KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The city of Tyler is putting out the word on a couple of events that may be of interest to you. Registration is now open for the Tyler Parks and Recreation 2022 Corporate Challenge. Officials say it provides a great opportunity for businesses to promote fitness throughout their organization and allows for networking opportunities with other companies in the community. Click here for more information. Meantime, Keep Tyler Beautiful is challenging Tyler area artists of all ages to create unique artwork for the Recycled Art Contest. The theme is “Be a Recycling Superhero!” Submissions will be accepted no later than Friday, March 18, at 5 p.m. You can go to this link for more details about that activity.

EAST TEXAS — East Texans are heading to the polls for the Texas primary. Smith County has 35 vote centers available. During two weeks of early voting, 19,614 votes were cast — about 13 percent of the 148,746 registered voters in the county. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and voters can go to any of the 35 polling locations across the county, regardless of where they live. Click here for more details. Gregg County also has plenty of information for local voters. Click this link to learn more. KTBB will have election night coverage following President Biden’s State of the Union Address.

ATHENS — More than three years since one child was killed in an Athens ISD bus crash with a Union Pacific train, lawyers are still haggling over evidence needing to be collected. According to our news partner KETK, 81-year-old John Stevens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the January 2019 wreck that killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. At a hearing on Monday, lawyers for Union Pacific went back and forth with Stevens’ defense team on depositions for Robert Ray and Roger Johnson, the train’s conductor and engineer, respectively. Judge Scott McKee ordered all parties to be back in his courtroom at 9 a.m. on April 5.

TYLER — A Tyler woman allegedly lied about having more than $110 million to buy a home, according to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 27-year-old Mary Strobel is charged with forgery for greater than $300,000, a first-degree felony in Texas. She also was facing an illegal firearm possession charge from Bossier City, Louisiana. The warrant stated that a Tyler home was listed for $1.2 million and that Strobel and another man, who has yet to be charged, approached a realtor to buy the property. The documents say that Strobel met with the seller and agreed to a $1.1 million contract for the purchase. Strobel also agreed to put down $10,000 cash in earnest money. Continue reading Warrant: Tyler woman lied about having $110 million to purchase home

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance starts Tuesday with a base failure crew on FM 2015 at IH 20. This will be under one-way traffic worked by flaggers. In Gregg County, crews will be continuing mill and inlay operations on FM 2204. There will be left lane closures east and westbound from US 259 BUS to Danville Rd. Click here for the full rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victims in a double shooting discovered Friday. According to a news release, they were 21-year-olds Cody Russell Lovelady Jr. of Flint and Jarah Breann Shelton of Tyler. Officials say around 11:15 Friday morning, a deputy saw a black Ford F-250 on FM 2868 near the intersection of Hwy. 155 South. The vehicle was still running and a female was sitting in the front seat with a handgun. After removing the handgun, authorities say the deputy realized that the female and a male who was also in the front seat were both dead. The deputy secured the vehicle and called for assistance. Autopsies have been ordered, and the investigation continues.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Precinct 1 Constable Curtis Traylor-Harris and two high-ranking deputies were indicted on Thursday for felony theft by a public servant and a misdemeanor of official oppression, according to Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman. Precinct 1 Chief Deputy LaQuenda Banks and Pct. 1 Sgt. Derrick Holman were charged along with Harris. Harris, Banks and Holman were arrested in November 2021 for allegedly stealing from a Tyler residence while they were working. They were previously charged with theft, official oppression and abuse of official capacity. Those who are convicted with theft by a public servant will receive a third-degree felony. They could get a fine not greater than $10,000 and be sentenced between two to 10 years in prison. Continue reading Smith County Constable, high-ranking deputies indicted for felony theft, official oppression

MARSHALL — Authorities say a Harrison County man, 38-year-old Brandon Phillips, has been found safe after going missing. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office had been asking for the public’s help in locating Philllips. A truck belonging to Phillips was found near Hallsville and investigators say that it was found “in a manner that [they] believe he left the location on foot.” Officials did not say how long Phillips had been missing.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department was able to determine the car that likely killed a woman in a hit-and-run on North Broadway in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, police believe that a 2006 to 2007 Toyota Camry may have hit Kelsey Hise, 30, on Feb. 19 around 7:30 p.m. She was found on N. Broadway Avenue near Queen Street and later died from her injuries. Police do not know the color of the vehicle, but they are urging the public to look out and call about any vehicle with damage to the front end with a broken mirror. Anyone with information should contact Tyler PD at 903-531-1000.

TYLER — Black History Month continues in Tyler Saturday with the African American Cultural Events Committee City-Wide Annual Black History Program. Guest speaker is technology executive, investor, and author James Mobley (pictured). Tickets are $30 for the event, set for 6:00 p.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities, you can call (903) 571-2469 or (903) 944-2279, or email [email protected].

NECHES — The former Neches Elementary School principal charged with interfering with an investigation into sexual assault of a minor now has a jury trial date of March 14. According to our news partner KETK, Kimberlyn Snider is facing a charge of tampering/fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair as well as five charges of official oppression. She was indicted on these charges early last year. She allegedly interfered with an Anderson County Sheriff’s Office investigation of a report that a minor had been sexually assaulted. The sheriff’s office has said that the minor in question was not a student in the elementary school. Continue reading Trial date set for former principal

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts remains guardedly upbeat about new COVID numbers for his area. Declining new case and community spread figures are among the highlights. Roberts also points out that hospital patient numbers in the region have now dropped to 114 from the 136 reported Monday. But Roberts says officials are keeping an eye on the recently discovered BA-2 variant, which he says accounts for roughly 3.9 per cent of coronavirus cases nationwide according to the CDC. And he reminds you to get vaccinated — if you haven’t already — as COVID remains a threat. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER – Nancy Nichols, Senate District 1 committeewoman, resigned from her post on Friday after she made a racially insensitive comment, according to Senate District 1 Committeeman Ben Dickson. Many of Nichols’ fellow committee members have been calling for her resignation after she made a racial comment during a Zoom meeting on Feb. 8 saying “we had the Trumpers at our Beto event today in Tyler. We had all kinds of quiet security, but basically the event was held on the chocolate side of town.” According to Dickson, the majority of the county chairs of Senate District 1, Texas Democratic Party State Chair Gilberto Hinijosa and Texas Coalition of Black Democrats Chair Carroll G. Robinson all called for her resignation in the weeks following the night she made the comment. Dickson confirmed that Nichols resigned early Friday afternoon.

AUSTIN — UT Tyler is included as the UT System Board of Regents and Chancellor James B. Milliken announce the creation of a $300 million endowment to help undergraduate students at UT institutions pay for college. The “Promise Plus” program will provide tuition assistance to eligible students at seven UT institutions: UT Arlington, UT Dallas, UT El Paso, UT Permian Basin, UT Rio Grande Valley, UT San Antonio and UT Tyler. In 2019, regents created a $167 million endowment to provide a significant increase in tuition support for students at UT Austin, according to a news release. The funding was generated by what officials term a series of prudent investments by UT System financial officers that produced higher-than-expected returns over the past fiscal year. Continue reading UT Tyler included as UT regents establish tuition assistance endowment

TYLER — The Tyler City Council addresses housing and sewer issues in its Wednesday meeting. The Council adopted a resolution of support for Celebration Tyler, a proposed new development for people aged 62 years and older. The Council also voted to update the North End Residential Building Incentives Program, including addition of the St. Louis Community as a target area. And the Council authorized the city manager to execute a contract for sanitary sewer system capacity upgrades, with an eye on reducing sanitary sewer overflows and more. For details, go to this link and scroll down to “Tyler News.”

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD will host seven town hall meetings and has published a bond proposition video for public viewing. The district’s board voted this month to call a bond election for May 7. The bond package includes two propositions totaling $125,240,000 with proposed projects at every campus and the Operations and Transportation facility. The district will host one meeting at every campus and a virtual meeting. Translations for Spanish-speaking community members will be available at each meeting. Click here for full details.

TYLER — No students were injured after a Tyler ISD bus crashed early Thursday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines said the bus hit a pole at Old Jacksonville Highway and Rice Road. There were some high school students on board, but no injuries were reported. A release from the school said Bus 34 was involved and that Bus 42 was also delayed as they were offering assistance and took the students to Tyler Legacy. Records show that the call about the crash came into first responders around 7:40 a.m. All students were safe and in school by 8:30 a.m.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved an item allowing the Tyler Fire Department to apply for and accept grants for a remote control robot for the department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regional Response Team. The grants collectively total $49,993.50. Officials say the fire department will pursue the money through the Office of the Texas Governor’s Homeland Security Grant Division and the State Homeland Security Program, as managed by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). for the department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Regional Response Team. Continue reading Fire department cleared to pursue grant funding for ordnance disposal

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 50 years in prison Wednesday morning for his role in a child abuse case after originally being charged with capital murder. That’s according to our news partner KETK. In a case that Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman called “highly emotional,” 41-year-old Manuel Williams will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for the death of his 3-year-old daughter. Courtnie Williams, the victim’s mother, is also charged, and her case is still pending. Police testimony alleged that the injuries found on the child’s body indicate “a history of abuse.” Continue reading Tyler man gets 50 years in death of three-year-old

TYLER — City of Tyler leaders, in collaboration with the City’s Engineering Services Department and Texas College, celebrated the completion of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard improvement project on Tuesday. According to a news release, the $2 million project allowed for the installation of about 1.75 miles of sidewalks with ADA accessible ramps, crosswalks, signal improvements at North Palace Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad crossing near Border Avenue, historic light poles, and Texas College banners along the street from West Gentry Parkway to North Broadway Avenue. Officials say the vision for the project started in 2009 with the Texas College Area Development Plan and continued with the Tyler 1st Comprehensive Plan, which outlines North End Revitalization, a plan for balanced growth initiatives throughout Tyler with specific efforts concentrated in Tyler’s North End. Continue reading City celebrates MLK improvement project

TYLER — TxDOT crews are getting ahead of the winter storm forecast for East Texas by preparing roadways around the eight-county district for potentially icy conditions. The pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice began Wednesday morning, according to a news release. I-20 and other major roadways will be treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water designed to prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. The process is a fast-moving mobile operation with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers should allow a safe traveling distance between their vehicles and the mobile convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Continue reading TxDOT preparing roads for possible wintry conditions

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is working a major accident on Old Jacksonville Hwy. near the Crow Road intersection. Police say both northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel between Rice Road and Grande Boulevard until close to 5 p.m. Police are in the roadway directing traffic, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and drive with care in that area.

TYLER — More good news on COVID-19 in the NET Health survey area. NET Health’s George Roberts notes that the entire region is back in the moderate spread category for the first time since December — and the hospital patient number has fallen to 136. But Roberts still says don’t get too comfortable just yet. He noted that the virus is still with us — and will be for awhile to come. One thing hasn’t changed: his advice to get vaccinated, together with a note about the ample vaccine availability in the area. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER — Tyler police have new information as they continue to investigate a fatal hit-and-run incident on Saturday night. Kelsey Hise, 30, of Tyler, was hit on North Broadway Avenue near Queen Street around 7:30 p.m., according to officials. “She was in the roadway, not crossing the road, not walking in the road, but just in the roadway,” Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh told our news partner KETK. “For what reason, we don’t know. But whoever hit her obviously knew they hit her because they left a lot of pieces of their car.” When officers arrived at the scene, they found Hise lying in the road with major injuries. They were able to find pieces of the vehicle that struck the woman. Hise later died at a local hospital. Tyler PD urges you to report any vehicle with damage to the front end and possibly a broken mirror. Contact Tyler PD at 903-531-1000 with any information.

TYLER — Texas Attorney General candidate George P. Bush stopped in Tyler Tuesday as part of his “Texas First Tour,” holding a meet and greet at the Foundry Coffee House at Bethel Bible Church’s downtown campus. According to our news partner KETK, the current state land commissioner talked about several key points in his campaign, including helping law enforcement. “I couldn’t agree more that law enforcement is under assault, not only around the country but now in red Texas,” Bush said. “We’ve allowed California values to creep into our capital city.” Along with Bush and current AG Ken Paxton, the GOP primary ballot for the office includes former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and current East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert.

GREGG COUNTY — The remains found in a car in Gregg County on New Year’s Eve were confirmed to belong to Rosemary Rodriguez, a Kilgore woman who had been missing since 2019. According to our news partner KETK, the car was found on Mt. Pisgah Road. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Josh Tubb says the investigation is ongoing and authorities are still processing evidence found in and around the car.

VAN — A worker is expected to be okay after he was taken to the hospital following an accident in Van that left him injured and suspended in the air. That’s according to our news partner KETK. According to the Van Fire Department’s Facebook page, At 11:25 a.m. on Monday, contractors were performing maintenance on the Van Memorial Stadium lights when a lift malfunctioned and partially collapsed, injuring the worker in the lift and leaving him suspended approximately 60 feet in the air. Officials say the lift was unable to be retracted from the ground. The Van police and fire departments responded and requested mutual aid from the Lindale Fire Department, which responded with multiple units, including its 107-foot ladder truck. Continue reading Worker in Van expected to recover after being injured, suspended in air

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person accused of theft at Walmart. According to our news partner KETK, the department wrote that the woman pictured allegedly “picked up another person’s Apple Airpods case and claimed them as their own.” If you have any information as to the individual’s identity, contact Detective Joey Johnston at 903-218-6906 or [email protected] and reference case number 2201-0829.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas announces its 2022 Awards for Excellence winners. The winner in the Nonprofit Category is PATH (People Attempting to Help). Moon Fencing took home the honor in the Small Business Category. Among mid-size businesses, Innovative Pest Control gets the award. Henry & Peters, PC, was named the top large business. In the Veteran-Owned Business Category, Tyler Roofing Company gets the nod. And the Spark Award, for business owners under age of 35 or who have businesses which are fewer than three years old, goes to The Mortgage House. According to a news release, annual honorees “display honor and integrity in all aspects of their operations.”