KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The Department of Public Safety is trying to locate a car responsible for a Smith County wreck. It happened around 7:30 Thursday morning on U.S. Highway 64 West, about ½ a mile west of County Road 413. They are looking for a silver, possibly four-door, passenger car that had been eastbound at a high rate of speed. The car passed several motorists when it forced a westbound vehicle to take evasive action in an effort to avoid a head-on collision. That motorist lost control of his vehicle and and ended up in the eastbound lane where it hit a Toyota Camry and was then hit by a eastbound cargo van. Four persons were injured in the wreck.

GILMER – Upshur County residents are being warned about a telephone scam. Some have been called by someone claiming they have unpaid electric or utility bills. The caller threatens to disconnect service if the bill is not paid. The Upshur County sheriff’s department says local utilities use the mail for collections and not the telephone. If you get one of these calls, you are advised not to give the caller any personal or financial information.

GILMER — Jimmy Ray Tucker, 28, Ore City, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday in Gilmer to aggravated sexual assault of a child, and the law isn’t through with him yet. Before Tucker begins his sentence, he will be benched back to Gregg County to face similar charges involving a different victim. Tucker will have to serve at least half the 20 year sentence before being considered for parole. Once out of prison, he will have to register as a sex offender for life. Officials say Tucker was in a romantic relationship with the victim’s mother and the abuse occurred when the victim, who was under age 14, visited his mother over summer vacation.

LONGVIEW — A man accused of beating a Pine Tree ISD bus driver at a stop on his route last year pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to the Longview News-Journal, Michael Jesse Najera, 36, of California, has been held in Gregg County Jail on $1 million bond since he was booked on May 26, the day after police say he beat driver Todd Kelley with an industrial wrench. The Memorial Day assault occurred as Kelley, 47, was dropping off students at a mobile home park entrance. Continue reading Man Guilty of Assaulting East Texas Bus Driver

GREGG COUNTY (Staff/AP) — One fatality and at least two injuries, one with serious burns, have been reported after fire engulfed a group of mobile homes near I-20 and FM 2087 in Gregg County. According to KETK, firefighters from Longview and Kilgore along with the Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene fighting the blaze, which was reported about 11:00 Wednesday night. The identity of the deceased has not been confirmed. The victim with serious burn injuries was hospitalized in Dallas. A neighbor said about four or five mobile homes were put together to create one home, which had also caught fire about two weeks earlier. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is warning the public about a recent incident where a child may have been targeted in a sex trafficking operation. According to KETK, police received a report of suspicious activity over the weekend. The reporting party felt she had just avoided a potential sex trafficking situation with her two-year-old child. The mother said she was in line at the grocery store when a couple approached her and showed interest in her daughter. Several things occurred and triggered the mother’s protective instincts and she removed her daughter from the unwanted attention she was getting. Authorities believe this was an isolated event and there have been no similar reports since. Continue reading Longview Police Warn of Possible Sex Trafficking Incident

SMITH COUNTY — Emergency crews responded to the scene of a deadly crash near Toll 49 and Highway 31 West in Smith County Wednesday night. According to the Department of Public Safety, two people were killed when their cars collided head on. According to KETK, DPS Trooper Jean Dark said Austin Elizabeth Allen, 31, Canton, was driving southbound on Toll 49 when her car swerved into the northbound lane hitting another vehicle driven by Kevin Dale Fruia, 58. Both drivers were killed in the wreck. The passenger in Fruia’s vehicle Corrine Elizabeth Hayes, 41, was flown to a Tyler hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time. DPS found an open container of alcohol in Fruia’s vehicle.

LONGVIEW – A man is in custody following a multi-county police chase in East Texas. Taken into custody during lunch time Wednesday was Christopher Cromwell, 40. The chase began as a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 80 in Harrison County. The driver sped away, only to hit a dumpster at Marshall Avenue and Spur 63 in Longview. The Longview News Journal reports Crownwell was then arrested after a brief foot chase.

MARSHALL – The Marshall school district will soon start looking for a new school superintendent. According to the Duncanville school district’s web page, their school board has named Marshall School Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith as the lone finalist to be their new superintendent. He has headed up the Marshall school system since 2012. Prior to that, he was Assistant Superintendent for Fort Bend Independent School District. Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, the Marshall school system has achieved a “Met Standard” accountability rating the past two years from the Texas Education Agency. Last May Dr. Smith led Marshall school through a successful $109cour210 million bond election project, the first successful bond election for the school district in nearly 30 years. State law requires a 21-day waiting period before Duncanville can issue a contract to Dr. Smith.

QUITMAN — A White Oak doctor who was arrested in January and faces two felony counts of indecent exposure with a minor has had his medical license temporarily suspended. According to KETK, the Texas Medical Board took the disciplinary action Tuesday against William Kenneth Huff, 62. Huff was a hospitalist at ETMC Quitman. His contract was terminated in January. Huff is accused of touching the breast of a child younger than 17 and having her expose her genitals. The charges against Huff do not involve a patient or relate to his employment with ETMC. The temporary suspension is in place until the Texas Medical Board takes further action.

GREGG COUNTY — Two Longview men were arrested on multiple drug charges after the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant Monday morning. According to the Longview News-Journal, officials reported finding crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy tablets and other drugs at the home on Mitchell Street. Arthur Hunter Perry Jr., 32, was held Tuesday on bonds totaling $375,000. He’s charged with several counts of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana measuring less than 5 pounds but more than 4 ounces. Marquis DeMicheal Kelly, 30, (pictured) was held Tuesday on bonds totaling $400,000 on the same charges, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Kelly is a documented member of the “South Side Bloods” street gang, according to his arrest report.

TYLER — The Tyler Civic Theatre will carry on in spite of the loss of a cast member. On Friday, Ryan Mullee, 39, Lindale, was killed in a road rage shooting while driving home from work on I-20 in Van Zandt County. According to KETK, just 10 days from their first performance of Charlotte’s Web, the company is busy rehearsing without Mullee. Continue reading Tyler Civic Theatre Remembers Road Rage Victim

LONGVIEW – Longview police are asking for the public’s help in locating a runaway teenager. Darah Janaye Elam is said to be a 14 year old black girl who is 5’2” tall and weighs around 145 pounds. She was last seen wearing a school uniform style outfit that was either a red or white polo style shirt, and blue or khaki pants. She was last seen on February 12 at a Longview school. Continue reading Missing Longview Teen Sought

GLADEWATER — Officials in Gladewater are pursuing a charge against a drug suspect arrested over the weekend. KETK reports that around 10:15 Saturday night, police conducted a traffic stop on West Marshall Avenue on a vehicle driven by Robert Carpenter. Police say Carpenter informed officers he had some methamphetamine in his pocket and also consented to a vehicle search, which turned up nothing. Carpenter was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance in penalty group 1 under 1 gram, which is a state jail felony.

LONGVIEW — Two men were arrested Monday after officers reportedly found several drugs and two firearms. KETK reports the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and Longview police conducted a search warrant at a house on Mitchell Street. During the search, authorities say they found a large amount of cocaine, marijuana, various pills, and liquid Codeine. They also reportedly seized a large amount of money and two firearms. One of the men has been charged with two outstanding class C warrants, an outstanding Class A misdemeanor warrant, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon. The second person was arrested for two outstanding class C warrants, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana. Further details weren’t immediately available.

TYLER — Tyler Police say traffic signals are functioning again at a busy intersection. Earlier today, drivers were warned of traffic delays at Paluxy Drive and Shiloh Road. Officials said a transformer near the intersection blew.

SMITH COUNTY — One woman has been arrested following a home burglary. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Christie Coleman, 35, was taken into custody and charged with burglary of a habitation. Authorities said the victim called her niece Monday afternoon and told her two women were attempting to break into her home, 6570 Blanche Street in Northeast Smith County. A neighbor apparently tried to stop them and they fled the scene, one in a vehicle, the other into a wooded area on foot. Deputies arrived on scene and were unable to locate the suspects. Continue reading Woman Arrested for Burglary of Smith County Home

CANTON — The victim of a road rage incident in Van Zandt County has been identified. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said Ryan Mullee, 39, Lindale, was gunned down on I-20 around 3:15 Friday afternoon. Mullee suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The incident happened in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20, ending in the vicinity of Tank Farm Road — and officials say it could have been in progress miles before. An eyewitness saw gunfire from a gray or light colored four-door sedan. There was no immediate word on that vehicle’s occupant or occupants, or on who may have done the shooting. The Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the person or people involved. Any information can be forwarded to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a reported armed robbery Monday night. Officers were called to the Abby Apartments, 4917 Thistle, around 5:30 after a man claims he was robbed at gunpoint. According to the victim, he was standing near the entrance of the complex when a silver 4 door Honda pulled up next to him. The victim reported that the passenger with a handgun, got out of the car, pointed the gun at him and stole his hover board. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — One person hospitalized following a Tyler fire, has died. Richard Stewart was first taken to a Tyler hospital and later transferred to a Dallas hospital where he died. He was burned in a weekend fire at the William Booth Garden Apartments on Golden Road, just off Front Street. Crews were called out around 7:00 Sunday morning after a passerby noticed smoke coming from a building and notified authorities. Fire department officials say the passerby then responded to the scene, where he assisted another civilian rescuer in removing Stewart from the burning structure. Firefighters quickly gained control of the blaze, containing it to one apartment unit. Continue reading Man Dies Following Tyler Fire

TYLER – Violent crime in Tyler continues to drop. While some areas showed increases. Even with three more homicides than in 2014 and auto theft up just over 26%, violent crimes in Tyler dropped 12.41% last year. Part two crimes, which covers such offenses as forgery, public intoxication and family offenses, dropped just over 5% in 2015. And this drop in crime has been the trend over the past five years. Police Chief Gary Swindle said their were 449 violent crimes reported in Tyler in 2011. Last year that figure had fallen to 374. Continue reading Tyler Shows 2015 Crime Decrease

KILGORE — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the people believed to have stolen an oilfield pipe in Kilgore the night of February 17. According to KETK, photos taken from an oil lease located near Sinclair Road in Kilgore show two people, driving a white truck, pull up to the property. They were then seen loading oilfield pipe from the property onto their truck. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the Tyler TxDOT district during the Week of Feb. 22. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews will be making base repairs on SH 155S between Toll 49 and Loop 323 during the week. Expect closures with the travel lanes reduced. Crews will also be addressing ditch maintenance in various other locations around the county. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

SMITH COUNTY — There’s more on a Republican candidate for State House District 5 who dropped out of the race last week. It’s been learned that Philip Hayes did not earn two degrees from SMU. The Tyler Morning Telegraph obtained documents showing Hayes attended SMU but did not graduate. He had claimed to have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the university. The Morning Telegraph had previously endorsed Hayes in the election but withdrew the endorsement.

SMITH COUNTY — The fourth annual Smith County Warrant Round Up will get underway Saturday, March 5. The Smith County Judicial Compliance Department mailed out 3,000 yellow flyers (pictured) Friday to people with outstanding arrest warrants for delinquent, court-ordered fines and fees. Those people have until March 5 to take care of the outstanding warrants in person before Smith County law enforcement officers begin searching homes, businesses and/or schools. Officials said there will be about 300 jurisdictions participating in this year’s round up across the state. Continue reading Smith County Sets Date for Warrant Round-Up

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is being held in connection to a July 2011 Oklahoma murder with ties to the Aryan Brotherhood. KETK reports Kalvin McCown was indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury in January on several charges. McCown was arrested on Wednesday. Authorities said McCown, along with two other men, held a man against his will and killed him. They said it was a way to increase their position in the Aryan Brotherhood.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are investigating a drive-by shooting reported shortly after noon Sunday on Northcrest Drive near the Claude Street intersection. Officers arrived to find a 19-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the upper right thigh. The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The victim told police he and a friend were walking along Northcrest when a silver car drove by and one of the occupants fired 3-5 shots, striking the victim in the right leg. The vehicle then left the area. The vehicle was possibly a Ford Focus occupied by two unidentified males. One male in the suspect vehicle may have been a light skinned black male in his early 20s. Police said there was no further immediate information. Continue reading Police Probe Drive-By Shooting

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – Dallas police say they could conclude their domestic violence investigation of Cleveland Browns quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel by late next week. Police spokesman Major Midge Boyle said Saturday that investigators have reviewed medical records provided by Colleen Crowley, Manziel’s ex-girlfriend. Crowley told police Manziel hit her and dragged her into a car in late January. Meanwhile, Von Miller says during a visit to College Station he’s standing behind Manziel and thinks he’ll turn things around. The Super Bowl MVP pass rusher and the one time star quarterback attended Texas A and M at different times but have become close.