KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved a $97,682.60 contract with Vortex Companies to line and repair a storm sewer pipe along College Avenue between West 4th Street and West 5th Street. The 24-inch pipe is in disrepair allowing groundwater to enter the pipe, according to officials. They say repairing the pipe with an internal lining prevents sinkholes and possible damage to private properties in the area. The project is funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve the sale of the fourth segment of voter-approved road bonds at a lower-than-expected interest rate after receiving five competitive bids. That’s according to a news release from the county. In November 2017, Smith County voters approved a $39.5 million bond package to improve county roads. That bond package was the first of two phases to significantly upgrade the county road system over a six-year period, according to the release. The second phase of the bond program is expected to be approximately $45 million and will likely be presented to the voters for approval in November, according to the release. Click here to learn more.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council accepts an FAA grant to purchase an aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Officials say the new vehicle will replace a truck that’s reached its life expectancy. The grant, totaling $891,675, will fund the vehicle 100% with no local match required, according to a news release. The old truck will be sold after the replacement vehicle is put into service.

AUSTIN — For the second time in recent days, a Longview resident has won big in the Texas Lottery. This time, the winner claimed a $5 million estimated annuitized jackpot prize for the Lotto Texas drawing held June 5. The cash value option was selected at the time of purchase, and the claimant will receive $3,755,592.41 before taxes. The ticket was purchased at EZ Bee49 on S. Eastman Road in Longview. On June 15, officials announced that a Longview resident had claimed a top prizewinning ticket worth $3 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game $750 Million Winner’s Circle. The claimant elected to remain anonymous in both cases.

WINNSBORO — The Winnsboro Police Department is seeking your help with an animal cruelty/animal abandonment case. According to the WPD Facebook page, in the late night hours of June 16, two unknown persons abandoned two very sick pups without food or water. One of the pups has since died, and the other is said not to be doing well. This is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by jail time as well as fines. You’re asked to contact WPD if you have any leads. Go here for more information and any updates.

TYLER — Smith County received the 2020 Safety Achievement Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool during Commissioners Court Tuesday. According to a news release, the award was earned for the county’s record of commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling workers’ compensation claims. The County is one of 12 members statewide to have earned the award. Go here to learn more.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Don Warren delivers his first State of the City address in an annual Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce event. Traffic leads Warren’s list of challenges. He told KTBB traffic is always an issue as Tyler continues to grow. He also addressed losing local control over annexation and pointed to broadband access, specifically for people in rural areas. On the upside, Warren says Tyler has a great overall quality of life. He mentioned parks, trails, and the downtown area. Warren says people move to Tyler “because when they drive around, they think, ‘This is where I want to live, this is where I want to raise my family, this is where I want to retire.'”

TYLER — The Tyler City Council will receive a presentation during Wednesday’s 9 a.m. meeting on the redistricting process in preparation for the 2020 Census results. The City Attorney’s office and Manual O. Mendez of the Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta Law Firm will provide the presentation. According to a news release, members of the public who wish to participate by making a public comment on any agenda item may only do so in person. Public Participation Forms will be located outside the main entrance to the Council Chambers. Tyler Council meetings are now open to the public at full capacity in City Hall on S. Bonner Ave.

GREGG COUNTY — A 16-year-old pedestrian has died after he was struck by a vehicle early Sunday morning. It happened on SH-149, approximately two miles southeast of the city of Lakeport, in Gregg County. According to the DPS report, just before 1:30, Johnathan Walker, of Gilmer, was said to be crossing an unlit portion of the roadway when he was struck by a southbound car. Walker was transported to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview were he later died. The driver of the car was identified as Ruby Martinez, 25, of Carthage. Martinez and the 17-year old female passenger were not injured in the crash.

TYLER — The Tyler Independent School District says it is in desperate need of bus drivers for the upcoming school year. According to KETK, the director of transportation mentioned they are experiencing the biggest shortage he’s seen in his whole career. These shortages aren’t only a problem in East Texas. It’s a nationwide issue that usually impacts schools during the summertime. One reason for this is the overall labor shortage. Now, to recruit more drivers Tyler ISD is getting creative. They are placing advertisements for job openings on their school buses. Continue reading Tyler ISD uses creativity to recruit more bus drivers

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is inviting the public to attend an open house in an effort to gather input on the proposed extension of Legacy Trails. The open house will be held on Tuesday, June 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tyler Development Center Large Conference Room on W. Ferguson St. The City was recently awarded a $2,853,456 grant through the Texas Department of Transportation Set-Aside Program to construct the extension to Legacy Trails. Continue reading MPO to host open house for proposed extension of Legacy Trails

TYLER — An East Texas-based online business that sells indoor and outdoor HDTV antennas displayed a pattern of complaints from customers who say they have been frustrated in their efforts to get the items they ordered and refunds for defective or missing merchandise. That’s according to a news release from the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas. BBB advises caution when dealing with AntennaDeals.com, which lists an address in Flint. Continue reading BBB warns of problems with local business

TYLER – Following significant delays due to winter weather and rain, work is scheduled to resume on the FM 2493/Old Jacksonville Highway project from Gresham to Flint. The anticipated completion date is fall 2021, according to a TxDOT news release. The project, with limits from FM 2813 in Gresham, south to FM 346 in Flint, will widen the existing two-lane roadway to five lanes with curb and gutter and bike lanes. “The contractor is tentatively scheduled to mobilize to complete the remainder of the surface on the project the week of June 28,” said Kathi White, TxDOT Public Information Officer, in the news release. “Weather permitting, that work should be completed in about a week, followed with placing the striping in the final configuration.” The traffic signal at FM 346 is anticipated to be activated by the end of July or early August. Continue reading Work to resume on FM 2493

TYLER — Smith County will be adding a new district court on January 1, 2023, now that House Bill 3774 has become law. The bill was signed by Governor Greg Abbott and created the 475th District Court, which will be the county’s fifth such court. The last time a district court was added in Smith County was 1977, when the county’s population was about 100,000. Currently, the population is about 230,000. County officials anticipate that adding the new court will reduce the jail population of those charged with felonies but awaiting trial. There are currently more than 600 Smith County Jail inmates awaiting felony trials. Only district courts have jurisdiction to dispose of felony cases. Click here to learn more.

SMITH COUNTY — Jury selection for the high-profile trial of a former CHRISTUS nurse accused of murdering four patients and severely injuring others will begin the last week of July, the judge announced Monday morning. Jury selection will begin Monday, July 26, in Tyler and run through that Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, William Davis, 37, has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault of four patients. Davis allegedly injected air into patients’ arteries on purpose. Davis was a registered nurse at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. He was fired before his arrest 3 years ago. The Smith County District Attorney is seeking the death penalty.

GREGG COUNTY — Drivers in Longview got a not-so lighter than air surprise Friday. Two hot-air balloons had to make emergency landings on a Longview freeway. The pilots said the wind died, meaning they had to land and it so happened to be on the road. Otherwise, they would have had to contend with trees and power lines. No injuries were reported. Harold “Bubba” Cliver was named Great Texas Balloon Race Champion following the 3 day event. Cliver took first place while competing alongside his son and nearly 60 other pilots, according to the Longview News Journal. Cliver said he’s been participating in the Great Texas Balloon Race for about 25 years.

PALESTINE – The city of Palestine will be spraying for mosquitoes beginning Monday June 21st through Saturday June 26th. According to our news partner KETK, the city will be spraying two areas, Area 1 and Area 5. Area 1 consists of West Spring Street at Carolina Street, east to Brushy Creek Road and West Kolstad Street. Area 1 also consists of North Jackson and North Link Streets. Area 5 encompasses Highway 155 North to Gardner Street and East to North Loop 256. Area 5 is bounded to the south by East Park Street.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Tyler-Longview area for Saturday, June 19. Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in the Tyler-Longview area on Saturday. There are several things you can do to help limit ozone formation. Among them: drive less, don’t idle your engine for extended periods, and postpone filling your tank until late afternoon. Click here for more information.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man who has been awaiting his murder trial for nearly four years will have to wait an additional three months to have his day in court. According to our news partner KETK, Martin Reynolds, 24, was arrested in 2017 for the killing of Andrew Carpenter, 19. Reynolds has claimed self-defense. The case has faced several delays over the past 3.5 years due to pre-trial hearings, forensic evidence, the pandemic — and, most recently, the unavailability of a witness. The trial is now set for September 13.

TYLER — Two local attorneys have announced they’re running for Smith County Court at Law #3 judge in next year’s Republican Primary. In a news release, Clay White says he’s a board-certified personal injury attorney with 30 years of experience. On her campaign page, Cheryl Wulf says she’s been a licensed attorney in Texas since 2003, handling cases in civil, family, and criminal law. Judge Floyd Getz will be retiring from the post following his current term.

TYLER — Smith County Road 384, also known as Old Longview Road, will be partially closed for about two weeks so a bridge can be repaired. CR 384, northeast of Tyler, is closed from Farm-to-Market Road 2908 to Interstate 20. Signs placed there alert drivers to take alternative routes, according to a county news release.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas, in partnership with Kelly Community Federal Credit Union and Ark-La-Tex Shredding, hosted their annual “Secure Your ID” day Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until noon at the BBB Offices on New Copeland Road. The event was re-scheduled to coincide with and extension for income taxes for Texas residents. The services were provided free, and attendees are encouraged to bring paper documents that contain personal and/or financial information to be destroyed — as well as electronics such as old computers, hard drives, and cell phones.

TYLER — Preparations for the Tyler Rose Complex began Thursday, according to a city news release. The first part of the project will be to install a dedicated parking lot area for Tyler Civic Theater and the Rose Garden Center. WRL General Contractors has begun milling Rose Park Drive to complete this phase. Portions of Rose Park Drive and the majority of Harvey Convention Center’s parking lot will be closed periodically. West Houston Street will remain open for the duration of the project. The Rose Garden and Tyler Civic Theater will remain open to the public. The Rose Garden gate on Rose Park Drive will be closed, but patrons will still be able to access the garden through the Rose Garden Center and the gate on West Houston Street by the Idea Garden. Continue reading Preparations begin for Tyler Rose Complex

ATHENS — A murder investigation is underway in Henderson County. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Joshua Jones, 37, of Seven Points, has been arrested in connection to the fatal Thursday night shooting of Jason Blake, 44. Deputies responded to a disturbance call at a home on West Oak Ridge Road around 8:15 and found Blake reportedly shot in the back near the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Jones and Blake lived at the residence where the shooting took place. Continue reading Murder suspect arrested after shooting Thursday night

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding another mega drive-thru produce distribution Friday in Tyler from 10 a.m. to noon at Lindsey Park. As with past distributions, the events are open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. These are drive-thru distributions and walk-ups will not be accepted, according to a news release. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note must be provided. An average of 1,200 families are served at each distribution. Even as the pandemic is fading, food bank staffers say they are still seeing an increased need for food assistance. The next Tyler distribution dates are June 26 at Green Acres Baptist Church and July 2 at Lindsey Park, both from 10 a.m. to noon.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities announces its 2020 drinking water quality report is available for all residential and commercial customers to review. The report confirms TWU continually delivers residents and businesses high-quality drinking water that meets and exceeds state and federal standards, according to a news release. Among other things, the report shows there was no lead and only very low traces of copper detected in the drinking water provided to TWU customers. The water quality report is available here.

LONGVIEW – The CHRISTUS Good Shepherd COVID-19 vaccine hub is expanding access and now offering vaccine appointments at multiple CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic locations across the region. The vaccine will remain free of charge, and the scheduling process will remain the same – simply visit this link to make an appointment. Effective Thursday, June 17, the hub will transition away from the Longview Exhibit Center, and appointments are now available Monday through Friday at designated CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic primary care locations in Longview, Marshall, and Kilgore. Walk-in appointments are also available at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care in Longview on West Loop 281. All patients will receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is available to everyone 12 and older, according to a news release.

LONGVIEW — A man is arrested after leading officers on a high speed chase from Longview all the way to Louisiana. According to our news partner KETK, Jerimiah Brown was driving east on Interstate 20 in a stolen car. That’s when Longview officers got a tip the vehicle didn’t belong to Brown. Authorities say he started to speed away but after calling for backup, officers deployed a spike strip to slow him down. Brown is currently being held at the Caddo Parish Jail.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is charged with murder. According to our news partner KETK, Dontrey Walker is accused of killing his girlfriend and then confessing to the crime during a police standoff in Huntsville. Officers say they found his alleged victim, Paige Martin, dead inside a house on Tuesday during a welfare check. Martin appeared to have injuries to her neck. Walker is now in jail.