KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Road work begins on Wednesday in phase 2 improvements to County Road 168. The project is expected to last six weeks. The road runs between Texas Highway 155 and CR 178 (Old Palestine Highway). The work will replace a temporary cross-culvert with a new concrete box culvert. The project is part of the Smith County bond program. The work also includes the widening and overlay of the 2.26-mile section of CR 168. Motorist that normally use CR 168 to access Owens Elementary School will be able to use CR 178 to access the school. Phase 1 was completed before school started in August.

KILGORE — The city of Kilgore will celebrate Oktoberfest all month long. October 5 will see Kilgore Main Street host across three city blocks in downtown Kilgore. Brigitta’s Hungarian Restaurant will continue the merriment the next two Saturdays. The month culminates on the 26th with the Avalon Faire Oktoberfest from 12pm-9pm. Events will include the classic bier stein holding and chicken dance contests, along with an axe throwing contest, three-legged race and a brat eating contest. The fun takes place at Renaissance park on FM 1252, featuring Germanfood, music, beer and games for all ages. To find out more, http://www.kilgoremainstreet.com/oktoberfest-2019.

KILGORE — An East Texas pastor celebrated a milestone on Sunday at the Kilgore Forest Home Baptist Church. Rev. Earl Buddy Duggins, has been pastoring 55 years, and celebrated 30 years at the Kilgore church. According to our news partner KETK, before going into full-time ministry, Duggins served in the Marine Corps. He said while the church has helped shape the community in positive ways, ultimately God deserves the credit for all their success. Continue reading East Texas Pastor Celebrates 30 year Milestone in Kilgore

HENDERSON — A Henderson ISD Board member was arrested after an opponent says Jonathan Earl Best paid someone to steal his campaign signs. According to our news partner KETK, home video led investigators to a suspect that named Best as the person that paid him to steal those signs. Adam Duey is challenging Best for the seat in District 5. Duey first noticed signs disappearing. The Duey family has also had a tire slashed, in addition to what a mechanic described as sugar in the gas tank topped off with water. KETK reached out to Jonathan Best for comment, and has not heard back. The Henderson ISD election takes place November 5th.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Rangers are investigating after a Gregg County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a burglary suspect. The suspect was later identified as Dewayne Morgan W/M age 37 of Tatum, deputies responded to a call at the home off I-20, near the West Access Road, at 10:47 Sunday night. The homeowner told deputies he had shot at the burglar, but it’s unclear if the burglar was hit. The suspect ran across I-20 into the eastbound ditch where the deputy used his taser. A violent encounter ensued, and the deputy shot the man. The suspect was transported to a Marshall hospital where he later died. The deputy was transported to a separate hospital for treatment of his injuries,and later released.

WOOD COUNTY — A woman is killed in a wreck involving an ambulance Saturday. According to the DPS report, the crash happened on FM-515, four miles northwest of the city of Yantis, in Wood County. Jennifer Annette Dougherty, 44, of Quinlan was traveling west on FM-515 when she drove into the eastbound lane of traffic. Dougherty struck a 2016 Chevrolet ambulance driven by Erica Lynn Blalock, 24, of Quitman. Dougherty was pronounced at the scene. Blalock was treated and released. The crash remains under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the Week of Sept. 30, 2019. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. In Smith County, the new bridge on CR 1113/Lake Placid Road at Butler Creek has been opened to traffic ahead of schedule. The contractor will continue to conduct minor work at this location. Tyler Maintenance and Special Jobs crews plan to conduct mill and inlay operations at various locations on SH 110 from north of I-20 to FM 16 for the next few weeks. Crews will also perform routine maintenance such as edging, and pothole and sign repairs, on various roadways around the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Much more at https://www.txdot.gov/

LUFKIN — Lufkin police are investigating after a man was shot Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say they got reports of gunfire around 10:30 P.M. near the intersection of Paul Avenue and Arena Street. Police say they arrived on the scene to find a man with a gunshot wound. They attempted to find the shooter but weren’t able to locate anyone connected to the crime. The victim was taken to the hospital, his condition is unknown.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Troopers responded to the scene of a helicopter that made a hard landing in a field near the intersection of CR-3703 and CR-3702. No injuries were reported.

TATUM — A demonstration was held Friday morning at Tatum ISD by a family in the middle of a dress code controversy. According to our news partner KETK, the dissension began in August, when Randi Woodley claims her grandson attended a Meet the Teacher event and during a meeting with the principal and Superintendent Woodley says that Dr. J.P. Richardson, gave her 3 options; cut his hair, braid it and pin it up, or put him in a dress and send him to school, and when prompted he must say he’s a girl. Dr. Richardson vehemently denies the claims. Continue reading Protest over Dress Code Violation in Tatum

PALESTINE — The City of Palestine will soon be looking for a new Chief of Police. Chief Andy Harvey has announced his resignation. Under Harvey’s leadership the department has taken large steps forward technologically, as well as with community engagement. City officials have not established a timeline for Chief Harvey’s permanent replacement. Chief Harvey’s last day is scheduled for October 18th.

TYLER — Chapters from a nonprofit organization called the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) recently met in Washington D.C. Four topics were selected as points of focus for the day, one of which addressed the recent bipartisan American Security Drone Act, proposed by a number of U.S. senators. The bill seeks to ban the U.S. government from purchasing drones manufactured in countries like China and Iran, which are identified as national security threats. Phil Burks, co-founder of FIRST iZTM, attended several Congressional meetings for both the Senate and House, as well as AUVSI presentations.

TYLER — A 36-year-old Tyler man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Florencio Campos, Jr., pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. Campos was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison Thursday. Campos was also ordered to submit to the forfeiture of $27,810. Continue reading Smith County Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Free Bulky Item Collections campaign starts Monday. Bulky items need to be placed at the curb by Monday. City crews will begin collecting on Monday through next Friday. After crews have collected on your street, do not place more bulky items on the curb, or you will be charged a special pick up fee. If your bulky items have not been collected by Monday, Oct. 7, contact the Solid Waste Office (903) 531-1388. Continue reading Free Bulky Item Collection Starts Monday

MINEOLA — The Lake Country Symphonic Band is putting the finishing touches on their upcoming concerts on October 6th and 8th. The performance will be in Mineola. The Sunday concert will begin at 2 PM and the Tuesday night presentation will be at 7:30 PM. The production will feature music from Game of Thrones, Titanic, and The Cowboys. Pianist Jennifer Turner will join the band for a collaboration of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Continue reading Upcoming Concerts for Lake Country Symphonic Band

MABANK — The Mabank community came together in a big way on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Mabank high school football team hosted a “drive through dinner” for the family of Tina Mercer and her mom Linda Scott. Mercer died in a fire along with her Mother on Monday. On Monday, Mercer, 41, called 911 to report that her home was on fire. Mercer’s four school-aged children were not in the home, but her disabled mother and an infant were. Fire-fighters arrived to find that Mercer saved the baby, Continue reading Team Host Dinner for Teammate and Sibblings after Fire Claims Mom, Grandmother

TYLER — A former high school sports official is accused of drugging and raping a John Tyler student. Robert Robinson, 63, was arrested last week on charges of child sexual assault by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and is in jail on a $500,000 bond. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, the warrant states the attack took place at his home in 2009 and that the victim became pregnant from the rape and she gave birth to a daughter. The woman is now 26. Robinson is currently trying to gain custody of the child. Continue reading Former Sports Official Accused in Rape of Student

TYLER — Smith County Road 1113 – Lake Placid Road – opened back up to traffic Thursday after being closed for nearly three months for a bridge replacement. The bridge project at Butler Creek was completed a few weeks earlier than expected. Detour signs were being removed on Thursday. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said the bridge needed to be replaced because it was undersized for the amount of road traffic, and it had structural problems. The project was done through the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the Federal Office-System Bridge Program. Smith County has improved a portion of Lake Placid Road and plans to continue with construction on the road since the bridge replacement is completed.

TYLER — The countdown has begun for CityFest, the region-wide campaign focused on serving the community and proclaiming a message of hope in downtown Tyler. The celebration is produced by the Luis Palau Association, which began large outreach ministry in 1966, the year Andrew Palau was born. Event organizers anticipate 15,000 attendees to show up to The Square, downtown. Both nights national headlining Christian acts will share the stage with Andrew Palau. Thanks to the generosity of dozens of company’s, non-profits and over 350 local churches the event will be free. Continue reading CityFest Tyler Oct 5-6

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority released the preliminary results of the Toll 49 Segment 6 Feasibility Study on Thursday. Three routes close to Tyler will move into the next phase of possible plans. A final decision on what could potentially be built is anticipated in 2022. The Toll 49 Segment 6 Project is for a proposed extension of Toll 49 from SH 110 north to US 271. The study is not finalized, so information could change. When the analysis is concluded in early November, the particulars will be made public. The next public meeting will be in the Spring of 2020.

TYLER — It’s homecoming week at All Saints Episcopal School. Part of the festivities include a fireworks show after the game Friday night off of S.SW Loop 323. The display has the necessary permits and is in compliance with state and local requirements. The Tyler Fire Department will be on-hand. The exhibition is expected to run around 10 minutes in total.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have located a vehicle that police say was driven at an officer during a stop earlier this week. However, authorities are still searching for two individuals that were inside that car. Both suspects are from Longview and have been identified as 29 year-old Javier David Canchola-Vargas and 28 year-old Jesus Salaiz. Canchola-Vargas is wanted on a charge of F/3 Assault on a Public Servant. Salaiz is wanted on a charge of Class A misdemeanor Evading Arrest/Detention. Continue reading Vehicle Located , Suspects Still on the Loose

TYLER — A former Bishop Gorman coach will not serve any jail time. According to our news partner KETK, Jakeal Lockett, 25, received the sentence Thursday morning. Lockett will serve his deferred adjudication probation in Beaumont close to family. The burglary charge came about after an incident at a UT Tyler apartment in February. The former coach initially faced the charge of burglary with intent to commit sexual assault. Lockett pled down to a lesser charge in August and Prosecutors dropped the sexual assault part of the charge after they said they met extensively with the victim. Lockett will not have to register as a sex offender. Continue reading Former Coach Sentenced to Probation

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Rusk woman has died following a wreck just north of the Rusk city limits. According to the Department of Public Safety report, Rachael Paralee Finley, 38, was driving north on Highway 69 around 6:30 Wednesday night when her vehicle veered off the roadway. She reportedly over-corrected and rolled her Toyota Sequoia several times. Finely was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was arrested late Wednesday night for possession of child pornography. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Kyle Landua, 25, was taken into custody by Smith County Sheriff’s deputies after 11 p.m Wednesday night. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $750,000.

TYLER — Authorities have arrested a fugitive suspect Tyler police described as “armed and dangerous.” According to our news parnter KETK, Jeffery A. Johnston, 34, was arrested in the area of North Northeast Loop 323 and Morningside Drive after authorities combed a search perimeter. Tyler police and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by K-9 units and drones in the search. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Johnston took off when authorities attempted to serve a warrant on him. Jeffery was wanted on multiple charges, including forgery, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and parole violation. He was booked into the Smith County Jail and now has a charge of evading arrest.

FORT WORTH (AP/STAFF) – A 51-year-old Tyler man has been convicted of kidnapping in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl as she walked with her mother along a street in Fort Worth. Jurors returned a guilty verdict against Michael Webb Wednesday after deliberating for about 15 minutes. A federal judge will determine Webb’s sentence. Prosecutors have requested a life prison term. Testimony included video of Webb admitting to an FBI agent that he snatched the girl from the street. The girl was abducted May 18. Police acting on a tip searched Webb’s hotel room in nearby Forest Hill the next morning but didn’t find her. Continue reading East Texas Man found Guilty of Kidnapping Girl

TYLER — The front man of Poison plans to support East Texas area charities as a part of his visit to Tyler. Rock star Bret Michaels is scheduled to perform at the East Texas State Fair this weekend. At Saturday’s show Michaels will be auctioning off his iconic cowboy hat, as well as other items to benefit local charities. Michaels’ team has not announced which local charity they plan to support. Continue reading Bret Michaels To Auction Iconic Hat For Local Charity

TYLER — The month of October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The 1 in 3 Foundation in partnership with the national effort is hosting a panel discussion and will offer a free lunch and learn. “The Impact of Domestic Violence on Families: A Panel Discussion” will be held on Thursday, October 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the UT Health Science Center at Tyler Biomedical Research Building Conference Room (#699) located on Highway 271. This is a community event open to the public.