KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved the Tyler Police Department to accept a grant on Wednesday. The contribution from Community Oriented Policing Services is for $250,000. In a media release, city officials said The COPS Hiring Grant will help fund two new police officer positions over the next three years. Tyler PD will take over full financial responsibility in 2023. These officers will be utilized to take a data-driven approach for concentrated crime in specific areas in the City of Tyler. The local Civil Service Commission met and approved Tyler Police Department’s staffing numbers on Sept. 9.

WHITE OAK — White Oak ISD is adding safety precautions following the district closing earlier this month. Air Rover of Tyler was called upon to install an air purification system to help diminish the spread of COVID-19. According to our news partner KETK, WOISD closed in late August through September 9th due to the spread of the virus. The school campuses are back open with the new system that is growing in medical industries, nursing homes, schools, and universities.

TYLER — The Taste of the Fair starts at the fairgrounds, on Thursday, in Tyler. While COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 East Texas State Fair, Fair food classics will be available; including Jumbo Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Turkey Legs, and over 50 specialty foods. Over the next two Thursday through Sunday cycles, vendors will be setup on Fair Park Drive at the East Texas State Fairgrounds. Times of operation are from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. All food will be prepared fresh, but only served to-go. Masks will be required. Food stands will be open prior to both Tyler Legacy football games, but fair officials remind attendees that outside food is not allowed into Rose Stadium. However, football fans can add fair food to their tailgating experience.

TYLER — The 18th annual Day of Remembrance will happen on October 24 this year. The purpose of the event is to celebrate and remember the lives of children no longer with us. This year the observance will take place virtually. Registration is free and includes having your child’s name added to commemorative t-shirts and added to the program, and being read out as well. More information is available by clicking the links. https://www.facebook.com/childrensparktyler. https://www.youtube.com/user/childrensparktyler.

TYLER — National Voter Registration Day was Tuesday. The day focused on bringing voter awareness and registration opportunities to the forefront. Each election cycle, millions of Americans are unable to vote because of missed a registration deadlines, forgetting to update their registration, or just unaware of how to sign up. Volunteers and organizations from across the country “hit the streets” to help communities register to vote for the upcoming election. Click the link for more information. https://www.vote411.org/. Continue reading Voter registration highlighted

TYLER — According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK News, a Tyler man was arrested after allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint and threatening to kill his family. Richard Vega, 28, of Tyler is accused of coming to a man’s house September 7 and demanding money he said he was owed, and that he needed drugs. The victim told police while he owed Vega $3,200, he does not sell drugs. Vega left and allegedly returned with three other men. One had “an ‘AR’ style rifle” and the other two possessed handguns. They then started taking items out of the victim’s garage: Continue reading Tyler man allegedly robs man and threatens to kill his family

TYLER — National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday. The day focuses on bringing voter awareness and registration opportunities to the top of mind. Each election cycle, millions of Americans are unable to vote because they missed a registration deadline, forgot to update their registration, or are unsure of how exactly to sign up. Volunteers and organizations from across the country will “hit the streets” to help communities register to vote for the upcoming election. For more information click the link. https://www.vote411.org/. Continue reading Tuesday is Voter Registration Day

HENDERSON — Henderson Civic Center will be the testing site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Thursday on Lake Forest Parkway. According to a news brief from NET Health, you do not need to show symptoms to be part of the free test. Advance registration is not required, but if you choose to do so you can click the link to do so. https://curativetest.com/search#10/32.1532/-94.7994. A cell phone number or access to one is required, since results will be delivered only by text message. The testing is sponsored by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Rusk County has reported 579 cases, with 7 deaths and 469 recoveries.

JACKSONVILLE — The spring of 2021 is the anticipated time frame for the completion of the new public library in Jacksonville. Over the weekend, the current library closed their doors until the new location opens. The library will move from its original location on S. Jackson St. to the Norman Activities Center. Last week, the city council voted to close the library and allow City Manager Greg Smith to shut it down while it was sold. However, books can still be returned at the Dropbox. For more information call 903-586-7664. Nine employees will transfer to the new site, but were moved to various departments in the interim.

WINONA — DPS authorities believe weather conditions played a role in the death of a Metroplex man killed Monday near Winona. According to reports, 36-year-old Alaaaldin Mohamed Radwan, of Irving, crashed at 1:40 p.m. after hydroplaning off I-20. He was traveling west toward Dallas when his car hydroplaned and went off the interstate and crashed into a tree. Radwan was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson held a press conference Tuesday regarding a missing 5-week-old infant. “We are asking that the public be vigilant while you are in the community. While you are on your property, your deer lease, while you are visiting your family at the cemetery, be vigilant.” Sheriff Dickson continued, “Look for anything out of place. Look for small fresh graves, just anything that would raise a suspicion. Do not touch it and please call local law enforcement.” Continue reading Sheriff asks community to be ‘vigilant’, ‘no information to small’ in locating missing 5 week old

SMITH COUNTY — A Frankston man has been arrested after leading Smith County deputies on a motorcycle chase. It started around 7:00 Monday morning when deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on Hwy 155 South near CR 189. As the Deputy exited his patrol vehicle the driver sped away northbound on Hwy 155. A pursuit ensued, traveling into Tyler and finally ended on Seventh Street when the biker struck a curb and lost control. The suspect, identified as Thomas Paul White, 49, was transported to UT Health in Tyler where he was treated and released for minor injuries. White was booked into the Smith County Jail. He’s charged with evading with a vehicle, along with warrants for theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

BROWNSBORO — After closing school Monday and Tuesday for the investigation of a possible gas leak from their Friday football game, Brownsboro will open their campuses on Wednesday. Prior to halftime on Friday, a gas leak was investigated by fire departments and district officials. They didn’t find a leak, and they turned off their gas and clearance was given to the district to continue the game. However, after the half time performance some students reported signs of not feeling well. Medical professionals treated students and several students were transported to the hospital on Friday for further evaluation. Currently, all students have been cleared and they are back home. The district facility was evaluated Saturday night and Sunday morning and a gas leak was not found at the stadium. Officials are still investigating the cause of Friday nights events.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments is scheduled to hold their 100th Semi-Annual Board of Director’s Meeting on Thursday. The virtual event will begin at noon. Among items on the agenda, the board will consider the budget and planning guide for ETCOG operations for the fiscal year, October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021. The FY 2021 budget, of $58,096,396, reflects an overall increase of $618,319 compared to the Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

TYLER — Low and moderate-income households impacted by the Coronavirus can submit an application for utility assistance. The city said in a press release that the application is available online or by visiting the Smith County Habitat for Humanity ReStore, on W. Front St. The applications will be accepted from Sept. 28 through Oct. 2. Eligible households can receive up to $250 as a grant from the Community Development Block Grant. The only utilities eligible at this time are water, sewer and trash. Households will not directly receive any funds. The funds will be paid to the utility. The $250 can be paid over a period of six consecutive months. For more information contact Tammy Clanton at (903) 595-6630, ext. 214 or click the link. https://smithcountyhabitat.org/utility-assistance-program/.

TYLER — Tyler police investigate an early morning shooting at an apartment complex on Sweetbriar. A woman called 911 around 1:45 Monday morning regarding a possible vehicle theft in progress. The woman said her husband ran after the suspect when she heard gunshots. Officers located the caller’s 25-year-old husband, along with a 17-year-old black male with multiple gunshot wounds. EMS transported the wounded teen to UT Health on Beckham with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County reported in a tweet that they will be suspending jury duty through December 1st. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County said that suspending jury duty to follow guidelines announced by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Judicial Branch – Office of Court Administration. However, grand jury service has not been cancelled.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Wells Police Department are investigating a missing person case involving a 5 week old child. The child, identified as Armaidre Antwan Marquie Argumon, was last seen Friday at around 7 a.m. in the 500 block of Old Forest Road in Wells. Wells police have arrested the child’s father, DeAndre Argumon, but the child remains missing. Authorities say the infant boy has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a diaper. Wells Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Rangers are asking anyone with information to come forward. Contact the Wells Police Department at 936-867-5593 or the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting incident on Hwy 64 East and Spur 248 in the Chapel Hill area. According to the sheriff’s office, the incident happened just after midnight Friday. According to our news partner KETK, the victim was driving an 18-wheeler tanker truck southbound on Loop 323 near East Commerce Street. The suspect was driving a late model Ford F-250 in the adjacent lane. Both vehicles turned left onto Old Henderson Hwy and then left onto Hwy 64. According to the sheriff’s office, as they continued east on Hwy 64 and neared the intersection of Spur 248, shots were fired from the F-250 toward the tanker truck. Continue reading Roadway shooting under investigation

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Responsibility was recently made aware of an alleged improper sexual relationship between a detention officer and an inmate in the Smith County Jail. According to our news partner KETK, the detention officer was identified as Amanda Gayle Megrail, 25, from Lindale. This relationship was determined to be a criminal offense and an investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office. Megrail was immediately placed on Administrative Leave without pay, while waiting for the outcome of this investigation. Smith County investigators presented an arrest warrant affidavit to 241st State District Judge Jack Skeen on September 18, 2020. Judge Skeen later also issued an arrest warrant for the criminal offense of Violation of the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody, a state jail felony and set a bond of $50,000. Continue reading Detention officer arrested for alleged sexual relationship with inmate

TYLER — The 2020 Peace of Mind Conference will take place virtually this year. The online event will be on October 2 from 8:45 am until 2:00 pm. This year marks the 7th annual conference entitled: “Mental Health and a Nation in Crisis.” Peace of Mind will feature 4 sessions: the first 2 will be the stories of individuals: Session 3 will focus on the way technology is improving mental health. The last will feature a discussion of how faith plays a role in mental wellness during times of crisis. Get more information by clicking the link. https://sccet.org/index.php/event/peace-of-mind-2020/.

TYLER — The Louise Herrington Cancer Center, at the Bradley-Thompson at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances opened in Tyler on Friday. Administrators say the new space will allow patients to have a place with higher nurse awareness and a lower nurse-to-patient ratio.The cancer center was named in memory after Tyler philanthropist Louise Herrington. The ceremony also included the announcement that CHRISTUS TMF and Texas Oncology will build a new outpatient treatment and research center, to be named Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute. Construction will begin in the next three to four months, with an anticipated opening of summer 2022.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville family plans to gather this weekend in a prayer rally for a missing 18-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Tyress Gipson was last seen in late August. Since then, four people have been arrested in connection with his disappearance and charged with aggravated kid-napping. The family says they will work with police to possibly start a search team to find Gipson, wanting to follow the right steps in bringing him home. The prayer rally will happen at Nichols Green Park on Saturday.

ATHENS — Two people connected to Payne Springs City Hall in Henderson County have been arrested for abuse of office and forgery. A press release from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of City Council member Michael Steven Juica, 66, and Karen Juica, 59. The arrests came about after an initial investigation by the three law-enforcement agencies, which is on-going. In addition to being a sitting member of the city council. Michael Juica was also supervisor for maintenance of vehicles. Karen Juica, was the former City Judge and current City Secretary, those duties were suspended as the exploration unfolded.