KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JEFFERSON — Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur says he will be working from home for the next ten days after his wife tested positive for COVID-19. LeFleur said his wife, Brooke, is doing well with minimal symptoms. Marion County has the fewest confirmed cases of COVID-19, in Northeast Texas, 199 as of Sunday. The County has also reported 17 deaths due to the coronavirus. LaFleur went on to say that he is not aware of anyone else that is quarantining in local or county government, as a result of potential exposure. Marion was one of nearly 80 Texas counties, that opted out of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order requiring face masks.

TYLER — D.P.S worked the scene of a two vehicle fatal crash on Monday. Troopers described the scene as a two vehicle fatal crash at the intersection of FM 757 and FM 2767 in Smith County. DPS. Sgt. Jean Dark has confirmed that three people are dead at the site of the accident. The investigation into what caused the wreck, remains open at this time. More information will be released once it becomes available.

TYLER — Multiple criminal charges have been filed by Texas game wardens into possible illegal hunting in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, authorities seized, 16 sets of antlers, among other things. The investigation was put into motion in November, after Smith County game wardens received a tip. Some of the charges filed include, hunting without landowner consent, harvesting illegal white-tailed bucks, tagging violations, and hunting at night with aid of an artificial lights. Authorities have also seized two crossbows and a one compound bow with flashlights, several rifles, a night vision scope, and about 80 lbs. of deer meat.

TYLER — Tyler Police arrested a man on a charge of driving under the influence after he crashed his SUV into a pond at Cathedral in the Pines. According to our news partner KETK, the incident took place Sunday morning at the cemetery located on Broadway. The burial ground continued to remain open as a tow truck removed the vehicle from the shallow waters of the water feature.

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall notified residents and local businesses of road closures, as a result of the Downtown Redevelopment Project. The work started Monday, on the southern end at the intersection of Austin and N. Washington. It then plans to move to to N. Washington and Rusk’s northern end. Citizens are asked to use Austin Street, Rusk Street, and the parking lot alley behind Joe Pine Coffee Company to access the businesses in the 200 block of North Washington. The city is asking for patience from the public during the job that is expected to last 8 to 10 business days project.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas is working hard to keep raising money in spite of COVID-19. According to the organization’s website, “2020 may have slowed life down for some, but we have been busier than ever helping more animals than ever!” It’s all in preparation for the SPCA’s New Year’s Eve 9th annual No-Show Gala. The website continues, “100% of your donation will go toward helping homeless pets in our community! So put on your jammies, get comfy on the couch, and be a (socially distanced) rescue hero from home!” You can go to https://spcaeasttx.com/no-show-gala-2020/ to donate and get additional information.

WHITEHOUSE — A trailer full of camping gear — and with a special meaning for the Scoutmaster — has been stolen from Whitehouse United Methodist Church, the normal meeting place for Boy Scout Troop 359. In a Christmas Eve posting on the troop’s Facebook page, Scoutmaster Jason Beaton says the trailer “was dedicated to the Troop back in 2000 in memory of a Dad who had passed away the year before and was a cornerstone of our Troop. The night before he suffered a brain aneurysm, we had Troop Meeting. He worked with me the entire night on the plans and designs of my Eagle Project. I will never forget his dedication to Scouting. His son (also an Eagle) and wife dedicated this trailer to our Troop in his memory.” Beaton says Whitehouse police have been notified and should be contacted at 903-510-7550 with any leads.

EAST TEXAS — High winds and dry conditions have been making it unsafe to do outside burning or ignite fireworks in East Texas, fire officials say. “We are asking people to voluntarily refrain from doing any outdoor burning or shooting fireworks,” said a statement from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s office. “The relative humidity is dropping…Combined with the high winds, this is a recipe for disaster.” Winds were expected to die down late Sunday and Monday, but officials still urge residents to exercise caution. Continue reading Officials warn of fire danger

UPSHUR COUNTY — Cases are pending against two men after Texas game wardens reportedly discovered they had 173 crappie over the legal limit. That’s according to our news partner KETK. In late November, game wardens in Upshur County received an anonymous tip that a large number of fish had been cleaned and dumped at Lake O’ the Pines, said information from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The investigation led the game wardens to the suspects. The game wardens seized 350 crappie fillets, which were donated to families in the area. The daily bag for crappie is 25, according to TPWD.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is investigating a Thursday night fatality accident involving a pedestrian and a car. Police say the pedestrian was stuck by a southbound vehicle while crossing Troup Hwy. near the Aberdeen Drive intersection. Further details weren’t immediately provided. The identity of the pedestrian has been withheld pending notification of family.

TYLER — In 2021,The East Texas Auto & Cycle Show will be celebrating 31 years. The show benefits the East Texas Crisis Center. The show brings in vehicles of all makes, from every decade, some very rare, some from car enthusiasts who own vast collections and some from those who have the one dream car or motorcycle from their youth. The organization says the show will open at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler on February 19th through February 21st. This year the show will also raffle off a fully restored 1965 Mustang, with tickets available for $10 each.

TROUP — Law enforcement and fellow East Texans came together to donate their time and money to help the family of a fallen officer. Dakota Powell was killed in a motorcycle crash last week, when an SUV failed to yield the right of way. According to our news partner KETK, Powell, 30, was set to officiate a funeral of a three-week-old on Sunday. The sons of the former fallen Arp police officer, had a treehouse on their Christmas wish list. The East Texas Fraternal Order of Police reached out to others in uniform to help the Powell’s in their time of need. Continue reading Volunteers step up to help family of fallen officer

TYLER — CHRISTUS announced Wednesday, that Trinity Clinic is prepping facilities to receive, manage and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers in the up-coming days. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all health care workers, but is not mandatory. The inoculation will be given in two doses: an initial injection and then a booster shot, 21-28 days later. Shipments are expected this week. The vaccine is provided by the government, which requires following their process for distribution. That process includes a phased approach to who will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

TYLER — The hospitalization numbers of people admitted for COVID-19 continue to rise in East Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Trauma Service Area G (TSA-G), includes Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt. and Wood counties. TSA-G remains above a 15% hospitalization rate and, per Gov. Abbott’s order, businesses must scale back capacity to 50%. Also under that order, all elective surgeries must be postponed and bars must close. Restrictions will last until rates fall below 15% for seven consecutive days. The latest Staffed Hospital Beds with a COVID-19 patient was 543, of the 3,093 that are available.

TYLER — Many recent graduates from Tyler Junior College’s respiratory care program are finding jobs quickly. According to our news partner KETK, Hospitals continue to see an upsize of patients with respiratory needs due to the pandemic. In early December, students applied for temporary practitioner licenses while waiting for their final grades to be posted, so they could enter the workforce as quickly as possible. Five of the 15 December graduates,were hired as assistants before graduation. The other 10 grads have also received job offers.

TYLER — East Texans partnered with Whataburger In their holiday ornament and food drive this year to help donate over $16 thousand to the East Texas Food Bank. According to our news partner KETK, customers bought an ornaments for a dollar each. On the last day of the campaign, customers that brought in canned goods, received a free burger. All of the proceeds went to the East Texas Food Bank. Initially, the goal was to raise $7 thousand dollars. However, generous donors helped more than double that. ETFB will be able to provide more than 128,000 meals from the drive.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is inviting residents to repurpose their “live” Christmas trees, by turning them into compost or fish habitats. The Compost Site on Swinging Bridge Road will welcome the trees, or residents can leave them on the curbside. The city is reminding community members to remove all decorations. Trees with decoration and artificial trees will not be accepted. If residents prefer to leave the tree on the curb, organizers ask you to leave 4 feet of room between the tree and the trash and recycling carts. Call 903-237-1250 for more information or click the link. https://longviewtexas.gov/2264/Sanitation—Trash-Collection.

MARSHALL — A former East Texas teacher has been indicted by a Harrison County grand jury. Christopher Eppley, 36, is accused of an improper relationship between an educator and a student. Eppley, is scheduled to be in court on February 9th after being indicted. The alleged incident happened with a school child enrolled at Waskom ISD. The so-called occurrence took place when Eppley was a teacher at Elysian Fields Middle School. Eppley was arrested last March, with bond set at $75,000.

TYLER –The United Way of Smith County hosted their first ever “Tyler Gives” online event on December 1st. More than 500 individuals came together in support of dozens of local Tyler agencies. The event was geared towards local needs in the middle of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the generous contributions, all transaction and platform fees were covered. In fact, organizers say, 100% of the donations designated to these agencies can go directly to meeting needs during this critical season.

EAST TEXAS — Grants were announced Tuesday for several East Texas colleges, universities and technical schools. The awards are coming from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These allotments are for the first round of awards under the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program, of over $18 million. Reskilling grants are for Texas institutions to provide financial assistance to students and to help them cover tuition costs and other fees. Kilgore College, UT Tyler, and Trinity Valley Community College, were local schools of the forty different applicants representing 49 institutions selected. Kilgore will receive $750,000, Trinity Valley $300,000, and UT-Tyler $112,500.

TYLER — A former Tyler City Council member and community activist died Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Ed Moore, represented District 3 from 2013 to 2019 and was mayor pro tem in 2014 and 2015. Moore is credited with championing causes that are credited with helping improve the Northwest District that he served. Moore worked 40 years at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and held key positions with the United Steel Workers including 12 years on its Executive Board. He also was active in the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, Tyler Metro Chamber, Juneteenth Association, Emmett Scott Center and the NAACP. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Jean, daughter, Rebecca, and son, Edward.

TYLER — A longtime Juvenile Services worker was celebrated Tuesday in Smith County. Sabrina Dean, has been full-time in the Juvenile Services Department since 1990. Dean started her career working in intake, now known as master control; which includes answering phones, monitoring cameras, and unlocking doors in the Juvenile Attention Center. Dean says, “Juvenile probation officers should be called ‘change agents’ because they work daily to give the kids the tools for success they need to help them make life changes to better themselves so they can get off probation successfully.” Continue reading Dean recognized for 3 decades of service to Smith County

MARSHALL — Marshall ISD Board of Trustees has named Dr. J. Glenn Hambrick to serve as Interim Superintendent. Dr. Hambrick was named for the position during a special called meeting. Hambrick, was most recently the former superintendent of Carthage ISD, and will lead as interim until a new superintendent is hired to replace Dr. Jerry Gibson, who is leaving for Galveston ISD in January.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County crash on Monday afternoon sent 15 people to the hospital. The accident, near Winona, happened on FM 1252 west of CR 3100. According to our news partner KETK, all 15 people were reported in stable condition. DPS cleared the scene and then continued their investigation into the details of the accident, at the hospital.