KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler state Rep. Matt Schaefer voted Monday in favor of House Bill 1 and House Joint Resolution 1, which he says will provide much needed funding for road construction and maintenance. The boom in the Texas oil and gas sector has significantly increased the amount of tax revenues sent to the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, according to Schaefer. He says it is the state’s savings account that has helped maintain government functions during hard economic times. Continue reading Schaefer Supports Increased Road Funding

HENDERSON — Rusk County’s airport director has been fired after county officials discovered he crashed his vehicle into a home last week. Police say David Dumas, 49, was booked into Rusk County Jail for driving while intoxicated. It was his second time in the last two weeks. Police tell KETK Dumas was pulling out of a business in the 500 block of West Main Street in Henderson when he hit the accelerator instead of the brake. He was on administrative leave for three hours when he ran his truck into the home. Officials say he was fired that day.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — An East Texas native was recently honored for his heroic actions while serving in Afghanistan, according to military officials. KETK reports that on July 23, Lance Cpl. Joel T. Murray of Hallsville earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” device in recognition of his “heroic achievement” during the defense of Forward Operating Base Shir Ghazi in the Helmand province. Continue reading East Texas Marine Honored for “Heroic Achievement” in Afghanistan

LONGVIEW — Three of the nation’s most uninsured counties are in Northeast Texas, according to a report by the American Center for Progress: Titus, Henderson, and Cherokee counties. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the report concludes that 22 of the 30 most uninsured counties in the nation are in Texas, where six million people are uninsured. That is the highest state rate in the country, according to the report. The group urged Congress to stop trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Continue reading Report: Three of Nation’s Most Uninsured Counties in East Texas

MARSHALL — Harrison County has indicted an East Texas woman for solicitation of capital murder of a peace officer. KETK reports Amanda Denise Smith, 24, was indicted for a murder for hire plot involving an East Texas police officer. She and Sydney Sides, 18, allegedly attempted to pay someone $5,000 to kill her estranged husband, who had filed for divorce earlier this year.

LINDALE — Lindale ISD trustees voted Monday night to decrease the total tax rate by two cents, including a four cent tax decrease on the interest and sinking tax rate and a two cent tax rate increase on the maintenance and operation tax rate, a move that will need approval from LISD voters. Trustees voted to increase the maintenance and operation rate to $1.08 per $100 property valuation. By statue, any increase in the maintenance and operation tax rate must be ratified by election. A tax ratification election will be held on Tuesday, October 8. The two cent M&O increase will generate approximately $275,000 in school funding primarily for the purchase of technology for classrooms and additional security at the elementary campuses. Continue reading Lindale ISD Tax Ratification Election Set for Tech, Security Upgrades

LUFKIN — An Angelina County double murder suspect has surrendered to authorities. Kevin Jabbar McKelvey, 37, of Lufkin turned himself in to authorities last night. Angelina County Sheriff Greg Sanches said McKelvey showed up at the sheriff’s department around 8:00 last night with his parents. After talking with his parents he decided to turn himself in. He fled after he reportedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her mother late Sunday night. It happened in the 100 block of Carlton.

HOOKS (AP) — Investigators say three people have been killed and several hurt in a pickup truck rollover accident on Interstate 30 in Northeast Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety says the wreck happened around dawn Monday on eastbound Interstate Highway30 in Bowie County near Hooks. DPS officials told KSLA-TV that seven people were in the vehicle and the driver may have fallen asleep. DPS says three people were dead at the scene. Several others were injured and transported to hospitals. Details on the victims weren’t immediately released. Investigators say the truck apparently was bound from Mexico to Indiana. Further details weren’t immediately available.

LONGVIEW — About twenty people gathered outside the Longview library Monday to bring attention to the need for immigration reform. According to KETK, Organizing for Action is calling for support of the immigration bill that was passed by the Senate in June. Speakers from the local NAACP, Organizing for Action, and immigration lawyers addressed the crowd. The groups are asking for community members to call their reps to support the reform.

MARSHALL — Former Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Nichols has been found guilty of indecency with a child in his trial in state district court, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports the case was investigated by the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers. Nichols, who was also a pastor, was arrested in September 2011 for two counts of sexual indecency with a child by contact. He was also arrested on a sex charge that involves another alleged victim in December 2011. It’s now up to jurors to decide Nichols’s punishment.

WINONA — A Monday afternoon fire in Winona was extinguished thanks to a quick response by the Winona Fire Department. KETK reports firefighters responded to a call around 1:30pm, with reports a detached garage/shop was on fire in the 11000 block of Smith County Road 313. Due to high winds, the fire spread to the grass, which encompassed about two acres. According to the Winona fire chief, the fire was put out but the detached structure was destroyed. No injuries occurred in the incident.

TYLER — A judge announced Monday there would be no plea bargain in the case of Ricky Neal, Jr., 23, of Tyler. According to KETK, Neal (pictured) allegedly murdered former Chapel Hill High School and Stephen F. Austin State University football player Chris Mass, 23, of Tyler. Neal has also been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police claimed he also shot at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, of Tyler. On Saturday, February 9, 2013, Neal allegedly killed Mass following a dispute involving Twitter. Neal’s trial is slated to begin October 7. Continue reading Trial to Begin October 7 in SFA Footballer’s Death

TYLER — A Center, Texas couple, now living in Elgin, Texas, and a Center, Texas man have been indicted on charges of conspiracy and health care fraud. The former owners and operators of North East Texas EMS, Cathy Harvill, 56, and Bill Harvill, 59, and the former supervisor of the North East Texas EMS Nacogdoches office, Shon Cooper, 42, were indicted by a federal grand jury last month. If convicted, the defendants face up to ten years in federal prison. Continue reading Three Indicted in East Texas Health Care Fraud Scheme

HOUSTON (AP) – Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin says the university is gathering facts after a report that quarterback Johnny Manziel was paid for signing hundreds of autographs in January. Speaking to the media Monday before the Aggies open camp, Sumlin says he learned of the ESPN report Sunday. ESPN says the NCAA is investigating whether the Heisman Trophy winner was paid for the autographs, which could potentially violate its amateurism rules and put his eligibility in question. Sumlin said he would not speculate whether Manziel will be his starter when the season begins August 31 against Rice. He also said starting defensive tackle Kirby Ennis, who was arrested in February on a weapons charge, will be suspended for the Rice game.

TYLER — There’s a change in how underserved people in the Tyler area get access to health care services. First, according to KETK, Total Healthcare in Tyler will no longer see patients effective Friday, August 2. According to a sign on the door of the facility, the clinic closed its doors for good at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Last year, the city suspended funding to the Total Healthcare organization after what the city called a “chronic inability to maintain leadership.” In 2011, the Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit against Total Healthcare alleging several violations including negligent mismanagement. Total Healthcare had operated as the community’s only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Continue reading Health Care Switch for Tyler’s Underserved

LONGVIEW — A man and woman are behind bars in Gregg County. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview police say they attacked two men near Newgate Mission. Mary Johnson, 42, and Jason Green, 33, allegedly attacked a 76-year old man, reportedly beating him with his wooden walking cane. Another man saw what was happening and tried calling the police. That’s when Johnson and Green started attacking him as well, according to authorities. Police arrived and arrested the two. Both men suffered head injuries and we taken to a local hospital for treatment.

LONGVIEW — Longview city officials are alerting the public to a couple of street closures. Ward Drive between West Marshall Avenue and Memphis Street was closed down at 8:00 Monday morning and will remain closed in that location until 6:00 Tuesday evening. A detour is sending traffic to Enterprise Street from W. Marshall and Memphis. During the weekend, crews closed down Enterprise Street between West Marshall and Memphis. The Ward/Enterprise project is for railroad crossing work and additional work. Continue reading Longview Street Closures

CENTER (AP) — A 7-year-old boy and a man have drowned after the child drove an all-terrain vehicle into an East Texas pond and the adult jumped in the water to try to save the youth. Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell on Monday identified the victims as 50-year-old Danny Porterfield Center and a family friend, Carter Amburn of San Augustine. The ATV accident happened Sunday afternoon near the Porterfield residence. The sheriff says Carter was a friend of Porterfield’s grandchild and both youngsters were visiting the home. A deputy located Carter’s body in the water and started CPR. The boy was declared dead at a hospital. Porterfield’s body was found several hours later by a dive team.

LONE OAK — Fire has extensively damaged a tire shop in Lone Oak. KETK reports it happened Sunday on Kay Street, just off U.S. Highway 69 in Hunt County. There were no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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

TYLER – Construction crews from TxDOT contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, have begun several months of work to widen State Highway 64 to five lanes between Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and Farm Road 2661 just west of Toll 49. “This section of SH 64 is a bottleneck,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “Particularly now that Toll 49 is putting additional traffic on it. This project will be an immediate improvement to the safety and mobility through this area.” The $2.4 million project is scheduled for completion next summer. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

AUSTIN (AP) – The main sticking point on greater transportation spending centers on what is the most conservative way to fund it without raising taxes, and an East Texan is taking a high-profile role in the process. Governor Rick Perry has called the Legislature back for a third special session to approve more money for roads. Republican Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville (pictured) has proposed a constitutional amendment that would take 50% of the money flowing into the Rainy Day Fund and divert it for roads and bridges. Nichols easily won two-thirds support in the Senate, but El Paso Rep. Joe Pickett says he doesn’t have votes in the House to send the question to voters. The House meets Monday to see if a compromise is possible.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman accused in the early March shooting of her husband, Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson, faces arraignment Friday in 188th District Court. That’s after Ina Lawson was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the JP’s wife was arrested after police said she shot her husband in the back as he tried to flee through the kitchen to the laundry room. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he remained for weeks. Continue reading Gregg County JP’s Wife Faces Arraignment on Assault Charge

MARSHALL — Closing arguments are heard this morning in the indecency with a child trial of former pastor and Harrison County sheriff’s deputy Eddie Nichols. The youngest of Nichols’ accusers testified a second time Friday. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that she said she recanted from her outcry at one point because she wanted to believe he hadn’t touched her. The prosecution’s witness broke down under cross examination from defense attorney Vernard Solomon, who asked if she was being truthful when she said Nichols never touched her. “At that point, I wanted to believe it was true,” she said. She was led from the witness stand for five minutes to collect herself. Continue reading Jury Hears Closing Arguments in Former Deputy’s Trial

TYLER (AP) – Veteran Texas newspaper journalist Bill Earl Martin, former publisher of the Longview News-Journal and Lufkin Daily News, has died. He was 81. Martin died Friday of congestive heart failure, according to an obituary on the website of the Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Continue reading Veteran Texas Newspaper Editor Martin Dies at 81

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities worked a three-vehicle accident Saturday in southern Smith County. It happened around 2:45 p.m. at Highway 69 and Farm to Market Road 346. According to KETK crews, the wreck began as a fender bender. No one was seriously injured. No other details were immediately available.

WHITEHOUSE — Officials say a man shot himself during an attempted gun sale in Whitehouse. KETK reports that around 10:30 Saturday morning, Whitehouse police were called to Action Pawn. On arrival, they found a man shot in the leg. Crews say the victim was trying to sell his gun to the pawn shop when he accidentally fired the weapon on himself. The man, whose name was not immediately released, was sent to a local hospital for his injury.

TYLER — Students in Tyler Junior College’s A+ Certification Preparation program are preparing for careers in information technology by building computers that will be donated to Smith County nonprofit organizations. The program is a partnership between TJC and Workforce Solutions East Texas. The students are three weeks into the intensive, four-week program comprising 120 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of hands-on training in a computer lab. Continue reading TJC Students Building Computers to Be Donated to Area Nonprofits

NACOGDOCHES — Three men are in custody in Nacogdoches and are charged with felony possession of marijuana. Willie Whiteside of Indianapolis, Indiana, was operating a 2003 Lincoln Navigator in the 5000 block of Northwest Loop 224 when he was stopped by a Nacogdoches Police K-9 officer for a traffic violation, according to police. Officers established probable cause to search the vehicle, and they say 17.5 lbs. of marijuana was located in the rear of the vehicle. Continue reading Three Arrested after Over $22,000 Worth of Marijuana Seized

LONGVIEW (AP) – Elizabeth Smart has told an East Texas audience that she sees each day as a gift and refuses to be burdened by the torment she felt when taken captive as a child. Smart was 14 when she was abducted from her Salt Lake City home in 2002 by a homeless street preacher. She was sexually assaulted repeatedly before her captor was recognized on a Utah street nine months later, setting in motion her release. The Longview News-Journal reports she spoke Thursday at an event organized by Longview Regional Medical Center, telling the crowd that people have the choice to keep moving forward or to “allow our trials to suck us back.” Smart says her abduction left her “shattered,” but she decided “to survive and make it home again.”

NACOGDOCHES — A man wanted by authorities in Nacogdoches County for multiple burglaries has been caught by authorities, according to the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports Jeffrey Holliman, 50, is described as a “survivalist” who has allegedly been squatting in abandoned houses and in make-shift shelters. He is accused of stealing weapons, clothes, money, survival equipment, and large quantities of food from local houses and vehicles. Law enforcement was searching for stolen property at an undisclosed location. The burglaries are said to have taken place on Nacogdoches County Roads 411, 419, and 331. We’ll update this story as more information comes in.