KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – East Texans are helping out in the ongoing response to Hurricane Harvey. KETK reports the city of Tyler will soon be assisting state officials in life-saving efforts in the Houston area. According to Fire Marshal Paul Findley, Tyler Fire is deploying a mobile command and communications unit, along with four personnel. A formal request for help was received Sunday afternoon. Up until the request, the city had only been on standby. The vehicle will travel to an undetermined staging location in the Houston area. Findley said the unit will likely be gone for a week and could possibly stay longer if needed. Continue reading East Texans Assist in Harvey Response Efforts

TYLER – Motorists can expect delays and closures as night work is conducted on I-20 at the Toll 49 interchange, and on the ongoing US 271 project in Tyler. TxDOT says the schedules are subject to change due to wet weather forecast for the area. Starting tonight, I-20 will experience closures necessary for work on the NETRMA’s Toll 49 construction project. Message boards are already in place announcing the planned closures. If the work is rained out, it will be rescheduled to start on September 5. The Lindale Police Department will provide traffic control. Continue reading Expect Night Work on I-20 and U.S. 271

TYLER — The Tyler Together Race Relations Forum will hold a “Reignite the Dream” rally on the Tyler downtown square tonight at 6:30. Organizers say it marks the 54th anniversary of the March on Washington, at which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. They say the event was spurred by recent events across the nation, including the local discussion about possibly renaming Robert E. Lee High School. According to information from Tyler Together, participants plan to remember Dr. King’s speech and rededicate their efforts to make his words a reality in the community. The event has several co-sponsors, and the public is being encouraged to attend.

RUSK – An escapee from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Skyview Unit in Rusk has been captured. TDCJ officials say 35-year-old Aaron Ray Williams was caught by TDCJ staff around 10:20 a.m. Sunday along Highway 84, west of Rusk. A news release issued shortly before 9:00 Sunday morning said he had escaped by scaling a fence. Williams is serving a 35-year sentence for burglary of a building in Smith County.

DALLAS (AP) – Congress is close to finalizing changes to the nation’s emergency dialing system inspired by a girl’s struggle to call 911 as her mother lay dying from stab wounds in a Marshall hotel room. The House and Senate unanimously passed versions of the proposal. Once the final wording is worked out, the measure known as “Kari’s Law” heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. Kari Hunt Dunn (pictured) was killed in 2013 when her estranged husband stormed into her hotel room and stabbed her multiple times while her children watched. One of them, a girl who was 9 at the time, tried to call 911 four times but wasn’t able to get an outside line. Her grandfather, Dunn’s father, pressed Congress to mandate direct-dial 911 on new phone systems that businesses install.

LONGVIEW – One person has been wounded in a Gregg County shooting. It happened Friday afternoon as Gregg County sheriff’s deputies responded to Carr Road in reference to an aggravated assault. According to the department’s Facebook Page, while investigators were interviewing the victim, the suspect drove up and rammed an occupied Gregg County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. Deputies then fired at the suspect. After being treated at the hospital, then suspect was then booked into the Gregg County Jail. The suspect, who has not been identified, is charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and one count of aggravated assault family violence.

TYLER – The U.S. Marshal’s Service has arrested a Mineola man on Smith County charges of aggravated sexual assault of an elderly/disabled person. In the Smith County Jail under a $1 million bond is Gary Neil McGill, 69. The charges stem from an incident in September of 2016 in which McGill is accused of the sexual assault of a woman who suffers from intellectual disabilities. During the investigation, officers recovered from his house computers, hard drives and cameras.

LONGVIEW – As Hurricane Harvey makes landfall on the Texas coast, emergency management personnel with the City of Longview and Gregg County are encouraging residents to make basic emergency preparations. Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman says the Longview area is not expected to receive the same level of storm severity as will be seen along the coast. But he says a storm like this could still bring heavy rainfall, high winds, and loss of power. He encourages residents to make sure they have have food and water and medications on hand and put together an emergency preparedness kit. He also encourages everyone to sign up for the CodeRed emergency notification system. Continue reading Longview Residents Encouraged to “Be Prepared”

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler officials presented faculty awards for outstanding achievement and dedication during 2017 Convocation that was held on Friday. Officials also recognized senior lecturer in economics Susan Doty, who was named to the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers earlier this year, as well as associate professor of education Dr. Julie Delello and senior lecturer in history Dr. James Newsom, who each received the 2017 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Continue reading Awards Handed Out at the UT Tyler Convocation

CHANDLER – A search warrant served by Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies resulted in the arrest of Phillip Corey Stewart, 38, of Chandler. He was arrested Thursday at a home on Sun Dial Drive south of Chandler. Deputies found methamphetamine, scales, baggies, a semi-automatic pistol and a 12-guage shotgun. Besides the drug charge, Stewart was also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

TYLER — A section of New Copeland Road, which was closed this morning, has been reopened. Friday morning the Tyler Street Department is closed all lanes of New Copeland Road between Shiloh Road and Hubbard Drive. It was closed while they brought down a big tree that was in the process of uprooting.

EAST TEXAS — First responders in East Texas are headed south to help people in the direct path of Hurricane Harvey. KETK reports ETMC EMS and the Emergency Medical Task Force are preparing to evacuate residents and save lives. One by one, the ambulances rolled out Thursday afternoon. Public safety preparation for Hurricane Harvey also highlighted news at Longview City Hall on Thursday. According to the Longview News-Journal, Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said at least nine Longview firefighters have been deployed to South Texas locations for statewide emergency response. Meanwhile, said Steelman, local chiefs have held conference calls with state emergency leaders. Continue reading East Texans Prepare for Hurricane Harvey

ARP — Water delivery is a daily occurrence for students at Arp Junior High School after the city’s water tested positive for asbestos. “This plan was actually brought on by my sister-in-law,” Principal Bryan Hurst told KETK. “She works at Ozarka, and when I told her about what was going on, she offered to help us out.” City officials say the water is safe, but samples show it looking murky, and unfortunately it may be like that for longer than they’d like. “Right now it’s looking about $4 million to replace all the old lines,” Mayor Terry Lowry said. The city is researching grants and loans. Other companies have also come out offering to help provide water bottles to the school district, including Lowe’s and Jackson Water Supply.

TYLER — The city of Tyler is currently accepting applications from Tyler citizens to serve on city boards and commissions. Applicants must reside inside Tyler city limits and should not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities, or other city assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. Go to https://www.cityoftyler.org/Departments/CityClerk/BoardsCommission.aspx to downolad an application. You can also pick one up at the city clerk’s office or call the city clerk at (903) 531-1106 to have an application faxed or mailed.

TYLER – The new school year starts Monday for Tyler students. The district’s convocation is Friday.Teachers, administrators and staff will gather to usher in the new school year at the annual convocation. It will be held Friday morning at Green Acres Baptist Church. Over 2,500 district employees will hear from School Superintendent Marty Crawford and school trustees. The guest speaker will be Keith Davis, the former New York Giants football player whose career was cut short by a knee injury.Davis went on to create Winners, Inc. It provides tutoring, mentoring, and ministry programs for disadvantaged youth.

KILGORE – Employees of the Martin Gas and Frontier Communications were evacuated for a while Thursday afternoon following shots in the area. No one was injured, but the Martin Gas building and some cars there were damaged by gunshots. Roads around the area were closed for a while as they searched for a suspect. Officers, aided by two drones, searched the area but no suspect was found.

LONGVIEW – A man is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds following a Longview shooting. His wounds are said to be non-life threatening. The shooting was reported shortly after 2:00 Thursday afternoon at the Belaire Apartments on East Young Street. Investigators feel there may have been more than one suspect who fled before officers arrived.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are looking for a woman who robbed a restaurant with a pen. The robbery occurred shortly before 4:45 Wednesday afternoon at the business on State Highway 31. The woman went to pay after eating at the restaurant. When the cash register was opened, the woman grabbed an undisclosed amount of money. She then grabbed a pen from the counter and threatened the employee with it. No one was injured. The believe they may know the woman’s identity.

HENDERSON COUNTY – A portion of U.S. 175 in Henderson County, which was closed due to a live power line down on the roadway, has been reopened. The closure was at County Road 4404 and west about 500 feet between the LaPoynor ISD and Larue. The road had been shut down in both directions. The power company has removed the power line from the road and traffic is being directed through the area. Another brief closure will occur to allow Oncor to conduct necessary work. TxDOT crews are on scene to handle traffic control. No injuries were reported and there was no loss of power.

TYLER — The Tyler Street Department has reopened Houston Street. Because of a large tree that was downed after being struck by lightning, Houston Street had been between closed South Broadway Avenue and Spring Street. The tree was removed and the street was reopened Thursday afternoon.

HENDERSON COUNTY — An emergency closure has been implemented for a portion of U.S. 175 in Henderson County due to a live power line down on the roadway. TxDOT reports the closure is at County Road 4404 and west about 500 feet between the LaPoynor ISD and Larue. The entire highway is shut down in both directions at this location until further notice. Emergency crews are on the scene and the power company is en route. TxDOT crews are putting detours in place for traffic. The traveling public is urged to use other routes to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man accused of breaking into a store nearly two years ago, and firing at police officers, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Nathan David Lanicek, 37, entered a guilty plea Wednesday afternoon. State District Judge Alfonso Charles sentenced to him to 50 years in prison. In exchange for his plea, the judge dropped a burglary of a building indictment. Lanicek broke into Academy Sports and Outdoors store off McCann Road and exchanged gunfire with Longview officers in the early morning hours of November 17, 2015. Several officers responded to the store after multiple security alarms were triggered. The suspect fled to the Best Buy store on West Loop 281. While officers were searching for the man, he phoned 911 and told them where he was and that he had been shot. Police were able to secure the area and Longview Fire Department medics removed him from the roof of the store. He was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center with critical injuries. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail two weeks later.

GILMER- Upshur County authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing woman. She is Jennifer Lyne Lawrence, 33.She was last seen about three weeks ago leaving a residence in the Rosewood/Harmony area. He family has not had any contact with her since that time. She is a white female about 5’5″ tall and weighing around 160 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER – A Kilgore man is going to prison for federal drug trafficking violations. Andrew Jonathan Hearnsberger, 29, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. He pleaded guilty in May to to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Federal prosecutors say when Hearnsberger was arrested in January, authorities seized heroin, marijuana, multiple firearms and over $14,624.

TYLER – A Tyler SWAT team raid has resulted in two arrests. Arrested were 56 year old Jimmy Dean Thompson and 38 year old Mark Allen Brown, (pictured) both of Tyler. There were arrested as the officers served a warrant at a home on Overbrook Circle around 6:00 Wednesday morning. Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance. Thompson was also charged with possession of marijuana and was named in an outstanding warrant for theft. Both were booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the Tyler Police Department’s acceptance of a $300,000 grant targeting opioid overdoses. The grant, from the Kaléo Pharmaceutical Company, is for 75 boxes of EVZIO Naloxone HCI Injectors. City officials say EVZIO is intended for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdoses until medical help arrrives. According to a city news release, the grant will also allow the police department to implement training for its officers and design deployment and usage protocols.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful board members and staff liaisons presented their Gold Star Affiliate award to City Council Wednesday and highlighted many of the programs and projects that have been implemented over the last year. The award, given by Keep Texas Beautiful, has recognized Tyler for 11 consecutive years. Keep Tyler Beautiful focuses on beautification, litter reduction, partnerships with local organizations, educating youth, and participation in events. The group is currently seeking the public’s help in nominating local businesses for the third quarter Beauty and the Business Award. You can find more details on that on the ktbb.com Calendar of Events.

EAST TEXAS — One woman remains jailed in connection with the death of another woman after a dispute over animals. According to KETK, Amber Long, 35, is charged with murder in the death of Amy Allen, who operated an animal rescue group in Marion County. Long remains in the Marion County Jail on $1 million bond. Deputies were called about 8 a.m. Monday to Long’s home off U.S. 259, north of Jefferson, in reference to dogs coming onto the property and attacking Long’s animals. Officers found Allen, 54, unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead. Allen’s body will be sent to Dallas for an autopsy. Continue reading Woman Killed in Dispute Over Animals

LONGVIEW – There was a promotion ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Longview Fire Department Training Facility. It was to recognize the employees who have been promoted to higher level positions within the department. Those saluted included:
Andy Parker – Training Section Chief
Kevin May – Fire Marshal
Michael Wylie – Battalion Chief
Jeremie Gothard – Captain
James McNatt – Lieutenant
Justin Jenkins – Lieutenant
Kyle McClenny – Driver Engineer
Logan Ledkins – Driver Engineer
David Thacker – Driver Engineer