KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE – City of Palestine Utility crews will be working on a section of North Jackson Street on Thursday night. Water will be shut off for residences on North Jackson from West Coronaca Street to West Maffitt Street, starting at 8:00pm. Utility workers plan to inform residences on the street in person before the water is turned off. Services should be restored by Friday morning.

TYLER – Representatives from higher education in Tyler have come out in favor of the Tyler school bond issue. Tyler Proud held a news conference Thursday morning. Coming out in favor of the bond package were Dr. Mike Tidwell, President of the University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Kirk Calhoun, President of UT Health Northeast, Tyler Junior College President, Dr. Mike Metke, and Dr. Dwight Fennell, the President of Texas College. The $198 million dollar goes toward the renovation of John Tyler and Robert E Lee High Schools. Continue reading Higher Education Supports TISD Bond Proposal

WINNSBORO – A girl who went for a walk in Searcy County, Arkansas, and disappeared, has been found safe in Northeast Texas. Kira Jewell, 14, was last seen in the town of Harriet on April 15th. The FBI has confirmed that the kidnapped teen has been found in Winnsboro. Further details have not been released. It is unclear if anyone has been arrested.

HALLSVILLE – A Hallsville man has been severely burned after his truck ran into a triplex. The accident occurred shortly before 7:15 Thursday morning on Farm Road 450. Hallsville police said the Driver, 20 year old William Click, had a seizureprior to the accident. He was pinned in the truck, which became engulfed in flames. Two Hallsville policemen worked to free him. Two residents of the triplex were injured in the crash. Two of the units were destroyed.

AUSTIN — Forget those flying cars. The future of commuting is looking like something closer to a robot driver, and an East Texan is weighing in. Texas is already a testing ground for self driving cars. A bill in the state Legislature would keep it that way while balancing the need for safety on the roads. Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville chairs the Transportation Committee. Nichols says, “There are some people who want to invest money in our state for economic development, that they need some certainty in the law that these vehicles are allowed.” Manufacturers GM and Toyota support the bill, testifying that automated vehicles will save lives. Unlike humans, they don’t drive drunk.

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has voted to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies, potentially voiding a local Austin ordinance that caused Uber and Lyft to stop operating in the state capital. The bill by Chris Paddie, a Republican from Marshall, brings ride-hailing companies under Texas regulators’ control while requiring them to pay state fees. Continue reading Texas House OKs Statewide Ride Hailing Rules, Defying Austin

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police continue their investigation of a shooting that occurred around 11:00 Tuesday morning. Injured was Keylan Neal, 28, of Gladewater. He is hospitalized with a neck wound, which authorities say is not life threatening. The shooting occurred at a home on North Street. Neal is said to have walked several blocks to a relative’s home on the street where 911 was called. Investigators are trying to learn about the events that led up to the shooting.

BEN WHEELER – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing teenager. She is Justina, (Tina) Davenport, 14, who was reported missing Tuesday night from her Ben Wheeler home. She was wearing faded denim jeans, a long sleeve grey shirt and black high-top tennis shoes. If you know where she can be found, you are asked to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

MANSFIELD, La. (AP) – An Upshur County man killed after a well tank explosion in DeSoto Parish in Louisiana has been identified. He was identified late Tuesday as Camron Anthony Hernandez, 25, of Diana. He was pronounced dead at DeSoto Regional Hospital. Authorities said a crew was working on the site, operated by Dallas-based Aethon Energy, to clean damage caused during a recent storm when one of the tanks on the site exploded, causing injuries to three of the crew members. Two others were treated for moderate and minor injuries. An investigation into what caused the explosion continues.

TYLER – A meeting in Tyler Wednesday brought together The Tyler Fire Department and the Northeast Texas Public Health District and representatives of a variety of public service agencies. The meeting was over the release of this year’s Severe Weather Response Plan. The plan is designed to serve as a guide and to provide useful information to the public. It includes tips on preparing for possible severe weather, as well as recognizing the conditions that are often associated with tornadic activity. It also highlights resources that are available to the public during the season, including shelter locations. The final plan will be available at http://fire.cityoftyler.org, the fire department web site.

MARSHALL – A Tyler man has been arrested in Marshall for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Arrested by Marshall Police was Jovito Luis Vega-Peralta, 37. According to the Marshall News Messenger, he was booked into the Harrison County jail. His bond has been set at $75,000. He has also been placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

AUSTIN – An East Texan is one of ten persons appointed to the Texas School Safety Center Board. Among those named to the board by Governor Greg Abbott is Paul Robbins of Nacogdoches. His term will expire next February 1st. The board reports to the Governor, the legislature, the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency regarding school safety and security, and advises the center on its function, budget and strategic planning initiatives. Robbins in an attorney with offices in Lufkin. He serves as a regional attorney for the Texas Municipal Police Association. Continue reading Area Man Named to State Board

TYLER – Warrants out of Upshur County has landed a Smith County man in jail. Booked into the Smith County Jail on Tuesday was Jeffrey Earl Abendroth, 41, of Tyler. One of the Upshur County warrants was for the sexual assault of a child. He was also wanted for operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner and not having a driver’s license.

TYLER – A man who led authorities on a three county chase remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $110,000. Johnny Ray Roulett, 35, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, is charged with evading arrest, tampering with identification numbers personal property and unlawfully carrying a weapon. Officers first tried to stop him in northern Smith County. The chase, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, went into Wood and Van Zandt counties and ended on Highway 69 in the Lindale area, where he was arrested.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has released its crime statistics for 2016. Overall Part One crimes — offenses deemed the most serious in nature — are down 1.26%. Part One violent crimes (homicides, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault) are up 18.67% from last year. But the Part One violent crime number is lower than it was in 2012 and 2013. Part One property crimes (burglary, theft, auto theft) are down 3.08%. Part Two crimes are up 7.61% but also show a decrease from 2012 and 2013. The statistics indicate crime rates over the past five calendar years. Continue reading 2016 Tyler Crime Statistics Released

ATHENS – Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse says two women with a substantial amount of illegal drugs were arrested Tuesday by county deputies under Hillhouse’s direction. Angela Davis (far left), 42, of Poynor, and Ashley Jordan (near left), 26, of Chandler, are currently in the county jail awaiting arraignment. Hillhouse, with the assistance of Coffee City police, received information leading to the investigation and arrests. Hillhouse’s team found a group of people at Davis’s residence. Hillhouse says they also found Davis in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine, a first degree felony, and Jordan with suspected methamphetamine. Continue reading Sheriff Directs Narcotics Team to Arrests in Poynor

CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill High School Band is now the proud owner of instruments for an entire Steel Drum Band. The instruments are valued at $17,000.00. They were donated by the Youth Steel Band Foundation which is based in Tyler. The group also made a $3,000 donation to the Chapel Hill Band Boosters. The instruments and money were presented during a Tuesday afternoon ceremony. Following the presentation there was a short performance on the drums by members of the Chapel Hill High School Band.

LONGVIEW – A woman is in custody in connection with a March shooting in Longview. The Longview News Journal reports Jessica Courtney Perry, 29, of Longview, is being held in the Gregg County Jail without bond on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She is accused of shooting a woman at the Palace Inn on East Marshall Avenue around 1:00am on March 29th. According to the victim, she and her boyfriend had been in a car with Perry and another person. On their way to the hotel, she and Perry got into an argument and Perry pulled a gun on her. She said Perry shot her after she got out of the vehicle.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been arrested after threatening to shoot a policeman. Charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant is Dakota Jasper Faulk, 23. Police say Faulk made a 911 call shortly after 8:45 Monday night. He said he was standing outside the police department with a sniper rifle and he would shoot police or anyone who left the building. He was later arrested, without incident, at his home in the Flamingo Mobile Home Park on Pine Tree Road. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $5,500.

TYLER – A Gilmer woman has been sentenced to federal prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation in East Texas. Shanna Peek Tidwell, 38, was sentenced in federal court in Tyler Tuesday to 30 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty in the case last December. Besides the prison term, assets must forfeit include U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, six automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms. Continue reading Upshur County Woman Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy

TYLER – Federal officials announced in Tyler Tuesday afternoon, several persons have received lengthy prison sentences for child pornography. Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler has been sentenced to 336 months in federal prison. Crystal Beam, 35, of Medford, Oregon has been sentenced to to 216 months in federal prison. And Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison. A fourth person, Lacy Brooks, 31, of Searcy, Arkansas, is still awaiting sentencing. The four are accused of being part of a child pornography ring that was sexually exploiting children.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners learned about the community of Noonday during Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session. Mayor Mike Turman, pictured with his wife Vivian, who is a Noonday Alderman, gave a brief presentation about the history of Noonday. Noonday was the first city to be invited to come before the commissioner’s as part of Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran’s new initiative, “Connecting Communities.” Continue reading Noonday Highlighted Before the Commissioners Court

GLADEWATER – Gladewater police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 11:00 Tuesday morning. a 28 year old man was shot in the neck at a home on North Street. He is said to have walked to a relative’s home on North Street where 911 was called. He is now hospitalized. There is no word on his name or condition at this time and the investigation is continuing.

KILGORE – A Kilgore man, who police believe killed his estranged wife before stabbing himself, has died. Maria Carolina Alvarez Pantoja, 24, died April 3rd from a large cut on her neck. Juan C. Vazquez Perales, 27, was suffering from a cut to his neck, a cut to his wrist, and several stab wounds to his body. He has now died at a Tyler hospital. The Longview News Journal reports police believe Perales used their children to lure Alvarez to a home on Leake Street in the hope of possibly reconciling. Investigators believe Perales killed the woman before cutting himself.

AUSTIN — Conservative activists, including a prominent East Texan, take aim on Texas House Republicans for not being conservative enough. Monday was Tea Party Day at the state Capitol, and many have taken issue with the state House for not embracing conservative reforms. JoAnn Fleming of Smith County believes the House bill banning sanctuary cities has been watered down. Dana Hodges of Concerned Women for America wants House Speaker Joe Straus to care more about the transgender bathroom bill. Other issues of interest include defunding abortion providers, no more toll roads and constitutional carry gun legislation.

DIANA – Gas pump skimmers have been found in Upshur County. According to the sheriff’s department, gas pump skimmers have been found in the Diana area. These skimmers are attached inside the gas pumps, which makes them undetectable to customers or store employees. The sheriff’s department says, before using a gas pump, look closely for any signs of tampering. Check the security strips near the lock to make sure they have not been tampered with. They also recommend using pumps closest to the store, those seem to be the least tampered with at this point. And, if you suspect a pump has been tampered with, notify the business.

KILGORE — A Kilgore College Rangerette kidnapped at gunpoint was choked to the point she passed out and tied up with tape inside a storage building. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the victim, Alexa Blair, 19, was able to remove the tape, escape from the building and call police. Responding officers saw “visible injuries to her neck and face” when they found her. The cell phone search warrant, which Gregg County District Clerk records indicate was returned in March, offers new details in the Dec. 29, 2016 kidnapping of Rangerettes Director Dana Blair’s daughter Alexa from their Longview home in the 2100 block of Airline Drive. Continue reading New Details in Rangerette Kidnapping Case

LONGVIEW – An Alba man is free on bond following a weekend arrest in Longview on a weapons charge. Saturday morning around 2:00, police found several persons involved in a confrontation behind a motel on North Spur 63. One of the men, Michael Mark Morelli, 21, was wearing a gun in a holster on his hip. When they found he didn’t have a valid license to car the gun, he was arrested for the unlawful carrying of a weapon.

KILGORE – Two drug suspects are in custody following a chase by Kilgore police. The chase started shortly before 2:00 Monday afternoon after a man saw a police officer patrolling a business parking lot. The man jumped into a car and it took off. A computer check show one of the persons was wanted. In the chase that followed, numerous bags of marijuana were tossed from the car. They also tossed out a large bag of methamphetamine. The car was finally stopped on State Highway 42 and the man and woman in the vehicle were arrested. Charges are pending against the couple.

GILMER – A man wearing a red ski mask has robbed a Gilmer gas station. The robbery occurred shortly after 5:45 Monday morning at the Texaco West station on State Highway 154 at Farm Road 49. The suspect is described as a white male wearing a gray sweatshirt and khaki pants and armed with a semi-automatic handgun. He is escaped with $300. No injuries were reported. Gilmer police say they have a person of interest in the case.