KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WASHINGTON D.C. — The surge of illegal immigrants crossing into America continues. U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert spoke with KTBB Thursday regarding his trip to the border, “I have never seen it so bad…If we really had compassion as a nation for people suffering south of us, we would secure the border. We would slow the drug cartel money to a trickle from the tens of billions they make already. Then, they would not have the money to continue the corruption that goes on in Mexico.” Continue reading Gohmert: ‘real compassion would secure border’

EAST TEXAS — Anyone over the age of 16 can make an appointment to obtain the first Pfizer vaccine at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler, either next Thursday April 8th, next Friday April 9th, or next Saturday April 10th, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. “Anyone interested in receiving their first COVID vaccine must make an appointment,” says George Roberts, NET Health CEO. “Please select your preferred day and time visiting NETHealthCOVID19.org and selecting the ‘Vaccine Updates’ link. vaccine clinics at Harvey Convention Center will be closed during the Easter weekend for this Friday and Saturday, April 2nd and April 3rd. Continue reading Upcoming schedule of vaccine clinics at Harvey Convention Center

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are searching an area near Jim Hogg Road and Interstate 20 for what authorities say are four immigrants. According to our news partner KETK, aound 3:45 Wednesday afternoon, a Smith County deputy stopped an SUV on I- 20, near Jim Hogg Road, when four men jumped out and ran into the woods nearby. The driver remained in the SUV. Public Information Officer Larry Christian, said the men who ran were “illegal immigrants.” He said authorities are not sure where the men were being taken. The men are not believed to be armed or dangerous. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents have taken over the investigation, he said.

HARLETON — A Harrison County teen, initially believed to have run away during the severe weather last weekend, has been found safe. According to our news partner KETK, Patricia Wilson was found safe early Wednesday morning at a remote campsite in Oklahoma. A press release from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department did not specify Wilson’s name, but said they had located a juvenile. Family members and friends, however, posted on social media that Wilson had been found. Continue reading Teen found safe at remote campsite is OK after missing for days

TYLER — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, a retailer of closeout merchandise, is coming to Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, the company has placed a sign in the old Toy R Us store on ESE Loop 323 announcing that it is “coming soon.” Once the store opens, it will become the fourth Ollie’s in East Texas. There are stores in Marshall, Nacogdoches and Longview. Last April, the retailer opened in Longview in a former Toys R Us store on Loop 281. The retailer has yet to officially announce the new Tyler location.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall received a sizable donation Wednesday to help with construction of the new pet adoption center. According to our news partner KETK, local businessman and philanthropist Jerry Cargill presented a check for $150,000 to Marshall City Manager Mark Rohr for the new Marshall Pet Adoption Center. This gift marks the second installment of a commitment from Friends of Marshall Animals to raise $450,000 from private donors to build the new facility. The organization donated $100,000 to start the campaign. To donate click here.

MABANK — Henderson county deputies arrested a man Tuesday night, that they believe, is wanted for murder in Las Vegas. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Danny Lopez, 42, was arrested at a game room near Mabank. The report states Lopez began sweating profusely when approached by deputies and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The media brief did not go into detail regarding the murder charge, but noted Lopez was wanted by the Las Vegas police department in connection with a murder in Nevada. Lopez was arrested and placed in the Henderson County Jail on the charge and for possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Over 44,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered through the Northeast Texas Health District. On Wednesday NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “While we don’t have enough data to tell us how long the vaccine will last we have reason for optimism. The vaccine seems to be offering quite a bit of protection. Studies have been done with both Moderna and Pfizer, that show to be 94-95% effective. We’re seeing some evidence of that right now. Our case numbers have dropped dramatically from the peaks that we had back in January. Our hospitalizations in Tyler we had 42 COVID positive suspect cases as of Monday. That is down dramatically from 319 back in mid-January.”

MCALLEN — The U.S. Border patrol has come across an average of five thousand undocumented immigrants every day this month, and a group of Republican lawmakers toured a holding facility along the border Tuesday morning. North Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne says the Donna Facility near McAllen was designed to hold 250 people but had 5,700 yesterday. “If you could see the situation that these kids are living in today, it would make you cry.” Fellow Republican Louie Gohmert says he went with DPS on patrol along the Rio Grande. “As long as Texas D.P.S. are out there on the river, nobody is crossing.” He says that the Biden administration should instead focus on stopping the need for people to come to the border, saying it would be more compassionate to cut the power of drug cartels.

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that would prohibit most abortions in Texas. State Senator Bryan Hughes calls the bill the Texas Heartbeat Act. It would make abortions after the detection of a heartbeat illegal. “That heartbeat, the heart is beating, blood is pumping, there is life. That is human life worthy of protection.” Senator John Whitmire voted against the act. “I’ll vote no on behalf of those that I have witnessed through out my life that have a different point of view than the author and his supporters.” Senate Bill Eight would outlaw most abortions if and when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade. The Texas Senate passed six anti-abortion bills on Tuesday. Learn more here.

TYLER — Smith County honored Jodi Wich for 25 years of service to the county during Commissioners Court Tuesday. Ms. Wich began working for the District Attorney’s Office, as an assistant to CPS attorneys, at the age of 19. She became assistant coordinator for now retired 321st District Judge Carole Clark. She then worked as civil/family law coordinator and criminal coordinator, as well as served as office manager, for now retired County Court-at-Law 2 Judge Randall Rogers. Ms. Wich currently serves as court administrator for County Court-at-Law 1 and has been in that position since Judge Ellis took office in 2015.

TYLER — A Gregg County man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. According to the Eastern District of Texas, Christopher Marcell Mumphrey, 43, of Kilgore, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Tuesday. Evidence presented in court in February of last year, showed Mumphrey was a passenger in a vehicle which was used to transport and distribute methamphetamine in Smith County. Mumphrey exited the vehicle and signaled to the buyer to approach the vehicle to complete the transaction. Mumphrey faces up to 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

KILGORE — The “2021 Smash Ultimate Summit” video game tournament is scheduled for Friday at Kilgore College. The school said Tuesday that the Kilgore College Esports team will host the day featuring competitive divisions for high school and college-age players. The event will be held on-campus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Dodson Auditorium. General admission tickets to watch the tournament will be $5, available at the box office on the day of the event. Read more here.

TYLER — The Department of Public Safety released details Tuesday of a fatal accident that killed a Tyler resident over the weekend. The two-vehicle wreck happened in Smith County, south on U.S. HWY 69, near Lindale. Officials say, Israel Soto, 58, made an unsafe left turn directly in the path of a northbound SUV. Soto died at the scene and was taken to Lighthouse Mortuary in Tyler. Deeana Carole Turvaville, 58, of Lindale, was driving in the second vehicle. Turaville was taken to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler in stable condition.

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health has thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to administer Wednesday. As of Tuesday afternoon, the hospital said they still had 2,000 slots available. Officials reminded the public that appointments are open to all individuals 16 and older and can be scheduled online by clicking here. Qualified candidates may also schedule an appointment by calling 877-335-5746. The health group says once you have your appointment, you will want to wear loose fitting clothes, arrive 15 minutes early and bring a mask to practice social distancing.

RAINS COUNTY — An Amber Alert issued Monday for Lexus Nichole Gray, 14, of Rains County was lifted following her recovery. According to our news partner KETK, the teenager was found a few hours later along with the suspect, Justin Shaun Gray. The 40 year old man is the girl’s non-custodial father and is a registered sex offender. He was arrested Monday in Mineral Wells. Lexus was found safe. The Rains County Sheriff’s Department said in a prepared statement, “Thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies and the organizations who list and search for missing children, who worked to get this case resolved quickly and safely.”

EAST TEXAS — Tornadoes left extensive damage in Panola, Cherokee and Rusk Counties over the weekend. Crews from the Texas Baptist Men are helping people rebuild their lives in East Texas. David Wells with the Texas Baptist Men says, “We try to help and pick up you know some of the home owners who can’t fend for themselves and can’t help themselves; sometimes it’s widows, older folks, folks that don’t have family around. So, that’s what we try to focus on and it’s devastating for those folks.” If you’re interested in helping, click here.

TYLER — Construction was expected to begin in 2020 for the new Rose Complex Convention Center. Then, the pandemic came. The Harvey Convention Center has been one of the vaccination hubs in Tyler that has administered more than 37,000 vaccines from the site. The city expects to begin tearing down the facility later this year. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB News, “The city has talked about taking down Harvey sometime this summer. It’s quite frankly so far in the distance right now. We don’t know, the end of March right now, what will the demand be like in two months for Harvey Hall from a vaccine standpoint. We just don’t know the answer to that right now.” Roberts went on to say they hope to begin offering the one dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the future. You can register for your vaccine by clicking here.

TYLER — Annually, the Tyler ISD Elementary Robotics Showcase highlights student’s robotic creations. According to TISD, the competition went virtual this year. Classmates in first through third grades competed in a “Shark Tank” style competition, making a digital engineer’s notebook and inventing a robot that carried out the theme “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” Students recorded a video presentation about their robotics for judges to score based on coding, artistic display, the engineer’s notebook and the presentation itself. Read more here.

TYLER — The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues offering assistance to those in need following the mid-February storms. According to our news partner KETK, due to the pandemic, FEMA is providing remote inspections to survey damage in homes. The organization is using digital platforms like Zoom or Facetime to tour damaged residences. Examiners can also assist those in signing up that do not know how to use the virtual applications. More than 70,000 inspections have been completed by FEMA. Learn more by clicking here.

MEXIA (AP/Staff) — The Texas Department of Public Safety says Trooper Chad Walker no longer displays signs of viable brain activity, but he remains on life support until he can share the gift of life as an organ donor. Trooper Walker was hospitalized after being shot multiple times near Mexia Friday. He was stopping to help a driver on March 26th. The man got out of the vehicle, shot Trooper Walker and took off. Police say the man, DeArthur Pinson, 36, of Palestine, took his own life. Trooper Walker leaves behind his wife, 15-year-old son, twin seven-year-old-daughters, and a two-month-old daughter. A go-fund me account has been established you can donate by clicking here.

WOOD COUNTY — There is now a second victim in a one vehicle wreck that took place in Wood County on Saturday. The wreck took place at 1:30 p.m. on US-69, approximately two miles south of Mineola. According to a follow up DPS report, the driver of a 1998 Ford Explorer, Robert Guy Marino of Tyler, was originally transported to UT Health- Tyler in serious condition. However, Marino died Monday morning. His passenger Cathy Marks, 64, of Tyler died at the scene after the vehicle was traveling north on US-69 and the back left tire separated from the vehicle. The vehicle traveled off the roadway, and rolled.

RUSK — A Cherokee County grand jury has no billed a sheriff’s deputy that shot and killed a Jacksonville man in January. According to our news partner KETK, a grand jury ruled evidence presented Monday did not warrant the state filing criminal charges against the unnamed officer. Earlier this year, two deputies were checking property at the owner’s request because of recent break-ins in the Atoy community. Deputies came across two men in a car who were trespassing. During an altercation, Justin Pegues, 26, was fatally shot. Anthony Brooks, 35, was charged with criminal trespass. Pegues’ family has retained an attorney for a potential civil suit against the county and sheriff’s department.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD went into “lockout” action Monday morning following someone being shot at a nearby apartment complex. According to Longview police, officers responded to a call at 10:24 a.m. LISD said they took protective measures after the shooting at Belaire Manor Apartments. A male victim suffered a gunshot wound and is in stable condition at a local hospital. The complex is adjacent to the LISD Education Support Center on E. Young Street. The district also placed Hudson PEP, Foster Middle, Playing For Keeps campus, and the district’s transportation center on lockout, until it was lifted at 11:30 a.m. Continue reading LISD goes into lockout protocol following nearby shooting

TYLER — Additional COVID-19 vaccine appointments were added Monday at UT Health East Texas for anyone 16 and older. Immunizations are administered by appointment only. Vaccines for walk-ins will not be available. Appointments can be made by clicking here. New appointments will continue to open at this link as more vaccine arrives. Officials say if you need help navigating online sign-up, or if you are without access to internet, you can call 903-747-4VAC (4822) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to get a vaccine appointment. Vaccines will be given at UT Health North Campus Tyler on U.S. Highway 271.

TYLER — As of Monday, anyone 16 or older in the state of Texas became eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. NET Health’s George Robert told KTBB news he is not worried about a shortage of vaccines, “Now we can order our first doses based on what we have done the previous week or how the trends are going. The last couple of weeks our order has been satisfied. As of right now the supply is good.” You can get more information and sign-up for your vaccine by clicking here.

RAINS COUNTY — An Amber Alert was issued Monday for a 14-year-old girl that authorities say was abducted by a registered sex offender. According to the Rains County Sheriff’s Office, Lexus Nichole Gray, 14, was taken by her non-custodial father, Justin Shaun Gray, 40. The two were last seen March 24 in Point, Texas. Lexus is described as 5’6″, 160 pounds, and has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Justin is described as 6’1″, around 200 pounds, with black hair and hazel eyes. Gray is a registered sex offender, and has an active parole violation warrant. Justin was convicted of sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 2009. Rains County Sheriff’s officials ask anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact them at 903-473-3181 or call 911.

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health has thousands of doses of COVID vaccines to administer at clinics set for Wednesday. As of Monday morning, the hospital still has 2,500 slots available for this Wednesday.  The appointments are open to all individuals 16 and older and can be scheduled online by clicking here. Qualified candidates can also schedule an appointment by calling 877-335-5746. The health group says once you have your appointment, you will want to wear loose fitting clothes, arrive 15 minutes early and bring a mask to practice social distancing.

CARTHAGE (AP) — Authorities say one person was killed after severe weather, including a tornado, caused damage in several communities in East Texas. Widespread destruction across Panola County was reported, including damaged homes and downed trees, from Saturday evening’s severe weather, Sheriff Kevin Lake said Sunday in a Facebook post. The Longview News-Journal reported that a woman in the city of Deadwood was killed when a tree fell on her home. Authorities reported several people had also been injured. Officials in neighboring Rusk County reported some damage from the severe weather but no fatalities or major injuries. Continue reading 1 killed, several hurt after tornado hits East Texas