KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Earlier this week tier 1C, adults age 50 and over, became authorized to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The Northeast Texas Health District’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “We are still seeing a great demand for the vaccines and very popular trends with the vaccines. I know the administration in Washington would like to see any adult that would like to get a vaccine to be able to somehow be able to receive it by May. I hope that this is an achievable target.” The NET Health President described the three immunizations that have been approved for distribution, “They are all good vaccines.” Continue reading Good results continue in administering immunizations

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System said Friday that appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations still remain for this weekend. The hospital added time slots that are available for Sunday, at the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Vaccination Hub site in Longview. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by clicking here. If individuals do not show up for their appointment, then notifications of available vaccines would be posted on the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System Facebook Page, City of Longview page and Mayor Mack’s page, Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

AUSTIN — Texas State Representative Matt Schaefer has filed a bill to create a fifth district court in Smith County to help reduce the backlog of criminal cases. According to our news partner KETK, the Republican from Tyler, filed the bill last week. The court would be known as the 475th District Court and its judge would need to be elected. There are currently four district courts in Smith County, and only three handle felony cases. Leaders say the backlog of cases yet to be heard is due to the strain on the current system. The population for Smith county is 230,000 people. The last time a district court was added, in 1977, the population was half that size.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall are investigating a shooting involving a newspaper carrier. It happened around 5:30 Friday morning in the area of Oak Street. According to a news release, a patrol lieutenant heard several gunshots north of his location. A 34-year-old female paper carrier called 911 and stated that she believed she had been shot. Officers responded to the scene and secured the location allowing Marshall Fire Department personnel to treat and transport the victim to a Longview hospital. An unidentified person of interest has been detained. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Health District is saying that those who have had their first PFIZER vaccine administered by NET Health, before February 28th, should schedule their 2nd vaccine. NET Health will hold inoculations this Saturday and next Tuesday at Harvey Hall in Tyler. The clinics will be held between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Organizers say you must have an appointment before going to Harvey Hall. You will need your “CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card” upon arrival. You can schedule your appointment by clicking here.

TYLER — New information has been released in a fatal crash last week on Toll 49. According to our news partner KETK, a Freightliner truck was attached to a trailer, driven by 38 year old Steven Fredrick Elgin. An investigation report shows the trailer hitch had been left in the open position and was not locked. The safety chains connecting the truck and trailer broke and became detached striking a vehicle driven by Kelly Hall of Tyler. Hall, 49, died at the scene. April Files, 42, of Houston was also hit in a separate vehicle. Files was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances in stable condition.

TYLER — A Tyler babysitter pleaded guilty Thursday to leaving an 11-month-old infant alone in a bathroom closet for over three hours. According to our news partner KETK, Kelsey Frazier, 27, now awaits her sentence after an emotional three-and-a-half-hour hearing that presented testimony from several witnesses, including Alyssa Duffey, the baby’s mother. Prosecutors have recommended 16 years in prison, just four years short of the maximum. The defense requests 10 years of deferred probation. This means the case against Frazier would be dismissed if she followed all the conditions through 2031.

TYLER — A drive-thru food distribution sponsored by the East Texas Food Bank takes place Friday in Tyler. The non-profit organization says as with past allocations, the event is open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. Walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. However, organizers remind participants that a note must be provided if someone is picking up for another household. The event will take place at Lindsey Park in Tyler from 10 a.m. to noon, while supplies last.

TYLER — March 18 marks the one year anniversary of the first patient admitted to UT Health Tyler due to COVID-19. An artistic installation on the UT Health Tyler skywalk commemorates the somber occasion with 3,654 paper lantern cutouts. Each piece of artwork represents the amount of people treated with the coronavirus at UT Health East Texas during the past 12 months. Every lantern has the initials of the patient treated at hospitals across the division. Larger lanterns symbolize those who died from the coronavirus.

TYLER — The Children’s Park of Tyler is inviting residents this Saturday to their annual Teddy Bear Picnic. Organizers say that although the deeper meaning of the park is to connect with grieving families, it remains a wonderful place for children to practice the art of natural play. Kids are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear and enjoy the event from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can bring a picnic or food trucks will also be available. In a prepared statement, promoters invite children to “climb on the waterfalls and use their imaginations to discover new and exciting things around them.” Read more here.

TYLER — The city of Tyler’s Park and Recreation department announced the inaugural Run Tyler 5K Thursday. Organizers are urging residents to get active and support the parks and recreation programs at the same time. This year’s 5K will be a virtual run. Runners are invited to complete the race whenever and wherever they like between April 16 and 18 on one of the city’s park trails, your own street or on a treadmill. For more information and to register for the event, click here.

TYLER — The state of Texas still has a ways to go before getting to the estimated 70% to 80% level of vaccines needed for herd immunity. The Northeast Texas Health District President George Roberts told KTBB news, “I think everybody is kind of watching to see as more and more people get vaccinated, what is the impact of the positive case count, as well as the hospitalizations. We are seeing very positive trends on that in our local market here in east Texas. Our case counts are going down each day. The number of people hospitalized from COVID are going down. We are seeing very positive results so far.” Continue reading Vaccines making impact, but still a long way to go

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Three people from Texas have been indicted in Las Vegas on charges including murder and terrorism stemming from a series of shootings last Thanksgiving in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. One apparently random shooting killed a man at a convenience store. Several other people were wounded. The indictment in Nevada state court included 53 charges each against Shawn McDonnell, his brother Christopher McDonnell, and Christopher McDonnell’s wife, Kayliegh Lewis. Authorities say they are from Tyler. They are jailed in Las Vegas, where attorneys for two of the suspects say they will fight the charges. They could face the death penalty or multiple sentences of life-in-prison without parole.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A 99-year prison sentence has been upheld in an appellate court of an East Texas woman in a drug-related felony case. According to the Sixth Court of Appeals, Felisha Diane Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. In her plea, Williams turned down the state’s offer of a 20 year sentence when she chose a jury trial to decide her punishment. The jury returned a sentence of 99 years for the 2018 crime. Williams was a passenger in a car stopped for displaying multiple registrations and mismatched license plates. Continue reading 99 year sentence upheld in appellate court for East Texas woman

TYLER — Tyler police have filed new charges in connection with a shooting that took place last month at the Town Parc Apartment Complex on WNW Loop 323. One man had previously been charged in the incident. Wednesday, police charged a juvenile at the scene with aggravated assault and aggravated robbery. On February 22, police arrived at the scene learning Christopher Lynch III, 17, and the juvenile had been fighting. According to a TPD press release, during the fight Dejuan Anthony Henley, 23, shot both Lynch and the juvenile. Neither shot was fatal. Henley was arrested and placed in the Smith County Jail on the charge of aggravated assault.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been arrested on several charges in an alleged rape and kidnapping. According to our news partner KETK, the crime took place last week after a woman said she was held against her will. Michael Timmons, 48, has been arrested after the victim accused him of the attack while she was being treated at a Tyler hospital. The warrant states Timmons and the victim had been living in a tent at the end of a dead-end road in Tyler. She told investigators, Timmons used quilts to partially cover up two tents that he set up away from public view while she was held captive. The victim told detectives he hit her over the head with a broken broom handle. Continue reading Tyler man charged with raping woman in woods

HALLSVILLE — Team members of the Harrison County Sherrif’s Office Emergency Response unit executed a narcotics search warrant Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Thomas Andrew Craig, 21, of Hallsville, was arrested on drug and firearm crimes. Craig is charged with possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. Harrison County judicial records show Craig has been arrested, at least, six times previously. Law officers seized narcotics and several firearms, two of which were reported as stolen.

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System has restocked and added new appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations at the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Vaccination Hub site in Longview. On Wednesday, the hospital said these newly added time slots are for Sunday, March 21, and can be scheduled now by clicking here. Organizers say an appointment is required. If individuals do not show up for their appointment, notification of available appointments will be posted on the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System Facebook Page, City of Longview page and Mayor Mack’s page at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District has announced second round inoculations will take place Thursday and Friday at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB Wednesday, “We had some delays in receiving our second doses of Moderna, but we are very pleased that we have those in hand to operate a Moderna second dose clinic on Thursday and Friday of this week.” If you received your first round dose the first week of February, or you got round one in January, and still have not gotten the second, click here to make an appointment. If you do not have internet access, call 903-617-6404, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas has administered more than 33,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the three months since the health system began giving vaccinations. On Wednesday, Dr. Tom Cummins told KTBB, “I think we are turning the corner. I would encourage people that have not been to please do so whenever they are eligible. You can go through us, NET Health, through their clinics, wherever they can get a vaccine,please do so. In the meantime, continue to wear your mask in-spite of the mask mandate, keep your distance, keep your hands clean, if we can do that and really make a push on the vaccine, we are going to get back to a sense of normalcy.” Continue reading UT Health East Texas surpasses 33,000 COVID vaccines

KILGORE — The city of Kilgore is urging motorists to use caution when traveling through two temporary lane closures. The momentary shut downs were announced Tuesday, as a result of construction work on a new Chick-fil-A. The traffic transitions start Wednesday near the intersection of North Kilgore Street and Highway 42. Officials say the outside lane of eastbound North Kilgore Street could be closed through Friday. The outside southbound lane of Highway 42 will need to remain shutdown longer because of additional construction undertakings.

RUSK — Last year, in-person visits at the Cherokee County Jail were halted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, the jail announced inmate visitation will resume. According to our news partner KETK, guidelines include wearing a mask, temperature checks, social distancing in the lobby and disinfecting visitation areas after each visit. The jail will allow a maximum of two visitors each week, per inmate, for periods of no more than 15 minutes. Visitors can speak to an inmate across a clear panel using a phone. Women in the jail will be allowed to have visitors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Male inmates can have visitors from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

JACKSONVILLE — According to our news partner KETK, Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Jacksonville was recently burglarized. Monday, the church shared a post on social media in hopes of locating the man they believe stole from them and discarded the buildings security cameras. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone that can help identify the man to contact them at (903) 683-2271 or the church at (903) 586-6019.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Public Safety said Troopers responded to a two vehicle fatal crash Monday on HWY 64. The wreck happened at 3 p.m., three miles west of Arp. Preliminary reports indicate a vehicle had stopped in the eastbound lane of the highway when a motorcycle struck it from behind. The driver of the bike, 21 year old Henderson resident Payton Vance St. Clair was killed at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, Erich Wilson, of Arp, was not injured. This was the second fatal accident within 48 hours in the same area of HWY 64. On Saturday, Tony Calvin Henson, 56, of Troup, also died at the scene after being struck by a truck towing a trailer.

AUSTIN — Tesla may soon get to do what Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Chrysler and most other automakers cannot do in Texas, sell directly to consumers. A bill filed by Palestine Republican State Representative Cody Harris would allow makers of electric vehicles to act as dealers to sell directly to buyers. The biggest beneficiary of that, obviously, would be Tesla, which is constructing a giga-factory in Austin to produce electric pickups and SUVs. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposes the bill, saying it safeguards consumers by preventing Tesla from creating a monopoly; but others say its protectionism. The Statesman reports that analysts believe lawmakers need to play their cards right because it would be a huge black eye for Texas to make trucks in the state and not be able to sell them directly to consumers.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to transition drivers to the newly completed Highway 69 overpass at FM 346 south of Tyler on Tuesday. Upon completion of the adjusted traffic flow, the old lanes approaching FM 346 will be reduced to one lane to convert motorists to the final ramp alignment. TxDOT said to expect lane closures and delays. The work zone speed limit is 60 mph. TxDOT also says County Road 431, also known as Jim Hogg Road, will be closed temporarily from U.S. Highway 69 to Interstate 20, starting Tuesday. TxDOT says, workers will replace a bridge and several major cross-drainage structures, widen the road base, and overlay over two miles of roadway with asphalt. The projects completion timeline is summer 2021. Read more here.

WASHINGTON – Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be the beneficiary of two federal grants totaling $1,033,127 in relief funds following the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a prepared statement Monday, U.S. Senator John Cornyn said, “As we look to turn the corner on this deadly pandemic, it’s critical that Texas airports are given every resource they need to handle the coming increase in travel.” Congressman Cornyn went on to say, “I applaud this announcement that will benefit the health and well-being of travelers in Tyler.” The funding was appropriated by Congress in December as part of the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

TYLER — The move to expand vaccine eligibility to Texans aged 50 and older, sorted as 1C, is now underway. However, appointments could continue to be hard to come by, as the number of those eligible exceeds the amount of attainable immunizations. Last week, NET Health’s George Roberts updated Smith County Commissioners reporting almost 44,000 east Texans had received the inoculation. Those, doses of the vaccine were limited to front-line health care workers, long-term care residents and staff, people 65 year old and older or at least 16 with a qualifying health condition. Last week, teachers and child care workers also became eligible for the vaccine. Learn more here.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas officials said Monday, they will launch a vaccine signup this week for those who need help signing up for the COVID-19 vaccine. UT Health says this particularly benefits those without internet access. Starting Tuesday, individuals can call (903) 747-4VAC (4822) weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for help. Those with internet access do not need to call and should continue to sign up directly by clicking here. Officials say that more appointments will become available at the link, as more vaccines are received. The shots will be given at UT Health North Campus Tyler on U.S. Highway 271.

LONGVIEW — CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System continues to work to improve communication and access for both patients and providers. In a prepared statement Monday, Todd Hancock, President and Chief Execcutive Officer said, “CHRISTUS Good Shepherd is proud to be at the forefront of the electronic integration that is revolutionizing how care is provided across the country. New tools like Epic and MyChart will make it easier for our patients and doctors to interact, thus improving communication and creating more ways for patients to access health care services.” Statistics show that this form of care improves patient care and workflow. Learn more about MyChart here.