KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Conservative activist and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be in Tyler today to promote her new book, “Good Tidings and Great Joy.” Palin will appear at Sam’s Club on SSW Loop 323 from 10:00am till noon. According to her Facebook page, “In her book, Palin defends the case for holding traditional Christmas dear to our hearts and for bringing back the freedom to express the Christian values of the season.” The event is part of a swing through various locations around the country. It began November 12 in Bethlehem, Pa., and wraps up this Friday in Minneapolis.

TYLER — The second and third floors of the Academic Center at UT Health Northeast were officially dedicated at a celebration and ribbon-cutting Tuesday. Officials say a comprehensive Breast Center, Surgery Clinic, GI Clinic, and Urology Clinic are located on the second floor. A large amphitheater, the Watson W. Wise Medical Research Library, and classrooms for medical residencies, continuing education, and future undergraduate and graduate degree programs make up the third floor. Continue reading New Academic Center at UT Health Northeast

TYLER — Fire has damaged a Tyler home. The blaze began in the front bedroom of the house in the 1100 block of Shaw Street off Old Noonday Road. The initial call was received by fire crews from a passerby at just after 9:45 yesterday morning. Authorities say the fire was quickly brought under control. One person was inside the home, but got our safely. Investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office believe that the fire originated in a bedroom closet. The point of origin appears to be located near a light fixture. No injuries were reported and the American Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants. Continue reading Significant Fire Damage to Tyler Home

WHITE OAK (Staff/AP) — Authorities are following up after a small child from White Oak was found wandering in Texarkana, Arkansas. Just before 3:30 last Sunday morning, White Oak police were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East Center Street in reference to a missing six-year-old girl. After a search of the home and area, officers obtained other information concerning a possible suspect named Jeremy Jones, who is a 29-year-old cousin of the victim. Officials say it was determined through investigation that Jones had taken the child from the residence. Continue reading White Oak Six-Year-Old Found Wandering in Arkansas; Cousin Arrested

LONGVIEW — A 19-year-old Gilmer woman is free on $30,000 bond after allegedly driving into a crowd in South Longview. Police say Whitney Wolfe is charged with accident involving injury, a felony. Several were injured, including a man who was seriously hurt. The incident occurred in the 1700 block of East Myrle Street Saturday night. KETK reports that according to police, Wolfe intentionally drove a gray Toyota Camry into the people gathered in the area. Police say Wolfe fled the scene but was later arrested. Two other people in the crowd were taken to a local hospital for their injuries and were later released.

GLADEWATER — Gladewater Police are investigating an aggravated robbery that happened at the Texas Traditions restaurant located in the 600 block of East Broadway. Authorities report two black males wearing ski masks and dressed in all black clothing entered the back office area and displayed a weapon, demanding an employee give them all the money in the office. The two suspects then collected an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving the business. The robbery happened Sunday night around 9:00. Continue reading Two Sought in Gladewater Robbery

NACOGDOCHES — A landmark in Nacogdoches is closing its doors and laying off 90 people. The Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation reports the the historic Hotel Fredonia is closing. The hotel opened in 1955. It was purchased five years ago by Susan Pack Reents.

LONGVIEW — Police are seek suspects after gunfire rang out at Longview restaurant KETK reports windows of a fast food eatery were shot out. It happened at the Whataburger off Spur 63 around 2:00 Sunday morning. No one was injured, but a large glass window was shattered by the gunfire.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in obtaining information in a burglary case. Between midnight and 6:00 Saturday morning, unknown person(s) broke into a Union Pacific crossing station shed at the railroad tracks on Meadows Lane. The suspect(s) cut wires to the electronic equipment and took seven large batteries. Damage to the wiring and the batteries was estimated at $2,000. Anyone with information about this case can contact Investigator Terry Mitchell at 903-237-2529 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

LINDALE — A local man is in jail after allegedly assaulting a firefighter who was assisting in a Lindale-area crash the suspect reportedly caused. Jason Horton, 33, of Van, was driving when he caused a wreck with another motorist, according to Smith County DPS Trooper Jean Dark. KETK reports Lindale Fire Department officials were called to the scene, and as crews were assisting the drivers, Horton allegedly punched the firefighter. Horton was booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of DWI and assaulting a public servant.

TYLER — Derrith Bondurant has joined UT Health Northeast as its new associate vice president of Institutional Advancement and chief development officer. She comes to UT Health from The University of Texas at Tyler, where she was director of Alumni Relations. Ms. Bondurant also has held positions as development officer for the College of Arts and Sciences, development officer for the College of Business and Technology, and director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. Continue reading UT Health Northeast Names New Associate VP of Institutional Advancement

LONGVIEW — Longview police are warning of a scam that is hitting the area, mostly targeting those with Longview-based cell phone numbers. KETK reports a text message is being sent around saying there is a problem with a local bank’s credit cards and asking for information verification through a link sent in a text. The message then asks the cell phone owner for personal account information. The message reads:
4461@vtext.com
(CommunityBankLongview) Call(972-865-1395)

If you receive this message, delete the text and do not provide your information to the scam artists.

LONGVIEW — Significant damage was sustained, but residents were able to escape through a window after a Longview duplex caught fire. Just after 1:00 Monday morning, according to KETK, fire crews responded to a residential fire at 1213 Hughey Drive. Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear of the building. The occupants credit the sounding of the smoke alarm for saving their lives. The bedroom door was closed and slowed the smoke from entering the bedroom. They attempted to open the door, but were unable to escape down the hall due to the smoke conditions. They then broke out the window of the bedroom and were able to escape. Continue reading Residents Escape out Window during Longview Duplex Fire

RUSK COUNTY — A former high school athlete is dead after a car accident Saturday morning in Rusk County. KETK reports Michael Ochetto, Jr., 18, of Henderson, was killed when his car struck a culvert. According to Trooper Jean Dark with the Smith County DPS, Ochetto was driving down Farm to Market Road 1716 near County Road 2166 around 2:47 a.m. when he went around a curve, lost control of his car, and hit a culvert. Ochetto was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:00 a.m. Ochetto was a May 2013 graduate of Tatum High School, where he played football and basketball for the Eagles. In Tatum’s upcoming Area playoff football game, Collin Gage, defensive end and tight end for the Eagles, will be wearing #80, Ochetto’s football number from last year, to honor the late athlete.

TYLER — State Troopers are investigating a Smith County hit and run accident that left one man dead. Jack Thomas Arnold, Jr., 43, of Tyler, was killed after being hit by a car around 10:00 Sunday night. Arnold was walking along Greenbriar Road when troopers say he was hit by a car that left the scene. Trooper Jean Dark with the Texas Department of Public Safety says more details will be released when they are available.

WOOD COUNTY — One man died and two people were injured in a motorcycle crash in Wood County Sunday afternoon. Department of Public Safety officials tell KETK, the wreck happened just before 2:00 on Highway 69 near Farm Road 779. Christopher D. King, 58, and Donna Mae King, 56, were riding a motorcycle northbound on Highway 69 when they struck another vehicle that was turning in front of them from the southbound direction. Continue reading One Killed in Weekend Wreck

LINDALE — A Lindale woman has died from her injuries after being hit by an SUV. The accident happened around 7:30 Saturday evening in the 3400 block of South Main Street. Lindale police say Karen Hand, 61, was crossing the road when she was hit by a vehicle in the southbound lane of traffic. She was taken to a local hospital where she later died. Authorities do not believe distracted driving played a part in the accident.

TYLER — Still no trace of a man who took an undetermined amount of money in the robbery of the Food Fast gas station, 4725 Troup Highway in Tyler. It occurred around 9:30 Sunday night. The store employee told officers a white male entered the store, cashed in a lottery ticket, and left. Abut two minutes later he came back into the store and went to the drink display. He brought a soda to the counter and paid for the drink. When the cash register was opened he pulled a silver hand gun and ordered the clerk to hand over all the money in the register. When given the money, he then ordered the clerk to lie on the floor. He was last seen running south from the store. Continue reading Tyler Business Robbed

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom on West Loop 281. It happened shortly before 1:45 Sunday morning during what was believed to be a robbery. A 21 year old man was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with what were described as life threatening injuries. According to the Longview News Journal, police are looking for two men. One was described as about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and was possibly wearing a blue hoodie.

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Wednesday are scheduled to make repairs to a culvert on eastbound side of State Highway 64 just west of Tyler’s West Loop 323, near the entrance to Wal-Mart. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 near Red Springs. 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

LONGVIEW — The city of Longview is advising the public of some street and trail closures. Hollybrook construction continues to progress between Eastman (US 259) and Loop 281. The intersection of Mohawk and Hollybrook is now closed to through traffic between Mohawk and Loop 281. These closures will be in effect until the road construction is complete, which is scheduled for March 2014. Drivers wishing to travel between Eastman and Loop 281 must use alternate routes. Drivers may continue to access Hollybrook between J. L. Everhart Elementary School and Mohawk via Tryon Road. Continue reading Longview Street, Trail Closures Begin

LONGVIEW — Longview police responded to a carjacking and stabbing Friday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a woman armed herself and approached the front door of her Pine Tree home when her guard dogs began barking loudly at 2:45 a.m. Friday. When her warnings, which included the sound of her taking off the gun’s safety and cocking the weapon, were answered by calls for help, she asked what was wrong. The voice in the dark said he had been attacked, stabbed by a hitchhiker he had met earlier in the neighborhood. Edi Flowers called her six dogs inside from behind their electric fence, invited the injured man inside the home she shares with her husband, and called 911. Continue reading Area Man Stabbed in Carjacking

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s financial strength and stability were recognized this week when Standard & Poor’s Rating Services raised its rating of Longview’s outstanding General Obligation bonds to AA+ from AA, according to a city news release. The rating notes that the City of Longview has strong conservative budget management, a strong economy, and strong budgetary flexibility, city officials say. The City of Longview is now just one step below S&P’s highest possible rating of AAA. Citing what’s termed Longview’s strong financial position, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed its rating of the City of Longview as AA. Continue reading Longview’s Bond Rating Improves to AA+

TYLER – The East Texas Communities Foundation announces the establishment of the TransCanada Charitable Fund, a $125,000 program that will provide grants to qualifying non-profit organizations in 18 Texas counties over the next 4 years. According to an ETCF news release, the fund is designed to help improve East Texas communities and the lives of its residents through grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying non-profit organizations in the counties where TransCanada pipeline operations and projects exist. Continue reading ETCF Announces TransCanada Grant Program

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank has been named a winner in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, which awards new vehicles to 100 nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public from Oct. 1 – Nov. 19, 2013. Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program showcases five nonprofit organizations each day for 50 days. Visitors to http://www.100carsforgood.com may cast up to two votes per day for different organizations to select the organizations they feel are most deserving of a new Toyota vehicle. The East Texas Food Bank has received the most votes and has been named as a winner of a new Toyota Prius. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank Named Winner in Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A federal judge in Kansas has ordered the return of nearly $25,000 paid by an East Texas hunter as restitution for running an illegal deer hunting camp. James Bobby Butler Jr., of Martinsville, in Nacogdoches County, was initially assessed a $25,000 fine and $25,000 in restitution at his sentencing in 2011. But U.S. District Judge Monti Belot vacated the restitution after last month’s hearing in which he found prosecutors failed to prove the value of the deer. Belot re-sentenced Butler to 10 months in prison and a $25,000 fine, and on Friday ordered the return of $24,700 in restitution he had paid. Butler owned and operated the camp near Coldwater, Kansas, where his brother, Marlin Butler, worked as a guide. Marlin Butler’s amended sentence calls for eight months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An East Texan has been appointed as the United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic by President Barack Obama. KETK reports James “Wally” Brewster, who is originally from Lindale, attended Tyler Junior College and is now the fifth openly LGBT ambassador to be appointed this year. He has been confirmed by the United States Senate, and his swearing in ceremony by Vice President Joe Biden will take place in Washington, D.C., on November 22. Continue reading East Texan Appointed as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

LONGVIEW — An early morning fire leaves significant damage to a family’s Longview home. KETK reports it happened at 3:56 Friday morning in the 200 block of Richardson Drive. On arrival, Longview firefighters found flames coming from the roof. After putting the fire out, authorities found that the fire had begun in the area of the water heater closet and then spread into the attic. One person had awakened to find the ceiling on fire. All nine occupants of the house had escaped the house unharmed. One of the occupants was not home at the time of the blaze. Continue reading Significant Damage in Early Morning House Fire

TYLER — Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel Thursday entered into a sales contract of $550,000 for the possible purchase of 10 acres of land to be used for a future animal care facility. The City Council authorized McDaniel to take the action during Wednesday’s meeting. The property is located at 4218 Chandler Hwy. The City began investigating the potential of purchasing the parcel after ending discussions with the SPCA about building a new facility on land that was donated to them. According to a city news release, an assessment of the property offered by the SPCA revealed that more than $400,000 would need to be invested for infrastructure before construction of a new 10,000 square foot facility could begin. Continue reading Tyler Signs Sales Contract on Land for Animal Care Facility

TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve arrested six people on felony drug charges as part of an ongoing investigation in which more arrests are expected. On Thursday, vice investigators with the Tyler Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at 1307 North Confederate. According to a police news release, investigators recovered crack cocaine, marijuana, and evidence of the distribution of narcotics during the search of the residence. The individuals arrested were identified as Marcus Dewayne Campbell and John Henry Moore, both 54; 31-year-old John Albert Moore; 25-year-old Steven Rashad Foreman; 51-year-old Kenneth Rudale Warren; and 29-year-old Curtis Oneal Thompson.