KTBB News, Weather, Talk

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety released a report Monday following an accident that killed a four year old and left two hospitalized. DPS says the one vehicle crash took place late Saturday night on I-20, five miles west of Van. The accident killed the young boy, and Guadalupe Bahena, 22, of Tyler and Hector Brito Hernandez, 23, of Tyler were flown to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. The crash occurred after Guadalupe ran off the roadway, over-corrected and the vehicle went into a side skid and overturn several times. The three were not wearing seat-belts and were ejected.

TYLER — The Tyler Trees Committee announced over 2,000 tree seedlings will be handed out a week from Saturday. The city said Monday, the giveaway event will be Feb. 20, starting at 9 a.m. at the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances South Tyler location, on S. Broadway Ave. Seedlings will be passed out on a first-come, first-served basis. The initiative is sponsored by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Arbor Gen and the Texas A&M Forestry Service. For more information click here.

TYLER — This week nearly 15,000 doses, to fight the coronavirus, are being sent to East Texas vaccination hubs. However, NET Health’s Terrance Ates tells KTBB patience is a virtue, “With a traditional model you want supply to meet demand, but supply is far less than community demand is.” Longview and Tyler continue as vaccine hubs for the week of Feb. 8, while Kilgore, Canton and Jacksonville have been added to the list of providers this week as well. The Department of State Health Services is anticipating shots being available to the general public this spring, however, that is dependent on vaccine supply. Continue reading More vaccines heading to the area

TYLER — The Tyler City Council will meet in regular session Wednesday. Council meetings are open to the public, citizens wanting to make public comment on agenda items can do so electronically, in-person or over the phone by calling (903) 363-0651. Electronic forms must be submitted by 7 a.m. on the date of the Council Meetings. To go to the public form click here. For more information, call (903) 531-1100. A maximum capacity of 36 people will be allowed in the City Council Chamber, of which 22 will be reserved for general members of the public not including the media.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was found dead early Sunday morning, according to a release from local police. At 2:19 a.m., officers responded to reports of gunshots on North Eastman Road, just off Hwy. 259. According to our news partner KETK, when they arrived on the scene, they found 27-year-old Rashad McCray already dead. It was not immediately clear if the police had any suspects or persons of interest in the case. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview police or Gregg County Crime Stoppers.

BOISE, Idaho — A Tyler ISD graduate was one of three Idaho National Guard soldiers who were killed in a helicopter crash near Boise, Idaho, February 2. According to our news partner KETK, Jesse Anderson, 43, of Boise attended Robert E. Lee High School, now Tyler Legacy, in 1996. In Boise, Anderson was a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was also senior instructor pilot and had served in the Idaho Army National Guard since 2008. Anderson had a wife and four children.

TYLER — Tyler residents and visitors now have one less Tex-Mex restaurant to enjoy — at least for now. Manny’s Tex-Mex Cafe on South Beckham shut down over the weekend. According to a Facebook post, the eatery’s ownership cites “mounting debt, taxes and COVID struggles.” The post continues, “By the Grace of our Lord, we’re going to reorganize and reopen under new ownership in a few weeks. We appreciate your wonderful support all these years and especially your friendship. Together with you in prayer and unity with our Lord, not only will we survive, WE WILL THRIVE!”

TYLER – The contractor plans to continue paving operations this coming week on the US 69 construction project at FM 346 in southern Smith County. It involves building a new US 69 bridge over FM 346. Planned work includes lane closures that will affect traffic, causing delays. According to TxDOT, motorists should allow extra time to reach their destinations. The plan is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen issues. Continue reading Traffic alert for US 69 at FM 346 project

ATLANTA, Ga. — Lindale’s own Miranda Lambert says she and her husband were involved in a minor hit and run on I-20 in Atlanta, Georgia, this past Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the country music star said the two were driving to Nashville when a small car with temporary plates, driving “erratically,” tried to “squeeze” between them and a semi truck going around 70 miles per hour. Lambert said the car hit the airstream and sent them into the left lane. “We fishtailed pretty good but got on the shoulder as quickly as possible to assess the damage,” Lambert said. Nobody was hurt, but nobody stopped either and the car sped away, according to Lambert. “Thank the good Lord,” she said. “We are so thankful that nothing worse happened.” Lambert said the couple’s vehicle and trailer were still driveable so they were able to drive it home.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Henderson County sheriff’s deputies – with the assistance of area law officers – raided a trailer home south of Chandler Friday and rescued 67 dogs, charging the owner with animal cruelty. That’s according to a news release from Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, who said law enforcement has “been on this case for the past couple of weeks.” Barbara Ann Ramsey, 65, was arrested; she lived at the home on Deer Run Road. Hillhouse says the dogs were living in feces and urine and generally unsanitary conditions inside the trailer house. Continue reading Sheriff: dog rescue raid saves 67, suspect charged

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert issued a statement Friday on the accusation he broke the new House Rule on metal detectors. Gohmert says, “This should come as no surprise, but Democrats are making up the rules as they go. For weeks, I have complied with Speaker Pelosi’s unconstitutional metal detector policy.

“Yesterday, after complying with the metal detector screening, I was allowed to enter the House session where debate was occurring. Knowing that I would soon be giving a speech, I stepped off the House floor to use the restroom right beside the Speaker’s lobby as I have done many times since the metal detectors have been installed.” Continue reading Gohmert issues statement on fine and metal detector

PALESTINE — Six stolen vehicles were discovered by Palestine police after a high-speed chase. According to police, Frank Potts, 45, was arrested after the incident late Thursday night. A vehicle that had been reported stolen from Jacksonville earlier in the day, was discovered at a convenience store. A pursuit began on Highway 84, with speeds reaching in excess of 100 m.p.h. Law enforcement continued to chase the vehicle on FM 1137, and they arrived at a residence on FM 1137. Potts of Palestine, eventually got out of his car and ran away into a wooded area. He was captured by officers. Police obtained a search warrant and found the stolen vehicles on Pott’s property.

TYLER — A medical school is one step closer to becoming a reality in East Texas. UT Health Science Center at Tyler, which is an instructional site of UT Tyler, said Friday, that the Liaison Committee on Medical Education classified UTHSC as an “applicant” school for LCME accreditation. This body, is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for medical education programs that led to Doctor of Medicine degrees in the U.S. and Canada. The LCME accreditation, is the avenue that institutions become eligible for federal grants and programs. Continue reading One step closer to an East Texas medical school

TYLER — Good news from local health officials heading into Super Bowl Weekend. Piney Woods Trauma Service Area G, which makes up 19 counties including Smith and Gregg County, are no longer in an area with high hospitalization due to COVID-19 numbers. Hospital capacity fell below 15% on January 29, and has maintained below the threshold for 7 consecutive days, which means that now businesses can now increase capacity to 75%. Health care workers are still urging people to follow social distancing protocol to help limit a risk of a surge in TSA-G. Find out how to slow the spread by clicking here.

WHITEHOUSE — A specialty tea has made its return to Daily Fix Nutrition in Whitehouse. The arrowhead energy tea is a brew, made in honor of hometown hero Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. According to our news partner KETK, yellow fades into orange which fades into red in this ombre tea, with Daily Fix Nutrition’s signature sticker on the side of it. Ombre is the French word for “color that is shaded or graduated in tone.” The color-changing, liquid horsepower, made its first arrival last year in conjunction with Patrick’s first Super Bowl against San Francisco, which the Chiefs won, 31-20.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Justice of the Peace suffered a heart attack Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Tim Bryan, is being treated in Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center. County Judge Bill Stoudt confirmed Bryan is in intensive care. Bryan serves as judge in Precinct 2. In a post on social media, Gregg County District Attorney Tom Watson, urged residents to partner their faith and spirituality. “Our great Judge Tim Bryan needs our prayers immediately. All prayer warriors please go to work and pray for Judge Bryan’s healing.” Judge Bryan was presented a pin for 20 years of service in Gregg County, earlier this month.

LONGVIEW — A Laneville man was arrested on murder charges Thursday night in Gregg County. According to our news partner KETK, John Houston Brown, 39, was placed in the Gregg County Jail shortly after 11 p.m. It is unclear as of this writing what case this may relate to, but records indicate the incident took place January 11. Longview police and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office were not involved in Brown’s arrest, since it was an “Out of County agency.” An indictment was handed up, one day after the alleged murder took place.

LONGVIEW — A shot police officer’s assailant , pleaded guilty, Thursday, to attempted capital murder charges. Randy Carl Jeffrey, 34, of Mount Pleasant, admitted he shot a Longview officer, William Smeltzer, several times, just before Christmas Eve in 2018. Officer Smeltzer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and returned fire in pursuit of Jeffrey, who was hit, and jailed after being treated. Per standard procedure, the Texas Rangers investigated the incident and cleared Officer Smeltzer, of any wrongdoing. Likewise, a grand jury unanimously found Smeltzer’s use of force appropriate and warranted.

WHITEHOUSE — The East Texas town of Whitehouse is celebrating native son Patrick Mahomes, as he gets ready for his second super bowl on Sunday. James Wansley is the mayor of Whitehouse. “There’s a hashtag group, #PatWhereYouAt, that’s going around on facebook in the same spirit as Elf on the Shelf. We have a life-size cardboard cut out of Patrick Mahomes that’s been making its way around the city. You never know where he’s going to show up.” Mahomes is a 2014 graduate of Whitehouse High School and still has a lot of family in the area. The mayor, also proclaimed Sunday as “Patrick Mahomes Day.”

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System has added 3,500 new appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination after a scheduled replenishing of vaccine supply by the State. The health system said Friday, the vaccinations will take place at the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Vaccination Hub site in Longview. The appointments are being made for March 14, and organizers say, are now available to be scheduled. The vaccinations are occurring by appointment only – walk-in and wait list appointments will not be available. To make an appointment click here, or call the dedicated phone line: (877) 335-5746.

PALESTINE — Police in Palestine have arrested three individuals after the execution of a search warrant. The department said the probe took place at the Motel 6 on E. Palestine Ave. Fred Williams, 34 Palestine, was arrested after he was located on the premise with active warrants. Oscar Oliver, 40, Palestine, was also arrested for multiple felony warrants out of Harris and Anderson Counties. Officers also located Shanethia Hollis, 38, inside the room. Continue reading Palestine police arrest three after narcotics investigation

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department announced their recognition in receiving the the highest Public Protection Classification rating Thursday. Tyler Fire Chief David Coble said, “This PPC rating puts us up in the top one percent of the country of fire service organizations. There are that few of people that have achieved the class one rating. We are also the first in northeast Texas to achieve this class. Once, you leave the metroplex, there is no other organization, going all the way to Louisiana, that has achieved a class 1 ISO rating other tha Tyler Fire Department.” The PPC rating of 1/1X comes following the 2020 assessment. To read the full release click here. Continue reading Tyler Fire receives highest PPC rating

LONGVIEW — The Great Texas Balloon Race has been modified for 2021. The GTBR said Thursday, that hot air balloons will soar over the skies this summer, June 18-20 at the East Texas Regional Airport in Longview, however public events have been eliminated. The 2021 Chairperson for the event, Michelle Ford, said there will be no balloon glows, special shaped tethers, musical entertainment or traditional festival activities. Sixty balloons are expected to fill the sky over the city of Longview. The GTBR has been in operation since 1978 and claims to have the longest standing tradition in Longview. Organizers anticpate a fully scheduled event in 2022.

TYLER — Jury trials have resumed after being stopped almost a year ago due to the pandemic. Smith County said Thursday, those who receive a jury summons are required to reply to the Smith County Courthouse. The Texas Supreme Court and Local Health Authority Dr. Paul MCGaha granted permission to resume cases. The District Judges and County Court-at-Law Judges have implemented safety measures to ensure the health and safety of Smith County residents coming to the Courthouse for jury duty. For more information click here.

TYLER — The numbers of coronavirus vaccinations continue to climb. Harvey Hall Convention Center in Tyler remains a busy hub for Smith County. NET Health’s Terrance Ates tells KTBB, “I don’t have the exact number but, we’ve done at least 6,500 doses since we first started in December.” The Texas Health and Human Services latest numbers show 39, 077 have had at least one dose of the vaccine in Smith, Gregg and surrounding counties in the KTBB listening area. To search local county numbers across the state, click here. Continue reading Closing in on 40,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in East Texas

NECHES — A Neches Elementary School Principal was released from jail earlier this week after being indicted in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, Kimberlyn Ann Snider is accused of interfering with a sexual assault investigation of a case involving a minor. It is unclear if the child is a student at the school. Snider was released after paying bond of $17,500. She was wanted for allegedly trying to hide, alter and destroy evidence. Snider is being accused of using her position to hinder the investigation. Continue reading Neches principal arrested on charges of investigation interference

WASHINGTON D.C. — Earlier this week billboards went up in Tyler saying Congressman Louie Gohmert lied, and should resign. On Thursday, the District 1 East Texas Congressman told KTBB, “First of all, I didn’t lie. It’s a lie for those Non-East Texans paying for those bill boards to say that. It’s typical Democrat, even though, they are Republican in name, that they would blame me for what they have been doing. They have been lying saying there is no fraud. There were 12,000 instances that the N.R.C.C. got that were notified by individuals, and there were hundreds and hundreds of sworn affidavit’s under penalty of perjury, there’s video impropriety, there is all kinds of data that indicate improprieties. So, there was definitely fraud involved.” Congressman Gohmert wrote an “Op-Ed” piece on the matter, to read it, click here.

LONGVIEW — There is a new recruiting tool being used to bring together people looking for jobs. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Chamber of Commerce launched the new digital tool kit Tuesday. The new site is called Longview Now, which consist of a digital magazine, a a new and improved website, and a video boasting on the qualities of living in the county seat of Gregg County. Leaders say that the new concept tool and the digital magazine has already had more than a 1,000 views. To learn more click here.

TYLER — A 200-foot wall that was constructed in 2019 at Hillside Park, currently features 19 original art pieces from local artists of the same year. The rotating art project has new selections every other year. Keep Tyler Beautiful announced this week, they are extending the submission deadline for this years entrants to Feb. 28. The selection process of art work will be done by the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board. Chosen works will spark creativity, happiness and hope while still representing the Tyler community, East Texas or Texas. The board will announce the selected art pieces on March 12, and artists will begin painting the panels in late March. To fill out an application click here.