KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — NET Health’s Russell Hopkins sizes up the latest covid numbers in his agency’s survey area. According to Hopkins, it’s very difficult to stay on track with how things are going each day as the numbers fluctuate, but current figures do seem to indicate a leveling off. All counties in the area are currently showing moderate spread except Wood, which is now in the substantial spread range. Hopkins is reiterating familiar mitigation measures: stay home when you’re sick, get tested, get vaccinated, and follow other practices recommended since the pandemic’s beginning. He notes that home testing remains available.For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

SMITH COUNTY — DPS advises that I-20 eastbound is shut down at Highway 271 due to a multi-vehicle crash. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. We’ll have updates as they become available.

OVERTON – Three Overton City Council members who submitted resignation letters in May have been served restraining orders that require them to return to their positions until the spots can be filled. That’s according to our news partner KETK. The City of Overton filed temporary restraining orders against Josh Hill, Reggie Thompson, and Monty Ward last week, and said that two-thirds of the Council must be present to conduct business. The Overton City Council has just four members. Both Ward and Hill cited ethical issues with the Overton city government as part of their reasons to leave the council. Continue reading Three Overton council members told to return following resignations

LONGVIEW — A 23-year-old man was arrested after a man was fatally shot around 2:43 p.m. Thursday on Arthur Street in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, John Lee Smith of Longview was jailed and charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His bond has been set at a combined $300,000. When officers arrived, they found the victim, Phillip Hudson, 31, of Longview, with what appeared to be multiple wounds, police said. Officials say he died from his injuries at a hospital.

TYLER – The Department of Justice announced criminal charges against 36 defendants in 13 federal districts across the United States for more than $1.2 billion in alleged fraudulent telemedicine, cardiovascular and cancer genetic testing, and durable medical equipment schemes. One defendant, 54-year-old Jeffrey Paul Parnell, is from Tyler. In connection with this national effort, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas has charged a total of 21 individuals, including doctors, laboratory executives, hospital executives, and marketers for their involvement in alleged healthcare kickback and money laundering conspiracies. Additionally, 33 doctors and healthcare executives have agreed to pay over $32 million in order to resolve False Claims Act allegations for their involvement in the scheme, according to a news release. Continue reading Officials: 21 charged in healthcare kickback conspiracy

ATHENS – Henderson County firefighters have responded to at least 40 fires this week alone and 134 for the month of July, so County Judge Wade McKinney has signed a declaration declaring a Local State of Disaster. According to our news partner KETK, the declaration says the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index value for the county is now within the highest range of the index, indicating a severe drought and increased wildfire occurrence. “Our first responders are reaching their limit,” Judge McKinney said. “Day and night they are working to protect life and property from these fires. We all need to work to limit the demand for their services.” The declaration will be in effect for seven days unless it is extended by Commissioners Court. Henderson County joins numerous other area counties in maintaining a ban on outdoor burning.

TEASELVILLE — Authorities are following up after a missing man was found dead in the Teaselville community. According to a news release, Smith County Emergency Communications received a report at 8:48 Thursday morning of a body in a wooded area behind the dollar store on FM 344 West. The man was identified as Caleb Ray Mosley, 20, of Bullard. He had previously been reported as a missing person to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office on July 17. Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Andy Dunklin came to the location for the inquest and ordered that the body be taken to Forensic Medical in Tyler for an autopsy.

LONGVIEW – A Lindale man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal child pornography charge in Gregg County, according to federal documents. According to our news partner KETK, Michael James Quam, 29, was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail Wednesday. Quam pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of child pornography, along with aiding and abetting and possessing or accessing child pornography, said court records.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing man who was last seen at the Dollar General in Teaselville. According to our news partner KETK, Caleb Mosley, 20, has brown hair, hazel eyes, is about six feet tall and weighs about 160 lbs. There was no immediate word on any possible connection with the dead body found Thursday morning near the store. According to his mother, Mosley was last seen Saturday morning and has a concussion. Mosley was reported to be disoriented and in need of medical attention. He has scratches across his arms, back, and torso. Some are noted to be very deep. Anyone with information on Mosley’s location is encouraged to call the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271 or the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TEASELVILLE– A dead body was found in a wooded area Thursday morning near the Dollar General in Teaselville. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County officials said the body was reported around 8:50 a.m. It has been confirmed to be a male. The investigation continues, and we’ll provide further details as they become available.

GLADEWATER – It has been 20 years since a body was found on the side of the road by construction crews off Highway 135 in Gregg County. On Thursday, the non-profit DNA Doe Project positively identified the remains as Pamela Young, according to our news partner KETK. Young’s remains were found in 2002 just south of Swam City Road. The DNA Doe Project helped solve two other East Texas cold cases. In another Gregg County case, the body of Lavender Doe, identified as Dana Lynn Dodd, was found in 2006, but it took 12 years to find out who she was. Her killer is serving three concurrent sentences of 50 years each. The other case was out of Tyler, and the man was identified as Kim Ryan Casey. The latest information doesn’t mention Young’s manner of death or whether foul play was suspected. Authorities said no criminal activity was suspected in Casey’s death.

GILMER – A petition has been submitted by attorneys David B. Griffith, Mathew Patton, and Brandon Win to remove Upshur County District Clerk Karen Bunn from office. According to our news partner KETK, the petition says Bunn failed to be in her office during most of her term and “neglected her duties as district clerk.” Bunn said she tripped in her office on March 12, 2019, after her heel got caught in carpet. She also said her doctors have not released her to go back to work, and the incident caused her “traumatic and debilitating injuries.” There was no immediate word on when the petition might be taken up.

OKLAHOMA CITY — United Ag & Turf, a 31-location John Deere dealership headquartered in Bryan, has completed the acquisition of Fish & Still Equipment. Fish and Still Equipment has locations in Nacogdoches, Marshall, Henderson, Crockett, and Lufkin. The acquisition was completed July 18. According to a news release, the newly acquired locations continue to expand United Ag & Turf’s footprint, strengthening the ability to serve customers. “This acquisition continues with our strategy to provide preeminent parts, service, and equipment support and solutions to our customers through efficiency and scale, enabling better pricing and selection for our customers,” said United Ag & Turf CEO Brody Pettit as quoted in the release. Continue reading John Deere dealer United Ag & Turf acquires Fish & Still Equipment

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Two men have been indicted in the case of a tractor-trailer rig found with 53 dead or dying migrants inside in San Antonio. A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Antonio says 46-year-old Homero Zamorano Jr., of Pasadena, and 28-year-old Christian Martinez (pictured), of Palestine, were indicted Wednesday on counts of transporting and conspiring to transport migrants illegally resulting in death; and transporting and conspiring to transport migrants illegally resulting in serious injury. The incident happened on a remote San Antonio back road on June 27. Conviction on the death counts could result in life sentences. But the Attorney General’s Office could authorize prosecutors to seek death penalties.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department has released the identities of the victims in a residential fire that broke out before dawn July 8 in the 500 block of W. Phillips St. Officials name Ava Christie Spaur, 61, and Mark Anthony Lilly, 46. The initial call indicated that smoke and flames were visible on the porch area of the structure, along with multiple people evacuating the building. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire conditions and quickly began searching the structure and attacking the fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Preliminary autopsy results indicate the presence of smoke inhalation. The final autopsy results are expected in the next few weeks.

SMITH COUNTY — A 91-year-old Tyler man has been found guilty of arson and sentenced to life in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Kermit Francis Gabel was found guilty of setting fire to an abandoned home on South Beckham Avenue in 2020 after a series of vacant buildings caught fire at the time. Gabel was indicted in 2021, and has been in jail since 2020 for his charge of arson and a parole violation. His bond was set at $250,000. Gabel had previously been given parole for life after a previous Texas conviction in the 1980s. A judge once said that Gabel “made a living stealing other people’s property.” Accused of multiple crimes in Ohio, Gabel was dubbed the “Silver Burglar” with crime sprees dating back to the 1940s.

TYLER/LONGVIEW — The Main Street programs in Tyler and Longview recently earned re-accreditation from The Texas Main Street Program of the Texas Historical Commission. According to press materials, the designation recognizes commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach. Downtown areas are the focus of the statewide and nationwide Main Street programs. Click here to learn more about Tyler’s downtown revitalization efforts. Go to this link for more information on Longview’s Main Street program.

EAST TEXAS — A number of fires have flared up this week in East Texas amid hot, dry conditions. Our news partner KETK reports all fires have been contained in Henderson County after several broke out. Three firefighters were taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation from a Gun Barrel City fire. Authorities report five trailers destroyed in an illegally burned Rusk County trash pile fire. And more than 1,000 acres burned in Van Zandt County wildfires. Burn bans remain the rule throughout the region, and officials continue to urge you to observe them.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La. — A 24-year-old Longview woman died on her first day on the job working at an archaeological site, and officials say the cause could be heat-related. According to our news partner KETK, Kaylen Eileen Gehrke, formally of Missoula, Montana, recently moved to Longview to be closer to family as she advanced her career with Shreveport Cultural Resource Analysts, officials said. She graduated from high school in 2016 in Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic anthropology and a minor in Spanish-English bilingual from the University of Montana. Continue reading Longview archaeologist dies while working

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court approved auctioning off surplus equipment from the Road and Bridge Department. The online auction will begin on July 28 and runs through August 11 on this website. The Smith County purchasing director said the Road and Bridge equipment has outlived its useful life and is no longer needed by the County. The equipment can be viewed in person, by appointment, on August 1 and August 5, between 9 a.m. and noon. To schedule an appointment, call 903-590-4726. The equipment is located at the Road and Bridge Material Yard on County Road 1121 in Tyler. Continue reading Smith County to auction off surplus road and bridge equipment

PALESTINE — The Anderson County Jail reinstated its quarantine procedures on Tuesday after four inmates tested positive for COVID-19. “A positive test result of one person in a cell results in all inmates in that cell being quarantined,” Sheriff W. R. Flores said. “As a result, we currently have 44 inmates in quarantine.” With quarantine procedures in place, inmate visitation, religious services, recreation, and inmate movement have all been restricted. Individual legal and pastoral visits are still allowed, according to officials. “As we struggle with staff shortages in various divisions,” Flores said, “I ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to deal with the additional issues posed by the COVID-19 virus.” Flores encourages anyone who interacts with jail personnel or inmates to take precautions to ensure personal health and welfare.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office says it has recently been made aware of a bond scam in the Tyler/Smith County area. Officials say the scam involves a phone call that was received by a Tyler citizen. The caller identified himself as an investigator with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office using the name “Detective Scotch.” The caller informed the victim that a loved one had been arrested and he needed to pay a bond in crypto currency. The caller instructed the victim on what needed to be done and how to do it. Unfortunately, the victim complied and was swindled out of an undisclosed amount of money. Continue reading Officials: Be aware of bond scam

TYLER – Nicholas Pet Haven in Tyler announced they will be closed for two weeks after a parvo outbreak at the shelter. That’s according to our news partner KETK. “11 sick babies so far,” shelter staff said. “$3,000 at ER for six babies not to mention mounting bills. We are closed on intakes.” The shelter is asking for no volunteers at this time while they are shut down to care for the sick animals, and ask for those that can to donate. “We will continue to help animals in need but they cannot come to our facility,” shelter staff said. “Thank you for your support.” Parvo is classified under the Merck Veterinary Manual as a disease of the stomach and small intestines. Parvo in puppies can also affect the bone marrow, lymphopoietic, tissues and in some cases the heart, according to the American Kennel Club. Continue reading Tyler shelter closed for two weeks due to parvo outbreak

TYLER — A recent update to the national COVID spread map indicates that Smith County currently has the highest spread rate in the U.S. — and that East Texas in general has shown a higher spread rate then the rest of the country. That word Tuesday from NET Health’s Russell Hopkins. He says it’s apparently leveling off in the NET Health area — but he cautions that the figures still don’t reflect home testing. And he says officials won’t have home testing information until retail data become available. Hopkins recommends testing often, along with wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, and staying home when you’re sick. He tells KTBB the antigen test is a great way to sample and determine whether you’re safe at a particular time. Continue reading Hopkins: Despite apparent leveling, map shows Smith County leads U.S. in COVID spread

TYLER – A Tyler man gets three lengthy prison sentences after pleading guilty Friday to murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in a Mother’s Day 2019 homicide. According to our news partner KETK, James Robert Smith III, 31, was arrested after police were called to the scene and found 27-year-old Donovan Reese dead in his car. Officials said Reese was at a gas station with two others helping someone change a flat tire when Smith arrived, said, “Hey, bro” and began shooting. The two had had previous encounters for about two years, according to investigators, and running into each other at the gas station was by chance. Smith was sentenced to 50 years for murder and 20 years for each assault charge.

RUSK COUNTY — Leverett’s Chapel ISD was set to have its school board meeting Monday night after their last special meeting was canceled leaving several parents and students upset. Community members say four meetings have been canceled due to board members failing to show up. Some are now questioning the future of this school district. Only two board members were present and three of them are needed for a quorum. This makes it the fourth cancellation in a row. “We have a one-person show here instead of the board of directors involved in the right ways and stuff like that. One person is trying to take over is what it sounded like to me,” said Sandy Williams, alumni of class of 1963. Some alumni and parents say the school board is to blame for failing to show up. Continue reading Community fears Leverett’s Chapel ISD could close if school board conflicts left unresolved

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said it is investigating after they found a body in the city Monday near some woods. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they found the body around 1:15 p.m. on McKay Dr. Further details weren’t immediately available except that law enforcement is no longer at the scene.

LONGVIEW — First National Bank of East Texas opens the doors to its newest branch, serving Longview, as of Monday, July 18. The branch is located on W. Loop 281, in front of the Northwest Village Shopping Center and just across Village Drive from Stanton Optical. The new branch joins First National Bank’s network of locations, including Big Sandy, Diana, Emory, Gilmer, Lake Fork, Mineola, Mt. Vernon, Ore City, Pittsburg, and Quitman. Bank officials say a special ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced in coming days.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. Tyler Maintenance will have a shoulder crew on FM 2089. Flaggers will be controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing ditch maintenance beginning on US 69 near Tyler Pipe. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. This crew will then move to various locations throughout the county. Also, expect a sweeper truck and herbicide units performing work throughout the district. Longview Maintenance is scheduled to help perform seal coat operations with Henderson Maintenance crews in Rusk County. Weather permitting, this project will be on FM 3135 north and southbound, just north of US 79. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

RUSK COUNTY – The Texas A&M Forest Service said that despite recent rainfall, East Texans must do their part to prevent future fires. According our news partner KETK, there are currently 27 East Texas counties under an active burn ban, and the forest service said they are raising awareness so the public will hopefully listen. Officials said even though it rained Thursday it will take consistent rainfall for things to go back to normal, and stress that those who violate burn bans will be fined. “We’re going to have to take a zero tolerance approach to burn ban violations,” Rusk County Fire Marshal Terry Linder said. “The best advice is please heed the burn ban in your county, if not, you’ll likely receive a citation.” Continue reading Officials continue to warn of fire danger