KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Authorities have ruled a recent incident an attempted murder-suicide. That’s after Smith County deputies responded to a shooting February 3 on CR 140 near Flint. Officials say a woman had received a gunshot wound to the chest and a man had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Both went to a Tyler hospital. The male suspect is identified as Charles Ronald Lowrance, the woman as Sherry Ware Lowrance, both 72 and both of Flint. The two are still in ICU, and officials say their conditions have improved. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

TYLER — A former Tyler resident is indicted for intoxication manslaughter following a fatal accident in Tyler last September. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Police say officers responded to the intersection of Plantation Dr. and Spring Branch Dr., where Christopher Hardy Jr., 27, had reportedly struck a parked vehicle. According to a news release, 20-year-old Tamyra Campbell of Tyler, a passenger in Hardy’s vehicle, was killed. Hardy went to the hospital with minor injuries. Police arrested Hardy, citing evidence that he was intoxicated.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center will mark its 25th anniversary with an event featuring Hollywood icon Kevin Costner. According to a news release, An Evening with Kevin Costner will begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and features a moderated talk with Costner sharing stories from his popular movies. Cowan Center Circle members can purchase tickets beginning Feb. 21. Public tickets go on sale March 7. Tickets can be purchased 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Cowan Center box office or online here. Besides his lengthy resume of prior accomplishments, Costner currently stars in the popular television series “Yellowstone.” Continue reading Cowan Center announces Silver Anniversary event with Kevin Costner

TYLER — A well-known East Texas pastor accused of taking up to $150,000 worth of property from an elderly couple has been indicted on a theft charge. According to our news partner KETK, jail records showed that the most recent charge against Jerome Milton was for theft of property worth between $30,000 and $150,000 from an elderly individual. It was earlier reported that Milton was accused of taking money from an elderly couple and stealing from his previous church. Milton has been out of jail since Oct. 22, according to records. A plea docket agreement is set for May 13. Among other things, Milton took the lead in originating Tyler’s annual downtown Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration and had a highly successful career as a coach and dean at Bishop Gorman High School.

TYLER – TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, a crew will be performing ditch work at various locations around the county, starting out on SH 155 south, just before the first bridge at Lake Palestine. Expect one lane closure with traffic controlled by flaggers. Crews in Gregg County are scheduled to perform base repairs on FM 2275 westbound near Gregg Tex Rd. Crews also plan to begin base repairs on FM 449 in multiple locations from FM 2751 to the county line. Expect one lane closure and a pilot vehicle and flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for the complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted on a murder charge from a shooting in August. According to our news partner KETK, 18-year-old Manuel Prieto is accused of killing Michael Lee Tucker, 29, on Aug. 17. Tucker was found dead after he crashed into a power pole but had been shot prior to the wreck. Prieto is also facing two charges of aggravated robbery. Tyler police believe he committed the robberies with Angel Abel Cedillo and Decedus Leon Mallard, both 17 years old. It is unclear if police believe the robberies are connected to Tucker’s murder. The robbery victims told police that two men approached his home with guns drawn. One of the suspects took money and other property before both ran to a car that was driven by a third suspect, according to police.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man accused of stabbing his mother to death last October has been indicted on a murder charge. According to our news partner KETK, on Oct. 6, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a woman who claimed to have been stabbed by her son. She also said he had stolen her Honda CRV. 24-year-old Carson Epifano was arrested later that night on Golden Road after investigators gave Tyler PD officers the description of the vehicle. The victim was later identified as 60-year-old Bernice Slabaugh. She died from her injuries roughly two hours after she called 911. After his indictment, Epifano was ordered to undergo a mental competency evaluation. It’s unclear if that has been done as of this writing. Epifano is being held on a $2 million bond. His first court date has not yet been set.

PALESTINE — A 16-year-old boy is dead in Anderson County after he was fatally struck by a pickup truck on Thursday. According to police, at approximately 8:15 p.m., DPS Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash near 4015 FM-2574 roughly 10.7 miles northeast of Palestine in Anderson county. The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2006 2500 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was traveling southwest on FM-2574 when a pedestrian stepped out into the roadway and was struck by the front of the pickup, according to our news partner KETK. The 16-year-old boy, from Palestine, was pronounced dead at the scene and was taken to Rhone Funeral Home in Palestine. The driver of the pickup, 49-year-old Richard Taylor, of Palestine was not injured. Police said that the investigation is currently ongoing and have offered no further information at this time.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – A Tyler man died after he lost control of his truck in icy conditions on State Highway 64, about 6.5 miles east of Canton in Van Zandt County, according to our news partner KETK. Mickey A. Jones, 43, of Tyler was driving west on Highway 64 at an unsafe speed for the road and weather conditions, according to the DPS. Jones lost control of his car and began to spin clockwise until he eventually slid off the north side of the highway and into a ditch where he hit a tree, according to DPS. Jones died at the scene. DPS said that Jones was not wearing a seatbelt and that there was ice on the road at the time of the crash.

TYLER – Animal control and rescues say they have received an abundance of calls and messages about strays and pets that have been left outside to fend for themselves recently, according to our news partner KETK. “If it’s cold outside, bring your dogs inside. Make sure they have proper dog houses and a place where they can get out of the rain and the wind,” says Kerri Long, Tyler Police Department Community Response Officer. Long is taking it into her own hands to help out. She was tagged many times on a Facebook post about mistreated animals, so she gave out her own personal number. Long took time out of her day to go out to each welfare check and made sure someone responded if she couldn’t. Long says officers would rather educate people instead of giving them a ticket. She also says her love for animals is what inspires her to step up to help. She also asked dispatch to send her to all of the animal calls. She says she was only doing her job, but others believe she went above and beyond the call of duty.

TYLER — The latest COVID-19 numbers are in for the NET Health survey area, and NET Health’s George Roberts sums it up — with more mixed news. Roberts says based on a call Thursday, the omicron variant appears to have already peaked statewide — but he notes that the number of cases remains substantial in East Texas as well as the state as a whole, and around the country. Vaccinations remain the top priority for Roberts and his colleagues. While the number of hospital patients has dropped in the survey area this week, Roberts reiterates that the overwhelming majority of area hospital patients with COVID have not been vaccinated — and he continues pointing to vaccinations as the best way to stem the spread of the virus. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER — Authorities are continuing their responses and advisories as wintry conditions persist in East Texas. The city of Tyler Friday morning issued an update as conditions improve, though temperatures will remain cold for the immediate future, and some roadways could still cause challenges. All City offices and facilities are back on regular schedules as of 10 a.m. Friday. The Tyler Street Department began treating bridges and overpasses at 5 a.m. Friday. Staff reports some slick spots on the streets and recommends motorists continue driving with caution. All traffic signals are fully operational. Continue reading Winter responses, advisories continue

SMITH COUNTY – A pregnant woman’s car was swept away by rising water in Smith County on Thursday, and she had to be rescued. According to our news partner KETK, the situation happened near County Road 113 and County Road 119 in the Roddy Branch area near Mud Creek. Authorities said the woman got out of the vehicle safely. The arctic blast created a significant amount of rain and ice accumulation. Experts said it only takes two feet of moving water to lift a car. Continue reading Smith County pregnant woman rescued after car is swept away by water

LONGVIEW — A 24-year-old Longview man was given two life sentences for the murder of two women in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, the district attorney’s office says Jordan Malik Carter pleaded guilty to the murders of Mele’kia Rae Montgomery and Alexis Carol Johnson. Carter will be required to serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole. The women were shot and killed on Johnston Street on August 26, 2016. Carter was arrested and identified as a gang member in the Gregg County Jail five days later. That was after police said he was spotted at a motel, ran away from officers, and threw a loaded gun into a wooded area before he was caught.

LONGVIEW — Kenwood Lane in Longview is closed to all traffic between Loop 281 and Avenue B. The closure is scheduled to continue through Tuesday, Feb. 8. Officials say crews are working to improve the city’s sanitary sewer system in the area.

TYLER — 28-year-old murder defendant Kristian Perdomo has received a sentence of life in prison following 90 minutes of jury deliberations. According to our news partner KETK, Perdomo was recently found guilty in a 2018 shooting death at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. The trial began January 25, with Perdomo convicted after just 40 minutes of deliberation. Authorities have said they believe Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County, though he has only been charged in the shopping center killing. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the Westwood shooting was gang-related.

ATHENS — A Henderson County 14-year-old is being held for murder in the shooting death of his eight-year-old brother. The case was reported Saturday evening after Zayden Worley was shot in the head at a location on County Road 2911. According to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, it was reported that Zayden was on the back porch when a stray bullet from a wooded area struck him. There were three juveniles at the residence alone when the shooting happened. Zachary died later at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. In a news release, Hillhouse says, “Investigators have continuously worked this case and the physical evidence recovered from the scene and autopsy show the initial report of how this happened is not possible.” The investigation continues, with multiple agencies involved.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office identified the two people killed in a shooting Sunday morning.23-year-old Jakari Hogan and 20-year-old Ronnie Pearson, both from Shreveport, were killed from apparent gunshot wounds, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson. According to our news partner KETK, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office received a call at approximately 2:50 a.m. Sunday from the Rusk County Sheriff’s office saying that two injured men had been found on the side of Highway 79 at the Cherokee-Rusk County line. Upon deputies’ arrival, the two men were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds just barely inside the Cherokee County line. Cherokee County is still investigating this case and is currently pursuing any and all leads. If you have any information regarding this case, they ask that you please contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at 903-683-2271.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County authorities say they have found a 17-year-old runaway in Jacksonville. The sheriff’s office said Tuesday afternoon that Zachary Clary had run away from his residence off Hwy. 155 South near Lake Palestine January 29. According to press materials, Zachary is a Type 1 diabetic and left the residence without his medication/insulin, which he is required to take on a daily basis. Zachary did not have a cell phone and does not have any friends in the area to the parent’s knowledge, according to officials. Authorities said Tuesday evening that Zachary was being treated at a local hospital and was in stable condition.

OVERTON — Overton police responded to the site of an early Tuesday morning crash involving a train and a pedestrian. According to our news partner KETK, Chief Bryan Pool released a brief statement on the department’s Facebook page saying the crash was north of town and happened sometime before 5 a.m. They are being assisted by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. Pool said in an update at 1:15 p.m. that the victim was a 17-year-old boy. He did not release a name but said the teen was a local. All crossings have remained blocked with the exception of Front Street at Highway 135 on the south side of town. There was no official word on how long the crossings would be blocked, and police have asked drivers to use caution.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts says we may have plateaued in the current COVID surge — but some new figures put that in a different perspective. Roberts says his region has now seen 115,000 positive cases since the pandemic began — and 20 per cent of those occurred this past month. Roberts also says the vaccination numbers are still not high enough. He tells us roughly 55 per cent of Smith County residents have received one shot, 49 per cent are fully vaccinated — and a mere 20 per cent or so have been boosted. Continue reading Roberts: Despite positive signs, COVID situation remains serious

RUSK COUNTY — When Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers Larry Hand and Bo Fox showed up to Charles Allen Robinson Jr.’s home near Kilgore with a warrant Jan. 27, they say the accused didn’t go easy. In fact, they say, it took the duo plus Department of Public Safety troopers and Rusk County Sheriff’s Department deputies to finally capture him. Robinson now faces an array of charges, stretching across Rusk, Upshur, Henderson, and Shelby Counties. Those include theft of livestock involving a total of 196 cattle; issuance of a bad check related to payment for cattle; evading arrest; resisting arrest; harassment/bond forfeiture; and insurance fraud. Continue reading Man faces multiple charges in cattle theft probe

TYLER — A body was found on the side of Troup Highway in Tyler Tuesday morning around 8:20, near Trane Technologies. According to our news partner KETK, police Officer Andy Erbaugh says people saw the body lying out of the road and called officers after walking up to check on the body. At this time, it doesn’t seem that any foul play is involved, Erbaugh said. No identity was immediately released, and the incident remains under investigation.

TYLER — The sentencing phase continues in the murder trial of 28-year-old Kristian Perdomo, recently found guilty in a 2018 shooting death at Tyler’s Westwood Shopping Center. According to our news partner KETK, the trial began January 25, with Perdomo convicted after just 40 minutes of deliberation. Authorities have said they believe Perdomo was connected to four other fatal shootings in Smith County, though he has only been charged in the shopping center killing. Perdomo was arrested after authorities said they believed the Westwood shooting was gang-related.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s new acting police chief, Anthony Boone, is now on the job as of Tuesday. Chief Mike Bishop recently announced his retirement after 32 years of service to the department, including six years as chief. Boone has worked with the Longview Police Department since 2001, and he has served as the assistant police chief since 2015. His experience includes many aspects of the department, including support services, criminal investigations, special operations, SWAT, and patrol. In the coming months, newly appointed City Manager Rolin McPhee will work with the City Council to determine a process and timeline for permanently filling the police chief position, according to a news release.

PALESTINE — Robert Roberson has been on death row for almost 20 years since he was convicted of murdering his daughter in 2003. According to our news partner KETK, he was set to be put to death in 2016 but was saved a few days before by a stay of execution. During his time on death row Roberson has maintained his innocence. Nikki Curtis was 2-years-old when she died after being taken to a hospital. Doctors had suspicions of child abuse saying she passed away from “shaken baby syndrome.” Roberson has presented new evidence showing his daughter was sickly, and saying at the time of her death she had undiagnosed pneumonia. Continue reading East Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson demands new trial

TROUP — The city of Troup is warning the community about a scam call claiming to be from Amazon. According to our news partner KETK, Troup City Hall reports receiving a call with a caller ID that indicated it was coming from the Troup 842 telephone exchange. The caller reportedly claimed to be calling to confirm purchases. When the person who answered the call indicated that they would connect the call to the Troup Police Department, the call was immediately disconnected. The city of Troup said this was a scam caller looking to collect personal and financial information. The caller ID was 903-842-7486, but it was a spoof number. If you try to call the number back, a recording will indicate the number is not in service.

MARSHALL — DPS troopers are searching for a car possibly connected to a fatal crash that killed a Longview man earlier this month. That’s according to our news partner KETK. On Jan. 17, 40-year-old Kurt Nash was driving on Loop 281 at 3 p.m. when his car “veered to the left, entered a side skid, traveled into the center median and rolled.” The report did not state what caused Nash’s car to leave the lane he was driving in. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of a vehicle that investigators believe was a witness to the crash. The statement said the car appeared to be a silver Buick Verano with Texas license plates. If this is your vehicle or you recognize this vehicle and have information on its whereabouts, contact the Texas Highway Patrol office in Marshall at 903-935-5108.

TYLER – Even as they get busy with another round of roadwork, TxDOT crews will be getting ahead of the winter storm forecast for East Texas by preparing roadways around the eight-county Tyler District for potentially icy conditions. The pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice starts Tuesday morning and will continue through Wednesday afternoon, according to a news release. I-20 and other major roadways are being pre-treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water designed to prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. The process is termed a fast-moving mobile operation with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers should allow a safe traveling distance between their vehicles and the mobile convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Continue reading TxDOT plans roadwork, prepares for winter weather