KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WINONA — Officials are responding after reports surfaced about the city of Winona’s failure to pay its utility bills, putting the town in a financial crisis. KETK reports that after the city council voted in favor of raising the utility rates for residents, the people of Winona wanted answers. The city is struggling financially, and more than just the city’s utility bills went unpaid. The former city administrator failed to pay several bills, and on top of that, the city is now in the process of trying to fix water maintenance issues that did not meet state standards. Continue reading Winona City Officals: “We Didn’t Want to Increase the Utility Rates”

TYLER — Police in Tyler are looking for a robbery suspect. Shortly before 3:15 Sunday morning, officers responded to 4400 Paluxy, near building 11. It was reported that a woman had been robbed. She said that she had just parked and was approached by a black male. The man claimed to have a firearm but one was not seen, according to the victim. She said she initially tried to walk away and then was tackled to the ground by the man. He then reportedly took her purse and ran off. The suspect was described as in his early twenties, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and a black and white bandana covering his face. Anyone with any information concerning this case is asked to call the Tyler Police Department.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man remains behind bars after police found he was in possession of drugs. KETK reports Michael Jerome Mumphrey, 30, was arrested Thursday in Gregg County. Police found he was in possession of a controlled substance more than four grams and possession of marijuana more than four ounces, according to authorities. Mumphrey was being held on bonds totaling $60,000.

TYLER — Tyler Fire Department investigators are working to determine how a fire started around 10:45 Saturday morning at the Economy Inn in the 3300 block of Mineola Highway. Investigators tell KETK the blaze began in one of the rooms and was called in by the resident of that unit. Investigators say fire crews were nearby and were able to arrive on scene and contain the blaze before it consumed other units. They say the room where the fire started was destroyed, with nearby rooms sustaining water and smoke damage. Investigators add that the fire appears to be suspicious. There was no immediate word on whether any arrests have been made. No one was injured.

TYLER — Many local veterans were upset Thursday after being forced out of their home in Tyler. The Andrews Center Homeless Veteran Program has been helping vets for the last five years. It’s reported to be a successful program that gives veterans a place to stay for free, feeds them, and helps them find work. According to KETK, the controversy is that a few of the veterans were upset after having to leave one of the homes in Tyler Thursday. They were not kicked out of the program, simply relocated. It was a decision the Andrews Center said it needed to make in order to be able to continue to help the veterans. Continue reading Veterans Forced to Relocate, Remain in Homeless Program

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – The State Department is giving federal agencies more time to review the Keystone XL pipeline before deciding whether to issue a permit. That could push a decision about the controversial oil pipeline until after the midterm elections in November. The State Department is citing a recent decision by a Nebraska judge that overturned a state law that allowed the pipeline’s path through the state. The State Department says that created uncertainty and ongoing litigation. The government is not saying how much longer the review will take. But it says the process isn’t starting over. The pipeline has become a politically fraught issue. Republicans criticize President Barack Obama for taking too long to decide. The State Department has jurisdiction because the pipeline would cross the border between the U.S. and Canada. The southern leg of the pipeline began pumping oil through East Texas and elsewhere this past January.

TYLER -The Tyler ISD Foundation announced Thursday the establishment of the Frances Cowan Gibson Tyler ISD Fine Arts Endowment to benefit under-funded and innovative art projects throughout the Tyler Independent School District. According to a Foundation news release, the gift to the TISD Foundation from the Frances Cowan Gibson Charitable Lead Trust will total more than $580,000. The endowment was created through a partnership between the Tyler ISD Foundation and the East Texas Communities Foundation and will provide annual grants to the Tyler ISD fine arts department. Continue reading TISD Foundation Establishes Frances Cowan Gibson Fine Arts Endowment

AUSTIN – Five distinguished professors, including one from UT Tyler, will be inducted into The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 22. Neil Gray is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry UTT. Gray, who is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, is co-director of UT Tyler’s UTeach program. According to a UT System news release, UTeach prepares high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers. Continue reading UT Tyler Professor Selected to Join Academy of Distinguished Teachers

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University in Longview has set a Guinness World Record for having the most 3D printers in operation simultaneously, totaling 102. According to an LETU news release, the world record attempt was made on April 4, when LETU’s freshmen engineering students gathered in the university’s Solheim Arena with laptops and the 3D printers they built last fall in their freshmen engineering classes. “We are the only engineering program in the country that I know of that requires all of our freshmen engineering students to build their own 3D printers,” said LETU Dean of Engineering Dr. Ron DeLap. “This achievement is a result of their great work.” Continue reading LeTourneau Sets Guinness Record for Simultaneous Printer Operation

WINONA — The city of Winona did not pay its gas bill for six months, and now it is the residents who are getting the backlash from the city’s financial wrongdoings. KETK reports Winona is home to fewer than 600 people and the people who live there are on the hook for the financial mishaps of their city. Because Winona did not pay its gas bills to Eagle Rock Energies, it’s now more than $150,000 behind. The city announced in a council meeting Tuesday it plans to increase the gas, sewer, and water rates. Altogether, this is expected to generate an extra $130,000 thousands a year. Residents will see the highest increase in their gas bill, which will increase by about five dollars. The base water and base sewer rates will each go up by about two dollars. Continue reading Winona Behind on Bills, Residents Affected

MARSHALL – A suspect arrested in Louisiana for a Marshall murder has been returned to Texas and arraigned on murder charges. Corey Lamar Johnson, 31, of Jefferson had his bond set at $1 million at his Thursday arraignment. U.S. Marshall’s in Tallulah, Louisiana took him into custody Tuesday night. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in the shooting of Jalen Juwan White, 19. He was shot around 2:45am on March 24th in the 100 block of West Pinecrest at the Rumors Arcade, which Johnson owns. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall, where he later died.

TYLER – Tyler school trustees have accepted the resignation of Superintendent Gary Mooring. The action came Thursday night at a regular school board meeting. He had submitted his resignation, effective June 30th. The job opening will be posted Monday morning and will remain open until June 30th. Continue reading TISD Superintendent’s Resignation Accepted

TYLER — The Lake Tyler Marina resumed limited operation at 8 a.m. today. The marina hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, weather permitting. According to a city of Tyler news release, sales will be limited to gas (92 octane, with ethanol) only at this time. Purchases may be paid for by cash or check; no credit cards accepted. Continue reading Lake Tyler Marina Resumes Limited Operation

TYLER – Tyler ISD broke ground Thursday on the new Moore MST Magnet School campus. The new school, a BOND 2013 project, will be built on the grounds of the current campus and will be able to accommodate nearly 1,000 students. It is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2015.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested another person in connection with the deadly April 6 shooting on Beaumont Street. KETK reports Jakerion Allison, 17, of Longview, was taken into custody by officers on an arrest warrant issued by the 124th District Court of Gregg County. He is charged with three counts of aggravated assault. The shooting left three people dead: Joey Hollister, 15; Anthony Anderson, 35; and Tavarus Christopher Glaspie, 35. A second person has also been arrested, JaCorey DeWayne Williams, 22, of Carthage, for tampering with evidence. Police said he threw a gun recovered on Lilly Street from a getaway vehicle. Allison’s bail totals $300,000.

QUITMAN — Wood County authorities have offered a reward for information leading to the person or people responsible in the theft of a local semi. According to the Wood County Crime Stoppers, the 2000 Volvo Pro Form truck disappeared from a location on Highway 37 between Quitman and Winnsboro on April 16. KETK reports a $1,000 reward will be paid to anyone with information leading to the arrest of the culprit or culprits. Tips can be shared anonymously at 903-763-2274.

TYLER — Officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Environmental Crimes Unit reported Thursday that the most recent County Wide Clean Up program was one of the most successful on record, collecting 186.46 tons of trash and bulky items. From March 31 through April 12, each Smith County household could obtain a free voucher that allowed them to bring three cubic yards of trash and bulky items (the approximate equivalent of a full-sized truck bed) to the Greenwood Farms Landfill. The Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Precinct Constables and Smith County Commissioners Court partnered to host the 2014 Smith County Wide Clean Up. Officials said there would be an additional County Wide Clean Up scheduled this summer.

CANTON — One man is behind bars in Van Zandt County after authorities say he threw a Molotov cocktail into a home early Wednesday morning. According to KETK, the county fire marshal says the suspect threw the fiery weapon through a window and into a bedroom where his ex-girlfriend was sleeping by her boyfriend. The boyfriend suffered first- and second-degree burns, but the girlfriend was not injured. There was no significant damage to the home. The suspect managed to get away but was later captured at a home north of Elmo in Kaufman County.

TYLER — Accused murderer James Calvert has had his parental rights terminated as a result of an agreement announced in court Tuesday. According to KETK, Judge Carole Clark of the Smith County 321st District Court approved an agreement stating Calvert’s parental rights to his two children will be terminated and the kids will now be out of foster care and living with Calvert’s cousin in Ohio. Calvert is accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife, Jelena Radobanovic Sriraman before kidnapping their son, Lucas, Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Continue reading Man Accused in Wife’s Murder Loses Parental Rights

LONGVIEW — Academically-talented seventh graders in Longview ISD will be recognized at the May School Board meeting for their exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT. The Duke University Talent Identification Program identifies students in sixteen states in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest who have scored in the 95th percentile on a grade level achievement test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams to learn more about their abilities. Continue reading Twelve LISD Students Recognized by Duke University

DIANA — There’s new information on the death of 17-year-old Jacob Michael Johnson (pictured), whose body was found recently in a vehicle in the Diana area. Two 14-year-olds have been arrested. According to KETK, an affidavit says one of the suspects stole his grandmother’s Saturn to drive himself and the other suspect to meet the victim. The affidavit says one of the suspects, nicknamed “Chicago,” shot Johnson twice in the head before leaving the scene. Pastor Marvin Denison’s church is on the same road where the body was found. Denison says he wishes he could have reached out to those involved beforehand.

TYLER — Two Texas men have been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Brandon Lee Lagrone (pictured), 36, of Carthage, pleaded guilty on December 9, 2013, to using a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a felony and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Chadwick Marvin Thompson, 36, of McKinney, pleaded guilty on November 21, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. As part of his plea, Thompson has agreed to the forfeiture of $8,700 cash along with six firearms and ammunition. Continue reading Men Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

TYLER – A 29 year old Dike, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Kerry Lynn Sanders pleaded guilty last December 4, to possessing a stolen firearm and was sentenced in Tyler to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Federal prosecutors say on March 19, 2013, Sanders was stopped by Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies due to an outstanding arrest warrant. The deputies arrested Sanders and performed an inventory of Sanders’ vehicle. During the inventory, the deputies discovered a 20gauge, pump-action shotgun behind the driver’s seat. Sanders admitted that he knowingly possessed the shotgun without the consent of the owner, and with the intent to deprive the owner of the shotgun. Continue reading Wood County Man Sentenced for Firearms Violation

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance and information regarding a burglary/home invasion case that occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on April 15th. Authorities say three armed males dressed in black suits and hoods entered a north Gregg County home and confronted the two occupants. The occupants were bound and the suspects went through the house looking for valuables. After approximately thirty minutes, the residents were left unharmed and the suspects fled. The suspects’ vehicle information is not being released at this time. Continue reading Gregg County Authorities Probe Home Invasion

HALLSVILLE — A Hallsville ISD family and the district are at odds about whether a 4-year-old boy was stabbed by a needle he found on the district’s Pre-K playground. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “What has upset me the most is the fact that they found two syringes and needles on the playground on the same day,” said Michael Kelly, who rushed his son Tyler to the emergency room when he saw what looked like a puncture wound on the boy’s hand. “Was there some kid that found it before my son and played with it and left it there?” The district agrees that the boy found two syringes Friday at Hallsville Little Cats Pre-K campus playground. One syringe was capped, and the other was not. No further action was taken because the child was not punctured, district officials said. Continue reading Needles Found on East Texas Preschool Playground

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Grand Jury has indicted a former Longview police officer on a single charge of aggravated child sexual assault. KETK reports Leland Thomas Carver, 69, was arrested February 12 on charges he sexually assaulted a child in his home in December 2013. According to a Longview police report, Carver told the child if she reported the attacks, she would be taken away from her family. Kristie Brian with the Longview Police Department confirmed he retired from the department over a decade ago. Carver remains in the Gregg County Jail on $50,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man has been indicted for the October 2013 death of a Hallsville girl. KETK reports Kilgore police arrested Coby Ray Hudgins, 22, who they believe shot and killed Kayla Elizabeth Williams, 17. The incident took place at a home in the 3000 block of Mustang Drive in Kilgore at 9:12 p.m. Saturday, October 4. According to police, Hudgins was last seen leaving the residence where police found Williams’s body. Gregg County Justice of the Peace Arthur Fort, who pronounced Williams dead at 4:00 a.m. Sunday, said Williams died instantly from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Continue reading Gladewater Man Indicted for 2013 Death of Hallsville Teen

TYLER — A retired Tyler pharmacist accused in a June 2013 incident pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to Smith County judicial records, James Carey Prosperie was arrested September 3, 2013, after a standoff at his home on Jeff Davis Drive. KETK reports that Prosperie, 73, used to work at the now-closed Medicine Shoppe on East Fifth Street. A report from CPS states Prosperie confessed to a lawyer/friend he had sexual contact with a 14-year-old relative on at least two separate occasions. Prosperie’s sentencing is set for May 8.

TYLER — A phone scam targeting East Texans is on the rise. The scam artists are calling mobile or land lines claiming to be from the computer company Microsoft. They say they are from “Windows” or the “Windows help desk.” Their most recent target was Mack Barton of Tyler. Continue reading Another Scam Hits East Texas

MARSHALL – A suspect has been arrested in Louisiana in connection with a Marshall murder last month. U.S. Marshall’s in Tallulah, Louisiana took into custody yesterday Corey Lamar Johnson, 31, of Jefferson. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in the shooting of Jalen Juwan White, who would have turned 28 the day after his death. He was shot around 2:45am on March 24th in the 100 block of West Pinecrest at the Rumors Arcade. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall, where he later died. Johnson remains in jail in Louisiana, awaiting extradition back to Texas.