KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December 14. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

Motorists traveling State Highway 110S at Farm Road 346 and Acker Tap in Whitehouse should be prepared to take other routes to avoid delays Monday through Wednesday as maintenance crews perform milling work that will require closing main lanes as well as turn lanes. All work will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Get more details in the Smith
County section of this news release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects

TYLER — The Tyler Police and Fire Departments received reports over the weekend of houses damaged and trees and power lines down. The calls came from the following areas: Fairfax Drive from Loop 323 to Shenandoah, Rockbridge to Norma and the intersection of College to Mockingbird. Barricades and cones have been used to mark danger areas. Also, the police are advising motorists to be aware of flooding and water on roadways. According to a news release from Sgt. Jeffery Rackliff, there were no reports of injuries.

EAST TEXAS – Flooding has caused the closure of Farm Road 321 between Farm Road 645 and Farm Road 2706 in Anderson County. And U.S. Highway 175E is closed in Henderson County from Farm Road 804 to Loop 60 at LaRue due to flooding of both the eastbound and westbound lanes. Traffic is detoured until further notice as crews work to improve drainage. For the detour, use Farm Road 804 to Farm Road 607 to Loop 60 to US 175E. Crews will continue to monitor these and other roadways for conditions that could impact travel.

WINNSBORO (AP/Staff) — Powerful thunderstorms spawned an EF-2 tornado in East Texas, causing some damage and injuring at least two residents of a badly damaged home. The storms Saturday afternoon brought strong winds and reports of tornadoes. Chief Deputy Chris Mars of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department said the shattered house where the two were injured was north of Winnsboro. There was no immediate word on their condition.

TYLER – As of 9:30 this morning, Cumberland Road, from Old Jacksonville to Balsam Gap, will be closed because a contractor will be laying storm sewer pipe. It’s part of the Cumberland Road construction project. It’s not known how long the road will be closed. A city news release only says it will be closed until the project is completed. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler is running way behind with its red kettle donations. In a news release, the agency says it has been grateful for the donations it has received this kettle season, including the reappearance of 30 Eagle Silver Dollars on December 9. But staffers say as of late Friday afternon, the red kettle campaign is $22,365.82 behind last year’s total when compared to the same week in the campaign. Continue reading Tyler Red Kettles Down over $22,000 with 13 Days to Go

TYLER – With a deadline rapidly approaching, there are still a lot of angels remaining on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree at Tyler’s Broadway Square Mall. When the week started, there were 700 angels left to adopt. That number has now fallen to 197. Any angels that have not been adopted by 7:00 this evening means some child or senior citizen in Smith County will not receive a Christmas gift. The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree is on the north end of the mall near Chick-Fil-A and JC Penney. The Salvation Army asks that gifts for angels be delivered to the mall by Sunday so that they can prepare for their December 18th and 19th distribution days. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Continue reading Some Angels Still Up for Adoption

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that left a 55-year-old Palestine man injured around 8:40 Thursday night on South May Street. According to KETK, police say the initial information indicated that the victim heard a knock at his front door shortly before 9:00 p.m. The victim opened the door and saw two males standing on his front porch, one of whom was armed with a shotgun. The victim quickly closed the door and the suspects fired two shots through the door. The victim was hit once in the face and once in the shoulder area. There was also a female at the May Street residence at the time of the shooting. The female was not injured. Continue reading Palestine Police Investigate Shooting

LONGVIEW — A social media threat against the Islamic Center of Longview has been deemed “unviable.” That information came Friday in a news release from the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the sheriff’s office received an anonymous tip Wednesday advising of such a threat. According to the news release, the sheriff’s office notified the FBI and the Islamic Center about the threat. Authorities say the sheriff’s office increased patrol while the FBI conducted its investigation. Sheriff’s officials say the FBI Texarkana office informed them that after conducting its investigation the FBI office considered the threat to be unviable. The sheriff’s office then informed the Islamic Center of the FBI’s findings. According to the news release, “The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is committed to serving all citizens of Gregg County and will never fail in providing equal protection for everyone.”

WASKOM — An East Texas woman has been arrested in connection with a weekend shooting. According to KETK, Marilyn Marche Kirkland, 25, of DeBerry, was arrested Wednesday for the shooting death of Clinton Wayne Saizon, 36, of Waskom. Saizon’s body was found by his family at his mobile home, Saturday, on North Hearne Street. Kirkland was booked into the Harrison County Jail on a murder charge. Her bond was set at $1 million.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A sex offender sweep through Cherokee County has resulted in the arrests of two men and a woman. The three were among 100 persons checked by multiple agencies. The three were arrested at a home on Farm Road 1857, southwest of Rusk. Besides finding firearms in the residence, a stolen vehicle on the property, officers also found a small child the woman was trying to hide. The youngsters mother had left the child there for four days. The child was turned over to Child Protective Services. Continue reading Three Arrested During Cherokee County Sex Offender Sweep

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Board of Trustees has approved a two-year, eight-month contract for incoming president Dr. Brenda Kays. The contract, which was approved Thursday, will run from from January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. Her annual salary will be $200,000, which will be prorated to $133,334 for the remainder of fiscal year 2016. Dr Kays will use her own auto for business and professional travel but will receive an annual automobile travel allowance of $10,000 to be paid in monthly installments for gas, insurance, repairs, maintenance and other auto expenses. Continue reading Contract Approved for New Kilgore College President

TYLER — UT Health Northeast achieved another significant milestone with the announcement by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that it has conferred accreditation on the university medical center. According to a UT Health Northeast news release, SACSCOC was founded in 1912, and is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities in the southern United States including Texas. UT Health Northeast president Dr. Kirk Calhoun says the accreditation has “long been a goal” of the institution. UT Health Northeast’s School of Medical Biological Sciences began offering a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology three years ago as part of UT Health’s SACSCOC candidacy status.

TYLER — The Salvation Army in Tyler announced this week it will no longer be offering regular meals for free. KETK reports the agency typically served about 5,000 meals every week but in recent years this has increased to 7,000. While the numbers have increased, the donations have not. The Salvation Army used to offer three meals a day. It will now be offering just dinner Monday through Friday, brunch on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday. Each meal now costs one dollar. Continue reading No More Regular Free Meals at Tyler Salvation Army

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says he supports a gun ban issued by the county this week even though he remains “a strong advocate for the Second Amendment.” That word came Thursday in a clarification of his position regarding the concealed or open carry of firearms within county buildings. The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to ban both the concealed and open carry of firearms within the Smith County Courthouse and any county facility that houses a courtroom. In a news release, Smith explains that the 30.06 (concealed carry) and 30.07 (open carry) signage will be placed at the entryway to any county facility that houses a court. Continue reading Sheriff Clarifies Position on Guns in County Buildings

SMITH COUNTY — An investigation is underway into a shooting involving Smith County sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff Larry Smith provides details in a news release. Smith says around 9:10 Wednesday night, deputies were dispatched to do a welfare check on County Road 411 in northwestern Smith County. Upon arrival deputies met with the caller, Paul Kling, who informed them that his son, Cameron Dossey, 25, had been drinking heavily, making suicidal statements, and driving around on the property. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies Involved in Shooting

GREGG COUNTY — A Gregg County constable pleaded guilty in Franklin County to a driving while intoxicated charge and was handed a $2,000 fine. According to the Longview News-Journal, Pct. 3 Constable Mike Baggett also was sentenced to three days in jail by Franklin County Judge Scott Lee, who allowed credit for two days Baggett served when he was arrested in March 2014. Baggett has until next Tuesday to file for re-election. His deputy, John ‘Dickie’ McCubbin, has filed for the seat and says Baggett is helping with his campaign.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County officials are investigating a fatal crash Wednesday night. According to KETK, Nacogdoches County DPS Troopers arrived at the scene of a one-vehicle crash on County Road 442 just before 7:30. The preliminary crash investigation indicates a pick-up was traveling eastbound on CR 442 at an unsafe speed when it left the roadway to the left and struck two trees. The driver of the vehicle was identified as John Daniel Menefee, 63, of Chireno. The passenger was identified as Pamela Michelle Adams, 52, also of Chireno. They were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said they were not wearing seatbelts.

GLADEWATER – A Gladewater man is in custody on kidnapping and assault charges against a man suspected with having sex with his teenage daughter. Mitchell Hill Jr., 45, was arrested at his Smith County home on County Road 3132. The Longview News Journal reports he was arrested as he was standing over Kendrick Chumley, whose hands were tied and who was bleeding from a cut on his face. He is said to have used his daughters cell phone to lure Chumley to their house. It was Hill’s wife who called Smith County authorities. She was afraid of her husband’s anger and what he might do. She told deputies they have had problems with someone picking up their daughter in the middle of the night and possibly having sex with her. They believed Chumley had been dating her.

CARTHAGE (AP/STAFF) – An East Texas judge has set an April 1 start for the sentencing trial for a man whose 1999 murder conviction inspired the dark comedy “Bernie.” Special Judge Diane DeVasto of Tyler set the date at a hearing in Carthage Wednesday after attorneys for Bernie Tiede requested a delay. DeVasto said no more delays will be granted. DeVasto granted a defense motion in October to move the trial from Carthage to Rusk in Henderson County, 27 miles to the west, to assure an impartial jury. Tiede faces a new sentencing for his conviction of murder in the death of wealthy widow Marjorie Nugent for her fortune. Her body was found in 1997 in her freezer.

ALTO – An Alto football player did not die from an aneurysm as previously thought. KETK reports an autopsy report on Cam’ron Matthews, 16, released by Smith County Justice of the Peace James Cowart, said the death was ruled an accident caused by “anoxic encephalopathy following resuscitation from cardiac arrest from unspecified blunt impact.” Anoxic encephalopathy is a condition where the brain can not get enough oxygen due to lack of blood flow. Officials also stated he suffered from bleeding and swelling of the brain. Continue reading Alto Football Player Did Not Die From an Aneurysm

TYLER — Holiday decorations, miniature trains, re-enactors in period costumes, carolers, special exhibits, and more will be available free to the public today as the downtown Tyler museums hold their annual Holiday Open House from 4:00 to 8:00pm. The Goodman-LeGrand Museum (pictured), the Cotton Belt Depot, Discovery Science Place, Gallery Main Street, the Smith County Historical Society and the McClendon House will open their doors to the public in celebration of the Holiday season. According to a news release, each facility will feature its own special exhibits and activities during the event. All participating facilities will be easy to spot: eight-foot-tall illuminated snowmen will be at each site. Continue reading Museums Opening Doors for Holiday Open House Today

TYLER — The Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of the Greater Tyler Area announced Wednesday at a press conference at Peete Elementary School that the Bergfeld family has been chosen as Tyler’s 2016 Laureate for the JA Business Hall of Fame. According to a news release, the Hall of Fame reception will be held on March 31, 2016 at Willowbrook Country Club in Tyler. The news release says The Bergfeld name has had a major impact on the Tyler landscape since Rudolph Bergfeld came to town in 1878. Rudolph was a prominent landowner and developer beginning in the 1880s and continuing through the 1920s when he developed much of what is now known as the Azalea District. Continue reading Bergfeld Family Honored by Junior Achievement

OVERTON — Overton Independent School District went into lockdown briefly Wednesday morning after an altercation between two students, according to information from the district. In a news release, Superintendent Stephen DuBose says, “The campus principals were handling a routine altercation between two students when one of the students left campus. The principals instituted a lockdown until the situation could be assessed appropriately. After consultation with the Overton Police Department, the lockdown was lifted and school resumed as normal.”

HUGHES SPRINGS (AP) — The police chief of an East Texas town urges all citizens to arm themselves, saying the federal government lacks any effective plan for fighting terrorism. In a video he posted to his personal Facebook page, Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy said listening to President Barack Obama’s Oval Office speech on terrorism left him in despair over the government’s ability to fight domestic terrorism. Continue reading East Texas Police Chief Appeals to Public to Arm Itself

HAWKINS — The city of Hawkins has voted to sue a church which recently purchased land where a controversial sign is planted. According to KETK, Mayor Will Rogers says around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, three of the five council members voted to sue Jesus Christ Open Altar Church Limited Liability Corporation: Jackie Rucker, Norma Oglesby, and Sherry Davis. Council Member Wayne Kirkpatrick was absent and Clara Kay abstained. The group recently purchased land where a “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins” sign sits. The site has been under heavy scrutiny as to whether the land is on private property or publicly owned. According to Rogers, the council claims the city still owns the land. Continue reading City of Hawkins Votes to Sue over Controversial “Jesus” Sign

GILMER — An Upshur County judge has sentenced a man to 13 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. According to KETK, District Attorney Billy Byrd said Dennis Eugene Burton, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a child on Monday. The defendant changed his plea following jury selection earlier in the day. Burton is eligible for parole after half his sentence is served, with that eligibility due to no prior convictions. The defendant had faced up to 20 years behind bars. Byrd said Burton was a family friend of the victim and the crime occurred once while the parents were home, one day short of the victim turning 16, when the victim’s mother found Burton touching the girl.

TYLER — Environmental activist Erin Brockovich continues to weigh in on the City of Tyler’s water woes. KETK reports the environmental activist and consumer advocate responded Tuesday to a evaluation report of the water supply conducted by a third party.

Brockovich issued the following statement:

“I applaud the Mayor’s directive to begin the process of fixing the Drinking Water System in Tyler, Texas. This ‘Initial Operational Evaluation Report’ … is just that, ‘Initial,” a beginning, a start. It took the City of Tyler many years of poor water quality technology decisions to get them into the predicament they find themselves in today and making up for past practices is not going to happen overnight… there is no quick fix. Continue reading Brockovich Responds to Tyler Water Report