KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — It’s a special year as the East Texas State Fair gets underway Friday in Tyler, with the big event celebrating its 100th anniversary. The fair runs through October 4th. From the exhibits to the carnival, free concerts, and of course the fair food, there is something for all the family. Tickets are still $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children under 12. Go to http://www.etstatefair.com for more information, including a schedule of activities. Continue reading East Texas State Fair Started Friday; Traffic Advisory Issued

HENDERSON — An East Texas man who devoted his life to teaching and sharing tales from the classroom and the battlefield was buried Thursday after dying last week at age 109. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Elmer Everett “E.E.” Hill was the second-oldest World War II veteran when he was honored by more than 100 friends during a 2014 ceremony in his hometown of Henderson. “Elmer Hill was an inspiration to me and so many others,” U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Longview, wrote of the late educator Wednesday. “East Texas would be a darker place today without him if he had not illuminated so many lights that would follow behind him.” Continue reading East Texan Who Was Second-Oldest WWII Vet Dies at 109

TYLER — Republican Smith County Commissioner Precinct 1 Jeff Warr is running for his third term, and he says it will be his last if he’s sent back to office. Warr says he’s been encouraged to seek re-election. In an email distributed to media, he adds, “I am very proud of what I have accomplished during my tenure as a commissioner such as completion of the jail project, hiring department heads with private sector experience, and employing a conservative and effective financial approach to local government.” Warr has no announced opposition thus far.

HAWKINS — Leaders in Hawkins have decided a controversial sign has to come down, but some residents are disputing that decision. The sign, which has stood since 2011, says, “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins.” The Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation claims the sign is on Hawkins city property, making it unconstitutional. Mayor Will Rogers says no one knows for sure if the sign is on public or private property, but this week the city council voted to remove it. Since the decision, some Hawkins residents have been camping out by the sign, saying they will not give up the fight to keep it.

TYLER — Nearly $526,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society at last June’s Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala. The announcement was made Wednesday evening at Tyler’s ACS headquarters. The cancer society’s Mauri douglas says attendees responded very well to changes in this year’s event. Those included a switch from outdoors to indoors, at Harvey Convention Center, and the addition of a mobile bidding app. Next year’s gala is set for August 20, again at Harvey Convention Center. Douglas says August falls during a time of year when more entertainment is available.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have released the name of a man killed in a motorcycle wreck in Smith County. He is Barry Mayo, 64, of Tyler. He died around 8:30 Tuesday night on Highway 14 near Interstate Highway 20. The Department of Public Safety says a vehicle pulling a utility trailer pulled onto the highway from a private drive. The driver failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle. To avoid a collision, Mayo is said to have laid down the motorcycle and it skidded on its side.

TYLER — Officials are inviting the public to an open house to provide input toward the Old Jacksonville Highway (FM 2493) Corridor Study. The gathering is set for today from 5:30 to 7:00pm at Southside Baptist Church, at 8875 Old Jacksonville Hwy. in Tyler. The portion of road being studied is bounded by Loop 323 in Tyler and Highway 69 in Bullard. The study will analyze the current conditions of traffic, travel lanes, and signals and make recommendations for upgrades as the corridor grows, according to information from the Tyler Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Continue reading Open House Today on Old Jacksonville Highway Corridor

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s deputies turned up drugs and a large amount of money during a recent bust, according to Sheriff Larry Smith. On September 15 at approximately 12:04 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on a Toyota Tacoma headed south on Front Street near the Beckham intersection. Both the driver and passenger were identified as Mexican Nationals. Both individuals indicated they could not understand or speak English and were acting in a suspicious manner, according to Smith. Continue reading Mexican Nationals Arrested with Kilo of Meth

TYLER — At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the arrest of 12 people in connection with a major Medicare fraud scheme. KETK reports that a federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment September 16 charging the suspects in connection with Three Angels Home Health Inc. Officials say the scheme sought to defraud Medicare by recruiting East Texas Medicare recipients who were not eligible, or did not necessitate the need, for home health care services. Authorities took the defendants into custody Wednesday. Continue reading 12 East Texans Arrested in Medicare Fraud Scheme

LONGVIEW — The intersection of Hawkins Parkway at Fourth Street in Longview is getting signal work today. Officials say the purpose of the work is to change the signals for the new intersection’s improvements. Drivers wishing to travel through this intersection may want to consider using alternate routes. The work will last until 2:00 p.m. The improvements are in conjunction with the extension of Fourth Street. The project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction, call City Engineer Alton Bradley at 903-237-1067.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a man who is wanted for indecency with a child. KETK reports authorities are searching for Larry Don Morgan. He is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 190 pounds. A felony warrant of indecency with a child by contact has been issued for Morgan. If you know anything about Morgan’s whereabouts, you’re asked ti contact police. Tips can be made via contacting Detective Kay Lynn Newbill at kay.newbill@cityofkilgore.com or 903 218 6907. Tipsters may also contact Gregg County CrimeStoppers at 903-236-STOP, or you can text your anonymous tip to 847411 + KILGORE + your tip.

HENDERSON COUNTY — An Athens man is sentenced to prison for evading arrest. James Sean Ricks, 45, pleaded guilty Monday morning in a Henderson County courtroom and was sentenced to 14 years. According to KETK, the incident happened March 17 when an Athens police officer was attempting to make a traffic stop Ricks for failure to signal a turn. The officer said the vehicle did not reach a high rate of speed but did refuse to pull over. The vehicle came to a dead-end street and Ricks fled on foot. He was caught after a brief manhunt and charged with evading arrest and outstanding parole warrant.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is expected to reach a settlement with the family of a man who was killed in an officer-involved shooting. In a letter to the Tyler City Council, Chief Gary Swindle recommended the family of Victor Fuentes, who sued the police department, be paid $325,000. Back in January 2013, Tyler Police Officer Matt Riggle shot and killed Victor Fuentes, 22, in his home on the 600 block of East Queen Street. Riggle was later no billed by a Grand Jury. Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham said the decision meant the jury found Riggle was justified in using deadly force and there was no probable cause to believe his actions were criminal. Police said Fuentes had a gun in his hand at the time of the incident.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle wreck in Smith County Tuesday night. It happened on Highway 14 near I-20 around 8:30. According to DPS, one man was killed. His name and details of the wreck have not been released.

TYLER — Smith County is close to finalizing a settlement with the family of Jason Mosley of White Oak. Authorities say Mosley hanged himself in his jail cell in May. According to KETK, the state determined jailers were four minutes late in checking his jail cell. The Smith County DA’s Office says no lawsuit was ever filed by Mosley’s family, but the county will pay out $1.25 million once the settlement is finalized. The sheriff’s office says it plans to issue a statement later this week.

TYLER — West Erwin Street in Tyler will be closed between Bois D’ Arc Avenue and College Avenue today till 6 p.m. due to Tyler Water Utilities work. There will be no through traffic allowed all day. Officials point out that there are alternate entrances and exits to parking garages. Road work is expected to last one to two days.

LONGVIEW — Initial autopsy results show the preliminary cause of death of a Longview man found Sunday morning was gunshot wounds to the head and torso. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The results, released Tuesday by Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Talyn Carlson, list seven gunshot wounds to Devin Melik Gibson, 18. Carlson said the list of seven gunshot wounds does not necessarily mean Gibson was shot seven times and that she would not know more specific information until the full autopsy was completed. Continue reading Autopsy Results Released on Longview Teen Found Dead Sunday

TYLER – A registered sex offender from Tyler has been sentenced in Tyler federal court to 23 years behind bars for transportation of minors. Anthony Nelson, 33, pleaded guilty last November. According to authorities, in November and December of 2013, Nelson was assisted by others in transporting individuals, including two minors, in interstate commerce with the intent that the individuals engage in prostitution. An investigation also revealed that Nelson was a registered sex offender, having served eight years in prison for the 2001 aggravated sexual assault of a minor in Smith County. Nelson was indicted this past March.

TYLER – First Lady Cecilia Abbott Tuesday addressed the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance at its 8th annual awards luncheon. According to a news release, Abbott was also on hand to announce the winners of the Hispanic Business Achievers Award, given to eight Hispanic-owned businesses in the Tyler area. Abbott called small businesses “crucial” to the Texas economy and lauded the award winners for improving Tyler’s quality of life. Tyler Mayor Martin Heines was among others on hand for the event.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton Tuesday handed over the nearly 60-year-old court documents from a civil rights case involving U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to representatives of the Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law. “It’s magnificent,” DeCarlous Y. Spearman, law library director and associate professor of law at Texas Southern University, said of the donation of documents from a 1956 civil rights case to the university. Continue reading Smith County Donates Historic Documents to Law School

EAST TEXAS — East Texas is on the itinerary this week as Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar continues a 27-city, two-month Good For Texas tour, meeting with local officials and citizens to talk about the future of the Texas economy. Following Tuesday visits to Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Hegar appeared at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce this morning before traveling to Longview for a 2:00 p.m. session at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. Continue reading Hegar’s Good For Texas Tour Arrives in East Texas

TYLER — Police are making advance plans as the East Texas State Fair prepares to open this Friday, designated as Senior Citizen Day. The Tyler Police Department advises drivers that on West Front Street in front of Harvey Convention Center, traffic will be shut down to one lane in both east and west directions Friday from 8:00 a.m. until midnight. After Friday all lanes will be open until 4:00 p.m. each day, and then the traffic will revert back to one lane of traffic flow in each direction until closing time of the fair. Continue reading East Texas State Fair Traffic Advisory

GRAND SALINE — The Grand Saline Middle School principal is facing felony charges after an incident in which authorities say he put his children in danger while trying to use his vehicle to force his estranged wife’s vehicle off the roadway. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Michael Bates said Brad L. Swain’s wife called 911 and reported her husband was trying to run her off the roadway Friday afternoon as they drove from Martins Mill on FM 16 toward Van. Continue reading Grand Saline Principal Facing Felony Charges

HAWKINS — A controversial sign in Hawkins is coming down. Monday night, the city council voted to remove the “Jesus Welcomes You To Hawkins” sign. Last month, it was announced that a survey showed the sign was on private property and would stay up. But last night it was announced that another survey had indicated that the sign was on public property. The Freedom From Religion Foundation had objected to the sign saying the sign welcoming visitors to Hawkins is an unconstitutional religious display on government property. Continue reading Jesus Sign Coming Down in Hawkins

JACKSONVILLE — Republican Susie Saxion has announced her candidacy for judge of the 2nd District Court in Cherokee County. Saxion has served as Assistant Criminal District Attorney in Smith County for 17 years. She has been involved in in the prosecution of over 23,000 cases. She has served as lead counsel or 2nd chair in over 100 trials. Saxion is a graduate of Bullard public schools and earned her JD/MBA from Texas Tech University in 1998 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas the same year. Continue reading Saxion Running For Judge in Cherokee County

MARSHALL — The burn ban is back up in Harrison County. The burn ban was reinstituted Monday by the commissioner’s court. It takes effect immediately. A stiff penalty awaits anyone violating the burn ban. Other area counties under burn bans include, Cherokee, Anderson, Marion, Morris, Titus, Franklin, Panola and Nacogdoches.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have identified the man whose body was found along side a road. He is Devyn Milek Gibson 18, of Longview. Gibson died as a result of gunshot wounds. His body was found just before 1:00 Sunday morning beside the road near Sibley Street and Rothrock Drive. A passerby called 911 to report the body. They are asking that anyone with information contact Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867 or Longview Police at 903-237-1199.

NACOGDOCHES — A Louisiana Couple are in custody in Nacogdoches, accused of trafficking drugs through East Texas. KETK identifies the two as Osborne Kimble, 31,and Carla Summers, 36, both of Raville, Louisiana. Their arrest started with a traffic stop. Both appeared to be nervous and gave different stories about their travel. After giving authorities permission to search their vehicle, deputies found over 16 pounds of synthetic marijuana found in a trash bag inside the trunk. Both have been charged with felony possession of synthetic drugs and had a bind set at $7,500.

TYLER — Some marijuana plants have been found growing in southwestern Smith County. Sheriff’s deputies seized around 1,000 marijuana plants growing on County Road 1141, also known as Dean Road. State game wardens discovered the plants over the weekend. No one was present when deputies arrived and no arrests have been made.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of September 21. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Concrete repair work continues on Interstate Highway 20 with crews moving to Van Zandt County this week. The work schedule – 6:30am to 7:00pm, is as follows, weather permitting:
-Monday: Westbound outside lane at Mile Markers 538 to 537. The rest area is closed at this location.
-Tuesday: Outside lane at Mile Markers 535 and 534
-Wednesday: Outside lane at Mile Marker 527
-Thursday: Work returns to Smith County eastbound lanes starting at the Van Zandt County line.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when driving through these work zones. Lane closures and brief delays are possible so look for signage and other traffic control devices to assist you through the work zone. Law enforcement is also providing assistance at these locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects