KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the Department of Public Safety has headed to a reported accident involving a pedestrian at CR 3401 off Highway 69, south of Bullard. Details are limited at this time.

TYLER — Officials have released information on charges and bond in a high-speed chase through Tyler Saturday night. According to KETK, police say 17-year old Chase Mays led officers on a chase down South Broadway. The motorcycle pursuit started just before midnight and lasted around 30 minutes. Officers were able to catch up and stop Mays. He was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of evading arrest and reckless driving. Bonds totaled $20,000. He has since bonded out.

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.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance plans to conduct edge work on FM 1253 north of FM 16. Other work includes ditch maintenance on roads around the county starting Tuesday on US 69N. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

LONGVIEW — An East Texas woman was booked into jail and her dog is recovering after police had to break the pet out of a hot car. KETK reports that Longview police were called Sunday to an animal report in a parking lot on North 4th Street near Hawkins Parkway. When officers made it to the scene, they were told a dog was inside a vehicle and the animal was in distress. Officers determined the dog had been left in the car by a woman for about an hour. Officers tried to locate the owner but were unable to find her. Police stated the dog began experiencing health problems related to heat inside the vehicle and Longview Animal Control was called to assist. One of the officers broke the window out of the vehicle and rescued the pet. Continue reading Dog Rescued from Hot Car, Woman Arrested

LAKE PALESTINE — The FAA is continuing to investigate what caused a small plane to crash into Lake Palestine Saturday night. The plane went down around 8:30 on the south side of the lake, near the Shady Brook Country Club. Cherokee County Game Warden Eric Collins tells KETK an ultra light aircraft was carrying two people when it crashed. The two people inside were rescued and are okay. Charles Shaw actually saw the plane go down. He says he saw the pilot circling the lake before stalling out and crashing. Continue reading Lake Palestine Plane Crash Probe Continues

MARSHALL — Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa and the Marshall Police Department are seeking the community’s assistance to help solve one of Marshall’s cold cases — the June 1998 murder of Jaden Kyle Houston. On June 10, 1998 at approximately 8:18 a.m., officers responded to a Hunt St. location in reference to a black male in a blue vehicle slumped over the steering wheel and bleeding. Upon arrival, officers discovered Houston deceased in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. It is unknown who shot Houston, and there were no witnesses at the time of the incident. Continue reading Marshall Police Seek Leads in 1998 Cold Case

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview holds the Fireworks and Freedom Celebration at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex this July 4. Activities were scheduled throughout the day, including amusement rides, food and beverages, and a variety of entertainment including ten-time Grammy Award-winning band Asleep at the Wheel, vendors in the Exhibit Building, music acts, a hot dog eating contest, numerous children’s activities and much more, including free outdoor concerts. The festival opened at 11:00am and the day’s activities were set to be topped off with a spectacular firework display beginning at 9:30. You can go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2394/Fireworks-and-Freedom-Celebration to get more information.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks celebration at Lindsey Park, 12557 Spur 364 W. Following a 4:00 kickoff for the free celebration, the fireworks show was scheduled to begin at 9:00. The park gate, located off of Spur 364, officially opened at 2:00. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, attendees have been asked to arrive early for prime parking. Officialls highly recommend car pooling to alleviate traffic congestion, with parking on a first come, first serve basis. Due to construction and closure of Greenbriar Road, attendees are only permitted to enter the park via the Spur 364 entrance. Per City ordinances, alcohol, smoking and private fireworks are prohibited in the park. The Tyler Police Department will be patrolling and writing citations if ordinances are broken. Continue reading 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza Today in Tyler

HENDERSON COUNTY — The 9-year-old daughter of a Seven Points Fireman was killed in a boating accident Friday night. According to KETK, the accident happened around 7:15 at Cedar Creek Reservoir. Seven Points Fire Rescue First Captain Bryan Abbott reported that Cierra Morman was on a boat when she fell overboard, striking the boat near the motor. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Abbott said the incident has been ruled an accident. He said safety precautions were in place, and no alcohol was involved. Cierra’s dad works for Seven Points Fire Rescue. Continue reading Fireman’s Daughter Killed in Boating Accident

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said one of three fugitives was arrested at a residence in Tyler Saturday afternoon. Officials said Michael Carl Beebe, 25, Tyler, was apprehended at the corner of Craftdale and Glenview in Tyler around 3:30 following a Crimestoppers tip. Beebe was arrested without incident by members of the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies and Tyler Police Department. Beebe was wanted for burglary, evading arrest with a vehicle, and fraudulent use of identifying information. Officials are still searching for Misty Graham, 38, and Travis Charles Wolfe, 31.

TYLER (AP) – A former Texas death row inmate has argued in court that he should be exonerated in the 1977 death of a 21-year-old woman because another man is responsible for the killing. Kerry Max Cook appeared Friday in a Tyler court to argue for a final ruling of actual innocence in the death of Linda Jo Edwards. A murder charge against him was dropped last month based in part on false testimony previously given in his case. Cook would be eligible for compensation if it’s determined he’s innocent in the matter. The judge who oversaw Friday’s hearing will forward a recommendation to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will make the determination. Cook says a man having an affair with Edwards at the time of her death was the killer.

CANTON — Child Protective Services is seeking the public’s help in finding four missing children. According to KETK, CPS was granted legal custody of the children on June 16 in Van Zandt County, but they have not been located. The children range from 8 months old to 13 years old. They are believed to be with Leslie Whittington and Paul Hidalgo. The children missing are Trent Dixon, 13; Lexi Whittington, 11; Kyleigh Whittington, 8; and Ed Hidalgo, 8 months old. Officials say they may be in a four-door white sedan or a 1999 dark red Lincoln Navigator, which was last seen in Canton. Call CPS at 903-368-0064 if you have any information that will help locate them.

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department has identified three people who remain at large in the torture and death of a puppy in Palestine. According to KETK, police say Romello Smith, 21, Ronnie Morrison, 21, and Andreas Hicks, 20, all of Palestine, have been named as suspects. Arrest warrants have been issued for all three. Detectives have already taken into custody three others: Perla Miranda Fernandez, 20, Jasmine Warren, 18, and a minor, all of Athens. All of the suspects will be charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals. Continue reading Three At-Large Suspects Named in Puppy Burning

MARSHALL — Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa and the Marshall Police Department are seeking the community’s assistance in helping locate one of the agency’s most wanted fugitives, according to a police news release. MPD is seeking any information related to the location of Tom McPherson Jr. McPherson may also go by the alias of John Zorn Jr. or Reese McPherson. McPherson is wanted on two felony forgery warrants from the Marshall Police Department. Continue reading Man Sought for Mail Theft, Check Fraud

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion in which three people were arrested and one is still on the loose. According to KETK, officials responded June 21 to a report of a gunshot victim on State Highway 43 East. Deputies say a group of four armed men forced their way into a victim’s house and held three men at gunpoint while assaulting and robbing them. A struggle ensued, and as the victims ran from the suspects, one of the victims was shot in the leg. Continue reading Three Arrested, One at Large in Rusk County Home Invasion

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Matthew McConaughey is heading back to school this fall to teach a course on filmmaking at the University of Texas at Austin. The university says in a social media post that the Oscar winner and former Longview resident will teach at his alma mater alongside “Hunger Games” director Gary Ross. The university tells the San Antonio Express-News that the actor will take 30 students behind the scenes of McConaughey and Ross’ latest film, “The Free State of Jones” through recorded videos. The school says McConaughey will make at least one visit to campus for the class. The 1993 Texas grad has a home in Austin and has been seen on the sidelines at Longhorns football games.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department and other agencies are once again stepping up patrols targeting DWI drivers for the 4th of July Holiday. The department will be participating in a state grant during the holiday that will provide funding to the department to enforce DWI laws. The enforcement detail will be on the look-out for intoxicated drivers from Friday, July 1st, at 3:00 p.m. through Monday, July 4th. Continue reading Officers on the Lookout for DWI Drivers during 4th of July Holiday

PALESTINE — Palestine Police have arrested a man Thursday morning following a drug raid and reportedly found an assortment of drugs. According to KETK, around 5:30, SWAT members raided a home on Eilenstein Street after an ongoing investigation into the sale of drugs from the location. Officers said they found 50 grams of cocaine, 29 grams of PCP, 43 grams of Ecstasy, 900 grams of codeine, 4 grams of methamphetamine, 1.5 grams of Xanax and over two pounds of marijuana. Officers also discovered a stolen firearm at the scene. The man was arrested for multiple charges relating to the drugs and stolen firearm. The name of the man is being withheld until he is arraigned.

DALLAS (AP) – Johnny Manziel has been suspended for the first four games of next season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. The suspension announced Thursday is not related to the NFL’s domestic violence policy, but the free agent quarterback would be subject to it if he signs with another team. Manziel, released by Cleveland in March, is facing an assault charge in Dallas involving former girlfriend Colleen Crowley. The league is reviewing that case. The 2012 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Texas A&M was suspended the same week he posted pictures on Instagram from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The post included a reference to his father, Paul Manziel, who called his son a “druggie” following a report from The Associated Press of one of his attorneys mistakenly sending a text that indicated doubts whether Manziel could stay clean.

LONGVIEW — The identities of two people who died from cardiac arrest after being pulled from a swimming pool in Longview have been released. According to KETK, Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson says the deceased were Phylis Phillips, 54, and Janiyah Ward, 5, both of Longview. On Wednesday around 1:50 p.m., Longview Fire Chief Johnny Zackary said officials responded to a house on Coleman Drive. Phillips and Ward were pulled from a swimming pool at the residence and went into cardiac arrest. Ward was pronounced dead at a local hospital around 2:40 p.m. Phillips was also pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m. Continue reading Officials Release Names of Two Who Died after Being Pulled from Pool

LONGVIEW — Five men were arrested Wednesday by the Longview Police Department for prostitution as part of a human trafficking sting. KETK reports that according to judicial records, authorities arrested Lacy Burnett, 73, of Kilgore; Philip Ondara, 36, of Tyler; Enrique Gomez, 48, of Longview; Calvin Webb, 53, of Tyler; and Jeremiah Sanders, 38, of Marshall. Each suspect is charged with one count of prostitution. Longview Police joined the Gregg County CODE Unit in the undercover operation. Officers say they focused on areas known for human trafficking. Webb also had three outstanding warrants. All of the men are currently behind bars.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Task Force, Tyler Police Department, and Whitehouse Police Department are seeking four fugitives, according to local authorities. Tyler police added 27-year-old Britany Keith, a white female, to the list Thursday; she’s wanted for parole violation. Three others were named Wednesday. Misty Graham, a 38-year-old white female, is wanted for parole violation, evading with vehicle, and felony theft. Travis Charles Wolfe, a 31-year-old white male, is sought for parole violation. Michael Carl Beebe III, a 25-year-old white male, is wanted for burglary, evading with vehicle, and fraudulent use of identifying information. Continue reading Authorities Seeking Group of Fugitives; Fourth Name Added

EAST TEXAS – Storms and flooding in the last part of April have prompted a federal disaster declaration for several East Texas counties. According to information from the city of Palestine, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared that Anderson, Cherokee, Smith, and Wood counties are eligible for individual assistance. Those four counties, along with Cass, Harrison, Jones, Upshur and Van Zandt counties, are also eligible for public assistance. FEMA cited major rains and flooding from April 17 to April 30.
Individuals and businesses can apply for FEMA relief through the website http://www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The site will direct applicants on the needed steps to receive individual assistance.

OVERTON — A child had to be flown to a Shreveport hospital after he was hit by a truck Wednesday afternoon in Overton. According to Overton Police and KETK, around 3:30, a 7-year-old boy was riding his bicycle near West North Street when the vehicle struck him. His condition is unknown at this time.

LONGVIEW – The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) Wednesday presented Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt with a $400,000 check to help fund the county’s priority project submission. The county was recently named the first recipient of NET RMA’s annual Priority Project Program. The money goes to a proposal for the reconstruction and improvements to the U.S. 259 and Hawkins Parkway intersection in northeast Longview. The proposal is a partnership involving the City of Longview, Gregg County, and TxDOT. Continue reading NET RMA Presents Priority Project Check to Gregg County

TYLER — City of Tyler officials said drivers should continue to expect delays at the northwest corner of Rieck Road and Old Bullard Road today. Construction got underway at 8:00 Wednesday morning. The City of Tyler Street Department will be making repairs at this intersection and westbound traffic will not be allowed to pass through while crews are on site. Work is expected to last through 5 p.m. today. Drivers should seek alternate routes until work is completed.

LONGVIEW — Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary says a woman and a girl are dead after being pulled from a swimming pool at a Longview house. According to KETK, officials say upon rescuers’ arrival, both victims had gone into cardiac arrest. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital. Zackary said rescuers were dispatched around 1:50 p.m. Wednesday to the call on Coleman Drive near the Paul Street intersection. Crews arrived shortly after. Continue reading Two Dead after Being Pulled from Longview Pool

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes organization lost one of its pioneers June 28 with the passing of the Rangerettes’ second director, Deana Bolton Covin, at age 94. According to a news release from the college, Covin joined the KC faculty in 1966 as cheerleader sponsor and physical education instructor, teaching golf and bowling. She became assistant director of the Rangerettes in 1972, a position she held for seven years. In 1979, she took over the Rangerette director position from Gussie Nell Davis – the group’s founder – and led the organization for 14 years. Dana Blair, the Rangerettes’ current director, took over for Covin in 1993. Blair said as director of the Rangerettes, Covin brought the organization to “new heights of perfection and performance.” Continue reading Kilgore College Mourning Loss of Rangerettes’ Second Director, Deana Bolton Covin

ANGELINA COUNTY — Lufkin Police arrest Ruben Rios, 19, after he was accused of dousing a woman’s front door with lighter fluid and setting it on fire. According to KETK, he set her door on fire after she refused to let him borrow her vehicle or allow him to come into her home. The woman believed he was intoxicated at the time. Jailers found him in possession of methamphetamine after Rios was placed into custody and taken to jail.

TYLER — Tyler Police and the US Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force have arrested the fourth and final suspect in connection to the aggravated robbery of the Valero gas station on Troup Hwy May 7. Officials said it was an inside job. According to authorities, a tip was called in to CrimeStoppers Tuesday indicating that Candice Renae McGee, 28, was at a residence on Tubbs Street in Tyler. Around 6:00 that evening, investigators located her at that residence and arrested her on the outstanding aggravated robbery warrant. Bond was set at $100,000. Continue reading Fourth Suspect Arrested in Gas Station Robbery