KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Christmas Tree recycling in Tyler will begin on the 26th. On Monday, The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful announced two options for Christmas tree recycling in the Rose City. Residents can drop off un-decorated, non-flocked, natural Christmas trees starting the day after Christmas through Sunday, Jan. 17 in designated areas at Golden Road Park and Fun Forest Park in Tyler. Golden Road Park is located at the intersection of McDonald Road and Golden Road. Fun Forest Park is located in the 900 block of North Glenwood Boulevard. For more information, contact Belen Casillas, Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator, at (903) 531-1335 or e-mail [email protected].

TYLER — TxDOT is planning to conduct more construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District during the upcoming week. Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct routine work including pothole and sign repair on roadways throughout the county. A second crew will perform bridge channel maintenance on FM 2710 two miles west of FM 14. Longview Maintenance crews plan to perform stockpile cleanup and address routine maintenance on roads around the county. TxDOT is reminding motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/050-2020.html for a complete rundown of roadwork planned throughout the Tyler district.

TYLER — We now know the identify of a victim killed in a fatal accident Friday night in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, a former patrol officer for the Arp Police Department, Dakota Powell was killed when an SUV on Loop 323, turned North onto HWY 110 failing to yield right of way and hit Powell. Powell was transported to UT Health Center, where he died from his injuries. Powell is described as a husband, father of two, and friend to those in the Arp community.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler has been collecting donations for local children, since November. On Friday, they began distributing toys from their “Angel Tree Program.” According to our news partner KETK, more than 1,800 people signed up for this years program. The organization said this is probably the most large ticket items they have received in years. The Angel Tree Program begin in Lynchburg in 1979, and quickly spread across the nation.

TYLER — Green Acres Baptist Church teamed up with the East Texas Food Bank to distribute food to those in need. East Texas Food Bank partnered with Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler for a second Feed Our Friends drive-thru food distribution. No eligibility or ID was required to receive on the first-come, first-serve basis. Although the rain held off for most of the drive-thru event, Pastor David Dykes said, “Our members came out in force at 7 a.m. during a down-pour to get ready for the crowds. It just shows the faithfulness and commitment of our members for their community.” Hundreds of families were recipients. This is the second time in as many months, that the Church and Food Bank teamed up.

LONGVIEW — Voters in Longview approved almost $25 million in park improvements in November of 2018. On Friday, phase one construction started on three of the Longview parks. According to the city, some amenities will be unavailable in the process of renovations and new designs, including pavilions and parks. The Paul G. Boorman Trail will remain open but may not be accessible from the Lois Jackson parking lot. To see the the overall plan click the link. https://www.facebook.com/CityofLongview/.

LONGVIEW — A Longview couple was threatened at gunpoint by a man demanding money and drugs. According to our news parnter KETK, the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old Brandon Portley of Tyler. The couple said they had known Portley for several years. The couple says Portley originally confronted them at their home in Longview, then ordered them at gunpoint to get into their vehicle, then told them to drive to another location on Mobberly Street to get money. Once there, the couple escaped and contacted Longivew Police. Portley was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping.

TYLER — Last weekend, Tyler Legacy enjoyed their first playoff victory since 2009. On Saturday, Legacy travels to Mesquite Memorial to meet Cedar Hill in the area round of the playoffs. Thursday, TISD invited the community out for a send-off at 9:45 that morning. The district reminds attendees to arrive in plenty of time to give the Red Raiders a rowdy send-off at 9:45 a.m. Playoff t-shirts will also be available for purchase. Participants should arrive on the east side of the field house, behind Red Raider Stadium as players and coaches load the bus prior to departure.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation is closing in on their goal of off-setting the cost of renaming both Tyler high schools. President Kyle Penney told KTBB Friday, we were able to present a check in the amount of $91,362 to the board of Tyler Independent School District during December’s school board meeting.” The check represents the initial distribution from the Tyler ISD Future Fund, a fund established by citizens to receive public contributions to offset expenses related to renaming both local high schools.

The fund at ETCF was launched soon after the school board voted to change both Tyler ISD flagship high school names. Originally, the estimated costs for signage, band and athletic uniforms was estimated to exceed $300,000. If you would like to donate to the fund, and take advantage of year end tax deductions you can get more information by clicking the link. http://www.ETCF.org.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Pantry announced Thursday they have been selected, from MacKenzie Scott, to receive a philanthropic donation from her. Scott narrowed the list down from over 6,000 to 384 organizations, including ETFB. Those on the list, include food banks to emergency relief funds and many more. Scott was the first ever accountant for Amazon and part of the company’s founding. After her divorce from Jeff Bezos, she was given a 4% stake in the company, valued at $37 billion. Forbes estimates her to be the third-richest woman in the world. ETFB will announce their intentions of the coming donation in early 2021.

LONGVIEW — The presents came early at Longview ISD on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, several teachers from the district welcomed a $30,000 bonus check just in time for the Christmas break. In total, Longview ISD awarded $2.8 million in incentive pay for teachers. A few of the highest performing teachers received the money. Crystal Lewis and Monica Jones both received checks for around $30,000, and Kamala Weaver received a check for close to $37,000. Continue reading LISD passes out $2.8 million in bonus pay to Teachers

TYLER — Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc. announced a significant donation of $5 million dollars from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. According to a news release from Goodwill, the investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. The $5 million gift from Scott will help accelerate Goodwill’s plan to address growing workforce needs as demands for targeted skills in the labor market increase, which make it difficult for many people to compete for new jobs. Continue reading Goodwill Industries of East Texas receives largest investment in 45-year history

TYLER — Walk-up COVID-19 testing continues a courtesy of The Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to the Joint Information Center of Smith County, the screenings are available for anyone with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Testing begins in Tyler at St. Louis Baptist Church, on Frankston Hwy., starting Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Testing will occur Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The location will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1. Testing resumes Jan. 4, occurring from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m weekdays. Register online at GoGetTested.com. The testing location at the Tyler Senior Center will close Friday.

TYLER — Greg Grubb of Tyler officially announced his candidacy for City Council – District 1, on Thursday. The election is next May. Grubb along with his wife, Dana, have lived in Tyler 34 years, raising their daughters in the city they now call home. For the past 8 years, Greg served as the Executive Director of PATH, People Attempting to Help. Prior to entering the nonprofit realm, Grub spent 3 decades in the oil and gas industry, with the last 10 as president and co-owner of a private corporation. District 1 stretches from Bergfeld Center south to approximately Toll 49, running west of Broadway Avenue. Learn more at http://gregfortyler.com/.

TYLER — Caregivers at UT Health North Campus Tyler are spreading Christmas cheer beyond the walls of the hospital this year. On Thursday, the group said they were donating wreaths to area organizations that serve those in need. In spite of being overwhelmed with COVID-19, caregivers wanted to give back to the community, for all of the community’s support this year. Every year the hospital hosts a wreath-decorating contest, with each department decorating a wreath that is then displayed in the lobby and voted on by employees. This year, caregivers decided they wanted to bless others with their craftiness and good cheer.

TYLER — A fire Thursday at the Studio 6 Extended Stay on Troup Highway in Tyler, has patrons looking for a new place to stay. According to our news partner KETK, a chimney fire was the source of the incident. Authorities say no one was hurt and officials at the scene say the fire was contained shortly after they arrived. Power has been shut off and water damage through out the building made it a necessity for residents to be relocated.

TYLER — An Emergency situation at UT Tyler was the result of a shooting at The Foundry apartment’s Wednesday night. The complex is located across the street from the UT campus and prompted an emergency alert sent to students. Tyler Police say shots were fired at someone on their balcony at 10 p.m. The victims name was not released, and was not injured in the shooting. Officers found five bullet holes from the balcony. The suspect crossed the street to the campus and tried to get into a woman’s car while she was inside. She refused his entry and he ran from the scene. This prompted an alert be sent to students. Investigators later tracked down the alleged shooter. The suspect’s name has not been released and it is unclear what the motive for the shooting might have been.

TYLER — The city of Tyler released a settlement of a lawsuit on Wednesday. Tyler is paying $300,000 to the woman who says two Tyler police officers and five Smith County sheriff’s jailers caused the death of her son. The city of Tyler says the agreement is is not an admission of wrongdoing on behalf of the city or the two police officers named in the wrongful death suit. The city council voted unanimously to ratify the settlement last week. In May of 2017, Teddy Parker, 32, became unresponsive, and turned purple while being put into the Smith County Jail on a public intoxication arrest. He was removed from life support two days later at ETMC, now UT Health Tyler. Smith County has not yet settled the suit.

TYLER — The COVID-19 hospitalization rate for the East Texas area has risen above 15%, for the second time this month. If that number remains at least that high for seven consecutive days, businesses would be required to scale back capacity limits. According to our news partner KETK, it could require some of them to close. This is the metric used by Governor Greg Abbott in an executive order, requiring hospitals in the regions that have COVID patients of 15% or more, for seven consecutive days, to move businesses to adjust their numbers of service.

TYLER — 2020 has been difficult for many and on Wednesday, another local restaurant announced the closing of their doors. Roast Social Kitchen in Tyler is closing its doors. Jen and Nick Pencis,own the popular eatery, saying “there has been a lot of community support through COVID-19,” but with their lease on the building up, “they are now looking at other opportunities.” The restaurant was very popular with locals for a variety of brick oven pizzas, and craft cocktails.

TYLER — Two drive-thru food distributions are scheduled this week in Tyler. The East Texas Food Bank says both distributions are open to anyone and eligibility or paperwork requirements are not necessary. The East Texas State Fairgrounds will host the first drive Friday from 10 to noon. Food boxes with produce protein and dairy will also be passed out on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Green Acres Baptist Church. Those boxes will also have pre-packaged meals from HEB. ETFB says Drive-thru allocations will continue in Tyler, Longview and Lufkin in 2021.

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says business often leaves patrons open to crooks. Because it’s hectic, and it’s easy to get distracted when performing tasks like filling up your gas tank, paying attention is a key to stopping offenders. The thieves depend on distraction to steal your credit card information off gasoline pumps. Find out the signs that show consumers and retailers may have an issue by clicking the link. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/fmq/protectthepump.htm.

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine lifted a boil water notice that had been put into effect for 1400 Block of North John Street. City officials say that the Water Department has taken appropriate steps that boiling water for consumption is no longer necessary. If you have questions concerning this matter, contact Felipe Garcia at (903) 731-8423.

MARSHALL — A revision was announced this week, to the Small Business Grant, by the City of Marshall. According to the city, the grant provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $2,500 to companies who have purchased equipment, supplies, software, PPE, and faced financial hardship to adapt their business to state and federal guidelines after March 1, 2020. The City of Marshall encourages businesses to re-apply, if you were previously denied due to employee numbers. The new application is available at City Hall or online at https://www.marshalltexas.net/DocumentCenter/View/1062/Small-Business-Grant-Fund-Updated-1215.

BULLARD — More improvements are coming to an East Texas Highway. TxDOT says work will begin at the intersection of US 69 and County Road 3801 next month in Bullard. Crews will be setting up concrete directional islands on 3801, while the shoulders of 69 will be closed, and people will not be able to merge onto the Highway from the County Road once construction begins on Jan. 4. Other routes will need to be taken. The intersection will reopen at the end of the workday. Continue reading Improvements planned for Bullard intersection