KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — Dyna Tutt has received national recognition this fall for reaching a significant milestone in the nursing profession. A UT Tyler alumna, Tutt is a nursing instructor at the UT Tyler Palestine Campus who teaches within the Patriots Accessing Technology for Success and Savings Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. According to a news release, since 1994, she has consistently maintained her critical care nursing certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation. Tutt is one of 1,128 CCRNs being honored nationally by AACN for 20 years of continuous certification. Continue reading UTT Palestine Campus Instructor Recognized for 20 Years of Certification

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man accused of of holding up a 16-year-old at gunpoint has been indicted by a Gregg County grand jury. KETK reports that earlier this week, the grand jury charged Deedrick Shamon Pegues, 30, with robbing the teenager in Gladewater on November 3. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Pegues approached the boy at a Gladewater convenience store and asked him for a ride to a home that was also in Gladewater. The boy agreed, and when the pair pulled into the home’s driveway, Pegues allegedly placed “a cold hard object to the back” of the boy’s head and said, “I will blow your … brains out if you don’t give me your wallet and money or anything else you have.” The boy gave Pegues $23 — all of the money he had, the complaint said. Continue reading Grand Jury Indicts Kilgore Man Accused of Robbing Teen

TYLER — There was plenty of Christmas spirit in Tyler’s downtown Thursday evening for the annual Christmas parade. KETK reports festive floats, marching bands, drill teams, and more. Children and parents lined streets to take in all the magic. There were more than 80 parade entries. Following the parade, Miracle Child Will Butts took care of the 29th annual Christmas tree lighting on the square.

TYLER — The Executive Committee of the Smith County Republican Party has announced its support of Scott Turner for Speaker of the Texas House when legislators reconvene in January. Turner represents House District 33, which encompasses all of Rockwall County and portions of Collin County. In a resolution supporting Turner, Smith County GOP leaders say “the people of Texas…sent a clear and unmistakable signal in support of the conservative agenda promised by the Republican House candidates.” The resolution cites Turner’s high rating by several conservative groups. Among other things, the resolution claims current Speaker Joe Straus has “used his power as Speaker, time and again, to appoint left-leaning Democrat and Republican committee chairs to prevent popular conservative legislation from receiving a vote or even a hearing.” Straus has prevailed over past conservative efforts to oust him from his post.

QUITMAN — Wood County law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman. According to KETK, the Quitman Police Department says the woman pictured is wanted for questioning in a theft that occurred Sunday, November 23, at a local hospital. Information leading to this woman’s identity may make you eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Call 903-763-CASH (2274). Tipsters will remain anonymous.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is among the top collegiate teams to compete in the National Opera Association’s Scenes Competition, Dr. Michael Thrasher, UT Tyler School of Performing Arts director, announced. This is UT Tyler’s first appearance in the final round of the competition, which will be held Jan. 8, 2015, during the NOA Annual Convention in Greensboro, N.C. UT Tyler student finalists are soprano Kelsey Pate and tenor Jay Williams, both of Tyler, mezzo-soprano Janis Newman of Athens, and soprano Lauren Cook of San Antonio. Dr. Sooah Park, UT Tyler assistant professor of music, serves as program coordinator. Continue reading UT Tyler to Compete in National Opera Association Competition

TYLER — A public reception has been scheduled for Tyler residents to meet and greet the five finalists for the city manager position. The event is set for this Monday, Dec. 8, from 4-6 p.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. One of the finalists is a well-known local figure, while the others come from various parts of Texas. “Finding a city manager candidate who is both an exceptional leader and a fit for our community, City Council, and city staff is a high priority,” said Tyler Mayor Martin Heines. “Tyler is a unique community and it is vital that candidates selected for the interview process share the community’s vision, values and principles.” Continue reading Public Reception Monday for City Manager Finalists

KILGORE (Staff/AP) — The body of a missing Kilgore man has been found in West Texas, and three people have been arrested in connection with his death. According to KETK, family members say they were informed by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers that the body of former Kilgore High School football coach Trey Sands (pictured) was found. Sands was last heard from in October during a hunting trip in the Terlingua Mountains. Two people identified as Keith McWilliams, 49, of Alpine, and Rhonda Bloom, 42, of Terlingua, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Both are held without bond. Charles Morrow, 30, of Benbrook, turned himself in to the Stanton Police Department Thursday afternoon in Martin County. Police were working to extradite him back to Brewster County. Continue reading Body of Missing Kilgore Man Found, Three Arrested

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has sent a letter to Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, following a demand from the American Humanist Association (AHA) to remove a Nativity scene from the grounds of the county courthouse in Rusk. Abbott’s letter reads, in part, “The letter (from AHA) threatens to sue Cherokee County unless you “promptly remove” the nativity scene and ‘provide … written assurances that no similar display will be erected in the future.’ You have informed my office that the County intends to keep the nativity scene in place through the Christmas season, and that the display on the courthouse grounds contains a variety of features, a number of which have no religious element. I write to offer my support if the AHA follows through on its threat to sue Cherokee County. Continue reading Abbott Offers Support to Cherokee County Judge in Nativity Scene Case

HAWKINS — A Lindale man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man found in Hawkins earlier this month. KETK reports Joel Goldsmith was booked into the Wood County Jail on December 1, the same day the body of John Cecil was discovered. He is currently being held on bonds totaling $254,500. He is charged with murder, assault causing bodily injury, and possession of marijuana. According to police, the body was discovered close to the Fred’s store, located near the intersection of Glazner Street and Farm Road 14. The Texas Rangers are investigating the case.

LONGVIEW – Three persons have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in Longview. Yesterday, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. In April, law enforcement agencies, initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a synthetic marijuana trafficking organization based in the East Texas area. This investigation involved extensive surveillance and controlled purchases of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, and drug paraphernalia. To date, law enforcement officials have seized several products containing illegal synthetic drugs. Three persons have been arrested. Continue reading Three Arrested in Synthetic Drug Sting

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 in downtown Tyler. Additionally, the 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza immediately following the parade. An East Texas child diagnosed with a rare birth defect will be lighting the Christmas tree. Children’s Miracle Network named Will Butts an ambassador for the state of Texas. Will is the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital’s first patient to ever be selected as the ambassador for Texas. Admission is free. Parade floats will follow the same route used in previous years; moving southward on Broadway Avenue from Bow Street, turning west on Ferguson Street, south on College Avenue and east on Erwin Street before returning north on Spring Avenue. Continue reading Tyler’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Scheduled for Tonight

LONGVIEW — The annual Longview Christmas Parade will have a new route this year when the event rolls through Downtown this evening at 6:30. Beginning at the intersection of Whaley Street and Third Street, the parade will travel west on Whaley Street, turn south onto Center Street, and turn east onto Methvin Street passing in front of the decorated Gregg County Courthouse before ending back at Third Street. Continue reading Longview Christmas Parade Route and Related Road Closures

LONGVIEW – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced Wednesday that three individuals have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into an alleged synthetic drug operation in the Eastern District of Texas. On Wednesday, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. Continue reading Officials: Gregg County Businesses Busted in Synthetic Drug Operation

TYLER – Drivers who use Toll 49 should plan for delays next Tuesday through Thursday in the late evening and early morning hours. The east side of the toll road from US Highway 69 to State Highway 110 will be closed in both directions while preventive maintenance is performed from 10:00pm Tuesday until 5:00am Wednesday, December 10th. Additionally, the east side of Toll 49 will be closed from US 69 West to SH 31 for preventative maintenance from 10:00pm Wednesday, December 10th, till 5:00am Thursday, December 11th. You’re asked to allow extra time and make adjustments to your travel plans accordingly.

PALESTINE — Accused robber D’Markus Leshaun Gaston was taken into custody Wednesday morning in the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Palestine. KETK reports Gaston was arrested without incident. According to police, officers were tipped off not too long after releasing information to the public on the case. Gaston, 20, had been deemed armed and dangerous. On Monday, Palestine police received a report of an armed robbery at the Channel Stop and Go on the 1900 block of West Oak Street. The victim reported a black male entered the store, pulled out a gun, and demanded money from the store clerk. The gunman was able to get away with an undetermined amount of money. Gaston was later identified as the suspect.

TYLER – People from all over the country are falling victim to a recent phone scam by scammers pretending to be IRS agents. This week, the callers seem to be targeting East Texas residents, as the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas has received numerous calls over the past few days. According to a BBB news release, these IRS impersonators are calling up their targets, demanding that they pay taxes they don’t even owe, by either loading money on a prepaid card or sending it via a wire transfer. Those who refuse to pay immediately are then threatened by the “IRS agents.” The threats include jail time, deportation, or the suspension of the victim’s business or driver’s license. Continue reading East Texas Residents Target of IRS Phone Scam

MARSHALL (AP/Staff) – Wiley College in Marshall has laid off 16 employees and furloughed others as it cuts spending amid declining enrollment. Wiley College spokeswoman Tammy Taylor tells the Longview News-Journal a primary cause of the school’s financial woes is changes to federal aid programs that have made it more difficult for students to pay tuition. As a result, Wiley has had to increase scholarships it offers. Unmet fundraising goals also are a factor. Enrollment hit a high of about 1,400 students two years ago but that number has fallen to around 1,350. The historically black college gained prominence with the 2007 release of “The Great Debaters,” which chronicled the school’s 1935 debate team that prevailed over a national powerhouse at a time when the U.S. was heavily segregated.

CANTON -— An East Texas teen has been indicted for attempted murder. According to KETK, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michael Henry Dyar, 17, of Grand Saline September 12 for allegedly shooting his mother. Dyar was indicted Tuesday. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home off of U.S. Highway 80 after receiving a 911 emergency phone call about a shooting. The woman said her son, identified as Dyar, had shot her and run into the woods behind their house. Continue reading Teen Indicted for Mother’s Attempted Murder

JACKSONVILLE – Funeral service are pending today for Jacksonville mayor Kenneth Melvin. The 74-year-old Melvin died Tuesday afternoon at an area hospice. He was said to have been taken to a Tyler hospital this past weekend and later transferred to the hospice. According to the Jacksonville Daily Progress, Melvin became ill with pneumonia in October. He had been in rehab since then. Melvin was elected mayor of Jacksonville in 2013. In his absence, Mayor Pro Tem Hubert Robinson has presided over council activities.

KILGORE — Kilgore College Fire Academy No. 93 will hold its graduation ceremony this evening at 6:30 at the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. The KC Fire Academy is accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the State Firemen and Fire Marshal’s Association and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The academy offers certification schools for NFPA 1001 Basic Structural Firefighter I and II certification, the Texas Volunteer certification, Fire Inspector and Fire and Arson Investigation courses. It is also a designated institution by the Canadian Province of British Columbia. Continue reading Kilgore College Fire Academy Graduation

LONGVIEW — An apartment fire was brought under control late Tuesday morning in Longview, but not before damaging at least four units and displacing 16 people in seven families. According to KETK, Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary says the fire was called in around 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Belaire Manor Apartments on the 1500 block of Young Street. The building contains eight units, six of which were occupied. Zackary says fire, smoke, heat, and water caused the damage. He says there were no major injuries in the blaze. According to Zackary, the cause was a plug in an electrical cord close to a couch. He adds that the fire wouldn’t have been as bad if the complex had a sprinkler system. The Red Cross has been called in to help those who have been displaced.

MINEOLA — Six fire departments responded to a blaze that caused heavy damage at a Mineola restaurant in Tuesday’s predawn hours. KETK reports the initial call came in around 12:30 a.m. The Mineola Volunteer Fire Department and the other units battled the flames at the Ranchero Country Buffet in the 1000 block of N. Pacific Street. It took them about an hour to put it out. There was no immediate word on the cause. No injuries were reported.

CARTHAGE (Staff/AP) — There’s a new development in the case of Bernie Tiede, the killer made famous by the movie “Bernie.” Tiede was released from prison in May after serving 17 years of a life sentence. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals recently granted him a resentencing hearing, but the family of his victim, Marjorie Nugent, fears that won’t happen. They say Panola County District Attorney Danny Davidson had stated he will release Tiede with time served. Nugent’s granddaughter Shanna has sent Davidson a letter asking him to recuse himself. She admits she can’t force his office to do that, but says she considers it appropriate “in the interest of justice” and that she’s “basically calling on on his ethical responsibilities and obligations.” She would like to see the Texas attorney general take the case. Calls to Davidson’s office were not returned.

TYLER – Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 3:30pm at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler for longtime civic leader C.C. Baker Jr. Burial will follow at Tyler’s Rose Hill Cemetery. Baker, who was 74, died last Friday at The Hospice of East Texas in Tyler. The former John Tyler High School principal was also a development officer for Tyler Junior College. Continue reading Funeral Services Wednesday for C.C. Baker Jr.

NEW YORK (AP/Staff) – NFL star Adrian Peterson’s appeal hearing adjourned Tuesday after more than three hours. The Palestine native did not comment as he departed. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, says only that the hearing will continue Thursday. The proceedings were held before longtime hearing officer Harold Henderson. Continue reading Peterson Has Appeal Hearing in New York

KILGORE — Kilgore police are asking for the public’s help with catching a group of oil field thieves. According to KETK, surveillance video showed four men stealing company trucks from oil yards. The men are shown breaking into a gate and getting through a secured area. Once they get inside, they find keys to the company trucks and take off. The vehicles were later found by Rusk County and Gregg County sheriff’s deputies; some of those trucks are destroyed. If you have leads, you’re asked to call Gregg County Crimestoppers.

PALESTINE — Two Palestine men are behind bars following their Saturday arrest on drug charges following a traffic stop by police. KETK reports that Officer Katlyn Griffin conducted the traffic stop at approximately 8:20 p.m. on an SUV for defective equipment. The vehicle came to a stop on Brooklyn Street near Conrad Street. Officer Griffin reportedly saw one of the occupants trying to hide something behind him. The suspect was removed from the vehicle and several bags containing methamphetamine were located on the seat, according to police. During the continued search of the vehicle police were reportedly able to recover a set of digital scales, some pills and another small amount of methamphetamine in the back seat area of the vehicle. Continue reading Two East Texans Arrested for Drug Possession

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is warning citizens of Van Zandt County and surrounding areas concerning a scam that has affected many communities around the state of Texas. According to Sheriff Lindsey Ray, unknown individuals, purporting to be Officers of the Court, or employees of the local municipal and county governments, are calling citizens of the community and fraudulently informing the citizens that they have missed a scheduled jury duty. The caller subsequently informs the citizens that they have incurred a fine and then proceeds with instruction advising how the fines must be paid to avoid incarceration. Continue reading East Texas Sheriff Warns of Jury Scam

TYLER — As of December 1st, bells are ringing at over 35 locations around Smith County. Unfortunately, two weeks into bell ringing, in comparison to last year, kettle donations are down $6,000. In a news release, the Tyler Salvation Army says the funds raised during the holidays make up approximately 25% of the organization’s yearly budget. This year, donors have the opportunity to double the impact they make on the community by matching kettle donations dollar for dollar. Anyone who chooses can select the date and location of the kettle he or she would like to match. By matching, the Salvation Army’s fundraising goal can be reached must faster, thereby helping more people, according to the news release. Continue reading Kettle Donations Continue to Decline