KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine is issuing notice of possible water outage for Court Drive due to repair of water leaks. The repairs were scheduled to begin at approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday. Depending on the degree of repairs required, a water outage may occur after that hour, according to a news release. Officials say no other streets will be affected by this advisory. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8423.

WASHINGTON D.C.- With opening arguments concluded, Senators begin asking questions in the impeachment proceedings for President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, District 1 Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB, “I have sat through a couple days of the proceedings, and the house has still not proved treason, bribery, high-crime, or mis-demeanor. Those are all crimes, and that is what was anticipated.” Continue reading Congressman Gohmert on Senate Trial from Washington

TYLER — Tyler ISD joined districts across the state to train staff and students on how to administer emergency aid. Rachel Barber, Director of Health Services, said, “Knowing how to administer emergency aid during traumatic situations can be the first step in saving lives.” With that thought in mind, the district took Tuesday to train and equip the staff of TISD. House Bill 496, passed by the Texas Legislature, requires public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to be equipped with traumatic injury training and response protocol known as Stop the Bleed. Continue reading Stop the Bleed Training at TISD

KILGORE — Kilgore authorities announced a road maintenance project on Wednesday that will impact Martin Luther King Drive, closing it through Friday. Kilgore police urge drivers to plan ahead and be cautious in the area.The closure will be from Highway 31 to Sanders Street, and will last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day so that the street department can make necessary repairs to the roadway.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Residents that lost trees in the Tornado seasons of 2017 to 2019 will have a chance to replace them in Van Zandt County for free. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas A&M Forest Service has donated hardwood seedlings that are Cedar Elm and Live Oaks ranging from 18″ to 2 ft. tall. They also have about 350 pine saplings. Trees will be available while they last on a first come first serve basis. The schedule for pick up times will be Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Van Zandt County Fairgrounds on Hwy 64 in Canton. Each family will be limited to four hardwood seedlings and four pine saplings.

TYLER — A UT Tyler student has started an online petition after a decision was made by the university to change the Spring graduation venue. According to our news partner KETK, the petition came about when the school decided to relocate the event outdoors to the new Patriots Plaza and hold just one graduation event, instead of separating schools with in the college. Continue reading UT Tyler Student Starts Petition Protesting New Site

CARTHAGE — The Murder Re-Trial is set for a Kilgore Woman. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday the case was pushed back until May. Deborah Smiley McFadden was found guilty in 2017 for shooting her boyfriend, Edward George Jr. in 2003. McFadden was sentenced to 40 years in prison. In February of 2018, a new trial was ordered, and she is now released on bond.The trail proceedings were changed because her attorney was involved in a federal jury trial and the Special Prosecutor assigned to McFadden’s case did not have adequate time to become familiar with her case.

TYLER –With property taxes due Friday, Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said his office will stay open later Thursday and Friday, and he will add a drive-thru option on Friday. As of Tuesday, the Smith County Tax Office has deposited $247 million in property tax payments. That is about $14 million more than this time last year. Barber’s office mailed out 186,000 tax statements last October. The bills are due upon receipt, and to avoid delinquency must be paid online, walked in or postmarked by January 31, 2020. Continue reading Smith County Property Taxes Due Friday

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department will be over-seeing the next Civil Service Exam for the position of police cadet on Saturday, February 15th at 9:00 am. The testing will be carried out at Tyler Junior College West on S SW Loop 323. Info App packets can be picked up at Tyler City Hall or by clicking the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/police-department/careers/recruiting/applicant-notification-and-minimum-requirements. Continue reading City of Tyler to Administer Civil Exam

LAKE CITY, FL — A Tyler woman has been identified as the pilot of a small plane crash in Florida. Our news partner KETK reported fatality Monday, after the plane took off from a local airport and crashed into a house nearby. The house caught fire, but a mother and son inside the home were uninjured. Salena Short, 61, was flying solo, at the time of the accident. She was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church and received her license to fly in 2017.

TYLER — East Texas businesses are combining efforts again this year to remind adults not to provide alcohol to minors during the Super Bowl. On Tuesday Rebecca Smith told KTBB how the initiative works, “We know that lots of alcohol is consumed during the Super Bowl.” The coalition coordinator for the Piney Woods Substance Abuse Coalition continued, “So it is important not only, to not provide any alcohol to minors at Super Bowl parties, but to use that time to talk to them about the dangers and your disapproval in a loving way as well.” Continue reading Stopping Under-Age Drinking During Big Game

TYLER — The 2020 Cattle Barons’ Gala is fast approaching. On Tuesday, Jennifer Gaston told KTBB this year’s gala features Aaron Watson as the headlining act, “We are excited to have this native Texan and he is excited about our cause and to be in Tyler.” The theme for 2020 is “Pistols and Pearls.” The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society-Tyler. Fundraising efforts for the 2020 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala have already started with almost $23,000 earned with the ’50 Mile Ride for the Cure’. Continue reading Aaron Watson to Headline Tyler Cattle Barons Gala

TYLER — The 2020 Cattle Barons’ Gala is right around the corner. The head of this year’s gala announced Aaron Watson will be headlining the event. Back in August of 2019, the theme for 2020 was announced: Pistols and Pearls. The Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society-Tyler. “Fundraising efforts for the 2020 Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala have already started with more than $22,000 collected during the ’50 Mile Ride for the Cure’ in October. Trail riders participated in the three-day trail ride that was chaired by Erica Schovanec, who also participated as a rider.” – Melissa Ivey, ACS-Tyler’s Senior Development Manager Distinguished Events.

TYLER – On Tuesday Tyler ISD is inviting the community to an eye-popping open house event of the recently completed state of the art academic and administrative wing of John Tyler High School. The campus renovation is part of the $89 million campus project. Which comes from the TISD $198 million BOND2017 project. Organizers say the come-and-go event will give guests the opportunity to view the modern, collegiate-inspired space. Continue reading Open House Tuesday for John Tyler

TYLER — The Literacy Council of Tyler will host their annual donor appreciation luncheon this week. Executive Director Nancy Crawford told KTBB on Monday, “the council helps no less than 2,000 adults annually and will take this opportunity to update donors on the progress made in the past year.” On Wednesday, the council will Honor Tim and Michelle Brookshire as this years “Circle of Honor Donors.” Continue reading LCOT to Host Annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon

TYLER — Tyler Junior College’s Dr. Betsy Ott, will be speaking on the subject of “Climate Change and the Global Order” at this weeks Great Decisions Global Affairs Program. The presentation begins Wednesday at noon at the Tyler Public Library. Ott’s teaching fields include Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology. She earned her doctoral degree in Forestry with a research area of biodiversity in plantation understory and was elected President of the National Association of Biology Teachers in 2004. Continue reading Great Decisions Series Continues Wednesday

TYLER — Nearly 3.6 million students are eligilble for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. On Monday the University of Texas at Tyler University Academy Tyler announced that Tejas Narayanan, a senior,has been named one of the candidates moving forward. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors placed on graduating high school seniors. Up to 161 scholars will be chosen to represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. Continue reading E TX Candidate for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

TYLER — Residents are invited to an informational meeting about the Tyler Bike Stripes project that the city of Tyler will sponsor this Thursday. The meeting will be informative about the 50 miles of bicycle lanes throughout Tyler. The informational come-and-go open house will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Tyler Rose Center, on Rose Park Dr. Residents will be able to ask questions, provide comments and review the plans and maps showing where the lines will be painted on the roadways.

TYLER — Here’s a look at TxDOT’s planned construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the week of January 27. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to continue rehab operations on SH 64 at Arp. A second crew will conduct milling operations on FM 15 between Troup and Wright City before moving to Loop 323 at Kinsey Drive in Tyler to perform ditch maintenance. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repairs at the intersection of FM 349 and SH 322 near the Gregg County Airport. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at all locations. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/005-2020.html for a complete look at work around the district.

HAYDEN, Alabama — There are many cases of people losing their rings. And, sadly, most of the time they’re never found. But for one woman near Birmingham, Alabama, her class ring was found 600 miles away in Rusk, Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Barnes graduated from Hayden High School in Alabama in 2004. And she’s never been to Rusk. Somehow, though, a 13-year-old student found her class ring on his school bus, in Rusk, and turned it into his teacher. The teacher took to Facebook to find its owner. Through the magic of Facebook, she found Barnes, who was elated over the discovery of her long-lost ring. The teacher will be mailing the ring back to her. For now, it’s still a mystery how the ring traveled 600 miles away to little Rusk, Texas.

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse ISD Education Foundation (WISDEF) has announced its Innovators of the Year. As part of the $100,000 awarded by WISDEF this school year, these recipients will each receive additional money to use in the classrooms to further enhance the educational experience for Whitehouse students, according to a news release. Wendy Turner, a Media Technology Specialist at Stanton Smith Elementary School, received a grant for “zSpace in Our Makerspace.” Mrs. Turner has transformed a portion of Stanton Smith’s Learning Resource Center into a Makerspace. zSpace changed the Makerspace into a virtual reality science lab. Continue reading WISDEF Announces Innovators of the Year

TYLER — A popular restaurant chain will soon add to its longtime presence in Tyler with a location on the bustling Old Jacksonville Highway. According to a news release, the Braum’s store will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, January 28, at 6:00 a.m. The new store will host a grand opening celebration February 10-16. The location features what’s termed “a very sleek and modern design with nearly 6,000 square feet, double drive-through windows and seating for about 80 guests.” This brings the total Braum’s stores in operation to 281 in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.

TYLER — Nine people have been arrested under a 42-count federal indictment on allegations of trafficking methamphetamine in Smith, Cherokee, and Rusk counties. They’re named as Alexa Leigh Brown, 50, of Tyler; Stanley Wayne Hunter, 43, of Troup; David Raymond Lusk, 41, of Jacksonville; Johnathan Rudy Duke, 30, of Reklaw; Anthony Russell Hamilton, 42, of Tyler; Donald Ray Carr, 55, of Tyler; Justin Ray Carr, 32, of Tyler; Joseph Paul Melancon, 46, of Henderson; and Tonya Hudson Hammonds, 46, of Troup. The indictment also includes firearms charges for several defendants. Many of the charged offenses carry a statutory penalty range that includes life in prison. This case is the result of a nearly two-year joint investigation by a total of eleven agencies.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have released the victim’s identity and a vehicle description as they continue to investigate a fatal hit and run. John Garnett Page, 65, was killed after being struck by a vehicle just after 6:30 p.m. January 17 on N. 4th Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers said Page was attempting to cross the street in a wheelchair. The driver fled the scene. Page died after being taken to a local hospital. Continue reading Longview Police Release Victim’s ID, Vehicle Description in Fatal Hit and Run

TYLER — Tyler firefighters are mourning the loss of Fire Captain Stuart Weatherford, who died Friday morning at 57 after a long battle with cancer. According to a news release, Weatherford was hired by the Tyler Fire Department in July 1998. Well known for his physical fitness, Weatherford was the recipient of the department’s Gold Fitness Award for many years, and was a member of the department’s “Most Physically Fit Crew” in 2002. He also received the Outstanding Firefighter Award that same year and was involved in many public service efforts. Continue reading Fire Department Mourns Loss of Captain Stuart Weatherford

HAWKINS — Authorities say a wanted man has been captured. Multiple law enforcement agencies had been searching for the “armed and dangerous” man. According to our news partner KETK, Ronald Herrick Riva III had fled from Hawkins Police on Friday.

TYLER -Jack Elementary School is helping ‘Tie Up Tyler ISD.’ Jennifer Hines told KTBB on Friday, “the student’s have set a goal to collect 500 pairs of new lace-up tennis shoes by February 4, and the school has already distributed a few pairs to another campus.” The TISD Director of Communications continued, “as of yesterday, because they have not counted the totals brought in today, they are already at 381 pairs of tennis shoes, and these are tennis shoes for boys and girls of all sizes.” Continue reading “Tie-Up TISD” Shoe Drive Continues

TYLER — Andy’s Frozen Custard will be opening a second location on the square in downtown Tyler, according to a release from the company. Dubbed “Andy’s Downtown”, the new location will offer indoor dining as opposed to the South Broadway location which features drive-thru or walk-up style. Galen Taylor, Owner Operator of Tyler Andy’s locations say, “they are excited about moving north.” Taylor says, “We see the Tyler Square as a great location that will give us the opportunity to serve even more people in Tyler.” Continue reading Andy’s Frozen Custard Adding Location in Tyler

TYLER — Graveside services for Bill R. Day, 84, of Tyler will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler. That follows visitation for the Tyler business owner Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Day, who died on Tuesday, opened Bill Day Tire Center in 1971. With Day’s leadership, the business grew to 4 locations. Day is described as an innovator and was one of the first dealers in the country to advertise tires on television, winning numerous awards. Bill Day Tire will celebrate its 49th year in 2020. Bill was still active in the business with his family until his death.