KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Gregg County, the Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project continues. The traffic will be reduced to two lanes to allow the contractor to build half of the bridge. In Smith County, work has been scheduled on SH 135 in Arp at the four-way stop, on SH 64 east of Chapel Hill, and on US 271 near FM 2908. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful are sponsoring a free bulky item collection for residential customers (excluding multi-family home communities and businesses) from Monday, May 2, through Friday, May 6. Participants should place bulky items on the curb by 7 a.m. May 2 and no sooner than 5 p.m. April 29. After crews have collected on your street, officials ask that you not place more bulky items on the curb. These items will be charged a special pickup fee. Click here to learn more.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Electric Cowboy on McCann Rd. At approximately 1:42 a.m. on Friday, officers were dispatched to the location in reference to multiple shots being fired. As they arrived, officers were directed toward a nearby convenience store. They found a vehicle that had been involved in a collision with the storefront sign and discovered a shooting victim outside the vehicle. Police say officers immediately began performing lifesaving aid on the victim, who was transported to a local hospital with what were termed life-threatening injuries. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at this link.

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department is searching for a man who has been missing for more than a week. According to our news partner KETK, police are searching for 43-year-old Patrick Delomon Turner. According to officials, Turner last spoke with his family on April 20. His vehicle was found abandoned in a rural area in Anderson County. If anyone has any information about Turner and his whereabouts, they should call the Palestine Police Department at 903-731-2254.

TYLER — New Orleans-based NORF Companies has closed on three additional redevelopment projects in downtown Tyler. The firm is now getting to work on the Fair, Lindsey, and Wilcox buildings, all on Broadway a short distance south of the downtown square. That follows last September’s closure on the former Carlton Hotel, which the company says is currently in design and undergoing interior demolition and abatement. NORF’s current plan is to fully renovate The Lindsey and Wilcox buildings into mixed-use/multi-family, adding some 80 new rental units to the downtown Tyler market. In addition, NORF says it intends to remodel areas of the Fair and continue to operate it as office space, while seeking a tenant for the ground floor retail space. Continue reading NORF continues downtown Tyler revitalization efforts

CANTON (AP) — An East Texas sheriff says he will resign following his arrest and indictment on allegations he lied to investigators about witnessing one of his deputies punch a handcuffed inmate in the face. Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix said in a resignation letter that he will step down May 14. Prosecutors say Hendrix, Chief Deputy Jerry Wood and Sgt. Blake Snell were indicted last month for giving a false statement to a peace officer about the actions of former Chief Deputy Craig Shelton. In January, Shelton admitted to the Texas Rangers that he hit Nicholas Crouch in September without justification. Hendrix faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

EAST TEXAS — Law enforcement agencies throughout East Texas plan to collect hundreds of pounds of unwanted and expired prescription drugs at the semi-annual DEA Take Back event April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To see a location near you, visit this link. According to Tyler-based Next Step Community Solutions, residents are encouraged to bring their unneeded prescription drugs (no sharps or aerosols will be accepted) to one of these events so they can safely and anonymously dispose of prescriptions and keep them out of the wrong hands. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, two-thirds of teens who misused pain relievers in the past year say that they got them from family and friends.

TYLER – A Tyler man is booked into the Smith County Jail on several arson charges. According to our news partner KETK, online judicial records show 37-year-old Stanley Wilson Jr. is charged with one count of arson intending damage at a habitation and two counts of arson that “recklessly causes another person to suffer bodily injury or death.” According to an arrest warrant, the fire was allegedly set April 15 after an argument with a woman. The warrant says the woman made it out of a Mockingbird Lane house, removing her fire-struck jacket — but the house was destroyed, along with a car next door. Wilson has numerous misdemeanor convictions for criminal trespassing. His bonds on the arson charges total $1.8 million.

TYLER — Working with other agencies, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has performed a sex offender residence compliance check of all sex offenders who are registered with the Sheriff’s Office. Of the 459 individuals who were checked April 27 and 28, 454 were found to be in compliance, and five were found to be out of compliance with warrants to be issued. Officials said verification checks of this type are unannounced and comprehensive. “Verification checks send a message to all sex offenders that they will be arrested if they are out of compliance with their sex offender registration requirements,” said Sheriff Larry Smith as quoted in a news release. To report information on a sex offender, call 903-590-2680.

TYLER — To help restock its Pet Food Bank, Tyler Animal Services will waive adoption fees for dogs and cats with the donation of two 35-pound or larger bags of dog food for the month of May. According to a news release, the Pet Food Bank was established in 2015 so that families in need or those who could not afford to feed their pets would have a safety net in order to keep pets in their homes. If you would like to adopt, see all pets available for adoption and submit an application on this web page. For more information, click here or call (903) 535-0045.

CANTON – Police say a homeowner in Canton shot and killed a burglar who broke into his home last week. According to our news partner KETK, the address of the home was not released, but officers were dispatched around 12:30 a.m. April 23 after reports of a shooting. When they arrived, they found 51-year-old Erik Hicks, a Grand Saline native, inside with multiple gunshot wounds. Hicks later died at a local hospital. Police said their investigation found that Hicks “had unlawfully forced entry into the residence.” They said Hicks was armed and confronted the homeowner. According to police, the homeowner had retrieved his own handgun and shot Hicks multiple times after the confrontation. The homeowner’s name was not immediately released, and the homeowner faced no immediate charges. An autopsy has been ordered, and the investigation will be given to a grand jury for review.

TYLER — East Texas Giving Day was Tuesday April 26 and supported almost 300 local nonprofit organizations by raising $2.8 million, according to our news partner KETK. It is an annual 18-hour online event hosted by the East Texas Communities Foundation that provides critical funding for East Texas area nonprofits. $2,896,721 was raised by Tuesday, April 26. 2022 marked the seventh annual East Texas Giving Day hosted by ETCF. Continue reading $2.8 million raised on East Texas Giving Day 2022

TYLER — Another bat has tested positive for rabies in Tyler. A city news release reports that Tyler Animal Services submitted the animal for testing Monday to the Texas Department of State Health Services. DSHS reported the positive test Wednesday. The bat was found near the intersection of Dinah Lane and De Charles Street. Officials say the known individuals and animals with possible exposure have been identified and addressed. According to the release, it is critical for people to not handle bats, skunks, raccoons, or other wild animals. Officials say it is also important for children to tell their parents of any contact with wild animals or any sick animals. If a person is bitten by an animal, the bite incident must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority, the Tyler Animal Services Director, for proper investigation. Continue reading Rabies advisory: bat tests positive near Dinah Lane

TYLER — Visit Tyler and the City of Tyler are encouraging everyone this summer to be a tourist in their own backyard. Mayor Don Warren Wednesday addressed City Council on the item as part of National Travel and Tourism Week, set for May 1-7. Officials say more than 2,900 local jobs are directly supported by travel and tourism in Tyler. They ask that you do your part by visiting an attraction, restaurant, or other related business in the area. A full list of area activities and events can be found at this link.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized the city manager to execute a contract to rehabilitate 978 deteriorated sanitary sewer manholes. According to a news release, the scope of work includes cleaning, repairing, sealing, and coating manholes to stop inflow and infiltration of the sewer system. The project will require repairing pipe seals, seal coating manholes, installing chimney seals, and incidental tasks such as bypass pumping, traffic control, pavement and sidewalk repair, and restoration work. As quoted in the release, TWU Project Engineer Tiffany Currie says the project “will protect and reinforce the manholes from corrosion and extend their service life.” Click here to learn more.

TYLER — Derrick Choice was sworn in Tuesday as interim Smith County Precinct 1 justice of the peace. Choice won the Democratic primary election for the post in March and does not have a Republican opponent in November. The commissioners court voted to appoint Choice to the position Tuesday after longtime Judge Quincy Beavers Jr. resigned from the post last week. Beavers submitted a letter citing health reasons and listing his last day with the county as Friday, April 22. Beavers worked for the county for 40 years, with 28 of those as justice of the peace. Choice is a former Tyler city councilman and has served on numerous boards and organizations.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler recently announced a $100,000 gift from EMA Engineering and Consulting to establish the EMA Engineering and Consulting Dean’s Legacy Projects Endowment to support special projects of the College of Engineering. The Tyler-based company currently employs 27 UT Tyler graduates and approximately eight student interns, according to a news release. Officials say the endowment will fund College of Engineering infrastructure and facility needs. The college works with students to design useful projects such as a remotely-accessible, table-top wind tunnel system for the thermal-fluids lab and a golf cart bay, according to the release.

TYLER – Tyler ISD ranks 45th overall on the Forbes List of America’s Best-in-State Employers and ranks ahead of Tesla and Boeing in the top 50, according to a news release from the school district. The elite list includes NASA in the number one position and Google in second. As quoted in the release, Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said, “This designation solidifies not only how fulfilling and special it is to be working in Tyler ISD, but more of a reflection of how the community supports the people who work inside the namesake school system of the Tyler area.” Continue reading Tyler ISD on Forbes Top 50 List of America’s Best-in-State Employers

OVERTON — Overton ISD trustees have unanimously named Larry Calhoun as their new superintendent. Calhoun had been previously named the lone finalist, and the board confirmed his selection after the required 21-day waiting period was completed. Calhoun will first serve as the interim superintendent beginning June 1, according to a news release. Upon the official retirement of current OISD superintendent Stephen DuBose at the end of June, Calhoun will take on the title of superintendent.

TYLER — As COVID cases remain at low levels in his jurisdiction, NET Health’s George Roberts draws special attention to the hospital patient number in Tyler — just 13 on the latest dashboard. Roberts says that figure is the lowest in months, which he calls “great news.” Roberts says BA.2 continues to dominate the national COVID landscape, with a subvariant also remaining in the picture — and he continues urging everyone to get vaccinated. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER (AP) – Tyler-based Southside Bancshares Inc. on Tuesday reported net income of $25 million in its first quarter. The bank said it had earnings of 77 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for amortization costs, came to 79 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $64.6 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $59.6 million, which fell short of Street forecasts.

ATHENS – A group of East Texans is pushing to make Athens a sanctuary city for the unborn. According to our news partner KETK, more than 40 cities throughout the state have already done this, including some in East Texas. People in support of the ordinance gathered ahead of the City Council meeting Monday. In a statement, the city said it has “no legal authority regarding abortions.” But the group is pressing forward. In the event that Athens City Council does not take up the ordinance, they say they will take the issue to the voters, as was done in Lubbock.

TYLER — Tuesday is East Texas Giving Day, hosted by the East Texas Communities Foundation. It’s an 18-hour event in which you can go to one single website — and give to your choice of 295 nonprofits. This is East Texas Giving Day’s seventh year. Early giving actually began April 4. Click here for more information — and to make a donation of your own.

SMITH COUNTY – A wreck between a firetruck and a car on I-20 in Smith County Monday morning left one person in the hospital. According to our news partner KETK, a release from Smith County Emergency Services District 2 says their crews and the Winona Fire Department were dispatched to the collision. Both vehicles sustained “significant damage” and the driver of the passenger vehicle was taken to a local hospital. No firefighters were injured. DPS is investigating the wreck. “At the time of the accident, there were several accidents on major highways in Smith County,” Smith County ESD 2 said in a release. “Smith County ESD 2 is encouraging drivers to slow down and be vigilant while driving during inclement weather.”

TYLER — The NET Health Immunizations Clinic has organized the return of Children’s Fest. Set for Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m., it’s an opportunity for parents of babies, infants, and toddlers to ensure their children are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations. Officials say the parking lot on North Broadway Avenue in Tyler will include family-friendly activities and health services provided by local health organizations. Annually, the last full week of April 2022 is recognized as National Infant Immunization Week. According to a news release, that’s a national observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. Click here to learn more.

TYLER — A Tyler man was charged with intoxicated manslaughter for a wreck early Sunday morning that killed an 18-year-old girl. According to our news partner KETK, the report says Justin Pierce,29, was traveling west on Highway 64, roughly two miles west of Tyler, just after 1:30 a.m. Marissa July-McCuin, of Tyler, was attempting to cross the road in the outside lane when she was allegedly hit by Pierce’s SUV. July-McCuin was taken to a Tyler hospital where she died a few hours later from her injuries. The DPS report alleges that Pierce left the scene of the crash, but was found not long after. Pierce was treated and released from the hospital, then booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $500,000. According to online records, Pierce has a pending charge of assaulting a peace officer in Smith County from April 19, 2021.

LONGVIEW – A Spring Hill ISD senior helped raise more than $1,500 for a student with autism. According to our news partner KETK, Alexis Grubb met autistic freshman Louis Wolfe at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. When Grubb noticed Wolfe sitting alone in the cafeteria, she decided to befriend him. Due to his disability, it took Wolfe some time to get comfortable with his new friend. Wolfe comes from a one-parent, low-income household, and his mom works day and night to keep the lights on. Upon learning this, Grubb knew that there was something she could do to help Wolfe. Grubb made a Facebook post and received an overwhelming number of responses that left both her and school staff speechless. Grubb raised more than $1,500 for the student. She took the money to the store and bought Wolfe an abundance of art supplies. Continue reading Spring Hill ISD senior helps raise money for autistic student

NEW LONDON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s office is currently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy that has been missing since Friday evening. According to our news partner KETK, Brandy Calhoun was last seen at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday walking from the West Rusk Softball Fields in New London. He is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans, combat boots, a blue baseball hat and had his arm in a sling. If you have any information on Calhoun’s whereabouts, contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s office at (903) 657-3581.