KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A section of New Copeland Road, which was closed this morning, has been reopened. Friday morning the Tyler Street Department is closed all lanes of New Copeland Road between Shiloh Road and Hubbard Drive. It was closed while they brought down a big tree that was in the process of uprooting.

EAST TEXAS — First responders in East Texas are headed south to help people in the direct path of Hurricane Harvey. KETK reports ETMC EMS and the Emergency Medical Task Force are preparing to evacuate residents and save lives. One by one, the ambulances rolled out Thursday afternoon. Public safety preparation for Hurricane Harvey also highlighted news at Longview City Hall on Thursday. According to the Longview News-Journal, Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said at least nine Longview firefighters have been deployed to South Texas locations for statewide emergency response. Meanwhile, said Steelman, local chiefs have held conference calls with state emergency leaders. Continue reading East Texans Prepare for Hurricane Harvey

ARP — Water delivery is a daily occurrence for students at Arp Junior High School after the city’s water tested positive for asbestos. “This plan was actually brought on by my sister-in-law,” Principal Bryan Hurst told KETK. “She works at Ozarka, and when I told her about what was going on, she offered to help us out.” City officials say the water is safe, but samples show it looking murky, and unfortunately it may be like that for longer than they’d like. “Right now it’s looking about $4 million to replace all the old lines,” Mayor Terry Lowry said. The city is researching grants and loans. Other companies have also come out offering to help provide water bottles to the school district, including Lowe’s and Jackson Water Supply.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is currently accepting applications from Tyler citizens to serve on city boards and commissions. Applicants must reside inside Tyler city limits and should not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities, or other city assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. Go to https://www.cityoftyler.org/Departments/CityClerk/BoardsCommission.aspx to downolad an application. You can also pick one up at the city clerk’s office or call the city clerk at (903) 531-1106 to have an application faxed or mailed.

TYLER – The new school year starts Monday for Tyler students. The district’s convocation is Friday.Teachers, administrators and staff will gather to usher in the new school year at the annual convocation. It will be held Friday morning at Green Acres Baptist Church. Over 2,500 district employees will hear from School Superintendent Marty Crawford and school trustees. The guest speaker will be Keith Davis, the former New York Giants football player whose career was cut short by a knee injury.Davis went on to create Winners, Inc. It provides tutoring, mentoring, and ministry programs for disadvantaged youth.

KILGORE – Employees of the Martin Gas and Frontier Communications were evacuated for a while Thursday afternoon following shots in the area. No one was injured, but the Martin Gas building and some cars there were damaged by gunshots. Roads around the area were closed for a while as they searched for a suspect. Officers, aided by two drones, searched the area but no suspect was found.

LONGVIEW – A man is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds following a Longview shooting. His wounds are said to be non-life threatening. The shooting was reported shortly after 2:00 Thursday afternoon at the Belaire Apartments on East Young Street. Investigators feel there may have been more than one suspect who fled before officers arrived.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a woman who robbed a restaurant with a pen. The robbery occurred shortly before 4:45 Wednesday afternoon at the business on State Highway 31. The woman went to pay after eating at the restaurant. When the cash register was opened, the woman grabbed an undisclosed amount of money. She then grabbed a pen from the counter and threatened the employee with it. No one was injured. The believe they may know the woman’s identity.

HENDERSON COUNTY – A portion of U.S. 175 in Henderson County, which was closed due to a live power line down on the roadway, has been reopened. The closure was at County Road 4404 and west about 500 feet between the LaPoynor ISD and Larue. The road had been shut down in both directions. The power company has removed the power line from the road and traffic is being directed through the area. Another brief closure will occur to allow Oncor to conduct necessary work. TxDOT crews are on scene to handle traffic control. No injuries were reported and there was no loss of power.

TYLER — The Tyler Street Department has reopened Houston Street. Because of a large tree that was downed after being struck by lightning, Houston Street had been between closed South Broadway Avenue and Spring Street. The tree was removed and the street was reopened Thursday afternoon.

HENDERSON COUNTY — An emergency closure has been implemented for a portion of U.S. 175 in Henderson County due to a live power line down on the roadway. TxDOT reports the closure is at County Road 4404 and west about 500 feet between the LaPoynor ISD and Larue. The entire highway is shut down in both directions at this location until further notice. Emergency crews are on the scene and the power company is en route. TxDOT crews are putting detours in place for traffic. The traveling public is urged to use other routes to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man accused of breaking into a store nearly two years ago, and firing at police officers, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Nathan David Lanicek, 37, entered a guilty plea Wednesday afternoon. State District Judge Alfonso Charles sentenced to him to 50 years in prison. In exchange for his plea, the judge dropped a burglary of a building indictment. Lanicek broke into Academy Sports and Outdoors store off McCann Road and exchanged gunfire with Longview officers in the early morning hours of November 17, 2015. Several officers responded to the store after multiple security alarms were triggered. The suspect fled to the Best Buy store on West Loop 281. While officers were searching for the man, he phoned 911 and told them where he was and that he had been shot. Police were able to secure the area and Longview Fire Department medics removed him from the roof of the store. He was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center with critical injuries. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail two weeks later.

GILMER- Upshur County authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing woman. She is Jennifer Lyne Lawrence, 33.She was last seen about three weeks ago leaving a residence in the Rosewood/Harmony area. He family has not had any contact with her since that time. She is a white female about 5’5″ tall and weighing around 160 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER – A Kilgore man is going to prison for federal drug trafficking violations. Andrew Jonathan Hearnsberger, 29, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. He pleaded guilty in May to to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Federal prosecutors say when Hearnsberger was arrested in January, authorities seized heroin, marijuana, multiple firearms and over $14,624.

TYLER – A Tyler SWAT team raid has resulted in two arrests. Arrested were 56 year old Jimmy Dean Thompson and 38 year old Mark Allen Brown, (pictured) both of Tyler. There were arrested as the officers served a warrant at a home on Overbrook Circle around 6:00 Wednesday morning. Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance. Thompson was also charged with possession of marijuana and was named in an outstanding warrant for theft. Both were booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the Tyler Police Department’s acceptance of a $300,000 grant targeting opioid overdoses. The grant, from the Kaléo Pharmaceutical Company, is for 75 boxes of EVZIO Naloxone HCI Injectors. City officials say EVZIO is intended for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdoses until medical help arrrives. According to a city news release, the grant will also allow the police department to implement training for its officers and design deployment and usage protocols.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful board members and staff liaisons presented their Gold Star Affiliate award to City Council Wednesday and highlighted many of the programs and projects that have been implemented over the last year. The award, given by Keep Texas Beautiful, has recognized Tyler for 11 consecutive years. Keep Tyler Beautiful focuses on beautification, litter reduction, partnerships with local organizations, educating youth, and participation in events. The group is currently seeking the public’s help in nominating local businesses for the third quarter Beauty and the Business Award. You can find more details on that on the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.

EAST TEXAS — One woman remains jailed in connection with the death of another woman after a dispute over animals. According to KETK, Amber Long, 35, is charged with murder in the death of Amy Allen, who operated an animal rescue group in Marion County. Long remains in the Marion County Jail on $1 million bond. Deputies were called about 8 a.m. Monday to Long’s home off U.S. 259, north of Jefferson, in reference to dogs coming onto the property and attacking Long’s animals. Officers found Allen, 54, unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead. Allen’s body will be sent to Dallas for an autopsy. Continue reading Woman Killed in Dispute Over Animals

LONGVIEW – There was a promotion ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Longview Fire Department Training Facility. It was to recognize the employees who have been promoted to higher level positions within the department. Those saluted included:
Andy Parker – Training Section Chief
Kevin May – Fire Marshal
Michael Wylie – Battalion Chief
Jeremie Gothard – Captain
James McNatt – Lieutenant
Justin Jenkins – Lieutenant
Kyle McClenny – Driver Engineer
Logan Ledkins – Driver Engineer
David Thacker – Driver Engineer

TYLER – If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for jury duty today, you do not need to show up at the courthouse. Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett says Smith County jury duty has been cancelled for all courts on Wednesday. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.

KILGORE – Gregg County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for the person who stole a homemade barbecue pit. The theft occurred around 1:15 Tuesday morning on Farm Road 2276 southeast of Kilgore. It is black in color, with double smoke stacks, and 2 tier shelves inside. The pit also has a wood box located near the hitch, and a rusted fire box located at the rear of the unit. The BBQ pit is made on a double axle trailer with aluminum wheels, with a melted left tail light, and the wiring for lights is not working. If you know where it can be found, you are asked to contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for two men who passed counterfeit $20.00 bills. A Hispanic male passed one of the bills at the EZ Mart on McCann Road. The other bill was passed by a white male at Super 1 Foods on East Marshall. If you recognize these men, you are asked to contact Longview police. Continue reading Counterfeit Bills Turn Up in Longview

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested, accused of attacking his girlfriend. The woman ran into a restaurant to escape Leonard Edward Smith, 39, of Longview. She hid there till police arrived. The Longview News Journal reports the woman said Smith, “punched, grabbed, choked, dragged and slapped” her. She said he even choked her with an extension cord. Jail records show Smith has been charged with assault/family violence by impeding someone’s breath or circulation. His bond is $30,000.

TYLER — It was standing room only for a highly anticipated Tyler ISD school board meeting Monday night. The public turned out to express their opinions “for” or “against” a possible name change for Robert E. Lee High School. Some Tyler ISD parents want to change the name of the school.Another parent who, would like to see the name changed, said Robert E. Lee himself was not a fan of statues honoring Civil War Generals. The topic was not on the agenda and a motion was not called. TISD has not announced if they will take up the issue. Continue reading Full House for TISD’s School Board Meeting

SAN AUGUSTINE — A train derailed in San Augustine County . According to KETK, it happened on FM 1279 around 10:00 Monday morning. The Department of Public Safety said a semi hauling timber was headed west on FM 1279 when it collided with the northbound train. Thirteen rail cars carrying sodium hydroxide overturned. Haz-Mat crews were called to the scene and three homes were evacuated. The driver of the log truck, James Cartwright, 33, of Shelbyville, was taken to San Augustine County Memorial Hospital. His condition is unknown.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police investigate an armed robbery Monday night. It happened around 11:30 at Domino’s on Estes Drive. The suspect was wearing a mask when he entered the store, pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. He fled the scene in a dark color Chevy Cobalt with an undisclosed amount of money. Contact Longview Police with any information.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners Monday approved a $39.5 million dollar bond package to go before voters for November 7th. This is phase one of a road and bridge capital improvements project. It covers the first half of a six year plan. It would be paid out over 10 years. The bonds would be issued as needed in increments of $12 million during the first year, $12 million during the second year and $15.5 million during the third year. Approval of the plan will result in a increase in property taxes of $11.61 for the average home owner. The cost of phase two, the following three years, will be discussed several years down the road.

EAST TEXAS – Authorities have released the name of a man who shot himself following a standoff on Interstate 20 between Longview and Hallsville. He is Reginal Bussle, 26, of Grand Prairie. Department of Public Safety troopers began chasing the driver in Grand Prairie. The chase went through at least six counties before the standoff began involving Harrison County sheriff’s deputies and members of Longview Police Department’s SWAT team. It ended around 10:00 Saturday night when Bussie shot himself. The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.

LONGVIEW – A Longview burglary suspect was arrested after fighting with the car’s owner on Rosedale Street. The car’s owner was tying to recover what Ceylan Javar Bridges, 20, of Longview, had taken. When Bridges saw the police, he ran. They arrested him after he ran into a house. The items taken in the auto burglary were recovered along with marijuana they found on him. Bridges is in the Gregg County Jail, charged with robbery, theft of property, evading arrest with previous convictions, failure to identify as a fugitive and possession of marijuana. His bonds total $85,000.

GRAND SALINE – A two vehicle accident near Grand Saline over the weekend killed a Van Zandt County man. Ethan Landaverde, 27, of Van died at a Grand Saline Hospital after his motorcycle hit the rear of a homemade trailer that was turning into a private drive. The accident occurred on Farm Road 17. The Ben Wheeler man whose pickup was pulling the trailer, was not injured. The accident was reported shortly after 5:30 Sunday afternoon