KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating what’s termed a suspicious fire that occurred early Sunday morning. KETK reports the blaze broke out around 1:00 a.m. at the Canton Apartments. According to fire officials, someone entered an apartment and burglarized it prior to setting it on fire. Anyone with information about this fire is urged to call the fire marshal’s office, the Canton Police Department, or Van Zandt County Crimestoppers at (903) 567-STOP.

LONGVIEW – Memorial services for Longview siblings killed in a car accident over the weekend will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Rader Funeral Home. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the three-vehicle collision occurred near Harris in southeastern Oklahoma. The patrol told reporters that John Nguyen, 22, and Jenny Nguyen, 16, were dead at the scene of the crash on U.S. Highway 259 in McCurtain County on Saturday. The OHP reported that a car driven northbound by John Nguyen crossed the center line of the highway and collided with the rear of a southbound sport utility vehicle, then was struck head-on by another southbound vehicle. Continue reading Services Set for Longview Siblings Killed in Oklahoma Crash

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Week of November 17, 2014:

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Tyler this week will be doing edge work on Farm Road 2813 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 2493. Look for the roadway to be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic through the work zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Saturday morning a woman found her Tyler restaurant burglarized. Arletha Westley is the owner of Annie Mae’s Soul Food Restaurant, off Frankston Highway and Old Noonday Road. “Hey, we’re all working trying to make it,” Westley told KETK. We all put a lot into this business, and I don’t want anyone to rob me or anyone else.” Continue reading Owner Reacts after Tyler Restaurant Is Burglarized

GILMER (AP/STAFF) – An administrator for East Texas Medical Center in Gilmer says fewer patients and declining federal reimbursement rates are forcing the facility to close. ETMC Gilmer stopped providing inpatient care Oct. 31. Next month it will cease emergency, laboratory, and other services, and by February all operations will end. About 80 employees will be affected. Perry Henderson, a senior vice president for the medical center, says the hospital sustained a loss of more than $2 million in the last fiscal year. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reports the center has struggled to maintain operations in rural areas in recent years. A clinic in Van closed earlier this year and administrators have said services will be cut at the Mount Vernon hospital.

FLINT — Several Smith County fire crews were needed Saturday morning to put out a fire at a Flint church. KETK reports the flames started just before 7:30 a.m. at New Creation Baptist Church in the 1500 block of Farm Road 346. Krissi Perryman, whose husband Doyle Perryman is the pastor, had arrived around 7:20 to prepare for a garage sale fundraiser for the church. When she arrived she noticed steam coming from the roof of the fellowship hall/Sunday school building, but thought it was due to the cold temperatures. She entered the building and found a fire in the attic that had burned through the ceiling. Continue reading Saturday Morning Electrical Fire Damages Flint Church

TYLER — Families and caregivers from across East Texas Saturday attended the regional Cystic Fibrosis Family Education Day on the campus of UT Health Northeast. The event included a keynote address by an adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient, educational sessions on nutrition, clinic research trials, and quality improvement initiatives. Continue reading Cystic Fibrosis Event At UT Health Northeast

TYLER — East Texans Friday celebrated the spirit of giving through National Philanthropy Day 2014, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – East Texas chapter, according to an AFP news release. The annual event was held at Tyler’s Willow Brook Country Club. Margaret and James Perkins received the award for Outstanding Philanthropists, based on their legacy of giving with an emphasis on higher education in East Texas. Continue reading AFP Presents National Philanthropy Day Awards

TYLER — Two men were arrested by Tyler police after a search warrant was served at 1:30 Friday afternoon at a residence in the 5100 block of Stagecoach Drive. Police say Hunter Adams and Devin Reese are in their early twenties. According to a news release, officers located a substance believed to be marijuana at the location. Officers say they also located weapons believed to be related to the case, which is still under investigation

TYLER — The Salvation Army got an early start to its bell ringing season by sending bell ringers out Saturday to Broadway Square Mall, Chick-Fil-A, Brookshire’s, Super 1, Hobby Lobby, and McDonald’s. Salvation Army officials say holiday donations are already down and the Salvation Army must begin now raising funds which will help support it through 2014. Continue reading Salvation Army Bell Ringers Go Out Early

RUSK — A Cherokee County jury sentenced a woman convicted of killing her husband to life in prison Friday morning. According to KETK, District Attorney Rachel Patton says Rebecca Barker, 52, will serve at least 30 years before she becomes eligible for parole. She was also fined $10,000. On February 26, Barker was taken into custody for the fatal shooting of her husband, Jerry Barker, 76, at their home west of Rusk. The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. When authorities arrived on scene, Jerry Barker was declared dead from a single gunshot wound, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Rebecca Barker waived her right to a jury trial October 8 during a pre-trial hearing.

TYLER — A lockdown at John Tyler High School was lifted late Friday morning, and school resumed as normal, according to Tyler ISD officials. A statement from TISD said John Tyler was placed on lockdown at approximately 10:50 a.m. It was reported that an altercation was planned between two students, and officials say the campus took precautionary action to ensure and secure the safety of students and staff. The lockdown lasted approximately 45 minutes.

TYLER — A new resource is available to Tyler Solid Waste customers to help keep up with their recycling and trash pick-up schedule: It’s called Tyler Talks Trash. Available on the website http://www.TylerSolidWaste.com or as a mobile app, on both Android and Apple phones, the service allows customers to see their collection day calendar by simply typing in their address. The calendar shows both recycling and trash collection dates, as well as any changes to the schedule including holiday or bad weather delays. Continue reading “Tyler Talks Trash” App and New Recycling Schedule

TYLER – A Tyler woman was reportedly robbed at gunpoint Thursday night. It happened just before 7:45 at the Abbey Apartments on Thistle. The victim told officers she had been robbed by three black males. One of the suspects displayed a handgun and demanded the victim’s purse. All three fled the scene on foot. A suspect, Jeremy Watts, 19, Tyler, was detained in connection with the robbery. He was taken to the police department where he confessed to committing an armed robbery Tuesday at 6100 Hollytree. Jude Kennedy signed an arrest warrant for Watts in connection with the Hollytree robbery. Watts was booked into the Smith County Jail for aggravated robbery. His bond was set at $250,000. The investigation into the robbery on Thistle is still on-going.

WASHINGTON (AP/ABC/Staff) — Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu is scrapping for converts among fellow Democrats for legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline before a runoff election that threatens to end her career in Congress. President Obama has signaled he may use his veto to block construction of the pipeline. Even so, Senate Democratic officials said the party’s leadership agreed to give Landrieu room to try and pass the measure only after making sure Obama would not sign it. Continue reading Oil and Politics: A Senator Scraps for Survival

PLANO — A Spring Hill athlete continues his road to recovery after suffering a brain hemorrhage almost a week ago. KETK reports Garrett Plumlee took a hit in the third quarter of his final game and suffered a concussion. Once he was rushed to the hospital, doctors discovered the senior quarterback had experienced a brain hemorrhage. He was then flown to a Plano hospital. Plumlee eventually woke up and became coherent on Sunday; his brain bleed had stopped. The student has since been moved out of ICU and into a primary care unit. Continue reading Spring Hill QB Continues Recovery Following Brain Hemorrhage

TYLER – The former chief financial officer of Shelby Regional Medical Center has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Joe White, 67, of Cameron, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Tyler to making a false statement. White appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Continue reading Former Shelby County Hospital CFO Guilty in EHR Incentive Case

AUSTIN – In a move affecting an East Texas campus, Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams has informed leadership at Honors Academy of his decision to appoint a board of managers for the liquidation of assets and other issues. According to Williams, those issues are related to the revocation and closure of Farmers Branch-based Honors Academy and the seven campuses operating under the charter as public, accredited schools. The revocation – which became effective June 30, 2014 – affects students, parents, and teachers at all seven Honors Academy campuses, including Landmark School, also known as Leadership Academy, in Palestine. Continue reading Commissioner to Appoint Managers for Revoked Honors Academy Charter

GILMER — An Upshur County jury Monday sentenced a Houston man to 75 years behind bars in a drug case. According to KETK, District Attorney Billy W. Byrd said Dale Dewayne Fisher was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. On December 30 at about 10:30 p.m. on State Highway 259 south of Diana, a deputy stopped a vehicle with a busted license plate light headed north. The driver, Fisher, was asked to step out of his vehicle and he immediately began to sweat, according to officials. The deputy also stated the man smelled of marijuana. Continue reading Upshur County Sentences Houston Dealer to 75 Years in Prison

MARSHALL — A Harrison County grand jury indicted a man Thursday morning in connection with a September 13 murder. According to KETK, the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office alleges Javonte Damone Sanders, 19, shot and killed Wesley Blackmon, 22. The suspect turned himself in to Marshall Police the same day. The shooting happened just before 12:30 a.m. in the 300 block of North Bishop Street in Marshall. Continue reading Man Indicted in Marshall Murder

GRAND SALINE — The Grand Saline Police Department is seeking the whereabouts of a stolen off-road vehicle. KETK reports the vehicle is a red ATV used for recreation. If you have any information in regard to the ATV’s whereabouts or to the person involved in the theft, contact the Grand Saline Police Department, or to remain anonymous and collect a reward call Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers 903-567-7867. Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

TYLER A 59-year-old Lindale woman has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling bank funds in east Texas. Mary Jane Haxton pleaded guilty July 18 to misapplication of funds by a bank employee. She was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to 30 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Haxton was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $446,344.66. Continue reading Smith County Bank Officer Sentenced for Embezzling Funds

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested five people believed responsible for a robbery that occurred this week. On Tuesday at 11:45 p.m., police investigated an aggravated robbery of an individual at Kensington Place apartments, at 4400 Paluxy. A 25-year-old victim told investigators he met a woman online a few weeks ago and she took him to the apartments to meet some friends. When they arrived at the apartments, four male suspects approached them and held them at gunpoint demanding money from the victim. Continue reading Tyler Police Arrest Five Suspects for Aggravated Robbery

TYLER (AP) – Tyler has approved the purchase of 135 body cameras for its police officers. The City Council on Wednesday approved the roughly $54,000 purchase. Authorities say the cameras should be in use by the beginning of next year. Police Chief Gary Swindle says the department started testing the cameras in 2009 as a way to improve safety. He says both police and citizens tend to behave better when they’re being filmed. The city hasn’t yet drafted policies for how the cameras will be used.

WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Call it a high-stakes political poker game. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, facing an uphill fight to hold her seat in a December 6 runoff, on Wednesday called for a vote on approving the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL pipeline project. The southern portion of the pipeline already runs through eastern Smith County and other portions of East Texas. Within an hour, Republican leaders in the House announced that lawmakers would vote today on a bill sponsored by her Republican rival, Representative Bill Cassidy, to build the pipeline. It remains to be seen whether the Democratic-led Senate will vote. President Barack Obama has delayed a decision on the project, which is opposed by environmental groups. Republicans insist that it will create jobs.

DALLAS (AP/STAFF) — Federal officials say crash tests will show by early 2015 whether guardrails found along many U.S. highways are safe. The Federal Highway Administration said Wednesday that crash tests involving guardrails made by Trinity Industries Inc. will be done at an independent lab in San Antonio. Critics say that a 2005 design change made it more likely that cars would be impaled if they hit either end of a guardrail head-on. The company faces several wrongful-death and injury lawsuits. Trinity stopped selling the ET-Plus guardrails last month after a Marshall, Texas jury ruled that the company should pay at least $175 million for failing to tell regulators about the change. Trinity has hinted that it will appeal.

GILMER — Two Gilmer men agreed Tuesday night to turn over 37 dogs seized from a home prosecutors described as a puppy mill to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the agreement halted civil proceedings scheduled for a second day of testimony in Upshur County Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter’s court. Potter said Byron Hobson and Jeremy Reddin still face one count each of animal cruelty and misdemeanor marijuana charges stemming from the Oct. 29 animal seizure at their home.

ATHENS — A Brownsboro man was sentenced to life in the Texas Department of Corrections Monday in an Athens courtroom for aggravated sexual assault of a child. David Lynn Sellers, 39, pleaded guilty and opted for the judge to assess his punishment after hearing evidence. A Henderson County grand jury indicted Sellers last December after an investigation. The probe began after an outcry was made by an eight-year-old girl who told her mother that Sellers had sexually abused her repeatedly and over a period of time. The child’s mother testified at the sentencing hearing that Sellers made the child perform sexual acts before Sellers would provide food for her and her brother. Sellers faced a minimum of five years up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Sellers was also sentenced to twenty years in the Texas Department of Corrections for indecency with a child.

TYLER — Texas Spine & Joint Hospital (TSJH) filed a lawsuit in Smith County Wednesday against BlueCross BlueShield of Texas (BCBS), a division of Health Care Service Corporation. KETK reports that TSJH seeks damages for years of disputed payments for patient care provided to BCBS members. Further, the hospital argues that BCBS is in violation of the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act by having only one contracted or “in-network” hospital facility in the Tyler, Texas, area. TSJH officials say BCBS has taken the position that only one hospital in Smith County should be in network with BCBS. BCBS had no immediate comment on the lawsuit when contacted by KTBB. Continue reading TSJH Sues BlueCross BlueShield

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A large number of electrical outages were reported in Cherokee County Wednesday morning. According to KETK, Oncor spokesman Charles Hill said a substation in the area went down and more than 1,100 customers were left without power. Electricity was lost when an unknown person cut down a tree and it fell across power lines, pulling down about 40 bands of wire. Crews continued working during the afternoon to restore power. “We appreciate our customers patience during this time,” said Hill. The company’s website showed an additional 600 customers without power to the south of Alto, near Lufkin.