KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — University of Texas System Chancellor James B. Milliken and other education and business leaders were invited to the White House Wednesday to meet with President Biden and members of his cabinet and national security team to discuss how the government, education and private sectors can work together to improve the nation’s cybersecurity, that’s according to a news release from the school. At the meeting, Milliken announced UT institutions will expand existing and develop new short-term credentials in cyber-related fields to diversify and strengthen America’s cybersecurity workforce. Continue reading UT System commits to increasing cybersecurity degrees, certificates and credentials

RUSK — Officials are investigating a death in the Cherokee County Jail. According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, 75-year-old Clara Edwards of Jacksonville was found unresponsive in her cell early Sunday morning. She was pronounced dead after EMS arrived. Edwards had been jailed since February on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. As is customary, the Texas Rangers are joining local authorities in the investigation, and an autopsy will be performed, according to the release.

TYLER — Grants from the Gladys and Thomas “T.B.” Stewart Community Education Fund held at East Texas Communities Foundation were awarded to the Literacy Council of Tyler, Caldwell Arts Academy, and Smith County Champions for Children. The grant awarded to The Literacy Council went to support its CORE Programs consisting of Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and GED prep. The Caldwell Arts Academy grant provides additional funding for master artists to assist students in the classroom and help students achieve milestones in their arts specializations, according to a news release. Champions for Children received funding to train five new childcare teachers. In addition to establishing a scholarship fund at ETCF and donating historic property to the City of Tyler, the Stewart Community Education Fund was established to provide financial support for public charities offering educational programs and materials to individuals.

TYLER — At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Keep Tyler Beautiful presented its Gold Star Affiliate award and highlighted many of the programs and projects it has implemented over the last year. The award, given by Keep Texas Beautiful, has recognized Tyler for 15 consecutive years. According to a news release, Keep Tyler Beautiful has reached Gold Star affiliate status as a result of its continuous efforts in beautification, litter reduction maintaining positive partnerships with local organizations, educating youth, and strong participation in events. Continue reading Keep Tyler Beautiful presents Gold Star Affiliate award

TYLER — The City of Tyler is proposing a Fiscal Year 2022 budget focused on improved services and public safety, according to a news release. The proposed budget of $212 million is an increase of 5%, or $10 million, from last year’s total of $202 million. The City will spend $21 million on capital projects paid for in cash by the half-cent sales tax fund, according to the release. The proposed property tax rate will be .2699 cents per $100 valuation, a 1.09 cent increase from the prior year’s rate. The increase is expected to yield $1.73 million and will provide the addition of two new police officers: a homeless coordinator position and a digital forensic specialist. It will also fund two new firefighters as well as improved personal protective equipment and a new Fire Station 10 tower truck for firefighting and security, according to the release. Continue reading City of Tyler proposes budget

TYLER — Senator Ted Cruz is calling for a more thorough vetting process for Afghan refugees being brought into Texas. While visiting a software company in Tyler on Tuesday, Senator Cruz said the U.S. should continue evacuating Americans and some Afghans from Kabul — but he says bringing them directly to the United States may not be the best idea. According to Cruz, “We should immediately evacuate those Afghans who assisted us to a safe, neutral third country — to a country in-region where they can get (out of) harm’s way, where they don’t face the risk of being murdered by the Taliban. And then we should thoroughly and carefully vet any potential refugee.” Cruz says he wants to see the Biden Administration come up with a clear plan for vetting the refugees.

TYLER — Booster vaccines are now being offered to East Texas residents who have weakened immune systems by NET Health in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, people can get a Pfizer or Moderna shot at the NET Health Immunization Clinic located at 815 North Broadway Avenue, next to the Tyler Municipal Court. The location is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended so officials can allow people to social distance. Walk-ins are still available. For appointments, click here. The CDC has announced that only those who are moderately-to-severely immunocompromised may receive a third dose of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine. Continue reading NET Health providing booster shots to those with weakened immune systems

TYLER – In what’s termed a continued effort of transparency to Tyler ISD families and staff, Tyler ISD launched its Active COVID-19 Dashboard Tuesday. The web page will list current active COVID-19 cases for students and staff listed by campus and grade level. Officials say some cases will be posted twice since there are situations in which students or staff may be on more than one campus. Dates listed on the dashboard indicated positive COVID-19 cases that were reported to the District by the individual. The Active COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated daily. Click here to view the Dashboard.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center (LACAC) has launched a new Spay it Forward initiative to help cover the cost of having pets spayed or neutered at participating veterinarians in Gregg County. According to a news release, the program will help reduce the number of stray or unwanted animals in the community and is made possible by community donations. Local nonprofits provided the initial funding for the program. Longview PAWS has committed $20,000 towards the effort, and the Humane Society of Northeast Texas has committed $10,000. Organizations or individuals interested in supporting the effort are encouraged to make a donation to the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center or Longview PAWS. Click here for more information.

EAST TEXAS — With the fall semester beginning or close at hand for East Texas college students, a close eye is being kept on the threat of COVID-19. According to the UT Tyler website, “We strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated. The NET Health mobile vaccine clinic is on campus for your convenience. COVID testing is also available if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus.” The TJC website says, “COVID-19 is still continuing in our world and in our community, but vaccines are readily available for protection. TJC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation very closely and will adapt policies and procedures as necessary to keep our students, employees and campus safe and healthy.” Continue reading Area colleges issue COVID-19 protocols for fall semester

TYLER — More sobering numbers — but signs of hope. NET Health’s George Roberts notes that Tyler hospitals have reached a pandemic peak of 359 COVID-19 patients — and he continues urging everyone to get vaccinated. Roberts says while vaccinated people can be stricken by COVID-19, their course won’t be as difficult as it will be for those who are not vaccinated. The good news: though it’s still not what he’d like, Roberts says vaccinations are on the uptick in East Texas. He says NET Health gave out some 700 or 800 shots last week and pharmacies are starting to see some upticks too. Roberts adds a lot of vaccination increases are being seen at outreach clinics and that overall there is “some movement in the right direction.”

TYLER — Pipeline Analysis will continue smoke testing sewer lines in sewer meter basins 13 and 17 as part of the City of Tyler’s ongoing sanitary sewer inspection program. The testing will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Aug. 27 in the following areas: south of West Harmony Street to West Locust Street and west of North Northeast Loop 323 to North Glenwood Boulevard; and south of Duncan Street to East Commerce Street and west of North Northeast Loop 323 to North Spring Avenue. City officials say smoke testing helps locate breaks and defects in the city’s sanitary sewer system. The information is used to repair and improve the sewer system. Continue reading Tyler smoke testing continues

TYLER — Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be in Tyler Tuesday afternoon to tour the Genesis World Group Headquarters. According to our news partner KETK, a press release from his office states that the tour will begin around 12:30 p.m. and he will take questions from the press an hour later. According to their website, Genesis “develops, tests, and supports industry-leading software for mission critical and business critical two-way communications networks.” After the tour, Cruz is scheduled to go down to Diboll where he will take place in a closed roundtable discussion with East Texas leaders near Whispering Pines Park. Continue reading Sen. Cruz to tour Tyler software company

TYLER — Tyler ISD approved a one-time incentive to give $500 to eligible district employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD said the funding will be provided with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER funds. The incentive was approved at the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees School Board Meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. Carthage ISD was another school district that announced they will be offering a $500 incentive. The U.S. Congress provided financial support for districts and schools though the ESSER Fund to address to ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading Tyler ISD approves one-time incentive to give $500 to fully vaccinated employees

TYLER — A stretch of Old Bascom Road in Tyler is now open for travel after shutting down Saturday afternoon. Police say the road was closed from Old Omen Road to Southwood Drive after previously heavy rains caused a portion of the road to collapse. Tyler police officers responded over the weekend as road crews got busy addressing the issue.

TYLER – A Tyler man is accused of trying to wreck into his ex-girlfriend’s car that held his 4-year-old child, according to multiple arrest warrants obtained by our news partner KETK. Cory Stokes, 35, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of endangering a child for allegedly trying to run them off the road and then reportedly attempting a head-on collision. The documents allege that the victim believed Stokes did this “because of a current custody battle.” She told investigators the incident began after Stokes pulled up behind the woman and child at the intersection of Old Henderson Highway and Loop 323 in Tyler. Stokes is jailed on a combined $950,000 bond. He has past convictions in Smith County on drug possession charges, one in 2012 and two in 2014.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. On Tuesday, base repairs are set for the eastbound outside lane of Loop 323 just before US 271. Longview Maintenance plans to conduct patching and bridge channel maintenance on various state roadways around Gregg County. Click here for the complete rundown of work around the district.

LONGVIEW — In response to the current rise in COVID-19 cases in the district and surrounding community, Longview ISD has issued what’s termed a temporary mask mandate, effective Monday, Aug. 23. According to a news release posted on the LISD website, all students, staff, and visitors at Longview ISD must wear face coverings at district facilities. The move comes amid legal uncertainty about such mandates as the governor’s order banning such moves makes its way through the courts. Known cases of COVID-19 among LISD students and staff are currently higher than they were last year and positive cases are emerging at alarming rates, according to the news release. The web posting says all virus-related protocols are subject to change as circumstances warrant. Click here to read the full release.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — An investigation is underway following a fatal vehicle/pedestrian accident in Van Zandt County. It happened around 10:45 Friday night on SH-64 approximately three miles southeast of Canton. According to DPS Troopers, the driver of a 2021 Buick Encore was traveling west on SH-64 and struck a pedestrian on the roadway. The pedestrian, identified as Devin M. Hill, 30, of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was not seriously injured.

SMITH COUNTY — Department of Public Safety Troopers are investigating a fatal head-on collision Sunday afternoon on Spur 364 just west of Tyler in Smith County. 48-year-old Holly Lewis, of Brownsboro, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 17 year-old female passenger in Lewis’ vehicle was transported to UT Health East Texas in critical condition. 19-year-old Jeffery Harmon, of Tyler, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The preliminary report indicated Lewis crossed into the eastbound lane and struck Harmon’s vehicle.

LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested a man after they found a person lying on the floor with several gunshot wounds on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police arrested 20-year-old Willie Brasher III of Longview. Brasher was taken to the Gregg County Jail and booked on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. At 1:15 a.m. Longview PD were dispatched to the Loop apartment complex located at 2801 Bill Owens Pkwy after a shooting. Continue reading One arrested, one hospitalized after shots fired at Longview apartment complex

TYLER — With reports of a possible turkey shortage this year, Tyler’s Sam Greenberg of the Greenberg Smoked Turkey Company has an update. Fire wiped out all the company’s holiday sales last year, but Greenberg says rebuilding is almost complete and business will be back to normal in October. While some have reported a turkey shortage, Greenberg says that’s not been a problem in Tyler — noting that his company only lost half its turkeys. He adds that customers have been unbelievable since hearing about last year’s fire. The company ships all over the world.

TYLER — As of 1:00pm on August 21st, a stretch of Old Bascom Rd is closed. It is closed from Old Omen Road to Southwood Drive. Recent heavy rains have caused a portion of the road to collapse. Tyler Police officers are on scene and road crews are responding to address the issue.

TYLER — Tyler Police have made an arrest in a homicide case. According to officials, Manuel Mendez Prieto II was charged with murder Friday and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond. Prieto had previously turned himself in on an unrelated outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery with a $250,000 bond. On the morning of August 17, police were called to Front and Palmer regarding a truck that had hit a utility pole. Police say the driver, identified as Michael Lee Tucker, 29, Tyler, had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation led detectives to a residence on South Palmer, where the shooting appears to have occurred.

TYLER (AP) – A federal judge has issued a ruling that keeps in place Texas’ Medicaid agreement. The decision Friday blocks an effort by the Biden administration to rescind the deal. Texas is one of only 12 states that have resisted expanding Medicaid coverage under a key provision of former President Barack Obama’s health care law. Instead, state Republican leaders negotiated waivers to provide billions of federal dollars in reimbursements to hospitals that serve the uninsured. Texas received its first Medicaid waiver a decade ago. The waiver was set to expire next year after the Biden administration rescinded the Trump administration’s 10-year extension of it.

TYLER — Texas Veterans Land Board Chairman George P. Bush announced Friday that the Watkins-Logan State Veterans Home in Tyler has been awarded a grant totaling $1,589,503.50 through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The grant is for federal assistance towards the cost of replacement for HVAC controls, the nurse call system, and air handling units at the home. “Texas Veterans have sacrificed so much for our great nation and it is crucial that the Veterans who call our communities home continue to receive the quality care they deserve,” said Bush as quoted in a news release. “We welcome these funds from the VA to update the facilities and provide additional support for our Tyler-area veterans.” The Veterans Land Board applied for the grant earlier this year.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an early morning stabbing. Police responded around 6:45 Friday morning to Third Street where a male victim was located and taken to a local hospital in critical condition. A female suspect has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and evading arrest/detention. Investigators believe the stabbing happened at a gas station on WNW Loop 323. Friday afternoon, police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Yesenia Bailon of Tyler. She has been booked into the Smith County Jail. The victim is now in stable condition.

MARSHALL — Harrison County sheriff’s deputies and personnel from other agencies have located the body of Rayah Hicks, 24, of Marshall, who was recently reported missing. Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Webb says her vehicle was found in Shadowood Lake Thursday afternoon. Hicks was last seen Sunday evening at a lakeside social gathering. Webb says the vehicle was discovered after Marshall PD investigators reviewed security camera video from Sunday evening showing the vehicle driving into the Shadowood area but not leaving later in the evening. Continue reading Missing woman’s body found

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful will host its annual daffodil bulbs sale once again this fall. The online sale opens Aug. 21 and runs through Sept. 30. A ready to plant fifty-count bag of Carlton Yellow Daffodils will cost $20 each. This year the bulb orders are online only. The bulbs will be available to pick up on Nov. 13 at the Downtown Recycle Center on N. Bois D’Arc Avenue. If the bulbs are not picked up on Nov. 13, buyers can pick up their order from Nov. 18 through Dec. 17 at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center. For more information, you can visit this link or e-mail Belen Casillas, Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator, at [email protected].