KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BEN WHEELER — To help raise funds for victims of the tornadoes that ripped through Van Zandt County April 29, a benefit concert is taking place from 12:30 p.m. to midnight today at The Pickin’ Porch Park in historic downtown Ben Wheeler. The Van Zandt County Twister Relief Concert features a long list of talented musicians who are stepping forward to donate their time to the cause. Confirmed performers include Neal McCoy, Jeff Allen, the Wesley Pruitt Band, Will Burgin, Clay Thrash, Austin Layne, Heather Little, Meredith Crawford, Seek the Peace, Buddy and the Flashbacks, Diamondback TX, Chad Bennett, TuTu Jones, and blacktopGYPSY. Continue reading Van Zandt County Twister Relief Concert

TYLER – With summer approaching, the Tyler Fire Department and several other agencies re-grouped Friday to finalize the draft for their 2017 Heat Response Plan. KETK reports it’s nothing new, but they continue to meet each year to make sure the public is informed properly. “It’s not uncommon to hear about heat related injuries, of course, and illnesses — but also, unfortunately, deaths,” said Tyler Fire Marshal Paul Findley. “Also tied to that, the incidents of children in vehicles.” Findley points to “some startling statistics on how hot it can get inside of an enclosed vehicle.” Their drafted plan shows if the outside temperature is 95 degrees, within an hour the interior air temperature of a car is around 140 degrees. Continue reading Officials Prepare for East Texas Heat

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a theft suspect. The theft occurred on Wednesday at Texas Best Smokehouse on Eastman Road. The man in the pictures is suspected of taking a Husqvarna Backpack Blower. If you can supply information about the man, you are asked to contact Lieutenant Hope at 903-234-3118, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867), or greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

TYLER – A man accused of robbing Rotolos Pizza in Tyler last December will be spending a long time in prison. Freddy Lee Criss, 55, was sentenced Friday by state District Judge Jack Skeen to 6 life prison sentences. He had pleaded guilty to five counts of aggravated robbery and one count of evading arrest. As officers arrived at the restaurant, they saw his vehicle leaving. A chase followed. It ended when Criss wrecked on South Broadway at Loop 49. He then tried to flee on foot, but was arrested after a short chase. Criss has a criminal history spanning over three decades, including bank robbery. In July of 2009, Criss pleaded guilty to the April 2009, robbery of the First National Bank of Emory. He was out of prison on supervised release in the federal bank robbery case when he robbed the Tyler business.

TYLER – The Faulkner Park sprayground has closed for cleaning. The sprayground at 410 West Cumberland Road is expected to reopen Saturday morning at 9:00.

CANTON – A suspect has been arrested in a Van Zandt County road rage shooting that killed a Smith County man. Ryan Mullee, 39 of Lindale was shot to death on Interstate Highway 20 in February of last year. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s office has announced that a suspect in the slaying is in custody in the metroplex. 32 year old Son Duong of Grand Prairie is currently in jail in Arlington on local drug charges along with multiple warrants, including the Mullee murder. He will be transported to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office upon release from Arlington Police Department. Continue reading Suspect in Custody in Van Zandt County Road Rage Shooting

LONGVIEW – The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center is bulging at the seams. To help to find homes for the felines, all cats are free for approved applications. As far as the dogs, they say, make us a deal on dogs we can’t refuse (upon application approval). Also, all will be spay/neutered, 1st set of vaccinations, 30 day flea treatment, wormed, rabies vaccination (if old enough) AND 30 days of free pet health insurance. The center says this would cost you close to $400 on that dog you saw for sale online or in a parking lot. The center, located at 303 H.G. Mosley Parkway, is open from 11:00am till 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday.

LONGVIEW – Four men have been arrested in Longview in separate cases of soliciting minors. The sting operation was headed up by the Child Exploitation Unit of the Texas Attorney Generals Office. The four thought they were making arrangements with a 15 year old to have sex. It turned out they were corresponding with an officer in an undercover operation. Arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor, sexual conduct, were 27 year old Nehemias Pineda, of Tyler, (pictured) 49 year old Johnny Houston Jr. of Gilmer, 29 year old Joaquin Pineda of Henderson, and 32 year old Shane Jeffery Chapman of Hallsville. Chapman was also charged with unlawfully carrying a handgun.

PALESTINE – An alarm sent Palestine police to the Trinity Valley Teachers Credit Union on Loop 256. The call came in just after 3:30 Thursday morning. Arriving officers found the ATM at the Credit Union had been removed. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW – Atmos Energy customers in Longview will be seeing an increase in natural gas rates. The Longview city council yesterday approved a 7% rate hike for the company. The company had proposed an 8% increase. But Longview and other cities negotiated the rate lower. The city council vote for the hike was 6 to 1, with councilman David Wright voting against it. He said the company had raised its rates at least 5% for each of the past two years. But inflation had only increased around 2%

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Governor Greg Abbott has visited a gun range to sign a law reducing Texas’ fees for licenses to carry handguns to the lowest in the nation. The bill, which was penned by State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, drop from $140 to $40, the cost of first-time permits, and from $70 to $40 fees for 5-year-renewals. The governor then took target practice, as he often does after signing gun bills. The National Rifle Association said Texas’ gun carry fees are now America’s lowest. Continue reading Governor Signs a Law Authored by an East Texas Lawmaker

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is once again stepping up its patrols targeting DWI drivers over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. The department is 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. And besides looking for the drunk driver, officers will also be checking to make sure everyone is buckled up. The no refusal campaign started Friday and will run through Monday.

KAUFMAN — A Gun Barrel City man has pleaded guilty to the murder of his next-door neighbor in a love triangle. Donald Coleman said John Morgan was dating his estranged wife. So in March of last year, he followed Morgan to the Kaufman Walmart, shot and killed Morgan, then turned the gun on himself. But he survived. Morgan’s daughter, Shauna Constantine, says it happened while she and her dad were having a rough time in their relationship — something she never got to patch up. Coleman, who was left with a permanent brain injury, took a 38-year prison term. A prosecutor says it will effectively keep Coleman, 59, locked up for the rest of his life.

LONGVIEW – One person has been killed in a Longview accident. The motorcycle-truck accident was reported just before 1:00 Thursday afternoon on West Loop 281 and Ray Street. Pronounced dead at a Longview hospital was Charles Tems, 40, of Gladewater. Investigators report Tems was westbound on Loop and was not wearing a helmet. The truck was making a left turn from the center lane of the loop onto Ray Street. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER- A scholarship has been created at Tyler Junior College for students in the school’s Associate Degree Nursing program. The Smith County Medical Society Alliance presented school trustees on Wednesday a check for $30,250 to create the endowed scholarship. The endowment will allow TJC to award a $1,200 scholarship each year to a deserving nursing student. Funds for the scholarship were raised through the medical alliance’s book sales held in April and October.

KILGORE – A Gregg County woman has been arrested for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart in Kilgore. She is also charged with assaulting the arresting officers. Arrested was Megan Elizabeth Curl, 19, of Longview. She has been charged with theft of property, resisting arrest/search/transport, five counts of assault of a public servant and five counts of harassment of a public servant. She is said to have spit on the officers and tried to injure a firefighter. Her bonds total $81,000.

TYLER – For the second straight year, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) will give back to the East Texas region. Last year, NET RMA awarded Gregg County $400,000 in funds towards the reconstruction and improvement of intersection U.S. Highway 259 at Hawkins Parkway. This year, Upshur County will receive $250,000 for its project, Wood County will receive $172,183 and Kaufman County gets a check for $77,817. The funds come from revenues from Toll 49 in 2016. Continue reading NET RMA Announces Priority Project Winners

TYLER – A Tyler plastic surgeon has been found negligent in a Facebook posting case. The Tyler jury found Dr. James Motlagh guilty and awarded his patient $140,000. The Tyler plastic surgeon posted video taken in the operating room just before surgery. The patients lawyer, Jim Rodman of Austin, said the video showed his patient under general anesthesia. Her face, breast and pubic area were exposed and the patient was identifiable. Last year, Dr. Motlagh was sanctioned by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners for this incident.

LONGVIEW – Longview detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle theft suspect. The man is thought to have stolen a vehicle at Gill Food Mart on South High Street on Monday. He is described as heavy set, about 30 years of age and has brown hair. They also warn that you not try to apprehend him yourself. Instead, contact your local police or sheriff’s department. You can also contact Detective Fred Runnels 903-237-1146, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #17-5971.

MARSHALL – A man wanted in a kidnapping in Marshall two years ago has been arrested. Marshall police confirm that Antonio Dante Rivers was arrested last weekend in Berkley, California. An extradition hearing is pending regarding his transfer back to Texas. Rivers and Lionel Ray Wheeler had been accused of kidnapping a man who had given them a ride to an auto parts store on May 10, 2015. The driver was able to get away and call police. The car was later found abandoned and Wheeler was later arrested.

TYLER — Smith County authorities are investigating a counterfeiting case. On May 9, deputies responded to a call regarding suspects passing at least three $50 bills at a location on Hwy. 110 North. The complainant said the money was checked with a counterfeit pen but the pen did not detect the fake money. According to a sheriff’s office news release, it is believed that the suspects are trying to recruit employees to assist them with their attempts to pass the bogus bills. Merchants are advised to be aware of this scam, and to instruct employees on procedures for verifying the currency that they are processing. Continue reading Smith County Authorities Probe Counterfeiting Case

GREGG COUNTY — Two suspects have been arrested this week after a woman was assaulted and forced out of her car. Nicole Marie Fenton, 27, Ore City, and Nickolas Thomas Patrick Hamilton, 21, Longview, were charged with aggravated robbery, according to the Longview News-Journal. The incident happened May 18th north of Longview. Continue reading Aggravated Assault Suspects Arrested

TYLER – The city council has approved a zone change that paves the way for a loft project in downtown Tyler. It will go on land previously owned by King Chevrolet. The council’s action makes possible the construction of a $12 million project that includes the construction of 96 apartment lofts. There will be 45 one-bedroom units on the ground floor and 51 two-bedroom units, which will be two-story townhome style apartments. There will also be 4,800 square feet dedicated to retail space, and 3/4 of an acre green to be dedicated to open space. The property is bounded by West Ferguson Street on the north and West Erwin Street on the south. This is land owned by the city, which had previously approved its sale.

MARSHALL – A man charged with manslaughter in a Marshall death has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Leon Bowman, 30, was charged with the March 3rd shooting death of his brother, Michael Phelps Jr., 22, The shooting occurred at the Belaire Manor Apartment complex on Paula Street. In a plea agreement, Bowman pleaded guilty Wednesday to negligent homicide. He was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication, ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, perform 300 hours of community service and attend a drug and alcohol abuse course. He also has to give up the gun used in the shooting.

TYLER – Two Longview men have pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to drug trafficking violations. Quintus Dewayne Shaw (pictured), 30, and Jonathan Lavel Wilson, 35, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a playground. Shaw also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal prosecutors say both men participated in the distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Longview playground. Shaw was found to be in possession of the firearm when officers executed a search warrant at a Longview residence back in January. A sentencing hearing for the two will be held at a later date.

TYLER – From 4:00 till 7:00 on Thursday, the Tyler Main Street Department and Historic Preservation Program will host an “Imagine the Possibilities Tour.” For those who are curious about business or living spaces in downtown Tyler, you will be able to see what’s available. The event is serving as the local launch of a new statewide effort to focus attention on the potential of living and working in older buildings. The tour will start at Liberty Hall on East Erwin Street. The tours are free and open to the public.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in a theft case. It occurred last Friday at the Dollar Tree on Business 259 in Kilgore. If you are able to identify the woman in the photo please contact Detective Kay Lynn Newbill by email at kay.newbill@cityofkilgore.com or call 903-218-6907 You can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903 236 STOP. Refer to KPD Incident #1705-1228.

LONGVIEW — Safety City of Longview has received a $5,000 donation from the Joy Global Foundation. KETK reports it’s part of a $1 million campaign to raise funds for an interactive fire safety theater. Safety City is a miniature version of Longview that is used to teach safety tips to children. The Longview Fire Department says the project involves a 2,800-square foot building that will house four different interactive rooms to put the kids in a real world scenario. Fire officials say the city is always accepting donations to continue the campaign.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Big Pines Blues Festival has announced the names of 15 finalists for the festival’s “Junior Showcase” competition. The young guitar slingers will face off in head-to-head competition to determine the winners in two age groups on Saturday morning, June 3, on the Maude Cobb Rodeo Arena stage. Contestants in Grades 6 through 8, along with their home towns, are Ryan Groom, Kemp; Cody Lattis, Murchison; Harleigh Lodato, Athens; Ben Smiley, Larue; Elijah Thompson, Marshall; and Jackson Zemler, Lewisville. Grade 9-12 hopefuls are Will Beeman, Nashville, Tenn.; Kurtis Bell, Longview; Brody Blanton, Henderson; Derian Hadley, Canton; Ethan Kuntz, Murfreesboro, Ark.; Mathias Lattin, Houston; Liam McCabe, Grapevine; Noah McCray, Mount Vernon; and Grant Mcinnis, Bullard.

TYLER — City of Tyler employee Joy Fry was honored at Wednesday’s City Council Meeting with a service award for her 25 years with the Tyler Police Department. According to a city news release, Mrs. Fry began with the department in April of 1992. Beginning in Data Management, she was named Employee of the year in 1996. A few years later, she was promoted to administrative secretary, a position she still holds. City officials say Mrs. Fry is an important part in preparing the yearly budget and keeps documents up to date for all employees and retirees.