KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 20, 2015. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Motorist traveling through the Loop 323 West Widening project in Tyler can expect delays Sunday afternoon, July 19, when the northbound outside lane closes in preparation for night operations to remove the final section of the old railroad bridge. Night work starts Sunday and will continue for the two or three days required for removal of the structure. Expect varying lane closures between 7:00pm and 6:00am. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to avoid delays. This is an active work zone so use caution. More information on this project is available in the Smith County construction updates portion of this release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

LONGVIEW — Jury Selection starts Today in the trial of a Winona man accused in a 2013 Longview murder. Alejandro Garcia, 23, is charged with the murder of Andres Chavez, 19. The Longview man’s body was found December 23rd, 2013, lying outside a car in the 1100 block of Sabine Street. The autopsy report indicated he died from blunt trauma to the head and sharp force injuries to the neck. Investigators said Chavez may have been lured to his death by a catfish. A catfish is a person who creates a false online identity to pursue an online romance. Garcia had allegedly set up a fake Facebook account. Authorities say he posed as a woman named Monica Ayalin and had several conversations with the victim. According to Facebook posts, Ayalin and Chavez were in a relationship and he believed he was meeting “her” for a date.

AUSTIN (AP) — Four additional counties have been added to the federal disaster declaration for Texans damaged by deadly severe weather that began in early May. The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced that Hood, Madison, Shelby and Wharton counties were added as part of the declaration. There are now residents in 46 counties who can apply for federal disaster assistance. The counties were the ones hardest hit by severe storms, tornadoes, damaging winds and flooding from May 4 to June 19. The disaster assistance for homeowners and renters include aid for rent, temporary housing, home and business repairs, and other disaster-related needs.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man wanted in Smith County has been arrested. Lawson Wayne Weatherby, 35, is charged with theft of property valued less than $20,000 but more than $1,500. He was arrested very early Saturday morning by Longview Police in the 400 block of Meadowview Road. He remains in the Gregg County Jail on a bond of $60,000.

LONGVIEW — An Overton man remains in the Gregg County Jail without bond following his arrest for DWI. Accused of a third or more driving while intoxicated offense is John Allen Mumphrey, 64. The Longview News Journal reports Mumphrey was arrested shortly before 11:30 Friday morning by Gregg County sheriff’s deputies in the 188th District Court.

TYLER — The countdown to the 2015 Texas Rose Festival is officially underway following Friday evening’s kickoff celebration at Tyler’s Willow Brook Country Club. Rose Queen Madeline Wynne says family tradition and the event’s economic impact make it special for her. Madeline told KTBB she’s just the latest in a long line of family members to take part in the festival and that she’s excited to be doing her part. She also pointed out that Tyler’s roses and the festival brought in about $2.3 million to the local economy in 2014. And Madeline took time to thank the festival’s numerous volunteers for their “amazing work” each year. The Rose Festival runs October 15-18. Go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for all the details on his year’s event.

TYLER — Contractors continue efforts to repair damaged roadways and remove debris caused by the unrelenting storms that occurred during the spring. While several roadways have opened to traffic, numerous others are closed or down to one travel lane as repairs are made.

The emergency contract implemented following a May tornado is progressing with the contractor finishing up in Rusk County by early next week and moving to Cherokee County. Drewery Construction of Nacogdoches is in the middle of removing about 45,000 cubic yards of tree debris from state highway rights-of-way, city streets and other areas of the counties impacted by the tornado. The contract is a coordinated effort with the City of Henderson and the counties, and is being overseen by a state monitor and a TxDOT inspector. It is expected to wrap up by the end of the month. Drewery spent the month of June removing debris from another tornado that struck Van and Van Zandt County in May. Meanwhile, the Tyler District continues to monitor numerous emergency road repair contracts necessitated by the stormy spring weather conditions. Continue reading Update On Area Road Repairs Following Storms

GRAPELAND — A Tyler man is being charged in Houston County sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact. Edward Dwaine Justice, 35, was already in jail on drug charges when Grapeland Police filed the new charges on him. Justice is accused of performing sexual acts with an underage girl and molesting a young boy. Records show Justice has been booked into the Smith County Jail on numerous charges since 2002. Among those where two aggravated assault charges in 2009.

KILGORE — Thirty Six young women have become the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team. The announcement was made yesterday morning in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. It culminated a week-long process of 96 hopefuls vying for a coveted position on the 76th Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a line of 72. Known for their high kicks and the jump splits, the organization has traveled around the world, entertained millions and spurred a multi-billion-dollar dance/drill team industry worldwide. Continue reading New Rangerettes Named

LONGVIEW — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is advising motorists traveling through portions of its Atlanta and Tyler districts to be prepared to change their travel routes when a “super load” being transported from the Port of Shreveport to a Longview chemical plant enters Texas on Sunday afternoon. The transport, which left the port this morning, will slow traffic significantly on its route. The load, measuring 275 feet long by 25 feet high and 18 feet wide, is expected to reach U.S. Highway 79 in Panola County at about 1:00pm Sunday, traveling at a maximum of 5 mph. It will travel through Rusk and Gregg counties eventually reaching its destination at 11:00am on Sunday, July 26. Continue reading Wide Load Coming to Longview

WHITEHOUSE — Two Whitehouse police officers under investigation were reinstated and a third fired on Friday and Police Chief Craig Shelton placed on unpaid administrative leave. City attorney Keith Mayo tells KETK Shelton with be allowed 30 days of unpaid leave, beginning Monday. This follows the Whitehouse City Council’s review of a third party investigation into a May 14 incident involving five city employees, including the police chief. Continue reading Whitehouse Police Chief On Unpaid Leave

WHITEHOUSE — Two Whitehouse police officers under investigation were reinstated and a third fired on Friday. According to KETK, Fire Chief and Acting Public Information Officer Madison Johnson says Officer Shawn Johnson was offered the option Thursday to resign or be terminated. The officer had until 9 a.m. to respond, but neither he nor his attorney contacted the city with a decision. He was terminated Friday afternoon. The fire chief also says two officers were brought back to the force, Captain Curtis Dinger and Detective Scott Bradley. Continue reading Two Whitehouse Officers Reinstated, One Fired

NACOGDOCHES — Law enforcement officials have released the names of two people who died in a Thursday murder-suicide in Nacogdoches County. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges says Ira Burgay, 81, shot and killed Dawn Lang, 72, then turned the gun on himself. The two had lived together since 2000. Authorities believe the crime was spontaneous. It’s not yet known what led to the shooting. Shortly after 4 p.m., a 911 caller reported receiving a text from a man on FM 138 near Garrison, who claimed he had killed his wife, according to Bridges. Responding deputies found two people dead when they entered the home’s living room. Justice of the Peace Dorothy Thompson sent the bodies for autopsy. The deaths remain under investigation.

JACKSONVILLE — A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Monday, July 20, at 12 noon in Cherokee County. KETK reports the center is for homeowners, renters, and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 4 to June 19. Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community will be on hand. Officials say the specialists will answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. Services are provided in English and Spanish. Continue reading Disaster Recovery Center to Open in Jacksonville

QUITMAN — A Quitman mother accused of murdering her two children was indicted on two counts of injury to a child on Thursday. KETK reports the new charges have an offense date listed as January 1, 2013. It’s not known what the incident involved. Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels is already facing two counts of capital murder. Those charges were leveled after Quitman police responded last July to reports of two young children who were not breathing and would not wake up. When authorities arrived, they found two girls, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. It was determined the children died from blunt force trauma. The bond set on the injury to a child is $50,000 for each charge.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials have identified the victims of a Friday morning Smith County crash. According to KETK, the deceased was Brodi Marsh, 20, of Lindale, and the injured victim is Jennifer Hurd, 36, of Tyler. According to the preliminary DPS report, Hurd was traveling west along FM 2767 and tried to turn left onto FM 850. Hurd turned in front of a City of Tyler solid waste truck and was hit. Hurd was taken to a local hospital, but Marsh died at the scene. The driver of the city truck was not immediately identified.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety after a wreck that left one person dead. According to KETK, it happened in the 3500 block of Farm to Market Road 2767. Officials said a City of Tyler solid waste truck collided with a car. Details are limited at this time.

GILMER — An Upshur County man has been arrested by Gregg County authorities on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Being held on a $150,000 bond is Jacob Levi Boaze, 44, of Diana. He is said to have assaulted an 8 year old boy numerous times over a one year period. The last time it was said to have occured was back in January. Boaze was arrested Wednesday night on Mary Lawson Road. He was later turned over to Upshur County authorities and booked into the Upshur County Jail early Thursday morning.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for murder. The Longview News-Journal reports Jason Stevens Rand was sentenced for his role in the 2013 death of James Cherry Jr., 28. Also charged in Cherry’s death is Oriel Alexander, who has been released from jail on bond.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview, the Longview Police Department, and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office announce this year’s National Night Out (NNO) event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6. Authorities say all Longview and Gregg County residents are encouraged to participate by hosting an NNO party in their neighborhood. The parties are designed to promote neighborhood alliances that strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas, according to officials. If you can’t host a party, you’re asked to find one in your area to attend. A kickoff event is set for September 1. Go to http://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=183 to learn more.

QUITMAN — A Mineola man has been indicted in Wood County on twelve counts of theft of property from a grave. KETK reports Chad Hennessey is accused of stealing brass headstone markers — many from deceased veterans — in mid-April. Authorities became aware of the thefts when they were tipped off that a man had been stealing brass from two cemeteries. Evidence eventually led to Hennessey, who was arrested on a parole warrant. Officials said 11 of the 12 markers belonged to veterans. The suspect’s bonds total $300,000.

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing teenager. KETK reports Cheyenne Cantrell is a white 15-year-old female who stands 5′ 4″-5’7″ tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds. She has strawberry-blonde hair with blue eyes and has a a scar above her right knee and on her left arm from surgical pins. She was last seen Saturday at approximately 3:00 a.m., wearing a white tank top with a black overshirt, faded denim shorts, and brown square-toe cowboy boots. She has ties to Terrell, Van, Ben Wheeler, Tyler and Henderson. Cantrell was last seen with three males from the Ben Wheeler area whose names will not be released at this time, according to officials. Any information on her whereabouts should be forwarded to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office 903-567-4133.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a drive-by shooting. Police received a 9-1-1 call on Patton Drive just before 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. A car drove by and shots were fired at a house. The homeowner is said to have stepped outside and fired shots at the driver. No one was injured. When police arrived, both shooters had left the scene.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is holding an open house today to update the public on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The event is set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tyler Development Center, 423 W. Ferguson St. in Tyler. The Tyler Area MPO is responsible for transportation planning within the Tyler Metropolitan Area, which includes Tyler, Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Whitehouse and Bullard. The purpose of the TIP is to list the transportation improvements that are scheduled to be implemented during the 2015 through the 2018 fiscal years, according to a news release. Continue reading Open House Today on Transportation Improvement Program Update

LONGVIEW — Longview police say they’re investigating several reports of two white males presenting themselves to elderly people as city of Longview employees — including one case that led to a theft. Police say in two cases the citizens did not believe them and denied them access to their homes. However, in the third case the victim allowed the men to come in and “inspect” her home. According to police, one of the suspects distracted the victim, allowing the second suspect to take valuables from the victim. The suspects are said to be driving a gray or tan Chevrolet truck. If you have any information on the possible identity of either suspect call Longview Police at 903-237-1199. Continue reading Items Taken from Home by Men Posing as City Employees

WHITEHOUSE — With the close of a third-party investigation into a May incident involving several Whitehouse city employees, a timeline has developed for actions expected to be taken this week. According to KETK, City Attorney Keith Mayo says Interim City Manager Stefani Wright will make a decision by Friday on what action to take in regard to Police Chief Craig Shelton’s job. Mayo added he believes the city has enough evidence to take action prior to the outcome of a criminal investigation by the Texas Rangers. Continue reading Timeline Develops for Actions Regarding Whitehouse City Employees

ANGELINA COUNTY — Several suspected drug dealers are arrested on numerous charges. Officials said on July 14, a combined task force, including federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, began executing arrest warrants for numerous suspects indicted after a two year investigation into trafficking methamphetamine in East Texas. Five individuals were arrested as a result. Ruben Enriquez, 42, Agustin Enriquez, 48, and Alonso Enriquez, 33 all of Diboll, along with Jorge Enriquez, 33 and Douglas Wayne Williams, 40, both of Lufkin were indicted on federal drug and firearms violations. Continue reading Five East Texans Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges