KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GARLAND (AP/STAFF) — North Texas police say a shoplifting suspect who was fatally shot by an off-duty officer was previously involved in a carjacking that left an 82-year-old Henderson County woman injured. Garland police say that Casey Daniel Smith, 31, of Kemp was killed when he threatened the officer with a crowbar. The officer was working security at a Wal-Mart store in Garland, northeast of Dallas. Smith was shot in the chest and died Sunday at a hospital. Continue reading Off-Duty Garland Officer Kills Suspect Sought in East Texas

TYLER — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for drought relief and continuing emergency farm loans. Smith County farm loan manager Joseph Grier asks farmers who want to apply for emergency loans to submit their applications as soon as possible. The deadline for application is February 26, 2014, but Grier says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Generally, farmers who have lost 30 percent of their production or any physical loss due to drought are eligible for the emergency loans. The FSA office is located at 4209 Republic Drive in Tyler.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in identifying a possible suspect in a vehicle burglary and credit card abuse case. On July 3rd, Deputies responded to an address on Airline Road for a burglary of a vehicle case. The victim reported that during the previous night, an unknown suspect or suspects entered his vehicle by breaking a window. The burglar or burglars removed the victim’s wallet, containing his driver license and several credit cards. Continue reading Authorities Seek Help in Burglary/Credit Card Abuse Case

MARSHALL — A 30-year-old Marshall man has been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of his 7-month-old child. That’s the report from KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Jayson Jones was arrested July 9 in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, and was taken Friday to the Harrison County Jail, according to a release from the Marshall Police Department. Police said the 7-month-old was taken unresponsive to the emergency room at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall on July 14, 2012. Medical personnel were unable to resuscitate the child. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Judge Westy Meisenheimer pronounced the infant dead and ordered an autopsy. The infant’s death was ruled a homicide. Continue reading Father Charged in Death of 7-Month-Old Baby in Marshall

TYLER — Crews have discovered the cause of a sinkhole that created some problems last week at Broadway and Front in Tyler, and they’re gearing up for repairs the second weekend in August. TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz tells KETK the cave-in began with a clay storm drainpipe that was likely installed during or right after World War II. According to Krantz, concrete was difficult to obtain during that period. He says the drainpipe’s “time had just come” and heavy rain may have been “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Continue reading Cause of Sinkhole Determined; Repairs Planned

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County man crashed his vehicle into a house Saturday afternoon. KETK reports it happened around 5, just off Highway 64, just east of County Road 293. The driver, Matt King, says his tire blew out, causing him to run off the highway and crash into the house. Smith County troopers say the house was abandoned.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities have announced the arrest of William Lee Honea, 32, of Yantis in a July 3 shooting that injured a 24-year-old Grand Saline man. Honea was arrested last week at a residence just outside of Emory, on Rains County Road 3333. He was wanted on a Van Zandt County warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The shooting occurred near Grand Saline. Continue reading Man Arrested in Van Zandt County Shooting

TYLER — All full-time employees at Tyler Junior College will have a little more money in their pockets. KETK reports that TJC trustees have unanimously approved a 2 percent raise, on top of a $500 raise, across the board for the 2013-2014 school year. That’s great news for the more than 500 full-time employees at the college. Trustee Clint Roxburgh calls the hike a “conservative raise.” Roxburgh comments, “We’ve been very conservative in terms of our projections. We try to maintain our tax rate, and we’re going to do that again this year.” Roxburgh added that if enrollment is up this year, trustees will talk about another possible raise in the spring.

NEW LONDON — On May 29, Robert Jordan made a huge announcement to the 2013 West Rusk High School graduating class. Jordan said his friend, filmmaker Nicolas Sturghill, would be giving each senior a scholarship to East Texas Baptist University. Weeks have passed, still no money has come in, and now that the July 31 deadline for the first tuition payment is coming closer, it seems these students’ chances of attending college this fall may be out of reach. Continue reading Delay in Scholarships at West Rusk ISD

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

UNDATED – Work associated the Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District-Wide Seal Coat is scheduled to continue this week in the Whitehouse area and then move into the Overton area as it moves through all eight counties of the Tyler District. They will be treating nearly 300 miles of roadway before concluding work in August. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Two persons have been injured in a car-pedestrian accident. It happened shortly after 8:15 Saturday night in the 5800 block of Old Bullard Road. Injured was Audrey Hettinger, 20, and a 2 week old infant. Witnesses told officers they saw the two crossing the street westbound when they were hit by a south bound black Mercedes-Benz. The driver has been identified as Angela Minick, 40. Hettinger is listed in critical condition at a Tyler hospital. The infant was later transported to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and her current condition is unknown. Police say that Hettinger was crossing the road outside of the designated crosswalk area. According to investigators, there was no indication of alcohol use by either person. The accident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the robbery of a man in the area of North Spring and Hillsboro Streets. It happened around 8:45 Friday night. The victim was walking in the area when he was approached by two black males. The suspects assaulted the victim, stole his money and cell phone then fled in a light color sedan. The victim suffered minor injuries.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lawmakers have reached a deal to increase funding for roads and bridges, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November 2014. Republican Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville said negotiators from the House and Senate hammered out the agreement Friday and only needed to fix a few details. Legislators agreed to a proposed constitutional amendment that would divert about $848 million in oil and gas revenues away from the state’s Rainy Day Fund. An accompanying law would set a minimum balance for the fund until the Legislative Budget Board takes control of it. Nichols said the money would only be spent on non-toll roads and bridges and could not be spent to pay off debt. The House and Senate are scheduled to meet again Monday to give final approval.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano has been elected President of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. The election was held the association’s 135th Annual Training Conference held in Corpus Christi. Sheriff Cerliano has been the Sheriff of Gregg County for over 12 years. The Sheriffs’ Association of Texas is one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation.

Longview — Former Longview state Representative Tommy Merritt said little Thursday about published reports he wants to be the Texas agriculture commissioner, except that they are true. Merritt told the Longview News-Journal, “The answer is just, I’m definitely interested,” Merritt said. “I’m definitely interested in seeking the office of agriculture commissioner.” Continue reading Former Lawmaker Considers Bid for State Agriculture Commissioner

LINDALE — Lindale police are continuing their investigation into a truck-pedestrian accident that killed a man on Interstate Highway 20. He died when he stepped in front of a tractor trailer rig around the 556 mile marker shortly after 2:00 Friday afternoon. The man’s name has not been released as investigators say the death may have been a suicide. Other accidents occurred in the traffic back up to that accident

NACOGDOCHES (AP) — An East Texas man has been charged in a deadly crash that killed three classmates at Stephen F. Austin State University in May. The Daily Sentinel reports Kevin Garcia, 19, of Nacogdoches was charged this week with three counts of criminally negligent homicide. Garcia was driving a Ford Escape with the three others as passengers when he attempted a U-turn on a Nacogdoches highway. The Escape pulled in front of an 18-wheeler and was struck. The passengers all were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say toxicology reports for Garcia came back negative for drugs and alcohol. A Rusk County grand jury is scheduled to hear the case Sept. 2. If convicted, Garcia could be sentenced to two years in jail and receive a $10,000 fine for each count.

KAUFMAN (AP) — Authorities have announced they’ll seek the death penalty against the former county official accused of killing three people in East Texas, including two prosecutors. Special prosecutor Bill Wirskye said Friday during a court hearing that the state will look to execute former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams. He’s charged with killing Assistant DA Mark Hasse in January and District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia in March. Wirskye says no determination has been made whether to seek the same penalty against his wife, Kim Williams. Continue reading Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty against Williams

JACKSONVILLE — Cherokee County authorities have arrested three kidnapping suspects. The three are accused of abducting a man from Jacksonville. The suspects are identified as Eric James Mays, 23, of Jacksonville, (pictured) Steven Dale Davis, 20, of Gallatin and Dylan Kyle Master, 19 of Troup. They were arrested walking along U.S. Highway 175. Continue reading Three Kidnapping Suspects Caught

CANTON — Authorities are looking for a truck driver who may not know they are responsible for a fatal accident in Van Zandt County. The wreck occurred Saturday morning on Interstate Highway 20 near mile marker 538. A big rig lost a tire drum which flew off and hit the windshield of a car driven by an Austin woman. Zackquelyn Johnson, 33, was hospitalized and died from her injuries on Monday. One of her three children in the car with her was injured. The DPS says charges are not likely in the case, but they are trying to locate the driver.

AMARILLO (AP/Staff) – A federal aviation spokesman says the pilot of a small plane was killed after it crashed in a Texas Panhandle neighborhood. Family members and business associates identified the pilot as Ben Harned IV. 53, of Tyler. Harned moved to Tyler years ago, but still owns Performance Motors in Amarillo. He was alone in the Piper PA-30 aircraft. Continue reading Pilot from Tyler Killed in Amarillo Plane Crash

TYLER – A host of healthcare and community leaders celebrated the introduction of “First in East Texas: the History and Legacy of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System” Thursday. The 223-page volume was researched and written through a partnership between ETMC and the Texas A&M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health. A luncheon on the ETMC campus brought together the book’s editorial team, board members and numerous people interviewed from across East Texas. Continue reading ETMC Unveils Corporate History in Conjunction with Texas A&M

TYLER — Two cases of the stomach bug Cyclospora have been reported in Smith County. Several cases had been reported across Texas over the past few weeks, and now the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) tells KETK the infection continues to spread. NET Health says that the two reported cases in Smith County are not related, and they are continuing to investigate. Continue reading Two Cyclospora Cases Reported in Smith County

QUITMAN — Sheriff Jim Brown has issued a caution to Wood County residents to be aware of a phone scam that is being perpetrated. KETK reports people are calling individuals and telling them they have a relative who is in prison in a foreign country and that a large amount of money is required to have the relative released. This is a scam, and Sheriff Brown recommends you not send any money for bail or bond to anyone without verification. If you are contacted by someone who solicits you in this manner, notify the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

MARSHALL – A 33-year-old Longview woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Lidia Gail Brooks Olivares pleaded guilty on May 29 to possession with intent to distribute heroin. She was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison on Wednesday in Marshall by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Continue reading Gregg County Woman Sentenced for Heroin Trafficking

LONGVIEW — The balloonists participating in the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship finally get a chance to take flight. KETK reports Tuesday and Wednesday’s races were canceled due to poor weather conditions, but Thursday’s weather was deemed safe for flying. Pilots launched near the old Foster school, with the option of four target sites: Maude Cobb, two at Lear Park, and the fourth at Pine Tree Intermediate School. You can go to http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/ for more information. In 2013, Gregg County was proclaimed “The Balloon Race Capital of Texas” by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

LONGVIEW — The Northbound lane of N. Fredonia Street will be closed between E. Tyler Street and Methvin Street on Friday between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. The 2-hour lane closure will be for the northbound lane only. The closure is for the installation of roof top air conditioner units at 214 N. Fredonia. The detour will start at E. Tyler and send traffic to N. Center Street or to N. Green Street. This project is being performed by Air Cybermetics 903-297-5531 and project superintendent is Jesse Hawkins 903-726-0951. If you have any questions about the construction, call the City Engineer, Mark Adas, at 903-237-1053.

TYLER — Smith County has received the prestigious National Association of Counties Achievement Award for its role in the Tax Trust Neighborhood Revitalization Project (TTNRP). According to a county news release, that’s a collaboration of local taxing entities working together to transform neighborhoods through the creation of affordable, new housing. Smith County Judge Joel Baker; Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton; and Jim Lambeth of law firm Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP accepted the award at the NACo annual conference in Fort Worth on Sunday. Continue reading Smith County Wins National Award for Tax Trust Project

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted to approve funding and planning for a new police substation Wednesday. Tyler Police tell KETK the project has been eight years in the making. The new substation will be on the west side of Cumberland Road next to Faulkner Park. “It’s added security knowing that it’s just right down the road instead of across town,” said nearby resident Benjamin Winters. “South Tyler is really poised to have an additional presence of police, and a substation will be a great addition,” said Sam Mezayek of Tyler City Council. Continue reading New Police Substation on the Way to Tyler

RUSK COUNTY — A pilot made an emergency landing on an East Texas highway. Authorities tell KETK, the pilot ran out of fuel, and was forced to land on Highway 259 in Rusk County, about half a mile north of the Nacogdoches County line. The pilot of the small plane is from Louisiana, but there is no word on his planned destination. He told officials that the navigation in his plane went out, and he ran out of fuel. He managed to land the plane safely and move it out of traffic. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. The Federal Aviation Administration is due to investigate the incident that occurred just before 5:00 Wednesday afternoon.