KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — The lack of rain is causing some area counties to issue burn bans. The Henderson County commissioners’ court has issued a 14 day burn ban. If sufficient rain falls it could be lifted earlier. Or, because of lack of rain, it could be extended. Houston County has also issued a burn ban.

TYLER — Nearly 300 area residents headed out from Tyler early Tuesday to show their support for pro-life legislation. KETK reports the group left for Austin in six buses around 7:30 to support the passage of House Bill 2. The trip came on the heels of a Monday rally at the state capitol that also attracted a number of East Texans.

WICHITA, KAN. (AP/STAFF) — A judge has set for resentencing the case of two East Texas brothers who ran a Kansas hunting camp where hunters paid thousands of dollars to illegally shoot deer. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Tuesday set an August 28 resentencing for James and Marlin Butler after an appeals court overturned their prison terms. Belot told attorneys he would hear testimony at the resentencing about the fair market price of wild deer parts. Continue reading Resentencing Set for East Texans in Kansas Hunting Camp Case

TYLER — ETMC EMS has worked out a new contract agreement with Cherokee County commissioners. KETK reports ETMC EMS will subcontract with Blanket EMS out of Huntsville to cover the cities of Alto and Wells and southern Cherokee County effective July 16. The county, both cities, and ETMC EMS are contributing to the cost of using Blanket EMS. ETMC EMS will serve as a backup to Blanket EMS and will dispatch their calls. Continue reading ETMC to Contract EMS to Cover Southern Cherokee Co.

TYLER — Roadway resurfacing began at 8:30 this morning on a portion of Shiloh Road between Paluxy Drive (FM 756) and Troup Highway (TX 110). Various lane closures will occur throughout the day. City officials ask that you allow additional travel time and use alternate routes if practical. On Tuesday, July 16, new pavement markings will be implemented to convert an eastbound lane into a two-way left turn lane on this portion of Shiloh Road. Drivers are advised to observe new signs and pavement markings, and to exercise caution on Shiloh Road.

QUITMAN – Residents of all ages from Wood County and surrounding areas are invited to attend a community celebration and dedication of the new East Texas Medical Center Quitman, Sunday, July 14, from 1:00 to 3:00pm. “We are inviting the public to join us as we celebrate the completion of our new hospital facility – a major step in fostering ETMC’s goal of providing the highest quality healthcare to the people of Wood County,” said Warren Robicheaux, administrator of ETMC Quitman. Continue reading Public Invited to Community Celebration for New ETMC Quitman

MT. PLEASANT — A Pittsburg man and his wife were last reported in critical condition in East Texas Medical Center in Tyler following a wreck Saturday in Mount Pleasant. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Mark Jones, 63, and Pamela Jones, 59, were thrown from the motorcycle they were riding. Neither was wearing a helmet, said Mount Pleasant Police Chief Wayne Isbell in a statement issued Monday. Continue reading Couple Critically Injured in Mount Pleasant Wreck

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler says security at the state Capitol has “at least doubled” to handle crowds since a June 25 outburst in the Senate chamber. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers have had a strong presence as crowds have poured into the Capitol for rallies and marathon hearings on an abortion restrictions bill. Eltife oversees the Senate Administration Committee. He declined to reveal exact numbers of troopers or how much the boost in security cost. Eltife said Tuesday lawmakers told DPS they want plenty of troopers on the ground no matter the expense. The abortion debate has drawn tens of thousands to the Capitol in recent weeks. The outburst in the Senate chamber shut down a vote at the deadline of the first special session.

OVERTON — A man was arrested after a high speed chase in Overton Monday night. Overton Police tell KETK an officer attempted to pull over William Reider, 34, of Overton, on Commerce Street around 8:00pm for an expired inspection. When the officer turned his vehicle around to initiate the traffic stop, Reider sped away, according to officials. Police say Reider led the officer on a brief high-speed chase through town. Continue reading Overton High Speed Chase Ends in Wreck, Arrest

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogodoches police say they need the public’s help to find a robber who took money from a gas station in June. KETK reports it happened at the Chevron station on the 3200 block of North St. on June 16th, just before 5:00 a.m. Surveillance video from the gas station shows a tall black male entering the store and demanding money. He was wearing a black ski mask, purple SFA t-shirt, sweat pants and white tennis shoes. After taking the contents of the cash register, the robber fled in an unknown direction. Continue reading Nacogdoches Police Search for Robber

TYLER — Smith County law enforcement agents are getting some new equipment thanks to criminals. KETK reports that the DA’s Seized Drug Money Fund has been able to put tens of thousands of dollars back into local law enforcement just over the past few months. The district attorney takes 30% of that seizure amount, and 70% goes back to the seizing agency. Then the DA’s office uses that money for any law enforcement purpose. Departments all over the county can make requests for certain items they need. The fund has paid for things like training, patrol cars, radios, drug dogs, ballistic helmets, shields, firearms, and much more.

ATHENS — Effective Monday, the city of Athens has initiated Stage 1 of the city’s drought contingency plan. City residents are requested to voluntarily conserve water and adhere to prescribed restrictions on certain water uses. According to the city web page, stage 1 indicates mild water shortage conditions. The goal is to achieve a voluntary 10% reduction in daily use. Athens residents are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas on and odd-even watering schedule. Residents are also asked irrigate landscapes only between the hours of midnight and 10:00am and 8:00pm to midnight on designated watering days. You can go to http://www.athenstexas.us to get more information on Athens’ Drought Contingency Plan.

TYLER — Tyler police have charged a man with manslaughter in connection with a death last month. Charged in the case is Ricky Lee Cox, 22, who is said to be a homeless man from Tyler. On June 19, around 5:30 in the afternoon, EMS responded to the area of the railroad tracks on N. Bois D. Arc near the Bus Station. There they found Michelle Ingram, 28. She had reportedly struck her head on the railroad tracks as she and her boyfriend, who was identified as Cox, walked along the tracks. She died a couple of days later at East Texas Medical Center. On July 4th, police investigators charged Cox with manslaughter. Bond was set at $50,000.

LONE STAR — Marion County authorities are looking into what appears to be a murder/suicide. It was found around 1:00 Monday morning in the Lake O’ the Pines area off Farm Road 729. It was first reported as a house fire. Arriving firemen found a man sitting in a car, dead from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Later, in the house which was destroyed by fire, authorities found two bodies. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW — A traffic stop in Gregg County has led to two arrests and a manhunt. It started around 10:00 Monday morning when a sheriff’s deputy pulled over a man who was eastbound on Interstate Highway 20 near Farm Road 1252. Inside the vehicle, authorities say narcotics were found. A woman was arrested and a man in the vehicle fled barefoot from the vehicle. He was found in a nearby wooded area. Their names will be released following their arraignment.

LONGVIEW — A man has been arrested after driving his pickup into a Longview store. He is identified as Matthew Blake Costello, 21, of Longview. The accident occurred around 6:30 Sunday morning at Albertsons in the 3600 block of McCann Road. Longview police report no injuries in the accident. Continue reading Man Who Drove into Longview Business Identified

LONGVIEW — Longview police continue their investigation into a shooting that left one person dead and one injured. It happened around 5:15 Sunday afternoon in the 300 block of Bonner street. Killed was Joey Lee Espy, aka Joey Lee Henderson, 19, Longview. (pictured) He was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman, who was also shot, was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Numerous shots were said to have been fired and authorities say they have no serious leads to the shooter. Investigators feel that narcotics may have played a part in the homicide. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Longview Police.

WHITEHOUSE — A Smith County mobile home has been damaged by fire. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the blaze around 11:00 Saturday night at Rocky Lane and County Road 756. No injuries were reported.

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

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District-Wide Seal Coat is scheduled to begin Monday in Henderson County, then move through all eight counties of the Tyler District and treat nearly 300 miles of roadway before concluding work in August. Crews are scheduled to seal most of U.S. Highway 175 between Athens and the Kaufman County Line, then move into Anderson County by the weekend, weather permitting. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LUFKIN — Three Lufkin youth have been arrested for public intoxication. KETK reports it happened just before 3:45 Sunday morning 1500 block of Lakeview Street. Officers were dispatched to the scene following a report of a drunk driver. Found in possession of alcohol was Lucia Alfaro, 19, Joseph Callaway, 18, and Nicole Castillo, 20. Calloway, who was the driver, was charged with driving while intoxicated. Castillo was charged with minor possession of alcohol, and Alfaro was arrested for a warrant for her arrest.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man remains in the county jail on a murder charge almost two weeks after his brother had been fatally stabbed. The Longview News-Journal reports Sheriff Maxey Cerliano says the arrest of Jeffrey Allen Miller, 28, is in connection with the June 24th death of his brother, Jeremy Dewayne Miller, 27. He died at a Longview hospital from a stab wound to his abdomen. Continue reading Man Charged in Brother’s Murder

MARSHALL — Two Marshall juveniles are being charged with arson after an early morning fire at the East Texas Open Door, a juvenile detention facility. The fire was reported just after 2:00 Saturday morning. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. The Longview News-Journal reports the two teenagers told Marshall police they were trying to rescue the sleeping residents of the facility. Further investigation led to the arrest of the two boys.

LONGVIEW — A couple of hundred persons were on had for the Longview Chapter tea party, We the People’s rally, “Don’t Tread On Me”. It was held Saturday at the Gregg County Courthouse. KETK reports on hand were some of the top conservative figures in Texas politics such as Austin Lux, as well as State Representatives Bryan Hughes and David Simpson. The speakers discussed such issues as abortion and the national debt crisis.

CLARKSVILLE CITY — A Gregg county home has been been destroyed by a fire that may have started from fireworks. It was reported shortly before 12:45 Thursday morning at Western Acres in Clarksville City. Investigators say family members had been popping fireworks near the home prior to the fire. No injuries were reported and the fire remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say a Smith County home’s living room caved in and the home was destroyed as the result of a Friday fire. According to the Smith County Fire Marshal, the house is on CR 288, also known as Arp Club Lake Road, just off CR 285. KETK reports Arp, Chapel Hill, and Whitehouse fire departments responded to the scene. The Chapel Hill Fire Department reported late Friday afternoon that the blaze had been contained. Continue reading House Destroyed by Fire, Living Room Caves In

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was accused of assaulting a public servant Thursday after he attacked a Gregg County jailer and took a can of pepper spray from her hand, Gregg County sheriff’s deputies said. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Neal Woods III, 58, will remain in the jail under a $7,500 bond after the assault, according to Gregg County judicial records. Woods was being held in the jail on a $2,500 bond after he was accused Saturday of driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction. Continue reading Authorities: Man Attacks Jailer, Takes Pepper Spray

TYLER — The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from Tyler citizens to serve on City boards and commissions. The deadline to apply is August 16 and appointments will be made by the City Council at their August 28 meeting. To serve on a board or commission, applicants must reside inside Tyler City limits and should not have any delinquent City taxes, City utilities or other City assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. Continue reading Applications Accepted To Serve On City Of Tyler Boards And Commissions

DIBOLL — One person has died as a result of a one-vehicle accident at the Ryan Lake Hunting Club in Diboll. Preliminary reports from the Department of Public Safety say the driver veered off the road and hit a tree, causing the car to burst into flames. The victim has been identified as Dion Lamont Lackland, 39

UPSHUR COUNTY – A Northeast Texas technology and efficiency consultant hopes to do for the General Land Office what he does for companies nationwide. David L. Watts Jr., 46, has filed papers with the Texas Ethics Commission allowing the Upshur County resident to raise money in a bid for the GOP nomination for the office of Texas Land Commissioner. Commissioner Jerry Patterson has announced he will seek the lieutenant governor’s position in the 2014 Republican primary. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that Watts joins George P. Bush, nephew and grandson of former presidents, in the Republican hunt to replace Patterson. Continue reading Upshur County Man Seeks State Office

TYLER — There have been some changes in plans and other details regarding a pro-life rally today in Austin. Residents of Tyler and surrounding areas in House District 6 will gather there today as part of a statewide effort to support House Bill 2, the omnibus pro-life bill filed in the current special session. The group will gather at the state capitol prior to a 7:00pm pro-life rally on the south steps of the capitol. The rally will feature former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, along with several pro-life leaders from around Texas. You can go to http://www.txvalues.org for more information about the rally. Continue reading Some Changes in Plans as Pro-Lifers Prepare to Gather in Austin