KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has asked for the public’s help in locating a robbery suspect. William Ray Mikula, 31, is wanted on a third-degree felony for theft in connection with property taken from Transport Services on Highway 271 on April 27. If you have information on the location of Mikula, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County authorities are investigating an early morning burglary. Monday morning just before 4:00, Deputies Justin Eakin and Josh Caulkins were driving down Highway 69 South on routine patrol when Deputy Eakin noticed a red pickup parked in the middle of the highway. Deputy Eakin then noticed an ATM from the Stop and Shop, located at the intersection of Highway 69 and County Road 1215, was lying on its side in the parking lot. After entering the store parking lot, deputies saw a male wearing jeans, a dark shirt, and a black ski mask standing outside of the store. The male then ran into the woods. Continue reading Authorities Probe Burglary, Attempted ATM Theft

TROUP — A home in Troup has been damaged by fire. It was reported just before 7:30 Sunday night in the 200 block of Melton Street. No one was at home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the blaze. According to KETK, officials did say they are considering the fire suspicious after a domestic dispute call was made from the home earlier that day.

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

LONGVIEW – Demolition work to remove the damaged bridge supports from the Martin Luther King Jr. overpass of Interstate Highway 20 is scheduled to begin this week, with reconstruction of the damaged supports to follow immediately. “This is the best way to ensure we’ve addressed all of the damage,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “There’s no sense in leaving anything to chance with something like this.”

The structure has been closed since it sustained heavy fire damage as the result of a crash on the morning of April 22. TxDOT engineers determined the bridge should remain closed citing safety concerns, and began work to develop a contract for the repairs. Krantz said the work should be completed by July 1. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

REKLAW — One person has been killed in a one-vehicle crash in Cherokee County. It happened shortly before 2:30 Saturday morning on State Highway 204, nearly four miles east of Reklaw. The DPS says the 2004 Chevrolet pickup was driven by Rudy Steve Harris, 56, of Pasadena, Texas. Authorities say Harris was eastbound when he drove off the roadway and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say Harris was wearing a seatbelt.

TYLER — A Tyler man has died following a car-pedestrian accident. Shortly after 8:45 Saturday night, Joel Thompson, 58, was hit by a vehicle as he was crossing in the 2300 block of West Erwin. He died around 1:00 Sunday morning at East Texas Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle was not injured, and police say alcohol was not a factor. The case remains under investigation.

PAYNE SPRINGS — An accident in Henderson County Friday night took the life of a pedestrian, and authorities say the driver left the scene. The DPS says the accident was reported at 8:39 p.m. on SH 198, a quarter-mile north of Leisureland Road in Payne Springs. Officials say a southbound 2002 Lincoln LS hit and killed Sandy Gay Patterson, 49, of Mabank, as she walked on the edge of the highway. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Continue reading DPS: Driver Leaves Scene of Fatal Accident

GRANBURY (AP/Staff) – Flamboyant swindler Billie Sol Estes’ name may be synonymous with Texas-sized schemes, greed, and corruption. But friends and family focused on his loving and generous nature at a funeral Saturday, saying what a paradox he was throughout his life. About 300 people gathered for Estes’ funeral in Granbury, a town ravaged by a deadly tornado earlier this week. Estes, who was once tried in Tyler, died in his sleep Tuesday at the age of 88. He was Texas’ king of con men for nearly 50 years. Continue reading Funeral-Goers Describe Texas Swindler as Loving

TYLER – TISD-TV has been named a Bronze winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for two videos produced by the Tyler ISD video and broadcasting department. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, TISD officials say this is truly an honor. “We’re humbled to receive this recognition from our peers in film and video,” said Angela Jenkins, Coordinator of TISD-TV & Video Operations. “This award is equivalent to the Oscar and Emmy awards in other industries. It’s thrilling to know that as a department, the caliber of our video production work is recognized as some of the best out there. I’m so fortunate to work with Greg McRae and Jacob Walker; they are truly professionals.” Continue reading TISD-TV Earns International Video Award

HENDERSON — The Henderson wolfdog named Blue Bear has been safely captured. KETK reports Veronica Whittington with Henderson Animal Control tranquilized the animal with a dart, and he is now being cared for at the Henderson Animal Shelter. Shelter officials are now in the process of finding him a new home, either at a zoo or a wolf refuge. Blue Bear had been living in a wooded area behind a Henderson neighborhood. The animal is believed to be part wolf and part malamute, standing about waist-high on an average person. The wolfdog had killed a chicken and a cat, but there are residents in the area who said the creature is tame and did not want to see the animal killed. Continue reading Wolfdog Safely Captured

EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service released a complete list of damage from the May 16th severe thunderstorms that rocked parts of North and East Texas and parts of Northwest Louisiana. KETK reports the storms produced two tornadoes that struck in the Waskom area in Harrison County. One twister touched down four miles west of Waskom, just south of I-20. That tornado was a category one with winds peaking at 90 miles per hour. The path of the tornado went a mile and a half and reached a width of 500 yards. One injury was reported, but no fatalities; there were no immediate details on the injury. The tornado caused damage to several buildings, uprooting and snapping trees along its path. The twister ended near County Road 1105. Continue reading NWS: Waskom Area Hit by Two Twisters Thursday

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man was placed in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $200,000 after authorities said he broke into his neighbor’s house and later threatened to kill his neighbors because they reported him to police. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. According to police records, Amos Edward Simmons, 34, was served warrants Thursday charging him with burglary of a habitation and retaliation in connection with the alleged crimes. Continue reading Man Held after Threats to Neighbors

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities say eastbound traffic on I-20 near Barber Road in Smith County was beginning to move again by late Friday afternoon, following an accident that caused major traffic backups. At least one driver reported being stuck in traffic for three hours. Officials say it all began when an 18-wheeler jumped the median and rolled over at eastbound mile marker 574 just before Barber Road. According to KETK, there were no major injuries reported. A hazmat crew was among those called to the scene.

LINDALE – Smith County Animal Control Officer Juan Dockens was bitten in the face by a Great Dane. Officials say it happened Friday during a routine call in the Lindale area. The dog was being surrendered by its owners. Dockens was taken to a Tyler medical facility for assessment and treatment. His injuries are said to be moderate, located primarily around his chin and mouth, and required stitches. He is now at home recovering. The animal has been quarantined and will be tested.

LONGVIEW — A Longview home has been damaged by fire, and the family has been displaced. The blaze was reported in the home’s garage in the 900 block of Irene Street. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a fire department official said the garage sustained most of the damage but the rest of the home was damaged by smoke. No one was home when the fire started and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham says David and Sabrina Kimbley (pictured) have both pleaded guilty to five cases of child endangerment and were sentenced to four years behind bars. That’s according to KETK. The two had previously been scheduled for trial Monday, June 3rd. The Kimbleys were arrested and indicted on 13 counts of child endangerment last year. The five surviving Kimbley children were removed from the Kimbleys’ care following the death of their two-year-old son Jacob in August of 2012. Continue reading Kimbleys Sentenced to Four Years in Child’s Death

TYLER — A pro-development group in Smith County has started collecting the required number of signatures on petitions to place limited beer and wine sales on the November ballot for the current boundaries of Smith County Justice Precinct 4. The Buy Smith County Committee has already collected the required number of signatures to place Smith County JP 1 on the November ballot. Continue reading Beer and Wine Sales Proposed for JP 4

TYLER — The U.S. Marshals and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office say they’ve arrested a burglary suspect. Kristopher Ford, 26, Tyler, was apprehended Thursday in Tyler thanks to a Crimestoppers tip. He’s accused of burglarizing the Dairy Queen in Gresham on April 9. Kaysi Brown, 26, Tyler, was also arrested during that time for felony revocation of probation and a bond forfeiture warrant. They were both booked into the Smith County Jail. Ford’s bond was set at $50,000. Bond for Brown has not been set.

TYLER — A professor of biology at The University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Neil Ford, is the first recipient of the UT Tyler College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Professor Award. Created this year, the award recognizes outstanding teaching and research contributions to the college and UT Tyler. Continue reading UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

TYLER — The Tyler Red Cross sends two volunteers to Hood and Johnson Counties to help victims and first responders following Wednesday night’s devastating North Texas tornadoes. Red Cross volunteer specialist Linda Edwards tells KETK their primary initial duties will be distributing snacks and water. But Edwards says, “Their duties will enlarge as things open up and they get into the cleanup phase. They could be distributing cleanup kits; they could be helping feed at the shelter.”

CARTHAGE — Ron Clinton, the Panola County sheriff suspended from office earlier this month, entered a guilty plea Thursday to tampering with a government document in Panola County district court. Judge Diane DeVasto accepted the plea but withheld a finding of guilt, defense attorney David Moore said. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the judge placed Clinton under three years’ probation. Continue reading Embattled Panola County Sheriff Enters Guilty Plea

GILMER — A Gilmer man is sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder. Anthony Brown Jr., 32, was charged in connection with a wreck that killed Nancy Huyser, 56, of Kilgore in 2011. Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety tell KETK Brown was legally drunk when he drove his truck across the median and crashed into Huyser’s vehicle. Brown was charged with intoxicated manslaughter. .

TYLER – Tyler ISD will use a search committee to select candidates for the John Tyler High School principal position. TISD officials say a community survey has been launched to gather information from John Tyler parents, staff members, students, and community members to determine what characteristics and qualities they would like to see in a potential candidate. You can go to http://www.jt.tylerisd.org to gain access to the survey. Continue reading Committee to Select Candidates for John Tyler Principal Position

LONGVIEW — A state forestry official says effects of a lingering drought and federal budget cuts are setting up East Texas for a dangerous wildfire season. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “East Texas is a concern for us this summer,” said Tom Spencer, director of predictive services for the Texas Forest Service. “If we get tropical moisture this summer and plentiful rainfall, that would mitigate it.” Add to that concern the arrival of national budget sequestration cuts. Continue reading Official Warns of High Wildfire Danger in East Texas

TYLER – A joint investigation between the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Henderson County has led to the arrest of Joshua Shapley, 30, in connection with several thefts and burglaries in southwest Smith County and eastern Henderson County. During a traffic stop on April 25, a DPS Trooper found a gun, a television, and jewelry inside Shapley’s vehicle. It was determined that these items were from a burglary he had just allegedly committed in Frankston. Shapley is currently in the Henderson County Jail facing charges and is expected to face additional charges in Smith County. Officials said Brandy Hedricks (pictured), 28, who is said to be a known associate of Shapley’s, was taken into custody Wednesday night.

TYLER — The new dean of the College of Education and Psychology at The University of Texas at Tyler is Dr. Ross Sherman. He has served as interim since September 2012. Sherman has served UT Tyler as professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies since 1987. Continue reading Sherman Named UT Tyler College of Education and Psychology Dean

TYLER — Urologist Delbert Rudy, MD, has joined UT Health Northeast after more than a decade in private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dr. Rudy has over 30 years of experience as a urologist, which is a physician and surgeon who treats diseases of the male and female urinary tracts and the male reproductive organs. He is board certified in urology. Continue reading Urologist Joins UT Health Northeast

KILGORE — Three Kilgore College Board of Trustees members have been sworn in after votes were canvassed from the May 11 election. New to the board is Rev. Brian Nutt, (pictured) pastor of Grace Fellowship of Kilgore. Rev. Nutt received 53.63% of the vote, defeating former KC Board member Marion Turner. He will fill the Central Zone seat, representing Kilgore Independent School District, vacated by longtime board member R.E. “Sonny” Spradlin. Continue reading Kilgore College Trustees Take Oath of Office

AUSTIN (AP) — The House has soundly defeated a proposed referendum that would have let voters decide whether to limit statewide elected officials to two consecutive terms. The proposal easily cleared the Senate but failed on a 61 to 88 vote in the lower chamber Wednesday. It would not have applied to state representatives or senators.

Senate Joint Resolution 13, authored by state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, would have placed a constitutional amendment regarding term limits for all statewide elected officials before Texas voters in November. It would limit officials to two consecutive four-year terms.

AUSTIN — The bill that would authorize the creation of a pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Tyler has been passed by the Texas Senate and House and is now on its way to Gov. Rick Perry for approval. A signature from the governor would be followed by final approval by the UT System Board of Regents. Continue reading Bill for UT Tyler Pharmacy School Awaits Perry’s Signature