KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABC/Staff) — An area lawmaker weighs in after getting word that the chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Jo White, is leaving the agency. White made the announcement Monday before testifying before the House Financial Services Committee hearing Tuesday. Chairman Jeb Hensarling commended White on her decades of government service. He said, “She has brought an incredible amount of professionalism to her position. She is known for her independent judgment, which is greatly admired and respected.” But Hensarling warned White not to use her lame duck to finalize regulations, especially the regulations known as Dodd-Frank. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle the financial regulatory overhaul Congress passed in response to the 2008 financial crisis. Hensarling is based in Dallas, and his district stretches into East Texas.

LONGVIEW – Three persons have been displaced in a Longview fire. It was reported on Oden Street shortly after 4:30 Tuesday morning. Heavy fire was reported in two bedrooms and the attic of the home, which was not insured. Investigators trace the fire back to an earlier electrical issue the previous night. The electrical panel had two breakers in the tripped position, the main breaker was tuned off and the cellulose insulation was removed from the area of the attic that surrounded the lighting fixture in the master bedroom. It appears that a hidden ember possibly continued to grow to point that the surrounding attic materials ignited. No one was home when the fire started.

TYLER – The 35th annual Brookshire’s Spirit of Christmas Food Drive is underway as of today. It began in Tyler in 1982 with the Rose City Kiwanis Club. It has now grown to include Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods and FRESH by Brookshire’s stores throughout Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Last year was the most successful food drive to date. Around 500,000 pounds of food was collected and donated to local service organizations and food pantries. You can participate by donating pre-assembled “grab bags” for $5 or scan coupons for $1 or $5 that will be used to purchase additional food items. The drive runs through December 21st.

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities is doing some work that will affect traffic flow on Old Jacksonville Highway between Rice Road and Loop 323. One northbound lane of traffic will be closed from 6:00am until around 5:30pm today through Saturday while TWU replacles 800 feet of 12-inch water main adjacent to the Brookshire’s warehouse complex.

KILGORE — A Kilgore College student has been arrested on a sex-trafficking charge. He is Malik Antione Brown, 18. He, and three others, were named in federal indictments returned in Galveston. They are accused of forcing several minor girls to engage in commercial sex acts. Brown was arrested Monday at Bennie Hall, a privately-owned off-campus building. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals with the assistance of Kilgore College Police. College spokesman Chris Craddock said the college police have no evidence or indication that the student participated in any illegal activity at the college.

PALESTINE — A Palestine man is in custody on an aggravated assault charge. A SWAT team and police were needed to capture Jabraun Donche Washington, 25. His name was released by authorities on Tuesday. His arrest occurred around 6:00 Saturday morning on Martin Luther King Boulevard. When police tried to get Washington to come out of his apartment, he refused, and the SWAT team was called in. After several attempts, he gave himself up. He is being held on charges of unlawful possession of firearm by felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bonds total $500,000.

TYLER – A man has been living on scaffolding in an effort to raise money for the Salvation Army’s Thanksgivig meal. His drive has been successful. Clint Benefield came down from the 10 foot scaffolding off the South Southwest Loop late Tuesday morning. He has met his goal of raising $2,500 for the Salvation Army. He was ready to get warm after a chilly week of camping out. But, at the same time Benefield said he is grateful for the support of the community that allowed him to reach his goal. Lindsey Galabeas with the Salvation Army says they are expecting to serve around 1,500 meals on Thanksgiving Day to people are are a little down on their luck.

ANGELINA COUNTY — According to KETK, around 9:00 Sunday night, troopers responded to an accident on FM 326, just south of Lufkin. Reports show an SUV driving north hit Tammy Sneed, 44, whole she was walking north on the road. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

NACOGDOCHES — A City of Nacogodoches employee could be disciplined following an incident where he opened fire hydrants near anti-Trump protesters. According to KETK, City Manager Jim Jeffers said the worker flushed hydrants upstream of protesters, across from Stephen F. Austin University. The water was left on for some time and allowed cars driving by to splash the protesters. Jeffers said the worker, identified as Jack Lynch Jr., admitted he used poor judgment. The city manager said the flushing of water is standard maintenance and the employee could have used another location. Lynch could be disciplined for not displaying a neutral stance on politics. Jeffers said he violated city policy by giving a thumbs up to another group of protesters who were supporting President-elect Donald Trump.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Lawmakers have pre-filed more than 500 bills on the first day to propose legislation before the Texas Legislature reconvenes in January. Among the frenzy of would-be laws submitted in both chambers on Monday were several high-profile abortion proposals. One sure to spark heated debate was filed by State Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler. House Bill 87 would prohibit aborting fetuses with abnormalities after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Current Texas law suspends a post-20-week abortion ban when fetal abnormalities are detected, or if the mother’s life is threatened. State Senator Bob Hall of Edgewood proposes a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to life of unborn children and prohibiting abortion to the extent authorized under federal constitutional law. Continue reading East Texas Lawmakers Pre-File Bills

TYLER – A former Tyler DJ is heading to prison for drug trafficking. Patrick Aaron Aguirre, 40, who pleaded guilty late last month, was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison. Known as “The Brain” on the station “The Breeze,” Aguirre was arrested in May following a six month long investigation. He was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Several weeks earlier, Aguirre was arrested at his Becky Drive home and charged with possession of marijuana. Following the drug charges, he was fired by Waller Media.

TYLER – The dean of enrollment management at Tyler Junior College, Janna Chancey, has been appointed to the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The committee serves as a forum for problem-solving and generating ideas to improve undergraduate education that reflect the goals of Texas’ higher education plan, 60x30TX. Continue reading TJC Dean Named to State Committee

LONGVIEW – A Longview High School student will be performing at Carnegie Hall early next year. Junior violinist Isabella Cowart has been selected for the 2017 High School Honors Performance Series. She will perform with the Symphonic Orchestra in February. According to the school district’s web site, participation in one of the five Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. Cowart was one of over 18,000 nominations that were received this year. Continue reading Longview Student to Appear at Carnegie Hall

TYLER – Downtown Tyler recently has received two statewide awards in the 2016 Texas Downtown Association President’s Awards Program. The awards, were announced during the Presidents Awards Gala, held in conjunction with the 2016 Texas Downtown Conference. They were for Best Commercial Interior and Best Restoration. The Best Commercial Interior award was given to the Butler Architectural Group. The People’s Petroleum Building was named winner of the Best Restoration Award. Another Downtown Tyler project, the Downtown Tyler Film Festival, reached finalist status in the Best Promotional Event category. Continue reading Downtown Tyler Wins State Awards

LONGVIEW – Another area health care merger has been announced. Good Shepherd Health System is merging with Christus Health. The announcement was made at a Monday afternoon news conference. No terms for the merger were disclosed. It is expected to close early next year. The Irving-based non-profit has other hospital operations in the region, including Tyler, and elsewhere in Texas. Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of the Longview-based Good Shepherd Health Care said they felt strongly that Christus Health is the best potential partner for his organization. He said that they plan to invest in the Longview and Marshall Market. Continue reading Good Shepherd Healthcare Merger Announced

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a bank robbery suspect. The robbery occurred just before noon on Monday at Citizens National Bank on North Fredonia Street. The man entered the bank and demanded money. They believe he was not armed. He is described as Hispanic with facial hair. He was wearing a dark colored shirt, jeans, white t-shirt, and yellow hard hat. He is thought to have driven away from the bank in a silver-colored mini SUV. No injuries were reported.

QUITMAN – A Wood County woman will be in next year’s Mrs. Texas Pageant. Lindsey Peterson of Quitman has been selected to represent Wood County in the pageant. It will be held May 5th and 6th at the Palace Theatre in Corsicana. A realtor with Century 21 First Group in Mineola, her platform is “Blended Child, Blended Family….a Beautiful Life.” From her own personal experience as an adoptee, she promotes adoption awareness and works with children and parents to help families create a circle of love. She is married to Stuart Peterson, a Winnsboro native and Dallas Firefighter. They have a one year old daughter.

PALESTINE — A SWAT team and police were needed to capture a person in Palestine in connection to an aggravated assault. KETK reports the arrest happened around 6:00 Saturday morning on Martin Luther King Boulevard. When police tried to get the man to come out of his apartment, he refused, and the SWAT team was called in. After several attempts the man gave himself up. His name was not immediately released.

TYLER — One person has been cited in a school bus crash Monday morning in Tyler. Just before 8:00, Tyler police wer notified of a roll-over crash involving a TISD School Bus and an SUV in the intersection of E. Fifth and Magnolia Streets. The bus was eastbound on Fifth Street with no students on board. Police say the SUV was traveling northbound on Magnolia crossing Fifth when it pulled in front of the bus causing a collision. The driver of the Mitsubishi was identified as Nathanael Craig, age 19, who was found at fault in the crash for Failure to Yield Right of Way from a Stop Sign. No serious injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW – One person remained hospitalized Sunday in critical condition after a shooting Saturday afternoon in South Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Longview Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said police are continuing to investigate the shooting, which happened about 3:40 p.m. Saturday at Mobberly Avenue and Myrle Avenue. Brian said no one had been arrested “as far as I know.” Police shut down a section of Mobberly Avenue between Pliler Street and Edgefield Avenue while they processed the crime scene on Myrle Avenue, but reopened the street later Saturday. A witness reportedly saw a man lying on the ground outside a car. A car was in the street Saturday with its door open in the middle of Myrle Avenue next to El Primo Auto Services. Police have not released further details about the victim or whether there were any suspects.

LINDALE – Smith County Road 431, between County Road 452 and County Road 484, north of Lindale, will be closed to traffic beginning Monday. The road will be closed for the construction of a concrete box culvert and headwall by Pierce R&B, which is under contract with Smith County. The construction requires excavation close to the roadway and the closure will provide a safe work environment to the workers and to the traveling public. The road is expected to be closed for three weeks.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of October 24th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Smith County – Tyler Maintenance plans to resume edge repairs on Farm Road 2010 between Farm Road 14 and Farm Road 16. Base repair work will be conducted on State Highway 135 just west of Arp. Expect lane closures at both locations with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

GARRISON – A two vehicle accident in Nacogdoches County has killed one person. Dead at the scene was Richard Roberts, 49, of Nacogdoches. His car was hit head on by a truck driven by Bronson Devan Holmes, 41, of Garrison. Holmes, who refused treatment, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident happened shortly before 6:45 Friday night on U.S. Highway 59, southwest of Garrison.

TYLER – In an effort to raise money for the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving meal, a Tyler businessman is sitting on 10 ft scaffolding. He’s in front of his business on the WSW Loop at Kinsey Road. Clint Benefield’s goal is to raise $2,500. Lindsey Galabeas with the Salvation Army says Benefield has a heart for the homeless and this is a way for him to “give back.” You can drop off your donation at his store or bring it by or mail it to Salvation Army at 633 North Broadway in Tyler. You can also go to https://www.facebook.com\salvationarmytyler and donate online.

TYLER — The number of daily flights at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be decreasing. According to KETK, a city of Tyler spokeswoman confirmed American Airlines daily flights will be dropping from five to four. An American Airlines spokeswoman said they made the decision after a supply and demand situation. East Texas Regional Airport in Gregg County will continue to offer two flights every day.