KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — The anniversary of the Big Inch Pipeline will be celebrated this month in Longview. The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College and the Gregg County Historical Museum will present, “Oil for Victory: Big Inch Pipeline Lecture and Panel.” Longview is celebrating their sesquicentenial anniversary in 2020 and this month remembers the Big Inch Pipeline. The Big Inch was a 1,254 mile-long pipeline transporting Texas crude oil through the Midwest and on to the east coast. Continue reading Big Inch Pipeline Lecture & Panel Discussion

BEDFORD – Carter BloodCare is issuing another urgent call for donors. Linda Goelzer told KTBB that while Blood supply tends to wane during the winter months, this year the need is more dire. Goelzer said, “We are reaching out with a heavy appeal to our community, because we are in a critical situation, truly critical.” The Director of Public Relations continued, “There’s no other way to get blood for patients, except through altruistic donors.” Continue reading Carter BloodCare Calls on Donors to Step Up

TYLER — The 15th Annual Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament is nearing for players of all skill levels. According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Parks and Rec Department is inviting East Texans to fling a disc to benefit the East Texas Food Bank. The benefit tournament is set for a week from Saturday. The event at Lindsey Park, is a rain, shine or snow tournament, that will continue regardless of the weather, pending road conditions. Continue reading ETFB to Benefit from Ice Bowl Tourney

HARRISON COUNTY — A 3 car crash in Harrison County Sunday evening claimed the lives of two people. According to our news partner KETK, the wreck happened just before 7 p.m. on US 80 just east of Marshall. DPS preliminary investigations claim that 22-year-old Haley Lynn Carroll failed to stop as she approached the intersection of US 80 and lost control of the vehicle. Troopers say her vehicle rolled over into the eastbound lane of US 80, and was struck and then hit by another vehicle. Both Carroll and a passenger in her car, 24-year-old Dusty James Gabbard of Marshall died at the scene. Both were taken to Meadowbrook Funeral Home in Marshall.

KILGORE — The East Texas Council of Governments Executive Committee has chosen Rave Mobile Safety to provide mass notification alert system services in the next year. On Monday, Lindsay Vanderbilt told KTBB how some of the advantages will better serve residents. “This is going to allow unlimited notifications, where our previous provider limited everyone to a set number of minutes each month and those Emergency Management Co-ordinators had to watch that minute level and decide whether or not they need to send that alert. Now, they don’t have that constriction of the number of minutes or the number of users.” Continue reading ETCOG Contracts with RAVE for Emergency Alerts

PANOLA COUNTY — A jury trial awaits a suspect accused of a double murder will face a jury next month. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday Marlon Kelly, 23, of Bossier City, found out he will have his trial on Feb 18 for the death of Dalton Berry, 21, of Panola County, and Shayla Carson, 18, of Waskom. They were discovered dead in October of 2018, outside of a mobile home, where another victim was found alive. Continue reading First of 4 LA Men to go to Trial for Murder of 2 E Texans

TYLER — Brad Curtis announced on Monday, his intentions to run for the City Council District 6 seat in the upcoming May 2020 election. The seat is currently vacant due to the death of Chris Sudduth. The City Council election date is Saturday, May 2, 2020. Early Voting will take place April 20-28, 2020. Curtis is a Tyler native, and a graduate of Tyler public schools and Baylor University where he receiving both his BBA and MBA degrees. Continue reading Curtis Makes Bid for Tyler City Council Seat 6

WASHINGTON D.C. — In follow up to the strike that killed the top general of Iran, Gen Qasem Soleimani, Congresman Louie Gohmert tells KTBB, “Democrats are much more interested in politcal gain than they are in protecting American citizens or protecting our country.” The East Texas Congressman continued, “If they were interested in protecting American citizens they would have joined me in being up in arms over lies and abuses of the Patriot Act, the FISA Courts, the FBI, the Intel Community, the State Department, the DOD, as well as DOJ.”

TYLER — New details emerged Monday in a Tyler death reported over the weekend. The woman who police say was killed by Johnny Bradley Osburn is identified as Leslie Michelle Gamino, 42, of Tyler. Police say the preliminary cause of death was multiple stab wounds. Investigators were told that the two were in a relationship. Osburn, 39, is now charged with capital murder according to our news partner KETK, which cites Smith County judicial records. Around 12:54 Saturday morning, a police sergeant found a car belonging to Gamino in the parking lot of the Townhouse Motel on East Gentry. Gamino had been reported missing the previous day by a family member. Her body was found in the trunk, and an autopsy was ordered. Osburn was on location and was detained and interviewed by investigators. He was initially charged with first degree murder and jailed on a $1,000,000 bond.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse police say 51-year-old Lars Axel Theorine was arrested Saturday afternoon for the murder of 43-year-old Michael Shane Reed. According to our news partner KETK, Theorine is the owner of Paradise Skating Rink and Big Kahuna Indoor Parties in Whitehouse. He was jailed in Tyler on a bond of $500,000. He also has a lengthy arrest record, with 20 prior bookings to his name. According to a news release, police responding to a Thursday night call found Reed dead on the floor with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. Another person in the home was transported to the hospital for medical issues.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department is investigating an early Sunday morning fire in a row of commercial buildings on East Cotton Street downtown. According to our news partner KETK, the fire was discovered by firefighters who were returning to their station across the street from another fire. Four businesses were destroyed: Clayton Credit, Desert Tanning, Guys and Dolls, and Pig Trail Inn, where officials say the fire started. Other businesses suffered smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.

CARTHAGE — Hundreds turned out Saturday for the funeral of Panola County Deputy Christopher Dickerson. Dickerson was shot to death during a routine traffic stop early Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the nation is now mourning his loss along with his hometown of Carthage. People from far and wide turned out Saturday to hear kind words spoken and stories told about the 28-year-old.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a weekend shooting incident. Around 2 a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to an area on Old Gladewater Hwy., where witnesses said they’d heard several gunshots. Further investigation revealed that the gunshots came from a residence in the area. Physical evidence was located near the driveway of the residence and the crime scene was secured. Continue reading Early Morning Shooting Being Investigated

TYLER — On Friday, Jan. 3, contractors began working to remove the bridge on Victory Drive that collapsed during heavy rains in the spring of 2019. According to a news release, the city of Tyler decided to remove the bridge and permanently close off the south end of Victory Drive due to repair costs outweighing the cost of removal. Since the bridge collapse, the south end of the road has been blocked off while the north end remained open to through traffic. Continue reading Victory Drive Bridge Removal Underway

LONGVIEW — All roads except for the right hand turn lane on Fourth Street going west onto Loop 281 in Longview are back open after the entire intersection was closed following a gas leak Friday morning. Longview Fire Marshal Kevin May told KTBB Friday, “At about 10:30 this morning, a construction company was running underground fiber optic cable when they hit a gas line. The gas line is approximately 8 feet under the road. He said crews had to dig up the thoroughfare to make repairs to the broken line before fixing the road.

WHITEHOUSE — A Whitehouse man has been arrested after his half-sister accused him of molesting her. According to our news partner KETK, 21-year-old Sean Anderson was accused of touching his nine-year-old half-sister’s “private parts.” Reportedly the incident took place in December, after the child got into his bed because she had a bad dream. The child also said that Anderson would make her touch him and that it had happened at least twice. Continue reading Whitehouse Man Arrested Following Charges of Molestation of Half-Sister

ATHENS — The new year has brought new changes for the Henderson County Republican Party. Betty Holland chaired the Party for 10 years. She oversaw the county achieve 100% Republican elected officials. After leading for the past decade, Holland submitted her resignation, effective at the end of 2019, to spend more time with family. At that same meeting, the County Executive Committee elected Daniel Hunt as interim Chairman to serve out the rest of Holland’s term. Hunt was the only candidate to file for the position in the upcoming Republican primary elections. He becomes the permanent chairman June 1, 2020. Hunt took over the county Party on January 1, 2020.

WASHINGTON D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert weighed in on the killing of Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani. On Friday the U.S. District 1 Congresman told KTBB, “I don’t think the world is in a more dangerous place when you have eliminated the top terrorist from the top terrorist country in the world, along with some of his henchmen. I think it was a great move by the President, a bold move.” A U.S. drone strike on a Baghdad airport took place Thursday night. Continue reading Gohmert: A Great Move by the President

LONGVIEW — On Thursday, Gregg County Inmate Jace Martin Laws entered a guilty plea to the offenses of Escape while Arrested or Confined and Evading Arrest or Detention with a Motor Vehicle. He was convicted in October on 2 counts of Assault of a Peace Officer. Laws was subsequently sentenced to 40 years on count one and 30 years on count two. Continue reading Captured Escapee Sentenced to 8 Years on Each Count

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County grand jury has handed down an indictment against a Tyler man for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman. According to our news partner KETK, Victor Ortiz, 23, was arrested October 4, 2019, for the alleged attack and is facing third-degree felony charges. Documents did not indicate how the incident started or what Ortiz’s relation was to the victim. Ortiz will have his case in the 7th District Court with Judge Kerry Russell presiding. His first court date has not been scheduled. Ortiz has past convictions for misdemeanor drug possession and traffic violations. If convicted, Ortiz faces up to ten years in prison for the attack.

CARTHAGE  — The funeral for Panola County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Dickerson will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Carthage Civic Center. Deputy Dickerson died after being shot numerous times during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning. Authorities say Gregory Newson, of Shreveport, was arrested about an hour later following a high speed police chase in Louisiana. Deputy Dickerson spent eight years with the Panola County Sheriff’s Department. In 2018, he and two other deputies received an award from the East Texas Council of Governments for saving a woman trapped in a burning home. Donations for Deputy Dickerson’s family can be made through the East Texas 100 Club or at the Panola County Sheriff’s Office.

NAVARRO COUNTY — A Tyler woman died early Wednesday in a crash near Richland. According to our news partner KETK, Pamela Coffman, 60 of Tyler, was discovered in a vehicle submerged in Richland Creek around 3:30 p.m. on the I-45 East service road. The Corsicana Daily Sun reported that Coffman’s 2010 black Ford F-150 pickup was traveling south on the service road, which is a dead end road. It’s not known why the pickup failed to stop at the end of the roadway, causing it to strike an embankment and vault into the water. The accident remains under investigation.

CARTHAGE — Panola County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Dickerson will be laid to rest Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the U.S. Honor Flag will be present to honor Deputy Dickerson. Dickerson was shot and killed in the line of duty earlier this week on a rural road near Carthage. The suspect Gregory Newson of Shreveport is awaiting extradition back to East Texas. Arrangements for Deputy Dickerson are as follows: Visitation will be Friday, from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Carthage Civic Center. The Funeral will be on Saturday, at 2:00 PM at the Carthage Civic Center, with burial to follow in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery.

LONGVIEW — A Parking citation in Longview is about to become more costly. On Thursday the Parking Compliance Officer begin distributing informational notices to all vehicles parked in downtown parking spaces that a new $14 state-mandated fee will now be imposed. Most downtown street parking is limited to 2-hours from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during weekdays. Previously a parking violation would cost $ 7, the same violation will now cost $21.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is inviting the public for an open house that will be held with the focus of amending the Transportation Improvement Program. The purpose of the TIP is to list the transportation improvements that are scheduled to be implemented within the next four years. The meeting scheduled for Jan 7, kicks-off a ten-day public comment period, that runs through Jan. 17. Continue reading Tyler Area MPO to Host Open House

TYLER — The Kick-Off Event for Lighten Up East Texas 2020 , now in it’s 8th year, is this Saturday. On Thursday Terrence Ates told KTBB, “this is not a contest for who loses the most number of pounds, this is actually a lottery for anybody that loses a little bit of weight.” Ates continued, “if you lose 5% of your body weight, you will have an equal chance to win this year’s grand prize which is going to be $5,000 cash.” The weigh in will take place inside Broadway Square Mall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Continue reading Kick-Off Event Saturday for Lighten Up E TX 2020

Van Zandt County — A New Years Party turned deadly in Canton. Early Wenesday morning officers responded to a shooting resulting in the death of Alan Bates, 61, of Plano. According to witnesses Bates became involved in an argument earlier, that couple left before things continued to escalate. Authorities were told at a point later on, Bates became upset again this time was asked to leave. Continue reading New Years Party Turns Deadly

TYLER — Many celebrated the end of 2019 with parties, and resolutions. Several East Texans rung in the year in the process of having new babies. On Wednesday Brittany Storey introduced KTBB to one of the newest babies of the decade, “Her name is Hayven, she is 7lbs and 8 oz, she has little black curls on the top of her head, she looks a lot like her brother, absolutely adorable.” Fred Storey said resolutions were easy, “I just want to be the best Dad I can be for both of my children, to be there for them, and to provide them with everything that they need.” Continue reading New Year, New Babies, Same Joy

TYLER — On Tuesday the Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas finished up 2019 with a list of the Top Ten Scams of the year. “Scam artists are not going anywhere. In many cases, we’ve seen them become more aggressive, Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas said. “Whether it’s online or over the phone, we must remain vigilant when it comes to protecting personal and financial information.” Continue reading BBB Names Top Ten Scams of 2019