KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A group of residents who successfully fought to change the name of Robert E Lee and John Tyler High School, are now trying to change the name of Confederate Avenue. According to our news partner KETK, the group spent the weekend going door to door getting signatures from residents. The city says the group must obtain a signature from each household and business on the street. If that occurs, then the matter will go before the city council for a vote.

JACKSONVILLE — The Texas Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership has awarded the emergency center at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville. The department received the Pediatric Ready Facility. The Texas EMSC’s Voluntary Pediatric Readiness Program awarded the achievement recognizing the department’s dedication offering optimal care for ill and injured pediatric patients. This facility is the very first to obtain this recognition in the state of Texas. Similar to trauma center designation, a pediatric readiness program aids facilities in self-identifying areas which can elevate care.

LONGVIEW — People gathered at New Beginnings Faith Ministry in Longview for their 20th annual yearly ministry giveaway on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, those in need, were able to receive supplies of food, furniture, and haircuts all free of charge. “2O years ago God spoke to me saying, make sure no kid goes without, not only the kids but their parents. And I’m saying, okay how do I do that? He said with the school supplies,” says Pastor Gloria Lewis. Continue reading Longview church marks 20 years of helping with back to school outreach

LONGVIEW — A Longview physician who had his license suspended earlier this week was arrested on Friday on allegations of sexual abuse with three of his male patients. According to our news partner KETK, all three of the clients were under the age of 17. Dr. Matt E. Hipke, 58, was charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. Jail records indicate each count carries a bond of $500,000. Hipke’s license was invalidated on Monday, after the Texas Medical Board ordered a temporary suspension of medical license, “after determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare.” Continue reading Longview Dr. arrested on charges of sexual abuse of a child

TYLER — The City of Tyler Beauty and the Box program is a beautification program that began in 2016 taking traffic boxes and turning them into works of art by local artists. What started as a pilot program of ten boxes Downtown has grown to 60 vinyl-wrapped traffic cabinets across the City of Tyler. The following traffic signal boxes have recently been sponsored and wrapped: Grande Boulevard and Paluxy Drive: Sponsored by Ogle Constructions. Artwork by Dace Kidd. West Cumberland Road and Blue Mountain Boulevard: Sponsored by Create with Christie. Artwork by Christie Daugherty. You can also view more information on the website at http://www.KeepTylerBeautiful.com.

TYLER — The Champions for Children board of directors has announced the upcoming retirement of the organization’s executive director, Jackie Cannon. Cannon, after 7 years at the helm, will retire later this fall. “I’d like to thank the board for the honor of serving as executive director of this well-respected and important agency,” Mrs. Cannon said. “Because of wonderful colleagues, brilliant board members, dedicated clients, and substantial success, my time with Champions is among the greatest endeavors of my entire life.” Champions for Children is a Tyler-based organization that works to train daycare teachers, caregivers and parents, and provides specialized services for children with challenging behaviors. Under her leadership, the past few years have seen the organization add several programs and services including counseling for children, play therapy, social skills, autism education, additional resources and fundraising events throughout the year. Continue reading Champions for Children Executive Director Jackie Cannon to Retire this Fall

TYLER —

North East Texas Health shared information regarding COVID-19 testing on Friday evening. Positive antigen tests are categorized as a “Probable Case” of COVID-19 until the individual has been administered a Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR Test). If a person’s PCR laboratory result is positive, the person is then categorized as a “Confirmed Case” of COVID-19. All COVID-19 statistics, whether “Confirmed” or “Probable”, within our 7-county region are the total number of unduplicated persons with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 test result. Continue reading NET Health notes distinctions in testing

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful’s Bee City Committee has announced the construction of a Bee Observatory is underway at the Tyler Rose Garden. Belen Casillas told KTBB on Friday, “The City of Tyler is one of the four Texas Bee City USA, under the Keep Tyler Beautiful program with a mission to raise awareness in our community on the importance of all pollinator species, including bees. One of the ways we are going to do that is is by developing and implementing a program to create pollinator friendly habitats on public property. This includes our Bee Observatory that’s currently under construction in phase 1.” Continue reading Bee Observatory in the works for Tyler Rose Garden

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department announced Friday, they will not hold their National Night Out, due to the coronavirus. The annual event was scheduled for October 6. Organizers say they had planned to have more than a thousand people on-site, they are planning to make the 2021 event “the best National Night Out event ever held in Jacksonville.” According to our news partner KETK, Jacksonville has the most cases in Cherokee County. As of Friday morning, the county has had 1,217 cases since the pandemic started with 556 being in Jacksonville. However, more than 1,000 people have recovered from the virus in Cherokee County. Of the 202 current active cases, 80 are currently hospitalized.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of assault. The altercation took place Scott’s Grocery in Myrtle Springs. If you have information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the pictured individual you are asked to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133. Sheriff Corbett would like to thank the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division for their continued assistance regarding this investigation.

LONGVIEW — Today restaurants, retailers, salons, and gyms are opened, but bars remain closed. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered their clousure, for a second time, in May. Melissa Lynn Kelly who owns Outlaws Longview Bar, told our news partner KETK, bar owners feel singled out. “I don’t think Covid-19 just attracts itself to places that sell more than 51% alcohol, I have to pay my bills so that means I have to open.” Bar owners first need a food and beverage certificate from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to start selling food. The TABC already has more than 600 applications from Texas bar owners including one from Kelly. Continue reading Outlaws Longview Bar denied certification to reopen

TYLER — CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals on Friday. The mark recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. Best Maternity Care Hospitals is part of Newsweek’s Best Health Care series, from data collected by The Leapfrog Group. Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics. Continue reading CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler Nationally Recognized as a Best Maternity Care Hospital by Newsweek

TYLER — The UT Health Science Center at Tyler will receive a grant for more than $2 million for plasma research to fight COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, the money comes from the National Institutes of Health and will help answer questions on the effectiveness of convalescent plasma, or blood from people who have recovered from the virus. As of now, the experimental treatment is proving as a promising option for patients with COVID-19. Continue reading UT Health Science Center at Tyler gets COVID-19 research grant

TYLER — NET Health reports 34 deaths associated with COVID-19. Smith County reported 51 new cases for a total of 1,717 Thursday. In Gregg County, 34 new cases were reported for a total of 1,723. Two new deaths were also reported, bringing the total to 33. For the latest Gregg County numbers, click the link. https://www.co.gregg.tx.us/coronavirus-information.

WINONA — Winona ISD evacuated all district buildings after receiving an anonymous phone call to the business office Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK,Law enforcement conducted an expansive sweep of district property as a precautionary measure, and all facilities we’re given the all clear. A limited number of students were on campus at the time “and all were immediately moved to a safe location.” All district employees also were secured safely. Continue reading Winona ISD evacuated out of concern from anonymous call

TYLER — East Texans for Trump announced a Trump Boat Parade on Thursday. The press brief notes the water parade happening on Lake Tyler a week from Saturday, the 22, from 1:00pm -3:00 p.m. The Parade will originate at The Marina on Lake Tyler. East Texans for Trump says the event is designed to show enthusiasm for the re-election of President Donald Trump. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/282253769513762.

TYLER — In response to the pandemic, the Rotary International District 5830 donated $17,000 in disaster grant money to the East Texas Food Bank at a recent service project. Dennis Cullinane told our news partner KETK, the organization is well known to the East Texas Food Bank, “They’ve been sponsoring us and giving us project donations for several years, and there’s so many things they do in the community.” The East Texas Food Bank serves 26 counties in our area. In the past year, they have provided more than 24 million meals to hungry East Texans. Continue reading Rotary International 5830 donates time and money to ETFB

TYLER — NET Health now accounts 34 deaths as associated with the coronavirus from data collected in Smith County. On Thursday CEO George Roberts told KTBB, “There were 8 deaths reported in Smith County, the youngest individual who has passed away so far in Smith County is now a 46-year-old male resident. As well as the oldest person, in Smith County, a 99-year-old female resident. In visiting with the hospitals about this, it appears that most of these individuals had been hospitalized for some period of time. Basically this goes back to that they all, it appears, contracted the disease back sometime in July.” Continue reading 8 new deaths reported Wednesday in Smith County

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore woman has been arrested for embezzling more than $300,000 from her employer. According to our news partner KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kayla Walthers, 29, who worked as a payroll clerk for a medical business in Longview. Walthers is accused of embezzling money from September 2017 to March 2020. According to the arrest warrant, she would add money to her regular paycheck, send money to her friends, and deposit money into a second personal bank account. Authorities say she admitted to the theft when questioned by detectives. Walthers was released on bond and is awaiting trial. No court date has been set.

SMITH COUNTY — Child Protective Services is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 1-month-old child. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was granted custody of Gatlyn Baker, a male child born July 8, by Henderson County Family Court Judge, Nancy Adams Perryman on Tuesday. When DPS attempted to remove the child, Chelsea Baker, the child’s mother, ran with him. Gatlyn is believed to be with his parents, Kenny and Chelsea Baker, according to CPS. The Bakers were last seen in Flint but may be anywhere in the area. Continue reading CPS asking for help in finding missing 1-month-old child

TYLER — City Council Members in Tyler were presented with a proposed budget of $202 million budge on Wednesday. Edward Broussard told KTBB, “This is a drop by 3% compared to last years spending. This has been a year unlike any we have had in kind of recent memory, with maybe the great recession as being the closest thing to it.” The proposed budget asks the city council to implement a No-New-Revenue property tax, keeping the rate at 25.9 cents, a .09 cent decrease from the prior year. Continue reading Proposed $202 Million dollar budget presented to City Council

EUSTACE — Funeral services will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. for a 2020 graduate from Eustace High School. Maggie Groom was one of two recent grads killed over the weekend after a head-on collision, on HWY 31 in Henderson County. A celebration of Groom’s life will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Life Fellowship Church in Athens. A graveside service will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Groom is the third person associated with the district to die in a 6 week span. Continue reading District and community grieving after 3rd loss of life this summer