KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — There’s more good news from the state comptroller’s office on sales tax allocations for Tyler and Longview. For the month of August, Tyler gets $5,161,863.71, up 15.33 per cent from a year ago. Longview receives $3,843,298.05, a jump of 16.05 per cent from this time last year. Year-to-date figures are also positive, with Tyler up 15.15 per cent and Longview’s figure increasing by 13.93 per cent.

RUSK COUNTY – No injuries were reported, but one person has been arrested following a Rusk County school bus crash. DPS says troopers responded around 6:49 Wednesday morning to CR-414 half a mile south of US-79, south of Henderson. The investigator’s preliminary report indicates the driver of the school bus was traveling north on CR-414 approaching a private drive. The driver of a second vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler, was stopped on a private drive, pulled out of the drive, and struck the right side of the school bus. The Jeep driver was arrested for no driver’s license, failure to yield right of way – private drive, and failure to report a non-injury accident at once to proper authorities. The investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Tyler Transit will host three public meetings regarding the changes of its fixed route bus system as recommended by the 2020 Tyler Transit Route Study. Officials say the public is invited to attend the meetings and learn how Tyler Transit is changing its fixed route structure, including routes, stops, and schedules. The meetings will be held at the following times and locations: Wednesday, Aug. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Tyler Public Library Taylor Auditorium; Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Glass Recreation Center Multi-Purpose Room; and Saturday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Tyler Junior College Robert M. Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Building, Room 131.

BULLARD – The Bullard Independent School District welcomes students back to school on August 18 and has released its Return to School Plan for in-school learning. According to a news release, the plan continues to follow recommendations for school opening and operations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Texas Education Agency, and state and local health officials. Last April, school trustees approved lifting the district’s masking requirement to make masking optional for all students and staff. This year’s protocols keep masking optional yet recommended. Additionally, quarantining is only required when individuals are symptomatic. You can go here for more information. Further details are provided at this link and on this web page.

TYLER — It was a very busy Wednesday for the Tyler City Council. The Council voted to have the city examine traffic crash history on Grande Boulevard between Gleneagles Drive and Shady Oaks Drive, an area with a history of multiple traffic accidents. In another item, the Council agreed to development of a 30-year vision and master plan for wastewater treatment plants. According to a news release, the master plan will provide “a comprehensive review and evaluation of both the Southside and Westside Wastewater Treatment Plants.” Continue reading Council acts on several items at Wednesday meeting

TYLER — Texas College will host a public COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Wednesday, August 11, from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. The College will be collaborating with the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health), The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) GOOD HEALTH WINs initiative, as well as Dr. Shirley McKellar, City of Tyler Mayor Pro Tem and District 3-Northwest Councilmember. The clinic will be open to the public, and no appointment will be necessary to receive the vaccine. Continue reading Texas College to host COVID-19 vaccine clinic Wednesday

MARSHALL — A Marshall man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping his ex-girlfriend from her home. According to our news partner KETK, On Aug. 6, around 11:20 p.m., authorities were alerted of a crash on Victory Drive. Responding officers found a man chasing a woman around the vehicle. The woman reportedly told officers she had been kidnapped. According to the police release, when the man began driving, the victim was able to grab the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to go off the road and crash. Erick Arellano Lozada, 21, of Marshall, was arrested and taken to the Harrison County Jail on Aug. 7. He’s been charged with aggravated kidnapping, abandon/endanger child criminal negligence, assault causing bodily injury family violence and driving while intoxicated.

AUSTIN – Several abortion groups named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Smith County District Judge Reeve Jackson and several others filed a motion over the weekend to halt enforcement of the “heartbeat law.” That’s according to our news partner KETK. The law, authored by East Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes, is set to go into effect Sept. 1 and is seen as one of the most restrictive abortion measures in the nation. The motion filed by the pro-choice groups asks the judge to issue an order that would keep the law from taking effect in September until a final ruling has been issued. It also asks that the law be found unconstitutional and taken off the books. The lawsuit, which seeks to strike down the law, was filed last week. Jackson has moved that the suit be dismissed.

TYLER — After holding several community meetings to gather resident input throughout the summer, the Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to call a bond election in November for Phase 2 of the Smith County Road and Bridge Capital Improvement Project. The bond to do Phase 1 work was approved in November 2017, by 73 percent of the voters. At the end of the first phase, more than 250 miles of road will be completely reconstructed and/or repaved, according to a news release. In another move, the court voted to maintain its current tax rate of 33.5 cents per $100 valuation for the upcoming fiscal year. County Judge Nathaniel Moran says it’s about “maintaining a low tax rate while providing excellent service.” For more details on these items, click here and then click the “News” tab toward the bottom of the page.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is continuing to caution drivers about sealcoat and asphalt overlay work on some local streets. In one project, Missouri Petroleum will be doing pavement sealing through Aug. 13 in the neighborhood near Southside Park including South Donnybrook Avenue, Atlanta Avenue, Knoxville Drive, Vicksburg Drive, Savannah Drive and Mobile Drive. Drivers can expect major traffic delays, lane and road closures, and delays at intersections. Signs and flaggers will be present. Parking on South Donnybrook Avenue will be closed. Residents could be delayed getting in or out of driveways and onto other streets in the area until the paving material has cured. Continue reading Traffic reminders continue due to sealcoat, asphalt overlay work

EAST TEXAS (AP) – With the price of chicken soaring, the third-largest poultry producer in the U.S. is being bought for $4.53 billion. Cargill and privately held Continental Grain formed a joint venture to acquire Sanderson Farms. They will pay $203 per share in cash for a company that last year processed more than 4.8 billion pounds of meat. Restaurant chains have begun to offer their own variations of fried chicken sandwiches, further heightening demand for poultry. Continue reading With chicken prices soaring, Sanderson Farms sold for $4.5B

LONGVIEW — Industrial Blvd. at the railroad tracks in Longview will be closed from 10 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday for railroad track maintenance. If you have any questions related to construction, call City Engineer Alton Bradley at 903-237-1067.

TYLER — A variety of local leaders team up for a Tyler news conference on what’s termed the “substantial spread” of COVID-19 in recent weeks. The conference was livestreamed by our news partner KETK. One key point: a continued call for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Speakers also pointed out the surge in COVID patients going to the hospital. NET Health CEO George Roberts noted that about 95 per cent of them have not been vaccinated — and he listed a number of locations where you can get your COVID shot. You can get more information through the link in “Coronovirus update,” the accompanying story on this web page. Continue reading Local leaders team up to address COVID-19 resurgence

TYLER — Republican gubernatorial candidate and former state Senator Don Huffines comes down hard on Governor Abbott during a campaign swing through East Texas. He told KTBB, “I, like most Republican primary voters — we’re just tired of being lied to, tired of broken and empty promises…by our Republican leadership, particularly…our governor.” Huffines says among other things, the border is not secure, property taxes are not going down, and people don’t have confidence in elections. Huffines says he’ll win because he has the answers to those problems. Continue reading Gubernatorial hopeful Huffines visits East Texas

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a shooting around 8:50 Sunday evening at South Fleishel Avenue and East Elm Street. Police say the 14-year-old male victim is in stable condition at a local hospital. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tyler Police non-emergency number, (903) 531-1000, or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at (903) 597-2833.

TYLER – The investigation continues in an early Sunday morning shooting in northern Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Deputies arrived at the 100 block of Dobbs Terrace, and found 20-year-old Edgar Rios Villanueva with several gunshot wounds to his chest. He went to the hospital and is now listed in stable condition. Deputies are still searching for the suspected shooter, Nonaciano Carreno Hernandez, 43, of Tyler. Hernandez is now under an arrest warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bond set at $400,000. If you have any information, call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

TYLER — Tyler’s Rose Garden Center will be closed Monday, Aug. 16, through Thursday, Aug. 19, to replace a water main at the Rose Complex construction site. The Rose Garden will still be open on those days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The West Houston Street gate will be the only point of entrance. For questions regarding the temporary closure, contact Lisa Wells at (903) 531-1212 or [email protected].

LONGVIEW – Officials arrest a man in connection with an early Saturday morning fire that damaged two businesses and injured three Longview firefighters. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Fire Marshall Kevin May, said the fire is being investigated as an “intentionally set fire”. May also added that injuries to the firefighters are minor.

LUFKIN – Four murder warrants were issued Friday in Lufkin in connection to the April shooting death of Christopher “Lil Chris” Rogers on April 27th. According to our news partner KETK, Lufkin Police said they have an outstanding warrant. 19 year old Ta’Zyion “Dada” Douglas of Nacogdoches is at large and considered a flight risk. He is a black man is 5’6” and weighs 180 pounds. Authorities ask that if you know the whereabouts of Douglas to please contact them.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Public Library will be closed beginning Monday, August 9, to allow repairs to the building’s air conditioning system. The building will remain closed until the maintenance work can be completed, which officials say could take two weeks or more. During the building closure, library staff are working to continue to provide some services and programming to patrons. Curbside library services will be available for drive-thru reservations at the rear of the Library. Click here for more details.

TYLER — Crown Construction will be working to repair utility cuts in Tyler’s brick streets through Oct. 22. Motorists can expect to see minor traffic delays and lane closures. Officials say workers will notify residents as they move from site to site. Residents and business owners should talk to workers if they need to pass by or get in or out of driveways, according to a news release. Drivers are reminded to obey all traffic signs and slow down in and around the construction zone. Click here for a more detailed look at the project.

TYLER — Tyler Police have obtained an arrest warrant on Jason Rhodes Jr., 20, of Tyler for capital murder in a June 30 incident. His bond is set at $1,000,000, and he remains at large. Two other suspects, also from Tyler, have already been arrested in the Galveston County city of Dickinson. The case involves the shooting death of 17-year-old Jesse McNeely of Tyler. Police say there was an altercation outside a home on Omega Drive when McNeely was shot. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or CrimeStoppers at 903-597-CUFF (2833).

LONGVIEW – A Spring Hill ISD band director died Thursday night after a reported battle with COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, a post was made on a Facebook page announcing the death of 25-year-old Ryan Burns. Students were told about it Thursday night at band camp. Spring Hill High School Fine Arts Director Michael Moody, who created the post, said Burns was “very intelligent, dedicated and loved teaching at Spring Hill!” Counselors, parents, and other band directors have been made available for students to help them grieve. Moody says and camp will continue “as normal as possible.”

LONGVIEW — Beginning at 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 9, Longview’s Fairmont Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic, westbound only. Officials say the closure is needed to facilitate the reconstruction of Fairmont Street. One-way westbound traffic is anticipated to continue for one year. The work is part of the Fairmont Street Reconstruction project, Toler Road to H.G. Mosley Parkway. Additional detours will be needed when full-lane road closures are required. Full lane closure will be limited to daytime hours, typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The contractor will maintain access for local traffic throughout construction, according to a news release. If you have any questions related to construction please call the city Project Manager Bob Watson at 903-239-5504.

TYLER — Major road construction on Hollytree Drive from Rice Road to Wimbledon Drive in Tyler began Monday, Aug. 9, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 11, weather permitting. Officials say southbound traffic on Hollytree will be closed first, while the northbound lane remains open. At the beginning of the project, there will be no access to Hollytree Drive from Rice Road. Residents in the apartments will have access to their driveways and the complex. Motorists will need to use Plantation Drive to access Spring Branch Drive, West Rieck Road, River Bend Drive, Parkview Drive, and Wimbledon Drive. Major delays, lane closures, road closures, one-way traffic, and delays in getting to driveways and other streets in the area can be expected. Drivers are reminded to obey all traffic signs, flaggers, and detours — and slow down in and around the construction zone.

NACOGDOCHES — Two teenagers were shot while sitting in their car at a Nacogdoches apartment complex early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches Police media relations officer Brett Ayres released a statement saying officers responded to the Orton Hill Apartments around 1:45 a.m. The shooters fled the scene before officers arrived. The two teens were taken to a Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Identities have not been released. Police are still combing through the scene for evidence and will release more information as it becomes available.

TYLER — 114th District Judge Reeve Jackson has filed a motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit against him over the “heartbeat bill” that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law earlier this year. According to our news partner KETK, Jackson was named at the top of a lawsuit by abortion groups that seeks to strike down a law that restricts nearly all abortions in Texas after six weeks. The law was authored by State Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola. Hughes continues his strong defense of the law, also voicing support for Jackson — who, for his part, has deemed the lawsuit “frivolous.”

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding another mega drive-thru produce distribution Friday in Tyler from 10 a.m. to noon at Lindsey Park. As with past distributions, the events are open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. These are drive-thru distributions and walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note must be provided. As the pandemic resurgence continues, food bank staffers say they are still seeing an increased need for food assistance. Continue reading Drive-thru food distribution Friday in Tyler

TYLER — The Tyler Animal Shelter is undergoing a beautification project to add murals inside the facility and is searching for sponsors and donors. According to a news release, five local artists were selected to paint different areas throughout, including inside the animal meeting rooms in hopes of supporting adoptions. There will be a come-and-go event on Aug. 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. to look at the new murals as many of the artists wrap up their projects, as well as meet the available cats, dogs, and other pets. Money collected from donors and sponsors will go to expenses for the artists and the event. Sponsors will have their name or logo displayed in the Shelter with or nearby the murals. Those interested in becoming a sponsor or donor can reach out to Payton Weidman at (903) 343-3662 or [email protected].