KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A Longview man was sentenced on Friday afternoon for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Joseph Valdie Kimble, 57, pleaded guilty in September to health care fraud . Kimble will be serving 30 months in federal prison and have to pay restitution in the amount of $751,986.30 to Medicare and Medicaid. He was also was ordered not to seek or retain employment in the health care industry while serving three years of supervised release. Continue reading Longview Man Sentenced for Health Care Fraud

SMITH COUNTY — The Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Don Martin, has been named administrator of the new East Texas Anti-Gang Center. Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced Martin’s hiring Friday. The initiative has received grants of at least $1.2 million from Governor Greg Abbott. Continue reading Texas Anti Gang Administrator Named

TYLER — A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. On Friday the Eastern District of Texas saidthat David Anthony Ebanez, 24, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. Ebanez plead guilty to in September of last year to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Information presented in court stated that Ebanez was found in possession of over 50 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Rusk.

PALESTINE — A woman from Chandler was killed on Thursday afternoon in a fatal accident on a small road just outside of Palestine. According to our news partner KETK, Nedra Parham Smith, 77, was attempting to cross over FM 3244 at 5:43 p.m. on Thursday. At the same time Benjamin Oben Egbe, 55 of Palestine, was driving through the intersection when the collision occured. Smith was transported to the Palestine Regional Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. Egbe was treated at the scene and was not taken to the hospital. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — A Flint man charged with running over a teenager with his boat on Lake Palestine back in June had his trial date set Friday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the trial for Jeffrey Hampton, 31, has been set for February 10. Hampton was charged with manslaughter in the killing of 14-year-old Roberto Hernandez in the boating death last summer. Investigators allege that Hampton struck Hernandez while he was standing on a dock. Continue reading Trial Set for Man Accused in Boating Death

KILGORE — An accident just before midnight Friday morning has left 2 East Texas teenagers dead and two more are in the hospital. D.P.S. Staff Sergeant Jean Dark told KTBB on Friday, “for a yet to be determined reason, the driver of that vehicle chose to evade officers.” The wreck took place at the intersection of FM 349 and US 259 in Kilgore at 11:56 p.m. 17-year-olds Gabriel Coronado and Braden Jones were killed as a result of the wreck, and 2 other teens were transported to a Kilgore hospital. Continue reading 2 Teens Killed 2 Injured in Accident Following Chase

Kilgore Emergency Response is looking to update their facilities, following studies showing safety concerns. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Kilgore held an open house Thursday night giving residents a tour of both departments for a behind the scenes look at what first responders are facing. The event was held to show what updated the agencies are hoping to get fixed and a chance to hear from the public. Continue reading Kilgore Emergency Addressing Outdated Facilities

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview offices will be celebrating a 3 day weekend. In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, city offices will be closed. All city offices will resume regular business hours on Tuesday. Sanitation and recycling services will not be affected. The Compost Facility will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21 and will re-open Wednesday. The Longview Public Library Main Branch and Broughton Branch will be closed all of January 20. Normal hours and operations start back on January 21. Continue reading Longview City Offices Closed for MLK Day

TYLER — Arbor day is Jan. 25th. The Tyler Trees Committee, Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department will host a tree planting event to commemorate the day. More than 50 trees will be planted at Faulkner Park during this event. The public is invited to bring their own shovels and volunteer to be part of this experience. Organizers say volunteers will learn how to properly plant a tree for proper growth and health. Volunteers will also all receive an Arbor Day shirt and lunch from Chick-fil-a while supplies last. Continue reading Arbor Day Event in Tyler

ANGELINA COUNTY — A body found in Lake Sam Rayburn has been positively identified by officials with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Steven Michael Paul, 31, was found in a car by a man who was fishing at Martin’s Creek near Huntington. The witness saw a vehicle submerged and called police. Authorities used a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Paul was found in the driver’s seat. Captain Alton Lenderman said they are still investigating and have not ruled if foul play was involved.

TYLER — A Louisiana man was arrested on Wednesday night by the Department of Public Safety. According to our news partner KETK, Frederick Cortez Walker, 31, is from Monroe, Louisiana. Walker is charged with a murder in Dallas County. Walker, was arrested just after 7 p.m. Wednesday. He was stopped for speeding and also charged with forgery. Bond has not yet been set.

ELYSIAN FIELDS — Elysian Fields ISD dismissed classes on Friday due to an outbreak of sickness. According to a Facebook post, the intended goal is for maintenance workers to sanitize all classrooms, campuses and buses district wide. The district had already arranged to be out on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. day. The district plans to be back on track on Tuesday. The social media post, did not go into detail as to how many students had missed due to sicknesses.

TYLER — All non-essential City offices will be closed on Monday, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, before re-opening on Tuesday at normal times. The City Hall Offices will be closed, as well as Solid Waste, Holiday Garbage Collection & Curbside RECYCLE. Complete details including Solid Waste and Recycle are included on the next page. Continue reading City Hall Offices Closed Monday for MLK Day

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau is celebrating 35 years in East Texas. On Thursday Mechelle Mills told KTBB , “while that’s exciting for us, on March 17th, we will be celebrating these role models that we have in the market place, both businesses and charities.” Continue reading BBB Celebrates 35 Years in East Texas

LONGVIEW – Loop 281 will be closed west of Estes Parkway on Saturday, January 18, as Union Pacific Railroad conducts track maintenance at the crossing. The closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic will be routed via I-20 to FM 2087. Motorists must use alternate routes during the closure. Message boards have been set up as notification of the pending work. Additionally, detour signage will also be in place to assist the traveling public. Continue reading Traffic Alert in Longview on Saturday

TYLER — A Tyler man confessed to police that he molested a boy over the course of six years. Our news partner KETK obtained a copy of the arrest warrant and Omar Huerta, 28, said it “felt normal” to him. Huerta is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. He is being held in Smith County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The victim told police that Huerta sexually abused him from 2009-2015. The boy, now 16, said it began when he was 6 years old and ended when he was 12. Continue reading Tyler Man Confesses to Molesting Child

SMITH COUNTY — A wedding scammer has learned her fate. Holly Elliott, Tyler, faces ten years in prison and has to pay back the money she stole from the venue, Centaur Arabian Farms, where she used to work. Investigators said she offered special deals to couples if they paid in cash, then kept the money. Around 20 different people paid her. Smith County Assistant District Attorney Richard Vance says the venue owners caught on and called police, but not before she had embezzled around $120, 000. The venue ended up paying for the weddings out of pocket. Elliott will have to return that money, along with $10, 000 in fines.

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities recently began a water meter audit and rehabilitation program in conjunction with Aqua-Metric that will continue through July. The focus area of the initial program will be the southeast quadrant of the City, bounded by the City limits to the East and South, and approximately Fifth Street to the North and New Copeland Road to the West. Continue reading Tyler Water Meter Audit and Rehabilitation

TYLER — The Tyler man accused of threatening to shoot up a Tyler Walmart days after the El Paso massacre was in court on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, the initial hearing for Trumaine Washington, 31, lasted a matter of seconds with prosecutors and defense lawyers agreeing that the case would more than likely go to trial. Washington’s defense said that there would need to be one more pretrial hearing and then they could proceed to trial. Continue reading Man Accused of Threatening to Shoot Up Wal-Mart in Court

RUSK COUNTY — A man has been arrested by Rusk County authorities following a December church arson. According to our news partner KETK, Paul W. Kennedy, 38, has been formally arraigned on a structure fire at the Shell’s Temple Church of God in Christ. Kennedy is currently in the Rusk County jail with a $100,00 bond. The church was established in 1912 and stood for 88 years before the destructive fire, December 21.

TYLER — A Smith County grand jury has handed down an indictment against a Tyler man on charges of hitting his 65-year-old with her own cane. According to our news partner KETK, Lloyd Wayne Dupont Sr. 62, hit his sister with the cane back in October. A sister of the 2 siblings says she saw Dupont hit his sister in the nose. He is charged with Injury to an Elderly Individual, a second-degree felony, and could face up to 20 years in prison. Dupont’s arraignment is scheduled in February. Dupount awaits the proceedings in Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

MURCHISON — Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, will host its first Wild Impact Volunteer Experience on Saturday. This event is for people over age 18 who are interested in helping animals and experience life at an animal sanctuary. Participators will get a rare behind the scenes look into what it takes to care for over 800 residents. The Wild Impact Volunteer Experience is $99 and includes a plant-based lunch with the staff, and a bus tour around the 1,400 acre property where participants will see the sanctuary’s residents. Continue reading Wild Impact Experience Sat at Black Beauty Ranch

TYLER — This year’s 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence luncheon is fast approaching. The celebration is slated for March 17th at Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to presenting BBB’s year-end review, BBB will present the BBB Awards for Excellence to 5 companies, 1 nonprofit and 1 veteran-owned business who demonstrate ethical behavior and exemplify integrity in all aspects of their operations; toward their employees, vendors, customers, and within their community. Continue reading 2020 BBB Awards for Excellence Luncheon

TYLER – Tyler ISD is preparing to invite the community to an open house event for the recently completed state of the art academic and administrative wing of John Tyler High School. The campus renovation is part of the $89 million campus project. Which comes from the TISD $198 million BOND2017 project. The event is set for Jan. 28. The come-and-go event will give guests the opportunity to view the modern, collegiate-inspired space that holds academic classrooms, learning environments, science labs, collaboration spaces, administrative offices, etc… Continue reading John Tyler High School to Host Open House

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, has disciplined the majority of the South Jail employees, following the escape of Jace Laws in December. According to our news partner KETK, 9 staff members voluntarily resigned, 1 retired, 8 were given a three-day suspension, 7 were given a written reprimand. Laws was not discovered missing until 3 days after his escape. Authorities say carved out portions of the brick in the South Jail, before getting into the courthouse infrastructure and eventually exiting through the courthouse. Continue reading Cerliano Delivers Discipline After Inmate Escape

TYLER — South Fleishel Ave. in Tyler was closed on Jan. 16 of last year. On Wednesday, Tyler City Engineer Lisa Crossman told KTBB the work is completed and it’s all systems go. Crossman said, “the project did tackle the challenges of drain pipes that were originally installed through the property. Some ended up being in people’s yards basically and in some cases actually ran underneath houses.” Homeowner’s were able to access their homes during the year long construction of the Fleishel Avenue Drainage Improvement Project.

TYLER — The U.T. Tyler Book Club is gearing up for their next book to cover. Organizers say if you are ready for a good book to read, you should join them for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” The review will happen on Feb. 13th at 9:30 a.m. So you still have time to purchase or check out our next exciting book by Heather Morris. The UT Tyler Book Club Review happens at The Mentz Library. You will want to RSVP as parking passes will be given out. RSVP to [email protected] or phone 903.566.7487.

PALESTINE — On Tuesday the University of Texas at Tyler and Trinity Valley Community College formalized a partnership in which nursing students will concurrently earn degrees from both institutions. Both Presidents, UT Tyler’s Michael Tidwell and Trinity Valley’s Jerry King, were on hand to sign declarations making the understanding official. This is important because Texas is expected to experience the second largest nursing shortage in history within the decade. The goal of the partnership is to help offset a would be shortage by producing quality nurses who will serve the region and the state.

TYLER — Traffic is opened up and moving freely following the completion of a drain project on South Fleishel. LouAnn Campbell told KTBB Tuesday afternoon, the last barriers came down early Tuesday afternoon following the completion of a new drainage system under the road. Previously the street and homes experienced flooding in that area. It is expected that the new storm drain system will increase the capacity of the existing infrastructure and send the water outfall northwest of South Fleishel Avenue and East 6th Street alleviating the issues.

TYLER — A portion of North Palace Avenue will be closed between West Nutbush Street and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Tuesday. According to the city of Tyler, Centerpoint Energy crews are repairing a gas line. It is expected that the work will be completed on Tuesday evening. If you have questions about the work being done, you can contact Centerpoint Energy at (903) 534-9393 ext. 245, for more information.