KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – For the 4th time this year, the Lavanderia Express on South Vine in Tyler has been robbed. The latest was shortly after 3:15 Tuesday morning when two men with handguns entered the business. They demanded cash from the register and safe, then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The two are described as black men, thin build, wearing all black clothing and face masks. In March, the business was robbed by a man with a knife. It was robbed on October 31st by a man with a gun and was robbed a couple of weeks ago by three men with guns.

EAST TEXAS – Marshall’s Christmas parade has been rescheduled. The parade had been set for last Saturday, but was cancelled over concerns about the weather. After receiving some complaints over the cancellation, the Marshall Convention and Visitor Bureau announced the Wonderland of Lights parade is being rescheduled for this Saturday at 6:00pm. The parade route will be the same. But. in White Oak, it’s a different story. The White Oak Christmas Parade, which was scheduled for Monday night, has been canceled due to the threat of bad weather. The parade will not be rescheduled.

TYLER – The ribbon has been cut, officially opening Smith County’s new animal control facility. It is located at 322 East Ferguson. The location was selected because it is in downtown Tyler, which is centrally located within the county. The old facility in Winona has room for up to 40 dogs. The new facility will quadruple the capability of Smith County Animal Control Services, making room for up to 169 dogs. Smith County Animal Control plans to move the dogs to the new facility and open it up to the public this week. Continue reading New Animal Control Facility in Tyler

DALLAS – Dallas has announced the five finalists for the city manager’s job. And one has Tyler ties. One of the candidates is Dallas Assistant City Manager Mark McDaniel. He was the Tyler City Manager from 2008 to 2014. He started his new job in Dallas on September 2nd, 2014. The finalist will be meeting with city officials this week. The public is invited to meet them Tuesday night. And there will be a called meeting on Friday so council members can discuss the candidates and and their next course of action. There are those in Dallas who say that McDaniel is the odds-on-favorite to land the job.

TYLER – An Oklahoma murder suspect has been seen in Tyler. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office tells KETK that 25 year old Baltazar Sanchez-Garica was seen in Tyler following the slaying in late November. The suspect, an illegal immigrant, is accused of stabbing to death a woman he once dated. She broke up the relationship and married someone else. The man is said to have stolen the victim’s husband’s pickup and may be trying to make it back to Mexico. If you see the suspect, you are ask to call your local law enforce agency.

TYLER – Tyler Junior College’s online program has received national recognition. The Community for Accredited Online Schools says the TJC program is one of the best in the nation. In its annual rankings for the 2016-17 academic year, TJC was honored for:
* Best Online Colleges
* Best Online Vocational Schools
* Best Two-year Art Degree Program
* Best Ultrasound Technician Program Continue reading TJC Gets Online Recognition

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of December 5th. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.

In Tyler, a couple of repair jobs are planned for Loop 323. Monday and Tuesday from 9:00am to 3:00pm., crews will be performing base repair work on the Loop 323 Extension. The work requires lane closures with periodic detours around the extension using US 271. Continue reading TxDot Road Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Score one for East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert and his barbecued ribs. Gohmert had been ordered by the house architect to stop grilling ribs on the office balcony of another congressman. But he says Republican Whip Steve Scalise and Speaker Paul Ryan have intervened to allow Gohmert to continue smoking his tasty ribs, which are popular with Republicans and Democrats alike. Gohmert says, “When I cook, it’s probably the only time here on Capitol Hill when I actually leave a good taste in people’s mouths instead of a bitter taste.” The architect had said the barbecuing posed a fire hazard.

SMITH COUNTY — A two vehicle wreck on Highway 31 leaves one person dead and three others injured. It happened just after 4:00 Saturday afternoon on SH-31 about nine miles west of Kilgore. The DPS report indicated that a 2006 Ford Expedition was traveling eastbound on 31 when it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a 2015 GMC Traverse head-on. The driver of the Expedition, identified as Keith Nelson, 32, Longview, was listed in serious condition. The driver of the Traverse, Traci Tippitt, 50, Kilgore, was taken to ETMC-Tyler in stable condition. A passenger in the Traverse, Mark Tippitt, 56, Kilgore was pronounced dead at the hospital. Another passenger in the Traverse, Jack Ward, 78, Henderson, was transported to ETMC-Tyler in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Pittsburg man has died in a one vehicle accident early Sunday morning . According to the Department of Public Safety, around 12:25 Robert Benton Mumma was traveling north on FM-2454, 7 miles south of Gilmer, when the vehicle drifted off the roadway. Officials said the 61-year-old attempted to get back onto the roadway and over-corrected, sending the vehicle into a side-skid. The vehicle then crossed over the road and struck a tree. Mumma was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One man was killed, two injured in a wreck Saturday night just east of Jacksonville. According to the Department of Public Safety, a truck, driven by Kenneth Lee Lambert, 41, was headed east on FM 22 when he attempted to pass another vehicle. The DPS report said Lambert lost control of the truck on the wet roadway and drove through a bar ditch and into a tree. Lambert was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers, Lincoln Austin Kirby, 25, and Corey Wayne Benedict, 24, both of Jacksonville, were listed in stable condition.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department released the names of those involved in a fatality Friday night. Officials said Elaine Stanley, Lufkin, was killed after she was hit by an unlicensed driver. Lufkin Police said Stanley was crossing the street on East Denman Avenue when she stepped in front of a Ford Expedition. The driver of the vehicle, Erick Leyva, 15, reportedly had difficulty seeing the woman due to rainy conditions. Leyva immediately turned his vehicle around and parked in the middle of the road in an attempt to shield Stanley from further injury. According to witnesses, Leyva was traveling at a normal speed when the accident occurred. He was ticketed for no driver’s license. The accident remains under investigation.

TYLER – A pilot had to make a belly landing at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport after his landing grear failed to fully extend. The City of Tyler told KETK the pilot was flying a King Air private plane. After flying around to burn off fuel, he successfully landed Friday afternoon as emergency crews looked on. No injuries were reported.

EAST TEXAS – The weather is causing problems for holiday events planned in East Texas this weekend. Heavy rain is predected Saturday through Monday. KETK is reporting over 4 inches of rain will be seen in some areas. Because of the weather, holiday events are either being cancelled or rescheduled. Continue reading Weather Putting a Crimp in Some Holiday Events

GLADEWATER – A report of a suspicious person resulted in the arrest of a Gladewater man. Early Thursday evening, Gladewater police had received a report of a man parking at a vacant house and walking down the street. They found Anthony Ross Turner, 52, on Maple Avenue. As they started to pat him down, Turner is said to have started to pull something out of his coat pocket. As the officers physically restrained him, a gun dropped to the ground. They then used a taser on him, in case he had another weapon or tried to reach for the dropped gun. A check showed Turner to be a registered sex offender and a convicted felon. He has now been charged with resisting arrest, search or seizure and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

PALESTINE – There is a change in the organizational structure for the city of Palestine. It is replacing the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The new department that will be assuming its duties is called Community Services Department. Longtime Palestine Police Officer Patsy Smith, who is currently a Code Enforcement Officer, will become a reserve officer in order to lead Community Services. New City Manager Mike Alexander said the new department will encompass many of the responsibilities of the former Parks and Recreation department. It will also house the Code Enforcement division. The city manager informed the staff this week of the changes.

DALLAS (AP) — Prosecutors say they have an agreement with Johnny Manziel to dismiss a domestic violence charge against the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that Manziel will have to meet certain conditions for a year before the misdemeanor charge will be dismissed. The former Cleveland Browns player was accused of hitting and threatening former girlfriend Colleen Crowley during a night out in January. Continue reading Prosecutors: Dismissal Deal Done in Manziel’s Domestic Case

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is facing a variety of charges, including assaulting a woman twice. Gregg County authorities arrested Damarcus Lakendrick Owens, 24, in Nacogdoches County on Wednesday. The arrest stems from an incident on Centenary Drive on October 8th. Besides assaulting one woman, he is accused of injuring two other women who were trying to fight him off. He’s facing numerous charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, burglary of a habitation, and evading arrest. His bonds total $363,000.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Grand Jury has indicted a Longview man in a murder in late August. According to the Longview News Journal, GeKainnon Ikemoin-Kenyon Harris, 20, was indicted in the August 30th death of Alexis Bell, 26. She was found shot to death in an apartment on Lake Lamond Drive. Originally, Harris was arrested at the scene on two unrelated assault family violence warrants. He was later charged with manslaughter in Bell’s death. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $270,000

DALLAS (AP/STAFF) — The founders of and investors in a physician-owned North Dallas hospital, including a Tyler doctor, have been indicted on charges relating to what prosecutors call a massive bribery and kickback conspiracy. The indictment unsealed Thursday in Dallas accuses 21 defendants affiliated with the now-bankrupt Forest Park Medical Center. Included is Dr. Gerald Peter Foox of Tyler. They are accused of scheming to pay and receive bribes and kickbacks totaling about $50 million for patient referrals with high-reimbursement private medical insurance. A U.S. attorney’s statement says such inducements resulted in hospital billings to elite insurance plans of “well over” $500 million from 2009 to 2013. In return, it received $200 million in claim payments. Continue reading Tyler Doctor Indicted in Bribery Conspiracy

TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested a Dallas man for aggravated robbery. Officers responded to Rotolos Pizza, 8970 south Broadway, just before midnight Thursday. As the officers arrived, they noticed the described suspect leaving the scene in a red Chevrolet HHR. A chase followed ending when the suspect wrecked on Broadway at Loop 49. The suspect then attempted run and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. Freddy Criss, 54, Dallas was booked into the Smith County Jail, charged with four counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated assault and evading arrest. The stolen property was recovered. Officials said several victims at Rotolos sustained minor injuries during the robbery. Criss has a criminal history, including bank robbery. In July of 2009, Criss pleaded guilty to the April 30th, 2009, robbery of the First National Bank of Emory.

LONGVIEW – Longview police are seeking the public’s help is finding a missing teenager. He is Jackson Brady Denton, 16. They say he may be a runaway and he may be in danger. He is about six feet tall and weighs around 150 pounds. When last see, he was wearing black wind pants with a gray stripe, a blue Old Navy jacket and Nike shoes. If you know where he may be found, you are asked to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1170.

TYLER – A large number of angels remain on the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree in Tyler. They started out with around 3,000 angels on the tree. Over 1,000 still need to be adopted. The drive will run through the end of next week. Their goal is to have 100% of the angels adopted this year. You are invited to drop by the tree in the Broadway Square Mall and help make it a very merry Christmas for children and seniors in the community.

TYLER – A Tyler robbery suspect has been arrested in Louisiana. The U.S. Marshal Service arrested Johnnie Michael Cole Jr., 17. He was arrested in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, on an outstanding warrant for a aggravated robbery. He is said to be one of three suspects who robbed a cab driver Sunday morning, October 2nd, at the intersection of East Front Street and South Beckham. The Tyler Cab driver told officers he was robbed at gun point by three black male suspects. One got into the cab and the others approached the driver and forced him out of the cab at gunpoint. After getting the driver’s wallet and cash, they fled on foot. No injuries were reported.

MT. SELMAN – A Cherokee County man has been arrested on a murder charge. Rayburn Hobbs, 82, has been charged with the death of Jimmie Gale Zinn, 69. His body was found Wednesday afternoon in a mobile home on County Road 3706. Hobbs owns the home. Zinn’s body was sent to East Texas Forensics in Tyler for an autopsy. It appears he had been shot to death. Hobbs’ bond was set Thursday at $1 million.

MARSHALL – A man has been extradited from Europe back to Harrison County to stand trial in a fatal accident. Paul Box, 56, was brought from London to Houston where he was picked up by Harrison County officers. When he fled the country, Box had been indicted in the 2010 death of Thomas Jackson Frost, 39, of Jefferson. He was killed when their vehicles collided on Farm Road 134 near Karnack. Box, who was said to have been on drugs and alcohol at the time of the wreck, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

LONGVIEW – Some layoffs have been reported at the Good Shepherd Health System. Fifty employees have been laid off at the health system’s facilities in Longview and Marshall. President and CEO Steve Altmiller said the cuts hit clinical and non-clinical employees. He provided no other details. The Longview News Journal quotes Altmiller as saying, “Like many other health care systems across the country, Good Shepherd Health System has been facing challenging times, resulting in lower overall patient census and financial losses.” The announcement comes a couple of weeks after Good Shepherd announced it was joining the Christus Healthcare system.

TYLER – Two John Tyler High School students have advanced to the UIL State Congress competition in Austin next month. Tacorian Tilley claimed first place and Triston Ferguson took second place in the regional meet held last month at John Tyler. Also, Jose Romero finished in fourth place and was awarded TOP Presiding Officer at the regional meet. The competition, modeling the legislative process of the United States Congress, uses a mock legislative assembly that requires students to draft and submit legislation and to research a docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. Then, at the tournament, they address the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation, and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined.

TYLER – A senior at The University of Texas at Tyler has received a prestigious scholarship. Senior Jeranda Dennis of Kilgore has been named a 2016 Gilman International Scholar. She is one of more than 850 American undergraduate students from 359 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious scholarship. An English major minoring in international studies, Dennis will now be able to spend the semester at Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan.