KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — A Sunday night fire destroyed a storage facility and a nearby business. It started around 10:30 at CubeSmart Self Storage, 12324 Highway 155 South. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said it appeared the fire started in a portion of the business that houses RV’s and motor homes. Residents that live on the property called to report the blaze. No injuries were reported. Wasson said the roof collapsed so they are not sure how many RVs were damaged or destroyed by the fire. High winds spread the fire to a nearby business, Racer’s Choice Inc., 12001 County Road 1114. The business, which manufactures products for car racing, is a complete loss. Noonday, Flint/Gresham, Bullard, Tyler, Whitehouse, Dixie, Chapel Hill and Winona Fire Departments responded to the blaze.

MABANK – Two girls, ages 7 and 5, are remembered at a funeral service today after Henderson County authorities say they were killed by their mother. Friends and neighbors gathered Friday night to comfort each other and celebrate the sisters’ lives. Sarah Nicole Henderson, 29, of Mabank, is charged with one count of capital murder. A second capital murder charge is pending. She remains in Henderson County Jail under suicide watch. Her bond is $2 million. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said, during an interview with investigators, she confessed to shooting the girls. Investigators say the mother had planned the girls’ deaths weeks in advance. Continue reading Service Today for 2 Little East Texas Girls

TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas has opened a new adoption center and business office in Tyler. Dozens of local vendors, contractors and businesses came together to remodel a home on old Bullard Road that is used for the facility. The SPCA of East Texas is a 100% foster-based rescue group with over 120 rescued dogs and cats in foster homes. These animals come from ther local community and find forever homes after being socialized and rehabilitated. The newly remodeled SPCA administrative offices are now open Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and every Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. On Saturdays, 30-40 foster dogs and cats are available to meet potential adopters.

KILGORE – The presidents of Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist University have signed an articulation agreement that will create a more seamless transition for Kilgore College students and graduates to attend ETBU It also establishes ETBU scholarships. The partnership between the two schools will encourage the completion of the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees available at the institutions. It will also provide students with academic and administrative advisement. According to a news release from the schools, the agreement will promote continuous advancement in learning and ensure that all students receive the resources necessary to be successful in their respective callings.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of November 6th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

In Smith County, motorists can expect daily lane closures on I-20 eastbound and westbound at Toll 49 for the next couple of weeks as the contractor for the Lindale Relief Route conducts work to install deck panels and overhangs of the Toll 49 Mainlane Bridge. Work will progress from south to north through about November 17th. The contractor will be closing lanes starting with the eastbound outside lane. Another closure is planned for November 9 from 2:00 to 5:00am to place concrete for the bridge deck at FM 16. Traffic will be stopped in both directions. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control. No lane closures are allowed after noon on Friday’s. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

RUSK COUNTY – One person has been killed and two injured in a one vehicle accident in Rusk County. The crash occurred Friday morning on Farm Road 2011, near County Road 2116, south east of Lake Cherokee. Killed was a passenger in the vehicle, Jamie Marie Ramirez, 31, of Tatum. Injured were the driver, Johnathan Tanner, 26, of Tatum and a two year old boy. Both were taken to a Longview hospital for treatment. The Department of Public Safety reports Tanner was passing another vehicle when he lost control of the car on the wet road. The car left the road and hit a tree.

LUFKIN – A customer at a Lufkin store has been shot and killed during a robbery. The holdup at the Dollar General on Kurth Drive occurred shortly after 9:45 Friday night. Lufkin police say the suspect entered the store, demanded money and then shot a customer who was standing at the register. He has been identified as Darrence Kindle, 31, of Lufkin. Kindle had just gotten off work at Georgia Pacific and went the store to buy cigarettes before going home. When officers arrived, Kindle had a weak pulse. He was taken to a Lufkin hospital for treatment, where he later died. Continue reading Customer Killed During Lufkin Robbery

KILGORE – A Kilgore man is being accused of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Arrested Friday was Daniel Martin Rios Sanchez, 28. The incident is said to have occurred at the suspect’s home in late August. According to the Longview News Journal, the girl reported the incident to police September 28 during an unrelated forensic interview at Martin House Children’s Advocacy Center in Longview. According to an affidavit, Sanchez said he asked the victim how old she was, and she said she was 13 years old. He told Kilgore police he had sex with the girl several times, but he believed it was consensual.

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville police say several burglaries have been solved with the arrest of two persons. They were arrested after they were seen dragging a toy capsule vending machine across a street. A juvenile was arrested hiding under a house on Nacogdoches Street. Later, when a search warrant was served at the house, Andre Dylan Helm, 18, was arrested. Officers were able to track items that had fallen out of the machine back to a restaurant on East Rusk Street that had been burglarized. Additional arrests are expected in the case. Continue reading Jacksonville Burglary Suspects Arrested

TYLER – Two gas skimmers have turned up at a Tyler service station. Investigators with the North Texas Financial Crimes Task Force found the skimmers at the Exxon station on Lake Placid Road. They were removed from the pumps and were processed for evidence. Skimmer devices will capture your credit card information allowing the suspect to clone a new credit card and charge on your account

TYLER – Tyler’s CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital is named as one of the top hospitals in the nation. CareChex, an information service of Quantros, Inc., has named the Tyler hospital number 1 in the state for Overall Hospital Care, Overall Surgical Care, Coronary Bypass Surgery, Gastrointestinal Care and General Surgery in the 2018 Award Rankings. The hospital was also named in the Top 100 hospitals in the nation and among the Top 10% nationally in Medical Excellence and Patient Safety for more than 20 clinical categories. Continue reading Tyler Hospital Recognized for Quality Care

LONGVIEW – Longview police are continuing the investigation into the city’s 9th homicide of the year. The shooting death was reported shortly before midnight Wednesday on Thirteenth Street. Dead at the scene was 26 year old Sandy Leon Brown of Longview. He was found dead in a carport at the residence. A second man was also shot. He received a non-life threatening injury. His name has not been released. According to police Sergeant Shane McCarter, they are still looking for witnesses.

TYLER – After over 35 years of service, Tyler police officer Larry Christian is retiring. He started as a patrol officer at the Tyler Police Department in 1982. Over the past three decades, he has served as a detective, internal affairs officer, accident investigator, field training officer and field training coordinator. Over the years he has received numerous awards and certifications, including Plain Clothes Officer of the Year award in 1994 and the Tyler Patrolman’s Association Excellence in Policing award in 2005. According to police chief Jimmy Toler, who is seen on the right in the picture, “his experience and professionalism will be greatly missed.”

PALESTINE – Palestine’s burn ban has been lifted. The temporary burn ban was instituted October 25th to coincide with the burn ban in effect in Anderson County. Now that Anderson County’s burn ban has been lifted, Palestine has followed suit. Palestine residents will be allowed to burn if they obtain a permit at one of the three Palestine Fire Stations.

AUSTIN – Tyler is running ahead of the state when it comes to home sales. When compared to the same quarter last year, Tyler home sales increased 3.3% to 847 single-family home sales. The median price increased 8.5% to $189,900. The figures are contained in the 2017-Q3 Texas Quarterly Housing Report. Statewide, it is a different story. Texas home sales volume decreased 0.3% to 91,401 home sales. Vicki Fullerton, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors, says the slight drop in Texas home sales is because of the impact of Hurricane Harvey. The Texas home sales decline on quarterly basis is for the first time since 2012. The median price of a home in the state, however, increased 5.6% from the prior year to $225,000.

RUSK COUNTY – One person has been killed and two injured in a one vehicle accident in Rusk County. The crash occurred Friday morning on Farm Road 2011, near County Road 2116, south east of Lake Cherokee. The Department of Public Safety reports a driver was passing another vehicle when he lost control of the car on the wet road. The car left the road and hit a tree. A passenger in the car was killed and the driver, and another passenger, were taken to a Longview hospital for treatment. Their names have not been released.

ATHENS – Henderson County authorities are continuing their probe into the deaths of two young girls. The mother of the seven and five year old girls, 29 year old Sarah Nicole Henderson, of Mabank, is charged with one count of capital murder. A second capital murder charge is pending. She remains in Henderson County Jail under suicide watch. Her bond is $2 million. Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said, during an interview with investigators, she confessed to shooting the girls. Investigators say the mother had planned the girls’ deaths weeks in advance. Continue reading Investigation Continues in Murders of Henderson County Children

QUITMAN — Former Wood County Sheriff James Brown was arrested Wednesday. According to KETK, he has been charged with two counts of official oppression and one count of official abuse of official capacity. Last month, a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of eight people against Brown and others in the department. It alleges one of the plaintiffs had a gun pointed at his head and the other had a serious injury. The plaintiffs are seeking actual punitive damages.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Officials in Van Zandt County are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teen. LeeAnn Brown, 17, was last seen on Wednesday night between 09:00-09:30. She was seen leaving her residence on VZCR 1314 in a tan single cab Chevy truck with a tool box in the bed. LeeAnn has brownish blonde hair with blue tips. If you have seen or know the location of LeeAnn, please contact local law enforcement.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois – Sears is announcing it planned to close dozens more Sears and Kmart stores around the country. To close in late January of next year will be 45 Kmart and 18 Sears stores. One of the Sears stores that will be shuttered is on Medford Drive in Lufkin. For years, Sears and Kmart have been losing billions of dollars and closing stores. The parent company, Sears Holdings, hasn’t turned a profit since 2010.

TYLER – A Smith County man is going to federal prison for drug trafficking. Stacey Godsey, 45, of Tyler, was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison. He pleaded guilty back in July to conspiracy to import anabolic steroids. According to federal prosecutors, from 2014 to 2016, Godsey and Joseph Shay Burton, 39, also of Tyler, purchased anabolic steroids through the internet from suppliers located in China. The men are said to have converted them from powder to liquid dosage units in the kitchen and garage of Godsey’s home. Once converted into liquid, the steroids were sold and distributed to steroid users in Tyler and elsewhere. When law enforcement officers searched residences belonging to the men in the spring of last year, more than 60,000 dosage units of anabolic steroids were found at Godsey’s residence. More than 6,000 dosage units were found at Burton’s residence. Burton pleaded guilty in July of this year and is awaiting sentencing.

LONGVIEW — A pedestrian was found Thursday morning who had been struck and killed by a hit and run driver in Longview Wednesday night. Killed in the accident on Gilmer Road shortly after 8:45 Wednesday night was Joe Arthur Lee, 63. Investigators say he was hit by a GMC or Chevrolet pickup. a video shows the vehicle traveling north bound. Gilmer Road from West Fairmont Street to Jenny Street was closed for a while as investigators pieced together what happened. If you can provide any information about the accident, you are asked to contact Officer Mike Grisham at the Longview Police Department.

TYLER – In Tyler federal Court, a mother and son from Dallas have been sentenced for their roles in a synthetic drug conspiracy. Sharjeel Jeff Ali, 29, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. His mother, Nadia Farishta,54, was sentenced to 47 months in federal prison. They will also will forfeit over $250,000 in seized U. S. currency and bank accounts, and around 55 pounds of synthetic drugs, and drug paraphernalia. The United States will also take money judgments in the amount of $500,000 against the woman and her ex-husband, who was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison earlier this year. Also previously sentenced in the case were the woman’s daughter and son-in-law. Continue reading Two Sentenced in Tyler in Federal Drug Conspiracy

HARLETON – A two vehicle accident that left one person dead in Harrison County remains under investigation. Dead at the scene was Colleen Mansfield, 51, of Diana. The Department of Public Safety reports she crossed over to the other lane of traffic, on a curve, and collided with a pickup. The man driving the pickup was not injured. The accident occurred shortly after 6:45 Thursday morning on State Highway 154, about three miles east of Harleton.

TYLER – An accident at a Tyler intersection is causing a problem. A vehicle hit a utility pole at West 5th Street and South College Avenue. The intersection is currently controlled by stop signs and functioning as an all-way stop intersection until the signal is repaired. Drivers are urged to use caution at this intersection or use an alternate route.

TYLER – A Houston man has received a lengthy prison sentence for a Tyler murder. Jared Wilson, 32, had been convicted of the shooting death of Thomas Wilson of Lindale in July of last year. He was sentenced Thursday to life in prison. The altercation which led to the shooting took place in the parking lot of the Royal Inn Suites on West Northwest Loop 323. Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument between the two men over car keys belonging to Tom Wilson’s niece, who was the girlfriend to Jared Wilson. The suspect, who ran from the scene, was taken into custody near Anderson County after a state trooper located his vehicle.

AUSTIN – A state grant is coming to a Henderson County school system. The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded a $100,326 Jobs and Education for Texans grant to the Eustace Independent School District. The grant will help the school district purchase and install equipment to provide 192 students with training for careers in the welding profession. The purchased equipment will continue to support the welding program and future students enrolled with Eustace ISD.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s 9th homicide of the year is under investigation. The shooting death was reported shortly before midnight Wednesday on Thirteenth Street. A man was found dead in a carport at the residence. A second man was also shot. He is in the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. Names have not been released.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview woman has been charged with drunken driving after police said she hit a pole after picking up her two 9-year-old children after school. Longview Police said Misty Dawn Green, 38, told them that she drank two beers in a Spring Hill ISD parking lot while waiting to pick up her children. According to KETK, after leaving the school, Green ran off the road and hit a pole on Brent Road near Thompson Road around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities said neither Green nor her children were seriously hurt. She was released from the Gregg County Jail on $7,500 bond.