KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Five people accused of possession were arrested Tuesday following a raid in Cherokee County. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, they, along with the FBI, Jacksonville Police Department, Rusk Police Department, and Precinct 4 Constable Jamie Beene, served a warrant at a home in the Pierce’s Chapel community. KETK reports all five people were found inside the house when authorities arrived. Continue reading Five Arrested in Cherokee County Drug Raid

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is stepping up its patrols targeting DWI drivers during spring break. The department will be participating in a state grant during the spring break weekend that will provide funding to the department to enforce DWI laws. The enforcement detail will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers Friday, March 14th, through Sunday, March 16th. Police say this program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. According to a news release, it is the intent of all law enforcement agencies that this effort will act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid driving while intoxicated.

CANTON — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office are investigating an attempted suicide by an inmate in the county jail in Canton. The attempt was discovered by Jail staff early Thursday morning during a routine count period. The jail staff found the inmate hanging with a bed sheet tied around his neck. Jail staff immediately summoned help and removed the sheet from around the inmate’s neck and began first aid. Once first responders and Ambulance personnel arrived the inmate was transported to Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler for further treatment. The inmate is Larry Maples of Ben Wheeler. He is in custody on the following charges of Sex Abuse of Child Continuous: Victim under 14, Capital Murder INSF Bond, Criminal Attempt-Murder INSF Bond. Continue reading Van Zandt County Inmate Attempts Suicide in Cell

LONGVIEW — Some Longview residents were startled awake when an alleged drunken driver plowed into their vehicles. Shortly before 1:00 Wednrsday morning, the Longview Police Department received a call for help in reference to an incident on the 1400 block of Dartmouth Street, Longview Police said. KETK reports that when officers arrived, they learned three vehicles had been crashed into by an unknown person in a car. The man believed responsible tried to run away, but he was found hiding behind nearby truck. He did not resist arrest. Continue reading Alleged Drunken Driver Plows into 3 Vehicles in Overnight Crash

SMITH COUNTY — The results are in for the Texas Warrant Round Up and Smith County topped $90,000 in reclaimed court fines and fees, closing out 273 outstanding cases during the two-week campaign. Smith County joined forces with more than 300 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in the largest joint warrant round up in the state. Anyone who owed a court fine or fee in one of the participating districts had until March 1 to pay before officers were dispatched to find and arrest them. Continue reading Warrant Round Up Nets $90,000 for Smith County

KILGORE — Four Kilgore police officers involved in a fatal shooting last month are back on duty. KETK reports Police Chief Todd Hunter, Sgt. Jarod Sears, Cpl. Kevin Stewart, and Officer Amos Owings were placed on administrative leave after the shooting of Randy Vinson (pictured). According to police, Vinson shot and killed his sister-in-law Elizabeth on Feb. 18. Gregg County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Doss is also back on duty. Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and Kilgore police officers say they salute their colleagues for their bravery.

EMORY — An East Texas teenager is dead after apparently being accidentally shot in the head. He is identified as Wesley Pruitt, 13. According to the Rains County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the shooting around 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.. The incident took place at a home on County Road 2130. The shooting is said to have happened in a bedroom at the home while the father was in the kitchen. According to authorities, Pruitt was shot in the head after a 15-year-old boy pulled the trigger of a 12-gauge shotgun, not realizing it was loaded. Although the incident appears to have been an accident, authorities are investigating it thoroughly.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Two people were hurt, one seriously, in a major wreck in Van Zandt County Wednesday morning. KETK reports the crash left both vehicles involved mangled on Highway 19 at County Road 4205, according to the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department. The accident happened when a truck heading northbound on Highway 19 lost control, over-corrected, and slammed into a car traveling southbound. Continue reading Two Injured in Wreck that Tied Up Traffic

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is behind bars after police say he was exposing himself to a woman and her 10-year-old daughter. KETK reports Sean Massey, 23, is accused of committing the act while sitting on the roof of a home on Oakdale Drive in Longview. Massey was booked into the Gregg County Jail on Tuesday on $10,000 bond.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Seven people have been arrested in Cherokee County on multiple counts of federal drug and firearms violations after a federal grand jury returned a sealed six-count indictment. Authorities say the indictment resulted from a lengthy investigation launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Police Department. The Rusk Police Department assisted in the apprehension and arrest of four of the suspects. At the time of the arrests, over 100 grams of methamphetamine, 10 firearms, and cash were seized, according to officials. If convicted, the defendants face between 5-40 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000,000 on the drug charges and additional incarceration on the weapons charges. Continue reading Criminal Enterprise Spurs Arrests in Cherokee County

TYLER – A 72-year-old Longview man has been convicted of federal drug trafficking charges. A jury found Jerry Don Castleberry guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The verdict followed a two day trial in Tyler before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Continue reading Federal Jury Convicts Longview Man of Drug Charges

GLADEWATER — Authorities suspect arson as they investigate a burglary and fire at a Gladewater business. KETK reports the incident took place around 7 a.m. on March 9 in the 800 block of E. Broadway Avenue at Super Advantage Auto Sales, according to business owner Chris Dominguez. Before the building caught fire, thieves took monitors, office supplies, a rifle, and $400 in coins. Crews put out the fire by 8:40 a.m. The total damage is still being assessed by fire investigators, but extensive damage was done to the business. Dominguez suspects the criminals tried to burn down his building after spotting surveillance cameras. No arrests have been made at this time.

HENDERSON — Authorities say four people have been arrested in Rusk County for alleged drug trafficking. According to KETK, two of the accused were busted last November on similar charges. The recent arrests were part of a multi-agency arrest warrant sweep conducted March 6th. Terry Nathan Tidwell, Ysidro Yanez, Christopher White, and Angela Denison were arrested on accusations of conspiracy/possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Also arrested, on a state charge of abandoning/endangering a child, was Jessica Page. Yanez and Tidwell were arraigned November 7 on charges of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Continue reading Four Arrested in Rusk County Meth Ring

TYLER — A Tyler home escaped major fire damage, but the blaze has prompted officials to issue another safety advisory. The initial call to 2512 Lynn Drive was received at just before 10:45 Wednesday morning with reports of smoke and flames visible in the structure. Five emergency units responded. According to a news release, firefighters quickly determined the source of the fire and extinguished the blaze, minimizing the damage to the residence. Investigators located the area of fire origin near the home’s heating unit. The fire resulted from combustibles that were stored too close to the heat source. No injuries were reported. Continue reading House Fire Prompts Safety Advisory

MINEOLA — A Mineola teenager has been killed in a one-vehicle rollover. According to the Mineola Police Department, at 4:00 Tuesday afternoon, Department of Public Safety troopers were dispatched to an accident in the 1000 block of East Broad Street. KETK reports that when authorities arrived at the scene, they found an SUV resting on its side. Troopers discovered a person was lying in the road near the vehicle. He was identified at Corey Jackson, 18. Jackson was flown to ETMC in Tyler, but he did not survive his injuries from the crash. Officials did not release a suspected cause of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

TYLER — A Tyler man accused of capital murder makes his second court appearance in the last three weeks today. KETK reports John Grimes IV, 25, was indicted on February 27 and will go to trial. A trial date has not been set. The suspect will also appear in court March 14 for a revocation of probation hearing. He had been on probation for assault on a family member before the murder. The case will be presided over by Judge Thomas A. Dunn. On December 1, 2013, Grimes was arrested and charged with capital murder after police responded to a home in the 500 block of East Bow Street to find the body of Tony Jeter, 65. He had been stabbed to death. Grimes was booked into Smith County Jail and was being held on a $1 million bond.

LONGVIEW — The West Bound right lane of Marshall Avenue will be closed between Edith Street and West Tyler starting at 8:00am on Thursday March 13, through 5:00pm on Tuesday March 18. The closure is for Driveway approach and curbs for the new O’Reilly Auto Parts Store.

TYLER – Responding to the increased number of citizens wanting to assist law enforcement officials and build a stronger partnership in the fight against crime, Sheriff Larry R. Smith Wednesday announced that Smith County citizens are being invited to become Associate Members of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. That’s according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Membership invitations will go out in the mail over the next several weeks. Associate Member funding allows the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas to provide critical training, technical resources, and legislative support on key criminal justice issues to law enforcement officers across the state, according to the release. Continue reading Citizens Invited to Join Sheriff’s Association

WOODVILLE (AP) – Four ex-relatives of an East Texas man have been accused of killing him and his new wife as he sought custody of his 5-year-old daughter. The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday said the suspects formerly were related to Nathan Bradley Maddox of Zavalla. Maddox and his wife, Krystal, were gunned down Jan. 18 outside a church after a supervised visit with his daughter. A grand jury Tuesday indicted Maddox’s ex-wife Kristen Westfall, her parents Letha and Paul Westfall, and her brother, Cameron Westfall. Continue reading Four Arrested in Slaying of Texas Couple Near Church

KILGORE — Two East Texas women are behind bars after a routine traffic stop ended in an altercation between authorities and the suspects. According to KETK, Heather Nicole Thomas, (pictured) 21, Laird Hill, and Brittnie Smith, 22, Tyler, were arrested by Kilgore police after Thomas started an altercation with an officer concerning an outstanding warrant. Thomas was stopped by officials around 10:30 Monday morning for driving over the speed limit on Highway 135. Continue reading Two Women Jailed Following a Scuffle with Police

VAN — In a letter to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Republican State Rep. Dan Flynn of Van questions whether city bans on plastic shopping bags are in compliance with the state’s health and safety laws. A section states that a municipal district may not pass legislative restrictions or charge fees relating to the use of a “container or package” for waste management purposes. Proponents of the ban cite environmental benefits. Although the AG’S opinion is not a legally binding decision, opponents could use it in lawsuits if it’s in their favor, because it would be noticed by the court. At least nine Texas cities ban plastic bags or have adopted fees on replacement bags.

WILLS POINT — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery of partial human remains, found Friday night off County Road 3529 near Wills Point. They are believed to be the remains of John Richard Hannon, 59, who had been reported missing to the Van Zandt County Pct. 3 Constable’s Office in late February. Continue reading Human Remains Found in Van Zandt County

MILDRED — The Mildred school district reaches out to a community in Navarro County where police say an 8-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 3-year old cousin, who was visiting from Nacogdoches. The 8-year-old is a student at Mildred Elementary. Becky Burns, the superintendent of Mildred ISD, says even though it’s spring break, the district offered special services at the school Tuesday for anyone needing to talk about what happened. According to Burns, “We need to offer them a chance to be heard and express any concerns that they have and offer counseling on those issues.” The Navarro County Sheriff’s Office believes it was an accident, but charges could be filed against some adults who were home at the time it happened.

TYLER – Three males, two adults and one juvenile, are in custody in connection with a residential burglary in the 12900 block of Smith County Road 168. Authorities say at 9:30 Tuesday morning, a Smith County deputy responded to an alarm call at the residence and discovered three males exiting the home and getting into a vehicle that was later found to have stolen property from the home. According to a news release, the men tried fleeing in the vehicle through a fence but became stuck in the fence. The deputy took all three men into custody and transported them to the Smith County Jail. They face charges of burglary of a habitation and perhaps additional charges. The homeowner was notified and the property will be returned according to officials, who say additional information will be released as it becomes available.

TYLER – Authorities have arrested the man believed responsible for a robbery Tuesday morning at a Tyler business. KETK reports the suspect was caught at the Village at the U Apartments on the 3000 block of Old Omen Road. He has been identified as Jaylon Takory Rutherford, 19, of Texarkana. Officials say Rutherford was found hiding in an apartment by a resident of that unit. According to authorities, Rutherford was unwilling to leave, and the resident contacted police around 9:42 Tuesday morning. Rutherford allegedly held up the Food Fast gas station in the 4000 block of University Boulevard around 2:00 a.m. He was transported to the Smith County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery, possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, and possession of marijuana.

TYLER — A Smith County man who police say shot and killed his wife has been granted a court-appointed lawyer. KETK reports Adrian Mata, 29, was in court Tuesday, and was given a lawyer by the state. The suspect is accused of fatally shooting Jennifer Mata, 30, in the head on Tuesday, February 25, at their home on County Road 333. Continue reading Accused Wife Killer Gets Court-Appointed Lawyer

TYLER — One of the men accused of murdering a young Tyler mother at a public park in July 2013 is set to go on trial May 12. KETK reports Dennis Bendy appeared in Smith County’s 241st Judicial Court Tuesday morning. Bendy is accused of shooting and killing Briana Young, 20, at Tyler’s P.T. Cole Park last July 30. Pre-trial is slated to begin on May 8. Judge Jack Skeen ordered a DNA/forensic test to be submitted for the case. Rakheem Goldstein’s attorney asked for a continuance on Monday, and he will appear in court along with Bendy on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. Bendy and Goldstein were indicted for the crime in November 2013, and their bonds were set at $1,000,000 each. Continue reading Accused Park Murder Trial Set for May

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP/Staff) — The father of an airman from East Texas shot by an Opelika, Alabama, police officer says his son suffered serious injuries to his stomach and colon and may never fully recover from his injuries. Billy Davidson said his son, Michael Darrett Davidson, 20, of Beckville, was driving on Interstate 85 on his way to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base near Goldsboro, N.C., when the shooting happened shortly after 7:00 last Thursday evening. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is probing the shooting that involved Opelika Officer Phillip Hancock, a seven-year veteran with the department. Hancock, who wasn’t injured, has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Billy Davison tells The Opelika-Auburn News that his son was moved from the ICU at East Alabama Medical Center Monday afternoon.

KILGORE — Kilgore police are asking for the public’s help in a recent fatal hit and run accident. It happened around 6:00am on Saturday, March 1st, at the intersection of Highway 31 and Highway 135. Investigators say a motorcyclist suffered fatal injures when hit from behind. The motorist fled the scene without trying to render aid. The suspects vehicle is believed to be a white four door pick-up, an oil field type truck, with possible minor damage to the front end. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective Trae Portwood at 903-218-6905. You may also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-STOP, or text an anonymous tip to 847411 + KILGORE + your tip. You asked to refer to KPD Incident #1403-0022.