KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HAWKINS (AP) — An East Texas rancher lassoed a 10-foot alligator and wranglers crawled atop the thrashing reptile’s back after it got a little too close to the landowner’s cattle. Bystanders shot video of the recent takedown near Hawkins. Byron South of Convergent Hunting Solutions says he got a call from the landowner, Hal Conover, after the alligator broke into a pen where he was weaning calves. Game wardens were also summoned. South told The Associated Press that Conover was able to throw a rope around the reptile. The video later shows two men atop the gator as it thrashes and bites one man’s hand. The man suffered minor injuries. The alligator was eventually loaded into a trailer and hauled to a wildlife park.

TYLER — After completing the investigation of the fire scene at Tyler Welders Supply on Monday, June 19, 2017, Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said the fire appears to be accidental in nature.

The exact cause of the fire that occurred on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, remains undetermined, but no foul play is suspected and no criminal charges will be filed, Mrs. McCoy-Wasson said.

The fire marshal released the fire scene back to the company, and Tyler Welders Supply will begin a private investigation in to what started the fire at 3539 U.S. Highway 271 in Tyler.

TYLER – If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for jury duty today, it’s your lucky day! Smith County residents who were planning to report for jury duty with their yellow cards today don’t have to make the trip to the Smith County Courthouse. No new panels will be needed, Smith County Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett said. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report.

RUSK COUNTY – DPS Troopers have cleared the scene of a fatal crash located at Hwy-64 and CR-4108 in Rusk County. Troopers were called to the scene at approximately 9:15 AM. Preliminary crash investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling west on Hwy-64 when it ran into the back of Honda passenger car that was stopped along with other traffic, for a flagman on the side of the roadway. The initial crash caused a chain reaction involving two other passengers cars ahead of the Honda. The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene, next of kin has not been notified. The driver of the Tahoe and one of the other passenger cars involved went to Henderson ETMC. One driver was not injured. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County will host the 24th annual Day of Caring this Friday. Over 400 volunteers are donating their time and skills to complete multiple projects that can be “done in a day” for local nonprofits. The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast at First Christian Church and the dispensing of work assignments for 33 projects that are scheduled at local nonprofit organizations. The work day is over by 1:00; volunteers then return to First Christian for lunch and to celebrate and draw for door prizes provided by local merchants. According to a news release, the United Way sponsors the Day of Caring to showcase the value of volunteers and the impact their collective efforts can have on the community. Continue reading Day of Caring Scheduled for Friday

ATHENS — Authorities say a 36-year-old suspected drug dealer riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road was arrested over the weekend by a Henderson County deputy. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says Andrew Allen Page of Chandler was apprehended in the Sunrise Shores subdivision south of Chandler. Hillhouse says Page was carrying more than five grams of suspected methamphetamine and several clear plastic baggies commonly used to distribute the illegal drug. Continue reading Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested South of Chandler

EL PASO — Former East Texas journalist Mark Allen died over the weekend following a car crash in El Paso. KETK reports details in the crash are limited. Allen worked as a videographer, editor, and writer at various news organizations in East Texas. He also worked as a mentor to students at the University of Texas at Tyler, where his wife works. A memorial is being planned for a later date in Tyler.

TYLER — At the Tyler City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 14, Solid Waste employee Galen Billington was recognized as the City of Tyler Blueprint Blue Ribbon Award winner. This award is reserved for employees who place the highest premium of responsiveness to citizens’ needs, according to a city news release. City officials say after a large downtown festival, contracted cleanup crews failed to fulfill their duties, leaving downtown in a state of extreme clutter with piles of debris scattered in the area. Galen Billington received a call for help around 6:00 the following morning, which was a Sunday. Continue reading Tyler Council Recognizes Employee with Exceptional Service Award

TYLER — To celebrate the redesign and reopening of Bergfeld Park’s Amphitheater and the new Centene Stage, Tyler Civic Theater and the City of Tyler will host the Bergfeld Summer Showcase Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. City personnel say everyone’s invited to watch and sing along to songs and scenes from the shows “Rock of Ages,” “Peter Pan Jr. the Musical” and “Legally Blonde the Musical.” Food trucks will be on site, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and portable seating. Continue reading Summer Showcase Celebrates Bergfeld Park Amphitheater Reopening

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of June 19. These 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.

In Gladewater, Phase I work to widen US 80 from Loop 485 to Locker Plant Road kicks off on the eastbound side of the roadway. The project will impact traffic. Expect lane closures and delays. Get more information on this project in the Gregg County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — Crews will be doing base repairs today on Old Troup Highway from Broadway Avenue to Troup Highway, and on South Donnybrook Avenue from Old Troup Highway to Fifth Street in Tyler. City staffers say work is expected to last from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m., pending weather. Travelers should expect delays, detours, and street closures.

TYLER — She’s become a perennial opponent to Republican Louie Gohmert, and Shirley McKellar of Tyler will again be seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress District 1 in 2018. An early chance to hear from McKellar and other Democrats comes Saturday, June 24th, with a town hall meeting of the East Texas Coalition of Black Democrats; McKellar serves as president of that organization, a subsidiary of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. The meeting is set for 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, on North Broadway in Tyler. McKellar says it will feature statewide candidates, elected officials, and others. Continue reading McKellar Again Enters Congressional Race; Town Hall Meeting Planned

TYLER — Another big crowd was on hand Saturday for Tyler’s annual Juneteenth Celebration, organized by the Juneteenth Association of Tyler. It all kicked off with a parade that ended at Woldert Park, where attendees gathered for food, fellowship, a midday program, car and truck displays, and several booths hosted by a variety of local agencies. One of the highlights of the event each year is the presentation of scholarships, and this year seven recent graduates will be getting financial help through the Association as they begin their college years. Longview and other communities around East Texas also held Juneteenth celebrations. The actual date of Juneteenth is June 19. It was on that day in 1865 that Texas slaves learned they were free.

LONGVIEW — An Upshur County man is dead following a rollover crash just before midnight Friday on FM 1844, just east of Longview. According to KETK, DPS troopers say 29-year-old Justin Nolte’s vehicle drifted into the opposite lane. He then overcorrected, which caused the vehicle to slide off the road into a ditch, where it rolled several times. Nolte was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

TYLER — A suspect has been hospitalized following an officer-involved shooting in Smith County. Sheriff Larry Smith says around 12:35 Saturday morning, a patrol deputy made a traffic stop on CR 35 (Lavender Road) for driving on the wrong side of the road. The suspect exited the vehicle and a short time later was told by the officer he was being detained. At that time the suspect turned, swung at, and hit the officer, according to Smith. The sheriff says the suspect then tried to run and a Taser was used two times in a short period of time. On both occasions the suspect is said to have pulled the Taser barbs out and thrown them down. Continue reading Traffic Stop Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting

LONGVIEW – In partnership with the Emancipation Day Celebration and the Juneteenth Activity Planning Committee, Longview’s Broughton Recreation Center will be the site for Juneteenth activities tomorrow. It begins with a parade that will be held on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The parade will start at 10:00am at Ryder Drive and continues to the Broughton Recreation Center. Activities include the second day of a softball tournament, live entertainment at 1:00, a car show at 2:00 and a 3-point shootout in the gym at 3:00. There will also be youth activities and vendors at the Park. Longview’s Juneteenth activities wrap up the following Saturday at 7:30pm with a rodeo at the rodeo arena.

LUFKIN – A suspect is in custody in a fatal hit and run accident in Lufkin. Shanna Ellison, 20, of Lufkin, surrendered to authorities Friday morning. She had been named in a warrant charging her with failure to stop and render aid-accident involving death. Manuel Escobedo, 80, of Lufkin, was walking home Monday night when hit by a car on Martin Luther King Drive. He was taken to CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin and then flown to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler where he died. Continue reading Suspect Arrested in Fatal Lufkin Accident

TYLER – There has been a change in the leadership of the Salvation Army in Tyler. Majors Ben and Doris Lawrence have received new appointments in The Salvation Army’s Arkansas and Oklahoma Division. They will be moving Sunday. Taking their place are Commanding Officers, Captains Robert and Nicole Parker (pictured). Robert has served in The Salvation Army for 11 years and Nicole for 8 years. Also coming to Tyler is Associate Corps Officer, Major Elizabeth Forrer. She has served The Salvation Army as an officer for over 33 years.

TYLER – The Tyler Fire Department has issued a scam alert. Fire department Captain Brandon Davis says an organization called the “Association for Firefighters and Paramedics, Inc.” is in Tyler soliciting donations. Davis said neither the Tyler Fire Deprtment or the local Firefighter’s Association are associated with this organization. He also said they do not endorse it. It was suggested, if a business or individual is thinking about making a donation they should do their research and make an educated decision. If someone has concerns or questions they can call Fire Administration at 903-535-0005.

Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran has announced he will be running for that same post next year. Judge Moran made the announcement at a news conference Friday morning. The Smith County Commissioners Court, last July, selected Moran as county judge following the suspension of Judge Joel Baker. Moran is currently completing Baker’s unexpired term. Judge Moran says he sees a bright future for Smith County, but he also understands that there are important challenges that cannot be ignored. He cites the need to continue to build trust with the community, be transparent, and engage in strategic planning for future infrastructure needs. And he pledged, if elected he would continue to strategically and systematically address the needs of the county. Continue reading Judge Moran to Run in 2018

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) – Unemployment numbers are out for May and Tyler is beating the state trend. Labor officials say the Texas unemployment rate slipped to 4.8% in May. That compares to 5% statewide unemployment during April. The nationwide unemployment rate in May was 4.3%. Tyler’s unemployment rate last month was 4.1% It was 4.4% in April and 4/1% in May of last year. Longview’s unemployment rate for May was 5.4%, down from 5/7% in April. It was 5.7% in May of last year. Continue reading Unemployment Falls in Tyler and Longview

TYLER — A man and woman from Tyler have been arrested for reportedly promoting prostitution. According KETK, on Thursday, DPS Troopers arrested Crystal Leshae Lilly, 25, and Dekenndrick LeKeith Ross, 40. They were booked into the Smith County Jail on charges including: trafficking of a person for benefits from forced labor and promoting prostitution. Bond was set at $350,000 each.

ATHENS — A Henderson County Grand Jury has indicted an East Texas for his role in a fatal crash. Joseph Daniel King, 35, was indicted on one count of criminally negligent homicide and possession of a controlled substance. According to KETK, Charles Gifford, 75, of Brownsboro, was killed after his pickup was rear ended on Highway 31, one mile east of Murchison. The DPS report said King’s truck hit the back of Gifford’s vehicle, forcing him off the road and into a tree. He was taken to an Athens hospital where he was pronounced dead. King was treated and released. He remains behind bars on bonds totaling $110,500.

GILMER – An Upshur County jury has sentenced a Dallas man to a lengthy prison sentence for bail jumping and failure to appear in court. Jud Waymond Smith, 68, was found guilty shortly before 1:00 Thursday afternoon. About 3 hours later the jury sentenced him to 75 years in prison. Upshur County DA Billy Bird said Smith had 7 prior felony convictions ranging from aggravated assault with a deadly weapon to retaliation against a peace officer. Bird said his crimes, including assaulting women, go back to the early 80s.

TYLER – The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is hand delivering letters to up to 20 residents in the immediate area of Tyler Welder Supply. They are being told that Shaw Environmental will send crews to clean up debris around the neighborhood. Residents are asked to no to touch or removing any debris until it can be cleaned up. The crews will also be cleaning debris from the business site. The cleanup will begin on Friday and is expected to be completed by Sunday evening.

MARSHALL – The East Texas Baptist University School of Nursing is relocating to the historic Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall. The building is the newly-renovated circa 1929 former Hotel Marshall located on the Harrison County Courthouse Square in downtown Marshall. School officials say that moving the school to downtown Marshall will give students and faculty enhanced and expanded space, giving them room to grow. The School of Nursing at ETBU and been in operation since 1992. Continue reading ETBU School of Nursing is Moving