KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A Tyler man who raised more than $350,000 for Mitt Romney in 2012 is putting his money on another out-of-state candidate for president. Oil and gas attorney Gaylord Hughey is the Republican Party’s top bundler for East Texas — and he says he’s going to raise money for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. SMU political scientist Cal Jillson says, “People are also looking at former Governor Rick Perry, but he’s tainted by his failure in 2012. And they also see Senator Ted Cruz as a fairly narrow acquired taste.” Jillson says the big bundlers tend to support more moderate, institutional Republicans. He says Bush’s problem will be winning over skeptical social conservatives in places like Iowa and South Carolina.

KILGORE — Two persons have been killed in a wreck in Kilgore. The accident happened just a few miles north of the Interstate Highway 20 overpass on Highway 31 around 8:00 Saturday night. Department of Public Safety Troopers said the drivers of the two vehicles, David Denman, 55, Kilgore, and Benjamin Sanchez, 46, Conroe, crashed head-on. They were both killed in the collision. Troopers said Heather Sanchez, 33, a passenger in Sachez’s vehicle, was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. She is said to be in stable condition. Two children were also taken to a nearby hospital. One child is in critical condition. The other child is in stable condition. Their ages are unknown at this time. Troopers are still investigating the wreck.

LONGVIEW — A fatal shooting Tuesday night was a wake-up call to the community. City officials said it’s time to take action and they are calling on the community to help. In a news conference Friday, Mayor Jay Dean announced a series of strategies to reach the community, such as increasing the Crime Stoppers award to $2,000, hosting neighborhood watch meetings and easing confidential conversations between citizens and police. According to KETK, an increased police presence in high crime areas is another measure that will be taken. A majority of the violent crimes have taken place in District 3, and Councilwoman Kasha Williams said they know people out there have information, and they know there is a reason people are not speaking up. Continue reading Longview Officials Respond to String of Violence

TYLER — The Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau is anticipating the 56th Annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail. Because of the long winter, the blooms are taking their time coming out, but the Trail will start rain or shine March 20, according to bureau officials. As always, you will be able to enjoy such Trail favorites as Historic Tyler on Tour and the Rose City Artisan and Flower Market. To get more information and stay up-to-date on the progress of the blooms, you can use one of these links — https://www.facebook.com/VisitTyler or http://www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail — or go to the VisitTyler Instagram page.

AUSTIN (STAFF/AP) — The two top East Texas markets are showing January unemployment numbers that are up from December but down from a year ago. KETK reports that according to the Texas Workforce Commission, the Tyler area is slightly above the statewide average at 4.7%, and Longview is just under the mark at 4.3%. Tyler is up from 4.1% and Longview rose from 3.8% in December. Year-over-year, Tyler and Longview’s unemployment rates fell from 6.1% and 5.7%, respectively. The statewide unemployment rate fell to 4.4% from 4.6% in December.

PALESTINE — A man who had been sought by authorities in Palestine is now in custody after being found in Mississippi. According to KETK, officials say at approximately 12:30 Friday morning, members of the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force located and apprehended Troy Mason of Palestine in a Forest, Mississippi, truck stop just off I-20. The Palestine Police Department, the Palestine City Marshal’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Task Force, The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office had been working in conjunction to locate Mason. Continue reading Police: East Texas Fugitive Captured in Mississippi

TYLER — Tyler Police are letting drivers know of marathon preparations, including traffic delays and reroutes due to the 15k marathon planned for this morning. It will be starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending around 10:00 a.m. The races will have approximately 3000 runners on specific courses throughout Southwest Tyler. Continue reading Tyler Police Issue Traffic Advisory Ahead of This Morning’s Race

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities recently experienced a wastewater collection discharge that meets the notification requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. But the city stressed:
* There is no potential danger to human health or safety resulting from the discharge.
* The well that is in closest proximity to the discharge was not in operation, nor is it now.
* Water supplied by the City of Tyler is safe for the public to consume and complies with all requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Continue reading Tyler Reports Wastewater Collection Discharge

JACKSONVILLE – School trustees in Jacksonville have made it official, Dr. Chad Kelley is the district’s new school superintendent. He was officially hired at Thursday’s called school board meeting. Last month he was named as the lone finalist for the post, succeeding retiring Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell. Dr. Kelly has been Superintendent of Taft ISD since 2007. He previously served as high school principal for San Marcos CISD, Sinton ISD, and Mathis ISD. Dr. Kelly has also taught graduate courses as an adjunct professor at Texas State University in San Marcos and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Dr. Kelly will join the Jacksonville school system March 23rd. Dr. Wardell retires from the post March 31st.

MARSHALL — A Marshall jury Thursday sentenced Brad Allen Dunn to 99 years behind bars and a $10,000 fine in the murder of his wife, Kari Rene Dunn. According to KETK and the Marshall News-Messenger, the defendant pleaded guilty this week in the violent 2013 incident. The case drew attention after the couple’s daughter unsuccessfully tried to call 911 from a hotel room — not knowing she had to dial 9 first. Efforts to implement direct calling in such cases have become known as “Kari’s Law.”

LONGVIEW — Federal agents raided a Longview pharmacy Wednesday in a cooperative action of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and Health and Human Services. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the agents were seen removing more than a dozen boxes from McCann Road Pharmacy, 501 North Spur 63. Agents on scene told a News-Journal photographer that the action was taking place in coordination with the raid of a Dallas facility. The pharmacy also houses the Fino Pain Clinic, which has another clinic in Dallas. Phone calls placed to the Dallas offices of the DEA and Health and Human Services were not returned Wednesday evening. A Kilgore Police Department vehicle also was seen at the Longview site.

FLINT — Authorities Thursday released the names of victims and updated the conditions of survivors in a double-fatal two-vehicle accident Wednesday evening in the Flint-Gresham area. The wreck happened around 6:15 on the Old Jacksonville Highway near County Road 140. According to DPS, a truck driven by Carl Crabtree, 30, of Bullard, was traveling southbound on Old Jacksonville Highway when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound SUV. The driver of the SUV, Dana Regester, 41, of Flint, was pronounced dead at the scene. Pasha Zapolsky, 18, of Bullard, who was sitting in the passenger’s side front seat, was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. Continue reading Names Released, Conditions Updated in Double-Fatal Smith County Wreck

TYLER — Tyler Police Department investigators are seeking the identity of the suspect pictured here. According to the department’s Facebook page, police believe that she is responsible for several cases in which she is allegedly using a stolen debit card. If you recognize this suspect, call Detective Turner at 903-535-0194.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is actively seeking Hunter Alexander, 17 , of Kilgore. According to KETK, Alexander has been identified as the person who reportedly committed numerous car burglaries in the southern residential areas of Kilgore. Authorities say Alexander has three outstanding Rusk County burglary of a vehicle arrest warrants. Alexander is short in stature and may be living somewhere just south of Kilgore, according to officials. Police have located one photograph of Alexander, but it may be aged and his current appearance is unknown. If you have any information on the location of Alexander, call Detective Tim Dukes at 903-218-6904, Use Tip411(text your anonymous tip to 847411+KILGORE+your tip), or call Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

BOSSIER PARISH, La. — A Longview man was involved in a Louisiana crash that killed a Shreveport man. KETK reports that at 12:40 a.m. Thursday, Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a report of the two-vehicle wreck on Interstate 20, about one mile west of Goodwill Road in Bossier Parish. The preliminary investigation revealed a car driven by 20-year-old Rodney L. Clemmons Jr. of Shreveport was traveling east on I-20 when, for reasons still under investigation, his vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway and struck the cable barrier. It re-entered I-20 directly into the path of a truck driven by 19-year-old Greggory R. Lebus of Longview. The truck then struck the car on the driver’s side door, and both vehicles came to rest partially off the roadway. Clemmons was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bossier Parish Coroner. Continue reading Longview Man Involved in Crash that Kills Shreveport Resident

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College West Campus Energy Center held its grand opening Thursday morning. Remarks were offered by TJC President Dr. Mike Metke, Smith County Judge Joel Baker, Tyler Mayor Martin Heines, and Tyler Economic Development Council Board Chair/TJC Trustee Lonny Uzzell. According to information from the college, construction began in February 2014 on the new workforce-training center to serve the area’s growing energy sector and address other industry needs. The Energy Center is a $7.56 million, three-story addition to the Skills Training Center on the TJC West Campus. Funded primarily through tax increment financing, the center expands some of the existing programs and adds new ones. Continue reading TJC Energy Center Holds Grand Opening

EAST TEXAS — A number of schools and organizations have announced schedule changes for today due to the weather. Here’s an updated list:
Schools:
– Brook Hill School in Bullard – Closed
_ Brownsboro ISD – Closed
– Canton ISD – Closed
– Cumberland Academy – Closed
– Gladewater ISD – Closed
– Grand Saline ISD – Closed
– Green Acres Early Education Center – Closed
– Growing Stick Learning Center – Closed
– Hallsville ISD – Closed
– Hawkins ISD – Closed
– Kilgore College — Spring Job Fair has been cancelled
– Lindale ISD – Closed
– Longview Christian School and Early Learning Center – Closed
– Longview Child Development Center – Closed
– Longview ISD – Closed
– Mineola ISD — Closed
– Mobberly Baptist Church – Child Development Center – Closed
– Murchison ISD – Closed
– Oak Tree Academy in Tyler – Closed
– Stepping Stones School – Closed
– St. Mary’s Catholic School in Longview – Closed
– Toy Town Preschool in Lindale – Closed
– Tyler ISD – Closed
– UT Tyler Innovation Academy – Longview closed
– UT Tyler Innovation Academy – Tyler and Palestine closed
– Winona ISD – Closed
– Winnsboro ISD – Closed

Other:
– ETMC – Find delays at etmc.org/alerts
– Smith County offices will be closed today.

HOUSTON (AP) —The Minnesota Vikings have made their in-person pitch to Adrian Peterson, a Palestine, Texas native. General manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer spent about four hours Wednesday afternoon at Peterson’s home north of Houston. Photographers captured Spielman and Zimmer leaving together, dressed in sport coats and blue jeans. This was the first time meeting they’ve had with Peterson since the star running back was placed on the exempt list in mid-September following his indictment in a child abuse case involving his 4-year-old son. Peterson is still under contract with the Vikings. They’ve said repeatedly they’ll welcome him back once he’s fully reinstated by the NFL, but only if Peterson wants to be there.

TYLER — The main entrance to the City of Tyler’s Rose Garden Center closed yesterday for approximately one week. The main foyer area will undergo maintenance and updates. Access to the building will be through the north entrance. Temporary access to the Rose Garden from the building will be through one of the meeting rooms. Visitors to the garden will still be able to come through the main gate south of the building. The Rose Museum and Gift Shop will be closed during this time. For more information, call 903-531-1212.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — The Texas Senate has approved the first bill of the 2015 legislative session, passing a plan to funnel billions of dollars generated by vehicle sales taxes to building and maintaining traffic-clogged roads. Wednesday’s vote sends a proposed constitutional amendment by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, to the House. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from passing bills during the first two months of a session that began January 13. But Governor Greg Abbott fast-tracked bills on transportation infrastructure by making the issue one of his “emergency items.” Taxes collected on vehicle sales currently flow into the state budget’s general revenue. The Nichols plan would divert tax collections over $2.5 billion and up to $5 billion annually for road infrastructure beginning in 2018. Revenue over $5 billion goes back to general revenue.

TYLER — As winter weather continues in East Texas, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is keeping an eye on conditions. “We urge our passengers to contact their airline first for up-to-date flight information or go to http://www.TylerAirport.com for real-time flight status,” said Davis Dickson, airport manager. “Tyler Pounds also has a really convenient mobile website that provides minute-by-minute flight updates.” Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has the only daily jet service in East Texas provided by United Airlines — 800-523-3273 or http://www.united.com — and American Eagle Airlines, http://www.aa.com or 800-433-7300.

LONGVIEW – The Longview NAACP and a family member confirm the victim of a Tuesday night shooting is Da’Coreyan Blankenship. KETK reports the victim is a former student of Longview High School. He also played running back for the school’s football team. Around 7:40 p.m., officers were called to the scene of a reported shooting in the 800 block of Aurel Avenue, about four blocks north of LeTourneau University. When officers arrived, they found one victim in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading Victim Identified in Fatal Longview Shooting

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman is awestruck after a mystery donor paid off her massive mortgage for a shelter. Teresa Richenberger is creating a home for women and children coming out of the sex industry and abusive relationships — because she too was once part of that world. The Kilgore home is called Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch, and a number of agencies have helped out. But the big donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, donated $160,000 to pay for the 32,000-square-foot building for 130 women and children. Richenberger is still pinching herself. She says, “It’s a God thing, first of all, because it’s ten times bigger than me, and I did not have the funds to do this.”

HALLSVILLE — The power came back on late Wednesday morning at some campuses in the Hallsville Independent School District after they reported an outage earlier in the day. According to KETK, word of the power loss came in around 9 a.m. There was no immediate word on what caused the outage.

TYLER — Crews spent nearly 3 1/2 hours on the scene of a Tyler house fire Wednesday morning. The Tyler Fire Department was dispatched to 618 E. Vance St. at 6:07 a.m. According to a news release, the first arriving units reported heavy fire involvement in the residence and immediately sounded a second alarm. Five engines and one ladder company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene. Firefighters gained control of the fire and were clear from the scene around 9:30 a.m. The home was occupied at the time of the fire, but no injuries were reported. Fire investigators report that the cause remains under investigation at this time. The American Red Cross was notified and will be assisting the family.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a dangerous suspect they believed is in the area. According to authorities, on Monday March 2, Troy Mason assaulted a member of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office while they were attempting to arrest him for a warrant. The charge is out of Palestine for continuous sexual assault of child under 14. Mason reportedly fled the location in a white 2010 Ford F250, with Texas License Plate – AP93691. Mason also has pending charges related to child pornography. Police say he’s is a known methamphetamine user. Law enforcement believe that Mason is currently somewhere in Tyler. If you locate the suspect or vehicle, please contact local law enforcement agency immediately.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man who was arrested in connection with a February shooting has been released from jail. According to KETK, Christian Sibley, 21, Tyler, was arrested Friday, for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and escaping from custody. He was released Monday after posting bail. On February, 3, police responded to a reported shooting an Exxon gas station in the 3000 block of Estes Parkway. Police said Jerrad Hunt showed up at a local hospital with a gunshot wound. Hunt passed away Monday, February 23. Continue reading Suspect in Fatal Longview Shooting Released from Jail

CARTHAGE — Pre-trial proceedings scheduled for Tuesday in the Bernie Tiede case have been pushed back to March 31. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report both sides agreed to delay a hearing until that date. Tiede’s life sentence was thrown out because of a mental condition that officials say was overlooked. The case, which inspired the movie “Bernie,” involved the 1997 murder of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent in Carthage.

MARSHALL — A guilty plea has been entered in the so-called “Kari’s law” trial. KETK reports Brad Allen Dunn pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in the death of Kari Rene Dunn. The defendant was arrested in December 2013 for stabbing his wife to death in a hotel room while their nine-year-old daughter tried to call police. The call wouldn’t go through because the little girl didn’t know she had to dial 9 for an outside line before calling 911. The case has prompted efforts to eliminate the need to dial 9 in such situations, and those efforts have become known as “Kari’s law.” The trial moved into the sentencing phase after the guilty plea was entered.

TYLER – A McKinney, Texas photographer has been sentenced to federal prison for sexual exploitation of children. Todd Fleming, 54, pleaded guilty on October 2, 2014, to sexual exploitation of children and was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Fleming will be required to register as a sex offender and serve a life term of supervised release upon his release from federal prison. Continue reading Photographer Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of Children