KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

LONGVIEW – A Longview police officer saw two mustangs west bound on Loop 281 Sunday morning just before 12;15. They turned around in the intersection of the loop and Gilmer Road. As the drove side by side, the vehicles started to accelerate. That when the officer stopped the cars. Arrested were Victor Javier Estrada-Rodriguez, 31,(pictured) and Luis Fernando Guerrero, 21. The two were arrested for racing on a highway, and booked into the Gregg County Jail

KILGORE – A Henderson man is in custody in Gregg County after leading officers on a Sunday night chase. The police were called to a residence on Queens Court in Longview because Gregory Alan Harris, 61, was there. An emergency protective order had been issued against him earlier this month. Arriving officers saw him driving away and gave chase, taking the officers through Kilgore and into Rusk County. The suspects vehicle wrecked out near the Lake Cherokee bridge. After being treated at a Longview hospital, he was booked into the Gregg County Jail. He is charged with violation of protective order and evading arrest. His bonds total $60,000.

CRANBERRY, Pa. (AP) — Teen clothing retailer rue21 is closing about one-third of its stores nationwide as it focuses more on its online business. The privately held company is shuttering nearly 400 stores, leaving it more than 700 stores in 48 states. Included in the closings is the Tyler store on South Broadway south of Grande Boulevard, and stores in Marshall and Palestine. The Longview and Lufkin stores will remain open. The company didn’t say how soon the stores will close, though its website is promoting store-closing sales

LONGVIEW – The public is being asked to help Longview police in identifying six persons involved in a home invasion. It happened last Tuesday around 3:00am. The armed robbers forced their way into a home on Longmorn Drive and held up two persons. One was described as a black male and another was a white, Hispanic or a light-skinned black male. The others were all wearing hoodies. Their vehicle was described as a 2000s model Chevy or GMC Tahoe or suburban, possibly silver, gold or pewter colored. No other information about the break in is being released at this time. If you have any information about the vehicle or suspects, please contact Detective Chris Bethard at 903-237-1161, Gregg County Crime stoppers at 903-236-7867, or greggcountycrimestoppers.org and reference case #17-5350.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been jailed after being accused of punching a police officer. Arrested was Dayton Reed Mize, 18. At a Friday night party, he is said to have pulled a knife and threatened several people. After bing asked to leave, the police found in walking in the street with a cut on his wrist. He said he was injured when he fell and cut himself with the knife he was carrying. When they tried to give him medical attention, Mize started running. When they caught him, Mize is said to have hit one officer in the face. After being taken to the hospital for treatment, Mize ws booked into the Gregg County jail on a charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a public servant. His bonds total $100,000.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man wanted for over a month has been jailed. According to KETK, on Saturday, Deputy Cody Matthews received information that a known wanted person identified as Matthew Randall Dixon, 22, was possibly staying at a local motel. Deputies have been looking for Matthew Dixon since March 16, after Matthew evaded in a vehicle leading the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Lufkin Police Department on pursuit through the Fuller Springs area, and eventually crashed through the gate of an apartment complex before running on foot. Deputies Matthews and Wilson responded to the Quality Inn located on Hwy 59 S and were able to locate Matthew Dixon where he was placed under arrest. Matthew was transported to the Angelina County Jail on five warrants.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The parents of five of the 18 students who survived a 3-vehicle accident involving a Mount Pleasant school bus have filed a lawsuit in Titus County. They’re asking for 25 million dollars. According to KETK, the March 24th accident reportedly happened when an 18-wheeler, owned by Rooney Trucking, sideswiped the bus. The bus was traveling back to the school after a track meet in Paris. The lawsuit claims the trucking company was responsible for its employee, Bradley Ray Farmer, Bogard, Missouri, who was driving the truck that “recklessly veered across the highway while operating an 18-wheeler truck into the bus’s lane, sideswiping the driver’s side of the bus and causing it to spin out of control.” Farmer died of his injuries. Continue reading Lawsuit Filed Following Fatal School Bus Wreck

TYLER — One man has been arrested following a shooting early Sunday morning. Dawalus Marquis Hampton, 36, Tyler, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Officers responded to an East Elm Street location around 5:30 a.m. in reference to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon call. A caller in an SUV said shots were being fired from a sedan that was following the caller. A black male fled on foot from the sedan as police arrived. He was not located. Police say the incident may be related to a disturbance that took place earlier at the Wild Bunch Club in Tyler. Hampton was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $70,500.00. He was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and disorderly conduct.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of April 17. 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.

FM 344 is set to close Monday, April 17, at Grove Club Lake just west of SH 110 outside of Whitehouse as the contractor, Red Barron Construction, of Lindale, replaces the culvert and restores the pavement. Drivers will have to take other routes to reach their destinations during this work. The suggested detour has drivers taking FM 756 to FM 346 and back to SH 110. Message boards have been installed advising motorists of the closure. Repairs should take about two months to complete. The cost to replace the culvert is $348,000. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — 25-year-old Deaveron Rakin Dean of Tyler faces a total of 11 charges following a Saturday incident that kept law officers busy for over two hours. Tyler police say officers responded at 1:44 p.m. to Wal-Mart on Troup Highway, where they report Dean was trying to fraudulently return property at the Customer Service counter. Arriving officers say Dean was observed getting into a vehicle and leaving the scene. One officer was at the rear of his vehicle trying to tell him to stop. The other officer was at the front of his vehicle as Dean reportedly drove at the officer, who had to take evasive action. Authorities say Dean continued driving and fled the scene. Continue reading Man Faces Multiple Charges, Accused of Trying to Run Over Officer

TYLER — A new initiative called “Connecting Communities” was announced at the most recent meeting of the Smith County Commissioners Court. Noting that Smith County and the 11 cities within its boundaries represent and service the same citizens, County Judge Nathaniel Moran says it’s important they work together and have close ties and communication. During the meeting, Moran discussed his new initiative, in which the cities will be periodically highlighted during Commissioners Court over the next year. The municipalities are Tyler, Lindale, Whitehouse, Arp, Troup, Bullard, Winona, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Overton, and Hideaway. Continue reading Smith County Launches “Connecting Communities” Initiative

KILGORE — Kilgore College has been named the eighth best community college in America by College Choice. In a news release, KC officials say College Choice correlated data from Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, Payscale, and individual community colleges to compile a list of the 50 best community colleges in the country. Continue reading KC Named Eighth Best Community College in the Nation

TYLER – Tyler police are investigating a body that has been found in an abandoned building. On Friday, police responded to the old Community Hospital location on North Glenwood, south of Gentry Parkway and just northeast of Fun Forest Park. Police say two young adult males found the corpse in a room where it appeared that the deceased had set up temporary living quarters and had been deceased for quite some time. Investigators have confirmed that the deceased was a male, and an autopsy has been ordered. Authorities are working to determine the identity and possible cause of death.

TYLER- A Tyler hospital has scored a high grade. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital has received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization. The Tyler hospital was one of 823 hospitals to receive the top grade. It was awarded for the hospital’s commitment to reducing errors, infections, and accidents that can harm patients. Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign the grades to over 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year.

NEW YORK (AP/STAFF) — Texas-based J.C. Penney says it is delaying the closure of 138 stores by several weeks to take advantage of better-than-expected sales at those locations. The company said Friday that more shoppers have visited the stores after it announced last month which locations were closing. J.C. Penney spokesman Joey Thomas says that’s common, and cited reasons including “curiosity, nostalgia and the lure of lower prices.” Stores in the area on the closing list are in Athens, Marshall and Nacogdoches. The closures are part of Penney’s plan to focus on its best-performing stores. J.C. Penney Co., based in Plano, will still have about 900 stores after the closures

LONGVIEW — A Louisiana man who pleaded guilty to a Longview murder was sentenced to 30 years in prison. KETK reports Paul Mengel of Bossier City pleaded guilty to the 2013 murder of 19-year-old Joey Espy. Espy was found suffering from gunshot wounds to both his head and chest. He died shortly after. Mengel was arrested about two weeks later at his house.

EAST TEXAS — Two people were killed in a Wednesday night accident on Toll 49. This is just one of many that has happened over the last few years. According to KETK, Thursday afternoon, North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) held a news conference to talk about some safety improvements to the highway. NET RMA is now implementing safety improvements to several segments of the road, including Segment 3B, 3A, 1, 2 and 5. In Project 1, ten miles of Toll 49 from State Highway 31 north to I-20 will be widened by four feet. Continue reading Safety Improvement Coming to Toll 49