KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Monday was a big day for the Tyler Salvation Army. One highlight: a Christmas Eve brunch. It was open to the community from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Organizers laid out a traditional brunch menu of eggs, ham, biscuits and gravy, fruit, green bean casserole, and mac and cheese — as well as some entertainment. Along with that, it was the last day to donate to the Tyler Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive. This year’s fundraising goal is $430,150.

TYLER — A memorial service was held Saturday at Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church for Louise Ornelas, a leading philanthropist in the community — but known for her down-to-earth personality. According to our news partner KETK, Ornelas’s daughter Becky Wangner said her mom “just felt as comfortable on the farm as she did with presidents and princes.” Recalling a meeting with President George H.W. Bush, Wangner recounted, “After dinner she told me she held hands with the president under the table, and…I said, ‘Mom, you can’t do that — there’s Secret Service standing all around.’ And she said, ‘Oh, yes, I can… When I pray, I hold hands.'” A son, Randy Rogers, said his last words to Ornelas were, “You’ve been a great mom.” He continued, “And she looked up at me, and she said, ‘I sure have.'” Ornelas died December 18 at 93. She was buried in her hometown of Arp.

ATHENS – Seniors at Athens High School left a present in the office. According to the district’s Facebook page, they wrapped individual pencils and desk drawers. Chairs and cup holders were also wrapped. They even removed a light bulb from the tree, which turned the whole thing off. They then created a treasure hunt of clues to find it. Merry Christmas from the senior class of 2019. Continue reading A Special Present at Athens High School

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a man accused of sexually abusing a child. Accused of the continuous sexual abuse of a young child is Juan Rios, 35. He is described as a white male, about 6’5″ and weighing around 190 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and multiple tattoos. If you know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

WELLS – The Texas Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use caution as drivers get use to the new traffic pattern on U.S. Highway 69 in Wells. It has the southbound lanes carrying two-way traffic. So it won’t cause holiday traffic problems, no work will be conducted on the project next week. The week after Christmas, the contractor is scheduled to begin pavement removal operations on the east side of the roadway. Motorists can expect lane closures and brief delays for the duration of the project. Continue reading Roadwork in Wells and Holiday Traffic

LONGVIEW – Children hospitalized at Longview’s CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center got some special visitors Friday morning. The Longview Police Department’s SWAT Team members, rappelled down a wall of the hospital. Following that: a visit with the children in their unit and delivery of gifts. The department says this lets them demonstrate their abilities to the community and bring joy to children spending the holidays in the hospital. And, to change things up a little, this year they did not wear their super hero costumes, as they have done in years past. The is the 5th straight year for Operation Christmas Cheer.

GILMER – in Upshur County, you do the crime you pay the time. And at Christmas, that even means the Grinch. According to the Facebook page of the sheriff’s department, Deputy L.P. Nolen has a zero tolerance for the offense of “Unlawful Grinchiness.” The Grinch was arrested at Gilmer Elementary.

KILGORE – It is now official, Dr. Andy Baker is the Superintendent of the Kilgore School District. He was named as the lone finalist for the post at a meeting late last month. By state law, the district had to wait 21 days before he could officially be hired. At a called board meeting Friday morning, his hiring was made official. Baker was formerly superintendent of Edgewood school system, in Van Zandt County, where he served since 2011. He can now move to Kilgore over the winter holiday and be ready for the first day of school when it resumes in January. He succeeds Cara Cooke, who resigned in July after five years as school superintendent to take a job in Aransas Pass.

TYLER – Tyler police have stepped up traffic enforcement for the holidays. The police department is participating in a state grant that is providing funding to the department to enforce traffic laws. This is being done in order to reduce the number of traffic accidents especially in high crash areas throughout the city. The program has proven to be an effective tool to help reduce the number of crashes by having the high visibility of patrol units in areas where crashes are reported to have occurred. The the intent of the enforcement program is to act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid speeding, running red lights, texting, driving while intoxicated because they know that officers are on the look-out. This special enforcement project is running till January 2nd.

AUSTIN – Area unemployment was unchanged in November. The Texas workforce commission reports Tyler’s unemployment was 3.4% last month. That is unchanged from the October figure. But it is still below where it was a year ago at 3.6%. Longview’s unemployment rate from October to November is also unchanged, at 3.8%. It was 4.3% a year ago. The state’s unemployment remains at the same historic 42-year low it was in October, 3.7%.

TYLER — The Republican-led House has approved funding for President Trump’s border wall in legislation that pushes the government closer to a partial government shutdown. The House voted 217-185, largely along party lines. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it has almost no chance of passing. Trump had given mixed signals on how hard he would push for $5 billion in border wall funds. Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert continues to stand firm on the need for a border wall. Gohmert told KTBB, “The huge majority of our constituents in East Texas have said, ‘Stand firm, we’ve gotta protect our country, we need a wall where we need it, and we need…a secure border all the way around our border.” Senators already passed their bill to avert a shutdown by extending funds to Feb. 8. It did not include the wall funding. Without resolution, government funding for various departments expires at midnight Friday.

KILGORE – A cyclist has been seriously injured in a Kilgore accident. Melissa Riley, 28, of Kilgore, was first taken to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. She was later transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Investigators say she was riding next to a tractor-trailer rig when she fell under the vehicle. She was then run over by a vehicle that had been following the truck. The accident, which occurred just before 5:15 Wednesday afternoon, remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are investigating the death of a homeless man. The body of Donald Woodlief, 61, was found Thursday morning behind a former gas station on South Mobberly Avenue. Investigators say there were signs of trauma to his body. An autopsy was ordered to help in identifying the injuries and the cause of death.

AUSTIN – Former state senator and former Tyler mayor Kevin Eltife is the new chairman of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. He was unanimously elected chairman at a special called meeting on Thursday. Eltife was appointed to the board last year by Governor Greg Abbott. His appointment was for six years. Chancellor James B. Milliken said he is looking forward to working with Eltife. The University of Texas System is one of the nation’s largest systems of higher education, with 14 institutions, which includes the University of Texas at Tyler.

TYLER – The latest victim in a string of area shootings, Bradley Brockman, 45, has died. He was shot Sunday afternoon in the Westwood Shooping Center. Later, Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler, was arrested in the case. The original charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon has been upgraded to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon has also been added to the charges. Perdomo is also a suspect in four other recent shootings. Tyler police have received forensic confirmation from the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab that links the gun used in the Sunday shooting to four recent shooting deaths in the area. Additional charges are pending in those cases. Continue reading Westwood Shopping Center Shooting Victim Dies

TYLER – Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at Green Acres Baptist Church for East Texas philanthropist Louise Herrington Ornelas. She died Tuesday evening at her home, surrounded by family. She was 93. Over the years she, and her husband Joseph, donated to many schools, hospitals and charities. During that time she received many honors. In 2001, the couple received the T.B. Butler Award as Tyler’s most outstanding citizens. In 1996, she received the National Horatio Alger award. The organization says the award is given to outstanding Americans who exemplify dedication, purpose, and perseverance in their personal and professional lives.

LONGVIEW – A Longview theater is closer to a zoning change. The city’s Planning and Zoning Board has approved, and sent to the city council, a zone change for Carmike Cinema. The change would allow for the sale of alcohol at the theater. This would come along with with an over $4 million remodeling project. The remodeling would reduce seating in the theater by half. The measure now goes to the city council, with a vote scheduled next month.

TYLER – A problem with an over 200 foot crane caused it to fall at the Robert E Lee High School construction site. It happened around 10:45 Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported. It is not known at this time if the accident will affect the construction schedule. The work is being done in connection with the nearly total rebuild of the high school, which was approved of by voters in a 2017 bond package.

ATHENS – A reward is being offered in a double murder south of Chandler last week. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the county Crime Stoppers organization is offering up to $10,000 in the case. It is the shooting death of Gabriel McBride, 46, and his daughter, Beverly McBride, 17. Their bodies were found in a home on Woodridge West. She was dead at the scene and her dad later died in a Tyler Hospital. Hillhouse said his office is being assisted in the case by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers. The sheriff said, anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-TIPS or his office at 903-675-5128.

KILGORE – GoBus riders in East Texas will be have a lower fare after the first of the year. The executive committee of the East Texas Council of Governments approved the decrease. The cost of a one-way trip is dropping from $4 to $2 for all paying customers. It goes into effect January 2nd. GoBus is a rural transportation service providing 7,000 trips a month. It partners with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas to sponsor trips for seniors to to medical appointments or senior nutrition centers. It recently announced free trips for all active military members or veterans. GoBus serves clients in ETCOG’s 14-county region, including Smith, Gregg and Harrison counties.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County District Attorney has dropped the capital murder charge against the father who was arrested along with his son for the beating death of a Tyler woman. According to our news partner KETK, back in July, Bullard police arrested Charles Edward Lennon III, 29, and Charles Edward Lennon, Jr., 56, for the death of Rachel Lynn Jackson, 31. According to J. Brett Harrison, the attorney for Charles Edward Lennon, Jr, the D.A. declined the capital murder charge prior to Tuesday’s motion hearing. On Tuesday, Lennon Jr. was released on a bond after a judge set conditions of release during a motion hearing. Continue reading Capital Murder Charge Dropped for Tyler Man

TYLER – Smith County’s fire marshal has been reappointed for another two year term. Smith County commissioner’s on Tuesday reappointed Connie McCoy-Wasson to the post. County Judge Nathaniel Moran told her that she has done a fantastic job responding to the county’s emergencies. The commissioners court voted unanimously to approve the two-year appointment, which will run from December 20, 2018, through December 20, 2020. When first appointed to the post in 2015, she became the first female to serve as Smith County Fire Marshal. McCoy-Wasson has more than 20 years of experience as a deputy fire marshal for Smith County and had served as interim fire marshal prior to her original promotion. Continue reading Wasson to Remain as County Fire Marshall

TYLER – A law enforcement task force says it has evidence linking a suspect in a weekend shooting with 4 area homicides. Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler, was arrested following the wounding of Bradley Brockman, 45. He remains in critical condition in a Tyler hospital following the Sunday afternoon shooting at the Westwood Shopping Center. They have now received forensic confirmation from the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab that links the gun used in that shooting to four recent shootings in the area. Four men died in those shootings. The investigation into the shootings continues and Perdomo, who is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is now facing additional charges. Continue reading Shooting Suspect Linked to 4 Homicides

HENDERSON – A woman has died from a Rusk County accident earlier this month. Teresa Louise Clark, 64, of Henderson, died in a Tyler hospital from injuries received in the December 6th accident. The late afternoon accident occurred on State Highway 64, four miles west of Henderson. The Department of Public Safety reports the victim’s SUV was hit by a mini van which had crossed the center stripe of the highway. It was driven by Christopher E. Huss, 55, of Ben Wheeler. He was seriously injured in the wreck, which the DPS says, remains under investigation.

TYLER – A man connected to a Whitehouse murder was sentenced Tuesday. Colton Wade Tate, 22, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence. He was sentenced by state district judge Christy Kennedy to 10 years deferred adjudication. Tate and Nathan Ryan Garcia, 21, of Whitehouse, were arrested last November. They were charged in the death of Andrew Carpenter, 19, of Tyler. He was shot at a home on Deerwood Drive. Garcia is scheduled to be in court Thursday for a plea hearing and sentencing on a charge of tampering with evidence.

TYLER – Time is running out to help some Smith County residents who are struggling. There is less than a week to donate to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. They have raised only 68% of this year’s kettle goal of $400,000. They are down from their total at this time last year and their goal is $25,000 higher than last year. The money helps them provide critical programs, such as their community kitchen and the emergency and family shelters. Currently there is an average of 160 men, women and children living in the Center of Hope’s 200 bed shelter. You can help by donating anytime you see one of The Salvation Army’s red kettles. There are at 37 locations around Smith County.

TYLER – A man arrested in a Sunday shooting in Tyler may be connected to four other shooting since December 7th. Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler was charged with aggravated assault in the shooting. It occurred shortly before 4:15 in the Westwood Shopping Center. Witness information led officers to Perdomo. When asked during a Monday news conference about his link to the other shootings, all homicides, Police Chief Jimmy Toler said…they are closely looking at him in the four other shootings. And he said, depending upon what the forensic analysts shows, “we would anticipate additional charges at that time.” The man wounded Sunday, Bradley Brockman, 45, remains in critical condition in a Tyler hospital. Perdomo remains in the Smith County Jail, charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $1 million. Perdomo’s arrest Sunday marks his 7th arrest in Smith County since 2010. Previous cases include robbery, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity.

KILGORE – A Kilgore mother has received a written shout out from the Kilgore Police Department. On their Facebook page, the police tell about a mother who caught her child stealing and wanted an officer to talk to the youngster. The child was taken back to the store where they apologized and the mother paid for the item. The boy was placed on community service with the mom. They added, “Its tough being a parent, but raise them up knowing about consequences and holding them accountable, and chances are they will never visit the Bulldog B&B,” also known as the city jail.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of December 17. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Motorists traveling I-20 westbound can expect a slow-down near Toll 49 Monday through Wednesday as full depth concrete repair operations are conducted as part of the I-20 Total Maintenance Contract. The contractor will be conducting work in the westbound outside lane a quarter mile east of Toll 49. The outside lane will be closed until the repairs are complete. The work includes removal of the existing asphalt and concrete paving, repairing the subgrade and existing drainage, and placing the new concrete pavement and asphalt surface. Alternate routes are encouraged to avoid delays. Continue reading TxDot Area Roadwork Update