KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Around 60 Smith County homes had to be evacuated because of a series of wildfires. Those families have since been allowed to return to their homes. Roads even had to be closed as numerous fire departments battled the fires along Farm Roads 2767 and 2908 just east of the Tyler Loop. Over 300 acres were burned by the fires. KETK reports two structures, multiple out buildings and multiple vehicles have been lost and two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is also reminding citizens that Smith County is under a burn ban which means no outdoor burning of any kind is permitted.

TYLER — A rally against U.S. air strikes against Syria has been held in Tyler. Demonstrators gathered Saturday at the intersection of South Broadway and Loop 323. The rally was conducted by The Tyler Liberty Alliance. Among the signs they carried was one that read, “Mr Gohmert vote NO on war with Syria. Protester Erick Alvarez told KETK a report put out last week by NATO has gone un-noticed. It said 70% of Syrians are against U.S. intervention in Syria. According to Alvarez, “it doesn’t make sense of us to intervene and make things worse.”

SLOCUM — A boil water notice has been extended for some Anderson County residents. The boil water notice that went out August 30th for parts of the Slocum area was extended Friday. Because of a new line installed on County Road 181, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is requiring residents on County Roads 181, 1814, 1811 and 1812 area to boil their water prior to consumption until further notice. The Slocum Water Supply Corporation will notify residents when it will no longer be necessary to boil the water.

TYLER — A former Tyler pharmacist accused of sexually assaulting a child is free on bond today. James Carey Prosperie, 73, posted a $100,000 surety bond and was released from the Smith County Jail around 11:30 Thursday night. Prosperie was arrested following a standoff with police. He is accused of sexually assaulting a 14 year old relative at least twice. He is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to the arrest affidavit, the detective working the case feels there is good reason to believe that Prosperie assaulted the teenage on June 8th. According to a report from the CPS, Prosperie told a friend, who is a lawyer, that he had sexual contact with the underage relative on at least two separate occasions. Continue reading Former Pharmacist Posts Bond On Sex Complaint

BOSSIER CITY LA. — A third person has been charged along with two East Texans with the attempted theft of an automatic teller machine from a Bossier City bank. The latest to be arrested was Zachary Allen Stone, 29, of Little Elm, in Denton County. Previously arrested was Carl Gearhart III, 29, of Tyler, (pictured) and Gerri Davis, 24, of White Oak. The three are said to have put a chain around the ATM and, using a pickup, pulled it from its foundation. They then drove off, leaving the ATM and money behind. Authorities spotted their pickup and chased it into Shreveport where it ran of Interstate Highway 20. Gearhart and Davis were arrested there, but Stone fled on foot.

TIMPSON — Another earthquake hit the Timpson area in East Texas early Friday morning. KETK reports that according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was a magnitude 2.4 on the Richter scale and hit about two kilometers west of Timpson. This marks the third earthquake to hit that region in less than a week. On Monday, the area experienced a 4.1 magnitude quake around 5:00 p.m., followed by a 4.3 magnitude earthquake later in the day. According to the USGS, the quake could be felt in Timpson and Garrison.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County deputies arrested two men from Tennessee after they reportedly found ten pounds of pot in the trunk of their car. The suspects are identified as 25-year-old Mario Harvey and 27-year-old Richard Briars. Sheriff Jason Bridges tells KETK a deputy pulled the men over for a seatbelt violation on Loop 224 and Highway 21 East. Both men are charged with felony possession of marijuana.

GLADEWATER — Fire investigators come up empty-handed after searching for a cause in the fire that burned down Gladewater’s historic Bumpus house. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the Gladewater Fire Department has closed the case without finding an exact cause. The paper reports the house was too unstable for a thorough investigation. The local landmark caught fire in the predawn hours of August 16.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler celebrated a significant milestone in its history with an enrollment of 7,534 for fall 2013, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. Last year at this time the total headcount was 6,875. “This is a celebratory moment for UT Tyler. We knew we were going to reach 7,000 this fall, but blowing right past that goal while also raising the quality of our students was very exciting. This nine percent increase once again places us among the top one or two fastest growing universities in Texas. I am so proud of our faculty and staff who continue to make UT Tyler a special place for students to feel comfortable and be successful, while giving students one of the strongest educations available in our state,” President Mabry said. Continue reading UT Tyler Enrollment Tops 7,500

EAST TEXAS — Some men arrested for allegedly breaking into a house in Smith County recently may be facing more charges in two other East Texas counties. Officials say a homeowner caught the men in the act. One of the men reportedly told the homeowner he was with a local electricity company. They were charged with burglary of a habitation. The Wood County sheriff tells KETK news the men had been linked to five burglaries in that county and possibly some in Van Zandt County. He says they would be wearing Reliant Energy shirts when they committed those crimes. Investigators are working to charge the men in those cases.

UVALDE — Uvalde Mayor J Allen Carnes Thursday announced his candidacy for Texas agriculture commissioner and took a moment for a phone interview with KTBB. Carnes says he’s the only candidate for the post “who is a farmer, a producer and mayor of a growing municipality who understands what must be done in rural, urban and suburban Texas to keep our state sustainable, to avoid Texas’ dependence on foreign lands for our food, clothing and shelter.” Continue reading Ag Commissioner Hopeful Chats with KTBB

LONGVIEW — According to multiple sources, Pine Tree Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Derek Fitzhenry, has been suspended until further notice. KETK reports action is being taken against Fitzhenry for allegedly pushing a student after Pine Tree’s win over Van Friday night in Longview. Fitzhenry was not at the Pirates’ football practice, Wednesday. Continue reading Pine Tree Football Coach Placed on Administrative Leave

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are on the lookout for a convicted sex offender. KETK reports Seth King, 27, is wanted for an alleged parole violation. He was originally convicted of a sexual assault offense in Kilgore. King is believed to be in the Kilgore area. Police say if you see King, do not approach him, but contact 911. If you have any information of his whereabouts, you’re asked to call the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-236-8400. As always, you can remain anonymous by calling Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 236-STOP (7867).

TYLER — Smith County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cary Nix announces he’ll seek a second term. Nix, a Republican, says he still has a lot of goals that haven’t been reached yet. He tells KTBB road and bridge funding is a priority with everyone on the Commissioners Court, but especially himself. Nix says he’s optimistic about the county’s long-range plan, and prospects for being proactive instead of reactive about road and bridge maintenance.

TYLER — Tyler Police say the fourth suspect in the fatal P.T. Cole Park shooting has been arrested, but not without some tense moments that culminated in the shooting of a dog. On September 5, the Tyler Police Department received information that Elisha “EJ” Williams, 18, was at 606 South Fenton in Tyler. Surveillance of the residence was conducted. Once information confirmed that Williams was in the residence, officers with the Tyler Police Department attempted to serve the warrant. Continue reading Fourth Suspect Arrested in Park Shooting

EAST TEXAS — After one of the driest Augusts on record in East Texas, the Texas Water Development Board said Wednesday that lakes and reservoirs across the region were at the lowest levels of the past year. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, lake levels have fallen as rainfall deficits have continued to rise during the past year and a half. Continue reading Officials: Region’s Water Levels at Lowest of Past Year

AUSTIN – Tyler has a brand new millionaire. Texas Lottery authorities say Carlos Gean of Tyler claimed a $1 million Powerball prize at his local Texas Lottery claim center. He purchased a Quick Pick ticket at the Lynch Food Store (3400 E. 5th St., Tyler) for the Powerball drawing held Aug. 24. That ticket matched all of the numbers drawn (12-17-25-45-59) except for the Powerball (19), making it worth $1 million before taxes.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man was arrested on Wednesday morning after an hour-long standoff with police. Detective Greg Compton with the Jacksonville Police Department tells KETK that authorities received word that Andres Saucedo, 22, was at a house on the 1000 block of San Marcos St. Saucedo was wanted for a parole warrant. Police tried to make contact with Saucedo at the house, but he refused to answer, according to authorities. Law officers say they determined that he was inside the house and had barricaded the front door, so they assembled the SWAT team and tried once again to contact Saucedo over the phone. Eventually, police say, Saucedo emerged from the house and was taken into custody without further incident. Continue reading Jacksonville Man Arrested after Standoff

TYLER — The Tyler pharmacist arrested following a standoff with police, is being accused of sexually assaulting a 14 year old relative at least twice. James Carey Prosperie, 73, is being charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. According to the arrest affidavit, the detective working the case feels there is good reason to believe that Prosperie assaulted the teenage on June 8th. According to a report from the CPS, Prosperie told a friend, who is a lawyer, that he had sexual contact with the underage relative on at least two separate occasions. Continue reading Arrest Affidavit On Tyler Pharmacist Released

TYLER — Supporters gathered Wednesday evening for the good news about proceeds from this year’s Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala, $506,380. This year’s Gala theme was “Rigs to Riches”; the event was held June 8th at the Rio Neches Ranch, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. Organizers at Wednesday’s announcement event thanked all the volunteers for their support and urged them to continue the fight for a cancer cure.

TURNERTOWN — A two vehicle accident in Rusk County has left one person dead. Killed in the wreck was Rudy Huddleston, 55, of Troup. The Department of Public Safety says Huddleston was killed when his vehicle and a tractor trailer rig collided. The accident happened around 11:15 Tuesday night at the intersection of State Highways 64 and 42 near Turnertown.

KILGORE — A second-floor unit at Glen Hollow Apartments on Danville Road in Kilgore has been damaged by fire. It occurred just before 7:00 yesterday morning. There were no injuries. The initial investigation indicated it may have been electrical in nature

GLADEWATER — A Gladewater firefighter is still on the job after charges against him were dropped. KETK reports William Todd Orendorff, 42, was arrested August 12 for alleged assault and interfering with an emergency call, according to jail records. The Gladewater city manager says due to Texas law, the city cannot take disciplinary action against the man since there was no longer a complaint.

TROUP — Because of a water main break, some residents of Troup are being required to boil their water. The advisory is for residents in an area bounded on the north by East Duval Street, on the east by South Price Street, on the west by South Front Street and the south by Farm Road 110 to and including County Road 4801. This is on the southeast side of Troup. Residents will be told when the boil water notice is lifted. Continue reading Boil Water Notice for Some Troup Residents

CHANDLER — A man who drowned Tuesday night at Lake Palestine has been identified. According to KETK, the Henderson County sheriff says the deceased, Kayvan H. Moayedi, 30, lived on Lake Palestine, but his DL was registered in California. The body has been sent Dallas for an autopsy, but the preliminary investigation shows that he apparently was swimming and just went under. The man was seen struggling in the water some 150 yards from shore just northeast of the Sunrise Shore boat ramp around 6:30 Tuesday night. His body was found about five hours later.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman was jailed after being arrested by Department of Public Safety troopers, who reported she registered a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit — and had three children in her car. KETK reports Kristian Leeann Cartwright, 32, was stopped Monday by Trooper Darren Thomas. According to the arrest report, Thomas smelled alcohol when he approached Cartwright’s car and noticed there was an interlock device lying in her lap. Cartwright reportedly told Thomas she blew into the device earlier and couldn’t shut the car off because it had battery problems and wouldn’t crank back up. She also reportedly told Thomas the reason she smelled like alcohol was that her husband had earlier tried to kiss her and poured beer into her mouth. Continue reading Authorities: Woman Charged with DWI Had 3 Kids in Car

GILMER — Upshur County deputies Tuesday confirmed they are investigating the suspicious death of a man whose body was found more than a week ago. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The body of Jack E. Pierce, 45, was found August 26 by deputies who answered a check welfare call, said Sheriff’s Lt. Freddie Fitzgerald in a statement released Tuesday. The body was found inside a residence in the southwest part of the county, Fitzgerald wrote. “Deputies found things at the scene to be suspicious,” Fitzgerald wrote, adding the case is being investigated as a homicide. Continue reading Sheriff: Body Found in Upshur County Being Investigated as Homicide

LONGVIEW — Damage from a powerful, slow-moving storm that pelted much of Northeast Texas on Sunday and Monday will take a good while to clean up. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the National Weather Service reported wind speeds of 18 miles per hour with gusts of nearly 35 miles per hour at East Texas Regional Airport. Longview city officials reported the storm downed trees in 13 different locations, primarily across north Longview. Assistant to the City Manager Mary Ann Miller said crews worked over the weekend clearing debris from area roadways and would continue gathering and hauling off the debris the next few days. Continue reading Storm Leaves Damage; Drought Continues

TYLER – Residents of Smith and surrounding counties have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations, according to study organizers. According to a news release, men and women age 30 to 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer (excluding basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers) are needed to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Spokespeople say CPS-3 will enroll a diverse population of 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. Continue reading Local Residents Called to Contribute to Cancer Research Effort

BEAUMONT – A 30-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced to federal prison for robbing a post office in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Keith DeWayne Bailey pleaded guilty on June 19 to post office robbery and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison Wednesday in Beaumont by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Continue reading Angelina County Man Sentenced for Robbing Post Office