KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The 2013 arrest of a Smith County deputy for drug trafficking led to the recent arrests of six other people. KETK reports the seizures and arrests were a byproduct of Kimbrick Bernard Jones’s arrest for selling meth from a patrol car. Sheriff Larry Smith said Jones (pictured) cooperated with the FBI and sheriff’s office as they continued to investigate criminal activities. Following his sentencing, they were able to pinpoint alleged suppliers and traffickers of meth involved. The six were indicted in federal court last week. Smith’s office also seized meth, firearms, and a large piece of land off County Road 3104 where illegal horse racing was reportedly taking place. Deputies searched four residence on more than 100 acres of land in rural Smith County.
Continue reading Sheriff Says Deputy’s Arrest Led to Recent Arrests of Six Others

TYLER — Roadwork on South Broadway Avenue from Erwin Street to Fourth Street is underway. The existing asphalt surface will be removed and replaced with new asphalt. To minimize inconvenience to the public, all work will be done at night between the hours of 7:00pm and 6:00am, according to officials. During this time, the road will periodically be closed to through traffic. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes during this time. All work is expected to be complete before August 5, weather permitting.

TYLER — Smith County Road 112 is closed for bridge repairs. The project, which started Monday, is expected to last up to three weeks. The closure only applies to the portion of CR 112 located between County Road 131 and County Road 129 in the southern half Smith County. Drivers should utilize an alternative route for the duration of this project.

HUNTINGTON (AP) — Officials say a 2-month-old girl has died at an East Texas home as the woman with whom she was living ran an errand and left several other adults to watch the baby. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Department says an autopsy was scheduled on the infant, whose name wasn’t immediately released. Sheriff Greg Sanches says an initial review indicates the baby apparently died of natural causes. Sanches says the woman in whose care the child was entrusted had to pick someone up Saturday and left the sleeping child in the care of several family friends at a home near Huntington. One of the adults checked on the girl, noticed she wasn’t breathing and called 911. Child Protective Services has been notified.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the state highway department.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 80 between Loop 485 in Gladewater and the Upshur County Line, followed by similar work in U.S. Highway 271 between US 80 in Gladewater and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested six people Saturday morning on charges of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance after more than 200 grams of methamphetamine were discovered at a Longview home. Debra Stiles, spokeswoman for the Longview Police Department, said Sunday that the drugs were found at a home in the 1900 block of Willis Drive during an investigation of a stolen vehicle. According to KETK, Gerri Paige Holt, 25, of White Oak, Brandi K McAlister, 32, of Ore City, Stephen Dwayne Cannada, 40, of Longview, Lacie Danielle Dorgan, 30, of Ore City, Carl Oscar Gearhart, 30, of Gladewater, and Leland Curtis Smith, 32, of Longview, were each being held Sunday on bonds of $50,000. Stiles said officers also found two more stolen vehicles at the home and an investigation is ongoing.

TYLER (AP) — Eight people jailed on felony charges, including violent crimes, have been freed from an East Texas jail after a sheriff failed to present evidence to a grand jury within 90 days of their arrest. The Tyler Telegraph reports Sunday the Smith County Sheriff’s Office failed to meet the deadline. The newspaper says that according to documents it obtained through an open records request the suspects were released on their own recognizance between November 2013 and June 30. Another 13 could have been released but were held after additional charges were brought or due to federal retainers. Among those who have been released are a 56-year-old accused of shooting three people during a disagreement and two others charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for a robbery suspect. Around 9:40 Sunday morning, police received a report of a commercial robbery at the Family Dollar, 1527 Loop 323. According to authorities, the clerk said the suspect, described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing a black jacket, green shirt and jeans, entered the store and demanded the money from the register. The clerk said the suspect had his face covered with his shirt and did not display a weapon. The suspect fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

GREGG COUNTY — Charges against Ina Lawson were dismissed days after her death in March, according to Gregg County District Attorney Carl Dorrough. According to the Longview News-Journal, Lawson was indicted this past year in the shooting of her husband, Gregg County Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson. Sam Lawson resigned in January because of his injuries. Ina Lawson died of natural causes, according to her daughter.

EAST TEXAS — Texas shoppers will get their annual break on sales taxes on certain items during the state’s sales tax holiday scheduled for Aug. 8 to 10. The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 from sales tax, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend.

“Families gearing up for the new school year will not pay any sales tax for many back-to-school items ranging from pens to blue jeans,” said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. “When the back-to-school list is long and the money is short, it can be difficult for Texas families. We hope this tax break will help ease that burden.” Continue reading Sales Tax Holiday Dates Set

DIBOLL (AP) — Authorities say the roof of a privately run East Texas prison has collapsed, temporarily trapping dozens of inmates and sending 19 injured inmates to hospitals. One of those inmates was later airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston after the Saturday collapse at Diboll Correctional Center, about 100 miles northeast of Houston. Neither his identity nor his condition has been released. In a statement, a prison spokesman said the other inmates suffered cuts and bruises when wallboard fell from the ceiling of a housing area at the prison about 11:30 a.m. Spokesman Issa Arnita said 86 inmates were in the area when the ceiling material fell. He said officials are trying to determine the cause. The 518-bed minimum-security facility is operated by Centerville, Utah-based Management & Training Corp.

TYLER — The countdown to the 81st annual Texas Rose Festival is officially underway following the festival’s kickoff over the weekend at Willow Brook Country Club. Rose Queen Katie Peltier says the festival has always meant a lot to her. She told KTBB, “I’ve watched it growing up here in Tyler all of my life, so it’s just great to be a part of such a wonderful community experience, and I’m just honored to represent the city of Tyler and the Tyler roses.” Kathleen Bertram is this year’s Duchess of the Texas Rose Festival. She chimed in, “I think this event is very important to Tyler, and I think we all should remember that the true star of the festival is the rose.” Continue reading 81st Annual Rose Festival Kicks Off

LONGVIEW (Staff/AP) – A memorial was held today for an East Texas chiropractor who went missing during a commercial shark diving venture in the vicinity of West End, Bahamas, Sunday night. KETK reports John E. Petty, 63, of Longview, was honored at 2:00 this afternoon at First Baptist Church in downtown Longview. A reception followed at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, where Petty’s photo exhibit is on display. Coast Guard officials suspended their search for Petty Wednesday. He was among eight people in the diving group. According to Petty’s family, it’s now believed he was the victim of a shark attack.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department and Union Pacific Railroad Police have conducted an enforcement operation aimed at educating the public about the dangers of not yielding to trains, according to an LPD news release. Police say it is important for citizens to keep safety in mind when approaching railroad crossings. On Thursday, July 17th, Longview and UP officers climbed aboard a Union Pacific train. As the train approached intersections, officers kept a lookout for motorists who did not yield, while officers on the ground initiated traffic stops on the drivers of the vehicles that were in violation. Nine citations were issued for violation of Transportation Code 545.251, Obedience to Signal Indicating Approach of Train. Continue reading Longview Police Team Up with UP on Railroad Crossing Safety Awareness

LONGVIEW — Longview police have been receiving calls about a new scam in the area. Scammers have made contact with businesses and citizens locally. Police warn you not to fall victim to this. This scam involves a telephone call in which the caller claims to represent SWEPCO or its parent company, AEP. The customer is told that a certain amount of money must be paid immediately or electric service will be shut off. The scammer usually suggests that the customer purchase a prepaid money card and then provides instructions for using that card to pay the amount supposedly due on the account. Continue reading SWEPCO Scam Hits Longview Area

KILGORE — 36 young women became the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team Friday morning. The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus, culminates a week-long process of 86 hopefuls vying for a coveted position on the 75th Rangerette line. The announcement officially kicks off the Rangerettes’ 75th Anniversary celebration. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 72. Continue reading Rangerettes Kick Off 75th Anniversary with 36 New Members

LONGVIEW — The value of all taxable property in Gregg County is up by more than $100 million from last year — and that value has doubled since 2003. According to County Judge Bill Stoudt, the certified value of all taxable property in the county is $8.7 billion. Stoudt tells KETK the increased value comes from new construction and the boom in business the county is seeing. However, while the overall property value across the county is up, several values remained the same. According to Stoudt, “Housing that’s been here a long time — the values on that…haven’t gone up a lot this past year.” Stoudt says other entities in which values stayed the same, such as Kilgore College and the White Oak ISD, may have to raise taxes or cut services.

DALLAS — A teenage girl without a driver’s license was arrested in connection to a Wednesday fatal hit-and-run crash. According to KETK, the crash happened in the middle of the intersection at Walnut Hill Lane and Brockbank Drive, in Dallas, resulting in the death of 27-year-old motorcyclist and Tyler native, Kris Stroman. Police say Stroman was driving his motorcycle eastbound on Walnut Hill Lane as a van was heading westbound. The van then reportedly turned left onto Brockbank in front of Stroman. He hit the van and was thrown off his bike. Continue reading Dallas Teen Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Killed Tyler Native

TYLER — Three suspects are now in custody in connection with some recent Tyler robberies. Police say Christopher Charles Nelson was arrested Wednesday in Longview and Danzel Warren turned himself in to authorities in Tyler. Kevin Nelson surrendered to Tyler authorities Thursday afternoon. Continue reading Three Suspects Now in Custody in Three Recent Robberies

GILMER – Two persons have been killed and 3 persons injured on a rain soaked east Texas Highway. The two car accident happened around 8:00 Thursday morning 11 miles west of Gilmer on Highway 154 near the Upshur/Wood County line. Killed was a Harmony High School cheerleader, Brody Stuart, 16, the driver of one of the cars. He died at a Tyler hospital. Another cheerleader in his car, Haley Blackstone, 16, was treated and released. Also killed was the driver of the other car, Anibal Munoz, 30, of Winnsboro. The accident was said to have been caused when her car hydroplaned on the wet pavement. Two passengers in her car, Rodolfo Macario, 29, and Fracisco Munoz, 44, both of Winnsboro, were injured.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Board of Nursing has approved LeTourneau University to begin offering a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. It will start this fall at its main campus in Longview. The new program is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. “This decision today by the Texas Board of Nursing to authorize LETU to award the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree follows many months of extensive planning by the university, endorsements by regional hospitals and health care providers and a comprehensive evaluation by the Texas Board of Nursing,” said School President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. “LETU has built an esteemed reputation for excellence in our science and technical academic programs. The addition of nursing will further advance our STEM programs and give students the opportunity to learn nursing practice in a Christian context. It’s a great day for LETU and for the quality of health care in East Texas.” Continue reading New Degree Program at LeTourneau University

LINDALE — The Lindale High School (LHS) Career and Technology students have learned a lot in their engineering and architecture class, but Thursday they learned hard work pays off—literally. In this case, paying off came in the form of a $15,030.05 check. LHS students drafted the plans for a 2,300-square-foot Ruby Trails home and Jerry Alexander, owner of Red Baron Building Company, built and sold their design. Alexander generously donated a portion of the sale back to the Lindale students who helped him create the home. In addition to the check that will go back into the LHS Career and Technology Department, so future students can see their hard work come to fruition, the Red Baron Building Company is awarding scholarships to the students who drew up the best designs.

LONGVIEW – A mother, who was the object of a search by Gregg County authorities, has been arrested and her 4 year old daughter has been found safe. Late last week The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office asked for assistance in locating Ashley Elizabeth Harrell, 27, of San Augustine, and her daughter, Maddison McKay Harrell, 4. It was alleged that she took the girl in violation of a court order. She was charged with a felony offense of interference with child custody after a Gregg County court awarded custody of Maddison to another family. According to the sheriff department’s Face Book Page, she was arrested the past weekend in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The little girl was found in Arkansas. The mother is now in the Gregg County Jail under a $50,000 bond.

AUSTIN — Tea Party groups in Texas are uniting against Governor Perry and Attorney General Abbott for not taking more action on the Texas-Mexico border, and a Smith County woman is among those sounding off. Members from about a dozen different Tea Party groups gathered at the state capitol to let their message be heard. Ray Meyers of the Kaufman County Tea Party says, “We want the governor to call a special session, we want him to secure the border with force, we want to enforce the rule of law, and we want the state legislature to close the candy store.” Jo Ann Fleming is the two-term chair of the legislature’s Tea Party Caucus advisory committee and a longtime Smith County conservative activist. Fleming says, “Governor Perry needs to stop asking Washington to come save us. Washington is not on its way to save us.”

TYLER — Air conditioning units are in high demand when temperatures get warmer. Homeowners need them — and KETK reports criminals want them. Tyler police officer Don Martin says 16 units have been stolen in the city since January. Those include both window units and large stationary systems. Martin says, “They start from March up through July, and they’re averaging around 2, 3 a month.” According to air conditioning experts, these thefts often occur because of the valuable copper and metals used inside the system. One expert says, “A lot of it follows the copper prices. As copper prices go up then the theft problems go up, because very seldom do people want an air conditioning unit. They’re just going to scrap it out.” Continue reading Air Conditioner Thefts a Problem in Tyler

WINONA — Concerns about Winona’s finances are putting city officials to work — and residents responded this week by packing a City Council meeting to hear a presentation of Winona’s financial audit. According to KETK, numbers show revenues are down, partially because surrounding cities have begun selling adult beverages. Other big issues were spending more than $180,000 on police, bond payments not being made on time, and utility rates being too low. The city is $350,000 more in debt since September of last year.

HOUSTON (AP/STAFF) — A former prosecutor has asked a Texas agency to pardon a woman who pleaded guilty in a 2004 car crash that killed her fiance but which her attorney says was caused by a faulty General Motors ignition switch. Candice Anderson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation for the death of her finance, Gene Mikale Erikson, in an East Texas crash. Continue reading Ex-Prosecutor Asks for Pardon in Fatal GM Crash

TYLER — A recent Smith County shooting yields an arrest. At approximately 2:30 pm Wednesday, Smith County Sheriff’s Office detectives executed an arrest warrant for Quashunn “Quacky” Mitchell, 19, in connection to an incident on the 19000 block of CR 2343 north of Troup. Mitchell was arrested at an apartment complex on WNW Loop 323 in Tyler. Mitchell is being held on a $200,000 bond for a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Continue reading Man Arrested in Troup-Area Shooting

TYLER — A jury duty scam is still targeting Smith County residents. In January, February, and June of this year, reports were released to the public about a jury duty scam taking place. Victims were conned out of cash via telephone by someone claiming to be with law enforcement and saying the victims owed fines for not showing up for Smith County jury duty. Wednesday, Sheriff Larry Smith announced the scam has returned with the latest report coming from a Smith County woman who did not comply with the scammers request. Continue reading Jury Duty Scam Continues in Smith County