KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ALTO – An Alto football player did not die from an aneurysm as previously thought. KETK reports an autopsy report on Cam’ron Matthews, 16, released by Smith County Justice of the Peace James Cowart, said the death was ruled an accident caused by “anoxic encephalopathy following resuscitation from cardiac arrest from unspecified blunt impact.” Anoxic encephalopathy is a condition where the brain can not get enough oxygen due to lack of blood flow. Officials also stated he suffered from bleeding and swelling of the brain. Continue reading Alto Football Player Did Not Die From an Aneurysm

TYLER — Holiday decorations, miniature trains, re-enactors in period costumes, carolers, special exhibits, and more will be available free to the public today as the downtown Tyler museums hold their annual Holiday Open House from 4:00 to 8:00pm. The Goodman-LeGrand Museum (pictured), the Cotton Belt Depot, Discovery Science Place, Gallery Main Street, the Smith County Historical Society and the McClendon House will open their doors to the public in celebration of the Holiday season. According to a news release, each facility will feature its own special exhibits and activities during the event. All participating facilities will be easy to spot: eight-foot-tall illuminated snowmen will be at each site. Continue reading Museums Opening Doors for Holiday Open House Today

TYLER — The Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area announced Wednesday at a press conference at Peete Elementary School that the Bergfeld family has been chosen as Tyler’s 2016 Laureate for the JA Business Hall of Fame. According to a news release, the Hall of Fame reception will be held on March 31, 2016 at Willowbrook Country Club in Tyler. The news release says The Bergfeld name has had a major impact on the Tyler landscape since Rudolph Bergfeld came to town in 1878. Rudolph was a prominent landowner and developer beginning in the 1880s and continuing through the 1920s when he developed much of what is now known as the Azalea District. Continue reading Bergfeld Family Honored by Junior Achievement

OVERTON — Overton Independent School District went into lockdown briefly Wednesday morning after an altercation between two students, according to information from the district. In a news release, Superintendent Stephen DuBose says, “The campus principals were handling a routine altercation between two students when one of the students left campus. The principals instituted a lockdown until the situation could be assessed appropriately. After consultation with the Overton Police Department, the lockdown was lifted and school resumed as normal.”

HUGHES SPRINGS (AP) — The police chief of an East Texas town urges all citizens to arm themselves, saying the federal government lacks any effective plan for fighting terrorism. In a video he posted to his personal Facebook page, Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy said listening to President Barack Obama’s Oval Office speech on terrorism left him in despair over the government’s ability to fight domestic terrorism. Continue reading East Texas Police Chief Appeals to Public to Arm Itself

HAWKINS — The city of Hawkins has voted to sue a church which recently purchased land where a controversial sign is planted. According to KETK, Mayor Will Rogers says around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, three of the five council members voted to sue Jesus Christ Open Altar Church Limited Liability Corporation: Jackie Rucker, Norma Oglesby, and Sherry Davis. Council Member Wayne Kirkpatrick was absent and Clara Kay abstained. The group recently purchased land where a “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins” sign sits. The site has been under heavy scrutiny as to whether the land is on private property or publicly owned. According to Rogers, the council claims the city still owns the land. Continue reading City of Hawkins Votes to Sue over Controversial “Jesus” Sign

GILMER — An Upshur County judge has sentenced a man to 13 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. According to KETK, District Attorney Billy Byrd said Dennis Eugene Burton, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a child on Monday. The defendant changed his plea following jury selection earlier in the day. Burton is eligible for parole after half his sentence is served, with that eligibility due to no prior convictions. The defendant had faced up to 20 years behind bars. Byrd said Burton was a family friend of the victim and the crime occurred once while the parents were home, one day short of the victim turning 16, when the victim’s mother found Burton touching the girl.

TYLER — Environmental activist Erin Brockovich continues to weigh in on the City of Tyler’s water woes. KETK reports the environmental activist and consumer advocate responded Tuesday to a evaluation report of the water supply conducted by a third party.

Brockovich issued the following statement:

“I applaud the Mayor’s directive to begin the process of fixing the Drinking Water System in Tyler, Texas. This ‘Initial Operational Evaluation Report’ … is just that, ‘Initial,” a beginning, a start. It took the City of Tyler many years of poor water quality technology decisions to get them into the predicament they find themselves in today and making up for past practices is not going to happen overnight… there is no quick fix. Continue reading Brockovich Responds to Tyler Water Report

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to keep courthouses gun-free once the Open Carry Act takes effect on Jan 1. KETK reports the vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Terry Phillips of Precinct 3 dissenting. Phillips says his decision follows that of Governor Abbott. Cj Grisham, president of Open Carry Texas, was in attendance to voice his opinion. Grisham says actions may be taken once the .30-07 signs are up to prove that they are against the law.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse Police say a Whitehouse High School student killed on his motorcyle Saturday night was in fact running from police officers there. According to KETK, DPS reports Tanner Harris, 18, was traveling south on CR 2171 around 7:30 that evening. Harris ran into a pickup that was turning during the chase.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – New information shows suspended Tyler Junior College professor Judd Harrison Quarles is accused of conversing with a 12-year-old girl online and trying to meet her for sex. Smith County jail records Tuesday didn’t list an attorney for the 31-year-old Quarles, who was arrested Friday and freed on $350,000 bond. He’s charged with online solicitation of a minor under age 14. Quarles taught economics and government at TJC. He was suspended following his arrest. Continue reading New Details on Quarles Sex Solicitation Case

TYLER — One person has been killed in a vehicle/pedestrian accident in Tyler. It happened around 3:15 Monday afternoon in front of the River Oaks Apartments on Highway 110 South. Tyler police say a northbound truck hit Robert Allan Moore, 77, who was crossing from the west side of the Troup Highway, heading toward the apartments. Moore was transported to East Texas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. There were no citations issued and the driver wasn’t found to be at fault for the accident.

LONGVIEW – A shooting near the intersection of East Marshall Avenue and American Legion Boulevard in Longview has left one person injured. It was reported shortly before 11:45 Monday morning. Officers found a man who had been shot once in the back. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with what was described as non-life threatening injuries. Investigators say they don’t have any suspect information because the victim has been uncooperative. Continue reading Two Wounded in Longview Shootings

TYLER — The Tyler Metropolitan Planning Organization hosts a public open house today to gather input toward the Old Jacksonville Highway (FM 2493) Corridor Study. The gathering is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church on Old Jacksonville Hwy. The portion of road being studied is bounded by Loop 323 in Tyler and Highway 69 in Bullard. The study will analyze the current conditions of traffic, travel lanes, and signals, and make recommendations for upgrades as the corridor grows. Continue reading Old Jacksonville Highway Corridor Study Open House

TYLER – Based on what’s termed “the overwhelming response” to its first open carry and active shooter class, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled another session for 6:00 this evening in Green Acres Baptist Church’s Galilee Room. Officials say the first event on November 14 drew an overflow crowd to the TJC West Campus. You’re asked to contact Laura Parsons at 903-590-2720 or Lt. Gary Middleton at 903-952-3619 for more information.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting reported around 11:40 Monday morning on East Marshall Ave. near the American Legion Blvd. intersection. KETK reports arriving officers discovered the victim had been shot one time. He had non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Suspect information was not immediately known. Although the victim has reportedly been uncooperative with officers, police say they will continue to investigate. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Longview police or Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER — A Robert E. Lee grad and former TJC student has died over the weekend from a reported asthma attack. According to KETK, Idong Okon, a junior student-athlete for the University of Arkansas at Monticello died Sunday, December 6 after suffering an asthma attack. Okon was 21 years old. Originally from Tyler, Okon transferred to UAM for the 2015 season, but was sidelined for the year with a knee injury during fall training camp. According to UAM head football coach Hud Jackson, Okon was expected to be a vital part of the offensive line during the 2016 season.

LONGVIEW – A person is hospitalized with life threatening injuries following a Longview shooting. It was reported just before 6:00 Sunday night on Birdsong Street in the area of Willow Park. Officers reported finding shell casings in the area. They were then notified Good Shepherd Medical Center had received a gunshot victim. The person had been brought to the hospital by private vehicle. At last report, the persons name had not been released. A police department news release said investigators believe they may know who is involved in the shooting.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December 7. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

ALERT: The westbound lanes of SH 31 remain closed between Malakoff and Trinidad in
Henderson County due to flooding caused by Cedar Creek. All traffic has been moved to the eastbound travel lanes which will continue to carry two-way traffic until the water recedes. That is expected to happen early this week. Motorists should slow down and use caution when traveling through this area until the traffic flow returns to normal. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

RUSK COUNTY – Rusk County officials are searching for the suspect involved in an armed robbery late Friday night. According to KETK, the robbery happened at a gas station near the intersection of FM 2011 and Highway 322. Deputies said an armed man wearing a hoodie stole an undetermined amount of cash and fled the scene. No one was hurt in the robbery. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.

WHITEHOUSE – Emergency Crews responded to a two vehicle wreck involving a motorcycle Saturday night. Officials said the motorcycle was traveling on Willingham around 7:00 when it rear-ended another vehicle. The motorcyclist was identified as Tanner Harris, an 18-year-old senior at Whitehouse High School. He died from his injuries.

SMITH COUNTY — The Department of Public Safety have released the identity of the person killed in a Friday morning wreck near Chapel Hill. According to Trooper Jean Dark, Billy Lockhart, 55, Lindale, was pronounced dead at the scene. KETK reports, Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to the scene around 6:00 Friday morning at County Road 26 and County Road 2301, just outside of Chapel Hill. According to DPS official Chad Skidmore, a truck was headed east on CR 26 when a car crossed over the center line and struck the truck head-on. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Officials are looking at sleep deprivation as a potential cause of the accident.

WHITEHOUSE – The city of Whitehouse released a statement Friday saying Police Lieutenant Gary Hinshaw has been placed on unpaid administrative leave as of Friday. According to KETK, officials say Hinshaw had been on paid administrative leave for the past several weeks, since initial allegations of domestic violence were made against him. The alleged incident took place at a residence in Smith County, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation. Hinshaw was indicted on two 3rd degree felony charges, assault family violence and tampering with a witness. The city says Hinshaw will remain on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal policy review. Hinshaw has been employed with the Whitehouse Police Department since February of 2013.

LONGVIEW — Three indictments have been handed up for two Longview murder. KETK reports Gary Joe Murphy, 52, of Kilgore, was charged in connection with a September 4 homicide at a Longview motel. He told police he confronted Arnold Lee McCollaum Jr., 47, of Longview, at the American Dream Inn in the 2000 block of East Marshall Avenue, about a drug deal and he stabbed the man. Murphy said he then held the victim down as he bled to death, according to police documents. Murphy was arrested September 5. His bond was set at $250,000. Continue reading Three Indicted in Longview Murders

TYLER – Officials say the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler recently affirmed Danny Ray Lusk’s convictions of four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by contact. Lusk will serve four life sentences and an additional 20-year sentence. Lusk, 39, formerly of Athens, was indicted by a Henderson County grand jury in September of 2011, after an investigation into the aggravated sexual assault and indecency with two children. The case was prosecuted in May 2013. According to testimony, Lusk began sexually assaulting his victims at the ages of 3 and 4.

DALLAS – A 5-year-old who was involved in a multi-vehicle wreck Wednesday afternoon has died. According to KETK, DPS Trooper Jean Dark says Camdyn Randle died at a Dallas hospital Thursday night. The four-car wreck occurred around 1:30 p.m., just north of Toll 49 in Smith County near Bruno’s. According to Trooper Dark, a crossover driven by Candace Randle, 30, of Tyler, was headed south on Farm-to-Market Road 2493 when it moved into the turning lane and hit the back left portion of a Lexus. The crossover then veered back into the southbound lane and was hit from behind by an SUV traveling south. Continue reading Child Dies after Being Injured in Accident

TYLER — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday for the new three-story, 41,200-square-foot Mother Frances Hospital South Tyler, on S. Broadway Ave. at Cumberland Road. Citing its “neighborhood setting,” officials say services include a comprehensive emergency department, inpatient beds, advanced imaging, and diagnostic laboratory services. The facility is a collaboration with Emerus, termed a nationally recognized leader in care delivery. The hospital, which is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the city, is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2016.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has been working on seven unsolved homicides. They said they are hoping to solve the crimes by the end of 2015. Each murder happened this year and many are similar in nature and have all occurred within two miles of each other. According to KETK, all of the victims had gunshot wounds. Police said some victims were found on the side of the road, one was found in a car and a few have been found in yards or houses. Police said the community should not panic. “Lifestyle choices, people that you associate yourself with… those types of things sometimes bring people and put them in danger when, you know, if they would just chose to change their lifestyle, maybe wouldn’t have to worry about it,” said Kristie Brian, the PIO for Longview Police Department. There have been a total of 13 homicides this year in Longview. If you have any information about any crime, contact Longview Police or CrimeStoppers.