KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HIDEAWAY – Work on the Farm Road 849 bridge over Interstate Highway 20 is moving faster than expected. The bridge over the interstate highway has been completely removed and all lanes of the interstate are open to normal traffic flow. They had expected the normal flow of traffic to return on Wednesday, but the west bound lanes were opened Monday and the east bound lanes were opened today. According to TxDOT Public Information Officer Kathi White, no additional lane closures are planned for this week as work continues on the bridge replacement project.

TYLER – Tyler’s Northside Park will be closed to the public on Thursday and Friday for a vegetation management project. This project will increase the navigable air space within the model airplane fields and will also allow easier access to the model airplane runway.

WOOD COUNTY — Two adults sustained minor injuries in a Tuesday morning school bus crash in Wood County. Troopers responded around 7:24 to the two-vehicle wreck involving a Harmony ISD bus on SH 154 and FM 2869. According to DPS, preliminary reports indicate that the driver of a pickup ran into the back of the stopped bus due to visibility (sun glare). There were 14 children on board the bus, none of whom were injured. The drivers of both vehicles were injured and transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. The children were picked up and transported to school by another school bus. We’ll have more information as it becomes available.

EDGEWOOD — Edgewood police say three runaway teens have been found. According to KETK, they were discovered Monday along CR 3504 and were being evaluated by medical staff. Earlier in the day, police teamed up with other Van Zandt County law enforcement agencies in searching for the three, aged 12 to 16. The teens have been identified as Cheyenne Andrews, Bryan Nyman, and Steven Shumate. Officials took to the air and ground to search for the teens and recruited volunteers to assist.

TYLER – It will be a contested race for Smith County District Attorney in the Republican primary in March. Tyler attorney Alicia Cashell Barkley announced her candidacy in a Monday afternoon news conference. She will be going up against Assistant District Attorney Jacob Putman. With over 20 years of experience as an attorney, Barkley is a family law attorney. She practices in Smith, Henderson and Cherokee Counties. In announcing her candidacy, Barkley said she believed that the people of Smith County “deserve to have a choice in the leadership of an office that, literally, makes life and death decisions.” Monday was the final day to file for the March 6th primary.

MARSHALL – Some gas skimmers have turned up in Marshall. Three devices were found at a gas station. Detectives are currently checking other gas stations in the city for more of the devices. Unlike previous advisories, these recent skimming devices are placed inside the pump itself instead of on the outside of the machine and are completely undetectable by consumers. Police public information officer Kelly Colvin said the name of the business and it’s location are not being released. She said the business was not involved in the crime and has taken all of the necessary precautions to prevent it from happening again. Continue reading More Gas Skimmers Turn Up in East Texas

GLADEWATER – A one vehicle accident in Upshur County has killed James Norstrom, 31, of Gilmer. The accident occurred about three miles north of Gladewater on Farm Road 2685 around 9:15 Sunday morning. The Department of Public Safety reports says Norstrom was heading south when his car left the road, went into a sideways skid and hit a tree. The car then rolled onto its side and hit another tree. Norstrom was pronounced dead at the scene.

LONGVIEW – A reception is scheduled Tuesday afternoon for retiring Longview City Manager David Willard. The public is invited to the reception, which will run from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Maude Cobb Convention Center. He will be retiring at the end of the year from the post he has held since 2007. Willard came to Longview from Odessa, where he had been serving as assistant city manager. Prior to that, Willard had been city manager in Borger and County Judge in Hutchinson County. When Willard retires, the Longview City Council has named Keith Bonds as Acting City Manager. He will serve in that post for a period of six months. Mayor Andy Mack says, after that, Bonds will be evaluated to see if the word “acting” will be removed from his title.

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has posthumously awarded the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Travis Earl Watkins of the United States Army. Watkins grew up in Troup. He served in the army during World War II and the Korean conflict. He died from his wounds in Korea in May, 1950 as he stayed behind and ordered his men to safety. For his actions he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on February 16th, 1951. He is buried in East Texas at the Gladewater Memorial Cemetery. Continue reading Man Who Grew Up in Smith County Receives Posthumous Award

TYLER – Three men have been indicted in a credit card skimming case that cost East Texans millions of dollars. The Smith County grand jury returned the indictments November 30th. The men are Nolberto Rivera (pictured), 29, Eligio Diegez-Arias, 29, and Emilio Francisco Guitierrez-Alvarez, 42. All are from the Houston area.They were among five people arrested in May in the card skimming case. They remain in the Smith County jail. Each is under bonds totaling $2,200,000.

LONGVIEW – A Kilgore woman pleaded guilty Monday to killing her mother last year. In state district court in Longview, Kayla Ann Wheeler pleaded guilty to the November 2106 death of Elizabeth Jane Wheeler, 52. She was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Police found the body of her mother at the Hidden Hills Apartments on Gilmer Road in Longview. The autopsy report showed the woman had stab wounds to the neck with cut her jugular vein and carotid artery, muscles and larynx. Kayla arrived at the scene as officers were investigating the death. She later told investigators during an interview that she had killed her mother.

LONGVIEW — A Texas A&M senior defensive tackle was arrested Sunday morning on several charges. According to KETK, Zaycoven Henderson, 23, of Longview, was a passenger in a car when he was seen pointing a gun at multiple people at a College Station apartment complex. Police pulled the car over as it was attempting to leave and also found marijuana. Authorities say they also found the rifle Henderson was waving in the woods nearby. A release from officers says Henderson threatened at least three people claiming he would kill them. Henderson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana. Henderson has been suspended indefinitely from team activities as a consequence for his actions.

EAST TEXAS — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of December 11, 2017. These 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.

In Smith County, the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route will be closing all lanes of I-20 (eastbound and westbound) to conduct work on the Toll 49 Northbound Bridge, and to place concrete for the deck of the Mainlane Bridge over I-20. The closure is slated for 9 p.m., Thurs., December 14th to 5 a.m., Fri., December 15th. Local law enforcement will be assisting with work zone traffic control redirecting motorists to the frontage roads. Message boards have been installed to provide advance notice of the closures. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of December 11

TYLER — North-bound Toll 49 has been closed from SH 64 to I-20. This closure is expected to last until 7:00 Wednesday morning. The closure is directly related to the closure of I-20 and the removal of the damaged bridge at FM 849, near Hideaway. Drivers should plan for delays. All north-bound traffic will be diverted onto SH 64. South-bound lanes will remain open. Drivers are asked to obey all message boards and allow for extra time to reach your destination.

TYLER — All lanes of traffic are currently shut down in the 1800 block of Troup Highway due to a box truck striking a guide wire. A power pole was broken and power lines were across the roadway. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes if traveling in this area. Motorists are currently being detoured around this location.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man wanted for the unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material. He is John Kahen Battle, 18. He is 6’6,” weighs around 155 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He is know to drive a 2005 tan 4-door GMC truck a Texas license plane number BA2-8888. The truck has a flag attached to the tailgate. Battle has made threats to harm specific family members of this case. He has access to a handgun, but it is not known if he has it with him. Battle has two open assault cases, one out of the Tyler Police Department and one out of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department. If you know where he can be found, you are ask to contact your law enforcement agency.

JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville woman, who was named in over three dozen warrants, has been arrested. Rona Humpherey (Green), 52, was arrested on Thursday evening. She was named in 42 warrants for credit card or debit card abuse and one charge of misapplication of fiduciary property of a financial institution with a loss of $45,784. Humpherey is accused of using money, credit cards and debit cards belonging to family members to pay for her individual utilities, rent, vacations and gifts for others. This is said to have occurred over a period from January of last year through October of this year. Continue reading Cherokee County Woman Facing 45 Charges

TYLER – Fall commencement ceremonies were held Friday at Tyler Junior College. The 10:00am ceremony recognized graduates in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Professional and Technical Programs. The 1:00pm ceremony recognized graduates in the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences and the School of Humanities, Communications and Fine Arts. In the morning ceremony, three graduates crossed the stage and received TJC’s first Bachelor of Science degrees in dental hygiene. It was awarded to Amanda Camp of Lufkin, Shannon Kassaw of Palestine, and Michelle Trammell of Tyler. Continue reading A First for Tyler Junior College

BULLARD – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department has issued a Silver Alert for a missing Bullard man. He is Terry Darnell Young, 64. Young, who is said to suffer from a cognitive impairment, was last seen around Friday morning shortly before 12:15 in Terrell. He was driving a black 2016 Chrysler 200 with the license plane number HFL 6870. He is about 5’5″ and weighs around 155 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. If you see him, you are asked to contact emergency officials.

HIDEAWAY – Starting at noon on Sunday, Farm Road 849 at Hideaway will be closed for the demolition of the bridge that sustained major structural damage last month. Interstate Highway 20 eastbound and westbound at this location will be closed with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction on the ramps. Motorists should use alternate routes to avoid the extreme delays expected during this work. According to TxDOT, removal of the existing bridge will signal the start of an emergency contract to expedite the replacement project for the FM 849 Bridge over I-20. The closure of I-20, from noon Sunday through Wednesday morning, is required for the safe, efficient removal of the existing structure and the safety of motorists. Continue reading Section of I-20 to be Closed Starting Sunday

TYLER – There are a wide variety of holiday activities around the area this weekend. One of the most unusual is north of Tyler at the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge. You are invited to stop by on Saturday to meet Santa Paws. Santa Paws will be visiting Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. You are invited to visit the cats for pictures, hot cocoa, story time, reindeer games, and other festive activities. And be sure to wear your ugly Christmas sweaters. The ugliest will receive a grand prize. Tiger Creek is also offering free pictures with Santa Paws so you can remember the occasion. Tiger Creek is located just three miles north of Tyler State Park on Farm Road 14, just three miles north of Tyler State Park.

CHANDLER – A handcuffed woman was unsuccessful in her attempt to run away from a Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy. Deloris Yvonne Belcher, 36, of Chandler, was stopped for a traffic violation on Niceview Drive in the Sunrise Shores Addition just outside of Chandler on Thursday. She was put in handcuffs after the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana on her. She ran away and tried to get into a nearby house. She was arrested and a search of her car yielded methamphetamines, several loose pills and marijuana. She has been charged with escape while under arrest, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Her bonds total $15,000.

TYLER – In Tyler Federal Court on Thursday, a former Texas pilot has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and arson charges. At sentencing, Theodore Robert Wright, III, 32, of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Kemah, Texas, faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the wire fraud conspiracy count and 5 to 20 years in federal prison on the arson conspiracy count. Continue reading Pilot Pleads Guilty In Federal Court in Tyler

TYLER – Smith County authorities are looking for an armed robbery suspect. The man is said to have robbed the AZ Food Mart on Highway 69 North just before midnight on December 1st. Two days later the same man robbed AB Country Store on Farm Road 14 in the Red Springs area. In both robberies, he was armed with a black, semi-automatic handgun. He is described as a white male around six feet tall, slender to medium build and in his late 20s or early 30s. Continue reading Smith County Robbery Suspect at Large

LONGVIEW – Beginning Friday, the intersection of Center Street and Whaley Street in Longview will be closed to all traffic. Center Street will remain closed between Whaley and Methvin. The intersections at Methvin will remain open. Scheduling of this closure was done to avoid conflict with downtown events. The work is part of the 2011 Street Bond Fund. This project consists of reconstructing Center Street from Cotton to Whaley with curb and gutter, upgraded drainage inlets, sidewalks, signs, and water and sewer improvements. The work is being done by by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to intoxication manslaughter. Thursday’s plea of Thomas Henkel, 34, was in connection with an accident last year that killed Lauren Elrod of Harleton. Police say his Range Rover was traveling east on loop 281 when he crossed over the center median and hit Elrod’s car head-on. She was ejected from the vehicle after it rolled, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

PAYNE SPRINGS – A traffic stop for a simple violation results in serious charges against a man from the Metroplex. A car with four persons was stopped Wednesday night on Highway 198 between Caney City and Payne Springs. In the vehicle deputies found a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, and other items commonly used in the distribution and sale of the drug. Christopher Williford, 52, of Garland has been charged with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. And, since the vehicle was used during the commission of a felony, the Sheriff’s Office will request that a seizure of that vehicle be filed through the District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading Man Busted for Drugs in Henderson County

AUSTIN – Norbord Jefferson OSB has partnered with Texas State Technical College in Marshall to provide job training using a $223,939 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The money will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions East Texas area. The funds will be used to provide customized training to 93 new and incumbent workers for industry-related topics. The instruction will be focused on pump repair, rigging, coupling alignment and hydraulics. Trainees will include electrical engineers, maintenance technicians and production supervisors. Upon completion of training, the workers will receive an average wage of $22.27.

AUSTIN – A commemorative ornament from Tyler Junior College can now be found on the Texas House of Representatives Christmas tree in Austin, thanks to a creative student. Molly Mosby, a freshman Apache Belle from Rockwall, created the ornament which was hung on the tree in the State Capitol building by Tyler State Representative Matt Schaefer. Her design for the ornament incorporated the Belles and Band’s 70th anniversary logo, the school’s black and gold colors, and feathers for TJC’s Apache mascot. She also used roses, representing the city of Tyler. The ornament can be seen on the 23-foot, Texas-grown Christmas tree that will stand in the House Chamber Through January 2nd.