KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The City of Tyler has closed Cloverdale Drive at Woodlark Drive to allow stormwater maintenance crews to install a concrete valley. You’re asked to proceed with caution when traveling in this area. The closure will continue until Thursday at 5 p.m.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn is pleased after the U.S. House of Representatives passed Kari’s Law, a bill that amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require multiline telephone systems, common in hotels and offices, to have the ability to directly dial 911 without locating an outside line first: In a statement, Cornyn commented, “Allowing callers to directly dial 911 from multiline phone systems will save valuable time and could help prevent a tragedy.” Continue reading Cornyn Praises House Passage of “Kari’s Law”

MARSHALL — A Waskom man is behind bars after Marshall police say he ran his girlfriend’s vehicle off the road, prior to forcing her into his vehicle. The incident occurred Friday around 11:46 p.m. The victim was able to call 911 and advise dispatch she was being chased by another vehicle. She stated that the other vehicle was attempting to run her off the road. The suspect reportedly rammed into the back of the victim’s vehicle, pushing it across a ditch and into a utility pole at the intersection of Hwy. 59 and Loop 390 in Marshall. After crashing, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jamichael Brown, allegedly pulled the female out of her car by her hair and forced her into his vehicle. Continue reading Highway Incident Puts Waskom Man in Jail

SHERMAN – The United States has filed a complaint intervening in an alleged kickback scheme involving a major East Texas-based healthcare provider and affiliated parties. According to a news release, the intervention is against East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, Inc.; East Texas Medical Center Regional Health Services, Inc. (together, “ETMC”); Paramedics Plus, LLC; Emergency Medical Services Authority (“EMSA”); and EMSA’s President, Herbert Stephen Williamson. The intervention alleges, among other things, violations of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute. Continue reading U.S. Intervenes in Lawsuit Alleging Kickbacks for Ambulance Services

SMITH COUNTY — One lane of I-20 eastbound remained closed Monday evening in eastern Smith County following a major wreck that earlier shut down both eastbound lanes near the 571 mile marker. Troopers were notified of an overturned 18-wheeler eastbound in that vicinity at approximately 11:30 am. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark says the vehicle caught fire. Both eastbound lanes were shut down for a time, with traffic re-directed onto US 271. Dark said further information and updates were pending.

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott Monday announced the appointment of Kevin Eltife of Tyler, as well as Janiece Longoria of Houston and Rad Weaver of San Antonio, to The University of Texas System Board of Regents. The terms, subject to Texas Senate confirmation, are effective February 1 and are set to expire February 1, 2023. Eltife, a longtime Tyler civic leader, recently stepped down as a Texas senator. He’d previously served as a Tyler mayor and city councilmember. In a news release, Eltife said he’s honored by the appointment and will work hard to make sure tax dollars are spent wisely and transparently. He also says he’ll work to make education in the UT System affordable for Texans.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Authorities in Upshur County say a missing woman has been found safe and reunited with her family. They had issued a Silver Alert Monday morning for 89-year-old Jimmie Salter. KETK reports she had last been seen walking on Stable Lane near FM 18-44.

TYLER — Tyler Police learned over the weekend that a bronze statue of a boy carrying books was located in a front yard of a residence off Old Longview Road. According to a news release, the caller told police it looked like the one stolen from Southside Park last May. A detective recovered the statue of a young boy carrying a stack of books. It was a centerpiece in an area maintained by the Literacy Council of Tyler along the Rose Rudman Trail. Investigators say they will be following up to determine who is responsible for the theft. No charges have been filed at this time.

TYLER — The public is again being asked to participate in development of a master plan for Tyler’s Rose Complex area. Several public planning and design charrettes — defined as intense periods of design or planning activity — as well as monthly steering committee meetings have been conducted to narrow development options based on the opinions and suggestions received. Next, a public meeting will be conducted to receive public comment on the three different plans. This meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center in the Rose Room. Members of the public are invited to voice their opinions and gain more knowledge about the project. Continue reading Public Meeting Scheduled for Rose Complex Master Plan

PALESTINE — One person has been arrested following a wreck in Palestine. According to KETK, it happened around 6:00 Sunday evening on South Loop 256 and East Park Avenue. The driver of one of the vehicles reportedly ran into a wooded area with a child. The two were later located and the child was taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspect was arrested at the scene and charged with intoxication assault, abandon/endanger a child, fleeing the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury, resisting arrest and unlawful carry of a weapon. A child in the second vehicle involved was also taken to a medical center for treatment. The incident is still under investigation by the Palestine Police Criminal Investigation Division. Names have not been released.

LONGVIEW — Two ZIP codes in Longview are among the highest for fire risk in North Texas — and for the American Red Cross. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, that means working to increase awareness about what causes fires and the importance of smoke alarms. ZIP codes 75602 and 75604 are on a list of the top 10 ZIP codes at risk of fire in the North Texas region, which included Amarillo, Tarrant County, and Waco in the Red Cross study. They were the only Northeast Texas ZIP codes on the list. Continue reading Longview ZIP Codes on Biggest Fire Risk List

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of Jan. 23. 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.

Following a rain delay, construction is set to begin Monday on a new Loop 281 widening project in Longview. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays during the project at Loop 281 and FM 1845/Pine Tree Road. The project will have a major impact on traffic with travel reduced to one lane in all directions. The contractor is Longview Bridge and Road. Additional information is available in the Gregg County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SCOTTSVILLE – A suspected tornado tore through parts of Harrison County Saturday. In Scottsville, just east of Marshall, at least one suspected twister touched down causing severe damage. According to KETK, no major injuries have been reported. Earnest Marshall, who was inside his home during the storm, described what he experienced. “This used to be my house,” said Marshall. “I heard the wind…like a tornado…house shifted, covered my head. It’s tore up.” It wasn’t immediately known how strong the suspected tornado was.

BULLARD – The Brook Hill School headmaster is responding after a controversial tweet, sent out from a Brook Hill fan page Friday afternoon, sparked outrage online. KETK reports the page, BH Family, sent out a racially-charged tweet ahead of the basketball game against All Saints. The tweet said, “All Saints tonight @ their place! Come blacked out…girls-6:00 guys-8:00. #byebarrack.” Along with this tweet, an emoji of a black man and a moon were attached. The tweet caused several people to reach out, asking for it to be taken down and an apology be issued. A few hours later the tweet was deleted and another tweet was sent saying, “Easy everyone. Was not trying to get under anyone’s skin. We will change the theme if that helps at all.” The backlash continued, until the Twitter page was set to private Saturday afternoon, and then later shut down. Continue reading Brook Hill Headmaster Responds to Controversial Tweet

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Department will be closing parts of eastbound and westbound Sunnybrook Drive and Earl Campbell Parkway at Frankston Highway (state Highway 155) Sunday from 6 a.m. until noon. The closure will be for the grinding of existing pavement markings to open additional lanes for eastbound and westbound traffic. You’re asked to proceed with caution when traveling in this area. Frankston Highway will not be affected by the work.

BROWNSBORO — DPS Sgt. Jean Dark reports a crash involving a Brownsboro ISD school bus around 3:50 Friday afternoon on Hwy 315, some 3 miles south of Hwy. 31 in Henderson County. According to Dark, preliminary information indicated the bus collided with another vehicle, causing minor damage, with no injuries reported. EMS was dispatched as a precaution. Additional information wasn’t immediately available.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Martin Heines says he and other community leaders are committed to “solving issues the Tyler way.” The mayor commented following a City Hall meeting in which he and some of those other leaders discussed the aftermath of a police stop involving football star Ricky Williams. Heines stressed the importance of talking about issues and focusing on solutions, saying the group will move forward in a “mature, wonderful, civic manner.” Continue reading Community Leaders Seek Solutions Following Williams Stop

LONGVIEW – An East Texas man was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly exposing himself to a woman. According to KETK, Longview Police said they responded to a report of indecent exposure on West Loop 281 around 11:30 a.m. Authorities learned at the scene a man in a truck exposed himself to a woman. He was identified as Randal Charles Harty, 33, of Gladewater, according to police. The victim reported the suspect parked near her vehicle, stepped out of his truck, and exposed himself to her. Harty was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. He was released Thursday on $1,000 bond. Harty was previously arrested in Gregg County in 2004 for exposing himself to a child. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on two counts of indecency with a child.

EDGEWOOD – An East Texas business owner arrested at a car dealership in Edgewood is accused of possessing thousands of prescription pills. KETK reports The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local and federal agencies, raided Michael Goggans’ business on January 12. Authorities say the prominent business owner was arrested on multiple charges: manufacture and delivery of controlled substance and two counts of unlawful delivery or manufacture with intent to deliver simulated controlled substance. Continue reading Authorities: Business Owner Arrested with Thousands of Prescription Pills

LONGVIEW — A former Longview police officer out on bond after being arrested on several child indecency charges is back in jail after police said he picked up one of his victims from school — a violation of the conditions of his release. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Michael Patrick Healy, 68, is charged with two counts of indecency with a child exposure, three counts of indecency with a child sexual contact, and one count of attempt to commit indecency with a child sexual contact. He was held Friday in the Gregg County jail on bonds totaling $500,000. The charges stem from incidents with multiple victims in the 1980s and 1990s and in March 2011. Continue reading Ex-Officer Accused of Child Indecency Back in Jail

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, the White House announced President Obama commuted the sentences of 330 more people, including four East Texans. KETK reports Juan Garcia from Tyler had his prison sentence commuted to expire in May. He was arrested in Tennessee more than 8 years ago for drug-related charges. The 3 other East Texans were from Mabank, Kilgore, and Jefferson.

TYLER – A Tyler teen has been arrested on one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to KETK, Smith County Jail records show 17-year-old Matthew Clinton Branin was apprehended by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The assault reportedly occurred Wednesday. Branin was jailed on $400,000 bond. The details concerning the alleged crime were not immediately known.

LONGVIEW – A Carthage man whose car became stuck in a ditch Wednesday was arrested later after a Longview police officer reportedly discovered he had two stolen guns in the vehicle and that he was wanted on an aggravated assault charge. KETK reports Ravon Rashad Sewell, 27, was charged with two counts of theft of a firearm. He also was arrested on a Panola County warrant charging him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sewell remained in the Gregg County Jail with bond set at $6,000 for the gun charges. Bond was withheld on the Panola County warrant. Continue reading Man Arrested after Car Gets Stuck in Ditch

ANDERSON COUNTY — Anderson County Deputies and the Texas Rangers are investigating the deaths of two people in the Elkhart area. According to KETK, the victims were found dead in the 7600 block of FM 2419. The Sheriff’s Office said they received a call for help from a family member at around 7:20 Wednesday night. The caller said he found his mother and father deceased in their home. Deputies said he reported not talking to his parents in the last three weeks. He said his father had been ill recently and his mother had not been working. Both appeared to have been dead for some time. Their bodies were sent for autopsy.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigate an armed robbery at the Family Dollar Store on Troup Highway. It happened last night around 7:50. Officers said store employees reported that a black man armed with a handgun entered the store and demanded cash from the register and safe. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as 5’7 with a thin build, wearing a black hoodie, black sweat pants and black shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department.

DALLAS (AP) – More details come out regarding an autopsy on a prominent personal injury lawyer found unresponsive in his car. It was announced earlier that Brian Loncar died of an accidental cocaine overdose. Loncar was found Dec. 4 in the front seat of his vehicle, which was parked in front of his downtown Dallas law office. The Dallas County medical examiner’s office says the autopsy showed hypertension and hardening of the arteries were secondary factors in the 56-year-old lawyer’s death. Loncar’s death came two days after the funeral for his 16-year-old daughter, who killed herself on Nov. 26. According to Grace Loncar’s obituary, she had battled depression. Brian Loncar was well-known in Texas for his television advertisements, in which he branded himself the “strong arm.” His firm has offices across the state, including one in Tyler.

PALESTINE – Authorities have confirmed the body of Cody Lusk has been found at Circle R Lake near Palestine. KETK reports Lusk, 37, had been missing since Saturday. He was last seen leaving to go fishing. According to Anderson County Game Warden Mike Hanson, the victim was found in the water with the use of sonar equipment at around 1:20 p.m. Thursday. Hanson said it appears he drowned. The Palestine Fire Department dive team pulled Lusk’s body from the water after he was located. His body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Martin Heines says former football star Ricky Williams is very welcome in Tyler. That’s after an incident last week in which local police responded to a suspicious person call about a man crouching behind a fence. According to KETK, Williams claims he was profiled. He says he was taking a walk in a wooded area near his south Tyler hotel while in town for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award banquet. That’s when police approached and began to question him in what he considered an inappropriate way. Police Officer Don Martin says law enforcement personnel were just doing their job and treated him respectfully. Williams was allowed to go free following the encounter. Heines says since the incident, he and Williams have had “a very positive conversation” by phone. Heines says he even invited Williams to stay at his home next time he’s in Tyler.