KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — Three men affiliated with the controversial Church of Wells have been issued criminal trespass warnings by Lufkin Police after they were found to be on school property, according to authorities. Police tell KETK Kevin Fessler, Troy Dannenberger, and Christopher Smith received the warnings at the request of the Lufkin ISD Police Department. Lufkin ISD officials said Friday that a school employee noticed the men on school property and approached them. After speaking with the men, the employee notified the district of their presence and law enforcement was called, according to reports. Details about their reason for being on campus were not immediately available. Continue reading Church of Wells Members Issued Warnings for Trespassing on Lufkin Campus

KILGORE — A Kilgore man was arrested Wednesday after a routine traffic stop in Kilgore led to the discovery of a large amount of stolen property, according to authorities. KETK reports Taylor Glenn Haydel, 26, was arrested on scene by the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. A Kilgore police officer conducted the traffic stop early Wednesday morning. Items such as electronics, jewelry, and power tools were found in the car. A Gregg County deputy who was present during the initial investigation was able to identify some of the property as being recently stolen from a local home. Haydel was booked into the Gregg County Jail for burglary of a habitation on a $30,000 bond.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler 2013 chemistry graduates are ranked in the top six percent nationally for their critical knowledge and understanding of the field, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. UT Tyler graduates scored the highest in university history on the Education Testing Service Major Field Test for Chemistry. According to a news release, the Major Field Test is given to graduating chemistry seniors and used to assess and compare the program’s effectiveness to programs at similar institutions nationwide. Continue reading UT Tyler Chem Grads Achieve National Ranking on Assessment Exam

LONGVIEW – Republican State Representative David Simpson of Longview is inviting citizens from Kilgore and the surrounding area to a townhall meeting to discuss the past legislative session in Austin. During the event, Rep. Simpson will give an overview of what occurred during the 83rd Legislature and then open the floor for questions and comments from the audience. The townhall meeting will take place at the Kilgore Public Library from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 14th. The library is located at 301 N. Henderson Rd., Kilgore, TX 75662. The event is free and open to the public.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a government shutdown in place, the Keystone XL pipeline could become a bargaining chip between Republicans and Democrats to avert a fiscal crisis. With the project under review for the last five years, the American Petroleum Institute is urging President Obama to finally approve it before it becomes a victim of the impasse. Continue reading Petroleum Institute Urges Keystone XL Approval

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who attempted to rob the CVS Pharmacy at 1702 South Broadway around 11:15 Thursday night. A black male, wearing a Halloween type skull mask, and armed with a handgun entered the store and demanded money. During the course of the robbery, the cashier was able to call for help over the intercom. This scared the suspect who fled the building. As he left the store he ran into the automatic doors, dropping a black handgun. He picked it up and got into a white or tan colored sedan and drove away. Continue reading Attempted Robbery of a Tyler Business

RUSK — Cherokee County jury selection scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, has been canceled. KETK reports that according to Pat Hanson, Chief Deputy of Cherokee County, potential jurors for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Cherokee County do not need to appear. We’ll update information if the selection is to be rescheduled.

MINEOLA — A White Oak man was killed Thursday morning during an aviation accident involving a single-engine ultralight aircraft in Wood County. According to Wood County Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Selman, at around 8:15am, the ultralight crashed and burned just off the runway at the Wisener Field municipal airport in Mineola. According to KETK, Dwayne “Dee” Hawkins, 49, of White Oak, was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Judge Wes Criddle. Selman says Hawkins was out on a flight and had just taken off when it appeared a gust of wind interrupted his ascent and he clipped a tree. The ultralight then plummeted to the ground and burned. Continue reading White Oak Man Killed in Wood County Ultralight Crash

LONGVIEW — Officials believe they have identified the cause of the fire that burned for nearly five hours and destroyed Longview’s O’Reilly Auto Parts last Saturday. That’s according to Longview Fire Marshal/Fire Chief Johnny Zackary. KETK reports authorities have narrowed the focus to the area of an electrical component. The fire started just after 12:45pm.. Customers and employees were inside at the time, but were able to make it out safely. Motor oil, transmission fluid, and other chemicals which are part of the O’Reilly Auto Parts regular inventory threatened to contaminate a creek and drainage system behind the business on West Marshall Avenue, said Zackary, but were prevented from doing so. Continue reading Officials Identify Origin of Fire that Destroyed Longview Business

FLINT — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who fled authorities during a routine traffic stop. Shortly after 3:00 yesterday morning, Smith County Sheriff’s Sergeant DeWayne Gray was traveling southbound on Highway 155 in Flint when he noticed a silver car that was driving at a high rate of speed. It failed to signal when turning east on County Road 1170. Sergeant Gray attempted a traffic stop, but the driver of the car fled south on Lakeway Harbor Drive and accelerated. Gray alerted two other Smith County deputies, Timothy Cutright and Gerald Atchison, who were in the area responding to an EMS call, that he was in pursuit and to watch for the vehicle. Continue reading Authorities Seek Suspect Who Fled Traffic Stop

VAN – State Representative Dan Flynn (R-Van) Thursday announced his plans to run for re-election in House District 2. According to a news release, “Representative Flynn has been encouraged by many constituents to run for another term and serve as their voice in Austin. Proud of his unwavering support for faith, family and freedom, many constituents want a leader who will continue to maintain a voting record that reflects the conservative views and opinions of his district. Many feel his seniority will only enhance his ability to continue to make a positive lasting impact.” KTBB has received no word of any other candidates for Flynn’s post.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A number of East Texans will be affected after Suddenlink Communications announced Thursday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain Texas cable systems from Northland Communications. According to a news release, Suddenlink expects to close the acquisition in the first quarter of 2014, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. The purchase price was not disclosed. Continue reading Suddenlink Agrees to Purchase Northland Cable Systems

OVERTON — A boil water notice remains in effect for the City of Overton until further notice, and will likely stay in place until at least Friday morning. Officials say a major water break occurred on Cohagen Street at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon when a ten-inch water line split down the middle. The line leads directly to the water tower which feeds the middle of the city. The water line was repaired late Wednesday night, but work remains to be done. Continue reading Boil Water Notice Continues for Overton

MARSHALL (AP) – Commissioners in Harrison County are trimming the number of holidays the county takes annually after they found the 18 days off topped most counties in the state. Harrison County Judge Hugh Taylor says the most common complaint he gets from people is the county government is closed too often. Commissioners surveyed Texas’ 254 counties, got 159 replies and discovered only their county had as many as 18 holidays. Some had only nine. The commissioners have approved a new schedule that cuts the number of holidays starting next year to 14. The Marshall News Messenger reports gone as holidays are the day after New Year’s, San Jacinto Day, Juneteenth and Lyndon B. Johnson Day.

NACOGDOCHES — A woman who was reportedly kidnapped in Nacogdoches Monday night is now safe. According to KETK, the woman reported that she was walking along East Starr Avenue in the 1300 block around 9:00 when she was approached by an armed man in a truck and instructed to get into the vehicle. She claims she was assaulted over a period of time then returned to the location where she was taken. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20’s, approximately 6 feet tall, last seen wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans.

LUFKIN (AP) – Authorities say the theft of women’s lingerie this week from a home in an East Texas county may be the latest in a two-year string of break-ins blamed on an intruder they’ve dubbed the “Panty Burglar.” Angelina County Sheriff’s Lt. Pete Maskunas says the most recent burglary Tuesday has raised concerns because the thief also left with underwear belonging to a 5-year-old. Continue reading East Texas Burglar Who Takes Only Lingerie Sought

TYLER — A car/pedestrian accident remains under investigation in Tyler. It as reported shortly after 7:30 Wednesday night at the intersection of North Broadway and Goodman. Injured was William Parker, 57. He was taken to East Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries and is reported to be in stable condition. Since he did not yield to the oncoming traffic, no tickets were issued in the accident.

LONGVIEW — Two women have been booked into the Gregg County jail following a fight after a high school volleyball game. KETK has identified them as Wykennia Wilder, 41, and Craysheuna Key, 21, both of Longview. Their arrest in the parking lot of Pine Tree High School followed the Hallsville/Pine Tree volleyball game. Later, some students were said to have gotten into a fight in the parking lot of Super One Foods. The police had to be called to break up the fight.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert joins other lawmakers who let Mississippi veterans into the Washington World War II memorial for a scheduled tour. KETK reports it happened Tuesday and Wednesday, after the federal government shut down. Though the memorial was officially closed, Gohmert and his colleagues broke through the barricades and helped the World War II vets get in. Gohmert said this would be the veterans’ only chance to visit the site, and that it was an honor to shake each veteran’s hand. Continue reading Gohmert, Others Help Vets See Memorial

LINDALE — County Road 474 between Highway 69 and County Road 463 next to Lindale Jr. High School reopened Wednesday afternoon. A section of the road was closed for repair after a culvert washed away during heavy rains on September 20.

EAST TEXAS — Two East Texas reservoirs, Lake Sam Rayburn and Lake o’ the Pines, are affected by the federal government shutdown. That’s according to KETK. Rhonda Paige, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said campers in public park areas of Lake O’ the Pines would have to leave the grounds by 8:00pm Wednesday, and neither reservations nor people in public recreation areas will be allowed until the government reopens. A spokeswoman for the Jasper Chamber of Commerce confirmed the closure of Lake Sam Rayburn until the shutdown is over.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted unanimously to set a curfew at P.T. Cole Park after a 20-year-old Tyler woman was killed there July 30. KETK reports that the park, on Vine Avenue, will now be closed to the public from sunset to sunrise. Briana Raquel Young (pictured) was shot in the park after gunfire erupted from within the park and also from a vehicle on Mockingbird Lane, adjacent to the park. Ke’Avier Jarrod Wilson-Hurd, Dennis Bendy, Rakheem Goldstein, and Elisha “EJ” Williams were all arrested in connection with the shooting. Council members also said at yesterday’s meeting they are looking to implement curfews at other parks in the city.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce honored the community’s leading citizens at its annual meeting Tuesday night. The T.B. Butler Award for Tyler’s top citizen went to Brookshire Grocery Company. The W.C. Windsor Award for top citizen under age 40 was handed to small business owner and community volunteer Eleno Licea. Jim Toman Insurance captured Small Business of the Year honors, with John Soules Foods earning the nod as Large Business of the Year.

TYLER — As open enrollment continues for the new healthcare exchanges, a growing number of Americans are trying to plan for the extra cost. KETK reports East Texans are turning to financial advisors to point them in the right direction. Feliciano Financial Group in Tyler has been getting an onslaught of callers asking about Obamacare. The biggest concerns for those callers: if they do choose to enroll, how will that affect their tax bracket and their subsidies? Company President/CEO Jose Feliciano says “all in all,” it will cost them a bit more “for everybody as a group, and…people just need to understand what their options are.” Feliciano also says some people are finding out they’re not getting a tax break under the new exchanges.

TYLER — Authorities are investigating a reported robbery at a southeast Tyler business. ZipCash at 5111 Troup Highway was robbed around 4:15 yesterday afternoon. The suspect escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported. Witnesses described the suspect as a black male, about 5’05”, thin build, wearing a green flannel shirt, dark pants, and a dark toboggan style hat. He used a white shirt to cover his face. He was last seen running south beside the business.

TYLER – Members of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division served an arrest warrant Tuesday charging Christopher Eugene Meador, 44, with the felony offense of theft in conjunction with a 4-month-long investigation related to tree-cutting. “I want to clear up some confusion relating to statements that some individuals outside of the Sheriff’s Office are making regarding this investigation,” said Sheriff Larry Smith. “This investigation has been focused on an individual who happened to be employed by Hideaway and was by no means an all-encompassing investigation into Hideaway.” Continue reading Arrest Made in Hideway Theft Probe

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court announced Tuesday that the County has received more than $100,000 after applying for a state grant to supplement the rising costs of indigent defense. The Smith County Commissioners Court thanked the Auditor’s Office Tuesday for applying for funds through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) after a costly trial in fiscal year 2013. Smith County is one of just five counties in the state of Texas to receive reimbursement funds for indigent defense. “Indigent defense is a required function of county government and we are very excited to receive additional funds to support the rising costs of this mandate,” County Judge Joel Baker said. Continue reading Smith County Receives $100,000 for Indigent Defense

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler is refusing to take a subsidy under the Affordable Care Act. Gohmert released the following statement as the battle over Obamacare continued:

“On January 1st, when millions of Americans will likely lose their employers’ contribution to their health insurance, I will refuse to receive that same subsidy. It also means I will have to pay a substantial penalty or ‘tax,’ but I cannot in good conscience accept the subsidy when so many Americans have lost their insurance altogether because of ObamaCare. We are supposed to be the servants of the American people, not the masters. Continue reading Gohmert Refuses to Take Healthcare Subsidy

MT. PLEASANT — A Mount Pleasant man was sentenced to eight years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to a string of thefts at Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation. Rickey Alton Wright, 39, was a maintenance worker at the plant when he stole more than $225,000 worth of equipment, according to the Titus County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s officials said Wright was selling the equipment for much less than it was worth. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that he had been held in the Titus County Jail since December 11 under $500,000 bond. Continue reading Man Gets Eight Years in Pilgrim’s Pride Thefts

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — In January 2010, ten area churches were torched in a span of just over a month. The fires sparked the largest criminal investigation in East Texas history. Now, according to KETK, a documentary plans to shed light into the string of arson cases. The film premieres at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis October 19. You can visit http://www.littlehopewasarson.com to learn more.