KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Vaccines will be unfurled to health care workers in Tyler starting early this week. NET Health’s Russell Hopkins told KTBB Monday, “First off their is the biological response, and hopefully they will be protected from the disease of COVID. So there is that advantage, and I’m sure that that is a load off their mind, but there is also a psychological advantage of getting the vaccine first. Many have been separated from family. So now, they can get back to some sense of normalcy. Because the people they care about won’t be threatened.” Continue reading COVID vaccines to begin emerging for health care workers this week

EAST TEXAS — Several hospitals in East Texas will be among the first in Texas to get doses of the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. According to our news partner KETK, the first week’s allocation is 224,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be shipped to 109 hospitals in 34 counties during the week of Dec. 14. “As expected, the initial vaccine supply is limited, and the first week’s allocation is based on information submitted by vaccine providers when they enrolled, including the number of health care workers who can be quickly vaccinated and vaccine storage capacity at each site,” the announcement said. Continue reading COVID-19 vaccine to begin arriving in East Texas as early as Tuesday

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank provided thousands of meals to families on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, roughly 240,000 people in East Texas are experiencing food insecurity. The East Texas Food Bank serves 26 counties in our area. 1,200 people made their way to the Gregg County Fairgrounds for the food distribution event and the lines were long. Longview police guided drivers to their destination and volunteers placed meals inside cars. Inside the boxes there was fresh produce, protein and milk. Volunteers said they understand the impact the pandemic has had on families in need. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank gives away more than 28,000 meals to local families

LUFKIN — The 1.4 million doses of coronavirus vaccine being sent to Texas hospitals soon are not going to 157 rural locations. One state lawmaker thinks that’s going to change. Representative Trent Ashby of Lufkin says he got a response the same day he sent a letter to the state health commissioner.  According to Ashby, “It seems clear to me that rural Texas, our voice, has been heard. It’s not set in stone, but it sure appears to me at this point that we will be included in the next round of vaccines.” Ashby told Dr. John Hellerstedt that if the state or Pfizer had communicated with any of the rural hospitals, it would have been clear that any number would have met storage and packaging requirements.

ALTO — Starting Monday, Alto ISD is moving all instruction to online learning. The district announced the change the last day of the work week, that will continue through Dec. 18. AISD maintains the change is because of a “rapid increase in the number of quarantined students and staff members.” The district facebook page announced a letter was sent home with each student. A portion of that letter reads, “Although the Cherokee County Department of Health feels that it is safe to continue on-campus learning, the district has made this decision out of an abundance of caution…”

TYLER — Griffin Elementary School will have holiday spirit on display, Saturday. School staff and community volunteers will hand out Toys for Tots gifts to 138 of the school’s families. This year’s project will place presents under the tree for more than 500 children ages 12 and younger. Each year, school staff and community members volunteer their time to take wish lists, organize, pack and pass out gifts to families. This year’s affair, will be of the drive-thru variety.

TYLER — The reigning Super Bowl MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is paying tribute to his hometown with a new sports shoe — the Adidas Ultra Boost Mid PE. According to our news partner KETK, the maroon and white shoes were created with his alma mater, Whitehouse High School, in mind. The shoe is described as delivering a colorway brimming with school pride. The footwear is available on the company’s website, with some retailers selling the shoe for about $180 a pair.

AUSTIN — TxDOT is hosting a virtual public workshop Tuesday, with the goal to help connect organizations providing lifeline transportation services with their most vulnerable customers: seniors and people with disabilities. On Friday, the department said the Tyler District area is providing the meeting to review local needs and services for aging and physically impaired individuals. Residents can participate at 10 a.m. Tuesday, by clicking the link and following the prompts to join the meeting. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/public-transportation/121520.html.

ATHENS — A Gun Barrel City man was arrested and charged with theft on Thursday. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Bobby Don Jackson, 27, faces a felony charge for stealing a log-splitter, its trailer, a welder, and a 2005 automobile. Deputies got a warrant to search for items believed to be stolen at a residence on Longleaf, in Gun Barrel City. Jackson was transported to Henderson County Jail.

TYLER — One person died early Friday morning in a traffic accident at 1:30 a.m. The wreck took place on Texas Highway 31 west of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, two people were in a vehicle that rolled over. Tyler police say a victim was ejected and killed. A second person is in a Tyler hospital. The condition of this person was not immediately known. Officials have not yet released the identity of the person who died. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER — The Tyler Public Library is hoping to get more people reading with the Winter Reading Challenge 2020. The institution is inviting patrons to finish 2020 by accepting the Winter Reading invitation. Those who accept will be able to log reading times and win incentives. The Challenge runs, starting Monday through Jan. 15. The launch happens Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with many activities. You can register by visiting http://www.tpl.beanstack.org or click on the Beanstack reading log link at http://www.TylerLibrary.com. Patrons may register as an individual, family, class or group. Hours or books read may be logged beginning Dec. 14.

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine issued lifted a boil water notice that had been put into effect for W. Palestine Ave. City officials say that the Water Department has taken appropriate steps that boiling water for consumption is no longer necessary. If you have questions concerning this matter, contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8423.

FLINT — A Smith County fire crew was searching Lake Palestine Wednesday night trying to locate a missing man. According to our news partner KETK, a 78-year-old man was on Lake Palestine in his boat, but had not been seen or heard from in several hours. Teams were called out to the area of Eastern Hills Drive and Lakeview Drive in the Flint area around 7 p.m. It is unclear if the man had a medical emergency or if he is in danger.

LONGVIEW — The Pride of Lindale Marching Band captured their first-ever UIL 4A State Military Marching contest title on Wednesday. The drum majors stood at attention as the public address announcer declared the winner. “Receiving the trophy for first place, your 2020 Gold Medalist, and your UIL Conference Four-A Texas State Military Marching Band Champion, please congratulate the Lindale Eagles High School Marching Band.” See the celebration, by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/LindaleISD/posts/3845873728770158.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum announced Thursday, that a limited supply of Longview Sesquicentennial and 2020 Gregg County Historical Museum Ornaments remain. The city of Longview has had limited celebrations, commemorating their 150 year birthday, due to COVID-19. The party started January 1 and most of the year long observances were canceled due to the pandemic. For more information click the link. http://gregghistorical.org/.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Two people were arrested following a traffic stop in Mount Pleasant. According to our news partner on KETK, Abisai Martinez-Coronel, 27, and Carlos Molina, 20, were stopped on Interstate Highway 30. During an investigation, officers found almost 250 pounds of marijuana. The Mount Pleasant police department said while working traffic enforcement, officers with the department Narcotics Division made the stop and discovered the nearly 244 lbs of marijuana.

SMITH COUNTY — A man has been charged with capital murder in connection with the deaths of a man and a woman killed Wednesday near Lindale. According to our news partner KETK, David Joshua Reed, 40, is in the Smith County Jail under a $1 million bond. The victims have been identified as Shelby Duarte, 23, of Edgewood, and Timothy Nelson, 43, of Lindale. Reed had been dating Duarte, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said. Reed told investigators he rammed Duarte and Nelson with his pickup truck while both were in front of a trailer house at 19749 CR 431, near Lindale, according to a statement by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Man accused of killing girlfriend and man near Lindale

GREGG COUNTY — DPS Troopers conducted a traffic stop just before noon Tuesday at SH 42 north of Interstate 20 in Gregg County. According to our news partner KETK, Brodrick Ryder, 36, was pulled over and fled. Authorities say Ryder is wanted for multiple warrants including a felony parole violation. Ryder has been arrested and charged numerous times for crimes dating back to 2001. Continue reading DPS troopers looking for man wanted for multiple felony warrants

MARSAHLL — The Welch Foundation has awarded $90,000 in research grant funds to East Texas Baptist University’s Chemistry Department. The gift marks one of the largest in the department’s history. The school says, the purpose of the grant is to support chemical research, and to also provide an opportunity for students to study in a less structured way. The Welch Foundation is one of the nation’s largest private funding sources for fundamental chemical research in Texas.

PALESTINE — A former Grapevine distillery, Tahwahkaro Distilling Co. now calls Palestine home. The company has announced that they moved to Palestine taking over 37,000 square feet of the former Coors distribution center on nine acres. Jason Jackson, the co-founder, announced they will be creating a destination style distillery.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts updated the Tyler City Council on Wednesday.”This is a team sport. We need everyone to make an extra effort to protect members of our family, friends and co-workers that are at risk for a tough struggle if they become infected with COVID-19. These people include our older population and people that have heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Also, our hospitals are filling up right now.” Roberts went on to say, Continue reading COVID-19 numbers back on the rise

TYLER — It was a busy Wednesday in the Tyler City Council chambers. The city government, as anticipated, covered an agenda full of topics, including a COVID-19 update from NET Health’s George Roberts. The city entered an agreement to finish Three Lakes Parkway between Old Jacksonville Highway and County Road 192. The council also received an update on the Consent Decree including the status of completed and ongoing projects and the planned work that will be happening to the City’s sanitary sewer system in the coming year. The city also announced a rebate of $50,000 from TXU Energy. Keep Tyler Beautiful presented their Gold Star Affiliate award and highlighted many of the programs and projects they have implemented in the last 12 months. The city also announced receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 14th straight year. You can read more by clicking the link, and scrolling down. https://www.cityoftyler.org/home.

TYLER — Local East Texas hospitals are preparing to receive, manage and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine internally for health care workers in the coming days. Our news partner KETK’s Frank Jefferson reports, “For the last several months UT Health, CHRISTUS Health, and other hospitals across the area have been registering their doctors, nurses and other medical staff so they can be the first people to get the vaccine. Now that the CDC and FDA have given the green light, East Texas hospitals are waiting to receive the medicine. They have specific plans to store it, control it and distribute it.” Many health care leaders say it will be spring before everyone who wants the vaccine will have access to it.

LONGVIEW — A new lawsuit accuses a Longview doctor of fondling a boy during multiple medical exams in a new lawsuit. According to our news partner KETK, Matt Elza Hipke, 58, was charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, back in August. He was released on bonds totaling $1 million. The Texas Medical Board has suspended the license of Hipke “after determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare.” The lawsuit filed in November, is now the third against Hipke. The plaintiff, on behalf of the minor under age 14, is seeking $1 million in damages. Continue reading More accusations for former Longview Dr

TYLER — Carter BloodCare is asking for help and in need of blood donors. On Tuesday, Linda Goelzer told KTBB, “When things opened back up [elective surgeries, etc…] things got really dismal. We have basically been in a position where the blood supply is so unstable… it is just almost insurmountable for us to be able to catch up with what hospitals are needing and the numbers of donors that are coming in to meet those needs. So, we definitely need all blood types.” Continue reading Carter says blood levels are critical