KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology broke ground Friday afternoon on an 85,000-square-foot center expected to open in the fall of 2022. Leaders at CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology joined Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, providers, nurses and associates to celebrate the ceremony. The facility promises 3,000 square feet to be dedicated to research with 30,000 square feet for medical, radiation and gynecology oncology. CHRISTUS Health will also house a 7,500-square-foot advanced imaging center with 3T MRI, PET and CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and more. Read more here.

TYLER — Spring in Tyler is historically busy with tourists coming to the Rose City for events including the Azaela & Spring Flower Trail. However, that changed last year with the pandemic taking its toll on tourism across the country. In a prepared statement Friday, Visit Tyler President Shari Lee said, “Direct travel spending contributes more than $390 million to the local economy annually and supports more than 4,000 jobs within the city.” Visit Tyler says, despite the winter storms of February that delayed the blooming of flowers  and various events being pushed to later dates, the month of March brought an increase in guests to the visitor center. Recent hotel bookings indicate Tyler is starting to see the return of travelers to the area with 80% occupancy for hotels citywide over the last month.

TYLER — Two Tyler churches are registering people for first dose vaccines. The clinics are set for Monday at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Tyler from 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. With a second coming up Tuesday at St. Louis Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The churches will also accept walk-ins without an appointment. Nearly 1,500 people were vaccinated in February and March where Northeast Texas Public Health District and Christus Trinity Mother Frances employees vaccinated community members at the church sites. Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton thanked Reverend Ralph Caraway Sr., of St. Louis Baptist; and Father Luis Larrea, of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, for hosting and for their help in coordinating the centers. The goal is to help the elderly and people with medical conditions living in under-served areas of Smith County.

AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar reminded Texans Friday that emergency preparation supplies are tax free through Monday night. A number of items will forego the usual tax during this period that began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The media release said there is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. These include: household batteries, fuel containers and flashlights priced at less than $75; hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced at less than $300; and portable generators priced at less than $3,000. Read more here.

CANEY CITY — Paynse Springs Fire and Rescue reported details Friday of a head-on collision, the previous night, involving a car and motorcycle. The deadly crash happened just north of the bridge going into Caney City. Local police were first on the scene and removed the injured rider from a growing fire to a safe area for treatment. UT-Health’s Air 1 was sent to the location, landing on the bridge. However, the unidentified rider died from their injuries before they could be transported to the hospital. HWY 198 remained closed for an extended period of time while DPS Troopers conducted an investigation. Information was not immediately available on the condition of the driver of the pick up.

PALESTINE — Palestine police said Friday, seven people were arrested after members of a drug task force raided numerous hotels in the city where drug solicitation was suspected. After receiving complaints of drug activity in hotels, the police department launched an investigation. In a prepared statement, the city said, “Investigators learned that multiple suspects were selling narcotics at several of the hotels.” The department formed a task force involving other law enforcement agencies. Those arrested and transported to the Anderson County Jail include; Stephen Davis, Marisol Jimenez Arredondo, John Louie Gonzales, Joshua Troy Yelverton, Abel Lee Hudson, Olin Lee Reagan and Christopher Lenard Williams. During the arrests, investigators seized methamphetamines and cocaine.

TYLER — The Brookshires on Rice Road in Tyler will be the site Saturday for a ‘Take Back Event.’ Tyler police say they will work together with the Drug Enforcement Agency, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., collecting unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. In addition to that, they will also collect capsules, tablets, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs, free of charge. However, liquids, syringes and other sharps and illegal drugs will not be accepted. In a recent Take Back Event, over 600 pounds were collected in Tyler alone.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is actively looking for 24 individuals to be a part of their summer recreation team at Fun Forest Pool and the Summer Playground Program sites. On Friday the city said positions include a Pool Manager, Assistant Pool Manager, Lifeguards, Playground Leaders and Playground Aides. Each position will work between 30 to 40 hours a week. Start date will be in late May and end in August. Interested applicants should apply online by May 5, and can do so by clicking here. For more information contact Tyler Parks and Rec at (903) 595-7217.

TYLER — The brother of a six-year-old child that died after they were found unresponsive in the bathtub of a Tyler motel has been arrested. On Friday, Tyler Police Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh told KTBB News, “Just based on interviews with the 12-year-old and other evidence found during the investigation, we were able to determine that the 12-year-old was responsible for the manslaughter of the six-year old.” The unidentified 12-year-old minor was transported to the Juvenile Attention Center in Tyler and charged with the second degree felony. The case will be filed with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading Brother of child found in motel bathtub arrested

JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville man was sentenced Thursday to 78 months in federal prison for meth charges. According to our news partner KETK, Andres Gallegos, 38, pleaded guilty on Jan. 13, 2020 to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Court documents show that an investigation into drug trafficking in Smith and Cherokee counties revealed in October 2018 that Gallegos “regularly sold methamphetamine from his residence in Jacksonville.” Continue reading Jacksonville man sentenced to federal prison for meth charges

TYLER — The brother of a six-year-old child that died after they were found unresponsive in the bathtub of a Tyler motel has been arrested. According to Tyler Police, the unidentified 12-year-old was transported to the Juvenile Attention Center in Tyler Thursday and charged with manslaughter.  The case will be filed with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Officers were called to the Town House Motel on Gentry around 5:00 April 15. The child was transported by ambulance to a Tyler hospital, then transported to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. He was removed from life support April 20, and did not survive. His body was sent for autopsy at Southwest Forensics in Dallas.

TYLER — DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a man charged with inappropriately touching a girl who was sleeping in a cabin at Sky Ranch Christian Camp in 2015. According to our news partner KETK, Caylon Whittington, 29, of Mineola, has been charged with burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a sex offense. His bond is set at $250,000. Whittington was arrested in Llano County on April 6 and transferred to the Smith County Jail on April 19. Continue reading DNA evidence leads to arrest of man in 6-year-old case

TYLER — A Tyler man has been charged with injury to a child-disabled person by omission. According to our news partner KETK, Glenn Caldwell Jr., 45, was arrested after his 17-year-old daughter with an intellectual disability, had to have her feet amputated due to frostbite. Caldwell is being held in the Smith County Jail with bond set at $250,000. Officers and Child Protective Services began looking into a possible case of abuse after UT Health in Tyler reported a 17-year-old female had been taken to the hospital with severe frostbite to both feet on March 2. Due to the seriousness of the injuries, her feet had to be amputated. Caldwell told detectives he noticed the problem Feb. 23 or 24, but did not take her in for treatment then.

TYLER — A portion of Smith County Road 220 is closed to drivers while a new bridge can be constructed. According to the county, road and bridge crews began work on the road just east of New Chapel Hill, earlier this month, to repair a box culvert and the roadway. However, once work began, it was determined that the entire structure had been undermined so the culvert will need to be replaced with a bridge. The road closure affects CR 220, to through traffic between CR 289 and CR 2298. Drivers in the area will need to take alternate. The project will take about four months. Read more here.

TYLER — A federal grand jury in Tyler has returned an indictment charge of arson for an Athens man. According to the Eastern District of Texas, Brandon Blake Neeley, 19, of Athens, was arrested last fall. Presented court documents show Neeley attempted to leave the scene of a fire on October 5, at the Dogwood Estates Water Company Pump No. 2 building. Four days earlier, another structure in Dogwood Estates that housed Pump No. 4 was also intentionally set on fire. The two fires caused damage of more than $200,000., impacting more than 400 homes that rely on the two pumps for water. Neeley is charged with arson of property used in interstate commerce. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

TYLER — The City of Tyler commemorated a renovated park Thursday morning. Parks and Recreation Department and Neighborhood Services, along with Tyler Mayor Don Warren and Councilwoman Shirley McKellar were part of the festivities. A plaque unveiling and a ribbon-cutting ceremony were included in the celebration grand opening. Emmett J. Scott Park recently underwent more than $700,000 in renovations. The park has new playground equipment, picnic tables, a half-mile walking trail and a full-court basketball court. Funding for the project was made possible through Neighborhood Services with the Community Development Block Grant Program. Read more here.

GILMER — An Upshur County man high on meth last year, was convicted Thursday of strangling a woman. According to our news partner KETK, Joshua Verhoef, 39, was sentenced to life in prison. Verhoef was arrested last August after the victim was able to break away from him and run to a neighbor’s home, who called 911. Police met the woman and saw she had multiple injuries over her body. Verhoef was arrested for possession of meth one week before he assaulted the woman. Verhoef had 23 prior criminal convictions, including multiple felonies. A seven-man, five-woman jury found him guilty after 20 minutes of deliberation. Thirty minutes later they sentenced him to life in prison.

TYLER — West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease spread to people by a bite from an infected mosquito. The Northeast Texas Public Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB News, “We have not seen a whole lot of cases of that yet, but it is mosquito season you know as the weather starts to get warmer, mosquitos will start moving around a lot at night and biting you. So, we encourage people to wear mosquito repellent, try to cover up at night, make sure you are not getting bitten by mosquitos, and make sure you are not growing you’re own mosquito’s around your house.” Continue reading Protective tips for West Nile Virus season

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview received national acclaim Thursday. The city announced they have been recognized as 15th in a list of the Top 25 most mature public sector Geographic Information Systems programs in North America. According to the release, the 2020 Geospatial Maturity Index, released by PSD Citywide, asked questions in three competency categories: Readiness, Implementation, and Impact. Data was then gathered through a survey made up of 88 questions. Participants showcased innovative ways they use GIS to better serve the public, including the use of GIS in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.

QUITMAN — A Wood County grand jury has indicted a Mineola woman charged with two counts of criminally negligent homicide, for a wreck that killed two people in January 2020. According to our news partner KETK, Kaylie Hasten, 25, is charged in the deaths of Anna Ruth Bates, 46, of Quitman, and her seven-month-old grandson Zander. DPS reports show Hasten crossed into the opposite lane on HWY 37 and hit the car driven by Bates head-on. Bates died at the scene, Zander died from his injuries three days later. Continue reading Mineola woman indicted from wreck that killed 2 last year

TYLER — Next Step Community Solutions will host “Stand Up to Stigma” April 30 at Liberty Hall in downtown Tyler. On Thursday, Rebecca Smith told KTBB News, “I think we are one of the best kept secrets in east Texas, because we have seen nearly a 1,000 students across the 60 campuses with our licensed professional counselors. A lot of times our school counselor’s can be over-burdened with academics but really our Next Step counselors just see students for mental health issues. We have seen a 40% increase in need for services since the pandemic began.” Smith described the upcoming event. “Our headliner is Aaron Aryanpur he was a semifinalist in both Comedy Central’s Up Next Search and NBC’s Stand Up for Diversity. We also have Tyler Elliott, Hannah Vaughan, and Ralph Barbosa that will open.” Ticket options include a virtual ticket for $25, and tickets at the event are $50 and will include some drinks.” Learn more here.

TYLER — Carter Bloodcare says the pandemic has kept the blood supply at levels not seen in decades. With that thought in mind, multiple drives are scheduled in May. The goal is to replenish the potential loss of more than 50,000 units of blood not collected due to shuttered workplaces and schools moving to virtual learning because of the coronavirus. Organizers ask you to consider donating blood at any of the numerous locations in Tyler during various dates in May.
Saint Francis Episcopal Church is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at 3232 Jan Avenue in the parking lot on the Carter BloodCare bus. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Kathy Dunn at (903) 593-8459. Continue reading Carter BloodCare trying to recoup 50,000 units of potentially lost blood due to pandemic

TYLER — A six-year-old found unresponsive last week at a Tyler motel has died. On Wednesday, Tyler Police Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh told KTBB News, “On April 15th, it was around 5:00 p.m., that we responded to a call at the Town House Motel in Tyler. It was reported that a six-year-old child was found unresponsive in a bathtub in one of the rooms. When we got there, the child was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances. I can’t go into to many details about what we saw in the room or what was found in the room because this is still under investigation.” Continue reading Child found unresponsive at Tyler motel last week, dies in Dallas

PITTSBURG — In East Texas, it’s the home that chicken built — and it’s back on the market. The 18,000-square-foot mansion once belonged to chicken magnate Bo Pilgrim. Built in Pilgrim’s hometown of Pittsburg in 1985, the massive home, sometimes called Cluckingham Palace, has six bedrooms and 10 1/2 baths. Pilgrim died in 2017. The house was auctioned off in 2019, shortly after the death of Pilgrim’s wife, Patty. The buyer is now putting the estate back up for sale. The asking price is nearly $5 million.

MARSHALL — A $560,000 renovation has been approved for Marshall ISD. The district says they will use the funds to renovate their four decade plus old auditorium at the high school, as well as improve the schools exterior. Funding for the projects were approved by trustees at this weeks board meeting. The money will come from the district’s general fund balance and is scheduled for the upcoming summer break. Officials say these are the latest efforts of a long list of achievements to improve facilities that started in 2018. The district is currently building a new Ag Barn. Read more here.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District continues giving immunizations through Saturday of this week at Harvey Convention Center. On Wednesday, NET Health’s George Roberts updated KTBB News on vaccine numbers, “We’ve given a grand total 59,690 through NET Health, (32, 876 first doses and 26, 814 second doses) Our partners out at UT-Health Science Center have given over 47,000 doses so far and we know that area pharmacies have given a lot doses as well. Smith County has given well in excess of 100,000 doses so far, since mid-December.” Roberts said If you get vaccinated now, chances are you will spend less time waiting than those in the early going. Continue reading No appointment vaccines at Harvey Convention Center through Saturday

TYLER — Kevin Eltife of Tyler was sworn into his second term on The University of Texas Board of Regents Wednesday. According to the release from Smith county, Judge Nathaniel Moran led the observance that happened in the commissioners court chambers. Eltife has been influential in uniting UT Tyler and UT Health Science Center at Tyler. Working with state legislators and UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun, he is focused on creating a medical school in Tyler. According to The Perryman Group’s analysis of the school, would produce an additional $1.9 billion annually, while creating 18,145 new jobs. Eltife was first appointed as a regent in 2017, he became the board chairman in December of 2018. Gov. Greg Abbott recently reappointed Eltife to a second six-year term.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested two men and are searching for five others for allegedly beating one of their friends unconscious and abandoning him in a ditch. An arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, revealed Daymond Gray, 18, and Jesus Tinoco, 17, are accused of jumping their friend with five other people because the unnamed victim cooperated with police, landing another friend in jail. The victim says when he came to, he was in a concrete drainage ditch and his billfold and cash were gone. Police are looking for Andres Urrutia, Alexander Villegas, and three unidentified men.

RUSK COUNTY — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Corrections were searching for a man in the wooded area near the River of Life Ministries on Highway 79 South, according to Rusk County Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez. Our news partner KETK reports, the man’s body was discovered by a K-9 officer approximately 100 yards from the church before noon on Tuesday, and it was badly decomposed. Doctors told authorities it could have been in this area for 10 to 12 days. Law enforcement were looking for the man on Monday and the search was extended into Tuesday. Continue reading Decomposed body discovered in Rusk County

TYLER — Americans have been inundated with coverage of COVID-19 for months leading many to ask the question, why does American coverage of the pandemic always seem like bad news? On Tuesday, Paul Seegert, a managing partner with PCS consulting firm told KTBB News, “The biggest takeaway is we should be sharing some optimism with our population, that we are getting into herd immunity or that we are already at herd immunity. Looking at the CDC’s own recently published research, eight times more Americans have had COVID than have been confirmed to have COVID.” Seegert went on to say, “Yesterday [Monday] we got to 31.7 million confirmed cases of COVID. Multiply that by eight and you add the two together and you are over 270 million. Which is the original number that Dr. Fauci initially used as that herd immunity number.” Continue reading Research unveils COVID coverage negative 90% of time