KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Judson Road between Hoyt Drive and Pegues Place in Longview will be fully reopened to traffic as of Sunday evening, June 13. Meanwhile, McCann Road between Glencrest Lane and Lehigh Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction, according to a city news release. Traffic on McCann Road will initially be routed into the two west-most lanes – next to Town Lake Village and New Hupei Chinese Restaurant. Additionally, barriers will prohibit entering or exiting the intersection of Spur 63 and McCann Road – next to Electric Cowboy and Lone Star Ice House. Access to all area businesses will be available throughout the project. Click here for more information.

TYLER — This summer – a traditionally slow season for blood donations – Carter BloodCare strongly urges Texans to give blood for other Texans. Green Acres Baptist Church is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 13. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Kevin Burdette at (903) 525-1186. CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 14, in the Wisenbaker Center on the main Tyler campus. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Wendi Tuz at (903) 606-1615. Continue reading More blood drives scheduled

TYLER — Tyler police are following up on a Friday evening shooting at the Alpine Creek Apartments on Paluxy Drive. Police say they responded around 7 p.m., with multiple callers giving suspect information. Officers located and detained the suspect, who they say appeared intoxicated. According to authorities, it was determined that the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Johnathan Mitchell of Tyler, began shooting a pistol at several people who were in the apartment complex. Nobody was struck by a bullet, but three people where shot at, according to police. Multiple shell casings were found on scene. Mitchell was charged on sight with 3 counts of aggravated assault and booked into the Smith County Jail.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert has released a statement in response to his comments on the changing of Earth and Moon’s orbits during a Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing. According to Gohmert, “One of the great things about east Texas is the vast resource of common sense, including an understanding of sarcasm. President Biden indicated that he wants to be part of international climate deals, which actually hamstring our economy, send money from the US to other countries, and all while pollution continues to pour out of China and India unabated. The climate has never stopped changing and will not stop changing, but the legitimate question is whether or not actions of humanity truly cause ongoing changes. Continue reading Gohmert issues statement on changing of orbits

TYLER — The City of Tyler is accepting applications for its boards and commissions. The deadline to apply is Aug. 6. Appointments will be made by the City Council at their Sept. 8 meeting. Those appointed will serve voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. Anyone interested in serving can complete an application here. Applications can also be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, or you can call the city clerk at (903) 531-1106 and have an application faxed or mailed to you.

TYLER — Tyler police continue to seek suspects in an aggravated robbery May 8 around 11:30 p.m. at the River Oaks Apartments on Troup Highway. Police say Adrian Kendricks-Williams, 20, was assaulted by seven people who also held him at gunpoint and stole his wallet and phone. One suspect is the victim’s ex-girlfriend. Three suspects are in jail, but four remain at large: 19-year-old Erica McFall, 21-year-old Dakota Williams, and 21-year-old LaCourtney Johnson, all from Tyler; and Brandon Bradford, 20, of El Paso. Anyone with leads should call 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

LONGVIEW — New details emerge about a Longview man charged with manslaughter in an April crash. According to our news partner KETK, court documents now reveal Luis Rivas was looking at his phone just seconds before. crashing his pickup truck into the back of a small SUV. Rivas left the SUV driver unconscious, and an 81-year-old woman died the next day from her injuries. To this day, that driver remains in critical condition. When the officers arrived, Rivas immediately confessed the accident was his fault. Under Texas law, the maximum sentence for manslaughter is 20 years in prison.

TYLER — State Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, visited Tyler on Thursday to meet with the Smith County Republican Club. The 87th legislative session recently came to an end, and now East Texas lawmakers are focusing on the upcoming special session in Austin. According to our news partner KETK, Hughes spoke at the Hollytree Country Club about his expectations for that next session. He said Governor Greg Abbott will call lawmakers in to talk about election security and integrity. Hughes also wants a bill similar to his Senate Bill 7 to make it through in session. Continue reading Sen. Bryan Hughes speaks to Smith County Republicans

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted in favor of annexation of 5.16 acres of property at the southeast intersection of Highway 64 East and Smith County Road 219, zoned for commercial use only and expanding District 4. Council also approved an ordinance conveying the alcohol wet/dry ordinance to the property, according to a news release. The move allows the property owners to legally sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption with the approval of state and federal permits and licenses. A CEFCO fueling station with a convenience store is located on the property. A larger property adjacent to the convenience store is currently undeveloped. The owner may add more commercial development to the property, according to the release. The City voted in favor of the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption on November 6, 2012.

TYLER — The TSA Pre✓ mobile enrollment center will be at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in the commercial terminal building from July 12 through July 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a city of Tyler news release. That’s after TSA updated its Pre✓ service website to include Tyler as an on-site location for enrollment and renewal. Travelers interested in TSA Pre✓ can now schedule their in-person appointment to complete the background check and fingerprinting at the mobile enrollment center. Before applying, be sure to visit here for full details. TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience, according to the release. Appointments are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview have arrested a Tatum man for alleged animal cruelty. Police say they were dispatched Wednesday afternoon to the America’s Best Value Inn on Estes Parkway regarding a disturbance in one of the rooms. Upon arrival, officers made contact with 54-year-old David Fields, who they say admitted to punishing his dog for using the bathroom on the floor. An officer found the dog in the room and observed what was termed serious injury to the animal. During the investigation, a veterinarian told officers that the dog had severe trauma and was taken to Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center for treatment. Fields was jailed on a charged of cruelty to an animal with serious bodily injury, a 3rd-degree felony.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board on Thursday appointed Lindsey Harrison to fill the seat for District 6 vacated by Fritz Hager. According to our news partner KETK, her LinkedIn account shows Harrison has worked as a marketing specialist in the medical device industry and has a degree from Texas Tech University with a concentration on communication. She has been active in the Junior League of Tyler and Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County, according to information she posted about herself online. She attended TISD and has children in the school district. Hager announced earlier that he would be leaving his post on June 10 to attend law school and eventually practice law with his wife at their firm, Hager Law, PLLC.

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank is holding its monthly drive-thru produce distribution Friday in Longview from 8-10 a.m. at the Gregg County Fairgrounds. Officials say families should enter from 300 W. Cotton. 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. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note must be provided. Food bank staffers say they serve an average of 1,200 families at each distribution. They cite an increased need for food assistance as the pandemic’s effects continue to be felt. Future Longview distribution dates are July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10, all from 8-10 a.m.

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Ed Broussard reflects as the city sees sales tax allocation numbers way up from last year at this time. Broussard told KTBB news, “We are very proud of the Tyler economy and how well it was able to rebound and come out of… that kinda COVID slump that happened in March and April of last year.” But Broussard says the city will continue its policy of budgeting conservatively for the coming fiscal year “so we don’t get stuck in a spot where we have to pull back or stop” certain services due to insufficient funds. Continue reading Broussard upbeat but cautious on sales tax news

FAIRFIELD — The Lindale man accused of killing a DPS Trooper is set to appear in court. Dabrett Black is facing a capital murder charge for the death of Trooper Damon Allen. Allen was shot after a trafficl stop on Thanksgiving, 2017. Black fled the scene and was arrested a short time later near Houston after a standoff with police. A change of venue to Freestone County was granted. Two hearings are scheduled for today, one to withdrawal counsel and one for competency. Black faces life in prison if convicted.

TYLER — An arrest warrant has been issued for the second man charged with beating a nonverbal autistic teen last year after he did not show up for a scheduled court hearing on Wednesday where he was expected to plead guilty. According to our news partner KETK, 26-year-old Bubacarr Ceesay was arrested along with Auston Reed in February of last year after allegedly being caught on a secret recording of them reportedly assaulting an autistic teen in the middle of the night. Reed pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville.

TYLER — The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Lindsey Park in the Tyler area Tuesday was an EF0, with winds of about 80 mph. According to our news partner KETK, an EF0 is the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale, used by the National Weather Service to determine the strength of a tornado. The tornado hit the park west of Loop 323 about 9 a.m. According to the city, damage at the park was minor and consisted of tipped over bleachers, torn soccer goals, about five uprooted and downed trees, and a goal post that was blown over. The twister also was seen touching down briefly over the Cascades golf course not far from Lindsey Park. No one was hurt by the twister. Continue reading NWS: Lindsey Park tornado had winds of about 80 mph

TYLER — Liberty Hall and the City of Tyler will be hosting the Downtown Tyler Film Festival virtually from June 10 to June 13. The event will start each night at 7:00. Tickets are now on sale. Passes for individual nights are $15 each, or you can purchase a four-day pass for $50. Ticket holders will attend the event virtually through a link emailed two hours before the start of the event each night. Click this link for more information.

TYLER — Judge Ken Starr will be in Tyler Thursday to sign his new book, “Religious Liberty in Crisis: Exercising Your Faith in an Age of Uncertainty.” The noon event at Hollytree Country Club will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Tyler. Starr is a former president and chancellor of Baylor University. He was appointed to serve as independent counsel for five investigations, including Whitewater, from 1994 to 1999.

ATHENS — Henderson County deputies and investigators arrested an armed man for online solicitation of a child online after they were forced to breach his residence, according to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. Hillhouse says James Bond, 50, was arrested at a home on Chapperall Drive Tuesday and was also charged with aggravated assault against a public servant. According to Hillhouse, the team approached the residence, announced its presence, and eventually breached the door of the home to gain entry. Inside, they reportedly found Bond in the residence armed with a rifle. Hillhouse says Bond pointed the loaded weapon at one of the investigators but eventually surrendered.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is notifying residents of problems with the TSA Pre✓ service scheduled for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport the week of July 12. The city earlier advised interested residents to begin signing up for the opportunity. Now the city has issued a statement saying, “We are aware that the City of Tyler is not showing as an option on the TSA website for the Pre✓ service. We are reaching out to TSA to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. Once it is resolved, we will notify the public via social media and press release. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused our residents.” According to an earlier news release, “TSA Pre✓ is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience.”

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee will hold a regular meeting Thursday, June 17, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Tyler City Council Chambers. On the agenda: the 2021 Master Street Plan and Transit Route Study; amendments to the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and to the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program; and the fiscal year 2022-2023 Unified Planning Work Program. Residents can review the agenda and access the meeting here.

TYLER — Newly revealed court documents involving the arrest of former Smith County elections official Denise Hernandez showed multiple employees accusing her of being a bully toward them. According to our news partner KETK, Hernandez was arrested last week. She’s accused of spiking drinks that she gave employees with colon cleanser and did not tell them until after they finished. She had originally told them they were energy drinks. Hernandez has been charged with two counts of assault and has been released on a $20,000 bond. Continue reading Warrant: Former Smith County Elections Administrator has a history of bullying employees

ATHENS — The Athens City Council Tuesday accepted the resignation of Mayor James Montgomery (pictured) after his arrest last week for online solicitation of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, the council called a special session after his arrest and promoted Mayor Pro Tem Toni Clay to acting mayor. Montgomery was arrested Thursday as part of a sting in Longview. He remains free on $300,000 bond.

EAST TEXAS — Severe storms moved through East Texas Tuesday morning, prompting at least two tornadoes, according to our news partner KETK. At least one tornado hit the Tyler area. According to a news release from the city of Tyler, about 25 children aged 9-16 were participating in a soccer camp at Lindsey Park when they were rushed off the fields into the park restrooms as the twister was seen heading straight to the soccer fields. Lindsey Park Crew Leader Dorean Lindsey said his team spotted the tornado and began working to get the children and coaches off the field and into the restrooms, where they could take cover. Continue reading Severe storms move through East Texas

ATHENS — The Athens city council called a special session today to discuss what steps to take following the arrest of their mayor. According to our news partner KETK, the meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Derek D. Daniels Conference Room of the Athens Partnership Center. According to the agenda, the council is scheduled to “Discuss, consider, and take action, as necessary, concerning the acceptance of resignation letter from Monte Montgomery.” Continue reading Athens city council will hold special meeting to consider resignation of mayor

AUSTIN — A jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated annuitized $5 million for the Lotto Texas drawing held June 5 was purchased at EZ Bee49 on S. Eastman Road in Longview. The winning Quick Pick ticket matched all six of the numbers drawn (5-11-20-24-27-46). The cash value option was selected at the time of purchase and the claimant will receive $3,755,592.41 before taxes. As of late Monday afternoon, the prize had not yet been claimed. The winner has 180 days from the draw date to claim it.

ATHENS — The case of an Athens ISD bus driver charged for the death of a child is headed back to a grand jury. According to our news partner KETK, 80-year-old John Stevens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after the January 2019 crash with a train. The collision killed 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injured 9-year-old Joselyne Torres. The Texas Attorney General’s Office is now prosecuting the case after the Henderson County DA’S office recused itself, citing a “conflict of interest.” Prosecutors announced that they would be sending the case back to the grand jury in July because they were not happy with the language of the indictments. 392nd District Judge Scott McKee set a status hearing date of August 5.

EAST TEXAS — Thousands lost power in East Texas Monday as storms passed through the area, according to our news partner KETK. Crews were working to get things back to normal. Rain chances continue at least through Tuesday, with a flash flood watch covering much of the region.

TYLER — Tyler ISD has appointed an acting principal for Tyler Legacy High School after the resignation of former principal Dr. Daniel Crawford. According to our news partner KETK, Gary Brown will serve until an interim or permanent replacement is selected. He was the principal of Tyler Legacy from 2012-2016 before moving to his job as executive director of college and career at TISD, which he has held five years. The position of principal was opened after Crawford resigned amid an investigation into a “powdery white substance” found in his home last week. That investigation continues.