KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — On Tuesday the University of Texas at Tyler and Trinity Valley Community College formalized a partnership in which nursing students will concurrently earn degrees from both institutions. Both Presidents, UT Tyler’s Michael Tidwell and Trinity Valley’s Jerry King, were on hand to sign declarations making the understanding official. This is important because Texas is expected to experience the second largest nursing shortage in history within the decade. The goal of the partnership is to help offset a would be shortage by producing quality nurses who will serve the region and the state.

TYLER — Traffic is opened up and moving freely following the completion of a drain project on South Fleishel. LouAnn Campbell told KTBB Tuesday afternoon, the last barriers came down early Tuesday afternoon following the completion of a new drainage system under the road. Previously the street and homes experienced flooding in that area. It is expected that the new storm drain system will increase the capacity of the existing infrastructure and send the water outfall northwest of South Fleishel Avenue and East 6th Street alleviating the issues.

TYLER — A portion of North Palace Avenue will be closed between West Nutbush Street and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Tuesday. According to the city of Tyler, Centerpoint Energy crews are repairing a gas line. It is expected that the work will be completed on Tuesday evening. If you have questions about the work being done, you can contact Centerpoint Energy at (903) 534-9393 ext. 245, for more information.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation following the discovery of a man’s body. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told KTBB on Tuesday, “that the body of Darrell Gene Blankenship, III, 24, Tool, was found just before 9:00 Monday morning at the entrance of “Sky Country” Subdivision. A passerby made the discovery. Blankenship’s body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation.

TYLER — The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and Discovery Science Place Museum will open a permanent exhibit for children, with the goal of presenting kids the opportunity to learn about the voting process. Voter information will also be available for adults and will continue to be part of the on-going exhibit. Kids will cast a ballot for the animal of their choice who will be running for “Mayor” of Hometown, within the museum. On January 25th, from 10 a.m. to noon “hands-on” activities will be available for the kids and voter registration will be available for adults.

TYLER, Texas (Jan. 13, 2020) – The University of Texas at Tyler announced the winners on Monday that that the UT Tyler University Academy – Tyler won the East Texas High School Idea Challenge, conducted by the University for students in grades 9 – 12. High schools across East Texas were invited to participate in the tournament-style event, which challenged students to come up with innovative solutions for problems or start-up ideas for untapped markets. Eleven teams participated in the competition held Monday at the Soules College of Business. Continue reading UT Tyler Hosts East Texas Idea Challenge

TYLER — On Monday a Tyler man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual contact and sending inappropriate texts. According to our news partner KETK, Andrew Crawley, 27 admitted to rubbing his 13-year-old sister-in-law’s hand over his groin while he was driving her to his home. They were on the way so that the victim and her sister could spend the night. Later that night, Andrew would later text her that if she could keep doing it, he would give her unlimited snacks and time at his house. She immediately refused. Continue reading Tyler Man Sentenced to 12 years Prison

TYLER — Tyler Police investigated the remains of a decomposed human skeleton found 2 days before Christmas, in 2004. The male was discovered behind First Baptist Church in a heavily wooded area off of FM 2813 in South Tyler. Police released a sketch released a sketch by a D.P.S. Forensic Artist out of Austin on Monday, with the hopes that the public will come forward with information. After the discovery, the remains were sent to a forensic lab for possible identification. Investigators checked all local missing person reports and were unable to make a match. Continue reading Police Release Forensic Facial Sketch

TYLER — With the recent storms over the weekend,the BBB of Central East Texas is reminding residents to be cautious of “Storm Chasers.” Mecehle Mills told KTBB on Monday, “they usually peddle these unbelievable deals, get a down payment for a job and then never come and do the work.” Mills continued, “our best advice is for you to initiate contact with whichever business you are considering using, that way you have time to research different companies and choose which ones you want to get bids from.” Continue reading BBB Warning Beware of “Storm Chasers”

TYLER — On Monday, the City of Tyler and the Parks and Recreation Department planted a tree in honor of former Councilmember Ed Moore. Moore served the city from 2013 to 2019. The ceremonial planting of a Ginko tree took place at Gassaway Park, and was held to honor Moore’s years of service and community efforts. Typically Ginko trees will live hundreds of years. There is a Ginko tree in front of City Hall that is over 200 years old. The newly renovated Gassaway Park is on Shady Trail Dr. in Tyler.

TYLER — The Great Decisions Global Affairs Discussion Program is nearing kick-off. The Tyler Public Library, in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and the Tyler Branch of the American Association of University Women, will be sponsoring the series. This admission-free program starts Wednesday, and takes place through March 4. Continue reading 2020 Great Decisions Program to Launch

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler woman is arrested for intoxication assault Monday morning following a head-on collision. It happened just after midnight on Hwy 271, south of the U.T. Health Science Center. Witnesses told police that a 2005 Mercedes-Benz was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a 2019 Nissan Sentra head-on. The driver of the Mercedes, Jasmine Gonzalez, 19, of Tyler, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the crash. She was transported to a local hospital, treated and released into police custody. Continue reading Tyler Woman Arrested following Early Morning Wreck

EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in East Texas during a line of storms Friday evening. They were in Nacogdoches County, Northwest Panola County and Center. All three were classified as EF-1 tornadoes with winds up to 100 miles per hour. Continue reading Three Tornadoes Confirmed in East Texas

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County has reported one fatality as a result of Friday night’s storms. According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches County Emergency Management Rescue crews responded to a residence off of FM 225 for a man trapped by a tree. Larry Hadnot Jr., 44, was inside the home when a tree was blown onto the house trapping him. Another individual was inside the house but was able to escape with minor injuries. Hadnot was pronounced dead at the scene. Early damage reports in the county include multiple trees down, some structures damaged and power outages. As of Saturday morning, all roads in Nacogdoches County are reportedly open. There are power lines down, some in remote areas.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are assessing possible damage in the area from Friday night’s storms. According to the Kilgore Police Department Facebook page: “Unfortunately, it does look like we sustained more residential damage than originally believed. We will be doing damage assessments in the area for a little while today, that may include launching a drone. If any residents have immediate needs, please contact us and we’ll try to give some direction or assist how we can. Remember, be very cautious in using contractors who are soliciting door to door, we’re already seeing them roaming the neighborhoods.” Continue reading Storm Damage Assessment Continues in Kilgore

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A search warrant executed at a home in Wills Point leads to drugs and firearms seizures. According to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, around 2:30 Friday afternoon, law enforcement officials raided a home on 4th Street and seized approximately 30 pounds of illicit prescription pills with an estimated street value of $500,000. Additionally, multiple firearms, ammunition, narcotic related paraphernalia and other illegal drugs were seized. The residence is located across from a pre-school/ day care facility. One suspect was arrested. Continue reading Drugs, Weapons Seized from Wills Point Home

KILGORE — Officials in Kilgore said on Friday that Lantrip St. will be closed from the intersection of Henderson Blvd. to Thompson St. to start the next work week. The road will be widened to accommodate the additional traffic expected with proposed new development. Traffic will be detoured on to Thompson Street or Kay Street. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of March. This project is being funded through a partnership with Hometown Restaurant Group, the developers for Dairy Queen. Continue reading Kilgore Prepares for Detour Starting Monday

TYLER — All Tyler ISD after school activities have been canceled due to severe weather forecasted for a vast majority of the area. The cancelations include out of town athletic events as well as Boys and Girls Club after school care.Tyler – Due to the current storm predictions, tonight’s John Tyler and Robert E. Lee basketball games have been rescheduled for tomorrow: Continue reading TISD Cancels After School Activities for Friday

SMITH COUNTY — Threats of “Supercell Thunderstorms” have Smith County officials on high alert. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks told KTBB on Friday afternoon that, “Judge Moran and I have been monitoring potential problems continually, and at this time it is looking like East Texas is looking at some rounds of some pretty significant storms and so we are taking action to make sure our law enforcement partners, our fire, and E.M.S. personnel responder’s as well as our road and bridge departments are ready and on stand-by to take action if necessary. Continue reading Smith County Preparing for Potential Storms

ATHENS — Athens Masonic Lodge #165 is hosting Carter BloodCare for a blood drive at Brookshire’s on Saturday. The Blood Drive Chairman, Daniel Hunt told KTBB on Friday, we normally try to do 2 Blood Drives a year, but Carter BloodCare, contacted us and told us they were critical on blood and asked us if we would do another blood drive this year.” The drive set for 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the store’s parking lot on E. Tyler St. in Athens. Continue reading Blood Drive to Replenish East Texas Blood Supply

CARTHAGE — Panola County District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson has named Gregg County First Assistant DA April Sikes special prosecutor in the trial of the suspect in the murder of Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson. According to a news release, the action follows Gregg County District Attorney Tom Watson’s offer of prosecutorial assistance, with the backing of Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt. Watson says as a former law officer, he was hard-hit by the killing and took note of Davidson’s “smaller staff and limited resources.” Dickerson was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop last month in Panola County. Suspect Gregory Newson fled to Shreveport, where he was captured.

EAST TEXAS — Some East Texas students will be getting out of school early Friday in anticipation of strong storms. According to our news partner KETK, car riders in Alto ISD may be picked up at 12:30 p.m. and buses will run at 12:45 p.m. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but student and faculty safety are our priority,” the school district said on its Facebook page. Friday night’s girls’ basketball game will be played on Monday at 5:00 in New Summerfield. The boys’ basketball game will be played at a later time. Elsewhere, Winnsboro ISD will be letting students go at 1 p.m.

TYLER — On Thursday night, the Texas Rose Festival President, Bruce Faulkner, announced the 87th theme, as well as the Queen, Anna Grace Hallmark and Court at the 2020 Winter Gala benefiting the Tyler Rose Museum. This years Queen, Anna Hallmark, told KTBB what representing the festival means to her. “It’s really important to me, I’ve lived in Tyler my whole life, I’ve been around the Rose Festival my whole life, I’m just really excited to bring people in and show them all that we have to offer.” Continue reading 2020 Rose Festival Theme “Secrets of the Garden”

FLINT — An East Texas mother and daughter were indicted Wednesday on stalking charges after admitting to police they were leaving voodoo messages on a woman’s car. According to our news partner KETK, Jaclyn Feagin, 24, and Kristina Ferguson, 46, left messages and objects to harass the victim who had previously dated Feagin’s husband. Some of the items placed on the victims car included:Picture with a red pentagram drawn across the victim’s face, A pair of black male boxer short with the message “Just thought you should know,” A mason jar with a small voodoo doll with pins on the face and heart. There were also sigils that represented “horror, death, pain, insanity, delusion, and destruction,” and a black leather scroll dipped into a red substance. There was also a curse written in Latin. Continue reading Mother and Daughter Indicted for Stalking Victim

ATHENS — The former 2 term Henderson County Judge, Richard Sanders died earlier this week following a lengthy illness. Sanders began steering the county after winning election in November of 2010. Prior to that Sanders acted as the Regional Director for the 5th Congressional District of Texas. Following eight years in national politics, Sanders served Henderson County from 2011 to 2018. Continue reading Services Announced for Former County Judge Sanders

TYLER — The “economic forecast” for the Metropolitan Tyler Area appears to be robust. On Thursday Dr. Ray Perryman told KTBB why the area is looking strong, “Growth is continuing we’ve had some locations and expansions that are doing well. Tyler was just ranked as one of the top cities in the country as far as growth and income, which is basically putting money in peoples pockets. Investments being made in the health and science side is certainly very exciting. There is a fair amount of energy activity in the area, so there is a lot going on right now.” Continue reading Economic Forecast Strong for Tyler Region

TYLER/LONGVIEW – On Monday, Carter BloodCare announced that blood collections are so far behind community requirements that it will take 1,500 people every day for a week to reach a safe and sufficient supply of blood for hospitals and local patients. Thursday, Carter announced it has only seen 50 percent of those needed. According to a news release, if donations continue at this pace, the blood center will have to continue filling hospital orders on an “as needed” basis only — and that’s termed a safety concern. Carter officials continue to urge the public to donate blood. Walk-ins are welcomed. You may also visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or text or call 800-366-2834 for an appointment.

TYLER — On Wednesday afternoon. Smith County Sheriff’s personnel received a call from local Tyler attorney, D. Matt Bingham. According to Sgt. Larry Christian, Bingham stated that Sharlanda McCoy brought her son to his office in Tyler to cooperate with law enforcement and relinquish her child to the custody of Child Protective Services. McCoy is the mother of three year-old, Cash Rider, who has been missing since January 3, 2020. Smith County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jimmy Jackson and Lt. Nikki Keegan responded to Bingham’s law office. Once at this location, Sharlanda McCoy relinquished Cash Rider to the custody of Sheriff’s personnel without incident. Shortly thereafter, the child was released to Investigators with the Department of Family and Protective Services.