KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE — A woman who escaped police custody and allegedly stabbed a man at a Jacksonville apartment complex was arrested on Monday. According to KETK, Jacksonville Police were dispatched to the Creekside Village Apartments on S. Bolton Street on reports of a disturbance. When they arrived at the location, a man told officers an unknown person had entered his apartment and began stabbing him. Officers reported that most of the information the victim was giving to them was not consistent. Continue reading Stabbing Suspect in Custody after Brief Escape

KILGORE – A suspected meth dealer has been arrested by Kilgore police. The three week investigation resulted in the arrest of Brian Calhoun Stansbury, 40. He was arrested in a home on Farm Road 2776 around 12:15 Wednesday afternoon. Inside the house, officers recovered around 1/4 pound of methamphetamine, many firearms, rifle suppressors and two police tactical vests. Stansbury is a convicted felon and can’t possess firearms, but they say the house was full of them. Officers also recovered many stolen items, including a motorcycle and a zero turn lawn mower. He has been booked into the Rusk County Jail and charges are pending.

PALESTINE – Palestine police have identified the suspect in a shooting that left one person dead. He is 54 year old Lawrence Tatum Jr. of Palestine. He is accused of the Monday night shooting of 28 year old Paul Kennedy of Palestine. He was found in the front yard of a home on West Point Tap Road. He later died at a Palestine hospital. The next morning, Tatum was arrested in the case. He has been charged with murder and is in the Anderson County Jail with a bond of $250,000.

TYLER – The campaign to raise funds for body armor vests for the Tyler Police Department and Smith County Sheriff’s Department is nearing the half way mark. With the $10,000 contribution Wednesday from Southside Bank, the drive has now gathered $85,000 toward a goal of $204,000. State senator Kevin Eltife said the money comes from 89 gifts from $10.00 and up. And he added, “With additional pledges still outstanding, we expect to make a big announcement next week.” Continue reading We Back Our Law Enforcement Campaign Fund Growing

NACOGDOCHES – Stephen F Austin English teacher Seth Wilson has finally met his match. His 13th game on the TV show Jeopardy turned out to be unlucky. Wilson only bet $5 on the final Jeopardy round. He got the answer correct, but the other player out bid him and won. For his second place finish, with $2,000, his grand total on the show was $267,002.

LONGVIEW – Cotton Street will be reduced to one-way traffic from Green Street to Mobberly Avenue starting on Thursday. The purpose of the project is to replace deteriorated utilities and pavement; and add sidewalks. Drivers wishing to travel west between Mobberly Avenue and Green Street must use alternate routes along E. Methvin Street or Marshall Avenue (Highway 80). Through traffic will be allowed to travel along Cotton from Green Street to Mobberly Avenue. The closure is expected to last until next summer.

LAKE TYLER — New details have been released about an arson investigation involving a house on Lake Tyler owned by the Manziel family. According to KETK, the smith county fire marshal says accelerants were not used to start the fire. Investigators originally thought the fire was suspicious — and despite these negative test results, the department is still treating this as arson. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating a possible burglary that took place before the fire. The two-story house was owned by Paul Manziel, Johnny Manziel’s grandfather. According to the Smith County Appraisal District, the property was valued at over $408,000.

LONGVIEW – Good Shepherd Health System is once again looking for an affilation partner. Plans had been for Duke LifePoint Healthcare to partner with the Longview healthcare system. But, Duke LifePoint has decided not to pursue the acquisition of Good Shepherd. The memorandum of understanding to be acquired by Duke LifePoint expired on September 30. A news release from Good Shepherd quotes board of director chairman Bill Huffman as saying, “While we are disappointed in the outcome of this process, we respect Duke LifePoint’s right to make business decisions that achieve their organization’s goals.”The Good Shepherd Board of Directors immediately began working with their financial advisors and resumed the search for an appropriate partner.

TYLER — For the second time within a month, a Tyler man has been arrested on drug charges. Tyler Police narcotics investigators Wednesday executed a search warrant at 506 Valentine Street. Their investigation showed that 60 year old Aubrey Ray Wilbanks, was once again selling Methamphetamine while out on bond after being arrested on September 15. Wilbanks has been charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and possession of dangerous drugs. Police say investigators also located stolen property and firearms while searching Wilbanks’ property.

TYLER — The founders of a major mental health awareness event share this year’s T.B. Butler Award, given annually to Tyler’s most outstanding citizen. Doug and Mo McSwane received the honor at Tuesday’s annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. The McSwanes are responsible for the Peace of Mind Conference, which just wrapped up its third edition last weekend. They lost their son Patrick to suicide following a long bout with mental illness — and chose to deal with the tragedy by starting Peace of Mind, which has drawn hundreds each year since it began. Continue reading Annual Chamber Awards Ceremony

MOUNT ENTERPRISE – An autopsy report shows a man found dead in Rusk County was shot to death. The body of 60 year old Floyd Thompson was found lst week. It was in a well off State Highway 315 near Mount Enterprise. The preliminary autopsy report shows he died from a shotgun wound to his chest. Charged in his death is Lamarlon Tremone Thompson,(pictured) of Mount Enterprise. He was first arrested on unrelated offenses. He was later charged with Thompson’s murder. Investigators say he admitted to killing Thompson and concealing the crime. His bond was set at $1,125,000.00.

TYLER – A Tyler cab driver has been robbed. It happened around 4:15 Sunday morning at the intersection of East Front Street and South Beckham. The Tyler Cab driver told officers he was robbed at gun point by three black male suspects. One got into the cab and the others approached the driver and forced him out of the cab at gunpoint. After getting the driver’s wallet and cash, they fled on foot. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – The social media clown threats have turned up in Tyler. An Instagram post claims there is a killer clown at John Tyler High School. However, Tyler police report the photo with the post has been determined to be a copied photo that has been circulated on the internet and not a photo that has been taken locally. According to a news release from Tyler police, “all reports to law enforcement concerning any clown activity have been associated with social media. We caution anyone from participating in these type of activities to prevent any type of personal injury or potential criminal charges that may occur from the incident.”

TYLER – According to a temporary street/lane closure application, the left northbound lane of Loop 323 at Woodhue Drive will be closed this week. Maximus Operating, LTD has requested the lane closure for a rig move. The northbound lane Loop 323 will be closed at Woodhue Drive, from the intersection of Woodhue Drive and Loop 323, 300 feet south of the intersection of Lion Drive and the loop.

PALESTINE — One person has been killed and one arrested in a Palestine shooting. It happened around 10:30 Monday night on West Point Tap Road. The victim, who was found in the yard, was transported to the Palestine Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Tuesday morning, Palestine police said they had made an arrest in the case. The names of the victim and suspect have not been released.

GRAND SALINE – Reports around the country of scary clown threats have made it to East Texas. Grand Saline High School Tuesday morning received a threat that a clown would shoot up the school. Police were put on the campus following the social media threat. It was later announced that one person had been arrested in connection in the case. The suspect, a 14 year old boy, is said to be a freshman at the school. This is among several such threats to be reported in the area recently. Similar threats have been made at schools in Marshall, Van, and Tyler. Continue reading An Arrest in an Area School Threat

NACOGDOCHES – Stephen F Austin English teacher Seth Wilson now has 12 straight wins on the TV game show Jeopardy. Wilson on Tuesday had the final Jeopardy answer “Fahrenheit 451” from the “in the novel category.” With Tuesday’s winnings of $20,000, his grand total is now $265,002. He will be going for a baker’s dozen wins on Wednesday’s show. Continue reading SFA Teacher Still Winning On Jeopardy

LINDALE – Lindale police have identified the man shot by a Lindale officer Friday night. He is Jeremy Wood of Lindale. He remains hospitalized after being shot once in the chest. Police responded to a call about a man with a gun at Jackie’s Office Club at 2707 South Main Street. Officers say Wood had a gun in the club’s parking lot when they arrived. They told him numerous times to drop the weapon. When he pointed it at officers, he was shot. The officer involved in the shooting was not injured and was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation by the Texas Rangers.

GREGG COUNTY — Services were held Tuesday in Longview for an East Texas detention officer who died on the job. Robert Ransom, 62, was at the end of his shift Friday when an inmate at the Gregg County Jail became ill. Ransom went to get a defibrillator and then he himself was hit with a deadly heart attack. Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said ransom could have left without helping but it was his nature to help. The inmate survived. Paramedics tried but could not revive Ransom. Cerliano said ransom had been with his department for 11 years and overall, had 36 years of law enforcement service under his belt.

LONGVIEW – National Night Out activities will be held around the state this month. Tyler’s activities will be next week. In Gregg County it will be Tuesday night. This year 125 neighborhood parties will be held around Gregg County in connection with national night out. This is over 20 more than last year. Event organizers say he parties are designed to promote neighborhood alliances that strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. They say the parties help educate families and neighbors on crime prevention. Another benefit, getting to know the people who live around you. Continue reading National Night Out Activities in Gregg County

TYLER – A Tyler charter school has broken ground for its campus. The groundbreaking ceremony was Monday morning for the new location of Tyler Classical Academy. The school, with students from kindergarten through 8th grade, is currently located on University Boulevard. With an increasing waitlist, it will be moving to it’s new location on Grande Boulevard in the fall of next year. Among those on hand for the ceremony was senator elect Bryan Hughes. He said, “We’re thankful for our traditional public schools and also for our charter schools. Options are important so we’re thankful for the work they do.”

LUFKIN – A Lufkin theft suspect may be easy to find. The man fled a Brookshire Brothers’ store on foot. He fled after being confronted by a store employee. The police department report said he left without the stolen items. They included a loaf of bread, meat, eggs, a floral item, a pain reliever and a six pack of beer. He also left behind his car.

TYLER – A ceremony Monday afternoon marked the retirement of a Tyler policeman with nearly 40 years on the job. Sgt. Gary Rice joined the police department in May, 1977. His first 28 years were in the patrol division. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1981. His commendations include Certificate of Merit, and a Meritorious Conduct award for his part responding to a bank robbery and was vital in blocking the suspect’s escape. He received a Police Commendation as one of multiple officers who responded to the courthouse shooting in February 2005. Sgt. Rice received a lifesaving award in 2011 for his dedication to locate a suicidal caller. Sgt. Rice was named Supervisor of the year in 2008. Continue reading Sgt. Rice Retiring at Tyler Police Department

NACOGDOCHES – This may sound familiar, but, a Stephen F Austin University teacher has won again on Jeopardy. For Seth Wilson, Monday’s victory was his 11th straight on the TV game show. With his final Jeopardy answer of “Palm Sunday,” Wilson won $13,201. His 11 day total has grown to $245,002. He will be trying to make it 12 games in a row on Tuesday.

TYLER — The second town hall meeting regarding the Liberty Utilities rate increase has been cancelled. This meeting was for Liberty Utilities customers who live outside the Tyler city limits. During the first town hall meeting that took place last week, Liberty Utilities said that the rate increase has been suspended. Second town hall meeting organizer Brandon Craft therefore stated that the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Tyler’s Faulkner Park Police Substation was cancelled. For more information on this meeting, contact Brandon Craft at (903) 426-6563.

ARP – A one vehicle accident near Arp has left one person dead. The one vehicle rollover occurred on County Road 285, just south of Eastside Drive. Dead at the scene was Glenn Rawlinson, 67. His passenger, Amanda Rawlinson, was not injured. According to the Department of Public Safety, Rawlinson’s pickup was heading north when he began to swerve and drifted into the southbound lanes. He then drove into a ditch, hit a tree and the truck rolled onto its roof.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Chamber of Commerce has joined over 40 other Texas Chambers of Commerce, Texas Association of Business and other organizations in opposition of the Department of Labor’s new overtime regulation. The new regulation, which goes into effect December 1st, make millions of more workers eligible for overtime. The White House estimates the rule change will make an additional 4.2 million workers eligible for overtime pay. Kilgore Chamber President Cindy Morris says the chamber board believes the new overtime rule will effect businesses and non-profits with significant new employee costs. She added, “We do agree that an update to the salary threshold may be necessary, however doubling this cost will impact our businesses in a way that is not beneficially to growth of business. Continue reading Kilgore Chamber Opposes New Overtime Regulation

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of October 3rd. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Caution is advised on U.S. Highway 175 when a traffic switch is implemented on Monday, October 3. Traffic will be moved to the new alignment between the west end of Loop 60 to approximately one mile east of the loop. This is the Phase I project US 175 that runs from 0.1 miles southeast of FM 804 near Baxter to 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at Larue. Get more information on this project in the Henderson County section of this release. Continue reading TxDOT Area Road Update