KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes announced the 32 newest members to the infamous high kicking squad. The announcement was made Wednesday after an abbreviated version of “tryout week” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 80 hopefuls that tried out for a position on the 81st Rangerette line. The new freshmen will join 34 sophomores to make a team of 66. The line came into being in 1940.For more information, visit http://www.rangerette.com.

TYLER — Smith County Deputies are looking for help in identifying those responsible for scattering caltrop devices. The devices have been located on I-20 from 69 in Smith County to FM 314 in Van Zandt County. The gear is about three inches in size and the welded rebar is sharpened at every point and painted black. According to a release Wednesday from the department, over thirty have been collected in the past week. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office seeking assistance

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Ronnie Lee Rinehart, 34, came home from work last November and became aggressive towards his wife and their kids. Rinehart tied them up and pulled a knife on his family. The wife was able to free herself and began to fight Rinehart off. She then stabbed him in the back and ran from the apartment and called the police. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced in family abuse case

FLINT — Pine Cove Christian Camp has suspended camps following positive cases of COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, Pine Cove in Flint, has five different camps there, based on age. The organization says the current camp is operational, but that some sessions have been canceled out of an abundance of caution. To date, Pine Cove has had eight staff members and nine campers test positive for COVID-19. The camp has had 8,500 campers and summer staff take part this year. Continue reading Campers and staff test positive for coronavirus at Pine Cove

TYLER –The former head of the East Texas Center for Independent Living admitted to making 369 cash withdrawls totaling $118,000, according to court documents from Tuesday. Rottab also admitted to using ETCIL’s corporate credit card, totaling debits of $526,000 in federal funds that were intended for clients. Jessica Rottab, 33, awaits sentencing later this fall. There will also be an unspecified fine attached to the deal. The amount for the fine was not revealed during the hearing, but federal law allows for up to $250,000 or two times the amount gained from the crime.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum’s free summer lecture series continues Thursday. According to a brief from the organization, Ellen Gordon and Lynette Goodson are scheduled to speak on the “Restoration of the Rucker-Campbell House.” The home was constructed in 1872 by Asa Rucker who owned a large saw mill. The house was originally built in a Beaux Arts style and was converted to a Queen Anne Victorian in 1903. After this conversion three additions were done to the house over the years. Continue reading Lecture series continues Thursday in Gregg County

KANSAS CITY — Former Whitehouse standout and current NFL Super Bowl MVP for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes has signed a 10-year contract extension. Mahomes still has two years left on his current deal. The expanded contract will keep him with the Chiefs through 2031. According to Adam Schefter, the elongated deal is worth 427 million dollars, over the life of the arrangement.

KILGORE — The city of Kilgore has temporarily closed the city pool, as a precautionary measure, after a notification of two positive coronavirus cases by pool employees. In a post on social media, the city announced Monday, that they have notified patrons who had direct contact with those two individuals. Anyone else who attended the pool should simply continue following CDC guidelines. No date has been released for the reopening.

TYLER — Longtime community leader and the first African-American Smith County commissioner, Andrew Melontree died at 89. According to our news partner KETK, Melontree served as precinct 4 commissioner for 20 years from 1983 to 2002 and was a Tyler councilman from 1979 to 1982. Melontree broke the color barrier in being the first County Commissioner, he was also the first African-American to work at Medical Center Hospital and the East Texas Tuberculosis Hospital. Continue reading First African-American Commissioner in Smith County dies at age 89

TYLER — Repairs are scheduled for a storm sewer pipe under parts of East Grande Blvd. The City of Tyler began work Monday that is expected to run through the 20th. The eastbound lanes of East Grande Boulevard are closed from Rhones Quarter Rd to HWY 110 through out the project. Eastbound traffic on East Grande Boulevard will be detoured north and south onto Rhones Quarter Road. Westbound traffic will not be affected by this closure.

TYLER — The second week of early voting restarted Monday for the primary runoffs that were postponed due to the coronavirus. The amended voting day is July 14 . Early voting paused for the Holiday weekend . Polling sites will be available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday. Gov. Abbott extended the voting period earlier this year to allow for more social distancing as cases of coronavirus spike across much of the state. Election Day is Tuesday, July 14.

TYLER — A staff member of the Discovery Science Place in Tyler has tested positive for the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, the attraction will be closed through July 10. The staff member has not been at the museum since last Wednesday and they will remain closed for the safety of everyone. Extensive cleaning beyond day-to-day operations will take place during the time of closing.

TYLER — Several East Texas hospitals are preparing to receive increased cases of remdesivir. According to our news partner KETK, Governor Greg Abbott announced additional administrations will be available of the anti-malarial drug, with the goal of treating COVID-19 patients. Smith and Gregg County are two of the counties preparing for the shipment. Continue reading More Remdesivir is heading to East Texas

TYLER — Healthcare workers in Tyler received a special salute this holiday weekend. According to a media brief, the flyover tribute for the medical district came about from the East Texas Veterans Community Council and the Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation. The parade of air attractions included the B-25 Devil Dog, P-63 King Cobra, the B-17 Texas Raiders, and the SB2C Helldiver. Each unit was part of the inaugural Rose City AirFest at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

TYLER — With many professional fireworks shows being cancelled this year, many will take on personal displays over the Independence Day Weekend. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB, “We want everyone to have fun, but we do want them to maintain safety. We want to keep people from getting hurt and have a good time. First and foremost, we never want to allow children to handle fireworks. It’s just that simple. Older kids we want to make sure there is adult supervision with them.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal urges fireworks safety

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is addressing questions on the enforcement of the governor’s executive order for masks. According to the office’s Facebook page, a business has the right to refuse you service for not wearing a mask. If the sheriff’s office is placed in a position where enforcement is necessary, officials say they will start with education and requesting voluntary compliance. Finally, if deputies encounter an individual who refuses to voluntarily comply, verbal warnings and or written warnings will follow. As a very last resort, a citation can be written at the discretion of the deputy, according to the Facebook page.