KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Senator John Cornyn visited Tyler Tuesday to speak with small business owners about the effects of Obamacare. KETK reports the new healthcare bill is creating uncertainty for their future, so the senator has a plan. “What we need to do is empower people to make their own healthcare choices by having affordable alternatives for them and their families,” says Cornyn. He believes that a government- regulated program is not the answer, but rather one that focuses on two main points: “bringing down the cost through using market and choice, and making sure the doctor patient relationship is respected.” Continue reading Cornyn Discusses Obamacare in Tyler

TYLER – Detectives with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office have arrested Jordan Reed Wright, 19, of Flint, who was wanted on a burglary warrant. On November 20th, the Sheriff’s Office posted a wanted notification on its Facebook page and Twitter account and issued the same notification to the news media. An anonymous tip was then received, which led to Wright’s arrest, according to officials. He was arrested for burglary of a habitation and is a suspect in numerous burglaries and thefts in Smith County. He is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Smith County Jail. If you have information on a crime, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in identifying a suspect in a theft case. Around 8:00 on Monday evening, November 25th, a theft occurred at Walton’s Automotive Group at 3945 Highway 259 in Longview. A suspect in a white pick-up truck entered the property and took a receiver hitch valued at $2000 from a vehicle on the lot. At left is a photo of the suspect vehicle from surveillance cameras on the lot. The truck appears to be an older model Ford F-150 single cab pick-up with custom wheels and no tailgate or rear bumper. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator Floyd Wingo at (903) 237-2532 or Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP. .

RUSK — Rusk Police are looking for a man who they say robbed the Pic-N-Pac located in the 1200 block of West 6th Street. They tell KETK a black male wearing dark pants and a black gray hooded jacket entered the store just after 10 Tuesday night. The clerk told officers he walked around the store before pulling out a semi-automatic handgun. Police say he demanded money and a bottle of wine from the cashier. The robber left the store with an undisclosed amount of property. He was seen leaving, as a passenger, in a silver colored 4-door sedan traveling east bound on Loop 343 towards U.S. HWY 69. If you have any information on the man seen in these photos, call the Rusk Police Department at 903-683-2677 or 903-683-6978.

TYLER — A Tyler apartment has suffered minor fire damage. It was reported around 9:15 yesterday morning at the Meadowbrook Apartments at 4600 Paluxy Drive. Firefighters quickly determined the source and extinguished the fire, which caused only minor damage. There were no injuries reported and no occupants were displaced as a result of the fire. Investigators have determined that the fire started in a concealed space in the ceiling as a result of an electrical malfunction associated with the heating unit.

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — A 50-year-old Northeast Texas man who admitted cattle fraud in Kansas has been sentenced in Kansas to 21 months in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s office says William P. Cadle, of DeKalb, Texas, was sentenced in federal court in Wichita. Cadle admitted defrauding First National Bank in Independence, Kan., in February 2012 by lying on a loan application about the number of cattle he owned as collateral.

TYLER — Smith County commissioners Tuesday set two public hearings on the proposed Toll 49 Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ). Officials hope the TRZ will speed up the completion date of Toll 49′s Section 4 by as much as eight years. KETK reports the meetings will be held December 9 at Gander Mountain at 6:00pm and on December 10 at the downtown Hub Center. The TRZ calls for capturing 50% of property tax revenue on future growth along a designated Toll 49 corridor. The money would be used for further construction of Toll 49 and other area highways that are part of the proposed East Texas Hourglass

HARRISON COUNTY — An East Texas man is in jail after he set his step mother’s house on fire. It happened shortly after 4:15 Monday afternoon when Harrison County Deputies were called to a residence in the 3600 block of Farm to Market Road 2208. Upon arrival, deputies found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames and James Cameron, 21, standing near the burning residence. Continue reading Man Arrested After Reportedly Setting House on Fire

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are searching for a Smith County man wanted for a felony assault. Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in finding Wesley McDade, 36, of Tyler. According to KETK, back in October, McDade assaulted his wife at a home on Highway 155. She suffered several injuries that required medical treatment. McDade is a white male, 5 feet 10 inches, and weighs 175 pounds. He is currently on parole for a previous assault conviction. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW (AP) – Hundreds of people have lit candles and said prayers in memory of a veteran nurse nearly a week after she was stabbed to death at an East Texas hospital. Family and friends gathered Monday night outside Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview to remember Gail Sandidge. She was fatally stabbed Nov. 26 while at a hospital surgical center in an attack that left four other people wounded. The suspect, Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, remains in custody on murder and aggravated assault charges. Investigators have not released a possible motive for the attack that killed Sandidge, who worked for the hospital for 35 years. A Good Shepherd spokeswoman says the lone person still hospitalized remains in critical condition.

TYLER — A house was destroyed in an early morning fire in North side of Tyler. According to KETK, firefighters were called to 1718 West 24th street around 1:00 Tuesday morning. The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blaze. No injuries were reported. Officials remind residents to use extra caution when using space heaters and cooking appliance. Continue reading Firefighters Respond to Early Morning Fires

LUFKIN (AP) – Investigators say a truck driver has been killed in a three-vehicle wreck involving an East Texas school bus. Officials with the Lufkin Independent School District say the bus driver and her own three children were in that vehicle when the accident happened Monday afternoon on U.S. 59. District spokeswoman Sheila Adams says all four people on the bus were transported to a hospital to be checked out, as a precaution. The driver of the 18-wheeler, Barry Harper, 57, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, was killed in the crash. He would have been 58 tomorrow. Another truck was also involved in the accident. Details were not immediately released on whether the driver in the second truck required medical attention. The Texas Department of Public Safety says hazardous materials crews cleaned up a flammable liquid that spilled from one of the rigs.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Tyler will celebrate its 26th annual Christmas tree lighting this afternoon at 5:00 with a Tyler man who received a kidney from a living donor. David Travis, who’s the chief financial officer at ETMC Athens, was transplanted in October with a living kidney donation from his childhood friend, Neil Patterson, who’s from the Fort Worth area. Travis was diagnosed 13 years ago with kidney problems, and in the past few years reached a point where he needed a transplant. Patients are put on a waiting list, but also are encouraged to seek out family or friends who might be a match and qualify to be a living donor. Continue reading ETMC Tree Lighting

HENDERSON — Burglaries are up in Rusk County, and Sheriff Jeff Price thinks it’s probably because of the holiday season. According to KETK, in November alone, the department had 42 burglary reports, an increase from past months. Price says people are more out and about this time of year, shopping or traveling, and there has been a pattern in the time of day these crimes are occurring. He says most of the crimes are happening during the daytime, when people are at work or school, and there’s no one home. Price wants to stress the importance of keeping an eye out for crime as the holiday season continues.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is behind bars after he allegedly beat up a man using a log. Marcos Escobedo Rivera, 33, was arrested in the 1900 block of Cairo Street in Lufkin early Monday morning. Authorities tell KETK when he was being placed under arrest, he resisted the apprehension, search, and jail transport. Rivera was booked into the Angelina County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.

TYLER — The Salvation Army Tyler will participate today in the 2013 Salvation Army World Record Bell Ringing Contest. The contest will begin at 11:00 thsi morning at Walgreen’s on Rieck Rd. and South Broadway. According to a news release, bells around the world will begin ringing at the same time and continue until the last man is standing. The Salvation Army Tyler is the only corps in the southern U.S.A. to participate. Volunteers are needed to help witness the contest. Shifts in 2 to 4 hour increments are available. Continue reading Tyler Salvation Army Tries to Break World Record for Bell Ringing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler’s congressman wants to hold hearings on further health care reform. Louie Gohmert says Republicans have good ideas on ways to improve the nation’s health care system and the best parts of the Affordable Care Act could be preserved. He tells Fox News, “The Democrats are saying, ‘Gee, look. There are three or four good things in Obamacare, and you’ll lose all of those if it’s repealed.’ Well, we can go ahead and fix those in advance, debate the proper reform.” Gohmert says even Democrats are starting to have doubts about Obamacare.

TYLER — Several dozen turned out Saturday at Tyler’s Bergfeld Park to remember Nicholas West on the 20th anniversary of his death. On November 30, 1993, West was kidnapped from the park, robbed, and murdered because he was perceived to be gay. Saturday’s memorial service, organized by Life Covenant Church, featured several speakers who largely focused on encouraging love, kindness, and compassion. But there was also a grim recounting of West’s murder and the events leading up to it. The remembrance wound down with a candlelight vigil, a moment of silence, some Bible verse readings, and a musical tribute. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit a few booths. It all took place around a marker that’s been placed in the park in West’s memory.

LONGVIEW (AP/STAFF) — A candlelight vigil has been set for tonight to remember victims of an East Texas hospital stabbing attack that left a nurse dead and four people hurt. Officials with Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview say one victim was still hospitalized in critical condition. A suspect remains in custody. Two other injured people were treated and released hours after the stabbings last Tuesday morning. Hospital spokeswoman Victoria Ashworth says the other wounded person was discharged Thursday. The suspect, Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, was not hurt in the attack at the hospital’s Ambulatory Surgical Center that left Gail Sandidge dead. The center is across the street from the main hospital. Tonight’s vigil will be in the hospital parking lot.

TYLER — Work began today to decorate the downtown Tyler square for Christmas. City employees will be decorating the square and the City’s Christmas tree in anticipation of the 28th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to be held December 5. The work started this morning and will continue tomorrow. The city Christmas tree this year is a 28-foot Leyland Cypress tree, which was donated by Jackie and Debbie Merket of Merket Christmas Tree Farm in Beckville.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin hot mix resurfacing operations on three area roadways, including: Farm Road 349 between the Kilgore City Limits and Farm Road 2276; Farm Road 2011 between Farm Road 349 and the east bound Interstate Highway 20 on-ramp at Farm Road 2087; and Farm Road 2605 between Farm Road 1845 in White Oak and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — One person is in custody in connection with a Tyler stabbing death. Charged with capital murder and being held in the Smith County Jail under a $1 million bond is John Alfred Grimes IV, 25, of Tyler. He was served with a warrant in the death of Tony Jeter, 65. He was found dead in his home at 502 East Bow Street shortly after 11:00 Saturday night. Investigators say he died from a single stab wound to his chest.

TYLER — Tyler police have begun a murder investigation after a man was found stabbed to death at 502 East Bow. Officers were called to the address shortly after 11:00 last night. They found the body of Tony Jeter, 65. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

TYLER — A teenager has been injured in a Smith County ATV accident. It happened around 12:30 Friday afternoon on County Road 46. The Dixie Fire Department tells KETK the 13 year old was injured when the ATV rolled over. The youth was airlifted to a Tyler hospital and later transferred to a Dallas hospital in Critical condition.

LUFKIN — The first giraffe to be exhibited at the Ellen Trout Zoo has died. Rafiki, a male Maasai Giraffe, was found dead in his stall on Thanksgiving day. A news release from the zoo says it appears as if giraffe had died suddenly and collapsed. It took nearly eight hours to perform a necropsy on the animal. The test results, which could help determine the cause of death, should be available in several weeks. Rafiki arrived at the Lufkin zoo in June of 1999. He had been born at the San Diego Zoo several years earlier.

CANTON — A Canton couple have died in a motorcycle/pickup truck accident in Van Zandt County. It happened just before 5:00 Friday afternoon at the intersection of State Highway 198 and Short Street. Killed were Joe and Dorothy Brents, both 70. Both were on a motorcycle. The Department of Public Safety says a pickup, which was heading north, turned in front of the couple and was hit broadside by their motorcycle.

NEW SUMMERFIELD — A barn filed with hay in northern Cherokee County has been destroyed by fire. It was reported shortly after 10:00 Friday morning. It took firemen several hours to put out the blaze. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

LINDALE — A Smith County mobile home has been damaged by fire. It was reported Friday morning the 18000 block of Smith County Road 4116, near Highway 69 in the Lindale area. Damage was extensive. The cause has not been determined. No one was home when the fire started and there were no injuries. KETK reports the homeowner was concerned about an antique bible that was in the mobile home. The bible, with minor damage, was found and returned to its owner.

LONGVIEW (Staff/AP) – One victim remains hospitalized in critical condition following Tuesday’s fatal stabbing attack at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. Two other injured people were treated and released hours after the stabbings Tuesday morning. Hospital spokeswoman Victoria Ashworth says the other wounded person was discharged Thursday. A candlelight vigil has been set for Monday night to remember the victims of the attack, which left a nurse dead along with wounding the four others. The suspect, Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, was not hurt in the attack at the hospital’s Ambulatory Surgical Center that left Gail Sandidge dead. Templeton (pictured) remains in custody. The center is across the street from the main hospital. Monday night’s vigil will be in the hospital parking lot.

MT. ENTERPRISE — A two vehicle accident in Rusk County has left one person dead and five injured. The accident happened around 6:30 Wednesday night just east of Mt. Enterprise, at the intersection of Highway 84 and Farm Road 95. Killed was Debbie Masters, 54, of Malone, Texas. She died after being airlifted to Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital. The Department of Public Safety says the accident occurred when one of the vehicles ran a stop sign.