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TYLER — A Tyler woman self-confessed to writing more than 100 fraudulent checks to herself from the business where she was employed. According to our news partner KETK, Vicki Melhart falsified checks ammounting to over $40,000. Melhart, 39, wrote 107 checks between October 2, 2019 and April 4, 2020, while employed by Deerbrook Storage Unit. Police say the owner told them Melhart’s job had been renting units, paying various bills, and taking payments. She was dismissed once the owner realized she had been writing the checks and forging his or his son’s signature. In total, the checks added up to $40,125.35. Melhart is in the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Her first court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

TYLER — COCHON555 will have a different look in 2021. On Monday, last year’s winner, Owner and Executive Chef of Tyler’s Culture ETX, Lance McWhorter, told KTBB News, “So COCHON approached us, while COVID was still going on about doing this carryout with COCHON program. It’s kind of an interactive take-home dinner, where everything is included. It will include five different courses…the fun part of this is we will have a 45 minute zoom meeting. I will walk you through how I plate things, and different insights to different ingredients.” Organizers say the virtual and interactive feast will bring the essence of the event directly into participants’ homes. For Tickets and more information click here. Continue reading Cook with highly acclaimed Chef in virtual event

TYLER — Hope Haven of East Texas received a $7,500 grant from Girls Invested in Volunteer Efforts over the weekend. According to our news partner KETK, the gift will be used to expand the program’s Supervised Independent Living. The non-profit, Hope Haven, is geared toward providing housing to girls in need. GIVE is an initiative of the Women’s Fund of Smith County that began in 2014 and is patterned after the Women’s Fund model of collective giving, with the goal of fostering leadership and philanthropic values in high school aged girls. Hope Haven says, they can now expand the SIL program and offer a home to three young women who can no longer participate in the traditional foster care system yet still need care as they begin adulthood.

TYLER — Over 150,000 vaccines have been given in Smith County since they began last December. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB News how COVID-19 vaccines were able to be designed so quickly. “What I’ve read on that is they were able to isolate the virus in the lab pretty quickly and then they were able to start working on the trials for the vaccine Pfizer and Moderna developed is a pretty new type of technology. Roberts went on to say, “They can actually go in and if they find variants and things, they can go in and make tweeks to the formulation of the vaccine. So that is some things they are looking to doing as variants come in…They made it a priority to get this thing developed as quickly and safely as they possibly could.” First doses continue Wednesday at Harvey Convention Center, to sign up click here.

SMITH COUNTY — Early voting for the May 1 Election started Monday morning. Local races include elections for the City of Tyler, City of Hideaway; and Lindale, Bullard, Chapel Hill and Troup Independent School Districts. Early voting will take place at five polling places from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 19-23, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, April 26-27. Election Day will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at 15 polling places. Continue reading Early voting for May 1 election has begun

TYLER — A 13-year-old girl from Alabama was rescued from a home in Tyler around 5:00 Saturday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Dylan Skipworth, 19, Tyler, was charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault of a child, sex-trafficking of a child and resisting arrest. His bonds total to $560,000. Tyler police received information from the FBI that the girl might be at a location on Woods Boulevard. Police talked to Skipworth and found evidence that the girl could possibly be at the location. Continue reading Tyler man arrested for kidnapping after police rescue Alabama teen

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County grand jury indicted an Arlington man for his involvement in the Starrville Methodist Church shooting. According to our news partner KETK, Mytrez Deunte Woolen, 21, was reportedly evading Smith County Deputies and Department on Public Safety Troopers on Jan. 2. Officials said he hid in the Starrville church all night. Pastor Mark McWilliams, 62, found him before the Sunday service January 3, and was attempting to hold Woolen at gunpoint until law enforcement could arrive. Woolen and McWilliams struggled over the gun when the pastor was fatally shot. Continue reading Church shooting suspect indicted on capital murder charge

TYLER — The North Tenneha Church of Christ will continue hosting a first dose COVID-19 vaccine clinic this weekend. Health workers will administer the Pfizer vaccine, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the city of Tyler, the event began Friday. The church will also host the follow-up second dose of Pfizer vaccines from from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 7 and May 8. The clinic is open to anyone 16 years and older. You can get the vaccine without an appointment during the walk-in clinic. For those unable to come inside, a drive-through option is also available. The church is located on N. Tenneha Ave. in Tyler. For more information, call (903) 595-6442.

TYLER — A Wills Point man was sentenced Thursday to 97 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.   Computer equipment seized at the residence of James Joseph Veeser, 59, revealed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The videos and photos had been downloaded over a three year period between January of 2016 and January 2019. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, click here.

TYLER — Officials announced Friday, that potentials jurors in Gregg County will not need to appear on Monday. In a prepared statement, Gregg County District Clerk Trey Hattaway said, “One of the side effects of calling for a jury, whether is for a civil or criminal trial, is it provides incentive for both sides to see if an agreement or a plea is possible. As of today [Friday], all trials scheduled for next week have been resolved.” Officials say jury selection is scheduled to resume on April 26 at Maude Cobb Convention Center.

LONGVIEW — A man died Thursday, after he was hit by a vehicle on West Loop 281 in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police responded to the scene just before 4:00 a.m., and found George Stoker, 47, on the ground in front of a car. Stoker was taken to a local hospital where he later died due to the injuries sustained. The accident continues to be investigated by detectives, who have interviewed the parties involved. If you have information regarding this, police ask you to contact them at 903-237-1170. You can also reach out to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online by clicking here.

EAST TEXAS — In Smith County well over 150,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been given between multiple health entities in Tyler. So how long until people can do away with wearing a mask? The Northeast Texas Public Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB, “There’s a lot of questions right now about, ok, when can I stop wearing a mask, when can I stop social distancing, when can things get back to normal? The thing is quite frankly right now that is all under advisement. The CDC is looking at that right now. We have just been giving the vaccine for four months now.” Continue reading Roberts: ‘There is a strong light at the end of the tunnel’

TYLER — Tyler ISD will host their annual Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Tyler Legacy High School. Jennifer Hines told KTBB Friday, “Candidates will need to register and upload their information ahead of time. Once registration is complete, the candidate will receive a QR code to keep on their phone or print off. And that way when you’re at the job fair you can go around to all of the different campuses at the job fair and all they will have to do is scan your QR code and all of your information is right there.” Computers will be accessible at the event for those who need assistance with the registration process. Or to register now click here. Continue reading Tyler ISD hosts annual ‘Teachers Job Fair’ on Saturday

AUSTIN — House Bill 1927, constitutional-carry handgun legislation, has now been officially passed by the Texas House of Representatives on a vote of 87-58. The controversial bill is now headed for further debate in the state Senate. House Speaker Dade Phelan made the final vote on third reading official. Tyler State Representative Matt Schaefer’s bill would allow for the carrying of a handgun without a permit.  According to Schaefer, “This says that a person who is legally able to possess a handgun would now be able to carry that handgun in a public place.”  Democrats unsuccessfully argued the bill would make Texans less safe.  State Representative Ana-Maria Ramos said, “There is no proficiency test, no safety training, or anything before carrying a handgun in public.”

TYLER — A Whitehouse man entered a guilty plea to two counts of murder Thursday. The Smith Criminal County District Attorney’s office said that Harvey Martin, 55, agreed to both counts of murder in the first degree. The agreement was reached after discussion with the victim’s families, law enforcement, and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Martin will serve two life sentences to run concurrently, having no eligibility for Parole for at least 30 years. In December of 2018, Martin brutally shot and killed Caleb McGrady and Krista Newman. Martin, then drove to the police station and surrendered to detectives.

TYLER — Organizers of Chick-Fil-A’s 2021 annual soup drive, announced Thursday, the event raised more than 3,800 bowls of soup and over 400 cookies to be given to the Salvation Army. According to our news partner KETK, for each bowl of soup or cookie purchased, a bowl and a cookie were donated. Joshua Johnson, who owns franchises in Lindale and North Tyler, said the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll, “We are very big on safe service and so one of the things that we’ve seen at our stores or had to make the decision to do was close down dining rooms, so that has impacted the amount of cookies and soups were able to sell.” Chick-Fil-A raised record numbers in 2020 with almost 6,000 bowls of soup.

TYLER — The National Alliance on Mental Illness Tyler is planning an event to raise awareness. On Thursday Elizabeth White told KTBB News, “It’s May 11, at Hollytree County Club from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $40 and that includes lunch. We are here to provide support for those living with mental illness, their family and friends.” White continued, “NAMI Tyler has been in existence for quite some time. It just has kind of awakened and people are getting more involved…I’ve been involved for only three years, and I’ve watched it grow considerably.” NAMI was established nationally in 1979. Read more here.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man was sentenced to six years in federal prison Wednesday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of East Texas, Asa Harbarger, 57, peaded guilty to possessing a pipe bomb last November. Information in court, revealed Harbarger was working on a disabled vehicle and was approached by a Texas state trooper. The trooper learned the vehicle was stolen. Federal prosecutors say Harbarger did not have I.D. and gave a false name. Harbarger was arrested with outstanding warrants, then a pipe bomb was found inside the vehicle. An ATF inspection found the pipe bomb was capable of causing death or injury.

TYLER — On February 27, Johnson and Johnson received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Earlier this week, the U.S. put a pause on using the one dose COVID vaccine. NET Health’s George Roberts spoke with KTBB News about why, “It was enough of a concern to really do a pause and let them evaluate the data and see. Obviously, all of these vaccines had pretty significant clinical trials before they were deemed to be safe for they were released to the public. The information that I have is that neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccines had seen this type of blood clot.” Continue reading NET Health on why the pause of the J & J vaccine was needed

PALESTINE — An East Texas man was arrested on multiple warrants. The city of Palestine said Thursday that Ladarrion Davidson, 23, of Palestine, had caused a disturbance at an apartment complex, then assaulted officers while being arrested. Officers determined that Davidson had six active warrants.Upon removing Davidson from a car, authorities say he was hiding in, Davidson assaulted some of the officer, then caused damage inside the police vehicle he was placed in. Reports state Davidson continued to be combative once arriving at the Anderson County jail, and threatening to kill officers and jail staff. Davidson’s bonds total is $300,000.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a temporary right-of-way agreement with Don Juan on the Square for a long-term outdoor seating area. On Thursday, Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB News, “Last year we were in the middle of a pandemic and there were a lot of capacity restrictions and they wanted a different way to be able to still have people and still serve the community, but still be safe. The best way we found to do that, was to allow them to have a temporary space outside with tables and kind of like an outside seating area.” Continue reading Don Juans approved for long-term outdoor seating area

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Jacksonville man died after being hit by a car early Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Bradley Thomas Price, 64, was walking in the area of South Jackson Street and HWY 69 when he was hit by a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Randy McDaniel, a Jacksonville resident. Price was taken to UT Health Emergency Room in Jacksonville before being flown to UT Health in Tyler. Price died from his injuries on Wednesday, April 14. Surveillance from a nearby business shows that he was walking in the road when he was hit, according to police. An investigation revealed that McDaniel was not impaired at the time of the crash and was not injured. No charges will be filed against him.

TYLER — Tyler ISD announced that kindergarten registration starts Thursday. Research continues to show children in kindergarten classes tend to have better cognitive skills, higher IQs, improved social interactions, and more love for learning. Parents and guardians of the future class of 2034 can learn more about kindergarten in TISD by clicking here. Openings are also available in Head Start, regular Pre-K, and tuition-based Pre-K programs. More information is available for those programs by clicking here.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for help from the public after a hit-n-run occurred Wednesday. The KPD says a blue four-door car, which looks like a Chevrolet, ran a red light at the corner of Highway 135 and Gladewater Street, then fled after being involved in an accident. Authorities say the auto was driven by an unknown black male, last seen heading east on Highway 31 from the exit ramp of State Highway 135. Officials could not make out the plates on the photo, but made numerous attempts to discover the characters, but nothing came back. Police ask if you have information to call (903) 218-6904 or email Detective Phillips, [email protected].

TYLER — Smith County will soon, once again allow in-person visits to inmates inside the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, in-house visits stopped during the pandemic, but that’s expected to change April 21. Visitation sign-up begins that morning at 11 a.m. at the North Jail, with up to six people allowed in the building at a time. Once people are registered, a visit of up to 20-minutes will be held once an hour. Visitation is a first-come-first-serve basis and visitors will be turned away once full. The entire visitation area will be cleaned and sanitized after each visit.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council took unanimous action Wednesday voting to approve a construction contract of $1,297,694.50 in a Wednesday coucil meeting. This project will reconstruct Melinda Lane and Donna Drive south of West Elm Street where existing roadways have failures to curbs, as well as pavement. New underdrains will be installed to eliminate water from saturating beneath the pavement. The project also includes replacing about 2000 linear feet of water mains and installing new fire hydrants. Construction is expected to begin in June with the projected completion in March 2022. The project is funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Program. Read more here.

TYLER — The city of Tyler will soon learn more about city drainage issues affecting Black Fork Creek. According to press release, Halff Associates, was awarded the contract Wednesday. The plan is to deal with environmental issues, to study drainage of Black Fork Creek at Gentry Parkway and the headwaters of Willow Creek. The focus will be on the area along Palace Avenue between Erwin Street and Noonday Road. The Black Fork Creek study will investigate drainage along Gentry Parkway and the bridge at Black Fork Creek, according to the city. Read more here.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank has scheduled a produce distribution event this Friday. The drive-thru affair is scheduled for Friday morning 10 a.m. to noon at Lindsey Park. As with past distributions, the events are open to anyone, organizers say that eligibility or paperwork requirements are not required. However, walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note will need to be provided. On average 1,200 families participate at each distribution. The next scheduled give-a-way in Tyler is April 24, at Green Acres Baptist Church.

TYLER — Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were scheduled to meet Wednesday regarding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. NET Health’s George Roberts talked to KTBB News about blood clot cases among people who received the Covid-19 vaccine. “The CDC and FDA are actually reviewing data right now. There were six cases out of 6.8 million that had a rare type of blood clot after getting the J&J vaccine.” Continue reading NET Health responds to J&J vaccinations