KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW – An accident involving a train and a pickup remains under investigation in Longview. The accident happened around 2:30 Saturday morning at the railroad crossing on West Birdsong just west of Baxter Avenue. The Longview Police Department reports the pickup was east bound on West Birdsong when it ran underneath the train as it was traveling north. The owner and passenger of the pickup were able to exit the vehicle at the time of the accident and sustained only minor injuries.

TYLER – A man has been injured in a vehicle/bicycle accident in Tyler. It happened at 10:30 Saturday morning at the intersection of the Jacksonville Highway and Three Lakes Parkway. Hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries is Donnie Middlebrook, 66. Police spokesman Don Martin said Middlebrook was riding his bike in the crosswalk crossing the intersection heading east. The light turned green for the northbound lanes and traffic started to head north. The driver in the outside northbound lane struck Middlebrook as he crossed in front of him. The incident remains under investigation.

LIBERTY CITY – A suspect is in custody in connection with Friday’s robbery of the First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City. Charged with aggravated robbery is Hector Camargo age 48 of Kilgore. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail under a $100,000 bond. The robbery occurred around 12:30 Friday afternoon at the bank at the intersection of FM 1252 and Old Highway 135. Investigators began looking for a subject described as a white or Hispanic male, average build with a mustache, in his late 40s to early 50s, wearing a light gray colored shirt and faded pants who left the scene on foot and later entered a white Chevrolet Avalanche with a black bumper guard. Shortly after 2:45 that afternoon the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office received information that a person meeting the description was located at a business on Cotton Street in Longview. He was picked up by a state trooper on an unrelated charge. After searching his vehicle Camargo was charged with the robbery.

BULLARD – A man has been arrested following a lengthy standoff in Bullard. Justin Wilson, 27, of Brownsboro, was taken into custody and two kids who were with him were removed from the house. It all started early Saturday at a house on Farm Road 344 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 69. A report of a domestic disturbance brought Bullard police to the house where Wilson was in an argument with his girlfriend. Authorities were able to remove the woman from the area as Wilson barricaded himself inside with his two young kids. The assistance of the sheriff’s department SWAT team was requested by Bullard police. After several hours of talking with Wilson authorities were able to remove the kids from the house. About 5 minutes later, around 11:30, Wilson surrendered. He is named in an outstanding felony arrest warrant out from Henderson County.

LIBERTY CITY – The Sabine school system briefly locked down their campuses following the report of a bank robbery. The robbery occurred around 1:00 Friday afternoon at the First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department describes the robber as a white or Hispanic male wearing faded jeans and a light-colored shirt. He left in a white Chevrolet Avalanche with a black bumper guard.

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents of a K-9 scam that is making the rounds. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, someone is calling and asking for donations for the purchase of drug trained dogs. The caller says the “local sheriff’s office and police department budgets are depleted and the purchase of the K-9s from the public will help in the fight against drug trafficking.” Residents are told to ignore these calls, since law enforcement will not call and ask the public for any donations.

MARSHALL – The investigation continues in the death of a Marshall man. The death of Arturo Gonzalez, 42, is being investigated as an industrial accident. His body was found earlier week stuck in a kiln at Marshall Pottery. According to the Marshall News Messenger, Gonzalez was supervisor at Marshall Pottery where he had worked for the past 11 years.

ATHENS – Equipment and food have been stolen by burglars at Athens’ Cain Park 1 And 2. The break-in was discovered Thursday morning. the thieves cut the bars on the door to the concession building at Cain Park 1 and then cut the locks. The thieves removed two cash registers, emptied the food freezer, and made off with all of the chocolate candies in the refrigerator. They also took the popcorn machine, fryers, hot dog machine, crock pots and other cooking equipment. Losses from the concession stand has been placed at $10,000. The thieves also took around $3,000 worth of softball equipment.

TYLER – The Smith County grand Jury has indicted one of three suspects involved in the robbery of a Tyler gas station clerk with his murder. Police say Dameon Mosley, 35, of Tyler was one of three persons who robbed the Conoco gas station on North Northeast Loop 323 in late January. During the robbery a store employee, Billy Stacks, 62, was shot. He later died at a Tyler Hospital. Authorities say Mosely was the masked man who jumped over the counter. Stacks was shot twice as he struggled with the robber. Two other suspects in the case are charged with aggravated robbery. Continue reading Man Indicted in Death of Tyler Gas Station Clerk

AUSTIN – Unemployment in Texas went up slightly in March. But in East Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission reports the jobless numbers dropped last month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.0% in March, up slightly from 4.9% in February. But the opposite was true for Tyler and Longview. Tyler’s unemployment rate was 4/7% last month. That is down from 5.1% in February. But it is slighty above the 4.3% figure in March of last year. Longview’s unemployment rate went from 6.6% in February to 6.3% last month. That is still above the 5.5% figure in March of 2016.

SHREVEPORT – A Longview man and Shreveport woman have pleaded guilty in Shreveport federal court to drug distribution. Guadaloupe Ponte, 27, of Shreveport and Rogelio Lopez, 47, of Longview, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to KETK, the guilty pleas show the Drug Enforcement Administration learned Ponte was distributing methamphetamine in Shreveport. They recorded her on January 12 setting up sales and saw her traveling to meet Lopez. Continue reading Longview Man, Shreveport Woman Plead Guilty in Meth Case

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the two men who held up the Family Dollar store on the Troup Highway just south of Aberdeen Drive. It was reported just before 8:30 Thursday night. The suspects, described as two black males wearing masks and armed with guns, demanded money from the store employee. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the store and left on foot to the rear of the building. The suspects were described as one short, thin build and one tall and thin build. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW – A man accused in the stabbing deaths of two persons at a Longview hospital will be examined to determine if he’s competent to stand trial. Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, 26, of Longview is charged with capital murder. The stabbing deaths occurred November 26, 2013, at what was then Good Shepherd Medical Center Ambulatory Surgical Center. According to the Longview News Journal, Kevin Settle, one of Templeton’s court-appointed attorneys, filed a motion earlier this month asking that his client be examined. In the motion, Settle said jail records indicate Templeton has exhibited mental and behavioral issues since his arrest, including biting and tearing skin from his wrist as well as speaking incoherently and refusing to eat. Continue reading Competency Exam Scheduled for Longview Murder Suspect

FRANKSTON – Authorities continue their investigation into a fatal boating accident on Lake Palestine. One person has been killed and one injured when a boat went over the spillway Wednesday evening. Killed was Billie Wagnon of Palestine. Her husband, Keith Wagnon, remains in the ICU of a Tyler hospital. Authorities still trying to figure out several things, including who was driving the boat when it went over the spillway.

TYLER – A Tyler business has announced it will be closing its doors after 32 years of business. The Chez Bazan French Bakery & Cafe posted the news on its Facebook page. They say the family has decided to “roll up our aprons and retire.” They said a date will be announced in the days to come, “but we can confirm that our days of wearing aprons will continue until June.” And they added, “If you have any orders made we will honor those orders until our closing date is confirmed.”

HARLETON – School officials in Harleton say their schools are safe in the wake of a reported threat. The school district made the comment in a Thursday release following a report that a student had made a hit list. The junior high student had been suspected of making a terroristic threat. But, according to the release from the school district, “The district is confident that there is no current threat and that our schools are safe.” But, they said, they are continuing to investigate the situation.

TYLER – A Tyler father and his son have been indicted on aggravated robbery charges. The indictments were returned against Mario Leon Arroyo, 51, and his son, Noe Esau Arroyo, 25. On March 1st, authorities tried to serve a warrant on Mario at a home on West Wilson. He refused to come out, but he did let three leave the residence. One was his son, who was arrested. After a three hour standoff, Mario surrendered. He remains in the Smith County jail on two aggravated robbery charges, and a driving while intoxicated charge, third or more. His bonds total $400,000. His son, Noe, has two aggravated robbery charges and a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bonds total $500,000.

TYLER – A Bullard man will be facing the death penalty when he goes on trial later this year. District attorney Matt Bingham has filed his intent to seek capital punishment in the capital murder case of Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, 24. He is accused of abducting and killing Kayla Gomez-Orozco, 10. She was abducted from a Bullard Church November 1st. He has a pre-trial hearing in the case next Thursday. His trial is scheduled for October 2nd.

PALESTINE – City of Palestine Utility crews will be working on a section of North Jackson Street on Thursday night. Water will be shut off for residences on North Jackson from West Coronaca Street to West Maffitt Street, starting at 8:00pm. Utility workers plan to inform residences on the street in person before the water is turned off. Services should be restored by Friday morning.

TYLER – Representatives from higher education in Tyler have come out in favor of the Tyler school bond issue. Tyler Proud held a news conference Thursday morning. Coming out in favor of the bond package were Dr. Mike Tidwell, President of the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Kirk Calhoun, President of UT Health Northeast, Tyler Junior College President, Dr. Mike Metke, and Dr. Dwight Fennell, the President of Texas College. The $198 million dollar goes toward the renovation of John Tyler and Robert E Lee High Schools. Continue reading Higher Education Supports TISD Bond Proposal

WINNSBORO – A girl who went for a walk in Searcy County, Arkansas, and disappeared, has been found safe in Northeast Texas. Kira Jewell, 14, was last seen in the town of Harriet on April 15th. The FBI has confirmed that the kidnapped teen has been found in Winnsboro. Further details have not been released. It is unclear if anyone has been arrested.

HALLSVILLE – A Hallsville man has been severely burned after his truck ran into a triplex. The accident occurred shortly before 7:15 Thursday morning on Farm Road 450. Hallsville police said the Driver, 20 year old William Click, had a seizureprior to the accident. He was pinned in the truck, which became engulfed in flames. Two Hallsville policemen worked to free him. Two residents of the triplex were injured in the crash. Two of the units were destroyed.

AUSTIN — Forget those flying cars. The future of commuting is looking like something closer to a robot driver, and an East Texan is weighing in. Texas is already a testing ground for self driving cars. A bill in the state Legislature would keep it that way while balancing the need for safety on the roads. Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville chairs the Transportation Committee. Nichols says, “There are some people who want to invest money in our state for economic development, that they need some certainty in the law that these vehicles are allowed.” Manufacturers GM and Toyota support the bill, testifying that automated vehicles will save lives. Unlike humans, they don’t drive drunk.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has voted to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies, potentially voiding a local Austin ordinance that caused Uber and Lyft to stop operating in the state capital. The bill by Chris Paddie, a Republican from Marshall, brings ride-hailing companies under Texas regulators’ control while requiring them to pay state fees. Continue reading Texas House OKs Statewide Ride Hailing Rules, Defying Austin

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police continue their investigation of a shooting that occurred around 11:00 Tuesday morning. Injured was Keylan Neal, 28, of Gladewater. He is hospitalized with a neck wound, which authorities say is not life threatening. The shooting occurred at a home on North Street. Neal is said to have walked several blocks to a relative’s home on the street where 911 was called. Investigators are trying to learn about the events that led up to the shooting.

BEN WHEELER – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing teenager. She is Justina, (Tina) Davenport, 14, who was reported missing Tuesday night from her Ben Wheeler home. She was wearing faded denim jeans, a long sleeve grey shirt and black high-top tennis shoes. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

MANSFIELD, La. (AP) – An Upshur County man killed after a well tank explosion in DeSoto Parish in Louisiana has been identified. He was identified late Tuesday as Camron Anthony Hernandez, 25, of Diana. He was pronounced dead at DeSoto Regional Hospital. Authorities said a crew was working on the site, operated by Dallas-based Aethon Energy, to clean damage caused during a recent storm when one of the tanks on the site exploded, causing injuries to three of the crew members. Two others were treated for moderate and minor injuries. An investigation into what caused the explosion continues.

TYLER – A meeting in Tyler Wednesday brought together The Tyler Fire Department and the Northeast Texas Public Health District and representatives of a variety of public service agencies. The meeting was over the release of this year’s Severe Weather Response Plan. The plan is designed to serve as a guide and to provide useful information to the public. It includes tips on preparing for possible severe weather, as well as recognizing the conditions that are often associated with tornadic activity. It also highlights resources that are available to the public during the season, including shelter locations. The final plan will be available at http://fire.cityoftyler.org, the fire department web site.

MARSHALL – A Tyler man has been arrested in Marshall for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Arrested by Marshall Police was Jovito Luis Vega-Peralta, 37. According to the Marshall News Messenger, he was booked into the Harrison County jail. His bond has been set at $75,000. He has also been placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

AUSTIN – An East Texan is one of ten persons appointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board. Among those named to the board by Governor Greg Abbott is Paul Robbins of Nacogdoches. His term will expire next February 1st. The board reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the center on its function, budget and strategic planning initiatives. Robbins in an attorney with offices in Lufkin. He serves as a regional attorney for the Texas Municipal Police Association. Continue reading Area Man Named to State Board