KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office received notification from Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas that the cause of death for Jacob Hamilton Garrett, 14, Whitehouse, was mixed drug toxicity. Garrett’s body was found on March 17 on Highway 110, between Whitehouse and Tyler. Dental records confirmed the remains found in a wooded area behind Nipper’s Quality Auto Works March 17 belonged to Garrett. He went missing on February 13 and was reported as a runaway. Continue reading Cause of Death Released for Whitehouse Teen

TYLER — Work resumed Friday on Tyler’s Loop 323, with crews working in the westbound lanes in various locations between Paluxy and Broadway till 6 p.m. Weather permitting, crews are scheduled to resume work Monday on the eastbound lanes between Copeland and Paluxy. One lane will be open to traffic while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

TYLER — Three suspected burglars are now in the custody of Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies after a brief pursuit Thursday morning. The initial call came in around 10:20 a.m. from the 18000 block of County Road 234. Officials say an uncle of the homeowner’s, who also lives in the neighborhood, was driving by and saw a vehicle that shouldn’t have been there, parked at the back of the residence. The uncle entered the front door of the residence, which is where the burglars gained entry, and saw three men exit the back of the home. The men got into their vehicle and began to flee. The uncle then used a handgun to fire several shots at their car. Continue reading Three Burglary Suspects Caught

FLINT — Officials Thursday released new information on a case in which a toddler died after being found in a truck. Late in the day on June 11, a search warrant was executed at the Flint-area residence where two toddlers were discovered in a pickup with the windows rolled up during one of the hottest parts of the day. That’s according to a news release from the Smith County Sheriff’s office. The pickup has been taken to the SCSO Crime Lab for processing. According to officials, that investigation is ongoing and no information will be released by SCSO until it is completed. Continue reading Investigation into Toddler Death Continues

LONGVIEW — According to the Longview Police Department, one person has been taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a truck and train collided in Longview. Police tell KETK the accident happened on Fredonia Street when 96-year-old Tracy Cleveland Webb tried to beat the train. Webb was ticketed for disregarding railroad crossing signs. The elderly man was the only occupant of the truck and is expected to make a full recovery. No other injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — A man who received three life sentences in Upshur County for the aggravated robbery of an East Texas dollar store is expected to plead guilty to four more counts of aggravated robbery in Gregg County on Monday, according to county officials. KETK reports 43-year-old Robby Brian Stevens of Leander is scheduled to appear Monday in the 124th District Court. Stevens was indicted by a Gregg County grand jury February 13 on four counts of aggravated robbery and one count of evading arrest, according to judicial records. He is expected to plead guilty to the robbery counts, which pertain to the December 20 aggravated robbery of the China King eatery on West Loop 281 in Longview. He’s now held in the Gregg County Jail. Continue reading Man Expected to Plead Guilty in Additional Robbery

LINDALE — A group of business, civic, and community leaders from the Lindale area has formed a special purpose political action committee to support allowing limited alcohol sales in Smith County Justice Precinct 5. The group will be asking registered voters to sign petitions calling for a local option election this November. In order to call an election, state law requires the group to collect approximately 2,574 signatures of voters in Justice Precinct 5, which includes northwestern Smith County and the cities of Hideaway and Lindale. Continue reading Alcohol Election Sought in JP5

TYLER — Thursday’s maintenance work was canceled on ESE Loop 323 in Tyler between Broadway and Paluxy. According to TxDOT’s Larry Krantz, “We will try to work westbound in the same limits on Friday. We will try to finish eastbound work in the same limits on Monday.” Krantz says the project involves several days of base and pavement repairs along the stretch. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in and around the work area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on workdays, so motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid lengthy delays during those times. Stay tuned to KTBB and check this web page for further updates.

PANOLA COUNTY — A man involved in a fatal April shooting in Longview was back in jail Tuesday after police say he hit a Carthage officer with a brick. According to the Longview News-Journal, JaCorey Dewayne Williams, 22, of DeBerry turned himself in Tuesday after Carthage police say he evaded arrest and injured an officer with a brick over the weekend. Williams was arrested on charges of assault causing bodily injury, aggravated assault against a public servant and evading arrest. He is being held in the Panola County Jail. Continue reading Murder Suspect Back in Jail For Assault

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – Now that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has announced his resignation from the post, East Texas is in the picture as possible successors are considered. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (pictured), a prominent Republican conservative, says he’s “prayerfully considering the best way” to serve. Hensarling’s district stretches into East Texas, bordering Smith County to the north, south, and west. Republican Rep. Pete Sessions indicates his interest in succeeding Cantor. Hensarling and Sessions are both from Dallas.

WOOD COUNTY — Wood County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying the people responsible for several burglaries and thefts in the Winnsboro and Perryville area. KETK reports that during one of the crimes, a surveillance camera captured pictures of the burglars and their vehicle. The automobile is described as a 1997-1999 Ford Escort Station Wagon. The vehicle color is unknown, but is believed to be a light color such as white, silver or tan. Continue reading Wood County Seeks Tips on Multiple Burglaries, Thefts

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel announced during Wednesday’s City Council meeting that thanks to generous private funding, the City of Tyler will coordinate the 2014 annual fireworks show at Lindsey Park. This comes after an announcement earlier in the month that the Jaycees would no longer be hosting the event. “The City had not budgeted for a fireworks show and the same pyro-technics company was not available to do the event on the Fourth of July, so it looked like the Lindsey Park fireworks show wasn’t going to be possible this year,” said McDaniel. “However, several community-minded individuals and companies stepped in to provide the private funding necessary to make this Independence Day Celebration a reality.” Continue reading Private Donations Save Tyler Fireworks Show, Christmas Parade

TYLER — Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler will have southbound lane closures between Grande Boulevard and Three Lakes Parkway beginning Monday, June 16, for a box culvert installation. Lanes will be closed between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. The first block of Elkton Drive west of Old Jacksonville Highway will also be closed. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes when available. The construction is anticipated to be finished at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 20.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD’S longest-serving board member is saying farewell. After some 40 years of service on the board of trustees, 80-year-old John Harrison attended his last meeting Monday night. KETK reports Harrison, who served under ten different superintendents, says he’s leaving for health reasons. He graduated from Longview High School in 1952 and began his tenure with the school board in 1971.

LONGVIEW — Longview public schools narrow their choice to one man for superintendent, but KETK reports contract negotiations are causing friction on the school board. Horace Williams was chosen as the lone finalist. But trustees say they can’t match Williams’s previous superintendent contract at Cedar Hill schools of a $202,000 salary plus expenses. The board is split on a decision for Williams’s contract. Members now have to either reach an agreement on his salary or choose another candidate.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for three suspects accused of holding up a convenience store. It happened around 3:00 Wednesday morning at K’s Express Food Mart, 1516 South Vine. The clerk told officers that three white males entered the store, with their faces covered. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The suspect carrying the gun then walked behind the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register. He then handed the money to a second suspect who was standing on the other side of the counter. The third suspect stood by the door and acted as a “look-out.” All three suspects then exited the store and ran from the area on foot. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

LONGVIEW – The 34-year-old woman who posed as a sophomore at a Longview school was released from jail Tuesday afternoon. KETK reports that according to judicial records, Charity Johnson entered a guilty plea on a failure to identify charge at 8:00 a.m. She was later sentenced to 85 days in jail with time served. She was then released after spending 29 days behind bars. County Court at Law #1 Judge Rebecca Simpson presided over the hearings. About a month ago, Johnson made national headlines when it was discovered she was an adult woman pretending to be a 15-year-old sophomore at New Life Christian School in Longview since October 2013.

TYLER — Smith County officially has a new fire marshal. Jay Brooks stepped into the role Tuesday morning, after being sworn into office by County Judge Joel Baker in the Smith County Commissioners Court. Brooks, 38, previously served as a Lindale police officer and is a former assistant fire marshal for the county. He was selected for the post after 15-year Fire Marshal Jim Seaton passed away in April. “There is a legacy in this office that I am so lucky to get to carry forward,” Brooks said following the ceremony. Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Sworn In

TYLER – A 44-year-old Whitehouse woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Kristi Isom’s plea came Tuesday in Tyler federal court. According to information presented in court, in September 2011, Isom solicited an individual to intentionally set fire to and burn a residence on East FM 344 in Whitehouse. Isom admitted that she advised the individual of the general habits of the inhabitants of the home so that the individual could set the house on fire while it was unoccupied. Continue reading Woman Guilty of Mail Fraud Conspiracy in House Fire Scheme

GILMER — A man facing three aggravated robbery charges pleaded guilty to two of them Tuesday morning and was handed three life sentences for the crimes — and the judicial system isn’t done with him yet. KETK reports Robby Brian Stevens, 43, of Leander, pleaded guilty in connection with a December 28 aggravated robbery of the Dollar General in Diana. For that, he was sentenced to two life terms to be served concurrently. According to Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd, Stevens had two indictments on the courthouse docket. One indictment came with two charges stemming from the Dollar General incident. The other indictment was for a situation Stevens was reportedly involved with 10 minutes prior to the previous robbery. Officials say Stevens threatened a man and robbed him of his belongings at the Family Dollar, also in Diana. Continue reading Robber Gets Three Life Terms, Still Faces Trial in Another Heist

TYLER — Dr. James Lumpkin has been named the F.M. and Fannie Burke professor and dean of the College of Business and Technology at The University of Texas at Tyler effective June 15. That announcement comes from Dr. Alisa White, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. He will follow professor and Department of Human Resource Development chair Dr. Jerry W. Gilley, who has served as interim dean since July 2013. Continue reading UT Tyler Names College of Business and Technology Dean

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Police Department will launch a free mobile safety app for students and the university community beginning this summer, Mike Medders, police chief, announced. The university purchased the app through RAVE Mobile Safety, a company that has worked in the public safety market for more than 10 years. Officials say with the Patriot Guardian Campus Safety app, users have convenient access – via iPhone and Android smart phones – to the campus police department and 911 call services. Users can make a panic call to the police or report a crime in progress/suspicious activity by voice call or text. Continue reading UT Tyler to Launch Campus Safety App

GRESHAM — Smith County officials seek leads in a pharmacy burglary. At 5:30 Tuesday morning, Smith County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received an alarm call from the Family First Pharmacy in Gresham, located off Old Jacksonville Highway near the intersection of FM 2813. Deputies arrived and found a hole cut in the rear of the business. An undetermined amount of prescription medication was determined to be missing. Detectives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit then arrived and are now conducting an investigation. It is believed that the suspect or suspects fled across Old Jacksonville Highway after the burglary. Anyone who may have witnessed any individuals or suspicious vehicles in the area is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER – Beginning Wednesday, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to begin several days of base and pavement repairs on South Loop 323 between South Broadway Avenue and Paluxy Drive in Tyler, beginning with the eastbound lanes. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in and around the work area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., so motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid lengthy delays. TxDOT’s Larry Krantz says officials had hoped to put crews to work on the project earlier, but Monday’s rain delayed the effort.

DETROIT (AP/Staff) – A Texas woman who pleaded guilty to a criminal charge in a car crash that killed her fiance is suing General Motors. Candice Anderson is asking a federal judge in Tyler to set aside a $75,000 settlement in the case. The lawsuit accuses GM of concealing an ignition switch problem. Anderson alleges the switch slipped out of the run position while she was driving in Van Zandt County in November of 2004. She claims that knocked out power steering and brakes, causing her to lose control of a Saturn Ion and crash into a tree. She alleges GM knew about the problem but didn’t disclose it until this year. The crash killed 25-year-old Gene Mikale Erickson. Anderson was charged with negligent homicide and pleaded guilty. She also wants her criminal record cleared.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners Court is currently receiving public input on the proposed boundaries for single member trustee districts within Emergency Services District 1 and Emergency Services District 2. Officials say the public is encouraged to attend a town-hall style meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the R.B. Hubbard “HUB” Center, located at 304 E. Ferguson in Tyler. The Commissioners Court will answer questions about the proposed boundaries and receive input from citizens. No action will be taken during this meeting. The Commissioners Court is gathering input only. Maps of the proposed districts will be available to view at the meeting, or copies can be requested at comments@smith-county.com via email. Contact the Smith County Commissioners Court at 903-590-4605 for more information.

KILGORE — Heavy rainfall Monday morning turns I-20 into a slippery mess in Kilgore. KETK reports police there responded to four accidents. Two 18-wheelers jackknifed on separate parts of the Interstate. Police say one person was sent to the hospital with minor injuries, and one person was arrested for DWI. On the other side of the Interstate, two accidents happened on I-20 East. The first involved three cars near Mile Marker 591. Officials say one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Just a mile down the road, troopers were called to work an accident involving a car and a convoy of army trucks. According to authorities, wet roadways caused a car to hydroplane, hitting those military trucks; all three vehicles ended up in a ditch. A hazmat crew was also called in to clean up some diesel, and two army personnel went to a local hospital.

TYLER — A Tylerite was sentenced to 25 years in jail Monday for the murder of another man in May 2013. KETK reports Alex Jones, 25, was booked into jail on May 22, 2013. He still faces about 24 years after being granted time served. Jones was charged with the crime after a shooting in the 100 block of Patton Lane, located west of Tyler near Highway 64. Responding Smith County deputies discovered the suspect had shot and killed Timothy Matthew Martin, 24, during a confrontation. Restitution will be handled after Jones is released from jail.

TYLER – A 54-year-old Murchison woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Deborah Cornett pleaded guilty to an Information charging her with embezzlement by a bank employee Monday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell. According to information presented in court, from November 2007 to May 2013, Cornett was an officer and employee of the First State Bank of Ben Wheeler. During that time, Cornett embezzled approximately $334,736.43 from bank payroll accounts, the bank Christmas Club account, certificates of deposit, and from fraudulently issued bank loans. Cornett faces up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler man has agreed to a plea deal in the 7th District Judicial Court and will be sentenced in the near future on one count of indecency with a child. According to judicial records, Danny Bussell, 59, was charged with two separate counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in 2013. KETK reports one offense occurred in 2011 and another in 2012. The aggravated sexual assault charge was dismissed by announcement. The reduced second degree felony sentencing will be handed down by Judge Kerry L. Russell. No date has been announced. Bussell is being held on $200,000 bond.