KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GILMER — Voting hours in Upshur County were extended until 8 p.m. Tuesday night due to technological issues with voting equipment at the start of the day. A motion filed for the extension, states the polls were delayed for nearly 90 minutes due to technical issues…”They were in no way created by the Upshur County Elections Administrator, her staff, any election judge, worker or any other Upshur County official.” As a result polling locations closed at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday night.

SABINE COUNTY — Bond has been denied for A 24-year-old charged with murder in the death of a 19-year-old nurses aide, Sabine County Sheriff Tom Maddox said Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, first responders were called to the scene, Saturday morning, of what was initially believed to be a two-car accident on Highway 83 and found both Matthew Hoy Edgar and Livye Lewis had suffered injuries. The sheriff said Edgar was a former boyfriend of Lewis and that the two got into a fight that escalated into violence. Continue reading Bond denied for man accused of murder in Sabine County

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD started offering free COVID-19 testing on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the swab testing is based on availability and consent. Parents will have to fill out a form for their students, every time they’re tested. Parents must also be present while filling out the form. Longview ISD staff and faculty have already been receiving free COVID-19 testing for the last two weeks. Grace Community School in Tyler was also selected as part of the pilot program from Governor Abbott’s office, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Emergency Management. Seven other schools from across the state were also chosen to participate.

TYLER — Habitat Tyler ReStore is inviting residents and organizations to remember them as you prepare your homes and businesses for the upcoming holidays. In a press brief on Tuesday, the non-profit home improvement store asked for unwanted decorations including, Christmas trees, ornaments and lights. The store is located on W. Front St. in Tyler and open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. If you have questions you can call 903-531-0072.

TYLER — East Texas Food Bank was the beneficiary of a canned food drive that took place at Whataburgers across the area on Monday night. Patrons that brought 3 cans of food for the drive, received a free burger. E.T.F.B. says statistics show that 256,000 plus East Texans are hungry every day, and that the organization fed more that 1.7 million people in October. For more information, click the link. https://www.easttexasfoodbank.org/.

TYLER — On Monday, Judge Christi Kennedy ordered Smith County prosecutors to turn over evidence to the defense team of a man accused of posing as a teenager to underage girls. Luis Ortiz, 23, could face up to life in prison, after several charges last April. Ortiz is accused of sending graphic messages to minors on social media and inviting them into sexual acts, while lying about his age. According to our news partner KETK, Defense attorney Matt Bingham is concerned that a pre-trial hearing is scheduled in a month and he still has no indication of what the evidence against Ortiz entails. He also told the judge he has received no evidence from prosecutors since July. The DA’s office had said at a hearing in August that there was a substantial amount of evidence they were going through, including two cell phones. Bingham said that the defense is especially interested in the cell phones with Bingham saying he intends to hand them over to a forensic expert.

ATHENS — Henderson County deputies are actively looking for two missing children believed to be with their parents. 12-year-old Robert Tickle Jr. and 7-year-old Briya Tickle have been ordered into the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. They were last seen in Chandler, with the parents Christina Gibbons, 45 and Robert Tickle, 55. Authorities believe they could be in the Duncanville or Grand Prairie area. They are driving a 2002 brown Ford F150 pickup truck with the Texas license plate: HKY 8662. No Amber Alert has been issued for Briya or Robert at this time; the alert is only used for when investigators believe the children are in immediate danger. Online judicial records indicate both parents were arrested earlier this year for drug possession, but the charges were later dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

GRAND PRAIRIE — Eddie Hassell, famous for hit show NBC’s Surface playing Phil Nance, has died. According to our news partner KETK, the 30-year-old from Corsicana, was shot in a carjacking incident in Texas on Sunday. Hassell was also in Bomb City, Devious Maids, Family Weekend and House of Dust to name a few. In addition to being an actor, Hassell also published a book called, ‘Someone Should Tell You: Startling Revolutions and Truths to Help You Understand and Improve Your Life’.

TYLER — A New walk-in care clinic is now available to help meet the growing demand for healthcare in Canton. UT Health East Texas opened the new site Monday. Formerly known as “Canton Express Med,” the clinic reopened as UT Health East Texas Urgent Care. The clinic is centrally located at 301 E. State Hwy 243 in the Trader’s Square shopping plaza,from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. UT Health East Texas Urgent Care will provide walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries, treating patients 3 months and older. Conditions treated include on-site, rapid COVID-19, flu and strep testing with results available in minutes.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County discussed Sheriff Larry Webb’s concern for the funding of COVID-19 Pressure Cell grant funding. According to our news partner KETK, the program that funded the grant is called Corona Emergency Supplemental Funding program. This program will help the expenses that would be put on the responsibility of the Upshur County judicial system. Webb said that they applied for the grant in the summer, received notification on the 16th that he received that money. He said they are waiting on the Texas Jail Commission to approve the plans that were put in place. Continue reading Grant allows Upshur County to quarantine inmates with COVID-19

CHEROKEE COUNTY — An East Texas man was convicted on Friday, receiving a 50 year sentence. According to our news partner KETK, Justin Fountain was convicted for causing ‘serious’ bodily harm to his infant daughter by shaking and throwing her down in 2019. Fountain allegedly also blew marijuana smoke in his daughter’s face to ‘help her calm down’. After being found guilty, Fountain justified that he struggled in school and had a low I.Q. The state presented counter-evidence that his daughter still suffers ‘ill’ effects from her injuries after hearing testimonies on the girl’s ongoing struggles from the daughter’s pediatrician and her adoptive parents. Fountain admitted abuse and admitted that he did it because he became upset at the child.

WILLS POINT — A Wills Point man will face nearly 12 years in federal prison due to drug trafficking crimes. Back in January, Rickey Howard, 41, plead guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent of distribution. The judge had also ordered Howard to pay $8000. Prosecutors said during his trial in 2018, Howard had more than 100 grams of methamphetamine in his Van Zandt home. He also admitted to the intent of distributing at least 500 grams of the drug.

LONGVIEW — Registration remains open for Run for Hope, the first virtual 5K race from nonprofit Buckner International. The organization says proceeds will benefit local and international ministries. As a pandemic-friendly event for the family, participants have the option to run or walk anywhere they choose the weekend of either day, Nov. 14 or Nov. 15. Adult registration is $30 and includes a race shirt and bib. Children 12 and under cost $15 to register, which also includes race shirt and bib. Pet race bandanas are available for $6. Continue reading Virtual race for Buckner attracts runners across Texas

KILGORE — Kilgore College is one of three East Texas community colleges that received funding from a grant from the Texas Success Center to help with scaling essential practices of the Texas Pathways model. KC’s portion amounted to 126,472, that will bring on a success coach, focused on working with workforce dual credit students at Longview and Henderson high schools. The coach will monitor student progression toward a credential while in high school and will ensure that students can easily monitor their progression and learn what is needed to complete their program at KC after high school. Tyler Junior College and Trinity Valley Community College were also awarded funds to support scaling of the Texas Pathways model.

PALESTINE — The body of Officer Sergeant Harold Preston will be transported to his hometown of Athens, to be laid to rest. Sergeant Harold Preston was shot and killed as he and other officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in an apartment complex in Houston. Sergeant Preston served with HPD for 41 years and was only weeks away from retirement. He is survived by his elderly parents, whom he cared for, and a fiancée. The body will be escorted from Houston back to Athens and the public is encouraged to show their support and view the procession coming through Palestine. The procession will arrive in Palestine around 12:55 PM. The motorcade will come into Palestine on W. Oak St (US-79), continuing to Palestine Ave, then onto W. Spring St (TX-19) before proceeding to Athens.

MARSHALL — An endowed scholarship program is starting at East Texas Baptist University, after a gift of $25,000 was given from Brookshire Grocery Co. BGC announced the establishment of the “Focus on the Future” scholarship program in partnership with East Texas Baptist University and more than 40 other universities and colleges in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The program is designed to reward students in BGC’s market areas for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding academic achievements.

TYLER — Every vote counts coming down the stretch in the 2020 General Election. On Thursday, Congressman Louie Gohmert told KTBB conservatives have got to get to the polls. “Everything you believe about freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of speech…The right to keep and bear arms, the 2nd Amendment, 4th Amendment, 5th Amendment, 6th, 8th Amendment, those are all on the line. Because, socialist countries, your rights go to the side, Government has all the rights, you don’t.” Gohmert continued, “That’s all on the line, this is an effort to move the United States into Socialism…The problem with Socialism is not economic, the problem with Socialism is Atheism. In Socialism, your God has to become the Government.” Early voting ends Friday.

LONGVIEW — Smallwoods has revealed a project that despite the coronavirus shows the company’s continued growth. On Friday, Jason Smallwood told KTBB, “It has forced us to reconsider and change our standard operating procedures pretty much across the board for the entire company. But, at the same time, I think with folks spending more time at home, they have really looked to re-arrange their home and try to make it as comfortable as possible. So that’s where we come in.” Smallwood’s will consolidate 9 facilities and more than double employment. ‘The Campus’ project’s goal will provide a thriving culture for employees, and keep the native East Texas surroundings undisturbed. Continue reading ‘The Campus’ Project to add 200 plus employees at Smallwoods

MARSHALL — The Texas Medical Board restricted the license of a Marshall doctor on Thursday. According to a media brief, Dr. Shaun Bobbi Kelehan had his license reduced for “engaging in non-consensual sexual encounters with a patient and administered medications to the patient during these encounters.” The Board’s disciplinary panel determined that medical practice “poses a continuing threat to public welfare.” Kelehan is prohibited from seeing, examining, treating, prescribing to, or otherwise practicing medicine on male patients. Continue reading Medical Board takes immediate action on East Texas doctor

TYLER – Tyler ISD is adding a new podcast to its list of communication vehicles designed to keep parents and the community informed of the latest news from around the District. Hosted by Executive Director of Communications Jennifer Hines, the Talks with Tyler ISD podcast series will feature a variety of guests, covering everything from district-wide objectives and initiatives to inspiring stories from students and classroom teachers. The first audiocast starts Friday, when Dr. Marty Crawford talks about how the District continues to adapt and deliver through the COVID pandemic.

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department received a grant this week from the Louis and Peaches Owen Family Foundation totaling $7,000. The monies will go to the Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum, the annual Holiday in the Garden event at the Tyler Rose Garden and annual Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament. The Owen family has supported these events for 10 years. From the total amount, the Goodman-LeGrand Museum was allocated $5,000 to go towards the $26,793 needed to complete Phase 1 of its restoration project. Continue reading Tyler Parks and Rec receives grant funds