KC to offers chance to win one-of-six $1,000 scholarships

KILGORE — Kilgore College is launching the “Summer $ix” registration campaign. The initiative announced on Friday, spotlights academic programs, and gives students a chance to win one of six $1,000 scholarships. The KC Foundation will present a $1,000 scholarship each week for the next six weeks to a student who enrolls each week for fall 2020 classes. A student’s name will be drawn to win the scholarship every Monday from June 15 to July 20. For more information, call (903) 983-8206. To set up a remote advising session visit http://www.kilgore.edu/advising, or http://www.kilgore.edu/ranger-registration.

Indictment of Tyler man in shooting death of Chapel Hill Senior

TYLER — A Tyler man accused in the murder of a Chapel Hill high school senior in April has been indicted for the shooting. As of Friday, a court date has not yet been set. According to our news partner KETK, Zane Collier, 17, was killed in his own driveway. During the search of the residence, evidence connecting an individual to the murder was obtained and a suspect was interviewed about his involvement in this case. During that conversation, John Edward Sparks, 18, admitted to the murder of Zane Collier. Sparks said he was angry because Collier wouldn’t return marijuana that he stolen from him.

Tyler Council Meetings adding in-person format June 24

TYLER — In response to the coronavirus pandemic, beginning in March, the Tyler City Council Meetings moved to a virtual format. On Friday, Mayor Martin Heines told KTBB, “It’s very difficult especially when you get into planning and zoning items where developers and property owners really want to interact with one another to come up with the best plan, the best compromise, or understanding of what a developer is going to do or what a homeowner is going to do with a piece of property. Those items really need to be done in person.” Continue reading Tyler Council Meetings adding in-person format June 24

JC Penney closing 154 stores, including several in East Texas

NEW YORK (AP) – J.C. Penney says it is closing 154 stores nationwide in what it is calling the first phase of its efforts to shrink its footprint. The Plano, Texas-based retailer said it could take about 10 to 16 weeks to complete the closures. Penney filed for bankruptcy protection last month, making it the biggest retailer to do since the coronavirus pandemic forced non-essential stores to be shut down temporarily. As part of its bankruptcy reorganization, Penney said it planned to permanently close nearly a third of its 846 stores in the next two years. That would leave it with just over 600 locations. The Texas stores are in Dallas, Lewisville, Greenville, Lufkin, Paris, Palestine and Huntsville.

Man killed by train in Tyler

TYLER — A man was killed early Friday morning after being hit by a train while sleeping on the tracks. According to Tyler police, the crash occurred just before 5 a.m. near the intersection of Bellwood Street and Whiteside Road. According to a news brief from Tyler Police, the man has been identified as Juan Zuniga Jr, 23 years old. The train attempted to stop but was unable to do so in time. Zuniga’s family has been notified. Union Pacific Railroad Police were also on scene.

Tyler demonstrators take to the streets

TYLER — Peaceful protests have been taking place across East Texas for over a week and Tyler has been no different. According to our news partner KETK, residents have been gathering on the downtown square, but Thursday night they decided on a different location at the corner of Broadway and Rice Road. Demonstrators were seen holding signs and wearing t-shirts, shouting “No Justice, No Peace.” Continue reading Tyler demonstrators take to the streets

Free coronavirus mobile testing announced in Longview

LONGVIEW — Several dates were announced Thursday for free coronavirus testing in Longview. In a press release from the city, dates were listed at locations across Longview for June 9, 11, 12, and 13. Drive-up testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, at Foster Middle School and next Thursday, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. In order to be tested on June 9 or June 11, a person must first register and get screened for multiple symptoms of COVID-19, including shortness of breath, fever, chills, body aches, vomiting, sore throat, and loss of taste/smell. Continue reading Free coronavirus mobile testing announced in Longview

Superior Outfitters sees giant increase in first time gun owners

TYLER — Many gun shop owners across the state are reporting a huge spike in gun sales. On Thursday, Superior Outfitters Austin Rohr, told KTBB, “We have had one of our biggest increases that we have ever seen before and it’s mostly from new buyers. I’d say that 80% of our business right now is coming from new buyers and people that typically didn’t own firearms. First time gun owners are a huge market right now for us.” Continue reading Superior Outfitters sees giant increase in first time gun owners

Preventing and controlling coronavirus on the farm

TYLER — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced updated guidelines for workers on the farm. On Thursday, the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health released a news brief offering additional COVID-19-related resources on their website for agricultural workers. Farm workers and producers can visit http://www.swagcenter.org to access the COVID-19 resource page, request more information and ask questions pertaining to the interpretation of the CDC guidelines.

GETCAP offering energy assistance

EAST TEXAS – The Greater East Texas Community Action Program is accepting applications to pay for electric bills. On Thursday Karen Swenson told KTBB, “Its just going to get hotter, and we know that families are really in a mess when they are worried about how they are going to keep the lights and A/C on.” An eligibility review looks at the last 30 days of income. Continue reading GETCAP offering energy assistance

Gentry Donuts robbed, Andy’s Frozen Custard vandalized

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating two incidents in downtown Tyler after Gentry Donuts was robbed and Andy’s Frozen Custard was vandalized. According to our news partner KETK, investigators are reviewing security tapes. At Gentry Donuts, the drive-thru window was smashed and a cash register was stolen, along with food and drinks. Andy’s Frozen Custard on the square had multiple front windows smashed. Tyler Police said the two cases are not related.

Smith County Jail found non-compliant on two issues

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Jail had its yearly inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, TCJS, found the facility to non-compliant on two issues. The jail was deficient on physical education and nutrition. Sheriff Larry Smith addressed both issues with KTBB on Wednesday,”We are installing lights on top of the roof of the jail so we can do recreation at night. The second and third floors are the only ones we were deficient, and that happens as a result of logistics of physically moving prisoners on those levels to recreation on the roof of the jail.” Continue reading Smith County Jail found non-compliant on two issues

Fair Food Favorites to open Thursday through Sunday

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair is setting up food stands featuring all of your fair favorites! Cody Rosenbalm tells KTBB, “It’s going to be Thursday going through Sunday…We are going to have a limited menu of the most popular things out here; funnel cakes, corn dogs, turkey legs and all that kind of good stuff.” Food vendors will be open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on June 4th through June 7th. Continue reading Fair Food Favorites to open Thursday through Sunday

Pilgrim’s Pride CEO among 4 indicted for chicken price fixing

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (AP) – The CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride is one of four current and former chicken company executives who have been indicted on charges of price-fixing. The Justice Department says a federal grand jury in Colorado found that executives from Colorado-based Pilgrim’s Pride and Georgia-based Claxton Poultry conspired to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chickens from at least 2012 to 2017. Among those charged is Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Jayson Penn. They are the first executives to be charged in a long-running investigation of price-fixing in the chicken industry. The executives could face 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Continue reading Pilgrim’s Pride CEO among 4 indicted for chicken price fixing

DPS reopens dozens of offices by appointment

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety will be reopening dozens of offices on Wednesday as the next phase of attempting to resume a normal life after months of shutdown from the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, the department is moving to appointments only. Services will be limited to persons seeking a first time drivers license, commercial drivers license, a learning license or I.D. card. As well as those who need to take a driving test. Customers must pay with a credit card, check or a money order.

Glass Recreation Center to increase occupancy limits on Monday

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department announced on Wednesday their intent to increase capacity limits for Glass Recreation Center. According to a news brief, on Monday, the maximum number goes to 30 visitors at a time inside the facility. Once capacity is reached, visitors will have a limit of 2.5 hours per visit. Appointments are not necessary, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information click the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/parks-rec.

ETFB begins Summer Food Program with modifications

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank’s Summer Food Program launched this week. On Tuesday, East Texas Food Bank’s Lauren Barnes told KTBB, “Normaly we have a big kick-off event that is a community event that rallies everyone together. Normally our summer feeding sites are in conjunction with other programs targeted towards children…so a lot of those programs are canceled for the summer but we know even with these canceled programs there is a huge meal gap for these children.” Continue reading ETFB begins Summer Food Program with modifications

Teen that posted shooting and suffering of dog pleads guilty

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Kimberly Diaz has pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty to animals. Diaz is the Cherokee County teen accused of shooting her dog to death and posting the video to Facebook. According to our news partner KETK, Diaz made her plea Monday in the 2nd Judicial District Court of Cherokee County. She admitted to participating in the shooting of her dog, filming the suffering, and posting it on Facebook. Continue reading Teen that posted shooting and suffering of dog pleads guilty

Hundreds gather on the square for prayer vigil in Tyler

TYLER — Hundreds of people met on T.B. Butler Square in downtown Tyler Tuesday for a prayer vigil. Elder Orenthia Mason, North Tyler District, greeted the crowd saying, “To my brothers and sisters of all races, and all color, and all religions, and all political groups one of these days God is going to take that away too, the politics. He said we are all one in the spirit, and one in the Lord. When I needed blood after I had surgery, I didn’t ask them if it was from a white person, or a Hispanic person, or a black person, I said give me the blood!” Continue reading Hundreds gather on the square for prayer vigil in Tyler

Chick-fil-A on ETBU Campus reopens as COVID-19 restrictions ease

Chick-fil-A on ETBU Campus reopens as COVID-19 restrictions easeMARSHALL — The Chick-fil-A on the campus of East Texas Baptist University will reopen to the public on Wednesday. The eatery has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic. The food chain is located inside the Ornelas Student Center, and will be open to the public and campus community under specific precautions. Everyone will be required to wear masks and maintain a minimum of six feet of physical distance. The restaurant will serve a limited lunch menu Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. throughout the summer.

Tyler responds to George Floyd incident

TYLER — East Texans are responding to the police-related death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which has drawn reactions across the country and even overseas. According to the Tyler Together Facebook page, the Democratic Club of Smith County will hold a “Candle Light Prayer Night” Tuesday at Liberty Missionary Baptist Church on North Broadway. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be a drive-in service in deference to concerns about COVID-19. Continue reading Tyler responds to George Floyd incident

Tyler firefighters put out downtown blaze

TYLER — Tyler firefighters put out a large fire at Ye Olde City Antique Mall on Locust Street in the downtown area. Fire Marshall Paul Findley was on with our news partner KETK, “Thankfully this building as old as it is, has got some fire walls in it, and that has assisted us tactically in being able to get a handle of it.” No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is not yet known.

El Charro on the Ridge in Tyler closing its doors permanently

TYLER — The coronavirus has taken another local favorite, this time El Charro on the Ridge, a popular Mexican restaurant in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the owner of El Charro, Manny Vela, released the following statement on their Facebook page: “First of all, I want to thank all the support, and prayers, not only during this COVID 19 crisis but for years of patronage and friendship. Our hearts and prayers go to all the victims of this worldwide crisis. Continue reading El Charro on the Ridge in Tyler closing its doors permanently

Amtrak to restaff customer service positions in Marshall

MARSHALL — After two years of not having a customer service representative, Amtrak will be restaffing those positions at 15 locations. According to our news partner KETK, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says two of the locations include Texarkana, Arkansas, and Marshall, Texas. The Amtrak Chicago office released a statement saying, “Amtrak is fulfilling a Congressional mandate to provide customer service with station agents at 15 locations across our network, including Texarkana and Marshall.” The statement continues, “Applications for these Customer Service Representative positions will be available online at jobs.Amtrak.com. We will work to fill these jobs as quickly as possible, first by posting them internally.”

Peaceful protests in Longview

LONGVIEW — Peaceful protesters in Longview showed up at the police department over the weekend, holding signs and a moment of prayer. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police Chief Mike Bishop was among those in uniform. The chief said, “Our officers and our agency are just as appalled as the community as to what occurred with Mr. Floyd.” Chief Bishop continued, “We want the citizens to know that we respect their right to peacefully protest.” Many people in the crowd we asking for more insight into diversity training for East Texas officers. The gathering ended with a moment of silence for George Floyd. Longview Mayor Andy Mack said in a post on Facebook, “People are welcome to have peaceful protests at any time in our City.”