KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN – The governor is calling for two new anti gang centers in Texas, one in Tyler. Governor Greg Abbott said that we must do more to crack down on the gangs that bring drugs, weapons, and violence into our communities. In his state of the state address, he called for two new anti-gang centers in Tyler and Waco to rid the areas of dangerous gangs. The governor said, by doing this, we will make our neighborhoods safer, dismantle criminal enterprises and put more gang members behind bars.

TYLER – Seven persons have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking activities in Upshur County. All of the suspects are from Gilmer. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler last month. The indictment was unsealed on Monday after the final defendant was arrested. Several of the suspects were charged with weapons violations. All of them have been charged with with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charges stem from a multi agency investigation that started in 2017. If convicted, they could each face from five to 40 years in federal prison. Continue reading Numerous Arrests Follow Lengthy East Texas Drug Probe

TYLER — A new report shows that where a child lives can help predict how that child will be treated — or mistreated. Dr. David Lakey of UT Health Science Center at Tyler is chief medical officer for the UT system. He says the system’s work with other state agencies checked out a variety of factors based on zip codes. Lakey says, “We were able to develop a model that predicts the risks of that community — not the individual, but…the health of that community in keeping the child healthy or the chances of maltreatment in that community.” Lakey says the goal is to identify the kids and how best to help them.

EAST TEXAS — A bill has been introduced in the Texas House that would help students who have seizures. Sheri Dudo, founder of the non-profit Purple Warriors says this affects many kids. Sam’s Law would mandate all school employees watch a video on seizure recognition and first aid, school nurses will watch a much longer video and the child’s neurologist and parents will give the school a form detailing what to do if that child has a seizure in school. She says children worry about having a seizure in front of their classmates and how people will respond, and this training will make them safer. The bill is named for Samantha Watkins, an 18 year old Kilgore High School student, who died after a massive seizure at home in December of 2016. She’d been showing signs of the epilepsy a few months before.

TYLER – The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has started updating the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. It’s a long range transportation plan for the community. In order to understand the needs and priorities of Tyler’s residents, the Tyler MPO has created a website to get your input. If you go to https://atginc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=85c62f6efa36404da2fa877756c4e3b3, you will open an interactive map where you can zoom into different areas of town. You can then leave them comments about issues and opportunities that you have seen. They will even ask you to tell them about you. This will help them understand who is responding so that they can reach all parts of the community.

TYLER – The TJC Vocational Nursing program achieved a 93% pass rate on the 2018 National Council Licensure Examination. The preliminary results showed that of 131 TJC students who took the test, 122 successfully passed the exam. In addition, TJC was one of only five colleges in the state with LVN programs supporting over 100 students to achieve the “commended” pass rate. The school says the job outlook is strong with vocational nursing expected to grow by 16% over the next 10 years.

TYLER – The UT Tyler University Academy has received a grant from the Texas Education Agency to implement blended learning programs in math. It is designed to improve college and career readiness. The school was one of 15 school districts and open-enrollment charter schools selected in Texas to launch Texas Education Agency Math Innovation Zones for the 2019-2020 school year. Math Innovation Zone is a program that incorporates technology into the classroom in order to develop a personalized and differentiated approach to math instruction. A news release from UT Tyler says Blended learning is an innovative instructional model that combines face-to-face instruction with online learning. Teachers are able to assess students’ prior knowledge and create a unique academic path for each student, adjusting lesson execution based on real-time information about student mastery of a given student expectation.

TYLER – The National Weather Service says Tyler set a new high temperature record for February 4th. Tyler’s high Monday was 79 degrees. That beat the previous high of 77 degrees which was recorded in 1911 and 2008. You need to enjoy these above normal temperatures while they last. A cold front later in the week will result in a high temperature on Thursday and Friday some 30 degrees colder than Monday’s high.

TYLER – The TSA pre-check mobile enrollment, which began January 21 at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, is being extended once again. The enrollment site was scheduled to be in Tyler through January 25. Because the response was so great, the mobile enrollment center was extended another week, until February 1st. Appointments filled up for the three week period. So, The TSA pre-mobile enrollment center will now be extended a fourth week from February 11 through February 15. The enrollment center is located in the baggage claim area in the airport terminal building. You need to go to tsa dot gov for complete details on the enroll process.

LONGVIEW — Longview prepares for its May 4 city election. According to a news release, as of February 1, there are three candidates vying for two City Council positions. Incumbent David Wright hopes to return to office in District 5, while incumbent Steve Pirtle faces challenger Cierra Evans in District 6. Go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2154/General-Election-Candidates for additional information about candidates.

TYLER — The District 3 Tyler City Council position will have a new face this May, with current Councilmember Ed Moore stepping down due to term limits. One of three candidates who have filed for the post in the May election is Shirley McKellar, who has run for Congress four times against incumbent Louie Gohmert. McKellar greeted the public at a Saturday news conference “Under the Bridge” on Valentine Street, a well-known gathering place for the homeless. Along with homelessness, she’s focusing on such issues as economic growth in North Tyler, veterans’ concerns, and human trafficking. Continue reading McKellar, Others File for City Council in May Election

EAST TEXAS – TxDOT is issuing two traffic advisories to East Texans. U.S. 69 at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing near U.S. 80 in downtown Mineola closed at 7 a.m. Monday, February 4, for work on the crossing. The work is expected to be completed and the roadway opened to traffic by Wednesday afternoon, possibly sooner. Traffic will be detoured around Loop 564. Motorists are advised to allow extra time to reach their destinations. Continue reading TxDOT Issues Traffic Advisories for Mineola, Henderson County

GREELEY, Colorado — Pilgrim’s Pride is recalling around 58,000 pounds of frozen chicken. It may be contaminated with other materials, specifically rubber. The frozen items were produced on January 4. The 20-pound boxes contain eight clear bags of uncooked popcorn-style chicken breast chunk fritters with rib meat, with a “Use by 10-01-2019” date. Someone complained about finding white rubber in the products. There are no reports of any illnesses. Pilgrim’s Pride has roots in East Texas and maintains a presence in the area. It’s now an international corporation with U.S. headquarters in Greeley, Colorado.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler announced the opening of its 34th Annual International Exhibition, which will continue through March 8 in the Meadows Gallery. The exhibition features 63 contemporary works selected by juror and former Fort Worth Contemporary Arts curator Christina Rees from more than 800 entries. Following the exhibition, a number of the works will become part of UT Tyler’s permanent art collection to be displayed around campus and used for teaching purposes, according to UT Tyler gallery and media coordinator Michelle Taff. Reese is editor-in-chief of Glasstire magazine and has contributed art, film, and music criticism to the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and other publications. Meadows Gallery is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays.

MINEOLA — Mineola Middle School has received a $5,000 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for an outdoor science education center. According to a news release, the grant application was based on the goal of improving the learning community on the Middle School and Primary School campuses.The grant will complete phase 2 of the outdoor science center by funding the construction of a chicken coop and an aquaponics farming system. The facility already includes a greenhouse, funded by the Mineola Education Foundation and constructed in 2018. The project will be completed and operational by this spring, according to the release.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Grand Jury has indicted a man for attempted capital murder of a peace officer while absolving the Longview police officer of any crime. According to the DA’s office, the incident happened December 23, when Officer William Smeltzer returned fire from Randy Carl Jeffrey during a foot pursuit that began on East Marshall Avenue. Jeffrey was struck once and sustained a non-life-threatening injury. Along with the attempted murder accusation, Jeffrey is charged with possession of a controlled substance, burglary of a building, and theft of a firearm.

TYLER — On the heels of a record Fall 2018 enrollment, TJC has set a new Spring semester record with 11,640 students currently enrolled. The 92-year high for a Spring semester represents a 3.42% increase from Spring 2018, and a 16.7% increase over the past five years. The previous record was 11,427 in Spring 2017.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP/Staff) – A man who was executed in 1999 for an East Texas killing has been identified via DNA as the person who killed a 20-year-old woman in Portland, Oregon, nearly 40 years ago. Anna Marie Hlavka was killed in an apartment on July 24, 1979. Authorities said Thursday her killer, Jerry McFadden, was identified using the same technology that led to an arrest last year in California in the “Golden State Killer” case. Hlavka was found sexually assaulted and strangled with an electric cord. The Portland Police Bureau said at a news conference retired detectives submitted evidence to the state crime lab in 2009 for forensic testing. Authorities said that evidence eventually showed McFaddden, who was executed for the rape and killing of an 18-year-old Hawkins High School cheerleader, was Hlavka’s killer.

TYLER — Smith County will soon begin major road improvement projects on Jim Hogg Road, as well as five additional county roads just north of Tyler, according to a news release. The Smith County Commissioners Court awarded contracts for the projects this week. County Engineer Frank Davis said Jim Hogg Road, or County Road 431, is included in the county’s bond program. From Interstate 20, northward to the Lindale city limits, 3.4 miles of the road will be reshaped and rebuilt, widened to 26 feet and repaved. Left-turn lanes will also be added at the intersection with Sand Flat Road (CR 41). Davis said he expects the project to begin in late February or early March and it will take about four months to complete, depending on the weather. Continue reading Smith County to Begin Work on Major Road Projects

MALAKOFF – Malakoff ISD is the next East Texas district cancelling school Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the district cites illness and the Cedar Creek Reservoir Spillway Bridge construction. MISD plans to reopen as normal on Monday regardless of the bridge construction. Any extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled. TXDOT closed the bridge Wednesday evening after a concern was identified during a routine bridge inspection conducted by local maintenance forces.

TYLER — Diocese of Tyler Bishop Joseph Strickland has released the name of a former clergyman termed “subject to credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.” Strickland identified Gustavo Cuello, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Pointing out that the story was widely known at the time, Strickland says Cuello was captured in 2003 after fleeing the country following his 1997 arrest. Strickland says even one such case is one too many and calls Cuello’s acts deplorable. You can go to https://www.dioceseoftyler.org/images/documents/ethics-integrity/2019/jan31-19_-_bishop_letter_to_diocese_of_tyler.pdf to read Strickland’s entire letter.

PALESTINE — A Palestine Junior High School teacher will soon be out of a job. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine ISD and Palestine police are investigating a reported inappropriate relationship between the teacher and the adult high school student. Police say they’ve determined inappropriate actions were taken by the teacher involving text messages and an off-campus relationship. The teacher has been placed on suspension, and the termination process begins Friday.

ATHENS — A funeral is set Friday for 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla, who died last Friday when his school bus was hit by a train in Athens. According to our news partner KETK, his funeral will be held at 11 a.m. in the Athens High School gymnasium. Christopher was a student at Athens Middle School. People in Athens and around East Texas have spent the week finding ways to remember the teen. The investigation of the case continues.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has seen an increase in residential burglaries over the last several months and reminds residents to report any suspicious behavior. Police say the reported burglaries are city-wide and have happened at various times of the day and night. They say if you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 immediately and provide the dispatcher with as many details as possible about the person and/or suspicious vehicle. Continue reading Marshall Police Issue Advisory about Home Burglaries

TYLER — Smith County has been notified by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller that it’s received an $850,000 grant to fund water system improvements needed for Sanderson Farms’ poultry processing plant. County Judge Nathaniel Moran says the move is “an affirmation” of the new plant’s “widespread positive economic impact.” Officials say the northern Smith County facility will employ up to 1,490 workers. The Tyler Economic Development Council’s Tom Mullins and County Commissioner Terry Phillips are also upbeat about the latest news — and the long-term impact of the plant.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance video as it continues seeking leads in a Sunday night robbery. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies were dispatched shortly before 11:00 p.m. to Indian Creek Mart on Spur 364 west of Tyler. The clerk said a black male entered the store with a black bandana with white print covering his face, armed with a handgun. The clerk said the robber pointed the handgun at her demanding money, then took the money and left on foot. The suspect is said to be in his 20s, approximately 5’5” and 125 pounds, wearing a gray jacket with a hood. Go to https://www.facebook.com/SmithCountySheriffsOffice to view a collection of video clips, and call 903-566-6600 if you have any information.

NEW SUMMERFIELD — The New Summerfield Independent School District has canceled school Thursday and Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the district cites a huge number of students with the flu and other illnesses. Classes will resume on Monday. Officials also canceled ACE classes for Thursday afternoon.