KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University has announced a new partnership with the Cargill family to help facilitate the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship program. Jerry and Jack Cargill founded the scholarship to honor their mother, Polly Cargill, and support nursing students, according to an ETBU news release. Since its inception 19 years ago, the Polly Cargill Nursing Scholarship has provided financial aid to 60 nursing students from schools across the East Texas region, including East Texas Baptist.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is planning a couple of fun and educational activities. Keep Tyler Beautiful invites the community to Bee Day in the Garden for the Grand Opening of the Honey Bee Observation Hive from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 26, at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The celebration includes activities for children, honey vendors, face painters, local food trucks, and educational workshops. And Tyler Public Library will resume in-person storytime for children on June 22. Storytimes are geared for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers and feature reading, singing, and other activities. To learn more, click here and scroll down to “Tyler News.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler recently appointed Lacie Ballinger as the new executive director of the Discovery Science Place. Ballinger was most recently director of collections and exhibits for the Tallahassee Museum in Florida. Other museum experience includes 10 years as the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History collections manager and eight years as the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza concept development and collections coordinator. The Discovery Science Place is a non-profit science museum in downtown Tyler that operates in partnership with UT-Tyler.

WHITEHOUSE — Shortly before a visit to Whitehouse, Republican Party of Texas Chairman Allen West resigned his post. According to a statement from the state party, West will stay on until a new chair can be selected July 11. The statement goes on to say West “will prayerfully reflect on a new chapter in his already distinguished career.” Our news partner KETK reports that during a news conference in Whitehouse Friday, West said he is contemplating running for office. He said he has made no decision on what office he might seek, though he added, “Maybe something congressional.” There has been speculation that he would challenge Greg Abbott for governor.

LONGVIEW — The demolition work to remove the Lansing Switch Road bridge over I-20 between Longview and Hallsville Sunday night has been postponed due to inclement weather predictions. The work will be rescheduled as weather permits, according to a news release from TxDOT. Anyone having any questions about the road closure, detour route, or demolition work can call the TxDOT Marshall area office at 903-935-2809 for more information.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance in locating a missing 13-year-old, said to be a runaway. Officials say Gracelyn Elaine Lachney has her hair dyed black and is 5’6″ tall, with a medium build. She was last seen in the Kilgore/Liberty City area. You’re asked to contact local law enforcement if you have any information on her whereabouts.

TYLER — Senator John Cornyn keynotes the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Energy Summit and holds a press conference afterwards. One key topic: the electricity grid in the face of February’s Arctic blast — and recent cyber attacks. Cornyn said, “I don’t think we’re any more prepared for cyber attacks on our grid than we were for this extremely cold weather — and we better wake up, and we better pay attention and fix that, because our grid is critical infrastructure; it’s national security.” Continue reading Cornyn addresses energy summit

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding another mega drive-thru produce distribution Friday from 10 a.m. till noon at Lindsey Park in Tyler, with free fruits and vegetables given out to families. The event is open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. The food bank reminds you this is a drive-thru distribution and walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. If someone is unable to attend a distribution, they may send a note with a friend or family member to pick up food for them. The note must include their name, signature, and a statement that the individual is permitted to pick up food for you. Any single car may not have more than three of these notes, so a maximum of four households can be served per vehicle.

HENDERSON — Law enforcement has confirmed the identity of a body found Thursday morning near Henderson. 31-year-old Eriberto Santana of Rusk County was found beside a creek near CR 407 with a gunshot wound. A gun was also found in the creek. The body will be sent for autopsy as the cause of death remains under investigation. Our news partner KETK reports a woman was driving by on CR 407 and called authorities after seeing an abandoned car at the bridge of Bromley Creek. Law enforcement responded to the scene and found the body.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A Grand Saline man died about 9 p.m. Tuesday when he was struck by an Amtrack train as he tried to run across the tracks. According to our news partner KETK, Jimmy Don Brittain, 47, died at the scene, Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix said. Brittain was running across a section of Union Pacific tracks that run parallel to Highway 80 and did not make it. He went down an embankment near the old rodeo grounds and apparently underestimated how far away the train was, the sheriff said. The conductor hit the emergency brake but was not able to stop in time. “We have ruled this death an accident,” Hendricks said.

TYLER — A warrant has been issued for a man wanted in a murder investigation. Tyler Police detectives obtained a capital murder warrant on Dakevian Beniot Scroggins, 27. Officials say they believe Scroggins in still in the East Texas area and should be considered armed and dangerous. He currently has warrants from other law enforcement agencies, including an active parole violation warrant issued by the Texas Boards of Pardons/Parole in Austin. On May 13, Christopher Frank Eiglebiger, 33, was found fatally shot at a home on Crosby Street. Continue reading Tyler police search for suspect in homicide investigation

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Texas Republicans are pressing ahead with their push for tougher election laws after Democrats’ defiant weekend walkout stopped one of the nation’s most restrictive voting measures. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday had still not called a special legislative session but says he intends to after Democrats blocked new voting laws from passing by walking out of the state House of Representatives. Bolstered by GOP majorities in both the House and Senate, Abbott is also weighing whether to use the extra session to take up other top conservative priorities that had failed during the session.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott was expected to sign the bill — sponsored by Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola — and says he’ll call a special session to finish the job. The meltdown of the Texas bill was a rare victory for Democrats in a year that has seen more than a dozen states enact new laws tightening voting restrictions.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas businesses and residents affected by severe storms and tornadoes that occurred March 27, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Harrison, Panola, Rusk and Shelby counties in Texas; and Caddo and De Soto parishes in Louisiana. Continue reading SBA Offers Disaster Assistance

TYLER — The public is invited to attend an open house held by the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in an effort to update the Master Street Plan. The open house will be held on Thursday, June 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center’s large conference room on W. Ferguson St. The Master Street Plan is a long-range planning document that classifies streets based on current and forecast traffic counts. For more information click here and scroll down to “Tyler News.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced that a special tuition rate has been established for registered nurses to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. According to a news release, UT Tyler now offers a flat rate of $9,895 to cover tuition and fees for the eight courses included in the online RN to BSN program. The new rate applies to both in-state and out-of state residents. For more information about the program, click here.

LONGVIEW — Part of Interstate 20 east of Longview will be closed from 7 p.m. Sunday, June 6, until 5 a.m. Monday, June 7, or until work is completed. That’s the word from TxDOT as crews work to demolish the bridge crossing the interstate at Lansing Switch Road in preparation for its replacement. The closure will be between Loop 281 in Longview and FM 450 in Hallsville. Eastbound traffic will exit at Loop 281 and be detoured down FM 968 to FM 450, where it will get back on I-20. Westbound traffic will exit at FM 450 and be detoured up to US 80 and then to Loop 281, where it will get back on I-20. Continue reading Demolition work to close I-20 Sunday east of Longview

TYLER — Texas Senator John Cornyn will keynote the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Energy Summit Thursday with an on-stage discussion moderated by Ken Waits, President & CEO of Mewbourne Oil. According to a press release, Sen. Cornyn will discuss the state of the energy industry nationally and what the future holds particularly for the fossil fuel and renewable energy industries important to East Texas. He will then answer questions from the audience. Following the keynote discussion, Sen. Cornyn will hold a press conference. The keynote discussion starts at 12:15 at Green Acres Crosswalk Conference Center.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says former County Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez faces assault charges. According to a news release, on May 17, the Sheriff’s Office received information from Smith County Human Resources officials concerning an April 27 incident that allegedly took place in the elections office. Both reported female victims said they were each given a cup containing a pink liquid substance by Hernandez. Hernandez reportedly informed the employees that the cup contained “Spark” energy drink. Both women consumed the drink. Continue reading Former elections administrator arrested for assault

TYLER — Smith County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program being administered by PATH has assisted 276 families, helping keep them from becoming homeless, according to a news release. The Commissioners Court was given an update on the progress of the distribution of more than $7 million the county received from the U.S. Treasury in rental and utility assistance funding to aid those affected by COVID-19. County Judge Nathaniel Moran says he deeply appreciates the partnership with PATH as well as what he terms the agency’s hard work on the effort.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Big Sandy man is dead in an Upshur County accident caused by a wind gust. The mishap was reported Saturday on SH 154 about seven miles west of Gilmer. According to DPS, a preliminary report indicates that 41-year-old Timothy Robert Field of Big Sandy was trying to keep a mattress secured in the bed of a pickup when the wind gust caught it, causing him to fall from the vehicle. Field was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — The Goodman-LeGrand Museum will host its first mystery dinner of the year on Saturday, June 12, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The theme of the night will be “The Trouble with Paradise.” The mystery dinners are part of the Goodman-LeGrand Museum fundraising efforts to support its day-to-day operations and special events. Admission is $40 per person; reservations and payment are required in advance. Seats are limited. A special meal will be prepared by Chef Rojo Tellez of C Rojo’s Mobile Cuisine. To purchase tickets or for more information, call Debbie Isham, special events and Goodman Museum supervisor at (903) 531-1286.

TYLER — TxDOT is planning another round of roadwork the week of May 31 in the Tyler District. Night work starts Tuesday on the US 80 improvement project just east of Eastman Rd. in Longview. Expect lane closures and delays starting at 9 p.m. In Tyler, crews are scheduled to conduct mill and inlay operations on SH 110 inside North Loop 323 Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The work requires residents who park along SH 110 at this location to park elsewhere. Click here for the complete rundown of work around the district.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department administrative offices will be moving to the third floor of the Cotton Belt Building, at Front and Glenwood. After being closed Friday, May 28, the department will resume regular business hours at the new location on Tuesday, June 1. For more information, contact Tyler Parks and Recreation at (903) 531-1212.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank kicks off its 17th Annual Summer Food Program Tuesday across 24 community sites in the region. The program provides free breakfast and lunch meals to children under 18. There will be sites in Tyler, Whitehouse, Lindale, Mt. Pleasant, Gilmer, Hawkins, Longview, Kilgore, Marshall, Waskom, Jacksonville, Rusk, Mineola, Hawkins, and Wills Point. The full list of sites, meals offered, and service times can be found here.

TYLER — The city of Tyler wants you to know about a special offer for young library patrons. Tyler Transit and the Tyler Public Library have partnered to promote the Summer Reading Program. During the months of June, July, and August, all students under 18 can ride Tyler Public Transportation System’s fixed routes free of charge when traveling to and from the library. Click here for more information.

TYLER — Congressman Louie Gohmert appears at the long-running Memorial Day ceremony at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home. Gohmert shared his thoughts on the holiday with KTBB. He told us, “It is when many people have one of the best, most enjoyable weekends of the year. But we should not forget what this day is about: remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. There’s a lotta divisions in the country right now, and this nation is divided on a number of different things. But on this there should be no division: we owe our freedom — the fact that that we have kept it — to those who have been willing and have laid down their lives for their country.” Continue reading Gohmert, Schaefer reflect on Memorial Day

AUSTIN (AP) – A restrictive voting bill in Texas that was on the verge of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk has failed to pass Sunday night after Democrats walked out of the House chamber before a midnight deadline. Abbott swiftly said he would call a special session to try passing a voting bill again but did not say when. The bill known as Senate Bill 7 would have imposed a raft of election changes that eliminate drive-thru voting, empower partisan poll watchers and impose new requirements in order to cast a ballot by mail in Texas, which already has some of toughest voting laws in the nation.

The bill, authored by GOP Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola, would eliminate drive-thru voting and empower partisan poll watchers. It would also impose new limits on Sunday voting, when many Black churchgoers head to the polls. President Joe Biden called the Texas bill part of an “assault on democracy.”

TYLER — Tyler Memorial Funeral Home is one of many sites holding Memorial Day ceremonies Monday. Due to the legislative session, Tyler state Representative Matt Schaefer had to cancel a planned appearance there, but he shared his thoughts on the holiday with KTBB. Schaefer said, “This Memorial Day is gonna be so special, with everyone able to get together in person, outdoors …barbecuing with family, and remembering the sacrifices that were made for our freedom.” Congressman Louie Gohmert will be speaking at the event, scheduled for 11 a.m. Click here for more details.

AUSTIN — A bill banning critical race theory will go to the governor’s desk. According to his office, State Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola served as Senate “point man” for the measure in the absence of Sen. Brandon Creighton. Creighton authored the Senate version of the bill but has been sidelined while recovering from an auto accident. House Bill 3979 forbids teachers from discussing what is called critical race theory — which holds that some people are inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether they know it or not. Supporters of the bill say critical race theory is politically motivated and should not be taught in the classroom. Opponents say it attempts to limit lessons about historic slavery. At one point it appeared the bill might not pass because of procedural complications. It will now go to Governor Abbott for his signature.

TYLER — Former Tyler Legacy High School Dean of Instruction John Smiley is the 2021-2022 Region 7 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. The award is sponsored by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Smiley says he’s “honored” by the recognition. In a press release, Legacy Principal Dan Crawford calls Smiley “one of the hardest working, most dedicated educators with whom I have had the opportunity to work.” This fall, Smiley will be one of 20 regional winners from across Texas to apply for state honors. The state winner will be announced at the June 2022 TASSP Summer Conference. Continue reading Smiley named Region 7 High School Assistant Principal of the Year