KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Two persons have been killed in a fiery collision on Interstate Highway 20 in Smith County. The collision between two tractor trailer trucks was reported around 11:00 Wednesday night west of Highway 14. All eastbound lanes of I-20 eventually reopened after being shut down near FM 2015.

TYLER — A former Kilgore College plant supervisor who made claims of improper asbestos abatement at the school said in a federal lawsuit that he was fired in retaliation for reporting the activity. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The Whistleblower Act lawsuit by former 13-year employee Dalton Smith names the school and Kilgore College President Bill Holda as defendants. A summons for Holda was issued Wednesday, the docket for the federal Eastern District of Texas showed. He had not received it by Wednesday night and said he was not prepared to comment without seeing the lawsuit. “I don’t know that it’s unexpected, but it’s very, very hard to evaluate, not seeing the specific allegations,” Holda said. “We will wait till we receive an official copy, consult with counsel and proceed with the legal process.” Smith could not be reached by cellphone Wednesday evening for comment. Continue reading Asbestos Reporter Suing Kilgore College

TYLER — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for emergency farm loans due to damages and losses caused by drought beginning September 22 and continuing in Rusk, Smith, and Upshur Counties. Smith County Farm Loan Manager Joseph Grier asks farmers who want to apply for emergency loans to submit their applications as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2016, but Grier says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Generally, farmers who have lost 30% of their production or sustained any physical loss due to the disaster are eligible for the emergency loans, according to an FSA news release. Continue reading FSA Accepting Emergency Loan Applications for Area Counties

LAKE TYLER — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office says it’s continuing its investigation of a reportedly suspicious house fire that broke out Wednesday morning and resulted in the total loss of a Lake Tyler residence belonging to Paul Manziel of Tyler. Manziel is the grandfather of football star Johnny Manziel. According to a county news release, the Fire Marshal’s Office has completed processing of the scene and released it back to the owner. Officials say that’s been done with assistance from ATF, including a canine and task force officer from the Denton Fire Department. Continue reading Manziel Fire Remains under Investigation

LONGVIEW — Five persons have been arrested by members of the Longview Police Department SWAT team as they served a search warrant. The arrests occurred shortly after 2:00 Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 1300 block of El Paso Street. A search of the house turned up a firearm that was stolen in White Oak and a large quantity of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine. The names of the suspects and their charges were due to be released following their arraignment.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Engineering Department will rebuild the traffic signal at the intersection of Old Jacksonville Highway (Farm Road 2493) and Loop 323 today. Work crews will work on the project between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.

SMITH COUNTY — More repair work is planned for the Interstate Highway 20 eastbound outside lane today in Smith County. The work will occur at Mile Marker 566-567. Motorists should slow down, pay attention and expect lane closures from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Motorists can choose to take other routes if possible to avoid delays.

AUSTIN (AP) – A longtime Texas law against desecrating the U.S. or state flag has been ruled unconstitutional by the state’s highest criminal court. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday rebuked the 26-year-old ban that state lawmakers had approved shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court tossed a nearly identical law in 1989. There are few reported cases of the law having ever been enforced. But it was challenged after police in the small East Texas town of Lovelady arrested then-20-year-old Terence Johnson in 2012 after he threw a store’s U.S. flag onto the street. Johnson, who is black, told authorities he was upset over alleged racial comments made by a clerk. Writing for the Republican-dominated appeals court in a 6-3 decision, Judge Sharon Keller said the law is “invalid on its face.”

JACKSONVILLE – Republican Jacksonville attorney Chris Day has announced he’s running for Judge of the 2nd Judicial District Court. The bench will see a new presiding judge for the first time since 2000 with the retirement of long-time Judge Dwight Phifer. Day has practiced law in Cherokee County for over two decades. He said he believes it’s critical to elect experienced Constitutional conservatives to the bench. So far, he’s opposed by fellow Republican Susie Saxion.

RUSK — The two people arrested Monday in connection with the murder of Tony Scott Brazier have been formally charged and arraigned for allegedly tampering with/fabricating physical evidence, a 3rd-degree felony. The two are identified as Crystal Williams, 33, and James Dean Kemp, 24, both of Troup. Both were reportedly present when Brazier was shot, allegedly by Doye Allen Haney, and then reportedly fled the scene in Williams’s white Chevrolet Traverse. Bonds were set at $50,000 each. Officials say other charges may be brought against Williams and Kemp depending on the outcome of the investigation. Authorities are continuing to conduct follow-up investigations related to the murder. If other individuals are found to have been involved, charges may be pursued against them as well, according to officials.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are investigating after human remains were found in eastern Smith County. Officials say around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon, Smith County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and detectives responded to a call of possible human skeletal remains being located in a remote area off Farm Road 850 near County Road 2222 in the Chapel Hill area. Investigators say the remains were still clothed and had apparently been at the location for a lengthy period of time. A wallet was located inside the pants pocket, but there was no identification. Sheriff’s patrol deputies, detectives, and members of the Alert Academy in Big Sandy searched for additional clues at the scene. Officials say it is not known at this time if foul play is involved. An attempt is being made to determine if the remains are those of a Smith County resident who has been missing for about one year in that area of the county.

TYLER (AP) – Papers dating back to the 1800s detailing the life of a Tyler judge are set to be handed over to the state. Judge M.H. Bonner’s papers will be donated Friday to the Texas State Archives. That’s according to Daye Collins, an official with the Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House (pictured), a historic Tyler home built by the judge’s daughter and her husband that can be toured. The Bonner family gave the papers to the house two decades ago. But Collins tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that eventually the state asked for the collection, which includes letters to Texas officials. Bonner served in Tyler as a district judge from 1873 until becoming a Texas Supreme Court associate justice in 1878. He returned to private practice in Tyler in 1882 and died the next year.

ATHENS — A big prescription drug smuggling ring is busted in East Texas, and two people are headed to prison. More than 100,000 bogus pills were shipped from China to Texas. Those shipments contained fake versions of Xanax, Valium, Viagra, Ambien, and more. Tom Giddens and Wanda Hollis from Athens face more than a year in prison for their role in the case — and another woman, also from Athens, faces sentencing at a later date. Investigators say most of the pills contained entirely different active ingredients from legitimate versions.

TYLER — Michael and Lisa Lujan of Mentoring Minds are the winners of this year’s T.B. Butler Award as Tyler’s top citizens. Mentoring Minds is a Tyler-based educational resource company. The award was one of several handed out Tuesday night at the annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Patrick Willis of the non-profit management consulting firm Abegg Willis and Associates won the W.C. Windsor Award as top citizen under age 40. Large Business of the year is Suddenlink Communications; The Genesis Group was named Small Business of the Year. Volunteer of the Year honors went to Chad Cargile. The new Chamber chair is Bob Westbrook, with Claude Henry serving as chair-elect.

LONGVIEW — The man killed in a hit and run accident in Longview has been identified as Kevin Gene Moore, 50, of Longview. The accident happened around 9:30 Tuesday night in the 1300 block of Mobberly Avenue. There is no information about the vehicle.

MARSHALL — Two Longview men have pleaded guilty to a Daingerfield bank robbery. Latarious Martez Hughes (pictured), 21, and Kenneth Duane Hooks, 23, both pleaded guilty in federal court in Marshall Tuesday to their involvement in the armed robbery of the 1st National Bank of Hughes Springs, Daingerfield Branch, in February. Hughes is facing up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hooks is facing up to twelve and one half years in prison and a $125,000 fine. A sentencing date for the pair has not been set. All but $7,566 of the stolen cash was recovered from Hughes and Hooks’ residence. Both men will be required to repay the missing $7,566 to the bank.

LAKEPORT — The Lakeport police chief has been injured and a woman arrested following an altercation. The incident occurred during a traffic stop shortly after noon on Tuesday on Farm Road 968 near the Shady Grove mobile home park. According to KETK, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says Chief Wesley Freeman suffered head injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Arrested was Felesia Meshaun Ford, 40, of Longview. She was taken into custody by Harrison County sheriff’s deputies on Interstate Highway 20. Her charges include aggravated assault of a public servant, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and she is named in some Gregg County warrants.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (AP) — Country stars Miranda Lambert of Lindale and the late Johnny Cash, along with famed blues musician Steve Cropper, were honored with stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. The artists represent the kind of multi-genre talent that has been drawn to Nashville, Tennessee, for decades. Lambert, a two-time Grammy winner originally from Texas, said she recently moved back to the city and felt more inspired by the city’s music than ever before.

SMITH COUNTY — Concrete repair work is underway today for the Interstate Highway 20 eastbound outside lane in Smith County at Mile Marker 566-567 (in the vicinity of Highway 155). Crews will have a work zone in place till 6:00pm. Motorists are reminded to slow down, pay attention, be patient, and be prepared to stop as brief delays may be necessary during this work.

LAKEPORT — The Lakeport police chief was injured Tuesday afternoon in an altercation during a traffic stop that triggered a wild chase. KETK reports the injury occurred on FM 968 near the Shady Grove mobile home park. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says Chief Wesley Freeman suffered head injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Harrison County Lt. Jay Webb said Freeman was dragged behind a truck. A pursuit of the vehicle began around noon and lasted for about 40 minutes. Continue reading Lakeport Police Chief Injured in Altercation; Wild Chase Follows

LONGVIEW — Three people were arrested after Longview police responded to a vehicle burglary around 5:30 Tuesday morning on Alice Drive and found some stolen property. KETK reports that while officers were responding, they were told the victim was chasing the suspect, who was reportedly hidden in some bushes nearby. Officers say they found and arrested a man hiding in the bushes near Eva Street and Gilmer Road. The suspect told police his wife was in the area waiting to pick him up. Officers found a car a few minutes later and were able to stop and identify the two people inside as suspects. Police also found stolen property in the vehicle, and both of those suspects were also arrested. Continue reading Three Arrested after Burglary; Stolen Property Recovered

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Jennifer “Jenny” Downing Yoakum of Longview and two others to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for terms set to expire August 31, 2021. Acording to a news release from Abbott’s office, Yoakum is a pharmacist who specializes in veterinary medicine and and is pharmacist-in-charge at Med Shop Total Care, Inc. in Longview. Yoakum is a member of the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists, Texas Pharmacy Association, Alliance of Independent Pharmacists of Texas, National Community Pharmacist Association, and Texas Veterinary Medical Association.

TYLER ─ Two days of celebration are scheduled later this month at The Children’s Park of Tyler at South Broadway and East Dobbs. The park holds its 13th Annual Day of Remembrance Oct. 24, with the Grand Opening Celebration of Phase II and Alison’s House Oct 25. According to a news release, The Children’s Park offers opportunities for play and meditation while celebrating the lives of children, including those who have died. Phase II entails an expansion of the park, while Alison’s House provides a new addition for small events as well as new sitting areas and “critters waiting to be climbed on,” according to the release. For more information, visit http://www.childrensparktyler.org or call 903-939-1597.

CANTON — County Judge Don Kirkpatrick issued a burn ban Tuesday morning for Van Zandt County. KETK reports the ban will be in place for seven days, after which the Commissioners Court meets to consider ratifying and extending the burn ban. Officials say the ban is based on the recent increase in wildfires resulting in property loss. The current Drought Index is 700 on an 800 scale. The Drought Index is expected to reach 750 in the next 14 days. Anyone who disregards the order faces a significant fine.

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Andy Mack is set to deliver his State of the City Address today at Pinecrest Country Club from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Mack will be answering a few questions from the community. You can submit your questions in advance to mackforlongview@gmail.com or send him a private message on his Facebook Page – “Andy Mack.” Continue reading Mack to Deliver State of the City Address

LONGVIEW — City and county officials gathered at a Longview news conference to discuss a joint effort against crime which has rocked the city. Mayor Andy Mack said it is but a handful of people who are causing the problem. According to the mayor, “We don’t have a crime or a homicide problem in Longview. We have a gang and a drug problem and we’re going to stop it.” He said the issue is serious and they are taking it seriously. Longview has had a record-high 12 homicides this year. Longview police chief Mike Bishop said over the past few weeks they have had “extra patrols, extra units and extra personnel on the streets to deal with the gang and drug problem.” He said over that period they have made several key arrests and that Longview has been noticeably quieter.

GILMER — An Upshur County man has been charged with murder in the death of his wife. Roger Dale Mullins Jr., 33, is charged in the death of Angela LeeAnn Mullins, 24. He remains in the Upshur County Jail under a $1 million bond. The woman’s body was found Friday night following a standoff with law officers. She was found in the couple’s home west of Gilmer off of Farm Road 49. Officers had been called to the home following a report of a man with a gun. After Mullins surrendered, officers entered the home and found the woman’s body.

MT PLEASANT — A worker has been injured at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Mt Pleasant. The company said Fernando Cassio received a leg injury Monday morning when hit by a cage loader at the West plant. He was first taken to a Mt Pleasant hospital and flown to a Tyler hospital for treatment.