KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work in the district starting on Monday. In Smith County, work continues on Loop 323 in Tyler from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights. Paving operations are being conducted on the south side from SH 155 moving east to US 69. Expect lane closures and delays as work is conducted. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct ditch maintenance on FM 2275 in Warren City, east of Gladewater. Edge repairs are planned for FM 2011 from FM 2204 to SH 322. See the complete report for the entire 8 county district by clicking the link. https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/028-2020.html.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services will be observed Monday for a Pine Tree ISD student. The District announced on its social media page, that Alston Roger Craver died earlier this week. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home on Judson Road. Craver’s funeral service is July 27, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Longview. The family is asking mourners to wear bright colors and superhero shirts. Continue reading PTISD mourns loss of student

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County health officials have updated the total number of positive coronavirus cases to 1,207, with 238 cases of recovery as of July 23. Another death has been reported, bringing the number to 17 deaths now linked to COVID-19. There have been a total of 5,146 tests given, 3,705 have been negative, 234 tests are still pending. Current statistics for Gregg County are available by clicking the link. http://www.co.gregg.tx.us/coronavirus-information.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to an armed robbery on Thursday night at around 9:45 p.m. The reported theft took place at the Valero on WNW Loop 323. The clerk advised that while he was mopping, a suspect wearing a red toboggan, dark blue shirt and grey shorts with a black handkerchief over his face came in the store pointing a gun at the other clerk behind the counter. The clerk mopping got into a physical altercation, causing him to drop the gun. The suspect fled on foot out of the store. The clerk behind the counter said she thought the suspect was going to shoot her. It was later determined that the gun was a replica but said neither clerk realized that until later.

KILGORE — Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, Kilgore College has decided to cancel its summer graduation ceremony, set for Aug. 6. The school announced in a media brief on Friday, that although there will not be an in person summer graduation ceremony, KC will recognize the students. The plan calls for a social media celebration, as well as on the college’s outdoor digital sign.

PALESTINE — There are 11 new coronavirus cases in Anderson County, as of Friday afternoon. Judge Robert Johnston announced a new total of 395 positive cases, there are currently 177 reported cases of recovery, with 217 active. Two deaths have been linked to COVID-19 in Anderson County. More details are available by clicking the link. https://www.nethealthcovid19.org/blog/post/confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-in-east-texas.

TYLER — After months of long and challenging shifts on the COVID-19 unit, nurse Dionne Martin has a plan for re-energizing when she’s able to finally take a break — a trip to sandy shores and sparkling blue water. The beach has always been Martin’s go-to spot when she needs rest and relaxation, and now she’ll be heading to an island destination courtesy of JetBlue, which recently recognized her as a JetBlue Healthcare Hero. Continue reading UT Health Tyler nurse recognized as JetBlue Healthcare Hero

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Committee will hold their regularly scheduled meeting next Thursday, at 2 p.m. People interested in attending can join in person in the Council Chambers at Tyler City Hall, on Bonner Ave. You can also attend online through Microsoft TEAMS. There is no need to download Microsoft Teams, simply choose “watch on the web” option. Continue reading Public invited to Tyler Area MPO meeting

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert introduced the Privileged Resolution to Congress Thursday. He told KTBB why it was important, “The political party that fought to keep slavery, that fought to keep people slaves, that fought against the 14th amendment and 15th amendment was 100 percent the Democratic Party. The point I was trying to make, and apparently from what I hear it made the point, If you are going to get rid of things that remind people of slavery, then you need to get rid of the Democratic Party, because that’s who fought to keep slavery.” Continue reading Gohmert: ‘If they want to get rid of things that remind people of slavery Democrats should change their name’

TYLER — Liberty Hall will celebrate its 90th anniversary virtually on Saturday. While Liberty officially turned 90 earlier this summer. Liberty Hall’s Facebook page will host Saturday’s next Liberty Live: Concerts from the Couch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during Hit the Bricks. Artists to be featured include, 11 to 11:30 a.m.: Cody Norman, 11:30 a.m. to noon: Covenant Olatunde, Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Lucas Kelm, and 12:30 to 1 p.m.: 2nd Childhood.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a homicide on W. Vance St. According to a news release from the Department , Draveon Tykeith McCullough was found lying in front of the residence with a single gunshot wound to his chest, and pronounced dead and an autopsy ordered. The resident stated someone knocked on his door just before midnight and when he answered the door, a gun was pointed at him and a struggle ensued. During the struggle the deceased was shot. Draveon Tykeith McCullough, a 21 year old male from Tyler. The investigation uncovered a substantial amount of narcotics at the scene. This incident is still under investigation.

TYLER — Wednesday marked the beginning of several new seal coat work projects across Tyler. The work will involve multiple roadways through August 21. In a news brief, leaders encouraged drivers to expect temporary lane closures, road closures and traffic delays. Drivers are encouraged to find an alternative route and to pay attention to all traffic and construction signs. Door hangars will be placed on residents doors affected by the project. Continue reading Multiple road and lane closures for Seal Coat project

TYLER — NET Health has confirmed the first death in Anderson County related to the coronavirus. The individual is a 76 year-old male that lived in Palestine. There were 16 new positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed by public and commercial laboratories, bringing total numbers to 194. If you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure. Continue reading Anderson County has first death related to coronavirus

TYLER — NET Health reported 250 new people testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday in Smith County. George Roberts told KTBB on Wednesday, “Fortunately hospital numbers at this moment are manageable. Hospitals locally are working hard to try to take care of folks who come into their organizations. Over time they have learned techniques for helping people that are hospitalized for COVID-19. We’ve improved on our Personal Protection Equipment, we didn’t have that at first. Our lab testing capability has gone up dramatically. So there is a silver lining in this, but again the main thing is we don’t have a vaccine yet.” Continue reading Highest single day spike of coronavirus cases to date in Smith County

TYLER — The Texas State Fair canceled the upcoming season on Tuesday. The East Texas State Fair President and CEO John Sykes told KTBB on Wednesday, “If we are able to pull it off it will definitely look a little different and be just as fun, but we have also been paying for close attention to the CDC guidelines, NET Health guidelines, and the State Department of Health on what we could do to have a community celebration. So, we’re still moving forward we just haven’t reached that point of having to make a yes or no decision.” Continue reading East Texas State Fair still planning for the best

TYLER — Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl champion quarterback with the winning personality, and the Kansas City Chiefs have been a perfect fit since the Texan entered the NFL. The Chiefs wanted to make sure they kept their quarterback around as long as possible, awarding the good guy from Whitehouse with the richest contract in sports history. Continue reading Mahomes and Chiefs strike half a billion dollar record deal