KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BULLARD — The Brook Hill School in Bullard celebrated their upgraded baseball facilities on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, festivities included past players and community leaders along with school officials that cut a ribbon to commemorate the new turf made possible by a donor. The celebration included the staple for any baseball related gala, hot dogs, as well as balloons, body art, and a bounce house for the kids. Brook Hill Athletic Director Wally Dawkins said, “This is just a huge event for us. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. We’re really glad it’s here.” Continue reading Day of Celebration at Brook Hill

TYLER — Witnesses have been sworn in, in a hearing on Monday for a Tyler man who is charged with threatening to shoot up a Tyler Wal-Mart. According to our news partner KETK, Trumaine Washington, 31, is requesting a bench trial in front of a judge instead of facing a jury. The incident in question took place days after the El Paso massacre that killed 22. Washington is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Judge Jack Skeen of the 241st District court told witnesses not to speak to any one about their testimony. The trial begins February 24th.

TYLER — Expectations are for high for Valentines week, but Michael Roth with Kiepersol told KTBB they are ready to save the day since, “their goal is to make every visit memorable, and the week of Valentines is no different.” Roth continued, “The Vineyard is always a hit, with so many options. Our Vodka is made with our very own grapes, as well as we source a lot of our crops for our spirits right here in East Texas. We make cocktails, we make wines, we have meats and cheeses, and it’s just a good time to come and watch the sunset every night.” For more information, click the link. https://kiepersol.com/.

TYLER — More than one thousand cyclists are expected to pedal their way through the downtown brick streets of Tyler as the largest cycling event in East Texas returns the 2nd Saturday in March. The Tyler Bicycle Club presented the routes over the weekend. The Bicycle Tour features three routes of 26, 43 and 62 miles on March 14. The name of the tour, Beauty and the Beast, is a nod to a beautiful bike ride in the rolling hills of east Texas, with the “Beast” being the hill on Old Omen Road leaving Lake Tyler. Participants that “slay the Beast” & pedal to the top of the hill, earns a medal.

MANSFIELD, La. — It was a very rude awakening for country music star Neal McCoy Saturday morning. His tour bus caught fire around 6:30 in Mansfield, Louisiana. The East Texas-based performer was on his way to Alexandria, Louisiana, when the fire struck. The bottom line: his bus that he’s gone over a million miles on is gone — but everybody is OK.

TYLER — Here’s a look at TxDOT’s planned construction and maintenance work around the Tyler District during the week of February 10th. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance crews plan to continue rehab operations on SH 64 at Arp. Edge work resumes on FM 16 between Lindale and Red Springs. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at both locations. Longview Maintenance crews plan to conduct pavement repairs on FM 2751 at the intersection of FM 1844. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/007-2020.html for a complete look at work around the district.

TYLER — Tyler police are researching gunshots that appear to have been fired at several homes Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the shots struck homes on West Mims Street at around 1 a.m. On the report of Tyler police, one of the bullets went through a room with two children sleeping inside. The children were unharmed.

CHEORKEE COUNTY — Multiple departments responded to a structure fire in Cherokee County on Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the fire was in the Shadybrook neighborhood on Randall Road, off FM 346. Multiple structures were reported to be involved. Responding Departments included Bullard, Noonday, North Cherokee County VFD, and others.

TYLER — The flu shot may not be perfect, but it’s still helpful, according to a Tyler-based authority. Vaccines protect against disease, but in some situations, vaccinated people can still get sick. Dr. David Lakey, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the University of Texas System, says the shot may not protect you completely. Every year the virus mutates, and scientists worldwide work together every year to predict the best strains to protect against. Continue reading Tyler-Based Health Authority Discusses Vaccine

TYLER — The City of Tyler Wasterwater Collection Department is scheduled to replace several sewer lines beginning Monday. The work is anticipated to run through Friday of this week. The project will impact 3 areas of the city and affect traffic flow while the contractors are working. The project will start on Monday, at W. Shaw Street and South Academy Avenue, while the intersection remains open, drivers should expect delays. Continue reading Sewer Line Replacement Begins Monday in Tyler

Kilgore College Theatre is preparing to present “Crazytown,” from Feb. 20 – Feb 23 in Van Cliburn Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. for a Thursday through Saturday, run matinee performance 2:30 p.m. on the 23. Discounted group tickets are available for parties of 10 or more. Theatre organizers, say the Jonathan Rand comedy is appropriate for all ages about a small town where things seem a bit backwards and upside down. Continue reading KC Theatre to Present ‘Crazytown’

OVERTON –The former Fire Chief for Overton Fire Department, Jim White has died. Funeral services were announced by the Department on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, White was a retired fire marshal and rescue chief. He had also served as assistant secretary for the Texas State Firefighters’ & Fire Marshals’ Association. Visitation is Tuesday from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. at McWhorter Funeral Home in Gilmer. White’s service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gilmer.

TYLER, Texas — A 53-year-old Tyler woman was sentenced to federal prison for violations in the Eastern District of Texas on Friday. Virginia Colis Rodriguez pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to produce and transfer false identification documents. Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for the violations. The court also ordered forfeiture of firearms and ammunition; a computer and three printers; $30,961.09 in currency and bank accounts; and two pieces of property in Flint. Continue reading Smith County Woman Sentenced in Counterfeit Immigration Documents Conspiracy

TYLER — UT Health East Texas is inviting the public to a free Lunch and Learn seminar. Dr. Mark Hackbarth will speak on “Understanding Pain Management” on Feb. 26, at the UT Health Tyler Pavilion on Clinic Drive. Organizers hope the take away for guests will be a better understanding of the key factors and treatment options for pain. Register online at UTHealthTylerHospital.com/pain or call 903-747-4749. Seating is limited and reservations are required by Feb. 21.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police executed a narcotics search on Lancaster St on Friday. Authroities say the search warrant was obtained after an investigation stemming from multiple drug-related incidents at the residence in question including a home invasion robbery with shots fired, a drive-by shooting, in addition to burglaries and thefts in the surrounding neighborhood. Continue reading Marshall Police Execute Warrant

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview have arrested an 18-year-old male accused of making email threats to a Pine Tree ISD campus. Police say they were made aware of the threat after it was initially made. According to our news partner KETK, School Resource Officers and Detectives investigated the report and determined there was enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect, who has not been named. The 18-year-old, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with exhibition, use, or threat of exhibition or use firearms. He was taken into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER – The City of Tyler opened their newest Fire House, Station 1 on Friday Afternoon. Station 4 opened on Monday of this week. The newest station was celebrated with a ceremony and reception followed by station tours. Station 1, replaces the original Station 1 that was located downtown. According to the city, the new placement is built on six acres at the corner of West Gentry Parkway and Palace Avenue. The new Station 4 debuted on Monday of this week,the architect for both stations is Fitzpatrick Architects and Jacobe Brothers is the general contractor for this project. Continue reading 2nd New Fire Station Opened This Week in Tyler

TYLER — Smith County announced Road Bond construction projects are underway on Friday. Officials want to let the community know just west of Tyler, CR 427, also known as Lake Park Drive drainage and pavement improvements are underway. The project encompasses Hwy 110 to FM 2016. Six cross culverts will be replaced and nearly two miles of road will be ground up, reworked and widened 3 feet to a new total of 24 feet wide. The entire road will be repaved and undergo cement treatment. Continue reading Smith County Road Improvements Underway

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has completed a sex offender residence compliance check. On Friday, Investigator JeriLynn Scott told KTBB, “there are 404 sex offenders that are registered in Smith County. Of the 404 individuals investigated Wednesday and Thursday; 399 were in compliance, 4 received a door hanger and 1 was found to be out of compliance.” Scott continued, “the verification checks are unannounced and are important because the more offenders know that they are being watched, there is less of a chance of them having a new victim.” Continue reading Smith County Check Up on Sex Offenders

CARTHAGE — An incredible gift for the family of a murdered East Texas lawman. The Steven Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has gifted a house mortgage free to the family of Panola County Deputy Chris Dickerson. Trevor Stansen with the Foundation says the foundation was named after a fallen firefighter who lost his life saving others on 9/11. His siblings started the foundation for the family of the father of five. Dickerson was shot multiple times while conducting a traffic stop In December. Suspect Gregory Newson fled to Shreveport, where he was captured.

TYLER – The City of Tyler is opening their newest Fire House, Station 1. On Friday Afternoon, Assistant Fire Chief Joey Hooton told KTBB, there will be a ceremony and reception followed by station tours, we will have hot dogs and lemonade tea for any of the citizens and residents in the area, come and check out your fire station, we are just glad to be part of the community.” replaces the original Station 1 that was located downtown. According to the city, the new placement is built on six acres at the corner of West Gentry Parkway and Palace Avenue. Continue reading Fire Station 1 Opens Friday in Tyler

BROWNSBOR0 — Residents in Brownsboro are being asked to conserve water. On Friday, Jacob Ashton told KTBB, “we lost one of our 2 water wells after one went down following a power surge.” The Director of Utilities continued, “I want to reassure the public that we still have water because we have 2 wells, however we are asking residents to conserve water. We don’t want to overload the working system. We are glad that this will be a minor inconvenience as another crew is working to put in a new well.” Continue reading Brownsboro Asking Residents to Conserve Water

OVERTON — The Overton Fire Department fought an early morning fire on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, this blaze battle had an added degree of difficulty; the car filled with ammunition, was going off as a result of the flames. The blaze happened on FM3053. It is unclear how the blaze began, but it was eventually extinguished and no one was injured fighting the hot spot.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man reportedly shot by his wife Tuesday morning has died. According to Tyler Police, Debbie Ann Bryant, 55, confessed to shooting Allen Ferguson, 58. Ferguson died at a local hospital Thursday. Bryant was originally booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That charge has now been upgraded to murder. Her bond was set at $250,000.

TYLER — The University of Texas System Thursday announced its intention to establish a medical school in Tyler – the first in East Texas. On Thursday, UTHSC at Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun told KTBB that a proposed will have a huge economic impact, “When the school is fully operational, with all the research and everything else that will go on, it will mean about $1.9 Billion Dollars annually to the local economy, and about 18, 000 new jobs. And that just gives you a sense of the impact that’s associated with a medical school.” Continue reading UT System Announces Intention to Launch Medical School in Tyler

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Tyler Trees Committee initiated the Environmental Award Series at the end of 2019. On Thursday Angela Bennis told KTBB, the goal is to acknowledge and award those in our community that go above and beyond at making Tyler more beautiful more green just more environmentally friendly in general.” The award recipients will be recognized at Keep Tyler Beautifuls 25th Anniversary Celebration on April 17. Continue reading Award Series Nomination Deadline Extended

TYLER — Last November, the Tyler Public Library, with help from Northeast Texas Public Health District, received the All of Us – Health Information Kiosk Technology Award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. On Thursday, Aleya Stone, told KTBB, “This KIOSK makes it great for the public because there are some things that people don’t want to ask another person about, but they want to know the information. So having the KIOSK allows them to curate their own information and it’s all really great.” Continue reading Grant Provides Library New KIOSK Now Available

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department announced on Thursday that they have named the new Woldert Park baseball field, in honor of former Council member Ed Moore. Moore served on the Council from 2013 to 2019. He was and continues to be a supporter of developing and revitalizing the Tyler area parks. The “Ed Moore Field” sign is now hung at the ball field that is located on W. 32nd St.

DENVER — Denver-based Frontier Airlines is discontinuing flights to and from Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Frontier says it all ends in April, citing lack of demand. The airline says the decision was difficult but they will continue to evaluate the potential for future opportunities. The airline started operations in Tyler in July and offered special round trips to Denver.