KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an armed robbery Monday night. Officers said they received a call from a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver reporting they were robbed at gunpoint by two suspects at the Fox Run Apartments on SSE Loop 323 around 10:35. The driver said they were in the process of making a delivery to one of the apartments when they were approached by the suspects. One of the suspects reportedly pointed a gun at the delivery driver and demanded the food, then they both fled on foot. The suspects are described as thin black men, wearing dark clothing and masks. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — In honor of the officers killed in last week’s Dallas attack, Smith County law enforcement personnel and supporters met on Tyler’s downtown square Monday at noon for a solidarity service. According to KETK, police said it meant a lot to have the public come out and support them. Tyler Police Officer Don Martin said the event was held to send condolences to the families of the deceased along with honoring the men who were killed. The service started and ended with prayer. Names of the fallen officers were read; officers saluted. The crowd watched in silence. After the ceremony, people thanked peace officers for what they do.

LONGVIEW – Two men remain in custody in Longview, accused of seriously beating a man who was trying to buy marijuana from them. The injured man was found outside the American Dream Inn. He told officers when he found out the men didn’t have the drug, he tried to leave and they beat him. He was attacked by one man with a metal pipe. The other man was said to have used his fists and feet. Arrested were Michael David Hernandez, 35, and Leonard Epps, 36, both from Longview. Epps (pictured) is charged of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Hernandez is charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

LONGVIEW – Longview police say a local woman who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease was found safe Monday afternoon. According to KETK, Mable Adams, 65, had last seen between 9:00 and 10:00 Sunday morning in the Green Street area.

CANTON – A Corsicana man has been arrested following a chase through Gregg, Smith and Van Zandt Counties. The chase started just before 11:00 Sunday night in Gregg County. It began with a call to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office about a drunk driver. He was chased along Interstate Highway 20 into Smith County where tire spikes destroyed three of his tires. The car, driving on its rims, left the interstate between Van and Canton. That’s where Harry Donald Nicholson Jr., 56, was arrested. He’s been charged with driving while intoxicated and evading arrest.

LONGVIEW — Law enforcement agencies from across Gregg County invite the public to gather together in memory of the Dallas police officers who died in the line of duty last week during a special service called “Honor the Fallen.” The ceremony, which will include a Dallas Officers’ Memorial and law enforcement appreciation, will be held at 5:30 p.m. today at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. The event is open to the public and will include appreciation of all Gregg County area law enforcement agencies such as Gladewater, Kilgore, Lakeport, Longview, and White Oak.

WHITE OAK — Audio of a call from what sounds like an elderly woman to the White Oak Police Department is going viral. And maybe that’s because we need a very sweet change of pace after the horror of the murders of five police officers in Dallas. The woman says, “Could you just tell our police department thanks from me for keeping our community safe?” The dispatcher answers, “I sure can. Thank you so much.” The caller continues, “I’m just so devastated about what happened in Dallas.” She goes on to say that we don’t always say “Thank you” enough.

LONGVIEW — Former Longview Lobo football player Travian Clayborn died Friday night after being in a car accident. According to KETK, Longview head coach John King told the Longview News-Journal he was told about the wreck on the phone, but no more details about the accident were available. Across social media, friends and family have been pouring out their love for Clayborn and his family. Teammate and fellow graduate Kybrin Sheridan was seriously injured in the accident. Sheridan played defensive lineman for the Lobos and was the team’s defensive MVP. After graduation, he signed with Texas A&M Commerce. His condition is listed as stable. Both Sheridan and Clayborn were selected to this year’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl, which was played last month.

LONGVIEW — Two Longview residents died and a Henderson resident was taken to the hospital after a truck rolled over near Kilgore on Sunday morning. According to the Longview News-Journal, Stephanie Ramon, 41, and Jamie McCown, 45, were pronounced dead at the scene. Jason Tubbs, 41, of Henderson was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview in serious condition. The crashed happened around 10 a.m. on U.S. 259 about a mile east of Kilgore, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Ramon had been driving when the truck drifted across the road. DPS spokeswoman Jean Dark says the truck then over-corrected to the right, skidded and rolled onto its top, ejecting one passenger in the process.

TYLER — Law enforcement agencies from Smith County will gather today at noon on Tyler’s downtown square to honor the five fallen officers and their families in the wake of Thursday night’s attack in Dallas. Tyler police say the program will consist of a prayer for all officers, reading of the five fallen officers’ names, and Taps. Participants encourage all officers and the public to attend to show their support for local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel. Continue reading Smith County Law Enforcement to Honor Fallen Dallas Officers

SMITH COUNTY – Bond has been set at $250,000 for a man arrested in Smith County for aggravated kidnapping. Shortly before 9:30 Saturday evening, the sheriff’s office received a report of a report of a disturbance in the 20400 Block of Highway 155 North in Smith County, just south of Big Sandy. A man, said to be armed with a gun, is said to have forced a woman to leave with him. A Big Sandy police officer and deputies found the man’s vehicle with the woman inside, on Highway 155. Jerry Whittington, 31, of Gilmer, was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated kidnapping.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking the public’s help in solving one of the city’s cold cases. They are seeking any information related to the murder of Graylon Williams, which occurred in January 2008. He was found with gunshot wounds in his pickup sitting in front of the Sweet Stop Gas station located on West Grand Avenue. He later died at a Marshall hospital. Investigators learned Williams was shot by someone in the vacant lot between the gas station and Bel-Aire Manor apartments, which are just south of the gas station. This area is frequented by persons walking to and from the apartment complex and gas station. Continue reading Help Sought In Marshall Police Cold Case

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of July 11. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance plans to conduct overlay and edge work on Farm Road 2710 throughout the week. Additionally, ditch maintenance is planned on roads around the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control at all locations. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

CANTON – One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident on Interstate 20, about two miles east of Canton. Killed in the wreck around 4:00 Friday afternoon was Brian Gunn, 40, of Wichita Falls. He was a passenger in a pickup driven by Joseph Dodd, 30, of Azle. Dodd was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment. The Department of Public Safety reports Dodd may have fallen asleep at the wheel. He was traveling west when the pickup left the road and rolled into a creek.

TYLER – If you are looking for something to do with the family, there’s a playground of nearly 1,000 acres just north of Tyler. It’s Tyler State Park. Named a state park in 1939, it features 14 miles of hiking trails and a 64 acre spring-fed lake. Assistant Park Superintendent Shannon Peterson says the lake is probably the big draw, offering swimming and fishing. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and standup paddle boards. Continue reading Tyler State Park Offering A Host of Summer Activities

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in locating one of their most wanted fugitives. They are looking for 44 year old Patrick Okray. He is wanted for two outstanding felony warrants for forgery. He is accused of going into a Marshall business on two separate occasions last month and and cashing fraudulent checks. His last known address was Shreveport, Louisiana. Okray is described as 5’11, 297 pounds with a large build. He has black hair and brown eyes. Continue reading Marshall Fugitive Sought

WASHINGTON — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert calls out FBI Director James Comey, saying he has lied to the public. Gohmert appeared on Fox and Friends Thursday morning in the wake of Comey’s recommendation not to prosecute Hillary Clinton over controversial email issues. Gohmert said, in part, “We were expecting the FBI to make a recommendation, and yet he goes out on a limb and says nobody, no decent prosecutor, would do this, which was a lie.” According to KETK, Gohmert also compared Hillary Clinton to a corrupt dictator. Comey emphatically denied that he coordinated his decision not to prosecute Clinton with the White House or anyone else.

HALLSVILLE — Hallsville police Chief Paul Montoya reacts to Thursday night’s devastating police shooting in Dallas. KETK reports Montoya shared a video on his Facebook page just hours after the incident. According to Montoya, “I say to people who have issues with how officers handle things or they’d have disagreements or just don’t understand or just don’t like the way they were handled. There is a proper way to handle those things. You come in. You file a complaint. Heck, you can call and have dispatch call me. If I have to, I will come out to the scene and handle that appropriately. Taking situations into your own hand and escalating the situation and in the advent of social media where everyone starts jumping on the bandwagon and its real easy to add to the misinformation and disconnect and drive a bigger wedge into something that isn’t what people are making it out to be. Continue reading Hallsville Police Chief Reacts to Dallas Shooting

TYLER — Tyler Police said they received a 911 call that a person’s 2014 Dodge truck was stolen from Lowes on Broadway. The owner reportedly left his vehicle running while he was in the process of loading items into the back of his truck. Police said Thomas Atwell stole the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed. A citizen observed the vehicle being stolen and provided transportation to the victim in an attempt to follow the stolen vehicle until they lost sight of it at Old Jacksonville and Loop 323. A short time later, Tyler Police received a call of a hit and run at Houston and Glenwood involving what we believed to be the stolen vehicle and a silver Chevrolet Impala. Continue reading One Man Arrested Following Wild Chase in Tyler

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced the capture of several wanted fugitives. According to a news release, officials received a tip Thursday from Overton Police regarding the possible location of Travis Charles Wolfe, 30, (pictured) at a Walmart on Hwy 110 in Tyler. Officials followed the vehicle, occupied by a female and two males, across the street to Wataburger and positively identified the driver as Wolfe. Also in the vehicle was Nathan West, 32, also a wanted fugitive and a female, identified as McKenna Warren, 21. Following a search of the truck, deputies found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Smith County Fugitives Arrested

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is announcing that it will be closing Woldert pool for the season on Monday, July 25. The splash pad adjacent to the pool will remain open. Officials say the pool, which opened in the 1950s, will be closing early this year due to infrastructure issues following a third-party inspection and report. The City of Tyler is currently looking at all options for the pool’s future, according to a news release. Officials say this would include grants and other funding opportunities to improve, replace, or possibly repurpose the structure. Continue reading Woldert Pool Closing Early This Season

TYLER — RNK will be performing sanitary sewer spot repairs along North Forest Avenue between Garden Valley Road and West Erwin Street in Tyler starting today, causing lane closures. Work will continue on Monday, July 11. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes of travel, if possible, to avoid delays. The closures are due to be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, according to information from the city.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Belcher Center is preparing for its 10th anniversary season by announcing a variety of entertainment for 2016-2017. You’ll be able to see Chubby Checker, The Oak Ridge Boys, humorist Jeanne Robertson, illusionist Adam Trent and Celtic Woman along with productions of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, and The Cat in the Hat. Belcher Center Director Cynthia Hellen says season ticket holders can renew starting next Monday. New season ticket packages will go on sale on Monday, July 25. Individual show tickets will go on sale Monday, August 15. You can purchase tickets online at http://www.BelcherCenter.com or by calling the Belcher Center Box Office at 903-233-3080.

AUSTIN – The state of Texas is sending out local sales tax allocations for July. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report monthly. The state is sending out $624 million to the cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts. That figure is 2.3% more than the July figure last year. While the cities of of Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Fort Worth saw noticeable increases in sales tax allocations, it was a different story for some area cities. Tyler’s check of over $2.9 million is over 4% below the same period last year. For the year, Tyler’s sales tax allocation is off over 5%. Longview’s check of $2.1 million is down 4% for the period and off over 61/2 percent for the year. Kilgore’s allocation for the period is down over 19% and down over 15% for the year.

SINGLETON – A Northeast Texas resident has died and another critically injured in A Grimes County accident. The wreck occurred late Tuesday night on Highway 90 near the town of Singleton. Killed was 64 year old Shirley Robertson of Marshall. The driver of her car, 36 year old Shareeta Benson of Longview, is in critical condition in a Bryan hospital. The Department of Public Safety reports their car was hit head-on by a car traveling in the wrong lane of the highway. That car’s driver was also killed in the accident.

GLADEWATER — The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has notified Gladewater that its drinking water exceeds maximum levels for contaminants caused by the chlorine treatment process. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The TCEQ said the maximum level allowed for haloacetic acids is 0.060 milligrams per liter, while Gladewater’s water supplies tested at 0.062 and 0.066 milligrams per liter at two sites. In response, Gladewater officials said they are reviewing the process for treating city water supplies and have started a more aggressive approach to flushing water lines. Continue reading State: Gladewater Water Supply Exceeds Contaminant Level

HENDERSON — Gregg County officials have arrested the fourth suspect in a June home invasion in Rusk County. According to KETK, Donquavious Marshall, 19, has been booked into the Gregg County jail and will be extradited back to Rusk County by the end of this week. On June 21, officials responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 6000 block of State Highway 43 East. Deputies say a group of four armed men forced their way into a victim’s house and held three men at gunpoint while assaulting and robbing them. A struggle ensued and as the victims ran from the suspects, one of the victims was shot in the leg. Continue reading Final Home Invasion Suspect Arrested

PALESTINE – Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Palestine this afternoon. They will be speaking with residents affected by the April 30 flooding. The representatives will walk through the areas that had the heaviest amount of damage and will go door-to-door. The purpose of the visit is to make sure residents sign up for federal disaster assistance. The representatives will be wearing clothing with the FEMA and Department of Homeland Security logo along with a federal ID badge. Palestine residents who reported damage to the city during the initial cleanup must still register with FEMA to receive assistance. Continue reading FEMA Reps in Palestine