KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man has been arrested after he’s accused of indecency with a child by sexual contact. According to KETK, Bradley Dewayne Smith, 38, was taken into custody around 5:15 Monday evening. The alleged crime occurred on October 23, 2016. Smith is being held in the Gregg County Jail without bond.

TYLER – Smith County authorities have officially identified a couple killed in a murder/suicide, and identified the shooter. They are Charles Moore, 55, who Sheriff Larry Smith identified as the shooter, and his girlfriend, Gwendolyn Dorsey, 25. They were found dead just after 1:00 Saturday afternoon at a home on County Road 272, in the Chapel Hill area. Their bodies were in advanced stages of decomposition. Smith said two handguns were located near the bodies and it appeared both had been fired inside the residence. An autopsy was ordered, but that report has yet to come back.

TYLER – A Dallas man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Tyler to drug violations. Sharjeel Jeff Ali, 29, pleaded guilty Monday in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nicole Mitchell. He had been charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and engaging in monetary transactions in a criminal activity. It is said to have occurred at a Tyler business. A co defendant, Saleem Jeffer Jiwani, pleaded guilty in the case last week. Their sentencing hearings have not yet been set. Continue reading Another Guilty Plea in a Tyler Drug Case

TYLER – Tyler school trustees, Monday afternoon, named Gilmer coach Kurt Traylor at the new head football coach at Robert E Lee High School. Traylor has been Gilmer’s offensive line and running game coordinator for 17 years. In that time, the Buckeyes have been to the state championship 5 times, winning three state titles. And the team has won 15 district championships. Traylor becomes the fourth head coach at Tyler Lee since 2010. He succeeds Clayton George, who resigned from the Tyler Lee job May 25 after one season. He made the announcement following the team’s spring game. He told the district athletics director Greg Priest his resignation was family related. Continue reading Robert E. Lee’s New Football Coach

TYLER – Cumberland Road from Old Jacksonville to Blue Mountain Road in Tyler will be closed till 5:00 this afternoon so Longview Road and Bridge can do base repairs. Both eastbound and westbound lanes will be closed, with one lane remaining open for traffic. Travelers may use Blue Mountain Road as a detour.

TYLER – A Van Zandt County man will have to spend time in jail for a gambling violation. John Borgstedt, 38, of Ben Wheeler, was sentenced Monday to six months in the Smith County Jail. He was indicted back in April for engaging in organized criminal activity. He had been accused of running an illegal gambling operation on Lindsey Lane in Tyler. He was arrested in late November after officers executed a search warrant at the location. Borgstedt is known for the book he wrote, “I Love you Mom, please don’t break my heart.” It is the true story of his journey through a childhood of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

TYLER – Tyler’s municipal court now has a location in the south part of the city. Tyler residents will now find the court also housed in the Faulkner Park police sub station on Cumberland Road. It is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am till noon and from 1:00 to 5:00pm. Should demand dictate, the number of days the court will be open could be expanded. There are no court cases heard at the south Tyler location, but you can pay fines, get your documents, and set a court date. If you have to see a judge, that will have to be done at the North Broadway site.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of June 5th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Smith County – Tyler Maintenance plans to perform base repairs on Farm Road 14 near the Sabine River. Spot seal operations could begin on State Highway 110North, weather permitting. Expect lane closures at both work locations with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

TYLER – The Salvation Army in Tyler is teaming up with some area businesses again this year for their annual Beat the Heat Fan Drive. The drive runs through the end of the month. Last year over 600 fans were handed out to those seeking relief from this East Texas heat. It may be hard to believe that there are residents who don’t have air conditioning. But agencies tell us there are many who don’t. And the fans that are handed out could literally be a life saver. Continue reading Salvation Army Fan Drive Has Started

MARSHALL — A Harrison County mother and her parents have been indicted by a Harrison County grand jury in connection with the death of her 18-month-old son and negligence of his twin. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, the mother, April Lynn Gibbons, 34, was indicted on a murder charge. She also was indicted on charges of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. Her parents, Carla Darlene Evans, 57, and Gary Mitchell Evans, 60, were indicted on two counts of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. Continue reading Family Indicted in Death of Toddler

SMITH COUNTY — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a residence on CR 272, in the Chapel Hill area of Smith County, where two bodies were found. Sheriff Larry Smith said the bodies were in advanced stages of decomposition. He identified the two as Charles Moore, 55, and his girlfriend, Gwen Dorsey, 25. They were found dead inside the house just after 1:00 Saturday afternoon. Smith said two handguns were located near the bodies and it appeared both had been fired inside the residence. At this point in the investigation, Sheriff Smith said it looks like a murder/suicide. The bodies have been sent for autopsy.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Thursday after police said he hit his boyfriend with a baseball bat and punched him in the eye. According to the Longview News-Journal and KETK, Christopher Alan York Jr., 29, was held Friday in the Gregg County Jail on $10,000 bond, charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Officers responded about 3 p.m. Thursday to the 1000 block of Webster Street in reference to an assault. Police said York and his boyfriend got into an argument, and York began assaulting him. Police said as the victim walked outside into the driveway, York approached him holding a knife and a baseball bat. Continue reading Longview Man Accused of Beating Boyfriend with Bat

TYLER — The City of Tyler Water Utilities recently experienced a wastewater collection discharge at West Northwest Loop 323 and Texas College Road that meets the notification requirements of the TCEQ. Subsequent to the significant rain event which occurred on June 2 and 3, the City of Tyler West Side wastewater collection facility discharged more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater mixed with storm water (rain water) into Black Fork Creek. The location of the manhole where the discharge occurred is at West Northwest Loop 323 and Texas College Road, flowing north into Black Fork Creek. The discharge predominantly consisted of storm water which entered the wastewater collection system at a partially collapsed 42 inch sewer main. Continue reading City of Tyler Wastewater Facility Spillover

GREGG COUNTY — A Gregg County woman has died after being run over by two cars Saturday evening. According to KETK, the accident happened just after 9:30 on Highway 149, southeast of Longview. The preliminary report shows Tekita Marshall, 46, was crossing the street when she was hit by a truck. DPS Troopers said she was wearing dark clothes, making it hard for her to be seen. After being hit by the first vehicle she was then run over by a second vehicle. Marshall died at the scene. It’s unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to an attempted armed robbery at the Star Mart, 2030 West Gentry Parkway, Sunday night. According to the store’s clerk, around 9:20, a masked Hispanic male, armed with a handgun, entered the store. The clerk ran back into the storage room and locked the door, then called 911. The suspect was unable to obtain any cash from the store due to the quick thinking of the clerk. The store’s video indicated that the suspect was driving a Black, Dodge Journey, 4 door vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police.

EAST TEXAS — Two suspected shoplifters are facing charges in Marshall following a high-speed chase. The suspects were identified as Erin Robinson, 29 and Whitney Williams, 24, both of Shreveport. It started just before 9:00 Friday night when Marshall Police received a call regarding a shoplifting that had just occurred at Walmart on East End Boulevard South. Responding officers spotted a car matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop and fled on Highway 80 East, eventually getting onto Interstate 20. The chase ended in West Shreveport when the suspects wrecked their car. They were both transported to University Health hospital in Shreveport with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Once released from the hospital, Robinson and Williams will be charged with evading arrest and theft.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County man remains in jail after being charged with another bank robbery. Hector Camargo, 48, of Kilgore, had been charged with robbing a bank in Liberty City in April and Kilgore last December. He is now accused of a Longview bank robbery last November. He has been charged with three counts of bank robbery and two counts of possessing a firearm during a violent crime. Camargo is now facing fine of up to $250,000 on each of the five charges. He also could get up to 20 years in prison on each bank robbery charge and up to 5 years in prison on each of the weapons charges. He’s in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $205,000. Continue reading A Third Bank Robbery Charge Hangs Over a Kilgore Man

TYLER – A man accused of taking part in a Tyler robbery last November has been sentenced to prison. Breshawn Cathey, 22, of Tyler, was sentenced by State District Judge Jack Skeen to12 years in prison. He was also credited to 208 days credit for time served. Cathey was one of three men accused of attacking and robbing a 71 year old man on West Gentry Parkway. A witness gave police a description of the suspects’ vehicle. Two of the suspects were arrested after running away from ther vehicle. The third suspect was arrested later. The other two suspects in the case, Kenjorian Walker, 18, of Tyler and the alleged driver, Demetrice Watson, 19, of Mansfield, are due in court later this month.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man is announcing he will be a candidate to represent the state’s 1st Congressional District in Washington, the spot now held by Tyler Republican Louie Gohmert. The formal announcement from Brent Beal will come at at 9:00 Saturday morning at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse. Then, he will then be making stops around the district. He will be in Longview Monday evening at 6:00 at the Silver Grizzly Espresso on West Tyler Street. Beal, who is a business professor at The University of Texas at Tyler, will be running in the Democratic Primary. Beal is critical district’s current congressman. He said, “Gohmert has failed to represent East Texans beyond those in his far-right GOP base.”

DENVER, Col. – Chipotle Mexican Grill says a data breach, first reported in April, has affected most of its restaurants, including those in our area. Following the completion of an investigation into the data breach, the company says the Tyler store on South Broadway and the Longview store on East Loop 281, were among those affected. The company said in a statement, they will continue to work with cyber security firms to evaluate ways to enhance their security measures. The stolen data included account numbers and internal verification codes. The malware has since been removed. The firm only recently recovered from sharply falling revenue following outbreaks of E. coli, salmonella and norovirus that sickened hundreds of people in late 2015.

MT. PLEASANT — DPS Troopers say the 18-wheeler driver who reportedly caused a deadly Mt. Pleasant bus crash had been ingesting methamphetamine. The Mt. Pleasant Tribune reports Bradley Farmer had nearly .2 grams of meth in his system. He died, along with a Mt. Pleasant softball coach, in the March 23 crash. Authorities say Farmer swerved into oncoming traffic, hitting the school bus carrying the boys’ track team. He then ran into a car, killing the driver, coach Angelica Beard.

TYLER — Graduation ceremonies for the Tyler high schools are this weekend. Robert E Lee held its graduation Friday night at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. The John Tyler High School graduation ceremony is Saturday night at 7:30 at the stadium. In the event that the John Tyler graduation is cancelled due to inclement weather, efforts will be made to hold the ceremony at Rose Stadium on Sunday. The Tyler Junior College Wagstaff Gymnasium will be the alternate location if inclement weather continues. The John Tyler ceremony at the stadium will air live on TISD-TV Channel 19 & the district website. In the event of inclement weather and graduation is moved to Wagstaff Gymnasium, live broadcasting will be unavailable on TISD-TV Channel 19 or the district website. The ceremonies will be recorded for DVD purchase. Any changes to the graduation plans will be communicated via the media, TISD-TV 19, Blackboard Connect phone messaging system, Facebook, Twitter and the district

TYLER – After over 50 years in healthcare leadership, J. Lindsey Bradley, Jr. is stepping down at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances effective June 30. Bradley is currently Senior Vice President of Group Operations and Chief Executive Officer of CHRISTUS Northeast and will continue in that role until the end of the month. This includes CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System. Bradley has been with the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System over 36 years. The search for his successor is underway. But looking at his accomplishments over three decades, he will be a tough act to follow. Continue reading Healthcare Leader Lindsey Bradley is Retiring

LONGVIEW – The Longview emergency shelter, which was opened following last weekend’s tornadoes, will be closing. The shelter was opened because so many residents were without power. Now that much of the power has been restored, the city and the American Red Cross plan to close the emergency shelter at the Longview Exhibit Building by 8:00pm on Friday. According to Fire Chief J.P. Steelman, “It is our understanding that AEP SWEPCO has made significant progress in restoring power to the area. We are thankful that the American Red Cross and Salvation Army worked together to make the emergency shelter an option for residents in need.” According to Tammy Prater with the American Red Cross, 38 persons used the shelter on Monday night, 29 on Tuesday night, 31 on Wednesday night, and 13 were expected to use the shelter on Thursday night.

TYLER – Tyler police are alerting residents about a scam by email. It has to do with municipal court. Police spokesman Don Martin says Tyler Municipal Court will not contact you by email and advise you to pay your fine. If you get such an email, just delete it. Only go to the Tyler Municipal Court website that is secure to take care of any payment transactions on line or go to the court in person.

TYLER — The city of Tyler reports the Bergfeld Park amphitheater renovation project is scheduled to be complete by June 22. The project started in 2011 with a master plan — which became reality after a $325,000 donation from the Centene Charitable Foundation. During a visit to the park with KETK, City Councilman Don Warren said, “The stage is large enough to seat an entire symphony.” Music, theater productions, and movies are among the events that could take place at the revamped facility. The city says the updated venue could be put into motion by the end of June. Warren said, “In the very front, we’ll have about 492 stadium seats which will be very comfortable — and then back here behind me, they’ll have grass seating.” Warren says he doesn’t expect the amphitheater to be a revenue generator — but simply something for families to enjoy.

EAST TEXAS – More hidden electronic devices have been found in gas pumps in East Texas. Lufkin police report the gas card skimmers were found in a couple of pumps at a convenience store on South First Street. Similar skimmers were found in pumps in Diana in April, in Marshall in March and in Tyler last September. The skimmers, which are found inside the pumps, are designed to steal a person’s credit card information. The thieves will use that information to duplicate a credit card and obtain cash funds and merchandise. Continue reading More Credit Card Skimmers Turn Up in East Texas

KILGORE – Kids in Kilgore may find themselves ticketed by the police this summer. Parents, don’t be alarmed. It means your kids are being good. Again this summer Kilgore police are participating in Operation Snow Cone. When a policeman sees a youngster performing a good deed, helping others, being respectful or giving back to the community they will hand out a coupon for a free snowcone at Charlie’s Snoballs. All of the Kilgore patrol officers will have the coupons. Some places they will be watching are parks, neighborhoods and even kids in cars who are wearing their seatbelts. The program is a great way for the officers to develop relationships with youngsters and help teach them the importance of making good choices, being considerate of others and doing the right thing.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Habitat veteran repair program was launched on Veterans Day 2015 with a grant from a local family foundation and. It has expanded each year. Now, the program is being expanded July first because of a grant from the Fund for Veterans Assistance. The money will go toward home repairs in partnership with US military veterans residing in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. They say the the repair program focuses on disrepair that threatens the health or safety of the home’s occupants. Cosmetic repairs are not eligible for the program. Continue reading Longview Veterans Home Repair Program is Expanding