KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CHAPEL HILL — Two Chapel Hill students have been arrested on drug charges. Bayle Russell, 17 (pictured) and Emmannette Rojas, 18, were both charged with possession of marijuana in a drug free zone. Russell was also charged with possession of a dangerous drug. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were conducting their weekly training with area K9 officers from Palestine PD, Whitehouse PD, Smith County Constable Pct. 5, Brownsboro PD and Tyler PD, when the K9s alerted on seven different vehicles in the high school parking lot. All searches were conducted by High School Administrator’s Principal Mr. Jeff Hogg and Assistant Principal Mr. Mark Dahlgren. Both teens were booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER – Spring enrollment at Tyler Junior College is up 2%. Enrollment in the spring 16-week semester is 10,654, an increase of 200 students from the same period last year. Dr. Tom Johnson, TJC Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs says he sees enrollment continuing to increase because of some new programs they will be adding. TJC officials are working through the accreditation processes to begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene in fall 2016. This will be the first four-year degree to be offered in the college’s history. Plans are also in the works for a veterinary technology program at TJC-Lindale.

HOUSTON – Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert picks up a plum endorsement in his re-election campaign. U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate Ted Cruz is backing the veteran Tyler-based lawmaker as he faces Angelina County rancher Simon Winston in the GOP primary. In a statement, Cruz says, “With so much at stake, now is not the time to send an unproven representative to Congress. Louie is a committed conservative who has stood up to the liberal Democrats in Washington and delivered conservative results for East Texas.” Gohmert says he’s very pleased with the endorsement. In his words, “To have an ally like Ted, that’s a big deal.”

TYLER – A woman has lost her money in a Tyler purse snatching. It happened around 1:00 Wednesday afternoon as the woman got out of her car at Rusk Avenue and College Street. The woman had earlier cashed check at Walmart on the West Loop and drove to work. Two men in a silver car are said to have followed her and when she got out of her car they grabbed her purse and fled. She was not injured. The purse was recovered a about a block away. But the money was missing. The vehicle that may have been used by the suspects has been found but there is no trace of the men.

LONGVIEW – For the second day in a row a threat has closed a Longview business. Workforce Solutions East Texas at 2430 South High Street received a threatening call Tuesday morning. The caller threatened to harm someone. It’s not known if the threat was directed to a person visiting the business or to an employee. As a precaution, the business closed. The business received another threatening call Wednesday morning, as a precaution, the business closed again.

SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas man who was wanted for allegedly soliciting realtors is in custody. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says Michael Minnich, 39, was arrested by the Smith County Precinct 4 Constable’s office on Wednesday morning. Minnich was also wanted on a parole violation. On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office released a statement saying Minnich and his wife, identified as Felicia Garland, were contacting realtors and claiming they were “cash buyers and needed to close quickly.” He reportedly also was asking to meet realtors at properties. Smith County officials were in close contact with the Longview Police Department during the investigation. According to judicial records, Minnich is being held in the Smith County Jail on no bond.

HENDERSON — An East Texas teenager who was missing for seven months in 2015 has left home again. According to KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office says Paiglynn Raymond left her home Monday and has not been seen or heard from since. The teenager left home in April 2015 after being dropped off at Sabine High School. Investigators with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said she left the campus, was picked up by a truck driver, and was dropped off at a bus station near Dallas. She reunited with her family around Thanksgiving. Continue reading Long-Missing Teen Who Returned Home Is Missing Again

TYLER – Tyler police said the two teens reported as runaways have been returned home around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. Officials had been looking for the two teens who were described as “frequent runaways.” The siblings are identified as Hayden Gray,a 14-year-old male, and Taylor Sanchez, a 16-year-old female. They were last seen on Sunday. Sanchez has diabetes and is thought to be out of her supply of insulin.

CLEVELAND (AP/STAFF) — The Browns say Johnny Manziel was diagnosed with a concussion late in the season by an independent neurologist, countering an NFL Network report they lied about the injury to cover up the troubled quarterback showing up intoxicated for practice. The team issued a statement Tuesday saying Manziel, who is from Tyler, reported to the team’s facility on December 30, three days after a loss to Kansas City, complaining of concussion symptoms. The Browns say Manziel was tested by the neurologist and was entered into the league’s concussion protocol. The team says he wasn’t cleared from the protocol until January 12. Continue reading Browns Deny Lying About Johnny Manziel’s Concussion

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County murder suspect has been released from jail on a reduced bond because of a mistake by the district attorney’s office. Gary Murphy, 52, of Kilgore, was arrested last September. He was being held in the Gregg County Jail under a $250,000 bond. Jail records show he was released on a $10,000 bond on February 2nd. According to the Longview News Journal, he was released on the lower bond because the grand jury indictment was handed down one day after the 90-day allotment for indictments. Continue reading Mistake Leads to Murder Suspect’s Release

LONGVIEW – A fugitive who fled Longview police last month, has been arrested. Charles Hordarius McNeary, 18, of Longview, had been named in an outstanding warrant. It stemmed from an armed suspect call on January 22nd. Officers found McNeary in a vehicle during the traffic stop. He ran away and officers were unable to find him that night. Through jail photos, officers were able to identify him and a warrant was issued. McNeary was located Monday night and arrested on the warrant for evading arrest with a prior conviction.

LONGVIEW – A threatening phone call has caused a Longview business to close. The call was received Tuesday morning at Workforce Solutions East Texas at 2430 South High Street. The caller threatened to harm someone. It’s not known if the threat was directed to a person visiting the business or to an employee. As a precaution, the business closed and extra precautions are also being taken at the Quitman location of the business.

GLADEWATER — The city of Gladewater has asked that residents not burn outdoors until further notice. In a news release online, Fire Chief Wayne Smith warned that dry and windy conditions in the next few days could contribute to fire danger. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, the fire department will not issue burn permits until conditions are deemed safe. Rusk County officials released a statement about crews working several fires in the Overton and New London areas Monday.

LUFKIN — One man has been killed in a two vehicle wreck in Lufkin at the intersection of Raguet Street and Old Mill Road. Police said, around 6:30 Monday night, Jesus Acosta, 69, turned onto Raguet Street and was struck by another vehicle. According to KETK, Acosta was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other vehicle was driven by Alton Dixon, 29. Dixon is a P.E. teacher/coach at Lufkin ISD, according to the school’s website. He also played football at Texas A&M. Dixon was flown to a Tyler hospital with unknown injuries. The wreck is under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities will be making repairs below the Rieck Road bridge from today to Thursday of this week. The Rose Rudman walking trail south of the bridge will be closed until repairs are completed. If you have any questions, contact the Water Service Center at (903) 531-1285.

DALLAS (AP/STAFF) — Johnny Manziel’s ex-girlfriend says he hit her so hard during a late-night confrontation that’s being investigated by police that she lost hearing in one ear. An affidavit filed by Colleen Crowley was obtained by KXAS-TV. Crowley won a protective order last week against Manziel, of Tyler, the Cleveland Browns quarterback who is being investigated on allegations of domestic violence. Continue reading Attack Left Manziel’s Ex-Girlfriend Deaf in 1 Ear

LONGVIEW – A traffic stop in Longview has led to the arrest of a gang member. The SUV was stopped Sunday in the area of Mobberly and Myrle Avenues. After the driver gave permission to search the vehicle, officers found a handgun covered by a tan rag. The gun was in the back seat where Bron’quivius Gray, 20, of Longview was sitting. Officers say he is a documented TYB gang member. Charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon, he was booked into the Gregg County Jail. Bond was set at $250,000.

Longview Police are trying to track down some smash and grab suspects. Several suspects are thought to be involved in the incidents that have occurred at stores selling tobacco products. The suspects are wearing masks, gloves, and clothing concealing anything to identify them. These suspects are in and out of the stores very quickly, in less than one minute on most incidents. A video of their vehicle shows a dark colored four door or extended cab truck with black rims. You can see some pictures and more information at the Longview Police Departments Facebook page. Anyone with any information about these crimes please call Detective Gabe Downs 903-237-1168 or Gregg County Crime stoppers at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

NOONDAY — High winds are believed to have been the cause of a fire that destroyed a Smith County home Monday. According to KETK, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office says crews were called out to the fire on Highway 155 South in the Noonday area around 11:00 a.m. No injuries were reported, but officials believe the fire could have occurred when the homeowner’s son was burning materials in the front yard and high winds caused the flames to spread. The homeowner in fact says that is exactly what happened. A wind advisory and wildfire risk were posted in Monday’s weather forecast, and those advisories continue today.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a fatal accident in which vehicle struck a church. Around 11:54 Sunday night, officers were sent to a West Glenwood location and found that a pickup had left the roadway and struck the northeast corner of Dale Chapel Baptist Church. The badly damaged pickup was occupied by 67-year-old Banelle Bagwell. Ms. Bagwell was unconscious and was pinned in the vehicle. Tyler Fire Department personnel arrived and began rescue efforts using the jaws of life and other equipment. Ms. Bagwell was quickly freed from the vehicle and transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS. A short time later, she was pronounced dead. The cause of the accident is unknown. No one was inside the church at the time of the accident.

TYLER — The Tyler Museum of Art ushers in its 45th anniversary with “Chihuly: Works from Texas Collections,” showcasing the work of glass master Dale Chihuly. Museum Executive Director Chris Leahy welcomed a large crowd at an opening reception — and expects more strong attendance, pointing out that Chihuly is “probably the best known of glass sculptors.” Leahy also lauded the work put into the exhibit by its curator, Caleb Bell; Derek Frazier, who arranged it and did the lighting; and interns from UT Tyler. The exhibit continues through May 15. The show opened Sunday and continues through May 15.

TYLER — One woman has been killed in a wreck in Tyler last night. Vannelle Bagwell, 67, Tyler, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Tyler Police responded to the wreck on Glenwood around 11:55 Sunday night. Officers said Bagwell’s truck crashed into Dale Chapel Baptist Church, pinning her in the vehicle. The jaws of life were used to remove Bagwell from the truck. The cause of the crash is under investigation. No other injuries were reported.

CHAPEL HILL – One person is killed and one injured in a Smith County accident. The wreck occurred on Farm Road 850 four miles east of Chapel Hill. Dead at the scene was Samantha Briann Stanley, 31, of Kilgore. Injured was the car’s driver, Rio Joretta Alexander, 20, of Whitehouse. She is in stable condition at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident occurred when Alexander’s car left the road and hit a tree shortly before 4:00 Sunday morning.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of February 8. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews plan to conduct work at several locations around the county including replacing a culvert on Farm Road 2015 near Farm Road 14 on Monday with flaggers directing traffic; base repairs on State Highway 155South for the remainder of the week with the roadway reduced to one lane. Another crew will be performing ditch maintenance around the area as well as culvert work at the SH 31/Spur 164 intersection. Expect the outside lane of SH 31 to be closed during this work around the middle of the week. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

TYLER – Three men are being sought in a Tyler robbery. The victim tells officers, around 2:00 Saturday afternoon he was walking along West Bow Street when three men passed him. They then attacked him from behind. One of the men was armed with silver-colored brass knuckles. They stole some property and fled. The first suspect had a thin beard, a fade haircut, and was wearing a purple shirt, blue jeans, and a gold hoop earring in his left ear. The second suspect was wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans. The third was wearing black pants, a black shirt with white writing, a black jacket, and white sneakers. The victim is in stable condition at Mother Francis Hospital.