KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The East Texas Crisis Center held a bi-annual Hope Awards Ceremony at the Tyler Public Library Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Mayor Don Warren declared the month of April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Commemorations were given to citizens and businesses that the city and East Texas Crisis center felt went above and beyond as volunteers and professionals to help survivors of sexual violence. The East Texas Crisis Center has acknowledged Sexual Assault Awareness Month as a goal to increase awareness in the community about the nature and prevalence of sexual violence.

TYLER — Bicycle lane work began Monday on a project approved in January by the city of Tyler. Officials say upon completion, there will be 36 miles of designated roadway for bicyclists. Plans are to have the initiative completed by the middle of August. All of the routes will be added to existing pavement that will make up 11 different routes with a hub near downtown. Development includes a combination of signage and lane markings. The disruption to commuters should be minimal. Read more here.

RUSK COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety released details Monday of a fatal one vehicle weekend accident. The crash took place Saturday on FM 2276 two miles east of Kilgore. DPS investigators say Richard Dale Thomas, 47, of Kilgore, was driving south and drifted off the right edge of the roadway before over correcting to the left and crossing over the road and striking a tree. Thomas died at the scene and was taken to Cunningham Funeral Home in Kilgore. Officials say the crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — Several East Texas law enforcement agencies are joining the upcoming National Drug Enforcement Agency’s Takeback event. Rebecca Smith was a recent guest on KTBB’s “In Focus” and named several regular drop off locations that are available to throw out old prescriptions. “There’s two in Tyler at the Smith County Sheriff’s office and the downtown office in the emergency services center. There is one at Longview P.D., Marshall, Kilgore. We are really placing these boxes in as many areas as we can.” Continue reading DEA take back locations announced for East Texas

DIANA — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a body was found Saturday night. According to our news partner KETK, witnesses found the body of a man inside a home on Swan Road, in Diana, and called authorities around 11:30 p.m. According to police, the person appeared to be the victim of an assault. Police say the victim is known to his neighbors, but the sheriff’s office is not releasing the name until next of kin can be located.

TYLER — Part of Sunday services at minority churches included reminders for those who have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to get the second dose this week. NET Health says almost 1,500 people received their first COVID-19 vaccines at three minority churches March 16-19, are asked to return this week to the same place for their second doses. Organizers are asking only those who received their first shots at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler, and New Zion Baptist Church in Winona, to return to the same location on the same day of the week at around the same time as their first vaccine. Continue reading Second dose reminders for COVID19 vaccinations at minority churches

TYLER — Friends of the Parks Tyler is reminding groups to register for the upcoming cleanup next Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. Keep Tyler Beautiful will provide litter-control supplies and T-shirts. The group limit is 20 volunteers per cleanup area. Organizers say supply pickup can be done anytime between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, at the Parks Administration offices in the Harvey Convention Center, on West Front Street. T-shirts will be distributed after the cleanup report is turned in. Get more information by calling (903) 531-1335, or to register your group click here.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation announced the road work schedule for the upcoming week. Some of the planned operations in Smith County include shoulder-up work on FM 344 between US 69 and FM 756. In Gregg County, pavement repairs will take place in Longview, on Loop 281, near Tryon Road. Later in the week, crews will continue on Loop 281, from Spur 63 to Bill Owens Pkwy. Learn more about road work for the entire eight county Tyler district by clicking here.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Henderson County man was killed after being ejected from a one-vehicle crash five miles south east of Murchison. The Department of Public safety said Randy Hammond, 25, of Brownsboro, was killed Thursday night, when he attempted to curve left, but his vehicle slid off the roadway into a ditch. His car then struck a concrete culvert, which ejected Hammond. D.P.S. says the investigation remains open at this time.

MINEOLA — Iron Horse Square was busy Saturday with the opening of the 2021 Iron Horse Mini Train season. According to our news partner KETK, regular runs will be on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from April through September from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special run times for holidays and events. Read more here.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Mabank man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday, for burglary of a home with a child inside and assault of two officers. According to our news partner KETK, Jerry Moye Jr, 34, was indicted for the crime in the Eustace area in January of 2020. A 13-year-old was inside the home at the time of the burglary, but found safety at a neighbor’s house after seeing Moye inside. Authorities determined Moye stole electronics and jewelry. Court records showed two Henderson county investigators were assaulted during the arrest of Moye.

LONGVIEW — A local 501(c) (3) is preparing to celebrate a new retail store in Longview. Heartisans Marketplace is inviting the community to their open house, on Gilmer Road, next Thursday.The new space is described as a unique gift shop that provides a customized job readiness program to unemployed women living in the community. Profits generated from the store, along with community donations, provide training and employment opportunities for program participants. The gathering is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more here.

PANOLA COUNTY — Panola County Judge Lee Ann Jones established an Emergency Operations Center coordinating efforts for response and relief for victims of March 27 tornadoes. On Friday, leaders announced the EOC will be operated by the Hand Up Network. The organization is based out of Tyler, which operates within the belief, “Everyone needs a hand-up, some need it now.” The EOC is being housed at the Panola County Exposition Center.Residents wanting to donate supplies can do so in person at the Hand Up Network on N. Beckham in Tyler.You can learn more here.

HENDERSON — UT Health Henderson has COVID-19 vaccines appointments available for next Tuesday. According to the press release, the immunizations are available to people 18 and older that have not received their first vaccine dose. You must have an appointment, no walk-ins will be permitted. Times slots available are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at U.T. Henderson on Wilson Street. The vaccine is provided at no cost, but people should bring their ID and insurance card to their appointment. On the day of the appointment, people will be registered, vaccinated, and monitored for 15 minutes. Register here.

TYLER — A local non-profit has announced their first ever monopoly tournament fund-raiser. The 501(c)3 Habitat for Humanity has scheduled the event for April 24 in the lobby of First Christian Church in Tyler. Organizers say registration is $25, and that space is limited. Registration is open now for players 10-years-of-age and up. For more information click here.

EAST TEXAS — Vaccinations will continue next week at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. The Northeast Texas Public Health Authority President George Roberts told KTBB news, “We will not be doing vaccines this weekend, but anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment for the first Pfizer vaccine at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, either next Thursday, Friday, or next Saturday April 8th through the 10th, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.” Continue reading Vaccine clinics will restart at Harvey next Tuesday

MARSHALL — A special called meeting by Marshall ISD’s Board of Trustees Thursday announced the lone finalist for the superintendent position. Dr. Richele Langley, is a graduate from Marshall High School. The former teacher, principal and administrator in the district, was part of the class of 1983. Langley will become the 24th superintendent in the history of Marshall public schools and the second female superintendent in the history of the district. Read more here.

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Biden’s 2 trillion dollar spending bill is being rolled out as an overhaul of the nations infrastructure. However, critics say less than half of the bill actually goes towards infrastructure, and less than five percent will go towards roads and bridges. Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB news, “Early in the Obama administration they were doing just a fraction of the spending that is now taking place. We had our debt downgraded. We warned at that time, what should be a warning to us today. If we continue to spend like this our debt will be further downgraded, it will mean the interest rates get much higher, and we will be worse than Greece.” Continue reading Congressman Gohmert warns of pitfalls of reckless spending

AUSTIN — The Freedom From Censorship Act was passed by the Texas Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 12, was filed by Republican Tyler Senator Bryan Hughes. Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Hughes were in Tyler promoting the legislation March 11. Supporters say the bill will make sure that Texans have the right to free speech and the ability to exercise that right. In a prepared statement, Senator Hughes said, “In Texas, we will defend our right to free speech against West Coast social media oligarchs. Senate Bill 12 holds these Big Tech companies accountable, protects Texans against social or political viewpoint discrimination, and empowers those who are wrongly silenced to get back online.” Continue reading Free speech bill passes Senate, headed to Texas House

MINEOLA — Residents in Mineola are concerned over plans to build a concrete plant near a nature preserve. According to our news partner KETK, The Mineola Nature Preserve is almost 3,000 acres of land and home to almost 200 species of wildlife. Residents say Bell Concrete has filed an air quality permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. That is just one of the steps necessary to get approval for construction on the privately-owned land near the preserve. Continue reading Residents concerned of possible concrete company coming near nature preserve

TYLER – UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College recently received a large donation from the Smith County Medical Society Alliance. According to our news partner KETK, during their 52nd annual Doctor’s Day Celebration on Tuesday night, the SCMSA Board of Directors announced the sale of their building and said the $290,000 proceeds will be divided evenly between TJC and UT Tyler. Each school will receive $145,000. TJC’s $145,000 portion will benefit the SCMSA’s two endowed scholarships with the TJC Foundation, with half going to their Endowed Scholarship and the other half to their Endowed Presidential Honors Scholarship. SCMSA President Joi Smith stressed the importance of helping students who are seeking to enter health professions. Continue reading TJC, UT Tyler get donation of $290,000 for medical scholarships

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a wreck involving a bicyclist Thursday night. Officers were called to the area of Old Jacksonville and Oak Creek Boulevard where witnesses told them a speeding vehicle had hit a bicyclist, then crashed into a wooded area. The bicyclist was transported to Christus Trinity Mother Frances by EMS with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. The unnamed driver of the car was transported by EMS to UT Health with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. Police say alcohol appears to have played a part in the accident.

WACO (AP/Staff) – Officials say a Texas state trooper who was shot during a traffic stop last week has died. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Walker had been on life support after he was shot Friday evening while stopping to help a driver in an apparently disabled vehicle west of Mexia, a city about 75 miles southeast of Dallas. The 38-year-old Walker is survived by his wife and four children. Visitation for Trooper Walker will be open to the public from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. next Tuesday, at Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the Groesbeck High School Football Stadium. The burial service will follow at LaSalle Cemetery. Continue reading Funeral services announced for Texas Trooper Walker

EAST TEXAS — Crews from The Red Cross are helping tornado victims in East Texas. The damage from Saturday’s storms is extensive in Panola, Cherokee and Rusk counties. Tammy Prater with the East Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross says, “Many of the homes that were damaged it was not necessarily the storm hitting it, but the storm picking up a tree and dropping it on their home. Lot’s of devastation.” She says they are trying to find people temporary housing, food and counseling. “We have our medical teams and our mental health case workers who are available for anyone who needs it.”

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD is moving away from remote learning and is requesting all students to return to on-campus education the final six weeks. According to an interview with our news partner KETK, Superintendent James Wilcox shares why. “We know that those students not being in school creates a learning loss, and that learning loss is real.” Wilcox went on to say, “Those students need to be back in the classroom with their teachers. And everyday that they are out hurts.” Families that would like to continue remote instruction may contact their campus principal. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Read more here.

TYLER – We now know more details following a release from the Department of Public Safety on Thursday. According to DPS, a two vehicle crash resulted in a fatality Tuesday night on FM-17, in Van Zandt County. Preliminary reports indicates Tzu Lo Chen, 27, of Dallas was stopped at a stop sign on the I-20 service road. Authorities believe Chen pulled out in front of a vehicle driven by Gerald Wayne Bass, 57, of Grand Saline. He was treated and released at the scene. Ms. Chen was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis – Tyler in critical condition. A passenger, Chih Hao Tseng, 27, of Dallas was transported to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis – Canton and later died. He was taken to Eubanks Funeral Home in Canton. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — For 11 straight years, the City of Tyler has been commemorated by the Arbor Day Foundation. On Thursday officials said, they were named a 2020 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. Tyler achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Read more here.

TYLER — Over 44,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through the Northeast Texas Public Health District at Harvey Hall Convention Center. On Wednesday NET Health’s George Roberts spoke with KTBB news about how social engagements change for someone once they are fully vaccinated. “Your full protection comes 14 days after your second vaccine. Therefore, the CDC has said that people that people who have had both vaccines can gather without masks. But, you know not everyone has had both.” The NET Health President continued, “We still urge people to maintain those healthy habits that we have been talking about for a long time.”