KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler’s first public compressed natural gas fueling station opened up Wednesday morning. KETK reports the station is located on North Bois d’Arc in downtown Tyler. Officals say while the project has taken nearly three years to cross the finish line, they hope drivers will think it was well worth the wait. They point out that the station is open 24-7, unmanned, accepts major credit cards, and is a fast fill station. CNG only costs $1.99 per gallon right now. But if you’re thinking about converting your vehicle to run on the alternative fuel, just know it can be pretty pricey. And the Clean Air Act requires that only a certified mechanic do the job.

RUSK COUNTY — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office says a woman who went missing on Tuesday is now home safe. According to KETK, Rosalyn Barns was seen around 8:45 Tuesday morning. She was said to be getting into a silver car on Highway 43 East. The car then turned onto Farm to Market Road 1716. Officials said she then took a bus to Houston and returned home around 6:30 Thursday morning.

GREGG COUNTY — Alcohol and drug paraphernalia were found at the scene of a wreck that injured two Longview sanitation workers last week. According to the Longview News-Journal, the information was contained in a search warrant obtained Wednesday in the case, in which an automobile ran into the back of a sanitation truck. Longview police officer Jeremy Higginbotham said Susan Michelle Skinner, 46, had open cans of Bud Light beer in her sedan when she collided with the back of a sanitation truck at 3 p.m. June 30 on Alpine Road. When Skinner was treated for a head injury suffered in the wreck, a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine was found in her possession, according to Higginbotham. Continue reading Police Find Alcohol, Drug Pipe after Trash Truck Wreck

WINNSBORO – The father of an abducted Arkansas girl rescued in Winnsboro, Texas on Tuesday has been arrested. The U.S. Marshall’s Office reports that agents have taken into custody Thomas Bunievatz, 31. He was arrested at his home in Pottsboro, Texas. He has been booked into the Grayson County Jail on interference with child custody. Authorities say the man had visitation rights, but did not return his daughter to her mother in an agreed upon time. An arrest warrant is out for Bunievatz’s fiance, Tobie Phillips, 38. She is said to have been involved in the abduction. Continue reading Father of Abducted Girl Arrested

MARSHALL — The Harrison County District Clerk is free on bond of $8,000 following her arrest Wednesday. Mellinda Craig is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, deadly conduct and criminal trespass. The investigation is being handled by the Texas Rangers.

TYLER – A Smith County man has been arrested in his daughter’s death. Taken into custody was Russell Lindstrom, 33, of Flint. Last month, a 911 call was received 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 Wednesday at a mobile home park in the 17000 block of Highway 155 South. He has been charged with manslaughter and injury to a child. His bonds total $200,000.

JERUSALEM — Rabbi Neal Katz of Tyler’s Congregation Beth El was in Israel when rockets struck Tuesday during that country’s ongoing violence. KETK reports Katz has been in Jerusalem helping lead a guided tour and doing a 10-day study program. On Tuesday as he left class, sirens went off, causing him to take shelter. Katz said, “I’m not fearful…there’s…100,000 tourists here right now, and there’s a highly skilled military response to all the stuff that’s going on with the rockets.” Katz says there’s just a different sense of normalcy over there, and that is why he feels safe.

LINDALE — A lot of people in Lindale are expressing their opinions about the sale of beer and wine. KETK reports one of them is Pastor Tom Buck of Lindale’s First Baptist Church. Buck says he opposes the sales not because alcohol is evil, but because the Bible condemns being drunk. According to Buck, one of the things that make Lindale unique is being dry. He remarks, “I had my discussion open. I hope other people will do that, and I would never do anything that would…to say my opinion in a way that hurts someone.” A citizen group is trying to get beer and wine sales on the November ballot in Justice Precinct 5, which includes Lindale. The group, citing potential economic impact, is also trying to legalize mixed drink sales in restaurants by certificate holders in the precinct.

TYLER — Historically, more vehicle thefts and burglaries occur in Texas during summer months, which is why the Texas Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) has declared July “Watch Your Car Month.” And Tyler police are doing their part to help draw it to your attention. Police note that in 2012, reported vehicle thefts in Texas totaled 64,982, which means a car was stolen every eight minutes. Any vehicle is a potential target, and those most stolen are at least four years old. In 2013, the most targeted makes/models in Texas included: 1) Ford Pickup 2) Chevrolet Pickup 3) Dodge Pickup 4) Chevrolet Tahoe and 5) Honda Civic. Continue reading July Is “Watch Your Car Month” for Auto Theft/Burglary

LONGVIEW — Gregg County’s East Texas Regional Airport will be on the receiving end of almost $30 million in renovations. KETK reports county commissioners gave approval for the facelift Monday. Most renovations will be funded by grants from the FAA. The renovations will include upgrades to taxiway lighting, airfield drainage improvements, and the design and overlay of a runway. Renovations should be complete within five years.

TYLER — July 4th is a memorable day in our Nation’s history. This last holiday was an Independence Day Gary and Aaron Buster will never forget. Their plane crashed into Lake Palestine around 2 p.m. on Friday. According to KETK, he plane crash may not be a good memory, but it is a day that will be unforgettable. Gary Buster is recovering at East Texas Medical Center. He had a fractured leg and lots of cuts and bruises, but his spirits were high. The day of the crash started as a father and son day of bonding. Continue reading Father and Son Recovering from Plane Crash

TYLER — It’s been three years in the making, and construction is in high gear for The Village at Cumberland Park shopping center. It’s an 80 acre property that’s going have shopping and dining. Tom Mullins of the Tyler Economic Development Council says the effort may be “the largest retail development project in the whole state of Texas.” The Villages at Cumberland Park in Tyler, located on South Broadway near Toll 49, provides close to 7,000 feet of retail space. According to KETK, the new shopping center will make a major economic impact on not only Tyler, but East Texas by creating more jobs. Continue reading Mega East Texas Shopping Center Under Construction

WINNSBORO – A young girl kidnapped in Arkansas has been rescued by Winnsboro, Texas policemen. Benton, Arkansas authorities tipped off Winnsboro officers that the six year old and her abductors may be heading to their area. When the youngster got out of a car matching the description of a vehicle provided by Arkansas authorities, Winnsboro officers were able to rescue her. She was turned over to her maternal grandmother who was in Winnsboro Tuesday. A woman from Dennison, who was driving the vehicle, was taken into custody. She told officers two persons had asked her to swap vehicles and to take the girl to Winnsboro. The woman, termed a person of interest, was later released. The two suspects remain at large.

AUSTIN — If University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers has his job after this week, he might have state lawmakers to thank — including a Republican from Van Zandt County. Outgoing UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa issued his first statement, calling his relationship with President Powers fractured and difficult — and he still plans to move forward with his plan for the Regents to decide Powers’s fate at their Thursday meeting. One problem is that state lawmakers are calling for Powers to stay — at least temporarily. House Transparency Committee co-chair Dan Flynn of Van says, “We’re still investigating it, we’re still working on issues, and we would still ask them not to make any major changes. The university has always worked with the Legislature, and I have no reason to believe that they won’t.”

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a man who reportedly spied on a juvenile girl through the window of her bathroom as she showered. Officials tell KETK the reported incident happened around 3:30 Monday afternoon in the 6600 block of Goforth Road in Kilgore. The alleged “peeping tom” is thought to be around 5’9″ and was wearing tan-colored pants, white gloves, and a denim shirt. He is reported to be driving a gold four-door passenger car, thought to be a 90s model. If you have any information on the location or identity of the man, call Gregg County Investigator David Falco at (903) 236-8438 or CrimeStoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

BULLARD — Bullard ISD Superintendent Keith Bryant was named the lone superintendent finalist Monday night by the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District. 21 days must pass before Lubbock-Cooper ISD can officially hire the East Texas administrator. KETK reports the Bullard ISD Board of Trustees also gathered Monday night in a special called meeting. The board voted to move forward with the appointment of an interim superintendent. In addition, the board voted to hire an independent search firm to facilitate the process of hiring an interim, as well as a permanent, replacement. Bryant has been with Bullard ISD for six years.

PALESTINE — The Palestine City Council has amended the ban on burning within the city limits to allow burning of brush and limbs via permit. This change will allow residents to burn in a controlled setting after getting a permit from the Palestine Fire Department, according to a news release. Permits will be issued starting July 10 and are available at Fire Station 1 (611 Avenue A), Station 2 (107 7th St) and Station 3 (501 Benbrook Dr.). Fire Chief Alan Wilcher has said, “We worked closely with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to craft the guidelines in this ordinance. Based on their recommendations, we can offer burn permits within the City limits.” Continue reading Palestine Lifts Burn Ban on Brush and Limbs

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has added Randy Hofstetter, 28, to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offenders list, and a cash reward up to $5,000 is now being offered for information leading to his capture. Officials say Hofstetter, who has ties to Sulphur Springs, has a violent criminal past and is wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, probation violation, and parole violation. All tips are guaranteed to be anonymous, according to a DPS news release. Continue reading Reward Offered for Sex Offender with East Texas Ties

TYLER – Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas (CAET) and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital (LPOHH) have signed an affiliation agreement to provide improved access to physicians for patients throughout the region. That’s according to a news release from Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, the parent organization of the LPOHH. “By partnering with Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas, Trinity Mother Frances and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital are demonstrating our continual commitment to provide East Texas with the very highest levels of care,” said Dr. Steve Keuer, President and Chief Medical Officer, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. “We take great pride in the quality of care we provide, and we are confident this affiliation will improve upon both organizations’ already high standards.” Continue reading New Medical Affiliation Formed in Tyler

TYLER — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert is ratcheting up the rhetoric, accusing President Obama of encouraging the current flood of illegal immigrant woman and children in order to give Democrats an advantage at the ballot box. The Republican appeared on Newsmax TV. Gohmert, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, says the cost of caring for the thousands of immigrants will “bankrupt us.”

LONGVIEW — Coors in Longview will temporarily move to a manufacturing warehouse in a Longview business park. A portion of the former Dana Corporation building is the desired destination. Two weeks ago fire ripped through the plant on Cotton Street making the warehouse inoperable. According to KETK, management is in the final stages of working out a lease agreement. Last month’s fire destroyed a portion of the plant’s coolers. The Coors Company is still assessing the damage before they determine how to move forward with the Cotton Street location.

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas man died at a Dallas church after an alleged stabbing Monday morning. According to KETK, just before 6:00, 43-year-old Linton Daniel Wilgus, Murchison, entered the parking lot of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship located in the 1800 block of West Camp Wisdom Road in Dallas. According to police, a church member who was also in the parking lot for the early morning worship service spotted Wilgus who was bleeding from the neck. The church member walked into the church to call authorities and Wilgus followed. Once inside the church, parishioners subdued Wilgus who succumbed his injuries before EMS arrived. Details as to where and why he was injured are unclear but Dallas Police Lt. Barbara Hobbes said a knife was discovered at the scene.

MARSHALL – A man just released from state prison after serving time for arson in San Antonio, has been arrested in two Harrison County deaths. Martin Olds was indicted last year for capital murder in the deaths of Dusty Hicks, 33, and Billy Price, 62, in 2001. The fire that killed them has been ruled as arson. The Longview New-Journal reports Olds is now in the Harrison County Jail. His bond has been set at $1 million.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler State Park officials are investigating three car burglaries that occurred during a swimming outing last Thursday at the park while families were just feet away. KETK reports two burglars broke into the vehicles, stealing wallets and valuable possessions — and they didn’t stop there. The stolen credit cards were used that same afternoon on a shopping spree. Authorities say they do have some leads in the case.

QUITMAN — Wood County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in solving the recent theft of a backhoe, like the one pictured. KETK reports a reward is being offered. Authorities stated the John Deere BH 29 310 backhoe was taken from County Road 1813. If you have information, or know the whereabouts of this piece of stolen equipment, you’re asked to call Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274). You may also call the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 and speak with Carolyn Tanner. Officials are offering a cash reward of up to $1,000.

KILGORE — Police arrested a Kilgore man early Saturday morning after he allegedly stole items from multiple vehicles. According to KETK, officers were dispatched at 12:41 a.m. to the 800 block of Monroe Street in Kilgore on reports of a person walking into a garage and breaking into vehicles. When a responding officer approached the scene, he spotted a suspect running away and was able to identify him as Lechell Deke Scott, 31. According to authorities, Scott is a known criminal to police who has committed car burglaries in the past, and he matched witness descriptions of the recent burglar. The suspect was taken into custody, and authorities say they were able to find some stolen property in his pockets. Continue reading Kilgore Man Accused of Burglarizing Several Vehicles

PALESTINE — A Palestine resident faces drug and weapon charges after an Independence Day traffic stop. At approximately 11:53 p.m. that day, Palestine Police Officer Ricki Baker conducted the stop on a car in the 1100 block of E. Palestine Avenue for allegedly failing to display a license plate on the vehicle. Upon contacting the men who were in the car, the officer observed a firearm in the vehicle and was granted consent to search, according to officials. KETK reports that a search was then conducted of the vehicle with the assistance of Officer Brandon Nicholson. Police say during the search, marijuana and suspected methamphetamine were found in a compartment, as well as additional items of drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Palestine Man Arrested on Drug, Weapon Charges

TYLER – One person has died and another remains under treatment for injuries following a three-vehicle accident in Tyler. It happened around 12:30 Saturday morning in the 5000 block of Paluxy Drive. It started with a motorcycle that Tyler police say was traveling north on Paluxy at a high rate of speed and hit the rear of a vehicle. The motorcycle slid into the southbound lanes where it was hit by a three wheeled motorcycle, or trike, that was traveling south. The rider on the motorcycle and a passenger on the trike were tossed from the vehicles. They were transported to East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances. The rider of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries. Police reported Monday morning that the passenger on the three wheel motorcycle has died from injuries she sustained. She has been identified as Margaret Moore, 67, Tyler. The case remains under investigation pending toxicology reports.

LONGVIEW – A woman is in Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center after giving birth in her car. It happened just before 5:30 Sunday afternoon near U.S. Highway 80 and Spur 63. Longview Fire Department Captain Steve McCarthy told the Longview News-Journal all EMS workers did when they arrived was to “cut the umbilical cord and wrap the baby in some blankets.” The woman and child, whose names are not available, are said to be in good condition.

TYLER — Some East Texans are hoping to profit off the legal marijuana market. They’re not selling pot; they’re advertising it. The four Tyler residents formed a company called Smoke Signal Advertising, a digital ad agency. Kamren Scott tells KLTV that they specialize in creating ads for both medical and recreational pot dispensaries, but they have to be careful. Scott says, “The advertising laws and regulations are very complex, and they’re different in every state, and it’s gonna be really difficult for all these new businesses to get through all of that. And so that’s our expertise.” That means they must know who can advertise what and where. Most of their clients are out of state, but they’ve found some local work, and just signed the Northeast Texas chapter of NORML, the group pushing for the legalization of marijuana.