KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man has been arrested after a policeman saw him naked in his car’s rear view mirror. The officer said the man, who acted paranoid, had bloody scratches on his arms and body. His explanation was he had been on the roof a nearby house having sex with a woman when he fell off the roof. He also admitted to having done K-2 and methamphetamine that day. After being medically cleared, Ricky Dale Brimer Jr., 31, was booked into the Angelina County Jail on a charge of public Intoxication.

GILMER – A Lamar County man has been sentenced to prison for the Upshur County death of a Smith County man. A jury had been selected to hear the manslaughter case against Wayne John Glover, 48, of Roxton, when he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced Tuesday to ten years in prison. He had been charged with the September 2015 death of Donald Gene Scott, 46, of Lindale. Scott had stopped for a school bus when Glover’s tractor trailer rig hit the back of his vehicle. The accident occurred about 7 miles north of Gilmer on U.S. Highway 271. Evidence showed Glover was driving 60 miles an hour and using his cell phone when the accident occurred.

TYLER — The East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has been honored for workplace safety programs and low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses. Karen Puckett, Director of Workplace Safety has presented the company with the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Lone Star Safety Program Award. It’s a state designation for Texas employers with excellent safety programs that can serve as models for other employers. East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, which has 87 employees, serves the needs of people who are blind and visually impaired.

PALESTINE – With the rain has come a lifting of burn bans, with the bans ending in Palestine and Anderson County. The burn bans were issued late last month. Anderson County lifted its burn ban Monday. To coincide with the county’s action, Palestine lifted its burn ban on Tuesday. Palestine residents will be allowed to burn if they obtain a permit at one of the three Palestine fire stations.

TYLER — The American Red Cross in East Texas is sending volunteers and resources to Louisiana to help with severe flooding. Two volunteers from the Tyler office are assisting, accompanied by a food truck loaded with supplies, which will operate from a staging area. That crew is joining another truck from North Texas. Red Cross officials said the devastation is likely the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. People can donate by visiting http://www.redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.

NACOGDOCHES — A man and woman driving from Houston were arrested on drug charges by Nacogdoches police officers late Monday night. According to KETK, K9 officers stopped a Jeep Cherokee for speeding and a search was conducted on the vehicle. Authorities reportedly found 50 pounds of liquid codeine. Kedar Muhammed, 27, of Park Forest, IL and Latifah Tate, 25, of Atlanta, GA, were both arrested. The two have been charged with manufacture with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a 1st degree felony. They were booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

KILGORE — Kilgore College celebrated what’s termed a long and distinguished relationship with Eastman Chemical Co. by presenting the company the inaugural Blue Ribbon Medal for Student Success Aug. 11 at summer graduation. According to a news release, Eastman was chosen for the award because of its 10-year partnership with KC in the development and continued advancement of the Process Technology and Industrial Maintenance Technology programs at KC. Additionally, Eastman’s partnership and generosity has enabled the creation of KC’s newest workforce development program in robotics, Instrumentation and Electrical Technology, which will begin this semester, according to the release.

SMITH COUNTY — Two out-of-town residents are dead in a weekend wreck in northern Smith County. DPS Sgt. Jean Dark says around 6:42 Sunday morning, troopers responded to I-20, four miles west of Lindale. A preliminary crash investigation revealed that a 1999 Ford F-250 was traveling westbound when it ran off the roadway to the right, struck a guardrail, and overturned. The driver has been identified as Jakob William Rogers, 18, of Glenn Heights. The other occupant of the vehicle has been identified as Autumn McWhorter, 18, of Ovilla. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

RUSK — An ongoing investigation into ATV thefts by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of two teens and the recovery of four ATVs with an approximate combined value of $32,000. According to the sheriff’s office, an ATV was reported stolen from FM 177 on July 30, and another was reported stolen from County Road 3901 on August 4. Both locations are around the Bullard area.The remaining two ATVs that were located during the course of the investigation were found to have been stolen out of Smith County. Continue reading Two Arrested in ATV Thefts

TYLER – A new initiative is being launched by UT Health Northeast and numerous partners to address public health in Northeast Texas and the rest of the state. According to a news release, Northeast Texas has some of the highest rates of health problems in the state, including lung and colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes. UT Health Northeast officials say because the 28 counties in Northeast Texas have more preventable sickness and deaths than the rest of Texas, a new public survey has been developed to help identify what can be done to improve population health. It’s part of a broader effort, the University of Texas Population Health Strategic Plan. Continue reading UT Health Northeast Announces Population Health Survey

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a suspect accused of holding up a game room Monday morning. Authorities said around 7:15, a black male allegedly entered The Game Room on North Northwest Loop 323 and held a female clerk at gunpoint. The suspect reportedly took an undisclosed amount of money from the office and fled the scene on foot. Officials said no customers were in the store when the robbery occurred and the employee was not injured. The armed man is said to be in his 20’s or 30’s with a stocky build, wearing a black wind suit with a white stripe down the front of it. Contact police with any information.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County deputy was transported by ambulance to East Texas Medical Center after being attacked by a pit bull Saturday afternoon. According to KETK, officials responded to Nolan Drive in Tyler to investigate a possible disturbance after a woman called 911 reporting her boyfriend and another unknown male were attempting to break in and kill her. As deputies arrived on scene, the victim exited the front door with two pit bulls running out with her. Deputies reported the white One of the dogs ran toward the deputy, jumped up and grabbed his arm at the elbow causing injury. Continue reading Sheriff’s Deputy Attacked by Pit Bull

LUFKIN (AP) — A man who allegedly told an East Texas police officer that his name was George was arrested after a tattoo on his arm identified him as Kevin. Angelina County jail records show 49-year-old Kevin Lavon Crockerham was being held Saturday on a charge of failure to identify himself to Lufkin police. Crockerham was held without bond on a motion to revoke probation for evading arrest or detention. The Lufkin News reports Crockerham was stopped Thursday night while walking near traffic. A police report says Crockerham said his name was George and gave police permission to search him. The officer noticed the name Kevin tattooed on the suspect’s arm and also found an ID card listing him as Kevin Lavon Crockerham.

MARSHALL – The identity of a body discovered in Marshall has been released. Based on I.D. located in the deceased person’s clothing, he has been identified as Charles Lee Anthony. His body was found around 6:00 Friday night in a wooded area behind the Brookshire’s store in the 900 block of East Pinecrest. An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Megan Pinson.

LONGVIEW – Two men, accused of a June armed robbery in Longview, have been indicted by the Gregg County Grand Jury. The District Attorney’s office reported Friday that Charles Ray Francis, 30 (pictured) and Kaleb Aman Bush, 18, both of Longview, have each been indicted on six counts of aggravated robbery. They are accused of robbing several persons at a South Longview apartment complex. Both remain in the Gregg County Jail. Frances’ Bond is $100,000 and Bush is under a $35,000 bond.

RUSK – A possible suspect has been identified in some Cherokee County burglaries. As we reported this week, a security camera at a boathouse on Lake Palestine recorded the suspect. He is thought to be responsible for the burglary of six boathouses at the Eagle Bluff docks where flat screen TV’s, stereo systems, and other high value items. With the assistance of the public, they are looking for Michael Ryan Bay, 20, of Bullard. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Tyler Police checked checked locations he is know to frequent, but he was not located. If you know where Bay can be found, you are asked to contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department received the award of “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency.” It comes from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program. The program, started in 2006, evaluates a police department’s compliance with over 166, of what the program calls, best business practices for Texas law enforcement. It starts with an internal review, followed by an on-site review by police chiefs from other parts of the state. The department was notified Friday it and earned the award. It will be presented at the Texas Police Chiefs Association annual conference next spring.

MARSHALL – Funeral services will be held this weekend for former Harrison County Commissioner and legendary coach Emma Bennett. Bennett, who was Harrison County’s first and only female county commissioner, died Wednesday at the age of 82. She is also remembered for the many district track championships she brought to Marshall High School. According to the Peoples Funeral Home web site, funeral services will be on Saturday at 11:00am at Marshall Convention Center. Burial will follow in Marshall’s Rosehill Garden Cemetery.

TYLER – A ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning officially opened the extension of West Cumberland Road. With the completion of the final 1.3 miles of the project, motorists can drive Cumberland Road from South Broadway to the Old Jacksonville Highway. Project engineer Adrienne Leach says the the $17.9 million project is completely paid for and came in under budget. The money came from Tyler’s half-cent sales tax fund. Besides easing traffic congestion and enhance emergency response times, the Cumberland Road extension also provides better access to schools, retail, parks and new development. Continue reading West Cumberland Extension Now Open

BULLARD — The Brook Hill School in Bullard is undergoing a security overhaul. KETK reports that beginning in September, all exterior doors will be locked. Middle and upper school students will be issued a photo ID that will be used to enter buildings on the campus. Visitors are required to check in at the front desk to receive a visitor’s badge. The school will also have selected armed personnel on campus. According to a press release by the school, this is in response to “violence being in the forefront of the news on a regular basis.”

TYLER — Organizers of the Tyler Cattle Barons’ Gala are looking ahead to the big event August 20 at Harvey Convention Center. At Thursday night’s event kickoff at Cavender’s Boot City, chairperson Tomi Ellis said the excitement is in the air as tickets continue to go fast — for the gala as well as the chance drawings for jewelry and a truck. Vince Gill is the musical headliner for the big annual American Cancer Society fundraiser. Ellis points out that’s it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been personally affected by cancer in some way. You can go http://www.cattlebaronsgala.net for tickets and more information.

TYLER – Police say a man in Tyler visiting relatives was killed when hit by a car Thursday night. Killed was Jeffery Dean Carter, 54, of Marion, Iowa. He was crossing the road in the 7400 block of South Broadway around 10:30 when he was struck and killed. Investigators said alcohol may have been a factor in the accident after witnesses reported the victim had been drinking before the incident. Officers say the 18 year old driver was not at fault.

EAST TEXAS — A questionable page has recently been created on Facebook. And to make matters worse whomever is behind the page encourages posting more videos. According to KETK, the page’s information the administrator lives in Nacogdoches. Police sometimes use social media to their advantage and pages like this particular one can easily land those involved in legal trouble. Continue reading Facebook Page Features Fighting in East Texas

AUSTIN — A Tyler man has been named by the governor to a state board. Governor Greg Abbott has named Guz Ramirez of Tyler to the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. His term will expire February 1st, 2021. The board is responsible for regulating the practice of chiropractic. Ramirez, who has been on numerous area committies, formerly served as a city council member and mayor pro-tem and is a former Smith County Commissioner. Ramirez received an Associate of Arts in business management from Tyler Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts in applied science from The University of Texas at Tyler.

RUSK – Cherokee County authorities are looking for suspects in numerous burglaries. Eight guns were stolen from a home in the Gallatin Community. They are also looking for a suspect in the burglary of six boathouses on Lake Palestine at the Eagle’s Bluff docks. There, he stole flat screen TV’s, stereo systems, and other high value items. A security camera at one of the boathouses took photos of the suspect. Continue reading Cherokee County Burglary Suspect Sought

TYLER – The Tyler Independent School District has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. It comes from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The school district received the award for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015. This marks 13th year the District has received the award. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

TYLER – East Texas Medical Center Tyler has announced it has reached a preliminary agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. A news release says this will ensure that the hospital will be a full in-network provider in BCBSTX preferred provider plans. They say they are not allowed to comment on the agreement since it is still being worked out. The process of finalizing the agreement is expected to take 45 days. In the meantime,ETMC remains in network for the full range of BCBSTX products.

TYLER – Undercover investigators have arrested two Asian women at a Tyler massage parlor. Arrested at O.K. Massage Therapy at 212 Grande Boulevard were Hong Le, 59 (pictured) and Mei Hue Lu, 49, Tyler. Police say they were arrested on sight after they offered to perform a sexual act for a fee during the massage. They have been charged with prostitution and massage therapy license violation.