KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler opened the new expansion to the Longview University Center and announced the launch of the first physician assistant program in East Texas.

With the support of Texas Rep. Jay Dean, funding for the building expansion and the PA program was provided by the 88th Texas Legislature. The Legislature provided $10 million for the 10,144 square-foot expansion that includes a large classroom, multipurpose lab space, nursing skills and health assessment labs and centralized study areas. This additional space enables UT Tyler to
broaden its undergraduate and graduate degree offerings — like the new PA program — in Longview and across Gregg County. Continue reading UT Tyler opens new building at Longview campus

TYLER – Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today unveiled a new interactive data dashboard designed to put the latest economic and demographic information directly into the hands of Texans. The announcement came during a regional event hosted by the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, where Hancock kicked off the Good for Texas Tour: TexStats Dashboard Edition.

The new TexStats Regional Data Dashboard consolidates a wide range of state, county and regional data into a single, user-friendly site. Visitors can explore everything from population growth and job trends to health care access, education levels, industry strength and trade activity. Continue reading Acting Texas Comptroller unveils new interactive TexStats dashboard

TYLER – Lisa Renee Schuyler was arrested on Wednesday evening after a witness reported to the Tyler Police Department that he saw a woman leave two dogs in a hot vehicle for at least an hour. According to our news partner KETK, two white Labrador retrievers were spotted in a grey Ford on Skidmore Lane. Police documentation said neither had water. A nearby witness told police that he saw Schuyler leave the Ford an hour before the officers arrived. Animal control later arrived on the scene and checked the temperature inside the vehicle, which read 90.1 degrees. Schuyler was arrested on two counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals: failure to provide, and is currently being held at the Smith County Jail.

WINNSBORO, Texas – The Winnsboro High School teacher who was suspended after she was reported for striking a student in the back of the head has since resigned. Our news partner KETK reports that Aaron Nation, Interim Winnsboro ISD Superintendent, announced Friday morning that the teacher resigned after she was suspended last week. The district said they reported the alleged incident to law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services, the State Board for Educator Certification and the Texas Education Agency.

WHITEHOUSE — A mother’s trust was shattered when she discovered her 4-year-old son, a high-functioning autistic child, had suffered second-degree burns while under the care of an after-school program. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 18, Marcella Boles, a mother from Whitehouse ISD, reported that she picked up her 4-year-old son from the Mentoring Alliance after-school program at Brown Elementary, finding burns on his arm.

She mentioned that her son, who is high-functioning autistic student, had been placed in a janitor’s closet by a staff member from Mentoring Alliance due to misbehavior. She has seen video evidence showing that Emma Souder took her son to the closet multiple times, locking him in there alone.

Whitehouse ISD has confirmed the incident occurred on school grounds and are cooperating with the investigation. Mentoring Alliance uses the district’s facility but does not work directly with them. Continue reading 4yr old suffers burns during after-school program

MARSHALL — The City of Marshall’s Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA) confirmed on Thursday that a bat carrying rabies was found in the Marshall area earlier this week.

On Sept. 29, a Marshall Animal Control Officer collected a bat that was lying on the ground in the 200 block of North Washington Avenue according to our news partner KETK. The bat was later humanely euthanized and sent to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for testing, according to Marshall PD. DSHS told the LRCA that the bat tested positive for rabies, and the LRCA has been monitoring the area where the bat was found to look for any other animals that may have been affected.

“We don’t believe anyone has been exposed, but we are taking this public health issue seriously. Public education is the key because rabies is fatal if left untreated, and it is 100% treatable,” Director of the LRCA and the Marshall Pet Adoption Center Justin Serna said.

To learn more information about rabies and where to access local vaccines, visit the DSHS website.

TYLER — Texas comptroller introduces new statewide online tool designed to put the latest economic and demographic data directly into the hands of Texans. According to our news partner KETK, Texas comptroller Kelly Hancock launched the new online tool, ‘TEXSTATS Dashboard’, today during a visit to Tyler.

Hancock has been in this role since June, giving Texans easier access to information. The technology is all available right now on the Texas comptroller’s website.

“We provide this information online where they can access it and they can learn about education in the area,” Hancock said. “They can learn about population growth in the area. They can learn all the demographics as well.” Continue reading Texas comptroller visits Tyler on his ‘Good for Texas’ tour

QUITMAN — The Quitman Independent School District is investigating allegations that an elementary student was confined to a classroom restroom as a form of punishment. Our news partner KETK is reporting that the school district was informed on Tuesday at 4 p.m. that two staff members had placed a student in the restroom and held the door closed to restrict their movement.

A teacher and a paraprofessional have been placed on administrative leave while the district conducts an investigation. This investigation concluded on Wednesday, leading them to be “no longer assigned to any district campus.” The district reported the situation to the Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, parents of all students in the classroom have been notified of the allegations and the district’s actions.

“We know this is concerning, and we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of your children are our top priority,” Mason said. “Thank you for your trust as we continue to provide a safe, caring and supportive learning environment for all students.”

TITUS COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, six people were arrested in the first two days of October following a more than yearlong investigation by multiple agencies in Titus County.

Search warrants related to narcotics were conducted at houses in Mount Pleasant, Winfield and Naples on October 1. During the execution of the warrants, investigators found: 11 illegally possessed firearms, almost a pound of methamphetamine, almost a pound of cocaine and more than a pound of marijuana.

Mount Pleasant Police and the Department of Public Safety said that during the course of the investigation, several kilogram amounts of methamphetamine and several firearms were also seized. Continue reading Yearlong investigation leads to narcotics bust

HUNTSVILLE – The Dallas Morning News reports that death penalty supporters, along with conservative supporters and two Republican lawmakers held a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol urging for Robert Roberson to have a new trial ahead of his scheduled execution in a little over two weeks. Roberson, 58, of Palestine, was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for reportedly shaking his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, to death.

His prosecution relied, in part, on proving Nikki showed a triad of symptoms associated with “shaken baby syndrome” — also known as “abusive head trauma.”

The theory has come under intense scrutiny by scientists and doctors who say it is not grounds to presume abuse. Roberson is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection the evening of Oct. 16 in Huntsville. It is his third execution date in the more than two decades he has spent on death row. Continue reading Supporters call for a new trial for Palestine man

SPRING HILL, Texas – Four ballot items highlight Spring Hill ISD’s latest bond proposal for the November election. SHISD has not passed a bond since 2008. The main highlights include bus replacements, Jr. high improvements, and athletic facilities. The bond was announced via district social media, and official bond website. Continue reading Spring Hill ISD seeking to pass bond this November

HENDERSON – Officials and our news partners at KETK have confirmed at least five cases of tuberculosis at the Bradshaw State Jail in Henderson. These cases occurring between June 23rd and September 24th. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) says they’re aware of these cases and is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to manage them. Officials with UT Health stepped in and took preventative measure to stop further spreading.

SMITH COUNTY –Dr. Jose Serpa has been appointed by the Smith County Commissioners Court, Tyler City Council, and by NET Health as the new Health Authority for Smith County.

Continue reading UT Tyler professor appointed as new Smith County Health Authority