KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of September 21. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Concrete repair work continues on Interstate Highway 20 with crews moving to Van Zandt County this week. The work schedule – 6:30am to 7:00pm, is as follows, weather permitting:
-Monday: Westbound outside lane at Mile Markers 538 to 537. The rest area is closed at this location.
-Tuesday: Outside lane at Mile Markers 535 and 534
-Wednesday: Outside lane at Mile Marker 527
-Thursday: Work returns to Smith County eastbound lanes starting at the Van Zandt County line.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when driving through these work zones. Lane closures and brief delays 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 — The death of a man in Longview is under investigation. His body was found just before 1:00 Sunday morning beside the road near Sibley Street and Rothrock Drive. A passerby called 911 to report the body. According to the department’s Face Book page, police have limited information on this crime and are investigating this incident as a homicide. They are asking that anyone with information contact Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867 or Longview Police at 903-237-1199.

LONGVIEW — A shooting in Longview has left one person injured. It happened Saturday evening around 6:15 in the 1400 block of Mobberly Avenue. Longview police report the victim was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the foot. Longview police are looking for the shooter, who fled the scene before they arrived.

MOUNT ENTERPRISE — A fourth person has been arrested in the theft of livestock from Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Jackie Risinger in Mount Enterprise. The four are accused of stealing four cows. The Longview News Journal identified the men as Christian Rhuns Collins, Gwivonna Long Jr., Charlie Divonne Long and Jovante Duran Fields, all of Nacogdoches. Larry Hand, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association special ranger, said the theft occurred in October of last year. The four stolen heifers were found at the Athens Livestock Barn where the suspects are said to have sold them for over $7,000.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle Friday morning. According to KETK, Public Information Officer Becky Holland says around 8:35 a.m., a person was crossing the street to head into work at Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall when the accident occurred. The extent of the victim’s injuries was not immediately known.

MINEOLA – Mineola High School Principal David Sauer has been named the Region VII Outstanding Principal of the Year for 2015‐2016 by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Sauer will be considered for the state Principal of the Year honor and will be recognized during the Josten’s Night of the Stars Awards Dinner next June at the Hilton Austin Downtown Hotel. In a news release, Sauer says he loves Mineola ISD and is thankful for the opportunity to serve the community’s students and families.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a person believed responsible for a recent theft. According to KETK, the man was wearing a blue shirt and has multiple tattoos on his arms. The person was seen driving an older 90s model gold and white Ford X-Cab pickup. If you have any information about this suspect, contact Detective Tim Dukes at Charles.Dukes@cityofkilgore.com or 903-218-6904. You can also get paid for your information. Submit an anonymous tip to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867). If your information leads to the arrest or identification of the suspect, Gregg County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000. You can text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip. Refer to Kilgore Police Case/Incident #1509-0282.

LONGVIEW — Now that the Gregg County Commissioner Precinct 3 seat is contested, the incumbent is speaking about why he is running for re-election. Gary Boyd has served Precinct 3 for five years. According to KETK, he’s voicing concern about falling tax revenues and says more and more things are being pushed from the federal and state level down to the county level to absorb cost. Boyd is running against Gregg County Jail Administrator Floyd Wingo.

TYLER — A man who allegedly terrorized a church in Cherokee County has been indicted in Tyler federal court. KETK reports Rasheed Abdul Aziz was indicted Wednesday on one count of felon in possession of a firearm for a September 13 incident. The suspect had previously been convicted of an aggravated robbery in Harris County in 1996, thus making it illegal for him to possess a gun. Aziz was taken into custody when Smith County deputies found him in possession of a Taurus PT111 9mm pistol. Authorities also confiscated two magazines and 70 rounds of ammunition. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The suspect is also accused of making a terroristic threat after allegedly antagonizing the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church congregation near Lake Palestine, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. He has not yet been indicted for that charge.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating after a truck ran into a hospital building Friday morning. It happened around 6:00 near the intersection of Beckham Avenue and Houston Street near the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital business administration building. No injuries were reported. The cause of the wreck is under investigation.

COLLEGE STATION — A spokesperson for Easterwood Airport in College Station says a plane crashed Thursday near the airfield, with two East Texans injured. KETK reports the Cessna fixed-wing single-engine aircraft was not intending to land or take off from Easterwood. The plane took off from an Edgewood airport and was headed to Port Aransas. According to the Department of Public Safety, at 1:10 p.m., the aircraft crashed on North Dowling Road when the plane hit either a junction box or transformer. The plane landed in the parking area of the Brazos Valley Trash Valet, a recycling facility. A vehicle and trailer belonging to the owners of the business were hit by the plane. Continue reading East Texans Hurt in Central Texas Plane Crash

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals, and the Tyler Police Department have seized a car they believe maybe connected with the August 29 shooting at Bunny’s convenience store. KETK reports officials responded to a house in the 800 block of West 24th Street around 2:00 p.m. Thursday, after receiving a tip from Crimestoppers. An arrest was also made at the scene, but SCSO PIO Gary Middleton says the arrest was not in connection with the shooting at the gas station. The suspect was arrested on probation warrants and is not the owner of the vehicle. The gold passenger car was taken to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to be processed for evidence. Continue reading Officials Seize Car Possibly Linked to Bunny’s Shooting

TYLER – Ranchers and livestock producers in Upshur County may be eligible for assistance from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses incurred in 2015. That word comes from Chris Lynn, the county executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Smith-Upshur-Gregg County. In a news release, Lynn says, “Upshur County recently met qualifying drought ratings that ‘trigger’ eligibility for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program on improved pasture, native pasture and sorghum forage.” Continue reading Drought Disaster Help Offered to Upshur County Livestock Producers

TYLER — Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips is seeking a third term. In a news release, the Republican cites his “excellent conservative voting record.” Among other things, Phillips is drawing attention to his role in promoting voting centers, which have been approved for the upcoming November election. The centers will allow residents to vote at any polling place without being restricted to their precinct. So far, there’s no announced opposition to Phillips.

WHITEHOUSE — The city of Whitehouse released a new budget, and cuts were made to the police department. According to KETK, this concerns some residents who worry the city is taking manpower off the streets. The city’s public information officer, Madison Johnson, says that assumption is false, and the city’s just cutting back on administrative positions. Last year’s budget allowed for 15 officers, four administrative positions, and nine patrolmen. Johnson says, “This new budget really allows for 13 full time officers and, of course, the two resource officers, but only two administrative positions. So actually what this does is, it puts 10 patrolmen on the street able to interact and protect our citizens.” City officials say they believe the department can work effectively with the new structure.

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes will share the football field Saturday for a halftime performance with more than 230 high school drill team members in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary performance. According to a news release, Saturday will mark exactly 75 years to the date of the Rangerettes’ first performance on Sept. 19, 1940. Kickoff versus Trinity Valley Community College is set for 7 p.m. at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium. KC officials say the Rangerettes pioneered an American art form that 75 years later has inspired a multi-billion dollar dance-drill industry.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Health and Kinesiology faculty continue to recruit men and women for a research study. That word comes from College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean Dr. Yong Tai Wang. An additional orientation session is scheduled for 10 a.m. – noon Saturday, Sept. 19, in the UT Tyler Herrington Patriot Center, next to the Citizens 1st Bank/Perkins Soccer Complex off Old Omen Road. According to a news release, participants must be 50 years or older and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. The group will meet three times a week for 45 minutes per session. Principal investigator and UT Tyler Assistant Professor Dr. Arturo Arce-Esquivel will lead the study, which involves participation in a five-week “Infrared Light Therapy” protocol to begin sometime next month. For more information, call Arce-Esquivel at 903-565-5838.

LONGVIEW — Three people have been arrested in a Longview murder earlier this month. On September 7 at 9:18 p.m., police were dispatched to a robbery call in the 500 Block of Scenic Drive. While Officers were on scene, additional officers were dispatched at 9:35 p.m. to a report of gunfire in the area of Broadway Court and Scenic Drive. Then at 9:57 p.m., officers were sent to the scene of a reported shooting in the 400 Block of Scenic Drive. The caller told dispatch that someone was lying in the roadway. When police arrived it appeared the victim had been shot and the suspect or suspects had fled the scene prior to police arrival. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Fedrick Louis Jones, was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital. Continue reading Three Longview Teens Charged with Murder

LONGVIEW — One peace officer in Gregg County has his eye on becoming a county commissioner. KETK reports jail facility administrator Floyd Wingo is running for the Precinct 3 seat against incumbent Gary Boyd. Wingo served in the Marine Corps before taking a job at the sheriff’s office in 1989. He’s worked there ever since. Wingo says one of his priorities is a fresh look at the road and bridge budget.

LONGVIEW – This year Longview has seen ten homicides and many more non-fatal shootings. Most happened on the south side of town. KETK reports city officials and community leaders are working to do their part to alleviate the problem. Mayor Andy Mack said the Longview City Council has approved a pay scale increase for the Longview Police Department for approximately $761,000 to help combat the violence. Continue reading Longview Officials Address the Unrest

TYLER — TxDOT says the inside lane of I-20 westbound will be closed from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday as crews repair the westbound outside lane past SH 110 between mile markers 545 and 543 in Smith County. Starting Monday, the work will move to Van Zandt County. TxDOT says more information on the work is due Friday. Officials advise motorists to drive carefully and pay attention to signage.

TYLER — Two election officials from Nigeria visited the Smith County Elections Office Wednesday to learn about the local voting process. Emeka Golden Owabie, assistant chief legal officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria, said he learned that much of the voting process in Texas is done electronically, making it easier. According to a county news release, Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson explained every step of voting. Owabie and Alhaji Mohammad Umar Bashar, assistant director of Human Resources Management for the Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria, explained their election process. Mrs. Nelson said she and her staff learned a lot about Nigeria’s culture and election techniques. Continue reading Nigerian Officials Visit Smith County to Learn about Voting Process

TYLER – A 32-year-old Longview man has been sentenced in Tyler to eight years and nine months in federal prison for bank robbery. Officials say Christian Drew Ponce pleaded guilty Apr. 9. Ponce was also ordered to pay restitution of $11,620. Officials say Ponce and three co-defendants devised and executed a scheme on August 11, 2014, to rob the Austin Bank inside the Bar K Ranch store in Longview. Ponce was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 27, 2014. Following sentencing, Ponce was immediately taken into custody by U.S. Marshals.

TYLER — Officials are inviting the public to an open house to provide input toward the Old Jacksonville Highway (FM 2493) Corridor Study. The gathering is set for Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church, at 8875 Old Jacksonville Hwy. in Tyler. The portion of road being studied is bounded by Loop 323 in Tyler and Highway 69 in Bullard. The study will analyze the current conditions of traffic, travel lanes, and signals and make recommendations for upgrades as the corridor grows, according to information from the Tyler Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Continue reading Open House Sept. 24 on Old Jacksonville Highway Corridor

EAST TEXAS — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, in a news conference Tuesday, announced more details regarding a shoot-out in August 29th. It happened just before 2 a-m at Bunny’s convenience store at Loop 323 and FM 14. Laprida Shears, 25, Tyler was fatally shot during the incident. Smith said the ongoing investigation determined two groups, with affiliations with Tyler and Longview gangs, were involved. Five suspects have been named. 44 search warrants in Tyler and Longview have been issued. More than 300 people were said to be involved. Continue reading Officials Search for Suspects in Gang Related Shooting

MT. PLEASANT — It’s now a two-man race in the March GOP primary for state House District 5. Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant has announced he’s running for the post currently held by Bryan Hughes. Hefner (at left in accompanying photo) managed a commercial construction company until going into the insurance business in January of this year. He’s also a member of the local Rotary Club. Army veteran and former small business owner Randy Davis of Emory announced his candidacy for the House seat earlier this month. Hughes is squaring off against fellow House member David Simpson in a bid for the state Senate seat being vacated by Tyler’s Kevin Eltife. Continue reading Cole Hefner Announces for State House District 5

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas man who was arrested for felony possession of a firearm has now been charged with making a terroristic threat/impairing government officials. His bond is $60,000. Authorities say Rasheed Abdul Aziz, 40, of Flint, allegedly made threats against an East Texas church citing God as the reason for his actions. KETK reports that the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday at 2:10 p.m. from the Corinth Church on FM 346 near Lake Palestine. The caller said an unknown man wearing a camouflage helmet, camo pants, tactical vest, and boots had entered the church around 2:00 p.m. The caller also said what appeared to be a pistol was visible in his pocket. Continue reading New Charge Filed in Church Threat Case

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a runaway. According to KETK, Sh’raine Williams was last seen on September 6 when she left her mom’s house in Marshall. She is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. There is no clothing description for Williams available. She previously ran away from her home in Marshall and was found in Shreveport, Louisiana. Sh’raine is listed on the NCIC/TCIC computer system as a runaway. Any information regarding her location may be made to any law enforcement agency.

TYLER — A longtime Tyler resident who served 20 years as Historic Tyler’s executive director has been honored with that organization’s annual Historic Preservation Award. Janie Menegay was recently recognized at Historic Tyler’s annual meeting. Organization officials credit Menegay with a number of achievements. Officials say she led the 1992 effort to save the Lewis Hotel, now the Gilbert Law Firm. Menegay was also termed instrumental in obtaining a Junior League grant to perform a survey that led to the listing of six Tyler districts on the National Register of Historic Places. That happened in 1993. Continue reading Menegay Wins Top Historic Tyler Award