KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — A water line break on the city’s south side has prompted Marshall officials to advise residents in the affected area to boil water. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the line break is affecting as many as 3,000 customers in these areas:

South of University Avenue, and south of Johnson Street.
West of Highway 59 southward to the city limits.

Until further notice, customers in those areas are being asked to boil water used in cooking or for consumption. The city also recommends boiling for any customer who experienced low water pressure or no water. Officials were asking all residents to conserve water. Continue reading Boil Water Notice Issued after “Major” Water Line Break in Marshall

TYLER — Last summer, grasshoppers covered East Texas, devastating many hay fields across the area. And KETK reports that according to some, this year might even be worse. For the most part they can only keep these pests at bay the best they can, and many have had to resort to cutting their hay early to avoid a loss. Continue reading Grasshoppers Infesting East Texas Again

KILGORE — A man has been arrested after authorities say he had sexual relations with a minor who was high on methamphetamine. KETK reports Christopher Dale Temple, 33, of Kilgore, was arrested for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old that reportedly happened in May. Temple has a lengthy rap sheet in the Gregg County Judicial system, including burglary, assault, possession of marijuana, and criminal mischief. Continue reading Officials: Man Had Sex with Minor Who Was High on Meth

TYLER – A 64-year-old woman who lived and worked in Longview has been sentenced to federal prison in an embezzlement case. Jo Beth Westergard pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud and was then sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge John D. Love of Tyler. Westergard was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $425,323.45 to Pizza Hut of East Texas. Continue reading Woman Sentenced for Embezzling $425,000 from Pizza Business

TYLER — Now through Wednesday, July 17, the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department will provide free residential hand pick up of brush that resulted from Thursday’s storm. All limbs and brush must be placed at the curb and be less than eight feet in length and less than six inches in diameter. Residential Solid Waste crews will work on Saturday to pick up the debris. “Tyler Solid Waste typically provides free brush pick up for our residential customers if the debris is bundled,” said Russ Jackson, Solid Waste manager. “However, because of the storm on Thursday, we will temporarily pick up larger debris from residential customers at no additional cost.” If your brush does not meet the guidelines listed above, call the Tyler Solid Waste office at (903) 531-1388.

TYLER — An East Texan has been found guilty of continued sexual abuse of a child. Smith County prosecutors say Joseph Edward Sullivan began the abuse in 2010, when his victim was just 9 years old. KETK reports he was arrested in 2011. Sullivan’s punishment will be determined August 2. He faces 25 years to life in prison.

NACOGDOCHES — Two Center men were jailed after Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputies busted them for meth. The men were pulled over for speeding along the Loop. Deputies tell KETK both appeared nervous and gave conflicting stories when asked why they were in Nacogdoches County. Authorities say ten grams of meth was discovered during a search of their vehicle. 30-year-old Donald Wayne Lee 30 and 29- year-old Thomas Justin Brown were both arrested and face felony drug charges.

TYLER — Tyler public school employees will be getting a little extra in their paychecks. KETK reports the school board approved those raises Thursday. This will increase the starting salary for new teachers. It will also increase pay for current teachers and staffers by four to five percent. Superintendent Gary Mooring (pictured) says cuts to education funding prevented them from giving raises for three years, but things are looking up. According to Mooring, “This time money coming into the state was much better and they reinstated funding which allowed us to come back and do pay raises this year.” Mooring says this will help the district retain employees and be competitive with other districts.

NEW LONDON — At a West Rusk senior award event, a man named Robert Jordan announced that a friend of his would pay for all the graduating seniors’ tuition at East Texas Baptist University, and would also for every graduating class after that. But the problem is the money has not come in. KETK reports the deadline for the first payment is July 31st, and they have had no personal contact with Nicholas J. Sturghill, the man Jordan says is the benefactor. Continue reading West Rusk Families Still Waiting for Promised Money for ETBU Scholarships

TYLER — Jonathan MacClements, MD, professor and chair of family medicine at UT Health Northeast, has received the Regents Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System Board of Regents. This is the second year that faculty at the six UT health institutions have been eligible for the award. Dr. MacClements is one of just 39 faculty members from these health institutions to receive the 2013 award. Continue reading UT Health Northeast’s MacClements Receives Outstanding Teaching Award

LONGVIEW — A Longview man, accused of a string of burglaries, has been arrested at a friend’s apartment. Joshua Terry Brown, 30, was chased by police into an apartment complex after they saw him in the process of a burglary. Investigators say brown has admitted to burglaries at the Hot Dog Express in the 100 block of Marshall Avenue, Gold Exchange also in the 100 block of Marshall Avenue and Blackaller Engineering in the 2800 block of Bill Owens Parkway. He has been charged with four counts of burglary of a building and is being held in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $20,000.

TYLER — For the second straight year, the University of Texas at Tyler 2013 Patriot Classic posted a record. Patriot Classic volunteers presented the university with a check for $200,269.69 to benefit the UT Tyler scholarship program. This is the largest amount raised in the fundraiser’s 27-year history. “We are grateful to all of the volunteers and participants of this year’s event. Seventy-two percent of our students apply for some type of financial assistance, and these proceeds fund an endowment that provides permanent scholarship funding to UT Tyler students,” said school president Rodney Mabry. Continue reading UT Tyler Patriot Classic Sets Fundraising Record

LONGVIEW — Longview officials continue to monitor the local mosquito population, with an eye on West Nile virus. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, crews are continuing to spot-spray. The current practice is to check mosquito traps one by one. If there are more than 50 potentially West Nile-carrying Culex mosquitoes in a trap, crews will spot-spray the area, but there are no plans yet to go city-wide.

LONGVIEW — Texas Bank and Trust employees and customers have reported that an email scam has been circulating in recent days. According to KETK, Longview Police say that the email is likely part of a widespread scam aimed at additional banks, employees, and customers. The original email had a link in the attachment which you should not open due to possible malicious software viruses. Continue reading Scam Targets Bank Customers

LONGVIEW — Longview Police are searching for two unknown men they say were involved in a scam on July 2. KETK reports one of the men, a white male, started a conversation with the victim and eventually asked her if he could buy some gas for her. Another man, a black male, driving a blue four-door passenger car waited nearby for the other man. Continue reading Police Seek Men Involved in Scam

LONGVIEW — The head of the Humane Society of Northeast Texas in Longview said Wednesday the agency fielded two reports this past week that animals have been taken from residents by men posing as either humane society or animal control officers. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Humane Society Executive Director Scott Holloway said the first report was taken June 29. The Humane Society’s relocation manager says the caller told her that men came to her house, said they were with the humane society foster unit, that they’d had complaints and were taking her dogs. Officials point out that the Humane Society does not come and take people’s animals. Continue reading Longview Animal Shelter Fields Dognapping Calls

GILMER — Before a custody hearing Wednesday at the Upshur County Courthouse in Gilmer, an agreement was reached between the animal owner, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, and the SPCA of Texas for the animal owner to relinquish ownership of 27 animals. That’s according to KETK. The allegedly cruelly treated dogs, including ten puppies, were seized from a Gilmer residence by the SPCA. The animals will now be individually evaluated for potential adoption or placement on a case by case basis. Continue reading SPCA Gets Custody of Seized Animals

CENTER — The town of Center will no longer have a hospital after the Shelby Regional Medical Center’s agreement with Medicare/Medicaid was terminated on Wednesday. According to a statement from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, the cause of the termination was the hospital’s failure to meet minimum health and safety standards required for Medicare program participation. The closing of the hospital will force Shelby County citizens to drive over 20 miles for emergency medical care. In April of this year, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the indictment of the hospital’s owner, Tarick Mahmood, on seven counts of health care fraud.

LONGVIEW — In its seventh season of bringing a variety of entertainment to East Texas, LeTourneau University’s S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center announces its 2013-2014 Performance Series schedule, featuring a diverse lineup of shows. Continue reading Belcher Center Announces 2013-2014 Schedule

LONGVIEW — Longview police are requesting public assistance identifying a suspect still at large. Police say that on June 13, an unknown black female attempted to withdraw money from a bank account at a local bank. The suspect used a driver’s license that had been tampered with. Anyone with information about the identity of this individual is asked to contact Detective Brizxy Lewis at 903-237-1199. To provide further information on this or any other suspect, contact the Longview Police Dept. You can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER — Assistant Tyler Police Chief Diannia Jackson is retiring after 29 years on the police force. Her retirement ceremony was held Thursday afternoon at the Tyler Police Department. Assistant Chief Jackson started her career with the Tyler Police Department in 1984 as a dispatcher. She joined the ranks as a Police Officer in 1987. She worked as detective in charge of Juvenile Crimes before being promoted to Sergeant in 1995. She was the Public Information Officer for the department for two years. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 1998 and worked as patrol commander for all three shifts, and the Community Response Team. Assistant Chief Jackson is retiring as commander of the Patrol Division, overseeing uniformed patrol officers, traffic officers, honor guard, and recruiting, and training personnel. Continue reading Assistant Tyler Police Chief Retiring

TYLER — UT Health Northeast professor Jeffrey Levin, MD, (pictured) recently received the Marcus Key Award from the Texas College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (TxCOEM). In addition, a poster by several UT Health medical professionals about a new way to manage emergency room (ER) patients who don’t need emergency care won first prize at the annual meeting of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) in San Antonio. Continue reading Honors for UT Health Northeast Professor

MARSHALL — The new Interm Provost at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall is Dr. Lawrence E Ressler. The appointment was announced by university president Dr. Dub Oliver. “I am very pleased to have Dr. Ressler join the ETBU community during this interim period. He has a wealth of experience and his background in academics will provide the leadership we need for our academic programs,” said Dr. Oliver. Dr. Ressler will serve as interim provost from July 29, 2013 through April 2014. He comes to ETBU from Taylor University and will serve as interim provost due to the departure of former provost Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, who recently accepted the position of President at Huntington University in Indiana. “The decision to hire an interim will allow ETBU time to conduct a national search to fill this important position,” Oliver commented. Continue reading New Interim Provost at East Texas Baptist University

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of July have grown 4.67% as compared to July 2012. According to the Texas Comptroller, this indicates that the city’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of July have grown 4.67% as compared to July 2012, resulting in a cumulative fiscal year-to-date increase of 3.99%. “We are pleased to see this positive trend in our sales tax revenues,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “While not the average of 7 percent annual growth we saw prior to the recession a few years back, it is very encouraging that our local economy continues to show signs of strengthening.” Continue reading City Sales Tax Figures Up 4.67%

TYLER – A Smith County patrol deputy has been arrested on two counts of narcotics distribution, a federal violation. A criminal complaint from the U.S. District Court also alleges that suspect Kimbrick Bernard Jones was armed during both drug transactions in question. Wednesday morning at around 5:00, Sheriff Larry Smith led members of the Sheriff’s Office, and was joined by the FBI, Department of Public Safety Troopers, and Texas Rangers, in arresting Jones, 38. Jones’ employment with the Sheriff’s Office was terminated immediately, and he is now in federal custody. Continue reading Sheriff Announces Arrest of Patrol Deputy

CANTON — Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney Chris Martin and Van Zandt County Sheriff Michael Lindsey Ray report that a county wide sex offender compliance check was conducted on July 10 in order to verify registration compliance on the county’s 116 registered sex offenders. The check was conducted by approximately fifty officers representing the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway Patrol and Criminal Investigations Division, the United States Marshal’s Service, Van Zandt County Constables Offices, and the Van City Marshal’s Office. Continue reading Registered Sex Offender Compliance Check in Van Zandt County

NORFOLK, Va. — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has sent what it terms “an urgent plea” to Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham calling on him to vigorously prosecute Seagoville resident Martha Romagnoli and Tyler resident Jose Cedillo. Romagnoli and Cedillo face cruelty-to-animals charges stemming from the alleged May 2012 discovery and subsequent seizure from Romagnoli’s Tyler property of three horses, two goats, and a donkey. PETA claims the animals were underweight and apparently languishing without adequate food or water. Reportedly, a dead colt was also found on the property, and two of the horses had to be euthanized. Continue reading PETA Demands Jail Time for Pair if Convicted

TYLER — Authorities in Smith County have issued their after-action report from their most recent multi-agency No-Refusal DWI campaign, July 4th through July 6th. DPS had 6 DWI arrests, Tyler PD had 2, and Bullard PD had 1. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office had 1 BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) arrest. Along with that, DPS obtained 3 search warrants for blood. This is a grand total of 10 DWI/BWI arrests with 3 (30%) search warrants obtained. .

TYLER — Texas Railroad Commissioner David Porter recognized the City of Tyler for its use of natural gas vehicles Wednesday by presenting a check for $142,761 at the Tyler City Council meeting. “I am very pleased that the City of Tyler has led the way in east Texas in saving thousands of dollars on fuel and operating costs by using Texas-produced natural gas instead of imported oil,” Commissioner Porter said. “Not only do these natural gas vehicles save money and reduce dependency on foreign oil, they are reducing exhaust soot by 99 percent, which is good for the environment and our children.” Continue reading Railroad Commissioner Recognizes Tyler for Natural Gas Vehicle Use

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted Wednesday to approve a reimbursement development agreement with The Retail Connection for public land and public improvements. As part of an unprecedented new retail development at South Broadway and Toll 49, the City of Tyler would obtain land to be used for construction of a hotel conference center expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Tyler each year. “This is an incredibly unique opportunity for Tyler,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass (pictured). “In fact, it has been called a once in a lifetime chance to bring more than $80 million in private investment to Tyler in one development. This investment is in addition to the hotel planned to be built with private funding adjacent to a City owned conference center.” Continue reading Tyler Commits to Location for Hotel and Conference Center