KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton is free on bond. She turned herself in at the Smith County Jail late Monday morning after being named in an arrest warrant. Hampton has been charged with injury to an elderly person and her bond was set at $10,000. On Sunday, April 2, the sheriff’s department received a call of a possible assault at the Spring Creek Baptist Church on County Road 46. A woman told deputies she had been inside the Pastor’s office with the door closed discussing an issue with the Pastor when Hampton entered and started shouting at her. She said Hampton pushed her, causing her to fall and to injure her wrist. The woman was treated at a hospital emergency room for her injuries, then released. The arrest warrant for Hampton was issued last Friday. We have left a phone message for the commissioner and have emailed her regarding any response to the charges.

EDGEWOOD – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing person. He is Thomas Richardson who was reported missing from his home on Private Road 7925 outside of Edgewood. According to the department’s Facebook page, Richardson is reported to have dementia and may be confused. He was last seen wearing blue and black plaid shirt and black pants. He is about 5′ 07″ and weighs around 108 pounds. They say, if you see him, do not attempt to approach him since it might startle him. Instead, contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

TYLER – A man accused of stealing archery equipment in 2016 is in the Smith County Jail today. Arrested was Billy Bob Willingham III, 24, of Tyler. He was arrested Sunday at Lake Tyler. Willingham is accused of stealing 19 bows, valued at $4,825 from a local 4-H club over the Thanksgiving weekend last year. Sheriff Larry Smith said five of the bows were recovered from a Tyler pawn show where Willingham is said to have pawned them for $80. He is charged with theft of property and evading arrest. His bonds total $60,000.

LONGVIEW – A two vehicle wreck in Longview has left one person dead. Killed in the crash shortly after 6:30 Monday morning on West Loop 281 was Kade Perot of Gladewater. Longview police say Perot’s west bound motorcycle struck a truck making a left turn. Longview police say failure to yield right of way turning left and speed are two contributing factors the investigating officer is considering.

SMITH COUNTY — If you have a Smith County jury summons asking you to report for duty on Tuesday, either stay home or go to work. Smith County Jury Coordinator Lisa Bennett says who were planning to report for jury duty Tuesday with their yellow cards don’t have to make the trip to the Smith County Courthouse. She says no new panels will be needed on Tuesday. However, if you have been asked to return for jury duty by a specific court, you must still report. Smith County residents summoned for jury duty on Wednesday will need to report.

TYLER — After starting the Veterans Treatment Court for misdemeanor offenders, Smith County Veteran Services Officer Mike Roark is working to begin a program for some felony cases. According to a county news release, the purpose of the court is to work with veterans charged with certain offenses to get them necessary treatment for any mental health issues and to return them to being productive members of society. Three people have successfully completed the Veterans Treatment Court since the program for misdemeanor offenders began in 2015. One person has had their record expunged and one is going through the process, Roark said. Continue reading Smith County Veterans Court to Add Felony Cases

TYLER — Rose Season is finally here. KETK reports the annual Rose Sunday was held in Tyler Sunday to celebrate. The ceremony announces the commencement of the official rose season. As part of the event, the Texas Rose Festival Scholarship was awarded to an East Texas student. Among those who helped put on the ceremony: Tyler’s very own Rose Queen. Emily Kaye Evans commented, “It feels really good. I’m honored to be able to do this and be a part of such a big part of the city’s economy and everything that kind of keeps the city going.” It all leads up to the annual Rose Festival in October.

TYLER — A non-student has been arrested in a sexual assault case on the Tyler Junior College campus. KETK reports 23-year-old Tavion Jamal Jones, from Shreveport, was arrested around 3:30 Sunday afternoon. Campus police say while inside the Crossroads Residence Hall, he reportedly sexually assaulted a female student and then tried to assault another. The two students did not need medical attention at the scene. Jones was found and arrested inside the dorm. He is facing one charge of sexual assault and one charge of attempted sexual assault. He remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $150,000.

DALLAS — A Dallas County jury begins hearing evidence in the death penalty capital murder trial of a former Dallas Mavs Maniac Dancer, who was a highly regarded high school footballer in Tyler. Erbie Bowser stands accused of killing four people in two cities in August of 2013. The victims were his estranged wife, her daughter, his ex-girlfriend, and her daughter. If the jury finds Bowser guilty of capital murder, the case moves on to the life or death punishment hearing. Bowser is a 1987 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, where he was an all-state football selection in 1986.

EAST TEXAS – Today’s the first day of early voting for the city and school elections in East Texas. The Smith County Elections Office is responsible for conducting all elections, not only for county offices, but also for city, school, state and federal elections. They will be conducting elections for races in the Tyler, Whitehouse, Chapel Hill, Bullard, Arp and Winona Independent School Districts and the cities of Tyler, Lindale, Hideaway and Winona. Voters in the Tyler school district will decide a $198 million school bond proposal that is for renovations at John Tyler and Robert E Lee high schools. Voters in Tyler city council District 5 will pick a successor to Mark Whatley, who can not run again because of term limits. Running are Bob Westbrook and Alan J. Lizarraga. Continue reading Early Voting Starting in East Texas

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week ofApril 24th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Farm Road 344 is closed at Grove Club Lake just west of State Highway 110 outside of Whitehouse as the contractor removes and replaces the existing culvert and conducts work to restore the pavement. Red Baron Building Company, of Lindale, expects to complete the project within two months. Drivers must take other routes to reach their destinations during this work. Motorists are encouraged to temporarily reroute to Farm Road 756 to Farm Road 346 and back to SH 110 until the work is complete. Additional project information can be found in the Smith County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

ATHENS – One person has died in a Saturday night fire in Athens. It was reported shortly before 8:45pm at a two story home on East College Street. Early Sunday morning firemen found a man’s body in the debris. His name has not been released and an autopsy has been ordered. Fire officials do not suspect foul play. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

LUFKIN – Lufkin Police have arrested a former Hudson ISD kindergarten teacher on four Hudson ISD Police Department warrants for improper relationship between an educator and a student. Arrested just after noon on Saturday was Heather Robertson, 38. She had recently resigned after the allegations surfaced. Investigators say it appears that the incidents in question did not occur on school ground or during school hours. Officers made the arrest when they stopped her vehicle on Frank Avenue near Third Street. According to a police department news release, she remains in the Angelina County Jail. Her bond has been set at a collective $200,000 – $50,000 each of the second-degree-felony charges. Continue reading Former Angelina County Teacher Charged with Improper Relationship

LONGVIEW – An accident involving a train and a pickup remains under investigation in Longview. The accident happened around 2:30 Saturday morning at the railroad crossing on West Birdsong just west of Baxter Avenue. The Longview Police Department reports the pickup was east bound on West Birdsong when it ran underneath the train as it was traveling north. The owner and passenger of the pickup were able to exit the vehicle at the time of the accident and sustained only minor injuries.

TYLER – A man has been injured in a vehicle/bicycle accident in Tyler. It happened at 10:30 Saturday morning at the intersection of the Jacksonville Highway and Three Lakes Parkway. Hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries is Donnie Middlebrook, 66. Police spokesman Don Martin said Middlebrook was riding his bike in the crosswalk crossing the intersection heading east. The light turned green for the northbound lanes and traffic started to head north. The driver in the outside northbound lane struck Middlebrook as he crossed in front of him. The incident remains under investigation.

LIBERTY CITY – A suspect is in custody in connection with Friday’s robbery of the First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City. Charged with aggravated robbery is Hector Camargo age 48 of Kilgore. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail under a $100,000 bond. The robbery occurred around 12:30 Friday afternoon at the bank at the intersection of FM 1252 and Old Highway 135. Investigators began looking for a subject described as a white or Hispanic male, average build with a mustache, in his late 40s to early 50s, wearing a light gray colored shirt and faded pants who left the scene on foot and later entered a white Chevrolet Avalanche with a black bumper guard. Shortly after 2:45 that afternoon the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office received information that a person meeting the description was located at a business on Cotton Street in Longview. He was picked up by a state trooper on an unrelated charge. After searching his vehicle Camargo was charged with the robbery.

BULLARD – A man has been arrested following a lengthy standoff in Bullard. Justin Wilson, 27, of Brownsboro, was taken into custody and two kids who were with him were removed from the house. It all started early Saturday at a house on Farm Road 344 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 69. A report of a domestic disturbance brought Bullard police to the house where Wilson was in an argument with his girlfriend. Authorities were able to remove the woman from the area as Wilson barricaded himself inside with his two young kids. The assistance of the sheriff’s department SWAT team was requested by Bullard police. After several hours of talking with Wilson authorities were able to remove the kids from the house. About 5 minutes later, around 11:30, Wilson surrendered. He is named in an outstanding felony arrest warrant out from Henderson County.

LIBERTY CITY – The Sabine school system briefly locked down their campuses following the report of a bank robbery. The robbery occurred around 1:00 Friday afternoon at the First National Bank of Hughes Springs in Liberty City. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department describes the robber as a white or Hispanic male wearing faded jeans and a light-colored shirt. He left in a white Chevrolet Avalanche with a black bumper guard.

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents of a K-9 scam that is making the rounds. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, someone is calling and asking for donations for the purchase of drug trained dogs. The caller says the “local sheriff’s office and police department budgets are depleted and the purchase of the K-9s from the public will help in the fight against drug trafficking.” Residents are told to ignore these calls, since law enforcement will not call and ask the public for any donations.

MARSHALL – The investigation continues in the death of a Marshall man. The death of Arturo Gonzalez, 42, is being investigated as an industrial accident. His body was found earlier week stuck in a kiln at Marshall Pottery. According to the Marshall News Messenger, Gonzalez was supervisor at Marshall Pottery where he had worked for the past 11 years.

ATHENS – Equipment and food have been stolen by burglars at Athens’ Cain Park 1 And 2. The break-in was discovered Thursday morning. the thieves cut the bars on the door to the concession building at Cain Park 1 and then cut the locks. The thieves removed two cash registers, emptied the food freezer, and made off with all of the chocolate candies in the refrigerator. They also took the popcorn machine, fryers, hot dog machine, crock pots and other cooking equipment. Losses from the concession stand has been placed at $10,000. The thieves also took around $3,000 worth of softball equipment.

TYLER – The Smith County grand Jury has indicted one of three suspects involved in the robbery of a Tyler gas station clerk with his murder. Police say Dameon Mosley, 35, of Tyler was one of three persons who robbed the Conoco gas station on North Northeast Loop 323 in late January. During the robbery a store employee, Billy Stacks, 62, was shot. He later died at a Tyler Hospital. Authorities say Mosely was the masked man who jumped over the counter. Stacks was shot twice as he struggled with the robber. Two other suspects in the case are charged with aggravated robbery. Continue reading Man Indicted in Death of Tyler Gas Station Clerk

AUSTIN – Unemployment in Texas went up slightly in March. But in East Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission reports the jobless numbers dropped last month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.0% in March, up slightly from 4.9% in February. But the opposite was true for Tyler and Longview. Tyler’s unemployment rate was 4/7% last month. That is down from 5.1% in February. But it is slighty above the 4.3% figure in March of last year. Longview’s unemployment rate went from 6.6% in February to 6.3% last month. That is still above the 5.5% figure in March of 2016.

SHREVEPORT – A Longview man and Shreveport woman have pleaded guilty in Shreveport federal court to drug distribution. Guadaloupe Ponte, 27, of Shreveport and Rogelio Lopez, 47, of Longview, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to KETK, the guilty pleas show the Drug Enforcement Administration learned Ponte was distributing methamphetamine in Shreveport. They recorded her on January 12 setting up sales and saw her traveling to meet Lopez. Continue reading Longview Man, Shreveport Woman Plead Guilty in Meth Case

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the two men who held up the Family Dollar store on the Troup Highway just south of Aberdeen Drive. It was reported just before 8:30 Thursday night. The suspects, described as two black males wearing masks and armed with guns, demanded money from the store employee. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the store and left on foot to the rear of the building. The suspects were described as one short, thin build and one tall and thin build. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW – A man accused in the stabbing deaths of two persons at a Longview hospital will be examined to determine if he’s competent to stand trial. Kyron Rayshawn Templeton, 26, of Longview is charged with capital murder. The stabbing deaths occurred November 26, 2013, at what was then Good Shepherd Medical Center Ambulatory Surgical Center. According to the Longview News Journal, Kevin Settle, one of Templeton’s court-appointed attorneys, filed a motion earlier this month asking that his client be examined. In the motion, Settle said jail records indicate Templeton has exhibited mental and behavioral issues since his arrest, including biting and tearing skin from his wrist as well as speaking incoherently and refusing to eat. Continue reading Competency Exam Scheduled for Longview Murder Suspect

FRANKSTON – Authorities continue their investigation into a fatal boating accident on Lake Palestine. One person has been killed and one injured when a boat went over the spillway Wednesday evening. Killed was Billie Wagnon of Palestine. Her husband, Keith Wagnon, remains in the ICU of a Tyler hospital. Authorities still trying to figure out several things, including who was driving the boat when it went over the spillway.

TYLER – A Tyler business has announced it will be closing its doors after 32 years of business. The Chez Bazan French Bakery & Cafe posted the news on its Facebook page. They say the family has decided to “roll up our aprons and retire.” They said a date will be announced in the days to come, “but we can confirm that our days of wearing aprons will continue until June.” And they added, “If you have any orders made we will honor those orders until our closing date is confirmed.”

HARLETON – School officials in Harleton say their schools are safe in the wake of a reported threat. The school district made the comment in a Thursday release following a report that a student had made a hit list. The junior high student had been suspected of making a terroristic threat. But, according to the release from the school district, “The district is confident that there is no current threat and that our schools are safe.” But, they said, they are continuing to investigate the situation.