KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK — The Cherokee County sheriff says he thinks problems at the county jail have been resolved. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Inmates used showers in which mold was growing, were served food stored in areas that were sometimes moldy and dirty, and could not wash their hands at some sinks because the sinks did not have running water, according to the jail’s most recent state inspection. Those and other violations were documented October 15, and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspector classified the jail as being non-compliant. Continue reading Cherokee County sheriff: jail problems on the way to resolution

TYLER — A 21-year-old Tyler man was indicted by a Smith County grand jury on a murder charge in the shooting death of a mother of two. According to our news partner KETK, Catalino Marin Jr. is held for the August 9 killing of Diamond Samantha Cruz, 21, on County Road 384. Marin turned himself in later that day. He remains jailed on $500,000 bond.

TYLER — The judge overseeing the trial of a former Christus Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler nurse accused of killing three hospitalized patients said Friday she wants the trial to be held in Harvey Convention Center. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Judge Christi Kennedy said during a pre-trail hearing Friday she is concerned there is not space in the Smith County Courthouse large enough to accommodate the hundreds of potential jurors who will be called in the capital murder trial. Continue reading Judge: Trial of nurse accused of killing patients needs larger venue

TYLER — The Rotary International Clubs of Tyler “Drive-Thru” Christmas Parade is set for Saturday. Officials say it has over 60 entries from the East Texas community. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 10:00 a.m. New this year are the parade format and extended route. The Rotary Clubs of Tyler will host a reverse parade with entrants remaining static and parked along the parade route, while attendees walk or drive along the route. This year’s parade theme is “Together, We are Rose City Strong.” Organizers are asking attendees to enter the parade route from the Gentry and N. Broadway intersection.

TYLER — National Hand-washing Awareness Week takes place, every year, during the first week of December. On Friday, NET Health’s Terrance Ates told our news partner KETK one week’s great but it’s not enough. “Every week should be national handwashing week, but overall it’s the importance of controlling the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses.” Ates went on to say, “While we are in a pandemic we are also observing the rate of flu cases are down. Partly because of the awareness of over-all hygiene.” Clean hands prevent sickness. Continue reading National hand-washing week

LINDALE — A Smith County man driving a pickup truck near Lindale was killed late Thursday night. According to DPS, Cody West, 31, of Tyler, died at the scene after he veered off the road and struck a tree. The accident happened on FM 849 about 3.5 miles east of Lindale. Troopers said they are not clear why West lost control and sheered off the north side of the road, into a ditch and hit a tree.

BULLARD — The speed limit on US 69 in Bullard has been lowered from 65 to 60 mph. According to our news partner KETK, the decision came about after a recently approved request from the Tyler District. The appeal also included reducing the speed from 70 to 60, south of Bullard to FM 2493 at KE Bushmans. TxDOT will set up portable signs to alert drivers, and the change will go into effect the week after their installation. The reduced speed was put in place to improve safety and promote a more efficient traffic flow.

TYLER — The City of Tyler and Keep Tyler Beautiful are announcing once again a public art opportunity at Hillside Park on E. Erwin St. The Hillside Park Art Wall was built in 2019 as part of the renovations of Hillside Park. The 200-foot art wall features 19 panels of original artwork painted by local artists. The wall features new artwork every other year. The panels that will be repainted are now available for artists to submit their artwork. The Keep Tyler Beautiful Board is looking for art that sparks creativity, happiness and hope while still representing the Tyler community, East Texas or Texas. Continue reading Hillside Park offering public art opportunity

TYLER — The Faulkner Skate Park will close temporarily for construction that is starting right away. The new phase will expand the existing skate park. Depending on weather, officials say the the construction will take around two and a half to three months, before it is completed. The city of Tyler will complete a 10,500-square-foot skatepark. The park will have an expansive street terrain with ledges, rails, ramps and more. The announcement said, “It will include all features requested by community leaders, including an easy-flow integrated with traditional street features, a lazy river-style skatepark in a circular shape and Jersey barriers.”

TYLER — A well known stretch of road in Tyler has made a list, you would rather avoid. According to our news partner KETK, South Broadway/US Hwy 69 S., ranked 89th out of the ‘Top 100 Most Congested Roads in Texas.’ The rankings were put together by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation. The report states, “the hot spot stretches from the intersection of Loop 323 and Broadway to Toll 49 south of Tyler. It is the only portion of road in East Texas to make the list. Dallas and Houston combine for 69 of the spots, others are between Austin and San Antonio.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments announced $2.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division on Thursday. The news disclosed awards East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits with the goal of improving public safety and support victims of crime. ETCOG say’s, a total of 29 Public Safety Grants will be awarded in categories for Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance. The entire amount totals $2,180,158.85.

WASHINGTON DC — Congressman Louie Gohmert announced the virtual art gallery of the First District of Texas’ 2021 Congressional Art Competition on Thursday. “Every year I look forward to seeing the artwork created by the tremendously talented young people in the First District of Texas.” The East Texas Congressman continued, “This year we have chosen to display the many fantastic entries of the student artists online in hopes that this will provide friends and family members, in sensitivity to the times, an opportunity to view the artwork of the talented district art students without having to appear in person.” Continue reading Gohmert Announces 2021 Congressional Art Competition Online Gallery

TYLER — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County has been granted $7,500 to partner with its Medical Sexual Assault Exams project. The organization announced the gift from the Texas Bar Foundation on Thursday. This funding provides after-hours security to ensure the safety of those who are protecting the health of children and youth who have been sexually assaulted. For more information click the link. http://www.cacsmithcounty.org.

BURKE (AP) — Officials say no one was seriously hurt after a private plane carrying Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan skidded off a runway while trying to land during a rainstorm. Phelan says everyone aboard the plane was able to walk away after the rough landing Wednesday at Angelina County Airport, about 110 miles northeast of Houston. The airport’s manager says the pilot suffered minor injuries but was able to walk around afterward. Phelan is a Republican from Beaumont. He says he has the votes to be Texas’ next House speaker, and he has the support of GOP Gov. Greg Abbott.

LAS VEGAS  – Prosecutors are weighing possible hate crime and terrorism charges against three suspects, from Tyler, following a shooting spree in the suburbs of Las Vegas that ended with their arrests in rural Arizona, according to Fox News. Michael Schwartzer, a Chief deputy Clark County district attorney, said Shawn McDonnell, 30, Christopher McDonnell, 28, and Kayleigh Lewis, 25, could face the death penalty in Las Vegas stemming from the 11-hour two-state rampage, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Kevin Mendiola Jr., 22, of North Las Vegas, was killed and three other people were wounded in one shooting at a Henderson convenience store. Continue reading New details released following Las Vegas area rampage

TYLER — Access 2 Mobility was the site of not one, but two wheelchair accessible vans given away. On Wednesday Access 2 Mobility’s Noah Keifer told KTBB, “We are talking about 2 people that donated their freedom that their loved ones had once before. We are the privileged ones that got to be the recepients. We have a lot of sponsors, volunteers, and a lot of people that got to be involved that helped make this possible. These vans have been reconditioned and basically everything works perfect, they will be going home with a very reliable freedom vehicles. Continue reading 2 wheel chair accessible vans given away in Tyler

TYLER — The hospitalization rates for many East Texas counties continue to rise. According to our news partner KETK, numbers have climbed above the threshold that threatens the operating capacity for businesses. NET Health CEO George Roberts said that a group of East Texas counties, known as RAC-G, have had their hospitalization rates rise about 15% for coronavirus cases. Under Gov. Abbott’s order, if this continues for seven consecutive days, businesses that are operating at 75% would have to drop to only 50% capacity. Continue reading Hospitalization rate rises above 15% in East Texas

ATHENS — Preparations continue for soccer to become a member of the athletic program at Trinity Valley Community College in the fall of 2021 continue. To that end, the next step in the process is fielding women’s and men’s club teams to compete in the spring. TVCC is currently seeking interested participants for upcoming tryouts, which will be held early next year at a time to be announced. According to Coach Antonio Ledesma, around 15 women’s and 15 men’s players are being sought for the club program. Players must be enrolled at TVCC for the spring semester. For more information, contact Coach Ledesma at 903-670-2618 or [email protected].

HENDERSON COUNTY — A wanted sex offender was arrested in Brownsboro Tuesday and charged with possession of methamphetamines. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Ronnie Gilmore, 60, failed to register as a sex offender and Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Randy Daniel signed an arrest warrant. He was arrested while walking along St. Louise Drive. The arresting deputy noticed a black, zipper pouch under the patrol car, and discovered methamphetamines. Gilmore admitted to removing the contraband from his pocket and kicking it under the vehicle. Gilmore was taken to the Henderson County Jail on the felony arrest warrant and was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence.

LONGVIEW – Dudley and Sheryl Lang announced on Tuesday that the restaurant would be closing due to the pandemic, according to our news partner KETK. “To all of our customers and friends of Dudley’s Cajun Cafe: We regret to inform you that Dudley’s Cajun Cafe will be closing its door as of December 1st. I would like to thank all of you for your friendship and patronage with us for the last 28 years. This past year has been very difficult and disappointing from a business point of view due to the pandemic.” Dudley and Sheryl wrote. The Langs also said they understood people’s concern about the virus, and they expressed their disappointment about closing. Continue reading Dudley’s Cajun Cafe closes their doors after 28 years, due to COVID-19

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has resumed operation of FREE COVID-19 tests, whether you have symptoms or if you have no symptoms. All TDEM testing locations are walk-in sites and you must wear a face covering upon entry. Each of the sites will collect oral saliva samples that will be sent to a testing laboratory to undergo PCR analysis to determine COVID-19 infection at the moment the samples were collected. Results will be provided to you by the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and not by NET Health. Continue reading Free COVID-19 testing locations in East Texas

TYLER — Ozarka initiated Giving Tuesday, by donating a gift of $5,000 and a truck full of bottled water to the East Texas Food Bank. ETFB says  the company has been helping their organization since 2003. Jeff Hall, Ozarka factory manager in Hawkins, says, “We are very pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the East Texas Food Bank.”’ Hall continued, “Providing support to local communities in need is so important to our Hawkins factory employees and we are glad that this holiday we are again able to assist ETFB and the good work they do in our region.” The East Texas Food Bank serves over 90,000 households in 26 counties in East Texas, covering nearly 20,000 miles.

TYLER — The Smith County Clerk’s Office has a new public records search software that allows Smith County residents to sign up for a free “Property Alert” safety feature. Property fraud and mortgage fraud are some of the fastest growing white-collar crimes in the U.S., according to County Clerk Karen Phillips.When signing up for “Property Alert,” the customer will receive an email if their personal name or business entity name ever shows up on a document in the County Clerk’s Official Public Records Department. Continue reading New public records search offers safety feature

TYLER — NET Health and the Tyler Parks and Rec Department have come together in an effort to secure funds for 10 bicycle fix-it stations. The fix-it stations were purchased thanks to grant funds from the Texas Physical Activity and Nutrition Program. The stations will be placed at Tyler parks near trails and will include all tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, such as inflating a flat tire and adjusting brakes. The bicycle fix-it stations will be installed at various Tyler Parks over the next few months, including the following: Continue reading Bicycle fix-it stations provided by NET Health at Tyler Parks

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to an accident on NNW Loop 323 involving multiple vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, a Tyler ISD bus was one of the vehicles caught up with two other vehicles, one of which was overturned. There were a total of 7 autos in the crash. No students were on the bus at the time of the accident. Motorists were asked to avoid the area, as all northbound lanes on that part of the loop were closed for an undisclosed time. Officers and emergency personnel worked the crash, temporarily closing down northbound lanes of traffic and asking motorists to seek an alternate route.