KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SULPHUR SPRINGS (AP) — Singer Willie Nelson has suspended performances until December after three of his band members were hurt when their bus plowed into a bridge pillar in East Texas during rainy conditions. The Texas Department of Public Safety says Nelson was not aboard in the weather-related accident around 3:30 Saturday morning on Interstate 30 near Sulphur Springs. Nelson spokeswoman Elaine Schock says Paul English broke his ankle, his brother Billy English suffered a bruise hip and Tom Harkin has a cracked or bruised rib. Nelson has postponed his four remaining November tour dates: Robinsonville and Jackson, Miss.; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Lafayette, La. Trooper Sylvia Jennings says seven people were on the westbound bus, including the driver who was dealing with wet roads and high winds.

HEMPHILL — Alfred Wright, a 28 year old African American male, has been missing since November 7. On the day he disappeared, he was driving along a rural section of State Highway 87 near Hemphill and began having trouble with his truck. With his truck broken down, he made a call to his wife at 6:19 p.m. and has not been heard from since. Continue reading Private Investigator Hired to Find Missing Man

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to an accident involving a woman pinned under a vehicle. It happened just before Friday afternoon at the Valero gas station, 4801 Troup Highway. Authorities said Peggy Rozell, 55, Tyler, had stopped at the store and, while exiting her vehicle, it began to roll, pinning her underneath. She suffered injuries to her neck and face from the impact. The vehicle also rolled over one of her arms causing injuries. Rozell was transported to East Texas Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

AUSTIN — State Representative Dan Flynn of Van made it official Friday morning by filing his candidacy papers with the Republican Party of Texas. Flynn is seeking his 7th term as State Representative of House District 2, comprised of Hopkins, Hunt, and Van Zandt Counties. “After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, Susan and I are looking forward to continuing our service,” remarked Representative Flynn this morning. “The people of House District 2 have encouraged me to seek another term as their Representative and I am honored to oblige.” Continue reading Representative Flynn Seeking Another Term

TEXARKANA (AP) — A man originally charged with assault in the June traffic-related death of a Northeast Texas police officer now faces a murder count. The Texarkana Gazette reports a Bowie County grand jury Thursday indicted Justin Sanders, 21, on the upgraded charge. The case involves the death of Texarkana police Officer William Sprague. Continue reading Charge Upgraded to Murder in Texas Officer’s Death

NACOGDOCHES — One person has been stabbed to death in Nacogdoches. A suspect is in custody. It happened around 11:30 Thursday night in the 300 block of West Spradley Street. Derek Maiden, 42, of Nacogdoches died in a local hospital after being stabbed once in the upper part of his body. KETK says Paula Yvette Harris, 39, was arrested and charged with murder in the case. After being arrested, she reported feeling ill, and was taken to the hospital.

MARSHALL — A vehicle-pedestrian accident has killed a Marshall woman. It happened around 6:45 Friday morning in the area of U.S, Highway 80 also known as Victory Drive, and Mae Drive. KETK says the victim was Rufina Carbajal-Cortez, 61. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police report she was trying to cross the road when hit by a west bound car. The investigation into the accident continues.

TYLER — Firemen have extinguished a barn fire in Tyler. It was reported shortly after 1:00 Friday afternoon at 422 East Cumberland Road. A neighbor called it in, saying she could see flames coming from the barn. Tyler firemen responded with 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, a District Chief and an Investigator are on scene. Fire Marshal Paul Findley says the fire appears to have been caused by a malfunction of a propane fueled generator in the structure. Hay being stored inside the building added to the intensity of the fire. The building is a total loss. There were no injuries.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews have closed County Road 35 between CR 492 and Spring Club Lake Road due to multiple trees and power lines being down. Oncor and tree cutting crews are working to clear the road.

MARSHALL — A one vehicle accident in Harrison County has killed a Marshall man. Dead at the scene of the crash was James Henry Wilder, 34. The accident happened around 4:30 Thursday morning on West U.S. Highway 80 about a mile east of Loop 290. The Department of Public Safety reports that Wilder’s car, which was west bound, appears to have drifted off the road and hit a culvert, flipped several times, landed on its roof and then caught fire.

EAST TEXAS — The U.S. Census Bureau has issued a new report on median home value changes from 2007 to 2012 — and most East Texas counties saw an increase. According to KETK, in Smith County alone, the median home value is given as $120,000 — an increase of $600. The survey lists Gregg County’s median home value at $119,000, a jump of $7,700.

TYLER — Smith County officials Thursday evening called off the search for a plane that was reported to have gone down in the county. According to KETK, the Dixie Fire Department was notified at 3:20 p.m. Thursday that someone at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport saw a plane tilting its wings, which is a sign of aviation distress. The plane was spotted south of the airport but never showed up on the radar. Multiple first responders were dispatched to County Road 1139, but the plane was not found. Officials expanded their coverage area to 9150 County Road 2120 near the Arrowhead Golf Club, close to the Woods subdivision and the University of Texas at Tyler, prior to the search being halted. Officials continued their search until after 6:00 p.m.

LONGVIEW — The tips below are offered by the Longview Police Department to remind citizens as we head into the 2013 holiday season to make safety a priority. We can never be too careful, too aware, or too prepared, police say. They say you can feel feel free to share this information with others so that this holiday season can be safer than 2012.

Beware of strangers and never stop if flagged down. Call 9-1-1 and give them the information.
Avoid shopping alone. Have a partner, especially after dark.
Keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
Park in well lit areas of the parking lot.
Have your keys in hand when you are walking to your car. Continue reading Longview Police Offer Holiday Safety Tips

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Thursday announced a new tip411 smartphone app available through iTunes, which allows citizens to anonymously send crime tips and receive alerts from the sheriff’s office via the Internet and their cell phone. The Internet portion of the system was launched in July. The new smartphone app extends the program to many mobile devices. CitizenObserver tip411 (tip411) is an Internet-based program that Smith says has proven effective in many major U.S. cities by teaming citizens with law enforcement via a confidential and anonymous communication technology using a smartphone app, the Internet, and text messaging. Continue reading SCSO Anonymous Crime Tip Phone App Now Available

OVERTON — A teenager is killed and four persons injured in a one-vehicle accident in Smith County near Overton The Texas Department of Public Safety reports it happened around 6:30 Wednesday evening on County Road 3199 about three-tenths of a mile north of County Road 29. Authorities say an SUV was traveling southbound when the driver lost control of the car and overturned. Passenger Corey Peyton Kellis (pictured), also known as Corey Wintters, 18, of Overton, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge James Cowart. Reports were Kellis was not wearing his seatbelt. Continue reading Teen Dead, Several Hurt in Wreck near Overton

TYLER – Detectives with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in locating Jordan Reed Wright, 19, of Flint. He is wanted on a burglary warrant. Authorities say Wright is a suspect in numerous burglaries and thefts in Smith County. He is approximately 5’11” with a thin build, has blonde hair and hazel eyes, and is known to frequent the southwest part of the county. Crimestoppers pays up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed in specific cases. If you have information on Wright’s location, call Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (2833). The Smith County Sheriff’s Office can also be contacted at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW — The victim of a weekend crime, Jorge Pinon, 22, of Longview, has died. The investigation into his murder continues, according to police. Sunday morning shortly before 1:45, Longview police were dispatched to a shooting in the parking lot of Club Reo in the 4700 Block of West Loop 281. When officers arrived they found Pinon in the parking lot with a gunshot wound. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Both suspects fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival. The suspects are believed to be two males. One of the suspects is believed to be approximately 5’6″ tall and was possibly wearing a blue hoodie. At this time police believe the motive for this attack was robbery. Continue reading Longview Robbery Victim Dies

TYLER — A firefighter has been injured fighting a Tyler fire. It happened just after 4:00 yesterday morning at 2905 Gardner Street. Officials said the fire was contained to the kitchen area. The kitchen area suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage. Fire investigators determined that the fire originated on the stove as a result of food being left unattended. The injured firefighter is said to have suffered a minor knee injury.

TYLER — To draw attention to what they’re calling the increasing number of homeless, some East Texans traded their warm beds for a night in Bergfeld Park. The East Texas Human Needs Network, the Salvation Army, PATH, and Tyler Junior College hosted “One Night without a Home,” which began Tuesday afternoon and wrapped early Wednesday morning. The crowds kicked it all off with dinner at the Salvation Army, then walked to the park for a candlelight vigil and overnight stay. One participant told KETK, “I thought it would be a great opportunity to bring my daughter — to kinda open up my daughter’s eyes, to kinda show her it’s not always so rosy out there.” Some hard and fast rules for the evening: no electronics, no camping gear, no more than two dollars, no watch, and no jewelry.

TYLER – A man pleads guilty and gets a 55-year prison term in the sexual assault of a teen. On June 11 around 2:00am, deputies and detectives from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call on FM 756 in reference to a suspect who had entered the residence and assaulted a 14-year-old female. Detectives followed several leads in this case. Information gathered pointed to Marcus Allen Edminston, 22, of Bullard. Detectives were able to get enough evidence to get a warrant on Edminston for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit indecency with a child. Edminston was arrested in reference to this case the next day and was placed in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Southwestern Electric Power Company, or SWEPCO, customers will be seeing a rate increase soon. The company served numerous customers in Northeast Texas. Referencing a SWEPCO news release, KETK reports the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has approved a base rate increase for the company. In Texas, the bill for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) will increase approximately $7.00 per month, or 8.9%. The PUCT approved this increase in base rates to recover costs associated with two major power plants and for vegetation management to maintain and ensure reliability. Continue reading SWEPCO Rates Going Up

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation Wednesday was joined by members of the Texas Transportation Commission in Tyler to showcase Fleet Forward. TxDOT officials say that’s a program designed to streamline the number of TxDOT vehicles and heavy equipment in order to increase productivity while reducing maintenance and storage costs. The fleet reduction will save the agency approximately $50 million annually and make it possible to address other TxDOT projects benefiting Texas drivers over the next decade, according to officials. Continue reading Officials: Fleet Program to Save TxDOT, Taxpayers Millions Annually

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve taken an aggravated robbery suspect into custody. Tuesday evening around 11:15, police were dispatched to the 100 Block of West Harrison Road for a robbery just occurred. The victim told officers he was closing his store for the evening when a man approached him and brandished a knife. The victim said the suspect then put the knife to the victim’s throat and demanded his property, phone, and jewelry. He said the suspect took more of his property from inside his car and ran from the scene. Officers in the area located the suspect a short time later. The suspect was identified as Francisco Lopez-Mastache, 17, of Longview. Lopez was transported to the Gregg County Jail without incident.

TYLER — Former Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin made a stop in Tyler Wednesday morning for a scheduled book signing. Lines to meet Palin stretched around the Sam’s Club store on SSW Loop 323, according to KETK. The book, “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas,” follows other publications such as “Going Rogue,” a book that sold more than 2 million copies. In a release from Harper Collins Publishers, the book is described as one about a “little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, who arrived long before hope and change became political manipulations.” The hardcover edition of Palin’s newest book sells for about $14. The former governor also visited Tyler in 2010 for a speaking event at the Oil Palace hosted by KTBB

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences invites men and women to participate in a research study for colorectal cancer survivors, Dr. Pam Martin, college interim dean, announced. Participants must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with Stage I, II or III colorectal cancer within the past five years (since January 2008), be able to read and write English, and be willing to complete testing of memory/thinking and questionnaires. Testing will require one to one and a half hours of time at a location of the participants’ choosing. Continue reading UT Tyler Seeks Participants for Colorectal Cancer Survivor Research

ATHENS — An Athens man will spend time behind bars after he was convicted of his 5th DWI after he was arrested for drunken driving on a 4-wheeler in 2012. KETK reports Willie Earl Davis, 51, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, a sergeant noticed a 4-wheeler driving on public roads, which is not legal. The officer stopped Davis and was issuing him a warning when he noticed alcohol on his breath. He admitted to drinking and was asked to perform a sobriety test. After angrily refusing to submit to a test, Davis was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated, authorities say. He later told authorities his blood would show traces of embalming fluid, marijuana, alcohol and cocaine. A crack pipe was also found underneath the seat of the ATV.

LONGVIEW (AP) – An East Texas woman on probation after serving time for stealing nearly $20,000 in Christmas gifts meant for foster children has been accused of shoplifting. Gregg County jail records show Sarah Marie Adams, 48, of Longview was being held Wednesday on a theft charge. The Longview News-Journal reports Adams was arrested Monday and charged with shoplifting $170 worth of items. Adams last fall was sentenced to eight years in prison for the 2011 Christmas gift thefts, 10 years for burglary of a habitation and two years for burglary of a building. An attorney for Adams later found a mistake in the plea deal’s wording and sought a new trial. A judge amended her sentence to probation.

NACOGDOCHES — Authorities are investigating a shooting involving brothers. According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, shortly after 8:45 Tuesday night, dispatchers received a report about two brothers engaged in a disturbance in the 2400 block of Saratoga Street. According to KETK, officers later learned a man had allegedly shot his brother with a shotgun in the shoulder inside a mobile home at the scene. The injured sibling was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for non-life-threatening wounds. At last report, no arrests had been made and no charges filed. It’s possible the alleged shooter could face one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request information regarding a large number of scrapped coils that are believed to be stolen. At left is an example photo of a large number of new coils that have been recently sold to local scrap dealers. The coils have the brand name of “Heatcraft” and model #3CSH-C23312 stamped on them. They are approximately 20” tall x 26” wide x 2” thick and are black in color with blue plastic caps covering the open ends. Anyone with information regarding these coils is asked to contact Gregg County Investigator Cecil Shelton at 903-237-2531.

TYLER — Tyler police were called out last night to a reported fight at southeast Tyler’s Varsity Place Apartments. There were reports of shots fired into the air during the large disturbance. It happened shortly after 8:00 Tuesday night. No injuries were reported and there have been no reports of any arrests being made.