KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE – A warning is being sent out to the residents of Palestine about a fraudulent service that is attempting to collect payment from the citizens on behalf of the city. There is an online bill pay service, identified as doxo.com., which has a link established to collect payments for water services from the city. According to a news release from the city, this service is not authorized to take payments on behalf of the City of Palestine and any payment sent through this service is not forwarded to the city in a timely manner. Utilizing this service may dramatically decrease the speed of a payment, causing the payment to be received by the city long after the due date. This may result in a disconnection of services, creating inconvenience to the water customer. The service also charges a premium service fee to the customer for using the system. Continue reading Palestine Fraud Alert

WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of the 217 Congress members who helped the Obamacare repeal pass the U.S. House was Tyler’s Louie Gohmert. He offered a thumbnail on what helped push the bill through. Gohmert told KTBB, “We had gotten with the president, and he put pressure on, we got some provisions in the bill that will help us bring premiums down sooner rather than later.” Gohmert added, “It’s been a good day…we’re gonna get control back to patients.” 213 House members voted against the bill, which now heads to the Senate.

TYLER – A Smith County couple is sentenced in Tyler federal court for health care fraud violations. Gerard Dengler, 61, and Suzanne Dengler, 52, pleaded guilty back in January. Judge Thad Heartfield sentenced Gerard to to 24 months in Federal prison. Suzanne received a sentence of five years of probation. Both were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $161,695, which represented the loss to Medicare. Last December, the Denglers and Elite Lab agreed to pay the United States $3.75 million to settle a false claims act lawsuit in connection with the case. This stems from a lawsuit filed by former Elite Lab employee. Continue reading Smith County Couple Sentenced in Federal Court

ATHENS – An Athens man who died in a fire on April 22nd has been identified. Authorities say it was Arthur Delmar Jones, 77, who died in that fire on East College Street. The fire was was reported just before 8:45 that night. Jones lived on the second floor of that two story home. Early the next morning, firemen found a his body in the debris. Athens Fire Chief John Mcqueary says the fire was started when two electrical cords, which had been connected, overheated the homes circuit box.

LONGVIEW – A consultant’s study indicates Longview can support a 7,500-seat outdoor amphitheater with the right private-public funding plan and event management. They are looking at building the $19 million facility southwest of the Estes Parkway-Interstate 20 interchange. The Longview Economic Development Corp. announced the results of the study during a Wednesday night Gathering. The Longview news Journal reports the consultants estimate such a venue could generate $4 million in operating revenues, incur $3.8 million in operating costs and turn a potential $200,000 yearly profit after paying management fees. They also believe it would pump $5.4 million yearly into Longview’s economy. So far, reviews have been mixed as they start work on how to fund the project.

CANTON – Van Zandt County Judge Don Kirkpatrick has issued a curfew for the areas of the county impacted by last weekend’s tornadoes. The curfew went into effect at dusk on Wednesday until dawn on Saturday morning. It covers the time frame of dusk to dawn each day. You can see the curfew map on the Van Zandt County website under the tornado information link.

TYLER — Hundreds turned out Thursday out for Tyler’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at Harvey Convention Center, part of the National Day of Prayer. Mayor Martin Heines lauded the attendees, calling them “the fabric of this community.” Heines said, “If you want to compare us with any place in the world, I will tell you that I would want to live right here with each and every one of you, because we make our town special. We volunteer. We care for others. And if it wasn’t for the people in this room, Tyler would not be Tyler.” The event was highlighted by a variety of prayers along with music and videos.

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for the suspect wanted in an early morning armed robbery. It happened around 3:30 at the Exxon gas station, 5502 Old Bullard Road. According to the store’s clerk, a black male, wearing a mask and wielding a rifle, entered the store. That’s when the clerk ran to the Best Western and called police. The suspect was able to steal an undisclosed amount of money from the store’s safe, then fled the scene. Responding officers noticed a man matching the suspect’s description riding a bike on Rieck Road near Donnybrook. He fled from officers and is still on the loose. Continue reading Tyler Police Search for Armed Robbery Suspect

EAST TEXAS — Six people are still recovering in local hospitals following the East Texas tornado outbreak on Saturday, April 29. Four people were killed and 56 others were injured. According to KETK, as of 3:00 Wednesday, two patients in Athens are in fair condition and the four remaining patients are at a Tyler hospital. One victim is in critical condition, one serious, one fair and another good condition. The four victims killed have been identified as: James Clayton Young, 39, of Alba. Lucretia Yvette Sykes, 49, of Ft. Worth. Kenneth Hughes, 57, of Canton. Russell Rusty Barlow, 51, of Corsicana. Nine tornadoes touched down in East Texas during the severe weather day.

EAST TEXAS – East Texas schools affected by this past weekend’s tornado outbreak are getting back to normal. Canton schools reopened on Wednesday. But Fruitvale schools are still out. According to their Facebook page, Fruitvale schools will be out on Thursday and Friday.

GLADEWATER – We could know by tonight who the new Gladewater school superintendent will be. Gladewater school trustees have a meeting at 5:30 Thursday afternoon. The board’s agenda calls for a closed session to consider personnel matters and superintendent candidate interviews. Then, in an open session, the agenda says the board will consider naming a lone finalist for the position. That person would succeed J.P. Richardson. He resigned in March to become school superintendent in Tatum.

CANTON — The American Red Cross is putting out the word on how you can help victims of last weekend’s tornadoes. Katrina Farmer is executive director of the American Red Cross Serving Texas Big Country. Farmer says volunteers who want to help with cleanup efforts are being asked to sign-up at the Canton Fairgrounds. Donations of cleaning supplies have been requested. These can be taken to the Fairgrounds as well. Items needed are work gloves, heavy duty trash bags, and plastic bins to store recovered items. Continue reading Red Cross Tells How You Can Help Tornado Victims

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for a couple who ripped off to local auto dealerships. A woman, using a fraudulent name, ordered $1,229 worth of tires over the phone. She gave credit card information that was compromised. She also ordered $2,546.25 worth of BMW car parts on the same date, again using fraudulent ID and credit card information. The following day a man showed up at the two dealerships to pick up the items. The woman remained in a black GMC, Yukon with temporary plates. If you recognize this man, please contact the Tyler Police Department (Investigator Royce Jordan 903-531-1032) or call Smith County Tyler crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – A vehicle-pedestrian accident in Tyler has killed one person. And it appears to have been a suicide. Killed in the accident just before 2:00 Wednesday morning was Eliceo Esquivel Vences, 30, of Marshall. The accident happened in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 271, by UT Health Northeast. The first report was the pedestrian walking on the outside lane of the highway when he was struck and killed. Now investigators say they believe the man intentionally ran in front of the vehicle from the far edge of the shoulder.

TYLER — Tyler ISD’s Teachers of the Year offered their reactions after garnering their awards Tuesday night during a banquet at Hwrvey Convention Center. Both winners drew attention to the top teachers on the other campuses and the other teachers on hand for Tuesday’s event. Secondary Teacher of the Year is Kala Morrow (pictured), who has classes in social studies, government, and economics at John Tyler High School. Morrow said said she was excited, describing the experience as “exhilarating” and “surreal.” She commented, “There’s so many amazing educators that do so much that were on the stage with me. And so really, it’s just a tribute to them — of their efforts and the time that they spend to do everything they can to educate the students of Tyler ISD.” Continue reading Tyler ISD’s Top Teachers Offer Comments

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man who was recently released from jail is back behind bars. According to KETK, Keandre Zyshun Bailey, 18, has been arrested on an aggravated robbery warrant out of Harrison County. Bailey racks up his third jail stint for 2017 after having been previously arrested for theft of a fire arm and burglary of a habitation in January, as well as failure to identify and unlawful carrying of a weapon in April. He was released from jail for the April arrest on Monday, April 24. In March, Bailey was also named as a suspect in the December death of Daxtan Castleberry. Continue reading Longview Man Arrested for Aggravated Robbery

TYLER — Tyler Police are on the scene of an accident involving a pedestrian. Officials said the northbound lanes of HWY 271, by UT Health Northeast, were closed for several hours. Just before 2:00 this morning, a pedestrian walking on the outside lane of the highway was struck and killed. The accident is under investigation. Names have not been released.

KILGORE – A man who claimed to have a bomb has been arrested by Kilgore police. The man was at the front door of the National Guard Armory. He was said to have been threatening a staff member. Officers used binoculars to view several items in his possession and determined he did not have any explosives. The suspect was uncooperative and refused to comply with Officers. After a brief standoff, Jesse William Preston Hayes III, 29, Richmond, VA, was safely taken into custody and transported to the Kilgore Municipal Jail. He was later transported to the Gregg County Jail and charged with terroristic threat/fear of imminent serious bodily injury/influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government. He’s also charged with resisting arrest, search or transport. His bond was set at $7,000.

AUSTIN – A committee to advise The University of Texas System Board of Regents on the selection of a president for UT MD Anderson Cancer Center was announced Tuesday by Regents’ Chairman Paul L. Foster. Among those named to the committee is Dr. Michael Tidwell, the President of the University of Texas at Tyler. The presidential search advisory committee will make recommendations on possible successors to Dr. Ron DePinho. Dr. DePinho was appointed on September 1, 2011 as the fourth full-time president of the institution. He announced on March 8th he was stepping down. The committee will be asked to present names of potential candidates to The University of Texas System Board of Regents, which will make the final decision. The aim of the committee is to recommend top candidates to the regents by the end of the year.

DALLAS – An expert witness called by defense lawyers says former Dallas Mavs Maniac dancer and Tyler football standout Erbie Bowser was legally insane when he shot four women to death in 2013. In trying to prove their insanity case, Bowser’s team called a sports psychologist who testified repeated football hits, combined with post traumatic stress syndrome, left Bowser insane the night he killed his estranged wife, her daughter, his mistress, and her daughter. And pharmacology expert Dr. Ed French examined the antipsychotic medicines that Bowser was on at the time — calling some dangerous. According to French, “In terms of reducing his depression, it’s very possible that a side effect could be that he becomes anxious and agitated and he actually becomes more depressed.” Continue reading Sports Psychologist Testifies in Bowser Trial

TYLER – The City of Whitehouse will be getting assistance in housing stray dogs. Smith County Commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Whitehouse to take its stray dogs into the Smith County Animal Shelter. According to the agreement, Whitehouse will be responsible for responding to animal control matters within its city, then transporting the dogs to the Smith County Animal Shelter. The city will pay any fees associated with impoundment, testing, medical treatment or other services. Whitehouse will pay Smith County $50 per dog that is brought to the shelter, as well as an additional $35 for each dog requiring euthanasia. The agreement between Smith County and Whitehouseis effective through Fiscal Year 2018. Continue reading Help for Stray Dogs in Whitehouse

AUSTIN — Texas right to life Republicans in the state House threaten to go over the speaker’s head to get their bills heard, with a Tyler lawmaker in the forefront. Weeks ago the Texas Freedom Caucus called for Speaker Straus to give the transgender bathroom bill a committee hearing and they got it; now they’re pushing for hearings for dismemberment abortion ban bills. State Representative Matt Schaefer said, “So you just don’t count votes on pro-life bills in the Texas House. You have to count the days left on the calendar, because unfortunately, session after session, the Texas House of Representatives has not prioritized pro-life bills.” Schaefer is also threatening to push for Governor Abbott to call for a special session if the bills are held up.

TYLER – This is National Teacher Appreciation Week. And on Tuesday, Tyler teachers were shown how much they are appreciated when they received gifts from the Tyler Area Business Education Council. To honor Tyler’s teachers, community leaders delivered cakes to over 40 different Tyler Independent School District campuses. Pictured is a cake delivered to Ramey Elementary. In the picture, from the left, Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, Thomas B. Ramey Elementary School Principal Tremayna Thomas, Smith County Administrator Leonardo Brown and Pre-Trial Services Director Gary Pinkerton
Continue reading A Sweet Treat for Tyler Teachers

MARSHALL – A Shreveport based business is moving its headquarters to Marshall. Hardware Distribution Warehouses Inc. will be moving into a a 670,000 square foot facility on Brown Road. They closed on the purchase of the property last week. The facility had been formerly owned by Celebrating Home, which closed a couple of years ago. Company officials tell the Marshall News Messenger many of the Shreveport employees are being brought to the Marshall facility. They plan to start with 165 employees and could hire up to 75 new employees from the Marshall community. A temporary employment office will be announced later this month.

PALESTINE – Palestine police have arrested a man for making a bomb threat. The bomb threat was made late Saturday afternoon at Lowe’s on South Loop 256. The phone threats were determined to have been made from inside the store. After customers were evacuated, the store manager told officers an employee was hiding inside the store. They found him, Paul Martinez, 21. The investigation indicated he was making the calls. He was arrested and charged with making a false alarm and booked into the Anderson County Jail.

TYLER – Two Tyler Junior College professors are being singled out as endowed teaching chairs for 2017. This year’s recipients are sociology professor Ryan Button who receives the “The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence.” And speech professor Alfonso Ippolito, who receives “The Thomas H. Shelby Jr. Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence.” The winners were surprised during their classes Tuesday with a fanfare of applause and balloons, followed by presentations of certificates and checks from TJC officials. Endowed teaching chair recipients receive $2,000 for each of two years. This includes a $1,500 cash stipend and $500 for professional development for each year. Continue reading Two Endowed Teaching Chairs Named at TJC

TYLER – The population of Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo has grown by three. The zoo has announced the arrival of three cheetah cubs. They were born on April 23rd. Meadow and her cubs are living in off-exhibit quarters so that this little family has time to bond with mom. And they will feel secure as she cares for her youngsters in relative seclusion for a while. The zoo staff have not disturbed the mother and her cubs, so their gender is not known. Zoo visitors can watch the cheetah family on the zoo’s Cheetah Cam. It is located at the outpost on the African Overlook. Continue reading New Arrivals at Caldwell Zoo

RUSK — 82-year-old Rayburn Hobbs of Bullard has been indicted for a November murder in Cherokee County. KETK reports A 9-1-1 call came in saying a person had been shot and killed. The caller said he was at a mobile home on County Road 3706 near Mount Selman. Police say they were met at the scene by Hobbs, the owner of the mobile home. They found 69-year-old Jimmie Zinn dead inside the house.

LONGVIEW – Longview police had been looking for a missing man. They now say that Donzel Bell, 71, has been found and is safe. Bell, who suffers from dementia, walked away from Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center around 10:00 Tuesday morning.