KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — During their upcoming meeting on May 13, the Tyler City Council will consider a recommendation for an incentive payable to Trane/Ingersoll Rand for jobs created as a result of moving a business line from Mexico to the Tyler plant, according to a news release from the City of Tyler. “We had an opportunity to bring a small product line that had been manufactured in Monterey, Mexico back to Tyler,” said Trane Plant Manager Ted Crabtree. “This was an excellent opportunity for us to stabilize the seasonality of our workforce by more fully loading our build lines.” Continue reading Incentives Offered to Tyler Company to Create Jobs

GREGG COUNTY — An alleged act of family violence turned into an arrest for an East Texas man Saturday night. According to the Longview Police Department, Mark Lindsey Owens, 39, of Longview, was jailed over the weekend after authorities say he strangled a family member. The relative’s identity and the relationship to Owens is unknown at this time.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested after trying to falsely claim a lottery prize in Smith County. According to the Longview Police Department, Douglas Levi Brow, 57, was booked into the Gregg County Jail Saturday on charges of trying to falsely claim winnings from a lottery ticket.

WINONA – The woman who drowned in northeastern Smith County has been identified. Justice of the Peace Mitch Shamburger tells KTBB the victim is Christy Dennis, 41, of Tyler. The accident happened shortly after 5:15 Sunday afternoon in a private pond located in the 13500 block of Highway 155 near Winona. A caller told authorities the woman jumped into the water to swim. After a few moments of swimming, she called for help and went under water. Smith County sheriff’s deputies were joined by game wardens of the Texas Parks and Wildlife, Winona Fire Department, Noonday Fire Department, and the Smith County dive team. Her body was recovered around 7:00 Sunday night. Judge Shamburger has ordered an autopsy.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 756 west of Whitehouse between Farm Road 346 and Maji Road. Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to perform similar work in various locations on Farm Road 2813 between Tall Timbers Road and U.S. Highway 69, and on Farm Road 346 between US 69 and Farm Road 2964 (Rhone’s Quarter Road) near Whitehouse. Elsewhere, crews will be building a crossover on State Highway 31 near the River Bridge between Farm Road 2661 and Chandler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

EAST TEXAS – Voters made their choices Saturday in municipal and independent school district elections around East Texas. In the city of Tyler, Martin Heines won a resounding victory over Joel Rando in the race for mayor. Heines (pictured) says he’s “very gratified” with the outcome. Emphasizing the city’s financial stability, Heines says he plans to keep Tyler on its current path. But in campaign visits with residents, he says he heard another important message on which he intends to follow through: that locals are concerned with streets and traffic enhancement. Continue reading Local Elections Held Saturday; Heines Elected Mayor

LUFKIN (AP) – Guns believed used in the slayings of an East Texas couple earlier this year have been recovered from a pond not far from the home where four of the people charged in the case lived. A defense lawyer in the case says Cameron Westfall, 18, led authorities to the weapons believed used to kill Nathan Maddox, 34, of Zavalla and his wife, Krystal, 30. Westfall, his parents and sister are charged in the January slayings in front of a church near Colmesneil in Tyler County. They’ve all pleaded not guilty. The couple was ambushed while on a court-allowed visit with Nathan Maddox’s 5-year-old daughter who had been living with the Westfall family. Beaumont attorney Jonathan Stovall tells The Lufkin Daily News the weapons could be the strongest evidence against the family.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is recovering in the hospital after being pulled from a burning vehicle early Saturday night. According to KETK, Longview police say the accident happened around 8:00 Saturday evening at the corner of Loop 281 and McCann. Police say the man drove off the road into a traffic light pole. The collision caused his car to burst into flames. The man inside the vehicle was pulled from the fiery wreckage by witnesses at the scene. He was then taken to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition. Police say his condition has since improved. The cause of the accident is still being investigated. His name and age have not yet been released.

HARRISON COUNTY — The Harrison County Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a man in a reported accidental shooting. According to KETK, the sheriff’s office received a call Saturday night that a shot had been fired and one person had been injured in the 1000 block of Ragon Road. Upon arrival deputies found a single victim, Ivan Dolley, 25, with a gunshot wound to his upper abdomen, and a witness performing CPR. Dolley was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The incident appears to have occurred when the loaded weapon was being handed to the victim, barrel first. Authorities are still gathering information regarding the case, and no arrests have been made.

LONGVIEW — This morning, the Longview Police Department dedicated a memorial to the Longview police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The dedication was made in conjunction with National Police Memorial Week. The memorial was donated to the Police Department by the men and women of the Longview Police Officers’ Association. The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.

TYLER — Starting this morning, the 4000 block of Hogan Drive was closed between Hogan Court and the entrance to the Mansions at the Cascades while the Traffic Department installs a traffic calming device. This street closure shall remain in effect each day from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The installation is anticipated to be finished at 3:00pm on Friday, May 16.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler will hold an application drive for its newest housing facility, Eagle’s Landing, Sarah Bowdin, assistant vice president for enrollment management, announced. The application drive will be 11:00am through 8:00pm Thursday through Saturday, May 15 – 17, at the Eagle’s Landing clubhouse, located at 3088 Old Omen Road. The facility is currently accepting UT Tyler students for move-in. “We are excited to show the campus community another option for on campus living this fall by opening the property to new and prospective students at UT Tyler,” Bowdin said. “During the application drive, we will waive the application fee, offer tours and provide free food and prizes. Come celebrate with us as we continue to grow and add more options for our students.” For more information, call Eagle’s Landing, 903-566-9200.

LONGVIEW — Over the course of the last two weeks, detectives in Angelina and Gregg Counties have been working to apprehend suspects and recover property in a series of 10 to 15 burglaries which have occurred in their counties. KETK reports detectives have arrested four suspects in connection with thefts totaling over $15,000, including a county-owned computer. Detectives were assisted by Lufkin and Longview police. They also recovered a stolen TABC pistol, a badge, and narcotics.

RUSK — Authorities have released the identity of a correctional officer who was arrested in the escape of Cherokee County inmate Thomas Kyle Wagoner. Officials say 22-year-old Miranda Shay Emmons of Jacksonville had only worked for Cherokee County since February 2014. She was arrested at 3:00 Friday morning and charged with permitting or facilitating escape, a 3rd degree felony. Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy conducted the arraignment of Emmons and set her bond at $10,000. Continue reading Authorities Release Name of Officer Allegedly Involved in Inmate Escape

SWAN – Using dental records, the medical examiner’s office has positively identified the victim found during a house fire in the 11000 block of County Road 495 as Ryan T. Wells, 36, of Tyler. Earlier, investigators with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office discovered the cause of death; according to the medical examiner’s report, it was smoke inhalation and thermal burns. Wells’s body was found Monday after Lindale firefighters responded to the 11000 block of County Road 495. Continue reading Body Found on CR 495 Identified

TYLER — A Tyler jury Friday afternoon sentenced Christoper Wiley to life in prison. Late Thursday afternoon, the jury convicted Wiley, 39, of murder. According to KETK, he was accused of fatally shooting Rodney Walker, 52. It happened at Wiley’s Azalea District rental home along East First Street last July. Officers say after Wiley killed Walker, he tried to commit suicide. Police arrested him shortly after he was taken to a Tyler hospital.

EMORY — The now-former deputy who shot an East Texas homeowner’s dog has been indicted by a Rains County grand jury for animal cruelty. According to KETK, the Rains County District Clerk’s Office confirmed Jerrod Dooley has been charged with the crime. Dooley was fired in late April by the sheriff’s office after being placed on administrative leave for several days following the shooting on Farm to Market 514. The owner said he drowned his dog to end his suffering. A necropsy showed the dog was shot in the back of his head while retreating from the shooter. Continue reading Former Deputy Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charge after Shooting Dog

LONGVIEW — A female juvenile has been released after being hospitalized following a shooting in Longview. Friday morning just after midnight, Longview Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of West Avalon Avenue at the Treehouse Apartments. The girl was shot during the incident and was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries. According to KETK, the identities of the victim and suspected shooter were not immediately released.

TYLER — Texas Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Greg Abbott stopped Thursday at Tyler’s Jack Elementary to discuss his Educating Texans policy. According to KETK, Abbott aims to put the state’s education system on top nationwide in the next ten years. He’s rolling out a four-phase plan, and Thursday he discussed the third phase: digital learning. He also talked about the other two phases introduced so far: creating a solid foundation for learning and focusing on local control.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is working an increased number of burglaries in the Southwest portion of the county and has named three suspects. The Sheriff’s Office is also warning citizens to take extra precautions to prevent becoming a victim. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating Broderick Darrnell Willis, 18, of Flint, Payton Joseph Raymond, 19, of Flint, and Austin Michael Drain, 19, of Tyler. Willis is wanted on a $75,000 warrant for theft of a firearm; Raymond is wanted on a $100,000 warrant for burglary of a habitation; and Drain is wanted on a $75,000 warrant for burglary of a habitation. Judge Carole Clark of the 321st District Court issued the warrants. Continue reading Residents Warned of Burglaries; Three Suspects Sought

GLADEWATER — Multiple agencies worked together to remove a large number of mixed breed dogs and cats from a residence in Upshur County. According to KETK, officials said about 65 animals were taken from the location about four miles north of Gladewater. Upshur County Precinct 1 Constable Gene Dolle said a search warrant and seizure warrant were served at a house on Kings Way off North Pleasant Point Road Thursday morning. The warrants were issued after people living there refused to allow authorities onto the property, according to officials. The SPCA is due to take control of the animals and transport them to its headquarters in McKinney for treatment. Many of the animals are in poor condition, according to Constable Dolle. Two veterinary technicians are on scene assisting. Continue reading SPCA Works to Seize More than 60 Animals from Upshur County

TYLER — ETMC Tyler has been named by Becker’s Healthcare as one of the “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” in the 2014 list published this week. “ETMC is blessed with employees who each day dedicate themselves to our mission of serving East Texans,” noted Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. “This award honors these team members and the programs that define our workplace culture.” Continue reading ETMC Tyler Named “Great Place to Work in Healthcare”

NACOGDOCHES — The Texas Medical Board has ordered the revocation of the license belonging to an East Texas doctor, effective immediately. According to KETK, Dr. David Anthony Mosig, a contracted emergency room doctor at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, had a formal complaint filed against him September 12, 2013, based off a felony conviction. Mosig was ordered by a federal judge to pay back $375,580 to the government and serve two years probation after he was convicted of making a false statement on his income tax return. He claimed $0 in total income in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Mosig has 20 days to request a rehearing.

TYLER — When temperatures rise and the air conditioning switches on, energy bills double in price. So TXU Energy launched a “Free Nights” program that can reduce your energy bill by 30%.

KETK spoke with Lauren Little, the spokesperson for TXU Energy, who said, “The premise of the plan is that we provide our customers with free electricity”. By signing up online, TXU takes care of all energy used throughout the entire year, during the hours of 9pm to 6am. Little said, “Any customer who lives in Texas who has a smart meter or an AMF meter is able to sign up for one of these plans, all they have to do is give us a call or go online.” Visit http://www.txu.com/en/residential/plans-offers.aspx?PromoCode=BNGPPCAD&W to sign up. Continue reading TXU Money Saving Program

TYLER – The punishment phase of the Ricky Neal Jr. murder trial is in recess until Tuesday morning. Shortly before 11:00 Wednesday morning, the jury found Neal guilty of murder in last year’s slaying of a former area football and basketball star. Neal was accused of murdering Chris Mass, 23, and shooting at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, in February 2013 in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot. Shortly after the verdict was returned, the punishment phase of the trial started with both sides making opening statements. The prosecution said it was seeking a life prison sentence, with the defense suggesting 20 years or less. Later in the day the trial was adjourned until next week. Neal faces an additional charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police determined he shot at Dews. That case will be tried separately.

TYLER – Tyler police have canceled the search for a Tyler teen. Missing 14-year-old Luz Gonzales was thought to have been a run away. The Hogg Middle School student is said to be safe and back with her family.

RUSK – Cherokee County authorities are looking for an inmate who walked away from the Cherokee County Jail. He is Thomas Kyle Wagoner, 23, who was an outside trusty who had regular outdoors access. He is described as a white male who stands 6’3” and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities say he has family scattered around Cherokee County and in the Frankston, Troup and Whitehouse areas.

DALLAS — The Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX) announced Wednesday that it has appointed current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Bartkowski as Chief Executive Officer effective May 12, 2014. Bartkowski succeeds Colleen Walker following her appointment as the Eugene McDermott CEO of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas last month. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves over 33,000 girls and 17,000 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. Continue reading New Girl Scout Official in Northeast Texas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are refusing to let supporters of the Keystone XL oil pipeline to use an energy efficiency bill as a vehicle to attempt winning congressional approval for the controversial project. Majority Leader Harry Reid used a parliamentary move Wednesday to block a Republican amendment on the pipeline as well as a measure to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing new greenhouse gas regulations on coal-burning power plants. The proposed Canada-U.S. pipeline would extend from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast. It would run through eastern Smith County. The Obama administration announced last month it was delaying a decision on the pipeline’s fate indefinitely. Reid has offered supporters a vote on a stand-alone bill that deals with only the pipeline. All 45 Senate Republicans and as many as a dozen Democrats support the project. Environmental groups oppose it.

TYLER — Tyler is getting a visit today from former President George W. Bush. Grace Community School will take over the University of Texas at Tyler’s Herrington Patriot Center for a full-scale, 40th Anniversary celebration event. Bush will keynote the event, speaking to the crowd and also participating in a conversation with Grace Headmaster Jay Ferguson. The evening will also include special music performances from Grace Community School’s state-recognized fine arts department and a multi-media presentation to recognize and honor the founders of the school. The event kicks off at 7:00pm, and you can go to http://www.gracetyler.org to get tickets.