KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A Louisiana FBI agent is accused of exposing himself several times to two Tyler teens in multiple states over the course of two years. David Harris, 50, is charged in Smith County and is also facing criminal investigations in Louisiana and Florida for separate incidents. He was assigned to the FBI Field Office in New Orleans. According to a warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, an investigation started when a letter from the father of one of the victims was sent to the Inspector General’s Office for the FBI on February 9. Continue reading Warrant: FBI agent exposed himself to multiple Tyler teens

TYLER — Sealcoat work on 17 Tyler streets is underway and is scheduled to be completed Sept. 15. According to city officials, sealcoat is a preventive maintenance surface treatment designed to preserve and extend the life of a roadway by sealing out moisture. According to a news release, the city engineering department selected the streets based on pavement condition index scores, an overall rating of road conditions of Tyler city streets on a scale from 0-100, with zero being a pothole-riddled crumbling street and 100 being a newly surfaced roadway. Drivers can expect to see major delays, lane and road closures, and delays at some intersections. Signs and flaggers will be present. Motorists are asked to use caution in work areas, follow directions of the crews, and obey all detours and traffic signs. Click here for a full rundown of the work.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas state Senator Bryan Hughes continues to stand up for his bill and others aimed at election reform. He sat down for a chat with Congressman Dan Crenshaw on the online “Coffee with Crenshaw” video series. Among his concerns, Hughes said, “In Texas today, we have ballot harvesters — paid political operatives who are stealing votes, who are coercing votes, misleading voters — claiming to assist them, and in fact misleading them, overcoming their will. We also have folks voting illegally — and of course, that cancels out a legitimate vote.” Democrats — including Texas lawmakers who remain in Washington — continue their strong opposition to such legislation.

TYLER — The demolition event for Tyler’s Harvey Convention Center is set for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in anticipation of an all-new Rose Complex. The event was scheduled for August 2 but was delayed due to rain. The public is invited to the proceeding, which will include a ceremony followed by the first stage of demolition. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to watch the demolition kickoff from a safe distance on bleachers set up in advance. Warren encourages you to come “with some excitement in anticipation of the new Rose Complex.” Target date for the new facility is October 2022.

TYLER — As COVID-19 numbers continue on the rise in East Texas, NET Health’s George Roberts continues to sound a familiar call — get vaccinated. He points out that his agency and a number of other locations have the vaccine readily available. Roberts says there’s been a slight uptick in vaccinations in the area, but the numbers remain low. He says a high spike in new cases last week was largely due to delayed reporting — but stresses that the problem remains serious. Roberts also strongly recommends staying home when sick, masking up, hand washing, and social distancing, even if those practices are not required. Continue reading Roberts: vaccination still the key to fighting COVID-19

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County sets an ambitious goal of $1.9 million for this year’s campaign. Board Chair David Stein says last year’s highly successful effort was a key factor. He points to what he terms “the giving nature of the community.” Stein told KTBB, “United Way is one of the organizations that brings the entire community together. Everybody agrees that helping our neighbors is a really, really good thing, and Tyler is a very philanthropic community, and they see the value in United Way. They see our agency partners and those that we work with — and they know that the results get done between our campaign and with the quality of our agencies.” Click here for more information.

RUSK COUNTY – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 19-year-old man who is wanted for sexual assault. The suspect, according to our news partner KETK, was identified as 19 year old Eligah Johnson. He’s described as 5’7″ and weighs around 145 lbs. Johnson also has a birthmark above his left eye. Johnson has a warrant for the criminal offense of sexual assault, a second degree felony. The RCSO said Johnson is known to frequent the Kilgore area. Anyone with information is urged to contact the RCSO at 903-657-3581 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-8477. Individuals who provide information can remain anonymous.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man accused of beating a woman and trying to drag her across a gas station parking lot has been indicted by a grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Trashuad Biagas is charged with domestic violence for an incident that happened March 27 at the E-Z Mart gas station on Gilmer Road. According to a warrant obtained by KETK News back in April, Biagas allegedly hit the victim in the mouth because she did not want to stay with him. Investigators with the police department reviewed security footage at the gas station, showing the victim walking to the front of the store and Biagas chased her. Continue reading Man indicted for allegedly assaulting woman at local gas station

TYLER — Tyler residents have until Oct. 1 to provide comments or suggestions to city staff about the projects identified in the Capital Improvement Projects program that are funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax Program. Each year the Half Cent Board develops a proposed annual work program and an annual budget which it recommends to the City Council for approval, according to a news release. Each annual work program includes the projects planned for the next fiscal year and those prior projects which are not finished. Residents can view the proposed annual work plan here and use an online form at this link to make comments — or call (903) 531-1126 to leave a suggestion or comment.

TYLER — Tyler Animal Control and Shelter is offering no-cost adoptions for dogs and cats with a donation of six fleece blankets for August. The shelter hopes to have at least 30 animals adopted this month and to collect blankets for animals at the facility, according to a news release. This summer, Tyler Animal Control and Shelter partnered with different organizations to help gather supplies for the community and to find new homes for the animals. In July, a total of 60 backpacks were gathered and given to CASA for Kids of East Texas to help foster children with school supplies. There were 44 adoptions, including two guinea pigs, with the majority being free with the donations. Continue reading Tyler Animal Services offering free adoptions with donation

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall announces the upcoming grand opening ceremony of the newly-built Marshall Pet Adoption Center on E. Travis Street. According to a news release, the MPAC will provide the vital space needed to care for the animals in the community. Officials say the city is proud to have gone from having one of the oldest animal shelters in the state to one of the newest. The community is invited to the ceremony beginning at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 9. It will feature a ribbon-cutting, special speakers, and the opportunity to see the completed MPAC, according to the release.

LONGVIEW – Longview Regional Medical Center is updating its guidelines for visitors as COVID cases, particularly involving the delta variant, have continued to rise in East Texas and across the country. According to our news partner KETK, effective immediately, each patient will be allowed one visitor per day during visitor hours. These run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All visitors will need to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status. The hospital is also asking all visitors to be fully vaccinated when possible. Any visitor who has come in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, or is experiencing symptoms, will be barred from entering the hospital. The facilities also may “need to limit the total number of visitors…in order to maintain recommended infection control precautions,” according to a hospital statement.

AUSTIN — Hundreds of people packed the steps of the Texas Capitol Saturday for the fourth and final day of a march in support of voting rights. Republican State Senator Brian Hughes of Mineola, who authored one of the voting bills, attended a counter rally — and he says Democrats will realize the bills will protect election integrity. He says, “Once they look at what’s in the bill, they’ll realize these are common-sense reforms: easy to vote, hard to cheat. When the Democrats do come back in the House, we’ll have a good debate — and we’ll pass this bill, because it protects the votes of every Texan.”

TYLER — The demolition of Tyler’s landmark Harvey Convention Center has been postponed until Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m. due to rain.  Mayor Don Warren will be joined by former mayors and others for the demolition’s kickoff, which the public may view from bleachers set up for the event. Warren and scores of others have fond memories of the venue, but Warren’s also looking forward to its replacement — the centerpiece of the Rose Complex makeover. He tells KTBB the new facility will be similar in size to the Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center. He says it will be wide open and big, with breakout rooms. Continue reading Harvey Convention Center demolition postponed

GILMER — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office says a woman was shot to death and her husband was shot and wounded Saturday night in their home. According to our news partner KETK, Mark James Lile, 37, of Gladewater, was being treated Sunday at UT Health Tyler for a “serious gunshot wound to the body,” a news release said. “It is suspected that his injuries were self-inflicted.” The identity of his wife was not released. The two were found about 7 p.m. Saturday in their home off Willow Oak Road in the Union Grove community when deputies arrived in response to a call of a shooting. Continue reading Shooting leaves woman dead, husband injured

TYLER — Tyler police responded to a report of an aggravated robbery around 3:00 Friday on Spring Street. According to police, the victims were in front of their residence when they were approached by two men pointing guns at them. The suspects reportedly took the victim’s money and other items and fled in a a black Ford Fusion driven by another male. Continue reading Tyler police search for armed robbery suspects

TYLER — The Children’s Park of Tyler will host a Bears and Brews event July 31 at True Vine Brewery on Earl Campbell Parkway. Park officials say there will be fun and games for the whole family, including a teddy bear auction and rock painting. True Vine is donating $1 per beer, from one of their special beers, served that day. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with the live auction beginning at 6:30, led by Friend of the Park and former Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. The Children’s Park of Tyler provides bereavement care to families who are grieving the loss of a child. Click here for more information.

HENDERSON – A Henderson man charged with murdering a woman in his home confessed to the crime in a police interview, according to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 39-year-old Coy Jones Sr. was arrested earlier this week after an 11-hour manhunt conducted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and the Henderson Police Department. He is accused of killing 42-year-old Kristi Wilson Collier, a Henderson woman. Police found her with a gunshot wound to the head. The warrant says Jones confessed to killing Collier during a fight with her. He is facing life in prison.

WASHINGTON – A Washington, D.C., federal judge agreed Friday morning that an East Texas man charged in the January Capitol riot could have his electronic monitoring removed. According to our news partner KETK, Alex Harkrider, a 34-year-old Carthage native, was released on bond in April until his trial. He is charged along with 30-year-old Ryan Nichols, a Longview resident, of several crimes stemming from the riot. Harkrider filed a motion in late June to allow for electronic monitoring to be removed, with his D.C.-based attorney heavily relying on the recommendation of his pre-trial officer, Lupe Saucedo. The type of electronic monitoring used on Harkrider is not precise GPS monitoring, but rather a device that alerts authorities when he leaves his home.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — The UT Tyler Cowan Center continues to await word on developments regarding the ZZ Top concert scheduled for December 1 following this week’s death of bassist Dusty Hill. In a statement, Cowan Center Executive Director Susan Thomae-Morphew said in part, “We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and the band. When we receive more information from the band, we will communicate with our patrons via the Cowan Center website and Facebook.” A July 21 post on the band’s website said Hill was “on a short detour back to Texas, to address a hip issue.” At that time, the band said its longtime guitar tech, Elwood Francis, would fill in on bass, slide guitar and harmonica. Hill was 72 when he died July 27.

SMITH COUNTY — A 43-year-old Kilgore man was sentenced to a little more than eight years in prison for drug trafficking violations. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Marcell Mumphrey, 43, plead guilty on March 20 of this year to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court on Feb. 5, 2020, Mumphrey was a passenger in a vehicle used to transport and distribute methamphetamine in Smith County. Mumphrey exited the vehicle and signaled to the buyer to approach the vehicle to complete the transaction.

TYLER — Pipeline Analysis has begun smoke testing sewer lines in Tyler sewer meter basins 13 and 17 as part of the city’s ongoing sanitary sewer inspection program. The sewer lines in the area located south of West Nutbush Street to West Oakwood Street and west from North Fannin Avenue to North Glenwood Boulevard will be smoke tested Friday, July 30, through Friday, Aug. 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Officials say smoke testing helps locate breaks and defects in the sewer system with an eye on repair and improvement. Continue reading City begins smoke testing sewer lines

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FOX/Staff) – The FBI continues its investigation into the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. East Texas Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert continues to voice concern about the aftermath of the incident. He says, “We’ve gotten reports that federal facilities were mistreating, abusing…people that had been arrested on January 6th.” An FBI spokeswoman says the Bureau “is aware of the allegations” but “can neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.” Over 500 individuals have been arrested for their alleged role in the Capitol Hill riot.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College President and CEO Dr. Juan E. Mejia has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Western Regional Chief Executive Officer Award by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The western region of ACCT covers 10 U.S. states and five provinces in Canada. Mejia will receive the award during the 52nd Annual ACCT Leadership Congress, to be held in October in San Diego. As a regional award recipient, he is the western region’s sole nominee for the Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award. Mejia is now in his third year as TJC president and CEO. According to a news release, among other achievements, he has been instrumental in securing approval to open the door for all Texas community colleges to have the opportunity to award baccalaureate degrees.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized the city manager to execute a $1,042,325 construction contract with Utility Service Company, Inc. for the rehabilitation of the Glenwood Elevated Storage Tank. The water tank, at the intersection of North Glenwood Boulevard and North Gaston Avenue, was inspected and identified as being in need of rehabilitation in the fall of 2019. The project includes painting the interior and exterior of the 500,000-gallon tank and replacing many of the internal and external steel components that were also identified to be in need of repair from the inspection report. Continue reading Water storage tank to get $1 million rehabilitation

WASHINGTON — A Congressional hearing on voting rights today includes several Texas Democrats. A trio of Texas Democrats will, today, testify before a Congressional Subcommittee that’s looking into what’s being done in Texas when it comes to voting laws. State Rep. Senfronia Thompson is one of them. She says it’s important that they’re part of the discussion. There will be a Republican testifying, today, too. State Rep. Travis Clardy from Nacogdoches is poised to defend the GOP plan, which seeks to roll back much of the voting expansion that was made during COVID.

TYLER — The newly renovated Fun Forest Pool, located at 900 N. Glenwood Blvd., celebrated the grand opening of the new facility this year on May 29. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, Fun Forest Pool has served over 250 people each day this season and will be closing for the season on Aug. 8. For more information, please contact Parks Admin at (903) 531-1370 or click here.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeing a shortage of 911 dispatchers, but this issue is bigger than the local dispatch center, according to our news partner KETK. “We’re seeing a short decline nationwide of good qualified candidates putting in for these kind of positions,” Sergeant Larry Christian said. Christian said it’s been difficult trying find new employees. Most of the workers are in training and can’t help carry the work load. Christian hopes when they get up to date, they can help fill the gap. “We’re handling it and we’re going to be okay,” Christian said. Continue reading Smith County seeing shortage of 911 dispatchers

WILLS POINT – Two people are jailed and charged with murder after a man was run over in the driveway at a Van Zandt County home Tuesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Braxten Henderson is accused of running over his 40-year-old stepfather at a home on CR 3808 just north of Wills Point. Deputies had been called to the scene for a domestic disturbance just before 8 p.m. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Bradley Dickson, a Forney native. 40-year-old Jamie Johnson, the victim’s wife, was also arrested at the scene after “it was determined she was also involved in the death of the victim,” according to a news release. Sheriff Steve Hendrix did not specify in the release how she was involved. Henderson’s bond has been set at $1 million. Johnson’s bond was not immediately set. Hendrix stated that more information would be released later.