KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 15 between Troup and the Rusk County Line. Elsewhere, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 in Red Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County volunteer firefighters were out in force Saturday, raising funds for injured Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley. They passed the helmets at intersections around the county, and raised $30,000, which will go toward his recovery and expenses. Yeakley was critically burned while battling a house fire last month. He has already undergone two skin graft surgeries at Dallas’s Parkland Hospital but still has several more to go. There’s no timeline on how long Yeakley will remain hospitalized, but the Lindale community and others are rallying around his recovery. Several benefits are already lined up in Lindale in the coming months. You can find out the many ways you can help by going to the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindale-Fire-Department/271420960613

CARTHAGE (AP) — An East Texas judge has sealed documents that could lead to a sentencing change in a murder case that inspired Richard Linklater’s film “Bernie.” The Longview News-Journal reports state District Judge Charles Dickerson recused himself from a murder case against Bernie Tiede after sealing the writ of habeas corpus. Such documents allow a defendant to air grievances such as ineffective legal representation or new evidence. Dickerson represented the estate of Marjorie Nugent. Tiede was convicted of killing the 81-year-old woman and keeping her body in a freezer for nine months. A hearing has been set for Wednesday in Carthage in Tiede’s case. If the new judge decides arguments in the case need resolution, the case will go to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

LUFKIN — A head on collision just north of Lufkin has killed one driver and injured another. The accident happened around 5:30 Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 69. Killed was Charles Motes , 69, of Lufkin. The Department of Public Safety reports Motes south bound car drifted into the north bound lane and collided with a car driven by Josh Huddleston, 20, of Pollok. He was hospitalized with minor injuries.

NACOGDOCHES — What started as a routine traffic stop in Nacogdoches turned into a drug bust. The car was stopped in the 400 block of Northwest Loop 224. According to a news release from the police department, when officers searched the vehicle they found about 20 pounds of marijuana and a handgun. Arrested was the car’s driver, Luis Torres, Jr., 19, of Smyrna, Georgia, and his passengers, Pedro Santiesteban, 25, of South Bend, Indiana, and Christina Garza, 18 of Houston.

TYLER — Beginning Saturday, Smith County property owners who still haven’t made their property tax payments will have to pay extra. Friday was the last day to get those payments in free of extra charges. KETK reports that starting February 1, you’ll have to pay penalties and interest on any unpaid amount. The county does accept partial payments.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada has cleared a significant hurdle after the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction. The department’s report was released Friday. It says Canadian tar sands are likely to be developed regardless of U.S. action on the pipeline and other options to get the oil from western Canada to Texas Gulf Coast refineries are worse for the environment. The southern leg of the pipeline runs through much of East Texas, including part of eastern Smith County; it began transporting oil earlier this year. Continue reading Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Clears Significant Hurdle

LONGVIEW — Longview Animal Control and the Humane Society are considering pursuing an animal cruelty case after a dog was dropped off with an embedded collar. KETK reports Nickolas was brought into the Humane Society of Northeast Texas Thursday, with the embedded collar almost reaching his trachea. An infection had set in causing swelling up to his head. Nickolas has injuries to his body, not particularly indicating the results of fighting, and an ear closed up due to infection, according to officials. Despite all the torment the dog has allegedly gone through, Humane Society staffers say he is totally people-friendly, gives his paw to shake hands on command, grins at you, and has a wonderful personality. Nickolas was due for treatment Friday.

KILGORE — Kilgore restaurants are one step closer to selling mixed drinks without restrictions. KETK reports a petition to eliminate the private club law got its needed 1,200 signatures and was turned in at City Hall. Now Kilgore’s city council will bring it to a vote. If approved, the measure moves to a ballot, with Kilgore voters getting the final say. If the measure does head to the ballot, voters will make their choice in May.

LONGVIEW — Partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and supported by Longview Partners in Prevention the Longview Police Department conducted some off-premise minor stings Wednesday between 4 and 8 p.m. A total of 48 locations were checked. Police say seven alcohol retailers sold an alcoholic beverage to a minor. Continue reading Police: Seven Local Stores Sell to Minors During Recent Sting

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas will host an open house for its new spay/neuter clinic and the formal launch of its SNIPPET program on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at 3405 NNE Loop 323 in Tyler. A lunch buffet catered by Fresh will be served, and tours of the clinic will be conducted. The SPCA of East Texas received an $85,000 equipment grant coupled with a $10,000 training grant from PetSmart Charities for the outfitting of the surgery suite with what’s termed brand new state-of-the-art equipment. S.N.I.P.P.E.T. stands for Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership Project of East Texas. It’s focusing on the reduction of unwanted litters in the community, which in turn brings down the homeless pet overpopulation and the extremely high rate of euthanasia by local animal control agencies, according to an SPCA news release. Continue reading SPCA to Hold Open House for Grand Opening of New Spay/Neuter Clinic

HENDERSON — A suspected bandit who reportedly tried making his getaway on two wheels is behind bars in Henderson. KETK reports the armed robbery happened just before 1:00 Wednesday afternoon at the Rite Track convenience store on Highway 79. Police say 40-year-old Ellis Kitchen pulled a gun and demanded cash from the clerk. The clerk handed over the cash, and police say Kitchen took off on his bicycle but was caught a short time later.

WOOD COUNTY — Early morning fires caused big destruction Friday morning and shut down Highway 80 eastbound for several hours, just outside of Mineola. According to Mineola Fire Chief David Madsen, the fires broke out around 4:00 a.m. Friday and crews were called to the 2000 block of East Highway 80, near the East Loop 564 overpass. A brick home, mobile home, and a couple of cars were destroyed as a result of the blazes. Luckily, there were no injuries. Chief Madsen tells KETK he is not sure what caused the fires and it is unclear whether or not state officials will investigate the incident.

BEAUMONT – Two suspects from Nacogdoches and one from Mineola were named as a task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement began arresting 32 defendants charged with RICO and immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Houston Thursday. Among those charged in the indictment are Zeng Yu Huang, 50, of Mineola; Selena Ling Feng, 37, of Nacogdoches; and Zongxian Zhu, 41, of Nacogdoches. Continue reading Three East Texans Named in Human Smuggling Ring

ALBA — The Alba Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two suspects connected with the theft of tractors from a local business. KETK reports two Kubota M7060 tractors with front end loaders were stolen from Alba Tractor on Highway 69 at around 8:30 Tuesday night. Surveillance video shows two men cutting the lock off of the gate, entering the property and loading one tractor onto a trailer. They returned about four and half hours later to steal a second one. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the City of Alba Police Department at 903-765-3300 or Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274). If your information leads to the identification of the persons responsible for this theft, you may be eligible to receive up to $1,000.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to 99 years in prison after being found guilty of felony DWI. KETK reports that according to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office, Esaw Lampkin, 45, was given his sentence after the jury heard he had four prior DWI convictions and nine prior felony convictions. The trial was conducted in the 124th District Court and was presided over by Judge Alfonso Charles. Chris Botto and Chris Parker represented the state.

TYLER — A Tyler woman has died after being hit by a pickup. The accident occurred in the 1400 block of East Gentry Parkway Shortly before 7:00 yesterday morning. Died, after being taken to a Tyler hospital, was Minerba Esmeralda Moreno-Barron, 35. Police say she was crossing the road heading from west to east when she was hit in the inside southbound lane. Investigators say she was not using the crosswalk that was provided for pedestrian traffic approximately 90 feet away from where she was hit. The pickup’s driver, Esteban Segura Cruz, 42, of Tyler, was not cited since he was found not to be at fault.

LONGVIEW — A General Election for City of Longview City Council Districts 3 and 4 will be held on Saturday, May 10. Candidates may file an application for a place on the ballot between January 29 and February 28. The last day for a regular write-in candidate to declare candidacy for the General Election is February 28, 2014. Candidates may file during normal office hours at the City of Longview City Secretary’s office, located at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St. As of January 29, Kasha Williams has filed to run in District 3, and Kristen Ishihara has done likewise in District 4. For more information about the City of Longview General Election, visit http://www.LongviewTexas.gov or contact the City Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1080.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated another significant milestone in its history with a preliminary enrollment of 7,193 for spring 2014, President Rodney H. Mabry, announced. This is the first time UT Tyler has surpassed the 7,000 mark during a spring semester. Last spring, the total headcount was 6,581. “We are excited to see such strong growth for the spring semester. We are among the fastest growing universities in Texas, and it speaks to the quality of our institution that our numbers continue to rise. I am proud of our dedicated faculty and staff, who strive to make UT Tyler a place where students can feel comfortable and be successful,” President Mabry said. Continue reading UT Tyler Spring Enrollment over 7,000

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police they’ve got the goods against the suspected gunman in a Monday morning killing. KETK reports they found the gun they believe 36-year-old Decobie Durden used to kill 32-year-old Deveston Flemon and 33-year-old William Cole. The gun was discovered in a stand of trees near where the shooting occcurred at the Eastwood Terrace Apartments off Santa Fe Place. Durden is charged with capital murder, and the case is headed to the district attorney for prosecution.

NACOGDOCHES — Two Lufkin men are now behind bars in Nacogdoches after deputies conducted a 6 hours manhunt for the two men. According to KETK, a call came in at 9:00 Tuesday night regarding a drive-by shooting at Hills drive-thru on Highway 59 South n Nacogdoches County. Two Hispanic males reportedly shot at a man and woman who were outside the store in the process of closing the business. Both suspects fled the scene on Highway 59 in a black Honda. Continue reading Two Arrested After East Texas Drive-By

TENAHA — An Amber Alert has been discontinued three children believed to have been abducted over the weekend. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports Ivan Alvarado, 3, his 16-year-old sister, Viviana Alvarado, and her 1-year-old daughter, Paola Alvarado, have been found safe and sound. No other information was available. The Three were reported missing at 9:00 Sunday morning from the 1100 block of County Road 4249 in Tenaha.

TYLER – The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas handed out honors at its 2014 Awards Ceremony Wednesday at the Ornelas Activity Center in Tyler. The agency presented the BBB Awards for Excellence to three companies and announced two scholarships. The BBB said the winners “exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations; toward their employees, vendors, customers, and within their community.” Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges. Continue reading BBB Announces Awards, Scholarship Recipients

RUSK COUNTY — Two Rusk County water services have issued boil water notices. KETK reports Good Springs Water Company in Henderson issued an immediate boil water notification late Wednesday afternoon for residents who live north of County Road 406-A after a water line broke. Earlier, South Rusk County Water Supply put out the word that it had experienced a water outage in New Salem, Fairview, Glenfawn, and Anadarko. If you have experienced this outage, you are advised to boil your water prior to consumption. Both notifications are in effect until further notice.

TYLER — Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital (LPOHH) at Mother Frances Hospital Tyler has been named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics. Truven Health Analytics is a a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare, according to a news release from Mother Frances. Continue reading Louis and Peaches Own Heart Hospital Honored

TYLER — Three people have officially filed to run for Tyler city office in the May 2014 election. Current District 4 Councilmember Martin Heines (pictured) submitted the papers in his thus-far unopposed bid for the mayor’s seat. Current Mayor Barbara Bass is stepping down due to term limits. Small business owner Eleno Licea and oil and gas professional Don Warren filed for Heines’s District 4 post. No one else has announced plans to run for that position this spring.

JACKSONVILLE — A woman remains hospitalized, and the case remains under investigation, after a stabbing in Jacksonville on Saturday. On Wednesday, Jacksonville Police identified the victim as Alinda Bronson, 54. According to KETK, she reportedly suffered a stab would to her side. Bronson is still under medical supervision, but authorities would not comment on her condition. The stabbing is believed to be the result of a domestic dispute that happened just before 6:00 Saturday evening. Police took L.T. Whitaker, Jr., 39, into custody at the scene of the stabbing on North Bolton Street. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its 2014 Business Expo todau till 5 p.m. at Harvey Convention Center. Organizers say the event “gives Tyler area businesses the perfect opportunity to exhibit their latest services and products.” According to information from the Chamber, businesses and consumers are targeted, with over 5,000 attending each year. The stated purpose of the free event is to showcase local business, promote buying goods and services locally, and offer business networking.

SMITH COUNTY — A space heater is reportedly the cause of a fire that destroyed a northeastern Smith County mobile home. It happened around 1:00 Wednesday afternoon on County Road 3111. Authorities told KETK crews on scene that a disabled man lived in the mobile home and used a space heater near his bed. The heater was too close to the bedding, causing the mattress to catch fire, according to initial reports from authorities. The man was not injured. Assistant Smith County Fire Marshal Oren Hale says space heater fires are common this time of year. He encourages residents to be cautious when using them to heat their homes.