KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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 The university will archive and preserve the material as historical documents.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.

HARRISON COUNTY — A police chase that began in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, ended in Harrison County early Friday morning. Harrison County officials tell KETK that the chase began in Greenwood, La. when authorities attempted to stop Enrique Barrera and Tiffany Conner. Barrera, 36, had a felony warrant for his arrest in Caddo Parish. He refused to stop, and a chase ensued down I-20 and into East Texas, according to authorities. Harrison County officials were called in to assist with the chase. Eventually, authorities say, a tire blew out on Barrera’s vehicle near the 597 mile marker in the Longview area and his car came to a stop. Both individuals were taken into custody and transferred to the Caddo Parish jail. There were no injuries involved and no other drivers were hit on the interstate during the pursuit or blow-out.

TYLER — Four new principals have been named for Tyler schools. The announcement was made at last night’s school board meeting. The new principal at John Tyler High School is Dr. Kenneth Gay. Most recently, Dr. Gray has been an assistant principal in the Aldine School District in the Houston area. Other school principals named last night; Laurie Greathouse at Owens Elementary, Alajandra Lara at Orr Elementary and Michelle Jarnagin at Ramey Elementary.

KILGORE — Three teens have been busted by Kilgore police on shoplifting charges. The three had been detained by store employees at the Wal-Mart on Stone Road. The three, who were said to have been shoplifting together, are identified as Stanley Allen, 18, and Justin Jordan, 18, both from Gladewater and Aaron Michael Duncan, 19, of Kilgore. Each was placed on a $2,500 bond.

TEXARKANA (AP) — A Texas woman accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in an attempt to frame her husband will undergo a psychological evaluation. U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven on Thursday ordered that Shannon Richardson (pictured) undergo the exam after her court-appointed attorney, Tonda Curry, requested it. Curry said in a court motion that she had observed “a pattern of behavior” that made her wonder if Richardson can assist with her defense. Continue reading Woman Accused in Ricin Case to Undergo Psych Exam

TYLER — The new director of The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center is Dr. Van Patterson. Dr. Alisa White, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs says he assumes his duties July 15th. “Dr. Patterson will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Longview campus and indeed the entire university,” White said. Patterson currently serves as vice president for institutional advancement at Panola College. Continue reading New Director at U-T Tyler Longview University Center

WASHINGTON — A group of senators says it is getting close to a bipartisan agreement on border security that paves the way to citizenship to millions living in the country illegally. It would would grant legal status to immigrants living in the United States unlawfully. But Tyler congressman Louie Gohmert is not a fan of the proposal. Gohmert says the senate’s Gang-of-Eight immigration bill goes about immigration reform exactly backwards. “First they seek to legalize at least 11 million people illegally here now and then trust the Obama administration to secure the border later. We should have learned our lesson from the 1986 bill that provided legal status or amnesty, but the promised border security was never accomplished, which has led us to another amnesty or legal status bill today. We cannot let that happen again.” Continue reading Gohmert Not Happy with Bipartisan Agreement on Border Security

LONGVIEW — Longview police are looking for a man who met a woman on line and then allegedly stole from her. The couple met at Pleantyoffish.com. According to the Longview News-Journal, the woman invited the man, who said he was from Tyler, to her home. Once in the house he is said to have taken her wallet with cash, credit cards and gift cards.

LONGVIEW — The board that oversees Good Shepherd Health System has ended an 8 month search for a new president and chief operating officer. It was announced yesterday morning that certified public accountant Steve Altmiller from Tupelo, Mississippi, has been named to the post. During his 35 year career, Altmiller has headed hospitals in Texas in New Mexico. Currently, he is president of North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Continue reading New CEO for Good Shepherd Health System

EAST TEXAS (Staff/AP) — The mayors of three East Texas towns have asked federal regulators for an update on the Keystone XL pipeline. The mayors of Reklaw, Alto and Gallatin want to know why crews have been replacing sections of the pipeline and whether there are any safety issues involved. Environmental groups and Texas landowners along the southern section of the Keystone XL have been working to stop the project. The protests increased after a breach in an ExxonMobil pipeline caused a major spill in Arkansas. Continue reading Update Sought on Keystone XL Pipeline

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center announced Thursday that effective in mid-July, it will no longer be stationing an ambulance fleet in the cities of Gladewater, Frankston, Van, Alto, and Wells. According to KETK, ETMC says this is due to cuts from Medicare and other hospital programs. Continue reading ETMC Cuts EMS Services to Some Cities

HENDERSON — Authorities Have identified the man killed in a Rusk County accident. He is Daniel Westbrook, 24. The wreck occurred shortly after 11:00 Wednesday morning on Highway 64 west of Henderson. According to the Department of Public Safety, Westbrook overcorrected and rolled his vehicle. The victim’s name has not been released.

TYLER — The Boy Scouts of America office in Tyler confirms a troop from Tyler has had to evacuate a camp in Colorado due to wildfires — and some of the troop’s property has likely gone up in flames. According to KETK, the BSA got a call around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, informing the main office there was a fire danger alert issued in the area where the Tyler troop was located. The campsite, called Spanish Peaks Ranch, is near Walsenburg, Colorado. Continue reading Tyler Boy Scouts Evacuated from Colorado Camp due to Wildfires

LONGVIEW — With no confirmed cases of West Nile, Longview is hoping to keep it that way. The city started spot spraying in areas where high numbers of mosquitoes had been found. The city has also been trapping mosquitoes and larviciding creeks and stagnant water. City officials tell KETK they hope by being proactive, they can help curb the population. Health officials say if you have to be outside, you should wear long sleeve shirts and pants — and mosquito repellent is a must.

TYLER — The Texas Police Association this week held its 114th annual training conference — setting up shop in Tyler for the first time since 1958. KETK reports that every year, the training involves current events affecting the community. Some very timely items topped the agenda this year: terrorism, gangs, and school safety. Attendees talked about such items as the Boston Marathon bombing and the Sandy HOok shooting, and what officers can learn from such incidents. Other subjects included current drug cartel issues and how they’re affecting Texas. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith was a guest speaker.

LONGVIEW — As an alternative to fluctuating gas prices, Longview Transit is joining with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 8th annual National Dump the Pump Day today. The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Save Money. Ride Transit.” On Dump the Pump Day, Longview Transit will offer free rides all day. Continue reading Free Rides Today on Longview Transit

KILGORE — Fourteen students have graduates from the Kilgore College Fire Academy No. 87. The Ceremony was held last night in the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore. The KC Fire Academy is accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the State Firemen and Fire Marshal’s Association and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The academy offers certification schools for NFPA 1001 Basic Structural Firefighter I and II certification, the Texas Volunteer certification, Fire Inspector and Fire and Arson Investigation courses. It is also a designated institution by the Canadian Province of British Columbia. Continue reading Graduation Ceremony for Fire Academy 87

TEXARKANA (AP) — Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral service for an East Texas police officer who died after being hit by a vehicle during a disturbance at a park. The service for Texarkana police officer William Jason Sprague was held Wednesday in Texarkana and included a procession of emergency vehicles to First Baptist Church. Police officers and firefighters formed a long line extending from the church’s entrance. Continue reading Hundreds Attend Funeral Service for Texas officer

TYLER — A warrant has been issued for a suspect in the weekend 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 Sunday morning. It is believed Lester was involved in the sale of narcotics in his motel room before he was killed. One of the suspects is identified as as Lawrence Charles Murphy, Jr., 20. (pictured) A warrant charging Murphy with murder has been signed by Judge Jack Skeen. Bond on the warrant is set at $1,000,000. Murphy is approximately 5’08” tall and weighs around 170. He has access to a 1989 Chevrolet Caprice bearing Texas license plate CX3G877. Since a firearm was used, Murphy Jr. is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous. Continue reading Suspect Named in Tyler Murder Case

LONGVIEW — A Longview man remains in the Gregg County Jail on child pornography charges. Justin Melton was arrested Tuesday by sheriff’s deputies. His bond was sent at $20,000. The Longview News-Journal reports Melton was indicted by the Gregg County grand jury on May 30th over an incident that occurred last December. He was indicted on two counts of possession and distribution of child pornography, including using a file-sharing network to distribute pornographic images of a child younger than 18 years old engaging in actual or simulated sexual intercourse.

KILGORE — Kilgore police have arrested two men on drug violations. Danny Ray Bentle, 50, of Kilgore (pictured) and Morris Leon Wilson, 52, of White Oak. The men were shopped after it was noticed they had just left a known drug house. Inside Bentle’s truck, officers found a beer can with “shards” of methamphetamines. And officers also discovered Bentle had an expired driver’s license.

LUFKIN — An Angelina County man will be going to prison for injuring a four month old baby. Jimmy Brent McClelland, 26, of Zavalla, has been sentenced By Judge Bob Inselmann to ten years in prison. He had been accused of abusing the infant, which had a broken leg and showed symptoms of shaken baby syndrome. The incident happened in August, 2011. McClelland pleaded guilty in April of this year. He was sentenced on Tuesday.

TYLER — Tyler’s bicycle club has been working furiously to meet a deadline. They’ve been in a race with the local regional mobility authority to raise money so they can ride on Tyler’s Loop 49. KETK reports they’ve reached their goal. The club’s raised $60,000 in order to ride on the toll road. They’ll hold a meeting this Friday morning at eight, at the Atkins office at 909 East Southeast Loop 323.

HENDERSON — Their doors were closed for an unexpectedly long period, but now, an East Texas DMV is back up and running. The Henderson driver’s license office shut down in early March for what was supposed to be only a couple of weeks. It was an effort to help other high demand offices in the area. But those two weeks turned into more than three months! Drivers in Henderson were having to drive to Longview, Jacksonville, or Nacogdoches. The office re-opened Friday.

LONGVIEW — A deal between Longview police and Pine Tree schools could bring a strong police presence in the district. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the district is considering leasing the vacant administration building at the high school to the police department for a sub-station. If a deal is reached, it’ll house detectives and school resource officers.

HOUSTON — A skydiving jump turns fatal for an Angelina County man. KETK reports it happened at Skydive Spaceland near Houston over the weekend. Witnesses say 36-year-old Miguel Carrasco of Zavalla cut away from his main parachute about 1,000 feet above ground and then, for some reason, failed to deploy the backup chute. This isn’t the first time a skydiver has been killed at Skydive Spaceland. Four jumpers have died at the facility in the last few years — the most recent two years ago.