KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a robbery at the Capital One Bank, located in the 1700 Block of West Loop 281. KETK reports the crime occurred just after 11:30 Wednesday morning. The suspect is described as a black male dressed as a female, wearing a long black curly wig, dark jacket or sweater, dark shirt, and sunglasses. The criminal was also believed to be carrying a black bag. Anyone with information on this robbery is asked to call Longview Police immediately at 903-237-1199. The tipster can also remain anonymous by contacting Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has appointed seven members to its new Animal Care Advisory Board. On Nov. 13, 2013, the City Council authorized the purchase of land for an animal care facility. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 823.005(a) generally provides that the governing body of a county or municipality in which an animal shelter is located shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in complying with the requirements of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 823. Members appointed are listed below, along with the board composition requirement for each. Continue reading Animal Care Advisory Board Members Named

WINNSBORO — One person is hospitalized after he was stabbed in a domestic disturbance in Wood County. According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, shortly before 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, 911 dispatchers received a report of a stabbing in the Winnsboro area on County Road 4200. KETK reports that when authorities arrived, they found emergency crews on scene preparing to fly a 50-year-old man to a Tyler hospital. Investigators learned the man had been stabbed several times. He was listed in stable condition Wednesday morning. The victim’s stepson, an adult, was taken to the Winnsboro hospital for minor wounds. He was treated and released. The preliminary investigation indicates the two men had been in a domestic quarrel with a knife and alcohol involved. No arrests have been made or warrants issued pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Names of the men involved have not been released.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) and Smith County received some encouraging news about residents’ health in a national report Wednesday, though it also shows that much more needs to be done in some vital areas. That’s the word from NET Health Chief Executive Officer George Roberts. According to Roberts, the release of the fifth annual County Health Rankings, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI), shows us where we live matters to our health. Continue reading Smith County Ranks 63rd, 40th in State in Two Health Categories

TYLER — A former Smith County Sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Kimbrick Bernard Jones, 39, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on October 8, 2013, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and less than 28 grams of crack cocaine. He was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis of Tyler. Continue reading Former Deputy Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

KILGORE — A young girl reported missing in Kilgore has been found. Kilgore police announced Tuesday night they were looking for Jessica Madden, 12. The police department issued a Code Red Alert for the missing girl shortly after 8:45 Tuesday night. She had been last seen Tuesday evening. Kilgore Assistant Police Chief Roman Roberson later reported the girl was found shortly before midnight and was home safe. No details were released on where she was found.

TYLER — Dr. Ellen Fineout-Overholt has been named the Mary Coulter Dowdy distinguished professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Tyler. Fineout-Overholt will provide expertise to help The University of Texas at Tyler faculty develop evidence-based initiatives and teaching strategies. Her focus will be on inter-professional practices, which includes nursing, health and kinesiology and pharmacy. She also will be available to provide leadership and consultation in helping the area healthcare institutions develop evidence-based practice initiatives across disciplines. Continue reading An Honor for a U-T Tyler Professor

MARSHALL — Marshall authorities have requested the public’s help in catching the alleged gunman in a weekend murder. According to KETK, officers were dispatched Sunday around 2:45 a.m. to Rumors Arcade in the 100 block of West Pinecrest on reports of a shooting. When police arrived, they found a man, Jalen Juwan White, who would have turned 20 today, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. After further investigation, the suspect was identified as Corey Lamar Johnson, 31, of Jefferson. A warrant was issued by Judge Nancy George, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, for the charge of murder. Continue reading Public’s Help Sought in Search for Murder Suspect

SAN AUGUSTINE – A man added Monday to the Texas 10 Most Wanted Sex Offender list has been taken into custody in San Augustine. KETK reports Eric Mosby, 39, was arrested Tuesday morning around 10:45 a.m. after he turned himself in at the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office. This arrest was not the result of a tip, so no reward will be paid. Continue reading Most Wanted Fugitive Captured

LONGVIEW — The president and CEO of an East Texas business died in a plane crash that occurred Friday morning near a Lowe’s store in northeast Florida. KETK reports the pilot, Richard Carrera, 73, was trying to gain altitude after a touch-and-go landing near the airport, but the plane’s engine stalled. Carrera and his passenger, Malcolm Clevenstine, 71, were both taken to a local hospital. Clevenstine was president and CEO of Warfab in Longview. He died Friday night. Carrera is listed in good condition.

TYLER — A recreational vehicle being used as a permanent residence was destroyed by fire on the outskirts of Tyler Tuesday morning. The Tyler Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:00 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find the RV completely involved at the All American Mobile Home Park, 6236 Rhones Quarter Road, and called for a full alarm. Two more engines, a ladder truck, a district chief, and an investigator responded. The fire was extinguished shortly afterwards. The address was determined to be out of the city; the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office was notified, and control of the scene was turned over to that office. No injuries were reported, and there was no immediate word on how the fire broke out.

MARSHALL (ABC/Staff) — A murder in East Texas last December continues prompting calls for changes in technology and policies at hotels and motels across the country. Call for help from any phone and you expect to hear, “911, what’s your emergency?” But at tens and thousands of hotels and motels, you’ll actually get no dispatcher because 9 is the number to get out. It’s confusing and time-consuming and, for a woman in a Marshall motel room, deadly. Kari Hunt-Dunn’s 9-year-old daughter couldn’t call for help as her mother was being stabbed. Half a million people have now signed petitions demanding changes, and a member of the Federal Communications Commission is also asking the hospitality industry and phone-system makers to come up with a way that hotel guests can directly contact 911 in an emergency.

TYLER — Officials in Tyler are investigating the death of seven-month-old Alonzo Gonzalez. Tyler Police, Fire and EMS responded to 1218 North Ross this past Saturday evening shortly after 9:15 in reference to an infant who was not breathing. The mother told police that she placed her two-year-old son and Alonzo on a bed. She said she stepped out of the room and that the infant fell off the bed, striking the floor. EMS transported Alonzo to Mother Frances Hospital; the child was later transported to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Children’s Hospital officials notified Tyler Police Investigators that Alonzo was taken off life support Monday afternoon. An autopsy will be conducted by Southwest Forensics in Dallas to determine cause of death. Tyler Police Investigators are investigating this case as a suspicious death at this time. Both parents were home just prior to the initial 911 call.

TYLER — Tyler ISD staff, teachers and students will use the District’s bad weather make up dates of Friday, April 18 and Friday, June 6, to make up for the days missed March 3 and March 4 due to inclement weather. The release issued by the district also said, teachers and staff will report for their staff/clerical day Monday, June 9 as planned.

SMITH COUNTY– One person is in custody following a Smith County shooting. It happened shortly after 9:45 Monday night in the 23000 block of Dogwood Trail, located in the Enchanted Lakes subdivision in Northwestern Smith County. Authorities said three persons were wounded from a shotgun blast fired by Jerry Gene Allen, 56. Allen reportedly resides at the home on Dogwood Trail. Continue reading One Man Arrested Following Smith County Shooting

PALESTINE — A Palestine woman has died from injuries received in a Friday night fire. When firemen arrived, Patsy Green King, 73, was found lying in the front yard of her home at 2 Rambling Road. She was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where she died Sunday. The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation.

TYLER — Authorities say a long-sought Jacksonville man has been arrested by the U.S. Marshals Task Force in Cleveland, Ohio. KETK reports Kevin Ray Morris, 49, has been wanted since October 2013 on sexual offense warrants out of Jacksonville. The Tyler division of the U.S. Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force adopted the investigation last week. Deputy Marshals from East Texas developed information indicating Morris left the East Texas area and was living in Orwell, Ohio. The U.S. Marshals Task Force in Ohio was contacted and developed a plan to arrest Morris at his residence. According to authorities, Morris attempted to evade arrest by riding an ATV into a heavily wooded area but was quickly apprehended. Morris is now waiting to be extradited back to East Texas to face his charges.

TYLER — Authorities say Delanda Letregg Player, 48, was arrested on March 22 by the Louisiana U.S. Marshal service in West Monroe, Louisiana. According to KETK, deputy U.S. marshals in West Monroe were working with members of the Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force when they were able to locate and arrest Player. The suspect has narcotic warrants with the Tyler Police Department and Smith County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a parole violation from the State of Texas. Officials say he was arrested without any resistance. Player was taken to the Ouachita Parish Jail and will be held without bond pending an extradition hearing back to Texas. He could face additional charges regarding his status as a sex offender.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is behind bars after authorities say they found drugs stashed in his pants. According to the Longview Police Department, Troy Randall Owen, Jr., 33 was pulled over in a parking lot at Reel Road and Gilmer Road after officials noticed he was pulling a trailer that had no tail lights. When Owen stepped out of the car, authorities reportedly saw a gun in the floorboard and searched him. According to KETK, police say they uncovered 16 ounces of methamphetamine hidden down the back of Owen’s pants. Owen, who has a record of several prior arrests, was booked into the Gregg County Jail for manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance.

TYLER — Caldwell Zoo announces that all its new lion cubs now have names. The zoo invited everyone to help name the three young females. The one male was named “Doc” in honor of the zoo’s staff veterinarian, who died this winter. Out of eleven names, people were asked to vote for three through Facebook or email, or in person at the zoo’s front entry. The three winning names are Zuri, which means beautiful; Amira, which means princess; and Malika, which means angel. With the warmer weather and the fact that the lion cubs are ready for some adventure, the furry foursome are given the option each day to be outside at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Zoo visitors are welcome to stop by the lion exhibit to see the cubs playing outside or see them in the lion house on the zoo’s television monitor. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo Lion Cubs Have Names

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has officially initiated collaborations with the University of Sonora (UNISON), located in Hermosillo, Mexico. The announcement comes from Dr. James Nelson, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean and lead UT Tyler partner. Nelson says the agreement is designed to inspire departmental collaborations as well as increase student mobility between both institutions. Nelson and Dr. Jose Rafael Benito Noriega Luna, former visiting faculty from UNISON, initiated the international collaboration in January 2012. Continue reading UT Tyler Announces Partnership with University of Sonora

TOWN OF WESTPORT, Wis. (AP/Staff) – A medical examiner has identified two men killed in a Saturday car crash in Dane County, Wisconsin, and one was from Tyler. 26-year-old Sebastian Creswell of Tyler was the driver of a car that left Highway 19 in the Town of Westport, then hit a mailbox and large tree. Creswell died later at a local hospital. Toxicology test results are not yet known. 28-year-old passenger Joseph Dickenson of La Crosse, Wisconsin, died at the scene of the crash.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman, who has has been missing over a month, has been located. On March 2, Longview Police took a report about Jennifer Coupe. Her mother told officers that Jennifer left her home on February 13 and told her she would be back later. Jennifer’s mother said it is unlike Jennifer to be gone this long without contacting her or her daughter. Authorities report the woman has been located and she is okay. She was out of town and told officers she did not know she had been reported as missing.

TYLER — Beginning today, installation of a new Adaptive Control System will start on the signal light at the intersection of Front Street and Bonner Avenue. The signal light will not be functioning during the installation. There will be temporary stop signs erected on Bonner Avenue to control traffic until the new Adaptive Control System is operational. Crews expect to have the installation finished no later than Tuesday. There will be lane closures in both directions on Front Street as traffic is routed around the work areas. Citizens should expect delays and may want to consider alternate routes if possible.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in Smith County by the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on westbound Interstate Highway 20 near the US 271 overpass, then move to perform one-day’s work on eastbound I-20 between U.S. Highway 69 and Lavender Road. Once the work is completed on I-20, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work on State Highway 135 between Troup and Arp. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 15 between Troup and the Rusk County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

MARSHALL — A shooting in Marshall has left one person dead and one injured. It happened around 2:45 Sunday morning in the 100 block of West Pinecrest. Jalen Juwan White, 19, of Marshall, died at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall. Another person was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Investigators have issued an arrest warrant for Corey Lamar Johnson, 31, of Jefferson (pictured). He will be charged with murder in the case.

LONGVIEW (AP) — Longview paid $16,250 to end contract negotiations with controversial rocker Ted Nugent, who was under consideration as the headliner for Longview’s Fourth of July celebration. The payoff came after Nugent’s earlier comments and song lyrics became an issue during a campaign swing with Texas gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott. City spokesman Shawn Hara told the Longview News-Journal the controversy surrounding Nugent was just one factor that led the city to call off negotiations. The amount paid was about half Nugent’s performance fee. Mayor Jay Dean said Nugent’s act didn’t fit with the family-oriented program the city wanted. In January, Nugent called President Barack Obama a “subhuman mongrel.” The comments resurfaced when Nugent campaigned in February with Abbott, who said he did not endorse such language.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering Dr. Seung Kim has been awarded a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award (CAREER) of $400,000 over the next five years, beginning June 1, 2014. The NSF CAREER Program is a foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards for early career faculty. The grant is in support of his biomedical research to develop a low-cost, highly sensitive and portable biosensor device which will be able to test for multiple diseases such as cancers using a small amount of a biological sample, usually blood. Continue reading LeTourneau Professor Gets Award

LONGVIEW — It has been tough this week being a pedestrian in Longview. For the third time in as many days a pedestrian has been hit by a car. The latest incident occurred around 4:30 Friday afternoon on East Marshall. A woman heading in the wrong direction jumped a cub and hit a man walking on a sidewalk. He was hospitalized, but his injuries were not serious.

PALESTINE — A Palestine woman has been flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas after being burned in a fire at her home. The fire was reported just before 9:45 Friday night at 2 Rambling Road. The 74 year old woman was found lying in her front yard when firemen arrived. Her name has not been released. The cause of the fire, which destroyed the home, is under investigation.