KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE – GoBus riders in East Texas will be have a lower fare after the first of the year. The executive committee of the East Texas Council of Governments approved the decrease. The cost of a one-way trip is dropping from $4 to $2 for all paying customers. It goes into effect January 2nd. GoBus is a rural transportation service providing 7,000 trips a month. It partners with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas to sponsor trips for seniors to to medical appointments or senior nutrition centers. It recently announced free trips for all active military members or veterans. GoBus serves clients in ETCOG’s 14-county region, including Smith, Gregg and Harrison counties.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County District Attorney has dropped the capital murder charge against the father who was arrested along with his son for the beating death of a Tyler woman. According to our news partner KETK, back in July, Bullard police arrested Charles Edward Lennon III, 29, and Charles Edward Lennon, Jr., 56, for the death of Rachel Lynn Jackson, 31. According to J. Brett Harrison, the attorney for Charles Edward Lennon, Jr, the D.A. declined the capital murder charge prior to Tuesday’s motion hearing. On Tuesday, Lennon Jr. was released on a bond after a judge set conditions of release during a motion hearing. Continue reading Capital Murder Charge Dropped for Tyler Man

TYLER – Smith County’s fire marshal has been reappointed for another two year term. Smith County commissioner’s on Tuesday reappointed Connie McCoy-Wasson to the post. County Judge Nathaniel Moran told her that she has done a fantastic job responding to the county’s emergencies. The commissioners court voted unanimously to approve the two-year appointment, which will run from December 20, 2018, through December 20, 2020. When first appointed to the post in 2015, she became the first female to serve as Smith County Fire Marshal. McCoy-Wasson has more than 20 years of experience as a deputy fire marshal for Smith County and had served as interim fire marshal prior to her original promotion. Continue reading Wasson to Remain as County Fire Marshall

TYLER – A law enforcement task force says it has evidence linking a suspect in a weekend shooting with 4 area homicides. Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler, was arrested following the wounding of Bradley Brockman, 45. He remains in critical condition in a Tyler hospital following the Sunday afternoon shooting at the Westwood Shopping Center. They have now received forensic confirmation from the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab that links the gun used in that shooting to four recent shootings in the area. Four men died in those shootings. The investigation into the shootings continues and Perdomo, who is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is now facing additional charges. Continue reading Shooting Suspect Linked to 4 Homicides

HENDERSON – A woman has died from a Rusk County accident earlier this month. Teresa Louise Clark, 64, of Henderson, died in a Tyler hospital from injuries received in the December 6th accident. The late afternoon accident occurred on State Highway 64, four miles west of Henderson. The Department of Public Safety reports the victim’s SUV was hit by a mini van which had crossed the center stripe of the highway. It was driven by Christopher E. Huss, 55, of Ben Wheeler. He was seriously injured in the wreck, which the DPS says, remains under investigation.

TYLER – A man connected to a Whitehouse murder was sentenced Tuesday. Colton Wade Tate, 22, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence. He was sentenced by state district judge Christy Kennedy to 10 years deferred adjudication. Tate and Nathan Ryan Garcia, 21, of Whitehouse, were arrested last November. They were charged in the death of Andrew Carpenter, 19, of Tyler. He was shot at a home on Deerwood Drive. Garcia is scheduled to be in court Thursday for a plea hearing and sentencing on a charge of tampering with evidence.

TYLER – Time is running out to help some Smith County residents who are struggling. There is less than a week to donate to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. They have raised only 68% of this year’s kettle goal of $400,000. They are down from their total at this time last year and their goal is $25,000 higher than last year. The money helps them provide critical programs, such as their community kitchen and the emergency and family shelters. Currently there is an average of 160 men, women and children living in the Center of Hope’s 200 bed shelter. You can help by donating anytime you see one of The Salvation Army’s red kettles. There are at 37 locations around Smith County.

TYLER – A man arrested in a Sunday shooting in Tyler may be connected to four other shooting since December 7th. Kristian Perdomo, 25, of Tyler was charged with aggravated assault in the shooting. It occurred shortly before 4:15 in the Westwood Shopping Center. Witness information led officers to Perdomo. When asked during a Monday news conference about his link to the other shootings, all homicides, Police Chief Jimmy Toler said…they are closely looking at him in the four other shootings. And he said, depending upon what the forensic analysts shows, “we would anticipate additional charges at that time.” The man wounded Sunday, Bradley Brockman, 45, remains in critical condition in a Tyler hospital. Perdomo remains in the Smith County Jail, charged with aggravated assault. His bond is $1 million. Perdomo’s arrest Sunday marks his 7th arrest in Smith County since 2010. Previous cases include robbery, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity.

KILGORE – A Kilgore mother has received a written shout out from the Kilgore Police Department. On their Facebook page, the police tell about a mother who caught her child stealing and wanted an officer to talk to the youngster. The child was taken back to the store where they apologized and the mother paid for the item. The boy was placed on community service with the mom. They added, “Its tough being a parent, but raise them up knowing about consequences and holding them accountable, and chances are they will never visit the Bulldog B&B,” also known as the city jail.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work throughout the district during the week of December 17. Schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Motorists traveling I-20 westbound can expect a slow-down near Toll 49 Monday through Wednesday as full depth concrete repair operations are conducted as part of the I-20 Total Maintenance Contract. The contractor will be conducting work in the westbound outside lane a quarter mile east of Toll 49. The outside lane will be closed until the repairs are complete. The work includes removal of the existing asphalt and concrete paving, repairing the subgrade and existing drainage, and placing the new concrete pavement and asphalt surface. Alternate routes are encouraged to avoid delays. Continue reading TxDot Area Roadwork Update

HENDERSON – An ongoing human trafficking investigation in Rusk County has resulted in two arrests. The arrests occurred as officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Highway 64 in Henderson. Taken into custody was Kendrick Davis, 28, of Henderson. He has been charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of human trafficking as well as aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. His bonds total $2.6 million. Also charged with two counts of human trafficking was Charles Starling Jr., 43, of Henderson. His bond is $2 million. And we are told more arrests are expected in the case. Continue reading Two Charged with Human Trafficking

TYLER – A runway project at the Tyler airport has been completed. Tyler’s Pounds Regional Airport has fully opened Runway 4-22. The new extended length of the runway is 8,330 feet. Construction to rehabilitate, widen and lengthen the runway began four years ago. The runway pavement section includes 14 inches of concrete placed over 12 inches of a heavy base section. The runway is now capable of carrying much heavier loads and provides extended length for landing and takeoffs. In total, the budgeted cost for the project was about $48 million, with 90% of the cost covered through Federal Aviation Administration grants. The airport is currently working with the FAA to receive funding to rebuild the taxiway going towards the runaway. A ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate project completion is scheduled next month.

TYLER – One person has been arrested and one person has been wounded in a Tyler shooting. The initial report said a witness flagged down an officer and reported seeing a shooting happen shortly before 4:15 Sunday afternoon at the Westwood Shopping Center at S SW Loop 323 and Chandler Highway. Witnesses were able to give a suspect and vehicle description and officers were able to arrest a suspect. Kristian Perdomo, 25, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was booked into the Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $1,000,000. The man who was wounded is in critical condition in a Tyler hospital. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is continuing. Continue reading Tyler Man Arrested in Sunday Shooting

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a reported shooting just after 4:00 Sunday evening at the Westwood Shopping Center on Loop 323 and Chandler Highway. Witnesses were able to give a suspect and vehicle description, leading to the arrest of one suspect. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition. Identities have not been released. Crime Scene personnel searched neighborhoods along Greenbrier Road, between Highways 31 and 64, for evidence involved in the assault. Investigators are asking citizens or businesses in the area with surveillance video showing a silver Toyota Avalon in the area between 4:15 and 4:40 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 to contact Tyler PD at (903) 531-1000. Police are also searching for a red bandana or hand gun in that area. Citizens are asked not to touch any of the potential evidence.

LONGVEW – One person was killed in a vehicle/pedestrian accident in Longview. Killed shortly after 6:30 Saturday night was Jorelle Antwon Reese, 32, of Longview. Longview police say he was walking across West Marshall Avenue when the accident occurred. Investigators say he was not in a designated crosswalk. He later died at a Longview hospital. No information was made available about the car’s driver.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a possible deceased person call just before 8:00 Saturday morning. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found on the side of the roadway on the 2700 block of Old Gladewater Hwy. When deputies arrived, they found a man, identified as Jerome James, 49, dead from a gun shot wound. An autopsy has been ordered. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600. Tyler Police and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are investigating whether four homicides in eight days could be connected. Police have said they suspect at least two of the recent killings are linked and possibly drug-related. The Sheriff’s Department along with the Tyler Police Department will hold a press conference for media on Monday at 3:00pm.

TYLER – A TSA Pre mobile enrollment center is coming to Tyler. From January 21 through January 25, pre enrollment center will be open at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Travelers can now schedule their in-person appointment for that week to complete the background check and fingerprinting part of the application process. Before applying, be sure to go to the TSA Website at http://www.tsa.gov for full details on how to enroll. Airport Manager Davis Dickson said the enrollment is easy and passengers don’t have to have a ticket or be traveling to access the enrollment center. The mobile enrollment center will be located in the baggage claim area in the airport terminal building. Signs will be present to provide location information inside the terminal.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has pleaded guilty in connection with a fatal Gregg County accident last year. In 124th District Court in Longview on Friday, Danny Clayton Lee, 63, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. A sentencing date has not been set. The accident occurred in July of last year on U.S. Highway 259. The Department of Public safety report says Lee was in the wrong lane of traffic when his pickup and a car collided head-on. The car’s driver, Benjamin Murphy of Diana, was pronounced dead at the scene.

ATHENS – It is now official. The Athens school district will go to a four day school week next year. The action was taken by school trustees during a called noon meeting on Friday. The new school week will start with the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year on August 5. The shorter school week would be launched as part of a three-year pilot program. Their action was made possible in Texas after lawmakers approved two statutes in 2015. One of the measures requires a certain number of instructional minutes rather than instructional days. In order to comply with this, the instructional day in Athens ISD will increase by 50 minutes in the new school year.

DALLAS — It’s Code Red for blood in North, Central, and East Texas. Linda Goelzer with Carter Bloodcare says Carter really needs platelets and the rare types: O-negative, A-negative, B-negative and AB-negative. “Volunteer blood donors are truly the foundation of the health care system,” says Goelzer. “You are a first responder before you even know you need to respond — and it’s just as simple as community taking care of community.”

KILGORE – M. Roberts Media is expanding its holdings in East Texas. The company, which recently purchased the Tyler Morning Telegraph, is now buying the Kilgore News Herald. The company also owns the Longview News Journal and the Marshall News Messenger. The paper says it can trace its roots back to the early days of the East Texas oil boom and has changed hands several times. Terms of the deal between M. Roberts Media and News Herald owner Bluebonnet Publishing Company were not disclosed.

One person has died in a one vehicle accident in Harrison County. Dead at the scene was Steven D. Alexander, 38, of Marshall. The Department of Public Safety reports his car was traveling at a high rate of speed on Macedonia Road when the accident occurred. His vehicle left the road and hit a travel trailer. The accident, which remains under investigation, was reported shortly after 9:15 Thursday night, just under 5 miles northwest of Marshall.

TYLER — Union Pacific Railroad has closed Palace Avenue and Elm Street at the railroad crossings for maintenance and repairs. Work is expected to be complete by 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. Travelers are encouraged to find an alternative route and to pay attention to all traffic signs and workers.

MARSHALL – At Thursday’s meeting, the Marshall City Commission voted to appoint Mark Rohr as city manager. Support Services Director Jack Redmon has been serving as acting city manager since April. Rohr has 31 years of local government experience. That includes 29 years as a city manager. He most recently served as city manager of League City, Texas, from March 2014 to December 2016. Rohr will tentatively begin his duties in Marshall next month.

ATHENS – The Athens school board is scheduled to vote on going to a four day school week during a noon meeting on Friday. School district employees learned about it during a district wide meeting earlier this month. In order to comply with the state’s requirements for a minimum number of instructional minutes during a school year, the instructional day would increase by 50 minutes. They have been studying a possible change for the past six months. If approved, it would start next year and it would be launched as a three-year pilot program.

RUSK – A Cherokee County jury has found a Bullard man guilty possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. The jury sentenced John Michael Lydy, 46, who is a habituation offender and a registered sex offender, to life in prison. According to a news releases from the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, Lydy was distributing methamphetamine from his mobile home in the Shady Brooke subdivision near Bullard.

TROUP – There has been a change in the Troup Christmas Parade. It had been scheduled for 6:00 Thursday evening. But, because of the rain in the area, the parade has been rescheduled for next Tuesday evening.

TYLER – Friday will be graduation time at Tyler Junior College. U-T Tyler will hold graduation ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. TJC will hold two ceremonies on Friday. Both will be in Wagstaff Gym. They will be recognizing 639 candidates for graduation who are earning a total of 752 degrees and certificates. UT Tyler will have two ceremonies on Friday and two on Saturday, recognizing over 1,500 degree candidates. The ceremonies will all be held in the Cowan Center. Continue reading Fall Graduation Is at Hand

TYLER – Three Smith County road improvement projects have been completed while others are about to begin. That was the report Smith County Engineer Frank Davis presented to county commissioners this week. Completed last month was work on County Road 1113, Lake Placid Road; County Road 220, Old Henderson Road and the first section of County Road 223, Old Overton Road. Getting underway this month is work on County Road 2171, Willingham Road, County Road 1302 and the second segment of County Road 223. And, there is an additional nearly 6 miles worth of overlay projects currently out for bid. And, with weather permitting, they plan on 1 1/2 miles of asphalt paving this month.