KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Because of last Friday’s rains, and because the rain expected this weekend, all area burn bans have been lifted. Nacogdoches and Titus Counties were the last two counties to lift their burn bans. But area officials using caution when burning outdoors. They add, if the drought continues, the burn bans could be reissued.

GILMER — A man has been taken into custody in connection with a murder at an 8th grade football game in Gilmer. A woman was killed in the high school parking lot during a game between Gilmer and Gladewater Thursday night. She has been identified as Cheyenne Green, 29, Gilmer. Her body has been taken to Southeast Texas Forensic Center in Tyler for autopsy. The shooting occurred around 9:00 Thursday night. A couple of hours later, Jonathan Ray Shepherd, 32, surrendered to authorities at the Upshur County Jail. Investigators say its appears as if the shooting followed an argument about parental rights. The couple shared custody of their two year old son. At his arraignment Friday morning, Shepherd’s bond was set at $1 million.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is free on a $25,000 bond after being caught with 70 pounds of marijuana. Arrested was Joshua Neal Flowers, 31. He was stopped for speeding by a state trooper on State Highway 31 around 10:30 Wednesday night. The trooper said there was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the tucks’ cab and bed. He also said Flowers was extremely nervous. As he searched the truck he found a suitcase and a box, both containing marijuana. Flowers told the officer he was being paid to deliver the marijuana to Longview.

TYLER — Your morning and evening commute in Tyler is going to be getting a little easier if you travel on West Loop 323. According to KETK, TxDOT is adding another lane on the Loop on both sides underneath the train trestle. Construction will start in February 2014. Officials say it should take about a year and half to finish. It’s been in the works for years, but they needed funding and approval from city groups and the railroad to move forward. TxDOT will build a temporary overpass for the train so the railroad can continue to operate. Drivers will be advised to pass carefully through the area during construction, or seek alternate routes.

ARP — Arp resident James “Barry” Barnett, 50, has announced he is seeking election to the Smith County Commissioner’s Court, Precinct 2. Barnett will run in the 2014 Republican primary; thus far, he faces only incumbent Cary Nix in that race. Barnett operates an aviation management company, ETJS, LLC. He oversees all maintenance for a local charter company at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, and he is one of the founding directors of the Wings over Tyler Air Show, which kicked off in 2011. Barnett is a certified firefighter with the Arp Volunteer Fire Department and served as President of the Northeast Texas District for the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas. Continue reading Barry Barnett Running for Commissioners Court

LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corp. on Wednesday approved spending almost $900,000 to reclaim a former hotel property at Estes Parkway and Interstate 20. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. LEDCO’s board of directors voted unanimously to hire Kingwood-based Inland Environments to clear the blighted former Holiday Inn property in South Longview. The largest cost of $387,880 is for abatement of asbestos contamination that was discovered during the purchase process. Reclamation work should begin in October and take about five months. Continue reading Firm Hired to Clear Site of Abandoned Hotel

JACKSONVILLE — A man wanted for murder in San Antonio has been arrested in East Texas. Thursday, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force executed an active murder warrant in the 900 block of Churchill Street in Jacksonville, arresting Jose Gutierrez. KETK reports Gutierrez was booked into the Cherokee County Jail to await transfer to Bexar County.

CHAPEL HILL — Taxpayers in Chapel Hill are concerned over the school’s proposed $31.2 million bond. Dr. Donni Cook, Chapel Hill’s superintendent, tells KETK the school district has been transparent with bond information. Cook says as enrollment climbs, new additions to the district are needed. If taxpayers have concerns, Cook encourages them to speak up or submit letters requesting information. Early voting on that bond issue is set for October 21st.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested after being accused of making repeated, abusive calls to 911. Reagan Marshall Wagner, 22, is charged with silent or abusive calls to 911, and terroristic threat against a public servant. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a bond of $2,000. Continue reading Man in Jail for Many 911 Calls

SHERMAN — A federal prosecutor has been assigned to the Sherman office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Tatum was administered the Oath of Office by U.S. Attorney Bales, Wednesday before a small crowd of friends, family, and government officials at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sherman. Continue reading Former Smith County Assistant DA Now in the Federal System

TYLER — Tyler police returned yesterday to the home of a retired druggist who has been charged with sexual assault of a child. The officers were serving a search warrant on Jeff Davis Drive at the home of James Carey Prosperie. Officers were not able to say what they were looking for, but they could be seen coming out of the house with some cardboard boxes. Continue reading Search Warrant Served at Prosperie Residence

TYLER — Tyler’s City Council approves a property tax increase of just a little over a penny. Some think the hike is too much, but Mayor Barbara Bass tells KETK it’s the city’s first significant upward move in property taxes in 15 years, “and the real numbers are very affordable. We’re using this to get us back with our savings like we need.” Bass says the city is still recovering from the period when the economy and sales tax figures were down. She adds that the owner of a $100,000 house will see a tax increase of about $15 per year.

TYLER — Two men are in custody in connection with a string of bank forgeries around the Tyler area. Detectives from both the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Tyler Police Department are working together on the case to determine how many banks and other businesses may have been affected. The identities of both men are being withheld as officers continue their investigation to determine if other persons might be involved. Continue reading Two Forgery Suspects Arrested

TYLER — Police are looking for the lone gunman who robbed a Tyler business. The robbery was reported around 3:15 yesterday afternoon at CashXpress Title Loan, in the 300 block of Rice Road. According to employees, the man displayed a black and silver semi-automatic handgun, took some cash and then fled on foot. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as a black male about 5’4″ and around 30 years of age. He was wearing a blue cloth over his face, a gray sweatshirt hanging around his neck, a black t-shirt and baggy blue jeans. The clerks also said the suspect had noticeable tattoos on both forearms.

EAST TEXAS — Hopkins and Angelina Counties have dropped their burn bans, joining a list of area counties that have done likewise since last Friday’s rains. Officials everywhere in the area continue to urge caution while burning. They remind you that burn bans could be reinstated if we don’t get additional rain in the near future.

NACOGDOCHES — Five people have been arrested and over two pounds of marijuana have been seized in Nacogdoches after two search warrants were executed early Tuesday morning. KETK reports officers of the Nacogdoches Police Department executed the warrants simultaneously at two residences next door to each other on Humphrey Road. Officers say they recovered marijuana, hydrocodone and prescription medication during the operation. Continue reading Five Arrested in Nacogdoches on Drug Charges

MARSHALL – Three Marshall men have been sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap of Marshall for drug trafficking violations. All three pleaded guilty May 3 and were sentenced Tuesday. Santiago Carbajal Abelardo, 26, and Jehovani Abelardo, 21, were each sentenced to 90 months behind bars for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. Santos Acuna, 24, got 11 months for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. Continue reading Harrison County Men Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Violations

HOUSTON — Two passengers have filed a joint lawsuit against the tour bus company that was allegedly responsible for a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 59. KETK reports that the law firm of Ramsey Hill filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Houston on behalf of Edgar Vela and Sergio Torres against American Coach Lines of Atlanta seeking monetary damages. The wreck happened last Thursday morning around 1:00 on Highway 59 near the Farm Road 1794 intersection, which is between Marshall and Carthage.

According to the Department of Public Safety, an El Expreso tour bus was headed north when the driver pulled a U-turn after learning a passenger had been left behind at a truck stop. During the U-turn, a tractor-trailer hauling sand collided with the bus. Authorities say the bus driver failed to check for oncoming traffic. Two people were killed and and several others were injured. The tour bus, which was heading from Houston to Chicago, is owned by the American Coach Lines of Atlanta, Inc., a Houston-based company.

GREENVILLE — Three Hunt County Child Protective Services workers are jailed after they were indicted on a number of charges. One of the cases has to do with murdered Greenville teenager Alicia Moore, whose body was found in Van Zandt County. Laura Ard, 60, of Rockwall, Natalie Reynolds, 33, of Fate, and Rebekah Ross, 33, were all picked up. Sheriff Randy Meeks says the grand jury indicted them for alleged evidence tampering, and one of the three faces three counts of official oppression, while another faces four official oppression counts. While the case is related to Alicia Moore’s death, sources are clear that none of the three are implicated in the murder itself; rather, they investigated Moore among other CPS clients. CPS says it is not aware of the investigation.

LONGVIEW — Three Pine Tree football players have been arrested for possessing marijuana several months ago. KETK reports all three players have been playing in every game for the Pirates this season. The three are identified as Robert Hines, Tyler Smith and Ladarius Fluellen. It stems from a June 11th incident when police were called to the high school. According to the Longview Police Department, a Pine Tree teacher called authorities to report the alleged drug use on school property in June. The report also states the high school principal was present during a search by police. Continue reading Three High School Football Players Arrested

LAKE MURVAUL — A two year old boy has drowned in Lake Murvaul. He is Kemper Jullian Francis Dziesinski, who appears to have gotten out of his bed, opened the back door to his home on County Road 198, and ended up in the lake. He was found floating in about three feet of water around 11:00 Sunday morning. The youngster was first taken to ETMC-Carthage. After doctors found a slight pulse, he was airlifted to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. When doctors determined he was not responding to treatment, he was taken off life support Monday night. Authorities say they don’t suspect foul play, but Child Protective Services is conducting an administrative investigation.

WILLS POINT — The investigation is continuing into the death of a Wills Point man who was hit by a train. He is Guy Richard Herring, 56, who was struck around 8:00 Monday night as he crossed the tracks in the 500 block of East North Commerce Street. Two persons with him had already crossed the tracks when the accident occurred. Investigators say some crew members told them Herring waved his hand and screamed something just before he was hit. He was said to have been carrying an unopened six-pack of beer at the time of the accident. His body has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy and toxicology report.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert is giving his two cents on Obamacare. The lawmaker from East Texas was on the Hannity show on Fox News. According to KETK, he shared his thoughts on why Democrats seem to have the upper hand, for now. Gohmert comments, “They were willing to take that chance even if it risked the majority, because they knew once they had the government in control of everybody’s most personal records. It was such a huge win for them. We have not had as many people willing to stand up for what’s best for America.” Gohmert told Hannity he thinks too many establishment Republicans in the Senate are afraid of a government shut down because it might cost them leadership positions.

LONGVIEW — Two Longview men have been jailed after police said they found an assortment of illegal drugs during a traffic stop. According to the Longview News-Journal, three Longview police officers were watching a house in the 900 block of Wilson Street where they believed narcotics were being sold, according to police reports. The officers said they watched as Andres Frank McEntire, 38, (pictured) and Michael Edward Sampson, 41, left the house in a red Chevy Camaro. The officers later stopped the driver for a busted reverse light, police said. Police said they learned Sampson had outstanding warrants for driving while intoxicated, expired driver’s license and failure to maintain financial responsibility. Continue reading Two Jailed in Longview Drug Bust

TYLER — Three big names have been added to the 2013 – 14 season at The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan Thomae-Morphew, executive director, announced. Broadcast journalist and talk show host Katie Couric, comedian Jerry Seinfeld and author Robert Edsel have been included in the “A Million Moments” season, which already featured a wealth of performances. These performance dates are Katie Couric, October 8; Jerry Seinfeld, October 24; and Robert Edsel, March 25. Continue reading UT Tyler Cowan Center Adds Big Names to Season

EAST TEXAS — Friday’s rains have prompted more East Texas counties to lift their bans on outdoor burning. Smith and Henderson Counties cancelled their burn bans Tuesday. KETK reports that Gregg, Wood, and Cherokee Counties lifted their prohibitions Monday. Harrison, Rusk, Anderson, Camp, and Upshur Counties had lifted their bans during the weekend. All county officials are cautioning East Texans to be careful with the wind when burning and to also know that all burn bans could go back into effect if the rain does not continue. The Henderson County fire marshal cautions, “Trees, shrubs and grass are still very dry from the prolonged drought and a small spark will set them on fire easily. Do not leave any fires unattended.”

EMORY — According to the Rains County Sheriff’s Office, an inmate in the Rains County Jail has escaped. According to KETK, Crystal Marie Robinson, 31, is a Hispanic female wearing an orange jumpsuit, standing 5’3″ and weighing in at 130 pounds. Officials say Robinson escaped from the Rains County Courthouse Tuesday morning. Authorities report they are unaware of which direction she may be headed and she may be on foot or in a green car that was in the area at the time of her escape. Continue reading Rains County Inmate Escapes Custody, Location Unknown

TYLER — It’s now a two-man race for the District 4 seat on Tyler’s City Council in the May 2014 election. Small business owner and community volunteer Eleno Licea (at right in picture) announced his candidacy Tuesday. Licea has volunteered with Bethesda Health Clinic, the Hispanic Business Alliance, the Boy Scouts, and other groups. Along with his nonprofit work, he’s served on the city’s planning and zoning commission and recently completed a term on the Tyler ISD board. Regarding his school board duties, Licea says, “My service as trustee allowed me to see things from the perspective of our students, parents, teachers and administrators and gave me good insight into our local government agencies.” So far, Licea faces oil and gas professional Don Warren in the May election. Current District 4 Council member Martin Heines is running for mayor.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is behind bars, accused of stabbing his stepfather and brother. Police tell KETK Lewis Rodriguez, 20, stabbed his step-dad during a fight. It happened Friday night along the 200 block of Bawner. Police say Rodriguez’s brother tried breaking up the fight and was stabbed for his efforts. Both of them were treated at a local hospital.

HARRISON COUNTY — A home in Harrison County has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 12:30 Monday afternoon on U.S. Highway 80 just east of the Longview city limits. No one was home when the fire started and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.