KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – You can keep tabs on public works projects in Tyler with a a new website. The web site, TylerPublicWorks.com, includes new content features and a simple and easy to navigate format. It features a “project map” section, where you can access information about active projects around the city. The map also has a search-by-address feature, allowing you to view projects close to your home or business. Besides being able to view active projects, you can also select a future projects filter, which will show projects that are currently estimated to be six to ten years down the road.

KILGORE – Kilgore had been asking for the public’s help in identifying a theft suspect. They now say, he has been identified. He is a suspect in a Theft case which occurred at the Walmart SuperCenter last Sunday.

GUN BARREL CITY – A Henderson County woman has been arrested for filing a false police report. Last Saturday, 21 year old Antares Ann Hibbard reported she was sexually assaulted. She said she was attacked on the walking track at the Gun Barrel City Park. She described her assailant as a white male armed with a knife. When investigators concluded the report was false, Hibbard provided a written confession admitting she had falsified the report.

CHANDLER – Two are in custody on drug charges following their arrest in Henderson County Wednesday night. David Cummings, 48, and Christina Cummings, 44, were arrested in a stolen trailer in the Forest Grove Subdivision south of Chandler. They were arrested by Henderson County and Smith County authorities. In the trailer, investigators found illegal drugs, methamphetamine, Xanax and marijuana. They also seized a gun, counterfeit money and material used to distribute the contraband. Both have been charged with manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, possession of marijuana. And since David Cummings is a convicted felon, he has also been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

SMITH COUNTY — Troopers responded to a three vehicle fatal crash on Loop 49 just north of Hwy 64 in Smith County Wednesday night. According to the DPS report, around 10:20, a 2013 Dodge Charger, driven by Annette Burkhart, 56, Garland, was stopped southbound on the side of the roadway with a flat tire. A 2006 Chevrolet pick-up, driven by Gary McCrary, 62, Flint, was stopped behind the disabled Charger. McCrary was assisting Burkhart in changing the flat tire. A 2008 Toyota, driven by Jessica Vass, 35, Lindale was traveling southbound and struck the back of the Chevrolet pick-up which then struck the Charger, causing the vehicles to strike both Burkhart and McCrary. The vehicle Vass was driving then rolled, coming to rest in the middle of Loop-49. Continue reading Wreck on Toll 49 Leaves Two Dead

ARP — An Arp I.S.D. employee has been asked to resign following allegations of improper text messages with several female students. According to KETK, Chris Stewart was asked Monday to resign. According to the school’s website, Stewart works for the Jr. High as a gym coach. Superintendent Dwight Thomas released a statement to KETK, “As Superintendent at Arp ISD I want to provide you and the public with information that is accurate and legal for me to provide. You have inquired about a personal matter and I am very limited on what I can say about personnel.” Continue reading Arp Coach Asked to Resign

TYLER – A new Outdoor Warning System siren is being installed today at the intersection of Cumberland Road and Oak Creek Circle. Due to the construction of this project, both lanes of Cumberland Road will be closed between Old Hickory and Paluxy during the installation. Travelers in the area should plan to find an alternative route during that time.

AUSTIN – State Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he will be sending out $620.2 million in local sales tax allocations for April. These allocations are based on sales made in February and are 4/9% more than April of 2016. The East Texas report is mixed. Tyler’s sales tax allocation for April is nearly $3 million dollars. This is 1.68% above the figure of April of last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocations are up nearly 4%. Longview’s April allocation is over $2.1 million, or 3% lower than April of 2016. For the year, Longview’s sales tax allocation is over $9.7 million, or about half a percent before the same period last year.

LONGVIEW – A Pueblo, Colorado man, Kenneth Leonard Mestas, 46, is in custody in Longview after leading police on a chase around the city. Police say he was taken into custody after he drove off the roadway and crashed into a parking lot. They say the force of the vehicle then caused him to crash into a vehicle on Airline Road. The final collision resulted in what are termed non-life-threatening injuries to the driver of the other vehicle. The suspect and passenger of the pursued vehicle also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. There were no officers injured during the event. Continue reading Suspect in Custody Following Chase, Accident

TYLER – A major downtown project has been announced by the city of Tyler. The Tyler City Council has approved the sale of a tract of land the city has owned since 2009. The property, which had been previously owned by King Chevrolet, is bounded by West Ferguson Street on the north and West Erwin Street on the south. On the land will be built a $10 million project that include the construction of 96 apartment lofts, spanning 4,800 square feet of commercial space. It will also contain 3/4 of an acre green to be dedicated to open space. City Manager Ed Broussard said the sale of the land “begins a resurgence for downtown on this far west end.”

TYLER — The City of Tyler Water Department has secured a sinkhole that opened at Donnybrook Avenue and ESE Loop 323 due to the collapse of a brick manhole at the intersection. The southbound right turn lane to the Loop is closed until repairs are made. Repairs begin today, and work is expected to last 18 to 24 hours.

KILGORE — People will soon be allowed to carry concealed weapons at Kilgore College. KETK reports trustees gave the final approval Monday. This will allow people to carry the weapons except at sporting events. The policy will take effect this fall semester. Permanent bans have been enacted for the Health Science Center, the college’s police station, and full-time testing centers. Open carry is stilled banned on campus.

AUSTIN — A new bill from an East Texas lawmaker aims to outlaw all synthetic drugs in Texas — and one of the newer ones is popping up around the Lone Star State. “Pink,” “pinky,” or “U4” is a dangerous synthetic opioid and several times stronger than morphine. Terrie Mogavero, co-founder of East Texans against K2, says it’s toxic to the touch. According to Mogavero, “Merely touching it, it can be absorbed through the bloodstream…It can send you into cardiac arrest.” State Representative Jay Dean (pictured) of Longview has a bill that would outlaw all known compounds — but he notes it’s “more than likely” that something new will be found. Dean says, “This is almost like…trying to keep up with the cellphone technology or computer technology; it changes.”

TYLER — The City of Tyler Street Department closes east Erwin Street between South Fleishel and North Fleishel as of 1:00 today to remove debris from a large tree that fell during the storm on Tuesday. Eastbound traffic on East Erwin will be detoured to South Fleishel then to East Elm Street. Westbound traffic on East Erwin will be detoured north on North Fleishel then west on East Locust Street. The closure was expected to last 3-4 hours.

OVERTON — An Overton ISD vehicle was involved in a wreck on I-20 Wednesday morning. Officials said the accident occurred just before 6:30 morning near Lindale as the driver and 5 students were in route to Sulphur Springs for an FFA event. None of the passengers in the school’s Expedition were injured. School employees took another school vehicle to the location and the students were transported back to campus. Two other vehicles, including and 18-wheeler were involved. One person was taken to a local hospital. Further details were not available.

TYLER – The power at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport was restored early Wednesday following a day-long outage. The main terminal had been running on a generator. The outage caused the security checkpoint to close causing commercial service to shut down. Oncor found more broken poles than first discovered, resulting in the extended delay. Power was restored at approximately 1:35 Wednesday morning. The Terminal opened normally a couple of hours later and American Eagle departed on time at 7:00.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police have confirmed the identity of a former teacher who is under investigation for a possible improper relationship with a student. According to KETK, Longview Police said Anne Herman, a former teacher at Spring Hill ISD, is under investigation. She recently resigned. Superintendent Steven Snell released a statement to KETK when asked about the teacher’s departure: “At Spring Hill ISD the safety and well being of our students and faculty is our number one concern. The employee referenced above is no longer an employee of the district. I am not at liberty to make any further comments at this time.” Herman was a high school math teacher and a drill team director.

EAST TEXAS – The National Weather Service now confirms that two small tornadoes touched down in the area Monday night. Both were classified as EF-1 tornadoes. One touched down about 3 miles northwest of Arp. At its peak, it had winds of 80 to 90 miles an hour and was 100 yards wide. It traveled nearly half a mile before dissipating. The second storm hit about 2 miles northwest of Overton. It was 250 yards wide and had winds of 95 to 105 miles an hour. It traveled just over 3 miles before dissipating. No injuries were reported with either storm.

TYLER – Two men are heading to prison for a Cherokee County bank burglary. Both had earlier pleaded guilty to the burglary of the Jacksonville branch of Austin Bank. Curtis Eugene Thomas, 32, and Dominic Dennard Green, 31, both of Dallas, were sentenced in Tyler federal court on Tuesday. Thomas was sentenced to 42 months in prison and Green was sentenced to 24 months in prison. The two also were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $58,376.75. Continue reading An East Texas Bank Burglary Lands Two Men in Prison

TYLER – An Upshur County man has been sentenced in federal court in Tyler to prison following a lengthy investigation into a synthetic drug operation. Jeremy Chad Tidwell, 41, of Gilmer, pleaded guilty last November. He was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months in federal prison. Also, assets to be forfeited by the defendant included U.S. currency and bank accounts totaling over $1.2 million, real property, precious metals, two airplanes, 6 automobiles, other vehicles, and firearms. His arrest stemmed from an investigation into a synthetic drug trafficking organization based in the Gregg County. Continue reading Upshur County Man Sentenced for Federal Conspiracy

TYLER – It was a rough Tuesday morning commute around Tyler with traffic signals out and debris in the streets. But things have gotten back to normal. With power restored, all traffic signals are working again. Dozens of intersections were without power Tuesday morning. Then, there was the debris in the streets. City crews worked to clear trees and limbs from over two dozen locations around Tyler. Those initial roadways were cleared as well as some additional sites that were brought to the streets department’s attention. City crews will continue to work through Wednesday to collect stacked up debris at all the locations where trees had to be cut to clear and open roads.

GUN BARREL CITY – The death of a man in Gun Barrel City remains under investigation. His body was found around 10:15 Monday morning behind a car wash on State Highway 334. It is believed that the body had been there for several days. Investigators say that foul play is not suspected in the death. They believe the man, who is said to be in his 30s, is from the Mabank area. They will release his name and possible cause of death after receiving the autopsy report.

GREGG COUNTY — Troopers responded to a three vehicle fatal crash on FM-3053 in Gregg County, three miles south of Liberty City. It happened around 5:30 Monday evening. According to the DPS report, a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jason Hart, 31, Tyler, was traveling south on FM-3053 while a 2015 Honda Accord driven by Marion Collins, 37, Gladewater, was traveling north on the same roadway. The vehicles collided. Harts’ vehicle rolled coming to rest on its top in the middle of the roadway. Collins’ vehicle went off the roadway to the east into a barditch. A 2010 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Luciano Soto-Hernandez, 38 years-old of Jacksonville, towing a flatbed trailer was also traveling south on FM-3053 approaching Collins’ vehicle as it was rolling. Continue reading Fatal Gregg County Wreck Under Investigation

EAST TEXAS — Power outages have been reported across the East Texas region following severe storms overnight. According to KETK, TK Gordman will delay class time until 10:00 this morning…due to power outages. Traffic is backed up around town. Numerous traffic lights are out. Copeland and the Loop is out. Loop 323 and Spur 364. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your location. Reports of debris and downed tress in the roadway. Continue reading Wide-Spread Power Outages

TYLER- A missing Tyler man has been located. Tyler police had asked for the public’s help in locating Tommy Edward Goode, 80. He has been diagnosed with dementia. Tyler police Sgt. Lukas Neubauer reported shortly after 9:15 Monday might, Mr. Goode has been located and reunited with his family.

NACOGDOCHES – A man wanted for murder in Nacogdoches County has been arrested. Sheriff Jason Bridges says Lester Butcher, 54, has been arrested in Henderson County. He is said to have killed a James Steitler off County Road 817, northwest of Nacogdoches, early Sunday morning. Butcher, who authorities say was dangerous and may be armed, had last been known to be in Henderson County. They thought he might have been hiding out in the Chandler area. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, said Butcher was found in the Holiday Hills Subdivision in the Berryville area of Henderson County around 6:30 Monday night. Hillhouse said Butcher was alone in a wooded area when deputies found him.

TYLER – A man and woman have been sentenced in federal court in Tyler to prison for child exploitation violations. Brian Casper, 27, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2016. Federal District Judge Ron Clark, on Monday, sentenced him to 336 months in federal prison. Taylor Keeth, 22, of Indianola, Iowa, (pictured) pleaded guilty on December 7, 2016, and Judge Clark sentenced her 282 months in federal prison. The two will also be required to register as a sex offender upon their release from federal prison. Continue reading Two Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Children

GILMER – Juries have now been seated in two Upshur County cases. A jury was selected Monday morning in the trial of Lee Roy Settles, 36, of Winnsboro. He is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. His trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. And a jury has been selected for the sentencing of Andrew Denton Hockman, 21, of Lone Star. He pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to the aggravated robbery of a gas station in Ore City. The jury is scheduled to take up his case on Wednesday, April 20th.

GILMER – A Gilmer man will be going to prison for a drug violation. Prior to jury selection a Gilmer man, Corbin Patrick McBride, 22, pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams, which occurred on December 14, 2015. He has now been sentenced to 18 years in prison. With the plea bargain being reached, there is no appeal and the sentence is final.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a murder suspect. He is Lester Butcher, 54. He is said to have killed a James Steitler off County Road 817, Northwest of Nacogdoches, early Sunday morning. Butcher, who authorities say is dangerous and may be armed, was last known to be in Henderson County. They say he may be hiding out in the Chandler area. Butcher is said to be 5’11” and weighs around 205 pounds. He has hazel eyes and blond hair. If you know where Butcher can be located, you are asked to immediately contact your local law enforcement agency.