KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LINDALE — The city of Lindale has received funding that will enable pedestrians and bicyclists to have safer and better access to schools. According to our news partner KETK, Lindale has been awarded more than $800,000 to improve sidewalks along FM 849. Lindale was part of a multi-million dollar project across the state. The new sidewalk will start at Perryman Road, and will run along Wood Springs Road, and end at Eagle Spirit Drive. This will join Moss Elementary School students to houses, downtown, and recreation opportunities.

TYLER — Tyler Independent School District is taking steps to educate students and parents with an anti-vaping initiative. On Tuesday, Jennifer Hines told KTBB, “to date most of the emphasis across the nation has been on the harmful medical effects with vaping. The vaping epidemic is making a mark all over the country, and TISD is not exempt.” That is the why behind the districts campaign to educate parents, students, and the community on the “legal ramifications of vaping, especially with THC.” https://youtu.be/KMqWbAxMLTs. Continue reading Tyler ISD Launches Anti-Vaping Blitz

LONGVIEW — The 2020 Fireworks and Freedom Celebration in Longview announced Tuesday that Mark Chestnutt will be the headline performer for the Independence outdoor free-to-the-public concert. It happens just before, what organizers describe as, the biggest fireworks show in East Texas. Rising talent Jon Stork is also scheduled to perform. The fun will fill the Longview Convention Complex this July. In addition to the concert, many other activities are scheduled throughout the Longview Convention Complex as part of the Fireworks and Freedom Celebration. Continue reading Chestnutt to Headline July 4 Celebration in Longview

BRYAN (AP) – A third worker has died of injuries from a Central Texas oil well blowout. A spokesman for Chesapeake Energy says in a statement the company is “deeply saddened” by the worker’s death. Spokesman Gordon Pennoyer did not say when the worker died. Pennoyer says the blowout happened Wednesday afternoon while a crew was replacing drilling hardware near Deanville, Texas.  Windell David Beddingfield, 38, of Tyler died at the scene.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments announced on Monday that they received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. The award is for 2018 and is the 18th consecutive year of earning the honor. The Certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This has been awarded to the East Texas Council of Governments Operations Division.

TYLER — Last week Longhorn Steakhouse, situated outside Broadway Square Mall, opened their doors for the first time to customers in Tyler. In the upcoming weeks Dick’s Sporting Goods will come alive in the market to patrons inside the shopping complex. Over the weekend, the Kevin Lilly McDonald’s on South Broadway, reopened their store with a totally remodeled lobby. McAlisters Deli closed their doors on Sunday for the last time until February 22. Continue reading Resurgence Continues in Broadway Square Mall Area

TYLER — The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of East Texas announced a recap of 2019 on Monday. The SPCA of East Texas states that 799 animals were rescued. Northeast transport to a new homes ended the year at 229. The release from the SPCA of East Texas continued with 526 adoptions in the past year. There were over 330 cruelty and neglect calls that were handled, with a total number of spay & neuter surgeries just under 4 thousand, at 3,994. SPCA ET reported 8, 794 snippet wellness visits and volunteer hours given of 3,794.

AUSTIN – On Monday, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s announced 15 people to the new Motor Fuel Metering and Quality Workgroup, including Adam Colby of Tyler. Colby will represent Law Enforcement Agencies experienced in skimmer investigations. Colby is with the Tyler Police Department. The statewide workgroup will provide input, advice and recommendations to TDLR and the Texas Department of Agriculture on the orderly transfer of the motor fuel quality and metering program. Continue reading Tyler Officer Named To State Wide Workgroup

TYLER — More than 3,000 seedlings will be given away in partnership with Keep Tyler Beautiful, the Tyler Trees Committee, Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System and the Texas A&M Forestry Service. The groups have teamed up to the Seedling Giveaway on a first-come, first-serve basis. Anyone can show up to get their free seedlings on Feb. 29 starting at 9 a.m. at the Christus Trinity Mother Frances South Tyler location at 8389 S. Broadway Ave. Continue reading Tyler Sets Seedling Giveaway

TYLER — Dr. David Scott will be this weeks 2020 Great Decisions Speaker on Wednesday. The meeting will take place at noon at the Tyler Public Library. Dr. Scott will be speaking on “Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.” In the Fall of 2015, Dr. Scott began working at The University of Texas at Tyler, after a thirteen year career in municipal policing in Texas. Continue reading 2020 Great Decisions Continues Wednesday

TYLER — Tyler City Councilman Broderick McGee will officially kick off his re-election campaign for City Council District is next Monday. The launch takes place at the Rose Garden Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, on February 10th. On Monday the Councilman told KTBB, “I am excited about the future of Tyler.Even before I came onto the council, one of the things we realized we needed was a new type convention center, and now we are in the design phase of the New Rose Center.” Continue reading McGee To Hold Re-Election Kickoff in coming Days

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has found Macy Lyn Taliaferro, 27. She was reported missing by her husband on Saturday but is now reported safe and in good health. Authorities are voicing their appreciation to those who helped in the search.

FLINT — Residents in South Tyler are ready to stand up and voice their opinions. In a meeting held Saturday, more than 200 people attended to learn more about the proposed concrete batch plant that will possibly be built off Burkett Road. According to our news partner KETK, Tycon Ready Mix has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the ability to: authorize construction of a permanent Concrete Batch Plant located at the following driving directions: from the intersection of Hunters Trail and County Road 139 (Burkett Road), go north on County Road 139 for approximately 180 feet, site entrance will be on the right, Flint, Smith County, Texas 75762. Their application was submitted to the TCEQ on December 20. Continue reading Concrete Plant Responds to Concerned Flint Community

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of attempted rape and kidnapping at Rose Rudman Park last year has been indicted on new charges of biting and punching three jail guards. According to our news partner KETK, James Roberts, 33, was charged with kidnapping and sexual abuse in March 2019. Roberts allegedly tackled a woman in the park and dragged her into the woods. According to new court documents, Roberts allegedly attacked three Smith County jailers on October 17, and proceeded to bite and punch them. The jailers were eventually able to subdue him. Continue reading Accused Rose Rudman Attacker faces New Charges

TYLER — When Traditions opened twenty years ago in Tyler, they did so by giving to the Salvation Army. On Friday, Cindy Bell told KTBB the gift came at a crucial time, “we were just in the beginning stages of building the Center of Hope that today houses over 150 men, women, and children each night, serves over 5,000 meals per week, and provides daily support and opportunities.” Traditions will continue to honor their heritage on Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., when the cafeteria will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from all dine in guests to those in need, and give patrons an opportunity to also get involved.

FLINT — Residents in Flint raised concerns on Thursday over a potential concrete plant attempting to make their way into the area. According to our news partner KETK, the plant expects to build off Burkett Road near Flint Baptist Church and many family residences. People who live in the Forest View subdivision say they are concerned about air quality and noise. Continue reading Opposition to New Concrete Plant in Flint

TYLER — Tyler Junior College enrollment numbers continue to rise with the Spring attendance numbers released. TJC’s numbers climbed to 11,672 for Spring 2020. Kim Lessner, TJC vice president for marketing and enrollment services and chief communications officer, reported those numbers on Thursday during a scheduled meeting of the TJC Board of Trustees. TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia said, “We are enthused and excited as we correlate enrollment with providing access to families from our communities.” Continue reading TJC Sets Record in Spring Enrollment

TYLER — An accident on Thursday afternoon on Chandler Hwy claimed the life of a Chandler woman. Tammy Jo Mahon, 48 died in the fatal accident. Tyler police say the cause of the accident is still being investigated. A pick up truck struck another vehicle traveling in the same direction. The truck exited the roadway and rolled, partially ejecting Mahon. The second vehicle had 2 occupants that were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

TYLER –Fifty-Five-year and older seniors will be eligible for free tax services at the Tyler Senior Center starting on Monday. The service will continue Monday’s and Wednesday’s through the tax deadline April 15th. AARP’s Certified Public Accountants will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services will be rendered on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must bring their 2019 Tax Documents. Continue reading Free Tax Services Scheduled for Seniors

LONGVIEW — The Texas State Teachers Association filed a lawsuit Thursday against Longview Independent School District, accusing the district of violating the percentage of a district’s students who can be enrolled in charter schools. According to our news partner KETK, the total Longview enrollment is 8,457 students with six campuses converted to charters. The number of students enrolled in charter school was 2,908 which is more than double the 1,268 who account for the maximum limit. Representatives for LISD were not immediately available for comment.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested following a fatal shooting Thursday afternoon. It happened around 11:30 at Ware Meadows Apartments on High Street. According to Longview Police, Brandon Keith Harris, 36, reportedly walked into the apartment complex and shot a female victim. He is said to have fired several more rounds, then ran into the neighboring woods. Police set up a perimeter and located Harris. The victim was taken to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Harris was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a capital murder charge. His bond was set at $1 million.

KILGORE –Kilgore College announced on Thursday that registration is currently underway at Kilgore College for two human resource classes offered by Workforce Development-Community Education. The classes include SHRM Learning System® which will start on Feb. 18, and SHRM Essentials of Human Resources® will begin on March 23. Space is limited so students are encouraged to enroll as soon as possible. Deadline to register for the SHRM Learning System® class is Feb. 10. Continue reading Registration Underway for Two Human Resource Classes in Kilgore

TYLER – On Thursday, the Tyler ISD board of trustees approved TISD Athletic Director Greg Priest’s recommendation of Joe Willis as the new head football coach for Robert E. Lee High School. When asked about his State Title in 2012 Coach Willis told KTBB, “you know anytime you accomplish that kind of goal, a lot of things had to go right. There’s got to be a lot of good things in place, there’s got to be a great administration that supports athletics and believes in the mission of football really, and then you’ve got to have great kids, and you put those kind of combinations together. I’ll be honest, I would not be here today, if I did not feel like that could happen right here in Tyler and you can have something special. You play right next to Christmas and that’s really what our goal is.” Continue reading Willis Hired as New Tyler Lee Head Football Coach

TYLER — Students in the Tyler ISD Fire Academy program experienced a unique learning opportunity in class on Wednesday. Jennifer Hines told KTBB on Thursday, “Fire Academy teacher, Mike Baker, ignited hay inside of a scaled dollhouse to initiate a smoke and fire situation. By doing that they were able to see first hand the processes of heat transfer, things like smoke and flame production, also the spread and ventilation of uncontrolled fires.” Continue reading TISD Firefighting Students Learn in Live Simulation at CTC Academy

TYLER — The 8th year of Lighten Up East Texas is underway and it’s not too late to register, but time is running out. Terrance Ates told KTBB on Thursday, “the “weigh-in-period” and registration ends on Friday. Every person who weighs-in will need to return to your weighing location between, April 27th through May 1st.” Entrants who have lost at least 5% of their registered starting weight by May 1st, 2020, will become entered into our Grand Prize Drawings scheduled for May 14. One person is going to win a $5,000 cash prize. More details are available by clicking the link. https://www.fitcitytyler.com/lightenupeasttexas

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office are looking for information regarding two aggravated robberies committed about two years ago by what appear to be the same white male suspects. On January 25, 2018, around 10 p.m., the Aces High liquor store in Winona was robbed at gunpoint. The suspects took several hundred dollars in cash as well as several bottles of liquor. The suspects used a camo duffle bag and a red Adidas duffle bag to carry the money and liquor. Continue reading Authorities Seek Leads in 2018 Robberies

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill students are said to be safe after a student was detained with a BB gun Wednesday. That’s according to our news partner KETK. In a statement, school officials say “the administration will take appropriate disciplinary action in line with the district’s code of conduct and district policy. We want to stress that at no time today was there any immediate danger to any students or staff members. The procedures that we have in place allowed us to handle this situation with little disruption to other students in the building, most of whom were unaware that a weapon had been brought to school.”

LINDALE — An Indoor Triathlon is coming to Lindale at the Trinity Mother Francis Lindale Center. On Wednesday Debra Abbuhl told KTBB, “Particpants will Swim, Bike & Run through the event comprised of a 20-minute swim, 20-minute stationary bike ride and 20-minute treadmill run timed on a 60 minute running clock for distance.” The total distance traveled in 60 minutes will determine 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for each co-ed division. For more details click the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/christus-trinity-mother-frances-health-and-fitness-lindale/202020-indoor-triathlon/2173421909653322/

LONGVIEW — Effective Feb. 1, the city of Longview’s base sanitation rate will increase $1.25 per month for all residential and commercial customers due to an increase in recycling costs. According to a news release, the rate increase was discussed by the City Council on Dec. 12 and approved on Jan. 9. The increase comes after Rivers Recycling, the local material recovery facility, increased the cost per ton for the city’s recyclable materials. Since 2017, U.S. recycling exports to China, previously among the largest international buyers of recyclable material, have massively fallen off as China increased the standard of cleanliness required to accept shipments. Visit https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2550/Rates-and-Fees to view Longview’s full rate schedule.