KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LA MARQUE (AP) — An exotic car salvage yard owner in Lufkin has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison after pleading guilty to insurance fraud. The Houston Chronicle reports that in November 2009, Andy House drove his sports car into the Gulf Bay in the La Marque area and left it running in the water. The vehicle was destroyed after the engine was flooded with saltwater. House purchased the 2006 Bugatti Veyron for $1 million in October 2009, and insured the car for $2.2 million. In an insurance claim, House said he swerved into the water after reaching for his cell phone. The insurers accepted the claim. Another motorist later posted a video of the incident on YouTube. House must pay back the settlement of about $600,000 and will have to serve three years of supervised release.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Main Street Department has launched its new holiday ornament sale with an ornament depicting the People’s Petroleum Building in downtown Tyler. Each piece is $15, and all net proceeds benefit the Main Street Department. Ornaments may be purchased at Gallery Main Street, 110 W. Erwin. Main Street Director Beverly Abell notes that her department has to fundraise a significant portion of its budget even though Main Street is part of city government. She says along with using the ornament to raise money, Main Street also raises awareness of the many historic buildings downtown. Continue reading New Downtown Tyler Ornament Series on Sale at Gallery Main Street

ALBA — A Quitman woman has been killed in a two-vehicle wreck in Alba. According to KETK, Alba Police Chief Tim Koonce says at 6:30 Tuesday evening, Jo Ann Hughes, 74, was driving her SUV north on Farm Road 17 when she stopped at the intersection of Highway 69 and then attempted to cross. A semi headed south on Highway 69 struck Hughes’s vehicle. Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in her SUV was critically injured and taken to a local hospital. He has been identified as Robert Dyer, 66. No other injuries were reported.

HENDERSON — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is now assisting in the investigation of a fire in which an East Texas student was found dead. KETK reports that word comes from Henderson Police Department Lt. Chad Taylor. Taylor added that according to fire officials, it could be up to a month before more information is known because the home was destroyed. At this time, no foul play is suspected. The Webster Drive residence caught fire Sunday. Authorities responded around 11:36 p.m. and were able to save one teenage boy, but 14-year-old William Gonzalez died in the fire. Fire and police officials are investigating the incident. A cause of the fire and point of origin are not known at this time.

TYLER – A vehicle-pedestrian accident in Smith County has killed two persons. The accident happened just before 8:45 Tuesday morning on Farm Road 2767 about four miles east of Tyler. Dead at the scene was Luis Morales-Vega, 38, of Tyler, and Randy Smith, Jr., 26, of Kilgore. The two, along with a third person who was not injured, were standing beside a disabled vehicle when they were hit by a pickup driven by Ashley McGill, 30, of Tyler. Continue reading Two Killed in Smith County Accident

AUSTIN — Thirteen Tyler schools appear on the Texas Education Agency’s list of schools that are failing. They appear on the agency’s Public Education Grant list. A school can get on the list one of two ways: If at least half the students fail any STAAR subject for two of the past three years, reading, writing, math, science and social studies; or if a school was rated “improvement required” in the state accountability system even once during the past three years. Continue reading Some Area Schools’ Grades are Not Passing

LaRUE — Work continues on repairing U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 804 and Loop 60/Farm Road 607 at LaRue and east of Athens in Henderson County. Saturday’s rains caused a washout of the road. The road has been shut down, requiring detours. Continue reading U.S. 175 Repairs to Take a Little Longer

LONGVIEW — Brookshire Grocery Co. has purchased about 8 acres on the Fourth Street extension in Northeast Longview, but the Tyler company is mum on its plans for the parcel. That’s according to the Longview News-Journal. Tom Eberhart, co-owner of Eberhart-Miller Real Estate Services in Longview, said Monday that Brookshire closed last week on the property in the Park Central retail and office development. Park Central is about 50 acres total. It is bordered by Hinsley Park on the east and a new Hilton Garden Inn on the west. A Super Sonic restaurant recently opened at the extension’s intersection with Hawkins Parkway. Continue reading Brookshire Grocery Co. Buys Property in Northeast Longview

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is doing its part to familiarize residents with ramifications of the new Texas open carry law that takes effect Jan. 1. The police department has scheduled three public meetings, all at Maude Cobb Convention Center, to educate the community on the new law. The meetings are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m.; Monday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. Police say an in-depth question and answer session will follow each presentation.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County authorities have arrested a suspect in a fatal shooting. According to a news release, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched around 9 p.m. Monday to Highway 31 West between Bellwood Lake Drive and Pioneer Drive, where they were told a woman had shot her boyfriend. EMS was on scene loading a man into an ambulance. Deputies were able to identify a suspect and witnesses. Officials say it appears that there was some sort of disagreement between the suspect and the victim, John Wayne Pierce, 58, of Tyler. Louise Anderson, 48, has been charged with murder and booked into the Smith County Jail. KETK reports her bond is $100,000. The sheriff’s office says the case is still under investigation and further details will be released as they become available.

BEN WHEELER — Gum Creek Mercantile on Highway 64 in Ben Wheeler suffered major damage to its store after storms hit early Sunday morning, but neighbors are rallying to the cause. According to a news release from the Ben Wheeler community, Gum Creek moves into the downtown area across from Moore’s Store Restaurant this week. The release says the move will be a great Christmas gift to owners Joey Stanger and Shaun and Laura Crook. Laura Crook says she never expected the support and that the help “has been a bigger impact than can be expressed.” Laura Crook said. This Thursday is moving day. Several volunteers will help pack up and unpack Gum Creek for a Christmas Grand Opening at 4 p.m. Friday. Laura Crook is inviting everyone to the celebration Friday evening and all day Saturday. She promises “hot cider, warm hugs and plenty of cheer.”

ELDERVILLE — Authorities are investigating a fatal house fire in Rusk County as a possible homicide. KETK reports the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene around 6:45 Tuesday morning after 911 received a call about smoke coming from a home on CR 2127. Human remains were found at the scene. The identity is pending. Tatum firefighters assisted with the call. The scene was cleared by firefighters at 7:35 a.m. and turned over to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The remains will be sent for autopsy. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The home was destroyed.

ALTO — One person is dead following a possible electrocution in Cherokee County. According to KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies were called to County Road 2449, just north of Alto, Monday night. Upon arrival, they were were directed about 25 yards south of a residence and found Kendrick Polk, 37, of Alto, unresponsive. There were no witnesses to the incident, but officials say it appears Polk was walking toward his home and came in contact with a live power line. From the location of the injuries, the line came in contact with Polk around his waist. Continue reading Alto-Area Man Possibly Electrocuted

TYLER — Robert E. Lee High School has a new head football coach. Clayton George was named to the post at Monday night’s school board meeting. Coach George comes to Tyler from Dallas where he currently is assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Southlake Carroll. They won state championships in 2002 and 2011. He was named as the 2015 Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Football Foundation Gridiron Club of Dallas. A 1989 Athens High School graduate, George’s coaching career has spanned over two decades in Texas, with experience at the high school, junior college, and Division I university level.

LONGVIEW — One firefighter was injured Monday morning when he fell off a catwalk while responding to a blaze in Longview. KETK reports the fire was reported at the Crosby building at Dana Way and LEDCO Drive near Highway 259. Crews responded around 10:40 a.m. and contained the flames at 11:13 a.m. The injured firefighter was taken to a local hospital; his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. There were no reports of anyone else being hurt. The amount of damage caused by the fire is unknown at this time. Continue reading Longview Firefighter Injured on the Job

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Commissioners Court voted Monday to keep county buildings gun-free zones. KETK reports the commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of banning open carry at county locations. Precinct 2 Commissioner Darryl Primo voted against the proposal. The Texas Open Carry law kicks in on January 1, 2016. Earlier this month, Smith County Commissioners also voted to ban guns at county locations.

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker Monday signed a disaster declaration for areas affected by Saturday’s severe weather. Smith County “suffered widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from severe thunderstorms, tornadic activity, flash flooding, etc.,” the declaration states. More than 50 homes were damaged in the Lindale area, but no injuries were reported, Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson reported. She asked Judge Baker for the Disaster Declaration after Lindale Mayor Robert Nelson requested Smith County’s help in cleaning up the area. Continue reading Disaster Declaration for Smith County Signed after Severe Weather

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas highway has reopened after crews removed some of the 64 empty cars that derailed from an overpass during storms. The Texas Department of Transportation says Loop 287 in Lufkin reopened Monday. Nobody was hurt when the derailment happened Sunday morning as gusts of about 40 mph blew through Lufkin. The cars, operated by the Angelina & Neches River Railroad Company, were blown off the rail overpass and onto the highway. Crews continued working Monday to remove all of the rail cars after the four-lane highway reopened.

HENDERSON — A teenager died in a Henderson house fire that struck late Sunday night on Webster Drive. According to KETK, police say a neighbor reported the fire around 11:30 p.m. Responding firefighters were able to save a 14-year-old boy before they had to pull back for their own safety. The boy is now recovering at a local hospital. His condition is unknown. Meanwhile, another 14-year-old boy was found dead in the house. He was identified as William Gonzalez, a freshman in Henderson ISD. A cause of the fire is under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Police say a vehicle struck a utility pole at Highway 64 West in front of Walmart early this morning. Officials said power lines are down across the roadway. Oncor is at the scene repairing the lines. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes due to the road being temporarily closed.

LINDALE – Lindale Mayor Robert Nelson has issued a Declaration of Disaster for the city following a tornado. Around 3:30 Saturday afternoon the EF-2 tornado touched down near the Woodlands area of Lindale. A second possible tornado was reported in the area of Farm Road 2710 and Stacy Road. No injuries were reported. Mayor Nelson said that preliminary estimates indicate six to eight homes with major damage, with another 30 to 35 with lesser damage. Motorists are asked to avoid the area. The Lindale school district reports their agriculture barn had some slight damage but all of the district’s other buildings were not damaged. Continue reading Confirmed Tornado Causes Significant Damage to Lindale

LaRUE – Crews continue work to repair U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 804 and Loop 60/Farm Road 607 at LaRue, east of Athens in Henderson County. There was a washout on the highway during Saturday’s rain and was shutdown overnight requiring the implementation of traffic detours. Motorists who use this portion of US 175 are advised to allow extra time to reach their destinations until the repairs are completed. All eastbound traffic is being routed to Farm Road 804 to bypass the closure while westbound traffic is redirected to Loop 60/Farm Road 607. According to TxDOT, the washout occurred at a drainage structure causing washout of the westbound lane embankment and slope. Crews immediately began to assess the damage, relieve flooding and mobilize to start repairs, moving in heavy equipment and personnel. Earlier last night, portable lighting was delivered to the site to enable crews to work through the night. Continue reading U.S. 175 Remains Closed Near Athens

MARSHALL – A motorcycle accident on Pinecrest Drive, southwest of Marshall, in Harrison County, has left one person dead. Killed in the Sunday morning accident was Damien Manshack, 19, of Marshall. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center when he died about 11:00 Sunday morning, about an hour after the accident. According to the Department of Public Safety, Manshack was traveling west when he lost control of the motorcycle and was thrown from the vehicle.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December 14. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Motorists traveling State Highway 110S at Farm Road 346 and Acker Tap in Whitehouse should be prepared to take other routes to avoid delays Monday through Wednesday as maintenance crews perform milling work that will require closing main lanes as well as turn lanes. All work will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Get more details in the Smith
County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

TYLER — The Tyler Police and Fire Departments received reports over the weekend of houses damaged and trees and power lines down. The calls came from the following areas: Fairfax Drive from Loop 323 to Shenandoah, Rockbridge to Norma and the intersection of College to Mockingbird. Barricades and cones have been used to mark danger areas. Also, the police are advising motorists to be aware of flooding and water on roadways. According to a news release from Sgt. Jeffery Rackliff, there were no reports of injuries.

EAST TEXAS – Flooding has caused the closure of Farm Road 321 between Farm Road 645 and Farm Road 2706 in Anderson County. And U.S. Highway 175E is closed in Henderson County from Farm Road 804 to Loop 60 at LaRue due to flooding of both the eastbound and westbound lanes. Traffic is detoured until further notice as crews work to improve drainage. For the detour, use Farm Road 804 to Farm Road 607 to Loop 60 to US 175E. Crews will continue to monitor these and other roadways for conditions that could impact travel.