KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — Lufkin police arrested a Henderson man Friday evening after a high-speed pursuit over some of the city’s main roadways. According to our news partner KETK, police say they received a call about a reckless driver on Loop 287 from an off-duty police officer. The officer reported that the driver, later identified as Travis Thornton, 27, of Henderson, almost hit his family’s vehicle, was ignoring traffic lights, driving all over the road well over the speed limit, and passing other vehicles on the shoulder of the road. As the reporting officer continued to give the vehicle’s location, another officer waited on Loop 287 to see if he could make a traffic stop to ascertain whether the driver was intoxicated. Police say the suspect blew through the stop and passed the officer at an estimated 80 mph. Continue reading Lufkin Police Arrest Henderson Man after High-Speed Chase in Stolen Car

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man has been charged with double murder in the killings of his mother and aunt last fall. According to our news partner KETK, Jermaine Wheat, 33, is in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $3.5 million. He’s charged with capital murder of multiple persons, burglary of a habitation, and making a false alarm or report of an emergency. The charges stem from the October 9 killings of Daisy and Karen Sue Wheat of Kilgore, 68 and 63 respectively, on Pine Burr Lane. Officers arrested Wheat two blocks away from the complex where the women died. He is reportedly the son of Karen Wheat.

LONGVIEW — Health officials from throughout Gregg County and the East Texas region are working together to coordinate response for the potential arrival of coronavirus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued health alerts regarding a novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, which was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has spread to other parts of the world including the United States. According to a news release from the city of Longview, there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gregg County and the threat to East Texas remains low. However, local health officials encourage residents to take precautions to avoid exposure and spread of viruses. Continue reading Gregg County Area Health Officials Encourage Coronavirus Precautions

TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. On Friday U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown said Victor Hernandez Jr. 29, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, Hernandez distributed around 25 grams of methamphetamine last July to another person for $400 in an undercover transaction. Continue reading Smith County Man Guilty of Federal Drug Trafficking

LONGVIEW — March 14 will provide a unique event at the Greenwood Cemetery in Longview. As part of the celebration of Longview 150, there will be a distinguished tour of the city’s oldest cemetery. Greeters in period costumes will welcome visitors at the gate for a “walk through history” as they tour the grounds and encounter more than a dozen individuals who made a historic impact in Longview. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the last tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. Children visiting Greenwood on March 14 will also have the opportunity to do a gravestone rubbing. For more information, contact Ellen Gordon at 903-720-1398, or Susan Baker at 903-918-0721.

TYLER — Artists are invited to submit their work for the Gallery Main Street’s spring fine art exhibit. The entry deadline is March 29. The entry process is digital and allows artists to submit up to three pieces, with an entry fee of $20. Click http://www.DowntownTylerArts.com for all information. The spring exhibit is an open theme to go along with the new open style gallery! This will be the first juried exhibit in the new gallery space inside the Plaza Tower. Continue reading Gallery Main Street Seeks Entrants for Spring Exhibit

MINEOLA — The Lake Country Symphonic Band in Mineola will launch its 2020 season a week from Sunday, at 2PM. Titled “High Sticking,” the concert features the talents of three energetic percussionists on Mark Ford’s “Stubernic Fantasy.” The March 15 performance is a matinee performance, with the March 17 concert starting at 7:30PM. Continue reading Symphonic Band Launches New Concert Season Next Weekend

TYLER — On May 8, 2019, Sheryl Keel’s life changed forever. She was head-on while driving home from work. Keel would spend the next 2 month’s at Christus Trinity Mother Frances hospital, where she underwent nine surgeries. Keel had 8 broken ribs, a brain bleed, pins and rods put into her right leg and left arm and skin and bone grafts. The surgeons told her it was a wait-and-see situation on whether she’d ever walk again. Continue reading Smith County’s “Heart & Sole” Ready to Walk FRESH

BULLARD — Bullard ISD is bringing metal directors into play at the high school and middle school campuses. According to our news partner KETK, Superintendent Jack Lee notified parents with a letter on Thursday sharing the districts plans to implement metal detectors after spring break. The metal detectors will also be used at sporting events and other extracurricular events. The detectors will also include a search of backpacks, if necessary. Students will need to arrive 5-15 minutes early so they won’t be marked tardy. Continue reading Metal Detectors Coming to BISD

TYLER — A judge’s ruling is next on the agenda in the Smith County Constable Precinct 1 race. An updated review of the final tally shows Willie Mims captured a majority of the votes in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary — outdistancing incumbent Bobby Garmon and a third candidate, Curtis Traylor Harris. But Garmon has claimed Mims shouldn’t have been on the ballot in the first place since he allegedly didn’t have enough valid petition signatures. A judge is set to hear the case March 12. If Garmon’s claim is upheld, it’s unclear what would happen next. There is no Republican challenger in the November election.

TYLER — Tyler figures heavily after Gov. Abbott held a press conference on Thursday to update Texas residents about the state’s abilities to test for the Coronavirus and how it is preparing to deal with testing.That’s according to our news partner KETK. In his statement, Abbott said that Tyler would become one of ten cities in the Lone Star State to allow for testing of the coronavirus. The testing is done by public health labs that are a part of the Laboratory Response Network. We’ll have more on this story later today.

MARSHALL — On Thursday the Marshall Police Department along with law enforcement officers across Texas began increasing DWI patrols to identify and stop impaired drivers as part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign. The campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride prior to driving to their spring break celebrations. Continue reading Marshall PD Increasing DWI Patrols for Spring Break

WHITEHOUSE — The Whitehouse Police Department received ballistic shields on Wednesday to help keep officers safe fighting crime. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s Office provided the gear. Whitehouse Police Chief Paul Robeson says the donation could be the difference between life or death. “The shields will help us go into situations more prepared more protected instead of going in there with just what we’ve got on our bodies, we are able to take these into a scene and we are able to have something that is in-between us and them, a physical barrier that’s much larger.” District Attorney Jacob Putman and his office say that anytime they hear of a need, it’s their job to help where they can.

TYLER — A community meeting regarding plans for the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be held on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. This is the 2nd meeting in conjunction with the Airport Master Plan, with a goal of presenting anticipated needs for the facility over the next 20 years. The Airport Master Planning process and details of the project will be discussed. Organizers say the public meeting is an excellent opportunity for residents in the region to participate in the discussion to plan future goals and programs for the airport.

SMITH COUNTY — On Wednesday Night Smith County Deputies were sent to a rest area off of I20 at mile marker 573 in regards to a body found adjacent to the park. A Texas D.P.S. Trooper found an unoccupied vehicle belonging to James Tate reported missing out of Dallas. The Trooper checked the area on foot and located Tate in a wooded area adjacent to the park. Smith County officials had the body removed to Forensic Medical in Tyler for an autopsy. Tate was 56. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

TYLER — A Smith County Detention Officer was arrested Wednesday after investigators received a tip that Officer Lance Watson was bringing contraband into the jail and distributing it to numerous inmates. Specified items were found inside the pods of those inmates. When Watson came in on Wednesday evening, he was quickly approached. A look through Watson’s lunch box revealed 6 hamburgers with several items of contraband and a cellphone that had been “sandwiched” in between the buns. Continue reading Smith County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Detention Officer

JACKSONVILLE — Heavy rains took it’s toll this week at County Roads Rescue. Our news partner KETK caught up with Stephanie Hassell on Wednesday. Hassell found help in temporary shelter for the 30 plus animals after finding at least 6 inches of water inside the shelter during the storms. “The first thing I did, I came in and I checked on all our dogs to make sure that they were ok, I ran and checked on our cats to make sure nobody was just sitting in water.” Continue reading Community Rallies for Shelter in Jacksonville

ATHENS — Seventy-nine-year-old John Stevens is charged with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, the Athens ISD bus operator was behind the wheel when a train hit the school bus he was driving in January of 2019. Thirteen-year-old Christopher Bonilla, was killed, and his cousin Nine- year-old Joselyn Torres was hurt. On Wednesday Steven’s attorneys took steps to prove that the train conductor was at fault for the crash. To this point, counsel for Stevens says they have been denied the ability to interview the engineers. Continue reading Lawyers Petition to Depose Engineers in Fatal Crash

CHAPEL HILL — An Arp man was wounded and transported to the hospital after driving his car through an empty house off of HWY 64. According to our news partner KETK, the accident happened after 7 a.m. Thursday morning. James Donald Londo, 62, was driving West on HWY 64 before leaving the roadway, strikeing a mailbox, clipping a UHAUL truck, then driving through the desserted structure just outside of Chapel Hill, off CR 274 . An official on the scene said that Londo had a badly injured left hand, but would make a full recovery. Continue reading Arp Man Crashes through Empty House

TYLER — The annual Chick-fil-A Soup Drive produced 5,887 bowls of soup which will soon be on the way to The Salvation Army. Operators Jeff Johnston and Ikey Eason will be presenting the donation to The Salvation Army March 11th. In addition to the soup being presented, Joshua Johnson, operator of the Chick-fil-A at Broadway Square Mall will be presenting 559 cookies. His store conducted a cookie drive during the same time. Over 8,000 meals are served every month at The Salvation Army. Continue reading Chick-fil-A to Present Soup Donation to Salvation Army

TYLER — Former Douglas Elementary School kindergarten teacher, Dorothy Dietering, impacted the lives of many students with her 27-year teaching career, much of that by instilling her love of reading with children every day. Tyler I.S.D. say’s that although Ms. Dietering died five years ago, her fondness of reading continues to inspire children through her daughter, Bea Taylor. Every year Taylor donates a free book to every kindergarten student at Douglas Elementary, and on Thursday, Ms. Taylor will be at Douglas to deliver this year’s books to students.

TYLER — Southside Park in Tyler will be closed beginning on Wednesday due to safety reasons and for repairs. Plans involve setting a fence around the perimeter as soon as the weather allows. The Parks and Recreation Department had scheduled a meeting on Wednesday with the original contractor that built the playground to discuss further action steps. The park is located on Shiloh road, will be closed until further notice.

TYLER — Congressman Louie Gohmert won his primary easily, taking 90% of the votes on Tuesday. Following the election Tuesday night the District 1 Congressman told KTBB why he remains “possessed with passion”, “we’ve come so far in this country, we have made so much progress and yet I see it slipping away.” The U.S. Congressman continued, “I can’t believe people are wanting to go down this road where we have an Orwellian all powerful government. I am passionate about it. Think about the millions that have fought for our freedoms and yet there are people willing to just throw it away just to have government take care of everything. So it’s a fight.”

TYLER — Westbound traffic on north Loop 323 near Texas College Rd. in Tylerhas been resolved due to malfunctioning railroad arms that wore stuck down. Also a traffic signal problem following an accident on Hwy. 69 N. at Loop 323 has been corrected. All traffic lanes at both locations have been restored and are flowing freely.

TYLER — Since 1926, the Mercedes-Benz brand has delivered a unique luxury car experience. On Tuesday, General Manager, Mike McGlaughlin told KTBB, “many times people are suprised that Mercedes-Benz has such a competitive price point. I’ve had clients say why would I pay this, when I can get into a Mercedes-Benz at such a contending price with all the safety and time tested luxury that this brand offers.” Continue reading Mercedes-Benz to Celebrate Grand Opening Thursday in Tyler

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for a gunman involved in a fatal shooting Tuesday night. On Wednesday Andy Erbaugh told KTBB, “it is the result of a drug deal gone bad. It happened around 11:30 at The Foundry Apartments on Varsity Drive.” Responding officers found two gunshot victims. One victim, Armani Jewel Fields, 20 of Lufkin died at the scene. A woman not involved in the altercation, was shot in her apartment, and was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Continue reading Fatal Tyler Shooting under Investigation

TYLER — For voters casting their ballots in the Whitehouse area: there is no wait time at First Baptist Church Whitehouse, while the polling place at the Whitehouse Municipal Court Building has long lines. For people voting in the Lindale area: skip the long lines of First Methodist Church-Lindale and cast your vote at the Hideaway Member Services Building with no line! Continue reading Polling Line Updates for March Primaries