KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — The Texas Freedom Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler, has released its 10 priorities for the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. According to the caucus website, categories include maximum property tax relief; securing the border; expanding educational freedom and ending so-called woke indoctrination; protecting Texas children; defending the sanctity of life; securing the grid and opposing ESG policies; protecting Second Amendment rights; increasing election integrity; restoring separation of powers; and health care affordability and medical freedom. The caucus says its mission is “to amplify the voice of liberty-minded, grassroots Texans.” Click here and navigate as desired for more information.

AUSTIN — The news is good for both Tyler and Longview in the latest sales tax allocation report from the state comptroller’s office. For February, Tyler brings in $6,280,139.65, up from $6,063,419.89 a year ago. For the year to date, Tyler shows $11,245,967.70, up from $11,060,380.74 at this time last year. Longview’s February figure is $4,806,911.52, compared to $4,498,936.23 for February 2022. Longview’s year-to-date total is $8,503,116.35, an increase from $8,010,086.26 a year ago. Statewide, local sales tax allocations for this month are up 9.3 per cent from last February. Click here for more detailed information, in East Texas and around the state.

TYLER — Several key items were addressed at Wednesday’s Tyler City Council meeting, including a couple involving infrastructure work. The Council approved a contract to reduce flooding and repair deteriorated stormwater infrastructure at five locations. Officials say the storm sewer pipes have deteriorated and developed structural issues that have allowed the soil to enter, creating sinkholes in paved streets and unpaved areas. Officials also report that progress is continuing on a consent decree, with over 45,000 feet of trenchless sewer line rehabilitation planned. According to a news release, about 115 sewer main lines are targeted, and the contract for the work also includes installing 58 manholes. Along with that, the city accepted the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 15th straight year. Click here for more details on those items and other city news.

TYLER – In response to the recent winter storm, the East Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food boxes and meat on Thursday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Last week’s winter storm caused widespread power outages and damage, with Smith County being part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s disaster declaration. “Many of our neighbors had to throw away all of their refrigerated food after being without power for days and with so many people struggling to make ends meet, we knew we wanted to help,” said Food Bank CEO Dennis Cullinane as quoted in a news release. “We are also grateful for our partnership with Green Acres Baptist Church and allowing us to use their facility for our distributions.” Continue reading East Texas Food Bank to hold special distribution to help storm victims

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As he predicted, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran is not pleased with President Biden’s State of the Union Address. In a statement released following the address Tuesday evening, Moran says, in part, “The American people deserve transparency and accountability from the government at all levels. While I am disappointed, I am not surprised by President Biden’s unwillingness to admit that the path he has taken our nation on is the wrong path. Whether it be foreign affairs, national security, the economy, or the porous southern border, the policies and practices of the Biden Administration have been disastrous and we need to reverse course.” Continue reading Moran responds to SOTU Address

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is looking for any information on the whereabouts of Cannon Tuck, 29. Tuck weighs 145 lbs. and is about 5’9″ tall. He was last seen in the area of Fourth St and East Loop 281 wearing a black hoodie, jeans and a black backpack. Tuck was reported missing on Tuesday, February 7, by a family member. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1170.

SMITH COUNTY — Grassroots America said 584 absentee voter ballots from the 2020 general election were not counted in Smith County, according to an audit done by the organization, Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Grassroots America requested that the item be put on Tuesday’s agenda for the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting. “We do think that every vote matters,” said Smith County Judge Neal Franklin. Fleming said that Grassroots America provided a dozen volunteers to survey 634 voters and record 385 interviews. “Those interviews documented unusual anomalies between voter memories and Smith County voting records,” Fleming said. Fleming said the audit was a fact-finding mission to help the county. Continue reading Audit reveals hundreds of absentee ballots not counted in 2020 general election

LONGVIEW – The Longview Fire Department reports a structure fire at Bagley Tractor & Equipment caused approximately $250,000 in damages. According to our news partner KETK, the fire department received a phone call Tuesday about an outside fire threatening the Bagley building. When crews arrived, they were “hampered by a locked gate which required forcible entry to gain access into the structure,” said fire officials. Once they got through the gate, they were able to put out the fire. The fire department says there were no reported injuries as no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. It took four fire engines, two ladder trucks, one ambulance, four staff vehicles and a total of 24 LFD personnel to put out the fire.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Officials are asking for public assistance in locating a driver involved in a serious crash on SH 64. The Van Zandt County Precinct 4 constable’s office says, “If anyone recognizes the brown Ford pickup, we could use some help locating the driver to make sure he is okay. After a crash like this, he has to be hurt.” According to our news partner KETK, officials say the other driver involved was uninjured but his truck and his load weren’t as lucky. We’ll update this item as more information becomes available.

WASHINGTON, D,C. — Congressman Nathaniel Moran took a moment with KTBB to discuss the first bill he has presented in the House. Moran says, “It really was quite a moment. My legislative team and I…worked really hard to make sure that the first bill that we proposed, this Border Security Investment Act, was something that was important to the district — border security — and was something that was well thought-out and strategically planned. Our hope is we can gain lots…of momentum. We’ve got a lot of co-sponsors, especially here in Texas, and we’re gaining more co-sponsors by the day. This act will bring in billions of dollars of new money that will actually go straight, and only to, border security. We’re excited about it. We hope that it gets through committee and gets on the floor for a vote.”

NACOGDOCHES — Faculty and staff of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches have received a six percent, across the board, cost of living raise. The Board of Regents approved the pay raise last week and it went into effect February 1st.  SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook said the board wanted a pay increase to be implemented as soon as possible after the university joined the University of Texas system on November 29th. It will be paid from SFA reserve funds this year and by UT system funds in the future.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating after the discovery of a body. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found at a construction site off east Grande Boulevard Monday. Police say foul play is not suspected. The body has been sent for autopsy. Additional details were not available.

WHITEHOUSE —  The city of Whitehouse plans to honor Patrick Mahomes for his third trip to the Super Bowl in four years. Mayor of Whitehouse James Wansley will make the day the Kansas City Chiefs play in the Super Bowl, Feb. 12, Patrick Mahomes Day. Mayor Wansley’s proclamation will take place around 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 in the Whitehouse City Council Chambers at 311 East Main Street. Whitehouse ISD students and staff will be celebrating their Patrick Mahomes Day that Friday as well. The district asks that everyone wears red and their Chiefs gear to support Patrick and the team. Whitehouse businesses have painted their windows in support of Mahomes. Continue reading Whitehouse to declare Sunday Feb. 12 Patrick Mahomes Day

MARSHALL — The presidents of B. H. Carroll Theological Institute in Irving and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall announced Feb. 6 that the institutions’ boards have each approved resolutions authorizing an exclusive agreement to merge the administrative and academic operations of B. H. Carroll into ETBU. According to a news release, a letter of intent, signed by B. H. Carroll President Gene Wilkes and ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn, sets forth the terms and conditions of the merger, as well as the timeline for its completion. On or before January 31, 2025, B. H. Carroll will become a new school of ETBU known as “B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University” and will continue to offer graduate theological education through its accredited master’s and doctoral degree programs. Continue reading B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and ETBU announce merger

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of February 6. In 
Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew on FM 850, just off SH 31, performing profiling operations. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Gregg County, weather permitting, Longview maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. Crews will also be patching potholes at various locations throughout the county. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

KILGORE — Kilgore College will host three regular elections May 6 for expiring board terms. Applications to run for the KC Board of Trustees will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 (excluding weekends). Forms for an application for a place on the ballot can be picked up at Suite 100 of the McLaurin Administration Building on the Kilgore campus. Click this link for more information.

LONGVIEW — Applications are now being accepted for new members on Longview city boards, commissions, and committees. Members advise the City Council on issues ranging from parks to community development. Residents are encouraged to apply online by Friday, April 14. Not all who apply will be appointed. Some restrictions apply. Applications are also available at City Hall. Click here for more information.

GLADEWATER — A small plane crashed near Gladewater Municipal Airport Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened near Carter Road and Highway 271, south of the airport. All four occupants of the plane were taken to the hospital. Officials said their injuries were non life-threatening.  The FAA will handle the  investigation.

TYLER — Former Tyler District Engineer, James “Bobby” Evans has died, according to TxDOT Tyler’s Facebook page. Evans was called the father of the internationally known Adopt-A-Highway program, which he helped start in Tyler, TxDOT said. Evans worked with TxDOT for 42 years.

BULLARD — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who allegedly invaded a home in Bullard on Saturday. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and our news partner KETK, Mark Anthony Correro, 50, of Houston, entered a residence unlawfully and claimed that the homeowner’s truck was his. The homeowner was able to force the man out and lock the door, officials said. The unnamed homeowner took a shotgun out of his home to go check on his truck when, according to officials, Correro began walking towards the homeowner and the homeowner’s fiancé. Continue reading Fatal home invasion under investigation

LONGVIEW — Longview City Attorney Jim Finley has announced plans to retire at the end of February after 23 years of service to the City of Longview and 34 years overall in municipal government, according to a city news release. He retires as the longest tenured City Attorney in Longview’s history, serving with five mayors, twenty-five council members, and numerous staff during that time.  Finley began his municipal career as an Assistant City Attorney in Wichita Falls in 1989. He later served as the City Attorney of Big Spring from 1996 to 1999. He was hired as Longview’s City Attorney in Longview in 2000. Continue reading City Attorney Jim Finley announces retirement

TYLER — Crews will continue working through this week to remove downed trees and limbs from roadways, right-of-ways, City parks and cemeteries affected by the ice storm that descended upon the City from Tuesday through Thursday. Oncor staff continues to work across Tyler to restore power. The storm caused significant property damage throughout the City. Damage assessments will continue as progress is made to return to normal operations. The Streets Department estimates about two weeks of cleanup remain, including property owners’ and homeowners’ disposing of their yard waste. Continue reading Recovery, storm clean up continues

SMITH COUNTY – A Tyler man was convicted on Friday in a fatal hit and run crash from 2021. According to our news partner KETK, A Smith County jury in the 114th District Court concluded that Juan Juarez, 24, was guilty of an accident involving death. On Jan. 23, 2021, Juarez drove his car with his two friends inside after they had drinks, authorities said. The vehicle reportedly went over a curb and crashed into two metal fences. The fence broke through the windshield and impaled Marco Antonio Lopez-Penado, who was a passenger in the back said Jacob Putman, the Smith County Criminal District Attorney. Authorities said Juarez walked away from the scene.

EAST TEXAS – Weather related power outages continue throughout the area. Several schools have cancelled classes Friday due to no electricity. No school for Brownsboro ISD and Cumberland Academy.

SMITH COUNTY – A man is wanted by Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Donovan Meynard Williams, 51, is one of several suspects involved in a “large multi-county organized criminal enterprise ring,” Smith County officials said. Williams resides in Precinct 4 of Smith County off of County Road 31 E. in Tyler and drives a red Chevrolet Colorado with the license plate number of LCN0550. He is known to run from police and is considered to have violent tendencies, according to Smith County officials. If you have any information about Williams’ whereabouts, please contact Lt. Josh Hill with the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at (903)-590-4885 or email at [email protected].

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Judge Neal Franklin issued a Disaster Declaration on Thursday for the county due to damage caused by the winter storm, the county announced. Across the county, trees and limbs have fallen causing damage to houses and buildings along with power outages. Residents whose property was affected should report them. “Smith County Road and Bridge employees have been working around the clock since Tuesday to clear downed trees and limbs on county roads,” the county said. To report downed trees in the roadway in Smith County outside of city limits, call the non-emergency dispatch at 903-566-6600.

WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Police Department is asking for public assistance in finding a truck involved in a hit and run in which a child sustained injuries. According to our news partner KETK, on Jan 30, at approximately 1:40 p.m., a white Chevrolet pickup truck turned right onto Taylor Drive and while turning, accelerated quickly and ended up hitting a wall at the Country Lane Apartments on Taylor Drive. The wall that the truck ran into had a child on the other side of it causing injury to the child. According to Winnsboro officials, the vehicle immediately reversed, left the scene, traveled north on Taylor Drive and then accelerated westbound down Coke Road.

EAST TEXAS — Power outages emerged front and center Wednesday afternoon as winter weather persisted in East Texas. Our news partner KETK reported counties throughout the area were affected. As of late afternoon, Smith County alone was reporting over 32,000 outages. Among other things, some traffic signals in Tyler were out of commission. Drivers were urged to exercise extreme caution in such situations — along with keeping continued hazardous road conditions in mind in some areas. Crews were working to restore power as soon as possible.

TYLER — Due to increased water production from the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant, geosmin levels may be more noticeable to Tyler Water Utilities consumers. Because of power outages in the area, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant has lost power, and the restoration time was unknown as of late Wednesday afternoon. Officials say all water production while Golden Road is down will be from the Lake Palestine WTP. Lake Palestine water has inherently high levels of geosmin due to the age of the lake and the amount of natural organic matter, which contributes to the production of geosmin. The water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards, according to officials. Click here for details and updates.