KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Indoor capacity restrictions for Texas restaurants, bars, and businesses, as well as statewide mask mandates, will be lifted by Gov. Greg Abbott Wednesday. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “We just really encourage everyone to remain vigilant. I mean, it could flip back. If you think back over the last year when we stopped the lock down at the end of April things looked pretty good. We got through end of May and things looked pretty good and then things started ramping back up again in the month of June and in July we spiked.” Continue reading Roberts: I am somewhat concerned as Texas prepares to open 100%

AUSTIN — The Save Our Seniors COVID-19 vaccine initiative continues in week two for several East Texas counties. Henderson, Rusk, Van Zandt and Wood Counties are just a few of the counties involved. The plan is an effort by Texas to provide immunizations to seniors across the entire state for those most at risk from COVID-19. Governor Abbott’s office says, there are 10,000 doses allocated statewide for the second week of the program. The program is in partnership with local officials and service organizations that targets Texans who are 65 years and older or home-bound.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas begins providing COVID-19 vaccines to school districts and child care employees Thursday. Vaccines are available by appointment only. Organizers say, eligible individuals include those working in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers. Immunizations will be given at the UT Health North Campus Tyler, on U.S. 271. Appointment time slots are available Thursday through Saturday. Read more here.

TYLER — One person was killed Monday in a fatal accident on Toll 49 in Smith County. According to the DPS, the wreck took place just north of the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. A preliminary investigation reports 38 year old Steven Frederick Elgin, of Hughes Springs, was towing a food trailer and traveling south on Toll 49 when the trailer became detached. The trailer hit a vehicle in the opposite lane, driven by Kelly Michelle Hall, 49, of Tyler. Hall died at the scene and was taken to Lighthouse Mortuary in Tyler. April Michelle Files, 42, of Houston was in a vehicle behind Hall. Files was struck by the back of the food trailer and transported to CHRISTUS TMF in stable condition. Elgin did not appear to be injured in the crash.

TYLER – A 90-year-old Tyler man, with a wrap-sheet dating back to the 1940s, has been indicted for arson in connection with a November 6, 2020 fire. Kermit Francis Gabel was booked into the Smith County Jail one week after the fire. According to our news partner KETK, it was the latest in a string of blazes at vacant buildings. Officials have not said whether a November 13 fire was connected to the arrest. Gabel was also accused of multiple crimes in Ohio. He was known as a serial cat burglar and was dubbed the “Silver Burglar.” His crime sprees date back to the 40s and early 50s. Continue reading “Silver Burglar” arrested for arson

TYLER — A donation from COVID Tech Connect will enable CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Tyler to add 15 new Samsung tablets for use by patients on COVID Units. Christina Mosier told KTBB News Monday, “This will mean so much because it’s been extremely hard not only to have a loved one that’s not only in the hospital, but to be unable to see them, communicate with them, love them, hug them and be by their bedside.” COVID Tech Connect is a group of volunteers across the nation working to equip hospitals with smart devices to help coronavirus patients connect with loved ones. Continue reading Donated tablets will bring patients and family members closer

LONGVIEW — Last March, Neiman Marcus listed their distribution center in Longview for sale. On Monday, our news partner KETK said the center will close in the upcoming months, following its recent sale. The Dallas based retailer describes this as part of the plan to improve supply chain efficiency. The Las Colinas distribution center is set to close next year. The center, which is located in the city’s Business Park near Interstate 20, employs about 160 people. Employees affected by the closing will be eligible for severance pay. The center is scheduled to close by the end of 2021. The company did not identify who bought the Longview site.

LONGVIEW — A resurgence of new homes is taking place in the southern part of Longview, thanks in part, to a group of local builders. Corey Shaw, owner of Shaw Construction, based in Longview, told our news partner KETK, he and his team have already completed several houses. “If you look down, go down, I-20, all the new, even the business side of things have gone north. Nobody’s investing back on the southside anymore. And my objective here is to try to help build up the southside and give back to the community.” Shaw went on to say, to date, every home he’s built he’s sold. The builder is constructing craftsman style homes, which, he says, will blend in with existing properties.”

CAMP COUNTY — A Longview man was arraigned Monday after being arrested over the weekend. According to our news partner KETK, Ricardo Gonzalez is charged with aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Authorities were dispatched to a location on HWY 271 N. in reference to a stolen vehicle. Two victims said Gonzalez, 31, was at their home along with several others, when Gonzalez pointed a gun at them, then stole a vehicle. Gonzalez was arrested and transported to the Camp County Jail. Bond was set at $85,000.

TYLER — DPS Troopers spent part of Monday working the scene of a fatal accident on Toll 49 in Smith County. According to Sgt. Jean Dark, the wreck took place north of the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, just south of County Road 46 on the toll highway. Traffic was diverted and motorists were urged to seek alternate routes. According to our news partner KETK, details are still forthcoming, but at least one person has died from the crash that took place just before 10:30 Monday morning.

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall will be re-opening almost all city facilities to full capacity on March 10. The city announced the move Monday, keeping in step with Governor Abbott revoking the mask mandate, which he announced last week. The exception to all public building opening in the city, is the Municipal Court, which is controlled by the Texas Supreme Court. Starting Wednesday, the water billing office, Memorial City Hall, Marshall Convention Center, Lions Community Center, and Smith Community Center will allow full capacity. Continue reading Marshall re-opening to 100% on Wednesday

TYLER — The city of Tyler announced a one-day-only book sale at the Tyler Public Library this Saturday. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Library says they will use proceeds to purchase replacement copies of materials, item repairs and other collection-related needs. Organizers say prices will range from 50 cents for paper-back books, to a box of items for $10.

QUITMAN — A Winnsboro man has been charged with continuous sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Aaron Campos-Narrango is in the Wood County Jail after the office obtained a warrant for his arrest. Campos-Narrango was arrested by deputies with assistance from the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Campos-Narrango is being held on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Immunizations are on the rise in Texas. This week the Department of State Health Services has announced 40,900 vaccines will be available in east Texas. NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB news, “This pandemic will end at some point and time. But, we want to stay vigilant for a while longer and make sure that we are through the pandemic. What we don’t want to see is this to ramp back up again, because it’s really not over.” Last week 18,000 doses were received. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which only requires one dose is now available. Education and child care personal have also been cleared to receive the vaccine as well.” Learn more here. Continue reading Vaccines on the increase

SMITH COUNTY — Prosecutors are seeking plans for an alternate jury selection site for the long-anticipated trial of William Davis, the former CHRISTUS nurse accused of murdering patients. According to our news partner KETK, in a brief five-minute hearing Monday morning, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman said that with Harvey Hall being torn down later this summer, an alternate plan would be needed to summon the hundreds of potential jurors needed to pull from for a capital murder trial. He suggested that an alternative could be having multiple small sessions in the central courthouse jury room rather than one large pool. Continue reading Prosecutors seeking alternate site for jury selection in trial of nurse accused of murder

EAST TEXAS — Vaccines continue to roll out across the state of Texas with a new addition this week. According to our news partner KETK, starting this week, 40,900 COVID-19 vaccines will come to East Texas. Just last week, Texas only got 18,000 doses. Now, with the addition of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, that number has more than doubled. Though supplies are increasing, only those in 1A and 1B tiers are eligible. Because of a new federal directive, education and child care personnel are now eligible for the vaccine as well. Continue reading More vaccine headed to East Texas this week

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s office has issued a warning about a potential water scam. According to Sgt. Larry Christian, the department received a call from Dodd Hasting with Dean Water Supply reporting a couple, claiming to be with the water company, going door to door in the area of CR 1131 asking to test water from residential homes. Officials say the individuals do not represent Dean Water Supply. Residents are urged to call police if you encounter the individuals. Smith County Sheriff’s Office: (903) 566-6600.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Two people were hospitalized after a plane crash in Anderson County. According to our news partner KETK, around 2:00 Saturday afternoon, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers were called to a single engine airplane crash in a field off FM 1990. The two people on board were transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — The Glass Recreation Center will reopen Monday. The city of Tyler said Friday, in a prepared statement, “Needed repairs have been completed due to water damage from a broken pipe. The Center will reopen for normal business hours March 8.” The facility operation hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more here.

DALLAS — More than 4,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Texas. More than 1400 were reportedly from the power outages. The State Health Department though was quick to point out that the number of discarded doses is less than a tenth of a percent of the doesd shipped. It also says there are several reasons a vaccine might not be used, including broken vials and missed appointments. JPS Diamond Hill in Fort Worth tossed out the most of any provider in the state, 304 doses, all from the power outages. Clincas Mi Doctor in Houston wasted 230 doses, and UT Health Science Center in Tyler discarded 229.

QUITMAN — Quitman ISD mourned the life of one of their students Friday. The school extended condolences to the family, friends and classmates of Coy Gilbreath. Gilbreath was a second grader on the elementary campus. Wood County Deputies were dispatched to UT Health Center at 5:31 p.m. Thursday. The child had been driven by private vehicle to the hospital after an accident in Wood County. Coy Grant Gilbreath, of Quitman, was 7 years old.

TYLER — Authorities believe a ‘phony’ 911 call was an attempt to get a woman arrested. Deputies responded Friday morning, to a house in Lindale, after receiving a call that Amber Cook, 32, had been shot in the back by her boyfriend. In a prepared statement, Chief Deputy Larry Christian of Smith County Sheriffs Office said, “The caller reported the boyfriend ran away but the shooting victim was in a shed on the property. Upon entry of the shed, officers found Cook trying to hide in a clothes basket.” Authorities say Cook was wanted for a parole violation, and was found with meth, as well as a shotgun. She was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled substance, being a felon with a firearm and parole violation. Cook was placed in the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Plaza Tower in downtown Tyler, was the site of a Friday press conference held by Governor Greg Abbott and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The governor addressed the bill will prohibit social media companies from censoring Texans based on their political opinions. “The United States of America was built on freedom of speech and healthy public debate.” Abbott said, “Big techs efforts to silence conservative viewpoints is un-American, un-Texan, unacceptable and pretty soon it is going to be against the law in the state of Texas.” To read the bill click here. Continue reading Gov. Abbott & Senator Hughes in Tyler speaking on bill to ‘prohibit social media censorship’

TYLER — Governor Abbot was in Tyler on Friday and said, “By the the end of the month, every senior that wants the vaccine will have had that opportunity.” NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “We would hope that’s the case. As we receive more supply and more pharmacies and hospitals are able to give the vaccine, we hope that that is achievable. Again it’s all going to be dependent on supply. It is a team sport. Dealing with the pandemic from the start has been a team sport. Everybody in the community exercising the behavior that we have been talking about a lot.” Governor Abbott was in the city to speak on behalf of Texas Senator Bryan Hughes bill that would prohibit social media censorship.

TYLER — A Longview man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his connection to an international child pornography investigation. According to a press brief, Charles Orange, 55, was convicted by a jury in September 2020 of possession of child pornography. The sentence was passed down Thursday by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III. The court said Orange’s activities will be monitored for the rest of his life, after he gets out of prison. Orange was convicted of Indecency with a Child, in 2008, and was required to register as a sex offender.

TYLER – Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Tyler on Friday to draw attention to the ongoing efforts of Sen. Bryan Hughes to limit the power of social media platforms to block viewpoints they don’t agree with. According to our news partner KETK, Hughes, R-Mineola, is the author Senate Bill 12 which would prohibit interactive platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from being able to “censor a user, a user’s expression, or a user’s ability to receive the expression of another person.” The bill would also allow Texans who felt they were censored to be able to take legal action. Abbott will join Hughes during a news conference set for noon Friday in the atrium of Plaza Tower, 110 N. College Ave. Continue reading Tyler news conference: Abbott, Hughes to promote legislation limiting social media platforms

TYLER — An East Texas woman now knows her fate, following sentencing for federal drug trafficking crimes. According to our news partner KETK, 51 year old Tyler resident Alexa Leigh Brown was sentenced Thursday to nearly six years prison. Last September, Brown pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court records, Brown sold more than 165 grams of the drug to a confidential informant over five occasions. Four months later, she was arrested after law officers executed a search warrant at her Tyler residence and seized meth and firearms. Brown is one of nine co-conspirators who were indicted by a federal grand jury.

CANTON, TX — A Van Zandt County resident has won a million dollars. According to our news partner KETK, a Canton resident won the prize playing a Texas Lottery scratch-off game purchased at the Twin Stop #3 on SH 243.  The winner did not want to be identified.  The Mad Money Multiplier scratch-0ff game offers more than $100 million in prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 2.98, including break even prizes.

TYLER — Winter storms forced Tyler ISD to cancel scheduled instructional days for over a week in February. On Thursday, TISD board workshop trustees approved the submission of a missed school days waiver to the Texas Education Agency for those six scheduled instructional days. According to the agenda for the workshop, the TEA made provisions for districts to request the waiver due to inclement weather, health, safety-related or other issues. Trustees passed the item, as posted.