KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

AUSTIN – The Texas Commissioner of Education has announced that 578 school systems across Texas will be awarded more than $116 million in grants. It’s part of Governor Greg Abbott’s pre-kindergarten initiative. Last year the state legislature approved, and the governor signed, a law which provides additional state support for public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools seeking to expand high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. After receiving the funding applications, the Texas Education Agency, this week, formally told school districts what they would be receiving. For the next three years, the Tyler School District will receive over $800,00 and Longview schools will get over $662,000. Continue reading Grants for Area Pre-Kindergarten Needs

LONGVIEW — Religious liberty was a hot topic for Governor Abbott this past weekend — and some see that as a conflict with the 14th Amendment. Abbott visited Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview and spelled out what some believe are among his top priorities for the upcoming legislature. Among other things, Abbott said, “We must confront this modern-day secularism that’s trying to rewrite America as one nation against God.” Any legislation along these lines could lead to a fight in the courts, according to the ACLU’s Rebecca Robertson. Robertson says, “If our state passes laws that permit government officials to discriminate based on their own personal religious views, that is almost certainly gonna be subject to an equal protection challenge.”

TYLER — A Houston man has been charged with murder and his bond set at $500,000 following a fatal shooting in Tyler Tuesday morning. That’s according to KETK. Killed in the shooting shortly after 9:00 at the Royal Inn Suites, on WNW Loop 323 between Highway 69 and Texas College Road, was Thomas Gleen Wilson, 49, of Lindale. He died after being taken East Texas Medical Center. Tyler police report the suspect, who fled the scene on foot, was Jared Wilson, 30. He was arrested by the Department of Public Safety around 11:30 Tuesday morning. He was found in a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder near Anderson County. Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument between Jared Wilson and Tom Wilson over car keys belonging to Tom Wilson’s niece, who is the girlfriend to Jared Wilson.

TYLER — The traffic signal on Old Jacksonville Highway at the intersection of Cumberland Road is now operational. The City of Tyler’s Traffic Department turned the directional signal on at 6 a.m. today. Depending on direction of travel, all drivers should be aware that right or left turns onto Cumberland Road are still not allowed until its official opening. Message boards will be posted at the intersection to remind drivers that Cumberland is not yet open.

JACKSONVILLE – A graduate from Jacksonville High School is returning as the school district’s police chief. It was announced on Tuesday that Bill Avera will take over those duties the first of next month. According to the district’s Face Book page, Avera has over 40 years experience in law enforcement, most recently as Assistant Chief of Police for Dallas ISD. Besides Jacksonville High School, Avera also graduated from Lon Morris College, Sam Houston State University, and received a Master of Science degree from Texas A&M Commerce. He comes to Jacksonville with years of supervisory and executive level positions in the public sector including 12 years in school based policing. Avera and his wife, Heather live on Lake Jacksonville and Heather is currently a teacher for JISD.

LONGVIEW – A woman watching Longview’s 4th of July fireworks show was wounded by a stray bullet. She was sitting Monday night in a church parking lot on Spur 63 to watch the display from the Maude Cobb Convention Center. Longview police say she began to feel pain and someone noticed what appeared to be a bullet wound on her neck. She was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment. Investigators say, from the angle of the wound, it appears as if the bullet had been fired into the air and struck the woman on the way down. They say the incident was not an act of violence, but was instead an act of unsafe handling of a weapon. The Longview News Journal identified the woman as 55 year old Konie Thompson of Longview.

TYLER – Smith County commissioners have discussed their process for selecting a replacement for County Judge Joel Baker. At Tuesday’s commissioners’ court session, it was announced nine persons have come forward to express interest in the post. And of those nine, several front runners seem to have emerged. They are former County Commissioner David Stein, retired 12th Court of Appeals Justice Sam Griffith and a third person who asked that they not be named. They are still taking nominations and won’t make a decision until their next meeting on July 19th. They also said all discussions will be held in the open. Judge Baker was suspended after being indicted and arrested and charged with three counts of violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the Department of Public Safety has headed to a reported accident involving a pedestrian at CR 3401 off Highway 69, south of Bullard. Details are limited at this time.

TYLER — Officials have released information on charges and bond in a high-speed chase through Tyler Saturday night. According to KETK, police say 17-year old Chase Mays led officers on a chase down South Broadway. The motorcycle pursuit started just before midnight and lasted around 30 minutes. Officers were able to catch up and stop Mays. He was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of evading arrest and reckless driving. Bonds totaled $20,000. He has since bonded out.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned this week in TxDOT’s Tyler district. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance plans to conduct edge work on FM 1253 north of FM 16. Other work includes ditch maintenance on roads around the county starting Tuesday on US 69N. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

LONGVIEW — An East Texas woman was booked into jail and her dog is recovering after police had to break the pet out of a hot car. KETK reports that Longview police were called Sunday to an animal report in a parking lot on North 4th Street near Hawkins Parkway. When officers made it to the scene, they were told a dog was inside a vehicle and the animal was in distress. Officers determined the dog had been left in the car by a woman for about an hour. Officers tried to locate the owner but were unable to find her. Police stated the dog began experiencing health problems related to heat inside the vehicle and Longview Animal Control was called to assist. One of the officers broke the window out of the vehicle and rescued the pet. Continue reading Dog Rescued from Hot Car, Woman Arrested

LAKE PALESTINE — The FAA is continuing to investigate what caused a small plane to crash into Lake Palestine Saturday night. The plane went down around 8:30 on the south side of the lake, near the Shady Brook Country Club. Cherokee County Game Warden Eric Collins tells KETK an ultra light aircraft was carrying two people when it crashed. The two people inside were rescued and are okay. Charles Shaw actually saw the plane go down. He says he saw the pilot circling the lake before stalling out and crashing. Continue reading Lake Palestine Plane Crash Probe Continues

MARSHALL — Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa and the Marshall Police Department are seeking the community’s assistance to help solve one of Marshall’s cold cases — the June 1998 murder of Jaden Kyle Houston. On June 10, 1998 at approximately 8:18 a.m., officers responded to a Hunt St. location in reference to a black male in a blue vehicle slumped over the steering wheel and bleeding. Upon arrival, officers discovered Houston deceased in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. It is unknown who shot Houston, and there were no witnesses at the time of the incident. Continue reading Marshall Police Seek Leads in 1998 Cold Case

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview holds the Fireworks and Freedom Celebration at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex this July 4. Activities were scheduled throughout the day, including amusement rides, food and beverages, and a variety of entertainment including ten-time Grammy Award-winning band Asleep at the Wheel, vendors in the Exhibit Building, music acts, a hot dog eating contest, numerous children’s activities and much more, including free outdoor concerts. The festival opened at 11:00am and the day’s activities were set to be topped off with a spectacular firework display beginning at 9:30. You can go to https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2394/Fireworks-and-Freedom-Celebration to get more information.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks celebration at Lindsey Park, 12557 Spur 364 W. Following a 4:00 kickoff for the free celebration, the fireworks show was scheduled to begin at 9:00. The park gate, located off of Spur 364, officially opened at 2:00. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, attendees have been asked to arrive early for prime parking. Officialls highly recommend car pooling to alleviate traffic congestion, with parking on a first come, first serve basis. Due to construction and closure of Greenbriar Road, attendees are only permitted to enter the park via the Spur 364 entrance. Per City ordinances, alcohol, smoking and private fireworks are prohibited in the park. The Tyler Police Department will be patrolling and writing citations if ordinances are broken. Continue reading 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza Today in Tyler

HENDERSON COUNTY — The 9-year-old daughter of a Seven Points Fireman was killed in a boating accident Friday night. According to KETK, the accident happened around 7:15 at Cedar Creek Reservoir. Seven Points Fire Rescue First Captain Bryan Abbott reported that Cierra Morman was on a boat when she fell overboard, striking the boat near the motor. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Abbott said the incident has been ruled an accident. He said safety precautions were in place, and no alcohol was involved. Cierra’s dad works for Seven Points Fire Rescue. Continue reading Fireman’s Daughter Killed in Boating Accident

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said one of three fugitives was arrested at a residence in Tyler Saturday afternoon. Officials said Michael Carl Beebe, 25, Tyler, was apprehended at the corner of Craftdale and Glenview in Tyler around 3:30 following a Crimestoppers tip. Beebe was arrested without incident by members of the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies and Tyler Police Department. Beebe was wanted for burglary, evading arrest with a vehicle, and fraudulent use of identifying information. Officials are still searching for Misty Graham, 38, and Travis Charles Wolfe, 31.

TYLER (AP) – A former Texas death row inmate has argued in court that he should be exonerated in the 1977 death of a 21-year-old woman because another man is responsible for the killing. Kerry Max Cook appeared Friday in a Tyler court to argue for a final ruling of actual innocence in the death of Linda Jo Edwards. A murder charge against him was dropped last month based in part on false testimony previously given in his case. Cook would be eligible for compensation if it’s determined he’s innocent in the matter. The judge who oversaw Friday’s hearing will forward a recommendation to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will make the determination. Cook says a man having an affair with Edwards at the time of her death was the killer.

CANTON — Child Protective Services is seeking the public’s help in finding four missing children. According to KETK, CPS was granted legal custody of the children on June 16 in Van Zandt County, but they have not been located. The children range from 8 months old to 13 years old. They are believed to be with Leslie Whittington and Paul Hidalgo. The children missing are Trent Dixon, 13; Lexi Whittington, 11; Kyleigh Whittington, 8; and Ed Hidalgo, 8 months old. Officials say they may be in a four-door white sedan or a 1999 dark red Lincoln Navigator, which was last seen in Canton. Call CPS at 903-368-0064 if you have any information that will help locate them.

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department has identified three people who remain at large in the torture and death of a puppy in Palestine. According to KETK, police say Romello Smith, 21, Ronnie Morrison, 21, and Andreas Hicks, 20, all of Palestine, have been named as suspects. Arrest warrants have been issued for all three. Detectives have already taken into custody three others: Perla Miranda Fernandez, 20, Jasmine Warren, 18, and a minor, all of Athens. All of the suspects will be charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals. Continue reading Three At-Large Suspects Named in Puppy Burning

MARSHALL — Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa and the Marshall Police Department are seeking the community’s assistance in helping locate one of the agency’s most wanted fugitives, according to a police news release. MPD is seeking any information related to the location of Tom McPherson Jr. McPherson may also go by the alias of John Zorn Jr. or Reese McPherson. McPherson is wanted on two felony forgery warrants from the Marshall Police Department. Continue reading Man Sought for Mail Theft, Check Fraud

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion in which three people were arrested and one is still on the loose. According to KETK, officials responded June 21 to a report of a gunshot victim on 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 Three Arrested, One at Large in Rusk County Home Invasion

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Matthew McConaughey is heading back to school this fall to teach a course on filmmaking at the University of Texas at Austin. The university says in a social media post that the Oscar winner and former Longview resident will teach at his alma mater alongside “Hunger Games” director Gary Ross. The university tells the San Antonio Express-News that the actor will take 30 students behind the scenes of McConaughey and Ross’ latest film, “The Free State of Jones” through recorded videos. The school says McConaughey will make at least one visit to campus for the class. The 1993 Texas grad has a home in Austin and has been seen on the sidelines at Longhorns football games.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department and other agencies are once again stepping up patrols targeting DWI drivers for the 4th of July Holiday. The department will be participating in a state grant during the holiday that will provide funding to the department to enforce DWI laws. The enforcement detail will be on the look-out for intoxicated drivers from Friday, July 1st, at 3:00 p.m. through Monday, July 4th. Continue reading Officers on the Lookout for DWI Drivers during 4th of July Holiday