KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Smith County leaders are preparing plans for a downtown makeover. According to our news partner KETK, they’re hoping a grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation will help them get there. City administrators are trying to breathe new life into the town center with a project including safe transportation for bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. It would also update existing streets, parks, plaza’s, and open areas. If awarded, the federal grant will account for 80 percent of the total costs. The remaining balance would be provided by the County Seat Coalition.

TYLER — Retired Smith County Clerk Mary Morris was honored in Commissioners Court on Tuesday, after 45 years of service to the county. Ms. Morris became the first female to be elected as county clerk in 1979 and was re-elected every election cycle until she retired in 1998. She began working for the office as deputy county clerk in 1953. The Commissioners Court approved a resolution proclaiming October 22, as “Mary Morris Day” in Smith County. Continue reading Smith County Honors Former County Clerk

LONGVIEW — Texas Bank and Trust is alerting its customers of a scam that has been making its way around East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, reports have been made to the bank that fraudulent text messages are being sent to customers saying that their debit card is locked and asks you to call a number to fix it. The number then asks you to enter your card number and PIN. Texas Bank and Trust said they will “NEVER ask you to enter your card number and PIN!” Continue reading Bank Card Scam Asking for Number and Pin

WHITE OAK — The White Oak Police Department is encouraging community members to take a look at their bank accounts. According to our news partner KETK, White Oak Police discovered a card skimmer locally on a gas pump. If you have purchased gas at North Oak Grocery, they urge you to double check your records. The skimmer was located on pump number 3 at North Oak Grocery of the convenience store on East George Richey Road.

TYLER — Major road construction is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, that will shut down through traffic on East Commerce Street between North McMurrey Drive and North Fleishel Avenue. Motorists can expect traffic delays of 5 to 15 minutes. Drivers should prepare for one-way traffic and a rough roadway in the work zone. The construction is expected to run until November 29th. The road will be opened to residents and businesses in the area.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District has hired a new assistant superintendent. According to our news partner KETK, Stuart Bird was approved by the board on Monday night. Bird is the former superintendent of Troup ISD. He left the school in 2018. Bird will succeed Rawly Sanchez, who stepped down earlier this month. No explanation has been given for his resignation.

TATUM — The on-going Dress Code case has been happening since August has taken a new turn. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday Tatum ISD School Board Members decided that 2 expelled elementary students would not be allowed back in school unless they cut their hair. Legal guardians of the children say the dress code discriminates against race and gender. Legal counsel for the student’s family says the next step is to take it to the court, with an emphasis on discrimination.

TYLER — An East Texas woman has been on a kidney donor list for over 5 years. According to our news partner KETK, Jane Ann Morrison is a Tyler resident that drives a red car with a sticker covering the back glass reading “Kidney donor needed ASAP please call (903) 530-5400.” Morrison is on dialysis to support her kidney’s 14 percent function, spending around 15 hours a week hooked to a machine. Continue reading Tyler Woman Needs Kidney Transplant

TYLER — “How Do You Know,” is an informational program on dementia that will be presented on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Luanne Harms, LMSW, Director of Client Services for the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, will make the presentation to answer several questions regarding Dementia/Alzheimer, including: Who can get this disease? What do you know? When is the right time? Continue reading Smith County Alzheimer’s Alliance to Present Free Informational Program

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s office was searching for an “object” at Lake Tyler East on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a team of Smith County assembled just off of Highway 64. A dive team was deployed to help aid in that search. It was not clear what authorities are looking to discover. The focus of the search appears to centers around the boat ramp, just off the highway. Information is limited at this time, but this is not the first time they have been out looking for the “object.” A joint investigation with federal and local officials is part of this ongoing investigation.

TYLER — The “Healing Through Horsemanship” Luncheon announced on Monday that Taya Kyle, New York Times bestselling author and wife of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, is coming to Tyler. Kyle will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural event benefiting the Windridge – Tyler Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The luncheon is scheduled for November 21 at 11:30 am at the Crosswalk at Green Acres Baptist Church. Founded in 1988, Windridge has a therapeutic riding center in Diana near Longview and a small facility in Tyler. With many on the waiting list, plans are underway to build a larger facility in Tyler, with land recently purchased near Lake Tyler.

SMITH COUNTY — On Monday, a settlement was announced for two Ohio counties set to go to trial this week. Ongoing dialogue continues relating to other pending cases. Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr was on hand last Friday, at a settlement conference in Cleveland. Commissioner Warr had the opportunity to represent small and mid-sized Texas counties. Smith County is actively involved in helping reach a settlement. Continue reading Smith County Commissioner Represented Texas Counties in Opioid Lawsuit Hearing

ANDERSON COUNTY — We now know the identity of a man accused of shooting an Anderson County Deputy following 2 different gun battles over the weekend. On Monday the Texas Rangers released the identity of Terry Lee Countryman. Countryman was fatally shot in connection with the shooting of Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Colman. Coleman, is recovering in the hospital following a surgery to save his life. Our news partner KETK, says Countryman’s past is littered with arrests in multiple states. Continue reading Identity Released of Suspect in Anderson County Deputy Shooting

WILLS POINT — The National Weather Service confirmed on Monday that an EF-0 tornado touched down near Wills Point Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, the NWS estimated the Wills Point Tornado had wind speeds of 80 miles per hour. Van Zandt was one of five East Texas counties that were involved in a disaster declaration issued by Gov. Abbott. Members of the Shreveport office will be surveying Rusk and Panola counties for additional damage.

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 5 years in prison on Monday for selling child porn over Facebook. According to our news partner KETK, Andrew Armstrong, 27, was charged in May following a year-long investigation by Tyler police. The look into Armstrong started after a facebook tip showed that he sent a user child porn that he requested through his account. One of the victims in the images he sent was as young as eight years old. Armstrong, could have received up to 20 years.

TYLER — The City of Tyler started its disinfection process to free chlorine on Monday. The run time goes through Nov. 18. Officials do not expect any noticeable changes in water quality as a result of the temporary conversion. However, some individuals may notice taste and odor changes and a slight discoloration to the water. The city will convert from chloramines back to free chlorine. This is a very routine practice industry wide. Tyler began using this process for annual, routine maintenance in October 2014.

DALLAS (AP) – Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 16 Texas counties following severe overnight storms including a tornado that battered parts of Dallas. Some of those counties are in East Texas. Abbott’s declaration Monday makes state resources available to local officials, plus waives certain regulations to allow utilities to bring in out-of-state resources. The counties covered are: Cass; Cameron; Collin; Dallas; Ellis; Erath; Hunt; Kaufman; Lamar; Panola; Rains; Rockwall; Rusk; Tarrant; Van Zandt; and Wood.

LONGVIEW — One man is dead after being shot by a minor just before 4 p.m. on Sunday in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police were dispatched to a home on South Green St. Investigators learned that several people were looking at a gun. An adolescent picked up the gun and hit 19-year-old Johntavius Dantarveus Jenkins, in the chest. Jenkins died at CHRISTUS Good Shepard Medical Center. It is unclear if the shooting was intentional, detectives continue to investigate, it is unclear if charges will be filed.

TYLER — The Mentoring Alliance will host their annual luncheon in Tyler on Tuesday. “Celebrate the One” is this years theme and is scheduled from 11:30-1:00 at Green Acres Crosswalk Center, on Troup Hwy. The Mentoring Alliance serves over 2,900 kids and families throughout the year through three programs; Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas, Rose City Summer Camps, and Gospel Village.

TYLER — TJC Homecoming Week officially began on Monday morning, with the traditional drum beat ceremony on the steps of Rogers Student Center. College President Dr. Juan E. Mejia, lead the countdown to the drum beat. The rhythm will continue 24 hours a day, all week long, leading up to the kick off of Saturday’s homecoming football game. As they have since 1948, students, employees and alumni volunteer their time to keep the drum beating. The Apache Punch Drumline and TJC cheerleaders were part of the kick-off and the homecoming court was introduced.

QUITMAN — Stitchin’ Heaven opened their Texas themed doors on Monday, welcoming customers to the largest quilt shop in Texas. The brand new 17,500 sq. ft. facility features thousands of quality fabrics and quilting kits, and a wide variety of unique programs including Block of the Month, cruises, retreats, classes and more. The Greater Quitman Area Chamber of Commerce, held a ribbon cutting ceremony with local dignitaries, community leaders, and well wishers.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler partnered with JCPenney on Sunday night to help students and alumni put their best foot forward in the workplace. JCPenney provided professional clothing at a discounted price during a private event, which was designed to help students and alumni build their professional wardrobe.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Foundation announced over the weekend, a $3.5 million estate gift from a former Kilgore College Rangerette and her husband. The donor wishes to remain anonymous, but she was a member of the Rangerettes under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis. The endowment will be used to fund scholarships for the Rangerette organization.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Offices in Troup were closed Monday morning due to a power outage. The Smith County Justice of the Peace/Constable’s Office for Precinct 3, as well as the Auto Registration Substation, were down until electricity could be restored. The city was out clearing debris on the streets before 5 a.m. that made roads difficult to navigate following overnight storms across the area.

COLLEGE STATION — A historic Union Pacific train engine is spending the next two weeks in Texas — hitting East Texas along the way. Big Boy Steam Locomotive Number 4014 is touring the U.P. system to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. Number 4014 is in El Paso for public viewing Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. It will head east to San Antonio, where it will make a stop on Election Day. Then the engine will go to Houston before turning northwest to Bryan/College Station, then head northeast with stops in Palestine and Marshall before leaving the state in Texarkana. The entire schedule is on U.P.’s website or Facebook page.

ANDERSON COUNTY — An Anderson County sheriff’s deputy was shot, the suspect was killed in two gun battles Saturday. The deputy has been identified to our news partner KETK by family members as Deputy Bradley Colman. Colman was shot at the Hickory Ridge Mobile Home Park on FM 320 while reportedly investigating a stolen vehicle. The suspect fled the scene in the deputy’s vehicle. DPS troopers arrived on the scene and provided first aid. Other troopers assisted in the search for and pursuit of the suspect. Deputy Colman was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, where he underwent surgery for non-life threatening injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery. Multiple law enforcement agencies joined in the search for the suspect, who was found a short distance from the scene of the shooting. Continue reading Texas Rangers Investigate Deputy Involved Shooting

TYLER — Colorful floats, precision marching bands and glittering dresses made the 86th annual Texas Rose Festival Parade a feast for the eyes and ears. According to our news partner KETK, the “star” of the parade was the Rose Queen herself, Hanna Claire Waits. The festival had the theme “Portraits of Inspiration.” Hanna Claire Waits was crowned Queen of the 2019 Texas Rose Festival in a coronation ceremony Friday evening. The official coronation was held at the R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Tyler. The event served to introduce Queen Hanna and her to the public as part of the 2019 Texas Rose Festival. Continue reading Texas Rose Festival Parade Celebrates 86 Years of Splendor

TYLER — Jason’s Deli and Nothing Bundt Cakes located inside the Broadway Market Center are officially back open for business after being closed for nearly two weeks due to plumbing issues. Our news partner KETK was first to report that the shopping center had been closed down after the restaurant, Jason’s Deli contacted the city with plumbing and sewer issues. When city water came to investigate they found kitchen utensils and roots inside the old, damaged pipes. The discovery led the city to suggest any of the businesses that require water to operate, should close down. In a Facebook post issued on Friday afternoon, Jason’s Deli announced that the restaurant is open for business again. Nothing Bundt Cakes, Starbucks and Marble Slab Creamery have also reopened.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is requesting competitive bids for the lease and operation of the food and beverage concession, vending and/or news and retail services concession in the North Side Terminal Building at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The initial concession lease is a term of four years. The city would have the option of one two-year extension. The objective is to develop a concession/vending program that is unique, creative, with local flavor, while bringing value to passengers and users on par with the best programs of similar size airports. Bid opening is Oct. 22. Continue reading Tyler Pounds Accepting Bids for North Side Restaurant