KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Applications are now being accepted for new members on Longview city boards, commissions, and committees. Members advise the City Council on issues ranging from parks to community development. Residents are encouraged to apply online by Friday, April 14. Not all who apply will be appointed. Some restrictions apply. Applications are also available at City Hall. Click here for more information.

GLADEWATER — A small plane crashed near Gladewater Municipal Airport Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened near Carter Road and Highway 271, south of the airport. All four occupants of the plane were taken to the hospital. Officials said their injuries were non life-threatening.  The FAA will handle the  investigation.

TYLER — Former Tyler District Engineer, James “Bobby” Evans has died, according to TxDOT Tyler’s Facebook page. Evans was called the father of the internationally known Adopt-A-Highway program, which he helped start in Tyler, TxDOT said. Evans worked with TxDOT for 42 years.

BULLARD — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who allegedly invaded a home in Bullard on Saturday. According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and our news partner KETK, Mark Anthony Correro, 50, of Houston, entered a residence unlawfully and claimed that the homeowner’s truck was his. The homeowner was able to force the man out and lock the door, officials said. The unnamed homeowner took a shotgun out of his home to go check on his truck when, according to officials, Correro began walking towards the homeowner and the homeowner’s fiancé. Continue reading Fatal home invasion under investigation

LONGVIEW — Longview City Attorney Jim Finley has announced plans to retire at the end of February after 23 years of service to the City of Longview and 34 years overall in municipal government, according to a city news release. He retires as the longest tenured City Attorney in Longview’s history, serving with five mayors, twenty-five council members, and numerous staff during that time.  Finley began his municipal career as an Assistant City Attorney in Wichita Falls in 1989. He later served as the City Attorney of Big Spring from 1996 to 1999. He was hired as Longview’s City Attorney in Longview in 2000. Continue reading City Attorney Jim Finley announces retirement

TYLER — Crews will continue working through this week to remove downed trees and limbs from roadways, right-of-ways, City parks and cemeteries affected by the ice storm that descended upon the City from Tuesday through Thursday. Oncor staff continues to work across Tyler to restore power. The storm caused significant property damage throughout the City. Damage assessments will continue as progress is made to return to normal operations. The Streets Department estimates about two weeks of cleanup remain, including property owners’ and homeowners’ disposing of their yard waste. Continue reading Recovery, storm clean up continues

SMITH COUNTY – A Tyler man was convicted on Friday in a fatal hit and run crash from 2021. According to our news partner KETK, A Smith County jury in the 114th District Court concluded that Juan Juarez, 24, was guilty of an accident involving death. On Jan. 23, 2021, Juarez drove his car with his two friends inside after they had drinks, authorities said. The vehicle reportedly went over a curb and crashed into two metal fences. The fence broke through the windshield and impaled Marco Antonio Lopez-Penado, who was a passenger in the back said Jacob Putman, the Smith County Criminal District Attorney. Authorities said Juarez walked away from the scene.

EAST TEXAS – Weather related power outages continue throughout the area. Several schools have cancelled classes Friday due to no electricity. No school for Brownsboro ISD and Cumberland Academy.

SMITH COUNTY – A man is wanted by Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Donovan Meynard Williams, 51, is one of several suspects involved in a “large multi-county organized criminal enterprise ring,” Smith County officials said. Williams resides in Precinct 4 of Smith County off of County Road 31 E. in Tyler and drives a red Chevrolet Colorado with the license plate number of LCN0550. He is known to run from police and is considered to have violent tendencies, according to Smith County officials. If you have any information about Williams’ whereabouts, please contact Lt. Josh Hill with the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at (903)-590-4885 or email at [email protected].

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Judge Neal Franklin issued a Disaster Declaration on Thursday for the county due to damage caused by the winter storm, the county announced. Across the county, trees and limbs have fallen causing damage to houses and buildings along with power outages. Residents whose property was affected should report them. “Smith County Road and Bridge employees have been working around the clock since Tuesday to clear downed trees and limbs on county roads,” the county said. To report downed trees in the roadway in Smith County outside of city limits, call the non-emergency dispatch at 903-566-6600.

WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro Police Department is asking for public assistance in finding a truck involved in a hit and run in which a child sustained injuries. According to our news partner KETK, on Jan 30, at approximately 1:40 p.m., a white Chevrolet pickup truck turned right onto Taylor Drive and while turning, accelerated quickly and ended up hitting a wall at the Country Lane Apartments on Taylor Drive. The wall that the truck ran into had a child on the other side of it causing injury to the child. According to Winnsboro officials, the vehicle immediately reversed, left the scene, traveled north on Taylor Drive and then accelerated westbound down Coke Road.

EAST TEXAS — Power outages emerged front and center Wednesday afternoon as winter weather persisted in East Texas. Our news partner KETK reported counties throughout the area were affected. As of late afternoon, Smith County alone was reporting over 32,000 outages. Among other things, some traffic signals in Tyler were out of commission. Drivers were urged to exercise extreme caution in such situations — along with keeping continued hazardous road conditions in mind in some areas. Crews were working to restore power as soon as possible.

TYLER — Due to increased water production from the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant, geosmin levels may be more noticeable to Tyler Water Utilities consumers. Because of power outages in the area, the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant has lost power, and the restoration time was unknown as of late Wednesday afternoon. Officials say all water production while Golden Road is down will be from the Lake Palestine WTP. Lake Palestine water has inherently high levels of geosmin due to the age of the lake and the amount of natural organic matter, which contributes to the production of geosmin. The water is safe to drink and continues to meet or exceed all Federal and State water quality standards, according to officials. Click here for details and updates.

EAST TEXAS — With winter weather now expected to persist into Thursday morning, authorities continue to urge caution while driving. TxDOT has issued a set of safe driving tips, including these: avoid unnecessary travel if conditions warrant; be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, ramps, turns and shaded areas that usually freeze first; reduce speed and allow extra time to reach destinations; and increase the following distance between you and other vehicles. Also, if you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer into the direction of skid; and stay back at least 200 feet from vehicles treating roadways and move over for emergency vehicles. Continue reading Officials continue to urge caution on the road

EAST TEXAS (KRLD) – A grim anniversary in the northeastern Texas skies. Wednesday marked 20 years since the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated over North and East Texas as it made its way toward a planned landing in Florida. The shuttle never made it, coming apart at 9 a.m. on February 1, 2003. Reports came in to East Texas law enforcement offices telling of an explosion and falling debris. Remains of the seven astronauts were recovered along a line from south of Hemphill to South Toledo Bend, near the Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana line. Investigators determined the spacecraft’s heat shield was damaged by debris on launch 16 days earlier. Upon re-entry that day, heat from the atmosphere penetrated to the shuttle’s frame, causing a catastrophic failure.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is in the process of updating the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, and is seeking public input to guide City Council and the Parks and Recreation Department over the next 5 to 10 years. Officials say a Parks Master Plan was last adopted in March 2015 as a chapter in the Longview Comprehensive Plan. This updated plan will involve a review of current conditions, a forecast for future needs, and a public engagement process, according to a news release. City officials say the plan serves as a long-range vision for the future development and programming of the park system and its resources by identifying the priorities. Click this link to learn more.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Development Services is easing electrical inspection requirements for residents and contractors who need power restored to their properties following the winter weather this week. Typically, contractors are required to have a permit prior to doing any residential electrical work. The City’s electrical inspector inspects the work after it is done and prior to Oncor restoring the power to the residence. To reduce the amount of time it would typically take to restore power, electrical contractors can do the work and call Oncor to restore the power when the work is completed. Electrical contractors will need to obtain a service repair permit from the City when the work is complete. Click here to read more.

TYLER — The Tyler Economic Development Council has completed the purchase of 412 acres adjacent to Interstate 20 to develop as a new business park to be named Tyler Interstate Commerce Park. Its strategic location at the Interstate 20 interchange with State Highway 155 will provide convenient access for companies to Interstate 20, according to TEDC President/CEO Scott Martinez. “This acquisition is important for us to win future economic development projects that will provide jobs for our residents and further diversify our tax base. We are thankful to the leadership of the Smith County Commissioners Court for their partnership in constructing the new CR 3344. This new roadway will provide access for job-creating companies locating in the new Tyler Interstate Commerce Park,” said Martinez Aas quoted in a news release. Continue reading TEDC completes purchase of 412 acres for new Tyler Interstate Commerce Park

TYLER — Due to forecasted inclement weather, City of Tyler offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Essential and emergency functions will continue. Departments will be available by phone, email or through contact forms on the city’s website click here. The City of Tyler will monitor weather conditions Wednesday, Feb. 1, to determine the ability to reopen the offices on Thursday, Feb. 2.

SMITH COUNTY — Non-emergency Smith County Offices will close for the day today, Wednesday, February 1, because of the icy weather. Smith County jury duty is also cancelled. Any closings or delays, unless specifically stated, do not close essential, emergency, residential and detention operations. At this time, Smith County offices plan to open for normal business hours on Thursday, February 2. The County Judge and/or Commissioners Court has the authority to close general governmental operations due to emergency conditions, including inclement weather conditions that cause a serious hazard for employees such as road conditions due to flooding, ice or snow. Continue reading Non-Emergency Smith County offices closed today

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to report any information on a missing elderly man. According to our news partner KETK, Pablo Torres Martinez, 77, is a Hispanic man with black eyes, gray hair, a full silver beard, weighing approximately 173 pounds and 5’3″ in height. According to a news release, Martinez was last seen wearing a blue jean shirt, blue jeans and black western boots. His vehicle is a 2015 maroon Honda CR-V, licence plate number GXB1353. If you have any information on his whereabouts, call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (903)-683-2271.

AUSTIN (KRLD) — Two Texas rural electric co-ops, including one in East Texas, will receive big federal loans to expand and modernize the electric grid. The Rusk County Electric Cooperative in Henderson will receive a $24.6 million loan to build or improve 91 miles of line. The Rio Grande Electric Cooperative in Brackettville, west of San Antonio, will receive a loan of close to $42.9 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build or improve 383 miles of line. Both loans include funding to implement smart-grid technologies, which monitor and manage electricity transmission to meet changes in demand.

LONGVIEW – Curbside recycling in Longview will not be available Wednesday, Feb. 1, or Thursday, Feb. 2. The change to regular service is due to necessary maintenance at Rivers Recycling, the materials recovery facility that processes the recyclables collected by the City of Longview, according to a news release. During this time, contents placed in curbside recycling carts will be taken to the landfill with regular trash. If customers prefer, they may choose to hold their recycling until the week of Feb. 6-9. Trash collection, yard waste collection, bulky item pickup, and the compost site will continue to operate as normal during this time. For more information, contact the City of Longview Sanitation division at 903-237-1250.

HENDERSON – Rusk County schools were placed on lockdown Tuesday, but the measure was lifted Tuesday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez says a man was arrested after making a threat to a school but wasn’t specific about the location. Authorities said the sheriff’s office detained the man outside his job in Rusk County. The sheriff’s office is also working with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to pursue charges.

GILMER — 37-year-old Matthew Joseph Savary of Gilmer has received a life sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a male child. According to the Upshur County district attorney’s office, Savary will also be required to register as a lifetime sex offender if he ever paroles. He must serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. The sentence came in a plea bargain, with the state dismissing other counts involving the child. The offense date ranges from November 2021 to the spring of 2022.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During KTBB’s weekly visit with Congressman Nathaniel Moran, he told us he supports the U.S. government’s decision to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Moran calls it “vitally important to our national security,” saying, “a lot of our NATO allies are watching this closely because if the Russians are not opposed…in Ukraine, they could be in danger to be next.” He says China is watching closely too, to determine…its actions with respect to Taiwan.” Moran also says he’s working on a measure known as the Border Protection Investment Act, which he says would provide “for the funding of any border security measures,” through “a variety of ways.” He hopes to introduce it this week and continue talking it about more in coming weeks.

HARRISON COUNTY — A 23-year-old man was killed Monday night after being struck by a freightl-iner truck tractor towing a utility trailer on I-20 near Waskom. According to the Department of Public Safety and our news partner KETK, a preliminary crash report found that the truck tractor was traveling westbound on I-20 when “the pedestrian ran into the roadway.” Hunter Dorram, 23, of Grand Prairie, was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the truck had no injuries reported.

TYLER – A Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputy was in a three vehicle crash around 3:50 p.m. at East Front Street and Loop 323 on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office says the deputy was responding to a domestic assault call when they hit a vehicle which pushed them into another vehicle. Officials said the deputy and another person were transported to a hospital to be treated for their injuries. The deputy has since been released. The Tyler Police Department is investigating the incident. We’ll have more information as it becomes available.

SMITH COUNTY – Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal officer-involved shooting in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Duvall was shot by deputies around 9:55 p.m. on Saturday in northwestern Smith County. A call initially came in to dispatch at 7:05 p.m. as a domestic disturbance, authorities reported. Officials said the caller identified herself as a victim of an assault by her boyfriend at their residence. Sheriff Larry Smith said his office had answered calls at the home before, but none of them were severe or ended in an arrest. Continue reading More details on fatal officer-involved shooting in Smith County