KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GILMER — Gilmer ISD went back to class on Wednesday. GISD Superintendent Rickey Albritton told our news partner KETK, “I’m glad to see that they are in a semi-normal setting. We just have to be careful. I told all of my staff not to fear this disease. But, to respect it and to understand that you can get it, anybody can so do everything you can to protect yourself. That is why we have the masks.” Gilmer high school students walked on to a brand new campus after the high schools completion. The school was the center piece of a $35 million dollar bond passing in 2018.

TYLER — NET Health reminded East Texans, on Wednesday, of several opportunities that are available for free testing for the coronavirus. Testing sites are being made available by the Texas Division of Emergency Management in Longview, Marshall, and Palestine. Residents from any city in East Texas can receive a free test at either of these locations. Every person tested will need a working cell phone number, that is how result information will be sent. Persons with or without symptoms can get a free COVID-19 test at the testing sites: Continue reading Free testing at various sites for all East Texans

HENDERSON — The City of Henderson Municipal Court is preparing to join courts across the state of Texas by virtually conducting business starting later this week. According to our news partner KETK, the Virtual Court Docket has been set and will be a recurring virtual hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday and each every Thursday as needed. If you have a ticket and wish to be scheduled for a virtual court appearance, contact the court at (903) 392-0557 and a court clerk will assist you. Information is available on the City of Henderson website, http://www.hendersontx.us, under Municipal Court, along with court etiquette and payment option information.

TYLER — The Bucket Ministry announced Tuesday, the Buckets for Life Golf Tournament will happen on Oct. 5th in Tyler. The initiative is an attempt to raise funds to provide water filters to areas without clean water around the world. After a successful Buckets for Life Golf Tournament in Rockwall, Texas, last year, TBM has developed this second event at Pine Springs Golf Club. Each player’s entry fee will be used to provide one or more families with the gift of clean, safe drinking water. Continue reading Buckets for Life Golf Tournament coming to Tyler

TYLER — In response to COVID-19, Tyler ISD Athletics will not induct a 2020 class into its Hall of Fame this fall due to the COVID-19 restrictions. TISD Athletic Director Greg Priest told KTBB on Tuesday, “We’ve turned it into a really nice event and had great participation in it. But, we just felt like, with only being at 50%, and having to social distance, we decided to go a different direction. We always get such a great crowd during that game, to have it down to half of that, we want to be able to celebrate those people that are going into the Hall of Fame and make it a nice event for them and just give them their due.” Continue reading TISD pushes Hall of Fame induction to 2021

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee announced Tuesday, they are accepting nominations for the annual Unity Honors awards. The award recognizes residents who have demonstrated leadership in promoting unity, mutual understanding, and social justice. Nominations must be completed by 5 p.m. on November 6th. Nomination forms are available clicking the link. https://www.longviewtexas.gov/FormCenter/Partners-in-Prevention-11/2021-Service-Recognition-Nomination-Form-122. The Unity and Diversity Committee will honor the nominees at the 17th Annual Unity Honors Luncheon in Feb. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Call Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 for more information about monthly meetings.

TYLER — Cybersecurity issues are becoming a day-to-day struggle for businesses, non-profits, and institutions. Recent trends and cybersecurity statistics reveal a huge increase in hacked and breached data from sources becoming increasingly common. U.T. Tyler is just one of the institutions under the University of Texas System umbrella, including UT Austin, San Antonio, Rio Grande, that may have been affected by a ransomware attack on Blackbaud in May. Additionally, Texas State University, Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University have also announced that they might have been subjected by the attack as well. Blackbaud, a third party, helps nonprofits and educational institutions raise funds. Continue reading Data security incident impacts UT System, A&M, Tech, TSU

JACKSONVILLE — The Taco Trot 5K has rescheduled their inaugural event due to the coronavirus. The new date for the run, according to their social media page, is October 17. The race, that weaves its way through downtown Jacksonville, will benefit the American Cancer Society. The Taco Trot 5K is presented by Southern Multifoods. Organizers say the event is family friendly, and kids 12 and under can run the 5K at a reduced price. All participants will be presented with a shirt, finishers medal, and TACOS. More details are available by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/tomato-bowl-stadium/taco-trot-5k-presented-by-southern-multifoods/2397003193949251/.

ATHENS — A prosecutions immunity request for two Union Pacific employees connected in the fatal Athens ISD bus crash has been granted by Judge Scott McKee. The accident happened in January of 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Judge McKee has granted the prosecution’s immunity request for two Union Pacific employees, Robert Ray and Roger Johnson, that were involved in the fatal Athens school bus crash, in exchange for their testimony. Continue reading Immunity granted for testimony of 2 Union Pacific workers connected to AISD Bus crash

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas man is scheduled to die for his part in the murder of a toddler when he was 18. According to our news partner KETK, Blaine Milam, of Henderson, is scheduled to die on January 21, 2021, for the murder of Amora Carson. Milam was found guilty in 2011, as well as the child’s mother Jessica Carson. The toddler was killed in 2008. Amora Carson was his girlfriend’s daughter and was 13 months old at the time of her death. Investigators found the pair had beaten Amora to death with a hammer in an alleged exorcism and her body was found riddled with bite marks. Milam was given the death penalty while Jessica was sentenced to life without parole.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum announced Monday, that Bobby Oliver will be speaking at this weeks free summer lecture series. The series will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. Social distancing practices will be observed and attendance will be limited to 10.

LONGVIEW — Longview police responded to a shooting around 2:15 Sunday afternoon where they found a 10-year-old with life threatening injuries. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened in the 200 block of Whatley. The victim was transported to a local hospital by the Longview Fire Department. Authorities report that the boy has died. His name has not been released. (Originally the press release stated he was an 8-year-old, but corrected the age on Monday.)

ATHENS — An early morning traffic stop in Henderson County ended in an arrest on Monday. According to Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, Jeffery Glenn Stokes, 57, was charged with a felony for manufacturing and delivery of a substantial amount of a controlled substance – methamphetamines. A K-9 unit was called out to the scene, after stokes refused his vehicle to be searched, the dog alerted on a scent of contraband. A large carton was discovered, that authorities say, contained meth. Stokes was taken to the Henderson County Jail.

BROWNSBORO — Two recent graduates of East Texas high schools were killed over the weekend in a head-on crash. Maggie Groom, a 2020 graduate of Eustace High School was killed, along with Zane Taylor, 19, a 2019 Grand Saline graduate. A DPS preliminary report stated that the wreck happened at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on HWY 31 between Brownsboro and Chandler. The car driven by Taylor and Groom was heading west when veered off the shoulder. The driver over-corrected, crossed the center line, and collided with another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Rachel Patterson, of Eustace. Continue reading 2 recent grads killed in head-on collision

TYLER — Smith County Investigators uncovered additional evidence connecting Matthew Clearman to more images of child pornography. On Monday, an arrest warrant affidavit was prepared for an additional charge of Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography for the second degree felony. Investigators are asking for anyone who may have had children around Clearman to notify the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600 and ask for Detective Audrey Lugo. Authorities are also reminding parents to monitor carefully their children’s social media activity. The East Texas paramedic was arrested last week on charges of child pornography.

WASHINGTON – Several schools in East Texas will receive a total of $1,085,651 in federal grants to provide first-generation and low-income college students with financial assistance and academic support services to complete their post-secondary educations, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced. The grant funding comes from the Student Support Services Program and it is anticipated that each grant will be sustained for a total of 5 years. Tyler Junior College is set to receive $274,262.00. It was also announced that Kilgore College will receive $274,396.00. Continue reading East Texas schools to receive federal grants

GRAND SALINE – A Grand Saline ISD employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a letter sent by Superintendent Micah Lewis. Our news partner KETK reports, the employee was present at the elementary school campus on Friday, August 7. Lewis said that the school is working closely with the local health department. “After careful review, we have determined that the COVID-positive person came into contact with a limited number of staff members who will self-isolate based on health department standards,” stated Lewis. This is not the first case for Grand Saline. Another staff member tested positive back on July 30. Lewis said that individual also was in contact with a small amount of people. Continue reading Grand Saline ISD employee tests positive for COVID-19

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an early morning homicide. Deputies responded to a home on CR 384 in Tyler around 5:30 Sunday morning after being contacted by UT Health EMS regarding a woman dead from a gunshot wound. She’s been identified as Diamond Samantha Cruz, 21, of Tyler. Deputies received information that the suspect had fled the area in an unknown direction driving a Ford pickup. The suspect vehicle description was immediately broadcast to additional law enforcement agencies. Continue reading Smith County murder suspect arrested

TYLER — A hit and run accident involving a cyclist is under investigation. According to Tyler Police, an unknown vehicle struck the cyclist around 9:15 Friday night on W. Bow, then fled the scene. The victim was transported to Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for treatment and is said to be in serious condition. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — A former Smith County inmate has received her sentence for smuggling in contraband into the jail. Alex Arnold, 39, of Tyler, has received 10 years in prison and 10 years probation for organized criminal activity for her role in smuggling items inside. Arnold is not the only was charged in this crime. Five other inmates and a jail guard have also been charged for their roles. According to Sheriff Larry Smith, Officer Lance Watson was identified as the source of the contraband through an unnamed source. Continue reading 10 years prison, and 10 years probation for Smith County inmate guilty of smuggling contraband

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. On Friday, the institution said it was recognized for improving the environment and quality of life on campus. During the annual UT Tyler Arbor Day event in February, more than 250 faculty, staff, students and community members planted 50 trees on campus. This is now the third time UT Tyler has received this distinction, and it is one of five in the UT System to have this mark of honor.

TYLER — On Thursday Tyler ISD Board members made a decision to rename two local high schools. The school located on Red Raider Ln will now be Legacy High School, after a 6-1 vote in favor of the move. The school located on Lion Ln will now revert back to its original name, that it carried for for 78 years, after an identical 6-1 vote. On Friday, Dr. Bob Peters told KTBB how he decided on his suggested name to rename Tyler High School in 1958. “We had a contest in school. I had lived in Austin a couple of years before I was here, and they had split the schools in Austin and the Austin High School became Stephen F. Austin. Well, I thought OK, if Austin could become Stephen F. Austin, why can’t Tyler become John Tyler.” Continue reading What’s old is new again

JACKSONVILLE — A multi-agency homicide investigation has resulted in the arrest of two Jacksonville residents. According to a press brief from Cherokee County, Brandon Branton, 22, and Ja’Michael Rusk 22 of Jacksonville were arrested in connection with the death of Randy Davenport. Authorities believe that Davenport, 25, of Jacksonville was receiving a ride from Branton and Rusk when the individuals stopped their vehicle at the Corner of Cr 3109 and Cr 3106 and intentionally committed the act of murder. Both men were arrested on Thursday, with bonds set a $1,000,000.

TYLER — One day after the name changes of two Tyler High Schools were adopted KTBB spoke with both Head Football Coaches/Athletic Coordinators. On Friday, the Lions Ricklan Holmes said, “When you think of Tyler High School, now you’re going to think about the city of Tyler. So, what we have to do is continue to do everything we have been doing to, not just represent John Tyler, but to represent the Lions, because now the Lions are now the Tyler High Lions.” The Red Raiders Joe Willis said, “People have come together and made the decision on what name they wanted and it ended up being Legacy. I believe that’s a good thing, because I think our team and our group, going forward now, we kind of have a vision of leaving our own legacy here.”