KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — DPS Troopers spent part of Monday working the scene of a fatal accident on Toll 49 in Smith County. According to Sgt. Jean Dark, the wreck took place north of the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, just south of County Road 46 on the toll highway. Traffic was diverted and motorists were urged to seek alternate routes. According to our news partner KETK, details are still forthcoming, but at least one person has died from the crash that took place just before 10:30 Monday morning.

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall will be re-opening almost all city facilities to full capacity on March 10. The city announced the move Monday, keeping in step with Governor Abbott revoking the mask mandate, which he announced last week. The exception to all public building opening in the city, is the Municipal Court, which is controlled by the Texas Supreme Court. Starting Wednesday, the water billing office, Memorial City Hall, Marshall Convention Center, Lions Community Center, and Smith Community Center will allow full capacity. Continue reading Marshall re-opening to 100% on Wednesday

TYLER — The city of Tyler announced a one-day-only book sale at the Tyler Public Library this Saturday. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Library says they will use proceeds to purchase replacement copies of materials, item repairs and other collection-related needs. Organizers say prices will range from 50 cents for paper-back books, to a box of items for $10.

QUITMAN — A Winnsboro man has been charged with continuous sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Aaron Campos-Narrango is in the Wood County Jail after the office obtained a warrant for his arrest. Campos-Narrango was arrested by deputies with assistance from the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Campos-Narrango is being held on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Immunizations are on the rise in Texas. This week the Department of State Health Services has announced 40,900 vaccines will be available in east Texas. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “This pandemic will end at some point and time. But, we want to stay vigilant for a while longer and make sure that we are through the pandemic. What we don’t want to see is this to ramp back up again, because it’s really not over.” Last week 18,000 doses were received. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which only requires one dose is now available. Education and child care personal have also been cleared to receive the vaccine as well.” Learn more here. Continue reading Vaccines on the increase

SMITH COUNTY — Prosecutors are seeking plans for an alternate jury selection site for the long-anticipated trial of William Davis, the former CHRISTUS nurse accused of murdering patients. According to our news partner KETK, in a brief five-minute hearing Monday morning, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said that with Harvey Hall being torn down later this summer, an alternate plan would be needed to summon the hundreds of potential jurors needed to pull from for a capital murder trial. He suggested that an alternative could be having multiple small sessions in the central courthouse jury room rather than one large pool. Continue reading Prosecutors seeking alternate site for jury selection in trial of nurse accused of murder

EAST TEXAS — Vaccines continue to roll out across the state of Texas with a new addition this week. According to our news partner KETK, starting this week, 40,900 COVID-19 vaccines will come to East Texas. Just last week, Texas only got 18,000 doses. Now, with the addition of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, that number has more than doubled. Though supplies are increasing, only those in 1A and 1B tiers are eligible. Because of a new federal directive, education and child care personnel are now eligible for the vaccine as well. Continue reading More vaccine headed to East Texas this week

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s office has issued a warning about a potential water scam. According to Sgt. Larry Christian, the department received a call from Dodd Hasting with Dean Water Supply reporting a couple, claiming to be with the water company, going door to door in the area of CR 1131 asking to test water from residential homes. Officials say the individuals do not represent Dean Water Supply. Residents are urged to call police if you encounter the individuals. Smith County Sheriff’s Office: (903) 566-6600.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Two people were hospitalized after a plane crash in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, around 2:00 Saturday afternoon, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were called to a single engine airplane crash in a field off FM 1990. The two people on board were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — The Glass Recreation Center will reopen Monday. The city of Tyler said Friday, in a prepared statement, “Needed repairs have been completed due to water damage from a broken pipe. The Center will reopen for normal business hours March 8.” The facility operation hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more here.

DALLAS — More than 4,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Texas. More than 1400 were reportedly from the power outages. The State Health Department though was quick to point out that the number of discarded doses is less than a tenth of a percent of the doesd shipped. It also says there are several reasons a vaccine might not be used, including broken vials and missed appointments. JPS Diamond Hill in Fort Worth tossed out the most of any provider in the state, 304 doses, all from the power outages. Clincas Mi Doctor in Houston wasted 230 doses, and UT Health Science Center in Tyler discarded 229.

QUITMAN — Quitman ISD mourned the life of one of their students Friday. The school extended condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Coy Gilbreath. Gilbreath was a second grader on the elementary campus. Wood County Deputies were dispatched to UT Health Center at 5:31 p.m. Thursday. The child had been driven by private vehicle to the hospital after an accident in Wood County. Coy Grant Gilbreath, of Quitman, was 7 years old.

TYLER — Authorities believe a ‘phony’ 911 call was an attempt to get a woman arrested. Deputies responded Friday morning, to a house in Lindale, after receiving a call that Amber Cook, 32, had been shot in the back by her boyfriend. In a prepared statement, Chief Deputy Larry Christian of Smith County Sheriffs Office said, “The caller reported the boyfriend ran away but the shooting victim was in a shed on the property. Upon entry of the shed, officers found Cook trying to hide in a clothes basket.” Authorities say Cook was wanted for a parole violation, and was found with meth, as well as a shotgun. She was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled substance, being a felon with a firearm and parole violation. Cook was placed in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Plaza Tower in downtown Tyler, was the site of a Friday press conference held by Governor Greg Abbott and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The governor addressed the bill will prohibit social media companies from censoring Texans based on their political opinions. “The United States of America was built on freedom of speech and healthy public debate.” Abbott said, “Big techs efforts to silence conservative viewpoints is un-American, un-Texan, unacceptable and pretty soon it is going to be against the law in the state of Texas.” To read the bill click here. Continue reading Gov. Abbott & Senator Hughes in Tyler speaking on bill to ‘prohibit social media censorship’

TYLER — Governor Abbot was in Tyler on Friday and said, “By the the end of the month, every senior that wants the vaccine will have had that opportunity.” NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “We would hope that’s the case. As we receive more supply and more pharmacies and hospitals are able to give the vaccine, we hope that that is achievable. Again it’s all going to be dependent on supply. It is a team sport. Dealing with the pandemic from the start has been a team sport. Everybody in the community exercising the behavior that we have been talking about a lot.” Governor Abbott was in the city to speak on behalf of Texas Senator Bryan Hughes bill that would prohibit social media censorship.

TYLER — A Longview man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his connection to an international child pornography investigation. According to a press brief, Charles Orange, 55, was convicted by a jury in September 2020 of possession of child pornography. The sentence was passed down Thursday by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. The court said Orange’s activities will be monitored for the rest of his life, after he gets out of prison. Orange was convicted of Indecency with a Child, in 2008, and was required to register as a sex offender.

TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Tyler on Friday to draw attention to the ongoing efforts of Sen. Bryan Hughes to limit the power of social media platforms to block viewpoints they don’t agree with. According to our news partner KETK, Hughes, R-Mineola, is the author Senate Bill 12 which would prohibit interactive platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from being able to “censor a user, a user’s expression, or a user’s ability to receive the expression of another person.” The bill would also allow Texans who felt they were censored to be able to take legal action. Abbott will join Hughes during a news conference set for noon Friday in the atrium of Plaza Tower, 110 N. College Ave. Continue reading Tyler news conference: Abbott, Hughes to promote legislation limiting social media platforms

TYLER — An East Texas woman now knows her fate, following sentencing for federal drug trafficking crimes. According to our news partner KETK, 51 year old Tyler resident Alexa Leigh Brown was sentenced Thursday to nearly six years prison. Last September, Brown pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, Brown sold more than 165 grams of the drug to a confidential informant over five occasions. Four months later, she was arrested after law officers executed a search warrant at her Tyler residence and seized meth and firearms. Brown is one of nine co-conspirators who were indicted by a federal grand jury.

CANTON, TX — A Van Zandt County resident has won a million dollars. According to our news partner KETK, a Canton resident won the prize playing a Texas Lottery scratch-off game purchased at the Twin Stop #3 on SH 243.  The winner did not want to be identified.  The Mad Money Multiplier scratch-0ff game offers more than $100 million in prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 2.98, including break even prizes.

TYLER — Winter storms forced Tyler ISD to cancel scheduled instructional days for over a week in February. On Thursday, TISD board workshop trustees approved the submission of a missed school days waiver to the Texas Education Agency for those six scheduled instructional days. According to the agenda for the workshop, the TEA made provisions for districts to request the waiver due to inclement weather, health, safety-related or other issues. Trustees passed the item, as posted.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman received a sentence of 30 years in prison as part of a plea deal Thursday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Ciara Channel Dison pleaded guilty to murder for the death of Martazia Hulbinand in January of 2018. The arrest warrant states the toddler’s head struck an unknown object, causing her death. The incident allegedly happened in Longview at the Longfellow Arms Apartments. Hulbinand was pronounced dead at a local hospital. According to the affidavit, Dison was Martazia’s godmother and often watched her, sometimes “for weeks at a time.”

TYLER — A former Lindale coach was sentenced to 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to being in an improper relationship with a high school student. According to our news partner KETK, Blake Lawson Maddox, 24, of Tyler, entered the guilty plea Thursday. Maddox accepted the offer in the 7th District Court. He was arrested in February of last year and indicted last September. According to evidence in the case, Maddox touched the victim inappropriately and sent explicit photos to her through social media. The victim’s family agreed to the probation punishment for Maddox. Continue reading Former Lindale coach accepts deal on improper relationship charge

TYLER — Texas teachers and childcare workers are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine after being added to the federal priority. As far as challenges to getting the inoculations, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB News, “Basically, just having times that we know the vaccines are coming has enabled us to do a better job of scheduling. We hope in the coming days that we will be able to work through our waiting list that we have and start immunizing more and more East Texans.” Only the Pfizer vaccine is being provided at the Harvey Convention Center for the remainder of the week through Saturday. Continue reading NET Health hopes to clear lists with better weather & more vaccines

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is now accepting applications for Mayor Andy Mack’s scholarship. Graduating seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill and Hallsville High Schools, that are residents of Longview are eligible to apply. According to the city, the award is a one-time 2,000 college scholarship. Mayor Mack annually provides the grant to local students who have shown an attitude of service to the community of Longview. One scholarship is awarded per high school to students for furthering their education. These funds, which total $8,000, are provided by Mayor Andy Mack and Councilwoman Kristen Ishihara, who use their annual council stipends. For more information, click here.

QUITMAN — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who fought with a deputy Thursday, in an early morning stop. Authorities say before the suspect could be arrested he attacked the deputy and got away. Deputies carried out an extensive search, however the man could not be found. The wrong doer faces several charges, including resisting arrest. If you know the identity of the man pictured, you are urged to contact authorities at 903-763-2201 or Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274) or by clicking here.

TYLER — The President and CEO of UT Health East Texas has resigned. According to our news partner KETK, Moody Chisholm stepped down Wednesday. During Chisholm’s tenure, three of the systems hospitals — UT Health Tyler, UT Health North Campus Tyler and UT Health North Jacksonville, received “A” ratings in the most recent Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Leaders say healthcare executive Donald Baker, will serve in the role of Market CEO on an interim basis. Baker is currently the health system’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Continue reading CEO of UT Health East Texas resigns

HENDERSON COUNTY — A suspect has been taken into custody after shooting at a Henderson County deputy early Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened in the Eustace area around 3 a.m. following an attempted traffic stop. The deputy was struck in the foot and leg. He was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment and released a short time later.  Jack Cody Raburn, 40, of Kemp, was eventually located on the roof of a house. He was said to be in possession of a handgun and shotgun. Raburn has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a felon and attempted capital murder. The Texas Rangers have taken over the investigation.

TYLER — The longest-serving pastor in the life of Green Acres Baptist Church will be retiring August 31. On Wednesday, Pastor David Dykes told KTBB News how his call to ministry began. “I did have a pretty dramatic call experience, like some of the people in the bible, like Gideon and Moses…in the sense that I was sitting in a service one night with a bunch of other teenagers and the preacher, who was maybe middle-age at the time said, ‘God called me to preach when I was 17 and I have been doing it ever since.’ I happened to be 17, and there was just a voice that was louder than an audible voice that said in my heart, David that’s what I want you to do.” Pastor Dykes has served at GABC since March of 1991 and has lead the church to over 17,000 members. Continue reading GABC pastor recalls his call to ministry as he prepares for transition into retirement

KILGORE — American Electric Power Foundation has announced a presentation to Kilgore College with a $190,000 grant in support of the East Texas Police Academy. The presentation will take place Friday at 2 p.m. at the ETPA Spear Training Facility. The AEP Foundation has pledged $190,000 to the ETPA as part of the two-year grant. The first $140,000 of the contribution has been received with an additional $50,000 gift planned for 2022. The money will be used to remodel the ETPA classroom building to better accommodate female cadet officers, expand the classroom facility and purchase new training vehicles. The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power and its utility operating units, including Southwestern Electric Power Co.