KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LEIGH – A death in Harrison County is being investigated as a homicide. The body of Joshua Ray Tillery, 31, of Marshall, was found late Sunday afternoon. The body was in an abandoned house in the Leigh community, in Eastern Harrison County. The body was sent to a Tyler lab for autopsy. The initial investigation indicated what appears to be a gunshot wound was found on the body. Tillery has previous drug arrests on his record and they are trying to determine if the death was related to drug activity.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Two persons have been arrested in Henderson County on drug charges. Booked into the county jail were Robert Lewis White, 60, of Lindale, and Michelle Meador Cain, 51, of Murchison. Early Monday morning, White was pulled over on Forest Grove Drive south of Chandler. Currently on parole for possession of a controlled substance, a deputy found methamphetamine in several clear, plastic Ziploc baggies, a digital scale commonly used to weigh the drug for distribution and several empty baggies. He also had pill bottles containing the drug and marijuana. He has been charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. Continue reading Smith County Man Busted for Drugs in Henderson County

AUSTIN — A $1 million prize in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game Texas Lottery Gold has been claimed by a resident of Bullard. According to a news release, the claimant elected to remain anonymous. For selling the winning ticket, the local Brookshire Food Store is eligible for a $10,000 retailer bonus. This was the third of five top prizes worth $1 million available in the game to be claimed. Texas Lottery Gold offers more than $75.2 million in total prizes. Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.09, including break-even prizes.

LONGVIEW – Drivers will see some changes on Longview’s Cotton Street beginning Tuesday. That’s when the street will be opening from Green Street to Mobbberly Avenue and closing westbound, allowing eastbound one-way traffic from Mobberly Avenue to MLK Boulevard. The purpose of the project is to replace deteriorated utilities and pavement, and add sidewalks. Drivers wishing to travel west along Cotton Street between Mobberly and MLK must use alternate routes along Oden Street or Marshall Avenue (Highway 80). Through traffic will be allowed to travel one way eastbound along Cotton from Mobberly to MLK. You’re urged to use caution if traveling this route due to heavy construction. The closure is expected to last until late this year.

MARSHALL – An accident in Harrison County has killed a Hallsville teenager. Killed Sunday was Wyatt Thomas Edwards, 18. The Department of Public Safety said Edwards left his vehicle to stand on the pickup’s running board while it was moving. He lost his footing and received a fatal head injury when he hit the roadway. A passenger in the pickup was not injured. The accident occurred on County Road 3023, just east of Marshall.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December January 8. These 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. Tyler Maintenance plans to continue base repair work on the Loop 323 Extension and edge repairs on FM 16 between FM 757 and US 271. Expect lane closures with flaggers conducting traffic control at both locations. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/001-2018.html to find updates on the various projects in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER – A two vehicle accident in Smith County has killed Olivia Brown Drew, 56, of Flint. The wreck occurred just after 4:30 Saturday afternoon on County Road 46, just under a mile north of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety reports Drew’s pickup was heading south on State Highway 110. Her pickup left the roadway, traveled through a fence and then several hundred yards through private property where it then struck a car that was parked next to a residence on the county road. Drew was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – A two vehicle collision near the intersection of West Grande and Shady Oaks Drive has killed a Tyler man. Dead at the scene was Rodney Dean Kolac, 69. The accident happened shortly before 10:30 Sunday morning. Investigators say Kolac’s car was traveling east went it went out control in a S-curve. It then ended up in the west bound lane where it hit a pickup. The pickup’s driver was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment of with non-life threatening injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – A lone gunman has robbed a Longview bank. It happened Friday just before 6:00pm, at the Chase Bank branch on Judson Road at Loop 281. The suspect, a white male, fled with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Brookshire’s Grocery Company with 8 violations due to the September 1st ammonia leak in Tyler. It an exclusive report by KETK, “on December 5, OSHA released their full report to Brookshire’s which stated their findings. They cited the company with 8 “serious” violations; serious being the lower ranking. The citations included maintenance, safeguards, and operational features for exit routes; process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals; hazardous waster operations and emergency response.” Each of the violations cost nearly $8,000 dollars. The total of the fine issued to Brookshire’s is more than $63,000.” Continue reading OSHA Cites Brookshire’s For Safety Violations Due to an Ammonia Leak, Company Issues a Statement

TYLER – A detective with the Smith County Sheriff’s Department has died. Sheriff Larry Smith said on the department’s Facebook page that Anthony Broyles failed to show up for work on Friday. Department personnel, along with Boyle’s mom, found him dead at his home. It appears as if he died of natural causes. According to Sheriff Smith, “Anthony was a gentle giant who worked hard in spite of his recent illness. He will be greatly missed.” Funeral arrangements are pending.

KILGORE – A suspect has been named in a Kilgore murder that occurred on New Year’s eve. He is Dwight Patrick Scott, 51. He is wanted for the death of Tracy Lynn Reedy, 50. She was found about 11:30 that evening on a sidewalk at The Village on Meadowgreen Drive apartments in southeast Kilgore. Kilgore detectives have obtained a murder warrant for Scott. The bond was pre-set at $1 million. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the shooting or where Scott can be found can contact Kilgore detective Jim Rowe.

TYLER – A student at Robert E Lee High School has been treated and released from a Tyler hospital after being hit by a vehicle on the campus. The student, whose name has not been released, was hit in the horseshoe area of the campus parking lot shortly after 9:15 Friday morning. The accident occurred as the student was changing classes. TISD Executive Director Communications and PR, Dawn Parnell, said due to the current design of the campus, some students have cross through the horseshoe parking lot when traveling to classes. Currently the campus is being remodeled and once completed all classrooms will be in one building.

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University has been named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of the Best College Values for 2018 nationwide. LETU was ranked 83rd on the magazine’s list of 100 best values among private universities for the third consecutive year. Kiplinger’s quality measures, which are weighted more heavily than cost, include the admission rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and the four-year graduation rate. The cost criteria include sticker price, financial aid and average debt at graduation. Kiplinger restricts its analysis to measurable standards of academic quality and affordability and was the first ranking to focus on value.

SMITH COUNTY – A two vehicle accident east of Tyler, in Smith County, has left one person dead and one injured. The wreck occurred just before 1:30 Friday afternoon at the intersection of Farm Roads 2767 and 2908. Dead at the scene was Robert McLouth, 34, of Arp. Taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment was Blake Owens, 28, of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety report says Owens’ SUV had entered the intersection and was hit by McLouth’s pickup, which had failed to yield the right of way at the intersection.

LONGVIEW – A Longview Fire Department official has been injured in an early morning wreck. It happened around 2:45 Friday morning on East Marshall Avenue. Taken to a Longview hospital, where he was treated and released, was Deputy Fire Marshal Bert Scott. His fire department SUV was stopped at a traffic light when it was rear ended by a vehicle driven by Micah Trumond Armstong, 23, of Longview. He was not injured but was arrested for driving while intoxicated, his second DWI in a year’s time. Continue reading Longview Fireman Injured in Wreck

RUSK — More help is on the way for East Texans battling mental health issues. KETK reports $4.5 million will be used to revamp parts of Rusk State Hospital. Officials say they have been under -funded for years, so parts of the building eroded, and hospital units have had to close. New improvements will include a 100-bed maximum security unit. Construction could begin as early as 2019.

TOOL – A Henderson County man has been busted on drug charges. Randall Caroll Palmer, 69, of Tool, was arrested Thursday at a residence on Kingsway Drive in the Royal Oaks Subdivision. Armed with a search warrant, investigators found a clear plastic baggie and a pill bottle which contained a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamines. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail on a charge of felony possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $8,500.

NEW LONDON – One person has died in a Rusk County accident. The one vehicle accident occurred around 7:30 Friday morning on State Highway 42, just over a mile and a half south of New London. Dead at the scene was 21 year old Zachary Hunter Reynolds of Overton. The Department of Public Safety says his car was heading south when it left the road, hit a tree and caught fire. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER — East Texas hospitals are seeing an increase in flu cases. Just last week, ETMC diagnosed 236 patients. KETK reports when it comes to the flu, even actively healthy people can easily catch the virus. Symptoms can last up to eight days. Dr. Evans Smith, ETMC Emergency Medicine Specialist, says, “It seems to peak around day three to four and then you know you’re not going to die. You’re starting to feel better, but you’re not well.” Dr. Smith says as soon as you feel symptoms, get checked out by a doctor.

TYLER – Kidnapping suspect Austin Ray Bowers, 26, of Whitehouse, has been put in jail on $400,000 bond. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says Bowers was captured around 3:40 Thursday afternoon. He was wanted for aggravated kidnapping and endangering a child. The sheriff’s office said on its Facebook page that Bowers had threatened to buy high-powered rifles to kill anyone who stands between him and his ex-girfriend. He has also said he would be “racking up” felonies before he goes back to prison. Jail records show Bowers has now been booked into the Smith County Jail 17 times since 2009. He was first arrested by the Bullard Police Department for possession of marijuana. Before Thursday, his last arrest was last month, when he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

LONGVIEW – The honor guard of the Gregg County sheriff’s Department has it;s first female member. She is is Deputy Sarah Kirkland. The honor guard has been around for over 15 years. It represents the department at events like memorials and funerals.

HARRISON COUNTY – Two people from Oklahoma are dead following a multi-vehicle wreck on I-20 in Harrison County that caused hours of traffic woes. The wreck happened around 3:30 Thursday morning near mile marker 601, and involved several vehicles, including five 18-wheelers. According to the DPS report, four tractor trailers were stopped on the interstate for a wreck that had happened a short time earlier. A 5th semi trailer failed to stop and ran into the vehicles. The driver and passenger in that semi died at the scene. They are identified as Jimmy Crifenbery, 66, of Allen, Oklahoma, and his passenger, Judy Milburn, 52, of Oklahoma City. Injured were Andre Degree from Detroit, Michigan, who was treated and released from a Longview hospital and Robert Miller, 64, of Chandler, who remains in a Longview hospital.

TYLER – The John Tyler High School speech and debate program has been awarded a 2016-2017 Leading Chapter Award in the UIL Texas District. The award comes from the National Speech & Debate Association. John Tyler is among only 108 schools to receive the honor out of more than 3,600 schools nationwide. Only one school in each speech and debate district earns the award every year. The award is the highest recognition a school can receive from the association. The school’s speech & debate team will be presented a plaque during the final round of district competition next month.

TYLER – Two men have been arrested for stealing saddles and tack from a Smith County ranch last month and trading them for fake drugs. Arrested were Jacob Aaron McDougal, 26, of Henderson Addison Hayden Reynolds, 22, of Gladewater. Investigators with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Larry Hand, were able to link the suspects to the theft. Reynolds was arrested by Gregg County Deputies. Smith County Deputies arrested McDougal. Both have been charged with burglary of a building. Reynold has also been charged with violation of probation and McDougal is also charged with violation of parole. Continue reading Two Arrested for Stealing Saddles

TYLER – The Tyler capital murder trial of Gustavo Zavala-Garcia is once again being rescheduled. The trial had been set for March. But, because of delays in DNA testing, it is being moved to this fall in the 241st State District Court. The individual questioning of each potential juror is now set for September 10. Presentation of evidence would start on October 8. He is accused of kidnapping Kayla Gomez, 10, from a Bullard church in November of 2016. Her body was found days later inside a well on the suspect’s property. According to the arrest affidavit, a witness said they saw the man with Kayla shortly before her disappearance. Family members said he is a cousin who acted like an uncle to the girl.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman was jailed Wednesday on charges of child endangerment after police said she failed to take a child found to be on several illicit drugs to the hospital. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Tikasha Jackson, 19, of Longview was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in Rusk County. She was indicted in October by a grand jury in connection with an April incident in which jurors believe Jackson “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence” put a child under 15 years old in “imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.” The indictment said Jackson did not voluntarily take the girl to an “emergency infant care provider” despite the child testing positive for drugs including methamphetamine, amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee has announced Mrs. Regina Wayne and Reverend Lewis Thompson, Jr. as the 2018 Unity Honors recipients. The award is a life time achievement award that recognizes persons in the community who have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of unity, mutual understanding, and social justice. The Unity Honors Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 21 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Continue reading Longview’s 2018 Unity Honorees Announced

TYLER – It is that time of the year when the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation staff Shut off outdoor drinking fountains in all parks managed by the City of Tyler. Also, public restrooms within the following parks are now closed for the winter season. Those parks are:
Emmett J Park
Fun Forest Park
Gassaway Park
Hillside Park
Noble Young Park (upper restroom only)
P T Cole Park
Winters Park
The facilities will become fully operational again in a few months.