KTBB News, Weather, Talk

QUITMAN – Wood County murder trial, that was set to begin later this month has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled. The continuance was requested by the attorney for Jason Russell Walter, 41, of Mineola. He is accused of the shooting death of Christopher Jason Griffin, 19, of Mineola. The shooting occurred on Father’s Day of 2014. It stemmed from an argument that started inside a convenience store on North Pacific Street in Mineola. The shooting occurred after the argument moved outside and behind the store. Walters was at the scene with a gun when police arrived.

WINNSBORO – The Department of Public Safety has identified the person killed in a weekend accident in Wood County. The crash happened shortly before midnight on Saturday on Highway 11, just west of Winnsboro. Dead at the scene was Corey Gibson, 24, of Como. His minivan was heading east, at the what the DPS says was an unsafe speed, when the vehicle left the road and rolled over in a ditch. The vehicle then hit a billboard and caught fire.

TYLER — The left northbound lane of Loop 323 at Woodhue Drive in Tyler will be closed from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. each day through this coming Saturday. City officials report Maximus Operating, LTD has requested the lane closure for a rig move. Tyler Police will be present and directing traffic in this area. If at all possible, drivers are asked to seek alternate routes. Those driving in this area are asked to proceed with caution during this time. The location is 300 feet south of the Lion Drive intersection.

LONGVIEW – A man in a clown mask has robbed a Longview business. The robbery happened shortly before 10:30 Monday morning at Rapid Payday & Title Loans on Judson Road. The suspect displayed a handgun, took an undisclosed amount of money, and then fled the area on foot. No injuries were reported. Besides the clown mask, the suspect was said to have been wearing blue jeans, a hoodie and dark shirt with a Nike symbol.

LONGVIEW — A ribbon cutting was held Monday to celebrate the opening of the new FM 2275/George Richey Road extension from McCann Road to U.S. 259 in Longview. TxDOT and its partners, the City of Longview, the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Longview Economic Development Corporation, and Gregg County hosted the event. According to information from TxDOT, the extension is designed to provide a much needed east/west thoroughfare that will ease congestion and improve safety from U.S. 259 westward to State Highway 300 in Longview. The project is being built in two phases. In spring 2014, construction began for the segment from U.S. 259 to McCann Road, which opened to traffic following the ribbon cutting. Continue reading Ribbon Cutting Held for George Richey Extension

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater teenager has been arrested for allegedly racing late Friday night in Longview. KETK reports that around 10:45 p.m., a Longview police officer was on patrol on West Loop 281 when he says two cars were racing in the eastbound lanes of traffic. The officer initiated a traffic stop and one of the vehicles turned into a nearby parking lot. The driver of the car, identified as Dakota James Mixon, 19, was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail without incident. Mixon’s bond was set at $1,000.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate an early morning robbery. According to authorities, it happened just before 4:00 this morning at the Fast Fuel gas station, 2524 Shiloh Road. The clerk reportedly told officers that the armed suspect, described as a young Hispanic man wearing a black hoodie, walked around the counter and demanded money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of currency, the suspect fled the scene in an older model grey single cab truck. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. No one was injured during the robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tyler Police Department as soon as possible.

EAST TEXAS — Don’t be surprised this week if you pass a stopped school bus, operating a visual signal, and are stopped by a state trooper. Texas Department of Safety troopers will be watching for drivers who violate the law on this, National School Bus Safety Week. It runs October 17th through the 21st. They will look for violators in a variety of ways. State Trooper Jean Dark says they may be following a school bus, driving ahead of it or they may even be riding on the bus. Dark says a driver who disregards a stopped school bus is putting kid’s lives in danger. And she says, that is cause for concern. Drivers who violate the law could face fines as much as $1,250. Continue reading DPS Checks On School Bus Safety

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating an armed robbery at The Family Dollar store on Bow Street. According to officials, the suspect entered the store around 10:00, showed the clerk a handgun and demanded money. A store employee reportedly grabbed the suspect from behind and a struggle took place. The suspect broke free and struck the store employee with the handgun causing injury. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. He’s described as African American, 5’8” to 5’10, 150-160 lbs, wearing black clothing with his face covered. Continue reading Family Dollar Robbery Under Investigation

HENDERSON — A large fire in Rusk County forced the closure of Highway 64 briefly. According to KETK, crews are battling tank fires at Lone Star Equipment on Highway 64 near Henderson. No injuries were reported. Highway 64 has since reopened.

MOUNT PLEASANT — An Oregon sex offender has been taken into custody after deputies received a suspicious person call earlier this week. According to KETK, Titus County Sheriff’s Deputies found Steven Wayne Kay, Jr. on Highway 271 near Mt. Pleasant. During the investigation, authorities found drug paraphernalia and arrested Kay. Kay was registered in Oregon, but had failed to notify them he left the state and also failed to notify Titus County. He was living at a home on County Road 1535. Due to Kay Jr. not properly registering as the state law requires, officials filed a case and obtained an arrest warrant for sex offenders duty to register. He was booked into the Titus County Jail.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man accused of sending text messages with pornographic images and solicitation of a minor is indicted in Gregg County. According to the Longview News-Journal, Timothy Layne Riley, 41, was released Feb. 27 on $100,000 bond, a day after Longview police arrested him on a charge of solicitation of a minor with intent to have sexual contact. The mother of the 16-year-old girl told police Feb. 18 that Riley had been sending inappropriate texts to her daughter. The messages included Riley asking the girl to send him sexual photos and sending the girl graphic photos of himself. Continue reading Longview Man Indicted for Solicitation of Minor

TYLER – Two Robert E Lee High School Students have received honors from the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Mary Claire Neal has been named a Semifinalist and Kushan Gupta a Commended Student. Neal joins around 16,000 students across the nation in receiving Semifinalist honors. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships. Gupta joins 34,000 Commended Students across the nation in being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

LONGVIEW – The City of Longview has partnered with local businesses to add three more locations for glass recycling for a total of six drop-off locations. At each location, glass bottles and jars may be deposited into 95-gallon carts with yellow lids. Other kinds of glass such as light bulbs, mirrors, and auto glass will not be accepted. Glass recycling is not available for curbside collection at this time. Continue reading Longview Adds Three More Glass Recycling Sites

LONGVIEW – A man involved in a fatal hit and run accident in Longview in July has been indicted by the Gregg County Grand Jury. Bryan Arnold, 50, of Longview has been indicted on charges of intoxicated manslaughter. He is accused of hitting Paul Price, 19, of White Oak. Price was hit while riding his bicycle with the flow of traffic on West Loop 281. He later died at a Longview hospital. Arnold, who left the scene later used a roommate’s phone to call police to say he was involved in the accident. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under a $125,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County grand jury has indicted three persons in connection with a Longview murder last spring. The three were indicted in the shooting death of Devin Newson, 20, of Lakeport. Indicted in the case were Brenndrick Kesean Lilly, 21, (pictured) Kentrell Jorail Smith, 20, and Kambresha Shante Williams, 21, all from Longview. Documents show how Lilly is believed to have fired the gunshot that killed Newson in his car after the two struggled for control of the gun. The shooting occurred during an attempted armed robbery at the Grandy’s and Food Fast convenience store at 3305 Eastman Road on May 23rd. Continue reading Murder Indictments Handed Up in Longview

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Elections Office saw 835 people register to vote in only two days this week. “I have had several people tell me this is the first time they have registered to vote. There was even an 82-year-old woman who registered for the first time on Tuesday,” Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said. “I feel that because both Presidential candidates are so well known, it has caused people to be very interested in this election.” Nelson said her office helped 275 people register to vote on Monday, and 560 people came to her office to fill out the application on Tuesday, the last day to register. Continue reading Voter Registration Deadline Brings Influx of Applications

NEW SUMMERFIELD – An arrest warrant is out in a Cherokee County homicide. Cherokee County authorities have issued a warrant for Maximino Garcia,(pictured) 31, of New Summerfield. He is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Mario Rodriguez, 27, of New Summerfield. His pickup was found Sunday morning at County Road 4415 and Farm Road 2274, just outside of new Summerfield. His body was on the floorboard of the truck. They also are looking for the suspects brother, Emmanuel Garcia, 25. They feel he may be a witness in the case.

TYLER – A Smith County fireman has been arrested on DWI charges. According to our news partner, KETK, judicial records show Blake Edward Stansberry, 33, of Flint, was charged with DWI earlier this month. He was arrested by the Whitehouse Police Department. According to the the Flint-Gresham Volunteer Fire Department web page, Stansberry is a captain with the department. He is currently free on a $500 bond.

TYLER — The 83rd annual Texas Rose Festival is underway in Tyler following Thursday morning’s ribbon cutting. Rose Queen Mallory Kristine Curtis says she’s excited about the annual fall extravaganza and looking forward to all the activities. Those include the Rose Show at the Rose Garden Center, an art show, and an arts and crafts fair. One special guest: Governor Greg Abbott, who will keynote Friday’s Men’s Luncheon. Author and designer India Hicks will speak at the Ladies’ Luncheon, also Friday. Couple this with the Queen’s Coronation and Queen’s Tea and a big parade on Saturday, there is something for every member of the family. The festival runs through Sunday. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for a schedule of activities and more information.

TYLER — Officials are searching for the thief that stole money collected from a church fund raiser, as well as the morning offering, from a church Sunday night. According to KETK, Lone Star Church, in Tyler, had just held it’s biggest fundraiser of the year Saturday. That, paired with collections from the Sunday morning services, added up to approximately $7,000. The church’s treasurer took the funds home to make a deposit Monday morning. The money was stolen from the treasurer’s car. Pastor Doug Hanning had a message for the thief…”We forgive you and if you need help, we’ll be glad to talk to you.” He said they are not looking to prosecute anybody and if someone needs help then that’s what the church is there for.

LONGVIEW – A small fire has temporarily closed Longview’s Casa Ole Restaurant. Firemen were called out to the restaurant around 6:00 Wednesday night. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary told the Longview News Journal the fire was on the edge of the roof. It was electrical in nature. It was quickly extinguished by firemen. Most of the damage appears to be to the exterior of the building with only minor damage inside. The business will remained closed until the electrical issue is repaired.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for a vehicle involved in a hit and run accident. It happened shortly after 8:15 Wednesday night on Grand Avenue south of West Nutbush. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle that fled the scene was described as a white VW Bug with black wheels. It should have front end damage.

TYLER — The public is invited to attend an open house to be held Thursday by the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in an effort to amend the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP is the long range transportation plan for the MPO and contains a vision and goals for the Policy Committee to implement over the 25-year planning period, according to information from the city of Tyler. Continue reading Public Invited to Metropolitan Transportation Plan Open House

QUITMAN – It took several agencies in Wood County to track down William Eric Potter, 30, of Humble. He was taken into custody following a manhunt. Officers had been looking for the suspect around highways 14 and 37 near Quitman. During a chase from a traffic stop, Potter man is said to have rammed two Winnsboro police cars who were trying to keep his vehicle out of the downtown area. The chase continued south until the man’s vehicle crashed. He was found near County Road 4761 and arrested without incident.

LONGVIEW — A Longview child is recovering after the boy was badly burned while playing with gasoline. According to KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says at around 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities received a report of a 10-year-old who had been burned. Officials learned the child was allegedly burned after he lit a piece of material on fire and threw it into a cup containing gasoline possibly mixed with paint thinner. When the cup erupted into flames, the cup was picked up by another juvenile and thrown against a fence in an attempt to stop the fire. The flammable liquid then splashed back onto the 10-year-old. The t-shirt that the victim was wearing caught fire and began burning him on his upper torso. Continue reading Child Badly Burned while Playing with Gasoline