KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler police say numerous traffic lights were knocked out in the area of Bergfeld Park Friday, west of S. Broadway. Power was restored by late afternoon, but with more rough weather on the way, drivers may want to stay on the alert. Police say when such incidents occur, you’re urged to be cautious and treat any intersection as a four-way stop if a traffic light is inoperable there, and if an officer is not present. Police were told that a transformer blew in the area.

TROUP — Legendary Texas high school football coach Dennis Alexander, now the head coach at Troup, has been suspended amid an investigation. According to KETK, Alexander confirmed he was suspended from his coaching duties on Wednesday. He said he was notified someone alleged he slapped a student on Monday. The coach says he believes he “tapped” a student on the back of the head in a meeting on Monday. He denied the allegations. “I have never slapped a kid before,” said Alexander. The coach added he was disappointed about what has happened. Defensive Coordinator John Eastman will be taking over head coaching duties until further notice. Alexander said he will not be coaching until the school district’s investigation is complete and a decision is made. Troup ISD Superintendent Stuart Bird has declined to comment. Continue reading Legendary Coach Alexander Suspended amid investigation

TYLER — Despite heavy rain in the area, Smith County officials remind you that the county remains under a burn ban. Interim Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said her office responded to illegal burns across the county Friday, and she’s urging residents not to burn trash, brush, or other items just because the area has seen rain. It will be up to the Smith County Commissioners Court to consider rescinding the burn ban, and the first chance the court will have to discuss that is during its regular meeting on Tuesday. The Commissioners Court voted October 13 to implement the second burn ban of the year in Smith County. Under the burn ban restrictions, barbecue grills can be used for cooking food as long as a lid is used. Fire pits and campfires, however, are prohibited because they are not covered vessels.

TYLER — On Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., the City of Tyler will be hosting a second Innovation Pipeline and Makerspace Mixer to gather additional community feedback about the new program. According to a city news release, the mixer will be hosted in the City University building at 212 N. Border Ave., across from City Hall. Continue reading Officials: Second Makerspace Mixer Dives in Deeper

GRAND SALINE — The Grand Saline Police Department reports Van Zandt County Constable Precinct 1 Mickey Henson was injured Thursday afternoon when his car was hit by another vehicle allegedly eluding authorities. KETK reports Henson was taken to a hospital to evaluate his injuries. There was no immediate information on his condition or other details.

VAN — Van ISD has delayed class start times until 10:00 today due to power outages. According to KETK, Oncor is reporting at least 1,600 people are without power.

BULLARD — The Smith County Sheriff’s deputies arrest four suspects wanted in the burglary of the Bullard baseball complex. Cody Lee Jordan, 17, and Tyler Wayne Ward (pictured), 17, along with two juveniles, were taken into custody for the October 17th burglary and vandalism at the baseball complex on County Road 173. Officials said a storage room next to the concession stand was broken into and a John Deere Gator Utility vehicle was stolen. The Gator has been recovered but was heavily damaged. Bond for each suspect was set at $5,000.

SMITH COUNTY — A suspect has been taken into custody in a Smith County home burglary. Thursday afternoon around 12:15, deputies responded to a location on County Road 1125 off Highway 64 West. Deputy Jacob Hart was told by the homeowner he believed he knew who had broken into the home. Officials say Hart found the suspect on Sycamore Street as he was attempting to get back to his car. He has been identified as Dan Flournoy, 19, a Smith County resident. Flournoy had allegedly set aside video games and a PlayStation in preparation for taking the property. The residence had also been burglarized Tuesday, and that case is still under investigation. Flournoy was jailed on a charge of burglary of a habitation.

LONGVIEW — A child is hospitalized in Longview after being hit by a vehicle that then took off. KETK reports officers were called around shortly after 5:30 Wednesday afternoon to Pals Parkway, near Lear Park. Police say the vehicle left the scene before officers arrived. Witnesses said the vehicle was a blue passenger car. Police say the car may not have been damaged. The child was taken to a local hospital with what are termed non-life-threatening injuries. Continue reading Child Injured in Hit and Run

LONGVIEW — A Longview High School student was arrested Wednesday after police reportedly found a revolver in his backpack at school, but officials say the student himself informed a teacher about the gun after realizing he was carrying it. KETK reports police were alerted to the case just before 10:15 Wednesday morning. Officers say they were able to locate the student quickly and secure the backpack. Jacorian Hermon Harris, 17, was arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place. Continue reading Student Arrested over Gun; Reportedly Informed Teacher Himself

TYLER — An official groundbreaking gives the public a look at Tyler’s new animal shelter on Chandler Highway, now under construction and set for completion next August. City Councilmember Don Warren says the new shelter will be great, but it’s about a lot more than a physical plant. He says it’s important to take care of animals and visit with citizens about best practices for pet ownership. Since ending its contract with the troubled Klein shelter in Jacksonville, Tyler’s been using a facility on Grande Boulevard. Warren says that facility is proving to be a great springboard for the new one. He cites 350 animals taken by nonprofits, 200 adopted, and 250 reclaimed by owners. And Warren says the new facility will do even more to address the chronic problem of animal control. Continue reading Official Groundbreaking for New Animal Shelter

LONGVIEW — A 61-year-old man has been shot and killed in Gregg County. Details are limited, but witnesses say the shooting stemmed from an altercation. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies were dispatched around 10:24 Wednesday night to a residence in the area of Goforth Road and FM 3053 in the Liberty City area. Deputies arrived to find Paul Ray Jackson lying on the ground outside the residence. Officials say the incident is still actively being investigated, and they’re asking anyone with information to contact Investigator Falco at (903) 236-8438 or Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

LONGVIEW — Three people have been arrested for a Longview concession stand burglary. Longview police say officers were dispatched shortly before 12:45 Wednesday morning to a commercial burglary in progress on Spring Hill Road between Panther Street and Spring Hill Parkway. Officers were told that the reporting party was watching the burglary as it occurred from an offsite video camera system. When officers arrived they reportedly found three suspects trying to leave the location in a pickup truck. Continue reading Three Arrested in Concession Stand Burglary

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police have made an arrest in a felony hit-and-run accident last Saturday night. According to KETK, Christian Michael Gill, 20, Nacogdoches, was arrested this morning. Just after 10:00 on October 17th, authorities received a report of a pedestrian in the roadway. Witnesses said the teenage victim was crossing the street to go to the homecoming dance at the high school when he was struck. The 16-year-old victim suffered head trauma and internal bleeding. He remains hospitalized.

TYLER — A driver is being investigated following an accident that injured 5 persons and damaged several vehicles. The accident occurred shortly before 10:30 Wednesday night at South Broadway and Loop 323. Witnesses tell Tyler police a man was driving recklessly when he came to the intersection and hit a vehicle which then hit two more vehicles. He is being investigated for driving while intoxicated. The injured were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER — Smith County has its first female fire marshal. Named to the post is Connie McCoy-Wasson. She has worked for the county for 22 years. Wasson told KETK, “I’m overwhelmed with the support that I’ve had. That has just been amazing to me.” She will fill the post being vacated by Jay Brooks who announced last week he was stepping down.

TYLER — Tyler Assistant Police Chief Paula Riggle retired Wednesday afternoon. No reason was given for her retirement. A 22-year veteran of the Tyler Police Department, Riggle was the assistant chief over the administration division. She had been an assistant chief since 2002.

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Rodney Moore of Lufkin and has appointed Ramon Manning of Houston to the Texas Public Finance Authority for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021. The authority issues and sells bonds for designated state agencies in order to finance the acquisition or construction of buildings. Moore is owner and president of Rodney Moore Homes, Inc. and Gibraltar Construction, Inc., and he is co-owner and manager of Dude Development, Ltd. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, president of Homer Cemetery Association, and board member of Crime Stoppers of Lufkin. Moore attended Angelina College.

TYLER – The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, and it’s now available at the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health). The agency has begun to offer flu vaccinations at its main location at 815 N. Broadway in Tyler. The NET Health Immunizations Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 11am and 1pm to 4pm, and on Wednesdays until 6pm. The cost for the flu vaccination for adults is $20.00 per person, and the cost for the flu mist is $25.00 per person. Medicare Part B will be accepted. Children who qualify for the Vaccines for Children Program will be charged an administrative fee of $10.00. According to a news release, NET Health does accept Medicaid, CHIP, and insurance from most private insurance companies. Continue reading Seasonal Flu Vaccine Available at NET Health

LUFKIN (Staff/AP) – A Lufkin teenager has been sentenced to seven years’ probation for shooting a postal worker in the leg as she delivered mail last fall. That’s according to KETK. 17-year-old Jaylon Carroll Wortham could have received up to 10 years in prison. The Lufkin Daily News reported earlier that Wortham pleaded guilty to assault in July in a plea deal. Lufkin police say Lindsey Guthery was wearing a U.S. Postal Service uniform when she was shot last November while walking her route. She was treated for a wound to her left leg. Wortham initially denied targeting the carrier and told police he used an air rifle to shoot at a bird or a squirrel. Wortham, who was tried as an adult in the felony case, pleaded guilty to assault against a government employee.

GREGG COUNTY — Roadwork continues this week on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County. Today till 7:00pm, the eastbound outside lane will be closed for repairs at Mile Marker 594-595. You’re urged to use caution by slowing down and paying attention. Law enforcement will be on scene assisting with traffic control.

HALLSVILLE — A Henderson police officer was arrested earlier this month in Hallsville on charges of indecency with a child. According to KETK, Jeronimo Holguin Jr., 24, Hallsville, was being held in the Harrison County Jail on bonds totaling $200,000. He is charged with two counts of indecency with a child. The case was investigated by a Longview police detective. The victim, who is younger than 17 years old, reportedly told Hallsville police that Holguin had touched her breast under her clothes on two occasions in June 2014 and in mid-January.

SMITH COUNTY — The trial of an East Texan who allegedly caused the deaths of two people during a drunk driving crash in March has been delayed again. According to KETK, the trial for Carl Crabtree, 31, has been pushed back to November 16 with a pre-trial hearing set for November 9. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on March 4, Crabtree was driving down Old Jacksonville Highway when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with an SUV heading northbound. The suspect was charged with two counts intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of Dana Regester, 41, of Flint, and Pasha Zapolsky, 18, of Bullard. Continue reading Crabtree Trial Delayed Again

CARTHAGE — A district judge next week was to take up several motions as the date approaches for convicted murderer Bernie Tiede to get a new sentencing trial. Tiede, the subject of a feature film that prompted an Austin attorney to successfully champion his release in May 2014, still faces a life sentence. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, new evidence of his mental state arising from childhood sexual assault trauma prompted Visiting Judge Diane DeVasto to order a new punishment hearing. In November, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the decision by DeVasto and ordered the new sentencing trial. Tiede’s 1997 conviction for the murder of his 81-year-old traveling companion and benefactress, Marjorie Nugent, was not altered.

MALAKOFF — A teacher and coach at Malakoff Middle School has resigned amid an investigation into improper communications with a female high school student. Superintendent Randy Perry said that Paul Cook resigned on Monday. Cook was a sixth-grade social studies teacher and was also a middle school football coach, and assistant head coach of varsity basketball for the district.

TYLER — The city of Tyler will host a presentation and public meeting at Hillside Park this evening at 6:00 in the park’s main pavilion. All attendees will be invited to share their insights and suggestions for improvements to the park, according to a city news release. The park currently features picnic areas, restrooms, pavilions, soccer fields, playgrounds, and basketball and multipurpose courts. Officials say the goal of the meeting is to gather suggestions from the community for desired improvements. Hillside Park is located at 1111 East Erwin Street, east of downtown. For more information on this event, contact the Tyler Parks and Recreation office at 903-531-1370.

TYLER — The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to production and physical losses caused by drought dating to September 29 and continuing in Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Smith, and Van Zandt Counties. In a news release, Smith County Farm Loan Manager Joseph Grier asks farmers who want to apply for emergency loans to submit their applications as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is June 7, 2016, but Grier says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Continue reading FSA Accepting Applications for Emergency Farm Loans due to Drought

CANTON — Investigators have determined the fire at “The Mountain,” a popular flea market destination in Canton, was accidental. KETK reports the fire originated in a workroom or one of the businesses at the site. It is undetermined as to what actually caused the fire. Cleaning chemicals, thinners, paint, batteries, tools, and many other flammable and combustible items were in the area. Officials say the conclusion was based on witness statements, observations of fire/law enforcement officers, and visual inspection and investigation of the building of origin. Continue reading Big Fire in Canton Ruled Accidental; Other Blazes Probed

ALTO (Staff/AP) – Alto school officials say funeral services for Cam’ron Matthews, an Alto football player who died over the weekend, will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the Rusk High School Gym (Eagle Coliseum). KETK reports a GoFundMe page has been set up to help Matthews’ family with expenses. Donations are also being accepted at Bancorp South Bank under the “Cam’Ron Matthews Memorial Fund.” You can also deliver them to Alto ISD. Continue reading Funeral Scheduled for Alto Football Player; Donations Accepted

TYLER — Officials have arrested two suspects, one on multiple charges, after they allegedly burglarized a home in Smith County. Sheriff’s deputies got a call around 2 p.m. Monday saying a pickup that had been reported stolen from a local business was seen at a residence on CR 328E. Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Brad Wilson saw the truck parked in the driveway of a home that appeared to be vacant. After he checked the registration on the vehicle, Wilson says it did show to be stolen. Continue reading Two Arrested Following Burglary; One Faces Multiple Charges