KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Some East Texas schools are in need of intervention according to the Texas Education Agency. But KETK reports at least one local school official questions the report, which is based on reading and math scores as well as graduation rates. The TEA used data from the 2016 accountability report to place schools into categories regarding their need for intervention. In Tyler, Dogan Middle School, Griffin Elementary, Jones Elementary, and Robert E. Lee High Schools are listed as priority and focus schools. But TISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford says, “What’s really puzzling and a little bit comical is one school on the list actually received six out of seven academic distinctions from the state of Texas.” Continue reading Crawford Questions New TEA Data on Local Schools

TYLER — The National Transportation Safety Board has released their preliminary report regarding a fatal plane crash in Tyler July 13. The pilot and passenger were killed. According to KETK, the pilot of the plane was retired Southwest Airlines pilot, Bobby Walls, 62, of Huntsville. According to his Facebook page, he worked for the airline for 23 years. Walls is a 1977 graduate of Baylor University. The passenger, Trevor Morris, 39, was a pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. Morris served as a missionary in Ecuador. He was also a husband and father of five. Morris was also the General Manager at Burton Oil Service Operations in Midland. Services for Morris were held Tuesday at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. Continue reading NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Tyler Plane Crash

TYLER — All lanes of Loop 323 in Tyler are now open after an 18-wheeler overturned. But all southbound lanes of Troup Hwy. south of the loop will remain closed till sometime this evening as crews work to right the truck. Police advise you to continue to avoid the area if possible. There are no injuries.

TYLER — Longtime Smith County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cary Nix has announced he’ll be seeking another term. The Republican says in a brief media statement that he’s enjoyed his service to the citizens of the county and his home precinct. Nix adds that he looks forward to working with the new leadership on the Commissioners Court “as we continue to address the needs of this growing county.” Nix has no announced opposition thus far.

AUSTIN (AP) – Two convicted felons on separate Texas 10 Most Wanted lists, including a man from East Texas, are back in jail. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday announced the arrests of 57-year-old Briggs Clinton Lawhon of Palestine and 45-year-old Erasmo Zapata of Corpus Christi. DPS says Lawhon, who was on the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitives list, was captured last Thursday near Angleton. Records show Lawhon, a gang member and fugitive since December 2015, was wanted for parole violation and theft. A tipster will receive a reward of up to $7,500. Continue reading Two Most Wanted Felons Arrested, One from Palestine

TYLER — Services for Trevor Morris (pictured) will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. The 39-year-old pastor at Brownsboro’s Union Hill Baptist Church was one of two people killed in a small plane crash last week near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Meanwhile, KETK reports the crash investigation continues. The NTSB worked to reconstruct the debris Saturday and look over it to see any signs to point to a cause. After about a week or two, officials expect to release a preliminary report. But due to extensive review requirements, it could be a year before a full factual report is released — then another three months before a cause is made public.

GILMER — 42-year-old Latonya Champion of Pittsburg is dead after a one-vehicle crash shortly after 9:00 Sunday night on U.S. 271 about a mile south of Gilmer. According to KETK, the DPS says the driver of an SUV headed north hit her brakes to dodge a slower-moving vehicle. The SUV left the road and flipped onto its right side. Authorities identified the driver as Deshanda Green, 31, of Pittsburg. Three other passengers were in the vehicle, including Champion. The driver, along with a 2-year-old and 4-year-old, were not hurt. Champion was taken to a Longview hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s help in solving the 2002 Cherokee County murder of 44-year-old Dennis Matlock. Also, an increased reward of up to $6,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible, if the tip is received before next month’s featured case is announced. On Jan. 16, 2002, Matlock was found dead in his residence in Reklaw from injuries including blunt force and stab wounds. No arrests have been made. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers are investigating. Continue reading DPS Offers Increased Reward, Seeks Leads in 2002 Cherokee County Murder

LAKE TYLER — The City of Tyler is extending the closure of a portion of South Hillcreek Road, near Lake Tyler, to make repairs to the road and to the drainage channel that runs north of the road. According to a news release, the closure is being extended through August 4 due to weather and other unexpected delays. The affected section of road is closed to all traffic. Residences to the east of the project location may still be accessed from the east by Slack Road or CR 2133. The closure runs From FM 848 to a location slightly north of Whitehouse.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been arrested for child sex crimes. According to KETK, the United States Marshal Service arrested Frank Gray Jr., 58, Friday for indecency with a child by sexual contact. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $60,000. Additional details were not available.

MARSHALL — The Department of Public Safety said a Marshall man died early Saturday morning in an ATV wreck. According to KETK, around 2:20, Garfield M. Williams, 40, was driving the ATV in a ditch when it struck a culvert and rolled. Williams died after he was thrown from the vehicle.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 17, 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.

The SH 64 resurfacing project continues from Loop 323 to just west of the Tyler Pounds Airport. Seal coat operations kick off Monday, July 17, and include lane closures with possible delays for traffic. Motorists are urged to avoid the area if at all possible during this work. Flaggers will provide traffic control. More project information is available in the Smith County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of July 17

SMITH COUNTY — A child was taken to Children’s Hospital following a near drowning at Lake Tyler. According to KETK, it happened around 4:00 Sunday afternoon at Hill Creek Park in Whitehouse. Responding emergency crews said by the time they had arrived, the child had been pulled from the water but was not fully alert. She was taken to a Tyler hospital, then transported to Dallas as a precaution. As of Sunday evening, the toddler remained hospitalized.

TYLER — Rose Festival Queen Emily Kaye Evans is excited about this year’s 84th annual event, set for October 19-22. At Friday night’s Festival Kickoff, Emily told KTBB, “I’ve seen the full costume, which is very exciting for me, and I’ve met so many wonderful girls that have come in from out of town.” She added, “I’ve really enjoyed learning more about what the Rose Festival really means to the community, and the sense of pride and all.” A key purpose of the kickoff is to honor the Festival volunteers. Emily remarked, “This would not be possible without any of them, and I am very grateful for all that they’ve done — what they’re continuing to do every year.” The Rose Festival is Tyler’s annual salute to the local rose industry. Go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police continue to investigate a fatal accident at Estes Parkway and I-20. According to the LPD Facebook page, around 11:45 Saturday night, a Chevy Silverado truck left the westbound lane of I-20. It reportedly fell from the roadway and hit a stationary train below and caught fire. Nelda Holland Cooper, 77, Troup, was identified as the victim via partial VIN number. West bound I-20 was closed for several hours. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has received the 2017 Local Health Department of the Year Award, medium category. It was handed out in the annual conference of the National Association of City and County Health Officials in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In a statement to CCDPH Executive Director Christopher Taylor, NACCHO officials said that the Jacksonville based county health department “stood out . . . by showing creativity, innovation, sufficient evidence of outcomes and impact on the community, with partners, community and key stakeholders.”

SEVEN POINTS – A warrant arrest in Henderson County has resulted in additional charges against Billy Charles Hogue Jr., 32, of Tool. A deputy saw him walking along Highway 274 in the Seven Points area. Knowing he had an outstanding felony arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance against him, the deputy arrested Hogue. He was then said to have found on him suspected methamphetamine. Hogue was also charged with a new charge of possession of a controlled substance. He remains in the Henderson County Jail.

TYLER – Arrests have been made in connection with gas skimmers that has turned up in Tyler and Smith County. At a news conference in Tyler today, it was announced five persons have been arrested in the Houston area in connection with the cases. And additional arrests are expected. The arrests follows an investigation that started in April of last year. It was conducted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. And it is not just a local problem. The large scale organized crime investigation has found victims all the way from Maryland to Utah. Continue reading Arrests Made From Skimmers in East Texas

TYLER- The city of Tyler wants to know what you think of front yard fences. The city is taking a survey to find out what residents feel about physical design alternatives for front yard fences. Such a survey is often used when designing zoning codes, planning redevelopment, and conducting urban planning research. The survey is online and will be open through July 28. All responses are anonymous. But, your input will assist the City in their review of the existing front yard fence regulations. You can go to Tyler-pz-dot-org to take the survey.

KILGORE – Three dozen young ladies have been named Kilgore College Rangerettes. The announcement was made this morning in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus. It brings to an end a week-long process of 89 candidates vying for a spot on the 2017-18 Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 36 sophomores to make a team of 72. Among the new members of the squad is a student from Abilene and another one from Edinburg, which is north of McAllen. Continue reading New Rangerettes Announced

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Authorities have released the name of the pilot killed in a private twin-engine plane crash Thursday morning near Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The pilot, William Robert Walls, 62, Huntsville, and passenger, Trevor Morris, 39, Murchison, both died at the scene. Walls was a retired Southwest Airlines pilot. Morris (pictured) was the lead Pastor at Union Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. He leaves behind a wife and five children. According to KETK, he was also the General Manager at Burton Oil Service Operations in Midland. City officials said the plane left from Tyler around 8:00 Thursday morning. The Tyler Police Department, Tyler and Dixie Fire Departments, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Smith County Emergency Services District all assisted in the search. ETMC Air 1 was also at the scene. The Department of Public Safety has taken over the investigation. The FAA is also investigating the crash.

LONGVIEW – A Longview burglar is heading to prison. Detric Deshawn Sheffield, 31, was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary. Last September, officers answered a suspicious person call. They saw a man coming from the back of a home on Lane Wells Drive. He was carrying what appeared to be a duffel bag and a back pack. He grabbed a bicycle and fled. He later abandoned the bike and fled on foot, but was arrested a short time later.

GILMER – An Upshur County man has received a lengthy prison sentence for the death of his grandson. Randell Jay Phillips, 42, of Big Sandy, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the death of 2 year old Skylar Rabourn. The youngster died last October when Phillips’ vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The boy, who was unrestrained in the front seat, was trapped under the dashboard of the vehicle. He as pronounced dead at the scene. Phillips was charged with murder the case because of his prior DWI convictions in Gregg County. Over three hours after the fatal crash, his blood alcohol level was still two times the legal limit.

SAN FRANCISCO – Children’s clothing retailer Gymboree is announcing the stores it plans to close as it restructures in bankruptcy. The company said it is aiming to slash its debts and close hundreds of stores amid crushing pressure on retailers. When it filed for bankruptcy protection last month, the business announced it could close up to 450 stores. They have now qannounced they will close 350 of their over 12-hundred stores. They have 20 stores in Texas. While stores in the Metroplex, Houston and El Paso are on the closings list. The Tyler store in the Broadway Square Mall will remain open.

TYLER- The Tyler city council has approved a long-range master plan for the Rose Garden Complex. The approval follows 10 months of work on the proposal. Under 20 to 25 year plan, Harvey Hall would be demolished and a new one built. Some of the existing fair buildings will be demolished and replaced with a single multi-use building. The plan also calls for a sports museum. The long range plan calls for extending Houston Street to Parkdale Drive and closing off a portion of Lyons Avenue at Front Street. The city council called for a traffic study before the traffic changes are implemented.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The body of a 2005 Spring Hill High School graduate was found in a ditch in northeast Oklahoma City on Monday. According to KETK and KFOR, the body of Ashley Easton, 30, was found near a burning vehicle that was involved in a crash. Authorities say Easton had injuries consistent with homicide. When the fire was extinguished, police say the body of a male was found in the vehicle. Authorities determined the male was dead prior to the crash and the vehicle catching fire. Officials also say the man’s body had homicide-related injuries. Authorities believe the driver of the vehicle left the scene of the crash and is still at large. No arrests have been made, but police are urging anyone with information to call the homicide tip-line at 405-297-1200.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man was taken into custody Wednesday morning after he allegedly showed up drunk to jury duty at the Smith County Courthouse. According to KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Taylor Ryan Huckaby, 23, arrived at the courthouse and appeared to be slurring his words. The man was then reported to deputies. When deputies responded to the reports, they found Huckaby and asked him what was inside his cup he was carrying. At this point Huckaby tried to leave, but he was stopped and beer was found inside the cup, stated the Sheriff’s Office. Huckaby was arrested and charged with public intoxication.

TYLER — Smith County officials met with more than 75 residents from the southern portions of the county Tuesday evening to listen to their road concerns at the first Road and Bridge Strategic Planning Citizen Input Meeting. It was the first of several such meetings planned throughout the county to gather residents’ opinions to develop a long-term road plan. Commissioners Jeff Warr and Cary Nix both said they were very pleased with the turnout and citizen participation. Continue reading Large Turnout at Citizen Input Meeting on Road Improvements

MARSHALL — Car burglaries are on the rise in East Texas. Harrison County Sheriff’s Lt. Jay Webb says he’s always surprised at what people will leave in unlocked cars. Webb says he doesn’t know why people leave guns, purses, wedding rings, and cameras in their vehicles. He advises that the easiest way to keep from being a victim is to take your valuables inside and lock your doors.