KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the robbery of a Smith County service station. It happened Saturday afternoon in the 13000 block of Interstate Highway 20. KETK Reports a white male grabbed an employee by the arm and demanded cash. He then took off with an unknown amount of money. There was no report of injuries.

MARSHALL – Two men have been arrested in connection with a New Year’s Day drive-by shooting in Marshall that slightly injured a child. Arrested Friday were Willie Lee Jones Jr. and Jaron Demarcus Tucker, both 23 and both of Marshall. The shooting occurred just before 4:15pm on January 1st in the 800 block of West Emory Street. The youngster who was injured suffered a minor injury and was treated and released. The investigation is continuing and there could be additional arrests.

TYLER – Band members from both high schools joined the Tyler ISD Foundation’s Grant Patrol to visit 34 educators at nine campuses to announce the recipients of the foundation’s 2014-2015 Grants for Great Ideas. The grant program supports innovative teaching projects in the Tyler ISD that are not funded or are under-funded by the district’s operating budget. The goal of the program is to provide funding for exceptional education opportunities that are not supported by tax dollars. The Grant Patrol also included the awarding of the very first Dr. Jack L. and Ina Davidson Memorial Grant. Dr. Davidson was the former superintendent of the Tyler ISD and was instrumental in the establishment of the Tyler ISD Foundation. He was named a lifetime member of the foundation. His wife, Ina, loved science. The couple’s daughter, Nancy Davidson Bowling, flew from Georgia to Tyler to present the grant to teachers at Bonner Elementary School. Continue reading Grants Given to TISD Educators

GREGG COUNTY – Portions of Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County were shut down for a while yesterday by two separate accidents. Two persons died in one of the crashes. They are identified as Mauricio Cardoza, 42, of Juarez, Mexico and Roberto Chavira, 35, of San Elizario, Texas. They were in a west bound box truck that is said to have hit a tractor-trailer rig that was parked on the shoulder of the road. The crash happened around 7:30 Friday morning. One of the two persons in the 18 wheeler was taken to a Longview hospital. The first accident occurred some 6 ½ before the fatal wreck. The first accident involved two 18-wheelers, both of which caught fire. No injuries were reported in that wreck. The fatal accident occurred in the wake of the first wreck.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department conducted tobacco stings to test the compliance of Longview-area tobacco retailers in regard to Texas tobacco laws. Six clerks were cited in the January 8th operation. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by Longview police officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give, or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500. Continue reading Six Clerks Cited in Longview Tobacco Stings

LONGVIEW — A status hearing for the upcoming trial of a man accused of fatally stabbing two people in a Longview surgery center has been reset for April 10. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report this is the fourth time Kyron Rayshawn Templeton’s capital murder case has been rescheduled from the weekly status docket. The docket is for attorneys on both sides to inform the presiding judge of their progress toward trial. Judge Alfonso Charles has issued a gag order in the case. Templeton, 24, is accused of fatally stabbing a nurse and a visitor in the Good Shepherd Medical Center Ambulatory Surgical Center on Nov. 26, 2013.

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Republicans in Congress and a state supreme court have thrown the political hot potato known as Keystone XL straight back onto President Barack Obama’s lap. Obama is so averse to making a decision about the proposed oil pipeline that deliberations have entered their sixth year. He’s blamed the seemingly endless delays on bureaucratic formalities and parochial issues in Nebraska, even when skeptics claimed that the politics of the next election were giving Obama cold feet. Now the election is over, the Nebraska issue is resolved, and a bipartisan bill forcing the pipeline’s approval may soon be heading to Obama’s desk. The House approved the bill on Friday in one of its first acts of 2015. And the Senate plans a test vote on an identical bill next week. The southern leg of the pipeline has been running through East Texas for about a year.

TYLER — A Flint man pleaded guilty in a Smith County court Friday in the death of his daughter. KETK reports he was also charged in the injury of a second daughter. At an 11 a.m. hearing in the 7th Judicial District Court, Russell Lindstrom, 33, entered a guilty plea on two counts of injury to a child. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 2. If a not guilty plea had been entered, a jury trial was slated to begin on January 12. The suspect’s charges were lowered from one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child to two counts of injury to a child in October. Continue reading Flint Man Pleads Guilty in Hot Car Death

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A U.S. attorney’s office says two Texas men each have been sentenced to at least 12 years in prison in the kidnapping of an Arkansas man and then lying to FBI agents about it. Twenty-one-year-old Aldo Cantu and 22-year-old Anthony Segura were accused of kidnapping a Pine Bluff man at gunpoint from his home in November. Prosecutors say the men from Lufkin, Texas, forced the victim into the trunk of a car, which he escaped from at a Louisiana service station. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the Texas men were later arrested. Officials say two firearms used during the kidnapping were seized. The U.S. attorney’s office in the Western District of Louisiana says that each man had denied their involvement in the kidnapping to FBI special agents. Both also were sentenced to five years of supervised probation.

TYLER – The Queen of the 82nd Annual Texas Rose Festival has been announced. At a gala Thursday night benefiting the Tyler Rose Museum, it was announced that this year’s Rose Festival Queen will be Madeline Shirley Wynne. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Wynne. This year’s Rose Festival duchess is Anna Gray Buckley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Roe Buckley. The queen’s court was also announced at last night’s event. With a theme of “Royalty of the Under-Water Realm,” this year’s Rose Festival will run October 15th through 18th.

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) crews are getting ready for icy weather conditions forecast for the local area this weekend. Crews have already started pre-treating I-20 and a few other locations in anticipation of the winter weather. According to TxDOT, maintenance crews in the Tyler District’s eight county area (Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood counties) have outfitted dump trucks and pickup trucks with necessary equipment and materials for response to emergency situations as weather conditions change. Crews will continue to pre-treat some roadways Friday and will report to work when conditions warrant during the weekend. Efforts include inspecting highly exposed areas that are susceptible to wind and ice such as bridges, ramps and overpasses. De-icing materials will be placed over those areas as needed to improve travel. Continue reading TxDOT Preparing for Winter Weather

RUSK — The Texas State Railroad shattered ridership records last year, one of which had been standing for three decades. The railroad ended the year with annual ridership of 79,354. That was an increase of 13,345 riders or 16.8% over 2013. By comparison, the railroad’s best year ever for ridership occurred in 1984, when it was operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife. That year, 75,078 people rode the historic passenger railroad. The Polar Express™ Train Ride, by far the railroad’s largest and most popular annual special event, also set new ridership records. The seven-week event in 2014 drew 58,184 riders from 40 states and 4 foreign countries. By comparison, the 2013 event brought in 45,529 passengers from 31 states and 8 foreign countries. The increase of 12,655 riders netted the railroad 19.6% growth in that event in 2014 over 2013. Continue reading Texas State Railroad Sets Attendance Record

EAST TEXAS — Local law enforcement agencies around the area are asking the public’s support in recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day this Friday. According to a news release distributed by the Tyler Police Department, “In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all.” Continue reading East Texans Observe Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

TYLER — A Flint man facing charges in connection to the death of his daughter will appear in court today. KETK reports his child died after getting locked in a hot vehicle last June. Russell Lindstrom, 33, will appear in the 7th Judicial District Court for a plea hearing at 10:30. The honorable Kerry L. Russell will be the presiding judge. If a not guilty plea is entered, a jury trial is slated to begin on January 12. The suspect’s charges were lowered from one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child to two counts of injury to a child in October. Continue reading Flint Man to Enter Plea in Hot Car Death

TYLER — Internationally-known economist Dr. Ray Perryman offers his annual economic forecast to the Tyler-area business community. The Lindale native says the Tyler economy looks very good to him at the moment. He points to expansion in the manufacturing and distribution industries, what he terms a “very strong” health care sector, and what he sees as “a great deal of diversity in the economy.” Perryman adds, “There’s some dependence on (the) oil and gas market, but not nearly as much as you see in some parts of the state.” Continue reading Perryman Presents Upbeat Economic Forecast

LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying five men who allegedly committed felony theft at the Lindale Walmart on Tuesday. According to KETK, if you recognize the men pictured, you’re asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 903-882-3313.

AUSTIN — A bill involving the Ten Commandments didn’t pass during the last legislative session, but it’s being filed again by the same state lawmaker — and is sure to raise some eyebrows. State Representative Dan Flynn of Van says he’s re-introducing the measure that would allow Texas school teachers to post the Biblical laws in their classrooms. He says it’s important to his constituents who feel teachers should have the option, and he says a precedent of sorts has already been set. According to Flynn, “You walk into the Supreme Court building in the United States of America, and the Ten Commandments are posted there very openly. You walk on the capitol grounds of the State Capitol of Texas, they’re posted very prominently. The Supreme Court said that we could post them there.” Flynn says the bill is not pushing religion. He says the Commandments represent a moral conduct that’s often missing in today’s society and no one should be able to criticize it.

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging Texans to prepare for an arctic cold front impacting parts of Texas through the weekend. Forecasts indicate the possibility of below freezing temperatures, light snow, sleet and freezing rain across a large portion of the state. “As the latest cold front moves across much of the state, DPS is advising Texans to prepare for freezing temperatures and winter precipitation. Light snow, freezing rain and sleet in some areas could create hazardous driving conditions,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Texans should closely monitor the weather conditions in their area and use extra caution if they are driving in affected regions.” Continue reading You Are Urged to Prepare for Arctic Weather

WASHINGTON, D.C. — John Boehner dished out a little payback after narrowly winning re-election to a third term as speaker of the U.S. House, and a Texan was among those paying a price. Congressman Randy Weber of Pearland (pictured) says the vote he cast for fellow texan Louie Gohmert of Tyler cost him sponsorship of a bill. Gohmert called Boehner a sore winner whose retribution will divide Republicans. Boehner won with 216 votes,11 more than he needed. But it was the largest rebellion by a party against its incumbent speaker since the Civil War.

GILMER — During an open city council meeting Tuesday, officials with the city of Gilmer and ETMC agreed on a solution that will keep both parties happy and residents safe. Last November, ETMC Gilmer announced it would discontinue ambulance services this March. KETK reports the hospital has now agreed to assign the Camp County EMS branch to Gilmer. ETMC says at this point it does not have any other comment — that details are still being worked out and that for now, questions are being referred to the city of Gilmer. Signatures are expected within the next two weeks, and then construction for the new ambulance building will begin.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man accused of making a terroristic threat. Booked into the Smith County Jail was Juan Garza. His bond was set at $20,000. He was arrested late yesterday morning, without incident, at a south Tyler apartment complex. Continue reading Tyler Man Arrested for Terroristic Threat

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man accused of making a terroristic threat. Booked into the Smith County Jail was Juan Garza. His bond was set at $20,000. He was arrested late Wednesday morning, without incident, at a south Tyler apartment complex. Continue reading Man Arrested for Making a Terroristic Threat

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler graduate nursing programs once again have been ranked among the best in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Nursing Programs, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. In the 2015 edition, the UT Tyler master’s and doctoral degree programs are ranked in the top 15 nationwide out of all online graduate nursing programs surveyed. UT Tyler is the highest Texas public academic institution ranked, besting the University of Pittsburgh, Michigan State University, the University of Arizona, UT Arlington, and UT El Paso, among others. This is the fourth consecutive year UT Tyler has been recognized in the listing. Continue reading UTT Graduate Nursing Again Ranked High by U.S. News and World Report

WINONA — A power outage forced early dismissal of classes Wednesday in the Winona ISD. A spokesperson said classes dismissed at 3:15, with no afterschool activities. There was no immediate word on plans for school Thursday.

TYLER – Texas Monthly magazine recognized James D. Saar, MD, Director of the Center for Cosmetic Surgery at Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, as one of its 2014 Texas Super Doctors. The magazine selected honorees after polling physicians statewide, asking them to share the name of a physician they would recommend to a friend or family member. “I am humbled to be named by my peers among the best physicians in Texas,” said Dr. Saar. “While I am certainly honored to be on the Super Doctors list, it is really a testament to the excellent physicians, coworkers and staff here at the Center for Cosmetic Surgery. We work as a team to improve the lives of East Texans.’” Continue reading Dr. James D. Saar Named Texas Monthly Super Doctor 2014

TYLER — Nationally known physician Dr. David Lakey is joining UT Health Northeast in Tyler and The University of Texas System. In a first-ever joint appointment, Dr. Kirk Calhoun, President of UT Health Northeast, announced Wednesday, that Dr. Lakey will serve as Senior Vice President for Population Health at UT Health Northeast and as Associate Vice Chancellor for the UT System. Both appointments will focus on population health with the goal of improving health outcomes statewide. Dr. Lakey is an expert on disease prevention and family and community health services, environmental and consumer safety, as well as infectious disease outbreaks and bioterrorism preparedness. Dr. Lakey will be leaving his post as Texas Health Commissioner, where he helped lead the state’s response to the first U.S. case of Ebola. Continue reading Nationally Known Physician to Lead Northeast Texas Population Health Initiative

RUSK — Four Jacksonville teenagers have been arrested for attempting to break into a home last month. KETK reports three are named as Austin Work, Joshua Hughes, and Billy Myles. The fourth teenager is still a minor, so his name will not be released. The attempted burglary happened in the 3900 block of Cherokee County Road 3908. Deputies say the teenagers were identified through the homeowner’s surveillance video.

ANGELINA COUNTY — An East Texas man has been killed in a Tuesday night wreck in Angelina County. Around 6:50, troopers responded to the scene of a one-vehicle rollover crash on US 59, about three miles north of Lufkin. According to KETK, the preliminary crash investigation indicated that the vehicle was traveling at an unsafe speed when it left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. The driver was identified as Marty Jay Allen, 55, Lufkin. Continue reading East Texan Killed in Tuesday Night Wreck

TYLER — A Tyler man has been identified as the victim of a weekend accident in Smith County. Jeffrey Paul Ewald, 50, died in the crash around 10:30 Sunday night at the intersection of U.S. Highway 271 and Farm Road 2908. DPS Trooper Jean Dark said the preliminary crash report revealed a truck tractor hauling another unit was headed west on 2908 and did not stop at the intersection of 271. The vehicle drove off the left side of 271. The crash remains under investigation

TYLER – Two persons, including a Tyler firefighter, have been injured in a Tyler fire. The home in the 2200 block of Boswell Street was said to have been a total loss in the fire, which was reported just before 2:15 yesterday afternoon. A firefighter suffered a second degree burns on his ear. A resident of the house was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire, which started in one of the bedrooms of the house, remains under investigation.