KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — One person was taken to a local hospital after an auto-pedestrian accident in the downtown Tyler area. According to KETK, the accident at the intersection of Line Street and North Broadway Avenue was reported around 12:15 Tuesday afternoon. Tyler Police said two women were crossing Broadway at Line Street when one person hesitated in crossing. Authorities said a driver began to turn and the woman began walking across, resulting in her injury when she was struck. The driver made sure she was okay and then left the scene. He later came back while police were investigating. The incident is under investigation as to whom is at fault. Police said the crossing signals were working properly at the intersection.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a theft suspect. On March 7th, shortly before 7:30am, a man walked into Walmart on East End Boulevard North and went to the electronics department. He then loaded two computers into a shopping cart and left the store without paying. Surveillance video captured the man leaving in a small white car. Anyone with information on the identity of this man is urged to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575. Those wishing to remain anonymous are asked to call Marshall-Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

Smith County residents will be able to fireworks next month, thanks to the action Tuesday of the Smith County Commissioners Court. The county commissioners approved an order authorizing fireworks sales from April 16-21 for San Jacinto Day. The 84th Texas legislature authorized three additional holidays, which were also approved in Smith County last year. They are are Texas Independence Day, celebrated this year on March 2; San Jacinto Day, April 21 and Memorial Day, May 29. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said Smith County residents are allowed to pop fireworks throughout the year, and are only restricted on when they can buy them. The Commissioners Court will again consider approving fireworks sales for Memorial Day at a future meeting.

TYLER – The Texas Association of School Business Officials has recognized 26 school districts with an Award of Merit for following best practices in the area of purchasing operations. One of those awards went to the Tyler Independent School District.This makes two years in a row Tyler ISD has received this award. The award provides recognition to school districts, open-enrollment charter schools and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. According to Nakeia Burrell, coordinator of budget and purchasing/risk management, “This award shows our commitment to stewardship and providing excellence in all Tyler ISD procurement functions.”

KILGORE – Kilgore police are looking for a suspect wanted in a scam using Facebook. Two Henderson women are out $200 after trying to buy a car on Facebook. They used Facebook Messenger to say they wanted to buy a car. They were contacted and a man took them to Kilgore for the purchase. Once in Kilgore, he took their money and gave them a receipt and a key. He told them a woman would bring them the car shortly. He left and she never showed up. They have a picture of a suspect, but they don’t know if the picture is real or fictitious. Continue reading Kilgore Police Investigating Facebook Scam

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department has released an updated photo of a woman who has been missing since March 14th. Francine Robertson, 29, of Marshall, was last seen walking in the 2300 block of West Rusk Street. It is believed she may suffer from some sort of mental illness and family members are concerned about her welfare. She stands about 5’7″ and weighs around 270 pounds. She was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt with black sleeves, blue jeans and no shoes. Anyone who has seen Francine Robertson or knows where she can be found is urged to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575.

LONGVIEW – Longview police continue to investigate a shooting that occurred last Friday. The person injured in the shooting was released from the hospital the same day. The shooting occurred shortly before 5:00 Friday afternoon on Jewel Drive. When police arrived, the victim had already been taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Authorities have not released details about the shooting, including the victim’s name.

TYLER – Lifelong Tyler resident Taylor Heaton has announced his candidacy for Judge of the County Court at Law Number 2. Heaton, a Republican, plans to run for the seat currently held by Judge Randall Rodgers who has informally said he plans to retire at the end of his term in December 2018. Heaton has worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Smith County District Attorney’s Office since November 2006. For the past 8 years he has worked primarily in the juvenile prosecutions division where he has prosecuted numerous felony and misdemeanor cases and worked closely with juvenile probation, local law enforcement, and the County Court at Law Number 3 of Smith County.  Heaton said “My experience as a prosecutor, public servant, and trial attorney has uniquely equipped me to handle both the heavy criminal caseload as well civil matters” that come before the court.

HENDERSON – Officials have identified the victim as Brandon Allen Conder, 37, of Dallas in a fatal two-vehicle accident in Rusk County shortly after 7:15 Monday morning. A westbound pickup veered into the eastbound lane and collided with a Freightliner truck-tractor towing a semi-trailer on U.S. Highway 79, three miles east of Henderson. Conder, the pickup’s driver, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver, a man from Woodville, was not injured.

MARSHALL – New patches are appearing on the uniforms of Marshall police officers. This is the first redesign of the patch in over 35 years. The new patch symbolizes the history of the city. The patch, which will be worn on both sleeves of each police officer’s uniform, displays the Texas flag in the shape of the state of Texas, the American flag, a train and the year 1890. The train represents a portion of the city’s history of being the major railroad center of the T&P Railroad from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. The year 1890 is the year the Marshall Police Department was formed. The transition of the new patches is underway and should be complete within a few months.

TYLER – The headliner for this year’s Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala will be Trace Atkins. The gala’s committee made the announcement Monday. It will be held on Saturday, August 12th, at the Texas Rose Horse Park/Brunson Equestrian Center, 14078 State Highway 110 North, just northwest of Tyler. The theme for this year’s gala is “Legends of the Call.” It is to honor those legends in the community who have fought the fight against cancer, and the volunteers, businesses, sponsors and members of the medical community who are themselves legendary for working and giving tirelessly to find a cure for this dreaded disease. Continue reading Cattle Barons’ Headliner Announced

AUSTIN (AP) — A bill reducing fees for gun licenses statewide is heading to the full Texas Senate. Jacksonville Republican Senator Robert Nichols originally wanted to scrap the entire $140 fee for first-time licenses to carry concealed and holstered handguns, as well as the $70 charge to renew licenses after five years. But the nonpartisan Legislative Budget Board estimated that doing so would cost Texas $55-plus million during a two-year state budget cycle. Instead, Nichols on Monday introduced a modified version reducing the first-time and renewal fee to $40 each. The fiscal impact of that hasn’t yet been calculated. The Senate State Affairs Committee then unanimously approved Nichols’ amended proposal to the full chamber, where it should pass easily. Gun advocates are applauding the bill, saying Texas’ fees are among the nation’s highest.

MINEOLA — A Smith County woman, who was said to have been kidnapped, has been found unharmed and the man who was said to have taken her has been arrested. It was earlier reported that a man, identified as James Derrick Adams Jr., 26, kicked in the door of a home in the Enchanted Lakes area in the northwest part of the county. He was then said to have abducted Melissa Nicole Boaz, 37. They drove off in a green minivan with a broken rear window. But, after the woman was found, she told deputies she was not taken against her will and the situation was a misunderstanding. No word on where she was found, but Adams was arrested on County Road 456, south of County Road 455. He was arrested after leaving the mini van and running into a wooded area. Even though he is not facing a kidnapping charge, he could be facing burglary charges if the woman wants to press charges.

LONGVIEW – A shoplifter has been arrested in Longview. Clinton Paul McDowell, 42, of Longview is said to have tried to leave the Academy Store on Forest Square without paying for several boxes of ammunition. To compound his problems, he has 4 prior convictions for theft. McDowell has been charged with theft of property with two or more previous convictions. He remains in the Gregg County jail under a $5,000 bond.

GILMER – An appeals court is rejecting the appeal of a convicted sex offender in Upshur County. The 6th Court of Appeals in Texarkana has turned down the appeal of 48 year old Orlandos Lugene Johnson, of Gilmer. He had argued his lawyer had “rendered ineffective assistance” during his trial. Last May, Johnson pleaded guilty two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He asked the court to set his punishment. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison on each count, to be served concurrently. Johnson was an employee of Gilmer school system and had worked for the district over 20 years.

LONGVIEW – Two Longview burglary suspects have been arrested. They were arrested after a police officer heard an audible alarm at a business on South High Street. He then saw two persons leaving through the damaged front door of the building. After a short foot chase, both were taken into custody. One was a juvenile. The other was Dewayne Lamont Black, Jr, 18, of Longview. They found had three previous convictions for evading arrest. So, besides being charged with burglary of a building, he is also charged with evading arrest with prior convictions.

TYLER — Tyler ISD will hold Community Forums to present information to the public on proposed Bond 2017 projects. Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford, Director of Facilities Tim Loper and other Tyler ISD administrators will present the information and answer questions. The bond package provides for remodeling & additions to John Tyler High School & Robert E. Lee High School. According to the Tyler ISD website, approximately 5,000 students will be in new or renovated spaces. The schedule looks like this:

Thursday, March 23
6 p.m.
First Christian Church
S. Broadway Avenue at Loop 323

Tuesday, March 28
6 p.m.
College Hill Baptist Church
W. Houston Street at Confederate Avenue Continue reading Community Forums Set on TISD Bond Proposal

MURCHISON – A Henderson County burglary suspect is in custody because of a caller’s tip. The caller told authorities 19 year old Travis Brax Davis of Murchison was a likely suspect in a burglary and was driving without a valid license. Sheriff’s deputies pulled him over on Highway 31 near a service station in the Murchison area around 8:30 Sunday night. When they saw several large, fixed-blade knives near his drivers’ seat, Davis and his two passengers were asked to get out of the car. They found inside a knife sheath a plastic baggie with a white crystal-like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. Additional drug paraphernalia was discovered in the vehicle. They also found in the car property belonging to a local RV park that had reported a burglary on Saturday. Davis is in the Henderson County jail on charges of burglary of a building and possession of a controlled substance.

KILGORE — One person is in custody following what the Kilgore police called an emergency situation at the Lakewood Manor Apartments on Danville Drive. Taken into custody was Daniel Aaron Nutt, 32, of Kilgore. He has been charged with terroristic threat family violence and resisting arrest and booked into the Kilgore Municipal Jail. Around 5:15 Sunday afternoon, the police received a report of assault family violence with a possibly armed suspect. The caller and victim told officers he had been involved in an argument with his roommate, who he identified as Nutt. He said during the argument Nutt threatened to kill him and approached in a threatening manner. Fearing for his safety, he climbed out of his apartment window prior to the arrival of officers. The victim added that the apartment contained numerous handguns and long guns. Nutt initially refused to come out of the apartment, so officers partially evacuated the complex. A short time later Nutt left the apartment and was arrested.

LONGVIEW – Speed may have played a role in a fatal Longview accident. The accident, around 7:45 Sunday morning, happened on Cherokee Street near Pine Tree Pirate Stadium. Bartez Dunn, 27 of Longview, who appeared to have been driving too fast, left the road on a curve and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of March 20th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Plans to move SH 294 traffic to a temporary detour at the intersection of US 79 has been postponed until Tuesday, March 21. Motorists should be prepared for this major change in the traffic pattern. Once traffic is moved over to the detour just south of the railroad crossing, the contractor will demolish the existing US 79 intersection. Traffic will remain on the detour for about two months as the new permanent intersection is constructed. Caution is advised as traffic acclimates to the changes. The new intersection will be built to create a more standard “T” intersection with US 79. Additional project information is available below in the Anderson County section of this release under the heading US 79 New Lane Construction Project.

In Tyler, work continues on SH 64/Fifth Street and motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes to reach their destinations. The contractor, Madden Contracting Company, is conducting the work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Work continues between US 271 and SH 155. Daily lane closures and delays can be expected. The anticipated completion date is around March 21. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is in the Gregg County Jail on a charge of indecency with a child-sexual contact. Awaiting transfer to the Harrison County Jail is Thomas William Click, 62. He was arrested Friday afternoon after being accused of fondling a young girl.

TYLER – Tyler police are investigating an assault case involving a couple in which shots may have been fired. The police received three separate calls after that investigation where shots were fired, and investigators believe they are related to the assault. The Friday night and Saturday morning locations where shots were reported are on Bellwood Road at 11:10pm, at apartments on WNW Loop 323 at 12:06am and on Mimosa Street at 12:25am. No injuries were reported.

MARSHALL – An inmate has been found dead in the Harrison County Jail. The woman was found unresponsive in her jail cell shortly before 11:45 Friday night. She had been arrested around 4:00 Friday afternoon at Walmart for shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia. She called her husband around 7:45pm and was returned to her cell. She was found unresponsive in her cell about four hours later. Jail personnel and EMS were unable to revive her. Her name has not been released at this time. Harrison County Investigators and Texas Rangers are investigating the death.

TYLER – On Sunday from around 4:30 to 9:00am, the City of Tyler Traffic Department will be installing a school crosswalk at the intersection of Shiloh Road and New Copeland Road. Drivers should anticipate delays and take an alternative route if possible.

LONGVIEW – Nothing new has been released on a Longview shooting. It happened shortly after 4:45 Friday afternoon at a home on Jewel Drive. Arriving officers were told the one person had been taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The person’s name has not been released. The investigation is continuing.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help with finding a woman who has been missing since Tuesday. Francine Robertson, 29, of Marshall, was last seen walking in the 2300 block of West Rusk Street. Francine is described as a black female who stands about 5’7” tall and weighs around 270 pounds. She was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt with black sleeves, blue jeans and no shoes. It is believed she may suffer from some sort of mental illness and family members are concerned about her welfare. Anyone who has seen Francine Robertson or knows where she can be found is urged to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575.