KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately three weeks of base and pavement repairs on Southwest Loop 281, between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Ave.). Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

EAST TEXAS — East Texas municipalities are making plans to battle synthetic marijuana locally after state lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would ban all forms of the drug. Officials say the lack of support from Austin is making it difficult for local law enforcement and drug abuse programs to make a dent in what they’re calling an epidemic. “We’ve seen a lot of kids getting messed up on this stuff,” said Gilmer Police Chief James Grunden. (pictured) Continue reading Synthetic Marijuana Remains an Issue for Authorities

LONGVIEW — Bonds for a Gladewater man arrested after a two-hour Longview manhunt have been set at $121,000. According to the Longview News-Journal, Jason Micheal Brod, 34, faces charges of burglary of a habitation, evading arrest detention, possession of marijuana and theft of stolen property greater than $1,500 but less than $20,000. Longview police responded about 10:45 Friday morning to a report of a suspicious person near homes on Kings Mountain Road. Upon officers’ arrival, police say Brod evaded arrest by running into nearby woods. Brod was caught a few hours later in thick brush behind businesses near the intersection of U.S. 80 and Spur 63. Gregg County K-9 units assisted in the arrest.

DOUGLASS — The Corner Store and Cafe on State Highway 21 in Douglass was said to be destroyed by fire. Firefighters from several area departments battled the blaze for several hours Saturday. According to our news partner 103 The Bull, at least half of the the building, built in the early 1900s, were destroyed. The remaining portion of the building suffered extensive heat, smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — Oncor has reported both Smith and Angelina County experienced power outages due to storms that moved through the area on Sunday. Onncor worked on the problem and the power was estimated to come back on by last night.

FORT WORTH (AP) — Vadym Kholodenko, of the Ukraine, (pictured) has won the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Beatrice Rana, of Italy, placed second, and Sean Chen, of the United States, placed third. The other three finalists were Fei-Fei Dong, of China; Nikita Mndoyants, of Russia; and Tomoki Sakata, of Japan. The winners were announced Sunday night in Fort Worth, where the prestigious contest is held every four years. The winner receives $50,000, and the second- and third-prize winners both receive $20,000. Continue reading Ukraine Pianist Wins Cliburn Piano Competition

AUSTIN — “Happy Holidays” won’t be the only thing teachers and students can say to one another during winter celebrations. The Legislature has cleared the way for “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah.” Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville says it’s the right thing to do. Continue reading Legislature Approved ‘Merry Christmas’ in Schools

TYLER — Tyler Police are looking for a robbery suspect. Officers were called to the Dollar General Store, 2724 West Gentry Parkway around 9:45 Saturday night in reference to a robbery. Two employees said they noticed a white or Hispanic man enter the store wearing what they thought was a gas mask. He was reportedly armed with a shotgun and demanded money. Authorities said he took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene on foot. No injuries were reported. The suspect is described as 5’10-6’0′ tall, approximately 145lbs, with brown hair. He was wearing a black or blue jacket, red T-shirt, and blue jeans. The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

GREGG COUNTY — One man has been hospitalized in a coma Friday after a motorcycle wreck Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Judson Road and East Hawkins Parkway in Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Kevin Heath Puckett, 41, Longview, was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after the crash. Puckett was traveling westbound in the inside lane of East Hawkins Parkway when he lost control of his 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle and fell onto the roadway. Continue reading Motorcyclist in Coma Following Wreck

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Department deputies are investigating a shooting just outside of Tyler this afternoon. Suspect, Joshua Pettigrew (pictured) turned himself in just before 5:30. The 31-year-old was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest. According to KETK, the incident happened in the 7400 block of County Road 129. A male and female were reportedly involved in a domestic disturbance when the incident began. The male, who has not been named, was leaving the residence when the female, Tina Allen, 49, reportedly got a .22 caliber firearm and opened fire on the male, shooting him in the shoulder. Continue reading Couple Charged in Smith County Shooting

FLINT — A man has been arrested after his car ran off Highway 155 causing a fire to erupt in Flint. Dennis Smith, 29, Chandler, was arrested after driving off the highway, through a fence and into an RV. The RV and car then burst into flames. Investigating officers said Smith was high on synthetic marijuana, also known as K2. There were no injuries in the accident. Smith was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of DWI.

LONGVIEW — A felony suspect has been arrested after a Friday morning manhunt in Longview. Police say Jason Michael Brod, 34, was arrested and charged with an outstanding felony theft warrant, as well as felony burglary of a habitation, evading arrest, and possession of marijuana. Continue reading Felony Suspect Caught Following Manhunt

QUITMAN — Members of an East Texas family have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity after Wood County authorities discovered stolen equipment at their home near Winnsboro. Jason Shane Anders turned himself in to authorities after he was charged with one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and one count of felony livestock theft. He was released on bonds totaling $40,000. His son, Dylan Anders, turned himself in on one charge of organized criminal activity. He was released on a $10,000 bond. Authorities expect a third suspect to be charged. Authorities were investigating a string of cattle thefts when they found the stolen property.

LONGVIEW — Two Longview men were jailed Wednesday on various charges after police accused one of holding up a store late Tuesday and the other of driving the getaway car. Police said Colden Jawahn Tinsley, 23, waited in a maroon Chevrolet Caprice about 11:30 p.m. outside the store in the 300 block of Mobberly Avenue while Brian Antell Burns, with a bandanna hiding his face, pulled off the robbery. Police said Burns, 19, went into the store, struck the victim with a pistol and took about $550, a laptop, pistol and cigarettes. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the victim was not identified. Continue reading Two Longview Men Jailed on Multiple Charges after Robbery

LONGVIEW — Two fires, in two days — both at the same home — which Longview authorities and firefighters say is a bit suspicious. The home sits in the 600 block of Timberline Drive. The first fire was on Wednesday. Firefighters say it was caused by an overloaded electrical cord in the back bedroom. Thursday’s fire, though, was more suspicious, and has now sparked an investigation. Firefighters say that fire started in the master bedroom and was set intentionally. On top of all that, the home’s inhabitants were displaced for the second time in less than two years by Wednesday’s fire. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the family lost most of its belongings in the fire — belongings which had been donated to them after a November 2011 fire destroyed a house the family shared on Marion Drive.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating several suspects for possible drug manufacture. Around 8:00 last night, officers observed two subjects exiting the woods in the 1000 block of Forest. The subjects got into a parked vehicle with a third subject. Authorities found one of them to be in possession of methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle revealed numerous items of drug paraphernalia as well as numerous bottles of chemicals and laboratory equipment. The Tyler Fire Department Hazmat unit was called to the scene and determined that the chemicals were not explosive and were separated to avoid possible chemical reactions. Continue reading Authorities Investigating Possible Drug Lab

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for several suspects wanted in a reported robbery. It happened just before 4:00 Thursday afternoon at 902 North Beckham. Authorities said the victim was at his store when he was approached by two black males. The men reportedly punched him, then hit him on the head with a bat. The suspects took the victim’s billfold and then left the store. The store owner was treated by EMS.

The suspects are described as two younger black males. The suspect with the bat was described as being tall, wearing black and beige shorts and a gray t-shirt. The other suspect was wearing blue jeans. Several officers checked the area and failed to locate the suspects. The investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — The Kimbley children, siblings of a Smith County toddler found dead in a septic tank last August, remain in foster care. The five children were removed from their home by CPS. That agency’s Shari Pulliam tells KETK, “In the last court hearing, CPS presented relinquishment papers that the parents signed; they wanted to relinquish their parental rights. The judge accepted those papers.”
Parents David and Sabrina Kimbley pleaded guilty last month to five cases of child endangerment and were sentenced to four years behind bars; authorities cited “neglectful supervision.” According to officials, the Kimbleys’ home was in very poor condition, exposing the children to various health hazards. The cause of young Jacob Kimbley’s death is still unknown, and the case remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A truck ran into a telephone pole, knocking it down Thursday in Longview. KETK reports the accident happened on Fredonia Street, which was blocked off between Cotton and South Streets pending repair of the pole.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County DPS says one person is dead and three are injured after a Thursday morning wreck. KETK reports 41-year-old Jodie Lyne Phillips was killed in the head on collision involving a car and truck. Ms. Phillips was in the car, driven by Lance David Phillips, 26. The car was heading southbound on 279 when it drove into a truck head-on. DPS says the driver of the truck, 45-year-old Alvardo Bernardo of Ben Wheeler, and a passenger, Bernardo’s 10-year-old son, were treated for minor injuries on scene. Mr. Phillips was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Updates on his injuries had not been released at last report.

HOUSTON – S4 Communications of Houston says it’s eager to begin operations at its new call center in Longview this month. With two existing centers in Houston, S4’s newest location has 200 work stations and is located on E. Cotton in Longview. S4 Communications in Longview will provide inbound and outbound telemarketing services to current Fortune 100 clients. It will also offer back-office processing services for electricity and telephone connection orders. “East Texas offers not only an educated workforce but also a well-developed work force,” stated Sean Collins, President of S4 Communications. “We are excited to be in Longview and look forward to many years of prosperity and growth in this area.” Continue reading New Call Center Coming to Longview

TYLER — During the recent Click It or Ticket enforcement program, officers with the Tyler Police Department working specifically on this initiative wrote a total of 104 citations for seatbelt violations and 2 citations for child safety seat violations. The program was conducted during the Memorial Day holiday period. Continue reading Click It or Ticket Results

TYLER — ETMC Tyler is being recognized in U.S. News and World Report magazine as a 2013 gold plus achievement award winner for the treatment of stroke patients. Presented by the American Heart Association, the award will be featured in the August issue of the publication. Listed hospitals have successfully utilized the AHA’s “Get with the Guidelines” program for coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. ETMC was recognized in the stroke category for 24 months of 75 percent or higher adherence on select quality measures in addition to at least 24 months of 85 percent or higher adherence on all achievement measures for stroke. Continue reading ETMC Tyler Receives National Recognition for Treatment of Stroke Patients

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have arrested two 16-year-old juveniles in connection to the death of Joshua Robert McGill. The juveniles were arrested at the Tyler Police Department around 1:45 p.m. Thursday and charged with Capital Murder. The two were to be warned by a magistrate and then transported to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Police didn’t immediately offer details on how the juveniles were allegedly involved in the crime. Continue reading Two Juveniles Arrested in Fatal Shooting

TYLER — A rain-slick road was a factor as a van flipped over and damaged a vehicle at an auto dealership on Tyler’s west side Thursday. Fire officials tell KETK the driver of the van was traveling down Walton Road, which is known to be extremely slick when it rains. As the driver approached Loop 323, he tried to stop and slid off the road. The van then jumped the curb, hitting a truck in the Tyler Ford parking lot, and flipped over. The driver was shaken up, but not injured.

LONGVIEW — With the end of the school year and summer just around the corner, Longview Police want to encourage citizens to be watchful for illegal activity. This can include anything from a suspicious person walking around the neighborhood checking doors or mailboxes, door to door sales people that do not have a City permit to sell, or cars cruising through neighborhoods at odd times of the day or night. This week alone, Longview Police investigated at least two residential burglaries and numerous vehicle burglaries. One of these burglaries involved the suspect breaking a window of the home only to find a homeowner’s startled child. Continue reading Police Encourage Citizens to Report Suspicious Activity

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man is now in fair condition after he was reportedly shot by his daughter Sunday morning. According to KETK, investigators say 52-year-old Carlos Warren of Longview was shot three times by 24-year-old Tabetha Christian Evans. She’s currently in the Gregg County Jail.

MARSHALL — Bonds were set at $50,000 each for the two men indicted in the 2009 murder of a Hallsville man. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Thomas Richardson Jr. (pictured) of Tyler and Harley Blake Vaughn of Harleton were arraigned in Marshall’s 71st District Court for the slaying of Bobby Joe Inzer. Rick Hagan, special prosecutor appointed in the case, said pretrial hearings for both have not been set yet. “We’ll work on that, but probably (they) won’t happen until sometime in August,” Hagan said Wednesday, noting a trial date has not been scheduled, either. Continue reading Bonds Set in Hallsville Man’s 2009 Slaying

MARSHALL — 36-year-old Marvin Silmon of Harrison County was arrested last week, and has been charged with seven counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Sheriff Tom McCool says Silmon confessed to all seven counts in the case, which involved a six-year-old. McCool says the man is a registered sex offender. According to the DPS Sex Offender Registry, Silmon was sentenced in 2005 to five years in prison for the sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl. He was released from TDCJ with no restrictions from the parole board and was current on his sex offender registration.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith releases more information and comments after 69-year-old Anthony Joseph Miller is charged with murder. Sheriff Smith now says Miller, a Smith County resident, was apparently the only person involved in the death of Adam Palacios on County Road 35 in Tyler. Palacios’s body was found in a field in Anderson County in September 2012. Smith County Sheriff’s Office detectives and other officers arrested Miller on June 3 after new information was gathered regarding Palacios’s death. Sheriff Smith also points out that he campaigned on trying to fight the drug problem in Smith County — and he says the Miller case was drug-related. The sheriff says you’ll soon be seeing more criminal investigation division officers on the street, along with more narcotics officers.