KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LINDALE – A music festival is coming to Smith County. The inaugural Koe Wetzel’s Incredible Music Festival is coming to Darden Harvest Park next to The Cannery in Lindale on Saturday, March 23. Wetzel is a East Texas native. He grew up in Pittsburg and sang on stage with his mother at the age of six. Concert promoters announced other performers will be Parker McCollum, JB and the Moonshine Band and Chris Colston. There will also be food, beverages and a variety of activities. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Music & Arts Alliance of Texas and the The Boot Campaign, a charitable organization with headquarters in Tyler. It provides financial assistance to service members, veterans, and their families.

KILGORE – A non profit organization has been formed in east Texas to support the families of fallen law officers who die or are injured in the line of duty. It is called the “100 Club of East Texas.” It was introduced at a news conference in Kilgore. A regional group of civic and business leaders, who saw the need in the area, came together to create the organization. The foundation will provide support to law enforcement in 20 East Texas counties. And, as it grows, the foundation will provide financial assistance for training and equipment not budgeted through governing bodies. Continue reading Aid for Families of Fallen Officers

TYLER — The 86th Queen of the Texas Rose Festival, Hanna Claire Waits, says she’s really looking forward to the big October event. Hanna told KTBB, “I’m very excited. It’s a huge honor — and I’m just so thrilled that I get to represent the community and learn more about the rose industry.” Asked why the festival is important, Hanna said, “To the community in general, it brings in over $2 million in revenue. And so, it’s just a great way to support the rose industry and kind of foster volunteers and then celebrate together.” As for what makes it special for her, Hanna responded, “I think that the whole process in general is just very exciting. I get to meet new people in the community, learn more about the process of growing roses — and just kind of be a mentor for those around me. And so I hope that I can do a great job and just really make a difference this year.” Continue reading New Rose Queen Looks Ahead to Festival

TYLER – A Tyler man has received the maximum sentence for the burglary of some restrooms. It took a jury in 7th State District Court on Wednesday an hour to find Solomon Burke Squalls, 26, guilty. After evidence of Squalls’ lengthy criminal history was admitted, the jury deliberated for 10 minutes before sentencing him to 10 years in prison. He had been accused of breaking into the locked bathrooms in a building behind the Goodman Museum in order to steal items. He was running out of the building when police arrived. He was arrested following a foot chase.

TYLER – There are may positive signs about the economy, from east Texas to around the country. That was the message brought to Tyler by economist Ray Perryman. He presented his annual economic forecast Thursday. Perryman says he feels very good about the local economy. There’s a lot of positive things happening in east Texas right now. As far as the state, Perryman said we are kind of hitting on all cylinders at the moment. He said, basically, all of Texas’ major sectors are doing very well, with a lot of new locations for the state. He feels the growth will slow a little bit from last year, but it’s only because he is not sure we’re capable of growing that fast again. And, as far as the United States is concerned, Perryman said, despite a lot of uncertainty, caused by a variety of situations, underneath it all, there is a pretty strong economy. And that we are on the verge of getting into the longest economic expansion in history.

TYLER – Some new library cards will soon be be available at the Tyler Public Library. The cards were designed by two area students. The new children’s library card was designed by Caroline R. from Three Lakes Middle School. The new teen library card was designed by Mia M. from All-Saints High School. The public voted on the designs at the library, on on the library website, between December 14th and January 1st. The new cards will arrive in the spring and the Library will announce when they are available to the public. Current Library card holders will be required to pay a $1 card replacement fee if they would like to have a card with the new design. Any person who does not currently have a Library account will be able to get a card for free when they signup. Continue reading New Tyler Library Cards

TYLER – A fatal Tyler accident remains under investigation. It happened just before midnight on Wednesday on South Broadway near Amherst. Killed was Anthony Gonzalez, 26, of Tyler. His motorcycle was slowing or had stopped for the red light when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The truck then hit a power pole and was engulfed in flames. The truck’s driver and his passenger were treated and released from a Tyler Hospital. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the blood of the pick-up’s driver and it was submitted to the Department of Public Safety Lab for testing. The accident had traffic in the area shut down for hours.

TYLER – The Tyler city council has approved over $2 million in improvement and renovation park projects, water infrastructure projects and sidewalk improvements. The biggest chunk of the money, close to $1.3 million, goes to park projects. Lindsey Park will see improvements to its sewer system. For Fun Forest and Woldert Parks, renovations, remodeling bathrooms and adding ramping to meet ADA requirements at Fun Forest, along with the addition of a pavilion and parking at Woldert Park and light pole demolition and electrical light work as part of the renovation projects at Fun Forest and Woldert Parks. Continue reading Tyler Approves Infrastructure Projects

TYLER – The City of Tyler has received the Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It was for the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for its fiscal year 2017-2018. This is the thirty-second consecutive year that the City of Tyler has received this award. The ward comes from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. It was presented to the mayor and city council during Wednesday’s city council meeting.

AUSTIN – The state is sending out the monthly sales tax revenues to local governments. Tyler and Longview are ahead of last year’s figures. The allocations that are being sent out for January are based on sales made in November. Tyler’s check is $3,638,524.14. This is up 6.29% from the same period last year. Longview’s check is for $2,624,739.77, for an increase of 1.33% The state is sending out a total of $734.7 million in local sales tax allocations for January, 3.6% more than in January 2018.

NACOGDOCHES – Officials say a suspected kidnapper has turned himself in to authorities in Nacogdoches. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office had earlier reported Hector Renee Sandoval, 24, could be in the Tyler or Mt. Enterprise area. Sandoval was booked in on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and a motion to revoke probation warrant. Bond was not immediately set. The kidnapping and sexual assault cases date to December 27, when authorities say the victim was able to escape from the suspect after being held at gunpoint in Nacogdoches County. They say Sandoval then went on the run.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved awarding more than 5 miles of road projects north of Lindale to Longview Bridge & Road. The lowest of seven bids on the work to be done in Precinct 3, on County Roads 4108, 4109, 4110 and 4125, came in at $1,138,478.50. Work will include mixing and reshaping a total of 5.7 miles of the roads and overlaying them with asphalt. The project is scheduled to begin in late February or early March. According to Smith County Engineer Frank Davi, completion is expected in early May, depending on the weather. Te roadwork is included in the Smith County Road Improvement Bonds.

PALESTINE – Palestine police have arrested a Frankston man for the promotion of child pornography. Being held in the Anderson County Jail under a $1 million bond is Samuel Morey, 42. Detectives s began an investigation in December after discovering that child pornography was being transferred to an IP address in Palestine. That led them to a business on West Main Street where multiple electronic devices were seized. The investigation then led to Money who was employed at the business. Dozens of other electronic devices were seized at his residence on County Road 438. Analysis of the electronic devices revealed hundreds of pornographic images and videos of children. Continue reading Man Charged in Child Pornography Case

KILGORE – A murder suspect is in custody in connection with a Kilgore murder that occurred just over a year ago. The Longview News Journal reports that Dwight Patrick Scott, 52, was arrested by federal authorities early Tuesday morning in Gary, Indiana. Kilgore police Detective John Rowe told the paper the Gregg County Sheriff’s office received a tip on Monday on where he could be found. That information was forwarded to the U.S. Marshals office. Scott was wanted for the death of Tracy Lynn Reedy, 50. She was found shot to death on a sidewalk at The Village on Meadowgreen Drive apartments in southeast Kilgore on December 31st, 2017. Back in June, Gregg County Crime Stoppers increased the reward for Scott to $2,000.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County man has been killed and his son has been charged with the murder. Booked into jail early Tuesday morning was was Tony Terrell Chase, 32, of Tyler. He called the sheriff’s department around 8:30 Monday night, saying he had just shot his father, Edward Rolando Blaylock, 51. The shooting is said to have followed a family dispute at a home on County Road 129, southwest of Whitehouse. Investigators say Chase offered no resistance when he was arrested. He has now been charged with murder and is being held in the Smith County Jail under a $750,000 bond.

TYLER – Tyler is reporting an increase in sales tax revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. In the period from October through December of 2018, Tyler’s sales tax revenues increased 8.98% according to a report from the state comptroller’s office. This compares to a statewide average showing an increase of 8.48% in sales tax revenue collections for cities across Texas. Since the current fiscal year began October 1, Tyler has collected $11,085,387. This is $913,753 more than the same period in Fiscal Year 2018. Of that increase, about $609,000 will go the city’s general fund and the remainder will be used for the city’s half cent sales tax fund.

TYLER – A Teenage robbery suspect has been arrested by Tyler police. Officers spotted the 15 year old boy walking in the area of Belvedere and West Gentry Parkway around 9:30 Monday night, just over 12 hours after the robbery. He matched the description of the person who was wanted for Monday morning’s robbery of a service station on East Gentry Parkway. After further investigation, it was determined he was the suspect they had been seeking. The teenage Tyler resident was charged with aggravated robbery and taken to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center.

LONGVIEW – One person has been injured in a Longview shooting. It happened on Bostic Drive Monday afternoon. A personal vehicle is said to have taken the victim the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening, There is no word at this time if investigators know of a suspect or a person of interest in the case.

JACKSONVILLE – A man has been arrested in a Jacksonville homicide. London Castleberry, of Jacksonville, came to the police department just after 7:30 Monday morning and told officers he had just killed a man. Officers went to the Travis Towers Apartments on South Ragsdale Street. That’s where they found the body of Robert Barclay of Jacksonville. Castleberry was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Jail. Jacksonville Police Chief Andrew Hawkes says, because this is an active, ongoing investigation, this is the only information that can be released at this time.

TYLER – Time is running out for young ladies to apply to be an Azalea Belle in Tyler. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail runs March 22 through April 7. The Azalea Belles are Smith County freshman and sophomore high school girls. They wear antebellum dresses that are provided by Visit Tyler. Throughout this three-weekend event the girls promote Tyler, greet tourists, and pose for photographs. The girls must be academically eligible and are required to attend certain events and trainings. Applications are due January 30 and can be found online at http://www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail or at local high school counselor’s offices.

TYLER – Tyler police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who forged a very large check at a local bank. It happened last month. If you have information on this suspect please contact Detective Wayne Allen at 903-535-0121, case #18-24079.

RUSK – A Jacksonville man has been killed and two persons injured in a one vehicle accident in Rusk. Pronounced dead at the scene was Thurman Massey, 71, from Jacksonville. Injured in the crash was George Smith, 37, of Jacksonville, and a 14 year old, who was flown to Children’s Medical center in Dallas. Rusk police say the pickup, which was driven by Smith, left the road and hit a tree, trapping the three in the vehicle. The cause of the accident, which occurred shortly before 6:45 Sunday night on U.S Highway 69, remains under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district through Jan. 7, 2019. 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.

TYLER — Turn Lanes Project: The contractor is scheduled to continue concrete work on Rice Rd. at Broadway Ave. The project is removing the existing medians to extend the turn lanes and adding right turn lanes to various intersections in Tyler. Work locations include US 69, Cumberland Rd., Independence, South Donnybrook, Rice Rd., South Town and Grande Blvd. and Old Jacksonville Highway. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of Jan. 7

UPSHUR COUNTY — A weather balloon caught on fire Saturday after it crashed in Upshur County. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened west of Gilmer, near Lookout Lane. Gilmer Fire Department and Upshur County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and found inflamed lithium batteries inside of the balloon. The Upshur County Fire Department say the flames started because of the batteries. The owner of the balloon have not been identified and there are no reports of injuries.

WASKOM – A vehicle/pedestrian accident in Harrison County had killed one person. It happened on Interstate Highway 20, about 10 miles west of Waskom. Dead at the scene was Allan Onucko, 42, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The Department of public Safety reports that Onucko, was walking west in the middle lane when he was hit by a tractor-trailer rig. The accident occurred shortly before 5:30 Friday morning. The investigation into the accident is continuing.

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) – A Houston-area city has agreed to pay $145,000 to settle a free-speech lawsuit with its former city manager who took the job after he was fired from the southwest Missouri city of Joplin after a deadly tornado. The Joplin Globe reports that Mark Rohr was hired in League City, Texas, in 2014. The Joplin City Council fired him in a split vote after an investigator’s report described him as a vindictive manager who couldn’t get along with department heads. In 2016 he was fired from his League City post after he filed ethics complaints against the mayor. Rohr alleged in a federal lawsuit that his firing was an attempt to “chill” his speech. Rohr was hired last month as city manager for the city of Marshall, Texas.

TYLER – It is time to sign up for the annual weight loss challenge in East Texas. If you live in Tyler and near the Smith County area, then you can register for the annual Lighten Up East Texas Regional Weight Loss Challenge. Their kick off event will be on Saturday from 1:00pm till 2:00pm at the Broadway Square Mall. Door prizes will be raffled for anyone who registers. Just step on the scale and enter. The only requirements are that you are over the age of 18 and you enter at a weighing location in East Texas. You can go to https://www.fitcitytyler.com/2019weighinglocations for a location near you. Every registered person who loses 5% or more of their starting weight will be entered into their LUET Grand Prize Drawings in May.

AUSTIN – Two east Texans have won big money from the Texas Lottery. A Longview resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game, Stacks of Cash. The ticket was purchased at Kwick Food Mart #2, on South Eastman Road in Longview. And a resident of Tennessee Colony, in Anderson County, claimed a $1 million prize in the Texas Lottery scratch ticket game, $500,000,000 Cash. That ticket was sold at a store in Gatesville. Both winners wanted to remain anonymous.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Two people are jailed following a wild traffic stop in Cherokee County early Saturday morning. According to the Sheriff’s Department, a deputy was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for failure to maintain a single in the Jacksonville area. The deputy said he smelled an alcohol odor coming from the driver, identified as Cristian Diaz, 25, of Longview. Diaz attempted to run and was caught a short time later when the passenger, Corina Castaneda, 30, of Jacksonville, caught up with them and grabbed the deputy’s neck from behind. Diaz again ran off and was caught a second time when Castaneda again grabbed the deputy. Pepper spray was dispensed and Diaz was held by several passing motorists. Continue reading Two Arrests following Crazy Traffic Stop