KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of Feb. 1. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Work in Gladewater at the intersection of US 271/US 80 continues Monday requiring a closure on US 80. The crew will then move to Mile Marker 773 on US 80 between Gladewater and White Oak performing concrete repairs for the rest of the week. This work requires closing the eastbound, outside lane. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes. Work will be conducted daily and requires overnight lane closures until the work is complete. If you must travel through the area, please allow extra time to reach your destinations. Continue reading TxDOT Updates Weekly Work Plan

KILGORE – A new president begins work at Kilgore College on Monday. Dr. Brenda Kays, who began as a community college educator in Texas 30 years ago, succeeds Bill Holda, who had been president since July 2, 1992, and who retired on Friday. She was selected for the post over three dozen applicants for the position. Dr. Kays started work at Kilgore College on January 13th and she prepared for the transition to the president’s chair. Continue reading New KC President Takes the Helm

TYLER — Since January 31 fell on a Sunday, you can pay your property taxes on Monday, according to a news release from Smith County. The deadline has been pushed back to February 1 to allow people to make their property tax payments on time. The payments can be made online or in person at the Smith County Tax Office at the Cotton Belt Building at Front and Glenwood in Tyler. The payments can also be mailed, as long as they are postmarked by Monday, February 1, Smith County Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Barber said.

TYLER – Monday is the final day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 1st primary. There are a variety of ways to register. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says you can register at her office at 302 East Ferguson, or go to http://www.Votetexas.gov to register online. And, she points out, if registering online, the application must be printed out and signed. Then it can be hand-delivered to her office or mailed and postmarked by February 1st. Early voting in the primary election starts February 16th.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’re investigating a shooting but having trouble getting information. On Friday at 6:56 p.m., police answered a call to a shooting that had just occurred on 8th Street near the Rose Street intersection. When police arrived they were told one person had been shot and taken by private vehicle to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Police located the victim at the hospital; his injury was said not to be life-threatening. But authorities say the victim was not very cooperative and police were not able to identify a suspect at that time.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man who’s been in trouble with the law before faces multiple charges after police found two types of drugs along with weapons during a Friday raid. Authorities say Longview police, the County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, and the SWAT Team executed a search warrant on East Brandon Street, just off West Loop 281. Law officers say they found a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin inside the residence as well as several firearms. Samuel Utsey, 58, was arrested and transported to the Gregg County Jail. He faces two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and a single count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

FORT WORTH (AP/Staff) – Police in Fort Worth are investigating allegations that troubled Cleveland Browns quarterback and Tyler native Johnny Manziel might have assaulted his former girlfriend. Police issued a statement saying officers went to an apartment complex at about 2 a.m. Saturday to investigate a report of a possible assault. The officers didn’t find the person who called, but they spoke to a 23-year-old woman who said she was “involved in a disturbance with her ex-boyfriend” earlier that night in Dallas. Sergeant Steve Enright later identified him as Manziel. There have been no arrests.

LONGVIEW — Following what officials are calling a “record-breaking day” on Saturday, the 34th Annual East Texas Boat & RV Show wraps up today at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. The only damper: the show had to close a bit early Saturday due to a power outage on Longview’s south side. But organizers are working to make that up to attendees. Officials with the Longview Chamber of Commerce say if you attended Saturday’s event, you’re welcome to come back today and enter with the wrist band you purchased Saturday. In a news release, officials say, “We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our vendors and the people who came out to be part of the event. Sunday promises to be a beautiful day so come out to Maude Cobb Convention Center and enjoy the day.” Continue reading East Texas Boat & RV Show Wraps Up Today

NACOGDOCHES — Stephen F. Austin State University regents have approved making the university a tobacco-free campus. KETK reports the rule goes into effect in August. It will include all forms of tobacco, smokeless or not, as well as vapor products such as e-cigarettes. In addition to the tobacco ban, it is proposed that students be able to attend meetings to help overcome tobacco addiction. “The work for the tobacco-free campus actually started in the summer, June or July,” says student body president Tristain Harris. “We had a meeting, we talked about it; this is an issue, something we can get behind.” After a survey was conducted it was found that 80% of the student body was in favor of a tobacco-free, smokeless campus. The finer details, such as how to enforce the new rule, are still being worked out.

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Andy Mack says he’s always looking to make a positive change in his community through opening up discussions — and that he believes in a program aimed at helping gang members find a way out of their violent lifestyles. KETK reports that ever since he was elected mayor, he routinely hands out surveys at city council meetings to get ideas flowing for positive change opportunities in the Longview community. He also posts the same questions online to connect with residents and receive feedback. Mack says when he asked residents if they would support a program allowing gang members to find a way out, the responses were enormous. “Kids are already in the gangs, and they want out. So this was just an idea, we throw it out there, and see what happens. It’s a dialogue. And we got incredible feedback,” said Mack. Continue reading Mack Seeks to Help Gang Members

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is kicking off its “Take Me Shopping Again!” program by giving away 1,000 reusable canvas shopping bags on Saturday at the Burlington Coat Factory, 8958 South Broadway Avenue. The event runs from 9:30am to 1:00pm, or as long as the bags last. Keep Tyler Beautiful says it’s using this program to educate the Tyler community on the pros and cons of using the thin plastic bags or the brown paper bags used by retailers to package up goods at the checkout line. This will be the first part of a community-wide effort to help shoppers answer the “paper or plastic” question for themselves.

ZAVALLA (AP) – A fiery East Texas traffic accident involving a tanker rig hauling crude oil and a smaller truck has left both drivers dead. The Texas Department of Public Safety says the accident happened shortly before dawn Friday on U.S. 69 just south of Zavalla. DPS Trooper David Hendry says preliminary information indicates the tanker truck was southbound when the northbound pickup truck crossed over and hit the bigger rig head-on. The accident led to a huge fire that burned both vehicles and shut down U.S. 69. Hendry says the fire was put out by late Friday morning. Fraffic was being rerouted as crews worked to clear the wreckage from the site.

TYLER — Authorities in Smith County say a suspect is in custody after a verbal confrontation escalated into a stabbing. On Thursday at approximately 3:05 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on CR 239 after receiving a 911 call reporting a stabbing at the location. The deputies found the victim, identified as Andrew Lee Mitchell Jr., lying in the front yard with a wound to his lower abdomen. He was conscious and able to answer deputies’ questions, accoridng to a news release. Continue reading Stabbing Suspect in Custody

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – A Palestine man on death row for the slaying of his 2-year-old daughter 14 years ago has received an execution date. Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said Thursday 49-year-old Robert Roberson III is set for lethal injection June 21. He’s one of at least nine convicted killers scheduled for execution in Texas through July. Roberson was convicted of the death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis, at their home. He contended the child died of a fall from a bed. Physicians at a Palestine hospital said there was no way her extensive injuries could have been caused by a fall. The U.S. Supreme Court has on its docket next month a request to review an appeal for him that’s already rejected by lower federal courts.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are seeking the public’s help in locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run accident. The car is gray 2007 Chevrolet Impala. It was involved in an accident last Saturday morning around 10:45 at the intersection of Jones and High Streets. The car is said to have blown through a stop sign and hit a white 2014 Dodge Charger. The driver fled the scene in the vehicle, leaving behind the Impala’s bumper and license plate. The registered owner told officers she had sold the car to someone else several months before the accident. If you can supply any information about the wreck, you are asked to contact the Longview Police Department.

LONGVIEW – Employees of a Longview business were temporarily evacuated following a gas leak. The natural gas leak was reported shortly after 8:00 Thursday morning in the 400 block of West Cotton Street. Gas company employees found the source and the leak was repaired. Employees were back in the building a couple of hours after the leak was reported.

ATHENS – A Henderson County man is heading to prison after pleading guilty to drug charges. State District Court Judge Dan Moore sentenced Joshua Demelles Thompson, 34 of Tool, to 25 years in state prison for possession of a controlled substance. According to a news release from the district attorney’s office, Thompson was arrested in December 2014 at his residence near Cedar Creek Lake. Authorities say they found drugs and drug paraphernalia on him and in his truck and house. Two other persons found in the house were also arrested.

LONGVIEW – A former Longview middle school teacher draws a long prison term for online solicitation of a minor. A jury on Wednesday found Joey Huddleston, 35, guilty. The former Foster Middle School teacher was sentenced Thursday morning to 20 years in prison. That’s the maximum sentence. Continue reading Former Teacher Sentenced to Prison for Online Solicitation

WHITE OAK — A suspect in a White Oak intoxication manslaughter case is free on $25,000 bond. Erin Fannin, 33, of Hawkins, was arrested following a Tuesday accident that killed Curtis Foulke, 48, of White Oak. KETK reports that on Tuesday, the White Oak Police Department, White Oak Fire Department, and EMS were dispatched to the wreck on East Highway 80. The initial investigation shows a pickup driven by Fannin was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic when it collided with a car being driven by Foulke. Foulke was pronounced dead at the scene. Fannin was taken to the White Oak City Jail for booking on an intoxication manslaughter charge. She was then taken to a local hospital where her blood was drawn in order to test her BAC.

TYLER – A ceremony is scheduled this afternoon for a Tyler police officer who is retiring after over two decades of service. Lt. Robert Barrentine has been on the Tyler police force over 24 years. This includes 18 years in supervisory and command level positions. He was the department’s plain clothes officer of the year in 1996. He is currently the commander of the community response team. It’s responsible for most of the community-oriented policing efforts in the department, the bicycle unit and the K9’s. Lt. Barrentine leave the Tyler Police Department to become the Chief of Police for University of Arkansas medical Sciences in Little Rock.

TYLER – Some Tyler ISD students have dedicated a doghouse to Ogar, the Smith County K-9 recently slain following a traffic stop that spurred a lengthy manhunt. According to a news release, construction science students and faculty in the Career and Technology Center have spent the last few months building and selling special doghouses to benefit Pets Fur People, a local charity. However, it is the dog house they built just last week that may have meant the most: a memorial doghouse designed especially for Ogar. The doghouse was displayed during Ogar’s memorial service and then donated to Ogar’s partner, Deputy Kevin Petty. Continue reading Tyler ISD CTC Students Dedicate Doghouse to Slain K-9 Officer

LINDALE — Lindale Police have released photos to the public in hopes of solving a recent theft. According to KETK, police say a man entered a Walmart in the early morning hours of January 17 and stole a phone in the electronics department. The burglar then broke into an employee’s vehicle after leaving the store. The suspect vehicle appears to be a Nissan Altima and the hood is a different color. If you have any tips, contact Det. Mike Lazarine at mikel@lindaletx.gov or at 903-882-3313.

LONGVIEW – Cessna Aircraft Company has selected Longview’s LeTourneau University as a Top Hawk Partner. As part of this program , LETU aviation students will have the unique opportunity to take recruiting and outreach trips to airports around the country, as well as conduct flight training, in a brand new Cessna Skyhawk 172S, which will feature the university’s colors and logo. One LETU student, who is a certified flight instructor, will be named to an internship with Cessna and will have the opportunity to job-shadow different areas of Textron Aviation, Cessna’s parent company, and participate in marketing, sales and customer service events. Continue reading LETU to Partner with Cessna’s Top Hawk Program

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has approved acceptance of a $325,000 donation from Centene Charitable Foundation to be used toward Phase II of the Bergfeld Master Plan: the reconstruction of the park’s stage at the amphitheater. According to a news release, Centene has agreed to donate $325,000, which is the estimated project cost. According to the agreement, the funds will be distributed in two installments: one upon execution of the agreement and one upon completion of the project. The new stage at the amphitheater will be named in honor of Centene. That follows a December recommendation approved by the Parks Board to name the stage Centene Theatre. Tyler Parks and Recreation director Stephanie Rollings says the city is “thrilled” with the partnership. Continue reading Council OKs Donation for Bergfeld Park Amphitheater Reconstruction

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau held it’s awards banquet Tuesday at the Crosswalk Conference Center where they presented the Awards for Excellence to three companies and one nonprofit organization. Criss Sudduth, owner of Ark Assurance Group, was awarded BBB Ambassador of the Year for his volunteer involvement with BBB related activities. Continue reading BBB Holds Annual Awards Banquet

AUSTIN – Texas Lottery officials say Gloria Tuck of Mineola claimed a second-tier Powerball prize worth $1 million for the drawing held on Dec. 12, 2015. The ticket was purchased at the Super Sak #4 located at 105 WSW Loop 323 in Tyler. Tuck’s ticket matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (2-14-19-30-62), but not the red Powerball (22). The claimant requested minimal publicity. Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win the jackpot by matching five numbers from a field of 69 numbers and one Powerball number from a field of 26 numbers. Drawings occur each Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. CT.

LONGVIEW – Two more suspected arson fires have been reported in Longview. With two fires reported on Monday, nearly a dozen suspected arson fires have been reported on the city’s south side since January 10th. One fire was reported Monday morning at 616 West Washington Street. Then, just before 10:45 Monday night, another fire was reported 112 White City Street. Continue reading More Arson Fires in Longview