shelby County, Angelina County, San Augustine County, Panola County, Houston County, Trinity County and Anderson County. To get regular weather updates from the KTBB website, go here.