KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Black Friday means the usual crush of shoppers, along with countless special deals, and the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas has some advice for anyone hitting the stores. Topping the list: Start early. Many retailers have posted their Black Friday deals. This makes it easier to plan ahead and have a strategy. Check Black Friday store hours and sales ahead of time. Certain stores may also offer discounts or deals during different times. Another tip: Plan ahead. This includes making a shopping list and creating a budget to help avoid impulse purchases. It also means doing your research. Read product reviews, and check out this link for Business Profiles and customer reviews to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company. Continue reading Black Friday shopping tips

ELKHART – A man at the center of a Silver Alert was found on Wednesday, according to Texas DPS. The alert was issued for 72-year-old Charles Milford on Wednesday after he was last seen on Nov. 22. According to our news partner KETK, DPS says 72-year-old Charles Milford is roughly 5’2″ and weighs 150 pounds, and was last seen on the 7200 block of Highway 294 in Elkhart. He was wearing a gray button-down shirt with blue jeans. He wears a black toupee and has gray hair underneath. His vehicle is a white 2015 Chevrolet Colorado with Texas license plate number PRT6582. Silver Alerts are designed to notify the public of missing older adults with a documented mental condition, according to DPS.

TYLER – As holiday travel season kicks off, Steve Thompson, the manager at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, says the location is full of energy. According to our news partner KETK, the aviation industry is overcoming the impacts of the pandemic. The number of people flying is now the same as pre-pandemic numbers. “An interesting fact is when we looked (at) the numbers we had significant higher numbers of people traveling to Tyler for this holiday week than people traveling from Tyler,” said Thompson. He says with heavier foot traffic, this is the perfect time for city officials to show off their facilities and convenience. “We have ample curb space that enables quick loading and unloading of folks. We have TSA precheck to facilitate people getting through the airport quickly here,” said Thompson. Continue reading Tyler Pounds Airport seeing pre-pandemic traveling numbers during holidays

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes will perform alongside pop superstar Mariah Carey Thursday in the finale of the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Rangerettes are marching in the parade this year in their traditional red, white, and blue uniforms, and will be in special costumes for their performance with Carey. Also, a group of the Rangerettes Forever helped to open the parade in maroon cheer uniforms.

TYLER – Tyler Salvation Army volunteers and staff present their annual community Thanksgiving meal. The Salvation Army was planning on feeding up to 1,000 guests Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Celebrating “family,” the current residents of The Salvation Army are having their meal served by volunteers, according to a news release. The volunteers are serving the community at the Salvation Army’s corps buildings in the breezeway between the dormitory and fellowship hall. Over 110 volunteers signed up this year to help with the Thanksgiving meal. Continue reading Tyler Salvation Army holds annual community Thanksgiving meal

LONGVIEW — A man who was accused of using a stolen check at an East Texas Lowe’s was arrested with the help of social media.According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a generator was bought with the check in Longview on Oct. 31. Then, 30 minutes after officials shared photos on social media of the man involved in the incident several people started sending tips. Jason Walker was arrested on Monday in Grayson County and released after he paid his bond. Deputies said the other man in the photo was not connected to the case. “Great job, Facebook you never disappoint,” said the sheriff’s office.

TYLER – A five-year-old boy who was at the center of an Amber Alert on Monday after being abducted from Overton has been returned home, and his alleged abductor has been charged with kidnapping. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says Pamela Medlock, 59, was arrested Monday after being stopped by a Texas State Trooper on I-20 near Colorado City, Texas. “She was supposedly headed to Arizona,” Smith said. Officials said she was arrested after detectives interviewed her, and a recommended bond has been set at $250,000. She remained in Mitchell County as of midday Tuesday. Continue reading Woman charged in kidnapping that spurred Amber Alert

EAST TEXAS — As usual, city offices in Tyler and Longview will be closed for Thanksgiving Day. But the city of Tyler also wants you to know all non-emergency city offices will be closed as of noon on Wednesday. Solid waste collection is just one of a number of services that will be affected. Click here for more information on the Tyler schedule, and visit this link for additional information from Longview.

TYLER – The United Way of Smith County will host their third annual “Tyler Gives” online fundraiser on November 29th, which falls on International Giving Tuesday. According to a news release, the event is aimed at meeting local needs by providing United Way’s partnering local nonprofit agencies with a generous gift at the end of the year. More than 400 individuals came together last year and raised over $230,000 on TylerGives.org in a matter of hours. Thanks to Tyler Gives sponsor Express Employment Professionals and its subsidiary Specialized Recruiting Group, all fees associated with the event are covered, allowing 100% of the donations to go directly to meeting needs. United Way and the event sponsors are providing a $75,000 match for Tyler Gives this year. Continue reading United Way to host third annual Tyler Gives event with $75,000 match

EAST TEXAS — Several East Texas hospitals have been given “A” safety grades for fall 2022. Our news partner KETK reports the ratings come from The Leapfrog Group. That’s described as a national nonprofit that aims to save lives by evaluating hospitals based on the performance of harm prevention systems and the hospital’s amount of errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Each hospital is given a numerical score that is then converted into an letter grade of A, B, C, or D, with “A” being the safest. UT Health North Campus Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, UT Health Athens, and UT Health Henderson are among those receiving “A” grades. Click here for more details.

TYLER — On Tuesday around noon, employees of the Tyler Urban Forestry Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and Streets Department will be delivering and installing an Eastern red cedar tree in the Downtown Tyler square. The new Christmas tree is estimated to be 30 feet and has been donated anonymously in honor of all loved ones lost to cancer, according to a news release. The tree will be decorated in anticipation of the Christmas Parade and the 37th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held on Thursday, Dec. 1.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. This week, officials are drawing special attention to a Smith County project. TxDOT and contractor crews are scheduled to continue work on SH 155, with sweeping operations planned through the week after getting underway Monday. Weather permitting, crews are due to begin fog seal and hot mix resurfacing Tuesday and continue that through the week as well. The project stretches from Loop 323 in Tyler to the Anderson County line and consists of resurfacing, upgrading drainage structures, and repairing bridge joints. The expected completion date is spring of 2023. Click here for a complete rundown of this week’s roadwork around the district.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities report five-year-old Zechariah Sutton of Overton has been found safe and appears to be unharmed after an Amber Alert was issued for him early Monday. Officials say Zechariah and Pamela Medlock, 59, were both found in Mitchell County by the sheriff’s office there. They were headed west on I-20 near Colorado City, Texas. Smith County investigators have headed to Mitchell County to follow up on the case. Zechariah had last been seen around 3 a.m. Monday. Authorities say he was abducted by Medlock, described as a “family friend” who does not have a permanent address but frequents the Overton and Kilgore areas. We’ll update this story as new information comes in.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler police are searching for Edward Forrest Roddy, 51, from Tyler. He was reported missing by his mother who has not heard from him since the end of September. He is a black male approximately 5’11 and 150 lbs, bald, greying goatee and a tattoo on his neck that says “Shaneka”. He goes by the nickname “Punkin”. If you know his location or see him please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

MABANK – The Mabank Police Department is asking for your help in the search for 14 year old Sophia Flores of Mabank. Sophia was last seen November 17th. According to our news partner KETK, she is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 110 to 120 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, Sophia was wearing a grey hoodie and white sweat pants. Authorities believe that Flores may be in Henderson or that immediate area. If you have information contact local law enforcement

KILGORE – A traffic stop in Kilgore late Friday morning led to a chase with Kilgore Police, county and state officers. According to our news partner KETK, the driver of a pickup with a possibly stolen u-haul trailer which was allegedly full of marijuana. A high speed chase then occurred down interstate 20 into Kilgore with speeds over 100 mph. Both the Smith County Sheriff’s office and DPS laid down spikes to slow the truck down before it exited onto Highway 42. The driver passed through a number of red lights in Kilgore driving on the tires bare rims. After a second spiking from law enforcement, about 40 minutes had elapsed, the chase ended. The driver, a white male was charged with evading arrest and possession of stolen property. Authorities say additional charges are possible. He is in the Smith County jail and with a bond set at 1.5 million dollars.

KILGORE — The Texas Mutual Insurance Company, as part of a larger effort to support workforce development programs, has awarded the Kilgore College Foundation a 90 thousand dollar grant. The Foundations objective is training students for safe work practices. Also, they are helping Kilgore College buy a forklift and construct an area for forklift safety training. Texas Mutual Insurance also gave a 65 thousand dollar grant to Goodwill Industries of East Texas. These funds are part of the Texas Mutual Insurance Company commitment of seven million dollars in grants that will go to nonprofits groups in Texas. So far, nearly 50 organizations have received more than three and half million dollars to help develop safe training and workforce development. That according to a prepared statement from Texas Mutual Insurance. The Austin based company is the leading workers compensation provider in Texas.

KILGORE – A man was arrested in Kilgore Friday after officials said a pickup truck towing an allegedly stolen U-Haul trailer took off as a K9 unit in Smith County tried to make a traffic stop. And late Friday afternoon, we learned the story had taken on a significant illegal drug angle. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Larry Christian says the truck led authorities on a chase around 11:30 a.m. down I-20 into Gregg County, with speeds exceeding 100 mph. Officials say the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and DPS deployed spikes in front of the truck before the pickup exited onto Highway 42. The driver blew through several red lights in Kilgore as sparks began to fly from the tireless rims of the truck and trailer, according to authorities. Continue reading Man arrested after 100 mph chase; officials say trailer “full of marijuana”

TYLER – Smith County reports retired judge Randall Rogers has died. According to our news partner KETK, the county said they are offering their thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the former County Court at Law No. 2 judge. County officials also thanked him for his 30 years of service to the county.

TYLER – Two men have been indicted in a cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston. Randall V. Rule, 71, of Reno, NV, and Gregory C. Nysewander, 64, formerly of Irmo, SC, are charged with money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, and a conspiracy to violate the Bank Secrecy Act.  The two are alleged to have conspired with others to launder the proceeds of wire fraud and mail fraud schemes through cryptocurrency. The defendants converted funds from romance scams, business email compromises, real estate scams, and other fraudulent schemes into cryptocurrency and sent the cryptocurrency to accounts controlled by foreign and domestic co-conspirators, according to federal officials. Click here for more details.

TYLER – Goodwill Industries of East Texas has been selected by Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, as a recipient of grants from its second request for proposal (RFP) of 2022. According to a news release, fewer than 50 organizations have been awarded more than $3.5 million to support their efforts in workforce development and safety training. As quoted in the release, Goodwill CEO and President Kimberly Lewis said, “We are honored to be among those chosen by Texas Mutual Insurance Company to continue in our mission of providing skills training and vocational opportunities for people with barriers to employment.  Goodwill’s focus has always been around putting people to work and utilizing safe work practices is critical in every industry.” Continue reading Goodwill gets grant from Texas Mutual

TYLER — Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center will be closed for renovations and maintenance from Monday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 26. During this period, officials say crews will be resurfacing the gym floor and repainting interior walls. The facility will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28, at 7 a.m. Classes and programs will resume their normal schedules upon reopening. For further information, call the Glass Recreation Center at (903) 595-7271 or visit this link.

TYLER — The City of Tyler announced that Old Omen Road from University Boulevard to Shiloh Road has a “slightly different look.” According to our news partner KETK, the city said the road was recently seal-coated and repainted, adding a small buffer between the main lanes and the bicycle lane to make traveling safer for bicyclists on the roadway. The update is part of the city’s “Tyler Bike Stripes Project,” which identifies 11 bicycle lane routes and includes a centralized hub near downtown Tyler, painting bicycle lanes, and placing signage along the roadways.

TYLER — Retired Tyler Police Detective Wayne Allen was sworn in as Smith County Precinct 2 Constable Friday after recently being elected. Allen began working for the Tyler Police Department in 1991. He served in the patrol and traffic divisions before becoming a Financial Crimes Detective. In this role, he primarily conducted complex fraud investigations as a member of the United States Secret Service-East Texas Financial Crimes Task Force. In February 2019, Allen retired from the Tyler Police Department and moved into corporate security with The Home Depot before being elected Precinct 2 constable in November. Allen replaces Interim Precinct 2 Constable Shawn Scott, who was appointed by the Commissioners Court in October 2021. Scott recently was sworn in as police chief for Chapel Hill Independent School District.

TYLER — Tyler Recycles Day is back in 2022 on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. Officials say the event is Keep Tyler Beautiful’s most popular community collection event, joining thousands of local organizers holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day. During Tyler Recycles Day, community members may bring acceptable recyclables to the Downtown Recycling Center on N. Bois D’Arc Ave. Ark-La-Tex Shredding Company and Interstate Batteries will be providing special services for the duration of the event. Ark-La-Tex Shredding will offer free personal document shredding for individuals and businesses. There will be a collection station for all types of batteries hosted by Interstate Batteries. Continue reading Tyler Recycles Day 2022

LONGVIEW – Two Longview students were apprehended on Wednesday after threats were allegedly made towards Longview High School. According to our news partner KETK, Longview police officers were made aware around 10:30 a.m. of a possible verbal threat towards another student and staff at the campus. Officers said they took immediate steps to investigate the incident, which they say corroborated the initial accusation. Detectives obtained two directives to apprehend the suspects, which were signed by a local judge for the “exhibition, use or threat of exhibition or use of firearms” and “tampering with physical evidence.” Officials say the students were apprehended off school grounds without incident and taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. Continue reading Police: Two Longview ISD students apprehended after threat towards high school

RUSK COUNTY – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office says a juvenile was arrested on Thursday after a terroristic threat was made against the Carlisle Independent School District. According to our news partner KETK, deputies said they received a call from the school district, and after their investigation, the juvenile was arrested and charged with felony 3 terroristic threat. “The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Carlisle ISD administrative team for their quick actions that enabled us to quickly resolve this situation before it happened. We will work hard with all our school districts to ensure the safety of our children and their staffs,” said the sheriff’s office in a prepared statement.

TYLER – The Christmas season is almost here, and The Tyler Salvation Army began celebrating Friday with a Christmas Kick-Off. Celebrations began at 11 a.m. in the breezeway between JC Penney and Chick-Fil-A at Broadway Square Mall. The Christmas Kick-Off launches The Salvation Army’s Kettle and Angel Tree season. This holiday season, 43 locations will be hosting the iconic red kettle as volunteers ring a bell to raise money for The Salvation Army with the goal set at $385,000. This year, each kettle stand will have a QR Code and an NFC tag which will allow donors to use Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal rather than dropping cash or coins in the kettle. Continue reading Tyler Salvation Army holds Christmas Kick-Off

TYLER – A UT Tyler professor has been awarded a TxDOT grant of nearly $600,000 to enhance the asphalt currently being used in highway/road resurfacing projects for improved wet-weather driving. Mena Souliman, PhD, is an associate professor and the Ronald D. Brazzel Endowed Professor of Civil Engineering at the university. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute will work with Souliman on the three-year project. Souliman and his collaborators will examine the current highway/road construction processes in the hope of decreasing crashes on wet resurfaced pavements. The 2021 “Weather Conditions for Crashes” report from TxDOT found that “rain” was the most repeated weather condition behind “clear/cloudy” in all reported crashes. Continue reading UT Tyler professor awarded TxDOT grant for road safety enhancement