KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WESTBROOK, Maine (AP) – Wessie P. Thon might actually be Wessie A. Conda. A Texas scientist who ran tests on a large snake skin found in the Maine city of Westbrook says Tuesday the tests came back as “100 percent from anaconda.” A big snake caused a stir in Maine when it was seen this summer eating a beaver along a riverbank. The discovery of a 10-foot snakeskin this month indicates it’s still lurking locally. Locals dubbed it Wessie. That spawned a parody Twitter account called Wessie P. Thon. University of Texas at Tyler biologist John Placyk performed the skin test. He says Wessie’s behavior corresponds with that of an anaconda. He’s says it’s possibly an escaped pet. The Wessie Twitter account tweeted Tuesday that the news was causing “a mid-life crisis” for the reptile.

KILGORE – A Kilgore man has been arrested after a traffic stop turned up drugs and counterfeit money. Taken into custody was Clifton Ray Adair, 35. He was stopped for speeding around 3:45 Tuesday afternoon in the 400 block of State Highway 135. Inside his car, Kilgore police found five counterfeit $100 bills and six grams of methamphetamine. He was charged with forgery and possession of a controlled substance and his bond set at $45,000.

TYLER – A discussion of the proposed budget for the city of Tyler will come up at Wednesday’s city council meeting. The city says the budget is a lean $138.2 million. The proposal calls for a one cent tax hike to 23 cents per $100 valuation. Funds generated by the increase will be earmarked for road maintenance projects. The Tyler City Council meets Wednesday morning at 9:00 at city hall.

LONGVIEW – One person is dead and one person is being questioned in a Longview shooting. Dead at the scene is Alexis Bell, 26, of Longview. The shooting was reported shortly after noon on Tuesday at the Bella Oaks Apartments on Lake Lamond Road. A man who was on the scene at the time of the shooting is in custody for an unrelated arrest warrant and is being questioned in regards to the shooting.

LONGVIEW (AP) – Some East Texas law officers have warned businesses to be on the lookout for counterfeit money meant for use in movies. The Longview News-Journal reported Tuesday that police are investigating several cases of fake movie cash passed in Lufkin, Diboll and Jasper. Ken Hartley, who’s a security and loss prevention officer at Texas Bank and Trust, says it’s amazing how the bills look like U.S. currency, until you get to the side where it says “For Motion Picture Use Only.” Experts say fake movie money, which can be bought online, also lacks certain cash markings. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Josh Tubb says the agency is investigating two cases, in recent months, in which movie money was passed off as real. Tubb declined to provide details.

HALLSVILLE – A former Harrison County coach, arrested in December has been arrested again on a new charge. Dean Michael McDaniel had been arrested and indicted on three counts of indecency with a child by exposure. McDaniel was arrested again on Monday and charged with improper relationship between educator and student. Following his arraignment, his bond on the latest charge was set at $15,000. Continue reading New Charge Leveled Against Former East Texas Coach

TYLER – Smith County commissioners have approved a new budget for the fiscal year starting October 1st. At Tuesday morning’s meeting, the commissioners adopted an $89.9 million budget. This is around $450,000 below the county’s current budget. The tax rate will remain the same .33 per $100 valuation. They say, this would put Smith County’s tax rate lower than 90% of the state’s counties. In adopting the budget, the commissioners increased property taxes 3.47%. This would bring in around an additional $1.7 million for the county. Not all are pleased with the new budget. Grassroots America We the People continue to express their displeasure with it.

LONGVIEW — Police have made an arrest in connection with a Monday night shooting in Longview that injured a Henderson man. According to the police department’s Facebook page, Keeth Undray Johnson, 49, of Longview, was booked early this morning into the Gregg County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury and deadly conduct. Officers responded around 9:00 to the shooting at Huntington Hills apartments in the 2500 block of North Eastman Road. Upon arrival, officers found one victim, whose name has not been released, inside an apartment. He was taken to Longview Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. On-site department spokesman Gene Duffie said the victim does not live at the apartments and that he was talking before he was transported to the hospital.

TYLER — Tyler Police say they’ve been contacted by two victims of a suspected scam targeting the Hispanic community. According to authorities, each victim contacted a phone number in an advertisement and was then advised by the suspect to go to 500 N. Barron Street to meet with the Healer. The Healer charged $500.00 and $200.00 for each victim to start the spiritual healing process because they were possessed with an evil spirit and their family was in danger. The Hispanic female suspect in her late 50’s to 60’s told the victims to return with very large sums of cash so that she could continue the healing process. Continue reading Tyler Police Warn Public of ‘Spiritual Scam’

MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) – Authorities are investigating what might have been a hoax call in which someone reported being held hostage inside an East Texas home, resulting in a nearly five-hour police standoff. The Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune reports police received a 911 call at 1:44 p.m. Monday from a person claiming they were being held at gunpoint inside a home. Police surrounded the home and for about five hours tried to establish contact with someone inside the house. Officers finally entered the home at 6:39 p.m. and found the structure was empty. Mount Pleasant Police Chief Wayne Isbell says the alleged victim had given a consistent story and had even provided a name of the suspect threatening him. Isbell says detectives are investigating the incident.

LONGVIEW – One person has been injured in a Longview shooting. It was reported around 9:45 Monday night at the Huntington Hill Apartments at 2500 North Eastman Road. Initial reports are a man has been taken to Longview Regional Medical Center for treatment.

PALESTINE – West Reagan Street in Palestine will be temporarily closed Tuesday. It will be closed between South Queen and Angle Streets from
8:30am to 2:00pm. Union Pacific is closing the street for track maintenance.

TYLER – Two residents of Tyler’s Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home have received the Medal of Knight in the French Legion of Honor. It was for their contribution to the liberation of France during WWII. Receiving the medal in a ceremony Monday afternoon was Austeen V. “Chuck” Bice and Homer C. Garrett. The Legion of Honor is the highest French decoration and shares the same characteristics with two U.S. decorations: the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration for military actions, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest decoration for civilian contributions.

GILMER – A hit and run accident in Upshur County remains under investigation. Ronnie Gonzales, 45, of Lubbock, was dead at the scene early Sunday morning on State Highway 300, about a 1 1/2 miles south of Gilmer. Found at the scene was lengthy skid marks and black metallic fragments. The Longview News Journal reports that Justice of the Peace Rhonda Welch says the vehicle that hit Gonzalez may have been a tractor-trailer rig or dual-wheeled truck

HENDERSON – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help in locating a missing man. He is Oscar Armando Dono. According to the department’s Facebook page, he has been missing since August 17th. Dono has not been to work or contacted his family since that date. He was last seen at his home. If you have seen him, or know where he may be found, you are asked to contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department.

TYLER – A Henderson County man has died in a two vehicle accident in Smith County. Zachary Piper, 23, of Athens, was killed when his pickup and a garbage truck collided. The Department of Public Safety says his east bound pickup crossed over into the west bound lane and was hit by the truck. The accident happened shortly before 9:15 Monday morning on State Highway 31, two miles east of Tyler. The driver of the garbage truck, Michael Williams, 49, of Tyler, was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

LONGVIEW — Alleged arsonists reportedly connected to several fires in Longview this year have been identified — some even arrested. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report there have been nearly 20 arson cases ranging from house to vehicle fires. The city’s fire marshal says with the help of tips, authorities have identified several people. some are even behind bars on other charges.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are crediting a nuisance abatement lawsuit with shutting down what they term a known drug house on 12th Street where a man was found shot to death — the first time in years that police have used such a tool. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The lawsuit, which targeted the house near the Aurel Avenue intersection, was filed with assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office after Tony Bernard Nelson, 20, was found shot to death in the home in January. “Since the case was filed, there’s been zero activity other than cops stopping and checking” on things, said Kendric Montgomery (pictured), the Longview police area representative for the neighborhood. Montgomery was responsible for working to bring the lawsuit forward. Continue reading Longview Police Shutter Alleged Drug House with Lawsuit

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the TxDOT Tyler District during the week of August 29. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance plans to perform base repair work on SH 135 between Troup and Arp. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. A second crew plans to conduct ditch maintenance on various roads around the county. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

TYLER – The drive-through at the City of Tyler Water Business Office will be reopened late this afternoon. The drive-through was closed August 18th so it could be replaced by a new electronic kiosk. Previously, customers could pay bills Monday through Friday from 7:00am till 6:00pm. With the new kiosk, customers will have 24/7 access to the water business office. With the kiosk, customers will able to pay with check, money order, credit/debit cards and cash. Those paying with cash need to know that no change will be given.

TYLER — For a second time, Tyler Junior College has been designated as an Achieving the Dream Leader College, a national honor awarded to institutions in the ATD National Network that have shown three years of steady improvement in student success. According to a news release from the college, TJC first achieved Leader College status in 2013. Achieving the Dream grants Leader College designation for three-year cycles, and institutions must undergo a re-certification process to maintain their status. Continue reading TJC Re-Designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the Saturday night robbery of the Corner Market at Old Jacksonville Highway and Lake Placid Rd. Police called to the scene around 10:00 p.m. were told the thief entered the business and demanded money from the clerk as he displayed a knife. He is described as African-American, 5’4” to 5’5”, 160-170 lbs., wearing black pants, a black hoodie, and a mask. Police say the clerk sustained minor injuries during the course of the robbery. The robber left in an unknown direction with an undetermined amount of money, according to authorities. Continue reading Tyler Convenience Store Robbed, Suspect Sought

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is searching for two people who allegedly burglarized the I-20 Ranch Storage, near the intersection of Highway 259 and the interstate. KETK reports at this time it’s unknown when the burglaries happened or how many storage units were hit. Deputies are searching for a man and woman driving a white and blue van with its front grill missing, and a grey truck. Anyone with information on the people in the photographs is asked to contact Investigator Gary Robinson at (903) 236-8400 or call Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

LONGVIEW – Two persons have died as the result of a Longview shooting. Both were taken To Good Shepherd Medical Center by private vehicle. One died after arriving at the hospital. The other died several hours later. Longview police have identified them as Melekia Rae Russ Montgomery, 25, and Alexis Johnson, 23, both of Longview. The shooting was reported just before 1:00 Friday afternoon on Johnson Street in South Longview. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas woman has been indicted for intoxication manslaughter. On Tuesday, January 26, White Oak police say Erin Fannin, 33, of Hawkins, was driving a pickup truck westbound in the eastbound lanes of traffic on Highway 80 when she struck a vehicle driven by Curtis Foulke, 48, of White Oak. KETK reports Foulke died as a result of the crash. Fannin was released from jail on January 27, on a $25,000 bond.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested for a Smith County burglary. Ronald Dewayne Mayweather, 19, was arrested late Thursday night running away from a sheriff’s deputy. He had been sent to a home on Highway 64 East, which had been burglarized the night before. The homeowner reported seeing a flashlight in the back yard and a truck parked nearby. The suspect is said to have run from the first deputy on the scene. He was taken into custody when a second deputy pulled her patrol car into his path. Mayweather has been charged with burglary of a habitation and evading arrest. He was booked into the Smith County jail with bonds totaling $26,000.

SMITH COUNTY – An East Texas woman has been killed in a Smith County accident. Pronounced dead at the scene was Nicola Haley, 65, of Larue. The crash occurred around 8:00 Friday morning on State Highway 155, about six miles south of Tyler. The Department of Public safety reports her car was headed south when the vehicle went off the road. The driver overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle. The car then slid through a ditch, hit a power pole and over turned.

AUSTIN – An East Texas man is one of three persons named by the governor to the Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board. Governor Greg Abbott named Jimmy Mize of Nacogdoches to the board. Mize is the market president and lending manager of the Nacogdoches Branch of First Bank & Trust East Texas. Also named to the panel were Clement Marcus of El Paso and Kelli Frias of Lubbock. Their terms will expire February 1st, 2021. The fund is a revolving loan program administered by the Office of the Governor, Texas Economic Development Bank within the Office of Economic Development Finance at the direction of the PDSBI Board. The purpose of the fund is aid in the development, production and commercialization of new or improved products and to foster and stimulate small business in the state.