KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Due to costs associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Mobberly Baptist Church’s Child Development Center will be closing on March 13. Parents of children attending the CDC and CDC staff members were informed of the decision to close the center Thursday during separate open forums. A letter to parents, with details on how the decision to close the center, was distributed, as well. According to church officials, closing of the Child Development Center will not alter in any way childcare and preschool activities provided by Mobberly Baptist Church on Sundays. Continue reading Longview Church’s Daycare to Close Because of Obamacare

ATHENS — The Athens Police Department is asking for the public’s help naming a man who has stolen multiple identities in East Texas. According to KETK, the man pictured is believed to have stolen the identities of four Athenians and used their bank accounts to pass counterfeit checks in Athens, Tyler, and Terrell. He is also allegedly using victim information to counterfeit Texas driver licenses. The Athens Police Department needs your assistance to identify and locate the individual involved with these offenses. If you have any information which would assist this ongoing investigation, contact the Athens Police Department at 903-675-5454 or Henderson County Crime Stoppers at 800-545-8477.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has identified the two people found dead Wednesday, and the autopsies point to an apparent murder-suicide. KETK reports that Officer Kristie Brian named the victims as Patrick McWhinney and his wife, LaDonna McWhinney. According to autopsies obtained by the Longview News-Journal, LaDonna died from gunshot wounds to the arm and torso, the latter of which punctured her lung and spine. Her manner of death was listed as homicide. Patrick’s autopsy revealed he died of a gunshot wound to the head in an apparent suicide. Continue reading Autopsies Indicate Apparent Murder-Suicide in Couple’s Death

LONGVIEW — Police Thursday identified a man they’d arrested in connection with a Wednesday morning manhunt in Longview. According to KETK, Officer Kristie Brian said police arrested Curtis Howard, 32, of Kilgore, for evading arrest, failure to stop accident involving injury, assault family violence, driving with invalid license, and a parole violation. At around 10 a.m., Howard left the scene of a domestic violence call and led police on a short chase, according to officials. Law enforcement authorities say they caught up to the suspect after he crashed his vehicle at the intersection of Silver Falls Road and Highway 80 near the Pine Tree Elementary School. The suspect then reportedly ran into a wooded area but was found after about a 30 minute manhunt. No bond was immediately set.

TYLER — The Women’s Fund of Smith County Thursday awarded its highest grant to date – $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity – at its 2015 Grants Announcement Reception. Approximately 100 Women’s Fund members and guests attended the event at The Tyler Woman’s Building, which also included a grant of $44,100 presented to PATH (People Attempting To Help), according to a Women’s Fund news release. “In only a few years, the members of the Women’s Fund have given from their hearts to bring us to today’s cumulative total of $800,000 in grant funding,” noted Marty Wiggins, 2015 chair of The Women’s Fund. “These grants have already impacted 18 agencies and countless lives of women and children in Smith County.” Continue reading The Women’s Fund Awards Landmark Grants

GLADEWATER — The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of a 53-year-old female inmate at the Gladewater Police Department Jail. KETK reports that officers found the woman’s body in her cell Wednesday around 10:20 p.m. She was alone and is believed to have committed suicide, according to officials. The woman was being held on multiple Gladewater Municipal Court charges, as well as a Gregg County Grand Jury indictment for forgery of a financial instrument. Continue reading Inmate Found Dead at Gladewater Jail; Suicide Suspected

LONGVIEW — Longview police said Wednesday that a shooting the previous night was connected with the arrival of a man with a minor gunshot wound at a hospital. Names were not released Wednesday. According to KETK, department spokeswoman Kristie Brian said an off-duty officer working at Good Shepherd Medical Center around 7 p.m. reported the gunshot victim about the same time a neighbor outside a home at Hutchings Boulevard and Butler Drive also called police. No arrests have been made.

LINDALE – An undetermined amount of money has been taken in the robbery of a Lindale restaurant. Wendy’s, near Interstate Highway 20, was robbed shortly before 8:45 Wednesday night. The man acted as if he had a weapon, but one was not seen. He was last seen fleeing east on the interstate in a black or dark blue late model Toyota Tacoma pickup with a camper shell. He was described as a black male about six feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a red hat and a black leather jacket, black pants with a white stripe. No in juries were reported.

JACKSONVILLE – A lone finalist has been named for the Jacksonville school superintendent’s post. Named at last night’s meeting was Dr. Chad Kelly. By state law, school trustees must wait 21 days before voting to hire Kelly. That vote will take place at a special meeting called for March 5th. Dr. Kelly is currently School Superintendent of the Taft ISD. He will be succeeding Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell.

CANTON — A man who was fatally shot by a woman believed to be defending her home was also the suspect in a recent arson case, officials said Wednesday afternoon. According to KETK, the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal says Christopher Ray Foster, 37, of Edgewood, was the suspect in a Monday night structure fire on State Highway 19 and County Road 1106. The county fire marshal, along with deputies and a justice of the peace, were able to link Foster to the fire by physical evidence found on him at the time of his death. Continue reading Officials: Man Killed in Home Invasion Was Suspect in Arson Case

MINEOLA — A Mineola man has been arrested after police say the investigation into a four-year-old cold case revealed he killed his son. George Wayne Saunders was arrested Wednesday for the murder of his then 16-year-old son, Loren Saunders, on January 18, 2011. Police tell KETK Loren was shot in the chest at a home in an RV park on Wood County Road 1590. Continue reading Man Arrested in 2011 Murder of Son

ATHENS — A Malakoff woman died at an Athens hospital Tuesday after the vehicle she was riding in rolled during a crash. According to KETK, Department of Public Safety officials name the woman as Michelle Nicole Shellenberger, 24. They say Shellenberger was a passenger in a truck driven by Joe Elam, 56, of Athens. Elam was driving on Highway 31 when he lost control switching lanes and crashed shortly before 10:30 a.m., according to authorities. Both passengers were thrown from the pickup. The crash occurred about five miles east of Malakoff. Elam was taken to a Tyler hospital in serious condition.

MARSHALL — A man wanted in a Marshall armed robbery has been captured in Longview. According to KETK, law enforcement officials said a Chevron in the 1000 block of East End Boulevard North, or Highway 59, was held up shortly before 10:00 p.m. Monday. The suspected gunman was later identified as Jade Alfred Washington, 23, of Marshall. Authorities said he left the scene on foot before officers made it there. Washington faces a charge of aggravated robbery.

DALLAS — A young child who was found in a swimming pool in Henderson County Sunday afternoon has died in a Dallas hospital. Family members say Beau House, 3, passed away shortly before 10:00 Wednesday morning, according to a Facebook page supporting Beau. A GoFundMe page — http://www.gofundme.com/Love4BabyBeau — has been set up to support the family. . Continue reading Young Child Dies after Being Found in Pool

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a scene where two bodies were found inside a home in the 1900 block of Blue Ridge Parkway. According to the Longview News-Journal, officers found the bodies after they were dispatched to the home shortly after 10:15 Wednesday morning for a welfare check. Two maintenance workers said the residents who lived in the duplex were seen arguing in the street on Tuesday. Public Information Officer Kristie Brian said both deceased persons have injuries, but the nature of the injuries was not immediately released. The deaths are being investigated as homicide per normal protocol when the cause is unknown, according to officials. The bodies have been sent for autopsy.

LONGVIEW — The intersection of Hawkins Parkway at McCann Road in Longview undergoing signal work today. The purpose of the work is the change the signals for the new intersections improvements, according to a city news release. Drivers wishing to travel through this intersection may consider using alternate routes. A traffic policeman will direct traffic during the signal outage. The work is expected to last all day. This project was approved by voters as part of the Capital Improvements Bond Election in May 2011. The project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction, call the city’s project manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

LONGVIEW — Longview police Tuesday night were investigating whether a shots-fired call was related to a person being taken to a medical center with a minor gunshot injury. Police responded about 7 p.m. to a call about gunshots being fired in the 600 block of Butler Drive, police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, around the same time, a person with a minor gunshot wound was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in a private vehicle. The two incidents may be related.

FORT CARSON, COLO. (AP) — The Army has identified a Fort Carson soldier killed in a rollover accident at a Fort Carson training area on Friday night. Base officials say Staff Sgt. Justin Holt, 31, of Bogata, Texas, was killed and six others were injured when a Stryker fighting vehicle turned over. Four of the six injured soldiers were treated and released from local hospitals. Two soldiers remain hospitalized at Penrose Main Saint Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs. The names and hometowns of the injured soldiers have not been released.

LONGVIEW — It has been a rollercoaster ride for the city of Longview’s website, but officials say it should be up and going before long. The city pulled its website after cyberattacks early this month. A YouTube video claimed hackers targeted the website following the police department shooting of 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard, who allegedly threatened officers with a knife. Officials tell KETK you’ll first see a somewhat scaled-back version of the site, with more content to be added later. They say the focus will be on priority areas, especially dealing with online services. Officials add that there’s no reason to believe any data was breached during the attacks — and that they’re very thankful residents have been patient while the site has been down.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Authorities say a Van Zandt County woman shot and killed a man in the act of defending her home. Around 4:30 yesterday morning, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a homeowner on Texas State Highway 19 north of Canton, in rural Van Zandt County. According to officials, the caller advised that she had just shot a man who was attempting to force entry into her home. Continue reading Authorities: Woman Kills Man while Defending Home

TYLER — Today from 8:30am to 2:00pm, the Tyler Street Department will close Old Troup Highway from Loop 323 south to Plume Drive for street repairs. Northbound traffic on Old Troup Highway will be diverted eastbound on Callaway Road or westbound on Plume Drive. Southbound traffic can drive east on Loop 323 to University Boulevard.

TYLER – A 25-year-old Palestine man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography charges. Joshua Quick pleaded guilty on October 14, 2014 to receiving child pornography. He was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Quick was also ordered to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. Continue reading Palestine Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Violations

TYLER – A 44-year-old Wills Point man has been sentenced to federal prison for federal firearms violations. Terry Dewayne Monk pleaded guilty on September 16, 2014, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Continue reading Convicted Felon Sentenced for Firearms Violation

TYLER – Allergy sufferers may have had a particularly tough day Tuesday if they are allergic to elm or juniper trees. According to pollen count records at UT Health Northeast, Tuesday marked the highest level since 2008 for the two with a very high mark of 2,117. By comparison, the day before, February 9, the pollen count for elm and juniper was 910, which is considered high. It is not unusual for elm and juniper to range from 91 – 1,500, but Tuesday’s level is considered extremely high, according to officials.

LAKE O’ THE PINES — Authorities have identified a man who drowned Saturday after his boat capsized at Lake O’ the Pines. According to KETK, Game Warden Robb Furlow said Michael Mitchell, 51, of Longview, was pulled from the lake on Sunday by a Texas Game Warden dive team. Furlow said Mitchell and a woman were fishing on the lake when the boat began to take on water and overturned. Officials were dispatched to the scene around 11 a.m. A passerby was able to save the woman as she clung to the boat before emergency responders arrived. Mitchell had already disappeared underwater. The victim’s body has been sent for autopsy. Continue reading Longview Man Drowns in Lake O’ The Pines

LONGVIEW — There’s a new candidate in the May 9 city elections in Longview. Officials announced that Longview ISD teacher Nona Snoddy filed to run for City Council District 2. So far, Snoddy is unopposed. Elections will also be held for mayor as well as City Council Districts 1 and 5.

NOONDAY – A two story home in southwest Smith County has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 4:00 Monday afternoon in the 1500 block of North Shore Drive near Noonday. The fire is said to have started from an unattended pile of leaves that had been burning. The fire spread to the house. No injuries were reported.

SMITH COUNTY – A one vehicle accident in Smith County has left one person dead. Killed in the crash, shortly after midnight Monday morning, was Jacquelyn Manley, 43, of Ben Wheeler. The Department of Public Safety report says her car was east bound on Farm Road 2767 when she left the road on a curve and hit a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The parents of a mentally ill teen killed by police in East Texas say officers had several opportunities to subdue the girl before shots were fired. Erik Coignard said Monday that he wants more information about the events that led up to his 17-year-old daughter, Kristiana, being shot to death last month in the lobby of a Longview police station. The shooting has garnered attention amid increased scrutiny surrounding law enforcement’s use of deadly force. Continue reading Dad of Texas Teen Shot in Longview Police Station Wants More Details

FORT WORTH – Radio Shack stores in Tyler and Palestine are among eight in East Texas that will be closed in the next six weeks. As Radio Shack moves toward a major restructuring, they have started closing 1,700 stores around the country. Last Thursday, the 95 year old chain filed for chapter 11 protection. Close out deals started a day later. Sprint will take over up to 1,750 stores acquired by General Wireless. The wireless carrier’s outlets will be co-branded with RadioShack. Continue reading Some East Texas Radio Shack Stores to Close