KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A fund is set up to help a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy who was critically injured in a shooting in 2005. Deputy Sherman Dollison is back in the hospital. Deputy Dollison was shot five times by a gunman at the Smith County Courthouse.The gunman, who was later shot to death, was armed with an AK-47 and was wearing a bullet proof vest. After after months of hospitalization and rehab, Dollison was back on the job, working as a detective for the sheriff’s department. He was admitted to the hospital last week, and is now experiencing life threatening complications directly related to his previous injuries. An account has been set up in his name at Southside Bank. Continue reading Fund Established for Hospitalized Sheriff’s Department Detective

TYLER — Curbside Taco is the first food truck in Tyler to receive a mobile permit. KETK reports the business is now able to travel to public areas to serve food. Before, it was restricted to operating on other private property with permission. This is the first truck to meet regulations for the permit since the city of Tyler allowed food trucks to operate.

LONGVIEW — Evidence in the state’s criminal case against a former Gregg County district attorney has been upheld. KETK reports Longview police officers arrested Rob Foster in February of last year. They found him walking in the North Eastman Road median. He told officers he slid off the road in his truck. Police say he was also holding a glass of Scotch when he approached the officers. Cocaine was also found inside his truck, according to authorities. Foster was indicted this past February for possession of a controlled substance. No trial date has been set.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials confirmed that a lightning strike caused an oil tank to ignite. According to KETK, the Overton Fire Department said that lightning hit the tank on CR 2142, causing a large blaze. Fire crews were moving people away from the scene over concerns that it might have exploded. Fire officials said the plan was to let the fire burn itself out.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are searching for a robbery suspect. According to KETK, the Dollar General on Northeast Loop 323 and FM 14 was robbed on Monday night. Officials said the suspect, a black male, entered the store at closing time wearing all black clothing & a mask. He reportedly displayed a handgun and demanded cash from the register. The robber ran off with an undisclosed amount of money. Two clerks and an unknown number of customers were in the store at the time. No injuries were reported. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they are reviewing store video footage for information.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s National Night Out Kickoff Event is set for tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Maude Cobb Activity Complex. This year’s theme is You + Blue = One Longview. Participants are encouraged to wear blue. Local law enforcement is encouraging all Longview and Gregg County residents to host a National Night Out party in their neighborhood in October. The parties are designed to promote neighborhood alliances that strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas, according to officials. If you can’t host a party, authorities say you should plan to find one in your area to attend. Continue reading Longview’s National Night Out Kickoff

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned this week in TxDOT’s Tyler District. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. To allow for high volume holiday traffic, there will be no active project lane closures until work resumes Tuesday morning. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University is ranked among the top 100 private universities in the United States, among the 1,200 reviewed by Kiplinger’s list of Best College Values for 2016. LeTourneau University is ranked number 76 in Kiplinger’s list of Best Values in Private Colleges nationwide. In a news release, LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford points out that the list is “topped by Ivy League schools like Princeton, Yale, and Harvard.” He notes that the only other Texas schools on the list were Rice, SMU, and San Antonio’s Trinity University. Continue reading LETU Named to Kiplinger’s Top 100 Universities in the U.S.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has been arrested following a fatal shooting Sunday night at the Lotus Lane Apartments in Lufkin. The victim has been identified as Billy Carter, 51. Warren Lewis, 38, remains in the Angelina County Jail charged with first-degree murder. According to police, officers responded to a call of shots fired at the complex at 8:45 and arrived to find Carter lying in the parking lot, wounded. He was transported by ambulance to CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Lufkin where he later died. Carter’s death is the department’s first murder investigation of the year.

TYLER — Tyler police are seeking a second suspect in an aggravated assault. Police responded to a report of shots fired at the Economy Inn, Mineola Highway, and the Royal Inn, WNW Loop 323, around 12:15 Monday morning. The suspects were gone by the time officers arrived. Authorities said no injuries were reported but there was evidence of gunfire. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that two men had been arguing and one fired a shot into the air. The other man returned fire at a balcony of the Economy Inn. The two then fled the scene. One of the suspects, Christopher Joseph Johnson, 27, was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence. Police say the other shooter remains at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police.

CHANDLER — A Chandler church and connecting daycare has been damaged in a fire Sunday afternoon. According to KETK, Dixie and Chandler fire departments, along with other agencies, were called out to a fire at the First Assembly of God Church on North Broad Street around 11:30. The pastor of the church, Mark Fulks, said the fire started inside the Love and Learn Daycare, and says a broken gas line in the building is to blame. The line, which was attached to a furnace, was ignited by a hot water heater. No one was inside and no injuries were reported. Continue reading Local Church Daycare Damaged in Fire

VAN ZANDT — Troopers responded to the scene of a fatal wreck on Interstate 20 in Van Zandt County, about 5 miles south of Wills Point, around 11:00 this morning. According to the DPS report, a 2004 Ford Explorer was traveling eastbound on I-20 in the left lane when it veered off the south side of the roadway. The driver, Lester Willis, 57, Dallas, reportedly over-corrected and the vehicle rolled. The vehicle came to rest on its roof. Willis was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Victim in Fatal Rollover Accident Identified

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Department of Public Safety responded to a fatal crash involving two vehicles last night. According to the DPS report, a gray Toyota Tundra pickup was traveling North on US 287 near FM 860 when it crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on. The truck rolled over on the driver’s side and caught fire trapping the driver inside. Tu Nguyen, 45, Ft. Worth, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Jeep also caught fire but the three occupants were able to escape. The driver of the Jeep was identified as Philip Harden, 32, Frisco, was taken to Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler. Continue reading One Person Killed in Anderson County Wreck

LONGVIEW – A teen is in custody in connection with a Longview shooting death earlier this week. Longview police have announced they have charged GeKainnon Ikemon-Kenyon Harris 19, of Longview, with the murder of Alexis Bell, 26. She was found shot to death in an apartment on Lake Lamond Drive early Tuesday afternoon. Originally, Harris was arrested at the scene on two unrelated assault family violence warrants. He has now been charged with manslaughter in Bell’s death. He remains in the Gregg County Jail.

MARSHALL – A jury in Marshall has found a Henderson police officer innocent of the charge of of indecency with a child by sexual contact. The jury returned the verdict Friday. Jeronimo Holguin Jr., 25, of Waskom, was arrested last October. He was put on administrative leave following his arrest. The victim, who is younger than 17, told Hallsville police that Holguin had touched her breast under her clothes on two occasions, first in June of 2014 and then in mid-January of last year. She repeated the testimony in court during the trial. But the jury came back with a not guilty verdict.

LONGVIEW – A man is in custody in Longview after a search warrant turned up drugs and stolen guns. Billie Kay Smith, 35, of Lancaster has been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance in penalty group one, possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and three counts of theft of a firearm. His bonds total $226,000. He was arrested after County Organized Drug Enforcement agents served a search warrant Thursday at a home on Oden Street. Continue reading Dallas County Man Busted for Drugs in Longview

LONGVIEW – The Longview city council has approved a new budget. The $154.3 million balanced budget, which takes effect the first of next month, was approved at a meeting Thursday. Under the budget, there will be no increases in rates for water, sewer and sanitation services. According to the Longview News Journal, the budget includes no employee pay raises outside of public safety, but none of the city’s 880-plus workers will see layoffs, furloughs or pay cuts. Next Thursday, council members will consider a tax rate. The proposal calls for no increase in the rate of 50.99 cents per $100 valuation.

TUTTLE, OKLAHOMA – A Gregg County man has won Braum’s national ice cream competition. Andy Taylor of Kilgore is the grand champion of Braum’s Perfect Pair: The World’s Greatest Double-Dip Contest. According to the company’s website, Taylor won with his ’80s throwback entry of “Wake Me Up before You Fro-Yo”. The musically inspired flavor combination pairs Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate Frozen Yogurt and Light English Toffee. Besides receiving coupons for 52 cartons of free ice cream, Taylor will have the honor of having the entry featured at the Braum’s store in Tyler.

HENDERSON – An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at the Bradshaw State Jail in Henderson. Foul play is not suspected in the death of Alfredo McCowan, 43. He was found unresponsive during a security check shortly after 11:45 Wednesday morning. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

KILGORE – A missing persons case in Kilgore has become a criminal case. Kilgore police recently issued a missing persons report for Sheryia Grant, 20. At the time, they said she may be in danger. A police department news release says they now suspect she was the victim of foul play. And they added, since this is now classified as a Criminal Investigation the department will not be releasing details of the investigation. Continue reading Kilgore Missing Person’s Case Now a Criminal Case

LONGVIEW – Longview residents may see a higher or a lower water bill this month. It is because of a one-time adjustment. The adjustment comes as the City of Longview completes a utility billing cycle realignment project. the meter reading routes were realigned geographically from March through May to increase efficiency. As customers were shifted from one cycle to another, some customers had shorter or longer than normal billing periods. To properly prorate water, sewer, and garbage rates during those irregular periods, the September bills will reflect this one time adjustment. About half of the city’s total customers will see an adjustment. Continue reading Adjustments for Some Longview Water Bills

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is requesting the public’s help in the identification a person wanted for a variety of crimes. He is a suspect in the theft of mail in the East Texas area. He is also wanted for forgery. If you know the identity of this person, please call Det. Rob Farnham with the Marshall Police Dept. Criminal Investigation Bureau at 903-935-4539 or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the Harrison County Crime Stoppers at (903) 935-9969.

LONGVIEW – Longview police have released a picture of the suspect in the robbery of the LeTourneau Federal Credit Union. The suspect entered the business shortly before 11:30 Wednesday morning. He pulled a gun and demanded money from a teller. He fled with an undisclosed amount of money. He is described as a white male between 45 and 55 and around 5’9″ tall and weighing 250 to 270 pounds. No injuries were reported. Continue reading More Information On Longview Robbery

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed three men to the Texas Crime Stoppers Council. Among those the governor named is Joe Martino of Marshall. He works in office services for the McKool Smith Law Firm. Previously, he has served as assistant Head of School at Trinity Episcopal School and as an assistant principal at Marshall High School. Martino has served with Texas Crime Stoppers since 1989 as a certified trainer and founder of local campus programs. The governor also named to the council Greg New of Waxahachie and Steve Squier of Cleveland. The three men’s terms will expire on September 1, 2020.

GRAPEVINE (AP/Staff) – Authorities say a construction worker has died after falling into an elevator shaft at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Airport spokesman David Magana on Thursday identified the victim as 55-year-old Craig Rowell from Point, in Rains County. Magana says Rowell was a construction subcontractor employee. Magana says the accident happened Wednesday afternoon at Terminal A, near Gate 39, in an area walled off for construction. Rowell was transported to a Fort Worth hospital, where he died overnight. Magana says DFW airport has instituted a safety-related halt to its active construction programs amid a review of the accident. Further details weren’t immediately released.

TYLER – Smith County voters who cannot obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo identification now have additional options at the polls. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says a voter can sign a declaration at the polls explaining why they were unable to obtain an approved photo ID. The voter could also provide one of various forms of supporting documentation. The can be an original, certified birth certificate or a valid voter registration certificate. You can also use a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck, or other government document that shows the voter’s name and an address. Nelson said her office is working to make sure all the voters in Smith County are ready to cast a ballot in November. Continue reading Voter ID Options Added at the Polls