KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

TYLER – Construction crews from TxDOT contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, have begun several months of work to widen State Highway 64 to five lanes between Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and Farm Road 2661 just west of Toll 49. “This section of SH 64 is a bottleneck,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “Particularly now that Toll 49 is putting additional traffic on it. This project will be an immediate improvement to the safety and mobility through this area.” The $2.4 million project is scheduled for completion next summer. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

AUSTIN (AP) – The main sticking point on greater transportation spending centers on what is the most conservative way to fund it without raising taxes, and an East Texan is taking a high-profile role in the process. Governor Rick Perry has called the Legislature back for a third special session to approve more money for roads. Republican Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville (pictured) has proposed a constitutional amendment that would take 50% of the money flowing into the Rainy Day Fund and divert it for roads and bridges. Nichols easily won two-thirds support in the Senate, but El Paso Rep. Joe Pickett says he doesn’t have votes in the House to send the question to voters. The House meets Monday to see if a compromise is possible.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman accused in the early March shooting of her husband, Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson, faces arraignment Friday in 188th District Court. That’s after Ina Lawson was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the JP’s wife was arrested after police said she shot her husband in the back as he tried to flee through the kitchen to the laundry room. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he remained for weeks. Continue reading Gregg County JP’s Wife Faces Arraignment on Assault Charge

MARSHALL — Closing arguments are heard this morning in the indecency with a child trial of former pastor and Harrison County sheriff’s deputy Eddie Nichols. The youngest of Nichols’ accusers testified a second time Friday. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that she said she recanted from her outcry at one point because she wanted to believe he hadn’t touched her. The prosecution’s witness broke down under cross examination from defense attorney Vernard Solomon, who asked if she was being truthful when she said Nichols never touched her. “At that point, I wanted to believe it was true,” she said. She was led from the witness stand for five minutes to collect herself. Continue reading Jury Hears Closing Arguments in Former Deputy’s Trial

TYLER (AP) – Veteran Texas newspaper journalist Bill Earl Martin, former publisher of the Longview News-Journal and Lufkin Daily News, has died. He was 81. Martin died Friday of congestive heart failure, according to an obituary on the website of the Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Continue reading Veteran Texas Newspaper Editor Martin Dies at 81

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities worked a three-vehicle accident Saturday in southern Smith County. It happened around 2:45 p.m. at Highway 69 and Farm to Market Road 346. According to KETK crews, the wreck began as a fender bender. No one was seriously injured. No other details were immediately available.

WHITEHOUSE — Officials say a man shot himself during an attempted gun sale in Whitehouse. KETK reports that around 10:30 Saturday morning, Whitehouse police were called to Action Pawn. On arrival, they found a man shot in the leg. Crews say the victim was trying to sell his gun to the pawn shop when he accidentally fired the weapon on himself. The man, whose name was not immediately released, was sent to a local hospital for his injury.

TYLER — Students in Tyler Junior College’s A+ Certification Preparation program are preparing for careers in information technology by building computers that will be donated to Smith County nonprofit organizations. The program is a partnership between TJC and Workforce Solutions East Texas. The students are three weeks into the intensive, four-week program comprising 120 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of hands-on training in a computer lab. Continue reading TJC Students Building Computers to Be Donated to Area Nonprofits

NACOGDOCHES — Three men are in custody in Nacogdoches and are charged with felony possession of marijuana. Willie Whiteside of Indianapolis, Indiana, was operating a 2003 Lincoln Navigator in the 5000 block of Northwest Loop 224 when he was stopped by a Nacogdoches Police K-9 officer for a traffic violation, according to police. Officers established probable cause to search the vehicle, and they say 17.5 lbs. of marijuana was located in the rear of the vehicle. Continue reading Three Arrested after Over $22,000 Worth of Marijuana Seized

LONGVIEW (AP) – Elizabeth Smart has told an East Texas audience that she sees each day as a gift and refuses to be burdened by the torment she felt when taken captive as a child. Smart was 14 when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home in 2002 by a homeless street preacher. She was sexually assaulted repeatedly before her captor was recognized on a Utah street nine months later, setting in motion her release. The Longview News-Journal reports she spoke Thursday at an event organized by Longview Regional Medical Center, telling the crowd that people have the choice to keep moving forward or to “allow our trials to suck us back.” Smart says her abduction left her “shattered,” but she decided “to survive and make it home again.”

NACOGDOCHES — A man wanted by authorities in Nacogdoches County for multiple burglaries has been caught by authorities, according to the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports Jeffrey Holliman, 50, is described as a “survivalist” who has allegedly been squatting in abandoned houses and in make-shift shelters. He is accused of stealing weapons, clothes, money, survival equipment, and large quantities of food from local houses and vehicles. Law enforcement was searching for stolen property at an undisclosed location. The burglaries are said to have taken place on Nacogdoches County Roads 411, 419, and 331. We’ll update this story as more information comes in.

MARSHALL — Thursday morning Fenton Motor Group and East Texas Baptist University leaders met to exchange a check for one hundred thousand dollars for the students of West Rusk High School to attend ETBU in the fall. KETK reports the donation was given in response to the fact that funds never came through from a scholarship announcement made by Robert Jordan on May 29. Jordan said that his friend, Nick Sturghill, would provide full ETBU scholarships to the 2013 class. Continue reading ETBU Receives Funds for West Rusk Students

JACKSONVILLE — A one vehicle accident in Cherokee County has killed a toddler and injured three others. The accident happened shortly before 6:00 Thursday night on U.S. Highway 79, midway between Jacksonville and New Summerfield. Dead at the scene was Alexis Arredondo, 1, of New Summerfield. His dad, the car’s driver, Jose Arredondo, 28, is hospitalized at East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville. Also injured was Ana Torres, 21, of New Summerfield and Vanesa Arredondo, 10. The Department of Public Safety reports their car was east bound when it ran off the road and hit a tree.

TYLER — Aiming to boost interest in medical and scientific careers, AT&T has donated $10,000 to UT Health Northeast to support 10 biomedical science internships for high school and college students. This gives them the opportunity to learn about advanced lab procedures such as gene cloning and DNA analysis. The students will work on biomedical research projects alongside experienced scientists whose research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Flight Attendants Medical Research Institute, and the American Lung Association. Continue reading AT&T Gives $10,000 to UT Health Northeast

LUFKIN –Two rare Louisiana Pine Snakes hatched at Lufkin’s Ellen Trout Zoo. They hatched on July 29th after a 72 day incubation period. According to the zoo’s web site, “Louisiana Pine Snakes are a moderately large species of harmless snake related to the Bull and Gopher Snakes but are found only in isolated areas of west central Louisiana and East Texas. They are thought to be one of the rarest snakes in the United States and are being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act.’ Continue reading Rare Snakes Born at Lufkin Zoo

TYLER — A 48-year-old Whitehouse, Texas man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. Jeffrey Blaine pleaded guilty yesterday to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Blaine faces a minimum of 10 years and up to Life in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. Federal prosecutors say up until July 20 of last year, Blaine agreed with others to acquire and distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine in east Texas.

JACKSONVILLE — A Cherokee County woman is in stable condition in a Tyler hospital after accidently shooting herself in the chest while cleaning her gun. The 59 year old woman called 9-1-1 around 9:00 Wednesday night to report the shooting. Her residence is located on CR-3143 near the South end of Lake Jacksonville. A High Point, 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found in the house. Continue reading Woman Accidentally Shoots Self in Chest

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert joins other conservative lawmkers at a Washington news conference on their continuing bid to de-fund Obamacare. Gohmert says the de-funding effort is not about politics, and that the Affordable Care Act will actually hurt the people it’s supposedly designed to help. Gohmert remarked, “We’re standing for the people, and I hope the President understands that and eventually, if we stand strongly enough, comes around and starts standing for the people instead of his party.”

LINDALE — A Smith County deputy was involved in an accident Thursday afternoon on Highway 69 North, just south of Faulkner Park in Lindale. KETK reports that according to officials, the deputy was trying to cross the southbound lanes of the highway when he t-boned a white truck carrying multiple passengers. The truck flipped over into a ditch, but only minor injuries were reported. Traffic was shut down in the southbound lanes of Highway 69 for a time before the accident was cleared.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man has been arrested after police were called to an aggravated robbery. KETK reports William Fincher, 29, was arrested Thursday morning after a complaint by his 69-year-old dad, who lives in the 300 block of Cooper Street. According to the complaint, the dad was approached at gunpoint, and his hands and legs were tied together. Then, Fincher then took his dad’s car, gun and credit card before leaving the scene, according to authorities. Continue reading Man Arrested for Aggravated Robbery of Dad

LONGVIEW — A $58.9 million Gregg County budget proposal for the coming fiscal year includes a $2.5 million commitment to building a new animal shelter in partnership with the city of Longview. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report County Judge Bill Stoudt filed his spending proposal with County Clerk Connie Wade on Thursday. The document seeks the same, 26¼-cent tax rate property owners shouldered this year. It also adds no county debt while still laying out about $14 million for large projects such as the proposed animal center. The day-to-day operations budget is proposed at $47.4 million, and is separate from the capital projects budget that is fed by reserves. Continue reading Gregg County Budget Draft Pledges $2.5 Million for New Animal Shelter

LONGVIEW – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recognized Tracy Fleck, an assistant attorney general in the Child Support Division’s Longview office, for her commitment to Texas children. Fleck (at left in picture) was named “Assistant Attorney General of the Year” for the Child Support Division’s Tyler region, which covers 43 counties. Deputy Attorney General for Child Support Alicia Key presented the award to Fleck on Wednesday at the Statewide Assistant Attorneys General Conference in Fort Worth. Continue reading Longview Employee Named Region’s Assistant Attorney General of the Year

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department gets a new assistant police chief. In a ceremony Thursday afternoon, Chief Gary Swindle promoted Lieutenant Jimmy Toler to Assistant Chief. Lieutenant Toler becomes the third Assistant Chief in the department and will be assigned over the Patrol Division. Continue reading New Tyler Assistant Police Chief

EAST TEXAS — Consumers Report has done a study on hospitals’ morbidity rates. The study was for Medicare patients 65 and older who had a longer hospital stay than was anticipated. The probe for Medicare claims from 2009 to 2011 was for patients who had surgery in 27 categories of commonly scheduled surgeries. According to KETK, Scoring better were Trinity Mother Frances and Texas Spine and Joint, of Tyler, and Good Shepherd Medical Center and Longview Regional in Longview. East Texas Medical Center in Tyler and Memorial Medical Center in Lufkin did worse than previous reports.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are investigating an aggravated assault and a possible attempted sexual assault. KETK reports it happened Saturday morning. Police were called for a victim suffering from several injuries. The victim had reported that she was walking on State Highway 42 sometime between 2:00 and 3:00am when she was offered a ride by several males in a 4-door pickup. She reported that the men displayed at least one weapon and attempted to sexually assault her. The victim said she fought with her attackers and told police that led to the additional injuries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. John Rowe at the Kilgore Police Department or call Gregg County Crime Stoppers.

LONGVIEW — An accused killer has been transferred to East Texas after being found out of state. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that Paul Anthony Mengel has been placed in the Gregg County Jail under $500,000 bond on a charge of murder. Mengel was moved from a jail in Louisiana after being captured there last week. Mengel, 27, was arrested July 23 at his Bossier City home on a warrant issued by Longview police in connection with the fatal shooting of Joey Lee Espy. Espy, 19, was found shot to death July 7 at a house in the 300 block of Bonner Street in South Longview after a woman called 911 saying she and her boyfriend had been shot. Continue reading Suspect in Fatal Longview Shooting Moved to Gregg County Jail

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham has made a formal presentation of two K9s to Sheriff Larry Smith for use by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. It happened at a news conference Wednesday at the Smith County Emergency Operations Center on Spur 248. The animals were purchased earlier this year for $11,500 each and are now trained and on the streets. They’re trained to track people and sniff out drugs, and for use during patrol. They were paid for by confiscated drug funds at no cost to taxpayers. Continue reading Smith County DA Donates Trained K9s to SCSO

TYLER — The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Public Safety have arrested a Tyler doctor and his assistant at a building that was formerly occupied by Pierce Primary Care Associates. KETK reports Dr. Gregory Terrell, 53, and his office manager, Melissa York, 48, were both arrested on Wednesday for possession of a controlled substance by fraud as well as diversion of a controlled substance by registrants. Further details are pending. Continue reading Physician, Office Manager Arrested in Tyler DEA Office Raid

CANTON — A Van Zandt County grand jury has indicted the uncle of a Greenville teenager who was murdered in November. The single-count indictment accuses Michael Moore, 57, of capital murder in the November 2 death of his niece, Alicia. Her body was found stuffed in a wicker trunk in rural Van Zandt County. Last May from jail, Moore said he had nothing to do with her murder. He asked, “Who’s gonna believe me over the U.S. Marshals and the FBI and whatever?…If my DNA’s on her body, they put it there.” He said he was trying to help Alicia, who he claimed had sexual problems. He is being held on $10 million bond.

TYLER — The 20 year-old woman who was shot in P.T. Cole Park in Tyler around 9:40 Tuesday night is identified as Briana Raquel Young, 20, of Tyler. Young was pronounced dead at the scene by Judge Quincy Beavers, and her body was sent to Southwest Forensics in Dallas for an autopsy. Tyler Investigators have determined that Young had brought her 3 year-old son to the park. While in the park, Young was caught in cross-fire when gunfire erupted. Investigators were told that gunfire erupted from within the park and also from a vehicle on Mockingbird Street next to the park. Around 30 people were in the park when the shooting occurred. Young’s child was not injured. Continue reading Tyler Homicide Under Investigation