KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler kicks off one of its signature activities on Friday. The 63rd Azalea and Spring Flower Trail runs through April 10. The trail features more than ten miles of residential gardens and historic home-sites covered with azaleas, tulips, wisteria, dogwood, and more. The event has been described as a floral wonderland and a photographer’s paradise. A number of individual events are also featured. Click here for all the information.

ATHENS – A Henderson County district judge has allowed the state attorney general to appoint a new prosecutor in the case involving a fatal school bus crash in Athens. According to our news partner KETK, the judge approved an order Monday after it was requested March 17. The order will allow any attorney from the state attorney general’s office to be appointed attorney pro tem in the case of John Franklin Stevens (pictured). Stevens, 81, was charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after a bus he was driving was struck by a train on Jan. 25, 2019, killing 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injuring 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. The bus reportedly was pushed one-quarter of a mile before coming to a stop.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau, The Secret Service, and the FBI team up at a news conference in Tyler on the dangers of cryptocurrency scams. The BBB’s Mechele Mills notes that cryptocurrency operates completely on the Internet and there’s no way “to reverse charges or things like that.” Mills says one reason for the danger is that cryptocurrency is “trendy,” with people “wanting a piece of the action in a way.” She tells us cryptocurrency is being used in employment and romance scams, scammers are using the new Bitcoin ATMs to get money, and they’re using cryptocurrency in the ways they normally perpetrate. Mills says it’s very important to be as knowledgeable as you can and not to react emotionally. Continue reading Officials offer warning, advice on cryptocurrenty scams

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is informing motorists to be aware of one more nightly ramp closure for maintenance on Toll 49 this week. Entrance and exit ramps will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday night through Friday morning at the FM 756 interchange. Motorists can stay updated on closures and road conditions by visiting this link.

WHITEHOUSE — The City of Whitehouse community broke ground on the construction site of the first Whataburger that is coming to the city on Wednesday afternoon. Whataburger employees, DKT Investments and the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce were all in attendance, according to our news partner KETK. The first Whataburger will be located at 1051 Highway 110. The company will be hiring more than 50 local employees. The Whataburger will be joined to a Triple J C-store. Continue reading Whitehouse breaks ground on new Whataburger

SMITH COUNTY — A chase between a man and Smith County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday afternoon ended with the man crashing his vehicle into a ditch off of Highway 69. According to our news partner KETK, Whitehouse police responded to a call from a woman reporting an armed man in her yard arguing with her. The man was already gone when officers arrived, but a short time later, spotted a car that matched the description. According to Smith County Sgt. Larry Christian, Whitehouse police chased the vehicle down FM 346 toward Hwy 69. Once they reached Highway 69, Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies picked up the pursuit. Continue reading Smith County car chase ends in rollover crash

HENDERSON COUNTY — Two East Texas parents, who were arrested in connection to the death of their toddler and for alleged abuse of their children, have been indicted. According to our news partner KETK, Daniel Dennis, 25, and Erin Dennis, 23, were both indicted on March 10 for two charges of abandoning/ endangering a child. The couple were arrested on December 15, 2021 after their 18-month-old child was found dead, said Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. They have two other children, a four-year-old and a two-year-old. Hillhouse called it a “horrible case and scene.” Continue reading Couple indicted in connection to toddler’s death

LONGVIEW — First National Bank of East Texas will soon expand into Longview. According to information in the Longview News-Journal, the bank is planning to open the new full-service branch by late May or early June. The Gilmer-based bank is renovating a former Capital One branch on West Loop 281. The bank also has branches in Big Sandy, Diana, Emory, Mineola, Mount Vernon, Ore City, Pittsburg and Quitman. In a prepared statement, bank President and CEO Danny Weems points to the bank’s “many customers that reside and work in both Upshur and Gregg Counties.” The new location will employ six people at first, with more to be added as growth proceeds.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized the city manager to execute a nearly $2.6 million contract for the second of four sewer system capacity projects to rehabilitate deteriorated sanitary sewer mains. According to a news release, the project includes the construction of approximately 14,548 linear feet of sewer lines, associated manholes, connections to existing sewer lines, pavement repairs, and appurtenances. Effective April 10, 2017, the city entered a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency to address Tyler’s aging wastewater collection system and resulting discharges, according to the release.

TYLER – A 23-year-old Russian man has been indicted in Tyler in connection with what officials term a cyber-criminal marketplace. According to a federal news release, Igor Dekhtyarchuk operated Marketplace A, which claimed to have sold access to more than 48,000 compromised email accounts and more than 39,000 compromised online accounts. Officials say last year, the FBI, through an online covert employee, made thirteen purchases of access devices from Dekhtyarchuk while accessing Marketplace A from the Eastern District of Texas. If convicted, Dekhtyarchuk faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

EAST TEXAS — The cleanup and assessment process continues after severe weather struck parts of East Texas Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, in Upshur County, multiple injuries were reported along with many damaged and destroyed homes as a tornado moved through. That twister has been given an initial rating of EF-2. Another tornado that hit Harrison County was given an initial EF-1 rating. Upshur County is among 16 counties included in a disaster declaration issued Tuesday by Governor Abbott, along with Rusk County and several other East Texas counties.

TYLER — The arrest affidavit of a dental patient who allegedly shot and killed two doctors at Affordable Dentures & Implants in Tyler on March 16 reveals more information in the events leading up to the shooting, our news partner KETK reports. Steven Smith, 40, was charged with capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victims were identified as Dr. Blake G. Sinclair, 59, and Dr. Jack E. Burroughs, 75, both of Tyler. The affidavit stated that Smith was upset with how the procedure was being performed on him and was telling the nurses “what to do.” A nurse told officials that he was always a difficult patient and made the nurses feel uncomfortable. Continue reading Affidavit: Shooter had history of being difficult patient at Tyler dental clinic

TYLER — A suspect in a fatal hit and run has been jailed after turning herself in to Tyler police. Authorities say Chatiryn Akerra Butler, 18, of Tyler surrendered Monday. Police earlier obtained an arrest warrant on Butler for accident involving death, a 2nd degree felony with a $100,000 bond. The victim was 30-year-old Kelsey Hise in the incident around 7:30 p.m. February 19 on North Broadway near Queen Street.

TYLER — Traditional energy sources were the focus of Tuesday’s Northeast Texas Energy Summit in Tyler. One of the speakers was Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Staples told KTBB, “Oil and gas is an asset, not a liability, and it’s time we treat it this way in our country again…Energy security is inextricably linked to national security. It’s ironic that a year ago, many people were questioning the very future of oil and gas. Today, people are questioning if they have a future without oil and gas.” Continue reading Oil and gas in the spotlight at energy summit

TYLER — With COVID-19 numbers continuing to decline, NET Health’s George Roberts is generally upbeat. But he says officials continue to keep a watchful eye on the BA.2 variant. Roberts says according to the latest CDC information, BA.2 now makes up about 35 per cent of covid cases nationwide. And he continues to stress the importance of vaccinations in light of that information — together with uncertainty about the effect BA.2 and other variants could ultimately have. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Criminal Investigation Division of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a prominent ER physician on Monday for the alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Dr. Karl Kauffman was arrested Monday after an ongoing investigation and a search warrant of his home led to two warrants for continuous sexual abuse of a child, said the sheriff’s office. Kauffman currently serves as an ER physician at several hospitals in the county. The arrest warrants were issued by the 369th District Judge, Michael Davis, who set a recommended bond of $1 million per charge. Kauffman will be held in the Cherokee County Jail. Continue reading Cherokee County doctor arrested for alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child

LONGVIEW — In the wake of severe weather overnight, the City of Longview reminds residents to sign up for the Smart911 mass emergency notification system. The city uses Smart911 by RAVE Mobile Safety to notify residents of severe weather and emergencies affecting the area. The service is offered in partnership with the East Texas Council of Governments, which provides access to the system for many cities and counties throughout the region. Learn more here.

EAST TEXAS — Some East Texas entities are taking measures to deal with severe weather that forecasters have predicted in the area. The City of Marshall began offering sand and sandbags Monday at Airport Park. Each resident will be given 10 bags to fill. You must have proof of residency. If you have any questions you can contact the Support Service Department at 903-935-7920. Also, our news partner KETK reports Alto ISD will start classes at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. We’ll keep you up to date as conditions develop.

EAST TEXAS — Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET), in partnership with the East Texas Council of Governments and local elected officials, announces the second annual rural economic development forum series titled Rural, Set, Go: Boost! The forums will take place weekly, March through May, in East Texas rural counties. Events are open to local community and business leaders, employers, school districts, secondary schools, economic development corporations, and chambers. According to a news release, Rural, Set, Go: Boost! is an intentional strategy to engage community leaders, business leaders, and community members in candid conversations about the factors that influence their local workforce and economic development needs. Click here for more information.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has announced that faculty within the College of Engineering have received National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to study signs of opioid exposure in infants. Dr. Premananda Indic and Dr. Pravitha Ramanand received an $861,744 subaward to support “Vital Signs in Opioid Exposed Neonates,” a University of Alabama at Birmingham project. “There is an ongoing epidemic of opioid use during pregnancy,” said UA-Birminghams’s Dr. Namasivayam Ambalavanan as quoted in a news release. Pioneering work conducted by the team has identified that patterns of heart rate and breathing as early as the first day after birth can be used to identify infants who later develop signs of opioid withdrawal, according to the release. “The research may also lead to the more accurate management of drug therapy using objective cardiorespiratory data,” said Indic, also as quoted in the release.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has charged a man for murder after a shooting and stabbing incident over the weekend. According to our news partner KETK, the department says shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday, officers were called to an East Nelson Street location. When they arrived, they found Eric Wynns, 44, of Longview, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers also located another victim who had multiple stab wounds. That person was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Michael Ralston, 44, of Longview, was charged with murder and booked into the Gregg County Jail with a $500,000 bond. It was not immediately clear how the investigation led to the arrest of Ralston. If you have any information on this matter, contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this coming week. Tyler Maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 3226 finishing up Monday, then moving out to SH 64 in that same area as FM 3226. This will be under one-way traffic worked by flaggers. Gregg County crews will be working on bridge channel maintenance on SL 281. The work is at Birdsong Rd. There will be right lane closures with flaggers present. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

EAST TEXAS – With wildfires raging across the western region of Texas, East Texas first responders have stepped in to help contain the massive blaze, along with other East Texans. According to our news partner KETK, firefighters from Smith County, Longview, Lufkin, and Nacogdoches all joined in as part of the statewide effort. Upon their arrival, they were separated into teams and sent on different missions. One was immediately sent to work on the Walling fire, a 384-acre blaze in Eastland County. “We have freeze cured, or dormant, grasses that are readily able to ignite and burn. You add the wind component to that and it is definitely a recipe for disaster,” says Cory Clanton with Smith County Emergency Services District 2 (ESD 2). Continue reading East Texans assist with West Texas wildfires

TYLER/OVERTON – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler held a ceremony Friday marking its 85th anniversary. The medical center opened its doors a day early in 1937 to help treat injured teachers and students from the London School explosion in New London. Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler officiated the event, and the hospital honored both those killed in the tragedy and the work the hospital has done over the past eight-plus decades. “God’s timing is perfect. He knew the hospital needed to be here, so it was here. Just like he knew we needed to open our new tower before COVID, and it opened. God’s timing has worked here for the past 85 years, and we’re so blessed to just be a part of that,” said hospital President Jason Proctor. According to our news partner KETK, hospital officials, Tyler Mayor Don Warren, and Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran were among those on hand. Continue reading Hospital marks 85th anniversary; school explosion victims remembered

TYLER – A teenager accused of accidentally shooting and killing his cousin last summer has been indicted in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, judicial records show Christopher Wansley, 18, of Jacksonville, was indicted for manslaughter on Feb. 17. Tyler police said around 11:45 p.m. July 3, they were called to an apartment at The Arbors on Chimney Rock in south Tyler on reports of gunshots. Officer Andy Erbaugh said Wansley, then 17, and two other teens were playing with a gun. Wansley shot his 17-year-old cousin Davontrious Henderson in the chest after handling the gun “recklessly,” according to Erbaugh. Henderson later died in a hospital. Wansley was released July 4 after posting a $250,000 bond.

TYLER – A patient of one of the dentists killed during a Smith County dental clinic shooting Wednesday remembers how special he was to her family. According to our news partner KETK, Jamie Jackson was a patient of Dr. Blake Sinclair for more than 20 years. “He took such good care of you mentally and physically,” said Jackson. He called people after every procedure and would ask ‘what’s your pain level?’ What can I do?’” Jackson said when she heard the news that there had been a shooting at the clinic in Tyler, she knew it had to be him. “The only reason I knew that is because, if there was anything he could have done to protect the people in that building, he would’ve gotten in between them,” said Jackson. Continue reading Patient remembers dentist killed in shooting

TYLER — The Animal Legal Defense Fund is suing the National Foundation for Rescued Animals, operating in East Texas as Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act, according to our news partner KETK. Along with the organization, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is also suing the founder and former director, Brian Werner Ferris, and his daughter, chairman and executive director, Emily Owen. ALDF alleges that Tiger Creek violated the ESA’s “take” and “transfer” provisions by harming, harassing and killing numerous animals including nine lions and tigers that have allegedly died there since 2018. Continue reading Tiger Creek Sanctuary sued for allegedly violating Endangered Species Act

LONGVIEW – A Longview police officer reportedly crashed a patrol vehicle on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department says the police vehicle failed to yield the right of way to a 2016 BMW at the intersection of South High Street and Avalon Avenue around 4:25 p.m. “While we regret the property damage incurred as a result of the crash, we are thankful there were no significant injuries sustained as a result of the crash,” LPD said in a Facebook post. The police vehicle was a 2020 Chevy Tahoe, officials reported. LPD said the investigation is ongoing and they did not immediately release the identity of anyone involved in the crash.

TYLER — The numbers continue to look much better on the latest NET Health COVID-19 dashboard. But NET Health’s George Roberts says officials continue to keep a close eye on BA-2, a newer variant that’s been gaining some traction. Roberts says BA-2 now makes up an estimated 26 per cent of cases nationwide. So far, he says, it doesn’t appear to be a serious threat, but that you never know — and he continues to urge vaccinations. Overall, Roberts says officials are watching total cases and following information from the CDC and the state of Texas regarding “the variants that are out there.” For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.