KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WILLS POINT — An East Texas high school is in mourning after a car accident claimed the life of a student. Wills Point High School senior Austin Fields was killed in a wreck Wednesday night. According to the Department of Public Safety report, Fields was driving on Highway 64 south of Wills Points around 10:30. Preliminary reports indicate Fields, who was driving a 1996 Ford Mustang, tried to pass another vehicle, went off the road and hit a tree. Fields died at the scene. WPISD Superintendent Suzanne Blasingame told KETK, “Austin was an escort for the Wills Point drill team and was a member of the Tiger basketball team. We are all grieving the loss of Austin and we met with the senior class to tell them about the accident (Thursday) morning. We are a family at Wills Point ISD and this senior class is very close. They are suffering this loss and we are doing the best we can to help them cope with it. I can’t express how sad we are for his family and our students.” Continue reading Wills Point Teen Dies in Accident

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office together get more than $500,000 from a drug investigation in Bexar County. KETK reports it all began when Smith County deputies pulled over a vehicle on Interstate 20. They found $60,000 in cash, which was then handled by the DA’s Office. Then the drug probe began in Bexar County, ultimately seizing more than $6 million. Due to local agreements, both the Sheriff’s Office and DA’s office in Smith County were able to get a cut. Continue reading Drug Probe Brings Smith County over $500,000

MARSHALL — Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department are seeking information on the theft of 12 head of livestock, three saddles, seven bridles, and several tools. According to KETK, officials say they were stolen from a Harrison County cattle ranch sometime between Monday and Tuesday of this week. According to Hand, the 12 head of yearling cattle were penned late on Monday at a cattle ranch located off US 59, south of Marshall. The victim planned to ship the cattle Tuesday. The unknown suspect(s) conducted a forced entry onto the ranch. Continue reading Authorities Searching for Cattle Theft Suspects

LONGVIEW — More information is coming out and more is anticipated following alleged online terroristic threats by a Pine Tree student. Released on a $10,000 bond following his Monday arrest was Christopher Jones, 17. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Jones (pictured) allegedly made a threat planning a shooting at Pine Tree High School. School district spokesperson Mary Whitton said Thursday, “We believe in the next 48 hours more information will be forthcoming by law enforcement agencies which may be quite disturbing. The district will continue to work with law enforcement and assist as requested.” Continue reading Officials Anticipate New Information on Alleged Pine Tree Threats

LONGVIEW — A jury in Longview needed about an hour Wednesday to convict Shaun Antonio Thompson of felony assault for threatening a police officer with a shotgun at a Longview apartment complex in August 2013, according to the Longview News-Journal. Thompson, 27, was shot three times by an officer after pointing a gun at the lawman. The officer was exonerated in the shooting by a Texas Ranger, who instead filed a formal complaint against Thompson. The defendant faced a lesser charge of aggravated assault, which would have put the penalty range at two to 20 years. He now faces up to life in prison on the first-degree conviction and will be sentenced on Nov. 3. The judge also raised Thompson’s bail from $50,000 to $75,000 Wednesday.

LUFKIN – Angelina County Commissioner Robert Lewis Loggins, 54, has been indicted by a grand jury for using county equipment for personal reasons. The precinct 3 county commissioner is charged with two counts of misdemeanor A, abuse of official capacity. His bonds total $1,500.Loggins had been accused of using county equipment on his daughter’s land.

TYLER — The 99th annual East Texas State Fair was BIG. Total attendance was 249,701 which represents a 25.7% increase over 2013. This is the largest crowd since the economic downturn in 2008. The Fair broke records in several categories. Food sales were up 18.4%. Carnival ridership was up 35.2%. Livestock show entries were up 1.6%. The best success indicator according to John Sykes, President of The Park of East Texas, was children’s ticket sales. Those sales were up 24.1%. Continue reading East Texas State Fair Breaks Records

HENDERSON — There was a rise in misdemeanor arrests in Rusk County over the weekend, most of those for marijuana possession. According to KETK and the Henderson Daily News, the sheriff says there’s no specific reason for the increase, since the cases were just what officials call routine traffic stops.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith has promoted a new jail captain and assistant jail administrator. He issued a statement on the evening of Tuesday, September 30, 2014, affirming that effective October 1, 2014, Lieutenant Tobby Hughes is promoted to the rank of Captain and will also be classified as the Assistant Jail Administrator. “Captain Hughes will have my full support as we continue to move forward at the Smith County Jail,” says Smith. Continue reading Assistant Jail Administrator Promoted

TYLER — The Smith County Jail is wrapping up its renovations this fall. KETK reports the construction’s been carried out in two phases. According to County Commissioner Jeff Warr, the first phase was completed under budget. Any extra money is going towards fixing up the main housing area, as well as upgrading security. The $35-million expansion was $30 million less than the closest proposal. This makes spending tight, and although commissioners don’t expect to go over budget, they say it’s going to be a close one. Warr says, “We’re still in budget and operating as leanly as we can, and it gave us the opportunity to upgrade the system, (including) additional security and some things like that since we had the additional money.” According to Warr, there should be no further financial burden on taxpayers.

TYLER — The city of Tyler’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. in downtown Tyler. Additionally, the 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on the T.B. Butler Fountain Plaza immediately following the parade. Due to the disbandment of the Tyler Jaycees this summer, the Tyler Police and Fire Departments have stepped up to plan and manage the annual Christmas Parade, according to a city news release. Continue reading Tyler Christmas Parade Accepting Applications

LONGVIEW — Grand jurors in Longview have indicted a man on an aggravated sexual assault charge from an accusation he had sexual contact with a 4-year-old girl last summer. According to KETK, Brandon Lee Martindale, 20, of Kilgore, was arrested by Gregg County Sheriff’s Deputies July 11. Martindale is accused of having illegal contact with the minor girl on July 10. He’s been held since his arrest in the Gregg County Jail under $500,000 bond.

MARSHALL – One man has been killed and one injured following a fiery collision in Marshall. The accident between a tractor trailer rig and a pickup occurred Tuesday on Highway 80 just east of loop 390. No other information was immediately available.

TYLER — Effective with the new 2015 fiscal year, which starts today, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s office will take responsibility over the animal control program, which had previously been the charge of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office will still be responsible for the Livestock Estray program, which includes horses, donkeys, and other livestock. For questions or comments regarding the animal control program, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2652 during business hours, or 903-566-6600 after 5:00pm on weekdays, during weekends and on holidays.

MARSHALL — An East Texas county achieves a dubious distinction. Harrison County has been under an outdoor burn ban for several weeks — and County Judge Hugh Taylor says at the current time, its drought index is the highest in Texas. According to the judge, “Where we enter a burn ban generally at 575 on the KBDI (Keetch-Byram Drought Index), the entire county far exceeds 600 — and 25 per cent of the county actually exceeds 700. The highest number on the index is 800.” Taylor said the reason other regions of the state have seen their index numbers on the KBDI go down has to do with tropical moisture that fell across West Texas, North Texas, and Central Texas recently, but missed East Texas completely.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating Amanda Breanne Ball, 23. KETK reports she’s wanted out of Gregg County on an assault charge. Authorities have given the suspect a chance to turn herself in, but she has refused, according to police. The suspect lives off Stone Road in Kilgore. Tipsters can call police at 903-983-1559, Gregg County at 903-236-8400, or Crime Stoppers directly at 903-236-STOP.

KILGORE — Fare increases for the East Texas Council of Governments’ GoBus service are in effect beginning today. According to an ETCOG news release, on September 4th, the ETCOG Executive Committee considered the report on staff results from a two-month public hearing process and approved an increase in GoBus fares. The then-current rate of $2.00 per trip within a county and $5.00 per trip across counties had not been increased since 1997 when the average price of a gallon of gas was $1.25. Continue reading GoBus Fare Increases Now in Place

TYLER — Dr. Vance Vaughn has been named “Researcher of the Year” by the Texas Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, Dr. Wesley Hickey, College of Education and Psychology interim dean, announced. A UT Tyler alumnus, Vaughn serves as an associate professor of educational leadership within the university’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, where he teaches in the principal and superintendent programs. He was recognized during a council ceremony on Sept. 26 in Dallas. Continue reading UT Tyler Professor Recognized for Research

TYLER — Officials say the Smith County Sheriff’s Office has arrested several suspects in recent thefts. The first such arrest occurred Sunday evening in northeastern Smith County. At approximately 8:40 p.m., SCSO Dispatch received a call from a night security guard regarding a burglary in progress at a scrap yard in the 10300 block of County Road 383. Within ten minutes, patrol deputies arrived on scene to find a suspect running out of the woods near the location. The suspect was immediately taken into custody, and deputies say they found several items from the scrap yard in the woods from which the suspect came. Continue reading Arrests Made in Recent Thefts

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman missing since spring may have been sexually assaulted by several men, a court document suggests. That’s according to the Longview News-Journal. A digital storage device given to authorities by an informant was said to contain images and video showing Christina Rea Davison, 43, “being sexually assaulted by more than one person,” according to a search warrant filed in the 124th District Court. Investigators filed the warrant to receive the court’s permission to view the contents of the device, a flash drive, which was received from an informant who suggested it contained such video and photographs. The informant, who was not identified, later committed suicide, investigators said. investigators said. Continue reading Police: Missing Kilgore Woman Possibly Raped

GREGG COUNTY — The trial is underway for a man who was shot after officers responded to calls that an armed man was threatening people. According to the Longview News-Journal, Shaun Antonio Thompson, 27, Longview, was shot three times by police on Aug. 12, 2013. Officers said the armed man had made threatening movements toward them. He was treated at a local hospital before being taken to the Gregg County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault on a public servant. He has been jailed since then under $50,000 bond. Thompson faces from five years to life in prison, plus a maximum fine of $10,000, if convicted.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say a Pine Tree High School senior has been arrested for making terroristic threats online. Released on a $10,000 bond was Christopher Jones, 17. The arrest report says the FBI contacted Longview police early Monday morning with information that the student had made threats to carry out a violent act at the high school. Longview Police, working together with the FBI, were able to locate the Jones, who allegedly made the threats prior to his arrival at the school. The suspect was taken into custody for the felony 3 offense of terroristic threat and was booked into the Gregg County Jail without further incident. Continue reading Student Arrested after Allegedly Making Online Threats

TYLER — Once again the expired Medication Drop Off event held Saturday at a Tyler CVS Pharmacy was a great success, according to authorities. The Tyler Police Department along with DEA received 22 full boxes of expired medication totaling 444 pounds, according to a police news release. The Police Department joined the pharmacy and the DEA in hosting the event. Residents were encouraged just to drive up and drop off unused and expired medications for safe disposal without getting out of their vehicles — “no questions asked.” According to police, it is important to clean out your medicine cabinet, especially if you have children. They say that young children may confuse a medication with something to eat or drink, and that keeping unneeded medications with teenagers can lead to potential drug abuse.

TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital has been included in Becker’s Hospital Review’s recently published 2014 edition of “125 Hospitals and Health Systems With Great Orthopedic Programs.” According to Mother Frances news release, the list is based on hospitals’ accolades, quality of care, and services provided to their patient populations. “We are incredibly pleased to again be included in this prestigious list of hospitals who are distinguished nationally for their quality of care, service and skill,” said John McGreevy, Chief Executive Officer, Mother Frances Hospital Tyler. “This recognition is a strong example of the tireless effort and energy given by each member of the Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics team to ensure that our patients receive the highest quality orthopedic healthcare available.” Continue reading Mother Frances Gets Nod for Orthopedic Program

EAST TEXAS — The Enterovirus has been detected in East Texas. According to the Texas Department of Health, a child in Anderson County tested positive for the virus. Children with the virus often show cold like symptoms but the virus can swell the air passages, making it difficult and painful to breathe. KETK reports that parents are advised to talk to your pediatrician for advice on how to protect your children.

TYLER (AP) – Organizers of the East Texas State Fair in Tyler estimate attendance has increased 25 to 30% this year. Event President John Sykes tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that great weather boosted the turnout to the 99th event. He estimated there were 200,000 attendees but said some people from Sunday hadn’t been counted yet. Sunday was the final day of the event, which started Sept. 19. The fair was closed for two days in 2013 because of rain. It features shows, live music, art exhibits and carnival rides.

TYLER – A Tyler service station has reopened following a fire. It was reported around 12:30 Sunday afternoon at the Exxon station on Loop 323 at Commerce Street. It started when a woman drove off with gas hose still in her car’s gas tank. The fire started when the pump was pulled down. The owner of the station was able to shut off the pump before the fire spread to the building. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — Drivers who use Toll 49 should plan for delays this week of September 29th. The west side of the toll road north of the intersection of State Highway 64 through the intersection with I-20 will experience lane closures while preventive maintenance is performed. There will be one lane open at all times and work will be performed on the road during the day, during non-peak hours. Additionally, Toll 49 will be closed between State Highway 155 and Old Jacksonville Road from sunset to sunrise between Sunday, September 28th and sunrise on Friday October 3rd for gantry upgrades. Please allow extra time and make adjustments to your travel plans accordingly.

TYLER – Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District during the Weeks of September 29 and October 6. Please be advised that this is a schedule of work being planned but it is subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseen issues.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) maintenance crews in Smith County are starting the day off Monday conducting milling operations on Spur 248 at Loop 323. Crews will then continue milling operations on State Highway 155 North from Winona to the County Line. Expect daytime lane closures, slow down and be prepared to merge in and around work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

HAWKINS– A two vehicle accident in Wood County has left one person dead and two injured. The head on collision around 6:30 Saturday morning occurred on Farm Road 14 near Hawkins. Killed was Christopher Benson, 48, of Hawkins. The driver and passenger in the other vehicle, Mark Thomas Jr., 22, of Tyler, and Jerry Summerville, 31, of Winona, are hospitalized in stable condition. According to the Department of Public Safety, Benson was south bound when his car crossed over to the north bound lane and hit the other vehicle.