KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A police officer in Longview has resigned from his position on the squad and a lieutenant has been placed on leave as a result of an investigation into allegations of alleged sexual contact while on duty. According to the Longview Police Department, Patrol Office Adam Vanover submitted his resignation Friday, April 25th after an investigation stemmed from allegations he had engaged in sexual conduct while on duty. Also, Lt. Ronald Buckner, a 34 year veteran with Longview Police Department, was placed on leave after he was accused of being involved in the situation concerning Vanover. Longview Chief of Police Don Dingler said they have reason to believe Vanover downloaded and received explicit material on the department’s computer equipment while on duty as well as engaged in sexual contact. Continue reading One Officer Resigns, One on Leave Following Investigation

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has received a research grant to study harvester ants through the Texas Ecolab Program. With the $6,000 award, the UT Tyler Department of Biology, led by research associate Dr. Katrin Kellner, will study the population genetics of two Texas red harvester ant species, Pogonomyrmex barbatus and Pogonomyrmex comanche. The survey will reveal if populations of these ants are endangered and need further protection status. They currently are listed as “Species of Interest.” Continue reading UT Tyler Biology Department Receives Grant

TYLER – Today is the last day for early voting in the May 10 municipal elections around East Texas. In Tyler, Martin Heines faces Joel Rando in the race for mayor; Don Warren and Eleno Licea square off in the bid for City Council District 4, which Heines represented until recently. In the Tyler school board elections, incumbent Orenthia Mason faces Cedrick Granberry in District 2, while incumbent Ross Strader is challenged by Barbara Smith in District 5.

LINDALE — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Lindale High School cafeteria, located at 910 East Hubbard. Sheriff Smith conducted a town hall in Whitehouse on April 24 and held four during 2013. “The town halls have been well-received,” said Smith. “They provide the citizens an opportunity to know how their Sheriff’s Office is being run, and give me the opportunity to hear their ideas regarding how we can better serve their needs. It is my hope that everyone in the Lindale area will take just 90 minutes to join me on May 6.” Smith said additional town halls are scheduled for May 13 at Chapel Hill High School, and May 22 at the New Harmony Community Center.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing teenager who may be a runaway. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Don Martin, Luz Gonzales, 14, was last seen Tuesday, April 29, at Hogg Middle School. Gonzalez was spotted wearing a burgundy hooded sweater, khakis, and silver shoes. The teen has black hair and brown eyes and stands 5’1. She weighs about 105 pounds. Authorities say she may have run away with a Facebook friend. Contact Detective Chris Miller at the Tyler Police Department, (903) 531-1000, or Tyler/Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833 if you have any information on her whereabouts.

LONGVIEW — One person sustained what are termed life-threatening injuries in an accident involving a Spring Hill ISD bus in Longview. KETK reports the accident occurred at Spring Hill Road and McCann Road. According to the Longview Police Department, the driver of the school bus, identified as school district mechanic B.J. Benton, failed to yield the right-of-way, striking a pickup truck. That truck then went flying across the roadway, hitting another truck. The injured person, who was driving the first truck, was taken to a local hospital. The driver of the second truck was not injured. Benton was also uninjured and is being cited for failure to yield, along with being suspended from the driver’s position at SHISD pending toxciology reports, which is standard procedure. No children were on the bus at the time of the crash.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department confiscated nearly $35,000 in cash after a Friday afternoon traffic stop, according to authorities. KETK reports that Sergeant Jarod Sears executed the stop on a car which was traveling on Interstate 20. According to police, after an initial interview of the driver, Sears became suspicious of the driver’s actions and storyline. Officials say Sears got the driver’s consent to search the vehicle and then found $34,970 in U.S. currency hidden within the vehicle. The money and vehicle were both seized by police due to suspected money laundering common with drug trafficking operations. The driver has not been charged with a criminal offense at this time.

TYLER — Officials from online, nonprofit university WGU Texas announced Monday that in addition to its well-known Finish to Go Further program, the university is launching a brand new Pursuit of Excellence Transfer Scholarship. During a news conference at Tyler Junior College, officials said the move aims to encourage emerging leaders in East Texas to continue their education at WGU Texas. “We’re all working together to increase post-secondary completion rates in East Texas and across the state,” Dr. Bill Holda, President of Kilgore College. “Through WGU Texas’ Pursuit of Excellence Transfer Scholarship, we will be able to recognize the truly outstanding students who graduate from our local community colleges and provide them a high quality and affordable avenue to further their education and future career.” Continue reading WGU Texas Announces Over $55,000 in College Scholarships

HARRISON COUNTY — Traffic was snarled Monday as crews worked the scene of a crash off U.S. Highway 80 between Longview and Hallsville involving a train and a tractor-trailer rig near Trinity Industries in western Harrison County. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Harrison County Sheriff’s office spokesman Jay Webb said people involved sustained some injuries but the crash was not fatal. Webb added that the collision took down power lines and that Southwestern Electric Power Co. has cut off power in the area. SWEPCO is reporting that 200 people are without power in Harrison County. SWEPCO crews worked to install a new power pole at the scene. Traffic was blocked in both directions on U.S. 80 after the crash.

KILGORE — An East Texas man under indictment for indecency with a child is sought by the Kilgore Police Department for indecent exposure. According to KETK, Lewis Lavon Jones, 51, Kilgore, is known to drive a 1992 Tan Ford Pickup with Texas License Plates BNK-4913. The indictment for child indecency was issued in Panola County.

GREGG COUNTY — A weekend shooting in Gregg County has left one person dead and one inured and a suspect in custody. The shooting just before 7:40 Saturday night in the 100 block of Gamel Road killed Jacklyn Flores, 17. She died from a gunshot wound to the head. A 33-year-old woman, said to be the girl’s mother, had multiple gunshot wounds to the back. The woman was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment and the teen was transported to Longview Regional Medical Center. Jacklyn Flores was pronounced dead at 8:26 PM. Continue reading Gregg County Murder Suspect Identified

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 – Construction crews this week resume resurfacing operations on North Loop 323 in Tyler in an effort to conclude the construction project between U.S. Highway 69 North and the Loop 323 Extension. Meanwhile, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday were due to conclude base and pavement repair work on SH 64 west of Tyler, then move on Tuesday to perform the same work on U.S. Highway 271 between North Loop 323 and Farm Road 2015. A second crew is scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on East Loop 323 between the Loop 323 Extension and Commerce Street. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department is investigating two suspected arson from Friday night, according to Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary. Firefighters responded to a blaze about 8 p.m. Friday at a home on 15th Street. The second fire came about an hour-and-a-half later at a residence on Gay Street. Both single-family homes were unoccupied at the time of the fires, and no one was injured. There was “significant damage” to the homes once firefighters arrived, Zackary said. Anyone with information about the fires can report it anonymously by calling Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER — The Centers for Disease Control and other health organizations said students who have head lice do not need to be sent home early from school and can attend class as usual. Tyler Independent School District met and decided to implement this new code. It’s been cleared with a couple organizations, if your kid or your kid’s classmate has lice at any TISD school, they are allowed to stay in class. This policy was implemented right away and will appear in their handbook next school year. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, lice is not infectious or dangerous and kids should be able to stay in class. Continue reading TISD Allowing Kids with Lice to Attend Class

TYLER — Around 4,000 people were in downtown Tyler Saturday to enjoy Texas BBQ, beer, and country music. Townsquare media made Tyler history with the first ever Red Dirt Festival. Fifteen BBQ restaurants from across the state traveled to Tyler to showcase their ribs, sausage, and brisket. “Texas BBQ has always been a great tradition for decades, but over the past few years its really exploded with popularity,” said Chase Colston with Townsquare media. Famous restaurants from as close as Stanley’s in Tyler, and as far as famous ones in Austin gave East Texans a chance to try out their tasty menus. Colston said, “people travel all over the place to see them and we wanted to bring these places to Tyler to really showcase not only each restaurant but also different styles, really showcase the best of it all.”

LONGVIEW — The 17-year-old charged with three counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury in connection with an April shooting that left three dead has asked to have his $300,000 bond cut down. According to the Longview News-Journal, Jakerion Allison of Longview was arrested April 16, 10 days after the shooting. The application was submitted Monday. The April shooting on Beaumont Street left Anthony Anderson, 35, Tavarus Christopher Glaspie, 35, and Josiah “Joey” Hollister, 15, dead.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Builders Association has announced the beneficiaries of the upcoming 2014 Parade of Homestm will be Kingdom Life Academy and Rockin’ C Ranch’s Camp Courageous for special needs children. “For a number of years, we have chosen to donate a portion of the proceeds from the Parade to organizations that serve our community,” said Libby Simmons, executive vice-president of TABA. “It is our way of giving back to the community that gives so much to us.” More than 4,000 visitors toured the Parade last year. Continue reading TABA Announces Parade of Homes Beneficiaries

TYLER — Tyler ISD’s graduation rates exceed those of Texas and the United States, according to information from the school district. TISD’s 2012 graduation rate hit 92 percent, beating the state average by 4 percent. Furthermore, Tyler ISD graduation rates exceeded the state and the nation in every demographic group. According to a news release, “Tyler ISD applauds districts across the State in their achievements” while celebrating its own good news. The United States Department of Education this week released a study showing 2012 graduation rates of Texas students to be among the highest in the country. Texas posted a graduation rate of 88 percent, coming in behind only Iowa and tied for second place with Nebraska, Vermont and Wisconsin. Furthermore, in 2012, Texas had the highest graduation rates among African-American students and tied for the highest graduation rates for white and economically disadvantaged students.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road and Bridge crews have completed reconstruction of a well-traveled bridge on County Road 137 just north of Bullard. The reconstructed bridge is made of concrete, has two full lanes and will improve a number of safety issues for that road, according to a county news release. Before improvements began, the wooden bridge which crosses over Henshaw Creek was only large enough to allow a single car to pass at a time. Crews also moved the location of the bridge to straighten out a dangerous curve in CR 137, improving visibility for both directions of traffic, according to officials. As of May 2, the bridge is now reopened to through traffic. Continue reading County Road 137 Now Open

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has named its newest housing facility, Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs, announced. Officials say Eagle’s Landing, formerly the Village at the U, will offer a unique campus living option for university upperclassmen. UT Tyler held a naming contest opened to all students, faculty and staff. The university received more than 200 entries. Continue reading UT Tyler Announces Name for New Housing

COVE SPRINGS — The West Jacksonville Water Supply Corporation, which serves the Cove Springs area, is notifying all its customers to boil their water prior to consumption. The boil water notice was issued on the order of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It specifically addresses customers who experienced low pressure or were without water Friday. Continue reading Boil Water Notice for Cove Springs

RUSK — The death of a man found in a Cherokee County ditch is now being investigated as a homicide. KETK reports that according to the Rusk Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Underwood around 8:40 Tuesday evening on a call for help. When police arrived they found Xavier Lang, 22, lying in an eastbound ditch with arm and head injuries. He was pronounced dead Wednesday by Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Meredith after being flown to a Tyler hospital. Lang’s body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy, and the results are expected to be back sometime this weekend.

MARSHALL — Former Harrison County deputy Eddie Nichols is serving 5 years in prison for indecency with a child. Now his wife has been sentenced in the same case. KETK reports Sharon Nichols was pleading no contest to two counts of injury to a child. She was accused of causing serious mental impairment to her children by failing to protect them from her husband. The children told authorities that their stepfather inappropriately touched them and gave them breast exams in 2011. Sharon Nichols was given ten years’ probation on each count.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A former doctor arrested in Kilgore has a preliminary hearing in Oklahoma Wednesday. 71-year-old William Martin Valuck had already served time in federal prison before moving to Kilgore. D-E-A agents arrested him in December and extradited him back to Oklahoma. KETK reports prosecutors dropped one murder charge and 14 drug charges. He still faces more than sixty felonies and eight murders. Officials say Valuck wrote more prescriptions than any other doctor in the state and at least eight of those resulted in fatal overdoses.

LONGVIEW — A cross-dressing man, who is not a United States citizen, is facing deportation after pleading guilty to unlawful restraint of a 15-year-old in Longview. According to Gregg County judicial records, Sergio Antonio Galicia-Orozco, 41, received five years’ probation for a January 2012 incident in which Galicia-Orozco, while dressed as a woman, stroked a Longview teen’s stomach before reaching into the victim’s shorts. KETK reports Galicia-Orozco entered the guilty plea in December 2013 and was sentenced Thursday by Gregg County 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles. Continue reading Cross-Dresser Facing Deportation after Reaching into Boy’s Shorts

SMITH COUNTY — The Winona Volunteer Fire Department may lose their contract with Emergency Services District 2 after several reports have been filed, claiming the department is failing to respond to fires in a timely manner. According to Emergency Services District 2, the Winona Fire Department has 30 days to improve their response time before they lose funding. According to KETK, in the last four months, Emergency Services says the department failed to meet the minimum 15 minute requirement on multiple occasions. This past Monday, Fire Chief Nelson Brumley stepped down. Continue reading Winona Volunteer Fire Department Facing Contract Issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate supporters of the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline have introduced legislation authorizing its immediate construction and say they expect the measure will come to a vote in the coming days. The legislation was introduced by Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Republican Sen. John Hoeven North Dakota. In a statement, they said it has the support of all 45 Senate Republicans and 11 Democrats. The legislation is the latest response in Congress to the Obama administration’s recent announcement that it was delaying a decision on the pipeline indefinitely, citing a Nebraska court case relating to the project. The House has voted previously to approve construction of the pipeline, which would carry oil from Canada to the United States, where it eventually would reach Gulf Coast states. The pipeline is scheduled to run through eastern Smith County.

RAINS COUNTY — An East Texan whose dog was killed by a now fired Rains County deputy is trying to turn his grief into something good. Cole Middleton says his blue heeler Candy was a gentle dog. Jerrod Dooley, who had come to Middleton’s home following a burglary about two weeks ago, shot her in the back of the head. Dooley claimed he felt endangered by the animal. Middleton is pushing for legislation that would mandate police learn to deal with dogs in other ways. Middleton says, “We’re here to fight, and we’re gonna fight to try to get this passed, because we would not wish this on our worst enemy. It’s terrible, it’s been awful, and it’s been very hard to deal with, and we just want to see some changes — want to see a positive out of a negative.” He says meter readers and mail carriers know more about working around dogs than do police.

TYLER — Tyler is getting another visit from former President George W. Bush. KETK reports that on May 8, Grace Community School will take over the University of Texas at Tyler’s Patriot Center for a full-scale, 40th Anniversary celebration event. Bush will keynote the event, speaking to the crowd and also participating in a conversation with Grace Headmaster Jay Ferguson. The evening will also include special music performances from Grace Community School’s state-recognized fine arts department and a multi-media presentation to recognize and honor the founders of the school. The event kicks off at 7pm, and you can go to http://www.gracetyler.org to get tickets.