KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston announced 10 new confirmed case of COVID-19 on Tuesday. This brings the total number of cases to 135, and 94 reported cases of recovery. There are currently 41 active cases in the county. For more details by clicking the link. https://www.nethealthcovid19.org/blog/post/confirmed-cases-of-covid-19-in-east-texas.

TYLER — Smith County released the identities Tuesday afternoon of two men shot and killed early Monday morning. Authorities believe Ramiro Ortiz, 34 of Tyler is responsible. Ortiz is at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Deputies arrived at 12:35 Sunday morning and found Justino Rosales-Betancourt, 32, and Jose Manuel Betancourt, 35, dead in the front yard of a residence on Hwy 110 North. Continue reading Smith County searching for Tyler suspect in double homicide

TYLER — Smith County released the identities Tuesday afternoon of two men shot and killed early Monday morning. Authorities believe Ramiro Ortiz, 34 of Tyler is responsible. Ortiz is at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Deputies arrived at 12:35 Sunday morning and found Justino Rosales-Betancourt, 32, and Jose Manuel Betancourt, 35, dead in the front yard of a residence on Hwy 110 North. A third individual, Saul Morado – 20 suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken by private vehicle to U.T. Health in Tyler. If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Ramiro Ortiz contact the Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

TYLER — Two employees were admonished in Commissioners Court Tuesday, for 20 years of service to Smith County. Charley Miller was celebrated for service to the Road and Bridge Department. Clint Benson was also recognized for his career with the Sheriff’s Office, before becoming the chief investigator for the District Attorney’s Office in January 2019.
Amanda Deck was unable to be in court for the recognition. Continue reading Smith County recognizes 3 employees for 20 years service

HENDERSON — More than 200 people will be laid off from a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility in Rusk County. According to our news partner KETK, 229 people will be laid off Friday. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice does not plan to close the facility at this time. The director of communications for TDCJ says the organization presented a plan to state leaders on how they would be able to cut their total budget by five percent. Continue reading 200 people to be laid off at facility in Henderson

LONGVIEW — In March, visitor restrictions went into effect by Senior Living Residents operated by Buckner Retirement Services prompting B.R.S. to call on Texans to help bring love and joy to its residents. Since the initial outreach, more than 1,000 pieces of mail have been received from across Texas and the nation. In addition to encouraging notes for residents, Buckner is also requesting mail for employees to help brighten the days of its frontline heroes for all six of their Buckner communities, including Westminster Place in Longview. Continue reading Buckner residents receive more than one thousand letters

TYLER — UT’s Board of Regents disclosed plans to realign UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler in February. On Monday, the board announced Dr. Kirk Calhoun will lead the merged institutions as the President. Following the special meeting, Chairman Kevin Eltife told KTBB, “We are at a point now where we need to name who will be the ultimate president when the two institutions are aligned. So what we did today was say, Dr. Calhoun, President Calhoun will be the president of the aligned institution in the Spring.” Continue reading Dr. Calhoun chosen to lead as UT Tyler and UTHSC realignment continues

TYLER –Tyler Police are warning residents of an increasing number of cases related to fictitious job claims. On Monday the department gave a scenario of how the scam works. Typically the fraud begins with a Craig’s List ad for a job. Once a person responds to the ad, they are contacted and a check is deposited into their checking account. They are then asked to purchase gift cards from various locations and report the numbers back to the “employer”. Once that is done, the deposited check turns out to be fraudulent. Residents should contact TPD at 903-531-1000 for information or to verify a potential scam.

TYLER — UT’s Board of Regents disclosed plans to realign UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler in February. On Monday, they announced Dr. Kirk Calhoun will lead the merged institutions as the President. Calhoun, who has been in the top post for UT Health Science Center at Tyler for almost 18 years, is already leading efforts for his institution to receive licensing and accreditation approvals to establish a new medical school. Continue reading Dr. Calhoun chosen to lead as UT Tyler and UTHSC realignment continues

TYLER — Tyler Transit announced in a news brief Monday, plans to re-open service to all five routes with regular service hours starting July 6th. The lines will be in operation Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Bus routes do not run on Sunday. Tyler Transit will also run the Paratransit service during the same hours. Tyler Transit will begin charging regular fares for both services beginning July 13. For more information click the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/tyler-transit.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has suspended the liquor permit of a Longview bar owner who defied Governor Greg Abbott’s shut-down order. According to our news partner KETK, Melissa Lynn Kelly, owner of Outlaws bar in Longview, defied that order and kept her establishment open. “I have to pay my bills, so that means I have to open,” Kelly says her next step is to fight the suspension, “I’m not just going to lay down and take this. Governor Abbott has got everybody in Texas thinking that we have this dirty little bar where COVID is hiding and that’s not true at all. I have posted a Facebook post inviting the Governor Abbott to come to my bar, check it out. TABC has been there five times since I reopened and they have not found one thing that I’ve not complied with.”

EAST TEXAS — Early voting started on Monday and will run through July 10. The primaries were originally scheduled for May, but Governor Abbott delayed them until July because of the coronavirus. Abbott also doubled the length of the early voting period for the July primary runoff elections in a move to aimed at easing crowds at the polls during the pandemic. According to our news partner KETK, on July 14, Texas will hold its 2020 runoff elections to decide the final spots for Democrats and Republicans on the November general election ballot. There are 35 congressional, legislative and state board nominations up for grabs. Continue reading Early voting starts underway for the primary runoff in Texas

GILMER — The East Texas Yamboree Association has announced that this year’s Yamboree festival has been called off. According to their face book page:”It is with our greatest regret, that we inform you the Yamboree Firework Show and the 83rd East Texas Yamboree have been canceled for 2020. This decision comes after much deliberation from The City of Gilmer and Upshur County COVID-19 Committee. Public safety is everyone’s foremost concern. We wish each of you a safe and healthy 4th of July celebration, and look forward to planning the 84th East Texas Yamboree.”

EAST TEXAS — NET Health has issued information on several sites hosting testing for COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, walk-up tests do not require registration or an appointment, and anyone can be tested, even if they are not symptomatic. Participants must have access to a telephone as results will be delivered by telephone call or message. Face masks also are required. Test locations include: Continue reading COVID-19 testing in East Texas

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for suspects involved in stolen ATM from Southside Bank on Three Lakes Parkway. According to a news release, officers were responding to a bank alarm when they discovered the ATM had been stolen. The money machine was found a short time later in the roadway at Three Lakes and Highlands Lane. The suspect’s vehicle, a white dump truck, was located off the roadway on Highlands Lane.

LONGVIEW — Starting this October Amtrak will reduce service on its Texas Eagle route through Longview and on other long-distance trains to three times a week. The line currently runs daily through the city, but Amtrak said in a release to KTBB on Friday, “the railway has had significant fall-off with ridership during the coronavirus outbreak. The changes are intended to go into effect Oct. 1 and stay in place until at least the summer of 2021. Amtrak did leave open the possibility that daily service could be restored if demand improves along its long-distance routes.

TYLER — The Faulkner Tennis Center had a staff member test positive for COVID-19, prompting the facilities closure. According to our news partner KETK, facilities will be closed until July 11. For more information, you can contact the Tyler Parks and Rec Department at (903)531-1370.

TYLER — The NET Health Board of Directors has voted unanimously in favor of a mask requirement for Smith County and the City of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the order calls for people age two and over to wear a face covering unless they have a medical condition that exempts them, which must be documented by a physician. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he does not plan to issue any orders requiring residents to wear masks in public. “I encourage individuals and businesses to make healthy choices in their daily practices and routines…There is still no need for fear. Our community strength, response and readiness is second to none,” said Moran. While the mask requirement is recommended by NET Health, it will be up to city and county officials to develop, enact, and enforce the mandate.

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival in Tyler has been canceled for 2020, according to Liz Ballard, Executive Director and Museum Curator at the Texas Rose Festival Association & Tyler Rose Museum. According to our news partner KETK, the festival is expected to return in 2021, but there will be no events in 2020, which would have been the 87th year. Anna Grace Hallmark was crowned this year’s queen in January. Ballard says Hallmark and her court will reign for another year. Continue reading 2020 Rose Festival Cancelled

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert spoke on the House Floor regarding H.R. 51 – Washington, DC Admission Act Friday morning, a bill spearheaded by House Democrats. “It’s amazing to hear people that have been trained in the Constitution disregard it so, but we’re taught at law school the ability to rationalize absolutely anything.” The District One Congressman then told KTBB, “It’s so disingenious they know it’s unconstitutional, but they stand up and argue these things anyway. And not one of them has every been willing to co-sponsor my bill to stop the unfair federal income tax, to the citizens of D.C. That is what should be done, it is so outrageous what they are doing.” Continue reading Gohmert takes on HR51

LONGVIEW — Free COVID-19 testing continues to ramp up in East Texas. On Thursday, Longview announced multiple sites and times that will begin next Tuesday and go through July 7th. Walk-up testing will happen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no appointment required and no pre-screening will be conducted. The tests will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those being tested are asked to provide a phone number where they can be reached with results. Continue reading Free coronavirus test announced for next week in Longview