KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE — The Taco Trot 5K has rescheduled their inaugural event due to the coronavirus. The new date for the run, according to their social media page, is October 17. The race, that weaves its way through downtown Jacksonville, will benefit the American Cancer Society. The Taco Trot 5K is presented by Southern Multifoods. Organizers say the event is family friendly, and kids 12 and under can run the 5K at a reduced price. All participants will be presented with a shirt, finishers medal, and TACOS. More details are available by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/tomato-bowl-stadium/taco-trot-5k-presented-by-southern-multifoods/2397003193949251/.

ATHENS — A prosecutions immunity request for two Union Pacific employees connected in the fatal Athens ISD bus crash has been granted by Judge Scott McKee. The accident happened in January of 2019. According to our news partner KETK, Judge McKee has granted the prosecution’s immunity request for two Union Pacific employees, Robert Ray and Roger Johnson, that were involved in the fatal Athens school bus crash, in exchange for their testimony. Continue reading Immunity granted for testimony of 2 Union Pacific workers connected to AISD Bus crash

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas man is scheduled to die for his part in the murder of a toddler when he was 18. According to our news partner KETK, Blaine Milam, of Henderson, is scheduled to die on January 21, 2021, for the murder of Amora Carson. Milam was found guilty in 2011, as well as the child’s mother Jessica Carson. The toddler was killed in 2008. Amora Carson was his girlfriend’s daughter and was 13 months old at the time of her death. Investigators found the pair had beaten Amora to death with a hammer in an alleged exorcism and her body was found riddled with bite marks. Milam was given the death penalty while Jessica was sentenced to life without parole.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Museum announced Monday, that Bobby Oliver will be speaking at this weeks free summer lecture series. The series will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ann Lacy Crain Exhibit Center. Social distancing practices will be observed and attendance will be limited to 10.

LONGVIEW — Longview police responded to a shooting around 2:15 Sunday afternoon where they found a 10-year-old with life threatening injuries. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened in the 200 block of Whatley. The victim was transported to a local hospital by the Longview Fire Department. Authorities report that the boy has died. His name has not been released. (Originally the press release stated he was an 8-year-old, but corrected the age on Monday.)

ATHENS — An early morning traffic stop in Henderson County ended in an arrest on Monday. According to Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, Jeffery Glenn Stokes, 57, was charged with a felony for manufacturing and delivery of a substantial amount of a controlled substance – methamphetamines. A K-9 unit was called out to the scene, after stokes refused his vehicle to be searched, the dog alerted on a scent of contraband. A large carton was discovered, that authorities say, contained meth. Stokes was taken to the Henderson County Jail.

BROWNSBORO — Two recent graduates of East Texas high schools were killed over the weekend in a head-on crash. Maggie Groom, a 2020 graduate of Eustace High School was killed, along with Zane Taylor, 19, a 2019 Grand Saline graduate. A DPS preliminary report stated that the wreck happened at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on HWY 31 between Brownsboro and Chandler. The car driven by Taylor and Groom was heading west when veered off the shoulder. The driver over-corrected, crossed the center line, and collided with another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Rachel Patterson, of Eustace. Continue reading 2 recent grads killed in head-on collision

TYLER — Smith County Investigators uncovered additional evidence connecting Matthew Clearman to more images of child pornography. On Monday, an arrest warrant affidavit was prepared for an additional charge of Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography for the second degree felony. Investigators are asking for anyone who may have had children around Clearman to notify the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600 and ask for Detective Audrey Lugo. Authorities are also reminding parents to monitor carefully their children’s social media activity. The East Texas paramedic was arrested last week on charges of child pornography.

WASHINGTON – Several schools in East Texas will receive a total of $1,085,651 in federal grants to provide first-generation and low-income college students with financial assistance and academic support services to complete their post-secondary educations, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced. The grant funding comes from the Student Support Services Program and it is anticipated that each grant will be sustained for a total of 5 years. Tyler Junior College is set to receive $274,262.00. It was also announced that Kilgore College will receive $274,396.00. Continue reading East Texas schools to receive federal grants

GRAND SALINE – A Grand Saline ISD employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a letter sent by Superintendent Micah Lewis. Our news partner KETK reports, the employee was present at the elementary school campus on Friday, August 7. Lewis said that the school is working closely with the local health department. “After careful review, we have determined that the COVID-positive person came into contact with a limited number of staff members who will self-isolate based on health department standards,” stated Lewis. This is not the first case for Grand Saline. Another staff member tested positive back on July 30. Lewis said that individual also was in contact with a small amount of people. Continue reading Grand Saline ISD employee tests positive for COVID-19

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate an early morning homicide. Deputies responded to a home on CR 384 in Tyler around 5:30 Sunday morning after being contacted by UT Health EMS regarding a woman dead from a gunshot wound. She’s been identified as Diamond Samantha Cruz, 21, of Tyler. Deputies received information that the suspect had fled the area in an unknown direction driving a Ford pickup. The suspect vehicle description was immediately broadcast to additional law enforcement agencies. Continue reading Smith County murder suspect arrested

TYLER — A hit and run accident involving a cyclist is under investigation. According to Tyler Police, an unknown vehicle struck the cyclist around 9:15 Friday night on W. Bow, then fled the scene. The victim was transported to Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for treatment and is said to be in serious condition. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — A former Smith County inmate has received her sentence for smuggling in contraband into the jail. Alex Arnold, 39, of Tyler, has received 10 years in prison and 10 years probation for organized criminal activity for her role in smuggling items inside. Arnold is not the only was charged in this crime. Five other inmates and a jail guard have also been charged for their roles. According to Sheriff Larry Smith, Officer Lance Watson was identified as the source of the contraband through an unnamed source. Continue reading 10 years prison, and 10 years probation for Smith County inmate guilty of smuggling contraband

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. On Friday, the institution said it was recognized for improving the environment and quality of life on campus. During the annual UT Tyler Arbor Day event in February, more than 250 faculty, staff, students and community members planted 50 trees on campus. This is now the third time UT Tyler has received this distinction, and it is one of five in the UT System to have this mark of honor.

TYLER — On Thursday Tyler ISD Board members made a decision to rename two local high schools. The school located on Red Raider Ln will now be Legacy High School, after a 6-1 vote in favor of the move. The school located on Lion Ln will now revert back to its original name, that it carried for for 78 years, after an identical 6-1 vote. On Friday, Dr. Bob Peters told KTBB how he decided on his suggested name to rename Tyler High School in 1958. “We had a contest in school. I had lived in Austin a couple of years before I was here, and they had split the schools in Austin and the Austin High School became Stephen F. Austin. Well, I thought OK, if Austin could become Stephen F. Austin, why can’t Tyler become John Tyler.” Continue reading What’s old is new again

JACKSONVILLE — A multi-agency homicide investigation has resulted in the arrest of two Jacksonville residents. According to a press brief from Cherokee County, Brandon Branton, 22, and Ja’Michael Rusk 22 of Jacksonville were arrested in connection with the death of Randy Davenport. Authorities believe that Davenport, 25, of Jacksonville was receiving a ride from Branton and Rusk when the individuals stopped their vehicle at the Corner of Cr 3109 and Cr 3106 and intentionally committed the act of murder. Both men were arrested on Thursday, with bonds set a $1,000,000.

TYLER — One day after the name changes of two Tyler High Schools were adopted KTBB spoke with both Head Football Coaches/Athletic Coordinators. On Friday, the Lions Ricklan Holmes said, “When you think of Tyler High School, now you’re going to think about the city of Tyler. So, what we have to do is continue to do everything we have been doing to, not just represent John Tyler, but to represent the Lions, because now the Lions are now the Tyler High Lions.” The Red Raiders Joe Willis said, “People have come together and made the decision on what name they wanted and it ended up being Legacy. I believe that’s a good thing, because I think our team and our group, going forward now, we kind of have a vision of leaving our own legacy here.”

AUSTIN — The annual sales tax holiday for certain back to school items begins on Friday. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminds shoppers, footwear, backpacks and school supplies, meeting certain criteria, will be tax exempt Aug. 7-9. Texas’ sales tax holiday weekend has been an annual event since 1999. To see apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free click the link. https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/98-490/.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has released information about a Wednesday night shooting in the city. According to the our news partner KETK, officers were called to Tallwood Lane around 9 p.m. Wednesday. They arrived to find a 45-year-old man with non-life threatening injuries. He was, however, taken to the hospital to be checked out. If you have information regarding this case, you are encouraged to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1170 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867).

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University took a big step in their expand academic capabilities recently with a matching grant challenge from the Mabee Foundation. Dr. Scott Bryant told KTBB Thursday, “It’s not a done deal yet, a challenge grant means we have to raise an additional amount before they will pass along their portion of the grant. It’s a $7.5 million project, fortunately we have already raised $3 million towards it. And they have asked us to raise the additional $3 million needed, and when we complete that task they will provide the final $1.5 million dollars.” Continue reading ETBU gets challenge grant opportunity of $1.5 million from Mabee Foundation

TYLER — The Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications in July, but Ahmaud Goree, with the SBA, told KTBB Thursday, “The new deadline to apply is this Saturday. What we are looking for is for small business under 500 employees, that also includes the self-employed, sole-proprietors and independent contractors. Any of those Uber drivers out there, Lyft drivers, barbers, beauticians, musicians, musicians at churches, definitely can qualify for this program. Also, non-profits including houses of worship and churches they can qualify.” Continue reading PPP deadline this Saturday

TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation announced Thursday, the new splash pad at the Glass Recreation Center, on W. 32nd St., and Woldert Park is now complete. The splash pad will switch on and open to the public this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and will be open daily. Tyler officials want to remind the public that play is not monitored and visitors should exercise caution.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler says it was the target of a ransomware attack. According to our news partner KETK, in a letter to university supporters, school president Dr. Michael Tidwell said the university was notified by Blackbaud, a third-party database provider, of a “security incident” that occurred in May. Blackbaud provides software and online apps that support philanthropic and communication activities, serving a host of clients that include most of the University of Texas system. Continue reading Local university victim of ransomware attack

LONGVIEW — The PRCA Rodeo, scheduled for September, in Longview has been canceled. The Longview Greggton Rotary Club announced the decision on Wednesday, citing safety concerns related to COVID-19, as the cause for the termination. The rodeo was originally scheduled for April, but pushed the date back due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The Rodeo was set to Celebrate it’s 30th year in 2020. Continue reading September Rodeo canceled in Longview