Today is
Thursday November 28, 2024
AUSTIN – Sales tax allocations to East Texas, as well as the state, continue to be strong. The state comptroller’s office is sending out $817 million in local sales tax allocations for November. This is up nearly 5 1/2% from November of last year. Tyler’s November check tops $3.6 million, over 7 1/2% more than November of last year. To date, Tyler’s sales tax allocations exceed $40 million, up nearly 7%. Longview’s November check is for over $3.1 Million, up over 9%. For the year, Longview has received over $30 million for an increase of over 10%.
WILLS POINT – An investigation is underway concerning a gun that was found at Wills Point High School on Tuesday. A janitor found the gun in a trash can in a boy’s restroom. As he removed a trash bag he noticed a heavy item in the bag. Police officers say the gun in the bag was loaded. The ATF is trying to trace the firearm and the DPS is checking it for fingerprints. They are also checking video surveillance to try and determine who left the gun in the restroom
LONGVIEW – A Smith County prosecutor announced Wednesday she is heading to Gregg County. The Smith County DA’s First Assistant, April Sikes, will be going to the Gregg County DA’s Office as First Assistant. She starts her new position on January 1st. Sikes came to Smith County from Corsicana in 2003. Since then, she has held a variety of positions in the DA’s office. She will be in the office of newly elected Criminal District Attorney Tom Watson. Watson defeated the 10 year incumbent in the primary election and had no opposition in Tuesday’s general election. Watson said he was proud to have Sikes as a member of his team.
GREGG COUNTY — In complete and unofficial returns from Gregg County, three Longview bond propositions have been approved by the voters.
County Commissioner, Pct 4
G. Floyd 1,854
Shannon Brown 3,934
Justice of the Peace, Pct 4
Darrin “Rudy” Rudolph 1,946
Robby R. Cox 3,864 Read the rest of this entry »
SMITH COUNTY — Complete and unoffiical returns:
Congressman Louie Gohmert has defeated two opponents, receiving over 70% of the vote. He has been elected to his 8th term.
Independent Candidate Neal Katz has conceded in his race to unseat Republican State Representative Matt Schaefer.
Also reelected were County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Cary Nix and Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace James Meredith.
73 of 73 Precincts Reporting and Early Returns
Smith County
United States Senator
Ted Cruz 53,542
Beto O’Rourke 23,036
Neal M. Dikeman 453
United State Representative, District 1
Louie Gohmert 53,760
Shirley Mckellar 21,468
Jeff Callaway 1,282 Read the rest of this entry »
HALLSVILLE – A disturbing photo caused some concern in the Hallsville school system. According to the Marshall News Messenger, a student received the suspicious photo on their cell phone. The photo, which was sent by Air Drop showed a screenshot that read “Fights at 12:48.” It came from an unidentified number that referred to themselves as, “School Shooter.†In a call to parents, school principal Lindsay Slaten said an “investigation determined there was no imminent danger to students,” who remained in class and there was no lockdown.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a woman in connection with a current investigation. She is Lisa Hayley, 40. Hayley, who also is known as Lisa Loggins, is wanted for questioning in relation to a theft of property investigation. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact Tyler police or the sheriff’s office. If you have recently purchased any items from her, or have any information regarding the Theft investigation, contact Detective Lugo at 903-590-2846.
TYLER – Tyler schools will be getting some new principals on Wednesday. TISD and the Tyler Area Business Education Council is hosting it’s 5th annual Principal for a Day event. Local business and civic leaders will serve as guest principals for the day. The guest principals will get a behind-the-scenes look at the local school system. They will shadow the principal, meet with students and faculty, attend student assemblies, and take part in other activities that make up the school day. They will all meet for lunch at the district’s Career and Technology Center where the district’s culinary arts students will cater and serve the meal.
MARSHALL – Marshall police are looking for a jewelry store burglar. He was caught on security camera footage burglarizing the jewelry store on Grand Avenue on Halloween. If you have information, you can contact Marshall/Harrison County Crimestoppers or Marshall police detectives at 903-935-4542 in reference to case number 2018-29917.
GILMER – A Gilmer man is heading to prison after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a habitual offender. Sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison was Randy Lee Rodenberg, 36. He was arrested back in April after sheriff’s deputies found him growing marijuana at his residence. They also found two rifles and 13 boxes of .22 caliber cartridges. Rodenberg entered a guilty plea prior to a jury being selected for his trial.
TYLER – It’s time for nominations for the 2019 Better Business Bureau Awards for Excellence. It honors businesses and charities who demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness. All BBB Accredited Businesses and Accredited Charities who have a physical location within the 19 counties served by BBB Central East Texas are eligible to be nominated and to receive a prestigious BBB Award. Nominations for businesses are due December 31. The East Texas community will select this year’s recipients via online vote. The winners will be recognized at ceremony in March at the Crosswalk Conference Center in Tyler. This year’s winners were Texas Bank and Trust, United Heritage Credit Union, Tender Loving Elderly Care and CASA for Kids of East Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
TYLER – Nearly half of the registered voters in Smith County voted early in the general election. For everyone else, the polls opened at 7:00 Tuesday morning in the midterm election. Besides the statewide races, some local races have drawn a lot of attention. Congressman Louie Gohmert is facing two challengers. Independent candidate Neal Kats is going up against state representative Matt Schaefer in the District 6 state house race. For Smith County Judge, incumbent Nathaniel Moran is being faced by Democrat Michael Mast. In Lindale, there is a $32 million school bond proposal on the ballot. These are just a few of the items to be decided. You’ll hear election returns Tuesday night here on KTBB.
TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in solving an unusual theft case. Missing is a headstone to a grave. It was was stolen from the Noonday Cemetery on Highway 155. It is believed it was taken in early to mid September. If you have any information about the missing headstone, you are asked to contact Sgt. Nikki Keegan at 903-590-2646.
MARSHALL – The United States gained 39 new citizens in a ceremony that was conducted Thursday in Marshall. The group was administered the oath of allegiance to the United States in a special naturalization ceremony. Presiding at the ceremony was U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. According to the Longview News Journal, 19 of the new citizens were from Mexico. Others were from 11 other countries, including Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. One of the new citizens is Luisa Reyes, a native of Mexico, who now lives in Tyler.
JACKSONVILLE – A Cherokee County woman, on Halloween night, was tricked and received a treat at the same time. Chelsea Dillard, who was expecting her second child, was in the bathtub at her home in Rusk when her water broke. Realizing the baby was coming quicker than anticipated, she called an ambulance. She was minutes away from UT Health-Jacksonville when she thought the baby was coming. The ambulance pulled over and paramedic Charles Janak delivered his first baby. Welcome to the world Devinity Dillard, who weighed in at 6.7 pounds and 19 inches long. Mother, baby and paramedic are all doing well.