KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County crash on Monday afternoon sent 15 people to the hospital. The accident, near Winona, happened on FM 1252 west of CR 3100. According to our news partner KETK, all 15 people were reported in stable condition. DPS cleared the scene and then continued their investigation into the details of the accident, at the hospital.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One person was killed and a second is listed in serious condition after being struck Monday. DPS says Troopers were called to the scene on HWY 69 at 9 a.m. Reports identify Ronald Charles Brown, 53, of Marshall, as driving next to Shane Blair Brawley, 42, of Piedmont, OK. Brown attempted to change lanes and hit Brawley. Brawley lose control of his car and it veered off the road, hitting two pedestrians walking on the side of the road. Carmen Garcia,31 and Martin Saenz Garcia. Carmen was dead at the scene. Martin is listed in serious condition. Neither Brown or Brawley were injured in the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

TYLER — East Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations were above 15% of total hospital bed capacity on Monday, marking 7 straight days above the metric used to determine restrictions. In accordance to Governor Abbotts state order businesses will drop from 75% in-store capacity to 50%, bars close and hospitals begin putting elective surgeries on hold. The counties in RAC-G are: Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Houston, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood. As of Sunday, recorded six consecutive days above 15%, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety announced its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaigns will kick off on Wednesday. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark told KTBB,”We want to encourage motorist to obviously wear their seat belt wherever they are traveling, that is the law, both front and back seats. Pay attention to your speed limits, reduce your speed, especially when you are driving on unfamiliar roads.” East Texas had a busy weekend of fatal accidents, 3 in Smith County alone, and one in Rusk County. Dark continued, “Pay attention to warning signs, as far as construction, or curves that are coming up in the road. Really as far as some of the latest fatalities that we have had, people really just need to slow down and pay attention to what is going on out on the road. Maybe, just limit the number of distractions going on inside your vehicle.” Continue reading DPS urges caution on roadways this holiday season

TYLER — A fourth man wanted for a July shooting in Tyler was captured by police Monday morning. The Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force arrested Kobe Warsawth at 11 a.m. on Spring Avenue. According to Tyler Police, Warsawth hid from police, but was quickly apprehended after a quick chase. Warthsaw was charged with murder and evading arrest. Robert Robertson, Kevondus Brantley and Trey Barreau are the other three suspects who have been arrested in-connection to the murder of Draveon McCullough, who was found dead with a gunshot wound.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and East Texas native Patrick Mahomes continues to be the face of the NFL. According to our news partner KETK, Mahomes received the most fan votes for the upcoming pro bowl with more than 342,000. Mahomes edged out Seattle Seahawks’ Russel Wilson by just over seven thousand votes. Other top finishers were Titans running back Derrick Henry, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Mahomes’ teammate Travis Kelce. Mahomes graduated Whitehouse High School in 2013, before playing his college ball in Texas Tech.

TYLER – D.P.S.Troopers responded to a fatal crash Sunday, a mile west of Tyler on SH 64 W. Roberto Acosta Lugo, 52, of Tyler died at the scene. Reports indicate Lugo was traveling East, when his vehicle left the roadway to the right and struck a stationary piece of road construction equipment. Lugo was taken to Hilliard Funeral Home in Van. The investigation into the accident remains open at this time.

TYLER – A two vehicle crash west of Hallsville on US 80, resulted in a fatal accident in Harrison County. Preliminary reports indicate that Valerie Helena Graves, 20, of Bossier City LA, was killed in the accident, after driving on the wrong side of the road. Graves hit a truck head-on in the westbound lane. Graves died at the scene and was taken to Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall. The driver of the truck was Brice Leighton Cooper, 18, of Longview. Cooper was transported to Christus Good Shepherd – Longview in stable condition. The crash is still under investigation.

TYLER — Christmas Tree recycling in Tyler will begin on the 26th. On Monday, The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful announced two options for Christmas tree recycling in the Rose City. Residents can drop off un-decorated, non-flocked, natural Christmas trees starting the day after Christmas through Sunday, Jan. 17 in designated areas at Golden Road Park and Fun Forest Park in Tyler. Golden Road Park is located at the intersection of McDonald Road and Golden Road. Fun Forest Park is located in the 900 block of North Glenwood Boulevard. For more information, contact Belen Casillas, Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator, at (903) 531-1335 or e-mail [email protected].

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct more construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the upcoming week. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct routine work including pothole and sign repair on roadways throughout the county. A second crew will perform bridge channel maintenance on FM 2710 two miles west of FM 14. Longview Maintenance crews plan to perform stockpile cleanup and address routine maintenance on roads around the county. TxDOT is reminding motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/050-2020.html for a complete rundown of roadwork planned throughout the Tyler district.

TYLER — We now know the identify of a victim killed in a fatal accident Friday night in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a former patrol officer for the Arp Police Department, Dakota Powell was killed when an SUV on Loop 323, turned North onto HWY 110 failing to yield right of way and hit Powell. Powell was transported to UT Health Center, where he died from his injuries. Powell is described as a husband, father of two, and friend to those in the Arp community.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler has been collecting donations for local children, since November. On Friday, they began distributing toys from their “Angel Tree Program.” According to our news partner KETK, more than 1,800 people signed up for this years program. The organization said this is probably the most large ticket items they have received in years. The Angel Tree Program begin in Lynchburg in 1979, and quickly spread across the nation.

TYLER — Green Acres Baptist Church teamed up with the East Texas Food Bank to distribute food to those in need. East Texas Food Bank partnered with Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler for a second Feed Our Friends drive-thru food distribution. No eligibility or ID was required to receive on the first-come, first-serve basis. Although the rain held off for most of the drive-thru event, Pastor David Dykes said, “Our members came out in force at 7 a.m. during a down-pour to get ready for the crowds. It just shows the faithfulness and commitment of our members for their community.” Hundreds of families were recipients. This is the second time in as many months, that the Church and Food Bank teamed up.

LONGVIEW — Voters in Longview approved almost $25 million in park improvements in November of 2018. On Friday, phase one construction started on three of the Longview parks. According to the city, some amenities will be unavailable in the process of renovations and new designs, including pavilions and parks. The Paul G. Boorman Trail will remain open but may not be accessible from the Lois Jackson parking lot. To see the the overall plan click the link. https://www.facebook.com/CityofLongview/.

LONGVIEW — A Longview couple was threatened at gunpoint by a man demanding money and drugs. According to our news parnter KETK, the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Brandon Portley of Tyler. The couple said they had known Portley for several years. The couple says Portley originally confronted them at their home in Longview, then ordered them at gunpoint to get into their vehicle, then told them to drive to another location on Mobberly Street to get money. Once there, the couple escaped and contacted Longivew Police. Portley was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping.

TYLER — Last weekend, Tyler Legacy enjoyed their first playoff victory since 2009. On Saturday, Legacy travels to Mesquite Memorial to meet Cedar Hill in the area round of the playoffs. Thursday, TISD invited the community out for a send-off at 9:45 that morning. The district reminds attendees to arrive in plenty of time to give the Red Raiders a rowdy send-off at 9:45 a.m. Playoff t-shirts will also be available for purchase. Participants should arrive on the east side of the field house, behind Red Raider Stadium as players and coaches load the bus prior to departure.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation is closing in on their goal of off-setting the cost of renaming both Tyler high schools. President Kyle Penney told KTBB Friday, we were able to present a check in the amount of $91,362 to the board of Tyler Independent School District during December’s school board meeting.” The check represents the initial distribution from the Tyler ISD Future Fund, a fund established by citizens to receive public contributions to offset expenses related to renaming both local high schools.

The fund at ETCF was launched soon after the school board voted to change both Tyler ISD flagship high school names. Originally, the estimated costs for signage, band and athletic uniforms was estimated to exceed $300,000. If you would like to donate to the fund, and take advantage of year end tax deductions you can get more information by clicking the link. http://www.ETCF.org.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Pantry announced Thursday they have been selected, from MacKenzie Scott, to receive a philanthropic donation from her. Scott narrowed the list down from over 6,000 to 384 organizations, including ETFB. Those on the list, include food banks to emergency relief funds and many more. Scott was the first ever accountant for Amazon and part of the company’s founding. After her divorce from Jeff Bezos, she was given a 4% stake in the company, valued at $37 billion. Forbes estimates her to be the third-richest woman in the world. ETFB will announce their intentions of the coming donation in early 2021.

LONGVIEW — The presents came early at Longview ISD on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, several teachers from the district welcomed a $30,000 bonus check just in time for the Christmas break. In total, Longview ISD awarded $2.8 million in incentive pay for teachers. A few of the highest performing teachers received the money. Crystal Lewis and Monica Jones both received checks for around $30,000, and Kamala Weaver received a check for close to $37,000. Continue reading LISD passes out $2.8 million in bonus pay to Teachers

TYLER — Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. announced a significant donation of $5 million dollars from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. According to a news release from Goodwill, the investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. The $5 million gift from Scott will help accelerate Goodwill’s plan to address growing workforce needs as demands for targeted skills in the labor market increase, which make it difficult for many people to compete for new jobs. Continue reading Goodwill Industries of East Texas receives largest investment in 45-year history

TYLER — Walk-up COVID-19 testing continues a courtesy of The Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to the Joint Information Center of Smith County, the screenings are available for anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Testing begins in Tyler at St. Louis Baptist Church, on Frankston Hwy., starting Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Testing will occur Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. Testing resumes Jan. 4, occurring from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m weekdays. Register online at GoGetTested.com. The testing location at the Tyler Senior Center will close Friday.

TYLER — Greg Grubb of Tyler officially announced his candidacy for City Council – District 1, on Thursday. The election is next May. Grubb along with his wife, Dana, have lived in Tyler 34 years, raising their daughters in the city they now call home. For the past 8 years, Greg served as the Executive Director of PATH, People Attempting to Help. Prior to entering the nonprofit realm, Grub spent 3 decades in the oil and gas industry, with the last 10 as president and co-owner of a private corporation. District 1 stretches from Bergfeld Center south to approximately Toll 49, running west of Broadway Avenue. Learn more at http://gregfortyler.com/.

TYLER — Caregivers at UT Health North Campus Tyler are spreading Christmas cheer beyond the walls of the hospital this year. On Thursday, the group said they were donating wreaths to area organizations that serve those in need. In spite of being overwhelmed with COVID-19, caregivers wanted to give back to the community, for all of the community’s support this year. Every year the hospital hosts a wreath-decorating contest, with each department decorating a wreath that is then displayed in the lobby and voted on by employees. This year, caregivers decided they wanted to bless others with their craftiness and good cheer.

TYLER — A fire Thursday at the Studio 6 Extended Stay on Troup Highway in Tyler, has patrons looking for a new place to stay. According to our news partner KETK, a chimney fire was the source of the incident. Authorities say no one was hurt and officials at the scene say the fire was contained shortly after they arrived. Power has been shut off and water damage through out the building made it a necessity for residents to be relocated.