KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER (AP) – A judge says a former Texas death row inmate shouldn’t be formally declared innocent of murder even though his conviction has been overturned after a witness admitted lying on the stand. Kerry Max Cook was twice convicted in the 1977 slaying of Linda Jo Edwards in Tyler, about 100 miles east of Dallas. He was freed in 1999 after taking a deal to plead no contest, but has maintained his innocence. State District Judge Jack Carter agreed in June that Cook’s conviction should be set aside. But in an order issued Monday, Carter said there wasn’t enough evidence to say “unquestionably” that Cook did not kill Edwards. He said Cook should not be declared “actually innocent,” a distinction that would entitle Cook to millions in compensation for the wrongfully convicted.

MARSHALL -The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help in locating a missing man. Kelly High, 37, was last seen at his residence on Farm Road 1793. Kelly has not been seen for about a week, ever since he resigned his job at Goodwill Industries in Marshall. If you know where he can be located, you are asked to contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is asking the public’s help in identifying two suspected shoplifters. The two were shoplifting at Sears in the Longview Mall at 3500 McCann Road. They left in a maroon Chevrolet truck. If you can provided any information about them, contact Detective Doug Pickering at 903-237-1156 or Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867. You can also submit tips online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #16-12157.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is going to prison after pleading guilty on Monday to murder. After pleading guilty, Christian Sibley, 22, of Longview, was sentenced to 33 years in prison by state District Judge David Brabham. He had been accused of the shooting death of 22 year old Jerrad Hunt. The shooting occurred in February of 2015. Police say Sibley shot Hunt during a struggle at a Longview gas station on Estes Parkway. Sibley claims he was defending himself during the fight and Hunt dropped the gun in his lap during the scuffle. He said, during a struggle over the firearm, it went off while in his lap. The victim died a few weeks later at Good Shepherd Medical Center.

PALESTINE – Anderson County Commissioners have issued a burn ban for the county. The action was taken at the Monday morning meeting. And,to coincide with the burn ban enacted in the county, the City of Palestine enacted a temporary burn ban. Both burn bans are effective immediately.

HOUSTON (AP/STAFF) – We now know it’s a Gregg County woman involved in a controversial Houston rape case and lawsuit. The rape victim, with a history of mental illness, is suing Harris County saying she was wrongly jailed after testifying against her attacker. The Longview News Journal reports she is from Longview. Attorney Sean Buckley says his client has bipolar disorder and had a breakdown in December while testifying. She was committed to a hospital, discharged and then arrested as a material witness because of concern she would not return to the courtroom. A judge had her locked up until the trial resumed, even though she was not charged with a crime. Continue reading Longview Rape Victim Arrested in Houston

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of July 25. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues.

In Tyler, the US 271 closure has been rescheduled for July 28 – 31. US 271 will be closed from Oakwood Street to Spur 147 for pavement repairs. Motorists will have to use temporary detours to get around the closure. Message boards are in place to alert traffic to this upcoming change along the project limits. Additional project information is available in the Smith County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a man reported missing. Officials are searching for Daniel Lampkin, 34, of Tyler, reportedly missing since 9:30 Saturday night from 11100 Hwy 64 East. He’s said to be mentally handicapped, last seen wearing all black clothes with red and black shoes. If located, please contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving one of their cold cases. They are looking for any information related to the March 2010 murder of Dan Tatum. He was found lying on the shoulder of the road in the 1900 block of Tolivar Road. He died from gunshot wounds. A justice of the peace pronounced him dead about an hour and a half after Tatum was found. Continue reading Help Sought in Six Year Old Marshall Murder

TYLER – Residents of Anderson, Cherokee, Smith and Wood counties who had damage from the April storms, are eligible for disaster assistance. The deadline to register is this Friday. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses. Continue reading Federal Disaster Assistance Deadline is Approaching

TYLER — Tyler Police continue to ask for the public’s help in locating a possibly unresponsive infant. Officials said they received a 911 call Friday night from a business on south Vine stating that a black male holding an infant had run up to the tire shop and asked for help. The man then ran away with the infant knowing that police had been called. The caller stated that the man was acting strangely and that the infant’s eyes were rolled back. Officers were unable to locate the man or the baby. Just after midnight Saturday, Tyler Police were contacted by a female who stated that she had just made contact with a man in the area of Second and Lyons Street. Her description of the man matched who authorities were searching for. Continue reading Search Continues for Man with Baby

RUSK COUNTY – Two people have been killed in a two vehicle accident. The Department of Public Safety reports the crash occurred just before 9:00 Friday morning on U.S. Highway 259, one mile north of Garrison. A preliminary crash investigation stated that a 2003 Mack truck towing a trailer loaded with logs was traveling southbound on US-59 in the outside lane behind a 2004 Ford F-150. The driver of the Ford was slowing to make a right turn on CR-3286. The driver of the Mack truck failed to control its speed, striking the rear of the Ford causing it to spin and leave the west side of the roadway. The Ford then came to rest in the ditch on the west side of US-59 facing northwest. Continue reading Identities Released in East Texas Crash

LONGVIEW – Over 50 hot air balloons are in Longview this weekend at the Great Texas Balloon Race. The pilots are in competition through Sunday. Saturday afternoon, the festival gates open at 4:00 at the East Texas Regional Airport. Patrons will enter through the LeTourneau Hanger on Highway 349. There will be a carnival midway and a kids’ zone, and, of course, the balloons. The special shape balloons will inflate at 8:15. At 8:50, it’s the popular and crowd-pleasing balloon glow. Go to http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com for more information. Continue reading Great Texas Balloon Race Underway

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County officials have confirmed they have recovered the body of a missing 2-year-old. He was identified as Abel Lunsford. According to KETK, the child had reportedly been missing since early Friday morning near the area of Van Zandt County Road 4614, east of Ben Wheeler. Constable Pat Jordan say the Sheriff’s office is handling the investigation.

TYLER – Tyler police are reporting an intersection has reopened after a major accident. KETK reports it happened at Old Jacksonville Highway and Rice Road. Police say a person was pinned in a vehicle but later freed.

MARSHALL – A Partnership has been announced between East Texas Baptist University and the Marshall School District. Marshall ISD employees will benefit from the union by being able to get a master’s degree at the university with a reduced cost in tuition. They will now be able to pursue graduate education at ETBU for professional development in curriculum and instruction, business administration, educational leadership, and counseling under the new partnership. Continue reading ETBU and MISD Create a New Partnership

PALESTINE – A suspect is in custody in connection with a Palestine robbery. The robbery occurred around 8:00 Tuesday morning at the Blow Vapor Zone. Palestine detectives were able to identify the suspect and, with warrants in hand, they went to the suspects home on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Around 5:15 yesterday afternoon, they arrested 24 year old Cameron Dewayne Shead. According to the department’s Facebook page, Shead was charged with aggravated robbery and his bond was set at $50,000. Continue reading Palestine Robbery Suspect Arrested

WHITEHOUSE — A Whitehouse police officer has resigned. KETK reports there’s an investigation right now involving claims of sexual misconduct. The Whitehouse PD says Officer Noble Kelly Jr. has left the department. The city attorney is expected to issue more information about the case.

LONGVIEW – Another vacant house in Longview has been damaged by fire. The latest occurred 3:00 this morning on Timpson Street. As investigators look into the cause of the fire, initial indications are it was deliberately set. There has been a string of arson fires in South Longview this year. It’s not know if the latest one is connected to the previous fires. A total of 10 have occurred in vacant homes. Gregg County Crime Stoppers has increased the reward for a tip leading to an arrest in the arson cases to $5,000.

TYLER – Acting Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran has taken his oath of office. It was administered Friday morning by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider at the Smith County Commissioner’s Court meeting. He was selected for the post earlier this week. The position became vacant last month when Joel Baker was suspended without pay by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The suspension followed Baker’s indictment for violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act. Moran will serve as county judge until either Baker is reinstated or his term expires in 2018. Moran has not decided if he will run for the post then. Continue reading Moran Takes Oath of Office

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an early Friday morning shooting. Officers were called to a local hospital around 2:00 after a man with a gunshot wound to his upper torso showed up for treatment. The injury is not believed to be life threatening. The victim’s name was not released and additional information was not available. Continue reading Details Sought in Early Morning Shooting

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating in one of their most wanted fugitives. She is Gricelda Hernandez, 33, of Marshall. She is wanted for for an outstanding felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance. Hernandez is described as 5’2, 165 pounds with a medium build. Hernandez has black hair and brown eyes. if you have any information about Hernandez’s current location, please call them at 903-935-4575 or 903-935-4540. If you wish to remain anonymous call Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

LONGVIEW- A Longview man has been arrested after being accused of shooting a woman several times. Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is Jose Isabel Garcia, 40. The man and woman had been arguing when Garcia is said to have grabbed her by the throat, then grabbed a pistol and shot her. The shooting occurred on Alpine Road around 7:00 Wednesday night. Garcia was arrested about an hour later on Colgate Drive. The woman is hospitalized while Garcia is in the Gregg County Jail under a $100,000 bond.

TYLER – A Tyler motorcycle officer has been injured a traffic accident. The accident happened around 1:45 Thursday afternoon. Injured was Sgt. Brian Tomlin, a 24 year veteran and supervisor of the day shift Traffic Unit. He was taken to East Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. He was heading south on the Old Jacksonville Highway and was at College Avenue when hit by an SUV driven by Richard Berger, 64, of Troup. Berger was cited for Fail-to-Yield-Right-of-Way from a stop sign.

TYLER – Hastings Entertainment will be closing all of its stores, including those in East Texas. The liquidation means the closing of the Tyler store on South Broadway and the Longview store on Loop 281 and stores in Nacogdoches and Mount Pleasant. Last month, Hastings announced it had filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and was seeking a buyer. At the completion of the sale process on Wednesday, the winning buyer was a joint venture that will instead oversee the liquidation of the Hastings Stores. They now say they will have an “everything must go sale” that will end October 31st at the latest.

TYLER – Suspended Smith County Judge Joel Baker has a hearing coming up before the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Court officials say Baker filed the request Wednesday for the post suspension hearing. It has been scheduled in Austin on August 11th. Following the hearing, the commission has 60 days to render a ruling. They can choose to continue the suspension, or terminate it or modify it. Baker was suspended without pay last month following his indictment for violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act.

LONGVIEW — East Texans celebrated the new Longview animal shelter Wednesday. KETK reports shelter donors, Mayor Andy Mack, and city officials gathered to recognize this shelter as a symbol of change in Longview. Mack said the shelter represents the city’s hard work and commitment toward taking better care of animals. Donor Sue Martin said her love for animals inspired her to join in and help. “We knew we had an opportunity to make this happen, so we all got together and everybody gave,” said Martin. It’s just a win-win for Longview and our animals.” The ceremony concluded with donor awards and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.