KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved acceptance of a $325,000 donation from Centene Charitable Foundation to be used toward Phase II of the Bergfeld Master Plan: the reconstruction of the park’s stage at the amphitheater. According to a news release, Centene has agreed to donate $325,000, which is the estimated project cost. According to the agreement, the funds will be distributed in two installments: one upon execution of the agreement and one upon completion of the project. The new stage at the amphitheater will be named in honor of Centene. That follows a December recommendation approved by the Parks Board to name the stage Centene Theatre. Tyler Parks and Recreation director Stephanie Rollings says the city is “thrilled” with the partnership. Continue reading Council OKs Donation for Bergfeld Park Amphitheater Reconstruction

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau held it’s awards banquet Tuesday at the Crosswalk Conference Center where they presented the Awards for Excellence to three companies and one nonprofit organization. Criss Sudduth, owner of Ark Assurance Group, was awarded BBB Ambassador of the Year for his volunteer involvement with BBB related activities. Continue reading BBB Holds Annual Awards Banquet

AUSTIN – Texas Lottery officials say Gloria Tuck of Mineola claimed a second-tier Powerball prize worth $1 million for the drawing held on Dec. 12, 2015. The ticket was purchased at the Super Sak #4 located at 105 WSW Loop 323 in Tyler. Tuck’s ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (2-14-19-30-62), but not the red Powerball (22). The claimant requested minimal publicity. Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 69 numbers and one Powerball number from a field of 26 numbers. Drawings occur each Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. CT.

LONGVIEW – Two more suspected arson fires have been reported in Longview. With two fires reported on Monday, nearly a dozen suspected arson fires have been reported on the city’s south side since January 10th. One fire was reported Monday morning at 616 West Washington Street. Then, just before 10:45 Monday night, another fire was reported 112 White City Street. Continue reading More Arson Fires in Longview

TYLER — Big honors have been handed out to a local firefighter and his longtime department. The Smith County Commissioners Court and the Smith County Volunteer Fireman’s Association on Tuesday recognized Lindale firefighter Joe Yeakley with a plaque for “unrestrained sacrifice, uncommon valor and unbounded courage.” Yeakley suffered severe burns to his face and hands after he was trapped by a collapsed roof while fighting a structure fire on January 17, 2014. Yeakley lay unconscious and in critical condition for 96 days and remained in a Dallas hospital for about 10 months. Continue reading Commissioners Court Honors Lindale Firefighters

BREWSTER COUNTY — The trial for a man who police say murdered a Kilgore coach is underway this week in Brewster County. According to KETK, the body of Trey Sands was found buried under a pile of rocks on a West Texas ranch near Alpine in December of 2014. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson said Sands was staying with a friend in Terlingua and had an altercation with the suspects. Sands was last heard from in October 2014 during a hunting trip in the Terlingua mountains, according to family members. Two weeks after he disappearance, family members contacted the sheriff’s office to report him missing. Sands’ truck was found at the home of Keith McWilliams. Continue reading Kilgore Coach Murder Trial Underway This Week

WOOD COUNTY — A man connected to a case involving the death of two East Texas children has been released from jail. According to KETK, Thomas Liles, of Mineola, was released from the Wood County Jail Monday after a tampering charge was dismissed on Friday. The suspect is also facing two counts of injury to a child. On July 24, 2014, Quitman police responded to reports of two young children who were not breathing and would not wake up. When authorities arrived, they found the bodies of the two girls, Gabriella Guerroro, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. It was determined the children died from blunt force trauma. Continue reading Man Jailed in Death of Toddlers Released

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man, arrested last week for killing his parents, had his trial on an unrelated matter delayed. Casey Lansdale, 41, of Gladewater, had been scheduled to appear before a judge Monday on a charge of assault causing bodily injury/family violence. KETK reports that trial has been delayed until March 28th. Judicial records show Casey has a history of family violence. He was previously charged with assault/family violence in December 2014 and again seven month later. Continue reading Lansdale Trial on Previous Charge Delayed

TYLER – A man wanted for a Louisiana shooting has been arrested in Smith County. Authorities were called to the University of Texas Health Science Center over a woman with a gunshot wound to her foot. Eden Miller and her boyfriend, Brett Collins, both said the injury was because of a hunting accident. Investigators, however, determined that Collins had shot Miller during an assault that occurred in Webster Parish, Louisiana. It was also learned that Collins was accused of aggravated assault and attempted murder of a man who had been shot in the face. He has since been turned over to Louisiana authorities.

CANTON – The Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers program continues handing out cash rewards for crime-fighting tips. They’ve approved over $7,500 in recent awards, the bulk of that over the past 8 weeks. Spokesman Kevin Tanzillo says they paid out $1,000 for a tip that led to the arrest of a man and a woman in connection with a case of arson, burglaries, drugs and child endangerment. Tanzillo says they can trace their success to more visibility and a new Crime Stoppers coordinator, who is also a deputy in the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, has done diligent work to track down older tips that had been previously overlooked.

TYLER – The final day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 1st primary is February 1st. There are a variety of ways to register. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says you can register at her office at 302 East Ferguson, or register online at Votetexas.gov. And she points out, if registering online, the application must be printed out and signed. Then, it can be hand delivered to her office or mailed and postmarked by February 1st. Early voting in the primary election starts February 16th.

TYLER — Tyler police and firemen stood by on Kennedy Street today due to a gas leak. For a while, Kennedy Street from Houston to Rusk was shut down while the gas company repaired the leak. The road was reopened after the repairs were completed.

SMITH COUNTY — Law enforcement from across Texas were in attendance Saturday for the funeral service for K9 Officer Ogar. The service was conducted with full police honors. Ogar was the partner of Precinct 5 Constable Kenneth Bibby. “Dogs are different,” says Bibby. “K9s are human trained to have that special bond, that protector that we need, and I hope that the public sees the different perspective of about a K9.” According to KETK, Ogar’s service included prayers from Rev. Doug Hannig and Pastor Tom Huck. As well as remarks from Smith County law enforcement and wife of Ogar’s handler Laura Petty. Continue reading Law Enforcement, Community Shows Support for Fallen K9

SMITH COUNTY — The man wanted for fatally shooting a Smith County K-9 has been taken into custody. Michael Paul Koch, 36, Grand Saline, was arrested Saturday morning in Garland by members of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Officers of the Dallas Police Department and Officers of the Garland Police Department. Koch is accused of Tuesday’s shooting near Lindale that killed Ogar, who belonged to Precinct 5 Constable Kenneth Bibby. Continue reading K-9 Murder Suspect Taken Into Custody

GLADEWATER — An East Texas man is behind bars for allegedly murdering his parents. Around 8:40 Friday morning, the Gladewater Police Department responded to a home North Main Street for a welfare check on a couple reported missing. According to KETK, officers spoke with Casey Lansdale, 41, Gladewater, who said he lived at this residence and the two missing individuals were his parents. Officers located the deceased bodies of both Raye and Charles Lansdale, both 68, inside of the residence. Casey Lansdale was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail on a charge of murder. His bond was set at $1,000,000. Continue reading Gladewater Man Charged with Murdering Parents

An East Texas man is behind bars for allegedly murdering his parents. KETK reports that on Friday, around 8:40 a.m., the Gladewater Police Department responded to a North Main Street residence regarding a welfare check on two individuals who were reportedly missing. Arriving officers spoke with and questioned Casey Lansdale, 41, of Gladewater, who said he lived at the residence and the two missing people were his parents. Casey told officers his parents were not at the location and provided them with information on their whereabouts. Continue reading Man Charged with Murdering Parents

LINDALE – A funeral is scheduled Saturday for the Smith County police dog shot to death, allegedly by Michael Koch, following a Tuesday traffic stop. Services for K-9 Ogar are planned for 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Lindale, with full law enforcement honors. The incident left two in custody. Koch was arrested this morning in Garland.

LONGVIEW – A 4th airline has approached Longview’s Le Tourneau University to take part in a pilot cadet program. The latest is PSA Airlines. The program is designed to help future pilots make a smooth transition from the classroom to the cockpit. The new program offers various levels of support as the student’s certifications, training and experience evolves. This includes up to $16,000 in tuition reimbursement. Continue reading LETU Partners With PSA Airlines in Pilot Cadet Program

The State Bar Board of Directors approved their nominations for president elect during their quarterly meeting in The Woodlands. One of the candidates is Michael C. Smith of Marshall. He is a partner in the law firm of Siebman, Burg, Phillips and Smith, where he handles federal litigation. Smith, who has served on the State Bar Board of Directors from 2005 to 2008, has appeared as counsel in over 800 cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The other candidate is Thomas Vick Jr. of Weatherford. State Bar members will cast ballots from April 1st through May 2nd. The election results will be announced on May 2nd. The winner will serve as president from June 2017 until June 2018.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department and Fire Department have declared a house fire as arson. KETK reports the fire broke out on Butler Drive between South 12th Street and South Mobberly Avenue around 7:45 a.m. Friday, and took 20 minutes to control. There were no injuries, but one occupant and two pets were displaced as a result of the blaze. The home is located on the same block where two other arson investigations are underway. Those fires occurred in the early hours of Sunday, January 10. Officials say four more fires were intentionally set a few days later. Those are also under investigation. No suspects have been named.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas hosts its annual Awards for Excellence Luncheon Tuesday to honor businesses and charities for their achievements. It’s scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center. This year’s speaker is destination business expert Jon Schallert. He’s termed an internationally-recognized professional speaker and business consultant specializing in teaching businesses how to turn themselves into consumer destinations. BBB is also hosting a workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. which is limited to 100 guests. For more information about the awards banquet, go to http://www.bbb.org or call 903-581-5888.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has established a multidisciplinary research and education center to study and conserve biodiversity. According to a news release, the UT Tyler Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation will work to find practical solutions to species’ declines and extinctions through collaborative partnerships. Biology professor and center director Dr. Neil Ford cites “the rapid loss of biodiversity both globally and locally,” prompting “an urgent need to investigate the causes of species extinction.” The center involves 19 UT Tyler faculty members from five departments and three colleges. The organisms being investigated include insects, snakes, freshwater fish and mussels, turtles, crayfish and plants that inhabit aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

GREGG COUNTY — One man has been arrested as Longview Police investigate the deaths of numerous dogs. Torian Dewayne Rodgers 26, of Longview, was arrested on an unrelated outstanding motion to revoke probation warrant. According to KETK, officers were called Tuesday to Maple Street on reports of multiple dead dogs. They found four dogs dead in the home’s back yard. Officers also found several dog houses with chains and an empty bag of dog food with mold growing inside the bag. Police also learned there could be more dogs at a location in Gregg County. Animal control officers, with the help of a Gregg County health officer, went to the location and discovered more dead dogs in various states of decay. According to Longview Public Information Officer Kristie Brian, the exact number is not known, but more than six were found. Rodgers was booked into to the Gregg County Jail. The case remains under investigation at this time.

GLADEWATER – A memorial service is planned on Saturday for a Gladewater man killed in an Upshur County plane crash. The service for Samuel Oliver Lucky, 73, will be Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at the North Loop Church of Christ in Gladewater. A private burial service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Continue reading Memorial Service For Plane Crash Victim

LONGVIEW – Candidates have started filing for the city elections in Longview. Longview residents in May will elect council members in District 5 and District 6. On the opening day for filing on Wednesday, two candidates stepped forward. The incumbent candidate for the Northwest District 5, David Wight, has filed for re-election. In Central District 6, dental hygienist Karen Maines filed for the post now held by Sidney Allen. The filing deadline is February 20th.

TYLER – An East Texas man, along with two from Louisiana, have been named in federal indictments returned in Tyler. Cory Carnell Mitchell, 27, of Tenaha, Texas; along with Gary Eugene Cutright, 21, and Quannell Newton, 35, both from Louisiana, have been indicted in a kidnapping conspiracy. The three count indictment, which was returned on Wednesday, charges the three men with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. Continue reading Federal Indictment Names 3 in Kidnapping Conspiracy

LONE STAR — United States Steel Corporation is planning nearly 700 layoffs at their plant in Lone Star. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, 679 people will be let go from their positions at US Steel Tubular Products with a projected layoff date of March 16, 2016. KETK reports the company is saying the layoffs are temporary due to lower oil prices and reduced drilling.