KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — TJC President for Branch Locations & District Provost Dr. Juan E. Mejia has been appointed to the Community College Baccalaureate Association Board of Directors. The CCBA was established in 2000 with the philosophy that every person should have an opportunity to pursue the baccalaureate degree at a place that is convenient, accessible, and affordable, according to a news release. The association’s board of directors is composed of community college administrators from across the country and has an international membership. “I am very honored by the opportunity to work with stellar colleagues from this visionary association,” Mejia said in the news release. Mejia has served on several national, state, and local boards, both in South Texas and East Texas.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College announced Tuesday that TJC’s gift from Virginia and Jim Gatewood exceeds $19 million now that all components of the gift are finalized. Earlier this year, TJC announced a “double-digit, multi-million dollar” gift from the Gatewood family, which has long history of giving to the college. Officials say the gift is the largest in the college’s history and is also believed to be the most significant monetary gift from an individual family to a Texas community college — as well as the largest gift to an institution or organization in the city of Tyler. According to a news release, the funds will ensure the long-term support of the TJC Presidential Honors Scholarship Program.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court has approved an agreement with Phirst Technologies of Tyler to allow a drone and port in a secure enclosure at the Emergency Operations Center on Spur 248. The purpose is early testing of the drone and port for first responder use. The city of Tyler recently approved a similar agreement. According to a news release, testing approved by the county will last six to ten months, as will be the case with the city. Phirst Technologies says it will bear all costs for the installation and testing under both the city and county arrangements. According to our news partner KETK, depending on the situation, the drone will provide information such as how many fire trucks are needed, whether natural gas is escaping, and how many ambulances are required.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A shooting the morning of November 7 led to capital murder charges for two men from Rusk. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff James Campbell said Trevor Lawson, 18, was found shot to death at County Road 2117, in the Maydelle Community. Campbell said the specifics as to what led to the murder are under investigation and have not been determined. Cody Ray Roberts, 17, and Jontae Jamaile Johnson, 20, both from Rusk, have been charged with capital murder. They are being held in the Cherokee County Jail on $1 million bond each.

TYLER – Tyler’s growing season has come to an end. The National Weather Service reports Tyler recorded 32 degrees at 7:46 Tuesday morning. That put the growing season at 272 days. It began a little earlier and ended a little earlier than normal. With a trace of snow on Tuesday, Tyler’s high temperature was 36 degrees. That is not a record low maximum for the date. The record is 35 degree degrees, which was recorded in 1907.

JACKSONVILLE — The Texas Department of Agriculture has identified card skimmers at a Jacksonville gas station. According to our news partner KETK, ag department officials say they found two skimmers at the Pac N Sac Valero gas station on South Bolton Street at Woodlawn Avenue. Skimmers are unauthorized electronic devices installed by criminals to gather credit card data from customers. East Texas has been hit by a rash of them in the past year. The criminals can download the information using blue tooth technology. Officials say you should always monitor your credit and debit cards for unauthorized activity — and report any suspicious activity to your bank or credit card company and the police. Continue reading Gas Skimmers Found in Jacksonville

WILLS POINT — Part of Highway 80 in Wills Point has been shut down following the collapse of a sewer line. According to our news partner KETK, the City of Wills Point says lanes have already been blocked off near East Oneal Street. Crews have begun work to repair the collapsed sewer line. Officials urge drivers to use caution as various lanes will be closed over the next few days.

TYLER — Local business owner Clint Benefield is making a special effort to address hunger. Beginning Tuesday at noon, he’ll be camping out in front of his business, Vapor Galleria, at Kinsey and the Loop in Tyler, until he raises $3,500 for the cause. According to a news release from the United Way of Smith County, if Clint reaches his goal, it will result in feeding 1,100 hungry and homeless people in the county. 100% of funds raised will go to support United Way partner agency programs that are providing meals in East Texas. Benefield himself has become homeless, living atop scaffolding outside his business until the goal is met. Donations can be made online through https://www.facebook.com/donate/2195781387101290/ — a Facebook campaign Clint set up. Donations may also be mailed to or dropped off at the United Way office on South Broadway.

TYLER – TxDOT is planning a variety of construction and maintenance work throughout the Tyler District this week. Additionally, TxDOT will host a public hearing for proposed improvements to FM 2493 from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 15, at Bullard Elementary School on Panther Drive in Bullard. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements to upgrade and widen FM 2493 and to receive public comment. The project will convert the existing two-lane rural roadway to a four-lane divided roadway from FM 346 in Flint, south to U.S. 69 near Bullard, in Smith and Cherokee counties. Go to https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/local-news/tyler/047-2018.html for a complete rundown of this week’s planned roadwork the district.

TYLER – Tyler has recorded a new rainfall record for November 12th. The National Weather Service reports Tyler’s rainfall total for Monday was 2.96 inches. That beat the 2.17 inches recorded in 1914. Tyler’s 5 day storm total came to 5.52 inches.

SMITH COUNTY — 77-year-old Nolan Edward Manziel, Johnny Manziel’s great-uncle, was hit and killed by his own vehicle early Sunday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, authorities were called around 2:30 p.m. to the scene on Smith County Road 1102. They said Manziel had gotten out of his vehicle to open a gate at the property. However, he did not put the car in park and it rolled into him. Manziel was found unresponsive by those who called 9-1-1. According to family members, he had left to go to the family’s property on CR 1102 to check on the pipes due to the cold weather. However, he did not return. An autopsy has been ordered.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department Monday deployed 3 members to assist with the wildfires in California. Those who went were Driver/Operator Carlee Cilk, Driver/Operator Dusty Burks, and Firefighter Chris McGinnis. They will possibly be serving a 14-day tour not counting travel days. If needed, a second three-person crew will be activated to relieve those already deployed, according to a news release.

AUSTIN — The Texas Water Development Board Monday approved $1,550,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the city of Chandler. According to a news release from the development board, the city could save approximately $370,000 by using the revolving fund. Officials say the money will allow the city to make improvements at its wastewater treatment plant and develop an asset management plan.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County murder trial for a Whitehouse man, which had been scheduled for Monday, has been reset for February 4. According to our news partner KETK, Martin Wesley Reynolds, 21, was charged with murder last November in the shooting death of Andrew Carpenter, 19, of Tyler. Carpenter was found shot inside a home on Deerwood Drive and was later pronounced dead. Nathan Garcia, 20, of Whitehouse, was arrested on one count of murder. Colton Wade Tate, 21, was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. James Hunter Ansley, 26, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Daniel Cole Perry, 23, was charged with tampering with physical evidence. Ansley and Perry had their charges dismissed. Tate’s trial is slated for December 17.

SMITH COUNTY — A pedestrian is dead in a Sunday Smith County accident. DPS reports troopers responded around 8 p.m. to Hwy. 155 S. near FM 2661 in Smith County. Preliminary information indicated the driver, Aaron-Nicole Rodriquez, 32, of Frankston was traveling on Hwy. 155 when she struck a pedestrian who may have been attempting to remove debris in the roadway. The pedestrian has been identified as Michael Timothy McClure, 65, of Palestine. McClure was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER — A two vehicle wreck on Toll 49 left a 9-year-old Arp girl dead, 5 others injured. It happened around 1:00 Sunday afternoon at Toll 49 and FM 2493. According to the DPS report, the driver of a 2017 GM Denali, Valerie Miller, 34, Arp, was traveling west on the toll road when she crossed the center line and hit a Ford Escape head-on. The driver of the Escape, William Pritchard, 29, Tyler, was transported to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. Miller was also transported to a Tyler hospital in serious condition. 9-year-old Leah Miller, who was in Valerie Miller’s vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other girls, ages 10, 8, and 4, were taken to the hospital in serious condition. All occupants were restrained.

JACKSONVILLE — A fire appears to have done extensive damage to the La Quinta Inn on Highway 69 South in Jacksonville. Our news partner KETK reports the fire sparked Monday morning at around 3:00. Crews said they went floor by floor to help evacuate hotel guests. It wasn’t immediately clear how many people had to be evacuated or the damage the fire caused. It was also not immediately clear if the fire was sparked by lightning. But according to a hotel employee, shortly after the hotel lost power, guests came down to say there was a fire at the top of the building. We’ll continue to update this story as more details emerge.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A teen that was passing vehicles in a no-passing zone that killed three people in a crash has now been charged with three counts of manslaughter. According to our news partner, KETK, on October 30, troopers were called Highway 19, just south of Highway 80, in response to a two vehicle wreck. The driver of a truck, Jessie Michael Brown, 19, of Fruitvale, was said to be passing vehicles in a non-passing zone and hit another truck head-on. The driver of the other truck, Connie Wells, 61, of Wills Point, and two young male passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The juveniles were identified as 14-year-old Adam Thomas Tuma and 11-year-old Elijah William Gabriel Tuma, both of Wills Point. Continue reading Teen Driver Involved in Fatal Crash Charged with Manslaughter

TYLER – A Tyler robbery attempt is under investigation. It occurred around 5:15 Friday afternoon at City Fuel at 7205 South Broadway. A man, armed with a knife, came into the business and demanded money. When he was unable to get any money, he left the store on foot. He is described as a white or Hispanic male, 5’8″ with a thin build. He was wearing white pants, gloves and a long sleeve black shirt.

LONGVIEW – A trial date has been set in Longview for a man accused of killing two people five years ago. During a hearing Friday afternoon, a March 18th trial date has been set for 27 year old Kyron Rayshawn Templeton of Longview. A psychologist has determined that he was competent to stand trial. Since the killing,Templeton received psychiatric treatment and underwent another mental evaluation last month. The attacks occurred in November 2013 at then-Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. While at the hospital for his mother’s surgery, he stabbed and killed a nurse and a hospital visitor. Three persons were injured. He is charged with capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault.

WINONA – Thanks to a $200,000 Rural Volunteer Fire Department cost-share grant through Texas A&M Forest Service, the Winona Volunteer Fire Department has a brush truck and tender. The primary use for this new tanker will be carrying water so they can maintain a constant supply when fighting a variety of fires. It also has drafting capability for refilling from a pool or creek. The tanker will help to fill the need in the far north end of the county. The water tank is mounted to a rugged chassis to provide improved access to ranching and farm areas that may have plowed fields or narrow driveways. They got the truck just in time to respond to several emergency calls.

LONGVIEW – Two more Texas Sears stores will be shut down. One is in Longview. It was previously announced the Sears store in Tyler would be closing. Now, with the latest announcement of the closing of 29 Sears and 11 Kmart stores, the Sears store in the Longview Mall is on the list. According to a statement on the company’s web site, the latest locations will close in February with liquidation sales to begin late next week. The latest shutdowns are in addition to the previously announced closure of 142 unprofitable stores, a process that’s expected to be complete near the end of the year.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is in jail after being accused of injuring a child and his mother-in-law. Being held on Bonds totaling $7,500 is Branden Dale Mills, 39. The Longview News Journal reports he was arrested after sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance call on Big Woods Road. He is said to have pushed the woman against the house, injuring her shoulder and forearm. When he tried to leave, the 4 year old girl screamed “you’re hurting me” because he squeezed her so tight in his arms. Mills is charged with assault causes bodily injury family violence and injury to a child.

KILGORE – Kilgore College is warning students to be leery of a rash of social media advertisements that appear to offer an option to “remove all student loans” and promising loan forgiveness. Loan rescue organizations promise assistance to arrange federal student loan forgiveness in exchange for a fee. The college tells students, it is important to know that companies cannot do anything that a student’s federal student loan servicer cannot do free. And the college tells them, under no circumstances should students give their federal student aid IDs to loan rescue companies. Continue reading A Warning for Kilgore College Students

TYLER – Smith County has a new budget analyst. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran has announced the hiring of Paul Feltes to the post. A former analyst for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Feltes most recently did budget and statistical analysis for UT Health East Texas. According to Judge Moran, the primary function of the analyst is to compile, review, examine, analyze and interpret financial data and policies related to the county budget. Feltes said he is looking forward to getting into the details of the budget and operations of each department or office to see where the County can increase efficiencies and save the taxpayers money.

Rusk – A man arrested last month for Cherokee County burglaries is now facing additional charges. Ruben Reyes Jr., 30, of Jacksonville, was first arrested on a warrant for burglary of a habitation. He has since been charged with a total of 9 charges and his bonds total $202,500. His arrest follows theft and burglary reports in September and October in the New Summerfield area. Reyes is said to have committed one of the burglaries with Ruben Lyon Martinez, 25, of Jacksonville. Martinez has also been arrested. Some of the items taken in the burglaries have been recovered and returned to their owners.

TYLER – You are invited to take part in One Night Without a Home to help you understand the plight of the homeless. It starts Friday afternoon with dinner at the Salvation Army in Tyler. Then there is a walk to Fun Forest Park where you will hear from the homeless and spend the night. The next morning you will walk to the Gentry Bridge where you will help feed the homeless. Then it’s a walk back to the Salvation Army. Leave behind your money, watches, food and snacks and no electronics. Event organizers will have cell phones in case of emergency. You can go to
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=us5o8dkab&oeidk=a07eew1ipth202dd3db for more details and how to register for the event.

TURNERTOWN – Two kids have been killed and a man injured in a fire in Rusk County. It happened at a home on Highway 42 near U.S. Highway 64, south of Turnertown, Wednesday afternoon. All three of the injured were taken to a Henderson hospital where the two children, ages 2 and 4, later died. Their father was treated for minor injuries and released. The Texas Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to determine the cause of the fire

LONGVIEW – A psychologist has determined a suspect in a 2013 stabbing attack at a Longview hospital that left two dead is competent to stand trial. The Longview News-Journal reports Kyron Rayshawn Templeton received psychiatric treatment and underwent another mental evaluation last month. Earlier this week he was transferred from a mental health facility to jail in Longview, where he’s charged with capital murder and aggravated assault. Templeton was twice ruled incompetent in the November 2013 attacks at then-Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Templeton was at the center, where his mother was scheduled for surgery, and told an officer he thought “they” were trying to kill her. A nurse and a visitor at the hospital were stabbed to death. Three persons were injured. Templeton’s case is on the docket Friday afternoon to determine if and when a trial will be set.