KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – In 2021, factors such as “failing to drive in a single lane” and “unsafe speed” contributed to 176 fatal crashes and 196 total deaths in TxDOT’s Tyler District, an increase from 152 fatal crashes and 168 deaths in 2020. That’s according to information released Tuesday by TxDOT. The Tyler District, which includes Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood Counties, released preliminary numbers revealing the top five contributing factors of fatal crashes in 2021. They are as follows: failed to drive in a single lane – 34%; unsafe speed – 22%; pedestrian failed to yield right of way to vehicle – 18%; wrong side – not passing – 13%; and failed to control speed – 12%. Continue reading Several contributing factors cited in near-record Tyler District fatalities

TYLER — The trial began Tuesday morning for a Tyler man charged with murder in a 2018 shooting at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center, and who police believed was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the shooting was gang-related. Law enforcement claimed at the time that Perdomo was suspected of being the gunman in five fatal shootings in less than two weeks. However, more than three years later, he still has only been charged with one count of murder.

LONGVIEW — Voters head to the polls May 7 for elections in Longview City Council Districts 5 and 6, and two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring so far. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot through February 18. 46-year-old Jose Sanchez and 27-year-old Michelle Gamboa are in the running in District 5, with no filings thus far in District 6. You can click this lnk for more information.

KILGORE — A man was arrested on Friday after the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and reportedly found various illegal substances, as well as an illegally owned alligator. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, along with Texas Game Wardens, obtained the warrant for a home on Leach St. A follow-up investigation had been conducted based on a Crime Stoppers Tip alleging controlled substance distribution and the illegal possession of an alligator. 44-year-old Jason Best of Kilgore was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with four controlled substance felony offenses, landing him with a bond that totaled $118,500. Continue reading Kilgore man charged with illegal possession of alligator, various drugs

TYLER — A Chandler man charged with intoxication manslaughter in a fiery December crash near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the legal limit, according to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 39-year-old Daniel Juarez was arrested Thursday afternoon. A preliminary report says 54-year-old Dennis Criner, a Tyler native, was heading east as Juarez approached in the opposite direction. Troopers said Juarez lost control of his car on the wet road, crossed over the center line, and hit Criner. Both men went to the hospital, where Criner was pronounced dead and Juarez was initially listed in serious condition. If convicted, Juarez faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER — Lindsey Harrison announced Monday she is seeking election to the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees for District 6. Harrison was appointed in June to fill the unexpired term of Fritz Hager, who is now seeking a spot on the Smith County Commissioners Court. Before joining the school board, Harrison served as the 2020-2021 past president of the Junior League of Tyler and is a current member of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County Board of Directors. She received the W. C. Windsor Award for outstanding community service in 2018 from the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Harrison has no announced opposition thus far.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy has been involved in a fatal accident. According to information from DPS and the sheriff’s office, 31-year-old Juan Munoz Pinales of Rusk was headed south on FM 346 about eight miles west of Bullard just before midnight Sunday when he struck 43-year-old Tony Boswell of Bullard. Authorities say Boswell was walking on the roadway’s edge with his back to traffic. Officials say EMS was immediately called and deputies attempted life-saving measures but Boswell was later pronounced dead in an area hospital. Pinales was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, but authorities say no foul play is suspected at this time.

TYLER — Longtime Tyler radio personality Bill Atkins has died at the age of 90. According to his obituary on the Stewart Family Funeral Home website, Atkins, a Houston native, died January 20 in Tyler. Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. Atkins was in radio for 45 years, mostly in Tyler — including some time at KTBB — and also worked at Tyler Junior College. He is survived by his daughters, Jo Meagher (Ken) and Tricia Wilshire (Craig); his son, Stacy Atkins; 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, crews will be performing ditch work on FM 2493 (Old Jacksonville Hwy.) near Loop 323. Expect daily lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Gregg County workers will continue bridge channel maintenance on SH 135, just north of SH 31. There will be possible right-lane closures north or southbound over Rabbit Creek and Rabbit Creek Relief bridges. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

LONGVIEW — Rivers Recycling, the third-party materials recovery facility that processes the recyclables collected by the city of Longview, will be closed for four weeks beginning Jan. 24 and continuing through Feb. 20. According to a news release, residents are encouraged to continue to place recyclables in the recycling cart during this time; however, all collected material during this closure will be taken to the landfill. If residents wish to ensure their recyclables are not taken to the landfill, the city recommends they rinse recyclable food and beverage containers to minimize odors and vector-attracting residues and hold back the material until the Rivers Recycling resumes operation. The most valuable recyclables to reserve for recycling are Plastics No. 1 or 2, cardboard, and metal (steel and aluminum food and beverage containers).

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University’s enrollment for this semester has set yet another spring term record for ETBU, with 1,495 new and returning Tigers signed up for classes. That figure features a 1.1% increase over last year’s record spring enrollment, according to a news release. The new semester also exhibits an increase in new transfer student enrollment, marking another spring term high for ETBU. Along with that, the university showed significant growth in adult education with adult learners enrolling for workforce readiness and career advancement, according to the release.

EAST TEXAS — Several East Texas school districts plan Monday reopenings following temporary closures due to COVID-19 issues. According to our news partner KETK, the Whitehouse, Leverett’s Chapel, and Palestine ISDs plan to be back in business Monday. According to its website, the Lindale ISD plans to do likewise.

WINONA — What started as an attempt to create a rescue for dogs turned into a hoarding situation in East Texas on Friday, with 38 dogs being taken from a Winona property, according to officials. Our news partner KETK reports the dogs were taken by the SPCA of East Texas, Smith County Animal Control, and the Humane Society of the United States. At one time, 124 dogs lived in kennels on the property. The SPCA of East Texas was alerted about eight dogs originally, but once they got there, they say they realized an investigation needed to happen for dozens of dogs. Precinct 4 Constable Josh Joplin was brought in to look into the case. The property owner had 52 dogs when Joplin arrived. She said she tried to start a rescue center for the dogs, but it got out of control and she didn’t know what to do. Continue reading Officials: 38 dogs taken from Winona hoarding situation

TYLER — 39-year-old Daniel Juarez of Chandler was arrested Thursday afternoon on a charge of intoxication manslaughter stemming from a fiery fatal crash near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport last month. According to our news partner KETK, a preliminary report says 54-year-old Dennis Criner, a Tyler native, was heading east as Juarez approached in the opposite direction. Troopers said that Juarez lost control of his car on the wet road, crossed over the center line, and hit Criner. Both men went to the hospital, where Criner was pronounced dead and Juarez was initially listed in serious condition. If convicted, Juarez faces up to 20 years in prison.

TYLER — As of Thursday, Jan. 20, the ozone treatment system at Tyler’s Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant has been offline due to a failure with the main control panel. Tyler Water Utilities has ordered a replacement panel but has not received an estimated delivery date, according to a news release. Officials say the ozone treatment system cannot be operated until the control panel is replaced. Due to this portion of the taste and odor treatment system being offline, consumers may experience a spike in geosmin, a taste and odor compound, coming from Lake Palestine to the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. Officials say geosmin is non-toxic and safe to consume. It typically produces an earthy odor and is naturally present in some foods such as beets, spinach, and mushrooms. Continue reading Potential for “earthy” water taste and odor explained

TYLER — Substantial spread remains the rule in NET Health area COVID cases, but NET Health CEO George Roberts says better news may lie ahead. He tells KTBB, “I think we’ll probably see increases in our cases in the next week or so — but then, hopefully, we’re at the plateau of our…situation right now.” As for the huge jump in Smith County’s community spread and new case numbers, Roberts says he thinks “at this point,” that’s “probably something we can expect from time to time.” Roberts cautions that there’s still a lot to deal with, and he continues his call for vaccinations and staying home when you’re sick. He notes that there’s a lot of sickness in the area — and it’s not just COVID, but other “winter-type illnesses.” The latest hospital patient number is up to almost 240, the highest since last fall, according to Roberts. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

EAST TEXAS — Congressman Louie Gohmert has responded after it was learned he didn’t raise anywhere near the million bucks he said he would before entering the race for Attorney General. The Tyler Republican said in November he would challenge Ken Paxton for Attorney General if he raised a million dollars in 10 days. He even put out a video saying he reached that goal, but he didn’t. According to his campaign finance report, he raised just $27,000 by the deadline. This week, state candidates were required to file their campaign finance reports covering the last six months of 2021. Gohmert barely raised $1 million in total from July through December. In fact, it was a $100,000 donation on New Year’s Eve that put him over the million dollar mark. Continue reading Gohmert responds to fundraising update

TYLER — A federal grand jury has returned a 33-count indictment charging a Tyler man for fraud schemes. Derek Robert Hamm, 38, was charged with wire fraud, money laundering, violations of the Stolen Valor Act, using a fraudulent military discharge certificate and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to our news partner KETK, the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it illegal to fraudulently wear medals, embellish rank, or make false claims of military service to obtain money, employment, property, or some other tangible benefit. Continue reading Tyler man indicted for using stolen valor to defraud investors

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County commissioner and his wife, who had been facing more than 60 election fraud felonies for the 2018 race he won, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count each Thursday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old Shannon Brown had been indicted on 23 felonies related to election fraud while his wife, 52-year-old Marlena Jackson, was charged with 40 counts dealing with election fraud. All the felony charges were dismissed while both pleaded guilty to election fraud, a Class A misdemeanor in Texas. They were sentenced to one year of probation. He is up for re-election in the March primaries.

TYLER — 15 Tyler ISD campuses will benefit after the Tyler ISD Foundation Grant Patrol delivered the news this week to teachers named as 2021-2022 Grants for Great Ideas recipients. Moving to the Tyler High School drumline’s beat, the cheerleaders led the procession of TISD Foundation board members, District leadership, and community partners for the big event. According to a news release, the Grants for Great Ideas program provides resources to fund individuals and teams of educators for innovative and creative projects intended to enrich classrooms and support student achievement. The 37 awarded grants total almost $95,000. You can learn lots more by clicking this link.

TYLER — Krist Swimberghe, DBA, has been appointed the new dean of Soules College of Business at The University of Texas at Tyler. Swimberghe was one of five candidates considered for the position, according to a news release. Swimberghe has been serving as interim dean since May 2020. A member of the UT Tyler faculty since 2010, he was appointed chair of the Department of Management and Marketing in 2014. He will now lead the largest of UT Tyler’s six colleges. He will also lead the college’s fundraising and business outreach efforts.

TYLER — A man was found dead in a car in the parking lot of a Walmart in Tyler Thursday morning, according to local police. According to our news partner KETK, just before 8:30, Tyler police responded to a welfare concern at the gas station in the parking lot of the Walmart at the intersection of Highway 31 and Loop 323. Investigators say the man appeared to be homeless. They are working to identify him. A cause of death was not immediately known, but police do not suspect foul play.

CHAPEL Hill — The omicron variant of COVID has been causing some East Texas school districts to make difficult decisions on whether or not to shut their doors. According to our news partner KETK, Chapel Hill ISD was the first East Texas school in 2022 to bring back mask mandates which violate Greg Abbott’s executive order. At the start of the 2021/22 school year, several schools were sued for requiring masks. Now, districts are trying to find a way to continue classes without turning to virtual learning. “We are basing all of our decisions on data and our local health experts,” said Belen Casillas, the Chapel Hill ISD communication director. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD reinstates mask mandate due to rising COVID cases

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued a warrant for a man that they say failed to comply with his supervision. According to our news partner KETK, 39-year-old Corey Rashad Bell was released after serving time for multiple convictions and is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities said that Bell has previously resided in Chandler and Tyler. He is a Black man with black hair and brown eyes, 6’1″ and weighing 300 lbs. TDCJ asks that anyone with information about Bell contact their local law enforcement or contact the TDCJ Absconder tip line at 1-866-680-6667 with an anonymous tip.

TYLER — After first facing a lesser charge, a man has now been charged with intoxication manslaughter for a crash in Tyler that left a Tyler Legacy High School student dead. According to our news partner KETK, Jason Charles, 24, was initially booked on Saturday for the Friday night crash. Victim Lilly Thornburgh (pictured) was taken off life support Monday. Lilly was a member of the school band and would have turned 18 on Wednesday. Intoxication manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Texas. A second-degree felony carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence in the state along with a potential fine of up to $10,000.

LONGVIEW — A five-month-old boy who was seriously injured in an alleged drunk-driving crash last week has died from his injuries, according to an update from DPS. According to our news partner KETK, two cars wrecked in Gregg County near Lakeport just before 4:30 p.m. January 13. 21-year-old Hayden Malone, a Tyler native, was charged with intoxication manslaughter for the death of a two-year-old boy in the crash. The boy died in a Shreveport hospital two days after the accident. The five-month-old had been taken to a Longview hospital before being flown to Dallas. He died January 18. Malone will now face a second intoxication manslaughter charge. He also is charged with two counts of intoxication assault. He faces a maximum of 60 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

MARSHALL — Marshall police seek leads in a couple of drive-by shooting incidents following multiple reports of shots fired early Wednesday morning. Police say the first call came around 2:15 on East Burleson near the Jackson Street intersection. No injuries were reported, but an hour later a second report of shots fired came from the same area, with a female sustaining a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her upper arm. The investigation is ongoing. You’re asked to call 903-935-4575, or if you prefer to remain anonymous you may submit a tip to Crimestoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due January 31, and he is urging people to pay online. Payments can be made easier than ever this year, according to a news release. Scanning the QR code on your statement will take you directly to the payment page on your account. “I think it will be a game changer in how people pay their property taxes,” Barber said as quoted in the release. The Tax Office mailed out 177,175 property tax statements in October. Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box at the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail (it must be postmarked on or before January 31, to be accepted as an on-time payment through the 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 details.

TYLER — A recently released study by the School of Community and Rural Health at the Health Science Center at UT Tyler on the health of Northeast Texas residents found that Northeast Texans experience higher mortality rates compared to Texas overall and to the U.S., according to a news release. According to the report, persons age 35-44 years old are seeing the greatest relative increased risk of mortality in this part of the state. The new report outlines the health issues affecting the 1.6 million people who live in Northeast Texas. It builds off a similar study conducted by the group in 2016. The new report also includes information on social and economic factors that impact health, according to the release. Continue reading UT Tyler issues Northeast Texas Health Status Report