KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A run-off election for Smith County Commissioner in Precinct 1 between Neal Franklin and Pam Frederick scheduled for May 26, will not happen. On Tuesday afternoon, Pam Frederick told KTBB, “This decision is the result of praying, discussing with my family and other supporters, and a great deal of introspection. My opponent gathered an impressive number of votes and I offer Neal Franklin my full support as the Commissioner-elect. All candidates in this race were respectful and we can all hold our heads high as this campaign comes to a close. Ultimately, I think that I can find other directions and other ways to be effective as a leader in our community.”

LONGVIEW — An outbreak of coronavirus that originally started in Wuhan China in January, has made it to East Texas. On Tuesday, NET Health’s Russell Hopkins told KTBB, “the unidentified patient has been released from the hospital and has isolated themselves inside their home with mild symptoms.” The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director continued saying, “we believe the virus was contracted by travel association with-in the continental United States.” Continue reading Gregg County has First Case of Coronavirus

TYLER — Congressman Louie Gohmert is back at work in Washington because he showed zero symptoms of coronavirus, despite possibly being exposed. On Tuesday, Ghomert told KTBB, “I’m fine, they gave me a physical exam and said, but you don’t meet the criteria. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you.” The U.S. Representative for Texas District 1 continued, “You don’t meet any of the criteria for being tested for the coronavirus. They said we are not allowed to test you, because you are not sick. There’s nothing wrong.”

TYLER — A former Emergency Services District 2 employee has been formally indicted on numerous charges that he uploaded child pornography with victims as young as two years old on Snapchat. According to our news partner KETK, Silas Franks, 25, had been under investigation after Tyler police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The NCMEC sent several files involving children performing lewd sex acts. It stated that many of the images involved children between the ages of 2 and 7. Continue reading Former ESD 2 Employee Formally Indicted

TYLER — City of Tyler residents will soon be able to have bulky items picked up by the Tyler Solid Waste Department. The campaign is sponsored by Keep Tyler Beautiful and Tyler Solid Wasted Department and runs from March 30 through April 3. This does not include muliti-family home communities and businesses. If you want to participate in the campaign you will need to place the bulky items on the curb by March 30. Once crews have collected on your street, do not place items at the curb, or you will be charged a special pick up fee. Continue reading Free Bulky Item Collection Coming Soon

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners Court approved a four-year, 80 percent tax abatement on Tuesday for Wastequip Manufacturing Company LLC on Tuesday. Felicia Herndon, executive vice president of finance for the Tyler Economic Development Council said, the operation is expected to add 133 manufacturing and professional jobs with an average wage of $20 an hour, as well as a comprehensive benefits package and create new investment of up to $6 million. Wastequip had also considered Conroe and Dallas for the project, Ms. Herndon said.

TYLER — The city of Tyler hosts a Tyler 1st Comprehensive Plan open house Tuesday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center. There’ll be a review of draft updates to the chapters on Downtown; Historic Preservation; North End Revitalization; Housing and Community Identity; Parks, Recreation and Open Space; Transportation; Public Facilities and Services; Business and Education; Future Land Use; and Education. Go to the “Meetings” tab at http://www.cityoftyler.org for more information.

TYLER — It was a record-breaking year for Saturday’s annual FRESH 15 race in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, more people participated this year than ever before. 4,500 runners from 19 states and two countries gave it their all. The race also raised $175,000, which will be donated to 26 charities, including the American Cancer Society and the East Texas Food Bank.

BEN WHEELER — Organizers are preparing for the 6th Annual motorized barstool races scheduled for Saturday in Ben Wheeler. The races will take place at 2:45 p.m. in downtown during Ben Wheeler’s Saint P’s 279 Street Party. Kay Dorman told KTBB on Monday, “last year the event drew around 2,500 people.” The spokesperson continued, “it’s a fun way to raise funds for the Ben Wheeler and Edom Fire Departments. Volunteers will be onsite accepting donations to benefit the units.” The day is filled with festivities for the whole family all within the downtown area. Continue reading Motorized Barstool Races Saturday in Ben Wheeler

TYLER — 2, 400 hardwood seedlings will be planted on Saturday at Lindsay Park in Tyler. On Monday, Angela Dennis told KTBB, “When we were contacted by TFA, we jumped at the chance to get 12 acres of open-space land in Lindsey Park planted with trees.” The Community Coordinator continued, “it’s all part of the GreenSideUp event in conjunction with the Texas Forestry Association, the City of Tyler and Tyler Trees Committee and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Committee.” Continue reading 2, 400 Seedlings to Be Planted for GreenSideUp Event

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an early morning robbery Monday of a Tyler gas station. According to our news partner KETK, the robbery at the CEFCO gas station on W. Houston Street in Tyler was called in just after 6 a.m. Details are limited as to the the amount of money taken during the theft. If you have any information regarding the burglary you are encouraged to contact Tyler Police.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas is gearing up for a free Lunch and Learn seminar on April 1. The session is titled The Diabetic Foot: Care and Treatment and takes place at the UT Health Tyler Pavilion, on Clinic Drive. Board-certified Podiatrist Dr. David Andreone will present information about diabetes and how it affects your feet, common foot problems associated with diabetes and proper care of the diabetic foot. Seating is limited and is required by March 27 for the free meeting. Register online at UTHealthTylerHospital.com/foot or call 903-747-4749.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct a number of construction and maintenance work projects around the Tyler District during the Week of March 9. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct base repairs on Spur 364 near Greenbriar Road and ditch maintenance on roadways around Smith County. Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct bridge joint repairs on I-20 between FM 2087 and the Gregg/Harrison County line. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at all locations. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/011-2020.html for a full rundown of this week’s roadwork in the Tyler District.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas schools are assuring parents that they are staying current on information regarding the coronavirus outbreak. According to our news partner KETK, though no confirmed cases have been reported in this area, school districts are being proactive in providing information to students and their families. According to a post on the UT Tyler website, “All university-sponsored international travel for students, faculty and staff is prohibited. This restriction will take place until further notice. Those who have current plans to travel internationally should cancel reservations.” Continue reading Schools Offer Advisories about Coronavirus

LUFKIN — Lufkin police arrested a Henderson man Friday evening after a high-speed pursuit over some of the city’s main roadways. According to our news partner KETK, police say they received a call about a reckless driver on Loop 287 from an off-duty police officer. The officer reported that the driver, later identified as Travis Thornton, 27, of Henderson, almost hit his family’s vehicle, was ignoring traffic lights, driving all over the road well over the speed limit, and passing other vehicles on the shoulder of the road. As the reporting officer continued to give the vehicle’s location, another officer waited on Loop 287 to see if he could make a traffic stop to ascertain whether the driver was intoxicated. Police say the suspect blew through the stop and passed the officer at an estimated 80 mph. Continue reading Lufkin Police Arrest Henderson Man after High-Speed Chase in Stolen Car

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man has been charged with double murder in the killings of his mother and aunt last fall. According to our news partner KETK, Jermaine Wheat, 33, is in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $3.5 million. He’s charged with capital murder of multiple persons, burglary of a habitation, and making a false alarm or report of an emergency. The charges stem from the October 9 killings of Daisy and Karen Sue Wheat of Kilgore, 68 and 63 respectively, on Pine Burr Lane. Officers arrested Wheat two blocks away from the complex where the women died. He is reportedly the son of Karen Wheat.

LONGVIEW — Health officials from throughout Gregg County and the East Texas region are working together to coordinate response for the potential arrival of coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued health alerts regarding a novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, which was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has spread to other parts of the world including the United States. According to a news release from the city of Longview, there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gregg County and the threat to East Texas remains low. However, local health officials encourage residents to take precautions to avoid exposure and spread of viruses. Continue reading Gregg County Area Health Officials Encourage Coronavirus Precautions

TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. On Friday U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown said Victor Hernandez Jr. 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, Hernandez distributed around 25 grams of methamphetamine last July to another person for $400 in an undercover transaction. Continue reading Smith County Man Guilty of Federal Drug Trafficking

LONGVIEW — March 14 will provide a unique event at the Greenwood Cemetery in Longview. As part of the celebration of Longview 150, there will be a distinguished tour of the city’s oldest cemetery. Greeters in period costumes will welcome visitors at the gate for a “walk through history” as they tour the grounds and encounter more than a dozen individuals who made a historic impact in Longview. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the last tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. Children visiting Greenwood on March 14 will also have the opportunity to do a gravestone rubbing. For more information, contact Ellen Gordon at 903-720-1398, or Susan Baker at 903-918-0721.

TYLER — Artists are invited to submit their work for the Gallery Main Street’s spring fine art exhibit. The entry deadline is March 29. The entry process is digital and allows artists to submit up to three pieces, with an entry fee of $20. Click http://www.DowntownTylerArts.com for all information. The spring exhibit is an open theme to go along with the new open style gallery! This will be the first juried exhibit in the new gallery space inside the Plaza Tower. Continue reading Gallery Main Street Seeks Entrants for Spring Exhibit

MINEOLA — The Lake Country Symphonic Band in Mineola will launch its 2020 season a week from Sunday, at 2PM. Titled “High Sticking,” the concert features the talents of three energetic percussionists on Mark Ford’s “Stubernic Fantasy.” The March 15 performance is a matinee performance, with the March 17 concert starting at 7:30PM. Continue reading Symphonic Band Launches New Concert Season Next Weekend

TYLER — On May 8, 2019, Sheryl Keel’s life changed forever. She was head-on while driving home from work. Keel would spend the next 2 month’s at Christus Trinity Mother Frances hospital, where she underwent nine surgeries. Keel had 8 broken ribs, a brain bleed, pins and rods put into her right leg and left arm and skin and bone grafts. The surgeons told her it was a wait-and-see situation on whether she’d ever walk again. Continue reading Smith County’s “Heart & Sole” Ready to Walk FRESH

BULLARD — Bullard ISD is bringing metal directors into play at the high school and middle school campuses. According to our news partner KETK, Superintendent Jack Lee notified parents with a letter on Thursday sharing the districts plans to implement metal detectors after spring break. The metal detectors will also be used at sporting events and other extracurricular events. The detectors will also include a search of backpacks, if necessary. Students will need to arrive 5-15 minutes early so they won’t be marked tardy. Continue reading Metal Detectors Coming to BISD

TYLER — A judge’s ruling is next on the agenda in the Smith County Constable Precinct 1 race. An updated review of the final tally shows Willie Mims captured a majority of the votes in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary — outdistancing incumbent Bobby Garmon and a third candidate, Curtis Traylor Harris. But Garmon has claimed Mims shouldn’t have been on the ballot in the first place since he allegedly didn’t have enough valid petition signatures. A judge is set to hear the case March 12. If Garmon’s claim is upheld, it’s unclear what would happen next. There is no Republican challenger in the November election.

TYLER — Tyler figures heavily after Gov. Abbott held a press conference on Thursday to update Texas residents about the state’s abilities to test for the Coronavirus and how it is preparing to deal with testing.That’s according to our news partner KETK. In his statement, Abbott said that Tyler would become one of ten cities in the Lone Star State to allow for testing of the coronavirus. The testing is done by public health labs that are a part of the Laboratory Response Network. We’ll have more on this story later today.

MARSHALL — On Thursday the Marshall Police Department along with law enforcement officers across Texas began increasing DWI patrols to identify and stop impaired drivers as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. The campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to their spring break celebrations. Continue reading Marshall PD Increasing DWI Patrols for Spring Break

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Police Department received ballistic shields on Wednesday to help keep officers safe fighting crime. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office provided the gear. Whitehouse Police Chief Paul Robeson says the donation could be the difference between life or death. “The shields will help us go into situations more prepared more protected instead of going in there with just what we’ve got on our bodies, we are able to take these into a scene and we are able to have something that is in-between us and them, a physical barrier that’s much larger.” District Attorney Jacob Putman and his office say that anytime they hear of a need, it’s their job to help where they can.

TYLER — A community meeting regarding plans for the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be held on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. This is the 2nd meeting in conjunction with the Airport Master Plan, with a goal of presenting anticipated needs for the facility over the next 20 years. The Airport Master Planning process and details of the project will be discussed. Organizers say the public meeting is an excellent opportunity for residents in the region to participate in the discussion to plan future goals and programs for the airport.