KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — UT’s Board of Regents disclosed plans to realign UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler in February. On Monday, they announced Dr. Kirk Calhoun will lead the merged institutions as the President. Calhoun, who has been in the top post for UT Health Science Center at Tyler for almost 18 years, is already leading efforts for his institution to receive licensing and accreditation approvals to establish a new medical school. Continue reading Dr. Calhoun chosen to lead as UT Tyler and UTHSC realignment continues

TYLER — Tyler Transit announced in a news brief Monday, plans to re-open service to all five routes with regular service hours starting July 6th. The lines will be in operation Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Bus routes do not run on Sunday. Tyler Transit will also run the Paratransit service during the same hours. Tyler Transit will begin charging regular fares for both services beginning July 13. For more information click the link. https://www.cityoftyler.org/government/departments/tyler-transit.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has suspended the liquor permit of a Longview bar owner who defied Governor Greg Abbott’s shut-down order. According to our news partner KETK, Melissa Lynn Kelly, owner of Outlaws bar in Longview, defied that order and kept her establishment open. “I have to pay my bills, so that means I have to open,” Kelly says her next step is to fight the suspension, “I’m not just going to lay down and take this. Governor Abbott has got everybody in Texas thinking that we have this dirty little bar where COVID is hiding and that’s not true at all. I have posted a Facebook post inviting the Governor Abbott to come to my bar, check it out. TABC has been there five times since I reopened and they have not found one thing that I’ve not complied with.”

EAST TEXAS — Early voting started on Monday and will run through July 10. The primaries were originally scheduled for May, but Governor Abbott delayed them until July because of the coronavirus. Abbott also doubled the length of the early voting period for the July primary runoff elections in a move to aimed at easing crowds at the polls during the pandemic. According to our news partner KETK, on July 14, Texas will hold its 2020 runoff elections to decide the final spots for Democrats and Republicans on the November general election ballot. There are 35 congressional, legislative and state board nominations up for grabs. Continue reading Early voting starts underway for the primary runoff in Texas

GILMER — The East Texas Yamboree Association has announced that this year’s Yamboree festival has been called off. According to their face book page:”It is with our greatest regret, that we inform you the Yamboree Firework Show and the 83rd East Texas Yamboree have been canceled for 2020. This decision comes after much deliberation from The City of Gilmer and Upshur County COVID-19 Committee. Public safety is everyone’s foremost concern. We wish each of you a safe and healthy 4th of July celebration, and look forward to planning the 84th East Texas Yamboree.”

EAST TEXAS — NET Health has issued information on several sites hosting testing for COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, walk-up tests do not require registration or an appointment, and anyone can be tested, even if they are not symptomatic. Participants must have access to a telephone as results will be delivered by telephone call or message. Face masks also are required. Test locations include: Continue reading COVID-19 testing in East Texas

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for suspects involved in stolen ATM from Southside Bank on Three Lakes Parkway. According to a news release, officers were responding to a bank alarm when they discovered the ATM had been stolen. The money machine was found a short time later in the roadway at Three Lakes and Highlands Lane. The suspect’s vehicle, a white dump truck, was located off the roadway on Highlands Lane.

LONGVIEW — Starting this October Amtrak will reduce service on its Texas Eagle route through Longview and on other long-distance trains to three times a week. The line currently runs daily through the city, but Amtrak said in a release to KTBB on Friday, “the railway has had significant fall-off with ridership during the coronavirus outbreak. The changes are intended to go into effect Oct. 1 and stay in place until at least the summer of 2021. Amtrak did leave open the possibility that daily service could be restored if demand improves along its long-distance routes.

TYLER — The Faulkner Tennis Center had a staff member test positive for COVID-19, prompting the facilities closure. According to our news partner KETK, facilities will be closed until July 11. For more information, you can contact the Tyler Parks and Rec Department at (903)531-1370.

TYLER — The NET Health Board of Directors has voted unanimously in favor of a mask requirement for Smith County and the City of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the order calls for people age two and over to wear a face covering unless they have a medical condition that exempts them, which must be documented by a physician. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he does not plan to issue any orders requiring residents to wear masks in public. “I encourage individuals and businesses to make healthy choices in their daily practices and routines…There is still no need for fear. Our community strength, response and readiness is second to none,” said Moran. While the mask requirement is recommended by NET Health, it will be up to city and county officials to develop, enact, and enforce the mandate.

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival in Tyler has been canceled for 2020, according to Liz Ballard, Executive Director and Museum Curator at the Texas Rose Festival Association & Tyler Rose Museum. According to our news partner KETK, the festival is expected to return in 2021, but there will be no events in 2020, which would have been the 87th year. Anna Grace Hallmark was crowned this year’s queen in January. Ballard says Hallmark and her court will reign for another year. Continue reading 2020 Rose Festival Cancelled

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert spoke on the House Floor regarding H.R. 51 – Washington, DC Admission Act Friday morning, a bill spearheaded by House Democrats. “It’s amazing to hear people that have been trained in the Constitution disregard it so, but we’re taught at law school the ability to rationalize absolutely anything.” The District One Congressman then told KTBB, “It’s so disingenious they know it’s unconstitutional, but they stand up and argue these things anyway. And not one of them has every been willing to co-sponsor my bill to stop the unfair federal income tax, to the citizens of D.C. That is what should be done, it is so outrageous what they are doing.” Continue reading Gohmert takes on HR51

LONGVIEW — Free COVID-19 testing continues to ramp up in East Texas. On Thursday, Longview announced multiple sites and times that will begin next Tuesday and go through July 7th. Walk-up testing will happen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with no appointment required and no pre-screening will be conducted. The tests will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those being tested are asked to provide a phone number where they can be reached with results. Continue reading Free coronavirus test announced for next week in Longview

TYLER — The Village Bakery in Tyler has temporarily closed their doors following a positive coronavirus test. The bakehouse has been a Rose City mainstay for over 70 years, but will temporarily close after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. According to the sweet shops social media page, they are taking action steps to have all employees tested and the bakery professionally cleaned. They will not reopen until all of the test results are back, and they can do so safely.

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo reopened in May, but had limited certain aspects of the park. According to our news partner KETK, the Reptile House has made its return, featuring a new member of the family, ‘Ana the Anaconda.’ Even after reopening, all exhibits were restricted due to social distancing guidelines in enclosed spaces. Guests can now have an up-close view of the newest resident, that weighs in at nearly 70 pounds and is 12 feet in length. For more modifications on the zoo located in Tyler, click the link. https://caldwellzoo.org/.

TYLER — The Tyler Senior Center has closed a second time due to COVID-19. Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB why the center did not open on Thursday. “Monday when we reopened, we found out that the cases in Tyler and Smith County were just going up rapidly. The numbers were just to shocking for us to not do anything. So we decided yesterday afternoon that we would close the Senior Center until further notice.” Continue reading Tyler Senior Center closes due to coronavirus surge

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank has set a restart for its farmers-market style produce distributions. ETFB’s Lauren Barnes told KTBB, “The give-a-ways will start on Friday, and we will continue those distributions the first and third Friday of every month, with the exception of July 3rd for the holiday, from 10 to 12 as well.” The allotments are given out on a first-come first-served basis. Continue reading ETFB starts Farmers-Market style produce distributions Friday

TYLER — The TEA says an increase in COVID-19 cases has forced a delay in final recommendations for the start of school in the fall. TISD Superintendent Marty Crawford, told our news partner KETK, “We are certainly not going to be reckless about it, but I am certainly excited to get back to in-school learning.” Dr. Crawford went on to say, “We are going to make sure we are doing what we can to appropriately distance away from each other, a lot of hand-washing, a lot of re-enforcement day to day about whenever you do sneeze, or cough, were you to do that, into your elbow, wearing masks.”

TYLER — Let’s Talk Tyler will offer a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday. Dr. Pamela Phoenix told KTBB on Wednesday, “This week our focus will be on Millennials. We want to sit down and have a chat and get an understanding from their generations perspective about race and the generational gap between the Millennials and the Baby Boomers, the Millennials and Generation C, Generation D and the Baby Boomers and every other generation twixt in between.” Continue reading Let’s Talk Tyler plans virtual meeting for Thursday night

TYLER — The Foundry Coffee House announced Tuesday, they would be temporarily closing after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus. According to our news partner KETK, the popular downtown Tyler coffee shop will be using the time to thoroughly clean the building. The establishment is expected to be closed at least on Wednesday, and will post to their social media with more information about when they will be reopening.

WASHINGTON — Congressman Louie Gohmert shared his thoughts on the Executive Order of President Trump to extend and expand the suspension of certain visas through the end of the year in an interview with Fox’s Lou Dobbs. On Tuesday night Gohmert said, “He’s [Sen. Graham] right when he says it’ll hurt the economy. It will hurt the economy of China, the economy of India – and it will be good for America’s economy. It will be good for the working people who are out of work. It will be good for those who have seen their wages stymied and stagnant over recent years when the Obama Administration was letting people pour in here…” Continue reading Gohmert on Trump’s Executive Order halting foreign worker Visas

ATHENS — The Athens ISD board of trustees has announced Dr. Janie Sims as the lone finalist for superintendent. The board released the decision early Wednesday morning on their social media page. Dr. Sims will be leading the district following the death of Mr. Blake Stiles, who died in May at the age of 45. Stiles had led AISD for 9 years. Sims has been with the district for 20 years and served in a variety of roles including Deputy Superintendent and most recently Acting Superintendent. Sims also brings 26 years of educational experience to the new role.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank will resume its farmers-market style produce distributions on Friday. The East Texas State Fairgrounds will host the disbursements from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The events will give free produce and fresh items, pending availability, on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no eligibility or ID requirements. Moving forward, the provision allotments will be held on the first and third Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the exception of July 3.

TYLER — A University of Texas at Tyler professor will assist in efforts to send humans back to the moon by 2024. Dr. M. A. Rafe Biswas, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has been named a 2020 NASA Faculty Glenn Fellow. Biswas will help build and design futuristic, renewable fuel cell systems to power spacecrafts for the proposed lunar missions. Biswas has served at U.T. Tyler since 2014.

TYLER — County Commissioner’s in Smith County voted Tuesday, to approve the sale of the third tranche of voter-approved road bonds at an historically low interest rate. The court noted in the release, they had received seven competitive bids. Specialized Public Finance Inc. bid general obligation bonds, and will net the county $7.75 million towards the third year of the first phase of the three-year bond package. Of the 7 bids received, Huntington Securities, Inc. won the bid at a true interest cost of 0.959 percent.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Historical Summer Lecture Series continues on Thursday. Larry Ferguson will speak on “The History of Texas Longhorn Cattle.” Organizers say the story starts in Europe and progressively ends with the cattle drives in the 1880’s. This free lecture will show the quality of the cattle and how they created a culture in society that is still growing. The series continues each Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at the Lacy Crain Exhibit Center, and is limited to 40 guests.

TYLER — The introductory draft of the Smith County Budget for the Fiscal Year 2021 seeks to lower the property tax rate from 34.5 cents per $100 valuation to 33.5 cents. On Tuesday, Judge Nathaniel Moran told KTBB, “You know these are extraordinary times with an economic downturn as a result of COVID-19, and we want to take extraordinary measures to hopefully provide some economic relief to property tax owners in Smith County.” Continue reading County Commissioners hold first fiscal year 2021 budget workshop includes proposal to lower tax rate