KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BALTIMORE (AP) – Federal officials say they’ve found a missile launcher in a Jacksonville, Texas, man’s luggage at the airport in Baltimore. The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that the military grade weapon was located in the man’s checked luggage at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. TSA officers called airport police who found the man and detained him for questioning. The unidentified traveler said he was in the military and coming home from Kuwait. He said he wanted to keep the weapon as a souvenir. The TSA said the missile launcher was “not a live device.” But it was handed over to the state fire marshal for disposal. The man was ultimately allowed to catch his flight home.

TYLER — Jay Brooks has been sworn in as the Smith County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator. County Judge Nathaniel Moran swore in the new chief on Monday morning. After he was sworn in, Brooks deputized his staff. Brooks volunteered from 2007 through 2014, when he became the county’s fire marshal for more than a year before leaving to work in the private sector. Commissioners recently appointed Brooks after the retirement of Connie McCoy-Wasson. Brooks will fill the unexpired term through December 2020.

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s “Beauty and the Box” program has a new addition. A new traffic signal box has been wrapped on the corner of Old Bullard Road and Rieck Road. What started as a pilot program of ten boxes in the Downtown Business Arts and Culture District in 2016 has grown to 41 vinyl-wrapped boxes all across the City of Tyler. More info is available online. http://www.keeptylerbeautiful.com/.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities Monday began a water meter audit and rehabilitation program in conjunction with Aqua-Metric. The work continues throughout the summer months. The technicians will have the City of Tyler or the Aqua-Metric logo clearly displayed on their vehicles and will not need access inside the home or business. Technicians will notify residents when they arrive and the entire process should be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. The initial focus of the program will be in the southeast quadrant of the City.

DALLAS — One of the state’s major blood banks has declared a crisis. Carter BloodCare is going through an almost unprecedented summer blood shortage. Carter’s Linda Goelzer says supplies are at a point where if a life-saving blood transfusion is needed, there is no guarantee the proper blood would be available. And if you’re available to donate, your blood type doesn’t matter. Carter Bloodcare has 25 donor centers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Longview, Paris, Tyler, and Waco.

TYLER — Former CEO of East Texas Medical Center, Elmer Ellis, died Sunday at age 78. According to our news partner KETK, through Ellis’ efforts, ETMC Tyler emerged with national recognition that advanced healthcare in East Texas. He was known for his quick wit and business acumen, according to his obituary. Following a private burial service, there will be an ‘honor code’ procession throughout UT Health Tyler, formerly ETMC Tyler. In lieu of flowers, gifts are asked to be given to Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army and the Hospice of East Texas Foundation. Continue reading Former CEO of ETMC, Elmer Ellis, Dies at 78

LONGVIEW — One man is in custody after an overnight shooting left a woman dead. According to our news partner KETK, officers were conducting a welfare check at a home on Temple Street around 3:15 a.m. Sunday and found the body of Kimberly Wallace, 39. Police then obtained a murder warrant for 41-year-old Kenneth Earl Thomas Jr. of Longview. When confronted, Thomas began shooting at the officers who returned fire. The Longview Police Department says no officers were injured in the shooting. Thomas was wounded and taken to the hospital before being released back into police custody. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a murder charge. Bond was set at $500,000. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay.

KILGORE — Kilgore police are asking for the public’s help in searching for a woman wanted on multiple charges. According to our news partner KETK, Jessica Renee Goodloe, 34, is wanted for felony injury to a child and probation violations for DWI 2nd offense and DWI with previous conviction. Goodloe is a white female with brown hair, brown eyes, 5’04”, 150 pounds. She has multiple visible tattoos on both of her arms and hands. Police say they have contacted friends and family members but Goodloe has refused to cooperate with law enforcement. Authorities suspect she may be hiding in the Kilgore area or with family in Trinity.

TYLER — A new piece of high-tech baggage screening equipment has been installed by the Transportation Security Administration at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Previously, all bags were screened manually. TSA officers had to open each checked bag and swab it for traces of explosives before it could be loaded for flight. The new system will screen bags automatically and alert TSA officers if something needs closer inspection. Travelers checking a bag will still need to bring their bags to their airline check-in counter.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Main Street Program and One Hundred Acres of Heritage, Inc. has nominated five downtown businesses/organizations for 2019 Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards. The Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards are awarded each year in October. Local programs will be notified to find out if they are a finalist in September and awards will be presented at the annual TDA Conference in Georgetown, TX in October. To learn more click the link. https://longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2013.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for two females suspected of entering movie theaters and stealing credit cards from women’s purses while inside the auditorium. In addition, TPD’s “Find’em Friday” is looking for Derrick Joshua Reed. Reed is wanted for 2 counts of indecent exposure. If you have information on either case, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Photos and additional cases are available by clicking the link. https://www.facebook.com/TylerTexasPolice/

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a 2019 educational fundraising award. TJC was honored in the category of overall improvement. TJC is one of four higher education institutions in Texas – and the only two-year institution – to be recognized. Nationwide, it was also among only 5 institutions to be recognized in its category. The judging panel does not know the name of the institution tied to survey data. TJC will be recognized at CASE’s 2019 Center for Community College Advancement conference held in San Diego this October.

TYLER (AP) – Tyler-based Southside Bancshares Inc. on Friday reported second-quarter profit of $18.6 million. The bank said it had earnings of 55 cents per share. The holding company for Southside Bank posted revenue of $71.9 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $56 million, which beat Wall Street forecasts. Southside Bancshares shares have risen 3.5% since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 7% in the last 12 months.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to life in prison for the Easter 2014 murder of his wife. According to our news partner KETK, Cedric Thompson was convicted and sentenced for the murder of Kayla Wood Thompson. Thompson stabbed his wife eight times and then ran her over with a Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV when she tried to run to a neighbor’s house to get help. He was arrested at a hospital in Kilgore after an apparent suicide attempt. The victim’s children witnessed the murder and testified at trial.

LONGVIEW — Pilots from across the nation are in East Texas for the Great Texas Balloon Race. Flights will make their way across Longview following a Friday start and continuing throughout the weekend, finishing at the East Texas Regional Airport. Organizers say the Friday and Saturday night display balloons will entertain and fill the sky with color and excitement. Longview was declared “The Balloon Race capital of Texas” by the 83rd Texas Legislature in 2013. What started in 1978 has grown into 50 sport and special-shaped hot air balloons where pilots compete for the Texas State Championship. For a complete schedule, click the link. http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/.

PALESTINE — D.P.S. troopers responded to a fatal crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 287, six miles north of Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, the driver and two young passengers are dead following a wreck when the driver swerved into the opposite lane, went off road, hit a barditch and eventually struck a tree. Ruby Kwame, 34, of Palestine was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children age 4 and 2 were transported to a Palestine hospital where they were pronounced dead. Another passenger, 8-months-old, was transported to a Palestine hospital, listed in stable condition. Reports indicate they were all wearing seat belts. The crash remains under investigation.

MARSHALL — Marshall police say they’ll no longer place temporary stop signs at intersections when the traffic light is not displaying a signal. That’s after conversations with TxDOT and a review of laws regarding such situations. In the past, temporary stop signs were placed at intersections to control traffic, but they would remain at the intersection for a short period of time after the traffic-control device would begin functioning properly. Police say this caused unnecessary confusion among drivers and became a traffic hazard. When a traffic light is not displaying a signal, state law dictates that the driver shall stop as if the intersection had a stop sign. This is regulated under Section 544.007(i) of the Texas Transportation Code, and police encourage you to review that provision.

TYLER — Blue Duck Scooters is not coming to Tyler, at least for now. The company had brought the idea of scooters to the Tyler City Council, but council members took a pass. According to our news partner KETK, the council has had input questioning safety in the past. Assistant police chief Billy Yates recommended the city not approve the scooters. Blue Duck had envisioned a 30-day trial run in the city before the no vote. The city is hoping to encourage local colleges to bring scooters on campus, then perhaps a successful trial would lead to scooters in the future.

TYLER — In a recent survey Tyler police officers expressed deep dissatisfaction with Chief Jimmy Toler and two assistant police chiefs . According to our new partner KETK, the survey was conducted in June by the Texas Municipal Police Association. The City of Tyler is aware of the issue and plans to investigate, according to Mayor Martin Heines. Chief Toler said the survey makes the problems on the force sound worse than they really are. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith has offered his support of Chief Toler. Not all in the survey is bad news, though. A majority of respondents said they agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoy their current assignments.

EAST TEXAS — A Henderson woman accused of torching a Shreveport man’s mobile home following a domestic breakup in 2017 was convicted of simple arson Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Bridget Nicole Ebarb, 37, intentionally set fire to the mobile home on August 27, 2017. Her ex-boyfriend called 911 to report the fire and told investigators that Ebarb had started it. She was arrested at the scene the same day. Since damages exceeded $500, the penalty Ebarb faces when sentenced could be up to 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances will be conducting an emergency management drill at the Tyler campus on Dawson today. It will involve an active shooter scenario. Officials said they are taking a number of steps to ensure any staff, patients or guests at the facility are aware of the drill.

DAINGERFIELD (AP) – One person was seriously injured and a truck was destroyed in an explosion at an East Texas petroleum plant. Morris County Sheriff Jack Martin says that the man was airlifted to a hospital Wednesday afternoon following an explosion at the WOI Petroleum plant outside of Daingerfield, a community of more than 2,300 people about 135 miles northeast of Dallas. The man’s condition is unknown. Martin says the 1 p.m. blast caused no deaths or other serious injuries. The ensuing fire destroyed a truck before being extinguished around 2 p.m. Calls to WOI were not answered Wednesday. The cause of the explosion is being investigated by state and county officials. The blast follows large fires at two Houston-area chemical facilities in March and April.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced that the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy has been granted the highest level of accreditation status by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education. The Fisch College of Pharmacy began in 2013 with the appointment of Dr. Lane Brunner as the founding dean. Since then, the program has advanced through the three status levels of ACPE accreditation in the minimum amount of time afforded to accomplish the new status. UT Tyler graduated its first class of pharmacists this past May.

LONGVIEW — Stephanie Hesley, the director of nursing at Buckner Westminster Place, was appointed to TMF’s inaugural Texas Directors of Nursing Advisory Board. Originally known as the Texas Medical Foundation, TMF Health Quality Institute shortened its name in 2005. Hesley is one of only seven directors of nursing on the board and will work with the other members to improve the quality of senior adult nursing care across Texas, according to a news release. Officials say Hesley’s distinction represents the high level of care and quality provided at the Longview senior living community.

JACKSONVILLE (AP/STAFF) — Authorities say an East Texas sheriff’s deputy has survived being shot in the protective vest during an attempted traffic stop in which a suspect fled but was captured several hours later. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says 39-year-old Jeremy Brian Cook of Grand Prairie was arrested Wednesday on a charge of attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer. The shooting happened before dawn near Berryville, about 100 miles southeast of Dallas. The Texas Department of Public Safety says Cook, who fled on a motorcycle, was located in a wooded area near Jacksonville. The sheriff says deputy Jonathan Hutchison was hit in the side, taken to a Tyler hospital, treated and released. Cook was being held without bond.

TYLER — A free dental, medical and vision outreach is scheduled for July 29 – Aug. 2. This is the fourth annual Operation East Texas event, a collaboration between TJC Dental Studies and Vocational Nursing, Texas A&M College of Dentistry, UT Health Science Center at Tyler, UT Tyler Nursing and Pharmacy, TJC Wellness and Exercise Science and the Tyler Lions Club. The function happens at the Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center on Tyler Junior College campus. Services available include limited dental services as well as medical and vision screenings. The number of screenings per day is limited. Organizers urge participants to bring a current list of medications and daily supplement bottles. For additional recorded information, call 903-533-5560. Information is available at this number only.

TYLER — Smith County homeowners could soon be paying higher property taxes. According to our news partner KETK, the Commissioners Court is set to talk about the 2020 budget during the next few weeks. The judge and commissioners want to give all county employees a 1 1/2 percent raise and hire more deputies and jailers. The tax rate would be raised from 33.7 cents to 34.5 cents. We’re told road construction needs to be done as well, including Old Jacksonville Highway and Paluxy Drive. Officials say Smith County needs to match a portion of the cost for those TxDOT projects. Public hearings will continue through August, with the final vote on the budget and new tax rate August 27.

KILGORE – D.P.S. Troopers responded to a report of a single engine airplane emergency landing on Tuesday afternoon. The plane landed on Hwy 31 and Hwy 259 in Gregg County. During a preliminary investigation into the incident, the pilot advised that he began experiencing engine issues over Interstate 20 and had to land on Highway 259 in Kilgore. He was able to taxi into the parking lot of the Executive Inn of Highway 259. The FAA has been notified of the incident and the plane will be towed to the East Texas Regional Airport in Gregg County. No injuries have been reported.

TYLER –Tyler police Tuesday arrested a suspect in a robbery at the Dollar Tree on Highway 64 West. Store management told police a former employee, identified as Michael Jacob Pierce, came into the store to talk about employment. After discussing employment the manager told Pierce that she would give him a ride if he wanted to wait around. While the manager was in the safe, Pierce reportedly pushed her to the ground, took cash and fled on foot. Officers located Pierce a short time later. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a theft of property charge. Bond has not been set.