KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GRAND SALINE — Grand Saline ISD has made the decision to close their doors due to a flu outbreak. According to our news partner KETK, classes have been cancelled for Thursday and Friday so the custodial team can conduct a thorough cleaning of all classes on each campus. Students were already scheduled to be off on Monday for a staff development day. Classes are scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

TYLER — On Wednesday, leaders from the Flint neighborhoods surrounding the proposed concrete batch plant met with owners of Tycon Ready Mix. The meeting was hosted by Rep. Matt Schaefer, and attended by Sen. Bryan Hughes, Smith County Judge Moran, and Commissioner Jeff Warr. The meeting consisted of dialogue over concerns raised by numerous residents. Continue reading State Rep Weighs In on Proposed Concrete Plant in Flint

WHITEHOUSE — The on-going rain this week has taken its toll on not only on roads but on lake boat ramps as well. According to Tyler city officials, Lake Tyler has closed their boat ramps to the public along with those roads, until further notice. The lake is currently at an elevation of 376 feet MSL and are continuing to rise, according to the City of Tyler Utilities. Spillway elevation is at 375.5 feet MSL. Ramps are being closed due to hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by recent rains and to reduce damage resulting from shoreline erosion. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents.

ATHENS — A Henderson County Jailer has been dismissed and arrested for sexual assault. On Wednesday Sheriff Botie Hillhouse told KTBB, “a Henderson county inmate informed a Detention Officer that she had been assaulted by Rashaan Miller who was a jailer here at the Henderson County Sheriffs Office working inside the jail.” Hillhouse said the incident happened on Tuesday evening, “I immediately contacted the Texas Rangers and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office to conduct an investigation that we assisted with.” Continue reading E TX Jailer Fired After Inmate Claims Sexual Assault

LONGVIEW — The mass emergency notification system for the City of Longview is changing, and residents that want to stay informed of severe weather and emergency situations impacting the area, will need to sign up. On Saturday the city will replace the formerly used CodeRED system and begin using Smart911 by RAVE Mobile Safety. If residents had an account in the old system they will need to create a new account through Smart911. Continue reading Longview Invites Residents to Opt-In for Alerts

TYLER — Less than a week after The University of Texas Sysem’s announced plans to build a medical school in East Texas, UTHSC at Tyler received an unprecedented commitment from the East Texas Medical Center Foundation. The ETMC Foundation announced Wednesday their intentions to help fund the project to the tune of $80 million. Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun told KTBB, “the gift is monumental. A gift of this magnitude to launch a new medical school in East Texas, public or private school, is unprecedented. It’s certainly the largest that we can identify.” Elam Swann, chairman of the East Texas Medical Center Foundation said, “The Foundation board is is honored to make this essential investment in our community.” Continue reading Record $80 Million Gift from ETMC Foundation for Proposed New Medical School in Tyler

LONGVIEW — The general election for the city of Longview City Council Districts 3 and 4 is scheduled for May 2. Candidates must file an application for a place on the ballot until this Friday. Candidates can file during normal office hours in the City Secretary’s office, inside City Hall, on Cotton St. As of Tuesday, Council District 3 has 2 candidates on the ballot, Wray M. Wade, and Darrin Rudy Rudolph. In Council District 4 Kristen Ishihara has filed. For more details click the link https://www.longviewtexas.gov/ or contact the City Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1081.

TYLER — The Texas Minority Coalition is excited about honoring Law Enforcement in a practical and tangible way. The Coalition will host a Law Enforcement Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday at Reformation House Of Prayer on Clinic Drive at 8:00am. The event will include prayer for law enforcement personnel and a continental breakfast. The Texas Minority Coalition would like to show their appreciation for Law Enforcement and their families. Organizers are inviting all Police, Sheriff and Security Forces. Continue reading Texas Minority Coalition to Host Law Enforcement Breakfast

LONGVIEW — Ashley Bridwell was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called Cystinosis when she was just 16-months-old. Since Bridewll was 2 years old, she has had to take 75 pills every day to maintain her health. According to our news partner KETK, recently she’s been waiting for a kidney match and a conversation at her mailbox is where she found a miracle. Ronnie Cox has been Bridwell’s neighbor for almost 2 decades, and now they will share an even bigger bond as he prepares to donate a kidney to Bridewell. Cox is a truck driver and will not be able to work during the transition, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help. You can donate by clicking the link. https://www.gofundme.com/f/living-kidney-donor-for-neighbor

KILGORE — Kilgore College is accepting applications until Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. for one board appointment to fill the vacant seat of Karol Pruett who is retiring from board service. Pruett appears for the Central Zone, Voting Unit No. 3, Place 3, Central Zone. The regular election will be held for that seat in May 2021. Voting Unit No. 3 includes Kilgore Independent School District. Continue reading Applications Being Accepted for Vacant Trustees Seat

EAST TEXAS — The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have released the latest rankings for hospital quality and safety ratings. According to our news partner KETK, several factors impact the rankings: how often patients get infections after a surgery, how long an emergency room wait time is before seeing a doctor or nurse, and more. Despite the ratings, reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid are not affected. A list of hospitals and rankings is available on the next page. Continue reading Latest Federal Rankings of East Texas Hospitals Released

PALESTINE — A man will spend the rest of his life in prison for setting a woman on fire during a robbery at a store in Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, Robert Thompson pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and arson charges on Monday and a jury sentenced him to life in prison. Thompson went into the Pit Stop on Link St. last February, pulled a gun, and tied up the female cashier, Linda Camire. A frequent patron of the store, Della Witt-Denizeri, came in during the robbery, he tied her up as well behind the counter. Continue reading Life for Man who Robbed Store and Set Victim on Fire

TYLER — Award Winning creator, host, and executive producer of “The Daytripper” Chet Garner, will feature Tyler on the television show this Saturday. On Tuesday, Holli Fourniquet told KTBB,”each year travelers to Tyler spend almost $300 million in the community.” The Vice-President of Marketing Visit Tyler continued, “they spend money at our hotels, spend money shopping, go to gas stations, they will go to our restraunts, and all of that money stays right here in our economy. It helps the every day resident here by keeping our economy thriving, and growing year after year.” Continue reading The Daytripper to Feature Tyler this Saturday

VAN — The I-20 East Texas town of Van will be hosting their inaugural Mardi Gras themed festival “VANDI GRAS” on Feb. 29th. The family event will take place on Saturday, February 29. A parade will kick off the day’s activities at 2 p.m. that will be complete with bead tossing floats and children’s bike section. The parade will end at the Van Community Baseball park where the afternoon festival will take place. The fun includes live local music, followed by the event headliner, the George Strait Tribute Band. Continue reading Van to Bring Mardi Gras to Van Zandt County

TYLER — On Monday The Junior League of Tyler revealed their 2020 Mistletoe & Magic theme. “Joy to the World will be the 2020 theme.” Mistletoe & Magic’s Susanne Mackintosh told KTBB, “this years 3 day event will be December 2 through December 5th.” The Chairwoman continued, “I think the efforts are immeausrable, I want to encourage the women to serve with joy, because when we serve with joy, not only is our community and those around us better, but I truly think and feel we receive more joy in giving than anything else.” Continue reading Mistletoe and Magic Reveals 2020 Theme and Dates

ATHENS — A pre-trial hearing was held on Monday in the case of an Athens ISD bus driver charged for the death of a an Athens student after a bus and train crashed last year. According to our news partner KETK, the bus driver, John Stevens, 79 is charged with criminally negligent homicide, and injury to a child. Stevens pled not guilty last summer. Stevens defense team said Monday, that the “black box” on the train shows that the train was speeding through the city limits of Athens when the accident happened. Continue reading Defense: “Black Box Shows Train Speeding Before Bus Crash”

TYLER — Smith County is getting a new mass notification system that will alert the public in times of local emergencies or disasters. The Smart 911 system will simultaneously send out texts, emails and telephone calls in both English and Spanish. Smith County residents who were signed up for the old notification system, CodeRED, may have received text messages or emails notifying them that their CodeRED service will expire on February 15. They are being asked to sign up for the new Smart 911 emergency alert system at http://rave.smithtx.co. Continue reading Smith County Urges Citizens to Sign Up for Mass Notification System

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of drugging and raping a former John Tyler Student in 2009 has plead guilty. The former high school sports official, Robert Robinson, 63, plead gulity on Monday in the 114th District Court of Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, the victim became pregnant from the rape and she gave birth to a daughter. An investigation began in June of last year after Child Protective Services received a tip. Robinson will be sentenced on March 6. Continue reading Former Sports Official Pleads Guilty to Drugging and Raping Former Student

BULLARD — The Brook Hill School in Bullard celebrated their upgraded baseball facilities on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, festivities included past players and community leaders along with school officials that cut a ribbon to commemorate the new turf made possible by a donor. The celebration included the staple for any baseball related gala, hot dogs, as well as balloons, body art, and a bounce house for the kids. Brook Hill Athletic Director Wally Dawkins said, “This is just a huge event for us. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. We’re really glad it’s here.” Continue reading Day of Celebration at Brook Hill

TYLER — Witnesses have been sworn in, in a hearing on Monday for a Tyler man who is charged with threatening to shoot up a Tyler Wal-Mart. According to our news partner KETK, Trumaine Washington, 31, is requesting a bench trial in front of a judge instead of facing a jury. The incident in question took place days after the El Paso massacre that killed 22. Washington is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Jack Skeen of the 241st District court told witnesses not to speak to any one about their testimony. The trial begins February 24th.

TYLER — Expectations are for high for Valentines week, but Michael Roth with Kiepersol told KTBB they are ready to save the day since, “their goal is to make every visit memorable, and the week of Valentines is no different.” Roth continued, “The Vineyard is always a hit, with so many options. Our Vodka is made with our very own grapes, as well as we source a lot of our crops for our spirits right here in East Texas. We make cocktails, we make wines, we have meats and cheeses, and it’s just a good time to come and watch the sunset every night.” For more information, click the link. https://kiepersol.com/.

TYLER — More than one thousand cyclists are expected to pedal their way through the downtown brick streets of Tyler as the largest cycling event in East Texas returns the 2nd Saturday in March. The Tyler Bicycle Club presented the routes over the weekend. The Bicycle Tour features three routes of 26, 43 and 62 miles on March 14. The name of the tour, Beauty and the Beast, is a nod to a beautiful bike ride in the rolling hills of east Texas, with the “Beast” being the hill on Old Omen Road leaving Lake Tyler. Participants that “slay the Beast” & pedal to the top of the hill, earns a medal.

MANSFIELD, La. — It was a very rude awakening for country music star Neal McCoy Saturday morning. His tour bus caught fire around 6:30 in Mansfield, Louisiana. The East Texas-based performer was on his way to Alexandria, Louisiana, when the fire struck. The bottom line: his bus that he’s gone over a million miles on is gone — but everybody is OK.

TYLER — Here’s a look at TxDOT’s planned construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the week of February 10th. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to continue rehab operations on SH 64 at Arp. Edge work resumes on FM 16 between Lindale and Red Springs. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repairs on FM 2751 at the intersection of FM 1844. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/007-2020.html for a complete look at work around the district.

TYLER — Tyler police are researching gunshots that appear to have been fired at several homes Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the shots struck homes on West Mims Street at around 1 a.m. On the report of Tyler police, one of the bullets went through a room with two children sleeping inside. The children were unharmed.

CHEORKEE COUNTY — Multiple departments responded to a structure fire in Cherokee County on Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the fire was in the Shadybrook neighborhood on Randall Road, off FM 346. Multiple structures were reported to be involved. Responding Departments included Bullard, Noonday, North Cherokee County VFD, and others.

TYLER — The flu shot may not be perfect, but it’s still helpful, according to a Tyler-based authority. Vaccines protect against disease, but in some situations, vaccinated people can still get sick. Dr. David Lakey, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the University of Texas System, says the shot may not protect you completely. Every year the virus mutates, and scientists worldwide work together every year to predict the best strains to protect against. Continue reading Tyler-Based Health Authority Discusses Vaccine

TYLER — The City of Tyler Wasterwater Collection Department is scheduled to replace several sewer lines beginning Monday. The work is anticipated to run through Friday of this week. The project will impact 3 areas of the city and affect traffic flow while the contractors are working. The project will start on Monday, at W. Shaw Street and South Academy Avenue, while the intersection remains open, drivers should expect delays. Continue reading Sewer Line Replacement Begins Monday in Tyler

Kilgore College Theatre is preparing to present “Crazytown,” from Feb. 20 – Feb 23 in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. for a Thursday through Saturday, run matinee performance 2:30 p.m. on the 23. Discounted group tickets are available for parties of 10 or more. Theatre organizers, say the Jonathan Rand comedy is appropriate for all ages about a small town where things seem a bit backwards and upside down. Continue reading KC Theatre to Present ‘Crazytown’