KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE – A Palestine ISD band director was arrested for an improper relationship with a student, according to our news partner KETK. The Palestine Police Department said they got a report on Jan. 12 of an improper relationship between a teacher and a student at Palestine High School. “During the investigation, detectives learned a teacher, identified as Adrian Alonso, 37, of Palestine, had an improper relationship, including sexual contact with a student, beginning in 2020,” police said. On Thursday, law enforcement secured a warrant for Alonso. He was charged with improper educator/student relationship, which is a second-degree felony, police said. Alonso was out of the area due to a school trip, and police said they found him in Fort Worth. He was arrested and taken to the Tarrant County Jail, and he is expected to be extradited to Anderson County. His bond is set at $500,000. The Palestine Independent School District is fully assisting police, and the investigation is still open.

TYLER — Noted economist Dr. Ray Perryman offers up his annual economic outlook for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, starting with the Tyler region. Perryman tells KTBB things are looking optimistic for the Rose City area. He projects growth and employment that will exceed that of the state and the country. He notes that Tyler came back from COVID a little faster than everyone else, and that there has been more job growth since then. Perryman says we’re facing some headwinds on the national level, such as inflation, interest rates, and supply chain issues. He points out that there has been slower growth the last few months, but he doesn’t think we’re heading for a major recession — and may not see one at all. If there is such an event, Perryman expects it to be very mild, with a lot of momentum by the end of the year. Continue reading Perryman discusses economic outlook during yearly Tyler appearance

PALESTINE — One student was detained after Palestine Junior High School administration was made aware of a weapon on campus Wednesday, the district announced. According to our news partner KETK, the campus was placed on a soft lockdown and the Palestine ISD Police Department and administration located the weapon. Palestine Junior High resumed the normal schedule for the remainder of the day and will dismiss at normal times with normal procedures, the district said.

TYLER — TCU quarterback Max Duggan can add yet another prestigious trophy to his resume after he was named the 10th annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award winner on Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, Duggan not only led the Horned Frogs to the national championship game but he was also a Heisman Trophy finalist and won the Davey O’Brien Award. Along with Duggan, the other three finalists were Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson, UTSA quarterback Frank Harris and Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. “I’m honored to present the award to Max Duggan,” Earl Campbell said. “All of these players had incredible seasons. They all deserved their place as a finalist.” Duggan totaled 282 yards of offense and four touchdowns in TCU’s win over the Michigan Wolverines. Continue reading TCU’s Max Duggan wins Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

SMITH COUNTY – As the new year begins, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the jail is still understaffed and searching for new hires. According to our news partner KETK, there’s still a lot of work to be done. “There’s a lot of moving parts that the general public has no idea,” said Smith. He said a lot goes into operating a jail. With 33 unfilled positions, it only makes things more difficult on the staff they do have. “The ones that are just coming into the workforce that are eager to do things even get disheartened when they see there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Continue reading Smith County Jail sees more applicants but is still short staffed

AUSTIN – After years of courtroom scrutiny over the now-questionable science of “shaken baby syndrome,” the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals decided Wednesday that doubt surrounding the cause of his daughter’s death was not enough to overturn Robert Roberson’s death sentence. That’s according to our news partner KETK and the Texas Tribune. Roberson, 56, of Palestine, was convicted of killing his sickly two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, after he rushed her blue, limp body to the emergency room in 2002. He said that the two were sleeping in their Palestine home when he awoke to find Nikki unresponsive, having fallen off the bed. But doctors and nurses quickly suspected child abuse, disbelieving that such a short fall could have caused the fatal injuries. Continue reading Criminal appeals court: No new trial for East Texas death row inmate

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo announces the return of rhinos to its animal family. As quoted in a news release, Curator of Mammals Scotty Stainback says, “All of us are very happy to accept this amazing animal. Kiano came to us from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa. He’s strong, healthy and a really impressive animal.” Officials say the Caldwell Zoo has a long history of caring for rhinos. Also as quoted in the release, Caldwell Zoo President and CEO Steve Marshall notes, “The black rhinoceros is critically endangered in the wild. So, it’s important that we do everything we can to help these magnificent animals. Poaching has decimated the wild population.”

TYLER – A Tyler man was arrested Tuesday night after his one-year-old daughter was found strapped into her car seat on the side of Rhones Quarter Road, according to Tyler police. Officials say officers responded to the scene after police got a call about the case around 8 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, police said they received a separate call shortly thereafter about a drunk driver in the parking lot of a CEFCO gas station on Troup Highway. Authorities say it was later discovered that the driver, identified as Paul Hanna, 37, of Tyler, was the toddler’s father. Police said Hanna told them he thought his daughter was at a family member’s house, and when contacted by authorities, the family member said she was not there. Continue reading Man arrested after toddler daughter found on roadside

TYLER — Looking ahead to the May elections, businessman and community volunteer Lloyd Nichols launches his campaign for Tyler City Council, District 5. Bob Westbrook currently holds the seat but will not run for re-election due to reaching his term limit. After moving to Tyler in 2000 as the Area Vice President for Luby’s Cafeteria, Nichols opened and operated The Diner restaurant and other eating establishments. He is also a deacon at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Chair of the East Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, and a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. “As a business owner and someone who raised my children in Tyler, I appreciate the pro-business, pro-family policies that make this community great,” Nichols said as quoted in a news release.

AUSTIN — It’s mixed news for the two biggest cities in East Texas as the Texas comptroller’s office distributes its first sales tax allocations of the year. Longview’s total is $3,696,204.83, up from $3,511,150.03 a year ago. Tyler pulls in $4,965,828.05, a decrease from the $4,996,960.85 reported at this time in 2022, but by less than one per cent. Total net payments statewide come to $674,458,617.98, an increase of 6.23% from January 2022. Click this link for a more detailed city-by-city rundown statewide.

TYLER — It was another busy Wednesday for the Tyler City Council. The Tyler Fire Department is purchasing five National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant commercial washer-extractors, expanding its cancer-reduction initiatives. The City Council agreed to accept a grant from FEMA to fund the items’ purchase and installation. The Council also approved a contract for the Shackleford Creek Lift Station Improvements project. Officials say the location of the lift station is prone to flooding during rain events. And the Council signed off on a construction contract for the Stagecoach Drive drainage improvements project, which includes a new underground stormwater system. Click here and scroll down to “Tyler News” for details.

TYLER — The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler – covering 33 counties – tweeted his support of Governor Abbott’s denunciation of President Biden’s border policies. Bishop Joseph Strickland wrote on Twitter, “Thank you Governor Abbott. Biden has abdicated his federal responsibility for dealing with this crisis and you are vilified for doing what you can as the governor of one border state. Please continue to advocate for real border control. Innocent children of God are suffering.” The governor handed a letter castigating the president’s handling of the border situation to Mr. Biden when his plane landed in El Paso Sunday. Strickland has also been sharply critical of the president over his abortion policies.

TYLER — The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center says it prevented tens of millions of dollars in losses last year connected to organized fraud. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the center’s first year in operation prevented loses of nearly $48.5-million. It also helped root out 396 credit card skimmers. The center opened last year in Tyler as the first-of-its-kind in the nation, putting various law enforcement agencies in coordination to the fraud. Beyond just gas pumps, the center has recorded what the state calls “an astronomical amount” of fraud from other types of credit card skimming committed by foreign nationals, including ATM and point-of-sale skimming that specifically targets state benefit cards.

TYLER — Tyler police say a southeast Tyler intersection was finally cleared late Tuesday afternoon. Early Tuesday morning, there was a one-vehicle traffic crash at Golden Rd. and McDonald Rd. The vehicle damaged a power pole and traffic control panel. AT&T, Oncor, and City of Tyler staff teamed up to make repairs. Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible while crews were in the street.

TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation has announced that the Southside Park men’s restroom is closed following vandalism on January 8. Photos from Tyler Parks and Recreation show that the restroom’s toilet, urinal, and sink have been irreparably damaged. Officials said the restroom will remain closed until the necessary repairs can be made. According to our news partner KETK, they also request for people to come forward if you know anything about who vandalized the restroom.

TYLER — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due at the end of this month, and he is urging people to pay online. According to a news release, payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement, which will take you directly to the payment page on your account. The Tax Office mailed out 192,357 property tax statements in October, and Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the deadline for paying them. Tax payers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. Barber said for those who want to pay in person at the Tax Office, expect long lines and wait times. Click here for more information.

AUSTIN (KRLD) — The Texas State Parks System is 100 years old. Parks and Wildlife is celebrating the centennial with a traveling art exhibit that will make its way to East Texas later this year. “The Art of Texas State Parks” honors more than 30 parks across the state, with a goal of increasing public awareness. The first stop for the display is the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. That’s on through April 30. Future stops include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, from May 26 through October 1. Later stops are planned in Canyon, College Station, Albany, and Tyler.

TYLER – Visit Tyler, in association with the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tyler, has formed the Tyler Arts and Culture Collective. According to a news release, the collective is made up of eleven people who have been appointed for their love of Tyler and the arts. Organizers say the purpose is to provide a unified voice in promoting the arts in Tyler. The plan for, and formation of, the committee was presented at Tuesday’s Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. “We believe supporting and promoting the amazing people of the arts community in Tyler is a worthwhile endeavor. We are thrilled with this group and appreciate the time they will be devoting to our cause,” said Visit Tyler President Shari Lee, as quoted in the release. Continue reading Tyler Arts and Culture Collective formed

WOOD COUNTY — Three people, including a Longview woman, are killed in a Saturday evening crash on US 69, a mile southeast of Alba. According to DPS, preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was traveling northwest. Another was traveling southeast and crossed the center line into the oncoming lane, colliding head on with the northwest-bound vehicle, according to the preliminary report. Yet another vehicle is believed to have collided with the passenger side of the northwest-bound vehicle, apparently continuing into the trees on the south side of US 69. Tiffany N. Sammons, 39, of Longview, was driving the southeast-bound vehicle. She was killed along with two Allen residents in the northwest-bound vehicle.

TYLER – The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County recently created a free guide to help families caring for someone with dementia. According to our news partner KETK, the web and print version of their Legal Guide for Dementia Care was made after receiving funding from the Texas Bar Foundation in hopes of being a life-changing resource for East Texas families. Rebecca Smith with the Alzheimer’s Alliance says the guide can help clarify certain legal terms and give people peace of mind as they plan for the future. The guide was made with information from elder attorneys, Alzheimer’s Alliance social workers, caregivers, and the Department of Justice. An online version of the free guide can be found here.

PALESTINE (KRLD) — The Union Pacific Railroad has been cleared to close its last repair shop in Palestine. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to review lower court rulings that Union Pacific is no longer bound by a 150-year old agreement to stay in Palestine forever. For one thing, Union Pacific never signed that agreement; that was several owners ago. For another, the company says the remaining repair shop is no longer needed in Palestine. John Piersol, who owns a feed store next to that shop, says the railroad has been a fixture in Palestine. But he says over the last 25 years or so, the number of local railroad workers has “really dwindled.” Union Pacific has not said when it plans to move out.

ALBA – One of the escaped inmates from Mississippi is currently incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail, according to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Tyler Payne was arrested in the Dallas area in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10th. The other fugitive, Traverro McElroy, has yet to be located but is not believed to be in the Wood County area. Continue reading One Mississippi escaped inmate arrested in Dallas

TYLER – Authorities said a man was arrested after being accused of impersonating an East Texas police officer in Chandler. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh says a person called law enforcement on Jan. 7 after a man flashed his blue and red lights and made a hand signal at the caller to pull over. Police identified the man as Jason Fears of Bullard. The caller followed Fears to Tyler, and he was later pulled over by police for speeding. Authorities say after police learned about the incident in Chandler, Fears was charged with impersonating a public servant, arrested, and booked into the Smith County Jail. He was released on Sunday.

WASHINGTON, D.C – With Kevin McCarthy finally confirmed as U.S. House speaker, former Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran officially joins Congress. During a visit with KTBB, Moran expressed his gratitude to predecessor Louie Gohmert “for his nearly two decades of service.” Moran added that he’s “extremely grateful for the assistance he’s given me during the transition.” The new congressman noted that a lot of Gohmert’s staff will stay on board with their new boss. As to what lies ahead, Moran tolod us, “There’s this grassroots desire to see change in Washington, D.C. We’ve been developing new rules that are gonna govern how our conference and Congress runs itself…It really restores transparency and trust.” Continue reading Moran looks ahead after being sworn in as new congressman

TYLER – After 23 years in Tyler, the owners of Traditions announced their decision to close the restaurant on Sunday. “It has been our joy to serve our guests over the years and we consider it a privilege and blessing to have counted so many as part of our lives for so long,” Kandi, Robert, and Kristin Owens said in a letter announcing the restaurant’s closing. “We loved seeing your faces regularly and we are grateful for making more friends than we can count.” According to our news partner KETK, the family said they can still be found at their other restaurant in town, Corner Bakery Café. Continue reading Tyler’s Traditions restaurant ends 23-year run

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District for the week of January 9. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will begin mill and inlay operations on FM 2207. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a crew repairing base failures on FM 2661 just past Big Eddy Road. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Midweek, this crew will move to FM 850 near SH 31 for profile work. Click this link for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas prepares to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Several events are planned in Tyler. The Tyler Together Race Relations Forum will begin its recognition of the civil rights leader Friday, January 13, with a spoken word competition and showcase at the Foundry Coffeehouse. The following day, the Texas African-American Museum on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will welcome guest speaker Rev. Ray C. Lewis of Jasper for a pre-holiday celebration. Tyler Together will follow up on Monday, January 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — with its annual observance stretching from the downtown Tyler square to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Click here and here for details and updates. Continue reading Tyler, Longview prepare to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) — Lovie Smith of Big Sandy has been fired as coach of the Houston Texans on Sunday night after just one season where the team went 3-13-1. It’s the second straight season in which the Texans have fired a coach after just one year. They parted ways with David Culley last January after he went 4-13 in his only season.

LONGVIEW – Longview Police Department has announced that officer Larry Solomon died from angiosarcoma cancer at his home, surrounded by his family on Saturday morning Jan. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Solomon was a veteran of the U.S Marine Corp and served as police officer in Longview for eight years. He and his wife had two children. Longview Police Department thanked the community for supporting Solomon’s family at this time. His funeral services will be held with Cammack Family Welch Funeral Home, officials said.

KILGORE – Kilgore Police Department has announced that they have a new K9 school resource officer named Dodo. According to a Facebook post and our news partner KETK, Dodo is a 20-month-old German Shepard and is replacing Ruger who has retired for health reasons. Officials said that Dodo was trained by Texas K9 Solutions in Winona. Dodo has the ability to detect tobacco products, vapes, alcohol, gunpowder and various illicit drugs, according to the post. Dodo was picked because, officials said, he interacted so well with students while being vetted. The post added that Dodo was paid for with money seized from a doctor who was convicted of illegally prescribing opioids in East Texas. Dodo rides in a Dodge Charger which has been repainted with school colors and the Bulldog mascot.