KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The National Alliance on Mental Illness Tyler is planning an event to raise awareness. On Thursday Elizabeth White told KTBB News, “It’s May 11, at Hollytree County Club from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $40 and that includes lunch. We are here to provide support for those living with mental illness, their family and friends.” White continued, “NAMI Tyler has been in existence for quite some time. It just has kind of awakened and people are getting more involved…I’ve been involved for only three years, and I’ve watched it grow considerably.” NAMI was established nationally in 1979. Read more here.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man was sentenced to six years in federal prison Wednesday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of East Texas, Asa Harbarger, 57, peaded guilty to possessing a pipe bomb last November. Information in court, revealed Harbarger was working on a disabled vehicle and was approached by a Texas state trooper. The trooper learned the vehicle was stolen. Federal prosecutors say Harbarger did not have I.D. and gave a false name. Harbarger was arrested with outstanding warrants, then a pipe bomb was found inside the vehicle. An ATF inspection found the pipe bomb was capable of causing death or injury.

TYLER — On February 27, Johnson and Johnson received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Earlier this week, the U.S. put a pause on using the one dose COVID vaccine. NET Health’s George Roberts spoke with KTBB News about why, “It was enough of a concern to really do a pause and let them evaluate the data and see. Obviously, all of these vaccines had pretty significant clinical trials before they were deemed to be safe for they were released to the public. The information that I have is that neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccines had seen this type of blood clot.” Continue reading NET Health on why the pause of the J & J vaccine was needed

PALESTINE — An East Texas man was arrested on multiple warrants. The city of Palestine said Thursday that Ladarrion Davidson, 23, of Palestine, had caused a disturbance at an apartment complex, then assaulted officers while being arrested. Officers determined that Davidson had six active warrants.Upon removing Davidson from a car, authorities say he was hiding in, Davidson assaulted some of the officer, then caused damage inside the police vehicle he was placed in. Reports state Davidson continued to be combative once arriving at the Anderson County jail, and threatening to kill officers and jail staff. Davidson’s bonds total is $300,000.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved a temporary right-of-way agreement with Don Juan on the Square for a long-term outdoor seating area. On Thursday, Adriana Rodriguez told KTBB News, “Last year we were in the middle of a pandemic and there were a lot of capacity restrictions and they wanted a different way to be able to still have people and still serve the community, but still be safe. The best way we found to do that, was to allow them to have a temporary space outside with tables and kind of like an outside seating area.” Continue reading Don Juans approved for long-term outdoor seating area

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Jacksonville man died after being hit by a car early Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Bradley Thomas Price, 64, was walking in the area of South Jackson Street and HWY 69 when he was hit by a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Randy McDaniel, a Jacksonville resident. Price was taken to UT Health Emergency Room in Jacksonville before being flown to UT Health in Tyler. Price died from his injuries on Wednesday, April 14. Surveillance from a nearby business shows that he was walking in the road when he was hit, according to police. An investigation revealed that McDaniel was not impaired at the time of the crash and was not injured. No charges will be filed against him.

TYLER — Tyler ISD announced that kindergarten registration starts Thursday. Research continues to show children in kindergarten classes tend to have better cognitive skills, higher IQs, improved social interactions, and more love for learning. Parents and guardians of the future class of 2034 can learn more about kindergarten in TISD by clicking here. Openings are also available in Head Start, regular Pre-K, and tuition-based Pre-K programs. More information is available for those programs by clicking here.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for help from the public after a hit-n-run occurred Wednesday. The KPD says a blue four-door car, which looks like a Chevrolet, ran a red light at the corner of Highway 135 and Gladewater Street, then fled after being involved in an accident. Authorities say the auto was driven by an unknown black male, last seen heading east on Highway 31 from the exit ramp of State Highway 135. Officials could not make out the plates on the photo, but made numerous attempts to discover the characters, but nothing came back. Police ask if you have information to call (903) 218-6904 or email Detective Phillips, [email protected].

TYLER — Smith County will soon, once again allow in-person visits to inmates inside the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, in-house visits stopped during the pandemic, but that’s expected to change April 21. Visitation sign-up begins that morning at 11 a.m. at the North Jail, with up to six people allowed in the building at a time. Once people are registered, a visit of up to 20-minutes will be held once an hour. Visitation is a first-come-first-serve basis and visitors will be turned away once full. The entire visitation area will be cleaned and sanitized after each visit.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council took unanimous action Wednesday voting to approve a construction contract of $1,297,694.50 in a Wednesday coucil meeting. This project will reconstruct Melinda Lane and Donna Drive south of West Elm Street where existing roadways have failures to curbs, as well as pavement. New underdrains will be installed to eliminate water from saturating beneath the pavement. The project also includes replacing about 2000 linear feet of water mains and installing new fire hydrants. Construction is expected to begin in June with the projected completion in March 2022. The project is funded through the Half-Cent Sales Tax Program. Read more here.

TYLER — The city of Tyler will soon learn more about city drainage issues affecting Black Fork Creek. According to press release, Halff Associates, was awarded the contract Wednesday. The plan is to deal with environmental issues, to study drainage of Black Fork Creek at Gentry Parkway and the headwaters of Willow Creek. The focus will be on the area along Palace Avenue between Erwin Street and Noonday Road. The Black Fork Creek study will investigate drainage along Gentry Parkway and the bridge at Black Fork Creek, according to the city. Read more here.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank has scheduled a produce distribution event this Friday. The drive-thru affair is scheduled for Friday morning 10 a.m. to noon at Lindsey Park. As with past distributions, the events are open to anyone, organizers say that eligibility or paperwork requirements are not required. However, walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note will need to be provided. On average 1,200 families participate at each distribution. The next scheduled give-a-way in Tyler is April 24, at Green Acres Baptist Church.

TYLER — Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were scheduled to meet Wednesday regarding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. NET Health’s George Roberts talked to KTBB News about blood clot cases among people who received the Covid-19 vaccine. “The CDC and FDA are actually reviewing data right now. There were six cases out of 6.8 million that had a rare type of blood clot after getting the J&J vaccine.” Continue reading NET Health responds to J&J vaccinations

TYLER — Governor Abbott Tuesday announced the appointment of Kevin P. Eltife to a second six-year term as a member of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. First appointed as a regent in 2017, Eltife was elected board chairman in December 2018. His first term was slated to run through February 2023, but with two years left on his current term Governor Abbott reappointed Eltife to a new six-year term. One of Eltife’s early priorities as a Regent was to streamline the UT System’s administrative operations, with the intent of reducing overhead to redirect funds to UT institutions to support their students and patients. Continue reading Governor Abbott appoints Eltife to a new six-year term

TYLER — A motion by an East Texas man convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering Kayla Gomez was denied by a Smith County judge on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, the move would have allowed Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, who is serving a sentence of life in prison, to have copies made of the state’s evidence against him to be given to his family. Zavala-Garcia entered a guilty plea In August of 2019 for the murder of a 10-year-old girl. In November of 2016, Kayla Gomez went missing from the Bullard First Assembly of God Church. A few days later, her body was found in a well.

TYLER — Mothers Against Drunk Driving East Texas is teaming up with Next Step Community Solutions to urge parents to share the dangers of underage alcohol and drug use with their children. According to our news partner KETK, this is part of MADD’s National’s Power Talk 21 campaign that co-aligns with Alcohol Awareness month throughout April. Experts say it is necessary to talk with children as early as possible because they begin to make up their minds based off of what they observe in their environment at eight years old. Read more here.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Henderson County man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of possessing child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Charles Lee Shellito, 36, of Tool, will serve nine years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a result of his conviction. Also, Shellito must register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Shellito was indicted in July of 2020 after a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and a three-month-long investigation by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.

MARSHALL– The Marshall-Harrison County Health District canceled all of its COVID-19 appointments that had been scheduled at its office for Tuesday. The move came about after the Texas Department of State Health Services recommended a pause to Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations. The action was supported by views from the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a prepared statement, the health district said, “At this time the J&J COVID-19 vaccine is the only one we have in stock. We will provide an updated when available.” The pause is recommended following nationwide reports of blood clots in six individuals, six to 13 days after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

TYLER — A Smith county woman charged with stealing a classic convertible, before selling it on social media, pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to four years prison. According to our news partner KETK, Latosha White, of Tyler, entered her guilty plea over a Zoom hearing in the 241st District Court. White was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,390. Police say the 1937 Packard convertible was recovered hours after they first posted about it and asked residents in the area to keep an eye out for the vehicle or to submit any information they might have.

TYLER — The Junior League of Tyler’s annual event Mistletoe and Magic is moving locations for 2021. On Tuesday, event Chair Chelsea Cooper, told KTBB News, “This years holiday shopping destination will be the at the Cascades in Tyler. The city of Tyler let us know early on that the Harvey Convention Center would not be available due to construction. So we spent a good bit of time searching for the perfect spot. And at the Cascades we will have full use of the downstairs area and we are really excited to have a new take on the event.” The JLT has raised over eight million dollars in 43 years. Dates will be Dec. 1 through 4. Continue reading Mistletoe & Magic announces ‘A Chinoiserie Christmas’ to be held at Cascades

SMITH COUNTY — If you received a Smith County Jury Summons to report for jury duty on Wednesday, April 14, at the Smith County Courthouse, you do not need to appear. If you received a summons for Smith County jury duty on a different day or location, you must still report.

WILLS POINT — A Wills Point man shot to death his elderly mother and then threatened to kill law officers during a seven-hour standoff before being arrested. According to our news partner KETK, Gerald Wayne Powell, 45, was booked into the Van Zandt County Jail on a charge of murder. Sheriff Steve Hendrix said deputies were notified by Powell’s sister that Powell told her around 10 p.m. Sunday that he had killed the family dog and planned to kill their mother. Officers surrounded the house at 890 FM 2965, just outside the Wills Point city limits, evacuated neighbors and blocked off the roadway. Continue reading Man kills mother, threatens law officers during 7-hour standoff

LONGVIEW — As of Monday afternoon, Officials with CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System said they still have two hundred COVID-19 Vaccine appointments available. According to to press release from the health center, limited appointments are open for April 14 at the hub site in Longview. The slots are accessible to all individuals 16 and older. Individuals in need of assistance or that do not have access to the internet, may schedule a time by calling 877-335-5746. Click here to schedule your appointment online.

TYLER — Next Step Community Solutions announced the inaugural “Stand Up to Stigma” comedy show Monday. Organizers say the event has been scheduled for April 30 at 8 p.m. at Liberty Hall in Tyler. Proceeds from the show benefit local nonprofit Next Step Community Solutions and will help break down stigma around the mental health services the organization provides to youth in 61 schools in east Texas. Read more here.

TYLER — The temporary waiver granting the suspension of registration renewal requirements ends Wednesday. According to The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, motorists will need to come into compliance by renewing their registration on or before April 14. Starting Thursday, law enforcement will begin issuing citations to motorists operating a vehicle without a current registration sticker or current registration receipt. There is no grace period once the temporary waiver expires. Read more here.

SMITH COUNTY — In August of 2019, an east Texan entered a guilty plea for the murder of a 10-year-old girl in Bullard. According to our news partner KETK, Gustavo Zavala-Garcia’s defense attorney filed a motion, on Monday, in the 241st District Court, to release all court documents. However, the state filed an objection. In November of 2016, Kayla Gomez went missing from the Bullard First Assembly of God Church. Just a few days later, her body was found in a well a few miles away. A hearing for the motion has been set for Tuesday afternoon.

TYLER –Nine trees were donated to the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department by UT Health Tyler to celebrate the construction of the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. In a prepared statement, Vicki Briggs, chief executive officer of UT Health Tyler, said “We thought this would be a special way to symbolize the nine neonatal beds being added as part of the construction, while giving something additional to the community. One day these trees will provide much needed shade for our families during the warmer months.” The trees were positioned around soccer fields at Lindsey Park. The NICU is scheduled to open later this year.

TYLER — Texas College announced Monday, that Caroline A. Wanga, will be the speaker at the 2021 Spring Commencement Exercise. While the event will be observed virtually May 15, Wanga, a 2005 alumnus and ESSENCE C.E.O. will also be recognized with the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters. Wanga began her corporate journey as a Distribution Center Intern for Target Corporation in Tyler. Wanga would climb the ranks within Target for the next 15 years, elevating herself to the “C-Suite.” In 2020, Wanga departed Target to join Essence Ventures, parent company of ESSENCE. Shortly thereafter, she was named the Interim CEO of ESSENCE.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD students returned to complete on-campus learning Monday. The district announced the plan last month to end the online alternative. In a prepared statement, Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said, “Longview ISD, like all public schools, is doing everything we can to make up for the classroom time lost last year due to the outbreak of COVID-19. As we welcome all our students back to their campuses, we are going to work to bring our students back to where they need to be heading into the summer break.” Read more here.

TYLER — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler has named Dr. Beverly J. Bryant, a leader in child and adolescent psychiatry, as the new chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. She has been serving as interim chair since December 2020. Bryant has extensive leadership experience serving in numerous program and medical director roles. She previously had served since 2017 as an associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Continue reading UTHSC names new psychiatry chair