KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — East Texas hospitals are seeing an increase in flu cases. Just last week, ETMC diagnosed 236 patients. KETK reports when it comes to the flu, even actively healthy people can easily catch the virus. Symptoms can last up to eight days. Dr. Evans Smith, ETMC Emergency Medicine Specialist, says, “It seems to peak around day three to four and then you know you’re not going to die. You’re starting to feel better, but you’re not well.” Dr. Smith says as soon as you feel symptoms, get checked out by a doctor.

TYLER – Kidnapping suspect Austin Ray Bowers, 26, of Whitehouse, has been put in jail on $400,000 bond. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office says Bowers was captured around 3:40 Thursday afternoon. He was wanted for aggravated kidnapping and endangering a child. The sheriff’s office said on its Facebook page that Bowers had threatened to buy high-powered rifles to kill anyone who stands between him and his ex-girfriend. He has also said he would be “racking up” felonies before he goes back to prison. Jail records show Bowers has now been booked into the Smith County Jail 17 times since 2009. He was first arrested by the Bullard Police Department for possession of marijuana. Before Thursday, his last arrest was last month, when he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

LONGVIEW – The honor guard of the Gregg County sheriff’s Department has it;s first female member. She is is Deputy Sarah Kirkland. The honor guard has been around for over 15 years. It represents the department at events like memorials and funerals.

HARRISON COUNTY – Two people from Oklahoma are dead following a multi-vehicle wreck on I-20 in Harrison County that caused hours of traffic woes. The wreck happened around 3:30 Thursday morning near mile marker 601, and involved several vehicles, including five 18-wheelers. According to the DPS report, four tractor trailers were stopped on the interstate for a wreck that had happened a short time earlier. A 5th semi trailer failed to stop and ran into the vehicles. The driver and passenger in that semi died at the scene. They are identified as Jimmy Crifenbery, 66, of Allen, Oklahoma, and his passenger, Judy Milburn, 52, of Oklahoma City. Injured were Andre Degree from Detroit, Michigan, who was treated and released from a Longview hospital and Robert Miller, 64, of Chandler, who remains in a Longview hospital.

TYLER – The John Tyler High School speech and debate program has been awarded a 2016-2017 Leading Chapter Award in the UIL Texas District. The award comes from the National Speech & Debate Association. John Tyler is among only 108 schools to receive the honor out of more than 3,600 schools nationwide. Only one school in each speech and debate district earns the award every year. The award is the highest recognition a school can receive from the association. The school’s speech & debate team will be presented a plaque during the final round of district competition next month.

TYLER – Two men have been arrested for stealing saddles and tack from a Smith County ranch last month and trading them for fake drugs. Arrested were Jacob Aaron McDougal, 26, of Henderson Addison Hayden Reynolds, 22, of Gladewater. Investigators with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Larry Hand, were able to link the suspects to the theft. Reynolds was arrested by Gregg County Deputies. Smith County Deputies arrested McDougal. Both have been charged with burglary of a building. Reynold has also been charged with violation of probation and McDougal is also charged with violation of parole. Continue reading Two Arrested for Stealing Saddles

TYLER – The Tyler capital murder trial of Gustavo Zavala-Garcia is once again being rescheduled. The trial had been set for March. But, because of delays in DNA testing, it is being moved to this fall in the 241st State District Court. The individual questioning of each potential juror is now set for September 10. Presentation of evidence would start on October 8. He is accused of kidnapping Kayla Gomez, 10, from a Bullard church in November of 2016. Her body was found days later inside a well on the suspect’s property. According to the arrest affidavit, a witness said they saw the man with Kayla shortly before her disappearance. Family members said he is a cousin who acted like an uncle to the girl.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman was jailed Wednesday on charges of child endangerment after police said she failed to take a child found to be on several illicit drugs to the hospital. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Tikasha Jackson, 19, of Longview was arrested at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in Rusk County. She was indicted in October by a grand jury in connection with an April incident in which jurors believe Jackson “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence” put a child under 15 years old in “imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.” The indictment said Jackson did not voluntarily take the girl to an “emergency infant care provider” despite the child testing positive for drugs including methamphetamine, amphetamines, marijuana and cocaine.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee has announced Mrs. Regina Wayne and Reverend Lewis Thompson, Jr. as the 2018 Unity Honors recipients. The award is a life time achievement award that recognizes persons in the community who have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of unity, mutual understanding, and social justice. The Unity Honors Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 21 from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Continue reading Longview’s 2018 Unity Honorees Announced

TYLER – It is that time of the year when the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation staff Shut off outdoor drinking fountains in all parks managed by the City of Tyler. Also, public restrooms within the following parks are now closed for the winter season. Those parks are:
Emmett J Park
Fun Forest Park
Gassaway Park
Hillside Park
Noble Young Park (upper restroom only)
P T Cole Park
Winters Park
The facilities will become fully operational again in a few months.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed two East Texans among the five persons named to the Task Force On Academic Credit And Industry Recognition. The East Texans are Mike Bell of Henderson and Sam Hurley of Athens. Bell was also named the presiding officer. Both were appointed for terms that will expire on December 1, 2021. The Task Force was created by HB 553 during the 85th legislative session to identify academic credit and industrial recognition for offenders within the Windham School at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Continue reading Two Area Men Named to a State Task Force

TYLER – The sixth annual Project Cinderella campaign is underway in Smith County. The campaign is by BCFS Health and Human Services of Tyler. The goal is to gather formal wear to help youth in foster care, and those who have experienced abuse or neglect, to attend the 2018 prom coming up in March. A gift of $25 can provide a tuxedo rental or enable a youth to shop for his or her own accessories or shoes to celebrate prom exquisitely dressed. Gently used ladies’ shoes and jewelry are also on the wish list. Continue reading A Project to Help Youth Enjoy the Prom in Style

TYLER – A Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate is making a stop in Tyler today. El Paso Congressman Beto O’Rourke will be holding a Town Hall meeting at 8:00pm at the New Life Community Church, 1202 NNW Loop 323. He also had events today in Greenville and Rockwall.

KILGORE – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two thefts that appear to have been committed by the same suspects. The first occurred shortly before 7:00pm on December 31st at Zippy J’s Convenience Store on Highway 31 West in Kilgore. The second occurred about an hour later at the Zippy J’s Convenience Store on Old Highway 135 in Kilgore. The suspects stole various items from the two stores. Continue reading Theft Suspects Sought in Gregg County

TYLER – A popular Tyler restaurant is closing its doors but says it will reopen as an event center. According to KETK and Juls Facebook page, the eatery will serve food until January 5. On January 15, it will open as an event center. Holy Guacamole and Cup-Pow will also close as part of the transition. Juls, on Old Jacksonville Highway, opened as a new concept restaurant in 2013 after Jay Schulz closed down Julian’s in Times Square.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Jacksonville Police said a man wanted in a New Year’s Eve shooting has been arrested. Carlton “Hammer” Johnson, 27, has been accused of shooting two people after an altercation. Arriving officers say they were met with a “chaotic and uncooperative group of people” and requested backup, with several area law enforcement agencies responding. Both victims were taken to local hospitals. Witnesses identified the shooter as Johnson. He was wanted on multiple warrants. Johnson was booked into the Smith County Jail Wednesday morning on numerous charges, including evading arrest, failure to identify as a fugitive or giving false information, aggravated assault and parole violation. His bonds total $278,500.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is getting five new patrol units. According to KETK, county commissioners gave the go-ahead for the purchase Tuesday morning. Sheriff Larry Smith says these vehicles will replace units almost 8 years old. “We don’t need to be sitting on the side of the road, broken down waiting on a wrecker, when somebody’s life is at stake,” said Sheriff Smith. “I don’t think it’s good judgment to let that happen.” Sheriff Smith says his plan is to replace units before they get too many miles on them. The county will make more money when it sells them.

TYLER – Weather service records show Tyler set a record low maximum temperature for December 2nd. The temperature of 28 degrees beat the 29 degree temperature for December 2nd, 1928. Also 2017 was Tyler’s 4th warmest year on record. The mean temperature was 68.7 degrees, which is 3.1 degrees above normal. The previous warmest years on record were 1921, 1998 and 2016.

SARDIS – A man found hunting on a road in Cherokee County is facing a variety of charges. Around 2:00 Monday morning, A Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputy took a Rusk resident into custody for evading. He was near the Sardis community, south of Rusk, when a report came in of shots being fired. It took about two miles before the man finally stopped for the deputy. The driver told the deputy, and a game warden who had responded to the call, he had shot at a hog along Farm Road 1857 with a 12-gauge shotgun. After searching the area, a deer was found in the road with a shotgun blast to the head. When the game warden interviewed the man at the jail, he admitted to killing the deer. In addition to charges related to shooting a deer from the road at night and the initial stop, he also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The man’s name was not released.

PALESTINE – The 4th person sought in a Palestine burglary has been arrested. Armando Ortega, 26, of Palestine, (pictured) was arrested on Monday after Palestine Police received an anonymous tip on his location. Ortega had an active arrest warrant in connection with the burglary as well as numerous warrants from other agencies. Previously arrested the case were Tomas Rosa, 30, Josephine Gonzales, 34 and Jennifer Turner, 46. All three are from Palestine. They were booked into the Anderson County Jail last week on the charge of engaging in organized criminal activity. Continue reading Another Palestine Burglary Suspect in Jail

MARSHALL – The 1400 block of Warren Drive in Marshall is closed due to ice concerns linked to a water leak that is running across the road at Republic Industries. Repairs are expected to be made today. Police public information officer Kelly Colvin reminds you that speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive carefully.

TYLER – The City of Tyler Streets Team would like to remind businesses and residents to turn off automatic sprinklers when temperatures drop below freezing. Sprinkler systems left on when temperatures drop below freezing may cause sheets of ice to form on streets and on sidewalks. This can create hazardous driving conditions, as well as hazardous walking conditions on both sidewalks and at crosswalks.

JACKSONVILLE – The investigation continues after two people were injured in a shooting New Year’s Eve night on Crockett Street in Jacksonville, reportedly after an altercation at an outdoor gathering — and KETK reports one suspect is still on the loose. Arriving officers say they were met with a “chaotic and uncooperative group of people” and requested backup, with several area law enforcement agencies responding. Both victims were taken to local hospitals; their conditions weren’t immediately known. Witnesses identified the shooter as Carlton “Hammer” Johnson, 27, but police say other people may have been involved. Johnson is wanted on multiple warrants. Continue reading “Armed and Dangerous” Suspect Still at Large Following Jacksonville Shooting

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police are looking for the man who robbed the Valero gas station on East Broadway shortly after 11:15 Tuesday morning. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported. He is described as a black male, thin build, about 6 foot tall and is believed to be in his early 20’s. He was wearing white gloves, a blue Superman hoodie and had a blue bandana over part of his face. If you can identify the man, you are asked to call the Gladewater Police Department 903-845-2166. You can also send any tips, anonymously, to https://local.nixle.com/tip/city-of-gladewater or text tip 75647 “your tip” to 888777.

MARSHALL – There is a change in the school zone hours near two Marshall Schools. The change is for the school zone on South Washington near Travis Elementary and Marshall Christian Academy. Beginning next Monday, the school zone hours in this area will begin at 7:00am and end at 4:00pm on days school is in session. The Marshall Police Department says it will have patrol officers monitoring the school zone frequently, not only during the times of heavy school traffic, but while students are at school.

LONGVIEW – Longview is reporting a drop in homicides in 2017. Ten homicides were recorded in Longview last year. That is five fewer homicides than reported in both 2015 and 2016. Before that, only 5 homicides were recorded in Longview in 2014 and 8 were reported 2013. Last year, the first four homicides were all recorded in February. The police department’s Kristie Brian tells the Longview News Journal they stepped up patrols in “problem areas” in town. And she says that will continue in 2018.

TYLER — One East Texas mom, Cortney Gill, will be bringing home the first baby born in Tyler this year: Conner Antonn Reid Sparks. KETK reports he was born at 10:30 Monday morning at Christus Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, coming in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces. Mom says this is her first born. The only thing she feels post-labor is blessed and she’s glad her baby boy is healthy.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for kidnapping suspect Austin Ray Bowers, 26, whose last know address was in Whitehouse. He is wanted for aggravated kidnapping and endangering a child. The sheriff’s department says on its Facebook page, Bowers has threatened to buy high powered rifles to kill anyone who stands between him and his ex-girfriend. He has also said he would be “racking up” felonies before he goes back to prison. If you know where he can be found, you are asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Jail records show Bowers has been booked into the Smith County Jail 17 times since 2009. He was first arrested by the Bullard Police Department for possession of marijuana. His last arrest was last month when he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested after his involvement in a three-car wreck. According to the Longview News-Journal, Scott Garrett Oliver, 44, was held on charges of driving while intoxicated with at least two prior convictions of the same charge, evading arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Longview police responded to the wreck at 11:15 a.m. Saturday on Alpine Road in which witnesses said the northbound vehicle driven by Oliver rear-ended another vehicle, then collided with a parked vehicle on Williams Street before coming to rest at a laundromat. Continue reading DWI Suspect Jailed following Multi-Car Crash