KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) said it’s investigating educators’ social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that it considers “inappropriate,” according to our news partner KETK.

“These educators’ comments do not reflect the vast majority of Texas teachers who are dedicated practitioners that work diligently to serve the more than 5.5 million impressionable young minds in our classrooms,” Morath said in the letter.

Winnsboro ISD is investigating comments made about Charlie Kirk’s assassination after parents alleged that students heard an assistant band director say that Kirk “had it coming.” Continue reading TEA investigating “inappropriate” content about Kirk

BULLARD — East Texans honored local veterans and Medal of Honor recipients on Saturday with a military vehicle show and parade. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veteran’s Military Show started at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday when over 40 military vehicles, including helicopters, arrived at Steward Funeral Home. Then the vehicles were loaded up with veterans for a parade into Bullard, where a ceremony was held before lunch.

The days events included a World War II airplane flyover, a mock-shooting range, a military swap meet, drawings for prizes, a car and motorcycle show and plenty of opportunities to learn about military history. Continue reading Bullard honors veterans with military vehicle parade

TYLER — Starting Tuesday, Sept. 16, College Avenue will be closed between Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, traffic can still travel east and west on Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. Fencing along Erwin Street will be shifted to reopen the parking spaces. The Fair Plaza and Smith County Parking Garages are also available for free parking.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex on Bostic Drive around 10:30 Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, responding officers found two male victims who had been shot. Jonathan Lee, of Lakeport, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A suspect in the shooting left the apartment complex before officers arrived. Officials are investigating the shooting, which is thought to have been an isolated incident that started as a disturbance.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said  Vanessa Daisy Neal has been found after she was reported missing this week.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is searching for a 63-year-old woman reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, Vanessa Daisy Neal, 63 of Longview, is around 6 feet tall, weighs around 215 pounds, has braided hair and brown eyes. Neal was was wearing grey sweatpants and a dark blue shirt with purple writing. Anyone with information about Neal’s location is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

AUSTIN — In the wake of the assassination of conservative political speaker Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced new committees that will study freedom of speech on college campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the new Texas House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were announced by Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Friday. The committees are tasked with studying and issuing reports on “bias, discourse, and freedom of speech across Texas college campuses.”

Patrick said those who’ve celebrated Kirk’s death at a college speaking event cannot be tolerated on college campuses. Continue reading Sen. Hughes named to freedom of speech committee following Kirk assassination

BIG SANDY – A $250,000 lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Upshur County last week, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

The winning ticket was bought on Sept. 5 at the Bestmart #10 gas station, which is north of Big Sandy on FM 1002. The ticket was an All or Nothing Texas Lottery ticket, which gives out a $250,000 prize to whoever can guess all twelve lottery numbers or none of the 12 numbers.

East Texas’s winner guessed none of the numbers drawn in the evening of Sept. 5, which earned them the $250,00 prize. The winning numbers for that drawing were: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21 and 23. Continue reading $250,000 Texas lottery ticket sold in Big Sandy

TYLER- The City of Tyler announced Friday, the Water Business Office payment system, will be unavailable from Friday 6 p.m. to early Monday morning. This is because of required maintenance. City officials apologize for this inconvenience. To accommodate customers, the city will extend the due date for late payment deadlines to Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. During this period, the phone payment system, online payments and drive-thru kiosk will not be available.

This maintenance may also affect cash payments made at local retailers, including Walmart, Dollar General, Walgreens, CVS, and Office Depot. The Water Business Office is located at 511 W. Locust St. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

TYLER – Forensic DNA led to the arrest of a Tyler man on Monday for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old in July, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On July 1, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a 10-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by Felix Ponce at a home in Tyler. Once deputies met with the victim and mother, the child was soon transported to a local hospital for examination. At the hospital, deputies spoke with the mother of the victim, who explained that while at work, she looked at surveillance footage from inside the residence, but could not locate Ponce or the victim. Another child at the house said the victim was “locked in the bedroom” with Ponce. Arrest documents revealed that the victim said that while in the room, Ponce had sexually assaulted her. Continue reading Tyler man accused of sexually assaulting child

ATHENS – An Athens man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly snorted cocaine and stuck his fingers in a two-year-old’s throat, attempting to get the child to test positive for drugs, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit tells that on Aug. 5 at a home on Arrowhead Drive, a woman reported to the Athens Police Department that she was sleeping when 26-year-old Kyle Javier Wing broke into the room, stuck his fingers up his nose, and then he “forcefully jammed” them down the throat of the toddler. Around 10:40 a.m. on Aug. 15, the witness explained to investigators that Wing had snorted cocaine and wanted the two-year-old to test positive for drugs because “he was going to call child protective services (CPS) and report her.” Continue reading Athens man arrested for reportedly trying to drug toddler

TYLER — Multiple U.S. Military veterans were greeted at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Thursday ahead of a big weekend where they will receive the Medal of Honor. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veterans’ Military Show (TVMS) has made its way to Tyler once again and a new class of veterans are getting ready to receive the Medal of Honor. The veterans were greeted by Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, Rose City Young Marines and the Patriot Guard.

The TVMS’ is coordinated by Mike Balfay as a way to honor those that served our country. Once the veterans arrive at the airport, they are transported to a local hotel for the weekend which includes a hero dinner and a parade.

One Medal of Honor recipient, James Taylor, served 24 years in the U.S. Army and is being recognized for his actions while in Vietnam. Continue reading Medal of Honor recipients arrive at Tyler airport ahead of ceremony

GILMER — The Gilmer Police Department is warning residents about an increase in thieves targeting Kia vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, Gilmer police, along with surrounding agencies, have recently responded to multiple reports of vehicle thefts and break-ins specifically targeting Kia models.

“In the past week, Kia vehicles have been stolen or burglarized in several areas,” the Gilmer Police Department said.”These crimes remain under investigation, and we are working closely with other agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible.”

The department has provided tips to Kia owners to keep their vehicles protected. Some tips include: Continue reading Police warn of surge in Kia vehicle thefts, break-ins

TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott’s recently signed executive order GA 56 does not change their zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal substances. According to our news partner KETK, the new order makes it a crime in Texas to market or sell hemp-derived products to minors, restricts the placement of stores and gives police the ability to cancel a store’s license to sell if the rules are not followed.

“I don’t think it’s going to have a huge impact on law enforcement, especially local and county law enforcement, but, you know, it kind of remains to be seen.” Smith County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Larry Christian said.

Currently, the new executive order will have law enforcement follow similar procedures and guidelines for other banned products. Continue reading Law enforcement/stores prepare for new THC rules