KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Dating back to 1859, the Goodman-LeGrand Museum is one of Tyler’s oldest historic properties and was the first property in Smith County to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On Tuesday, Historic Tyler’s Ashley Washmon, told KTBB why they chose to donate a $1,500 grant to the exterior restoration project. “It is one of the oldest homes in Tyler, they came to us in the beginning of the summer and were in the middle of getting bids for all of the exterior restoration work that was needed. So, we just chose the Goodman-LeGrand Museum as one of our projects for this year.” Continue reading Historic Tyler makes donation to spur others alongside The Goodman-LeGrand exterior restoration project

TYLER — Early voting began Tuesday in Texas. Election day is November 3. This is the first time that straight-ticket voting will not be permitted. This year voters will have to allocate a vote for each office of the candidate that you are voting for. Officials expect this and voting during a Presidential election year, along with COVID-19 safety precautions bringing fewer machines at polling places, will make lines longer. So officials are urging people to take advantage of early voting. You can get more information for Smith and Gregg County by clicking the links. https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections/current-election-information. https://www.greggcountyvotes.com/upcoming-elections/november-2020-presidential-election/.

SMITH COUNTY — A former Whitehouse ISD employee pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of indecency with a child by exposure. According to our news partner KETK, William Henry Aldridge, 29, of Tyler, was sentenced to eight years of deferred adjudication. Aldridge, a former equipment manager, was accused of molesting a football player back in 2010 and 2011. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, he was also accused of sexually abusing a fourth-grader. The district was contacted by police in October of last year and placed Aldridge on immediate leave before eventually firing him.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is warning local residents about a new scam involving your email. According to our news partner KETK, KPD says residents have received emails claiming they’ve been caught by a speed camera in Kilgore and that they owed around $875 in fines. The fake email includes a link that officials say, “under no circumstances should be clicked.” The department said, “This most likely allows them into your computer where they have access to your data…we don’t know how the scam works completely since we won’t click that link, but Texas doesn’t have speed cameras.” Governor Abbott signed a bill in May of 2019 that banned the use of red light cameras in Texas.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in the identification of a suspect in a rash of burglaries in the Lindale area. According to a press brief, these recent residential thefts have been occurring primarily in the area of Smith County east of Lindale. The unidentified suspect has been entering into unlocked residences during nighttime hours, while homeowners have been asleep inside. The suspect is described as a white male, 18 to 30 years of age, 5’8” to 6’0”, slender build with short hair. Continue reading Authorities searching for man wanted for burglaries in Smith County

TYLER — A beautification project will launch on Wednesday to benefit The Tyler Animal Shelter. The organization is appealing to local artists to help them with the new look. The shelter opened their doors to the public in 2017, caring for 103 dogs and 65 cats. The City’s shelter includes “get acquainted” rooms for people to come in, meet with shelter staff and their potential pet for some time to “get to know each other.” Last year, 482 pets were adopted, 492 were reunited and 349 animals were transferred to 110 different rescue organization partners. Over 1000 people come through the doors annually. Continue reading Animal shelter in Tyler looking for artists for redecoration

TYLER — A Tyler business is closing their doors after nearly 6 decades in operation. According to a post on Mary V’s facebook page, the contemporary women’s boutique will close after 57 years in business. Owner Shelby Burkett says, “This is something that was not decided over night, and with the events of this year, it just made our decision a little easier, having to go to quarantine and COVID-19.” Burkett worked at the store for many years, before purchasing the business in 2008 at the age of 23-years-old. Continue reading Mary V’s to soon close their doors

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and Tyler Transit are evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of transit service in and around Tyler as part of the Transit Route Study. Residents are invited to share their input in hopes of improving bus service within the city. Officials will consider future improvements to routes, schedules and other elements, based on those comments, and other criteria. Residents who want to share their thoughts can take a survey by clicking the link. http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Tyler-Area-Transit-Survey. The survey portion of this study will end Friday.

TYLER — Emergency crews responded to the second fire in two weeks at Coker Enterprises in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, there were a minimum of 30 first responders. The call came in just after 6:00 a.m. on Monday. “Due to circumstances right now, we do deem that the fires are suspicious.” Fire Marshal Jay Brooks went on to say, “We are processing this as a crime scene. That’s just protocol at this point. We don’t have enough to say that this is an arson attempt, or an incendiary fire. However we are going to treat it as such.” A fire on Sept. 30 destroyed the office and parts room of Coker Enterprises.

SMITH COUNTY — A 26-year-old woman who is accused of leaving a baby abandoned and strapped in a baby bouncer for about three hours is now at the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, a child was left in a garage apartment on County Road 2249 on October 3. The suspect was identified as Kelsey Paige Frazier from Tyler. Frazier was babysitting a child under the age of 1. At approximately 9:30 am, Kelsey left her garage apartment but did not take the child with her. Instead, the infant was left strapped in a baby bouncer located in the bathroom closet of the garage apartment, a news release said. Continue reading Babysitter accused of leaving infant unattended in bathroom closet

TYLER — A series of robberies at CEFCO gas stations has Tyler police asking for help. Early Wednesday morning the first aggravated robbery took place between 1 and 2 a.m. at 805 W. Houston. Within the hour a second occurred at 5120 Old Jacksonville Hwy, the same male and another male with the same jacket but red, robbed that store. In both instances the individuals left on foot. Early Friday, around 2 a.m., a third aggravated robbery was reported at the CEFCO at 5502 Old Bullard Rd. Continue reading 3 CEFCO stores in Tyler robbed this week

UPSHUR COUNTY — D.P.S. Troopers responded to the scene of a fatal crash, four miles northwest of Longview, on Thursday. The collision took place in Upshur County on SH 300. Reports indicate Steven Earl Montgomery, 55, of Big Sandy, went off the roadway and overturned, after striking a group of trees. Mr. Montgomery was pronounced dead at the scene. Montgomery had been reported missing by family members, after he was last seen leaving for work around 5:15 a.m. Wednesday. A land owner discovered the scene Thursday and notified emergency personnel. The crash remains under investigation.

RUSK — Rusk ISD has decided that not all students will be able to take classes online. RISD Superintendent, Grey Burton said in a letter, only students approved by the school nurse or that have tested positive for COVID-19 may take virtual classes. Students that are taking classes in person, will no longer have the option to switch to online learning. The new changes take effect Tuesday. You can read the letter by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/1881654252092729/photos/a.2214349955489822/2767692216822257/.

WINNSBORO — Winnsboro Police continue investigating a “large amount” of political sign thefts across the city. According to the department’s facebook page, the number of officers on patrol will increase. It’s not clear whether a specific political party or candidate is being targeted. Three different vehicles are believed to be connected to the crime. Authorities are asking the public that may see or have details on this to call 903-342-3620, or to message the departments facebook page with the vehicles license plate numbers.

ATHENS — In Henderson County, eleven people have been arrested and large amounts of cash seized during a police raid at a local game room. According to our news partner KETK, charges for the group include organized criminal activity, gambling offenses, and outstanding arrest warrants. Those arrested include customers, workers, and the owner. During the search, officers found drugs, more than $50,000 cash, and a stolen gun. The sheriff says more arrests are to come.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for a man who robbed a Tyler gas station early Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a man with a gun forced one of the two employees inside to give him money from the cash register and fled. The gunman was described as wearing dark clothing. Police said there were customers in the CEFCO station on Old Bullard Road when the gunman entered at about 2 a.m. but no one was hurt.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man accused of murder after a brutal fight rejected a plea deal offer from prosecutors and his case will now proceed to trial. According to our news partner KETK, Lars Theorine, 53, is charged with killing 51-year-old Michael Reed on January 2. Theorine, who claims self-defense, was the owner of Paradise Skating Rink and Big Kahuna Indoor Parties in Whitehouse. He is being held on a $1 million bond in the Smith County Jail.

LONGVIEW — Construction is underway to significantly expand and renovate Fire Station 5 in West Longview. Originally built in 1985, the fire station will be modernized while constructing 10,208 square feet of new space and renovating 5,373 square feet of the existing station. According to a news release, the project was funded by the November 2018 bond election. Continue reading Construction begins on Fire Station 5 expansion

TYLER — Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said Thursday that he will unquestionably “opt in” on Governor Abbott’s bar reopening order, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. October 14. The governor’s order provides authority to individual county judges to open bars to 50 percent capacity in counties that have 15 percent or less capacity of COVID-19 cases in local hospitals. Smith County falls within this qualifying category. Continue reading Smith County judge to “opt in” on opening bars

TYLER — More agencies are signing on as East Texans once again have a convenient and safe way to dispose of their leftover prescription drugs — and keep them from falling into the wrong hands. According to Next Step Community Solutions, the latest list includes the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Kilgore Police Department, Gladewater Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall Police Department, Hallsville Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsburg Police Department. Continue reading Rx takeback event spreads across East Texas

TYLER — Tyler ISD launches a new District app to keep parents, students, and the community informed of district news, happenings, and special alerts. The app is available for download through the Apple and Google Play app stores. The new Tyler ISD app provides quick access to important information from both the District and campuses, such as push notifications for inclement weather or other alert information, weekly cafeteria menus, GPS directions, calendar events, and more. Go to https://www.tylerisd.org/article/322371 for additional information.

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested Wednesday morning  following an hours long standoff with Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies and Tyler police. According to our news partner KETK, Vicente Manriquez, 35, allegedly assaulted his wife at their home around 12:30, then reportedly took his kids to the tire shop that he owns off Gentry and Bow Street in Tyler. Deputies found his car after the wife gave them a description. The sheriff’s office set up a perimeter and called in the SWAT team and negotiators. They were able to talk Manriquez out of the shop just after 3:00 Wednesday morning. Manriquez has been charged with aggravated assault and was booked into the Smith County Jail. He was released Wednesday after posting bond set at $150,000.

GREGG COUNTY — A $1 million lawsuit was filed against a former Longview doctor on behalf of a boy who says he was sexually abused by him. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke was arrested in August on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and he was released on a $1 million bond. The current lawsuit was filed in the Gregg County Court by the mother of the victim. The guardian is seeking damages because her son was “sexually assaulted, molested and or sexually abused” by Hipke during his medical visits. Continue reading Lawsuit filed against Longview doctor

TYLER — A scam using Smith County officials’ names is continuing to circulate throughout the community. Officials say in recent weeks, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office reported a scam in which the caller identified himself as Sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Christian. In one particular instance, the caller informed the victim that she failed to show up for a court date and she needed to post a $2,500 surety bond. Had the victim stayed on the line, officials say it is likely that the caller would have instructed her to obtain a money order or similar payment method. Continue reading Smith County warns of scammers using officials’ names

TYLER — Smith County authorities say they’re looking for a runaway teen. On September 30, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a runaway in the Winona area. The father reported that his daughter, Hailie Black, 16, had left her residence between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. that morning and had not returned by later that day. Hailie has not been seen by her family since September 30 but has had recent communication with others. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigating runaway

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD announced in a letter to parents on Wednesday morning that it will require all remote learners to return to campus by October 20. According to our news partner KETK, there will be an exception for “those students and families who have legitimate health concerns and are medically fragile.” Those students will remain on remote learning if the parents provide a doctor’s diagnosis or recommendation to the school nurse. Any students who are quarantined or isolated due to symptoms should follow the nurse’s orders and return on the date provided to them, according to the letter.