KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — One person is injured after an industrial accident in Tyler. It happened around 10:30 Monday morning at the Delek Refinery. Details are limited, but the Tyler Fire Department tells KETK that there was a minor industrial accident at the facility. According to Tyler police, an employee was working with a machine when an issue occurred causing the employee to receive a head injury. Police say the man was able to talk but his condition is unknown at this time. He was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment for his injuries.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview is urging residents to be safe during the upcoming New Year’s Holiday. The Longview Fire and Police Departments want to remind citizens it is against City ordinance to use or have fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, skyrockets or sparklers. Anyone caught with fireworks inside the City limits will be issued a citation with fines over $300 Anyone using fireworks that result in a fire will be subject to criminal charges as well. Continue reading New Year’s Safety Reminders

HOUSTON — Two Texas Baptist Universities win a battle in court that allows them to opt out of part of Obamacare. A Houston federal court has ruled that East Texas and Houston Baptist universities do not have to offer employees coverage that would allow them to buy drugs or devices that Eric Rassbach with the Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty says cause abortion. He says it’s important for both sides to be respected. The pills and devices in question include the morning after, or “plan B,” pill and a certain type of IUD. Continue reading ETBU, HBU Get Pass on Part of Obamacare

LONGVIEW — A Longview man accused in a fatal stabbing at Good Shepherd Medical Center in November could be looking at the death penalty. KETK reports that this past Friday, charges against Kyron Templeton were upgraded to capital murder. He’s facing three charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon along with two counts of capital murder.

RICHARDSON (AP) – Country music legend Ray Price has been memorialized in North Texas following his death. Hundreds of his fans and friends gathered Saturday in the Dallas suburb of Richardson for a public memorial service. Price died Dec. 16 at his home in Mt. Pleasant after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 87. The Country Music Hall of Famer inspired and worked with the genre’s biggest stars and had more than 100 hits himself. One fan, Janie Fricke, tells WFAA-TV that she considered Price’s voice to be “magical,” and that no singer was as unique as he was. Fort Worth DJ Bill Mack told attendees that Price had finished a record just before his death – and that he had never sounded better.

DALLAS (AP/STAFF) — Dallas billionaire and heavyweight GOP political donor Harold Simmons, who has given millions of dollars to Republican candidates, including Texas Governor Rick Perry, has died. He was 82. Simmons, born to two school teachers in Golden, in Wood County, became one of the richest men in the country with interests ranging from energy to chemicals. A spokesman for Simmons, Chuck McDonald, says Simmons died Saturday in Dallas. He says he does not know the cause of death. Continue reading Dallas Billionaire Harold Simmons Dies

NACOGDOCHES — A 911 call has sent Nacogdoches police looking for a man accused of choking a woman. The incident occurred around 2:00 Saturday afternoon in the 3000 block of Pearl Street. The woman told officers she was restrained and choked by her live in boyfriend. He had fled the scene by the time officers arrived. He’s facing a variety of charges, including assault and obstruction or retaliation.

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has announced the launch of Fly TYR Club, the new parking reward program. Passengers will earn free parking rewards by accumulating points for every trip leaving TYR. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has the only daily jet service in the area provided by United Airline and American Eagle. Continue reading Earn Free Parking by Flying TYR!

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

Projects Under Construction
• Loop 323 – Resurfacing between US 69 North and American Legion Drive. The $3.8 million project let to contract in March 2013, began in July 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2014. Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is the contractor. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

GLADEWATER — Officials are investigating an East Texas plane crash. It was reported around 1:45 Saturday afternoon just west of Gladewater on Culver Street. Witness told the Longview News-Journal that the two men aboard the craft walked away from it. Both suffered minor injuries. Their names have not been released. According to authorities, because the engine was out, the pilot was gliding to land in an open area but crashed into a wooded area. The FAA Registery says the plane is a single-engine Cessna registered to a Kilgore man. The FAA will be investigating the crash.

LONGVIEW — One person has been injured in a Longview shooting. It happened just before 3:20 Saturday morning in the 1200 block of East Marshall Avenue. Police spokeswoman Kristi Brian tells the Longview News-Journal the shooting was between two groups of people, one was in the parking lot of Super 1 Foods and the other in the parking lot of Pleasure Palace. One person was wounded in the hand and taken to the hospital for treatment. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

LUFKIN — Two men have been killed in a two vehicle accident in Angelina County. Dead at the scene was Colten Lawrence, 20, of Lufkin, and Richard Luce, 50, of Pollok. The wreck happened shortly after 5:30 Friday night On State Highway 103 at Old Bonner Road, west of Lufkin. Two pickups collided head-on at the intersection, both bursting into flames. A passanger in one of the trucks Edward Basham, 37, of Hemphill. was injured and hospitalized.

SMITH CONTY — A two vehicle accident in Smith County has left one person dead. The wreck occurred Friday afternoon on County Road 21 at the intersection of County Road 26, in the Jamestown area east of Tyler. Dead at the scene was Archie Lee Moore, 59, of Kennard. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident happened when a tractor trailer truck and a loaded logging truck that Moore was driving, collided.

KILGORE– A former East Texas doctor has been arrested for homicide and drug distribution. Arrested by DEA agents from Tyler and Kilgore police just before 4:00 yesterday afternoon was William Martin Valuck. KETK reports the warrants served on Valuck were provided at the request of Oklahoma law enforcement officials. The warrants issued for Valuck included nine counts of homicide and 43 counts of drug distribution in Oklahoma. He was taken to the Rusk County Jail where he will be held pending extradition to Oklahoma City. Continue reading Former East Texas Doctor Arrested

QUITMAN — Wood County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help after the equivalent of more than 300 barrels of raw crude oil were stolen. the oil was taken in thefts from three locations during the past seven weeks in the area of Farm Road 2966 and Farm Road 69 in Wood County. If you can supply any information after the thefts, you’re asked to contact Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274). Information leading to an arrest could lead to up to a $1,000 reward.

KILGORE — A Rusk County man has been arrested on two charges of assault of a child. Arrested late Thursday night at his home between Liberty City and Kilgore was Dimitri Deshun Taylor, 21. His arrest followed his indictment by the Rusk County Grand Jury on the complaints. Taylor remains in the Rusk County jail under bonds totaling $80,000.

FORT WORTH (AP/STAFF) — Ninety-year-old Texas Congressman Ralph Hall, the oldest person ever to serve in the U.S. House, says his 2014 campaign will be his last. The Rockwall Republican filed once again for his House seat, along with five Republican primary challengers, but said last week that it will be his last campaign. At one time, Hall’s district included Smith County. Continue reading Congressman Hall Says 2014 Campaign Will be His Last

LONGVIEW-— One man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Andres Chavez, whose body was found in the woods near Sabine Street in Lognview. On December 27, at 6:00 a.m., the Longview SWAT team executed a search and arrest warrant in rural Smith County in reference to the homicide in the 1100 Block of Sabine Street that occurred on or about December 23. Alejandro Garcia Gallegos was arrested on a charge of murder. With the assistance of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Gallegos was interviewed in reference to his part in this ongoing investigation. Gallegos was transported to the Gregg County Jail and booked into jail on a $500,000. bond. Anyone with more information is urged to contact Longview Police. Continue reading One Arrested In Connection With Longview Murder

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County Jail inmate remains in serious condition today at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. He is identified as William Brown, 58, of Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, Brown was arrested by Longview police December 14 and charged with theft. Prior convictions on that charge elevated the misdemeanor charge to a felony. Continue reading Gregg County Inmate Hospitalized

LONGVIEW — A pair of alleged East Texas burglars are behind bars after a Gregg County Deputy spotted the two in the process of breaking into a local business after reportedly stealing a truck. According to KETK, Tommy Wobbington Jr.(pictured) and Mysti Stell were arrested for burglary of a building Tuesday night. Officials said the deputy was on patrol December 24th when he noticed a suspicious vehicle next to East Texas Sonar, 3200 Highway 259 North. The business, as well as other businesses in the area, had recently been burglarized. Continue reading East Texas Duo Charged with Theft

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department responded to a report of a car that had crashed into an apartment complex. It happened Thursday afternoon at the Brides on Kinsey, 4411 Kinsey Drive. According to KETK, the driver said he was pulling into a parking place when his brakes failed. He ran into the side of the building, barely avoiding the window. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Police are investigating after a morning assault in Longview. According to Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian, a man was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after an assault early Christmas morning. The Longview News-Journal reports, a witness told police shortly before 8:00 they had found a man unconscious in the parking lot of a business in the 1500 block of Texas 31 near Loop 281. Police have not released the name of the victim and do not have any suspects. Police ask anyone with information about the incited to call Longview police detectives at (903) 237-1199. To remain anonymous, call Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-7867.

BIG SANDY — Apartments in a Big Sandy apartment complex have been damaged by Christmas morning fire. It was reported around 5:00am at the Shady Chateau apartment complex in the 200 block of West Gilmer Street. According to KETK, fire officials say there were no injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

OVERTON — An Overton home has been destroyed in a Christmas Eve fire. The fire was reported just before 4:00 Tuesday afternoon in the 600 block of Lamar Street. A man and a woman suffered minor burns in the fire, which was said to have been caused by a space heater.

TYLER — Two persons have been injured when a truck hit a Tyler business. It happened around 12:30 Tuesday afternoon at The Tyler Hardware Store in the 1800 block of West Gentry Parkway. The accident occurred when a car traveling on Gentry Parkway, hit a car in the stores parking lot and then hit the store. The driver who hit the store, as well as a woman inside the building, were injured. Their injuries were not life threatening.

MARSHALL — The Department of Public Safety is reporting one person has been killed in a pedestrian/vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20. It happened Monday night shortly before 8:15, eight miles west of Marshall. Killed was Michael Shayne Haltom, 35, of Magnolia, Arkansas. The DPS reports Haltom had crawled onto an east bound lane of the interstate when he was struck by several vehicles and killed. The body has been sent to Tyler for autopsy.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is continuing its investigation of a body found in the woods near Skipper Lake. The body has been identified as that of Andres Chavez, 19, of Longview, shown here on Face Book page. Monday morning shortly after 7:30, authorities were dispatched to a report of a dead body in the 1100 Block of Sabine Street. When officers arrived they found a man lying outside a car near a wooded area. Police have not made a positive identification of the victim. They say they are treating the death as a homicide. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous they can contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.

PITTSBURG — Fire has destroyed two structures at an egg farm in Camp County. It is located southeast of Pittsburg on County Road 1120. Pittsburg Fire Chief Carl Carvey tells KETK a cutting torch sparked a grass fire at the farm and burned down two chicken houses. The fire was reported shortly before 2:45 Monday afternoon. There were no injuries. The buildings belonged to a company called Texas Egg.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is free on bond following an arrest due to “angry” driving. Arrested was Daniel E. Beauchamp, 43. According to the Longview News- Journal, police say, when he was first spotted, he was driving so poorly they thought he was drunk. Officers said when they first tried to stop him, Beauchamp fled down Marshall Avenue and Alpine Road. He finally pulled over in the 1200 block of Alpine Road. Beauchamp told the officer the reason for his erratic driving was because he had gotten into an argument with his wife, was upset and not paying attention to his driving. He’s currently free on a $5,000 bond.

TYLER — It is unlawful to dump trash such as tires, household garbage, brush, appliances or furniture within Tyler city limits. Non-commercial dumping of less than five pounds is a Class C Misdemeanor which can result in fines up to $2,000. Since the inception of the Code Enforcement Department on Jan. 1, 2008 there have been 1,579 illegal dumping cases to date. Continue reading Illegal Dumping, An Ongoing Tyler Problem