KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW – A beverage packaging plant in Longview will be shutting down next year. A news release from the Ball Corporation announced it will be closing facilities in Alabama and California along with the Longview facility on Fisher Road The Longview plant opened in 1972 and was bought by Ball in June of last year. The plant, which has 100 workers, and produces cans in two sizes, is expected to cease production by the end of the second quarter of next year. In announcing the closings, Ball also announced it will begin construction on a new, state-of-the-art beverage packaging facility in Goodyear, Arizona, which is expected to begin production in the second quarter of 2018.

TYLER – A portion of Tyler faced a water problem today because of a water main break. But the problem has been repaired. For a while water ran across a section of the Old Jacksonville Highway and there were reports of low water pressure and no water. Tyler Water Utilities reported an 18 inch elbow joint separation at a water main off Old Jacksonville Highway. This caused low water pressure and water outages for some Tyler customers between Oakhill Boulevard and West Cumberland. Also, some Southern Utilities customers experienced low water pressure and water outages because the lines are connected by an emergency connection at that location.

BERRYVILLE – A Henderson County woman is facing multiple drug charges. Angela Davis, 42, of LaRue was arrested around 9:00 Thursday evening in a business parking lot on State Highway 155 in Berryville. As she approached a vehicle, a sheriff’s department narcotics investigator saw her with a clear, plastic baggie containing a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. She was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. When she was searched at the jail they found more methamphetamine on her. She was then charged with possession of a prohibited substance in a correctional facility. Davis was also arrested in June and July on drug charges.

EAST TEXAS — Gas prices are on the rise and a run on gas is occurring in different areas throughout the state, mostly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, officials say there is not a gas shortage. Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton said consumers are putting undue demand on fuel stations before they can be replenished. While some refineries have shut down or are operating at reduced capacity due to Hurricane Harvey, plenty of refining capacity is still online and there are more than 230 million barrels of gasoline supply in Texas to meet needs. Citizens have no need to fear shortages even though prices could climb during the next few weeks until all refining capacity is back online.

LONGVIEW – The new Farm Road 2087 bridge over the Sabine River in Longview/Gregg County opens today. Kathi White with TxDOT says the project has consisted of replacing the existing bridge and approaches, grading and surface work, and the placement of permanent pavement markings and metal beam guard fence. The cost of the project is $3.7 million. Crews will be conducting final cleanup activities today, removing equipment and barricades throughout the day. She says motorists should use caution when traveling this route once the bridge is opened to traffic.

ARP – Two Tyler men are in jail for the burglary of Arp High School. Smith County Sheriff’s detectives and Arp Police have arrested Anthony Wayne Frazier,48, and Nicholas Lucton Burkhart, 31. Frazier has been charged with burglary of a building and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bonds total $110,000. Burkhart has been charged with burglary of a building and the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. His bonds total $250,000. Continue reading Two Arrested for a High School Burglary

TYLER – Tyler’s Emergency Operation Center, which opened Tuesday, remains open. The EOC is being utilized to coordinate local agencies’ relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey evacuees. Tyler has also set up a transitional hub at the Faulkner Park Police Substation on West Cumberland Road, to help direct evacuees to needed resources. It opened at noon on Wednesday. Since then, it had registered 260 people for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance and each received an ETN wristband tied to services available in the area. The ETN wristband will allow access to evacuees for services such as free meals at the Salvation Army, basic necessities at Colonial Hills Baptist Church and clothing needs from Cornerstone. The Hub will be in operation from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily. A social security card is not required to register for FEMA. You can go to the city of Tyler web site, http://www.cityoftyler.org for more hurricane evacuee information. Continue reading Tyler Prepared for Hurricane Evacuees

TYLER – The Salvation Army in Tyler is accepting applications for the annual Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree provides Christmas assistance to families in need by making sure that no child is forgotten. Friday is the final day to sign up for assistance. They are able to accept the first 100 qualified applicants starting at 9:00am at on North Spring Street behind the Salvation Army Center of Hope on North Broadway. Since there are a limited number of spots on the Angel Tree, they accept those who are most in need of help. Continue reading Angel Tree Applications are Being Accepted

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a man wanted for using a stolen debit card. Robert Glen Haskins, 18, of Jefferson, is accused of using the stolen card at a Marshall gas station back on July 16. A warrant for debit card abuse has been issued for Haskins. He is about 5’9” and weighs around 200 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. If you know where he can be found, you are asked to call the Marshall Police Department.

TYLER – For the 21st consecutive year, Tyler Junior College has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It was awarded to TJC by the Government Finance Officers Association for the school’s comprehensive annual financial report. According to TJC, the certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

TYLER — UT Health Northeast is caring for cancer patients unable to access treatment in Houston. M.D. Anderson was shut down because of the flooding. KETK reports staff at M.D. Anderson reached out to their partners at UT Health Northeast before the storm. The Tyler hospital is now seeing a handful of patients unable to make it to their treatment. The latest update from the M.D. Anderson website states that outpatient services are closed until Friday. It is all dependent on the water levels, but staff hope to be back to normal as soon as possible.

LINDALE – Motorists can expect delays and closures as night work is conducted on Interstate Highway 20 at the Toll 49 Interchange, and on the ongoing US 271 project in Tyler. The schedules are subject to change due to wet weather forecast for the area. The Lindale Police Department will provide traffic control. Thursday night’s planned closure: I-20 eastbound ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Toll 49 customers traveling east on I-20 wanting to travel south on Toll 49 will be directed to Harvey Rd (CR 433) where they will be turned back to I-20 westbound ramp and then to Toll 49S. Continue reading Work Continues On I-20 at Toll 49

TYLER — Services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Marvin United Methodist Church for Gladys Square, the first woman to serve on Tyler’s City Council. Ms. Square died August 24 at the age of 93. She spent three terms on the Council, from 1989 till 1995. Before that, she had a lengthy career as a school teacher, most notably 33 years at Peete Elementary. Ms. Square was affiliated with numerous organizations and was named Senior Citizen of the Year at the 2006 East Texas State Fair.

LUFKIN — A popular Lufkin DJ has gone missing in the Houston area during efforts to help Harvey victims. According to KETK, 30-year-old Alonso Guillén, or DJ Ocho, left Tuesday to go help people in Spring and his boat capsized around midnight. Ocho was on a boat with 25-year-old Tomas Carreon and 22-year-old Luis Ortega. Ortega is recovering in the hospital, while the other two men are still missing. Friends and family are collecting clothes, food and water that they plan to donate to people affected by Harvey in Deep East and South Texas. Radio station Y-100 says if you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriffs office at 936.760.5871.

GILMER – The reward has grown in connection with an Upshur County bank robbery. The Security State Bank in Diana was robbed by three men on August 11th. The bank was robbed around 5:00 that Friday afternoon. The men, one who was armed, took an undetermined amount of money and then fled on foot. With an additional $5,000 sponsored by the Texas Bankers Association, the total reward is now $6,000. Authorities have released a picture from a video that was made at a near by business. It shows two of the suspects just before the robbery and before they covered their faces.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation is cautioning against scam artists and has compiled a list of resources to guide donors interested in helping those displaced by Hurricane Harvey. “At this time, cash donations to trusted nonprofit agencies will provide the greatest assistance to those in the disaster areas,” said ETCF President Kyle Penney in a news release. Penney cites several online resources to verify if an organization is a trusted nonprofit, including Charity Navigator and Guidestar. You can also call ETCF for guidance at 903-533-0208. Continue reading ETCF Reminds Donors to Beware of Harvey Donation Scams

TYLER – The Tyler Salvation Army is among numerous agencies offering relief to Hurricane Harvey evacuees. Several families self-evacuated from the storms path and arrived at The Salvation Army Sunday afternoon. The agency was able to provide temporary shelter and food and some basic necessities. The Salvation Army is now preparing its facility to feed any of the estimated 1,800 evacuees who are currently staying in hotels in the area starting at noon on Thursday. According to a news release, currently the best way to assist the relief efforts is by going to http://www.helpsalvationarmy.org or calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or texting STORM to 51555.

EAST TEXAS — A former East Texas high school football player turned football coach has died, according to Clear Creek Independent School District. On Tuesday, the Friendswood Police Department confirmed Ruben C. Jordan, was killed in the devastating floods in South Texas. According to KETK, his family said he was last seen helping rescue people after Hurricane Harvey hit the state. Jordan, a retired coach at Clear Creek High School, also played football at John Tyler High School alongside “The Tyler Rose,” Earl Campbell. He graduated from JTHS in 1977, according to his Facebook page. From there, he attended Lamar University before going into coaching and teaching. Upon retirement, Jordan opened Friendswood Driving School.

LONGVIEW – Mobberly Baptist Church has established a collection center to facilitate donations from Longview residents. The center is located at 1905 West Loop 281, Suite 50, formerly Big Lots. It will assist in meeting the immediate needs of recovery efforts, as well as the ongoing needs of evacuees. Mobberly’s center will serve as an official distribution point to transport needed goods to shelters and people in need. The collection center is established in partnership with several churches and organizations. Continue reading Longview Church Establishes Hurricane Supplies Collection Center

TYLER – Robert E. Lee High School has received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School 1st Team award for its Red Raider athletic training program. A news release from TISD says the award recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes and reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment. Awarded every three years, this is the second time Lee has received the 1st Team award.

TYLER – The Tyler city council will holds the second public hearing today on the city’s proposed budget. The proposal calls for a one cent tax hike. It takes the city’s tax rate from 23 cents to 24 cents per $100 valuation. The increase is proposed to cover lower sales tax revenues and a decline in the oil and gas sector. But, the tax hike is not the only proposed increase. Hikes are also proposed for city water, wastewater garbage collection and ball field rental rates. The budget is scheduled to be adopted at the council meeting on September 13th.

TYLER – Tyler has become home to Hurricane Harvey evacuees and more are expected. There are over 650 Harvey evacuees now in Tyler. In preparation for more, officials from Visit Tyler, the City of Tyler, and the Tyler Lodging Association met to prepare for the influx. There is hotel availability at almost all of the hotels this week, and properties that don’t usually allow pets, will allow evacuees to check in with their pets. Also, all local and state hotel/motel taxes are being waived for evacuees. And, evacuees will be able to get a list from the front desk at their hotel of discounted and free activities, services, entertainment, and meals that will be offered in the area. If you are a Tyler business that would like to offer free or discounted services to evacuees in Tyler, contact Shari Lee at slee@tylertexas.com or call 903-592-1661.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court has voted unanimously to adopt the Fiscal Year 2018 budget and tax rate. County officials cite the following priorities: road improvements; increased funding for law enforcement and jail operations; improved operational efficiency; continued improvement to facilities and technology; and hiring and retaining qualified employees who are providing the highest level of service. The Commissioners Court adopted a tax rate of 33 cents per $100 valuation, the same as Fiscal Year 2017. As part of the package, the county is adding the positions of fleet manager and budget analyst. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com for more details.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for the suspect wanted in the robbery of a grocery store owner. It happened just after 11:00 Monday night at the Super Food Mart on NNW loop 323. Police were told that the store manager was walking to her car after locking the store when she was grabbed from behind and forced to the back of the building. The suspect reportedly shoved her to the ground and took her purse along with the store’s money from that evening. The suspect, described as a tall, thin black male, fled the scene, possibly in a white SUV. An employee taking out trash claims to have not seen anything. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW – Two East Texas teens have been arrested on robbery charges in Longview. Zachary Bryan Christopher, 18, of Tatum (pictured) has been charged with aggravated robbery and giving false information and failure to identify. His bonds total $101,000. Also charged in the case is Keon Thomas, 17, of Longview. He is not only charged with aggravated robbery, he is also being held on warrants for burglary of a building. His bonds total $105,000. The Longview New Journal reports the two are accused of demanding money from a taxicab driver at gunpoint. The driver said he drove away without giving any money and that both suspects ran away. The incident is said to have occurred in early May.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is being accused of attacking his mentally challenged brother by kicking him in the face and stomping on his neck. Being held in the Gregg County Jail is Tahj Shannon, 28. The attack is said to have occurred early Saturday evening at the Ware Meadows Apartments on South High Street. According to the Longview News Journal, the suspect’s brother as well as the men’s mother told officers of the attack. Shannon is charged with injury to a child/elderly/disabled individual with intentional bodily injury.

TYLER – Smith County commissioners are set to approve next year’s budget at Tuesday’s meeting. Before the budget is adopted, the public will have one last chance to comment on it. The proposed budget for the new year, which starts October 1st, is $88.6 million. The tax rate will remain the same at 33 cents per $100 property valuation. This will still generate more revenue because of increased property values. This will cost the average home owner just over an additional $25 on their yearly tax bill. The meeting starts at 9:30 in the courthouse annex building on East Ferguson.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – East bound lanes of Interstate Highway 20, at the 530 mile marker, have been reopened following a fatal accident. The Van Zandt County crash involved a truck-tractor semi-trailer and a passenger car. The driver of the passenger car was killed. We will have more information when it becomes available.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) encourages all East Texas residents to begin making plans to prepare for the impending rainfall that our area is expected to receive from the residual storms of Hurricane Harvey. NET Health says it is particularly important to be prepared if you live in a low-lying area, near a body of water (creeks, streams, lakes, etc.) or downstream from a large body of water. Emergency Management Officials have advised the public to call 2-1-1 for up-to-date shelter information. 2-1-1 is a free statewide program available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Continue reading Preparation Urged as Flooding Expected in East Texas from Harvey

TYLER — 23-year-old Victor Macias-Vergara of Smith County has been killed in a Tyler truck accident. Police were called around 10:30 Saturday night about a rollover crash on S. Vine Avenue near the Grove Street intersection. Witnesses said Macias-Vergara’s truck lost control and left the roadway as it drove south. Police say the case remains under investigation.