KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER, Texas (AP) – Southside Bancshares Inc. (SBSI) on Friday reported third-quarter profit of $19.8 million. The Tyler, Texas-based bank said it had earnings of 58 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $71.7 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $55.3 million, which missed Street forecasts. Southside Bancshares shares have increased slightly more than 9% since the beginning of the year. The stock has climbed 16% in the last 12 months.

TROUP — A much loved boxing coach by his students and the community of Troup died on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Shawn Vascocu was put into hospice care, after formerly being given the all clear from his fight with pancreatic cancer. Visitation will be held at Cottle Funeral Home in Troup, on Tuesday, from 6 pm-9 p.m. The funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Troup Wednesday at 2 p.m. Continue reading Troup Boxing Coach Dies After Battle With Cancer

TYLER — Gasoline prices are down across Texas, and Tyler is in the spotlight. Triple-A Texas says the statewide average fell four cents to $2.27. Spokesman Dan Armbruster says prices could wobble a bit in the near future as supplies trend to the downside. At $2.19, the cheapest gas in the state is found in Tyler and McAllen. Midland is on the high side at $2.46. Those prices are still about 30 cents lower than a year ago.

SMITH COUNTY — A Whitehouse man has been charged with DWI following a wreck involving an ambulance. Jose Martizez-Moran, 21, was arrested Thursday following a head-on collision with an ambulance. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened on Highway 31, just outside of Chandler. Martinez-Moran was driving in the wrong lane when he hit the ambulance, which was heading east. The driver of the ambulance and his partner were not seriously injured. Martinez-Moran was released from the Smith County Jail after posting bond. He was also arrested for DWI September 1, 2019.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Dylan Scott McClelland, 19. On Monday Dylan was last seen leaving his residence outside Jacksonville around 7:20 a.m. to go to work. He left in a Gray 2000 GMC step side (TXLP MGP6120), wearing white Nike shoes, blue jeans, and a white and blue hat. The hat has “Its Personal” on it. If you have any information on his location contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office 903-683-2271.

TYLER — Friday’s Paul Cauthen Concert has changed venues. The City of Tyler and Liberty Hall will host Paul Cauthen in concert at the Caldwell Auditorium, on S. College Ave. The event, originally scheduled for Bergfeld park will kick off at 6 p.m. food trucks and live music begins at 7:30 p.m. The Tylerite, Paul Cauthen, first earned his reputation as a fire-breathing truth-teller with the acclaimed roots-rock band Sons of Fathers. In 2016, he released his solo debut, My Gospel. Continue reading Venue Change for the Paul Cauthen Concert

TYLER — Smith County mailed 186,000 total property tax statements this week. The bills are due upon receipt, and must be walked in or postmarked by January 31, 2020, to avoid delinquency. Tax-Assessor Collector Gary Barber said if you have not received your property tax bill by the first week of November, you should contact the Smith County Tax Office at 903-590-2920. Continue reading Smith County Property Tax Statements Mailed

TYLER — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has been awarded a grant renewal in the amount of nearly $1.4 million. It was awarded to continue tuberculosis research in their biomedical research center. While less common in the United States, TB is still considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the world’s deadliest diseases. Serving as the principal investigator, Rama Vankayalapati, PhD, will continue to explore the human immune responses to the disease. Continue reading UTHSC at Tyler Receives $1.4 Million for Research

TYLER — The members of a committee who will guide The University of Texas System Board of Regents in its exploration for the next president of UT Medical Branch were announced Wednesday by Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. Kirk Calhoun, M.D., president of UT Health Science Center at Tyler, has been named a committee co-chair. The committee will offer recommendations on possible successors to David Callender, M.D., who stepped down in August to become president and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Health System. Ben Raimer, M.D., UTMB’s senior vice president for the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs, has been serving as interim president since then. Over the course of the next several months, the search advisory committee will consider potential candidates and make recommendations to the board, which will make the ultimate decision. Eltife is a former Tyler mayor and state senator.

KILGORE — According to our news partner KETK, Larry Wheeler was reported missing on October 18. If you’ve seen him or have any information on his whereabouts, contact Kilgore police or Greg County Crimestoppers. Refer to KPD Incident #1910-1145. Dectective Stephen Goodson with the Kilgroe PD. He can be reached at 903-218-6903 or by email at stephen.goodson@cityofkilgore.com. You may also contact the Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903 236 STOP or you can text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Longview man was found guilty on three counts of indecency with a child by exposure in Harrison County Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Nathanial Erwin Ferrell, 36, was accused of exposing himself on three occasions to a child who was 8 years old at the time of the offense. Ferrell was arrested in August of 2017 by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The jury convicted Ferrell after about an hour of deliberation and sentenced him to 10 years in state prison, which is the maximum term of confinement for this charge.

TYLER — A Tyler doctor has been arrested for illegally prescribing himself opioid pills. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, David Shafer, 59, was arrested October 14 by the Texas Department of Public Safety and is the second Tyler doctor to be arrested for illegally supplying opioids. Authorities allege Shafer had doctored himself with the opiods for the last 13 years. Investigators uncovered that Shafer had been writing prescriptions for Hydrocodone in his wife’s name since 2006, but had been taking them himself. Continue reading Doctor Arrested for Prescribing Himself for Past 13 Years

TYLER — Wednesday afternoon Smith County provided an update on a Balch Springs teen arrested in a recent Smith county incident involving a Homeowner. It began with an apparent attempted vehicle burglary. Kevon Taye McMiller – 17 of Balch Springs was arrested for the offense of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Bond for McMiller was set at $100,000. McMiller was previously treated and released from UT Health East Texas for a gunshot wound he sustained during the incident. This is an ongoing investigation with additional suspects, and more charges anticipated. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office will not be pursuing criminal charges against the homeowner in this case.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University invites the community to join the Tiger Family for Homecoming celebrations this week culminating on Friday and Saturday. The Tiger Family Carnival and Tailgate will be 10 am on Saturday morning offering bounce houses, games, and a free lunch. The Tiger Walk is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. ETBU hosts Howard Payne University at 2 p.m. The 2019 Homecoming Court is set to be announced during halftime festivities. For a full Homecoming schedule click the link. https://www.etbu.edu/info-for/alumni/homecoming

TYLER — Smith County leaders are preparing plans for a downtown makeover. According to our news partner KETK, they’re hoping a grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation will help them get there. City administrators are trying to breathe new life into the town center with a project including safe transportation for bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. It would also update existing streets, parks, plaza’s, and open areas. If awarded, the federal grant will account for 80 percent of the total costs. The remaining balance would be provided by the County Seat Coalition.

TYLER — Retired Smith County Clerk Mary Morris was honored in Commissioners Court on Tuesday, after 45 years of service to the county. Ms. Morris became the first female to be elected as county clerk in 1979 and was re-elected every election cycle until she retired in 1998. She began working for the office as deputy county clerk in 1953. The Commissioners Court approved a resolution proclaiming October 22, as “Mary Morris Day” in Smith County. Continue reading Smith County Honors Former County Clerk

LONGVIEW — Texas Bank and Trust is alerting its customers of a scam that has been making its way around East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, reports have been made to the bank that fraudulent text messages are being sent to customers saying that their debit card is locked and asks you to call a number to fix it. The number then asks you to enter your card number and PIN. Texas Bank and Trust said they will “NEVER ask you to enter your card number and PIN!” Continue reading Bank Card Scam Asking for Number and Pin

WHITE OAK — The White Oak Police Department is encouraging community members to take a look at their bank accounts. According to our news partner KETK, White Oak Police discovered a card skimmer locally on a gas pump. If you have purchased gas at North Oak Grocery, they urge you to double check your records. The skimmer was located on pump number 3 at North Oak Grocery of the convenience store on East George Richey Road.

TYLER — Major road construction is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, that will shut down through traffic on East Commerce Street between North McMurrey Drive and North Fleishel Avenue. Motorists can expect traffic delays of 5 to 15 minutes. Drivers should prepare for one-way traffic and a rough roadway in the work zone. The construction is expected to run until November 29th. The road will be opened to residents and businesses in the area.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District has hired a new assistant superintendent. According to our news partner KETK, Stuart Bird was approved by the board on Monday night. Bird is the former superintendent of Troup ISD. He left the school in 2018. Bird will succeed Rawly Sanchez, who stepped down earlier this month. No explanation has been given for his resignation.

TATUM — The on-going Dress Code case has been happening since August has taken a new turn. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday Tatum ISD School Board Members decided that 2 expelled elementary students would not be allowed back in school unless they cut their hair. Legal guardians of the children say the dress code discriminates against race and gender. Legal counsel for the student’s family says the next step is to take it to the court, with an emphasis on discrimination.

TYLER — An East Texas woman has been on a kidney donor list for over 5 years. According to our news partner KETK, Jane Ann Morrison is a Tyler resident that drives a red car with a sticker covering the back glass reading “Kidney donor needed ASAP please call (903) 530-5400.” Morrison is on dialysis to support her kidney’s 14 percent function, spending around 15 hours a week hooked to a machine. Continue reading Tyler Woman Needs Kidney Transplant

TYLER — “How Do You Know,” is an informational program on dementia that will be presented on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Luanne Harms, LMSW, Director of Client Services for the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, will make the presentation to answer several questions regarding Dementia/Alzheimer, including: Who can get this disease? What do you know? When is the right time? Continue reading Smith County Alzheimer’s Alliance to Present Free Informational Program

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s office was searching for an “object” at Lake Tyler East on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a team of Smith County assembled just off of Highway 64. A dive team was deployed to help aid in that search. It was not clear what authorities are looking to discover. The focus of the search appears to centers around the boat ramp, just off the highway. Information is limited at this time, but this is not the first time they have been out looking for the “object.” A joint investigation with federal and local officials is part of this ongoing investigation.

TYLER — The “Healing Through Horsemanship” Luncheon announced on Monday that Taya Kyle, New York Times bestselling author and wife of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, is coming to Tyler. Kyle will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural event benefiting the Windridge – Tyler Therapeutic Equestrian Center. The luncheon is scheduled for November 21 at 11:30 am at the Crosswalk at Green Acres Baptist Church. Founded in 1988, Windridge has a therapeutic riding center in Diana near Longview and a small facility in Tyler. With many on the waiting list, plans are underway to build a larger facility in Tyler, with land recently purchased near Lake Tyler.

SMITH COUNTY — On Monday, a settlement was announced for two Ohio counties set to go to trial this week. Ongoing dialogue continues relating to other pending cases. Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr was on hand last Friday, at a settlement conference in Cleveland. Commissioner Warr had the opportunity to represent small and mid-sized Texas counties. Smith County is actively involved in helping reach a settlement. Continue reading Smith County Commissioner Represented Texas Counties in Opioid Lawsuit Hearing

ANDERSON COUNTY — We now know the identity of a man accused of shooting an Anderson County Deputy following 2 different gun battles over the weekend. On Monday the Texas Rangers released the identity of Terry Lee Countryman. Countryman was fatally shot in connection with the shooting of Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Colman. Coleman, is recovering in the hospital following a surgery to save his life. Our news partner KETK, says Countryman’s past is littered with arrests in multiple states. Continue reading Identity Released of Suspect in Anderson County Deputy Shooting

WILLS POINT — The National Weather Service confirmed on Monday that an EF-0 tornado touched down near Wills Point Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, the NWS estimated the Wills Point Tornado had wind speeds of 80 miles per hour. Van Zandt was one of five East Texas counties that were involved in a disaster declaration issued by Gov. Abbott. Members of the Shreveport office will be surveying Rusk and Panola counties for additional damage.

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 5 years in prison on Monday for selling child porn over Facebook. According to our news partner KETK, Andrew Armstrong, 27, was charged in May following a year-long investigation by Tyler police. The look into Armstrong started after a facebook tip showed that he sent a user child porn that he requested through his account. One of the victims in the images he sent was as young as eight years old. Armstrong, could have received up to 20 years.

TYLER — The City of Tyler started its disinfection process to free chlorine on Monday. The run time goes through Nov. 18. Officials do not expect any noticeable changes in water quality as a result of the temporary conversion. However, some individuals may notice taste and odor changes and a slight discoloration to the water. The city will convert from chloramines back to free chlorine. This is a very routine practice industry wide. Tyler began using this process for annual, routine maintenance in October 2014.