KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert says he voted against newly-chosen Paul Ryan for speaker of the House because Ryan’s record and vision don’t line up with East Texas. Just two of Gohmert’s concerns: Ryan’s support of the Wall Street bailout and an amnesty package for illegal immigrants. But Gohmert says Ryan’s a good man who does bring some positives to the table. The Tyler Republican said he’s looking forward to working with Ryan and that the two of them will look for things that they agree on. Gohmert commented that he thinks Ryan will “do a much better job of messaging.” Gohmert also noted that Ryan has said he won’t push some things that Gohmert considers “damaging.”

TEMPLE – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is investing $3.7 million to help rural families repair and rehabilitate their homes — and a Smith County agency is getting a chunk of the money. Habitat for Humanity of Smith County will use a $93,392 grant to rehabilitate 30 homes for very low and low income owner-occupied dwellings. The funds are being awarded through the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program in 46 states and Puerto Rico to support the renovation of 1,147 units. In a news release, Vilsack says many low-income families in rural areas struggle to afford necessary housing upkeep. He says the grants put properties are in compliance with health and safety codes — and help people lower their maintenance costs through energy efficiency and weatherization improvements.

DALLAS — Domino’s is testing cars with built-in pizza ovens, and East Texas is in the picture. Tyler, Lubbock, and four other markets will see about two dozen cars during phase one of the trial run. Domino’s will be offering the $20,000 cars to local franchisees. The car is called the DXP — as in delivery expert — and is a converted Chevy Spark. The company hopes to have the cars in operation by Thanksgiving. Pizza delivery counts for about 66% of Domino’s business, without about 400 million pies delivered each year in the United States.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is seeking help identifying a man responsible for a theft at the local Walmart October 14. KETK reports anyone with information about the man pictured at left should contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Refer to KPD Incident #1510-0871.

HENDERSON — The city of Henderson is getting a new animal shelter. KETK reports Henderson policeman Brian Bathke decided to head up the project to give animals in the area a larger home. He is renovating what used to be the East Texas Professional Credit Union into office space and kennels for the animals. The shelter was supposed to be completed by this month but has had setbacks due to weather. It’s now due to open by January. Bathke says, “The animals won’t be exposed any longer to the elements, to the wind, heat, rain. And it’ll all be climate-controlled back there. And not only for them but for the employees, it’ll be much easier to keep them contained, and keep them safe, and keep them inside.” The shelter does not currently have a capacity limit, but officials hope the 3,000-square-foot area will serve many.

KILGORE — Kilgore residents and those just passing through have lost a familiar face. KETK reports drivers on the Charles Duvall Parkway could always count on a friendly wave from a man sitting in his wheelchair along the road. That man was Larry W. Grant, who suffered a stroke 18 years ago that left the right side of his body paralyzed. His sons say he rode lawn mowers, electric scooters, and a wheelchair to get around his community. “He wore the wheels off of everything he owned, that was almost a full time job for everybody here, just keepin’ him rollin’,” says Grant’s youngest son, Larry D. Grant. Continue reading Man in Wheelchair Dies, Remembered for Waving to Cars

LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested two people Tuesday morning in a SWAT raid on East Birdsong Street. Officers said they found drugs inside the house including PCP, marijuana, and Xanax. They also recovered an undisclosed amount of cash. Warren G. Daniels, 40, of Longview, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Christie Rena McCray, 38, of Longview, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and tampering with physical evidence. Both suspects were taken to the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER — Smith County is donating some of its old office furniture to Habitat for Humanity of Smith County’s ReStore. According to a news release, the county’s Cleanup Committee tries to find ways to re-purpose the desks, chairs, and other office equipment when offices get new furniture. If the old furniture can’t be used by another department and it’s not ready for the trash, Smith County donates the furniture to local nonprofit organizations. On Tuesday, Smith County Commissioners approved the donation of nine desks to Habitat for Humanity to sell at its ReStore. Smith County has donated furniture to Habitat for Humanity three times in the past, as well as to Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

EAST TEXAS — Expected inclement weather is already causing some schedule changes around East Texas, mainly for high school football games. According to KETK, the following games are among those that have been re-scheduled:

Tyler Lee at Rockwall – 6:30 p.m. on Friday
Jacksonville at John Tyler – Saturday at 2 p.m.
Nacogdoches at Whitehouse – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday
Melissa at Bullard – 7 p.m. Thursday
Hallsville at Pine Tree – 7 p.m. Thursday
Gladewater at Spring Hill – 7 p.m. Thursday
Lindale at Ennis – Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Waskom at Troup – Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Continue reading Football Games, Other Activity Affected by Weather

TYLER — University officials say Laila Assanie, business economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, will be the featured speaker of The University of Texas at Tyler Hibbs Institute 2015 Economic Forecast Summit. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center on Old Omen Road. Assanie will present “Current Texas Economy and Outlook.” Officials say Assanie conducts research on regional economic issues, produces articles for various bank publications and contributes to the Dallas Fed’s website. Sponsorships and tickets are available by contacting college marketing coordinator Jessica Brown at hibbsinsitute@uttyler.edu or 903-565-5741. Continue reading UT Tyler to Present 2015 Economic Summit

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating a fatal crash just before 6:45 Tuesday evening on Poplar Street. According to KETK, a preliminary investigation determined an SUV was headed east near Loop 390 when the vehicle left the road on the north side for unknown reasons. The driver has only been identified as a 57-year-old woman from Avinger. She was taken to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

TYLER — A suspected car thief is hospitalized after a chase with police. Tyler officers responded to a report of a woman following her stolen car near Gentry just after 2:00 this morning. As authorities attempted to stop the suspect, he sped off and crashed the car into a tree. The suspect, identified as Deaveron Dean, 24, reportedly fled into a wooded area and was caught a short time later. He was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. Continue reading Suspected Car Thief Hospitalized Following Police Chase

CARTHAGE (AP) – An East Texas judge has determined a trial must be moved for the man whose 1999 murder conviction inspired the dark comedy “Bernie.” The Dallas Morning News reports the court Tuesday ordered the January trial of Bernie Tiede be moved from Panola County to nearby Rusk County because of Tiede’s notoriety around his hometown of Carthage. He’s facing a new sentencing phase for the murder conviction and prosecution on theft charges. He was convicted of killing wealthy widow Marjorie Nugent, whose body was found in 1997 in her freezer. Relatives say Tiede spent $618,000 of Nugent’s money. He was released last year after the original prosecutor agreed Tiede was wrongly sentenced to life imprisonment. A new prosecutor wants him returned to prison.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County authorities announce big results in a large-scale child support roundup held on Tuesday. Officials say the Sheriff’s Office sponsored the operation, which also included the Longview, Kilgore, White Oak, Gladewater, and Lakeport police departments. The teams picked up 23 of the 50 initial people with warrants. Officials say those arrested owed approximately $690,368.21 in back child support. The operation began at 5:00 a.m. with teams of officers trying to find people who owed a combined total of over $1,144,501.72 in delinquent child support. Continue reading Large-Scale Child Support Roundup in Gregg County

TEXARKANA – A Tyler man is among 31 people named in a 43-count indictment announced Tuesday in Texarkana as part of a massive methamphetamine investigation. Sam Rich, 47, joins a group of primarily Texarkana-area residents. People from both Texas and Arkansas are named in the indictment. Federal officials say arrests were made Tuesday as part of Operation Flashback, a two-year joint federal and state investigation. Continue reading Tyler Man Among Many Named in Meth Probe

LONGVIEW — One person was taken to a Longview hospital after crashing into a home, ripping a large hole in the side of the residence. According to KETK, Longview police say the driver was stopped on Dundee Road and began to turn left on Sage Road when the vehicle lost traction on the slick road. The car then hydroplaned through a fence and into the home on Sage Road. The driver suffered minor injuries, no one else was hurt, and no citation was issued.

TROUP — It will apparently be early November before we get an update on the status of Troup head football coach Dennis Alexander. KETK reports a special meeting with Troup ISD officials was held Monday night to discuss the allegations against the legendary coach. But no action was taken, and Alexander remains suspended until further notice. Alexander said last week he’d been suspended due to allegations he slapped a player, which he denies. He was notified by the school district last Wednesday of the complaint against him. School officials plan to revisit the discussion November 9. Alexander’s storied career includes two state championships when he headed up the football program in Daingerfield.

EAST TEXAS — Following this past weekend’s heavy rains, the number of East Texas counties rescinding their burn bans continues to grow, with Smith and Van Zandt Counties joining the list Tuesday. Interim Smith County Fire Marshal Connie Wasson recommended to the Commissioners Court that the burn ban be lifted, according to a news release. She said the drought index is at 37, the lowest she has seen it in a long time. She also noted that more rain is expected this weekend. Wasson said the Fire Marshal’s Office does have sandbags for Smith County residents who might need them if heavy rains continue. Continue reading Smith, Van Zandt Counties Lift Burn Bans

TYLER – People around the country are falling victim to a phone scam by scammers pretending to be IRS agents, according to information from the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas. The callers seem to be targeting East Texas residents, as BBB received numerous calls Tuesday morning. The impersonators are calling up their targets, demanding that they pay taxes they don’t even owe, by either loading money on a prepaid card or sending it via a wire transfer. Those who refuse to pay immediately are then threatened by the “IRS agents.” BBB officials say the threats include jail time, deportation, or the suspension of the victim’s business or driver’s license. Continue reading East Texas Residents Targeted by IRS Phone Scam

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man has been charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to KETK, Deadrian McKinley, 20, was arrested Monday and jailed in Gregg County with bond set at $50,000. The victim is said to be a 13-year-old girl. McKinley’s charge is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

EAST TEXAS — A Smith County mail carrier who has resigned could face charges. About a hundred pieces of mail were found strewn on a Smith County road last month. Kenny Smith, Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General for the US Postal Service says this is unusual. He says in the last year, his office arrested 348 people out of 445 thousand employees…or point zero, zero, zero eight percent.

LUFKIN — A two vehicle accident in Angelina County has killed three persons. The accident happened just before 1:00 Monday afternoon on state Highway 103, about four miles east of Lufkin. Killed was Carl Hammerly, 49, of Broaddus, and Sarah Melinda Rya, 68, and James Harvey Ryan, 70, both of Etoile. The Department of Public safety reports it appears as if Hammerly was trying to pass a vehicle when he hit Rya’s vehicle head-on. The accident remains under investigation.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is seeking the public’s help in finding a local 17-year-old said to be a runaway. KETK reports MPD detectives were notified on September 24 by a Child Protective Services case worker in Athens that Shelby Jenkins had run away from a facility in Marshall. Jenkins is described as a white female with blue eyes and shoulder-length dark hair. She stands 5’6″ and weighs approximately 170 pounds. She is said to have a skull tattoo on the inside of her left ankle. Anyone with any information on Shelby’s whereabouts should contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 903-935-9969.

GRAND SALINE — The Grand Saline Police Department is searching for a missing woman. KETK reports Susan Lynn Young went missing on Sunday, October 18. She was traveling to her parents’ home in Ozark, Alabama, but never arrived. She is approximately 5’1″, 90 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last known to be driving a black 2004 Toyota Scion with Alabama license plates. If you see her or have any information, contact Sergeant Jason Burns with the Grand Saline Police Department at 903-962-3145 or the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office 903-567-4133 and ask to speak with a Grand Saline Officer.

KILGORE — Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying an armed man who robbed the EZ Mart on Houston Street in Kilgore around 11:00 Sunday night. According to KETK, the robber is described as a black male, possibly early 20s, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall. If you have any information about this crime, contact Detective Kay Lynn Newbill at kay.newbill@cityofkilgore.com or 903-218 6907. You can also contact Gregg County CrimeStoppers at 903-236-STOP or text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Refer to KPD Incident #1510-1420.

WOOD COUNTY — A 13-year-old from Alba was killed Sunday night after a truck carrying him and three other Alba residents hit a cow lying in the road north of Mineola. According to KETK, DPS reports the northbound vehicle struck the animal on U.S. 69 and rolled several times around 10:30 p.m. Judd Lyles, one of the passengers, was thrown from the truck and pronounced dead at a Quitman hospital. The driver was identified as Joel Levi Lyles, 18. Other passengers were Jay Lyles, 16, and Colin Lyles 20. Judd and Jay were not wearing seatbelts during the accident. The three survivors were taken to a Tyler hospital. Both Jay and Joel were reported in stable condition. Colin was said to be in serious condition, according to DPS.

TYLER — Due to a drainage culvert washout and a water main break, the 9100 block of Cherokee Trail in Tyler is closed to through traffic. Officials say residents north of the 9100 block will have access from Cumberland Road and residents south of the 9100 block will have access from Centennial Parkway. Repair of the water main begins Tuesday morning. Officials say once water main repairs are complete, the drainage culvert work will begin. They say the street will reopen as soon as all work is complete.

TYLER — Authorities have made an arrest in a recent Tyler robbery. According to a news release, police investigators received information that led to the identification of Ryan Lee Powell, 23, of Tyler. Powell was jailed on an aggravated robbery charge in the October 12 heist at Food Fast on Troup Highway at Willard Drive. According to the clerk, the suspect entered the business around 8 p.m. holding a large kitchen-style knife while demanding money. After taking what police term an undetermined amount cash, the suspect fled westbound on foot.

SMITH COUNTY — The weekend rain flooded numerous roads. According to interim Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson, County Road 448, on the property of Sky Ranch, was washed out. The road has been barricaded off until it can be repaired. County Road 1104, west of Noonday, in Precinct 1, is closed due to a culvert wash out from the heavy rains. The replacement culvert has to be ordered so it could take two to four weeks before the road is repaired.

TATUM — Tatum Independent School District will start classes at 10:00 this morning due to a power outage. According to KETK, the district says school buses will also run on a two hour delay.