KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — On Friday, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran issued a burn ban due to rapidly increasing wildfire conditions. Moran issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” after receiving the recommendation from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office and Office of Emergency Management. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said in the previous two days, fire departments battled six fires burning about 35 acres in Smith County. On Thursday, the humidity dropped dangerously low and winds picked up, increasing the risk of wildfires. She said they are expecting the conditions to worsen over the weekend. Continue reading Burn Ban in Effect in Smith County

GREGG COUNTY — A burn ban has been issued for residents in Gregg County. The ban will be in effect until August 13, when the Commissioners Court meets, or if it’s rescinded. The ban prohibits outdoor burning of any kind (including trash in burn barrels) or the use of aerial fireworks. Officials enacted the burn ban because of extreme wildfire danger due to hot, dry conditions. In Texas, local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of those they serve. When drought conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety.

TYLER – The subject of a high school name change will be back before school trustees on Monday. The TISD school board has called a special meeting to consider changing the name of one or both of the high schools. If they decide on the name change, then they will begin the process to select a new name, or names. People on both sides of the issue discussed it at the last school board meeting. Monday’s meeting starts at 6:30pm at the Jack L. Davidson Conference Center on West Glenwood.

LINDALE – An investigation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Department has turned up several gambling machines. Acting on a tip, undercover officers made several trips to the Oasis gas station on Highway 110 north in Lindale. on Thursday, officers served a search warrant at the station. They seized three gambling machines, miscellaneous paperwork and over $12,500. Sheriff’s department Sgt. Darrell Coslin said no arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing and criminal charges may be filed when the investigation is completed.

TYLER – Highway 64 East, in the vicinity of Big Oak Bay Road east of Tyler, has been reopened after being shut down by a large grass and pasture fire. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said hay raking equipment started the fire that quickly spread to about 10 to 15 acres. Two barns and a shed burned but the firefighters were able to save five structures in the area. The fire was brought under control by 3:40 Thursday afternoon. At one time, a total of 8 fire departments were on the scene, battling the large fire.

TYLER – An Athens man has been sentenced to prison for the unlawful possession of ricin. Abel Keith Fulton, 20, pleaded guilty back in March. He has now been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder in Tyler. He was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution for costs incurred by law enforcement officials in connection with the removal of the hazardous materials and decontamination of his residence. Prosecutors say he possessed the drug at his home in August and September of 2016. Ricin is a biological toxin that can be fatal if ingested, inhaled, or injected. There is no known antidote or cure for ricin poisoning. He is said to have made the toxin using supplies that he purchased online.

EAST TEXAS – Three persons have died in three separate area accidents. They occurred in Gregg, Cherokee and eastern Smith County. The Smith County crash occurred around 12:15 Wednesday afternoon on Farm Road 850, one mile west of Overton. Slater Dylan Brabec, 17, of Arp, later died at UT Health-Tyler. The Department of Public safety says the accident remains under investigation. The preliminary report said that the victim’s car was heading east at an unsafe speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle in a curve and it left the road and hit a tree. Continue reading Three Area Wrecks Result in Three Deaths

GREENVILLE (AP) – An East Texas man convicted in the fatal shooting of his sister has been sentenced to 99 years in prison in an attack in which she called 911 and identified him before dying. The Greenville Herald-Banner reports Martin Ray Malone was sentenced Wednesday in Greenville. Jurors on Tuesday convicted the Wills Point man of murder in the May 2017 slaying. Authorities say Jayme Malone Lopez, after being shot, called 911 to say her brother attacked her. Her vehicle then crashed. Lopez died at a hospital in Quinlan. Records show Malone had a 2007 conviction for hitting Lopez. Prosecutors believe Malone killed his sister because he feared being convicted of aggravated assault against her in a 2015 case. Lopez, also of Wills Point, was slain days before a scheduled court hearing.

RUSK COUNTY — A Kilgore man is in the Rusk County Jail on charges including aggravated assault. According to our news partner KETK, Isaiah Dominique Ross, 24, was arrested Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Violent Crime Task Force and the Gregg County Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Unit. Ross was arrested in Kilgore at a local motel for several outstanding warrants which included aggravated assault causing bodily injury from Rusk County; evading arrest or detention from Harrison County; escape while arrested and fail to identify as a fugitive from Corrigan Police Department. Ross is currently in Rusk County jail awaiting bond.

TYLER – Law enforcement agencies gathered in Tyler Wednesday to talk about school safety for the new school year that is fast approaching. There was an increased number of school hoax threats since the first of the year. Tyler Police Chief Jimmy Toler said they take all threats seriously. Those responsible will be prosecuted. FBI-Dallas Special Agent-in-Charge Eric K. Jackson encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity by calling 911. Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Darrell Coslin encouraged area residents to take part in active shooter training. The hope of everyone is for a safe school year. You can go to https://www.facebook.com/TylerTexasPolice/videos/1921381654586238 and see the full news conference.

TYLER – The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler has upheld the capital murder conviction of a Henderson County woman. Stacie Parsons, 29, of Athens had been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She was convicted of killing her 4 year old daughter, Victoria Wyatt in July, 2014. According to court testimony, she tried to kill the little girl several ways, before drowning her. She then carried the body home in the trunk of her car. Parsons then went to the Athens Police Department and confessed to killing the girl. Officers found her body in the yard of her home.

TYLER – Tyler police have released the name of a man found dead in a wooded area July 24. He’s been identified as Gregory Jock, 50, of Tyler. A citizen found his body in the woods behind the Valero Gas Station at East Front Street and SSE Loop 323. Investigators said foul-play was not suspected.

TYLER – A couple of weather records were put on the books in Tyler in July. The National Weather Service says there were two temperature records set in the month. July 20th equaled the record high maximum first set in 1896 and on July 22nd, the 106 degree reading beat the previous record of 105 recorded in 1925 and 1963. July 12th was the wettest July 12th on record. The 2.03 inches beat the previous record of 1.62 inches set in 1893. July 2018 turned out to be 3.9 degrees warmer than normal and 2.2 degrees warmer than July of last year. The rainfall was 23% percent greater than normal. And year to date rainfall is 89% of normal. So far, 2018 is running 38% warmer than normal. The 30 day outlook for August calls for above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall.

AUSTIN – A Henderson County resident is a millionaire today. The Texas Lottery has announced a resident from Gun Barrel City claimed a second tier Mega Millions prize worth $3 million. It was for the drawing on July 24. The ticket was purchased at Food Fast #1063 on West Main Street in Gun Barrel City. The winning ticket with Megaplier matched all five of the white ball numbers drawn (1-2-4-19-29), but not the Mega Ball number (20). The Megaplier number was 3. The winner decided to remain anonymous.

TYLER – A woman wounded in a fatal Tyler shooting is out of the hospital. Investigators have been told that Ladidre Patrice Blevins, 32, has been released. Two persons were killed in the July 23rd shooting, the woman’s teenage son and a man who was said to be her boyfriend. The suspect, Tony Waters, 55, of Kilgore, the woman’s ex-boyfriend, was later arrested in Longview. Waters later died after he was found hanging in his cell at the Gregg County Jail. With Waters’ death, investigators say the case is now closed.

TYLER – There is no burn ban yet in Smith County, but we are getting close. That was the message Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson presented to the county commissioners on Tuesday. She said the drought index for Smith County was 651. Wasson said, in the past, the county has issued a burn ban when the drought index falls around 700. County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he plans to keep the discussion of a possible burn ban on the agenda for next Tuesday’s commissioners court meeting to keep the public informed.

TYLER – A proposed property tax hike for Smith County residents has been given preliminary approval. The county commissioners, at Tuesday’s meeting, approved a tax rate of 33.7311 cents per $100 valuation. The current tax rate is 33 cents. The slight increase in the tax rate is solely due to the amount of debt service funding needed on the voter approved bonds for road and bridge projects. The commissioners will make a decision on the property tax rate when when they approve the budget on August 28th. Public hearings on the proposed rate hike have been scheduled for August 7th and 14th.

TYLER – A Flint man is free on a $20,000 bond after being charged with sexual assault of a child. Tyler police arrested Jordan Davashun Taylor, 30, on Monday. Police said Taylor admitted to having consensual sex with the minor. But in Texas, a person 16 or under can’t consent to sex, otherwise it becomes known as “statutory rape.”

TYLER – The proposed merger of American State Bank and Texas State Bank has been announced. Steele Holdings, Inc., parent company of Arp, Texas-based American State Bank, has announced the agreement acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Joaquin Bankshares, which owns Joaquin, Texas-based Texas State Bank. Pending regulatory approval and meeting certain other closing conditions, they expect the merger to be finalized later this year. They expect the banks to merge early next year with the combined entity having thirteen offices in nine cities and four counties across East Texas.

JACKSONVILLE – A lengthy prison sentence has been handed to a man for a Jacksonville murder. Terry Woods, 46, of Jacksonville was sentenced Monday to life in prison. He had been convicted on July 18th of the 2015 shooting death of Michael Hatton, 44, of Frankston. The shooting, on Bethune Street, followed an argument between the two men over he value of stolen floor tile. Woods was also sentenced to ten years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In a statement played for the jury, the defendant told police that “I’ve got an anger problem” and that “the anger just took over.”

BULLARD – The Bullard school system has a Director of School Safety. At Monday’s meeting, school trustees approved the superintendent’s recommendation and hired John C. Jones for the post. Over the past 20 years, Jones has served as a staff sergeant for the mortar section, of the United States Army National Guard. He has also served as a Special Agent for the FBI. He will be joining Bullard ISD in the fall after his retirement from the FBI. Jones and his wife have three children in the Bullard school system.

LONGVIEW – The heat has caused the Historic Longview Farmers Market to close for a while. The market has closed till the fall. They said on their web site, number of days with temperatures over 100°F caused the farmers’ crops to die from the heat. They will be reopening sometime in September when the early fall crops are ready. A project of Preservation Longview, the market gives you the chance to buy locally grown produce directly from the farmers as well as other local farm and specialty products. It is located at the corner of Cotton and High Streets.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Ofice is investigating a reported carjacking. It happened around 1:30 last Wednesday at the intersection of Highway 155 and Tollway 49. According to our news partner KETK, an elderly woman was stopped at a red light when she was hit from behind. After the victim got out of her vehicle to inspect the damage, one of the suspects from the other vehicle stole her 2017 red Toyota Camry. The elderly woman was left stranded in the heat. She was taken to a local hospital and released July 30. Sgt. Darrel Coslin says this case will be considered a robbery and the two suspects have not been arrested. The manner of the carjacking is also considered to be a rare event, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are looking for two females suspects described as 5’5″, slender with dark hair and glasses.

GREGG COUNTY — Additional details have been released in the death of a Longview woman. Felisha Pearson was reported missing by her mother on July 20. Her body was found in the woods off West Birdsong Street July 24. That same day, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office announced they were looking for Joseph Wayne Burnette, 41, who had failed to register as a sex offender. According to our news partner KETK, Burnette had been convicted of indecent exposure. He was arrested July 25 in Upshur County, and was eventually transferred to the Gregg County Jail. His bond was set at $500,000. The warrant states Pearson was living in a local hotel with Burnette before her disappearance. Continue reading Arrest Warrant Links Dead Woman with Sex Offender

GILMER – An Upshur County Jail inmate has died from a self-inflicted injury. The Texas Rangers’ report doesn’t say when William Meadows, 27, of Longview, died. On July 19, Meadows was found unconscious in a shower. The jail staff administered first aid and he was then taken to Longview’s Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center. According to a written statement from Sheriff Larry Webb, Meadows “appeared to be a victim of self-inflicted harm.” He had been booked into the jail July 11 on charges of violation of a protective order and violation of probation. Continue reading Another Area Jail Inmate Dies

MARSHALL – One person is arrested and two are being sought in a rash of burglaries in Harrison and nearby counties. Executing a search warrant, officers arrested last week Dewayne Lamont Black Jr., 19, of Longview. He was arrested at a home on Oden Street. He is being held on charges that include engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of a building, theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bonds total $51,000. The Longview News Journal reports that items taken in burglaries in Hallsville, Carthage and Rusk County, have been recovered. This includes electronics, firearms and tools. Still at large are Nathaniel Black, 20, and Donn Spearman, 19, both of Longview.

LONGVIEW – Longview police report a missing teenager has been found safe. Kayla Monk, 18, of Longview, was reported missing on July 27th. Detectives report today that she has been located, but they gave no details on how she was found or where she was prior to being found.

EAST TEXAS – Another area county and a city have been added to the burn ban list. Anderson County is now under a burn ban for 90 days. To coincide with that ban, the City of Palestine is now under a temporary burn ban. Other area counties under a burn ban are, Van Zandt, Upshur, Rusk, Marion, Harrison, Camp and Franklin.

TYLER – A second bachelor degree has been approved for Tyler Junior College. The approval comes from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It has approved the college’s proposed Bachelor of Applied Technology in Healthcare Technologies and Medical Systems. The Texas Workforce Commission lists medical and health service managers as the fifth most-needed occupation. The Texas Workforce Commission lists medical and health service managers as the fifth most-needed occupation, with more than 875 job openings in Smith County last year. In the East Texas region, there is a projected 30% increase in medical and health care services management positions over the next 10 years. The approval notification will now be communicated to the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools/Commission on Colleges, to identify a start date for this degree.

TYLER – A Tyler native has been crowned the 2019 Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. She is London Hibbs, 17. Earlier this month she was crowned Miss Texas Outstanding Teen. She won the national title over the weekend during the national scholarship competition, which was held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For her talent, she sang “Think of Me,’ from The Phantom of the Opera and was the preliminary talent winner. She also won the preliminary evening wear and onstage question award. For winning the crown, Hibbs was awarded a $31,000 college scholarship. Miss Hibbs will now be speaking to audiences around the country about her platform, “Check Yes 4 Life,” which encourages teen organ donation registration. She will also act as the official National Teen Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals