KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 17, 2017. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

The SH 64 resurfacing project continues from Loop 323 to just west of the Tyler Pounds Airport. Seal coat operations kick off Monday, July 17, and include lane closures with possible delays for traffic. Motorists are urged to avoid the area if at all possible during this work. Flaggers will provide traffic control. More project information is available in the Smith County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of July 17

SMITH COUNTY — A child was taken to Children’s Hospital following a near drowning at Lake Tyler. According to KETK, it happened around 4:00 Sunday afternoon at Hill Creek Park in Whitehouse. Responding emergency crews said by the time they had arrived, the child had been pulled from the water but was not fully alert. She was taken to a Tyler hospital, then transported to Dallas as a precaution. As of Sunday evening, the toddler remained hospitalized.

TYLER — Rose Festival Queen Emily Kaye Evans is excited about this year’s 84th annual event, set for October 19-22. At Friday night’s Festival Kickoff, Emily told KTBB, “I’ve seen the full costume, which is very exciting for me, and I’ve met so many wonderful girls that have come in from out of town.” She added, “I’ve really enjoyed learning more about what the Rose Festival really means to the community, and the sense of pride and all.” A key purpose of the kickoff is to honor the Festival volunteers. Emily remarked, “This would not be possible without any of them, and I am very grateful for all that they’ve done — what they’re continuing to do every year.” The Rose Festival is Tyler’s annual salute to the local rose industry. Go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police continue to investigate a fatal accident at Estes Parkway and I-20. According to the LPD Facebook page, around 11:45 Saturday night, a Chevy Silverado truck left the westbound lane of I-20. It reportedly fell from the roadway and hit a stationary train below and caught fire. Nelda Holland Cooper, 77, Troup, was identified as the victim via partial VIN number. West bound I-20 was closed for several hours. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has received the 2017 Local Health Department of the Year Award, medium category. It was handed out in the annual conference of the National Association of City and County Health Officials in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In a statement to CCDPH Executive Director Christopher Taylor, NACCHO officials said that the Jacksonville based county health department “stood out . . . by showing creativity, innovation, sufficient evidence of outcomes and impact on the community, with partners, community and key stakeholders.”

SEVEN POINTS – A warrant arrest in Henderson County has resulted in additional charges against Billy Charles Hogue Jr., 32, of Tool. A deputy saw him walking along Highway 274 in the Seven Points area. Knowing he had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance against him, the deputy arrested Hogue. He was then said to have found on him suspected methamphetamine. Hogue was also charged with a new charge of possession of a controlled substance. He remains in the Henderson County Jail.

TYLER – Arrests have been made in connection with gas skimmers that has turned up in Tyler and Smith County. At a news conference in Tyler today, it was announced five persons have been arrested in the Houston area in connection with the cases. And additional arrests are expected. The arrests follows an investigation that started in April of last year. It was conducted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. And it is not just a local problem. The large scale organized crime investigation has found victims all the way from Maryland to Utah. Continue reading Arrests Made From Skimmers in East Texas

TYLER- The city of Tyler wants to know what you think of front yard fences. The city is taking a survey to find out what residents feel about physical design alternatives for front yard fences. Such a survey is often used when designing zoning codes, planning redevelopment, and conducting urban planning research. The survey is online and will be open through July 28. All responses are anonymous. But, your input will assist the City in their review of the existing front yard fence regulations. You can go to Tyler-pz-dot-org to take the survey.

KILGORE – Three dozen young ladies have been named Kilgore College Rangerettes. The announcement was made this morning in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. It brings to an end a week-long process of 89 candidates vying for a spot on the 2017-18 Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 72. Among the new members of the squad is a student from Abilene and another one from Edinburg, which is north of McAllen. Continue reading New Rangerettes Announced

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Authorities have released the name of the pilot killed in a private twin-engine plane crash Thursday morning near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The pilot, William Robert Walls, 62, Huntsville, and passenger, Trevor Morris, 39, Murchison, both died at the scene. Walls was a retired Southwest Airlines pilot. Morris (pictured) was the lead Pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. He leaves behind a wife and five children. According to KETK, he was also the General Manager at Burton Oil Service Operations in Midland. City officials said the plane left from Tyler around 8:00 Thursday morning. The Tyler Police Department, Tyler and Dixie Fire Departments, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Smith County Emergency Services District all assisted in the search. ETMC Air 1 was also at the scene. The Department of Public Safety has taken over the investigation. The FAA is also investigating the crash.

LONGVIEW – A Longview burglar is heading to prison. Detric Deshawn Sheffield, 31, was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary. Last September, officers answered a suspicious person call. They saw a man coming from the back of a home on Lane Wells Drive. He was carrying what appeared to be a duffel bag and a back pack. He grabbed a bicycle and fled. He later abandoned the bike and fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later.

GILMER – An Upshur County man has received a lengthy prison sentence for the death of his grandson. Randell Jay Phillips, 42, of Big Sandy, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the death of 2 year old Skylar Rabourn. The youngster died last October when Phillips’ vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The boy, who was unrestrained in the front seat, was trapped under the dashboard of the vehicle. He as pronounced dead at the scene. Phillips was charged with murder the case because of his prior DWI convictions in Gregg County. Over three hours after the fatal crash, his blood alcohol level was still two times the legal limit.

SAN FRANCISCO – Children’s clothing retailer Gymboree is announcing the stores it plans to close as it restructures in bankruptcy. The company said it is aiming to slash its debts and close hundreds of stores amid crushing pressure on retailers. When it filed for bankruptcy protection last month, the business announced it could close up to 450 stores. They have now qannounced they will close 350 of their over 12-hundred stores. They have 20 stores in Texas. While stores in the Metroplex, Houston and El Paso are on the closings list. The Tyler store in the Broadway Square Mall will remain open.

TYLER- The Tyler city council has approved a long-range master plan for the Rose Garden Complex. The approval follows 10 months of work on the proposal. Under 20 to 25 year plan, Harvey Hall would be demolished and a new one built. Some of the existing fair buildings will be demolished and replaced with a single multi-use building. The plan also calls for a sports museum. The long range plan calls for extending Houston Street to Parkdale Drive and closing off a portion of Lyons Avenue at Front Street. The city council called for a traffic study before the traffic changes are implemented.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The body of a 2005 Spring Hill High School graduate was found in a ditch in northeast Oklahoma City on Monday. According to KETK and KFOR, the body of Ashley Easton, 30, was found near a burning vehicle that was involved in a crash. Authorities say Easton had injuries consistent with homicide. When the fire was extinguished, police say the body of a male was found in the vehicle. Authorities determined the male was dead prior to the crash and the vehicle catching fire. Officials also say the man’s body had homicide-related injuries. Authorities believe the driver of the vehicle left the scene of the crash and is still at large. No arrests have been made, but police are urging anyone with information to call the homicide tip-line at 405-297-1200.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was taken into custody Wednesday morning after he allegedly showed up drunk to jury duty at the Smith County Courthouse. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Taylor Ryan Huckaby, 23, arrived at the courthouse and appeared to be slurring his words. The man was then reported to deputies. When deputies responded to the reports, they found Huckaby and asked him what was inside his cup he was carrying. At this point Huckaby tried to leave, but he was stopped and beer was found inside the cup, stated the Sheriff’s Office. Huckaby was arrested and charged with public intoxication.

TYLER — Smith County officials met with more than 75 residents from the southern portions of the county Tuesday evening to listen to their road concerns at the first Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Citizen Input Meeting. It was the first of several such meetings planned throughout the county to gather residents’ opinions to develop a long-term road plan. Commissioners Jeff Warr and Cary Nix both said they were very pleased with the turnout and citizen participation. Continue reading Large Turnout at Citizen Input Meeting on Road Improvements

MARSHALL — Car burglaries are on the rise in East Texas. Harrison County Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Webb says he’s always surprised at what people will leave in unlocked cars. Webb says he doesn’t know why people leave guns, purses, wedding rings, and cameras in their vehicles. He advises that the easiest way to keep from being a victim is to take your valuables inside and lock your doors.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been jailed after being accused of stealing an ambulance. The police first encountered Daniel Wayne Shaklee, 31, on Glover Drive. Officers requested paramedics to evaluate the man. He asked to be taken to the hospital. On the way, he jumped from the ambulance and ran into a wooded area. When found, he asked again to go to the hospital, where he refused treatment. Officers say he then left and stole an ambulance. He was arrested at Methvin and High Streets. After being cleared at the hospital, he was booked into jail on a theft charge.

LINCOLN, New Mexico – A Gregg County woman has been killed in a New Mexico accident. The accident occured shortly before 4:00 Tuesday afternoon. Dead at the scene was Beverly Bradbury Cline, 78, of Kilgore. The accident occurred when a car driven by a Capitan, New Mexico woman drove onto the shoulder of the road and hit Cline and a parked vehicle. Investigators say the woman admitted to using medicinal marijuana and methadone earlier in the day. She has been charged with vehicular homicide.

TYLER – The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from residents to serve on city boards and commissions. To serve, you must live inside Tyler City limits and not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities or other city assessments. In addition, you must not have any pending claims against the city. And there may be additional requirements for some board positions. Those who are appointed will serve voluntarily, without pay, for a two-year term. Continue reading Tyler Board and Commission Members Sought

AUSTIN – A state report shows sales tax allocations are still rising in the area. The July sales tax allocations are based on sales made in May. Tyler’s allocations tops $3.1 million. This is up 7.5% from the same period last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations are up over 3.5% to $23.3 million. Longview’s July allocation is $2.4 million, an increase of 10.6%. For the year, Longview has received over $17 million, which is up just under 1% from the same period last year.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County deputy, hurt in the line of duty, is in need of an organ transplant. His partner is stepping up to the call. Deputy Sherman Dollison’s match was working right next to him. Detective Josh Hill is donating his kidney. In 2005, Dollison was a court security officer for the sheriff’s office when he was severely injured in a courthouse shooting. He was shot multiple times and underwent several surgeries. Dollison recovered and now serves as a detective. Twelve years later he is in need of a kidney transplant. Detective Hill was an exact match. Continue reading Detective Will Donate Kidney to Partner

HENDERSON COUNTY — A wanted fugitive has been arrested following a foot chase. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s office, a deputy was attempting to make a traffic stop Tuesday night when the suspect reportedly fled on foot. Jeremy Meeks, 33, ran into a wooded area. He was arrested a short time later. Meeks was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was charged with felony manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and evading arrest. He also faces charges for the outstanding warrants for assault family violence and criminal trespassing of a habitation.

MARSHALL — Texas temperatures are rising — and as the temp goes up, so does the danger of dehydration. Kim Smith, registered nurse with the Harrison County Health Department, says, “Your brain is 70 per cent water, so there’s a potential for dehydration there — and when people are dehydrated, their thinking and their thought processes get fuzzy. So it’s important to stay hydrated — and not just with beverages, but just plain good water.” Smith says symptoms of dehydration can include increased thirst, dry mouth, tiredness, decreased urine output, dark yellow urine, headaches, dry skin, and dizziness.

TYLER — Witnesses report Interstate 20 eastbound is completely shut down just east of Toll 49 in Smith County due to an accident with fatalities. Details remain sketchy at this time, but drivers are urged to avoid the area until further notice.

GILMER – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is warning that a couple of old scams have resurfaced. One is where someone calls saying that a family member is in jail and is needing money to get the family member out of jail. They suggest you call that jail to see if that family member is there. And the second one is a caller says they represent Upshur County Sheriff’s Office as a third party representative and are trying to settle a civil litigation out of court and requesting a certain amount of money to be sent to them. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office does not hire third party representatives. If you have questions, you can contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER — Local governments and other stakeholders in Smith County are working together to create an update of the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, and public input is being requested. A Tyler Fire Department news release says the original plan was prepared in 2008 – 2010. The plan is in response to federal programs that enable the partnership to use financial assistance to reduce residents’ exposure to risks associated with hazards. Continue reading Fire Department Urges Participation in Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

TYLER – Smith County commissioners received a safety award at Tuesday’s meeting. The 2016 safety award was presented by the Texas Association of Counties. It was presented to Smith County by Isaac Garcia, a representative of the association’s Risk Management Pool. He told the court the county’s losses for worker’s compensation have been very good in 2016, as well as the past several years. And he said he expects to see good things continue in 2017, and for the county to apply for the Gold Star Safety Award.