KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — People will soon be allowed to carry concealed weapons at Kilgore College. KETK reports trustees gave the final approval Monday. This will allow people to carry the weapons except at sporting events. The policy will take effect this fall semester. Permanent bans have been enacted for the Health Science Center, the college’s police station, and full-time testing centers. Open carry is stilled banned on campus.

AUSTIN — A new bill from an East Texas lawmaker aims to outlaw all synthetic drugs in Texas — and one of the newer ones is popping up around the Lone Star State. “Pink,” “pinky,” or “U4” is a dangerous synthetic opioid and several times stronger than morphine. Terrie Mogavero, co-founder of East Texans against K2, says it’s toxic to the touch. According to Mogavero, “Merely touching it, it can be absorbed through the bloodstream…It can send you into cardiac arrest.” State Representative Jay Dean (pictured) of Longview has a bill that would outlaw all known compounds — but he notes it’s “more than likely” that something new will be found. Dean says, “This is almost like…trying to keep up with the cellphone technology or computer technology; it changes.”

TYLER — The City of Tyler Street Department closes east Erwin Street between South Fleishel and North Fleishel as of 1:00 today to remove debris from a large tree that fell during the storm on Tuesday. Eastbound traffic on East Erwin will be detoured to South Fleishel then to East Elm Street. Westbound traffic on East Erwin will be detoured north on North Fleishel then west on East Locust Street. The closure was expected to last 3-4 hours.

OVERTON — An Overton ISD vehicle was involved in a wreck on I-20 Wednesday morning. Officials said the accident occurred just before 6:30 morning near Lindale as the driver and 5 students were in route to Sulphur Springs for an FFA event. None of the passengers in the school’s Expedition were injured. School employees took another school vehicle to the location and the students were transported back to campus. Two other vehicles, including and 18-wheeler were involved. One person was taken to a local hospital. Further details were not available.

TYLER – The power at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport was restored early Wednesday following a day-long outage. The main terminal had been running on a generator. The outage caused the security checkpoint to close causing commercial service to shut down. Oncor found more broken poles than first discovered, resulting in the extended delay. Power was restored at approximately 1:35 Wednesday morning. The Terminal opened normally a couple of hours later and American Eagle departed on time at 7:00.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police have confirmed the identity of a former teacher who is under investigation for a possible improper relationship with a student. According to KETK, Longview Police said Anne Herman, a former teacher at Spring Hill ISD, is under investigation. She recently resigned. Superintendent Steven Snell released a statement to KETK when asked about the teacher’s departure: “At Spring Hill ISD the safety and well being of our students and faculty is our number one concern. The employee referenced above is no longer an employee of the district. I am not at liberty to make any further comments at this time.” Herman was a high school math teacher and a drill team director.

EAST TEXAS – The National Weather Service now confirms that two small tornadoes touched down in the area Monday night. Both were classified as EF-1 tornadoes. One touched down about 3 miles northwest of Arp. At its peak, it had winds of 80 to 90 miles an hour and was 100 yards wide. It traveled nearly half a mile before dissipating. The second storm hit about 2 miles northwest of Overton. It was 250 yards wide and had winds of 95 to 105 miles an hour. It traveled just over 3 miles before dissipating. No injuries were reported with either storm.

TYLER – Two men are heading to prison for a Cherokee County bank burglary. Both had earlier pleaded guilty to the burglary of the Jacksonville branch of Austin Bank. Curtis Eugene Thomas, 32, and Dominic Dennard Green, 31, both of Dallas, were sentenced in Tyler federal court on Tuesday. Thomas was sentenced to 42 months in prison and Green was sentenced to 24 months in prison. The two also were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $58,376.75. Continue reading An East Texas Bank Burglary Lands Two Men in Prison

TYLER – An Upshur County man has been sentenced in federal court in Tyler to prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation. Jeremy Chad Tidwell, 41, of Gilmer, pleaded guilty last November. He was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months in federal prison. Also, assets to be forfeited by the defendant included U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, 6 automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms. His arrest stemmed from an investigation into a synthetic drug trafficking organization based in the Gregg County. Continue reading Upshur County Man Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy

TYLER – It was a rough Tuesday morning commute around Tyler with traffic signals out and debris in the streets. But things have gotten back to normal. With power restored, all traffic signals are working again. Dozens of intersections were without power Tuesday morning. Then, there was the debris in the streets. City crews worked to clear trees and limbs from over two dozen locations around Tyler. Those initial roadways were cleared as well as some additional sites that were brought to the streets department’s attention. City crews will continue to work through Wednesday to collect stacked up debris at all the locations where trees had to be cut to clear and open roads.

GUN BARREL CITY – The death of a man in Gun Barrel City remains under investigation. His body was found around 10:15 Monday morning behind a car wash on State Highway 334. It is believed that the body had been there for several days. Investigators say that foul play is not suspected in the death. They believe the man, who is said to be in his 30s, is from the Mabank area. They will release his name and possible cause of death after receiving the autopsy report.

GREGG COUNTY — Troopers responded to a three vehicle fatal crash on FM-3053 in Gregg County, three miles south of Liberty City. It happened around 5:30 Monday evening. According to the DPS report, a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jason Hart, 31, Tyler, was traveling south on FM-3053 while a 2015 Honda Accord driven by Marion Collins, 37, Gladewater, was traveling north on the same roadway. The vehicles collided. Harts’ vehicle rolled coming to rest on its top in the middle of the roadway. Collins’ vehicle went off the roadway to the east into a barditch. A 2010 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Luciano Soto-Hernandez, 38 years-old of Jacksonville, towing a flatbed trailer was also traveling south on FM-3053 approaching Collins’ vehicle as it was rolling. Continue reading Fatal Gregg County Wreck Under Investigation

EAST TEXAS — Power outages have been reported across the East Texas region following severe storms overnight. According to KETK, TK Gordman will delay class time until 10:00 this morning…due to power outages. Traffic is backed up around town. Numerous traffic lights are out. Copeland and the Loop is out. Loop 323 and Spur 364. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your location. Reports of debris and downed tress in the roadway. Continue reading Wide-Spread Power Outages

TYLER- A missing Tyler man has been located. Tyler police had asked for the public’s help in locating Tommy Edward Goode, 80. He has been diagnosed with dementia. Tyler police Sgt. Lukas Neubauer reported shortly after 9:15 Monday might, Mr. Goode has been located and reunited with his family.

NACOGDOCHES – A man wanted for murder in Nacogdoches County has been arrested. Sheriff Jason Bridges says Lester Butcher, 54, has been arrested in Henderson County. He is said to have killed a James Steitler off County Road 817, northwest of Nacogdoches, early Sunday morning. Butcher, who authorities say was dangerous and may be armed, had last been known to be in Henderson County. They thought he might have been hiding out in the Chandler area. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, said Butcher was found in the Holiday Hills Subdivision in the Berryville area of Henderson County around 6:30 Monday night. Hillhouse said Butcher was alone in a wooded area when deputies found him.

TYLER – A man and woman have been sentenced in federal court in Tyler to prison for child exploitation violations. Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2016. Federal District Judge Ron Clark, on Monday, sentenced him to 336 months in federal prison. Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa, (pictured) pleaded guilty on December 7, 2016, and Judge Clark sentenced her 282 months in federal prison. The two will also be required to register as a sex offender upon their release from federal prison. Continue reading Two Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children

GILMER – Juries have now been seated in two Upshur County cases. A jury was selected Monday morning in the trial of Lee Roy Settles, 36, of Winnsboro. He is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. His trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. And a jury has been selected for the sentencing of Andrew Denton Hockman, 21, of Lone Star. He pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to the aggravated robbery of a gas station in Ore City. The jury is scheduled to take up his case on Wednesday, April 20th.

GILMER – A Gilmer man will be going to prison for a drug violation. Prior to jury selection a Gilmer man, Corbin Patrick McBride, 22, pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams, which occurred on December 14, 2015. He has now been sentenced to 18 years in prison. With the plea bargain being reached, there is no appeal and the sentence is final.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a murder suspect. He is Lester Butcher, 54. He is said to have killed a James Steitler off County Road 817, Northwest of Nacogdoches, early Sunday morning. Butcher, who authorities say is dangerous and may be armed, was last known to be in Henderson County. They say he may be hiding out in the Chandler area. Butcher is said to be 5’11” and weighs around 205 pounds. He has hazel eyes and blond hair. If you know where Butcher can be located, you are asked to immediately contact your local law enforcement agency.

NOONDAY – The Smith County Tax Office in Bullard is relocating. It was announced Monday that the tax office branch in Bullard would be moving to Noonday. After being in the Bullard City Hall for more than a decade, It will close on Tuesday and reopen on Wednesday in the Noonday justice of the peace and constable facility. Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said the move would allow Bullard to expand its offices. And he said, by moving into the Noonday facility, it allows the tax office the opportunity to expand its services in the future.

TYLER – The police Chief of the TISD Police Department has decided to run for justice of the peace. Danny Brown has filed the necessary paperwork to run for Justice of the Peace in Precinct 5. Brown had a 20 year career with the Tyler Police Department. He then spent five years as a special investigator with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Service. He held that position until 2012 when became the TISD Police Department’s Chief. He becomes the second person to announce for the post. Tyler police Sgt. Darin Grisson announced last month he was also running for the justice of the peace position.

LONGVIEW — An unnamed Spring Hill ISD faculty member has resigned over allegations of misconduct involving a student. According to KETK and the Longview News-Jornal, the superintendent says Longview police and the State Board of Education have been notified, and an investigation is underway.

TYLER – The 33 Annual Taste of Tyler comes to Harvey Hall Tuesday night. From 6:30 to 8:30, you will be able to sample the food and beverages from nearly three dozen Tyler restaurants. Along with the food and drink there will also be entertainment. There will also be a cook-off featuring high school teams. This city-wide event raises money to support ProStart, a High School Culinary Education Program across North East Texas. A member of the East Texas Restaurant Association, Roger Lumley with Papacita’s, says there are 17 schools and they help those schools with a $1,000 donation each year. Continue reading It’s Time for the Taste of Tyler

HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas fugitive, wanted on numerous charges, including warrants, is arrested Sunday. According to the Henderson County Sheriff, Timothy Brian Berry, AKA “Blue, 41, Gun Barrel City, was wanted for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and a violation of protective order. Continue reading Henderson County Fugitive Arrested

EAST TEXAS — A bill to save the failing police and fire pension fund in Dallas will face an important vote in Austin today. The House Pension Committee, which has been hearing from both sides of the hot-button issue, will take a vote on a bill designed to bailout the fund, which could run dry in coming years because of bad investments in the past. If the bill, sponsored by Republican Dan Flynn of Van Zandt County passes it would then be voted on by the full house. But some, like Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings have testified to lawmakers that the pension rescue plan would put too much burden on taxpayers and limit the city’s ability to provide services. Mayor Rawlings says it could be out a billion dollars.

GUN BARREL CITY – An aggravated sexual assault is being investigated by Gun Barrel City Police. It occurred on the walking track at the city park Saturday night. Due to the nature of the current investigation, the amount of information that has been released about the incident is limited. They are asking any person who was at the walking track between the times of 7:00pm and 8:00 Saturday night to please contact the Gun Barrel City Police Department at 903-887-7151 and ask for Investigator Sgt. Jeff Norris.

TYLER — Tyler’s North Tenneha Church of Christ hosted “First Responders Day” Saturday — a chance for residents to meet, greet, and build relationships with public safety personnel. Evangelist Kennon Olison Sr. says the event was a big success. He commented, “I’m very happy to see the community. I was very surprised by how many non-members of the faith-based community…actually showed up and were a part of it. So I think it was very good — I think it was a very good start. I think there’s more to do, but there was a very good start.” Continue reading First Responders Recognized in Tyler

MARSHALL – Two persons are facing drug charges following a traffic stop in Marshall. Arrested early Saturday morning were Tobias Prudencio, 30, of Marshall, and Stephanie Carbajal, 19, of Maryland. Their car was stopped on East End Boulevard South. Officers said they could smell marijuana as they approached the vehicle. Prudencio denied a search of the vehicle claiming there were no drugs inside. A police K9 indicated there were drugs in the car. Officers found 87.5 grams of methamphetamine, two digital scales, a .45 caliber handgun and small bags, commonly used in the sale of narcotics in the vehicle. They also learned the car had been stolen in Maryland. Both were booked into the Harrison County Jail.

TYLER – One man has been injured in a Tyler shooting. It was reported shortly before 11:00 Sunday morning at Noble E. Young Park on Seaton Street. A 25 year old man was taken by private vehicle to a Tyler Hospital with a hand wound. Investigators say the two subjects knew each other and had got into an altercation while in the park. The police are withholding the names of the suspect and victim pending further investigation.