KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A grand jury has cleared two Longview Police Department officers of any wrongdoing in separate shootings that occurred last month. KETK reports both cases were investigated by and presented to the grand jury by the Texas Rangers. Grand jurors heard testimony from Texas Rangers who investigated the fatal shooting of Candace Jackson (pictured). Jackson was shot by a Longview Police Department officer on May 9, 2013 at a residence on Eden Street in Longview. Continue reading Longview Officers Cleared of Wrongdoing in Two Incidents

TYLER — The Smith County Elections Office has begun verifying petitions for the sale of beer and wine in Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. KETK reports that more than 1,700 signatures are needed for the provision to be added to the November ballot. By law, the office has 30 days to review the petitions. The petitions will be presented to the Smith County Commissioners Court for review on July 30th.

TYLER — The Tyler Museum of Art has hired Christopher M. Leahy of Alexandria, Va., as its next Executive Director effective in mid-July. The Board of Trustees unanimously selected Leahy from among three finalists vetted from more than 80 national and international applicants. Continue reading TMA Hires New Executive Director

KAUFMAN (AP) – A former North Texas justice of the peace and his wife have been indicted on capital murder charges in the slayings of three people, including two prosecutors. A local grand jury indicted Eric (pictured) and Kim Williams on Thursday. The couple is accused of killing Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland and McLelland’s wife, Cynthia. Hasse was shot outside the county courthouse in January, while the McLellands were killed in their home in March. Prosecutors allege Eric Williams was the gunman in both cases. The two were arrested in April for what prosecutors allege was a meticulous plot to avenge Eric Williams’ conviction for stealing county computer monitors in 2012. Eric Williams is being held on a $23 million bond. His wife’s bond is $10 million.

TYLER — East Texas lawmakers react as a second special session of the Texas Legislature prepares to begin Monday. According to KETK, Governor Perry says too many important issues were left on the table. This comes after Texas Republicans failed to pass a restrictive abortion bill overnight due to a Democratic filibuster. East Texas lawmakers say at least three important bills didn’t make it for a vote Tuesday night because of Democrats’ procedural tactics. Those bills were on redistricting, transportation funding, and criminal justice. Continue reading East Texans Prepare for Second Special Session

TYLER — Advocates of gay marriage celebrated in downtown Tyler Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court issued rulings against the Defense of Marriage Act. Members of Tyler Area Gays tell KETK the justices’ decision is a step in the right direction. The group’s chair, Jolie Smith, says, “I’m hoping this starts a dialogue that everyone’s equal and we’re all here just to share with the people that we love the same way everybody else is.” Smith says she understands people’s religious objections to the decision but believes it’s a civil rights issue.

LONGVIEW (Staff/AP) — Driver’s license offices across the state opened their doors Thursday for Texans seeking a state-issued photo ID card to vote. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the Department of Public Safety is not expecting a Texas flood, but says Longview and other offices are equipped and ready to issue the picture identification cards. After a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday that Texas no longer must have federal approval to change election practices, voters are required to have one of seven forms of photo ID to cast ballots. The ruling opened the door for Texas Secretary of State John Steen to declare the voter ID law, which had been jammed in the same court battle, is valid and in immediate effect. At least one lawsuit has already been filed against the voter ID law since the Supreme Court ruling. Continue reading Longview DPS Office Begins Issuing Voter ID Cards

TYLER — Tyler Morning Telegraph sports writer Harold Wilson, 35, of Tyler is in the Smith County Jail. KETK reports he turned himself in on charges of sexual assault of a minor. Wilson is reportedly thought to have engaged in improper relations with a minor in his church. His bond has been set at $100,000.

LONGVIEW — A Longview jury has found Dennis Ray Freeman guilty of attempted sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child. The trial is now in the punishment phase. The jury convicted Freeman of the sex charges Wednesday in Longview’s 124th State District Court. He had been accused of sexually assaulting a girl younger than 14 years of age. He is now facing prison time of from 25 to 99 years.

MARSHALL — A Karnack couple have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Gregory Scott Covey, 42, pleaded guilty on Aug. 8, 2012, to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison. Christine Francis Sirmans, 45, pleaded guilty on Aug. 7, 2012, to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison. Both appeared Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Continue reading Harrison County Couple Sentened for Drug Violations

MOUNT PLEASANT — A suspect in the robbery of a Mount Pleasant bank is in custody. The holdup occurred around 11:00 Wednesday morning at the Pilgrim Bank at 2401 South Jefferson Avenue. A description of the robber and his SUV was broadcast to area law enforcement agencies. KETK reports deputies with the Camp County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle at the Pitt Stop Gas Station located at 908 North Greer in Pittsburg. Taken into custody was Dennard Francis Scott, 30, of Mount Pleasant. Investigators say they found money taken in the robbery in the suspect’s vehicle.

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about Tyler’s business environment and the economy. To add your input, you can attend an open house today from 5:00 till 7:00pm at Park Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 2450 East Fifth Street, behind Posados. You can also go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YFSXZBB or http://www.Tyler1st.com and complete an online survey.

LONGVIEW — A man identified as Clarence Barnes Jr., 79, of Longview, was hospitalized in stable condition after he crashed his SUV into a Longview business Wednesday morning. The Longview Fire Department tells KETK the SUV slammed into the Rent-A-Center in the 1700 block of West Loop 281. The SUV damaged parked cars before driving into the building. The building is being assessed by fire officials. They say there is no threat of collapse, but there is considerable damage to the glass and brick.

ATHENS — Authorities say Tuesday marked the end of a long road for two Henderson County fugitives. According to KETK, Joy Lynn Everett (pictured) and Pete Quinonez have been captured. Everett was convicted in February 2012 for Possession of a Controlled Substance and sentenced to eight years in prison in April 2012. She appealed the case and was released on bond. On April 24, 2013, the Twelfth Court of Appeals in Tyler affirmed the conviction, securing Everett’s eight year sentence. Authorities say she’d been on the run ever since, until Tuesday morning. Continue reading Henderson County Officials: Two Fugitives Arrested

TYLER — The fourth and final suspect in the June 15th homicide at Tyler’s American Inn Motel has been taken into custody. Michael Tekielleon Browning, 34, of Tyler, was arrested around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the America’s Best Value Inn at I-20 and Hwy. 155 North. Tyler police and U.S. Marshals collaborated in the arrest. The third suspect surrendered to authorities around 4:00 Tuesday afternoon. Broderick Lavar Smith was taken into custody at the Tyler police department. Monday morning, Lawrence Murphy, 20, turned himself in at the police department. Darian Pilkinton, 18, of Tyler, turned himself in Friday. Continue reading Final Suspect Arrested in Tyler Murder Case

TYLER — Smith County commissioners agree to test a new scofflaw program. KETK reports the program would block registration of a vehicle if the person has outstanding citations. Some commissioners voiced concern with the program at Tuesday’s meeting. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeff Warr says he’s willing to give it a try but remains skeptical on the difference it’ll make in the number of fees collected. He compares it to when the state began requiring everybody to buy insurance. According to Warr, “I was an agent before you had to. The percentage of people driving in the state of Texas with insurance or without insurance hasn’t changed at all.” The program will be up for review in six months.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the adoption of a master plan for Gladys and T.B. Stewart Park. According to a city news release, the plan includes approximately 2,600 linear feet of concrete trails, 900 linear feet of decomposed granite trails, icons describing the rich history of the St. Louis Community, an area devoted to a community garden with a barn/garden shelter, a small pond, a picnic pavilion with nearby playground, an heirloom garden, and a pavilion/stage for outdoor events that opens onto a lawn area. The plan also includes restrooms, a 19 car parking lot and a windmill. The park site is a nine-acre parcel comprising open meadows, mature hardwoods, a stand of pines and a drainage swale. The site also contains a rock house with a garage. Continue reading Master Plan Unveiled for Stewart Park

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens about the dangers of Internet fraud cases and has issued an advisory on how to avoid being scammed. Police say they’re receiving an increasing number of fraud cases in which citizens are being defrauded of sums of money due to Craigslist scams on the Internet. Most scams involve one or more of the following:

1) Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
2) Western Union, Money Gram, cashier’s check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a “guarantee”.
3) Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction.

The suspects tend to target the elderly and victims looking for an easy way to make money. Continue reading Police: Beware of Internet Scams

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, disagrees with U.S. Supreme Court action Wednesday on the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. Schaefer said, “The Supreme Court ruling cuts away the power of the people to govern themselves, and increases the Court’s own power in a way our Founders never intended. This is a terrible blow to the Constitution. The history of mankind has proven that the biblical definition of marriage between one man and one woman is the best way to build a secure family. The Supreme Court has departed from that deeply rooted tradition. However, I will not move one inch on defending marriage in Texas. I will always oppose same-sex marriage. We must prepare for fierce assaults on our conservative values.” Continue reading Schaefer Opposes U.S. Supreme Court Action on DOMA

TYLER — During Wednesday’s Tyler City Council meeting, City Manager Mark McDaniel announced the appointment of the new City attorney, Deborah Pullum. The current city attorney, Gary Landers, announced his retirement in May and plans to stay with the City until May 2014. “I am pleased that the new city attorney is someone whose legal knowledge and judgment I know and respect,” said Landers. “I look forward to her tenure as Tyler’s City attorney. The City is in good hands.” Continue reading Tyler Names New City Attorney

NACOGDOCHES — A one vehicle accident south of Nacogdoches has left one person dead and one injured. Eladio Flores, 58, died early Tuesday morning in a Nacogdoches hospital from injuries received in the Monday night accident. A passenger, Ester Flores, 70, was injured. The Department of Public safety reports the man was driving a van when he lost control of the vehicle. It crossed the median and flipped several times, stopping in a ditch. The accident happened on U.S. Highway 59, about a mile south of Farm Road 2782.

COFFEE CITY — A mobile home just outside of Coffee City has been destroyed by fire. KETK reports the fire was reported around 9:00 last night in the 7400 block of Betsy Lane. No injuries reported. While the fire is thought to have started in the front of the mobile home, the cause remains under investigation.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has launched a formal investigation into University of Texas System regent Wallace Hall (pictured) of Dallas and will consider whether to impeach him. House Speaker Joe Straus assigned the investigation Tuesday to the Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations. The co-chairman of the panel is Representative Dan Flynn of Van.

Republican Representative Jim Pitts asked lawmakers to investigate Hall. Pitts has objected to Hall’s continued use of massive open records requests for emails and other documents searching for information from and about campus President Bill Powers, other school officials and legislators. Hall, who was appointed by Governor Rick Perry, also failed to disclose his involvement in several lawsuits when he filled out a questionnaire prior to his Senate Confirmation. The committee will investigate Pitts’ allegations of wrongdoing and can recommend impeachment to the full Texas House.

LONGVIEW — Good Shepherd Medical Associates has announced that Longview native Paul Kyser, MD has joined the multi specialty group. Prior to his medical training, Dr. Kyser, was the production director for KTBB for several years. Dr. Kyser is board certified in Internal Medicine. Continue reading Good Shepherd Medical Associates Welcomes New Physician

GILMER — Upshur County 115th District Court Judge Lauren Parish has recused herself from the case of former County Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree, who along with his son is accused of holding a game warden at gunpoint. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The order of recusal signed late Monday by Parish states she was excusing herself from the trial because 115th District Court Coordinator Teena Henson may be called to testify as a witness in pretrial matters. The order says the coordinator’s testimony may be “critical” to some pretrial matters. Continue reading Judge Recuses Herself in Case of Former Upshur County Commissioner

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – President Barack Obama says that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project from Canada to Texas should only be approved if it doesn’t worsen carbon pollution. Obama says allowing the oil pipeline to be built requires a finding that doing so is in the nation’s interest. He says that means determining that the pipeline does not contribute and “significantly exacerbate” emissions. Obama was speaking at Georgetown University on measures he intends to take to confront climate change. Environmental activists have demanded that the administration not approve the pipeline. The Keystone XL would carry oil from Canadian tar sands to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through eastern Smith County and other parts of East Texas along the way.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department encourages its citizens to participate in the ongoing Operation Identification program. Operation Identification (Operation ID) is a citizens’ burglary prevention program for use in homes and businesses. The program involves marking property with an identifying number or numbers, or letters, as a means of discouraging burglary and theft. It also provides police with a way to identify property should it be stolen and recovered. Police say in communities where it has been properly implemented, Operation ID has shown dramatic results in burglary reduction. Operation ID has also been instrumental in the recovery of citizens’ property and the arrest of suspects, according to police. Continue reading Police: Summer a Good Time for Citizens to Participate in Operation I.D.

TYLER — In an effort to bring closure to unresolved warrants, the Tyler Municipal Court has announced its participation in a “Warrant Special” from July 1 to 13. Municipal Court will open Saturday, July 13, from 8:00am to 1:00pm to take last minute payments. Any person paying his or her warrants in full will have the warrant fees removed,a savings of up to $50 per warrant. The special price does not apply if the person was already contacted, is in custody by the City Marshals or Police, or is appearing before the judge. Continue reading City of Tyler Announces “Warrant Special”

GREGG COUNTY — Work is wrapping up at one Gregg County school district and beginning at another on measures to heighten security. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Pine Tree ISD officials filed building permits with the City of Longview, detailing $100,000 in security upgrades they expect to be in place before the 2013-14 school year. Continue reading Several Schools Beef Up Campus Security

LIBERTY CITY — Gregg County Sheriff’s deputies hadn’t made any arrests but said they have identified a so-called person of interest in the Monday morning stabbing death of a Kilgore man. Deputies found Jeremy Dewayne Miller (pictured), 27, suffering from a serious injury to his abdomen when they answered an aggravated assault call about 2 a.m., in the 600 block of McQueen Road, between Kilgore and Sabine. Continue reading So Far, No Arrests Following Gregg County Stabbing Death