KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A five-car pileup blocked some eastbound loop traffic for about an hour on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Highway. KETK reports the accident happened around 12:30, after one driver reportedly did not stop at a red light and caused a chain reaction with four other cars. Eight people were involved in the accident, but only two were taken to a local hospital, with unknown injuries. The driver who allegedly caused the accident was given a sobriety test after officers said that they smelled alcohol and that a 12-ounce container of beer was found in the car. The driver passed the sobriety test but was cited for the wreck and allegedly having an open container. .

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – A Canadian company that is building a pipeline to carry tar sands oil to the Gulf Coast says it is repairing parts of the duct in Texas — mainly in Wood County, according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. TransCanada spokesman Shawn Howard says in an email that inspections of the pipeline revealed “small imperfections.” He says nine sections totaling about 81 feet will be repaired. He says 75% of the pipeline in Texas is complete. Howard says it will be in operation by late 2013. When done, the pipeline will run through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County. Continue reading Repairs Done on Portions of Oil Pipeline in Texas

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court cut the ribbon Thursday, officially opening the new Smith County Election Administration Office and the R. B. Hubbard Center. The new facilities are located at 302 and 304 E. Ferguson, respectively. Officials say the new Elections facility offers customers ample parking, ground-level entry, and a spacious early voting area. The adjoining R. B. Hubbard Center, or as it has come to be called, “The HUB,” is a multi-purpose facility designed to suit public needs. Officials say it can be used for large gatherings, town hall meetings, or jury pools. The HUB was named for the fifteenth governor of Texas, Richard B. Hubbard, whose homestead was once located in the area that is now East Ferguson.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Child Protective Services tried to keep a 2-year-old Cherokee County boy, who died after accidently shooting himself in the face, out of his great-grandparents’ home. KETK reports that in addition to the deceased toddler, Trenton Mathis, two other children were also in custody of Mathis’s great-grandparents in Cherokee County. CPS obtained custody of the children in December 2012, because of a case that originated in Harris County. Continue reading CPS Tried to Keep Young Shooting Victim out of Great-Grandparents’ Home

LINDALE — As predicted, an overflow crowd turned out Wednesday night for a presentation of the patriotic musical “In God We Trust” by Lindale fifth graders. The play was presented in its original form after a parental complaint over the play’s religious references prompted school district officials to show a modified version last week. KETK reports that patrons were being directed into the overflow area 45 minutes before the curtains were raised Wednesday at the Lindale ISD Performing Arts Center. Some attendees were quite vocal in their support of the play. One commmented, “The American people need to stand up and speak that it’s in God that we trust and that’s what made this flag so great.” Continue reading Overflow Crowd Attends Lindale Play

TYLER — A former Tyler school bus driver is free on bond following his arrest on drug charges. Ronald Gain, 44, of Tyler is charged with possession of a controlled substance greater than or equal to one gram and less than four grams. Gain, who was hired last August, was fired last Friday, following his arrest.

TIMPSON — A Lamborghini, said to be valued at $1 million dollars, has been destroyed in an east Texas fire. It happened Tuesday afternoon at the Timpson Quick Stop in Timpson. The fire was extinguishd by the quick action of store employees and the towns volunteer fire department. There were no injuries. There was no report on how the fire started.

AUSTIN — The work’s obviously not done, with a special session looming. But Texas lawmakers are largely pleased with what was accomplished during the regular legislative session. That includes Tyler Senator Kevin Eltife, who shared some upbeat comments on the budget with KETK. According to Eltife, “The budget, I think, is a conservative budget. It’s under the rate of inflation and growth, but we added money to public education, higher education, community colleges.”

LONGVIEW — A man accused of killing a Bowie County deputy is currently being housed in the Gregg County Jail. Tucker Orton Strickland, 23, is accused of overpowering the 54-year-old deputy while being escorted from the Bowie County Courthouse in New Boston, grabbing her gun and shooting her dead. He was later arrested in Arkansas. Continue reading Man Jailed in Gregg County for Bowie County Deputy’s Death

TYLER — A Tyler man will be serving life in prison for the murder of one of his daughters. Dramon Green, 22, pleaded guilty Wednesday to capital murder. For the guilty plea, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Continue reading Life in Prison for Murder of Daughter

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about the future of North End Revitalization. Residents may provide input in two ways:

· By sharing ideas for North End Revitalization and housing improvements on Tyler Speaks, an online forum hosted on the City of Tyler website. Go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on Tyler Speaks.
· At a Public Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Neighborhood Services, 900 W. Gentry Pkwy. Continue reading City Seeking Input on North End Revitalization for Tyler 1st Plan

TYLER — In celebration of Memorial Day, the Smithfield Packing Company has partnered with Brookshire Grocery Co. to donate a combined 40,000 pounds of food to the East Texas Food Bank. According to a Food Bank news release, “This significant donation in Tyler is part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes tour, the company’s coast-to-coast effort to help families and individuals become more food secure. Through this program, Smithfield has donated and delivered more than 25.4 million servings of protein to food-assistance organizations across the country.”

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Two state facilities face June deadlines to reform hazardous conditions or lose millions of dollars in Medicaid money — and the death of an East Texas woman is part of the reason. The Austin American-Statesman reports that Terrell State Hospital faces a June 4 deadline to implement reforms or face the loss of Medicare funding. That’s after Medicare investigators found significant nursing and patient rights problems in the wake of the February 2012 death of patient Ann Simmons. An autopsy blamed the death of the 62-year-old Pittsburg woman three days after her arrival on a pulmonary embolism related to restraints used on her. Continue reading State Facilities Face Reform Deadlines; East Texan’s Death a Factor

EAST TEXAS — Natural gas fueling stations are popping up around East Texas. KETK reports the first in Longview is set to be opened in a few weeks by Independence Fuel Systems. As the fuel becomes more readily available, it’s removing a big hurdle that has stopped local governments, school districts and buses in the past from converting vehicles to run on natural gas.

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of State Health Services is hosting events in Lufkin and Tyler to educate the public about West Nile virus. The events will include information from state and local officials about the disease, prevention efforts, and mosquito control, and will include question-and-answer sessions. Texas recently confirmed its first case of West Nile illness of the season, an adult male from Anderson County. Last year Texas reported 1,868 human cases of West Nile illness, including 89 deaths. Continue reading DSHS Hosts West Nile Events in East Texas

TYLER — Tyler police have issued the after-action report from the most recent multi-agency No-Refusal DWI campaign, held May 24th through May 27th. DPS had nine DWI arrests, Tyler PD had five, and Whitehouse PD had two. Texas Parks & Wildlife had two BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) arrests. TPWD also obtained two search warrants for blood. This is a grand total of 18 DWI arrests with 2 (11%) search warrants for blood obtained. Continue reading “No Refusal” After-Action Report

TYLER — A fire has damaged apartments in the 1600 block of East Earle Street. Tyler firemen responded to the blaze just before 2:00 yesterday morning. The building contained two separate apartment units, with tenants upstairs and downstairs. Luckily, the residents were able to escape unharmed. The upstairs apartment sustained heavy fire damage, with a total loss of the contents. The downstairs unit sustained extensive water damage as well. Fire investigators have indicated that the fire originated in an upstairs bedroom near an air conditioning unit. The Red Cross was notified for assistance with the displaced families.

LUFKIN — A Nacogdoches couple has been sentenced for federal tax violations. Reggie Cotton, 53, and Deborah Cotton, 57, pleaded guilty last November to failing to file tax returns for the calendar year 2004 and were both sentenced to five months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Their prison sentences will be followed by five months of home detention and restitution of $75,320 to the Internal Revenue Service. Continue reading Nacogdoches Couple Sentenced in Federal Court

TYLER — The new executive director of special academic programs at The University of Texas at Tyler is Dr. Paul Streufert. He is an associate professor within the Department of Literature and Languages and the founding director of the UT Tyler Honors Program. In this expanded role, effective July 1, Streufert will oversee both the honors and Global Awareness Through Education programs at UT Tyler. Dr. Jill Blondin, current GATE director, has accepted a position at Virginia Commonwealth University as director of the VCU Globe. Continue reading Streufert Named Executive Director at UT Tyler

TYLER — Tyler Junior College is one of four public, two-year institutions nationwide, and the only two-year institution in Texas, to be recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), for overall performance in educational fundraising. CASE has named 68 colleges and universities and 18 independent schools as recipients of its 2013 Educational Fundraising Awards, which recognize institutions for overall performance and improvement in educational fundraising programs. Winning institutions will be recognized in the awards gallery at the 2013 Summit for Leaders in Advancement conference to be held in July in San Francisco. Continue reading TJC Receives National Award

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the death of a two year old child. It happened Sunday morning around 8:30. Deputies responded to an address on Mosely Circle North for an assist EMS call. Officials said Michael Lane Echols, 2, apparently woke up before other family members and unlocked an outside door and left the residence. Family members searched for the child and he was located behind a neighbors fenced in yard in a swimming pool. The father pulled Michael from the pool and contacted EMS. The child later died at Good Shepherd Medical Center. The child’s body was sent for autopsy at the Forensic Center in Tyler. Gregg County Investigators are following up on the circumstances leading up to the death.

JACKSONVILLE — According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the victim in Friday evening’s fatal mobile home fire in Jacksonville has been identified as Cedric McCuin, 42. According to KETK, officials believe the fire started in the kitchen due to most of the damage being centered around that area of the home. McCuin also told his brother he was going to fix dinner right before the fire broke out. The case remains under investigation.

TYLER — According to the Tyler Police Department, a Sunday morning crash that demolished the side of the Tyler Area Builders Association on West Grande Boulevard was likely caused from a combination of alcohol and a high rate of speed. Authorities tell KETK the driver, Taylor Brian Swinford, 24, of Tyler, was taken to a local hospital after the accident with unknown injuries and has since been released. No charges have been filed; however, the case is still under investigation. TABA officials say the association’s Parade of Homes will not be affected by the crash. The event is scheduled for June 1-9.

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested Monday morning after police say he hit an officer in the face. According to KETK, police were called to the scene of a reported disturbance on Summerkamp St. just after 7:00 a.m. According to police reports, four people were arguing in a house. As their argument escalated, a woman in the group reportedly picked up a knife and allegedly threatened the others. Officials say the woman eventually dropped the knife and the group began to fight. Continue reading Police: Tyler Man Hits Officer in Face, Arrested for Assault

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police are searching for a man following an aggravated robbery. KETK reports it happened at a duplex on the 2200 block of Lola Street just before 1:30 Tuesday morning. A caller told officers that while she was at her house, a man kicked in her door and assaulted her. She said he threatened her with a hammer and forced her to give him money from her purse before leaving. The robber is described as a black man in his mid-20s, about 5’7″ – 5’10″ tall. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and dark pants. If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Nacogdoches Police Department.

SMITH COUNTY — A man rolls his truck in Smith County Monday afternoon and is arrested for alleged drunk driving. KETK reports it happened along the 12000 block of South Hillcreek Road, near Whitehouse. Authorities say the truck rolled after the man lost control. No one was hurt. The man’s name was not immediately released.

TYLER — A plane landed in a Smith County field after developing mechanical trouble. KETK reports the single engine aircraft landed in the field between Tyler and Whitehouse, near County Road 2191 and Loop 49. The pilot was not injured and the plane was not damaged. The FAA was contacted.

NACOGDOCHES — A man, said to have been armed with a knife and a pit bull, is accused of threatening his ex-girlfriend. Arrested by Nacogdoches County authorities was O’Brian Duke, 30, of Nacogdoches. He is accused of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault and interference with a 9-1-1 emergency call.

KETK reports authorities were sent to a home on Highway 7 Sunday morning. Duke had left by the time officers arrived. A short time later he was found walking down the road with a pit bull. He is accused of breaking into the woman’s house armed with a knife and the dog. He is accused of trying to make the pit bull attack the woman. When the woman called 9-1-1, Duke is accused of breaking the phone and choking the victim. Duke was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail. The dog was turned over to animal control officers.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — An Edgewood man has been killed in a one-vehicle crash in Van Zandt County. The accident was reported at 1:28 Sunday morning on FM 1395, half a mile west of Farm Road 859. The DPS says a pickup driven by Pablo Salinas Herrera, 20, was eastbound when it ran off the roadway and overturned. Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

TYLER — Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Tom Parker of the Disabled American Veterans keynoted the annual Memorial Day observance at Tyler’s Memorial Park Cemetery. Parker reminded the large crowd that the day is not about celebrating the beginning of summer or a holiday from work. According to Parker, “Today is a solemn day of remembrance, a day that should be properly set aside for contemplation. Ask yourself where you would be without the personal sacrifices made by these men and women.” Special touches included patriotic music, a fallen warrior procession, a 21-gun salute, and adorning of a wreath in memory of fallen military members.