KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LINDALE — The Lindale firefighter severely burned during a house fire in January is continuing to make progress. Joe Yeakley was battling the blaze when part of the roof collapsed on him. KETK reports good news came on Tuesday, though, when Yeakley was doing well enough to move to a rehab center. Fundraising efforts continue around the area to offset the hefty cost of Yeakley’s recovery.

TYLER — Tyler Police are currently asking for assistance in trying to locate a mentally challenged 15 year black female. Her name is Carlaina Nicole Hopkins. She was last seen yesterday afternoon at shortly after 3: 30 in the area of 1600 Rice Road. She was wearing a burgundy Dickey type school shirt and khaki capris pants. Her shoes are black with glitter. She is approximately 150 pounds and 5’03” tall. She also has some medical conditions that require medicine. She is believed to be on foot and may be heading towards Gresham. If anyone knows of her location or sees her, please call 911 or the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has launched a campaign to raise funds toward the development of “get acquainted rooms” and “adoption display areas” at the new Animal Care Facility. The Crowdfunding source, Citizinvestor, will be used to make it easy for those who want to make donations of any size, according to a city news release. “This is a wonderful tool to allow everyone in the community to be a part of creating a space for animal adoption to take place,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. Continue reading City Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Animal Care Facility

TYLER — A number of Tyler-area residents are experiencing power outages this afternoon. KETK reports over 1,000 customers have been affected. Officials estimate that all power should be restored by early this evening.

EMORY — An East Texas deputy has been fired after shooting a family’s dog while responding to a burglary. The family is outraged after a necropsy shows their dog was shot dead while apparently moving away from law enforcement. KETK reports the family’s dog, Candy, was shot by a deputy responding to a burglary call at the home of Cole and Jayna Middleton on Farm to Market 514 in the Daughtery Community April 18. Officials with the Rains County Sheriff Office say Deputy Jerred Dooley responded to the call at 2:41 p.m., nearly two hours after the initial call for help. According to Rains County Communication Supervisor Patrick Wilson, the two-hour delay was investigated and the cause was found and corrected with administrative actions. Continue reading Deputy Fired over Dog’s Fatal Shooting

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County deputies searched for two burglars following an incident in northwestern Smith County. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office reports that a woman was asleep in her home on County Road 411 near Hideaway when she was awakened to an unknown man in her home shortly after 10:30yesterday morning. The burglar was startled by the homeowner and ran from the house without taking any items. The burglar jumped in a dark colored sedan with another man and possibly headed toward Highway 110. Both men were described as black males. Continue reading Authorities Seek Burglars in Incident near Hideaway

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspects in a burglary and chase which involved a young child in the getaway vehicle. Shortly before 9:45am on April 21, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a burglary of a habitation in progress in the 11000 block of Sycamore Street in western Smith County. While patrol deputies were en route, the homeowner returned home to find the suspects leaving her residence, according to officials. Authorities say the suspects fled in a black pickup truck and were pursued by the deputies. Continue reading Suspects Named in April 21 Burglary, Chase

GILMER — A sex offender was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after a jury of 12 convicted him of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old child. KETK reports Jason Wayne Belcher, 35, was found guilty of sexually abusing the child in an Upshur County home when the mother was away at work. The crime took place in January 2012, said Criminal District Attorney Billy W. Byrd. The jury also heard additional evidence in which the suspect was accused of raping another child in Wood County. The victim made a teacher aware of the incidents, which had allegedly been ongoing for years, in February 2014. That investigation is ongoing. Continue reading Man Gets Life in Prison for Child Sex Assault

LONGVIEW — The woman accused of shooting and killing a clerk at a Kilgore adult video store has waived her right to a jury trial. Samantha Gonzales Lara is charged with first-degree felony murder after police say she shot and killed Renee Garrett in January of 2011. Lara has been in the Gregg County Jail since her arrest in February of 2012. Kilgore police don’t believe she acted alone.

TYLER — Dr. Marilyn Young, Professor of Management, College of Business and Technology, University of Texas at Tyler, has completed the 2014 Labor Market Analysis. The report addresses characteristics of the labor force for businesses considering expanding or opening new facilities within the Tyler and Smith County area. Numerous aspects of the labor force, such as current status, availability, minimum wage requirements, and demographic characteristics were examined. Continue reading 2014 Labor Market Analysis

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – A major Supreme Court ruling Wednesday on child pornography restitution has an East Texas link. The court tossed out a judgment of nearly $3.4 million — money that was supposed to be paid to a woman by a man whose computer was found to contain two images of her as a child. The man is Doyle Randall Paroline of Brownsboro. Paroline was appealing the lower court order holding him responsible for the judgment associated with the ongoing Internet trade and viewing of images of the woman being raped by her uncle when she was 8 and 9 years old. The court says federal law limits how much money the victims of child porn can collect from people who viewed the material. Continue reading Child Porn Judgment Has East Texas Link

TYLER — Tyler Police are continuing their investigation into an aggravated robbery. It happened around 12:30 Thursday morning in the 1100 block of North Albertson. Officers said a 24-year-old Hispanic man said he and two friends were “jumped” by two other Hispanic men. The victim said he was struck in the back of the head with a gun when a struggle broke out. The suspects reportedly got away with the victim’s cellphone. He was treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER — A Longview bank teller has been found guilty of embezzling over $1.3 million over a 13 year period. Kerri Monroe Jones pleaded guilty last week in federal court in Tyler. Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider accepted her guilty plea. According to the Longview News-Journal, Jones worked at the Longview branch of Capitol One Bank as its lead teller from April 19, 2000, until September 16, 2013, and admitted to embezzling money throughout the entire 13 years, according to court documents. Jones waived her right to prosecution by indictment and consented to prosecution by information. She voluntarily surrendered herself and was arrested April 17. A sentencing date has not been set. She is facing up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

WHITEHOUSE – Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith will hold a town hall meeting tonight from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the TASCA Activity Center in Whitehouse, located at 10495 County Road 2167. The town hall meeting is his first of 2014. During 2013, Sheriff Smith’s first year in office, he held town halls in Lindale, Starville, Tyler, and Whitehouse. Continue reading Sheriff Smith to Hold Town Hall Meeting in Whitehouse

AUSTIN — The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will conduct a forum tonight at UT Tyler to discuss urban and rural perspectives on the water infrastructure needs of communities in Northeast Texas. According to a news release, “Speakers will discuss Texas’ future water needs and provide an opportunity for the public to obtain valuable information on this important issue.” Continue reading Public Water Forum Tonight in Tyler

RUSK — An East Texas man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2012 murder of his ex-girlfriend. According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, Jose Diaz Perez, 51, was found guilty for murdering Caselin Ramirez on March 17, 2012. Officials tell KETK the couple had separated two weeks prior to the murder. Ramirez reportedly left Perez due to his excessive drinking and controlling behavior. Continue reading Man Gets 50 Years for Murder, Claims Victim Practiced Witchcraft on Him

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas man who was an admitted Aryan Brotherhood member, and whose record stretched into Cherokee County, is dead after an officer-involved shooting with deputies from the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office. KETK reports deputies were involved in a shooting with Darrell Joseph Legnon, 25, during a traffic stop in Cushing Tuesday night. At around 11:00 p.m., a Cushing Independent School District resource officer conducted a traffic stop after seeing what was termed a suspicious car on the school campus. The motorist attempted to drive away from the officer, but he was able to catch up with the car and stop the it on Highway 204 at 6th Street. Two Nacogdoches County Deputies were in the area at the time and responded as a backup unit. Continue reading Self-Proclaimed Aryan Brotherhood Member Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting

TYLER — As expected, the Tyler City Council Wednesday authorized a construction contract with Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd. to complete the Cumberland extension project and the Cherryhill Drive extension. On August 22, 2012, the City Council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with C. T. Brannon Corporation for design, plans, and specifications for construction of West Cumberland Road from South Broadway Avenue to Old Jacksonville Highway. The length of this project is approximately 2.4 miles. “This is a wonderful project to increase the east-west connection in southern Tyler,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. ““This will give citizens better access to schools, retail, parks and new development. It will also enhance emergency response times and help ease traffic congestion.” Continue reading Council Authorizes West Cumberland Extension Project

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday adopted the Rose Garden Master Plan that was presented by MHS Planning and Design, LLC of Tyler. On February 13, 2013, Tyler City Council approved a proposal from MHS Planning and Design, LLC and Oliver Windham, Landscape Architect, to prepare a master plan for the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The project allowed for a master plan to be developed prior to Capital Improvement Funds being disbursed which were originally for a restroom and drainage work. According to a city news release, the Master Plan has been completed for the Garden after numerous opportunities for public input and recommendations on overall improvements to the facility. Continue reading Council Adopts Rose Garden Master Plan

TYLER — Tyler is home to one of the first facilities in East Texas to implant the Medtronic Reveal LINQ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) System in a patient. That announcement came Wednesday from Mother Frances Hospital and its onsite Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. Officials say the device is the smallest implantable cardiac monitoring device available. Trinity Clinic Electrophysiologists Dr. John Sims and Dr. Stan Weiner performed the procedures. Continue reading Mother Frances Announces First Use of Miniature Cardiac Monitor

TYLER — Investigators with the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force located shoplifting suspect Bobby Choice at his residence at 17610 Farm Road 2767 in Smith County around 11:00 Wednesday morning. Choice was taken into custody on a robbery warrant, and bond was set at $100,000. Choice, 44, allegedly stole items from JC Penney in Broadway Square Mall Saturday and reportedly injured a child in the process. Police said that during the crime, he hurt an 11-year-old boy when he ran from store security.

LONGVIEW — Emergency crews responded to an accident in which a car crashed into a Longview senior center. According to KETK, the Longview Police Department reports that around 11:45 Wednesday morning, a vehicle was reported as slamming into the Senior Circle on the 3000 block of North 4th Street. Police said an elderly driver mixed up the gas and brake, ramming the car straight into the center. People were inside taking line dance class at the time of the crash, but no one was injured. The driver, who was unharmed, was not hospitalized or arrested. The center is part of the Longview Regional Medical Center network and serves adults age 50 and older. Officials said the center will be closed for the rest of the week.

TYLER – Grassroots America – We the People PAC, one of the largest constitutional conservative organizations in Texas, announced Wednesday its endorsement of Tyler businessman Martin Heines in the May 10th City of Tyler mayoral race. In a news release, Grassroots America Executive Director JoAnn Fleming said, “Martin is strongly capable of building on the City’s successful long-range business plan – The City of Tyler Blueprint.” Fleming added, “He makes it his business to know about the day-to-day operations in all areas of city government, and he’s detail oriented – a quality that makes him valuable to city staff and to taxpayers.” There’s been no word on any formal endorsements for Heines’s opponent, Joel Rando.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s Director of Development Services, Kevin Cummings, has resigned from his position effective June 27. The Director of Development Services provided oversight for Planning and Zoning, Building Inspection, Environmental Health, Engineering Services, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Longview Transit, according to a city news release. In his letter of resignation, Cummings stated that “I have enjoyed working for the City of Longview for the past 12 years, as well as the professional and personal development opportunities that were afforded me. More importantly, I appreciate the support and dedication of the highly capable staff members that I have been blessed to work with. I wish both them and the City of Longview the best in the future.” Continue reading Longview Director of Development Services Resigns

MINEOLA (Staff/AP) – A man recently captured in Mineola for a 1981 Pennsylvania slaying is suspected in a Mineola death. According to KETK, many in the Mineola community were shocked when they found out Joseph Miller had been arrested on Monday. They knew him as a deacon by the name of Roy Eugene Eubanks. However, one local family says they knew him for who he really was, and they believe he also had a hand in murdering their daughter, Selina McDowell. On September 20th, 1991, Selina McDowell was found dead, with a gunshot wound to her chest. The conclusion was suicide. Family members believe Joseph Miller, whom they knew as Roy Eubanks, is responsible and was in a relationship with McDowell. Mineola Police Chief Chuck Bittner said they are looking back into the case, but said it will be a difficult process since it did occur back in 1991. Continue reading Authorities Checking on Cold Case Suspect’s Role in Mineola Death

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested on a variety of drug charges. A search warrant was issued Tuesday for the home of Juan Daniel Ingram, 37. County Drug Enforcement officers found four grams of PCP and several ounces of marijuana in the house in the 800 block of Clover Street. They also recovered a couple of firearms, a semi-automatic pistol and a short-barrel shotgun. Ingram has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a felon. Ingram is not a newcomer to the Gregg County Jail. County records show he has been booked into the jail nearly two dozen times since 1996.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed 10 student regents to their respective university systems, and one student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for terms effective June 1, 2014, and expiring May 31, 2015. Kelsey Brown was appointed a student regent at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Brown is pursuing a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history.

TYLER — John Tyler and Robert E. Lee High School orchestras recently earned top honors in University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition. The schools received superior marks in concert and sight reading events leading to overall Sweepstakes honors, the highest honor UIL awards in music competition. This is the first Sweepstakes award for the John Tyler Orchestra. For Robert E Lee, it marks the fifteenth consecutive year the orchestra has earned Sweepstakes status. Continue reading Tyler ISD High Schools Take Top Honors at UIL Competition

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — Critics of University of Texas President Bill Powers (pictured) have made donations to the campaigns of two members of a legislative committee that’s investigating an anti-Powers UT System regent. One of those contributions went to an East Texan. The San Antonio Express-News reports campaign finance reports show campaign contributions from Powers critic Jeff Sandefer and Empower Texans PAC, a political action committee of Powers critic Michael Quinn Sullivan. The contributions went to state Reps. Charles Perry and Dan Flynn, two Republican members of the House Select Committee on Transparency in State Operations. Flynn, of Van, is co-chairman of the eight-member committee. The committee is scheduled to meet Thursday in Austin and is about to take up a report that accuses UT System regent Wallace Hall of possibly criminal misconduct in his campaign to depose Powers.

RUSK — The first group of Rusk TJC Citizens Promise Scholars is preparing to join the Fall 2014 freshman class at Tyler Junior College. Established in February, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise is one of only 23 Promise programs in the United States and the first such initiative in Texas, according to a TJC news release. For each qualifying student who graduates in the top half of the class, the Rusk TJC Citizens Promise initiative covers $4,000 per year (for two years) at TJC. Continue reading First Texas Promise Program Begins at TJC