KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The main entrance to the City of Tyler’s Rose Garden Center closed yesterday for approximately one week. The main foyer area will undergo maintenance and updates. Access to the building will be through the north entrance. Temporary access to the Rose Garden from the building will be through one of the meeting rooms. Visitors to the garden will still be able to come through the main gate south of the building. The Rose Museum and Gift Shop will be closed during this time. For more information, call 903-531-1212.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The Texas Senate has approved the first bill of the 2015 legislative session, passing a plan to funnel billions of dollars generated by vehicle sales taxes to building and maintaining traffic-clogged roads. Wednesday’s vote sends a proposed constitutional amendment by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, to the House. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from passing bills during the first two months of a session that began January 13. But Governor Greg Abbott fast-tracked bills on transportation infrastructure by making the issue one of his “emergency items.” Taxes collected on vehicle sales currently flow into the state budget’s general revenue. The Nichols plan would divert tax collections over $2.5 billion and up to $5 billion annually for road infrastructure beginning in 2018. Revenue over $5 billion goes back to general revenue.

TYLER — As winter weather continues in East Texas, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is keeping an eye on conditions. “We urge our passengers to contact their airline first for up-to-date flight information or go to http://www.TylerAirport.com for real-time flight status,” said Davis Dickson, airport manager. “Tyler Pounds also has a really convenient mobile website that provides minute-by-minute flight updates.” Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has the only daily jet service in East Texas provided by United Airlines — 800-523-3273 or http://www.united.com — and American Eagle Airlines, http://www.aa.com or 800-433-7300.

LONGVIEW – The Longview NAACP and a family member confirm the victim of a Tuesday night shooting is Da’Coreyan Blankenship. KETK reports the victim is a former student of Longview High School. He also played running back for the school’s football team. Around 7:40 p.m., officers were called to the scene of a reported shooting in the 800 block of Aurel Avenue, about four blocks north of LeTourneau University. When officers arrived, they found one victim in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading Victim Identified in Fatal Longview Shooting

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman is awestruck after a mystery donor paid off her massive mortgage for a shelter. Teresa Richenberger is creating a home for women and children coming out of the sex industry and abusive relationships — because she too was once part of that world. The Kilgore home is called Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch, and a number of agencies have helped out. But the big donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated $160,000 to pay for the 32,000-square-foot building for 130 women and children. Richenberger is still pinching herself. She says, “It’s a God thing, first of all, because it’s ten times bigger than me, and I did not have the funds to do this.”

HALLSVILLE — The power came back on late Wednesday morning at some campuses in the Hallsville Independent School District after they reported an outage earlier in the day. According to KETK, word of the power loss came in around 9 a.m. There was no immediate word on what caused the outage.

TYLER — Crews spent nearly 3 1/2 hours on the scene of a Tyler house fire Wednesday morning. The Tyler Fire Department was dispatched to 618 E. Vance St. at 6:07 a.m. According to a news release, the first arriving units reported heavy fire involvement in the residence and immediately sounded a second alarm. Five engines and one ladder company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene. Firefighters gained control of the fire and were clear from the scene around 9:30 a.m. The home was occupied at the time of the fire, but no injuries were reported. Fire investigators report that the cause remains under investigation at this time. The American Red Cross was notified and will be assisting the family.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a dangerous suspect they believed is in the area. According to authorities, on Monday March 2, Troy Mason assaulted a member of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office while they were attempting to arrest him for a warrant. The charge is out of Palestine for continuous sexual assault of child under 14. Mason reportedly fled the location in a white 2010 Ford F250, with Texas License Plate – AP93691. Mason also has pending charges related to child pornography. Police say he’s is a known methamphetamine user. Law enforcement believe that Mason is currently somewhere in Tyler. If you locate the suspect or vehicle, please contact local law enforcement agency immediately.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man who was arrested in connection with a February shooting has been released from jail. According to KETK, Christian Sibley, 21, Tyler, was arrested Friday, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and escaping from custody. He was released Monday after posting bail. On February, 3, police responded to a reported shooting an Exxon gas station in the 3000 block of Estes Parkway. Police said Jerrad Hunt showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Hunt passed away Monday, February 23. Continue reading Suspect in Fatal Longview Shooting Released from Jail

CARTHAGE — Pre-trial proceedings scheduled for Tuesday in the Bernie Tiede case have been pushed back to March 31. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report both sides agreed to delay a hearing until that date. Tiede’s life sentence was thrown out because of a mental condition that officials say was overlooked. The case, which inspired the movie “Bernie,” involved the 1997 murder of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent in Carthage.

MARSHALL — A guilty plea has been entered in the so-called “Kari’s law” trial. KETK reports Brad Allen Dunn pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in the death of Kari Rene Dunn. The defendant was arrested in December 2013 for stabbing his wife to death in a hotel room while their nine-year-old daughter tried to call police. The call wouldn’t go through because the little girl didn’t know she had to dial 9 for an outside line before calling 911. The case has prompted efforts to eliminate the need to dial 9 in such situations, and those efforts have become known as “Kari’s law.” The trial moved into the sentencing phase after the guilty plea was entered.

TYLER – A McKinney, Texas photographer has been sentenced to federal prison for sexual exploitation of children. Todd Fleming, 54, pleaded guilty on October 2, 2014, to sexual exploitation of children and was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Fleming will be required to register as a sex offender and serve a life term of supervised release upon his release from federal prison. Continue reading Photographer Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of Children

TYLER – – A Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy. Antonio Cortez Gonzales, 35, was sentenced to 136 months in federal prison Tuesday in Tyler by United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Gonzales had entered a guilty plea on October 2, 2014 on charges he conspired with others to distribute cocaine and marijuana. According to federal authorities, Gonzales, along with his co-defendants, distributed drugs including cocaine and marijuana in the Longview area. Drugs were shipped from an individual in Houston to Gonzales’s residence, where he then distributed the drugs to other people. Gonzales was indicted on August 28, 2013. As part of his sentence, Gonzales was also ordered to forfeit a money judgment in the amount of $336,000, a residence in Longview, a vehicle, three firearms, and ammunition.

TYLER — ETMC First Physicians is now operating an express clinic offering walk-in urgent care at ETMC South Broadway, according to a news release. “Express clinic care means no appointments and no waiting behind patients with life-threatening emergencies,” said Dr. Steven Cooley, ETMC First Physician. “You can get fast service for minor injuries and illnesses such as broken bones, lacerations, urinary tract infections, rashes, fevers, coughs, colds, headache, sore throat, earache or flu-like symptoms.” Continue reading ETMC Now Offers Express Care for Non-Emergency Needs

TYLER – As spring nears, significant completion phases also near for Tyler ISD BOND 2013 construction projects. Projects include the new Career and Technology Center (CTC), two new middle school campuses at the existing Moore MST Magnet School and Boulter Middle School locations, the new Three Lakes Middle School and renovations and additions to Dixie and Rice elementary schools. All projects are on schedule to be completed before the 2015-2016 school year, according to a TISD news release. Continue reading Tyler ISD BOND 2013 Construction Update

TYLER — A Flint man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy. Isaac Dion Smith, also known as “Ike”, 34, was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in prison by United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider in Tyler. Smith had entered a guilty plea on October 14, 2014, on charges he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine and heroin. According to information presented in court, Smith, along with his co-defendants, distributed drugs including methamphetamine and heroin in the north Tyler area. Firearms were also bartered and sold by the group. The group was supplied by sources primarily in the Dallas area. Continue reading Flint Man Sentenced in Drug Conspiracy

LONGVIEW — A former Gregg County District Attorney allegedly had cocaine, a revolver, alcohol, and cash in his car when he was arrested in February. KETK reports that the information is contained in documents obtained Monday by the Longview News-Journal. Longview police say they found Robert “Rob” Riter Foster, 69, after his vehicle became stuck in the median in the 3000 block of North Eastman Road. Police say Foster had a “full glass of an unknown liquid” which smelled of alcohol and a plastic bag with a rolled-up bill and a white, powdery substance inside. A field test determined the substance was cocaine, according to officials. Foster’s phone and wallet were also reportedly covered in the powder. Police reported also finding two open alcohol containers and a loaded .38-caliber revolver in the vehicle.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County officials are investigating a reported home invasion. It happened around 3:25 Monday morning in the 6000 Block of FM 1247, just outside of Wells. According to KETK, a call to emergency services stated someone tried to break into the residence and the homeowner had fired shots at them. The homeowner reportedly chased the suspects through the pasture behind the home. The homeowner returned some time later. He had apparently been knocked unconscious for a short period of time by one of the criminals. It is believed the homeowner shot and wounded at least one of the two suspects. Continue reading East Texas Homeowner Shoots at Alleged Robbers

MARSHALL — The trial is underway for a man accused of a crime that led to nationwide efforts to simplify making an emergency call from a hotel room. According to KETK, jury selection began Monday in the trial of Brad Allen Dunn, charged with murder in the December 2013 stabbing death of his estranged wife in a Marshall hotel room. Police said Dunn stabbed Kari Rene Dunn as their 9-year-old daughter tried repeatedly to get help by dialing 911. The phone system in the room required first dialing a 9 to reach an outside line, so the calls never went through. According to the Longview News-Journal, the situation led the slain womans family to begin a campaign for a law that would require 911 to be directly accessible from phones in hotels and other businesses. They named the effort Karis Law.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Monday announced the launching of http:// http://www.SmithCountySheriff.com — a new website for the SCSO. In a news release, Smith says it’s part of a continued effort to maintain transparency within the sheriffs office. The website, which the sheriff terms “much improved,” was designed by Group M7, a website designer located in Tyler. Smith said his support and command staff have spent a great deal of time providing information for inclusion in the website. Continue reading Sheriff’s Office Introduces New Website

LONGVIEW A Tyler man wanted in connection with a fatal February shooting has been arrested. According to KETK, judicial records indicate Christian Sibley, 21, was arrested Friday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and escaping from custody. He is being held in the Gregg County Jail on $35,000 bond. There was no immediate word on whether a murder charge might be officially filed against the suspect. The case involves the death of Jerrad Hunt of Longview nearly three weeks after he was shot at a gas station. Hunt died Feb. 23 at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Police say they responded to the gunshot call in the 3000 block of Estes Parkway just before 10:30 a.m. February 3. When they got there, Hunt, 22, had already been taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Sibley claimed Hunt dropped the gun in his lap during a scuffle. Then, during a struggle over the firearm, it went off, Sibley said.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested after police said he choked a woman at Texas Roadhouse on Loop 281. The Longview News-Journal reports Anthony Venegas, 27, was being held Monday on a $5,000 bond stemming from the incident Sunday night. According to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest, an employee of the steakhouse told Longview police that Venegas struck the woman and said the victim would not disrespect him. “The employee said that she saw the victim lose consciousness. The employee then said that (the victim) seemed to wake up after the subject let her go and saw the victim throw peanuts at the subject and left,” the judicial document said. Police said they saw red marks around the victim’s throat. Venegas would not answer any questions, police said.

LUFKIN Law enforcement officers in Angelina County and Gregg County are looking for Dana Michelle Carter, who is wanted on multiple warrants. According to KETK, Deep East Texas Crime Stoppers stated the suspect is wanted for probation warrants and is believed to be living in the Lufkin area. She has been arrested several times for theft and fraud offenses, according to jail records. Investigators have information indicating that Carter, 44, previously lived on Oakwood Drive and on Lotus Lane in Lufkin, but her present whereabouts is not known to authorities. The image of Carter shown here was captured in December 2012. Continue reading Woman Wanted in Gregg, Angelina Counties

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 2. These work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions or equipment related issues.

Note: Generally, crews will spend much of the week doing routine maintenance necessitated by last week’s ice and snow storms. This includes such tasks as patching potholes, making edge and base repairs, and inspecting and repairing vehicles and other equipment. This work will require moving operations so remain alert during your daytime travels. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

AUSTIN – State Representative David Simpson of Longview has filed House Bill 2165 to strike all references to marijuana offenses from the Texas statutes. This represents a comprehensive repeal of marijuana prohibition in Texas. “We can’t fix all of the past wrongs caused by prohibition, but at least we can stop perpetuating them,” said Representative Simpson. According to a news release from Simpson’s office, this is perhaps the first bill of its kind in the nation that proposes to simply undo prohibition and avoid the big government approach taken in other states that basically re-regulate the plant.

“I am proposing that this plant be regulated like tomatoes, jalapeños or coffee.” Rep. Simpson continued, “Current marijuana policies are not based on science or sound evidence, but rather misinformation and fear. All that God created is good, including marijuana. God did not make a mistake when he made marijuana that the government needs to fix. Let’s allow the plant to be utilized for good, helping people with seizures, treating warriors with PTSD, producing fiber and other products, or simply for beauty and enjoyment. Government prohibition should be for violent actions that harm your neighbor, not of the possession, cultivation, and responsible use of plants.”

In 1914 during the height of Pancho Villa’s revolution in Mexico, many refugees and young Mexican men seeking work began moving across the Texas border. In response, the City of El Paso passed the first ordinance in the nation outlawing use of the marijuana plant as a means to address what were perceived as foreign and rowdy young men disturbing the peace.

A few years later the Texas Legislature passed its first marijuana prohibition law with little fanfare besides an alleged racist statement on the senate floor about Mexicans. The American national story of prohibition is not much different. Many scholars believe that these laws were originally motivated by racism and perhaps some industries seeking to control competition from hemp in commodities markets.

The Simpson bill is poised to reframe the current marijuana discussion by bringing it back to the basics: limited civil government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility.

TYLER — Dr. Kenneth Gay, principal of John Tyler High School, was recently honored by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) with the UIL District NSDA Principal of the Year Award. Thirty-three schools compete in the UIL District. Dr. Gay was nominated for the award by John Tyler High School students.

“Throughout his tenure here, Dr. Gay has worked to change the face of academics at John Tyler High School,” April Caldwell, speech and debate coach, said. “He has consistently attended local and state competitions to show support for our debate team. He has also increased the school’s pride in participating in academic events by holding pep rallies to support speech and debate students, as well as other academic teams in our school. More importantly, Dr. Gay is one of the very first to congratulate our students in victory as well as encourage and uplift them in defeat.”

The NSDA Principal of the Year Award recognizes outstanding secondary school principals. The program annually honors principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality opportunities for students in speech and debate programming as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.

HARRISON COUNTY Law enforcement agencies in Harrison County worked together to arrest a man who allegedly led authorities on a dangerous chase through East Texas. According to KETK, the pursuit began on Interstate Highway 20 in Hallsville and ended on Woodall Street in Marshall around 6:00 Saturday evening. The driver has been identified as Anthony Christian, of Longview, who is suspected of being involved in a hit and run in Gregg County. Officials say he was followed by a civilian until a Hallsville police officer found him on I-20 near the exit for Farm Road 450. Christian refused to pull over and was pursued eastbound by Hallsville police, the Harrison County Sheriffs Office (HCSO), and the Department of Public Safety. Continue reading Police Chase through East Texas Leads to Arrest of Longview Man

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department’s 2014 Officer of the Year is Officer James Lenderman. Lenderman, a veteran of nearly 30 years with the department, was one of many honored at TPD’s Annual Awards Banquet Friday evening at the Ornelas Activity Center. According to information presented at the event, “He stays busy throughout his shift and has a higher production rate than almost everyone on his shift. This officer is often overlooked because he sits quietly and doesnt call attention to himself like many officers like to do. He simply does his job, does it well, and comes to work prepared every day. He sets a great example for young officers with his work ethic and quiet leadership. He rarely asks for supervisors’ help and is there to help others when needed. He encompasses so many traits that are hard to maintain for 30 years of service.” Continue reading Lenderman Named TPD Officer of the Year

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the soon-to-be constructed Longview Animal Shelter and Adoption Center. The ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. today at 303 H.G. Mosley Parkway. In January, Longview City Council approved moving ahead with the construction of a new 20,885-square-foot animal shelter, to be operated by the city. Currently, the city does not own or operate a shelter, but instead contracts with the Humane Society of Northeast Texas to provide those services. Continue reading Longview Animal Shelter Groundbreaking Today

TYLER During March, in recognition of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, UT Health Northeast and the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor free community events to educate the residents of the Tyler area about colon cancer prevention and screening. About 52,000 people in the United States die each year from colon cancer, which is the second-leading cause of all cancer deaths, and the most preventable cancer when caught early, according to press materials. Continue reading UT Health Northeast, City of Tyler Promote Colon Cancer Awareness