KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Lightning appears to be the cause of a house fire in Tyler late Friday night. It happened in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road just before 10:30. According to KETK, when firefighters arrived at the scene, the entire second floor of the house was in engulfed. After several hours, fire crews were able to completely extinguish the blaze. The first floor received minor smoke and water damage. No one was injured during the blaze. Fire investigators say the fire was sparked by lightning.

EAST TEXAS — A state prosecutor who helped secure convictions in the Kilgore Kentucky Fried Chicken murders is one of two new prosecutors appointed in the Bernie Tiede case. According to the Longview News-Journal, documents from the Panola County District Clerk’s Office show Texas Assistant Attorney General Lisa Tanner, who worked on the KFC case, will take over Tiede’s case from Panola County District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson. Jane Starnes, another Texas assistant attorney general, also will be a prosecutor in the case. Starnes helped convict Eddie Ray Routh earlier this year in Stephenville in the death of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle. Continue reading New Prosecutor Named in Bernie Tiede Case

PALESTINE — A Palestine woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for allegedly driving drunk with a baby in her car. According to KETK, Anderson County Chief Deputy Troy Black said at around 2:30 p.m., dispatchers received several calls about a vehicle driving recklessly on Highway 19 N near Palestine. Callers told officials the automobile was only doing 30 miles per hour but was swerving all over the road and driving into the path of oncoming traffic. Continue reading Woman Allegedly Drives Drunk with Baby in Car

TYLER — Students on the Patriot Talon staff at The University of Texas at Tyler received 33 awards at the 2015 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention, Dr. Dennis Cali, UT Tyler Department of Communication chair, announced. The annual convention is an opportunity for student journalists to compete in on-site competitions and be recognized for work from previous publications. The Talon staff received “Best of Show” in Div. II, one of five divisions. The staff also received “Best Website Navigation” and an honorable mention for “Best Online Interactivity” in Div. II as well as third place in “Overall Excellence” in Div. III. Continue reading Patriot Talon, Adviser at UTT Recognized for Excellence in Journalism

TYLER — Tyler police say Christopher Champion, 28, was taken into custody Friday by the U. S. Marshals Task Force in Austin. Champion was the third family member who was wanted by Tyler police on outstanding warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of a controlled substance. A two-month Tyler Police narcotics investigation recently led to a large seizure of hashish, marijuana, cash, and weapons, as well as warrants for engaging in organized criminal activity. Continue reading Third Family Member Arrested in Tyler Drug Case

ATHENS — A Henderson County man has been indicted for attempting to kill a peace officer. According to KETK, authorities report a grand jury handed up the indictment of Steven Clement Rei, 48, of Mabank, on April 9. Around 10:00 p.m. on January 22, deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of North Cherokee Shores Drive in Cherokee Shores in response to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm. When deputies made it to the scene, they met a woman who called outside the house and were told Rei had displayed a 9mm handgun during an argument. Continue reading Man Indicted for Attempted Capital Murder of Peace Officer

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department and Tyler Independent School District officers are searching for a person who allegedly broke into a local school. According to KETK, the reported break-in happened at Moore Middle School, 1200 South Tipton Avenue on Wednesday, April 15. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police at 903-262-1111.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House briefly approved new abortion restrictions involving fetuses with severe abnormalities before a sweeping health bill was quickly withdrawn. The unexpected vote Thursday marked a new push by Republicans to further tighten Texas abortion restrictions that are already among the toughest in the nation. Abortions are banned in Texas after 20 weeks except when the fetus has severe health defects. While the Republican-controlled House debated a mundane health agency bill, state Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler successfully tacked on a rider that would end that exception. The entire bill was later pulled down after Democrats launched technical objections. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is strongly anti-abortion but the issue has not been a priority in his first session.

NACOGDOCHES — Human remains found in Nacogdoches County last month have been identified. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday the body was that of Justin Farrell, 31, of Nacogdoches. He was reported missing in May, 2004. The human remains were found north of Cushing on March 13th. A person looking for their pet in the woods discovered found a bone believed to be human remains. Sheriff’s deputies and Texas Rangers searched the area and discovered other remains. At the time, investigators said foul play may be involved. On yesterday’s news release, the death is described as “questionable.” When Ferrell disappeared he was driving a silver 1996 Dodge Ram. The pickup has not been found.

LUFKIN (AP) — An East Texas official says the use of improper fuel is believed to have caused the crash landing of a private plane last week that injured the pilot and two passengers. Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter told The Lufkin Daily News that a lineman at the Angelina County Airport misidentified Edd Hendee’s Cessna 421B aircraft and filled it with the wrong fuel. The aircraft made a crash landing April 17 beside U.S. 59 near Diboll, ending up in a grassy area. Hendee and his two passengers suffered minor injuries. Hendee is a former radio talk show host in Houston, where he also owns a restaurant.

SMITH COUNTY — A Department of Public Safety trooper was injured in a 2-vehicle crash near Highway 64 East in Smith County. According to KETK, Trooper Jean Dark says her office was notified of the rollover wreck on Farm Road 848 and Spur 248 shortly after 12:15 yesterday afternoon. A preliminary crash investigation revealed a driver was headed north on FM 848 when that driver’s car, for unknown reasons, left the right side of the road and overcorrected into the southbound lane. The vehicle then slammed into the side of the trooper’s SUV and sent the vehicle rolling. The trooper had tried to avoid the crash, but was not able to. Dark said the trooper was taken to Mother Frances Hospital with minor injuries. The trooper’s name was not immediately released.

TYLER — A suspect in a Tyler bank robbery has been caught shortly after the crime was committed. And he was caught at his home only four blocks away. Shortly after 1:00 yesterday afternoon, Tyler police responded to Regions Bank at 100 East Ferguson. According to police, Samuel Dwayne Carroll, 45, presented a note to the teller informing her that he was robbing the bank. After receiving the money, police say Carroll fled the bank on foot. No one was hurt. Continue reading Tyler Bank Robbed, Suspect Caught

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has begun construction of a multi-purpose, two-story facility that will be the UT Tyler Alumni House – the central home for all UT Tyler alumni. A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the latest addition to the Tyler campus was held Thursday in the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center Ballroom. At almost 13,000 square feet, the UT Tyler Alumni House will serve not only UT Tyler alumni but also the university and Tyler community. Continue reading UT Tyler Breaks Ground on Alumni House

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman remains in the Gregg County Jail after being accused of stabbing her boyfriend. Arrested in the 700 block of South Green Street around 11:00 Wednesday night was Latoya Washington, 31. She has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/family violence. The stabbing followed a domestic dispute. The victim was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment wof what was described as non-life threatening injuries.

MARSHALL – Authorities are putting out an alert for a man wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting a child. According to KETK, the Marshall Police Department is looking for 30-year-old Anthony Eric Villarreal. His last known address is 502 Locust Street in Marshall. The suspect is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 155 pounds. He is a Hispanic male and was last seen on April 8. Anyone with information on the location of Villarreal is asked to call the Marshall Police Department at (903)935-4575 or Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at (903) 935-9969.

TYLER — Sulphur Springs police have arrested 18-year-old Gregory Dequan DeBase of Sulphur Springs, a suspect in a robbery and shooting that occurred Monday on County Road 149 in southeastern Smith County. Officials say DeBase was arrested on a first-degree felony warrant issued in Smith County. Smith County Sheriff’s detectives acquired the arrest warrant Wednesday from 114th State District Judge Christi Kennedy, who set Debase’s bond at $150,000. Continue reading Suspect Arrested in Smith County Robbery/Shooting

WHITEHOUSE — A Whitehouse ISD school bus was involved in a minor vehicle accident just before 8:00 Thursday morning. According to KETK, eight students were on the bus when the accident occurred. One student was taken to a local hospital for precautionary measures at the request of the parent. The WISD school bus was leaving Wildcat Drive and turning South onto Texas 110 when the accident occurred. Both vehicles were driven away from the scene and no wrecker services were needed.

LONGVIEW — A voluntary evacuation has been lifted in South Longview and residents have been allowed to return to their homes. However streets around the train derailment remain closed. Five BNSF cars carrying liquefied petroleum, derailed around 10:30 Tuesday night. It occurred near the area of Cotton Street and Gum Springs Road. There were no reports of any cars leaking. There were no injuries. No word on what caused the derailment.

LONGVIEW — A shooting at McWhorter Park on Toler Road in Longview has left one man wounded. It was reported around 4:45 Wednesday afternoon. It is said to have followed an argument among several men. Police later found the victim at the Summer Lake Apartments on McCann Road. He was taken to Longview Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man has been arrested on drug and firearm charges. He is Theodore George Jones, 31. Members of the Marshall Police Department’s Marshall Criminal Apprehension Team were in the process of serving Jones with a felony warrant on separate charges when they smelled marijuana. After getting a search warrant, officers found seven rifles, two handguns and various narcotics and dangerous drugs. Jones has been charged with possession of a controlled substance less than 400 grams, felony one; possession of a controlled substance greater than one gram less than four grams felony two; prohibited weapon(firearm), felony three; unlawful possession of firearm by a felon, felony three; possession of dangerous drugs, misdemeanor A and possession of marijuana less than two ounces, misdemeanor B.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council voted unanimously to allow City Staff to advertise for bids for the renovation of an existing building for a new animal care facility. In December 2013, property at 4218 Chandler Highway was purchased for a permanent, city-owned animal care facility. The property includes ten acres of land and a 20,000-square-foot building. The architectural firm Freese and Nichols and their subcontractor who specializes in animal facilities, Designed Learned, Inc., were contracted to determine the needs of the facility, how the building and grounds should be utilized, and to design the renovation of the facility for the new, highly specialized use. Continue reading Tyler Seeking Bids for New Animal Care Facility

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has adopted a resolution for the City to apply for the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant and to commit matching funds for 5.6 miles of hike and bike trails along West Grande Boulevard to Cumberland Road and from Fresh Market on Old Jacksonville Road to Gresham. “Legacy Trails would be the first part of the 2010 Regional Trail Master Plan created by our citizens who serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organization,” said Carter Delleney, City engineer. “The trail also sets us up to meet goals in the Tyler 1st Plan.” The federally funded TAP grant provides opportunities to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience as outlined in 43 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 11.300-11.317 and 16.153-16.154. Allowable TAP projects include on and off-road trail facilities for pedestrian, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. Continue reading Tyler Moves Forward on Legacy Trails Project

TYLER — The East Texas Symphony Orchestra presents its “Sublime Finale” of the season this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. The concert will feature soprano Shannon Mercer and Music Director/Conductor Richard Lee. According to press materials from ETSO, it will be “an evening of moving and powerful music.” Mercer will be featured in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 and Berg’s “Seven Early Songs.” Faure’s Pavane will be another featured piece. Continue reading East Texas Symphony Orchestra Finale Set for Saturday

HENDERSON — A lawsuit between an East Texas woman and the father of a family she’s accused of killing in a drunk driving crash last summer, has been disposed. The Rusk County District Clerk’s office tells KETK, the case against Shelby Taylor, 22, of Henderson, is sealed so they could not say if there was a settlement or if the case had been dropped. Taylor was indicted by a Rusk County Grand Jury last October on three charges of intoxication manslaughter. She waived her right to a pre-trial arraignment and pleaded not guilty. She is asking the jury to grant her community supervision as punishment because she has never been convicted of a felony in Texas. Continue reading Lawsuit Against Woman in Fatal East Texas Crash is Closed

LONGVIEW — A Longview accident has hospitalized five persons. The accident happened around 8:00 Tuesday night in the 3900 block of Loop 281. The accident occurred when a car driven by Wanda McCowan, of Longview, ended up in the opposite lane of traffic and hit a car driven by Connie Jimmerson of Longview. Jimmerson and a woman and two small children in the vehicle were injured as was McCowan. All were taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment. The investigation into the accident is continuing, but initial reports indicated alcohol may have played a part in the accident.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police are looking for the occupants of what may be a gray Pontiac in connection with a drive-by shooting the left three persons injured. It happened around 10:00 Tuesday night in the 1800 block of Douglass Road. The suspects are said to have fired on a car containing four persons. A woman passenger was shot in the upper body and a 4 year old boy was wounded in the leg. They were taken to a Nacogdoches hospital for treatment. The man driving the car suffered a superficial wound to his arm. According to a police department news release, a 2 year old who was also a passenger in the car, was not injured. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

TYLER — Tyler ISD will begin accepting inter-district transfer students, or students who live outside designated Tyler ISD school zones, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. Chief Student and Support Services Officer Ken Vaughn explains that inter-district transfers give parents and guardians more options for education that range from being able to attend a school closer to their home or having the option to choose a school that best fits the learning style. “Tyler ISD is a desirable option for parents who reside outside the Tyler ISD attendance boundary for many reasons, ranging from logics to academics. Previously, parents who requested admission to Tyler ISD were denied access to the excellent educational programs that are offered in the District.” Continue reading Tyler ISD Welcomes Inter-District Transfer Students

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches police are looking for the occupants of what may be a gray Pontiac in connection with a drive-by shooting the left three persons injured. It happened around 10:00 Tuesday night in the 1800 block of Douglass Road. The suspects are said to have fired on a car containing four persons. A woman passenger was shot in the upper body and a 4 year old boy was wounded in the leg. They were taken to a Nacogdoches hospital for treatment. The man driving the car suffered a superficial wound to his arm. According to a police department news release, a 2 year old who was also a passenger in the car, was not injured. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

EAST TEXAS — The boil water notice issued by the West Gregg Special Utilities District has been lifted. The order was issued Saturday for persons living from Interstate Highway 20 to State Highway 31 between Tyler and Kilgore. Because of a water main break Saturday, people living in that area were told to boil their water for at least two minutes before cooking, drinking or making ice. The boil water notice for that area has been lifted and the water is safe to consume.

LONGVIEW — A family of four have been displaced by a Longview fire. The blaze in the 400 block of Thelma Street was reported shortly before 3:45 Tuesday afternoon. It was said to be under control in about 20 minutes. No injuries have been reported and the cause has not been determined.