KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Three Tyler Legacy High School students are among the top 10 UIL 6A Congressional Debate students in Texas. Competing in the UIL State Congressional Debate Tournament that concluded on February 23, senior Olivia Orren finished in second place, senior Lila Katz in sixth place, and junior Kawsar Yasin in 10th place. Tyler Legacy debate coach Melody Daniels says it was the first time in the school’s history that more than than one student won a medal at the tournament.

LONGVIEW — A lawsuit outlining years of alleged sexual abuse by a Longview doctor caring for children has been expanded to include a total of six victims. According to our news partner KETK, Matt E. Hipke was arrested in August on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and was released on a $1 million bond. The original $1 million lawsuit was filed by the mother of one victim, but a Tuesday Gregg County court filing includes five new victims, two of whom were siblings. Hipke is accused of molesting and sexually abusing the children, with some as early as 2015. Continue reading Lawsuit against Longview doctor expanded to 6 alleged victims

TYLER — Smith County officials have continued to work this week to help receive and distribute water delivered to the region by military planes sent by the State of Texas. Government agencies, including cities, counties and school districts, as well as nonprofit and other various organizations throughout the region, requested water from the state following the winter storm last week. On Monday and Tuesday, C-130s delivered 14 pallets of water each day. On Wednesday, a C-130 delivered 20 pallets of MREs (meals ready-to-eat). Click here and then click on the News tab for more details.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, along with the Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO), announced this week that Gap Inc. plans to open what’s termed a new state-of-the-art Customer Experience Center in the Longview North Business Park. By delivering inventory faster and more efficiently to customers across the country, the $140 million investment will help Gap Inc. meet the rising customer demand for online shopping and reach its future plans for digital growth, according to a city news release. Continue reading Gap Inc. to build new distribution center in Longview

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank will offer another drive-thru food distribution on Saturday. It’s set for 10 a.m. till noon while supplies last at the Green Acres Baptist Church parking lot; you’re asked to enter off Barbara St. Families will receive a variety box of fresh produce and milk. The Food Bank is also issuing updates on other items. Continue reading Food Bank offers food distribution, adds more updates

TYLER — The Smith County Animal Control and Shelter will begin charging small fees, beginning April 1, to offset the costs of housing dogs at the shelter. Smith County Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor Amber Greene gave a report to the Smith County Commissioners Court, which approved the implementation of a fee schedule at its meeting Tuesday. Click here and then click the “News” tab for more details.

TYLER — With many east Texans waiting on a list to get vaccinated, NET Health’s George Roberts told KTBB, “We know that there is a great demand from the public to get not only the first doses as well as the second doses. We are doing the very best we can to get those out to people who can get the supply and as soon as we can get those in arms. The team here is doing the best to try and make this happen. Please know that your opportunity to be vaccinated is coming sooner than later.” NET Health says they anticipate vaccinating 5,000 people this week alone. Click here for the latest on vaccine availability.

TYLER — Tyler police responded to a pedestrian accident Wednesday just before 8pm at S. Broadway Ave. and Grande Blvd. Police say a pedestrian was crossing S. Broadway, not at a crosswalk, and was hit by a vehicle traveling south on South Broadway. The person is listed in stable condition after being taken by EMS to U.T. Health on Beckahm. Police say no charges have been filed on anyone involved in the incident, currently. The case remains under investigation.

TYLER — All counties in the Northeast Texas Public Health District jurisdiction have experienced overall decline of COVID-19 community spread. According to a map released by NET Health Thursday, COVID-19 community spread benchmarks are minimal in Gregg, Anderson, and Rains County. While Smith, Henderson, Wood, and Van Zandt are showing moderate community spread levels. TSA G went below the 15% threshold earlier this month, after more than 6 weeks above the metric. As a result, restaurants, and stores had to keep capacity below 50%. Read more here.

TYLER — A Tyler man is accused of shooting a teenager and a juvenile after a large fight near an apartment complex. According to our news partner KETK, Dejuan Anthony Henley, 23, was charged with aggravated assault and is being held in the Smith County Jail. The shooting happened Monday, just after 3 p.m. near the Town Parc Apartment Complex. Tyler police said that 17-year-old Christopher Lynch and the juvenile were in a fight and that it “involved several people.” Henley then allegedly shot Lynch multiple times and the juvenile in the leg. Lynch was taken to a Tyler Fire Department station and then to UT Health for surgery. He is currently in stable condition.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will delay disconnections for two months and will not be charging late fees or disconnect fees to assist those affected by the recent severe weather event, according to an announcement Wednesday. Customers are encouraged to catch their accounts up as soon as possible during this period. Customers who experienced a leak as a result of the winter storm event may also be eligible for a leak credit through Tyler Water Utilities. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities delays disconnections for two months

GRAND SALINE — A crash took place on FM 17 north of Highway 80 on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the wreck involved a vehicle and a golf cart. Several first responders were on the scene, including D.P.S., E.M.S., and the Grand Saline Fire Department. A medical helicopter also reported to the scene. One person was dispatched to the hospital. The victim’s condition is unknown at this time.

TYLER — Visit Tyler gave a status update on the 62 annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail on Wednesday. The organization says this year’s dates will be March 19 – April 4. The recent winter storm and frigid temperatures have many wondering what condition the azaleas will be in this year. Visit Tyler consulted with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist Greg Grant, who thinks visitors can expect to see about 15-20% of the normal blooms for this time of year. The Azalea Trail stretches ten miles and attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Tyler each year. To read more click here.

TYLER — A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas. Acting United States Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said Wednesday that Eric Cadell Gipson, 56, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, last June, Gipson, a convicted felon, arranged to buy a 9mm pistol. Six days later, Gipson took possession. Gipson, was previously convicted of murder, robbery and theft, and by law, was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal grand jury returned an indictment last fall. Gipson faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

EAST TEXAS — Several schools and businesses are announcing closings or delays due to the impact from last weeks winter storms and sustained frigid temperatures and conditions. Continue reading East Texas school, business closings and delays

TYLER — Dressin’ Gaudy has been in business, in Tyler, for more than three decades. On Wednesday, the accessories and boutique store on S. Broadway Ave. announced they would be closing their doors for good next month. A Facebook post said that March will be their last month in business. The post also said this weekend will be their last at First Monday in Canton, as well.

DALLAS — State lawmakers are taking action to protect the power grid in the wake of last weeks deep freeze that wreaked havoc on the system. Two years ago north and east Texas State Senator Bob Hall filed a bill that would have created a security council to protect the grid from threats. Hall, who’s district includes such area counties as Van Zandt and Rains counties, says, “We need to be aware of them and quit pretending like it is going to magically appear that whenever we turn the switch on that we are going to have electricity.” He tells CBS 11, in Dallas, that his bill passed the Senate, but died in the House. Another bill that would have ERCOT boost the amount of power in reserves has been re-filed by one of Hall’s colleagues.

TYLER — The North East Texas Health authority is once again vaccinating hundreds of people at Harvey Hall in Tyler. George Roberts told KTBB Wednesday, “We lost no doses, of those that were on-hand, so that’s good news. We were obviously not able to do any vaccine clinics last week, for a couple of reasons. Number one, the weather prohibited people from getting out and about. And secondly, our supply that we were waiting on the last week, was not able to be able to be delivered either.” Continue reading NET Health expects to administer 5,000 vaccines this week

TYLER — Tyler ISD has come through last weeks powerful winter polar vortex very well. On Tuesday, TISD’s Tim Loper told KTBB, “We were well prepared and we knew it was coming. The key for us was preparation. We started getting ready for that storm probably the entire week before. We got a great bunch of people here, we know what our goal is. We know what we have got to do to get it done.” The director of facilities continued, “We were looking at areas and wrapping any pipes and stuff that we thought might freeze.” As far as the two new high schools, Loper said, “WRL is our contractor and we were monitoring the temperatures and things. Anything in the construction area that wasn’t heated or any pipes that were charged in that unheated area, we took precautions to either drain them or put heat tape over them and monitored the campuses daily. Knock on wood, we came through it very nicely.”

LONGVIEW — Gregg county has been added to the President’s Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. Harrison, Rusk, and Wood counties were also added Tuesday. This will allow for FEMA assistance following last weeks winter weather event. The declaration previously included 77 counties in Texas including Henderson, Panola, Smith, and Upshur counties. To see the complete press release click here. To learn more about assistance click here.

TYLER — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is allowing recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost during last weeks, week-long winter storm. The East Texas Food Bank’s Lauren Barnes told KTBB Tuesday, “If you lost food because of the storm, had flooding, lost power or anything like that, you can apply for replacement benefits. It is really easy to do this, just call 2-1-1 during business hours, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and they will verbally accept your statement attesting to your loss and you might actually be able to receive 100% of your monthly benefit.” Continue reading SNAP offering replacement benefits from last weeks storms

NECHES — The Neches School Board has moved forward with the renewal of the contract of an administrator currently under indictment. According to our news partner KETK, NISD renewed the contract of Kimberlyn Snider, Tuesday. Snider is an elementary school principal in the district. She is under indictment for one felony charge and multiple misdemeanor charges for allegedly interfering with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office investigation into a possible sexual assault of a minor. Snider is the wife of NISD Superintendent Randy Snider. The elementary principal is now under contract through June of 2023.

TYLER — The Green Acres Baptist Church offered free showers and laundry on Monday. According to a social media post, the ministry provided the essentials, including soap and towels, for anyone who lost electricity and water and could not shower or do laundry. The city of Tyler restored water to the community early Tuesday morning. The church will be a food distribution site of the East Texas Food Bank this Friday.

WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse continues to struggle in the demand on their water system. Monday, the community announced more water main breaks and damage from electrical system fluctuations that occurred during and after the storm. The 12-inch water main break impacted the system in two ways. First, it forced the shut down of one of the booster pumps to relieve pressure on a nearby valve and to ensure the safety of crews. Additionally, this means the required amount of water to refill and recharge the line, puts the city even more behind in keeping up with demand. Read the complete report here.

TYLER — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday that an investigation into a fatality house fire near Lindale continues. Firefighters from Lindale, Dixie, and Van Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the fire on FM 849 Sunday morning. A passersby reported heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the home around 9 a.m. Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks says, an off-duty firefighter from another area drove by and helped an elderly woman out of the home. Firefighters found a deceased male in his 50’s on the second floor of the home. His name is not being released at this time pending official identification. Officials are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.

GLADEWATER — Gladewater ISD is moving to virtual learning for the rest of the week. The school district made the announcement Monday afternoon due to a lack of water following last week’s winter storm. The district said in a Facebook post, they would have 100 laptops ready to check out to students on a first come, first served basis, Tuesday morning. The sign-outs will take place at the GISD central office on Broadway from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The school has been without water for days since the storm began moving out of the East Texas area. The district says they hope to resume normal classes March 1.

ATHENS — Henderson County Officials say a deputy responded to a burglary in progress Sunday night. Upon getting a vehicle description, Athens police arrested 34 year old Christie Diane Johnson, of Athens, inside a convenience store. The HCSO made contact with Johnson, who say, she confessed to having contraband on her. A search of the vehicle revealed three firearms, one reported stolen out of Arkansas, and what deputies believe to be methamphetamines. Johnson faces charges of burglary, theft of a firearm, tampering with evidence, possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

TYLER — A Lindale man has been indicted on capital murder charges following a violent crash last December. The brutal wreck killed David Joshua Reed’s former girlfriend, who was pregnant, as well as her new boyfriend. According to our news partner KETK, Shelby Duarte, 26, and 43-year-old Timothy Nelson Jr. died after they were hit by a truck driven by Reed. Police also believe Reed was attempting to blow himself up by loading his vehicle with propane tanks. Investigators at the scene discovered that Reed drove into a camper trailer, which completely destroyed it. Continue reading East Texan indicted for brutal wreck that killed pregnant ex-girlfriend and new boyfriend

NACOGDOCHES — Investigators in Nacogdoches County released the identifies of the three people killed by carbon monoxide poisoning on Saturday after losing power during the winter storm. According to our news partner KETK, the victims were 63-year-old Deborah Wright, 60-year-old James Harkness Jr., and 42-year-old Richard Woodard. Wright and Harkness Jr. were from Nacogdoches and Woodward was from Mt. Enterprise. Authorities said that they were operating a portable gas generator on the front porch and that the exhaust pipe was very close to the residence. Continue reading Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning near Nacogdoches