KTBB News, Weather, Talk

QUITMAN — Four children linked to a notorious child sex case are getting new foster care. Last week, according to KETK, a Wood County court ordered a 16-year-old girl be taken from the care of Margie (pictured) and John Cantrell, her foster parents, after Child Protective Services claimed there was child abuse in the home. The Cantrells, ironically, were the ones who first alerted authorities that four of their foster children claimed they had been subjected to lewd acts at the so-called Mineola “Swingers Club.” Six people were eventually convicted in Smith County, though an appeals court reversed all but one decision. Continue reading Children Tied to “Swingers” Case Placed with New Foster Parents

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Hudson woman after methamphetamine was reportedly found in her vehicle. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges said deputies conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Dawn Cummings, who had a four-year-old child with her around 7:30 Monday night. Deputies performed a routine traffic stop on Highway 59 South and noticed Cummings acting suspicious and very nervous, according to Bridges. Continue reading Woman Arrested on Drug, Child Endangerment Charges

LONGVIEW — Five apartment units in Longview have been damaged by fire. According to KETK, there were no injuries involved in yesterday’s fire. The same complex, Regency Park on Gilmer Road, also caught fire a little more than a year ago. On November 1, 2012, contractors were working on the roof with a torch when the building caught fire. The flames spread quickly, but fortunately nobody was hurt. There were also construction crews on scene at the fire Tuesday morning, but authorities say they are not believed to have been involved in the start of the blaze. The cause of the latest fire is still under investigation.

LONGVIEW — State Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) officially announced his campaign for re-election to the Texas House, District 7, with the support of a long list of prominent Republican party leaders and area elected officials. “Representing the people of District 7 is a great privilege and responsibility,” said Simpson Tuesday. “If the people choose to elect me again, I pledge to continue working diligently to defend the life and liberty of our citizens, just as I have through the first two terms of office.” There’s no word on any opposition to Simpson in next year’s elections. Continue reading Simpson Announces Re-Election Bid

NACOGDOCHES — Authorities are asking the public for help in locating a man who robbed a local restaurant at gunpoint. According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, just before 9:30 Monday night, a gunman entered the Domino’s Pizza on the 2400 block of North Street and demanded money from an employee. KETK reports the robber took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and ran from the area in an unknown direction. The criminal is described as a black male in his 20s, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, wearing a cap, striped shirt, dark pants, and a bandana covering his face. If you have any information on this crime, contact your local authorities or the Nacogdoches Police Department at 936-559-2607.

TYLER — As cooler weather begins to move back into our community, now is the time to start preparing for the season. With the season’s first freezing temperatures forecast for Tuesday night, the Tyler Fire Department reminds citizens of a few important safety tips. Preparation is of key importance, and now is the time to consider giving your home a check-up. Continue reading Tyler Fire Department: Prepare for Cooler Weather

TYLER — A shooting in Tyler remains under investigation. Just before 10:00 Monday night. Tyler police were called to the 500 block of East Nutbush Street. The resident said someone fired at their home. No injuries were reported.

LUFKIN — Crime Stoppers of Lufkin is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in recent vehicle burglary and credit card fraud case. KETK reports Video captured on October 18, 2013, by security cameras at Wal-Mart in Lufkin captured a white male using a credit card that was stolen earlier that day. The card had been in a purse stolen from a vehicle earlier that day. Stolen from other vehicles were a backpack, and a dell brand laptop computer. You can go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jucRrf0XmQ8&hd=1 and view the security footage of the suspect. If anyone has any information concerning the vehicle burglaries or the fraudulent use of the victim’s credit cards, they are asked to call Lufkin Crime Stoppers immediately at 936-639-TIPS.

DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas grand jury has indicted a former teacher and Dallas Mavericks dancer and 1987 graduate of Tyler’s Robert E Lee High School for capital murder. The indictment accuses Erbie Bowser, 44, of killing his estranged wife, Zina Bowser, and her daughter, Neima Williams. Police have accused Bowser of attacking homes in Dallas and the suburb of DeSoto, killing four people. Bowser is a former performer in the Mavericks dance troupe known as the “ManiAACs.” He is currently being held in the Dallas County jail on $7 million bond. Continue reading Grand Jury Indicts Robert E. Lee Graduate

TYLER — A Texas College football player remains in serious condition following a Tyler traffic accident. Kourtlandt Akins was injured when his car hit a curb and then a telephone pole and flipped over. The car then hit a second pole, ejecting Akins from the vehicle. He is in the intensive care unit at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. KETK reports the accident happened shortly after 2:45 Sunday morning in the 2900 block of South Broadway.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters have put out a fire at the Kensington Place Apartments, located at 4400 Paluxy Drive. The initial call was received at 1:21 Monday afternoon, with the caller reporting smoke coming from the walls of the apartment. Firefighters arriving on the scene noted a working structure fire, with heavy smoke conditions around the building. A second alarm was dispatched and the department currently has ten units on the scene. No injuries have been reported. While the incident remains under investigation, fire investigators believe the fire started in the wall space between two downstairs apartments. Continue reading Firemen Extinguish Tyler Apartment Fire

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is in custody, charged with assault. KETK reports Joseph Eugene Copes, 39, of Lufkin, has been charged with assault along with seven Lufkin Municipal Court warrants. He was arrested after officers answered a call in the 1400 block of Briarwood Drive in Lufkin. A woman told officers the man had choked her and hit her with a shovel. Copes is currently in the Angelina County Jail.

MINEOLA — A home in Mineola has been damaged by fire. It was reported around 6:00 Sunday evening in the 100 block of Francis street. No one was home when the fire started, but a neighbor was treated for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remain under investigation.

TYLER — Veterans Day ceremonies are being held through out the area today. In Tyler, organizers scheduled the Veterans Day Celebration for 11:00am. The kick-off, with a prayer service in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, was followed by a freedom walk to the TB Butler Fountain Plaza for a traditional military ceremony at noon. Highlights of the Veterans Day Celebration were to include an address by Major General (ret.) John Furlow and Mayor Barbara Bass, along with a band playing favorites from the ’40’s and a Community Choir singing “God Bless America.” To learn more about Veterans Day events around the area, check the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.

LONGVIEW — Lane closures are scheduled to begin Monday for the Intersection Widening Project at Fourth and Delwood. The outside southbound lane of Fourth Street will be closed for a few weeks. West bound traffic will be prohibited on Delwood Drive at Fourth. Please consider alternate routes. This project is a part of the Capital Improvements Bond Election in May 2011.This project is being constructed by Reynolds and Kay of Tyler.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2710 between Farm Road 16 in Lindale and Farm Road 14 near Red Springs. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LINDALE — A body found in an SUV in a creek in Lindale has been identified as that of a woman reported missing earlier in the week. She has been identified as Elizabeth Hamilton, 28. Two persons walking near Highway 69 and Ballard road in Lindale spotted a vehicle Saturday morning. Authorities worked throughout the day to get the vehicle out of the creek. Authorities say it appears as if it was an auto accident and foul play is not suspected. Continue reading Body of Missing Woman Found

JACKSONVILLE — Republican State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville has announced his re-election bid for state senate district 3. His district covers 19 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County. “Serving the people of Senate District 3 is a tremendous honor,” said Nichols. “I ask for their support so we can continue the work of making government smaller, more efficient and more accountable.” Continue reading Senator Nichols to Run Again

CANTON — Around two dozen buildings have been destroyed at “The Mountain” shopping and entertainment area just off highway 64 in Canton. The fire was reported around 3:45 Saturday morning. Everyone on the property when the fire started was able to escape without injuries. Some homes near the area were evacuated for a while. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

BULLARD — A Bullard mobile home has been destroyed by fire. KETK reports the broke out just before 9:00 Friday night in the 22000 block of Shell Shore Drive. The residents were inside the home when the fire started, but were able to escape safely. The cause remains under investigation.

WOOD COUNTY — Child Protective Services have removed a 16 year old girl from the home of her foster parents. Margaret Cantrell has been accused of physical and emotional abuse. The 16 year old and two other foster children of Margaret and John Cantrell were involved in the 2008 “Mineola Swingers” case. Seven people were accused of forcing four children to perform sex acts at a club in Mineola. All were later convicted. All but one of those convictions were overturned. A hearing has been set for Tuesday morning on the removal of the teenager from the Cantrell home.

LONGVIEW — The eastbound lane of Tyler Street between Center and Fredonia Streets will be closed to through traffic from 8:00am to noon on Sunday. The closure will allow crews to perform maintenance on the clock located in the Tyler Street median.

KILGORE — Two Longview women have been arrested after Kilgore officials say they backed into a car in a department store parking lot, reportedly trying to escape police after allegedly smuggling hundreds of dollars worth of meat. KETK reports Bobbie Jean Darden, 45, and Annecia Raeshelle Darden, 20, were detained after police identified them as the suspects in the theft of over $300 of meat from the Kilgore Wal-Mart. Bobbie was charged with organized retail theft. Annecia was charged with organized retail theft, striking an unattended vehicle, and a Gregg County warrant. Both were booked into the Kilgore Municipal Jail and bond has not yet been set.

TYLER — The 2013 Salvation Army Angel Tree program kicked off Friday at The Broadway Square Mall. According to a Salvation Army news release, “The Angel Tree is a great way for the community to come together and provide a joyous Christmas for children and seniors who are less fortunate by providing them with Christmas gifts…Each Christmas season, children of low-income families as well as seniors are placed on the Angel Tree and community members who are financially able “adopt” these angels for Christmas and purchase gifts for the angel they have selected.” You can make a donation at http://www.salvationarmytexas.org/tyler or by calling 903-592-4361.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Engineering Department has adjusted the signal light at the intersection of South College Avenue and West Elm Street in response to traffic delays at the site of the Downtown Parking Garage construction. The signal light will remain a red flashing three-way stop for the duration of construction to increase the efficiency of traffic flow through the area, according to a city news release. Officials say all drivers should prepare to stop when approaching the intersection.

TYLER — The two-year-old 6×6@110 project of the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition was named Best Promotional Event in Texas Thursday evening at the Texas Downtown Association President’s Awards Gala in Bastrop. The award recognizes excellence in creation and execution of a downtown or commercial district promotional event. 6×6@110 tied with Beaumont’s Dogtoberfest. Lit on Main in Grand Prairie was also a finalist. The President’s Awards Gala is part of the annual Texas Downtown Revitalization Conference. Continue reading 6×6@110 Wins Statewide Honors

TYLER – A 38-year-old Longview woman has been sentenced to federal prison for tax violations. Racyna Antoinette Henry pleaded guilty May 14 to aiding and assisting in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns. She was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison Friday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Henry was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $277,364. Continue reading Woman Sentenced for Tax Violations

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request assistance in obtaining information about a major theft case. Some time between Thursday afternoon at 5:30 and 7:00 Friday morning, someone pried open a construction storage building at the site of the new Sabine School at 645 Access Road in Liberty City. The suspect(s) took approximately $60,000 worth of copper wire, consisting of boxed spools of #6, #8, #10, and #12 wire. The suspect(s) also took two “Wacker Packer” brand tamping tools valued at $2,000 each and a laser level valued at $2,000. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 903-236-8408.

HARRISON COUNTY — Harrison County deputies are investigating the death of Benjamin Randell Huffman, 53, of Hallsville. It occurred Friday morning in southwest Harrison County. KETK reports that according to Investigator Jay Webb, just before 6:15, authorities were dispatched to Quail Lane and Willie Smith Road on reports of a shooting. When deputies and game wardens arrived at the scene, they found a body on the ground below a deer stand. The witness claims he and Huffman were hunting when the accident occurred. Allegedly, the witness climbed up a stand ladder and turned around to receive a gun. According to the witness, when Huffman handled the rifle, with the barrel facing himself, the rifle discharged a bullet. Continue reading Deputies Investigating Death of Hunter in Harrison County

UPSHUR COUNTY — Authorities in Upshur County say Laurice Henderson, 85, has been found safe. That’s according to KETK. Authorities had earlier initiated a search using air support and tracking dogs.