KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — On Friday, Jenny Wells told KTBB, “there are eight confirmed COVID-19 cases in Smith County as of noon today, and evidence of community spread has been found.” There are no COVID-19 related fatalities within Smith County as of noon Friday. Wells continued, “the Joint Information Center of Smith County is urging the public to contact their healthcare provider prior to visiting hospitals or emergency rooms for treatment. It is very important to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus that all potential patients are screened so healthcare providers can to prepare for their arrival, and not be exposed and taken out of the field because they are greatly needed.” #SpreadFactsNotFear http://www.MyNETHealth.org/Coronavirus. Continue reading “Evidence of Community Spread” 8 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Smith County

TYLER — Smith County Public Information Officer Larry Christian told KTBB on Friday, “No one was injured during the ATF’s controlled detonation on Thursday evening.” This came about after Smith County Deputies acted in response to a call from an individual cleaning out a vacant house in the Chapel Hill area. Materials in a shed were recognized as explosives. Investigators notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Continue reading ATF Performs Controlled Detonation

LONGVIEW — A car wreck Thursday afternoon on East Loop 281 in Longview, has killed a local pastor, known all over the country. Rev. Glynn Stone, the senior pastor of the Mobberly Baptist Church came to Longview in 2007. According to our news partner KETK, Pastor Stone was pronounced dead at around 5:15 p.m. Thursday at Longview Regional Medical Center. Stone was the only occupant in the one vehicle accident. Almost 7,000 people are members of Mobberly Baptist. About 2,600 people attend the church’s six morning worship services, which are offered in three languages.

MARSHALL — On Friday the city of Marshall released a preventative maintenance standard with many the war of germ free against COVID-19. The city verbalized the following statement. “During this time of heightened usage of disinfectant, anti-bacterial wipes, and personal hygiene wipes, please be reminded that the City of Marshall sewer lines cannot process many of these items. The following items are often found to be the cause of stoppages in the City sewer lines and should NEVER be disposed of by flushing into the Sanitary Sewer Collection system.” Continue reading Public Works Safeguards for City of Marshall

TYLER — In the middle of quarantine concerns, residents are putting grocers to the test. Nearly 14,000 employees will receive a “thank you” bonus of appreciation from their employer Brookshire Grocery Company of Tyler. The company says they wanted to recognize the great energy and efforts of service during the COVID-19 crisis. Brookshire’s has opened a hiring center on Rice Rd. to help with increased shoppers.

BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro ISD announced on Thursday that they will be closed through April 3rd to support the community and health care professionals in containing the spread of the coronavirus. Additionally, all extracurricular activities, practices and athletic events are suspended while the school is closed. The district is working to provide review materials, as well as online support. Grab and go meals for students begins next Tuesday. More information will be posted on the district webpage at http://www.gobearsgo.net.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System have issued a joint statement regarding elective surgeries in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The statement reads as follows:

As the demands of the current COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve in our community, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System and UT Health East Texas want to keep our East Texas communities informed about our approach to elective procedures and “non-essential” procedures. Continue reading Joint Hospital Statement in Response to COVID-19

ATHENS — Henderson County and the city of Athens have declared a “local disaster” after tension over the coronavirus spreading in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, until further notice, Athens has closed City Hall, Athens Partnership Center, Development Services Center (restricted to lobby) and Athens Police Department. (restricted to lobby) Henderson County has closed several facilities to the public, including the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library & County buildings.

TYLER — TJC has announced plans for students in support of Gov. Abbott’s executive order and State of Texas directive to close schools from midnight Friday, March 20, through Friday, April 3.

For continuity the College announces the following plans:

– Online 2nd 8-week and Healthcare Technology Medical Systems courses will continue as planned.
– Online 16- and 12-week courses will resume as planned on Monday, March 23.
– All face-to-face and hybrid courses will be converted to an online format for the time being with a tentative return to campus on April 6. Students will be receiving communications from their instructors with further details. Continue reading TJC Update to Students and Communities

TYLER — With Governor Greg Abbott’s executive order issued on Thursday, Tyler ISD will be closing school facilities through April 3 to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Although the order closes campus facilities to students and non-essential staff, the District’s mission to educate students will continue during this Community Mitigation Period. A Video message from TISD Superintendent Dr.Marty Crawford is available by clicking the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOqgOcjtDgY&t=38s. Continue reading TISD follows Governor’s Executive Order to Close School Facilities Thru April 3

LONGVIEW — Longview’s Buckner Westminster Place has updated its visitation policy in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. You can go to https://www.buckner.org/coronavirus-blog/buckner-retirement-services-updates-limited-access-visitation-policy to get all the details.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth announced new procedures in the daily operation of the City of Marshall Police Department Animal Control and Shelter. In response to the COVID-19 threat and with hopes to reduce exposure, the following procedures will be followed from March 19, 2020 to April 15, 2020.

• No visitors or tours will be granted at any time.

• Intake will be curb side only from Monday-Friday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. by appointment only. Please call (903) 935-4530 to schedule an appointment. Continue reading Marshall Animal Control Center & Shelter New Procedures

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University is functioning in accordance with Governor Abbott’s executive order given on Thursday. Only vitally important employees should be working from their University offices or workstations. All other employees should be working from home until further notice. All recommended safety practices are currently being implemented on the residential campus. To see the complete statement from the University, click the link. https://www.letu.edu/coronavirus.html.

TYLER — H-E-B has donated $40,000 to the East Texas Food Bank to support its response to COVID-19. The gift will be able to provide up to 320,000 meals for the 1 in 5 East Texans facing hunger, according to food bank officials. In total, H-E-B is donating $3 million in response to COVID-19.

TYLER — On Thursday Northeast Texas Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “we don’t have a whole lot of cases of COVID-19 in our community that we are aware of. However, this is a very infectious disease, and if it starts spreading it could be to the point that it would overwhelm the health care system. That is not what we want, that is why we are asking people to stay back, stay at home, get out for essential services only and go to work only if you have to, or work from home. That’s what we are trying to do, we are asking people to practice social distancing, along with the idea of wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if you are sick and stay away from sick people.” Continue reading How Community Can Help Decrease Corona Virus

AUSTIN (AP) – A Texas appeals court has delayed the execution of a second death row inmate as the state tries to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday ordered a 60-day delay of Tracy Beatty’s scheduled March 25 execution in “light of the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address that emergency.” Beatty, of Whitehouse, was set to die for the 2003 slaying of his 62-year-old mother. The court noted it previously upheld his conviction and sentence. The court on Monday ordered a similar delay for John William Hummel’s scheduled execution on Wednesday.

HARRISON COUNTY – One is dead following a fatal crash Thursday morning on FM-2625 in Harrison County. D.P.S. investigators preliminary crash report indicates that the driver, David Lee Ogle, 46, of Marshall was traveling westbound when the vehicle ran off the road, traveled through a fence and rolled over in a pasture. Ogle was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — On Thursday Jenny Wells told KTBB that the Smith County Joint Information Center is urging residents to call ahead, “We are asking the public to contact their healthcare provider prior to visiting hospitals or emergency rooms for treatment. It is very important to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus that all potential patients are screened so healthcare providers can to prepare for their arrival.” There are No new COVID-19 cases reported and to date No COVID-19 related fatalities have happened within Smith County as of Thursday, March 19 at 12 p.m. There are 5 Confirmed cases within the county. Continue reading Thursday Update on COVID-19 in Smith County

MARSHALL –A City of Marshall Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday evening has been cancelled. According to a press release to KTBB, the cancellation comes on the heels of recommendations by the CDC to cancel gatherings of 10 people or more. Marshall Mayor Terri Brown said in the release, “this action is intended to give staff the time in which to implement provisions for remote attendance permitted by Governor Abbott’s temporary suspension of certain provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act.”

TYLER — The Azalea Orthopedics All-Star Basketball Games are canceled due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The annual girls and boys high school basketball games, features East Texas High School seniors with proceeds from the 2 games and concessions benefiting the Bethesda Health Clinic. Anthony Brooks said, “We are in the midst of challenging times, and unfortunately, this pandemic has deprived many high school seniors the opportunity to finish out a normal school year.” Continue reading Azalea Honors Players Despite Cancellation

TYLER — Visit Tyler in conjunction with the City of Tyler canceled the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail Ribbon Cutting that was set for Friday. On Thursday, Susan Travis told KTBB that although the ribbon cutting festivities are not happening, people are still encouraged to enjoy the splendor of it all without harm, “Yes drive through the trails, see the beauty of the Azaleas and the homes from the safety of your car. You don’t have to worry about coming in contact with anyone.” Continue reading Azalea Trails Cancels Ribbon Cutting

TYLER — On Thursday UT Tyler President Dr. Michael Tidwell told KTBB that the university has taken a number of precautionary measures in response to COVID-19 including moving all classes online. “We have taken a number of steps to ensure the welfare of our students, staff and faculty, maybe the most important is moving all of our courses online for the remainder of the semester. We already have a large amount of courses in our portfolio available, but now we are moving all of our courses online for the remainder of the semester.” Continue reading U.T. Tyler Makes Various Moves in Response to COVID-19

CANTON — Canton ISD will be closed from Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, according to a statement from the school district. Along with numerous other educational entities nationwide, CISD is taking precautions for the COVID-19 virus. You can go to https://www.cantonisd.net/ for further details.

LONGVIEW — City of Longview offices are still operating, but have moved to limited public access to help ensure the health of citizens, according to a city news release. Additionally, some facilities have closed to the public. The city offers many online services. If your business requires you to visit a facility in person, you’re asked check in advance if the facility is open to the public, practice good hygiene habits, and maintain a respectful space from city staff or other residents. Currently there is no change to the sanitation/recycling schedule. You can go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2518 for more details.

TYLER – In response to COVID-19 concerns, Simon Property Group is closing all malls including the Broadway Square Mall in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, all properties will be closed as of 7 p.m. Wednesday and will stay shut down until Sunday, March 29. “The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers, and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said David Simon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Simon in a press statement. The Broadway Square Mall has 80 stores including Dillard’s, JCPenny, Victoria’s Secret, and Dick’s Sporting Good which opened in late February.

TYLER — No new COVID-19 cases or COVID-19 related fatalities within Smith County as of Wednesday, March 18 at 12 p.m. There are 5 confirmed cases in Smith County. Judge Nathaniel Moran of Smith County has approved an emergency declaration. There have been no restrictions placed on private businesses at this time. City of Tyler facilities remain closed to public access through April 1. Continue reading Smith County Daily Update on COVID-19

TYLER — Brookshires Grocery Company announced Wednesday that they will be offering discounts of 5% to seniors over the next 6 weeks. According to our news partner KETK, BGC is also asking patrons to allow the first hour of operation to be reserved for seniors during the coronavirus outbreak. The discount will be active through May 5th. Many stores, including Brookshire’s, have altered their service hours due to the coronavirus to allow time for disinfection and for restocking.

TYLER — The 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence, were canceled in the interest of public health, but were conducted online Tuesday. A total of 7 winners were announced for the 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence. This year, BBB received 17,000 votes. “Although we weren’t able to celebrate with our guests in person,” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. Continue reading 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence Awarded Online