KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE – The City of Palestine will spray for mosquitoes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Between the hours of 9:00pm on Tuesday to 5:00am on Wednesday, sprayers will be dispatched to Area 5. This encompasses the streets of Park Avenue north to the city limits near Kenny and Gardner Drive, and from Avenue A and Texas 155 east to the city limits. You can go to the City of Palestine’s website at cityofpalestinetx.com for a full map of the spraying areas.

TYLER – A year-long narcotics investigation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety has resulted in 10 persons indicted on federal and state drug and firearm charges. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said the investigation began in June of last year. It has resulted in six people being indicted nearly a week and a half ago by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute and possess methamphetamine. The indictments on four others were on state charges. Investigators recovered around a 1 kilogram of methamphetamine and seized around 15 firearms, two of which were stolen. Continue reading Ten East Texans Facing Drug and Weapons Charges.

GILMER – A couple is indicted in Upshur County in the death of a Longview woman. According to the Upshur County District Attorney’s office, Lindsey Jo McFadden, 29, of Longview, and Carlton Lamar Grant, 37, from the Metroplex, have been indicted for capital murder. They are charged in the April death of Rachel Rhoads, 24. The couple are said to have been trying to kidnap her when they strangled her and set her body on fire off Farm Road 726. McFadden and Rhoads were said to be friends of the victim, who attended drug rehab classes together. Continue reading Two Indicted in Longview Woman’s Death

TYLER – The new director of the Center for Earth & Space Science Education at Tyler Junior College is Dr. Beau Hartweg. He began his duties last week. As TJC science center director, Hartweg is responsible for creating science-related programming including dome shows, exhibits and events; working closely with area schools to coordinate field trips; developing grant proposals; and serving as the center’s community and media representative. He comes to Tyler from TCU where most recently he has been an adjunct professor of science content for elementary teachers.

KILGORE — A man has died after being hit by a train in Kilgore while he was walking along the tracks. He has been identified as Jeremy Nathan Owens, 38, of Kilgore. The accident happened around 5:00 Sunday afternoon near Longview Street. Authorities say Owens was walking east when hit by the east bound Union Pacific train. Kilgore police say the conductor sounded the horn when they saw a man on the tracks. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER – An appeals court has upheld the murder conviction of a Tyler woman. The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has affirmed the conviction of Louise Anderson, 49. Last September, a jury found her guilty of the murder of her boyfriend, John Wayne Pierce, 58, of Tyler. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison. In December of 2015, Pierce was shot once in the parking lot of the Game Room on Highway 31 West. The shooting is said to have followed an argument between the two.

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an aggravated robbery. Officials said just after 1:30 Saturday morning, a Rudy’s Taco employee was closing the store on Old Highway 135 South, in Kilgore, when he was approached by two armed men. The suspects took multiple items, including a significant amount of cash from the restaurant and employees, then fled on foot. One victim said he saw two white passenger cars leaving the area from across the road just after the robbery, which he believed may be involved. EMS transported a juvenile victim to an area hospital for non life-threatening injuries received from being struck by one of the suspects. The suspects were said to be black males, dressed in dark clothing.

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of July 2. Note: TxDOT offices will be closed, Wednesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. TxDOT is not allowing lane closures on I-20 this coming week due to increased holiday traffic. Summer seal coat operations continue in the district. Motorists should expect lane closures and delays during this work. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/026-2018.html for a full rundown of what’s on tap around the district.

AUSTIN — Keep Chandler Beautiful is one of five local beautification programs to win the first ever 2018 Recycle 2 Support Recycling Grants under a partnership between Keep Texas Beautiful and Recycle 2 Support. The grants will provide the communities with monetary assistance to help strengthen their local recycling programs, according to a news release. Keep Chandler Beautiful will use its grant to grade and pave a 400-square-foot area on a major street to help make room for a paper and plastic roll off container and aluminum collection bin. Recycle 2 Support is a company that provides recycling opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

LONGVIEW — A woman is dead after being hit by two vehicles while crossing Longview’s Loop 281 Saturday morning around 5:15 near the Birdsong Street intersection. When officers arrived they were told the woman was walking in the middle of the Loop’s inside westbound lane when she was struck by a truck. She was then hit by another vehicle and died at the scene. She did not have any identification on her, and her body was sent for autopsy. Police continue to investigate.

GLADEWATER – An apparent murder-suicide is under investigation by Gladewater police. According to our news partner KETK, police responded around 4 p.m. Friday to a residence on Shell Circle and discovered the bodies of the two sole occupants. The preliminary investigation indicates Sarah Maines, 65, died after being shot by her husband, William Maines, 66. It is believed William then shot himself to death. Autopsies have been ordered.

TYLER — Smith County judicial records show 40-year-old Larry Cowart, a suspect in a June 9 homicide, has been released from jail. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies were initially sent to a location on CR 1145 around 2:20 a.m. on June 9 but initiated a traffic stop in Tyler after learning the victim was being transported in a private vehicle. EMS was called after 43-year-old Heath Bearden was seen unresponsive in the passenger seat, and Smith says Bearden was dead on arrival of EMS. Witnesses said several people were at Cowart’s home when Cowart shot Bearden once in the chest. An autopsy was ordered, and a bond of $750,000 was recommended for Cowart.

TYLER – Two suspects wanted in connection with gas skimming cases in Tyler have been arrested in Mexico. Jorge Rondon Martinez and Leidy Labrada De La Guardia, both Cuban nationals, who were considered to be key figures in the skimming operation, fled the country. They had been wanted on charges of engaging in organized crime and unlawful interception, use or disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications. Thanks to liaison by the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Secret Service with the Mexican Federal Police, they were taken into custody by Mexican authorities on Thursday. Tyler Investigators took custody of the two in Houston on Friday and are bringing them to the Smith County Jail. State District Judge Jack Skeen has set each of their bonds at $2,250,000.

GLADEWATER – The Texas Transportation Commission has approved about $1 million for Gladewater Municipal Airport. The money will be used for pavement improvements and other improvements. A project contract bid is due to be completed this summer. Project costs will be funded through the city of Gladewater and TxDOT’s Aviation Facilities Grant Program.

TYLER – The trial of a former Tyler nurse, who is accused of murder, has been scheduled for later this year. Judicial records indicate the trial of William George Davis, 34, of Hallsville, is set for December 3rd in State District Judge Christi Kennedy’s courtroom. Davis was indicted last week for murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Davis is a former nurse at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital and the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. He is accused of killing a heart patient and injuring at least six others.

TYLER – A new park is opening in Tyler for the four-legged member of your family. The SPCA of East Texas invites you to the Bossart Bark Park Grand Opening Celebration. It will be on Saturday from 10:00 till 2:00 on West Grande Boulevard. It is an 8 acre community park for you and your pups. They say you are invited to join them for food trucks and sweet treats. It should be a lot of fun, no mellon collie there.

AUSTIN – A Smith County woman has been named to a state health council. Governor Gregg Abbot has named 3 persons to the Texas Diabetes Council for terms set to expire on February 1, 2023. One of those is Ardis Reed of Hideway. She is a is a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian with the Trinity Mother Francis Health Quality Institute. The state council addresses issues affecting people with diabetes in Texas. It also advises the state legislature on legislation that is needed to develop and maintain a statewide system of quality education services to all people with diabetes and health professionals who offer diabetes treatment and education.

GREGG COUNTY — An East Texas man, who had a case dismissed against him in connection with a shootout at a Waco restaurant in May 2015, has been arrested on multiple charges including attempted capital murder of a peace officer or fireman. According to our news partner KETK, Jason Alan Dillard, 42, of Winona, was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety Friday morning. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on numerous charges including: Evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, unlawful carrying of a weapon, driving while intoxicated (3rd or more), reckless driving, failing to signal during lane change, speeding in a construction zone and deadly conduct (discharge of a firearm). Dillard’s case regarding the Waco biker shootout was dismissed May 4, by McLennan County prosecutors.

TYLER – A south Tyler restaurant will be shutting its doors. Saturday will be the last day of business for TGI Fridays at South Broadway and the Loop. In an email to KTBB, Brian Conway in the corporate offices said he could not provide specific details, but the closure was a business decision. The company released the following statement, “Due to business reasons, the TGI Fridays restaurant on S. Broadway Avenue in Tyler, TX will be closed as of July 1. This was a very difficult decision that was not made lightly, as we understand the impact it has on our Guests who enjoyed dining with us and on our Team Members. We’re working closely with our Team Members to provide job assistance, and we appreciate and thank all who have visited our restaurant over the years.” Conway said they will do as much as they can to assist the employees during the transition.

LONGVIEW – During Thursday’s meeting, the Longview city council named Keith Bonds as city manager. Bonds had been serving as acting city manager since the first of the year, following the retirement of City Manager David Willard at the end of last year. Bonds has served as assistant city manager since 2014 and has worked for the city of Longview since 1999. Prior to becoming assistant city manager, he served in a variety of roles including director of public works, director of water utilities, and utility engineer. Bonds is a Texas Licensed Professional Engineer with a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

TYLER – Rabbi Neal Katz is officially on the November ballott. The Texas Secretary of State has certified Katz as an independent candidate for House District 6, which includes 76% of Smith County. The only other candidate is the incumbent, Republican Matt Schaefer. There is no Democratic candidate. Katz, 45, is the rabbi for Temple Beth El in Tyler and has lived in Tyler for 15 years.

TYLER – Officers have completed a two day check of sex offenders living in Smith County. The checks were done by a team of around 30 officers from a variety of law enforcement agencies coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Of the 383 persons who were investigated, 363 were in compliance. Four were found to be out of compliance. One offender was arrested for failing to comply with registration during the check. A second person at the location was arrested for an outstanding warrant. No word at this time on the other 15 offenders.
According to Sheriff Larry Smith, verification checks of this type are unannounced and comprehensive.

PALESTINE – A portion of Old Elkhart Road near the entrances to Walmart and Brookshire’s Grocery Store has been closed due to a downed overhead communication line. Firefighters estimate the road should be open by this evening. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and watch out for workers in the area.

TYLER – A Tyler father, accused of critically injuring his infant daughter, is now charged with her death. Four month old Sofia Ibarra died Thursday morning soon after being removed from life support at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Her dad, Andres Guadalupe Ibarra, 19, has now been charged with capital murder. He remains in the Smith County Jail under a new bond of $1 million. He told sheriff’s department investigators that he hit the child in the ribs and abdomen with his fist four or five times and then threw her. After the Sunday night incident he went outside and smoked marijuana and then went to sleep. He discovered the next morning the child was pale and not breathing normally and took her to a Tyler hospital. An autopsy will be performed by a Dallas lab.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man will have a long time to think about his 7th DWI conviction. After Fred Elton Alexander, 72, was found guilty of DWI, a Gregg County jury sentenced him to 99 years in prison. While on parole last September, Alexander was arrested at the Tree House Apartments on Avalon Street. According to the police report, he claimed the public handicap parking spot was his, cursed at the person parked there and threatened to slash the person’s tires if the vehicle wasn’t moved. He then backed into a fence. When arrested, his alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is once again stepping up its patrols targeting DWI drivers over the 4th of July Holiday. The extra patrols start Friday night at 8:00 and will run through 2:00 next Thursday morning. The department is one again participating in a state grant that will provide funding to the department to bring in officers who are not on regular patrol. If a suspected drunk driver refuses to take a breath or blood test, a search warrant will be obtained to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. Tyler police public information officer Don Martin says the no refusal program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers.

TYLER – Four out of state shoplifters have been arrested by Tyler police. A merchant in The Village at Cumberland Park on South Broadway notified police around 9:00 Wednesday evening. A police officer working security for the shopping center saw the women leave the store and place the merchandise in their vehicle. After being spotted, the women ran. They were found hiding behind a hotel in the shopping center. Officers determined that they had stolen over a $1,000.00 worth of merchandise from several merchants and it was recovered. One of the suspects is from Shreveport, the others from Natchitoches, Louisiana.

VAN – Adults and children without health insurance can receive free health care in Van. East Texas Medical Outreach is holding the event at the Van Junior High School from 8:00am till 4:00pm on Friday. The free services that will be provided include immunizations, student athlete physicals and breast cancer screenings. There will also be biometric screenings, such as blood pressure, BMI, glucose, and cholesterol. Information will also be provided on Diabetes management and prevention and the importance of dental hygiene. All services will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis. And they ask you to bring your own drinks and snacks, in case there may be extended wait times for some services.