KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — TxDOT is planning another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the week of April 12. Tyler Maintenance plans to move its bridge work to Black Fork Creek on US 271 inside Loop 323 at MLK Blvd. Expect lane closures. Longview Maintenance plans to conduct bridge work on US 80 at the Upshur County line. Once complete, bridge maintenance operations move to other locations around the county. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — Anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment to obtain the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler this coming week. According to a NET Health news release, appointments are open for Tuesday through Thursday, April 13 through 15, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you have internet access, you are also encouraged to help anyone without such access to register for an appointment as long as a working phone number is entered for the person’s “First Dose” Pfizer vaccine appointment, according to the release. Persons who do not have internet access can make an appointment over the phone by contacting the COVID Call Center at (903) 617–6404 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For more details or to make an appointment online, click here.

TYLER — Three Tyler locations are hosting blood drives this month. In a news release, Carter BloodCare is touting blood donations as “a way to combat the sadness, isolation and stress resulting from the pandemic” by doing “a good deed for someone.” Starting things off, South Tyler Animal Clinic will hold a drive from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 23, in its parking lot on Old Jacksonville Highway. To receive more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Jodi Dana at (903) 561-1717. Continue reading Carter BloodCare announces blood drives

KILGORE — Two Kilgore teens found $10,000 Tuesday while working their normal shift at the local Atwoods Ranch and Home — and the money is now back in the hands of its owner. According to our news partner KETK, 17-year-old Devonte Allen and 19-year-old Josh Young stumbled upon a mysterious bag. “I didn’t really know what was in the bag until I met up with [Josh] and he was like open it,” Allen said. Young said he was glad an Atwoods employee found the bag first, noting, “A customer could’ve easily just taken it and been gone.” The two told their manager, and after a few phone calls, they were able to contact the owner and return the cash. Continue reading Teens find, return $10,000

LINDALE — Leaders at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis say round-the-clock emergency care will soon be available, at the TMF HealthPark in Lindale. Health leaders announced Friday, construction would begin on the 24 hour Emergency Care Center this summer. The new facility will be located at the HealthPark site on South Main Street. The medical staff will include board-certified Emergency Medicine physicians and nurses, who will join the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic primary care providers, as well as the specialty providers in cardiac, orthopedics and sleep medicine that already see patients the HealthPark.

TYLER — The Junior League of Tyler announced the upcoming kick-off of its largest fundraiser Friday. Mistletoe and Magic officially launches Monday, at 7 p.m. at Willow Brook Country Club. While the three day event does not take place until December,the gathering will unveil this years theme and announce the new event location. Organizers say this is the Junior League of Tyler’s largest fundraiser, that financially supports over 20 local non-profit agencies and community programs. To date, the group has given back more than $8 million, along with hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours, to improve Smith County.

LONGVIEW — The Longview-Greggton Rotary Club is nearing the 30th annual PRCA Rodeo. The event takes place April 16 and 17, in Longview. The event is making a comeback in 2021 after being canceled due to COVID-19, last year. The PRCA event will take place at the Longview Rodeo Arena on Grand Blvd. next to the Longview Arboretum. Admission is free for all ages and will feature bull riding, bronco bucking, barrel racing, roping event, barrel man entertainment, mutton-bustin and more. All proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations throughout Longview.

TYLER — The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County announced preparations for a new home Thursday. The 8,300-square foot, former Tyler Piano Co. building, will soon be the new home of the non-profit. The new location is on S. Broadway Ave. Stephanie Taylor, Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, told our news partner KETK, “The new facility will just allow us to serve more people. We are seeing more and more people being diagnosed with alzheimer’s and related dementia. So, we want to make sure we are in a position to serve as many people as we can.” Renovations are scheduled for mid-summer and will open this fall.

MARSHALL — Keep Marshall Beautiful shared a new initiative Friday. The Beautification Awards in partnership with the city of Marshall and the Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce will recognize residential and commercial properties in the Marshall city limits that show on-going dedication to keeping the city beautiful through beautification or improvements of their property or business.

TYLER — COVID-19 vaccinations have had a success rate of 94-95%. The Northeast Texas Public Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB news, that once a person finishes their vaccine recommendation it is complete. “At this point and time there is discussion about booster shots, but there have been no studies on that yet. So, we don’t know what booster shots would be needed in the future. But, once you finish either the two doses of Pfizer or two doses of Moderna or your one dose of Johnson and Johnson you have completed your vaccination series for this point and time.” NET Health is offering vaccines at Harvey Hall Convention Center through Saturday. Schedule your vaccination by clicking here.

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview has announced a nearly $6 million contract for renovations. According to our news partner KETK, The Broughton Recreation Center on Martin Luther King Blvd has received approval from the Longview council. The Director of Longview Parks & Recreation Department, Scott Caron says, “The open gym will be able to be utilized for those large gatherings, while at the same time, the meeting room where the bridge library currently is will be able to be converted back into a regular meeting room. We will be able to do programs, activities and events in.” The target date for completion is expected for the summer of 2022.

TYLER — A small percentage of people who have had the vaccine still contracted COVID-19. Net Health’s George Roberts told KTBB News why that happens, “It is just going to be dependent on our body. The fact that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine after two doses are 94% and 95% effective is pretty astounding. The effectiveness of those is very high. The Johnson and Johnson is around 77% effective after one dose. It’s only a one dose regiment, but they say it also does a great job in preventing severe illness.” NET Health continues first dose vaccines through Saturday of this week. Register for your vaccine here.

TYLER — Unemployment claims in Texas increased by 505.51% compared to the same week in 2019, according to wallet hub. On Thursday, Jill Gonzalez told KTBB news, “Only West Virginia is doing a little bit worse than Texas. A lot of that has to do with everything from small businesses shutting their doors and not reopening, as well as the travel and tourism industry, with events like conventions and conferences, that are simply not happening.” Gonzalez said some of the unemployed are choosing not to return to the job force. “When were talking about ‘blue-collar’ jobs…there are a lot of people making more money on unemployment. So it does make sense that there are those that are not rushing back into the job market because they are making more money being out of it.”

MARSHALL — The East Texas Baptist University School of Nursing has ranked number one in Texas by RNCareers.org. ETBU made the announcement Thursday. The site measured 55 associate in nursing degree programs and 37 bachelor of science in nursing degree programs in Texas. RNCareers analyzed every program in the states first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the exam, the program nursing accreditation, and more. ETBU has achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate for five consecutive years. Read more here.

RUSK COUNTY — A Rusk County deputy was injured Thursday morning after his patrol car was involved in a wreck with a semi-truck. According to our news partner KETK, the accident happened north of Henderson, near the intersection of HWY 322 and CR 240A, just before 7:30 a.m. The deputy was treated for knee and hip injuries at a nearby hospital. Officials expect the officer to be released from the hospital on Thursday. The condition of the truck driver has not been confirmed.

LONGVIEW — The East Texas Food Bank will hold a free produce drive Friday at the Gregg County Fairgrounds on Jaycee Drive. ETFB says the distribution will take place on a first-come, first-serve basis from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. There are no requirements, concerning eligibility or identification for receiving food. Organizers ask attendees to enter from Cotton Street and remain inside their vehicle. They do ask that the back door or trunk be unlocked and items will be placed inside the vehicle. For more information about the East Texas Food Bank click here.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are no longer searching for a boy reported missing around 9:00 Wednesday night near Arp. According to Lt. Larry Christian, 5-year-old Hayden Wilcox has been found unharmed in close proximity to the area of his residence on CR 251. More details will follow as they become available. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice K-9 Unit, along with members of the International Alert Academy had been called in to search the area.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health authority is nearing a new milestone. On Wednesday, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “So far since we started doing vaccines through NET Health, we’ve given 49,954 total vaccines. Of which first doses are 29,091 and second doses are 20,863.” When combining those numbers with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis and UT Health East Texas, the number is approaching 150,000 total immunizations in east Texas. Roberts went on to say that the health authority will be distributing first dose Phizer vaccinations for anyone 16 or older Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. You can register here.

GROESBECK (AP/Staff) – Thousands of people are remembering a Texas state trooper who was killed in the line of duty. A memorial service was held Wednesday for Trooper Chad Walker at a high school football stadium in his hometown of Groesbeck. The 38-year-old was shot March 26 during a traffic stop near the town of Mexia, about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. Authorities say the Palestine man suspected of shooting Walker later killed himself. Walker is survived by his wife and four children. He’d worked in law enforcement since 2003.

TYLER — A Lindale man was arrested on charges of violating his bond Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Adam Aguirre, 37, was initially arrested last fall after being accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. It is not clear what portion of the bond Aguirre violated. The original charge stems from a March 2020 incident where the victim says she was staying at Aguirre’s home with about 10 other girls for a sleepover. According to an arrest warrant, the victim claims she and another friend were in Aguirre’s room, but he was not there at the time. She told authorities that sometime later, she awoke to Aguirre assaulting her. Six months later, Aguirre was arrested and later released after posting a $50,000 bond.

HENDERSON — A routine traffic stop by Henderson Police on Highway 79 led to the discovery of vapes, edibles, marijuana and promethazine. According to the Henderson Police Chief Chad Taylor a large quantity of THC-infused vapes and edibles were found during a standard traffic violation stop. “The edibles, what scares us about that is the packaging,” Taylor said. “If someone brings that home and leaves it out, and a 6-year-old walks up to that, they’re going to see Doritos or Cheetos.” The chips are actually infused with THC, which can be dangerous to children and is illegal in Texas. Continue reading Police chief warns parents of THC-infused chips, vape pens

AUSTIN — A Texas House Committee has taken up bail reform. This after the fatal shooting of a DPS Trooper by a Palestine man that was out on bond. Representative Kyle Kacal’s district includes Limestone County. That is where Trooper Chad Walker was shot the week before last during a traffic stop. “This is not the kind of timing we want.” Kacal authored House Joint Resolution 4, which proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to an accused person if necessary to ensure the person’s appearance in court and the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense. Continue reading Texas House committee takes up bail reform

TYLER — The city of Tyler is inviting artists to submit their work for the jurying phase of Gallery Main Street’s fine art exhibit. On Wednesday, the city said the upcoming deadline for entry is at midnight, April 18. The theme for the spring display is “Spring Open.” Artists are asked to create works of art capturing the beauty of nature reawakening from winter to a season of color and new life. The entry process is digital and allows artists to submit up to three pieces with an entry fee of $20 total. Artists selected for the jurying phase of the exhibition will be announced April 26. Read more here.

AUSTIN — Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is taking on American Airlines and all companies that have come out against election reform legislation passed by the Texas Senate. Texas Democrats held their own news conference as well. Lt. Governor Patrick went after American Airlines for its position that Senate Bill 7 makes it harder for people to vote, not easier. “You have your right to your opinion, but read the damn bill before you give one. And don’t insult us, we don’t want you to take this personally. You know why they said that? Because they might come down the street next session and have a bill that they want us to pass for them. Good luck!” Continue reading Lt. Governor Patrick takes on American Airlines over Senate Bill 7

TYLER — Southside Bank announced news to expand their footprint in the Houston region Tuesday. Bank leaders say the new office is expected to open next Monday with a primary focus of serving the commercial loan market in that area. In a prepared statement, President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank headquartered in Tyler, Lee R. Gibson said, “We are excited to open this location and grow the Bank’s presence in the Houston region. Continue reading Southside Bank to open commercial loan office in Houston

AUSTIN — Two Texas lawmakers are trying to end the sound ordinance in Austin and other big Texas cities. Palestine Republican Cody Harris and Nacogdoches Republican Travis Clardy filed the bill in the State House. It would prohibit cities with populations between 750 thousand and 1.5 million from regulating amplified sound between 75 decibels at bars or live music venues between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. in residential areas. Continue reading Palestine law maker presents noise bill in State House

TYLER — Smith County officials announced portions of County Road 220, between CR 289 and CR 2298, will be closed to through traffic starting Wednesday. Drivers in the area will need to take alternative routes. Road and Bridge Crews will be repairing damage to a box culvert and improving the road way. The closure is expected to last seven to ten days, depending on the amount of repair necessary. If the culvert needs to be replaced, the project would take the entire ten days. Read more here.

ATHENS — A court appearance for the driver of an Athens ISD bus involved in a fatal accident with a train has been postponed. John Franklin Stevens, 80, is charged with criminal negligent homicide and injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, authorities believe Stevens pulled onto railroad tracks and the bus was hit by a train on January 25, 2019. Christopher Bonilla, 13, a passenger on the bus, was killed. An elementary school student, Josylynn Torres, 9, was injured in the crash. Stevens has entered a plea of not guilty. Continue reading Court case delayed for driver in fatal AISD bus accident

GROESBECK — (A.P./Staff) The funeral service for D.P.S. Trooper Chad Walker begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the high school football stadium in his hometown of Groesbeck. Walker, 38, was shot multiple times March 26 by DeArthur Pinson, of Palestine, who fled the scene before committing suicide. Walker started his career with the Groesbeck Police Department in 2003. He also worked in the Athens PD and for the Henderson County and Limestone County Sheriff’s Department. Walker joined D.P.S. in 2015. Walker died March 31 at a Waco hospital. He is survived by a wife and four children.