KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Ride sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft may be one step closer to hitting Tyler. According to KETK, City Manager Edward Broussard says officials hope to have a plan by August that they can bring to council for approval. They’re looking at similar sized cities such as Lubbock and Beaumont to see how it operates there. They’re also trying to create a level playing field with existing taxicab companies. Broussard says, “There may be some deregulation of our current taxicab industry in order to then make it competitive for them with the network-based companies that Uber and Lyft are.” Officials are also discussing different options in terms of safety and background checks for the drivers.

ANDERSON COUNTY – A recent graduate from Tyler’s All Saints Episcopal School has died from injuries received in an Anderson County accident. Kendall Spinks, 18, was removed Thursday from life support at Tyler’s Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. She had been critically injured on Highway 155 on June 17th. The Department of Public Safety reports she lost control of her car while passing another vehicle. Her car ended up in a ditch where it rolled over several times. Investigators had earlier said that Spinks may have been texting prior to the accident.

TYLER — Downtown Tyler’s food truck park is rolling along nicely. According to KETK, the City Council passed its final approval Wednesday for a special permit allowing the park to move forward. The plan will be rolled out in two phases. Phase one will bring in the actual food trucks. Phase two, which was added in this week, includes turning the park into an entertainment venue with live music. Phase one is expected to be open sometime this fall. Phase two is still up in the air.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County DPS responded to a wreck on I-20 West near mile marker 573 between an 18-wheeler and an SUV. The SUV reportedly struck the back of the 18-wheeler, became lodged and caught fire. According to KETK, the driver of the SUV was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No major injuries were reported. The wreck is under investigation.

RUSK — A Rusk State Hospital employee is in big trouble for what he left behind at work. Last week a patient found a gun on the 243-bed campus. Staff was notified and the weapon was properly secured. Sources say the gun fell out of the psychiatric nurses’ assistant’s bag as he worked an overnight shift sunday. Hospital employees are not allowed to take firearms into state hospitals. Now the employee is on emergency leave pending disciplinary action. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Department of State Health Services says the worker could be fired. The Office of Inspector General is investigating. A request for comment from that office has not yet drawn a response.

TYLER – Applications are now being accepted at Tyler City Hall for 17 city boards and commissions. They range from the Airport Advisory Board to the Civil Service Commission. Tyler City Clerk Cassandra Brager says applicants must reside inside Tyler City limits and should not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities or other city assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims against the city. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. The application deadline is August 5th. The city council will make the appointments at the August 24th meeting. Continue reading Tyler Accepting Applications for City Boards and Commissions

PALESTINE — Police in Palestine report a pit bull puppy, set on fire, has died from her injuries. The search continues for the people who reportedly set the puppy on fire, and left it for dead around 7:15 Monday morning. It was found on South Street near the corner of San Jacinto Street. In a phone call, a witness told officers three black men, two black women, and one Hispanic woman were seen pouring an unknown accelerant on the puppy, and then lighting it. The three month old puppy suffered burns over 50% of her body. Continue reading Burned Palestine Puppy Dies

TYLER – A Longview man has died in a two vehicle accident in Tyler. The 18-wheeler and motorcycle collided around 6:00 Wednesday morning. The crash occurred on the Highway 271 extension in the 4100 block of NNE Loop 323. Dead at the scene was Christopher S. Rennison, 31. His motorcycle was heading south on the 271 extension when it collided with the truck which was making a left turn into the driveway of a business. Accident investigators say the driver of the tractor-trailer failed to yield the right-of-way to the motorcycle. The name of truck’s driver, who was not injured, has not been released.

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Fire Marshal has determined that a fatal fire was accidental and was caused by a child playing with an ignition source. The sheriff’s office announced Wednesday that the fire marshal has finished the investigation into the blaze, which killed a toddler June 14 on Victorian Oaks, north of Lake Cherokee. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Tasha LaShell Holland said her 3-year-old son, Ayden Bounds (pictured), was the boy who died. Two other children and the children’s father were injured but survived the blaze. Officials didn’t say which child was playing with the ignition source.

TYLER — A Flint woman has been charged with intoxication manslaughter following a two vehicle wreck on Paluxy Tuesday night. Investigators determined that just after 8:00, Charlotte Ann Williams-Gilliam, 42, was driving northbound in a White Buick when she lost control on the shoulder of the roadway. Officials said she over-corrected and traveled into the southbound lane striking a 2006 Black Nissan head-on with two occupants. Dead at the scene was Gilliam’s mother, Rose Mary Gilliam, 61. She was in the passenger seat of the Buick. Charlotte Gilliam and the two passengers of the Nissan were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Upon release, Charlotte Ann Williams-Gilliam was arrested for intoxication manslaughter, a 2nd degree felony. Her bond was set at $50,000.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed a Tyler healthcare executive to a state board. Named to the Texas Health Services Authority Board Of Directors is Dr. Paula Anthony-McMann. She is the vice president and chief information officer for the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. Her term will expire June15th, 2017. The Texas Health Services Authority is responsible for coordinating the implementation of health information exchange in Texas.

TYLER – The State Commission of Judicial Conduct has suspended Smith County Judge Joel Baker without pay. During Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting, a release from Seana Willing, Executive Director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, was issued saying the suspension takes effect immediately. Baker remains free on bond after, last week, being indicted, arrested, and charged with three counts of violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act. He allegedly held illegal closed meetings to discuss a red-light traffic enforcement contract. He is also under investigation for allegations he was involved in explicit sexual behavior online while conducting government business. Continue reading Smith County Judge Joel Baker Suspended

SMITH COUNTY — One person was injured and another arrested following a stabbing in Smith County. It occurred around 7:00 Monday evening on County Road 246, off State Highway 31 East. The stabbing appears, at this time, to be the result of some sort of civil dispute. The victim, Charles DeWayne Harris, was treated and released from a Kilgore hospital Monday night. Charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon is Ernest Mosley Harris, Jr., 48. He is being held in the Smith County Jail with bonds totaling $150,000.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Department continues repairing the traffic signal at South Southeast Loop 323 and Old Henderson Highway, with work scheduled to last until 1 p.m. During this time, motorists should expect lane closures for eastbound traffic on Old Henderson Highway and northbound traffic on South Southeast Loop 323. The Tyler Police Department will be on scene to direct traffic while the signal is dark.