KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — A motorcycle/pickup accident in Henderson County has left one person dead. The accident happened around 5:30 Monday afternoon on U.S. 175 south of Athens. Investigators say a motorcycle headed northwest on Business 175 was approaching the off ramp when a truck stopped at a stop sign failed to yield the right of way and pulled out in front of the bike. The motorcyclist hit the side of the pickup. Judge Randy Daniel pronounced James Scholar, 54, of Aubrey dead at the scene. His body was taken to Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens. James Creel, 35, of Palestine, was identified as the truck’s driver. There was no immediate word on possible charges against Creel.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two unrelated sexual assault incidents that allegedly occurred over the weekend. That’s according to KETK and the Marshall News-Messenger. Last Friday, deputies arrested 26-year-old Cody Tinsley, of 3733 St. James Road, for aggravated sexual assault of a child after a woman reported that he had been in her residence on James Marshall Road, allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old. “The reports are being completed and the investigation in ongoing,” Lieutenant Jay Webb with the sheriff’s office said Monday, noting Tinsley was in the Harrison County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Continue reading Two Harrison County Men Charged with Sexual Assault

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying two men at the site of a recent burglary. According to KETK, officials said a truck was used during the crimes at North Ranch Storage on Highway 259. During the early morning hours of March 19, the two thieves in the maroon colored Ford Explorer Sports Track stole items. The model of the truck and ages of the thieves are unknown. If you have any information regarding this offense, contact Inv. Jon Fulgham at 903-237-2531 or anonymously give a tip at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER — Longtime educator Becky Chenevert has been named the new principal of St. Gregory Cathedral School in Tyler, Rev. Hank Lanik, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has announced. She will begin her new position for the 2015-16 academic year this June. According to materials from the cathedral and the Diocese of Tyler, Chenevert comes to St. Gregory with 29 years of experience in elementary education and has served the last 24 as a principal. She is currently the principal of the Wise Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School in Chapel Hill ISD. Continue reading Chenevert Named St. Gregory Principal

TYLER — Smith County commissioners have taken another step toward setting up a veterans court. According to a news release, commissioners Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding between Smith County, the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System, and the VA Regional Office in Waco. Michael Roark, the county’s veterans service officer, said the agreement by each party as to what services will be provided puts officials one step closer to establishing the Smith County Veterans Court Program. The memorandum of understanding states that the parties plan to “provide eligible veterans charged with misdemeanor offenses in Smith County an opportunity to realize better outcomes in their contact with the criminal justice system through utilization of the VA-sponsored rehabilitative programs.” Continue reading Smith County Commissioners Move Closer to Veterans Court

TYLER — Gateway to Hope, a temporarily shuttered resource center for the Homeless in Tyler, will reopen Monday, March 30. According to a news release, Hiway 80 Rescue Mission Ministries and the board of directors for Gateway to Hope have established an agreement that will allow Hiway 80 Rescue Mission to operate the Gateway to Hope facility for a six month time period. The agreement establishes that Gateway to Hope will provide its current facility at 601 E. Valentine in Tyler and resources contained within the facility to Hiway 80 Rescue Mission to operate. Hiway 80 Rescue Mission will provide staff and cover all staffing expenses and daily program and guest service expenses over and above commitment from Gateway to Hope, according to the news release. Gateway to Hope will continue to cover building related expenses and guest service assistance as part of its basic monthly commitment. Continue reading Gateway to Hope Reopens March 30

LONGVIEW — A trial continues after beginning Monday in the murder of a Kilgore College football player. According to KETK, 25-year-old Brendan Douglas of Longview is accused of coordinating the shooting of DeAundray Rossum in May 2012. Rossum was with two people in his car when he was shot to death in Longview. According to Longview police officers, Douglass directed Rossum to the scene of the shooting, saying they were going to buy marijuana. Douglas is believed to have been working with men who opened fire on Rossum’s car.

TYLER — A car/pedestrian accident in Tyler has left a child injured. It happened around 4:30 yesterday afternoon at the intersection of South Lyons and Jackson Street. A 12-year-old boy was injured when hit by a car as he stepped off the curb. A witness said that they too had almost struck the juvenile. They added that the boy had ear buds in his ears and appeared to be unaware of his surroundings. Continue reading Tyler Child Struck by Vehicle, Driver Arrested

LONGVIEW — One person has been killed in a Longview accident. The two-vehicle wreck occurred in the 600 block of Young Street near South Ward Elementary School. Police say a woman died after veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with another vehicle head-on. The victim was identified as Maureen A. O’Brien, 60, of Longview. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace James Mathis. Police said the driver of the pickup, Brandon Herber, 41, of Longview, and his passengers were not injured. The wreck remains under investigation.

TYLER — Traffic on Shiloh Road at Donnybrook is shut down to one lane in both directions until approximately 10:00 tonight due to repair of a sinkhole in the area. Police ask that you avoid that area if possible and take an alternate route to avoid traffic congestion.

WOOD COUNTY — Two people have been wounded by gunfire in a Wood County incident. KETK reports the Wood County Sheriff’s Office assisted by DPS responded to a shots fired call at 8:54 Sunday night on Wood County Road 3420 near Lake Hawkins. The injured were transported to area hospitals and are currently being treated. The case is under investigation. Sheriff Jim Brown said no additional information could be immediately released.

QUITMAN — A Wood County Jail inmate has died. KETK reports Charles James (Jim) Perry, 68, died shortly after 5:00 Sunday afternoon. Perry had been jailed on 3 counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and 1 count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. He had been in custody since August 13, 2014, and was awaiting trial. Officials say Perry had a terminal illness and was attended by hospice medical staff at the time of his death. An internal investigation is being conducted by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Ranger John Vance is investigating the death. The investigation by the Ranger is required on all in-custody deaths. Additional information will be released as it becomes permissible to do so, according to officials.

KILGORE — Kilgore College has received the written report from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) committee that visited KC and Hallsville High School in February to review KC’s offerings at HHS. The committee’s report contains no recommendations and KC is not required to provide any further information to the commission, according to A KC news release. “These results are the best possible outcome that we could have hoped for and we appreciate the commitment of Hallsville ISD to providing a quality dual credit program for its students,” said Dr. Staci Martin, vice president of institutional planning. “We look forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Hallsville ISD.” Continue reading KC Gets Positive Report from Visit to Hallsville High School

TYLER – As TxDOT rolls out another week’s worth of area highway construction updates, the department is also promoting Work Zone Awareness Week. With 146 people killed in Texas work zone crashes last year – an increase of more than 20 percent from 2013 – the Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to slow down, pay attention, and be extra cautious when driving through work zones and construction areas. TxDOT’s call-to-action, “Drive Safe in Work Zones So We All Get Home,” coincides with National Work Zone Awareness Week, March 23-27. You can go to https://www.txdot.gov for more information. Continue reading TxDOT Updates Projects, Promotes Work Zone Awareness Week

TYLER — Following a weather-related postponement from Friday, Tyler’s Azalea and Spring Flower Trail finally saw its official kickoff Sunday afternoon at the home of Guy and Joan Pyron, at 212 W. Dobbs St. Mayor Martin Heines was on hand and made note that the Trail is one of Tyler’s signature events. Heines told KTBB, “This is a great time for us to engage as a community and really see the beauty of our community.” The mayor also pointed to a major reason the Trail continues to be held each year. He remarked, “It’s great to have all the visitors from out of town come to Tyler and spend some time and spend some money in our community.” Continue reading Azalea and Spring Flower Trail Officially Kicks Off

LONGVIEW — An East Texas lawmaker’s father has been arrested again, just three days after being arrested on a stalking charge. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Benny Paddie, father of District 9 state Rep. Chris Paddie, remained in the Gregg County Jail, charged with violation of a protective order. Bond was set at $25,000 by Justice of the Peace Tim Bryan. Paddie was arrested at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday by Longview police after bonding out of jail Thursday. He was previously arrested Wednesday on the corner of Sequoyah and Fourth streets in Longview. Continue reading Lawmaker’s Father Rearrested for Allegedly Violating Protective Order

TYLER — The official kickoff of Tyler’s Azalea and Spring Flower Trail is set for 2 p.m. today. The ceremony was originally scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday but was postponed due to the weather. Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau officials say the opening event will still be held at the home of Guy and Joan Pyron, at 212 W. Dobbs St., as originally planned. Organizers have scheduled a wealth of activities during the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, which runs through April 5. You can go to http://www.visittyler.com/azaleatrail for more information.

TYLER — In an ongoing effort to enhance government transparency and citizen involvement, the City of Tyler has launched a new online tool, according to a city news release. Tyler Speaks is an online forum for civic engagement that can be accessed via several avenues, including:

– The Quick Links section on the right side of the City’s website homepage at http://www.CityofTyler.org

– Directly through the Tyler Speaks website at http://www.TylerSpeaks.com

– the widget on the City’s Facebook page Continue reading City Launches New E-Citizen Engagement Tool: Tyler Speaks

TYLER — Four Tyler Junior College professors have distinguished themselves as endowed teaching chairs for 2015. The TJC Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence program enables professors to nominate and reward their peers who demonstrate excellence as educators, according to a TJC news release. Continue reading Four TJC Professors Named 2015 Endowed Teaching Chairs

SALT LAKE CITY (AP/Staff) – The Utah Attorney General has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to take over a polygamous community’s water utility amid allegations that managers loyal to imprisoned leader Warren Jeffs have siphoned off $1.7 million in revenue. Jeffs is serving a life sentence at the Louis C. Powledge Unit near Palestine for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered brides. But he is thought to still be leading the sect from prison. Continue reading State Asks for Takeover of Polygamous Towns’ Water Utility

GLADEWATER — The suspect in a Friday afternoon Gladewater bank robbery has died after shooting himself, White Oak police Chief Terry Roach confirmed. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, police said Steve Bruce of Henderson shot himself after being pulled over in White Oak. Police received a call at about 2 p.m. reporting the robbery at the North Main Street branch of Gladewater National Bank, according to Gladewater police Chief Rob Vine. Vine said witnesses told police a man entered the bank. He then told a teller he wanted money, and the employee gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash. The man then fled the scene in a black SUV. Continue reading Gladewater Bank Robbery Suspect Fatally Shoots Himself

TYLER — Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Bergfeld Park playground workday scheduled for today at 9 a.m. has been cancelled. For more information, call Tyler Parks and Recreation Department at (903) 531-1377.

TYLER — Tyler street repair crews will be working diligently seven days a week to repair potholes created by recent inclement weather, according to a city news release. “We want to be proactive in doing everything possible to get our main City of Tyler thoroughfares fixed,” said Street Operations Manager Robin Smart. “A patching crew will work all weekend, rain or shine, to mend our streets.” Currently, asphalt production has been halted due to the rain. The city is using UPM Cold Mix Asphalt to temporarily fix the potholes until hot asphalt and dry weather are available to make permanent repairs, according to the release.

LONGVIEW — The father of an East Texas lawmaker has been arrested after Longview police said he was stalking his former girlfriend. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Benny David Paddie, 61, of Longview, remained at last report in the Gregg County Jail on $7,500 bond. Paddie is the father of District 9 state Rep. Chris Paddie of Marshall. Benny Paddie was arrested about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday on the corner of Sequoyah and Fourth streets in Longview. A police report said officers were called to assist Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who found Paddie running along the hedges of a house behind the home of his former girlfriend. According to the report, Paddie’s ex-girlfriend called police 28 times in the past six months to report him stalking her at her home. Nine reports were filed in the past 30 days or so. Continue reading East Texas Lawmaker’s Father Arrested on Stalking Charges

ATHENS — One person has been arrested during an East Texas sex offender check. According to KETK, On March 19, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office worked with other agencies in conducting a check of sex offenders registered in the county’s unincorporated area. There are a total of 167 offenders registered within the Sheriff’s Office area of responsibility. A number of those are currently incarcerated and/or are registered to two homes (i.e. weekend homes). Thursday, 146 individuals were investigated for compliance. Continue reading One Arrested in Sex Offender Check

MARSHALL – Authorities say a man who escaped police custody in Marshall has turned himself in to authorities. KETK reports that at 9:35 p.m. Thursday, Isaiah Jackson, 18, was being taken to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office on two bond forfeiture warrants. Jackson was being brought out of a Marshall Police Department patrol unit upon arrival at the Harrison County Jail and ran away from police, according to authorities. Continue reading Police: Man Who Escaped from Custody Turns Self In

BIG SANDY — An East Texas school district will have a delayed start this morning due to “strong odors” in the building. According to Big Sandy Independent School District (Upshur County) Superintendent Scott Beene, the school will delay opening until 10:00 a.m. According to KETK, buses will also run two hours late.

ARP – A head on crash near Arp has left one person dead. The accident occurred around 7:00 Thursday evening on Highway 64 East near County Road 298. Killed was Patrick Wesley Sandifer, 38. The driver of the other vehicle was hospitalized with minor injuries. The accident occurred when Sandifer’s went off the road and he over corrected car veered into the oncoming lane of traffic.

JACKSONVILLE – A man walking on the railroad tracks in Jacksonville has been hit and killed by a train. The accident happened around 4:00 Thursday afternoon near the intersection of U.S. Highway 79 and Phillip Avenue. Dead at the scene was Mark Madrid, 23, of Jacksonville. He was said to have been walking east along the tracks when he was hit from behind by the Union Pacific freight train.