KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TROUP – Smith County Road 2180, off of Mixon Road near Troup, will be closed for the next few days so Road and Bridge crews can replace a culvert. The section of the road that is closed is between County Road 2181 and Farm Road 344. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said removing the old pipe and replacing it should take about three days, depending on the weather. County crews will also be doing some tree removal while in the area.

TYLER — Tyler Police are continuing to investigate a fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Killed was Dammon Spencer, 18, of Tyler. The accident happened shortly after 7:15 Sunday night on WNW Loop 323 near the Stafford Inn. Police say Spencer was crossing the Loop from south to north when he was struck by a vehicle. He was hit by an eastbound vehicle in the center lane and was hit again by a second vehicle. Spencer was pronounced dead at a Tyler hospital.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler Police said they responded to a report of an aggravated assault around 11:50 at the American Legion building on Gaston. A man had been stabbed several times in the abdomen and was taken to a local hospital. The suspect, Richard Lamont Evaige, Tyler, 67, was arrested a short time later at his residence. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim and witnesses said an argument broke out over how things should run at the establishment. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

SMITH COUNTY – A multi vehicle wreck north of Tyler had traffic at a stand still for several hours today. The Department of Public Safety reports the 8 vehicle accident occurred Sunday afternoon in the west bound lanes of the interstate near Lavender Road at the 556 mile marker. The west bound lanes were reopened around 6:00pm.

TYLER – Monday is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 6 Primary Election. The registration is for new voters or those who have moved. There is no need for people to re-register. The election will include contested races for U.S. and state representatives, judges, district attorney, district clerk, commissioner and justices of the peace. Most of the contested races will be decided in the primary election. You can register at the Smith County elections office on East Ferguson, or online, at Votetexas.gov. If registering online, the application must be printed out, signed and postmarked by Monday. Early voting starts February 20th.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week of February 5th. Weather conditions or other unforeseen issues could change these work schedules.

In Smith County, another nighttime closure will move Interstate Highway 20 traffic to the ramps for work on the Farm Road 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes beginning at 7:00pm, Wednesday, February 7, when both eastbound and westbound traffic are diverted to the ramps as work is conducted on the new bridge. The roadway will be returned to normal traffic flow at 6:00am, Thursday, February 8. Additional project information is available in the Smith County projects section of this release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in finding a stabbing victim. He is Jermaine Robinson, 37, who police say was stabbed multiple times by his girlfriend, Kirstin Lindsey, 27. The happened around 3:30 Sunday morning at the Manor Apartments. Robinson fled on foot and has not been located. Lindsey was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Harrison County Jail where she is charged with aggravated assault. The extent of Robinson’s injuries is unknown and the police are concerned for his welfare. If you know where Robinson can be found, you are asked to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 904-935-9969. Continue reading Marshall Stabbing Victim Sought

LONGVIEW – Gregg County authorities continue to sort through the evidence in a structure and grass fire that left one person dead. It was reported shortly after 4:15 Friday afternoon on Maxey Road north of Longview. Investigators are trying to determine which started first, the grass fire or the structure fire. Gregg County sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Josh Tubb told the Longview News Journal they not releasing the identification of the person killed in the fire until the person’s next of kin have been notified.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking the public’s help in identifying a man who caused minor injuries to two law officers. It happened just before 4:00 Saturday morning at the Whataburger on Victory Drive. The suspect tried to start a fight with someone in the restaurant. A Marshall Police Officer, who was working security at the restaurant, attempted to arrest the man. A Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy was also at the restaurant during the incident and assisted the officer. During the scuffle with the officers, the man broke a window and ran away from the restaurant. The man faces charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest. Anyone with information regarding the identity and/or location of the subject involved in this incident is urged to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

LONGVIEW – We won’t know until Monday who won a special election for the Longview city council. Voters in southeast Longview on Saturday voted for two candidates for city council district 3. Wray Wade and Lonnie Murphy are seeking to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kasha Williams. She is running for the Democratic nomination for Gregg County Pct. 4 county commissioner. She will be stepping down from the city council following Saturday’s election. The early-voting and election-day totals had Murphy leading Wade 188-164. There are also 47 mail in ballots that have yet to be counted. The city is required, by state law, to wait until Monday for those mail-in ballots to return to City Hall. The city council will hold a called meeting late Monday morning to canvass the election returns.

TYLER – A man has been arrested for robbing a person at Tyler ATM. Arrested, sitting at a picnic table at a playground south of Shiloh Road, was Skyler River Driessen, 18, of Tyler. The robbery occurred just before 7:15 this morning in the Capital One Bank parking lot on Copeland Road. The suspect then ran away on a running trail at Rose Rudman Park. Police were advised that a possible suspect matching the robber’s description was observed sitting at the picnic table and they arrested Driessen within 13 minutes of the robbery. He is now in the Smith County Jail, charged with aggravated robbery.

PALESTINE – Palestine police have made four arrests after executing two separate search warrants. The first was served at a home on West Oak Street on Tuesday. Officers found nearly 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia. They also located one stolen rifle, one illegal shortened rifle and a handgun. Arrested were Glenn Brantley, 55, Amber Davis, 30, and Jesus Trevino, 22, all of Palestine. All were booked into the Anderson County Jail. Continue reading Four Arrested in Palestine on Drug Charges

NACOGDOCHES – Two persons have been arrested in connection with a Nacogdoches County murder. Murder warrants were issued Friday afternoon for Jason Harvey Lee 37, of Mt. Enterprise and Cassidy Jewel Fuqua, 20, of Nacogdoches. Both have been booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail. They are accused of the January 8th slaying of Thomas Vaiden Sluterbeck, 43, of Nacogdoches. His body was found early at Gravel Ridge Cemetery on Farm Road 225, west of Nacogdoches. Continue reading Two Charged in Nacogdoches County Slaying

BROWNSBORO – One person has been killed in a Henderson County accident. Killed in the the Two vehicle accident in Brownsboro was Bryan Paul Isbell, 44, of Brownsboro. The accident happened around 7:00 Friday morning at the intersection of State highway 31 and Farm Road 3204. Isbell was killed when his motorcycle collided with an SUV. Police Chief Thomas Robertson says the investigation of the accident is ongoing. The Department of Public Safety is assisting in the investigation.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler submitted a formal application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for Division II membership. The decision to seek Division II membership was made after a nearly year-long study. If the application is accepted for review, the NCAA is expected to make a decision on UT Tyler’s application in July. If accepted into the Division II membership process, the school will enter a three-year provisional period during which the university will comply with Division II rules and regulations and implement Division II policies and procedures. At the end of the period, the school’s progress will be reviewed, and UTT may be invited to be a Division II member. If invited, UT Tyler would begin its full Division II membership on September 1, 2021.

TYLER – A capacity crowd was on hand for a public hearing at Tyler Junior College of the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety. The discussions covered a wide rage of topics, from East Texas gang and cartel activity to a panel discussion on improving relations between law enforcement and citizens. This includes two new bills passed by the state legislature last year. On of them requires driver education students to receive training on how to interact with law officers. And, just around the corner is de-escalation training for law officers. This will teach officers how to handle a dangerous situation through communication and not force.

TYLER — The war of words continues between the two candidates for Smith County district attorney. KETK reports that Alicia Barkley responded Thursday to comments Jacob Putman has made against her. Putman has claimed, among other things, that Barkley “has been attacking my character non-stop.” On Thursday, Barkley called Putman’s actions “irresponsible” and “an embarrassment” to the DA’s office. But she added, “Voting should not be about fingerpointing — it should be about the issues, and it should be about the leadership and experience of the candidates. I’m not going to engage — I’m not going to involve myself in that behavior.” Putman says Barkley’s latest words come as “no surprise,” and he points to positive remarks in his personnel file. The issue emerged when an internal audit showed Putman leading the DA’s office in improper reductions and dismissals over a five-year period.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A game room in the Malakoff area was closed down by a team of investigators Thursday and two people were arrested. A search warrant was served after law enforcement suspected illegal activity at the Hippy Hut Game Room on State Highway 31, in Malakoff. The attendant in charge of the game room, Cheryl Norman, 48, and the manager, Regina Jones, 53 were arrested. They both face felony and misdemeanor charges for a variety of crimes – engaging in organized criminal activity, promotion of gambling, keeping a gambling place, possession of gambling devices and possession of gambling paraphernalia. Continue reading Two Women Arrested following Game Room Bust

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police arrested a man following his release from the hospital. David Allen Neill, 24 of Gladewater, was wounded January 19th after he is said to have pointed a rifle at two Gladewater officers. They were responding to a reported domestic disturbance where Neill was said to been the suspect. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail Thursday on two warrants of aggravated assault against a public servant.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County jury that found Jimmy Edward Harris Jr., 33, of Longview, guilty of aggravated robbery and evading police, has sentenced him to two life prison sentences. Earlier on Thursday, the jury deliberated for just under an hour before finding him guilty. Harris had been accused of breaking into a garage on Omega Street in October, 2016, and beating the homeowner, a retired police officer, with a crowbar and stealing his car. He then led officers on a chase at speeds of around 100 miles an hour before wrecking the car and running into the woods. Continue reading Man Gets Life for a Longview Robbery

TYLER – TxDOT is reporting the Interstate Highway 20 westbound outside lane is currently closed about a mile and a half east of Jim Hogg Road in Smith County. This is due to a needed repair to the bridge deck. Repairs are now underway. The westbound outside lane will be closed at the bridge until the repairs are complete. They do not have an anticipated completion date at this time. Motorists should remain alert when traveling through this work zone.

TYLER – A judgement against East Texas Medical Center has been settled for far less than the jury awarded. A Tyler jury awarded a $43.32 million verdict against ETMC. In a brief statement, hospital spokesperson Carroll Roge said the hospital disagrees with the outcome. The case has, however, been resolved with all parties and settled for $9 million. There will be no appeal. The jury determined that the hospital and Dr. Gary Boyd were negligent in the treatment of Billy Pierce in 2014. Boyd was working at the hospital even after being placed on on probation with the Texas Medical Board. According to the hospital’s bylaws and policies, hospital privileges of a doctor on probation are automatically suspended.

TYLER – The first project paid for by last years’ voter-approved road bond issue is underway in southern Smith County. The county road and bridge employees have been working this week to overlay County Road 119, just outside of Bullard. That work should be completed by on Friday. The crew will next work on the neighboring County Road 113, then on to County Road 152, also known as East Bowie Road. They had thought the road bond projects would start in May or June, when money from the $39.5 million bond comes in. But, the timeline was moved up because the Commissioners Court in January approved a resolution. It allows the county to borrow money from itself to start on the road projects, and reimburse those bond expenditures after the bonds are sold. Continue reading Smith County Road Projects Starting Earlier Than Anticipated

ATHENS – A search warrant leads to a drug arrest in Henderson County. The warrant was served Wednesday night at a home west of Athens on County Road 3925. Arrested was Michael Brandon Moore, 34. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said they found in the house 211 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a scale commonly used to weigh drugs and bags used for distribution. They also found a large amount of money. Moore is in the Henderson County Jail on a charge of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $50,000.

TYLER – Tyler has received an award from the Texas Historical Commission. The city received the Anice B. Read Award of Excellence in Community Heritage Development. It’s a first for the city. Tyler was recognized as one of Texas’ earliest communities to initiate a municipal preservation program. The city was also recognized for the renowned Azalea Trails and Rose Garden, which attract more than 100,000 people each year. According to a news release from the commission, Tyler was acknowledged for its six districts and 22 individual buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places as well as 124 local landmarks.

AUSTIN – A Tyler woman is one of 8 persons named by Governor Greg Abbott to the Dental Review Committee. Amanda Richardson was appointed for a term set to expire on February 1, 2023. According to a news release from the governor’s office, the committee serves on informal settlement conference panels to determine whether an informal disposition of a contested case against a license holder is appropriate, and to make recommendations for the disposition of the complaint or allegation. Continue reading Tyler Woman Named to State Committee

TYLER – All lanes of Troup Highway between Shiloh Road and Grande Boulevard were reopened by 2:30 Thursday morning following a fire around 7:00 Wednesday night. Firefighters tell KETK the fire started inside Elder’s Antique Repair and Furniture Restoration, a furniture upholstery business inside a residential home. When they got there, flames were 100 feet high. There was even an explosion. Investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office reported that the presence of various chemicals used at the business likely contributed to the fire’s intensity. Interviews with the occupant determined the presence of an operating space heater in the area/building where the fire is believed to have originated. Estimated dollar loss is approximately $170,000. The 80-year-old owner was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to a Dallas burn hospital for further treatment. Additionally, one firefighter sustained a minor injury that did not require transport to a medical facility. Continue reading Space Heater Likely Cause of Massive Tyler Fire

CROZET, Va. (AP) — Representative Louie Gohmert is “ok” after a train he was on which was carrying GOP lawmakers to a retreat in West Virginia collided with a garbage truck around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. One person was killed in the collision and at least two other people in the truck were reported seriously hurt. Rep. Gohmert spoke with KETK after the accident. “We were rolling down the track and we have a train that almost all of the Republicans in the house and numerous Republican senators were on going to the annual retreat,” Gohmert said. “The way it looks, the guard arm is down, so the garbage truck must have been weaving through the warning devices and they nearly got through. It appears we caught the tail end of the garbage truck.” Continue reading Rep. Louie Gohmert “OK” following Train Collision

TYLER – When The BBB’s Annual Luncheon and Awards Banquet takes place on March 6th, besides the year in review, 4 awards will be presented. The BBB Awards for Excellence goes to three 3 companies and one 1 nonprofit who exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations; toward their employees, vendors, customers, and within their community. Twenty-four organizations have been nominated for the BBB awards. Continue reading BBB Announces Awards for Excellence Nominees