KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A two vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 271 at County Road 374, just outside Gladewater, has killed two persons. The dead are identified as Isaac Houston, 92, and Helen Houston, 90, both of Gladewater. They were in a SUV traveling south that attempted to make a left turn and was struck by an 18-wheeler. The truck driver suffered minor injuries in the wreck reported around 4:00 Monday afternoon.

TYLER – A weekend shooting in Smith County remains under investigation. One person is being treated at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center for a gunshot wound that is said to be non-life threatening. Around 11:15 Sunday night, the sheriff’s office received a call to the hospital about a gunshot victim that had arrived by private vehicle. When Tyler police arrived at the hospital, they saw a car that had what appeared to be bullet holes. The vehicle was secured until sheriff’s deputies arrived. The shooting is said to have occurred in the parking lot of a credit union located in the 12000 block of Highway 31West. The victim and friends had gone there to meet someone when the shooting happened.

TYLER – A Smith County man jailed in the hot car death of his daughter has been released on a personal recognizance bond. The action for Russell Lindstrom came Monday following a hearing in Tyler’s 7th District Court. Also at the Monday hearing, Lindstom’s trial was pushed back to next month. Lindstrom had originally been charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of injury to a child. In October he was indicted by the Smith County Grand Jury on two counts of injury to a child. A 911 call was received in June about two unresponsive youngsters inside a hot pickup with the windows rolled up in the 18000 block of County Road 1100 near Flint. Bella Lindstrom, 4, was taken to a hospital where she died. Her three year old sister Zoey was hospitalized and released the next day. Lindstrom was arrested in July at a mobile home park in the 17000 block of Highway 155 South.

WINONA – For short time Monday morning the Winona school campuses were on lockdown. According to a note on the district’s web page, “Winona ISD campuses were under a ‘Shelter in Place’ by our Safety Resource Officer from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. this morning because individuals from a suspected break-in were at large in the city. Once the threat of danger had passed, all campuses were cleared to resume their regular instructional schedule.” The break in is said to have occurred on Dallas Street. Continue reading “Shelter in Place” Lifted at Winona ISD

EAST TEXAS — A longtime East Texas head football coach has retired. KETK say that Pittsburg ISD superintendent Judy Pollan, iconic coach Dickey Meeks has ended his coaching career by letting school district know Monday morning.

Meeks, who won state championships at two different East Texas schools was announced the head coach of the Pittsburg Pirates in January 2013 after having coached at Henderson. Meeks also spent time at Mount Vernon, Chapel Hill, Pine Tree and in Louisiana. Meeks won a 4A state title in 1989 at Chapel Hill and in 2010 at Henderson.

“Meeks has been experiencing health problems with his heart stemming from valve surgery back in the spring,” Pollan tells KETK. “He is also set to have knee replacement surgery.”

TYLER – A Shreveport, Louisiana man has been charged in a fatal Smith County accident. Adam Jay Hotaling (pictured), 27, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and booked into the Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $60,000. He is charged in the accident that killed Jerry Howell, 36, of Tyler. A passenger in his car, Wendy Howell, 38, of Tyler, is in stable condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Hotaling suffered minor injuries in the crash. The Department of Public Safety says Hotaling’s pickup left the road and the driver over corrected. The pickup then ended up in the west bound lane where it collided head-on with the Howell vehicle. The crash was reported shortly after 6:45 Sunday evening on Highway 31 East, 8 miles west of Kilgore.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Week of December 8, 2014:

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler plan to perform pavement repairs on Loop 323 between the loop extension and Commerce Street on Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting. The job moves to Ranch Road 2767 between Loop 323 and Farm Road 2908 Wednesday through Friday. Expect lane closures at both locations with flaggers directing traffic through the work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — A public reception has been scheduled for Tyler residents to meet and greet the five finalists for the city manager position. The event is set for Monday from 4-6 p.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. One of the finalists is a well-known local figure, while the others come from various parts of Texas. “Finding a city manager candidate who is both an exceptional leader and a fit for our community, City Council, and city staff is a high priority,” said Tyler Mayor Martin Heines. “Tyler is a unique community and it is vital that candidates selected for the interview process share the community’s vision, values and principles.” Continue reading Public Reception Monday for City Manager Finalists

SMITH COUNTY — Three people who had been riding horses were taken to the hospital Saturday evening after they were hit by a car in Smith County. According to KETK, DPS troopers said the accident happened on Highway 31 near Farm Road 757 just outside of Tyler. Troopers say the three, all of whom appeared to be in their 20s, were riding the horses near the roadway. The law officers said the person driving the car was coming over a hill, could not see the horses and riders, and accidentally ran into them. The three people were taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. It’s unknown if the horses were injured.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP/Staff) – Officials in southern Utah are serving evictions on the first of possibly dozens of homes in Warren Jeffs’ polygamous sect. Jeffs is serving a life sentence in a prison near Palestine, Texas, for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered brides. Attorney Jeffrey Shields says a county constable was doing seven evictions Friday in Hildale, Utah, on the Arizona border. Shields is working with officials appointed by a Utah judge to oversee the trust the homes belong to. Evictions of seven other homes are expected within weeks. Next year, dozens more homes could face the same fate. Continue reading Evictions Begin in Utah Polygamous Community

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been sentenced to 240 years in prison for child pornography after two of his computers and three hard drives were seized by federal and local law enforcement. According to KETK, Harrison County District Attorney Coke Solomon says the Longview Police Department worked with the Tyler Secret Service agency to track down Karl Patrick Houlditch. Solomon says that was after they discovered he had over 3,000 videos and images of child pornography through a file sharing program on his computer. “During the investigation the federal government and a law enforcement officer over in Gregg County… were able to go back to Karl Houldtich’s computer over the internet and verify that he had a significant amount of child pornography,” said Solomon. Continue reading Longview Man Sentenced to 240 Years for Child Pornography

PALESTINE — Dyna Tutt has received national recognition this fall for reaching a significant milestone in the nursing profession. A UT Tyler alumna, Tutt is a nursing instructor at the UT Tyler Palestine Campus who teaches within the Patriots Accessing Technology for Success and Savings Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. According to a news release, since 1994, she has consistently maintained her critical care nursing certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Certification Corporation. Tutt is one of 1,128 CCRNs being honored nationally by AACN for 20 years of continuous certification. Continue reading UTT Palestine Campus Instructor Recognized for 20 Years of Certification

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man accused of of holding up a 16-year-old at gunpoint has been indicted by a Gregg County grand jury. KETK reports that earlier this week, the grand jury charged Deedrick Shamon Pegues, 30, with robbing the teenager in Gladewater on November 3. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Pegues approached the boy at a Gladewater convenience store and asked him for a ride to a home that was also in Gladewater. The boy agreed, and when the pair pulled into the home’s driveway, Pegues allegedly placed “a cold hard object to the back” of the boy’s head and said, “I will blow your … brains out if you don’t give me your wallet and money or anything else you have.” The boy gave Pegues $23 — all of the money he had, the complaint said. Continue reading Grand Jury Indicts Kilgore Man Accused of Robbing Teen

TYLER — There was plenty of Christmas spirit in Tyler’s downtown Thursday evening for the annual Christmas parade. KETK reports festive floats, marching bands, drill teams, and more. Children and parents lined streets to take in all the magic. There were more than 80 parade entries. Following the parade, Miracle Child Will Butts took care of the 29th annual Christmas tree lighting on the square.

TYLER — The Executive Committee of the Smith County Republican Party has announced its support of Scott Turner for Speaker of the Texas House when legislators reconvene in January. Turner represents House District 33, which encompasses all of Rockwall County and portions of Collin County. In a resolution supporting Turner, Smith County GOP leaders say “the people of Texas…sent a clear and unmistakable signal in support of the conservative agenda promised by the Republican House candidates.” The resolution cites Turner’s high rating by several conservative groups. Among other things, the resolution claims current Speaker Joe Straus has “used his power as Speaker, time and again, to appoint left-leaning Democrat and Republican committee chairs to prevent popular conservative legislation from receiving a vote or even a hearing.” Straus has prevailed over past conservative efforts to oust him from his post.

QUITMAN — Wood County law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help identifying a woman. According to KETK, the Quitman Police Department says the woman pictured is wanted for questioning in a theft that occurred Sunday, November 23, at a local hospital. Information leading to this woman’s identity may make you eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Call 903-763-CASH (2274). Tipsters will remain anonymous.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is among the top collegiate teams to compete in the National Opera Association’s Scenes Competition, Dr. Michael Thrasher, UT Tyler School of Performing Arts director, announced. This is UT Tyler’s first appearance in the final round of the competition, which will be held Jan. 8, 2015, during the NOA Annual Convention in Greensboro, N.C. UT Tyler student finalists are soprano Kelsey Pate and tenor Jay Williams, both of Tyler, mezzo-soprano Janis Newman of Athens, and soprano Lauren Cook of San Antonio. Dr. Sooah Park, UT Tyler assistant professor of music, serves as program coordinator. Continue reading UT Tyler to Compete in National Opera Association Competition

TYLER — A public reception has been scheduled for Tyler residents to meet and greet the five finalists for the city manager position. The event is set for this Monday, Dec. 8, from 4-6 p.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. One of the finalists is a well-known local figure, while the others come from various parts of Texas. “Finding a city manager candidate who is both an exceptional leader and a fit for our community, City Council, and city staff is a high priority,” said Tyler Mayor Martin Heines. “Tyler is a unique community and it is vital that candidates selected for the interview process share the community’s vision, values and principles.” Continue reading Public Reception Monday for City Manager Finalists

KILGORE (Staff/AP) — The body of a missing Kilgore man has been found in West Texas, and three people have been arrested in connection with his death. According to KETK, family members say they were informed by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Rangers that the body of former Kilgore High School football coach Trey Sands (pictured) was found. Sands was last heard from in October during a hunting trip in the Terlingua Mountains. Two people identified as Keith McWilliams, 49, of Alpine, and Rhonda Bloom, 42, of Terlingua, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Both are held without bond. Charles Morrow, 30, of Benbrook, turned himself in to the Stanton Police Department Thursday afternoon in Martin County. Police were working to extradite him back to Brewster County. Continue reading Body of Missing Kilgore Man Found, Three Arrested

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has sent a letter to Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, following a demand from the American Humanist Association (AHA) to remove a Nativity scene from the grounds of the county courthouse in Rusk. Abbott’s letter reads, in part, “The letter (from AHA) threatens to sue Cherokee County unless you “promptly remove” the nativity scene and ‘provide … written assurances that no similar display will be erected in the future.’ You have informed my office that the County intends to keep the nativity scene in place through the Christmas season, and that the display on the courthouse grounds contains a variety of features, a number of which have no religious element. I write to offer my support if the AHA follows through on its threat to sue Cherokee County. Continue reading Abbott Offers Support to Cherokee County Judge in Nativity Scene Case

HAWKINS — A Lindale man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man found in Hawkins earlier this month. KETK reports Joel Goldsmith was booked into the Wood County Jail on December 1, the same day the body of John Cecil was discovered. He is currently being held on bonds totaling $254,500. He is charged with murder, assault causing bodily injury, and possession of marijuana. According to police, the body was discovered close to the Fred’s store, located near the intersection of Glazner Street and Farm Road 14. The Texas Rangers are investigating the case.

LONGVIEW – Three persons have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in Longview. Yesterday, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. In April, law enforcement agencies, initiated an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into a synthetic marijuana trafficking organization based in the East Texas area. This investigation involved extensive surveillance and controlled purchases of controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, and drug paraphernalia. To date, law enforcement officials have seized several products containing illegal synthetic drugs. Three persons have been arrested. Continue reading Three Arrested in Synthetic Drug Sting

TYLER — The City of Tyler’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 in downtown Tyler. Additionally, the 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza immediately following the parade. An East Texas child diagnosed with a rare birth defect will be lighting the Christmas tree. Children’s Miracle Network named Will Butts an ambassador for the state of Texas. Will is the Trinity Mother Frances Hospital’s first patient to ever be selected as the ambassador for Texas. Admission is free. Parade floats will follow the same route used in previous years; moving southward on Broadway Avenue from Bow Street, turning west on Ferguson Street, south on College Avenue and east on Erwin Street before returning north on Spring Avenue. Continue reading Tyler’s Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Scheduled for Tonight

LONGVIEW — The annual Longview Christmas Parade will have a new route this year when the event rolls through Downtown this evening at 6:30. Beginning at the intersection of Whaley Street and Third Street, the parade will travel west on Whaley Street, turn south onto Center Street, and turn east onto Methvin Street passing in front of the decorated Gregg County Courthouse before ending back at Third Street. Continue reading Longview Christmas Parade Route and Related Road Closures

LONGVIEW – U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced Wednesday that three individuals have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into an alleged synthetic drug operation in the Eastern District of Texas. On Wednesday, a combined task force of federal, state and local law enforcement executed federal arrest warrants and search warrants in Longview as a result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tyler Task Force. Continue reading Officials: Gregg County Businesses Busted in Synthetic Drug Operation

TYLER – Drivers who use Toll 49 should plan for delays next Tuesday through Thursday in the late evening and early morning hours. The east side of the toll road from US Highway 69 to State Highway 110 will be closed in both directions while preventive maintenance is performed from 10:00pm Tuesday until 5:00am Wednesday, December 10th. Additionally, the east side of Toll 49 will be closed from US 69 West to SH 31 for preventative maintenance from 10:00pm Wednesday, December 10th, till 5:00am Thursday, December 11th. You’re asked to allow extra time and make adjustments to your travel plans accordingly.

PALESTINE — Accused robber D’Markus Leshaun Gaston was taken into custody Wednesday morning in the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Palestine. KETK reports Gaston was arrested without incident. According to police, officers were tipped off not too long after releasing information to the public on the case. Gaston, 20, had been deemed armed and dangerous. On Monday, Palestine police received a report of an armed robbery at the Channel Stop and Go on the 1900 block of West Oak Street. The victim reported a black male entered the store, pulled out a gun, and demanded money from the store clerk. The gunman was able to get away with an undetermined amount of money. Gaston was later identified as the suspect.

TYLER – People from all over the country are falling victim to a recent phone scam by scammers pretending to be IRS agents. This week, the callers seem to be targeting East Texas residents, as the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas has received numerous calls over the past few days. According to a BBB news release, these IRS impersonators are calling up their targets, demanding that they pay taxes they don’t even owe, by either loading money on a prepaid card or sending it via a wire transfer. Those who refuse to pay immediately are then threatened by the “IRS agents.” The threats include jail time, deportation, or the suspension of the victim’s business or driver’s license. Continue reading East Texas Residents Target of IRS Phone Scam

MARSHALL (AP/Staff) – Wiley College in Marshall has laid off 16 employees and furloughed others as it cuts spending amid declining enrollment. Wiley College spokeswoman Tammy Taylor tells the Longview News-Journal a primary cause of the school’s financial woes is changes to federal aid programs that have made it more difficult for students to pay tuition. As a result, Wiley has had to increase scholarships it offers. Unmet fundraising goals also are a factor. Enrollment hit a high of about 1,400 students two years ago but that number has fallen to around 1,350. The historically black college gained prominence with the 2007 release of “The Great Debaters,” which chronicled the school’s 1935 debate team that prevailed over a national powerhouse at a time when the U.S. was heavily segregated.

CANTON -— An East Texas teen has been indicted for attempted murder. According to KETK, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michael Henry Dyar, 17, of Grand Saline September 12 for allegedly shooting his mother. Dyar was indicted Tuesday. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home off of U.S. Highway 80 after receiving a 911 emergency phone call about a shooting. The woman said her son, identified as Dyar, had shot her and run into the woods behind their house. Continue reading Teen Indicted for Mother’s Attempted Murder