KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler was given a $971,195 grant that will support research on treatments for pleural infections that cause fluid buildup in the lungs, according to a report from KETK. The research is being led by Professor of Cellular and Molecular Biology Dr. Andrey Komissarov with the UT Tyler School of Medicine.

Komissarov, along with the biopharmaceutical company SignaBlok, will conduct projects that give students the opportunity to analyze data, perform lab research and present scientific findings.

According to UT Tyler, 65,000 people in the United States are affected by empyema every year, which is caused by pneumonia. Treatment options are not always safe and could possibly lead to other complications, leading Komissarov’s team to find other methods. Continue reading UT Tyler receives $971K research grant

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Texas man has died after a fatal crash on Sunday evening southeast of Alto, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Pye Kervantez Jr., 41 of Wylie, was traveling north on US 69 at around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday when his vehicle went off the road and into a ditch. There, he hit a culvert and went airborne, causing him to be thrown from the vehicle.

DPS confirmed Kervantez was pronounced dead at the scene.

Update: Lindale Police reports a car crash in downtown Lindale has been cleared for through traffic. No significant injuries were reported.

LINDALE – Lindale Fire Department reports a serious crash at Main Street near Texas National Bank in downtown Lindale early Tuesday afternoon. Emergency crews are on hand. No details have been provided on the number of vehicles or if any injuries had occurred. Officials ask drivers to avoid this area for the time being.

MINEOLA – Due to an eight inch break in a city water main, a boil water notice is in effect for Mineola. City officials say the break is on Old Tyler Hwy behind Joe Tex Diesel, then South to Loop 564 to Sanderson Farms and CR 2724. To make sure all bacteria is destroyed, water should be brought to a boil for two minutes and then cooled before consumption. Bottled water can also be used instead for drinking and cooking until the notice has been lifted.

GILMER – The head of the Texas Education Agency made a stop at Gilmer ISD on Monday, happening days after the TEA released this year’s report card for schools across the state, according to a report from our news partner, KETK.

Gilmer Elementary is celebrating their success in the classroom after the school saw a 7-point jump this year. In this year’s TEA ratings, the school raised from 83 to 90, scoring them an A.

Overall, the district scored a B in this year’s TEA ratings. Gilmer Elementary School principal Gina Treadway said the better grade is in part thanks to a new math and phonics program but that the students and teachers are who are really to thank. Continue reading Gilmer Elementary receives high Accountability Test score

TYLER – A bill that would expand access to Ivermectin and permit it to be bought over the counter is now a priority in the Texas House.

State Rep. Joanne Shofner of Nacogdoches is proposing the bill as she believes it would give patients easier access to Ivermectin if passed. The bill would allow drugs like Ivermectin, which was created to kill parasites, to be bought over the counter with no prescription required. The proposal has received a priority bill number from the House Speaker, which makes Shofner hopeful that the bill will be added to the agenda for the current special session.

“What it says is that House District 11 is very, very important to the state capital and that, you know, sometimes rural Texas needs to jump up higher and louder to overtake some of the big cities,” Shofner said.

Update: Boil water notice for Mineola was rescinded late Wednesday morning.

MINEOLA – Due to an eight inch break in a city water main, a boil water notice is in effect for Mineola. City officials say the break is on Old Tyler Hwy behind Joe Tex Diesel, then South to Loop 564 to Sanderson Farms and CR 2724. To make sure all bacteria is destroyed, water should be brought to a boil for two minutes and then cooled before consumption. Bottled water can also be used instead for drinking and cooking until the notice has been lifted.

LINDALE – The City of Lindale announced Monday afternoon that a boil water notice for those living on Aspenwood, Timberwood and Stonewood Drive. The release from the city did not mention the reason for the notice. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria are destroyed, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled for two minutes and cooled prior to use for human consumption. If you have any questions, call the City of Lindale at 903-882-4918.

EMORY – Rains County Justice of the Peace Judge Robert Jenkins Franklin has been given 12 months of deferred adjudication, to avoid a verdict in his driving while intoxicated case.

Franklin was arrested on March 21, 2024 for driving while intoxicated. According to an affidavit for Franklin’s arrest, he was contacted by a Rains County Sheriff’s Office deputy investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle on the night of March 20. According to out news partner KETK, at 11:25 p.m. on March 20, Rains County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch contacted a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper to respond to County Road 2250, where Franklin’s vehicle was on the side of the road.

“Franklin stated that he had received some bad news earlier in the day and he was just sitting in his truck on CR-2250 approximately one mile from his residence. The strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was coming from his breath and when he would speak, he was slurring his words. I attempted to start the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and Franklin quickly refused to do any testing,” the trooper said in a DPS probable cause affidavit. Continue reading Rains County judge gets deferred adjudication for DUI

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, enough lawmakers showed up at the state capital on Monday to make a quorum for the start of the second special session called by Governor Greg Abbott.

Shofner said “It was a very dramatic day today here at the Capitol, House Bill 1, which covers flood relief for the Hill Country, has taken precedence in the second session, along with gaveling in bills that have been referred to committees.” “We can finally get that done and get that passed, so we are excited about doing that.” “Another one is property tax relief for our Texans.” Continue reading East Texans react to State House starting second session

JACKSONVILLE – UT Health Jacksonville and the Texas Department of Transportation partnered on Monday to hold free child car seat inspections for the public.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, the event is being held at UT Health Jacksonville’s front parking lot from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with no registration or appointment requirements. This safety check can help give parents piece of mind that they’re children are protected while riding in a vehicle. Certified child passenger safety technicians are on site to inspect appropriate harnessing, correct seat type and size, direction and placement, expiration dates, seat condition, and proper installation and positioning. Continue reading TxDOT and UT Health hold free child car seat inspections

PALESTINE — The Westwood ISD Athletic Director and head high school football coach was served an additional two years of probation on Monday, following an incident where an un-enrolled 7th grade student participated in workouts during the summer, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On Oct. 24, 2024, Westwood High School football coach Robert Bishop met with the State Executive Committee of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to discuss an incident involving Westwood staff allegedly filming an opposing team’s signals. The committee placed Bishop on probation for the 2025-2026 school year and decided that the Panthers football team did not have to forfeit their undefeated season. While still on probation, Bishop has just been served another two years of probation for violating another one of UIL’s rules. Continue reading Westwood HS football coach gets additional two years of probation

UPSHUR COUNTY – Several volunteer fire departments across Texas, including the New Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, received a $10,000 grant from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), according to a report from our news partner KETK.

This was the second year in a row that the NVFC and State Farm partnered up to support local volunteer fire departments. The grants help departments secure the necessary equipment to keep first responders safe and protect their communities. Continue reading East Texas fire department receives $10K grant

TYLER – Indivisible Smith County, a local nonprofit political group, held a “Fight The Trump Takeover” protest on the S. Saunders Avenue overpass of Highway 31 in Tyler on Saturday, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Fight The Trump Takeover protests were held all across the country on Saturday in response to the ongoing mid-decade redistricting effort being undertaken by Republicans in Texas. The East Texas organization Indivisible Smith County took part in the protests by hanging banners over Highway 31 in Tyler. Continue reading Smith County group protests Trump and redistricting