KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HAWKINS — It started when the Freedom From Religion Group sent a letter asking the City of Hawkins to remove a sign. After more than two months of controversy, Hawkins held a special city council meeting to determine whether or not the ‘Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins’ sign is on city or private property. According to KETK, Attorney Alvin Flynn declared in Monday’s council meeting that it appears the sign is not and has never been on city property. As for now, despite the controversy, the sign remains welcoming you to the city of Hawkins.

LINDALE — The Lindale School Board has approved a 3.5 cent tax cut. Monday night’s action means school trustees have cut the tax rate three times now in the last five years. Director of Finance Michelle Tate says “Lindale ISD is blessed with a supportive community, that has approved prior tax increases to fulfill the past needs of the school District.” an she said they “are pleased to be able to lower the tax rate 3.5 cents this year due to the growth of the district and financial planning of the district’s finances.” Continue reading Lindale ISD Tax Rate Dropping

AUSTIN — Texas is one step closer to hiring marijuana growers. That word as the state moves toward manufacturing its own CBD oil, following passage of a bill co-sponsored by Tyler State Senator Kevin Eltife. Extracted from marijuana to be grown in Texas, the state has approved the use of CBD oil for epilepsy patients. DPS will oversee the growers and manufacturers. They’ll be selected after the rules of the law are first approved in December. The law takes effect in September 2017.

LAKE PALESTINE — Smith County officials have identified a man who died in a weekend drowning. According to KETK, authorities said Perry Deloney, 54, of Temple, died in the accident at the Villages Marina on Lake Palestine. Game Warden Chris Swift says at around 8 p.m. on Friday, a man without a life vest attempted to help a woman kayaking get back to shore. In the process, the man sank to the bottom of the lake for about four minutes before he was rescued. CPR was immediately initiated and Deloney was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9 p.m. Continue reading Weekend Drowning Victim Identified

LONGVIEW– Longview City Manager David Willard is recommending Interim Police Chief Mike Bishop as the full-fledged replacement for recently retired Police Chief Don Dingler. According to a city news release, Bishop has served in a variety of capacities, including assistant chief, since he joined the Longview Police Department in 1989. Willard’s recommendation will be presented to the City Council August 13. According to the release, Willard says he has “the utmost confidence” in Bishop’s ability to lead the department. Willard cites Bishop’s “great working relationship with the department and the Longview community,” singling out Bishop’s efforts in community policing.

HENDERSON — Rusk County has joined a long list of East Texas counties now prohibiting outdoor burning. According to KETK, the Rusk County Office of Emergency Management says the Commissioners Court enacted the ban on Monday. Anyone who violates the order is subject to a large fine. The OEM said outdoor cooking in a closed container is still allowed.

LAKE TYLER — A local restaurant owner was uninjured in a plane crash at Lake Tyler Monday morning. Tyler Police Public Information Officer Don Martin tells KETK that according to reports, the aircraft went down in the lake in the 17000 block of Eastside Road near Sandy Beach Park at around 9 a.m. The Federal Aviation Administration says a boater picked up the pilot — and lone passenger — following the crash. The pilot, identified as Sam Wells, is the owner of Coyote Sam’s Bar and Grille in Tyler.FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford says the plane crashed while doing touch and go landings. The amphibious ultralight, an Aventura II, is registered to Stall Out Multiple Sclerosis LLC in Navarre, Florida. The FAA will continue to investigate the accident.

TYLER — A suspect wanted in a Tyler shooting has been arrested. Robert Jerrail Mitchell, 26, Tyler, is charged in the August 5th shooting of Raul Chevez, 61, Tyler. Tyler police responded to the 300 block of Beckham on a report of shots fired. They found Chevez with several gunshot wounds to the legs. He was treated at a nearby hospital. Chevez and two other witnesses told officers that a verbal altercation occurred between them and an unknown male. The suspect momentarily left, but returned several minutes later, armed with a handgun. Mitchell was placed in Smith County Jail on a $200,000 bond for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

SMITH COUNTY — A burglary suspect has been arrested by Smith County sheriff’s deputies. He is accused of breaking into the United States Postal Service Center located in the 12600 block of Farm Road 3311. He is identified as Jess Dean Spencer, 23, of Kilgore. He is being charged with burglary of a building and evading arrest. Continue reading Dog Helps Nab Burglary Suspect

Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of August 10. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are reminded to put safety first by slowing down and paying attention when driving through work zones.

Districtwide Seal Coat Operations continue in several counties this week as follows:
*FM 1805 in Smith County from the Van Zandt County line northeast for 1.8 miles to FM 1253
*FM 1805 in Van Zandt County from SH 110 going NE to 1.8 miles W of FM 1253 (Smith County line)
*FM 16 in Van Zandt County from SH 64 east to I-20
*FM 316 in Van Zandt County from SH 198 at Phalba south to FM 1861 (Henderson County Line)
*FM 756 in Smith County from FM 346 south to FM 344
*FM 13 in Cherokee County from Smith County line going southeast and east to Rusk County Line
*FM 13 in Smith County from SH 135 in Troup going south to the Cherokee County line
*FM 13 in Rusk County from the Cherokee County line to SH 42 Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for two men who robbed the Jack in the Box at 6915 South Broadway. It happened around 4:00 Sunday morning. Employees reported two men entered the business and confronted them in the office. One of the men held the employees at gun point with a black small semi-automatic handgun and demanded money. The other suspect then proceeded to gather the money as the other man kept the employees at gun point. The suspects then left the business and fled the area. The armed suspect was described as a light skin black male, thin build, between 5’7” to 5’9”. Both suspects were wearing all black clothing and had bandanas covering their faces. Continue reading Tyler Business Robbed

CHAPEL HILL — An accident east of Tyler has left three persons dead and one injured. The two vehicle accident was reported on State Highway 31 near County Road 279 shortly after 1:00 Saturday afternoon. The dead have been identified as Matthew Keith Jones, 36, of Tyler and Kent Jones, 8, of Tyler. Also killed was the driver of the other vehicle, Ellisa Phippen, 53, of Gilmer. Her daughter, Carlee Nicole Phippen, 23, of Tyler, is in stable condition at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. Investigators say Jone’s car west bound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. It left the road and them came back and crossed the road, hitting Pippen’s east bound truck.

LONGVIEW — A bicyclist is injured when his cycle and a truck collide. The accident happened shortly after 6:15 Satuday morning near Loop 281 and West Marshall. Longview police said the cyclist failed to stop at a red light and hit the truck that was north bound on the loop. The bicyclist was hospitalized with non life threatening injuries.

TYLER — Some traffic delays can be expected on Tyler’s West Loop this morning as more night work is planned for the Loop 323 West Widening project. The contractor switched traffic onto the new temporary northbound detour so that work can begin on the southbound lanes. Lane closures started last night 7:00pm and will end this morn ing at 6:00am. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to avoid delays.

TATUM — A head-on collision near Tatum has killed one person and left one injured. It happened just before 6:30 Friday morning on State Highway 43. Killed was Clint Canter of Tatum. Taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment of his injuries was James Ross, 73, of Jacksonville. The Department of Public Safety reports Canter’s south bound car drifted into the north bound lane. Ross’ truck took evasive action and moved into the north bound lane only to have Canter’s car move back into that lane.

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott has made appointments to the OneStar Foundation. One of those appointed is a Smith County man. The governor has named Andres G. “Andy” Navarro of Tyler to the panel. His term is set to expire on March 15, 2016. The appointment must still be approved by the Texas Senate. Continue reading Navarro Named to OneStar Foundation

KILGORE — Kilgore College will receive a grant to train area child caregivers. The school has been selected to be a “Texas School Ready!” Comprehensive Lead Agent for the 2015-17 school years and will receive a grant worth around $250,000. The two-year grant will allow KC to hire three coaches to train area child caregivers to serve at-risk pre-school aged children through shared resources between public and private early childhood education programs. These coaches will mainly be at local childcare centers, but they will office upstairs at the Early Childhood Center. The grant was written and submitted by Lara Pauley, instructor and program coordinator of KC’s Child Development and Education Department.

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater police officer, in uniform on his day off, has proposed to his girlfriend. The moment was captured by camera and posted on the Gladewater Police Department’s Facebook page. Gladewater Police Officer Alfonso Rodriguez dropped to one knee and asked for the hand of his girlfriend, Maria Rodriguez, in marriage and to become his partner in life. And she said, “Yes”.

CONROE (AP/STAFF) — A Texas prosecutor has criticized the judge who cut short the probation of Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson in a child abuse case. State District Judge Kelly Case on Thursday reduced the 2012 NFL most valuable player’s probation from two years to nine months already served. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said Case seemed “enamored with an elite athlete.” Requirements also have been waived for the Vikings’ star running back to complete a public service announcement about child abuse, check in monthly with a probation officer and undergo mandatory drug tests. Peterson, a native of Palestine, pleaded no contest last year to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son. Peterson’s attorney told the Houston Chronicle his client didn’t receive special treatment. Case declined to comment.

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas man who pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend has been sentenced to life — in matrimony. KLTV-TV reports 21-year-old Josten Bundy pleaded guilty on July 2 to assault with bodily injury for a February fistfight with the ex-boyfriend of 19-year-old Elizabeth Jaynes. Bundy tells the television station that the man “had been saying disrespectful things” about Jaynes, so he challenged him to a fight and punched him twice in the jaw. Smith County Court-at-Law Judge Randall Rogers sentenced Bundy to probation on the condition that he marry Jaynes within 30 days. Otherwise, it would be 15 days in jail. Reluctantly, Bundy and Jaynes applied for their marriage license and scheduled a date with a justice of the peace.

TYLER — The Silver Alert for a missing Smith County man has been canceled. It has been reported that Marvin Price, 68, who had last seen near his residence in the 12200 block of Wild Horse, has been found. Price suffers from Alzheimer’s as well as other medical conditions and had removed his tracker bracelet.

EAST TEXAS – More East Texas counties have now imposed bans on outdoor burning due to continued hot, dry conditions. The latest map from KETK shows Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Anderson, Cherokee, and Angelina among the counties with burn bans. Smith County Judge Joel Baker says the current weather poses a serious threat of wildfires throughout the county, adding that the Smith County ban will be in effect until further notice.

GREGG COUNTY — Two people were injured friday morning in a Gregg County shooting. KETK reports law enforcement responded to a local hospital around 2:58 a.m. regarding a man with a gunshot wound and injuries to his head. He was identified as Jamone Champion, 18, of Longview. Champion was not able to give details about the shooting and was last reported in serious condition, according to officials. A short time later, a second gunshot victim, 26-year-old Ladarrin Rayson of Longview, arrived at a local hospital and was treated for a minor wound and released. Continue reading Two Hurt in Shooting in Gregg County

TYLER — Smith County authorities are looking for one more suspect in a Thursday morning home invasion and robbery — and they identified him Friday afternoon. Authorities say Justin Lamar Tave has scars/tattoos on his upper left and right arms and the left side of his neck. Tave stands 5’9″ tall, weighs about 170 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. Continue reading Third Suspect Named in Home Invasion and Robbery

TYLER – The Tyler ISD Friday released its figures after the Texas Education Agency issued the 2015 state accountability system ratings for school districts and charter schools across the state. According to a TISD news release, districts, campuses, and charters receive one of three ratings under the new accountability system: Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, or Improvement Required. The District, Robert E. Lee and John Tyler high schools, five middle schools, and nine elementary schools were rated as Met Standard. Of those, eight earned one or more distinction designations. Distinctions are awarded based on high levels of achievement in a particular index, according to the release. The performance index framework includes four areas: Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness. Continue reading Tyler ISD Receives 2015 State Accountability Ratings

QUITMAN — The Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating after two people were found dead in a house in Quitman. According to KETK, on Monday, deputies were conducting a welfare check at the home on County Road 1416. When deputies arrived, they found the doors and windows locked and had to force entry. Emma Moore, 75 and Bobby Harper, 67, were found dead. Their bodies have been sent for autopsy.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been given an eight year prison sentence for bank robbery. State District Judge Jack Skeen handed out the sentence to Samuel Dwayne Carroll, 45. Carroll, who was said to be a preacher at God’s Amazing Grace Ministries, was arrested on April 23, for the robbery of Regions Bank in downtown Tyler. He was caught shortly after the robbery at his home only four blocks away. Continue reading Tyler Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man and a woman using counterfeited checks in the Longview and Henderson areas. The woman’s identity has not been confirmed. A felony warrant for forgery has been obtained for Colton Wayne Underwood. According to the sheriff’s department Facebook page, the two are going to Wal-Mart stores and liquor stores cashing counterfeit checks on a local business’ bank accounts. They may be traveling in a silver or grey Dodge Durango. If you have any information regarding the subject, you are asked to contact Inv. David Falco at 903-236-8438 or our anonymous Crime Stopper’s line at 903-236-STOP. Continue reading Bogus Checks Turning Up in the Longview Area

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the cause of Tuesday’s Continental Battery Warehouse fire as accidental. But that comes with a strong advisory from Fire Marshal Jay Brooks, who says the blaze was sparked by an improperly disposed of cigarette butt. The facility is located on Reynolds Road in northeastern Smith County. The discarded cigarette ignited ground cover which quickly spread to a pile of recently cut brush from around the building, as well as a vehicle parked near the building, according to Brooks. He says the fire then spread to the building before firefighters arrived on the scene. No civilians were injured, but one firefighter was treated at the scene for minor heat illness. The building and vehicle were a total loss, but Brooks says the condition of the inventory has not yet been received.

TYLER — Emergency signal repairs are continuing today at the intersection of Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. A traffic signal pole was damaged Wednesday night by a transport truck hauling salvaged construction materials. Drivers should avoid this intersection and seek alternate routes if practical. Repair is expected to be complete before evening rush hours.