KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Tyler police are asking for the public’s help in identifying an auto burglary suspect. The man is said to have stolen some keys from a locker at the Woodcreek Athletic Club. He then used the keys to enter a man’s truck and stole his wallet. Some of the credit cards stolen from the wallet have been used at different businesses around Tyler. The suspect was captured on video and described as a black male in his late 40’s to early 50’s and was approximately 300lbs with a beard. If you can identify him, you are asked to contact the Tyler Police Department.

TYLER – One person has been killed in a Tyler vehicle/pedestrian accident. The wreck happened shortly before 11:15 Tuesday morning near the intersection of West Gentry Parkway and North Albertson Street. Killed was Jessica Palma. She died after being hit by a pickup driven by Frank Brinkney Cobb Jr, 59. Police report Cobb was heading east on West Gentry when he veered to the right and hit Palma who was walking on the improved shoulder. Cobb’s truck then hit a tree. He was not injured. The investigation into the wreck is continuing.

HAWKINS – One person is dead following an officer involved shooting in Wood County. It happened late Monday night when deputies were sent to the Gary Don Lafon residence on County Road 3955. The caller said the man was suicidal. Using a phone and a loud speaker, they tried to contact him. When he didn’t respond deputies entered the house and the man is said to have pointed a gun at them. That’s when he was shot. The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. The deputies, who were not injured, were placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

TYLER – One unit of a south Tyler duplex has been extensively damaged by fire. The two alarm fire was reported around 8:00 Tuesday morning at 400 Thigpen Drive. The two residents were not injured but two pet dogs died. Fire Marshal Brandon Davis says it appears as if the fire started when a burner on the kitchen range was left of and nearby material caught fire.

KILGORE – Authorities have identified a body found Monday in Kilgore. The body of 37 year old Adam Dean Mugan of Kilgore was found off South Commerce Street. Investigators were called out around 2:15 Monday afternoon to a lease road serving a utility right-of-way. It’s believed the body may have been there since Saturday. Family members, who found the body, say he had not been seen since last Friday. The body was sent to a Tyler lab for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Meanwhile the investigation into what has been called a suspicious death is continuing.

LONGVIEW – Longview Police had been seeking the public’s help in locating a missing teenager, Jhy’Mhyriyon Montreal Desean Gay, 14. They now report that he has been found and is fine.

TYLER – A Tyler man has now been charged with a third robbery in a string of robberies that started last Month. On Monday, officers arrested 33 year old Jaime Valle. He was charged with two Tyler robberies. On Tuesday, a third robbery charge was added. Investigators say Valle was responsible for the robbery of two Exxon stations over the weekend. One is located on the Northwest Loop and the other at 1811 South Broadway. He is also accused of the August 18th robbery of a convenience store on Gentry Parkway. He remains in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $600,000.

TYLER — Three Downtown Tyler projects were named category finalists in the 2016 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) President’s Awards Program. The three entries in competition for statewide honors are Butler Architectural Group for Best Commercial Interior, the People’s Petroleum Building for Best Restoration Project, and the Downtown Tyler Film Festival for Best Promotional Event. Beverly Abell of the City of Tyler Main Street Department her department is proud of the nominees. She notes that the nominations are in competition with all participating communities with a population of 50,000 or more. “The fact that we have reached finalist status with these projects is a confirmation of their quality and impact,” said Abell in a city news release. Continue reading Downtown Tyler Boasts Three Finalists in Downtown Awards Program

TYLER — Authorities are asking for the public’s help locating a person who may have information on a recent double homicide near a Tyler club. According to KETK, the man pictured is wanted by police who are investigating the case. Officers believe he may have information that could help detectives. Around 2:45 Sunday morning, Tyler police received reports of gunshots in the 3100 block of Pointe North Drive, across from Club Ice in Tyler. Two people were found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were identified as Aisha Nicole McGee, 25 and Steven Ray Smith, 30, both of Tyler. Continue reading Witness Sought in Tyler Double Homicide

GREGG COUNTY — Longview artist and author Jan Statman was killed in a two-vehicle wreck Monday afternoon north of the city. The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the fatality late Monday. Statman, 81, was driving west on Tryon Road near Judson when she attempted to cross U.S. 259 North. She reportedly drove her sedan into the path of an SUV that was going north on U.S. 259. Statman was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred about 3:00. The SUV’s driver, Jennifer Garcia, 42, and her passenger, Noe Garcia, 43, both of Longview, were transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in stable condition with unknown injuries. Continue reading Local Artist Killed in Longview Wreck

KILGORE – Kilgore police are investigating a body found off South Commerce Street. Investigators were called out around 2:30 Monday afternoon to a lease road serving a utility right-of-way. It’s believed the body may have been there since Saturday. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death.

TYLER – The City of Tyler will host a town hall meeting next week on a proposed rate increase from Liberty Utilities. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, at 5:00pm at the Faulkner Park Police Substation. Liberty Utilities provides wastewater services to nearly 3,800 Smith County residents under the names of Tall Timbers Sewer and Woodmark Sewer. Under the proposed increase, some Tyler customers will see their rates go from $27.75 a month, to just over $96 by next March. Smith County home owners could see an increase ranging from 44% to 75%. Liberty Utilities customers, both inside and outside the Tyler city limits are invited to the meeting.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin teenager has learned the hard way, when a police officer asks your name, give him your real name. Police were called out to a Lufkin hospital because a couple refused a security officer’s request to leave. When an police officer asked his name, the man is said to have gestured toward a woman and said “that’s thing one, I’m thing two.” When the officer asked, “that’s your name?” The man repeated what he had said. It was then that Gregory Alex Mosby, 18, was arrested on a charge of failure to identify. His bail was set at $1,500 on the Class B misdemeanor.

KILGORE – The cause of a fire at a sexually oriented business near Kilgore remains undetermined. The June 27th fire occurred at the Fantasy Ranch Saloon on State Highway 31 West. Gregg County Fire Marshal Mark Moore told the Longview News Journal that investigators with the county and with insurance companies both concluded last week that they couldn’t determine what caused the fire. The investigation is closed. When the fire broke out, the club had been closed so that employees could celebrate the bachelor party of one of its owners. There were no injuries.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department has confirmed a Martin Luther King Street home destroyed in an overnight fire was the residence of a missing pregnant woman. KETK reports Sheryia Grant, 20, has been missing since August 20. She was eight months pregnant when she disappeared. Police previously said they believe the woman is in danger and suspect foul play. Authorities said Grant’s sister was living at the location and was moving out when the fire happened. An ongoing eviction was in the process at the home, police said. Continue reading Home of Missing Pregnant Kilgore Woman Burns to Ground

GREGG COUNTY — A teenager has been pronounced dead following a two vehicle wreck in Gregg County. According to the Department of Public Safety, the wreck happened around 7:10 Monday morning on Hwy-135 at Spokane Road. The report indicates that a trailblazer, driven by Jordan Thompson, 16, Liberty City, attempted to turn south on 135 when he was struck by a northbound truck towing a tanker trailer. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in his vehicle was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. The driver of the truck was identified as Harold Pilgreen, 29. Thompson was a junior at Sabine High School.

BROWNSBORO — One person has been air lifted to a hospital following a wreck in Brownsboro. According to KETK, around 6:50 this morning, a vehicle with two passengers struck the back left side of an 18 wheeler on Highway 31. The passenger vehicle rolled several times and one person was ejected. The passenger was life-flighted to a local hospital. The driver was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with unknown injuries. The driver of the 18-wheeler sustained no injuries.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating another gas station robbery over the weekend. According to authorities, the Exxon gas Station, 1811 South Broadway, was reportedly robbed just before 5:00 Sunday evening. An employee of the store told officials that a heavy set Hispanic male had come into the store asking about the restroom. A few minutes later the suspect exited the restroom, approached the clerk, and displayed a knife demanding the money from the register. When the victim opened the register the suspect removed the cash then exited the store and left the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The victim stated the suspect left the scene driving south on Broadway in a white GMC Acadia with no license plates on the vehicle. The suspect from the video is wearing a blue shirt with white or Khaki shorts, appears bald and is wearing glasses. Contact authorities with any information.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the Tyler TxDOT district during the week of Sept. 19. 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.

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays during night time work on the US 259 North Project in Henderson that’s underway as of 7 p.m. Sunday, September 18. The contractor will be conducting paving work through the night. The contractor will be conducting paving work through the night on Monday and Tuesday nights as well. Lane closures should be expected. Additional information about the project is available in the Rusk County section of this release. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER — Texas Mutual Insurance company holds a “Work Safe Texas Summit” Wednesday from 8 till 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway in Tyler. Texas Mutual’s Jeremiah Bentley tells KTBB’s Paul Gleiser that his company is the largest provider of workers’ comp insurance in the state — adding that keeping workers safe is Texas Mutual’s highest priority. The event features a panel on safety in construction, oil and gas, and services. Also, Texas Mutual Vice President of Safety and Information Woody Hill will deliver OSHA updates and provide information on preparing your business for an OSHA inspection. Continue reading Work Safe Texas Summit Hosted by Texas Mutual

TYLER — Tyler’s Discovery Science Place will close for three weeks, beginning today, to complete capital renovations and bring in new exhibits. The children’s museum will re-open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Special science presentations are planned throughout the day in the theater. According to a news release, the renovations are part of the museum’s 2016 “Raise the Roof” capital project. Earlier this year, reconstruction of the roof on the museum’s 110-year-old building was completed. During the closing, further renovations will include new flooring in all main galleries, updated lighting, and interior paint in all main areas. Continue reading Discovery Science Place to Close Temporarily for Updates and Renovations

TYLER — Two people are dead in a Tyler shooting, and authorities are seeking leads. Police say around 2:44 Sunday morning, officers responded to a report of gunshots on Point North Dr., across from Club Ice. Upon arrival, police found 25-year-old Aisha Nicole McGee and 30-year-old Steven Ray Smith, both of Tyler, dead of multiple gunshot wounds. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are following up on a weekend convenience store robbery in which a cash register was taken. On Saturday around 4:05 p.m., police responded to the Exxon gas station located at North Northwest Loop 323 and State Highway 110. An employee of the store reported that a Hispanic male had come into the store with his face partially covered. The suspect immediately displayed a knife, demanding the money from the register. When the victim was unable to open the register, the suspect grabbed the entire register and left the store with the register and an undisclosed amount of money. The victim believes the suspect left the scene driving on the Loop in a white vehicle. The clerk called 911 when the suspect left the store. Officers processed the scene, and the case remains under investigation.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation announces the recipients of $100,000 in grants from the Retail Merchants Association of Tyler Charitable Fund. The Retail Merchants Association of Tyler is a charitable fund that was established at the Foundation to provide annual grants to support designated charities within Smith County. Nineteen Smith County non-profit organizations were invited to apply for funding for strong projects based on good ideas and compelling needs which have the potential to improve the community and the lives of its people, according to an ETCF news release. These charities requested approximately $453,000 in funding during this grant cycle. Continue reading Local Agencies Get $100,000 in Grants

LONGVIEW — A co-owner of The Glass Dragon stores previously indicted on federal drug and money laundering charges was back in jail Friday after being arrested at the federal courthouse in Tyler. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Jeremy Chad Tidwell, 40, of Gilmer previously posted $25,000 bond after being indicted with his wife, Shanna Peek Tidwell, and brother, Brian Tidwell, by a grand jury on the federal charges. The trio were arrested in December 2014 in Longview in a synthetic drug raid that involved officers from numerous local law enforcement agencies and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Continue reading Glass Dragon Co-Owner Arrested Again

TYLER — As part of Tyler Junior College’s 90th anniversary celebration, college officials have announced the TJC Promise. In a news release, officials describe the effort as a bold new scholarship initiative that will benefit high school students within the college’s tax district.­ The TJC Promise will fund up to two years of college for students who meet the standards of the new program while attending high school. Continue reading Signing Ceremony Heralds TJC Promise Scholarship Program

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac of Higher Education as one of the fastest developing institutions nationwide in academic research, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. According to a news release, over a 10-year period, UT Tyler has grown its total research spending by 1,273 percent, and the university has grown its federal research spending by 3,095 percent. Those increases put UT Tyler third in the nation among all universities – regardless of size – in both of those categories between 2004 and 2014, according to the latest Almanac. Top UT Tyler research areas within the period are education and biology. Continue reading UT Tyler Growing in Academic Research, Almanac Shows

TYLER — The City of Tyler is now recognized as home to the Texas Champion bluejack oak tree (Quercus incana) and is currently awaiting possible National Champion status. This recognition is given to the largest known specimen of its species in the State of Texas, according to a news release. The specific bluejack oak is located in Lindsey Park and was found during the City of Tyler’s 2016 annual tree inventory by urban forester Cody Goldman and urban forestry intern Aaron Lamb. The tree has a trunk circumference of 102 inches, a height of 54 feet and a crown spread of 54 feet. Continue reading City of Tyler Now Home to State Record Tree

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has completed a check of sex offenders who reside in the county. Of the 359 individuals who were investigated September 14th and 15th, fourteen were found to be out of compliance, according to a news release. Officials with the sheriff’s office said that verification checks of this type are unannounced and comprehensive. The compliance check included a team of approximately 30 officers, including members of 13 different local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, coordinated with the U.S. Marshals Service Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force. Continue reading Smith County Sex Offender Verification Check

LONGVIEW — Police are investigating after a Longview credit union was robbed Thursday for the second time in three weeks. According to the Longview News-Journal, officers were called to the LeTourneau Federal Credit Union on South High Street. The credit union also was robbed by a gunman Aug. 31. Officers, along with a K-9 unit, searched an area Thursday afternoon for the suspect near the credit union on Garrett Street between Cedar Avenue and Dunbar Street. Police have not said if Thursday’s robbery is linked to the one in August. Continue reading Longview Police Investigate Bank Heist