KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — 42-year-old Muhammad Sarfraz Ashraf of Tyler pleaded guilty Thursday in Tyler federal court to an Information charging him with conspiracy to commit mail fraud. According to information presented in court, from Nov. 2010 to June 2011, Ashraf, who owned and operated an automobile repair and maintenance shop in Tyler, conspired with others to cause the Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office to mail false certificate of title application packages to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Continue reading Smith County Man Guilty in Mail Fraud Conspiracy

EAST TEXAS — It’s what East Texans have been waiting for in the midst of an extended drought, but the rain has been causing its share of problems too. The Tyler Fire Department responded to numerous weather-related incidents throughout the City. These include responses to stranded motorists, high water, and flooding in some homes. Multiple high water rescues have been performed by firefighters in several locations around the City of Tyler. Tyler Police responded to numerous wrecks throughout the city.

TYLER — There’s a new candidate for Smith County judge. KETK reports Republican John Furlow made his announcement Thursday. Furlow is a CPA, with more than 30 years of operational experience. The military veteran doesn’t think the current leadership is preparing Smith County for the future. According to Furlow, “Judge (Joel) Baker has a record of taking several pay raises while laying people off. He has a record of closed sessions and those are the things that he has to address to the citizens of Smith County.” Furlow said he’s not motivated by money. and if elected he plans to take a pay cut. Baker, also a Republican, wasn’t immediately available for comment and hasn’t announced his future plans. Continue reading Smith County Election Picture Begins to Take Shape

TYLER — The East Texas State Fair got underway Friday and runs through September 29. There’s a variety of events on tap. Also, drivers need to know about major traffic changes on Front Street adjacent to the fairgrounds.

Here’s a rundown of ticket availabilities:

Gate Admission Tickets
Child 5 & Under: Free
Youth 6-12: $5.00
Adult 13 & Up: $8.00

Gate Carnival Tickets
Weekday (M-F) Unlimited Ride Armbands: $25.00
Sheet of 22 Tickets: $25.00
Sheet of 50 Tickets: $60.00
Individual Ticket: $1.25

Continue reading East Texas State Fair Begins

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to ask the public to keep their eyes open for a suspicious man hanging around a school bus stop. According to KETK, a man was seen two days in a row hanging around the bus stop at Smith County Road 2228 and 110 South. Continue reading Suspicious Man Reported at Bus Stop Again

CARTHAGE — Doctors in East Texas think they’ve solved a medical mystery. A man was getting drunk without having a single alcoholic drink. Dr. Barbara Cordell at Panola College says they diagnosed him with a super-rare disease called the “auto-brewery syndrome.” Cordell says, “Somehow, alcohol was showing up in his bloodstream, and they think it was due to this overgrowth of yeast.” So, basically, his stomach turns starchy food like bread and pasta into beer — and that beer was getting him wasted. He’s been put on an anti-fungal medication while they try to find a long-term treatment.

TYLER — The investigation continues after the Tyler Fire Department responded to the Plaza Tower at 110 N. College Avenue Thursday in the wake of a bomb threat. Authorities say a tenant on the 10th floor received a call at approximately 10:40 a.m. which indicated that there were multiple explosive devices located throughout the building. The caller also suggested that they evacuate. Building occupants voluntarily self-evacuated and representatives with the Tyler Fire Department and the building management conducted a search of the building, including areas on the 10th floor. No devices were found and occupants were allowed to return to their workplaces. Continue reading Tyler Fire Department Responds to Explosives Scare

TALCO — A man is being held in the Titus County jail after police say he confessed to stabbing his sister to death after a heated argument. That’s according to KETK and the Longiew News-Journal, which cite a press release from the Titus County Sheriff’s Office. At about 9 p.m. Wednesday night Titus County deputies found 56-year-old Theresa Collins stabbed to death in a house in the 100 block of Lillienstern in Talco after they were dispatched to a call about a stabbing, the release said. Investigators found out her brother, Steven Lee Neugent, 50, lived in the house where Collins was found dead and that he and the victim’s car were missing, according to the release. Authorities issued an alert, and Neugent was found at a Pittsburg convenience store by the Pittsburg Police Department. Continue reading Authorities: Man Confesses to Stabbing Sister to Death after Argument

TYLER — As of Thursday, September 19, anyone going to the City of Tyler’s website — http://www.CityofTyler.org — via a mobile phone will automatically be redirected to the new mobile adaptation of the site. According to a news release, The mobile website is a streamlined version of the full Tyler website and makes accessing the most commonly sought after pages even easier. Continue reading City’s Mobile Website Goes Live

NACOGDOCHES — Two Nacogdoches men were arrested Tuesday, the result of two separate drug investigations. According to KETK, deputies reportedly found cocaine,marijuana, and three pistols inside 32-year-old Damion Yarbrough’s bedroom. They also arrested 43-year-old Rhonald Palmer for possesion of crystal meth and Xanax.

GILMER — A Gilmer man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and two counts of sexual assault of a child. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Benjamin Lee Powers, 21, received two 14-year sentences and one 15-year sentence from 115th District Court Judge Lauren Parish of Gilmer. The sentences will run concurrently. Powers was originally placed on 10 years deferred adjudication on the manslaughter charge and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, complete 400 hours of community service, participate in a victim impact panel and receive counseling. Continue reading Gilmer Man Sentenced to Prison for Manslaughter, Child Sex Assault

PANOLA COUNTY — Two people are dead and another is airlifted to a Tyler hospital after a wreck in Panola County. The wreck happened around 1:00 a.m. Thursday on Highway 59 near the FM 1974 intersection. State Troopers on scene tell KETK an El Expreso tour bus was traveling north when the driver got word a passenger was left behind at a truck stop. Continue reading Fatal Wreck Involving Tour Bus and 18 Wheeler

LONGVIEW — A Longview ISD bus driver was fired Wednesday after district officials confirmed she dropped more than 20 students off at a busy Longview intersection, forcing them to walk home. According to the Longview News-Journal, the employee, whose name was not released, was a first-year bus driver who had been through training with the district, spokesman Adam Holland said. He said district policy prohibits a bus driver doing such an act.

On Friday, the bus No. 27 driver collected 56 students from Forest Park Middle School. Around 4:45, she dropped more than 20 students off near the Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County at the intersection of Garfield and High streets. Holland said the bus 27 route is now being driven by a substitute driver.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Street Department will be repairing and overlaying Bellwood Lake Road from the railroad bridge to the dead end at the lake. For the safety of employees, the road will be closed to the public from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday during construction. Work is underway and is expected to be completed by Oct. 11.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for an older model minivan, possibly a 2002 or 2003 silver or gray vehicle, occupied by a Hispanic male wearing a ball cap pulled down over his face. Authorities say in the early morning hours, the person has been frequenting areas with school bus stops occupied by young females. Earlier, officials say, he approached a young female and fled the area at a high rate of speed when adults attempted to make contact with him. That incident occurred at Highway 110 South and County Road 2228. If you see this vehicle and suspect, call 911 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY — A former Gladewater high school and Baylor football star died Wednesday morning after his car drove under an 18-wheeler. KETK reports the accident happened around 10:30 a.m. at Loop 323 and Highway 14 in Smith County. DPS names the victim as Tommie Minter, 74, of Austin. According to pro-football-reference.com and databasefootball.com, Minter spent the 1962 season with Denver and Buffalo in the American Football League, appearing in 12 games. Details on how the accident happened weren’t immediately available.

DeSOTO PARISH, La. — A two-vehicle crash in DeSoto Parish, La., killed an East Texas woman late Tuesday afternoon. KETK reports troopers responded to the crash at 4:17 p.m. LA Hwy 765 near its intersection with LA Hwy 764. Troopers say a northbound 2003 Honda Accord driven by Mary Riney, 20, of Frisco, Texas, crossed the center line in a curve and traveled into the path of a southbound 2013 Ford Focus driven by Betty Reynolds, 63, of Carthage, Texas. In an apparent effort to avoid a collision, the Ford veered onto the northbound shoulder and was struck by the Honda. All vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts. Reynolds received fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Carthage Woman Dies in Louisiana Crash

TYLER — Two physicians at UT Health Northeast recently were elected to leadership positions in their respective fields. In addition, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has awarded Education Recognition to UT Health Northeast because of its free series of diabetes education classes offered four times a year. Continue reading More Honors for UT Health Northeast

TROUP– The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance in identifying two suspects in a local burglary that occurred on September 11 at approximately 1:45 a.m. Officials say the suspects broke into Bonner Salvage on Highway 110 North in the Troup area. The suspects first disabled the power to the building and made entry through a rear door. Once inside, they attempted to disable the alarm by removing the control panel from the wall. Officials say once they felt the alarm was disabled, they broke into the office and tried to remove a safe that was bolted down. During that attempt, the alarm sounded and the suspects ran from the building. Continue reading Burglary Suspects Sought

BOSSIER CITY, La. — An armored car company employee from East Texas, arrested in Caddo Parish, La., for allegedly stealing a deposit bag containing $60,000, now faces a similar criminal charge in Bossier City. KETK reports detectives with the Bossier Financial Crimes Task Force arrested Robert S. Posey, 34, of Waskom, Wednesday morning on a charge of felony theft for allegedly stealing two deposit bags containing a combined total of $12,000 in cash. Posey, who allegedly committed the theft while employed with Loomis US, was initially arrested Tuesday by Caddo Parish sheriff’s deputies. Their investigation revealed that Posey had allegedly not only taken a deposit bag of money in their jurisdiction, but also allegedly stole two bags of money in Bossier City. Continue reading Armored Car Company Employee Accused of Stealing Deposit Bags

LONGVIEW — Another feather in Longview’s economic cap. The Longview metro area ranks number 20 nationwide in gross domestic product according to a new survey from the U.S. Commerce Department. Another Texas metro, Midland, earned the top spot nationally. Other Texas metro areas making the top 40 are Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Victoria.

NACOGDOCHES — A Houston man is jailed in Nacogdoches County after police say he forced himself into a home Tuesday morning and assaulted two people inside. KETK reports it happened around 6:30 at a house along Logan Circle. Police say 40-year-old Marvin Tolliver also threatened the victims with a handgun. Authorities say after about an hour of negotiations they managed to talk Tolliver into surrendering.

LONGVIEW — A Longview bus driver has been suspended after kicking 20 middle schoolers off the bus. It happened Friday afternoon. District spokesman Adam Holland says the woman, who had never driven a school bus till this school year, kicked the kids off because she said they were misbehaving. According to Holland, she then told them to get back on, but they wouldn’t. Holland says he can’t comment on personnel matters, but “it’s one of those crimes that in this instance, in the business of transporting children, it’s unforgivable.” He says the kids all walked home — adding that most didn’t live far, but they did have to cross a busy four lane road.

CUNEY — Three robbers attacked liquor store employees as they were leaving work on Tuesday night. KETK reports it happened just before 9:00 p.m. at Arun Rise Liquor Store on Hwy. 175 in Cuney. Cuney Police say three employees were closing the store for the day when they were attacked by three men in the parking lot. One of the men held a gun to a female employee’s face and demanded money. A male employee was knocked to the ground. After taking some of the employees’ personal money, the robbers ran away into a nearby wooded area. Continue reading Cuney Liquor Store Employees Attacked

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man remained jailed Tuesday after police say he used his vehicle to push his wife’s automobile into the residence the couple shared in the 100 block of Cherie Lane. According to the Longview News-Journal, police were called to the home at about 8:00 Saturday night where they were told David Salazar Arias, 31, rammed the vehicle into a bedroom wall where his wife’s children were playing. Police said Arias fled from the scene but wrecked his vehicle a short time later. Arias, police said, admitted to using his car to cause structural damage to the house. He was held Tuesday in the Gregg County Jail on $10,000 bond charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Officials are urging citizens to be extra alert as drought conditions worsen under the current burn ban. Volunteer Fire Departments have battled multiple grass and structure fires since the burn ban was issued in Smith County last month. “Citizens need to be extra cautious as conditions in Smith County remain prime for sudden grass fires,” Smith County Judge Joel Baker said. “Use common sense while staying within the guidelines of the burn ban and watch out for others who may not realize they are creating a fire hazard.” Continue reading Officials Urge Extreme Caution as Burn Ban Continues

TYLER — Builders are moving forward with a big new shopping center on far South Broadway in Tyler, to be called the Village at Cumberland Park. KETK reports it’ll include a movie theater, bowling alley, restaurants, and more — about 100 venues in all. And right across the street, the city will be building a hotel and convention center, which is expected to take about three years to construct. Mayor Barbara Bass is upbeat about the project. She hopes all this will mean overnight guests for eating and shopping. Bass says the hotel project will begin next summer, and the shops are being built right now.

ANDERSON COUNTY — According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a body was found Tuesday on the side of Highway 79 near the Neches River Bridge. The body, which was found around noon, had been there for more than a day, but the exact time frame is unknown. The body was sent for autopsy and officials are looking into every possible cause at this time. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating the situation. Details are limited, but we’ll update information as it becomes available.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County grand jury indicted a Longview woman last Thursday for allegedly driving a vehicle while intoxicated with a child under the age of 15. KETK reports Jabina Janie Martinez, 34, was arrested by Gregg County troopers on June 23 and charged with multiple offenses: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and DWI with a child under the age of 15. She was also charged with a number of other offenses by the Longview Police Department. Continue reading Woman Indicted for DWI with Child Passenger; Also Faces Second Charge

TYLER — The City of Tyler activates the first Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon controlled crosswalk in East Texas to enhance the safety of pedestrians crossing at Old Omen to the University of Texas at Tyler. City officials say a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon controlled crosswalk, also known as a High-intensity Activated Crosswalk or “HAWK,” is a special type of hybrid beacon used to assist pedestrians in crossing a street or highway at a marked crosswalk. It was authorized by the current edition of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Compliance will be enforced by law enforcement officers. Pedestrian hybrid beacon indications are dark (not illuminated) when not in use. Continue reading City of Tyler Implements New Safety Crossing Feature