KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Small business owner and community leader Bob Westbrook Wednesday announced his intention to seek the Tyler City Council District 5 seat in the May 2017 election. Current District 5 City Council Member Mark Whatley cannot run again due to term limits. According to a news release, Westbrook was a 19-year CiCi’s Pizza franchisee. He has held several leadership roles for local and statewide organizations including: Chairman, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce; Executive Board of Directors, Tyler Economic Development Corporation; President, Tyler Sunrise Rotary Club; Chairman, East Texas Food Bank; Chairman, Northeast Texas Public Health District; Chairman, Texas Restaurant Association; and President, East Texas Chapter Texas Restaurant Association. Continue reading Bob Westbrook Announces Intention to Seek City Council District 5 Seat

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Office of the Inspector General – TDCJ are asking for the public’s help locating a parole violator. According to a news release, Joe Allums II was released from prison after serving time for aggravated kidnapping and attempted murder with a deadly weapon. Officials say the aggravated kidnapping offense took place in 1979 and the attempted murder with a deadly weapon offense took place in 1980, both in Smith County. Allums was tried and convicted on both offenses in April 1980 in Smith County. According to authorities, soon after his release, Allums violated his supervision by not reporting to his parole officer. Continue reading Officials Seek Parole Violator in Decades-Old Smith County Cases

CARTHAGE — Preparations for the appeal of Bernie Tiede’s 99-year sentence continued Monday with the arrival of a 23 volume transcript of his April trial. Tiede was re-tried in April for the murder of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent of Carthage in 1996. KETK reports Tiede’s defense team was given until December 28 to file arguments to appeal his new sentence. According to his attorney, the defense requested additional time for the appeal but was given a third of what it asked for. No date has been set for this new hearing.

SMITH COUNTY — The driver in a two-vehicle fatal crash in south Tyler was indicted earlier this month on one count of criminal negligent homicide. According to Smith County judicial records, a Grand Jury indicted James Fulton on November 10 on the charge of criminal negligent homicide. His conditions of bond were set Tuesday, but those are not known at this time. Back on May 14, 2016, Hailey Beasely, 21, of Tyler, was killed when a pickup headed in the wrong direction hit her car head-on in the eastbound lanes of the 1400 block of W. Grande Boulevard. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Tyler Police later said they did not believe Fulton was under the influence of alcohol during the wrong-way crash and blood was not drawn from him. Fulton was not injured in the accident and he was not charged at the scene with any crime.

TYLER — The 200 block of North Beckham in Tyler is open again after being closed for several hours due to power lines being down. Tyler Police Officers directed traffic in the area while the problem was fixed.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College announced Tuesday the arrest of one person in connection with recent deadly conduct cases on campus. According to KETK, Jasper Williams, Jr., 18, of Mesquite, was arrested and charged with two counts of deadly conduct. Williams surrendered to TJC Campus Police on Monday. TJC Police also obtained warrants for two other people on related charges. None of persons involved in the incidents are TJC students. The deadly conducts events took place on campus September 21, November 20 and November 21. In all three cases, TJC students reported a vehicle pulled alongside them and a passenger pointed a gun at them. The suspects were described as black males and were seen driving a dark, four-door vehicle. Continue reading Arrest Made Following Disturbance at TJC

LONGVIEW – Police have arrested a man accused of assaulting a nurse at Longview’s Good Sepherd Medical Center. Booked into the Gregg County jail with a $5,000 bond was Laterrance Alexander, 46, of Houston. According to the Longview News Journal, a nurse told officers Alexander, Tuesday afternoon, lunged at him across a hospital bed while the nurse was trying to administer shots. The nurse said the action injured his shoulder. Hospital security restrained Alexander until police arrived.

TYLER – A Tyler policeman was one of two persons injured in a Tuesday afternoon accident. Police spokesman Don Martin says the accident happened on Grande Boulevard just east of South Broadway. Officer Tom Whitworth had finished investigating an accident, and was doing paperwork in his patrol unit, with emergency lights on, when it was hit from the rear. The car that hit him then rolled over on its side. The officer and the motorist, 22 year old Tracey Marble of Tyler, were taken to a Tyler hospital. Both had minor injuries.

LONGVIEW – Longview police say no citations will be issued to those involved in Monday’s vehicle and bicycle crash. The accident happened shortly before 2:00 Monday afternoon near the intersection of Pine Tree and East Broadway. Taken to to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries was John Alan Trepanier, 60, of Longview. Investigators say the accident happened when Trepanier ran a stop sign and rode into the path of a car driven by a 24 year old Longview woman. The police report says he attempted to move out of the cars path but was unable to get completely out of the way before the rear tire of his bicycle was struck and he fell to the ground.

RUSK COUNTY — DPS troopers are continuing to investigate a double fatality Tuesday morning wreck in Rusk County. Killed was Cassidy Massey, 21, of Henderson and Ryder L. Frizzell, 5, of Henderson. An infant in a rear-facing child safety seat was transported to LSU Medical center in Shreveport with unknown injuries. According to DPS Sgt. Jean Dark, troopers responded around 7:30 a.m. to the two-vehicle fatal crash just south of the Smith County line. Preliminary crash investigation revealed that a pickup had been traveling northbound when it stopped to make a left turn onto CR 4117. A Chevrolet Z71 pickup truck was also traveling northbound and came upon the stopped vehicle. Continue reading Fatal Wreck in Rusk County

TYLER — Tyler’s Christmas parade is Thursday evening at 6:00. That will be followed by the 31st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza. Lighting the tree will be the 2017 Texas Miracle Child. She is Destiny Miriah Williams, 14, of Tyler. She was introduced Tuesday morning at a news conference at the Rose Garden Center. Shortly after her birth in February 2002, a routine PKU test revealed that Destiny had Sickle Cell Disease. She has learned to manage her condition, although she still suffers problems that require hospitalization at least twice a year. And she may need a hip replacement as a result of complications from the disease. But, as her doctor will tell you, Destiny is committed to her health and her hobbies, and what inspires him “is that she can stick with it all and love life.”

TYLER – A Tyler man is in custody for on-line solicitation. Arrested, and charged with the 2nd degree felony, was 25 year old Greggory Mario Johnson. He is said to have entered into a social media web-site and started a conversation with what he thought was a 13 year old girl. It was actually a Tyler police investigator. He is said to have solicited a sex act and agreed to meet her in a city park. He was arrested Monday evening when he showed up at the park. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with a bond of $60,000.

EAST TEXAS — Johnny Manziel has been tangled up in yet another legal battle. Manziel is being sued over an apparent bar fight. Eric Newton is reportedly suing Manziel in Austin, claiming the former NFL quarterback broke Newton’s nose during a party. Newton said he was working at a club in September when Manziel ordered drinks. Newton couldn’t prepare them because he is not a bartender. Newton says he and Manziel argued and Manziel ended the disagreement by punching Newton in the face, breaking his nose. Newton is seeking up to a million-dollars in damages.

LONGVIEW – A cyclist has been injured when hit by a vehicle in Longview. The accident happened shortly before 2:00 Monday afternoon near the intersection of Pine Tree and East Broadway. The man was taken to a Longview hospital with life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported, and the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene until police arrived. It’s unclear if the driver will be issued a citation.

JACKSONVILLE – One person has been killed and two injured in a two vehicle accident in Jacksonville. The accident happened around 7:30 Monday morning near the intersection of U.S. Highway 79 and State Highway 204. Killed was Gerald Thornton, 89, of Jacksonville. He was a passenger in a SUV driven by Freddy Sontag, 75, of Jacksonville. Sontag was transfered to a Tyler hospital for treatment. The other driver, Logan Ryan Wood, 19, of Jacksonville, is being treated at a Jacksonville hospital. A passenger in his pickup was not injured. The accident remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — One person has been arrested following a Longview robbery attempt. Shortly before 5:00 Monday morning the suspect entered the Walgreens Pharmacy on West Loop 281. With his hands in his pockets, as if he had a gun, he approached a pharmacist trying to get medication. Police spokesperson Kristie Brian said he told the pharmacist, “we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Logan Christopher Nichols, 21, of Longview, was still standing at the counter when police arrived. He has been charged with attempted robbery.

TYLER – Work on a water main repair and replacement on the Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler has been extended. The work started in mid November. One northbound lane of traffic will be closed while Tyler Water Utilities replaces 800 feet of 12-inch water main adjacent to the Brookshire’s warehouse complex. This lane closure will continue through this Saturday. The lane will be closed from 6:00am until around 5:30pm each day.

MARSHALL — Marshall Police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one person dead. It happened around 4:30 Monday morning at a home on Grafton Street. When officers arrived, they found Paul Sparks, 64, dead from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. No arrests have been made.

LINDALE — Multiple fire departments responded to a fire at an RV Park in Lindale early Monday morning. According to KETK, officials received the emergency call about a fire at Willow Branch RV park around 5:00. The fire involved two RVs. One man was sent to a Tyler hospital with severe burns. The Smith County Fire Marshall is working to determine the cause of the blaze.

TYLER – Three aggravated robberies are under investigation by Tyler police. One occurred at the Sonic Drive-In on West Gentry Parkway and another occurred at the Fast Laundromat on West Martin Luther King Boulevard. The latest occurred at the Family Dollar Store on Troup Highway.

It happened just before 8:00 Sunday night. The suspect with a handgun ordered the employee behind the counter. He then ordered the employee to open the safe and cash register. After getting an undisclosed amount of money, and ordering the employee to lie down on the floor, he fled the store. No injuries were reported. Continue reading Three Tyler Robberies Probed

TYLER — Tyler Police Officers are searching for an armed robbery suspect. Officials said just before 8:00 Sunday night, a black man entered the Family Dollar Store, 4305 Troup Highway, and pointed a silver hand gun at an employee. The suspect reportedly ordered the employee to open the safe and register and took an undisclosed amount of cash. The gunman then ordered store customers and the employee to get down on the floor, then fled the scene. The suspect is described as a thin built black male, about 5’7” tall, wearing a black hoodie style shirt with the hood pulled over his head, black pants, a black face mask, and wearing white gloves. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

TYLER – A man escaped serious injury after his SUV was hit by a train in Tyler. He was then arrested. Charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct was Braylen Pullum, 28, of Tyler. The accident occurred around 2:15 Saturday morning on the tracks just north of the intersection of North Palace and West Ferguson. The SUV driven by Pullum had been driven through a barricade and became high centered on the tracks. He fell asleep and remained inside the vehicle, which was hit by a west bound train. It pushed the vehicle down the tracks until it was able to come to a complete stop. Pullum was treated by EMS and Tyler firemen on scene. Pullum’s bond was set at $1,000. Online records indicate Pullum has a lengthy criminal history, including: evading arrest with a vehicle, possession of marijuana and several counts of driving while intoxicated.

TYLER – The Salvation Army in Tyler kicks off its Red Kettle Campaign today. It begins with activities from noon till 1:00 in Salvation Army Building 1, at 633 North Broadway. It had been scheduled to take place on the downtown square, but was moved because of the rain. You’ll see the red kettles at over 40 locations around Tyler and Smith County. And the money they bring in has many uses. The money is used to clothe, feed and house people in the county. The money helps fund a 200 bed shelter that is open 365 days a year. They also have a soup kitchen that feeds three meals a day. So this fund drive is very important. Lindsey Galabeas with the Salvation Army in Tyler says this year’s goal is $400,000. This has been the goal the previous two years. Galabeas says they have not met the goal those two years, with last year worse than the year before. But she says, third times a charm. They are optimistic that the goal will be met this year.

MARSHALL — If you’re looking for something to brighten up your holiday season this weekend — or almost any night in the next few weeks — you’ll be glad to know a longtime East Texas tradition is up and going once again. The City of Marshall invites you to celebrate 30 Years of Wonderland of Lights In Historic Downtown Marshall. It all got going this past Wednesday and continues through December 31st from 6:00 to 9:00 nightly. The display will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can stay the night and explore the history and wonder of Marshall, according to information from the city. Continue reading A Tradition Continues: Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court invites you to tour the new Smith County Animal Control facility in downtown Tyler Monday, December 5. Following a media tour, a ribbon cutting and open house will be held from 10-11 a.m. According to a news release, the facility was selected for the county’s new animal shelter because downtown Tyler is centrally located within Smith County. The new facility will quadruple the capability of Smith County Animal Control Services, making room for up to 169 dogs. Continue reading Smith County Plans Open House for Animal Control Facility

LONGVIEW (AP) – The Everett Building’s north wall has endured more than a century of wind and rain erosion, but repairing the Gregg County Historical Museum’s home isn’t a simple fix. The Texas Historical Commission recently awarded museum directors a $30,000 matching grant to repair deterioration on the north wall and replace it with new concrete and mortar. Museum Executive Director Lindsay Loy tells the Longview News-Journal that 106 years of rain and “really heavy north” winds have started eating away at the mortar and face of the brick. Continue reading Crumbling 106-Year-Old Longview Museum Wall to Get Fix

MARSHALL — The investigation continues into a fatal vehicle/pedestrian accident in Marshall. Jill Johnson, 48, of Marshall was killed in the accident around 7:00 Thanksgiving night on Farm Road 31 near Elysian Fields Avenue. Authorities say a southbound vehicle hit her as she was crossing the road. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed is not believed to be a factor in the crash and charges are not expected to be filed against the driver. Officials are calling it a “tragic accident.”

TYLER — You can make the holiday season special this year for a senior in need by donating gifts to the Meals on Wheels “Santas for Seniors” gift drive through Friday, December 16. Donated items will be delivered by Meals on Wheels volunteers directly to homebound seniors. To participate, simply donate a new gift at any of the participating drop off locations across East Texas. Gifts such as personal comfort items (blankets, robes, house shoes, socks), small space heaters, and other mementos will be collected by Meals on Wheels staff, wrapped in holiday style, and then personally delivered to homebound seniors and disabled individuals who are known to be living alone or in need the week of Christmas.