KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials are looking for a man who they say ran away after they responded to a call about an assault. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were called to a residence on Highway 155 South, shortly before 7 a.m. Upon arrival, a man, described only as a 27-year-old black male, wearing blue shorts and no shirt, took off running from deputies. Officials say they believe they know who the man is, but are withholding his identity until positive identification is made.

TYLER — Smith County has become the latest East Texas County to issue a burn ban. Smith County Commissioner’s took that action on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Cherokee County issued a band, prohibiting outdoor burning, 24 hours earlier. Numerous East Texas counties have been placed under burn bans in the last several week, after a long period of extreme heat and very little rain. No outdoor burning of any kind is allowed while a county is under a ban.

SMITH COUNTY — The mother of a toddler that drowned in Chapel Hill has been arrested. After an extensive investigation, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Tiffany Snyder for injury to a child. On August 18, Smith County Deputies responded to a home on County Road 210 in the Chapel Hill area regarding a missing child. After an exhaustive search, the body of Madison Williams, 3, was located in a pond on the property. Snyder was arrested September 9 and booked into the Smith County Jail. Her bond was set at $200,000.

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair is debuting the GO TEXAN Market this year. Imagine a general store full of salsa, spices, sauces, honey, soaps, jams, and more, all made in Texas from start to finish! The GO TEXAN brand is managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture in order to promote the products of Texas agriculture. The GO TEXAN Market is one of only two GO TEXAN stores in the State of Texas. The original GO TEXAN General Store opened at The State Fair of Texas in Dallas decades ago. Now TDA and the East Texas State Fair are proud to bring the same concept to Tyler. The GO TEXAN Market will be inside the new Discovery Texas Building at the Fair. The 2019 East Texas State Fair kicks off Friday September 20th and runs through Sunday September 29th. For more information, or to get tickets, visit etstatefair.com.

TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested Phillip Jones, 51, of Nacogdoches for burglary and evading police in a vehicle. Around 11:34 a.m. Monday, police were called to the Super 8 Motel on NNW Loop 323 on a report of a man kicking in a motel room door and forcing his wife against her will into his vehicle. Officers searched the area for the suspect vehicle and located it at 64 West and Loop 323. They tried to pull the vehicle over, but police say the driver failed to comply, leading officers in a slow speed pursuit around the Loop back to the motel. Jones was captured, and the woman was recovered from the vehicle uninjured. Jones was booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — In 2013, the Tyler Area Ambucs came to the City of Tyler Parks Department with the idea of building an inclusive playground. Shortly after, they began a fundraising campaign to make this dream a reality. The Tyler Area Ambucs raised approximately $300,000 and the City matched these funds through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. Construction started in early 2019 and on Saturday volunteers are invited out from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Particpants can register to work the entire event or choose a shift. Registration is available online by clicking the link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevwzES8QcY799wmR0CykHBkdUx1l597KARZxUvhGaKS1qXbw/viewform. Continue reading Volunteers to Help Build Inclusive Playground at Southside Park

TYLER — On Monday The University of Texas at Tyler announced the selection of a professor into the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. Melinda Hermanns, associate professor of nursing, has been selected for induction. Hermanns is one of 17 named to the 13th class of fellows to be inducted into the NLN Academy. Hermanns will be formally inducted at an honors convocation in September at the NLN Education Summit at National Harbor. Hermanns’ area of excellence stems from partnerships that advance nursing education through her work to improve the health of populations with chronic illness.

DALLAS — East Texas first responders joined the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday to remember brothers and sisters that risked their lives during the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in 2001. According to our news partner KETK, the climb is a full 110 flights of stairs in full gear to honor the 343 firefighters, 70 law enforcement, and 9 EMS workers who lost their lives. Officers from Henderson, West Harrison County and Arp attended the climb of 110 stories of the Renaissance Tower in Downtown Dallas. The Dallas Memorial Stair Climb started in 2011 with more than 360 firefighters.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has unveiled their “Movies in the Park” lineup for 2019. The series is a free, family-friendly make up of 4 movies that will run in September and October at Bergfeld Amphitheater on the Centene Stage. The slate for this year includes two 2019 features, and 2 classic reels. Attendees can bring blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the show. Concessions will be available for a fee. For more info, contact Debbie Isham, special events/recreation manager, at (903) 531-1214. To see the film line-up for the fall season click the link. Continue reading Tyler Movies in the Park Announces Fall Line-Up

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the Week of Sept. 9, 2019. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Tyler, the contractor is preparing for a traffic shift for major construction to get underway soon on the FM 2493/Old Jacksonville Highway project between Gresham and Flint. Traffic will be moved to the east side of the roadway where detours have been installed on both ends of the project. Motorists can expect minimal impacts to traffic as trucks deliver construction materials. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/ for the complete rundown.

LONGVIEW — A woman known in East Texas as an unidentified person formerly called “Lavender Doe” officially has her name back after more than a decade. According to our news partner KETK, Dana Lynn Dodd was identified by DNA. This weekend, her family flew from Florida to visit her grave site and give it a new update. She now has a new headstone. The family wanted to thank East Texas, the DNA Doe Project and local law enforcement for helping them get closure. September 6th would have been Dodd’s 34th birthday. Continue reading Family of ‘Lavender Doe’ Visits East Texas for Memorial Service

RUSK COUNTY — A Rusk County Sheriff’s deputy is facing a DWI charge after being arrested in Henderson on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Deputy Jimmie Candie was off-duty when he was arrested for DWI Thursday. Candie was arraigned Friday and bonded out of jail a short time later. Deputy Candie was suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation through Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Candie resigned from the Sheriff’s Office hours later.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is hosting the National Night Out Kick Off Party on Saturday at Bergfeld Park. The free event is scheduled from 11am to 2pm. According to the Tyler PD Facebook page, there will be live music, food vendors, bounce houses and fun for the whole family! Carter Bloodcare will also be there for blood donations!

TYLER — Tyler police been able to identify the approximately 2 year-old black male and investigators are talking with the family. The toddler was dropped off on N. Gaston Street around 1:00 p.m. today. Police received a call from a Hispanic female who lives on N. Gaston who stated that a black male driver pulled up in a tanish / brown Nissan car and asked if the little boy was hers? She said no, the driver told her that he found the child up on Martin Luther King, placed the child in the street and drove away. The child was only wearing socks when he abandoned the child. The female immediately called police and reported the incident.

TYLER – In 2014 Timmy Lynn Vaughn was sworn in as the chairman of the Gregg County Republican Party, on Thursday the 59-year-old Longview man was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison. Vaughn plead guilty in May to making false statements to a bank. Vaughn was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $145,100. According to court proceedings, in March of 2016, Vaughn applied for a personal loan at a bank and forged his wife’s name. The loan was approved and the proceeds remitted by a cashier’s check, which was deposited on the same day into an account controlled by Vaughn.

SMITH COUNTY — Former Smith County Commissioner and former Smith County Republican Club President, David Stein, has circulated his intentions to run for the Smith County Republican Party Chairman in the March 2020 Primary. Gary Penkilo will serve as his Treasurer. Stein is currently serving the community as Campaign Chair for United Way of Smith County where he has served as an Executive Board Member for 10 years and as a Board Member of Tyler Proud. David Stein and his wife, Stella, are members of Rose Heights Church and they are parents of 3 adult daughters.

TYLER — The City of Tyler website will remain down as the City of Tyler IT Department and the third-party provider address the compromise. However, a list of links including job opportunities, bill pay, online permits and other resources are now available at http://www.CityOfTyler.org. A directory for all City departments with phone numbers and addresses are also available. Continue reading Update on City of Tyler Website

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Fair sets in motion Friday night. Since its inception, the fair has brought in vendors, families, and anyone interested in fun from all over Gregg County and surrounding areas. The fair is home to rides, shopping, local artisans’ wares, petting zoos and more. The Gregg County Fair began in 1949 and runs thru Sept. 14th! Get more details by clicking the link. https://greggcountyfair.com/

UPSHUR COUNTY — Former East Mountain Fire chief, James Wilson Burks, has been indicted on theft charges valued at over $30,000.00. According to our news partner KETK, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office got a tip back in May of reports of an internal theft of property. Following the the Upshur County DA’s Office presented the case to a grand jury. Burks was indicted for the offense of Misapplication of Fiduciary Property – Over $30,000.00, a 3rd Degree Felony. Burks was arrested on Thursday with bond set at $50,000.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Two people were injured in a fire at a petroleum site Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, said the fire was reported just after 8:00 off of FM 317, south of Chandler. A medical helicopter flew two people to Parkland hospital in Dallas. Identities and extent of the injuries are unknown. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — A Rusk County man was arrested following a wreck in Smith County on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say Ryan Curbo, 23, of Henderson, passed in a no passing zone on HWY 64 near C.R. 294 when he hit a car driven by Lonesha McCovey, 26, of Nacogdoches. Curbo reportedly then spun and struck a second vehicle, driven by Callie Birdsong, 25, of Arp. McCovy and Birdsong were both transported to Christus Trinity Mother Francis Hospital –Tyler in serious condition. After the crash reports state Curbo shed his clothing and disappeared into a wooded area. Curbo was found and exhibited what authorities called “erratic and aggressive actions toward first responders.” Continue reading Henderson Man Charged following Wreck

QUITMAN — A five month investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Louisiana man facing three felony cattle theft charges out of Texas. Justin Glenn Thompson, 40, of Hineston, Louisiana was arrested for theft of 84 head of cattle, an additional count of theft of 16 head of cattle, and theft of property of more than $18,000 in cattle payment shortages. The investigation included a group effort with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Special Rangers and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Brand Inspectors. TSCRA Special Rangers Larry Hand and Bo Fox were in Louisiana on Tuesday as LDAF brand inspectors arrested Thompson. According to a news release more charges could still be to come.

TYLER — An East Texas businessman has announced a challenge against long-time representative Louie Gohmert for his congressional seat in 2020. According to our news partner KETK, Hank Gilbert announced his plans to be the Democratic challenger against Gohmert, who will be running for his ninth term in the House of Representatives. Gilbert is a rancher, former high school agriculture teacher, and small-business owner. He announced his campaign Thursday from Union Hall in Tyler.

TYLER — Plans to expand FM 2964/Rhones Quarter Road in Smith County are progressing with a second public meeting on Tuesday the 17th. TxDOT encourages interested citizens to attend and provide input on the recommended alternative. The “come and go” meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m., on the Brown Elementary School campus in Whitehouse. The meeting will happen in the cafeteria and will allow adjacent property owners and other interested citizens an opportunity to review the latest updates on the proposed improvements, gather information, voice concerns and provide feedback. Continue reading TxDOT Expansion Input Meeting

LONGVIEW — The Arts!Longview Cultural District has been Named a Texas Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts. According to the Commission, the establishment of a cultural district requires a focus on the arts with carefully laid out plans and collaboration among arts organizations, city and county government entities, businesses and citizens. Arts!Longview will host a celebration on Oct. 10, 2019 in downtown Longview in conjunction with ArtWalk Longview to celebrate the recognition of the district. Continue reading Longview Cultural District Recognized by Texas Commision

TYLER — The East Texas Symphony Orchestra and music director Richard Lee – kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with ¡Celebración!. The night of music takes place on Sept 14th at 7:30 at the UT Cowan Center, in partnership with the Hispanic Professionals Association of Tyler, highlighting music from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and the USA! The night features Texas A&M University faculty and guitarist Isaac Bustos and the Tyler Junior College Alumni Guitar Ensemble. Complete information on the 2019/2020 season is available by clicking the link. https://etso.org/.