KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — Effective Monday, the city of Athens has initiated Stage 1 of the city’s drought contingency plan. City residents are requested to voluntarily conserve water and adhere to prescribed restrictions on certain water uses. According to the city web page, stage 1 indicates mild water shortage conditions. The goal is to achieve a voluntary 10% reduction in daily use. Athens residents are requested to voluntarily limit the irrigation of landscaped areas on and odd-even watering schedule. Residents are also asked irrigate landscapes only between the hours of midnight and 10:00am and 8:00pm to midnight on designated watering days. You can go to http://www.athenstexas.us to get more information on Athens’ Drought Contingency Plan.

TYLER — Tyler police have charged a man with manslaughter in connection with a death last month. Charged in the case is Ricky Lee Cox, 22, who is said to be a homeless man from Tyler. On June 19, around 5:30 in the afternoon, EMS responded to the area of the railroad tracks on N. Bois D. Arc near the Bus Station. There they found Michelle Ingram, 28. She had reportedly struck her head on the railroad tracks as she and her boyfriend, who was identified as Cox, walked along the tracks. She died a couple of days later at East Texas Medical Center. On July 4th, police investigators charged Cox with manslaughter. Bond was set at $50,000.

LONE STAR — Marion County authorities are looking into what appears to be a murder/suicide. It was found around 1:00 Monday morning in the Lake O’ the Pines area off Farm Road 729. It was first reported as a house fire. Arriving firemen found a man sitting in a car, dead from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Later, in the house which was destroyed by fire, authorities found two bodies. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW — A traffic stop in Gregg County has led to two arrests and a manhunt. It started around 10:00 Monday morning when a sheriff’s deputy pulled over a man who was eastbound on Interstate Highway 20 near Farm Road 1252. Inside the vehicle, authorities say narcotics were found. A woman was arrested and a man in the vehicle fled barefoot from the vehicle. He was found in a nearby wooded area. Their names will be released following their arraignment.

LONGVIEW — A man has been arrested after driving his pickup into a Longview store. He is identified as Matthew Blake Costello, 21, of Longview. The accident occurred around 6:30 Sunday morning at Albertsons in the 3600 block of McCann Road. Longview police report no injuries in the accident. Continue reading Man Who Drove into Longview Business Identified

LONGVIEW — Longview police continue their investigation into a shooting that left one person dead and one injured. It happened around 5:15 Sunday afternoon in the 300 block of Bonner street. Killed was Joey Lee Espy, aka Joey Lee Henderson, 19, Longview. (pictured) He was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman, who was also shot, was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Numerous shots were said to have been fired and authorities say they have no serious leads to the shooter. Investigators feel that narcotics may have played a part in the homicide. Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Longview Police.

WHITEHOUSE — A Smith County mobile home has been damaged by fire. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the blaze around 11:00 Saturday night at Rocky Lane and County Road 756. No injuries were reported.

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

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District-Wide Seal Coat is scheduled to begin Monday in Henderson County, then move through all eight counties of the Tyler District and treat nearly 300 miles of roadway before concluding work in August. Crews are scheduled to seal most of U.S. Highway 175 between Athens and the Kaufman County Line, then move into Anderson County by the weekend, weather permitting. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

LUFKIN — Three Lufkin youth have been arrested for public intoxication. KETK reports it happened just before 3:45 Sunday morning 1500 block of Lakeview Street. Officers were dispatched to the scene following a report of a drunk driver. Found in possession of alcohol was Lucia Alfaro, 19, Joseph Callaway, 18, and Nicole Castillo, 20. Calloway, who was the driver, was charged with driving while intoxicated. Castillo was charged with minor possession of alcohol, and Alfaro was arrested for a warrant for her arrest.

LONGVIEW — A Gregg County man remains in the county jail on a murder charge almost two weeks after his brother had been fatally stabbed. The Longview News-Journal reports Sheriff Maxey Cerliano says the arrest of Jeffrey Allen Miller, 28, is in connection with the June 24th death of his brother, Jeremy Dewayne Miller, 27. He died at a Longview hospital from a stab wound to his abdomen. Continue reading Man Charged in Brother’s Murder

MARSHALL — Two Marshall juveniles are being charged with arson after an early morning fire at the East Texas Open Door, a juvenile detention facility. The fire was reported just after 2:00 Saturday morning. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. The Longview News-Journal reports the two teenagers told Marshall police they were trying to rescue the sleeping residents of the facility. Further investigation led to the arrest of the two boys.

LONGVIEW — A couple of hundred persons were on had for the Longview Chapter tea party, We the People’s rally, “Don’t Tread On Me”. It was held Saturday at the Gregg County Courthouse. KETK reports on hand were some of the top conservative figures in Texas politics such as Austin Lux, as well as State Representatives Bryan Hughes and David Simpson. The speakers discussed such issues as abortion and the national debt crisis.

CLARKSVILLE CITY — A Gregg county home has been been destroyed by a fire that may have started from fireworks. It was reported shortly before 12:45 Thursday morning at Western Acres in Clarksville City. Investigators say family members had been popping fireworks near the home prior to the fire. No injuries were reported and the fire remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say a Smith County home’s living room caved in and the home was destroyed as the result of a Friday fire. According to the Smith County Fire Marshal, the house is on CR 288, also known as Arp Club Lake Road, just off CR 285. KETK reports Arp, Chapel Hill, and Whitehouse fire departments responded to the scene. The Chapel Hill Fire Department reported late Friday afternoon that the blaze had been contained. Continue reading House Destroyed by Fire, Living Room Caves In

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was accused of assaulting a public servant Thursday after he attacked a Gregg County jailer and took a can of pepper spray from her hand, Gregg County sheriff’s deputies said. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Neal Woods III, 58, will remain in the jail under a $7,500 bond after the assault, according to Gregg County judicial records. Woods was being held in the jail on a $2,500 bond after he was accused Saturday of driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction. Continue reading Authorities: Man Attacks Jailer, Takes Pepper Spray

TYLER — The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from Tyler citizens to serve on City boards and commissions. The deadline to apply is August 16 and appointments will be made by the City Council at their August 28 meeting. To serve on a board or commission, applicants must reside inside Tyler City limits and should not have any delinquent City taxes, City utilities or other City assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions. Continue reading Applications Accepted To Serve On City Of Tyler Boards And Commissions

DIBOLL — One person has died as a result of a one-vehicle accident at the Ryan Lake Hunting Club in Diboll. Preliminary reports from the Department of Public Safety say the driver veered off the road and hit a tree, causing the car to burst into flames. The victim has been identified as Dion Lamont Lackland, 39

UPSHUR COUNTY – A Northeast Texas technology and efficiency consultant hopes to do for the General Land Office what he does for companies nationwide. David L. Watts Jr., 46, has filed papers with the Texas Ethics Commission allowing the Upshur County resident to raise money in a bid for the GOP nomination for the office of Texas Land Commissioner. Commissioner Jerry Patterson has announced he will seek the lieutenant governor’s position in the 2014 Republican primary. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that Watts joins George P. Bush, nephew and grandson of former presidents, in the Republican hunt to replace Patterson. Continue reading Upshur County Man Seeks State Office

TYLER — There have been some changes in plans and other details regarding a pro-life rally today in Austin. Residents of Tyler and surrounding areas in House District 6 will gather there today as part of a statewide effort to support House Bill 2, the omnibus pro-life bill filed in the current special session. The group will gather at the state capitol prior to a 7:00pm pro-life rally on the south steps of the capitol. The rally will feature former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, along with several pro-life leaders from around Texas. You can go to http://www.txvalues.org for more information about the rally. Continue reading Some Changes in Plans as Pro-Lifers Prepare to Gather in Austin

TYLER — In honor of Independence Day, the Founding Fathers, and the Second Amendment, more than 100 East Texans held an open carry march Thursday in downtown Tyler. Participants tell KETK it was important to march armed, honoring servicemen and women and the Constitution. Participant Terry Phillips said, “As a county commissioner, I think it’s important to get out and show your support for the Constitution.” It was a peaceful march, as participants carried their rifles and shotguns on their backs with the muzzles facing down.

SMITH COUNTY — Firefighters worked Thursday to put out a fast-moving grass fire on the 10000 block of County Road 235 in Smith County. KETK reports several departments responded to help extinguish the flames. There was no immediate word on if any structures were in danger or how the fire began. Authorities shut down County Road 235 while crews battled the blaze.

LONGVIEW — Early efforts by the city of Longview to control the mosquito population reduced the number of daytime mosquitoes, but there’s still an abundance of the West Nile-carrying Culex, city officials said Wednesday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview Environmental Health Department Supervisor Buck Farrar said, “This mosquito (Culex) got the upper hand early and may have ousted the others.” Continue reading Longview Spraying Doesn’t Reduce West Nile-Carrying Mosquitoes

NACOGDOCHES — Two Nacogdoches women were arrested Wednesday evening on multiple drug charges at a residence on County Road 915. KETK reports the suspects are Evelyn Ward and Judy Suarez, both 56. Sheriff Jason Bridges stated that an ongoing drug investigation led to the seizure of nearly two grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, numerous pills, and a handgun along with other drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Two Arrested on Drug Charges

LONGVIEW — One East Texas community college is looking to expand its horizons. KETK reports Kilgore College-Longview is aiming to build new facilities south of its current campus, which sits on Cotton Street. New construction would be along South and High Streets, on property already owned by the college. The new facilities would be used to help expand current programs in industrial maintenance. And college officials say it’s needed. According to one official, “There are a number of career fields that are in need of having more education and training and we need more space to do that.” The plans right now are still in the preliminary phase, and no timetable has been set for the expansion.

EAST TEXAS — Two weeks without rain has East Texas fire officials concerned about Fourth of July fireworks. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The West Harrison Volunteer Fire Department has battled three small grass fires since Saturday and will staff firefighters at the fire station all day Thursday, said spokesman Ryan Freeman. “Most fireworks burn at 1,200 degrees,” said Freeman, who has been part of the West Harrison VFD the past nine years. “Grass will burn at 200 to 300 degrees. We’ll have people at the station and on standby all day.” Continue reading Dry Independence Day Conditions Worry East Texas Fire Officials

TYLER — East Texas will hold numerous Fourth of July celebrations. One of the biggest: the Tyler Jaycees Fireworks Show at Lindsey Park. Gates opened at 4:00pm, admission is $10 per car, concessions will be provided, and the show will start after dark.

LONGVIEW — Longview firefighters have extinguished a fire at an oil well facility on Lake Lamond Road. The fire happened around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon between Cotton and U.S. Highway 80. Fire officials tell KETK crews on the scene that the workers were doing a pipe removal on a shut-in gas well when there was a flash fire. The work area of their trailer was damaged, and one employee who was working at the site has been hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Part of Highway 80 was closed between Gilmer and Bill Owens Pkwy. so firefighters could work the scene.

LAKE FORK — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Wardens have identified the victims involved in a double fatality boating accident Monday evening on Lake Fork. KETK reports they were Justin Douglas Wilcox, 34, Oglesby, Texas, and Walter Edward Serbon Jr., 69, Yantis, Texas. A child in one of the boats was severely injured and flown by helicopter from the scene to a Dallas area hospital. One of the boats involved sank at the scene and has been successfully raised by the Game Warden statewide Dive Team and Accident Reconstruction Team with specialized flotation lift bags and has been towed to shore for further investigation. Continue reading Lake Fork Boating Accident Victims Identified

TYLER — Tyler Junior College will award 100 scholarships to students majoring in science, technology, engineering or math in Fall 2013, thanks to a grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. TJC received a $263,200 grant from the Coordinating Board. The Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or T-STEM, scholarships will provide awards of up to $2,500 per student for the 2013-14 academic year. Eligibility is based on high school grade-point average and the completion of courses toward a STEM career. Continued eligibility beyond the fall semester is dependent upon academic achievement and completion of coursework. Continue reading TJC Grant Creates 100 New Scholarships for Fall 2013

GILMER — On Tuesday, under the authority of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, the SPCA of Texas seized and took custody of 27 allegedly cruelly confined dogs, including puppies, from a property in Gilmer. That’s according to KETK. SPCA officials say half of the dogs were living inside a feces-filled, urine-soaked house on the property and the other half were living in the front yard outside the residence. Continue reading 27 Dogs Seized from East Texas Property