KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances is the first hospital in the region to try an experimental heart procedure that could prove to be lifesaving. Dr. Stan Weinar performed the surgery on Monday telling KTBB the procedure helps patients eliminate medication, “Blood thinners are something we frequently use to control AFib, but alot of people don’t do well with the so the Watchman device is a mechanical way to help seal off where the blood clots are coming from and control the risk for blood clots and for stroke.” Continue reading New experimental heart procedure performed at Christus Trinity Mother Frances

EAST TEXAS — The East Texas Food Bank will distribute emergency food boxes and/or fresh items such as produce (pending availability) at drive-thru distributions. The distributions are open to anyone and there are no eligibility requirements. A verbal declaration of name, address and income will be asked, but there is no ID or paperwork required. To pick up a box for someone else, a hand-written note must be provided with the person’s name, address, permission for you to pick it up and their signature. The distributions are drive-thru only and walkups will not be accepted. Tyler distribution will be Friday, June 12 from 8-10 a.m. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank continues drive-thru distributions

PALESTINE — One man is dead and another is listed in serious condition following a stabbing Sunday Morning. Officers responded to a call and found Jesus Vigil-Limon, 51, of Palestine, dead with lacerations to his head and body. Jose Vigil-Limon, 47, of Palestine. was transported to a hospital with severe stab related injuries. He said he was attacked by Richard Quinones, 50, of Palestine. Witnesses said Quinones was at the residence earlier in the day and was known to the victims.

TYLER — On Monday, Kona Ice offered free shaved ice at Winter Park. This is part of the Tyler Parks and Rec Summer Feeding program. The shaved ice was free to the kids receiving lunches, courtesy of J. Chad Parker LLC. The cool treat will be offered again on Wednesday at Glass Recreation Center, and Friday at Gassaway Park. The Summer Feeding Program is a free program providing lunches to kids 18 years old and under through the East Texas Food Bank. For more information, contact Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271.

WASHINGTON — Former Palestine Wildcat and current Washington Redskins NFL running back Adrian Peterson said Sunday, he will kneel during the national anthem this season. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Peterson said he doesn’t plan to be the only player to do so. Peterson’s comments come on the heels of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who said players were “disrespecting the flag” by kneeling during the anthem. Brees apologized for those comments. Continue reading Peterson vows to take a knee during national anthem

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Adult Education and Literacy program inducted 11 students from across East Texas into the National Adult Education Honor Society. Like many ceremonies, this years annual event was cancelled due to the cornavirus outbreak. Selections were made from more than 1,000 students enrolled in adult education programs (ESL, AEL, literacy and HSE) from Gregg, Upshur, and Rusk counties during the 2019-20 program year. Continue reading KCAEL inducts 11 students into NAEHS

TYLER — A virtual town hall meeting was announced by Smith County on Monday. County officials will address questions regarding mental health issues. The online get-together will focus on mental health issues in law enforcement, the jail and the court system. It is scheduled for June 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Questions can be asked by calling 1-866-899-4679 (access code: 152-353-781). You can also email questions in advance to [email protected]. You can view the live stream at http://www.facebook.com/SmithCountyTexas.

TYLER — Deputies with Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a runaway report in the Flint area on May 17. Katie Elizabeth Miller, 17, left her residence and did not return home. Miller was last seen with Shane Lee Toon Jr., 24 of Tyler. Toon drives a black Chevy Tahoe, with a white hood and a purple rear bumper. They both frequent the Lakeway Harbor and Pine Trail Shores areas of Lake Palestine. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigating runaway

TYLER — On Monday, Kona Ice is offering free shaved ice at Winter Park from noon to 1 p.m. This is part of the Tyler Parks and Rec Summer Feeding program. The shaved ice will be free to the kids receiving lunches, courtesy of J. Chad Parker LLC. The cool treat will be offered again on Wednesday at Glass Recreation Center, and Friday at Gassaway Park. The Summer Feeding Program is a free program providing lunches to kids 18 years old and under through the East Texas Food Bank. For more information, contact Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested a suspect wanted in a weekend stabbing. According to our news partner KETK, police responded to an assault call around 3:30 Saturday afternoon on Culver Street. The unnamed victim was found with a stab wound in the abdominal area. Lacey Steddum, 38, of Longview, admitted to the crime and told officers where to locate the knife. Steddum was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview police are investigating a fatal shooting Sunday morning. It happened just after 8:30 on Morrison Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers were responding to a shots fired report and found Ernest Berry Neal, 36, dead from a gunshot wound. Anyone with information is urged to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1170 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER — An East Texas business is giving back to law enforcement agencies in our area. According to our news partner KETK, the owner of Superior Outfitters in Tyler, Austin Rohr, took time Friday morning to personally deliver checks to the Tyler Police Department and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. “We have a community that supports law enforcement. We’ve spent decades building strong relationships and to have Superior come here today, it goes a long way to show the support they have for law enforcement.” Sheriff Larry Smith says the money they received money will also be going toward their Sheriff’s Office Foundation. Continue reading Superior Outfitters donates $10K to Tyler Police, Smith County Sheriff’s Office

TYLER — Dozens of participants and onlookers packed Tyler’s downtown square Friday evening for a “Prayer in the Square” event. It was another in a series of local activities held in the wake of the George Floyd incident in Minneapolis. The gathering included prayers, music, and praise and worship. Some brought signs with messages including “Black Lives Matter,” “How many weren’t filmed?”, and “After we pray together, can we make change together?” There was also a voter registration table. “Prayer in the Square” was organized by Kilton McCracken of The Mentoring Alliance, a Tyler-based youth-focused ministry.

TYLER — A Tyler police cruiser was involved in a head-on collision Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the accident took place near the hospital district on Beckham Ave. Witnesses say, it appears the officer driving the cruiser did not see the vehicle pull onto the road. The status of those involved is not known. An ambulance was dispatched to the accident scene.

LAKE FORK — Wood County Sheriff Tom Castloo, said Texas Game Wardens and Deputies recovered the body of William Brown from Lake Fork on Friday morning. According to a plea put out from the family on the Lake Fork Facebook page, Brown went missing near Quitman Monday evening while fishing on the South End of the lake. His boat was found floating, with no sign of Brown. The Navy veteran and active US postal service employee is described as a loving father, grandfather and cherished friend who loved the relaxation of fishing.

TYLER — A Tyler man accused in the murder of a Chapel Hill high school senior in April has been indicted for the shooting. As of Friday, a court date has not yet been set. According to our news partner KETK, Zane Collier, 17, was killed in his own driveway. During the search of the residence, evidence connecting an individual to the murder was obtained and a suspect was interviewed about his involvement in this case. During that conversation, John Edward Sparks, 18, admitted to the murder of Zane Collier. Sparks said he was angry because Collier wouldn’t return marijuana that he stolen from him.

TYLER — Peaceful protests have been taking place across East Texas for over a week and Tyler has been no different. According to our news partner KETK, residents have been gathering on the downtown square, but Thursday night they decided on a different location at the corner of Broadway and Rice Road. Demonstrators were seen holding signs and wearing t-shirts, shouting “No Justice, No Peace.” Continue reading Tyler demonstrators take to the streets

LONGVIEW — Several dates were announced Thursday for free coronavirus testing in Longview. In a press release from the city, dates were listed at locations across Longview for June 9, 11, 12, and 13. Drive-up testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, at Foster Middle School and next Thursday, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. In order to be tested on June 9 or June 11, a person must first register and get screened for multiple symptoms of COVID-19, including shortness of breath, fever, chills, body aches, vomiting, sore throat, and loss of taste/smell. Continue reading Free coronavirus mobile testing announced in Longview

TYLER — Many gun shop owners across the state are reporting a huge spike in gun sales. On Thursday, Superior Outfitters Austin Rohr, told KTBB, “We have had one of our biggest increases that we have ever seen before and it’s mostly from new buyers. I’d say that 80% of our business right now is coming from new buyers and people that typically didn’t own firearms. First time gun owners are a huge market right now for us.” Continue reading Superior Outfitters sees giant increase in first time gun owners