KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN (AP) — More than an hour of delaying tactics from House Democrats has blocked a vote on a hotly debated bill that would have mandated drug testing for some welfare applicants. Lawmakers earlier Tuesday night approved a measure requiring some people seeking unemployment insurance to undergo drug screening. But a proposal requiring such testing for people enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families wasn’t voted on before a key midnight deadline. It had already passed the Senate and was backed by Governor Rick Perry. The measure would have required applicants to answer questions to see if they are at risk of abusing drugs. If they failed the screening, they would have been required to take a drug test. If the person tests positive, state officials could have suspended the person’s benefits.

LAKEPORT — Fire has destroyed a mobile home near Lakeport. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that firefighters from the Lakeport and Elderville volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze sometime around 7:00 Tuesday morning off Texas 149. Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department Chief Pat Owens said the building had burned to the ground when firefighters arrived. The Gregg County Fire Marshal is investigating.

TYLER — With severe weather conditions moving through the area Tuesday evening, Smith County Judge Joel Baker issued an advisory to residents. As the county’s statutory Emergency Management Director, Baker has advised all citizens to closely monitor weather conditions, as they can change rapidly, and to heed any watches and warnings. “I strongly encourage citizens to ensure that they have an emergency plan for themselves and their families,” said Judge Baker. Continue reading Emergency Weather Notification

TYLER – A 39-year-old Center man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations Danny Len Lindsey pleaded guilty on March 1 to possession with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. He was sentenced in Tyler yesterday to 48 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to prosecutors, from at least August 14, 2011, Lindsey possessed and distributed methamphetamine in East Texas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on November 7, 2012, charging Lindsey with drug trafficking violations. Lindsey also admitted to possessing two firearms during his drug trafficking activities and must forfeit both firearms.

TYLER – A Tyler building contractor has been sentenced for federal arson-related charges. Daniel Kubisty, 55, pleaded guilty January 9 to attempted arson. He was sentenced in Tyler yesterday to 16 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Kubisty was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,824. Continue reading Smith County Man Sentenced for Attempted Arson of Methadone Clinic

EAST TEXAS — Due to the threat of severe weather, many East Texas school districts canceled events that had been scheduled for Tuesday evening. KETK reports most districts notified parents and students of the changes, and will announce rescheduling. Continue reading East Texas Schools Cancel Events due to Weather

KAUFMAN — Investigators working on the murder case against a former Kaufman County justice of the peace have apparently made an important connection. Sources say ballistics experts have been able to match shell casings found at the home of former DA Mike McLelland to unfired bullets found in the storage locker Eric Williams rented in Seagoville. Ballistics expert Daniel Jackson says, “It sounds like it’s entirely plausible that unfired cartridges that were cycled through the weapon were compared microscopically by firearms examiners.” Microscopic scratches help investigators match bullets. Williams (pictured) and his wife are being held on capital murder charges for the deaths of McLelland, his wife, and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

LONGVIEW – A man who led Longview Police on a car chase Monday night, has died as a result of a shooting by police. He is identified as Jose SiFuentes, 28, of Longview. The officer who was injured in the incident was also the officer who shot SiFuentes. He is now on administrative leave with pay. Continue reading Man Dies after Longview Shooting and Chase

CANTON — Expanding beyond the traditional anonymous telephone tip, Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers now makes it possible to submit anonymous tips online, from mobile devices or computers. The revamped Crime Stoppers website — http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org — now offers a special tip submission form that gives tipsters more choice in how they let Crime Stoppers know about wanted criminals. The new option is designed to be entirely anonymous, just as the telephone calls have always been. Continue reading Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers Tips Can Now Be Submitted Online

GILMER — Upshur County officials say Judy Langford, a now-former substitute teacher at Harmony ISD, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted sexual assault of a minor. KETK reports the plea was entered on May 17. Langford also pleaded guilty to attempted online solicitation of a minor. She gave up her substitute teacher certification and upon release from prison must register as a sex offender. Langford has no prior criminal history.

TYLER — Tyler police are again preparing for a couple of safety efforts set for the Memorial Day holiday: Click It or Ticket and the “No Refusal” DWI campaign. Officers will be stopping violators for not wearing their seat belts from May 20 through June 2. Texas law requires every person sitting in the front or rear seat of a vehicle to wear a safety belt. A child less than eight years old and less than four feet, nine inches tall must be secured in a child safety seat. Drivers can be stopped and ticketed for a safety belt violation if they, or any of their passengers under the age of 15, are not buckled up or properly restrained. Traffic fines for failing to use a seat belt or secure a child in a safety seat can run from $25 to $200, plus court costs. Continue reading Tyler Police Gear Up for Memorial Day Holiday

SMITH COUNTY — A shooting off Highway 64 West in Smith County has left one man dead in the 100 block of Patton. Officials tell KETK the shooting involved two men. One is in custody for questioning but has not been arrested. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. We will update information as it becomes available.

CADDO LAKE — A Marshall man drowned following a canoe accident on Caddo Lake. He has been identified as Wildrick Lamon Jenkins, 21. According to Harrison County game wardens, the accident happened just east of Johnson’s Ranch on the Big Cypress Bayou portion of the lake. KETK reports Harrison County 9-1-1 operators received a call for assistance at around 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens were notified and Harrison County Deputies were dispatched to the general area of the accident. The Deputies and Game Wardens were advised that two men had rented a canoe at nearby Johnson’s Ranch, in Uncertain, Texas, and were paddling down the river. The canoe apparently turned over, throwing the two into the water. Continue reading Caddo Lake Drowning Victim Identified

PRICE — Authorities with the Carlisle Independent School District made the decision to hold classes on Memorial Day so the supporters of their baseball team can attend the playoffs in Austin, should the team continue to qualify. Our news partner KETK has been contacted by parents of CISD students who were concerned about the district’s decision, so the district’s superintendent, Michael Payne, was asked to respond. Payne says the decision was made “not as a slight to anyone who may be trying to observe Memorial Day with their family,” but in order to ensure that attendance on the last day of school would be as high as possible. “If the baseball team advances in the playoffs, many students will be making the trip to Austin to show their support,” Payne says. Continue reading Carlisle Superintendent Responds to Concerns about Memorial Day Classes

LONGVIEW — According to the Gregg County Sheriff’s office, the sexual misconduct trial for Jesse Smith, 33, and Cassandra Stone, 32, has been postponed until an unspecified later time. The trial was to have begun at 9:00 Monday morning. KETK reports the 188th District Court is meeting again today. Smith and Stone, both of Kilgore, are being held in the Gregg County Jail on multiple charges of sexual misconduct with a child. Court records show they were indicted in December.

PAYNE SPRINGS — Authorities continue to investigate a fatal accident in Henderson County — and allegations that the driver left the scene. The DPS says the accident was reported just before 8:40 Friday night on State Highway 198, a quarter-mile north of Leisureland Road in Payne Springs. Officials say a southbound 2002 Lincoln LS hit and killed Sandy Gay Patterson, 49, of Mabank, as she walked on the edge of the highway. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Continue reading Fatal Payne Springs Accident under Investigation

TROUP — One person was killed in an accident involving two motorcycles and an 18-wheeler. The accident was reported at shortly before 10:15 Sunday morning on County Road 2142 at County Road 2152, north of Troup. The DPS says the tractor-trailer was southbound on 2142, turning left onto 2152. The motorcycles were northbound on 2142. One of the bikes ran into the 18-wheeler, while the other slid underneath. The bike that hit the rig was driven by Michael Keith Berry, 35, of Arp, who was pronounced dead later at ETMC. Authorities say Berry was wearing a helmet. The other drivers were not injured.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Angelina County DPS officials say a pickup truck and passenger car were involved in a fatal wreck on Highway 59 South around 6:00 Monday morning. According to KETK, one of the vehicles was pushed into a nearby house, but authorities could not confirm which vehicle. Officials did confirm that there was another injury involved. That person has been hospitalized and taken to surgery.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has asked for the public’s help in locating a robbery suspect. William Ray Mikula, 31, is wanted on a third-degree felony for theft in connection with property taken from Transport Services on Highway 271 on April 27. If you have information on the location of Mikula, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County authorities are investigating an early morning burglary. Monday morning just before 4:00, Deputies Justin Eakin and Josh Caulkins were driving down Highway 69 South on routine patrol when Deputy Eakin noticed a red pickup parked in the middle of the highway. Deputy Eakin then noticed an ATM from the Stop and Shop, located at the intersection of Highway 69 and County Road 1215, was lying on its side in the parking lot. After entering the store parking lot, deputies saw a male wearing jeans, a dark shirt, and a black ski mask standing outside of the store. The male then ran into the woods. Continue reading Authorities Probe Burglary, Attempted ATM Theft

TROUP — A home in Troup has been damaged by fire. It was reported just before 7:30 Sunday night in the 200 block of Melton Street. No one was at home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported. Officials are still trying to determine what caused the blaze. According to KETK, officials did say they are considering the fire suspicious after a domestic dispute call was made from the home earlier that day.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LONGVIEW – Demolition work to remove the damaged bridge supports from the Martin Luther King Jr. overpass of Interstate Highway 20 is scheduled to begin this week, with reconstruction of the damaged supports to follow immediately. “This is the best way to ensure we’ve addressed all of the damage,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “There’s no sense in leaving anything to chance with something like this.”

The structure has been closed since it sustained heavy fire damage as the result of a crash on the morning of April 22. TxDOT engineers determined the bridge should remain closed citing safety concerns, and began work to develop a contract for the repairs. Krantz said the work should be completed by July 1. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

REKLAW — One person has been killed in a one-vehicle crash in Cherokee County. It happened shortly before 2:30 Saturday morning on State Highway 204, nearly four miles east of Reklaw. The DPS says the 2004 Chevrolet pickup was driven by Rudy Steve Harris, 56, of Pasadena, Texas. Authorities say Harris was eastbound when he drove off the roadway and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say Harris was wearing a seatbelt.

TYLER — A Tyler man has died following a car-pedestrian accident. Shortly after 8:45 Saturday night, Joel Thompson, 58, was hit by a vehicle as he was crossing in the 2300 block of West Erwin. He died around 1:00 Sunday morning at East Texas Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle was not injured, and police say alcohol was not a factor. The case remains under investigation.

PAYNE SPRINGS — An accident in Henderson County Friday night took the life of a pedestrian, and authorities say the driver left the scene. The DPS says the accident was reported at 8:39 p.m. on SH 198, a quarter-mile north of Leisureland Road in Payne Springs. Officials say a southbound 2002 Lincoln LS hit and killed Sandy Gay Patterson, 49, of Mabank, as she walked on the edge of the highway. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital. Continue reading DPS: Driver Leaves Scene of Fatal Accident

GRANBURY (AP/Staff) – Flamboyant swindler Billie Sol Estes’ name may be synonymous with Texas-sized schemes, greed, and corruption. But friends and family focused on his loving and generous nature at a funeral Saturday, saying what a paradox he was throughout his life. About 300 people gathered for Estes’ funeral in Granbury, a town ravaged by a deadly tornado earlier this week. Estes, who was once tried in Tyler, died in his sleep Tuesday at the age of 88. He was Texas’ king of con men for nearly 50 years. Continue reading Funeral-Goers Describe Texas Swindler as Loving

TYLER – TISD-TV has been named a Bronze winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for two videos produced by the Tyler ISD video and broadcasting department. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, TISD officials say this is truly an honor. “We’re humbled to receive this recognition from our peers in film and video,” said Angela Jenkins, Coordinator of TISD-TV & Video Operations. “This award is equivalent to the Oscar and Emmy awards in other industries. It’s thrilling to know that as a department, the caliber of our video production work is recognized as some of the best out there. I’m so fortunate to work with Greg McRae and Jacob Walker; they are truly professionals.” Continue reading TISD-TV Earns International Video Award

HENDERSON — The Henderson wolfdog named Blue Bear has been safely captured. KETK reports Veronica Whittington with Henderson Animal Control tranquilized the animal with a dart, and he is now being cared for at the Henderson Animal Shelter. Shelter officials are now in the process of finding him a new home, either at a zoo or a wolf refuge. Blue Bear had been living in a wooded area behind a Henderson neighborhood. The animal is believed to be part wolf and part malamute, standing about waist-high on an average person. The wolfdog had killed a chicken and a cat, but there are residents in the area who said the creature is tame and did not want to see the animal killed. Continue reading Wolfdog Safely Captured

EAST TEXAS — The National Weather Service released a complete list of damage from the May 16th severe thunderstorms that rocked parts of North and East Texas and parts of Northwest Louisiana. KETK reports the storms produced two tornadoes that struck in the Waskom area in Harrison County. One twister touched down four miles west of Waskom, just south of I-20. That tornado was a category one with winds peaking at 90 miles per hour. The path of the tornado went a mile and a half and reached a width of 500 yards. One injury was reported, but no fatalities; there were no immediate details on the injury. The tornado caused damage to several buildings, uprooting and snapping trees along its path. The twister ended near County Road 1105. Continue reading NWS: Waskom Area Hit by Two Twisters Thursday

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man was placed in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $200,000 after authorities said he broke into his neighbor’s house and later threatened to kill his neighbors because they reported him to police. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. According to police records, Amos Edward Simmons, 34, was served warrants Thursday charging him with burglary of a habitation and retaliation in connection with the alleged crimes. Continue reading Man Held after Threats to Neighbors