KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department responded to a report of a car that had crashed into an apartment complex. It happened Thursday afternoon at the Brides on Kinsey, 4411 Kinsey Drive. According to KETK, the driver said he was pulling into a parking place when his brakes failed. He ran into the side of the building, barely avoiding the window. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Police are investigating after a morning assault in Longview. According to Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian, a man was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after an assault early Christmas morning. The Longview News-Journal reports, a witness told police shortly before 8:00 they had found a man unconscious in the parking lot of a business in the 1500 block of Texas 31 near Loop 281. Police have not released the name of the victim and do not have any suspects. Police ask anyone with information about the incited to call Longview police detectives at (903) 237-1199. To remain anonymous, call Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-7867.

BIG SANDY — Apartments in a Big Sandy apartment complex have been damaged by Christmas morning fire. It was reported around 5:00am at the Shady Chateau apartment complex in the 200 block of West Gilmer Street. According to KETK, fire officials say there were no injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

OVERTON — An Overton home has been destroyed in a Christmas Eve fire. The fire was reported just before 4:00 Tuesday afternoon in the 600 block of Lamar Street. A man and a woman suffered minor burns in the fire, which was said to have been caused by a space heater.

TYLER — Two persons have been injured when a truck hit a Tyler business. It happened around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon at The Tyler Hardware Store in the 1800 block of West Gentry Parkway. The accident occurred when a car traveling on Gentry Parkway, hit a car in the stores parking lot and then hit the store. The driver who hit the store, as well as a woman inside the building, were injured. Their injuries were not life threatening.

MARSHALL — The Department of Public Safety is reporting one person has been killed in a pedestrian/vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20. It happened Monday night shortly before 8:15, eight miles west of Marshall. Killed was Michael Shayne Haltom, 35, of Magnolia, Arkansas. The DPS reports Haltom had crawled onto an east bound lane of the interstate when he was struck by several vehicles and killed. The body has been sent to Tyler for autopsy.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is continuing its investigation of a body found in the woods near Skipper Lake. The body has been identified as that of Andres Chavez, 19, of Longview, shown here on Face Book page. Monday morning shortly after 7:30, authorities were dispatched to a report of a dead body in the 1100 Block of Sabine Street. When officers arrived they found a man lying outside a car near a wooded area. Police have not made a positive identification of the victim. They say they are treating the death as a homicide. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous they can contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.

PITTSBURG — Fire has destroyed two structures at an egg farm in Camp County. It is located southeast of Pittsburg on County Road 1120. Pittsburg Fire Chief Carl Carvey tells KETK a cutting torch sparked a grass fire at the farm and burned down two chicken houses. The fire was reported shortly before 2:45 Monday afternoon. There were no injuries. The buildings belonged to a company called Texas Egg.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is free on bond following an arrest due to “angry” driving. Arrested was Daniel E. Beauchamp, 43. According to the Longview News- Journal, police say, when he was first spotted, he was driving so poorly they thought he was drunk. Officers said when they first tried to stop him, Beauchamp fled down Marshall Avenue and Alpine Road. He finally pulled over in the 1200 block of Alpine Road. Beauchamp told the officer the reason for his erratic driving was because he had gotten into an argument with his wife, was upset and not paying attention to his driving. He’s currently free on a $5,000 bond.

TYLER — It is unlawful to dump trash such as tires, household garbage, brush, appliances or furniture within Tyler city limits. Non-commercial dumping of less than five pounds is a Class C Misdemeanor which can result in fines up to $2,000. Since the inception of the Code Enforcement Department on Jan. 1, 2008 there have been 1,579 illegal dumping cases to date. Continue reading Illegal Dumping, An Ongoing Tyler Problem

AUSTIN (AP) — The T.L.L. Temple Foundation, International Paper and The Conservation Fund have closed a deal to protect 19,000 acres of hardwood forest along the Neches River in East Texas. The groups say they closed the deal on the conservation easement Monday to protect the Boggy Slough Forest west of Lufkin. The Temple family purchased the land in the 1900s. Owners since the 1960s have used Boggy Slough as a forest and wildlife management area and the new agreement guarantees that the hardwood forest and wetlands will be kept as a nature preserve. The tract stretches 18-miles along the Neches River and includes 4,500 acres of riverside forest that has not been touched in decades. Buddy Temple, the foundation’s chairman, said the land is among the most unique places in Texas.

KAUFMAN (AP) — A rural North Texas man has been indicted of capital murder for one of five killings authorities say he carried out in a late October shooting spree. Charles Brownlow was indicted Friday in the death of Luis Gerardo Leal-Carrillo. The 36-year-old Brownlow was arrested in the early hours of October 29. Police say he fatally shot five people in the town of Terrell, east of Dallas, including his mother and aunt.Police have not commented on a potential motive for Brownlow, who has a lengthy criminal record that includes convictions for drug possession, burglary and assaulting a family member. His brother has said that Brownlow had a drug addiction. He remains held in the Kaufman County jail without bond.

LUFKIN– Lufkin police continue their investigation into a pair of accidents over the weekend that left a man dead. Killed was Donald Campbell, 68, of Lufkin. He was involved in a two vehicle accident in the 1600 block of Chestnut Street shortly after 6:00 Saturday night. Authorities tell KETK, as Campbell was checking on the driver of the other car, a third vehicle struck and killed him. The name of the woman, who was driving the third vehicle, has not been released.

LUFKIN — An East Texas man has been arrested after reportedly causing a wreck in Lufkin. It happened at 10:41 a.m. in the 1700 block of Frank Avenue when Lufkin Police were called to a crash in that area. According to KETK, upon arrival, officers found Randy W. Eckenfels, 28, of Lufkin, under the influence of alcohol with a one-year-old child in the vehicle. Further investigation found that Eckenfels had 94 pills of Carisprodol, which is a prescribed muscle relaxer, in an orange bottle issued to him. Police took a blood sample and are waiting for the results of that test to come back. The child has no known injuries and is now in the custody of his grandfather. Eckenfels is currently in Angelina County Jail under a $5,000 bond

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office requests assistance is a burglary at a Kilgore liquor store. It happened around 10:45 Sunday morning at Texas Tea Liquor, 6362 Highway 31 West. According to deputies, the owner discovered a hole in the back wall of the building. Surveillance cameras recorded three suspects enter the business around 8:00 a.m. All three appeared to be black males, wearing hoodies and all have facial hair. Two of the suspects appear to be wearing glasses. One suspect is bald with a groomed, full beard. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 237-2506 or Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of a robbery at a local gas station yesterday afternoon. Officials said it happened around 1:00 in the 6500 block of South Broadway at the Valero gas station. According to the clerk, a male subject entered the store and demanded the money from the register. The clerk said the suspect did not display any weapons during the robbery. She described him as approximately 5’08, slender build, wearing a blue and black plaid jacket with a light colored hoodie underneath, blue jeans, black and white sneakers and blue gloves. The suspect was also wearing a dark colored mask over his face. The suspect fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is working to repair a water line in Tyler. The Water Department is currently reparing a water line under Rice Road west of Hollytree Drive. All westbound lanes of Rice Road from Hollytree Drive to Plantation Drive will be closed until further notice. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and take alternative routes of travel to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — One woman is dead after an early morning hit and run accident in Longview. It happened at 12:15 in the 1600 block of South Green Street. Longview Police were called to scene and found a woman who had been hit by a vehicle. According to KETK, Tabitha Lynn Herriage Rodriguez, 33, of Longview, was walking northbound in the inside lane of South Green Street when she was hit by a suspect’s vehicle. After striking Rodriguez, the driver continued traveling northbound and failed to stop and help the victim. Rodriguez was taken to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a maroon or red truck. If anyone has any information regarding this incident they are asked to call Longview Police at 903-237-1199 or call the Gregg County Crime Stoppers.

MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) — Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price has been remembered at a memorial service in his East Texas hometown as a musical innovator and a gentleman. The Daily Tribune reports hundreds of people packed the service on Saturday in Mount Pleasant, the town about 110 miles northeast of Dallas where Price had lived for 31 years. At the service, a statement from Willie Nelson was read. Nelson wrote that, “Without a Ray Price, there wouldn’t have been a Willie Nelson.” Price gave Nelson his first big break when he hired Nelson to play bass in his band. Price died Monday at the ranch he owned with his wife, Janie, outside Mount Pleasant. He was 87. A funeral is planned for Dec. 28 in Dallas.

LONGVIEW — A Longview Police officer tied to a drug bust at his apartment earlier this month has stepped down. According to KETK, Longview Police Public Information Officer, Kristie Brian said Lt. Mike Satterwhite, a 37 year employee, resigned on Wednesday. The resignation comes after police found less than two ounces of marijuana and other items of drug paraphernalia at his rental home in the 300 block of Lake Lamond Avenue at Autumnwood Apartments on December 10. Continue reading Longview Officer Tied to Drug Bust Steps Down

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man, previously convicted of a felony crime, was arrested Thursday night at the Chick-fil-A near Loop 281 and Fourth Street after an employee said he caught him with an unregistered firearm. According to the Longview News-Journal, John Houston Brown, 31, was arrested by Longview police at about 10:15. Police said an employee questioned a case Brown was carrying when he paid for his meal and the man got defensive. Brown said he used the gun for work as a security guard. When police responded they found brass knuckles, 13.38 caliber rounds and a firearm. Brown did not have a concealed handgun license. He was taken to the Gregg County Jail on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held Friday on a $10,000 bond.

SMITH COUNTY — A home in Troup is damaged by fire Friday evening. Flames broke out around 5 p.m. in the 21000 block Ponsard Street. Firefighters tell KETK, the outside of the house is in fair condition but flames quickly spread through the inside. Firefighters are investigating the cause.

TYLER — Although the World Health Organization announced the H1N1 pandemic ended in August 2010, the virus has lingered ever since and even killed recently. KETK reports that out of the reported cases in the East Texas area, two people have died, both in Gregg County. As of week 49, or December 2-8 of this year, more than 40 East Texas cases of H1N1 showed positive results through a “rapid test.” While the rapid test is usually accurate, it can produce a false negative. Therefore, the true number of cases is not known, according to the Northeast Texas Public Health District’s Director of Public Health Preparedness, Russell Hopkins. Continue reading Two Dead in East Texas from H1N1

LONGVIEW — A Longview business is asking for help after $50,000 worth of tools went missing. According to KETK, police say they were taken from Longview Wheel and Performance on Marshall Avenue. Owner Mike Kittner says surveillance footage shows at least two men, one wearing a camo jacket. He says they pulled up to the back of the shop, drilled a hole in the wall, and went inside. Continue reading $50,000 Worth of Tools Taken from Longview Business

TYLER – The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees held a special session Friday morning to appoint a new board member to fill the current Single Member District 5 vacancy. The District 5 position was previously held by long-time board member Brad Spradlin, who resigned from his position December 11. During the meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed Rev. Ross Strader, Senior Pastor at Bethel Bible Church, to fill the vacancy until a special election is held in May 2014. At that time, voters will elect a candidate to complete the term that will expire in May 2015.

LONGVIEW — A jury in the 188th State District Court in Longview, after deliberating for over four hours, has found Troy Carnell Saddler, 20, guilty of murder. He had been charged in the September 2011 murder Orion Marcell Peoples, 31. Peoples was found inside a residence in the 1100 block of Hutchings Boulevard with at least one gunshot wound. Christopher Carter, 23, of Longview told police that Saddler pointed a gun at him and assaulted him inside the home where Peoples was fatally shot. Saddler fled the scene, but was arrested after a traffic stop near the intersection of Noel Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman has been arrested after being accused of burglarizing a family’s home while they were at a funeral. Arrested by White Oak police was Dana Michelle Phillips, 25. She is accused of stealing, among other things, five television sets and a computer from a home back in September. Phillips was arrested earlier this week after a warrant was issued for her arrest, charging her with burglary of a habitation. KETK reports that Phillips’ Facebook page indicates she is a 2007 graduate of Pine Tree High School and is a stay at home mother.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels want the public’s input on a proposal to require that people in 30 more counties drain all boats operating on public water after use. A release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Thursday said the 30 counties are in Central and North Texas. One of the counties is Henderson County west of Highway 19. Continue reading More Lakes May Be Included in Zebra Mussel Fight

TYLER — The Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory Thursday advised the Northeast Texas Public Health District that a skunk submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies. The skunk was found in the 19000 block of N. Vivian in Lindale. Health officials say the four domestic dogs exposed have been identified. According to officials, it is highly recommended for all residents owning dogs and cats to verify they have been vaccinated against rabies in the last year. Continue reading Rabid Skunk Found in Smith County

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County charter school is one of six recommended for revocation of their charters by the Texas Education Agency in 2014. KETK reports Azleway Charter School, located at 15892 County Road 26, has been identified as a charter school that failed to meet its academic or financial accountability performance ratings for three consecutive years. It is unclear at this time which criteria Azleway failed to meet. “We have a unique group at Azleway,” said Superintendent Steve Lenz. “They are all Texas kids in crisis. There is an appeal in the process. And I will be requesting a hearing with the commissioner of education. Until then, we will be giving our children the best education there is.” Continue reading Officials Recommend Charter Revocation for Azleway Charter School