KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The holiday season has arrived at the Center for Earth & Space Science Education at Tyler Junior College. Tuesday through Saturday, the center is presenting a variety of holiday related shows in the domed theater. You will learn about the Mystery of the Christmas Star. There is also a “Season of Light,” which recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice. There is even a Laser Holiday show which features a mix of everyone’s favorite holiday music set to fantastic laser artwork. Theater seating is limited, and it is recommended that tickets are purchased in advance on line at http://sciencecenter.tjc.edu or at the front counter. Continue reading Holiday Shows at TJC’s Science Center

TYLER – Someone in the Tyler area is a Texas Lottery winner. There were two winning tickets sold for the grand prize in Monday’s Texas Two Step drawing. The winning numbers are 7, 13, 26, 29 and the bonus ball is 6. One winning ticket was sold in Tyler at the Food Fast on University Boulevard. The other was sold in Lubbock. Both were quick picks. The grand prize was $225,000. That means, before taxes, each winner will receive $112,500, which will be paid out in a single, lump sum.

PALESTINE — A Palestine jury sentenced an East Texas man to 200 years in prison. Troy Mason was found guilty of owning and distributing over 1,500 child pornographic images. Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell said, “Well, it’s sad that in this day and age that we still have children that are being exploited in this way. There’s people out there like Mr. Mason that have a need — and, sadly, there’s other people out there that are willing to fulfill this need.” Mason still has an upcoming trial for continuous sexual abuse of a young child and other charges.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A homicide investigation is underway following a shooting in Henderson County Monday afternoon. Deputies responded to a residence on Woodridge West, near Chandler, just before 2:00. Beverly McBride, 17, was was found on a couch inside the home with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her father, Gabriel McBride, 46, was found on the living room floor. He had also been shot in the head and was airlifted to a Tyler hospital. He remains in critical condition. Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 903-675-5128.

TYLER – The investigation continues into the shooting death of Bennie Ray Jackson, 65, of Tyler. A neighbor found him unresponsive on the front porch of his home on West Barrett Street shortly before 1:45 Monday afternoon. It appears as if he died from a gunshot wound.

TYLER – The local Better Business Bureau President is now part of the organization’s international board of directors. Mechele Agbayani Mills, President|CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council of Better Business Bureaus, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Mills is one of twelve appointees to the national board. Mills has served as the local BBB President and CEO since 2009.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Christmas Parade, which was rescheduled from last week because of the weather, will take to the streets Tuesday night. Organizers say you should be prepared to see amazing floats, local celebrities, live performances, marching bands, equestrians, animated characters, giant balloons, and Santa. It is all part of the Longview AMBUCS Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 6:30pm at the intersection of Whaley and Green. It will then travel West on Whaley to Horaney, South on Horaney, turn left to go East on Methvin past the beautifully lit Gregg County Courthouse and past the reviewing stand in front of the Regions Bank Parking Lot. The parade will disband at Methvin and Third.

CHAPEL HILL – The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority is hosting a public workshop on Tuesday regarding the proposed extension of Toll 49. The Toll road currently runs from State Highway 110 to south and west of Tyler to Highway 69 north of Lindale. Now, they are looking at extending the toll road from Highway 110, between Tyler and Whitehouse, northward to Interstate Highway 20. At the come and go workshop session, you will learn about the project development process, provide route suggestions, and ask questions about the project. The workshop will run from 5:30 to 7:30pm, at the Chapel Hill High School.

TYLER – A Tyler business is the third quarter Beauty and Business Award winner, presented by Keep Tyler Beautiful. The award was presented to Pollard-Heines Property for their retail location on the corner of Beckham Avenue and Fifth Street. The public nominated the business for the award. The Keep Tyler Beautiful board selected the winner. The board especially liked the choice made by the property owner to plant native grasses and plants in their flower beds. The winner of the award is presented a certificate and yard sign from the Keep Tyler Beautiful Board.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is searching for a local man wanted on several felonies. Cody Keaton Kovarik, 26, Tyler, is wanted on one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, as well as numerous counts of felony evading. Anyone with information on Kovarik’s location is urged to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County homicide is under investigation. It was reported shortly after 9:30 Sunday morning in an apartment on County Road 382 in the northeastern part of the county. The victim’s name has yet to be released. We will have more information when it becomes available.

TYLER – Applications are now being accepted for Azalea Belle for next year’s l Azalea and Spring Flower Trail in Tyler. The opportunity is open to Smith County freshman and sophomore high school girls. They wear antebellum dresses throughout this three-weekend event, March 22 – April 7. They are used to promote Tyler, greet tourists, and pose for photographs. Applications are due January 30, 2019 and can be found online at http://www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail or at local high school counselor’s offices

LONGVIEW – Many people want to help the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center during the holidays, but are not in a position to adopt an animal. So, the center, and Longview PAWS, is offering another way that anyone can support their dogs and cats. You are invited to adopt Charlie, a stuffed dog, or Lucy, a stuffed cat. For a minimum $50 donation to Longview PAWS, you can take one of these adorable lovable stuffed animals home for Christmas. All of the proceeds will go directly to enriching the lives of the shelter animals.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of December 10. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repair operations on Farm Road 2015 at the junction of U.S. Highway 271. Crews will also conduct work on Farm Road 2908 just north of Farm Road 2767. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

LOS ANGELES – The Grammy Award nominations were released Friday morning. Two East Texas natives are on the list. Kacey Musgraves of Golden, Texas, received four nominations. Her album “Golden Hour” is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Country Album. A song she co-wrote, “Space Cowboy,” is nominated for Best Country song. She is also nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “Butterflies.” Also nominated is Lee Ann Womack of Jacksonville. She is nominated in the Best Americana Album category for “The Lonely, the Lonesome and the Gone.” We will find out if the win February 10th

MABANK – One person was killed and one injured in a three vehicle accident in Van Zandt County. It occurred around 10:00 Thursday night on State Highway 198, five miles north of Mabank. Killed was Isiah Robertson Jr., 69, of Garland. He played for the Rams and the Bills in the 70s and early 80s and was a former two-time All-Pro linebacker. He founded a drug treatment program in Mabank called the House of Isaiah. The DPS says he was traveling at an unsafe speed on the wet road when he lost control of his vehicle. The limo was hit by a pickup. The limo was then hit by an oncoming car. The pickup’s driver, Aron Keith Green, 37, of Ben Wheeler. suffered minor injuries

TYLER – There is a new head today at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals. He is Jason Proctor. He becomes president of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler. In his new role, he will assume administrative control of the three hospital facilities and will oversee their operation. He make to transition as president after serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the hospitals since 2016. Proctor has more than a decade of operational leadership experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit health care.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a woman accused of embezzlement. She is Holly Leann Elliott, 42. She is wanted for theft of property valued at $30,000, but less than $150,000. She is accused of embezzling over $100,000 from a local business. Elliott is described as being 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 115 pounds. She has blonde hair and brown eyes. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — Police are still trying to learn what led to the death of Tyler man. Just before 3:00 Friday morning, officers found Mario Nicolas Guzman, 32. He was found with a gunshot wound near a door of a residence on Summit Avenue. Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information about potential suspect(s) involved in this crime are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

TYLER – The Rotary Christmas Parade was held in downtown Tyler on November 29th. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tyler, South Tyler Rotary, and Sunrise Rotary. This year’s parade theme was, “Be the Inspiration.” Over 100 groups and individuals participated in this year’s parade. The winners selected in six categories were:
*Best Holiday Theme- At Home Healthcare
*Best Band – Tyler Junior College
*Brightest Entry – Hospitality Health ER
*Spirit Award – Vernon Rivers & Goldwings
*Most Creative – Kings Academy Christian School
*Best Decorated – Kindle Dental

TYLER – Tyler police have identified a suspect in a recent robbery. He is Gabriel Lamando Johnson, 41, of Flint. He is a suspect in the robbery of Razzoo’s, on South Broadway, that occurred on November 19. Investigators have obtained an arrest warrant for aggravated robbery and a bond was set at $1,000,000. Johnson has a lengthy criminal history and is currently out on parole. He is considered to be armed and dangerous. If you have any information, please contact any law enforcement agency or Tyler Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833 with your information.

LONGVIEW – Due to the weather forecast, the annual Longview Christmas Parade has been rescheduled to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 11. The Longview Fire Department color guard will lead off the parade. There are bands and floats, numerous organizations, over 100 entries in all. And, of course, Santa Claus will be on hand. The parade starts at the intersection of Whaley at Green streets, heads west on Whaley Street, turns south onto Horaney Street and then east onto Methvin Street before ending back at North Third Street. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages, but food trucks will be strategically located throughout the downtown area. Continue reading Area Christmas Parades Rescheduled

LINDALE – As the funeral for former president George Bush was being held, his Points of Light organization honored a family working with Mercy Ships, which is based in Garden Valley, in northwestern Smith County. According to a news release, Mercy Ships volunteer Dr. Gary Parker, his wife, Susan and their two children, of Seattle, received the Daily Point of Light Award. Dr. Parker is the chief medical officer abord the Africa Mercy. It is the world’s largest charity hospital ship. When Dr. Parker first volunteered, he thought it would be a 3 month task. Thirty one years later, Dr. Parker, and his wife, who he met on board, continue to provide help to those living without access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care. Continue reading A Point of Light Honor for a Mercy Ships Family

TROUP – The accident that killed a Troup man remains under investigation. Pronounced dead at the scene was Kevin Alexander Burleson, 37. The Department of Public Safety says his car was traveling at an unsafe speed when it left the road on a curve. The car went into a side way skid, hit a tree, and then rolled over. The accident occurred just before 4:45 Wednesday morning on County Road 2138, also known as Blackjack Road, four miles northwest of Troup.

TYLER – The 12th court of appeals in Tyler has upheld the conviction of a child predator from Cherokee County. In April of last year, Kevin Ray Morris Sr., of Jacksonville, was handed 11 life sentences. In addition to the life sentences stacked with 450 years in prison, the jury also assessed a $340,000 fine against Morris. Morris had been molesting, raping, and threatening numerous children who ranged in age from 4 to 16 for more than twenty years before being brought to justice. When he was sentenced, State District Judge Chris Day told him, “Mr. Morris, there is really no other way to put it, you are a monster.”

ATHENS — Some doctors in Texas say there’s a good and bad side to new pharmacy rules designed to prevent opioid abuse. The rules allow pharmacists to question the legitimacy of some prescriptions. Athens physician Dr. Doug Curran, president of the Texas Medical Association says that can cross the line. Curran adds, “And I do think it can be challenging sometimes whenever…you’re told, especially if you’re an orthopedic surgeon or you’re a physician who has to use pain medicines — and pharmacists are pushing back saying, ‘Well, I’m not gonna prescribe that many,’ or you can only prescribe seven days.” He says seven days with a broken hip or something like that isn’t going to work. He says they want to fix the opioid crisis, but not at the expense of patients in pain.

MARSHALL – A Marshall man, said to have been intoxicated, has been arrested for hitting a pedestrian. Charged with assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury was Aaron Callaway, 49. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail under a $50,000 bond. The accident occurred October 25 at the intersection of West Pinecrest Drive and Washington Avenue. The pedestrian, who had serious injuries, and Callaway, who was also injured, were taken to the hospital. Continue reading Man Arrested for Driving Drunk and Hitting a Pedestrian

TYLER – Church security and safety is the topic of a meeting scheduled in Tyler Thursday. The town hall meeting starts at 5:30pm at the Smith County R.B. Hubbard Facility, also know as The Hub, at 304 East Ferguson. A letter was sent to area churches about the meeting, but the public can also attend the free event. Conducting the meeting will be Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton; Precinct 1 Constable Bobby Garmon; and Gary Pinkerton, Director of Pre-Trial Release and Personal Bond Office.

TYLER – The Smith County Animal Shelter has started a dog blood donor program. Shelter dogs Casper, Allistar and Lane donated two units of blood and two units of plasma to save another dog’s life. They are now known as Hero Dogs. The Smith County Animal Control is partnering with Tyler Animal Emergency Clinic and Tyler Junior College Clinic Vet Tech Program in the project. Hero Dogs are approved by in depth testing to become a blood donor. The blood will supply the veterinarians in the area as they work to save animal’s lives. Approved Hero Dogs need to be available to donate blood for a minimum of four times a year. In return, they will received Heart-Guard heart-worm preventative medicine and rabies vaccinations for life. Continue reading Tyler’s Dog Blood Donors