KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say a vehicle drove into the E-Z Mart gas station building at the intersection of Loop 281 and Bill Owens Parkway Friday morning. No injuries have been reported. Further details weren’t immediately available, but police remind you to always remember to place your vehicle in park before exiting.

TYLER — The City of Tyler and the Tyler Police Department have identified action items following continued discussions between city and community leaders. “Tyler Police Department has enjoyed a close and cooperative relationship with citizens in Tyler,” said Police Chief Jimmy Toler (pictured) in a city news release. “These relationships are built on transparency, mutual respect and trust.” Discussions began on Jan. 20, following contact with ex-football star Ricky Williams by the Tyler Police Department in response to a citizen request for police service. Community leaders, including the NAACP, Tyler Together Race Relations Forum and Smith County elected officials came together to voice their concerns and discuss ways to move forward. “I was very proud of the show of unity at last week’s meeting,” said Mayor Martin Heines in the release. “Our goal as a community is to work together.” Continue reading Tyler Officials: City and Police Reaffirm Commitment to Community

LONGVIEW — A 50-year-old Longview man has been arrested after police said he tried to hide about 7 grams of methamphetamine. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Timothy Wayne Yow was placed in the Gregg County Jail on $20,000 bond, charged with possession of a controlled substance measuring between 4 and 200 grams. Longview police were patrolling the Texas Lodge on East Marshall Avenue about 10:40 a.m. Wednesday when they saw Yow and a known wanted suspect sitting in a truck at the motel, according to police. When officers went to arrest the suspect, they saw Yow get out of the truck and attempt to conceal two tobacco cans before throwing them in the back of the truck, police said. Officers found 7.1 grams of meth in the tobacco cans.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested a fourth suspect in a September 8 home invasion and shooting on Clearwood Drive. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Markerrion D’Shon Allison, 20, of Carthage was placed in the Gregg County Jail on $250,000 bond, charged with aggravated robbery. He also was held on a parole violation for theft of a firearm. Allison was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Longview Police Department. Continue reading Fourth Suspect Arrested in Robbery, Shooting

GREGG COUNTY — A 33-year-old Gilmer woman has been indicted on charges stemming from an October crash that sent her two young boys and two others to the hospital. According to KETK, Tenia Michelle Rose has been indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of intoxication assault and one count of injury to a child. Rose remained in the Gregg County Jail with bond set at $254,000. Rose had been driving Oct. 28 on George Richey Road in Warren City when her car collided with another vehicle. Rose’s sons, ages 7 and 8, were taken to a Dallas hospital. Continue reading Woman Indicted for Intoxicated Assault following Wreck

MARSHALL – The Texas Department of Public Safety has temporarily closed the Marshall Driver License Office for renovations. The office is expected to reopen to the public in mid-February. During the renovation period, DPS is encouraging customers in the area to visit the driver license offices in Longview (located at 416 Lake Lamond Road, Longview, TX 75604-5838) or Gilmer (located at 713 State Highway 155 North, Gilmer, TX 75644). Continue reading Marshall Driver License Office Set for Renovation

LONGVIEW – A Kilgore woman has been indicted for the murder of her mother. According to KETK, the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office reports Kayla Ann Wheeler, 28, was indicted Thursday after she admitted to stabbing her mother to death in October 2016. Police found the body of Elizabeth Jane Wheeler, 52, November 3, 2016, at the Hidden Hills Apartments on Gilmer Road in Longview. The autopsy report stated Wheeler had stab wounds to the neck with a perforation of the jugular vein and carotid artery, muscles and larynx. Continue reading Woman Indicted in Mother’s Murder

TYLER – The accused murderer of Kayla Gomez-Orozco, 10, has been indicted on one count of capital murder. According to KETK, judicial records indicate Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, 24, of Bullard, was indicted by a Smith County Grand Jury January 23. Last November, Kayla disappeared from a Bullard church during worship. Her body was found days later inside a well on the suspect’s property. Continue reading Suspect Indicted in Death of Kayla Gomez-Orozco

STROUD, Okla. (AP/Staff) – After discussing a pending lawsuit with their attorneys, the Oklahoma Emergency Medical Services Authority’s Board of Trustees has chosen two board members to oversee the East Texas-linked case. The Tulsa World reports the EMSA’s board voted Wednesday to appoint Chairwoman Allison Petersen and Vice Chairwoman Jan Slater to “coordinate EMSA’s defense with counsel and to negotiate any resolutions, subject to board approval.” Continue reading EMSA Board Chooses Members to Oversee Pending Lawsuit

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is thanking citizens for helping reduce the local crime rate for 2016 compared to 2015. Overall, according to a news release, the crime rate was reduced by 5 percent with a total of 2,417 crimes reported in 2016 as opposed to 2,534 in the previous year. The type of crime with the most significant drop was burglary of a building with a 42 percent decline. Chief of Police Jesus “Eddie” Campa says he’s proud of his staff along with being grateful to citizens. In 2014, crime was reduced by 20 percent, and dropped an additional 3 percent in 2015.

GILMER — 23-year-old Robert William Frazier of Gilmer has been sentenced to 60 total years in prison on charges stemming from the deaths of two Harmony ISD graduates in a June wreck. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Frazier pleaded guilty Jan. 10 to two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a deadly weapon and two counts of intoxication assault with a deadly weapon. District Judge Lauren Parish handed down 20-year sentences on two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a deadly weapon and 10-year sentences on two counts of intoxication assault with a deadly weapon. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Frazier will become eligible for parole after having served half of his total sentence. Continue reading Man Gets 60 Years in Wreck that Killed Two Teens

KILGORE — A Kilgore man has been arrested after police say he threatened three people with a knife. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report William Lee Billingsley, 30, was held at last report in the Gregg County Jail on $50,000 bond, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance measuring between 1 and 4 grams. Kilgore police arrested Billingsley on Jan. 18 after they said he pulled a knife and threatened several people during an altercation on Houston Street. While detained, police said they found meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Billingsley.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been sentenced to more than 12 years behind bars for drug trafficking. According to KETK, Chad Hollowell, 46, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes. Hollowell pleaded guilty in September 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 12 years and three months in federal prison and ordered to turn over $10,000 in cash and firearms. According to information presented in court, in 2014, Hollowell and others moved more than 500 grams of meth through the Eastern District of Texas. Hollowell was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 18, 2015 and charged with drug trafficking crimes.

AUSTIN (AP) – The Texas Senate’s only two black members are criticizing Gov. Greg Abbott for not including any African-Americans in his three nominees for the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The Senate is to begin vetting Abbott nominees Janiece Longoria, former Sen. Kevin Eltife of Tyler and Rad Weaver on Thursday for six-year terms. Sens. Royce West of Dallas and Borris Miles of Houston say Abbott missed a chance to boost board diversity when he failed to nominate any new black members. The board has had only three black regents in 126 years. Abbott spokesman John Wittman said the governor is proud of his appointments, “and he will continue to seek out willing public servants who not only share his vision for Texas, but also reflect the diversity of the state.”

TYLER – 32-year-old Joshua Harned of Laneville is handed a 12-year, three-month federal prison sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Harned was sentenced in Tyler by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes. According to information presented in court, on Oct. 16, 2014, law enforcement officers went to Harned’s residence at the request of Texas Child Protective Services and found him in possession of a pistol. Harned admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. A search of the residence revealed 214 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and multiple additional firearms. Harned had $2,657 in cash on him at the time. Continue reading Drug Trafficking Leads to Prison Sentence for Rusk County Resident

TYLER – 46-year-old Chad Hollowell of Tyler has been sentenced to 12 years, seven months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He’d pleaded guilty on Sep. 24, 2015. The sentence was handed down by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes. Hollowell was also ordered to forfeit approximately $10,000 cash and multiple firearms. According to federal prosecutors, in 2014, Hollowell and others trafficked more than 500 grams of methamphetamine through the Eastern District of Texas. Hollowell was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 18, 2015.

TYLER – The contractor on Thursday will be closing part of the northbound lanes on the West Loop 323 project in Tyler, according to a news release from TxDOT. Hot mix work gets underway at 8:30 a.m. and requires closing the inside and middle lanes of Loop 323 between Shaw Street and Bellwood Road. The closures were due to remain in place for several hours until the work is completed. While the closures won’t directly impact traffic at the SH 31 intersection, it is likely to slow mobility through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. Otherwise, use caution and obey all safety devices put in place to help navigate traffic through the work zone. Remember, traffic fines double when workers are present. You can go to http://www.Facebook.com/txdot or Twitter/TYLPIO for road conditions and traffic updates.

TYLER — Smith County authorities say a suspect has been taken into custody following a wild pursuit that involved gunfire from a deputy. Around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop near the intersection of FM 344 and FM 2493 after dispatch received a call from a citizen reporting a suspicious vehicle in her driveway. Dispatch also advised that the vehicle had pulled out of the driveway and into the roadway in front of several cars and was traveling eastbound on FM 344. Continue reading Suspect Arrested After Pursuit, Gunfire

TYLER – A 33-year-old Dallas man has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison for burglarizing a Jacksonville bank. Calvin Lee Browning pleaded guilty on Aug. 23, 2016, to bank burglary and was sentenced by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Catharina Haynes. Browning was also ordered to pay restitution of $58,376.75. Authorities say on Feb. 9, 2016, Browning and three others broke into the Jacksonville branch of Austin Bank early in the morning before the bank had opened for business. Three of the individuals were dropped off at the bank while the other waited nearby with a getaway car. Continue reading Dallas Man Sentenced for Jacksonville Bank Burglary

TYLER – A Tyler ISD student is behind bars after being accused of hitting another student with a brick while on campus. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records show 17-year-old Hector Arredono was arrested on Monday by Tyler ISD police for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident reportedly occurred on the John Tyler campus. Dawn Parnell, Communications Director for Tyler ISD, says Arredono brought the brick from home. Parnell says the victim was treated by a nurse at the school. Arredono is being held in the Smith County Jail on $100,000 bond.

TYLER — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to damages and losses caused by drought occurring November 22, 2016 and continuing in Upshur, Gregg, Rusk, and Smith Counties. 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 applications is July 31, 2017, but Grier says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Continue reading Applications Accepted for Drought Losses

WHITE OAK — The city of White Oak will soon be holding an election on the sale of beer and wine. KETK reports the organization Texas Petition Strategies had been petitioning for such sales. All that was needed: 426 signatures. According to the Gregg County elections administrator, the petition was signed by more than 550 people. Now the city council is required to call an election when members meet next month. Continue reading Alcohol Vote Coming Up This Spring in White Oak

TYLER — 35-year-old Mikael Johnson of Trinidad in Henderson County has been sentenced to 11 years, 8 months in federal prison after pleading guilty last October to distributing child pornography. According to information presented in Tyler federal court, on Dec. 14, 2015, Johnson knowingly sent another person child pornography by using the Internet, digital services that he owned, and a social media application. Following an investigation, federal agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence on Jan. 7, 2016. More than 600 images and videos containing child pornography were located and seized during the search. Johnson was arrested on that day, and a federal grand jury returned an indictment on Jan. 20, 2016.

TYLER — Longtime Tyler businessman and community volunteer D.M. Edwards has been named the new chair of The University of Texas at Tyler Development Board for a two-year term. As chair, Edwards will lead an extensive group of volunteers who support the university’s programs and special events, according to a UTT news release. UTT President Michael Tidwell terms Edwards “an extraordinary supporter of UT Tyler, and of higher education in this region, for many years.” Continue reading UT Tyler Announces New Development Board Chair

TYLER — Thursday is Hearts and Heroes Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Tyler’s Harvey Convention Center. You can come out to see some of the region’s top public service personnel with training, equipment, education, and information. The event brings area first responders and public safety staff together for a day of training and networking. Along with the conference offerings, which may be purchased for $20 per attendee, there are training opportunities available to the general public free of charge. Continue reading Hearts and Heroes Day in Tyler

TYLER – A Tyler Junior College student from Fort Worth was arrested on the TJC campus Monday for capital murder. According to KETK, Smith County judicial records confirm Keoddrick Polk, 19, was arrested on a warrant from the Fort Worth Police Department around 4:00 p.m. TJC police say they assisted the U.S. Marshal’s Service in carrying out the warrant. TJC says Polk was arrested without incident and taken into custody before being booked into the Smith County Jail. According to the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers Facebook page, Polk was placed on the 2016 Fort Worth Police Department’s Most Wanted List in September. Polk was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of capital murder for remuneration, also known as murder for pay. His bond was set at $150,000.

TYLER — Starting today, a contractor with the City of Tyler is doing repairs on the intersection of Locust Street and Broadway. These repairs are expected to continue for two weeks, according to a city news release. During this time, all eastbound traffic on Locust Street will be required to turn right and detoured down to Erwin Street. All traffic and pedestrian signal functions will be turned off during repairs. Travelers who need to turn west onto Locust Street from Broadway must utilize Ferguson Street. All pedestrian traffic will need to use either Line Street or Ferguson Street. Officials say the City of Tyler will be providing all necessary traffic control during this time. For more information, contact the City of Tyler Traffic Department at (903) 531-1201.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Texas Game Warden is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information pertaining to a deer that was illegally shot in Henderson County. According to KETK, officials say the animal was shot January 1 or 2, without the landowner’s permission, off a high-fenced piece of property on County Road 4325. Any information on this crime can be reported to Operation Game Thief. If you have information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party, you’re asked to contact 1-800-792-GAME.