KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Three suspects have been taken into custody following a burglary in Smith County Tuesday morning. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on CR 440 in Lindale around 9:15 after the homeowner said two suspects were seen leaving their property with stolen items. Officials initiated a traffic stop on I-20 a short time later and three suspects were taken into custody. Jackie Ray Lucas (pictured), Kimberly Marie Brown and William Howard Brown, all from Big Sandy, have been charged with theft of property. The stolen property, valued at nearly $40,000, was recovered and returned to the owner.

LONGVIEW – A man found in a burning truck in Longview has been identified. He is Camilo Garza, 41, of Hallsville. His body was found shortly after 12:45 Sunday afternoon in the burning vehicle in the 1400 block of Sabine Street. Investigators say, after receiving the preliminary autopsy results, the case is now being investigated as a homicide.

EAST TEXAS – Manhunts have been underway in Smith and Wood Counties in separate incidents.

One person has been taken into custody following a manhunt north of Tyler. It started with a pursuit on Interstate Highway 20 in Talty, in Kaufman County. In Smith County, the suspect’s vehicle struck several motorists. The chase ended after the suspect’s vehicle ran over a spike strip in Smith County. The vehicle traveled on two rims until it left the road near County Road 496. The driver then jumped from the vehicle and ran into the woods. He has been identified as Austin Hill, 23, Shreveport. He was taken into custody without incident around 4:15 Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading Two Captured During Area Manhunts

TYLER – The lone finalist has been named to succeed Dr. Rodney Mabry as President of the University of Texas at Tyler. Following an executive session on Tuesday, the board announced Dr. Michael V. Tidwell has been picked for the post. Tidwell is currently the Dean College of Business at Eastern Michigan University. The board must now wait 21 days to make the decision final. Dr. Mabry, after 18 years on the job, is stepping down at the end of the year. Continue reading New President Named for UT Tyler

VAN – A construction project to relocate the I-20 Westbound Frontage Road at the Farm Road 314 Exit in Van Zandt County is getting underway. the Texas Department of Transportation says traffic control barricades will be put in place on Wednesday to kick off construction. The project is being conducted in two phases. Continue reading Work Starting Around I-20 and FM 314

WASHINGTON – In a conference call with GOP lawmakers, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he wouldn’t defend Donald Trump or appear with the Republican presidential candidate for the rest of the campaign. On that conference call was Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert. He said 11 out of 12 persons on that call said, “Trump’s not the greatest candidate, but our freedoms are at stake here. We have to get behind Trump.” Continue reading Gohmert On Paul Ryan’s Conference Call

TYLER – Tyler police have identified the person killed in a vehicle/pedestrian accident around 4:00 Monday afternoon. Ananias Martinez-Reyna, 43, of Tyler, was the victim in the mishap on U.S. Highway 271 at County Road 382, also known as the Old Gladewater Highway. Police say Martinez-Reyna stepped into the path of an SUV. The accident caused long traffic delays in the area until the area was cleared around 8:15 Monday evening.

GILMER — Two drug dealers have each been sentenced in Upshur County to 30 years prison after pleading guilty. Officials said Greggory Allen Caffey, 42, was sentenced for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Authorities said he is a repeat offender and has no chance for appeal, a condition of the plea deal. Prior to jury selection a Jefferson woman, Amanda Michelle Gore, 35, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams, which occurred on March 18. With the plea bargain being reached there is no appeal and the sentence is final.

TYLER – Smith County could see a record voter turnout next month. With the presidential race headlining the ballot, over 130,000 persons are registered to vote next month. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says that’s the most she has ever seen. So, we could see a record number of voters in Smith County next month. If you are not registered to vote, Tuesday is the deadline. Nelson says you can go to http://www.votetexas.gov fill out an application, print it out and sign it. If you mail it, it has to be postmarked October 11. You can also being the for to the elections administration office at 302 East Ferguson. The forms are also available at the elections administration office.

TYLER – Around 100 residential and commercial block parties will be held in Tyler on Tuesday. It’s part of the annual Texans Against Crimes event, previously known as National Night Out. It’s designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. And one way is to better know your neighbors. Tyler police detective Andy Erbaugh says if you don’t know the person who lives next to you, you don’t know the hours they work, or the cars they drive of if there is a car parked there that should not be there. When you know them, you know when someone is sick or injured or not at home or on vacation. Erbaugh says all of this goes to help surpress crime.

MARSHALL – The the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges have approved a new graduate degree program for East Texas Baptist University. The Marshall university will offer a Master of Education in College and University Leadership starting next spring. School officials say the new program will provide a well-organized course of study that prepares students for professional careers in administrative leadership in the field of higher education. Upon graduation, students can pursue positions in student services, financial aid, admissions, and administration positions in both the community college and/or university setting. Continue reading New Graduate Degree Program at ETBU

MARSHALL – Authorities have identified two people killed in a Marshall accident. The two vehicle wreck occurred shortly after 7:45 Friday night on Loop 390 at Highway 154. Killed were Gertrude Nathe, 81, and her husband, Donald Nathe, 82, both of Brunswick, Georgia. The driver of the other vehicle, George Archambeau, 67, of Marshall, suffered minor injuries. Investigators say the victim’s SUV pulled out in front of a truck and was hit broadside by the other vehicle. The accident remains under investigation.

FLINT — Volunteers with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief headed out Monday from Smith County to help Hurricane Matthew victims. A crew of 4 from Flint Baptist Church has taken a shower unit and other support equipment to South Carolina. SBTC Disaster Relief Director Scottie Stice said there is a lot of wind damage in South Carolina as roads are covered with trees. “We want to go and be a blessing (and) do everything we can to help the people,” said Stice in a news release. The volunteers are scheduled to work in South Carolina for 7-10 days.

MARSHALL – There is only one burn ban in effect in the area, and it’s in Harrison County.Because of dry conditions, Harrison County residents are asked not to burn. The ban went into effect on Monday and will remain for 90 days or until it is lifted by the county commissioners or the County Judge. A violation of the burn ban could cost someone a fine up to $500. The burn ban in Harrison County is the only one in effect east of Interstate Highway 45.

TYLER – A Tyler lockdown has been lifted and a man, said to be suicidal, has been taken into custody. It happened Monday morning at the Walmart Neighborhood Market near Troup Highway and the Loop. The man was said to have been armed with a rifle. Businesses in the shopping center were locked down until the man was taken into custody.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, along with Texas Rangers, are investigating a weekend homicide. According to KETK, Mario Rodriguez was found in his truck near Rockhill Church on Farm Road 2274. Officials said they think Rodriguez was shot multiple times somewhere on County Road 4502 and then moved to the location near the church. There are two people of interest they are looking to talk to.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a body found in a burning vehicle Sunday afternoon. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, officers responded around 12:50 to the 1400 block of Sabine Street to assist Longview firefighters, who were extinguishing a vehicle fire near the railroad tracks. Fire crews discovered a body inside the truck. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the death appears to be suspicious, but investigators won’t know more until autopsy results are released.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the Tyler TxDOT district during the Week of Oct. 10. 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.

Sunday work is planned for the Loop 323 at SH 31 project in Tyler. Motorists are encouraged to avoid this work zone once work kicks off at 1 p.m Sunday continuing throughout the week. The contractor is realigning the northbound lanes to the permanent configuration and moving traffic to allow project construction to progress. Work will be conducted pretty much around the clock Sunday through Thursday. Get more details about this project in the Smith County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SMITH COUNTY — Sheriff’s officials are investigating after a gunshot was fired into a Smith County nightclub early Sunday. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies responded to a disturbance at Visions Gentlemen’s Club, formerly Bare Assets, on Hwy 31 East around 1:30 a.m. They were told three white male suspects had left the scene in a silver Chevrolet pickup, and a victim had a scratch on his leg. The victim said the suspects had started a disturbance in the club and were told to leave. He said as they were leaving he was standing by the door. As they drove out, a shot was fired and went through the door of the club. Smith says the victim was hit possibly by a bullet fragment and did not require any medical treatment. Evidence was collected at the scene. If you have any information on this incident, you’re asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — Tyler police seek your help solving a convenience store robbery. Officers answered the call to the store at East Commerce and Loop 323 shortly after 8:15 Sunday morning. The clerk told them a white female had robbed her at gunpoint. The suspect left running southbound on the loop with an undisclosed about of money. No injuries were reported. The suspect had her face covered. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler/Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-CUFF.

TYLER – Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler promotes Lieutenant David Long to Assistant Chief and Sergeant Jason Burton to Lieutenant at a ceremony this afternoon. Long has been with the Tyler Police Department since February, 1994. He has worked in numerous departments during his police career. He was promoted to Sergeant in December 1999. In August, 2002, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Continue reading Two Tyler Policemen Promoted

TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army is now standing by to help Hurricane Matthew victims as needed. The agency was due to send 3 disaster volunteers and its mobile kitchen unit to Florida Friday in response to the storm. But Friday afternoon, Salvation Army officials say they were asked to stand down their active deployment and to remain on standby until further notice. Salvation Army spokesperson Lindsey Galabeas says the agency did prepare Friday morning for disaster relief and was loaded down with enough food to make 1500 meals for initial response.

LONGVIEW – A Longview traffic stop has resulted in an arrest on drug charges. The car, driven by Terrence Domond Walton, 31, of Longview, was pulled over on West Marshall Avenue near Avenue D. The Longview News Journal reports Walton told the officer, “Here, I’m gonna make this easy on you.” He then handed the officer marijuana, a bottle of codeine and a loaded gun. He has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. There was also several outstanding city warrants on him, one of which was using a cell phone in a school zone. Walton was booked into the Gregg County Jail with a bonds totaling $53,000.

GILMER – A Longview man is going to prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Danny Ray Copeland, 42, pled guilty is state district court in Upshur County. He received a 40 year prison sentenced for aggravated sexual assault of a child, 10 years in prison for indecency with a child and 10 years in prison on a second charge of indecency with a child. The three sentences will run concurrently. Copeland is also under indictment in Gregg County, and as part of Friday’s plea agreement, he will plead guilty to Sexual Performance of a Child, a second degree felony, and receive a 20 year prison sentence to run concurrently with his Upshur County sentences. Continue reading Longview Man Draws Prison Term

LONGVIEW – A man described by police records as a transient, has pleaded guilty in Longview of two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact. State District Judge Alfonso Charles sentenced Justin Thomas Lowery, 28, to 10 years in prison. He had been accused of having sexual contact with a girl younger than 17 on two occasions last year.

TYLER – Following a public hearing Friday, Smith County Commissioners approved a tax abatement for a business coming to the county. The five-year, 80% tax abatement for GG Distributing Company, a beverage distribution company that operates in several states and distributes beverages to a 30-county area in Texas. GG Distributing plans to invest $15 million and create at least 160 jobs in northeast Smith County. Tyler Economic Development Council President/CEO Tom Mullins said the project will allow the company to consolidate its distribution facilities in Palestine, Longview and Nacogdoches onto one property. That would be the former U.S. Postal Service facility on Farm Road 3311 in Owentown. Continue reading Smith County Commissioners Approve a Tax Abatement

BULLARD – The collision of two SUVs near Bullard has left one person dead and three injured. The crash occurred around 6:00 this morning on Highway 344 in southern Smith County. Dead at the scene was Taryn Coker-Minyard, 30, of Whitehouse. Injured was Jessica Butler, 31, of Bullard. She, and a 9 year old passenger were taken to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. An 11 year old passenger was airlifted to ETMC and then flown to Dallas Children’s Hospital. The crash occurred when Minyard’s vehicle traveled into the opposite lane of traffic and hit Butler’s vehicle hit head-on.