KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has announced the recipients of the college’s annual Rotary Young Citizens and Watson W. Wise Incentive awards. Recipients are chosen by a vote of TJC faculty and staff. The Rotary Young Citizens Award goes to Arlene Campos and Ben Jordan. The Watson W. Wise Incentive Award goes to Sabrah Shipman. Continue reading Three Award Winning TJC Students

GUN BARREL CITY (AP) — A customer eating alone at a Texas restaurant left a big surprise behind for an 18-year-old waitress, a $1,000 tip. Alesha Palmer says she was so stunned by the gift she began crying in the middle of Vetoni’s Italian Restaurant in Gun Barrel City. She was serving a couple she knew last weekend and they asked about her college plans. She says she told them her parents would be helping her pay for it. Another customer who was seated nearby got up to leave and approached the restaurant owner. She says after he left, she asked if everything was all right and her boss showed her the receipt with the huge tip from the man, who asked to remain anonymous.

TYLER – A missing Smith County Woman has been found. Friday, the Smith County Sheriff’s Department has put out a missing person’s alert for Courtney Denise Dollgener. The 27 year old woman was last seen on Thursday evening around 8:00 near Tyler State Park on Farm Road 14. Shortly after 7:30 Saturday morning, the sheriff’s office received a call from an employee at State Park Grocery on Farm Road 14. They said Dollgener was standing outside the store. Deputies say Dollgener, who appeared alert and responsive, said she was tired, hungry and thirsty after walking through the woods all night. After being checked out by EMS, she was turned over to her mother.

LONGVIEW – A police officer has been cleared in a fatal Longview shooting. The District Attorney’s office announced Friday that officer Emit Kennedy has been cleared by the Gregg County Grand Jury in the August shooting death of Devin Dial, 23. On August 28th, 2015, at 11:00pm, officers responded to a call involving a suspicious car in the parking lot of Walgreens near Loop 281 and Gilmer Road. An off-duty police officer had called police after noticing a man had what appeared to be a white mask covering his head. During this time, Dial had moved his vehicle to the west side of the building and out of security camera view, according to officials. When Kennedy, got to the scene, he found a person inside a car. As the officer exited his car, Dial reportedly got of his vehicle while displaying a weapon. The officer then shot Dial.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police say a previously missing woman has been found. Shelia Lakay Fon, 55, had last been seen last week near her home. According to family members, she is a bipolar schizophrenic and has not been taking her medication. According to KETK, police say Fon was found at a Jacksonville hotel in stable condition and her family has been notified of her whereabouts.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department has put out a missing person’s alert for Courtney Denise Dollgener. The 27 year old woman was last seen was last seen on Thursday evening around 8:00 near Tyler State Park on Farm Road 14. She was believed to be wearing a white T-Shirt, blue jeans, purple Nike tennis shoes, and white ball cap with “NAVY” on it. Dollgener has several mental disorders and has the capacity of a 5 year old. Anyone that has seen her or has any information should immediately contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

LONGVIEW — Longview police continue to look for a teenage runaway. Katherine Princess Nolan, 14, was last seen on April 1, leaving her home to go to a friend’s house. She is described as a black female, 5’4″ and weighs around 128 pounds. She was wearing khaki shorts, a black jersey, and black shoes. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. If you have information on Katherine’s whereabouts you are asked to contact Detective Chris Bethard at 903-237-1161 or call the main police number after hours at 903-237-1199

LONGVIEW — Parts of Fredonia Street are closed for Dalton Days. Fredonia Street, between Methvin and Tyler, was closed Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm. It will remain closed until 5:00 this afternoon.

LONGVIEW — A check on tobacco compliance at some Longview businesses has turned up some gambling machines. Longview police say they were found during an inspection of the A-Z Mart located in the 600 block of North Eastman Road. The State Comptroller’s office was contacted and a representative inspected the machines. When they were found to be in noncompliance, the machines were turned off. The police department’s Face Book page said they will continue to investigate the case.

MARSHALL — Marshall police are seeking the public’s help in locating an accused forger.They are looking for Clifford Wayne Hubbard, 41. He is wanted for an outstanding felony warrant for forgery of a financial instrument. He is accused of cashing a fraudulent check at a Marshall Bank. Hubbard is described as a black male, 5’10” tall, weighing 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. The last known address for Hubbard was in Shreveport, Louisiana. Any information you have about Hubbard would be greatly appreciated. Continue reading Accused Forger Sought in Marshall

TYLER –A newly-appointed committee held a meeting Thursday to redefine the rules of procedure, conduct and decorum for Smith County Commissioners Court. According to KETK, a handful of East Texans met to offer suggestions and changes they would like to see. Under the current rules, “the court will not allow a member of the public to question the integrity of the court or its members.” Attendees said they want to throw out that rule, adding it was an abridgement of their free speech. The suggestion comes after a regularly scheduled meeting, in which people questioned Smith County Judge Joel Baker’s alleged inappropriate conduct. Continue reading Proposed Changes for Smith County Commissioners Court Meetings

TYLER — A Tyler woman has been arrested following an aggravated robbery. Around 3:45 Friday morning, officers responded to the Food Fast, 1222 WSW Loop 323, after a reported hold-up. As they arrived, they noticed a white car speeding away from the scene. Following a traffic stop, Stella Wagner, 36, was taken into custody. Police said they found evidence of the crime in her car. She was charged with aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance and an outstanding warrant. Wagner was booked into the Smith County Jail.

HENDERSON (Staff/AP) — Jurors who will hold Bernie Tiede’s fate in their hands soon will have to decide who was scamming whom after hearing evidence from his five-year relationship with Marjorie Nugent. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the state rested its case at 2:24 p.m. Thursday in Tiede’s resentencing trial in Henderson. That left time for Tiede’s defense to begin building its case before court adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Continue reading State Rests, Defense Begins Case in Tiede Trial

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Police are investigating a hit and run accident in which Johnny Manziel was said to have been in the car. The former Cleveland Browns quarterback and former Tyler resident was said to be a passenger in a car that hit a light pole. It then fled the scene. USA Today reports the accident happened Wednesday on Sunset Boulevard. Manziel’s friend Ryan Silverstein was the car’s driver. There were no injuries.

LONGVIEW — A convicted felon has been busted in Longview. It started with officers noticing a car parked half way in the road way in the 500 block of Arkansas Street. The car then pulled into a driveway. As the driver stood beside the vehicle talking with officers, they saw gun on the seat. They also saw a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. They learned 27 year-old Charles Ray Owens was a convicted felon and was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. A search of the car turned up just over 27 grams of meth. He was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Old Bullard Road at the Loop is closed and the work on the intersection is being extended. The Street closure had originally been set to end on Friday. That has now been extended through April 22nd. AAA Sanitation temporarily closed Old Bullard Road at the corner of Old Bullard Road and WSW Loop 323 to traffic from the Loop past the BBVC Compass driveway. Work will be done to tie into water and sewer for the Towne Oaks subdivision. Continue reading Roadwork Impacting Two Tyler Intersections

LINDALE — The Smith County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office has a new K-9 member on its team. KETK reports his name is Deputy Hunter. Constable Kenneth Bibby said he’ll replace Officer Ogar, who died in the line of duty earlier this year. In January, Ogar was shot and killed during a traffic stop near Lindale and I-20. 35-year-old Michael Koch is charged with Ogar’s death. Deputy Hunter came from Pacesetter K-9 in Liberty Hill — and his cost was covered by Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation.

NACOGDOCHES — A Houston man remains in the Nacogdoches County Jail following his arrest smuggling humans. In jail under a $50,000 bond is 33 year old Luis Fernando Elvir. He was stopped by sheriff’s deputies On U.S. Highway 59 North of Nacogdoches Tuesday afternoon. After his van was stopped for a traffic violation, in the van they found 7 persons from Guatemala and Honduras who where in the U.S. illegally. Deputies say he even admitted he was being paid to transport the people. The seven were taken to Livingston were there were turned over to immigration authorities.

TYLER — Drivers should expect delays at the intersection of South Broadway Avenue and Cumberland Road on Friday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to a news release, the City of Tyler Traffic Department will be placing this intersection in flash to move wiring for the Cumberland Road extension project. Tyler Police will be at the intersection helping to direct traffic. While work is taking place, drivers should expect multiple lane closures. Drivers are asked to remember to be aware of their surroundings, workers, and police officers. For further information, please contact the Traffic Department at (903) 531-1205.

VAN ZANDT — A Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office jailer is fired and arrested after officials discovered he was having “relations” with an inmate. Steven Barker, 22, Wills Point, was arrested Wednesday for sexual contact with a person in custody. During the investigation, it was determined Barker was having an improper relationship with a female inmate by writing letters and discussing “hooking up” when she was released. The female inmate admitted to having sexual contact with Barker. He’s being held at the Van Zandt County Jail pending arraignment for a state jail felony with a recommended bond of $50,000.

KILGORE — A State and FEMA Disaster Recovery Center opened at noon today in Kilgore. It is for homeowners, renters and business owners dealing with flooding damage between March 7 and 29 in Gregg County. Representative from state and federal agencies will be on hand to offer information about what assistance is available. The center is located at the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce, 813 North Kilgore Street. It will be open weekdays from 9:00 till 6:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 till 2:00. They are asking those seeking assistance to register by phone or on line if possible. Continue reading Recovery Center Opens in Kilgore

TYLER — Smith County’s first Rules of Decorum Committee meeting is set for 10 a.m. this morning in the Commissioners Courtroom of the Courthouse Annex and is open to the public. The committee, recently appointed by the Commissioners Court, is made up of several county employees, as well as county resident Richard Blake. Members of the public who are not on the committee can attend and speak on the issues. The committee will discuss the Rules of Procedure, Conduct and Decorum at Commissioners Court meetings and will make recommendations on any suggested changes to the current rules and procedures to the Commissioners Court. Go to http://www.smith-county.com/Commissioners/Codification/documents/RulesOfDecorum10-16-12.pdf for the current rules, adopted by Commissioners in 2012.

GULFPORT, MISS. (AP/STAFF) ― Three people, including an East Texan arrested during an investigation of A Mississippi drug case, have been denied bond. Roy Lee Tatum, 40, of Palestine, is one of three persons arrested during a probe of an alleged meth supplier’s plan to attend spring break in Mississippi. The men were said to be on probation for federal convictions and had failed to report to a probation supervisor as ordered. Authorities say each tested positive for drug use. A U.S. Magistrate ordered a grand jury review in a hearing held Tuesday. The three were arrested Friday, the day of a big spring break wekend activity in Biloxi. As agents entered one of the mens’ home, they heard the toilet flushing. An agent later broke a drain pipe and collected three 5-gallon buckets of liquid that tested positive for meth.

TYLER — A man accused of shooting at sheriff’s deputies is back in Smith County. Ricardo Martinez Pineda, 35, was arrested April 4th in northeastern Arkansas. Jail records show he was extradited back to Smith County and booked into the jail Tuesday night. Pineda is said to be one of two men who fired on sheriff’s deputies who had tried to stop their car in western Smith County March 21st. No one was injured. The other alleged shooter, and the car’s driver, are also in custody.

WACO — A White Oak man is among more than 100 bikers charged in last year’s deadly shootout in Waco. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report 39-year old Stephen Dudley was booked Monday morning into a Waco-area jail. Dudley was injured in the shooting and had to be hospitalized, so he was not arrested until Monday. He joins ten other East Texans indicted in that shooting.

TYLER – Tyler ISD announced the 2016 Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet. It was held Tuesday evening at Harvey Convention Center. Rhona Meads, sixth grade teacher at Three Lakes Middle School, is Secondary Teacher of the Year; Dee Ann Tate, third grade teacher at Rice Elementary School, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. The District honored 31 campus teachers of the year before naming the two big winners. The District winners will compete at the regional level this summer. Continue reading Tyler ISD Names Teachers of the Year