KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Gregg County inked its approval for a major highway improvement project for Precinct Two. KETK reports the more than $40 million investment project will look to widen Farm to Market Road 2206, also known as Harrison Road. This connects the Loop from Longview to Highway 42 going to White Oak. The project will widen the roadway from two to four lanes, making Interstate 20 easier to get to for those who live in west Longview. Officials also say the easier access will encourage business owners to use the area, bringing in economic growth for west Longview.

CANTON — The American Red Cross continues to focus on mobile outreach and encourages anyone who has major damage due to the April 29 tornadoes to contact 1-866-505-4801. Red Cross mobile casework teams will be available to deliver client assistance cards and resources. Through Friday, May 12, a Red Cross representative will be present at the Van Zandt County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. At that time, the Red Cross will evaluate the need to man the site further, according to the agency’s Tammy Prater. Continue reading East Texas Tornado Response Continues

ATHENS — A man said to be a Dallas fugitive is jailed following a high speed-chase in Henderson County. According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, Randy Blair, 57, of Dallas, was arrested in the Cherokee Shores subdivision of Mabank Tuesday evening. Sgt. Matt Jistel first noticed Blair when he allegedly committed a traffic violation. When the suspect stopped the vehicle by the side of the road to let a female passenger out, officials say he took off at a high rate of speed with the deputy in pursuit. Unable to navigate a turn, Blair drove his vehicle into a field, according to Hillhouse. Asked to identify himself, he reportedly gave a false name, but Hillhouse says a driver’s license identified him. Continue reading Sheriff: Dallas Fugitive Faces Multiple Charges in Henderson County

TYLER — On Thursday, the City of Tyler Parks Department and Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) will have a crew mulching the understory along a portion of Rose Rudman Trail. The work will close that part of the trial until next Tuesday. Officials say the mulching project is being done to reduce safety concerns of users, increase aesthetics of the trail, remove invasive species, and mitigate hazardous fuel in the wildland urban interface. The portion of the Rose Rudman Trail to be closed is the length of trail from Rieck Road moving south to Grande Boulevard. Continue reading Portion of Rose Rudman Trail to Be Temporarily Closed

TYLER — Smith County residents will be able to buy fireworks to celebrate Memorial Day again this year. On Tuesday, county commissioners voted to approve an order authorizing fireworks sales from May 25-30, 2017. The 84th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1150, authorizing three additional periods that fireworks may be sold to the public as long as the commissioners court in each county issues an order authorizing such sales each year. The three additional holidays, which were also approved in Smith County last year, are Texas Independence Day, celebrated on March 2; San Jacinto Day, April 21; and Memorial Day, May 29, 2017. Continue reading Smith County Commissioners Approve Fireworks Sales for Memorial Day

TYLER – The Junior League of Tyler raised $307,000 during the 2016-2017 year. The Fund Development committee made the announcement Monday night at Willow Brook Country Club during the final membership meeting of the year. “We are truly grateful to all of the individuals, businesses and foundations who continue to support the league in our fundraising efforts,” said Karolyn Davis, Fund Development Vice President of the Junior League of Tyler, in a news release. Continue reading Junior League of Tyler Raises $307,000 for Area Non-Profits

TYLER – Monday night, state Attorney general Ken Paxton was in Tyler. He was speaking at a grassroots event about a law he filed Monday. It would make banning sanctuary cities constitutional. Paxton’s office filed the federal lawsuit Monday, a day after Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed it into law. The law, which is slated to take effect in September, would let police officers ask people about their immigration status during routine traffic stops. Paxton argues that it is constitutional and vital to security of the state’s border with Mexico. Paxton say it’s difficult when you have cities that are not helping or making it difficult for law enforcement to do their job. Paxton told KETK they took quick action to avoid law suits all over this state.

MURCHISON – One person has died in a two vehicle accident in Henderson County. Killed was 75-year old Charles Lee Gifford of Brownsboro. His truck and a pickup driven by 35 year old Joseph King of Tyler were both heading west around 10:30 Tuesday morning on State Highway 31 near Murchison. The Department of Public Safety reports King’s pickup ran into the rear of Gifford’s pickup. Gifford’s vehicle then went into a side skid, left the road and hit a tree. Gifford later died at an Athens hospital.

TYLER – Last year, an entertainment venue was announced for South Tyler. Now the project is being scratched. Cinergy Entertainment Group had planned to put the entertainment center in the Village South Shopping Center on South Broadway. They planned glow in the dark bowling on 20 lanes, billiard tables, a game floor, laser tag area and a zip line. They also planned movie screens, which are not possible because of the nearby Studio Movie Grill. Because they couldn’t show movies, they decided not to move forward with the project. Work continues on attracting another entertainment venue for that space.

TYLER – The Tyler school system has announced the valedictorians and salutatorians from the 2017 graduating class. The valedictorians are Jacob Mackey of Robert E. Lee and Gicela Aparicio at John Tyler. The salutatorians are Mary Claire Neal of Robert E. Lee and Alyssa Mayfeild at John Tyler. Continue reading Tyler’s Top Seniors Announced

TYLER – Texas Spine & Joint Hospital has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review for their performance with Medicare patients. The Tyler hospital is 1 of only 19 hospitals in the nation and 1 of 3 in Texas to have a double 5-Star rating. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services give hospitals an overall star rating and a star rating based on patient survey. Survey data comes from patients treated in all TSJH facilities, both inpatient and outpatient. according to a news release from the hospital, very few hospitals receive 5-stars in both areas.

WHITEHOUSE – Two missing Smith County teenagers have been found. Angel Michelle Owen and Mason Alexander Bautista, both who are 15, were reported as runaways last Wednesday. They were last seen in a Gold 2003 Jeep Liberty. Sheriff’s department Sergeant Darrell Coslin said they were found in Louisiana over the weekend. They have been reunited with their families.

TYLER – A Tyler restaurant that opened about six years ago has close. What About Kabob was located in in the River Oaks Plaza on the WSW Loop near Brookside Drive. They billed the restaurant as providing the hippest food ever to hit Tyler and East Texas. They provided Gyros and Doner Kebabs to hamburgers. According to their Facebook pages, They were sorry they had to close the restaurant. “Just not enough business to stay open. We may reopen in a different location at a later time. We will miss you all!”

HOUSTON – An East Texas Doctor has been elected president-elect of the Texas Medical Association. He is Dr. Douglas W. Curran, an Athens family physician. He was named to the post over the weekend at TexMed, the association’s annual conference, which was held in Houston. He will become TMA’s 153rd president next May. Dr Curran has practiced medicine for 38 years. He practices at East Texas Medical Center and Lakeland Medical Associates in Athens. Dr. Curran also has represented the Henderson County Medical Society in the TMA House of Delegates, the association’s policymaking body, for more than 19 years.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Texas Parks and Wildlife were called in to help investigate a drowning in Nacogdoches County. The Sheriff’s Department responded to a private pond off FM 343 around 8:30 Monday morning. Two men, using a flat bottom boat, were fishing on the pond when the victim reportedly had a heart attack and fell into the water. The boat reportedly flipped. The other man said he was unable to save his friend and swam to the bank. Game Wardens along with the Dive Team from Nacogdoches Fire Department searched the private pond and recovered the body of Larry Hooper, 65, was recovered around 5:00 Monday evening. An autopsy has been ordered.

EAST TEXAS — Wood County officials are looking for a man they say is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. According to KETK, Blake Reed is also wanted for harassment of a public servant. Reed is believed to be in the Hawkins area. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH or the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201.

TYLER – Students on the Patriot Talon staff at The University of Texas at Tyler received 21 awards at the 2017 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention held in Dallas. For the fourth consecutive year, setting a state record, Patriot Talon managing editor Nathan Wright of San Angelo placed first in the print sports writing on-site contest, where all students compete despite school enrollment and publication schedule. He also placed first in newspaper design and presided over this year’s convention as the student president. Overall, Wright has won six on-site contests in four years of attending TIPA conventions. Continue reading Patriot Talon Staff Wins Numerous Awards

LONGVIEW – Longivew police detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying a couple wanted as suspects in a motor vehicle theft case. If you have information about the suspects, please contact Det. Fred Runnels at 903-237-1146, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #17-4802. Continue reading Longview Theft Suspects Sought

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate has voted to authorize nearly $340,000 over the next two years to reimburse counties whose police officers attend U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement training on better enforcing federal immigration law. A bill by Senator Bob Hall of Edgewood, approved Monday, creates a program administered by the governor’s office that reimburses counties for police attending ICE training. It now heads to the state House. Continue reading Texas Senate OKs Reimbursing Police for Immigration Training

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate has approved allowing concealed carry permit holders to have guns in their locked cars parked outside schools. Senator Bryan Hughes’ bill was approved Monday 25-6. A similar, bipartisan measure has cleared a committee in the state House but not yet reached a floor vote in that chamber. It is aimed at teachers who have licenses to carry concealed handguns and want to keep guns in their cars while at work. State law bans guns on school grounds. Continue reading Texas Senate OKs Allowing Guns in Parked Cars at Schools

ALBA GOLDEN – A rabies case has surfaced in Wood County. A skunk in the Alba-Golden area was confirmed as having the disease. Sheriff Tom Castloo would like for everyone to pay close attention to wild animals. If you see a wild animal acting strangely or one that appears to be sick, you are asked to contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Pay special attention to an animal that appears confused or aggressive towards domestic animals or people. And the sheriff encourages you to make sure your pets or animals are vaccinated.

MARSHALL – A Marshall man has been arrested in a Sunday night shooting incident. Arrested was Joseph Sadecki, 26. He is said to have fired upon a sheriff’s deputing who was investigating a stabbing on Cooks Road. While 59 year old Tony Franklin was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, deputies went across the street to talk with the suspect. That’s when a gunshot came from the home. The suspect surrendered after deputies returned fire. Sadecki has been charged with aggravated assault and criminal attempt of capital murder of a police officer. His mother was charged with interference with the duties of a public servant.

MARSHALL — A Marshall woman has been arrested after an 18-month-old foster child in her care was transported to a Dallas- area hospital with severe injuries, allegedly from a severe beating. Michelle Hayes has been charged with injury to a child. Hayes was licensed to be a foster parent in 2016 and had three children in her care when the incident occurred. She was released from the Harrison County Jail Saturday after posting a $150,000 bond. The toddler’s condition was not immediately known.

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Camping World Holdings is announcing it plans to operate about 70 Gander Mountain retail locations upon completion of the recently announced acquisition. Tyler and three other Texas stores will remain open. Late last month, Camping World said it planned acquisition of certain assets of Gander Mountain Company and its Overton’s boating business. According to Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World, “After reviewing the stores in more detail since our successful bid in the bankruptcy process, our current goal is operate 70 or more, locations subject to, among other things, our ability to negotiate lease terms with landlords on terms acceptable to us and approval of the bankruptcy court.”

LONGVIEW – A man remains in the Gregg County Jail following a slow-speed chase in Longview. Joshua David Verhoef, 35, was arrested on Friday. He is identified as as being from Houston but has lived in White Oak. It all started with a report of a reckless driver at Horseshoe Lane. and Tall Pines Avenue. He refused to stop and led officers on a 12 minute chase that never exceeded 30 miles an hour. He was finally stopped on Johnston Street where officers were forced to break the truck window to remove him. He was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into jail, his 33rd visit to the jail since April 2000.

HENDERSON — 34-year-old Randall Looney II of Henderson has been sentenced to 75 years in prison for multiple cases of aggravated assault. KETK reports a jury convicted him after a trial that spanned nearly two weeks. According to court documents, Looney was accused of breaking in a door to find his then-girlfriend. Looney allegedly went on to stab a man three times in the back before grabbing his girlfriend and forcing her from the house. He is required to serve 30 years before being eligible for parole.

ATHENS – A Henderson County sheriff’s deputy, who stopped to assist two motorists, ended up arresting them on drug charges. Deputy Tell Walker saw a dark-colored passenger car being pushed off Highway 31 into a downtown Athens parking lot around 5:00 Monday morning. When the couple appeared to be unsteady and intoxicated, he conducted a search of their vehicle. Two plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance under the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The field test kit determined the substance to be methamphetamine. Edgar Ismael Espino, 23, and Destiny Lanette Conner, 18, both of Athens, were charged with possession of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Tyler police have released the names of a couple involved in what’s believed to be a murder-suicide. According to officials, Anna Marie Lee, 65, and Stephen Wayne Lee, 64, were found dead Sunday morning. Police said they were called to 1207 Wimbledon Street around 8:20 after a family member found the couple and called authorities. Investigators believe Mr. Lee shot his wife and then took his own life. The investigation is ongoing. Autopsies have been ordered.

TYLER — Tyler Innovation Pipeline memberships are available beginning today. According to a city news release, the Pipeline brings together those working to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The brick and mortar location is on East Oakwood Street across from the old Cotton Belt Depot. Continue reading Tyler Innovation Pipeline Memberships Available

TYLER — Starting today, the Tyler Streets Department will be replacing a drainage culvert on W. Douglas Blvd., south of Front Street in the hospital district. During these repairs, West Douglas will be closed to through traffic between the north and the south entrances to the adjacent parking lot. Traffic will still have access on the north from Front St. and on the south from E. Douglas Blvd./Houston St. The closure will run through Friday, May 12, at noon.