KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — It’s a video that has sparked outrage — a woman licking a half-gallon of Blue Bell Ice Cream and returning it to the store freezer. It appears that the tub has been found. Blue Bell posted on its website that it has identified a Walmart store in Lufkin as the store where the incident took place. A woman recorded herself on Instagram taking the lid off of a half gallon of Blue Bell Tin Roof Ice Cream, licking the top, putting the lid back on and putting it back into the freezer. The “Little Creamery in Brenham” says based on security footage, the location and inspection of the carton, it believes that it has recovered the tampered container. Continue reading Police Working to Identify “Lufkin Licker”

TYLER — Brookshire Grocery Company has been fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration – but the company is contesting the fine. OSHA levied a charge of $26,520 in connection to a death last March in their Tyler warehouse. According to our news partner KETK, Kasper Holland, 22, was killed in an industrial accident on March 16. The fine was for what were termed two “serious” violations by the company. It is unclear what the violations were. Continue reading Brookshire’s Contests OSHA Fine

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is asking for your help in finding a missing person. Francisco Venegas, 30, walked out of a local emergency room early last Friday morning; that was the last time he was seen. Venegas is a Hispanic male with dark shoulder length hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a gray flower camouflage shirt. According to our news partner KETK, Venegas is believed to have physical and mental ailments that may put him in danger. Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Venegas is asked to contact Kilgore police.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosts the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Lindsey Park. Following a 2 p.m. gate opening and a 4 p.m. start for the activities, the fireworks show will begin after dark (around 9:15 p.m.) The park gate is located off of Spur 364, and admission is free. There is a rainout date set for Saturday, July 6. Attendees have been asked to arrive early for prime parking. Carpooling is highly recommended to help alleviate traffic congestion. Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. There will be no parking allowed on soccer fields and parking along Spur 364 will be allowed once all the parking lots are full in Lindsey Park. Continue reading Tyler Celebrates the Fourth of July; City Issues Advisories

LONGVIEW — Uncle Kracker will headline the July 4th Celebration at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center in Longview. The country rocker will be the featured act for the free outdoor concert. The fireworks event afterwards is billed by officials as “the biggest fireworks show in East Texas.” Many other activities are scheduled. Activities including amusement rides, wet and dry inflatables, and much more. For more details visit https://www.longviewtexas.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1975. Continue reading Fourth of July Celebration Info, Safety Advisories Issued in Longview

TYLER — Tommy Joe Allen, age 60 of Tyler, was arrested on two counts of intoxication manslaughter in connection to the fatality crash January, 9. Authorities say Allen was driving at a high speed and struck a motorcycle killing Michael Anthony Gonzalez, 26 of Tyler. Susan Pennock Allen, was with the suspect and died days later as a result of injuries from the crash. Judge Jack Skeen issued an arrest warrant for Tommy Joe Allen. He was arrested on Wednesday. His bond was set at $500,000 on each charge.

TYLER — Frontier Airlines started service between Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and Denver International Airports on Tuesday. The airline bills itself as “low fares done right.” Frontier says they are focused on more than low fares, offering customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget. For example, customers can purchase options a la carte or in one low-priced bundle called the WORKS. Frontier is celebrating the launch of service of Tyler and Denver offering fares as low as $39. More info is available at flyfrontier.com

 

ATHENS — On Wednesday an Athens school bus driver pleaded not guilty of criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. According to our news partner KETK, John Stevens, 78 was driving last January with 2 children on board, when the bus collided with a Union Pacific train. According to reports, Stevens came to a stop, but then continued on. The train pushed the bus a quarter of a mile before it stopped. Christopher Bonilla, a 13-year-old, was killed when he was ejected. Joselyne Torres, a 9-year-old was also injured.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been charged with murder following a weekend homicide. Humberto Leal, 39, was booked into the Smith County Jail Tuesday with bond set at $500,000. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home on County Road 328 West around 1:25 Sunday morning and found the body of Luis Rene Murrufo, 36, of Tyler, inside a vehicle. He had apparently suffered fatal stab wounds. Another victim was found with a gunshot wound and was sent to the hospital with what are termed non-life-threatening injuries. The identity of the wounded person was not immediately available. Murrufo’s body was sent for autopsy.

TYLER — A jury in the 241st District Court found Karen Madrid guilty of exploitation of an elderly individual on Tuesday.  She was sentenced to six years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Madrid was the caretaker for a man, but neighbors found him with no food and that she had stolen his car. She was found to have charged over $25,000 of expenses to the victim, including a trip to New York City with her boyfriend.

HARRISON COUNTY — On Tuesday a warrant was issued for Terri Ann Pace.  Pace turned herself in to authorities.  She was charged with abuse of official capacity worth between $1500 and $20,000 Dollars. According to our news partner KETK, Pace is accused of stealing money from the treasurer’s office. She faces two years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.

SMITH COUNTY — Over 3 miles of work which began in March was completed in June – Jim Hogg Rd., from Interstate 20 North to the Lindale city limits. Right and left turn lanes were added to the intersection at Sand Flat Road. The work included widening the road from 22 feet to 26 feet. The roadwork is located in Smith County Precincts 3 and 4, and ends at the Woodlands Drive intersection. The southern portion of Jim Hogg Rd is scheduled for Year 2 of the county’s road bond program.

MARSHALL — Marshall’s Oaklawn Municipal Golf Course will be temporarily closed July 8th (weather permitting) to allow contractors to spray for weeds and other unwanted vegetation. It’s part of the annual ground maintenance plan. Officials believe that closing the course is the most efficient way to keep the public safe and allow for proper spraying. If inclement weather arises, the spraying will be rescheduled. The plan is to reopen the course on Tuesday, July 9. For more information, contact the Support Services Department at 903-935-4470.

TYLER — Work is progressing on the renovation of TJC’s Wise Auditorium and the creation of the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center following a June 19th groundbreaking. Crews have installed safety fencing around the perimeter of the project. Inside Wise Auditorium crews have removed old fixtures and wiring. The Geese in Flight Fountain is being restored, and will have a fresh design in the plaza for the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center. Completion of the project is anticipated in early 2021.

TYLER — Tyler police report traffic flow is back to normal, with all lanes open, following a major crash at Front and Baxter. The accident, involving an 18-wheeler, was initially reported Tuesday morning and shut down the entire intersection for a time.

EAST TEXAS — A Carthage man has been convicted of drug trafficking. On June 28, Winfred Earl Ware Jr., 30, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Over a three year period, Ware distributed more than 50 grams of meth. Ware created fake Facebook posts pretending to be a government official trying to prove his innocence. Ware sent these to the court in one last attempt to save himself, but upon examination, the government determined that the Facebook posts were bogus. Ware faces a minimum of 20 years in federal prison.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler announced the recipients of this year’s UT System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Amy Hayes, assistant professor of psychology, and Lauren Johnson, lecturer in chemistry, will each receive $25,000 in recognition of what was termed their superior undergraduate instruction and commitment to student success through teaching. They will be celebrated next month in Austin. Since the program began in 2008, the Board of Regents has presented more than $20 million to over 700 UT educators.

TYLER — George Roberts of Tyler begins a new month with new responsibility for the health care expert. Monday Roberts began a one-year term as the Board President of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Roberts has served served at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Mother Frances of Tyler, and Henderson Memorial Hospital. Since 2006, Roberts has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Texas Public Health District.

TYLER — Starting Tuesday, Frontier Airlines will offer non-stop service to and from Tyler Pounds Regional Airport and Denver International Airport. With the addition of the new carrier, Tyler Pounds expects a higher volume of travelers. Each passenger must pass through the Transportation Security Screening Checkpoint. Travelers should arrive at least two hours prior to scheduled departure times to allow time to check in and get through T.S.A. screening.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Henderson County woman has been arrested in connection with a Dallas murder.  According to our news partner KETK,  Jasmine Williams, 29, is charged with capital murder and aggravated assault.  She is being held on $755,000 bond.  Williams and two other men are accused of murdering 28-year-old Adan Lozano.  Video depicts the suspects in conversation with Lozano inside a convenience store, then shooting him in the back after he walked out. Lozano was apparently unaware he was being targeted.  One suspect in the shooting is still at-large.

TYLER — Tickets will be on sale as of 10:00 a.m. Monday for music stars Bret Michaels and Aaron Watson, who are headlining the 104th annual East Texas State Fair. Fair officials say tickets are limited and are expected to sell out quickly. Tickets to these shows are $30, including fair admission, and are available online only. All tickets are general admission. This is a festival-style stage with standing room only. The fair takes place September 20–29. Visit http://www.etstatefair.com to buy your tickets and get more information.

COLLEGE STATION — There’s been a court appearance for the first of six former members of a College Station fraternity who were arrested three years ago on felony drug charges, after the accidental overdose death of an 11th member, Anton Gridnev. 23-year-old Samuel Patterson of Nacogdoches, who admitted to possessing small amounts of LSD and ecstasy, was placed on five years probation. Conditions include a 90-day sentence in a state jail. That generated an appeal from Patterson’s lawyer. Patterson was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and write a letter of apology to Gridnev’s family for what he did and did not do. The letter, which must be approved first by the judge, won’t be written until a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Gridnev’s family is over.

TYLER — The Tyler-based Meals on Wheels Ministry moves forward in the wake of a leadership change. According to our news partner KETK, the agency recently held its first board meeting since John Moore (pictured) was named executive director. His predecessor, Kari Kietzer, was removed for reportedly unethical and deceptive behavior. That followed months of turmoil, including complaints about Kietzer from former employees and volunteers. Moore says his biggest goal is educating the community. He adds, “When our volunteers come through that door with a smile, a hot meal, and a good visit, it’s also a good chance for us to do a welfare check and make sure everything is okay.”

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the shooting of a child. According to a news release, shortly before midnight Saturday an officer was flagged down by a citizen at the Glenwood and Vine intersection. The citizen said his nine-year-old son had been shot. The child was taken to UT Health East Texas by ambulance for what police term a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Upon further investigation it was discovered the incident occurred at a residence on S. Glenwood Blvd. No other details were immediately available.

TYLER — Starting on Monday, part of Smith County Road 1113, “Lake Placid Road,” will be closed to traffic for the replacement of a bridge.  It will take about three months  for the rebuild.  In an email, county engineer Frank Smith said, “The bridge is undersized for the amount of road traffic it receives, and it has had structural problems.”   The project will be handled through the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the Federal Office-System Bridge Program.  Smith County has improved a portion of Lake Placid Road and will continue with construction on the road after the bridge replacement is completed.

TYLER — The next District 3 representative on the Tyler City Council will be Shirley McKellar. In a runoff election Saturday, McKellar garnered 201 votes — 53.7 per cent of the total — to 173 for Pamela Phoenix. The two were the top vote getters in the May election, which also included Dalila Reynoso. McKellar will succeed Ed Moore, who was ineligible to run again due to term limits.

TYLER — Tyler Police have started a plan that began Friday and will run through this coming Friday, the fifth of July. TPD has placed additional officers on the streets utilizing the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.  This strategy is based on crash data in the city limits of Tyler that allows officers to pinpoint problem target areas.  With increased traffic conditions for the 4th of July Holiday, officers will be specifically watching for hazardous violations such as speeding, intersection enforcement, seat belt violations and most importantly, impaired drivers.  The department also reminds drivers not to drink and drive.

TYLER — A big annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is set for Saturday night. The 32nd annual Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala will be held at the Texas Rose Horse Park with the theme “Triple Crown: On Track for a Cure!” According to the event website, over $15 million has been raised by the local event since it was first held in 1988. The gala features food, entertainment, gaming tables, live and silent auctions, and much more. This year’s headline entertainer is country star Mark Chesnutt. Go to https://www.tylercattlebaronsgala.org/ for more information.