KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

UNDATED – Work associated the Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District-Wide Seal Coat is scheduled to continue this week in the Whitehouse area and then move into the Overton area as it moves through all eight counties of the Tyler District. They will be treating nearly 300 miles of roadway before concluding work in August. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Two persons have been injured in a car-pedestrian accident. It happened shortly after 8:15 Saturday night in the 5800 block of Old Bullard Road. Injured was Audrey Hettinger, 20, and a 2 week old infant. Witnesses told officers they saw the two crossing the street westbound when they were hit by a south bound black Mercedes-Benz. The driver has been identified as Angela Minick, 40. Hettinger is listed in critical condition at a Tyler hospital. The infant was later transported to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and her current condition is unknown. Police say that Hettinger was crossing the road outside of the designated crosswalk area. According to investigators, there was no indication of alcohol use by either person. The accident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the robbery of a man in the area of North Spring and Hillsboro Streets. It happened around 8:45 Friday night. The victim was walking in the area when he was approached by two black males. The suspects assaulted the victim, stole his money and cell phone then fled in a light color sedan. The victim suffered minor injuries.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lawmakers have reached a deal to increase funding for roads and bridges, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November 2014. Republican Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville said negotiators from the House and Senate hammered out the agreement Friday and only needed to fix a few details. Legislators agreed to a proposed constitutional amendment that would divert about $848 million in oil and gas revenues away from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. An accompanying law would set a minimum balance for the fund until the Legislative Budget Board takes control of it. Nichols said the money would only be spent on non-toll roads and bridges and could not be spent to pay off debt. The House and Senate are scheduled to meet again Monday to give final approval.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano has been elected President of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. The election was held the association’s 135th Annual Training Conference held in Corpus Christi. Sheriff Cerliano has been the Sheriff of Gregg County for over 12 years. The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation.

Longview — Former Longview state Representative Tommy Merritt said little Thursday about published reports he wants to be the Texas agriculture commissioner, except that they are true. Merritt told the Longview News-Journal, “The answer is just, I’m definitely interested,” Merritt said. “I’m definitely interested in seeking the office of agriculture commissioner.” Continue reading Former Lawmaker Considers Bid for State Agriculture Commissioner

LINDALE — Lindale police are continuing their investigation into a truck-pedestrian accident that killed a man on Interstate Highway 20. He died when he stepped in front of a tractor trailer rig around the 556 mile marker shortly after 2:00 Friday afternoon. The man’s name has not been released as investigators say the death may have been a suicide. Other accidents occurred in the traffic back up to that accident

NACOGDOCHES (AP) — An East Texas man has been charged in a deadly crash that killed three classmates at Stephen F. Austin State University in May. The Daily Sentinel reports Kevin Garcia, 19, of Nacogdoches was charged this week with three counts of criminally negligent homicide. Garcia was driving a Ford Escape with the three others as passengers when he attempted a U-turn on a Nacogdoches highway. The Escape pulled in front of an 18-wheeler and was struck. The passengers all were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say toxicology reports for Garcia came back negative for drugs and alcohol. A Rusk County grand jury is scheduled to hear the case Sept. 2. If convicted, Garcia could be sentenced to two years in jail and receive a $10,000 fine for each count.

KAUFMAN (AP) — Authorities have announced they’ll seek the death penalty against the former county official accused of killing three people in East Texas, including two prosecutors. Special prosecutor Bill Wirskye said Friday during a court hearing that the state will look to execute former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams. He’s charged with killing Assistant DA Mark Hasse in January and District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia in March. Wirskye says no determination has been made whether to seek the same penalty against his wife, Kim Williams. Continue reading Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty against Williams

JACKSONVILLE — Cherokee County authorities have arrested three kidnapping suspects. The three are accused of abducting a man from Jacksonville. The suspects are identified as Eric James Mays, 23, of Jacksonville, (pictured) Steven Dale Davis, 20, of Gallatin and Dylan Kyle Master, 19 of Troup. They were arrested walking along U.S. Highway 175. Continue reading Three Kidnapping Suspects Caught

CANTON — Authorities are looking for a truck driver who may not know they are responsible for a fatal accident in Van Zandt County. The wreck occurred Saturday morning on Interstate Highway 20 near mile marker 538. A big rig lost a tire drum which flew off and hit the windshield of a car driven by an Austin woman. Zackquelyn Johnson, 33, was hospitalized and died from her injuries on Monday. One of her three children in the car with her was injured. The DPS says charges are not likely in the case, but they are trying to locate the driver.

AMARILLO (AP/Staff) – A federal aviation spokesman says the pilot of a small plane was killed after it crashed in a Texas Panhandle neighborhood. Family members and business associates identified the pilot as Ben Harned IV. 53, of Tyler. Harned moved to Tyler years ago, but still owns Performance Motors in Amarillo. He was alone in the Piper PA-30 aircraft. Continue reading Pilot from Tyler Killed in Amarillo Plane Crash

TYLER – A host of healthcare and community leaders celebrated the introduction of “First in East Texas: the History and Legacy of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System” Thursday. The 223-page volume was researched and written through a partnership between ETMC and the Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health. A luncheon on the ETMC campus brought together the book’s editorial team, board members and numerous people interviewed from across East Texas. Continue reading ETMC Unveils Corporate History in Conjunction with Texas A&M

TYLER — Two cases of the stomach bug Cyclospora have been reported in Smith County. Several cases had been reported across Texas over the past few weeks, and now the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) tells KETK the infection continues to spread. NET Health says that the two reported cases in Smith County are not related, and they are continuing to investigate. Continue reading Two Cyclospora Cases Reported in Smith County

QUITMAN — Sheriff Jim Brown has issued a caution to Wood County residents to be aware of a phone scam that is being perpetrated. KETK reports people are calling individuals and telling them they have a relative who is in prison in a foreign country and that a large amount of money is required to have the relative released. This is a scam, and Sheriff Brown recommends you not send any money for bail or bond to anyone without verification. If you are contacted by someone who solicits you in this manner, notify the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

MARSHALL – A 33-year-old Longview woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Lidia Gail Brooks Olivares pleaded guilty on May 29 to possession with intent to distribute heroin. She was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison on Wednesday in Marshall by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Continue reading Gregg County Woman Sentenced for Heroin Trafficking

LONGVIEW — The balloonists participating in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship finally get a chance to take flight. KETK reports Tuesday and Wednesday’s races were canceled due to poor weather conditions, but Thursday’s weather was deemed safe for flying. Pilots launched near the old Foster school, with the option of four target sites: Maude Cobb, two at Lear Park, and the fourth at Pine Tree Intermediate School. You can go to http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/ for more information. In 2013, Gregg County was proclaimed “The Balloon Race Capital of Texas” by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

LONGVIEW — The Northbound lane of N. Fredonia Street will be closed between E. Tyler Street and Methvin Street on Friday between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The 2-hour lane closure will be for the northbound lane only. The closure is for the installation of roof top air conditioner units at 214 N. Fredonia. The detour will start at E. Tyler and send traffic to N. Center Street or to N. Green Street. This project is being performed by Air Cybermetics 903-297-5531 and project superintendent is Jesse Hawkins 903-726-0951. If you have any questions about the construction, call the City Engineer, Mark Adas, at 903-237-1053.

TYLER — Smith County has received the prestigious National Association of Counties Achievement Award for its role in the Tax Trust Neighborhood Revitalization Project (TTNRP). According to a county news release, that’s a collaboration of local taxing entities working together to transform neighborhoods through the creation of affordable, new housing. Smith County Judge Joel Baker; Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton; and Jim Lambeth of law firm Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP accepted the award at the NACo annual conference in Fort Worth on Sunday. Continue reading Smith County Wins National Award for Tax Trust Project

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted to approve funding and planning for a new police substation Wednesday. Tyler Police tell KETK the project has been eight years in the making. The new substation will be on the west side of Cumberland Road next to Faulkner Park. “It’s added security knowing that it’s just right down the road instead of across town,” said nearby resident Benjamin Winters. “South Tyler is really poised to have an additional presence of police, and a substation will be a great addition,” said Sam Mezayek of Tyler City Council. Continue reading New Police Substation on the Way to Tyler

RUSK COUNTY — A pilot made an emergency landing on an East Texas highway. Authorities tell KETK, the pilot ran out of fuel, and was forced to land on Highway 259 in Rusk County, about half a mile north of the Nacogdoches County line. The pilot of the small plane is from Louisiana, but there is no word on his planned destination. He told officials that the navigation in his plane went out, and he ran out of fuel. He managed to land the plane safely and move it out of traffic. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. The Federal Aviation Administration is due to investigate the incident that occurred just before 5:00 Wednesday afternoon.

BOWIE COUNTY — The body of a missing Bowie County boy has been found in a pond. KETK reports, divers on Wednesday found the body of Liam Hamilton, 7, who was described as being autistic. He was last seen around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon when he ran from his grandfather’s yard near Highway 67 and Trexler Road.

LINDALE — An increase in ATV thefts has the Lindale area on high alert. Local law enforcement tells KETK they’re easy to steal and even easier to sell. That’s because ATVs and four-wheelers aren’t required to be titled by the state. Once the items are stolen, thieves cash in on their goods with a re-sell, without having to prove that they were the original owners. If you buy used from anyone, be aware of the risks involved. Constable Kenneth Bibby says, “If you are stopped towing a trailer, for example, on a public highway, law enforcement has the ability to check that VIN (vehicle identification number) to see if it’s stolen — and you could be a victim and not realize it.” Bibby added that if you get caught with an ATV with the VIN scratched off, or it looks as if someone has tried to remove it, law enforcement can take it, no questions asked.

TYLER — This afternoon at 1:00, one of the westbound lanes of Front Street in Tyler, at the Broadway Avenue intersection, was closed to allow authorities to determine the cause of a sinkhole. The Tyler Water Utilities Service Center and the Tyler Street Department will assist TxDot crews in determining the cause of the cave-in, which occurred Tuesday afternoon at that intersection. The lane will be reopened at the completion of the storm drain inspection. Drivers should exercise caution and seek an alternate route if possible. Crews worked overnight Tuesday and Wednesday to repair the damage. Elsewhere, the repair work on Old Bascom Road has been completed and the road is now open to traffic.

LONGVIEW — Tryon Road at Hollybrook in Longview will be closed to traffic beginning today. While the intersection of Tryon and Hollybrook is rebuilt, it will be closed approximately one month. This work is in conjunction with the Hollybrook improvements between Eastman Road and Loop 281. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction call the City’s Project Manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

LONGVIEW — The Longview man police say mowed down a utility pole and slammed into a northwest Longview home, was arrested on theft and fraud charges shortly after the crash. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Jimmy Ray Gibson, 24, was traveling south about 6:30 Tuesday night on Pine Tree Road when police say he lost control of his Toyota 4Runner just north of Silver Falls Road. Witnesses reported seeing Gibson exit the vehicle, place items in a nearby bush and leave the scene carrying two purses, according to police reports. Continue reading Driver Arrested after Crash Involving Utility Pole, House

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police are searching for a man who burglarized a donut shop over the weekend. It happened during the early Sunday morning in the 1500 block of South Jackson Street. Detective Greg Compton with the Jacksonville Police Department tells KETK that the man forced his way into the business and took an undisclosed amount of money. Based on surveillance photos, police say the thief is a black male with a black beard. Cherokee County Crimestoppers is offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief. If you can help, contact Jacksonville Police Department at 903-586-2546.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named Matthew Henry to serve as the new Dean of Innovative Education and as the leader of the LETU’s new Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. As an administrative dean over academic technology, Henry will also serve as the senior academic technology officer, and the leader in quality control of online/blended educational delivery. In his new role, Henry will join LETU’s Deans Council and continue to serve on the President’s Cabinet. Henry has served as the head of LETU’s Information Technology Department as Chief Information Officer since Aug. 2009. He will continue to serve as CIO, with a shift of some of his former duties to expand the roles of others in IT. Continue reading New Dean at LeTourneau University

JEFFERSON — The lone finalist for school superintendent in Jefferson is Rob Barnwell. School trustees on Monday night named Barnwell the lone finalist for the post. According to the school website, Barnwell will be coming to Jefferson from Queen City ISD where he has served as superintendent the past nine years. After the required 21 day waiting period the board anticipates hiring him at the August 12th meeting and have him start work the following day.

DALLAS (AP) — The Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given birth prematurely to a baby boy while in custody. Attorneys for Shannon Guess Richardson, 35, and husband Nathan say she gave birth July 4 to a boy named Brody. Shannon Richardson’s attorney, Tonda Curry, says the baby faces serious medical issues due to the premature birth and remains hospitalized. John Delk, Nathan Richardson’s attorney, says the boy weighed less than 2 pounds at birth and was four months premature. Continue reading Woman in Texas Ricin Case Gives Birth in Custody