KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — From 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, the City of Tyler Street Department, in conjunction with Oncor Electric, will close the eastbound outside lane of the 200 block of West Southwest Loop 323 to remove a dead tree from in front of B.J’s Brewhouse. The work zone will start at Old Bullard Road and extend east towards South Broadway Avenue. City officials ask that you obey all traffic warning signs. Through traffic on Loop 323 should be prepared to stay left as you approach Old Bullard Road. Officials say aouthbound traffic from Loop 323 to Old Bullard Road will flow as normal.

DALLAS — A “normal, routine” play under Friday night lights put a well-known coach in the hospital, and there’s an update on Mark “Papa” Bachtel. Bachtel is still listed as critical after hitting his head on the ground when players ran over him during a game between Scurry-Rosser and Malakoff High Schools last week. Bachtel’s son is Scurry-Rosser’s head coach and says the players are not to blame. The Dallas Morning News quotes the elder Bachtel’s sons as saying they have seen some progress in his condition — but that head trauma cases can be a waiting game. “Papa” Bachtel’s coaching career includes time at Wills Point and Brownwood high schools, and at Howard Payne University.

NACOGDOCHES (Staff/AP) — A Stephen F. Austin State University professor was arrested on campus Tuesday morning for possession of child pornography. According to KETK, the university’s communications department says an investigation began when images were discovered on a server used by the business college. SFA’s Department of Public Safety worked with other law enforcement agencies to determine the origin and nature of the images. Once it was determined the pictures had been downloaded and disseminated from an SFA computer, officials say they were able to find no evidence linking the illegal images to SFA students in any way. Authorities arrested Dr. Michael Stroup, 52, of Nacogdoches, and charged him with possession of child pornography. Continue reading SFA Professor Arrested for Child Porn

CANTON, S.D. (AP/Staff) – A South Dakota man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges in the death of the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. A Lincoln County jury deliberated more than five hours Tuesday in the trial of 29-year-old Joseph Patterson before the verdict was announced. The deliberations followed two weeks of testimony about the October 2013 death of Tyrese Robert Ruffin, the son of Patterson’s girlfriend and the former Palestine football standout. Patterson’s defense maintained that the child choked on a fruit snack. A doctor testified that autopsy photos indicate injuries consistent with a child being given CPR. Prosecutors argued Patterson assaulted Tyrese. Patterson could face a life prison sentence. Peterson has said he found out Tyrese was his son only about two months before the child’s death.

WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse hands out a conditional job offering for its vacant police chief position. According to KETK, city officials say the job is being offered to Ed Morris, a retired Grand Prairie police officer. The candidate has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience, including nine as a police chief with the city of Balch Springs. The job offer still hinges on a background investigation and drug screening. According to the city of Whitehouse, Morris was one of four final candidates and was unanimously selected by a board made up of department heads and local citizens. A start date has not been determined. Previous Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton resigned on July 27. Detective Scott Bradley has been serving as interim police chief. Continue reading Whitehouse Moves Closer to Hiring New Police Chief

TYLER — A Tyler man who was the subject of a Silver Alert was killed in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday Night. According to KETK, the office of Angelina County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 reported that Marvin Louis Price, 68, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was traveling southbound on Highway 69 in Pollok when his truck left the roadway, hit a fence, then a utility pole. Price was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Subject of Silver Alert Killed in Wreck

TYLER — A local teen has been picked to be on a popular singing competition on NBC. Chance Peña, 15, belted out “I See Fire” on “The Voice” Tuesday night, before music superstars Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Adam Levine. In the end, the Maroon 5 front man picked the Tyler singer to be on his team for the competition. Continue reading Local Teen Competes on “The Voice”

LONGVIEW — Two professors at Longview’s LeTourneau have been awarded national grants. The school has received a National Science Foundation grant award for $299,820 over three years in support of Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Ben Caldwell’s research on improving engineering creativity and problem solving. Also, LeTourneau University received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant award for $220,913 over three years in support of engineering professor Dr. Seung Kim’s collaborative research with Texas Tech professor Dr. Jungkyu “Jay” Kim to improve early detection of disease. Continue reading Two Grants For LeTourneau Professors

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Police Department is seeking a thief who was looking to “win big” at a local grocery store. According to KETK, police said a person walked into Robert’s Grocery at 1610 N. Main Friday and took several lottery tickets. The thief and his vehicle were caught on video surveillance. If you have any information about this person, contact Sgt. David Burrows at 903-845-2166.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are seeking leads in a shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning and left the victim with what are termed life-threatening injuries. Police were dispatched shortly before 4:00 yesterday morning to the 100 Block of West Pliler Street. When officers arrived they found a man who had been shot in the neck. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Police say the suspect or suspects fled the scene prior to officer arrival. Police say they are following up on information they have received about the shooting. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Longview Police at 903-237-1199 or Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867. The tipster can also report an online tip at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org and remain anonymous.

RUSK — A Cherokee County murder suspect is in custody after being found in Tyler. Officials say shortly before 10:00 Tuesday morning, Doye Allen Haney Jr., 26, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in the Monday death of Tony Scott Brazier, 47. Authorities say Haney and another person were at the Hampton Inn on Troup Highway in Tyler and Haney was taken into custody without incident. Investigators began executing a search warrant at the hotel following the arrest. The person who was with Haney at the time of his arrest was detained and questioned by Cherokee County investigators, but no charges were immediately filed against her. Haney was transported to Smith County Jail and held for a short time before being picked up by Cherokee County authorities and brought back to Cherokee County Jail pending arraignment. Continue reading Cherokee County Murder Suspect Arrested in Tyler

EAST TEXAS – The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is holding “Secure Your ID” Day events next month in Longview and Lindale. The first is set for Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at A Shred Ahead/East Texas Shredding 1114 W. Harrison Road in Longview. The other event is Wednesday, October 21, from 9:00 a.m. till noon at the Lindale Chamber of Commerce, 205 S. Main. Individuals can shred up to three bags or boxes of paper per vehicle at no charge. Consumers are encouraged to attend the event and take a key step in identity protection by shredding and properly disposing of their sensitive paper documents, according to a BBB news release. Officials say BBB experts will be on hand offering advice and simple steps everyone can take to prevent ID theft.

EAST TEXAS — The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that 25 schools nominated by the Texas Education Agency have been awarded Blue Ribbon honors for 2015, including three in East Texas. KETK reports those are Grace Community High School in Tyler, Malakoff Elementary School, and Mt. Vernon Intermediate School. Blue Ribbon Schools is a U.S. Department of Education program that recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels.

HALLSVILLE — A Hallsville ISD coach who is on leave from the district has resigned for personal reasons. According to KETK, Dean McDaniel will remain on paid administrative leave until Dec. 31, at which time his contract will expire. McDaniel said he wanted to assure the community his decision to resign is not related to praying with students on Hallsville ISD property. McDaniel has been with Hallsville ISD for 13 years.

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one man dead. According to KETK, officials say Monday at 3:30 a.m., they responded to a call in reference to a gunshot victim in the 4000 block of Farm to Market Road 235. A man identified as Tony Scott Brazier, 47, was found dead in his residence. Witnesses said Brazier had been arguing with a white male over money on the telephone and via text messages. The man then arrived at Brazier’s residence with another white male and white female. The argument continued and Brazier was shot at close range. Doye “Duke” Haney, 26, a female named Crystal, and a male named J.D. are wanted by the sheriff’s office for questioning. No arrests have been made at this time. Contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers with information regarding this crime.

ARP — An Arp police officer has been placed on leave, per department policy, after a Sunday night wreck involving two law enforcement vehicles. According to KETK, Police Chief Craig Robinson says at around 11:00 p.m., the officer was in a pursuit on Highway 135 and Bradford Street when a rollover crash occurred involving a Smith County deputy. While the officer is on leave, authorities will await a toxicology test result, per standard protocol. Smith County Lt. Gary Middleton said the deputy was taken to a local hospital after the vehicle flipped several times. The deputy was treated for minor injuries and released. Middleton said it was not immediately clear how the two vehicles collided. DPS is investigating.

LONGVIEW — A portion of Longview’s Guthrie Trail is temporarily closed for a reconstruction and drainage project between Johnston and Meadowbrook. The work began Monday and is due for completion in thirty days, according to officials. Barricades will be placed in the area to prohibit use while improvements are being made. The construction is being conducted by City of Longview staff.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dallas-based Congressman Jeb Hensarling, whose district includes much of East Texas, now says he will not try to become House speaker after John Boehner’s resignation announcement last week. SMU political science Professor Cal Jillson says Hensarling likely tested the water and found he didn’t have enough support. According to Jillson, “Hensarling already had an important committee chairmanship, of Financial Services, and so he has chosen to…try to…stay as chair of Financial Services rather than risk a long shot.” Jillson says Hensarling angered some in the business wing of the Republican Party when he succeeded in getting the U.S. Import-Export Bank shut down for a time. Jillson does think Dallas Congressman Pete Sessions has a good chance at becoming majority whip

LINDALE — A public hearing will be held at 5:15 p.m. today at the Lindale Rural Water Supply Corp. to discuss funding for water improvements through the Small Towns Environment Program (STEP) within the Texas Department of Agriculture. According to a Smith County news release, the improvements will address the need to increase water line sizes within the Lindale WSC. Smith County is requesting grant funding on behalf of Lindale Rural WSC to assist households located in an area previously served by the Duck Creek WSC. The Duck Creek water system became part of the Lindale Rural WSC two years ago. Since that time, Lindale Rural WSC has spent more than $2 million to upgrade this portion of its system and also completed a STEP project replacing nearly seven miles of water lines. Continue reading Public Hearing Set for Water Improvements in Lindale

VAN – A one-vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20 near Van has killed a Texas College baseball player and left two others injured. The Department of Public Safety reports the wreck occurred shortly after 2:30 Saturday afternoon near the 535 Mile Marker. Killed was Chandlor Allen, 18, of DeSoto. He died late that night at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital. In serious condition is Anferne Allen, also of DeSoto. Both were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the pickup when it blew a tire, left the road and rolled over. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, Kennan Clark, 18, of DeSoto, is listed in stable condition.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of September 28. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Interstate Highway20 concrete repair work continues Monday with work moving to the eastbound outside lane at Mile Markers 546 to 548 in Smith County. Crews will be working from 6:30am to 7:00pm. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when driving through these work zones. Lane closures and brief delays with traffic stopped are possible so look for signage and other traffic control devices to assist you through the work zone. Law enforcement is also providing assistance at these locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

LONGVIEW — Three teens have been arrested in an East Texas crime spree including a variety of offenses. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says on Saturday at about 3:00 a.m. it began investigating a criminal episode that involved a stolen ATV, criminal mischief to a residence, four vehicle burglaries, two residence burglaries, the theft of a firearm, an arson of a residence, and three stolen vehicles. The ATV theft occurred in the Diana area of Upshur County, and all other offenses were at residences in northern Gregg County. Continue reading Three Arrested, Others Sought in Multiple Crimes

SCURRY (AP/Staff) — An assistant football coach for Scurry-Rosser High School has been critically injured after striking his head when a play went out of bounds during Friday night’s game against Malakoff. Mark Bachtel was airlifted to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, where he remained in critical condition at last report, according to a spokesman for the hospital. Bachtel was injured on the sidelines. Scurry-Rosser ISD board member Nancy Duggan says the play knocked Bachtel off his feet, and he struck his head on the ground, resulting in multiple skull fractures and severe head trauma, according to The Dallas Morning News, which quotes inForney.com. The game was called in the fourth quarter after Bachtel’s injury with Malakoff leading 73-27. Scurry-Rosser High School is about 30 miles south of Dallas.

TYLER — The Texas Transportation Commission has voted to award the city of Tyler more than $3.5 million in grant funds for the construction of a multi-use trail that will eventually extend from Grande Boulevard down to Gresham. According to a news release, Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin calls the project the first regional trail project in East Texas. The plan had been underway since Mayor Martin Heines came into office. Heines says expanding the local trail system has been one of his priorities, and he lauded Austin’s support. Continue reading Tyler Wins Grant for Legacy Trail

TYLER – The Better Business Bureau Education Foundation of Central East Texas is now accepting applications for the Kay Robinson Student of Integrity Video Scholarship program. According to a BBB news release, the program recognizes two college-bound seniors who personify high ethics as demonstrated through their creative talents in creation of a 30- to 60-second video, as well as their overall personal integrity and academic history. The award is named after Kay Robinson, who served as CEO for BBB Serving Central East Texas from 1985-2009. Mrs. Robinson died in January 2014. Continue reading BBB Accepting Applications for Kay Robinson Scholarship

HAWKINS — The controversial “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins” Sign” is now getting some extra protection. On Monday, the city of Hawkins voted in a closed meeting to remove the sign, though disagreement continues over whether it’s on public or private property. The issue began drawing attention after the Freedom from Religion Foundation voiced objections to the display. Meanwhile, Mayor Will Rogers tells KETK there have been threats of vandalism to the sign. That’s why the local chapter of the Oath Keepers began standing guard starting Friday afternoon. Continue reading Oath Keepers Stand Guard at Jesus Sign

TYLER — Two men have been arrested after breaking into a Tyler home and the two started fighting. The incident was reported just after 3:00 Friday afternoon in the 700 block of Mockingbird Lane. KETK identifies the two as Cody Jackson, 28, (pictured) and Clayton Cheney, 22, of Tyler. One was charged with was charged with public intoxication, and the other was arrested for outstanding warrants. It started as the men cut through a back yard and entered a home through a rear door. When one decided he didn’t want to be in the house, the two started fighting. The homeowners were no injured in the incident.

MARSHALL — A Longview man indicted earlier this year has been indicted again for child sex crimes. Indicted by the Harrison County Grand Jury was Edwin Craig Volcik, 45. He is accused of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child and six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Following a lengthy investigation, which was led by federal officials, Volcik was arrested in January at his home on Quail Lane. The arrest followed an investigation of child pornography, but authorities say it turned into something more.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man accused of sexual assault of a child. He is Ruben Velazquez Bolanos, a Mexican national. Bolanos is a previous resident of Gregg County and is believed to have fled to Mexico when the warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month. Bolanos has family and friends in the area and he will likely return here at some point. Due to the nature of the offense and the age of the victim, no further case information has been released. Anyone with information about the location of Bolanos are asked to contact Investigator Craig Harrington at 903-237-2529 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236 STOP.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has been included on the list of Texas counties affected by drought that are eligible for emergency disaster loans. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designated 12 Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas, as well as 22 Texas contiguous counties, including Smith County, that are eligible to apply for low-interest, emergency disaster loans due to recent drought. Eligible family farmers in these counties may qualify for the Farm Service Agency loan assistance. Continue reading Smith County Eligible For Drought Assistance