KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL — Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in locating one of their fugitives. They are looking for a suspect identified as 58 year old Patterson Earl Cato. His last known address was in Longview. He is wanted for an outstanding felony warrant for forgery. He is accused of cashing a fraudulent check at a Marshall business. Cato is described as a black male, about 5’8”, weighing 140 pounds and with a thin build. The Marshall Police Department asks that if you have any information about Cato’s current location, please call us at 903-935-4575 or 903-935-4540. If you wish to remain anonymous call Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police didn’t have trouble locating a robbery suspect. he was already in jail. A warrant for aggravated robbery was served Thursday evening to George Ray Holmes, 47, at the Angelina County Jail. He had been arrested earlier that morning on a warrant for evading arrest following an investigation into a stolen vehicle. The car matched the description of one seen on surveillance video leaving Subway Sunday night following a robbery. The suspect was arrested after fleeing the vehicle after a Lufkin patrolman spotted him. Continue reading Lufkin Police Arrest Robbery Suspect

LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Police in East Texas have identified the suspect in a steak-tossing chase that got lots of attention. KETK reports Ozima Moore, 52, of Gladewater, was arrested and charged with evading. More charges are possible. Authorities say Moore stole steaks from a Wal-Mart, then led authorities on the lengthy chase that topped speeds of 100 mph. Longview police say the pursuit began around 11 a.m. Wednesday after the theft at the store on Gilmer Rd. East Mountain Patrol Sgt. Marc Nichols said he joined the chase and noticed the suspect was throwing the meat out of his vehicle. He says one steak even bounced off his patrol car. Officials say Moore fled across two counties, at speeds over 100 mph, before deputies eventually apprehended him. No officers were injured.

LONGVIEW — A Longview jury has found a Tyler man guilty of capital murder. In just under two hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Isaiah Christopher Roberts, 31. Since prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, Roberts was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was accused of the June 2014 murders of his ex-wife Chanda Martin, 38, and her friend, Kim Rayson, 35. The two were found shot to death in a home in the 300 block of Thelma Street in Longview.

TYLER – A San Antonio judge has been selected to hear the case that seeks the removal of Smith County Judge Joel Baker. The paperwork was filed Thursday that names 224th State District Judge David Peeples to hear the case. Peeples was appointed by the presiding judge of the first region, Judge Mary Murphy. The action was needed since 7th State District Court Judge Kerry Russell recused himself earlier this week from the high profile case. The suit to remove Judge Baker was filed by Grassroots America – We the People. The group’s Director, Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said the suit was filed against Judge Baker for incompetency and official misconduct over a school zones camera agreement and over sexting allegations that surround him.

PALESTINE — The city of Palestine is starting new security measures at city hall and the police department. Visitors to the buildings are now required to sign in at both entrances. Visitors, including elected officials, will be required to sign in their name, agency or institution they represent, city official they are visiting, the purpose of the visit, and date and time of the visit. City Manager Mike Alexander said there have been no specific threats against the buildings. The action is to ensure all city employees continue to feel secure while at work. Continue reading New Security at Two Palestine Buildings

LONGVIEW — Longview police says they’ve “blacked out” illegal gambling machines operating in at least four businesses in the past week. According to KETK, police turned off machines at a convenience stores on Pine Tree Road, Gilmer Road and West Marshall Avenue. No arrests were made in Tuesday’s sting or in stings last week at other Longview stores. The comptroller’s office in investigating, along with police.

RUSK COUNTY — No injuries were reported following a school bus wreck Thursday morning. Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark said officials were notified around 6:15 of a one vehicle crash on FM-839 in Rusk County. There were two adults and three children on the Henderson ISD bus at the time. The bus apparently struck a downed tree in the roadway.

LONGVIEW — The Director of the Longview High School Band has decided to rescind his resignation and remain on the job. School board President Chris Mack told the Longview News Journal Louis Robinett had submitted a letter saying he would resign at the end of the school year. His resignation was scheduled to be discussed by school trustees during Monday night’s meeting. But, before the meeting started, Robinett withdrew his letter. He wrote in an email to parents and students “After meeting with district administration, I have decided to resend my resignation. You’re stuck with me for a while. Go Lobos!”

HENDERSON — One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Rusk County. The wreck occurred around 7:00 Wednesday morning On U.S. Highway 259 near Henderson. Dead at the scene was Joseph Daniel Stringer, 34, a Henderson EMT. The Department of public Safety reports he was traveling an an unsafe speed on a wet road when his car left the road and hit a tree. They also report he was not wearing his seat belt.

TYLER — The Smith County Republican Women will hold a public forum for May election candidates Thursday at Traditions Restaurant in Tyler. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., with the program set for noon. Hopefuls in the TISD, mayoral, and city council contested races are due to participate.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department’s Special Services Division Street Crimes Unit have arrested two men on allegations of dealing crack cocaine and marijuana from a home on Culverhouse Street near Brandon Park. Taken into custody was 37 year old Jerone Jones and 34 year old Jason Wood, both of Lufkin. A third man, 40 year old Billy Starks Jr., of Lufkin, was arrested on two class C warrants. A search of the home uncovered an undisclosed amount of cash, a crack cocaine cookie, marijuana packaged for sale in “dime bags,” a small amount of methamphetamine and liquid Codeine in a baby bottle inside the refrigerator. A side-by-side ATV reported stolen out of Pasadena was found outside the home. Continue reading Lufkin Drug Bust Nets Two Suspects

TYLER — A man and his two small children were hurt in a fire Tuesday at the Heritage West Apartments off West Heritage Drive in Tyler. KETK reports the call for help came in around 5:45 p.m. Firefighters say the small grease fire started in the kitchen. Both children were taken to the hospital. Their conditions were not immediately released.

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man has been arrested after leading police on a chase. According to KETK, just before midnight Friday, officers were patrolling Tenery Street when Jonathan Barnes, 24, was stopped for a traffic violation. Barnes, who had an outstanding warrant out of Gregg County for Evading Arrest/Detention, failed to stop and led police on a brief pursuit. He failed to stop at stop signs in the process. When Barnes finally stopped, he got out of the vehicle and ran. Police found him hiding in a storage shed on Wood Street. Barnes was arrested for Evading Arrest/Detention with Previous Convictions and the outstanding warrant out of Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on Saturday.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) — Nike confirmed Tuesday that it no longer has an endorsement deal with Johnny Manziel. That’s just the latest development in the ongoing saga of the troubled Tyler native and former Cleveland Browns quarterback. It was also learned Tuesday that Drew Rosenhaus has dropped Manziel as a client. Continue reading Nike Drops Manziel as Woes Mount

TYLER — A district judge has recused himself from a high profile case after a petition was filed on Monday to remove Smith County Judge Joel Baker from office. KETK reports that in Judge Kerry L. Russell’s order of recusal, he requested the presiding judge of the First Administrative Judicial Region assign a judge to hear the case. Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming announced Monday that a civil suit to remove Baker had been filed in district court by two Dallas lawyers. Continue reading Judge Recuses Himself from Baker Case

TYLER — TYLER — A former Tyler insurance agent, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, has been handed a prison term. Robert B. Hahn, 64, entered his plea last November in Tyler in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Tuesday, Tyler Federal Judge Michael H. Schneider sentenced Hahn to 3 years in prison and ordered ordered him to pay $1.7 million in restitution. He could have received up to 20 years in federal prison. Continue reading Former Tyler Insurance Agent Gets Prison Term

CHANDLER — Two persons have been treated for minor injuries following what appears to be an accidental shooting near Chandler. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reports the shooting occurred on County Road 3105. The man and woman were said to have been injured by a shotgun blast around 1:00 Tuesday afternoon. The shooting remains under investigation.

GILMER — A former Upshur County resident will be serving a prison term for the sexual assault of a child. Jamie Richard McCammon, II, 40, who most recently lived in Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and 2 counts of Indecency with a child by contact. He received a 30 year prison sentence and 2, 15 year prison sentences, all of which will be served concurrently. He will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he will ever even be considered for parole. If and when he is released, McCammon will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.The charges against McCammon stem from incidents that date back to 2004. The investigation began after a boy told a camp preacher, shortly after a youth church function, what had happened.

NACOGDOCHES — A high speed chase has led to the arrest of a Nacogdoches man. The chase started just before 7:00 Monday night on County Road 521. It ended, after speeds of over 100 miles an hour, near the county line where County Road 659 loops back into highway 59 South. Taken into custody, with out further incident was Christopher Rey Galvan, 24. He was charged with a variety of offenses, including evading arrest. At the time of his arrest, was out of jail awaiting trial on 9 different charges. Continue reading One Arrested Following Nacogdoches County Chase

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has received a million dollar gift. The $1.4 million gift comes from JDA Software Group, Inc. to enhance the school’s management and marketing curriculum. This donation allows JDA floor planning and space planning software to be introduced in several marketing and management classes in the College of Business and Technology. According to a news release from the University, understanding the importance of the concept of space and store and shelf planning is essential in pursuing corporate careers in the consumer packaged goods industry and with large retailers. Implementation will begin this summer.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer man will spend 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the delivery of methamphetamine. According to KETK, the Uphsur County District Attorney’s Office said John Brady Harris, 26, accepted a plea bargain and was sentenced in the court of District Judge Lauren Parish. Officials say Harris was seen on video selling nearly two grams of meth to a confidential informant on August 12, 2015.

GILMER — An Upshur County drug suspect has pleaded guilty. John Brady Harris, 26, prior to the jury selection of his trial, entered a guilty plea on Monday. State District Judge Lauren Parish sentenced Harris to 20 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamine. On August 12, 2015 Harris was observed on video, selling 1.81 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. He was also under indictment for two different delivery of methamphetamine charges that he entered a plea in, and admitted his guilt.

KILGORE — Two persons are in custody in connection with a Kilgore armed robbery. Arrested were Jonathan Eugene Ballard, 31, of Jacksonville, and Willis Roshuna Ballard, 34, of Longview. They are accused of the April 10th robbery of the EZ Mart at Farm Road 349 and Farm Road 2087. Leads led investigators to Carlisle, where the vehicle used in the robbery was found. Police say, along with the car, they have also recovered a long-barreled shotgun believed to have been used in the robbery. Both men have been charged with aggravated robbery and remain in the Kilgore Municipal Jail with each man under a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Smith County is one of six counties now eligible for emergency farm loans. The Farm Service Agency announced Monday it is now accepting applications for the emergency loans due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning March 7th through March 29th, in Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Rusk, Smith and Van Zandt Counties. The deadline for applications is December 5th. Smith County Farm Loan Manager, Joseph Grier, encourages farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible. She says if farmers wait too long, a backlog will develop and cause delays. Continue reading Area Counties Eligible for Emergency Farm Loans

TYLER — A civil suit has been filed in district court to remove from office Smith County Judge Joel Baker. The Executive Director of Grassroots America, JoAnn Fleming announced Monday that the suit had been filed. Fleming said the suit was filed by Dallas lawyers Trey Trainor and Joe Nixon. The suit was filed for two reasons, incompetency and official misconduct over a school zones camera agreement and over sexting allegations that surround the judge. Fleming said, since the judge won’t resign, and there is no statutory authority for a recall election, the only way to remove him is to petition to have him removed.

TEXARKANA — An appeals court has upheld the capital murder conviction of an Upshur County man.The 6th Court of Appeals in Texarkana has affirmed the conviction of Jonathan Ray Shepherd, 35. He admitted to killing Cheyenne Green on September 26, 2013 in the stadium parking lot during a football game at Gilmer High School. Since the district attorney was not seeking the death penalty, Shepherd was sentenced to life in prison, without parole. In his appeal, Shepherd maintained the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on a lesser offense of felony murder. The appeals court said the district court did not err and upheld the conviction. Continue reading Upshur County Man’s Conviction Stands

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman has been arrested after being found asleep in her car. The car belonging to 21 year old Destinee Jeffery was parked in the grass near the corner of Mobberly Avenue and Level Street around 4:30 Monday morning. The car’s engine was running and Jeffery was asleep at the wheel. In the car they found a baby bottle nipple with a small amount of green liquid, believed to be Codeine. Also found was a small baggy with numerous pills, believed to be ecstasy or MDMA and, in the trunk, a brick of marijuana inside a suitcase. She’s been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. She free on bonds totaling $60,000.