Today is
Thursday November 28, 2024
TYLER – First District Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler stopped by KTBB Monday afternoon. With congress in recess, Moran was asked what issues are on voters minds. He said, “We heard a lot about over regulation by the USDA and the EPA. We were talking to some community banks last week in Shelby County and we heard a lot about the CFPB and their over regulation of community banks. So, over regulation is a big issue.”
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TYLER – Thursday, the Tyler Area Builders Association held their annual luncheon. According to our news partner KETK, special guests at this years luncheon were U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The focus of the luncheon is to have builders in East Texas meet with local, state and national leaders to talk about issues that affect the building industry. John McKinney from the TABA builder directors said, “That’s probably our number one priority is trying to keep housing affordable especially for us here in East Texas. Read the rest of this entry »
LONGVIEW — Longview Police answered a call early Thursday morning on Alta Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers found two shooting victims, one adult female and a teenager. At this point Longview Police says, “It appears the shooting happened outside of the home, and there is a connection between all involved parties.†The woman and the teenager were taken to a hospital and their injuries are being called life-threatening. Longview PD asks if you have information on this incident to call them or go on online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.
TYLER — UT Health East Texas reached an agreement with United Healthcare that will protect patients’ in-network access to UTHET facilities and providers. According to our news partner KETK, The agreement with United Healthcare will maintain in-network access for everyone with commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage health plans. UT Health said in a press release, “With a strong commitment to the region, UT Health East Texas is pleased to continue our partnership with United Healthcare to deliver high-quality and affordable care to the community for years to come. The agreement ensures patients will not experience any disruption in care.”
LONGVIEW – A Longview ISD bus was involved in a minor crash Wednesday morning according to our news partner KETK. LISD officials reported no students or staff sustained any injury. They said the accident happened before school on Highway 259 and Eastman Road. The district also said the accident “was caused by another vehicle.†And, after a safety check, the bus was able to continue on its route.
GREGG COUNTY — A portion of Interstate 20 is shut down near Liberty City following an 18-wheeler fire on Tuesday afternoon that’s from news partner KETK. According to DPS, a preliminary investigation showed that an 18-wheeler that was traveling eastbound on I-20 had a blowout and lost control. The driver reportedly struck a guardrail and the truck caught fire. The person driving was able to exit the 18-wheeler safely with no injuries. Traffic is being diverted onto CR 3111/Joy Wright Mt Road, DPS said. Officials expect I-20 to be open with one lane. Officials said the cleanup process could be lengthy and drivers are asked to avoid the area.
FRANKLIN COUNTY – Franklin County law enforcement Tuesday rescued two children reported to be abducted two weeks earlier. According to our news partner KETK, investigators say the mother of the children, ages 2 and 6, told authorities the two had been kidnapped. After locating the children at a home in Southern Franklin County, a Franklin County Special Response Team and Mount Vernon police officers found the kids at the residence. The person at that location, Cody Cunningham, was arrested on a kidnapping charge.
HARRISON COUNTY – Authorities have arrested a woman who they say ran over her ex-boyfriend. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department received a call Sunday from a man moving out from his residence. He stated his ex-girlfriend had come to that location and ran over him with her vehicle. Officers say that 23-year-old Elizabeth Reyes believed that there was another woman with her ex-partner. Reyes was booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated assault with deadly weapon and remains there on $75,000 bond.
TYLER – After a guilty plea, an 11 year prison sentence was given to a Tyler man in helping “move and dispose†the body of a 2022 murder victim. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Christian Whitney-Polk was arrested in March in connection to the murder of Anthony Wilson. At that time, authorities arrested Timothy Jones, a roommate of Whitney-Polk. Jones told police, “he had shot Anthony.†After the shooting He asked Whitney-Polk to help him move the body from a house on Gentry Parkway to a wooded area in North Tyler. Jones was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Anthony Wilson’s murder.
LAKE TYLER – An 11-year-old Tyler boy really now has a fish story! According to our news partner KETK, Henry Correa caught a 35-pound flathead catfish Sunday at Lake Tyler. Henry made the big catch at his family’s boathouse at Lake Tyler West. Henry’s dad, Gabriel said the 35 pounder was 43 inches inches long. Henry, who’s been fishing since he was two said, “I’ve never caught anything that big, but we’ve caught a catfish that’s probably six to seven pounds but nothing that big.â€
GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department reports that 7 people were injured in a three vehicle wreck Saturday afternoon, according to our news partner KETK. City officials said the accident happened between two pickup trucks and a third vehicle on East Main Street. The crash was severe enough, that rescue personnel had to use the jaws of life to get people from one vehicle out to safety. Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that 1 person at the accident was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, while six others were also admitted for care.
SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s office has identified a man wanted in a manhunt Friday afternoon near Interstate 20. According to our news partner KETK, captured was 21-year-old Devoria Hardy of Fort Worth. Hardy was driving eastbound on I-20 when a Smith County Deputy attempted to stop him. His vehicle crossed lanes and was stuck in a ditch. This is when Hardy fled on foot. At this point, Smith County SO, DPS Troopers, Lindale Police Department and Precinct 5 Constable’s Office configured a search parameter near Hardy’s vehicle. Hardy was found a short time later in a wooded area off Interstate 20. The vehicle in question contained two handguns, 50 rounds of ammo, several thousand dollars and THC products. Hardy and his passenger 21-year-old Cordre Tolliver of Shreveport were arrested of a controlled substance, evading arrest and having outstanding warrants. Both men are now in the Smith County Jail.
TYLER – There was no winner in Friday night’s record Mega Millions jackpot. But, according to our news partner KETK, an East Texan has a Mega Millions ticket worth $1 million. This lucky pick was sold at 2030 W Gentry Parkway, which is the home of the Super Food Mart. Currently the Mega Millions jackpot has an estimated worth of $1.55 billion dollars, which would make it the largest in the game’s nearly 30-year history. For planning purposes, that estimated $1.55 billion, has a cash option of $757.2 million.
LONGVIEW – Longview school districts received a nice boost Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 148 teachers in LISD have received about $2 million in incentive pay. This is all part of what’s called TIA or Teacher Incentive Allotment. Melanie Pondan, the principal at Judson STEAM Academy said, “It is huge, it’s, first of all, it’s a lot of money, it’s life-changing money. It is great for retention, they’re not staying here just for the money, they stay here for the students and because of this district.†Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox added it is an honor to be able to celebrate the people making an impact in students’ lives.
SMITH COUNTY – The Lindale Police Department said that they are assisting the Smith County Sheriff’s Office in a manhunt near the area of Toll 49, Interstate 20 and County Road 411 on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials said that there is a heavy law enforcement presence searching for a suspect described as a Black male with dreadlocks, a white shirt and shorts. Lindale Police have asked the public to lock doors, and report any information about the suspect to law enforcement.