KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

GLADEWATER — Officials have identified a Gladewater man who drowned in Prairie Creek while taking a swim during a fishing outing with his son. Officials said the drowning occurred Saturday evening near Prairie Creek Bridge on Texas 135. Gregg County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson identified the victim as Timothy Matthew Carson, 36. He said the two decided to take a swim while fishing on the creek Saturday evening. The father went under and failed to surface. His body was found about 8:15 p.m., and an inquest was performed about 9:45. Gregg County Game Warden Todd Long said that while the investigation was continuing, there was no sign of foul play in the man’s death. “It appears to be an accident, no suspicious activity,” Long said. Continue reading East Texas Drowning Victim Identified

BEAUMONT — Six residents of Center have pleaded guilty to gun and drug violations before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin in Beaumont. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 17, 2013 and arrested the following day. Sentencing dates have not been set. They are identified as Lakeva Shillette Hill, a/k/a Sugar Momma, 35, Lester Earl Pitts, 48, Vincent Jermaine Lathan, a/k/a Reed Cartwright, 36, Cornelius Vansharles Gray, 36, Anthony Gene Chumbley, 46 and Andrae Demarkqudell Pegues, a/k/a Mark, 33. Continue reading Six Shelby County Residents Guilty of Federal Gun/Drug Violations

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man has been arrested in Nacogdoches County on a capital murder warrant out of Angelina County. Rakeem Levon Rhodes,20, was arrested in an apartment on Oak Hill Drive Monday morning. He was taken into custody after Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals surrounded an apartment. He has been transferred to Lufkin and booked into the Angelina County Jail. Rhodes was arrested in connection with the June 12th death of Albert Hodge. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a house in the 700 block of Weaver Avenue. He later died at a Lufkin hospital. A witness told investigators two young black men had shot Hodge and then ran from the scene

LIBERTY CITY — An stabbing in Gregg County has left one person dead. Sheriff’s deputies were called to 642 McQueen Road shortly after 1:45 yesterday morning. They found Jeremy Dewayne Miller, 27, of Kilgore, in the home with a serious stab wound to his abdomen. He died about an hour later at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. According to a news release from Lt. Kirk Haddix, Gregg County Investigators, Kilgore Police Detectives and the Texas Ranger assigned to Gregg County are currently working on the case. Persons of interest have been identified but no arrests have been made at this time. Additional information may be available upon completion of the autopsy.

KILGORE — A Kilgore man remained behind bars Monday morning under bonds totaling $160,000 after what started as a response to a criminal trespass call. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Officers were dispatched about 3:30 p.m. Friday to the 3500 block of Cedar Street, where they found Gerald Hosea Gibson, according to Kilgore Assistant Police Chief Roman Roberson. Officers searched Gibson after they found he had a warrant for possession of a controlled substance, Roberson said. “The officers also found he had three checks belonging to other folks,” Roberson said. Gibson is being held in the Gregg County Jail on three charges of fraudulent use/possession of identifying information and a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Another suspect in a recent murder turned himself in to Tyler Police Investigators at the Police Department at 9:00 a.m. Monday. Lawrence Murphy, 20, was believed to have fled to the Dallas area after he was wanted by police for the murder of Wesley Lester on June 15 at Tyler’s American Inn motel. Darian Pilkinton, 18, of Tyler, turned himself in Friday. Continue reading Lawrence Murphy Surrenders to Tyler Police in Homicide Case

TYLER — By signing Senate Bill 566, Gov. Rick Perry has officially authorized The University of Texas System Board of Regents to establish a pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Tyler, UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry announced. With Gov. Perry’s signature, the process now moves to the Board of Regents, who must officially establish the school. Mabry says once the school is established, UT Tyler will formally begin the accreditation process and plans to enroll its first class in fall 2015. Continue reading UT Tyler One Step Closer to Establishing Pharmacy School

LONGVIEW — Longview city officials are planning a no-growth budget for the next fiscal year, and not expecting to request a tax increase. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “We have asked, as always, that we try to budget as conservatively as we can,” City Manager David Willard said last week. “That’s a standard objective every year.” The outlook for 2013-14 doesn’t include any major spikes or dips in revenue, he said. “We do not see any substantial growth right now in our economy,” Willard said of factors that could impact the budget, which is financed mainly by two sources: property tax and sales tax revenues. The city’s budget process is set to begin at a City Council meeting late next month.

NACOGDOCHES — Fast work Sunday afternoon as Nacogdoches firefighters pulled two victims from a burning house on Georgia Oak Street off Old Lufkin Rd. Fire Chief Keith Kiplinger tells our news partner 103 The Bull an 83-year-old woman and her 63-year- old daughter were still inside the smoke-filled home when firefighters arrived. They were dragged from the burning home and given medical care before being transported to Memorial Hospital and later life flighted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for treatment of serious burns. The house received heavy smoke, heat, and water damage before firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze. Names of the injured have not been released. the fire, which started in a front bedroom, is still under investigation.

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 perform edge repairs on Interstate Highway 20 between State Highway 155 and U.S. Highway 271. A second crew is scheduled to continue ditch work on Farm Road 346 between U.S. Highway 69 in Flint and Farm Road 756 near Whitehouse. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith looks back on his first few months in office. On KTBB’s “Staff Meeting,” he pointed out that his troops have cleared several homicides dating back to 2012. According to Smith, “Since January 1, we’ve had three homicide cases; we’ve cleared all three of those…so we’re at a 167% clearance rate on homicides this year.” Among other things, smith also mentioned that he’s added some narcotics officers to the force. And he noted that he’s put more deputies on the street, something he says local residents have noticed.

MARSHALL — Employees at the Norit Americas plant on Marshall’s west side had to evacuate Friday night after fire erupted in an outdoor production area. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Marshall Fire Department Capt. Randall Jeans said firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after 10 p.m. in the 3200 block of University Avenue, near Loop 390. Jeans said some of the product manufactured at the site ignited while employees were cleaning a gas-fired furnace used during production. Continue reading Employees Evacuated during Fire at Marshall Plant

MT. VERNON — The Northeast Texas Area Crime Stoppers and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help with this week’s Crime of the Week. Last Wednesday and Thursday, several people broke into Stanley Store, near the intersection of Highway 37 and FM 71. KETK reports the suspects then took cash, change from cans, cigarettes, lighters, and rolling papers. Anyone with any information that will lead to the arrest and/or recovery of the stolen property is asked to call Northeast Texas Crime Stoppers at 903-577-8477 or send a tip through text by sending NTX plus your tip to 274637. Tipsters could get a reward up to $1,000 in cash.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are seeking the identity of a suspect in a credit card theft. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, officials said the female suspect used a stolen credit card on June 4 at an ATM in the 2600 Block of Gilmer Road. If you have any information on the suspect’s identity, contact Detective Rebecca Reeves at (903) 237-1199 or Crimestoppers at (903) 236-7867.

TYLER — Tyler Fire Department officials say they believe a Friday night fire was possibly started due to an electrical problem. But KETK reports the fire is still under investigation at this time. One person was injured in the blaze, reported around 8:00 Friday night in the 1500 block of Haynie Avenue. The house was said to have been a total loss. No word on the extent of injuries.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – The superintendent of a Dallas-area state mental hospital where a review found an East Texas woman died amid poor medical care has resigned. The Austin American-Statesman reports Dr. Joe Finch quit as superintendent of Terrell State Hospital. Carrie Williams with the Department of State Health Services said Friday that the departure gives the agency an opportunity to focus on evaluating the hospital and making improvements. A recent report from the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services says Ann Simmons died in February 2012 of a pulmonary embolism. The 62-year-old Pittsburg woman was held in restraints for 55 hours. The report concluded Simmons didn’t get proper care. Finch couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Saturday. Jay Norwood with the state’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services was named acting superintendent.

TYLER — Republican State Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler adds his voice to legislative activity involving capital murder punishment. The Texas House on Friday tentatively approved a revised bill adjusting the sentence for 17-year-olds who commit capital murder, adding life without parole as an option even though the U.S. Supreme Court earlier banned that punishment. According to a news release, Schaefer successfully proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 23, which ultimately passed by a vote of 110-28. Continue reading Schaefer Adds Amendment to Capital Murder Measure

TYLER — A second suspect has been named in the murder of Scott Lester, 26 of Tyler. His body was found in room 218 of American Inn Motel, 1800 West Erwin, just before 7:00 last Sunday morning. It is believed Lester was involved in the sale of narcotics in his motel room before he was killed. Friday, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Darian Pilkington, 18, of Tyler. Judge Kennedy signed the warrant for capital murder and set the bond at $750,000. Investigators were able to make contact with Pilkington, who turned himself in at around 4:00 Friday afternoon. They are still looking for the second suspect, Lawrence Charles Murphey Jr., 20. Continue reading Suspect in Tyler Murder in Custody

RUSK COUNTY — A one vehicle accident in Rusk County has left one person dead. The accident occurred around 7:15 Thursday night on State Highway 43. Dead at the scene was Martin de Jesus Carranza-Perez, 27, of Waco. He was reportedly not wearing his seat belt. According to the Department of Public Safety. He was heading southwest when he lost control of his car, which hit a guardrail and overturned.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man who is scheduled to be tried later this year for murder will have to serve 22 months for a probation violation. Troy Carnell Sadler, 19, pleaded guilty in 2011 to to the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge. He was sentenced to 4 years which was probated. The Longview News-Journal reports he was arrested three months later and charged with the death of Orion Peoples, 31. He was found dead of gunshot wounds inside a home in the 100 block of Hutchings Boulevard.

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man, who is facing multiple fraud charges, has been arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Bond on Christopher Alan Kemp, 25, has been set at $275,000. Kemp was taken into custody this week after multiple arrest warrants were filed against him. In March of last year, Kemp was indicted by the Gregg County grand jury on charges of obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, fraudulent use of a prescription form and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. According to the Longview News-Journal, the indictment included two counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain hydrocodone through misrepresentation, forgery, or deception. In November 2011, he was indicted on five counts of credit card abuse.

LONGVIEW — Longview will be considering a plan to simplify recycling and trash collection. The goal of the simplified collection proposal is to increase recycling participation while also reducing the long-term cost of trash collection. Prior to consideration of the proposal by City Council, residents are encouraged to learn more. Continue reading Longview Considering Simplifying Recycle and Trash Collection

TYLER — The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has awarded Tyler’s Texas College the status of “Accredited,” without any sanctions and no further reports due. It has also been announced that the school’s Teacher Preparation Program has received the status of “Accredited” by the Texas Education Agency. According to school President Dr. Dwight Fennell, “these are Herculean accomplishments and ones that I hope we can all be proud of. Thank all of you who assisted in making this possible. I declare that God has His hands on this institution and we continue to have a mighty work ahead of us.” Texas College was founded 1894 by a group of ministers of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church).

COMMERCE — Next month, Congressman Ralph Hall and A&M-Commerce President, Dan R. Jones, will sign an agreement finalizing the donation of Congressman Hall’s historical papers to the university. The public signing ceremony will take place at A&M-Commerce’s Rockwall facility, 2610 Observation Trail in Rockwall at 11:00am on July 2nd. The agreement will designate A&M-Commerce’s Gee Library as the permanent location for Congressman Hall’s personal papers, official documents, and memorabilia. The university will archive and preserve the material as historical documents. Continue reading Congressman Hall’s Papers to A&M Commerce

LONGVIEW — Longview police investigate the theft of a pair of jet skis. On June 14, at approximately 7:02 a.m., an unknown white male driving a single cab super duty Ford truck took the two jet skis and the trailer they were on from the 300 Block of West Grand Avenue. Both jet skis are purple and tan 2003 model Sea-Doo Bombardier personal water crafts. The registration numbers are TX-1013RB and TX-1015RB. The suspect took both jet skis and the trailer they were on from the yard at the location. Continue reading Pair of Jet Skis Stolen from Yard

TYLER — Flames leave their mark on a Tyler home. It happened Thursday along the 500 block of Bandera Drive just before noon. Tyler firefighters tell KETK the fire broke out in the utility room near a breaker box and dryer. Flames spread to the attic. The homeowner, along with a passerby, helped get everyone to safety. The passerby assisted after the homeowner saw the flames, went back, and tried to put the fire out. No one was hurt. The majority of damage was contained in the utility room and attic.

NACOGDOCHES — A woman is behind bars after police say she abandoned her infant son at her Nacogdoches apartment. Police tell KETK it happened a little before 10 Thursday morning. A woman crying, clothed in only a t-shirt and underwear, was seen running along the 2100 block of Pearl spurring phone calls to police. Officers were able to catch up to the woman who seemed intoxicated and offered her a courtesy ride to her apartment, just down the road, according to officials. It was there they discovered she had allegedly left her infant son in the apartment alone. Police say they also found a small amount of marijuana. Lesley Eckenfels, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and abandoning/endangering a child. The infant was placed in custody of child protective services.