KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Think it’s your lucky day when you get a “government” call saying you’ve been chosen for a grant? After receiving numerous calls this week, BBB Serving Central East Texas is warning consumers about a scam in which someone claiming to be “the government” calls and says you won a grant … if you send them money.

Consumers are getting phone calls telling them they received a grant from “the government,” and they may spend the funds however they want. But in order to get the grant, the caller asks you to buy a Green Dot MoneyPak card and load it with money. They request the numbers off the back of the card, and then they take your money. Consumers don’t get any grant money, and they lose their own money in the process. Continue reading Warning about Fake Federal Government Scams

MARSHALL — A judge has set the bond for a Marshall man accused of shooting another person on Wednesday. KETK reports Judge Mike Smith set Devonte Xavier Benjamin’s bond at $35,000 for each charge. He was booked into jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm in a weapons free zone. Marshall PD spokeswoman Sonya Johnson stated 911 received a call reporting gunfire at about 3:41 p.m. When police responded to the scene, located at the corner of Carters Ferry and Billups, they found a man with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County grand jury has declined to return indictments against three officers involved in the shooting of Justin Aguilar on March 9, 2014. According to KETK, the grand jury’s decision means that under Texas law no criminal charges will be filed. According to the autopsy report, the teenage robbery suspect was shot five times by police and had marijuana in his system. The autopsy for Aguilar, 15, was returned in June and was released by authorities last month. The Forest Park Middle School student was a suspect in the attempted robbery of the New-Way convenience store in the 1300 block of South Green Street in Longview March 9th. He was shot in a standoff with officers. Continue reading Grand Jury Declines to Indict Officers in Teen’s Shooting

CHANDLER — Authorities are warning of scam artists preying on East Texans in the Chandler area. According to KETK, city of Chandler officials say several men claiming to be from a roofing company are knocking on doors and asking to check the homeowner’s roof and attic for problems. The con artists then lie to the owners about their house. Police stated the elderly are their main target. The scammers have been known to be driving a red Chevrolet extended cab truck with paper tags, according to authorities. You’re asked to call the Chandler Police Department at 903-849-2181 if you see or talk to such individuals.

AUSTIN – The Texas Medical Board has disciplined 39 physicians at its November meeting. Two are from this area. They are Tyler physician Dr. Lloyd Faust Mercer Jr., who was cited for violating the board of rules. And disciplinary action was taken against Dr. Teri Lynne Baumgartner of Athens for quality of care. Continue reading Area Physicians Disciplined by State Board

KILGORE — The Kyle City Council has selected Kilgore City Manager Scott Sellers as the next Kyle City Manager. The selection was made official with a 7-0 vote after an executive session during the regular city council meeting on late Tuesday night. Sellers will be the City of Kyle’s third full time city manager, succeeding Lanny Lambert who resigned as Kyle City Manager in October to take the same position in Converse, Texas. Continue reading Kilgore City Manager Moving to Kyle

TYLER – Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford delivered a State of the District update Wednesday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Willowbrook Country Club. Dr. Crawford spoke on topics such as District successes, the Strategic Plan, fiscal accountability, student achievement, extra and cocurricular activities, community engagement, future plans and projects, upcoming challenges and opportunities, and the construction progress for BOND 2013 projects.“I am so pleased with the accomplishments the District has made this year,” Dr. Crawford said. “We have plans in place to continue this progress while also addressing the areas needing improvement that will help our students continue to succeed.” Continue reading TISD Superintendent Discusses “State of District” at Chamber Luncheon

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested two adults and one juvenile in connection to an aggravated robbery that occurred November 13 at the Abby Apartments, 4917 Thistle. The suspects are identified as Darrius Montrall Jones, 18; Jeremy Scott Watts, 19 (pictured); and a 15-year-old juvenile. The two adults charged with aggravated robbery are in custody and remain in Smith County Jail on $750,000 bond. The juvenile was placed in the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Continue reading Three Arrested in Abby Apartments Robbery

KILGORE — A Longview man was taken into custody Monday night in the parking lot of a Kilgore business after he was allegedly found high on meth. According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department says 911 received reports of a man jumping on cars and acting erratically at the local Brookshire’s. The man reportedly claimed someone was trying to get him. Police say that when officers arrived at the location, they found Aaron Scott Lucas, 24, hiding in a bunker made out of trash cans. He reportedly told police snipers were trying to shoot people in the parking lot. After coaxing Lucas from his bunker, the suspect admitted to using methamphetamines two hours before the incident, according to authorities. He was arrested and charged with public intoxication and possession of marijuana. Lucas was booked into the Gregg County Jail. His bail was set at $25,000.

QUITMAN — A second person has been arrested in connection with the death of two East Texas toddlers. KETK reports Thomas Liles, 19, of Quitman, turned himself into the Quitman Police Department Wednesday morning. Liles was detained and arrested for two counts of injury to a child. Bond was set at $1,000,000, $500,000 for each count. Liles recently waived his arraignment on a charge of tampering with evidence. Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of her daughters, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. According to the autopsy, the girls died from blunt force trauma to the head. McDaniels now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Continue reading Man Arrested in Connection with Deaths of Quitman Toddlers

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – The state’s highest criminal court has denied an appeal from a Whitehouse woman on death row for the slaying of her developmentally disabled baby sitter more than four years ago. Kimberly Cargill was condemned for the death of 39-year-old Cherry Walker. Evidence showed Cargill killed Walker in June 2010 to keep her from testifying against Cargill at a custody hearing involving Cargill’s 4-year-old child. Walker’s body was found on the side of a rural Smith County road. It had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday rejected claims that Cargill’s 2012 trial in Tyler was compromised by multiple errors. The 47-year-old Cargill is among seven women on Texas death row. She does not have an execution date.

TYLER – Smith County-based John Soules Foods announced Wednesday that it has completed the acquisition of Pro View Foods, a processor of ready-to cook and fully-cooked chicken products based in Gainesville, Ga. According to a news release, Pro View Foods will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Soules Foods and will continue to operate out of Gainesville, Ga., under the Pro View Foods name. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Continue reading John Soules Foods Acquires Pro View Foods

TYLER Two Smith County Sheriff’s Office employees have been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a current administrative and criminal investigation. According to a news release from SCSO, Josh and Krista Caulkins were both placed on administrative leave by Chief Deputies Robert Carlson and Fred Little Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. The investigation was initiated regarding an alleged fictitious college degree being submitted on behalf of Josh Caulkins which would qualify him for additional compensation. Continue reading Two Smith County Sheriff’s Office Employees Placed on Leave

JACKSONVILLE — According to Jacksonville Fire Department Chief Brent Smith, a veteran fire captain passed away Monday night. Kevin McKinney, a 31-year veteran of the Jacksonville Fire Department, had been on medical leave for a couple months battling a lengthy illness. Continue reading Fire Department Mourns the Loss of Their Captain

TYLER — Grammy Award winning artist, Dwight Yoakam will headline the next Cattle Barron’s Gala in Smith County. The 2015 Cattle Barons’ Gala Committee made the announcement yesterday. The 28th annual event entitled “Remember the Cause,” benefiting the American Cancer Society, will be held on Saturday June 13, 2015 at Harvey Convention Center. The theme pays tribute to those who have lost the battle and salutes all of the brave who continue to fight against cancer. As the third largest Cattle Barons’ Gala (following Dallas and Houston), this annual event helps raise money to benefit the American Cancer Society. Since Tyler’s first Gala in 1988, thousands of volunteers have raised over 10 million dollars for cancer research, education and patient services. – See more at: http://www.ktbb.com/post/?p=319067#sthash.kSaoentc.dpuf

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — The Democrat-controlled Senate has defeated a bill to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The southern leg of the pipeline runs through much of East Texas, including southern Smith County. It’s been transporting crude oil since January. The Senate’s 59-41 vote Tuesday night was a nail-biter to the end. The bill needed 60 votes to reach the White House. The House passed it overwhelmingly last week. President Barack Obama did not support the bill, but the White House has been mum on whether or not he will veto it. Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu pushed for the vote in an effort to save her seat in a December 6 runoff election in Louisiana. She faces an uphill battle against Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy, who authored the House bill. All Republicans said publicly they supported the Senate bill, as did several moderate Democrats.

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Police Department is searching for a suspect wanted for allegedly robbing a gas station at gunpoint in the 1600 block of South Jackson Street around 5:38 last Saturday morning. KETK reports the suspect allegedly displayed a handgun and demanded all of the money from the register. After receiving the money, the suspect then left the store in a dark maroon or black older model vehicle that is missing its back left hubcap. Any information regarding the suspect or his identification can be give to the Jacksonville Police Department or by contacting Detective Chase Berryhill, who is currently working the case. The police department’s main number is (903) 586-2546. Detective Berryhill can be reached at (903) 586-2704.

NEW SUMMERFIELD — Cherokee County authorities have released more information on a weekend fire that killed two people. According to a news release, just before 6:45 Sunday evening, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call on 9-1-1 about a trailer house on fire. The trailer was located on the property of Joe Smith plant farm, on Highway 79 east of Jacksonville, at the intersection of County Road 4208. The New Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department and sheriff’s deputies were the first to respond to the location. Upon their arrival it was discovered that at least two occupants were in the house at the time the fire started. Continue reading More Details Released on Double-Fatality Fire

TYLER — A 32-year-old Flint woman has been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison for student financial aid fraud. Mindy Ritch pleaded guilty May 5 and was sentenced yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Ritch was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $564,447.72. Continue reading Flint Woman Sentenced to Prison for Student Financial Aid Fraud

TYLER — Habitat for Humanity of Smith County has been awarded a $78,761 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant. Officials say the grant will be used to rehabilitate 46 homes of very low and low income homeowners in rural Smith County. The check presentation was held Tuesday at the local Habitat office at 822 West Front Street in Tyler. Continue reading Smith County Habitat Gets USDA Grant

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A Van Zandt County home has been destroyed by fire. KETK reports that the county fire marshal, along with the Grand Saline and Fruitvale Fire Departments, responded to the blaze Tuesday morning. The fire erupted on Van Zandt County Road 1712, north of Grand Saline. One person was taken to the hospital for evaluation; authorities said the person’s injuries were minor. Crews extinguished the fire in the early afternoon.

COFFEE CITY — Two people were killed over the weekend in a head-on collision in Coffee City. According to KETK, Police Chief Donny Malone says a car and truck collided on Farm Road 3505, about two and a half miles from State Highway 155, at around 11:45 Saturday morning. The road connects Farm Road 315 and Highway 155. Malone said the truck, driven by a man, was headed west and the car, driven by a woman, was traveling east toward 155. A preliminary crash report had not yet been filed at last report. The victims’ names were being withheld due to the ongoing investigation, according to Malone. Authorities did state the man was around the age of 50 and the woman 60. Next of kin has been notified. DPS troopers, sheriff’s deputies and EMS crews also responded to the scene.

SMITH COUNTY A home was destroyed by a Tuesday morning fire in Smith County. The Smith County Fire Marshals Office says officials responded to a home in the 5600 block of Farm to Market Road 346 East around 2:45 a.m. According to KETK, investigators are currently trying to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — A Spring Hill High School athlete who suffered a life-threatening concussion November 7 has been released from the hospital. Garrett Plumlee is recovering at his grandmother’s house in Tyler, according to his father, Gregg County Precinct 1 Constable James Plumlee. KETK reports Garrett took a hit in the third quarter of his final football game and suffered a concussion. Once he was rushed to the hospital, doctors discovered the senior quarterback had experienced a brain hemorrhage. He was then flown to a Plano hospital. Plumlee eventually woke up and became coherent the following Sunday; his brain bleed had stopped. The student was later moved out of ICU and into a primary care unit in Plano before heading to Tyler.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The NFL has suspended Adrian Peterson without pay for at least the rest of the season. The league said Tuesday it informed the Minnesota Vikings running back he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. The NFL Players Association quickly announced its plan to appeal the punishment. Peterson, of Palestine, pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanor reckless assault in Texas for injuries to his 4-year-old son he was disciplining. He had been on paid leave from the team since Sept. 17. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Aug. 28 an enhanced crackdown on players involved with domestic violence.

LIVINGSTON – The Big Sandy (Polk County) High School principal has been arrested on charges of having an improper relationship with a high school student. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office tells KETK that Kevin Ivy, 36, of Dallardsville, was arrested after officials were told he was sending “sexually explicit” text messages to a female high school student. Ivy resigned from the district last week. Ivy, a former Hallsville varsity boys basketball coach, was booked into the Polk County Jail on Monday on a $12,000 bond. Continue reading Polk County Principal Arrested; Once Coached at Hallsville

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) — Supporters of a Senate bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline are still scrambling to find one last vote with the clock ticking. If approved and once completed, the pipeline will begin transporting controversial tar sands oil through East Texas, including eastern Smith County. The southern leg of the pipeline began transporting crude along that route in January. Continue reading Supporters of Oil Pipeline Scramble for Last Vote

LOS ANGELES — Former East Texas resident Matthew McConaughey gets another honor from Hollywood: he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday. The star of “Interstellar” and “Dallas Buyer’s Club” says he’s thrilled. McConaughey remarked, “I look forward to Monday morning, to goin’ to work. That I’m proud to be able to say. This industry’s given me a lot; it’s given me a chance to live out some dreams I didn’t even know I had.” McConaughey’s originally from Uvalde and grew up in Longview. He graduated from U.T.-Austin in 1993.

QUITMAN — The mother of two East Texas children who were found dead last summer has been arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder. According to KETK, the Quitman Police Department says Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels, 24, was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of her daughters, Gabriella Guerrero, 3, and Natalye Price, 1. McDaniels now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quitman Police Captain Terry Bevels says the investigation took months, with interviews conducted in three different states. According to the autopsy, the girls died from blunt force trauma to the head. In July, the two young girls were found dead inside an apartment unit at the Dogwood Villa in Quitman. Continue reading Mother Arrested in Quitman Children’s Deaths

NEW SUMMERFIELD — Two people were killed Sunday night as the result of a house fire in Cherokee County. According to KETK, a Jacksonville Fire Department spokesman said JFD crews assisted the New Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department at a blaze on County Road 4208 off Highway 79 E. According to Wayne Bailey, president of the New Summerfield Board of Fire Departments, one victim was pronounced dead the scene and another passed away at the hospital. The victims’ identities were not immediately released. Bailey said the fire took place around 7:30 p.m.