KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A Smith County man has been arrested on charges of sexual assault of a child and kidnapping. Arrested Saturday by the Arp Police Department was 19 year old Micah Gage Shelburn of Troup. The incident was said to have occured on Saturday. Smith County judicial records show Shelburn was booked into the Smith County Jail on Saturday. His bonds total $100,000. Since the investigation is ongoing, further details about the case have not been released.

LINDALE – Work on the Toll 49 Lindale Relief Route will cause some closures for County Road 431, northwest of Lindale. The contractor for the Toll 49 Segment 4 project has told Smith County officials that construction of the new roadway will result in specific days where CR 431, also known as Mineola Highway, will be closed to traffic. On Tuesday, May 23, and Wednesday, May 31, they will be working on a bridge so CR 431 will be closed for the safety of the public. Signs will be placed in the area to alert and detour drivers. On June 5 and 6, CR 431 will close again for more bridge work, as well as later dates in June. The closure dates could vary due to weather and/or other delays.

EAST TEXAS — The Tyler Police Department is warning citizens of an online scam involving the purchase of stolen vehicles. Authorities said the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force has seen an increase of cases involving shoppers buying stolen vehicles through online apps and websites. They said in the past year, the task force has recovered around eight stolen vehicles in Tyler alone. Officials said in all the cases they’ve investigated, the price of the vehicle was much less than the actual blue book value of the vehicle. Officers warn potential buyers, if someone is selling a vehicle for much less than its value, it’s probably too good to be true. Continue reading Online Purchase of Stolen Vehicles Spike

AUSTIN (AP) — A transgender “bathroom bill” reminiscent of one in North Carolina that caused a national uproar now appears to be on a fast-track to becoming law in Texas, though it may only apply to public schools. Republican Representative Chris Paddie of Marshall authored the hotly-debated language, saying it had “absolutely no intent” to discriminate. Under it, transgender students would not be permitted to use their chosen bathroom but could be directed to separate, single-occupancy restrooms. “it’s absolutely about child safety,” said Paddie. “This is about accommodating all kids.” Continue reading Paddie’s Bathroom Bill is Revived

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of May 22th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

An emergency contract has been implemented to remove debris, from the recent tornadoes, from Van Zandt County. Crews started working this week to remove mostly trees, and a small amount of other debris, from the rights-of-way on Farm Road 1651, Farm Road 3227, Farm Road 1256 and Farm Road 1861. Work on these roadways is scheduled to occur Monday through Saturday until complete. Work on higher volume roadways including U.S. Highway 80, State Highway 19, State Highway 64 and State Highway 198, will be performed on Sundays. The operation will be shut down Friday, May 26 – Tuesday, May 30, due to the Memorial Day holiday and First Monday Trade Days. The contract was awarded to Tom-Mac, Inc., of Houston. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

GREENVILLE – A Van Zandt County man is in custody in Hunt County on a murder charge. He is Martin Ray Malone, 61, of Wills Point. He is charged in the shooting death of Jayme Malone Lopez, 54 of Wills Point. She was found wounded in her crashed vehicle shortly before 6:30 Friday morning on County Road 2475. She died in route to the hospital. Malone is being held in the Hunt County Detention Center. His bond has been set at $500,000. The investigation of the case is being handled by both the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department.

TEXARKANA – The 6th Court of Appeals in Texarkana has upheld last year’s conviction of a Hallsville man and his and his 380 year sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Two young men said Gregg Lee Haden, 41, had assaulted them over a three year period. The former Diana construction company owner was arrested in June of 2011 after arriving at a Longview location where he had agreed, in a text, to meet what he thought as a 14 year old for sex. But, instead of a boy, he had been communicating with an undercover officer.

LUFKIN – Two persons have been arrested in Angelina County on charges of injury to a child, a 3rd degree felony. Charged is Steven Clayton Hunt, 33, and Britni Leann Rhodes, 32. The two were booked into the Angelina County Jail. The arrests follow a joint investigation by sheriff’s department investigators and Child Protective Services.

MARSHALL — A stolen car is found in an unusual place. A local fisherman, a Texas game wardens dive team, and Harrison County deputies were involved in the discovery of a stolen vehicle, upside down, in Caddo Lake. Lieutenant Jay Webb says the vehicle has been pulled from the water. The car was reported stolen nearly a year ago from a location less than a mile from where the car was discovered. The car had been submerged in the lake at least 10 months.

TATUM – A one vehicle accident between Marshall and Tatum has killed a Tatum High School sophomore. Killed in the accident on State Highway 43 around 8:00 Thursday evening was Sarah Paige Stanfield, 16. The Department of Public Safety said her Hummer was heading south when it veered off the roadway onto the west unimproved shoulder an hit the edge of a driveway embankment with its undercarriage. The vehicle was then vaulted over the driveway, landed and then rolled several times to the left and then end over end coming to rest upside down, facing north, on the west unimproved shoulder. Stanfield was pronounced dead at the scene. Continue reading Tatum Student Killed in a One Vehicle Wreck

TYLER – A benefit concert will be held in Tyler to support relief for towns in Van Zandt County affected by the April 29th tornadoes. The concert will be on Saturday from 2:00 till 10:00pm, on the downtown Tyler square. Bands performing include Kris Jones from “The Voice,” Lauren Alexander Band, Tuxedo Catz and much more. There will be local food vendors. Wine and beer sales will also be available. Continue reading Tornado Relief Concert

TYLER – A man in a motorized wheelchair has been injured in a Tyler accident. Hospitalized with serious injuries is Robert Wyatt, 53, of Tyler. He was crossing on the Old Henderson Highway when he was hit by a pickup turning off of the loop. The driver, Jose Trevizo, 26, of Tyler said he did not see Waytt in the crosswalk when he made his turn. The accident, which happened shortly after 8:30 Friday morning, remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – A homeless man has been arrested in Longview for robbery. Adrian Demon Simpson, 20, was arrested last night after a woman was robbed in the area of Green and East Whaley Streets. She said the suspect grabbed her and took her phone. In the process, she received minor injuries. Simpson was found and arrested a short time later. He has been charged with robbery and possession of Marijuana. He remains in the Gregg County Jail with bonds totaling $26,000.

AUSTIN – Unemployment in Texas is holding steady. But some East Texas cities have see jobless numbers fall. The Texas unemployment rate held steady during April at 5%. The Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday last month’s jobless figure copied the March unemployment rate. Nationwide unemployment for April was 4.4%. But it was a different story in Tyler and Longview. Tyler’s unemployment fell from 5% in March to 4.1% in April. It was 4.1% in April last year. Longview’s unemployment went from 6.2% in March to 5.7% in April. It was 5.6% in April, 2016.

TYLER – In Tyler federal court, a Dallas woman has pled guilty to bank fraud charges. Rachelle Dashner, 44, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. She could get up to five years in prison during a future sentencing hearing. Five others have already been sentenced in the case. Federal prosecutors say they were part of a scheme to set up surgical centers in the state through a loan with Community Trust Bank. But the doctors the documents said would guarantee the loan didn’t know about it and had not authorized it. In many instances, the medical facilities for which the financing was obtained were never built. The five fraudulent loans totaled over $7.5 million.

LONGVIEW — Three East Texas members of the white supremacist prison gang the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas have pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of a fellow member from Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Brian Thomas Green, 44, of Mount Pleasant pleaded guilty May 10 to the use or carry of a firearm during a crime of violence causing death. The charge was in connection with the 2011 murder of Kenneth Earl Ayres, 48, whose last known address was in Longview. Travis Lee Hill, 28, of Ore City and Kalvin Kyle McCown (pictured), 43, of Longview pleaded guilty Jan. 6 to kidnapping charges related to the case. Continue reading Three Aryan Members Guilty in Death of Member

TATUM – A one vehicle accident between Marshall and Tatum has killed a Tatum High School sophomore. Killed in the accident on State Highway 43 around 6:00 Thursday evening was Sarah Paige Stanfield, 16. Details about the accident are unavailable. In a letter from School Superintendent J.P. Richardson on the district’s Facebook page said Stanfield was involved in cheerleading, National Honor Society, yearbook, homecoming court, debate and much more. There is no school in Tatum on Friday, but Superintendent Richardson said they will have counselors set up at the high school when the students return on Monday.

ARP – Two persons have been killed in a Smith County accident. The two vehicle wreck was reported around 6:15 Thursday evening on U.S. Highway 64 East, just west of Farm Road 2089. Dead at the scene was John Ruben Jones, 35, of Arp and Eric Rene Narvaez (pictured), 26, of Henderson. The Department of Public Safety says the car driven by Narvaez was heading west when, for some unknown reason, it crossed over to the east bound lane and hit the Jones vehicle. The crash remains under investigation.

TYLER – The Smith County grand jury has indicted two Tyler men on separate child sex charges. They are Larry Foley, 40,and Jessie Lee Shurum, 41. Foley was indicted on one count of indecency with a child. In March, a woman told officers that Foley had exposed himself to her and two children as he stood between two houses on Claude Street. Continue reading Two Indicted On Child Sexual Assault Charges

TYLER – Tyler Mayor Martin Hines has pledged continued improvements for the city’s infrastructure. The pledge came this week during the mayor’s annual State of the City Luncheon. Currently underway is over $4 million dollars in improvements to the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant. And, over the next ten years, the city anticipates spending over $97 million on 100 projects to improve water and wastewater systems. And they feel over two-thirds of those improvements will be paid for in cash. Also planned are improvements for city streets and drainage. Continue reading Infrastructure Improvements Planned for Tyler

TYLER – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital has been granted recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility. This also includes the the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. The designation comes after a years-long application process. The Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. According to a news release from the hospital, most hospitals and medical organizations do not meet the criteria necessary to apply for Magnet recognition. It is one of the most difficult statuses to achieve. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler is the only health care provider in the region to hold this designation. Continue reading Special Recognition for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital

GILMER – An Upshur County man has learned, the hard way, you need to show up for your trial. Jarrod Craig McBride, 36, of Ore City, was due in court Wednesday for his trial for possession of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver. He was going to trial after he backed out of a previous plea offer of 13 years in prison. Deputies had to force their way into his house to arrest him and bring him to court in handcuffs. Back at the courthouse, McBride entered into a plea bargain agreement, pled guilty, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He waived his right to appeal. He was also sentenced to 180 days for contempt of court, which was stacked on top of his prison sentence.

ATHENS – Five Athens residents have been arrested in a drug raid by Henderson County sheriff’s deputies. They were arrested Thursday morning at a house on Roosevelt Street in Athens. They are identified as Kristi Costlow, 39, Johnny Sieger, 45, Brandon Rios, 21, John Minter, 58, and Carlton Lewis, 30. Costlow was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Not only was she in possession of suspected methamphetamine, but also had items commonly used to traffic the narcotic. The arrests follows an investigation by Henderson County narcotics investigators.

LONGVIEW — A longtime Longview High School teacher died Wednesday during an International Baccalaureate Awards ceremony at the Summit Club in Longview. According to KETK, Charles Parsons, a Latin teacher, apparently began feeling ill during the ceremony, stepped to the bathroom and later died. A doctor who was at the club attended to him, as did emergency medical technicians who were called to the scene. Longview High School Principal James Brewer is said to have made an announcement to students about the death at the end of the ceremony.

TYLER – The death of a Smith County Jail inmate is under investigation. Teddy Wayne Parker, 32, of Whitehouse, was rushed to the hospital shortly after being booked into the jail on Sunday. He was put on a ventilator at the hospital. Tuesday afternoon, the decision was made to remove the ventilator and Parker died. Justice of the Peace Quincy Beavers ordered an autopsy to be performed in Dallas. The investigation of the death has been turned over to the Texas Rangers. Continue reading Smith County Inmate’s Death Investigated

TYLER- Law officers served search warrants at 7 Tyler businesses that contained suspected gambling devices. Tyler policemen and sheriff’s deputies went to the businesses as a result on an on-going investigation. It was conducted by the police department’s vice unit. Numerous gambling devices were seized in the Wednesday raids. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin said no one was arrested, but investigators will continue to gather evidence for future prosecution. Continue reading Tyler Businesses Served Warrants

LONGVIEW – A candidate has stepped forward to run for the post that will be available since Judge David Brabham will not seek re-election. Gregg County attorney, Scott Novy has announced he will be running for Judge of the 188th State District Court. Novy will be running as a Republican in the primary election next March. In 1989, he went to work in the Gregg County District attorney’s office. In 1992, he joined a Longview Law firm. He was also appointed Municipal Judge for the City of Lakeport, which he served for 25 years. Novy is currently in private practice, specializing in estate planning, probate and guardenships.