KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – TxDOT is planning the following beginning Monday.: In Smith County, the FM 2493 Widening Project continues from Gresham to Flint. Traffic will be moved to the newly constructed eastern side of the roadway on Monday. Once traffic has been shifted, construction is set to start on the western side of the roadway. The work zone speed limit is 45 mph. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to continue bridge joint repairs on I-20 eastbound, between FM 2087 and US 259. Overlay operations are planned on FM 3053 in Liberty City. To see the complete report for the Tyler District, click the link. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/022-2020.html.

KILGORE — Several departments came together in a raid of a “trap house,” just outside of Kilgore. The Kilgore Police Department posted recovered evidence from the scene on their social media page Saturday. Two Kilgore residents, and a Longview man were arrested after being tipped off about the house used to store drugs, earlier this week. Police say candies seized were infused with THC, and they are marketed toward children. Continue reading “Trap House” raid outside of Kilgore

TYLER — Rising temperatures combined with social distancing concerns have likely contributed to the 50% increase (over 435,000 in 2020 compared to 290,000 in 2019) in those searching for pool contractors on bbb.org. “If you’re planning on building a pool, you’ll be spending tens of thousands of dollars,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “So, it’s important that you do the research to choose the best contractor possible.” Continue reading Tips to hire the right pool Contractor

LONGVIEW — A new fire station and training facility for first responders has been approved for Longview. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Economic Development Board closed on two land grants, Friday, for the new Station #8 and a new fire and police training facility. This is part of the 2018 bond package. In November, the Board approved the construction of a new fire station on 11.5 acres in North Business Park. They also approved 91 acres for a new fire and police training facility. Continue reading New fire station and training facility coming to Longview

PALESTINE — On Thursday morning, Palestine police responded to an armed robbery. The victim reported that one white male and one black male entered her residence and pointed a handgun at her. The suspects then removed several firearms from the residence and fled. Authorities announced Friday in a press release that officers have arrested Que Green, 17, Eddie Barnes, 18, both of Palestine. Continue reading Palestine police arrest two suspects and identify third after armed robbery

TYLER — 7-Eleven is making a big push into the East Texas market. The convenience store chain is currently building a new location at the corner of S. Broadway Ave. and Loop 323. According to our news partner KETK, 7-Eleven is in the process of occupying Kidd Jones locations in Tyler. Permits have been obtained from the City of Tyler.
Jerry Kidd Oil Co. is the company that owns the local convenience stores. Continue reading 7-Eleven to take over multiple Kidd Jones locations in Tyler

PALESTINE — With a steady number of COVID-19 cases on the rise across the East Texas region, Anderson County is hosting free drive-thru testing this Sunday. The testing will take place Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anderson County Annex. Registration is currently open. Anyone wishing to be tested must register in advance. Go online to txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400. Continue reading Anderson County to offer drive-thru testing Sunday

WASHINGTON — Rep. Louie Gohmert launched his new podcast series, “Special Order with Louie Gohmert” on June 3. On Friday, the congressman released the latest episode, breaking down the Democrats Police Bill. To view his second podcast, click the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=152rwqn_maA&feature=youtu.be. To view the transcript click the link. https://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399791Gohmert. Continue reading Latest episode of “Special Order with Louie Gohmert”

MARSHALL — Marshall police were dispatched Thursday to an address where human remains were found inside a home. Patrol officers discovered the skeletal remains of a human body at a home inside the 100 block of Martin Luther King Blvd. In a Friday news brief, the department said, “There was no immediate evidence of foul play.” The remains were sent off for an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released when it becomes available.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are warning residents to be aware of a scam involving social security numbers. According to our news partner KETK, police say multiple residents have been notified that their social security number has been compromised and that a car rented in their name was seized at the southern border while transporting drugs. Continue reading Scam involving SSN appearing in Longview

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority, announced Friday, they will give back a total of $635,000 to member counties. The release from NET RMA notes, this is the fifth consecutive year of give-backs, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to support transportation-related projects in the East Texas region. This year’s total is the most ever in the program’s history. Recipients of the grant money include Gregg County for a road submission, Rusk County for a rail submission and Wood County for an airport submission, for $270,000, $240,000 and $125,000.

TYLER — Starting on Friday, phase three of Gov. Greg Abbott’s open Texas plan moves to 75% indoor capacity. Dinning facilities can also seat groups with up to 10 in a party. On Thursday, Tim Legrand with The Krazy Cajun Kitchen and Market told KTBB, “We were open 10 days before COVID-19 shut us down.” Legrand continued, “When we opened up at 25% it gave us a chance to ease back into it. We had some staff that didn’t come back. It helped us. We have been more fortunate than most. We were able to ease back into tables of four, six and now we will be able to seat parties of 10.” Restaurants around the state were allowed to open at 25% capacity May 1. The expanded capacity moved to 50% on June 3rd.

TYLER — East Texas school districts will be among those receiving personal protective equipment from the Texas Education Agency to help ensure a safe reopening for the 2020-2021 school year. According to our news partner KETK, the TEA received the PPE in partnership with the Governor’s Strike Force and the Texas Department of Emergency Management. The tools are expected between late July and August. The allotment given to Districts will be based on the amount of students in the school system as of 2019-2020 students and staff counts.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters answered the call of an overnight vehicle fire early Thursday. Fire Marshall, Paul Findley said in a press brief, the department responded to East Texas Pool Service on Loop 323, just after 2:00 a.m. They found a vehicle parked beneath an overhang of the back side of the building, fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to move the vehicle, preventing further damage to the business. All units, from the two alarm fire, were cleared from the scene around 4 a.m. Investigators are investigating the cause of the fire.

KILGORE — Kilgore College announced Wednesday afternoon, their newest board member, Josh Edmonson, has been sworn in as a member of the Board of Trustees. Edmonson, of Kilgore, will fill the unexpired term of Karol Pruett for the Central Zone, with the term set to expire in May of 2021. At that time, an election will be held. Pruett announced her resignation at the February board meeting; however, by law, she remained a trustee until the board appointed Edmonson as her replacement.

TYLER — Let’s Talk Tyler will host their second virtual meeting on race relations Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, the meeting is scheduled for Facebook Live on the Let’s Talk Tyler Facebook page starting at 7 p.m. If you would like to submit a question to be asked, you can email it to: [email protected].

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is clarifying the use-of-force and code-of-conduct regulations, department wide. On Wednesday, Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler told KTBB, “If you see someone else (another officer) committing a violation of our policies, you have a duty to act and you also have to report those to a supervisor. The duty to intervene policy, is a clearly written policy, which 90 percent of it was already covered in our general orders, but this will be a stand alone policy that talks about an officer’s duty to intervene either verbally or physically if they see a violation, whether it’s an excessive use of force, or some type of unethical behavior, that they would actually intervene to prevent it from happening.” Continue reading Use of force policies updated by Tyler City Police

JACKSONVILLE — A February incident in Jacksonville, has an Athens woman arrested on charges of murder of an unborn child. According to our news partner KETK, Keuina Roshell Paul, 25, also faces aggravated assault charges. Paul was arrested Wednesday in Athens. The mother of the child was seriously injured, but did survive. Sources say Paul, allegedly, hit the woman intentionally, in a Whataburger parking lot, just after 2:30 a.m. Feb. 16.

TYLER — The city of Tyler announced the 7th annual #SchoolIsCool event on Wednesday. This years backpack distribution is set for August 6 and is hosted by Tyler Area Business Education Council, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Partnership 4 Education and the city of Tyler. Times will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Harvey Convention Center with a goal of passing out 2,000 backpacks with supplies to enrolled students from Pre-K to 12th grade. Continue reading Donations needed for annual #SchoolisCool event

TYLER – Hospitals in Texas are gradually resuming services and hoping to return to full capacity. Carter BloodCare says these are crisis times for the community blood supply. One-thousand donors are needed each day and the blood center is seeing an average of 600 a day for the past month. Carter BloodCare’s ability to meet the urgent transfusion needs of patients is in severe jeopardy. In the era of COVID-19, Carter BloodCare knows safety is top of mind for blood donors. While giving blood is still safe, Carter BloodCare continues to make social distancing and sanitization precautions top priority to keep donors healthy, while assuring blood is on the shelves for patients requiring transfusions. Continue reading Local blood supply is critical, numerous drives planned for Tyler/Longview

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Wednesday he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $690 plus million in local sales tax allocations for June. That number is down 11.5 % from allocations in June 2019. Tyler will see $2,932,568.12 down 20.5% from this time last year and Longview will receive $2,182,633.37, down 23.19% from this time last year. Continue reading Tyler tax allocations down 20%, Longview off 23% as State Comptroller distributes $690 million state wide

TYLER — Union Pacific Railroad is carrying out track maintenance this week. The work will require West MLK Jr. Boulevard to be closed to through traffic at the Border Avenue crossing through Saturday evening. The cross streets between Glenwood Boulevard and Border Avenue on West MLK Jr. Boulevard will be open. Detour signs will be in place to direct drivers around the crossing.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation awarded nearly $300 thousand dollars in scholarships to high school and college students. The group announced Tuesday, that $294 thousand was distributed to East Texans for the 2020-21 school year. Scholarship amounts range from $500-$5,000 per student originating from 70 different scholarship funds at ETCF. For a complete listing of 2020 scholarship recipients, click the link. https://etcf.org/scholarships/.

TYLER — The Primary Run-Off Election for Smith County takes place July 14. Monday, is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election. The county has numerous Republican and Democratic party races at the local level, including the run-off elections for the Republican nominees for the District Judge of the 114th District Court and the Constable for Precinct 4, as well as the Democratic nominee for the Constable for Precinct 1. For more information click the link. https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections.