KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will conduct a forum tonight at UT Tyler to discuss urban and rural perspectives on the water infrastructure needs of communities in Northeast Texas. According to a news release, “Speakers will discuss Texas’ future water needs and provide an opportunity for the public to obtain valuable information on this important issue.” Continue reading Public Water Forum Tonight in Tyler

RUSK — An East Texas man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2012 murder of his ex-girlfriend. According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, Jose Diaz Perez, 51, was found guilty for murdering Caselin Ramirez on March 17, 2012. Officials tell KETK the couple had separated two weeks prior to the murder. Ramirez reportedly left Perez due to his excessive drinking and controlling behavior. Continue reading Man Gets 50 Years for Murder, Claims Victim Practiced Witchcraft on Him

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas man who was an admitted Aryan Brotherhood member, and whose record stretched into Cherokee County, is dead after an officer-involved shooting with deputies from the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports deputies were involved in a shooting with Darrell Joseph Legnon, 25, during a traffic stop in Cushing Tuesday night. At around 11:00 p.m., a Cushing Independent School District resource officer conducted a traffic stop after seeing what was termed a suspicious car on the school campus. The motorist attempted to drive away from the officer, but he was able to catch up with the car and stop the it on Highway 204 at 6th Street. Two Nacogdoches County Deputies were in the area at the time and responded as a backup unit. Continue reading Self-Proclaimed Aryan Brotherhood Member Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting

TYLER — As expected, the Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized a construction contract with Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd. to complete the Cumberland extension project and the Cherryhill Drive extension. On August 22, 2012, the City Council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with C. T. Brannon Corporation for design, plans, and specifications for construction of West Cumberland Road from South Broadway Avenue to Old Jacksonville Highway. The length of this project is approximately 2.4 miles. “This is a wonderful project to increase the east-west connection in southern Tyler,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. ““This will give citizens better access to schools, retail, parks and new development. It will also enhance emergency response times and help ease traffic congestion.” Continue reading Council Authorizes West Cumberland Extension Project

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday adopted the Rose Garden Master Plan that was presented by MHS Planning and Design, LLC of Tyler. On February 13, 2013, Tyler City Council approved a proposal from MHS Planning and Design, LLC and Oliver Windham, Landscape Architect, to prepare a master plan for the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The project allowed for a master plan to be developed prior to Capital Improvement Funds being disbursed which were originally for a restroom and drainage work. According to a city news release, the Master Plan has been completed for the Garden after numerous opportunities for public input and recommendations on overall improvements to the facility. Continue reading Council Adopts Rose Garden Master Plan

TYLER — Tyler is home to one of the first facilities in East Texas to implant the Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) System in a patient. That announcement came Wednesday from Mother Frances Hospital and its onsite Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Officials say the device is the smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device available. Trinity Clinic Electrophysiologists Dr. John Sims and Dr. Stan Weiner performed the procedures. Continue reading Mother Frances Announces First Use of Miniature Cardiac Monitor

TYLER — Investigators with the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force located shoplifting suspect Bobby Choice at his residence at 17610 Farm Road 2767 in Smith County around 11:00 Wednesday morning. Choice was taken into custody on a robbery warrant, and bond was set at $100,000. Choice, 44, allegedly stole items from JC Penney in Broadway Square Mall Saturday and reportedly injured a child in the process. Police said that during the crime, he hurt an 11-year-old boy when he ran from store security.

LONGVIEW — Emergency crews responded to an accident in which a car crashed into a Longview senior center. According to KETK, the Longview Police Department reports that around 11:45 Wednesday morning, a vehicle was reported as slamming into the Senior Circle on the 3000 block of North 4th Street. Police said an elderly driver mixed up the gas and brake, ramming the car straight into the center. People were inside taking line dance class at the time of the crash, but no one was injured. The driver, who was unharmed, was not hospitalized or arrested. The center is part of the Longview Regional Medical Center network and serves adults age 50 and older. Officials said the center will be closed for the rest of the week.

TYLER – Grassroots America – We the People PAC, one of the largest constitutional conservative organizations in Texas, announced Wednesday its endorsement of Tyler businessman Martin Heines in the May 10th City of Tyler mayoral race. In a news release, Grassroots America Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said, “Martin is strongly capable of building on the City’s successful long-range business plan – The City of Tyler Blueprint.” Fleming added, “He makes it his business to know about the day-to-day operations in all areas of city government, and he’s detail oriented – a quality that makes him valuable to city staff and to taxpayers.” There’s been no word on any formal endorsements for Heines’s opponent, Joel Rando.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s Director of Development Services, Kevin Cummings, has resigned from his position effective June 27. The Director of Development Services provided oversight for Planning and Zoning, Building Inspection, Environmental Health, Engineering Services, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Longview Transit, according to a city news release. In his letter of resignation, Cummings stated that “I have enjoyed working for the City of Longview for the past 12 years, as well as the professional and personal development opportunities that were afforded me. More importantly, I appreciate the support and dedication of the highly capable staff members that I have been blessed to work with. I wish both them and the City of Longview the best in the future.” Continue reading Longview Director of Development Services Resigns

MINEOLA (Staff/AP) – A man recently captured in Mineola for a 1981 Pennsylvania slaying is suspected in a Mineola death. According to KETK, many in the Mineola community were shocked when they found out Joseph Miller had been arrested on Monday. They knew him as a deacon by the name of Roy Eugene Eubanks. However, one local family says they knew him for who he really was, and they believe he also had a hand in murdering their daughter, Selina McDowell. On September 20th, 1991, Selina McDowell was found dead, with a gunshot wound to her chest. The conclusion was suicide. Family members believe Joseph Miller, whom they knew as Roy Eubanks, is responsible and was in a relationship with McDowell. Mineola Police Chief Chuck Bittner said they are looking back into the case, but said it will be a difficult process since it did occur back in 1991. Continue reading Authorities Checking on Cold Case Suspect’s Role in Mineola Death

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested on a variety of drug charges. A search warrant was issued Tuesday for the home of Juan Daniel Ingram, 37. County Drug Enforcement officers found four grams of PCP and several ounces of marijuana in the house in the 800 block of Clover Street. They also recovered a couple of firearms, a semi-automatic pistol and a short-barrel shotgun. Ingram has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon. Ingram is not a newcomer to the Gregg County Jail. County records show he has been booked into the jail nearly two dozen times since 1996.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed 10 student regents to their respective university systems, and one student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for terms effective June 1, 2014, and expiring May 31, 2015. Kelsey Brown was appointed a student regent at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Brown is pursuing a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history.

TYLER — John Tyler and Robert E. Lee High School orchestras recently earned top honors in University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition. The schools received superior marks in concert and sight reading events leading to overall Sweepstakes honors, the highest honor UIL awards in music competition. This is the first Sweepstakes award for the John Tyler Orchestra. For Robert E Lee, it marks the fifteenth consecutive year the orchestra has earned Sweepstakes status. Continue reading Tyler ISD High Schools Take Top Honors at UIL Competition

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — Critics of University of Texas President Bill Powers (pictured) have made donations to the campaigns of two members of a legislative committee that’s investigating an anti-Powers UT System regent. One of those contributions went to an East Texan. The San Antonio Express-News reports campaign finance reports show campaign contributions from Powers critic Jeff Sandefer and Empower Texans PAC, a political action committee of Powers critic Michael Quinn Sullivan. The contributions went to state Reps. Charles Perry and Dan Flynn, two Republican members of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations. Flynn, of Van, is co-chairman of the eight-member committee. The committee is scheduled to meet Thursday in Austin and is about to take up a report that accuses UT System regent Wallace Hall of possibly criminal misconduct in his campaign to depose Powers.

RUSK — The first group of Rusk TJC Citizens Promise Scholars is preparing to join the Fall 2014 freshman class at Tyler Junior College. Established in February, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise is one of only 23 Promise programs in the United States and the first such initiative in Texas, according to a TJC news release. For each qualifying student who graduates in the top half of the class, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise initiative covers $4,000 per year (for two years) at TJC. Continue reading First Texas Promise Program Begins at TJC

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is finalizing its purchase of the Village at the U Apartments, Jesse Acosta, vice president for business affairs, announced. Located across the street from the university at 3088 Old Omen Road, the property will become UT Tyler housing, designed to offer a unique campus living option for university upperclassmen, according to a UTT news release. The final purchase price is $20.3 million. “This purchase will enable UT Tyler to continue the vision to be the destination campus for students coming from outside the East Texas region by offering unique living and community-building experiences,” said President Rodney H. Mabry. UT Tyler plans to honor all current leases as it finalizes the university housing policies designed specifically for this facility, according to the release. Continue reading UT Tyler to Purchase Village at the U Apartment Complex

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Tyler is tied with New Braunfels as the 8th most exciting city in Texas according to a new ranking from Movoto, a real estate research site. According to a Movoto news release, researchers looked at the 100 most populated places and then ranked them based on nightlife, music venues, restaurants, age of residents, etc. Continue reading Tyler Dubbed One of State’s Most Exciting Cities

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday on 15 child pornography charges. KETK reports Ercee Wynn, 21, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of child porn possession and waived the right to a trial by jury. Wynn will not be made to pay a fine on the third-degree felony. He also waived his right to an appeal.

AUSTIN (AP) — Two Texans backed by a conservative legal group have filed a federal lawsuit in Austin challenging how state Senate voting districts were drawn. The Austin American-Statesman reports the Project on Fair Representation wants a judge to cancel results of the March primaries, which used Senate boundaries drawn by the Legislature in 2013. The group wants Texas lawmakers to draw new districts. The plaintiffs are voters in two Senate districts — Tyler and Houston areas. The case filed Monday argues the way districts were drawn is unconstitutional for being based on total population. The suit says only eligible voters should be considered. The group’s director, Ed Blum, helped lead the Fisher vs. University of Texas affirmative action case challenging using race in university admissions heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Family pets are known to bring home little presents for their owners. But KETK reports that over the weekend in Van Zandt County, one man’s dog brought him a gift that has authorities launching an investigation: a human skull. John Cooke and his family own about 100 acres in Van Zandt County. Cooke lets his dogs roam around on their land and said they usually bring him back unusual presents like rabbits, gophers, and cow bones. But this time, they brought him back something very, very different. “There was a section of backbone on my front porch,” said Cooke. But on Saturday, he couldn’t believe what Scooter found. “That is when I found the skull on my front porch. After really looking at it and confirming it was [a skull], this shock that I couldn’t believe they brought me that,” said Cooke. Continue reading Family Dog Finds Human Skull in Van Zandt County

LONGVIEW — New crime data show Longview’s homicide rate is higher than average compared to other cities of similar size in Texas. KETK reports that over the last five years, Longview has averaged eight homicides per year. In Tyler and Lewisville, for example, that number is around five. Longview police say they believe most of those homicides are drug-related. According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, Longview’s homicide average is also higher than the national average per 100,000 people.

TYLER — The I-20 East Texas Corridor Study, being conducted by TxDOT, continues with an open house today from 5:30 till 6:30 p.m. at Tyler’s Rose Garden Center. The Tyler Area Metropolitan Plan Organization (TAMPO) is hosting the event. As a member of the Advisory Committee, TAMPO is charged with assisting TxDOT in assessing the rural transportation needs along I-20 by providing locally focused input and recommendations. Officials with the city of Tyler say the study is focused on evaluating the current safety and capacity needs along the 155-mile stretch of I-20 from I-635 in Dallas to the Texas/Louisiana state line. Officials say TAMPO would like to gather the public’s input on the stretch of I-20 located within Smith County. “Getting Smith County residents’ input is critical to ensuring that the study captures the concerns for our region,” said Heather Nick, MPO executive director. Continue reading Tyler MPO Seeking Input on I-20 East Texas Corridor Study

JACKSONVILLE — A mother of four was found dead Sunday morning in the driveway of her Cherokee County home, and authorities say the husband was responsible for her death. KETK reports that on Sunday at 9:35 a.m., Kayla Nicole Thompson, 27, of Jacksonville, was discovered deceased at her home in the 1500 block of County Road 3201. The discovery was made by her mother, who was checking on the woman and her four children after other relatives were unable to reach her for several hours. The location is just west of Lake Jacksonville. Continue reading Husband Charged with Killing Mother of Four

RUSK COUNTY — An East Texas woman is being treated after officials say she shot herself in the face, apparently by accident. KETK reports that just before 10:45 Monday morning, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a shooting in the Brachfield area off Farm to Market Road 1798 and FM 840. The victim was airlifted to a Tyler-area hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Tyler Police have new information as they continue to investigate the weekend burglary of a car dealership. On Sunday at 8:30 a.m., police responded to Wagner Cadillac at 4100 S. Broadway in reference to a report of numerous wheels and tires stolen from vehicles in the parking lot. Upon further investigation it was determined that the suspects had jacked up 20 Cadillacs and removed 20″ chrome wheels and tires from assorted Cadillacs. Management estimated the loss at around $60,000 not including property damage. It appeared that the suspects were well organized and did not take long to remove the wheels and tires, according to police. Investigators were advised that the same method was used in Richardson last week, where the suspects hit a Chevy dealer, removing 29 sets of wheels and tires. Continue reading Police Continue to Probe Wagner Cadillac Burglary

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested a victim in a shooting. According to police, officers were dispatched shortly after 5:00 Monday morning to the 1700 Block of Hutchings Boulevard for a call about gunshots that had been heard. When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot in the back yard of one of the residences. When police approached him, the man reportedly jumped several fences in an attempt to elude police. The victim was apprehended a short time later. Once apprehended, he was very uncooperative with police and lied about his name, according to officials. Continue reading Shooting Victim Arrested on Multiple Charges

TYLER – Three suspects are in custody regarding a burglary of a habitation in the 11000 block of Sycamore Street in western Smith County. Officials say just before 9:45 Monday morning, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a burglary of a habitation in progress. Smith County patrol deputies were en route to the burglary in progress call after receiving a call of suspicious activity in the area. During that time, the homeowner returned home to find the suspects leaving her residence, authorities say. The suspects reportedly fled in a black pickup truck and passed one of the responding deputies. A pursuit ensued, ending in the 12000 block of Highway 64West. Continue reading Smith County Burglary Suspects Arrested

TYLER – The robbery of the Food Fast convenience store at 4725 Troup Highway remains under investigation. It was reported shortly after 8:45 Sunday night. The clerk was unharmed and the suspect escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect, said to be a black male, was wearing all black and covered his face using a Halloween mask. He fled on foot in an unknown direction. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Tuesday are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on West Loop 323 in Tyler between State Highway 31 (Front Street) and State Highway 64 (West Erwin Street), during which time southbound traffic on Loop 323 will be reduced to one lane. Motorists are strongly encouraged to see alternate routes if possible to avoid lengthy delays. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates