KTBB News, Weather, Talk

The $1 million project will provide a more comfortable, private and quiet space to care for patients, according to the release. “We’re really proud of the fact that where we are and that we’re basically what that means is we’re equipped to take care of just about anything that may come in through our doors. We are acute stroke ready, which means we can take care of strokes. We are also E.R. pediatric ready, which means we have the people, the talent, the technology to take care of even the smallest of patients,” said Administrator Barry Loftquist. The newly expanded ER renovation started about a year ago and is now open for all emergency needs.

TYLER – Severe thunderstorms came through East Texas Tuesday bringing severe thunderstorm warning across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, A total of 10,199 outages were reported by Oncor, SWEPCO, Upshur County Rural Electric and Wood County Rural Electric. Some counties experienced flood advisories and many saw large hail. KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy said historically, June is a month East Texas will see hail storms. “All of that potential energy from those warm temperatures results in large hail stones from strong updrafts, as we know can create a lot of damage,” said Vickroy. After the storm left Tyler, people and businesses checked every vehicle and rooftop for damage. Vickroy said to stay weather aware and get you and your cars to safety ahead of the storm. “We have all modes of severe weather pretty much year-round in East Texas and the best thing to do when there is a big hail threat in the forecast is asking ‘How am I going to protect first my life? and if the storm is going to be a threat to my property?,’” said Vickroy.

TYLER – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 5-star accreditation. According to our news partner KETK, an area chamber must meet minimum standards in certain areas to receive accreditation. U.S. Chamber VP Raymond P. Toole said, “This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations and programming. Accredited chambers are recognized for their continued advocacy of free enterprise and for their commitment to serving members and their local business communities. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.”

Henry Bell, Tyler Area Chamber President said, “Accreditation is important to our Chamber because it allows us to examine how we are viewed every five years by peers in our industry. It is a way to assure we are staying focused on our mission and vision purpose.” The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s main mission is to enhance the business environment, economic well-being and quality of life for the Tyler area.

PALESTINE, Texas – According to our news partner KETK, A man was arrested after a traffic stop allegedly led to a drug bust with approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine being seized.

On June 11, around 2:30 a.m. Corporal Nathan Perkins and his K9 partner Hera with the Palestine Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration on Crockett Road just north of the southern Palestine city limit. Robert Robison, 46, identified himself using a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offender card. Robison was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

An open-air sniff check on the vehicle reportedly led to a search of the vehicle after Hera alerted to the presence of the odor of a controlled substance. During the search, officials said Perkins was able to locate a syringe loaded with methamphetamine under the center console and several blue pills suspected to be counterfeit Alprazolam located in a backpack in the passengers seat. A search at the Anderson County Jail revealed four bags of methamphetamine weighing approximately 80 grams located in a sunglasses bag that Robison had concealed in his groin area.

TYLER – Southside Bancshares Incorporated, the parent company for Southside Bank of Tyler has been awarded the Raymond James Community Bankers Cup for 2022. President and CEO of Southside Bancshares, Inc, Lee Gibson, said , “Southside is proud to be recognized as one of the top performing community banks in the country. We appreciate Raymond James acknowledging our commitment to remaining a strong community bank our customers can depend on, as well as our continued dedication to creating long-term value for our shareholders.” Southside is the only Texas-based institution awarded a Bankers Cup. The Raymond James Community Bankers Cup Award is awarded to the top 10% of community banks nationally.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a Winnsboro man prosecutors deemed a habitual offender was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Upshur County Court. Terry Davis, 50, was charged with possession of more than one gram but less than four grams of methamphetamines. On Jan. 5, officers saw a vehicle pass them with an expired registration and followed the vehicle to a gas station where they met Davis. Authorities said they noticed “a pink bag hanging out of his pocket that he was trying to conceal.” At the time of that arrest, Davis had just been released weeks earlier from prison for the same crime in a different county.

LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK reports that the Longview Board of Trustees have approved the a plan to convert old school busses into food trucks and to engage the services of architects for facility improvements and inspections.

Board members unanimously approved the plan brought to them by San Antonio-based Cruising Kitchens to convert two of their older school busses into food trucks, but the plan is pending funding approval from the TDA and/or USDA. If the funding is approved, the cost of the project would not exceed $432,583.77 and will not require the use of local funds.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler is offering free dementia and brain-related screenings to the East Texas community. According to our news partner KETK, the screenings will be conducted at 3531 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler. To make an appointment or get more information, you can call 903-630-7479 or email [email protected]. expect an appointment to last anywhere from five to eight hours, as the length of interviews and testing vary from patient to patient.

TYLER – Severe thunderstorms came through East Texas Tuesday bringing severe thunderstorm warning across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, A total of 10,199 outages were reported by Oncor, SWEPCO, Upshur County Rural Electric and Wood County Rural Electric. Some counties experienced flood advisories and many saw large hail. KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy said historically, June is a month East Texas will see hail storms. “All of that potential energy from those warm temperatures results in large hail stones from strong updrafts, as we know can create a lot of damage,” said Vickroy. After the storm left Tyler, people and businesses checked every vehicle and rooftop for damage. Vickroy said to stay weather aware and get you and your cars to safety ahead of the storm. “We have all modes of severe weather pretty much year-round in East Texas and the best thing to do when there is a big hail threat in the forecast is asking ‘How am I going to protect first my life? and if the storm is going to be a threat to my property?,’” said Vickroy.

NACOGDOCHES – The online systems at Stephen F. Austin University were a target of a cyberattack. Officials at the university said the attack may have started between Saturday night and Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the university cut their internet connection to stop attacks from continuing. They are now working with IT personnel and the UT system to gauge the amount of damage to their website. School officials say at this time don’t they do not know when they will be back online and asked that students, faculty and the public follow SFA social media while their online assets are down.

TYLER – Two local Girl Scouts were honored with a prestigious award for their community work.
According to our news partner KETK, Aspen Cunningham and Jordan Crum were awarded the Gold Award, which is given to exemplary scouts who help fix a community problem or make a lasting change in the world.

Cunningham’s venture revolved around improving day to day environments for local and transitory birds at Tyler State Park. She developed bird homes to furnish birds with a dependable water source that is solar powered with battery reinforcement and put away from park predators.

At White Oak High School, Crum organized a health fair on campus just for high school students. Free eye exams, the police department’s drunk driving simulation, interactive booths, and a demonstration on the effects of smoking on the lungs were among the activities Crum invited community partners to host. The fair pulled in 420 students.

According to our news partner KETK, Crockett Police have arrested Forlando Moten of Crockett in the death of 59-year old Willie Campbell, also of Crockett. Detectives say that Campbell was found Friday afternoon on West Oak Street in Crockett with a single gunshot wound. He later died in a local hospital. Police officers interviewed Moten who allegedly admitted to shooting Campbell. He was then arrested, charged with murder and has a 150 thousand dollar bond set. Crockett police are still investigating this case.

HALLSVILLE – According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested a man in connection to a Sunday fatal shooting that left two men dead on Roberson Road in Hallsville.

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says that around 7:36 p.m. on Sunday, deputies and investigators responded to a call of shots being fired. Two men were then discovered dead in the front yard of a Roberson Road property from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The dead were identified as Keyan Jernigan, 29, and Duane Jernigan, 49.

A reported suspects vehicle was seen nearby and 26-year-old Darius Celedra Gates Jr. was found to be the driver and he was arrested. Gates was booked into the Harrison County Jail and accused of evading capture/detainment with a vehicle, unlawful ownership of a gun by a felon, possession and delivery of marijuana and capital murder of multiple persons.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a Van Zandt County deputy was killed in a wreck Sunday afternoon. Sgt. Jeremy McCoy was off-duty when the accident happened Sunday around 4 p.m. and reportedly had his child in the vehicle with him. The child was life-flighted with non-life-threatening injuries. DPS is investigating the wreck.

JACKSONVILLE – The city of Jacksonville and East Texas came together Saturday for the 39th annual Jacksonville Tomato Fest. According to our news partner KETK, the festival hosted in downtown Jacksonville, had over 300 vendors, a kids zone, a “Got Talent” contest and a tomato eating contest. Andy Calcote, co-chair of the Tomato Fest said it takes about 200 volunteers to make the Jacksonville Tomato Fest a reality each and every year. Calcote said they are already planning the 40th Tomato Fest for 2024.

ATHENS – A 17-year-old pedestrian died after being hit by a car in a crash on FM 317 around 2:37 a.m. on Sunday, according to our news partner KETK. Haylie Grimes, 17 of Gun Barrel City, was speaking to the driver of a vehicle stopped partly in the westbound lane of FM 317 when a 2008 Dodge Charger drove into the eastbound lane, disregarding a no passing zone and stopped , officials said. According to a Texas DPS report, Grimes was crossing the westbound lane to be picked up by the Dodge when a 2021 Kia Rio failed to control its speed and hit the Dodge and Grimes. Grimes was declared dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Tonya Norris, DPS reported. The driver of the Dodge was treated for injuries at the scene and released. Officials said the driver of the Kia, Chance Tyler Barnhart, 19 of Athens, was arrested and had his blood voluntarily drawn. Barnhart was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and booked into Henderson County Jail.

TATUM – Law enforcement in Tatum would like your help in identifying those responsible for a robbery at the Brake Time convenience store Friday in Tatum. According to our news partner KETK, the Tatum Police Department has made available video and photos of the incident for you to see. To view photos and video of the robbery, just click here.

Tatum Police ask if you have information in the material shown to contact them.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that happened on the 400 block of Johnson Street on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, officials stated that around 4:16 a.m., Longview police officers were informed that the victim, Jamie White, 25, had been transported by private vehicle to a nearby hospital.

According to authorities, White died at that hospital as a result of his injuries.

Longview Police Department is investigating this case and they ask that anyone with information call them at 903-237-1110.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said they’ve arrested a suspect in relation to a shooting that happened in the 600 block of Harrison Street on Saturday.

Longview Police officers responded to reports around 2:52 a.m. on Saturday to find two males with apparent gunshot wounds, according to the authorities. Authorities said that Aleksei Gamez, 19, was articulated dead at the scene and the other casualty was taken to a neighborhood clinic with dangerous wounds. Jose Rodriguez Jr., 25, was later taken into custody by Longview detectives and charged with capital murder. He has a bond of $500,000 and is being held at the North Jail.

SHELBY COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that 110 grams of meth and three handguns were seized during a traffic stop in Shelby County.

On June 7, officials answered reports of a reckless driver on Parkway 87 North in Center. According to the authorities, a search of the vehicle yielded three handguns and 110 grams of methamphetamine during the traffic stop.

TTLER – Our news partner KETK reports that seven people were injured in a two-vehicle wreck Thursday evening.

The crash happened at the intersection of County Road 24 and Highway 31, east of Tyler. Officials say it occurred after one vehicle made a U-turn on Highway 31.

One lane of traffic was temporarily blocked following the crash. According to officials, several people were hospitalized due to their injuries.

The story is currently developing and updates will be provided when available.

TYLER – Tyler Junior College is the ninth community college to join the Texas A&M University engineering transition program. According to our news partner KETK, the students will attend TJC for their first two years to complete their core curriculum courses and basic engineering classes.

Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp said distance and cost tend to keep students away but with the academy, it will help make the transition to an on-campus environment easier and cheaper.The engineering academy will begin this fall at Tyler Junior College. The application can be completed by visiting TJC online through July 31.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that a 25-year-old man died following a crash about two miles northeast of Athens on Wednesday morning.

According to a preliminary DPS report, a 2014 Toyota Corolla was traveling west on Highway 175 around 6:53 a.m. The vehicle reportedly left the roadway to the north, struck a concrete culvert and vaulted into the air.

DPS said the driver, Aaron Nicholas Weeks, of Tyler, was ejected. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a man is dead after drowning on Lake Palestine Thursday afternoon.

According to Cherokee County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Rodney Wallace, 31-year-old Gary Woods from Jacksonville was pronounced dead around 4:22 p.m. Thursday. He reportedly drowned on the Anderson County side of Lake Palestine.

Woods’ family has been notified.

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Our news partners at KETK report that a Tyler woman who pleaded guilty on Friday to injury of a child was sentenced to one year deferred adjudication.

Jessica Fowler, 36 of Tyler, who according to an arrest warrant treated a special needs child “like a ragdoll”, was employed as a nighttime nurse for a child who had several medical conditions that need constant and sensitive care.

The warrant said that another nurse noticed the child had not been using their right arm prompting them to check a hidden camera in the home.

According to the warrant, more than 50 clips showed Fowler allegedly tossing the child “like a rag doll” from one side of their crib to the other.

An affidavit said there was also footage where Fowler allegedly tied the child’s arm behind her head that may have left bruising on their left arm.

The case investigator observed clips where Fowler allegedly was “using her phone light to inspect [the child] as though she was looking for any marks or bruising” and “would intentionally turn off the [heart rate] alarm alert on a monitor.”

As a part of her sentence, Fowler will also have to do 100 hours of community service.

UPSHUR COUNTY, TX – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office had issued a warrant for a suspect in relation to an aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Our news partners at KETK report that man, 41-year-old Quinton Branch, has now turned himself into authorities.

Branch, of Helena, Montana, was identified by authorities as a suspect in the case after an investigation. Officials said he is a former resident of Upshur County and has relatives and acquaintances in the area.

The victim and their family know Branch and said he allegedly had contacted them and threatened to harm himself, officials said.

NOONDAY — According to our news partner KETK an invasive species called hammerhead flatworms are found in several areas in Texas and have been a cause for concern for some residents, but experts say there is no reason to panic. You may have heard that they are highly toxic to pets, but the Texas Invasive Species Institute says that’s not completely true. “It’ll make your animals feel sick for a day or two, it doesn’t cause anything more severe than that,” said Ashley Morgan-Olvera, Director of Research and Education at Texas Invasive Species Institute.

The worms are also not harmful to people unless you are allergic, then you may have a reaction like you would with poison ivy. Experts say if you do come in contact with the hammerhead flatworm to wash your hands immediately and get rid of it. You can seal it in a bag with salt, or spray it with vinegar but never cut it in half. “They will regenerate so you can just end up creating more creatures instead of less,” said Morgan-Olvera.

We may not hear about the hammerhead flatworm often but they have been known to be in northern, central and eastern Texas since 1901. If you find a hammerhead worm, let someone know, send a picture and the place you found it to Texas A&M AgriLife or the Texas Invasive Species Institute so they can keep track of the population.